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The Numbers Game – 2015/16 Review – West Ham

Our series of articles, which review the numbers behind the 2015/16 season, comes to its conclusion with a look at West Ham.

First up, we cast an eye over the Hammers’ team statistics in Slaven Bilic’s first campaign in charge and compare them to the rest of the Premier League and the previous season. After that, we then take a close look at their first-team squad, main goal threats and creative sources ahead of the season kick-off in just over two weeks’ time.

After finishing in twelfth place in 2014/15, the club parted company with Sam Allardyce and installed Bilic at the helm as they looked to cultivate a more attack-minded style of play in their final season at Upton Park.

It’s fair to say that the Croatian made an instant impact – away wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City in the opening six Gameweeks set the trend for what was to follow, as the Hammers finished in seventh spot on 62 points, just four points behind fourth-placed Man City and 15 more than they managed in Big Sam’s final year.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,946 Comments Post a Comment
  1. andy85wsm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Shame about Antonio being a midfielder 🙁

    1. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Be alright if he played there.

  2. Cocky Spaniel Alves
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    How about this for a team?

    Foster (Jaku)
    Azpi Shaw Gabriel (Friend Wollscheid)
    Mikhitaryan Eriksen Tadic Ayew (Fletcher)
    Kun Lukaku 6,5M striker*

    *Most likely Balotelli or Remy

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Balotelli/remy/? Rest looks decent though

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Got your attention 🙂 Really it will be Wilson/Gray/Negredo probably.

        1. Sess!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Why I oughta!

          Maybe long for that 6.5m slot and very solid team.

    2. Clump
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Surely autocorrect is responsible for Balotelli and Remy?

      1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

    3. Get in ma Dembele
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Carroll is being given a higher RMT than wilson and Gray, atm i'm toying with Ibra, Gray and Carroll

  3. ADucksBehind
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    This Isaac Success looks like a real livewire. Could be worth a shot when fixtures clear up

  4. Super Frank8
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Will Mandanda start for Palace? Also best Mid for £6.0?

    1. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Seems likely that Mandanda will start yeah

      I like Redmond @ 6m but wouldn't be confident about his starts just yet

      1. Super Frank8
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I was interested in Redmond also. Will see how the rest of Saints preseason pans out

    2. ADucksBehind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      He's 5.5 but I think Gradel could do well

      1. Graceless Goof
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I second this.

    3. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Feghouli looks decent, playing attacking right mid in Lanzini's absence, 5.5

  5. Iwobi
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Reckon Connor Wickham would be classed as a differential

    1. Iwobi
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      ?

      1. Sess!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        No because he's sh!te and not prolific....well actually he's prolific at being sh!te

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Yes because he's useless.

    3. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. But not in a good way

  6. Deeney-is-a-god
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Is there any problms with this team?
    Foster (jaku)
    Shaw Baines Pieters (paredes) (wasile)
    Mkhi hazard silva ayew (capou)
    Zlatan(c) deeney lukaku

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      You're brave to be going without Agüero.

    2. Bazroy99
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Lukaku's consistency?

      1. Cecil The Lion
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        He was great in the easy fixtures last season

    3. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I fear Silva is going to excel in football terms but regress in FPL terms

    4. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      jaku> Heaton Watford fixtures are the most brutal.
      Parades/ Was won't play Lenihan will+ rotates w/ Pieters.upgrade the other to a 4.5
      downgrade Baines>stones and Silva> Ericksen
      Capoue bad fixs>Fletcher
      Downgrade Deeney> Negredo Gray Long
      otherwise no probs, cheers

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Lots of opinions there...

        1. Birds of Prey
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I know, the only thing you can control is getting guys who will play. Is that the Interpol dude? Saw them in Tucson 4 years ago. Cheers

  7. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    The new fpl site seems to log me out a lot more often than it used to. Kind of annoying, I used to tinker and not confirm transfers, then just come back to it the next day. Now I've been logged out by the next day.

    1. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      It's absolute garbage. Simple as that.

      1. Cecil The Lion
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Usually happens when you try fix a thing that isn't broken

  8. CC22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Currently on a team of:

    Mandanda, Jaku
    Shaw, Stones, Cedric, Friend, Wilson
    Hazard, Mkhi, Firmino, Gradel, Capoue
    Aguero, Lukaku, Austin

    1.0m in the bank.

    Likely to play 3-4-3 so unconvinced it's worth upgrading Wilson to a 4.5, but I don't like leaving so much in the bank before the season starts. Any recommended improvements/suggestions?

    1. Birds of Prey
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      upgrade Wilson and keepers to 9.0
      Capoue bad fixtures> Fletcher
      Curious, what's the argument for Austin over Long?
      Firmino tuff fixtures to start

      1. CC22
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        I may upgrade Jaku. I definitely want a 4.0 defender though just because he'll be my third sub all the time any way.

        The Austin spot isn't set in stone - keep chaning and can't decide between him, Long and Gray to be honest.

        Upgrading Firmino to Mahrez at the start is tempting in fairness and then downgrading when fixtures change...although Liverpool also seem to perform against the big teams.

