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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. BooYaKasha
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Hi All

    What do you think of this first draft:

    Heaton (Jaku)
    Bains, Azpi, Shaw, (Friend, Paredes)
    Fab, Mkhi, Cazorla, Firminio, (Højbjerg)
    Kun, Batshuayi, Gray

    All thoughts welcome!

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

      I think that your defence is overvalued and that affects your midfield

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

        Agreed.

      2. HVT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Not if they bring home 9 pointers, he has a fire/forget def tho personally I'm averse to Baines these days

    2. HVT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Decent, Firminho 4/5 away is a q? for me personally,
      6.5 for a promoted striker is another.

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

      Too many punts imo

  2. Honeyman07 42
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Ferghouli or Tore?

    1. Touré De Force
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I like Feghouli, but not sure if he will be a reguar 90min'er

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

      Keeping an eye on them. Could be bargains.

    3. scakes
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Fergouhli starting in place of Payet to begin with...? Was it..?

      Good choice if so...

  3. scakes
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Looks good - not sure Cazorla is nailed though....??

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

      Ozil - Euros
      Rambo - injury

      Caz has to play

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

        this !

      2. scakes
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Good choice if so.....

      3. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Ramsey isn't injured.

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

        Walcott?

  4. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Somehow I've ended up with 3 X WBA :/

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

      Same here 🙁

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

      Fletcher, Foster, McAuley?

      1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
        • 15 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Yup

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

      Me too

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

      I'd have 15 Brunt's if I could

    5. GHB
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Problem with Fletcher IMO is that a lot have him for squad filler and he loses value very quickly after first few weeks when people get rid after doing F all.

      1. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        This relies on the assumption that people will buy him in the belief he will score points. I can't believe anyone in their right minds will do that.

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

          But people buy him as a squad filler then suddenly realise there is a cheap option that scores points and get rid.

          Same happened with him last season.

          If you're keeping long term as a squad filler then fair enough, either way value will be lost quickly I think.

  5. Slam
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    I'm very happy with my strikeforce and defence, just the midfield that still needs work

    Hazard - Firmino - Lamela - Gradel (Fodder)

    I've got 0.5 in the bank, who would you switch/replace? All suggestions welcome

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

      gradel probably

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

      Firmino + Gradel > Siggy + Tadic?

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

      Lamela to me?

    4. Trae44
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Lamela to Tadic/Ayew?

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

      Hazard -> Mahrez and upgrade fodder.

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

      Don't keep your strikeforce and defence a secret then... 😉

    7. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Fodder

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

        Thanks all 😀

  6. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Many tempted with the Ibra/Aguero combo just for a home/away (c) each week alone or is Agueros away form good enough?

    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Kind of tempted for that reason yeah. My mean reason for Ibra is that I'm scared he starts as well as we know he can. Will be hard getting him in if funds are invested elsewhere

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

        An early WC will allow us adjust if it's not working, I didn't pick Ibra initially, I went Mhicki but I've swapped it round for the mo.

    2. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, going to try and stary off with those two

    3. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I have seen alot of talk about it but I can't imagine Doing that with the captain. Has that actually worked for people, rotating two premiums like that?

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

        Don't think so, it's been a while since the Manc clubs had decent nailed strikers simultaneously. I do recall being less of a force last seasons away from the Ethiad.

        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I like a Mkhi and Martial double up instead of Zlatan, though he broke my heart in McEuros so I am a bit biased right now.

    4. GHB
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Sergio is captain material home and away

  7. Jebiga
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is lamela nailed ?
    Hes steal for 7 !

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      First choice yes, steal no. Could do well, but I would pay 1.5m extra for the others.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not really.

      Eriksen, Ali, Lamela, Son, Chadli for 3 spots, and Kane could even drop to 10 with Janssen as a 9.

      If his form dips, he'll be out on his arse, and he is pretty rubbish anyway.

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

        this comment is hilarious. He was spurs' second highest goal scorer last season.

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          5 PL goals. Impressive. 😉

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

            lol

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

    Wickham, anyone?
    I prefer him to cheaper strikers from promoted sides as he plays for a proven attacking team

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

      Good prospect but it remains to be seen whether Palace go on with the transfer of Tekkers or not, so for this reason alone [Palace looking for another proven striker] I'd rather stay far from Wickham. Better options in the midfield.

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

        Tekkers prob. has better deals than palace on his plate...

  9. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    So if Stones goes to Man City then a Funes Mori/Stones double up for 5.0m apiece looks tempting.

    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      I'd does yeah, but a Terry Shaw Stones to play every week is even more tempting

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Wow, just saw Terry's price. So many bargains...

