i nearly threw up my when i saw the result in the paper. This is the first time in about 8 years they've been above us in the table. It won't last.

Leeds are playing recently stuffed Chester City in the Carling Cup tonight. It will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 2 if anyone cares.

Expect the Leeds reserves or an angry Chester to scrape a narrow one-nil victory and you probably won't be disappointed.

As it turned out, it was mostly the Leeds first team, with Delph in for Prutton and Becchion in for Showumni. McAllister was saying before the game that a good cup run would be good for confidence and that he'd like the team to keep playing together to gel. It worked. 5-1 at half time, a Beckford hat-trick (and boy did he look pleased with himself), it ended 5-2 and couldn't really be faulted as cup ties go. Especially given Leeds' habit of fucking these up spectacularly.

Beckford's second and especially his third goals were real peaches. Becchio looked good when he got the ball but that didn't happen much; I like his work rate and his touch, but he suffered in the first half from being alongside Beckford (who was playing for the hattrick once he'd scored in the first five minutes) and in the second half from being alongside Showumni (who looked big, strong, pacy, and unable to create chances). Fabian Delph played well in midfield. Robinson looks like the boss. Defence is still a bit of a worry to me but I'll let it slide just... this... once.

Right. Defence looked shaky. Two goals that didn't really need to happen again. Second half was drivel but then again, we got the result we wanted with (hopefully) no injuries.

Leeds fans singing "Bring back the Butler" in the second half was cruel but amusing. I never rated him at Leeds but it must be hard to play centre back and concede eleven goals in one hundred and twenty minutes of football. Chester looked alright in the second half though. I hope they win at the weekend.

Beckford is back to scoring in every game though. Very promising. Let's hope he keeps it up. I wouldn't mind Freedman back though. I'm not keen on either of his striking partners after tonight.

tommydski wrote:I'm not keen on either of his striking partners after tonight.

There were a couple of occasions tonight when I looked at Becchio and saw an Argentianian Frank Strandli.



Although about half the size, obviously.

Freedman would be a safe bet and I would welcome him back. As I said though, I liked Becchio when he had the ball. And he'll take some adjustment from the smooth life in Spain to Division Three. The upside was his willingness to run, and if he applies that work ethic to all aspects of his game, he should be alright.

And really, as long as Beckford keeps smugly chipping keepers from thirty-five yards, scoring goals won't be a problem.

Sir, I would suggest there is no better way to learn about the FPL than by playing in the Fantasy League. As a Leeds fan I couldn't really give a toss about much of what goes on in the top division but having to select a team every week makes me take an interest. It's free and you can learn as you go along. And we need more teams, especially guys who might be a tiny little bit shit 'cos that'll make us feel better![/quote]

FYP

Seriously, join up man. I haven't played FF since I was 12 and the scoring etc is way more involved and complicated now. Just pick a team and have a laugh.[/quote]

Ok, not that it matters a bit, but I'm a girl. I'm going to do it. Having some computer problems and living with/taking care of my sick mom right now. Makes my time and ability to do these kinds of things random. It would give me something to take my mind off things and what the hell, I've got nothing to lose. I'll make it my weekend project. Either I'll have some beginner's luck or make the rest of you guys look sharp.

You don't even need to know the teams or players at this point really. It's essentially about statistics. I didn't know half the players last season and I ended up doing alright. Just try to find a good balance and watch for players who are doing well on a weekly basis. Bonus Points, Goals, Assists and Clean Sheets is what you're after. Pick players who are likely to get at least two out of those four and you should be fine.

Welcome aboard anyway.

kris k wrote:Ok, not that it matters a bit, but I'm a girl. I'm going to do it. Having some computer problems and living with/taking care of my sick mom right now. Makes my time and ability to do these kinds of things random. It would give me something to take my mind off things and what the hell, I've got nothing to lose. I'll make it my weekend project. Either I'll have some beginner's luck or make the rest of you guys look sharp.

Ma'am, welcome to the League. There is also an option to let the computer pick a team for you, and you can start shifting things around from there. Best to your mum.

Ok, not that it matters a bit, but I'm a girl. I'm going to do it. Having some computer problems and living with/taking care of my sick mom right now. Makes my time and ability to do these kinds of things random. It would give me something to take my mind off things and what the hell, I've got nothing to lose. I'll make it my weekend project. Either I'll have some beginner's luck or make the rest of you guys look sharp.

We had a girl in the league last season. Not sure if she's returning or not.

Best to you and your mum, I've dealt with the same thing before. It's tough work.

tommydski wrote:Make Cristiano Ronaldo your captain for every game that he plays, and you will do alright.

FYP.

I'm not bitter or anything. (winking smiley icon would go here.)

What do you mean you ended up doing alright? You won the league. And I'd argue that you knew at least 3/4s of the players. Otherwise it's a bit like Ferguson saying "All the other manager's were such crap that I couldn't help but win the league."

Speaking of which. . . It looks like I won't be able to play Berbatov this season either, if the rumours in today's paper are true.

Fucking Manure.

And Fucking Tottenham for selling him. Was looking forward to seeing the Spurs do well, but jettisoning your 46 goal (and loads of assists) strikeforce a week or two before the season opener looks like a very bad play. Ramos best hope that Bent carries his pre-season form into the season and doesn't choke. Otherwise he's fucked.

...unless perhaps with the money he gets for Berbatov he can maybe make a swoop for David Villa. Fuck Arshavin as a replacement.

sleepkid wrote: And I'd argue that you knew at least 3/4s of the players.

Nah. You've got to remember Leeds have been down for years now. When I signed on I couldn't even name all of the teams in the Premiership. I was on a serious downer with top-flight football. Pretty much because of stuff like you mentioned about Berbatov. As you said in another post there's no replacing him because he's just about the best at what he does anyhow.

Having said that, I like the look of Darren Bent at the moment. Good price in the FPL too.