(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 alphabetical order or most interesting Wikipedia entry. Where you see two or more names as subs I still couldn't split them.)
GK: Peter Cech (Aardvark)
DEF: John Terry (Boston Rock), Chris Samba (CFJs), Richard Dunne (Artisans), Thomas Vermaelen (Muppets)
MID: Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), Cesc Fabregas (Mega Bucks), Florent Malouda (Muppets), Steven Gerrard (Trusted)
ATT: Carlos Tevez (Muppets), Didier Drogba (Fred West)
Subs: Thomas Sorensen (Artisans), Carlos Cuellar (Aardvark), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Trusted), Darren Bent (Boston Rock)
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)
Monday, 31 May 2010
Sunday, 30 May 2010
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: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Nemanja Vidic
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Boot: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Nicolas Anelka
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Gloves: Petr Cech - Aardvark Abacus (15 cleans)
2008/9: Edwin van der Sar
2007/8: Jose Reina
Golden Shinpads: John Terry - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (two goals, 19 cleans)
2008/9: Nemanja Vidic
2007/8: Rio Ferdinand
Golden Box to Box: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Steven Gerrard
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Young Player of the Season: Thomas Vermaelen - Real Muppets (six goals, ten cleans)
2008/9: Gael Clichy and Vedran Corluka
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Player of the Season: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Nemanja Vidic
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Boot: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Nicolas Anelka
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Golden Gloves: Petr Cech - Aardvark Abacus (15 cleans)
2008/9: Edwin van der Sar
2007/8: Jose Reina
Golden Shinpads: John Terry - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (two goals, 19 cleans)
2008/9: Nemanja Vidic
2007/8: Rio Ferdinand
Golden Box to Box: Frank Lampard - You Know Your Boston Rock FC (21 goals)
2008/9: Steven Gerrard
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Young Player of the Season: Thomas Vermaelen - Real Muppets (six goals, ten cleans)
2008/9: Gael Clichy and Vedran Corluka
2007/8: Cristiano Ronaldo
Friday, 28 May 2010
The WSFFL England Squad
My end of season Player Awards will be along over the next week or so but I thought I'd give Fabio Capello a hand and pick an England squad based on WSFFL performances. If he's stuck for a selection he could do worse than to check this list out...
Goalkeepers: Rob Green (Nil Satis), Joe Hart (Dead Parrots), Paul Robinson (Boston Rock)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Jamie Carragher (Trusted), Ashley Cole (Real Muppets), Jody Craddock (Mega Bucks), Michael Dawson (Trusted), Danny Higginbotham (Fred West), Ryan Shawcross (Trusted), John Terry (Boston Rock), Stephen Warnock (Dead Parrots)
Midfielders: Matthew Etherington (CFJs), Steven Gerrard (Trusted), Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), James Milner (Boston Rock), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Boston Rock), Ashley Young (Fabulous Artisans)
Attackers: Darren Bent (Boston Rock), Carlton Cole (Final Fantasy), Peter Crouch (York's), Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock), Wayne Rooney (Claymore Ath)
One more defender and one fewer midfielder than I might have liked but that's the way the numbers have shaken out.
No place for David James who played second fiddle to Joe Hart at the Parrots this season and who did Paul Robinson offend to get overlooked? The much-injured Rio Ferdinand and Glen Johnson are passed over for surprise selections Higginbotham and Craddock.
The nature of our game means no defensive midfielders make the cut so a forward-looking midfield group with an emphasis on getting the ball wide. Up front, there's no place for Emile Heskey who had a ropey season at Mega Bucks. Okus rivals Final Fantasy get Carlton Cole in as a sole selection from that club.
