team picking failure.

I think there have been cruise ships sail closer to the shores of Italian islands than that game last night, much like the Costa Concordia v the rock (as in the one at sea not the wrestler) there was only one winner and the Mince were left more embarrassed than a captain who 'slipped' into a life boat by accident.

Not the best way to celebrate Tommy Burns night but there's always next week.

Thanks to Michael, Grant and Robert for stepping in.

Ross and Michael paid a 10er so are owed £4, which is one way of guaranteeing you play again for Michael. Another option of almost certainly being ask back is to not pay at all. Grant took up this option. we also only paid £42 towards the pitch so owe £13 extra next week. £55 for the privilege of having holes in the net and fence, unlike captain schettino and the rock (as in the one at sea not the movie) they saw us coming.

when I figure out how the new man of the match poll work I get that up!

Murray Douglas Neil!

I am delighted to report that Murray Douglas Neil was born on Thursday at 10:36pm weighing in a exactly 9lbs! Mother and baby doing very well but more importantly, it means Scott can come back and play fives!

Stu's in London this week, Si's hammy is still sore, Pual has a sore groin, Alan has the cold and I'm away for a few days to Elie. Robert and Grant are the ringers and Steve and Ross are the team captains.

I feel sick

Still feeling pretty sick after the game - that felt like bloody hard work and I was genuinely surprised to sneak the win. Well played to Neil and Martie for choosing the teams and everyone else for another close and hard fought game. Next week Si thinks he'll still be out and I'm off to Elie for a couple of days. Not sure about Scott - depends on how the latest edition to the Neil family is (any hour now!).

Almost better than Alan in nets?

Game of the season!

Well, so far, so good as far as the new team picking method is concerned - good job Jon and Paul! Let's hope it continues in the same form.

What a game last night, though! I really didn't think we could win but then some hard work to get some a couple of goals back plus few uncharacteristic mistakes in front of an open goal by the Tatties got us back into the game. Snatching the win at the end did feel a bit lucky though.

Remember, there is now some sort of fine for not voting in MOTM - you've been warned!

2012 team picking

So with the delays and rush last week, there wasn't time to pick the teams the way it was decided at the Xmas night out. For those in need or a gentle reminder due to a Jägerbomb too many, the initial idea was to use the formula to pick the teams but it was decided that with ringers and change in poeple's form, that might not be as fair as we wanted. The plan was then to have the top two players pick the teams (based on the formula) so there was still a human element involved to take into account the concerns.

The old team formula was originally based on rank (see table below) and it meant that the #2 player had a slight rank advantage by 1 point.

Mince	Tatties
1	2
4	3
5	6
8	7
10	9
Total = 28	Total = 27

We can use this to pick the teams in the same way. Player 2 get the first pick, then player 1 gets two, then player 2 gets two, then it's one each until we have the teams:

Picking order = 2, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1

At the moment, we don't really have a clear picture of who the top players are so for the next few weeks, I'm going to pick two players of similar standard and style and designate them as the top two players. Seem fair enough? It's only until the table gets sorted out a bit.

This week's #1 and #2 are Jon and Paul. Both have different pros and cons but basically they're defensive players that offer a good range of passes with the occasional foray up front for a goal or two. Jon can't get email and stuff at his work so teams will have to be picked on the park so please bring both tops.

Finally, the cost of the pitches has been raised to £55 from £54 so that's one quid less each week for beer. However, Kyle has an idea on how to raise some more cash!

Hardcore players who don't vote in MOTM will be fined 50p which will be added onto their subs for the following week. So far Stuart, Martie and Paul owe 50p each - a massive total of £1.50. In 20 weeks that could significantly improve the kitty! You have been warned!

Options to increase payment to a full English pound will be considered for persistent none voters...You reading this Paul? -Kyle

Update - Neil has suggested docking points as a penalty rather than a monetary fine. Thoughts?

Date for the diary

The Ian Younger Sixes is going to be on the 23rd June at Lesser Hampden so if you're interested then keep it free!

Happy New Year!

What a shite way to start the season! I was horrifically late (really sorry about that), the weather was minging, it wasn't even a close game and, worse of all, Ross looked weird without a beard!

Welcome back everyone!

Rossco the POTY

Commiserations to Neil - it was a brave run that saw him stay at or near the top the entire season which is something that's very hard to do. Ross, however, started slowly, caught up towards the middle then fell away in the latter half of the season but rallied well to clinch the title in the very last game of the season. He also won the MOTM award too so, I give you, King Ross! (Rossco - points will be docked from you next year if you're too smug about this!)

Neil's done some analysis of the season that tracks everyone's progress throughout the year and plots it on a graph - ooooh! Flat areas are weeks where you either weren't playing or were losing and upward ones are winnings streaks. Click to embiggen:

All in all, it's been a pretty good season:

• We've only needed nine reserves the entire year which is the lowest we've ever had!
• We've had a whopping 50 games which is the most ever in a season!
• It finished at 23 games each to the Mince and Tatties with four draws - even stevens!
• Jon racked up 45 games this year - the most anyone has ever played in a season!
• Martie managed 27 (more than half) which is the most he's played in years!
• No massive injuries (other than Steve but that's to be expected)!

However, it's not been without it's lows. There have been more handbags then usual, more goal line controversy (come on Sepp, get it sorted and get TV replays!) and not a small amount of bitching and whining about the team selections (but that's to be expected). The saddest thing about this season thought, is to lose Foxy to wife enforced retirement - hopefully we can see him back for the odd game if his old legs (and wife) will let him.

See you all Saturday from 3pm at The Admiral for beers, awards, 2 for 1 pizzas and an entire afternoon of Ross being totally unbearable :)

POTY Battle!

Ross and Neil are debating the teams as we speak so as soon as they have agreed on them, I'll get them posted. Kyle's just moved house so it too busy and I'm going to watch my daughter give a commanding performance as "Sheep #1" in her nursery nativity play. Paul and Robert make up the ten men.

I'm gutted to be missing the big decider but best of luck to all tonight - may the best man win!