EPL predictions

Right, time for my predictions.  Looking back at mine and Nick Goodall's picks last year, it's saffe to say that mine were a lot more accurate (it's as if Goodall gave the kiss of death to players and teams).  These were the picks that I had before the season kicked off.  There's a few notes in brackets after a couple of rounds of the new season.

1st - Chelsea will be the team to beat again this year. They haven't made any new signings of note but they were so far ahead of everyone last year that it's hard to see another team catch them. As I said last year, if Costa can score 20 + goals they will win comfortably. If not they should still have the goods to get the job done.  (Update - Wow, what a change from last season.  Last season they were unbeaten until December (11 wins, 3 draws before their first loss) and were being talked up as a possibility of going unbeaten in the season.  This year they look tired already.  You'd have to assume they'll come right but it's made for an interesting start and I'm not nearly as certain about them coming first anymore).

2nd - Arsenal seem to have a good team this year and with the addition of Cech their defensive line should be strong. I still think they are missing a decent striker and should break the bank for Benzema, but other than that I think they will be tough to beat. They could push Chelsea but will fall away at the end as they usually do. Next season could well be their season.  (Update - A bad loss in their first game and an unconvincing win in their second - same old Arsenal?)

After this it gets a little bit interesting.

3rd - I'm going to say Man City will get third although they could end up as low as fifth. They very much rely on Aguero and if he gets injured for any significant amount of time I think they will struggle to make the top 4.  Last year they were pretty average and I think things will only get worse for them this year. They need a refresh in their team and while I think Sterling will be good with Aguero up front, I don't think he and Delph are enough.  They seem to need to rebuild but haven't done enough in the transfer window yet IMO.  (Update - Geez, I couldn't have been more wrong!  Tired players last season look in great touch this season and they're the only 'big' team to have started convincingly.  Big challenger for 1st).

4th - Rounding off the top 4, my heart says Liverpool but if I were to put the house on it I'd have to say Man U. For the sake of this blog though I'm going to go to Liverpool. This summer's signings have been more than decent and with last season's signings having a season under their belt I think this has the potential to be a good season for Liverpool. As with every team however, it depends on how well the attack goes. They should create chances with the players they have, it just depends if Sturridge can get fit again and Benteke can finish the chances that he should be provided with. The defence seems much better this year so I'm expecting good things.  (Update - Yep, I'm saying they'll get 4th.  Two unconvincing 1-0 wins but with awesome potential.  I don't think we're going to see the swash-buckling style of 13-14 where we'll concede 3 but score 5 *sob sob* but with a more solid D and a more than decent attack I think LFC will do the business)

5th - Since Fergie has left Man U have just been so underwhelming. In Fergie's last season he somehow managed to win the league easily with a super ordinary side, and now that he's not there that super ordinary side is playing super ordinary. Man U supporters are trying to talk up their signings but I don't believe that LVG has what it takes to succeed in this league. Their defence is still dodgy and if DDG leaves they are in for a world of trouble.  They are also seriously lacking a backup for Rooney and if he gets injured they will miss the top 5 for sure. We will also have to wait and see how well signings like Depay and Schweinstiger settle. If Depay doesn't settle into the league they could be in serious trouble as he is meant to be providing a lot of goals and assists.  A big ask for a young guy in a new, demanding league.  (Yep, 5th.  They look as average as I thought and are in serious need of decent attackers with Rooney in poor early form.  I think Depay will come good and will be their Sanchez (a good player carrying an average attack), they've got good players in CM and their D isn't as bad as I thought, but with no Pedro signing and it looking unlikely DDG will play even if he stays I don't think they'll have enough to compete in Europe and domestically.  Need more signings, but who is there?)

After that, well, who cares really.  Spurs will be there or there abouts, Southampton too, but they'll never really challenge the top 4.

So that's me.  What say you?

Fantasy EPL

Aaron, the reigning king of FPL is struggling.

In fact, he's struggling so bad that Tim, who missed the first week and picked his team for the second week in 2 minutes is ahead of him. In contrast, Aaron spent (and spends) literally hour upon hour researching players he should be selecting and fine tuning his team. Needless to say he's not happy.

But then when u have a team like this why would you be happy?

Graham and Paul be like...

 We've already had some handshake fails this season (resulting in a Pony even - read the description of how it was earned - love it!).  The one this weekend was awesome though.

It's half time and everyone is feeling pretty cock-a-hoop going in 2-1 up with a changed team (except Carrick probably).  The pre arranged swap up front of the donut-loving-sour-cream-beer-drinking defenders takes place as Paul and Graham get the nod to get on the score sheet.  Graham, all excited to get a trot up front, looks at Paul and offers up a gesture that would solidify their bond for the next 45 minutes and no doubt have them both on the score sheet.  Paul...well...the video above kinda explains what happens next (Graham is the ref in the video in case you need it spelled out).

