The Promoted

What to expect from Sheffield United’s attacking options in FPL

It is probably fair to say that Sheffield United’s defenders will be of keener interest to Fantasy managers in 2019/20 than their players further forward.

The Blades came up from the Championship with the joint-best defensive record in the second tier and several of Chris Wilder’s backline have the license to get forward in his 3-4-1-2 system.

There are a number of names to discuss in United’s midfield and attack, however, including 23-goal striker Billy Sharp and arch-creator Oliver Norwood.

READ MORE: Our guide to Norwich City’s goalkeeper and defenders
READ MORE: Our guide to Norwich City’s midfielders and forwards

What is Sheffield United’s goal-scoring potential?

Sheffield United scored 15 fewer goals than Norwich City in 2018/19

Wilder’s side were the fourth-highest scorers in the division with 78 goals, with only Norwich, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa hitting the back of the net with more regularity.

A total of 42 goals scored at Bramall Lane was matched by tenth-place Swansea City and bettered by four other Championship clubs, while the 37 goals that the Blades racked up on the road was a tally second only to Norwich.

Forty-two of United’s goals (53.8%) came in the second half of the season, with the Blades only failing to score in two of their final 23 fixtures.

Wilder’s troops were no flat-track bullies, either, as they scored against all five of the other teams in the automatic promotion or play-off spots, racking up 18 goals in ten meetings with these clubs.

The overall shot count doesn’t seem like good reading: United ranked joint-14th for attempts on goal (579) in the Championship last season.

The quality of the Blades’ chances, rather than the quantity, was significant, though: no club registered as many shots (80) or goals (25) from inside the six-yard box.

Wilder’s side ranked 12th for attempts from set plays (172) and sixth for goals from dead-ball situations (18).

Player-by-Player

Billy Sharp

Centre-forward

Starts: 34 | Substitute appearances: 6 | Goals: 23 | Assists: 4

Billy Sharp was lethal around the six-yard box last season

Fantasy managers love a budget striker and, before the start of every season, there is always a whiff of optimism that a prolific second-tier attacker can make the step up to the Premier League and provide us with a cut-price option up front.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (who admittedly had a steeper price tag) certainly delivered on that front in the first two months of 2018/19 before the goals dried up, while FPL midfielder Diogo Jota, who had plundered 17 goals in Wolves’ promotion-winning campaign, was a revelation from Gameweek 15 onwards.

Teemu Pukki is arguably the main hope for 2019/20 but Sharp’s 23 goals for Sheffield United last season won’t have gone unnoticed by Fantasy managers.

The 33-year-old striker had his best-ever Championship season in terms of goals scored and enjoyed a blistering first six months of 2018/19, with 24 of his 27 attacking returns arriving before the second-tier equivalent of Gameweek 32 in mid-February.

Just one goal and two assists followed in the final three months of the campaign but his earlier efforts were enough for him to be named in the PFA Championship Team of the Season.

When asked about United’s attacking prospects next season, BladesPod’s Ben Meakin told us:

I don’t expect United to run riot in the Premier League as Wolves have done – we have nowhere near that level of investment – but I do think we’ll play in a front-foot way and score goals.

Our style is all about creating high-quality chances rather than peppering the opposition, and that’s where Billy Sharp comes in.

He’s 33 now but coming off arguably the best season of his career with 23 league goals.

His game has never been about pace or strength: he’s just a master of finding space in the box, and our system puts them on a plate for him. If you watch a montage of his goals from this season, they’re all from in or around the six-yard box.

I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he has a similar time to Glenn Murray at Brighton and gets eight-to-ten goals.

Even though Sharp stands at only 5’9″ tall, there are similarities with Murray.

The Sheffield United striker will turn 34 midway through next season and can look to the veteran Brighton forward for inspiration, with Murray having scored 13 top-flight goals at the age of 35 in 2018/19.

Murray was one of the five most-fouled FPL strikers of last season and Sharp, while smaller in stature, is also adept at making a nuisance of himself up front and winning free-kicks.

Amazingly, no Championship player scored more headed goals than Sharp last season (nine).

Perhaps the most striking comparison is the two seasoned strikers’ goal conversion rates.

Murray has made a habit out of finding the back of the net from few opportunities, with his goal conversion rate of 24.1% the best among first-choice Premier League strikers in 2018/19.

Sharp is similarly clinical.

