Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Wolves
We look at the reigning Championship winners Wolves who lit up the second tier of English football by winning 30 of their 46 games, scoring 82 goals and conceding 39. This saw them finish on 99 points and so close to breaking the 100 mark. The Wolves ownership have been showing their intent and ambition in recent seasons with the big-name signings of Diogo Jota, Ruben Neves, Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho so a similar season to last wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. This team is full of youth and is led by Nuno Espirito Santo, a Portuguese manager, who has organised a well-oiled machine and I would hazard to call them the poor man’s Man City (no disrespect intended!). What I mean by this is Wolves are a side that plays attractive football and if they can make a smooth step up in class to the Premier League then they could easily be finishing in the top half of the table.
Rundown of how they set up –
This well-organised team is set up in a way we have gotten familiar with in recent weeks, that is they set up like Gareth Southgate’s England. A 3-4-3 formation with 2 wing-backs but instead of one sitting midfielder like Henderson, Wolves have two. This offers a very solid midfield that protects the back three and makes it easier for the wing-backs to focus on supplying the front line. Everything I have read about Nuno Espirito Santo makes me compare him more and more to a Pep-mould manager. He wants attacking football, where his team keep the ball on the ground and keep possession. As long as nothing changes and with the new signings that Nuno has brought in I can see Wolves doing very well.
Players to look at –
Rui Patricio – 4.5 mil
This was a massive, MASSIVE coup for Wolves as the turmoil in the Portuguese capital has been a blessing for the English team who have snapped up a World Cup starting goalkeeper who also won the Euros only two years ago. What more could you ask for?! Patricio and Wolves start the season against Everton, West Ham, Leicester and Man City so four games which could prove rather tough but if Patricio does not keep a clean sheet you can definitely count on him grabbing save points and maybe even bonus points. If you are looking for a rotating keeper, he is one I would keep an eye on; his stats in Portugal show 23 clean sheets out of 56 games in all competitions so that is decent going. He is unproven in England which we all know can prove difficult for new goalkeepers trying to get used to the physicality of the game but being proven on a European and International stage makes me feel a bit more confident about him.
Defensive assets
Ones to keep an eye on in the Wolves defence are Ryan Bennett and Matt Doherty who are priced 4.0 and 4.5 respectively. Doherty and Bennett are cheap options into this team with Doherty being a right wing-back and Bennett being a 4.0 starting center-back but keep an eye on the transfer window in case Wolves bring in a new CB. Bennett was brought in and a lot felt he would rot in the reserves and was only there to make up the numbers but last season he was amazingly solid and even grabbed a few goals so he definitely feels like the best 4.0m option. Wolves have also just signed Jonny Castro Otto on loan from Athletico Madrid and he can play RB or LB which should see him playing on the left to replace Barry Douglas who many felt was Wolves best defender. Otto has played 222 times in Spain scoring 5 goals and getting 13 assists in that time so has both an eye for goal and a team mate. Wolves seem to have brought in a very experienced youngster here so depending on his price could be a nice way into the team. If he is 4.5 or less I would consider him.
Helder Costa – 5.0 mil
The Wolves midfield options for FPL are absolutely stacked! With the likes of Cavaleiro, Costa, Neves, Enobakhare, and Moutinho. It may be difficult to know which players may actually start in that midfield so keeping an eye on the pre-season friendlies is absolutely essential! You may be surprised I didn’t select Ruben Neves here as the only reason I got selected for this article was that I said how amazing he was and I’m not wrong! Neves is incredible to watch and really should be playing in the Champions League he is that skilled, but it just shows the ambition this Wolves side have! Without Neves, Wolves would be lost! He is the lynchpin, the dynamo, the magic in the centre, the… you get the idea. I have ranted about him but now for the reasons against and that is the fact he is a defensive midfielder who can be quite the card magnet. For this reason, I am suggesting Helder Costa for the same price. Costa plays as the right winger but from what I understand he is very much a form player so if he is not in form he might be dropped but will tend to come on as a sub. I wouldn’t be too mad to go for a Wolves midfielder due to the uncertainty over who plays in the middle but the one exception to that is this next man…
Diogo Jota – 6.5 mil
This one has caused some raised eyebrows in those who know the Wolves team as Jota plays as a striker or as a left winger and was the top scorer for Wolves with 17 goals yet the powers that be at FPL have listed him as a midfielder. This is very good news as it gives us a very nice OOP player in an attacking promoted side. Anyone who is reading this could have a step up on their rivals that don’t know about the strange decision by FPL and bring in a “fourth” striker. At 6.5 he may be a bit outside the bargain range but if he was classified as a striker, would you turn down a striker that banged in 17 goals and has the talent that he does behind him? This season also sees him getting a partner in Raul Jimenez who some may recognise from his exploits with Mexico in the World Cup. This partnership could lessen Jota’s goals but may increase his assists or it could flip and actually increase his goals. It is one to keep an eye on to see who is the main man with the other being his supporting act but a gut feeling could see Jota permanently move out to the left wing with Raul Jimenez taking the central role, but we shall see!
