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22 July 2015 2453 comments
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Following a successful first season at the Britannia for Mark Hughes, in which he guided Stoke to a ninth-place finish, expectations were high as the Potters headed into the 2014/15 campaign. The former Blackburn boss continued his side’s evolution, bringing in the likes of Bojan Krkic from Barcelona and Victor Moses on a season-long loan from Chelsea, while Phil Bardsley and Mame Biram Diouf added physicality at both ends of the pitch. That balance of style and substance ultimately proved successful, with Stoke finishing in ninth place once again.

In this members article, we will take an in-depth look at Hughes’ second season in charge, analysing the main goal threats and creators and comparing the numbers from the 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns under the Welshman.

  1. Bøss ⭐
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, here's another potential one

    a) Hazard and Benteke
    b) Costa and Walcott

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Pass, too difficult.

      1. FPL Maldini
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        a

    2. MeloZola
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A - too many options in the Arsenal midfeild and Wenger loves Giroud

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        He loves Wally too

    3. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

    4. InvertedWinger
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Atleast 3 of these 4

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        If not all 4 !

  2. GuyMalibu
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Schneiderlin + 4.5 defender

    or

    B) Ritchie + 4.0 defender

    1. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      How about Ki and 4.5 def?

      1. GuyMalibu
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Going with that feeling on the back of my neck with Schneiderlin

      2. Nikodemus
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        I would go with Ki and 4.5 def

  3. Valar(Keith)
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Just gonna post my draft here before sleeping.. probably the only time i'm posting one since the fpl opening day excitement..

    Ruddy Butland
    Cedric Lescott Huth OShea Francis
    Ozil Sterling Mane Payet 4.5
    Rooney Costa Benteke

    Got a GW 13 WC planned so my defense has been based on that. Nyt

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty awesome that.

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        thanks 🙂

    2. Valar(Keith)
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Note: if Aguero is fit then Sterling Mane Payet becomes Milner Cabaye Aguero

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        oops theres a Rooney in the non aguero and a Mata in the aguero plan

    3. Lovren an elevator
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Nice team. How are you working your rotation of your defenders?
      I'm guessing the 4.5 mid will be Anya or wanayama?
      Front 3 are powerful

      1. Valar(Keith)
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        not looking at rotation.. just going with the teams with the best fixtures over the first 12 gws(planning a WC in the GW 13 international break).. they happen to come cheap too!

  4. SUAREZ_MESSI_COUTINHO
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Why is sakho being considered as a good option ? Pre season form ?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Decent team, decent player, great fixtures after gw1.

    2. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Good home fixtures

    3. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Payet , proven in the Premier League , Good opening fixtures , Bilic has a reputation for playing attacking football and pre season form

  5. Butthead
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Brunt has quite good stats for a 5.5. Why's no one getting him?

    1. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      He'll be playing left back

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      City and Chelsea in his opening 3 fixtures

      1. Butthead
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Ah

  6. Adderz
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Need someone to buy Glenn Murray. 7 goals and 5 assists in 868 minutes last season.

    1. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      New striker.

  7. Bartowski
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Be interested to see which of the two teams below people think is better. One was the first team I did and the other is two weeks of solid ruddy tinkering:

    Courtois / Krul

    Azp / Morgan / Francis / Alderweireld / Targett

    Wally / Mata / Ritchie / Cabaye / Hendo

    Kane / Sakho / Aguero

    OR

    Fab / Hen

    Azp / Cresswell / Clyne / Huth / Targett

    Carzorla / Mata / Payet / Mahrez / Milner

    Benteke / Rodriguez / Aguero

  8. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Can you make a viable defence for £22.5m?

    1. JamieLfc
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Williams,Huth,Mings,Angella,4m

      1. JamieLfc
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Or any other Watford defender, the best option would be getting nailed Sunderland defenders tho

    2. Mav3rick
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      22.5? Tough - might need to be an uber-rotation for that amount and I think you'd lose more points than can be made back. 24.0 would be my minimum.

      https://ratemyteam.uk - Please Rate Responsibly

  9. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Hendo is too greedy to give up pens imo. And BR is obviously too coward to take them away from him.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      This may well be true.

