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The Numbers Game – Southampton

Next up in our summer series of members’ articles, offering in-depth team-by-team analysis are Southampton. A side that carry extra significance ahead of the new campaign given their exceptionally kind early fixtures.

To get underway, we’ll analyse performance at a team level and attempt to spot trends or improvements. We then delve into the player data, analysing the key individuals as we scour for potential targets ahead of next month’s Gameweek 1 deadline.

In addition, we’ll also focus on any specific periods of interest brought about by tactical changes or breakout Fantasy performances – in this case we’ll focus on the Saints’ home/away displays, investigating a trend that saw them score just 17 goals in front of their own supporters.

Southampton finished in sixth spot under Ronald Koeman back in 2015/16 – a total of 63 points was just three points behind Manchester City in fourth. But the Dutchman’s decision to move to Everton proved detrimental to their prospects, with replacement Claude Puel struggling to maintain those standards.

Despite claiming eight place, Southampton bagged just 46 points and found the net on 41 occasions – a tally that bettered only the bottom five and well behind the 59 strikes under Koeman.

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

4,269 Comments Post a Comment
  1. footyfootyfootball
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Made a couple of changes - any comments?

    Hart
    Alonso - Trippier - Fuchs
    Loftus cheek - De Bruyne - Zaha - Alli
    Gayle - Jesus - Kane

    Elliot - Matic - Hunemeier - Clark

    Loftus-Cheek is a gamble but game time will likely beone of the conditions of the load.

    Also is there a better 5.0 back up than matic?

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      You've gone without Lukaku, same as me. Hard to do it.

    2. footyfootyfootball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Harder decision for me though was Aguero, love that little man

    3. pablitosway12
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I would maybe downgrade Gayle - and upgrade Zaha. Fuchs has terrible fixtures also ?

    4. footyfootyfootball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Fair point re Fuchs

      I think Gayle is a steal at 6.5 though, any downgrade would really only grab about 0.5 putting anyone reasonable in - and that 0.5 won't go far to upgrading zaha. Anyone you suggest?

      1. pablitosway12
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        depends if you want to play 2 upfront ?
        down grade to 4.5
        up grade zaha to Coutinho / salah ?
        or keep him and upgrade cheek to Redmond

        but gale has good fixtures 🙁 tough one mate
        but fuchs got to go

    5. footyfootyfootball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers mate, he's been fuched off now

      I like three up top but I was desperately looking for a way to shoehorn Salah

  2. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Ramsey and Lukaku
    or
    Sanchez and Chicarito

    1. footyfootyfootball
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ramsey and Lukaku

      A good point was made earlier about Sanchez's role changing with Laca now involved, might not be worth the price

  3. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Had a chat with a Spurs fan yesterday and he says he thinks Trippier will struggle and that Spurs will ship lots of goals at Wembley.

    1. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Lol ok

    2. Steve Stiffler
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      ah sheeet, another spanner in the works, thought he was a cert for points

  4. pablitosway12
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hi Guys - first time on here - but have been following 4 years. please RMT and be harsh.

    Foster ( Myhill)
    Dawson- Cedric - lindelof (rangel) 4.0

    KDB - Salah - Willam - Alli - Phillips

    Lacazette - Lukaku - (fletcher)

    Appreciate any help - cheers.

    1. Snikii
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Cedric might not start the season due to Conf cup. Lindelof has been underwhelming during pre- season, dont know about double WBA( Dawson and Foster). DOnt like having 2 4.0 that will not start for sure. Other is good.

      1. pablitosway12
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        thanks mate - appreciate the help - wasn't to keen on On the swede either. I had the 2 keepers in case 1 is injured. 🙂
        thanks again

    2. C-Dawgg
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Be harsh? Ok.

      I have idea how you leave out Kane, only pick 2 strikers and still make a team that bad.

      Your defence is a mess your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries.

      You can ignore everything above, I just wanted to do the harsh thing.

