Fantasy Football 2011/12 - The npower Championship. Update!

With just two months of the 2011/12 season remaining, I thought I would take this opportunity to update you all on my progress in this seasons Texaco sponsored Championship Fantasy Football league.



In August I selected eleven players from the second tier of English football that I felt would excel for their respective clubs this season, as I pitted my wits against friends and football fans around the country, in a 'foolish' attempt to convince myself that my knowledge of Championship football was equal to or maybe even superior to that of other football fans.



As the months have gone on, my last update was back in October, I have delved in and out of the transfer market as players have lost form, moved clubs, suffered injury or been suspended.



A lot was expected of some players this season, some have delivered whilst others have failed. There are a lot of 'experienced' players in the Championship such as West Ham's Kevin Nolan, David James of Bristol City, Leeds United's Luciano Becchio, Blackpool's Kevin Phillips and Kenny Miller of Cardiff. This season has also seen a lot of exciting young talent emerge. The likes of Birmingham's Nathan Redmond and Crystal Palace's Wilf Zaha to name just two.



Perhaps unsurprisingly Southampton and West Ham sit at the top of the league. The Saints, although a League One side last season are looking for back to back promotions, and are the Championship's top scorers. The Hammers spent heavily in the summer and are looking good for an immediate return to the Premier League.



The other relegated sides from the 2010/11 season, Birmingham and Blackpool sit 3rd and 7th respectively, and will both have a keen eye on promotion. Birmingham who started the season slowly have been in cracking form since Christmas. In fact they last lost a league game at Selhurst Park on the 19th December!

Reading like Brum started slowly but now sit 4th. Also in the play-off places are Middlesbrough, who have been up their all season and Cardiff, who take on Liverpool in this Sunday's Carling Cup Final at Wembley.



Hull, Brighton and Leeds occupy those places just outside the top six, and will be looking to take advantage of any slip ups by the teams above them as they press for a an end of season place in the play-offs.



So how has this reflected on the Championship fantasy football team since I last updated you back in October?



In October my team was as follows:





Goalkeeper: Kelvin Davies (Southampton).



Defenders: Ian Evatt (Blackpool), Jason Shackell (Derby), Anthony Gerrard (Cardiff), Jonathan Parr (Palace).



Midfield: Matt Taylor (West Ham), Ben Davies (Derby), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds and right), Adam Lallana (Southampton).



Strikers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton and Captain), Rob Earnshaw (Cardiff).





I have made twelve transfers since October and seventeen out of a possible thirty since the campaign kicked-off in August. Only the free scoring Southampton striker Rickie Lambert and Leeds United's midfield maestro Robert Snodgrass have been ever present in my side since the start of the season.



Finding a strike partner for Lambert has been a problem! I selected Cardiff's Rob Earnshaw at the start of the season, and stupidly stuck with him until around Christmas time, when I replaced him with Glenn Murray, the Palace striker. Earnshaw scored just three times and fell out of favour at his club. Murray started the season well but lost his form and starting place at Palace and scored just twice for me before I replaced him a month ago with Billy Sharp. Sharp a proven goalscorer, moved to Southamton in January but he too is struggling to hold down a starting place alongside Lambert. I had to sacrifice Kelvin Davies and bring in Birmingham's Boaz Myhill to accommodate Sharp. I think on reflection 16 goal Ross McCormack would have been the answer. Hindsight is a wonderful thing!



I brought in Derby duo Jason Shackell and Ben Davies at a time when Derby where flying and looking like a good bet to be play-off candidates come the end of the season. However their season has badly fallen away, and the club now lie 15th in the league. As a result both players had to go.



In their places I transferred in Hull duo Liam Rosenior and Robert Koren. Both signings have been outstanding, with Rosenior keeping eight clean sheets in ten appearances, and Koren scoring three times and claiming three assists in his ten games. Matt Taylor has had an injury ravaged season, making just 17 appearances for West Ham and scoring just once. I replaced Taylor with the ever reliable Peter Whittingham, and the Cardiff midfielder has scored six times and claimed nine assists in his 19 games for me. Happy days!



Recently I replaced Adam Lallana the Southampton midfielder player with his team-mate, the exciting French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin to freshen things up a bit. Lallana has had a cracking season, but lately he seems to have lost his spark.



