ESPN Soccernet - Premier Fantasy - Official Blog- Why?

Posted by John Culea on 05/08/2012

With Round 37 history and the season ending on Sunday, permit a few questions from your faithful Yank who loves the beautiful game.

In no particular order and certainly not all encompassing for the players mentioned, I wonder:

1. Why does Robin Van Persie take so many corners? He bends them nicely with his strong left foot; however, he is lethal in the air and would seem to be an obvious choice to be near the net on all corners.
2. Why are there such whiners and divers in the Premier League? Ashley Young and Bobby Zamora are just two in a long list of players who disrespect the game.
3. Why can’t more players be as joyful as: Yakubu, Papiss Demba Cisse, Victor Moses, and Brad Friedel?
4. Why is there no joy with Bobby Zamora, Mario Balotelli and a long list of sour pusses?
5. Why can’t more players give their all like: Craig Bellamy, Jonas Guitierrez, Dirk Kuyt, Yohan Cabaye, Yossi Bennyoun, Kyle Walker, Park Ji Sung, Younes Kaboul, Tim Howard, Joe Hart, Petr Cech, and Ali Al Habsi?
6. Why do players insist on removing their jersey after scoring a goal? It means an automatic yellow card.
7. Why does UEFA insist on the stupid three yellow cards rule for the Champions League final?
8. Why can’t we have goal line video replays on all goals?
9. Why do the people in charge of the game think a jersey patch that reads “Respect” influences player’s actions on the pitch?
10. Why do so many players disregard the positioning shouts from their goalkeeper prior to a free kick?
11. Why is Martin Tyler allowed to continue announcing matches?
12. Why was Wolverhampton CEO Steve Morgan laughing at the end of the match that doomed his team to relegation?

On Monday I will offer observations on this season’s fantasy game on ESPN Soccernet. It will be a combination of positive comments and suggestions that I think could improve the game. Ahead of that blog entry, if you have ideas, pass them along.

Comments

Posted by Dan on 05/13/2012

Let's start with rosters...1 GK and 3 Defenders mandatory, the rest up to managers.

Comment: I agree 100%! However, there must be limits on number of positions in the starting XI. We also must have a value system that allows your budget to increase or decrease.

Good luck on final Sunday--now less than an hour away.

Posted by Dan on 05/13/2012

Sad day all around. Finished 3rd overall in my league and 4th in the segment. And with City winning it the only redeeming feature (and the best) of my day was the visit with my 87 years old Mom! And I must admit that the Everton match killed us and we didn't deserve to win after that result!

Comment:
Hi Dan,
I actually finished first in Segment 2 in my league. I had a good second half and moved up from 6th to 3rd.

Captain van Persie had the armband today for me and many fantasy players and I think rather than on the arm, it never got past his neck and choked him. Zero goals and a yellow card. What a disaster.
Then my two Stoke defenders were porous and Krul surrendered three against Everton. Newcastle closed the season with a wimper.
I brought in Aguero and Yaya and dropped Jelavic and Velencia and actually came out a point less. I remained third in my league and remained 6th in the ESPN Expert's League.
City getting two goals in stoppage time was unreal. When stoppage time I said to my wife, "No way City will get two goals in the next five minutes." City then said "No-way this," and proved me wrong.
I loved the shot of SAF when he got the word City had pulled it off.
City's oil money is disgusting, but the owner's pulled it off. To see the switch in emotions with City supporters was quite a sight.
I can't wait until August and we can start this whole thing over again.
As a Chelsea supporter, I am hoping for a miracle in Munich next Saturday.
Take care, my friend.
Sir John

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