Scout Report – James Tomkins
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Our series of articles focussing on key targets from the promoted clubs continues with a look at one of West Ham’s defensive assets. Hammers centre-half James Tomkins missed a single league game last term and was one of only two players from Sam Allardyce’s side to feature in the npower Championship team of the season, along with midfielder Mark Noble:
The Statistics
A product of the Hammers’ youth academy, Tomkins signed for the club at the age of seven and has worked his way up through the ranks. The centre-half made his debut in the 2007-08 campaign after a spate of injuries handed him a chance and went on to win the Young Hammer of the Year award after making six first-team appearances. Aside from a brief five-week loan spell at Derby the following season, Tomkins has been a one-club man.
The centre-half has struggled with injuries and failed to gain the trust of certain managers over his time at Upton Park; prior to Sam Allardyce’s arrival last summer, he had made just 60 league appearances in his first four seasons at the club. Installed alongside Winston Reid at the heart of the Hammers backline, Tomkins – who occasionally featured in a defensive midfield role under the former Bolton boss – was a stand-out performer as Big Sam guided the club back into the Premier League at the first attempt, returning four goals and a couple of assists. In total, he has played 104 league matches, scoring six times and providing three assists, and has represented England at youth level from Under 16 – Under 21.
The Prospects
Costing 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 4.1 in the Sky Sports game, Tomkins is pricier than his fellow Hammers defenders in the latter game, with Reid matching his valuation in FPL. His guaranteed game time, however, has helped him pick up plenty of suitors and he is, resultantly, the most popular West Ham defender in both games, despite cheaper alternatives in Allardyce’s backline.
While many Fantasy managers are eyeing up the Hammers defence as we look for cut-price rotation options, it’s worth bearing in mind that Allardyce’s side were statistically more impressive away from home in the 2011/12 campaign. Not only did West Ham win more games on the road (13 to 11), they picked up 10 away clean sheets compared to just seven at home and also conceded less goals on their travels (22 v 26). A repeat pattern could well prove frustrating for Fantasy managers looking to mainly utilise their Hammers defensive assets at home, perhaps suggesting Jussi Jaaskelainen may be more reliable in FPL due to save points, though Tomkins’ ability to register blocks could prove essential in boosting his EA SPORTS Player Performance Index score and help him pick up bonus.
Tomkins’ involvement with the Great Britain Olympic squad has many worrying over his game time at the start of the season but even if Stuart Pearce’s team reach the final on Saturday August 11, it still gives the defender a full week before the Hammers get their season underway at home to Aston Villa – considering how integral Tomkins was to the team’s defensive performances last term, it seems unlikely this will affect Allardyce’s selection policy.
With (FUL, SUN, SOT) all set to visit Upton Park by the end of Gameweek 8 and trips to Swansea, Norwich and QPR also on the agenda, the Hammers are picking up plenty investment due to what is clearly one of the kindest opening schedules around. If Allardyce can engineer a quick start out the blocks, Tomkins has the potential to immediately flourish and establish himself as one of the best value defenders on offer to Fantasy managers for the season ahead.
Further Reference
About The Author
paul
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“I love to attack and I love to go up front...It is a little more difficult than when you are playing centre-back. If you play the way that I want to play, I think my influence is better as a left-back. For the team, it is best that I play as a centre-back. I like to bring the ball out. You need to move the game quickly, and that is one of my qualities as well.”
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July 31 at 9:25 am
tosey says:
berbatov to QPR being reported in the papers today, at 7m he would interest me
July 31 at 9:26 am
Spike says:
and me
July 31 at 9:28 am
ronh says:
Really?
That would be about 6 strikers the’yd have.
July 31 at 9:29 am
Spike says:
They wont all play at once tho
July 31 at 9:33 am
ronh says:
That is my point!
They will all get rested.
July 31 at 9:28 am
Kings of Lyon says:
Yeah same here. He’d be nailed on with everyone else rotating around.
July 31 at 9:29 am
baulchy says:
piennar or Larsson (set pieces)??
July 31 at 9:30 am
Willis_Hide says:
Larsson.
July 31 at 9:31 am
Spike says:
Larsson. Baines is Everton’s set piece player
July 31 at 9:32 am
Mak_Gold: Join my leagues @ 35256-11957 and 35256-11972 (H2H). 20 team limit in the H2H one! says:
Larsson.
July 31 at 9:29 am
Nick says:
Best 3 defender rotation for 12.5m?
Cuellar, McCartney and Clyne is best I’ve found so far…
July 31 at 9:30 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
Hi fellas! Latest draft for me !
