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22 July 2015 2453 comments
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Following a successful first season at the Britannia for Mark Hughes, in which he guided Stoke to a ninth-place finish, expectations were high as the Potters headed into the 2014/15 campaign. The former Blackburn boss continued his side’s evolution, bringing in the likes of Bojan Krkic from Barcelona and Victor Moses on a season-long loan from Chelsea, while Phil Bardsley and Mame Biram Diouf added physicality at both ends of the pitch. That balance of style and substance ultimately proved successful, with Stoke finishing in ninth place once again.

In this members article, we will take an in-depth look at Hughes’ second season in charge, analysing the main goal threats and creators and comparing the numbers from the 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns under the Welshman.

  1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    RMT?

    Panti
    Mings/Huth/Merz (Muniesa/Targett)
    Ritchie/Sterling/Haz/Wally (Wanyama)
    Costa/Rooney/Sakho

    Cheers 🙂

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Defence needs work

    2. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Pish poor defence. Mids and forwards are great

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Sadly, the two are related. Any ideas?

        1. BrockLanders
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Have Costa or Rooney, downgrade one and upgrade the defence.

          1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            The idea originally was to have both, hence the sh!tshow in defense.

        2. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          I would consider downgrading Hazard to Fabregas and use the 2.5m on your defence.

    3. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      its one big crescendo from defense to strikers

    4. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Hennessey the other GK.

    5. Lovren an elevator
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      What's your thinking behind Huth? You think Leicester will keep clean sheets?
      Team looks pretty solid

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Used to be Morgan but he's got Gold Cup. Huth has scored goals off headers for Stoke before. But I'm open to suggestions.

  2. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    a) Sakho + Ritchie
    or
    b) Deeney + Chadli

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

  3. Super-Hans
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Was locked on P.Cisse. Been nailed on in every pre season friendly, cheap and on pens. But now that Mitrovic has arrived Cisse had lost his appeal....! Mitrovic is a typical striker, right? He can't play on the wing? So this means one of the has to be benched?

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Probably, unless they use 2 strikers

    2. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah I dont see Cisse starting regularly in my opinion

      1. Super-Hans
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Ok. Then he's out. Cheers, guys.

  4. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Please RMT, all comments are appreciated

    Schmeic Hamer
    Ivan Cedric Mert Richards Targett
    Haz Milner Walcott Bolasie Wanyama
    Roo Costa Deeney

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Nice line up.

    2. Respect My Authoritah
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson over Deeney for fixtures to begin with
      Cedric/Richards/Targett to a 3x4.5 rotation

      1. Respect My Authoritah
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        And Ruddy/Hennessey keepers for 8.5

        1. CelticBhoy1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Could be a good keeper shout! Considering Wilson it really is a toss up between them

    3. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Youre like the only other person Ive seen with Micah 'Da Gawd' Richards in their team.

      10/10

      1. CelticBhoy1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Haha THE BEAST is back

    4. Super-Hans
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Not a huge fan of goalies that doesn't play. Possible to save 0.5 somewhere to upgrade Hamer?
      Other than that it's good. Template, but good.
      Although there is a lack of a Man City player......

      1. Super-Hans
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        ...and would not use a transfer on Targett. Probably going to conceed away to Nexcastle in GW1, and Bertrand is returning from injury.

        1. CelticBhoy1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Was truing to find .5 but its tough, plus always got back up for Schmeic

          Fair point on Targett but really don't know who else for 4.0

          1. Super-Hans
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            You could save 0.5 on Cedric. A card magnet and probably wont get you a lot of attacking points. And you have doubled up on SOU.

            1. Super-Hans
              • 16 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Really don't think there are any 4.0 out there. S.Taylor would be the closest one, but NEW will probably buy a new CD before the season starts.....

              1. CelticBhoy1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Thanks for these points, I've now went 3 x 4.5 at the back

    5. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like Palace fixtures much early doors so I would get Azpi instead of Brane and upgrade Bolasie to Payet

  5. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Depay and Mert
    B) Sterling and Toby/Sakho

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Gríma Wormtongue
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      A

  6. BrockLanders
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Schmeichel Stekelenburg

    Koscielny Azpilicueta Clyne Morgan Mings

    Hazard Walcott Henderson Wijnaldum Anya

    Rooney Benteke Bamford

    Please guys, rate this out of 10..

    1. Gríma Wormtongue
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      7.5/10 Defence is too expensive

      1. BrockLanders
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Might downgrade defence and upgrade Bamford to JRod

  7. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone joining me in owning both Henderson and Milner? Great picks and only an idiot would doubt their potential.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Ffs.... 😆

    2. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      hahah

    3. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      only an idiot would..

    4. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Darn, You've convinced me Mull - both locked in.

