Ok I have to hold my hands up and apologise as your roving reporter of all things Team Picker Cup related. Between going on holiday in October and then having work commitments I haven’t given the match reports my full attention, so I haven’t been able to replicate the reporting of 2012 where each game was written about in great depth. I have to concede that I will not be able to allow the same quality time to it this year but I hope that this post will give you all an idea of how the tournament has progressed so far as we near the all important final.

The tournament will actually overrun into 2014 due to game postponements, plus it is because it is larger competition with 12 entrants.

So here is your summary if you’ve been away, not paid attention or simply rely on my posts (sorry!):

The first four matches of the TPC were ‘last 16’ games or in this case, ‘last 12’, so they were treated as qualifying games to enter the TPC proper in the quarter finals. The first encounter was between the two Gareths, where Big G made a marker for his rivals with a fine win over Gaji. Next up it was Rich V Dan in the battle of the newbies. Rich dumbfounded all when passed up the opportunity to have one of the recognised keepers but his decision was justified as he triumphed by a single goal to reach the quarter finals. Game Three was a rematch between Chris and Callum, who met in the quarter finals last year where Callum claimed victory. This time Chris took the place in the next round as his served up a hearty dish of revenge for his opponent. Meanwhile in the last qualifying game, played at later date, debutants Greg and Karl met for that final place in the quarter finals and the Merthyr Magician also stamped a statement of intent by making the next round to face Pugh.

In the first of the quarter finals last year’s finalist and favourite Billy battled against good friend Big G, but his final game was to be his last as he was vanquished by his uber-competitive Ely-ite. Meanwhile Joe, who lost to Big G in the quarter finals last year, was against Chris in the battle of the organisers. Once again Chris mustered the firepower needed to overcome Joe and deny him his first TPC win. Greg made it a dream debut in the TPC as he pushed Pugh, whilst Rich failed to maintain momentum from the qualifying round as Daryl did enough to reach the semi finals.

We are currently half way through the semi finals, with perhaps the strangest TPC game coming between the played match between Chris and Big G. Chris opted for the two keepers and actually had 6 players compared to Big G’s 5 – however he boasted the two recognised playmakers Dan and Pishty (number imbalance was due to a organisation issue). The result was staggering; 20-6 to the team with lower number of players and was the most one-sided battle in TPC history. So Big G is this year’s first finalist and he will await the victor between Daryl and Greg from the other semi final.

I’ll be providing a full report on both the third place playoff and final so watch this space for further updates! Pictures from all previous games will also be posted up in the Facebook group.

Final Score – Team Rich 12 – 11 Team Dan

Rich Hinchly won entry into the TPC Quarter Finals with a stunning victory over the fancied Dan Patterson.

The game was rescheduled at the last minute due to the postponement of the game between Greg and Karl. On arrival to the pitch Rich didn’t know that he was expected to compete, which only adds credit to his win (or it suggests further proof that luck has a part to play in the TPC). Rich didn’t get the memo but clearly didn’t need it.

On a week where there were several regular player absentees, one would be concerned that the spirit of the TPC may not carry the momentum from the opening game. However the tie was played with as much fervour and passion as the opening game, as the two captains demonstrated much intention of progressing. It was a minefield for them when it came to picking, with the field fraught with irregular players including returning Owain Roberts.

The Teams were:

Owain, Joe, Dan, Billy, Karl P, Gaji

Mike, Paul, Rich, Rolan, Pishty, Big G

The shock of the pick came from the fact that Dan had managed to choose both the ‘recognised keepers’ – the two players who go into goals willingly each game – despite Rich having the first pick. After picking Billy and Joe, betting men must have been lumping their cash on Dan to romp on home with the win. At first they seemed to be justified as Team Dan took a 2 goal lead. It certainly felt like that would be the end of competition at that point

But thankfully for the neutral, the game was not over just yet, as Team Rich masterminded a comeback which would defy all the doubters. The turning point seemed to be when the team captain of Team Rich went in goal himself; putting in a stellar performance between the sticks and was able to assign his directions from the rear. They managed to push ahead to a 6-4 lead by the end of the half.