      1. pablitosway12
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I said harsh not personal 🙂 all good mate.
        the defence isn't crash hot -I agree - who would you downgrade in tHE MF to upgrade Kane ..the swede is going also
        cheers

        1. C-Dawgg
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Haha honestly I like the team. It's different and your midefield is going to smash it. Kane is very popular choice with good reason but your strikers can outdo him on any given week.

          I think you can find better options in defence without needing extra funds. (Cederic a risk but saints have nailed defenders, Lindelof underwhelming but plenty of talent in his price range or less)

          Your bench might be asking for trouble (hence I would pick sure starters) but I assume that's a tactic you're using to squeeze out team value?

          1. pablitosway12
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            yes correct - thanks for your feedback champ!

            1. pablitosway12
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I just realised there are 4 WBR players in that

  5. Snikii
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best 3 4.5 defenders?
    Thank you

    1. pablitosway12
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Mee , Naughten ?

    2. C-Dawgg
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Tomkins

    3. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      ...playing your defenders teams.
      I'm not so big on doubling up on attack unless you know a team is on fire and knocking in 4+ goals most games like City and Arse have done on occasions.
      I do select on fixtures but usually only on a run of them not individual unless it's end of season.

  6. chdixon90
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hi everyone,

    I just have a question around the cons of doubling/tripling up on players – because conceptually it makes sense to just play the fixtures for me. For my example I am going to use Arsenal and Spurs, whilst pretending Sanchez is a striker in fantasy football.

    For the purpose of my question, can we assume that Arsenal have fairly favorable fixtures, whilst spurs have average fixtures. My instinct would be to take Ozil and Sanchez for this fixture run. Then, say 4 games on, arsenal fixtures become average and Spurs become favorable. I would then transfer these guys out and the spurs guys in (I know there is a 0.5 difference but I am ignoring it).

    To me (a below average player) this makes complete sense. However, I see a lot of people talking about lack of cover and issues with doubling up – and therefore people would suggest that I stick with say Ozil and Kane throughout all the fixture weeks and cover both teams. Whilst this spreads your risk over these fixtures, I feel it also reduces your chance of maximising returns - much like a diversified portfolio vs 1 stock you feel can out-perform the market

    I know I have looked at this from a pure points perspective, team value wise is there an issue? Does constantly transferring out your big hitters cause problems since you are only receiving 50% of growth (simplistic view).

    Additionally, I have looked at this from an attacking point but my question applies defensively as well. Southampton and WBA have good opening fixtures, ignoring attacking returns – why should Bertrand/Cedric be worse than Bertrand/Dawson. Yes if Southampton don’t get a cleansheet you get less points if WBA do, however you get more if Southampton do and WBA don’t. If we assume they have the same chance of a cleansheet it should make basically no difference in my head?

    Items I know my query does not address/known issues with question:
    Form of players and clubs
    Assumes Spurs/Arsenal are equal – might not be that way
    Selection/Rotation Risk

    Apologies if this has already been answered, or if this is so daft a question that it doesn’t merit asking.

    Thanks

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      NEW ARTICLE POSTED.

      1. chdixon90
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Got a little carried away - whoops haha!

    2. Johnny Leghorn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I've been a fan of the defensive double up esp with a keeper if I thought a team had a great run of cleansheet potenting fixtures.
      It also has the benefit of reducing the odds your attackers will be laying

      1. Johnny Leghorn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        ..playing your defenders teams. 
        I'm not so big on doubling up on attack unless you know a team is on fire and knocking in 4+ goals most games like City and Arse have done on occasions. 
        I do select on fixtures but usually only on a run of them not individual unless it's end of season.

    3. A.T
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Nothing wrong with doubling up but I'd be hesitant to triple up on anything unless it's end of season dgws.

  7. faver
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    matic should be out and i wouldnt count on fuchs. also rlc is not a good starting player right now

    1. faver
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      wrong box.

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Don't know who you're talking to but this is an old thread.

  8. Tiamani Warrior
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Is laca actually nailed with giroud still sniffing around? Morata safer pick?

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yed Lacazette will play...

