This years 3rd Round of the FA Cup starts on Saturday.
Teams - 20 Premier league, 24 Championship, 11 1st Division, 6 2nd Division and 3 non league teams (Cambridge Utd from the Conference, Havant and Waterlooville of the Conference South and Chasetown of the British Gas League Midland division?).
The draw has been unkind to the smaller clubs with all the 2nd division teams travelling to Championship or 1st Division teams, and only Chasetown getting a home tie against Cardiff.
4 all premier ties and 6 all championship ties.
The most likely upsets would be a few premier teams visiting Championship sides with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Newcastle most at risk.
05/01/08 - 1pm
Chasetown v Cardiff City
05/01/08 - 2pm
Walsall v Millwall
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Cambridge United
05/01/08 - 3pm
Barnsley v Blackpool
Blackburn Rovers v Coventry City
Bolton Wanderers v Sheffield United
Brighton And Hove Albion v Mansfield Town
Bristol City v Middlesbrough
Charlton Athletic v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers
Colchester United v Peterborough Town
Everton v Oldham Athletic
Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City
Ipswich Town v Portsmouth
Norwich City v Bury
Plymouth Argyle v Hull City
Preston North End v Scunthorpe United
Southampton v Leicester City
Southend United v Dagenham And Redbridge
Sunderland v Wigan Athletic
Swansea City v Havant And Waterlooville
Swindon Town v Barnet
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading
Tranmere Rovers v Hereford United
Watford v Crystal Palace
West Ham Utd v Manchester City
05/01/08 - 5.15pm
Aston Villa v Manchester Utd
06/01/08 - 2pm
Burnley v Arsenal
Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham v Bristol Rovers
06/01/08 - 4pm
Luton Town v Liverpool
06/01/08 - 6pm
Stoke City v Newcastle Utd
Monday 31 December 2007
Week 22 New Year Fixtures
01/01/08
Fulham v Chelsea
Fulham have a habit of turning in decent performances against their local rivals, with Chelsea injury troubles this is a hard one to call.
Prediction 1-1
Arsenal v West Ham Utd
West Ham have won on their last 2 visits to Arsenal, last team to win at Highbury and only team to win at the Emirates.
Will need a superhuman effort to get anything this time but never say never.
Prediction 1-0 :(
Manchester Utd v Birmingham City
Man U back to winning ways providing Sir Alex doesn't rest too many of his star turns.
Prediction 3-0
Middlesbrough v Everton
Neither are the most entertaining of sides, Boro have tightened up their defence so can't see their being many goals.
Prediction 0-0
Reading v Portsmouth
It was 7-4 in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, Reading on the back of another heavy defeat and Portsmouth who have really gone off the boil.
Prediction 2-0
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Could be another goal fest with these 2 who both prefer going forward rather than defending.
Prediction 3-2
02/01/08
Newcastle Utd v Manchester City
Michael Owen is fit again, but lack of confidence will again mean another disappointing performance from the toon.
Prediction 1-2
Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland
Santa Cruz on fire, Bentley looking good but Blackburn currently have a shocking defence, could go either way?
Prediction 1-1
Bolton Wanderers v Derby County
Anelka, Diouf and Davies should have too much for the worst team in the premier.
Prediction 3-0
Liverpool v Wigan Athletic
Liverpool should win this easily, the minor Wigan revival seems to have ended now and Torres vs Bramble has only one winner.
Prediction 2-0
Fulham v Chelsea
Fulham have a habit of turning in decent performances against their local rivals, with Chelsea injury troubles this is a hard one to call.
Prediction 1-1
Arsenal v West Ham Utd
West Ham have won on their last 2 visits to Arsenal, last team to win at Highbury and only team to win at the Emirates.
Will need a superhuman effort to get anything this time but never say never.
Prediction 1-0 :(
Manchester Utd v Birmingham City
Man U back to winning ways providing Sir Alex doesn't rest too many of his star turns.
Prediction 3-0
Middlesbrough v Everton
Neither are the most entertaining of sides, Boro have tightened up their defence so can't see their being many goals.
Prediction 0-0
Reading v Portsmouth
It was 7-4 in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season, Reading on the back of another heavy defeat and Portsmouth who have really gone off the boil.
Prediction 2-0
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Could be another goal fest with these 2 who both prefer going forward rather than defending.
Prediction 3-2
02/01/08
Newcastle Utd v Manchester City
Michael Owen is fit again, but lack of confidence will again mean another disappointing performance from the toon.
Prediction 1-2
Blackburn Rovers v Sunderland
Santa Cruz on fire, Bentley looking good but Blackburn currently have a shocking defence, could go either way?
Prediction 1-1
Bolton Wanderers v Derby County
Anelka, Diouf and Davies should have too much for the worst team in the premier.
Prediction 3-0
Liverpool v Wigan Athletic
Liverpool should win this easily, the minor Wigan revival seems to have ended now and Torres vs Bramble has only one winner.
Prediction 2-0
Predictions
After a reasonable success rate with the first attempt 7/10 (2 correct scores), I had a bit of a mare this week 4/10 (only 1 correct score).
Will try to improve.
Will try to improve.
