Promoted team analysis – QPR
Today we begin a series of articles examining the three teams promoted to the Premier League from the Championship. Leicester won the league and automatic promotion quite emphatically in the end with 102 points which was 9 ahead of Burnley in second who also now join them in the top division. In contrast QPR were 22 points off the leaders but still managed to gain promotion via the play-offs courtesy of a Bobby Zamora Wembley winner. Surely such a point gap would suggest that that QPR will be the least well equipped to survive in the big league? Let’s find out…
Last season:
Fourth in Championship (promoted via play-offs)
85 points
Won 23
Drew 11
Lost 12
Scored 60 (joint second lowest in the top half of the Championship)
Conceded 44
Previous season in Premier League:
2012-13 season – 20th (relegated)
For a while West Brom were the archetypal yo-yo club – more recently you could read QPR for that. This coming season they are back in the Premier League for the second time in three seasons. Even ‘Harry Houdini’ as he has been coined, couldn’t prevent the slip into the second rung the last time they were in the Premier League. They’ll be looking to consolidate this season and a worse-off 17th position would do for them.
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The Manager – Harry Redknapp.
Promoted team analysis – QPR
‘Arrys’ back! And he’s done it again – he has got his man – Rio Ferdinand. Add to this, he already has Richard Dunne and Clint Hill and only recently let go of Luke Young and Aaron Hughes – he likes to rely on experience, particularly of the league, which is of course, vital. It was no secret that the last squad was he inherited at The R’s wasn’t one he would have put his name to but he slowly shipped out the under-performers and brought in, mostly on loans and short-term deals, players to get him out of the Championship. He did this on 24th May when a Bobby Zamora last minute goal secured victory over Derby County in the play-off final. This despite finishing five points behind Derby who were in 3rd in the regular season – oh the joys of the play-offs!
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The Players
GOALKEEPERS
Robert Green (4.5) – laugh all you like (and you will), but you would have to think that Green is the most set-in-stone GK in the FPL this season – currently he only has a two-appearance understudy and youth team keepers challenging him. Julio Cesar is on loan at Toronto FC and as we know was the goalkeeper who let in 7 goals in the World Cup semi-final. As a little pointer – Green rotates quite nicely with Julian Speroni of Palace until around the middle of October.
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DEFENDERS
Simpson/Ferdinand/Caulker/Traore
Steven Caulker from Cardiff isn’t confirmed just yet but when he is I’d wager he’ll be in the region of £5.5m. Many think he is one of the brightest centre backs for England of recent times and that it was vital that he remained in the Premier League for his own career. And what about him playing alongside a player he has modelled his game on? That would seem to be what is going to happen with the news of the arrival of the ‘other’ Ferdinand (they’ve had Anton and Les already down Loftus Road). Rio Ferdinand may not play every minute of every game but his experience will be vital to develop Caulker and also to organise and galvanise those around him. He should be backed up by Richard Dunne who himself has a wealth of experience in the Premier League. Even if the Caulker deal doesn’t materialise, then as long as Rio stays fit they should be OK in the centre back areas. Dunne played 45 league matches last season to prove his durability and stamina.
The right full back should be Danny Simpson and it is the other side where it is fraught with fantasy prospect danger. Clint Hill, Yun Suk-Young, Armand Traore (listed as a MID) or Nedum Onuoha could all stake claims for the left wing-back position now Assou-Ekotto is back with Tottenham.
QPR kept 17 clean sheets in the Championships regular season and two in their three play-off matches including the final. Between August and October they kept eight clean sheets in a row.
With Green, Ferdinand and Dunne – they will have lots of experience and could provide you with a nice fourth or fifth defender for your teams.
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MIDFIELDERS
Taarabt/Barton/Phillips/Hoilett
Adel Taarabt – remember him? The man who was on loan at Fulham previously (and a favourite for some in FFL) he then went on loan again to er . . . . AC Milan! Costing £5.5m he can turn a game single-handedly, but then walk through every other game until his next ‘worldy’. Too risky for many, but 5 goals and 5 assists in his last season in the top league with the Hoops.
