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First topic message reminder :

Announcements

Event: The great 606v2 meet up extravaganza
Date: Saturday 26 October 2013
Location: London
Venue: TBC, likely a sports bar
Time: 1900 onwards
Attending: Azzy + Viva + Sodhat + Marky + Nando (maybe), Olly, cherries others TBC

Season 1 Starts this week
Tactics due by 11.59pm on Friday 16th August

Tactics are sent to Olly

Votes are sent to sodhat. Votes must be in by 11:59pm on Monday of the appropriate gameweek.

The Enrique & J from 5ive League

FC WHU Do You Think You Are - Gregers
Bilbao - Afro
Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance? - Sodhat
Southampton FC - Marky
PSV - GSC
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista - Nando                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                                               Top Scorers
Lille - Trebs



Glad t'be bach - Hero



FC Basel - cherriesfna



FC ZwagAtletico - Zinedine_Ze_Zebra



The Nodge - Olly



Fool 'em FC - Azzy

Gregers wrote:I'm split between 3cb signings at the moment, need to make two but no idea on a cheap one to compliment the other!

John O'Shea.

One for Viva/ZZZ/Afro/anyone else who cares to answer in the morning.

My wife and I got new phones on Three. The obscene amount she was paying Vodafone now covers both our new phones and contracts!

She's gone for the iPhone 5, and I've gone for the Nokia Lumia 920. Was tempted by the Samsung Galaxy S4 but the Windows phone tempted me over the Android.

Which of us has the better phone?

Your wife of course as she had an iPhone and if Apple have told us anything, iPhones are better than anything else.

Seriously though, I am not the person to ask. I have little choice of what phone I have as it is company paid and care even less which one it is. Zidane is your man here. He's the man when it comes to technology

Is your wife needing to go round asking about if she got the better phone for reassurance or is she just happy with her purchase?

It's results day but I am still without votes from:

ZZZ
Nando
GSC

Please rectify... I will probably be doing the results around kunchtime.

Marky wrote:One for Viva/ZZZ/Afro/anyone else who cares to answer in the morning.

My wife and I got new phones on Three. The obscene amount she was paying Vodafone now covers both our new phones and contracts!

She's gone for the iPhone 5, and I've gone for the Nokia Lumia 920. Was tempted by the Samsung Galaxy S4 but the Windows phone tempted me over the Android.

Which of us has the better phone?

The Nokia can only be better if it has snake. Otherwise it's the iPhone.

Morning

There's no question that the Iphone 5 is the far better phone, I'd rank it in the top 4 phones currently around. I'm surprised you went with the Nokia as there are a lot of better phones you could have got even if you didn't fancy the S4.

The camera on the Nokia is really good and is just as good as the top end phones but thats about it. Every other department the Iphone comfortably beats it.

I have the Windows Phone HTC 8X and I think that's quality. I like the Windows OS, and I got a refurb for £150. I think the 920 and the 8X are similar in terms of specifications, a quick google search gave me this:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57516060-94/htc-windows-phone-8x-vs-nokia-lumia-920-specs-and-more/

The Apple vs Android debate has gone on for a long time, I personally prefer Android but let's not go there. Windows Phones for me will grow a lot, but right now they don't have a great App Store, but I hope that improves.

Hero wrote:Is your wife needing to go round asking about if she got the better phone for reassurance or is she just happy with her purchase?

I was actually just provoking the smartphone debate

I have both an iPhone and an Android. The iPhone is for work, but I still think it's not as good. Apple irritate me.

Mafia?

Stop distracting people, Trebs, they want to argue about phones.

onlytreblewinners wrote:I have the Windows Phone HTC 8X and I think that's quality. I like the Windows OS, and I got a refurb for £150. I think the 920 and the 8X are similar in terms of specifications, a quick google search gave me this:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57516060-94/htc-windows-phone-8x-vs-nokia-lumia-920-specs-and-more/

The Apple vs Android debate has gone on for a long time, I personally prefer Android but let's not go there. Windows Phones for me will grow a lot, but right now they don't have a great App Store, but I hope that improves.

