Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Benfleet Bet update

Thanks again to those that sent in their predictions.

Ready is working on the scores and we will publish 3rd and 4th Round as soon as possible.

Light & Bitter and Light & Lager 3rd Round Results

The results are in from week 24 for our League Cups. Here they are:

Light & Bitter (Div 1) 3rd Round
Travelodge Kettles
41-11 Gooner Win League
The Magnificent Eleven 44-22 Hannoi Utd
Whitened Smut 25-40 Loads of Roubles
To Elland Back 18-28 Brox Banditos

Huw beating Neil R was a bit of a shock and he is joined in the semi-finals by Ken who beat Ready, Johnny Mc who beat Neil away from home and Chris who defeated Rob.

Light & Lager (Div 2) 3rd Round
Pimp my side 30-43 Dalton Worblers
Red Ken Relives the 80's 23-48 Glasgow kiss
The No Hopers
36-10 Morgans Machines
Dynamo Chicken Kiev 41-38 Alchees Lubs

Daniel came through a thriller against Brett, in the top of the table clash Rosie overcame Graham Ward and Michael beat Scott Morgan. These three are joined by Kirsty in the semis, who beat Razor.

Keep an eye out for the semi-final draws.

Week 24 review

Liverpool didn't turn up as Bolton recorded a fine 3-1 win, Everton were held by Blackburn 1-1 and Clint Dempsey scored his 2nd hat trick in 3 games as Fulham stuffed Newcastle 5-2.

QPR had a vital win over Wigan 3-1, WBA won at out of form Stoke and Sunderland beat the Swans 2-0.

Robbie Keane scored twice as Villa won at neighbours Wolves in an exciting 5-goaler, and Norwich held Chelsea at Carrow Road to a 0-0.

On the Sunday Arsenal did not revenge their 8-2 defeat losing again to Man u 2-1 and in a real thriller Spurs lost to a late penalty from Man City's Balotelli, who shouldn't have even been on the pitch.

Road to Wembley - Toffees chew up Cottagers

Marouane Fellaini's second-half header sent our N&R Road to Wembley boys Everton into the last 16 of the FA Cup as they came from behind to beat Fulham at Goodison Park.

Danny Murphy handed Fulham an early lead when he slotted home from the spot after Johnny Heitinga was punished for a handball in the area.

However, DENIS STRACQUALURSI (that's easy for you to spell) put Everton level with a deft header from on loan Landon Donovan's cross soon after.

Then hair bear bunch FELLAINI grabbed a deserved winner as he headed home another Donovan cross (photo).

Everton assistant manager Steve Round said:

"We just about deserved it, we had the better chances. The penalty came against the run of play and it was a difficult one for the referee to give. It hit Heitinga's hand but we need some clarification on what is handball, and what isn't. There is a real inconsistency there.

"The team showed great sprit to come back and win it and every time we put the ball in the box we looked a threat. I'm really pleased for Denis Stracqualursi, he works so hard and he just needs to get the breaks. We're trying very hard to add to the squad before the transfer deadline but there is no real news at the moment."


Everton: Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Neville, Duffy, Gibson, Cahill, Fellaini, Donovan, Stracqualursi (Anichebe 83), Gueye (Drenthe 68).
Substitutes: Hahnemann, Hibbert, Drenthe, Saha, Vellios, Anichebe, Baxter
Attendance: 25,300

Everton will host the winners of the Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday replay in the 5th Round.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Team Challenge update - RSA way ahead

When you are 1st and 4th in the league table then there is a fair chance that you will be favourites to win the N&R Team Challenge Trophy.

That is what the RSA boys Greg and Andy will be hoping to lift come May as after 24 weeks they are 84 points ahead of 2nd placed Gravity.

Woody and Gregory are nicely ahead of the next challengers QBE, who have climbed 5 places since the last table. In 4th is Chartis and with 9 managers this is quite an achievement but can thank Rosie for leading the way although Tim and Hils are doing their bit for the team as well.

5th are Bluefin and 6th is a new entry.

With Lee Horne leaving Aon Benfield and in one resignation letter losing any chance of lifting the coveted trophy, he moved to Guy Carpenter where scoring guru Mark Simmons is already in situ. Unfortunately for Lee, Mark is having his worst season for many years and despite Lee's 900+ score, GC only enter the table at 6th.

Zurich sit in 7th just ahead of HDI Gerling and the Horne-less (that's enough of Wenners problems) Aon Benfield.

Last year's winners Tokio (missing Richard Richards I may add) are down in 10th with even worse Aon's cluster of worldwide brokers in 11th.

Allianz are 12th and last but not least are JRP.

The table will accompany the week 24 email.

Friday, January 27, 2012

House!

N&R Division 1 - week 23 update
Boys on tour
are top for the 4th week running, with Tanus terriers 2nd and Bagpuss 3rd.

Harry Houdini (let's see him now escape from the courtroom) are 4th and The Magnificent Eleven 5th. Woody and Financial Bale out swap places.

Not much change elsewhere but Two points, two flats and a packet of gravel make up some headway but Bingo are dropping like two fat ladies.... you like what I did there?

