Hi all, I'm back from my FPL holiday! The batteries have been recharged and I am ready to go! Here is my first FPL article of the season*:
*Please note that the selections merely highlight some potential players, as opposed to conveying a definitive list.
FPL 2012/2013 - Ones to Watch & Ones to Ignore
Arsenal
Watch: Lukas Podolski
- Proven goal scoring talent for FC Koln and Germany
- Will be the new RVP if Van Persie leaves Arsenal during
the transfer window
Ignore: Andrey Arshavin
- Low down the pecking order in a saturated midfield
- Could be sold or sent on loan before the close of the
transfer window
Aston Villa
Watch: Darren Bent
- Primary goalscoring threat for Villa
- Proven pedigree in the Premier League
Ignore: Shay Given
- Past his peak and unlikely to keep many clean sheets
- Better equivalent priced alternatives available
Chelsea
Watch: Eden Hazard
- Will be Chelsea's main attacking threat from a heavily
packed midfield
- Could prove to be the X-factor in a transitional team
Ignore: Mikel
- His cheap price is indicative of his poor value
- Is unlikely to score goals or feature as a definite
regular
Everton
Watch: Nikica Jelavic
- Primary goalscoring threat for Everton
- Appears to be a nailed on first team player
Ignore: Shkodran Mustafi
- Cheap value, but a backup first team defender
- Better off purchasing a cheap defender that is likely
to play regularly
Fulham
Watch: Brede Hangeland
- Good value for money, goalscoring potential & has
Premier League pedigree
- If Dempsey leaves, Hangeland will be Fulham's most
integral player
Ignore: Damien Duff
- Unimpressive at Euro 2012, past his prime and
over-priced
- Could be a squad rotation risk
Liverpool
Watch: Joe Allen
- Super cheap price for a Liverpool player & played
under Rodgers at Swansea
- Registered four goals and four assists during the
Premier League last season
Ignore: Charlie Adam
- Hasn't proven his true class since his move from
Blackpool
- Could be consigned to intermittent first team
appearances
Man City
Watch: Mario Balotelli
- Made his name last season and during Euro 2012
- Provided he keeps a cool head, he could become City's
most important striker
Ignore: Adam Johnson
- Over priced for the amount of minutes he has played
over the past four seasons
- Definite squad rotation risk, despite goals/assists
potential
Man Utd
Watch: Shinji Kagawa
- Good attacking attributes and proven class
- Will be key to United' Premier League success for
2012/2013
Ignore: Michael Carrick
- Unlikely to score or assist, despite sound defensive
qualities
- Better off buying cheaper attack minded alternatives
Newcastle United
Watch: Hatem Ben Arfa
- Subject to playing often, he will be involved in
Newcastle's goals
- A proven match winner that isn't afraid to dribble with
the ball
Ignore: Shola Ameobi
- Unlikely to start due to established Ba/Cisse combination
- Woeful league goalscoring rate (19%)
Norwich
Watch: Anthony Pilkington
- Scored eight goals during debut Premier League season
- Could be key to Norwich avoiding relegation
Ignore: Simeon Jackson
- Only scored three Premier League goals last season
- Likely to be overshadowed by Holt and Morison
QPR
Watch: Ji-Sung Park
- Proven work-rate during his time at Man United
- A relatively decent player in a mediocre team
Ignore: Tommy Smith
- Only scored two Premier League goals last season
- Likely to be overshadowed by Cisse and Zamora
Reading
Watch: Pavel Pogrebnyak
- Impressive during his short stint at Fulham
- Likely to be Reading's main goalscoring threat
Ignore: Jordan Obita
- Has never played a league match for Reading
- Very unlikely to feature as a regular in the first team
Southampton
Watch: Guilherme (Guly)
- Dynamic midfielder with an eye to create and score
goals
- Scored ten league goals last season
Ignore: Danny Butterfield
- Only played ten league games last season
- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games
during 2012/2013
Stoke City
Watch: Jonathan Walters
- Listed as a midfielder but sometimes operates as a de
facto second striker
- Scored seven and assisted five goals last season
Ignore: Cameron Jermoe
- Only scored four goals and played less than a thousand
minutes last season
- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games
during 2012/2013
Sunderland
Watch: Ji Dong-Won
- Provided he gets a chance in the first team, he could
be a bargain priced attacking threat
- For a young player he has a significant amount of
international experience for his country
Ignore: Ahmed Elmohamady
- Played a fractional amount of time during 2011/2012,
following his debut season
- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games
during 2012/2013
Swansea
Watch: Michu
- Scored fifteen goals in La Liga last season
- Could be the perfect jigsaw piece to Swansea's
attacking mindset
Ignore: Mark Gower
- Was the typical squad rotated midfielder last season
- Will be overshadowed by Laudrup's new signings
Tottenham
Watch: Gareth Bale
- Proven talent and nailed on first teamer
- Can continue to build on previous successes
Ignore: Sandro
- Defense-minded and goal-shy midfielder
- Unlikely to be involved with Tottenham's goals
West Brom
Watch: Yassine El Ghanassy
- Versatile ability to play in different attacking
positions
- Capable of creating and scoring goals
Ignore: Sam Mantom
- Has never played a Premier League match for West Brom
- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games
during 2012/2013
West Ham
Watch: Joey O'Brien
- Plays in defense but can also play in midfield
- Bargain price, definitely worth an option as a
cheap defender
Ignore: Carlton Cole
- Has never scored more than 10 goals during a Premier
League season
- Woeful league goalscoring rate (22%)
Wigan
Watch: Ali Al-Habsi
- Made many key saves as he helped save his team from
relegation last season
- Ideal capability and price for a second substitute FPL
keeper
Ignore: David Jones
- Was a squad rotated player last season and didn't score
any goals
- Unlikely to make an impact or play 30+ league games
during 2012/2013
