S6M7: Gaiety

One of the problems with writing a blog post 30-something weeks of the year for 5 years is that I can't really remember everything I've written. I'm pretty sure I've talked before about my pity for those who don't get "sports" and the wonderful spectrum of emotions that can only be unleashed by proper psychological investment in the contest.

Well, this week was one of those weeks. I can't pretend like I got any joy from watching Man Utd finally drop Rooney 3 years too late and start picking up some form. I absolutely took immense pleasure in the Benteke injury time winner condemning Sunderland to (yet another) defeat, thus sparking a Moyesian meltdown in the post-match interview & also edging closer to my suspicion that Sunderland will finish the season with a single point. They really are awful. I watched gleefully as a very poor Chelsea side were dismantled by a rampant Arsenal team that really wouldn't have been flattered by a couple more goals added onto their side of the scoreline. And then West Ham (see last week's blog) losing at home was also a smile from the universe. 

What else? Stoke giving up 2 points late on was amusing, and good on Bournemouth for finally getting a good result this year. Difficult second album and all that. Liverpool & City look ominous in an attacking sense, but City have the advantage in that they also believe in the part of the game revolving around defending. 10/10 for Guardiola so far. Spurs have also got off to their best start to a league campaign since the 1950s which is very nice for them. In the Monday fixture, Dyche got his revenge over Watford, with a 2-0 victory at Turf Moor.

And in breaking news as I write this...Allardici has had his wonderful karmic come-uppance and been sacked (jumped before pushed wtvr) from his dream job as England manager for frankly, being venal and corrupt. The fawning over him from the pundits on the Champions League coverage is nauseating. He's tried to earn a quick buck in a dodgy fashion and had his hand well and truly caught in the cookie jar. Couldn't have happened to a nicer walrus. God knows who the PFM media will now trumpet as the next heir annointed. For my money, we should give Keegan another bash. He was good at Euro 2000. According to Facebook, I'm also only 1 degree of separation from one of the Telegraph journos who did this whole thing - so if they're reading this, well done them and if you ever play Impossibilitee you get a special prize...

'Nuff of that. Let's get statty:

This week, 26 people played

Most popular predicted results: Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Most disputed result: West Ham vs Southampton (10-8-8 split)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels 7725/1

Lowest odds: Steven Daniels 2130/1

Average odds: 4148.1

Best predictors: Loads of ya (7/10)

Worst predictor: Aron Kleiman & Yo Abbott (3/10)

Average score: 5.62/10

Best predicted results:  Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Worst predicted result: Bournemouth WIN (2/26)

Everyone's results:

To the leaderboard (>2/3; 5/6)

This week's predictions:

Everton vs Crystal Palace - CRYSTAL PALACE
Swansea vs Liverpool - LIVERPOOL
Hull vs Chelsea - CHELSEA
Sunderland vs WBA - WBA
Watford vs Bournemouth - DRAW
West Ham vs M'Boro - DRAW
Man Utd vs Stoke - MAN UTD
Leicester vs Southampton - LEICESTER
Spurs vs Man City - DRAW
Burnley vs Arsenal - ARSENAL

Total odds: 4626/1

Good luck guys

S6M7: Gaiety

One of the problems with writing a blog post 30-something weeks of the year for 5 years is that I can't really remember everything I've written. I'm pretty sure I've talked before about my pity for those who don't get "sports" and the wonderful spectrum of emotions that can only be unleashed by proper psychological investment in the contest.

Well, this week was one of those weeks. I can't pretend like I got any joy from watching Man Utd finally drop Rooney 3 years too late and start picking up some form. I absolutely took immense pleasure in the Benteke injury time winner condemning Sunderland to (yet another) defeat, thus sparking a Moyesian meltdown in the post-match interview & also edging closer to my suspicion that Sunderland will finish the season with a single point. They really are awful. I watched gleefully as a very poor Chelsea side were dismantled by a rampant Arsenal team that really wouldn't have been flattered by a couple more goals added onto their side of the scoreline. And then West Ham (see last week's blog) losing at home was also a smile from the universe. 

