What are the chances - Serie A

The first installment of my thoughts on each manager's chances this season with the hindsight of 10 weeks of the campaign already completed.

Let's start with the season-long leader Kirsty Baillie. It is a wonder to the modern man that she is top at all. First of all she picked her team from last years list, so she had another go and to be honest chose well. She then left Aon a while back and is now at Willis but has no idea who she picked because she lost her team. Christ is the best we've got?

Alex Byatt in his 2nd season has had an excellent start. He has plucked out a couple of so far cheap successes, and more of that kind of skill will see him make the play-off's. The fiesty combo of Barwick & Higgs started slow but are looking very well placed in 3rd. On the face of it they have picked well and already made a couple of astute transfers. One of my bets to be amongst the end of season shake-up.

The big shock of this season is Brian Dougal, not that he's not married yet, but that he is so high up the table. A MoW award already and he was the form manager in October. The true test will come though when it's time to make some transfers because he doesn't know the difference between Papa Diop and Papa's got a brand new pigbag!

Pete Doyle is an old hand and one of a select few that has won the finest fantasy league in the universe. A good start with all his transfers banked and the ginger one also did well with some cheaper selections. Talking of old hands, Godders was there at the very beginning, 11 years ago now but it has been a long time since he smelt silverware. Some early transfers have kept him at the top and he should qualify for the Superleague.

Neil Cryer's team has a very good look to it, maybe some defensive frailties but solid. Transfers will also be the key for Neil, if his good start is to continue. Paul Kelleher is a manager who pays full attention to what is going on, of course if this was a strip club then PK would win hands down, but he has a good fantasy pedigree and should also make the next stage, although he may be a bit short in the striking stakes his midfield can all get goals.

Ian Kennett, another N&R FL stalwart. We need a good season from Ian and he has started well, after a poor first few weeks but another manager who needs to excel at transfer time to keep his season active. Birdy is doing far too well, and surely that is going to change? A good starting XI though has seen him be an early contester for a play-off place. Mark Dewberry has slipped down the table a tad but has still had a excellent beginning to the season. He keeps an eye on his players and could be a surprise play-off qualifier.

John Littig is one of the new kids on the block, a bit wet behind the ears, thinks he's a big shot but I like him as he reminds me of me when I was 12, but not as good looking! Littig is doing alright, he had an excellent start but has faded and needs to arrest the slide. It is a marathon not a sprint, just ask your girlfriend.

Our Croatian entry Davor Duvancic, who has been given me a fine old going over after they beat our useless lot 2-0, is feeling his way quite well. He had a good start but has slipped recently but nothing a couple of critical transfers couldn't change. Simon Jenkins needs to push on if he is to make the play-off's but he is a known late starter and has all his transfers intact. Rob Beere has been a re-election candidate these past couple of years and started in the same vain but with Arsenal's improvement came Rob's.

Steve Jewell has also fallen back down the table after a good start. Transfers are there to be made, and the manager who makes the best use of them normally ends the season richer. Its a surprise to see Glenn Francis where he is. He has a good history in the N&R FL but it looks like his cheaper gambles are not paying off at the moment. Lee Day always starts well, every season without fail, but then toils. His players are struggling to find form at their clubs and maybe it's time for a change.

James Down made wholesale changes to his team today, so he has given himself enough time to put a run together to make the top 12. Aaron Barden put together an exciting team on paper but it is not performing. A tip Aaron, ignore Francey and only take advice from the AIG birds.

Ben Graves position is also cause for concern. A play-off cert I would have said but he is struggling to make any impact on the N&R FL this despite making the most transfers in Serie A. His big money forwards need to start delivering or he will spend the 2nd half of the season competiting in The Plate. Recently married Tim Feldbruegge will clearly not be getting any sex anymore so that will give him time to concentrate on his fantasy team. Tim and his buddy Dennis will be hoping that their forwards can get some more goals and Liverpool pick up their form.

Lee Baughan is in his customary place in the table. No expectations with Sweaty just that he likes a beer and has a strange habit of re-decorating girlfriends bathrooms. Not expected to a) qualify for the play-off's or b) be Greg Harris' best man!

A vastly improved Alex Boswell fantasy team finished last season pretty strongly but he has had a poor start this one. A few non-performing players have let him down and he needs more goals. Ian France and his spreadsheet. What's not been said before? Francey, lose the fuckin' spreadsheet. A team short on quality, skill and hard work and that's just the one he runs at AIG!

And Jon Knouse and Nick Davies bring up the rear. Only 88 points from a play-off spot though - very achievable indeed. However some surgery needed, just like on Petr Cech's head who remains in Jon & Nick's goal, if they are to avoid a re-election dog-fight.