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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. money face bandwagon
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    barkley or fab? not keen on tadic yet

    1. Worzel Gummidge
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Neither for me. Gun to head, Fabs

      1. money face bandwagon
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

  2. Mane Of Steel
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I am a big Saints fan and maybe some of you would appreciate this: I have a feeling the Saints will roll with a midfield diamond formation. Hojberg will most likely be right above the one CDM. Basically a box to box player. Long seems to be the most "locked" forward at the moment. Charlie Austin and Jay Ro

    1. Mane Of Steel
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wow. Didn't mean to hit enter. But I think Austin and J Rod will fight for the second spot. Austin better option imo. Tadic will hophully be utilized in the number 10 role. Love his creativity.

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

        Surely redmond has a chance of competing for the other striker spot

        1. Mane Of Steel
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Lots of competition! Should only help the players.

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

      And Jay Ro? What about him?

      1. Mane Of Steel
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Read comment.

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

      Who will play DM then? Clasie?

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

        Oriol Romeu

      2. Mane Of Steel
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        With Europa league in mix it will switch up between clasie and Romeu probably.

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

          Massive step down from Wanyama & Schneiderlin

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

      Tadic will play AMC behind strikers no10 position

    5. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think maybe 4-3-3 could work with three of these four forward 3;

      J.Rod/Long - Long/Austin - Redmond/J.Rod

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

        I thought Redmond would be nailed on at number 10, are others thinking different? Could be a great budget mid if he starts each week.

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

      And what about Clasie?

      Am pretty sure you will sign another DM, so it will be:

      --------New DM-------
      --Davis----Hojbjerg/Clasie
      -------Tadic------------

  3. MitroGoal
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Gabriel or Mert?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mertesacker is the new captain.

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

        so what? arteta was last years captain and he wasnt playing

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          True. But Arteta had injury problems and had way better replacements.
          Ideally you'd want your captain to start most games.

  4. Cooper123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    First RMT, would be grateful if you cast a quick eye over it and point out anything you think is a particularly grave mistake.

    Foster // Heaton

    Azpi // Shaw // Friend // McAuley // 4.0

    Hazard // Mkhitaryan // Tadic // Townsend // 4.5

    Aguero // Lukaku // Wilson

    Happy to have Chelsea and United cover in defence and midfield, think those 4 are strong value.

    If Benteke goes to Palace he will be in for Lukaku, and I'll use the surplus to upgrade elsewhere.

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

      No, it's actually quite a good team. If you're happy with it I wouldn't change anything

      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers. Don't like the 4.0 but otherwise pretty happy for now

    2. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Personally, I don't like having a 4.0 defender unless there is one that is nailed on. Apart from that, it looks good to me.

      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Agree, I've been looking for 0.5 to rectify that but haven't found a downgrade that seems worth it.

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

      Really good squad. Might be a bit lacking in defence but if Benteke does go to Palace, you can get another premium defender using your plan. That aside, strong side.

      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I would certainly use some if that on defence. Cheers

    4. President Giggs
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Lukaku -> Gray, Tadic -> KDB and you've pretty much got my team!

      1. Cooper123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Can see the appeal, but (a) I like a strong front line and (b) I like to spread the love with my big hitters

  5. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I think FPL prices Rhodes at 6m on purpose. Negredo should be 6.5m now.
    Gray, Negredo, Wilson and Long are all great options.
    But happy with Rondon atm.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Rhodes is great value, but only if he plays

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not sure how often Boro play with two upfront, but Negredo is surely nailed on.

      2. Uppercut Panda - A legend i…
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        3 goals in 3 - Karanka better play Rhodes

  6. World XI
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    How do you change Captain and Vice captain on new layout?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Click on the player.

      1. World XI
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        cheers! simple but no idea at the same time haha

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

      Click on the player

    3. Däzzy
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Click on the player

    4. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Click on the player and the options will come up.

  7. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wait, wait, wait....

    ...are you guys giving me Ibrahimovic AND Mahrez as differentials?! 😀

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      For now. Enjoy!

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        *rubs hands together*

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Gameweek 3 mass WC should ruin your differential

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            So I should sell Mahrez for Martial in GW3 you mean? 😉

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Just get Martial now. I did 😉

    2. Kuqi Monster
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Seems plenty think Ibra/Kun is too much cash...

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        So many bargains in defence though...

