Season Review

Team of the Season – Papiss Cisse

Papiss Cisse becomes the second January signing to edge his way into our team of the season and, like Gyfli Sigurdsson, such recognition is fully justified.

The Senegalese striker arrived in Newcastle at the turn of the year for a fee of £10 million from Bundisliga outfit SC Freiburg. Handed the heralded number nine shirt by the Magpies, Cisse had the reputation to match such expectations but nobody really anticipated the impact he’d make.

Priced at just 7.0 on his arrival in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, Cisse delivered on his debut and went on rolling out the goals, inspiring the Magpies to an end of season run that almost sealed them Champions League football.

In Fantasy terms, Cisse provided outstanding value and helped break up the template forward lines as suitors arrived from all angles, looking to capitlise on the mid-price goal-a-game striker.

The Statistics

In the 2010/11 season, Cisse claimed the EFFIFU award for being the most efficient striker in the league: efficient is perhaps downplaying just how effective Cisse was once he arrived in England.

The debut goal against Villa in Gameweek 24 was followed by a total of 14 league appearances that brought a staggering 13 goals. And what goals.

Cisse’s scooped chip over the head of Michel Vorm in the win at Swansea provided a demonstration of his supreme finishing abilities. What was to follow in the 2-0 win at Chelsea was simply sublime. A looping, curving volley, hooked over the head of Petr Cech was a goal that no player had the right to score – perhaps only Cisse had the confidence to attempt such a strike and the ability to convert it.

The FPL’s shift to the EA PPI to govern the bonus points clearly worked in Cisse’s favour. Goalscorers appear to have the edge in the new system and, with his prolific returns, Cisse benefited from an extraordinary run of five consecutive maximum bonus returns, with 20 bonus points gathered from his 14 appearances.

The Prospects

There’s little question that Cisse will make our pre-season watchlists, although several factors are likely to govern his potential in his second season.

Clearly we can’t expect Cisse to be available in the same price bracket. He made a mockery of his modest valuation last season, and, having offered such rich returns, we should expect his price to rise to around 9.5. Given that Darren Bent started at 10.0 last term, that might even be optimistic.

That price increase will clearly influence his appeal, but Fantasy managers will also have to carefully monitor Newcastle’s form and, more importantly the role of Demba Ba. While Cisse’s compatriot openly accepted his role on the left flank of Newcastle’s 4-3-3, Alan Pardew shifted to a conventional 4-4-2 for the season climax, perhaps as a result of Ba’s growing frustration.

Ba’s shift to the flank led to him scoring just a single goal following his return from the African Cup of Nations: it seems unlikely that he’ll be happy being deployed in such a role next term. Should Pardew change his formation accordingly, we have to consider that this could impact on Cisse’s return, with Ba perhaps more prominent in the goalscoring stakes.

Enthusiasm should be curbed, then. Cisse’s price will likely be a deciding factor but there is clearly merit in scouting Newcastle’s pre-season set-up before reserving a place for his undoubted talents.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

340 Comments Post a Comment
  1. AA
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Kuba or Dzagoev ?

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      What's the rest of your midfield & Forward line?

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      1. AA
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Nasri | Ozil | Sneijder | Srna

        Ibra | Kuyt | Keane

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  2. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Kuba for Pks but I prefer Dzagoev/Shirokov

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    1. AA
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers ! I shall stick with Dzagoev then. Already have five players who are on PK's .

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  3. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Closing in on my final side for mcds.

    ChalkIas
    Piszczevh, zhirkov, Kadlec, Crisco
    Ozil, schwein, schnieder, blaskowski
    Kuyt, Jelavic

    Given, Debauchy, yarmalenko, ibra

    Strong benhch counteracts the possibilty if jela and kuyt not playing but i think they will.

    My main issue is deciding the importance of ignashevis, srna, lewandow, nasri, robben, young who can all be interchanged with what i have at present

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Schweinsteiger>Dzagoev/Shirokov
      Don't know about Chalklas & Crisco.

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      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I think the swine will be wanting to make ammends plus on pens. Chalky will be a last minute decision depending on who will be greek keeper? Toss up between ita/ spa def depending on how i feel on the day! Can down grde plzch to Perquis. Any more thoughts?

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        1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Spainish defenders are a better shout than Italian Defenders.

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          1. A.
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Nah, look at how many clean sheets they managed in qualifying, not a great record.

