Looking Back: Staff Predictions 2021-22

Presenting to you — the one and only, the most prestigious and punishing — NMA Staff Prediction League (NSPL)! Every pre-season, the NMA staff publishes an article detailing each member’s predictions for the upcoming season. We also publish an article looking back at the previous year’s guesses.

Predictions along with an on-point explanation, are awarded 10 points. Goodie points are also up for grabs for noteworthy comments. But what sets the NMA Staff Prediction League apart from others is that all predictions which ended up as the polar opposite get points too — negative ones!

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Actual: Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham

We kick off our annual prediction review with the Premier League’s top 4 finishers. All of the 11 staff members who took part correctly predicted Man City and Liverpool would figure in the top 4, and all but Guy got Chelsea right too.

After finishing 3rd and then 2nd in the previous two seasons, Man United’s mega summer shopping spree for Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, and Jadon Sancho justified high hopes. Unfortunately, none of these three superstars could complete the progression to #1; instead, they finished with one of their lowest points tallies in the EPL era.

Our staff members would regret this too, because with the inclusion of United, not only did no one get the order right, no one got the top four guesses completely correct either.

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Because the official NMA Staff Prediction League is one of the strictest and most competitive of its kind, partial marks are not awarded.

Leaderboard: None

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Actual: Burnley, Watford, Norwich

Next, we look at the bottom of the table. Norwich City, Watford, and Brentford were the teams who took the step up from the championship last season. Both of the former two were returning to the top flight after a year’s absence, whereas Brentford was closing a seventy-four-year absence(!).

Most of our staff cited Patrick Vieria’s inexperience among other reasons why Crystal Palace would take the drop. Everyone likes a fairytale story, but very few promoted teams can include that in their script. So it’s only logical that most of the staff included promoted teams Norwich and Brentford in their picks to drop.

But in reality, Newcastle didn’t start off as horribly as most predicted; they were agonizingly close to getting some good points in the first half of the season, finding themselves almost not in the drop-zone at Christmas. And shortly after their takeover and subsequent injection of funds in the winter window, Newcastle completely turned it around and finished 11^th.

New boys Brentford, which most of our staff predicted would finish last, played a stunning season in the top flight, with their winter signing of Cristian Eriksen only winning more neutrals’ hearts. Watford however, was not able to stun the critics and fell right back down to the Championship.

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No points are awarded here for boring predictions of promoted teams getting demoted, so our leaderboard still stands bare.

Leaderboard: None

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Actual: Liverpool

Next, we have the slightly more straightforward prospect of naming one team EPL which would go furthest in the Champions League. City, United, Liverpool, and Chelsea were in the prestigious continental championship, and Chelsea was then the holder too.

Most of our staff were of the opinion that City would go the furthest, at the cost of the domestic title. But here’s how it panned out in reality:

Man United: KO in Ro16, by Atletico Madrid

Chelsea: KO in Quarter-finals, by Real Madrid

Man City: KO in Semi-finals, by Real Madrid

Liverpool: KO in the final, by Real Madrid

Looking back, it is absolutely outrageous that two teams from a single Spanish city have caused agony to the whole of England!

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Our leaderboard finally has its first entries! Stall correctly predicted Liverpool, who got to the final and was oh-so-close to winning it all.

Here are some goodie-point-worthy quotes, and even negative points up for grabs for those which turned out to be the polar opposite!

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Chris, Man United: +5

“As we know, much depends on the draws, first avoiding any “Group of Death” and then avoiding the tougher half of the knockout rounds.” – the second half of that sentence was spot on.

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Dhivakhar and Ali, Man United: -5

“With last season’s shock Champions League exit and Europa league heartbreak, Man United will be desperate for European redemption. The signings of Jadon Sancho and four-time Champions League winner Raphaël Varane fit the bill perfectly.”

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Olakunle, Man City: +5

“I believe Manchester City will go far again, but Pep Guardiola’s unnecessary tinkering will also once again see them fail to secure the elusive Champions League trophy.”

Leaderboard:

1) Stall: 10

2) Chris: 5

3) Olakunle: 5

4) Dhivakhar: -5

5) Ali: -5

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Actual: Xisco

A whopping 10 managers(!) were sacked in this season of the Prem, only 11 of the 20 teams staying with their gaffers throughout the term. Promoted side Watford got rid of not one but two managers, sacking both Xisco and Ranieri.

There’s a good variety of choices from our staff here, with picks from promoted sides Crystal Palace and Watford, all the way to Arsenal and Wolves. David, Stall, and Olakunle get 10 points for getting this one right.

