Dec 14

West Ham - 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 some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus on West Ham, who under new manager Slaven Bilic will be hoping for a top 10 finish along side a successful Europe League campaign. A Hammers fan from 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 Ham players should make your FPL teams. We will also be at hand to answer any of your West Ham related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our West Ham team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season

OPENING FIXTURES

Arsenal (A) Leicester (H) Bournemouth (H) Liverpool (A) Newcastle (H)

SET PIECE TAKERS

Penalties: Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan Freekicks: Dimitri Payet, Aaron Cresswell Corners: Dimitri Payet, Aaron Cresswell

TRANSFER TARGETS

Striker - Charlie Austin (Transfer rumour) Javier Hernandez (Transfer rumour) Midfielder - Mathieu Valbuena (Transfer rumour)

PREDICTED LINEUPS

Adrian Jenkinson, Tomkins/Ogbonna, Reid, Cresswell Kouyate, Noble Lanzini/Jarvis/Amalfitano, Payet, Zarate Sakho

WEST HAM'S DEFENSIVE RECORD

Under Sam Allardyce, they conceded 47 goals in the Premier League, that was less than the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. Now they are under a new manager in the shape of former West Ham player Bilic. His teams in the past have been free-flowing and the wing-backs have been given a lot of freedom and licence to attack. This could lead to gaps in the Hammers' defence that could be exploited. They did have a good record at home though, last season they only conceded 18 goals which is something to consider if you select a West Ham defender. One thing to note is that West Ham are in the Europa League this season and have already played a number of games in the competition. Their players may well be tired come the opening games of the season. Their keeper Adrian kept eight clean sheets last season and was a great shot stopper both from open play and penalties.

GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Adrian (5.0m) - Scored 142 point last, and was fantastic for West Ham. A nailed on starter and if you don't want the elite GK's like Cech and De Gea, Adrian is the next best, a fantastic keeper who is a very good shot stopper. VERDICT: He's going to be risky from the start, as they play Arsenal but after that he will be good to be used in a rotation system.[/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] Darren Randolph 4.5 - He will struggle to get any game time in the Premier League and will most likely feature in the cups, as we know though players don't score points in cup games. VERDICT: Avoid him, not likely to feature and won't score points.

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

In defence you have the option of a new signing in the shape of Ogbonna who was hot and cold during his spell at Juventus but should make back line of West Ham more solid that's if he adapts well. Jenkinson could be a good option to have but there is doubt over his ability in the final third. This leads us to our defender of choice Aaron Cresswell. He won the Hammers' of the Year award last season and is a constant threat down the wing for West Ham. He will provide the West Ham strikers with quality service and is bound to be at his best once again this year.

DEFENDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Aaron Cresswell (5.5m) - The highest scoring West Ham defender last season and was very impressive during his Premier League debut campaign. He scored 129 points along with four assists and two goals. He's going to get better this season and provide a massive threat down the left for West Ham. He's a nailed on starter and is at good value for 5.5m. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: You have to consider him not just for a West Ham player but for your FPL side. Will pick up assists and points. Carl Jenkinson (5.0m) - Joins for another season on loan from Arsenal, he's not allowed to play the first game week due to being on loan from his parent club. Last year he scored 94 points from right back and had two assists for the year. He just doesn't provide enough in the final third for a fullback and the 5.0m could be better spent. VERDICT: Out for the first game week and you could spend 5.0m on a more FPL suited player. James Tominks (5.0m) - Played 22 times last season and scored one goal and contributed three assists. He did however get booked six times. It's touch and go if he will be a starter though, the signing of Ogbonna puts his position under threat. He may start the season but once Reid is fit he could lose his place. VERDICT: We'd avoid him, he's not a nailed on starter so it's to much of a risk. Winston Reid (5.0m) - Throughout last season there was talk of him moving to Arsenal but he eventually signed a new deal to commit his future at West Ham. He currently has a knock and isn't fully fit, but when he is fit he's a strong, solid defender for West Ham, but for a player of his side he doesn't score enough - he's never scored more than one in a Premie League season. VERDICT: Avoid to start the season as he's currently not fully fit. If West Ham are solid at the back and Reid shows no signs of coming out the team then get him. Angelo Ogbonna (5.0m) - Joined from Juventus for a fee reported to be around 10 million. He didn't enjoy the best of times at Juventus and his game was riddled with mistakes, with the move to West Ham coming about this is something he will be looking to remove. He's quick and should be a starter for West Ham. VERDICT: Based on what we saw of him in Italy, we'd avoid at the start of the season, but we would keep an eye on him and see how he settles into the Premier League. James Collins (4.5m) - Played 27 times last season but didn't score a single goal. He was booked five times and sent of once, on FPL he scored 54 points and with the addition of Ogbonna he could see less game time. VERDICT: Avoid him, he doesn't score enough FPL points. Joey O'Brien/Reece Burke/Reece Oxford (4.0m-4.5m) - Burke played for West Ham towards the end of the season and looked good but with Ogbonna coming in it's unlikely he will be playing much. Whilst Oxford has been impressing during pre season and in the Europa League it would be a massive risk of a 16-year-old to play in the Premier League. O'Brien isn't going to play much either. VERDICT: Avoid all three of them.

