Team Of The Season – Gareth McAuley

After registering ten shut-outs under the management of the renowned defensive mastermind Tony Pulis in 2015/16, it was the prospect of clean sheet returns that saw West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley enter this season as a strong budget option.

But it was ultimately the Northern Ireland international’s goal threat that was to be key to his success as the centre-back tallied a career-best 131 points in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), ensuring a spot in our Team of the Season.

The Statistics

Owned by 284,433 managers heading into Gameweek 1, the 4.5-priced McAuley started strongly, registering two shut-outs and a goal over his first three appearances.

By the time he produced his next returns – a goal in the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in Gameweek 9 – the defender was sat in just under 1,000,000 FPL squads, with his value rocketing up to 4.8.

Clean sheets remained in short supply, with the Baggies keeping just three over the first 21 Gameweeks.

But further goals in both the home and away clashes against Hull City maintained McAuley’s momentum and confirmed his status as the go-to budget option in defence.

He produced his best form of the season from Gameweek 20 onwards, registering three goals, an assist, two clean sheets and seven bonus points in his next seven outings.

That spell included his now infamous goal in the 2-2 draw at West Ham in Gameweek 25, as the top of McAuley’s head got the final touch to deflect a Jonny Evans far post header into the Hammers net.

A controversial award at the time, McAuley’s touch was nonetheless highlighted in slow motion replays and confirmed by the player. However, it was an incident that arguably epitomised the fortune that his owners enjoyed throughout the season; if there is such a thing – McAuley appeared to be a “lucky” Fantasy asset.

The defender played every minute for West Brom until the 2-0 defeat to Watford in Gameweek 31, did tail off towards the end of the campaign, with his price falling from a peak of 5.3 to 5.0 by Gameweek 38.

Injury meant the centre-back sat out the final two matches, but he still finished the campaign as the ninth highest-scoring defender in FPL and was ranked third for points per million value, with a score of 26.2.

While no FPL defender scored more goals than McAuley’s six, he mustered just seven clean sheets from his 36 appearances.

The 37-year-old finished the season with a staggering goal conversion rate of 37.5% and doubled his previous best tally of three goals back in the 2012/13 campaign. His disciplinary record was also pretty impressive, with just five yellow cards accumulated.

The Prospects

The fact McAuley was virtually an ever-present throughout the season bodes well for his prospects next season, despite his advancing years.

But following his outstanding season, there is little doubt he will be the subject of a price rise, with a valuation of 5.0 in FPL appearing likely.

While McAuley was the top-scoring Baggies defender in FPL, Craig Dawson, Jonny Evans, Chris Brunt and Allan Nyom, along with goalkeeper Ben Foster, all had their moments during the season.

The pricing of these players will be crucial to how we view McAuley in 2017/18, with the lack of clean sheets for Pulis’ side perhaps meaning that the likes of Nyom and Foster could be available for 4.5.

Brunt’s classification will certainly be debated. Given that he spent more of the campaign operating in midfield, he could be subject to another change of position for next season.

West Brom ranked second for set-piece goals in 2016/17 with 20, two behind champions Chelsea.

Given the emphasis Pulis places on this area, the likes of McAuley, Dawson and Evans should continue to offer a significant goal threat next season.

Pulis was generally very lucky with injuries and suspensions this season though. Factor in the small squad at his disposal and it seems inevitable that the Baggies boss will look to bolster his defensive options in particular during the summer.

So should the Baggies head coach make a major signing in central defence, it’s McAuley’s place that is likely to come under threat, with Evans the first-choice option.

He could also see next season as the right time to start shifting Dawson to a central defensive role, should he bring a further recruit at right-back.

There’s no doubt McAuley was one of the key assets throughout the campaign for those who were early adopters at the start of the season.

But his goal conversion rate and his history suggest that he is unlikely to repeat his attacking heroics, and given his expected price rise, it will be a surprise if he’s as much of a factor next term.

Instead, the search to find the next McAuley in the 4.5 price bracket will be at the forefront of Fantasy managers’ minds when formulating Gameweek 1 squads come July.