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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. Syphras
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Mahrez or Mkhitaryan?

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mk

    2. Gooner97
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Martial

  2. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    2015/16 defenders baseline baps, a good indicator as to when to pay up for a defender compared to his teammates: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19mzLcazDA_vMWWgW7UQYSmJeTxZoGptLK9uyUwxAfQk/edit#gid=0

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Might be able to update this for Chris Brunt's reclassification, also.

      1. Ziegler1988
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Hulk this Jafooli

    2. Jay_
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nice one

    3. Costa's Counsellor
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      This is good

    4. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Oh yeah! 🙂

  3. Advice Mallard
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If you claim to be 'all that' you might want to back it up with past performances and you had better make sure you finish at least in the top 1k this season,

    Otherwise everyone will laugh at you, a lot. And rightly so, because you'll look like a complete and utter idiot.

    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Over to you, Mr Maverick.

      1. MrMaverick
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        With pleasure, elninorules

    2. Clump
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Top reply fail Duck! 🙂

    3. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks Optimus.

    4. MrMaverick
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Top 100* autocorrect really is annoying...

      One would presume that your time would be better spent seeking mental help for your demented affection for ducks than worry about the inevitable - an astounding rank for monsieur mavericko. Au revoir

      1. Advice Mallard
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm a duck, I'm meant to have affection for other ducks.

        Poor response, I expected better even from you.

        1. le flem
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          must be smoking quack

        2. MrMaverick
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          How can a grown "man" punch such words into a keyboard willingly? Astounding.

          1. Advice Mallard
            • 13 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            How can even a little boy like you get involved in an argument with a duck? 😆

  4. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Casuals gonna blast us out the water on day one.

    They'll all load up on Mahrez & Vardy, but too expensive for us skilled practitioners.

    Leicester gonna hump Hull, hauls for both, sky rocket in price and we'll all be screwed 😀

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I might draft Mahrez in for Firmino

    2. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Without Kante I think Leicester will struggle this season.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        They played well without him whilst he was out last season. King and Drinkwater were fantastic.

  5. I Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed:

    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. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      First name on my sheet after Kun and not worried. If he gets 0 preseason minutes, then I'll consider taking him out.

      1. thepeen555
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        you like the prospects of the new spurs striker then?

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Not yet as an FPL option ...

    2. The Saints of Footballing B…
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's a livewire, a player worth taking
      But with him, kun and nolito, one can't be sure of consistent returns, as goals might be distributed
      Also i am a part of the minority which thinks pep to manC won't be extremely successful immideately

    3. Scratch
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Pep did an awful lot of rotation at Bayern, even the likes of Lewandowski, Muller and Robben so I could see City being an FPL nightmare this season

      1. The Saints of Footballing B…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Maybe... Sterling navas and nasri still on the cards

        1. Scratch
          • 17 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Iheanacho is the one on my watchlist, think he could end up being an absolute steal

    4. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      4th most expensive player in the game, and yet with Kun in the team you'll never captain him. Streaky too based on last season.

  6. Team Zissou
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    No love for Rooney on here?

    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Plenty of love from my end.

    2. thepeen555
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      got the love just not in my team, until i see where he is likely to play

  7. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    First Draft (Not convinced) help appreciated
    Butland
    Shaw Dawson Williams
    MickyT Haz Barkley Ayew
    Kun Berahino Long/Austin
    Jap Friend Mori JoshKing

  8. davies
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Fuchs
    B) Morgan + .5

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Gooner97
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. I Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on what you would do with the 0.5

      1. davies
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Nothing at this stage

        1. I Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Fuchs then

  9. The Saints of Footballing B…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Guys any idea how much data is required to strwam a match?
    Frustrating though it is, no telecasters for bayern vs man city in india

    1. reason17
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I can't help there but be prepared to use a large amount of data and a lot of battery life

  10. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Really want Sadio Mané in my team but can't get him in 🙁

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I have had Firmino in every draft but I think it may be time to let go and get Rihyad

      Hull are in dire straights

    2. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Blessing in disguise.

    3. Licky
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Personally I'd only consider starting Firmino or Sturridge, and that's either or, not both. It's a wait and see.

    4. JAC THE CAT
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's still in mine.

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I have a really really good feeling about him this season. Seems like FPL do too looking at his price 🙁

        1. JAC THE CAT
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          He's quality and should only improve in a Liverpool team.

          Players saying how good Payet was, Mane only scored 11 points less last season.

  11. scoreonemore
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    2nd draft:
    Valdes
    Stones - Cedric - shaw
    KDB - hazard - mkhi - feghoulli
    Aguero - long - benteke

    Bench - foster, hojbjerg, friend, parades

    If benteke doesn't move - best replacement?
    Is hazard work the extra than fab?