Week 21 - TFF Points
Good week for points due to the double games.
Got a few teams over the 100 point barrier so I'm reasonably happy.
Suprisingly my top score of the week was with the team I made a schoolboy error with on Saturday :(
Due to the website problems it was a nightmare even getting to the transfer screen, so with this team I transferred out Lampard for Fabregas and what seemed like a good idea at the time was putting Santa Cruz in for the misfiring Kenwyne Jones.
Schoolboy error due to Jones paying Saturday and Santa playing Sunday, cost me 16 pts and would have been very close to highest points of the week :(
Got a few teams over the 100 point barrier so I'm reasonably happy.
Suprisingly my top score of the week was with the team I made a schoolboy error with on Saturday :(
Due to the website problems it was a nightmare even getting to the transfer screen, so with this team I transferred out Lampard for Fabregas and what seemed like a good idea at the time was putting Santa Cruz in for the misfiring Kenwyne Jones.
Schoolboy error due to Jones paying Saturday and Santa playing Sunday, cost me 16 pts and would have been very close to highest points of the week :(
Sunday 30 December 2007
Results 30/12/07
Just 2 games today, neither with much to get excited about.
Derby looked like a rare win for a few seconds but then a missed penalty and being hit on the break ruined that.
The battle of the also rans ended up a goalless draw, showing why neither are likely to challenge the big 3.
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers - 1-2
Goals - Oakley, Santa Cruz, Bentley
Assists - Barnes, Mokoena
Booked - Lewis, Nelsen, Warnock, Mokoena
Missed Penalty - Howard
Saved Penalty - Friedel
Man Of The Match - Santa Cruz
Manchester City v Liverpool - 0-0
Booked - Torres
Man Of The Match - Aurelio
Derby looked like a rare win for a few seconds but then a missed penalty and being hit on the break ruined that.
The battle of the also rans ended up a goalless draw, showing why neither are likely to challenge the big 3.
Derby County v Blackburn Rovers - 1-2
Goals - Oakley, Santa Cruz, Bentley
Assists - Barnes, Mokoena
Booked - Lewis, Nelsen, Warnock, Mokoena
Missed Penalty - Howard
Saved Penalty - Friedel
Man Of The Match - Santa Cruz
Manchester City v Liverpool - 0-0
Booked - Torres
Man Of The Match - Aurelio
Saturday 29 December 2007
Results 29/12/07
Another goal filled day with Tottenham and Reading's 6-4 taking the plaudits.
West Ham beating Man U has to be my top result of the day, the hoodoo continues!
Birmingham City v Fulham - 1-1
Goals - Larsson, Bocanegra
Assists - Muamba, Davies
Booked - Konchesky, Davies, Bouazza
Sent Off - Bouazza
Man Of The Match - Bocanegra
Chelsea v Newcastle Utd - 2-1
Goals - Essien, Kalou, Butt
Assists - Kalou
Booked - Alex, Given, Faye
Man Of The Match - Mikel
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough - 0-1
Goals - Tuncay
Booked - Taylor, Woodgate, Young, Arca, O'Neil
Man Of The Match - Tuncay
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers - 3-1
Goals - Richardson, Jones, Murphy, Diouf
Assists - Jones (2), Richardson
Booked - Richardson, Diouf, Davies
Man Of The Match - Jones
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading - 6-4
Goals - Berbatov (4), Malbranque, Defoe, Cisse, Ingimarsson, Kitson(2)
Assists - Keane, Huddlestone, Kaboul, Chimbonda, Shorey (2), Hunt
Booked - Shorey, Cisse, Long
Missed Penalty - Keane
Saved Penalty - Hahnemann
Man Of The Match - Berbatov
West Ham Utd v Manchester Utd - 2-1
Goals - Ferdinand, Upson, Ronaldo
Assists - Noble (2), Giggs
Booked - Mullins, Paintsil
Missed Penalty - Ronaldo
Man Of The Match - Noble
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - 1-2
Goals - Bramble, Davies, Agbonglahor
Assists - Taylor, Young, Barry
Booked - Bramble, Agbonglahor
Man Of The Match - Scharner
Everton v Arsenal - 1-4
Goals - Cahill, De Silva (2), Adebeyor, Rosicky
Assists - Clichy, Diaby, Almunia
Booked - Bendtner, Da Silva, Fabregas, Flamini, Clichy
Sent Off - Arteta, Bendtner
Man Of The Match - De Silva
West Ham beating Man U has to be my top result of the day, the hoodoo continues!
