Sorry its a poor effort Stallions, the Fantasy wrapup never finished, and now I'm scrambling to get ready for a European-league away game. This of course is the trouble when trying do something that covers every player in our extensive squad. So, hows about this, I will provide the raw data, and if anyone cares, they can suggest a fantasy alike and just generally take the piss.
The If Onlys:
Players who didn't end up playing as many games as they would have liked this season. Perhaps if they did we might have won the league - both have remarkably high points per game.
Tristin:
Place: 7
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 43
Points Per Game: 5.73
Fantasy Alike:??
Logan:
Place: 11
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 35
Points Per Game: 5.8
Fantasy Alike:??
And that just leaves the poor defence. Least goals conceded in the entire league but still all the bottom of the Fantasy pile. So they too can be considered 'if onlys' - as in if only the fantasy system wasn't so biased against defenders, or if only they were still good enough to get points like Corey!
Tangihaere
Place: 10th
Goals: 1
Assists: -
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 39
Points Per Game: 2.78
Fantasy Alike:??
Paul:
Place: 13th
Goals:-
Assists:- (hey, Joe Hart got one last week)
Bonus Points: 3
Total Points: 33
Points Per Game: 2.53
Fantasy Alike:??
Jason:
Place: 14th
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 1
Total Points: 23
Points Per Game: 1.76
Fantasy Alike:??
Joe:
Place: 15th
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 22
Points Per Game: 1.74
Fantasy Alike:??
Mike:
Place: 17th (yep, that would be last)
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 16
Points Per Game:1.77
Fantasy Alike:??
Think thats all ...
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Fantasy Wrapup 4: the differentials
At the end of every fantasy season, the crap selectors (ie Rauru, Corey, Jason, Nick G, Logan) need to make up quick points on the league leaders and hunt for differentials - that player who has stayed under the radar but have a chance, just a small chance, to pull a big score and upset the table. This hardly ever works, and is a desperate move. But once in a while it works. But it needs a very special type of player:
Spencer
Place: 12th
Goals: 2
Assists: -
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 35
Points Per Game: 2.91
Fantasy Alike: Ji Sung Park (blame Jason)
Cometh the moment cometh the man, and indeed Jason, Ji Sung Park is exactly the type of player you look to when looking for that differential - but there is no way he could match Spencer's impact on that final game of the season - enough has been said about that match winning, volley scoring, chump taunting performance ('Let me mark that guy, I was all over him last time.') If you are only as good as your last performance, Spencer was Stallion of the year. He came a long way from here - the saddest footballing photograph ever. A lot to live up next season.
Oh yeah, the photo above reminded me of the last time Spencer played against Lower Hutt when he couldn't stay on his feet at all.
Nick
Place: 16th
Goals: -
Assists: -
Bonus Points: -
Total Points: 22
Points Per Game: 2
Fantasy Alike: Darren Fletcher
Now here was a differential maker. If I was betting on someone turning around a remarkably undeserved minor fantasy season with a big haul in the final game it would have been Nick. Head to head with Spencer going into the final game, Nick did it his way by not showing up. Where those who bet on Spence scored big, those who backed Nick were left to plan for next season.
Another player often stuck doing the hard work which goes unrewarded in fantasy terms, Nick had a characteristically busy season charging up and down the sidelines, chasing and tackling like a demon. Now thats not to say he didn't have chances - a couple of glaring misses this season - including the last shot in the game vs Nth Wgtn to give us a win! Besides, when the rest of us took days to recover after a match, Nick often took off to diving, where of course he practiced his goal celebrations. We will have to wait until next season to see this again:
Next: The If Onlys ...
Spencer
Place: 12th
Goals: 2
Assists: -
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 35
Points Per Game: 2.91
Fantasy Alike: Ji Sung Park (blame Jason)
Cometh the moment cometh the man, and indeed Jason, Ji Sung Park is exactly the type of player you look to when looking for that differential - but there is no way he could match Spencer's impact on that final game of the season - enough has been said about that match winning, volley scoring, chump taunting performance ('Let me mark that guy, I was all over him last time.') If you are only as good as your last performance, Spencer was Stallion of the year. He came a long way from here - the saddest footballing photograph ever. A lot to live up next season.
Oh yeah, the photo above reminded me of the last time Spencer played against Lower Hutt when he couldn't stay on his feet at all.
Nick
Place: 16th
Goals: -
Assists: -
Bonus Points: -
Total Points: 22
Points Per Game: 2
Fantasy Alike: Darren Fletcher
Now here was a differential maker. If I was betting on someone turning around a remarkably undeserved minor fantasy season with a big haul in the final game it would have been Nick. Head to head with Spencer going into the final game, Nick did it his way by not showing up. Where those who bet on Spence scored big, those who backed Nick were left to plan for next season.