            Italian defs conceded only 2 goals and they're Italian so always tight at the back

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            1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
              • 11 Years
              11 years, 10 months ago

              Italy had matches against weaker oppositions.

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              1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                11 years, 10 months ago

                You carry on, and stick some Spanish fly in your team ... 😉

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              2. A.
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 10 months ago

                Spain conceded to Scotland, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, their 3 clean sheets came against Liechtenstein x2 and one against Czech Rep.

                I wouldn't call those matches difficult for the no 1 team in the world.

                Italy had Estonia, Serbia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland and Faroe Islands

                I'd say those two groups are fairly similar in level of opponents.

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                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 10 months ago

                  Spot on.

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        2. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Schweinsteiger might not be on pens. I personally think it'll be Podolski like at the last world cup.

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          1. Gaz Downright
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Schweinsteiger has taken all pens of late, except for one that went to Gotze

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  4. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Chanderpaul's out!!! Windies are fecked.

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    1. A.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      What about Sammy and Samuels again?

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Well ... 😀

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  5. BMox81
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    My team for the Euro's:

    Chalkias/Given

    Alba/Zhirkov/Kadlec/Perquis/Olsson

    Ozil/Sneider/Iniesta/Gerrard/M'Villa

    Robben/Lewandowski/Jelavic

    Pretty pleased with that so far - no doubt it will change 100 times before the tournament begins though.

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      M' Vila>Duff/Shirokov

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      1. BMox81
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Was thinking recovered balls might favour M'Villa.

        It's either:

        Zhirkov and M'Villa or Debuchy and Shirokov.

        Got a while to sort it out so no great rush.

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    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Tempted to generate an extra 1m from somewhere to upgrade Yarmolenko to Young, having seen his recent form for England. Already own Nasri and Debuchy. Any one care to tell me off?

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  6. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    What would be your XI for Euro FF if you had unlimited Budget?

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    1. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Still only two players per team?

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      1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        No,3 per team.

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        1. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Casillas, Hart
          Lahm, Ramos, Chiellini, Terry, Evra
          Özil, Sneijder, Ribery, Iniesta, Young
          Ronaldo, Klose, RVP

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          1. mikess
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            boosh

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    2. A.
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Casillas, Szczesny
      Zhirkov, Debuchy, Terry, Chiellini, Papasthopoulos
      Ozil, Blasz, Kallstrom, Gerrard, Dzagoev
      RVP, Llorente, Müller

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      1. mikess
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        that must not be too far off budget

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        1. A.
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          11.5 over.

          But there are cheaper alternatives for quite a few.

          You can save 3m bringing in Barzagli, Cahill, Chalkias, Alba, Pizczeck across the back line.

          Then downgrade a big mid - Gerrard - to Andrews and its nearly affordable.
          Those players are the ones to choose from with big hitters IMO

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          1. Gaz Downright
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Gerrard played in the holding role v Norway

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  7. Menly
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Well we just got relegated 🙁

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Udinese? You are third, aren't you?

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  8. ★FC Borecelona★
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    Podolski or Muller?

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      the one who starts

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      1. ★FC Borecelona★
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I think they both do...

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      2. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        They both do

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        1. Gaz Downright
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          I'm not sure... are you?

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    2. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I reckon Podolski, but others will think otherwise

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      1. ★FC Borecelona★
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I've currently got Podolski but not too sure...

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        1. ★A-O-Chamberlain★ COYG …
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Well i might be a bit biased. Im an Arsenal fan and Podolski is now one of my favourite players 😛 lol

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          1. ★FC Borecelona★
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            I'm an Arsenal fan as well. That's the main reason why he's in there 😛

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    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I have decided Ozil will do ...

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      1. ★FC Borecelona★
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/statistics/round=15171/teams/type=goalconceded/index.html 😉

        Not sure these Portuguese can defend very well...

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Agree. Other priorities.

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    4. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Muller

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  9. Pinoche
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    NEW POST

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  10. wee man
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    rmt please

    Szczęsny,Westwood
    Alba,Cahill,Criscito,M. Kadlec,J. Olsson
    Özil,Sneijder,Błaszczykowski,Dzagoev,Andrews
    Müller,Robben,Jelavić

    Thinking about ibra vs ukraine

    who are the top two keepers for 9m in gw1?

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