Welcome to the GW37 REVIEW – The Final Countdown
We’re leavin’ together
But still it’s farewell
And maybe we’ll come back
To Earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We’re leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?
Well FFUKERs, what an incredible week where we have seen it all; despair, jubilation, tears, laughter, penalty shootouts, crowd invasions, countless flares, last minute headed goals, head butts…just incredible. I have the privilege to write the penultimate GW review which has been a whirlwind last 5 days. I had about 6 song choices for this week as there was so much to talk about, so many stories but it seemed apt that I concluded on the 80’s banger – “the Final countdown” from Europe. This coming gameweek is now set to be one of the best we have witnessed in the Premier League with Relegation, Champions league and the Title all at stake. It really will be the final countdown come Sunday 4pm.
I’m going to do my best to summarise GW 37 but its best if I don’t mention my score. I just hope that my review writing ability is better than my FFUK team selection! Like many of you, we flooded our teams with likely candidates such as Salah, Mane, Diaz, Trent…if like me you were expecting the Reds to go all out and make up the goal difference, you were very, very wrong! Klopp Roulette doesn’t have quite the same ring to it? But I was well and truly Klopped – but I don’t care, we are FA Cup winners and quite frankly my FFUK team is about as consistently reliant as an Everton Steward. A handful of teams had double game weeks but would they be tempting for the “top managers” to back (and play chips/or go minus 4/8/12 to accommodate)?
Sunday started with a nail biter as Champions League “unlikely” took on Relegation “likely” Burnley. Harry Kane (7pts) showed why he is still regarded by many as “World Class” slotting home a penalty to keep the pressure on Arsenal and remind them they cant afford a “Spursy” finish. Burnley had a DGW so perhaps kept their energy for a more winnable game against Villa in the week. Sanchez (12pts) was the pick of the players with top bps, clean sheet and assist.
The Dead Rubber game between Villa and Palace had “draw” written all over it with neither team in the mood for anything other than beach volleyball and flip flops. A dull 1-1 draw saw Watkins (10pts) remind the England Scouts that he is still in the frame as a back up to Harry Kane. For me the more likely call up should go to young Palace centre back Marc Guehi (8pts) who has impressed all season – he’s definitely better than Harry Maguire…
Leeds managed a much needed point against Brighton (but would it be enough!?) in a 1-1 draw with Brighton. Already relegated Watford got thumped 5-1 by Europa Conference league chasing Leicester. Jamie Vardy (15pts) making a timely return to form as he continues his rehab from injury. Maddison with a goal and assist in the first game followed by a goal against Chelsea saw him top score for GW37 with 25 pts, Harvey Barnes (another England squad hopeful) showed his class with 2 goals and an assist (17 pts).
The big game of the afternoon however was West Ham vs Man City, West Ham’s unlikely 2 nil lead gave Liverpool hope that the quadruple is still alive. Bowen (14pts) with both goals, before Coufal own goal and Grealish (9pts) ruined the hopes of a Sunday party. Mahrez (3pts) could have sealed the title for City in the final moments but missed his penalty to keep the red dream alive.
No such drama at Wolves as they entertained a 1-1 draw with Norwich, Pukki (8pts) will be sorely missed next year as a low cost striker. The drama continued at Goodison Park as Brentford secured a 3-2 win over the toffees. Emotions at Goodison Park on Thursday would be at fever pitch.
Monday….Newcastle entertained champions league “probable” Arsenal but somebody forgot to give the Geordies the script. Arteta looked a forlorn figure as his beloved Arsenal crashed to a 2 nil defeat, opening up the Champions league spot for Spursy Spurs.
Tuesday…FA cup winners Liverpool travel to Southampton with not many FFUK managers predicting the absence of Mane, Diaz and Salah. Despite the big guns absence the reds managed to come from behind and pick up a 2-1 victory taking the league title to the final day, the final count down.
Thursday…WHAT SCENES. Everton’s comeback (even as a red) was spectacular with 3 second half goals and subsequent pitch invasion after Calvert-Lewin (17 pts) well taken header to secure the Toffee’s reign in top flight football for another season.
Villa drew with Burnley 1-1 to keep the relegation battle interesting between Burnley and Leeds who are tied on 35pts each. Chelsea with another draw at the bridge against Leicester was the final tie of the game week.
With a super GW score of 102 – GW37 leader Ashley Mather (1st) leads Ossama Mouslimani (2nd) by just 8 points going in to the final GW. It really is the final countdown isn’t it and not just for FFUK but for many teams in the premier league. Many of the top 8 have FH chips to play so still all to play for – This is why we love the Premier League and this is why we play FFUK (even if some of us play it very badly!). Best of luck to those that are in contention to secure a “money spot” I doff my cap to those who have stayed the course over the season and remained dedicated to minimal risk taking, avoiding hits, using your chips at the right time and playing percentages!
Top scorer in the league this week was Iain Sanderson (50th) with 121 points which is exactly the sort of score we were all dreaming of pre deadline. James Amar (89th) pushed him close with 118. Remember there is a prize for best GW score in GW38, on top of the season bet GW prizes.
Its that time of year when we name the FFUK Conts winner…NEIL GOODWIN – you FFUKING CONT YA! Well played mate, 89 points for the week ensured you were this years winner ahead of FFUK Legend Neil Stewart (86 points). Enjoy being “King Cont” – who will attempt to steal your crown next season!?
In the Cups its all happening…
Look at this, the FFUK Cup Final is between Kevin Ryan and Brendan Ryan – best of luck to you Bro’s! Amazing stuff.
In the Milk Plate it looks all over bar the shouting as fresh from being crowned King Cont, Neil Goodwin seems to have an unassailable lead (35 points) over Bryan Mallinson. Buy hey, it is the final day of the season, anything can happen in the final countdown.
In the, new this season, FPL FFUK Cup, as you can see below the final will be between Kevin Ryan an Ian Cayley.
Big money at stake in all these cup finals. Good luck to all those involved. All winners will be announced inthe GW38 review next week.
It’s the final countdown
We’re leavin’ together
(The final countdown)
We’ll all miss her so
It’s the final countdown (final countdown)
(Oh)
It’s the final countdown
Yeah
Cheers
JPC
FFUK 