Snow Joke – Latest Weather Reports
As the winter of our fantasy managers discontent lingers on; much like the folks over at Sporting Life and the brilliant chaps over at the Guardian we thought we would update you on the state of play as to the likelihood of games going ahead.
As can be seen games from the Championship level down have already been majorly hit, and some more may be set to join them. However not all these clubs have the luxury of under-soil heating or the infrastructure to help combat the effects of the weather outside stadia, as well as inside. The rundown (with links provided) so far is as follows…
Hull vs Chelsea – POSTPONED
Hull City have just announced their early afternoon fixture hosting Chelsea will now no longer be able to go ahead as was hoped and planned. The weather conditions once more taking out another fixture.
Arsenal vs Everton
So far no word from the Arsenal camp, only their youth fixture has been called off so far – and that will undoubtedly be on an untenable pitch. Having just postponed a game 2 days ago, one would expect they are making every effort not to have to repeat that.
Burnley vs Stoke – POSTPONED
Burnley have just announced that their tie has also joined the list of weather torn fixtures, and will not go ahead tomorrow as planned. The usual talk about safety reasons are the cause of the disruption.
Fulham vs Portsmouth – POSTPONED
Fulham are the only club in the Premier League hosting a fixture without under-soil heating, and just now word has spread the game has been called off due to the adverse weather conditions.
Sunderland vs Bolton – POSTPONED
Sunderland have just called the fixture off to add another game on the winter scrapheap this weekend. Extreme weather conditions the obvious reason for this. Bolton now have had three fixtures called off due to the weather. Busy schedule ahead – plenty of double gameweeks down the line?
Wigan vs Aston Villa
Wigan seem to be vehemently backing their fixture to go ahead. We can only take them at their word, and rather than other teams using words like confidence and hope the fact that the “Club ensures Villa game goes ahead on Saturday”. The cynic in me asks for odds on this being the first game called off, but we can certainly hold great hope with this one.
Birmingham vs Manchester United
Birmingham are extremely confident that this fixture will be okay to go ahead in front of the ESPN cameras for tomorrows 5:30pm kick-off. For our entertainment purposes if nothing else, let us hope that continues to be the case.
West Ham vs Wolves
As it stands the fixture is all set to go ahead, as per the West Ham camp. However weather forecasts in the area are not the best, so this game could quite easily be called off at a later date. Even after the 11:30am deadline given it being on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool vs Spurs – POSTPONED
Liverpool had requested to the Premier League for their fixture to be postponed due to safety concerns. That request has now been approved and this fixture has now been postponed as well.
Manchester City vs Blackburn
This game kicks off on Monday evening, so the chance of us getting any kind of word as to whether the game is definitely off or on before the deadline closes will be slim to none. The club are working night and day to keep this fixture alive but with temperatures as low as minus 9 expected along with the odd snow shower. It’s definitely not cut and dry that this will go ahead.
Bar some freak weather, hopefully we should at least hopefully definitively know one way or another (at least with Saturdays fixtures) as to whether they have had the go ahead or not before the deadline closes on us at 11:30am.
As usual, keep your eyes open to Greek Fans wonderful twitter feed, if anything changes I am sure his roving reports will be the first to let you know – and equally so I will do my best to update this report with any more news when it comes in.
For now, fingers and toes are crossed.
About the Author
Andy has scored fantasy own goals since before the game began.
Not sure where there is more carnage at the moment – this week’s premier league fixture list or the Togo team bus.
I did have a plan to bring in Lampard and Anelka along with Ridgewell on a 8 pt hit but that’s been scuppered (probably for the best!) Need to get rid of Zamora but may wait until next week now and use the two transfers.
This weeks fantasy cup results are going to be a complete lottery – similar to the FA Cup 2 years ago!
Anyone with 8 or more players playing now this GW? Hull game now off!
i have 9
have 6
I’ve got 8 but may take a points hit to bring Milner or Valencia in.
Chelsea & Liverpool postponements have saved my week as I could see loads of points for Anelka & Lamps
No you have 8, just counted your team!
if thats at me i have 9 i did lennon-valencia
whats your picks fran?
No picks until I know how many games are cancelled before the deadline!
I have 8, but two of those are goalkeepers.
7 with my free transfer (though I’ll probably take a hit).
Nine as well – had 11 until the Hull vs. Chelsea game and guy behind me only had 7! Gutted
yup, the countdown goes on, minus Lampard captain. So, it’s 8 now!
Currently 6 but if we lose the Man Utd game I will have 2.
I will now suggest a motion to change the game to 5 a side for this week only.
All in favour say I.
Only 6 with 2 doubts (Tevez/Samba)!! No ‘keeper
For any non-believer, here’s confirmation of the Hull – Chelsea postponement. About halfway down the page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/h.....443978.stm
http://www.hullcityafc.net/pag.....46,00.html
who is the best striker playing tomorrow and longer term for 6.2million -not diamanti though!
I reckon West Ham v Wolves will also get called off.
I reckon 3 or 4 games this week.
At this rate, you might soon be down to Landon Donovan.