What else? Stoke giving up 2 points late on was amusing, and good on Bournemouth for finally getting a good result this year. Difficult second album and all that. Liverpool & City look ominous in an attacking sense, but City have the advantage in that they also believe in the part of the game revolving around defending. 10/10 for Guardiola so far. Spurs have also got off to their best start to a league campaign since the 1950s which is very nice for them. In the Monday fixture, Dyche got his revenge over Watford, with a 2-0 victory at Turf Moor.

And in breaking news as I write this...Allardici has had his wonderful karmic come-uppance and been sacked (jumped before pushed wtvr) from his dream job as England manager for frankly, being venal and corrupt. The fawning over him from the pundits on the Champions League coverage is nauseating. He's tried to earn a quick buck in a dodgy fashion and had his hand well and truly caught in the cookie jar. Couldn't have happened to a nicer walrus. God knows who the PFM media will now trumpet as the next heir annointed. For my money, we should give Keegan another bash. He was good at Euro 2000. According to Facebook, I'm also only 1 degree of separation from one of the Telegraph journos who did this whole thing - so if they're reading this, well done them and if you ever play Impossibilitee you get a special prize...

'Nuff of that. Let's get statty:

This week, 26 people played

Most popular predicted results: Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Most disputed result: West Ham vs Southampton (10-8-8 split)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels 7725/1

Lowest odds: Steven Daniels 2130/1

Average odds: 4148.1

Best predictors: Loads of ya (7/10)

Worst predictor: Aron Kleiman & Yo Abbott (3/10)

Average score: 5.62/10

Best predicted results:  Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Worst predicted result: Bournemouth WIN (2/26)

Everyone's results:

To the leaderboard (>2/3; 5/6)

This week's predictions:

Everton vs Crystal Palace - CRYSTAL PALACE
Swansea vs Liverpool - LIVERPOOL
Hull vs Chelsea - CHELSEA
Sunderland vs WBA - WBA
Watford vs Bournemouth - DRAW
West Ham vs M'Boro - DRAW
Man Utd vs Stoke - MAN UTD
Leicester vs Stoke - LEICESTER
Spurs vs Man City - DRAW
Burnley vs Arsenal - ARSENAL

Total odds: 4626/1

Good luck guys

S6M7: Gaiety

One of the problems with writing a blog post 30-something weeks of the year for 5 years is that I can't really remember everything I've written. I'm pretty sure I've talked before about my pity for those who don't get "sports" and the wonderful spectrum of emotions that can only be unleashed by proper psychological investment in the contest.

Well, this week was one of those weeks. I can't pretend like I got any joy from watching Man Utd finally drop Rooney 3 years too late and start picking up some form. I absolutely took immense pleasure in the Benteke injury time winner condemning Sunderland to (yet another) defeat, thus sparking a Moyesian meltdown in the post-match interview & also edging closer to my suspicion that Sunderland will finish the season with a single point. They really are awful. I watched gleefully as a very poor Chelsea side were dismantled by a rampant Arsenal team that really wouldn't have been flattered by a couple more goals added onto their side of the scoreline. And then West Ham (see last week's blog) losing at home was also a smile from the universe. 

What else? Stoke giving up 2 points late on was amusing, and good on Bournemouth for finally getting a good result this year. Difficult second album and all that. Liverpool & City look ominous in an attacking sense, but City have the advantage in that they also believe in the part of the game revolving around defending. 10/10 for Guardiola so far. Spurs have also got off to their best start to a league campaign since the 1950s which is very nice for them. In the Monday fixture, Dyche got his revenge over Watford, with a 2-0 victory at Turf Moor.

