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20 July 2016 1728 comments
Paul Paul
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We continue our series of members’ articles, which review the numbers behind the 2015/16 season, with a look at Stoke City.

To get up and running, we delve into the Potters’ data and compare them to the rest of the Premier League, before assessing their first-team squad, main goal threats and creative sources as we look for some pointers ahead of the upcoming 2016/17 campaign.

Despite finding the net on 41 occasions, Mark Hughes’ side still finished in ninth position for the second successive season. Although they mustered just three points less than 2014/15 – picking up 51 points – it’s fair to say that the Potters’ threat in the final third took a turn for the worse in a season that saw just nine of their players find the net.

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

  1. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    😉

  2. Sadio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Mahrez Iggy Rooney KDB Firmino.

    Don't sleep on them.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Beds are much more comfortable.

  3. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Ate my 40th Boojum Burrito today. Got meself a free tshirt.

    I've never been so simultaneously delighted and ashamed.

    1. nevertrustbony
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Best burritos ever. I've got got 2 T shirts. You should be proud not ashamed hahaha.

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thinking of wearing it to my company update later.

        1. nevertrustbony
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Go for it haha

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I went to the food fare up in Sandyford last Friday . I got a brautwurst with sauerkraut , spicy mustard and red onion in a freshly baked roll 🙂

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Damn that sounds tasty...

    3. andy85wsm
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Good man 🙂

    4. SuperMario
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      guy in work has 5 which is madness!! 4 x years of DIT

  4. andymck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone willing to talk me out of picking Lukaku? Not sure if I can handle him again...

    1. Däzzy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Get Zlatan instead 😉

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

      I'd have gone for him if I wasn't going Kun/Zlatan already

    3. Blurryface
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He is a lol. Better get Costa over him

    4. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'm going with him and with the starting fixtures, I think he should be ok.
      Usually it's in the 2nd half of the campaign where he loses his touch.

    5. Squires FC
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Don't do it

    6. Worzel Gummidge
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I'm getting Miralles as my Everton attacker. Greedy bas!!

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Deulofeu?

      • nevertrustbony
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I've vowed never to own him again, so there's no chance he'a anywhere near my team.

    7. Däzzy
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bottomed 🙁
      How does this look
      Planning to wildcard gw4
      Looks like Jones could nail down a place for united. Hope he does.
      Foster Jakupovic
      Ivanovic P.Jones Souare N.Taylor Paredes
      De Bruyne Eriksen, Siggi, Fischer, Kirchhoff
      Aguero Zlatan Long

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I'd downgrade KdB and upgrade Paredes / Kirchoff / Jakupovic

        1. Däzzy
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          The players that you are telling me to upgrade is creating my team structure so I can afford the expensive players such as de Bruyne.
          Thanks for the advice but de Bruyne if mine.
          PS if you didn't see already my iD is one lower than you 😉 #78

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Fair enough, I would rather get two 4.5s in for Jaku and Paredes but I can understand why you'd want KdB 🙂

            Haha yeah I saw 😉 milliseconds in it! 😀

            1. Däzzy
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              😉 😀

      2. Sif
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Austin could well be the saints spearhead. Saints fans even last season assumed he was the Pelle replacement, back to full fitness now. Long ended last season very well though so I'm sure will feature too.

        1. Däzzy
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          They played a diamond midfield with 2 up top. Long will definitely fit in somehow IMO.

          1. Däzzy
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            *in a recent friendly

      3. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Terry over Ivan if you're going for an early WC?

        1. Däzzy
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Good idea. If I badly need the extra .5mil I might do this

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

      Chances of Origi being number 1 choice?

      1. andymck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        None at all

      2. Däzzy
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        If ignore Liverpool strikers from the start and see who nails down a place. They also have poor fixtures.

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

        Thanks guys. Will have to wait and see, then

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

      And is Eriksen worth the 1.5 extra over Lamela?

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Only if it doesn't destroy your team.

        Erisken's my 8.5 of choice, but I currently have Lamela.

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

          Cheers. I do feel a lot more comfortable picking Eriksen.

