Overall Outlook - It was an odd season for Birmingham but certainly a solid one for a team newly promoted. That said, major questions linger about the sustainability of the form that saw them comfortably above the relegation fray all season. First, how much of their prowess at the back was due to the heroics of now-back-at-City Joe Hart? Which defence is the real defence? The one that gave up a combined total of 6 goals over 10 matches in Novermber and December including draws with Citeh, Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea and compiled 22 points over that stretch? Or the one that gave up 29 goals in 18 matches after the calendar turned to 2010? The latter isn't a terrible team, but it certainly isn't a team you want to hitch your fantasy hopes to. Now subtract Hart and sub in Ben Foster who isn't a bad option but certainly wasn't challenging to be England's Number 1 this summer. Only one major addition so far in Zigic and I have to say I see a drop in fortunes for Brum going into this season.
Projected Starters - Foster, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Ferguson, Bowyer, Larsson, McFadden, Jerome, Zigic
In the Rotation - Michel, Fahey, Gardner, Phillips
Kicks - You'd think Larsson would score more points than he does given that he is the primary kick-taker for Brum but he really doesn't rack up the points. The upside here is that the gigantic Zigic may provide the opportunity for more successful crosses from set pieces and from the run of play so there is a decent chance that Larsson will become more valuable this season.
Newcomers
- Zigic, F - The best guess I can give is that the big Serbian will be the fantasy equivalent of Peter Crouch which isn't bad assuming that a) his price is low and b) he starts regularly because there aren't a lot of better options in front him - as his price stays under 8.5 or 9 and the match-ups are good, he's worth a look until we figure out what we and Birmingham have here;
- Michel, M - There isn't a lot of youth at Birmingham these days as the squad is both thin and fairly veteran. With a lack of attacking options in the middle of the park, Michel will be given every opportunity to show that he can adapt to England in his second season and his creativity could give supporters and fantasy managers alike some hope that there is value to be had in the Birmingham side.
- Best -With Joe Hart gone and the overall quality of the defence in question, you have to come to grips with the possibility that either Cameron Jerome, Seb Larsson, or James McFadden are the best fantasy options Birmingham have to offer. Not good unless one of them is on an exceptional run of form.
- Best Value (non-newcomer) - The three above players are about equal value for the money but the surprise last season was the value from Craig Gardner. He has been moved up from defence to midfield by Yahoo so the value might not carry over but he may still represent value at a low price if he is starting which is very possible on an incredibly thin side;
- Best Projected Value - Zigic is really the only possible option here even if he's only mediocre as a starting forward his price will make him a value early in the season.
- Worth Considering With Good Match-ups - Foster, Bowyer (if he's hot), Larsson, Zigic, McFadden, Jerome;
- Worth Knowing If He's Starting - Gardner
Faddie and Gardner (who started over Larsson last season and has been playing in center mid in pre-season) also take kicks. Faddie will get PKs and Gardner set-pieces.
ReplyDelete