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.
Cookie does that mean you’ll be making up the difference if 40 don’t join then? 😉
Nah CC, just means i’ll pay myself less when I win it!
Thats a good point. Cookie – I’d like to say i won’t be demanding 200 if we don’t have enough in the league. Well, maybe we could come up with a payment plan for you. I mean, you did say you’re guarenteeing 200 quid top prize and according to my legal team, that is legally binding… 😉
gotta find me first :hippo:
NZ/Everyone,
I’ve had this team for a day and a half now !
Krul/Mannone (Pantillimon if necessary)
Debuchy, Chester, Shaw (Chambers, Cameron)
Yaya Toure, Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez (Albrighton, Steven Davis)
Rooney, Diego Costa, Jelavic
Warming to Siem de Jong though . . . .
Thoughts in general anyone?
GP,
A good balance team, and a day and half, WOW!!! I had Shaw in for a while but as he doesn’t seem to represent decent attacking returns (correct me if I’m wrong?), DDG offers a better defensive return. YYT interests me, he is expensive and my gut says he won’t reproduce, I could well be wrong in this though!!! I’d value your opinion on my team mate, its in the Burnley section.
Just the one Chelsea GP?
Cookie,
I’ve got the big one though (I hope). Although pondering Shaw -> Filipe Luis. And bringing in DDG for Mannone and to accomodate this , go Eriksen – de Jong?
I like those moves GP
GP
+1, I think they would improve your team.
Cookie/Alex,
Thank you gentlemen.
Think I prefer the look of that myself.
Nice team, though no Chelsea defender with their opening set of fixtures could hurt you, and personally never really liked Jelly, though that’s just down to preferance – guess he’s as good a pick as any 3rd cheap striker.
For me Silva represents much better value for money than Yaya, who I just can’t picture going on a similar rampage this year. Knowing me though I’ll probably be wrong and be playing catch-up again from the get-go!
Calvin,
Thanks for the reply.
As you will see above, I now have Filipe Luis in my latest draft.
Jelavic is by no means a season keeper, but it is to take advantage of some easier opening fixtures.
I love Silva as a football supporter, think he is so clever, possible one of the smartest players I’ve ever been lucky enough to see live, but I often find he doesn’t reflect this in fantasy points and that is what this game is all about.
I get that Wisdom is cheap, but does anyone really want a West Brom defender in their squad?
Its a good point Cooks, but a £4mil starter that is not at a newly promoted team? I guess its a watching brief, see how they look in preseason.
For sure NZ, I just think the price is blinding everyone a bit. But I’m probably wrong, usually am!
Its a very good point mate, but as a 5th cheapie that is potentially a nailed on starter?
As a sub, who I only use in case of emergency? Yeah, but to count on him week in and week out? No
If Wisdom starts, he will be the perfect 5th defender at £4.0m
Yep.
good point but are there anyone better as a 5th defender who plays regularly for 4m?If you let us know we will give up our idea of picking wisdom
I don’t know CFC, but WBA would have to start well to convince me to put one of their defenders in, even if they were available at 3.5mln!!!
Who do you have your eye on as your 5th def?
My cheapest defender is 4.5mln – Colccini and Chester rotate.
nice.I also have chester in my first draft but since I have krul didn’t go for colocini
would like to get your opinion on this team.it will change after I see more pre-season games though.
Mannone(krul)
chambers,mariappa,cameron,chester,wisdom(four 4.5m defenders and a 4m cheapie)
Fab,ramsey,erikson,mata
Costa,Rooney,dzeko or giroud
could do either mata to de jong and get terry for a 4.5m cheapie or rooney to giroud and get terry for a cheapie.
I haven’t thought there is much value in cheap defenders on their own since my eyes were opened to the concept of rotating cheap players last season. A cheap def may need to be brought in at any time and if he is just on his lonesome then you know it will be at Chelsea or Arsenal away.
West Brom and Hull rotate really well though, so Wisdom and a Hull defender, now you’re talking
Sometimes the value of a cheap defender is simply that he is cheap.
Nop, not me. Honestly ill find extra 0.5M and get Mariappa or Chambers in my team.
Guys, any advice?