I may suggest Junior Hoilett here – £5.0m the Hoops’ top assister in the Championship last season (only six mind you) and four goals. But in three previous seasons in the Premier League the Canuck has 14 goals and ten assists including a best 7 goals and 6 assists whilst with Blackburn in 2011/12. Joey Barton, or rather ‘Mr Joseph Anthony Barton’ as he is regularly referred to by the courts is back in the Premier League via France and the Championship. Last seen attempting to assault most of Man City’s title winning team of 2012 in that final day decider, bad old Joey is back. Now we are not suggesting for one second that you invest any hard earned fantasy money in the violent scally but at £5.0m and quite possibly on set plays and likely to notch the odd goal you could actually do a lot worse as a 5th mid. But if they introduce GBH and common assault into the bonus system then he will be FPL gold.
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FORWARDS
Remy/Austin
Loic Remy currently has 20.5% ownership and that isn’t a surprise if he stays with QPR and within the EPL come the first day. This is based on his 14 goals for Newcastle last season. He is a proven scorer at this level and a long-time Arsenal target. He is the same fantasy value as Fernando Torres (but we can’t hold that against him – please no one let the man know that for goodness sake, it could destroy him).
Charlie Austin – 17 in 31 in his first full season at QPR. He will be looking to make up for lost time, having failed a medical at Hull City whilst with Burnley – this is his first pop at the big time. Austin may well be the next Rickie Lambert – the type to score goals at any level he finds himself at. I see him getting a lot of game time even with Remy back. On penalty kick duty as well and could prove great value at £6m.
The back-up here will be Bobby Zamora £4.5m – old Bobby wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if you only had 4.5 left and he was being kept for your bench. He should see a lot of appearances from the bench – which, if you remember Adam Le Fondre for Reading – could still lead to some decent returns.
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Fixtures
QPR have Hull, Sunderland and Stoke as their first three home matches – hardly a horrendous hand been dealt there. But interspersed are two away trips across London to White Hart Lane and Old Trafford (sic) which probably do not hold much fantasy interest, but it is that second match which Rio will have already circled in his diary.
After that it is two away on the bounce (Southampton and another London derby at West Ham) followed by two consecutive home matches – Aston Villa may hold no fear but before that it is Liverpool, which takes them to the end of October.
Summary
I’d be surprised if many fantasy managers plan to have three (or even two) QPR players, but it seems a third striker or a center back may be the most attractive position to invest in. Unless you are a Brentford, Fulham or Chelsea fan, then you surely won’t mind if QPR stay up for a longer spell this time, if only for Harry Redknapp. The league is better with him in it for sure. The R’s are a nice little club playing in a lovely little matchbox style stadium which always looks busy and tremendously atmospheric especially when they score and the music system plays the . . . DO DO DE DO . . .and the Superhoops fans respond “HOOPS” emphatically. Simple things like that define a club and its fans. They’ll be hoping to be singing aplenty this season.
Team 1
Mannone – Krul
Rafael – Vlaar – Chester – (Upson) – (Duff)
Yaya – Sanchez – Snodgrass – Tadic – (Albrighton)
Austin – RVP – Costa
Team 2
Begovic – Krul
Shaw – Vlaar – Davies – (Upson) – (Duff)
Silva – Sanchez – Eriksen – Tadic – Fabregas
Jelavic – RVP – (Zamora)
Which do you prefer? Or perhaps some hybrid combo of the two?
I’d go with b and somehow try to upgrade fabregas to hazard and demote shaw to Rafael and demote begovic to guzan
I like your thinking there… so Haz > Yaya and Haz > Costa you reckon?
I’d definitely go with a Stoker in the back line. Not convinced on Upson and Duff’s playing time yet so dangerous have them both and Shaw (if Evra hangs about then he could be rotated).
Yaya is a beast, him over Silva if he carries on hogging freekicks. Snoddy seems a FPL favourite right now, Hull don’t particularly score many but I guess set piece potential makes him noteworthy…I need to look a little closer at him I think.
