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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

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  1. Speaking Words of Wisdom, R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Did they get rid of the Notes feature???

  2. Jay_
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Hit the first 3 gameweeks hard then wildcard team;

    -------------------Heaton---------------------
    ---------Souare Wasilewski Shaw-------
    DeBruyne Sigurddson Hazard Fischer
    -----------Aguero Costa Rondon----------
    ---------------------------------------------------
    Substitutes: Foster Watson Baines Kone

    * Heaton and Foster rotate
    * Use Wasilewski for gw1 then swap to Baines after he plays Spurs gw1
    * Souare and Kone rotate, with Baines/Shaw sticking gw's 2 and 3
    * The whole front 7 dominate the top 5 spots of the attack setting on the ticker

    1. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      That's one option. I'm doing the opposite though. Trying to hold onto WC until later.

    2. The Real Big Vern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Utd is top of the attack ticker for first 3 gws and you have none?

      1. Jay_
        9 years, 12 months ago

        United are 7th and Rooney or Mikhy is a straight swap away from Hazard or Costa depending on start/form

    3. The Saints of Footballing B…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Great... Gw3/4 wc worked marvellously well for me in last 2 seasons

      1. Jay_
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Same

    4. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      I have a similar plan but you need Man U attack

      1. Jay_
        9 years, 12 months ago

        See above, Mkhy or Rooney easily can come in for Haz or Costa

    5. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Looks good.

      But tbh, I don't see where targeting only the first 3 weeks has gained you? Most teams I see feature very similar players

      1. Jay_
        9 years, 12 months ago

        That's the thing, the team can actually do well up until around gw10, defence wise and I've willdcarded gw3 the last 2 seasons anyway

      2. I Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        This. I was planning for a GW4 WC myself but then I realised my long term plan produced a very similar team. Too similar for it to be worth a planned early WC.

    6. The Real Big Vern
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      im wrong, was looking at overall ticker, not attack

    7. I Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Mkhitaryan or Martial in for Hazard. Don't need double Chelsea attack imo.

    8. Chandler Bing
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Is Wasilewski nailed on for the first game? Surely de Laet ahead of him?

    9. SBronz
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Wouldnt bother making a plan that would change after week 1, you'll be kicking yourself if something unexpected comes up. scrap wasi in my opinion. COYI.

  3. Return Of Chamakh
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Anyone seen the new red and yellow cards rules the FA are bringing in this season?
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36844570
    Costa won't last 5 minutes, for one! Reckon there's going to be a lot in the first few games if they are serious about this - maybe be wary of any hot-headed dissenting types of players to start off at least...

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Well, maybe he'll just stop doing it?

      He seems a smart enough dude to me. Messes around just enough that is allowed and so that he gets his way. Will just temper it imo

      1. Return Of Chamakh
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Very possible yeah. I'm just guessing that a lot of the players won't have it drilled into them how big these changes are (or indeed aren't - let's wait and see how much they are enforced) and so there are likely to be slip ups in the first few games.

        If the FA are really serious about these it could be excellent in terms of player behaviour I reckon - almost a step towards the relationship between players and ref in rugby!

    2. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      "A yellow card for at least one player when two or more from a team surround a match official." LOL. oh man

      1. Return Of Chamakh
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Haha exactly! That's like 2 or 3 times a game 😀 !

  4. Zikry
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Heaton//Foster
    Wimmer//Friend//Morgan//Stones//Naylor
    Tadic//Hazard//Martial//Eriksen//Ayew
    Aguero//Gray//4.5 striker

    Thoughts?

  5. Nick12345
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    RMT

    Courtois // Jakupovic

    Koscielny // Walker // Stones // McAuley // Pieters

    Mkhitaryan // Hazard // Townsend // Bojan // Hojbjerb

    Aguero // Lukaku // Long

    Mkhitaryan or Ozil
    Lukaku or Costa

    Thanks

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Kosc likely not back at the beginning of the season, otherwise pretty good.

  6. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Too early for a RMT?

    De Gea - (Hennessey)
    DVD - Stones - Rose - (Evans - Friend)
    Firmino - Walcott - Sigurdsson - Fabregas - (Elmohamady)
    Sturridge - Lukaku - Costa

    🙂

    1. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Looks different from others. Could be good.

    2. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Would ditch hennessey though

  7. Syphras
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Hey All,

    Anything glaringly bad that stands out in this team?