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      He'll be under enough pressure replacing Gerrard without having to take pens. Also pens are great for a strikers confidence - Tekkers will be the man.

  10. MeloZola
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Sure it's been posted many a time before. But how much value are peopel seeing in Deulofeu? Considering he isn't too injured?

    1. Dumpo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Very punty. Better options out there.

      That said Everton away from Europa league should do a lot better this season.

    2. Harper_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      One of those players who plays nice football but lacks end product.
      Much better alternatives at 6.5

  11. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Benteke, Bolasie, Ki

    B) Deeney, Mané, Milner

    1. Benster
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      B all the way!

    2. Dumpo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A, just.

      Marginally safer but both options high risk. Ki last season likely to have been lucky, stats show to be intrinsically average. Benteke new club. Mane Deeney and Milner all what I'd consider fairly high risk too.

    3. Theatre_Of_Screams
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Defo B

    4. JamieLfc
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Neither IMO. Benteke,Milner,5m

  12. Benster
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Any Saints fans know how nailed on Mane is? There's a lot of love for him on here, but is his position under threat from Jay Rodriguez or can they play together?

  13. Theatre_Of_Screams
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Mane or Hendo?

  14. Royal5
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Rooney, Costa & Benteke the new template front 3 then..

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Going to be really easy for me to win it this year then. 😉

      1. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Giroud will be a differential for you. No doubt 🙂

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          No room at the inn for Giroud. 😉

  15. BuxtonS
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Gonna post my team,

    Fabianski, Jagielka, Williams, Azpiliqueta, Baines, Hazard, Schniederlin, Ramsey, Henderson, Kane, Behrahino, Hart, Shawcross, Matic & Lukaku.

    Any improvements?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      You have triple Everton, but have you seen the horror fixtures after GW1?

      1. BuxtonS
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        I'll replace Jagielka and Lukaku but who with

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Whomever you fancy. 😉 Just dont ignore fixtures. 🙂

    2. MeloZola
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Evertons defence have to improve big time. Too risky

  16. Worzel Gummidge
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Who rotates best in a 2 way between BOU WAT LEI NOR? I have Schmeichel in goals if that matters. My 4th is Targett in waiting for a 4m defender to stick his head out of the sand.

      1. Shipstontrev
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        BOUT and WAT, so Francis/Mings and Prodl/Angella

        1. Worzel Gummidge
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Cheers. Pretty set on Francis based on your previous comments, I think. No idea about the Watford lineup as they seem to be buying a lot of refs. How do you think they will line up?

            1. Worzel Gummidge
                10 years, 5 months ago

                buying a lot of *defs. Not talking about Man U here 🙂

                1. Shipstontrev
                  • 16 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  Very difficult to tell now they've bought more players. I would be thought Holebas wouldn't have joined to sit on the bench, and Prodl and Angella with him, but I'm only guessing really.

                  1. Worzel Gummidge
                      10 years, 5 months ago

                      Nonetheless, thanks for the input. Appreciated.

          • Mondeo
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Hey all!

            A) Chadli + Walcott + Wilson
            B) Bolasie + Ozil + Sakho
            C) Ki Sung + Walcott + Sakho

            Any thoughts? I'm scratching my head on whether Bolasie or Chadli provides the best "moneyball" option, and Ozil/Wally risk vs payoff is again difficult to think of. I guess community shield will provide some answers...

            1. MeloZola
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              B

            2. Dumpo
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              B

            3. European Bob
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              A easily

          • Gazpilicueta
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            The Hive Mind, can any of you guys enlighten me on Wilson or Deeney, I like the look of both of them so far to be honest. before FFS I knew nothing about either of them, My first instinct is to go Deeney because he seems more influencial for the team, and pens for sure, but I prefer Wilsons Fixtures in the first 5 by a long way, what do you guys think?

            1. Wilshere Knowledge
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I think consensus is split.

              I don't personally like the look of Deeney because a lot of his goals last season were straight balls in behind defences, but he doesn't look particularly quick. I imagine the source for many of his goals last season might be cut off in the PL.

