2 points for a correct result
4 points for a correct score
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.


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.

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.  

Friday 19th February:
Watford v Derby County

Saturday 20th February:
Town v Swansea
Town scorers:
Swans scorers:

Coventry City v Brentford (12:30)
Bristol City v Barnsley
Cardiff City v Preston North End
Millwall v Wycombe Wanderers
Norwich City v Rotherham United
Nottingham Forest v Blackburn Rovers
Queens Park Rangers v AFC Bournemouth
Reading v Middlesbrough
Sheffield Wednesday v Birmingham City
Stoke City v Luton Town

Tuesday 23rd February:
Derby v Town (19:00)
Town scorers:
Derby scorers:

Birmingham City v Norwich City
Middlesbrough v Bristol City
Luton Town v Millwall
Rotherham United v Nottingham Forest
Wycombe Wanderers v Reading

Wednesday 24th February:
Brentford v Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea City v Coventry City
Barnsley v Stoke City
Blackburn Rovers v Watford
AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers

Bonus match:
Premier League:
Saturday:
Liverpool v Everton (17:30)

Table after Matchday 24:

1. theo_luddite = 596 pts
   
2. jjamez = 591 pts
   
3. Baggiebob(BBB) = 578 pts
   
4. themaclad = 575 pts
   
5. Lord Snooty = 551 pts
   
6. St Charles Owl = 546 pts
   
7. neonfoxinthebox = 539 pts
   
8. SHEP_HTAFC = 520 pts
   
9. ritchiebaby = 497 pts
   
10. Amelia Chaffinch = 444 pts
    
11. Beefy 1965 = 356 pts

This looks like a decent fixture for Hibs to take on following their unforeseen two week break due to the Ross Co match being cancelled. The Accies registered a morale-boosting 1-4 win last Saturday v Motherwell albeit v 10 men after O'Donnell was red-carded in the 1st half. So no complacency required from Hibs v a team that the guys should beat fairly comfortably but they've still gotta earn it and "show up" for the fight. Lets face it, there's a Scot Prem 3rd place "up for grabs" and that target should be their motivator to win this match with aplomb. Also here's hoping some of our injured players have recovered to return to the fray. C'mon Hibs! Lets keep this wee unbeaten run intact and "push on" towards the season end.

GGTTH

Neil Warnocks Middlesbrough side play host to one of the countless former teams he has managed as they welcome an imploding Huddersfield to the Riverside stadium as they look to put ends to a poor run of form that has seen them drop out of the playoff places. Talking of bad form, Huddersfield too are in dreadful form and have yet to win in 2021, whilst Boro have won just twice, on the 2nd against Towns recent conquerors Wycombe and on the  20th away yet again against Nottingham Forest.

Following their win against Wycombe, Boro headed to the capital to face Brentford in the FA cup but lost 2-1 thanks to goals from Halil Dervisoglu and Saman Ghoddos, Sam Folarin got the goal for Warnock's side, who claimed to be without 50% of their usual first team, or half to you and me. A week later and the Riverside dwelling side welcomed the return of a former boss in the shape of Aitor Karanka, who guided them to the Premier League in 2016, before being sacked a year later, it was the lst tume they reached the promised land. He's now at relegation threatened Birmingham, but was able to come out on top thanks to the solitary goal from former Villa forward Scott Hogan. After playing Forest, Boro hosted another former manager in the form of Tony Mowbray, the man Karanka had replaced, and he too came out on top by 1 goal to nil, Joe Rothwell grabbing the goal for Rovers, although the game was marred by controversy as Boro defender Dael Fry was on the receiving end of a high boot from Jarred Branthwaite, which saw the Boro man needing stitches  to his head and Warnock claiming he as close to losing an eye. Having seen the incident myself, it didn't look good from the Rovers man and Boro probably should have been awarded a penalty and I probably agree with Warnock in that Branthwaite should have seen red for the dangerous challenge.



