S15 Wrap-Up: After Review

 Another season comes to a close.

I'm genuinely baffled as to how we've got 15 years in. Back when I started, Arsenal hadn't won the premier league for 6 years and now it's been...

Yes, friends, that's right. Whilst this isn't a club specific blog, it very much will have that flavour today. you're going to ask "where's the detailed analysis of Matchday 36?" and I have decided, after review, that I don't have a clue what happened and so can't talk about it. Partly due to me being nocturnal for most of the month of May and partly due to the multiple near death experiences this title race has caused.

Fine, you ask. At least give us Matchday 37 goss. And I will. I cheered Kai Havertz and booed Kyle Walker. I then pretended there was no football on, VERY SUCCESSFULLY. I definitely didn't keep checking my phone to make sure my smartwatch wasn't missing anything. And then when it all got too much and I switched on Sky Sports and watched David Brooks miss two great chances and Haaland score and then Savinho went down the left and I just regretted all the life choices until the whistle apparently went (I heard NOTHING over the sound of blood rushing in my temples) and then I rejoiced in all the life choices I have made/had made for me by Big Steve. So, yes, if you'd like a sober analysis of that matchday, you'll be sorely lacking as I don't even know if any other teams played.

FINE. Then give us the Matchday 38 deep dive we all desire. I shall not. Because again, I didn't really care. Sort of wanted Arsenal to win for the vibes. Obviously wanted the relegation battle to go the way of banter but had no real hope it would. So I just existed for a bit, then waited for ages, then watched a trophy lift that gave me all the feels and off to Islington I went. Where I, a middle aged man - nay a a pillar of society, signing passport applications and stuff - was kettled and assaulted by very oversealous police officers. Which slightly dejammed my donut, until I remembered it had been 22 years and then I got out the big squeezy bottle of jam and refilled the donut and then finished off the bottle of jam, straight down the gullet like a sweet-toothed pelican.

Wonderful stuff. I've done about 0 productive things since then, so congrats on getting a blog at all. NLF, I love you all. 

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Let's get statty:

Matchday 36

This week, 21 people played
Most popular predicted results: Brighton & Man City WINS (21/21)
Most disputed predicted result: Nott(s) Forest vs Newcastle (5-7-9 split)

Highest odds: Geoffrey Skolnick (4,449/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (1,163/1)
Average odds: 2,985/1

Best predictors: Geoffrey Skolnick & Chris Sutton (7/10)
Worst predictors: EuorClubIndex, Opta & Massey rating (3/10 - one for the models eh?)
Average score: 4.81/10

Best predicted results: Brighton & Man City WINS (21/21)
Worst predicted results: Liverpool vs Chelsea & Sunderland vs Man Utd DRAWS (2/21 - AFM was a VAR review away from being the only one to go West Ham win...)

Matchday 37

This week, 18 people played
Most popular predicted results: Man Utd, Arsenal & Man City WINS (18/18)
Most disputed predicted results: Aston Villa vs Liverpool, Leeds vs Brighton & Newcastle vs West Ham (3-7-8 x2 and 8-7-3 x1)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels (10,067/1)
Lowest odds: AFM (851/1)
Average odds: 3,197/1

Best predictors: Geoffrey Skolnick & Hannah Daniels (6/10)
Worst predictors: Joe Abbot, David Brickman & Chris Sutton (2/10)
Average score: 3.72/10

Best predicted results: Man Utd & Arsenal WINS (18/18)
Worst predicted result: Sunderland WIN &, er.....Bournemouth vs Man City DRAW (0/18)

Matchday 38

This week, 20 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal & Man City WINS (18/20)
Most disputed predicted result: Fulham vs Newcastle & Brighton vs Man Utd (8-5-7 & 7-5-8 split)

Highest odds: Geofrey Skolnick (17,827/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (1,374/1)
Average odds: 9,010/1

Best predictor: Josh Daniels (9/10 - Spurs ruined it. Obvs)
Worst predictors: Chris Sutton, EuroClubIndex, Steven Daniels (2/10)
Average score: 3.9/10

Best predicted result: Arsenal WIN (18/20)
Worst predicted result: Aston Villa WIN (0/20)

Everyone's scores:

Leaderboard (>2/3; 26/38)

Congrats Eli Daniels! A second title in 2 years! Give me me back and I'll get it engraved....

