the Artful Dodger

Diving in the Box: Fantasy Premiership Week 9

The Artful Dodger — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:17:27 -0600

"Maybe next year." That's what the fellas in Brooklyn say whenever their beloved Dodgers fall short and that's what yours truly says now that his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the running for the World Series. As others in Los Angeles say to some effect, "At least Laker season starts soon" and yours truly says, "There's also plenty of Manchester United football to be played" and what a time to reflect on that thought just as United visit Anfield for a big clash against Liverpool.

Diving in the Box: Fantasy Premiership Week 6

The Artful Dodger — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:41:42 -0600

So, yours truly is back from Sin City and that can only mean that we're back on a regular train schedule, no? Based on the week's fixtures on paper, this weekend's games will fall short of delivering an encore from last week's action. Liverpool and Chelsea should have an easy go of it against Hull and Wigan respectively while Manchester United have the pleasure of an always tricky trip to Stoke. In fantasy terms, this might be the week that you should pay attention to the Man of Glass, Louis Saha's goal output and buy the oft-injured striker.

Diving in the Box: Fantasy Premiership Week 5

The Artful Dodger — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:22:29 -0600

As promised, here's this Friday's Diving in the Box... today. I'm writing this as I'm preparing to head to Sin City, but at any rate, it's another big weekend of Premier League football. Of course, it's the Manchester Derby this Sunday and even though City will be without a few of their star players, the Derby is always a tantalizing fixture. Also, Tottenham have to rebound quick from their first loss of the season as they're facing the league leaders, Chelsea. How does this all affect your fantasy teams? Read on...

Premiership Week 4 Recap: And He Takes a Dump on Fabregas!

The Artful Dodger — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:11:44 -0600

The title can mean only one thing: Anderson has finally scored. It took him two-plus years of his Manchester United career to find the net and the lad came up golden in a pivotal win over then-unbeaten Spurs at White Hart Lane. Meanwhile, back in Manchester, the club from Stockport, erm, that other club from Manchester hosted Arsenal in a heated affair where Emmanuel Adebayor's nagging obsession with all things Arsenal reared its ugly head.

Diving in the Box: Fantasy Premiership Week 4

The Artful Dodger — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:22:14 -0600

To prove I haven't gone the way of Special 1 TV being canned due to Setanta Sports going belly up, I'm back from my rather long vacation to resurrect Diving in the Box (shut up, administration!). What a week to make a return on, just as the Premier League resumes from the international break with three big matches: Manchester United going to unbeaten Tottenham, Manchester City also on a 100% record hosting Arsenal, and the first Birmingham Derby of the season. Meanwhile, let me just say it's surreal to see Argentina and Portugal on the brink of not qualifying for next Summer's World Cup.

No Diving in the Box for Weeks 2 & 3

The Artful Dodger — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:57:42 -0600

I regret to announce that there will be no Diving in the Box this week and next. I don't like putting personal news here, but I'd have to, because my mother passed away last Tuesday. This was the family emergency I referred to a couple of weeks back, as she was sick for the last four-plus months. She had many complications, caused by an aggressive intestinal T-cell lymphoma which spread into her bone marrow and made things worse. It has been a very emotional Summer for me, for many different reasons, but I'm relieved that she passed away in peace and with no suffering to the end.

Yahoo's Big Noise Challenge Update: "Blessed are the Cheese Makers"

The Artful Dodger — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:45:43 -0600

An update on Brad Evans' Yahoo blog league is in order, no?

Captain's (B)log: H2HWS Week 19 - Moving Day!?

The Artful Dodger — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:38:24 -0600

Don't adjust your screen settings, it is truly I, Ray, pinch-hitting for Chris today while he's gone for a few days, settling in his new abode, I take it. Anyhow, It's been a so-so year for me with fantasy baseball and the H2HWS in particular has been a slog. Yours truly has been hanging by a doornail to that sixth playoff spot in forever and a day... that was, until Sunday when the Ealing Eagles knocked on the door for a big win over those ailing Thrashers. Moving day, Monday? Read on...

Diving in the Box: Fantasy Premiership Week 1

The Artful Dodger — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:14:59 -0600

Well, it's go time folks. Another Premier League season is set to kick off this weekend and Diving in the Box is back to be your personal advisor for all things related to your fantasy football/soccer/futbol team, ranging from buy and sell decisions to helping you spot the next Amr Zaki, so that you can brag to your fellow mates in your Monday watercooler chat about how you hopped aboard the (insert once-obscure overnight sensation's name here) bandwagon before anyone else knew that lad's name.

