Almost a repeat of the game a week ago but a slightly different outcome in the end.
We still want to walk the ball into the back of the net. Why we don't shoot from outside the area is one of life's mysteries.
Once again the visitors showed us how to do it. They had 3 good shots. 1 goal, 1 hit the post and the other was saved. By contrast I think we had 1 shot from outside the area that missed the target by about 10 yards.
The main difference this week was that we brought on attacking subs when we were running out of steam. We obviously learned something last week about not trying to hold onto a one goal lead and it worked. We could have scored a few more but I'm glad we didn't as it would have messed up my prediction.
In all my time watching Town I can't remember the kop being so quiet. Hope it was a case of hangovers, even the drum sounded as if he'd lost his sticks and was playing with his fingers.
The one player who has really impressed me is Bailey Clements. He is a terrific defender and gets forward with some terrific crosses. We need to get him on a longer contract, he's definitely one to watch.
Kabby even managed to get minutes on the pitch and score a good goal. Wonder if it was his last appearance?

2 points for each correct scorer
Correct joker doubles your score      
Wrong joker result gives you minus 2
Correct Random Badger gives you 2 points

The random badger is used for any random prediction used once in each matchday sequence. For instance, a scorer at a particular match, the number of red cards in the matches or yellow cards or own goals or owt you want really within reason, I do need to be able to check whether it's correct or not. Please don't put stuff like....."Commentator says...."  
The joker   is played for one match in each sequence and if correct you get double points. So if you've predicted 1-0 and it finishes 2-0, you get 4 pts, but if you've predicted 2-0, that's 8 pts. But if you get it wrong, it's minus 2.
Jokers and badgers are optional. You don't have to play one if you don't want.

The prize for winning the league is one rep point.

Cup games: In the event of a draw, it's half the points if you've predicted a draw when it gets to 90 mins and the full points if it's still a draw after extra time. Half the points will be awarded for correctly predicting the winner of the match if it goes to penalties. Similarly with the badger, if your random prediction is affected by this, it'll be half the points.

Random score generator: I will be using the random score generator again for those who miss predicting, so we shouldn't get some people too far behind that after missing a couple of weeks they lose all interest, because I know it's not easy getting on here every week.
To be fair to everybody, this is going to be like, say if three people in one week miss their predictions, the first one in the table will be given all 0-0, the second one down the line will get 1-0 and the third will get 0-1 and so on, like if there's four missing the 4th will get 1-1, then 5th 2-1, 6th 1-2. and if there are so many missing, might as well pack in.
And if you miss two weeks on the trot, I'll stop until you come back on again. Not doing it for half a season like I did t'other year.  

End of season Play Offs: The one who finishes top of the league will still be champion, but after the season finishes there will be Play Offs between the top 4, with 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd. This will take in stuff like the EFL Play Offs, FA Cup Final, final day of Prima Donna League, European Finals etc. It will be one matchday for the semis and one for the Final. It will be the individual scores for each matchday against the allotted opponent, with some kind of tie breaker for a drawn match.

The prize for winning will be enormous. Another rep point.

I've just picked out 16 of the 32 FA Cup 3rd round matches:-

Saturday January 7:
Preston v Town (12:30)
Town scorers:
PNE scorers:

Forest Green Rovers v Birmingham City (12:30)
Blackpool v Nottingham Forest
Boreham Wood v Accrington Stanley
AFC Bournemouth v Burnley
Chesterfield v West Bromwich Albion
Ipswich Town v Rotherham United
Middlesbrough v Brighton & Hove Albion
Shrewsbury Town v Sunderland
Coventry City v Wrexham (17:30)
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United (18:00)
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers (20:00)

Sunday January 8:
Cardiff City v Leeds United (14:00)
Hartlepool United v Stoke City (14:00)
Stockport County v Walsall (14:00)
Manchester City v Chelsea (16:30)

Table after Matchday 20:

1. jjamez = 474 pts
   
2. neonfoxinthebox = 416 pts
   
3. themaclad = 414 pts
   
4. theo_luddite = 405 pts
   
5. Lord Snooty = 393 pts
   
6. Baggiebob(BBB) = 391 pts
   
7. Amelia Chaffinch = 382 pts
   
8. SHEP_HTAFC = 370 pts
   
9. ritchiebaby = 364 pts
   
10. St Charles Owl = 364 pts
    
11. Devongone = 324 pts
    
12. WakeyTerrier = 171 pts

Well one can only say here's hoping for a far more positive year ahead of us compared with the consistent mess that gradually unfolded in the year 2022. I'm not gonna go on re the politics of 2022, but briefly all I'll say is the crass politics/behaviour played out (there is a huge list of offences/criticisms btw) didn't help at all!! Anyway, have a good hibee new year!! Lets hope for a change in direction and more positivity for Hibs in a footie league that is sadly dominated by money/wealth that brings in top players for very few clubs while other Scot footie clubs can only dream of ever acquiring these multi-million pound players. Hence the reason why the Scot league has been dominated by Glesca clubs for decades n decades n decades ad nauseum.

https://www.stokecityfc.com/

https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/



LAST TIME OUT



In The Dressing Room

Ryan Lowe is hopeful he may be able to call upon Andrew Hughes, with the defender now back in training following a spell on the sidelines.

The manager also explained that Robbie Brady is on the road to recovery, however his return has been delayed due to an illness last week.

Sean Maguire and Troy Parrott will both miss out, with the latter expected to return in January, but he will be assessed by Tottenham Hotspur’s medical team before being made available for selection.

A Look At Our Hosts


Sat 17th in the table currently, the Potters are one of several sides in the division who will be hoping to make a push for the top six during the second half of the season.

Managed by former PNE boss Alex Neil, Stoke are searching for greater consistency in their results having not achieved back-to-back victories since October.

They're also looking to improve on their performances at the bet365 Stadium in the coming months, given they have taken 12 points from their 12 matches at home so far this term.

Going Head To Head


Games played: 110
PNE wins: 49
Draws: 24
Stoke City wins: 37
Last victory: Stoke City 1-2 PNE, 3rd January 2022

One To Watch


Having scored and assisted more goals than anyone in the team so far this term, it's hard to look past midfielder Lewis Baker as Stoke's key player.

The former Chelsea man enjoyed a fantastic second half to last season with the Potters following his January arrival, scoring eight and assisting two.

So far this season, the tally is five and four respectively, and with an eye for a long-range stunner, PNE will need to make sure they don't give the 27-year-old any sight of goal.

Match Officials

Leigh Doughty will take charge of a PNE fixture for only the third time in his career on Monday.

Doughty, now in his third season of refereeing in the Championship, officiated North End’s defeats to Cardiff City and Fulham in the 2021/22 campaign.

This season, he has shown 74 yellow cards and four reds in his 17 matches as the main official, and on Monday he will be assisted by Adam Crysell and Robert Hyde, with Thomas Kirk on fourth official duties.


A potted history of Stoke on Trent

Stoke-on-Trent (often abbreviated to Stoke) is a city and unitary authority area in Staffordshire, England, with an area of 36 square miles (93 km2). In 2019, the city had an estimated population of 256,375.[9] It is the largest settlement in Staffordshire and is surrounded by the towns of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Alsager, Kidsgrove, Biddulph and Stone, which form a conurbation around the city.

Stoke is polycentric, having been formed by the federation of six towns in 1910. It took its name from Stoke-upon-Trent where the main centre of government and the principal railway station in the district were located. Hanley is the primary commercial centre; the other four towns which form the city are Burslem, Tunstall, Longton and Fenton.

Stoke-on-Trent is the home of the pottery industry in England and known as The Potteries. Formerly a primarily industrial conurbation, it is now a centre for service industries and distribution centres.

