Dec 14

West Brom - Team & Player Guide 2015/16 - Fantasy Premier League Tips

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We're teaming up with knowledgeable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on West Bromwich Albion who will be looking to get back into the top 10 for the first time since the 2012-2013 season. Baggies fan WBAGNR (as he's known on Reddit) has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which West Brom players should make your FPL teams. He will also be at hand to answer any of your West Brom related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our West Brom team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.

OPENING FIXTURES

Manchester City (H) Watford (A) Chelsea (H) Stoke (A) Southampton (H)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Saido Berahino, James Morrison Freekicks: Craig Gardner, Chris Brunt Corners: Chris Brunt, Craig Gardner

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Adrian Ramos (Transfer rumour) Midfielder - Mario Lemina (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUP

Myhill Dawson McAuley Olsson Lescott Gardner Fletcher Yacob Morrison Brunt Berahino

WEST BROM DEFENSIVE RECORD

At the start of the season West Brom struggled to keep clean sheets until the famous Tony Pulis arrived. The goals they conceded reduced massively. As Pulis does with he sides he makes them stubborn at the back and hard to break down and real nightmare to play against at home this was shown from his time at Stoke. That said their opening three home fixtures consist of Manchester City, Chelsea and Southampton. So if you're considering a West Brom defender be patient with their selection. They conceded 51 goals last year and kept 15 clean sheets 11 coming from now injured England international Ben Foster

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Boaz Myhill (4.5m) - Unless West Brom buy another keeper, Myhill will be first choice. He's positioned behind a solid back four and for 4.5 million you could do a lot worse. A feature of Pulis' sides is their ability to keep clean sheets. VERDICT: A nailed on started unless Pulis buys a keeper, rotate for opening home fixtures. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Ben Foster (5.0m) - Unfortunately Foster is currently out injured with his return date around October, November time. If Myhill has a good opening few weeks then he may struggle to get back into the team. VERDICT: Out injured and may struggle to get back into the side if Myhill is playing well.

WHICH WEST BROM DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

West Brom will be solid at the back this season so picking out a West Brom defender is a hard job. It's a toss up between Lescott and Dawson, but we've edged towards the younger in the shape of Craig Dawson. He's the starting right back for West Brom and doesn't really have much competition for that spot. He's shown in the past his ability to cause problems from set pieces and may pop up with a few assists.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Craig Dawson (5.0m) - A guaranteed starter for Pulis, he's not an attacking defender by any means but playing at the right back spot he could pick up a few assists and score the odd headed goal. There are better options out there for 5.0m though. VERDICT: He's worth a think in a rotation system, as he will get clean sheets. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Joleon Lescott (5.0m) - A reliable defender whose more than likely going to start every game. At the age of 32 he could be exposed by quicker strikers. A threat from set pieces and solid in a tackle. VERDICT: If you don't fancy Dawson, Lescott is just as good. Gareth Mcauley (5.0m) - He wasn't up to his usual standards last season and looked to be dipping in form. He needs to find his form quickly to remain in the team VERDICT: He's not worth the risk or price tag. James Chester (5.0m) - Chester joins from relegated Hull City for £8 million. This price tag suggests he's going to be in the starting line up. It's difficult to tell where though because he can play anywhere across the back and could easily take someones place, it's just who? In terms of FPL we'd probably avoid him as and stick to Dawson or Lescott. VERDICT: To start the season we would avoid him, if he nails down a starting position in the back four then consider him. Sebastien Pocognoli/Jonas Olsson/Cristian Gamboa (4.0m-4.5m) All three looked strong under Irvine however Pulis doesn't seem to like Pocgnoli or Gamboa and Olsson is always on the edge of a booking. VERDICT: Avoid all three.

