Promoted team analysis – Burnley
Last season
Runners-up in the Championship
93 points (highest Runners-up score since current Championship formation)
Won 26 games
Drew 15
Lost 5
Scored 72
Conceded 37 (lowest in the championship)
Previous season in Premier League:
2009-10 season – 18th (relegated)
Burnley returned to the Premier League following their runners up spot in the Championship gaining an impressive 93 points. The Clarets last stay in the Premier League was in 2009/10 season when they famously beat Manchester United at Turf Moor, sadly soon after manager Owen Coyle moved to Bolton midway through the campaign and despite a gallant survival effort they were relegated. The Clarets outfit that returns to the Premiership may be the bookies favourites for the drop but in manager Sean Dyche you can be certain that they will not go down without a fight. Let’s take a look at their prospects from a fantasy point of view…
The Manager – Sean Dyche
Dyche, who is known as the “Ginger Mourinho” has previously managed Watford and spent some time on the England U21 backroom staff, will keep his players feet firmly on the ground in an effort to re-create what Crystal Palace did last season and remain in the Premiership. A straight talking and no nonsense type of manager, Dyche favours a 4-4-2 system, in last season’s Championship the Clarets used this formation in 40 of their 46 league games. In his 85 matches in charge of the Clarets he has a win ratio of 47%. Dyche has been actively involved in the transfer market this summer and has brought in some seasoned veterans to strengthen his squad. Fantasy Managers should note that Dyche is not one to tinker with his sides, in last season’s Promotion winning team ten players started 38 games or more, Goalkeeper Tom Heaton, along with Jason Shackell and David Jones started all 46 matches.
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The Players
Let’s take a look at some of the players from last season and then some new arrivals-
GOALKEEPER –
Tom Heaton-4.5mln. The former Man United youngster was Dyche’s first signing for the club after arriving from Bristol City last summer. He should be nailed-on to feature in a significant number of games barring injury. Heaton played every one of his side’s league matches and was instrumental in Burnley’s impressive defence. He will offer fantasy managers a good option as a back-up keeper.
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DEFENDERS-
Kieran Trippier-5mln. This highly-rated right-back is likely to be a popular option as a cheapish defender. His set-piece ability and delivery helped him return an impressive 12 assists last season. (top assisting defender in the FPL last season had 8) He could be a consideration in some managers squads.
Michael Duff-4mln. This veteran centre-half played the vast majority of Burnley’s season, though remains to be seen whether Dyche will allow him as much game time in the Premiership.
Jason Shackell-4.5mln. Ever-present at the heart of the Clarets defence, Shackell was snapped up from Derby back in 2012 and has established himself as a key figure in Dyche’s strong backline.
Ben Mee-4.5mln. Mee is the first-choice left-back under Dyche and his three assists last season were overshadowed by Trippier’s tally. He will most likely remain an integral part of the starting 11 but is unlikely to offer fantasy managers the best return in points.
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MIDFIELDERS-
Michael Kightly-5mln. He produced 5 goals and 6 assists during his loan spell before he completed his move from Stoke in the off season. Classed as a midfielder but operates as a winger which could boost his appeal to fantasy managers.
Dean Marney-4.5mln. Marney was snapped up from Hull back in May 2010 – the central midfielder impressed with his several assists last season but let himself down though as he has a habit for picking up silly bookings and was suspended twice last season.
David Jones-4.5mln. The former Wigan midfielder arrived on a free transfer summer and immediately nailed down a regular starting role. Jones also takes a fair share corners to boost his appeal though probably not enough to make fantasy managers select him.
Scott Arfield-5mln. He was brought in on a free transfer from Huddersfield and was used initially as a sub for the first three matches before cementing his place in the starting 11, starting 42 of the following 43 league games. Possible differential potential.