The United forward had only 75 shots last season (43 fewer than McGoldrick and 69 fewer than Pukki) and his rate of chances (one every 40.3 minutes) is fairly off-putting, especially as that would surely deteriorate against tougher opposition next season.

What we really want from our budget Fantasy strikers, however, is the ability to turn what few chances they are presented with into goals and Sharp’s goal conversion rate of 30.7% in 2018/19 (the best in the league) certainly ticks that box.

Forty-six other Championship players had more attempts on goal than Sharp last season but only three – Pukki, Tammy Abraham and Neal Maupay – scored more.

The quality of Sharp’s opportunities stood out: the veteran striker had 30 big chances, with 20 of his shots and 13 of his goals coming from inside the six-yard box.

Sharp looked fitter than ever last season but his age may ultimately count against him as a Fantasy asset.

There were signs towards the end of the season that he was perhaps just a little fatigued (one goal in his last 11 appearances) and Wilder handled him carefully during congested periods: Sharp being benched in midweek games in September, October and November, as well as on a handful of occasions after reinforcements Gary Madine and Scott Hogan arrived.

Sharp did start every fixture between Gameweeks 23 and 31 (the hectic Christmas period falling within this range) and scored 11 goals in those nine matches but a lack of credible back-up options pre-January was a contributing factor.

Murray dropped to the bench to make way for Florin Andone on several occasions last season and it could be that Sharp is part of a similar jobshare for the Blades in the top flight – something that Fantasy managers could do without given that rotation is enough of a problem with the “big six”.

David McGoldrick

Centre-forward

Starts: 36 | Substitute appearances: 9 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 4

David McGoldrick attempted more shots than any United player in 2018/19

Likely to be cheaper than Sharp in FPL next season (£5.0m/£5.5m would seem about right), McGoldrick comes into 2019/20 off the back of his best-ever season in the second tier of English football.

Ahead of his free transfer capture by Sheffield United in July 2018, there were many who would understandably have thought the Ireland international was a spent force.

Injuries had blighted his time at Ipswich Town and McGoldrick hadn’t reached double figures for league goals since 2013/14.

Signing on a free following his departure from Portman Road, McGoldrick went on to play in all but one of United’s 46 Championship fixtures and scored more goals (15) than he has ever managed in a single season in the second tier.

Only four Championship players registered more shots than McGoldrick last season, with the table below showing that his rate of attempts on goal and efforts in the box was the best of the four United strikers featured in this article.

PlayerMins per shotMins per shot in boxMins per shot on targetMins per chance created
Sharp40.342.686.488.9
McGoldrick27.637.072.4130.3
Hogan43.443.486.8434
Madine29.638.465.2108.7

Technically gifted and strong, McGoldrick’s intelligent link-up play was as important as Sharp’s goal-poaching up front but those attributes may also be to the detriment of him as a Fantasy asset.

While Sharp’s remit was to sniff around the six-yard box, McGoldrick would frequently drop wide and deep to orchestrate United’s attacks and 30 of his shots (compared to four from Sharp) came from outside the opposition area.

That said, McGoldrick still managed 16 efforts from inside the six-yard box and 25 big chances across the season.

McGoldrick had a lot more efforts on goal than Sharp in 2018/19 but his shot accuracy (38.1% v 46.7%) and goal conversion rate (12.7% v 30.7%) were significantly inferior to his veteran strike partner.

As we enter the era of VAR, one advantage that McGoldrick has over Sharp is that he is United’s first-choice penalty-taker.

The former Ipswich striker scored from the spot on three occasions in 2018/19, also missing from 12 yards in the Sheffield derby in November.

Sharp and Oliver Norwood also scored one penalty each last season but McGoldrick wasn’t on the pitch on either occasion.

Sharp had missed from the spot against Millwall in September, with McGoldrick scoring from 12 yards later in the same game.

Starting all but one match between Gameweeks 9 and 28, McGoldrick was one of the first names on the teamsheet for much of the season although did face bench duty on five occasions after Madine and Hogan’s arrivals in January.

His ability to play as a second striker/attacking midfielder is a boon for his first-team chances in the Premier League, at least.

Gary Madine

Centre-forward

Starts: 6 | Substitute appearances: 10 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 2

Loanee Gary Madine covets a move back to Bramall Lane this summer

Fantasy managers have already had a glimpse of Madine in 2018/19, albeit a fleeting one.

The towering 28-year-old striker made five substitute appearances for Cardiff City in the opening 11 Gameweeks of the season but his pitch-time amounted to 32 minutes and he unsurprisingly didn’t manage an attacking return in that time.