  12. Jay_
    10 years, 1 month ago

    -------------------Adrian------------------
    Antonio Nordveit Burke Cresswell
    ---------------Kouyate Noble------------
    Feghouli--------Quina-------------Tore
    -------------------Valencia-----------------

    West Ham line up v Rubin Kazan

    The 2 CB's out for Reid and Ogbonna and Quina for Payet is how we will line up gw1 Maybe Carroll if fit or new striker for Valencia.

    1. The Sarjeant
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who's more nailed on between Reid and Ogbonna?

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Both 100% nailed but Reid.

        1. The Sarjeant
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers, Jazz!

      2. Jay_
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Both equally nailed but post Europa games could see Burke or Nordveit coming in for either

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Collins, no?

          1. Jay_
            10 years, 1 month ago

            I think Burke ahead of Collins, that's why Tomkins has been sold. Maybe 50/50 with Nord and Collins

    2. davies
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Think I'll punt on Feghouli as my 4th mid

    3. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who is more nailed on? Feghouli or Tore? Lanzini is a threat for them alongside Payet.

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Feghouli I reckon.

      2. Jay_
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'd say Feghouli, Lanzini to come in for Tore when back and Payet switches to left

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ty.

    4. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Confirmed by Bilić or not? I still think the GW1 midfield will be:

      Noble *Nordtveit Kouyaté
      .......Payet Feghouli

      A system which will be deployed a fair bit, imo. Nordtveit is the only true DM there and I can see Bilić potentially adopting similar tactics to what he witnessed Joachim Löw use against Conte's team at the Euros.

      I know 4-2-3-1 is the preferred WHam system but I see 3 in midfield being used in certain tougher games.

  13. kuriko
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) De Bruyne & Sigurdsson
    B) Hazard & Coutinho

    1. thepeen555
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B due to the possible MCFC roation, hazard needs a good season after the main part of last year, countinho is cheaper than other liverpool mids but if he does hit form just as good

      1. kuriko
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

    2. I Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      C) Haz & Sig

  14. SaidTheOne
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on negredo to M'boro??

    1. Gooner97
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      We'll see

    2. reason17
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      brilliant signing for them, for us there is no guarantee of a large goal haul. Furthermore, there may be rotation with Rhodes.

    3. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Seemed like a good idea until I looked into it:
      http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alvaro-negredo/leistungsdaten/spieler/18644/plus/0?saison=2015

      5 goals and 2 assists in La Liga last season ain't great, and he's no spring chicken.

  15. reason17
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Why is stones being picked so much more in drafts? Does Koeman really make them that much better defensively?

    I'm not particularly convinced by his Southampton defence. It was good but average for southampton.

  16. Gooner97
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any interesting friendlies today?

    1. AlexFF
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      City vs Bayern 7:30 BT Sport. (I think)

      1. Gooner97
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Ta

  17. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who's your 5th mid? There really is no-one even half decent around 4.5-5.0m?

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Feghouli 5.5 atm but 3-5-2 here

    2. Big Sum
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Fletcher. Boring

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        That's who I'm on atm.

        *vomits everywhere, lots of it*

    3. davies
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hojberg but really no idea at this stage. Likely to be him or Capoue.

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah keeping an eye on this Hojoberg fella for sure....

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          What if we want 3 Saints in the future though... there are potential bargains there.

          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            True and agreed.....JRod, Redmond, Davis could all be 3rd/4th mids potentially

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

      Capoue

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah he could be the one.....

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at gray from Leicester as an option to monitor in pre season (5m)

    6. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Watson.

      Crap choices tbh.

    7. AlexFF
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The most popular ones I've seen are Feghouli, Hojberg or Fischer.

    8. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Elmohamady atm but not properly looked yet, just wanted someone cheap in there.

    9. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Khirchof
      Kihrcof?
      Khirchov?

      Him anyway.

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        bought on this recommendation

      2. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Interesting, cheers Todd.

    10. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Many thanks all, useful replies.....

    11. WE GO FOR IT
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Leko.

  18. Gooner97
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    West Brom have yet to respond to a bid from Stoke of £20m for striker Saido Berahino, according to Sky sources.

    Mark Hughes told Sky Sports News HQ yesterday that Stoke have already seen several bids for him rejected.

    Stoke are prepared to pay £17m up front, with a further £3m in add ons, but it's emerged West Brom are not prepared to let him leave without first lining up a replacement.

    In turn, we understand Albion are interested in West Ham striker Diafra Sakho, but again, the Hammers are reluctant to negotiate without signing a new striker of their own.

    Berahino, who is in the final year of his existing contract, was last month offered an improved deal at The Hawthorns, but Sky sources say he has turned that offer down.

    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      so basically West Ham are the key

    2. Scratch
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      £20m?? take the money and run

      Also, WBA haven't signed anyone in this window have they

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        phillips

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Terrific signing.

