Saturday, March 29, 2008

FFL Week 30

So close. So, so close.

It is all about records in this season procession of the 12th Dwight Yorke Cup.

Stathi currently stands on 466 points. A mere Rooney goal away from equalling the all-time record - and there are still weeks to go before the end of the season. What's more, he is also over 100 points ahead of his nearest 'challenger'.

What a boring season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done.

Here is this week's table:

1st Stathi 466
103 2nd Rico 363
121 3rd Mike 345
152 4th Sid 314
203 5th James 263
204 6th Nick Ath 262
219 7th Nick PC 247
229 8th Don 237
243 9th Theo 223

I haven't even bothered checking for transfers. Just let me know if I missed one!!!

Regards from your chairman who is still grinning like a Chesire Cat after last week - especially as I had the pleasure of sitting next to a scouser at the game. Do you think his ears still ache????? 'Viva Ronaldo'

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Gutted.................

Having watched Sky Sports News this morning, I was aghast when they showed this morning's papers and in one of them it claimed that Liverpool manager Rafael Beneathus was on his way to Barcelona.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Rafa must stay.

The Rafalution must be allowed to run its course.

Great teams have great captains....................

Not always true, but it helps.


But it does beg the question, why is William Gallas STILL the Arsenal skipper? Especailly when he came out with the following:

Asked by a French newspaper who his buddies were at Arsenal, Gallas said: "Mates? Well, they are more like acquaintances. At Arsenal there is Theo Walcott but he is very young."

He then went on to say who his real buds are. "Really, it's the guys at Chelsea like Frank Lampard, John Terry, Wayne Bridge and Joe Cole. It always gives me pleasure to see them again. We all have our own lives but when we see each other - especially Terry - we always like to spend some time talking together."

Nice one, William.

Does this say more about Gallas or Wenger who, lets not forget at the beginning of the season claimed he would use Gilberto, Gallas and Toure as his captain

"The captain last year was Gilberto and there is no reason to take it away from him. At the moment in some games it is Gallas and some games it is Kolo because I feel that the centre back position is the best one from which to captain the team. Those three will be leaders of the team for the season and whoever plays will captain the team. We are a very young side and the experienced players have a big part to play. That is why I try to multiply the influence of the big players."

Hmmmm. Amazing how the London press have not jumped on this, especially after Gallas' cry baby antics against Birmingham and his 'captain's display' against Chelsea.' There was also the public criticism of Theo Walcott for being "too predictable" in his style of play. And now the above quote. But we shouldn't expect the London-based media to rock the boat of the world's youngest and greatest football team ever, ever in the history of the world ever (TM), should we?

For me, Toure should be captain. Been there longer than Gallas. Has been Arsenal's most consistent and best player for the last few years (Henry included) and is close enough in age to younger members of the team while also having the necessary experience. Bit of a smack in the face for Kolo not being made captain imo. But then at Dubaibury they do say 'In Wenger We Trust'!!!!!!!!!!! (they also say 'Hleb is better than Best' - MOTWYW!)

Friday, March 21, 2008

FFL Week 29 / 30

In a week that saw United only score once against Derby, Arsenal drop more points, an 8-goal thriller at the Lane, Ashley Cole showing us all (again!) why he is football's biggest C-U-N-T, and Ronaldo edge closer to not only top scorer in the league, PFA player of the year, Football Writers Player of the Year, the Ballo D'Or and the European Golden Boot the biggest news is that our very own Mr Marneros closes in on the record FFL score.

As the title has never really been in doubt it has been all about records and as it stands (midweek scores included) Stathi is just 21 points from usurping my 469 record tally. Gutted!

However, this is undeniably an amazing acheivement. Well done mate. But it is joing the double title club which must really be pleasing! One more and you can join the hat-trick club!