Birmingham City v Fulham - 1-1
Goals - Larsson, Bocanegra
Assists - Muamba, Davies
Booked - Konchesky, Davies, Bouazza
Sent Off - Bouazza
Man Of The Match - Bocanegra
Chelsea v Newcastle Utd - 2-1
Goals - Essien, Kalou, Butt
Assists - Kalou
Booked - Alex, Given, Faye
Man Of The Match - Mikel
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough - 0-1
Goals - Tuncay
Booked - Taylor, Woodgate, Young, Arca, O'Neil
Man Of The Match - Tuncay
Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers - 3-1
Goals - Richardson, Jones, Murphy, Diouf
Assists - Jones (2), Richardson
Booked - Richardson, Diouf, Davies
Man Of The Match - Jones
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading - 6-4
Goals - Berbatov (4), Malbranque, Defoe, Cisse, Ingimarsson, Kitson(2)
Assists - Keane, Huddlestone, Kaboul, Chimbonda, Shorey (2), Hunt
Booked - Shorey, Cisse, Long
Missed Penalty - Keane
Saved Penalty - Hahnemann
Man Of The Match - Berbatov
West Ham Utd v Manchester Utd - 2-1
Goals - Ferdinand, Upson, Ronaldo
Assists - Noble (2), Giggs
Booked - Mullins, Paintsil
Missed Penalty - Ronaldo
Man Of The Match - Noble
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa - 1-2
Goals - Bramble, Davies, Agbonglahor
Assists - Taylor, Young, Barry
Booked - Bramble, Agbonglahor
Man Of The Match - Scharner
Everton v Arsenal - 1-4
Goals - Cahill, De Silva (2), Adebeyor, Rosicky
Assists - Clichy, Diaby, Almunia
Booked - Bendtner, Da Silva, Fabregas, Flamini, Clichy
Sent Off - Arteta, Bendtner
Man Of The Match - De Silva
TFF Website
Considering the amount of money they earn from the fantasy footie game, you would think the Telegraph would pay some money to get a decent website which could deal with people wanting to make transfers on a Saturday morning?Probably down to the amount of unwanted adverts on the site using excessive bandwidth.
Sort it out Telegraph.
Friday 28 December 2007
New Year's Eve
Nothing to do with fantasy footie, but might rate a mention in a rant against Liverpool supporters in the future.
My eldest sons latest girlfriend/partner has organised tickets for us to go out with her and her parents on New Year's eve for a meal and drinks, we haven't met them yet.
My son says her dad gets a bit lairy when he's had a few, so I said "as long as he's not a Liverpool fan we should get on fine", predictable I suppose he tells me that the whole family are mad Liverpool fans.
Could be interesting!!
For my son's sake I'll hope we don't talk about footie because I don't usually hold back on my opinions and it sounds like a recipe for trouble.
My eldest sons latest girlfriend/partner has organised tickets for us to go out with her and her parents on New Year's eve for a meal and drinks, we haven't met them yet.
My son says her dad gets a bit lairy when he's had a few, so I said "as long as he's not a Liverpool fan we should get on fine", predictable I suppose he tells me that the whole family are mad Liverpool fans.
Could be interesting!!
For my son's sake I'll hope we don't talk about footie because I don't usually hold back on my opinions and it sounds like a recipe for trouble.
TFF Week 20 - A personal view
Improvements all over, but nothing staggering.
Best score was 70 and worst 23, teams mostly in the top 100k but still a way off the leaderboards.
Continued the slow rise in the work league, up to 4th now and putting some pressure on the top 3 who I'm convinced have blown too many transfers.
Best score was 70 and worst 23, teams mostly in the top 100k but still a way off the leaderboards.
Continued the slow rise in the work league, up to 4th now and putting some pressure on the top 3 who I'm convinced have blown too many transfers.
Value For Money Players
Top ten value for money players in the TFF game.
Points per £ Million.
R Green 21.61
M Laursen 19.70
D James 19.06
C Fabregas 18.33
S Hyypia 18.18
M Petrov 18.11
C Dempsey 17.59
Elano 17.18
C NZogbia 17.10
G Johnson 17.06
Points per £ Million.
R Green 21.61
M Laursen 19.70
D James 19.06
C Fabregas 18.33
S Hyypia 18.18
M Petrov 18.11
C Dempsey 17.59
Elano 17.18
C NZogbia 17.10
G Johnson 17.06
Week 21 (Part 2) Preview
This weekends matches
29/12/07
Birmingham v Fulham
Birmingham's mini revival to continue against managerless Fulham
Prediction: 2-1
Chelsea v Newcastle
Despite lack of players Chelsea should be good enough to beat under performing Newcastle.
Prediction: 1-0
Everton v Arsenal
Impressive of late Everton shouldn't roll over at home, but I feel Arsenal's hit on the break away form should get them a point.
Prediction: 1-1
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Portsmouth have gone slightly off the boil, but should be able to beat Boro.
Prediction: 1-0
Sunderland v Bolton
Bolton are showing some form lately, but with Sunderland getting dragged into the bottom 3 Keane should be able to motivate them enough to avoid defeat.
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham v Reading
Reading are looking good recently, and Spurs are just unpredictable, draw.
Prediction: 2-2
West Ham v Manchester United
To much to hope for that the Hammers can carry on from last season when they had the hoodoo over United, should be able to raise their home form to sneak a draw hopefully.
Prediction: 1-1
Wigan v Aston Villa
Villa are also unpredictable, on their day as good as anyone, but now and again awful. Wigan's recent improvement will hopefully end soon to put Bruce back in the Championship where he belongs.
Prediction: 0-1
30/12/07
Derby v Blackburn
Derby looking better in the last 2 games, but still out of their depth in this division. Blackburn should return to winning ways here.
