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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. Ausiya
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    PLEASE HELP
    Courtois (Speroni)
    Bruno Jagielka Rangel (Lascelles Mee)
    Loftus-Cheek Coutinho KDB Alli (Capoue)
    Lukaku(VC) Lacazette(C) Rooney
    No money in the bank

    1. makaveli123
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Defence: 1/10

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

        Please help with changes I should make to better defence!

        1. Boydinho
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Rooney, Jagielka, Courtois, Rangel out and replace with ex. Austin, Bertrand, Begovic, and Trippier and you still would have 0.5 ITB

    2. Coys96
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Jeez that defence needs sorting out

    3. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Downgrade a heavy hitter and try and find some value players.

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

        Rooney Bruno Jagielka Lascelles Mee out and Austin Daniels Trippier Hunemeier Cedric in... Thoughts?

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

      Courtois done to 4.5 GK
      Cedric Trippier Bailly Kompany are good defensive options
      Watch preseason games for changes

  2. Coys96
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Help please!

    A) Eriksen Defoe Zaha

    B) Cedric Alli Benteke

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

      3 attackers. So A.

    2. Doctor Zhivago
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

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

    A) Zaha + Lacazette
    B) Milivojevic + Kane

    1. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Coys96
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    Please RMT out of 10.

    I like the balance based on early fixtures but what say you?

    De Gea (Elliot)

    Trippier Daniels Bertrand (Dunk,4.0)

    Coutinho KDB Willian Milivojevic (Carroll)

    Kane Lukaku Austin

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Looks solid, not sure about playing Miliv every week but looks decent. Monitor Austin to see if he'll start.

      1. Zoostation
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I think Milivojevic is a lock to play I am just worried he will play deep.

        Austin will become Gayle if we think he is not starting

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

      Mee > Dunk
      Would allow rotation with Mee and Mili as Burnley and Palace work quite well I seem to remember

      1. Zoostation
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

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

      Same team as mine but I down graded Willian to Cork (Hazard coming soon) and Mili to RLC and got Kompany in for a 4-3-3; RLC or Cork will play and be the only weak spot...

  5. Enzo the Baker
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A. Ramsey and Alonso
    or
    B. Coutinho and Daniels

    Rest of team is :

    Foster
    Trippier Cedric ____
    KdB Willian ____ 4.5
    Kane Lukaku Benteke

    1. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B as you have Willian and Ramsey is a dud.

    3. QueefParkRangers
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. Enzo the Baker
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers all, leaning towards B at the moment

    5. WARIO
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

  6. Chris_White
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone interested in a mock draft in 20 mins? Considering setting up one, 30 sec picks and max 8 teams

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

      Nvm found one

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

      Yeah, set it up mate.

  7. Pirlø's Pen
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    RMT, most teams covered with strong options. Cheers.

    Begovic
    Kolasinac Kompany Trippier
    KDB Coutinho Zaha Willian Phillips
    Lukaku Jesus

    Elliot Suttner Quaner Long.

    1. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Get Kane in or at the least Alli

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Not fussed by either early on

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

      Shocking bench. Maybe Kompany > Bertrand and upgrade Long to 4.5m defender

  8. PepSala
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Yoshida or Cedric and why?

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Cedric is he plays - attacking threat.

      1. Zoostation
        • 12 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Only worry with Cedric is GW1, just monitor

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

    Willian / Fraser / x / x / x
    Lukaku / x / x

    A)
    Eriksen / Coutinho / Phillips
    Kane / Crouch

    B)
    KdB / Wijnaldum / Sanchez
    Jesus / Fletcher

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

      Lol, got it all wrong. Never mind this post.

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

      Should be:

      A)
      Phillips + KdB + Coutinho
      Kane + Crouch

      B)
      Sanchez + Eriksen + Wijnaldum
      Jesus + Fletcher

      B is 1m more expensive.

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

    My Perfect Team has 4 Saints players. 🙁

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

      Ergo not perfect, but if it were for dem meddling rules...

      Damn rules!

  11. Rex Lapis
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    which combo?
    A. Alonso + Sane
    B. Daniels + KDB

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

      b

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

      Tough but B, because A has more caveats -e.g. Alonso's fixtures (though Daniels not much better), and Sane's nailedness

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

    Who are your solid captaincy options in your current always?

    Mané, Kane & Lukaku for me.

