Seven arrests at FIFA today but you know at least one man will remain squeaky clean.
A very rich well connected man will always be innocent, its the way the world works.
Although common decency would suggest he might retire gracefully ......
Wednesday, 27 May 2015
Shady Characters
Seven arrests at FIFA today but you know at least one man will remain squeaky clean.
A very rich well connected man will always be innocent, its the way the world works.
Although common decency would suggest he might retire gracefully ......
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Managing West Ham
So it finally happened Fat Sam has gone, personally I think it's a mistake unless we can attract a better coach? and I don't think there are that many to choose from.
Some of the names being linked with us just remind me of the bad old days of Grant, Zola, Roeder and Curbishley.
Current Favourites with the Bookies -
Slaven Bilic, Roberto Di Matteo, David Moyes, Unai Emery, Steve McClaren, Jorge Jesus, Michael Laudrup, Brendan Rodgers, Harry Redknapp, Marcelo Bielsa, Frank de Boer, Jurgen Klopp, Tony Pulis, Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas Boas, Mark Warburton, Aitor Karanka, Garry Monk, Leonardo Jardim, Gus Poyet, Eddie Howe, Dieter Hecking, Neil Lennon, Juande Ramos
The rest are the usual bunch of tired old has-beens that get mentioned every time.
Bilic - Read a lot of praise from "so called" West Ham fans who seem to have short memories, this cheating Judas scum bag dropped us like a stone when "big club" Everton came in for him.
Di Matteo - Chelsea couldn't wait to get rid of him despite winning the Champions league? also dumped by West Brom and Schalke
Moyes - Did a steady job at Everton, dropped in the deep end at Man U who even Van Gaal has struggled with despite spending fortunes. Might still be a decent manager
Emery - Seville coach, will be aiming bigger than West Ham
McClaren - You have to be joking??
Jesus - Need some divine intervention, but not sure the Benfica coach fits the bill.
Laudrup - Possibly, started well at Swansea but went stale after a year.
Rodgers - Probably still a good coach as long as you don't give him money to waste. Would be better off coaching a small team.
Redknapp - You really must be joking, you wouldn't trust him with a piggy bank.
Bielsa - Current Marseille manager nicknamed "El Loco" would be interesting but he hasn't won much over the years.
De Boer - Like the sound of him.
Klopp - Another one I like, but don't think we have a chance.
Pulis - Another Sam Allardyce, sideways move.
Benitez - Not sure about him, think he's a good manager but he's ahrd to like.
Ancelotti - He joked once about managing West Ham, think it was just a joke but I would love it if it happened, the only Chelsea reject I could accept.
Villas Boas - Doing alright in Russia, don't think he would want to come back here.
Warburton - Screwed over by Brentford, but should be setting his sights lower.
Karanka - Boro manager should stay there after losing to Norwich.
Monk - Appears to hate West Ham so he can stay where he is as well.
Jardim - Monaco coach, no idea?
Poyet - Nice guy but failed at Sunderland, so no point.
Howe - Too early, hope he does well next season with Bournemouth
Hecking - Wolfsburg manager, won't want to go anywhere
Lennon - Should stay at Bolton
Ramos - Has a good record in Europe, but he's ex-Tottenham so jog on :)
Phew!! after all that I'm hoping for Ancelotti, De Boer or Klopp
More likely to get Laudrup, Bielsa or maybe Rodgers.
Still not sure why the bookies make Bilic odds on? I'm a bit worried :(
Some of the names being linked with us just remind me of the bad old days of Grant, Zola, Roeder and Curbishley.
Current Favourites with the Bookies -
Slaven Bilic, Roberto Di Matteo, David Moyes, Unai Emery, Steve McClaren, Jorge Jesus, Michael Laudrup, Brendan Rodgers, Harry Redknapp, Marcelo Bielsa, Frank de Boer, Jurgen Klopp, Tony Pulis, Rafa Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas Boas, Mark Warburton, Aitor Karanka, Garry Monk, Leonardo Jardim, Gus Poyet, Eddie Howe, Dieter Hecking, Neil Lennon, Juande Ramos
The rest are the usual bunch of tired old has-beens that get mentioned every time.
Bilic - Read a lot of praise from "so called" West Ham fans who seem to have short memories, this cheating Judas scum bag dropped us like a stone when "big club" Everton came in for him.
