Dec 14

Norwich City - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get the low down on their clubs; player potential, starting lineups, set-piece takers, transfer rumours and everything else that could benefit an FPL manager. This article will focus on newly promoted Norwich City, who bounced back in to the top flight after an impressive run of form under new boss Alex Neil. Canaries fan Tim Bentley has provided us with his expert knowledge of the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis' will help you choose which Norwich player(s) should make your FPL teams. Tim will also be at hand to answer any of your Norwich related questions in the comments section. So without further ado, here's our Norwich City team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.

OPENING FIXTURES

Crystal Palace (H) Sunderland (A) Stoke (H) Southampton (A) Bournemouth (H)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Wesley Hoolahan, Lewis Grabban Freekicks: Graham Dorrans, Nathan Redmond Corners: Nathan Redmond, Wesley Hoolahan

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Dwight Gayle (Transfer rumour), Patrick Bamford (Loan rumour) Right Back - DeAndre Yedlin (Loan rumour) Centre Back - Lewis Dunk (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

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Lineup based on current squad: FPL norwich city starting line up 2015 2016

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Lineup based on transfer rumours: FPL norwich city potential line up 2015 2016

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NORWICH CITY'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Since being appointed as the new boss in January, Alex Neil has led his Norwich side to nine clean sheets in 25 matches. Out of those 25 matches, Norwich won 17 but their defensive displays weren't all that consistent. Norwich are well organised and when not under huge pressure to win every game are capable of shutting out opposition. For example, the play-off final victory against Middlesborough was a very disciplined 2-0 victory where apart from that one 40-yarder, Norwich didn't look like conceding. If that discipline carries over to the Premier League then a Norwich defender could be good, cheap option.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]John Ruddy (4.5m) - Ruddy played every game last season and as long as he stays fit he should continue to do so in the Premier League. Since the arrival of Alex Neil, Norwich have picked up a clean sheet in 36% of their matches. If they sign a few more defenders and strengthen up at the back then Ruddy looks like a good option to be used as part of a FPL goalkeeper rotation.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: Shows good potential and could be utalised as part of a rotation with another 4.5m/5.0m goalkeeper, but we'd hold off until Norwich sign defensive reinforcements. Declan Rudd (4.0m) - John Ruddy has had a few injuries in the past so it's not completely out of the question that Rudd could get some playing time this campaign. He doesn't get injured as much as Ben Foster though, which is probably why Boaz Myhill is accordingly priced 4.5m this year! VERDICT: If John Ruddy picks up a long term injury when you're about to wildcard, then maybe...