  9. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    C Wilson & Leko (or another 4.5m)
    OR
    F Campbell & Shakiri

    1. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Capoue
      Shaq

  10. Prakatan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Squad Options:

    Eriksen or Ali

    Taudic or Barkley

    Deulafeu or Townsed

    Costa or Batshyu

    These are the selections I'm stuck on at present

    1. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Eriksen
      Tadic
      Deulofeu
      Costa

    2. Fragzurp
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      E. T. T. C

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A
      T
      T
      C

  11. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Would you prefer....?

    A. Hazard + Lukaku

    B. Mirallas + Zlatan

    1. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      b

  12. Cecil The Lion
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Which 3 strikers would you start the season with on an unlimited budget?

    1. Big Sum
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      kun, zlatan, kane

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        This

      2. melvinmbabazi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        This

    2. Bazroy99
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Kane Agüero and Vardy I guess

    3. Tatty Bojangles
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero, Ibrahimovic and Vardy

    4. OShaughnessy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero
      Kane
      Zaltan

      And, no I'm not saying that just bc of their respective prices.

      1. Bubz
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Well they are priced that for a reason

    5. Ziegler1988
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Aguero, Zlatan, Vardy

  13. Prakatan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    B

  14. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    What do u think about ibra instead of kun ?

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      No

  15. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Mor is one of the best dribblers I've ever seen

  16. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Sanchez on his way back to England: https://twitter.com/Alexis_Sanchez/status/758635830579761152

    😀 😎

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Signing for United m8

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Who could say no to working under Rafa.

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Just had a medical at West Ham.

    3. Ziegler1988
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Strange that he didn't join up with the squad in the US even just for appearance/commercial reasons

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        He's probably got gym work to do before anything else.

        1. Ziegler1988
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, but he could have done that in Cali

          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            No point when we have top class facilities.

      2. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Needs to walk his dog in Hyde Park

  17. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Which one?

    A. Azpilicueta and Martial/Mkhitaryan

    B. Shaw and Hazard

    1. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      A. Mkhi

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B all day.

      Mkhi vs hazard....

      Mkhi unproven.
      Hazard proven to be essential in previous seasons.

  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    From your experience what has worked best for you in the past?

    a) Premium GK + 4.0 non-playing GK

    b) 4.5 + 4.5/4.0 rotating GK

    1. Bazroy99
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      a. Too painful picking the keeper with the favourable fixture only to see the other keep out 56 shots on target away at City.

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Who are you going for mate?

        1. Bazroy99
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Not sure just yet. Got Foster in at the moment, but I'm tempted to get someone premium like Cech in with a non-playing one and just keep him there all season and not think about it. My mini-league is full of Gooners so it'll be matching them.

          I'm always tempted by Adrian - he'll save at least one penalty in a season.

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I think I have gone with b) for the last 4 or 5 seasons. As much as I like having options in every position and the flexibility of having two sets of GK fixtures to choose from it's frustrating when you get it wrong and bench the points.

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Very interested to see what people think. Massive headache for me.

    4. Cecil The Lion
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      c) 4.5 + 4.0 non-playing GK. Use that 1m elsewhere

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Foster?

    5. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      4.5m every week, 4m pinned to the bench.

    6. Parm
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B is great but you have to pick the right one, otherwise it can be torture.

      Begovic, Vorm, Schmeichel have all been great in previous seasons but the John Ruddy's of the world really try to put you off this tactic.

      If you improve your team value by January then upgrading to a premium keeper could be a good option if there's one of decent value/the cheap fodders aren't performing well this year.

    7. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      B. Never had a problem with benching the occasional haul. Home/away rarely affected my choice

  19. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Why didn't Costa play last night?

  20. Bazroy99
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Baines back on pens do we think?

  21. World XI
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Andy Carroll or Andre Gray? Both 6.5.

    Or any other alternatives at that price (Not Negredo)

    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Depends if they sign Wham sign another striker. I'm probably getting Wilson, unless Berahino moves to Palace/Stoke.

    2. Bazroy99
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Carroll for his experience - he gets in the mixer. Gray might take a bit of time to get warmed up... although Gray's first fixture is preferable...

    3. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Gray from those two as WHU will definitely sign a striker.

      Rondon, Long, Austin and Wilson the other decent shouts.

    4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Austin for me

  22. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Imagine Benteke + Berahino joined Palace. Bolasie, Townsend, Puncheon, Zaha and Cabaye already. And big Steve Mandanda of course.

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Add Pardew and you have an expensive relegation.

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Haha fair point! He doesn't back up a strong season very well. Good potential for attacking returns at Palace nonetheless.

    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Puncheon and Zaha are not top half players, and Pardew is not a top half manager. Striker wasn't their only problem last season.

  23. Berkan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please!

    Cech-Foster
    Sagna-Shaw-Williams-Friend-Evans
    KDB-mkhi-Townsend-Feghouli-Leko
    Aguero-Lukaku-Gray

  24. Big sams big plans
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    opinions on this team please guys, I'm still tinkering:

    Courtois Jaku

    Shaw Coleman Gabriel Evans Friend

    Hazard Miki Townsend J. Rodriguez Deulofeu

    Kun Origi Gray

    Im looking at barkley, bojan, coutinho, benteke, stones, wilson still but i only really want one player per club in an attacking sense so I'm not going to double up on liverpool even though i want coutinho and origi

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Will Origi not struggle to get game time?