              (I've only seen highlights)

              1. Gazpilicueta
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                no worries, thanks for your input, and whilst you're here, whats the word on Wilshere? that dude is a boss

                1. Wilshere Knowledge
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  Should win the Ballon D'Or next season. 😀

                  In seriousness, he looks strong, powerful and back to his best, but whether or not he'll be starting is another matter.

                  I wouldn't be confident in saying he'll be first choice, but he'd be in my starting XI.

                  1. Gazpilicueta
                    • 11 Years
                    10 years, 5 months ago

                    Hed be in mine too....seriously hes great. if you get an inside word hes gonna start a match, give me a shout 😉

                    1. Wilshere Knowledge
                      • 12 Years
                      10 years, 5 months ago

                      Will do! 😆

            2. MBK 42
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I think both will disappoint; I have a feeling Hooper at Norwich might be good for a fair few goals.

          • Takamba
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Kolarov seemed to nail down the left back spot towards the end of last season with some strong performances, surely he holds onto it going into the start of this season?

            1. MeloZola
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              See I was thinking Clichy. Too much risk in City defence

              1. Takamba
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                It depends how short term Pellegrini's memory is....

          • Kerz
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            RMT/10

            Ruddy Rudd
            Azpi Cedric Morgan O'Shea Francis
            Fabregas Ozil Mane Chadli Fletcher
            Rooney Costa Benteke

            -Morgan/O'Shea/Francis rotate decently.

            1. Harper_
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              9

              1. Kerz
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Cheers. I think it has good balance considering the front 3. I do want Sterling so might drop Cesc or downgrade Chadli to Ritchie and upgrade Mane to Raheem.

            2. It's only Carlton Cole…
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I had Morgan and Francis at first but changed to Huth and Williams as I think they're more nailed

            3. Daaf
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Great team. If you think you cannot improve your weaknesses or are happy to roll the dice with your defence, go ahead! Personally I would not want Nor in goal. I haven't seen a great defence anywhere, at least you spend at little as on that so you can have a great front 7. Your forward line is really expensive but looks amazing.

              Your midfield is even better in my opinion and quite similar to mine, haha. I think Cesc is great value and allows for so much more freedom than Haz. Ozil is crucial to Arsenal, and is probably the first name on the team sheet every week. Mane and Chadli are great value choices, and especially Mane has great fixtures. I don't think he is too expensive. Chadli is nailed on and will come good.

              I wouldn't really know how to improve this team without changing your perception about some of the teams you selected.

              1. Kerz
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Just saw this comment now, thanks loads for the detailed comment mate.

                1. Daaf
                  • 10 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  Thanks!

                  Only thing I can think of and am working on myself is a front line of Rooney - Costa - Sakho. I just think he could be too good to ignore for 6.5, and with the fixtures being kind of mixed I am even tempted to try some 3-5-2 / 3-4-3 rotation. That would give you 2 Million to upgrade to Aguero instantly, or upgrade Fletcher to a 6.5 midfielders such as Bolasie / Lens/ maybe even Walters or balance out your defence. Whether you want to do that also depends on Benteke's penalty duties, with Penalties you surely must keep him.

                  Do you think he is on pens atm?

                  1. Kerz
                    • 11 Years
                    10 years, 5 months ago

                    Sakho is indeed tempting. He showed great consistency last season when he was fit. You've just gotta back him for more goals this season. Settled down, with a good pre-season behind him, and the likes of Payet providing for him... Think he's been underpriced. Any chance at arbitrage should be taken in this game...

          • BigDaveSaves
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            I am loving the look of my front 7 ATM

            Walcott Sterling Hazard Depay
            Rooney Benteke Deeney

            Wonder how many will be there come the 8th

            1. n-doggg
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              nice. costa will be missed though

              1. BigDaveSaves
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah considering upgrading Benteke to Costa and Sterling / Depay to someone lesser

                1. Shipstontrev
                  • 16 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  Depay to Ritchie would give you the cash to do Benteke to Costa.

                  1. Girls like Cars and Man&eac…
                    • 10 Years
                    10 years, 5 months ago

                    What's with you people and this Ritchie guy LOL

                2. n-doggg
                  • 13 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  mane perhaps

            2. inter the wild
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Rooney Depay to Milner Costa

          • Large Hardon Colluder
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            With a very budget defence I can get this:

            4.0 - 4.5

            4.0 - 4.5 - 4.5 - 4.5 - 4.5

            Cazorla - Milner - Fabregas - Mata - Wanyama

            Rooney - Aguero - Benteke

            I actually quite like it. Thoughts?

