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15 minutes ago, lookersstandandy said:

 

I guess it depends on what his Chairman allows him to spend....

Sod all. I'm trusting the same squad as last season to dig in go straight back up. Heads will roll if it doesn't happen. :bat::ranting:

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7 minutes ago, Bristolatic said:

Sod all. I'm trusting the same squad as last season to dig in go straight back up. Heads will roll if it doesn't happen. :bat::ranting:

 

We change most of the squad each summer, and have just changed the entire backroom staff, the owner and most/all of the directors. Not sure how many heads are left unrolled!

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3 minutes ago, Crusoe said:

 

We change most of the squad each summer, and have just changed the entire backroom staff, the owner and most/all of the directors. Not sure how many heads are left unrolled!

 

Right then @Crusoe, are you signing up or what? Let's be having you.... Pay the £10 entrance fee via PayPal to stevie_j@owtb.co.uk (Please note the underscore) with your OWTB username in the comments box and your name will appear in the sign up Predictor List below;

Edited by lookersstandandy
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OWTB 2018/19 rules thread now open in the Prediction League Forum; with some important news of changes to beneficiaries.

 

This season, OWTB will replace Playershare [@Dave_Og - no excuses now] and Dr Kershaw's will be replaced by Roy Castle Lung Cancer foundation in memory of @opinions4u.

 

 

Edited by lookersstandandy
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24 minutes ago, lookersstandandy said:

 

Right then @Crusoe, are you signing up or what? Let's be having you.... Pay the £10 entrance fee via PayPal to stevie_j@owtb.co.uk (Please note the underscore) with your OWTB username in the comments box and your name will appear in the sign up Predictor List below;

He doesn't do PayPal!

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Today, begins the first in this season’s series of ‘Predictors in Focus’.

 

We begin, not too far away from the voluptuous bosom of Oldham, in Milnrow, Rochdale.

 

There are some fantastic personalities, with lively opinions, colourful language, flowery prose or just too much bloody time on their hands, who frequent the OWTB community. Then there are others, who are much less likely to seek attention. The philosophers. The contemplators. The fixers. Without them and their free thinking and mind expanding ways, we’d all descend into anarchy.

 

@milnrow latics can often be seen in a pensive pose walking up Windy Hill, along the Rochdale canal or riding the only fully working cotton mill steam engine in the world, in Newhey at the Ellenroad Steam Museum, while pondering his next OWTB Prediction. Whatever the distraction, it’s certainly begun to pay dividends this last 12 months.

 

The early days were a different story however. @milnrow latics joined Prediction League in 2015/16. Finishing 24th in the league standings – a season before Promotion/Relegation was introduced – and going out in the Cup in the group stages bottom of his group. Yes, his early foray into Prediction League was largely uneventful.

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2nd season syndrome even took its course. In 2016/17 as ML, as he is known amongst friends, seemed to go backwards, finishing 17th in the Championship & going out in the OWTB cup next to bottom of his group, while deploying some experimental Predictions and tactics. Some of the locals back in Milnrow were calling for his head. In what has drawn comparisons with Joe Royle’s early years as Latics boss, you’d be forgiven for discarding our quiet but contemplative compatriot as a serious contender.

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Discard no more! After 2 seasons of working it out, tinkering, finding the right blend, ML accumulated joint 4th highest number of points in 2017/18 Prediction League & won his Cup group - alas going out in the 2nd round - at the same time as fending off @oafcmetty in a tight League run in – and thereby demonstrating nerves of steel – to finish 2nd in the Championship, achieving automatic promotion to this coming season’s Premier League. Congrats ML.

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Edited by lookersstandandy
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Having known Milnrow for over 50 years I am pleased that he has finally had some success ...luck can overcome a lot! 

However his strategy of pretty much predicting the same score for every match was an interesting one and enabled him to hang on to a good position secured by one very accurate crowd prediction, Will it pay off this season? Quite possibly .,even if it does mean listening to his triumphalism at every match??

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2 hours ago, LaticsPete said:

Having known Milnrow for over 50 years I am pleased that he has finally had some success ...luck can overcome a lot! 

However his strategy of pretty much predicting the same score for every match was an interesting one and enabled him to hang on to a good position secured by one very accurate crowd prediction, Will it pay off this season? Quite possibly .,even if it does mean listening to his triumphalism at every match??

 

This is brilliant. I love that we’ve flushed out one of Prediction League’s silent rivalries. It must smart to see your derby Predictor exchange places with you in this season’s Premier League, LaticsPete. I look forward to watching you attempt to restore ‘normality’ over the coming season. Best of luck to you both.

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The 2nd edition of this season’s series of ‘Predictors in Focus’ sees us nip back over the right side of the M62 & 'straight outta Crompton'.

 

The story actually takes a detour further afield, to South Africa no less. @jorvik_latic, named so because of a Viking like appearance and a beard that is comparable only with Uncle Albert from Only Fools & Horses, began life in Oldham, but spent his formative years in the sun-drenched Oasis – not the southern branch of Latics fans – that is the rainbow nation. Sadly for @jorvik_latic, this sojourn happened to coincide with Latics’ most successful period. He returned just in time to see us spend 2 decades anchored to the 3rd tier. In fact, many have blamed him personally for our demise.