Was this a sign of things to come for the next 45 minutes?  You be the judge.




Rio does a good Graham impersonation here too.

Reverse the team - hey, that sounds like fun! 6-2 loss

All made up for by Chris getting off the sour scream/beer combo with a screamer. The whole team was very excited , except for Tangihaere, Paul, Graham, and Tim ...

Not much to talk about -  they did the double over us, but an * needed for both games - the first one no one knew just how wasted Gus was, and yesterday, well ...

Goals:
Carrick (Dan assist)
Chris (any assist?)

Stallion:
There can be only one - Chris.

Pony:
A few options:
Aaron - 'charming the pants of the referee' - okay, so I forget my shorts and the ref kindly lent me his. Nothing to see here. Had a good game that ref. Nice shorts too. A deserved pony, but since I'm missing the next game it needs to go elsewhere:

Paul - the bring down and control (kind of) which led to their first goal.
Nick - the perfect infield cross (to their striker on the edge of the box who obliged)
Now another * - I don't know if I can endorse this one - blame Graham: Carrick for 'not pulling finger'. Booo.

Okay, final game against wainui (who beat Brooklyn - they may have messing around like us?), finish on a high Stallions.

A bit of respect for the Stallions from the KCU match report - key areas highlighted

After our enforced week off due to the weather, we resumed our season which has now turned into a relegation battle facing Vic uni stallions that are 2nd in the league and have near enough secured promotion.
Again for Elmo it was a struggle to find a fully fit team to face these guys, the fact that the 1sts were away playing at the same time made us even more stretched and Sargie having had a few weeks off with a bad back decided on lifting a bag of cement into his car on Saturday morning thus hurting it again and leaving him 60% fit at best (Bend the knees while lifting sargie its basic manual handling haha). It has been an on-going thing with us this year and one that has made it not an enjoyable campaign.
In our last fixture against the stallions (we lost 3-2) they were much the better team for most of the game and are a well drilled outfit  proof of that is in them getting promotion. We decided with going with a 4-5-1 formation to counter their midfield and protect ourselves a bit and we all agreed that we needed to fight hard in every aspect of the game if we wanted to get the 3 points.

The conditions were bloody freezing wind and rain and we were not impressed by the fact that KCDC hadn’t fixed the showers so we had a nice cold shower to look forward to after the game..

1st Half

We kicked off and our intensity from the 1st whistle was a lot better than in recent weeks we wanted the ball all the time and our communication was better than usual, we were stretching the opposition with good wing play by Mitch and Evans. The stallions came into the game though with a shot that was saved well by Robin then dropped by Robin, then caught by Robin, then dropped, then finally made secure by Robin. Jesus H Christ Robin you are going to give us all a heart attack with that kind of carry on so stop it mate!!!

Robin then followed that up with one of the best saves I’ve seen at Weka following a ball inform the left wing the stallions striker smashed it from 8 yards and for all money it was going into the top corner but Robin dives and sticks out a strong right hand to tip it over for a corner, bloody outstanding mate.
At the other end we were making inroads just our final decision making letting us down but we seemed in control and on the 20 min mark Jarrod spotted me losing my marker (Editors note: Aaron throws his hands up in the air - 'who me?' and put in a great 30 yard diagonal ball which I took down 20 yards out shifted it onto my left boot and drilled it into the bottom corner. 1-0 KCU. We were on the front foot now and started attacking using Mitch down the left with his pace and Evans/Mark down the right with their lack of pace (sorry lads) but they were working well together as an attacking and defensive unit. Our back four were stopping everything coming at them very calmly and looked in total control. We had a few more chances and a few balls in that no one could get on the end of but we finished the half strong to go in at the break 1-0 up

Half Time Score KCU 1-0 Vic Uni Stallions

At half time we knew that we still had a lot of work to do but if we got a goal early then it would put us in a good position to take the 3 points. At this point I was joined by my eldest boy Thomas for the team talk and all I can say is that if he starts using the language that was used during it I will not be best pleased!!!!! He found the words used hilarious as only a 4 year old can J

Also the guys up on the deck still thought it was 0-0 and didn’t realise we had scored, Coppo and Ox I think you need to go to Specsavers!!!!

