2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Portsmouth (away)

The question on everyone’s lips, Chimer, is, “Have you got your tickets for the Last Day at Pompeii (for the right end)?” If you haven’t, you’ll have to get up on your roof with a periscope, or you could try a drone – but that may well get shot down from the Naval Services Dockyard ...........

Bratfud are down .................. Gillingham are safe, but (just in case) they fired their manager on Friday anyway (funny name for a manager – On Friday) ........ some people apparently name their kids according to where they were conceived – you know, Brooklyn, Denver, Chelsea; I was telling my kids – BackoftheCar and Dining Room Table – about it, but they didn’t seem terribly interested ...................... and of course Plymouth have rewarded Derek Adams for his team’s performances over the season – most recently chez nous – by sacking him too, although two points from eight games, five defeats in a row with 15 goals conceded, and a one-chance Avoid the Greasy Pole shoot-out with the Iron on Saturday might have made that a foreseeable possibility ……………… But is this a good scenario in which to sack your manager? Discuss ………………..

And if Chimer thought his “either/or” was complicated – try this; any three of five - Scunthorpe (23rd, 46 points and -29 GD); Walsall (22nd, 49, -22); Plymouth (21st, 47, -25); Southend (20th, 47, -14); and the Wombles (19th, 49, -21); - can still go down (and three of them plus Bratfud play other relegation candidates; Scunthorpe go to Plymouth (who’ll both GreasyPole if they draw), and the Wombles are at resurgent Bradford (who went to the Iron, were 3-0 up inside 15 minutes, and spent the rest of the game trying to lose, but failed 3-2)) ................... then Walsall are at Shrewsbury (who saved their own bacon while cooking Coventry’s goose, if I may mix my culinary metaphors, with a half-Desmond on Sunday), Southend entertain Sunderland (maybe), and Wycombe – who are safe on GD saving for a Bon Accord v Arbroath-type score line - play Fleetwood at Adam’s Park (nice lad, Adam)............. and Joey Barton is Innocent OK!

• If Scunthorpe, Walsall and Plymouth lose or draw they’ll each be relegated (unless Plymouth draw and Southend lose, in which case it’s Southend)
• If Scunthorpe win, Plymouth will go down, but the Iron would also need both Walsall and Southend to lose or draw before they (Scunny) could stay up; if Southend win, Scunthorpe would go down even with a victory
• If Walsall win they’ll be safe provided Plymouth and Southend lose or draw
• If Plymouth lose they’re down; if they draw they’ll go down unless Southend lose. If Plymouth win they’ll stay up unless Southend win and the Wombles draw or win (if the Wombles draw and Plymouth win by four goals then Plymouth will stay up on GS)
• If Southend lose and Plymouth draw or win, Southend are relegated; they’d also go if Plymouth lost and either Walsall or Scunthorpe won
• If Southend draw (bear in mind they’re against the BlackMoggies) they need Plymouth to lose, and Walsall and Scunthorpe not to win. If Southend win they’re safe by virtue of a better GD than any of the other three teams below them
• The Wombles will go if they lose at Bratfud, and any two of Walsall, Plymouth and Southend win – Walsall would then have a better GD
• Wycombe technically need a point, but even if they lose, and Plymouth win, they’re still ok on GD (-13 plays -25)

I think ............................

Portsmouth’s greatest claims to fame are (1) that Mr and Mrs Chimer live there, and (2) that Mike Oldfield played a tune about the place on some tubular balls, or something ………… The Romans built Portus Adurni, a fort, at nearby Portchester in the late third century. The city's Old English name "Portesmuða" is derived from port, meaning a haven (or an alcoholic beverage), and muða, the mouth of a large river or estuary. It apparently has the world’s oldest dry dock, has a claim to being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, was the most heavily fortified town in the world (but only when the fleet was in), is the second-busiest port in the UK (after Dover), used to have its own airport (but that closed in 1973), and is also the birthplace of Charles Dickens and Isambard Kingdom Brunel ………….. and Chimer lives there ………………..