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Then go for him, great option 🙂

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

              Cheers mate 🙂

      2. How I met your Mata
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I think so

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

          Cheers

      3. Squires FC
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I own eriksen

    10. Sif
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Bottomed. First RMT, thoughts please.

      Heaton - Foster
      Azpi - F Mori - Peters - Cathcart - Friend
      Payet - Firminho - Fabregas - Tadic - Fletcher
      Aguero - Costa - Austin

      Maybe one too many Saints but both good individually. Fletcher may go as too popular but assume some 4.5.

      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Looks solid. Not sure on Payet starting the season, but otherwise all good

        1. Sif
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Cheers Demi. Had considered Mahrez over Payet if only for the opener 😀

      2. Squires FC
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Nice

      3. Elijah's Wood
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        There are some doubts on Fabregas making the team due to formation changes. Also not sure how Pool will perform until GW6 when their fixtures ease up, was set on Firmino myself but very tricky start

      4. Worzel Gummidge
          9 years, 4 months ago

          No ManU attacker may become a problem

      5. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Wollscheid was a baps demon last season. If Shawcross stays fit, Wolly looks a solid buy for 4.5m. No mention of him in the article!

        1. Jazz!
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Pieters, whom was 5.0 last year is a better choice imo.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            1 assist all season though.

            I expect Stoke to get more CSs this year if ShawX plays more. More CSs probably means more baps for Wolly.

        2. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          He is another one I have my eye on (along with Holebas) for a wc when fixtures have eased

          also like the look of a reclassified Bojan

          1. Cradders
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I currently have Shaqiri but it is an interesting option

            1. El-Kloppico
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Don't think so honestly.

        3. Sif
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          See Stoke forum thread 'Shawcross Struggling Already'.
          Glassback they call him :p Still hope he's ok as I've got Pieters.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            That's unfortunate for the man 🙁

            Really hope he can get a good season under his belt...

      6. Railwayman
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Could Gray be the new Wilson, but with no injuries off course.

        1. Squires FC
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Very possible

          1. Sif
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I think it's wrong they've put him in at 6.5. Never been a promoted striker that costly, not like he's broken a record was just top scorer.

      7. Squires FC
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        A. Rondon & gray
        B. Rondon & wilson
        C. Gray & wilson
        ?
        Cheers

        1. Cradders
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          C

      8. mad_beer ✅
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Draft 2.0

        Jakupovic, Gomes
        Funes Mori, Koscielny, Shaw, Cathcart, Francis
        Hazard, Eriksen, Payet, Fletcher, Watson
        Lukaku, Kun, Wilson

        Thoughts?

        1. Aladdin Sané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Nice. You might want to upgrade one of your mids - maybe downgrade a defender and Payet (not sure he'll start much in the opening games) for funds.

          1. mad_beer ✅
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks dude. Didn't think about Payet not starting.

      9. Blurryface
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Any good friendlies today?

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Bayern v City 🙂

          1. Blurryface
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Oh wow time?

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              I think it's 7.30..

      10. How I met your Mata
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Fernandez an McAuley the best 4.5 options??

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

          Evans

        2. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          McAuley
          Pieters
          Koné (if Big Sam stays)
          Swansea for 2 games then tough fixtures after.

        3. DantheManinaPan
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I prefer Neil Taylor and Evans from Swansea and West Brom. I also like Pieters, Friend, Souare... Plenty of options.

          1. DantheManinaPan
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            There's also West Ham's right back if we can find out who it'll be. Not the best fixtures though.

      11. whoracle
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Anyone fancy a RMT of this lot?

        Heaton/Jakupovic
        Shaw/Friend/Evans/Walker/Souare
        Fletcher/Coutinho/Mkhitaryan/Barkley/Eriksen
        Austin/Aguero/Costa

        Thanks in advance.

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Not mad on Barkley but looks good otherwise! 🙂

        2. Blurryface
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          like it

        3. Däzzy
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Decent

        4. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Would Barkley + Costa > Fabregas + Lukaku not a better choice?

