FA Cup Fifth Round

McNick running away with the FA Cup - 13 point cushion and 8 players left.

Great battle for second - 2 points separate four managers but who cares about second?

Runner-up? Please. Second is first LOSER..............................

Transfer

One transfer this week:

Stathi
Henderson OUT McClean IN

FFL week 23...........

Another big week for Nick PC who closes the gap at the top to 50 but should have been more.

Surprisingly the official site had Arteta AND Adam as giving assists on Saturday but today they have decided they didn't. Happens all the time to be honest but the gap could have been smaller.

Nick's 15 points was matched by James' thanks to an Odemwingie hat-trick and a goal a CS for Klingnon head.

DP's challenge is faltering with Stathi moving into third but 64 points off top spot.

Bottom score this week goes to McNick and DP with 2.

Table:

















FA Cup next week

FA Cup update

'Boro - Sunderland replay last week yielded three points for Harry courtesy of Ssegenon (why the fuck did I get rid??????)

Moves him into second place:

FFL Week 22......................

Double points this week after a midweek programme as well as weekend games.

Nothing much happened apart from a buck-toothed cunt kicking the shit out of a fellow pro and getting just a yellow card.

Bale being the ONLY player this season to be booked for simulation TWICE.

Arsenal smash seven past a hapless Blackburn.

Oh, and Terry is stripped of the England captaincy.

At the time of writing 'arry has avoided jail time.......................for now.

FFL-wise I extend my lead at the top by a point even though Nick PC top scored with a joint season highest weekly score of 26. This saw him leapfrog DP into second after he only scored measly 11. Harry was pipped to the weekly top prize by just two points.

This week's Kenny "stop going about about Suarez and the your insane, wrong and frankly myopic view that the buck toothed cheat shouldn't have got banned" Dalglish award for utter stupidity goes to McNick who fresh from toppping the FA Cup table last week, bottom scored this week with a rather shitty 2 points (-6 defensive points from Cech, Ivanovic and Rafael certainly didn't help)

Here is the table:


















Transfers this weeks:

Nick PC
Berbatov OUT Papiss Cisse IN

Me
Nasri OUT Oxlade-Chamberlain IN (beating Nick PC's bid of Arteta by 0.7m)

FA Cup 4th Round.................

Here is the table:

Also includes number of players currently left for each manager.

McNick in top spot and with most players left in the competition along with harry and Nick PC.

Three-way tie for second, nine points behind McNick.




















No transfers last week.

Regards

Your Chairman

Week 21.............

On a weekend where Manchester cemented their poisiton at the top of the table, my abiding memory of the football was the Emirates crowd booing................yes booing their manager's subsitution. Fuck me, having heard that I don't blame Arshavin for waving Valencia through to set up what proved to be the winner.

Fickle fans who want instant gratification. Do Arsenal fans REALLY want Wenger out? They have no fullbacks. NO. FULLBACKS. And playing against a team with two top class wide men, was always going to difficult.

Just before RvP scored I thought Oxlade-Chamberlain was starting to look leggy and him going off didn't really susprise but what Walcott has on Wenger must be HUGE. How he consistently stays on for 90 minutes and gets a start God only knows. O-C looks a player whereas Walcott still runs in straight lines. A sprinter told to play football.

At Middle-Eastlands how the fuck did Balotelli stay on the pitch? So it puts to bed once and for all that Howard Webb is closet Red - he's simply SHIT.

STAMP

Elsewhere Liverpool continue their march towards mid-table mediocrity.

















Anyway, FFL-wise I extend my lead at the top thanks to an 11 point haul in contrast to DP's 1 (due in the main to a total of -6 thanks to Walker and Krull). Nick PC fairs even worse with a fat ZERO and must be ruing he decision to swap Zamora (nine points this week) with the bench warming Berbatov.

Top score this week goes to McNick with 18 points that elevates him from last to eighth. Champion TC is now bottom.

This week's Howard "shit ref, thats is all" Webb award for, well being really, really shit goes to Sid who picked up -2.

Here is the table:

















Transfers, if any, after tomorrow's deadline.

Next week it's the Cup and I bet Liverpool turn up for their Cup Final............................

Regards

Your Chairman

With a name like that.................

It was only a matter of time before he scored one wasn't it?

