Blow by Blow - Division 1 - The Almost Nearly's

Barry Paull our Parisien aristocat had a suprising collapse in the second part of the season. At week 25 Barry was in 7th, previous to that he was top for 4 whole weeks in October and was in the top 8 every week bar 4 from day 1. So what happened? Barry is still cavorting around the Eiffel Tower in his full kit wanker Palace number, so probably doesn't really care but it was an interesting fall from grace when I think Keith and I had him down for an almost cert money winner. C+

The experienced fantasy manager has regularly featured in top 8's although never won the ultimate prize. 4th in 2004 and 2007 were his best finishes. His end of season collapse nearly ended in tears with a unheard off relegation threat but he finished 31 points ahead of the bottom 12. B-

Ready will be disappointed with his campaign. No prizes unusually for the twice champion and a middling kind of season. Yes, he had a spell in the top 8 but only for 4 weeks back in the Autumn. Never threatened with the drop, but he exited both cups early and will want to improve on his 18th place next season, one mind you when he will be fully focused on the N&R as he is now back in the market. B-

Bix started slowly but got going and was as high as 7th in week 21, but also settle into a midtable stride. An improvement on last season and never any concerns over the drop. B

Previous champ Rob Munden spent almost the entire first half of the season in the prized places but failed to maximise his transfer opportunities and slipped into a midtable mojo. B-

Godders, also of course an ex N&R champion, albeit Gary Lineker was in Leicester City's youth team at the time! Early relegation wobbles were soon overcome but alongside Munden, Ready, Paull, Plummer, Wood and Cobbett all potential winners, they each had to settle for a midtable finish. Godders did finish a place higher than last season though and was a N&R Cup semi-finalist. B

Barry Plummer, another full kit Palace wanker waving his ultra's flag around Croydon, actually was a little relegation threatened around the turn of the year, but comfortably pulled clear to finish in 14th. The ex-champ addressed a slump last year by winning promotion last year back to Div 1 where the boy Baz, does deserve to be. 1 MoW. B+

Graham Ward on the back of last season's promotion had a very good campaign after a shaky start amongst the big knobs. Graham was a beaten Div 1 League Cup finalist and two MoW wins. A good foundation to begin perhaps a challenge on the top 8 next season. Oh, and he comfortably beat his brother as well. B+

Ken Cobbett didn't live up to last season's 4th place and the season before's Runner Up. So a disappointing 12th. There was a MoW and a flirtation with both relegation and prize winning. 6th in week 13 was his highest place. B-