And in breaking news as I write this...Allardici has had his wonderful karmic come-uppance and been sacked (jumped before pushed wtvr) from his dream job as England manager for frankly, being venal and corrupt. The fawning over him from the pundits on the Champions League coverage is nauseating. He's tried to earn a quick buck in a dodgy fashion and had his hand well and truly caught in the cookie jar. Couldn't have happened to a nicer walrus. God knows who the PFM media will now trumpet as the next heir annointed. For my money, we should give Keegan another bash. He was good at Euro 2000. According to Facebook, I'm also only 1 degree of separation from one of the Telegraph journos who did this whole thing - so if they're reading this, well done them and if you ever play Impossibilitee you get a special prize...

'Nuff of that. Let's get statty:

This week, 26 people played

Most popular predicted results: Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Most disputed result: West Ham vs Southampton (10-8-8 split)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels 7725/1

Lowest odds: Steven Daniels 2130/1

Average odds: 4148.1

Best predictors: Loads of ya (7/10)

Worst predictor: Aron Kleiman & Yo Abbott (3/10)

Average score: 5.62/10

Best predicted results:  Man City & Liverpool WINS (26/26)

Worst predicted result: Bournemouth WIN (2/26)

Everyone's results:

To the leaderboard (>2/3; 5/6)

This week's predictions:

Everton vs Crystal Palace - CRYSTAL PALACE
Swansea vs Liverpool - LIVERPOOL
Hull vs Chelsea - CHELSEA
Sunderland vs WBA - WBA
Watford vs Bournemouth - DRAW
West Ham vs M'Boro - DRAW
Man Utd vs Stoke - MAN UTD
Leicester vs Stoke - LEICESTER
Spurs vs Man City - DRAW
Burnley vs Arsenal - ARSENAL

Total odds: 4626/1

Good luck guys

S6M6: Goals Galore

I'd thought after Koscielny & Costa's overheard kicks that the Goal of the Month competition was wrapped for September. Jordan Henderson had other ideas. Then Granit Xhaka decided he wanted some too. And Mahrez wanted to show off his dribbles and City did the whole lightening counter-attack team goal thing twice. Basically, this weekend saw some great goals, and more so, lots of goals!

It started off on the Friday. Friday night games are a real bugger for the rhythm of this blog, and also screw over the FinkTank who automatically loses a potential point. That said, I'm unwilling to try and assist them on this matter due to the eponymous Lord being quite unpleasant to a number of colleagues over a small industrial dispute playing out in the courts at the minute. So, the FinkTank and others have to remember that Friday evening weeks are here to stay and I recommend a phone reminder to do all predictions by lunchtime Friday as to not find yourself in the same situation.

Special props to Nick Jones who snuck in with a 1 word prediction at (according to my system) 8:01 on Friday night, before giving me the full list on Saturday. I've allowed it because 1) I'm allowing for the internet delay betwen send-receive, 2) I'm not certain the game didn't kick off at 8.05 as is customary with TV games and 3) it amused me. Next time, let's try for a few minutes earlier as to avoid any doubt.

Arsenal, City & WBA raced through the gears on their way to comfortable wins (although West ham briefly threatened a comeback) and Leicester took a little while to hit their stride, but were never really in danger of dropping points once they'd scored against Burnley. Everton continued their good form with a good win against potential banana skin Middlesborough, coming from behind after an interesting decision to allow a rather agricultural challenge from Negredo on the 'keeper. Quelle 1960s...

On Sunday, we were treated to a huge win from Watford against Man Utd, Mazzari triumphing over a disgruntled Mourinho gaining revenge for some old school Serie A beef from back in the day. A result so surprising the only 2 to predict it were mine and Andre Feneley's mothers....regular players will appreciate that this is a rare occurrence. Charlie Austin scored again to secure 3 points for Southampton and Harry Kane scored the winner for Spurs before getting injured and then weirdly sucking his thumb as he left the pitch.

Bizarre.