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Jeff & MiQ, Mikel Arteta: -5

“Arteta should have been sacked last season. He’s out of his depth, belonging in a role where he can raise up young players (a U-something squad or maybe a Championship club). As a result, the Gunners are sinking to his level. The ownership should already be on a short fuse, so any more disappointment at the Emirates should mean a quick exit. I just pray it happens before Roma makes Mourinho available.”

Arsenal was probably this season’s dark horse with Arteta brilliantly gelling the youngsters together and only narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification (never mind the fact that he lost his first three matches and had fans calling for his head). Eerily, Mourinho absolutely killed it at Roma as well, reducing the risk of our EPL fans having to endure another season of his “beat the press” antics.

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Guy, Steve Bruce: +5

“I still don’t trust Newcastle’s hierarchy, and although Bruce did really well last year, I don’t get the impression he’s really liked there.” – You had to feel for Bruce, but after the Saudi-backed injection of cash, players weren’t the only new signings of the club.

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Dhivakhar and Ali (again), Nuno Espírito Santo: +5

“The saga of Nuno Espírito Santo’s appointment as the Spurs’ manager was not ideal for both parties (nor for fans).” – Nuno was the third to be sacked following Xisco and Bruce.

Leaderboard:

1) Stall: 20

2) Olakunle: 15

3) David: 10

4) Chris: 5

5) Guy: 5

6) Dhivakhar: 0

7) Ali: 0

8) Jeff: -5

9) MiQ: -5

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Actual – Salah and Son – 23, Ronaldo – 18, Kane – 17

Moving on to the Golden Boot. Kane won it in 2020-21 with 23 strikes, beating Mo Salah on the final day by just one goal. Bruno, Son, and Bamford rounded up the top 5.

Most of the staff predicted similar this time around, with 7 of the 11 favoring Kane to pick the accolade once again.

But in reality, Salah was in the form of his life scoring 23 goals. Tottenham’s Heung Min Son brilliantly matched this (and almost beat it on the final day too), matching Salah’s 23, and, remarkably, not even one of them was from the spot!

Jeff and PPQ were the only ones to get this one right. Sigh, nobody picked Son. That would’ve warranted bonus points for sure, given his incredible season.

Leaderboard:

1) Stall: 20

2) Olakunle: 15

3) David: 10

4) PPQ: 10

5) Jeff: 5

6) Chris: 5

7) Guy: 5

8) Dhivakhar: 0

9) Ali: 0

10) MiQ: -5

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Actual: Ederson and Alisson (20)

Moving to the other end of the pitch, here we celebrate the lack of goals. Ederson was the man to beat in 2020-21, with 19 clean sheets. Chelsea’s Mendy actually conceded fewer goals at 25 to Ederson’s 28 but finished second with 16 clean sheets.

The majority of the staff backed Ederson to top this list again, with Ederson’s Brazilian counterpart Allison also in the running. These were precisely the best goalkeepers in the division last season, with another draw at the top.

A few of our staff finally break their duck, with all of Paul, David, Stall, Guy, PPQ, MiQ, and Ali picking up 10 points.

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Jeff, Dean Henderson: -5

“At least this year he should have Man United’s #1 spot from the get-go, and Varane solidifies the defense ahead of him.” – Unfortunately for Jeff, Dean Henderson suffered from long-Covid and played a grand total of 0 minutes. Fortunately for Henderson though, first-choice de Gea conceded a division 5^th-highest 57 goals.

Leaderboard:

1) Stall: 30

2) David: 20

3) PPQ: 20

4) Olakunle: 15

5) Guy: 15

6) Paul: 10

7) Ali: 10

8) MiQ: 5

9) Chris: 5

10) Dhivakhar: 0

11) Jeff: 0

Stall is building a healthy lead here - will it persist?

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Who’s the most generous? Harry Kane outdid the bunch when he was both top scorer and top assister with 14, Bruno and KDB tying at second with 12 assists. About half of the staff backed these names for this season as well, while others chose newer, more adventurous options.

But in the end, it was Mo Salah who replaced Kane again, ending the season as both top scorer and top assister. Sadly, nobody could imagine it ending this way. Popular pick Kevin de Bruyne missed a few games through injury, and Harry Kane could not replicate his previous performances either. Also, nobody with TAA? :(

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As mentioned, the NMA Staff Prediction League is a harsh one, and though I feel for them, terribly wrong choices must be punished (evil grin = -5). Jeff and Stall’s Jadon Sancho, and Chris’ Jack Grealish both could only muster up 3 assists, leaving them at a comfortable 68^th place on the Prem’s top assists chart. Ouch.

