The Opposition from a Fantasy Premier League Perspective

The QPR squad perhaps offer the Fantasy Premier League manager the most cause for excitement from the three promoted. Moreover, it appears the authorities at FPL Towers have been generous in their pricing of QPR’s squad. For instance, regular right back Bradley Orr can be picked up for a mere 4.0. If the QPR defence can replicate the resilience they displayed at Everton for the remainder of the season then this could prove to be excellent value for a player who has been known to regularly get forward from full-back and provide assists in the Championship. However, for the moment, many Fantasy managers may be more willing to take a punt on Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor as their 4.0 budget defender.

In midfield, Adel Taarabt is the obvious one to consider from QPR’s squad. Although Taarabt is the most expensive Rangers player on the game, weighing in at a costly 6.5 for an unproven player at this level, he has been tipped by many onlookers to justify this simply by being on all of QPR’s set-pieces, including penalty kicks. One thing to consider regarding Taarabt will be how well he slots into the new, more-direct, 4-4-2 system which Warnock has been employing in recent weeks. A prolific supplier of both goals and assists in last season’s 4-2-3-1, Taarabt has found himself pushed out to the left hand side of a midfield four in the opening two Premier League fixtures. Although he still has a licence to create, this role inevitably forces him to be more disciplined and help his left-back where possible.

If you are going for a QPR striker, it is a straight choice between DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd. If they can stay fit, I expect both to offer real value as budget forwards, though for now I would be inclined to go with Campbell given that he has already proved himself an able goal-getter at this level. Furthermore, the powers that be have strangely priced Campbell at 5.5, 0.5 cheaper than his strike partner. Registering 13 goals and 4 assists in a relegated Blackpool side last time round, those that invest in him will be entitled to expect similar returns this season, particularly if QPR are able to handle the difficulties of Premier League football better than his previous club and maintain their top flight status.

Analysing the Opposition

Tomorrow sees the second consecutive home game against a promoted side. This time it is the turn of QPR to travel to the DW Stadium. Having won the Championship seemingly at a canter last season, one might deduce that they have the best chance of all of the promoted sides of maintaining their Premier League status. However, the opening fixture saw Bolton provide Neil Warnock’s side with an emphatic reminder that they are now going to be pushed to their limit every week. None would benefit more so from heeding this reminder than their temperamental playmaker Adel Taarabt.

Championship Player of the Season for 2010/11, Adel Taarabt played an instrumental role in QPR’s promotion-winning campaign. Occupying the free-role behind the sole striker, often Heidar Helguson, in Neil Warnock’s preferred 4-2-3-1, Taarabt was given a license to express himself and inject himself into the game whenever he saw fit, without worrying too much about any defensive duties. Combined with the support of Wayne Routledge and Tommy Smith from the wings, Taarabt’s playmaking abilities made the 4-2-3-1 an effective system for Warnock to utilize. However, the signings of DJ Campbell and Jay Bothroyd in the close season have allowed Warnock to experiment with a more direct 4-4-2 in the opening two fixtures of the Premier League.

Warnock’s decision to deviate from the tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation inevitably came into criticism following the opening day 0-4 home defeat to Bolton. However, last week’s fixture away to Everton saw Warnock persevere with his new 4-4-2 with great success. A Tommy Smith strike was enough to give QPR a victory in what seemed an extremely tough fixture on paper, particularly given how Rangers were so easily dismissed by Bolton the following week. This could perhaps indicate that QPR may become a slightly inconsistent side this season in the mould of Blackpool last season. From a Wigan perspective, Roberto Martinez will certainly hope it is the Rangers which looked so poor and out of their depth against Bolton which turns up at the DW Stadium.

