2. Shakira
3. Diego Maradona
Showing posts with label 2011/12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011/12. Show all posts
Friday, 29 June 2012
About Aardvark Abacus - part one, the basics
Club Name. Aardvark Abacus
Chairman. Ady Bevan
Manager. Ady Bevan
Secretary. Ady Bevan
Etc. Etc.
Kit Colours.
Shirt. Black & White hoops
Shorts. Grey
Socks. Grey
Boots. Pink
Nickname. ' The Ant-eaters'
Mascot. '(H)Arvey the Aardvark'
As seen below
Club Emblem.
The famous. 'Aardvark and Tri-colour dice '
Chairman. Ady Bevan
Manager. Ady Bevan
Secretary. Ady Bevan
Etc. Etc.
Kit Colours.
Shirt. Black & White hoops
Shorts. Grey
Socks. Grey
Boots. Pink
Nickname. ' The Ant-eaters'
Mascot. '(H)Arvey the Aardvark'
As seen below
Club Emblem.
The famous. 'Aardvark and Tri-colour dice '
Saturday, 23 June 2012
How do you WSFFL? - San Dimas
Does your team have a nickname?
I generally refer to them as just San Dimas but the alternative is 'The Saints' which is the nickname of the real San Dimas High School so will do for me.
What's the name of your imaginary ground?
Tesco Car Park Stadium which is both true and a satirical reference to the way football has progressed over the last 15-20 years.
What colours do your team play in?
The real San Dimas use blue and yellow so some combination of those colours.
How do you celebrate a goal?
A San Dimas goal is usually met with mild surprise.
Anything else to confess?
No.
I generally refer to them as just San Dimas but the alternative is 'The Saints' which is the nickname of the real San Dimas High School so will do for me.
What's the name of your imaginary ground?
Tesco Car Park Stadium which is both true and a satirical reference to the way football has progressed over the last 15-20 years.
What colours do your team play in?
The real San Dimas use blue and yellow so some combination of those colours.
How do you celebrate a goal?
A San Dimas goal is usually met with mild surprise.
Anything else to confess?
No.
Thursday, 21 June 2012
How do you WSFFL? - The Boston Rock view
Does your team have a nickname?
Yup, it's "The Sky Heroes". The Sky Heroes were a band out of Boston in the late 90's, who featured a frankly astonishing vocalist called Brian Dunn, whose voice could honestly stop birds in flight, plus the guitarist and drummer from American Hi-Fi, in their pre-Hi-Fi days. They only gigged in Boston, made one unreleased album which luckily I got a bootleg of, then split up.
What's the name of your imaginary ground?
The co-ordinator called it the Whitby Grove Enormodrome, which is good enough for me!
What colours do your team play in?
Ooh, gots to be yellow and black stripes!
How do you celebrate a goal?
If I'm in the car and listening to the footy and one of my players score, I allow myself a clenched fist and a silent, "yesssss". Particularly if I'm playing the Aardvark. But actually, as you know, I'm pretty damn bored with the Premiership, and I only really watch Prem games when I'm around my in-laws, so I'm normally chatting along with my father in law and don't feel the need to make a fuss.
Anything else to confess?
Still trying to keep to an all English squad, although it's getting tougher to do so. However, I'm looking forward to seeing how/if young bucks Steven Caulker, Chuks Aneke, Jack Wilshere, Harry Kane, Benik Afobe and particularly Gary Gardner develop. Maybe one of them will be the next
Frank Lampard. Or the next Alton Thelwell...
Yup, it's "The Sky Heroes". The Sky Heroes were a band out of Boston in the late 90's, who featured a frankly astonishing vocalist called Brian Dunn, whose voice could honestly stop birds in flight, plus the guitarist and drummer from American Hi-Fi, in their pre-Hi-Fi days. They only gigged in Boston, made one unreleased album which luckily I got a bootleg of, then split up.
What's the name of your imaginary ground?
The co-ordinator called it the Whitby Grove Enormodrome, which is good enough for me!
What colours do your team play in?
Ooh, gots to be yellow and black stripes!
How do you celebrate a goal?
If I'm in the car and listening to the footy and one of my players score, I allow myself a clenched fist and a silent, "yesssss". Particularly if I'm playing the Aardvark. But actually, as you know, I'm pretty damn bored with the Premiership, and I only really watch Prem games when I'm around my in-laws, so I'm normally chatting along with my father in law and don't feel the need to make a fuss.
Anything else to confess?
Still trying to keep to an all English squad, although it's getting tougher to do so. However, I'm looking forward to seeing how/if young bucks Steven Caulker, Chuks Aneke, Jack Wilshere, Harry Kane, Benik Afobe and particularly Gary Gardner develop. Maybe one of them will be the next
Frank Lampard. Or the next Alton Thelwell...
Sunday, 17 June 2012
2011/12 Final League Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts | |
| 1 | Claymore Athletic FC | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 91 | 61 | 30 | 56 |
| 2 | Trusted By Millions | 30 | 17 | 5 | 8 | 76 | 51 | 25 | 56 |
| 3 | The Fabulous Artisans | 30 | 17 | 2 | 11 | 63 | 53 | 10 | 53 |
| 4 | Athletico Phoenix | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 62 | 52 | 10 | 53 |
| 5 | The Cow-Faced Juniors | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 75 | 55 | 20 | 52 |
| 6 | Aardvark Abacus | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 57 | 37 | 20 | 51 |
| 7 | San Dimas High School | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 55 | 48 | 7 | 46 |
| 8 | Fred West Landscape Gardening XI | 30 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 54 | 43 | 11 | 45 |
| 9 | You Know Your Boston Rock FC | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 41 |
| 10 | The Cheese Makers | 30 | 12 | 5 | 13 | 51 | 53 | -2 | 41 |
| 11 | The Dead Parrots | 30 | 11 | 3 | 16 | 45 | 71 | -26 | 36 |
| 12 | Nil Satis Nisi Optimum | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 39 | 58 | -19 | 31 |
| 13 | Real Muppets | 30 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 54 | 70 | -16 | 30 |
| 14 | Mega Buck Bandits | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 53 | 74 | -21 | 29 |
| 15 | Final Fantasy XI | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 43 | 54 | -11 | 27 |
| 16 | York's Returning Glory | 30 | 7 | 6 | 17 | 38 | 76 | -38 | 27 |
Thursday, 7 June 2012
WSFFL at Euro 2012
I just about had enough time to bang this out before the Euros start...which of our teams has the most representatives at the tournament?
Have a guess now, here are the names (England players unless stated)...