 

@jorvik_latic joined Prediction League in 2015/16. His first season was relatively successful for a rookie. He finished a comfortable 14th in the Premier League, won his Cup Group and progressed to the Quarter Finals. The Predicting community began talking him up, expecting big things from him over the immediate future. The bookies even shortened their odds accordingly.

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Alas, he’s never really lived up to the hype. It’s all been a bit, well limp, ever since. @maddog will tell you more if you wish to hear it. 113 points scored in both 2016/17 and 2017/18, has witnessed @jorvik_latic cling on to Premier League existence by the skin of his teeth in successive seasons. A bit like Latics in the final throws of the Corney era, one ponders whether this coming season will see him finally slip through the trap door, or will – using his South African connections – an injection of #frenchlads from nowhere near France, finally see him live up to the promise he once showed? We’ll find out soon enough. Best of luck to @jorvik_latic this coming season.

 

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Edited by lookersstandandy
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In the 3rd edition of ‘Predictors in Focus’, we’ll take a look at one of the Godfathers of Prediction League.

 

@DavidCollinge, has participated in all but one of Prediction League’s 7 seasons. His trophy cabinet & achievements read;

 

-          Premier League Champion 2011/12

-          Premier League Champion 2013/14

-          3rd in Premier League / Qualified for Europe 2017/18

 

He has however never gone beyond the 2nd round of the OWTB PL Cup and rumours are rife that he is under pressure to deliver a Wembley final for his fans.

 

The Collinge family’s involvement in football dates as far back as the 1920’s, when his great uncle Ernest – who was born in Blackley – played for Port Vale and was famous for scoring the Valiants winner at Old Trafford in a 2nd division game in 1922. By comparison, Latics were in division 1 during this period. Football runs deep in the Collinge family name.

 

These days, when @DavidCollinge isn’t polishing his trophies, he can found revealing pearls of wisdom at Surrey Street in Glossop and sharing a drink with another Prediction League participant,  @GlossopLatic. Sadly, David’s midas touch hasn’t yet rubbed off on GL. This season's Prediction League is expected to be one of the toughest yet, but just like death and taxes, @DavidCollinge is sure to feature.

 
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Edited by lookersstandandy
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In the 4th and Final edition of this year’s ‘Predictors in Focus’, we’ll a take a look at Prediction League’s equivalent of Brian Clough.

 

Clough started his managerial career at Hartlepool United aged only 30 – younger than both Joe Royle (32) and Lee Johnson (31) when they took the reigns at Latics – in the lower reaches of the football league.

 

@Hometownclubbegan his Prediction League managerial career in the inaugural Prediction League season 2011/12 and despite a 6th place finish, was in the wake of the likes of @DavidCollinge, @Stevie_J & @Ex_pat, who were all to emerge as Prediction League’s big guns long before @Hometownclub

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@Hometownclub even disappeared from Prediction League’s radar for a while, like Clough struggled at Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United.

 

When Clough took over at Nottingham Forest in 1975, Forest were languishing in mid table in the 2nd division. Within a short space of time, Clough had whipped Forest into shape and won the 2nd & 1st divisions in successive seasons, before going on to conquer Europe’s elite.

 

@Hometownclub returned to Prediction League in 2016/17, immediately won the Championship and last season sealed his/her Brian Clough comparison by emphatically winning the Premier League. At the recent Prediction League awards ceremony @Hometownclub was even heard to say, “I wouldn't say I was the best Predictor in the business. But I am in the top one.”

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Rumours persist however that his/her success is intrinsically linked to an assistant, much like Clough’s was with Peter Taylor. The bigger Predictors have been trying to lure @Hometownclub's assistant away with lucrative paychecks, however to date @Hometownclub has hung on.

 

Like Clough, @Hometownclubhankers after Cup success, which has to date eluded him/her. Let’s hope he/she doesn’t find a Nigel Jemson amongst the ranks, or everyone’s 2nd favourite Predictor might become OWTB’s 2nd Prediction League pariah, @24hoursfromtulsehill.

Edited by lookersstandandy
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We’re now only 1 week away from the big KO. Whether a regular contributor or silent voyeur of OWTB, please do join Prediction League to help make OWTB that light hearted community it can be, help fund it’s running cost for you to continue enjoying it & donate money to a great cause, in the name of one of our own.

 

Pay the £10 entrance fee via PayPal to stevie_j@owtb.co.uk (Please note the underscore) with your OWTB username in the comments box and your name will appear in the sign up Predictor List below;

Feel free to peruse the rules, although if you've been reading this thread over recent weeks, you should be in possession of all you need to know by now;

Finally, please do let me know if you would like to receive the email to text message reminder service;

As soon as MK Dons (h) thread is open, I will post a link in this thread.

Edited by lookersstandandy
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1 hour ago, Bristolatic said:

Not a 1-1 draw every bloody week again! 

Don't forget the half time 0-0 score that is part of his historical (or is that hysterical) MO.

He might struggle with Doyle as the first score though.

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