Week 20......

In two weeks DP has amassed 30 points. Title rivals Nick PC and me have only scored 9 and 11 respectively.

With only 63 points covering the top four, it's still up for grabs.

It is indeed a marathon not a sprint!

I win the Ayegbini "even though I didn't go to the African Cup of Nations I thought I'd still get sent off for a straight red, get banned for three games and piss Mike off" Yakubu award for shitness with 1 point.

Table:

















Transfers after Monday's match................do I wish for a city clean sheet for fantasy sake or win for Wigan for United's (and Spurs!) sake????

Regards

Your jittery chairman

Third Round of the FA Cup

The reason why a separate FA Cup comeptition was debated is jusitifed in the best way possible after the Third Round.

Bottom of the heap in the league but top of the table in the FA Cup - it has given McNick a new impetus and greater interest in this season's fantasy edition of the beautiful game.




















FA Cup Fourth Round Draw

• Brighton or Wrexham v Newcastle
• Hull City v Crawley Town
• Dag & Red or Millwall v Southampton
• Sunderland v Middlesbrough
• MK Dons or QPR v Chelsea
• West Brom v Norwich City
• Blackpool v Sheffield Wednesday
• Arsenal v Aston Villa
• Stevenage v Notts County
• Watford v Tottenham Hotspur
• Liverpool v Manchester United
• Derby County v Stoke City
• Everton v Fulham
• Macclesfield or Bolton v Swansea City
• Sheffield United v Birmingham City or Wolves
• Nottm Forest or Leicester City v Swindon Town

Ties to take place on the weekend of 28/29 January.

No transfers for this weeks league games.

Week 19..........

Midweek LEAGUE games.

Notable performance from Tim Krull - SEVEN points from a goalkeeper in one game gave DP a week high of 14 points. Sees him 1 point behind Nick PC whoscored 2 but didn't bottom score.

The "what the fuck are you playing a rightback (Rafael) who hasn't played in six months in central midfield with the defintive headless chicken Ji Sung Park " award for shit tactics goes to James with -2, courtesy of Evra's -2 against Newcastle.

Table:

















Transfers after Monday's deadline.

Bear with me for the FA Cup table - means fiddling about with the spreadsheet!!!!

Regards

Transfers.....

Two transfers this week:

DP
Taarabt OUT Hoollihan IN

Nick PC
Zamora OUT Berbatov IN

FA Cup

FA Cup starts next weekend.

I know there is a separated money pot for the FA Cup but do points count towards the overall FFL.

I seem to recall they do not, hence the separate money pot.

Can someone remember?

Thanks

Week 18...........

First of all may I wish you all a Happy New Year.

May you enjoy happiness, health and success in 2012.

Double match FFL week. Too much to talk about and digest. (can't really be bothered but here goes)

How can Fergie play a right back who hasn't played in six months in CENTRAL midfield with Ji Sung Park? FFS.

Another Ji has made the weekend more bearable.

Spurs must be gutted not to have held on against Swansea.

After a shit start and talks of crisis, Arsenal are a mere three poins off their rivals.

Club that should be worried is Chelsea. Sturrudge stopped scoring. Drogba off for at least a month and Torres...............well.

Liverpool have Gerrard back. Massive six weeks or so coming up with some cracking games.

3rd Jan
City v Liverpool

22nd Jan
City v Spurs
Arsenal v United

5th Feb
Chelsea v United

6th Feb
Liverpool v Spurs

11th Feb
United v Liverpool

25 Feb
Liverpool v Everton

26th Feb
Arsenal v Spurs

3rd March
Liverpool v Arsenal
Tottenham v United

Here is the table:

















Transfers after tomorrow's deadline which is 3pm!!

Off to have dessert after yet MORE food.

Hmmmmm

If you have time, if you can be arsed, read, the FA's report on the Suarez case.

Pretty damning to be honest.

Here it is

There are many paragraphs that are quite cringy to be honest and frankly make a mockery of how Liverpool dealt with the whole incident.

Just to repeat (for the 23459872346027698th time) Suarez ADMITTED to using a word that the commission found was to be racially abusive. Incidentally, it is NOT the word that was originally put out in the media but a word that has NO ambiguity whatsoever in its connotations or reasons to use other than to rile, abuse and illicit a reaction.

