S4M27: Introducing a new Swing

I figured that 2 years after retiring the Villain of the Week category, it was time to shake up the blog a little. Watching MoTD, it struck me when N'Doye scored that great winner for Hull late on that he'd screwed loads of people. I thought about it, and decided that in future, the single goal that alters the result affecting the most number of people would now be highlighted. In actuality, after all that, it was a different goal that claimed the inaugural honour...stay tuned to find out which one it was.

Where to start? Swansea doing the double over Man Utd for the first time ever? Ron Vlaar doing his best Arsenal audition? Joey Barton flicking a 6ft 3 man in the penis - and then trying to justify it in his half apology. Charlie Austin's response was spot on, and made me dislike his face slightly less. Are City back or are Newcastle just hopeless, regardless of who's in the Manager's seat on the team coach? Did Kane dive (Yes) or was Song an idiot (Yes)? Are Liverpool back or did they get a little lucky with some shocking refereeing?

And speaking of refereeing - what the flibbertygib was going on with Chelsea & Burnley? Comedy of errors isn't the right phrase 'cos it really wasn't funny.

Chelsea are frustrated because they are playing relatively poorly and dropped points. But let's be honest - the first Barnes foul was nothing more than that. Chelsea should have had 2 pens, but Burnley also should have had one for the Luis handball. You always can move your arm away from a dropping ball. The Barnes/Matic incident is ridiculous. Firstly, it wasn't a tackle. Barnes has the ball, but caught Matic with the follow through. Amazing how many pundits can't see that. Secondly, whilst intent is relevant in the laws of the game, it's also not the be all. It was a reckless error, and deserved red. Matic's reaction was understandable on a human level, but also a guaranteed 3 match ban. So what's happened next?

Mourinho jabbers on about a conspiracy. Deflection much?
Goals on Sunday then allow him to perpetuate this. Pathetic frankly.
Barnes is cleared from retrospective punishment as the ref saw it. Insane that this is how the system works - Atkinson should be allowed to renege his opinion on viewing a match tape after the game. Matic somehow gets a match off his ban - why? It's violent conduct and a straight red - regardless of context.

Also, the staggering hypocrisy of the Chelsea machine is nauseating. Didn't hear a peep from them when it was Ramires, Mikel or Cahill ruining people's anatomy. The fact is, all teams have players who can  make bad fouls. Some more than others, but no-one is whiter than white. To allow the perpetuation of this narrative is just staggeringly low brow.

In other news, Arsenal were a post away from a nightmare on Saturday, but ensured they played there part in a miserable week for British clubs in Europe. Well done all. And finally, in World Cup news, FIFA confirmed their arseholery with a fait accompli meeting of stakeholders. I have about as much interest in the next 2 World Cups as I do in Motocross. Less than passing.

On that grumpy note (and one I'm sure we'll return to), let's get statty:

Matchday 26:

This week, 20 people played

Most predicted results: Chelsea, Arsenal & Man City WINS (20/20)

Most disputed result: Sunderland vs WBA (6-8-6 split)

Highest odds: Sam Ruback (5957/1)

Lowest odds: Steven Daniels (1196/1)

Average odds: 3418/1

Best predictor: Sam Ruback (6/10)

Worst predictor: WhoScored.com, Eli Daniels, David Silverman & Tarek Najm (2/10)

Average score: 3.65/10

Best predicted result: Arsenal & Man City WINS (20/20)

Worst predicted result: Chelsea vs Burnley DRAW (0/20)

Goal-swing: Ben Mee's (I always call him Bertie) equaliser for Burnley (20/20)

Everyone's results:

  

The leaderboard, for those who have played >2/3 available weeks (18/26)

To this week's predos:

West Ham vs Crystal Palace - WEST HAM

Burnley vs Swansea  - DRAW

Man Utd vs Sunderland  - MAN UTD

Newcastle vs Aston Villa - DRAW

Stoke vs Hull - HULL

WBA vs Southampton - WBA

Liverpool vs Man City - MAN CITY

Arsenal vs Everton - ARSENAL

Total odds: 1601/1 (PaddyPower)

Midweek games to follow on Sunday.

Finally from me, a begrudging promo for a cause, that's probably good, although one could argue that they signed the contract with Satan and knew what they were getting themselves into...

An old friend and some of his mates have re-recorded another Chaz & Dave song from the one I'd already heard. Did they actually churn out crap after crap? Anyway - it's called HotShot Totteham 2015, and has been adopted by that backwards excuse for a club as their official song for the League Cup final.

It costs £0.59 from itunes, can be found on Spotify (or Shazam!) and all proceeds go the the Tottenham Tribute Trust who do good work in deprogramming brainwashed spuds helping people who've fallen on hard times who once played for the club.

Here's the song:

Now I feel dirty. But I justify it by knowing I'm doing my bit to make Mourinho sad, even if it makes the knuckledraggers yelp for a few weeks. 

Obviously Bane scenario is the ideal outcome...

Until next week, good luck guys!