Another player often stuck doing the hard work which goes unrewarded in fantasy terms, Nick had a characteristically busy season charging up and down the sidelines, chasing and tackling like a demon. Now thats not to say he didn't have chances - a couple of glaring misses this season - including the last shot in the game vs Nth Wgtn to give us a win! Besides, when the rest of us took days to recover after a match, Nick often took off to diving, where of course he practiced his goal celebrations. We will have to wait until next season to see this again:
Next: The If Onlys ...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Fantasy Wrapup 3: The Quiet Achievers
Oddly, some of the bigger mouths in the Stallions.
Aaron
Place: 6th
Goals: 1
Assists: 4
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 50
Points Per Game: 3.84
Fantasy Alike: Alexander Dimitri Song Billong: Both players simply get more fantasy points than their supposedly invisible defensive midfield position allows. In fairness both are probably a little more umm box to box than ideally they should be, but playing behind an attacking line supposedly full of talent but always light on goals does this to the sturdiest of men. 2nd most assists, a good haul of bonus points, not to mention an undisputed wundergoal for the ages - but the season may be most remembered for a pitiful dive in the box which should be -500 fantasy points. Is that a turtle I see?
Corey
Place: 8th
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 41
Points Per Game: 4.1
Fantasy alike: Leighton Baines
Both define the modern 'roaming left back role'. In fact Corey's roaming is what saved his fantasy season, as he managed to escape the controversial defender drought. In fact the efforts of last year's Stallion of the season highlight the issues of the system. He started in blistering form, scoring in the first game counted for Fantasy football (albeit the clear 'winner' in the worst goal of the season award), and with bonus points and a clean sheet racked up 14 points, showing how well the system works for defenders if clean sheets can be made. Sadly that was the last clean sheet of the season, and poor Corey didn't score anything too noteworthy again until the final game when he showed Paul a thing or two, saving a pen on the way to racking up 13 points in goal. If only our blind skipper would finally play him upfront, unlimited fantasy potential.
Graham
Place: 10th
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Bonus Points: 4
Total Points: 39
Points Per Game: 3.56
Fantasy alike: Gareth Bale
Talking about Managerial decision making, Harry Redknapp's decision to take Bale from left back to left mid brought bucketloads of fantasy points for smart managers (well, me really). Rauru saw similar potential in Gmann, who rose to the occasion and finished the season really strongly in an advanced role (probably much to the chagrin of Corey!). A turning point was a blat up front at Te Whaea which while it contained that miss, also set him for future opportunities. The 3 point bonus haul vs Elite was the standout, where G had probably earned those points from the back in the first half, then went up in and terrorised in the second. Look, they both wear stupid fluro boots too.
Next: The Differentials
Place: 6th
Goals: 1
Assists: 4
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 50
Points Per Game: 3.84
Fantasy Alike: Alexander Dimitri Song Billong: Both players simply get more fantasy points than their supposedly invisible defensive midfield position allows. In fairness both are probably a little more umm box to box than ideally they should be, but playing behind an attacking line supposedly full of talent but always light on goals does this to the sturdiest of men. 2nd most assists, a good haul of bonus points, not to mention an undisputed wundergoal for the ages - but the season may be most remembered for a pitiful dive in the box which should be -500 fantasy points. Is that a turtle I see?
Place: 8th
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 41
Points Per Game: 4.1
Fantasy alike: Leighton Baines
Both define the modern 'roaming left back role'. In fact Corey's roaming is what saved his fantasy season, as he managed to escape the controversial defender drought. In fact the efforts of last year's Stallion of the season highlight the issues of the system. He started in blistering form, scoring in the first game counted for Fantasy football (albeit the clear 'winner' in the worst goal of the season award), and with bonus points and a clean sheet racked up 14 points, showing how well the system works for defenders if clean sheets can be made. Sadly that was the last clean sheet of the season, and poor Corey didn't score anything too noteworthy again until the final game when he showed Paul a thing or two, saving a pen on the way to racking up 13 points in goal. If only our blind skipper would finally play him upfront, unlimited fantasy potential.
Place: 10th
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Bonus Points: 4
Total Points: 39
Points Per Game: 3.56
Fantasy alike: Gareth Bale
Talking about Managerial decision making, Harry Redknapp's decision to take Bale from left back to left mid brought bucketloads of fantasy points for smart managers (well, me really). Rauru saw similar potential in Gmann, who rose to the occasion and finished the season really strongly in an advanced role (probably much to the chagrin of Corey!). A turning point was a blat up front at Te Whaea which while it contained that miss, also set him for future opportunities. The 3 point bonus haul vs Elite was the standout, where G had probably earned those points from the back in the first half, then went up in and terrorised in the second. Look, they both wear stupid fluro boots too.
Next: The Differentials
Sunday, September 5, 2010
End of Year Fantasy 2: The Showponies
Place: 4th
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Bonus Points: 8
Total Points: 56
Points Per Game: 5.09
Fantasy Alike: Have said it earlier, but it must be Malouda: both came on strong with lots of goals early on, incredible season, huge smiles, love the game, team and fan favourite. And theres also a bit of the mysteriousness of the French team about the elusive Panda: no-showing the final game of the season - the points from which would have put him in the top 3 (perhaps there was some player-manager behind the scenes shenanigans kept out of the press), showing up late, sometimes with a case of beers. He even developed a trademark goal - curled in from the right hand side of the box, and of course that celebration - running behind the goal pointing at the ball in the back of the net. Great season - fully deserving of the Stallion of the season award - and no doubt IF he was at the prizegiving last night he would have won the boatrace of all the players of the season. I sure wouldn't bet against him, in anything really ...