Aardvark Abacus (5): Wojciech Szczesny (POL), Petr Cech (CZE), Dirk Kuyt** (NED), Luka Modric (CRO), Phil Jagielka
Athletico Phoenix (6): Tomas Rosicky (CZE), Robin van Persie (NED), Nicklas Bendtner (DEN), Anders Lindegaard (DEN), Per Mertersacker (GER), The Ox
Claymore Athletic (3): Jonas Olsson (SWE), Gael Clichy (FRA), Wayne Rooney
Final Fantasy (3): Andrei Arshavin (RUS), Darron Gibson (IRE), Seb Larsson (SWE)
Fred West LG XI (7): Rafael van der Vaart (NED), Nani (POR), Fernando Torres (SPA), David Silva (SPA), Shay Given (IRE), Patrice Evra (FRA), Danny Welbeck
Mega Buck Bandits (1): Stephen Ward* (IRE),
Nil Satis (5): John Heitinga (NED), Michael Vorm (NED), John O'Shea (IRE), Nikica Jelavic (CRO), Rob Green
Real Muppets (8): Daniel Agger (DEN), Raul Meireles (POR), Pepe Reina (SPA), James McClean (IRE), Florent Malouda (FRA), Laurent Koscielny (FRA), Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott
San Dimas (6): Pavel Pogrebnyak (RUS), Jon Walters (IRE), Keiron Westwood (IRE), Hatem Ben Arfa (FRA), Theo Walcott, James Milner
The Cheese Makers (4): Tim Krul (NED), Juan Mata (SPA), Shane Long (IRE), Yohan Cabaye (FRA)
The Cow-Faced Juniors (3): Vedran Corluka (CRO), Richard Dunne (IRE), Simon Cox (IRE)
The Dead Parrots (4): Nigel De Jong (NED), Damien Duff (IRE), Joe Hart, Scott Parker
The Fabulous Artisans (4): Mario Balotelli (ITA), Ashley Young, Leighton Baines, Stewart Downing
Trusted By Millions (6): Kevin Doyle* (IRE), Niko Krancjar ** (CRO), Steven Gerrard, Martin Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones
York's Returning Glory (3): Stephen Kelly (IRE), Martin Olsson* (SWE), Samir Nasri (FRA)
You Know Your Boston Rock (4): Glen Johnson, John Terry, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe
Not sure what that proves apart from the fact that I have too much time on my hands!
*Kind of! Relegated player available unfer the 'first refusal' rule.
**Kind of! Not far from the exit door of this club.
Have a guess now, here are the names (England players unless stated)...
Aardvark Abacus (5): Wojciech Szczesny (POL), Petr Cech (CZE), Dirk Kuyt** (NED), Luka Modric (CRO), Phil Jagielka
Athletico Phoenix (6): Tomas Rosicky (CZE), Robin van Persie (NED), Nicklas Bendtner (DEN), Anders Lindegaard (DEN), Per Mertersacker (GER), The Ox
Claymore Athletic (3): Jonas Olsson (SWE), Gael Clichy (FRA), Wayne Rooney
Final Fantasy (3): Andrei Arshavin (RUS), Darron Gibson (IRE), Seb Larsson (SWE)
Fred West LG XI (7): Rafael van der Vaart (NED), Nani (POR), Fernando Torres (SPA), David Silva (SPA), Shay Given (IRE), Patrice Evra (FRA), Danny Welbeck
Mega Buck Bandits (1): Stephen Ward* (IRE),
Nil Satis (5): John Heitinga (NED), Michael Vorm (NED), John O'Shea (IRE), Nikica Jelavic (CRO), Rob Green
Real Muppets (8): Daniel Agger (DEN), Raul Meireles (POR), Pepe Reina (SPA), James McClean (IRE), Florent Malouda (FRA), Laurent Koscielny (FRA), Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott
San Dimas (6): Pavel Pogrebnyak (RUS), Jon Walters (IRE), Keiron Westwood (IRE), Hatem Ben Arfa (FRA), Theo Walcott, James Milner
The Cheese Makers (4): Tim Krul (NED), Juan Mata (SPA), Shane Long (IRE), Yohan Cabaye (FRA)
The Cow-Faced Juniors (3): Vedran Corluka (CRO), Richard Dunne (IRE), Simon Cox (IRE)
The Dead Parrots (4): Nigel De Jong (NED), Damien Duff (IRE), Joe Hart, Scott Parker
The Fabulous Artisans (4): Mario Balotelli (ITA), Ashley Young, Leighton Baines, Stewart Downing
Trusted By Millions (6): Kevin Doyle* (IRE), Niko Krancjar ** (CRO), Steven Gerrard, Martin Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones
York's Returning Glory (3): Stephen Kelly (IRE), Martin Olsson* (SWE), Samir Nasri (FRA)
You Know Your Boston Rock (4): Glen Johnson, John Terry, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe
Not sure what that proves apart from the fact that I have too much time on my hands!
*Kind of! Relegated player available unfer the 'first refusal' rule.
**Kind of! Not far from the exit door of this club.
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Transfer Stats
I did a bit of work before the auction last year on transfer expenditure and I didn't want it to go to waste so I have updated it and present it here.
We start with totals from across the entire league.
Transfer Income
2009/10 - £432,250,000
2010/11 - £365,700,000
2007/08 - £336,575,000
2008/09 - £323,683,050
2011/12 - £289,338,000
2006/07 - £208,685,000
Only three teams turned in a profit on transfers last season and that was small beer compared to the losses made by the rest. All in all a fairly calm year by previous standards
Transfer Expenditure
2007/08 - £543,708,000
2010/11 - £512,150,000
2011/12 - £494,900,000
2008/09 - £471,250,000
2006/07 - £466,600,000
2009/10 - £443,250,000
A fairly average season as far as expenditure is concerned. Ten teams kept transfer losses to below £20m but the remaining three were well above that figure.
Total Business
2009/10 - (£11,000,000)
2010/11 - (£146,450,000)
2008/09 - (£147,566,950)
2011/12 - (£205,562,000)
2007/08 - (£207,133,000)
2006/07 - (£257,915,000)
So collective transfer losses across the 16 WSFFL teams are back through the £200m barrier for the first time in four seasons. Total spend across these six seasons tops £2.9 billion and the collective loss for the same period is over £975 million. Three teams account for a third of this figure.
While I'm here let's throw in some individual team records. Names and seasons withheld.
Top seasonal income by a single team
1 - £90,000,000
2 - £76,300,000
3 - £54,600,000
4 - £49,525,000
5 - £47,000,000
Top seasonal expenditure by a single team
1 - £108,000,000
2 - £72,750,000
3 - £65,500,000
=4 - £56,000,000
=4 - £56,000,000
Top seasonal profits by a single team
1 - £32,800,000
2 - £24,500,000
2 - £23,100,000
4 - £17,250,000
5 - £14,000,000
Top seasonal losses by a single team
1 - £75,100,000
2 - £43,250,000
3 - £33,500,000
4 - £29,000,000
5 - £25,616,950
We start with totals from across the entire league.
Transfer Income
2009/10 - £432,250,000
2010/11 - £365,700,000
2007/08 - £336,575,000
2008/09 - £323,683,050
2011/12 - £289,338,000
2006/07 - £208,685,000
Only three teams turned in a profit on transfers last season and that was small beer compared to the losses made by the rest. All in all a fairly calm year by previous standards
Transfer Expenditure
2007/08 - £543,708,000
2010/11 - £512,150,000
2011/12 - £494,900,000
2008/09 - £471,250,000
2006/07 - £466,600,000
2009/10 - £443,250,000
A fairly average season as far as expenditure is concerned. Ten teams kept transfer losses to below £20m but the remaining three were well above that figure.
Total Business
2009/10 - (£11,000,000)
2010/11 - (£146,450,000)
2008/09 - (£147,566,950)
2011/12 - (£205,562,000)
2007/08 - (£207,133,000)
2006/07 - (£257,915,000)
So collective transfer losses across the 16 WSFFL teams are back through the £200m barrier for the first time in four seasons. Total spend across these six seasons tops £2.9 billion and the collective loss for the same period is over £975 million. Three teams account for a third of this figure.