Half time instigated the agreed swap for the Team Dan keepers – Billy out and Joe in. It was a like-for-like swap positions wise as Billy took Joe’s role in the centre of midfield. Dan’s game plan was to effectively use the wings, Owain and Karl, to push forward and play himself as the old fashioned sweeper in defence. There was merit in this approach – he is the one player on the pitch who relishes the run from defence into attack with the ball; either supplying the ball to the attack or even going for goal himself. In fact, a chunk of balls came from the team captain going for goal himself. Although this approach kept the side in the game, one would blame the Team Dan attack for being wasteful and blunt in their finishing, as they just couldn’t find the net.

Team Rich however excelled in counter attacking, passing and took their chances to uphold their lead. Mike and Pishty were excellent as they terrorised the Team Dan defence with a intuitive partnership which proved too much to handle. With Paul, who likes to venture forward; plus Big G and Rolan providing support, the ball was happily being passed around on the floor, unlike the long ball tactics being used last week. Until of course Pishty scored those two identical headed goals, which pretty much put the game out of Team Dan’s reach at 12-9.

With a final push for glory Team Dan pulled the game back to 12-11 but the damage had already been done. The obligatory apologies from the team to the losing captain came and although Dan was disappointed with the loss, he took heart that it was indeed a close game. Rich may not have known he was playing, but he sure did look like a winner afterwards. Onward now to face Daryl in a few weeks time in the Quarter Finals.

5 things we learnt from this game…

1. Keepers aren’t the route to victory after all

We all thought the game was up. As Dan used his second pick to get both Billy and Joe, nervous laughter consumed the picking arena as it looked like Rich had committed suicide. However he triumphed and turned the theory that we all knew straight out of the proverbial window. So why? How did Team Dan lose? I’ll ask you to answer that one…

2. First pick maintains important

Instead of a keeper, Rich decided to use his first pick on Pishty. When the collective mass thought he was nuts, it was clear that he knew actually what he was doing – picking the players who will grab the goals. And that’s what Pishty did – in magnificent style with two great headers.

3. Rain games don’t mean one sided affairs after all

It rained. There was one goal in it. Nuff said.

4. Owain Roberts still has it

The return of Owain was last minute due to late pullouts but it was clear that the boy was ready to play. His first game at TTFE in nearly two years (I think) wasn’t the winning comeback he anticipated, but the attacker we know and love showed that he has still got it. Welcome back Big Boy.

5. Ignore all the stuff I said last week….

Suggested by the keepers and rain points made last week, plus un upset in our second game, this year’s TPC is already out to be the most unpredictable yet. It’s clear that no matter what trends you pick up on… there’s always a chance they can be shitted on. So for all captains yet to play – expect the unexpected and be ready to be surprised!

The Battle of the Gareths in the Qualifying Round of the Team Picker Cup 2013 26/09/2013

Final Score – Team Big G 12-6 Team Gaji 

Big G’s campaign to win this year’s TPC got off to a flying start with a 12-6 defeat against Gaji in a largely high spirited opening game. 

With this year’s competition having an additional round due to the number of entrants, eight unlucky participants will need to face off against each in four qualifying round matches to reach the quarter finals. So Billy Collins was watching closely as the victor in this clash will be facing him in four weeks’ time. With Gaji competing in the last TPC opener – where he pushed eventual champion to a last gasp winner and fell victim to goal line controversy – we were expecting a thriller against 2012’s fourth placed Big G.

In reality however, the game couldn’t match last year’s opening game for drama and excitement. This game was effectively ended midway into the the second half after Team Big G gathered a large lead and put it out of Team Gaji’s reach. That said, the game did start with high spirits and it looked to have all the essential ingredients of an eagerly anticipated TPC game – passion, plenty of voice and high quality football.

Big G won the toss and opted for Billy, Chris, Pishty, Paul, Rich and Pugh, while Gaji consisted of Joe, Greg, Callum, Mike, Tom and Dan.

Team Big G set the pace early on with 3-0 lead, playing a pressing philosophy which suffocated Team Gaji in their half. Team Gaji hit back with a great long range goal from Mike and managed to get it back to 3-2, but then cracks appeared once more as Team Big G powered to a commanding 7-2 lead at half time. In particular, Chris and Pishty were effective in attack for Team Big G, forming a front line partnership with some crucial support from Pugh, who bossed the right flank and Paul, who used his trademark gangly dribbling to great effect to feed the strikers or even shoot himself.

