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.
well the the main Banterbury Leagues are full, with everyone taking up their membership for 2014/15 , with FPL being open less that week that a fantastic response , so looks like no endless comments from me , begging people to join !! this being are 3rd season due to demanded we opened up 4 Qualification League , where at moment they are set at 20 teams a league and will play as rest of Banterbury Leagues do ! so play each other, twice H2H over the course of the season. codes have been send out , with only 7 places reminding , out of a possible 180 , you snozze you lose
Great job bench. Kinda gutted at the same time though, never going to get out of the qually leagues!
dont forget the Cup Calvin top 9 after 4 Gws enter round 1, important to hit the ground running, and yes feel for you as you was next on list for promotion
only a thought but if a qualification team wins every the cup or shield , 5th for bottom in league 2 will be relegated also , and they will gain membership to league 2 ?
ever
Great work Bench Baby, thanks for the promotion.
No worries elle look forward to beating you twice lol
I was the one who voted against it Elle, just for the record 😉
Two, Init. Mine was the secret vote.
Oh crap.
Chicken + Bryan, its nice to be liked. :thumbup:
he was elle too , wrong-un
That’s phenomenal Bench. The 100% take-up is a testament to the hard work you’ve put in promoting it and sustaining interest. Going back to last season, I remember there were quite a few who didn’t re-subscribe.
cheers bry , means i can kick back and enjoy my san miguel
I am still gutted about my previous banterburry league. Was first or second through the entire campaign but a loss in the last game saw me finish in the fourth position, thereby missing out on promotion.
monty you in fact did get promoted as Daves Red Devils ( Deano ) fail to response to e mails at end of last season and during the summer, before FPL opened so was expelled and you took his promotion place, i thing you find your in the Banterbury Championship , i also expelled Burnsey from league 2 for the same reason !!
all i ask is people have active e-mail address
That’s great news. Luck’s on my side then. Wish I get some this season on H2H as well. Cheers bench.
Well earned mate.
I’m drinking too, my sleeping pattern is haywire at the moment.
I should get up at 2am more often (Japan time). Lots more bants!
Have you been sponsored by San Miguel today Bench?! *other beers are available
Ha ha yes did i mention San Miguel by any chance ?
Bench every league needs a sponsor. I’ve got San Miguel on line 1. The ‘San Miguel Banterbury League’ has a nice ring to it.
I’ll leave you too it. 😉
Bench,
how do i enter?
shep, unfortunately there many not any places a left his year , tho depending on those involved, i may open a few places !! with put it to those involved !! to register you interest e-mail me banterburyleagues@gmail.com
Translate that one #benchish
??
Alright, I finally have a team together so if anyone has any suggestions, that would be great!
Begovic, Heaton
Filipe Luis, Rafael, Wisdom, Mariappa, Duff
Sanchez, Fabregas, Eriksen, Sigurdsson, Jones (Burnley)
Rooney, Diego Costa, Pelle
Sorry Josh there’s very little wrong with that!
Haha thanks Init.
Super team Josh. I don’t expect Fabregas to play in an advanced role, so would have Mata and Silva over him, but he’s certainly a popular choice.
Thanks Calvin. You don’t think he would? I figured if you’re going to spend 30 mil on him, you better play him in his position! If he doesn’t then I’ll probably switch him to Mata.
Well he had Mata last season, about as good an attacking mid as you can get (and in great form too), and sold him as he didn’t fit into his defensive philosophy. Considering Oscar, Hazard, Schurrle and Willian are all there I would expect Cesc to be playing deeper. Could be wrong of course, it is Jose after all.
Caulker has officially signed for QPR. He should be a definite starter, but who do you guys think will play alongside him? Onouha, Dunne, or Ferdinand?
He’ll go Caulker – Ferdinand almost certainly I feel. Good solid combo that.
Between Sigurdsson and Snodgrass who would be a better prospect guys? Both come at the same price. Snoddy will probably be on free kicks and corners as well but still there’s Huddlestone,isn’t it?
I prefer Snodgrass all day long. You’ve listed the reasons already, but he’ll be considered quite a senior player (ok, so he’s only 26, but…) at Hull and leaned on quite a lot, especially alongside young Ince. Sigz is no mug, but Snod’s set pieces and consistency swing it for me.
