Give some feedback and I will make changes and then get it ready for the end of July.

My fantasy football

Squad of 20

1 manager

2 goalkeepers

6 defenders

6 midfielders

5 strikers

 

1 player/manager from each team in the premiership. No pricing, just pick a player.

Will allow 5 transfers in January, but still need to stick to one player per team, and amount of defenders etc so you will need to be skilled.

 

If player transferred in January, you will need to change that clubs choice. If manager is sacked, new manager at club will remain your choice until the January transfer window (if in second half of the season, not much you can do).

 

Scoring points

 

Manager – 2 points for win, 1 for draw, -2 for being sent to the stand

 

Goalkeeper – 1 point for appearance, 3 points for a clean sheet (75mins on pitch), 5 points for a goal, 1 point for a saved penalty, -1 for each goal conceded, -1 point for yellow card, -2 points for red card (2 yellows = -2 points)

 

Defender – 1 point for appearance, 2 points for clean sheet (75mins on pitch), 3 points for a goal, -1 for each goal conceded, -1 point for yellow card, -2 points for red card (2 yellows = -2 points)

 

Midfielder – 1 point for appearance, 2 points for a goal, 1 point for an assist, -1 point for yellow card, -2 points for red card (2 yellows = -2 points)

 

Striker – 1 point for appearance, 1 point for a goal, 1 point for an assist, -1 point for yellow card, -2 points for red card (2 yellows = -2 points)

This will probably be the last football post for a while, so don't worry kids. Although United's season starts on the 14th July so it's not that far away ;o)

It's been a tiring season for me, my clubs, and football in general. It all started on a high as we came off the back of an exciting world cup (and I'm willing to argue that with people, I really enjoyed it - Germany, Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, Ghana, Chile. All exciting attacking teams, brilliant entertainment) and Dundee United were in Europe for the first time in a while. But come May 2011 we had suffered referee refusing to work, the growth of sectarianism, the disgrace of FIFA, and some of the poorest football on offer in a while. It was a rollercoaster, but not necessarily a good one and had left me wondering why I should bother going back next year.

So first off, Dundee United.

We were the width of a goal-post away from going through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup (fuck that Europa League nonsense) against AEK Athens, and that was after the farce of the stadium being changed at the last moment and our fans scrambling around the city trying to work out where to go. I should have known then that it was going to be a long season.

We started the domestic season slowly as well, incuding a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Caley Thistle, and it wasn't until we beat Aberdeen 3-1 in September that we got our first win of the campaign - and what a game it was, we were 3-0 up after 8 minutes and it included a howler by Jamie Langfield. What more could you want?

But it was a very stop-start feel to the first half of the season, we had a lot of injuries including the key wide/creative players Swanson and Conway and that held us back as we seemed too rigid and predictable which precented getting key wins that would have enabled to finish third come May. The defence suffered from injuries as well, but amazingly we found the best centre half at the club when we moved Sean Dillon from left-back into the centre. I hope he stays there next season beside Kenneth, and Watson can come back from injury and develop further.

Over the winter we hardly played and that possibly helped us, it allowed the injured players to recover and the others to get a rest. The weather seemed to hit us hardest as the snow and ice settled in for nearly 6 weeks and this led us to having to play a glut of games over a short period but it worked. We suddenly went on a role and achieved a great set of results that turned our season round, and by the end we finished a very respectable 4th and were only 2 points behind Hearts. Overall I think that reflects the season overall, if only we had scored that last minute penalty at Tynecastle, but that's football.

The only disappointment was the cups, yes we got to the Quarter Finals in both of them, but for some reason our bogey ground this season was Fir Park and we received a spanking from Motherwell both times. These things happen though and we'll be after the Scottish Cup again next season.

Come the last game of the season we had to say goodbye to a clutch of players who had helped us lift the Scottish Cup in 2010, so best wishes to them all especially Conway, Gomes, Buaben, Happy Feet, and Kovakevic. It means Houston has a big rebuilding exercise in him, how will he cope? Especially with a big question mark still over Goodwillie. That was another of the off-field problems this season after he was accused of rape, there has been no further news regarding this but will it prevent him being sold on? He is a class striker who I think can go to the top of the game, so if he does leave I hope he chooses England or overseas as I think he will benefit from that move more, although the rumours do seem to be suggesting a move to Rangers.

The breakthrough player of the season for us was Johnny Russel, a wee striker that mainly played out right but contributed 9 goals, and seems to be able to outjump even the tallest of defenders. A good prospect and one who may be able to replace Goodie if he does leave.

So overall a good season which could have offered more if it hadn't been for all the injuries, but it is always hard to follow a 3rd place and a cup win so no real complaints.

