Hope all you Prediction League managers and your families had a great Christmas!
It’s certainly better for Carl Hankin, who becomes our league leader over New Year and wins £10 in the process! Well done Carl, the cheque’s in the post – or it will be soon.
Recent match postponements have held the Come On Darlo Prediction League in a state of suspended animation – though recent scores have done little to boost managers’ points totals anyway.
Looking cold for the next few days, so don’t hold your breath
Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year
Pete
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Thursday 17 December 2009
Bad Weather Pitch Inspections
Given the impending bad weather, we thought we should find out what The Football League has to say about pitch inspections. This is what they have made public:
Following the onset of the recent cold snap, The Football League has re-iterated to clubs the recommended procedures with regard to early pitch inspections.
Football League Head of Communications, John Nagle, said, "Given the low temperatures we are currently experiencing it is very likely that we'll see a number of games being called off in the days ahead. Therefore, it is important that clubs do everything they can to prevent supporters making wasted journeys to postponed fixtures."
Consequently, in instances where there is any possibility of a fixture being postponed because of bad weather, the home club is expected to:
• provide an early warning to The Football League that the fixture might be in doubt and seek appropriate advice;
• contact the visiting club at least 24 hours prior to kick-off to ascertain their travelling arrangements and to keep these in mind throughout the ensuing lead up period;
• contact the match referee to inform him of the situation and to make him aware that an early inspection might be required. If needed, this inspection should be made prior to the visiting club and their supporters beginning their journey;
• contact The Football League if they believe a very early pitch inspection is a sensible course of action (e.g. Friday for a Saturday match). In such cases The League may arrange for the inspection to be made by a local referee, with the decision made by The League, itself, based on his/her report;
• keep supporters informed of any changes to the status of the match through relevant news channels such as Radio Five Live, the Press Association and Club websites & SMS services.
The League has also emphasised, once again, that whilst the responsibility for the initial action resides locally with the home team, no club may postpone a match by itself. Such a decision can only be taken by the match referee or The Football League.
Of course, the unpredictability of the British weather may still lead to some matches being called off late in the day or even abandoned after they have begun. However, through the implementation of these procedures it is hoped that such cases can be kept to a minimum.
Hopefully this will not affect us at Darlington, but we thought it would be of interest.
Following the onset of the recent cold snap, The Football League has re-iterated to clubs the recommended procedures with regard to early pitch inspections.
Football League Head of Communications, John Nagle, said, "Given the low temperatures we are currently experiencing it is very likely that we'll see a number of games being called off in the days ahead. Therefore, it is important that clubs do everything they can to prevent supporters making wasted journeys to postponed fixtures."
Consequently, in instances where there is any possibility of a fixture being postponed because of bad weather, the home club is expected to:
• provide an early warning to The Football League that the fixture might be in doubt and seek appropriate advice;
• contact the visiting club at least 24 hours prior to kick-off to ascertain their travelling arrangements and to keep these in mind throughout the ensuing lead up period;
• contact the match referee to inform him of the situation and to make him aware that an early inspection might be required. If needed, this inspection should be made prior to the visiting club and their supporters beginning their journey;
• contact The Football League if they believe a very early pitch inspection is a sensible course of action (e.g. Friday for a Saturday match). In such cases The League may arrange for the inspection to be made by a local referee, with the decision made by The League, itself, based on his/her report;
• keep supporters informed of any changes to the status of the match through relevant news channels such as Radio Five Live, the Press Association and Club websites & SMS services.
The League has also emphasised, once again, that whilst the responsibility for the initial action resides locally with the home team, no club may postpone a match by itself. Such a decision can only be taken by the match referee or The Football League.
Of course, the unpredictability of the British weather may still lead to some matches being called off late in the day or even abandoned after they have begun. However, through the implementation of these procedures it is hoped that such cases can be kept to a minimum.
Hopefully this will not affect us at Darlington, but we thought it would be of interest.
Sunday 13 December 2009
Prediction League Match 21
Okay, it’s time to admit defeat – yeah, not just the 5-0 away drubbing at Torquay, but also the season is over for Darlington and all they have to look forward to is the end of the season (we’ll worry about next season when/if that arrives).
What our managers have to worry about in terms of points scoring are these huge scores in each Darlo game. Would it come as a great surprise to learn that – again – there was no-one with the correct scoreline of 5-0? Perhaps the only other surprise is that "only" 82 managers predicted a home win. So the scramble for points goes on as we head towards the season’s mid-way point.
Carl Hankin just keeps his nose out in front on 65, but now closely followed by Adrian Pape on 62 who continues to confound all of his critics . . . well, one in particular (guess who?). Andrew Hodgson occupies bronze medal position with 61 points. There is a gap opening up to the rest of the league as fourth-placed Stephen Nicholson, Lance England and Steve Austin are sat on 55. Robert Mitchum, The Duke and Brian Main are close by on 54.