Bobby Z isn’t a starter, I try to get as many starters in my first week squad as possible. Who you thinking of instead of Jela?
Austin or Long, probably Austin. I know, the bench is week, but it’s the best I can do… but okay I’ll keep hold of Bego, cheers.
Team 1 as it’s closest to mine 😉 Not sure on Chester but then i went with Figuero????
I went Rosenior after dithering on them…he notched a couple more assist than Fig last year.
Remy looks like a done deal to Liverpool, time to stock up on your Charlie Austins, people!
Already on the case! Was going for Jelavic but will switch to Charlie… then probably get Snodgrass in midfield to keep Hull coverage and save cash!
I keep tweaking my 3rd striker. Pretty set on Austin and RVP…want Giroud but already have Alexi S.
Pelle looks interesting but I’ve got Tadic already.
Bego (Krul)
Rosenior Duff Terry (Wasilewski, Mariappa)
Mata Oscar Sanchez Tadic (Alrbighton)
RVP Austin Pelle
1m in the bank…want some chelski backline cover once I know who’s nailed on (terry for now)
Ideally want someone in the back4 from QPR but waiting to decide on the final mids and strikers.
Thoughts?
I are on Pellè / Tadic… I’m opting for Tad so would look to upgrade Pellè.
Giroud, even as a Gunner, I wouldn’t have in my team. Certainly not to start with: our fixtures are too on-off / iffy to double up on our attack, and it’s Sanchez for me, it just has to be haha.
Relying on Duff, whether he starts or not, is a bad idea in ku opinion.
Oscar you should watch carefully – is he nailed – or will he rotate with Fabregas? I currently have Fab but I’m a little skeptical… pre-season should hopefully help.
The rest I like. Same keepers as me ((for now, but may downgrade Bego for cash)) and oh – do you have a gameplay – as in when you’ll WC etc?
I bombed last year completely with WC used late. Traditionally use it when DGW mayhem begins (either Dec or last few weeks of season).
Is Giroud not going to be fluking on the end of some good work from the Ozil/Sanchez support? That was my thinking, but I definitely don’t want to miss the Alexi bandwagon because his price could just keep going…
True about Duff, he’s starting right now because my sub budget defs have weak opening fixtures but are more nailed on than him. I could spread the wealth on a nailed on 4.5 def instead, just hoping a couple of 4m ones make themselves apparent over preseason.
I’m imagining Fabregas as a replacement for Lamps rather than a rotation for Oscar. Nothing’s certain with Mourinho but he seems to like Oscar and Oscar is quality (and cheaper than the obvious Hazard).
If Fab is replacing Lamps then I’ll get Hazard or neither and go with Costa instead. But if he’s in that no. 10 role then he’s gold dust. I wish we could have a quick word with Mourinho! Maybe he’ll change his tactics each week depending on who he’s playing in his H2H matches hahaha
Evening all
Please take a gander and pull no punches! 😉
Foster (Krul)
Bardsley, Figueroa, Simpson (Upson) (Dummet)
Sanchez, Mata, Fabregas, Puncheon (Shelvey)
RVP, Costa, Austin
Thoughts?
Evening Hatter,
I’m not convinced on where Fibreglass will play yet, but if he sits deep and replaces Lamps then possibly won’t do much in terms for fantasy points?
After Costa’s world cup, I’m convinced (and hoping) he’s another Torres for them haha.
Liking the midfield. Have a look at my team above and let me know what you think.
I’d second this, but wouldn’t judge Costa so harshly… I’d also appreciate both of your feedback on my two possibilities above if possible?
Yeah i’m not sure on Costa yet but their first couple of fixtures is my deciding factor plus Mourinho will try his upmost to make him his star man! Will bide my time with Fab as if he does play in the number 10 role, i will keep him all season!
I can’t see Oscar being pushed out but, again, anything can happen with Jose haha
BREAKING NEWS ……. SOLDADO SCORES ….. A PENALTY!