    Mandanda/Valdes
    Bellerin/McAuley/Cedric/Moreno/Ake
    Ozil/Payet/Fabregas/Eriksen/Fletcher
    Aguero/Long/Wilson

    Many Thanks

    1. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      As above, a lot of key Arsenal players are likely not starting the season, Ozil included. Otherwise pretty sound.

    2. MrMaverick
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Yes

    3. The Saints of Footballing B…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Maybe avoid Cedric early on... He has had a long euro

    4. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Moreno is poor. Hoping Klopp signs a replacement.

      1. The Saints of Footballing B…
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        He might have improved his defensive game over preseason? Dunno why can't he, given he has all pace, strength and stamina
        I like him fpl wise, as cleansheets aren't guaranteed in any match and his attacking potential rivals bellerin's

        1. Boris Bodega
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          I would be amazed if he is first choice this season, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was sold. He cannot defend for toffee!

          1. Clump
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 12 months ago

            This ^

        2. Clump
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          Try supporting Liverpool and then defend him! Fpl wise, he could be OK. Just makes far too many mistakes.

    5. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      One of the more solid teams i've seen

      Both long and wilson though is a bit of a risk

  8. Energetics
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    A. Townsend and 6.0 Striker (Rhodes?)
    B. Bolasie and 6.5 Striker
    (Gray? Wilson?)

    1. reason17
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      I would go for B. Ideally You should be aiming for townsend + 6.5 striker.

  9. MrMaverick
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Kdb, coutinho, kane, kun, ayew, long all in my team. With £2.0m to spare. Legend.

    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Amazing.

      1. MrMaverick
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Lovin the grav. Toast to Bruntiesta

    2. Kirwan24
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      What's the rest of the team?

      1. MrMaverick
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        For fear of plaigarism, i refuse to divulge confidential info

        1. Licky
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          I don't think plagiarism can apply to Fantasy Football.

          1. MrMaverick
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 12 months ago

            It does now.

    3. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      I shudder to think what the defence is like

      1. MrMaverick
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Its fantastic, by my own admission. Wouldnt swap any of them if i had a budget of 200m tbf. Appreciate your concern, but I think that concern would be much more wisely focused on that pile of s that is your "team"

        1. Random Name
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          haha competitive already i see

        2. Slam
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          You are something else,
          I love it

          1. MrMaverick
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 12 months ago

            I love it top

        3. VS10_
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          For anyone to take you seriously maybe start by linking your team/history.

          1. MrMaverick
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 12 months ago

            I dont wish to be taken seriously. I wish to be feared.

  10. Besaid_Auroch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Once more unto the breach...

    Foster / Jaku
    Azpil / Evans / Friend / Amat / Parades
    Hazard / Alli / Coutinho / Townsend / Fletch
    Kun / Ibrahimovic / C Wilson

    Hmm. Mmm? Nnn...

    1. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Missing ozil or de bruyne

    2. Krul Runnings
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Amat and parades are non starters

  11. Kirwan24
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    What do people think of Diomande? Will he get game time or do Hull plan on using one striker? They only have two listed

  12. Random Name
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    You need either Ozil or KDB in midfield - that is essential

    If you don't have either of them you're gonna run into trouble...

    1. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Ozil probably won't play gw 1.

    2. George James
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Will Ozil start the season? If so he will be considered

    3. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Thanks for the warning, I will put both in my team since they are essential

    4. I Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Don't have either. Not concerned about it.

  13. Mark-O
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Any good picks for defenders at 4.0m? Preferably if they are tipped to start.

    1. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      No one knows if any of the 4.0 defs will start. Thats the sorry truth.

  14. Thomass
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Hi

    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Hello friend

      1. Thomass
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Hi, how you?

        1. Elniñorules
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          Great. How's everything in school?

  15. George James
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    A) KDB - Siggy - Costa

    B) Hazard - Ibra - 6m Mid

    1. Thomass
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      A

    2. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      A - KDB is almost essential

      Also hazard and ibra are both gambles

      1. Slam
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        How on Earth is KDB essential? I'm avoiding him on purpose!

        1. MrMaverick
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          Then a therapist is essential in your case

          1. Prøphet
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            9 years, 12 months ago

            Not at all lol

  16. Slam
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Mahrez+Firmino or Hazard+Coutinho?

    1. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Mahrez+firmino

      Not liking Hazard this year... 😉

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Dont like Pool's early fixtures

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      First pair

  17. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Mane - Firmino - Coutinho
    - Sturridge -

    One hell of a front four!

    1. Slam
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      A resting Arsenal and a promoted Burnley. *Licks lips*
      But who's the best option fantasy wise?

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Firmino in the middle, very tempting indeed!

