Having cast an eye over the Defenders yesterday, we roll out the second in a three-part members series with a look at midfielders. Assessing the key attacking statistics, we analyse the chief creators and major goal threats over the first three Gameweeks of the season.
Which is better?
Giroud, Lampard, Nolan
RVP, Hernandez, WardProwseOpen Controls
Wildcard team:
Mignolet, Rudd.
Vidic, David Luiz, Shaw, B.Turner, Chester.
Walcott, Nani, Barkley, Brady, Ward-Prowse.
Van Persie, Benteke, Soldado.
£1.7m in the bank.
Firstly the money left in the bank is to fund a Benteke/Soldado โก Suarez move. The fixtures following his return look delicious(sun, PAL, new, WBA) and if his price drops any more he could be bargain of the season, potential captain material too to rival Van Persie.
Obviously the main issue at the minute is the midfield. It's looking a bit light at the minute and lacks flexibility to bring in players like Hazard, Michu, Lamela should they fire and I go through with the Suarez move. However I just can't look past Nani. Looking at his history coupled with his new contract you just can't go wrong at £7.4m, and Crystal Palace at home looks like the right fixture in which he can 'explode' as he has done many times previously.
Finally, I think Soldado and Benteke will outscore Sturridge and Giroud. Soldado is the key man in the Spurs side and a large majority of goals should go through him. Players like Eriksen, Paulinho, Lamela etc should provide the service that has been lacking in the recent few weeks as they begin to gel together. Benteke, likewise will be key to Villa's success and his fixtures are particularly good, but fixtures really aren't the issue for Benteke, given how well Villa have hit on the counter against Arsenal and Villa this season.
Please ignore the waffle and RMT. ๐Open Controls
Utd fan but don't share your feelings for Nani....don't understand his new contract and what he did to deserve it
And not mad on Soldado just yet
7/10Open Controls
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Going for Nani already?
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Too many blu-tacked on players in one team
Vidic
Luiz
Shaw(?)
Nani
Barkley
JWPOpen ControlsThe only real blu-tacked players are Nani and Barkley, imo.
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I'm not sure RVP & Suarez are worth having just 4 other consistent point scorers outside your forward line (Mig, vidic, Luiz, Walcott).
Maybe downgrade the 3rd striker and upgrade a mid to Hernandez and a defender to Coleman etc?Open Controls
Vidic -> Evra
Luiz -> Arsenal defender of your choice (evens out the Vidic to Evra money, and Arse defs more nailed on than Luiz)
Not a fan of the Nani punt, but you can get Kagawa or Mirallas from him when the error is noted
Like your thinking on getting Suarezs
someone will present themselves to upgrade B.Turner or Chester from later
For a 4-3-3 team with one weak rotating mid, looks very goodOpen Controls
Not Evra...yet...Evra scored a few last season but from set plays...I can't help but feel that the big fluffy Belgian will be the one sent up front with Vidic for the hoof into the box...sadly fror Evra and football in general....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3twsH77kZA
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Horrible repost here but what you think of this?
Migns 4.0
Coleman Zabaleta Vidic Mert Chester
Walcott Michu Lamela Brady WP
Soldado Benteke Giroud
also
2 from : Zabaleta, Vidic, Walker, Enrique
1 from: Nastasic, Sakho, Mertesacker, FerdinandOpen Controls
How accurate is TotalFPL at the moment? I plan on transferring Olsson out this week. He is currently on -95.0% and has gone down 1.2%. It should really take a couple of days before he drops and i prefer to wait until after the international games have finished before making the transfer. What level would you let him drop to before transferring him out?
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I need to ditch one of Oscar and Mirallas in order to accommodate RVP.
Was set on ditching Mirallas, but the article above is making me think I should hang on to him!
Anyone got a view on Oscar. Vs. Mirallas ???
Ta.Open ControlsI think Mirallas is a better option, stats are better and he looks more dangerous. Oscar takes a lot of shots from distance while Mirallas takes more from inside the box.