        1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
          • 15 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Terry might be a rotation risk in the medium term, but he's nailed until Zouma comes back in the middle of September

          1. Honeyman07 42
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Didn't Conte say Terry will be his captain for the year?

    2. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Stones won't start at City surely?

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Hmm, have they signed others as well? Lots of money to spend on rotation, though they can afford it.

  10. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone considering Shaqiri? Nicely priced IMO. Not very consistant and fixtures arent phenomenal but would be decent if he hits some form.

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

      More than his form, Stoke's lineups and tactics must be seen...
      If there attackers develop chemistry they can be a suprising outfit
      Wait n watch imo

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

      Wait and see

  11. scakes
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Is Mata to Everton an actual (possible) thing...? He's in my team if it happens...

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

      Theyre linked. Not sure if just paper talk though

    2. A.T
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn't look like it.

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

    9.5m to complete the Mid

    Mikhi Firmino Townsend Watson ????

    Who wil you choose for the last position

    A Mahrez
    B Eriksen+ Watson->Gradel
    C Martial
    D Silva
    E Ozil
    F Ramsey

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

      Mahrez v Hull

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

      B

    3. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      C

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

      oh and alli too

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

      A

  13. Honeyman07 42
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Mandanda - Foster
    Terry - Stones - Reid - Friend - Evans
    Hazard - Ozil - Martail - Townsend - Ferghouli
    Aguero - Gray - Rhodes

    Would play 3-5-2, therefore fell my 4/5 mids could be stronger

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

      Would strengthen the front 3 and weaken the 5th mid/5th defender. Just causes selection problems in the future and banking on Gray AND Rhodes is a bit risky.

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

      Downgrade one of feghouli great& Rhodes to a 4.5 upgrade one of the two others

  14. Jay_
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Really want Enner Valencia to join Swansea, that 1 million saved on other 3rd forwards would work wonders. Plus your saving 2 million on the next best Swansea attack alternative and freeing up a mid spot. Solid first 2 fixtures too.

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

        Didn't hear of it...
        Wud be wonderful though

      2. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I reckon Siggy will be worth the extra investment still

    • davies
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      My team is very dependent on Berahino > Stoke.

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

        I'd be amazed if Berahino hit form again at Stoke, at least straight away. Gray and even Wilson are ahead of him at the moment for me.

    • Fergietime
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Not a bad team? Something I just put together.

      Cech
      Shaw Azpillcueta Simpson Walker
      Mahrez Sigurdsson Fabregas
      Vardy Lukaku Kane

      Heaton Fletcher Whealen Mc Auley

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

        U dont trust ur ex club attackers?

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

          To much on goalkeepers also

        2. Fergietime
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          You know what they say, never bet on your own team. Id rather go on proven FPL than players new to the Premier League.

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

        It is a bad team.
        Sorry
        Four at the back???
        No Aguero???
        GLENN WHELAN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

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

          Four at the back, You are right, think I have been playing Euro 2016 too long lol.

    • FPL Belfast
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Cech

      Walker
      Friend
      Shaw
      Morgan

      Sigurdsson
      Payet
      Martial

      Berahino
      Kane
      Agüero

      Bench

      Jakupovic
      Paredes
      Højbjerg
      Fletcher

      Any feed back would be great!

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

        Change format for more feedback. Team looks pretty decent. Weak bench though and there are better options than Berahino imo.

        1. FPL Belfast
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          I'm waiting on Negerdo from BORO!! Hopefully sing is about the 6/6.5 price if he's 6 the I'l upgrade the sub defender

          1. FPL Belfast
            • 10 Years
            9 years, 4 months ago

            Price*

    • willl
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone thinking of getting 2 strikers who rotate well and using the money to upgrade your midfield. I've had a look and if West Ham don't manage to buy a new striker Long and Carroll rotate home and away fixtures perfectly up until at least week 7 which is when i plan to use my wildcard.

      Anyone see anything wrong with this other than the potential for benched points?

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

        Rotating attackers is

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

        I do not expect Long to be a sure starter...
        His end of season form didn't carry over to the euros, and one of Austin/J-Rod has a golden opportunity to usurp him this preseason (on their day, both of them are better players than long imo)

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

        Could also rotate feghouli and redmond if that is a better choice?

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

          Good shout...
          Much depends on preseason though...
          Hoping J-Rod emerges as first choice striker to offer OOP potential+ value @6.5m

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

        Nice avatar! 😉

    • spiritof82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hi team,

      Good to be back. Any thoughts on this crew?

      Heaton (Valdes)
      Shaw, Fuchs, Van Dyk (Evans, Wilson)
      Mahrez, Hazard, Alli, Townsend (Hojbjerg)
      Ibrahimovic, Lukaku, Gray

      No City, Arsenal or Liverpool, but you can't have 'em all ... unfortunately.