Human prize winners are then Joe Abbott & David Brickman. Cash coming your way too!

Non-Leaderboard qualifying players

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That wraps another season. I'm beat.
Having a lovely World Cup off and then will see you all in August for Season 16...

S15M36: Hold on to your hats

 Can I start my saying that I both love everyone and also hate everyone? 

That's the human condition in a nutshell. Simultaneously capable of building complex mechanical glass doors and walking into them. Building and sending a spaceship to the moon('s orbit), but also thinking it's made of delicious cheese. We are walking contradictions capable, nay mandated, of holding contradictory opinions at the same time.

Why do I mention this? Because the BBC have for 2 weekends running written inane articles about footballing rivalry. I don't know who they think their audience is. Last week was about the Celtic/Hearts/Rangers tussle for the title in Scotland (now down to 2) and this week, about the North London feelings around the respective, but intertwined #goals for the rest of the season.

It's really simple and I don't quite understand why it takes thousands of words to say "I want what's best for my team and usually I want everyone else to have bad stuff, but temporarily, I'm willing for them to have good stuff so my lot can also have good stuff, but ideally we'd get the good stuff and they get the bad stuff".

See. Simple. Pithy. You can have that, BBC, for whatever the going rate is for the nonsense you churn out. Not really contradictory at all.

I'm just very touchy. Between the total lack of sleep and the emotional tumult of the last week weeks season  decade two decades, I just want good stuff in my journalism, my team and my sleep. 

Is that too much to ask?

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Let's get statty:

This week, 22 people played
Most popular predicted results: Leeds, Arsenal & Man City WINS (22/22)
Most disputed predicted result: Newcastle vs Brighton (4-10-8 split)



Highest odds: Josh Daniels (10, 514/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (746/1)
Average odds: 4,783/1

Best predictors: Loads of us (6/10)
Worst predictor:Josh Daniels (2/10)
Average score: 4.55/10

Best predicted results: Leeds & Arsenal WINS (22/22)
Worst predicted results: Notts Forest WIN & Everton vs City DRAW (0/22 )

Everyone's score:

Leaderboard (>2/3; 24/35)

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To this week's predos:

Good luck all

S15M35: Ohgoditsmay

Hello. My name is Richard and I'm an addict. I think that's how it's supposed to go in the 12 steps. You recognised there's a problem and then go from there. And my problem has been blog publication. Specifically, the delay to.... So, what can I say. I've fixed myself. This week, I'm taking advantage of opportunity to get this thing written and published in good order, ready for the passive aggressive emojis from (runaway) leader Eli Daniels. Yeah, that's right, I see you. Here's the thing. It's quite busy here at Impossibilitee Towers. You think you're the only game in town. No siree. It's a tough economy and to pay the bills, this guy needs to crank the words all over town. Like a modern day Dickens I am. Little piece here and lil'Jonny gets to eat for another week. Long paper there and Lil' Jonny gets new clothes. So really what I'm saying is you ingrates should cough up some cash for this goodness and my onlyfans PATREON will open in.... No but seriously.

See what I did there. I'm trailing next season already with the return of FFL. For 6 weeks before he retakes the Chelsea job. Tough break for Liam. I'm sure he'll spend some time counting his money before posting something on LinkedIn. Anway, in the PL, what's news? Wolves and Burnley are officially gonzo. Hasta La Blackburn lads. Nott(s) Forest are probably safe after POUNDING Sunderland 5-0 at the Estadio da Luz. Nobody saw that coming. Though in fairness, nobody really saw Fulham winning at Villa either. People did see Arsenal winning with a new number from Nicky J. And Liverpool and Man Utd winning. So really it was back to the relegation battle and a great game of who wants it more as both gameclocks ticked into the 80s, West Ham wanted it more. Then Spurs wanted it equally, then Everton wanted it more than West Ham which meant Spurs went ahead of West Ham who decided that no, THEY wanted it the mostest and Callum Wilson bundled in the late winner causing grown men to blow bubbles at other grown men.