Portsmouth FC have only lost 7 of their 44 League games so far this season, but they contrived to lose twice to Charlton (2-1 both times) and twice to Gillingham (2-0 both times) ……… and their other three defeats (1-0 at home to Blackpool, 2-1 at Oxford and 3-2 at Luton) came in consecutive games back in January; their half-Desmond at Sunderland last time out ended a spell of seven consecutive wins, during which they scored 18 and conceded 7 …………. They also won four on the spin twice earlier in the season, and they put five past Fleetwood away (5-2), also stuffing Bradford 5-1 at Chimer’s Place, and scoring four twice in the League, 4-1 at home to both Oxford and Rochdale. If that wasn’t enough, they put four past Maidenhead in the FA Cup (4-0), and did the same again Gillingham (see “lost twice” above) (also 4-0) in the group stages of the EFLTroffy which – of course – they won 5-4 on pens after a WembleyDesmond (you don’t see a lot of those!) against Slumberland ……

Home record is W12 D6 L3 GF39 GA18, and away it’s W13 D6 L4 GF41 GA29, giving a combined total of P44 W25 D12 L7 GF80 GA47 for 87 points and 3rd place ……………. They’re four points behind the LambChops with a game in hand (Tuesday, at home to the Posh), and Barnsley have a trip to Brizzle to end the season …………. A win puts Barnsley up in the Auto spots; if they draw and Pompey win both their games (flying pigs they will!), then Pompey go up; if Barnsley lose, Pompey need four points and a +9 goal swing, or alternatively two wins …………

Over the Transfer Window they ProperSigned Rochdale RB Andy Cannon and Shrews DM Bryn Morris; they also LoanSigned strikers Omar Bogle and James Vaughan from Cardiff and Wigan, plus two LWs (who needs two LWs?) Lloyd Isgrove from Barnsley and Viv Solomon-Otabor from the Brummies ………….. Strong Safety Conor Chaplin was sold to Coventry, and CM Danny Rose to Swindon, and lots went out on loan – five of them to Bognor Regis Town (who finished 14th in the Isthmian League Premier Division, which – as you’ll know – was won by Dorking Wanderers) …………… there are 16 names on their list of goal scorers, headed by Jamal Lowe with 16, Ronan Curtis (wasn’t he in one of them Boy Bands?) and Brett Pittman with 11 each and Gareth Evans with 10 …………………… 80 scored in the League, one in the EFL Cup (against the Wombles, who scored two), seven in the FA Cup (the run halted 2-0 by QPR at Shepherd’s Bush after a half-Desmond on the coast), and 18 more in the EFLTroffy (see “won it” above) ………….. 106 scored in all competitions (#wishwecoulddothat)

So there it is; a rollercoaster season, but triumphant in the end, and still punching above our weight ………….. huge congratulations to Sir Andy Holt, Professor John Coleman and Lord Jimmy Bell, plus the players, staff, fans, supporters (apparently supporters aren’t fans but fans are supporters, I was told), mascots and to anybody whose second team – and there will be zillions of them – is the Unbelievable Stanley ……………. And here’s to next season!

And my huge, huge thanks to Chimer – the only bloke I know who can make maths sound interesting (and you should see what he can do with a pie chart!) - for his erudite and funny summations after the games (I couldn't do this without him), and to all of you for the craic, occasional abuse, and for giving me something to do at silly o’clock in the morning, trying to get the thread up before the game’s been played ………. And I’ve just found out that this is the end of our NINTH season of doing this drivel – 414 threads, not counting updates on games which are Somersetted by the weather and such like ………….. and I don’t know who’s the dafter – us for doing it or you for reading it and playing along!

414! Someone needs to get a life ………………and I think it’s me and him! And if you want 46 more next year, sign your name in the usual place and we’ll see what we can do …………….. Thank you for your company, thank you for the fun, see if you can bring a mate to play next season, because we don’t have the players that we used to …………………… and UP THE STANLEY!

Good luck to everyone! ……………. Keep the Faith! …………….. And thanks for playing!


