Having already run the rule over the Goalkeepers, and Defenders for the season ahead, the third part in our series of Members articles sees us analyse the midfielders. With the aid of our Projections we’ve analysed the average points expected per player over the course of the upcoming campaign and, applying this to the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player price list, have listed the top ten in terms of expected value per Fantasy pound for the season ahead…
Who's the top 4.5m defender? Currently I am having Cuellar.
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Comes down to rotations at that price and not the individual
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I took Harte. I will change if he is not looking like starting regularly though.
Open ControlsMy defense:
Clyne Cuellar Hangeland Iva Lescott
I am planning to downgrade Cuellar to 4.0m defender so I can upgrade Michu to Sinclair. Worth it?Open ControlsWho is the best Reading defender for 4.5 or less then?
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What are the hazards of Hazard? I would like to have a Chelsea midfielder for the DGW but frankly think they are all at risk of not playhing most of both matches. Any ideas?
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I am almost convinced to go ahead with 2 Che and no MF from Che
Open ControlsIt's one game week. Let it pass and plan for the season.
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Im going to watch the Charity Shield and rule judgement then.
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Hazard was good on Saturday KoL. Based on what I saw I reckon he's the best MF choice for Chelsea with Ramires and Lamps close behind.
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I think Lampard, Essien and Hazard are guaranteed a spot for both gamrs
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Hazard is not for sure.
I'd say Lamps is the safest bet. Essien doesn't count, his fantasy potential is weakOpen Controls
Lampard looks absolutely nailed on
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I think you have to go with Hazard from the start with Mata likely to be rested and Oscar not ready - Sturridge won't play either so I think RDM's options are limited.
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Striker Mario Balotelli and Spanish star David Silva are unlikely to make the start of the Premier League season.
The pair only reported for pre-season training last week after Euro 2012 and were marked absent against Limerick.
City coach David Platt said: “They are behind the other lads. We don’t know if they will be ready to start games.”Open Controlshmmm, it's good info for Tevez IMO
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This has me a bit concerned about Lescott's prospects for GW1 also. With Yaya already in my mid I am seriously considering dropping him (Lescott) and jumping on the Tevez & Aguero bandwagon.
Open ControlsI honestly don't know the answer to that question. Anybody?
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I don't like the uncertainty in the ManC back-line at the moment, and in the formation to be honest. I guess we had better get used to it this season with Mancini.
I had Clichy, but he's a risk now, so leaving the defence behind altogether. Having YaYa and Aguero (switched Clichy to Dawson from Spurs)Open Controls
So, I've been away from the boards for a few days and I've been catching up on news/developments.
It seems Yaya and Tevez are emerging as strong picks for City attacking coverage, especially if the players with summer tournaments are going to be eased into action. Lolarov and Zabaleta also look like strong selections, if only for the first couple of games.
My question is: do we think Tevez and Yaya are viable long-term picks? Obviously Yaya is one of the key players for City but he may end up playing a more defensive role once Mancini has a full squad of fit players to choose from. Didn't Mancini say something about using Yaya in the attacking role more often this season?
Also, ignoring Aguero in favour of Tevez seems very tempting but Tevez isn't quite captain material given the risk over his gametime. Aguero is in top form as well and I fully expect him to start the season in fine form. Rooney + Tevez looks a lot better than Aguero + Jelly/Bent though, for example. That extra cash could really come in handy.Open Controls
The recent tweet on Balo and Silva's fitness is interesting too. Seems to strengthen the case for Tevez (and perhaps YaYa and maybe Nasri) as solid picks. I'm still going Aguero/Rooney though - can always downgrade to Tevez.
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I'm going Aguero/Rooney too, I think its a safe bet. I tried Tevez as a differential at the end of last season and it didn't pay off due partly to him being subbed off in the second half of each game. I don't think anything has really changed since then.
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Do you see Adam Johnson getting significant amount of gametime initially?
Open ControlsNope.
I certainly hope so. Class player.Open Controls
I don't think you can ignore Aguero going by his pre-season form, first player on the list for me! A consensus that seems to be growing in popularity on here is a double up of Aguero and Tevez up front (I admit I am considering it). I am considering leaving their defence alone for the start. Kompany aside there is too much uncertainty for my liking
Open ControlsGoing in with Aguero Rooney myself. Thing is in the easy games, if you notice City playing, Yaya doesnt have to do much defensively.
Open ControlsYaya is a season keeper. Thing that conviced me was I wouldn't feel comfortable captaining Silva so for 2mil less the 40 point drop off to Yaya seems like good value.