Thanks for reading Fantasy Premier League Promoted Teams Analysis FPL 2018/19 Wolves. This article was written by Matt
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PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Usually we run an article and ask people to get involved and cover the friendlies with any info they can gather. And it’s usually fun but in all honesty it’s usually also a bit messy and difficult to refer back to. This season we have one link that you will need need for all such info, courtesy of Mito –
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It’s been a busy summer already with Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Chelsea appointing new managers, Manchester City adding to their already dominant squad, Man Utd continuing to splash the cash and Liverpool trying to protect Karius by beefing up their midfield. Spurs may even have a new home soon.
And FPL wise, this is the place to discuss strategy, learn about the promoted teams and their players while in the days and weeks to come we’ll have plenty of articles, interviews, player analysis, Bore Offs, Tips, etc, etc.
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Morning all,
This is where I am. Obviously things can and likely will change but have stuck Erik & KdB in there for now.
Cedric & Mendy are also in there but both remain yet to play so they could easy change (Davies, Chelsea, Doherty all other short term options).
Maitland-Niles is a bit of a punt (allegedly) but has impressed preseason and while I don’t think he starts he may force some gametime. Maybe who knows? Least of my problems
I’m possibly one Liverpool short but the inclusion of KdB & Erik make that tough.
Like it a lot, Cooks. I replied to you re Mendy a few pages back but Zed and I have probably talked too much now so it’s lost (it was with Red’s comments; basically just said we are both considering Davies to Mendy GW2)
Do you trust Masuaku to keep his spot with all their new additions? Haven’t been looking at their pre season with much interest, so I don’t know. Could get Keita, if you wanted, by shifting Zaha/Arnie on with a £0.5m downgrade somewhere else, if you wanted. I’m still unsure on who wins that battle – those strikers or Keita!
thanks AT, have just read your Mendy / Davies comment – makes a load of sense.
I think Masuaku starts yes. But Masuaku to Keita is a 3mln upgrade so am confused how that happens easily unless you mean losing one of the mid-priced strikers for a numpty? If so, I think I’ll take my chances on Zaha & Arnie for now.
Yep, that’s what I meant, which, inadvertently, is the the way I am playing it at the moment, although if Zaha is up top he will be in for me.
Cookie,
I love that front six. As I mentioned on the other page – this main striker and two proven ones at around £7.0M is very attractive.
Don’t see where your other Liverpool comes from without major surgery, likely to be removing KDB or Eriksen, which is not worth it so I’d go with just Robertson and Salah.
Morning GP, thanks!
KdB seems an absolute steal at 10mln. Eriksen could become Mane I guess, but that just seems to be choosing explosive over consistent…..
I’d have Eriksen every day of the week over Mane (providing you have Salah, which you will).
Eriksen is the main man for Tottenham and usually plays the whole game with everything going through him. As Init said the other day, he’s approaching the peak of his powers. Whereas Mane seems to be taken off quite regularly (don’t have the numbers to hand sorry) and has increased competition for his place which Eriksen doesn’t have.
yeah you’re right GP, Erik is staying! thanks for the assurance!
This team looks very solid. Getting the Man C puzzle right from the get go will give a huge advantage.
Cheers Rick. yes agreed, if KdB starts in the Community Shield he is defo a set and forget for me at 10mln.
Decent team there Cookie. I’d get some nailed instead of Makusaku so you have someone there. Interesting you have just gone with Fabianski
Morning Smash,
yeah Masuaku could be any 4.5mln mid – I looked at Gunnarson of Cardiff, Stephens of Brighton is also a possibility, there’s really not much there.
Fabianski could be Patricia easily. Not decided on that though Fab does rack up the save points and doesn’t appear to need clean sheets to score well and create value. As you can see with the 4.5mln mid situation, if I went any more expensive on the keeper or got a rotating 4.5mln one I would have real issues affording the rest.
Morning Cookie,
Are you expecting kdb back for gw1 or is it a save-the-future-transfer decision?
Do you think Spurs will start well enough for Erik to score well from the get-go without the world cuppers back?
The reason I ask is this is where I’m at right now. Thoughts on my lot?
I really want to double up United at the back too if possible.
Morning Webstar,
time will tell very soon on KdB, Community Shield this weekend may give some pointers, if not he can become almost anyone for a week. Re Eriksen, right now he’s a ‘set and forget’ for the season – leave him in there, don’t chase points elsewhere and watch the points accumulate. You may well be right short term but Spurs have still been scoring pre-season and I would expect that to continue from GW1.
