That would be Arsenal.
By the way, the BBC fantasy league has reopened for new registrants and unlimited transfers ready for the next game month.
Well, Month 1 is over in the Straight Dope Fantasy League. We have a three-way tie at the top, but I think the next criterion is goals scored, and so I hereby award the cup for manager of the month to…
manwithaplan!
%
::::Polite applause::::everyone knows it’s a poisoned chalice
You now have unlimited changes until Saturday when month 2 starts. Also, your season-total is held somewhere for totting up in May in order to award th season’s crown, but I’m not sure you can access it. You may wish to write down your monthly totals somewhere to keep track of this.
Yup - as our colonial friends would no doubt say - “go figure”
And I’m off to play tinkerman with the old fallopians…
Yep, congrats to manwithaplan and the equally able Gazelle and Pete, who both lost out in a *dramatic and emotionally-charged * photo-finish </David Coleman>
Not a lot in it, though, so it could be quite good fun over the months.
Actually, I suspect this malarkey takes a little working out – a look at the fixture list might be a reasonable starting point, for example.
So we start again on Saturday, and have unlimited options until then . . . okay!
Well that was an interesting weekend - with The Arse beating the parvenus from Fulham Broadway.
Closer to home we got a, thoroughly undeserved, win at Leicester (based on watching it on the telly). What was it that Napoleon said about “lucky” generals? Maybe pleat is lucky? We could do with a bit of that. Still, it means that there is no great hurry to fil the managers job just yet - and the Standard were saying that Souness is now number one target. He’d do for me.
THings are looking bad for Rio if the News of The World is to be beleived. (a leap of faith, I know). He made several calls on his “turned off” mobile and the Telegraph this morning were stating that the delay in Man Utd providing his phone records could lead to the more serious charge of delibertely evading a test - an automatic ban following.
Man City continue to entertain - 6 goals with 10 men isn’t bad. (ps Wright Phillips has got a big fat step mum)
How much longer will Liverpool stick with houlier?
::Takes a bow, thinking about how the retrospectives on the careers of sacked managers generally contain the obligatory footage of the Manager of the Month Award::
Thanks for the congrats although Gazelle didn’t use all the transfers available and would certainly have beaten me had she(?) made a few switches before the last game. I had no idea why I came first given the three way tie but Sentient Meat’s explanation must be it. Matron’s mound looks particularly moist in week one of the new game month - keep the KY handy L_C.
The Gunners were jammy as fuck with the two goals on Saturday but we’ll take it any way we can get it. A month ago, I thought we’d be on the slide when I looked at the fixture list but we’ve come through what looks like the worst of it unbeaten. At least a point is required in Kiev tomorrow night. They might get it but I’ve given up being too hopeful about Arsenal in Europe.
As soon as an alternative is available, Houllier has to be for the high jump. They play good football on occasion but they don’t look like a side capable of putting a succession of decent performances together. Unlike Man U and Arsenal, they never seem to get a result when they’re not on top of their game and their defence looks far more leaky than a couple of years ago. They don’t look like a team going in the right direction and they need a change.
I was busy over the weekend what with moving chez Meat and thus didn’t even catch the highlights of the loss at Portsmouth, but newspaper reports imply that mediocrity ruled throughout the Liverpool team.
We need need need Didi Hamann back again. He is the key to the entire defensive edifice which was so impressive two years ago. An opposition attack would founder, “Regi” (after Regi Blinker due to his amusing nervous tic) would sweep up, pass to Gerrard, our attack commences. Added to his injury is the brazen insult that is Igor Biscan: regular central defender.
Still, all I said two pages ago about allowing Houllier more time still stands. The gap is now 12 points. As long as this is not larger come Christmas, he will, rightly, keep his job. As long as we qualify for the Champions League he will, rightly, keep his job.
However, when one looks east and sees the magical merry-go-round that is the kingdom of Kevin Keegan, patience wears thin.
I felt a little sorry for Leicester as they did deserve better. But Pleat, and Spurs, continue to ride their good fortune. And it’s not often you associate Spurs with good fortune . . .