            1. n-doggg
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              that defense and no hazard is crazy ass

            2. Top 210 Club
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Needs Chelsea defender and hazard. Essential

            3. Takamba
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              You've spent that much on your attack, and still don't have both Aguero and Hazard?

            4. Dumpo
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Big hit on defense. GK not so much an issue in my opinion.

              I personally wouldn't want to be playing Milner every week either.

            5. invertebrate
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I haven't added it up but I don't understand how you could have that defence and no Hazard but still have to shoehorn Wanyama into midfield to stay under budget.

              1. Large Hardon Colluder
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                It's true. very tough this year.

          • Farcelona
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Zlatan to be announced for Man Utd on 1st August?

            1. Scratch
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              United probably would give him 400k per week after tax

            2. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Why the 1st?

              1. Evs
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Day United launch their new kit with Adidas.

            3. Davido989
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Nope

            4. Shipstontrev
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              1st of April perhaps.

          • 11SPECIALONE11
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Give it a go..

            Cech

            Ivanovic -- Koscielny -- Clyne

            Hazard -- Henderson -- Cazorla -- Depay -- Wanyama

            Costa -- Benteke

            1. Big Sum
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Downgrade your gk/def and upgrade Wanyama or your 3rd frwd

            2. Kerz
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              3rd striker? And other missing players?

          • FPL Daniel
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            "Liverpool confirm the signing of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa"

            Bye bye Inggs

          • Harper_
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Anyone here play fantasy MLS?

            1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              lol nah

              1. Harper_
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                good summer alternative to fpl if you cant wait till august.

            2. Acquafresca
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I played and finished top 15. It was boring.

              1. Acquafresca
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                and I didn't get my free prize!

              2. Harper_
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                top 15! Well done my good man.

          • MeloZola
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Why is there so much love for Walcott....

            1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              pre season form on top of that fact that he killed it as a striker towards the end of last season.

            2. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Hat trick

            3. Wilshere Knowledge
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Hope... always hope. 😉

            4. Epic Fail
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              He's a beast.

            5. get_in
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              First name on my team sheet, but everyone else feel free to ignore him!

              1. MeloZola
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Sanogo was a pre season beast and Paulo Wanchope has scored a premier league hattrick... think hope that he will start at striker is the only factor lol

                1. Seb Wassell
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 12 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  You're being deliberately obtuse. Walcott has a lot more about him than those two when it comes to Fantasy prospects.

            6. Heytch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Best mins per point going around. Awesome fantasy prospect when fit

              1. MeloZola
                • 11 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Agree. But too much risk with a strong looking Arsenal mid and Giroud nailed on unless striker shopping reports are true. Benzema etc *yawns*

          • ihateramsey2
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            is clyne worth the 0.5m over sakho?

            1. Boo Ya Ka Sha
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              idk. he doesn't score/assist all that much.

            2. Wilshere Knowledge
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Maybe.

              I'd say no, but Lovren seems to have been playing in what looked like a predominantly 'first team' in the pre-season games. Obviously it's not necessarily indicative of Rodgers' plans, but it's enough to worry me.

            3. Kip
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              I'd prefer Skrtel

          • Royal5
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Sinclair an option with Tekkers gone? Should get pens..

            1. Takamba
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              He's in my draft

            2. Boo Ya Ka Sha
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              get some medication for your future headaches. just go with a 4.5

            3. Royal5
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Unless Adebayor..

            4. Butthead
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              But nobody to win them. I reckon they're relegated.

          • schlupptheweek
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            How good is this team with Hazard, Sanchez and Aguero.
            Pantilimon (Rudd)
            Azpillicueta Mangala Koscielny (Senderos) (Steven Taylor)
            Milner Sanchez Depay Hazard 5.0mill
            Aguero Ighalo (Hooper)

            While Alexis is rested who could I have to fill in for the 5.0 million mid and Alexis for 2 weeks.
            I was thinking:
            Tadic + Walcott