'highlights' from the report:

302. The position, therefore, is as follows. Mr Suarez spoke in Spanish to Mr Comolli soon after the game about this serious allegation. Mr Suarez also spoke in Dutch to Mr Kuyt. Both Mr Comolli and Mr Kuyt understood Mr Suarez to have told them that when he spoke to Mr Evra he said words which translate into English as, "Because you are black". According to Mr Suarez, Mr Comolli misheard what Mr Suarez said in Spanish, and Mr Kuyt misheard what Mr Suarez said in Dutch.

What both of them?????

321. The impression created by these inconsistencies was that Mr Suarez's evidence was not, on the whole, reliable. He had put forward an interpretation of events which was inconsistent with the contemporaneous video evidence. He had changed his account in a number of important respects without satisfactory explanation. As a result, we were hesitant about accepting Mr Suarez's account of events where it was disputed by other credible witnesses unless there was solid evidence to support it.

357. Not only did we reject this evidence of Mr Suarez, but we found it remarkable that he sought to advance a case that was so clearly inconsistent with any sensible appreciation of what happened. Even Mr McCormick accepted in his closing submissions that the pinching could not reasonably be described as an attempt to defuse the situation. To suggest otherwise, as Mr Suarez did, was unarguable. Mr Suarez's evidence on these topics, which was shown to be flawed, profoundly undermined our confidence in the reliability of his evidence.

Patrick Collins in today's Mail makes some interesting points:

Here

"........Yet through all this, Liverpool FC’s stance has been that of the affronted victim. Long before they saw the detailed findings, they called the decision ‘extraordinary’ and ‘incredible’. They impugned the character of Patrice Evra. They allowed players and manager to parade in ‘supportive’ T-shirts, a piece of imbecilic posturing."

Two artciles from the Telegraph

One and Two

".......Suarez, who admitted using the word 'negro’ to Evra, was said to have offered a defence for using the term that was ''full of inconsistencies’’. The commission said that as he used the word 'negro’ so often, the lengthy ban was necessary to preserve the image of the English game and provide a strong deterrent.

The verdict reveals how previously-unseen video evidence — including 12 clips of the on-field altercation — were analysed following the game on Oct 15. Evra is described as ''an impressive witness’’ whose version of events remained consistent throughout the disciplinary process"

Transfers.....

Some transfers had to be voided this week due to managers sending them in too late. I'm not going to name them before you ask!

A reminder about the weekly transfer window (taken from the first page of the spreadsheet):

"The transfer week runs from Monday to Monday. This means that transfers made at any time during the week do not come into play until the first game of the week (usually Monday night at 8pm) kicks off. It therefore makes sense to make the transfer as near as possible to 8pm on Monday night because you won't be able to pick up points any earlier. The reason I've highlighted the first game of the week is to account for bank holiday fixtures which can kickoff as early as midday. In such cases, the transfer deadline moves forward to that early kickoff. The reason for this rule is to eliminate picking up cheeky mid-week points."

Last week's window ended at 1pm - the kick-off time for Chelsea's match against Fulham so any transfer after this time is for the NEXT window.

I ahve sent emails to the relevant mamnagers advising them of this.

One transfer that did go through was mine - benefit of being on this bloody blog practically every day:

Tried to get Cleverley for Cabaye as his twitter states he is back in training (I know I'm sad) but he is Sid's player so this activated my second choice which is Valencia. (who will no doubt stay at right back as Smalling joins a growing injury list of defenders FFS)

Football writing of the year.............

Some articles that may be of interest to you:

Best article on the Suarez debate.....by a Liverpool fan!

Laws of the game - a principled approach

The dangers of a European Super League

50 greatest European club sides - great article. Lots to be debated!

For Stathi - on Xavi!

Pirlo - a giant of his generation

Man City - the masterplan

The new Germans - good article on a 'new' Germany team.

Week 17

May the joyous season bring you love, happiness and health.

Why the upbeat mood?

TWENTY FOUR POINTS baby!!!!!!!

Yep. Been a good week for me. Top scoring this week. Increasing the gap at the top to 44 points.

Of course anything can happen in the New Year and with plenty of transfer options for everyone (except harry who has exhausted his 8 transfers) the ‘marathon not a sprint’ idiom is very relevant and should be heeded.