Friedel – Federici
Demel – Lescott – A.Cole – Coloccini – Cuellar
Valencia – Hazard – Michu – Noble – Pienaar (if he moves to Everton ofc)
Rooney – Tevez – Petric
- Keepers I’m also happy with. Friedel is great value at 5.5M and has awesome fixtures from GW 1-10
Though Federici will start GW 1 ofc.
- I currently like my defense a lot. Lescott and A.Cole will mostly be weekly starters, Coloccini or Cuellar for the last spot, with maybe throwing Demel in when I really have to.
- Midfielders I’m also happy with. Went Valencia over Kagawa to not get too punty with my players. Hazard will be this years FPL Bale IMO. Michu I picked because you guys have talked him up in the skies. Noble, cheap and set-pieces. Pienaar, lets hope he returns to Everton for his owng good and for us.
- Up front Rooney is the safe pick, Tevez I currently have now but I will take a look on the Community Shield to see if he plays a part. Petric will stay in my team as he is doing very good in the pre-season atm-. + Half a year ago I played with him on Fifa 12 with Hamburg and he was deadly in front of goal.
Any thoughts guys?
July 31 at 9:41 am
Lucky says:
The last bit justifies the Petric buy for me.
He’s in my team now.
July 31 at 9:30 am
Smurf says:
How is this team looking please?
Foster
Ivanovic / Hangeland / Ridgewell
Mata / Dempsey / Valencia / Noble
Tevez / Bent / Jelavic
Mignolet / Maloney / Demel / Cuellar
1.0 in the bank incase Tevez doesn’t look like playing as much as I think and then I can trade Mata/Tevez to Silva/Adebayor. Otherwise Mata will swap straight to Bale.
I have double rotation with Foster/Mignolet & Ridgwell/Cuellar which maybe slightly risky but I fancy it to do well.
Noble & Maloney also rotate well.
July 31 at 9:31 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
It’s different. But could turn out to be very good. Would wait on Dempsey and I think Mata will be rotated.
July 31 at 9:45 am
Smurf says:
Yeah Dempsey would get dropped if he moved.
July 31 at 9:37 am
Spike says:
I agree with The Steady’s comments. Dempsey has asked to leave Fulham and he could finish up not featuring for the first couple of games even if he goes to Liverpool
July 31 at 9:53 am
Smurf says:
If Dempsey moves then I would get in Silva for him, I don’t want him if at Liverpool.
July 31 at 9:32 am
cyw1988 says:
kagawa starts in GW1?
July 31 at 9:32 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
Wait till we see community shield
July 31 at 9:35 am
ronh says:
Oh yeah, I forgot Utd are playing in that…
July 31 at 9:37 am
Spike says:
Its between Chelsea and Man Cty tho
July 31 at 9:37 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
Sorry, now I mis-read, thought he was talking about Tevez……..
July 31 at 9:38 am
GreenWindmill says:
July 31 at 9:40 am
pompeyfan says:
lol, i have made that mistake a few times, i always assume they must be playing in it
July 31 at 9:33 am
ninja says:
Please rate this out of 10
Jussi begovic
A.cole lescott cuellar fabio clyne
Valencia lampard larsson noble frei
Torres tevez rooney
I feel this does away with having too keep 2m in the bank and allows to keep torres for gw2 if he does well in gw1. Planning no transfer for gw2 then torres and lampard > bale and ba etc for gw3
July 31 at 9:34 am
ninja says:
And I really feel tevez wil start, he saved citys season last season and mancini knows that
July 31 at 9:35 am
Mohit Gianani says:
Anyone has any views on Lennon? Starting likelihood percentage or how he’s playing in the pre season?
July 31 at 9:46 am
Lucky says:
I’m strongly considering the punt, then bringing in Bale/Siggy/VDV for Hazard after week 1 for a double up.
He SHOULD play RW. But you can never be sure with a new manager can you?
July 31 at 9:36 am
Jake9 says:
Please comment on which option fits best with my team??
Friedel Federici
Cole Lescott Demel Fabio ?
Silva Lampard Maloney/MaCarthy/Noble ? ?
? Torres Graham
Which option is best suited for this team?
A) Tevez, Kagawa, Rangel and Taarabt
or
B) Aguero, Michu, Clyne and Mclean
Thanks
July 31 at 9:38 am
Aatish says:
A Imo.
July 31 at 9:41 am
ninja says:
A for me
July 31 at 9:41 am
Nick says:
A
July 31 at 9:36 am
eagles4ever says:
whats the genearl feeeling on selecting Kagawa. He looks awesome, but a new signing holds so much risk. Is Valencia perhaps the better option to start?