I've not had an iPhone and don't feel the need to. Android bugs me a little so willing to try Windows.

Morning

Android is the best OS smartphones, it allows you to do more.

RESULTS

Assuming there is nothing to come from GSC I will take a look at doing the votes shortly.

What's the deal with voting and tactics bonuses. Did we decided whether there were any?

I thought it was £1m per week if voting/tactics were done./

Just want to say I sent just results to Sod last night because I wasn't feeling well, just got back from docs and I've got tonsillitis so it was justified.

Yeah we agreed 1m for both I think Afro

Hero #manup

I thought it was just 1m for doing tactics and votes only

That is what I thought as well.

Thats what I said

That's what it is then

Soddy when shall results be up

Doing them now babes

Olly wrote:Soddy when shall results be up

Yeah Soddy, man up & get the results done!

When can we add out £1m

Zinedine'z PreZiction League 2013/14 Season: Week 2 Results

Azzy: 11
Afro: 9
Nando: 4
Marky: 6
ZZZ: 1

Congratulations Azzy  You have triumphed week winning 3 league points & 250k to add to your clubs budget.

Gameweek 3 fixtures in the Zinedine'z PreZiction League 2013/14 Season are up! Get PreZicting

Get in

The Enrique & J from 5ive Premier League Results - Week 2

Ajax 2-1 Glad t'be bach
Mirallas, L. de Jong; Villa

ZwagAtletico 1-2 Athletic Ballbag
Taarabt; Martinez, Herrera

Corinthians 2-1 Basel
Guerrero, Prieto; Neymar

WHU 1-2 Lille
Carroll; Cassano, Navas

Fool Em 2-1 The Nodge
Benteke, Lambert; Strootman

Azzy Mahmood wrote:Get in

You got 3 correct scores, probably better than Lawro did!

A feast of feedback

==========================

ZwagAtletico 1-2 Ballbag
Zwag could have nicked this if they'd been a bit more adventurous, but as it is there is respect on show and Granero playing over Remy is probably an error. Still, lots to like about the side, although Simpson isn't good enough.
Ballbag play to their strength by being more buccaneering and have called right in suffocating the middle where most of Zwag's attacks are focussed. The squad could do with beefing up and a few less names with all those Xs and Zs in them. Against a side with good wingers they may struggle to contain and get the result like today.

Corinthians 1-1 Basel
Two of the weaker sides on paper but they are well drilled. Really I can't split them because their tactics are mirror images. Neymar is a matchwinner but he needs the supporting cast to be improved, so stick your hand in your pocket, Cherries. Nando has the same problem although he's a step ahead in terms of rebuilding. I like Gargano and Arteta as a pair but I see room for improvement on the wings and then up-front.

WHU 1-3 Lille
Gregers tried something new and it probably would have worked better had his opponent not gone with two up top and the wide men attacking. I fear WHU get overloaded and Noble isn't an experienced enough CB to deal with a real striker as opposed to a midfielder running on. The CM area is strong and they have good strikers. Probably more conventional tactics would have yielded a better result.
Lille have good parts to play a 4-4-2 and they are probably wise bailing out of the middle and focusing on the flanks. I can see joy based mostly on the numbers game being too much for West Ham's experimental back line. 2 of the best full backs going too. Could do with more nous in the CM area for the coming weeks though, Martin probably isn't the answer to more creativity.

Fool Em 2-1 The Nodge
Fool Em have a good side throughout and I can't really see enough in The Nodge to trouble them defensively. The central areas look strong for the Nodge but they could do with improving at CB and possibly on the wing. I'm still not sold on Holtby out wide for Azzy, I think he'd be better in the CM/AM and a proper winger could really provide quality for a powerful pair up top.
Finally, I'm proud that I could influence your tactics Olly. It's like school when my friend used to pinch my science coursework and just changed the font.