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

      Kane, Lukaku & Agüero.

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

        Schweet.

        Assume the midfield is feeling a tad sorry for itself?

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

          I'm happy with Alli, Fábregas, Zaha/Redmond & Fraser.

          Might change it up if Austin is a starter however.

    2. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, Lukaku, KDB

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

      Squad.

      Useless bloody phone.

      Alright so it provides me with information at my finger tips and 34/7 entertainment but if it autocorrects one more word it's ganning in the Tyne.

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

        34 😆 😆 😆 🙁

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

          I've been to 2 shops "open 25 hours a day" in my life. How about you?

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

            Never.

            But I received an offer through the post once which promised me -25% off.

            So 125% of the original cost, then.

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

      Jesus, Kane, Laca, KDB, Alonso

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

        Let's see the rest 🙂

    5. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, Lukaku, Coutinho, Eriksen

    6. willl
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Kane, Lukaku, KDB and maybe Coutinho if the others have tougher fixtures.

  13. Coys96
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    New team
    RMT

    Forster
    Dawson Trippier Lindelöf
    Eriksen Salah Willian Zaha
    Aguero Lukaku Defoe

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

      Forster > Foster
      Dawson > Cedric (Yoshida if worries about fitness)
      Lindelof > Bailly

      1. Coys96
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers!

    2. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Where is Kane?

      Monitor Lindelof for GW1 as he may not start

    3. mattk lfc
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      That leaves 15.5 for 4 bench players

      1. Coys96
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        No bench

        1. mattk lfc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Oh fair enough. Nice team, mine is very similar 🙂

  14. WARIO
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with this one:

    A) DDG + Dawson
    B) Foster + Bailly

    1. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Xhaka_Laca
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Coys96
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A

    4. WARIO
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks guys

  15. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Mooy or Phillips.

    Phillips more attacking, but not central to what Wbr do.
    Mooy on set plays and pens. Not very attacking. 0.5m cheaper.

    Currently banking the 0.5m to upgrade Austin to Chicha.

    Thanks.

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

      Phillips has proven pedigree.

      Moody is a gamble.

      But, sometimes, people who finish high up in FPL are the ones who have unfancied players in from the start before they become unmissable bandwagons.

      Moody could be utter crap, FPL wise, but he could also be a gem that very few people, initially, will own.

    2. St. Joseph
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I saw phillips played RWB last match,
      If im not mistaken

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

        Cheers both.

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

      I quite like Ince

  16. Net Gains
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    DEADLINE!!! (In exactly two weeks)

  17. el polako
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Planning to go without Kane, by which GW I will be scratching my head how to get him in ?

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

      GW2

    2. Net Gains
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      GW3. And you won't be able to.

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

        He will but no doubt for a hit and will have to get rid of a mid range player to afford him.

        1. Net Gains
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yes, thanks for confirming that it won't actually be physically impossible for him to get Kane!

        2. el polako
          • 9 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Would it ne worth going top heavy then ? Kane, Lukaku and Jesus and then downgrade when cheaper option (Hernandez, Austin, etc) starts firing in ?
          Or maybe top heavy for whole season is the way to go this year ?

  18. Bambi
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    where can i trim 0.5 from this starting XI?

    Begovic
    Alonso Bailly Cedric Trippier
    KDB Coutinho Willian Phillips
    Kane Jesus

    Is it madness to think of going with two 4.0 keepers?
    Are there any better picks at 5.5 than Phillips at 6.0?

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

      No, as long as Elliot's nailed he should get you decent returns for the 4.
      Fraser maybe, looks like JWP might be too big a risk.

    2. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Too much spent in defense

      1. Bambi
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I think that is where the value is this season

    3. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso to Azpi or Bailly to Lindelof (who I think is going to start regardless of what people on here are saying).

    4. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Coutinho>Mkhi...live a little

  19. saint4life
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Draft league starting in 10mins. Anyone welcome. Code 199773-51959

  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    No one interested in Matip?

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Sorry, wrong website, please ignore.

  21. Chris_White
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone have the link to the Community article about draft strategy?

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

        Thanks mate

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

        8 ways to win FPL, cheers!

        1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          - 50 ways to leave your lover.

  22. The Royal Robin
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Has Pogba scored at all pre-season?

    1. Davido989
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Poor chap isn't even a pre season merchant.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Check the preseason tab ^

    3. willl
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Nah but Man U will buy a DM and he will be the best player in the game...