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ATTACKERS-
Sam Vokes – 5.5mln. The former Wolves frontman was a crucial part of the Clarets campaign last year until injury curtailed his season. Having already suffered from a long-term cruciate ligament injury in 2012/13 he had started last season in fine form, with penalty duties helping him find the net 20 times. Unfortunately Vokes sustained another serious knee ligament injury in March and is set to miss the start of the upcoming campaign, rumours suggest a December return. If and when he returns to action and depending on fitness he could make good differential.
Danny Ings – 6mln. The standout player for the Clarets last season he was duly voted Championship Player of the Year. Ings made his debut for England U21s in October last year and with Vokes sidelined through injury, looks set to be the Burnley forward of choice and at only 6m he could make a few managers sit up and notice. Rumours are abound that Ings is wanted by Southampton as a replacement for Rickie Lambert so watch the transfer news.
Ashley Barnes – 4.5mln. Barnes arrived from Brighton during the winter transfer window and his first 10 appearances for the Clarets came from of the bench. When Vokes was sidelined Barnes took his chance appearing in each of the final 11 Championship fixtures.
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New Arrivals-
Dyche has strengthened his squad with six new arrivals this summer Michael Kightly, Matt Gilks, Marvin Sordell, Matthew Taylor, Steven Reid and striker Lukas Jutkiewicz have all completed their moves to Turf Moor. Journeymen pro’s like Taylor and Reid are already known to fantasy managers whilst Jutkiewicz will offer competition up front.
Fixtures
Burnley face a baptism of fire on opening day with a home fixture against Chelsea, the real Mourinho will be in town with his stars hoping to get their Premiership challenge off to a good start. Next up is Swansea away before Man Utd and LVG visit Turf Moor. If the Clarets get a point from these three fixtures they will be doing well.
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Summary
Will Burnley stay up? Im not sure. Could they provide some scares to the opposition? Probably. Whatever happens and with Dyche in charge you can be sure that it will not be because of a lack of effort.
Why am I seeing so much Vlaar in most of the RMTs?
Is it because Aston Villa has remained defensively solid last season (Ha!), or because Vlaar had an amazing World Cup and he can single handed keep Villa clear from conceding goals (Ha!)?
Are people considering fixtures of Aston Villa before picking him?
August: 2 decent home games against Newcastle and Hull, but a shaky first fixture away for Stoke.
September: Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Enough said.
October: City, Everton and away to QPR.
How many times will you bench Vlaar? Dont we all want decent backups in the defence who have smooth fixtures so that we can all use our precious transfers to replace the mids and forwards that we have taken a punt on to acquire the new “Ramseys” and “Barkleys” and “Kasamis” ?
Please dont bash on me for adding Kasami there. I still miss him.
Ha! I miss the whole team from last year…
B, I think Vlaar was popular in the second half of last season too. I actually had him in my team for awhile haha. He was cheap, started every game, had good fixtures at the time, but Villa can’t keep a clean sheet to save their life. But if they do, he’s most likely going to get the bonus points.
B, maybe seeing a bit of Vlaar as he is one of the replacements being looked at by Soton when Lovren pops of to us. He could do well on the south coast.
Hello all, is on my 4 pint of san miguel in the local pub garden, just wondering have we any pre-season football to look forward tonight on tv ?
Bench not that I am aware of. How many are you up to now?!
ha 6 innit , will start talking benchish very soon ! you want a fight ? join the army !!
Sutjeska vs Sheriff Tiraspol (CL qual) is on at the moment lads. Worth hanging around for an extra pint, surely.
best midfield for 5.5
Shelvey
Agreed, but a little concerned now that Siggy is set to join the Swans too.
dlytnon,
Shelvey, Steven Davis or if you like a little outside punt, Tom Ince.
Out of those three I prefer Tom Ince. I reckon Hull could do well this season.
Finally got a team together I feel is worthy of a RMT. You know what to do.