Begovic Krul
Chelsea def (Azpil currently) Rafael* Ward Rosenior O’Shea
Cesc Ramsey Yaya Puncheon Albrighton
Dzeko Sturridge Agbonlahor
*Not nailed on but he is the best RB at Utd I think. The lack of United attack is worrying though.
Thanks.
Xabi you must have a bit in the bank still? If not I’m struggling to see where it’s all gone as you only have 4 premium forwards. Perhaps downgrade Yaya to another 9m mid and upgrade either Dzeko to Rooney/Costa or Agbonlahor to Pelle?
I have nothing left in the bank. I am reluctant to bring Pelle in as no one knows how he will start in the EPL having such a bad record previously although this could very well work against me. Gabby seems to do well… whenever he can stay fit that is. Not keen on Rooney either, he’s overrated in my opinion. Personally, Yaya to do the business again this season.
Both Albrighton and Agbonlahor are duds. You should know that they are sitting in your team just for the sake of filling up space. Dont expect points from them, as they will only come off your bench in case your regular player fails to feature.
Try finding some money to get in Jelly for Agbonlahor.
Rafael is a rotation risk with Valencia.
Snoddy and Siggy are better choice than Puncheon, according to me. Just personal preference.
Try getting some Stoke and ManUtd in your team. Yaya is a huge punt there, but he could shame all FPL managers once again.
Yeah, Albrighton is in by default and the fact I hope he will be on set pieces – one is bound to result in a goal. Agbonlahor is like you say, filling up space until TV rises and I can afford someone better.
I would ideally like Arnautovic but not sure if he’s worth the extra 0.5 than Punch/Siggy. Yaya does take up a huge chunk of cash but I think he will continue to make people say “He can’ keep this scoring up”. Haha!
Well I have considered this for a few days so Draft 1
de Gear ( Krul )
Shaw. Louis Debuchy. ( Davies. Bruce )
Ramsey. Fabregas, Barkley, Tadic ( Albrighton)
Costa, Remy. giroud
I am not sure about Tadic so will see how the warm up matches go . I had Barkley at the start of last season which was bad news, but everyone seems to rave about him.
So my mates what advice can you give
How do musungu, not convinced about Cesc or Barkley but can see why people would go for them. Siggy is better value than the latter for me, and cheaper too. Would also consider Dzeko in for Giroud, or preferably Dzeko in for Remy if you do downgrade Barkley for Siggy as not sure how nailed on Remy will be at ‘Pool.
Having both DDG and Shaw doesnt seem right. Swap Shaw for a Chelsea defender.
Can see too many punts in there (Tadic, Barkley, Remy) and no United cover in the attack. Costa to Rooney/RVP would be preferred, but you could also do Fab>Mata for a change.
Remy is quite a hit and miss prospect, but we’ll know more on it before season starts.
Has the Siggy-Wagon started already? Siggy has great fixtures at Swansea, especially the 3 tastylicious home games he will have in the first 5 fixtures.
I might just drop Silva (facing top tough teams in first 5 fixtures) for Siggy and give Rooney an upgrade to RVP.
Sounds good folks?
P.S: Siggy vs Snoddy is a huge debate that is going to come sooner or later.
Well away to Man U and Chelsea in those first five games give food for thought I would think?
The extra money saved up by getting Siggy is giving me an upgrade to RVP, who is on set pieces and penalties.
So i think that is worth it.
Sounds like a good idea B.
Sigurdsson has the potential to be one of the highest scoring players this season. I remember his goals last season when he had a short run in the first team. Hopefully he will be played behind the striker and not out wide. Snodgrass is a poor choice for his price, not many points more than Siggy and almost twice the number of games. Granted it was in a relegated Norwich side but he was their main man too. RVP over Rooney too.
Siggy > Snoddy all day long for me. Swans have more attacking potential than a tough-to-beat Hull.
I’m in the RVP camp for now, but waiting to see if LVG eases him into the season during preseason.
Siggy players for Spurs though? That is, if he starts.
Siggy is having a medical at Swansea today Razman
Ok, didn’t know that. Hmmm, they need him I think. 6m for a decent mid. Will he start every game though? Main competition will be Routledge, Dyer and Hernández? Just noticed de Guzman isn’t even listed? Still property of Sevilla/Valencia?
He’s back at Villareal I believe. I would expect Siggy to start the majority of games yeah
If he’s in my team he should start all if fit. 😉