Cheers mate !!!
Got Snod in my team too. But Siggy is really quite tempting tbh.
OK some more info on Snoddy regarding the pre season friendly of Hull against North Ferriby that ended in 1-1.
Snodgrass had a shocker. Played on the left wing, gave the ball away too much, dispossessed a few times, no open-play crosses that I can recall, an awful free kick attempt, a decent cross from a free kick that was headed on target.
Not that you should jump to any conclusions regarding this but it’s a start isn’t it?
Siggy every day of the week.
Oops, sorry Bryan
haha. But which wins…. “All day long”, or “Every day of the week”?
Only one way to find out! Ah, where’s Harry Hill when you need him…
I win, I fit 7 of yours in mine
Now that gives me something to think about.
Y’know Monty. As a result of this debate, I’ve found a way to add Sigz to my squad (alongside Snod). Having both feels like a pretty good option given Hull and Swansea’s opening fixtures.
Only if the Swans deal goes through, of course.
To throw another option out there: would anyone consider Puncheon in place of Sigs or Snods? I have Puncheon/Sigurdsson at the moment…
scratch that, I have all three of them! but maybe that’s too much cash tied into 3 rotating players…will post team shortly…
There really is some good value to be had at the 6m mark this season huh!
Funny you should say that Pippin. I just ejected Puncheon in favour of Sigz. I don’t think you can do wrong with any of those three tbh. Palace’s fixtures are a little trickier perhaps, but they still have some nice match ups.
Puncheon looks good but Palace IMO is better at shutting out shots rather than scoring them. Pulis is that type of a coach. I may be wrong though.
yeah, just dropped him for Davis of Southampton, which meant I could bring Ward back in for Wisdom…
Ok, here’s another iteration:
De Gea (4.5m who starts)
Debuchy, Luis, (Ward / Collins / O’Shea)
Oezil, Mata, Sigurdsson, Snodgrass (Davis)
Giroud, Rooney, Diego Costa
Hit or shit?!
Certainly not shit, almost hit
For me, Ramsey and Silva are better options than Ozil, as is Sanchez if you were prepared to get Dzeko in for Costa. Also beware of Collins’ game-time, don’t think he’s nailed on.
That’s a definite good team mate. I would say get Collins out to Wisdom,now he’s gone to West Brom and is looking likely to be a certain starter at 4m but the clean sheets will be hard to come by. COllins has to get his place back otherwise it would have been a fine choice.
Ozil can be a good differential and can really flourish this time with his assists with Sanchez on the flanks. Otherwise there’s always Ramsey to be swapped with.
Like the team especially the Ozil punt. Thinking he will have a really good season.
I agree. Ozil will be liberated by that World Cup success and I expect him to play with loads more freedom this season. He could return to becoming the assist monster he was at Real.
Thanks fellas. I know Oezil isn’t a popular choice, but the punt is tempting with Sanchez’s pace in behind the defence. Sanchez himself is expensive, though I could tinker some more. The other question is how hard to chase Chelsea/ManU’s great opening fixtures. Arsenal’s aren’t brilliant, and nor are City’s and I’d almost sooner go all-in on the banker games and earn some TV before seeing how Arsenal/City/Liverpool settle into the new season. I could get Giroud out for Pelle for example (Saints have good fixtures too) and then Hazard in for Oezil?
Great call on Collins, I’m unsure even who WHam’s keeper will be. Wisdom is tempting for the price, and I guess he’ll play maybe one game in three. He offers some attacking threat perhaps?
I would say get Wisdom in for Collins.
Ok, further to my RMT posted above, which would you prefer?
A) Costa, Pelle, Shelvey
B) Dzeko, Giroud, Siggy and 0.5
Now that I’m typing it I’m actually about 90% towards B.
I think we’re all getting a little Siggy-giddy. I rate him highly, but if he doesn’t play as the main man behind the striker, will he score highly? Maybe, on reflection, until we know how he starts reinvesting elsewhere is a better option? Giroud and Dzeko together is nice though. So much depends on Costa’s potential for rampage against Burnley/Leicester
A all the way. All players are nailed, and if you dont have Hazard then A should be your only choice. Shelvey should be a regular this season, and Pelle has already scored two goals for SOTON in his first friendly match, so he has potential.