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28 July 2017 2089 comments
Paul Paul
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Mark Hughes’ Stoke City are the next team to come under the microscope in our series of pre-season analysis articles for members.

We start by assessing the performance levels at the team level to look for any trends of improvement, before checking out their standout individuals ahead of the 2017/18 season. This includes an in-depth look at their likely key attacking target for the new campaign – Joe Allen.

Although they mirrored a total of 41 goals from the 2015/16 campaign last time out, Hughes’ men were hardly prolific – only the bottom five sides found the net on fewer occasions.

The Potters’ fell from ninth spot to thirteenth over the two seasons, though as the underlying numbers highlight, their threat inside the box was on the rise.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

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  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Joe Allen essential!

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Well done, you beat our sleeping Antipodean!

    2. bojack
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      In before TM.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        That's what she said.

  2. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    In the members area in Team Profiles (like this one http://members.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-profiles/burnley/), you can't sort the columns in the Player Stats by largest to smallest on tablet and mobile devices.

    Raised this multiple times.

    1. Mark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 19 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yep, we will get that fixed now. Heatmaps out first.

  3. Reuser
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Not one mention of Ramadan Sobhi? (5.0)

    One to monitor, in my view........

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Is he nailed?

      1. Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He wasn't - but much more likely to play in Arnie's absence.

  4. A Team Of James McCleans
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Rate my front 7

    KDB Alli Cout Zaha Walters
    Kane Kaku

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      How much is Walters? Prefer some one else

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        5.5

    2. Totti
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      what about your defence and third striker?

      1. A Team Of James McCleans
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        4.5 fest

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

    First 6 fitures are brutal
    eve ARS wba MUN new CHE

    Reckon i'll get Shiqiri in GW9 for
    BOU wat LEI bri cpl LIV SWA

  6. FPL ElasticO
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    How is this team looking??

    Foster
    Alonso/ Cedric/ Trippier
    Coutinho/ Willian/ KDB/ RLC
    Kane/ Jesus/ Gayle

    Bench:: Darlow/ Dunk/ T Carroll/ Rangel

  7. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    This draft business isn't as easy as it looks.
    In a 2-man draft (fiver a week thank you very much) I ended up with KDB, Sané, Jesus & Aguero.
    Head just went. It felt like supermarket sweep on rollerskates !

    1. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That's a good thing! City will (probably) score more goals than any other team

  8. Jimjam
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Foster, Elliot
    Alonso, Trippier, Lindelof, Cedric, Rosenior
    Alli, Coutinho, Willian, ???, Carroll
    Lukaku, Jesus, ???

    A) RLC & Defoe (play 4-3-3)

    B) Zaha & Abraham (play 4-4-2)

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Lindy is a rotation risk early
      If RLC looks nailed in the final weeks of preseason... A ... otherwise B

  9. Neil_Riley
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    What 2 out of these 3 would people pick?

    Phillips £6.0mil
    Tadic £6.5mil
    Zaha £7.0mil

    I'm thinking Zaha and Tadic

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Philipzaha

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Phillips and Zaha

  10. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Posted on the wrong article previously...

    Could Ndidi at Leicester be undervalued at £5m?
    Reasonable stats but very little conversion last year. Is he an option as a cheap midfielder?

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

      Fine for the bench but does not score or assist enough to start.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      5 is a bit of a meh area but he can get the odd goal.

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Did not score or assist much last year but stats wise he doesn't look too bad.

    4. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I reckon Leicester are going to struggle badly at the start. Avoid for now and reasses around GW6

    5. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If you can squeeze an extra 0.5, Albrighton at 5.5 should present good value.

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        He has better ppg than Albrighton.

      2. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not with their fixtures, I don't think

    6. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not worth the extra 0.5 from the 4.5ers

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I have Carroll, Ndidi looks better than all the other £4.5ms.

  11. WVA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. Coutinho + Chicarito
    B. Ramsey + Firmino

    No other players from these teams. Many thanks

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

      B by a mile

    3. Aram95
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

  12. Man Chest Hair United
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Best combo for 4th mid defender

    A Zaha and dunk or any 4.5
    B Frazer and Alonso

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A if you've got another 4.5m to rotate with, otherwise B.

  13. Duffy Dunk
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    DeGea Elliot
    Dawson Alonso Cedric Trippier Daniels
    DeBruyne Carroll Willian Milivojevic Phillips
    Kane Lukaku Austin

    I feel I can't be without DeGea. Alonso, DeBrownie, Kane, so with the remaining money I tried to make something nice in midifield but couldn't. So instead, I made a defence I feel great about.

    1. Man Chest Hair United
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      You summed it up weak mids good squad though

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Before getting Alonso, my most expensive def was Trippier, but then realised that these 5 have the potential of clean sheet points, while they're capable of assisting or even scoring. If this works out even partially, the points will be equal, or even more than what Eriksen, Alli, Mane, Coutinho may be getting.
        I like it, for now.
        Now waiting for each team's remaining preseason matches for nailed-on-ness.