:theband::theband::theband:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Thanks, Div3N, for another season’s efforts. Enjoyed them all.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Cheers sunshine 1-1 fer me,

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

The answer for everybody's ears, Boss, is that I'm promised they'll be on the team bus and I'll be able to collect them from 4.00 pm onwards :). I'll be wearing Brunhilda, as profile pic, so if anyone cares to make themselves known ….. :)

And my prediction is for a thrilling 3-3 climax to the season :D, with Billy Kee Disputed Pen scoring in the 94th minute, thereby denying Pompey automatic promotion as champions (Barnsley and Luton having both dropped points); and me getting beaten up on the way home :(. Of course that all depends on Pompey seeing off Peterborough tonight …..

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 2 Stanley 2 please

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

7-2 to the Stanley please. Thanks for all your efforts, Div3 and Chimer.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

2 apiece please

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Which put the mockers on Pompey good and proper, didn't it? They now need to beat us to secure 3rd place :eek: and avoid Sunderland and Charlton in the playoffs, leaving the easy options of Doncaster or (oops) Peterborough :rolleyes:

3-3 still sounds like a fun game :D

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Donnie v Coventry, Posh v Burton

Coventry have nothing to play for
Doncaster have a one-point advantage over Posh
Donnie's GD is better (16 plays 7)

If Posh lose or draw against Burton, Donnie get the final slot - Posh would have 69 (loss) or 70 points (draw), but Donnie already have 70 plus a 9 goal advantage

If Posh win, Donnie have to win too (72 pts v 73pts) to claim the final playoff spot

At the sharp end -

Pompey 87 points / GD 32
Sunderland 85 points / GD 34
Charlton 85 points / GD 29

Pompey play us at home
Sunderland are at Southend (and could easily win that, despite tonight's result)
Charlton host Rochdale

It's still all twists and turns, n'est-ce pas?

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Vraiment :)

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Thanks to both of you. Please come back next season.

I'll have 3-0 Stanley. As for promotion places, who cares?

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

2-1 to Pompey please

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 3-1 Accrington Stanley

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 4 Stanley 0

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Think we could pinch this one, STANLEY 3-1... and many thanks Div3 and Chimer for this wonderful compy thingy.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

1-2 Stanley please. Thanks for another fun challenge, roll on next season.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 1-2 Stanley please ....and thanks for posting all season!

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

1-0 to Portsmouth please

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

3-0 Pompey please.
& a huge Thankyou to you both for running this.
As a ‘newbie’ I think it’s bloody brilliant!

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 2-3 Stanley thanks to Chimer and Div3North for their efforts over the season see you next season.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

3-2 Stanley thanks for all your work on this thread

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Stanley 2 Pompey 0

:theband::theband::theband:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

As from next August the competition will be re-named as "The Prediction League Compy Thingy"

:theband::theband::theband:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Although we haven't kept a clean sheet since Gillingham on 29th January ...... 18 games ago (counting this one)


:theband:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

2-0 Pompey please chaps but who bloody cares cos WE ALL KNOW THAT THE STANLEY'S STAYING UP as always thanks for doing this again this season and have a great Summer Nige

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Pompey 2 - Stanley 1 please.
Thanks to Div3North & Chimer for their labour of love over the past season.
Where would this forum be without them????

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Thank you both Div3North & Chimer!! ps (can we have season ticket score back please) ;) :) Portsmouth 1 - 2 Accrington Stanley :) Please for me

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Portsmouth 1 Accrington Stanley 2, please

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Good onya Stiffy. :)

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

"Good Onya Stiffy"

:jimbo:
And with these words, Kiwi John conceded the Prediction League title, and his hopes of becoming the first double winner. Whether he has the protocols for addressing a distinguished member of the Upper House exactly correct may be in some doubt :o, but then protocols may not work upside down :D.

Respect, meanwhile, to the noble Lord Stiffupperlip for not man-marking Kiwi out of the last game of the season despite being given an open invitation :eek:. His going (second) for the likely :confused: Pompey win left open the possibility that Kiwi's predicted Stanley win could snatch the crown away at the last moment :eek:. As it turned out, a point apiece preserved the 2 point lead and we have the ninth different winner of our compy thingy :D in our ninth season of running it.