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

      With all those Hull injuries, Mahrez, Vardy or Musa are fantastic options for opening fixture!

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

    Kante is the 4th most selected mid!

    I would have thought the people on the game this early would know what they're doing...

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Autoselect maybe... hopefully not though 😈

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      How much is Kante?

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

        5 gazillion.

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Overpriced!
          I think we'll find a real game changer in the 5.5m range this season. Like Mahrez.

          1. Irish Madridista ⭐
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Gradel 😀

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

              Markovic.

              1. Irish Madridista ⭐
                • 15 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                If he gets gametime he could be golden.
                I like him a lot.

            2. Ten Season Wonder
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              this^

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

            Mahrez is 9.5

            😉

            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              *Like Mahrez last year 😉

    3. money face bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      not a bad chelsea starter for 5m.

  9. ElDaddy
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Which squad do you think would last with me for most of the season?
    A)
    Schmeichel // Valdes
    Morgan // Alderweireld // Cedric // Fernandez // Paredes
    Mahrez // Payet // Hazard // King // Fletcher
    Aguero // Lukaku // Grabban
    OR
    B)
    Forster // Myhill
    Terry // Shaw // Stones // Friend // Parebes
    KDB // Lamela // Ayew // Bolasie // Hojberg
    Aguero // Ibra // Afobe

  10. Worzel Gummidge
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Foster Janko
    Shaw Azpi Pieters Friend Kone
    Eriksen Firmino Tadic Miralles Leko
    Kun Batshit Rooney

    Quite happy with this actually. Question marks over Batshit and Miralles game time though.

    1. Ten Season Wonder
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Batsh1t slipped thru the net 😉

  11. luke25
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Foster Jakupovic
    Otamendi Van Dijk Wimmer Robertson Stones
    Hazard Martial De Bruyne Maloney Hojberg
    Aguero Wilson Gray

    How's it looking? Obviously Wilson and Gray is risky but I think both will do well this season

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

      Not that good really. Too much on the midfield, and still not convinced on martial and hazard. Hazard had a bad season and he has to improve before I bring him in. Martial costs a bit for a player who's not nailed.

  12. Jimjam
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson, Long or Gray for 3rd striker?

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

      Long

    2. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Austin?

  13. Cactus League
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    First Cut...

    De Gea (Jaku)
    Shaw Olsson Bellerine Souare 4.0
    Ozil Coutino Tadic Ayew Fletcher
    Kun Lukaku Gray

    I know. No Spurs cover. Thinking of a 6.5 to replace Ayew and then Alli for Tadic.

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

    Anyone going without a premium (more than 5.0) defender?

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

      3 5.5 at the moment

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      o/

      7 x 4.5

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

        and front 8?

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Gradel - Lamela - Ayew - Coutinho - Mahrez
          Wilson - Ibra - Kun

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

            Lamela Ayew > Eriksen Tadic/Siggy?

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Would prefer Eriksen but he's 1.5m more than Lamela so not sure I can justify downgrading Ibra or Cout for him.

              Ayew is worth it over Tadic and Siggy imo 🙂

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

        Strewth.

        Who?

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Heaton - Foster
          Friend - Pieters - Koné - McAuley - Evans

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

            Phwoar.

            Lots of eggs in a brummie basket. Leaves no room for Rondon too 😉

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 15 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Yup, not sure about Evans..

              Swansea's fixtures are putting me off them, same with Watford..

              Palace aren't the best defensively, same with Bournemouth...

              Miiiight go with a double up on Middlesbrough with their fixtures instead of a triple Brom..

    3. money face bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      currently have shaw at 5.5m but tempted to ditch. plenty of options from 5m and below

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

        Yeah, I've got Walker. Can't decide...

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

    Do we think Shaw's minutes will get protected early doors this season?

    Coming back from a horrible injury and they have options at LB (Blind, Rojo, Fosu-M etc).

    I'm tempted with Shaw, but I fear rotation.

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Mourinho doesn't rotate much

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

        Yeah, this is true. If it wasn't for the injury thing I'd definitely get him.