I will happy to see those 21 points reached via Rooney scoring a double hat-trick and Wes Brown keeping a clean sheet on this "super douper no-it-wasn't-planned-in-advance-double-header- between-the-top-four-so-late-in-the-season weekend"

Also, I have news. I BEAT THE FA! As some of you know I was banned for a ridiculous 84 days for calling a ref an expletive......twice. I got my paper work in order wrote a 2000 word appeal letter, spoke to fellow managers who wrote letters in my defence, commitee members from other clubs also did the same, and I organised a petition. In all 12 documents amounting to over 8000 words AND I WON. Nothing "frivolous about my appeal!"

I am back on the training ground and back in charge of the team. GET IN!

Here is the table:

KOPA LEAGUE DIVISION ONE


TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1 Panthea
19151265174849
2 Aris19153173205348
3 Brotherhood 2110564443135


Sorry, wrong one!


1st Stathi 448
90 2nd Rico 358
110 3rd Mike 338
137 4th Sid 311
190 5th Nick Ath 258
192 6th James 256
208 7th Nick PC 240
215 8th Don 233
237 9th Theo 211

Battle for second is still on as is the battle for fifth!

No transfers to report.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

What would you do?



















You have won a prize that gives you 10 minutes with this 'gentle'man.


What do you do?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Prediction Time

In a fit of boredom I sat down and worked through the score predictor on the BBC website. Obviously still plenty of games to play and if my FFL score is anything to go by then I will be way off base...hopefully. Because the alarming result is that I see the wrong half of North London parading the Premiership trophy this season. For the record:

1st Arsenal 87pts
2nd Man Utd 83pts
3rd Chelsea 82pts
4th Liverpool 74pts
-------------------
Bolton to join Fulham and Derby in the Vauxhaull conference next season.

Like I said, lets hope I'm wrong - but lets also see what the rest of you think!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Ouch? or Ecstasy?

Arsenal's league fixtures for the next month or so.

Home to Boro : 15 March
Away to Chelsea : 23 March
Away to Bolton : 29 March
Home to Liverpool : 02 April
Home to Liverpool : 05 April
Away to Liverpool : 09 April
Away to Man Utd : 13 April

Two ways to look at it:

1) Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit fuck....................BANG (smash head on the desk), fuck, fuck fuck.

or

2) Bring it on. If they are going to do it, do it properly. none of this playing yak farmers from belgium in a Euro Cup final, or even getting a bye into the next round!!!!!

If Arsenal get through that unscathed and by that I mean in with shout of the title and qualify for the Champions League semis then look out for a platinum DVD boxset etc etc.

Mouthwatering for the rest of us. Don't know about the Arsenal and Liverpool fans are thinking. If it was United, I'd be bricking it!

FFL Week 28

Scores as they stand before the midweek games. They will be added to THIS week's scores.

Stathi closes in on his second title and the highest ever score. Rico pulls away in second place.

Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 420
74 2nd Rico 346
94 3rd Mike 326
121 4th Sid 299
166 5th James 254
176 6th Nick Ath 244
182 7th Nick PC 238
194 8th Don 226
230 9th Theo 190

Transfers:

Unfortunately one manager tried to buy another manager's player. I won't expose them!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Foreigner quota for FA Cup

Not a bad idea......................

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article3543013.ece

But can't see the FA's public relations spokesman (AKA Arsene Wenger) agreeing to it though!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Media bias? Surely not!

Am I missing something?

As you know I am no lover of all things vermnin but..............................

Arsenal beat AC Milan in the San Siro and the media wank themselves silly and make out they have won the European Cup, the World Cup and the Grand National whereas Liverpool beat Inter at the San Siro, who are top of the Italian league, haven't lost at home since August, only been beaten twice in something like 18 months , and the media make out it was a gritty performance!!!!!

Go figure!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Ridiculous skills.............



By the way, the other guy is at Spurs - teaching tricks and stuff to youngsters. Good at tricks but can't play football!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

So sad.......................

Sad to hear what happened to him today:

Gazza sectioned

Lets remember him for what he was good at:



Absolute legend

No-one does interviews like him. He could not go higher in my estiamation bt near the end he says, with his eyes welling up: "'till the last minutes of my life I will love this club"



Shit, I got a lump in my throat watching it last night.................................

