The Azzrentice Final

by Guest Mon 17 Dec 2012, 3:48 pm

First topic message reminder :

Hello everyone. We're finally here - the Azzrentice Season One Final. Congratulations to Gregers, Soddy and Marky for getting this far, and thank you to all of you who have competed in the competition so far. It's been fun, yet tough. And there can be only one winner.

TEAMS:

TEAM SODDY	TEAM GREGERS	TEAM MARKY
Soddy	Gregers	Marky
Afro	Trebs	Viva
Olly	Hero	Nando
Zebs	GSC	Fan
Cherries	Tooze	CF

The task:
I want you to present to me a vision. A vision of what football really means to you. And to do that, I'm giving you £125m to spend.

With that £125m, I want you to buy a team of 18 footballers, using their TM values as of 24 January 2012 (prepare now but check the values don't go up when you submit). For this 18-man squad, I want you to provide a starting XI, and a briefing on how you want them to play. Not tactics as such, but I want you to inspire the players with a vision for how you want them to play the game.

Now, to help you, I am going to offer you the chance to purchase a manager. You can have another £25m for this - anything you don't spend can be put towards your squad purchases. The manager will be the person who will carry out your vision, who will put it into practice and get the players playing the way you want them to. Not to say that you're choosing the manager's vision of course, but if your vision is of lumping it to Andy Carroll, don't choose Wenger! Manager prices are as follows:

Pep Guardiola - £25m
Jose Mourinho - £25m
Sir Alex Ferguson - £25m
Roberto Mancini - £20m
Arsene Wenger - £20m
Guus Hiddink - £17.5m
Tito Vilanova - £17.5m
Jupp Heynckes - £16.5m
Andre Villas-Boas - £15m
Jürgen Klopp - £15m
Massimiliano Allegri - £15m
Marcelo Bielsa - £13.5m
David Moyes - £13.5m
Diego Simeone - £12.5m
Brendan Rogers - £12.5m
Antonio Conte - £12.5m
Manuel Pellegrini - £10m
Rafael Benítez - £10m
Michael Laudrup - £8m
Chris Hughton - £5m

I will be judging this task on three aspects:

1. The starting XI, including chemistry between players (ie, they have to complement your vision)
2. The substitutes, so you don't buy any old toot to make your first team look better
3. Your vision, including whether your manager is capable of carrying it off

The team with the best XI, subs and vision will win - the prize is still to be determined. Good luck one and all!

DEADLINE IS 2359 ON THURSDAY 24 JANUARY - FRIDAY 25 JANUARY WILL BE AZZRENTICE LIVE

by Zinedine_Ze_Zebra Fri 18 Jan 2013, 10:46 am

OKies

by Fernando Fri 18 Jan 2013, 11:33 am

Can we have bull since Fan is no longer around? since he seems determined to help anyway Laugh

by Guest Fri 18 Jan 2013, 11:34 am

No. He wasn't in the draft, so he missed out. If he helps you, your team automatically loses the task

by Fernando Fri 18 Jan 2013, 11:38 am

tell him yourself then thumbsup

It's unfair on us if he keeps helping without us requesting it

by FIFA Diva Fri 18 Jan 2013, 11:39 am

Azzy Mahmood wrote:
Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:With Fan gone & I havent seem much of CF wouldnt it be fair to give Marky another team member?
He has Viva, he has a huge advantage on the other two teams.

Retweeted

by **Afro** Fri 18 Jan 2013, 11:48 am

VivaPaulScholes wrote:
Azzy Mahmood wrote:
Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:With Fan gone & I havent seem much of CF wouldnt it be fair to give Marky another team member?
He has Viva, he has a huge advantage on the other two teams.