While I'm here let's throw in some individual team records. Names and seasons withheld.
Top seasonal income by a single team
1 - £90,000,000
2 - £76,300,000
3 - £54,600,000
4 - £49,525,000
5 - £47,000,000
Top seasonal expenditure by a single team
1 - £108,000,000
2 - £72,750,000
3 - £65,500,000
=4 - £56,000,000
=4 - £56,000,000
Top seasonal profits by a single team
1 - £32,800,000
2 - £24,500,000
2 - £23,100,000
4 - £17,250,000
5 - £14,000,000
Top seasonal losses by a single team
1 - £75,100,000
2 - £43,250,000
3 - £33,500,000
4 - £29,000,000
5 - £25,616,950
Monday, 4 June 2012
Team Stats 2011/12
Highest score
All Comps - Trusted 9 Claymore 6 (League Week 3)
Biggest margin of victory
All Comps - Boston Rock 7 York's 0 (League Week 16)
Highest scoring match
All Comps - Trusted 9 Claymore 6 (League Week 3)
Unbeaten run
All Comps - 12 games - Claymore Athletic (League weeks 11-20 and FA Cup 1 and QF)
League - 11 games - Aardvark Abacus (League weeks 19-29)
Without a win
All Comps - 11 games - York's Returning Glory (League weeks 16-26 plus FA Cup QF)
League - 10 games - York's Returning Glory (League weeks 16-26)
Consecutive wins
All Comps - 7 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 24-30)
Consecutive defeats
All Comps - 9 games - Mega Buck Bandits (League weeks 19-27)
Consecutive games scoring
All comps - 27 games - San Dimas High School (League weeks 7-28 plus PCMT R1 and R1R, Charity Shield QF and SF, and FA Cup R1, Claymore Athletic FC (League Weeks 1-27)
League - 27 games - Claymore Athletic FC (League Weeks 1-27)
Consecutive games without scoring
All Comps - 3 games - Mega Buck Bandits (League weeks 25-27)
Consecutive clean sheets
All Comps - 3 games - Athletico Phoenix (League weeks 13 & 14 plus Charity Shield Final), The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 25-27), York's Returning Glory (League weeks 1-3)
League - 3 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 25-27), York's Returning Glory (League weeks 1-3)
Consecutive games conceding
All comps - 24 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 1-20 plus PCMT R1, CS QF, FA Cup 1 and FA Cup QF)
League - 20 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 1-20)
Total games scoring
All comps - 35 games - Claymore Athletic FC
League - 29 games - Claymore Athletic FC
Total games without scoring
All comps - 12 games - Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (all league matches)
Total clean sheets
All comps - 10 games - Aardvark Abacus (all league matches)
Total games conceding
All comps - 33 games - Real Muppets
League - 28 games - Real Muppets
All Comps - Trusted 9 Claymore 6 (League Week 3)
Biggest margin of victory
All Comps - Boston Rock 7 York's 0 (League Week 16)
Highest scoring match
All Comps - Trusted 9 Claymore 6 (League Week 3)
Unbeaten run
All Comps - 12 games - Claymore Athletic (League weeks 11-20 and FA Cup 1 and QF)
League - 11 games - Aardvark Abacus (League weeks 19-29)
Without a win
All Comps - 11 games - York's Returning Glory (League weeks 16-26 plus FA Cup QF)
League - 10 games - York's Returning Glory (League weeks 16-26)
Consecutive wins
All Comps - 7 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 24-30)
Consecutive defeats
All Comps - 9 games - Mega Buck Bandits (League weeks 19-27)
Consecutive games scoring
All comps - 27 games - San Dimas High School (League weeks 7-28 plus PCMT R1 and R1R, Charity Shield QF and SF, and FA Cup R1, Claymore Athletic FC (League Weeks 1-27)
League - 27 games - Claymore Athletic FC (League Weeks 1-27)
Consecutive games without scoring
All Comps - 3 games - Mega Buck Bandits (League weeks 25-27)
Consecutive clean sheets
All Comps - 3 games - Athletico Phoenix (League weeks 13 & 14 plus Charity Shield Final), The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 25-27), York's Returning Glory (League weeks 1-3)
League - 3 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 25-27), York's Returning Glory (League weeks 1-3)
Consecutive games conceding
All comps - 24 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 1-20 plus PCMT R1, CS QF, FA Cup 1 and FA Cup QF)
League - 20 games - The Cow-Faced Juniors (League weeks 1-20)
Total games scoring
All comps - 35 games - Claymore Athletic FC
League - 29 games - Claymore Athletic FC
Total games without scoring
All comps - 12 games - Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (all league matches)
Total clean sheets
All comps - 10 games - Aardvark Abacus (all league matches)
Total games conceding
All comps - 33 games - Real Muppets
League - 28 games - Real Muppets
Co-ordinator Awards - £500k Team of the Season
More of the same but the players on this list were all bought for the
knockdown price of 500,000 Fantasy Pounds. They're out there if you buy
early enough, look hard enough or just get lucky.
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: Gareth Bale (The CFJs), Vincent Kompany (Aardvark Abacus), Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Kyle Walker (San Dimas)
MID: Clint Dempsey (The CFJs), Seb Larsson (Final Fantasy), Matt Jarvis (Mega Bucks), Gylfi Sigurdsson (The CFJs)
ATT: Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic), Yakubu (Dead Parrots)
Subs: Krul (Cheese Makers); N.Taylor (San Dimas); James McClean (Muppets), Anthony Pilkington (Aardvarks), Stephane Sessegnon (Trusted); Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock)
2010/11
Hart (Foster)
Kompany, Hangeland, A.Cole, Bale (Huth)
Dempsey, C.Gardner, Etherington, N'Zogbia (Barton, Park, Osman, Morrison)
Odemwingie, Elmander (Davies)
2009/10
Sorensen (Robinson)
Carragher, A.Cole, Dunne, Givet (Baines)
Etherington, Fabregas, Gerrard, Valencia (D.Fletcher, Diaby, Dempsey)
Defoe, Rooney (Agbonlahor)
2008/09
Sorensen (Given)
Terry, Carragher, Corluka, O'Shea (P.Neville)
Gerrard, Osman, Ireland, Brunt (D.Murphy)
Agbonlahor, K.Davies (Defoe)
2007/08
Howard (Keller, Robinson)
A.Cole, Carragher, Barry, Johnson (Terry)
Gerrard, Downing, Bentley, Hunt (J.Cole)
Rooney, Defoe (Kitson, Owen)
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: Gareth Bale (The CFJs), Vincent Kompany (Aardvark Abacus), Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Kyle Walker (San Dimas)
MID: Clint Dempsey (The CFJs), Seb Larsson (Final Fantasy), Matt Jarvis (Mega Bucks), Gylfi Sigurdsson (The CFJs)
ATT: Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic), Yakubu (Dead Parrots)
Subs: Krul (Cheese Makers); N.Taylor (San Dimas); James McClean (Muppets), Anthony Pilkington (Aardvarks), Stephane Sessegnon (Trusted); Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock)
2010/11
Hart (Foster)
Kompany, Hangeland, A.Cole, Bale (Huth)
Dempsey, C.Gardner, Etherington, N'Zogbia (Barton, Park, Osman, Morrison)
Odemwingie, Elmander (Davies)
2009/10
Sorensen (Robinson)
Carragher, A.Cole, Dunne, Givet (Baines)
Etherington, Fabregas, Gerrard, Valencia (D.Fletcher, Diaby, Dempsey)
Defoe, Rooney (Agbonlahor)
2008/09
Sorensen (Given)
Terry, Carragher, Corluka, O'Shea (P.Neville)
Gerrard, Osman, Ireland, Brunt (D.Murphy)
Agbonlahor, K.Davies (Defoe)
2007/08
Howard (Keller, Robinson)
A.Cole, Carragher, Barry, Johnson (Terry)
Gerrard, Downing, Bentley, Hunt (J.Cole)
Rooney, Defoe (Kitson, Owen)
Co-ordinator Awards - English Team of the Season
Same rules as before but for the England-qualified WSFFL stars.