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I'd keep Mirallas over Oscar. Oscar currently has an ankle injury and plenty of midfielders anxious to replace him. Mirallas is still a good player, just hasn't hit form. But he scored for Belgium in the last game; maybe that'll start something and Lukaku joing in GW5 should help his chances too I would think
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Nah. Both will outscore RVP.
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reckon mirallas is a better option as well. Oscar will be rotated more and with fellaini gone, I reckon mirallas wil b main attacking optio playing in his countryman lukaku. wil play every game also and no European distractions
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amazing brazil league incident again ๐
http://footymemes.lockerdome.com/media/109321430Open ControlsGet In
UCL Deadzone Leauge
We Are The Dead
654036-484329
http://en.uclfantasy.uefa.com/UEFAOpen Controls- Open Controls
Boruc
Vidic,Dawson,Chester
Walcott, Ben Arfa, Brady, Hernandez
RVP, Soldado, Giroud
(Mignolet,Enrique, Redmond, Ward)
So i have double liverpool defence, who would be best to bring in for Enrique? Or would it be worth keeping with liverpools fixtures?Open ControlsEven though that would be triple arsenal?
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Pretty much got my WC team sorted apart from the midfield!!
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Thanks for the update ๐
Open ControlsJust sharing my anger with choosing a midfield! The only one I'm 100% keeping is Walcott. Really have no idea what route to go down
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Mignolet £4m
Vidic Walker Mertesacker Riether Ward
Walcott Brady Ward-Prowse ? ?
Benteke Giroud Sturridge (considering switching him to Soldado)
£18.5M in the bankOpen ControlsLamela, Coutinho, Chelsea
Open ControlsI thought about Lamela. But then I might switch Sturridge to Soldado and I wouldn't want Lamela as well
Open Controlsahh...yeah If you go Soldado, then Lamela is too much. Coutinho isn't a bad pick though since you'll drop Sturridge for Soldado
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Michu and Lamela
Open ControlsSoldado over Sturridge, Michu & Coutinho... but wait to put Michu in, looks like he'll drop before the next games are played (dang Hernandez factor)
Open ControlsWoops! Only £18M in the bank!
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Thanks. I will sleep better tonight after knowing that.
Open ControlsThanks, ill also sleep better after knowing you will
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5/10
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As opposed to Arsenal? ๐ I think he will be nailed on
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Is Brady on Hull penalties?
Open ControlsIf people are gonna start going for Nani...my Lamela punt seems like wayyyy less of a risk
Open ControlsIt is, although cost comes into the equation
Open Controlsvery true
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agreed but on the other hand Nani is proven on this level, mainly issue of playing time
Open Controlsbeen such a long time though, I think Nani might have to "re-prove" himself
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Assuming Lampard plays 90minutes against the Ukraine....how good of a pick is he for GW4?
It's either I go with Lamps, Mirallas, or Hernandez.Open Controls
im having this problem too. you on WC?
Im on WC, and Im pretty set on getting Lamps, as opposed to sitting on the fence and surveying. I mean, if your on the WC you may as well take the slight risk.Open Controls
Toughts on my wildcard team
Mignolet-K Davis
Ivanovic-Coleman-Chambers-Whitaker-Yanga Mbwia
Ozil-Silva-Hazard-Ben Arfa-Barkley
Giroud-Sturridge-Wellbeck
Thanks
CheersOpen Controls
tbh, I'm not a big fan.
Chambers- not nailed and might lose his place when Clyne is back ( I reckon Clyne will start next match)
Whitaker- not nailed when Bassong comes back and Martin might move to RB
Ozil- I'm not convinced FPL wise
Barkley- get Brady instead
Wellbeck- better options in Lambert and Lukaku (after the Chelsea match)Open Controls
Hmm...downgrade a striker to Welbeck and my team suddenly looks a lot more balanced. Thoughts?
Mignolet
Coleman - Vidic - Koscielny
Walcott - Eriksen - Coutinho - Ben Arfa
Benteke - Giroud - Welbeck
Subs: McGregor, Clyne, Collins, Brady.Open Controls
i'm a big welbeck fan but until he becomes a regular goal-scorer for united i wouldn't get on FPL
Open Controls*get him on FPL
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sure
wait two weeks & then you can go Welbeck to Lukaku
Eriksen too punty for meOpen Controls
Seems like my midfield hasn't gone down too well then.