With first-team opportunities limited, Madine joined Sheffield United on loan in January of this year and played a part in 16 of the 17 fixtures he was eligible for – a three-match ban depriving the Blades of his services in March and April.

It remains to be seen if Wilder will go back to South Wales to make Madine’s signature permanent but the player himself is keen on a return.

The on-loan striker said towards the end of 2018/19:

This feels like home to me now, I’d be devastated if I had to move on from here at the end of the season, I’d love to stay for as long as the manager wants me to and hopefully that’s beyond the summer.

I knew I’d enjoy it here, that’s why I jumped at the chance to come, but I wasn’t thinking about the future, I just wanted to come and play games, score goals and win promotion again.

These lads are a special bunch, working daily with this manager and his staff is something I’ve relished. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Cardiff City, but it’s a long way from home and it’s never really happened for me there. I’m settled here, I’m content and happy, I’ve proved I play my best football when I’m happy and I couldn’t be happier than I am at Sheffield United.

With thirtysomethings Sharp and McGoldrick the only first-team strike options on the books at the time of writing, reinforcements up front are needed over the summer and a cut-price deal for the Cardiff forward could be a place to start.

Tall but far from immobile, Madine offers a different option up front and he initially seemed to gel with Sharp upon his move to Yorkshire in January.

The Gateshead-born targetman had the best minutes-per-shot-on-target average of any of United’s strikers.

Goals aren’t really his selling point, though, and his best single-season return over the last eight years came in 2017/18 – Madine finding the back of the net on ten occasions for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship before his move to Cardiff.

He may be a physical asset for United should he get his wish of a permanent move but from a Fantasy perspective, another £4.5m starting price and “bench fodder” status beckons for Madine if he returns to the top flight in 2019/20.

Scott Hogan

Centre-forward

Starts: 5 | Substitute appearances: 3 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 1

The future of Scott Hogan is uncertain following his loan spell in South Yorkshire

Signed from Aston Villa on loan on the final day of the January transfer window, Hogan was essentially relief for veteran Sharp in the second half of the season.

Hogan and Sharp never started a match alongside one another and were only on the pitch together for 45 minutes against Bristol City, when McGoldrick dropped back into the number ten role.

Hogan’s energy and movement were beneficial in the run-in, as Sharp’s form and goals slightly tailed off, although the loanee himself only scored on two occasions and there are big question marks over whether he could prosper at a higher level.

Hogan’s minutes per goal attempt (43.4), shot in the box (43.4), effort on target (86.8) and key pass (434) averages were the worst of all four strikers featured in this article.

If his move is made permanent over the summer, as has been touted in some newspaper articles, then he will likely be an impact player rather than a regular starter and it would take something out of the ordinary in pre-season for Hogan to enter our Fantasy radar.

Mark Duffy

Attacking midfielder

Starts: 32 | Substitute appearances: 4 | Goals: 6 | Assists: 6

Managed minutes could be an issue for veteran Mark Duffy in the top flight

The most advanced of Sheffield United’s central midfield three, Duffy chipped in with 12 attacking returns in 2018/19 and doubled his number of career Championship goals in the Blades’ promotion-winning season.

Duffy’s excellent curler against Forest was arguably the pick of his efforts.

The technically gifted midfielder’s overall goal threat is a concern from a Fantasy perspective, however.

McGoldrick and Sharp recorded a combined 55 big chances and 36 shots from inside the six-yard box last season but Duffy registered only two of each.

Given that he is a “number ten”, a shot on goal every 66.2 minutes would be poor even by Premier League standards let alone the Championship.

Then there is the age issue.

Duffy turns 34 in October and there will be legitimate concerns over his ability to string together a series of starts in the top flight.

There may be parallels with Wes Hoolahan’s campaign in 2015/16, with the veteran Norwich number ten having his minutes managed throughout that campaign.

That said, these worries over Duffy have existed for a while now and the Liverpudlian schemer has repeatedly seen off the challenge of positional rivals at Bramall Lane.

Kieran Dowell was brought in on loan in January and ate into Duffy’s minutes in the subsequent months but the 33-year-old attacking midfielder was brought back into the starting XI for the final seven matches of 2018/19 and United have generally looked much better with him in the side.

From a Fantasy point of view, though, the cons would appear to outweigh the pros even if he turns out to be generously priced in FPL.