But let’s be honest here – if anybody puts a run together, and we’re only talking about the odd eight-pointer here and there – then we’ll have a runaway league leader before you know it. As it is, all spread betting for a 12-way tie for the championship has been suspended.
Susan Weston is leading the ladies’ challenge in 15th place on 50 points, Emma Davis and Abigail Robinson are right there on 48 points. Sue Oldham has 47 and Tracey Pickersgill is on 46.
John Berry’s second team is now the official League Duffer, the only remaining manager on single figures (9) - keeping Darlo in good company there John! Margaret White has been joined on 12 by Dave Brown, while Alan Mooney’s Icelandic funds are in short supply with 13 points. Even Malcolm Cundick’s team efforts – three teams in all – look to have been spread too thinly, with the first XI in 148th place on 23 and t’other two on 17 and 16 points. Even adding them all together wouldn’t have got you top spot!
Pete
What our managers have to worry about in terms of points scoring are these huge scores in each Darlo game. Would it come as a great surprise to learn that – again – there was no-one with the correct scoreline of 5-0? Perhaps the only other surprise is that "only" 82 managers predicted a home win. So the scramble for points goes on as we head towards the season’s mid-way point.
Carl Hankin just keeps his nose out in front on 65, but now closely followed by Adrian Pape on 62 who continues to confound all of his critics . . . well, one in particular (guess who?). Andrew Hodgson occupies bronze medal position with 61 points. There is a gap opening up to the rest of the league as fourth-placed Stephen Nicholson, Lance England and Steve Austin are sat on 55. Robert Mitchum, The Duke and Brian Main are close by on 54.
But let’s be honest here – if anybody puts a run together, and we’re only talking about the odd eight-pointer here and there – then we’ll have a runaway league leader before you know it. As it is, all spread betting for a 12-way tie for the championship has been suspended.
Susan Weston is leading the ladies’ challenge in 15th place on 50 points, Emma Davis and Abigail Robinson are right there on 48 points. Sue Oldham has 47 and Tracey Pickersgill is on 46.
John Berry’s second team is now the official League Duffer, the only remaining manager on single figures (9) - keeping Darlo in good company there John! Margaret White has been joined on 12 by Dave Brown, while Alan Mooney’s Icelandic funds are in short supply with 13 points. Even Malcolm Cundick’s team efforts – three teams in all – look to have been spread too thinly, with the first XI in 148th place on 23 and t’other two on 17 and 16 points. Even adding them all together wouldn’t have got you top spot!
Pete
Monday 7 December 2009
Prediction League Matches 19 and 20
There’s a cold wind blowing round The Arena as Darlington’s headlong plunge into the Blue Square Premier League continues at an alarming rate, with no sign of any let-up in the run of defeats . . . this time “only” 1-0 against Bradford City.
The one consolation (yes, a kinda scraping-the-barrel consolation) is that the lowly scoreline has brought a few maximums for our beleaguered managers . . . but not for the league leaders. Mind you, Carl Hankin’s three points has now opened up a massive gap of four on second placed Andrew Hodgson, who have 65 and 61, respectively. Adrian Pape is still there on 59 in third place with Stephen Nicholson holding station in fourth on 55. Lance England and Steve Austin locked together on 52.
The Duke’s eight points has got this good old southern boy up to 51 points in seventh spot, with Susan Weston’s max score taking her to 50 in joint 11th. My second team (never could pick ‘em) is just showing some form lately and is handily placed on 47 points. Our reigning champion Martyn Cripps isn’t giving up his crown easily and now has 44 points back in 29th place, just ahead of James Cagney on 42.
Other eight-pointers are: Paul Robinson in 52nd on 40 points; Iain Cardwell with 38 in 60th spot; Jamie Molnar on 36 in 70th position and Mick Spencer on 28 in 114th place.
There’s an ever colder breeze blowing through the nether reaches of the Come On Darlo Prediction League as Dave Brown and John Berry cling to nine points (it must be double figure phobia preventing them from going higher). Margaret White and Alan Mooney have done themselves no favours by their lack of points scoring, with a clutch of managers just above them on 14.
MATCH 19:
And the downpour of goals in the against column continues with another four conceded against high-flying Notts County . . . three of which came in the first 17 minutes. The 4-0 defeat seems to have condemned The Quakers to the Blue Square Premier League in most fans’ minds.
Five managers did however have the slight consolation of predicting the correct score – Stephen Nicholson benefited most by moving into fourth spot on 55 points, now only seven behind the leader. Carl Hankin retains top spot on 62 from Andrew Hodgson on 61 and Adrian Pape continues to confound some close relatives with his third place on 56.
