S13M3: Suspension

Well, 2 weeks in to the league season and there's already lots to discuss.

I'm going to focus on 2 aspects - the early separation of the league and the PGMOL soap opera.

We're 2 games in and already the league table is starting to divide into groups that might well stay that way for the rest of the season. Sure, samll sample size, fixture computer etc etc but look at the top 6 now and tell me who's missing? Newcastle played Man City so maybe swap them out for Brentford but would anyone suggest that Chelsea or Man Utd are nailed on for CL with the way they've played so far? Similarly, down the bottom, with the exception of Chelsea - is there anyone in the bottom 8 who's unlikely to be involved in the relegation discussion this year? Lots of projection on Burnley but the other 6 really are likely to stuggle on current evidence.

Still a week left of the window, and obviously only 3 can go down, but we might be in the least worst situation, yet again.

Now, as for the officials. Every sodding year there's a new diktat, a new decision that *Insert Crime* is the worst thing about football ever. There's a ridiculous overreaction from the PGMOL, it doesn't fix anything and causes uproar and ridiculous events before being quietly dropped.

'twas ever thus.

This year, we've got the FIFA-led thing on time-wasting - or ball in play time. Now I LOVE the 13 mins of injury time and I'm a huge fan, but that's a bit counter to also booking people for "wasting" time - it's not wasted because it's now added on. And if it's being slowed down legally, then that's part of the game. Also you don't need new laws - enforce the ones you have. When was the last time you saw a keeper penalised for holding onto the ball for more than 6 seconds - a timeframe explicitly listed in the rules. It's like Let It Flow,  it's like offside changes and everything else. 

Football doesn't always need to be complicated. If games last 100 mins because of time wasting, then the teams have a choice - learn to manage games over 100 mins with subs etc or don't waste as much time. 

 Howard Webb - give me a call. 

Let's get statty:

M1

This week, 26 people played
Most popular predicted results: Man City & Arsenal WINS (25/26 - 96%)
Most disputed prediction: Sheff Utd vs Crystal Palace (7-9-10 split respectively - 27%-35%-39%)

Highest odds: Steven Daniels (2314/1)
Lowest odds: AFM (450/1)
Average odds: 886/1

Best predictor: WhoScored.com (9/10)
Worst predictor: Raffi Kleiman (2/10)
Average score: 6/10

Best predicted results: Man City & Arsenal WINS (25/26 - 96%)
Worst predicted result: Fulham WIN (5/26 - 19%)

M2 (Pro-rated scores due to Luton owning a ground made out of straw)

This week, 25 people played
Most popular predicted result: Liverpool WIN (24/25 - 96%)
Most disputed prediction: Spurs vs Man Utd (6-7-12 split respectively - 24%-28%-48%)

Highest odds: AFM (1009/1)
Lowest odds: Josh Daniels (362/1)
Average odds: 727/1

Best predictor: Massey Ratings (8.89/10)
Worst predictor: David Graniewitz (2.22/10)
Average score: 6.40/10

Best predicted result: Liverpool WIN (24/25 - 96%)
Worst predicted result: West Ham WIN (3/25 - 12%)

Everyone's results:

Leaderboard to follow after 3 matchdays

To this week's predos: 

M3 Predos

Reminder to spread the word - free to enter and cash prize as well as the trophy available this year!

Good luck all!