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.
Hi fellas, anyone willing to RMT for me? Been tinkering a bit and what a sense of what’s spot on, hopeless, and just plain crazy — thanks!
Krul | Pantilimon (or Mannone)
Luis | C. Davies | Debuchy | Ward | O’Shea
Oezil | Arnautovic | Sigurdsson | Mata | Puncheon
Van Persie | Diego Costa | Gayle
I suppose this is a 3-5-2? Though if Gayle continues what sounds like good pre-season form / Palace have a nice fixture, I may double up. Have tried to get 5 solid playing defenders at this point until the cheapos emerge from the woodwork. Fancy Oezil as a differential, arguably Mata is a risk though. Thoughts?
anyone out there?
Pippin,
it’s ok but I persoanally prefer 3 decent strikers, so I would upgrade Gayle. However, having RvP does limit you somewhat which I guess you are finding. I’m not an Ozil fan and think that Fabregas, Silva and Ramsey all offer better value, but I understand you wanting a differential.
Maybe if you d’grade either Arnie or Puncheon you can upgrade Gayle to a 7mln striker?
silva or mata for you cookie?
CFC I would probably start off with Mata looking at the fixtures, but i’ll be watching Utd very closely in pre-season to ensure LVG plays him and wants to get the best out of him etc.
cheers.another dilemma is giroud or dzeko or both? feel they are both value for money as long as you don’t captain them.
my top 7 atm is
mata,fab,ramsey,erikson
Dzeko,rooney,costa
Dzeko over Giroud over the course of the season for me CFC. I’m not a fan of Giroud though I will admit he did better than I thought he would last season.
yeah but to think that hes going to get all the supply from sanchez,ozil,walcott,ramsey etc just feel hes tremendous value at 8.5m even if he misses more than half of those chances.
not saying giroud is a better pick than dzeko but just feel they are both good value for money picks. giroud was the 3rd highest scoring striker last year if you exclude suarez.
very true mate and he should get plenty of chances. Maybe not a lot in it and early fixtures probably favour Giroud.
thanks Cookie, but I’m not convinced by many of the cheaper strikers. A fit JRod would be good… How about Gayle & Puncheon out for El Ahmadi and Pellè/Remy ??
Hi Guys
New to the site, thanks for all the articles and banter really enjoying.
Please RMT, this is about my16th draft! Here goes:
De Gea (Krul)
Debuchy, Felipe Luis (Chambers,Simpson,Ward)
Siggy(swa),eriksen,Sanchez,Shelvey,Schurrle
RVP,Giroud,Austin/Ings
0 in the bank, Shcurrle a risk obv (subject to change) also luis but pretty sure he wil start.
Hacko,
welcome to the site, great to see you,
I wouldn’t have both Siggy and Shelvey, assuming Siggy moves to Swansea. Maybe d’grade one to Davis of Southampton?
Schurrle I really rate but it just seems he will struggle to get adequate gametime. I would suggest a Hazard or a Fabregas if you can, so if you are intent on having Sanchez and RvP you may need to lose Eriksen for Snodgrass or De Jong, depending on cash.
Thanks mate very true about shelvey and siggy didt think about that. Back to the drawing board..
Seems like a solid team. But you should really get some solid Chelsea coverage upfront. Downgrade Schurrle to Snoddy/Ince/Arnie to get Costa in place of Giroud. You already have Sanchez to cover Arsenal, you need one big hitter from Chelsea as well as thats the requirement once you look at the first two fixtures.
Welcome to this site mate. Beware of the weirdos.
Thanks B, solid advice, its hard to be subjective some times with your own team, the feedback really helps!! PS Weird is the new normal 😉
Could Downgrade RVP for Rooney and upgrade Schurrle to hazard. Im really set on RVP though #struggling
Brilliant article thank you Eddy!
Chins my man, how is your team coming along? You gonna be good to get the outline of our doubles team going soon? No hurry at all, if you’re not sure on your own team then get that sorted first.
Have been criticizing a lot of teams lately and I have come up with mine here. RMT!
DDG – 4.5M
Cahill – Debuchy – Pieters – Chambers – Mariappa
Sanchez – Hazard – Siggy – Arnie – Albrighton
RVP – Jelly – Pelle
1M itb, so can improve someone. Maybe a second keeper, but keeping the additional money to do Arnie>Mirallas when Everton has an easy schedule. Dont know how to bring in City cover, and thats a bummer.
How does it look?
The B- I like this a fair bit, but: front line contains two uncertain options in Jelly and Pelly (I like Saints’ fixtures but see how they start maybe?). Midfield is fine, and the teams you cover at the back are strong: is Cahill nailed if Azpi moves RB and Ivanovic comes into CB? is Pieters nailed? Is Chambers nailed?
otherwise, solid! can you rate my team on the previous page perhaps?
Pelle is a punt, but he scored two goals in first friendly for Saints so Im guessing he is a good choice. The fixtures are good and he should perform well. Jelly was great last season, and the fixtures are good, seems reasonable at this point.
Ill have to monitor the Chelsea backline situation. Pieters should be nailed for the LB position i think, and Chambers is good for RB position as Clyne will have to fill in for Shaw.
strike force is a bit weak.jelly and pelly need some upgrade.
Hey B, good to see ya.
I like the look of your team. Definitely not cookie cutter and pretty strong for an RVP side. The big question mark I see off the top of my head is Chambers. I went back and forth with him and Clyne last season and was continually frustrated by their playing time. If either one was nailed they are both great budget defenders, but I could never be sure.
Hooiveld from Southampton might be a good budget defender if he keeps his spot to replace Lovren. He’s played a bunch in the pre-season matches and scored a couple too I believe. At 4.0 if he starts he could be a great budget player, I currently have him in my first draft.
Have totally missed out Hoovield, but is Lovren really leaving?
Chambers i good for the RB as Clyne will cover for Shaw at LB. At least thats what i am hearing.
I’ve read Targett might be pushed into the team at lb this season so keep an eye out.
Strong team but lacking up top, I’d shoot with either Pelly or Jelly, not both. Maybe squeeze 0.5m out of your back 5 and use your bank money to get Dzeko as City cover?
That is actually a nice idea Webstar.
Hey gang, I’m slowly cobbling together a side and I wondered if anyone had some thoughts on the following:
– Rooney vs Sturridge – who would you have if you could only have one and Why?
– How crucial is having Sanchez going to be? Is he a ‘must have’? Is Ramsey still going to return good points with Sanchez in the side?
– Is Steven Gerrard worth 9 million? Who would you rather have for that price? Will Lallana be nailed this season?
Hey Red hope you are good!
Id prefer Sturridge over Rooney. Rooney should be deployed deep whereas there is a good chance Sturridge will be played to his strengths and he will score goals. If he remains injury free, there is no way he cant replicate his last season’s form.
Sanchez is the popular pick and he should be, if you have the money for him. Plays far ahead of Ramsey.
Ill honestly prefer Silva/Mata over Gerrard this season. Liverpool aint getting so many penalties this season. Will be hard for Gerrard to score much points as he depends mostly on set pieces.
Lallana should be nailed for the price Liverpool has paid for him. Costs same as Kroos did for Madrid, right?
I’m doing well B, thanks! Those are all great points, I appreciate the feedback.