I also brought in Birmingham's Curtis Davies to replace Cardiff's Anthony Gerrard, who is seemingly unable to hold down a regular first-team place with the Bluebirds. In his thirteen appearances Gerrard kept four clean sheets. In just five starts Curtis Davies has already kept three clean sheets. Finally I replaced Blackpool's Ian Evatt who did an 'average' job keeping six clean sheets in twenty games, and I replaced him with the underrated Alex Pearce and the Reading man has already delivered, with five clean sheets and a goal in eight games. Enough said!



As it stands today my current team is as follows:



Goalkeeper: Boaz Myhill (Birmingham).



Defenders: Alex Pearce (Reading), Liam Rosenior (Hull), Curtis Davies (Birmingham and captain), Jonathan Parr (Palace).



Midfield: Robert Koren (Hull), Peter Whittingham (Cardiff and right), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton).



Strikers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Billy Sharp (Southampton).





I am 393rd overall in the whole competition, 2nd of 28 players in the 'Holmesdale Radio' private league, 9th of 752 in the 'Official Crystal Palace FC' private league and 3rd of 99 in the 'Where Eagles Dare' private league.



Between now and the end of the season............good luck!

Blackpool have hardest task on epic final day - Betting News with Betfred

versus

It has been a massive season for Blackpool and they now have to do things the hard way as they travel to Manchester United on the final day of the season.

Ian Holloway's side have been the entertainers of the Premier League since their promotion last year, and have received rave reviews from the football world for their adventurous, attacking style of play.
However things have been tough for the Tangerines since the turn of the year, and they are 9/2 with Betfred to record a shock victory at United on Sunday.

They now sit in the bottom three on goal difference, knowing a win is vital if they wish to retain their Premier League status, but United are unbeaten at home this season, dropping just two points out of a possible 54 at home, and will be keen to give the Old Trafford faithful a tremendous send-off as they celebrate winning their record 19th league title.

There are numerous permutations surrounding the final weekend of the season and any two teams from five could be relegated depending on results elsewhere.

A point could be enough for Blackpool (and it is 10/3 the draw at fortress Old Trafford), if Birmingham lose at Tottenham, and/or Wolves lose at home to Blackburn by two goals or more. Should Wolves beat Blackburn then only an 'unexpected' Blackpool victory would see them overtake Rovers.

The Premier League betting odds understandably favour Blackpool to be relegated as have the toughest final game against United, and Betfred go 4/11 that they will be plying their trade in The Championship next season.

What must worry fans of the Seasiders is they have a notoriously leaky defence and travel to a United side capable of scoring a hat-ful, even if Sir Alex Ferguson decides to put out a weakened side with one eye on the Champions League final next week.

Even if Ferguson leaves out some of his star names then those that take to the field will be out to impress the Scotsman, and show him why they deserve a place in the Champions League final squad - so it could be a long old afternoon for Blackpool.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham side are 5/1 to win at White Hart Lane and 8/13 to be relegated in the Premier League betting, but The Blues have been on a shocking run of form of late, recording just two wins in their last twelve league games!

The other team in the relegation mix that we have not yet mentioned are Wigan, who travel to Stoke in their final fixture of the campaign. The Latics have the same number of points as Blackpool but an inferior goal difference than all of their relegation rivals, albeit a marginal one.

It would be close to a a miracle if Blackpool survive – but Ian Holloway is without doubt the man you would most want in charge of a team in a relegation dogfight on the last day of the season.

It has been a breath of fresh air having the Seasiders in the Premier League, but they look set to be one-season wonders but their fans will have been left with some unforgettable memories.

My Tip of the Weekend:

Expect wins for United (4/7), Spurs (4/7), Wigan (17/10) and Wolves (6/5) in the vital games, which would see Birmingham and Blackpool join West Ham in dropping down to the Championship.

Sunday 22nd May:

Manchester Utd v Blackpool, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.
Tottenham v Birmingham City, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 2.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Can The City Top Four Machine Keep On Rolling - Betting News with Betfred

VERSUS

Manchester City put themselves in pole position for Champions League qualification last weekend and need to continue that form this weekend when they face Birmingham City.

Last Saturday's demolition of Burnley, coupled with Spurs' loss to Sunderland, mean City now occupy fourth spot with six games to go, and have a one-point lead over their North London rivals.