Goalkeepers: Rob Green (Nil Satis), Joe Hart (Dead Parrots), Paul Robinson (Boston Rock)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Fabulous Artisans), Jamie Carragher (Trusted), Ashley Cole (Real Muppets), Jody Craddock (Mega Bucks), Michael Dawson (Trusted), Danny Higginbotham (Fred West), Ryan Shawcross (Trusted), John Terry (Boston Rock), Stephen Warnock (Dead Parrots)
Midfielders: Matthew Etherington (CFJs), Steven Gerrard (Trusted), Frank Lampard (Boston Rock), James Milner (Boston Rock), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Boston Rock), Ashley Young (Fabulous Artisans)
Attackers: Darren Bent (Boston Rock), Carlton Cole (Final Fantasy), Peter Crouch (York's), Jermain Defoe (Boston Rock), Wayne Rooney (Claymore Ath)
One more defender and one fewer midfielder than I might have liked but that's the way the numbers have shaken out.
No place for David James who played second fiddle to Joe Hart at the Parrots this season and who did Paul Robinson offend to get overlooked? The much-injured Rio Ferdinand and Glen Johnson are passed over for surprise selections Higginbotham and Craddock.
The nature of our game means no defensive midfielders make the cut so a forward-looking midfield group with an emphasis on getting the ball wide. Up front, there's no place for Emile Heskey who had a ropey season at Mega Bucks. Okus rivals Final Fantasy get Carlton Cole in as a sole selection from that club.
Monday, 24 May 2010
Co-Ord Round-up Part Five - If we did things differently...
Calm down! 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. You Know Your Boston Rock FC - 123 (same place as real table)
2. Real Muppets - 112 (up two)
3. Aardvark Abacus - 107 (down one)
=4. The Fabulous Artisans - 103 (up one)
=4. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI - 103 (up one)
6. The Cow-Faced Juniors - 100 (up one)
7. Trusted By Millions - 98 (down four)
8. Claymore Athletic FC - 93 (up one)
9. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum - 79 (down one)
10. Athletic Phoenix -73 (same position)
11. Final Fantasy XI - 72 (up one)
12. Mega Buck Bandits - 66 (down one)
13. The Dead Parrots - 61 (up one)
14. San Dimas High School - 58 (down one)
15. Bassett Allsorts - 53 (same position)
16. York's Returning Glory - 40 (same position)
What can we glean from the above? Boston Rock should have been comfortable winners as opposed to scraping home. The Muppets should be our runners-up so were clearly unfortunate to get so many draws in the league. There was hardly anything between third and seventh with Trusted the losers on this scale.
Claymore must have been desperately unlucky not to have finished in the top half as there is clear separation if we look at the table in this way.
*That's if they're correct of course. I'm not checking!
1. You Know Your Boston Rock FC - 123 (same place as real table)
2. Real Muppets - 112 (up two)
3. Aardvark Abacus - 107 (down one)
=4. The Fabulous Artisans - 103 (up one)
=4. Fred West Landscape Gardening XI - 103 (up one)
6. The Cow-Faced Juniors - 100 (up one)
7. Trusted By Millions - 98 (down four)
8. Claymore Athletic FC - 93 (up one)
9. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum - 79 (down one)
10. Athletic Phoenix -73 (same position)
11. Final Fantasy XI - 72 (up one)
12. Mega Buck Bandits - 66 (down one)
13. The Dead Parrots - 61 (up one)
14. San Dimas High School - 58 (down one)
15. Bassett Allsorts - 53 (same position)
16. York's Returning Glory - 40 (same position)
What can we glean from the above? Boston Rock should have been comfortable winners as opposed to scraping home. The Muppets should be our runners-up so were clearly unfortunate to get so many draws in the league. There was hardly anything between third and seventh with Trusted the losers on this scale.
Claymore must have been desperately unlucky not to have finished in the top half as there is clear separation if we look at the table in this way.
*That's if they're correct of course. I'm not checking!
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Co-Ord Round-up Part Four - 1st-4th
1st You Know Your Boston Rock FC (up one place on 2008/09)
Our first ever treble winners. Five trophies out of the last six. Back-to-back Cup doubles. Six consecutive Cup finals. Equalling the league record of goals scored in a season - shall I stop there. It didn't appear to be the best of starts for Sheriff's men, just two wins out of the first eight matches, but boy did he get into a groove. The 'Sky Heroes' supremacy may be better judged by their 6-1 tonking of the Aardvarks in Week 28 rather than a three-point margin. We won't see a season like this again. Will we?