A resurgent Rotherham side was next to visit the Riverside and Warnocks old team found themselves running out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to goals from former Town player Matt Crooks, Michael Smith and Ryan Giles before Boro travelled down to table topping Norwich. In what was a turgid game, the two sides played out a 0-0 with Norwich seeing star man Emi Buendia sent off for two yellow cards, the Canaries failed to register a single shot on target (we're used to that) and dropped their first points of 2021. Next up for Boro was another promotion chasing side in Brentford. Boro took the lead in the opening minutes thanks to a David Raya own goal, but that proved to be the stick that poked the bees nest, as Brentford put their foot on the gas and bagged 4. Ivan Toney bagged a brace, with Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen grabbing the other two. Last time out it was a trip to a steadily ascending Derby County, now managed by Wayne Rooney, the rams took the lead through reported Town target Lee Gregory and journeyman striker Colin Kazim Richards. Boro hit back through Fulham loanee Neeskens Kebano, but were unable to grab the equalising goal.



In terms of leading performers, Duncan Watmore shares the leading scorer tag with Britt Assombalonga on 5 goals. Watmore came in part way through the season on a free transfer after leaving Sunderland and has only made 15 appearances for Boro. Assombalonga meanwhile has made 27 appearances for the club this season and will more than likely lead the line again on Tuesday night. Marvin Johnson, George Saville and Chuba Akpom all have 4 goals with Marcus Tavernier having 3. With regards to assists, Johnson leads the way on 5, with Saville, Tavernier and McNair all on 4.



In comparison, Town still see the injured Josh Koroma leading the way on 6, Flip Flop Campbell on 5, with Naby Sarr and Isaac Mbenza both on 4. Carel Eiting and Bacuna both have 3 goals this season. Mbenza leads the way on assists with 7, whilst Toffolo has 5 and Bacuna and Eiting both have 3.

Boro were quite busy in the January transfer window, welcoming 5 players to Teeside. First through the door was drug shamed player and former Warnockite Nathaniel Mendez Laing, he was sacked by Cardiff for failing a drugs test, with it coming out this week that it is the second time he has been banned for the use of cocaine. Taken from the Beeb- UK Anti-Doping confirmed Mendez-Laing is free to resume playing. Its judgement also revealed Mendez-Laing had already served a ban for taking cocaine in 2019. Mendez-Laing provided an out-of-competition urine sample to Ukad officials on 9 December 2019, which found the presence of cocaine. The player was provisionally suspended on 7 February 2020, and was charged with a breach of the FA's social drugs policy on 21 April 2020. He received a three-month ban that was backdated and he became free to play again in May 2020. Mendez-Laing's second positive test came on 4 July 2020, after a match against Bristol City. The player admitted to taking cocaine at 10pm the night before.

Next through the door was full back Darnell Fisher from Preston North End for an undisclosed fee with Kebano and Yannick Bolasie both joining on loan from Premier League sides Fulham and Everton. Finally former Fulham goalkeeper joined on a free transfer from Motherwell.

Moving away from teeside was Lewis Wing, who left to join Rovrum on loan, whilst Patrick Roberts saw his loan terminated so he could move down to Derby from Manchester City, whilst striker and defender Stephen Walker and son of town goalkeeping coach Paul Clements, Nathan Wood both left to join Crewe on loan. Meanwhile, goalkeepers Tomas Mejias and Dejan Stojanovic both left the club to join Ankaraspor and St Pauli respectively.



Head to head makes grim reading for Town fans, with the side losing 42 times against the Teesiders, winning 33 and drawing 20. Last time out saw Town win (remember that feeling?) 3-2, Johnson opened the scoring for the visitors before Carel Eiting equalised. Campbell shanked a goal on the stroke of half time, before Assombalonga won a soft penalty for Boro and converted it in the 83rd minute. Josh Koroma would go down the other end and score the winner for Town in the 85th minute. The last time Town won away at Boro you'd have to travel back to 1986 and Ayresome Park for a 1-0 win. Since then Town have picked up just the 1 point away from home back in October 2013, where a James Vaughan striker was cancelled out by Ben Gibson. So will it be a turn up for the books?