WHICH WEST BROM MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

Chris Brunt offered a great return last season scoring 128 points. The highest of any West Brom midfielder. Assuming he's still on corners and the occasional free kick he will be providing both goals and assists. He's a threat going forward and with the ever improving Berhaino upfront he has the opportunity to pick up more points than last year.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Chris Brunt (5.5m) - He's been they key man in midfield for the Baggies' in recent years. He scores goals and gets assists and is integral to their attacking play. He doesn't have the pace to beat a man but certainly could find a pass to someone who could. VERDICT: You could certainly do a lot worse for 5.5m [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Craig Gardner (5.5m) - He doesn't do enough to earn FPL points and his price tag of 5.5m seems very expensive for him. VERDICT: He's to expensive and won't get you enough points. Stephane Sessegnon (5.5m) - Massively inconsistent and for a player of his ability he doesn't score half as much goals or provide half as many assists as he should. VERDICT: It's a no for Sessegnon. James Morrison (5.0m) - Without doubt he will put in a shift week in week out, that's why so many managers love him but he doesn't provide enough in the final third. VERDICT: We wouldn't recommend him. Callum McManaman (5.0m) - Has the ability to change a game almost instantly, as shown from his time at Wigan. The problem is he doesn't show that ability often enough. This will be hist first full season at West Brom, if given game time by Pulis he could be a gem for his price. VERDICT: Keep an eye on McManaman, see if he's starting and making an impact then make your decision on bringing him in. James McClean (5.0m) - Has a habit of causing controversy everywhere he goes, a new signing for West Brom which suggest he's someone Pulis wanted but his off the pitch habits may limit his game time. VERDICT: - For the same price Mcmanaman looks a better pick. Darren Fletcher (4.5m) - Dictates the tempo in the defensive midfield position for West Brom and has experience at the top level of English football. He doesn't contribute enough goals though. VERDICT: There are better options out there. Claudio Yacob (4.5) - A trustworthy defensive midfielder who will do next to nothing attacking wise and more than likely get booked a lot of times. VERDICT: As you know by now FPL is not suited for defensive midfielders.

WHICH WEST BROM FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?

After his performances last season it has to be Berahino he looks a bargain at 6.5m. Although he may not score week in week out he's always having chances and coming close. He's certainly someone you should be considering for your team as he'd free up a lot of spare cash. He scored 148 points last season and has been linked with a move to Spurs' this summer. If he stays he will be the main striker and will be scoring goals once again.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Saido Berahino (6.5m) - A real gem for West Brom, the longer they can keep hold of him the better. Berahino scored 14 league goals last year. The 21-year-old is quick and has clever movement and most importantly knows where the goal is. VERDICT: He's one of the best available for 6.5m, you seriously suggest him. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Brown Ideye (6.0m) - Not really lived up to the player he was meant to be. Ideye struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his first season scoring four goals in the league, not someone we'd suggest. VERDICT: It's a no for Ideye. Rickie Lambert (6.0m) The signing of Lambert makes your West Brom selection a little bit more interesting. Throughout his career he's shown he is a goalscorer, he wasn't given the chances to prove this at Liverpool but on his West Brom debut in a friendly against Bristol Rovers he scored two. VERDICT: Likely to partner Berahino upfront so there is a chance of assists and goals, he's 0.5m cheaper than Berhaino and could provide a good points return. Victor Anichebe (5.0m) - He's massively injury prone and when he does get on the pitch he doesn't score enough for a striker. VERDICT: - It'd be best off if you avoided him.

OVERALL SUMMARY

With Foster out injured, Myhill will be starting until he's back and possibly beyond. If you do pick him though be wary of any new keepers Pulis' signs. In defence it's Craig Dawson. He's a nailed on starter and although he may not be the most attacking of fullbacks, he creates danger from set pieces and under Pulis will be keeping clean sheets. Midfield throws up many possible options and a couple to keep an eye on but from the start we'd suggest Chris Brunt. He's got a dangerous set piece in him and was West Brom's highest scoring midfielder last year. If you are brave enough McManaman is one to keep an eye on as he has the ability to be a very good player. Finally upfront, now there is a tricky decision to be made. You could stick with the proven West Bro striker in Berahino or you could opt for the new signing Lambert who is cheaper. We feel for 0.5m more you might as well take Berahinho.