๐Open Controls
have seen your team above...
wanted to comment...
but, damn..... your mid seems too weak... would've suggested to change soldado; but, liked your rationale about him getting more points in coming days....Open Controls
I think at the very least put that 1.7m into the midfield for the next two weeks. If you really want to drop a FW for suarez at that point you can reassess. But why leave it in the bank for two weeks when it could at least go into someone like Nolan or Mirallas (I don't mind the Nani punt). Would probably need to downgrade Luiz too to make that happen, but I also think thats best and lots of good options available.
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Having read Demi's post on the premium defenders it reminded me of some nerdy number crunching I had done earlier in the week when trying to decide between Evra, Baines, Cole and Johnson. I see these guys as THE most reliable defenders in terms of always starting and points delivered.
A breakdown over the last 7 seasons showed
Minutes played - Total / Average per Season
Evra - 19,615 / 2,802
Baines - 19'731 / 2,818
Cole - 18311 / 2,616
Johnson - 17,312 / 2,473
Contribution - Goals / Assists
Evra - 6 / 28
Baines - 19 / 39
Cole - 7 / 23
Johnson 11 / 27
Points - Total / average per season
Evra - 942 / 135
Baines - 906 / 130
Cole - 846 / 121
Johnson - 809 / 116
It was a surprise to me that Evra has managed to average more points than Baines despite Baines Herculean scoring and assisting figures!
Baines has figures that put midfielders to shame with averages of circa 3 goals and 6 assists per season but lags behind Evra purely because of clean sheets.
Cole has suffered from 23 different managers in the 7 yrs and from being slightly more injury prone whereas Johnson has suffered also from injuries and changing managers, unsettled side etc.
My conclusion is Evra's attacking threat on show this season (which is really just carrying on from last seasons 4 goals and 6 assists) added to Moyes like of pushing FB's far forward into attacking areas and the fact that he is 1m cheaper makes him a no brainer over Baines and (historically speaking) is the best bet for minutes over Johnson and Cole who have the same price.
Ashley Cole doesnt figure for me due to a poor last season and FB's never featuring prominently in Mourinho teams in an attacking sense but maybe more clean sheets this yr will change that and Johnsons injury problems worry me also and this usually costs transfers...
I didn't look very closely at anyone else as I already have Migs and Vertongen and thats enough money spent on defense.
This post may be of absolutely no use to anyone else in here but I felt it my duty to write something about it after reading Demi's stellar work from earlier.
Nite allOpen ControlsI will guarantee you one thing, Evra will score less goals than last year
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You can guarantee anything you like, doesn't make it true.
Open ControlsThat is true but-
7 seasons for United 2 goals before last season. This was the biggest fluke season I have seen in a while from a defender. Even if you say he improved his scoring 4 is still a lot even for a good scoring defender.Open Controls
brilliant
Open ControlsSee my comment above...Evra's goals came from set pieces last season...Sadly for football i have no doubt that the big fluffy Belgian has been brought in to do that this time around along with Vidic and a big hoof into the box....hopefully not but we'll see...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3twsH77kZA
Open ControlsAlso....Vertonghen has had only nine touches in the final third in three games...It has been Paulinho who has been getting forwatd from CDM (so far) whilst Vert has had his wings clipped....That may change of course but that's what's happened so far this seson....http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/my-stats-tables/view/3832/...Kinda takes the edge off his price tag...
Open ControlsGood point, I hadnt actually noticed the big drop in Vertongens attacking play. I chose him purely for Spurs fixtures but Walker may actually be the better bet
Cheers!Open Controls
Nice work Simsey.
I love these articles, stat analysis wins over speculative opinion all day long.
Firstly, thank you for putting in the time and effort. This must have taken a while to put together, and further thanks for sharing it with the forum. +1.
Data for 7 years will certainly separate the men from the boys, these guys are FPL stalwarts but with Evra and Cole perhaps on the wrong side of their peak and Johnson and Baines probably at or reaching their peak, it would be awesome if you had this info plotted by season as a form graph to see if there are any trends.