Game 3 vs QPR(H) 27th August

Possible Starting Line-Up:

(4-5-1)                                 Al-Habsi

Boyce                 Caldwell                       Lopez                Figueroa

                                            Watson

                          McCarthy                      Diame

Gomez                                                                                Moses

                                           Rodallega

Prediction: 1-1

Areas for Improvement

With Transfer Deadline Day looming, Wigan’s only notable signing is that of Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi on a permanent deal. This has created a cause for some concern amongst fellow Wigan supporters. With Dave Whelan promising to reinvest every penny of the N’Zogbia money, fans are understandably becoming a little anxious with how late the club are leaving it to secure new players. The most obvious areas for improvement are on the wings and upfront. Martinez clearly sees the right wing as the most urgent priority, with the Latics heavily linked with both Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss in recent days.

I believe the acquisition of Shaun Wright-Phillips would represent a significant improvement on Wigan’s current options on the right of Martinez’ preferred 4-5-1 formation. As highlighted in the previous article, the jury undoubtedly remains out on Gomez claims for a regular starting role. With his tendency to cut inside, the pitch becomes narrower and Wigan are left to rely on Emmerson Boyce to provide the width from full-back. In contrast, Shaun Wright-Phillips more direct style would instantly provide the team with more width, in turn improving the supply to the central striker, whether that be Di Santo or Rodallega.

I have to confess to knowing relatively little about what Vladimir Weiss would bring to the table. This is perhaps due to the fact that he has never really had a consistent run in a Premier League side. Like Wright-Phillips, he would appear to be a small, tricky type of player. Although I don’t believe him to possess the pace of Wright-Phillips, I certainly believe his trickery and crossing skills from the right-hand side could be of enormous benefit to Wigan should they be beaten to the signature of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Two Games In...First Impressions

It pains me to say that Wigan’s first two games have served to highlight the void which the loss of Charles N’Zogbia has left in the side. A lack of penetration has been evident against both Norwich and Swansea. Although Hugo Rodallega’s lack of fitness and consignment to the bench hasn’t helped matters, more often than not it was N’Zogbia who proved to be the key in unlocking stubborn defences last season. Yet Martinez retains a belief that Jordi Gomez and particularly Victor Moses will compensate for the loss of N’Zogbia this time round.

Admittedly, there have been several promising signs from Martinez’ two chosen wingers in the opening fixtures. Without setting the world alight Gomez looks to have improved from last year, displaying a resurgent enthusiasm in his new right-wing starting berth. Despite gaining several plaudits for his most-recent performance against Swansea, Gomez will need to improve on his overall effectiveness and output going forward to retain his place in the starting line-up. On the other hand, I firmly expect Moses to keep his position on the left wing throughout the current season. Although he has yet to register a goal or assist, he has undoubtedly looked like Wigan’s most potent source of attack post-N’Zogbia.

One positive to take from the opening two fixtures for Martinez must be the assuredness of his defence. Unlike last year, Martinez clearly already has a first-choice back four established in his mind and this has enabled the defenders to develop on field relationships which in turn have led to a tighter defence. Whilst Wigan were often criticised from the fragility on their travels last season, the resilience of their defence was plain to see for all at the Swansea fixture. However, it remains to be seen how the defence copes in the absence of stalwart central defender Antolin Alcaraz, who wants stretchered from the field just half an hour in at the weekend and looks set to miss a significant chunk of the run-up to Christmas.

Game 2 vs Swansea(A) 20th August: A Reflection

Starting Line-Up:

(4-5-1)                                 Al-Habsi

Boyce                 Caldwell                       Alcaraz                Figueroa

                                            Watson

                          McCarthy                      Diame

Gomez                                                                                Moses

                                           Di Santo

Result: 0-0

Man of the Match: Jordi Gomez

It is safe to say that my prediction’s for this fixture did not come to pass. Having expected an open, end-to-end fixture with several goals, I was ultimately disappointed by the quality of this match. Whilst Swansea dominated possession in the opening stages, they rarely posed a real threat to the Wigan goal. Interestingly, on the rare occasions which Swansea managed to translate their possession to chances, it was often Nathan Dyer who created them down the right-hand side with Scott Sinclair cutting a peripheral figure out on the left. This could be something to consider for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Roberto Martinez sprung a surprise with his team selection by recalling Antolin Alcaraz following his Copa America exertions. However, it later emerged that his reintroduction was enforced by Antonio Lopez’s failure to recover from the Basil Fawlty style knock to the head he suffered against Norwich on the opening day. The fact that Martinez may have been forced to rush Alcaraz back sooner than planned became plain when the Paraguayan was forced off with a serious looking calf injury.

