Statistical outlook: were Barcelona right to sack Ernesto Valverde?
From a statistical standpoint, it’s hard to justify Valverde’s sacking.
Leeds United and the modern magic of the FA Cup
The promised land of the Premier League is within reach. The FA Cup showed what lies in store.
ECB’s troubling transgender stance is letting down women and trans athletes
The ECB has let women’s cricket down by leaving it wide open to sharp practice and they’ve let Maxine Blythin down by allowing her to wander into this storm and become the poster girl for a wretched debate.
Everyone’s talking about Leeds United again
“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Or so wrote Oscar Wilde. And so have found Leeds United on their crazy 2018/19 which disintegrated at Elland Road on a night of self-induced trauma. A club which had...
Can anyone stop Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City?
Manchester City cruised through last season, amassing 100 points and a 19 point gap to their nearest challengers (if ‘challengers’ is the right word), Manchester United. Everything had clicked for Pep Guardiola in his second season in English football, following a bit of criticism and no small amount of smirking...
Football’s gambling addiction – the fun has stopped
Something strange happened this morning – I found myself agreeing with Richard Keyes. Yes, he of ‘did you smash it?’ fame. He of ‘it was only banter’ fame. He of the having an affair with his daughter’s friend when his wife had cancer fame. He of the ‘I’ve never seen...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 31 – The penultimate blog?
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week 9...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 30 – is this the end?
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week 9...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 29 – the end is in sight
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week 9...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 28 – serene progression
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week 9...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 27 – a return to form
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 26 – a returning hero
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
What else could West Ham supporters have done?
“Ugly,” “disgraceful,” “vile,” “a day of shame,” “scenes nobody wants to see.” The media bandwagon clicked into its predictable gear following West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Swansea on Saturday. It is a game which will not live long in the memory for the football, but rather the actions of a handful...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 25 – Hitting and hoping
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 24 – It’s time to save our season
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog Week 23 – is attack the best form of defence?
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 21: a heartbreaking farewell
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 20 – business as usual
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 19 – new year, new worries
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
Farewell Phil Taylor, an unlovable legend
And so the very first day of 2018 witnessed the departure of sporting titan, a man who, perhaps more than any other, has shaped his sport and made it what it is today. From a fringe pub sport to a global game that is enriching its major players with serious...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 18 – spreading festive cheer
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 17 – Merry Christmas from FC Fakin’ Run Aboutabit
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
Fantasy Football Blog week 15 – the slow and steady climb up the table
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
Ashes 2017: England batting themselves into oblivion
England’s Ashes defence lies in tatters after only two Tests of the five Test series, buried beneath the incompetence of their batting. This is a batting unit devoid of backbone, talent and intelligence. Collapse after miserable collapse is being endured leaving this series Down Under with an air of recent...
Fantasy Football Blog week 13 – arresting the slide
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
Fantasy Football Blog week 12 – in search of a keeper
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
The Fantasy Football Blog week 11 – We need to talk about Rodriguez
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here, Week 7 preview here, Week 8 preview here, Week...
Fantasy Football Blog week 9: the climb continues
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6...
Is Kevin de Bruyne the best midfielder in the world?
We are witnessing the emergence of one of the players of his generation in Kevin de Bruyne. His impact at Manchester City cannot be understated and he is the on-field leader of Pep Guardiola’s revolution in the blue half of Manchester. Is there a finer central midfielder in the game...
Fantasy Football Blog week 8: These are heady days
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. International breaks are always an interminable bore, punctuated with moments of deep concern for the welfare of your players. You want to get back to the cut...
Fantasy Football Blog week 7 preview: defensive realignment
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here, Week 6 preview here. We grabbed a few...
Fantasy Football Blog week 6 preview – from optimism to doubt
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here, Week 3 preview here, Week 4 preview here, Week 5 preview here. Just when it looked like everything...
FC Fakin’ Run Aboutabit break into the top 2,000,000!
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. Well, what a week it has been. The lads came back from international duty firing on all cylinders, I welcomed the birth of my first child and...
Why is no one talking about Chris Froome?
The achievements of Chris Froome, who completed a stunning Tour de France/Vuelta a Espana double in the same year on Sunday, almost needs shaking into the British sporting consciousness. It is a feat that has been achieved only twice previously and in discussing it, we’re talking about the crème de...
Cut-price Arsenal have become the laughing stock of the Premier League
If ever an article didn’t need a title, this is one such occasion. Arsenal's problems are at once simple and complex, their descent from the top table has been a slow, painfully gradual affair which has kept alight the flame of hope in their supporters’ hearts. It feels like the walls...
The Fantasy Football Blog: Week 3 preview
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here, Week 2 transfers & preview here. Crisis is a big word. Especially after two weeks. But for the likes of Newcastle, West Ham,...
The Fantasy Football Blog: Week 2 transfers & preview
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The Week 1 review is here. I pitched up at Heston services at 11pm on Tuesday night. It’s where my contact had insisted we meet. Out...
The Fantasy Football Blog: Week 1 review
Miles Reucroft is undertaking a different way of playing the ever popular Fantasy Football this season. To understand his methodology, read part one here. The first weekend of the season is always a difficult one. How will the new boys bed in? Do they get on with the local lads?...
The Fantasy Football Blog: Episode 1
Welcome to the 2017/18 Fantasy Football Blog! It’s a time of great excitement in offices and WhatsApp groups as teams are assembled with great care and attention, usually to be discarded by mid-September. I enjoy fantasy football, but I don’t enjoy the nonsense that comes with it. Triple captains. Bench...
Bringing back cricket to the national consciousness?
I was driving through Andalucía on Sunday, from Malaga to Ronda, meandering along the A-366 with a familiar sound in my ears; an England collapse. The only unusual thing it seems, was the setting. The breath taking, if arid, sights of the Parque Natural Sierra de las Nieves and its...
Mayweather Vs. McGregor: when entertainment supersedes sport
Some things make you question the meaning of sport, they just seem so inevitable. Ronaldo and Messi breaking goal scoring records, Usain Bolt running a 100 metre final, Lance Armstrong and Hansie Cronje. Some people just make it look so inevitable and so simple that it appears almost futile; they’re...
Should Jonny Bairstow be selected to start in the Champions Trophy?
Sport News 24/7 England are experiencing a severe selection dilemma at the moment and for once it is not owing to a lack of quality candidates to fill batting spots in their order. The early season form of Test wicketkeeper, Jonny Bairstow, in the 50-over format is giving Trevor Bayliss,...
AJ sets out his stall for his era
It’s rare that you gear up for a sporting event in the knowledge that the result doesn’t really matter since you were going to witness something truly historical. Either outcome and in whatever fashion would define one man’s legacy; his entire career. So it was for Anthony Joshua, the young...
A sad night in Dortmund – Could a more sympathetic compromise have been found?
On Tuesday night, Borussia Dortmund were due to face Monaco in the Champions League quarter final first leg at the Westfalenstadion. As you know, the Dortmund bus was subjected to three bombing attempts which, miraculously, only left one passenger, their Spanish centre back, Marc Bartra, hospitalised with a broken wrist....
Arsenal’s empire needs a new emperor
Sport News 24/7 All empires crumble. Just ask the Romans, Ottomans and British; all good things come to an end. And so it is proving at the Emirates Stadium, where one man’s kingdom is crumbling around him. Like King Cnut, Arsene Wenger is finding that he cannot hold back the...