FFL Week 25

It may be a little premature to be writing off James's nearest challenger, but along with Arteta's knee seemingly went Nick's chances of catching our runaway leader. With him out of the picture, it's hard to see where the points will come from: Queresma was Scolari's man and didn't feature in Hiddink's first game; Laursen and Aurelio are injured; Babel is a bench-warmer; Zaki is hopelessly out of form. Fabregas may be back soon, but I would be suprised if we saw anything like the Fabregas of last season between now and May.

And what of our other challengers? Theo may yet pose a threat. Only 19 points behind, Anelka still in form, Milner back in the side (see below), and Ronaldo Ronadoing again. Still, too many players not on the pitch often enough, if at all - Hyypia, Osman, Malouda, Brown.

It may take a challenge from deeper. Stathi may be 31 points behind, but he's got something he hasn't had for a few weeks: two fit strikers. Carlton Cole joins the side to partner the fit-again Wayne Rooney. And Joe Hart aside, the defence looks solid. Don't write him off.

As for the rest of us, minor - and, in some cases, major - miracles are required. A few more weeks like this one might see Mike make a challenge. He top scored this week with 17. Three of us bottom scored with 9: Sid, Nick PC, and - quel surprise! - me. But I'm done with moaning about it. For this week. The scores:

	FFL 2008/09 LEAGUE TABLE
Diff			Total Points
	1st	James	287
12	2nd	Nick PC	275
19	3rd	Theo	268
31	4th	Stathi	256
44	5th	Sid	243
45	6th	Mike	242
53	7th	Don	234
77	8th	Nick Ath	210

As I've already mentioned, Stathi bought Carlton Cole for Jermaine Defoe, and Theo couldn't resist buying James Milner for the 23rd time since he left Leeds, for Jimmy Bullard.

Don't forget there are FA Cup games too this week. The scores above include last night's Spurs match.

Your over-it Chairman

FFL Week 24

Whatever you think about incorporating the FA Cup into our FFL season, you can't argue that it doesn't add a few more twists and turns to what's become a twisty-turney season already. And, with a tasty dish of cup replays still to come, expect a few more twists and turns before February is out.

And it doesn't get more twisty and turney than a hatrick in the last 15 minutes of a game. Add a goal for Ronaldo and a clean sheet from Gallas, and you've got a weekend-long stiffy if you're a little bald QS from West Finchley - 13 points puts you back to within 20 points of a big not-quite-bald-yet doctor from Mill Hill.

Slipping away this week was Stathi - who's been called enough things on this blog, so I'll refrain just this once - who scored a big fat zero. That damn FA Cup, eh?

Here is the leaderboard once again:

	FFL 2008/09 LEAGUE TABLE
Diff			Total Points
	1st	James	275
9	2nd	Nick PC	266
19	3rd	Theo	256
28	4th	Stathi	247
38	5th	Sid	237
41	6th	Mike	234
57	7th	Don	218
74	8th	Nick Ath	201

Nice to see all managers in the 200s. Some of us won't be getting beyond 300, so let's savour it for a week.

There were 2 transfers to report, both from the top. James rids himself of Rory Delap and avails himself of Matt Taylor. And Theo dumps Adebayor and takes a punt on Kenwyne Jones.

Transfers in hand: Chairman Nick - 0; James - 2; Mike - 0; Theo - 1; Don - 4; Sid - 3 (and he can't buy Rafael any more); Stathi - 1; Nick PC - 1.

Your Chairman

FFL Week 23

So, we come to the end of another tempestuous week ridden with scandals, changes in personnel and the odd tantrum. If you think I've lost it a little over the last couple of weeks, you ain't seen nothing yet.

James still leads, despite the agony of missing the transfer deadline because of work commitments. This FFL malarkey is an unforgiving business - complacency in the execution of transfers can cost a manager the title, as James is all too aware.

James's nemesis in that infamous season of neglected transfers, Donald, benefitted this week from his own neglect. Jo's 8 points on his Everton debut handed Donald the manager of the week accolade, with 20 points. Amazingly, he's not out of the running yet. A few more weeks like this one could see him challenge.

And so to your beleagred, punchdrunk, despairing, weary, and rapidly unhinging chairman. There were more comments on last week's blog post than points for my team throughout all of January. Over the last 7 weeks, I've scored 2, 3, 2, 8, 1, 11, and 2. And I've made all my transfers. And I have to keep the scores. And I got a gas bill for over £300 this morning. And I've got to walk the dog through the slush as soon as I've posted this entry.

Fuck, fuck and triple fuck. Here are the scores:

	FFL 2008/09 LEAGUE TABLE
Diff			Total Points
	1st	James	269
10	2nd	Nick PC	259
22	3rd	Stathi	247
26	4th	Theo	243
36	5th	Sid	233
40	6th	Mike	229
56	7th	Don	213
76	8th	Nick Ath	193

There were more transfer shenanigans this week. Theo's offer of Malouda wasn't enough to snap up new boy Queresma, with Nick PC outbidding him with Joe Cole. The other new boy, Arshavin, goes to Donald who gets rid of Alves. And pretending that it will make any difference whatsoever, I bought Rafael for Traore.

A long way to go yet, but it still looks like it will go to the wire.

Farewell.

Your Chairman

FFL Week 23

Hey, I'm back again! Sorry about the delay - I had no internet for a while and I've been busy with other shit.

And what a week to miss. A double week in the Premier League has seen James create a cushion between himself and the chasing pack. He scored a massive 29, nudging him 17 points in front. Donald bottom scored with 4. I'm going to keep it brief, so here's the table, which has been audited:

	FFL 2008/09 LEAGUE TABLE
Diff			Total Points
	1st	James	259
17	2nd	Nick PC	242
21	3rd	Theo	238
21	4th	Stathi	238
36	5th	Sid	223
46	6th	Mike	213
66	7th	Don	193
68	8th	Nick Ath	191

Predictably, there was a transfer frenzy this week. If your transfer doesn't appear below, it's either because they player you wanted is already taken or you tried to buy a player before he was listed (Stathi).

Donald, yes Donald: Shorey OUT Konchesky IN
Mike: James OUT Howard IN, and Rosicky OUT Carrick IN.

Mike's also raised a query about his purchase of Ballack. When he bought Ballack, he already had Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole. However, SWP was down as a Man City player at the time, even though Mike had bought him at auction as a Chelsea player. I think that's okay but if anyone objects, let your voice be heard now.

Bear in mind the scores above don't include midweek FA Cup points.

Over and out.

Your Chairman