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: John Terry (Boston Rock), Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Joleon Lescott (Real Muppets), Kyle Walker (San Dimas)
MID: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), Scott Sinclair (Boston Rock), Matt Jarvis (Mega Bucks), Ashley Young (Fabulous Artisans)
ATT: Rooney (Claymore Athletic), Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock)
Subs: Foster (Fred West LG XI) ; R.Ferdinand (Boston Rock); Johnson (Fabulous Artisans) ; Graham (The CFJs)
And as this is a Euros year let's roll the squad up to 23 with these...
Phil Jagielka (Aardvark Abacus), Peter Crouch (York's), Danny Simpson (Cheese Makers), Grant Holt (The CFJs), Phil Jones (Trusted), Kieran Gibbs (Fabulous Artisans), Gary Cahill (Trusted), Jon Ruddy (Mega Bucks)
OK, we have to pretend they're all fit and like one another but it's not a bad selection.
2010/11
Hart (Foster)
Terry, Jagielka, A.Cole, Baines (Ridgewell)
Nolan, Lampard, Walcott, Young (Etherington)
Bent, Carroll (Davies)
2009/10
Robinson (Hart)
Baines, Carragher, A.Cole, Terry (G.Johnson)
Dunn, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner (Etherington)
D. Bent, Rooney (Defoe)
2008/09
Robinson (James)
Lescott, Terry, Carragher, P.Neville (R.Ferdinand)
Gerrard, Lampard, Osman, M.Taylor (A.Young)
D. Bent, Agbonlahor (K.Davies)
2007/08
James (Green)
R.Ferdinand, Lescott, Brown, A.Cole (Carragher)
Lampard, Gerrard, Downing, Bentley (J.Cole)
Rooney, Defoe (Kitson and Owen)
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: John Terry (Boston Rock), Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Joleon Lescott (Real Muppets), Kyle Walker (San Dimas)
MID: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), Scott Sinclair (Boston Rock), Matt Jarvis (Mega Bucks), Ashley Young (Fabulous Artisans)
ATT: Rooney (Claymore Athletic), Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock)
Subs: Foster (Fred West LG XI) ; R.Ferdinand (Boston Rock); Johnson (Fabulous Artisans) ; Graham (The CFJs)
And as this is a Euros year let's roll the squad up to 23 with these...
Phil Jagielka (Aardvark Abacus), Peter Crouch (York's), Danny Simpson (Cheese Makers), Grant Holt (The CFJs), Phil Jones (Trusted), Kieran Gibbs (Fabulous Artisans), Gary Cahill (Trusted), Jon Ruddy (Mega Bucks)
OK, we have to pretend they're all fit and like one another but it's not a bad selection.
2010/11
Hart (Foster)
Terry, Jagielka, A.Cole, Baines (Ridgewell)
Nolan, Lampard, Walcott, Young (Etherington)
Bent, Carroll (Davies)
2009/10
Robinson (Hart)
Baines, Carragher, A.Cole, Terry (G.Johnson)
Dunn, Gerrard, Lampard, Milner (Etherington)
D. Bent, Rooney (Defoe)
2008/09
Robinson (James)
Lescott, Terry, Carragher, P.Neville (R.Ferdinand)
Gerrard, Lampard, Osman, M.Taylor (A.Young)
D. Bent, Agbonlahor (K.Davies)
2007/08
James (Green)
R.Ferdinand, Lescott, Brown, A.Cole (Carragher)
Lampard, Gerrard, Downing, Bentley (J.Cole)
Rooney, Defoe (Kitson and Owen)
Co-ordinator Awards - Team of the Season
(All awards are made on basis of contributions in all WSFFL
competitions. Where there is a tie, contributions in league matches
take precedence. Then I'll try and separate them by goals scored. Then
perhaps the least objectionable person.
If you see two or more names as subs in a position I still couldn't
split them.)
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: Gareth Bale (The CFJs), Patrice Evra (Fred West LG XI), John Terry (Boston Rock), Vincent Kompany (Aardvark Abacus)
MID: Clint Dempsey (The CFJs), Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), Rafael van der Vaart (Fred West LG XI), Scott Sinclair (Boston Rock)
ATT: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix), Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic)
Subs: Tim Krul (Cheese Makers); Thomas Vermaelen (Real Muppets); Mikel Arteta (Nil Satis), Seb Larsson (Final Fantasy); Sergio Aguero (Claymore Athletic)
2010/11
Hart (Cech) Ivanovic, Terry, Vidic, Hangeland (Kompany)
Van der Vaart, Adam, Nolan, Malouda (Lampard)
Tevez, Berbatov (van Persie)
2009/10
Cech (Sorensen)
Terry, Samba, Dunne, Vermaelen (Cuellar)
Lampard, Fabregas, Malouda, Gerrard (K-P Boateng)
Tevez, Drogba (D.Bent)
2008/09
Van der Sar (Reina)
Vidic, Lescott, Terry, Arbeloa (Carragher)
Gerrard, Lampard, Ronaldo, Fellaini (Geovanni)
Anelka, Bent (Agbonlahor)
2007/08
Reina (van der Sar)
R.Ferdinand, Lescott, Evra, Vidic (Brown)
Ronaldo, Lampard, Gerrard, Downing (Bentley)
Torres, Yakubu (Berbatov)
GK: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots)
DEF: Gareth Bale (The CFJs), Patrice Evra (Fred West LG XI), John Terry (Boston Rock), Vincent Kompany (Aardvark Abacus)
MID: Clint Dempsey (The CFJs), Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), Rafael van der Vaart (Fred West LG XI), Scott Sinclair (Boston Rock)
ATT: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix), Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic)
Subs: Tim Krul (Cheese Makers); Thomas Vermaelen (Real Muppets); Mikel Arteta (Nil Satis), Seb Larsson (Final Fantasy); Sergio Aguero (Claymore Athletic)
2010/11
Hart (Cech) Ivanovic, Terry, Vidic, Hangeland (Kompany)
Van der Vaart, Adam, Nolan, Malouda (Lampard)
Tevez, Berbatov (van Persie)
2009/10
Cech (Sorensen)
Terry, Samba, Dunne, Vermaelen (Cuellar)
Lampard, Fabregas, Malouda, Gerrard (K-P Boateng)
Tevez, Drogba (D.Bent)
2008/09
Van der Sar (Reina)
Vidic, Lescott, Terry, Arbeloa (Carragher)
Gerrard, Lampard, Ronaldo, Fellaini (Geovanni)
Anelka, Bent (Agbonlahor)
2007/08
Reina (van der Sar)
R.Ferdinand, Lescott, Evra, Vidic (Brown)
Ronaldo, Lampard, Gerrard, Downing (Bentley)
Torres, Yakubu (Berbatov)
Co-ordinator Awards - Players of the Season
Awards are made on basis of contributions in all WSFFL competitions.