------------------------------------

Ajax 2-1 Gladbach
de Jong, Mirallas; Kruse

Ajax - I liked the tactics to flood the middle and it nullified the Gladbach flair players, Xavi in particular. They second guess the Gladbach strategy very well. To improve, they are a little workmanlike in the middle and could do with some flair in there (i.e. someone else for when Eriksen gets injured)
Gladbach - The front 5 is talented and with the right strategy they will be very hard to stop. However, they were a little narrow and playing in each others space and played right into the Ajax hands. With Villa starting from deep, they lacked a focal point of their attacks.



Corinthians 2-0 Basel

Corinthians - Strong side and really well balanced, especially in midfield. Tactics well written and thought out. I think they could do with more up front
Basel - lacking quality in a lot of the pitch. Get the ball to Neymar, you have a chance. If he gets marked out of the game, you are buggered.


WHU do you think you are 1-3 Lille
Cole; Cassano 2, Roux

WHU - hard to be overly critical as they were completely hamstrung by injuries. The 3 at the back with two full backs amongst them horribly exposed and Noble not the man to drop back. Injuries also meant they lacked a solid DM to protect them. They could do with a real creative CM type.
Lille - Well set-up and a good side. I particularly think the wide players and forwards will cause a lot of damage. Not hugely keen on Kjaer and could do with a better partner for Mavuba


Fool Em 1-1 The Nodge
Lambert; Strootman

Fool Em - Two good CBs, two very experienced CMs, great crossers of the ball with two good targets to aim for in the middle. I would like to see a bit more mobility in the middle as both are very static and were up against Fer and Strootman, who bring a lot of energy and drive.
The Nodge - really liked the central midfield two. There must be more energy there than in a 1000 box of duracell. Hustled and bustled the oppositon well and was what ultimatey got the draw. Need better full backs and you need to improve on youir 4th choice striker Wink

-------------------------------------

Ajax 1-1 Gladbach
Scorers: Diego Milito / David Villa
Summary: Gladbach were looking good until late in the game Milito came on and scored a crucial goal to spare Ajax's blushes.
Ajax good/bad: Good change up in tactics, wingers effective / selling Alderweireld was a bad move, he marshalled de Jong very well
Gladbach good/bad: Solid CBs and scoring threat / Ajax brought on experience to equalise, you had no plan to shore the game up when defending a 1-0 lead

Zwag 0-1 Ballbag
Scorers: Ander Herrera
Summary: A quiet game, Zwag couldn't really get into the game thanks to Ballbag's formation, and the game was bogged down in midfield for much of it. One moment of quality from Herrera won it for Ballbag.
Zwag good/bad: Did what was best for Taarabt - built the team around him / defence struggled against the free-roaming AMs of Ballbag, who kept getting into space
Ballbag good/bad: Great use of free-roaming AMs, Herrera won you the game / any team using quality wingers would probably have the beating of you with this formation

Corinthians 1-1 Basel
Scorers: Joaquin / Marco Streller
Summary: An intense battle, Basel had the lions share of the attacking chances but couldn't get the crucial second goal. Joaquin hit Basel on the counter for a deserved point for the defensively sound Corinthians side.
Corinthians good/bad: Excellent defence and DM pairing / lacking the same quality in the 3-1 part of the team
Basel good/bad: Neymar is everything to your team / you are one Neymar injury away from getting thrashed 15-0 by any other team in this league

PSV 0-3 Southampton (unlike GSC, how strange)

West Ham 0-4 Lille
Scorers: Jesus Navas + Antonio Cassano x2 + Rio Mavuba
Summary: A shocking lineup from West Ham, tactically a complete shambles, Lille annihilated them with a relentless attacking display down the flanks
WH good/bad: Great strikeforce / Rat as part of a back 3, and Noble at CB when defending = serious problems at the back, especially against a team as good as this
Lille good/bad: Exploited their lack of width and defensive solidarity / your CBs would have been under severe pressure had West Ham had any sort of sound formation and players in comfortable positions

-------------------------------------------------

Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 1v1 Glad t’be bach

Felf the wingers of Ajax would get a lot off success, however very attack minded and with the opponent having strong wings also telling them to always have an eye on the attack will lead to them sitting bait to high, where as baths FBs arnt good enough IMO , however I belive there centre is strong enough to deal with ajaxs, overall no separating these sides.