MACS VIEW

Another trip down the M6 to the Potteries, at least it's not Port Vale although the way we are playing that could be next season. After the shocker on Thursday night those that will be in attendance will be wanting a better performance however here is the problem who do you put in!?.
Still not figured out how having a break for four weeks could led to so many injuries.
Manager's credit is rapidly going down hill, the football is slow and predictable, needs new blood however our transfer windows are usually less than exciting, although when we do bring good players in like Anthony Gordon, we don't play them.
New Year, new optimism, we'll see tomorrow and Sean Maguire is still injured

Tick Tock

THE MATCH

MONDAY 2ND JANUARY KO 3:00PM

v

LAST MATCH



We made it back to back wins as a Smith double gave us all 3 points. Bannan fired over and Dawson made a save for us. We took the lead when one of there defenders handled in the box and Smith drilled the pen into the corner. Harrison went close for the visitors after the break. Smith then wrapped up the points when cutting in from the left and firing in from about 20 yards. We saw out the remaining 20 minutes with relative comfort.

THE MATCH



Next up and first game of 2023 is a home one as Cambridge make the journey north. Cambridge are struggling in the league and are just 2 places and 3 point above the relegation zone. They look set for a relegation scrap. There leading scorer is Sam Smith with 6 goals and 1 assist. They are managed by Mark Bonner who has been in charge since 2020.

ALL TIME H2H

OWLS 11
CAMB 4
DRAWS 4

CURRENT FORM

OWLS              -                                                                       

CAMB              -                                   

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  

ANDY HAINES
Matthew Parry and Conor Brown
Fourth Official : Geoffrey Liddle

THE TEAM

Dawson
Palmer McGuiness James
Mighten Bannan Byers FDB Johnson
Windass Smith

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

2-1 Smith

ATTENDANCE

23578

WEDNESDAYS FIRT GOAL TIME

26

BML LEAGUE

Imre 18
Owlskev 18
Stateside 17
Wash 15
SCO 14
Peiowl 11
Maddix 9

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Brentford v Liverpool
Norwich v Watford
Lincoln v Ipswich
Northampton v Leyton Orient
Solihull Moors v Wrexham

AAADA

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE

WEREHAM




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC

Well this will be the last week before the New Year, so on behalf of Zinman and myself we would like to thank everyone who has taken part in this league and we wish each and every one of you a Happy New Year and prosperous 2023!!

Premier League

Blue Baggie 20pts 2CS 5CR 5GB 6BB 1SB
Zinman 19pts 2CS 5CR 5GB 3BB 1SB
Derby 15pts 1CS 4CR 5GB 3BB 1SB
Minizin 12pts 1CS 2CR 5GB 6BB 1SB
Stairs 5pts 1CS 2CR 0GB 3BB 0SB
Sanjay 4pts 1CS 2CR -3GB 3BB 0SB
Snooty 2pts 1CS 2CR -3GB -3BB 2SB
SCO 1pt 0CS 1CR -3GB 3BB 1SB

A distinct "table of 2 halves'" this week. 3 games failed to supply a single correct prediction but, for once, both Albion and Sheffield Wednesday came through to provide a bumper points harvest.

Blue Baggie struggled at the start of the season but has improved over recent weeks and this form continued with his best return of the year to head this week's table. 5 correct results of which 2 were spot-on scores including his bonus - could he finally be off the foot of the table? Zinman once again comes in second with his 6th consecutive double figure return helped by his 4th consecutive positive gamball - it's almost as if he's selecting the fixtures himself! It was a decent week for all of the top 3 with Derby and Minizin scoring well - Minizin only got 2 correct results but luckily for him these were his gamball and bonus to save him from what could have been a bad week.

There's then a bit of a gap to the rest. Stairs, Sanjay and Snooty all matched Minizin's record of 1 correct score plus 1 other correct result but weren't as fortunate with their balls. Stairs correct score was one of his 2 bonuses - he lost points on the other - and SCO managed to get 2 points from his scoreballs.