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Writing on the back of dirty white vans………..

“This van is cleaned by the NHS”

“Also available in white”

“I wish my wife was this dirty”

“Following me, I’m going dogging”

“Please pass quietly, illegal immigrants sleeping”

“No immigrants are left in this van overnight”

“Not satisfied with my driving? Then please call 0800 fuck yourself”

“Dirty? You should see my arse!”

“Cleaned by Stevie Wonder”

“This isn't just dirt, this is M&S dirt” (On a M&S lorry!)

Any others?

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

FFL Week 25

Told you last week that the gap closing on Stathi didn't matter!

Nani not only probably ended the first team career of Hoyte at Arsenal but also handed Rico second place with an individual 7 point haul.

Sid, with his two Liverpool defenders and Toure in his backline left him with the dubious honour of having the season's lowest weekly score: -5, to slip further behind.

No transfers. Here is the table:


1st Stathi 376
79 2nd Rico 297
83 3rd Mike 293
100 4th Sid 276
143 5th James 233
146 6th Nick PC 230
154 7th Nick Ath 222
163 8th Don 213
204 9th Theo 172


I have stayed quiet on the weekend's events but like a rumbling volcano, today is the day to explode:

Q1. Why has the FA not charged Gallas for kicking out?
A1. He plays for Arsenal

Q2. Why did Flamini get away with a scandalous lunge at Nani with a clear 15 yeard run up?
A2. He plays for Arsenal

Q3. Why were the Sunday newspapers more concerned with Nani juggling the ball rather than Wenger's utter contempt for the FA Cup?
A3: It's Arsenal

Q4. Nani showboating? Give me a break. Watch it again. What should he have done? Boot the ball into row Z? He controlled the ball, kept it away from an opponent while running towards his goal, laid it off and then has to hurdle Flamini's atrocious challenge. Why?
A4: It's Arsenal. Remember when Pires and Henry tried THAT penalty? That my friends is showboating. What did the media say? Wonderfully inventive blah, blah, blah. That was more disrespectful in my opinion.

Q5: Talking about respect, Wenger claimed Nani tried to 'humiliate' his team. Really?
A5: The biggest disrespect that happened around Saturday's match was Wenger and his team not showing up. Tell that to my mate who paid in excess of £40 for a ticket, £3 for a programme, £25 travel and £15 for beer and food and then see Adebayor, Flamini and Clichy on the bench and more worryingly Traore and Hoyte on the pitch. Injuries? Oh yes. That's why the claimed hamstring injuries that kept the Elepahnt washer's son and Flamini wearing four layers of tracksuit finally saw them come on with 15 minutes to go when the game was finished and the temperature was -5 degress C pitchside. Very professorial Mr Wenger.

Also, just accept defeat. Please. For once. Just once. Moreover Wenger and his side should not lecture on respect and humiliation. Why? Pizzagate.

And finally, are Arsenal as a club under Wenger not the ones who religiously preach the virtues of the beautiful game and condemn anything contray to this? (Ask Allardyce when at Bolton for example). Does the display on saturday on the pitch and afterwards in interviews not contradict this? (the term is 'sour grapes')

They are the team the media creams its pants over whenever they put together a move of 5 or more passes. Hello, Arsenal did not INVENT 'pretty football'.

Rant over - I feel better now. I await your abuse!

Carry on Adebayor.............

Comprehension made easy...........

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sunday, February 17, 2008

If Carlsberg made FA Cup Sixth Rounds.....................

they would go something like this......................



The look on Phil Thompson's face! Priceless.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

FFL Week 24

Here are the scores before the FA Cup weekend.

No transfers.

