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FANTASY AND REALITY - 2-1-08
Louis Spence
Along with millions of other soccer fans in this country I am an avid participant in fantasy football team competitions.
This, as you no doubt know, entails picking your own team from all of the Premiership players and trying to outscore all other 'team managers'.
There are of course rules to be adhered to. The three major considerations are:
1.The total cost of the team (each player is allotted a comparative market price)
2. The limit of two players from any one side
3. The number of transfers available during each period and year.
Points are awarded (or deducted) for performances in the following categories:
1. Goals scored
2. Goal assists
3. Goalie/Defender appearances
4. Goalie/Defender clean sheets
5. Goalie/Defender goals conceded.
With over half the season gone I will name you the leading players so far on performance points.
By necessity, I have put in all the top points scorers from each section. This does, of course, automatically break the cardinal rule of just two players from each Premiership outfit.
These figures pertain to the Daily Mail Fantasy Team competition.
Goalkeepers
Reina (Liverpool) - 29
Full Backs
Evra (Manchester United) - 31
Brown (Manchester United) - 33
Centre Backs
Vidic (Manchester United) - 34
Ferdinand (Manchester United) - 38
Midfielders
Fabregas (Arsenal) - 40
Petrov (Manchester City) - 28
Gerrard (Liverpool) - 37
Ronaldo (Manchester United) - 43
Strikers
Santa Cruz (Blackburn) - 40
Keane (Spurs) - 42
There are actually players not included whose 'points per game' average outdo some of the above mentioned. Injuries and suspensions can of course greatly reduce a player's contribution. This is no different from reality.
With the mammoth sums paid out in fees and wages, every professional and fantasy manager knows to his cost that an 'ever present' is priceless when they are major team contributors on the park.
As most people suspect, the absence of Drogba from Chelsea's firing line is having a negative impact on his team's efficiency. Nevertheless, his impressive average of 2.10 points per game would still not put him in the top two striker places with Santa Cruz at 2.22 and Keane at a remarkable 2.47.
What is interesting is that Manchester United are supplying all of the back four and as Van der Sar is second only to Reina in the goalkeeping position, it just shows how solid and dependable the champions' defence has been this season.
With his major contribution of goals this year, Fabregas is now well and truly up there with the other perennial midfield goalscorers of Petrov, Gerrard and Ronaldo.
Up front we have Santa Cruz and Keane who have both done remarkably well considering the league positions of their respective teams. Keane has also had to contend with major competition for places with Berbatov, Bent and Defoe all throwing their hats in the ring for the two available striking roles.
It will be interesting to see if the current leading players can hang on to their vaunted positions in the second half of the season. It would also be illuminating to find out if the leaders were so highly rated with the Prozone and Opta stats so beloved of so many real Premiership coaches.
On a personal note I would certainly like to raise my lowly position of 10,168. That is totally unacceptable even though I believe there are over 50,000 taking part. In the real world I would certainly be a little nervous with those stats. Could do better? Too right, Mister.
Which brings me to a point.
The next time you are tempted to join in the 'Don't know what you're doing' chant, just make sure your own house is in order - that is if you yourself have had the bottle and patience to have a go at managing in the first place.
Now if you did, here's a chance to show off your knowledge of the game by joining the breeziest and funniest message board in the land.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. HAVE A GOOD 'UN.
Louis Spence
JOIN THE DEBATE AT THE COME ON BORO MESSAGEBOARD
RETURN TO LOUIS SPENCE INDEX PAGE HERE
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