Where there is a tie, contributions in league matches take precedence.
Player of the season: Robin van Persie
Golden Boot: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix) - 27 goals
2010/11: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 19 goals
2009/10: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09: Nicolas Anelka (The CFJs) - 18 goals
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
Golden Gloves: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 14 cleans
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Petr Cech (Aardvark Abacus) -15 cleans
2008/09: Edwin van der Sar (The CFJs) - 21 cleans
2007/08: Jose Reina (Real Muppets) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
Defender of the Season: Gareth Bale (The CFJs) - six goals, 14 cleans
2010/11: Branislav Ivanovic (Claymore Athletic) - four goals, 16 cleans
2009/10: John Terry (Boston Rock) - two goals, 19 cleans
2008/09: Nemanja Vidic (Fred West LG XI) - three goals, 19 cleans
2007/08: Rio Ferdinand (Boston Rock) - two goals, 22 cleans
Midfielder of the Season: Clint Dempsey (the CFJs) - 18 goals
2010/11: Rafael van der Vaart (Fred West LG XI) - 12 goals
2009/10: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09: Steven Gerrard (Trusted By Millions) - 15 goals
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
Attacker of the Season: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix) - 27 goals
2010/11: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 19 goals
2009/10: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 20 goals
2008/09: Nicolas Anelka (The CFJs) - 18 goals
2007/08: Fernando Torres (Trusted By Millions) - 17 goals
Young Player of the Season: Sergio Aguero (Claymore Athletic) - 21 goals
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Thomas Vermaelen (Real Muppets) - six goals, ten cleans
2008/09: Gael Clichy (Claymore) and Vedran Corluka (CFJs) - both one goal, 14 cleans
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
£500k Player of the season: Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic) - 26 goals
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Richard Dunne (Fabulous Artisans) - three goals, 14 cleans
2008/09: John Terry (San Dimas) - one goal, 15 cleans
2007/08: Ashley Cole (Real Muppets) - two goals, 15 cleans
Player of the season: Robin van Persie
Golden Boot: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix) - 27 goals
2010/11: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 19 goals
2009/10: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09: Nicolas Anelka (The CFJs) - 18 goals
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
Golden Gloves: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 14 cleans
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Petr Cech (Aardvark Abacus) -15 cleans
2008/09: Edwin van der Sar (The CFJs) - 21 cleans
2007/08: Jose Reina (Real Muppets) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
Defender of the Season: Gareth Bale (The CFJs) - six goals, 14 cleans
2010/11: Branislav Ivanovic (Claymore Athletic) - four goals, 16 cleans
2009/10: John Terry (Boston Rock) - two goals, 19 cleans
2008/09: Nemanja Vidic (Fred West LG XI) - three goals, 19 cleans
2007/08: Rio Ferdinand (Boston Rock) - two goals, 22 cleans
Midfielder of the Season: Clint Dempsey (the CFJs) - 18 goals
2010/11: Rafael van der Vaart (Fred West LG XI) - 12 goals
2009/10: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09: Steven Gerrard (Trusted By Millions) - 15 goals
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
Attacker of the Season: Robin van Persie (Athletico Phoenix) - 27 goals
2010/11: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 19 goals
2009/10: Carlos Tevez (Real Muppets) - 20 goals
2008/09: Nicolas Anelka (The CFJs) - 18 goals
2007/08: Fernando Torres (Trusted By Millions) - 17 goals
Young Player of the Season: Sergio Aguero (Claymore Athletic) - 21 goals
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Thomas Vermaelen (Real Muppets) - six goals, ten cleans
2008/09: Gael Clichy (Claymore) and Vedran Corluka (CFJs) - both one goal, 14 cleans
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
£500k Player of the season: Wayne Rooney (Claymore Athletic) - 26 goals
2010/11: Joe Hart (Dead Parrots) - 16 cleans, one saved penalty
2009/10: Richard Dunne (Fabulous Artisans) - three goals, 14 cleans
2008/09: John Terry (San Dimas) - one goal, 15 cleans
2007/08: Ashley Cole (Real Muppets) - two goals, 15 cleans
2011/12 Player of the Season
Congratulations to Robin van Persie of Athletico Phoenix who is the WSFFL's 2011/12 Player of the season.
The Dutch striker put previous injury problems behind him to bag 27 goals in all competitions and help Brian to fourth in the league and the Charity Shield. Van Persie was a £12m signing from Feyenoord back in the summer of 2004 but took time to turn into the much-coveted marksman that he is today.
An injury-hit 2007/8 season saw him score just twice, while the following season he struck nine WSFFL goals. An ankle injury seriously disrupted his 2009/10 campaign but he still managed to find the net eight times.
Van Persie lost another two months of the 2010/11 campaign to an ankle problem but bagged 17 goals after his return and earned recognition in the WSFFL team of the season. His 27 goals in 2011/12 deservedly make him our man of the season and ties Cristiano Ronaldo's record (since I've been doing this job).
Previous winners:
2010/11 - Branislav Ivanovic (Claymore Athletic) - four goals, 16 clean sheets
2009/10 - Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09 - Nemanja Vidic - (Fred West LG XI) - three goals, 19 clean sheets
2007/08 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
More award stuff on due course...
The Dutch striker put previous injury problems behind him to bag 27 goals in all competitions and help Brian to fourth in the league and the Charity Shield. Van Persie was a £12m signing from Feyenoord back in the summer of 2004 but took time to turn into the much-coveted marksman that he is today.
An injury-hit 2007/8 season saw him score just twice, while the following season he struck nine WSFFL goals. An ankle injury seriously disrupted his 2009/10 campaign but he still managed to find the net eight times.
Van Persie lost another two months of the 2010/11 campaign to an ankle problem but bagged 17 goals after his return and earned recognition in the WSFFL team of the season. His 27 goals in 2011/12 deservedly make him our man of the season and ties Cristiano Ronaldo's record (since I've been doing this job).
Previous winners:
2010/11 - Branislav Ivanovic (Claymore Athletic) - four goals, 16 clean sheets
2009/10 - Frank Lampard (Boston Rock) - 21 goals
2008/09 - Nemanja Vidic - (Fred West LG XI) - three goals, 19 clean sheets
2007/08 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Muppets) - 27 goals
More award stuff on due course...
Co-Ord Round-up Part Five - If we did things differently...
I'll repeat what I say each year, I'm not suggesting we do! The way we compare
scores against one other is what makes this the king of Fantasy
Football games. But what if we did? The table below shows the finishing
positions by number of 'contributions' (goals, cleans, saved penalties
and own goals)*.