Retweeted

Is that a bit like US Postal Service had an advantage in the TdF because they had Lance Armstrong

by **Hero** Fri 18 Jan 2013, 12:22 pm

Question: where would the club be based?

by Guest Fri 18 Jan 2013, 12:37 pm

Hero - it doesn't matter. I'm not putting you in a league or competition, it's to see who assembles the best team/subs, and who produced the best footballing vision. No need to consider level of opposition (although obviously it would be top level).

by Marky Wed 23 Jan 2013, 10:31 am

A question Lord Azzy.

How can we choose players based on their TM values on 25th January when the task deadline is 24th January? Are we expected to gamble the price doesn't go up by Friday morning?

by Guest Wed 23 Jan 2013, 10:34 am

Haha, a mere typo good sir. Well-spotted nonetheless!

TM values as of 24 January

by Guest Wed 23 Jan 2013, 11:56 am

REMINDER: Azzrentice deadline is 2359 tomorrow night, I need your submissions by then.

I also need Hero / Afro to tell me what the prize is.

by **Afro** Wed 23 Jan 2013, 11:59 am

10 pallets of rock salt?

by Guest Wed 23 Jan 2013, 12:06 pm

But you have to pay P&P, despite knowing the guy who's selling them furious

by Trebs Wed 23 Jan 2013, 7:09 pm

As promised:

TEAM TREBS SUBMISSION:

by Guest Wed 23 Jan 2013, 9:49 pm

Trebs, that's a poor effort. You're fired.

by Marky Thu 24 Jan 2013, 10:15 am

Team Marky

Spoiler:

by Guest Thu 24 Jan 2013, 10:33 am

Very well presented Marky clap

I'll reserve my judgement on the content until tomorrow.

by Gregers Thu 24 Jan 2013, 9:56 pm

Team Gregers

Spoiler:

by Guest Thu 24 Jan 2013, 9:59 pm

Thank you Gregers, well done

Just waiting for Team Soddy. Two hours left Soddy!

by sodhat Thu 24 Jan 2013, 10:04 pm

I am here, I have cheetos and I am ready to cobble some garbage together. I'm not even going to look at the others submissions cos I don't want to have to live up to them.

by sodhat Thu 24 Jan 2013, 11:03 pm

Sodhat's final meal.

Spoiler:

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 10:08 am

Azzrentice Live at 12pm, or soon after The Azzrentice Final - Page 3 3559488474

In the meantime, if any of the three contestants wishes to elaborate on their submissions, please feel free to do so

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 10:19 am

I won't be elaborating on my submission only other than mentioning my subs bench has every position in my formation covered. Unless the sub gets injured, then its just bad luck.

by Gregers Fri 25 Jan 2013, 10:33 am

Just like to wish both Marky and soddy the best of luck

by sodhat Fri 25 Jan 2013, 10:40 am

Thanks Gregers, good luck to you too.

Not to Marky though.

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 10:44 am

Gregers wrote:Just like to wish both Marky and soddy the best of luck

That's loser talk Wink

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:10 pm

Good afternoon gentlemen.

I'd like to start by thanking everyone who has been a part of this season's Azzrentice competition. It's been really tough judging the entries each week, great quality submissions from you all. And congratulations to Soddy, Marky and Gregers for reaching the Final.

Let's just remind ourselves what I'll be judging the three competitors on:

1. The starting XI, including chemistry between players (ie, they have to complement your vision)
2. The substitutes, so you don't buy any old toot to make your first team look better
3. Your vision, including whether your manager is capable of carrying it off

I'm going to start off with number 3, the Vision.

Soddy, I was disappointed that your Vision was so brief (I know you've been busy). Marky and Gregers put in much better descriptions of how they would see their team playing, and as such they will get better marks for this element of the task than you will.

Marky - I like the simplicity of your Vision. This is how football was played when we were kids. David Moyes was a good choice as manager, as he epitomises your Vision.

Gregers - yours is the Vision I liked the most. Creating an entertaining, exciting team that can produce moments of magic. Choosing David Moyes would have been a mistake, and I think Guus Hiddink is a very solid choice to carry out your Vision.

