Fair Playing Fulham Sneak Into Europe, Mania In Magpies Midfield!
Before the days of the Mohamed Al-Fayed takeover at Fulham FC, the London club finished their lowest ever position of 17th out of 24 (1995-96) in the football league division 3. It is an astounding achievement to think they are now often playing against Europe’s greatest clubs. It requires a lot of discipline at all areas of the club. This discipline could one day lead them to be the greatest themselves in the future.
It is this self-control that has enabled them to sneak into European football for 2011-2012 season. It could also mean that by monitoring disciplined and fair players in your fantasy football league, you too could be travelling around Europe …on your winnings! UEFA’s fair play rules mean that the top 3 federations of the fair play table are granted an extra place for a team to play in Europe; UEFA’s fair play rankings finished as follows:
1. Norway, 2. England, 3. Sweden
Officially Fulham were not the fairest playing team in England the standings were: 1. Chelsea 2.Tottenham. 3.Man Utd, 4. Fulham, but as the others already qualified Fulham sneak a place.
Picking players from the fairest teams could mean you are less likely to give away free kicks, penalties, pick up yellow cards or suspensions and of course ensure they are not on a losing side. On the other hand selecting players that often pick up bookings could lose valuable points.
Newcastle United player’s attained 75 yellow cards last season; Tiote gaining 14, Nolan 10, (now west ham) and Barton 7. These 3 midfielders achieved 41% of total cards given to Newcastle players! Of Course there are other hard-hitting players out there; some make up for it with goals, assists, or just by regularly being on the winning sides. Kevin Nolan scored 12 goals last season we could be mistaken for thinking he is good value for money as he scored more goals than Rooney (11)! However he threw all the hard work away … With Nolan’s poor discipline and past record this is one Kevin I’m leaving “Home Alone” this season