SCO's struggles continued. He has now scored just 26 points from the last 7 weeks and he was only saved from a negative return by Wednesday scrambling a win on what was his bonus ball - the only result he got right.

Zinman 153
Derby 143
Minizin 142
Snooty 125
Sanjay 110
Stairs 109
Blue 94
SCO 93

The top 3 extended their lead over the rest after a good week. Zinman retains top spot with Derby edging back up above Minizin into 2nd place. The only other positional change this week is a significant one with Blue Baggie finally climbing off the foot of the table to be replaced by SCO. I have a feeling this week's results may be posted rather later than usual!

Zin


Championship

AAA 20pts 3CS 1CR 5GB 6BB 1SB
Twerton 16pts 1CS 4CR 5GB NPBB 1SB
Amelia 14pts 1CS 2CR 5GB 6BB 1SB
Dingle 9pts 0CS 4CR 5GB -3BB 1SB
BBB 8pts 0CS 4CR 5GB -3BB 0SB
Themaclad 6pts 1CS 1CR -3GB 6BB 1SB
Lady Jane -1pts 0CS 2CR -3GB -3BB 1SB
BaggieOne -1pts 0CS 2CR -3GB -3BB 1SB

This week we see a weekly result table that is upside down compared to the season table!! Leading the way is AAA with 20 points, he only scored points on 4 games but got a CS on the Bonus and picked up points on the Gamball as well!! Close behind is Twerton on 16 points, he too scored points on the Gamball but has had his knuckles severely rapped for failing to use the Bonus Ball!! Amelia rounds out the top 3 with 14 points, another spot on Bonus and more points on the Gamball boosted her score nicely!

Our league leader Dingle is 4th with 9 points and I fancy with the three above him this week all being in the bottom three in the table he will be happy with this. BBB is 5th with 8 points and Themaclad is 6th, BBB got the CR Gamball and Themaclad got a CS Bonus.

The bottom 2 this week, Lady Jane and BaggieOne, both ended with a negative score. Both got the Gamball and the Bonus wrong and as we have seen many times before there is no coming back from that and with Dingle sitting above them they will both lose ground on him!!

179 Dingle
155 Lady Jane
142 BaggieOne
124 BBB
123 AAA
107 Themaclad
104 Amelia
82 Twerton

No positional changes this week. Dingle did stretch his lead to 24 points over Lady Jane with BaggieOne a further 13 points back. BBB and AAA are now separated by just a single point, can either one of them put a run together to close the gap on the top 3? Themaclad now has Amelia right behind him but there is then a 22 point gap to Twerton.

Just a few stats to finish the year off. The highest weekly score this season belongs to AAA with 26 points and the lowest to Twerton with -6, unfortunately for him this won't change as this is the lowest score possible!! Dingle has the most Scoreball points with 14, Lady Jane is the Gamball Queen with 26 points and also leads the BB points with 18!! Unfortunately for Twerton, he has the lowest points haul on both the Gamball and Bonus with a combined -40 points!!

Finally, we will start the FA Cup competition in the New Year so keep an eye out for that.

Cheers
SCO

Pele the greatest player to grace our planet RIP Pelé the legend.

New Year's Day

Bromley 2-1 Southend
Chesterfield 2-0 Scunthorpe
Eastleigh 0-2 Dorking
Halifax 1-0 Altrincham
Maidenhead United 1-2 Wealdstone
Oldham 0-3 Notts County
Woking 3-0 Aldershot
Yeovil 1-2 Torquay

Monday 2nd January
Boreham Wood 1-1 Barnet
Gateshead 2-0 York
Maidstone United 1-2 Dag & Red
Solihull Moors 0-2 Wrexham

League Table After Matchday 28
Devon - 594
Lord Snoots - 511
St Charles Owl - 494
SaltergateBorn - 481
Amelia - 470
Spireitematt - 446
Dancing - 412