Thread by @FPL_Runpharm

Guide to Newcastle United FPL Assets:~
For those interested to know more about Newcastle FPL assets, you can read further from the thread below. Feel free to comment, retweet and like if you find this guide helpful. #FPL #FPLCommunity #NUFC

1. Fixtures
Looking at the fixtures until GW8, which is right before the first international break, we are probably ranked 14-15th in terms of fixture difficulties (1st being easiest). So I imagine not a lot of managers would be bringing in more than 1 Newcastle asset.

But if you look closer, the fixtures aren’t that bad. Other than City at home (GW3) and Liverpool away (GW5), we have a fighting chance to do well in the remaining matches. Especially the game against Forest at home gw1, I like our chances to shine.

2. New Signings
So far we have signed Pope from Burnley, Targett permanently from Villa and Botman from Lille, all big boosts to our backline. There is a constant debate on whether Pope or Dubravka would start as our first choice keeper.

Another question is which of Burn or Schar would partner Botman at centreback. (Many fans brought up the issue of can two left footed centreback, Botman and Burn play together?) Or will we even start 3 at the back? Will we bolster our attack with one or two flair players?

No definite answer to all the questions, but right now I think Pope as first choice, Botman and Schar at the back, and probably one new attacking addition? Only time will tell, we can just wait and observe.

3. Goalkeeper
Looking at Pope’s stat at Burnley, he made 3.4 saves per match (7th in league), and averaged 19.0 BPS per match (5th). Considering Burnley was tight defensively, and Newcastle should be equal (if not better) after the defensive additions,

Pope should repeat or even better last season’s performance if he gets the nod for the starting spot. At 5.0m though, there are better options on paper (at least in terms of fixtures), like Mendy, Ramsdale, Martinez, De Gea, Sa etc. Verdict: Wait and see.

4. Defence
Schar averaged 69% tackles won and 5.2 recoveries per game last season, highest among Newcastle defenders. While Burn has 5.1 clearance and 0.9 blocks per game last season, also highest among Newcastle defenders.

Interceptions stats are almost equal for both at around 1.4-1.5 per game. At 4.5m, both are supposed to be good options, but Botman’s signing complicated things. In limited sample size last season, Trippier averaged 19.4 BPS per match (highest among all defenders).

Trippier also with the highest xPts at 3.5 per game (Targett just slightly behind at 16.1 BPS and 3.4 xPts with a bigger sample size). Both Targett and Trippier are priced at 5.0, but a fit Trippier in my opinion is a better option.

He is the club’s talisman and will take a huge chunk of set pieces (including a wicked free kick). Verdict: Trippier at 5.0 is a value option at the back.

5. Midfield
ASM and Joelinton’s positional change from forward to midfield make things more interesting. We all love Joelinton as a player, but his transformation to a ball winning, sometimes box-to-box midfielder made him a less attractive FPL option.

Key stats, Bruno G has by far the highest xG per start at 0.32 (his 0.5 goal per start far exceeded his xG though), followed by ASM at 0.21. ASM leads in terms of xA per game at 0.19 (with Bruno G’s 0.16 not far behind).

In terms of BPS, Bruno G scored 19.4 per game, far better than ASM’s 12.3. Both has similar amount of shots per game (1.8-2.0) but Bruno G has better shot accuracy, with 61.1% on target vs ASM’s 40% on target.

Price wise, ASM is 0.5m more expensive, which for me make sense due to his more attacking position. But based on stats, does he really worth 0.5m more? I guess it all depends on how deep Howe decides to play Bruno G this season.

If he drops to a Shelvey like deep lying playmaker position, then his stock will likely drop as well. Willock at 5.0m looks promising on paper, but it all depends on whether he can snatch the starting spot back.

Murphy is currently heavily selected (9.4% TSB),due to his enabler pricing of 4.5m, but for there are better options at 4.5m,don’t see him contributing much unless we have some serious injury issues. Verdict: Bruno G at 6.0m is a good option, if we don’t sign a more advanced mid.

6. Striker
Our weakest link at the moment (can’t remember us having a decent striker for a long longgggg time). Wilson if fit, is a great FPL option. Problem is he can’t seem to stay fit for an extended period.

Chris Wood’s 0.24 xG per start says it all, with only 1.6 shot attempts per game and only 0.4 big chance per game. If we look at Wilson’s stat when he starts, he has 0.4xG per game (team high and almost double of Chris Wood), 2.1 shot attempts per game (team high),

0.6 big chances per game (team high), 85.71% of his shots are in the box (team high), and on penalty. His xG entire is season is 5.98 but he produced 8 goals (clinical). Verdict: Wilson at 7.5m, great option, if he stays fit, can score against anyone, but that’s a very big “IF”.