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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. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is Valdes first choice GK for 'Boro?

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

      G2G

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

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

    3. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

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

        1. Costa's Counsellor
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

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

    4. Random Name
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 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, 4 months ago

      Should be!

    6. Clump
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Burnley are pure pumpathon in defence no?

        Foster & Victor?

        1. Clump
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 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
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

  2. Gooner97
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 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 ⭐
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      so he's not an arsenal target?

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 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, 4 months ago

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

    4. Gooner97
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 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."

  3. conor23
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

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

  4. Yank Revolution
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 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, 4 months ago

      which united player will pogba 'bench'?

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

          ok thanks

  5. SaintBegbie
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Foster

    Shaw Evans Taylor

    Fabregas Mhkitaryan Siggy De Bruyne

    Tekkers Aguero Lukaku

    Jaku Wilson, Paredes, Fletcher

  6. Däzzy
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 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

  7. Boris Bodega
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hands up if you have Ibrahimovic in your team?

    1. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

  8. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

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

  10. Syphras
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Mahrez or Mkhitaryan?

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

      Mk

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

      Martial

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

        you like the prospects of the new spurs striker then?

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

          Not yet as an FPL option ...

    2. The Saints of Footballing B…
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
        9 years, 4 months ago

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

        1. Scratch
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

  12. Jonjo Shall_We? (Flowers - …
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

    A) Fuchs
    B) Morgan + .5

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

      A

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

      A

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

      Depends on what you would do with the 0.5

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

        Nothing at this stage

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

          Fuchs then

  14. The Saints of Footballing B…
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

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

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

      Blessing in disguise.

    3. Licky
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      He's still in mine.

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

  16. scoreonemore
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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?

  17. kuriko
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    A) De Bruyne & Sigurdsson
    B) Hazard & Coutinho

    1. thepeen555
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks!

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

      C) Haz & Sig

  18. SaidTheOne
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on negredo to M'boro??

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

      We'll see

    2. reason17
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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.

  19. reason17
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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.

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

    Any interesting friendlies today?

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

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

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

        Ta

  21. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

      Feghouli 5.5 atm but 3-5-2 here

    2. Big Sum
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Fletcher. Boring

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        That's who I'm on atm.

        *vomits everywhere, lots of it*

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

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

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

          1. Jafooli
            • 13 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

      Capoue

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah he could be the one.....

    5. Ask Yourself
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

      Ben Watson.

      Crap choices tbh.

    7. AlexFF
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

    8. Boris Bodega
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

      Khirchof
      Kihrcof?
      Khirchov?

      Him anyway.

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

        bought on this recommendation

      2. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Interesting, cheers Todd.

    10. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Many thanks all, useful replies.....

    11. WE GO FOR IT
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Leko.

  22. allthewine
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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

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

    Any comments welcome:

    Adrian / Heaton

    Azpi / Shaw / Monreal / Lovren / Paredes

    Hazard / Siggy / Redmond / Khazri / Fischer

    Aguero / Bats / Gray

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

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

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

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

      Not going with 343? 😀

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

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

  26. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

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

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

      Prefer Feghouli. Attacking mid.

    2. davies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

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

  27. Nabs Kebabs
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
        9 years, 4 months 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.

  28. reason17
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Best goalkeeper pair? Any price.

    Thank you 🙂

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

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

      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Oh any price?

        DDG & Lloris

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

        Both have great opening fixtures, headache there ...

    2. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      DDG and Cech

      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Any price?

      De Gea and Hart rotate perfectly.

  29. Sanchez.98
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Courtois,Jakupovic

    Jones/Simpson/Moreno/Wollschied/Paredes

    Firmino/Arnautovic/Fabregas/Mahrez/Fletcher

    Costa/Kane/Giroud

    1. Oooof
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Giroud to Lukaku

  30. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months 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!
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Coutinho Firmino Mané
      Sturridge

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

    2. davies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Mane right, Coutinho left, Firmino central...

      ... Surely?

      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months 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
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months 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.