Best #FPL picks from the promoted teams – Burnley, Hull and Middlesbrough – Fantasy Premier League 2016/17.
Living in Japan I’m always fascinated by the trends that transcend the East-West cultural abyss. This stratovolcanic archipelago (thanks Wikipedia) gave the world sushi, karate and talking robots. In return it got Starbucks, the atomic bomb and Shed Seven. Well, now there’s a new Japanese phenomenon zombifying the mass populous. In ‘Pokemon Go’, armed only with a smartphone, you must physically navigate real-life streets, trespass private fields and probably traverse active volcanoes to grab virtual Pokemon characters. Unexpected add-ons include game-players falling down open manholes, ambling through moving traffic and being lured into abandoned car parks by registered sex offenders.
A safer alternative is needed; one similarly rooted in reality, embellished by fantasy, and so we return to the safe haven of FPL. Lurking deep within its hallowed halls are players from the 2015/16 Championship’s elite three, ready to level up and challenge the Premier League. Burnley ascended as champions ahead of Middlesbrough; while Hull scrapped their way to the promised land via the playoffs.
Let’s look at some of those newly promoted players you can collect to finish off your FPL squad. All this, without unduly draining your phone battery; hitting your monthly data limit after four days; or even having to disclose ‘personal information to government or law enforcement officials or private parties’ (always read the terms and conditions). Banzai!
Here we go then onto the ‘Promoted Clubs XI’. Don’t forget, you gotta catch ’em all.*
(*Well, maybe three or four)
GOALKEEPER
Tom Heaton (BUR) 4.5m
Burnley are back in the top flight and there’s a new England manager to impress. This promises to be a huge season for Tom Heaton. It’s worth noting that the Clarets had a very respectable home defensive record during their relegation of 2014/15, the 8th best. Tom Heaton was a big reason for that then and proved himself again in the Championship as the club went up boasting the best goal difference. The squad comes back more streetwise and better prepared, one would think, to handle top level strike-forces.
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DEFENDERS
Andrew Robertson (HUL) 4.5m
A couple of seasons ago, some FF247 renegade recommended this Scottish full-back as a captain differential. I probably won’t be doing that again, but with 3 goals and 4 assists in 2015/16 the promising youngster still remains a viable candidate for your squad. He dipped his toes in Premier League waters during Hull’s previous top-tier campaign so he’ll know what to expect this time round. Sat in 4th position, Hull had the equal second best defensive record which compliments Robertson’s attacking appeal.
Emilio Nsue (MID) 4.5m
A close call over Daniel Ayala, but 26 year-old Emilio Nsue is a fascinating option if only because his versatility enables him to play as a winger or even a forward. Don’t open that bottle of vintage champagne just yet though, he’s spent most of his tenure at right-back, but 3 goals and 2 assists at a frugal 4.5m makes the Equatorial Guinea international a harmless gamble for a few weeks, especially in a defence that kept 22 clean sheets in the Championship.
Michael Keane (BUR) 5.0m
Leicester City recently came a-knocking for the Irish centre-back and Burnley will do well to keep hold of him. Rather like Bournemouth’s Steve Cook last season, he comes into the division with somewhat of a goal-scoring pedigree. 5 goals and an assist helped the Clarets on their way to the summit and every one of his goals came from set-piece situations. A cursory viewing on YouTube will show you the lad certainly knows how to get on the end of a corner.
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MIDFIELDERS
Albert Adomah (MID) 5.5m
While many will understandably lean towards the more familiar Stewart Downing, ‘Boro’s promotion campaign was peppered with some sublime football from this tricky 28 year-old winger from Ghana. Equalling Downing’s 5 assists, Adomah proved even more adept in front of goal, scoring 6 times. He plays on either flank in pretty much equal measures, so it’s hard to imagine him not being in the vast majority of Aitor Karanka’s starting line-ups.
David Jones (BUR) 5.0
At 31, David Jones’ age may concern some FPL managers, but the English central midfielder played 41 games for the champions, starting 39 of them so stamina, it would seem, is not a problem. Neither is finding his teammates with killer passes, being that he did so assisting a respectable 7 times. Unlikely to set the Premier League alight, Jones does seem ideal 5th midfielder/bench fodder; in other words, a cheap player who regularly gets 90 minutes under his belt and has enough consistency to chip in with the occasional points haul.
Sam Clucas (HUL) 5.0m
The first of two Hull City midfielders here, Sam Clucas is likely to be off most radars, born out by his measly 0.2% ownership at the time of writing. A certain teammate of his (see below) may be the main factor behind that. However, ignore Clucas at your peril. He was Hull’s third highest goalscorer (6) and highest assister (8), making him perhaps the Tigers’ most creative threat going forward and someone to keep a very close eye on. As if you needed any further persuasion he has a cap for the England C team…
Robert Snodgrass (HUL) 5.5m
…but you’ve probably already settled on Snodders, so I’ll get straight to the nitty gritty. He takes set pieces, he sets up goals (7), and he scores them (4). Statistically, he makes 2.3 key passes and 6.74 crosses per game which puts him right at the sharp end when compared to his peers from last season. Injury decimated his involvement in Hull’s last foray into the PL, but fantasy managers have long memories and will be quick to point out his admirable points tallies in the two preceding years.
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FORWARDS
Andre Gray (BUR) 6.5
Could he forge a path into Big Sam’s new world order? If he reproduces his 2015/16 exploits then darn right he could. Starting the season notching a brace for Brentford, he couldn’t possibly have envisaged he’d bag another 23 and be heading for the Premier League. His productivity doesn’t end there either, creating 9 for his various teammates along the way. Gray, on penalties too lest we forget, is the most likely to have the same impact as Odion Ighalo did for Watford, though Burnley fans will hope he actually stays the course.