No change in 2

N&R Division 2 - week 23 update
Not much change in the standings after week 23. Dalton Worblers remain top with Pimp my side 2nd and Dynamo Chicken Kiev 3rd.

Full Metal Jacket moved up to 8th and Kings of Leon Osman fell to 10th.

Chillers Champions hold onto the penultimate place prize with Arsene knows adrift at the bottom.

Godders held by Plumms

Manager of the Week - week 23
Joint winners in week 23. Barry Plummer, disappointed at his Eagles losing in the semi-final and Godders share the 5 quid pot after notching a 63.

Greg Foulger rattled in a sweet 60 and Ryan Saveall was on th scoresheet with 52. There was a 51 for Woody, another title challenger Lee Horne smashed in a 49 as did Kilpo (that must be a typo) and Davor (this bloody keyboard).

Andy Cassell hit 48 alongside Huw Thomas and Graham Ward and Dewbs netted a 47.

Other notables were Muddy 41, Sweaty 37, Nobby 36, Henry 33, Doyley 32, Ready 22, Wardy 22 and Rosey 15. Danny is really going through a Arsene Wenger metamorphosis.

The Road the Wembley - Everton FC

It's been a little unusual that we have picked up a Premiership team and potential winner of the FA Cup this early. Everton back in the 1980's the Toffees had a wonderful history in the FA Cup. They won it in 1984 and 85, and were Runners Up in 1985, 86 and 89. David Moyes deserves a trophy and maybe this is the year.

They play Fulham this Saturday and we wish them luck (well all except Steve Merchant!).

Anyway as I like to do I have researched ten facts about Everton that none of you will never have known or bothered to look up. Here we go:

Ten things you never knew about Everton FC:
1. Everton began as a cricket team. Back in the late 1800s, the parish of St. Domingo’s Methodist Church created a cricket team for recreational purposes. However, since cricket was primarily played in the summer, a winter game needed to be added and thus Rev. Ben Swift Chambers ushered in the formation of a football team, to be named St. Domingo’s F.C.

2. But in 1879 this since more and more prospective footballers were from outside the parish, the name of the club was changed to represent the broader, local area. As a result, Everton FC was born.

3. The origin of the Toffee nickname dates back almost to the formation of the club. Ye Ancient Everton Toffee House was a sweet shop owned by Old Ma Bushell, who created the Everton Toffee. These delights were sold in large quantities to fans as they watched Everton play in their four homes. The tradition of the Everton Toffee Lady continues to this day and if you have ever been to a home game you will see her giving the toffees to the kids around the pitch.

4. Named after the road it was built beside (which in turn is named after civil engineer George Goodison), Goodison Park is also referred to as “The Grand Old Lady” by Evertonians. Since the government killed the Kirkby Project in 2009, Everton’s plans for a new stadium have been put on hold. For the time being, it looks as if the club will have to stick with its Grand Old Lady, despite her aging frame.

5. Unlike most of the rest of Britain, the mersey derby is known at the 'Friendly Derby.' here really is no other reason besides geography that the two sides are rivals. Everton even played in Anfield for a time before an ownership dispute caused the formation of Liverpool FC. The two teams have always been close to each other, with their two home grounds located less than a mile apart. Stanley park separates the two stadiums. The "friendly" tag mostly stems from the fact that, again as opposed to other vicious derbies, fans of both Liverpool and Everton often sit together during the fixture. Due to the geographic closeness of the two sides, it’s not uncommon for families to be split along blue/red lines.

6. Everton’s second megastore, complete with everything a blue Scouser could want, was named Everton Two in the fashion of their first megastore, Everton One. While the first shop is located off Walton near Goodison Park, the second store was opened in the Liverpool One shopping center near the heart of the city. As a result, part of Everton’s second megastore's actual address reads “Everton Two, Liverpool One." Fantastic.

7. Wayne Rooney was , lest we forget, at Everton before Man Utd. Born and raised an Everton supporter in Croxteth, Liverpool, Evertonians haven’t quite forgiven the local boy for leaving Merseyside. Rooney did play for a time at Everton, falling in with the first team in 2002. Over the next two years, Rooney would score 15 times in 67 appearances for the club and became a rising star on the national side.

8. While we don’t often judge club success by their ability to constantly stay in the country’s premier league, if we did, Everton would be the best in England. Did you know that of all the professional English football clubs, Everton stands alone, holding the record for most seasons played in the top league? With the 2011-12 season their record 109th season in the top league, be it Premier or otherwise, Everton remains the only team to have even 100 seasons at the top. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City nor anyone else can say the same.

9. One of the greatest ever strikers played for Everton. Despite looking like the love child of Carlos Tevez and Frida Kahlo, William “Dixie” Dean was unquestionably the best player to ever don Everton blue. Since he played his finest football in the 1920s and '30s, few can now claim to have seen him play, but the statistics and written eyewitness accounts speak for themselves. Nicknamed Dixie slightly racially due to his dark complexion, Dean set a record of 60 goals during the 1927-28 has never been touched to this day.