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester City v Liverpool
City's tight defence (except Thursday), should be able to hold Liverpool unless Torres and Gerrard are at their best.
Prediction: 0-0
29/12/07
Birmingham v Fulham
Birmingham's mini revival to continue against managerless Fulham
Prediction: 2-1
Chelsea v Newcastle
Despite lack of players Chelsea should be good enough to beat under performing Newcastle.
Prediction: 1-0
Everton v Arsenal
Impressive of late Everton shouldn't roll over at home, but I feel Arsenal's hit on the break away form should get them a point.
Prediction: 1-1
Portsmouth v Middlesbrough
Portsmouth have gone slightly off the boil, but should be able to beat Boro.
Prediction: 1-0
Sunderland v Bolton
Bolton are showing some form lately, but with Sunderland getting dragged into the bottom 3 Keane should be able to motivate them enough to avoid defeat.
Prediction: 1-1
Tottenham v Reading
Reading are looking good recently, and Spurs are just unpredictable, draw.
Prediction: 2-2
West Ham v Manchester United
To much to hope for that the Hammers can carry on from last season when they had the hoodoo over United, should be able to raise their home form to sneak a draw hopefully.
Prediction: 1-1
Wigan v Aston Villa
Villa are also unpredictable, on their day as good as anyone, but now and again awful. Wigan's recent improvement will hopefully end soon to put Bruce back in the Championship where he belongs.
Prediction: 0-1
30/12/07
Derby v Blackburn
Derby looking better in the last 2 games, but still out of their depth in this division. Blackburn should return to winning ways here.
Prediction: 1-3
Manchester City v Liverpool
City's tight defence (except Thursday), should be able to hold Liverpool unless Torres and Gerrard are at their best.
Prediction: 0-0
Week 21 (Part 1)
Some good games on Boxing day (except the 2 televised games).
Star billing to the Chelsea v Villa game, 4-4 with 3 sending offs!!
Results (and TFF info)
26/12/07
Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 0
Goals - Forssell, McSheffrey
Assists - Jerome
Booked - McSheffrey, Arca, Woodgate
Own Goal - Downing
Man Of The Match - Taylor
Chelsea 4 Aston Villa 4
Goals - Shevchenko (2), Alex, Ballack, Maloney (2), Laursen, Barry
Assists - Shevchenko, Kalou, Laursen, Young, Carew
Booked - Essien, Alex, Ballack, Reo-Coker, Harewood
Sent Off - Carvalho, A Cole, Knight
Man Of The Match - Shevchenko
Derby 1 Liverpool 2
Goals - McEveley, Torres, Gerrard
Assists - Howard, Babel
Booked - McEveley
Man Of The Match - Torres
Everton 2 Bolton 0
Goals - Neville, Cahill
Assists - Lescott, Carsley
Booked - A O'Brien, Diouf, Nolan
Man Of The Match - Lescott
Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 0
Booked - Lauren, Diop, Eboue
Man Of The Match - Almunia
Sunderland 0 Manchester United 4
Goals - Rooney, Saha (2), Ronaldo
Assists - Brown, Rooney
Booked - Whitehead, McShane, Fletcher
Man Of The Match - Saha
Tottenham 5 Fulham 1
Goals - Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe, Dempsey
Assists - Lennon, Huddlestone, Berbatov (2)
Booked - Huddlestone, Baird, Davies, Smertin
Man Of The Match - Huddlestone
West Ham 1 Reading 1
Goals - Solano, Kitson
Assists - Shorey
Booked - Green, Cole, Hunt, Shorey
Sent Off - Gunnarsson
Man Of The Match - Kitson
Wigan 1 Newcastle 0
Goal - R Taylor
Booked - Brown, Milner, Emre, Smith, S Taylor
Man Of The Match - Brown
27/12/07
Manchester City 2 Blackburn 2
Goals - Vassell, Santa Cruz (2)
Assists - Petrov, Bentley (2)
Booked - Richards, Berner
Own Goal - Nelsen
Man Of The Match - Santa Cruz
Star billing to the Chelsea v Villa game, 4-4 with 3 sending offs!!
Results (and TFF info)
26/12/07
Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 0
Goals - Forssell, McSheffrey
Assists - Jerome
Booked - McSheffrey, Arca, Woodgate
Own Goal - Downing
Man Of The Match - Taylor
Chelsea 4 Aston Villa 4
Goals - Shevchenko (2), Alex, Ballack, Maloney (2), Laursen, Barry
Assists - Shevchenko, Kalou, Laursen, Young, Carew
Booked - Essien, Alex, Ballack, Reo-Coker, Harewood
Sent Off - Carvalho, A Cole, Knight
Man Of The Match - Shevchenko
Derby 1 Liverpool 2
Goals - McEveley, Torres, Gerrard
Assists - Howard, Babel
Booked - McEveley
Man Of The Match - Torres
Everton 2 Bolton 0
Goals - Neville, Cahill
Assists - Lescott, Carsley
Booked - A O'Brien, Diouf, Nolan
Man Of The Match - Lescott
Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 0
Booked - Lauren, Diop, Eboue
Man Of The Match - Almunia
Sunderland 0 Manchester United 4
Goals - Rooney, Saha (2), Ronaldo
Assists - Brown, Rooney
Booked - Whitehead, McShane, Fletcher
Man Of The Match - Saha
Tottenham 5 Fulham 1
Goals - Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe, Dempsey
Assists - Lennon, Huddlestone, Berbatov (2)
Booked - Huddlestone, Baird, Davies, Smertin
Man Of The Match - Huddlestone
West Ham 1 Reading 1
Goals - Solano, Kitson
Assists - Shorey
Booked - Green, Cole, Hunt, Shorey
Sent Off - Gunnarsson
Man Of The Match - Kitson
Wigan 1 Newcastle 0
Goal - R Taylor
Booked - Brown, Milner, Emre, Smith, S Taylor
Man Of The Match - Brown
27/12/07
Manchester City 2 Blackburn 2
Goals - Vassell, Santa Cruz (2)
Assists - Petrov, Bentley (2)
Booked - Richards, Berner
Own Goal - Nelsen
Man Of The Match - Santa Cruz
Results 23/12/07
A little late but here they are.