And this, folks, is why I don't usually write the blog at 2am...

S15M34: Shift

I really like this time of year. It gets warmer and the whole place starts blooming. Vibrant energy flows through the world. Except with me, innit.

My scores have cratered. Art mirroring life I guess. The whole limping to the end shtick really takes the jam out of my donut innit

I'm just saying, I'd like some jam.

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Let's get statty:

M32

This week, 21 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal WIN (20/21)
Most disputed predicted results: Brentford vs Everton & Crystal Palace vs Newcastle (9-8-4 & 5-6-10 split respectively)

Highest odds: AFM (22,954/1)
Lowest odds: Josh Daniels (1,805/1)
Average odds: 6,3451

Best predictor: Josh Daniels & Feneley (7/10)
Worst predictor: Loads of you (4/10)
Average score: 4.9/10

Best predicted resultS: West Ham & Brighton WINS (18/21)
Worst predicted results: Leeds & Bournemouth WINS (0/21)

M33

This week, 20 people played
Most popular predicted result: Leeds WIN (20/20)
Most disputed predicted results: Chelsea vs Man Utd & Everton vs Liverpool (9-6-5 & 9-5-6 splits respectively)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels (10,685/1)
Lowest odds: Aron Kleiman (1,606/1)
Average odds: 6,457/1

Best predictor: Oliver Kay (6/10)
Worst predictor: Chris Sutton (1/10) - shame about the one he got right
Average score: 3.7/10

Best predicted result: Leeds WIN (20/20)
Worst predicted result: Bournemouth

WIN (3/20)

Everyone's scores:


Leaderboard (>2/3; 23/33)

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To this week's predos:

Good luck all

S15M32: North Bank Run-in

Log on, think it'll just be a quick post-international/FA Cup break results blog but apparently it's a double. Soz.

Getting excited though eh? Many moons ago, I ran the London Marathon. I did not enjoy it (though you may still sponsor me). The absolute nadir was around miles 17-19 - meandering through the Isle of Dogs/Canary Wharf area was just soul-destroying. You know you've broken the back, but the loss of any visual landmark to focus your mind - or, ya know, the sun - just compounds the physiological screaming known as "the wall" which hit around this time. And then you emerge. The last few miles are a straight shoot BOMBING* it down the bank of the Thames, Big Ben getting bigger and bigger before you hang a right and do the last mile around the King's gaff and cross the line. I cannot describe the lift I got from that stretch. Cramping calves no longer quite so screamy. My black mood (towards everyone and anyone) disappeared and I bounded like a kangaroo** towards the Mall. I bring this up for no reason other than the footballing schedule has no further distractions.

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Let's get statty:

Matchday 30

This week, 18 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal & Man City WINS (17/18)
Most disputed predicted result: Nott(s) Forest vs Fulham (7-4-7 split respectively)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels (5,924/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (411/1)
Average odds: 2,041/1

Best predictor: Co-Pilot (6/10)
Worst predictor: AFM (1/10)
Average score: 3/10

Best predicted result: Arsenal WIN (17/18)
Worst predicted result: Newcastle WIN, West Ham vs Man City, Brentford vs Wolves & Liverpool vs Spurs DRAWS (1/18 - Well done WSC, ZD & Co-Pilot x2)

Matchday 31 (8 matches, pro-rated)

This week, 19 people played
Most popular predicted result: Fulham vs Burnley WIN (18/19)
Most disputed predicted result: Bournemouth vs Man Utd (4-5-9 split)

Highest odds: Josh Daniels (5,491/1)
Lowest odds: Geoffrey Skolnick (435/1)
Average odds: 1,704/1

Best predictor: Daniel Wigman (6.25/10)
Worst predictors: Me & Oli Kay (1.25/10)
Average score: 3.29/10

Best predicted result: Fulham WIN (18/19) Worst predicted result: Sunderland WIN (0/19)

Everyone's score:

Leaderboard (>2/3; 21/31)

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To this week's predos:

Good luck all

* Subjectively

** Seriously. Einstein, relativity, etc etc

S15M25-29: Super Results

So now you all want a blog eh? 

