Into The Great Wide Open

With the footy season now into its second half, I thought I'd have a look back at my pre-season predictions.

Based on the current league positions:

1. Man City (Prediction1) - OK, they have played three more games than Utd, and in all likelihood probably won't do it, but at the moment - spot on!
2. Man Utd (P3) - an hour or so after I publish this could well be top again. Ho-hum.
3. Arsenal (P4) - There or thereabouts.
4. Chelsea (P2) - What on earth is going on at Stamford Bridge? Nobody knows, least of all the players it seems. May have got over their inexplicable plummet from grace.
5. Spurs (P5) - Say no more.
6. Sunderland (P10) - I'm way off, and it has to be said Steve Bruce's men look a good bet for a Europa League place.
7. Bolton (P19) - Oh dear!
8. Stoke (P13) - I reckon my prediction will not be that far out, he says hopefully!
9. Newcastle (P17) - Gawd blimey...
10. Blackpool (P20) - I really haven't a clue....in the case of Holloway's mob, neither have most others.
11. Blackburn (P14) - See Stoke.
12. Everton (P7) - No effin' comment...but still might make 7th.
13. Liverpool (P6) - No chance of 6th, can't say I'm too dischuffed...:)
14. West Brom (P18) - Could go either way.
15. Fulham (P15) - Wahey!
16. Birmingham (P9) - Harumpff....
17. Aston Villa (P8) - Who woulda thunk it?
18. Wigan (P16) - About there.
19. Wolves (P12) - Wrong again...
20. West Ham (P11) - ...and again...

Based on 10 points for a correct placing, 5 for one place out, 3 for 2 places out and -10 for more than five places adrift, I've got -34!! Bleedin' hopeless...
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Congrats to the Aussies on their not unexpected comeback in the last T20 and the first one dayer, Shane Watson especially for his match winning 161 not out off 150 balls. The BBC website headline writers seem to be having a mathematical synapse overload, this is their match report headline:

Shane Watson century too much for England in Melbourne

First one-day international, Melbourne:

Australia 285-4 (49.1 ovs) beat England 294 (49.4 ovs) by six wickets....Hmmmm...
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Last year we had the misfortune of staying in the charm free concrete jungle that is Telford. Today a friend sent me this from the local rag which should put you off for life...

...apparently local plod and council are not amused!