Fwiw and based on the teevee, Leicester looked (to me) to be right on the cusp of what it takes to survive in the Prem; the team (if not the squad), the manager, the stadium, the support) . … the basics look to be just about there. They seem dangerously dependent on Dickov up front, but good luck to them.
The sooner Spurs can pursue stage two of the major clear-out the better – seven gone this past summer and at least three more to go, Sharon, Gus and Gary Do(nkey)herty (the famous Spaniard). All three were unmentionable imho, and Pleat continues to do well by blooding the new recruits as and when.
As to this Fantasy League, I forgot to make new month changes, so the three I have made take effect from now. Perhaps I shouldn’t have made the changes given how things worked out . . . . Matron’s seems stressed, I can tell by the way she tightens my tethers . . . .
Re Ferdinand
If it’s true he sent texts, made calls and tried to make more – including one to a consultant urologist – it would suggest ManUre didn’t try to contact him (as they claim).
I have no doubt ManUre will pursue a legal remedy if Ferdinand is banned so it looks set for a prolonged and antagonistic confrontation. I don’t think the FA should or will be intimidated; four months and £250,000 for Ferdinand. Take him down!
As to ManUre, they should also be punished, but there is a problem as to how; what does one do to a club like Manure that actually affects it ? The only remedy I can think of that seems effective is to dock them, say, three points. That’s highly unlikely to happen so what else is there . . .
Even Matron’s a little baffled by this one . . .
Same points and games played as Spurs - and the same five points off fourth place. You really shouldn’t be there.
If he loses the players, it’s over for the Manager, imho, and I do think Houllier has lost some of his, including Owen.
I also think it’s reasonable to say, no Champs League next season, no Owen next season - off to Madrid with Beckham.
If that’s a fair, how long do you leave it, time must be running out . . .
IMHO Liverpool need to bite the bullet as we did. I can’t see Houlier taking them into 4th place as things stand (assuming MUFC AFC and CFC make up the top three - which seems reasonable).
The obvious replacement is Martin O’Neil. Otherwise why would Owen stay with no obvious signs of improvement?
Gazza is training with wolves.
With Gascoigne either reading of that statement is plausible.
Hands off O’Neill, he’s doing a brilliant job for us at the mo’.
And please don’t take McLeish either 
Today’s spurs rumour (from the Guardian no less) - Mark Hughes.
Likeliness of this? Not high I’d have thought. (He’d do for me though)
I was a little amused by the timing of the Souness vs. Curbishley game last night; if Spurs appoint Junior Mad Jock, I’m leaving the country.
It is looking as if the cards will fall with Mrno’Nell at Liverpool, which – if accurate - leaves Spurs wanting . . . . No hurry, though. If it can’t be O’Neill then I still fancy Curbs . . . I think.
Beyond him, I just don’t know.
It’s curious to think that 4th Champions League spot is so up for grabs. At the moment, I find it difficult to choose between the next 11 or 12 clubs – anyone outside the bottom 5 lok like they could snatch it. Including you-know-who
Patrick Barclay says the new spurs guy is to be:- Mourinho. From Porto. In January. This is a little worrisome, as Barclay is usually reliable. Another Christian Gross and all that (although I think Gross could have worked out if he had longer).
I’ve seen the name mooted but like almost everyone, I don’t have a clue about the Porto guy. I think Pleat is correct in his public comments (re looking for a particular type of manager - my ‘skill set’ argument) so whether Mourinho satisfies the criteria is beyond me. I’m guessing the unknowable ‘big club’ factors are what’s going against Curbishley.
All I’d say is I agree with that general methodology, acknowledge the fact that foreign managers (including Scots) occupied the top four places last season, and they remain in vogue . . . but after that, it’s always a matter of personal judgement.
Yep I agree, Paddy Barclay doesn’t usually stick his neck out without reason. I guess his suggestion has more credibility than does most paper talk.
I see the BBC are carrying an abbreviated version of The Times interview with Pleat on Hoddle. Not entirely complimentary and echo’s the Observer stuff about the ‘track suited manager’ not willing to give it up.