2nd Half

The stallions kicked off but we continued our pressing game and making them make mistakes and about 2 mins into the half Mark went down the right and whipped in a great ball, there was some confusion between the Keeper and the centre back which resulted in the centre back heading the ball past the keeper and into the empty net. (Editors note: 'Some confusion - thats generous!) 2-0 KCU
Mark actually tried to claim the goal saying it was a shot on target but sorry mate I can’t give it to you!!! (Editors note: Milky, don't even think about it)
They kicked off and upped their game and started playing some good stuff down and passing the ball around really well and with the lack of training for us we started getting a little ragged  (Editors note: ha!) but our defence was playing magnificently and staying calm and reading every situation very well. At the other end we were now playing counter attack football and doing ok without actually having real clear cut chances on goal, Blocker had one that I flicked onto him but just couldn’t get a shot away and I had a poor effort saved by the keeper after the ball came back to me from a clearance but I could sense that we were not to be denied today.
With 15 mins to go Connor came on for Evans who had run his arse off all day for us down the right and done a great job, fair play to Connor for playing for us again this week as he’s still coming back from a knee injury and at that tentative stage about tackling which is fair enough but he’s got the minerals (cockney reference see the movie snatch) to give his all for this team and that means a lot to all of us.
We had a few scares towards the end with the stallions hitting some long balls into the box but Robin was having a stormer and never looked like getting beaten and he never did, the ref blew his whistle and the game finished 2-0 KCU

Final Score – KCU 2-0 Vic Uni Stallions

Scorers – Paul McKillop & OG (Mark Rutherford assist)

A great battling performance from us to secure a win against a very good side, we all gave everything and it showed. I got home Saturday night thinking we were safe from relegation (we sit in 4th spot) but the results didn’t go all our way so we still need 1 point from our last two games so there’s still a job to be done.

The ol switch a roo

Highlights from the Stallions vs Karori game this weekend.

Paddy and (probably) Heath are the only two out so far this weekend meaning we have a full 14.  I'll have to have a look at who's subbed but there are a few people who have only subbed twice.  Who were the subs on the weekend - Tangihaere, Paddy, Heath, Nick, Aaron & Carrick?

Lloyd will be a first half sub but there'll need to be a few others as well.

To the line up!

GK - Tim (and on penalty duties since he's not going to get another chance up front this year to get off the bagel)

D - Lloyd, Milky, Dan, Nick

M - Rauru, Carrick, Gerald (since you've played in D a lot), Gus, Aaron

A - Paul, Tangihaere, Chris, Graham

The strikers can have half a game each up front and the other half wherever there is space.  Anyone who still hasn't scored can play up front the following week as well.  Thinking back to past goals scored, I remember Paul scoring a great goal last year when he smashed it across the face of goal into the corner (or was that 5-a-side?).  I definitely remember a few seasons ago him scoring against a 9-man Lower Hutt team in the first game of the season.  Graham scored a stunner from a corner against a North Wellington team last year (or was it the year before?), and Chris scored a cracker of a half volley last year against Marist.  

Which leaves Tangihaere.  Talk us through your last goal Tangihaere.  It was in the same game against the 9 of Lower Hutt a couple of seasons ago if memory serves me right.  A thigh at the back post from a corner?  Or actually, did you score the winner against a team a couple of years ago at Nairnville?  I remember lying face down on the ground trying to milk a free kick (as you do) and next thing you know you've gone and scored.  At the right end even!

Rauru's preparing his end of season speech on facebook

'Watch out 3rds, we're looking to make you the 4ths next season!'

Stallions: 0, KCU: 2, Hodges: Laughing hysterically

So what's the worst possible preparation for a game?

10 mins before kick off: 'Hey, we have won promotion, nothing is riding on this game.'

Or something like that. Screw this, nothing to report here.

Sorry Heath, this needs to be recorded for posterity

'I learnt a lesson in the weekend.  If someone offers you the chance to fill-in for them, make sure they aren’t playing Olympic.

I’m out with a broken snozz.'

From: The Dangers of Untreated Fantasy Football Addiction

A clinical psychologist warns that extreme football fanaticism may actually be an addiction that can damage life’s most significant relationships. Even in parts of the country where football madness is normal, the psychologist states that Fantasy Football fans need to become more alert to the danger Fantasy Football turning into obsession. Over-indulging in sports viewing can negatively impact a person’s quality of life. The psychologist says it is not only about the number of hours you spend in front of the television or computer, but how that involvement might be taking you away from everyday real-life commitment.

Are you an addict? Answer the below questions to find out if you have a Fantasy Football Addiction:
Do you have football on your mind even when you are involved in other activities?
Do you prioritize the game over significant events in your life such as birthdays, anniversaries and key social gatherings?
Do you feel depressed, angry or become violent if your favorite team loses?
Tips for Dealing with People with Fantasy 

I reckon a lot of Stallions suffer from Fantasy Football delusion - the sense that they might beat me. Its seasonal - lasts abut a month and then harsh reality kicks in.

It all begins again next weekend - get in, sign up, make your decisions wisely ...

http://fantasy.premierleague.com/