Gap closes at the top to 74. But nothing to worry Stathi

Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 365
74 2nd Mike 291
81 3rd Rico 284
84 4th Sid 281
132 5th James 233
141 6th Nick PC 224
143 7th Nick Ath 222
154 8th Don 211
204 9th Theo 161

Saturday, February 09, 2008

FFL Transfers

Transfers confirmed for this weekend..............

A three-way battle for Jermaine Defoe. Nick tried to do a Harry and get rid of Benjani but as he was only worth 5.7m he was beaten by McNick who chose to get rid of Agbonlahor (value 6.1m). However, he also was beaten to the capture of Defoe by Sid who finally gets rid of Shevchenko (value 7.1).

Nick does get manage to get rid of Bale for Hutton.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

RIP
















The Flowers of Manchester..................................................

6th February 1958

3:04pm

Friday, February 01, 2008

FFL update (weeks 21, 22 and 22.5!

As promised, after putting nehind me the my appeal to the FA, here are teh updates including the midweek games (hence teh 22.5)

On the appeal, I ahve just realised, if that fat scouse *&^**&**/ reads it then I have no chance. In fact 84 days will very easily become 84 years!!!

Anyway, no commentary today. Just the table:

Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 350
78 2nd Rico 272
84 3rd Mike 266
93 4th Sid 257
132 5th Nick PC 218
137 6th Nick Ath 213
137 7th James 213
151 8th Don 199
192 9th Theo 158

Transfers:

Me: Ben Haim OUT Skrtel IN (don't ask!)
Sid: Lehmann OUT Hart IN
McNick: Kapo OUT McFadden IN

I promised myself I would not publish a post and mention how Liverpool fans embraced their American owners when they came, but now want them out after they realised they would mortgage their club to the tune of £30m of interest payments A YEAR! And they still have to find the money to build a new stadium. Karma is a wonderful thing...................................oops!

In the meantime...

...Wise joins Keegan at Newcastle:


...and Stathi is spotted on a glacier in Patagonia:

RE: FFL

No scores Mr Chairman? I guess I am the only one who cares??!
Your 84 day KOPA ban should have freed some of your time??!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

RE: Interesting Facts

1) The average age of the 14 Arsenal players used was 22.8. For Spurs 25.8.
So yes they were a little younger.

2) The Arsenal starting XI cost £51m to Spurs £39m. Including the 3 subs used this becomes £62m Arse to £53m Spurs.

3) The 14 players used by Spurs have started 279 games between them this season, the Gooners 14 have started 214 between them.

4) There were 11 players out of the 14 for Arsenal who have full international caps. Spurs had only 10.

5) The total caps held by the 14 goons is 261 (hardly kids eh!) to Spurs 341.

6) 2 players for the goons have won the World Cup. That's not bad for experience!!

7) The injury ravaged Spurs team that played in the league game at the Emirates had a younger average age than the gooners and played them off the park with everyone at the game agreeing that they should have won the game.

8) After 60 minutes, Spurs took off their first choice attack and Lennon, allowing some of the reserves to join in with the fun.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Amen to that!

Rooney revealed his frustration at the Dubious Goals Committee’s recent decision not to credit him with the opener in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal in November.

“I don’t know who gives and doesn’t give these goals,” he said. “Over the last three years Frank Lampard has had about 50 deflected goals and never had one took off him.

“I’ve had one deflected goal and had it took off me, so maybe they need to look at the game a bit closer.

Get in there son!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Silly season in full flow.........

Transfer windows. Don't you just love them?

Is it me or does the rumour below not sound right? If anyone can find a more ridiculous transfer rumour than this then please post it:

"Chelsea will ask Barcelona for Lionel Messi or AC Milan for Kaka if Didier Drogba decides to join either team in the summer" (from the Daily Mirror)

RE: Boobs

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Shameless self publicity

For those who haven't noticed, Eleftheria Newspaper is now online (only took 10 years!)

I have put a link to the right for those who want to read it and maybe have a look at my latest rant in print!

SPOT ON!

Click on the link.

MARY POPPINS GETS WHAT HE DESERVES

Having read it I had to do a double take and make sure it wasn't actually ME who wrote it!!!

