Week 26 review

Wednesday 3rd February
Greening's goal is enought to give Fulham 3pts over poor old Pompey. In the FA Cup Defoe got a hat-trick at Leeds to put pay to the Whites great run.

Saturday 6th February
Burnley's excellent home form continued as they beat West Ham 2-1, Bolton continue to struggle under Owen Coyle and are held by Fulham whereas Hull beat the Gazillionaires of Citeh 2-1.

In the Scouse derby the Reds beat the Blues courtesy of a Kuyt goal. Pompey get two own goals as they are stuffed by a rampant Man U 5-0, likewise Stoke hammer Everton 3-0 in the Potteries. Sunderland draw 1-1 with Wigan and Spurs 0-0 with Villa.

Sunday 7th February
In the west Midlands derby Birmingham come from behind to beat Wolves 2-1. Soooper Kevin Phillips with a brace. And in the London derby Arsenal lose again, this time to Chelsea 2-0.

Tuesday 9th February
The games continued thick and fast with Fulham thrashing Burnley 3-0, the Clarets are woeful away from home. Bolton lose again, this time to Citeh 2-0 at Eastlands. Portsmouth get a 95th minute equaliser at Fratton Park against Sunderland. Bent had put the Mackems in front.

Finally in front of a couple of old blokes and a whippet Wigan draw at home to Stoke 1-1.

Week 25 review

Cast your minds back to these results that gave us a bumper N&R FL week:

Wednesday 27th January
Clean sheets for Arsenal and Villa at Villa Park, decent fantasy player Kalinic got Blackburn's winner at home to Wigan whilst Malouda and Lampard (2) were on hand to thump Birmingham at The Bridge and Everton continued their fine form with a nice home win over slipping Sunderland.

Saturday 30th January
Spurs were pegged back by Ridgewell's late goal at St Andrews, John "Cheat, Cheat, Cheat" Terry put the ball away in the right net at Turf Moor as Chelsea beat Burnley 2-1. Agbonlahor scored two for Villa at Filham, Hull and Wolves drew 2-2, West Ham and Blackburn played out a 0-0, Cahill got Everton's winner at Wigan and Liverpool beat Bolton 2-0.

Sunday 31st January
In the big game at The Emirates Wayne Rooney and Man U came out on top with a 3-1 victory and back in Manchester Man City beat administrated Pompey 2-0.

Monday 1st February
No goals scored at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland and Stoke played out a bore draw.

Tuesday 2nd February
The week's final Premiership game was at the KC as Hull held Chelsea 1-1. Drogba getting the Blues goal.

There were two Cup replays however as both Wolves and Wigan lost to lower league opposition Palace and Notts County respectively. Henry did score for Wolves

Sarah in Room 101

Breaking news8888888Week 25 scores
Sarah Sheron was all made up after collecting the best weekly score in week 19 but Steve Merchant took that title over but only until now.

In week 25 Sarah's Factastic Fancies marched to a terrific score of 101 and claimed not the MoW prize but pole position in the Best weekly score award too. Great job Sarah. Frank & Beans continued their top form with a 95 point tally, easily a season-best. Two of the best in form teams are Gooner win league and Old Bodeanians who both smashed a 91 in week 25.

Lovejoy luvvies improved their chances of promotion with a 86, and there were 85's for Paris Eagles and In Tatters.

Bermuda Addicks, Sooz-Sooz Sizzlers, Ben's Special Ones and Killer Kilpo all hit season-best numbers, whilst front runner Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net was a big achiever again.

Shout outs also to Goonersmoan (73), St George's Rovers (69), Megan & Hannah's bears (67) and Morgan's Machines (68). In a bumper week Wenmania brought up the rear with just 26.

