The Promoted Teams – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16

The Promoted Teams – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16

While the typical FPL player may be enjoying a summer hiatus from the exhausting and stressful demands of making one transfer a week for a fictitious team, the more discerning amongst us remain in a perpetual state of unfulfilled anticipation. Not knowing whether Alexis Sanchez will be listed henceforth as a forward; how much Harry Kane’s price will rise; or if the bonus points system will be tweaked to take into account hair grooming, will all be sources of great consternation leading up to the new season. Thus we must satiate our delectation for speculation with occasional droplets of FPL dopamine such as today’s look at the three promoted clubs. Here’s a squad comprising of AFC Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich City’s most FPL-friendly players from last season and so (summer signings not withstanding) their foremost candidates for your 2015/16 Fantasy Premier League squad.

For those of you who just like to look at pictures, see the above XI in everyone’s favourite fantasy formation, 3-4-3. Please note that, as we are dealing in Fantasy Football terms, the players position along each line has no bearing on whether they play on the left, right or centre in real-life. A bit like when Roy Hodgson picks a right-back.

Let’s kick off with who we feel are the ‘likely lads’ for your fantasy consideration…

ARTUR BORUC (Goalkeeper – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 37
Clean Sheets – 16
Boruc’s CV reads like a Europa League group, citing Legia Warsaw, Celtic, Fiorentina, and recent inductees Southampton. Having crossed the South Coast divide on loan the Pole quickly established himself as one of the most reliable keepers in the Championship. The last line of defence behind an admittedly strong back-four, his division-best 18 clean sheets nevertheless proved a crucial factor in Bournemouth gatecrashing the Premier League. Now a permanent member of the Dean Court payroll, expect the 35 year-old to face little competition for his place.

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STEVE COOK (Defender – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 46
Goals – 5
Assists – 1
While the headlines were written further up the field (such is a defender’s life), the Cherries very own Cookie showed they don’t crumble at the back either. With a combined average of 10 clearances, blocks and interceptions per game last year this center-back has all the credentials to reap consistent bonus points. That he was an ever-present for Eddie Howe last season reinforces his appeal. Add further that he also carries a goal threat and Cook has the makings of a mainstay budget defender.

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SIMON FRANCIS (Defender – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 42
Goals – 1
Assists – 6
Completing this trinity of Bournemouth defensive options, Simon Francis is the third to be Cherry-picked. This marauding full-back is the Branislav Ivanovic to Steve Cook’s John Terry. The Zabeleta to his Kompany. The Valcke to his Blatter. 6 assists tells you all you need to know about his potential worth in FPL. He completes, on average, 1.0 dribble per game. Yes, a whole dribble! OK, while that does sound pathetic it actually isn’t. In fact it ranks him in the top 25 dribblers from last year’s Championship and makes him a candidate for those attacking BP’s.

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RUSSELL MARTIN (Defender – Norwich City)

Appearances – 42
Goals – 2
Assists – 5
With only 50 conceded in their 49 league and playoff games, Norwich showed enough defensive resolve to suggest they might be able to tough out a few clean sheets at the highest level. Used mainly as a center-back, skipper Russell Martin is also sometimes employed as an auxiliary fullback, increasing his long-term appeal. 2 goals and 5 assists meant the Scot was right up there with the league’s most productive defenders; and let’s face it, we all want a defender that helps out at the other end of the pitch.

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MATT RITCHIE (Midfielder – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 44
Goals – 15
Assists – 17
Likely to be the most influential player of the promoted teams, the Scotland international tore up the Championship and, despite being in a team that shared their 98 goals around like a Karl Marx socialist utopia, Matt Ritchie contributed to more goals than anyone across the four English divisions. Even should the Cherries make a marquee signing a la Leicester’s Cambiasso, Ritchie’s versatility across the midfield and threat from direct free-kicks guarantees him a key role throughout the coming campaign.

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NATHAN REDMOND (Midfielder – Norwich City)

Appearances -33
Goals – 6
Assists – 12
An important member of Gareth Southgate’s England U21 set-up, the dynamic wide-man gave FPL suitors a taste of what may come with a man-of-the-match performance in the play-off final. An impressive passing repertoire lifted Redmond to average 2.5 key passes and 1.8 crosses per game in 2014/15, which along with his dribble average of 2.3 are the best stats of anyone among the three promoted squads. A good start to the season could see this impressive youngster rival the likes of Matt Ritchie for that coveted 5th midfielder slot in FPL teams up and down the land.

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DANIEL TOZSER (Midfielder – Watford)

Appearances – 34
Goals – 5
Assists – 5
The set-piece specialist from Hungary has just turned 30, but his cultured style of playing should suit the Premier League just fine. His awareness in possession and eye for an incisive pass compensates for any shortfall in speed. While not posting the stellar stats of other midfielders on show here, he poses a serious threat from corners and free-kicks. Tozser has Champions League experience with former club Genk and should be well equipped to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League.