1. Claymore Athletic FC - 114 (same place as real table, 24 more contributions than last season)
2. Trusted By Millions - 105 (same place, 17 more)
3. The Cow-Faced Juniors - 102 (two places higher, 14 more)
4. Athletico Phoenix - 91 (same place, 22 more)
5. You Know Your Boston Rock FC - 89 (four places higher, 24 fewer)
6. Aardvark Abacus - 88 (same place, four fewer)
7. The Fabulous Artisans - 87 (four places lower, nine fewer)
8. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI - 85 (same place, 28 fewer)
9. San Dimas High School - 80 (two places lower, two fewer)
10. Real Muppets - 78 (two places higher, 17 fewer)
11. The Dead Parrots - 75 (same place, seven more)
12. The Cheese Makers - 71 (two places lower, 12 more)
13. Final Fantasy XI - 68 (two places higher, six more)
14. Mega Buck Bandits - 65 (same place, seven more)
15. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum - 64 (three places lower, 12 more)
16. York's Returning Glory - 53 (same place, two fewer)
What can we learn from the above? Clive probably should gave had the title wrapped up before injury time on the last day, the CFJs were clearly better than their finishing position while the Artisans did well to hang on to third. Boston Rock were unlucky to finish in the bottom half (San Dimas were lucky not to) but Sheriff's team, Fred West and the Muppets were significantly lower in total contributions than the previous season.
*That's if they're correct of course. I'm not checking!
1. Claymore Athletic FC - 114 (same place as real table, 24 more contributions than last season)
2. Trusted By Millions - 105 (same place, 17 more)
3. The Cow-Faced Juniors - 102 (two places higher, 14 more)
4. Athletico Phoenix - 91 (same place, 22 more)
5. You Know Your Boston Rock FC - 89 (four places higher, 24 fewer)
6. Aardvark Abacus - 88 (same place, four fewer)
7. The Fabulous Artisans - 87 (four places lower, nine fewer)
8. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI - 85 (same place, 28 fewer)
9. San Dimas High School - 80 (two places lower, two fewer)
10. Real Muppets - 78 (two places higher, 17 fewer)
11. The Dead Parrots - 75 (same place, seven more)
12. The Cheese Makers - 71 (two places lower, 12 more)
13. Final Fantasy XI - 68 (two places higher, six more)
14. Mega Buck Bandits - 65 (same place, seven more)
15. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum - 64 (three places lower, 12 more)
16. York's Returning Glory - 53 (same place, two fewer)
What can we learn from the above? Clive probably should gave had the title wrapped up before injury time on the last day, the CFJs were clearly better than their finishing position while the Artisans did well to hang on to third. Boston Rock were unlucky to finish in the bottom half (San Dimas were lucky not to) but Sheriff's team, Fred West and the Muppets were significantly lower in total contributions than the previous season.
*That's if they're correct of course. I'm not checking!
Co-Ord Round-up Part Four - 1st-4th
1st Claymore Athletic (up seven places on last season)
Seven years after his last title and after five seasons of bumping around in the bottom half Clive is on top again. Claymore's forwards fired them to the title. Clive invested a club record £29m in Sergio Aguero and the outlay proved justified with the injury-time title-winning goal but overall he played second fiddle to the fit and, for once, sensible Wayne Rooney. The bare numbers suggest Claymore should have wrapped things up sooner but three draws at the end of the season kept the nerves fraying. If this is to be the start of a Trophy-rush the rest of the squad will need to contribute if the front two go cold.
Star Player: Wayne Rooney (26 goals)
2nd Trusted By Millions (up two)
Denied the title on goal difference Beef must wonder what it's going to take to claim a second title. Trusted beat Claymore twice (putting 14 goals past Clive's team in the process) but a run of one in seven from November-January and then three defeats in a row in April scuppered their chances. Beef made David de Gea the league's most expensive 'keeper but then waited half a season for him to look the part. Edin Dzeko's season was the reverse while long-time stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher made little contribution. The February signing of Papiss Cisse bodes well for the new campaign..
Star Player: David De Gea (11 cleans, one saved penalty)
3rd The Fabulous Artisans (up three)
Ben's team led the league for 17 weeks and held a seven point advantage at the turn of the year but was ground down towards the season's end - just two wins in the last eight matches a sad finish to a good campaign. It would be easy to point the finger at Mario Balotelli for the failure, the Italian's four-match suspension coming at a crucial time of the season, but the boss would have expected more from his midfield (Ashley Young excepted) and defence (Leighton Baines excepted). Ben will have his first trophy, the PCMT, on his mantelpiece so can ultimately view the season as a success.
Star Player: Mario Balotelli (15 goals)
4th Athletico Phoenix (up seven)
A great season for Brian who not only took this team into the top half for the first time but had a genuine tilt at the title and picked up our new trophy, the Charity Shield, into the bargain. The Phoenix success was driven by Robin van Persie who managed to stay fit for the entire campaign and score 27 times. Brian's team weren't totally a one-man band though, Brad Friedel and Pablo Zabaleta provided a solid foundation while Ashley Williams also made a name in defence. The manager now needs to sort out RvP's contract and find him a reliable strike-partner for next season.
Star Player: Robin van Persie (27 goals)
Seven years after his last title and after five seasons of bumping around in the bottom half Clive is on top again. Claymore's forwards fired them to the title. Clive invested a club record £29m in Sergio Aguero and the outlay proved justified with the injury-time title-winning goal but overall he played second fiddle to the fit and, for once, sensible Wayne Rooney. The bare numbers suggest Claymore should have wrapped things up sooner but three draws at the end of the season kept the nerves fraying. If this is to be the start of a Trophy-rush the rest of the squad will need to contribute if the front two go cold.
Star Player: Wayne Rooney (26 goals)
2nd Trusted By Millions (up two)
Denied the title on goal difference Beef must wonder what it's going to take to claim a second title. Trusted beat Claymore twice (putting 14 goals past Clive's team in the process) but a run of one in seven from November-January and then three defeats in a row in April scuppered their chances. Beef made David de Gea the league's most expensive 'keeper but then waited half a season for him to look the part. Edin Dzeko's season was the reverse while long-time stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher made little contribution. The February signing of Papiss Cisse bodes well for the new campaign..
Star Player: David De Gea (11 cleans, one saved penalty)
3rd The Fabulous Artisans (up three)
Ben's team led the league for 17 weeks and held a seven point advantage at the turn of the year but was ground down towards the season's end - just two wins in the last eight matches a sad finish to a good campaign. It would be easy to point the finger at Mario Balotelli for the failure, the Italian's four-match suspension coming at a crucial time of the season, but the boss would have expected more from his midfield (Ashley Young excepted) and defence (Leighton Baines excepted). Ben will have his first trophy, the PCMT, on his mantelpiece so can ultimately view the season as a success.
Star Player: Mario Balotelli (15 goals)
4th Athletico Phoenix (up seven)
A great season for Brian who not only took this team into the top half for the first time but had a genuine tilt at the title and picked up our new trophy, the Charity Shield, into the bargain. The Phoenix success was driven by Robin van Persie who managed to stay fit for the entire campaign and score 27 times. Brian's team weren't totally a one-man band though, Brad Friedel and Pablo Zabaleta provided a solid foundation while Ashley Williams also made a name in defence. The manager now needs to sort out RvP's contract and find him a reliable strike-partner for next season.
Star Player: Robin van Persie (27 goals)
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Co-Ord Round-up Part Three - 5th-8th
5th The Cow-Faced Juniors (up two places on last season)
Chris finished like a runaway juggernaut going downhill with seven straight wins. In horse racing parlance he was 'never nearer' but the way the top four were faltering he’d have wanted the season to last a month longer. His fortunes improved dramatically after the departures of big names Nicolas Anelka and Chris Samba in January. Summer signings Grant Holt and Danny Graham were effective and Luis Suarez chipped in after his suspension. Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey had big seasons and if Chris can hang on to these two he must fancy a first elusive pot next term.