While Evra had the best 7 year plan, Baines or Johnson could be on the rise and set to usurp him this year by trend.
Also worth a look would be the past 15 - 20 fixtures or so, current form focussed - if anyone fancies doing some digging.
Some excellent reading none the less, and Evra, who i had't really taken so seriously as an FPL prospect this season is now on my watchlist. Might get him in post derby.
Cheers!Open Controls
Nice post. Will Vidic be an alternative to Evra with cbs getting some good bps? Also, is Baines just too expensive, not sure if Coleman can keep up with him.
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WC team
Mign (davis)
coleman J.enrique mert Whittaker (baker)
walcott lamela HBA hernandez coutinho
Soldado Giroud (gayle)
really need advice on hernandez dont know if he'll be abe to keep getting the points he did in the first 3 GW trying to build a team to last me until at least GW12
I know gayle is weak but i had to downgrade to get enrique. Any advice would be appreciatedOpen ControlsWhittaker not nailed on
Either Coutinho or Lamela to Brady; and then Gayle to Bentenke
Swansea's sched is good until GW17Open ControlsMake HBA or Hernandez a cheap mid, then you can upgrade the other...or upgrade Gayle; your choice.
Open Controlsno you don't
not this year
midfielders have been gutted of points by the new bonus system
http://www.totalfpl.com/Articles/181/testing-the-key-factors-for-bonus-points-under-bpsOpen Controlsohhhhh...then I'm not sure. Hernandez could do well though
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I don't trust a double Lpool defence. I've not been impressed with their second halves from what I've seen so far this season. I expect them to get leaky soon. I also don't fancy Whittaker. I'd be tempted to switch J.Enrique + Whitt to Ferdinand + Collins, or something like that.
MF looks too strong. Are you going to be playing 352? I'd downgrade HBA or Hernandez to a 4.5 and upgrade Gayle. Lamela is an unknown. I wouldn't draft him myself until I've seen what he can do in the PL. Also, you're putting a lot of your eggs in the Spurs and Arsenal attacking baskets.
Soldado + Giroud are sound picks, in general. But I think if you consider your other choices (Lamela) Soldado > Benteke might be a better option. Obviously Spurs could explode and you'd be drowning in points but I prefer a thin layer of jam all over my toast rather than a huge dollop right in the middle and hoping I get lucky enough to bite into it.Open Controls
I have had a good start and want to keep the momentum going
Mignolet Given
Zaba Merta M turner Chester Brayford
Silva Walcott Nolan Barfa Jedinak
Soldado Sturridge Lambert
I have 3.4 in the bank and a FT
Obviously the defence is weak and Brayford isn't even playing so I'm considering Brayford to Vidic.
However I'm considering taking a hit for RVP, possibly Nolan to brady sturridge to RVP. Would it be madness to transfer out an in form striker?! Any advice please?Open Controlsyou need to decide if you want RVP or not first
after that, your path is clear
this site is pretty evenly divided on the RVP question, so you must decide that oneOpen ControlsI'd only take out Sturridge if we find out he's not fit to play.
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I'd get rid of Lambert first.
Open ControlsThanks for the advice! I think I will take a hit and get RVP for sturridge.
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Cant believe Michu is about to drop its not as of any of the other big mids are firing and hes had 2 tough matches done already.
Madness IMOOpen Controls
same goes with Bony. 1 goal in 3 games.
Drop 0.2Open ControlsBony hasn't gotten full minutes and hasn't always started. I get the disappointment.
Michu is losing out because:
- Hernandez scored right before the break making people think there's a cheaper option for Swansea "coverage"
- introduction of multiple options in Michu's price range during transfer window: Lamela, Ozil, Erikssen
- not to mention bandwagons for Lampard, Silva & YayaOpen Controls
Thoughts on my WC team?