Jordan Rhodes (MID) 6.0m
It seems like a long overdue opportunity for Rhodes, who’s been scoring for fun in the second and third tiers for the best part of 7 years, to test his mettle against the big boys. 73 goals in 124 games for Huddersfield, then 82 in 159 for Blackburn begs one to question why no-one at the highest level has ever taken a chance on him. 16 goals last season (10 for Rovers) saw a slight drop in productivity, but one would expect him to get the nod over David Nugent more often than not, potentially forming a useful double-act with the on-loan Alvaro Negredo.
Abel Hernandez (HUL) 6.0m
Another player with previous top flight experience to lean on, Abel Hernandez finished last season with a mighty tally of 21. An average 3.19 shots per game is considerably better than most (Andre Gray’s was less than 3) and should stand him in good stead in his lone role up front. As an added FPL carrot the Uruguayan is the Tigers’ spot-kick taker. By the way, have you ever wondered why Man Utd’s Phil Jones always looks like he’s in pain? In May, 2015 Abel Hernandez punched him really hard in the stomach, that’s why.
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Fixture Tracker – the first 6 games
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Deulofeu Scores again!
Really. Quality player. I really rate him. Never understood when he was on the bench. I wonder if Koeman will play him.
I really rate him, I had him when he went through his purple patch last season, you would expect him to start! Need some Everton fans to give their thoughts
init – where are you?
Putting the kids to bed
Euphemism?
No. I’m putting the kids to bed.
Right, done. Mitro I expect him to start under Koeman. Martinez liked to rotate a lot. We do, or at least did, have a lot of options for those wide positions which Martinez inexplicably added Kone and Naismith to. I don’t expect Koeman to be so stupid. He’s one of our best attackers and so I fully expect him to use him. A lot. I agree with Smash on his quality. You could see the improvement in him last season and he will only get better, he’s still a kid learning the game don’t forget. On the few occasions I caught him live he stood out as being outstanding. Defenders are scared stiff of him.
Surely Koeman can’t ignore this? I’d be very keen to hear some Everton fans opinions though. If he gets a run he could be a steal at 6.5.
Mitro/Init
Game coming to an end now and I’ve been following it on twitter for the pre-season recording due to go up. As well as his goal Deulofeu has hit the post and had another four efforts.
Cheers Init/GP – I’m happy that I have him in my team!
hey guys – if Lukaku goes, will Everton have anything upfront to aim at? The other guy they bought (Niasse) supposedly on way out
Hey Dreamers, we won’t be aiming at him, he hasn’t even been given a squad number
Another Martinez special. Sounds like Remy is coming the other way if it happens which is fine for a bit as we need at least 2 new ones anyway but Koeman will have to go out and buy a top notch striker from somewhere. Trouble is that we may be 3 games in now before that happens. Shame Pelle likes a Yen as he he’d have been a good replacement.
Cheers init! Looks like Shaqiri’s on his way out my team.
No worries. I’ve bookmarked my comment and will be deleting it when he shanks the first 3 games and then gets dropped
I’ll remember… and will be blaming you 😉 Sounds like he’s been involved in everything tonight, even if he has missed a few chances.
I’ve added him to my own watchlist. We’ve got decent enough fixtures to begin with too. Could well be a sneaky pick off the radar.
He’s not made your team yet? Who’s your affordable mids then?
I’m not building a team as of yet mate I’m simply compiling a watchlist of possibles and will narrow that down. In no particular order of being in the team or watchlist here’s the pile so far. Some in the team itself (the cheap ones) are just place holders to fulfil the budget and save the team.
Feghouli interests me. Could be another wee bargain there. Bolasie’s in mine at the moment. Can’t quite stretch to townsend with zlaguero, hazard and firmino!
Townsend could easily be Bolasie in mine too. Happy enough with either. Bolasie may well play up top initially if they don’t get the Benteke deal done before the season starts and even if they do eventually he’ll probably slot in as the No10 behind him so all good.
If he plays I’m comfortable. I think he will Score points if he’s on the pitch
Looks like Mahrez is set to reject Arsenal and sign a new contract with Leicester.
Good. Can I publish my Leicester article now then?!
Fantastic. That’s great to hear :thumbup:
Poor ol’ Arsenal, being rejected by everyone and just as Wenger admits he’s after an experienced striker. I hear RvP is looking for a move……
Funniest part of that is that we wouldn’t really be surprised would we? Haha.
Could you imagine?!
I so could
Still better than Giroud.
I’m a bit surprised they haven’t gone in for Benteke. Or Naismith. Or Bendtner. So many possibilities for Wenger. Sure he’ll get it right though 😉
Oooh, Tekkers would be the right job. We know it’s gonna be Giroud again though 😉
**NEW ARTICLE**
https://fantasyfootball247.co.uk/new-signings-fantasy-premier-league-201617-leicester/
Any 4,0 defenders or 4,5 midfielders that will actually play?
If any of u big spenders are having a 5m mid on the bench Routledge might not be a bad shout. 5 goals in pre season
Sssshhhhh Milbs, he’s our secret!
Can’t wait to see 20 RMTS tomorrow with him in
You can answer them all
Can’t even imagine how u, innit and the other admins feel. Fair play to GP for the pre season games, that’s helped me out huge amounts
GP is a superstar with all the friendlies info, absolutely invaluable.
Blue and Milburn, what are you guys doing over here? Is this the Championship chat? So nice of you Blue…
To be fair, I thought we’d end up there under Moyesie or LVG.
Don’t think I’ll have him to be honest but I’m keeping an eye on him.