Picked this Malouda photograph due to its similarity to this one. Which brings us to the next showpony
Place: 5th
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 52
Points Per Game: 4
Fantasy Alike: Theo Walcott (or Andre the Giant). The wildcard, enigmatic talent - pacy, capable of freakily good things, but a feast of famine type of Fantasy prospect. Robin's season fantasy consisted almost exclusively of 2 point showings punctuated by a few big hauls with goals and bonus point galore. A really good season - especially in the final part when we played with 3 up front, offering a wide role Robin made his own. The lack of defensive work brought by this position really helped Robin's fantasy points - the one game he was forced back to help out, he drew a penalty. So yep, stay up front. Like Walcott, Robin scored some great goals, but had some shocking misses and wayward passes - didn't a coach of Walcotts once say that he is great until he starts having too much time and has to think about it. Now I'm not saying you are a stupid player Robin, but these Fantasy-alikes don't lie ...
Next: The Quiet(ish) Achievers
Friday, September 3, 2010
End of Year stuff
Don't want to hog the limelight from the fantasy post below, but I thought I'd better get this up here so Panda can see what's going on.
Tomorrow night (Sat 4th) is the club end of year function. That's where the Stallion and Pony of the season is going to be awarded so be good for everyone to make an appearance.
Next Saturday (11th) it looks like we have good numbers able to make the Nix game, so the plan for that is to meet at Arizona for a meal and bit of spin the wheel, before heading off to the game. Meet at Arizona no later than 5:30 then off the game at just before 7. Both Arizona and the Nix are in the Entertainment book with 2-4-1 offers so if you have that bring it along.
See you tomorrow.
Tomorrow night (Sat 4th) is the club end of year function. That's where the Stallion and Pony of the season is going to be awarded so be good for everyone to make an appearance.
Next Saturday (11th) it looks like we have good numbers able to make the Nix game, so the plan for that is to meet at Arizona for a meal and bit of spin the wheel, before heading off to the game. Meet at Arizona no later than 5:30 then off the game at just before 7. Both Arizona and the Nix are in the Entertainment book with 2-4-1 offers so if you have that bring it along.
See you tomorrow.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
End of season Fantasy points: The Top Scorers
Place: 1
Goals: 1
Assists: 11
Bonus Points: 16
Total Points: 82
Points per game: 6.8
EPL Fantasy alike: Damn shame that I can't think of a fantasy alike for the star player. Instantly you think of the playmakers - like Fabregas, Arteta, Milner etc Paddy has hogged the set pieces all season, hit an amazing number of assists and picked up twice as many bonus points as any other player. Unlike those EPL playmakers, however, Paddy has continued a remarkable inability to score any goals - and that would be the worst assist to goal record in the world. So thinking more laterally, we might have to go beyond the epl, to everyone's 2nd best, broken down, way too old playmaker - Simon Elliott.
Place:2
Goals:7 (yes, I know - 'But I scored 2 goals in the games before we started this fantasy crap')
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 3
Total Points: 62
Points per game: 4.42
EPL fantasy alike: Bobby Zamora: 'When you're sat in row Z, and the ball hits your head, that's Zamora.' Big strikers, big reputations, and both rock the white long sleeved undershirt. Both play damn well, but never quite the amount of goals the fans are hoping for. Zamora once scored 5 goals in a match for West Ham I think, and little else that season. Sound familiar? Rauru scored the biggest single haul for the Stallions with 21 points vs Lower Hutt (more than some of the defence got all season), remove that from the tally and what happens? Good season though, golden boot (though being the player he is, Rauru may be a little embarrassed at winning this with a grand total of 9 goals). Its a shame that just one more would have made double figures, and there was one moment this season I think when the ball was so close to going over the line (ha ha!).
Quote of the season: On being accused of leaving muddy Nairnville suspiciously clean - 'I can't help it if I have the balance of a gymnast (or was it ballerina?)
Place:3
Goals:4 (1 other in fantasy 'preseason')
Assists:1 (now that can't be right)
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 57
Points per game: 4.38
EPL fantasy alike: Undoubtedly its Lloydy Lampard, similar number of points for the bosses of the central midfield. Suffered a little this season from Paddy's epic points haul, and like when Drogba goes to take pens and Lampard pushes him away, Lloyd must cast a dirty look at Paddy following the ref and preparing for freekicks in a footballing version of a hack lawyer chasing ambulances. For every show pony, there needs to be someone to do the graft right.
Moment of the season: the glorious chip over the keeper vs Elite, a thing of beauty - just a shame it hit the post.
Next: The (other) showponies
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