Di Matteo - Chelsea couldn't wait to get rid of him despite winning the Champions league? also dumped by West Brom and Schalke
Moyes - Did a steady job at Everton, dropped in the deep end at Man U who even Van Gaal has struggled with despite spending fortunes. Might still be a decent manager
Emery - Seville coach, will be aiming bigger than West Ham
McClaren - You have to be joking??
Jesus - Need some divine intervention, but not sure the Benfica coach fits the bill.
Laudrup - Possibly, started well at Swansea but went stale after a year.
Rodgers - Probably still a good coach as long as you don't give him money to waste. Would be better off coaching a small team.
Redknapp - You really must be joking, you wouldn't trust him with a piggy bank.
Bielsa - Current Marseille manager nicknamed "El Loco" would be interesting but he hasn't won much over the years.
De Boer - Like the sound of him.
Klopp - Another one I like, but don't think we have a chance.
Pulis - Another Sam Allardyce, sideways move.
Benitez - Not sure about him, think he's a good manager but he's ahrd to like.
Ancelotti - He joked once about managing West Ham, think it was just a joke but I would love it if it happened, the only Chelsea reject I could accept.
Villas Boas - Doing alright in Russia, don't think he would want to come back here.
Warburton - Screwed over by Brentford, but should be setting his sights lower.
Karanka - Boro manager should stay there after losing to Norwich.
Monk - Appears to hate West Ham so he can stay where he is as well.
Jardim - Monaco coach, no idea?
Poyet - Nice guy but failed at Sunderland, so no point.
Howe - Too early, hope he does well next season with Bournemouth
Hecking - Wolfsburg manager, won't want to go anywhere
Lennon - Should stay at Bolton
Ramos - Has a good record in Europe, but he's ex-Tottenham so jog on :)
Phew!! after all that I'm hoping for Ancelotti, De Boer or Klopp
More likely to get Laudrup, Bielsa or maybe Rodgers.
Still not sure why the bookies make Bilic odds on? I'm a bit worried :(
Monday, 25 May 2015
Fantasy Football
The Fantasy Premier League competition has now finished.
The overall winner scored 2.470 points
Here is the final NBTF table, just the 5 of us played this season and none of us did particularly well.
Congratulations to Gary for winning at the first attempt (just to show Dad up).
Paul was runner up and I never recovered from a bad start.
I think Longy and Martin gave up early?
The Telegraph (TFF) leagues have one more week to run, with Arsenal and Villa players possibly making the difference.
The NBTF league is pretty tight, with 3 of us still in with a shout of the Medal (which I haven't received yet). Thanks to the Rick's Footy Challenge boys for making this a good competition this season. Always helps when you've managed to put your own best team in as well :)
The overall winner scored 2.470 points
Here is the final NBTF table, just the 5 of us played this season and none of us did particularly well.
Congratulations to Gary for winning at the first attempt (just to show Dad up).
Paul was runner up and I never recovered from a bad start.
I think Longy and Martin gave up early?
The Telegraph (TFF) leagues have one more week to run, with Arsenal and Villa players possibly making the difference.
The NBTF league is pretty tight, with 3 of us still in with a shout of the Medal (which I haven't received yet). Thanks to the Rick's Footy Challenge boys for making this a good competition this season. Always helps when you've managed to put your own best team in as well :)
Predictions 2014-15
Congratulations to Paul for winning this year's competition.
With 8 of us playing this year it was never going to be high scoring, but that makes it more interesting as everyone was still in with a shout up until the last few weeks.
This season I can finally award the NBTF virtual trophy.
It was stolen many years ago, and has just been found in a hedgerow in my overgrown garden by Tiddles the Cat :)
Paul's record this season was 4 outright wins, and 8 shared wins. With a total of 279 points from 381 games predicted.
The Minor Trophies
Outright Wins - Dave, Longy and Paul 4
Most 3 Pointers - Paul 44
Most 1 Pointers - Dave 152
Highest Week Score - John 16
Most Points - Paul 279
Best Points Per Game - Paul 0.732
Most Games Predicted - Dave and Lee 383
The Final Table
Thanks Everyone for playing, and hopefully you will all be back to do it again next season :)
With 8 of us playing this year it was never going to be high scoring, but that makes it more interesting as everyone was still in with a shout up until the last few weeks.