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YANN KERMORGANT (Midfielder – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 26
Goals – 15
Assists – 10
At 33 years of age the Frenchman may be a rotation risk, but it’s hard to ignore his output. As the Cherries’ designated penalty taker, he’s almost guaranteed to add some Premier League notches to his belt. He’ll be relieved at finally getting a chance in the Premier League, having missed a spot-kick in a play-off shootout for Leicester back in 2010. Keep one eye on Eddie Howe’s shopping list though, as competition alongside Ritchie and Arter would severely threaten Kermorgant’s game time and FPL appeal.

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TROY DEENEY (Forward – Watford)

Appearances – 37
Goals – 21
Assists – 9
With 21 goals, Hornets’ captain Troy Deeney finished behind only Ipswich’s prolific Daryl Murphy in the scoring charts and secured his third consecutive 20+ goal haul, a Watford record. In a fluid attack which sees him and partners-in-crime Vydra and Ighalo in a variety of formations, Deeney is the constant; great in the air and most likely to give consistent returns. How he’ll fare in the absence of departed boss Slavisa Jokanovic, who had such a positive influence on helping Deeney return to his best after the striker served a 2 month prison sentence, is the worrying variable here.

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ODION IGHALO (Forward – Watford)

Appearances – 22
Goals – 20
Assists – 3
The second of Vicarage Road’s three musketeers up front, Nigerian Ighalo occasionally drops into the attacking midfield role, though as you can see from his ridiculous goals-per-game ratio, it doesn’t adversely impact his productivity. Suffice to say, on the off-chance the boffins at FPL HQ elect to categorize him as a midfielder, he should be gratefully seized upon with all the gusto of a ground-level Phil Jones header. Ighalo made 13 of his 22 appearances from the bench last season, but it’s hard to see a scoring record like that being kept on a leash next season.

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CALLUM WILSON (Forward – AFC Bournemouth)

Appearances – 45
Goals – 20
Assists – 7
Another one? Seriously? The sixth and final Bournemouth player in this XI. Don’t expect an apology either. Reportedly courted by several other Premier League clubs, retaining young Wilson’s services could be integral to prolonging Bournemouth’s top-flight residency. With 45 games clocked up in the Championship and as 2nd choice penalty taker (behind Yann Kermorgant), he’ll give great value and could prove to be a viable third FPL striker.

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FIVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON..

JOHN RUDDY (Goalkeeper – Norwich City)
Appearances – 49
Clean Sheets – 14
To be fair to Heurelho Gomes, all three of the promoted clubs’ keepers had impressive seasons and there’s little between them. However, having proven to be a solid FPL option in the past, Ruddy probably has the edge over the Hornets’ net-minder.

MATEJ VYDRA (Midfielder / Forward TBC! – Watford)
Appearances – 31
Goals – 16
Assists – 5
The third of Watford’s irrepressible strikeforce arrives in the form of Czech Republic international, Matej Vydra. Like Ighalo, he’s a forward who can play behind the striker as an AMC and thus his positional categorization may be a point of contention. Watford fans will be hoping to once again Marvel at the on-loan Udinese star. Hail Vydra. (*with apologies to those not au fait with ‘Agents of SHIELD’)

CAMERON JEROME (Forward – Norwich City)
Appearances – 35
Goals – 20
Assists – 7
Yep. THAT Cameron Jerome. The one whose Premier League goals for Stoke and Crystal Palace were more elusive than a Higgs Boson particle. Well, it seems he’s found his shooting boots at Carrow Road. 20 goals, including the Canaries’ crucial first goal in that promotion clinching playoff win at Wembley has given the 28 year-old another crack at the top tier before inevitably retiring to the MLS.

BRADLEY JOHNSON (Midfielder – Norwich City)
Appearances – 43
Goals – 15
Assists – 2
A note of caution. This Canary gets more bookings than Christopher Biggins in panto season. However, if you can forgive his 13 yellows and 1 red, Johnson could be worth looking at. His 15 goals was a career best and with a team best 2.8 shots per game he’s the most likely Norwich player to buy a raffle ticket. So why didn’t he make this line-up? During City’s previous 3 year Premier League tenure, he notched only 6 goals in 96 games.

ALMEN ABDI (Midfielder – Watford)
Appearances – 28
Goals – 9
Assists – 2
Anyone who’s played FIFA15 in career mode will doff their caps to Abdi’s 86.7% pass completion accuracy. It’s therefore somewhat of a mystery that the Swiss midfielder registered just the 2 assists. Nevertheless, the potential remains; especially in a team boasting the lethal front three that Watford does. Should Abdi decide to start passing forwards more often instead of sideways, then he could turn out to be a gem.

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SO…
…there you have it. What are your thoughts? Perhaps you’re a Norwich fan and think overlooking Steven Whittaker and Wes Hoolahan is crazy; or a Watford fan incensed at being under-represented in defence when Gabriele Angella and Heurelho Gomes could deliver big; or maybe you’re in the Bournemouth camp, wondering why Harry Arter and Marc Pugh aren’t there? Even if you’re none of the above but think there’s a glaring omission or a point to be made, please leave a comment below. After all, it’s going to be a long summer. I’m off to the beach.

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Thanks for reading The Promoted Teams – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16. This article was written by Bryan Munich

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