Having already looked at the rule changes rolled out in the Sky Sports game, we continue our series of articles by casting an eye over the player list. Starting at the back, then, we concentrate on the goalkeepers and defenders, with a separate analysis on both midfielders and forwards to follow.
The Goalkeepers
When assessing our stopper options, the new rule change – which awards an extra two points for making five or more saves in any given match – could well prove significant in how we select our keepers. In the next week or so, we plan to add a new column to our Sky Sports table in the Members section (which will provide an indication on potential keeper bonus points over the previous two seasons) and will be rolling out a further article on keepers once this has been implemented on site. For just now, here’s a rundown of the player list:
Simon Mignolet’s departure from Sunderland is set to afford us a real cut-price option between the sticks for Paolo Di Canio’s side. Kieran Westwood will set you back a mere 3.7, while new boy Vito Mannone is priced at just 4.2 – whoever gets the nod as first-choice stopper for the Black Cats certainly looks one to consider, bearing in mind Mignolet’s 153 saves as Sunderland number one in 2012/13 was the second highest of any keeper in the league.
As you’d expect, the main men from the three promoted clubs are also favourably priced.David Marshall and Allan McGregor are both 4.1, while Julian Speroni is even cheaper at 4.0; the trio should benefit from the new save points rule and are expected to be kept busy in virtually every game. Mark Bunn, at 3.7, had initially looked a viable option at Norwich due to Chelsea’s interest in John Ruddy but the Blues’ acquisition of Mark Schwarzer on Tuesday evening suggests that Ruddy, at 4.6, is likely to be Chris Hughton’s number one next season. Between them, the Canaries duo made 115 saves over 37 games last term – two more than Stoke’s Asmir Begovic managed over 38 appearances, for example. If Ruddy gets the nod as first-choice, his points potential is strong, bearing in mind the Canaries also collected 10 clean sheets last term.
Further up the price list, Artur Boruc (4.5) could be a steal if Southampton replicate the resilience that saw them concede just nine goals in the final 10 Gameweeks of last season, though the Pole did average just over two saves per appearance last time out. Villa’s 4.6 priced Brad Guzan may be more of a viable option due to the save point ruling – he may have registered just five clean sheets in 2012/13 but a total of 124 saves was fourth highest in the league.
Tim Krul, at 4.7, will be hoping Newcastle can return to the form of 2011/12, which saw them produce 15 clean sheets. Simon Mignolet could turn out to be outstanding value if he can nail down the number one jersey at Anfield. Coming in at 4.9, compared to Jose Reina’s 5.5, the Belgian may be lining up behind a defence that produced 16 clean sheets last time round under Brendan Rodgers – Mignolet should be a little less busy in terms of saves this year, though; Reina made just 74 in 31 matches in 2012/13.
At 5.0, Jussi Jaaskelainen may no longer be a cut-price alternative but with 166 saves to his name last season, the Hammers number one made more stops than any other keeper – he could rack up the points under the new rules this time round as he looks to improve upon a previous tally of 11 clean sheets. The similarly priced Michel Vorm may struggle if Swansea continue to falter defensively under Michael Laudrup, though like Jaaskelainen, saves may benefit the Dutchman – he averaged 3.5 stops per game in the campaign gone by, while Fulham new boy Maarten Stekelenburg (5.1) will be hoping to replicate the 140 saves made by Mark Schwarzer as the Cottagers number one last season.
The arrival of a number of new managers also play a part in how we assess the Fantasy landscape. Asmir Begovic (5.2) and Joe Hart (6.0) may struggle to mirror their respective 12 and 18 clean sheets from last time out, with Mark Hughes and Manuel Pellegrini looking for a more attacking style of play at Stoke and City respectively. Conversely, both may anticipate more saves next time round, with a little less resilience in front of them – Hart made a mere 78 stops in 38 games compared to David De Gea’s (5.9) 84 saves in 28 appearances, for example.
Elsewhere in the premium price bracket, Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny and Chelsea stopper Petr Cech look secure at 5.7 and 5.8 respectively – the Gunners conceded just 37 times last season, the second best backline in the Premier League, and will be looking to push on from the form that harvested eight wins and two draws in the final 10 matches of 2012/13. Despite registering 14 clean sheets, Cech was still kept busy between the sticks – the Blues number one made 122 stops, far and away more than any other keeper near the top of the table.
The Defenders
At the back, there are a handful of real budget options that could prove worthwhile, should they nail down regular roles. Danny Gabbidon may have made just 13 appearances for Crystal Palace last term but his experience earned him a recall over the last few matches of the season – if Ian Holloway retains faith in the centre-half, a starting price of 3.7 looks promising. Aston Villa new boys Jores Okora and Antonio Luna are priced at just 4.0 apiece – of the two, Luna seems the likeliest to nail down a regular role at left-back for Paul Lambert’s side and bearing in mind that Matt Lowton comes in at 5.7, has the potential to be a steal if he can chip in with attacking contributions over the season.