Star Player: Frank Lampard (19 goals)
2nd Aardvark Abacus (down one)
In the nine seasons of the 16-team league Ady's team have only once finished outside the top two. There was also a second consecutive PCMT runner-up plaque but that's little consolation to a team after back-to-back titles. £30.5m of Aardvark hard-earned went on Alberto Aquilani and Nikola Kalinic in the summer window for the princely return of one goal. There seems little wrong defensively with the 'Earth-Pigs' (taking Phil Jagielka from the Artisans looks a good purchase) but expect wallet-busting action if a proven goalscorer becomes available.
Star Players: Carlos Cuellar (one goal, 12 cleans) and Emmanuel Adebayor (13 goals)
3rd Trusted By Millions (same as last year)
Since winning the last 18-team title in 2000/1 Trusted have not finished higher than second or lower than 6th. Every year you feel like they will be major contenders but they manage to come up short. It was a ropey start to the season that did for Beef this time, managing only three victories and lying 12th a third of the way into the season. If Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had managed more games than maybe TBM could have been top dogs again but is it that the back-up players are not up to the task?
Star Player: Fernando Torres (13 goals)
4th Real Muppets (up two)
The Muppets lost the same number of games as our champions but ten draws scuppered any chance of a second title in four seasons. Ryan's team didn't pick up a win in December and drew four of their last eight matches after briefly leading the league. Ryan couldn't seem to get the team all firing at the same time. Gaby Agbonlahor started hot and faded, Carlos Tevez came with a roar towards the end of the season, Ashley Cole came back from injury when Thomas Vermaelen was missing. Another team who needs to, and won't be afraid to, spend big on the right player at auction time.
Star Player: Carlos Tevez (20 goals)
Our first ever treble winners. Five trophies out of the last six. Back-to-back Cup doubles. Six consecutive Cup finals. Equalling the league record of goals scored in a season - shall I stop there. It didn't appear to be the best of starts for Sheriff's men, just two wins out of the first eight matches, but boy did he get into a groove. The 'Sky Heroes' supremacy may be better judged by their 6-1 tonking of the Aardvarks in Week 28 rather than a three-point margin. We won't see a season like this again. Will we?
Star Player: Frank Lampard (19 goals)
2nd Aardvark Abacus (down one)
In the nine seasons of the 16-team league Ady's team have only once finished outside the top two. There was also a second consecutive PCMT runner-up plaque but that's little consolation to a team after back-to-back titles. £30.5m of Aardvark hard-earned went on Alberto Aquilani and Nikola Kalinic in the summer window for the princely return of one goal. There seems little wrong defensively with the 'Earth-Pigs' (taking Phil Jagielka from the Artisans looks a good purchase) but expect wallet-busting action if a proven goalscorer becomes available.
Star Players: Carlos Cuellar (one goal, 12 cleans) and Emmanuel Adebayor (13 goals)
3rd Trusted By Millions (same as last year)
Since winning the last 18-team title in 2000/1 Trusted have not finished higher than second or lower than 6th. Every year you feel like they will be major contenders but they manage to come up short. It was a ropey start to the season that did for Beef this time, managing only three victories and lying 12th a third of the way into the season. If Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had managed more games than maybe TBM could have been top dogs again but is it that the back-up players are not up to the task?
Star Player: Fernando Torres (13 goals)
4th Real Muppets (up two)
The Muppets lost the same number of games as our champions but ten draws scuppered any chance of a second title in four seasons. Ryan's team didn't pick up a win in December and drew four of their last eight matches after briefly leading the league. Ryan couldn't seem to get the team all firing at the same time. Gaby Agbonlahor started hot and faded, Carlos Tevez came with a roar towards the end of the season, Ashley Cole came back from injury when Thomas Vermaelen was missing. Another team who needs to, and won't be afraid to, spend big on the right player at auction time.