July 31 at 9:37 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
Well … put it this way: he is a hugely better pick than Hazard, not to mention Michu …
July 31 at 9:39 am
eagles4ever says:
Anyone picking Hazard from the off needs there head examining imo. Cheslea have so many mids im staying away all together
July 31 at 9:41 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
You can’t. You have to punt; the question is which?
July 31 at 9:42 am
ninja says:
Lamps
July 31 at 9:54 am
eagles4ever says:
No punt with Chelsea mids…not yet… Torres and A Cole for me. I’d rather have Kagawa as my mid punt.
July 31 at 9:40 am
roscola says:
I agree. Something about him says to me that he will hit the ground running. Good price too, for an in-the-hole player at Utd
July 31 at 9:42 am
Spike says:
Bloody hell Doos have you been drinking some dodgy wine. You’ve aged years mate
July 31 at 9:43 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
True. It’s the difficulty of whipping your bloody league into shape!
July 31 at 9:42 am
Bubbles - Second Place in the JPT Final 2012 says:
Out of curiosity, what’s the Doosra differential 15 looking like? I want to see something a bit different!
July 31 at 9:44 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
I don’t have one, I have a THREE WEEK PLAN! Still game???
July 31 at 9:45 am
Bubbles - Second Place in the JPT Final 2012 says:
Go on…
July 31 at 9:46 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
You asked for it!!!
Gw1:
Federici
Koscielny, Riise, Ridgewell
Lampard(c), Yaya Toure, Kagawa, Song
Adebayor, Torres(vc), Pogrebnyak
Subs: Friedel; Rafael, Dyer, Rangel
2 transfers: Lampard & Pogrebnyak to Sigurdsson(Bale) & Graham; -4.
Gw2:
Friedel
Koscielny, Rangel, Rafael
Sigurdsson(vc), Yaya Toure, Kagawa(c), Dyer
Adebayor, Graham, Torres
Subs: Federici; Song, Ridgewell, Riise
NO transfers!!!
Gw3:
Friedel
Koscielny, Rangel, Ridgewell
Sigurdsson(c), Yaya Toure, Kagawa, Song, Dyer
Adebayor(vc), Graham
Subs: Federici; Rafael, Riise, Torres
3 transfers!; -4
July 31 at 9:49 am
Spike says:
Like your mid-field selection. Yaya, Siggy and Kagawa in my selection too
July 31 at 9:49 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
Cheers, Spike!
July 31 at 9:50 am
Bubbles - Second Place in the JPT Final 2012 says:
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked…
You’ve obviously thought long and hard about it, and, all in all, I rather like it! Like your strikers, like your mids, like the defence. Good stuff.
July 31 at 9:39 am
Mohit Gianani says:
No. For one Kagawa is a bit cheaper, secondly he’ll play in the hole where he’ll be much more influential. Third, and most importantly, he’s far better than Valencia.
July 31 at 9:44 am
eagles4ever says:
But i just have a feeling he’s going to be one of those players that will be constantly subbed off after an hour. It’s just spo tough to call untill we get a few games in. But think Kagawas a punt im going to take
July 31 at 9:39 am
roscola says:
Pratik – not sure how I managed not to register before now but I have done it. Thanks for the reminder
July 31 at 9:40 am
murr23 says:
1) Why is there no love for Darren Bent? I think he has extremely favourable fixtures and is proven goalscorer
2) Why the love for Torres>Rooney in wk2? As of now Torres only real striker and should start and run of games after the first week is still good
3) Why do so many teams have Kagawa/Hazard in them? Both completely unproven in the premiership and both very high values. Massive risks in my view
4) Why is nobody even thinking about Theo Walcott? Frustrates me as a player but pretty much nailed on starter on the right and capable of some double figure gameweeks
5) Why no love for Cabaye too? Seriously considering bringing him in after gameweek 2. Powered on at the tail end of last season and if they go 4-4-2 may have licence to attack a bit more too.
July 31 at 9:42 am
Doosra - "A revolution is a struggle to the death between the future and the past." - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
For one, we don’t know whether he has recovered or will get over his injury.
July 31 at 9:46 am
ninja says:
Agree with 1 2 and 3, see my team above, 4 and 5 really come down to gunners and newc having difficult starting fixtures, I’m sure walcott and cabaye/hba will be brought in after gw 4/5
July 31 at 9:47 am
Billy Gilmore says:
1) Currently injured i believe.
2) Torres will almost certainly bomb and disappoint like always. Also nobody can live without Rooney in case he goes off.