Lol
I’m I being silly still considering Lamela? Don’t know why but I’m convinced he’s going to come good this season…
webstar
I can’t see any logical reason why someone would consider Lamela over Eriksen at this point.
He may yet come good this season but for me eriksen is still the only spurs midfielder to consider.
Ok chaps…
So which of this trio will get me most points…
Sanchez – Arnautovic – Rooney
Or
**Cesc – siggy – RVP
**assuming Cesc plays in attacking role…?
BigP
I think the second alternative regardless of where Fabregas plays. I do think Fabregas as some form of holding midfielder is a wild stretch of the imagination. Mourinho has signed him for his attacking talent and his ability to create play, not break up the oppositions play.
Agree with GP on this, I think I’d be mixing and matching the combos there though and maybe have all of Sanchez – Fab – Siggy – Rooney. Depends on the rest of your team though obviously.
Innit…
I could do those 4 you mentioned …however Yaya the monster HAS to be in my side…!
Dont think for one minute he’s still sulking about the b’day cake shananigans….
He’s a pro & the best in the world at what he does…!
200pts + this season guaranteed..
Totally agreed, he’s in mine like a shot and I suspected as much hence adding the ‘depends’ bit as he makes the balance difficult doesn’t he but I think he’s worth it for sure. And Ramsey. And Costa. My word, my defence will be poor!
Init – see my post a few pages back
Dreamers I’m intrigued, which one exactly?
Ok cool, no big rush but if you fancy it then it would be mucho appreciated and a massive help to all I’m sure!
Capped BWP myself and he’s got 1 as well so happy days!
Evening Init
The money is down this evening – I’ve paid my £5 and I’m in the UFPL !
I never played the free trial last year – kept putting it off and never got round to entering. So I’m having a right go at both competitions this season.
Evening GP how’s the pre-season team news article coming along? Lol, joking by the way!
Just about to do the UFPL myself so I can get us some league codes. I thought it was great on the trial as it’s something different rules wise to FPL, I think you’ll like it.
Init,
I already do like it. Ready for the first day. I may tinker in the regular game but I think I’m happy with the squad picked for the UPFL.
On the article – how about I do an article on Blackpool’s new signings? That should be a cushty number . . . . Seven trialists today – you wouldn’t see that in Scottish Junior football!
I’ve been keeping an eye on the line-ups the premier teams but it’s still too early – the WC players are not back – teams are playing two teams per match with the amount of subs used. *Cliche alert* – all about the fitness levels just now.
I know GP, we were considering doing pre-season friendly articles and still may but at this stage it’s pretty useless as you say.
I believe Blackpool are down to 6 first team squad players on the roster now. Outstanding work from Oyston and his corrupt clan. I worked in Blackpool for 5 years and I have some wonderful stories about that bunch of thieving cretins. I’ll stop there before we get sued!
Init,
Yeah I saw the Mirror carrying a story recently that one director (happening to be the current owner’s father, Owen) was paid an £11M bonus for their promotion after they were relegated? or something very similar . . .Very sad.
For these pre-season games, I think most would be looking for only information on:
who played
for how long
in which position
who scored
who assisted
and then maybe a sentence highlighting any other useful point relating to the match.
The above info could be in concise statistical format. Really no need for reams of opinion added to it. If someone wants to go off and do extra research then as they wish.
*Thinking out loud*
Yep GP I think you’re spot on with the info needed. Definitely sounds like you are talking yourself into this one. Happy to publish whenever you are ready.
Init,
Let me take a look at what info is out there that I can bring together.
Keane has just scored for LA – his third of the GW and I cappo’d Donovan when I was swithering between the two. :cuss:
TGP ..
That’s what I thought….but lots on here saying he’s a Lampard replacement / holding mid..!
I see mattic / mikel / Ramires as that type of player for the holding role..
I see Oscar / Haz / Cesc as attacking 3 with costa up front…
Only problem is Chelski have too many mid options, so rotation could be a issue..?
Bigpopz
BIG issue.