    3. davies
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Please go to Stoke

  19. allthewine
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Here is my first draft

    Foster Mandana

    Naughton Tarkowski Stones Robertson Bailly

    Townsend De Roon Siggy Coutinho KDB

    Hernandez Aguero Ibra

    I am thinking about taking out Kun.

    Thoughts would be most appreciated

  20. Oooof
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Any comments welcome:

    Adrian / Heaton

    Azpi / Shaw / Monreal / Lovren / Paredes

    Hazard / Siggy / Redmond / Khazri / Fischer

    Aguero / Bats / Gray

  21. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    if the season started tomorrow this would be the Hull team

    Jaku
    Elmo, Davies, Maguire, Robertson
    Clucas, Meyler
    Snodgrass. Diame. Maloney
    Hernandez

    absolute garbage

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      but it won't and we have 3 weeks until players recover from injuries and they bring players in

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thud and Livermore are on;y out 2 weeks, but it's a massive disruption to their pre season

        they need a keeper, a CB a RB at the very least

  22. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Do we know any £4.5m - £5.0m forwards who are first choice?

    1. Gooner97
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not going with 343? 😀

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Nope, so many good midfielder options and few good striker options imo.

  23. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is Noble (5.5m) a possible 4th mid? On penos and seem to be scoring well end of last season?

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Prefer Feghouli. Attacking mid.

    2. davies
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He's 6.5 and relies on pens too much imo. Prefer Feghouli for 1.0 cheaper

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He's 6.5m 😮 screw that...no chance.....

  24. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have decided Firmino is too much of a steal to pass on @8.5m even with his opening 3 fixtures being away. Set n forget.

    1. Licky
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I've gone for Eriksen to begin with but plan to get him in at some point, really not sure on how best to work this.

      1. Nabs Kebabs
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I rate Eriksen both as a player and fpl wise but in terms of fpl Firmino is surely superior due to that goal threat of his. I don't even mind the fixtures for Livp attack anway, they'll probably score in all 3 of those away games and no doubt Firmino will be involved.

  25. reason17
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best goalkeeper pair? Any price.

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Slowly cementing Foster & Valdes in my team.....

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Oh any price?

        DDG & Lloris

      2. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Both have great opening fixtures, headache there ...

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      DDG and Cech

      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Any price?

      De Gea and Hart rotate perfectly.

  26. Sanchez.98
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts?

    Courtois,Jakupovic

    Jones/Simpson/Moreno/Wollschied/Paredes

    Firmino/Arnautovic/Fabregas/Mahrez/Fletcher

    Costa/Kane/Giroud

    1. Oooof
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Not enough big hitters for me.

      Did Firmino and Arnautovic pick up most of their points filling in up front due to injuries?

    2. Gooner97
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Giroud to Lukaku

  27. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Liverpool fans

    Run me through the 3 attacking mids behind the striker

    Mane LW? Who goes into the hole - really interested in that place (no pun intended)

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho Firmino Mané
      Sturridge

      Coutinho on the left, Mané on the right. Firmino in the hole.

    2. davies
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mane right, Coutinho left, Firmino central...

      ... Surely?

      1. Licky
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I would guess at this. Mainly Mané right and Coutinho left. Klopp used a 4-4-2 a lot last season with Firmino playing off the striker.

    3. Oooof
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho played more games on the left of the 4-2-3-1.

      I'd expect Mane to play right with Firmino down the middle behind Sturridge.

      I might try and watch tonight's preseason game.

      Grujic, the kid they bought from Red Star looks good.

  28. Dušan Citizen
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    This is nice:

    Weekly Prizes
    Manager of the Week

    Copy of FIFA17
    Nike Ordem 4 match ball
    FPL rucksack
    FPL mug
    Top 20 Managers each week (incl Manager of the Week) will receive:

    FPL T-shirt, stress ball, pen, pad and key ring

    1. Dušan Citizen
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      What would happen if your other account get reward and they find out it's not you real one? 😆

    2. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      TC Kun first week, going for it! 😉

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😀

  29. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have a 6.5 mid and a 7.5 mid in my team, both are punts but I like the flexibilty of having those 2 spots

    If there's a 5.5 bargain like Fischer or Feghouli it's an easy downgrade and it opens up the 8.5 area which brings the likes of Eriksen into play, or the likes of fab, Mata, Theo, Barkley or the Everton mids

  30. AlexFF
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I'm not sure how you lot went about it, but last season I only played 5 at the back I think once in 38 games. I presume I'll follow the same idea going into this season, therefore would it not be a sensible choice to get 4 decent/good defenders, and 1 cheap defender to sit on my bench all season, in the hope that another Targett will arise allowing me a straight swap. Sensible, right?

    1. Oooof
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yep - Paredes could be that man for you.