        1. Grand Thibauto
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          You gotta have a Mourinho defender if not two. Shaw just looks the one with most points potential. I prefer De Gea though; but the value in 4.5 GKs are too hard to ignore.

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

        Did you watch the PL last year. Ask Chelsea fans if he didn't rotate.

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

          Difference between rotation and dropping players because they're playing terribly.

        2. Grand Thibauto
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I'm a Chelsea fan. Ivanovic was pure bs the whole season. And yet he was pretty much nailed. Azpilicueta never missed. And Cahill/Zouma was the only rotation that was necessary to finally break out Zouma. Zouma had been way better than Cahill, but its hard to just bench a first team player all on a sudden.

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

      Will monitor his minutes in pre-season. If in doubt Bailly is the same price.

  16. Eden Hazardous
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Predictions for Negredo's FPL price?

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

      7

    2. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      ~7.0

    3. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      6.5

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

      6.5

    5. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      7

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

      7.

    7. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      6.5

    8. Tobiathan
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      11.6, just above Ibra

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

      6.0

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

    Which one?..
    A) Ibra - Ayew - Tadic
    B) Long - Mahrez - Martial

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

        B long>tekkers/berahino/rondón?

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

      B

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

      A

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

    Callum wilson, andre gray and Alavro negredo.

    Which 2? Thank you

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

      Gray and Long

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

        Long? Interesting thought.

        Long + sigurdason
        Or
        Wilson + tadic

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      The two with premier league experience.

  19. conor23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Vardy and Antonio
    or
    B) Ibra and Drinkwater
    Ibra might be risky but he could be lethal with the favourable fixtures at the start

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

      A

    2. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Costa+Sigurdsson?

    3. conor23
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Or Redmond instead of Drinkwater

  20. BB-8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Negredo likely price?

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

      7

    2. Hazari300
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      6.5

  21. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hmmmm, anyone else tempted with a GW4 Wildcard strategy?

    First 3 weeks - load up on MCY, CHE, MUN and LEI attack before offloading when their fixtures turn in GW4 and replacing with ARS, TOT, WHU, EVE (whose fixtures improve considerably)

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

      Meant to add that 3 weeks should be enough time to assess the hidden gems, figure out line ups etc.

    2. Demí
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looks tempting for sure

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

    Anyone get burned by Coates last year? I think he cost me 0.4 in the end.

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

      I had him in my Sky team at the beginning. -1 for every goal conceded. I wasn't happy after the first game.

    2. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yes. I am so going to avoid rotation this year.

  23. Armchair Manager
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hey Fellas, first RMT,

    Heaten (Foster)
    Delaney Terry Friend Shaw Williams
    KDB Hazard Eriksen Siggy Ibe
    Carroll Long Ibra

    what you guys think?

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

      Carrol injured

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

      Carroll, Williams, Haz, Siggy

      1. Armchair Manager
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Think haz will provide an alternative to micky

  24. Hazari300
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Is Barnes on pens for Burnley?

    1. Grand Thibauto
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Is Barnes nailed in the first place?

      1. The Hindu Monkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        not even close

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

    Anyone else keep clicking on Aguero to look at Forwards like the old interface?

  26. Cradders
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    What do we think of Hojbjerg's minutes??

    Also would you replace Shaqiri with a different £6.5m mid?? Townsend etc even one of the £5.5m Bournemouth mids

  27. TheSaint
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    No love for Costa, Arnautovic or Silva?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Got my eyes on Costa and Silva. Think Silva in particular could be a real under the radar option.

      Arnie will be in my team during the season, but not to start with

  28. uptheboro
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    How will Swansea line up at the back? Any hope for Kingsley?

  29. Respect My Authoritah
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Right so, taking on board some advice and ditching my medium-priced bench, come up with this:

    Foster Jak
    Shaw Baines Friend/Soaure/Kone
    Mahrez Mkhit Cesc Ayew Bolasie
    Kun 9.5 4.5

    Currently on Lukaku + Campbell + 0.5 for those striker slots.

    How's it looking?

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

      Looks good if you're happy to play 3-5-2 every game.

  30. st4rt__
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    http://image.prntscr.com/image/efd814790f884176bdd8f9303a831336.png

    Struggling here. £30m, suggestions?