FPLZ 2012/13 Season Preview: Queens Park Rangers F.C.

Queens Park Rangers F.C. 

Alejandro Faurlin posing for QPR's 3rd kit.

You can download the full analyzed squad data here.

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Last Season: Just Enough
It was ironic to see the team who dominated the Championship two seasons ago struggled so much in the Premier League last season, especially when the other two promoters have freed themselves from relegation so early. They are really lucky to still remain in the top-flight league this season thanks to Bolton who failed to win their last game last season.

This Summer: Bigger Cash Splash
Tony Fernandes never stops spending. QPR have already sign a whopping number of 7 players so far, who namely are Samba Diakite, Fabio da Silva (loan), Robert Green, Junior Hoilett, Andrew Johnson, Ryan Nelsen and the best among them all, Park Ji-Sung. Ambitious, but whether these purchases can be converted into results is another story.

Quite a number of players are migrating away from Loftus Road as well, and they are Patrick Agmeyang, Daniel Gabbidon, Fitz Hall, Paddy Kenny and Daniel Shittu.

Upcoming Season: Looking for Improvement
With such a strong financial support from the boss, Mark Hughes simply has to deliver. Though the players can only be classified as second class players at best, they depth that QPR have is tremendous. If the gaffer can use this advantage effectively, things can really turn big at Loftus Road.

Park's historical P90.

No More Parking On the Bench: Park (FI: 0.262)
Park Ji-Sung was wasting one of his greatest attributes at Manchester United, and that is stamina. Nicknamed "Three-Lungs Park", the South Korean never runs out of breath in the game, has immense work rate, and is able to play everywhere on the midfield.

With his decision to join QPR, fantasy managers have the chance to see his full potential, should he start regularly for the whole season. If he can deliver 5 goals in 2006/07 season with Manchester United in just 775 minutes, I see no reason why he cannot achieve 10 goal milestone this season if he can play for more than 2500 minutes.

Revived?: Taarabt (FI: 0.343)
Adel Taarabt (£6.0m) was one of the player whom many pundits expect to shine last season, but for some reason the lad failed to deliver what he seemed to promise.

Nonetheless, the midfield had a fine run during the final quarter of last season, averaging 6.0 points for the last 6 Premier League games he played for QPR. With better crop of players surrounding the Moroccan this season, Taarabt should definitely be included into your fantasy watchlist.

Survived: Hoilett (FI: 0.456)
Relegated with Blackburn, QPR took Junior Hoilett (£6.5m) back to the Premier League after the winger's contract expired this summer.

The Canadian is definitely a talented one, with his name listed in FIFA's 13 Players to Watch in January 2012. If he can improve on his 7 goals and 6 assists tally last season, he can become a really popular fantasy pick.

Overcrowded: Forwards
Bobby Zamora (£6.5m), Djibril Cisse (£6.5m), Jamie Mackie (£5.5m), Heidar Helguson (£5.0m), Andrew Johnson (£5.0m), Jay Bothroyd (£5.0m)...... The long list of forwards goes on.

Rotation policy will certainly be on Hughes' books, so fantasy managers should really avoid them now. I believe Zamora could be the exception though.

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FPLZ 2012/13 Season Preview: Fulham F.C.

Fulham F.C.

Fulham captain Hangeland showing the club's
new kit for this coming season.

You can download the full analyzed squad data here.

Password: http://p-fplz.blogspot.com/

Last Season: Jol's Reformation
As expected Martin Jol has made Fulham's style more offensive, a stark contrast from Roy Hodgson's version of the Cottagers. That was reflected in Fulham's goals conceded (51) figure, which is the highest since 2007/08 season (60). Despite that, they were still able to achieve their second best season in the Premier League, with only one point shy from equalling 2008/09 season of 53 points.

This Summer: Big Renovation
Massive personnel changes are undergoing at Craven Cottage, which include the departure of captain Danny Murphy (to Blackburn) and striker Andrew Johnson (to QPR). Going the opposite way are ex-FPL favourite Hugo Rodallega (from Wigan), Croatian international Mladen Petric (from Hamburger SV) and full-back Sascha Riether.

Meanwhile, Fulham's ace Clinton Dempsey is heavily linked with Liverpool. However the two clubs can hardly make an agreement on his valuation.

Upcoming Season: Transition Period
Things are looking quite uncertain for Fulham this season with so much of players moving in and out. I believe this will be the season where Jol starts to mould more of his style into Fulham's play, and it could really go to either ends for now. Second year is always the toughest, for both players and managers.

Dempsey's stats last season.

The Chieftain: Dempsey (FI: 0.794)
Definitely a fantastic season for Clint Dempsey (£9.5m) where the midfielder reached 200 point milestone for the first time in his fantasy career. Very out of my expectations to see a star from a medium-sized club to perform to such extent.

Nonetheless, Dempsey is overpriced this season in my opinion. With the acquisition of Rodallega and Petric, the American will have less time featuring as a "false nine", thus limiting his goal opportunities. I do not see much value in him unless he moves to Liverpool.

Hot Stuff: Petric (FI: N/A)
Hard to say how well Mladen Petric (£6.0m) will fare this season, but the lad has shown incredible form in pre-season, scoring 5 goals in 4 games.

The Croatian has a track record of 38 goals in 98 appearances for Hamburger SV, which translates to 1 goal in about every 2.5 games. It deviates a lot with Petric's current form, so fantasy managers should take time and observe before making a move for him. Would not be too bad as a third forward though with his affordable price.

Worth An Eye: Rodallega (FI: 0.271)
Interesting move by Fulham to acquire Hugo Rodallega (£6.0m), whom Roberto Martinez had lost faith on him last season.

Rodallega was a hit 3 seasons back, where he scored 149 points at a fantasy friendly price of £5-6m. Unfortunately, it was a down slope track ever since, and the lad had only played for 1257 minutes last season as he failed to impress Martinez.

Still, the Colombian has the potential and a move to Craven Cottage could revive the spark beneath him to perform. A man that worth to keep an eye for.

Cost Effective: Diarra (FI: 0.642)
It surprises me when FPLZ Index shows that winter purchase Mahamadou Diarra (£5.0m) ranks third among Fulham's list of players, behind of Dempsey and another winter joiner Pavel Pogrebnyak (he has joined Reading anyway).

The Malian has a P90 of 4.57 last season, which was impressive compared to his low price. His experience in Real Madrid and AS Monaco should help him to perform well again in this new season. Definitely not a bad choice as a fifth midfielder in your team.

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