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

        Nice team! Aguero against SUN Gw1 is too good to ignore though.

      2. Trae44
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        More importantly no Kun

    • Obi-1 Kenobi-0
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Is Jordan Rhodes still likely to start even if Negredo signs? Can't see them benching him altogether, surely?

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

        id avoid. even last season he barely completed 60 mins for boro

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

        Negredo will be first striker, that's for sure. And I can't see them playing with two strikers very often

    • CoolBeans
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Hi guys, any Cherries or Hammers fans about?

      Gradel and Feghouli are both of interest to me. Do we see them both slotting into their starting 11s?

      I'm thinking about getting them both and rotating with my 3rd striker.

    • boothgm
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      hey guys need a little help.

      A - Ozil
      B - Eriksen
      C - Payet
      D - Martial/Mkhitaryan

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

        B

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

      VisualPing just informed me that https://fantasy.premierleague.com has just been updated.

      Cheers...

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

        Don't worry you still have a chance of getting the 1m i.d 😉

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

        Pogba added? 100m?

    • Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Scott Dann at 5.5 anyone?

      With this fixtures and his attacking record he could earn a lot of points!

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

        Lots of good options at that price from better teams. His set piece threat is huge thiugh

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

        Not a chance
        Pape Souare for me

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

      it seems to me all the 6.5 strikers carry some risk

      Wilson - fixtures aren't great and we don't know how he is after his injury
      Gray - newly promoted, he could be an Austin/Lambert, but he could be an Ebanks-Blake, we just don't know
      Rhodes - likely to drop out to Negredo (and Boro don't score a lot)
      Long - will he start?
      Austin - ditto
      Rondon - Pulis attacker
      Berahino - likewise, but could be an option if he moves
      Carroll - troll

      Pick one and hope

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

        Long will start

      2. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Indeed, but luckily it will be easy to swap to whichever one hits form because they are all same price bracket

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

        Wilson then Negredo fo rme

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

        Long and Austin situation will be clear before season starts

      5. Wilshere Knowledge
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        The fact you have a list of 8 names means they're all less of a risk, because you are flexible in that price range.

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

        If they were secure they would cost a lot more than 6.5m . West Ham are trying to buy a new striker so Carroll is out for me . I don't think Vardy and Ighalo were widely popular on here in pre season so it might just be a case of picking one , getting it wrong and adapting quickly

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

          yup, this might be it

          I am on Austin atm

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

        Think Gray is quite suited to the PL, think its a case of whether Burnley are creative enough

      8. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        Or pick none and find the money for Lukaku. Look at those fixtures, dude.

    • Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      KOL.
      Shares should tumble today. Japan launch delayed.

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

        Ah nightmare 🙁 Took a bit of a hit yesterday too. Do we have a date for the Japan release?

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 4 months ago

          Should be tomorrow. Don't see a reason to worry. It was going to happen if the release was delayed. No panic this end.

    • Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Anyone else looking at Targett?

      4.5m, possible wing back/mid, was playing well towards end of last season, possible OOP so CS bonus.

      Reckon he'll get regular starts this season?

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

        No. Bertrand will start lb

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

          Ah yeah, forgot about him. He was injured much of last season right?

          Place for Targett in midfield?

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

            No, sorry but he won't play 🙁

      2. Zizoulicious
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 4 months ago

        I think they'll stick with 4 at the back, so no place for him

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

          Yeah agreed, Targett out 😀

    • Hazard for Ballon D'or
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Any thoughts on First attempt

      Courtois Pickford

      Baines Shaw friend Evans wolscheid

      Hazard KDB martial bojan feghouli

      Kane Wilson Hernandez

      I'm finding the forwards be difficult, seems to be none I really fancy

    • ElDaddy
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      Thoughts on this midfield?
      Mahrez Payet Hazard Ibe Fletcher

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

        Hard to fit in Zlatan with that

    • Energetics
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 4 months ago

      First Draft:

      Heaton (Foster)
      Shaw Stones Friend (Soare/Kone)
      Mkhitaryan Firminio Siggy Townsend (Hojberg)
      Aguero Zlatan Rhodes

      Keepers rotate well and are nailed.
      If Stones goes to City will have a United and a City defender plus 3 nailed 4.5s.
      Mids all have decent goal threat and/or share of set pieces and a nice range of prices 9.5, 8.5, 7.5, 6.5 (4.5).
      Both big hitters included and with Boros signings and good fixtures Rhodes gets the nod as budget striker.

      Opinions?

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

        Miki to KDB or azza and downgrade firmino