EP 43: Football Bah Humbug!

John, Alan and Tom discuss everything that bothers us about modern football in the first of a two part Christmas special. Find out what we are frustrated by, dislike and hate about modern football from kits, to stadia, governing bodies, language, new fans and the decline of amateur 11-a-side. Part two will be EP 44: Looking forward to everything good to come in 2018.

This week we look forward to 4 Gameweeks in 14 days with 3 days off! How to prepare for the double Gameweek and which of the top six players you should build your team around.

John, Phil and Ash try to come up with a team that can beat Man City, discuss the impending transfer window, the merits of a winter break and are surprised at how erudite Andy Hinchcliffe can be. Also can you name the none Belgian footballer who played for Pep, Jose and Roberto Martinez?

John, Phil & Ash give their individual gut reaction to the second of three Gameweeks in ten days. With only two days to Gameweek 18 we keep it short with thoughts for the weekend & more cheap defender talk.

This week we talk derby day anecdotes from Middlesbrough to Bali and Derby to Kolkata. We look at this weekend’s derby games in the Premier League and discuss snow across Europe.

John and Ash discuss cheap defenders to replace Burnley and Watford absentees and present the cheap striker quick fire assessment and a tiny bit on cheap midfielders while we are at it. Shorter Pod with a Gameweek starting on Tuesday, get it while it’s fresh!

Alan and John review the weekend’s FPL action and discuss lessons learned from the 3 Gameweeks in one actual week that were Gameweeks 13, 14 & 15 that could help us do it all over again, but better, next week in Gameweeks 16, 17 & 18. Plus the big midfield is back, not every team rotates like Pep and is Ashley Young an option.

John and Alan discuss the very even World Cup draw and wonder if accusations of homophobia, racism or doping will persist through the tournament itself. We also talk about the glorious spectacle that was Arsenal Vs Man United, ponder Spurs’s slup, come to terms with expected goals and ask “PepBall or “Heavy Metal Football”?

Phil, John and Ash regret recording straight after the end of the omnishambles that was Gameweek 14 as we all try and come to terms with all the footballers being rested. Young, Rooney, Giroud and Brady being the best players in the game for one week only. At least we have Salah. Oh wait, only one of us dose but we do have a suggestion of who to get if you cant quite afford him!

Plus; is Lamela the Plan B Spurs need? Time to invest in Leicester counter attack mayhem, they are one of the five teams who’s fixtures we fancy.

Oh and the phone lines are a bit dodgy, but if that’s your biggest problem this game then lucky you!

Alan and John review Gameweek 13 and discuss transfer policy for Gameweeks 14 & 15 and if defence could be king in this easy to digest in mini pod for a short gap between Gameweeks. There is even a bit of Chelsea, Watford and Pogba talk.