It was stolen many years ago, and has just been found in a hedgerow in my overgrown garden by Tiddles the Cat :)
Paul's record this season was 4 outright wins, and 8 shared wins. With a total of 279 points from 381 games predicted.
The Minor Trophies
Outright Wins - Dave, Longy and Paul 4
Most 3 Pointers - Paul 44
Most 1 Pointers - Dave 152
Highest Week Score - John 16
Most Points - Paul 279
Best Points Per Game - Paul 0.732
Most Games Predicted - Dave and Lee 383
The Final Table
Thanks Everyone for playing, and hopefully you will all be back to do it again next season :)
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Seaside Special
The Play Offs might not be the way most teams plan to get promoted, but it surely is the best.
Always feel sorry for teams that get the automatic promotion but miss out on the Trophy celebrations.
If Southend had held on to 3rd spot and not blown it on the last day of the season, they would have missed out on one of the greatest days in their history.
I was offered tickets for the game free of charge because it was my Birthday yesterday by one of my son's, but told him I didn't want to curse Southend as I seem to have done over the last few years.
Been to all 3 of their JPT/LDV finals and they have lost all of them without scoring a goal.
I had to work the last time they made the play off final and they won that one.
Also been to handful of home games in recent years and haven't seen them win for about 6 years, so I'm feeling like a bad luck charm :(
Yesterday's game had all the twists and turns that make it a classic :)
After a fairly average 90 mins Wycombe took the lead early in extra time with a flukey goal, Jacobson's free kick came back off the bar and hit Bentley on the back and went in, Southend really didn't look like getting back into it after that and Wycombe should have sewn the game up near the end but for a brilliant last ditch tackle by Ben Coker.
With just 20 seconds left of injury time, Joe Pigott got an equaliser with Southend's first real chance of extra time.
The penalties, at 1-1 Coker blasted his penalty down the middle but the Wycombe keepers foot got in the way, at 3-3 Dan Bentley made a great save to level things up.
Good penalties followed until at 7-6 Bentley made another great save turning Wood's penalty onto the post :)
As for next season who knows? I don't think the team is strong enough to challenge for promotion again and it could be a real anti climax, but hopefully the feel good factor will continue.
Would be great if that mystery Billionaire decided not to waste his money on Carlisle and brought his fat wallet down to the bright lights of Southend :)
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 38)
Here we are the final week of the Premier league 2014/5 and NBTF Predictions league already.
Just one thing left to decide will it be Hull or Newcastle going down?
Hull need to beat Man Utd who mathematically still have a chance of 3rd place if they thrash Hull and Arsenal lose to West Brom.
Newcastle play West Ham, both teams have been on holiday for a few weeks so should be fresh :)
It will be interesting to see if the Hammers really want Europa league football through the fair play table, meaning they will be kicking off in 5 weeks time. Of course a few sending off's on Sunday will give the players a longer Summer break?
I remember Steve Bruce's reaction after his Birmingham team sent West Ham down many years ago, and I've never forgiven him and wished ill on all his teams ever since, so it would be nice if we could contribute to him getting relegated.
Anyway here are the games, all kick off at 3pm Sunday
Arsenal v West Brom
Aston Villa v Burnley
Chelsea v Sunderland
C Palace v Swansea
Everton v Tottenham
Hull v Man Utd
Leicester v QPR
Man City v Southampton
Newcastle v West Ham
Stoke v Liverpool
The Predictions league is still open to everyone, but sadly only 2 people can now win although the minor places are still up for grabs :)
To avoid any tactical predictions I won't be publishing Dave and Paul's predictions until after kick off (or when they've both posted) but will let you know when I've got them :)
Good Luck All :)
Just one thing left to decide will it be Hull or Newcastle going down?
Hull need to beat Man Utd who mathematically still have a chance of 3rd place if they thrash Hull and Arsenal lose to West Brom.
Newcastle play West Ham, both teams have been on holiday for a few weeks so should be fresh :)
It will be interesting to see if the Hammers really want Europa league football through the fair play table, meaning they will be kicking off in 5 weeks time. Of course a few sending off's on Sunday will give the players a longer Summer break?
I remember Steve Bruce's reaction after his Birmingham team sent West Ham down many years ago, and I've never forgiven him and wished ill on all his teams ever since, so it would be nice if we could contribute to him getting relegated.