Blackburn v Chelsea - 0-1
Goal - J Cole
Assists - Kalou
Booked - Dunn, Carvalho, Alex
Man Of The Match - Kalou
Manchester United v Everton - 2-1
Goals - Ronaldo (2), Cahill
Assists - Tevez, Pienaar
Booked - Rooney, Evra, Anderson, Cahill, Hibbert, Pienaar
Man Of The Match - Ronaldo
Newcastle v Derby - 2-2
Goals - Viduka (2), Barnes, Miller
Assists - Smith, Miller, Teale
Booked - Butt, N'Zogbia, Teale, Miller
Man Of The Match - Viduka
Blackburn v Chelsea - 0-1
Goal - J Cole
Assists - Kalou
Booked - Dunn, Carvalho, Alex
Man Of The Match - Kalou
Manchester United v Everton - 2-1
Goals - Ronaldo (2), Cahill
Assists - Tevez, Pienaar
Booked - Rooney, Evra, Anderson, Cahill, Hibbert, Pienaar
Man Of The Match - Ronaldo
Newcastle v Derby - 2-2
Goals - Viduka (2), Barnes, Miller
Assists - Smith, Miller, Teale
Booked - Butt, N'Zogbia, Teale, Miller
Man Of The Match - Viduka
Saturday 22 December 2007
Results 22/12/07
Saturday 22/12/07
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - 2-1
Goals - Adebeyor, Bendtner, Berbatov
Assists - Fabregas x 2, Keane
Bookings - Gallas, Berbatov, Tainio, Boateng
Man Of The Match - Fabregas
Missed Pen - Keane - Saved Pen - Almunia
Aston Villa v Manchester City - 1-1
Goals - Carew, Bianchi
Assists - Bouma, Petrov
Bookings - Barry, Reo-Coker, Hamann, Fernandes, Vassell, Ball
Man Of The Match - Dunne
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City - 3-0
Goals - Diouf, Anelka (2)
Assists - Nolan
Bookings - Hunt, Gardner, Diouf, Johnson, Jaidi
Man Of The Match - Anelka
Fulham v Wigan - 1-1
Goals - Dempsey, Bent
Assists - Kamara, Bramble
Bookings - None
Man Of The Match - Dempsey
Liverpool v Portsmouth - 4-1
Goals - Benayoun, Distin (OG), Torres (2), Mwaruwari
Assists - Kewell, Gerrard, Kanu
Bookings - Arbeloa, Hreidarsson, Diop
Man Of The Match - Mascherano
Middlesbrough v West Ham Utd - 1-2
Goals - Wheater, Ashton, Parker
Assists - Aliadiere, Camara, Neill
Bookings - Boateng, Arca, Parker, Solano
Man Of The Match - Spector
Reading v Sunderland - 2-1
Goals - Ingimarsson, Hunt, Chopra (Pen)
Assists - Long
Bookings - Murphy, Leadbitter, Jones, Yorke
Man Of The Match - Chopra
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - 2-1
Goals - Adebeyor, Bendtner, Berbatov
Assists - Fabregas x 2, Keane
Bookings - Gallas, Berbatov, Tainio, Boateng
Man Of The Match - Fabregas
Missed Pen - Keane - Saved Pen - Almunia
Aston Villa v Manchester City - 1-1
Goals - Carew, Bianchi
Assists - Bouma, Petrov
Bookings - Barry, Reo-Coker, Hamann, Fernandes, Vassell, Ball
Man Of The Match - Dunne
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City - 3-0
Goals - Diouf, Anelka (2)
Assists - Nolan
Bookings - Hunt, Gardner, Diouf, Johnson, Jaidi
Man Of The Match - Anelka
Fulham v Wigan - 1-1
Goals - Dempsey, Bent
Assists - Kamara, Bramble
Bookings - None
Man Of The Match - Dempsey
Liverpool v Portsmouth - 4-1
Goals - Benayoun, Distin (OG), Torres (2), Mwaruwari
Assists - Kewell, Gerrard, Kanu
Bookings - Arbeloa, Hreidarsson, Diop
Man Of The Match - Mascherano
Middlesbrough v West Ham Utd - 1-2
Goals - Wheater, Ashton, Parker
Assists - Aliadiere, Camara, Neill
Bookings - Boateng, Arca, Parker, Solano
Man Of The Match - Spector
Reading v Sunderland - 2-1
Goals - Ingimarsson, Hunt, Chopra (Pen)
Assists - Long
Bookings - Murphy, Leadbitter, Jones, Yorke
Man Of The Match - Chopra
TFF Week 19 - A personal view
Still improving overall but struggling to make an impact in the national game.
