5string

Got it. Bugg'red up in my post, didn't I? Blooming maffs! I think most got the idea of the chart, whether the explanation is good or [as in my case] not. Anyway, here's hoping our good play continues against Spuds, maybe with a dose of good luck, too.

You made me doubt myself, so I checked. I Googled it & found this: "The x-axis is a horizontal line and the y-axis is a vertical line." Big 'phew' from me

Seems to me the theme might be 'irony'?

Goodness, another popular icon gone! I liked some of his stuff; no doubt he was a talented fella. RIP George. Hopefully 2017 can redress the balance of decent folk who have passed in 2016. I can provide a request list...

Merry Christmas, all. (took me 3 goes to type that. Zoinks!)

For fear of being slightly, but unintentionally, patronising to [largely] intelligent people, I hope this helps: The vertical [y] axis represents how good each team is (based on current league position). Right of the line, you're good. Left of the line, you're not. The horizontal [x] axis represents how lucky each team is, on balance. The 'luck' line, if you will. Above the line, you get more good luck than bad luck. Below the line, more bad than good luck. So, Burnley are lucky not to be bottom because, being above the x axis they have more good luck than bad luck. Swansea, it could be argued, are where they are in the league partially because they are really unlucky (a long way below the 'luck' line). Chelsea, Spurs & especially Arsenal get more than their fair share of good luck. We're doing pretty well despite being pretty unlucky. Man City should be a million points ahead of everyone else because they're (apparently) the 2nd best team, despite being the most unlucky. It's an interesting scatter graph, but I couldn't find anything which explains what merits being called 'luck', good or bad.

Pretty devastated to hear this news. My favourite musician in my favourite band. He was a lot better guitarist than was often given credit for - check out some of his instructional vids on YouTube. Nice guy as well. It was sad to hear he wouldn't play with Quo any more after his heart attack in the summer, but this tops off 2016, doesn't it? RIP Rick

= 'fixtures computer'. And of course Sky/BT want the 'big clubs' to do well (for commercial reasons), so they get a more balanced set of fixtures. Surprising that Liverpool haven't been favoured, then.

Just re-read it. You're right. Also noticed: "[wife] Simone, sitting next to her husband in their home...", then showed a picture JRod with a dog next to him. Bit harsh. I'm sure Simone is lovely. Phew, faith restored, etc

He won't come back here. I'd rather he went to WBA because then he would still be regarded as a "former Saints success story", not an "Everton star [we forgot he played for Saints]"! Keeps our publicity positive instead of 'little southern club'. Also, I don't think he'll do so well at WBA, which suits us. Whereas he might actually play well at Everton, which doesn't suit us.

He smiles a lot, doesn't he? Where were the stock 'sad face' pictures for the reports of his injury, near-loan to WBA and lack of England call-up/transfer-to-ManUtd-rumours since scoring his goals last week? Tch, Daily Mail's going downhill.

Clearly England have shown in India that they can't play properly for 5 days! But that's probably a different forum. Nevertheless... different sports, different physical requirements & intensities. But I'm sure you know that & your tongue was firmly in your cheek Still, there's a clear and distinct difference between us and the rest of the division. Surely the 'fixtures computer' could have spotted that and changed it?

So West Brom are ready to bid £13m for Schneiderlein. Everton are also interested. If he goes to either of them, I hope it's the Baggies.

Speaking personally, I went to school near Brighton, among a load of Seagulls fans, in the early 80s when they thought they were good (and I suppose they had some near-half decent players like Lawrenson, Robinson, Stevens, Case). Then they made the FA Cup Final - unbearable smugness. That miss by Smith made my day, which was improved a short while later when ManUre beat them 4-0 in the replay hahaha. Tears all round (except for me). So, for me it's personal. My joy became almost unbridled in 1986 at the Goldstone Ground, FA Cup QF, thank you Cockerill & Moran. Beautiful occasion.

Nah, that's Brockenhurst v Sway!

I like this line up.

No. He runs fast, so he wins the ball deep in enemy territory, which they don't like. He will score again. Keep him.

This sums it up for me. Always had a soft spot for Bournemouth. Unlike Brighton. Hate 'em!

Well, what a fantastic result! JRod: glad he's back. And what a way to come back! Hojbjerg had a shocking first 30 mins, but Davis coming on was a masterstroke, especially as he himself had a shocker on Wednesday. He seemed to give Hojbjerg confidence to play. Shame for Reed, because he was doing ok, but it turned out right. Bertrand (great goal) and Cedric were superb, which balanced the team well. Cedric is developing into one class player. Bertrand seemed 'up for it' today. Clasie was also great today, filled Romeu's boots well. I imagine B'mouth fans will be disappointed in their team's performance. They lacked energy and spark, despite their early goal. All credit to our boys, though. We took advantage brilliantly.

YEEEESSS good win away. Feeling slightly smug that I predicted the score - shame I'm not a betting man.

5 added minutes. Time for a 4th? Long on, JRod off. Nice one, son. Come on, Shlong, time for your drought to end, too.

JRod what a goal!!!!!! And now the goals flow!

Need Long on for JRod now. Hit them on the break as we seem to be sitting back. Ooh close from Redmond!

Clasie yellow. Clattenburg had a look first to see who it was. Hmm.

Text commentary described Boufal as 'largely ineffective'. Disagree, Bournemouth were worried every time he got the ball. Tadic a good replacement for him. I think we're looking like a proper creative football team now, not the borefest of recent matches.