McGregor Boruc
Ward Vidic Zaba Chester Mert
Lampard Lamela Walcott Hernandez WP
Benteke Soldado GiroudOpen ControlsTemplate /10
Open ControlsWhyWouldYouWantDoubleHullDefense Template
ReplaceWithGabbidonAtLeast Template Template Template Template
35YearOldPeopleWillLamentOwningLater PuntierThanYouThink Template TemplateButTop10,000PlayersOfYearsPastNoLikey Template
Template Template TemplateOpen Controls
Don't know but he's firmly in my squad.....People keep saying he'll be dropped ๐ ...until then, I'll take those cleansheets
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RMT Please
Mignolet - Boruc
Zabaleta Coleman Coloccini - Collins Chester
Walcott Oscar Hernandez Lamela
Sturridge Giroud BentekeOpen ControlsTemplate - Marshall is better as backup
Template Template OnlyGoodForAFewMoreWeeksThenTransferInAshleyWilliams Template Template
Template Templatish TemplateButTop10,000PlayersOfYearsPastNoLikey PuntierThanYouThink MissingOneMidfielder
Template Template TemplateOpen ControlsBrady
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Hmmm, looks like Luiz to Koscielny/mertesacker could do wonders to my midfield....
Open Controlsindeed
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I'm not on wc and have made my transfers (bought in Giroud) just wondering what you guys think?
My plan is to do change one of my midfielders this coming week. Then upgrade a defender to Evra.
Mignolet davis
Coleman dawson chester Collins brayford
Silva Walcott Coutinho hba williams
Soldado benteke Giroud
๐Open ControlsDawson to Vidic would be a better transfer
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dawson to vidic/evra if you want a united mid
i'd downgrade silva and/or coutinho. and maybe swap the other one to lamela if he looks to be a good optionOpen ControlsAgreed.
That's my plan ๐ cheersOpen Controls
those are the exact moves I'm thinking of, though whether to do it for a 4pt hit this week or next is still up in the air. i want Giroud for Lambert and will need to sell Coutinho or Silva to partially fund it, and will use the rest of the money for Evra/Vidic. I probably will wait 1 week to do anything so I can give Coutinho & Silva one final chance to see who gets the chop.
Open ControlsTemplate Irrelevant
Template RomanianBenchFodder Template Template Connolly'sBackup
ExTemplateTemptation Template MakeOrBreakWeekTemplater NewfoundTemplaterToBeRegrettedLater NeedsToBeReplacedByABandwagonWhenYouHaveASpareFT
Template Template TemplateOpen Controls
Upvoted for the sheer effort!
Open ControlsThank you kindly.
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Disregarded. Maybe you should go for more templates haha..
138 points. Guess it's a marathon not a sprint thoughOpen ControlsLaugh it up wookie. I'll be okay. Only matters where you are in May.
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Strongly considering Michu now for my WC team. Anyone know the situation regarding his playing position? Is he gonna be the lone forward much with Bony around?
Or am I a season too late?Open Controls
Is this guy Calum Chambers this year's Ben Davies who benefit from others injuries? I just put him in. Will he takes Clyne's or Shaw's spot?
Open ControlsThink Clyne will be back for GW4. Shaw will be England's left-back for the next decade, zero chance of him losing his place.
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I think it's Clyne. Risky pick, I'd wait and see if he starts one or two more, then get him.
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Hey RCA, how's it going mate? you all set for your draft?
Open ControlsHi TW! Yeah, all set. 2 hours, 20 mins yeah? I might need some more wine!
Open Controlsi'm not running it but I believe your draft is at 1:00 GMT so isn't that in one hour and 20 min?
good luck!
btw you need that stupid umlaut or whatever the hell it's called to find Ozil. was pissed when I couldn't find him on my pick then someone else picked him up right after :(. just a heads up
and some players like nani are in under weird names (their full names) so it can be hard to find them tooOpen ControlsCheers. I was looking for Nani earlier! Hadn't even thought of Ozil..
It has a countdown in the draft room that says 2:18 to go. Anyway, I won't miss it either way. Really looking forward to it. First time doing one and I've a sneaky little plan in place!Open Controls
Yeah shoot ahead.
Won't play after tonight though ๐Open Controls
Open Controlslaughing gas is great fun. and why release this story 3 days before a key game? stirring trouble as always. daily fail
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