3) Kagawa is looking great in preseason and will likely play in the hole behind Rooney so should do well. Hazard has a DGW so people are willing to punt on him.
4) Terrible fixtures. Doos may disagree here
5) Cabaye is worthless in a 4-4-2. He only did well playing as the most advanced of the midfield 3 in the 4-3-3.
July 31 at 9:47 am
eagles4ever says:
Kagawa and Hazard both risks yes. Both expensive…not really. Hazard definately is for the rotation that WILL happen with the sheer number of mids they have… but Kagawa at 8.5 and looking at him in pre season looks value for money at the moment, but still as always with new signings a little risky
July 31 at 9:47 am
Mohit Gianani says:
1 – There is plenty of love for him.
2 – Chelsea aren’t playing in GW3. Basically people want him for the DGW.
3 – Favorable fixtures, and proven in the other leagues + guaranteed starters. Also best value in midfield from their teams.
4 – As an Arsenal fan, I’m staying away from Walcott. With Cazorla almost signed, and the arrivals of Podolski and the upcoming of Chambo, I doubt Walcott will be a guaranteed starter after, say, GW5. I’m buying Gervinho till then.
5 – Cabaye? Meh.
July 31 at 9:49 am
thetinkerman says:
Dear bemused reader of these boards:
1) Bent is a good shout but noone will pick him until he scores a few pre-season goals. Then, everyone will start posting RMTs with him in it and it will snowball until everyone has him in their team.
2) People are scared of missing out on the potential Chelsea DGW attacking points but are also scared of missing out on Rooney’s potential points from GW2 onwards.
3) People see Kagawa/Hazard in RMTs and think other people know something they don’t so panic and find a way to fit them into their team. I happen to agree with you.
4) Walcott is very frustrating fantasy-wise and people are concerned about an Arsenal side with Gervinho as the main attacking outlet.
5) Newcastle have bad fixtures and he’s out of fashion.
July 31 at 9:43 am
Nitin Nagaraja says:
New post.
July 31 at 9:44 am
Brakus says:
Bent or Jelavic
I have bent on the the fact that everton are slow starters normally but i really cant seperate them thanks
July 31 at 9:49 am
Mohit Gianani says:
Bent without a doubt.
July 31 at 9:52 am
murr23 says:
Bent all the way for me
July 31 at 9:52 am
thetinkerman says:
If both fit and ready to go I prefer Bent due to Villa’s new attacking mentality under the new coach and Everton’s trademark slow start.
July 31 at 9:48 am
Sliver says:
Phil Jones or Rafael? Can’t make up my mind.
July 31 at 9:49 am
Mohit Gianani says:
Rafael. I think.
July 31 at 9:51 am
Sliver says:
I had Phil Jones as the first name on my fantasy team. Now it looks like he will be warming the bench at United. Shame.
July 31 at 9:48 am
Lil Hundred says:
Thoughts on Mata for the double gameweek? Will he start both?
July 31 at 9:49 am
eagles4ever says:
I’d be surprised if any Chelsea mid starts both…
July 31 at 9:50 am
Spike says:
If he gets a full game or even 70 mins in the Community Shield then yes more than likely
July 31 at 9:52 am
Ryan says:
Do people think this will be the Spurs lineup? A narrow 4-2-3-1 with the attacking mids quite central allowing room for the fullbacks to make runs up the flanks? I figure players like VDV won’t be employed wide on the wing and Bale is playing much more centrally these days as well.
___________________Defoe/Ade_____________________
________Bale_________Siggy_________VDV___________
______________Sandro?______Parker__________________
BAE__________Kaboul________Gallas____________Walker
July 31 at 9:52 am
Lil Hundred says:
Vertonghan will be at CB, as might Dawson. It’s all up in the air, which is why I’ve forked out an extra mil on Walker. But yea, I think it could very well be that formation.
July 31 at 9:53 am
murr23 says:
Gallas won’t be starting but the rest I agree on completely
July 31 at 9:58 am
Smurf says:
As said Gallas will be no where near the team. The likely CB’s will be Vertonghen & Dawson if fit. I agree with the strategy and the way they will play though.
July 31 at 9:58 am
Spike says:
Vertonghen is more likely to play one of the cb positions and Dawson has been ear marked for Captain so Gallas may not feature as a starter
July 31 at 9:52 am
vova says:
Hi lads, I think I am nearing my final draft, so tell me what you think…
Jasskelainen Begovic
McCartney Cuellar Coloccini A.Cole Lescott
Bale Noble Hazard Pienaar Guthrie
Torres Aguero Graham
2.0 in the bank for Torres to Rooney GW2
Cheers
July 31 at 9:57 am
Lil Hundred says:
It’s nice, though Maloney over Noble might be good. Guthrie is a waste and I dislike the keeper combo. Front line is solid, though I’d downgrade Kun to Tevez and bulk elsewhere.