In total, Dean scored 383 goals in 433 appearances for Everton, an incredible strike rate that few could ever replicate. He is Everton’s all-time leading goal scorer, the next man being Graeme Sharp with 159. Known as much for his sportsmanship as his scoring, Dean was never sent off during the entirety of his career. A bronze statue of the man was unveiled outside the Park End of Goodison Park in 2001.

The inscription reads in part: “Footballer, Gentleman, Evertonian."

10. Led managerially by former player Howard Kendall, Everton enjoyed about as much success as they have ever had in the 1980's, winning trophies domestically and internationally. The 1984-85 season lives on warmly in the memory of many Evertonians, during which the side won Europe and the League. They would win the league championship again in 1987.

With players like Graeme Sharp, Andy Gray and Gary Lineker, Everton were a force in England up until the departure of Kendall in 1987 to Spain. That they did not win more European hardware during Kendall’s first tenure was in part due to the banning of English teams from international competitions as a result of Heysel Stadium incident. Since then, the Toffees have only earned one piece of silverware: the 1995 FA Cup.

N&R Weekly Bet

I will soon have to join Pompey and Rangers in administration! Here our two most recent weeks.

Week 26:
Nobby:
Norwich v Bolton AWAY - WRONG
Man C v Fulham HOME - CORRECT
QPR Wolves HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £12.00. Winnings £0

Ready:
Man C v Fulham HOME - CORRECT
Arsenal v Blackburn HOME - CORRECT
West Brom v Swansea DRAW - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £9.00. Winnings £0

Week 27:
Nobby
Bolton v WIgan AWAY - CORRECT
Sunderland v Arsenal DRAW - WRONG
Blackburn v QPR AWAY - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £22.00. Winnings £0

Ready
Bolton v Wigan HOME - WRONG
Man U v Liverpool HOME - CORRECT
Wolves v WBA DRAW - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £16.00. Winnings £0

Running total:
Ready £18.50 (positive)
Nobby £20.24 (negative)

Photograph of the week

Cardiff City. Glad all over. Will play Liverpool in the Carling Cup Final after beating Crystal Palace on penalties in the semi-final 2nd leg. The tie ended 1-1.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Week 23 review

Norwich continued their great season with Morison getting a late winner at The Hawthorns, Wolves held Spurs title challenge. Fletcher getting the black and gold's goal, Paul Scholes (anyone got him in their team? No, thought not) scored as did Welbeck and Carrick for Man U at home to Bolton, Liverpool were held at home again. This time by Stoke. Blackburn have scored more home goals than the Scousers.

Talking of Rovers they won again beating Fulham 3-1 and moved out of the bottom 3. Villa and Everton drew 1-1, Lamps scored his 9th goal (not bad for a fat bloke) of the season as the Blues beat Sunderland.

Newcastle beat QPR in Mark Hughes first game as manager. Leon Best scored the goal, and then Swansea out-Arsenaled Arsenal 3-2 at the Liberty.

On Monday WIgan lost at home to leaders Man City. Dzeko's first half header was enough.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The changing order of London football



N&R Cup Qualifying Round - Results

The N&R Cup, probably th emost famous of all insurance market fantasy cup competitions began the Road to The Lamb in week 22 (FA Cup 3rd Round Day).

Because there are 70 teams, we had to do a bit of a Qualifying Round first and therefore the following ties took place over that weekend and here were the results:

N&R Cup Qualifying Round:
We are all Keith Lemon 73-49 Stocky's Starlets
Chillers Champions 35-25 Ted Striker's XI
Californication 55-27 CHAMP19NS - 20 in May
Still not a chance 34-61 Lazarus United
Arsene Still Knows 11-31 Asahi Kirin Sapporo Saki Eight
Nobby Junior
56-36 Red Ken Re-lives the 80's

There were some decent scores from the so called worse dozen of teams in the N&R FL. Lee smashed Danny all over the place in the first game, Kate overcame Oakers, Chris beat Mark, Wenners scored big away at Nevilles, Danny was well beaten by Giles and Nobby came out on top of Richard.

The winners will join the other 58 teams in the the 1st Round Proper draw shortly.

Photograph of the week

Chris Coleman is expected to be announced as the new Wales manager on Thursday.

The beauty of the FA Cup

As a kid the FA Cup was the highlight of the season, although as a Charlton fan it was and still is extremely rare to make it past the 3rd Round! However it was the non league teams that you had never heard off pre-Google. The giant killings on sticky puddings of a pitch in grounds with no floodlights, the excitement of the draw, the replays that would go on for three or four games, the big crowds, the Wembley songs sung as early as January, semi-final day, and then the final itself when television would cover the event as early as 9am with a special It's a Knockout edition. Ah, the memories..

But then what happened? oh yeh, the Premier League rewrote the history of football, and foreign players and owners didn't give a toss about the beauty of the FA Cup. Oh and Wembley disintegrated and was knocked down and it was almost a decade before it re-opened.

Players with squad numbers of 67 on their back were about the only players interested in playing in the 3rd Round at Gateshead because they were desperate for a game, the superstars didn't want to lower themselves and managers let them. Managers were more worried about winning the Champions League or escaping relegation. Once Man U even gave it a miss, treating it like an insignificant 5-a-side knockabout. They went to Brazil instead. Oh the FA allowed them, yes they were busy kissing FIFA's pimply arse and didn't give a toss either. A lot of good that did them.

