FFL Blog

Week 27, like most train services are running a little late, but unlike recent train services it has not been completely cancelled. Perhaps cut down a little. In fact severly chopped down.

MIDWEEK
There were midweek matches - I can hardly remember them but they consisted of FA Cup replays. Of course Middlesbrough were involved and yes they drew again and won on penalties (in sudden death) against West Brom. Name on the cup? Man Utd also won very narrowly and were fortunate to scrape through against Reading despite a whirlwind start that saw them 3-0 up in 6 minutes. Arsenal were less whirlwind and less fortunate losing 1-0 at Blackburn while being denied another ’stonewall’ penalty.

SO CLOSE BUT STILL GOING DOWN
Those ‘appy ‘ammers were so ‘appy leading 3-2 with 7 minutes left against Spurs having come back from 2-0 down. It was the start of a magnificent fairytale comeback that would see them win all their remaining matches, escape relegation and prosper next season. All the bubbles they were blowing burst as Spurs equalised and then nabbed the winner -ouch! The fact that it was an absolute classic will dull the pain not a jot.

Watford & Charlton did themselves no favours at all with a 2-2 draw and both seem consigned to be seeing the Hammers again soon.

YOU LUCKY DEVILS
Typical Man Utd, a game that was once again less than inspiring but one where Liverpool were the better side. Corner, ball bounces about, O’Shea sticks it away. Six points clear thank you very much. Liverpool need to get rid of the United hoodoo methinks.

Chelsea comparatively strolled it against Portsmouth with a straightforward 2-0 win. Drogba & Kalou on the mark.

THE BEST LEAGUE IN THE WORLD
Not on the evidence of a 0-0 draw in the North East. Nor in the 1-1 draw between Sheffield United & Everton - another Andy Johnson fall in the box (it was a foul this time!). Nor even in the 1-1 draw between Fulham & Aston Villa.

AND THE REST
Rare for Arsenal to make up the pack but with their season over a 2-1 win over Reading is about all they have to savour. Hey at least they didnt lose the first goal at home. Wigan continue their monotonous plod toward safety while pulling Man City into the mire. Bolton, who are in terrible form, lost again at home, this time to Blackburn - 2 pens from benni McCarthy and most incredibly no moans from Mr Allardyce!

THE TABLE
Is it me or is the top ten too comfortable?? Bad Boy Family (a team who puts only pens in the manager of the month cup!) sneak into 10th and only other significant mover is Confused11 who moved up to 6th. Other top teams this week include Greta’s Giants, Golden’s Wonderers, Who Pressed the Big Red Button, Ross County and Jumpers for Goalposts.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Finally February’s winner can be revealed and completing an unprecedented household 1-2 is Wayne Loves Coleens Nan, just ahead of Vicar in a Tutu. Congratulations to Steven Creanor, Mhairi will be able to hold the cup when she makes you your tea…..I’ll get the prize out this week.

THE CUP AND PLATE - PLAY OFF ROUND

CUP
Bonkers Bevvy Boys 21-37 What’s In a Name?
Hot Potato Football Club 30-27 West End FC
AwnawnawTelferagain 37-13 Victory Vs
Jack Bauers Back 34-44 Under Seagull Sh*T

PLATE
Last Years Champs 30-27 Dude Where’s My Shoes?
Better Late Than Never 10-24 Dislexic Untied
Off Cider Rule 13-19 Jammy Dodgers
Toshack’s Terrors 8-14 Bayern Bru

Congratulations to the winners who have made it through to the last 64 - the 8 teams who depart can now concentrate on the league. Draw will be made next week with games to be played on the weekend of 31st March.

Oh aye, gies yer cash - now around 40 of you who have not responded - we will consider throwing teams who have not paid out of the cup - time to get tough! Another mail on the way!

Some skewing of the points this week as those with a dependency on Arsenal & Chelsea players are left wanting due to their Carling Cup travails.  Still ten matches as some midweek catch up matches, neither of which was particularly inspiring.

MIDWEEK
Watford spoiled their chances of getting closer to Wigan with a 1-1 draw.  Spoiled in that Wigan were down to 10 for much of the match.  Watford’s Neil Warnock style gamble of having no keeper on the bench didnt pay off as Foster played for much of the game with an injuy and eventually conceded a goal to plodder Caleb Folan.  Spurs picked up an important win at Everton with Berbatov continuing his good form.

WEEKEND
Carling Cup aside where the only impact on FFL will be the suspensions to Toure, Adebayor and Eboue, it was business as usual for all bar Villa and Man City. 

SURPRISE PACKETS FLOAT AWAY
Potsmouth continue to slide. losing 3-0 to a Nonda inspired Blackburn side.  Inspired maybe a little heavy given Shabani (or Chris as he is known) also missed a penalty.  Bolton often have a four or five game blip, and they are midst one now losing 4-1 at Tottenham.  Robbie Keane scored another 2 and was then sent off for a not very deliberate handball.

NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED
Eight bookings at the JJB as Wigan tough out a narrow win over the Mags, Ryan Taylor with the winner in an unremarkable match.

DOOMED I TELLS YOU DOOMED
Watford could hardly muster a shot on target as they surrendered 3-0 at home to Everton.  Andy Johnson ‘won’ and converted a penalty to add to Fernandes and Osman’s goals.  If you dislike West Ham then you’ll be enjoying their demise, relegation getting closer and closer after fellow strugglers Charlton gave them a good old fashioned whooping.  Proving that it aint the manager who was at fault its the players.

THE LUCK THAT WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS OR GRINDING OUT RESULTS
Fulham put in a terrific display at the Cottage, even taking the lead and certainly being good enough for a point before they allowed Ronaldo to fairy-foot it from the halfway line to score the winner in injury time.  Keeps Fulham in the mix although they are probably safe.

NEVER IN DOUBT
Liverpool, with the help of an Andy Johnson like performance from Steven Gerrard, skelped Sheff Utd 4-0, with Robbie Fowler coverting his 2 penalties and Boro exacted revenge on Reading for their opening day defeat, 2-1 the final result.

THE TABLE
The top ten shifts about although not materially, and nobody wants to continually hear about the top ten.  Limelight on the top points scorers Window Cleaners Union on 43 followed by  Tractor Toms Tips, Bimbibbly Bongo, New Comer, LEE United and Tap Park Casuals.

THE MANAGER OF THE MONTH
Still Wayne Loves Coleen’s Nan leading with only the FA Cup replays to take into account - results next week.

THE CUP AND PLATE - PLAY OFF ROUND DRAW
16 of you will be unhappy as you are forced to play off for the right to enter the first round proper.  Drawn completely at random, the matches, PLAYED THIS WEEKEND, are as follows:

CUP
The Bonkers Bevvy Boys v Whats in a Name?
Hot Potato Football Club v West End FC
AwnawnawTelferagain v Victory Vs
Jack Bauers Back (but not if you are with Virgin media!) v Under Seagull Sh*t

PLATE
Last Years Champs v Dude Where’s My Shoes
Better Late Than Never v Dislexic United
The Off Cider Rule v Jammy Dodgers
Toshack’s Terrors v Bayern Bru

8 will exit before the first round proper - sorry!

PS 58 managers facing boot from Cup unless they pay up……….