Thank God…! FPL has updated their fixture list for GW21.. !.
# Hull City v Chelsea
# Arsenal v Everton
# Wigan v Aston Villa
# Birmingham v Man Utd
# West Ham v Wolves
# Man City v Blackburn
for GAWD’s sake, hope at least these teams will play
you can get rid of hull and chelsea
Is the answer Sturridge?
http://fantasy.premierleague.c.....p;event=20
Any ideas on what transfer to make? Was going to swap Arshavin & Tuncay to Valencia & Petrov/Dempsey, but as Arsenal game seems to be on I’m gonna have to keep him. This snow business has got me completely stumped!
I’m waiting to the very last moment. I may take a 4 point hit and field a possible 8. I could do with the pool game being wiped.
It is. Liverpool v Spurs is Off
“Liverpool’s game with Tottenham on Sunday has also been postponed.”
BBC
Doh!
Just realised that both me and my fantasy cup opponent are down to 6 players each this gameweek of which we have 3 in common.
Basically my match has been reduced to:
Me – Hart, Vermaelen, Scharner
Him – Howard, Spector, Rodellega
I’ve a sneaky feeling he could win with that team, what do people think? He hasn’t touched his team at all so should I get Zamora out this week for a striker who’s likely to play to give me 4 vs 3?
This is ridiculous!
Heavy snow expected for Sunday night in Manchester. Perhaps City game will be cancelled as well.
I reckon it will.
Seconded.
I think Ars v Eve
Bir v Man
and possibly Wigan v Villa will be all thats left!!
This is getting embarrassing.
I’m down to the feared 1-2-2 formation. With a keeper!
5 a side footie
Could be a bit leaky at the back…
I much prefer my 3-1-1 formation with a keeper.
Its my favourite, the big teams should really use it more often.
I think you might be badly exposed having only 1 striker mate. The defenders are clearly not up for it this year.
Having more than 1 midfielder also seems essential this season.
True but in this weather I think I have the advantage as I can see the ball stopping on the goalline on numerous ocassions because of the snow.
I see all games finishing 0-0.
I’m going 0-2-2-2
Who’s everyone got left?
Arsenal v Everton Traore Arshavin
Wigan v Aston Villa Milner Dunne
Birmingham v Man Utd Hart Rooney Valencia Evra
West Ham v Wolves None
Man City v Blackburn Tevez
who cares
it’s a joke. there’s no point putting in players now. everyone is in the same boat.
Lol
Arsenal v Everton Arshavin Gallas
Wigan v Aston Villa Milner
Birmingham v Man Utd Rooney Evra Jerome Ridgewill
West Ham v Wolves None
Man City v Blackburn David Dunn
Ah I put in Anelka last night, this is pissing me off now
Its definitely quicker to count who is playing rather than who is NOT in my team now…
anyone know if the other games will be called off?
No. Definitely not.
hahahaha. Will’s right.
Probably more to come lol
In order of likelyhood..
WHam 9/10
MCity 8/10
Wigan 7/10
Birmingham 3/10
Arsenal 1/10
arshavin,diaby,gallas
milner
hart,dann,rooney
none
tevez,nelsen
brought in lamps, tevez and zamora 4 days ago and took a 8 point hit, i just hope they cancel all matches now.
you don’t get your points back man…
I might phone or write to Mark to cancel the Scout Picks for this GW. It’s becoming impracticable.
Yes Fran, of course you certainly have Marks phone number…. it’s still 999 in case you were wondering.
I think that’s the number Mark has to dial, knowing that Fran has now acquired his contact details from somewhere…
It’s easy to find peoples numbers, I had it for some time anyway – LOL! I like the games he makes…… No I would just send him an email as I’ve got that too.
The problem is, if he puts up the Scout Picks some people will look at them and start buying players only to find the game(s) are cancelled later on tomorrow morning.
Nope let him pick
yeah man. probably no point at this stage.
Lol – if all games get cancelled there could be minus points for all those who took a hit!
Like me! I brought in Lampard to captain him before his price rise. Ah well
same here lol what a failure
With the weather the way it is, anyone who made early transfers for the sake of a poxy £0.1m is asking for it really.
I took out Arshavin for him… really hope he doesn’t go mental
The average would be minus 3 or something.
I may just do 0 at this rate, take whatever I get – and hope the weather has abated by next Saturday so I can have two transfers to really play with for the future.
I like that idea. Finally someone who is thinking straight.
Just way too unpredictable and not at all worth the risk of transferring someone who will not play.
GW 18 seems pretty peachy about now, eh? I’m down to 5-a-side!
http://www.manchestereveningne.....o_team_bus
I have the answer
Everyone, grab some good whisky. Drink down a tot to warm you up; do this regularly for the next few hours. You won’t care about the football, and you’ll be warm inside.
By tonight you’ll be so off your face you will make some random transfers and (C) choices. It will give you a nice surprise tomorrow morning, and can’t be any worse than trying to plan what to do.
Bottoms up!