Let's get statty:

This week, 28 people played (season high)
Most popular predicted result: Leicester WIN (27/28)
Most disputed result: Chelsea vs Liverpool (12-9-6 split)

Highest odds: AFM 35191/1
Next highest odds: RDM 4177/1
Lowest odds: Doron Salomon 407/1
Average odds: 6327/1 (1517/1 without the outlier)

Best predictors: EuroClub Index, Josh Daniels & Brad Allix (8/10)
Worst predictor: Joe Miller (4/10)
Average score: 6.5/10

Best predicted result: Leicester WIN (27/28)
Worst predicted result: Watford WIN (2/10)

Everyone's scores:

To the leaderboard (>2/3; 4/5)

Menachem keeps a clear lead at the top before some clustering below. If I knew anything about cycling, I'm sure there's a peloton comment there somewhere...David climbs off the bottom in a Spurs-eat-Spurs battle.

To this week's predictions:

Man Utd vs Leicester - DRAW

Bournemouth vs Everton - EVERTON

Liverpool vs Hull - LIVERPOOL

Middlesborough vs Spurs - SPURS

Stoke vs WBA - STOKE
Sunderland vs Crystal Palace - CRYSTAL PALACE (I think I'm going to bet on Sunderland to lose every single game this year)

Swansea vs Man City - MAN CITY

Arsenal vs Chelsea - DRAW

West Ham vs Southampton - SOUTHAMPTON

Burnley vs Watford - WATFORD

Total odds: 3772/1

Good luck guys!

S6M5: Pep Talk

Well that got interesting.

The Manchester derby was given the full hype...and legitimately so. 1-0 Pep in the battle for Mancunian supremacy and deservedly so. Working night shifts isn't exactly the ideal way to watch games, but from what I saw, de Bruyne was terrific. When I saw him at the Emirates last year, he absolutely terrified me. A superb player, direct and efficient - Pep's clearly got him playing at the top of his game and, in tandem with Aguero and a slowly-returning to form Sterling, could recreate a modified version of Barca's MSN - pace, trickery and lethal finishing. One to watch, especially as Fernandinho continues to protect the possible weak links in the defence.

Returning to my work pattern, I was annoyed to be woken up at 5pm on Saturday a good hour earlier than I'd planned. I'd stupidly forgotten to put my phone on mute and heard 3 double vibrations in quick succession. Thanks BBC Sport:

** PENALTY (Arsenal)**
** GOAL (Cazorla 90+4)**
**FT Arsenal 2-1 Southampton**

There are worse ways to be woken than a last minute Santi winner :D

My next topic is the kray kray game at the Olympic stadium. West Ham 2-0 up and cruising before Watford go into overdrive and end up disappointed to have only scored the 4! What a game!

Liverpool dismantled Leicester to continue a miserable start to their tile defence - I think you'd struggle to find odds of 5000/1 for a repeat this year. Spurs battered a poor Stoke side shorn of the ever passhunate Sparky from the sidelines, whilst Lukaku scored a hat trick far too late to help my fantasy league team.

Finally to overhead kicks. 2 glorious efforts from Koscielny and Costa this week to draw their teams level. Anyone who thinks these goals should be banned due to dangerous play needs a timeout in a dark room. Who amongst us didn't spend hours in the garden as a child willingly throwing themself backwards to the ground, legs and arms flailing as you tried to connect with a ball thrown straight in the air moments earlier.

It's what it's all about...

Let's get statty:

This week, 27 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal WIN (26/27)
Most disputed result: Burnley vs Hull (13-9-5 split)

Highest odds: Feneley 18954/1
Lowest odds: Steven Daniels 1118/1
Average odds: 9419/1

Best predictor: Menachem Grunewald (6/10)
Worst predictors: David Brickman & Aron Kleiman (2/10)
Average score: 4.15/10

Best predicted result: Arsenal WIN (26/27)
Worst predicted result: Swansea vs Chelsea DRAW (1/27 - well done AFM)

Everyone's results:

Leaderboard (>2/3; 3/4)

To this week's predictions now:

Chelsea vs Liverpool - CHELSEA
Hull vs Arsenal - ARSENAL
Leicester vs Burnley - LEICESTER
Man City vs Bournemouth - MAN CITY
WBA vs West Ham - DRAW
Everton vs M'Boro - EVERTON
Watford vs Man Utd - DRAW
Crystal Palace vs Stoke - CRYSTAL PALACE
Southampton vs Swansea - SOUTHAMPTON
Spurs vs Sunderland - SPURS

Total odds: 737/1 (Paddypower)

Good luck guys!