Charlton Athletic on the other hand just meandered through the season, there was maybe hope of promotion at the beginning of the season but at the end of Parkinson's rein we had already started a poor run and he was relieved of his duties and replaced by 'Sir' Chris Powell, but apart from a 4 game run when he first started it was a campaign of pure averageness. There was a small scare of a possible relegation battle for a couple of weeks, but the mid-table finish probably reflects the standard of our squad and play. I only managed to see Charlton a couple of times on TV and we looked poor, I know not to expect miracles when we are playing in the 3rd Division but the passion didn't seem to be there, let alone an idea of what we were trying to achieve. A big disappoint all told.

Chris Powell has a big summer on his hands as he needs to overhaul the squad on a limited budget, and there are fans who are already turning against him so he will need to start well or some of the fans will turn on him quickly. I think he should be given a chance to develop and take us forward, we can't keep changing managers and don't have much money so to be around the play-offs is the most we can expect but let's wait to see what happens over the summer.

Borussia Moenchangladbach tried to kill me, it looked all over the winter break as we only had 10 points and looked pitiful. But then a change of manager in February, coming in was Lucien Favre, saw a miracle being to unfold and come the last game of the season we had a chance of avoiding relegation completely after I think it was a six match unbeaten run, and for about 10 minutes it looked possible. But we finished 3rd bottom and had to play Bochum in a play-off as they had finished 3rd in the 2.Bundesliga. 

It was nervy stuff over 2-legs but we scored in the 93rd minute at home for a 1-0 victory, and a 1-1 draw in Bochum meant we stayed up and I was a happy bunny. It was scary stuff though and I don't want to have to go through that in a hurry. 

Nearly there, don't worry.

Scotland showed progress on the national stage, and although we failed to win the Carling Cup it looks like we are getting the nucleus of a decent squad together and if we can keep Craig Levein in the post I think we have a chance of qualifying for the 2014 WC, although I think it may already be too hard to go to the Euro's unless we can get a point in Spain. Hmmmm, I know we did brilliantly against Spain at Hampden, coming back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2, but in the end we lost 3-2 and I can't see us managing something like that again for a long time. Fingers crossed Levein wants to stay as he is probably bored not being involved everyday, it would be a big loss if he moved on.

So, with all the hassle of FIFA being inept and corrupt, Rangers and Celtic fans/clubs destroying Scottish football with their actions, and even more price rises for season tickets it did actually feel like a very long season and one I was glad to see the back of overall. For once a close-season is much needed for things to calm down and the batteries to be re-charged.

So will I be back for next season? You bloody better believe it. Come on 2011/12!!!

Getting in the mood now for the final, maybe because it is the last meaningful game of the season (although will keep an eye on Scotland v EIRE tomorrow as well ) as I shouldn't really care as this level is so far away from the fans and where my teams are. I have stopped watching a lot of the English Premiership as it just about money now and not football. Yes I supported Wolves in the final few weeks but that was for my mate rather than anything else, and there was nearly the dream with Blackpool but it goes to show that money counted in the end (and yes Jay, I do know Wolves posted a profit).

Is it down to jealousy? Possibly, I mean 5 years ago Charlton were in the Premieship and finishing in the top 10 but fans got greedy and thought we should be higher. This resulted in the grumbles in the stand, the end of Curbishley.....and now we play mid-table in the 3rd Division (or League One if your posh).

United are also miles away from this, yet 27 years ago we were 90 minutes away from the European Cup Final (get me drunk and ask me about Roma someday) against Liverpool and we would have been good enough to beat them. Just look at the difference in attitude to the Europa League, our fans were ecstatic about qualifying yet Harry Rednapp and Mark Hughes were trying everything possible to avoid it. Martin O'Neil effectively got his team eliminated from it, whetever happened to wanting to win a trophy for the club and fans? Jim McLean wouldn't have allowed that attitude to fall on his club.

Now it is more important to finish in the top 4 of the English Premiership than it is to win the League Cup, FA Cup, or Europa League. Yawn. I want shiney trophies, and nothing will beat the day I had at Hampden last year as United lifted the Scottish Cup for only the second time in our history. Would I take that above finishing second in Scotland and entering the qualifying rounds of the Champions League? Yes I would.

But here we are, hundreds of millions will tune in to watch two of the richest teams in the world battle it out for the most important (?) trophy in club football so who will I be supporting?

In '99 I was fully behind Man United, I remember being in my student flat in Dundee, the small tv in the corner of my room, sat on my matress on the floor, and feeling that it had slipped away form their grasp. Yet in 5 mad minutes the tie had switched around and I was jumping around and cheering them on. Great fun.