Anyway here are the games, all kick off at 3pm Sunday
Arsenal v West Brom
Aston Villa v Burnley
Chelsea v Sunderland
C Palace v Swansea
Everton v Tottenham
Hull v Man Utd
Leicester v QPR
Man City v Southampton
Newcastle v West Ham
Stoke v Liverpool
The Predictions league is still open to everyone, but sadly only 2 people can now win although the minor places are still up for grabs :)
To avoid any tactical predictions I won't be publishing Dave and Paul's predictions until after kick off (or when they've both posted) but will let you know when I've got them :)
Good Luck All :)
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 37)
Here we are the penultimate week of the Premier league season and Predictions league.
Most things are decided in the Premier league, at the top the only question is who will take the possibly unwanted places in the Europa league.
At the bottom it's 1 from 5 for the last relegation spot.
Our competition is still undecided but time is running out to catch Paul.
Bonus game this week on Wednesday so it's an extended week 7 games Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 Monday and 1 Wednesday.
Southampton v Aston Villa
Burnley v Stoke
QPR v Newcastle
Sunderland v Leicester
Tottenham v Hull
West Ham v Everton
Liverpool v C Palace
Swansea v Man City
Man Utd v Arsenal
West Brom v Chelsea
Arsenal v Sunderland
Good Luck All :)
Most things are decided in the Premier league, at the top the only question is who will take the possibly unwanted places in the Europa league.
At the bottom it's 1 from 5 for the last relegation spot.
Our competition is still undecided but time is running out to catch Paul.
Bonus game this week on Wednesday so it's an extended week 7 games Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 Monday and 1 Wednesday.
Southampton v Aston Villa
Burnley v Stoke
QPR v Newcastle
Sunderland v Leicester
Tottenham v Hull
West Ham v Everton
Liverpool v C Palace
Swansea v Man City
Man Utd v Arsenal
West Brom v Chelsea
Arsenal v Sunderland
Good Luck All :)
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 36)
Just 3 weeks to go in the Premier league, and the NBTF Prediction competition.
Chelsea have wrapped up the title, and Arsenal and Man City should be playing Champions league next season. Liverpool have a small chance of pipping Man U for the other spot?
At the bottom Burnley and QPR need snookers but several other teams could still fill the last spot?
Here Paul is in prime position, but still anyone could win, although most of us need a miracle :)
This weeks games again over 3 days (7,2,1)
Everton v Sunderland
Aston Villa v West Ham
Hull v Burnley
Leicester v Southampton
Newcastle v West Brom
Stoke v Tottenham
C Palace v Man Utd
Man City v QPR
Chelsea v Liverpool
Arsenal v Swansea
Good luck all :)
Oh and here's the all singing, all dancing full info table for week 35 :)
Chelsea have wrapped up the title, and Arsenal and Man City should be playing Champions league next season. Liverpool have a small chance of pipping Man U for the other spot?
At the bottom Burnley and QPR need snookers but several other teams could still fill the last spot?
Here Paul is in prime position, but still anyone could win, although most of us need a miracle :)
This weeks games again over 3 days (7,2,1)
Everton v Sunderland
Aston Villa v West Ham
Hull v Burnley
Leicester v Southampton
Newcastle v West Brom
Stoke v Tottenham
C Palace v Man Utd
Man City v QPR
Chelsea v Liverpool
Arsenal v Swansea
Good luck all :)
Oh and here's the all singing, all dancing full info table for week 35 :)
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
The Popular Vote
Labour with their claret and blue background, and Cameron now claiming to be a Hammers fan?
Of course Cameron used to claim to be a Villa fan (because Prince William is) and the claret and blue just might be Villa colours?
So like all political commentary it's just one person's biased view :)
Enjoy your voting tomorrow.
Tuesday, 5 May 2015
Promotions And Play Offs Update
Championship
Up - Bournemouth (Champions), Watford
Play Offs - Norwich v Ipswich, Middlesbrough v Brentford
Relegated - Blackpool, Millwall, Wigan
Division 1
Up - Bristol City (Champions), MK Dons
Play Offs - Preston v Chesterfield, Swindon v Sheff Utd
Relegated - Yeovil, Notts County, Crawley, Leyton Orient
Division 2
Up - Burton (Champions), Shrewsbury, Bury
Play Offs - Wycombe v Plymouth, Southend v Stevenage
Relegated - Cheltenham, Tranmere
Conference
Up - Barnet (Champions)
Play Offs - Bristol Rovers v Grimsby
So congrats to Bournemouth nice to see someone new in the Premier league, and well done Watford.