2009-10 Premier League Team-by-Team Preview

The Artful Dodger — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:33:03 -0600

As promised, here's a lengthy, detailed team-by-team preview of the Premier League 2009-10 season. Not only is it yours truly's take on how the league table will pan out, this is the ultimate fantasy preseason guide and cheat sheet for your fantasy Premiership squad. Who will be crowned champions? Will Manchester City crack the top four? Can Burnley actually escape the drop? Is Andrei Arshavin the real deal? Can Wayne Rooney be a fantasy beast? Can Michael Owen enjoy a 20-goal comeback season? Well, one can dream, but at any rate, find out and read on...

Arsenal

RDB Fantasy Premier League Update: 11th Hour

The Artful Dodger — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:10:30 -0600

I've been idle for too long to blog, but I've been busy and I've also been caught up with family emergencies recently (a few of you know what's going on, I know). Here's the latest on where we are with our little Fantasy Premier League:

Update: Fantasy Premier League is H2H

The Artful Dodger — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:43:43 -0600

Great news, gang. You can now create a private H2H league in the Fantasy Premier League game! It was bound to happen with the new introduction of public H2H leagues last year, but nonetheless I'm pretty stoked when I signed up my team just now. The cool thing is, I also have the option to renew last year's RDB league. So, this got me thinking...

RDB Fantasy Premier League Intro & Details

The Artful Dodger — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:38:03 -0600

I promised that once the Fourth of July passed, I'll transition from offseason form to preseason form and will now accept sign-ups for this coming season's Fantasy Premier League game. Lo and behold, you can now register for the new season, which starts on August 15, which as of this writing is 41 days. Registration for the league ends August 5 and so, I'll give you a month to do the deed. Read on for league details...

2009-10 RDB Fantasy Premier League Registration

The Artful Dodger — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:23:17 -0600

Rotodatabase's official fantasy football league (of a different sort) is back, the RDB Fantasy Premier League. Registration is open and once again, the game will be hosted on the Premier League's official site.

Michael Owen, The Mancunian Candidate

The Artful Dodger — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:11:49 -0600

Please tell me the world has tilted off its axis. As ridiculous as it would be to mob Darius Vassell at the airport with open arms, I'd say I'd rather rally around Vassell than witnessing Michael Owen head to Old Trafford. He's not only the exact footballing equivalent of Mark Prior, but United fans will remember him first and foremost as no filthier a Scouser as Robbie Fowler and the metrosexual poster child of Real Madrid's campaign to have the prettiest benchwarmers across from Playboy's powderpuff lingerie team.

Why 80 Million Pounds isn't really worth anything

The Artful Dodger — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:33:31 -0600

OK, the title is a bit misleading because surely if someone gifted me 80 million pounds, I would save the 70 million quid and spend wild on the remaining 10 million. Oddly enough, that's what Manchester United are doing, but not exactly by their own volition. Flash back nearly a month ago and here's what I said about just how hard it is to recoup 80 or even 100 million pounds in quality from the Ronaldo sale:

ESPN wins Premier League TV rights

The Artful Dodger — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:19:40 -0600

Hope you guys across the pond have ESPN as all Premier League games that would have otherwise gone to Setanta, will be shown on ESPN, as soon as the upcoming 2009-10 season. I believe this only pertains to you guys abroad and not here in the US, as from my understanding, Setanta will continue to air Premier League games in the States.

2009-10 Premier League Fixtures Released!

The Artful Dodger — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:30:01 -0600

So, I've just come home to the Laker rally down at the Coliseum and it was phenomenal, which makes me a bit late to the party in saying the new schedule is out today. Season starts a little under two months from now, August 15. I'm still stuck in offseason mode, but I'm sure past the Fourth of July, I'll be in preseason mode. At any rate, if you didn't know...

Revenge of the Galacticons: Real Madrid "Shed" 139 Million Pounds in Three Days

The Artful Dodger — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:50:48 -0600

While some of you are highly awaiting the Transformers sequel, there's a Summer blockbuster that makes yours truly, to quote another box office success, throw up in his mouth a bit. Of course, we're talking about an extravagant sale of Kaka from Milan to Real Madrid for a "tepid" 59 million pounds (that's $97 million US) and then today (in fact, late Wednesday evening here in the States), a year's worth of transfer drama culminated in rather anticlimactic fashion with Manchester United finally sending away Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a whopping 80 million pounds, which

Premiership Week 38 Recap: Smog on the Tyne

The Artful Dodger — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:52:21 -0600

All Northeast relegation combatants can rest assured Manchester United fielded a team that indeed had the strength of beating Hull with nothing more than a mixture of kids and reserves. What will keep Newcastle and Middlesbrough supporters up at night is a dreadful campaign, resulting in all four relegation contenders losing on the season's final day in rather drab fashion. Oh wait, there's more!