Roberto Mancini's side do not have an easy task this weekend when they face ninth-place Birmingham City, who are a much improved side, but are not well-fancied to spring a surprise. Alex McLeish's men can be backed at odds of 7/1 to take all three points. The draw is available at 7/2 with Betfred.

The Italian manager has called on his players to continue their top form over the coming weeks to ensure they finish in the Premier League top four at the end of the season, and City are now favourites at 5/6 in the football betting to bag the last Champions League place.

"It's more important that we finish well this season, and we must concentrate 100 per cent to get fourth place because we have six games that are very difficult," Mancini said.

Those last six matches for Manchester City include a local derby with Manchester United, a trip to third-placed Arsenal, and games against Aston Villa and Spurs at Eastlands - so it looks like a very tough run-in.

One City player who won't be available for the next month or so is Joleon Lescott, who has a hamstring injury and could be out of action until May as a result. The lay-off could hamper his chances of appearing in the 2010 Football World Cup .


My Tip Of The Weekend:
City are on fire going forward, as shown by the 6-1 thrashing of Burnley last week, and with home advantage as well, my tip is a comfortable 3-0 win to Mancini's men which can be backed @ 8/1 with Betfred - Sunday 11th April, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello, I'm Tom Mallows and welcome to my latest fortnightly football betting preview on behalf of this site.

I shall be looking at this weekend's Coca-Cola Championship fixtures, along with some of the LIVE TV games in more detail.
Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my 'best bet' football tips.

Last time out I correctly predicted a 1-0 Sheffield United win at Reading at 11/1, as well as correctly picking two home wins and a draw from my sections list. Here’s hoping for more success this week.

Here’s my pick of the action this weekend:

Birmingham v Preston

Saturday 25th April April KO 17:30 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

It’s a day of destiny for Alex McLeish’s Birmingham. With Sheffield United losing to play-off hopefuls Burnley in midweek, the Blues know a win can seal a return to the Premier League at the first attempt. Preston’s play-off hopes are fading fast and they know they have to win both their remaining games, and hope the likes of Burnley and Cardiff immediately above them lose theirs - if they are going to crash the party.

Current Match odds:

Birmingham 4/5 Preston 4/1 Draw 13/5

Scorecast:
Birmingham 1-0 6/1 2-0 8/1 2-1 17/2 3-0 18/1

Preston 0-1 13/1 0-2 31/1 1-2 18/1 0-3 109/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 13/2 2-2 21/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

There is no margin for error for either side, but with the carrot of the Premier League dangling tantalisingly in front of Birmingham I think they will do enough to win and secure automatic promotion.
Birmingham 2-0 win @ 8/1


Norwich v Reading
Monday 27th April KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Two sides at either end of the table who need the points for very different reasons. Reading would have fancied automatic promotion at the start of the year, so will be disappointed that the play-offs is the best they can do. Norwich are staring relegation in the face following a disappointing derby defeat against Ipswich last Sunday. They remain third bottom, two points adrift of safety with two to play.

Current Match odds:

Norwich 8/4 Reading 2/1 Draw 12/5

Scorecast:
Norwich 1-0 17/2 2-0 14/1 2-1 9/1 3-0 35/1

Reading 0-1 9/1 0-2 16/1 1-2 10/1 0-3 43/1

Draw 0-0 10/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 14/1

My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Reading may be riding high in the table, but they only have one win in their last six matches. Norwich are scrapping for their lives, but I don’t think they have enough quality to take all three points, so I predict a share of the spoils.
Draw 1-1 @ 6/1

The Best Of The Rest:

Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend's matches:

Home wins:

Bristol City v Sheff Wed
Doncaster v Crystal Palace
Sheff Utd v Swansea

Away wins:

Barnsley v Wolverhampton
Southampton v Burnley

Draws:

QPR v Plymouth
Coventry v Watford
Derby v Charlton
Blackpool v Nottm Forest

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Cardiff City v Ipswich Town

It's sure to be an emotional day in South Wales as Cardiff bid farewell to Ninian Park, their home for 99 years, and also look for the point they need to seal a play-off spot. It will be a significant day for Ipswich too, as Roy Keane takes charge of the Tractor Boys for his first game at the helm. The Bluebirds have more to play for though and I think they will be smiling come the final whistle. Sorry Roy!
Cardiff 2-1 win @ 15/2

Sickening Carsley Tackle!