A little think piece.  A touch of footballing badinage. The musings of a man so frazzled by football that he yearns for the carefree days of the late Wengerian era. Almost. But honestly, it was nice knowing you'd win the FA Cup every year to have a lovely day in May without the quotidian heart attacks of stuff mattering.

Well tough luck. Have 5 weeks worth of results instead.

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Let's get statty:

Matchday 25

This week, 22 people played
Most popular predicted result: Arsenal & Chelsea WINS (22/22)
Most disputed predicted result:

Highest odds: AFM (3,100/1)
Lowest odds: Josh Daniels (1,2901/1)
Average odds: 2,130/1

Best predictor: Geoffrey Skolnick (7/10)
Worst predictors: Aron Kleiman & WhoScored.com (3/10)
Average score: 4.64/10

Best predicted results: Arsenal & Chelsea WINS (22/22)
Worst predicted result: Crystal Palace WIN (0/22)

Matchday 26

This week, 22 people played
Most popular predicted result: Man City & Aston Villa WINS (22/22)
Most disputed predicted result: Spurs vs Newcastle (5-7-10 split)

Highest odds: Feneley (390/1)
Lowest odds: Geoffrey Skolnick (7,754/1)
Average odds: 2,403/1

Best predictor: Geoffrey Skolnick (5/10)
Worst predictors: Zoe Daniels (2/10)
Average score: 3.41/10

Best predicted results: Man City & Aston Villa WINS (22/22)
Worst predicted result: West Ham vs Man Utd DRAW (0/22)

Matchday 27

This week, 22 people played
Most popular predicted result: Aston Villa & Chelsea WINS (22/22)
Most disputed predicted result: West Ham vs Bournemouth (7-10-5 split)

Highest odds: Geoffrey Skolnick (4,834/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (851/1)
Average odds: 2,447/1

Best predictors: 4 of you (6/10)
Worst predictors: 3 of us (Oli Elton, me, Zoe Daniels) (3/10)
Average score: 4.59/10

Best predicted result: Man City WIN (21/22)
Worst predicted result: Aston Villa vs Leeds & Chelsea vs Burnley DRAWS and Brighton WIN (0/22)

Matchday 28

This week, 20 people played
Most popular predicted result: Man City & Aston Villa WINS (20/20)
Most disputed predicted result: Bournemouth vs Sunderland (15-3-2 split)

Highest odds: AFM (1,824/1)
Lowest odds: Feneley (440/1)
Average odds: 850/1

Best predictor: Geoffrey Skolnick (8/10)
Worst predictor: AFM (4/10)
Average score: 6.35/10

Best predicted result: Man City WIN (20/20)
Worst predicted result: Wolves & Everton WINS (0/20)

Matchday 29

This week, 19 people played
Most popular predicted result: Man City WIN (19/19)
Most disputed predicted result: Newcastle vs Man Utd (6-4-9 split)

Highest odds: Steven Daniels (5,286/1)
Lowest odds: Geoffrey Skolnick (3,855/1)
Average odds: 4,672/1

Best predictor: Hannah Daniels (5/10)
Worst predictor: AFM & WhoScored.com (1/10)
Average score: 2.95/10

Best predicted result: Everton WIN (18/19)
Worst predicted results: Sunderland, Wolves, West Ham WINS & Man City vs Nott(s) Forest DRAW (0/19)

Everyone's score:

Leaderboard (>2/3; 20/29)

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No predos this week - FA Cup break. Cya next week.