Jonny Simpson’s eight-pointer has moved him to joint 27th on 43, well within striking distance of the top places. Paul Johnson’s first XI is only one point behind on 42. Russell Jones returns to winning ways with his prediction and just about earns respectability on 34 points in joint 67th place. Mick Moriarty completes the line-up for correct predictions, moving well away from the relegation places, with 28 points in 104th.
Dave Brown has finally hit the jackpot . . . well, three points anyway . . . and joins John Berry’s second XI on nine in Wooden Spoon Hell. Two of our long-serving managers, Alan Mooney and Margaret White are in danger of receiving the backing of their respective club’s boards – on 13 and 12 points, respectively. Followed, usually, by “leaving by mutual consent” - can they turn this season around? Hovering just above on 14 points are Raymond Percival, Richard Collin, Lee Dyas, Lemsip Opic and Nick Walters.
Also this week sees the addition of more points due to a cut-off point in the season – Darlington’s points total by November 25.
But, hold on a minute, I think my spreadsheet is faulty – it’s not registering any points at all for ANY managers in this section, not even for being within two of the correct number.
Hmmm . . . check the formula . . . no, that looks fine . . . check I’ve put the correct number of points in . . . that’s fine too!!!
Hold on a minute . . . eight points by November 25? Who on earth would’ve predicted that? Exactly! No-one did and the closest anyone got was a prediction of around 13 points. So this "high-scoring" season continues apace – remember that pre-season rallying call of 200-plus points for the winner? Not unless someone pulls more than a rabbit out of the hat!
Pete
The one consolation (yes, a kinda scraping-the-barrel consolation) is that the lowly scoreline has brought a few maximums for our beleaguered managers . . . but not for the league leaders. Mind you, Carl Hankin’s three points has now opened up a massive gap of four on second placed Andrew Hodgson, who have 65 and 61, respectively. Adrian Pape is still there on 59 in third place with Stephen Nicholson holding station in fourth on 55. Lance England and Steve Austin locked together on 52.
The Duke’s eight points has got this good old southern boy up to 51 points in seventh spot, with Susan Weston’s max score taking her to 50 in joint 11th. My second team (never could pick ‘em) is just showing some form lately and is handily placed on 47 points. Our reigning champion Martyn Cripps isn’t giving up his crown easily and now has 44 points back in 29th place, just ahead of James Cagney on 42.
Other eight-pointers are: Paul Robinson in 52nd on 40 points; Iain Cardwell with 38 in 60th spot; Jamie Molnar on 36 in 70th position and Mick Spencer on 28 in 114th place.
There’s an ever colder breeze blowing through the nether reaches of the Come On Darlo Prediction League as Dave Brown and John Berry cling to nine points (it must be double figure phobia preventing them from going higher). Margaret White and Alan Mooney have done themselves no favours by their lack of points scoring, with a clutch of managers just above them on 14.
MATCH 19:
And the downpour of goals in the against column continues with another four conceded against high-flying Notts County . . . three of which came in the first 17 minutes. The 4-0 defeat seems to have condemned The Quakers to the Blue Square Premier League in most fans’ minds.
Five managers did however have the slight consolation of predicting the correct score – Stephen Nicholson benefited most by moving into fourth spot on 55 points, now only seven behind the leader. Carl Hankin retains top spot on 62 from Andrew Hodgson on 61 and Adrian Pape continues to confound some close relatives with his third place on 56.
Jonny Simpson’s eight-pointer has moved him to joint 27th on 43, well within striking distance of the top places. Paul Johnson’s first XI is only one point behind on 42. Russell Jones returns to winning ways with his prediction and just about earns respectability on 34 points in joint 67th place. Mick Moriarty completes the line-up for correct predictions, moving well away from the relegation places, with 28 points in 104th.
Dave Brown has finally hit the jackpot . . . well, three points anyway . . . and joins John Berry’s second XI on nine in Wooden Spoon Hell. Two of our long-serving managers, Alan Mooney and Margaret White are in danger of receiving the backing of their respective club’s boards – on 13 and 12 points, respectively. Followed, usually, by “leaving by mutual consent” - can they turn this season around? Hovering just above on 14 points are Raymond Percival, Richard Collin, Lee Dyas, Lemsip Opic and Nick Walters.
Also this week sees the addition of more points due to a cut-off point in the season – Darlington’s points total by November 25.
But, hold on a minute, I think my spreadsheet is faulty – it’s not registering any points at all for ANY managers in this section, not even for being within two of the correct number.
Hmmm . . . check the formula . . . no, that looks fine . . . check I’ve put the correct number of points in . . . that’s fine too!!!
Hold on a minute . . . eight points by November 25? Who on earth would’ve predicted that? Exactly! No-one did and the closest anyone got was a prediction of around 13 points. So this "high-scoring" season continues apace – remember that pre-season rallying call of 200-plus points for the winner? Not unless someone pulls more than a rabbit out of the hat!
Pete
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