          1. whoracle
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Not a fan of Fabregas under Conte's regime.

        5. Son of the wolf
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Really like it, especially Coutinho and Barkley, have both of them.

      12. Jamie_GAWA
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Let's start a discussion..

        Austin or Long

        Ayew or Siggy

        I'm going for LA

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Neither to start with, pick them up when more is clear.

          Ayew.

        2. Däzzy
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          LS

        3. Blurryface
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Whoever starts
          Ayew

        4. Son of the wolf
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Austin and Siggy.

      13. Outatime
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Best Mid for 8.0?

        Cheers.

        1. El-Kloppico
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Coutinho?

      14. Eden Hazardous
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Draft #2

        Foster / Jakupovic
        Shaw / Terry / F.Mori / Francis / Friend
        Hazard / Mkhitaryan / Ramsey / Gradel / Fletcher
        Aguero / Costa / Austin

        0m ITB. Thoughts?

        1. Squires FC
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Tidy

          1. Eden Hazardous
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            ...and what about the team? 😉 😛

            1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
              • 15 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              He meant the team 😉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi_5lXIT5AY 😉

              1. Eden Hazardous
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                😆

        2. Blurryface
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Will Ramsey start?
          Otherwise looks good
          Double Che attack?

          1. Eden Hazardous
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            I would think so , otherwise an easy shift to Siggy/Lamela.

            Well , I AM a Chelsea fan. 😀
            I think our attacking potential looks good with those opening fixtures.

            1. Blurryface
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Fancy Mahrez?

              1. Eden Hazardous
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                I do but he is overpriced. A wait and watch for me.

        3. DirtySanchez
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I like the defence, and Ramsey is a good shout after Euros.

          Never been set on costa, and maybe limited playtime with Bat around?

          What made you go for mkhi over martial?

          1. Eden Hazardous
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Thanks!

            He seems too good value to me. And no , he is clearly first choice ahead of Bats imo.

            Mkhi is the finished product and altho Martial has the potential , Mkhi is on a different level as a player imo.

            1. DirtySanchez
              • 11 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Well you definitely know more about Chelsea than I do, so ill take your word for gospel haha.

              Cheers, im on Mkhi at the moment as well, just worries me that he isnt BPL proven

              1. Eden Hazardous
                • 10 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                I wouldn't worry about that. Mourinho's transfers are mostly excellent.

      15. DirtySanchez
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Long time no post! Hi guys,

        Any chance of a cheeky RMT? Been out of it for a while!

        Mandanda/Foster,

        Baines, Shaw, Williams, Prodl, Evans

        Oz, Mkhi, Bolasie, Willian, Fletcher

        Sturridge, Ibra, Benteke

        Any advice very greatly appreciated

        1. Squires FC
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Ozil may not start the season. Benteke isn't gonna play while he's at liverpoil. I bra may not start the season either

          1. DirtySanchez
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Should have mentioned only Tekkers if he moves to palace, i think Oz and ibra will probably start, but will tinker over the next few weeks - what would your alternatives be?

            1. Squires FC
              • 12 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Costa, sturridge, coutinho , firmino , eriksen

      16. Elijah's Wood
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Foster Jaku
        Shaw Baines XXX XXX Wasilewski
        Siggy Holjbjerg XXX XXX XXX
        Aguero Zlatan Austin

        £33.5m to fill in, playing my WC after GW4

        A) Pieters Friend Mahrez KDB Watson (play 4-3-3)
        B) Terry £4m Hazard Tadic Townsend/£6.5m (3-4-3)

        1. McQueen
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Wasilewski just for one game Huth is suspended?

          1. Elijah's Wood
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Yep

            1. McQueen
              • 10 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Both A and B looking nice, but I'd replace KDB with Hazard and go with A as you already have Kun.

              1. Elijah's Wood
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                Was trying to capitalise on that amazing Sunderland opener, while planning is a silly thing to do I was hoping to switch KDB for Hazard. Though opting for your route would give me £0.5m to upgrade someone with.