Leaderboard:

1) Stall: 25

2) David: 20

3) PPQ: 20

4) Olakunle: 15

5) Guy: 15

6) Paul: 10

7) Ali: 10

8) MiQ: 5

9) Chris: 0

10) Dhivakhar: 0

11) Jeff: -5

Roaring cheers from the David and PPQ fans as Stall finally takes a hit!

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Actual: Salah

The PFA awards are voted by the players themselves, instead of fans or pundits, so they tend to be relatively unbiased. 2020-21 Premier League winner Kevin de Bruyne picked it up last year, becoming only the 6^th player in history to win this accolade twice.

As you could guess by now, Salah’s clean sweep of awards continues, joining that list of illustrious players who have won it twice.

About half of our board voted for a hat-trick of PFAs for KDB, and we have the fair share who backed Kane as well. But only one of the staff got it right, none other than PPQ!

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Most of the staff’s descriptions, though incorrect, were not too far from reality. One, however, hits it out of the park in true NMA Staff Prediction League fashion! (at this point we need an acronym for this, don’t we?)

Jeff, Harry Maguire: -10

“KDB is becoming fragile in his old age, and players tend to vote for unsung heroes in defensive midfield or central defense who win trophies without making many headlines. So in keeping with my theme of regular service being restored at Old Trafford, I pick Maguire.”

Well, that aged well.

Leaderboard:

1) PPQ: 30

2) Stall: 25

3) David: 20

4) Olakunle: 15

5) Guy: 15

6) Paul: 10

7) Ali: 10

8) MiQ: 5

9) Chris: 0

10) Dhivakhar: 0

11) Jeff: -15

A resolute believer in Man United, Jeff’s chances to stay in the top flight are looking bleak!

[Editor’s note: The editor will stay exactly where he wants to, and author Sravan should start looking over his shoulder... Bwahaha]

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Actual: Salah

We now foray into the fantasy side of the PL, looking at the Premier League’s own FPL. Our staff was somehow equally divided between the trio of Tottenham’s Kane, Liverpool’s Salah, and United’s Bruno Fernandes. But everyone who backed Kane, did so supposing Kane would move to Manchester City, which seemed close to fruition back then. But instead, City passed on Kane, passed up on a particular Portuguese coming back to the Prem as well, and still went on to win the title.

Coming back to our very own league, we are only looking at three players. Bruno finished 20 places underneath the top 3, Kane finished 7^th (he was 1^st among forwards, to provide solace), while Mo Salah takes up yet another honor in the form of top scorer in the FPL. Kudos to Chris, Dhivakhar, MiQ, and Ali!

Leaderboard:

1) PPQ: 30

2) Stall: 25

3) David: 20

4) Ali: 20

5) MiQ: 15

6) Olakunle: 15

7) Guy: 15

8) Paul: 10

9) Chris: 10

10) Dhivakhar: 10

11) Jeff: -15

With only 2 correct answers being the gap between 1st and 10th place, it's still anyone's guess!

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Only 8 brave NSPL-ers dared to cast their vote in the Fantrax section. Will they lose more than there is to win?

Half of the board once again backed last season's wonder fantasy football asset Harry Kane, and three more following suit by picking Bruno. Kane finished 5th with a respectable 414 points, 50 behind table topper Son. Bruno finished 16th, which isn't all that horrible, so I'm being generous here by not distributing the negative points.

Leaderboard: No change

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Moving on, we are now done with numerical stats and fixed winners. Now we look at the season’s surprises and disappointments, from a totally subjective standpoint. Let’s look at our author’s wildcard predictions for these - out of the blue or bang on?

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Paul, Emile Smith-Rowe: +5

“A budget option in FPL and given the famous #10 shift by Mikel Arteta; I think he’ll repay the gamble.” - The new #10 returned a cool 10 goals last season.

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PPQ, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: -5

“PEA was a mess last year. I think he will bounce back this year. In case you forgot (I certainly did last season), he scored 22 goals the previous two seasons.” - The bounce back did happen, albeit in a different club and league altogether.

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MiQ, Jose Sa: +5

“I think Wolves’ new addition between the posts will have an impact on their results. His reflexes may end up bringing Wolves closer to the quarter top of the table.” - Jose Sa had a solid season, contributing to Wolves’ defensive prowess. He was even named in the team of the week thrice!