FC ZwagAtlético 3v2 Athletic Ballbag

I belive tarbaat is placed brilliantly and will get chances but also distract the CM so Gerrard has room, however carsick will be outnumbered 2-1 when defending counter attacks, for ball bag the 2 AMs create a ton of issues and are always in a lot of space, however here are not enough men wide and may get undone on 2v1 situations


FC WHU Do you think you are 2v1 Lille

For WHU it's as simple as I love the attack with a strong midfield pushing forward and have a leathal front 2 however noble I don't like as a CB and will not preform that well, lille I can't really critise they play as a solid unit, they have great success down the wings focusing there but see to be bullied centrally, two solid teams but Manzukic just makes the diference

Fool Em FC 2vs0 The Nodge

Fool em have a strong team even with big injuries they still are far superior, negatively well personally I'd like to see a bit more of an attacking set up, nodge set up decent and have a strong CM that puts up a battle, however they don't av a lot of bite going forward and don't cause much damage.

--------------------------------------------------

Ajax 1-1 Gladbach
(Mirallas) (Villa)
Decent game but hard to separate these two sides.
Ajax feedback:
Good - bold formation, creates plenty of chances.
Bad - need to strengthen in defence.
Gladbach feedback:
Good - Your wife looked hot in her bikini Very good signings but more needed to compete.
Bad - Big name players look wasted when playing with inferior players. Like Cherries and Neymar.

ZwagAtletico 1-1 Ballbag
(Taarabt) (Muniain)
Two solid sides, sitting on the fence but a draw for me.
Zwag feedback:
Good - New signings have made your side a real force.
Bad - Get the feeling Carrick and Gerrard need a real DM with them.
Ballbag feedback:
Good - Good to see the majority of the side from the original squad with a good couple of additions.
Bad - Mixing up a Basque only side Wink and being light up top.

Corinthians 1-1 Basel
(Arteta) (Neymar)
Another draw, neither team has done enough right to earn the win for me.
Corinthians feedback:
Good - Decent signings and one class striker away from getting a few wins this season.
Bad - Basel have one player worth marking, and not one mention of him. No special tactics or anything.
Basel feedback:
Good - Building the team around Neymar makes sense
Bad - If you're copying and pasting week 1's tactics, change the bit where it says "1st game lads" to "2nd game lads" or something...

FC WHU 1-2 Lille
(Carroll) (Navas, Cassano)
Two good sides but Lille earn the win today with their attacking threat and WHU's error IMO.
WHU feedback:
Good - Packing the midfield did work to stop Lille playing through midfield, however...
Bad - Noble to CB. He's a good midfielder but he's no CB, and it shows as his errors cost you the game.
Lille feedback:
Good - Good acquisitions, like the wingers a lot.
Bad - The whole spine needs improving. A new CB, CM and CF are needed IMO.

Fool 'em 2-1 Nodge
(Benteke, Holtby) (Fer)
Two good sides both creating chances, but it came down to strikers and Nodge's injuries cost them dearly.
Fool 'em feedback:
Good - The front four will cause problems for any defence but in Benteke you've got the flavour of the month there.
Bad - Light in midfield. Kehl and Pirlo both sit deep meaning space for Nodge in front of them.
Nodge feedback:
Good - Solid system, creates chances and on another day would have gotten a result.
Bad - Striker crisis. Nothing you could do about it but that's what cost you and that's your feedback. Keep your strikers fit.

-----------------------------------------------------

AJAX vs GLAD
2-1
AJAX - very strong up front especially out wide but need more steel in the middle of the park
GLAD - signings this week have clearly strengthened however full backs must be improved next

ZWAG vs Ball
0-0
ZWAG - a strong central midfield let down by playing taarabt
Ball - a great side on paper however lacking a cutting edge up front, Drogba should have started

Corinth vs Basil
1-0
C - still a side in transition but marriage between South American and Spanish players is good. Vidic looks completely out of place and would struggle to communicate
B - same as last week. Positive - you have Neymar, Negative - that's all you have

Fool vs Nodge
2-0
F - probably the best side in the league with strength on the bench as well but need a new right back
N - solid but with no cutting edge, injuries clearly hurt this week so no knee jerk reaction needed