Hull’s Paul McShane has also been handed a budget price tag of just 4.0. His game time was restricted due to ankle ligament damage last time out but his versatility may be key to his potential – he was utilised centrally in a 3-5-2 as well as at left-back when Steve Bruce opted for a four-man backline. The recent arrival of Curtis Davies (4.5) and Maynor Figueroa, (5.0) however, perhaps cast doubt over McShane’s security of starts as Bruce reshapes his defence in preparation for the top-flight. Swansea’s 4.2 priced new boy Jordi Amat will be hoping Ashley Williams’ mooted move away from the Liberty comes to fruition, allowing him the chance to cement a partnership alongside Chico (5.6) in the heart of defence.
Cardiff’s Andrew Taylor supplied five assists from left-back last term – at 4.6, he’s a little more budget-friendly than team-mates Mark Hudson and Matthew Connolly (both 5.0), though with four and five goals respectively, the centre-halves offer greater attacking potential; a key factor, given that the Welsh club will be hard pushed to replicate last term’s 18 clean sheets.
West Ham’s new left-back Razvan Rat comes in at just 4.7 – the cheapest defensive option amongst Sam Allardyce’s troops, he is expected to offer guaranteed game time and looks a canny acquisition. Tottenham’s Danny Rose also costs 4.7 but question marks remain as to whether he can nail down a regular role at the Lane this term under Andre Villas-Boas. Sunderland summer signings Valentin Roberge and Modibo Diakite, at 4.6 and 4.8 respectively, may also offer decent value if they can find starts in Paolo Di Canio’s new-look defence; a cheaper keeper option at Wearside does lessen their appeal, though.
There looks to be plenty of defensive alternatives at the 5.2 price mark. Younes Kaboul is a standout here – providing he’s injury-free, the Frenchman should partner Jan Vertonghen next time out at Tottenham and may bolster a backline that managed just nine clean sheets last term. Kaboul will set you back less than keeper Hugo Lloris (5.6) as a route into the north Londoners’ defence. Southampton’s new signing Dejan Lovren comes in at the same price, as does the likes of Fabricio Coloccini, Ron Vlaar and Michael Turner – all seem nailed-on at centre-half for their respective sides, with the latter looking the best value option amongst the Norwich backline, given that Seb Bassong has been slapped with a 6.1 price tag having offered such strong value last season.
For those eyeing up Southampton’s foraging full-backs, Luke Shaw will set you back 5.3 compared to Nathaniel Clyne (5.5), while Fulham centre-backs Brede Hangeland and Fernando Amorebieta are priced at 5.4 apiece, despite a poor season defensively last time round for Martin Jol’s side (60 goals against and eight clean sheets). Similarly, Newcastle full-back pairing Davide Santon and Mathieu Debuchy are both 5.4 despite the Magpies registering a minimal six clean sheets – that’s only 0.1 less than West Brom’s Gareth McAuley, who produced three goals and a pair of assists in 2012/13.
Robert Huth isn’t cheap at 5.8 but the Stoke centre-half is still, nonetheless, considerably less than 6.4 priced Ryan Shawcross as well as new boy Erik Pieters (6.0), and offers a solid route into Mark Hughes’ defence. Over at Swansea, Angel Rangel sets you back 6.0 – less than Ashley Williams’ 6.2 – and notched three times last term, with the occasional role on the right of the attacking midfield three boosting his points appeal.
From 6.5 upwards, all defenders ply their trade for last season’s top six sides. Looking at the nailed-on options, Seamus Coleman is the most budget-friendly in this bracket – the Everton man comes in at 6.5 and may well offer out of position potential if he’s fielded on the right of Roberto Martinez’s midfield four. That’ll be key to his appeal if the Toffees fail to be quite as resilient under the Spaniard after last term’s 10 clean sheets and 40 goals against – the fourth best backline in the league.
Arsenal’s Bacary Sagna is next up, coming in at 6.7, though fellow-Gunner Laurent Koscielny is just a touch more expensive at 6.9 – the same as Liverpool duo Jose Enrique and Daniel Agger. Glen Johnson is pricier than either of his team mates, at 7.2 by comparison, despite producing less attacking returns in last season’s Sky game. Enrique managed two goals and four assists and Agger notched three times, while Johnson managed a goal and four assists.
Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bridge currently casts question marks over some of the Chelsea back-four but if Cesar Azpilicueta can nail down the right-back berth, he is the cheapest Blues’ backline option at 6.8. United trio Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Rafael are all priced at 7.2 apiece, though neither offer the attacking potential of Jan Vertonghen (7.3), David Luiz (7.4) or 7.7 priced Leighton Baines. Intriguingly, Baines is still cheaper that Patrice Evra (7.9) and would be more budget-friendly if he were to replace the Frenchman as United’s left-back, while Vincent Kompany remains the most expensive defender in the Sky Sports game – the City skipper comes in at 8.0, 0.6 more than team mate Pablo Zabaleta.
Fantasy Football Scout League
Once again, we’ve set up an official Fantasy Football Scout league for those playing the Sky Sports game – we’re looking to defend our crown, having finished as top-rated private league in 2012/13. If you fancy the challenge, you can enter with the pin 8000112 and with Sky offering a cool £1,000 for the winner of our official “FFScout” league, there’s every incentive to get on board.
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