One positive to emerge from this game for Wigan was the performance of Jordi Gomez. Often a much maligned player amongst the Wigan faithful, Gomez looked Wigan’s most likely source of a goal in the absence of Hugo Rodallega, who was again resigned to the bench for the best part of seventy minutes. Gomez even upstaged the much discussed Victor Moses in this particular fixture. Furthermore, there is a small possibility that Gomez could benefit from Ben Watson’s missed penalty. Martinez has been known to switch unsuccessful penalty takers in the past and Gomez has been known to take them on occasion for both Wigan and Swansea.

The Opposition from a Fantasy Premier League Perspective

If you are investing in Swansea City as a Fantasy Premier League manager, it is highly likely that you are investing in Scott Sinclair. The dynamic winger, who never quite made the grade at Chelsea, enjoyed a prolific season in the Championship last year. He is now firmly established as Swansea’s ‘main man’, reflected by the decision in the second-half of last season to hand him penalty-kick duties. Priced at 6.0 as a player from a promoted team in the game, it is evident that much is expected of him on his return to the Premier League.

Sinclair certainly appears to have matured since his last Premiership spell, ironically with Wigan, adding goal scoring prowess to his game in the process. This is evidenced by the 23 strikes he registered as Swansea’s top scorer during their promotion-winning campaign. Notably, Sinclair displayed his ability to perform on the big stage by scoring a hat-trick at Wembley in the scintillating 4-2 Play-Off Final victory over Reading. His ability to replicate this sort of goal scoring form in the Premier League will be significantly boosted by the fact that he is now first-choice on direct free-kicks and penalties.

If you are still yet to be convinced by Sinclair’s potential as a Fantasy Premier League prospect, maybe his next two fixtures will convince you to sample him in your team. If Sinclair is going to deliver, his next two games look good places for him to start. Firstly, he finds himself coming up against one of his former clubs, Wigan, and their admittedly leaky defence in a home tie. Next up after this weekend is another home tie, this time against a Sunderland side which presumably will still be gelling following the number acquisitions they have made during the off-season. I envisage Sinclair giving those who have invested in him plenty of early reward for doing so in the next two Gameweeks.

Analysing the Opposition

Swansea’s chosen style of football is extremely similar to that which the Wigan side has adopted in recent seasons. This is no surprise given that Roberto Martinez enjoyed an extended spell at Swansea prior to jumping ship to Wigan. It has even been said that Martinez effectively laid the foundations for the Swans’ promotion to the top flight. Rather than attempting to fix something which isn’t broken, Brendan Rogers has built upon the back of Martinez success and continued to encourage his team to play an attractive style. Whether this will result in Swansea enduring the difficulties Wigan have over the last few seasons remains to be seen.

The wide players are crucial to Swansea’s attacking 4-3-3 system. More often than not this season, these wide players will be Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer, despite the arrival of journeyman Wayne Routledge from Newcastle. Having seen Swansea play on numerous occasions on Sky last season, notably the Play-Off Final, it appeared that Sinclair was given more of a licence to attack from the left than Dyer on the right. Cutting inside onto his favoured right-foot, Sinclair was able to inject himself into the gain at crucial moments to devastating effect. Rogers will undoubtedly be looking to Sinclair to similarly effective in the Premier League.