Star Player: Gareth Bale (nine goals, 11 cleans)
6th Aardvark Abacus (down one)
Ady must be kicking himself after a ‘so near but yet so far’ kind of season. This wasn’t a vintage Aardvarks line-up by any stretch of the imagination and yet they came close to an unlikely title. Just one win in the last eight matches did for Ady’s challenge. Vincent Kompany and Emanuel Adebayor had good seasons and bargain signing Anthony Pilkington was one bright spot in midfield but Ady got little out of expensive defenders Sebastian Coates and Stefan Savic. The Aardvarks purse strings may need to be loosened again if a stronger challenge is to happen next year.
Star Player: Vincent Kompany (three goals, 11 cleans)
7th San Dimas High School (up two)
San Dimas find themselves back in the top half after three years in the bottom eight. To be fair it was probably a slight over achievement. I will pat myself on the back for picking a squad where most players got a game but my success seems to have been built on defence with Neil Taylor and Kyle Walker standout performers. I still have trouble with spending on strikers with Romelu Lukaku, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jon Walters costing £30m between them but none finding the net. Goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Peter Odemwingie become a priority if this isn't to be one-off.
Star Player: Kyle Walker (two goals, 11 cleans)
8th Fred West Landscape Gardening XI (down seven)
Like last year's runners-up the 2011/12 champions dropped seven places. Fred's title defence had been going along nicely with only the Artisans ahead after 14 weeks. Then it all came off the rails with one win in 11. Nemanja Vidic's injury left a huge hole in the defence while Didier Drogba and Dimitar Berbatov managed just four goals between them. WSFFL record-signing Fernando Torres only got six so is not the ready-made replacement Fred would have hoped. Fred still has one of the league's best midfields but will look for younger players to replace the departing Drogba and Berbatov.
Star Player: Patrice Evra (16 cleans)
Chris finished like a runaway juggernaut going downhill with seven straight wins. In horse racing parlance he was 'never nearer' but the way the top four were faltering he’d have wanted the season to last a month longer. His fortunes improved dramatically after the departures of big names Nicolas Anelka and Chris Samba in January. Summer signings Grant Holt and Danny Graham were effective and Luis Suarez chipped in after his suspension. Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey had big seasons and if Chris can hang on to these two he must fancy a first elusive pot next term.
Star Player: Gareth Bale (nine goals, 11 cleans)
6th Aardvark Abacus (down one)
Ady must be kicking himself after a ‘so near but yet so far’ kind of season. This wasn’t a vintage Aardvarks line-up by any stretch of the imagination and yet they came close to an unlikely title. Just one win in the last eight matches did for Ady’s challenge. Vincent Kompany and Emanuel Adebayor had good seasons and bargain signing Anthony Pilkington was one bright spot in midfield but Ady got little out of expensive defenders Sebastian Coates and Stefan Savic. The Aardvarks purse strings may need to be loosened again if a stronger challenge is to happen next year.
Star Player: Vincent Kompany (three goals, 11 cleans)
7th San Dimas High School (up two)
San Dimas find themselves back in the top half after three years in the bottom eight. To be fair it was probably a slight over achievement. I will pat myself on the back for picking a squad where most players got a game but my success seems to have been built on defence with Neil Taylor and Kyle Walker standout performers. I still have trouble with spending on strikers with Romelu Lukaku, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jon Walters costing £30m between them but none finding the net. Goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and Peter Odemwingie become a priority if this isn't to be one-off.
Star Player: Kyle Walker (two goals, 11 cleans)
8th Fred West Landscape Gardening XI (down seven)
Like last year's runners-up the 2011/12 champions dropped seven places. Fred's title defence had been going along nicely with only the Artisans ahead after 14 weeks. Then it all came off the rails with one win in 11. Nemanja Vidic's injury left a huge hole in the defence while Didier Drogba and Dimitar Berbatov managed just four goals between them. WSFFL record-signing Fernando Torres only got six so is not the ready-made replacement Fred would have hoped. Fred still has one of the league's best midfields but will look for younger players to replace the departing Drogba and Berbatov.
Star Player: Patrice Evra (16 cleans)
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Co-Ord Round-up Part Two - 9th-12th
9th You Know Your Boston Rock FC (down seven places on last season)
Sheriff finishes outside the top five for only the second time in 11 seasons and is also without a trophy for the first time in five years. On bare figures though Boston Rock did ok but probably caught the worst of the fixture list. A tricky opening meant that the 'Sky Heroes' went seven without a win at the start of the season and that set the tone. Steven Taylor and Darren Bent were big misses through injury and Andy Carroll only started to look like a footballer in the last few weeks of the campaign. The rebuilding programme is under way with the boss looking for talented youth to mix with the experience.
Star Player: John Terry (six goals, 10 cleans)
10th The Cheese Makers (up four places on last season)
A first season for Matthew and he made a big improvement on previous efforts by this franchise. He unfortunately missed the first auction as the previous manager was 'doing a Steve Coppell' and resigned after two weeks. When Matthew did join he made a statement by breaking the transfer record for a midfielder when buying Juan Mata for £23.5m and also added Shane Long for £12.5m. His success was built on the foundations of a solid defence though and Matthew will be looking for a proven goalscorer to kick the team on next year as Mata and Yohan Cabaye will create plenty of chances.
Star Player: Tim Krul (12 cleans, one saved penalty)
11th The Dead Parrots (down one place)
Dean continues to bounce around lower mid-table (indeed he spent the last ten weeks in 11th place) but it looks like he may have to work hard to stay there. The Parrots may well lose top scorer Yakubu and Mr Reliable Kevin Davies while big signings Gareth Barry, Kenwyne Jones and Adel Taarabt haven't shown that they can step up to replace them. Dean does at least have Joe Hart and defenders such as Mike Williamson and Emmerson Boyce who can contribute but this team looks in need of an overhaul if it's not to slip into the clutches of the bottom four.
Star Player: Joe Hart (14 cleans)
12th Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (up four places)
After hitting rock-bottom last season Paul is back on the up. The fortunes of Nil Satis are invariably tied in with those of Everton and that might be why Paul was still on the bottom two at the start of the year. Michael Vorm was an excellent signing while Park Chu-Young wasn't. The main turning point came with the £13m signing of Nikica Jelavic in February. The Croatian banged in 10 goals in the last few weeks of the season and Paul will be excited about getting a whole campaign out of him. Tim Cahill had a lacklustre season though and Paul's priority will be finding backup for Jelavic.
Star Player: John Heitinga (two goals, 10 cleans)
Sheriff finishes outside the top five for only the second time in 11 seasons and is also without a trophy for the first time in five years. On bare figures though Boston Rock did ok but probably caught the worst of the fixture list. A tricky opening meant that the 'Sky Heroes' went seven without a win at the start of the season and that set the tone. Steven Taylor and Darren Bent were big misses through injury and Andy Carroll only started to look like a footballer in the last few weeks of the campaign. The rebuilding programme is under way with the boss looking for talented youth to mix with the experience.
