2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 15th (43 pts)

Points per game (home: away): 1.47: 0.79

Goals per game (for: against): 1.21: 1.55

Number of clean sheets: 8

Top league scorer: David Hoilett, Jason Roberts, Nikola Kalinic (5 goals)

Top league assister: Morten Gamst Pedersen (6 assists)

Transfers

In: -

Out: Phil Jones, Zurab Khizanishvili, Frank Fielding, Aaron Doran, Jason Brown

Predicted Season Finish: 16th

It has been pretty silent for Blackburn. Playing pretty inconsistently, you can hardly expect good results from them. The biggest obstacle for them to reach a better ranking is the lack of a star player - one who can give a strong leadership and motivation for them to perform.

Fantasy Ace?: Morten Gamst Pedersen (£6.5m)

I don't feature MGP in one of my posts for nothing.Although he's still a distance away from his best, the Norwegian Beckham is the only one who can instill some excitement to watching Blackburn's play. He's very good in crosses, and has been one of best performer of Blackburn in recent years.

Unfortunately though, he form is rather volatile and thus not so reliable.

Decent Picks: Paul Robinson (£5.0m), Christopher Samba (£5.5m)

It's not a surprise both jewels in defence are good selections for any fantasy team. Robinson, despite his age, is still very good with his acrobatic saves. Added with the fact that he actually provided three assists from his penalty box last season, at the price of £5.0m he's still a good choice as keeper.

Samba is one of the tallest centre-back in the league, and he has been using his height to his advantages. Four goals a season for a defender is a pretty outstanding figure, especially when those who scored more than him as defenders all come with expensive price tags. He couldn't score more due to the fact that he plays for a mid-table club, but at the age of 27, you can expect his best to come sooner than later.

Worth Scouting: David Dunn (£6.5m)

It's a shame that Dunn's frequent injuries is stopping him from becoming a good fantasy bargain. While he has never played for more than 2000 minutes on the course of his career with Blackburn, he is the main set piece taker whenever he's fit. A good scout on him definitely won't harm you.

2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 16th (42 pts)

Points per game (home: away): 1.21: 1.00

Goals per game (for: against): 1.05: 1.61

Number of clean sheets: 7

Top league scorer: Hugo Rodallega, Charles N'Zogbia (9 goals)

Top league assister: Charles N'Zogbia (5 assists)

Transfers

In: Ali Al-Habsi

Out: Steven Caldwell, Antonio Amaya, Charles N'Zogbia

Predicted Season Finish: 20th

Forgive me for my pessimism. The Latics were lucky enough to survive last season, but selling the team's top star without finding a decent replacement should be a doomsday for them. All the best.

Fantasy Ace: Hugo Rodallega (£6.5m)

With Charles N'Zogbia leaving, Rodallega has become the only valuable offensive fantasy investments of Wigan. He has good finishing, and is also a bonus magnet of Wigan.

The departure of N'Zogbia may or may not be good for him. On the positive side, Wigan's attack will be more focused on him; on the negative side, the supplies to him will be of less quality. We'll have to see which side will outweigh another.

Decent Picks: Ali Al-Habsi (£4.5m)

Unarguably Al-Habsi is a very good choice for second goalkeeper. Though Wigan is a very leaky team, his outstanding number of saves (121) has effectively compensated his loss of fantasy points. He is very popular as well this season, with more than 20% of fantasy managers picking him.

Worth Scouting: James McCarthy (£5.5m)

The former Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year is far from promising at Wigan so far, but the departure of N'Zogbia could help him to make his name here.

2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 17th (40 pts)

Points per game (home: away): 1.47: 0.63

Goals per game (for: against): 1.21: 1.74

Number of clean sheets: 5

Top league scorer: Steven Fletcher (10 goals)

Top league assister: Matthew Jarvis (6 assists)

Transfers

In: Jamie O'Hara, Dorus de Vries, Roger Johnson

Out: Greg Halford, Scott Malone, Danny Batth

Predicted Season Finish: 17th

Not a showy team in the Premier League. Staying in the top flight has always been Wolves' target every season, and it will be the same too this time. They will continue to struggle but thanks to their relatively weaker competitors, they will again survive.

Fantasy Ace?: Matthew Jarvis (£6.0m)

To be frank Wolves is not a productive fantasy team - only one player managed to break the 100 point benchmark, and he's Jarvis. At £6.0m Jarvis is a little bit pricey, but if you think Wolves will do well this season, he's the best person to invest in.

Decent Picks: Roger Johnson (£5.0m)

The solid centre back from Birmingham has immediately become the Wolves' skipper after he joined the club. His leadership and experience will help reduce Wolves' goals against figure, but whether he can improve on his fantasy score is another question.

Worth Scouting: Steven Fletcher (£6.5m), Kevin Doyle (£6.0m)

Both strikers are decent, but their price tags have made them not so worthy investments. Depending on their form, you may think of getting them.

2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 1st - League Championship (88 points)

Points per game (home: away): 2.13: 1.70

Goals per game (for: against): 1.54: 0.70

Number of clean sheets: 25 (out of 46 games)

Top league scorer: Adel Taarabt (19 goals)

Top league assister: Adel Taarabt (16 assists)

Transfers

In: Jay Bothroyd, Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon

Out: Mikele Leigertwood

Predicted Season Finish: 14th

I am quite positive about QPR's survival. Decent defence, coupled with the existence of Adel Taarabt, should make them a pretty consistently performing team. I cannot wait to see them in action.