Aguero + Jelly for me with a scout sent to Goodison to try and work out that United midfield in time for GW2Open ControlsValencia is your best bet. Kagawa is beautiful. Saw him play yesterday. Looks like he might be an assist machine. Dont know how Fergie will play him against the weaker teams because Welbeck could have a massive season if given the chance.
And maybe, just maybe, RVP.Open Controls
You get what you pay for. I think Yaya and Aguero are the low-risk, safe option. Tevez is very tempting, but as soon as Balotelli's fit you'll worry about rotation.
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Tevez vs. Aguero is a tough one.
My big Q to Kun owners saying Tevez will be rotated is: Wont Kun get rotated as well? Surely City will go all in when it comes to CL? Meaning Kun will play most/all CL games and therefor a bit threat to being rotated in the league...?
Just dont seem logical at all to think Tevez is the only one with a rotation risk. Dzeko aint really to consider for Manchini given hes flirting with all these Serie A clubs. Ballo will surely get some time tho.Open ControlsCL is some time away 🙂
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Thanks for your thoughts everyone.
I'm still not sure but I'll keep an eye on it. I fear I will get it wrong either way!Open ControlsP.S. Rooney + Aguero messes up my team balance too much. It's one or the other for me, at least until there are clear budget options in the defence/midfield that allow me to select them both without sacrificing my balance.
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haven't changed my team since last Monday, so it's a week now! Do I miss something?
DDG | Federici
Lescott | Ivanovic | Cuellar | Demel | Clyne
Lampard | Sigurdsson | Michu | Noble | Maloney
Torres | Aguero | Pogbrebnyak
with 3.0 mln in the bank to upgrade Torres to Rooney and Pogrebnyak to Graham/Petric before blank GW3 for Chelsea and Reading.Open ControlsYou'll get done by price rises and falls with that plan. Just start with Petric
Open ControlsThis team is so last week 😉
Keep an eye on Lescott to see if we get any hints on when he will be available for selection. I wouldn't be surprised if Toure/Savic start in GW1.
Your 3 (rotating?) defenders also look a little weak. Do you have any other ideas?
I prefer Bale to Siggy hands down, plus there are question marks over Michu and Maloney so keep an eye on that.
Pog is a bad pick IMO, someone summed it up really well on the last page.Open Controlsactually SUN/WHU/SOT rotate very well for that price.
Lescott is a lil' risk, I know, but first of all I really want City def. coverage, and what's more I am keeping my eye on City situation and if I see Kolarov, Clichy or Zabaleta are more likely to start, I can easy go with one of them for JLL.Open ControlsMe too. See below!
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a must to invest in city defence or are there enough headaches to just start without one? i cant justify the price of hart or kompany.
Open ControlsIm going with out. I can really afford it and want to punt on Chelsea def and Vertoghen
Open ControlsLescott is the way to go...
Open ControlsIf there's an obvious pick for 6.5m or less then I'd say it's essential, but like you say it could turn out to be a right headache, especially if Mancini signs another CB.
Any news on Lescott training/playing in pre-season? Zab looks good value if Richards gets a break.Open ControlsLescott and Clichy played against Limerick yesterday.
Open ControlsBut with city looking at buying a CB and Kolarov still kicking about I wouldnt trust either.
Open ControlsNot Clichy. But Lescott seems to be pretty nailed on to me.
Open Controlstoo lazy to backtrack and give credit to the post but someone was worried lescott may not start gw1, you buy into that theory? its enough to sway me off if true.
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He did not do anything wrong last season. Dont worry about him. Nailed on.
Open ControlsSorry, I don't agree. He was excellent last season and will probably nail down his spot over the course of the first 10 weeks or so but the beginning of the season will be interesting as there are players who have had a full pre-season and are raring to go, including Toure who has a lot of experience and was unlucky not to play more last year.
Mancini will be thinking about the season as a whole and will want to manage his players' fitness and won't want to rush players like Lescott back into action.Open ControlsYa pre-season might be an issue but he played yesterday and will get a couple more games in the bag before pre-season.
Mancini rotated a lot last year, but did not change that Central defensive combination.Open Controls
Thanks, see below
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how long would zab be safe you think, not sure its worth it if its less than 6-7 gws.
Open ControlsI don't know to be honest. He finished last season as first choice RB and can play as one of the 3 central players in a 3-5-2. He can also cover in other areas (LM, DM, RWB) so his prospects of game-time are slightly increased.