Anyway, the last season or two I have seen a little change. Liverpool and Arsenal have realised that they probably have as much chance of winning the Premier League as Gateshead and they need to deliver silverware. Middling Prem teams have seen Cardiff, Portsmouth (twice) and Stoke have their day in the sun. Maybe the 130 year competition has become fashionable again?

Perhaps I'm getting a little carried away but the 3rd Round was a real throwback to the old days. Match of the Day was for once worth staying up or in for.

There were some absolutely stonking games. Wrexham's draw at Brighton, Crawley beat Bristol City, Tamworth did themselves proud at Goodison, Blackpool and Fleetwood played their hearts out in the Fylde derby, Macclesfield compounded Bolton's problems, Neil Warnock was sacked after MK Dons bettered QPR despite a last minute R's equaliser, Stevenage won at Reading and the big shock.... Paulo DiCanio's Swindon beating Wigan.

But of course it wasn't just these games, a 3rd Round will always turn up shocks, a non league hero and the odd decent match but it was the high profile games, which even my son was purring over - see he is a Premier League baby boomer and the Cup has never got him excited.

The Manchester derby, Paul Scholes coming out of retirement and then Thierry Henry scoring after he came on as sub for Arsenal. His 227th goal for the club saw some emotional scenes at The Emirates.

Then there was the 4th Round draw and I can't actually wait for the next round (even though for the umpteenth time Charlton won't be in it!). Liverpool v Man U. After all Evra and Suarez incident stuff. Fireworks will be in short supply at Anfield that day.

Then of course we have the QPR v Chelsea game. The match comes four days before a scheduled court date in which the England captain faces a charge, which he denies, of committing a racially aggravated public order offence by abusing Ferdinand.

A north-east derby between Sunderland and Middlesbrough is also thrown into the mix, a couple of all Prem games and a certain League One side through to the 5th Round after Stevenage were drawn at home to Mad Dog Martin Allen's Notts County.

The FA Cup is back!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ready's Benfleet Bet

Thanks to all of those that took part. Ready will be marking the prediction competition but is still in the wilds of Thailand, so keep an eye out for the results table on here soon.

Once the replays have been settled for the 3rd Round, we will invite you to predict the 4th Round games.

Striker and Champions adrfit

N&R Division 1 - week 22 update
Boys on tour make it 3 weeks on top after week 22. They lead Tanus by 13 points and Bagpuss by 35 and joint 4th Harry Houdini and The Magnificent Eleven by 40.

Gooner win league are 6th, Woody's Round Up 7th and new into the top 8 and a bloody great effort considering everything Dewbs has to go through is Financial Bale Out.

A Whitened Smut fall to 9th, Room with a view are 10th and ThE DrEaM FacTorY, champ To Elland Back and Guinness & eggs are all knocking on the door.

Hannoi Utd was a climber in week 22, as was Loads of Roubles. Socceroos move up a spot in the drop zone, so did Nobby Junior.

Oakers Ted Striker remains bottom of Div 1, but both Al and CHAMP19NS look down as they are already over 150 points short of safety.

Girls on top

N&R Division 2 - week 22 update
Another change of leader in Div 2. Rosie is back on top of Graham (blame spell check for that) and Daniel is the third wheel. The Worblers are 32 points clear of Pimp my side though and that is quite a gap

Pure Irish are still 4th, 5 behind Dynamo Chicken Kiev, 2Infinity & Beyond are 6th and my favourite (but keep that to yourself) Sarah Sheron's Kings of Leon Osman are now at a season high 7th. Sarah's old partner in crime Glasgow kiss are 8th, meaning half of the top 8 are ladies.

Barceloner, Alchees Lubes, Full Metal Jacket, Gooner Go Up make up the promotion party with Brighton Blues close.

Kiwi Fantastic continues to fall, SAF were a good climber and Arsene Knows hurtles towards oblivion although he has the difficult task of passing Chillers and Stocky before he really hits the bottom.

The Magnificent 76

Manager of the Week - week 22
Ken Cobbett was MoW in week 22 challenging last week's season-best score by Greg Foulger. Ken managed 76 points three more than Paul & Christian Long and Sweaty Baughan. Hang on, I need to check that....Bold
Bold
John McGowan and Richard Richards both hit 72, Andrew Wheeler had a season best 70, Michael Stout 68, Dewbs 67, GrBoldeg 66 and Mark Sterry 65.

Andrew Shepherd had another good seven days knocking home a 64, Steve Black 63, Rosie 62, Wenners surprised us with a 61 and Soozie holed a 60.
Bold
Other notables in week 22 were Nobby (yay!) 56, Ready 55, Waterman 55, Wrighty 53, Waters 51, Wardy (S) 48, Weeks and Wallis both 46, Woody 37, White 34 and Wardy (G) 29. Yes, this week's letter is W.... sorry I thought I was playing with my 2-year old.

Anyway the biggest W of the wee was Wosie. 11 points. You sure?

