2005 Archive: Final

I caught up with Simon Baister and John Shearn to ask them a few questions...

What's your reaction on finding out you've won?

Simon: I was amazed to be honest. After putting Man Utd to win it I thought at least one person from the top 10 would have got the maximum 20 points. It's about time I got some good luck with football this year (being a Norwich fan of course!). But well done to John as well I think it's an extraordinary achievement, considering how many competitors there were.

John: Firstly on behalf of everyone taking part I'd like to thank you for organising the competition. It is professionally run and thoroughly enjoyable. Winning this international competition is almost as enjoyable as Liverpool winning the Champions League. I feel very proud.

Who were you supporting in the final? Do you think Arsenal deserved to win?

Simon: I was obviously supporting Man Utd as I put them down to win it, but I have to admit it was a very exciting 0-0 draw. Everyone knows that Man Utd were all over Arsenal for basically the whole of the game, but it just shows you have to take your chances and they didn't do that. Also Arsenal put their penalties away very confidently, with enormous pressure on their shoulders, so they took their chance and won the game.

John: Normally I would have supported anyone playing against Man Utd but Arsene Wenger's jealous comments about Liverpool's success in the Champions League meant I simply didn't care. Based on form going in to the competition I had picked Arsenal and they needed to win for me to win Fantasy FA Cup. However, based upon their pathetic game Man Utd deserved to win. Wenger's expression whilst being interviewed made it obvious it was a hollow victory. Did I mention Liverpool won the Champions League and we keep the trophy.

Yes, actually... How did you make your predictions for each round?

Simon: Well for the third and fourth round ties I tried to predict a couple of upsets, not necessarily defeats, but draws, as there seems to be of them at that stage in the competition; due to weaker sides put out by Premiership managers. However in the later rounds I thought that the Premiership teams like Arsenal and Chelsea would take it more seriously, so I decided on the more obvious predictions. I now expect all of you to do well next year now that I've told you my method!!

John: I left it until the last minutes and went on form.

Simon, you've been leading for the whole competition this year. Did you expect to do this well?

Simon: Not at all!! I went to see Norwich get knocked out at West Ham on 3rd round day, and when I got home I checked the site and I was in total shock to see I was top!! But even then I never thought it would last. I've been doing this for a few years now and I don't think I've managed a top 10 finish, so I was astonished to see as the rounds went on I stayed up there! I'll be back next year to defend my title!

John, you were 239th after the third round, but had a pretty amazing 4th round, did you do anything differently?

John: We had organised a mini-league in work and last thing on Friday before the 3rd round the organiser Chris Rowson reminded me to make my predictions. I completely guessed them in 5 minutes not even recognising which division some of the teams played in. When the results came in I was gutted particulary because Michelle Woodward, a "girl" in our mini league who supports "Man Utd", was beating me.

In the fourth round I looked at which division each team played in and their recent form particularly how many goals they had scored and conceded at home and away. Of all the stages of the competition I think round 4 had the most predictable results.

Who do you tip to win next year's FA Cup?

Simon: I'm not sure. I'd like to say Norwich but then I would be lying. I think it will probably be one of the big guns like Chelsea and Manchester United, but I would like to see one of the lesser teams like Birmingham or Pompey to win it, as it would be better for English football.

John: You probably think I'm full of Liverpool this week, which I am, but I think Rafa Benitez is a master at cup competitions. He underestimated the prestige of the FA Cup in his first year in England as did Jose Mourinho. I predict that provided they don't draw each other in an earlier round, Liverpool will beat Chelsea in next year's final.

Once again many thanks for organising a great competition!