July 31 at 10:01 am
Spike says:
I would have another look at the goal keepers but the rest looks a good mix
July 31 at 9:52 am
Seabreeze says:
What are peoples thoughts on this team? Friend has just sent me this, it is what he’s going with at the moment.
DDG/Federici
Fabio / Santon / Cashley / Clyne / Cuellar
Sinclair/Noble/Taarabt/Snodgrass/Larsson
RVP/Tevez/Rooney
July 31 at 9:57 am
eagles4ever says:
3/10
Midfield way too light
Not sure on RVP just yet until we know what his future holds
July 31 at 9:58 am
Seabreeze says:
He’s gone for the ‘set piece’ team and he’s sticking to it no matter what, he’s convinced that mid will shine and out point most…so we shall see I guess
I do like his front line though.
July 31 at 9:59 am
eagles4ever says:
But the rest of his team looks to have suffered because of it though…. Just my opinion mind… i’m no FPL guru by any stretch
July 31 at 10:02 am
Seabreeze says:
Yea definitely, I agree!
July 31 at 9:59 am
Lil Hundred says:
A city or spurs defender is a must if you look at fixtures. Noble to Maloney also. Not sure on Snodgrass or the unproven Taarabt.
July 31 at 9:56 am
lfcserg says:
RMT out of 10, feel free to make suggestions
Friedel – Federici
Williams – Clichy – Ivanovic – Gunter – Clyne
Silva – Hazard – Sinclair – Maloney – Britton
Aguero – Torres – Pogrebnyak
2.0m left for Torres -> Rooney
July 31 at 10:00 am
Lil Hundred says:
I like some of this, but the lack of depth is down to Kun, like many other teams. I’d get Tevez and upgrade Gunter and Clyne. Let’s be honest they’re wastes…won’t get any points. Also Britton is pointless and Clichy isn’t nailed on.
July 31 at 10:03 am
lfcserg says:
Both Gunter and Clyne are more or less starters same with Britton I will introduce them if they have really good fixtures or due to injury.
July 31 at 10:00 am
Smurf says:
Pretty standard team on here if ive ever seen one. No major amount of punts which is good.
July 31 at 10:01 am
FC_Cuers says:
Hello Guys,
Here is my plan for the beginning of FPL :
Friedel – Begovic
A Cole – Hangeland – Clichy – Clyne – McCartney
Silva – Hazard – Kagawa – Walters – Guthrie
Tevez – Torres – Pog
1,5 in the bank
Double transfert before GW 3 : Hazard–>VdV and Torres–> Rooney
How do you like it ?
Any suggestions ? Any ideas about Tevez playing time ?
Have a nice day !
PS: (I can’t manage to change my Avatar ? Do you know where I have to go ?)
Thanks
July 31 at 2:05 pm
Mind over Mata says:
Hey guys, a rather less orthodox team for me – any thoughts?:
Friedel / Frederici
Terry / Ivanovic / Lescott / Cuellar / Fonte
Bale / Mata / Maloney / Noble / Taarabt
Aguero / Tevez / Graham
July 31 at 3:43 pm
Yash_MUFC says:
don u think having both Tevez n Aguero is a bit of a risk?? mata might be subbed.. but u’ve done well to fit em all under 100Mn!!
July 31 at 3:48 pm
Yash_MUFC says:
Guys i’m relatively new to this whole thing! wud like to know how my team might do!
Green, Given
ACole(VC) Collins Rangel Hill(dunno whether Fabio ll play!) McCartney
Hoilett Noble Yaya Lampard(c)
Rooney Aguero Graham
+2.0M to make changes! rate this team..
July 31 at 3:54 pm
Yash_MUFC says:
Ireland being d other mid! shows my expertise! lol
July 31 at 4:04 pm
Magill89 says:
team for gameweek 1
schwarzer (green)
richards/zabaleta, hangeland, a cole (cuellar, clyne)
hazard, yaya, pienaar, mcclean (el ahmadi)
aguero (c) torres, graham
2m to bring rooney in after
July 31 at 7:20 pm
brunoleq says:
Hey guys,
could you please rate my team ? (need it, 6 years playing, 6 poor starts!)
Vorm
Williams – Cole – Lescott
Walters – Taarabt – Kagawa – Hazard
Torres (C) – Graham – Aguero
Frederici – Guthrie – Shorey – Tierney
1m in the bank
thanks