Whatever the score on Saturday, this should be an entertaining game for the spectators, given that both sides play a brand of football that is both aesthetically pleasing and open. The openness of both sides style of football inevitably leads to defensive deficiencies and this could result, in my opinion, a high scoring game. On a side note, it will be interesting to see the reception which Martinez receives from the Swansea supporters. After being worshipped while he was there, Martinez cast a shadow on his own reputation in the eyes of some die-hard supporters by leaving on a slightly sour note.

Game 2 vs Swansea(A) 20th August

Possible Starting Line-Up:

(4-5-1)                                 Al-Habsi

Boyce                 Caldwell                       Lopez                Figueroa

                                            Watson

                          McCarthy                      Diame

Gomez                                                                                Moses

                                           Di-Santo

Prediction: 2-3

Game 1 vs Norwich(H) 13th August: A Reflection

Starting Line-Up:

(4-5-1)                                 Al-Habsi

Boyce                 Caldwell                       Lopez                Figueroa

                                            Watson

                          McCarthy                      Diame

Gomez                                                                                Moses

                                           Di Santo

Result: 1-1

Man of the Match: Victor Moses

I am disappointed to say I was wrong with my pre-match prediction of a 2-0 victory for Wigan. Although the home side started brightly, culminating in a successfully-converted Ben Watson penalty after a foul on Franco Di-Santo, an unusual error from goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi provided the Canaries with a route back into the contest. Norwich playmaker Wesley Hoolahan was able to capitalise on Al-Habsi’s rare mistake and from then onwards Wigan found it difficult to break down a resilient Norwich defence.

This was despite the best efforts of Man of the Match Victor Moses. Having picked him out as a player to watch from a Fantasy Premier League perspective Moses didn’t let me down, giving the Canaries right-back a torrid time throughout the afternoon. Had it not been for a goal-line clearance late on in the second-half, Moses’ points tally would have been boosted significantly with the points from a goal, and presumably 3 Bonus Points. How he failed to secure any Bonus Points in any case is something which leaves me slightly bewildered.

The Opposition from a Fantasy Premier League Perspective

I would be lying if I said the Norwich players provided much inspiration from a Fantasy Premier League point of view. Admittedly, I currently have no Canaries in my chosen fifteen. However, this isn’t to say that Norwich players should be dismissed totally from our thinking. In this article, I will analyse the potential of the two most obvious Norwich prospects for Fantasy Premier League managers, Grant Holt and Wesley Hoolahan.

Grant Holt, captain, penalty-taker and free-kick taker, is held in the same esteem of that of Delia Smith by the Norwich faithful. One of the main reasons Norwich were able to gain Promotion was Holt’s ability to find the net prolifically at Championship level. If he is able to come somewhere near to replicating his effectiveness in the Championship, Holt may well become a bargain basement Fantasy Premier League game, priced at a mere 5.5. Rumours of Paul Lambert adopting a 4-5-1 for the step-up, with Holt as the spearhead, would make the striker a more appealing prospect providing he is given the required service from the Norwich midfielders.

This is where Wesley Hoolahan may come into his own. A tricky, on first glance unorthodox, little player, Hoolahan was often the key to breaking down resilient Championship defences on Norwich’s way to Promotion. Playing at the tip of Lambert’s midfield diamond, Hoolahan reached double figures for both goals and assists in last year’s campaign. Should Norwich change to a 4-5-1 this time round, it is easy to see him slotting into the playmaking role ‘in the hole’ behind the lone striker, presumably Holt.

Analysing the Opposition

Given that this will be Norwich’s first game in the Premier League since gaining automatic Promotion from the Championship, many onlookers may be expecting a relatively comfortable victory for Roberto Martinez’s men. However, a promoted side’s opening fixture can often be a difficult one to predict. Wigan can certainly expect a tough test from a determined Norwich side.