FFL Week 20

Slowing but surely? Is Rico timing his second half of the season run to try and overtaken the leader? Well, based on the last two weeks the facts speak for themselves. Rico has made up 15 points and is currently 42 points adrift - certainly not an impossible position with which to snatch his first FFL title.

Rico again top scored with a stonking 19 points. Stathi could only manage 11. Yours truly even beat Stathi's scores and how many times has the nailed on one been beaten into third in the weekly points totals?

Theo and James jointly won the 'Newcastle defence against Ronaldo' award for the inability to get anywhere near double figures.

Here is the table:

Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 302
42 2nd Rico 260
66 3rd Sid 236
80 4th Mike 222
111 5th James 191
111 6th Nick Ath 191
113 7th Nick PC 189
128 8th Don 174
156 9th Theo 146

Transfers:
Rico swaps Michael Essien for Shaun W-Phillips (typical, I get rid of the vertically challenged, some may harshly say ability challenged one, and he goes and scores last weekend!)

FOOTNOTE:
Of course all teh good vibe about this season's FFL possiblly turning into a comeptition rather than a procession was blown out of the water when the overrated one (a lot of ones in this synopisis today! Does that make sense??) scored a hat-trick against a goalkeeper who couldn't kick, a semi-retired forward who used to play for Liverpool playing at centre-half and a bunch of players who were more intent on saving their legs and energy in the hope of getting paid to play football. Sums up this FFL season really. Another hearty well-done to Stathi.

PS read the link posted in the blog above. Wonderful stuff.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

FFL Week 19

After this week’s cup exploits, when Dave Kitson claimed he didn’t “give two shits about the FA Cup” well can he tell that to Sid please? The FA Cup gave Sid almost as many points as there are letters in Havant & Waterlooville; 13 in all to give him a total for week 19 of 26.

Added to last week’s phenomenal 42 and he has accumulated 68 points in two weeks or to put it another way more than a third of the total for the season from any of the teams in fifth place to last! 24 of those points have come from Berbatov! Lets see where he will be come the end of January! (rumour I have heard is that should Spurs knock Arsenal out of the Carling Cup he is United-bound at the end of the season. If Arsenal’s wondrous young team who are paying football better than anyone has ever seen ever in the history of the world (trademark The Sun, The Mirror, The Star and another London-based rag) get to Wembley then Ramos is ‘happy’ to get the money and spend in January with a view to the summer and beyond. (please don’t shoot the messenger!!)

Back to FFL and needless to say Stathi maintains first position with a score of 20. Rico closes the gap slightly with the week’s top score of 27. The David ‘Shit I picked the wrong team for the FA Cup’ Moyes award for crap score is Theo with a rather Chasetown total of FIVE to leave him languishing in last place.

James closes the gap on those above him and has fifth place of higher in his sights as he seeks to maintain those averages!

Here is the table:

Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 291
50 2nd Rico 241
63 3rd Sid 228
82 4th Mike 209
106 5th Nick Ath 185
106 6th Nick PC 185
108 7th James 183
124 8th Don 167
148 9th Theo 143

One transfer to report: Both yours truly and Rico tried to get Michael Ballack but I won having got rid of the kid from Diff'rent Strokes who cost more than Michael Essien.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

FFL Week 18 - updated

It's nice to be back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (is it F***!) I will be blunt and to the point.

I have lumped together the Christmas points from the past week and updated week 18 on the spreadsheet. This is to facilitate a smooth transition to the normallity of the football and FFL week.

A remarkable run of form from Berbatov saw him accumulate 16 points last week. Cynics pointed out that this had more to do with the opening of the transfer window than anything to do with wanting to see his side win a few games. For those unbelievers, watch his performance against Arsenal where there was more movement from his arms than his legs (this game obviously was played pre-trasnfer window!!)

Personally, I think Spurs should take the money and invest in some players who know what
a) marking is,
b) know how to tackle and
c) know how to organise that thing in football that is meant to prevent goals from being conceded.