The play off's throw up probably the biggest East Anglian derbies ever (in financial terms), also Brentford are still in with a shout?
In Div 1 Preston were unlucky to miss out, but I'm glad their defeat to Colchester meant that Colchester stayed up, former Hammer George Moncur grabbing the winner.
Congrats to Bristol City and the MK Dons for reaching the 2nd tier for the first time.
Div 2 - congrats to Jimmy Floyd's Burton + Shrewsbury and Bury.
Gutted that Southend blew it against bogey side Morecambe but hopefully they can overcome Stevenage and set up another Wembley game :)
Up - Bournemouth (Champions), Watford
Play Offs - Norwich v Ipswich, Middlesbrough v Brentford
Relegated - Blackpool, Millwall, Wigan
Division 1
Up - Bristol City (Champions), MK Dons
Play Offs - Preston v Chesterfield, Swindon v Sheff Utd
Relegated - Yeovil, Notts County, Crawley, Leyton Orient
Division 2
Up - Burton (Champions), Shrewsbury, Bury
Play Offs - Wycombe v Plymouth, Southend v Stevenage
Relegated - Cheltenham, Tranmere
Conference
Up - Barnet (Champions)
Play Offs - Bristol Rovers v Grimsby
So congrats to Bournemouth nice to see someone new in the Premier league, and well done Watford.
The play off's throw up probably the biggest East Anglian derbies ever (in financial terms), also Brentford are still in with a shout?
In Div 1 Preston were unlucky to miss out, but I'm glad their defeat to Colchester meant that Colchester stayed up, former Hammer George Moncur grabbing the winner.
Congrats to Bristol City and the MK Dons for reaching the 2nd tier for the first time.
Div 2 - congrats to Jimmy Floyd's Burton + Shrewsbury and Bury.
Gutted that Southend blew it against bogey side Morecambe but hopefully they can overcome Stevenage and set up another Wembley game :)
Fantasy Football Update
Here's all the tables of blog interest in Fantasy Footie (as of 05/05/15).
FPL Blog League - Gary still leading from Paul by a smaller margin, looks like I've left my charge a bit too late.
TFF Blog League - Getting very tight between myself and Ryan, with Andrew coming up fast. The league is back up to 40th.
TFF Work league - Still looking good :)
TFF Europe - Rick still doing reasonably well, the rest of us not so good :(
TFF Personal - Back up to 7th in the Golden boot and only 2 goals off the money positions, but 8 behind the leader so doesn't look like a grand will be coming my way.
Still a reasonable 17th in the Twitter league.
FPL Blog League - Gary still leading from Paul by a smaller margin, looks like I've left my charge a bit too late.
TFF Blog League - Getting very tight between myself and Ryan, with Andrew coming up fast. The league is back up to 40th.
TFF Work league - Still looking good :)
TFF Europe - Rick still doing reasonably well, the rest of us not so good :(
TFF Personal - Back up to 7th in the Golden boot and only 2 goals off the money positions, but 8 behind the leader so doesn't look like a grand will be coming my way.
Still a reasonable 17th in the Twitter league.
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Should Have Been Burnley
The Champions of the 6 top Divisions in the English pyramid have one thing in common.
Bournemouth, Bristol City, Burton Albion, Barnet, Bromley and Barrow.
The only one that mucks up the sequence is the Premier league , so where did it all go wrong Burnley :)
Bournemouth, Bristol City, Burton Albion, Barnet, Bromley and Barrow.
The only one that mucks up the sequence is the Premier league , so where did it all go wrong Burnley :)
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 35)
Four Weeks left and the Prediction league is still wide open, although the 4 of us on only 2 wins need to win 3 of the last 4 :(
Big game this week is probably Villa v Everton, Villa have suddenly dropped into the mix and Everton showed last week that they haven't given up yet.
Leicester, QPR and Burnley all have games against teams that are thinking about their summer holidays so it could be an interesting last few weeks at the bottom.
Chelsea should wrap up the league on Sunday before Arsenal play on Monday, so Hull might get an easier game?