  9. FC nelo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Is there a better forward than Rashford in that price bracket? (~7,5m) I think he will be nailed in the start of the season alongside Lukaku.
    Also, are there better options than him in midfield for the same price? I have Redmond, Zaha and Ramsey, can't see any better players than Rashford for the same price regardless of position?

    Any thoughts? A little less nailed than Pogba, but higher potential of scoring more goals. Pogba for 8 as it looks now can't justify that pricetag. (Don't beleive in the "team cover" talk.

  10. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Views on this team appreciated! Starting to like it, lots of captain options but still not too unbalanced.

    Begovic
    Trippier Bertrand Lowe
    KDB Coutinho Phillips JWP (5.5 placeholder for a bandwagon)
    Lukaku Lacazette Jesus

    Elliot Suttner T. Carroll Long.

    Out of 10?

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      8.5, points deducted for lack of Spurs attack

  11. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A/ Aguero + Bertrand + 4.5 mid (bench)

    B/ Chicharito + Cedric + KDB

    I'm with A at the mo, but KDB was impressive last night.

  12. Mirkatldn
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Foster/Hart
    Cedric/Francis/Mee/VanDijk (assuming a move)/4.0 bench
    Sane/Zaha/Willan/Philips/4.5 bench
    Lakazette/Kane/Lukaku

    Too heavy up to and too weak at the back? Suggestions? Ta in advance.

  13. Twitchy
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A - Redmond + Zaha
    B - Salah + Mcarthur

    1. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A

  14. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Afternoon everyone. Would appreciate your thoughts on this team.

    DDG Elliot
    Cedric lindelof daniels hunemeir yedlib
    Countinho alli kdb mooy rlc
    Morata lukaku Gayle

    Thanks

    1. fattfattygavgav
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm no expert but here goes...

      - I wouldn't have double Newcastle defence
      - I would downgrade DDG and upgrade def (you already have Linlelof)
      - Don't know who Hunemier and Mooy are

      Looks pretty good otherwise.

  15. Sergeant Slaughter
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Once in a decade, after 50 tries, you stumble upon the perfect team.
    No need for RMT

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Template

  16. amc123
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How does this sound?
    Courtois
    Trippier Kompany Valencia
    Sanchez Fabregas Ward-Prowse Loftus-Cheek
    Lukaku Kane Gabbiadini

    Be harsh. Cheers guys

  17. sumatera
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Which is the best first 11 to go with? - bench is just fodder

    A) Foster
    Tripper,Daniels, Alonso
    Willian, Alli, Coutinho, KDB
    Austin, Defoe, Lukaku

    B)Foster
    Trippier, Daniels, Alonso, Kompany
    Willian, Coutinho, KDB, RLC
    Kane Lukaku

    1. RichieW
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A if u think austin is nailed

      Kane is not as essential now with plenty of options up front

  18. jackoasean
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas on how to improve my team? new to this and i have a 500 pound bet with a friend I beat him. cheers guys

    foster boruc

    David luiz trippier lindelolf mee azpilicueta

    countinho alli KDB Milivejovic woodburn

    Lukaku Benteke Abraham

    1. RichieW
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Lindelof does seem to be nailed after his preseason.
      Would downgrade a sub and upgrade benteke

  19. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    is this team a bit meh?

    foster
    alonso trippier monreal
    debruyne coutinio willian phillips lcheek
    kane lukaku

    elliot rangel humeister crouch

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It's ok. None of your bench will probably start though.

      1. Everyday im Schneiderlin
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        haha yeah thats a sticking point

  20. RichieW
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts?

    A- walker + ali + kdb
    B- ramsey+mkhitaryan+aguero

    1. jackoasean
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A. All three proven and regular starters.

  21. jackoasean
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Please rate my team!

    Foster boruc
    Luiz trippier azpilicueata lindelof mee

    coutinho alli boufal KDB carrol

    Lukaku hernandez solenke

  22. Richardspink1984
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Foster

    Trippier, Bailly, Bertrand

    KDB, Coutinho, Fabregas, Ward Prowse,

    Lukaku, Kane, Gayle

    Elliott, Mesa, Rangel, Long

    Any thoughts?