My personal superleague is still wallowing in 3008th position after 2 years of top 100 finishes.
My top team overall is in a sad 4,153rd place although with 25 transfers left I'm still hoping for a top 100 finish.
Moved into 5th, 6th and 7th in the work league (my highest of the year) so I'm hoping the others have wasted a lot of transfers and I can get win number 6 (from 8 attempts).
Under performing in several other superleagues and hoping for an improvement.
Fiso League - 260th of 1425 (Best Team)
East Anglian Challenge - 12th of 23
Pocks Pikes - 35th of 68
Rick's Footy Challenge - 28th of 74
Right To Roam - 8th of 10
Anti Nowhere League - 20th of 43
My personal superleague is still wallowing in 3008th position after 2 years of top 100 finishes.
My top team overall is in a sad 4,153rd place although with 25 transfers left I'm still hoping for a top 100 finish.
Moved into 5th, 6th and 7th in the work league (my highest of the year) so I'm hoping the others have wasted a lot of transfers and I can get win number 6 (from 8 attempts).
Under performing in several other superleagues and hoping for an improvement.
Fiso League - 260th of 1425 (Best Team)
East Anglian Challenge - 12th of 23
Pocks Pikes - 35th of 68
Rick's Footy Challenge - 28th of 74
Right To Roam - 8th of 10
Anti Nowhere League - 20th of 43
This Weeks Fixtures
Saturday 22/12/07
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal should be good enough to continue their great record against Tottenham,
Fabregas, Van Persie and Hleb all back, Spurs without suspended Zokora and a host of injuries.
Prediction 3-0
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Tough one to call, City on the road aren't the force they are at home.
Villa occasionally brilliant but have suffered some bad defeats.
Prediction 2-1
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City
Improving Bolton back to their old style should have enough to beat McLeish's B'ham,
Birmingham need a few new players to make an impact in the premier.
Prediction 2-0
Fulham v Wigan Athletic
Fulham sacked Lawrie Sanchez this week and go into this game managerless, Wigan will be confident after last weeks big win, although to soon to be jumping on a Marcus Bent bandwagon.
Prediction 1-1
Liverpool v Portsmouth
Portsmouth have been excellent this season but will struggle here, I expect Harry to go defensive and hit on the break. If Torres plays I expect Pool to nick it.
Prediction 1-0
Middlesbrough v West Ham Utd
The Hammers haven't won here in the Premiership, and will need to be at their awayday best to get something against a more confident Boro.
Prediction 1-1
Reading v Sunderland
After a slow start Reading are hitting form which should be enough to overcome a fragile Sunderland defence.
Prediction 2-0
Sunday 23/12/07
Manchester Utd v Everton
Should be a great battle, Everton are looking really good at the moment and will push United all the way, home form should be enough to sneak it.
Prediction 2-1
Newcastle Utd v Derby County
Under achieving Newcastle should be able to overcome Premier whipping boys Derby who already looked doomed.
Prediction 2-0
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Blackburn are on a bad run which won't be helped by this weeks suspensions to Samba, Warnock and Savage. Chelsea will be missing Terry and Drogba but should have more than enough to overcome shell shocked Blackburn.
It will interesting to see of Santa Cruz can continue his pre-Christmas run of form.
Prediction 0-2
Wednesday 26/12/07 (Boxing Day)
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
West Ham Utd v Reading
Birmingham City v Middlesbrough
Derby County v Liverpool
Everton v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland v Manchester Utd
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle Utd
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Thursday 27/12/07
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal should be good enough to continue their great record against Tottenham,
Fabregas, Van Persie and Hleb all back, Spurs without suspended Zokora and a host of injuries.
Prediction 3-0
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Tough one to call, City on the road aren't the force they are at home.
Villa occasionally brilliant but have suffered some bad defeats.
Prediction 2-1
Bolton Wanderers v Birmingham City
Improving Bolton back to their old style should have enough to beat McLeish's B'ham,
Birmingham need a few new players to make an impact in the premier.
Prediction 2-0
Fulham v Wigan Athletic
Fulham sacked Lawrie Sanchez this week and go into this game managerless, Wigan will be confident after last weeks big win, although to soon to be jumping on a Marcus Bent bandwagon.
Prediction 1-1
Liverpool v Portsmouth
Portsmouth have been excellent this season but will struggle here, I expect Harry to go defensive and hit on the break. If Torres plays I expect Pool to nick it.
Prediction 1-0
Middlesbrough v West Ham Utd
The Hammers haven't won here in the Premiership, and will need to be at their awayday best to get something against a more confident Boro.
Prediction 1-1
Reading v Sunderland
After a slow start Reading are hitting form which should be enough to overcome a fragile Sunderland defence.