In the second half Team Gaji started a lot more brightly, looking more confident on the ball and managed to score four goals. However they failed to plug the gap at the back, which was essential if they were to get back into the game. It seemed that the scoreline was too much for Team Gaji to avenge and they shipped five more goals despite their best efforts. Heads had lowered by 10.15 and when Team Gaji’s keeper, Joe, came out from between the sticks that was an admission that the game was lost. 12-6 was the final score as Big took the first victory in TPC 2013 and continued his rich vein of form in the competition – only ever losing once as a player or captain.

Team Big G

Team Gaji

Triumphant G!

5 things we learnt from this game…

1. Rain still means one-sided games

Pundits love to comment on how much influence the weather actually has in determining a result. The facts are hard to ignore – in every TPC game so far where it has rained the score was one-sided by at least 4+ goals. Why does this happen? There no definitive theory which can explain this baffling statistic. Could it be a higher scoring game due to the slippery surface? Are players less motivated to fight for the ball and therefore less motivated to chase down a lead? One thing is for sure, if we continue to have rain forecasted throughout the TPC, there will be less dramatic encounters like the 2012 TPC opening game..

2. Play the short ball on the wet surface – a winning combination

Acclaimed manager Brian Clough once said “If God had wanted us to play football in the sky, He’d have put grass up there”. Clough’s disdain for the long ball is certainly not felt at TTFE, where a number of players try long passes as a route to the goal. When it works, especially on a counter attack, it can be an effective way of catching the opposition off guard; but when it fails, it is seen as a very cheap way of giving away possession. Part of the problem Team Gaji had was the many long passes they played on a wet surface, which was risky anyway as it is more difficult to control the ball – leading to a greater interception rate from the opposition. Frustrated teams also start opting for the long ball as a quick fix. Team Big G on the other hand looked more comfortable playing the ball on the ground, with shorter passes, through balls and devastating runs.  Team Big G’s defence also was solid and forced the long ball when the attackers couldn’t penetrate them (snigger).  Just remember… on the floor – goals galore, In the sky, say goodbye…

3. It’s not just about the team picking, but the management too

Gaji’s more strategical approach to participating in the TPC is an interesting one to analyse as he is the self-confessed silent coach on the field. However it doesn’t seem to reap any rewards at all – 0/2 games won. As a captain he places a lot of emphasis on the actual picking rather than the managing side, when arguably the more successful TPC captains have put energy in boths sides.  In a huge contrast to Gaji, Big G exemplifies greater affinity for managing on the field with a style which mixes together an unique blend of fierce passion and authoritarianism – and it worked wonders on this occasion. Throughout periods Team Gaji looked a bit lost, in need of direction and were clunky between positions, while Team Big G looked a lot more organised and more fluid in each area of the field. Big G’s positioning of himself as defender/defensive midfielder was also a masterstroke as he could coordinate his side more effectively at the heart of the field.

4. Mike isn’t the ‘Rain King’ and can be stopped

Mike Pinto won plaudits last year as he thrived in the wet weather with his silky runs and important goals for his respective captains. Dubbed the ‘Rain King’ or the ‘Wizard of Wet’, he notched up a great reputation for playing his finest games in the rain. Despite a fine goal, Mike wasn’t his best as he struggled with injury and failed to make a major impact for Team Gaji.  However it wasn’t just the injury that kept Mike quiet for long periods – at times it looked like when Mike was on a run he would be challenged by two or three opposing players, which would snuff out any chance of making an impact. If this was an intentional strategy by team Big G, it was a well worked out plan (and the person who thought it up deserves a beer).

5. And lastly… keepers will be key to the competition moving forward

First it was Dave Weller… but it seems Billy Collins is the now the undisputed keeper of choice at TTFE. His conceding of six goals will buoy him on in his quest for that elusive clean sheet, the holy grail of TTFE goalkeeping which is almost impossible to obtain. When it comes to team picking, he will continue to be the first to be chosen and Big G’s utter faith in Billy was rewarded. Keepers like Billy and Joe will continue to be the first names on the sheet. Plus the moral conundrum of having keepers on both sides ‘out of fairness’ were swept aside in the 2012 final, where Billy had the opportunity to pick Joe but opted not to out of fairness… only to lose the final himself.  Competitors will no doubt be more ruthless when it comes to their first picks and have a keeper in there – even if they are keepers themselves.