You have a nice team there, obviously keep an eye on the Chelsea situation re Pedro, while Mikhi could prove a shrewd purchase given enough gametime from GW3 onwards.
Probably as good as a 4-3-3 team gets! The only thing is bench is weak, but that’s perhaps not a big issue… At least not yet, with WC still in hand and all… I currently have 10 of those 15 players, the exact same defense (with a view of changing Mendy to Davies as mentioned by AT), just a bit more balanced front 8 in a 3-5-2 with only one 4.5m player versus your 2… But I can’t argue what formation will be the best from the off, who knows, as I said your starting 11 is amazing, if you don’t need your bench then that’s all good I guess!!
Yeah, I rate it too. This is my 4-3-3; the key difference really is Jota and Laca/Erik and Arnie. It’s Arnautovic’s first string of fixtures that are deterring me from him.
This looks good too, with a slightly better bench (Hughes), and a more expensive defense, I just don’t know whether the likes of Shaw and Lowton are worth the 0.5m over the 4.5m bunch… Also Eriksen & Arnie looks better to me than Jota and Lacazette, although I admit there might not be much in it (because of Arnie’s fixtures)
Yep, the fixtures are swaying me here I think. Arnie had most of his joy against weaker teams last season. United coverage for £0.5m above a £4.5m is great. I had Holgate in for Lowton but he was too risky as it was and Rojo might be signing for them now. If KDB is back I will probably drop him to a £4.5 and Hughes to a £4.5m and bump up Mahrez.
AT, Shaw will be great value if he can keep Young out of the team and not upset Jose too early.
re Arnie – I’m completely understand your view. And i’ve battled with those fixtures also, however I’m going with him, he’s in form, he’s fit, he’s favoured by his manager and he looks to be the focal point of the attack….for 7mln that’s pretty good and if he can hit the ground running through those tough fixtures it will work well.
Lacazette also looking good but i’ll look at him or PEA for Kun after GW2……
Yep, can see that. Personally only going with one £7m attacker, so Zaha makes sense due to the fixtures (if he is up front)
agreed AT
Morning Zed,
yeah the bench may need some polishing up! Mendy and KdB to be assessed over the next week. Davies may well be a good call for GW1 though I hate planning a transfer on a one-week basis….but this could make sense if there is doubt on Mendy!
Yes, ideally I’d not want to plan any transfers in advance, so will still monitor the situation, Community Shield and all that, if Mendy is likely to start GW1 I’ll obviously go for him, Spurs might not be that good in GW1 if many key players don’t play, so that lessens the appeal of the Davies to Mendy swap before GW2… But we will have to wait and see!
Currently playing with a few GW1 options… I’m keen to see how much Mitrovic comes in for – I’m predicting 6.5m.
What do you think of this starting 11. I would probably look to bring in Walker/Mendy for Alonso in GW2 and/or Arnautovic for Tosun fairly early…
These are the variants I’m currently considering… what do you think? Which is the best out of the 3?
If Mahrez is fit, which I assume he will be, option 2, for me.
Is Salah a must have ??
Can get rid of him & bring in 2 city players
Can get Mahrez & Aguero for Salah & Arnautovic??
@phoenix..Salah is not a must, if you dont want to spend rest of the season watching a horror show when the rest of the people watch one of their favorite movies,everytime. Dont know what it means though.. No City cover is also a major worry imo.
is a must(and not “not a must”). Too many musts here. I must be bored or must be mustering the reasons for Salah being a must..haha
Salah is an absolute must for me to start off with Phoenix. Agreed you can do much with that cash but if he picks up where he left off last season he is your automatic captain and a guaranteed starter.
Mahrez is great….until you have the rotation fear on a weekly basis.
Guys could i get a rmt here please. Also is there a better option 4.5 mid available? Thanks guys.
@man u man.. You know that the bench is weak, right? But, good front six and could get lucky if Ralls gets(and scores a penalty).
man u man, looks a good solid side. Keep an eye on Bennett, there are fears he may have lost his starting spot.
Looks good to me. Looks a lot like my current team with a few differences in midfield
Thanks guys.
Mitrovic priced at 6.5mln….possibly not the cheap bargain many were hoping for?
Ugh not worth it then. 6 was probably fair but he would have been popular at that price so not surprised
Mitrovic in at £6.5m. thought it would be £6m, but had my suspicions he’d be £0.5m more due to his EPL experience.
That’s not a good news..Wood/Perez a better option then?
Wood is a good option, but the Europa distraction concerns me.
Well noted Cookie. And Perez? He should be the focal point of Newcastle attacks?
Perez may have to battle Muto for a role, while Mitro is guaranteed to play except if he is suspended. 3 Yellows at Fulham, 4 Yellow and 2 Red in full season at Newcastle.
I am mulling over Arnie, Zaha and Mitro frontline for GW1
What Cookie said