Fantasy Football - Part 4, Strikers

The final piece of the jigsaw. It's more Amr Zaki or Michu - less Afonso Alves.

Strikers

And finally, the money makers. This is ultimately where your points come from. All it comes down to is goals. Who cares if you're conceding a hatful if you've got Rickie Lambert or Adam Le Fondre up front? And with this in mind check my first pick.

Gary Hooper - Norwich - 6.5 million

Definitely a punt but he has scored for fun for Celtic. As part of a new look Norwich frontline with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, I feel Hooper will be clinical in front of goal this season. By this stage of picking, my budget is really stretched so picking a player like Hooper, while a punt, makes sense. He could be this seasons Lambert or Grant Holt. I hope so.

Arouna Kone - Everton - 7 million

There are other strikers out there available for a similar price but I think Kone, coupled with Everton's attacking service will outscore his previous tally of 11. He's a big strong player and I think he can be the perfect foil for Jelavic. Again, possibly a risky one but I was saving to make sure I could afford…

Robin van Persie - Man Utd - 14 million

There's flushing your money and then there's this. RVP is streets ahead the most expensive player in the game but you can guarantee that, injury free, he will score you goals. And a lot of goals. Especially if Man Utd sign that mysterious creative midfielder, van Persie will enjoy great service all year. Also, if he is injured it means I have a LOT of money to replace him with another quality striker, possibly Aguero.

Strikers are scored by goals. Anyone who is in the right place at the right time, sticks a leg out and gets a lucky bounce will get you points so you'll know who to pick. Strikers often experiences random bursts of form and then unexplainable goal droughts which can never be anticipated. Bobby Zamora was a prime example of a moderately priced forward who scored a lot of goals.

Smart picks
Gabriel Agbonlahor - very consistent striker, never particularly prolific but will get you goals.
Dimitar Berbatov - considering his skill, he's pretty cheap. Played well for Fulham last season
Daniel Sturridge - Had a great season for Liverpool and last year and I expect him to build on that, potentially up there with the top scorers this season

Avoid
Dzeko/Negredo/Jovetic - I believe Aguero is the only automatic pick for City next season. You don't want 9-10 million worth on strikers rotating. Jovetic isn't really a striker either.

Worth a punt
Kevin Phillips - You can't keep a great goal scorer down
Nicolas Anelka - Again, we know he has scoring quality
Andreas Cornelius - Cardiff's record signing could surprise us all!

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Yes there are a few players in this team that could potentially cost me points so I will have to remain vigilant. For example, gameweek 1 sees Hull travel Chelsea, while Tottenham are away to Crystal Palace. This means both Robbie Brady and Allan McGregor are sat on the bench while Eden Hazard is handed the captaincy. Mannone starts in goal as they face a comparatively easier game in Fulham. Meanwhile, Darcy Blake sits on the bench while Younes Kaboul is started in preference as I feel Palace will struggle to score past Spurs.

We'll see how it turns out through the season. Thanks for reading (I so hope I win my leagues).

Fantasy Football - Part 3, Midfield

And now we're at the business side of the team picks. Midfield; will you be in choose the next Charlie Adam (Blackpool season) or the next Djemba-Djemba? Check out the tactics!

Midfield

This is where you get the points. Goals and assists should be flying in from all angles and you should have budgeted for this. Naturally, Gareth Bale led the way last season as free scoring attacking midfielders and wingers raced ahead. Maraoune Fellaini and Yaya Toure earned good points but are exceptions from the typical attacking players, however both offer huge attacking skill of their own. There really is no place to score points via the enforcer/defensive midfield role.

For example, Manchester United fans will tell you that last season was Michael Carrick's finest in a Red Devils shirt. However, he was outscored points-wise by Jonathan Walters, Wayne Routledge and Jason Puncheon. It shows that the system is flawed, with no space for players who do nothing but score and provide assists. But you can use this to advantage over all the other suckers who want a balanced team.

Eden Hazard - Chelsea - 9.5 million (VC)

It's time to start splurging again. The Belgian international had, by some standards, a lukewarm start to life in the Premier League last season but still ended up scoring nearly 200 points. I fully expect him to flourish in Jose Mourinho's new Chelsea team. With Oscar and Mata, I feel Chelsea have the most attacking force in the league and with Schurrle, Ba, Lukaku and let's not forget Torres, they will be a frightening team this season. 

Pete Whittingham - Cardiff - 5 million

Whittingham is a talisman for Cardiff and one of their leading guys. He'll chip in with goals and assists and can also be rotated depending on the form of other players and opposition. He has brief Premier League experience with Aston Villa but during his time at Cardiff he has become a mainstay through their years in the Championship. I fully expect him to make the step up.