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:19 pm

Good afternoon Lord Azzy. My God, you look terrific. Have you lost weight?

by sodhat Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:23 pm

I CANNOT TYPE A SENTENCE WITHOUT RESORTING TO VULGAR LANGUAGE... (that has been taken by the swear filter. I had insinuated that Marky was licking Azzy's behind.)

Hello Lord Azzy.

In truth my vision was so short because my laptop was running out of battery and I left the charger upstairs. It would have been longer had I started with it, but I added a fair bit of it in to the bit on Klopp.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:24 pm

So, onto the Starting XI. Three interesting teams!

Marky - You have a solid back three, my worry with the FBs is that both are more offensive-focussed than defensive-focussed, and that might get you caught out at times.

Diame is a solid DM. While I like Sahin, he hasn't shown enough of his ability to justify picking him ahead of so many other options. I was very surprised you went for him after the 12-18 months he's had. Ben Arfa and Afellay are both very good choices for the wing - again, with both being far more attacking than defensive, I'd worry about your flanks being prone to attack. Not a criticism as such, just a consideration.

Huntelaar fits my personal vision of a 4-4-2 with a traditional number 9. While he may not physically be your typical #9, he definitely plays like one. Good selection.

I was surprised to see Michu playing alongside him, but then again Michu has been coverted to a striker this season and looks comfortable there.

Overall, a very good team that would do well.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:24 pm

Marky wrote:Good afternoon Lord Azzy. My God, you look terrific. Have you lost weight?

Why yes, yes I have. Thanks for noticing Laugh

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:31 pm

Gregers - your starting XI was a mixed bag - veterans mixed with star players mixed with youngsters. Interesting.

The purchase of RVP and Suarez playing centrally in the hole gives you goals galore. I was very impressed that you broke the bank to guarantee two world class players, something neither of your rivals have done.

Friedel is a solid keeper, not spectacular, can't save a penalty, but a good communicator and a stable presence behind your back four.

Williams is an excellent CB, I've been impressed with him every time I've seen him. A very astute purchase. I think Jagielka alongside him was a very good move, as I think they'd complement each other well.

Rangel at RB is a weakness - you could have had a better RB. But then again, he plays well with Williams, and as you have the attacking threat ahead of him, Rangel could hang back.

Cole is one of the 3 best LBs in the world - along with Alba and Baines - a very good purchase.

Wanyama would be an excellent DM.

Lampard as captain is a bold move, but in this formation, he could work and be effective. Definitely the leader you'd need in this team.

I was flabbergasted that you put Zaha and Sterling on the opposite wings to which I've seen them play all season. Great signings both, they fit your vision perfectly, but bizarre positioning there. A let down.

I've already touched on Suarez-RVP, what a combination that would be!

by Gregers Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:35 pm

If I can I would like to point out that Sterling and Zaha would be swapping wings in a similar vain to Duff/Robben.

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:42 pm

While not my place to say, I don't believe that Suarez and RVP would work together, seeing as both are finishers and not too keen on sharing the limelight. Both have played as well as they have as the main man upfront.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:43 pm

Soddy - A back five that was let down by your selection of Reid, who would 100% be a weak link. He's played well in games this season, but that could be a temporary blip in form after never appearing to be of a good enough ability.

Same comment on Balzaretti, his penchant for attacking could let you down at the back.

Kehl-Verratti is a dream partnership, really excellent.

I like Lamela as the AM, Tello is obviously a solid choice too. Mertens is the most random pick of all three teams, but you are correct in that he has plenty of skill and likes to get forward. Kudos for that selection.

Mandzukic is also a good buy, holds the line up well and scores plenty.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:44 pm

Marky wrote:While not my place to say, I don't believe that Suarez and RVP would work together, seeing as both are finishers and not too keen on sharing the limelight. Both have played as well as they have as the main man upfront.