Star Player: John Terry (six goals, 10 cleans)
10th The Cheese Makers (up four places on last season)
A first season for Matthew and he made a big improvement on previous efforts by this franchise. He unfortunately missed the first auction as the previous manager was 'doing a Steve Coppell' and resigned after two weeks. When Matthew did join he made a statement by breaking the transfer record for a midfielder when buying Juan Mata for £23.5m and also added Shane Long for £12.5m. His success was built on the foundations of a solid defence though and Matthew will be looking for a proven goalscorer to kick the team on next year as Mata and Yohan Cabaye will create plenty of chances.
Star Player: Tim Krul (12 cleans, one saved penalty)
11th The Dead Parrots (down one place)
Dean continues to bounce around lower mid-table (indeed he spent the last ten weeks in 11th place) but it looks like he may have to work hard to stay there. The Parrots may well lose top scorer Yakubu and Mr Reliable Kevin Davies while big signings Gareth Barry, Kenwyne Jones and Adel Taarabt haven't shown that they can step up to replace them. Dean does at least have Joe Hart and defenders such as Mike Williamson and Emmerson Boyce who can contribute but this team looks in need of an overhaul if it's not to slip into the clutches of the bottom four.
Star Player: Joe Hart (14 cleans)
12th Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (up four places)
After hitting rock-bottom last season Paul is back on the up. The fortunes of Nil Satis are invariably tied in with those of Everton and that might be why Paul was still on the bottom two at the start of the year. Michael Vorm was an excellent signing while Park Chu-Young wasn't. The main turning point came with the £13m signing of Nikica Jelavic in February. The Croatian banged in 10 goals in the last few weeks of the season and Paul will be excited about getting a whole campaign out of him. Tim Cahill had a lacklustre season though and Paul's priority will be finding backup for Jelavic.
Star Player: John Heitinga (two goals, 10 cleans)
Co-Ord Round-up Part One - 13th-16th
13th Real Muppets (down ten places on last season)
A big drop for Ryan but there are mitigating circumstances. The Carlos Tevez affair deprived him of the league's top striker for the past two seasons for most of this campaign, Thomas Vermaelen missed the start of the season through injury and the unfortunate timing of our auctions meant he wasn't able to strengthen. Ryan made excellent signings in James McClean and the returning Paul Scholes but he needs to solve his striking problems as Gabby Agbonlahor, Nathan Delfouneso, Danny Sturridge and Fraizer Campbell have only shown flashes of the goalscoring form that Ryan needs to find.
Star Player: Thomas Vermaelen (five goals, nine clean sheets)
14th Mega Buck Bandits (down one)
Well at least Dave finished on a high! The Bandits had looked odds on favourites for bottom place but suddenly finished with three wins in a row, scoring 16 goals in the process. That was off the back of nine straight defeats. It was a tough season for Dave who spent just about the whole campaign in the bottom three. His squad was down to 17 after the summer clear-out and it looks like he may be in a similar situation this time round. Injuries to Charlie Adam and Antonio Valencia certainly didn't help but a combined £24m spent on Andre Santos and David Goodwillie was misguided at best.
Star Player: Steven Fletcher (10 goals)
15th Final Fantasy XI (same position)
Ceri had reached the heady heights of ninth position after week 11 but only three wins after November sees Final Fantasy treading water in the table. Ceri seems to be better spotting the players that other managers look over such as Demba Ba and Yaya Toure as her big-money signings, such as Andrei Arshavin and Connor Wickham failed to do the business. If Ba had ended the season in the goal-scoring form that he started then Final Fantasy may well have been a long way from bottom spot Angel Rangel and Gary Caldwell provided some good moments but this team needs more goals.
Star Player: Angel Rangel (one goal, 11 cleans)
16th York's Returning Glory (down four)
Julian props up the league for the fifth time in seven seasons. His was another campaign that petered out and the only week he was bottom was the 30th and last. York's are another team where big spend hasn't really come off with Fabian Delph, Craig Bellamy and Jay Bothroyd not really performing. Samir Nasri only really performed towards the end of the season and Julian had to look to clean sheets from the likes of Paddy Kenny and his QPR defenders to keep his season alive. Without Peter Crouch it's hard to know where the goals would have come from.
Star Player: Peter Crouch (ten goals)
A big drop for Ryan but there are mitigating circumstances. The Carlos Tevez affair deprived him of the league's top striker for the past two seasons for most of this campaign, Thomas Vermaelen missed the start of the season through injury and the unfortunate timing of our auctions meant he wasn't able to strengthen. Ryan made excellent signings in James McClean and the returning Paul Scholes but he needs to solve his striking problems as Gabby Agbonlahor, Nathan Delfouneso, Danny Sturridge and Fraizer Campbell have only shown flashes of the goalscoring form that Ryan needs to find.
Star Player: Thomas Vermaelen (five goals, nine clean sheets)
14th Mega Buck Bandits (down one)
Well at least Dave finished on a high! The Bandits had looked odds on favourites for bottom place but suddenly finished with three wins in a row, scoring 16 goals in the process. That was off the back of nine straight defeats. It was a tough season for Dave who spent just about the whole campaign in the bottom three. His squad was down to 17 after the summer clear-out and it looks like he may be in a similar situation this time round. Injuries to Charlie Adam and Antonio Valencia certainly didn't help but a combined £24m spent on Andre Santos and David Goodwillie was misguided at best.
Star Player: Steven Fletcher (10 goals)
15th Final Fantasy XI (same position)
Ceri had reached the heady heights of ninth position after week 11 but only three wins after November sees Final Fantasy treading water in the table. Ceri seems to be better spotting the players that other managers look over such as Demba Ba and Yaya Toure as her big-money signings, such as Andrei Arshavin and Connor Wickham failed to do the business. If Ba had ended the season in the goal-scoring form that he started then Final Fantasy may well have been a long way from bottom spot Angel Rangel and Gary Caldwell provided some good moments but this team needs more goals.
Star Player: Angel Rangel (one goal, 11 cleans)
16th York's Returning Glory (down four)
Julian props up the league for the fifth time in seven seasons. His was another campaign that petered out and the only week he was bottom was the 30th and last. York's are another team where big spend hasn't really come off with Fabian Delph, Craig Bellamy and Jay Bothroyd not really performing. Samir Nasri only really performed towards the end of the season and Julian had to look to clean sheets from the likes of Paddy Kenny and his QPR defenders to keep his season alive. Without Peter Crouch it's hard to know where the goals would have come from.
Star Player: Peter Crouch (ten goals)
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Milner makes San Dimas move
The dust has hardly settled on our extraordinary 2011/12 season and we have managers planning for next with our first transfer of the 'summer', midfielder James Milner moving from Boston Rock to San Dimas for £6m.
Milner joined Sheriff's team for £8m in September 2008 and scored 20 times for the Whitby Grove Enormodome club. Sheriff will use the money to redevelop his squad while Peej will hope to inject a bit of a goal-threat out of his midfield.
The midfielder will join up with his Tesco Car Park Stadium colleagues after the European Championships.
Milner joined Sheriff's team for £8m in September 2008 and scored 20 times for the Whitby Grove Enormodome club. Sheriff will use the money to redevelop his squad while Peej will hope to inject a bit of a goal-threat out of his midfield.
The midfielder will join up with his Tesco Car Park Stadium colleagues after the European Championships.
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