There can surely be NO place in our game for the quite nauseating stomach-churning X-rated tackle by Brum skipper Lee Carsley on Wolves and Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo, in their Championship game at St. Andrew's last night. 

Yes, it was a tense passionate affair as with any derby match, with the prize of a place in the Premier League ultimately at stake come the end of the season. Here are the match highlights AND that horrific tackle.

Judge for yourself!

How can anybody in their right mind condone such reckless behaviour and a seemingly total disregard for the welfare of a fellow professional?

Well it seems BOTH managers seem to have done so!
Mick McCarthy and Alex McLeish both jumped to the defence of Lee Carsley.

Wolves boss McCarthy said: "Lee wouldn’t go in to hurt anybody and that's for sure. He's a competitor and I think he's just mistimed it, he's caught him and it's not a very nice tackle. He’s one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever come across in football and not for one minute do I think he's attempted to 'do' Chris.".................so that makes it ok then!!!!!!!!

Whilst Blues manager McLeish said: "I thought he wasn't the favourite to win the ball. Lee's a wholehearted player, committed, he's not a dirty player by any means and all the professionals know that.
But he's high with his studs and when you do that and don't get the ball then 99% of the time it's a red card.
He was upset at half-time. He knows that the player is injured and he cares, he is a guy who cares not only about the cause for Birmingham but he respects his fellow pros."

I'm sure neither manager would be so supportive if the injured player was their son!

It seems that these 'types' of disgusting potential career ending tackles whether they be two-footed, studs up, feet off the ground, knee high, from behind etc.........are unfortunately becoming an all to familiar part of the modern game.

Horror tackles of late that immediately spring to mind include: Taylor on Eduardo, Nolan on Anichebe, Gutherie on Fagan, Neill on Cattermole and Cattermole on Parker.

Granted the game is quicker than ever, players are stronger and fitter, the stakes are higher than ever before and the price of success and familiar is all to apparent.

But what sort of message does this send out to the fans, fellow professionals, amateur players, and worst of all to OUR KIDS!

Bad tackling has become fashionable because players believe they can get away with it or at worst they will only have to serve a 'bog standard' FA punishment for their crime if sent-off - a three game ban, possibly a small fine, but all the time on 'full pay' for the duration of the ban.

How about banning players for six games, ten games, twenty games, fining them £100K for a first offence and another £200K for a second offence if commited in the same season. Make these players do community service, they have effectively 'assaulted' an opponent. Make them stand up in front of the nation and apologise on television. Make them train with their Club's youth/academy teams. Send them to schools to coach kids the dangers and effects of bad tackles, why it is wrong to abuse players, swear at officials or cheat, and instead how to behave and show respect for their fellow players/managers and officials.

Is it really that difficult to reduce thuggery and make players think before they act OR do players nowadays really and truly believe they are above the law!

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello and welcome to my latest guest blog, where I shall be previewing this weekend's Coca-Cola Championship fixtures, as well as looking at some of the LIVE TV games in more detail.

Hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my best football bet tips.

After a week of International action it’s time to get back to league business as we enter the final, crucial stages of the Championship Season.

Here's my pick of the action:

Bristol City v Preston North End
Saturday 4th April KO 17.20 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

With games running out both these sides know they have to pick up results quickly if they are to secure a play-off place. Alan Irvine’s Preston lie seventh, just two points outside the play-off positions. Meanwhile Gary Johnson’s City, play-off finalists last season of course, lurk just three points further behind.

Current Match odds:

Bristol City 5/4 The Draw 12/5 Preston 13/5

Scorecast:
Bristol C 1-0 13/2 2-0 12/1 2-1 17/2 3-0 27/1

Preston 0-1 10/1 0-2 20/1 1-2 12/1 0-3 59/1

Draw 0-0 9/1 1-1 6/1 2-2 15/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

This is a clash between two very evenly matched sides, who both are in need of maximum points in their quest for a play-off place. However I just cannot separate the two sides, so I will have to sit on the fence on this one and I predict the points are shared at Ashton Gate.
1-1 Draw @ 6/1


Birmingham v Wolves
Monday 6th April KO 19.45 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Mick McCarthy’s Wolves are so close to the Premiership they can almost taste it. One side which will be desperate to stop them will be near rivals Birmingham, who would love to put the brakes on Wanderers’ title charge, and give their own a real boost.

