Atop the Blogger’s League
18th June 2004
Enjoy the moment, they say. Rutter, Scrivens, Hickman, Malarkey and Tebbutt are all lagging behind in the Euro 2004 Fantasy Football Blogger’s League.
We’re only mid-way through Matchday 2, but it’s unlikely that my good run will continue, so I decided to celebrate topping the table.
It’s very early days - only seven days into the tournament, but I’m still chuffed to be at the top. I don’t even have Zidane and Rooney (unlike almost everyone else). I really shouldn’t be so proud of myself at this stage, but two days at the top of the Blogger’s League is worthy of celebration.
I’m worried though. Hickman has gathered a strong team, and he’s already spent some quality time at the top. Scrivens only joined in time for Matchday 2, so he’s missed out on valuable points, and I’m worried that he’ll come on strong later. I know he’s American, but he actually understands the sport, and plays it - he’s an unknown quantity - he’s dangerous.
However, I’m surprised at Malarkey’s poor performance thus far - obviously too concerned with moving into his new office. More surprising is Rutter’s mid-table doldrums - I’m sure he didn’t expect such stiff competition when he set up the league.
So chaps, let’s see what you’re made of. Maybe it’s about time we laid down some odds - spice things up a little. It may be the beautiful game, but I’m all for a dogged fight to the death over in fantasy land. Which of us will be sitting pretty on the 4th of July?
Responses
# Lee Hickman responded on 18th June 2004 with...
It’s been a close thing so far. I can’t believe I sold Gerrard, I’d be beating you, but, if’s and but’s never won anything.
I’m up for some odds, what are you thinking Mr C?
# Simon Collison responded on 18th June 2004 with...
It’s difficult to predict. So, I’ve consulted Ladbrokes, and here’s their odds:
11/4: Notts Colly - Simon Collison
6/1: Wellington Wozza - Andrew Hume
7/1: Gerentus - Michele Gerarduzzi
15/2: Ooh Gravy Utd - Lee Hickman
8/1: Houllier Schmoullier - Andrew Braithwaite
9/1: Chicken Zagreb - Richard Rutter
9/1: Redheads United - Vithar Enlen
10/1: Another Beer? - Andy McCulloch
10/1: Whitespace - Paul Scrivens
11/1: marsattax - marcel thomson
12/1: vicious badgers FC - Jamie Craven
14/1: All that Malarkey - Andy Clarke
14/1: The Orange Organics - Nick Tebbutt
20/1: Slavs United - Ireney Berezniak
Ha! I’ve made myself favourite. That’ll tempt fate…
# Lee Hickman responded on 19th June 2004 with...
Just been looking at The orange organics team….I’ve got a feeling they’re gonna make a dive for the top tonight, I’m scared.
Please God No. We’ll never hear the end of it.
# Andy Mac responded on 19th June 2004 with...
After spending a good 5 minutes testerday on tactical changes and sympathetic man management, watch as Another Beer? storms up the table - Crystal Palace fashion.
# Malarkey responded on 19th June 2004 with...
Don’t think it’s gonna last Colly, we might be off to a slow start but it’s a game of two halves and we have the legs to run you off the park. Over to you Ron…
# Simon Collison responded on 19th June 2004 with...
Hmmm, the Organics show too much reliance on two or three key teams. They’ll need to stay in to maintain a comeback. He’s got the Ruud dude in there, which worries me. Still, I forsee a brief comeback, but no longevity there.
Andy Mac, I’m delighted to see I haven’t spent the shortest amount of time in training.
Malarkey, it’s early doors, but you gotta set your stall out. So long as football is the winner at the end of the day. Hell, we need a clich™ validator here…
# Lee Hickman responded on 20th June 2004 with...
B’ah.
Colly you’ve lost your lead. I’m well of the top but wait until tomorrow night….I’ll be rocking up at the top again!!!!!
# Simon Collison responded on 20th June 2004 with...
Oh, I didn’t expect to stay there - but I’ll be up there at the end. I’ve got loads of players in action Monday and Tuesday (including the England lads), so we’ll see. I’ve just made a couple of key substitutions for the Group B clashes too.
Wellington Wozza and Gerentus are looking good, but many of the bloggers are still slacking…
# Lapin responded on 21st June 2004 with...
I’m most hurt by your derision of the Organics, Coll. Clearly, my team have legs: check out the skills of Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Latvia. Coming through with the goods!
I’m sore tempted to sell my French playes (other than Henry and Zidane, obviously), they just aren’t pulling their weight. Lazy Gallic swine…
14/1, though, you really are taking the piss.
# Scrivs responded on 22nd June 2004 with...
It seems the only striker wishing to be consistent is Rooney. Hopefully, Larsson steps it up again today. His last performance was non-existent. My best hopes lie in the Dutch-Latvia match. However, the Dutch could also prove to be my downfall as I might have depended on them too much.
Glad to see England finding their stride.
France…well hopefully they pull their heads out of their asses. Trezeguet should not be allowed to step on the pitch. Leave Saha in and you will find Henry to be more dangerous.
# Lapin responded on 22nd June 2004 with...
I’d just like to point out to Collison that the Orange Organics are tied with his team, and several points are still to come. Legs, eh? Legs? Back of the net!
# Simon Collison responded on 23rd June 2004 with...
I’m not up for many points tonight - very few of my team are working. Should catch up in the quarter finals. I’m gonna be at Glastonbury festival for all the quarters, so I’m not gonna be able to manage the team, and I’ll miss the transfer window. Bugger.
Still, at least they’re showing the games at Glasto on the cinema screen. Good stuff…
Scrivs, nice to see you enjoying England’s progress - here’s to knocking out the hosts. Come on!!!
# Scrivs responded on 24th June 2004 with...
Figures that the 2nd I add some English players (Rooney, Scholes) this kind of stuff happens. But I see many of the leaders depended heavily on England so this is my small chance to move up the board if France and Nielsteroy show up.
# Lapin responded on 5th July 2004 with...
I’m not going to gloat about it, but it turns out that I won the Bloggers League. Well done to all of you who took part, except Colly, whose frankly terrible attitude saw him get a three match ban from Malarkey’s British Blog squad. No golden boot for you, sir.
Only kidding, I’m chuffed to have won!
# Simon Collison responded on 5th July 2004 with...
I expect you are chuffed, seeing as you know nothing about football. I can’t believe I lost by one point to a charlatan. You must have selected the entire Greek squad…
# Lapin responded on 5th July 2004 with...
Nope, I just carefully selected a mixture of Portugal and Greece. I wouldn’t say I was a charlatan, I would just say that wasting lots of time and effort on learning stuff about football has now been proven to be totally ineffectual when it comes to what is effectively a game of weighting the probabilities in your favour and hoping. Bear that in mid next time you think it’s impressive to know who won the Doc Marten’s league in 1812.
# Lapin responded on 5th July 2004 with...
Also, I direct you to this post:
“Hmmm, the Organics show too much reliance on two or three key teams. They?ll need to stay in to maintain a comeback. He?s got the Ruud dude in there, which worries me. Still, I forsee a brief comeback, but no longevity there.”
A ha ha ha ha ha! And, at 14/1, the shrewd money was certainly on the Orange Organics, eh? Oh Mr Collison, how these words come back to haunt you…
# Lapin responded on 5th July 2004 with...
Boo hoo hoo, you’re crying like Christiano Ronaldo, you big mary.
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