FFL Blog

With Week 24 disrupted by our server switch shall move swiftly onto this week’s action that was dominated entirely by FA Cup fixtures.  Before I do, as I risk cruising for a bruising, let me note for the record that the top scorer last week with 44 points was Billy & Danny Oceans Eleven.

STILL TO PAY - 59 managers.  thanks to those who continue to send in the cash, and another request to those who haven’t yet.  A directed email will be sent this week - appreciate that many of you may have forgotten or be unaware

FA CUP REPLAYS
Middlesbrough are the perfect team for you if you loev replays against lesser sides.  Not only did they draw with Bristol City, they did it twice, leading to eventual penalty kicks. Yakubu added a miss in the shoot out to an earlier penalty miss and goal and Schwarzer picked up extra points for 2 penalty saves. All converted spot kicks are rewarded with +5 and those missed face a -5.  Just so you know!

Arsenal overcame Bolton 3-1 in a match full of controversy -  a red card for Ben Haim, 2 missed penalties (Gilberto & Baptista) and even a Ljungberg goal.

FIVE OF THE QUARTER FINALS KNOWN
Thats Man City winning at Preston, with a decent comeback to win 3-1. Spurs, who wiped the floor with Fulham - Berbatov with a late double to add to Keane’s earlier spectacular double - incidentally Zat Knight(mare) still hasn’t realised what happened.  Plymouth put out Derby (not relevant for FFL purposes) and Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Norwich was more than a little flattering. For those who have been lazy enough to keep Shevchenko - he got a decent amount of points. Watford showed they are perhaps a Cup team (certainly not a league team) by beating Ipswich late on.

AND THE REST ARE YET TO BE DECIDED
A dour affair between Arsenal and Blackburn, a spirited fightback from Reading at Old Trafford
and surprise surprise the replay kings Middlesbrough who entertained yet drew against West Brom.

THE TABLE
Not many points going about, but filling their boots with 46 were Rough Draft Testimonial XI.  Nearest to them were Help Ma Boab (38) and others doing well in a week where 30 represented an achievement were Through the Wind and Rain, Jumpers for Goalposts, The ThrillSeekers and Faithmonsoon Allstars.

THE MANAGER OF THE MONTH (SO FAR)
February is an easier month to win that the last few but the prize is the same.  The Creanor household may see a bit of a clash over the next week as Wayne Loves Coleen’s Nan and Vicar in a Tutu lead the standings. Tonights prem games, full card this weekend and the FA Cup replays will decide it.

THE CUP AND PLATE
Play off round is next weekend (3/4 March) - draw coming soon

Don’t tell us about the league we want to know about the Cup results - patience my friends all in good time, or you could just sneak a look by going to the FFL Cup tab.  Maybe you’ve looked already because this column is running late.

MIDWEEK
As many as 8 games midweek, none of which count toward the FFL Cup, but all of which count toward the league.  Comfortable home wins for th top 2, Man U and Chelsea against a woeful Watford and a bland Blackburn.  No excitement whatsoever at Fratton Park as Middlesbrough but the bore into Boro with a 0-0 draw.  All square also at the Reebok as Charlton look ever so guilty getting away with a point.  Goals you want? Well Reading beat Wigan by the odd goal in 5 and Newcastle turned over Villa 3-1.  Sheffield United keep picking up crucial wins to stay out of the relegation mix, 2-0 v Fulham and Liverpool cruised to a 2-1 win at West Ham. I say crusied because it was tantamount to a procession before West Ham belatedly pulled out their fingers.

THE WEEKEND - NOW YOU’RE TALKING!
The nil nil draw was on Merseyside with Everton parking the team bus, all the players Bentleys, their WAGs unnecessarily large 4×4s and even the wee noddy cars that you never see about any more, in front of the goal to prevent Liverpool from scoring.  It worked and as a bonus as all their vehicles were in sight there was a massive drop in Merseyside crime stats for a couple of hours.  Or am I getting mixed up with joyriding capital Newcastle?  They went to London and lost predictably to Fulham, while just north of London at the gap, other northern visitors Bolton bagged three points at Watford - a game which MoTD left to last as usua.

STILL GOING STRONG
Reading with a great win at Man City, Leroy Lita with a quickfire double to put them in the top 6.  Blackburn got away from their minor blip beating Sheffield Utd 2-1, Pedersen the man on fire.

COMING BACK
Villa’s new strikeforce of Young and Carew combine to take care of West Ham, with Sorensen pulling off a few late saves to deny West Ham who wake up only after 80 minutes it seems.  Wigan gritted their teeth to overcome Portsmouth (sliding as Villa did before them).

YESTERDAYS MEN
After last years close encounter with qualification for the Champions League it must be Tottenham who generally rolled over and submitted to a rampant Man Utd side.  4-0 to the Red Devils, even affording to put John “Rick” O’Shea in goals to cover the injured Van der Sar.

ONLY UP YOUR GAME WHEN THE BIG BOYS COME TO TOWN
Yes its the Smoggies of Middlesbrough, having taken care of Chelsea and Man U in recent times and Arsenal last season, it was no surprise when they took the lead through a Yakubu penalty.  It was also no surprise to see Henry pop up with an equaliser.

THE TABLE
A takeover at the top by St Mirren supporting Jane’s Buddies, and a buffer built up as well.  Jack Bauer consolidates in 3rd and into the top ten returns Ken Dodd’s Dad’s Dog’s Dead and for the first time Last Years Champs.  It was a big old week scoring wise and those doing particularly well included The Bonkers Bevvy Boys on 119, Don Juan Donohoe, Vicar in a Tutu, Return of the Saints, One Pound Flyaways, Unga’s Revenge and Billy & Danny’s Ocean Eleven

THE MANAGER OF THE MONTH
What has seemed a long month (and not just waiting for payday), but the winners are Don Juan Donohoe who have maneouvred as high as 4th now and into serious contention.  Last year Chris managed to pick up a joint MoM but this is his first outright win - congratulations, prize on way.  Those who were close include Jane’s Buddies, Real Larkhall, Bayern Bru, How Can I Support Bellamy, Tullibody Utd and Samurau Warriors.

THE CUP - LEAVING THE BEST TO LAST
First off there are 4 games undecided which will be replayed this weekend:
FFS Telfer v No Wuckin Furries
One POund Flyways v The Sperminators
Canadians Can’t Play Soccer v Bainnie Boys Battlers II
Wizards v East Coast Eleven

CLEAR WINNERS
Wayne Loves Coleen’s Nan who took care of Superstar Eleven.  Awnawnawtelferagain against Auchenshuggle Revolution, The Donkey Liberation Front, The Bjays, Dishonest Men, The Bonkers Bevvy Boys, Vicar in a Tutu, Milk was a Bad Choice, Clueless, Disco Pants XI Opposition XII, Golden Wonderers and a few more

JUST AND NO MORE
Greta’s Giants beat Bimbibbly Bongo, 88 who overcame Booth Youth Team, Return of the Saints against Leyton Orient Express, The Liquidators against Confused 11, Xanders XI who beat Dizzy Deezers and Jim’s Jungle Cats who took care of high flyers Brahms & Lizst.

WHATS NEXT CUP-WISE?
The replays (this weekend )then the prelim round for each comp that will include only 8 teams in each comp.  There will be no replys going forward - tied matches to be decided by Strikers points, followed by midfielders points and then defenders points.  Hopefully won’t be required!