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.
RMT?
De gea – Green
Debuchy – Azpillicueta/Luis – Lescott – Laffterty – Taylor
Ramsey – Eriksen – Silva – Henderson – Albrighton
Costa – v.Persie – Austin
After the Remy move i’m tempted but not sure.
Hi Burnsy, really not sure about Henderson. I know he gets the odd goal but not enough to justify being in your team. I could be wrong and he’ll be this seasons Ramsey but I doubt it.
Yeah, I had Gylfi in before but it seemed silly having two qpr players in my attack, and liverpool have better fixtures than Palace so i dont want to put Puncheon in two. It’s definitely something i’m looking into. Thanks.
I’d defo prefer Siggy for the same money or find an extra 1.5 for Tadic
If that’s Steven Taylor he won’t get a game
+1 Luis might be a better bet
Still need a new Fantasy Football team name..
Cookie’s Milk
Back up that Busquets
Busquets for Cookie
I drank Cookie’s Milk
I still get tucked in
I have a night light
etc, etc, etc…
I was looking at “The Moyes Effect” but Back up that Busquets?! LOL
JESUS its Navas
“Soldado, please take my penalty”
Hi guys this is my provisional team no.1 of 10000000 wud really appreciate advice from more experienced players
Mannone myhill
azpi debuchy sakho Bruce jagelka
fabregas Sanchez snoddy Barry Johnson
costa remy long
thanks in advance BRILL article
I think azpi will lose his place
+1 Luis might be a better bet
Will get him when he updates thanks guys i was told my mids were too expensive??
Personally, I think you’ve invested far too much in defense, you have four 5m+ defenders, one can easily get downgraded to improve your attacking assets. Snoddy, Barry and Johnson in your midfield makes your team weaker, they are good players but there are much better options that you wont be able to afford unless you change your defense.
Mannone as the only keeper might not be a good idea.
Azpi not nailed, try Cahill. Dont like Sakho because of Liverpool’s defence. Jagielka doesnot have great fixtures, Arsenal and Chelsea in first 3 GWs i think. Cleanie points will be low there.
Would replace Fabregas with Silva or Mata.
Try again.
Hazardo,
My red flags are:
Both GKPs – neither are guaranteed to play and you could face a gameweek without a GKP – plenty of options at good prices – Krul, Guzan, Boruc, Foster.
Azpilicueta has now a fight to play on either side of defence.
You could pick up a more attacking player in Barry’s place – especially as Everton have a bit of a difficult start.
Remy will be rotated at Liverpool most likely.
Hi Hazardo, I would lose Jagielka, Barry and Remy. Everton have a difficult start so not many CS for Jags there, Barry wouldn’t get you much even if they did have decent fixtures, Remy we just can’t be sure on game time assuming he’s at Liverpool.
Who’s the player on your grav by the way?
Thanks all never looked at it that way was not expecting so much help did not kno about remy to pool will change to Pélle? And as for keepers krul rather than myhill is done and im keeping flabergast for assists on Costa as for Barry he is an emergency player for 3pts every time cuz i can’t find a better option in his price bracket my grav is a player for my counties gaa team, probably gonna have cookie and mito at my door with shotguns but i think its a better sport than soccer turn on sky sports and check it out now if u don’t believe my county are playing but its a bad game were losing
@Hazardo, I’ve sent you a package, don’t worry it’s safe to open. 😉
Wow guys was not expecting this much advice thanks jagelka is a very good def but will think bout fixtures krul is in for myhill, didn’t kno bout Remy will change to Pélle. Not sure what to do with Barry no other good in 5.0m. Filipe luiz is in for azpi soon as updated and keeping sacho and flabbergast
Sorry im so late getting back was watching my county play in gaaand my grav is our top scorer
Another RMT.
DDG – 4.5M
Cahill – Debuchy – Pieters – Chambers – Mariappa
Sanchez – Hazard – Eriksen – Arnie – Shelvey
Rooney – Pelle – Jelly
Not too many punts in there. RVP’s age forced me to get Rooney. Dont feel good about not having City cover but i think ill have to live with it.
B
I’d say Pelle is a punt but not necessarily a bad one. It’s how he adapts.
I like Hull’s first six over Palace’s so I’d bring in Chester for Mariappa. Other than that, not much wrong. I’d have Krul as your other GKP.
RvP’s age, that’s a new one!
Age will not be that big a factor this early in the season though as he’ll be fresh. Also
#VanGaalEffect
LVG is also old. 😉
Lol:1up:
Hazardo – is that Roscommon?
Good all round don’t think any spurs player is solid enough eriksen OUT
@the dreamers yea it is
I don’t like that forward line. I don’t know about where Rooney will play and Pelle is a very risky pick. I prefer Huth to Pieters as he can nick a goal from a corner
I was thinking of Remy, but now that he’s off to liverpool he’s a no no.
Why a no no. I would expect him to take suarez’s place on the left
Mourinho,
I would be wary of expecting anything from Liverpool lineup-wise next season. Rodgers has a wealth of attacking players who won’t all play 90 mins. I expect rotation to affect all offensive players in his team.
He won’t start every week. Rodgers will play Sturridge up to with Sterling behind. With his 2 new wing men.
Hmmm. Some serious reshuffling now required
3 questions guys
1) i emailed bench last season to reserve a place in a league how do i claim it??
2) how much is ufpl and worth it?
3) don’t really kno any1 well yet but (if a non reg is allowed) how does 1 participate in doubles.