-------------------------------------

Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 1 v 2 Glad t’be bach
Scorers: Luuk De Jong; Bernard x2
Ajax Feedback: Loving the Mirallas pickup Soddy, and without some key players for me you've still got a strong line up. Defence is where I would look to improve next, specifically LB.
Gladback Feedback: Hero you seem to have this knack of making really good sides, but for me you could do with a Benteke-esque striker up top to offer a different option maybe off the bench or starting. Other than that FB's, but I'm nit picking a quality side.
General Comment: I think Hero has the better side in this matchup, but I like the way Soddy has set out his side and I feel they can nullify the threat of Hero's team to some extent, but in the end the pacy wingers have too much for Soddy's FB's especially Blind and Gladbach nick the win

FC ZwagAtlético 1 v 1 Athletic Ballbag
Scorers: Klose; Martinez
Zwag Feedback: Much better line up from Zebs this week, love the midfield of Gerrard and Carrick especially. Injuries hit hard, but you could probably do with a winger to back up Hoilett, not Granero out wide, I'd have started Remy out there. Could improve on Danny Simpson.
Ballbag Feedback: I love the setup of the three midfielders but I feel you've missed a trick by not having out and out wingers to really go at the Zwag FB's which I feel are probably a weak point. I'd have given Drog the start as well.
General Comment: I've gone with the draw here, but feel Afro would've won if he'd have gone with out and out wingers, the attacking mids work at times, but sometimes just gets a little narrow and congested, your FB's offer some width but not able to be there quick enough.


Corinthians 2 v 1 FC Basel
Scorers: Joaquin, Guerrero; Neymar
Corinthians Feedback: Really think you're putting together a handy side Nando, not too sure about Gargano, but his mobility is an asset alongside Arteta. Love the CB pairing. Could do with a big name striker imo. Nice side coming together.
Basel Feedback: Cherries I feel you are gonna need to get involved in the transfer market, especially at CM. Neymar abuse only goes so far.
General Feedback: Just feel Corinthians have the better all round side, and with similar set ups they get the win. Corinthians have a really good CB/CM spine imo.

PSV vs Southampton - Default Saints win

FC WHU Do you think you are 1 v 3 Lille
Scorers: Lampard; Navas, Cassano x2
FC WHU Feedback: Gregers I don't understand why you have not just stuck with 3 at the back throughout the game. For me that 3-5-2 team would be decent, but just switching formation throughout with FB's going to LCB/RCB ad Noble in and out of the midfield, it just becomes a bit of a mess. I like your formation experiments, but they're not working at the minute (I know injuries play a part). Other than that like the midfield when it's left alone, and the wingers especially Jarvis who is underrated I feel. Also don't think Mandzukic/Carroll compliment each other very well.
Lille Feedback: Trebs I love your side man, the defence with Rami back in will be solid as, you could do with a CM I think next. Navas an inspired signing.
General Comment: As I said in Gregers's feedback his formation is just a general mess, and Lille take full advantage with a fluid attacking performance

--------------------------

FC ZwagAtlético 1-2 Athletic Ballbag
Corinthians 2-0 FC Basel
FC WHU Do you think you are 1-3 Lille
Fool Em FC 3-1 The Nodge

--------------------------

Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 1-0 Glad t’be bach
L. de Jong - N/A
Tough, scrappy match. Both set out well to stop one & other playing. Congested in the central areas for long periods. Xavi gets a mention for pouncing like a cat with its prey.
Ajax good: Well organised defensive setup. Good use of substitution & switching to 451 to shut up shop.
Ajax bad: Bit too narrow at times made attacks predictable.
Glad good: Xavi stood out but requires more quality next to him to really control a match.
Glad bad: Didnt test the Ajax defense enough. Villa dropping deep left no one up top to aim for at times.

