Huddersfield Town’s 4-2-3-1 formation could benefit Fantasy Premier League managers for 2017/18, with their full-backs their most attractive options.
David Wagner's team averaged 55.7% possession in 2016/17, the third-highest figure in the Championship.
But they lacked a cutting edge, scoring only 56 goals in 46 matches. By comparison, the Championship top scorers were Newcastle United, with 85.
As for their defence, Huddersfield’s 12 clean sheets, six at home and six away, was behind that of runners-up Brighton & Hove Albion's 21, the most in the division.
Wagner's tactics are key when assessing Huddersfield's FPL appeal.
The German coach favours a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 formation, and this makes the club's forward-thinking full-backs their key targets.
Here we look at four players that will be of interest to FPL managers.
Tommy Smith and Chris Lowe
This pair were the top two defenders for chances created in last season's Championship, with 53 and 49 respectively. These were more than any FPL defender in 2016/17.
Smith, pictured top, was the most impressive performer with four goals and 10 assists in 43 starts at right-back. Despite suffering a foot injury, he is expected to recover in time for pre-season.
No Huddersfield player was directly involved in more goals than the 14 of Smith, who offers the strongest end product of any promoted defender.
Lowe got only two goals and three assists from left-back but could have a share of spot-kick duties in 2017/18, having taken Huddersfield’s final league penalty of the season.
When it comes to defensive actions, Lowe betters Smith for minutes per clearance, block and interception (CBI), by 18.8 to 31.6, and minutes per successful tackle (47.2 to 71).
Elias Kachunga
Arriving from Ingolstadt last summer, the right winger supplied 12 goals and a pair of assists in 44 starts.
As well as being the club’s top scorer, Kachunga was also second for key passes (56) and could offer FPL managers a value midfield option.
Nahki Wells
Wells was mainly used as a lone forward and returned 10 goals and two assists from 34 starts and 12 substitute appearances.
Wagner's first-choice attacker, Wells produced more shots (106) than any Huddersfield player last season. But his pitch-time could be in question if Wagner enters the summer transfer market.