S6M4: Leaderboard's up

International breaks are strange times. International breaks immediately post-transfer window are frustrating times. I had an exam a few days after the England game, so also forgot that was on. Watched the 2nd half - what a load of tosh that was. Well worth the Hodgson payoff for more of the same.

My exam was in Stratford, so at lunch I went for a wander around the Queen Elizabeth Park, or the park formerly known as the Olympic Park if I were to pay homage to Minnesota's finest. Peaceful place, if you ignore all the tourists and building sites, and trains and stuff. The riverboats are nice though. It's cool that you can go for a paddle at the same place I went to watch the diving back in the day (over 4 years now....wowsers). I've been back about once a year since for various reasons - last time was probably for the Rugby World Cup which was the first time I'd been inside the Olympic Stadium - really nice I thought.

Well that's been ruined.

Who on earth thought that the Olympic legacy involved a giant Andy Carroll? We're trying to regenerate East London, not scare off children. Urgh.

On a more serious note, it's pretty wrong. You don't blame West Ham for grabbing the opportunity, but it's pretty unfair on every other club who've had to organise their finances accordingly and spend years planning and building etc. Arsenal was a £400m, 10 year project. Spurs even more. Look at the difficulty Chelsea, Liverpool & Everton are having. 

I think my revulsion stems from 2 places - and I think this is where it differs from Man City in 2002.

• The cost - it's a bloody steal. Why are we not charging West Ham say £100m upfront and £20m a year for 50 years or whatever? Why has the taxpayer funded not only the construction of the stadium (fair enough) but also it's conversion and much of the ongoing maintenance?
• The local effect - I've spent much of the last 2 years working in this area, a good goal kick away from Leyton Orient & Brisbane Rd. A Premier League club decamping to their patch could potentially kill the Os in year to come, especially if West Ham keep discounting tickets to try and fill the place. Why weren't Leyton Orient given at least shared tenancy of the Olympic Stadium? At least that way, arguably the legacy is befitting the locals a little more.

Anyway, I've always quite liked West Ham. I liked Julian Dicks, and that Di Canio doing Barthez thing. I was obviously happy they thwarted Spurs's attempt to move to Stratford. But now I really find myself hoping that they suffer a little, as I just think it's pretty unfair. Petty? Mean spirited? Would you expect any less.

Enough of that. No recap of 2 week old football here.

Let's get statty:

This week, 26 people played

Most popular predicted result: Chelsea WIN (26/26)

Most disputed result: WBA vs Middlesborough (6-13-7 split)

Highest odds: Me, 1599/1

Lowest odds: Steven Daniels 362/1

Average odds: 1213/1

Best predictors: Millions of you (8/10)

Worst predictors: Me, AFM & Aron Kleiman (4/10)

Average score: 6.58/10

Best predicted result: Chelsea WIN (26/26)

Worst predicted result: Southampton vs Sunderland DRAW (2/26)

Everyone's results:

For the first time this season, the leaderboard. For our new amigos, to qualify for the leaderboard, you have to play in >2/3 of available weeks. Obviously, only having played 3 weeks, that means for this leaderboard, you have to be an ever present.

Early days yet though, and loads of movement at this time of year.

To this week's predos:

Man Utd vs Man City - MAN UTD

Arsenal vs Southampton - ARSENAL

Bournemouth vs WBA - BOURNEMOUTH

Burnley vs Hull - HULL

Middlesborough vs Crystal Palace - BORO

Stoke vs Tottenham - DRAW

West Ham vs Watford - WEST HAM

Liverpool vs Leicester - LIVERPOOL

Swansea vs Chelsea - CHELSEA

Sunderland vs Everton - EVERTON

Total odds: 1989/1

Good luck guys!