Even the most successful gaffers need a reliable and wise old goat behind them and Fantasy Premier League managers are no different.
TST Sport have secured the services of LIT's Business and Sports Management guru Alan Holohan to guide you through what will be a tricky season of fantasy football.
In terms of his fantasy football pedigree, he's like a box to box midfielder. Think Michael Essien, only not Ghanaian, a bit slower, and a bit easier to tackle. Here, Alan gives his tips to help you get the edge on your mates in private leagues with potential bargains and ones to watch this season.
The start of Premier League looms large which can only mean one thing...Fantasy Football is back. The wait for its return has been agonising (if you have no life outside the internet.)
A quick look at the new fantasy set up shows a few changes from last season. The layout is different but still user friendly, new rules have been implemented and players prices have changed in accordance with last season’s performances.
Bargains
At first viewing the players seem to be much more expensive this season, for example Andy Carroll cost just 5m last season but now comes in whopping 10m after his 13 goals in the league last season. There are bargains however such as:
Vincent Kompany (Man City) - Kompany comes in at just 6 million. He is the club captain (Depending on Tevez situation) and was a nailed on starter in the league last season with a side that boasted the leagues tightest defence with 18 clean sheets and just 33 goals conceded. City also have relatively good fixtures to start with.
Luis Suarez (Liverpool) – Suarez hit the ground running at the backend of last season with Liverpool following his January move from Ajax with 4 goals and 5 assists. His price this season is a generous 9.5 million. Suarez showed outstanding form during the summer, leading his nation to Copa America glory whilst also picking up the golden boot and Player of the tournament awards. Suarez’ involvement may be doubtful for the first fixture however (vs Sunderland) due to his extended holiday after his summer exploits. I expect Suarez to have the highest percentage ownership this season so his price probably will rise.Ones to watch
The best way to pick up the points and move up through the rankings is to identify the players that pick up the points regularly without using up much of the budget. Ones to watch for me this season this season are:
Adel Taarabt – Taarabt was the outstanding player in the championship last season. He is a guaranteed starter and the way in which QPR play is revolved around him which is reflected in his amazing 19 goals & 16 assists last season. He is on most set-pieces including penalties. Doubts remain if he can cut it in the premier league after been rejected by spurs earlier in his career but he does have potential to be this seasons Charlie Adam. Shay Given – After been deprived of first team opportunities last season at Manchester City, Given will feel he has a point to prove. Villa have good fixtures to begin with and should pick up a couple of clean sheets. Villa also have a new manager with Alex Mcleish taking the reins for the coming season. This should lead to more clean sheets in my opinion as Mcleish is renowned as a defensive minded coach. At just 5m Given should be a good source of points.
Other squad ‘fillers’ that should be looked at are:
Scott Sinclair (Swansea – 6m) – Sinclair is listed as a midfielder but plays primarily as a support striker, he is the main attacking threat scoring 22 times in Swansea’s promotion bid and is also the penalty taker scoring two in the play-off final to secure promotion. Sinclair also has a point to prove after been snubbed by Chelsea earlier in his short career.
Jamie O’Hara (Wolves- 6.5m) – Proved himself to be a very valuable fantasy option during his time at Portsmouth contributing with both goals and assists. O’Hara is a key playmaker and set piece specialist.
Grant Holt (Norwich 5.5m) – Holt is the Norwich City captain and talisman. He is the focal point of the Norwich attack and his 21 goals and 14 assists in the championship helped secure Norwich’s automatic promotion from the championship.
Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland – 6.5m) - Sessegnon ended last season well for the Black Cats scoring 3 times. He has been taking on a support striker role in pre – season and has been scoring freely. Sunderland kick-off with a difficult game at a resurgent Liverpool so this move may want to be put on hold but certainly an option to keep an eye on.
Jose Enrique (Newcastle, Possibly Liverpool – 5m) – This would only advised if Enrique’s proposed move to Liverpool goes through. 5m for a starting Liverpool defender is a steal, clean sheets should be plentiful at Anfield and with Andy Carroll to aim for he may chip in with an assist or two aswell.
Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa – 6.5m) Despite only having 20 appearances (9 as a substitute) last season Albrighton managed to score 5 goals and assist 4 goals. With the departures of both Ashley Young & Steward Downing, Albrighton will be a key player for Villa and it could be his big break through season. He also looks likely to share set piece duties with Charles N’zogbia. Villa also have favourable fixtures to begin with.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich – 5.5) This is a big season for Wes, the former Shelbourne man will relish his chance in the premier league. He was one of Norwich city’s key men last season maybe only second to Grant Holt. He created 9 goals for teammates and hit the net 10 times himself including a hat trick versus Sheffield United. Defences in the premier league will certainly be more stubborn than those of the championship but he is certainly an option worth monitoring. Will he be the most inspiring Wesley this season? We’ll see if Sneijder will have his say!?
There are plenty of other options that could prove fruitful and more options will be looked at further down the line.
The ‘Essentials’
You can pick all the bargains you want but ultimately it is the big hitters that will rake in the majority of the points. You are only likely to be able to pick maybe 3/4 of these ‘essentials’ in your team whilst keeping the rest of the team respectable. Selecting which of these will be key to trumping your mates in the private leagues.
These players are:
Robin Van Persie (Arsenal – 12m), Rooney (Man United – 12m), Frank Lampard (Chelsea – 12m), Rafael Van Der Vaart (Spurs – 10m), Didier Drogba (Chelsea - 10.5m) Luis Nani (Man United – 10m), Leighton Baines (Everton – 8m), Ashley Cole (Chelsea – 7.5m) Darren Bent (Aston Villa – 10m), Carlos Tevez (Man City – 12m), Sergio Aguero (Man City - 11m) Florent Malouda (Chelsea – 10.5m)
General Tips
· Pick players that are guaranteed to start most games, try to avoid players that are subject to rotation systems.
· Pick players from teams with good upcoming fixtures.
· Select the best player with the easiest match as your captain (Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised.)
· Have a couple of set piece takers in your side, so many goals and assists are picked from such situations.
· Be lucky.
My ‘Punt’
Never thought I’d see the day but I’m putting Victor Moses in my team for the first three weeks at least. Wigan’s first three fixtures are all against promoted sides with two of those games at home. Moses will be expected to fill the void left by Charles N’zogbia and should play just off the striker. He comes in at 5m so is worth a risk.
All of these suggestions could go pear shaped but sure it’s all a bit of craic at the end of the day. All the best!