WHICH NORWICH DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Steven Whittaker looks the best bet at this stage due to attacking potential, however if Norwich complete the signing of a new defender he could become subject of rotation. In this case, if Martin Olsson makes a convincing recovery from shoulder surgery then he will be the new go-to, attacking defender for Norwich. If you're just looking for minutes and want a cheap defender that WILL play, Sebastien Bassong could be your man.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Stephen Whittaker (4.5m) - Many of you will remember Whittaker from two seasons ago when he picked up a goal and an assist in a 2-2 draw with Everton on the opening day, and then frustrated you for the rest of the season. Whittaker had a brilliant second half to last season and is certainly Norwich's most attacking defender - which could lead to him picking up points at both ends of the park. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] If Norwich don't sign another right back then Whittaker will be the favoured Norwich defender, particularly at the start as the only top 8 teams the Canaries play in the first 10 weeks are Southampton and Liverpool. However, Norwich have been in the market for another right back - Yedlin's the favourite - and although they haven't signed anyone yet, it's looking likely. VERDICT: If Norwich don't sign a new right back by Gameweek 1 then Whittaker looks a good choice as an attacking defender with decent opening fixtures and an inexpensive price tag.   Martin Olsson (4.5m) - Olsson started 45 out of 49 games last season and his only competition at left back has recently been released. When he's fully fit he's nailed on and is a modern fullback who gets forward. He has had shoulder surgery though so proceed with caution ahead of Gameweek 1. VERDICT: When fit, he will be the most popular Norwich defender as he's nailed on and reguarly gets forward. As he might miss the start of the season, it could be a 'Whittaker until Olsson is fit' situation. Andre Wisdom (4.5m) - Wisdom joins on a season long loan from Liverpool and will be hoping to take Martin's spot at CB. He offers versatility to Norwich as he can play anywhere across the back line, this will probably mean he will make a lot of apperances. It is however yet to be seen if he can break into the starting 11. VERDICT: If Wisdom can nail down a starting place and Norwich are solid defensively he is a great selection, otherwise we would avoid him. Sebastien Bassong (4.5m) - After falling out with former boss Chris Hughton, Bassong found himself dropped to the reserves and then loaned out to Watford until January. Since the arrival of new manager Alex Neil, Bassong has been revitalised and now finds himself the main man at the back for Norwich City. The Canaries are looking to bring in another centre back but that will more than likely be to partner rather than replace him. VERDICT: He's far more nailed on that Whittaker and Martin at this moment in time and is expeceted to start in Gameweek 1. Could be a good backup option for Whittaker if Norwich sign a new right-back. Russell Martin (4.5m) - The captain, played 48 out of 49 games last season and scored 2 goals in the process. Althought he's typically a right back, he started centrally for Norwich in the familiar back four of; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson. The general consensus is however that Martin isn't quite Premier League standard at centre back and could be rotated with Whittaker at right back if Norwich sign another centre-back to partner with Bassong. It will be interesting to see how Martin is used as he is the captain after all. VERDICT: There's a chance he will be rotated next season and he isn't all that attacking minded - you'll find better defensive options for 4.5m. Ryan Bennett/Jos Hooiveld/Michael Turner (4.0) - Unlikely that any of these players will feature consistently. If one starts getting regular playing time then they could make a good 5th defender option, but don't bet on it. VERDICT: Avoid.

WHICH NORWICH MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Redmond, Hoolahan, Johnson and Howson all have decent fantasy football potential. Only Johnson out of the four is exempt from rotation but his tendencey to get booked is a problem. With a nice run of opening home fixtures, we could see Redmond and Hoolahan featuring reguarly at the start of the season - based on this, we recommened Redmond for the first 10 weeks as the easier fixtures could spark a run of good form.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Nathan Redmond (5.5m) - He's the player you're all considering and for obvious reasons. 5 goals and 12 assists last season and his best form coming when it mattered with vital goals and assists in the play offs. He was also the only English player to make team of the tournament at the Euro U21s, so if his form continues he could be worth having. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] He's also on corners which is an added bonus with the likes of Jerome and Johnson in the box. VERDICT: The most promising looking Norwich attacker for the first 10 Gameweeks. Bradley Johnson (5.5m) - Norwich's player of the season last year. 15 goals from midfield despite playing in defensive and right midfield rather than in his box-to-box preference. Mulumbu's arrival and Norwich's search for a new winger could mean Johnson being utilised in his preferred role again, but beware of his tendency to get booked as he picked up 13 yellows last season. VERDICT: Consistent throughout last season and has the potential to repeat that on a bigger stage. He is a bit of a card-magnet though. Robbie Brady (5.5m) - In his last to seasons in the Premier League he scored 51 points and 59 points. This makes his price tag seem a little bit steep. He's likely to be a starter as Norwich were very keen to sign the winger. Brady could take over corner or free kick duty so that is something to keep an eye on. VERDICT: We'd stay away from Brady, his points in the last two years have shown he's not worth his price tag. Wesley Hoolahan (5.0m) - He may be 33, but he's been labeled by the Carrow Road faithful as their very own 'Irish Messi' and has flourished under Alex Neil. Him and Redmond are the most creative of Norwich's midfielders so expect Hoolahan to play, particularly in games where Norwich are hoping to score some goals. Although he surprisingly only picked up 5 goals last season, he's recently taken on the role of penalties and has scored his first two - including a high-pressure one to go 2-1 against Ipswich in the play-off semi finals. If he's playing consistently, he's very good value at 5.0m. Let's hope his age doesn't catch him just yet. VERDICT: An attacking midfielder who takes penalties, creates plenty of chances and picks up a few goals along the way. If he's playing, at that price he's golden! Jonny Howson (5.0m) - He's proven himself in the Premier League before and scored 9 goals in 35 appearances last season - so when he's not injured - he's definitely worth a look. Under Hughton in our relegation season he managed 65 fantasy points, though we'd expect him to narrowly beat that this year. For 5.0 he's worth consideration if he hits a good run of form. VERDICT: Showed promising spells last time Norwich were in the Premier League but probably isn't worth 5.0m. Graham Dorrans (5.0m) - Having joined in January, Dorrans picked up 3 goals in 14 appearences for Norwich and comes in this year with a 5.0m price-tag. Anybody who's watched West Brom over the years will known that Dorrans is a solid player, but he is more likely to be playing the tough away games rather than the games where a bit of creativity and space will open up. When he plays he is on set pieces, but Norwich are interested in signing Robbie Brady who would take that role away from him. Although he's likely to get minutes he won't be in the most attacking role, so at 5.0 he's probably not worth it. VERDICT: There's better 5.0m midfielder options in the Norwich team alone. Alex Tettey (4.5m) - A quality defensive midfielder who protects the back four and crops up with a goal every so often. However, the Fantasy Premier League points system doesn't favour defensive midfielders and his 13 yellow cards last season deters from his point potential even further. VERDICT: Not worth it, he's a defensive midfielder. Youssouf Mulumbu (4.5m) - Although the Norwich fans rate Mulumbu as a quality signing, his FPL potential is shunned once again by the fact that he's a defensive midfielder. 15 goals in 191 appearance for West Brom says it all. VERDICT: No, he's another defensive midfielder. Gary O'Neil/Elliott Bennett (4.0m) - Will be used as subs at best. Nothing to see here.