Only three other managers scored double figues (TC - 16, James - 11, Nick PC - 11)

Bottom of the heap this week (and in the table is McNick) with 3.

Table:

Major talking points this week? Can I really pass up this opportunity and not talk about the buck-toothed one?

You are mistaken, I am going to follow my club and keep a DIGNIFIED silence. No t-shirts, no promises to walk with him. Nooooooooooo. Oh ok!

But before I start I want to that while there is of course some bias in my opinions I do not actually think Suarez is a racist. How would you prove it anyway? He fucked up and should take his punishment. The way Liverpool have gone about the whole affair is what irks.

What follows is on the basis of original evidence where Suarez ADMITTED to using a certain word. For me a huge issue is that after the verdict Liverpool’s reaction has been crass, tactless and a PR disaster.

Their attempt to turn Evra into the villain shows they have not ‘got it’

Good article on the incident - click here

“Suárez’s intent is not the point. Nor is his character. The offence was the “insulting words” he used, and confessed to, in a roundabout way, with his plea of cultural mitigation.”

And this is the point that I have laboured when faced with an ignorant and incorrect version of the events.

THE FA HAVE NOT SAID SUAREZ IS RACIST. How could you prove that anyway.

This is what they said:

1) Mr Suarez used insulting words towards Mr Evra during the match contrary to FA Rule E3(1);

2) the insulting words used by Mr Suarez included a reference to Mr Evra's colour within the meaning of Rule E3(2);

Liverpool’s subsequent statement is cringe worthy:

“We find it extraordinary that Luis can be found guilty on the word of Patrice Evra alone when no-one else on the field of play including Evra’s own Manchester United teammates and all the match officials – heard the alleged conversation between the two players in a crowded Kop goalmouth while a corner kick was about to be taken.”

Are they THICK? Suarez admitted to using the word and his defence was to do with cultural difference, that it is acceptable when used in Uruguay when addressing a friend, a mate, a pal.

This leads on to the next point. Evra is NOT his friend. So why use the word? To illicit a reaction? Probably. It’s done all the time in every match. Difference is that Suarez used the wrong word.

Was it insulting? Yes

Did it refer to Evra’s colur? Yes

Guilty as charged. Let’s move on.

But no. Liverpool in their attempt to elevate their self-pity city status to another level came out with their absurd statement and THEN those t-shirts.

HE HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF USING OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE. Was there any need for the t-shirts?

I would be interested to see what others think. I have read loads on the subject, from both sides and try to keep an open mind on it but I can’t see why Liverpool couldn’t have just advised to Suarez to apologise if offence was caused, state this was not his intention (which was his original defence anyway) and move on. Short and dignified accepting the FACTS. This story would have died in a day.

The attempted smear on Evra is also laughable and FACTUALLY incorrect. Contrary to anything that has been peddled by Liverpool, Evra has NEVER made an accusation about being racially abused.

The alleged incidents where he has are detailed in this article: click here

“But Evra never cited racism in the Chelsea case, contrary to what you may have read elsewhere. Liverpool's extraordinary statement referred to Evra having no credibility and used as an example his "prior unfounded accusations". Except it was Mike Phelan, United's assistant manager, and Richard Hartis, the goalkeeping coach, who purported to hear the word "immigrant" used at Stamford Bridge. The story that it was Evra has gathered so much momentum now that even the usually reliable Press Association presented it as fact. Liverpool, they said, were referring to "racism allegations Evra made against Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell, which were not proven. The truth is something completely different. Likewise, Evra kept his distance when two deaf United fans complained they had lip-read Steve Finnan making a racist remark to him during a Liverpool-United game in 2006. The simple truth is that Evra has complained of being racially abused only once before, and that was the 1-1 draw at Anfield on 15 October.”

Before the FA verdict this is what Dalglish said:

"We would rather have it done and dusted, out in the open.
"Whoever is the guilty party - the person who said it or the accuser - [should] get their due punishment."

Backtracking are we Kenny?

The subsequent wearing of the T-shirts only confirms one thing – and this is my bias coming through - Liverpool's self-delusion. After all they are openly and publicly promoting a player, who abused another player and made reference to his race.