Corinthians 4-1 FC Basel
Guerrero, Prieto x 2, Joaquin - Neymar
Corinthians stroll to victory over what is pretty much a one man FC Basel team. Corinthians had more than enough quality to overrun the Basel defense.
Corinthians good: Vidic leading the defense, kept them well organised.
Corinthians bad: Augusto, needs replacing, lacks the quality to keep up with others around him.
Basel good: Neymar, did well considering
Basel bad: Most of the players. Need a lot of work in defense.

PSV 2-0 Southampton (Defult)

FC WHU Do you think you are 1-2 Lille
Carroll - Cassano x 2
Low goals but an entertaining match, both team attacking, good use of width, good central midfield battles. Carroll & Mandzukic were a handful, both strong a good in the air. Ultimately that tricky customer Cassano made the difference in the box against a covering midfielder.
FC WHU good: Set up well to supply the strikers with crosses.
FC WHU bad: Noble stepping into the CB role, just didnt work & Cassano reaped the rewards.
Lille good: Use of the wide areas to bypass a crowded central area.
Lille bad: Uber attacking fullbacks sometimes left space for FC WHU wingers to work in.

Fool Em FC 1-1 The Nodge
Benteke - Snodgrass
One of the league favorites Fool Em FC should of won today but predictability saw them only take a point. The Nodge defended well, the high line tactic was always risky & was caught out early on. As the match went on Fool Em FC became quite one dimensional & The Nodge had set up with two banks of four & handled Fool Em FC's wing play.
Fool Em FC good: Good squad, was able to deal with injures effectively.
Fool Em FC bad: No attacks from a central area, used wings too much, became predictable & less effective.
The Nodge good: Good setup, as the match went on they settled & managed to restrict Fool Em FC.
The Nodge bad: Martins Indi look out of place against better strikers.

-----------------------------------------

Fulham 1-2 nodge
Whu 0-1 Lille
Athletic 2-0 Qpr
Ajax 2-0 Gladbach

-----------------------------------------

Ajax 3-1 Gladbach
Ajax have set up well and look good tactically but look weak in defense. They should have man-marked Xavi though. I'm not really a fan of most of the Gladbach side, they need reinforcements in defense especially, I'd prefer Villa as one of a front two or on the left of a front three.

FC ZwagAtlético 1-1 Athletic Ballbag
Zwag should not have Taarabt as their main man in attack, it doesn't work for me. I like the way they have set up in their two defensive banks of four, even if I am not a fan of their centre backs. Ballbag have put in a good display and have a strong line up but need a better striker.

Corinthians 0-0 Basel
Both teams seem a bit suspect tactically, and from what I can tell have not really bothered with tactics. Corinthians need to improve their attack and Basel need a couple of quality players across the pitch, they ought to accept a couple of lawyers on the unrated players with the big TM valuations.

Fool Em 1-1 The Nodge
I see the Fool Em wingers as the kind to cut inside rather than get out and cross the ball which is what they need given their two strikers, overall the Fool Em side is a solid side but there are no world class players in there, apart from Pirlo. The Nodge need a couple of fresh defenders and Altidore was left a bit isolated for me

 I lost to Ballbag  You have to be kidding me  Ah well.

After a creative CM and a CB, have the cash to splash for the right players.

+ a default win for Saints because of the PSV no-show.

Do people vote on personal views or players real life performances?

Both, probably. Such is the complexity of the human mind.

I don't even know which manager half the teams are

Ok, im going to start voting from personal views. It seems to be the high ratio.

Everyone bar GSC may add £1m to their budget for participation

I wont lie, I find most of that feedback 100% useless.

Tried to make a couple of signings there in areas people have mentioned, Capoue to shore up midfield and Pasqual for the LB spot.

If anyone is after a great phone at a cheap price the nexus 4 price has been reduced to £159 for 8gb and £199 for 16gb. Excellent value for a top 6 ranked phone

Mission accomplished.

Capoue is a good take, reckon he'll have a good year at Spuds.

I clearly need to strengthen defensively. Daley Blind gets a lot of stick though - do you all not rate him at all? I need to know which bit of defence to focus on. Ruiz will come back in to the middle.

Seems my decimated strike force cost me.

Will get onto sorting out some of the defence

Pasqual was voted by many best LB in Serie A last season so a snip at under 4m