Kieran Dowell

Attacking midfielder

Starts: 8 | Substitute appearances: 8 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 0

Kieran Dowell will report back to Everton this summer after a brief loan spell with the Blades

Another loan capture in January who the Blades are reportedly interested in recruiting again this summer, Dowell provided Wilder with the opportunity to hand Duffy a breather in the second half of the season.

His performances during the United promotion push were solid if not spectacular and there was little to excite Fantasy managers should Dowell return to South Yorkshire ahead of 2019/20.

While Dowell edged Duffy for minutes per goal attempt (60.5 v 66.2), his experienced teammate had better rates of shots in the box (116.6 v 133.2) and efforts on target (128.9 v 133.2).

Of the midfielders and forwards featured in this piece, Dowell had the worst rate of key passes (one every 133.2 minutes).

The on-loan Everton midfielder didn’t register a single assist, although did chip in with two goals.

John Fleck

Central midfielder

Starts: 45 | Goals: 2 | Assists: 10

John Fleck created more big chances than any Sheffield United or Norwich player last season

The Scotland international could be a decent bench fodder option if generously priced up at £4.5m by FPL this summer – although Fleck’s ten assists last season will likely see him moved up a price bracket in 2019/20.

What the 27-year-old midfielder has on his side as an emergency third substitute in FPL, for instance, is security of starts, having played 40+ matches in each of United’s last three seasons.

Fleck only failed to start one Championship fixture last season (he was injured for the 1-0 defeat to Bristol City in September) and completed 90 minutes in 42 of his 45 appearances.

It remains to be seen who Wilder brings in over the summer, of course, but there would appear to be other areas of the team that need strengthening first, with Chris Basham able to deputise in central midfield if either Fleck or Oliver Norwood pick up an injury.

Fleck has divided opinion among the Blades’ fanbase at times, with his form sporadically dipping throughout the season.

On his day he is an effective box-to-box midfielder, capable of breaking up the play at one end and driving forward to link up with the attack at the other.

Norwood is United’s chief set-piece-taker but Fleck did take 104 corners last season and 18 of his 21 free-kick deliveries found a teammate.

Fleck was ranked joint-17th for key passes in the Championship last season and in the top ten for overall assists.

No Sheffield United player created more “big chances” (13), either.

Shooting isn’t a strength: Fleck scored on only two occasions in 45 league matches and his average of a goal attempt every 79.5 minutes was the worst of the eight midfielders or forwards profiled in this piece (see the table below).

Fleck had only one big chance all season.

PlayerMins per shotMins per shot in boxMins per shot on targetMins per chance created
Fleck79.526526556.0
Norwood66.8951.8346.139.2
Duffy66.2116.6128.947.1
Dowell60.5133.2133.2133.2

Oliver Norwood

Central midfielder

Starts: 43 | Goals: 3 | Assists: 8

Oliver Norwood’s role at set plays may be of interest to Fantasy managers next season

Fleck may have registered more assists than Norwood last season but the former Reading, Brighton and Fulham midfielder was the creative heart of the Blades’ midfield.

Pablo Hernandez was the only Championship player who supplied more chances than Norwood (97) in 2018/19, while just Swansea’s Matt Grimes recorded more passes.

Norwood made more successful long passes than any other outfield player in the English second tier, which perhaps gives an indication of how deep he can often be at the heart of the United midfield.

Norwood’s prominent role at dead-ball situations helps boost his assist potential, however: no Championship player took more accurate corners (92) or accurate free-kicks (123) than the Blades’ playmaker last season.

There are similarities with Joao Moutinho in that regard, with both players orchestrating play from deep for their respective sides while creating opportunities from corners and free-kicks.

Six of Norwood’s eight assists last season were from set plays.

Norwood’s rate of a key pass every 39.2 minutes was the best in the United squad and similar to Moutinho’s average (a chance created every 36 minutes), although there has to be some weighting applied given that Norwood and the Blades were encountering inferior opposition.

To continue with the Wolves midfielder parallels, Norwood’s shot statistics have a Ruben Neves feel about them.

The Sheffield United star is not shot-shy, having chanced his arm on 57 occasions last season, but only four of his efforts were from inside the box.

Norwood’s one big chance was a penalty he scored against Brentford in March but as we have discussed earlier, McGoldrick has the edge in the spot-kick pecking order.

Like Neves, goals from Norwood will likely be low in quantity but high in quality.