Some other articles for your perusal:

click here

“Suárez has not been convicted of being a racist. To prove or demolish such a contention would require rather more than the 40 hours of deliberation undertaken, over four days of hearing and sifting evidence, by the panel. He was simply convicted of insulting Evra during the course of an exchange”

and here

“Firstly way before the decision was in, Liverpool completely ignored the FA’s request that both clubs do not comment on the case as it is in motion. This would be to avoid affecting the outcome and causing it to be blown all out of proportion. Liverpool probably did not succeed in the first and certainly have accomplished the second. Surprisingly even Manchester United were able to keep completely quiet about the entire situation. Sir Alex Ferguson did not comment on it where as Kenny Dalglish could barely contain himself.”

and here

Finally another consequence of the past week is that it has neatly and conveniently (for him) deflected the total and direct spotlight that should be on John Terry. His use of ‘inappropriate’ language towards Anton Ferdinand would in most people’s eyes (who have seen it) definitely constitute as being racist.

When you recall Villa-Boas’ statement that WHATEVER the outcome he will support his player, it is a shocking thing to say.

Gentlemen, enjoy your festive break. Eat well and be merry.

Regards

Your chairman

Transfers.....

Two managers bid for Hernandez

Harry's offer of Carroll beat my offer of Yakubu

Harry
Carroll OUT Hernandez IN

Teams and subs left

Rather than send the spreadhseet to all, here is all the managers players lists.

Red indicates a transfered player in.





















Subs left as follows (before tonights deadline):

James 8
Nick Ath 6
DP 4
Nick PC 4
Mike 3
Rico 3
TC 2
Stathi 2
Sid 1
Harry 1

Week 16.........

Another quicky

First off transfers from last week

Sid
Vidic OUT Evans IN

Rico
S.Taylor OUT Kaboul IN

Here is this week's table:














I've extended my lead at the top after a 14 point week which was equalled by McNick. Top score was Rico with 16 which saw him leapfrog DP into thrid place.

Lowest score of the week was share between Champion Theo and title chasing Nick PC, both with a rather Mertesacker one-paced 5.

Transfer (if any during the week)

Before you ask no midweek update. These points will count for the whole week.

Best regards

Your chairman..........

Week 15.......

A quick one...........

Just the table:














Transfers from LAST WEEK:

TC
Arshavin OUT Johnson IN
Hernandez OUT Wellbeck IN

Stathi
Petrov OUT Ramires IN

Me
Gervinho OUT Yakubu IN

This week's transfers posted on here after tomorrow's deadline.

That is all.......................

SOCRATES RIP

The great Socrates has passed and is now kicking ball with other footballing Gods and wondering how the fuck can the likes of Lucas, Ramires and Anderson get a game for Brazil????? (even their names are shit)

Legendary player. Fantastic technical ability. Leadership skill. Prescence and so, so cool.

Sit back, relax and watch PROPER football.

First clip - classic match with brillaint commentary (John Motson) especially 42 seconds - 1:03.
"SOCRATES.............scores the goal that sums up the philosophy of Brazilian football"



Second clip - same tournament, same player, some goal!

Week 14

This was the week that saw Britain go on strike. Tehran rolling after an embassy siege. Countries going bankrupt left right and centre and nobody is lending..............shit, sounds like 1979!!!

In football, the First Division results from 1/12/79 were:

Bolton Wanderers 1 Bristol City 1

Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Derby County 0

Coventry City 4 Ipswich Town 1

Leeds United 1 Crystal Palace 0

Liverpool 4 Middlesbrough 0

Manchester City 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3

Norwich City 1 Aston Villa 1

Nottingham Forest 1 Arsenal 1

Southampton 3 Stoke City 1

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 2

West Bromwich Albion 1 Everton 1

(For those itching to know, Coppell and Macari scored for United and Hoddle for Spurs.)


Back to the present.......................

Van Persie keeps scoring and racking up the points.

Man City keep denying me 6 defensive points by conceding stupid late goals - cunts

Spurs are title challengers.

Martin O'Neill has a helluva job on his hands.

Refs are ALL shit - particualrly Phil Dowd

I'm still top. Woohoo!

Stathi top scored with 20 points.

DP wins this week's "thank fuck we booked Krakow for EURO 2012 base as everone wanted to go there but oh shit, Fabio we are going to have to travel thousands of miles for each group match - and then come back" award for lowest points total with 4.