Message from the managers

"It's positive to have games coming fast. We want to play again and change the feeling from the last game. We continue with the same squad and same players."

"The game against Middlesbrough will be similar to before. They have the same style as when we played them earlier this season. We don't have the best dynamic, but we continue believing in what makes us strong in the games."

"Danny Ward is unavailable. Jaden Brown trained yesterday and will today. If it goes well, he will be in the list of players to go to the game. Richard Stearman isn't fit to start. He will train today, but I don't think his situation will change much."

"I always want my team to have a strong mind and to have a lot of personality and character. We talk to the players about the character they need. It's important to try and compensate for the impact of the results on the level of the players."

"I'm not living the games in a different way. I was totally prepared to face this type of dynamic. I knew it could happen, especially if we face the same type of adversity we are facing. I am focused on facing this moment."

"I expect to have a very competitive game tomorrow. They are physically very strong and have a clear idea on how to defend. They use the skills of the players they have and use the wingers to unbalance the game."

"Everything we do this year will depend on us. We have to be focused on us. We need to have more confidence in ourselves, be brave, be stronger in defence. We can only focus game-by-game."

Warnock- https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/team-news-upd...er-and-fry

Team news

Town remain without the usual suspects in the form of Koroma, Schindler, Eiting and Aarons and of course Danny Ward, whilst Stearman is back, but apparently not fit to start? surely if you are fit to be on the bench, you can play, especially with 5 subs being available to use. Jaden Brown could feature at left back, meaning Lewis O'brien will be able to move into his more favoured midfield berth. Otherwise it appears to be as you were for Town. Will Carlos make any changes for tomorrow though? Hopefully.

As for Middlesbrough they appear to be without Bolasie and Tavernier for tomorrow, whilst Dael Fry will also miss out, so it would appear that it is as you were again for Boro too

Played for both

There has been a few to have played for Town and Boro in the recent past

Notably Blue beard Adam Clayton, who left Town to join Boro back in 2014 and spent 6 years there before moving on to the Blues of Birmingham.



but who else?

1) Versatile defender who spent 3 years at Town, making 54 appearances, he left to join Boro on a short term deal and made 9 appearances before sharpening up in Sheffield before being deemed mad as a hatter

2) Spent 3 years at town and was infuriating at the best of times with his ability and also failure to deliver on that ability. Spent time at Boro on loan but only made 3 appearances before moving away onto the continent as a journeyman.

3) Scored 6 times in a brief spell at Boro, before joining Wednesday on loan. Played for Town in his early career before earning a move to a bigger club (at the time) Is still looking for his goalscoring boots

4) Played 3 times for Boro during a 3 year stay. During that stay he was loaned out to both Fulham and town where he made 17 and 11 appearances respectively. Has spent the last 3 years playing by the beach.

5) Another who had a loan spell at Town where he made 15 appearances and scored 3 goals. His loan never got made permanent and he rocked up at Leeds also on loan making 12 appearances, before leaving Boro after a 4 year stay. Now resides in the Turkish second tier.

6) A hard hitting midfielder who spent 2 years at Boro and 5 years at Town before moving down to league 1. Made 1 appearance less for Town than at Boro, and also scored one goal less at Town than for Boro too, but was hardly known for his goalscoring touch

7) Made 3 appearances for Boro in a 2 year stay and no appearances for Town. Lists Blackburn as another employer of his, but made the most of his career appearances at Shrewsbury

Auntie Grams

1) Lurching Boa

2) Vibes Go Nest

3) Mom Ill In Waist

4) Oracles Gem Leg

5) Boob Trimmer

6) Honorary Tile


Initiate Operation Freefall

Eastleigh 0-2 Hartlepool United
Aldershot Town 1-2 Solihull Moors
Barnet 0-2 FC Halifax Town
Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Bromley
Wrexham 3-1 Woking
Boreham Wood 0-1 Yeovil Town
King's Lynn Town 0-2 Notts County
Maidenhead United 1-3 Stockport County