Week 22 review

A few Premier League games sneaked in before the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Man C thrashed Liverpool 3-0, Defoe was the difference between Spurs and WBA, and Sunderland hammered poor old Wigan 4-1.

Then on Wednesday Newcastle put three past United. Booooooooooooo. FERGIE OUT!

And Bolton won a rare game at Everton. This despite Everton's Tim Howard scoring first!!

Then of course it was FA Cup 3rd Round weekend.

Highlights included of course Thierry Henry's winner at home to Leeds, Rooney's brace in the Manchester derby, likewise Ramires for Chelsea at home to Pompey, Lamps scored as well and Larsson scored again for the Black Cats.

Wigan keeper Al Hasbi letting in two at League Two Swindon, Swansea's Danny Graham scoring twice at Barnsley, Wolves had a cleat sheet in their derby at Birmingham, Leighton Baines scored one of Everton's two goals against our Road to Wembley side Tamworth and Clint Dempsey scored a very fortunate hat trick against Charlton.

Helguson scored a late equaliser for QPR at MK Dons, Ben Arfa was on the scoresheet for Newcastle at home to Blackburn, Morison scored again for Norwich as they thrashed Burnley 4-1, both Defoe and Pavlyuchenko both notched goals for Spurs whilst they kept a cleansheet at the Lane against League Two Cheltenham, and Simon Cox got a hat trick for the Baggies in the thrilling win against Cardiff.

Liverpool had Gerrard, Shelvey, Bellamy, Carroll and Downing on target at home to Oldham.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Photograph of the week

What can you say?

Gregarious

N&R Division 1 - week 21 update
Boys on tour are 5 ahead of Tanus Terriers. Harry Houdini fall to 3rd with Bagpuss 4th but it close, very close.

Woody's Round Up are up a spot and they swap with Gooner win league. The Magnificent Eleven and A Whitened Smut are 7th and 8th respectively.

Paris Eagles bounce back to 10th and Room with a view play a good catch up week too.

Keep the faith move out of the relegation zone and are replaced by Travelodge kettles.

How's about Bollocks, Non-Calculated Risk, Socceroos, Sainsbury's Maggotts FC, Bobby Z, Asahi Kirin, Nobby Junior, Still not a chance, We are all Keith Lemon, CHAMP19NS and Ted Striker all need to sort their teams out and get out of the drop zone.

A side

N&R Division 2 - week 21 update
Hold your horses this is getting rather exciting. Pimp my side are now top by just a smidge ahead of Dalton Worblers. Dynamo Chicken Kiev are 3rd and Pure Irish drop to 4th.

2Infinity & beyond remain 5th with the No Hopers 6th and Alchees Lubes 7th.

Glasgow kiss is beautifully poised in 8th and Full Metal jacket is back in the promotion race while Kiwi Fantastic falls out.

Dan's dribblers continues to fall like a bungie jumper down the league, but Hammer Nation kick it up a bit a climb a few places to 26th.

Chillers remain in the prized penultimate place - kate, your name came up at a dinner I was at this week.... very interesting....

And of course Danny's Starlets bring up the rear.

Light & Bitter and Light & Lager 3rd Draw

Remember this is the League Cup, not as exciting and most of you play your youth team, but there is a prize at stake and we are down to the Quarter Finals.

Earlier today the balls were juggled and two 'C' celebs pulled the following ties out of the hat to be played over week 24 (this weekend).

Light & Bitter (Div 1) 3rd Round
Travelodge Kettles v Gooner Win League
The Magnificent Eleven v Hannoi Utd
Whitened Smut v Loads of Roubles
To Elland Back v Brox Banditos

Neil's Gooner win league are the highest placed team and they are drawn against Huw's Travelodge kettles.

Light & Lager (Div 2) 3rd Round
Pimp my side v Dalton Worblers
Red Ken Relives the 80's v Glasgow kiss
The No Hopers v Morgans Machines
Dynamo Chicken Kiev v Alchees Lubs

Top v 2nd then first out of the hat and then the final tie is 3rd v 7th.

Good luck all.

Week 21 review

On the 27th, Arsenal were held by a battling Wolves, Bale scored twice as Spurs beat the Canaries, the Swans and R's drew 1-1 at the Loft.

On Friday 30th, Newcastle lost at Liverpool 3-1. Bellamy scoring twice.

On New Years Eve Arsenal beat QPR 1-0, Bolton and Wolves was 1-1, Villa turned up the odds and went to the Bridge and won 3-1. Booooooooo. AVB OUT!

Blackburn beat Man U at Old Trafford. Boooooooooo. Oh.

Jackson got a 94th minute equaliser as Norwich thwarted a Fulham victory at Carrow Road, Stoke drew 2-2 with Wigan and Swansea and Spurs was 2-2 in a cracking game in South Wales.

On the Sunday Sunderland, revitalised under MON beat Man City 1-0. Booooooooooo. MANCINI OUT! And Everton's Anichebe scored the winner as the Toffees beat the Baggies.

This was a bumper week, and we keep going.