Fantasy Ace: Adel Taarabt (£6.5m)

Being the most expensive fantasy player among those who promoted, Adel Taarabt is this season's Charlie Adam. Crowned as "The Next Zidane" by some, Taarabt does have a lot of skills to show: impressive footwork, wide vision, precision passes, clinical finishing, solid free kicks and the best of all, he can play at both middle and sideways.

With such attacking variability, defenders will have big trouble to guard him. He will definitely shine in the Premier League. I am expecting more than 150 fantasy points from him. Hopefully he won't be gone before the season starts.

Decent Picks: Jay Bothroyd (£6.0m), Dudley Campbell (£5.5m), Danny Gabbidon (£4.0m)

Both are equipped with Premier League experience. Bothroyd scored 18 goals and 8 assists for Cardiff last season. It might be just okay, but with better supplies at QPR (particularly Taarabt), he should benefit.

Unfortunately for Heidar Helguson, the arrival of DJ Campbell is expected to make the former lost his place. Campbell has gone through a productive season with Blackpool, producing 13 goals and 4 assists. That kind of figure at Premier League should be more than enough to gain your confidence on him.

On the other hand, being so experienced in Premier League relegation fight, Wales international Gabbidon is a budget choice for 5th defender. QPR's relatively good defence record compared to the other two promoted sides should be able to help him to score more fantasy points.

2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Norwich

Norwich City FC

Last Season Summary

League ranking: 2nd - League Championship (80 points)

Points per game (home: away): 1.96: 1.70

Goals per game (for: against): 1.80: 1.26

Number of clean sheets: 11 (out of 46 games)

Top league scorer: Grant Holt (21 goals)

Top league assister: Grant Holt (14 assists)

Transfers

In: James Vaughan, Steve Morrison, Elliott Bennett, Richie de Laet, Bradley Johnson, Anthony Pilkington, Kyle Naughton

Out: Owain Todur-Jones, Jed Steer

Predicted Season Finish: 19th

Almost the same situation as Swansea. Although it's still too early to say how new defenders like Richie de Laet and Kyle Naughton can improve the defence, but it they stick to their League Championship playing style relegation is almost certain.

Fantasy Ace: Grant Holt (£5.5m)

Stats above alone has shown why Grant Holt is the fantasy ace of the team. 21 goals combined with 14 assists simply indicates how all-rounded is he as a striker. He could be the Championship Player of the Year if not for the even better Adel Taarabt.

He has been in the Team of the Year from League Two (fourth division) up until League Championship. That makes me believe that he will not have any problems to shine in Premier League as well.

Worth Scouting: Wesley Hoolahan (£5.5m), Anthony Pilkington (£5.0m), James Vaughan (£5.0m)

Hoolahan is quite decent as a midfielder. However, a record of 10 goals and 9 assists from Championship will not be enough to lure me to splash £5.5m on him - he needs to show that he can do it at the highest level as well.

As for the two new signings, Pilkington has only played for League One or lower level leagues, while James Vaughan only played a major role for his team last season. It's still unknown how much potential they have, so just keep an eye for them.

2011/12 Fantasy Season Preview - Swansea

Swansea City AFC

Last Season Summary
League ranking: 3rd - League Championship (80 points)
Points per game (home: away): 2.17: 1.30
Goals per game (for: against): 1.50: 0.91
Number of clean sheets: 21 (out of 46 games)
Top league scorer: Scott Sinclair (22 goals)
Top league assister: Nathan Dyer (9 assists)

Transfers
In: Danny Graham, Steven Caulker
Out: Dorus De Vries, Scott Donnelly, Darren Pratley, Kerry Morgan

Predicted Season Finish: 18th
There wasn't anything too impressive about their statistics. Given no real impact signings yet thus far, Swansea is lacking the strength and depth to survive the tough challenges of Premier League in my opinion.

Fantasy Ace: Scott Sinclair (£6.0m)
The English footballer was bought last year for £500k, and the investment has been superbly rewarded. This talented winger had scored 22 goals last season, and I expect he can score at least one-third of that figure at Premier League this season. His outstanding goalscoring ability should also nick him some bonus points.

The only downside, of course, is his lack of assists (only 2 last season).

Decent Picks: Danny Graham (£5.0m)
Danny Graham was the of Watford at League Championship last season, scoring 23 goals from as low as 58 shots. That kind of efficiency may lead Swansea off against relegation. Decent third striker in my opinion.

Worth Scouting: Angel Rangel (£4.5m), Ashley Williams (£4.5m)
Rangel and Williams are experienced right-back and centre-back respectively and form the integral part of Swansea's defence. It's still too early to judge how good can Swansea defend in Premier League, so we shall wait and see.

2010/11 Fantasy Season Preview Coming Soon

Allow me to guide you through the challenge.

Be patient, everyone. I am on my way writing team by team pre-season fantasy previews and it should be released within the next few days.

Hopefully you can succeed in your fantasy career with this little help of mine. Good luck!