League Table After Matchday 28
Lord Snoots = 262
Dancing = 206
Spireitematt = 206
Amelia = 200
Devon = 188
St Charles = 146
BBB = 0

THE MATCH

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16TH 7:00PM

v

LAST MATCH



Back to winning ways after the pathetic performance against Millwall. Rhodes got a start and he was rewarded with getting the first goal as he headed in from a Harris cross. We had a few other chances but couldn't find the net, while Wycombe didn't threaten to much. Onto the 2nd half and we created more chances but couldn't find that 2nd goal. Eventually though it was Reach via a deflection who got us that 2nd crucial goal and we saw out the rest of the game and out of the relegation zone.

THE MATCH



So after the Swansea postponement next up a trip to Stoke. A couple of our ex players ply there trade there in Fox & Fletcher, and a former loanee in Dany Baath. Stoke currently lie 10th in the table but are drawing too many games (12). Michael O'Neill is the current manager and will want to turn those draws into wins and try and claim a playoff spot. Bad new for us is that Stoke haven't won in 9 league games which usually means a guaranteed defeat for us    

CURRENT FORM

OWLS               -                        

STOKE              -                                  

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  

JAMES LININGTON
Shaun Hudson and George Byrne
Fourth Official : Karl Evans

THE TEAM

Unchanged???

Westwood
Lees Dunkley Urhogide
Harris Shaw Bannan Hutch Reach
Rhodes Paterson

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

1-1 Paterson

BML STANDINGS

Owlkev 9
Washington 8
Stateside 8
Imre 6
Pei 6
SCO 5
Maddix 4
Wereham 4

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Preston North End v Watford
Bristol City v Reading
Middlesbrough v Huddersfield Town
Wycombe Wanderers v Derby County
Luton Town v Cardiff City

HAHHA

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC





One for Washington

v



LAST TIME OUT

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 PRESTON NORTH END 2



WATFORD 6 BRISTOL CITY 0


FORM GUIDE
PNE 11 WATFORD 12

WATFORD NEWBIES

Sierralta, Troost-Ekong adn Zinckernagel
They seem to a lot of business with Udinese for some reason can't figure out why.

HEAD TO HEAD

Not regular visitors to Deepdale first played 25/8/1969 which North End won 3-0, the Hornets first victory and only league victory at Deepdale was 21/12/1979 a date that I certainly do remember my father died that day.
Last visit was in the league 7/5/2011 when Tango Brown was manager last game before we got relegated we played basically our youth team that day and won 3-1

MACS VIEW

Always nice to beat the Venky boys but that is now history and we take on a Watford side who demolished those hapless statue removers from Bristol 6-0 on Saturday
They are as tight as a Monkey's chuff away from home, don't score many but are hard to break down and under whichever manager it is this week will provide extremely tough opposition.
Always rated Will Hughes and is was interesting to see that when his heavily deflected shot went in on Saturday he was mobbed by his team mates oviously a popular figure within the squad.
Our home record needs sorting suspect this will be like a normal home game we'll get caught on the break and if Deeney gets to take a penalty it will be going down the middle at the rate of knots.
Sadly the weather has improved much milder won't be Elton John weather, "It's a little bit chilly"
7 pm boot off on the red button on Sky, good news is have had my Astra Zenica jab so will be getting great 5G reception on this one

For where we are now? Multiple choice allowed.

Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 Hartlepool United
Maidenhead United 0-1 Weymouth
Solihull Moors 2-0 Barnet
Stockport County 3-1 Aldershot Town
Sutton United 2-2 Boreham Wood
Wealdstone 2-1 Bromley
Yeovil Town 1-2 Altrincham


League Table After Matchday 27
Lord Snoots = 260
Spireitematt = 206
Amelia = 198
Dancing = 198
Devon = 186
St Charles = 146
BBB = 0

At last some good news coming out of the Hawthorns. Conor Townsend has signed a new 3 year contract at the Albion, well done to Conor probably our most improved player and along with Johnstone pan Periera our 3 best players this season.