It all depends on how Mancini looks at Richards. Does he see the Olympics as the perfect pre-season or will he ease him back into action, perhaps in cup games. We'll have to have some clear indication that Richards will be given a break before investing in Zab.Open Controls
City vs Limerick: Pantilimon, Boyata, Clichy, Lescott
City(start) vs. Wolfsburg: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Savic, K Toure,
Interesting - looks like Lescott and Clichy could be in contention to start the season so I'd stay away from Kolarov/Clichy. Lescott might be a good pick but we have to keep an eye on that.
Zab looks like a good shout at the moment. I don't see Boyata competing with Zabaleta for game-timeOpen ControlsCool. Thanks for your thoughts.
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Hey guys, revamped my team, any thoughts?
Fed, DDG,
Lescott, Cuellar, Fabio, Demel, Jenkinson
Lampard, Guthrie, Siggy, Noble, Kagawa
Aguero, Torres, Petric.
2m in the bank for Torres > Rooney. *Note I'm going to stick with Jenkinson until Sagna comes back.Open ControlsJenkinson was in my first draft
Becuz until Sagna is back Arsenal got crappy fixtures
and only some okay fixtures
Apart from that i like your teamOpen ControlsCheers Steel. Yeah for me the defenders are the hardest to pick this year. There are a lot of players at the 4.5 mark who you could make an argument for.
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Siggurdson or Bale?
Why.Open ControlsIf you fancy a punt - Siggy
Safe bet - BaleOpen ControlsBale. Tried and tested.
Siggy, might have competition from VDV.
Both, very good picks.Open ControlsBale.
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Siggurdson
He will take all the dead balls in a team that have great headers of the ball, but have had poor delivery for the last couple of seasons. Bale tends to draw a lot of fouls too so Siggy will get an ample opportunity to show us his skill at the dead ball.Open ControlsSiggy. A bit cheaper, exceptionally consistent, and potential for set pieces. If Spurs show some form I may go for both.
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I have bale atm, but if i knew siggy would start id go for him... He's as good as anyone in europe at direct FKs, similarly good on corners, should get pens(although VDV may pull rank if hes on the pitch) and he's 0.5 cheaper...
As it is though he's still tech ically a bit of a gamble co pared to bale. Im tring to avoid gambles at the start this year.Open ControlsFrom GW2 I'm going Siggy and Dawson.
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Any good pairs of rotating defenders? Staylor & cuellar give home games every week, plus both should be nailed on and get up for set pieces... Looking for some other good combos that dont break the bank?
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Hi Evbdy... I'm thinking about taking RAMIRES Instead of Mata/Hazard To keep 2M in the bank for the GW2's Swoop: Torres > Rooney ...
Is it a bad option?Open ControlsNot at all
But could also retaliate(gametime)Open ControlsRamires played well Saturday, my only doubt would be the huge number of Chelsea midfielders.
I said above, imo Hazard with Lamps and Ramires close behind in the pecking order.
RDM put a very strong team out with many playing 90 minutes to get them ready.Open Controls
Looking Lescott might not be a nailed down starter next season, I am planning not to get any City defenders yet until everything is all set.
Maybe transfer Ivanovic out for a City defender on GW3. I never really fancy on Chelsea defense.
What's your thoughts?Open ControlsWhy do you think he's not nailed down?
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Try this then I think although a little light in midfield maybe
Federici
Gorks - A Cole - Kompany
Michu - Hazard - Noble - Pienaar
Petric - Aguero - Torres
Subs Krul - Vidic - Maloney - Fonte
I will be using Vidic & Krul for most future weeks and will probably be dumping Hazard & Torres over the next couple of weeks unless they amazing. Maybe for Cisse and Bale depending on performancesOpen Controls
your mid is too weak. no guarantees that Hazard will be an automatic hit and the others dont really inspire. not really gone on Pienaar myself
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Which will get more points? A 6.5 defender or 6.5 mid?
Open ControlsI think Arsenal are going to be very attractive FF wise this year. Interesting article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/aug/06/premier-league-preview-arsenalOpen Controls
Sinclair and Taraabt (deja vu!!!) or
McLean and PienaarOpen Controls
I’ve had a look at a lot of teams posted here and decided to go for this:
De Gea (Federici)
Hangeland Lescott Williams A Cole (McCartney)
Piennar Valencia Hazard(c) (Noble) (Maloney)
Torres Aguero(v) Graham
If you want rate out of 10 although I’d prefer feedback, it’s up to you. Is the captain choice correct? Who would you choose?Open Controls