Current Match odds:

Birmingham 13/8 The Draw 9/4 Wolves 85/40

Scorecast:
Birmingham 1-0 7/1 2-0 13/1 2-1 10/1 3-0 35/1

Wolves 0-1 8/1 0-2 16/1 1-2 10/1 0-3 45/1

Draw 0-0 17/2 1-1 6/1 2-2 17/1

My 'best bet' prediction:

Another pair of closely matched sides and it is bound to be a fast-paced competitive encounter. But after a sticky start to the year Wolves are gaining momentum again and I think they will end the season in style.
Wolves 2-0 win @ 16/1

The best of the rest:

Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend’s matches:

Home Wins:

Norwich v Sheff Wed
Sheff Utd v Ipswich
Southampton v Charlton

Away Wins:

Coventry v Reading
Derby v Burnley

Draws:

Barnsley v Nottm Forest
Blackpool v Plymouth
QPR v Crystal Palace
Cardiff v Swansea

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Doncaster v Watford

Doncaster have surprised everyone recently with their recent run of form lifting themselves away from danger. Just two points separate these sides but with home advantage I fancy Rovers to take all three points.
Donny to win 2-1 @ 9/1

'Best Bet' - Championship Betting Tips with Betfair

Hello, I'm Tom Mallows and welcome to my latest fortnightly football betting preview on behalf of this site.

I shall be looking at this weekend’s Coca-Cola Championship fixtures, along with some of the LIVE TV games in more detail, and hopefully I can try and win you some cash with my 'best bet' football tips.

Last time out it was a weekend of shocks as the likes of Forest, Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday came up with some coupon busting victories. Here’s hoping for more luck this week.....

Doncaster Rovers v Birmingham City
Saturday 14th March KO 17.20 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Despite being favourites with the bookies for relegation, Doncaster have been on a great run of late, winning four and drawing one of their last six, to move ten points clear of the drop zone. Birmingham, meanwhile, appear to be wobbling at the other end. Deprived of many of their strikers, goal-scoring has been a problem, and they will have to improve if they are to secure automatic promotion.

Current Match odds:

Doncaster 15/8 The Draw 9/4 Birmingham 15/8

Scorecast:
Doncaster 1-0 15/2 2-0 15/1 3-0 41/1

Birmingham 0-1 15/2 0-2 14/1 0-3 39/1

Draw 0-0 17/2 1-1 11/2 2-2 18/1


My ‘best bet’ prediction:

Given their respective league positions, this would normally be an away win banker! But Rovers are in decent form and I fancy them to sneak a narrow home victory.
Doncaster 1-0 win @ 15/2.


Bristol City v Cardiff City

Sunday 15th March KO 13.15 LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

Just three places and two points separate these sides in what is becoming an exciting race for the play-off positions. Cardiff could have pulled further clear in midweek but slumped to a surprise defeat to struggling Norwich. Bristol City, meanwhile, are joint top of the form league, with seven wins out of their last ten games.

Current Match odds:

Bristol City 6/4 The Draw 9/2 Cardiff 2/1

Scorecast:
Bristol C 1-0 7/1 2-0 13/1 2-1 9/1 3-0 31/1

Cardiff 0-1 17/2 0-2 16/1 1-2 11/1 0-3 47/1

Draw 0-0 9/1 1-1 11/2 2-2 17/1


My 'best bet' prediction:

I believe this one will go to form. Gary Johnson’s 'Robins' are gaining momentum at just the right time, and I fancy them with home advantage to gain all three points on Saturday.
Bristol City 2-0 win @ 13/1.

The best of the rest:
Fancy a sections list this weekend? A multiple bet can win you some 'serious' cash.

Here are my tips for this weekend’s matches:

Home Wins:

Burnley v Nottm Forest
Reading v Ipswich
Swansea v Crystal Palace
Wolverhampton v Charlton

Away Wins:

Southampton v QPR
Watford v Sheff Wed

Draws:

Norwich v Plymouth
Barnsley v Blackpool
Sheff Utd v Derby

My Tip Of The Weekend:

Coventry have been in pretty good form of late, and put up a brave effort against Chelsea in the FA Cup recently. I fancy Chris Coleman's Sky Blues to turn over Preston and come away from Deepdale with a surprise away win.
Coventry 2-0 win @ 28/1.

Go to Betfair for all the latest football betting this weekend.