In fact, that interview gives an interesting insight into the Pleat/Boardroom perspective/mentality, he seems to infer surprising limitations on the role of a manager. For example, ‘here’s the players, we know they’re good, get on with what you’ve got’ – this is obviously a consequence of the price of players in general and the cost of losing so much on Campbell and Rebrov. It also pretty well confirms what I suspected about the summer signings having to be excellent investments at least as much as the right players.
what I don’t get is the idea that foreign coaches coming in as being somehow inferior. Mourinho has led Porto to two championchips in a row and is on his way to a third, as well as winning the UEFA cup last season.
It’s not like the Premier league is the last bastion of excellent football.
What leads me to trust Barclay more than usual is that it was on Jimmy Hill’s Sky show (jumpers for goalposts, small boys in the park etc…) and it had to be dragged out of him.
Foreign coaches aren’t necessarily a bad thing, obviously - but I would be interested to know what their hit rate in England is. I would imagine that for every Wenger there’s a Gross/Vengloss etc.
This means that one thing they definately are is a gamble. Spurs are really not in a position to take that gamble. We have had decades of indifferent football (at least since 1991), and are slipping from public conciousness. We need to make a safe choice to at least stabilise ourselves.
Pleat is currently proving that the basics are pretty much all right, witha few additions (a defensive midfielder is a must - although MAbizela could maybe be a bit of a find). We don’t have the luxury of taking a chance which is why I would like someone like, McLeish, Curbuishley, Souness, etc. As they are a known quantity within this footballing environment.
The Arsenal in europe is one of the few things that keep me cheerful (that and copious amounts of London Pride). Tee hee, another comedy goalkeeper.
I was watching the match with a few of my lightweight mates (the kind that think that football started in 1992), and they were appaled that I was happy to see Kiev win. Their attitude is that you should always support the English team against the foreign one. Murdoch has a lot to answer for.
I’m not sure there is a feeling that foreign coaches are somehow inherently inferior. I think **Owl’s ** hit the nail by identifying the risk factor, though, and I’d ‘big up’ the problems associated with appointing a non-English speaking manager (as most would be – Sven, Wenger and Houllier are the exceptions in that regard, not the rule), as well as someone unfamiliar with the culture, football and wider.
All that reminds me of the size of Ranieri’s achievement and the bollocks of Bates for appointing him – even if most of the team couldn’t speak English either.
Actually, I’m also reminded of the interview with Wenger over the weekend when he said “we were a little bit slaughtered” Now, Ray Parlour wouldn’t use ‘slaughtered’ conditionally, in the same way you wouldn’t say ‘we were done up a little bit like a kipper’ – that seems apropos of nothing much in particular and everything in general.
Having said all that, the more I think of the ‘fit’ with Mourinho, the more it feels like a goer. It’s a pretty interesting idea.
On another note, is it just me or does Gus Poyet remind anyone else of Posh Spice ? And don’t get me started on Dalmat’s ‘Marlene Dietrich’ eyebrows . . .
ManUre vs. Rangers - is there any way they could both lose ?
Btw, does anyone else suspect this drugs thing in athletics couldn’t have come at a worse time for Rio . . . it looks to have ‘example, for the making of’ written all over it.
THis is Pleats person spec for the job:
Choosing the manager was a matter of ticking boxes: “The man we want has to fit a certain profile. It’s no good going after Joe Bloggs because he’s top of the First or Second Division at this moment. He might be in his first season, so he’s not experienced enough for a club like Tottenham. Would he represent Spurs well to the media? Is he a top coach? Would the players respect him? Is he a nutcase? Those are the boxes I’m talking about.”
This would seem to rule out a Paul Hart type appointment - ie plying their trade at too low a level. I think the real runners are Souness; McLeish; Curbuishley; Murinho. Pleat’s son told a (fairly relaible) pal of mine that Pleat has been told that the board want a younger man. However the course of events could change all this.
Boro at the weekend - we should gubb them.