        1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Instead of D and D I weakened my 5th defender to 4.0 and got Kompany instead...but I like it... may rethink it

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Similar process for me... I will post in a moment. I like it

  14. In Carrick we trust
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Please rmt outa 10

    Foster

    Cedric, daniels, dawson

    Mane, willian, de bruyne, redmond

    Chico, kane, lukaku

    Bench: elliot, rangel, Hünemeier, carroll

  15. BoooomXhakaLaka
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Seems as if 4 at the back is popular this season. I have to Agree, it does look very good with the premium defenders on offer: RMT?

    Forster
    Kompany,Alonso,Trippier, Daniels
    KDB, Alli, Lanzini
    Gayle, Jesus, Lukaku.

    1. bojack
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Daniels GW3-4 could be painful.

      I think 4 at the back makes it hard to play the fixtures in defence.

      1. BoooomXhakaLaka
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        All feedback is appreciated... how would you change the team??

    2. suddenorgan
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso and Trippier play one another GW2 so I guess you're hoping for a 0-0 there

      1. BoooomXhakaLaka
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        A 3-3 would be nice, hatrick for Alonso and Alli and 3 Assists for Tripper. We can all dream

        1. Duffy Dunk
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yeeeeeeeahhhhhhhh

          1. BoooomXhakaLaka
            • 9 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Will Jesus be the main man this season for city up top or still Aguero??? I'm not even sure if Pep knows yet ha ha

            1. Duffy Dunk
              • 9 Years
              9 years, 1 month ago

              I'd be totally on Jesus, but this fear of fun rotation doesn't let me.

              1. BoooomXhakaLaka
                • 9 Years
                9 years, 1 month ago

                I can't see rotation happening so soon, and if so. Not Jesus. He makes. City play so good while also scoring goals and getting Assists.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That's largely down to Alonso at 7m, being considered a better option that a 7.0m mid.

      1. BoooomXhakaLaka
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Looking at his stats from last season. Almost the top points scorer in about 600 minutes less than Cahill. He also had a few free kicks off the bar. The way Chelsea play I can see him repeating what he did last season, plus in comparison to the 7m midfielders, he was far better.

        1. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yes he's in my 11

      2. BoooomXhakaLaka
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Unless a new Mahrez at 5.5 is around I feel he is the best option. Or if the capoue bandwagon will happen again? Ha ha

  16. OldBenKenobi
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    So I believe Ive figured out Marks Midfield:

    Alli/Eriksen-Sane-Willian-Zaha

    1. bojack
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Revelatory 🙂

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        lol

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      100% he is on Kane and Lukaku

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah like most

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He will be ditching Sane if Danilo starts over him again this preseason

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        yeah likely

  17. IWR
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I'm still having a hell of a time trying to find the best 4.5 defs.

    Currently sitting on Mee and Yedlin, needing to field one of them each week. Like Yedlin's fixtures after GW1.

    Where's everyone at with sifting through the players on offer to try and find a gem?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ah the 2 x 4.5 rotating 3rd? Yeah, if only Francis was really nailed... sigh

      1. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        That's the plan for me. I'm probably a bit lighter than most down back. Mee and Yedlin look very decent options, from all reports Yedlin is nailed and very attacking.

        5.0 5.0 4.5 (4.5 4.0)

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          If he's well ahead of Manquillo then you might be onto something. Must hit the Toon forums, see what's what.

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

      I've settled on Francis for the moment, fills in well with my three main defenders, where they have a tough fixture he could come in.

      1. IWR
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I've recently dropped Trippier to a 4.5 in order to fund Phillips-Zaha. This is where I've got myself in a bit of bother but I'm still hopeful we'll see 2-3 solid options in the 4.5 range. Francis looks solid

    3. Pieterke30
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      5.5 5.0 5.0 4.5 4.5 for me

      Because two 4.5 mids

      1. Pieterke30
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Two 4.5 defs are Lascelles and Mee...

        Will maybe switch Lascelles for another NEW def

    4. Viiksisika
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I have Suttner and Martina atm. Martina is gonna play only in GW1 tho.

  18. suddenorgan
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone interested in Bakary Sako?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wakey, but I'm not too sure. Think they'll get a proper wing-back and Townsend will get 'his' spot.

  19. Abusement Park
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Any Huddersfield fans or Championship viewers know why Tommy Smith is 5m?

    1. dan1992
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He scored 6 goals and got 10 assists last season.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Good production, goals & assists.

    3. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Attacking threat apparently.

      From this article: http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2017/06/09/the-promoted-huddersfield-town/

      Tommy Smith (43 starts, 2 sub apps. 4 goals, 10 assists)
      One of only two Huddersfield players to be named in the Championship Team of the Year, the Terriers’ captain offers a real forward-thinking option from the back.

      Wagner’s penchant for raiding full-backs allowed Smith to bag four goals and 10 assists from his role on the right of the back-four, with a total of 53 key passes more than any defender in the Championship.

      That reputation could possibly earn him a starting price of 5.0 but if he’s listed at 4.5, Smith could emerge as a popular cut-price pick.