      2. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Bob

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Shame the rest of team is crap.

      1. Boris Bodega
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        At the moment yes, I can only think that Clyne will be kept, and maybe Lovren. Will Mignolet lose his place to Karius?

    3. Däzzy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Miki - Rooney - Martial
      Zlatan
      #justsayin

    4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      sturridge to ibra

    5. King Kohli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Origi / Lallana / Ings / Milner as backup

      I see Liverpool scoring a lot of goals

    6. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Too much Liverpool

    7. Ziegler1988
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Too many Liverpool players selected

  18. King Kohli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Best mid for 8m for the first 3-4 weeks?

  19. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Fabregas & Rooney currently in my team.

    What year is it?

  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Is Valdes first choice GK for 'Boro?

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      G2G

    2. Däzzy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      We'll have to wait and see later in pre-season. Not clear yet

    3. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      i would have thought he would have to be, u thinking of having him?

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Him and Foster rotate like perfecto......

        1. Costa's Counsellor
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          Yeah, it's him or Heaton with Foster for me.

    4. Random Name
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Boro's manager would have to be one of the most deluded and stubborn people ever to grace the planet if valdes isn't first choice

    5. Trigg ⭐️
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Should be!

    6. Clump
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Probably. Heaton / Foster for 9.0 all day long for me Jaf.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Burnley are pure pumpathon in defence no?

        Foster & Victor?

        1. Clump
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          Think Heaton scored well a couple of seasons ago if I remember. Think he'll do a bit like Gomez did at Watford last year.

    7. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Cheers all, will wait out, but looks good....

  21. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Atletico Madrid are the only club to have bid for Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      so he's not an arsenal target?

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Arsenal wont pay £94m for him so dont understand why hes still a target ?

    3. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      De Laurentiis does chat an unbelievable amount of sh*te to be fair

    4. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      "The only offer I've had was from Atletico [Madrid] president [Enrique Cerezo] a month ago and I told him we couldn't do it," De Laurentiis told reporters at the pre-season training camp in Dimaro.

      "He offered me €60m plus two or three players and I said no."

  22. davies
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    The lack of Arsenal & Spurs players in my team is worrying.

    1. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      Only Eriksen here

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      I have none..... yet.

    3. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      i keep waiting for lamela to show up, but not sure if the EPL is his stomping ground

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

      This.
      Spurs players are still good but their confidence must have taken a beating. Doubly so for all the England players.

  23. conor23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Opinions of the team
    Forster, Jakupovic
    Williams, Shaw, Souare, Evans, Kingsley
    Mkhitaryan, Townsend, De Bruyne, Drinkwater, Watson
    Aguero, Ibrahimovic, Long

  24. Yank Revolution
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Getting closer....

    Manchester United have agreed personal terms to re-sign Paul Pogba with the player's agent. The Juventus and France star's representative Mino Raiola has agreed terms with the Old Trafford side on a five-year deal believed to be worth over £200,000 a week. Jose Mourinho's side now face the task of agreeing a transfer fee with Juventus. The Italian giants say their prized asset is not for sale but United are confident of brokering a deal for a world-record £100 million.

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      which united player will pogba 'bench'?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Mata most likely (who is likely on his way out)

        1. Henryyy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 12 months ago

          ok thanks

  25. SaintBegbie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Foster

    Shaw Evans Taylor

    Fabregas Mhkitaryan Siggy De Bruyne

    Tekkers Aguero Lukaku

    Jaku Wilson, Paredes, Fletcher

  26. Däzzy
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    RMT
    Panning to wildcard gw4
    Hoping Jones will be nailed
    Foster, Jakupovic
    Ivanovic, Jones, Souare, Taylor, Paredes
    Hazard, Tadic, Sigurdsson, Lamela, Kirchhoff
    Aguero, Zlatan, D.Gray

  27. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Hands up if you have Ibrahimovic in your team?

    1. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      ATM me, and i think a lot of people will too

  28. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Now Huddlestone and Livermore injured

    Swaps Firmino for Mahrez

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      *Steve Bruce puts on boots*

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 12 months ago

        Hull are in a right state. They're only out for 2 weeks but it totally disrupts their pre season

  29. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    Guys any good leagues out here?
    Both cash and ones without it

  30. I Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 12 months ago

    What's everyone's thoughts on De Bruyne now? He was one of the first players in my team but now I feel the opposite. Hasn't gone on City's pre-season tour and they have CL qualifiers early in the season. No one else worried about rotation and his minutes early on?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 12 months ago

      not worried, see it as a plus that he is not on tour.