Monday, Swansea won at a poor Villa, Stoke beat Blackburn, who revert to type, as do their fans. In a Christmas full of surprises, and not just in stockings, Fulham beat Arsenal after being a goal behind.

Norwich beat QPR and Warren Barton was sent off. And finally Chelsea beat Wolves thanks to a Fat Frankie winner.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Best Weekly Score

A big shake up then in the very best weekly scores so far this season. Week 20 produced 6 scores better than Keith's previous best of 76.

The revised Top 12 best weekly score's looks like this:

1. Greg Foulger, week 20, 82 points
2. Soozie Saveall, week 20, 81 points
3= Neil Bixby, week 20, 80 points
3= Neil Reynolds, week 20, 80 points
5. Ken Cobbett, week 20, 78 points
6. Rosie Dalton, week 20, 77 points
7. Keith Read, week 3, 76 points
8= Paul Long, week 20, 75 points
8= Mark Dewberry, week 20, 75 points
8= Barry Plummer, week 20, 75 points
8= Geoff McCormick, week 20, 75 points
12. Neil Addington, week 20, 72 points
Up to week 20

Greg & Tim share top place

N&R Division 1 - week 20 update
MoW Boys on Tour joined Harry Houdini as joint leaders of Div 1 in week 20. Tanus Terriers are 3rd.

Bagpuss remains 4th but Gooner win the league move into 5th just ahead of Woody's Round Up.

We have new new entrants into the Top 8 last year's runner up Magnificent Eleven are up to 7th with A Whitened Smut in 8th. Neil was in the relegation zone just 4 weeks ago.... hope for me yet.

To Elland back fall to 10th and Room with a view fall even further to 14th, which only goes to show how very close it is in the top half of the table. 50 points separate 8th from 19th.

At the bottom Travelodge kettles move away from the drop zone, with Keep the faith replacing them. Nobby Junior climbs a few places but Ted Striker stays bottom.

Pimped

N&R Division 2 - week 20 update
Rosie's Dalton Worblers retain a 16 point lead at the top of Div 2. Pimp my side rise up to 2nd however, Graham's highest ever N&R FL position. Pure Irish drop to 3rd, her lowest place of the season so far.

Dynamo Chicken Kiev are 4th, with 2Infinity & beyond looking threatening in 5th. No Hopers continue their great season in 6th with Alchees Lubes 7th.

In the promotion places are Barceloner, Kings of Leon Osman, Glasgow kiss, Kiwi Fantastic and now Gooner go up.

Planet Kilpo is up and down like the preverbial whores draws and now down to 16th. Brighton Blues was a climber in week 20.

Stocky Starlets remain rooted to the bottom.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Boys on top

Manager of the Week - week 20
In a bumper pre-Christmas round of matches it was Greg Foulger ran out winner in week 20 with a season high 82. Next up was Mrs Soozie Sav with a remarkable 81, then two Neils, Bixby and Reynolds hit home an 80 each.

Ken Cobbett, who is busily climbing the Div 1 league table scored 78, Div 2 leader Rosie 77 and Paul Long was a surprise amongst the managers who hit 75. The others were Mark Dewberry, Barry Plummer and Geoff McCormick.

All these managers beat the current season best scored by Ready in week 3.

Neil Addington smashed his season best with 72, Ricky Wood and Steve Black both saw scores of 71 and Kennett smacked a 70.

Other notables in week 20 were Graham Ward 69, Mark Sterry 66, John Hardiman 65, the forgotten Chi-boys Feldbruegge & Malloy hit a season best 57, Francey 48, Dan Duboux 28 and last and very least Danny Rose nnnnn19.

UEFA Euros 2012

Is anyone out there a member of either the National Association Fan Sales Programme and The Tour Operator Programme?

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/ticketing/pna/
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/ticketing/to/

This is the only way tickets are being sold for the Ukraine / Poland 2012 Championships in June.

If you are a member please contact Mark Simmons (Mark.Simmons@guycarp.com) who spends half his life in Poland and would love to get tickets for a game or two.

Thanks.

Monday, January 09, 2012

In the media

On the face of it Sir Alex and Roberto Mancini have little in common, but....

"Sir Alex Ferguson, for one, appears to have a rare level of respect for the man 23 years his junior. Mancini, he says, is a manager of "absolute authority". His handling of the Carlos Tevez affair "distinguished him in managerial terms". Ferguson has struggled sometimes to praise managers who represent a genuine threat but has found it easy with Mancini...."

Read more of the Guardian article here.

Road to Wembley - Plucky Lambs chewed up like a Toffee

Everton's Johnny Heitinga helped break Tamworth's hearts despite a battling performance by the Blue Square Bet Premier side at Goodison Park.

Heitinga struck with a header before Leighton Baines's late penalty sealed Everton's win.

Tamworth produced a spirited display with Kyle Patterson almost equalising after a powerful run but the Lambs bowed out after Baines scored from the spot following Samuel Habergham's foul on Royston Drenthe.

Tamworth had won only one of their previous six matches since booking a trip to Goodison Park, and they found themselves behind in the opening moments.