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

There is one man who stands out in the midfield for West Ham and that's the new signing Payet. He was fantastic in Ligue 1 last season and created a lot of chances and this was reflected in his 17 assists. Throughout West Ham's Europa League campaign and the rest of their pre season he's been taking almost every free kick and corner West Ham have got. It's very hard to over look him as he will pick up a lot of points for West Ham and is priced quite cheap for a player who collected 17 assists last season.

MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Dimitri Payet (7.5m) - He was sublime last season for Marseille and was one of the most creative players in Europe. He scored seven goals and created 17 - yes 17 assists. He led to chances created in the top 5 leagues last season and at 7.5m offers great value. Throughout pre season he's impressed scoring goals and creating them. He has also been taking free kicks and corners which is something to note when picking him for your side. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: You have to consider him, he's going to assist a lot and offers great value at 7.5. Cheikhou Kouyate (5.5m) - Was very good in his first season in the Premier league and West Ham utilised him in a number of positions both in midfield and in defence. He scored four goals and assisted two but also picked up five yellow cards. He's likely to be a starter but and was the highest scoring West Ham midfielder last season with 98. VERDICT: It's a gamble picking Kouyate whilst he picks up assists and scores he faces a lot of competition for his spot, he should start the season but we wouldn't pick him straight away. Keep an eye on him. Manuel Lanzini (5.5m) - Not much is known about him, he joins on loan from Al Jazira and is an attacking who can also play out wide. That's about all we can tell you about him. He's yet to play in pre season but should feature in the league. VERDICT: We'd avoid him, not much is known about him but if he does play keep an eye on him, he could be a gem for all we know. Kevin Nolan (5.5m) - Played 29 times last year with 10 of those appearances coming from the bench. He scored one goal and assisted one. Now at the age of 33 he's less likely to see game time. VERDICT: Stay clear, he won't feature much and could depart the club. Mark Noble (5.5m) - He SHOULD be a starter but with the addition of Obiang does put question marks over that. and can often be seen wearing the captains armband. He played 28 times last season scoring twice and assisting 3 times. He's very good from penalties but isn't a high FPL points scorer. VERDICT: We wouldn't risk him, he only scored 89 points last year and could spend 5.5m better elsewhere. Matt Jarvis (5.0m) - There is a lot of talk that he will be used in a swap deal that brings Charlie Austin to the club but there is yet to be any official bid made. Last season he played 415 minutes and started four games scoring and assisting none. VERDICT: Avoid him, he may not be at the club and doesn't contribute enough when he plays. Morgan Amalfintano (5.0m) - He's been playing in the Europa League and last season scored three times and assisted once, he's shown signs of his ability but doesn't do it often enough. Now on the wrong side of 30 he could feature a lot less. VERDICT: Stay away, it's not worth the risk and his points return is pretty low. Pedro Obiang (5.0m) - Currently out with a knock and may not feature at the start of the season. He scored three goals and assisted one last season for Sampdoria but there was a serious flaw in his game. He picked up 12 bookings across the season which makes him a FPL nightmare. VERDICT: We'd suggest avoiding him due to his disciplinary record. Diego Poyet (4.5m) - He's been featuring in the Europa League and has been impressing but he will be battling for game time in the Premier League. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's got a lot of competition for his spot, he could eventually nail it down if he impresses but for now we would avoid him.