My personal view is that taking a points hit this gameweek is a gamble. It’s very possible that any game could be postponed after the 11.30am deadline (I remember it happening with a Fulham game last season to my detriment) and in effect we’d be dropping a player that will have a DGW in the not too distant future anyway. Just my view as it stands. I’ll have 7 players playing if no further games are cancelled.
Arsenal won’t want to make a last minute decision after the complaints from Bolton fans this week…
I hope not. But Arsenal FC are not the only factor to consider.
It hasn’t substantially snowed here since the day of the Bolton game that never was. Unless another blizzard whips across London, I’d say the Arsenal game is pretty safe (famous last words).
I have a really strong looking team this weekend
(no keeper)
zabaleta, evra, ridgewell, dunne
diaby, jarvis
rooney(c)
expecting at least 15-20pts (-4pt hit)
lol
Come on, Jarvis!!!!
This is great – can’t wait to see the average score. It really makes getting the Capt right even more so this weekend
I may captain him, just for giggles… and because he’s probably the only player I have who’ll actually play.
One of my mini league rivals only has Sorenson, Shawcross and Fabregas not playing this weekend! So far
Alright lads?
Who is the best defender for 4.1m over the next while?
Mr. Freeze
figouera from wigan
sub zero, jus bought into the game for 4.0
da Silva – Sunderland.
da silva could be a good defender to have in a few weeks time if sunderland go and buy figeuroa and hutton and mensah returns from injury. hutton mensah da silva figueroa would be a half decent defence and should make da silva and figueroa decent value at that price.
Lol “Mr Freeze”
adebayor is fine and loads of games called off. a bad start to the weekend all round.
You beat me to it!
Haha!
Wow, even Chelsea’s game is cancelled!
In my opinion the FPL should make an executive decision to just cancel this gameweek off the record.
I’m currently fielding 8 players!
Never gonna happen. Nor should it.
FPL not EPL.
The FPL is just a game!
What about the teams that play tho?
the GW can only be cancelled if all the games are cancelled.
All games will be cancelled.
Is Petrov gonna start for City if the game won’t be cancelled?
Is Petrov gonna start for City if the game won’t be cancelled?
why did it reply?
Petrov plays anyway,even it the game is cancelled
Probably, and I was going to be getting him in this week. But the game isn’t until Monday night and there’s more snow on the way for Sunday/Monday, so I’m assuming it’ll be cancelled to be honest. Hope not as I have Richards and Tevez (c), but it probably will be.
so u still haev tevez captain despite ur own words? bit daft no?`
Yeah, I know it’s stupid but I’d rather have Tevez (c) and that switching to Rooney. Although, Arshavin does look mighty tempting now (even though he’s annoyed me to high hell lately).
Anyone got 10 or more players left I have 10 and plan on putting Evra in for Hulls Andy Dawson….?
yo yo yo this is mental btw!! our tax money is going down the shit or more accuratly in the MP’s pockets. surely britain should have adequate services to deal with this kind of weather even if it is only for 3-4 days a year! anyhoo think ppl need to chill its only football…:)
You make some vastly reactive comments, then tell everyone else to relax?
The infrastructure of the United Kingdom is not made to withstand such weather events. Even if we invested in the same facilities as a city like Moscow, who regularly experience sub-zero temperatures, the design of our buildings, railway stations, streets and suchlike haven’t taken into account extreme weather. For example, a town that regularly has high levels of snowfall will have streets designed so that large snow ploughs can easily traverse them. Individuals will also have been conditioned to take responsibility for shovelling the areas around their own properties, and to attach snow chains or winter tyres to their transport. None of these things are true in Britain.
You also say all of our tax money goes into MPs pockets. However, there are only just over 600 MPs, and even if all of them had dodgy expenses, the total amount would still be negligible in the overall scale of tax collected by the UK exchequer. You need to examine the amount of money that funds the highly suspect work of some branches of the intelligence services, or that is secretly diverted to industrial friends of government ministers in the form of dodgy subsidies.
Perhaps we could get a guest blogger to rustle up some academic posts on social policy and modern economics.
Sorry .. I am drunk.. but really, got a fantastic idea..
Sorensen (Hart)
Cole A ~ Hughes ~ Dunne (Erva, Cahill)
Arshavin ~ Diaby ~ Murphy ~ Dempsey (Taylor)
Tevez (c) ~ Rooney ~ Defoe
Taylor -> Valencia
Murphy-> Milner
Defoe – > Sturridge
If i get 5 yes.. i am going to take points hit..!
So i can bench.. Dempsey, Cahill, Hughes
Yes! (but I’m an anarchist)
N.B. apart from the sturridge transfer obv.
Chelsea won’t be playing
Greek Fans Tweet says.. Che match called off.. so.. need another couple of drinks…. i will again soon come out with another RMT
maintain that level of drunkness and you could be a top flight manager and not just dabbling in “Fantasy” football, but Sturridge won’t play this weekend and it’s debatable how much he will play, can’t argue with Valencia, Milner is a good shout too
Stay away from the transfers page. Stay away
Fiddling with FPL under the influence never did anyone any good.