The Staffordshire club were backed by almost 5,000 fans on Merseyside - about five times as many as turned out to witness the start of Tamworth's FA Cup adventure at home to King's Lynn in October but the rousing reception they gave their team was punctured in the fifth minute when an unmarked Heitinga was allowed to cushion a header past Joe Collister from Landon Donovan's corner.

The Tamworth keeper produced a fine stop with his feet to deny Victor Anichebe from making it 2-0 two minutes later but the Lambs soon settled and Patterson, a former team-mate of Donovan and David Beckham at Los Angeles Galaxy, went close to scoring a 29th-minute equaliser after a powerful run from the halfway line.

Everton were far from impressive but they did enough to return to winning ways after their surprise home defeat to Bolton in midweek.

Their passage into the fourth round came at a price as Seamus Coleman limped off injured in the 57th minute soon after Collister had tipped over his cross-shot.

Coleman was replaced by England international Baines, who put the tie out of sight from the spot despite Tamworth's protests at referee Robert Madley's decision.

Donovan went within inches of making it 3-0 with a superb right-footed shot from 25 yards that beat Collister but crashed off the angle of post and bar.

The final whistle saw Tamworth's players receive a standing ovation from all four sides of Goodison.

Tamworth manager Marcus Law: "There's a part of me very disappointed because we spent a lot of time on dealing with set-pieces. I've scrutinised about six DVDs of Everton, been up here for two games and that was where I felt their strengths were. Maybe the occasion and lack of focus in that first five minutes has gone against us. But it just shows you what small margins there are in football."

Everton manager David Moyes: "It was a bit of a struggle at times. Tamworth did really well and kept at it and while it was only 1-0 they were always in with a chance. We missed a few chances to make it 2-0 which would have put it to bed, but for the neutrals that kept the game running alive. While it was 1-0 Tamworth could keep running and keep trying to make things happen. "

Tamworth: Collister, Tait, Habergham, Courtney (McDonald 80), Francis, Kanyuka, Thomas (Sharif 67), Patterson, Barrow, McKoy, Christie (St Aimie 62).
Subs: Hedge, Oji, St Aimie, McDonald, Rico Taylor, Sharif, Wallen
Attendance: 27,564

Everton now become the N&R Road to Wembley side, our 6th team to follow this season and 2nd Merseyside one after we started with AFC Liverpool.

Everton were drawn at home to fellow Premier League side Fulham, conquerors of Charlton.

Week 20 review

In the midweek before Christmas there was a full Premier League programme.

Blackburn lost at home to Bolton to slump to bottom place on the Tuesday night. Booooooooo. KEAN OUT!

On the same night Norwich came from 2-down to draw at Wolves.

On the weekend before Christmas Liverpool were held by Wigan 0-0, Sunderland won in the last minute at QPR, likewise WBA at St James', Citeh beat Stoke comfortably 3-0 and Leon Osman scored the winner as Everton beat Swansea 1-0.

Man U scored 5 at Fulham, and in a week of late winners, Benayoun did it for Arsenal at Villa Park.

Tottenham and Chelsea shared the spoils 1-1 on the Thursday.

On Boxing Day being a Monday, these results counted towards week 20:

Newcastle won at Bolton, Chelsea and Fulham drew in the west London derby and Blackburn grabbed a fine 1-1 draw at Anfield. Boooooooooooooo. KEAN OUT!

Man U hit anither 5 at home to Wigan, Stoke and Villa and surprisingly City and WBA also was goalless.

Young Colback scored for Sunderland as they drew 1-1 at home to Everton.

Photograph of the week

The manager with the best anagram in football was relived of his duties last night with Mark Hughes the favourite to take over within 48 hours.

Warnock took charge of QPR with the club lying 20th in the Championship, and, after steering them away from relegation trouble, returned the club to the Premier League 14 months later but after a run of eight Premier League games without a win, Colin Wanker is given his p45.

Friday, January 06, 2012

Week 19 review

Blackburn lost at home to WBA. Booooooo. KEAN OUT!

Everton and Norwich shared the points, Fulham beat struggling Bolton 2-0, Wigan drew with Chelsea, Newcastle drew with Swansea and Stoke won at Wolves.

On the Sunday Pavlyuchenko got Spurs' winner at home to Sunderland, Man U beat QPR 2-0 at the Loft, Man C won 1-0 at home to the Arse in a cracking game that I watched on the box and Liverpool beat Villa 2-0 away.

Welcome to the 2012 Nobby & Ready Cup

The beauty of the Cup, and us at N&R Towers have jumped on the bandwagon and will roll out the 2012 N&R Cup for this weekend.

Because there are 70 teams, we need to do a bit of a Qualifying Round first and therefore I have drawn the bottom 6 teams of each division against each other as follows:

N&R Cup Qualifying Round:
We are all Keith Lemon v Stocky's Starlets
Chillers Champions v Ted Striker's XI
Californication v CHAMP19NS - 20 in May
Still not a chance v Lazarus United
Arsene Still Knows v Asahi Kirin Sapporo Saki Eight
Nobby Junior v Red Ken Re-lives the 80's

All ties to be played this weekend during the FA Cup 3rd Round. Good luck.