Paul Lambert carefully moulded a 4-4-2 diamond during Norwich’s promotion campaign. In this formation, Wesley Hoolahan was given licence to attack from the tip of the midfield four and support a front line usually consisting of Grant Holt and one other. It remains to be seen whether or not Worthington will persist with such an attacking formation in the Premier League. Several Norwich fans had expected Holt to perhaps be given a lead role in the Canaries attack. However, the signing of Millwall top-scorer Steve Morrison would appear to suggest otherwise.

Roberto Martinez will be desperately hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s similar opening fixture, in which a lacklustre Wigan side lost 0-4 at Home to newly-promoted Blackpool. The recent 1-0 victory over Spanish team Villarreal would indicate that the Latics are better prepared this time round, with the return of several key players delayed by the World Cup last season.

Game 1 vs Norwich(H) 13th August

Possible Starting Line-Up:

(4-5-1)                                 Al-Habsi

Boyce                 Caldwell                       Alcaraz                Figueroa

                                            Watson

                          McCarthy                      Diame

Gomez                                                                                Moses

                                           Rodallega

Prediction: 2-0

From a Fantasy Premier League Perspective

Despite the inevitable loss of FPL favourite Charles N’Zogbia to Aston Villa, there remains several budget targets within the squad to consider for our 2011/12 FPL squads. In this article, I will proceed to highlight one player from the four sections of the squad who I believe could prove to be a fruitful investment for the coming season.

Goalkeeper: Ali Al-Habsi

Now firmly established as Wigan’s first-choice Goalkeeper, Al-Habsi is currently one of the most selected Goalkeepers within the FPL game. Amassing a total of 125 points last season, I can only see Wigan’s number 26 going from strength to strength in both real life and FPL terms this time round. Although we are yet to see how the new EA system will affect the ability of Goalkeepers to secure Bonus Points, Al-Habsi will continue to rack up the save points which will render him an effective budget Goalkeeper.

Defender: Antolin Alcaraz

Although he is yet to feature at all in Wigan’s pre-season, Alcaraz seems all but guaranteed to reclaim his place alongside Gary Caldwell in the heart of Wigan’s defence for the season opener. The highest-scoring Wigan defender of 2010/11, Alcaraz presents the most-likely goal threat amongst Wigan’s defenders, venturing forward for all set pieces unlike fellow centre-half Gary Caldwell. Alcaraz offers real value at 4.5 and must come under consideration as a budget defensive option, particularly given Wigan’s favourable opening fixtures.

Midfielder: Victor Moses

Having battled Tom Cleverley for the attacking role on the left-hand side of Martinez’ preferred 4-5-1 throughout the previous campaign Moses now appears nailed-on for that role. Moses has displayed sterling form already in pre-season, establishing himself as something of a prolific goal scorer. Furthermore, the sale of Bonus magnet Charles N’Zogbia may work in Moses favour, who in my opinion, has the potential to rack up Bonus Points on a similar scale as the most obvious source of attacking threat in the Wigan side.

Striker: Hugo Rodallega

Often a source of frustration for Wigan supporters, Rodallega remains an effective FPL player. It was no surprise to learn that Rodallega registered the highest number of shots off target of any player in the division last season. However, Rodallega still managed to score 9 goals in the Premier League. One negative aspect which may affect his FPL potential is the overtaking of penalty duties by Ben Watson. Yet if Rodallega can improve his conversion rate, I believe he could manage around 15 goals in the Premier League.

Wigan Athletic 2011/12

First Team Squad:

Goalkeepers:

26. Ali Al-Habsi

1. Chris Kirkland

Defenders:

17. Emmerson Boyce

23. Ronnie Stam

2. Steve Gohouri

5. Gary Caldwell

3. Antolin Alcaraz

24. Adrian Lopez

31. Maynor Figueroa

Midfielders:

14. Jordi Gomez

4. James McCarthy

16. James McArthur

8. Ben Watson

6. Hendry Thomas

21. Mohammed Diame

23. David Jones

11. Victor Moses

Forwards:

20. Hugo Rodallega

9. Franco Di Santo

18. Connor Sammon