7 Games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday.
Leicester v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Everton
Liverpool v QPR
Sunderland v Southampton
Swansea v Stoke
West Ham v Burnley
Man Utd v West Brom
Chelsea v C Palace
Tottenham v Man City
Hull v Arsenal
Good luck all :)
Big game this week is probably Villa v Everton, Villa have suddenly dropped into the mix and Everton showed last week that they haven't given up yet.
Leicester, QPR and Burnley all have games against teams that are thinking about their summer holidays so it could be an interesting last few weeks at the bottom.
Chelsea should wrap up the league on Sunday before Arsenal play on Monday, so Hull might get an easier game?
7 Games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday.
Leicester v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Everton
Liverpool v QPR
Sunderland v Southampton
Swansea v Stoke
West Ham v Burnley
Man Utd v West Brom
Chelsea v C Palace
Tottenham v Man City
Hull v Arsenal
Good luck all :)
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Football League
Championship
Watford are promoted and Bournemouth need to avoid a 19 goal turnaround to go up to the top division for the first time.
Middlesbrough and Norwich are guaranteed a play off place and Ipswich might need a point to join them. Derby, Brentford and Wolves will be fighting for the last spot.
Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan have been relegated.
Division 1
Bristol City are Champions, and it's between Preston and the MK Dons for the other automatic spot. Swindon, Sheff Utd and Chesterfield are guaranteed play off spots.
At the bottom Yeovil are down, plus 3 from Coventry, Crewe, Notts County, Crawley, Leyton Orient or Colchester.
Division 2
Burton and Shrewsbury are promoted, Southend, Bury or Wycombe are fighting for the last automatic spot. Stevenage are guaranteed a play off place plus one from Plymouth, Luton or Newport. Relegated to the Conference are Cheltenham and Tranmere.
Conference
Barnet are promoted, Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Eastleigh, Forest Green are in the play offs.
So congrats to Watford and (probably) Bournemouth for reaching the big money league.
I will be praying for Southend against bogey team Morecambe, in 9 league meetings Morecambe have won 8 and drawn one, Southend's only win was in the Cup 2 years ago. So not the ideal place to go when you need a win :(
Watford are promoted and Bournemouth need to avoid a 19 goal turnaround to go up to the top division for the first time.
Middlesbrough and Norwich are guaranteed a play off place and Ipswich might need a point to join them. Derby, Brentford and Wolves will be fighting for the last spot.
Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan have been relegated.
Division 1
Bristol City are Champions, and it's between Preston and the MK Dons for the other automatic spot. Swindon, Sheff Utd and Chesterfield are guaranteed play off spots.
At the bottom Yeovil are down, plus 3 from Coventry, Crewe, Notts County, Crawley, Leyton Orient or Colchester.
Division 2
Burton and Shrewsbury are promoted, Southend, Bury or Wycombe are fighting for the last automatic spot. Stevenage are guaranteed a play off place plus one from Plymouth, Luton or Newport. Relegated to the Conference are Cheltenham and Tranmere.
Conference
Barnet are promoted, Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Eastleigh, Forest Green are in the play offs.
So congrats to Watford and (probably) Bournemouth for reaching the big money league.
I will be praying for Southend against bogey team Morecambe, in 9 league meetings Morecambe have won 8 and drawn one, Southend's only win was in the Cup 2 years ago. So not the ideal place to go when you need a win :(
Monday, 27 April 2015
The Good Old Days
Just found this on You Tube, a compilation of full episodes of ITV's the Big Match and BBC's Match of the Day from nearly 30 years ago.
Back in the days when I was a regular on the terraces, so good memories :)
The Big Match features Chelsea v West Ham from Stamford Bridge back in the days when Chelsea couldn't afford grass and had to supplement their income from the half empty ground by using the ends as a car park and storage area for building supplies.
A good game with West Ham having Paul Hilton in defence (a defender we signed from a team we put 10 goals past in the cup?), Chelsea had left Hazard on the bench.
The other game is Everton v Newcastle with Sky's Martin Tyler commentating.
Match of the Day from the next week features 2 Manc v Scouse games first Man Utd v Everton again, followed by Liverpool v Man City.
Also the 2nd Division game Brighton v Portsmouth.
They also have Cricket with England getting hammered by the West Indies.
