Welcome to the
GW20 Review
Time is Hardcore
Keep winning, or stop in your tracks
Keep grinning, or let it all smash
Keep winning, or give it all back
Keep running, or let it go flat
Let it go though you won’t get it back
I think this is a message we can all feel some sort of closeness to and, as time ticks ever onwards the chances to climb the FFUK table grow ever fewer. We are over half way through this crazy season and things are only getting crazier.
I could definitely get used to having some football nearly every day, my view is probably tainted because its just so nice to see Arsenal playing some nice football (even some forward passing) and winning again. Arteta seems have found a formula that works, unsurprisingly it does not include Willian being on the pitch.
Whilst Arteta is starting to look better, Ole found himself top of the pile for a bit, there was one other young manager who had a slightly worse week than normal. Yes, that’s right Fat Frank has been unceremoniously dismissed from the top of the table at Chelsea. Whilst it does seem strange to employ a young manager and then not give him time, we all know this is how Chelsea run things and you cant really argue with the success it has brought to the blue side of London lately. Frank could not decide on his first eleven and was really struggling to get a tune out of his big money signings this season. Werner (0) looks more likely burst into tears than score a goal and Kai Havertz (3) has been much more of a Kai Havenot so far. Anyway, that chapter is closed, and Big Tommy T is here to write a new one. Does this make Chelsea assets more or less attractive I think we will find out in the coming weeks.
We are over halfway through the season now and as we enter the big money stages of the league – Wow hasn’t it flown by – I think we can all agree that time is definitely hardcore.
Let’s have a look at the King of the gameweek before we take a look at the matches from this tricky game week.
So how many did you have?
City are really starting to look like the behemoth they have been for the past few seasons and have now hit the top, it would be a brave man to bet against them. Gundogan (14) has really stepped up to fill KDB’s boots and is having the season of his life. Pep’s team destroyed Fat Sam’s West Brom 5-0 with Cancelo (17) rewarding those who were game to play Pep roulette this week. Yes it was ‘only’ West Brom but five nil is five nil and I am feeling like an idiot with zero City players in my team.
Elsewhere Palace and West Ham took part in another 5-goal thriller, with West Ham taking the spoils, Antonio (5) and Creswell (5) beginning to score reliably. West Ham are now fourth, yes that fourth in the league. Could CL football be coming to the Olympic stadium next season? Whilst Mr Cups (Bakes) will be hoping so Moyes is less confident telling us in his post-match interview to mind curb our expectations, is that what you want to hear from your manager? I’m not sure but hey they are fourth so who am I to argue.
Newcastle lost again this time to Leeds but Bamford (1) failed to bother the scorers again and Arsenal took revenge for the earlier loss in the cup by taking the points at St Mary’s from an injury depleted Southampton side, Lacazette (11) top scoring.
Burnley Villa was another 5-goal thriller with Villa paying the price for their first half wastefulness with Burnley scoring 3 second half goals to take the points, Wood (8) with the winner. With Villa slowly sliding down the table is this the end of Martinez’s (1) attraction?
Everton and Leicester shared the points drawing as did Fulham and Brighton.
Tommy Tuchel named an experienced squad for his first match in charge with many surprised to see Ollie Giroud (2) leading the line ahead of Werner (0) or Tammy (1) who was coming off the back of a hattrick in the week. Nil- nil was the score and nil was the goalmouth action too despite having the ball for the whole game. Ah well Tommy just needs time to get it working but how much will he get with Roman’s itchy trigger finger seemingly forever poised on that “sack ‘em all” button.
Man Utd dropped the ball with Sheffield Utd taking the points in an unexpected 2-1 victory, VAR ignoring a clear push on De Gea (1) for their first and Bruno (2) and the much improved Pogba (2) were helpless as Man United self-destructed with Bruno blanking for the fourth game in a row.
The last game of the week saw a big one with Liverpool taking on the ever under achieving Spurs. Would Tottenham rise to the challenge and really insert themselves into the title picture – unsurprisingly they did not, with Jose’s patented “let’s defend all game and hope to nick a lucky one” tactic failing as Liverpool scored at the end of the first half to end a drought of over four hours without a goal. Mane (15) cleaned up the points with a goal and an assist as Spur’s continue to disappoint their legion of fans.
Well that was a whirlwind week and managers everywhere were pulling their hair out as Captains blanked al over the shop. Bruno (2), Kane (1), Salah (2), Son (2) disappointing swathes of fans across the country everyone now wondering where to turn for game week 21.
With Kane looking like he is joining Vardy on the treatment table, Bamford losing form, Aubangbangbangbamayang out for personal reasons and Aguero sick there really is a dearth of strikers who can guarantee points these days. Antonio is hitting form, but can West Ham keep it up?
So what did this mean to the top of the table?
Big Stevie C is continuing to dominate (348th worldwide) but a big week from James Downie (70) sees him move into second ahead of the ever present (always the bridesmaid) Chrissy G holding firm in 3rd.
Ben Wright top scored this week with 83 points with Lacazette (11) and Cancelo (17) top scoring for him, it could have been even better with Soucek (15) on his bench a familiar theme that I’m sure resonates with many FFUK managers. Soucek is having a stormer of a season and at 5.3 milly looks good value.
Conts Update: it is with a heavy heart that we must say good bye to crowd favourites “I Blame Your Mother” this week a paltry score of 27 just not cutting the mustard. Their beautiful football has brought joy to many this season but sadly beauty is clearly not everything in this world of efficient, functional football we all now live in.
I spoke to their manager this week who tells me that leaving the league is hurting more than he expected and he entirely blames Harry Kane (1), whilst he is entitled to his views, I think we can all laugh at him for putting himself in a position of relying on spurs – What an absolute mug, haven’t you been paying attention for the last 50 years bro?
Anyway that’s it I’m out, the past is the past and now with such a quick turnaround before GW21, the time is now, so fire up your laptops and sort your teams out deadline is approaching fast.
Time is hardcore.
Mark – I Blame your mother (rescinded)
FFUK 