The United midfielder’s strike against Brentford was a screamer from distance, while his goal in the defeat of Aston Villa was one of 22 attempts he had from dead-ball situations last season.

Norwood could potentially prosper on the Bonus Points System next season.

His rate of passes, pass completion rate (82.9%) and the number of chances he creates are positives in terms of distribution but he also chips in at the other end: Norwood made more recoveries (347) than any other United outfielder last season and made 137 clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBIs).

Norwood did pick up 11 bookings last season, however, which slightly dents his appeal.

A £4.5m starting price would be enticing for those FPL managers perhaps looking at packing their defence or attack with premium assets and having a budget midfielder as a second or third substitute, though Norwood’s underlying stats and the starting prices for the likes of Stefan Johansen (£5.5m) and Joe Ralls (£5.0m) last season would suggest he will more likely be in that bracket.

Other Options

Back-up midfielder John Lundstram played just 409 minutes of Championship football in 2018/19, with five of his ten league appearances coming off the bench.

The tough-tackling midfield anchor looks unlikely to be playing a prominent role in the Premier League, having not started a single league match in 2019 and indeed having struggled to make the match-day squad in the second half of the season.

Lundstram might stay at the club as the departure of Paul Coutts has left the Blades short in the midfield department but the former England under-21 international will be of little interest to Fantasy managers regardless of his pitch-time, with attacking returns few and far between.

The much-respected Coutts was one of five players released at the end of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Scottish midfielder had been on United’s books for four and a half years but he was mostly only used a substitute last season, making just the one league start back in early November.

Strikers Conor Washington and Caolan Lavery are also looking for new clubs.

Washington made three starts and 11 substitute appearances in the Championship last season but has barely featured this calendar year, while Lavery had spent all of 2018/19 on loan at Bury.

Forwards Ched Evans and Leon Clarke remain on the books but have been transfer-listed, along with midfielders Samir Carruthers, Nathan Thomas and Ricky Holmes.

All five of those players were out on loan in the season just gone, although Clarke chipped in with three goals and as many assists before joining Wigan on a temporary deal in January.

77 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Hopefully we will be able to get some cheap playing bench fodder from these promoted teams.

  2. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    They couldnt score against non-league Barnet FC.

    1. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Who are you, some bitter Owl?

      1. Andy'81
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Barnet fan.

  3. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Surprised by the lack of support for Sigurdsson in the team of the season poll.

    5th highest scoring midfielder in the game, but more importantly, he is one of the best value midfielders in the game. High points per 90 mins too - comparable with more expensive picks like Son, Sane, Pogba.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      On three separate occasions he had a run of 4 blanks. It's hard to stick with a player through that, especially when his price is crashing. Well done to anyone that had the patience to benefit from him though.

      What's the most you'd pay for him next season?

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yes but at that price you can afford poor runs if nothing is urgent.

        People held Anderson and Rich and Son much longer despite blanking. They were all wildly popular at one point.

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        £8.5m. Particularly if he stays on pens. No European football for Everton and they have momentum to carry forward from the end of the season.

        Everton and Leicester are my two non-Top 6 teams to look out for next season.

        1. Peter Ouch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          8.5 is way too much imo.
          Last year I picked up Tosun due to his great run the year before.
          It was the worst option out of this 7.0 bracket (Arnie, Wilson, Zaha).
          Everton is a rollercoaster and that's really frustrating and as Giggs mentioned above it's hard to stick with a player with such a blank run.
          Richa from Everton as well

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            The thing with Siggy - as opposed to the others I mentioned above - is that being on pens and set pieces he’s more likely to shake the blank run.

            Might still get Rich early season ahead of him though as he simply appears to prefer football when the sun is out

            1. Peter Ouch
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Everton is always a puzzle, they can have a great run and if you jump late in their train it can be really frustrating.
              I wouldn't go for any of them on the first fixture, later on, yes

          2. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Tosun is a crap player. Sorry, but Tosun has never shown the level of consistency that Siggy has delivered in the PL. Siggy has delivered for Spurs, Swansea and Everton. Siggy is like a cut price version of Eriksen.

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          8.5 would be touch and go but I’d still probably bite. Agree on Leicester - slightly less convinced by Everton.