      So many attacking players for Klopp to accommodate.

      1. Big sams big plans
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        yeah going to see how he accommodates both him and studge in pre season but I might just hope for the best because when origi was fit klopp favoured him over studge

    2. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      J. Rodriguez, Deulofeu and Origi are all massive risks that you could live to regret.

      I'd switch them out for nailed on players and add them to watchlist, otherwise you might start the season with a 5-3-2 after subs.

  25. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Who is the must-have midfielder in your team?

    1. Big sams big plans
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      hazard for me, I think he will have a great season

    2. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Alli

      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Interesting. Hoping he can start well and play like he was last season!

    3. Berkan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      KDB for me

    4. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Ben Watson

    5. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      For gw1, Mahrez.

      Ayew/Siggy for gw1 & 2.

      Season long I think Mkhitaryan

    6. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Silva.

    7. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      the 9.5s are all juicy. But I remember the 8.0s being the same last year and not many worked out.

      My answer to your question is...I don't know. There are too many options!

      Haz: Not sure how Chelsea will start attacking wise...
      Martial/Mhki picking the right one...
      KDB, Ozil, Payet, Mahrez, Eriksen all in with a shout

    8. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Maybe not for the start of the season but Sanchez for the week 3 wildcard.

  26. Tornado
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Kane or zlatan

    Both on pens
    Kane will get 90mins every week
    Zlatan more cards?
    Who has better first 5 fixtures?

    1. Big sams big plans
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      think kane will make a habit of the poor starts to the season

  27. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Zlatan not confirmed on pens is he? Why wouldn't Rooney keep them...chasing the goals record, captain etc. Or has it been confirmed?

    Has to be Zlatan to start with tho, better fixtures and an easy downgrade to Kane if it's not going to plan.

    1. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      reply fail ^^^^ ANDCFACE

    2. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Rooney record from the spot is woeful and Zlatan is bigger and stronger

      1. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Quite funny how Zlatan, who has never played a game for United, has more stature than Rooney who has been there over 10 years. 😆

        1. KingNidge
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          I know lol @ Rooney

        2. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah, this, I just don't see him breezing in and taking penos straight off Rooney immediately. No matter who he thinks he is. Unless its in his contract or Rooney volunteers to step down.

          What's Mourinho's deal with takers who miss....get replaced ?

          1. Wilshere Knowledge
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 9 months ago

            I think you may have misunderstood, I think Zlat does have a greater stature, I just think it's funny.

            Zlatan is a far better penalty taker, and has a much bigger ego. In the same way you can't get Ronaldo off pens, you wont get Zlat off pens. 😛

            1. Pasqualinho
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 9 months ago

              I'd like to see a penalty awarded to a team containing Ibrahimovic and Akinfenwa. In fact I'd probably pay to see it.

              1. Wilshere Knowledge
                • 10 Years
                7 years, 9 months ago

                😆

                Add in Ronaldo and Mirallas and you have some entertainment! 😀

      2. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 9 months ago

        Never realised his record was that bad!
        http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/wayne-rooney-one-premier-leagues-5390108
        69% success rate

  28. DanwiseTheBrave
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Another thing about the new site, the https protocol means I can't use google sheets to simply scrape my mini-league data.

    I realise this doesn't affect most of you but I'm peeved.

  29. crazyasianac
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Here's how i've set up for now

    Foster (Jaku)
    Shaw, Terry, Friend (Francis, Kingsley)
    Mkhi, Mahrez, Ayew, Townsend
    Aguero, Lukaku, Gray

    still 1.5m left itb

    I've decided to leave 1.5m so that after week one, so that I don't have to take a -4 point hit trying to bring in a more expensive player.
    I'm aware of Kingsley as my 5th defender, but I really dont see the need in having a 5th defender when I already have 4 availabe (with 2 rotating). My last 3 seasons were always the same and it never cost me much.
    Midfield was a tough decision for me. Mahrez can easily be Hazard atm but I'm basing my decision based on the first gameweek only for now between those two. Ayew is also a bit of a tough decisions as I also really want Tadic/Barkley/Delofeu as the mid price midfielder.
    Obviously just like everyone, the third striker position was also tough. Ive had Wilson the whole time up until my most recent draft where I changed to Gray - once again based off the first gameweek fixture and also his amazing pre season form. However, if Benteke moves to palace, it's an easy upgrade for me in that position.

    Does anyone have any thoughts regarding the team or any of the points ive made??

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      I have a very similar side with 0.5 in the bank.

      Cesc over Gray and a different defence.

      Like it 🙂

    2. ***00tennis***
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      14

  30. Berkan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone worried about not owning Payet seeing as he's the most owned mid?

    1. KOLASINA(C)
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Probably not available for Bilic GW1.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 9 months ago

      Nope. Unlikely to play gw1 so we already have an advantage 😀