Best weekly score

Sarah Sheron regains the best weekly score lead after a magnificent week 25. She takes over from Steve Merchant while the duo of Tim and Dennis grab 3rd. A cash prize will be awarded for the best weekly score. The current top 15 are:

1. Sarah Sheron. Week 25. 101 points
2. Steve Merchant. Week 20. 96 points
3. Felbruegge/Malloy. Week 25. 95 points
4= Neil Reynolds. Week 25. 91 points
4= Alan Oakley. Week 25. 91 points
6. Sarah Sheron. Week 19. 88 points
7. Alex Byatt. week 25. 86 points
8= Alan Oakley. Week 19. 85 points
8= Nigel Tatlock. Week 25. 85 points
8= Barry Paull. Week 25. 85 points
11= Hilary Flynn. Week 2. 84 points
11= Paul Kelleher. Week 20. 84 points
13= Lee Horne. Week 20. 83 points
13= Lee Baughan. Week 21. 83 points
15. Steve Black. Week 20. 80 points
Scores up to week 25.

Chicago boys on fire

Breaking news8888888The Young Un's Latest Week 25 Table
Frank & Beans have opened a huge lead at the top of the pile, the boys from Chicago are 49 points ahead of Glasgow Kiss. Aston Globetrotters are in 3rd with Tanus Terriers slipping to 4th.

Gooner win league are stealthly moving up the ladder and now sit in 5th. FFC 4Ever drop a place but another ex-champion Mexican Banana Split are also on the climb unlike W Wallace Boys who are in reverse gear.

Factastic Fancies appear in 13th place, a climb of 5 spots.

La-z-boy

Breaking news8888888The Oldies Latest Week 25 Table
Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net stretch out on top like an old man in a La-z-boy. Pete's lead is now five points over auld rivals Vodka Hooligan and Paris Eagles. In 4th slip Lamb to the slaughter and then there is a drop down to In Tatters and Old Bodeanians, who both make up some good ground.

Bermuda Addicks move into 10th and for the first time To Elland Back slip out of the promotion places.

We're back

Back in the seat after a few weeks of travelling and then this week we had Aon's leadership here on the island, which meant long days spent in rooms pumped full of oxygen (think Vegas without the fun) and of course, because (I quote) I can't help myself long and late nights too.

Anyway four weeks to follow to bring us up to date.

Lack of updates

Sorry for the lack of updates, you are missing week's 25 and 26. I have been on the road with work and was stuck in the Philadelphia's second worst snow storm in history, then I was in Miami with work (Chris Waterman can back me up) and tonight we are of to the UK to do the family baby tour. Back in the office on Monday week.

Normal duty will be resumed shortly. I am updating transfers though and have access to email.

Apologies, Nobs

Photograph of the week

"Hello Wayne, how's your better half?"
"Er, she's doing alright, thanks JT."
"Tell her I sent my best won't you."
"Um, sure JT, whatever."
"Oh, and Bridgey, can you ask her if she found my Rolex, I appeared to have misplaced it."

Vodka's tonic

Breaking news8888888Week 24 scores
Vodka Hooligan notched his 3rd MoW in week 24 with a 66 point haul. Current champ Gooner win league were just two points short of a share in the weekly prize. Student Ninjas, the fast improving Soozie-Sooz Sizzlers and Aston Globetrotters were all 60's hits too.

Ben's Special Ones are starting to show us what they can do, they scored 57, the same as title contender Tanus Terriers. Also hitting the rails with a good week 24 were Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net (55), Real Socialble Lad (54), who we haven't mentioned for a while after he sped out of the starting gates and Frank & Beans and Loads of Roubles (both 53).

In Tatters and St George's put away a decent 52, Goonersmoan made a half century for his best for over a month, Bermuda Addicks 46, Nancy Lollygaggers 42, Bingo FC 40, Lovejoy Luvvies 35, Killer Kilpo a much improved 33 and Brighton Blues 30 were other scores of note.

At the other end of the spectrum were Jimmy 5 Bellies with 8 and Factastic Fancies with a disappointing 11.