Now 12 years on I'm going the other way, wanting Barcelona to win. Why the change? Part of it is down to the money in the Premiership, but it's not as if Barca are poor. Maybe it's to do with the football they play, but again Man Utd can play good football if in a different style. It can't be so somebody different can win the trophy as both have 3 versions of the trophy in their cabinets. They're not the underdogs. Man Utd have a brilliant Scottish manager. So what is it?

Part of it is to do with the culture of the club, this belief in how the game should be played. A club that is owned by 190,000 people. A club situated in an area that was discriminated against by a national government led by Franco. All of that, but also it would help show that this is the greatest team in modern day football, and maybe in history. Trophies always help with history, and by adding another I can say I have seen that team, I was around when Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Villa destroyed the opposition.

Slideintomyhand2 by slideintomyhand

Here is the second podcast of Slideintomyhand which I felt more comfortable with and hopefully that shows, and added a couple of improvements and turned up the mix on my vocals so they should come through a little better.

Themed it around education, school etc as starting University tomorrow and it seemed apt.

1. Nancy Boy - Placebo
2. School - Nirvana
3. Fuck School - Replacements
4. Rock n Roll High school - The Ramones
5. Snow - JJ72
6. Shimmy - System of a Down
7. Stay Free - The Clash
8. I’m a message - Idlewild
9. Troublemaker - Weezer
10. Be true to your school - Beach Boys
11. Expectations - Belle and Sebastian
12. Tracy - Mogwai

Enjoy kids.

Here is the tracklisting for the first podcast:

1. Swim until you can’t see land - Frightened Rabbit
2. I’ve got a secret - Kate Nash
3. It is happening again - Blood Red Shoes
4. Jerusalem - The Indelicates
5. 10 mile stereo - Beach House
6. Afraid of Everyone - The National
7. I want you back - The School
8. One Each - Anna Rose
9. Wooder Star - beneath us, the waves
10. Shallow Water Blackout - Locsil

Work has already started on the second one so look out for that, and this one is kinda themed and anyone that knows me should be able to work out around what.

My first ever podcast, hopefully it won't be hated too much. Please feel free to pass on and promote as you guys all know more people than I do ;o)

I know there are a few mistakes, bleeps, errors etc but these will hopefully be ironed out as I get used to speaking and playing with the software. I know I sound cheesy at times but hey, that's me.

So enjoy kids and let me know what you think.

Slideintomyhand by slideintomyhand

For a while in my head I wanted to start a campaign to ask people not to vote and just completely avoid any contact with the upcoming elections, to completely disassociate themselves with politics and basically give a big finger to the establishment, and this coming from someone who has badgered people to vote for the last 13 years (my first election was in 1997).

In many ways I think the establishment really needs to see how distant they are from the real people, to get a real kick up the ass with a voter turnout so low that they have to rethink where this country is going politically, but then I realised that they don't actually care and will just carry on regardless of whether 90% of people turn out to vote, or 9%. Again they will pay lip service to really being concerned, but nothing will change as nothing ever does, so instead we need to push for compulsory voting and a PR system as that will really open up the political system.

Maybe this is why compulsory voting has never been brought in, or PR, as the big parties are worried that it will shake things up and people might actually vote for parties that they believe in, and that could lead to them losing power and control.

But if we had a system where small parties are actually represented would we not get more of a voice in parliament, would we not actually see proper debates having to take place as parties had to really explain to us why things should or should not be done? And if this led to more hung parliaments (which is still a possibility for this election), would it not open up the chance to consensus politics, or is that just wishful thinking?

So, I think we really need to push this forward as an agenda in this election so if you are ever approached by any candidates please ask them where they stand on compulsory voting, PR, and real reform in politics.

So now the election has been announced my life is going to be consumed with reading and listening to what is being said by each party to see if any of them are worth voting for, although I very much doubt any of the big three will be able to convince me that they have anything worth saying, or convince me that anything they do say will be carried through. And as for straight answers on how they are going to sort out the countries finances? Yeah right.

Three points have been in my head over the last few weeks and I would love to see them properly and maturely addressed in the coming weeks, and not just by the press.

The first is the upcoming leaders debates, now I am interested in watching these but at the same time they seem to go against British democracy, or at least our Parliamentary system, in the fact that we are meant to be voting for a local representative when we go to the polls, not a President. This continues to play into the hands of the big two parties (sorry Lib Dems but you ain't winning any elections in the near future) as it pushes their agendas, depriving us of choice and alienating us from becoming involved in politics and voting for small, minority parties. Surely more people would want to get involved, and vote, if they actually felt like their voice got heard and represented within the houses of parliament, rather than just watching two major parties shout and scream at each other and do what they want as in the end they don't represent anyone apart from their own interests, and have to follow the party whip or they just get deselected or left on the back benches with no real power or influence.