Back in the days when I was a regular on the terraces, so good memories :)
The Big Match features Chelsea v West Ham from Stamford Bridge back in the days when Chelsea couldn't afford grass and had to supplement their income from the half empty ground by using the ends as a car park and storage area for building supplies.
A good game with West Ham having Paul Hilton in defence (a defender we signed from a team we put 10 goals past in the cup?), Chelsea had left Hazard on the bench.
The other game is Everton v Newcastle with Sky's Martin Tyler commentating.
Match of the Day from the next week features 2 Manc v Scouse games first Man Utd v Everton again, followed by Liverpool v Man City.
Also the 2nd Division game Brighton v Portsmouth.
They also have Cricket with England getting hammered by the West Indies.
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 34)
Bumper week this time with 12 games played over 5 days.
8 Games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday plus a couple of re-arranged games on Tuesday and Wednesday to prolong the agony :)
Big game of the week is Arsenal v Chelsea although after Chelsea's win last week it doesn't matter quite as much. A chelsea win would leave them only needing 3 points in the last 5 games :(
Next best is the bottom of the table clash between Leicester and Burnley where both teams really need the points which might be really bad news for Hull especially as QPR face the misfiring Hammers, now that Harry boy is gone I'm sort of hoping Rangers stay up and send Sunderland and Hull down instead.
Southampton V Tottenham
Burnley V Leicester
C Palace V Hull
Newcastle V Swansea
QPR V West Ham
Stoke V Sunderland
West Brom V Liverpool
Man City V Aston Villa
Everton V Man Utd
Arsenal V Chelsea
Hull V Liverpool
Leicester V Chelsea
Good Luck All :)
8 Games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday plus a couple of re-arranged games on Tuesday and Wednesday to prolong the agony :)
Big game of the week is Arsenal v Chelsea although after Chelsea's win last week it doesn't matter quite as much. A chelsea win would leave them only needing 3 points in the last 5 games :(
Next best is the bottom of the table clash between Leicester and Burnley where both teams really need the points which might be really bad news for Hull especially as QPR face the misfiring Hammers, now that Harry boy is gone I'm sort of hoping Rangers stay up and send Sunderland and Hull down instead.
Southampton V Tottenham
Burnley V Leicester
C Palace V Hull
Newcastle V Swansea
QPR V West Ham
Stoke V Sunderland
West Brom V Liverpool
Man City V Aston Villa
Everton V Man Utd
Arsenal V Chelsea
Hull V Liverpool
Leicester V Chelsea
Good Luck All :)
Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Fantasy Football Update
Here's all the tables of blog interest in Fantasy Footie (as of 20/04/15).
FPL - NBTF League (5 teams), TFF - NBTF League (41 players), TFF - Ex Works league (22 players), TFF - Champions league (5 players)
FPL - Son Gary still leading from Paul, although not sure he will be able to pick his team now he's living abroad?
TFF - Getting tight between myself and Ryan, the league itself has dropped a bit to 50th.
TFF Work league - Still looking good for a 9th win in 11 attempts, although Shane is hanging on.
TFF Europe - Rick and myself have made reasonable starts but the results have been hard to predict?
TFF Personal - Still hanging on in 10th in the Golden boot competition but down to 37th in the One league, so probably not going to get any winnings this season. But overall a good season.
FPL - NBTF League (5 teams), TFF - NBTF League (41 players), TFF - Ex Works league (22 players), TFF - Champions league (5 players)
FPL - Son Gary still leading from Paul, although not sure he will be able to pick his team now he's living abroad?
TFF - Getting tight between myself and Ryan, the league itself has dropped a bit to 50th.
TFF Work league - Still looking good for a 9th win in 11 attempts, although Shane is hanging on.
TFF Europe - Rick and myself have made reasonable starts but the results have been hard to predict?
TFF Personal - Still hanging on in 10th in the Golden boot competition but down to 37th in the One league, so probably not going to get any winnings this season. But overall a good season.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Premier Predictions (Week 33)
Nearly squeaky bum time, 6 weeks left and Paulo's win last week keeps everyone interested :)
Due to the FA Cup semi's this week there are only 7 Premier league games, so I've padded it out with both of those games bringing it up to 9, 6 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
Apart from the Semi's there is one real big game with in-form Man U going to Chelsea, if Chelsea avoid defeat in their next 2 games it's probably the title, if they lose both it could be a great end to the season :)
C Palace v West Brom
Everton v Burnley
Leicester v Swansea
Stoke v Southampton
Arsenal v Reading (FAC)
Chelsea v Man Utd
Man City v West Ham
A Villa v Liverpool (FAC)
Newcastle v Tottenham
Good Luck All :)
Edit: Cup games - What the final score is at 90/120 (if needed).