      Reports on Tuesday eased fears over the foot injury sustained during the Championship play-off final, with Smith expected to be fully fit in time for pre-season training.

  20. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Will Mark Hughes survive to GW7 with those fixtures? They had a awful start last season, surely such a poor start won't be tolerated again.

  21. Man Chest Hair United
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Best combo

    A sane Coutinho
    B KDB Zaha

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Could come very close, but KDB wins it.

      1. Man Chest Hair United
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks I was on that but sane seems great value

        1. Duffy Dunk
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          I had Sane in before KDB did what he did in the 4-1 vs Real.
          Also, I think it may prove not that bad to avoid Liverpool mids in the beginning, since they have 2 top-importance european matches around GW2.

    2. IWR
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B all day

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say that B is much stronger.

  22. The Mighty Hippo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    I've been playing about with the stats presented in the "Projections" and "Rate My Team" sections in the Members area for the first time to see if I can make any refinements to my draft team and have came up with this 433 option. What do you think?

    Foster
    Kompany I Trippier I Dawson I Cedric
    KDB I Eriksen I Zaha
    Kane I Lukaku I Gayle

    Bench: Elliot I Carroll I RLC I Cranie

  23. reo19uk
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Am I right in thinking that Bailly and Lindelof haven't played any preseason game time together? I was presuming those were the 2 who would start at the back for United but guessing not now if they have played no game time together!

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It'll be interesting to see if they're paired together for the remaining preseason games. I wouldn't be too comfortable picking Lindelof if he hasn't had a run out with Bailly before the season starts.

    2. MB10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      They still have 3 games to go before GW1

      1. MB10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Well 2 because Bailly is suspended for the Super Cup

  24. So Troublesome
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Left field RMT...

    DDG
    Trippier Alonso Daniels
    Zaha Coutinho Eriksen Tadic
    Lacazette Jesus Chicharito

    Does it look a good alternative to the template RMTs?

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, looks solid.

    2. The Mighty Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I like that team a lot.

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      It's not that far left-field..most of those players will be above average or highly owned at the start

    4. So Troublesome
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Two concerns:

      Daniels or a WBA defender?

      Is Chicharito the best option at his price?

    5. Chris_H
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Not entirely comfortable with your captaincy options there. Good all round, but no-one explosive (with confidence)

    6. korbendallas82
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good.

  25. Siggy in the Middle
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Are Will Hughes and Mkhi nailed on?

    1. Trading Bear
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      no

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Neither of them?

  26. Holteendersinthesky
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which one ?

    A) De Bruyne, Walters
    B) Sane, Willian

    1. Siggy in the Middle
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Short term, B. Long term, A.

      1. Trading Bear
        • 13 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        this

    2. So Troublesome
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      De Bruyne factor.

      But what the others said.

    3. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd definitely go B because Willian.
      Incredible value for the start of the season

      1. Holteendersinthesky
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Ye I'm leaning towards B) with it being a good short term option. Just unconvinced on Sanes game time.

        Team ATM
        Foster
        Trippier, Lindehof, Cedric
        Alli, Coutinho, Sane, Willian,
        Lukaku, Lacazette, Austin

        Elliott, Mee, Rangel, Carroll

  27. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    DeGea
    Alonso Kompany Cedric Trippier
    KDB Coutinho RLC (or TC)
    Kane Kaku Austin
    Elliott TC (orRLC) Cork Hunemeier
    I know the last mid is weak... but sold otherwise and many big names with good fixtures that can easily be down graded for a hot player in one move... this year I am trying to minimize my hits (70 last year in my inaugural season)
    What do you think mates?

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      The moment you have to rely on a £4.5m mid for attacking returns is the moment you just bring frustration upon yourself. Upgrade one of the 4.5m mids to get a better balance in the team, downgrade a def to a playing 4.5m one

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I have been back and forth but all the big hitters are easily down graded to a hot hitter gameweek one. There are always some 2 pointers. I have maximized all the other positions for a good return. We can't have it all and trying to satisfy all 11 positions may lead to a lot of 2s and rotation risks we didn't anticipate- e.g Sane, Willian, Fraser, Lindelof, etc...
        But thanks and I will keep thinking about it.... cheers mate

    2. Emiliano Sala
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Chelsea has difficult fixtures
      7 for alonso is too much.

  28. S.Agueroooooo
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone have a list of the good team rotations?

    1. Trading Bear
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      swansea/west brom

    2. IRBOX ⚽
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      bou/bha

    3. Siggy in the Middle
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Watford/West Brom

  29. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Trippier or Lindelof?

    1. Trading Bear
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      trip

    2. UnitedFan
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier (unless Spurs sign someone else for his position).

    4. DantheManinaPan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier by miles

    5. Supersonic
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Trippier

      I've currently got both but will probably drop lindelof for someone cheaper

  30. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Happy happy happy

    Foster, Elliot
    Kompany, Trippier, Aké, Cedric/Yoshida, Hunemeier
    KDB, Alli, Willian, Carroll, Romeu
    Kane, Lukaku, Austin

    4-3-3, with the possibility of a 4.5 MID bandwagon, switching it up