Expert GAFFR draft

The start of the Championship isn’t far away. In fact, the first match is well under two weeks away. With that in mind we take a look at an expert GAFFR draft provided by @TomP_FF whilst he also shares the rationale behind his picks.

Taking a look at an expert GAFFR draft and seeing inside the mind of one of the most experienced managers in the game can be hugely beneficial to others. This can help to bring clarity to our own decisions when preparing for the new campaign.

Expert first draft

Goalkeeper

Dieng £4.5m – He basically picks himself, Middlesbrough’s number one for only £4.5m is ridiculous value and he’s a solid keeper who showed good save numbers for QPR. Unsure how that’ll translate to a team who allow less shots, however.

Defence

Drameh £6m – On loan at Luton last year, he was great for bonus, as he had both good attacking and defensive output. He now features for Leeds and hopefully nails down that starting place over Ayling (obviously one to watch pre season) but he’s a lock in my team if we know he starts.
Rankin-Costello £5.5m – The Blackburn full back nailed down the starting place last season and looked good, chipping in with attacking contributions. He has featured as a cm in pre-season and even managed to score a hat trick in one of the games. He seems like a great pick up, despite Blackburn’s poor defensive record away from Ewood Park last season.
Manning £7m – The former Swansea man has linked up with Russell Martin again, and I’m hoping for more of the same in terms of GAFFR points. He was great for bonus last season, was given the license to go forward and was on some set pieces. Playing for a better team will give him better potential for clean sheets also, he is also a nice pick if we know he’s starting.
Pereira £6.5m – With Castagne rumoured to be leaving I’ve gone for Pereira. A full back from one of the strongest defences on paper seems a no brainer, and we know how good of an asset an injury free Pereira is. Again, confirmation of his starting place is needed but he looks a great pick.
Davis £5m – Averaged over three key passes a game last season makes him great for bonus this year and an ideal fifth defender. Perfect to rotate with a mid to get him in Ipswich’s good fixtures.

Midfield

Clarke £9m – Clarke is in my team despite the rumours of him leaving, he’s just a great asset. Goals and assists, as well as successful dribbles and key passes for bonus, he’s a four-point floor kind of player. Will be in my team as long as he stays.
Roberts £8m – Another Sunderland mid, Roberts’s successful dribbles are in the top four in the league last year which translates to bonus. He’s a great pick and will be in my team due to his bonus output and being part of a fluid Sunderland attack.
Thomas £6m – A bit of a different pick but I really like Thomas this year. Warnock seems to rate him and even made him captain in one of the friendlies. He’s a great bonus pick in terms of dribbles and key passes, and if he’s given that license to go forward he’ll prove useful like he was back at Huddersfield a couple of seasons ago.
Slater and Vaughan £5m – I’ve grouped these Hull mids together as they’ll rotate with Davis. Slater is a nailed mid and chipped in with goal contributions and bonus last season. Vaughan emerged at the end of last season and is highly rated by Hull fans, who think he’ll start on the wing. Both of these are worth the extra £0.5m in my opinion as they give you flexibility as I’d be happy to start them in their favourable games.

Forwards

Nisbet £7.5m – He’s been on fire in pre season, and has scored free kicks and penalties which may lend him to set piece duties. Seems a nice differential especially if Flemming stays to provide him some quality service.
Adams £11m and Armstrong £10m – I’ve gone with both Southampton forwards but one of them could easily be Bamford. I like Adams and Armstrong as they’re great for shots and should they both stay, I like there dynamic link up. Should be good for bonus, and Southampton attack looks great for goals, so hopefully they can contribute.