Prediction 2-0
Sunday 23/12/07
Manchester Utd v Everton
Should be a great battle, Everton are looking really good at the moment and will push United all the way, home form should be enough to sneak it.
Prediction 2-1
Newcastle Utd v Derby County
Under achieving Newcastle should be able to overcome Premier whipping boys Derby who already looked doomed.
Prediction 2-0
Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea
Blackburn are on a bad run which won't be helped by this weeks suspensions to Samba, Warnock and Savage. Chelsea will be missing Terry and Drogba but should have more than enough to overcome shell shocked Blackburn.
It will interesting to see of Santa Cruz can continue his pre-Christmas run of form.
Prediction 0-2
Wednesday 26/12/07 (Boxing Day)
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
West Ham Utd v Reading
Birmingham City v Middlesbrough
Derby County v Liverpool
Everton v Bolton Wanderers
Sunderland v Manchester Utd
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle Utd
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Thursday 27/12/07
Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers
Monday 17 December 2007
Bias
Match Report Bias League
Like most newspapers and TV stations I do favour certain teams over others for various reasons, so if I was doing a match report I would tend to see it from a certain point of view.
I've tried to work out a league table of my bias to explain why I've seen certain incidents in a particular way.
Favourites
West Ham - The team I've supported all my life and been to see all over the country on hundreds of occasions (although not recently I admit).
They can do no wrong in my eyes.
Also liked but not supported
Manchester Utd - Always liked them except against the Hammers, Probably down to only knowing 2 teams when I was a kid - Hammers and Man U.
Aston Villa - Again always had a soft spot for them, something to do with the colours?
Everton - Hard to explain, possibly because all the good scouses I know and have met always seem to be Everton fans.
The following teams fall into the category of don't like or dislike them, I'll support any of them in some games.
Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Derby County, Fulham, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Reading.
The following teams are disliked, usually for a reason
Newcastle Utd - The petrol bomb incident at St James park in the seventies.
Sunderland - Mainly due to one irratating bloke although a mate of many years, he's in your face every day if Sunderland are doing well and won't talk if they've been having a nightmare :)
Birmingham City - When Steve Bruce was manager it was easy to hate them as he's a complete tosspot, other than that I just never liked their ground.
Wigan Athletic - The Steve Bruce effect and Mr Two faced Whelan.
Tottenham Hotspur - It's a rivalry thing. Also if you meet an obnoxious Londoner there is a high probability he's a Tottenham fan.
Liverpool - So many reasons to hate them, probably since my first visit to Anfield in the Seventies when on the walk to the ground lumps of concrete were dropped on us from a bridge by their "fans" narrowly missing killing someone, one of many unprovoked attacks and injuries I have suffered watching my team against Liverpool.
Truly the worst fans in the country who due to the amount of Liverpool fans in the press and TV seem to avoid the tags that are given to teams like Millwall and Leeds?
I could go on forever....... but rant over.
Like most newspapers and TV stations I do favour certain teams over others for various reasons, so if I was doing a match report I would tend to see it from a certain point of view.
I've tried to work out a league table of my bias to explain why I've seen certain incidents in a particular way.
Favourites
West Ham - The team I've supported all my life and been to see all over the country on hundreds of occasions (although not recently I admit).
They can do no wrong in my eyes.
Also liked but not supported
Manchester Utd - Always liked them except against the Hammers, Probably down to only knowing 2 teams when I was a kid - Hammers and Man U.
Aston Villa - Again always had a soft spot for them, something to do with the colours?
Everton - Hard to explain, possibly because all the good scouses I know and have met always seem to be Everton fans.
The following teams fall into the category of don't like or dislike them, I'll support any of them in some games.
Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Derby County, Fulham, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Reading.
The following teams are disliked, usually for a reason
Newcastle Utd - The petrol bomb incident at St James park in the seventies.
Sunderland - Mainly due to one irratating bloke although a mate of many years, he's in your face every day if Sunderland are doing well and won't talk if they've been having a nightmare :)
Birmingham City - When Steve Bruce was manager it was easy to hate them as he's a complete tosspot, other than that I just never liked their ground.
Wigan Athletic - The Steve Bruce effect and Mr Two faced Whelan.
Tottenham Hotspur - It's a rivalry thing. Also if you meet an obnoxious Londoner there is a high probability he's a Tottenham fan.
Liverpool - So many reasons to hate them, probably since my first visit to Anfield in the Seventies when on the walk to the ground lumps of concrete were dropped on us from a bridge by their "fans" narrowly missing killing someone, one of many unprovoked attacks and injuries I have suffered watching my team against Liverpool.
Truly the worst fans in the country who due to the amount of Liverpool fans in the press and TV seem to avoid the tags that are given to teams like Millwall and Leeds?
I could go on forever....... but rant over.