Table:















Transfers if an when after Monday's deadline

Regards

Chairman............

Ronaldinho is a wanker............fact!

A webcam video of Ronaldinho wanking in a bathroom has been leaked onto the internet.

According to Globo, the video was first posted to YouTube, but has since been removed due to the graphic content. Since then, it has, of course, spread to many of the more dubious corners of the internet that I'm sure you can find yourself, if so inclined.

ARTICLE

Latest FFL scores.............week 13

Gentlemen sincere apologies for the lack of FFL activity and score posting.

It has been a ridiculously busy 10 days or so - I won't bore you but it has involved the Premier League Enterprise Challenge at White Hart Lane (taking students on Sunday and all day Monday). It has also included loads of school footy matches - I'm proud to say my footy boys are currently in the last 64 of the national cup (from 792 entries!), the last 8 of the County Cup and the last 8 of the Enfield Cup and I even managed to drive a group of my 15 top students to Cambridge University on a Saturday for an inspirational day. And you lot say I shouldn't strike? Bollocks to that - I should be GIVEN a day off!

Having watched this afternoon's match it struck me - Balotelli is totally bonkers, Charlie Adam has been infected with the Luiz Suarez 'diving disease', Joe Hart is the real deal and Stewart Downing is FUCKING SHIT!

Oh and whenever I think of the money Ferguson spunked on Berbatov all I have to do is think of Carroll and a smile appears on my face!

I'm sorry but Carroll, Downing and Henderson HAD to be a bung job.

Anyway, not much has changed FFL-wise. I'm still top. DP has been usurped into second by Nick PC who must be creaming his pants with Adebayor and wishing he never agreed to play for Togo again. Taking into account last Monday's brace for Spurs against Villa, the Elephant washers son amassed an impressive 14 points in a week. Add to that Mata's 7 and it is no surprise Nick PC top scored with 26 this week.

McNick had his best week so far with 17 and closed the gap on Harry 'one man band just like the team he supports' Chara at the bottom of the table.

The "what the fuck were you watching you blind cunting wanker of an assistant referee and as for you you dumb arse spinless shit of a referee why did you overturned your original decision after Ferdinand's best tackle this decade?" award for lameness this weekend goes to Sid with a big fat zero.

Here are the scores:
















Recent transfers:

Rico
Baird IN Gregera OUT

Sid
Kolarov IN Zabaletta OUT

DP
Krull IN Begovic OUT

This week's transfers (if any) will be posted later this week.

Regards

Your chairman

PS Anyone hear me on Talksport?

Eric gets angry at French journalists

What an absolute LEGEND...........

Week Eleven

Got to be a quickie this week.............got to edit a business plan for my students who WON their Enterprise Academy Challenge at Tottenham and are now represting THFC in the national final next week!

No change at the top - still me, followed by Don and then Rico.

The birthday boys had a good week - DP's purchase of Ba yielded instance success with a hat-trick last Monday while Sid top scored with 22.

Harry's RvP-inspired team continues to score shed loads of points. That's 33 in two weeks - almost as many as McNick has scored all season!!!

Worst scoring team so far (currently still playing for FFL managers):

Begovic: -9
Ivanovic: -1
Wilson: -2
Distin: -1
Dunne: -1
Downing: 0
Taraabt: 0
Arshavin: 0
Cleverely: 0
Carroll: 6
Torres: 6

Interesting that a strikeforce bought for a combined total of £85m has scored so few points!!!!

Shitty internationals next week.

Transfers updated (if any) after Monday's 8pm deadline.

Here is the table:














Regards

Chairman Mike

Transfers...........

Apologies for not putting these up, especially not before the games - first chance I've had.

There is a running theme this week..............

Fight for Steven Taylor this week which my brother won as Alex is more expensive than Coates by 0.9.

Rico
OUT P. Neville (always injured these days) IN Grgera (Ful)
OUT Alex (never gonna play) IN S. Taylor

Me
OUT (Never gonna play) Coates IN (proabably won't play) Koscielny (2nd choice after Taylor bid was beaten)

Sid
OUT (doesn't play) Valencia IN Cleverley (always injured)

Harry
OUT Jarvis IN Sessegnon