Liam Brady - Hull - 5 million

The former Man Utd youth has shone during his time at Hull and I'm crossing my fingers that he will be a punt that pays off. He has won a number of international caps for the Republic of Ireland despite his tender age and has dazzled the Hull faithful with his trickery and skill. It remains to be seen whether he will be a regular as the Tiger's strengthen in what will be a difficult year in the Premier League.

David Silva - Man City - 9 million

Now in his fourth season at City, he will look to recapture the form of 2011/12 after a fairly anonymous season, by his standards. Under Mancini, Silva was often bumped onto the wing but with Pellegrini in charge, I feel City may line up like Chelsea, with 3 attacking midfielders playing off one central striker. I feel Silva will be a constant in this new look team, with Nasri, Navas and Jovetic in and around the first team. He has never failed to score less than 140 points per season and I fully expect him to come back refreshed and ready to help City reclaim the title.

Phillippe Coutinho - Liverpool - 9 million

It's rare in Fantasy Football when a players price in the game is more than in real life but it shows what an absolute bargain Liverpool picked up when they signed the Brazilian from Inter for around £8,000,000. He was a revelation for Liverpool in the second half of last season, laying on goals and scoring a few himself in just 13 league games. My only concern is that when Luis Suarez ultimately leaves the club, he will lose that natural understanding he has with a striker. However, Liverpool have done seemingly good business in the window so we will see.

Smart picks

Robert Snodgrass - great season for Norwich last year, but his future may be shaky

Jonjo Shelvey - Looks like he fits the bill perfectly for Swansea. Not a great scorer but can come up with assists

James Morrison - consistently improved over the last few seasons in an growing WBA team

Avoid

Gareth Bale - he's gone, deal with it

Michu - GASP! While I feel Michu will have another great season (and also that he's classed as a midfielder despite playing as a supporting striker is a huge benefit), now that the goalscoring burden is lifted with the arrival of Wilfried Bony, his price is too high when you can get David Silva, and Theo Walcott for similar prices.

Victor Moses/Kevin De Bruyne/Marco van Ginkel - All good players in their own right but won't feature enough to pay the fee.

Have a punt

Emanuele Giaccherini - Sunderland have pulled of a coup buying this former Juventus winger, you might too.

Jack Wilshere - Will he ever get fit? Available for a bargain price after such a long time on the sidelines.

Bo-Kyung Kim - Cardiff's South Korean winger has shown glimpses of brilliance in pre-season and could be one to watch this season.

Fantasy Football - Part 2, Defence

So, we're back. Let me know who you picked in goal in the comments section below. Tell me if you think I'm wrong and you chose Joe Hart AND David De Gea because F me, right?

Defence

Like goalkeepers, defenders are mainly scored on how many goals their team concedes, but are given healthy top ups for goals and assists. Due to this, picking attacking full backs makes far more sense than an old fashioned centre half. Looking at last seasons final standings it's clear to see, with the top 'true' centre back in 6th (Per Mertesacker) while Leighton Baines, Patrice Evra and Glen Johnson (I know, right?) were all ahead of him. Branislav Ivanovic placed between Evra and Johnson but played as a fullback at times and also chipped in with 5 goals which you cannot guarantee from a centre back season-by-season.

While attacking full backs can get you points at the top end of the field, you need to hope that their centre back team mates who you don't pick are doing their job.

Leighton Baines' huge point tally last season, while helped by his healthy goals and assists, also benefited from keeping 11 clean sheets and not conceding many goals. However, while Baines is good at tracking back and tackling, the majority of those clean sheets were mostly down to the partnership of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka. While both earned over 100 points last season, Baines led the way, sharing their points and picking up extra with goals and assists.

This is the point, you need to think about the players you aren't picking, as much as those you are.

Here are my picks for this season.

Neil Taylor - Swansea - 4.5 million

Due to an horrific injury last season, Taylor missed the majority of the year and was covered by the impressive Ben Davies. However, Taylor is a supremely talented player who is just as happy to get forward as he is to defend and I fully expect him to wrestle his position back this season. The competent duo of Ashley Williams and Chico Flores will ensure Swansea don't ship in the goals.

Sascha Riether - Fulham - 5 million

Fulham were so impressed with their loanee Riether last season they have signed him permanently from FC Koln. I anticipate with another season in the Premier League he will enjoy even more attacking football in 2013/14. With Hangeland, Aaron Hughes and Senderos all jostling for the centre back position, you would hope they will also work hard to keep their place and defend their goal. With someone like Berbatov waiting for service, assists surely aren't hard to come by.

Darcy Blake - Crystal Palace - 4 million

A tricky pick, sort of influenced by price. However, if played at right back, has the ability to get forward and potentially send in assists for Kevin Phillips who has an excellent scoring record. Yes, Palace may concede like a sieve this season despite the Premier League experience of Ramage and Gabbidon but this guy is a punt from me. Also, if I know Palace are playing Man City and Swansea are playing Norwich, I'd make sure Blake is on the bench.