RVP works well with Rooney, who is just as much of a limelight hogger as Suarez. Suarez also needs to play centrally to be most effective, and with defenders struggling to cope with RVP, I think Suarez would get plenty of room behind him.

And you're right, it's not your place Wink

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:54 pm

On to the subs.

Marky - Brad Friedel, Angel Rangel, Victor Ruiz, Victor Wanyama, Antonio Nocerino, Raheem Sterling, Demba Ba - that is a very strong bench, four game-changers, two versatile defenders, good keeper. A great bench that I think ANY team would love to have.

Gregers - Butland/Caulker/Pieters/Diame/de Guzman/Michu/Drogba - a weaker bench than your rivals I'm afraid, Pieters was an astonishing buy considering he's been out for 9 months, came back, got a red card, smahed a window, ruined his arm and is now out for a few more months. No team should be looking at him really! Michu is the only real threat in my book, Drogba's talents have melted in China and De Guzman and Diame won't threaten going forward. A disappointment.

Soddy - Giefer, Shaw, Capuano, Holtby, Sterling, Milito, Le Fondre - three game changers, it's a shame Holtby didn't fit your Vision as he's an excellent player. A dangerous bench, let down by the signing of Adam Le Fondre - he may have scored a few goals recently, but come on. He's never getting on the pitch ahead of Milito.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:57 pm

So, decision time...I'll send one of you home first, then decide between the remaining two.

Marky - a good vision, a good XI, and a great bench.

Gregers - a great vision, a great XI, but a poor bench.

Soddy - a solid vision, a good XI, and a good bench.

On this evidence, I have to say this:

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:57 pm

Marky...

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:58 pm

You're in the final.

So it's between Gregers and Soddy. All three of you put forward excellent and enjoyable submissions, but based on what was provided...

Soddy, you're fired.

Well done though, a really good final piece from you.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 12:59 pm

At 1400 I'll get back to Gregers and Marky and decide who is the first Azzrentice champion

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:00 pm

Thank you Lord Azzy. I can do about an hours worth of work now Wink

by sodhat Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:01 pm

Boo!

That's fair enough really. My piece was a little undercooked and the other guys gave really good stuff in.

I would like to thank Afro. Had it not been for the fact he did some work for me, I probably wouldn't have submitted anything. Both because he made it easier for me to select a team, and because I felt I owed him and his effort the respect of putting something in, even if it lost.

Thank you to Lord Azzy too. Fair in his judgements, but wildly wrong on Winston Reid. He'll show you. You'll see.

by Guest Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:04 pm

Well played Soddy, a true gentleman of the game Hug

I knew you'd been busy, but with the effort the other guys put in, it did show through. I'll be happy to be proven wrong by old Winston, but he cost you £5m and until the last 15 or so games hasn't been a £500k CB, never mind a £5m one. I await with baited breath Very Happy

by sodhat Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:06 pm

Remind me how many West Brom put past West Ham at the Hawthorns...?

Who did Gary Neville select as man of the match, and the prime reason you boys didn't win the match... It was big Winston. #hatersgonnahate

by sodhat Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:09 pm

And good luck to the other two finalists by the way, they have both earned a place there.

I do hope the team with Viva in it doesn't win though. He'll only brag.

by **Afro** Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:18 pm

sodhat wrote:And good luck to the other two finalists by the way, they have both earned a place there.

I do hope the team with Viva in it doesn't win though. He'll only brag.

Despite offering the least of the team members, I'm sure the win will be down to him

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:24 pm

Now you're influencing the outcome Whistle

by **Afro** Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:28 pm

It doesn't detract from your excellent submission Ok!

In fact I think it reflects even better on you that it was a 2.5 man job

by Marky Fri 25 Jan 2013, 1:30 pm

BigFellasAfro wrote:It doesn't detract from your excellent submission

In fact I think it reflects even better on you that it was a 2.5 man job

3 man job. CF offered to help twice.

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