This leads into my second thought, and the missed chance we had to really install chance in our parliamentary system after the expenses scandal. At this point everyone was angry and the people really wanted change, but we never really pushed for it enough and now the parties are able to again just brush it under the carpet and suggest minuscule changes, like the Alternative Vote and less constituencies. Yes they are small steps forward, but we need bigger changes such as a full reform of the House of Lords, a full proportional representation system, a republic with dissolution of the monarchy, a full constitution, and a clearer system linking local constituents with their MPs and their actions. The public missed the opportunity to really push for these, and the parties just played lip service and were glad that we soon forgot about wanting change as the final of X Factor was still on TV.

And then finally we have the countries finances and the world recession. First of all we aren't in as bad a state as we keep reading about, but it is clear that cuts and tax rises do have to take place and yet none of the parties seem able to tell us the truth and actually give us proper facts and numbers to highlight what they are going to do, all we ever seem to hear is how all these departments are going to be protected, and how none of the parties are going to actually raise any taxes. How can this be when they keep going on and on about what a difficult situation we are in, how stupid do they think the electorate are as to try and bluff their way through the campaign without telling us the truth. The problem is no one party can come out with the what they really want to do as the other parties would just slaughter them and not mention what they are really going to do, so instead we just get lip service and negative politics.

More is going through my head but that's it for now, follow my tumblr account for lots of links and quick comments.

So how come everyone thinks they should know about Jon Venables then? What need or right do people have to know the information about his crime or where he is? I can't think of a single valid reason beyond being nosey, or wanting to go on a vigilante mission to beat the crap out of him, or kill him. And being as we live in a nice civilised society, the justice secretary is right in keeping quiet about this information, and if we are not careful the press is going to prejudice the case by releasing any information at all. What now are the chances of a 20 something year old coming up on sex crime charges being found innocent as everyone will think it is Jon Venables and find him guilty?

Yes the crime that he committed 10 years ago was shocking and disgusting, but do we not live in a society that should accept that someone has served their time for their crime and is now allowed to move on?

I just saw the email from Channel 4 news and they did have one interesting question, maybe we should know some details as it could allow people to judge whether the Justice Secretary was right in releasing the two of them when he did. I can see some logic in that, but at what point can we really tell if someone is rehabilitated, or do we just presume everyone that has committed a crime is a criminal and should be locked up forever and ever? And if so, how does the Daily Mail plan on paying for that service? Actually I shouldn't ask that question as some idiot is going to suggest bringing the death penalty back, even though it doesn't act as a deterent, or if it did why do Americans go on committing crimes?

Continuing on from crime I was reading a good article in the Independent about the lack of crimes actually solved by the use of a DNA database (0.3% or something), and thus I twittered that this shows that these databases are just a waste of time and money, and that they also infringe on our personal freedoms. Some questioned that, and argued that surely one crime solved means it was worthwhile, whereas I disagree with that. No I don't want criminals to get away, but at the same time we have to continue to live in a state where freedom and innocence is maintained and presumed, I do not want to live in a state where every piece of information about me is kept on a database, thus branding us all criminals at birth. I should be able to live my life without fear of the police getting DNA evidence wrong, as has happened before, and without fear of someone hacking into all this information and using it in whichever nefarious schemes they may have planned.

I am interested in this area, as well as in the use and effectiveness of CCTV cameras that was brought up so now I've got a little project to look into and will update you all with some proper links and stats in a few days time.

I need to start blogging again and getting me head around thoughts and ideas, instead of just living in this vapid mind numbing existence that I seem to have just now. I am listening to things, and reading bits and pieces so I should be able to put these together and write, but instead I just sit and read and read more pointless things online, wasting time flicking between more and more boring pages and then time has just disappeared. I could be about to start Uni again so I need to get back in the routine of thinking about things, looking up various resources, and then compiling them into proper thoughts and ideas for consumption by you mad people ;o)

I also still want to get this photo project up and running that I've been thinking about and talking about for what seems like years, using the Declaration of Human Rights and taking photo's around each of the points, but I also want to get all you camera users to get involved as I know there is enough of you out of there.

Then there are thoughts about Scottish Independence, thoughts that seem to have been in my head for years and are now coming to the fore with a vote being imminent and the SNP putting out consultation docs over independence and more powers. I wish I could write as I have all these ideas of a Scotland that fails in independence due to energy wars, or maybe even the other way round where an independent Scotland does everything right and gets itself self-sufficient, whilst England suffers years of Tory stupidity and there becomes a refugee problem/war between the two countries. Just ideas, but what to do with them?

So spending International Woman's Day by watching Itty Bitty Titty Committee, a trashy but fun feminist/lesbian movie with very good music.....Sleater Kinney!!!