S13M7: A Quickie

Well what to say?

I'm going to start backwards. Newcastle. 8-0. Away. That was unexpected. As was the away win for Villa at Stamford Bridge - I just can't quite compute how bad Chelsea have been. 35 points from their last 38 games apparently - relegation form.

Brighton and Liverpool picking up max points was less of a surprise...as was the draw in the NLD, as frustrating as it felt from the red side. Certainly the Spurs fans I know are much happier with the result. 

Man Utd arrested their slump with a win at a Burnley side determined to prove us all wrong - matched only in their hopelessness by Luton (who got their first point, proving me wrong last week). Palace & Fulham played out a bore-draw (xG 0.3 vs 0.59) and Man City had a tougher, comfortable win than expected against Notts Forest. Finally - Everton finally won. They'll stay up by default. Awful stuff

S13M6: The Rest is VAR

Someone needs to do some stats.

I don't mean my Key Stage 1 nonsense. I mean proper stats. Like people with beards and star wars and stuff. Because I am *convinced* that there are more late goals than usual, even though *technically* there's the same sort of time to score. I mean, there isn't - the concept of time wasting and time keeping and ball in play is, er, fluid - but there seem to be a lot more goals score after 90+5, than say between 90 & 90+5. Which doesn't make sense. The ball in play number has increased marginally this season - about 3 minutes a game (or a ~6% rise) - I don't believe that super fit, highly drilled athletes suddenly hit a wall before those last few minutes - especially in the 5 sub era.

So, stats boffins. Why?

This week, there were late goals at Wolves (icing), Villa (turnaround) & Spurs (turnaround). Meanwhilst, Luton continued their  quest to finish the season with 0 points, Man Utd doing similar work being dismantled at home to Brighton and Newcastle held off a sprited Brentford. Man City sort of comfortably beat West Ham but made it look harder than it needed to be. Arsenal ended their Goodison hoodoo and Chelsea did their best to ruin my day. I don't know why I'm surprised. That is their raison d'etre.

Then finally, Burnley had a late goal disallowed meaning Forest shared the points. I heard Alistair Campbell moaning about this, but frankly forgot the game was on, so haven't seen it and am bored stiff of VAR controversy and we're in week 5. So, I'll assume he's correct and it was a travesty. Shame for Vinny.

S13M5: Back at the Grind

As everyone knows, my favourite blog to write is the post International Break one. 

Last time out, 3 hat tricks, shock at the Bridge and absolute limbs in North London. There was VAR chat (again). There's talk already of managerial turnover. 

And nah, let's all forget about it to watch some qualifiers for a tournament where all of Europe are invited regardless. Pointless. 

Anyway, I'm just more annoyed by having Evan Ferguson in my Fantasy squad but on my bench. Proper grouchy on that one. 

Anyway, we're back now. For a few weeks until the next unrequited interruption.