Younes Kaboul - Tottenham - 5 million

LIAR - You said no centre backs! I know, I know, but a season on the sidelines has seen Kaboul's stock slip down to a fairly cheap price. With Caulker off to Cardiff and Gallas released, expect a strong partnership between Kaboul and Dawson this season, with Lloris keeping the goals out.

Leighton Baines - Everton - 7.5 million

My splurge. It's easier to try and save your money for your strikers but Baines was up with the top points scorers last season. As I've mentioned, he benefits from a solid Everton defence and Roberto Martinez favours a different tactic to David Moyes. Last season at Wigan, Martinez employed Ryan Taylor and Jean Beausejour as advanced wing backs with three centre backs, almost a 3-5-2. I expect him to continue this attacking formation, with Alcaraz slotting between Distin and Jagielka. Playing further up the pitch, almost in midfield, will add to Baines' attacking game and help with goals, assists and ultimately points.

Smart picks

Jose Enrique - similar to Baines, often plays as an advanced defender

Cesar Azpilicueta - very attacking full back, I expect a very strong season

David Luiz - Has played in midfield numerous times, has great scoring technique (if he stays).

Avoid

John Terry - ARF!!!

Phil Jones - too heavily rotated

Aleksandar Kolarov - similar and expensive

Have a punt

Javier Garrido - if Norwich can keep out the goals, he'll get you points

Steven Caulker - Smart buy from Cardiff, let's see what he can do

John Stones - pre season or not, scoring in a shootout against Juventus like that is unreal.

Fantasy Football - Part 1, Goalkeepers

The football season is almost back! And what better way to prepare and make people think you know about football than picking a fantasy football team for 2013/14?

Imagine it, Hart in net, Baines and Zabaleta racing up from the back while Vidic and Kompany expertly tackle opposition attackers and send the ball forward to a midfield of Mata, Carrick, Hazard and David Silva, with Van Persie and Suarez banging in goals for fun.

And while the £100 million price limit could scupper the team of superstars like the one above, you can get some real bang for your buck (or one Gareth Bale) for the hundred milly.

While I haven't figured out an exact science to play the Premier League Fantasy Football, I'm going to try and explain how to maximise your points for a smaller outlay than you may expect. I've picked my own team, and while I may have potentially shot myself in the foot by claiming I know how the game works, I'll explain why I feel that this could be my best season yet! Of course all that could be wrecked by injuries, suspensions or Carlos Tevez doing a runner.

Obviously, at some points price dictated rather than sense, hopefully the rotation policy will save the day.

Goalkeepers

While last seasons leading scoring keeper was Joe Hart (158) aside from Petr Cech, joint second place keepers were Asmir Begovic and Jussi Jasskelainen, closely followed by Simon Mignolet and Mark Schwarzer. 

While picking Hart puts your 14 points better off, he also costs around 1 million more. Unless you put your goalkeeper as your captain, he won't ever win you a huge amount of points over a season as they don't score goals. Their main points come from clean sheets but even the best keepers struggle to do so for more than 50% of the season.

The next best place to pick up points is through saves. Hart, playing behind Kompany and Nastasic is forced to make less saves than someone like Jaaskelainen or Begovic. And because they do generally concede more, they cost around 1-2 million less than Hart, Cech, De Gea etc.

Also, with this seasons new addition of the Bonus Point Systems, players who play out of their skin, will be rewarded with extra points. So if Man City (Hart) beat West Ham (Jaaskelainen) 2-0, but Jussi's heroics kept it at two-nil instead of six-nil, he may end up with the same points than Hart who kept a clean sheet.

Allan McGregor - Hull - 4.5 million

While new to the Premier League, I feel this former Rangers and Bursaspor stopper has the quality to make a lot of saves behind what could a very shaky Hull defence. While he may end up conceding a hat full this season, my plan is to rotate him with my other keeper if he is playing a top four team.

Vito Mannone - Sunderland - 4.5 million

Sunderland have picked up this former Arsenal keeper on a free transfer and unless Sunderland buy a new goalkeeper, I feel he has a strong chance to be their number one. Sub goalkeepers are only used if your number one is injured or not selected on match day. It's usually easy to tell if a keeper will be picked by their form and injuries are highlighted by a red icon, allowing you to transfer or rotate in advance.

Smart picks

Jussi Jaaskelainen - cheap, will be kept busy

Ben Foster - Very consistent over last few seasons

Artur Boruc - If not rotated with Davis and Gazzaniga

Avoid

David de Gea - for the price, just not worth it,

Simon Mignolet - plays for Liverpool now so won't be as busy

Mark Schwarzer - signed up by Chelsea but won't get a game behind Cech.

Have a punt

Mark Stekelenburg - new to the league, could be the next Van der Sar

Brad Friedel - cheap as not played much last season, injury to  Lloris could see him back and we know his quality.