                Thanks for the feedback McQueen

                1. McQueen
                  • 10 Years
                  9 years, 4 months ago

                  I like KDB, don't get me wrong. It would just be nice to have some CHE cover on the last GW game on monday. Mahrez vs Hull (many main guys injured) will compensate for that. 😉

                  1. Elijah's Wood
                    • 11 Years
                    9 years, 4 months ago

                    Didnt realise the Chelsea game was MNF, would help to slightly boost rank. Trouble is that SUN is better than WHU, was planning on doing KDB > Hazard in GW2/3 for Watford and Burnley. Its a coin flip lol

                    1. McQueen
                      • 10 Years
                      9 years, 4 months ago

                      It's still wait and see game. Monitor City and Che games and then decide. You'll definitely know which one you want before deadline. Still plenty of time to tinker.

                      Cheers. 😉

      17. DantheManinaPan
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Any £5.5 midfielders better than Ibe?

        1. Spike ⚽️
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Loads 🙂

          1. DantheManinaPan
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Such as?

            1. Spike ⚽️
              • 14 Years
              9 years, 4 months ago

              Do some research like I did and you'll get your options

              1. Elijah's Wood
                • 11 Years
                9 years, 4 months ago

                That is why he is asking?

                Gradel, Drinkwater, Fer, Gray (both may not get starts much like Ibe), Fischer, Feghouli (getting love on here as Lanzini may be out)

        2. Eden Hazardous
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Gradel from the same team for starters...

      18. ElDaddy
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        How is this looking for a first draft?
        Schmeichel // Valdes
        Morgan // Alderweild // Cedric // Fernandez //Paredes
        Payet // Hazard // Mahrez // King // Fletcher
        Aguero // Lukaku // Grabban
        Comments much appreciated!

        1. Tired and weary
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Schmeichel and Morgan might suffer from lack of Kante
          Toby a bit expensive given other options and Spurs fixtures - Shaw/Terry?
          Payet may miss the start of the season
          No Man U attackers a concern
          Lukaku is a brutal troll although could perform under new manager

      19. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I'm jealous, can't even login or create a team ffs

      20. Squires FC
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Did rondon play at copa?

      21. 50 Shades Oshea
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        which combo?

        A) long, haz, mkhitaryan

        b) ibra, fabregas, coutinho

        thanks

        1. super zlatan
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          B

          1. 50 Shades Oshea
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            cheers

        2. Aladdin Sané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          A

        3. Squires FC
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          B

          1. 50 Shades Oshea
            • 12 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            cheers guys

      22. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Afternoon lads

        1st draft and hoping for some comments

        Heston. Jaku
        Shaw. Cedric. Morgan. Friend. Peiters

        KDB. Siggy. Fabregas. Townsend. Fletcher

        Kun. Ibra. Rhodes.

        1. super zlatan
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          *heaton

        2. JK - Cønt ⭐
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Negredo on the way to Boro so forget Rhodes

          Capoue might be the 4.5er to have

          rest is ok for a Ibraguero team

          I prefer Foster to Heaton as a standalone keeper but that's a preference

      23. Cradders
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Leicester should go for Juan Mata, big statement that'll be IMO

        1. Ayew Serious
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Doesn't fit into system at all

      24. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Not sure on starting with Lukaku but I struggle to see a better option for 9m right now
        I am hoping the Everton mid situation gets cleared up by GW3 so I can look at Mirallas or Del boy

        1. Cradders
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          This!! I really want Deulofeu

        2. Spike ⚽️
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Some like Rooney ?

        3. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          It won't be a problem. You'll want Rooney after the Community Shield 😉

          I've always liked Mirallas' direct style as an FPL option. Hopefully Koeman exploits that, Mane style.

          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            yeah Mirallas has been a strong FPL pick in waiting for years

            I wamt to use Community Shield to asses United, currently have Mkhi

            if I got Mirallas in for him I'd have a ton of cash spare so I could swap Townsend out and get Eriksen/Fabregas in

            Costa could be an option if I find myself with 0.5 spare

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

        Early indications how the Palace attack will line up? Some nice value options there.