WHICH NORWICH FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Either Jerome or Grabban will be the main striker, and we recommend whichever one occupies this role as a potential 3rd striker. The problem is, we couldn't tell you 100% who will be the main striker. It's best to keep your eye on pre-season and look who starts the final friendlies against Brentford and West Ham to try and get a guess at who it will be. Alex Neil went for Grabban when he's fit but Jerome has more than proven his worth in the role.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Cameron Jerome (5.0m) - 20 goals and 7 assists in 41 appearances. Even when he's not scoring he's usually involved in the goals. If he starts as lone striker then he could be worth it as a budget third striker on FPL as he is 28 and should be in his prime. Then again, he's failed to cut in the Premier League in the past so it comes down to the manager and only time will tell with that.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: Could be the main man, if so he's worth it. Lewis Grabban (4.5m) - Another one that's tough to put a finger on. Grabban started brilliantly last year scoring 12 goals in 23 starts, but managed to fall out of favour with the old boss. Alex Neil brought him back in to the lineup on his arrival and Grabban instantly returned to goalscoring ways before picking up a two-month injury followed by a red card on his return. Jerome covered, and very well at that. If Neil opts for Grabban as his main striker, then at 4.5m is a very cheap pricetag. VERDICT: If he finds his way back in the lineup he's definitely worth your third forward slot at 4.5m. Gary Hooper (4.5m) - A tough call to make because although Hooper netted 12 goals in 16 starts last season, that's the problem; only 16 starts. Nobody knows why he doesn't get more playing time because he has the quality and that was even displayed under Hughton. There's rumours floating around that he could be loaned to Bolton to join up with Neil Lennon once again. Avoid unless he somehow finds himself starting, if he does he'll be a huge bargain at 4.5m. VERDICT: If he stays and if he plays, then maybe. Kyle Lafferty (4.5m) - Immediately loaned out to Turkey upon Alex Neil's arrival. The fact he's the forth choice striker in a lone-striker system should say enough. VERDICT: Don't bother. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (5.0m) - Wait, what? He's still at Norwich? Correct. But the Canaries are doing everything they can to send him back to Europe after his 1 goal in their relegation season. Don't expect to see him playing and select him at your peril. VERDICT: Put him in, we dare you!

OVERALL SUMMARY

Whittaker is he's playing, Olsson if he's fit for GW1 in defence. Redmond in the midfield particularly for the start, and Jerome/Grabban depending on who gets the nod as the main man in attack. A final thing to consider is that Norwich are a newly promoted club so do not throw all your eggs in one basket, start with one Norwich player max.