At the moment, Joey Barton has a better defence than Spurs (and he's guilty as sin)

This gave Sid an amazing 42 points which elevated into third place. Stathi (obviously) stays on top with a more than credible 28 points helped by Santa Cruz. Lets hope this seasonally named forward stops scoring once the days get longer and the sun comes out. Rico keeps plugging away in second thanks to 17 points.

Scrooge award for lame points total is Theo with a a rather Ebeneezerly tight 9 which keeps him bottom.

Table:

Diff

Manager

Points

Defence

Midfield

Attack


1st

Stathi

271

92

101

67

57

2nd

Rico

214

97

57

48

69

3rd

Sid

202

84

62

45

81

4th

Mike

190

57

70

63

97

5th

Nick Ath

174

73

55

34

102

6th

Nick PC

169

88

36

20

110

7th

James

161

76

49

36

126

8th

Don

145

38

18

71

133

9th

Theo

138

60

34

7



I have included the full table as we are now at the half-way point of the season. Next week is FA Cup weekend. Here's hoping Adebayor scores ten against Burnley while Fabregas is obviously rested.

The points from New Year's day onwards will be included in next week's round-up. As it stands before Santa Cruz scores a shed load against Sunderland tonight, Stathi maintains his 57 point lead at the top. James is this week's biggest mover so far with 17 points!

Finally, can I wish everyone a wonderful New Year. We have EURO 2008 on the horizon - anyone fancy a road trip to Salzburg for the 14th June Greece -Russia game? (It's a Saturday we can leave Friday)
Elsewhere, lets hope football continues to bring us joy - not just in the form of incisive, quality football not seen anywhere on this planet in the history of the game ever, ever, ever by such a young team that contains only teenagers ('trademark AFC' - as the London press keep telling us)

My hopes for the New Year include (apart from the obvious)
1) That that detestable little scrotum Eboue finally gets what he deserves. What a snidy little shit he is.

2) That Benitez keeps his job and keeps playing Kuyt

3) That football finally wakes up and stops giving very average footballers 50K+ a week contracts. Anyone see Reo-Coker on MTV Cribs? How can a player with no pace, little skill and an amazing inability to retain posession have the money to buy a holiday home in Orlando that he "uses two weeks a year" which has five bedrooms, swimming pool etc etc. Also see Antoine Sibierski (yes him) and his palatial home in Cannes as well as as Robbie Savage's amazing abode. Why? How?

4) A media realisation that some English footballers (you know who I mean!) are rather good - not WORLD class.

5) That Sam 'fat brown envelope' Allardyce keeps his job. I ma enjoying watching him squirm. Arrogant man who has an unhealthy and elevated opinion oif himself. I wouldn't mind if he did get his P45 just to see Mary Poppins have a go and send them down!

Regards, your chairman

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Will Fabio give us quotes like these?


Read some of these quotes below. Now I know footballers (managers) are not the brightest bunch but can you really see the likes of Kilnsmann, Van Basten, Capello, Lippi, Hiddink etc etc coming out with amount of rubbish that came from the mouth of Kevin Keegan?

'It's like a toaster, the ref's shirt pocket. Every time there's a tackle, up pops a yellow card.'

'The ref was vertically 15 yards away.'

'There are two schools of thought on the way the rest of this half is going to develop; everybody's got their own opinion...'

'Goalkeepers aren't born today until they're in their late twenties or thirties.'

'This could be a repeat of the final.'

'The game has gone rather scrappy as both sides realise they could win this match or lose it.'

'I don't think there's anyone bigger or smaller than Maradona.'

'England can end the millenium as it started - as the greatest football nation in the world.'

'They compare Steve McManaman to Steve Heighway and he's nothing like him, but I can see why - it's because he's a bit different'

'Despite his white boots, he has real pace...'

'You can't do better than go away from home and get a draw...'

'He can't speak Turkey, but you can tell he's delighted.'