Elsewhere in the table, the only maxi of the day :) saw Cashman elbow his way into the elite in 7th place, up from 11th on the day at the expense of Outback Ozzy's place at the top table. 3 points for a wrong-score draw saw AccyMad move up to 11th= (with Ozzy) from 15th, Revived Red from 16th to 13th, and Tommy McQueen and myself stay put in 19th and 22nd respectively. And Mab's single point was enough for him to move up from 7th to 5th, overhauling NigeB and Monkey Hangar, while Revived Red's single took him from 16th to 13th, passing TomD, Ossy Kid and Taypot.

The silly bit of fun average score league saw OAFCWOOB on top with an average of 4.00 :eek:, ahead of Smobile on 3.00 :eek:, having played 1 game each :rolleyes:. Next were the untypeable LLR, averaging 2.67 over 3 games, and Accyborn, with 2.63 over a more respectable 8. StanleyJosh managed 2.46 over 13 late games, and Taypot 2.17 over 29, making two to watch for next season maybe :). Then we get to our top two, with Lord S achieving 2.11 to Kiwi's 2.07, both over the full 46 games. Nobody else got over the 2 points per game hurdle.

And apart from Lord S and Kiwi, congratulations for staying the 46 game course with no absences go to Div3North (as you'd expect ;)), Nige B, Cashy, Leylandii, AccyMad, MikeA and AccyBeMe. 21 players in all have had a go more than 40 times - and this last week was probably the lowest entry :(, with only 23 participants.

So - roll on next season, still in League 1. Will we see highs to match the first 14 games :), or lows to match November through January :( ? Probably both :eek:

On Stanley On!!

P.S. My finisher for 10 - who knows what the hell I'm going on about in the title I've given the final table (attached) :confused:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

I know :)

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

10 points-does that mean I win with a late lunge?

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

...and don't ask me coz I'm not telling...

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Ahem!!!
As winner of this years Prediction League, I feel it beholds me to express thanks to both D3N & Chimer for the sheer effort they put in every week to keep us all entertained. :worthy:
From D3N's penetrating insights into the historic minutiae of our opponents, whimsical humour & mind boggling stats, to Chimer's eagerly awaited results show - always ready to deflate our pompous conceit that 'we know best' with his subtle jocularity.
By Jove, twas a close run thing! I confess that for the briefest of moments, I was tempted to match Kiwi's last prediction and thus ensure victory.
However, that would have been the action of an absolute bounder & a rotter. How could any Gentleman retain a stiff upper lip in such circumstances?
Nay, nay & thrice NAY!!!
I can assure my fellow competitors that my victory is down to nothing more than sheer luck! But would like to thank my children, wife, parents, grandparents & probably Simon Cowell, without whom this journey would not have been possible.
Already looking forward to next season and another chapter in the amazing story that is Accrington Stanley.
To quote Harold Macmillan; - 'You Stanley people have never had it so good!'
When you support the best team in the EFL - who can argue with that?

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

:theband::theband::theband::theband:

Well done, Your Lordship ....... And well done Kiwi as well!

Like the Champions' League - nail-biting to the very last prediction!

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

I know who Barkell is, but not what Big Day we spoiled :alright:

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

As Mrs C and I arrived for the game, they were announcing Pompey's "Player of the Season" awards - voted on by members of their various supporters' clubs from many strange parts of the planet. There must have been a dozen at least, though if there was an Accrington one I missed it ;), and Matt Clarke won them all :rolleyes:. Once it became obvious what was going on, each award was greeted with increasingly raucous enthusiasm from the away end (corner :() …. perhaps in the end he'd rather Pompey had won the match though :D.

Re: 2018/19 Prediction League; Game 46 v Porsmouth FC (away)
 

Just back from hols cheers the both of of yez for another sterling effort to keep us amused best wishes cashy,