          The other under the radar mid I’m looking at down a price bracket is Townsend in the 4th mid spot. He won’t be explosive but should drip in consistent returns - I’m supposing here that Mili will be pricey. He’s not an exciting choice but I’d back him to be value. If he goes on a long blank run he’ll be easy to switch out. Gross could be the alternative

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yep he flew right under the radar - had a great season. I kept on nearly getting him but never did. It didn’t feel that painful as he never really went on a streak but was just consistent. He was the Jimmy of midfield - just priced higher.

      I’m very keen on him next year as a staple. Its easy to see him repeating. To me he feels like exactly the sort of slightly sub premium mid who can balance out mega bucks on a back 3/4.

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed.
      Awesome player. I hope he stays 8m next season so that can get him in for favorable run.
      Digne + Siggy means half Everton attacking points maybe 😮

    4. RedLightning
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Only scored one point more than Fraser, but cost 1m more.
      And his returns were way short of premium players Salah, Sterling, Mane and Hazard, who all averaged at least 6.4ppg compared to Siggy's 4.8.

      Son, Sane and Pogba didn't make the top five either.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Can you afford to have Salah, Sterling, Mane, Hazard, Fraser though, as well as Robbo, Alisson, Auba etc.?

        The team of the season is flawed if it lets you have an unlimited budget and choose more than 3 players from any team. Any FPL player is constrained by both budget (£100m starting budget) and team limits. The team of the season should reflect those constraints.

        1. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          The FFS team of the season has no such restrictions, and never has had. The FPL team of the season doesn't either (this season's contains 6 Liverpool players and an enormous TV).

          The FFS Team of the Season is supposed to be a team containing the most popular and successful players, selected according to a simple voting system; it doesn't attempt to be strictly valid and affordable.

          A valid and affordable team would need a more complicated voting system, perhaps something like the one that Triggerlips attempted the other year, giving advice as the voting proceeded about possible effects of earlier choices on later decisions. Instead of voting for the players one category at a time, it might be necessary to decide a formation and price template and then select players to fit this template one by one; and instead of voting for goalkeeper then defenders then midfielders then forwards, we might perhaps start by voting for the first and second Liverpool players.

          Or perhaps complete valid teams could be submitted and then somehow combined.

  4. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Thanks for these articles, they're very helpful.

    No Norwich defence, possibly an attacker
    No Sheff Utd attack, possibly a defender/GK

    That's what I've taken from them anyway!

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, same conclusion here.

      We'll have to see if they make any exciting signings Wolves-style.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Depending on price McGoldrick is worth scouting. Showing definite potential in international football, he's one that could make the trip to Premier look easier than most.

    2. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Avoid. Will probably be safer picks at similar prices for players with proven PL pedigree from the likes of Burnley and Southampton. If there is a gem from a promoted club, just transfer them in.

  5. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    I can't see Sheffield scoring many goals in the Premier League.

    Norwich and Villa (if they go up) would be better for fwd/milf punts.

    Abraham, Pukki, Buendía, maybe Hourihane... Wouldn't be surprised if Grealish upped his game in the Premier League. Unsure on Derby, but Mount could be worth consideration.

    Sheffield though... Norwood, Fleck, Duffy...? I see a bunch of Championship players.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pukki could be a feast or a famine.

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      True that, stats wise it's not that exciting

    3. Sterling Malory
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      *Sheffield United.

      Pal.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        😀

        Sheffield fan then? 😉

        Fancy your chances next season?

        1. Sterling Malory
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          I am

    4. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Abraham's on loan at Villa and will be returning to Chelsea, no clues as to where he'll be playing next season.

  6. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any news on Tielemans?
    If he stays Leicester can be great fpl wise this year. Vardy can be set and forget option up front without the fear of rotation or fixture difficulty.
    He can score against any team, anywhere.
    Tielemans can be a great asset, more freedom doe Madison as well, hope he stays

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      No news, just lots of speculation about which teams are going to sign him, none of which are Leicester

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Arsenal if they get CL is a perfect fit.

    2. Jaws
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Today a major Belgian newspaper reported that he will probably leave Leicester. Buying him from Monaco would implicate that LEI would be restricted to just this 1 transfer because Tielemans is expensive. Amongst the interested teams, Spurs & ManU were mentioned.

  7. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Jay Egg down to 174 in the HOF just due to one bad season and 280k is not that bad. I find that ridiculous regardless of his unpopularity. All those other seasons should me a lot more.

    Anyone have an idea how HOF is calculated?

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Not that bad dip imho. He should bounce back next season with those merits, right?

