lawn_wrangler’s profile

Looking a little more closely at Guardian's scoring table, it seems like there are some key differences with the Premier League's. Clean sheets per half, crosses, clearances, blocked shots, etc. Many of these things were duly reflected in the Premier League's bonus system, but my impression is that it was heavily weighted in favor of the winning team. Of course, on Guardian your defense is getting docked for each goal...so there is some counterweight for performing well on a poor team.

posted at 02:10 PM on July 23

Guardian has a free league as well. Setup is similar but player values, scoring, and a few other things are somewhat different. Anyone fielding a team in Guardian's league?

posted at 11:07 AM on July 23

To compare a player guilty of a clumsy challenge to a murderer shows a complete lack of proportion, sensitivity and sense. In his retraction VVenger made it clear his comments were made in the heat of an emotional day. I think they were more than understandable in the circumstances: One of his rising stars had his leg split in half, and the whole team were in a state of shock and horror. I don't think he owes anyone an apology, he was just looking out for his boys. Now the dust is settling and he's had some time to reflect and clarify. Hardly a "disgrace[ful]" response, more like natural.

posted at 12:08 PM on February 24

Thanks Trox, Grum and Blarp for the pics. I watched the game. The ghastly looks on the players' faces left me in a state of unease for most of the match, but by the end all I could think was that it was the end of Arsenal's campaign. The pictures remind me that it could well be the end of a career. So thanks for the perspective.

posted at 10:22 PM on February 23

What happens when Man U and Arsenal are tied (or close) after 38 games and Man U gets Derby while Arsenal draws Man City? Arsenal beat Man City, Man Utd beat Derby and goal difference decides the title. What's shocking there? Kidding, of course, because your point is valid--equally so at the bottom as at top of the table--and, well, any place in the table where something's at stake. The moaning would never end if Liverpool lost their Champions League spot to Everton (lovely though, eh?) or Newcastle got relegated (do they need any help getting relegated?) due to asymmetry in drawing overseas fixtures. Relegation could cost a team 30million; losing a Champions League spot (assuming the teams moves on from the group stage) could amount to losing out on 30-50million. Serious money. As much as I'd love to see them in the States (bearing in mind I have to drive 300 miles even to see MLS), I can see how it undermines the balance and simplicity of 38 games, home-and-home with each other team, best record (read: Arsenal) wins.

posted at 10:11 AM on February 13

Adept, does that make you part of the problem or part of the solution (to channel the MC5)?

posted at 07:41 PM on February 04

holden's full of sh*t. we watched Stevie Y's final game together and holden stood up on the bar shouting "Oh captain my captain!!" whilst clutching his #19 sweater and bawling like a baby.

posted at 12:54 PM on January 31

I wish them all the best (so long as they remain a safe distance behind Arsenal in the table). I don't completely understand these kinds of deals. Over time, don't shares trade hands and you eventually end up with a few major players with controlling shares and economic interests eventually displacing club loyalty? Greed (if that's what wanting to make a lot of money by owning a football club is) takes over and you're in much the same place as having one or two owners (witness the power struggles in Arsenal's board room).

posted at 11:22 AM on January 31

One week asleep at the wheel + one week too many depending on Blackburn's sh*tty defense = I continue to slide.

posted at 12:01 PM on December 19

He's close to becoming the first NHLer to test the league's 9 strikes and you're out rule. Thug.

posted at 11:58 AM on December 19

Sounds like the makings of a Cinderella story.

posted at 09:19 PM on December 18

garfield: i was just thinking the same thing about chelsea....may have to spend some points and move for a couple Blues this week.

posted at 05:05 PM on November 08

Great article. I wonder if Vinatieri is as vulnerable to a career ending miss as the writer suggests, though. If it's true that his "clutch" numbers are no more impressive than many other good kickers, then isn't his enduring popularity more down to the way he has changed coaches' and players' perception of him then his actual performance? Could one bad kick cause his fans to forget his three triumphant ones? I doubt it. I think the point of the article is that he's transcended the kicker's role, so the conclusion should be that he won't be subject to the same plummeting confidence that kills careers if he has one high profile blunder.

posted at 02:22 PM on October 30

Holden: Just to set the record straight, I don't necessarily think they should have sacked Jol months ago. But if it was inevitable, then they should have done so sooner rather than later--at least after they botched the super-secret meeting in Seville. To rcade's point, it seemed premature since, at that point, Spurs had only lost a couple games. (Although, when you look at the embarrassment that is Bolton, the lesson is to have your backup plan secure before sacking your manager.) And I am a FIFA god, and will destroy you.

posted at 05:19 PM on October 26

Most Spurs fans would agree that this was a decision that maybe should have came sooner. I think r8rh8r's right that Jol remains popular at White Hart Lane. That said, they should have completed the deal weeks/months ago. It embarrassed Ramos, who, according to Sid in Madrid, waited patiently nevertheless. But even worse, it put Jol in the crucible. It couldn't have helped Spurs players or Jol himself to know the manager was on his way out without instant results (or perhaps even with good results). I'm sure it accelerated their slide down the table.

posted at 11:52 AM on October 26