Star Player: Carlos Tevez (20 goals)
Co-Ord Round-up Part Three - 5th-8th
5th The Fabulous Artisans (up two places)
Despite improving on last year's finishing position and setting 'franchise' records for wins and points Artisans manager Ben may feel a little disappointed with fifth place. The Goddard Stadium club spent the vast majority of the season in the top four and looked genuine title contenders. The manager has not been afraid to chop and change his squad or his team on matchdays and it doesn't take a great leap of faith to see them in the shake-up next season.
Star Player: Richard Dunne (two goals, 13 clean sheets)
6th Fred West Landscape Gardening XI (up four)
After last year's blip the Gardeners are heading towards where we might expect to find them. Fred's team notched their second-highest points return and were the league's third-highest scorers. They did lead the league for three weeks in the early part of the season but a winless January, when Didier Drogba was at the African Cup of Nations, started the slide. It's nearly ten years since the Cromwell Street club won some silverware and the trophy cabinet is now referred to as 'The Cabinet'!
Star Player: Didier Drogba (19 goals)
7th The Cow-Faced Juniors (down three)
Like Boston Rock the CFJs have played in the semi-finals of the last four cup competitions. Unlike Boston Rock they only have two runners-up plaques to show for it. Chris's team spent the last two-thirds of the season in 7th, 8th or 9th place and he may be more apprehensive than most about the next campaign. Plenty of the CFJs spent time in the sick bay last season and the manager will need to decide whether to trust them to return to some form or start a clear out.
Star Player: Chris Samba (four goals, 11 cleans)
8th Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (up three)
If Claymore are the mid-table specialists, Nil Satis are the nearest we have to a yo-yo team. The last four seasons have seen Paul's side finish 4th, 14th, 11th and now 8th. This time round they even topped the league for eight weeks and were second with two-thirds of the season completed. Seven defeats in the last ten games had the team looking over their shoulder and clinging on to a top-half finish. I think we can guess Paul's summer transfer policy, what we don't know is which direction they'll head in next.
Star Player: Heurelho Gomes (10 cleans, three saved penalties)
Despite improving on last year's finishing position and setting 'franchise' records for wins and points Artisans manager Ben may feel a little disappointed with fifth place. The Goddard Stadium club spent the vast majority of the season in the top four and looked genuine title contenders. The manager has not been afraid to chop and change his squad or his team on matchdays and it doesn't take a great leap of faith to see them in the shake-up next season.
Star Player: Richard Dunne (two goals, 13 clean sheets)
6th Fred West Landscape Gardening XI (up four)
After last year's blip the Gardeners are heading towards where we might expect to find them. Fred's team notched their second-highest points return and were the league's third-highest scorers. They did lead the league for three weeks in the early part of the season but a winless January, when Didier Drogba was at the African Cup of Nations, started the slide. It's nearly ten years since the Cromwell Street club won some silverware and the trophy cabinet is now referred to as 'The Cabinet'!
Star Player: Didier Drogba (19 goals)
7th The Cow-Faced Juniors (down three)
Like Boston Rock the CFJs have played in the semi-finals of the last four cup competitions. Unlike Boston Rock they only have two runners-up plaques to show for it. Chris's team spent the last two-thirds of the season in 7th, 8th or 9th place and he may be more apprehensive than most about the next campaign. Plenty of the CFJs spent time in the sick bay last season and the manager will need to decide whether to trust them to return to some form or start a clear out.
Star Player: Chris Samba (four goals, 11 cleans)
8th Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (up three)
If Claymore are the mid-table specialists, Nil Satis are the nearest we have to a yo-yo team. The last four seasons have seen Paul's side finish 4th, 14th, 11th and now 8th. This time round they even topped the league for eight weeks and were second with two-thirds of the season completed. Seven defeats in the last ten games had the team looking over their shoulder and clinging on to a top-half finish. I think we can guess Paul's summer transfer policy, what we don't know is which direction they'll head in next.