DDG (Green)
Debuchy, Luis, (Ward, Williamson and Ferdinand rotating)
Silva, Mata, Eriksen, Shelvey (El Ahmadi)
Rooney, Costa, Pelle
I know there are doubts over Luis’ position, but tbh I don’t think a single Chelsea defender is 100% nailed on, so atm at least I’m going with the expensive new guy. 0.0 in the bank, otherwise I’d be getting Siggy instead of Shelvey.
Calvin,
Really like the defense. Think that offers you a number of options. However, I would swap Rob Green as you have Ferdinand from QPR anyway. How about Guzan or Foster to open up further coverage? I assume, at least in the beginning, you will be playing DDG most weeks?
Rest of the team is sound with not too many risks taken.
Ta GP. I’m through with keeper rotation mate, it always bites me, so will be playing DDG every single GW. Green is just there for games where DDG is rested or injured as it doesn’t sit right with me having a non-starter on the bench and I thought he’s the most nailed on 4.5?
Calvin,
He is a certain starter but so is Guzan and Foster and they would offer you an extra option should you ever need it. Surely no matter what game DDG isn’t playing, you wouldn’t fancy having double QPR at the back?
My thinking was that on the very rare occasions DDG wouldn’t be playing, it’s less than 1 in 3 that Ferdy would be playing anyway as he will only be playing when QPR have a better fixture than both Newcastle and Palace. I see your point though, and knowing my luck DDG will go and hurt his hand when Newcastle are at the Emirates and Palace are at Anfield haha.
So who then? Myhill still got over 1,000 mins last season over Foster. I would love Pantilimon but it’s too risky with Mannone (though why on earth Sunderland would spend that much for a back-up keeper I don’t know), so that just leaves Guzan I guess. Yeah ok, sold
Calvin,
Foster had a foot injury last year and that was the only reason Myhill saw as much gamnetime. Foster has today signed a contract extension and will be the No.1 for the season.
Ah ok, thanks mate.
Calvin, that’s a nice looking team. I have the same front 3 at the moment. The only player I don’t like is El Ahmadi. Maybe you can find a more attacking player from one of the promoted teams?
Josh, agree on not liking El Ahmadi, but just want a 4.5 starter. If one makes himself known in the coming weeks then El Ahmadi will be out faster than he will know what hit him
So West Brom beat my Sacramento Republic last night 1-0. The goal was scored by Graham Dorrans on a penalty (won by Victor Anichebe). West Brom didn’t look convincing at all though. They were outshot 21-11 I think and they got dominated in the second half. We should have scored a few goals and Myhill had 9 saves. Their starting lineup: Myhill, O’Neil, Baird, Olsson, Pocognoli, Gardner, Mulumbu, Yacob, Dorrans, Berahino, Anichebe. And Gardner got a second yellow in that game too.
Josh
Thanks very much for that – I’m going to transfer this over into the pre-ssaon article with your name against it.
Thanks for the contribution, including the stat.
No problem. Of course as I say that, I still included Wisdom in my team haha. Purely because he’s cheap though.
Interesting that Lescott wasn’t in the line up. Was he even in the squad? Read reports that he was already restless and wanting out.
Lescott has a calf strain
Ah, thanks Bihom.
This is like my 7th team but I feel it’s improving every time … Hopefully. Need an rmt though
Begovic
Terry vermaelen wisdom rosenior
Yaya Ramsey shelvey de jong
Rvp sturridge
Subs: krul mariappa Boyd/albrighton bent
Tique, decent looking team. Keep and eye on the Vermaelen situation, as he won’t be started at Arsenal if he stays, and frankly I’d be disappointed if he starts for Utd too if he moves. Also I spoke with a Hull fan the other day who wasn’t of the opinion that Rosenior would be starting either, so at least monitor Hull team sheets during pre-season.
Thanks for ur comment Calvin. What do u think of Rio?
In my team at the moment, though as the weakest part of a 3-way rotation. Good for your bench, probably not for your first 11.