Next Season’s Prime Targets – Part Three

In the third and final part of my look at next season’s prime targets I’m focusing on teams placed 12-17 in the 2013/14 season. In particular I’m interested in those sides that underachieved last season and could be set for an upturn in fortunes next campaign. As a result, my list of targets will not necessarily be made up of top points scorers, but those with the potential for a fantastic campaign in 2014/15 and hopefully a kind price-tag.

The first part of this feature, looking at last season’s top-table teams can be found here. The second part, focusing on 2013/14’s mid-table teams can be found here.

Swansea

With the relatively inexperienced Garry Monk in charge, Swansea may struggle next season. But in their favour they do have the positive of no Europa League football, which lessens the risk of rotation. They also have some very interesting attacking assets. Personally,  I don’t think Monk will last until Christmas so a managerial change could be on the cards next season.

If Monk does depart their defence could become interesting. Under Monk though the prospects look bleak. The Welsh side recorded just two clean sheets in his 14 Premier League games in charge. I don’t think any of the Swansea defensive assets will be registering on my radar unless there is a managerial change.

In midfield the obvious potential target is Michu. The following offers a points-per-90-minutes-played for the top midfielders at Swansea: Roland Lamah 6.51, Nathan Dyer 4.79, Jonjo Shelvey 4.44, Jonathan DeGuzman 4.24, Michu 3.99, Wayne Routledge 3.17. What this shows is that if Dyer (or Lamah but he only played a handful of minutes so I wouldn’t place too much importance on his numbers) gets sufficient game time he could be a very decent cheap option. I think Shelvey’s prospects will be dented if Michu comes into the team. In terms of their midfield I will only be looking at Michu and possibly Dyer as a cheap option.

Up front I think we will all be interested in Wilfried Bony’s price subject to fixtures.

Transfer considerations: If Ashley Williams moves to a team that plays possession football and is looking nailed on for a starting role he would interest me very much as he is a bit of a bonus darling under the new system. If Michu moves on during the summer then Shelvey could be a very interesting option depending on price.

Hot List: Michu, Dyer, Bony

West Ham

The West Ham board have given manager Sam Allardyce a stay of execution in the face of widespread fan opposition to his style of play. He looks safe for now but under strict orders to make West Ham more attacking. To help improve the side’s attacking swagger former player Teddy Sheringham has been brought in to beef up the Hammers’ goal threat.

In defence Reid looks a great option subject to price. I think Adrian will be 5.0-5.5m and therefore overpriced for me.

In midfield the perennial Kevin Nolan will be of interest to me if Andy Carroll is fit, they have decent fixtures and he is priced pretty reasonably. But be warned a change in playing style could dent their potential.

Up front, depending on price and fixtures, Carroll, with a full pre-season behind him could be a more than decent option, especially under Sheringham’s tutelage.

Transfer considerations:  The acquisition of former Birmingham City player Mauro Zarate could affect Nolan’s time in the the number 10 position. As with all Allardyce teams, any new central defenders should be placed on your radar, for their attacking threat as much as their ability to keep clean sheets.

Hot List: Nolan, Carroll

Sunderland

I think Sunderland will pay for their achievements in the second half of the season with big price hikes across the board, especially for the budget options in their ranks. I also think boss Gus Poyet will make more signings this summer, which will leave us uncertain as to who will be in their starting line-up.

In defence they tightened up brilliantly after Poyet came in last season and if we can find a reasonably priced option in their back division they will be very tempting.

In midfield it is hard to look past Adam Johnson for next season again if he can nail down a spot but I seriously doubt I would start with him in my team. I think it will be a case of wait and see. I do expect Poyet to move on some of the existing midfielders and buy in some more so we may get a nugget or two from the new signings.

Up front, Connor Wickham finally started to show what he was capable of and he could be a very exciting option next season if he nails down a spot but I do expect Poyet to strengthen Sunderland’s attack over the summer.

Transfer considerations: If Borini goes back to Liverpool then whoever gets spot-kick duties will be a very interesting option. I will be watching with interest the transfer dealings at the Stadium of Light as I think Poyet will be given some real cash, which will be supplemented by him moving on existing players.