      1. Mull
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Brought Firmino in as well. Nice to have 3 mids from the next Premier League champions

    5. Home Run Baker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Why not. Perfectly rational thing to do.

  8. AllINeedIsCoffee
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on having both Ritchie and Wilson? Too risky?

    1. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      i think you know the answer, go for other proven PL players

  9. ntrm
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    When will the new app be available?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      New app?

      1. ntrm
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        App for 15/16?

  10. Demí
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Rolando Aarons as a 5th mid. Talk to me.

    1. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Poosible but GW9 before I would consider him I reckon.

      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        True, not the best of starting fixtures

    2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Tempting, although I'm not logged in, so I don't know his price.

      Expect him to play a good amount this season with Shteve in charge.

      1. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        5

    3. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Decent shout. Looked brilliant in that game, bit of a gamble but no more than say Bamford..

    4. Super-Hans
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Is he a left winger? Is it either him or Gouffran? If so I can see him taking his spot. But where does Wijnaldum play?

      1. AWOL-Ekotto
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        def mid i think

        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          No he isn't. He can (and has) played CM, but he's more of an attacking mid. He'll operate one of the slots behind the striker.

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            He appeared in deeper role for the Netherlands, was that to fill a vacant role or am I mistakewn!

            1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah that's what I meant when I said he has played CM. 🙂

              He played a deeper role (CM) at the WC alongside de Jong, certainly not DM though. The Dutch were also playing with three CBs anyway.

              Wijnaldum should play one of the attacking mid slots.

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 16 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                Worth a watch then but as I said above don't think Newcastle are worth looking at till GW9 anyway.

                1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
                  • 11 Years
                  10 years, 5 months ago

                  Agreed. No Toon for me at the moment.

          2. QPR expects... glory!
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            CM? Behind the striker? You really ought to tell him that because he disagrees

            Quote Rolando Aarons earlier "I prefer to play on the wing and that is my natural position"

            http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/07/rolando-aarons-after-1-assist-2-goals-im-not-happy-about-my-overall-performance/?

            1. Beavis
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              He's talking about Wijnaldum.

            2. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 5 months ago

              Lol, read the fecking conversation mate.

              1. QPR expects... glory!
                • 14 Years
                10 years, 5 months ago

                😆

          3. AWOL-Ekotto
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 5 months ago

            Hmm yea i guess you're right. The only time i've seen him play was during the world cup, but i just checked his stats for PSV which suggests he is way more offensive-minded than i thought.

    5. The_Socca_Philosopha
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I'm gonna wait and see how Newcastle perform under McClaren

    6. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Rotate with a cheap 4th eg Redmond ?

      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Could do that yeah, or a cheap 3rd, and sacrifice Mane for Chadli

    7. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Only worth the extra 0.5 if you actually plan on playing him in a rotation with a cheapo 3rd striker.

      Same rule applies for those considering Gil, Sinclair and Abdi as a 5th mid.

      1. Demí
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. Thoughts on his prospects in general?

        1. QPR expects... glory!
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          Gonna give him a whirl in UFPL. I've my FPL sights set on Wijaldum come GW9 😉

  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    There aren't enough midfield spots

    1. The_Socca_Philosopha
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      No, there are too many midfields 😉

      1. The_Socca_Philosopha
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        *midfielders*

    2. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      how many do you need?

      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        10 at least

        can I just pick 13 mids and 2 strikers?

        1. Volley127
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          with 100m?!

  12. Wob
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Lost on last page
    Any feedback appreciated

    Cortious/Hennessay
    Azpi/Prodl/Morgan/Oshea/Saylor
    Fab/Sterling/Wally/Hendo/Wanyama
    Aguero/Rooney/Ighalo

    Thanks guys

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Not keen on 3rd striker and defence def needs work..

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      How are you thinking of rotating your defenders?
      Looks very good tho. I'm thinking of Courtois as a nailed and cheap way into the Chelsea defence too

  13. icywrists23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Just updated my team RMT

    what should I change? 2 MANU attackers too much? Should I downgrade Clyne?

    Myhill
    Clyne-Huth-Azpil
    Depay-Hazard-Ritchie-Cazorla(Not sure which Arsenal 8.5 to go with)
    Costa-Rooney-Sakho

    Hennesey-Francis-Targett-Wanyama

    need some more feedback

    1. BrockLanders
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      I changed Depay out as had same situation.

    2. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Looks quite a lot like my team, so obviously I like it. Probably wouldn't go with Myhill though given the only reason I want Hennessey is if he's going to be starting. Get Hennessey + a different 4.5 GK.

      1. icywrists23
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        I;m just going to stick with Myhill, and I heard Hennessey might go to West Brom, so if he does then I don't have to worry about which GK is starting. Myhill gets tons of saves +Pulis solid defense.

        I'm downgrading Clyne for PVA lol

  14. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    A) Mata + Giroud
    B) Walcott + Pelle

    1. Respect My Authoritah
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Theo + someone else

      1. Gazza2000
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        this

      2. sully29
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        I quite like Pelle as a pick. Should be nailed on, has good fixtures and could easily repeat his form from the first half of last year. Plus, while I'm not sure what the template is, I know he isn't part of it.

