S6: The End + FA Cup 2017: The Final

And just like that, we're done.

All the blissful optimism of last summer that was crushed underfoot by the relentless disappointment of reality (unless you're a Chelsea, or maybe a Spurs fan, or a dishonest United fan who's moved their goalposts somewhat during the season) now starts to poke it's little head above ground once more, watered by the naivety that is inculcated in each of us from when football first bites; watered by the fetid stream of nonsense that comes out of the football media, that you know is utter tosh but your primal brain, addicted to optimism chooses to believe.

Of course we're gonna sign Griezmann/Mbappe/Aubemayang.

We just need a couple to compete.

No way [insert rival] can repeat their season with European football burden

Dreamers, all of us.

Very few shocks this weekend. Chelsea came from behind to end the season in style, thrashing a poor Sunderland who's only real contribution was to collude in an act of spotfixing that no-one seems particularly upset about. John Terry has shown his usual level of self-awareness, telling the media that he couldn't care less about the stir caused. Class act right to the end. The only silver lining was that the whole palaver took so long that he was actually subbed off in the 28th minute. ROFL.

Man City also handed out a spanking against lacklustre Watford, as did a Spurs side led by a Golden-boot chasing Kane who embarrassed Hull. Liverpool completed the top 4, with a comfortable win against Middlesborough. That meant no space for Arsenal in the top 4, for the 1st time since 1886 or something. Personally, not that unhappy about that - I've long held  candle for the UEFA (Europa) Cup - well since the 2000 run to be honest, and a shake up was needed. I'm frankly more upset about losing 2 centre backs for the cup final.

Man Utd finished 6th - and Mourinho pointed out that he had no other alternative. I've covered this before, so won't waste any more time on his nonsense.

Swansea finished strongly against a WBA side who long ago gave in. That graph showing Pulis' results after reaching 40 points in his PL career was very illuminating. Southampton also meandered to a defeat to Stoke, whilst West Ham can be reasonably happy with their 2nd half to the season, winning at "Fortress" Turf Moor. Bournemouth & Leicester played out a score draw to end in mid table.

Let's get statty:
This week, 22 people played
Most popular predicted results: Arsenal, Chelsea & Spurs WINS (22/22)
Most disputed result: Leicester vs Bournemouth (11-5-6 split)

Highest odds:  AFM 2100/1
Lowest odds: Josh Daniels 344/1
Average odds: 10971/1

Best predictors: Loads of 8/10
Worst predictors: Loads of 6/10 - very narrow range this week
Average score: 6.95/10

Best predicted results: Arsenal, Chelsea & Spurs WINS (22/22)
Worst predicted result: Stoke WIN (1/10 - Lawro)

Everyone's scores:

So to the leaderboard - for those who've played >2/3 of available matches:

EuroClub Index wins their 2nd Impossibilitee title, and also become the 1st player to average >6 for the season. They held the previous record which was 5.76, so a huge win. Last season, Dagmar won with 4.74 - enough for last place this season, so a massive change. Obviously, given the state of the real table, this is as much to do with the predictability of much of the league,

Will O'Doherty wins the best human award. Well, best human player in this game in any case. I'm sure he has a claim to be the best human too, but I'm too lazy to research the other 7 billion. Well done to Will.

A big gap at the bottom of the table sees Silverman wedged at the bottom. He'll be disappointed with that, and fans at Casa Silverman are already looking to ring the changes for next year.

A select table of those who played, but not enough:

Boo to Eli Daniels, Josh Gaon & Brad Allix who all fell out the leaderboard reasonably late into the season. Must try harder. Inaugural champ Joe Miller showing that was really just a massive fluke...Sophie & Jono Gaon showed brief promise before giving up - what could have been....

This year, behind the scenes, I've been looking at alternate scoring methods - as much for fun as anything else. Yes, I need better hobbies. The following is the simplest of these - a cumulative score table. Obviously this benefits regular play. 

Doron the big winner in terms of change from leaderboard position - FT & Will are the big losers. Will has only himself to blame, but the FinkTank might be slightly higher if they could predict for Friday & midweek games, and if I didn't occasionally forget to look for them

So congrats one and all, and looks like we'll have to look to 2019 before the next human champ gets their name on the famous trophy.

FA Cup Time:

Basically, no-one cares about the blurb. Let's catch up on the stats:

R6 (QF)

9/11 played

Most popular prediction: Arsenal WIN 9/9

Most disputed: Chelsea vs Man Utd (7-2 split)

Best predictor: Loads 4/4

Worst predictor: Steven Daniels 1/4

Best predicted result: Arsenal WIN 9/9
Worst predicted result: Chelsea WIN 7/9

SF

7/11 played

Most popular prediction: Spurs WIN 5/7

Most disputed: Arsenal vs Man City (4-3 split)

Best predictor: Loads 1/2

Worst predictor: The rest. 0/2

Best predicted result: Arsenal WIN 4/7
Worst predicted result: Chelsea WIN 2/7

Everyone's stats:

So Tarek on 45, Me, Josh & the  Feneleys on 44. All Gooners. All with a decision to go with - the heart or the heard.

Final:

Arsenal vs Chelsea

If you want to, comment below
If you want to keep your prediction secret for tactical reasons, then make sure I have it by 1730 on Saturday. Usual methods apply.

Finally, if you haven't yet paid - there are a couple, please do so. Contact me if you need my details. £5 - it's an extra thing for me to chase so help me out.

Good luck all, and thanks to everyone - PL & FA Cup for playing again this season.

COYG....WHAT DID SHE WEAR