Beans are cooking

Breaking news8888888The Young Un's Latest Week 24 Table
Frank & Beans go back to the top of the Young Un's table after week 24, they hurdle both Tanus Terriers and previous leaders Glasgow Kiss and with Aston Globetrotters in 4th, it is very snug at the top with only 13 points seperating Tim & Dennis, Lee, Kirsty and Henry.

Behind the top 4 is FFC 4Ever, who have a lot of ground over the chasing pack of previous champions Gooner Win League, Mexican Banana Split and Boys on Tour, Student Ninjas, W Wallace boys and Morgan Machines. Ben's "Special Ones" are new into the top 13. Tim's Harry Houdini follows Ben with Savlyuchenko Spurs dropping out.

Bottom remain Cesc and the city.

Neeeeaaahh

Breaking news8888888The Oldies Latest Week 24 Table
Godders and Mark Simmons moved to joint top after week 24, two of the most worldy old pros Keith and I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The only difference between the two (apart from a few pounds) is that Godders saw the light, realised he lived hundreds of miles away from Old Trafford and started watching a much better team (sic) on his street corner.

Both Godders@mobileemail.vodafone.net and Vodka Hooligan have 808 points, 5 ahead of Lamb to the slaughter. Talking of old pros, Barry Paull was hanging out with a couple in the Blu Bam Bu night club in Newcastle's Bigg Market last week telling tales of woe of debt and 10 point reductions. It wasn't the best chat up line Crystal and her friends had ever heard but stuffing a few old francs down some stocking tops apparently worked a treat. Barry's Paris Eagles slip to 4th.

Up two places are Loads of Roubles to 5th, just ahead of Arsene Knows and big leaper In Tatters. Hannoi Utd and Old Bodeanians are nicely positioned in the pack with Rob Munden's To Elland Back in 10th. Rob will be rightly proud today of Leeds' Cup performances against Spurs. I now hope they lose every game of the season!

Guinness & eggs lost a little ground and are now joint 11th with Goliath's Big Brother. The last two promotion places are now occupied by two of the youngest Oldies in Richard Nathan and Nobby. Razor has never looked a day over 25 and his patriotic St George's Rovers enter the top 13 for the first time after a good week, and Bermuda Addicks who had lost a bit of ground are now back on the straight and narrow.

One Night in Paris drop out of the top 13, and another team going backwards is Francey's Keep the faith - time for a caretaker manager Ian?

At the bottom of the Oldies is Kilpo, the Scot struggling to keep up with a game he knows absolutely nothing about. Mind you that hasn't stopped Neil's Rochdale Allstars from being consistently shit.

January transfer window

Despite Sky Sports' best efforts Premier League clubs spent just £30m in the January transfer window, the lowest since the mid-season window was introduced in 2003. This compares to £170m spent in January 2009, inflated mainly by Man City's sudden large bank balance.

70% of the deals were loan arrangements, including Robbie Keane's surprise move from Tottenham to Celtic for the rest of the season. The only high profile money moves were Adam Johnson's sale from Middlesbrough to Manchester City thought to be for £7m, Benni McCarthy leaving Blackburn to West Ham United - for an undisclosed fee, but said to be for around £2m, Victor Moses being sold by Palace's administrator to Wigan for £2.25m and Pompey selling Bosnian keeper Asmir Begović to Stoke for £3.25m after it was thought that Spurs were about to sign him.

Sol Campbell is back at Arsenal of course, signing as a free agent in January and in other interesting deals 52-year old Patrick Vieira's moved to Man City, hard up Liverpool signed Maxi Rodriguez from Athletic Madrid on a free and there were late, late loan moves of Benjani to Sunderland and Robbie Keane to Celtic.

Ex Wigan player Amr Zaki described by old boss Steve Bruce as the "the most unprofessional player" he has ever worked went to tan-man Phil Brown's Hull. Eidur Gudjohnsen after having disappointing spells with Barcelona and Monaco, decided against guaranteed first-team football at West Ham to compete for the top four at Spurs and try to recreate the form that made him so highly valued at Bolton and Chelsea and Younes Kaboul was paid for by a big bunch of used readies as he went back to Spurs from Pompey to further keep the wolves from Fratton Park's door.