Star Player: Heurelho Gomes (10 cleans, three saved penalties)
Friday, 21 May 2010
Co-Ord Round-up Part Two - 9th-12th
9th Claymore Athletic FC (down one place)
In the five years since Clive clinched back-to-back league titles his team have finished 6th, 10th, 9th, 8th and now 9th again. Claymore's points tallies in those seasons are 45, 39, 47, 43 and 44. There was little sign of the team breaking out of the mid-table morass this season despite Wayne Rooney's best efforts and also a steady back line including Tim Howard, Branislav Ivanovic and Gael Clichy. Something's missing to kick Clive back into contention. Can he solve that puzzle next season?
Star Player: Wayne Rooney (14 goals)
10th Athletico Phoenix (up three)
Brian came in after an enforced management change and didn't do half-badly, lifting this 'franchise' to its best position in the history of our 16-team league. The Phoenix were hampered by a long-term injury to top striker Robin van Persie and also the former incumbent who spent a packet on poor frontmen Ebanks-Blake, Benitez and Scotland. It will be interesting to see Brian's transfer policy develop and how he plans to build on this good start.
Star Player: Brad Friedel (12 cleans)
11th Mega Buck Bandits (up four)
Dave's got his team going back in the right direction after his worst-ever season last time out. Two dreadful runs stopped his season from being even better; one point from 21 at the start of the season, one point from 24 at the end. May have a windfall coming if he can't persuade talismanic midfielder Cesc Fabregas to stay but will need to invest better than the £11m spent on Alan Hutton or the £10.5m on David Healy to push for the top half next term
Star Player: Cesc Fabregas (12 goals)
12th Final Fantasy XI (up four)
Ceri matched her best finishing position in the last five seasons and picked up October's Manager of the Month award along the way. A run of 12 defeats in fifteen games through the winter stopped further improvement. Perhaps didn't get as much out of Andrei Arshavin as she might have liked and will need some support for Carlton Cole and a goalkeeper to keep the improvement going next season.
Star Player: Carlton Cole (eight goals)
In the five years since Clive clinched back-to-back league titles his team have finished 6th, 10th, 9th, 8th and now 9th again. Claymore's points tallies in those seasons are 45, 39, 47, 43 and 44. There was little sign of the team breaking out of the mid-table morass this season despite Wayne Rooney's best efforts and also a steady back line including Tim Howard, Branislav Ivanovic and Gael Clichy. Something's missing to kick Clive back into contention. Can he solve that puzzle next season?
Star Player: Wayne Rooney (14 goals)
10th Athletico Phoenix (up three)
Brian came in after an enforced management change and didn't do half-badly, lifting this 'franchise' to its best position in the history of our 16-team league. The Phoenix were hampered by a long-term injury to top striker Robin van Persie and also the former incumbent who spent a packet on poor frontmen Ebanks-Blake, Benitez and Scotland. It will be interesting to see Brian's transfer policy develop and how he plans to build on this good start.
Star Player: Brad Friedel (12 cleans)
11th Mega Buck Bandits (up four)
Dave's got his team going back in the right direction after his worst-ever season last time out. Two dreadful runs stopped his season from being even better; one point from 21 at the start of the season, one point from 24 at the end. May have a windfall coming if he can't persuade talismanic midfielder Cesc Fabregas to stay but will need to invest better than the £11m spent on Alan Hutton or the £10.5m on David Healy to push for the top half next term
Star Player: Cesc Fabregas (12 goals)
12th Final Fantasy XI (up four)
Ceri matched her best finishing position in the last five seasons and picked up October's Manager of the Month award along the way. A run of 12 defeats in fifteen games through the winter stopped further improvement. Perhaps didn't get as much out of Andrei Arshavin as she might have liked and will need some support for Carlton Cole and a goalkeeper to keep the improvement going next season.
Star Player: Carlton Cole (eight goals)
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