Player Analysis - Goalkeeper

Let's begin our analysis from the back, where each manager will have to pick 1 Goalkeeper. Even though most of our fantasy focus will be on the attacking end, but one must not neglect the defensive aspect, especially when you will lose a point for every goal conceded by your goalkeeper.

2011/12 Season - Top 10 Goalkeepers

Note: TodayOnline Dream Team 11/12 stated Hart obtained 43pts in the last season. Based on my estimation, the score shown is based on last season scoring system, where 1 clean sheet is 2pts, and no defender game points (DGP). The figures shown in the above table is based on this year scoring system.

Manchester City's Joe Hart lead the GK chart last season with a score of 98 points. Participating in all 38 games for the 11/12 champions & keeping 17 clean sheets, Hart scored 21 more points than 2nd placed Brad Friedel.

Everton's Tim Howard was the only other keeper who managed 70+ points. Manchester United may have the 2nd best defence last season, but David De Gea is ranked 4th due to Ferguson's preference for Anders Lindegaard at times.

Despite having lesser appearance and clean sheets, Liverpool's Jose Reina scored more points than Newcastle's Tim Krul due to goals conceded. Swansea's Michael Vorm is 7th in the ranking, with Szczesny, Cech & Mignolet rounding off the Top 10 list.

So isn't this easy? Just pick Hart!

Well....not quite. Even though Joe Hart is cheap (Hart £4.6mil is cheaper Kompany / Lescott / Clichy...which I'll discuss in the Defenders analysis), but the lowest priced striker is already worth £5.0mil, and if you're planning to use 4-3-3 formation, you will need to find much cheaper players in other position.

There is also another disadvantage:

Select a maximum of two players from any one club

Not only Man City have the best defence, but they also have the best attack in the Premier League last season. By selecting Joe Hart, you'll be left with 1 slot for Silva / Yaya Toure / Nasri / Aguero / Tevez.  Hence, do you want to overload on their attackers, who are likely to score more points, or spread across both defence and attack, but possibly less points?

So what are the other options?

If you're confident that De Gea (4.5) will cement his place in the 1st team this season, he'll be a contender for the Top Goalkeeper this season. If assuming De Gea played all 38 Premier League games last season, he would have scored the same amount of points as Hart.

For sub-4.0 goalkeepers, Friedal (3.8) & Howard (3.7) stands out as great options, though Spurs are rumoured to be shopping for another goalkeeper, and Everton often starts the season with a whimper (though they did beat Man Utd last week). If you believe Newcastle & Swansea can maintain their form this season, then Krul (3.5) & Vorm (3.2) are viable options too.

Managers who are in need of searching for the cheapest available option (2.9) who will start, there's Norwich's John Ruddy, Reading's Adam Federici and Southampton's Kelvin Davis. If I'm forced to pick among the 3, I'll go with Federici, as Reading has the best defence among the promoted sides last season.

Next up, I'll analysis on the guys that usually hug the touchlines of the pitch: Defence - Fullbacks.

If you haven't sign up for Today Fantasy League, you can click on this link for Registration.