I can't remember the year, but i think at one point we played Wimbledon 4-5 times in a row. Lots of draws as the teams knew each other so well. It was 2 legged League cup, fa cup and one or both league games if i recall. Don't quote me on that as it was long time ago
I remember reading a while ago that it wasn't random, because it can't be. I think it's bent. Mourinho returns to Chelsea and just so happens to be at home in his first game!? Since 04/05 I've long suspected it's rigged. Once again, Mourinho (new manager) just so happened to be facing the manager he famously knocked out (after a public spat between the pair) in the CL only months earlier. Also as someone mentioned earlier, the number of 4th v 5th place clashes make it conspicuous as well.
Its not totally random for sure. I watched a prog on the computer that does it. There are so many factors its ridiculous Eg, Spurs can't be at home if Barnet are (might not be true, but stuff like that). Thats why the derbies so often come on the same weekend, not for sky but for policing. Then there's the "play someone fairly local on boxing day" rule (which is taken into account, but not always possible) and other such silly things. Its amazing the fixtures aren't exactly the same each year
Playing UTD early in the season is typically advantagous. I expect them to start ok - Dip - and then finish ok under DM. City or Chelski for the title imo. Spurs, LIverpool and Arsenal for 4th-6th (in no particular order)
Instead of DL side tracking another of our threads with his utter rubbish, I think I'm the only one who's spotted that as it stands, if we play the Goons on Sat. Aug. 31st...thats Transfer deadline day too!
My predictions were semi-correct in a round-a-bout way. 1. London (West Ham (Palace)) 2. Welsh (Cardiff (Swansea)) 3. Up Northaways (United (West Brom)) 4. I meant the team Zaha was playing for (Crystal Palace (United)) 5. Both Start with letter A (Arsenal (Aston Villa)) therefore I win boo hoo all of you.
The powers have stuck something else up our arse and squeezed in 3 fixtures before deadline!?!? ****ers. We're doomed
You had to read it to realise it! Its not rigged, there are certain fixtures that have to go in first, around irreversible clashes, stadiums/cities with 'other' commitments, policing etc, the rest have to fall in around that however it suits, its all been said, its been the same for years. A poster on this site has a friend who actually worked on fixtures for some time, and it is a nightmare of a job, with less flexibility than people would imagine.
Not much time so I speed read most of it, glad I put 'I think', but hey, great minds think alike an all that!
1998/99 season. We played Wimbledon six times in all, with five of them falling between January 16th and February 16th. A league game, an FA Cup 4th round game and it's replay and both legs of a League Cup semi-final. Drew in the league, drew the first FA Cup game (obviously), drew the first leg of the League Cup game and then won the FA Cup replay and the 2nd leg of the semi. It's not even supposed to be random. It's openly a created list: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2009/06/secrets_of_the_fixture_compute.html
Away game to start with aside, I like the look of the schedule for next year. There are points to be grabbed early doors and the run in looks our easiest in years. Now all we need to do is get a couple of strikers, a box to box midfielder (Paulinho sounds perfect,) keep Bale and keep the squad fit.....
I'm just pleased that we don't start or finish in the north east, At the start of the season they (Sunderland & Newcastle) really go for it and at the end they are generally fighting relegation. I just hope that we don't get any rearranged cold February nights up there.
Actually as PNP says above, this game is the weekend after our Europa League second leg. So likely to be moved to Sunday or Monday. Hope our new signings acclimatise quickly!
Missed that on the speed read too. that or one of DL's comments was next to it so I just buzzed it on sharpish!