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Dhivakhar, Timo Werner: -5

“Despite Werner’s poor showing in front of goal last season, the German’s time at RB Leipzig fills me with enough confidence to believe that he’ll rediscover his form and be instrumental to Chelsea’s title campaign.” - Though not as disappointing as Lukaku, Werner was only able to have 1285 minutes (out of a possible 3420) and was benched by Havertz.

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Leaderboard:

1) PPQ: 25

2) Stall: 25

3) MiQ: 20

4) David: 20

5) Ali: 20

6) Olakunle: 15

7) Guy: 15

8) Paul: 15

9) Chris: 10

10) Dhivakhar: 5

11) Jeff: -15

The fans CAN NOT take it anymore! It's a three-way tie at the top on the penultimate matchday!

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Jeff and Paul, Jamie Vardy: -5

“I love the guy, but since Christmas last year the finisher looks finished.” — Vardy went on to score 15 last season placing him 6th on the scoring charts, and he seemed to have the form to do much more if not for the untimely injuries that led our staff to rate him down.

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David, Ivan Toney: -5

“We’ve heard this song before: Stud striker from the Championship struggles to duplicate that success in the Prem. Toney will score some goals, but I think many folks have set their hopes too high.” - The stud striker did continue to sing his song in the top flight, with a higher than average return of 12 goals and 5 assists!

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Guy, Patrick Bamford: +5

“He misses a lot of chances and perhaps Leeds generally will be somewhere below last season’s performance level.” - Guy used the wrong formula and got the right answer here, with Bamford spending most of the season on the medical table.

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Chris, Raheem Sterling: -5

“The former regular starter at wing lost Pep’s trust toward the end of last season, and his own confidence disappeared along with it. This season, minutes may be hard to come by, especially if Grealish joins. As such, the £11.0m for Sterling price tag looks way too high. It’s not just that he could be outscored by all or most of the other premium midfielders, but he could also easily be outdelivered by three or four players starting in the £5.5-6.5m price range.” - A perfectly reasonable prediction, but in reality Sterling repaid the gaffer’s trust in him richly, and was the go-to man when it mattered.

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Dhivakhar and Olakunle, Jadon Sancho: +5

“Playing his first competitive Premier League season could be a daunting task for anyone. Despite Jaden Sancho’s strong English background, the Premier League is a different ballgame altogether and could take time to get used to. Although I’ll be happy to be proven wrong, I believe Sancho’s growth at Old Trafford will be gradual, and his debut season won’t be as influential as Man United fans hope it will be.”

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PPQ, Dominic Calvert-Lewin: +5

“He really had a breakout year last year with 16 goals and 6 assists. Everton may be better this year overall (maybe!), but that improvement would come at the defensive end. With Rafa at the helm and not a lot of creativity around him, I just can’t see DCL repeating his goal output from last year.”

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MiQ, PEA: +5

“I cannot see Arsenal doing anything different this season unless their manager is sacked early. If that happens then maybe PEA will not be part of the new manager’s plan despite being the team’s captain.” - Reality was the opposite of the explanation, though the result is the same. Voodoo max.

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Ali, Thiago: -5

“I haven’t been impressed by Thiago since his arrival. Understandably, many of Liverpool’s regulars were injured, but the Reds’ style of play just doesn’t seem to suit him. Having Henderson and Fabinho stay fit is the only way the former Bayern star can play his visionary, dangerous passes instead of those horizontal, safe ones. I would be happy to be proven wrong, because I believe Thiago is a classy player, but there just seem too many complications around him.” - The Spaniard stepped up his game by several notches this season and was key to Liverpool’s quadruple challenge.

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The last two sections have seen the NSPL's contestants jump up and down the table! Who makes it from the three-way tussle? Do we see a dark horse snatch the lead??

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**drum rolls**

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Son and Salah share the Golden Boot,

Ederson and Alisson share the Golden Gloves,

PPQ nicks the Golden NMA Staff Prediction League Cup!

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Final Leaderboard:

1) PPQ: 30

2) MiQ: 25

3) Stall: 25

4) Olakunle: 20

4) Guy: 20

6) David: 15

6) Ali: 15

8) Paul: 10

8) Dhivakhar: 10

10) Chris: 5

11) Jeff: -20

[ Now we know why authors 1-10 write our content while Jeff makes their ramblings intelligible to the rest of us! ]

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What were your predictions a year ago? What pitfalls would you have fallen into? And how does this year compare as we load our GW-1 fantasy rosters with highly touted players who might end up warming the bench all season? Please log-in and share your thoughts in the comments!

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