At a £180k a week Roberto Mancini will be pleased to have got the lazy Robinho of his wage bill for 6 months after the Brazilian went back to Santos on loan. In a far more heartening story Chris Smalling moved to Man U from Fulham for an undisclosed amount, but reported as £6m. The 20-year defender was playing at Maidstone United 18 months ago (I hope the Stones had a sell-on clause Mono) and finally Landon Donovan joined Everton on loan from LA Galaxy. There were doubts after his disappointing spells in Germany, but Donovan already looks to be an excellent acquisition and there is talk of him extending his spell at Goodison Park. USA!USA!

Week 24 review

A fragmented week of action as follows:

Wednesday 20th
Rosicky, Fabregas, Vermaelen (who has made a miraculous recovery from a broken leg)and Arshavin scored Arsenal's goals after they came back from 0-2 to beat Arsenal. Kuyt got both of Liverpool's goals in a vital win over Spurs

Saturday 23rd
Those lucky Rooney FL managers would have been smiling at his 4-goal haul at home to Hull.

Tuesday 26th
In the tense local northern monkey derby Owen Coyle's Bolton beat Burnley 1-0 to push the Clarets into the relegation places. Danny Webber got Pompey's equaliser at home to WHU, Crouch and Bentley scored Spurs goals in the win over Fulham and Wolves held Liverpool to a goalless draw at home.

FA Cup Action
In games involving Premier League players Wolves were held at home to Palace 2-2, Crouch and want away Pavlyuchenko scored as Spurs were pegged back by Dirty Leeds and Burnley lost at Readin in another one of the 4th Round shocks.

Anelka and Sturridge made no mistake at Darren Ferguson's Preston, 80 grand a week Utaka earned some corn with his two goals to take Pompey into the next round with their 2-1 win over Sunderland and as we know Wigan pulled back a two goal deficit to draw at Meadow Lane.

Good cup bet Birmingham beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison, Benitez and Barry Ferguson scoring, Bolton won again 2-0 against Sheff Utd with Steinsson and Elmander on the scoresheet whilst Villa put to bed a brave Brighton with Francey in attendance 3-2. Delfouneso, Ashley Young and ex-Leeds youngster Delph getting one each.

Fulham overcame a tricky looking draw at Acsrington Stanley 3-1, Petrov, Onuoha, Sylvinho and pain in the arse Robinho doing likewise for Citeh at Scunny. Meanwhile is another surprise Stoke beat Arsenal's reserves 3-1 in the Potteries.

Road to Wembley - County win at Wigan

Notts County's financial problems have been well documented and they are without a permanent manager, but our biys put their off-pitch troubles behind them to spring a massive surprise and beat Wigan to book a place in the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 1992 after this superb replay win.

Under the watchful gaze of Sven-Goran Eriksson, their director of football, two goals in the space of three second-half minutes earned the League Two club, whose long term future remains uncertain, a last 16 tie away to Fulham on February 14th.

More than 50 places separated the two teams on the league ladder yet Notts County made a mockery of their position as they taught their Premier League hosts a lesson in finishing at a near-deserted DW Stadium.

Just 5,519 supporters, boosted by around 500 travelling fans from Nottingham, were present to witness former Southampton defender STEPHEN HUNT head the visitors into a 75th minute lead.

County fans were still celebrating when GARY CALDWELL, the recent signing from Celtic, put through his own net to complete a thoroughly miserable evening for Wigan, who were booed off the pitch by their die-hard supporters at the final whistle.

Team: Schmeichel; Thompson, Edwards, Hunt, Jackson; Westcarr, Ravenhill, Clapham, Bishop, Davies; Hughes.
Subs: Hoult, Lee, Hamshaw, Fairclough, Hawley, Rodgers, Akinbiyi.
Attendance: 5,519