Hot List: Adam Johnson, Sunderland penalty taker, Sunderland’s most nailed on and reasonably priced defender

Aston Villa

We know very little of what will happen at Villa with the club up for sale. It is quite obvious the first team needs substantial investment after years of neglect since Martin O’Neill left. I am expecting Villa to strengthen under new owners and if they improve due to this investment then we could be left with some real bargains in the current playing squad due to the team’s poor performance last season.

In defence I think goalkeeper Brad Guzan could be a real good option and a potential juicy pairing with a West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper if priced decently. The two local sides often alternate home and away fixtures. Guzan would also benefit from as he will likely have better cover in front of him if the team does get investment. The same logic applies to central defender Ron Vlaar, who is a bit of a bonus darling under this new system also.

In midfield there is not much to excite us unless they sign someone significant as an attacking midfielder, which manager Paul Lambert has traditionally liked to have in his teams.

Up front after a mediocre season Christian Benteke could be priced more favourably and give us a more than decent option especially if he has better players feeding him chances.

Transfer considerations: Villa’s ownership situation will be key to their success and the fate of Lambert. If someone takes over and invests significantly then Villa could be a real source of Fantasy Football options for us next year. Matthew Lowton fell out of favour last season and if he moves to a new team he could provide a very good option, possibly even at 4.0m due to his lack of starts last season.

Hot list: Guzan, Vlaar, Benteke

Hull

I think Steve Bruce did a fine job consolidating Hull’s position in the Premier League. Three to four new signings look on the cards for  next season.

In defence I am hoping Ahmed Elmohamady will be reclassified to a defender. Other than that I think options such as centre-back Curtis Davies will be overpriced based on last year’s showing.

In midfield I don’t think we will have many options here but Robbie Brady could be an interesting one, especially if he can reclaim penalties from striker Nikica Jelavic.

Up front I think Jelavic could be priced closer to the 6-6.5m range allowing us a real budget option, subject to fixtures.

Transfer considerations: The main considerations here will be if Elmohamady is reclassified as a defender and who Bruce beings in to replace Jake Livermore, who was on loan from Tottenham and became a mainstay in midfield during the 2013/14 campaign.

Hot list: Elmohamady, Brady, Jelavic

West Brom

I think depending on who West Brom appoint as their new manager they could be a real force defensively next season. When Youssouf  Mulumbu and Claudio Yacob play central midfield in front of the defence they generally return some excellent defensive stats more in line with a top half of the table team than a relegation battling team. There is a rumour that Chris Hughton is a front-runner and from a Fantasy Football point of view this would really bring their defensive assets to the fore.

In defence I think right across the board they will be priced more favourably next season due to their poor 2013/14. This is set to  make goalkeeper Ben Foster a decent budget option. West Brom’s centre-backs, in particular Gareth McAuley, could also provide great value for money.

In midfield, depending on what formation the new manager decides to play, all of James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Graham Dorrans and Stephane Sessegnon have merits as options if priced favourably.

Up front again depends on who the new manager is and how attacking he will set the team up to play. I don’t think there are any viable options in the West Brom attack based on last season, though.

Transfer considerations: For West Brom it is all going to be about the new manager and how he intends to play. He will obviously bring in new players, which will have an effect on the current players but he will have a very decent squad to work with so there might not be too many new faces coming in.

Hot list: Foster, all the WBA defenders

The Prime Targets List in Full

To recap, my list of prime targets over the three articles comes in at 53 players before we take into account the promoted teams.

Goalkeepers: Cech, David De Gea, Boruc, Begovic, Guzan, Foster

Defenders: Lescott, Caulker (?), Jose Enrique, Cahill, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Baines, Rose, Vertonghen, Shaw, Evans, Jones, Rafael, Southampton Left back, Huth, Sunderland Defender, Vlaar, Elmohamady, WBA defender

Midfielders: Hazard, Walcott, Ramsey, Ozil, Mirralas, Deulofeu, Eriksen, Sigurdsson, Mata, Ramirez (Sou), Arnautovic, Odemwingie, Bolaise, Ince, Michu, Dyer, Nolan, Adam Johnson, Brady,

Forwards: Giroud, Kone, Adebeyor, RVP, Rooney, Bony, Carroll, Benteke, Jelavic