Its all been a bit quiet on here the past few weeks. Maybe its the immediate jump straight into the winter from the summer. Plus Berty used to get things going with his Pre-Winter summaries and predictions and in his absence I'll give it a go......
League Cup is Croydon pool's equivalent of the Champions League, and we all break off tonight with one target, qualification for the 2nd stage in March 2009. Two teams progress through each group and it's a chance for the lower division teams to cause a few upsets along the way. For my team we only know all too well over that you cannot take qualification for granted, and it's normally a battle to the end. Historically 80% plus of the Division 1 sides make the last 16, so the lower division sides are up against it....
The last 16 of the competition commences in mid March next year and under the new format only brought in last winter season two teams from the 4 groups progress to QF stages, which were a big success and this has now made the 2nd stage less of a lottery.
Here are my predictions to make the 2nd stage:
Group 1: League Champions, The Eagles will be red hot favourites and its a battle for 2nd. Farley Untouchables are a new side and have a decent squad of players, so them or London Snooker to take the second qualifying spot.
Group 2: Cuemasters failed last season to make the last 16, but on paper should win this group and main threat I see coming from Imperials. Coach & Horses or Waddon Wizards pose a threat. Cuemasters & Imperials to qualify.
Group 3: This one has to be between the two division 1 sides, The Patriots & The Jolly. Outside bet would be The Better Halfs and possibly the Beechtree. Both division 1 sides should and will make it through to the last 16.
Group 4: My boys will quite rightly start as group favourites, and I see the main competition coming from The Warriors, Flying Machine & The Folly. I'll go for the The Warriors to make it through with us.
Group 5: Defending champions Hot Shots normally cruise through qualification & will start as firm favourites and I expect to see them go through with the Pond Q's.
Group 6: Four good teams in the shake up to qualify and every season the draw throws up a Group of Death, so maybe Group 6 just about warrants that tag this season. Rack Pack relegated to Div 2 may be slight favourites. But I expect to see Magnum Force, Forum A and Goodfella's all in the final shake up. I'll say Rack Pack & Forum A to pinch the other spot.
Group 7: Another group with some big teams. Propeller are probably starting this season as favourites for nearly all the main titles, and they never make a mistake in the early stages. Farley Big Spuds may be the surprise package in the group. Legion are battlers and they will no doubt dig in and make it through with the Prop.
Group 8: Five sides in here who have decent squads. Newly crowned summer champions Unpreds missed out last season on qualification to Stage 2 but I expect them to get through. Joining them should be The Bloodhounds, but the Warbank & Loyalists will be there abouts. Plus we should not forget last seasons quarter-finalists, in the Elmer Cuemasters. They won't just be making up the numbers. Possibly this will turn out to be the Group of Death...
Edited by ThePower on 07-10-2008 16:33
No doubt we are one of the underdogs in Group 3, given the Patriots and the Jolly are both in our group, but it's a good test, and we'll certainly be looking to cause some upsets.
Also the 4 home games to 3 aways might work favourably for us too Fortune Favours the Brave...
ThePower wrote:
Its all been a bit quiet on here the past few weeks. Maybe its the immediate jump straight into the winter from the summer. Plus Berty used to get things going with his Pre-Winter summaries and predictions and in his absence I'll give it a go......
Aw, after all these years, I thought you and Berty were enemies. But I believe you actually miss him
Edited by harry on 07-10-2008 19:01
Harry Time!