'There'll be no siestas in Madrid tonight.'

'...using his strength. And that is his strength, his strength.'

'One of his strengths is not heading'

'Gary always weighed up his options, especially when he had no choice.'

'I'm not disappointed - just disappointed.'

'The tide is very much in our court now.'

'Chile have three options - they could win or they could lose.'

'That would have been a goal if it wasn't saved.'

'I came to Nantes two years ago and it's much the same today, except that it's totally different.'

'A tremendous strike which hit the defender full on the arm - and it nearly came off.'

'The good news for Nigeria is that they're two-nil down very early in the game'

'The substitute is about to come on - he's a player who was left out of the starting line-up today.'

'That decision, for me, was almost certainly definitely wrong.'

'I know what is around the corner - I just don't know where the corner is. But the onus is on us to perform and we must control the bandwagon.'

'Hungary is very similar to Bulgaria. I know they're different countries...'

'In some ways, cramp is worse than having a broken leg.'

'The 33 or 34-year-olds will be 36 or 37 by the time the next World Cup comes around, if they're not careful.'

'England have the best fans in the world and Scotland's fans are second-to-none'

'It's understandable that people are keeping one eye on the pot and another up the chimney.'

'I'd love to be a mole on the wall in the Liverpool dressing room at half-time.'

'It could be far worse for me if it was easy for me.'

'Discipline is not only very important, it's crucial.'

'Young Gareth Barry - he's young'

'Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America.'

'They're the second best team in the world, and there's no higher praise than that.'

'You don't get two chances at this level, or at any other level for that matter.'

'You're not just getting international football, you're getting world football'

'Kanu, a guy with a heart as big as he is'

'Luis Figo is totally different to David Beckham, and vice versa'

'Football's always easier when you've got the ball'

'They don't come every three days, like they come after this one'

'I want more from David Beckham. I want him to improve on perfection.'

'The tide is very much in our court now.'

'There's a slight doubt about only one player, and that's Tony Adams, who definitely won't be playing tomorrow.'

'We have spent three matches chasing a football.'

'It’s no longer an 11 man game.'

'The Germans only have one player under 22, and he's 23'

'For some it's the ultimate job, for the others it's the last job.'

'I've had an interest in racing all my life, or longer really.'

'We managed to wrong a few rights.'

'We are three games without defeat is another way of looking at it. But if we are honest we have taken two points from nine'

'He'll also be very dangerous from set-pieces. That means he'll be a threat from free-kicks and corners in the final third of the field.'

'Danny Tiatto is not going to make a mistake on purpose'

'I'll never play at Wembley again, unless I play at Wembley again'

'You need 88 points for the title and we’ve got 61 at present with 16 games to go, but if you set targets you limit yourself'

'We deserved to win this game after hammering them 0-0 in the first half'

'He’s got a heart as big as his size, which isn’t big, but his heart’s bigger than that'

'Well, if that's true then it would be a big suprise, but then nothing surprises me in football these days.'

'You get bunches of players like you do bananas, though that is a bad comparison.'

'Not many teams will come to Arsenal and get anything, home or away'

'Shaun Wright-Phillips has got a big heart. It's as big as him, which isn't very big, but it's bigger'

'Nicolas Anelka left Arsenal for £23million and they built a training ground on him'

'As far as I'm concerned, Danny Tiatto doesn't exist'

'One team with destiny already decided...'

'Maine Road was a great football stadium but as time moved on it stayed where it is...'

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

FFL week 18

Right, let's get this over and done with. I've got the outlaws coming round in about an hour and haven't even started peeling potatoes. Fuck the herald angels sing.

No one got into double figures in a frankly shit week of fantasy football. Mick and Theo came closest, scoring 9 each. Again, I finished bottom with no points and more injuries. Theo was right - this game is utter shite and rather childish if you think about it. Here are the scores:


c FFL 2007/08
LEAGUE TABLE
Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 243
46 2nd Rico 197
63 3rd Mike 180
80 4th Nick Ath 163
83 5th Sid 160
84 6th Nick PC 159
## 7th James 139
## 8th Don 128
## 9th Theo 129

No transfers.

