Season Review

Team of the Season – Michel Vorm

Often dependable, sometimes spectacular, Michel Vorm was undoubtedly one of the stars of Swansea’s superb season back in the top flight.

A £1.5m capture from Utrecht, the Dutch stopper was outstanding from his first showing in the 4-0 defeat at Man City in the opening Gameweek. While his defence received the runaround from debutant Sergio Aguero on that occasion, Vorm showed enough to hint at his potential – his 10 saves on the night was never bettered by any keeper all season.

As the Gameweeks rolled by, Vorm was to inspire the Swans’ defence to an extraordinary run of clean sheets at the Liberty Stadium that was to quickly establish him as one of the season’s most wanted Fantasy assets.

The Statistics

Vorm’s strong first campaign saw him rank only behind City’s Joe Hart in the overall Fantasy Premier League (FPL) keeper chart, as the Dutchman recorded 14 clean sheets to Hart’s 17. Trailing the City stopper by just eight points overall, Vorm’s value, with an initial 4.0 price compared to Hart’s 7.0, is undeniable.

While Hart slipped to a low of 6.8, Vorm’s price escalated week by week; by Gameweek 23 it peaked at 5.3. As the season closed, he was owned by a third of the FPL manager base – only Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Gareth Bale boasted more owners: an incredible feat for a relative unknown in his first season in England’s top-flight.

While the Swansea possession game and stable back four will take some credit for Vorm’s achievements, it’s worth emphasising just how much the keeper played his part. His 143 saves in the FPL was second only to Wolves’ Wayne Hennessey, a keeper who received plenty of shot-stopping practice in front of a fragile and shuffled rearguard.

Only Vorm’s bonus point haul disappoints: the fact that he mustered just three all season is surely symptomatic of an EA Player Performance Index that rarely acknowledges the contributions made by the men between the sticks.

The Prospects

Swansea’s player of the year in his first season, Michel Vorm has killed any speculation by declaring that his future lies at the Liberty. That will have disappointed the queue of suitors that was thought to include Arsenal, eyeing him up as a deputy to Wojciech Szczesny.

While that news is welcomed both in Wales and amongst Fantasy managers, sadly it seems inevitable that we have enjoyed the very best of Vorm in Fantasy terms. The Swansea defence, priced so keenly by the FPL this term, will surely be in line for significant price rises across the board, with Vorm subject to an increase of around 1.5 to put him firmly in the mid-price bracket.

That is likely to dent his potential next term, with the clamour for budget keepers the now-established strategy in the FPL. Even if Swansea can repeat their defensive feats of 2011/12, it remains to be seen if Vorm can attract interest with a price tag that will rank him alongside the likes of Brad Friedel and Tim Howard – excellent keepers who last season captured around just 5% of the FPL ownership in comparison.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

1,182 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ★FC Borecelona★
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Here's what my mum just said, "Who's this Messi person I keep on hearing about, is he black?" 😀

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  2. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    It's been a great day for Downing. Called up to the England squad and got his first assist of the season!

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    1. Abominable Snowy84
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      lol

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  3. Kanus hat trick
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Has Joey Barton tweeted yet on his disgust about being left out of the Euros and how Roy is an odious fool who knows nothing about football, life or philosophy before concluding that he has better hair so he doesn't really care about England?

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    1. Abominable Snowy84
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      He is trying to find the perfect quote.

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  4. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Usually the national gaffer spends every day of the week, all year, scouting for the next England select

    I can't stop thinking Hodgson has been done a huge disfavour by the FA, giving him only 2 weeks of watching players.

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    1. A.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, but it would've been a bit harsh on West Brom to take him away before the end of the season

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    2. Bielsa’s bucket
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      More like Capello did the FA a huge disfavour, then they wouldn't have been in this position.

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  5. Chazza
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I'm not sure why teams are fairly generic for the Euros, I'm quite pleased with my team and it is pretty different to the RMTs I've seem on here. I think there are plenty of decent picks and this competition has far more scope for flair punts than FPL IMHO.

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    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Care to share?

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      1. Chazza
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Haha I'd rather not as I doubt it'll change much and I may compete in leagues against others on here. I will occasionally let slip of my odd pick here and there in giving my thoughts on various Euro teams on here. I will give you one though: C. Ronaldo. I cannot believe how he's been totally disregarded on here considering the season he's just had.

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  6. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Very last post of last page---

    So barring a few updates its basically the same squad that has proved to be very poor over the last few years/competitions. I really thought Hodgson would go for something a bit different as surely anyone with sense can see that having the same main squad will give us the same poor results.

    My main concerns are

    1) Carrick. I have not always been his biggest fan but he’s had a great season this year and has really improved over the last few years. IMO he would have been a great ‘fit’ to our team to provide the structure we need be able to cope with the European style of football we will be up against.

    2) Richards. Although he has missed a few of the more recent games, he has great energy, strength and pace that would drive us forward that he should only be second to Walker. G.Johnson may be an attacking full back but does not have the pace and drive of Richards.

    3) Sturridge. Although I think he overrates himself and hogs the ball too much, if we need a goal then he would have MUCH more of an impact than Downing. Also Lennon should be much further in the pecking order than Downing.

    All in all it’s too similar to the teams that have given us poor performances in the past and is not good enough to challenge for any tournament. If we wern’t going to take the right squad to try and compete for the trophy we should have at least took some more gambles and get more future players experience.

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I'm with you on this one........

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  7. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Stevie G 40/1 😆

    http://www.skybet.com/football/specials/manager-specials

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    1. A.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Carragher at 33/1 is more likely, but I can't see it, they'll go with experience

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  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Seeing Tweets from Liverpool fans suggesting Pep Guardiola - are they serious?

    Would that not be like SAF or Mancini leaving Utd or City to go manage Tranmere Rovers?

    Liverpool have a massive task to get the right person(s) now. No UCL next season, average squad, demanding owners, a club that has declined steadily over the past 20 years.....will that attrack a big name?

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    1. Back to Back Ballacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Your reading Liverpools fans tweets, ARE YOU SERIOUS? 😯

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  9. Back to Back Ballacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Hate to be picky but Vorms 10 saves WAS bettered by Kenny in last game of season, pity he couldn't have made it 12.
    Vorm w/o doubt keeper of the year tho, fair play to him.

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