Self Indulgence - TFF History
Works TFF Superleague History
Season 2000-1
Total Teams - 25, My Teams - 1 (1st)
Winning Team - The Titanics - 1099 Points
Season 2001-2
Total Teams - 24, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1576 Points
Season 2002-3
Total Teams - 14, My Teams - 2 (2nd, 10th)
Winning Team - Barking Dogs - 1418 Points
Season 2003-4
Total Teams - 23, My Teams - 3 (1st, 3rd, 12th)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1262 Points
Season 2004-5
Total Teams - 22, My Teams - 3 (3rd, 5th, 6th)
Winning Team - Hells Bells - 1637 Points
Season 2005-6
Total Teams - 33, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 5th)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1752 Points
Season 2006-7
Total Teams - 22, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Winning Team - Nutty Boys - 1607 Points
Season 2007-8
Total Teams - 27, My Teams - 3 (?)
Winning Team - ?
Personal Superleague History
Season 2000-1 Did not Enter
Season 2001-2
Total Teams - 15
Winning Team - Nuff Said United - 1509 Points
League Position - Unknown
Season 2002-3
Total Teams - 8
Winning Team - Final Table Missing
League Position - Unknown
Season 2003-4 Did not Enter
Season 2004-5 Did not Enter
Season 2005-6
Total Teams - 21
Winning Team - The Bogeymen - 1870 Points (177th)
League Position - 17th
Season 2006-7
Total Teams - 28
Winning Team - Zero Tolerance - 1757 Points (296th)
League Position - 50th
Season 2007-8
Total Teams - 26
Winning Team - ?
League Position - ?
Unfortunately lost some of my history in "the great computer crash of 2003" luckily had some stuff backed up at work.
If I could be bothered going through all my floppy disks of the time it's probably on one of them?
Season 2000-1
Total Teams - 25, My Teams - 1 (1st)
Winning Team - The Titanics - 1099 Points
Season 2001-2
Total Teams - 24, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1576 Points
Season 2002-3
Total Teams - 14, My Teams - 2 (2nd, 10th)
Winning Team - Barking Dogs - 1418 Points
Season 2003-4
Total Teams - 23, My Teams - 3 (1st, 3rd, 12th)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1262 Points
Season 2004-5
Total Teams - 22, My Teams - 3 (3rd, 5th, 6th)
Winning Team - Hells Bells - 1637 Points
Season 2005-6
Total Teams - 33, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 5th)
Winning Team - Bitter N Twisted FC - 1752 Points
Season 2006-7
Total Teams - 22, My Teams - 3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Winning Team - Nutty Boys - 1607 Points
Season 2007-8
Total Teams - 27, My Teams - 3 (?)
Winning Team - ?
Personal Superleague History
Season 2000-1 Did not Enter
Season 2001-2
Total Teams - 15
Winning Team - Nuff Said United - 1509 Points
League Position - Unknown
Season 2002-3
Total Teams - 8
Winning Team - Final Table Missing
League Position - Unknown
Season 2003-4 Did not Enter
Season 2004-5 Did not Enter
Season 2005-6
Total Teams - 21
Winning Team - The Bogeymen - 1870 Points (177th)
League Position - 17th
Season 2006-7
Total Teams - 28
Winning Team - Zero Tolerance - 1757 Points (296th)
League Position - 50th
Season 2007-8
Total Teams - 26
Winning Team - ?
League Position - ?
Unfortunately lost some of my history in "the great computer crash of 2003" luckily had some stuff backed up at work.
If I could be bothered going through all my floppy disks of the time it's probably on one of them?
Introduction
Finally got around to creating a blog about my favourite subject - Football
The title really refers to my hobby of playing fantasy football.
Although having a good record in work superleagues and possibly rating in the top ten percent of players nationwide I haven't exactly won much at it :(
Cash prizes so far only a £100 win this season, and this is my eighth year of playing so not that impressive so far.
I have a pile of medals and one cup from work superleagues, but obviously striving for some large cash prizes.
My preferred game is Telegraph fantasy football, which was my introduction to the game.
Although there are many games to play each season if you have the time and patience.
This season alone I'm playing the Telegraph game plus "You the Manager" run by the Daily Mirror, Metro fantasy league, Channel 4 Fantasy football, Squad god, Fantasy Premier league and possibly a few others I've forgotten about.
To be honest I don't really have the time or experience to carry off looking after all of these games and will probably limit next year to the Telegraph game and one or two of the free games.
The plan is to create a footie blog with an eye to the fantasy game that might be of interest to others, although a bit self centered for my own ego :)
The title really refers to my hobby of playing fantasy football.
Although having a good record in work superleagues and possibly rating in the top ten percent of players nationwide I haven't exactly won much at it :(
Cash prizes so far only a £100 win this season, and this is my eighth year of playing so not that impressive so far.
I have a pile of medals and one cup from work superleagues, but obviously striving for some large cash prizes.
My preferred game is Telegraph fantasy football, which was my introduction to the game.
Although there are many games to play each season if you have the time and patience.
This season alone I'm playing the Telegraph game plus "You the Manager" run by the Daily Mirror, Metro fantasy league, Channel 4 Fantasy football, Squad god, Fantasy Premier league and possibly a few others I've forgotten about.
To be honest I don't really have the time or experience to carry off looking after all of these games and will probably limit next year to the Telegraph game and one or two of the free games.
The plan is to create a footie blog with an eye to the fantasy game that might be of interest to others, although a bit self centered for my own ego :)
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