    2. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Everything you want to know is in this article released earlier this season:

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/09/12/the-most-successful-fpl-managers/

      Also includes reference to other ways of calculating who the best managers are, as HOF is heavily weighted towards the most recent season.

      Kenneth Tang popped by in the comments section and him and I had a chat about key aspects of FPL which was fascinating and very useful. Anyone have any idea how he is coping with his illness? I hope he is recovering well, he's a great guy and a fantastic (and humble) FPL manager.

      1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Thank you R M much appreciated and I'll have a read through that...I thought as much re the weighting.

        Bad recent seasons seem to get heavily punished, I was at rank 95 till the 17/18 season, then a 200k show put me well out the top 500.

        1. The Rumour Mill
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          No problem, its an interesting article 🙂

          Yeah the HOF is all about the here and now really, if you check out table 2 in the article that applies a different system to recognise consistent greats, you'll probably feature higher in that one! No idea if these other tables are updated as regularly though.

    3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I'm ahead wahoo

  8. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Another comment deleted. My grievance isn’t that it was deleted, my grievance is that I missed any potential action it caused

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      I wish there was a 'show deleted comments' button. I'm always curious what I missed 😀

  9. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Apparently Arjen Robben is really close to signing for Leicester.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      That would be awesome. Probably not a reliable FPL option at 35, but exciting 🙂

    2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Really? Source?

      1. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        SB, Thomas Bradley, some tweeter accounts close to the team. He's also become odds on favourite on betting sides to sign.

        Might you, I still can't see it but it's interesting.

    3. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      'really close'? You mean he has the pen in his hand? 😀

    4. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Pretty sure Leicester can't afford his wages and even more sure he doesn't know who Brendan Rodgers is.

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Suspect you’ll find that they were both at Chelsea at the same time

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          More tongue in cheek because he had to get Gerrard to phone transfer targets as they didn't know him.

          1. Mysterion
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Kroos...

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Precisely 🙂

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            Sweet

            Didn’t know that one

          3. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            When they answered and Gerrard started talking they must have thought a dial-up modem had called them by accident.

            1. Mysterion
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              😛 he used to text them to avoid this

  10. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    How long is tielmans on leicester? He will be at the start of season right? I am getting him if he is.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      40m £ price tag
      Was on loan & now at parent club

  11. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Crystal Palace want 70m £ for AWB.
    I think they are mad !!

    It should be 70m£ + Ashley Young 😛

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      Including Ashley Young would lower the overall value of the transfer to £60mil

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        I think you are underestimating Ashley Young's capabilities !!
        It'd be 50m £ effectively which is fair price for AWB imo 😀

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      He doesn't have enough attacking threat to justify £70m. I think £40m-ish is a fair price for both parties. And that includes the English tax.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Agreed. 50 at max.
        I think Palace playing hardball & would settle for 45m.

        He's 21 & can improve on attacking side so I'm very optimistic about this signing. I was shocked when i read that he was dribbled passed 10 times ONLY this season 😮

        Not bad for a FB.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Past*

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            That’s 10 more than VVD 😉

            1. Amey
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              Ha ha
              Yeah. Incredible from VVD.
              But being a Full back i think AWB has phenomenal record too 😮

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 10 months ago

          Seen suggestions on Palace boards of something like 45 and cancelling the sell on clause you have on Wilf. That could be fair.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 10 months ago

            That's a good point. I think it should be accepted by Unite board as i don't see United in race to get Zaha.

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 10 months ago

              That’s still a potential 15 mill United would lose.

              1. Amey
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 10 months ago

                Yeah
                But do you really think that someone would snap Zaha for 80/90m ??
                I don't think so tbh.

                1. pingissimus
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 10 months ago

                  Nope

                  But think the clause is 25% no? Suspect Palace would take/want 60 and he could sell at that price - just. That would leave Palace with 45 which wouldn’t cut it i I imagine

                  Slightly doubt either he or AWB will move this time around. Palace are more likely to want money when Roy goes at the end of next season. It’d take a monster offer.

                  1. Amey
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 10 months ago

                    Yeah.
                    Very difficult to lure away players from PL teams now.

  12. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Looking forward to the race for the lowest ID when the game opens :p

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      So ID Changes every year ??

    2. Gooner Kebab
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      3 digits was the lowest i managed

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 10 months ago

      How do you get a low ID? Submit a team as fast as possible after the game opens?

      1. Gooner Kebab
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 10 months ago

        Yep, the release is not announced.

        But the good people here will post here once someone checks it randomly and it's open!