Tomorrow the 2013 TTFE Team Picker Cup will officially begin with the opening Qualifying Round match between Gareth Jenkins and Gareth O’Neill. Mentioning of the TPC is a delight to some, but to others the acronym has confused the hell out of them. So for those of you who are not acquainted with the competition here is a FAQ post which should answer those burning questions…

What does TPC actually mean?

TPC is short for the Team Picker Cup. The competition’s full acronym is actually TTFE IKMS TPC, which stands for ‘The Thursday Football Experience I Know My Shit Team Picker Cup’ in full. You can see why it is shorted to the less jargonistic TPC.

What is it all about?

The TPC was trialled last year as away of adding more spice into regular games by injecting some friendly competition and enocuraging more player interest, but without changing the TTFE game format too drastically. Chris devised the idea of a tournament which mixed TTFE, FIFA, Championship Manager and Poolmania, which gave TTFE members the chance to compete in a knockout style competition where they would lead teams that they have picked in a bid to win a trophy. Last year 8 players took part in the first ever TPC tournament and was eventually won by Jon Ridout when he defeated Billy Collins in the final.

How does it work?

Once the tournament entrants have been established and the tournament structure is finalised, competitors will be pitted off against each other according to draw on a typical TTFE night. Prior to the game the two opposing competitors will stand in front of the rest of players and will take turns to pick their players to be on their team. Think – schoolyard playtime! The first picker is decided by coin toss, while the second picker has two picks after the first pick has been chosen. The competitors then join their teams as captains and they play against each other as normal, with the winning team’s captain going through as the victor of the tie and progressing to the next round.

So what does that mean for me if I’m player on a TPC game night?

The level of involvement is up to the player; you could be flying the flag for your captain or you could be letting off steam playing football on a typical TTFE night. It’s up to you! However with that said please remember that your captain will be aiming to win, so we encourage everyone to get into the spirit of the competition and do their best for their respective captain. But then again, none of us are short on conviction when it comes to winning, are we?

Great. That means I’ll have someone shouting at me all game won’t it…

Not really. The jury’s out on how to unlock success as a captain in the TPC but it’s been proven that the hair-dryer treatment doesn’t go down very well. That’s not in the spirit of the tournament nor TTFE itself. Successful captains are more likely to be direct, effective communicators and also aware of his team’s strengths. Or just plain lucky of course! Either way, shouting and screaming don’t win games and it isn’t recommended – I know from my own experience.

So how long will this last?

The TPC consists of 12 games in total – 4 Qualifying Round games, followed by 4 Quarter Final games, 2 Semi Finals, Third Place Playoff and a Final, played in that order. If all goes to plan the Final will take place on December 12. However we have encountered problems in the past with ensuring players are playing on a designated night, i.e. non-regular competitor not being invited to play. Therefore we hope that the competition will finish this side of Christmas, but it cannot be guaranteed.

I also heard about a night out too…

Ahh the most important bit. To celebrate the victory of the TPC champ we have a night out, or as we affectionately call it a SLOBDN (Stay Late Or Don’t Bother Night), in their honour. That means all players present gather around and buy the champ a drink while he wears his glamorous prize – a specially made T-Shirt to mark the occasion! Sadly Jon wasn’t able to join us last year, but we really cut the rug and had a ball – just see the pictures as proof… Our Social Manager James Pugh really knows how to celebrate!

Wow a T-shirt and a pissup? That’s great – where do I sign up?

Ahem. Didn’t you see the constant flow of humourous pictures in the TTFE Facebook Group? How did you NOT see them?! I’m afraid you’ve missed the boat as the final ten entrants have now been chosen. Maybe next year, but you’re welcome to come to the SLODBN! Details to follow….

How do I follow the progress of the tournament?

Stay tuned to www.thursdayfootball.co.uk, the home of the Team Picker Cup. Match reports, special analysis, details of the draw and all other information will be placed on the TTFE website. We’ll be using Facebook too to make sure that you don’t miss out and you’ll be sure to find all the general banter on there too. No doubt Chris has already started to stake his claim to the crown…

Use Google Calendar? Click on the fixture list above to add the TPC 2013 calendar now!