No points if it goes to penalties unless you went for a draw.
Due to the FA Cup semi's this week there are only 7 Premier league games, so I've padded it out with both of those games bringing it up to 9, 6 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
Apart from the Semi's there is one real big game with in-form Man U going to Chelsea, if Chelsea avoid defeat in their next 2 games it's probably the title, if they lose both it could be a great end to the season :)
C Palace v West Brom
Everton v Burnley
Leicester v Swansea
Stoke v Southampton
Arsenal v Reading (FAC)
Chelsea v Man Utd
Man City v West Ham
A Villa v Liverpool (FAC)
Newcastle v Tottenham
Good Luck All :)
Edit: Cup games - What the final score is at 90/120 (if needed).
No points if it goes to penalties unless you went for a draw.
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Sick Of It
I've been a Hammers fan enough years to know he is actually doing a really good job, probably better than any manager we have employed since joining the managerial hire 'em and fire 'em curse after getting rid of John Lyall.
Since then we've had Macari, Bonds, Redknapp, Roeder, Pardew, Curbishley, Zola and Grant plus caretakers Brooking, Keen and Boyce. Of these only Sir Trevor really comes out with any credit, but he only stood in for Roeder and rode the wave of hope.
Bonzo did OK until being screwed over by dodgy 'arry.
Pardew after a bad start turned things around until himself getting screwed over by the Icelandics unfunded dreams of glory.
The Chelsea rejects Zola and Grant were both disasters.
Curbishley's only success (saving us from relegation) came about by luck after injuries meant he had to recall Green, Tevez, Noble and Collins who he had dumped in the reserves after Pardew went.
Rednapp was doing a pretty good job until we sold Rio Ferdinand, after buying Hartson and Kitson he made the statement that you could only rely on British players, then as soon as he gets the £18m from Rio's sale he goes out and buys a huge bundle of dodgy foreigners who weren't worthy to wear the shirt and probably only topped up his dogs Monaco bank account?
So as for Allardyce it's been promotion, 10th place, 13th place and currently 9th.
Considering 6 of the teams above us pay monthly wages bigger than our entire transfer budget I don't think that is too bad.
Yes Sam's style of football isn't always the greatest to watch and his loyalty to Kevin Nolan even though he is way past his his best has gone a bit too far, but this seasons transfers (apart from Zarate) have all been good investments, although players like Cresswell, Sakho and Kouyate will probably be shipped out by the owners for a large profit :(
The early season form (when Nolan was injured) spoilt a lot of people who were dreaming of a top 4 place, even though us experienced long suffering real fans knew it wouldn't last.
The inevitable slump after Christmas when injuries to key players took their toll on a limited squad then starts the "sack Allardyce" campaign?
Who do these people really want in charge? no really good manager is going to come here and work with limited funds and interfering chairman, which leaves all the has-beens and never was's that get brought up time and time again :(
Bilic, Moyes, McClaren, DiMatteo, Poyet, Howe, Benitez, Jol, Mackay, Laudrup and even fucking Redknapp?? are all being tipped to take over.
Out of those only Benitez is on a par with Allardyce but he would need money to fill us up with unknown Spaniards and the two David's aren't keen on over spending.
Eddie Howe is promising but I think he's not ready for the big time yet, we will hopefully see next year if Bournemouth make it up to the big time.
Last year we went through the same thing with all those names getting mentioned and I said in my annual "give Sam a break" post that the only one I would prefer to Sam was Koeman, now he has done a really good job so far at the Saints although it probably helps having a £100m sitting in the bank from transfer fees received and everyone having low expectations due to them losing a few of their star names.
I suppose this will rumble on until the start of next season, which is a crucial year for the Hammers with the move into the Olympic stadium the year after. Premier league football is absolutely vital and are they going to leave it in the hands of someone who has never been relegated (and all the clubs who have sacked him have been relegated within a couple of years) or risk everything in the misguided opinion that things will get better under someone new?
That's it ... my opinion :)
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