Merry Xmas.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

ffl week 17

Well, not much commentary is needed this week. Everyone saw the devastation wreaked by Stathi's team for themselves. One thing's for sure though: there'll be no Santa puns on this blog.

So, Stathi scores a massive 21 points. In a week in which only 1 other manager, James, gets into double figures (with 12). As for moi, it's a pathetic 4. Theo was right - it's a fucking stupid game for kids this FFL bollocks. Scores:

c FFL 2007/08
LEAGUE TABLE

Diff
Total Points

1st Stathi 236
47 2nd Rico 189
65 3rd Mike 171
73 4th Nick Ath 163
81 5th Sid 155
82 6th Nick PC 154
99 7th James 137
## 8th Don 121
## 9th Theo 120

Again, no transfers. What's the point, eh?

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Separated at birth?

Midfield class

I know its still early, I know its (very) biased but the future of midfield players in WORLD football is these two.


















We all know Cesc's qualities but anyone who has watched Anderson recently will reaslise why Ferguson paid so much for him.

Both can play with the ball at their feet. Both are two-footed. Both can pass - short and long. Both (to coin a Stathi-sim) are continuity players. One is 19 years old and has played here since September, while the other is 20. Both have the world at their feet.

Compare with these two:















Both are very good footballers. I'm not saying they are horrendous at what they do by any stretch of the imagination but they are as good as they are going to get. One is 27 years old and can't retain possession for his team and loves the 'hopeless but great when it comes off three times out of 20 forty yard pass' while the other is 30 years old next birthday and must be bricking it the day Makelele retires and is asked to track back.

On this Grand Slam, Super Doupa Sunday, both were OUTCLASSED by a younger player who possesses immeasurable more talent than either..........................

Let the debate begin.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

FFL Week 16

Apologies for the late posting of scores. I blame Christmas.

Well, another strange week. Mike's charge up the table continues with an impressive 15 points, in a week in which the next highest scorer was his brother with just 7. Everyone else scored 6 apart from Sid who only managed 3.

Scores:


FFL 2007/08
LEAGUE TABLE
Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 215
31 2nd Rico 184
50 3rd Mike 165
56 4th Nick Ath 159
68 5th Sid 147
70 6th Nick PC 145
90 7th James 125
## 8th Theo 114
## 9th Don 113

No transfers. That's all folks!

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

FFL Week 15

This season is turning out to be the FFL equivalent of Groundhog Day. This week, it's the bit where Bill Murray punches the guy in the face on his way to the park.

Again, almost everyone gets into double points - Theo, this time you really are the exception, with 8 points. Again, Stathi pulls ahead with a 20-points haul. Again, one of his players has an outstanding week. Since Week 4, he's had a player score at least 6 points (with the exception of Week 11). It started with Fabregas (7 points twice) with the baton subsequently handed to Lescott, Hreirdarsson, Rooney (twice), Jenas (yes, even fucking Jenas) and now Gerrard (2 goals and 4 assists in 2 games). This translates into the following weekly totals: 12, 15, 10, 08, 16, 15, 9, 15, 17, 24, 7, 16, 15 and 20. Consider also the fact that he's had injuries to contend with, most notably Rooney and more recently Fabregas and Jenas (not to mention Hreirdarsson losing his place).

Anyway, enough bullshit. Here are the scores:

FFL 2007/08
LEAGUE TABLE
Diff Total Points
1st Stathi 209
32 2nd Rico 177
56 3rd Nick Ath 153
59 4th Mike 150
65 5th Sid 144
70 6th Nick PC 139
96 7th James 113
## 8th Don 108
## 9th Theo 108

With January within touching distance, it's no surprise that no transfers were made this week. Tonight, it's Newcastle v Fabregas-free Arsenal. Sigh.