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

It's no secret that West Ham are in the market for a new striker and many names have passed through the rumour mill. West Ham have some issues upfront with injuries. Enner Valencia has suffered a knee injury that will see up our for 12 weeks whilst Carroll is still struggling with his fitness. We feel that Sakho is the West Ham striker to get, he's a nailed on starter and will produce the goods regularly. Something that works in his favour is he is facing a suspension in the Europa League so will be fully fit in for the opening weeks of the Premier League. He's a danger in the air and good with the ball at his feet. He's at a good price also which makes his purchase less of a risk.

FORWARD ANALYSIS

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[/mks_one_half] [mks_one_half]Diafra Sakho (6.5m) - Enjoyed a good first season in the Premier League scoring 10 goals in 23 games, he suffered a back injury that saw him miss the remaining games. He's a nailed on starter for West Ham and unless they bring in someone a lot better than won't change. He's promised the fans 20 goals this year so his ambition is there, although for the same price you could get Berahino. [/mks_one_half] [/mks_col] VERDICT: If you want a cheap striker he's a very good option, the service he will get from Payer should see him score more goals. Andy Carroll (6.5m) - He's really struggling of late to find form and fitness. He played 14 times last year and scored five goals but has been out injured and isn't expected back till at least September. Once he's back and fully fit he is a danger for West Ham he brings an aerial presence that they can utilise but he just can't seem to be injury free. VERDICT: Avoid him, he's to injury prone and won't score enough points for you. Enner Valencia (6.0m) - The Ecuadorian striker suffered both knee and ankles injuries this week and is now out for up to 12 weeks. In his 32 games last season he scored four goals and contributed three assists. He wasn't a consistent scorer and won't be playing much in the opening game weeks due to injury. VERDICT: Avoid him, injured and inconsistent. Mauro Zarate (5.5m) - The Argentine looked on his way out at the end of the season but throughout pre season and the Europa League qualification he's looked very lively and very creative. Bilic has chopped and change with his tactics in pre season testing both one and two upfront on numerous occasions. If he plays two up top then Zarate could be the man to partner Sakho otherwise his game influence on your FPL side will be limited. VERDICT: It's not worth the gamble hoping Bilic starts him upfront alongside Sakho. West Ham are also rumoured to want a new striker which could see his game time limited, stay away. Modibo Maiga (4.5m) - Spent last season on loan at Metz in France and scored nine league goals, he's going to be back up for West Ham with his game time being limited. VERDICT: Avoid, won't feature enough. Elliot Lee (4.5m) - The son of former Newcastle United and England midfielder Rob Lee, Elliot is a 20-year-old striker who spent last season out on loan at Luton Town in League 2. He's unlikely to; A. Feature much for West Ham and B. Stay at West Ham. VERDICT: Avoid him, he won't be playing much for West Ham.

OVERALL SUMMARY

There is no real competition in goal for Adrian, he's going to be the nailed on starter and doesn't face much competition from Randolph. He was a high scorer last season collecting 142 throughout the season, you should consider him if you don't want an expensive keeper. In defence Aaron Cresswell is our pick, last season he had 129 points and was both a danger going forward and strong defensively. Such was his form throughout the season both Chelsea and Manchester City were linked with a move for the left back. He loves getting forward and such is the way with young players he is only going to get better. In midfield the new signing Payet is turning a lot of heads. No West Ham midfielder scored over 100 points last season however that is expected to change with the addition of the midfielder. He plays behind the striker and is very good from a set piece, you don't just pick up 17 assists in Ligue 1 and he has all the traits to carry over this form into the Premier League. Finally upfront we are backing Sakho to continue his form from last season into this campaign and improve on his tally of last year, the addition of Payet will see him get more chances and benefit him massively.