    4. onionbarje
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba isn't a FPL player, he's like Modric assisting the assister

  23. WARIO
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Would appreciate any feedback.

    DDG (Elliott)

    Trippier Dawson Yoshida (Mee, Rosenior)

    KDB Eriksen Willian Milivojevic (Carroll)

    Kane Lukaku Austin

    1. Super Silva
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yoshida
      Dawson
      Milli
      Austin out

    2. Zoostation
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I like it.

      Think Milivojevic could turn out to be a great pick and monitor Austin for starting

  24. Super Silva
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Foster
    Bertrand Daniels Trippy
    Willian Zaha Kdb ?????
    Lukaku Kane Chicharito

    Elliot Dunk Rangel Rlc

    7.5 to spend . Any suggestions.

    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Wijnaldum ...

  25. Coys96
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    A) Cedric + Alli
    B) Trippier + Eriksen

    1. Doosra - ☭BowenOfRice☭
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B).

    2. Kolarov Fpl Legend
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

  26. MEGPAL
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Can we delve further into the Austin love please? I've been scouring the Saint's forum and very few think he's nailed and he's absent in all of their strongest 11's. I know fans know very little sometimes but is it just the brace from the pre-season game that have people tempted?

    I know their fixtures are great but Gabbi looks a far more secure and nailed pick, for me. Though I'm avoiding both for now.

    https://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?58528-2017-18-Strongest-Line-Up/page2#.WXt5bIgrLIU

      1. willl
        • 11 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Mixed bag in this, but seems to be Gabbiadini wide and Austin up front, but who knows really.

        1. Jazz!
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah, that's the general consensus.

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

        Seems like Tadic isn't nailed in their optimal starters'

    1. liiusions
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      May not be nailed but certainly more likely to start that Gabbi

    2. GuyIncognito
      • 17 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      He's a very high upside pick like Fabregas or even someone like Danilo.

  27. Coys96
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry last post mistake

    A) Lindelof / Trippier and Eriksen
    B) Cedric and Alli

    If I have B, I'll have no MNU/TOT defensive cover

    1. Doctor Zhivago
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. Coys96
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Take out Lindelof or Trippier?

        1. Doctor Zhivago
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Out Lindelof, poor preseason

  28. Nomar
    • 16 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ah well, it's "Tinker with my Team" time again.

    Can't leave it alone, me!

  29. Doctor Zhivago
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Which do you prefer??? (and why!):

    3-4-3
    Foster (Myhill)
    Alonso - Bertrand - Trippier (Mee, Rosenior)
    KDB - Eriksen/Alli - Zaha - Lanzini (Carroll)
    Lukaku - Chicharito - Firmino

    4-4-2
    Foster (Myhill)
    Alonso - Bertrand - Trippier - Daniels (Mee)
    KDB - Eriksen/Alli - Lanzini - Coutinho (Carroll)
    Lukaku - Benteke/Defoe (Fletcher)

    Think I'm covered on set pieces 😉

    1. Coys96
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      4-4-2 with Benteke

      1. Coys96
        • 9 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        and Alli

        1. Doctor Zhivago
          • 10 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Am I the only one thinking Defoe is a bit underrated this season? Still believe he can reach 15 goals easily...

          About the KDB/Sané dilemma: my mind says KDB, my heart (and gut) says Sané...

  30. Over Midwicket
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Struggling with my last defender and 4th mid slots. Which one would you pick? Thanks!!

    A) Alonso + Milovojevic
    B) Cedric + Zaha

    1. Doctor Zhivago
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      If your 4th mid is playing (i.e. 4-4-2 or 3-4-3) then B. Otherwise A.

    2. QueefParkRangers
      • 12 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I've got A.

      Cant see Cedric starting first week

      1. GuyIncognito
        • 17 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        I like Yoshi over Cedric. Cedric's attacking threat is widely overrated on this board imo, all he seems to do is hit lofting crosses which soar over the heads of the Southampton strikers and into touch. That and yellow cards.

        1. The Royal Robin
          • 11 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          Do they soar or soares?

    3. LewanGOALski
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      B

    4. Over Midwicket
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      All picks would be playing every week. Thanks for he replied everyone.. toughie

    5. One Man
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      I'd go Alonso and a 5m defender like Dawson or Yosi.