  15. enrico.palazzo
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Szczesny officially on loan to Roma on a 2 year deal

    1. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      cech / ospina has to be the strongest gk lineup for arsenal in many many years

      1. enrico.palazzo
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, Ciech is close friend of mine. He wasn't going to get many games this year

        1. NOMONEY
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          alcohol is evil

  16. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Now we know Azp is pretty much nailed, is Terry / Ivan worth the extra 1.0?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Hot Topics

    2. CelticBhoy1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers

  17. Moxon
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    How many games will Targett play/ Bertrand be out for?

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      1

      1. Moxon
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers mate

        1. Huddersfield
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 5 months ago

          sad news

  18. Road to glory...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Join my league please
    Destroyers 67048-120065
    Need one more team

  19. Huddersfield
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Guzan Hennessey
    Chelsea 6.0 ( Not Iva ) Clyne Shaw Huth
    Haz Ozil Mané Mahrez
    Kun Rooney

    Targett Sanchez ( Colombia ) Hooper
    What do you guys think about this one?

    1. ihateramsey2
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      by how much should hazard outscore cesc to be worth the 2.5m extra?

      1. Huddersfield
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Nada
        I prefer Costa but costa kun up front ruined the team as many here suggested

    2. icywrists23
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      how much is mahrez

      1. Huddersfield
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        5.5

  20. Ziegler1988
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Meanwhile, Alex McCarthy has undergone a medical at Palace and is expected to complete a £3m move to Selhurst Park.
    QPR keeper McCarthy has a buy-out clause which can be activated after relegation as he is keen to get back in the top flight.
    Palace are expected to push the deal through as final negotiations drag on for the ex-Reading keeper who has been called up by England in the past.
    It could mean that Wayne Hennessey moves from Crystal Palace to West Brom.

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/barry-bannan-set-crystal-palace-6118872

    1. Huddersfield
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers

  21. BarkKnight
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    RMT please, playing 3-4-3.

    Mignolet/Hamer

    Azpi/Kos/Bassong/Francis/Targett

    Fab/Depay/Milner/Redmond/Abdi

    Costa/Aguero/JRod

    1. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      mignolet have tricky away fixtures

  22. Keith Kiely
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Newcastle prospects up front now with the new signing?

    1. QPR expects... glory!
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Am thinking they will flog Cisse this summer if they get the chance. Bad knee, depreciating value as his contract runs down and he's too old for them to offer him a new deal after next year.

      Wouldn't be surprised to see them sign another striker. Two up top not beyond the realms of possibility

      1. Keith Kiely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 5 months ago

        Weren't they linked with the anderlect striker in Germany and subject to medical? Don't know how to spell his name. Or the team name for that matter lol

  23. icywrists23
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    PVA or Ashley Williams?

    Surprised I don't see more people on PVA

    1. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Prefer Williams.

  24. Road to glory...
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    This is my team for the season:

    Courtois - Mignolet

    Azpilicueta - Morgan - Ward - Richards - Clyne

    Schneiderlin - Hazard - Schweinsteiger - Coutinho - Wanyama

    Benteke - Rooney - Lukaku

    Suggestions please...

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Start over

    2. NOMONEY
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      wouldnt go courtois and mignolet.. a bit much

    3. Ronny Hotdog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Don't like Schweiny or Schneidy at all. Deep lying mids rarely rack up points.

    4. Road to glory...
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Who do you preffer?

      Mata or Depay?

  25. Hypnos
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Yaya & Walcott
    or
    Sterling & Ramsey

    1. Sverdet
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling ramsey

  26. hellobenno
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    I wondered if you could cast your discerning eyes over this.

    Butland/Ruddy

    Azpi/Williams/Mings/Huth/Ward

    Hazard/Walcott/Mata/Mane/Hendo

    Rooney/Sakho/Deeney

  27. Gomolon
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Hi everyone, could you RMT please ?

    Butland | Speroni
    Ivanovic | Koscielny | Mings | Bassong | Angella
    Hazard | Walcott | Chadli | Milner | Ki Sung-Yeung
    Roony | Benteke | Deeney

    £0 ITB

    Personally, I'm still trying to decide between Milner or Henderson, and I'm not sure if Ki Sung-Yeung will give me the best bang for my buck (£5.5) for a 5th midfielder.

    Also - best striker for £6.5 or less ? (Sakho/Berahino spring to my mind 1st)

  28. Jar Jar Dinks
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 5 months ago

    Greetings from the tinkertown!

    Came up with this:

    Schmeichel / Butland

    Koscielny / Azpilicueta / O'Shea / Huth / Muniesa

    Hazard / Walcott / Mané / Henderson / Fletcher

    Rooney / Benteke / Sakho

    That's a pretty balanced team, I'll tell you hwat!

    Could see myself starting the season with this team, honestly.