So the English Premier League is now upon us and I’ve decided to once again have a crack at doing a Fantasy Football team.

But instead of  trying to do well I’ve joined French football expert Andrew Gibney’s league. It’s interesting as we all have teams dedicated to other leagues.

For example Andrew has selected a team based on players who have played in Ligue 1. Serie A writer Adam Digby has a team full of former Serie A stars. There is also a La Liga and Eredivisie side from two other gents.

I have the unenviable task of picking fifteen players that have spent some time in their career in bonny Scotland!

To be honest, I’d be absolutely delighted just to finish second bottom of this league. Although I don’t hold out much hope.

So here are my selections.

Goalkeepers:

One of the harder positions to pick from, as quite a few of the keepers have played in Scotland.

Tim Krul had a loan spell at Falkirk, England international John Ruddy was at Motherwell as was West Ham’s Darren Randolph. 

If he was fit then Southampton’s Fraser Forster would have been my number one choice as he had a terrific season last term.

As he isn’t fit then I have selected these two:

Kasper Schmeichel: The Leicester City man enjoyed a great end to last season, and kept a few good cleansheets. Hopefully he can start this campaign well as he is my number one. Had a loan spell in Scotland with Falkirk in 2007.

Artur Boruc: The Pole has Premier League experience previously with Southampton and will now be in goal for EPL newcomers Bournemouth. Made a name for himself at Celtic. A maverick, who can perform wonder saves on his day, also prone to the odd mistake.

Defenders: 

This position was tough. Not a lot to choose from and certainly not many of great pedigree.

My back four are:

Phil Bardsley: Plays with a strong Stoke side that don’t concede many. Likes to get forward and can get the odd goal. Had a short loan spell at Rangers during his Man Utd days.

Alan Hutton: Seemed to rediscover his form at Aston Villa last season but struggled to get in once Tim Sherwood took charge, although he was suffering from a knock. Loves bombing forward and getting balls into the box. Can also win penalties! Will be interesting to see if the signing of Micah Richards pushes Hutton out of first team picture or will Richards play as a centre-back? Hutton was sold by Rangers for £9m.

Steven Whittaker: Another attacking full-back who can play on the right or left. Has scored quite a few in his career but mainly in Scotland rather than in the Premier League. The Norwich City man will hope to stay in first team this term, Another former Gers man, who started his career at Hibs.

Adam Matthews: Yip I’ve gone for four full-backs (mainly due to lack of options). Joined Sunderland from Celtic this summer. Has the ability to get forward and provide assists. We shall wait and see if the Welshman can hit the ground running at the Stadium of Light.

I’ve plumped for Swansea defender and former Ranger Kyle Bartley as my sub as I am still unsure if Jason Denayer will be used at Man City.

Midfielders: 

Another good position for former Scottish based players in the Premier League. If I was selected a team to actually play football and get points then former Celt Victor Wanyama would be in there but in Fantasy Football defensive midfielders don’t usually get the points their play deserves.

Others that just missed out were James McArthur, Mikel Arteta, Joe Ledley, Tony Andreu and Aiden McGeady.

So I went with:

James McCarthy: I am hoping Everton’s McCarthy will be allowed to push further forward this season as his game evolves. That could mean more goals and assists for the Irish international. Broke into the Hamilton Accies side when he was just sixteen!

Ki Sung-Yueng: The South Korean had a superb season with the Swans last term and is dangerous from set-pieces. Another who could do well with assists. The another former Celtic player in my team.

Charlie Adam: The former Rangers man had a terrific end to last season with Stoke, so I am hoping that he can start where he left off last term. Always capable of scoring goals and providing for teammates.

Steven Davis: The Southampton middleman can pop up with the odd goal and assist. Ronald Koeman seems to be a fan, so I am hoping he starts more than he misses this year. Had a four season spell at Rangers.

My sub is Norwich City winger Wes Hoolahan. The former Livingston creative spark may just surprise a few.

Forwards:

Probably the weakest position in this squad. Great considering how important goals can be in Fantasy Football!

Kyle Lafferty was considered and then omitted as I am unconvinced he’ll stay at Norwich.

So I went with these two Scottish international strikers:

Steven Naismith: My captain! Had a very good year with Everton last season. Hopefully he can add a few more goals and assists this term. The former Killie and Rangers man still needs to battle just to start with the Toffees.

Steven Fletcher: Has had a wretched time of it recently with Sunderland. But hopefully Dick Adocaat can get the best out of him again. Actually has a history of scoring in England’s top flight but needs to find confidence again. Former Hibbe has been linked with a £4m move to Hibs.

Former Celtic striker Gary Hooper is on my bench. Still to prove himself at Norwich and in the Premier League. I don’t think Canaries boss Alex Neil sees him as a starter.

So there you have it, possibly the worst EPL fantasy football team ever. If I’ve forgotten any star player that has had a spell in Scotland please feel free to remind me of them!!!

Posted on August 8th, 2015 by scott
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