N&R Weekly Bets

These were Keith and my efforts over Christmas. The numerous shock results ended up with us in debt to the bank. I am almost a score in the red now, but Ready is still in the money.

26th/27th December

Nobby:
Arsenal v Wolves HOME - WRONG
WBA v Man C AWAY - WRONG
Liverpool v Blackburn HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £5.92. Winnings £0

Ready:
Liverpool v Blackburn HOME - WRONG
Arsenal v Wolves HOME - WRONG
Man U v Wigan HOME - CORRECT

£2 stake. Winning potential £2.60 Winnings £0

30th/31st Dec/1st Dec

Nobby
Arsenal v QPR HOME - CORRECT
WBA v Everton DRAW - WRONG
Stoke v Wigan HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £8.80. Winnings £0

Ready
Man U v Blackburn HOME - WRONG
Arsenal v QPR HOME - CORRECT
Chelsea v Aston Villa HOME - WRONG

£2 stake. Winning potential £4.85. Winnings £0

2nd/3rd/4th January

Nobby
Everton v Bolton HOME - WRONG
Blackburn v Stoke HOME - WRONG
Fulham v Arsenal AWAY - WRONG

Ready
Spurs v WBA HOME - CORRECT
Wolves v Chelsea AWAY - CORRECT
Aston V v Swansea HOME - WRONG

Running total:
Ready £26.50 (positive)
Nobby £18.24 (negative)

Ready's Benfleet Bet - FA Cup Predictions

Deadline today at 4pm. See below to enter.

http://www.nobbyandready.blogspot.com/2011/12/readys-benfleet-bet.html

Photograph of the week

Liverpool have made themselves look like fools in their support of Luis Suarez, who now serves a 8 game ban after repeatedly calling Patrice Evra a "negro."

Harry's Law

N&R Division 1 - week 19 update
Harry Houdini
remains top of the tree and has opened up a little gap on Tanus Terriers and Boys on tour. Bagpuss remain 4th but Gooner win league swap with Woody's Round Up in the top 6.

Room with a view are 7th and To Elland Back are 8th.

FFC 4Ever drop down a few places but there was upward movement from Financial Bale Out, Loads of Roubles, How about Bollocks and Asahi Kirin Sapporo Saki Eight.

Worbled

N&R Division 2 - week 19 update
A new leader before Christmas then. Dalton Worblers move two points ahead of Pure Irish, who reclaimed her etop spot from Rosie 4 weeks ago. Pimp my side are 3rd and close behind our two lady leaders.

In 4th slips Dynamo Chicken Kiev, 5th is Alchees Lubes and 6th tied are the No Hopers and Glasgow Kiss.

8th drops Standard Ginger with 2Infinity & beyond, Kings of Leon Osman, Barceloner and Kiwi Fantastic are all knocking on the door.

Full Metal Jacket fell out of contention, Brighton Blues was a big climber as was Buy, buy, buy Arsene Wenger.

It'll be Rosie this Christmas

Manager of the Week - week 19
The lovely Rosie was our week 19 MoW just before Christmas. her 49 points secured her a fiver and top place in Div 2 as Santa made his way around the world.

Brett Davey has re-found his mojo and worked up a 46 in week 19. The same score as Richard Richards. Steve Merchant and Cottager scored 45, as did Greg Foulger. Neville White hammered another goos score with a 44.

The 43 was the score of choice for Kilpo, Lee Horne, Jason Syrett and Paul Long.

The week's lowest effort was a miserly 10 by Chillers.

Road to Wembley - The Lambs

Tamworth FC are our N&R Road to Wembley starlets this weekend. Nicknamed the Lambs, let's hope they are not slaughtered like one at Goodison Park tomorrow, where over 5,000 Tamworth fans will make the journey.

Here are 10 things that you never knew about Tamworth FC:

1) They were formed in 1933 and moved to the Lamb Ground (photo) a year later, where they still play.
2) The Lamb Ground was named after "The Lamb Inn", which stood for many years at the entrance to what is now the ground's car park. The first known use of the site was as a pig farm at the turn of the 19th century. The ground now holds 4,195 people.
3) Arsenal and Ladbrokes legend Paul Merson played two games for Tamworth in 2006 before he retired from the game.
4) Other famous-ish ex-players include Paul Devlin, Gerry Taggert and boing boing Bobby Taylor of WBA fame.
5) The Lambs play in an all red kit and the club crest features a Stafford knot, the symbol of Staffordshire.
6) Current manager is Marcus Law, who previously managed cash starved Kettering.
7) Ex Jamaican international Paul Hall is Law's assistant.
8) Club sponsors are SnowDome, which is an indoor ski slope in Tamworth, the first full sized recreational indoor ski slope in the UK! Yes I am struggling to get 10.
9) The Lambs have twice been to the FA Cup 3rd Rd and thinking of tokmorrow's potential scoreline, the Lambs biggest ever defeat was 11-0 in 1940.
10) Tamworth striker Kyle Patterson once counted Everton’s Landon Donovan as a team-mate at LA Galaxy, even providing an assist for the USA star on his debut for the MLS outfit.

Good luck to Tamworth tomorrow and look out for their result at 5 o'clock.