Euro Division LXVI

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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

Lille - Trebs

Glad t'be bach - Hero

FC Basel - cherriesfna

FC ZwagAtletico - Zinedine_Ze_Zebra

The Nodge - Olly

Fool 'em FC - Azzy

I know a kid who played roshambo and got a nut stuck up inside

Considering having an accy on the CL tonight

Who you boys fancy?

Olly wrote:Considering having an accy on the CL tonight

Who you boys fancy?

Your mum?

Went for Chelsea, Barca and Napoli to win and Ajax/Milan to draw, win 60 quid if it happens.

Napoli at 3/1 look a pretty good bet to me

I'd do:

Barca to win
Chelsea to win
Zenit to win
Dortmund to win
Porto-Atletico draw

I'd do 5s, 4s, 3s, 2s and singles, 20p each bet.

Where you at on Madden, Olly?

I'm almost at the end of season 4.

sodhat wrote:Where you at on Madden, Olly?

I'm almost at the end of season 4.

I'm currently in season 3, started one with the Rams, and moved them to London. Actually ran into debt with my owner at one point, so had to trade loads of good players away, so I suck at the minute. Got to the conference title game in season 2 though

Who here is planning on getting a PS4 or XBOX1?

Afro wrote:As Olly often can't get tactics up, and because you usually can't do results until lunchtime, why don't we just make the voting deadline midday on Tuesday, rather than midnight?

Because then people wont get them on time and results will end up on a Wednesday  

Marky, how is FIFA blud?

Hasn't arrived yet.

TalkSport rang me yesterday to confirm my address before sending it out so should now be on it's way. They said it should be soon but to cover themselves it can take up to 28 days (so don't complain if it's less than 4 weeks). It'll be cheap by the time I get it

That's such a joke, once you get it you should smear their rubbish name on Twitter, 606v2, Readers Digest, everywhere you're online. What a joke, they make it sound like you'll have it on release day but you actually get it at Christmas

Marky won Fifa 14?

I take it no-one is upgrading to the next gen then?

I will be but not until next year in August or so.

I only really play the sports games religiously so I won't need to worry until the next Madden, Fifa come out. I will probably get GTA at that point too. Maybe the new Batman that's coming.

sodhat wrote:Marky won Fifa 14?

Say Whaaat?

I'm so close to convincing the wife to let me get the XBOX1. I'm thinking of getting three games on release - COD Ghosts, Ryse and Assassin's Creed IV - then getting one game per month throughout 2014, so games like Titanfall, Halo 5, Elder Scrolls Online, Star Wars Battlefront...

Luckily for me I got my money else I'd never have been able to afford it!

Azzy, I'm going to get the PS4 on launch I think. But that's not a definite yet, I need to work out money etc.

As for the betting, I wouldn't touch Barca with a bargepole tonight, Celtic are definitely capable of pulling something off, there's no Messi and at 1/3 it's just not worth it. Not saying I'd back Celtic either (although the 2/1 for Celtic to win or draw is tempting) but I think there's better value bets of a similar odds.

One of the reasons Celtic beat Barca last season was that Messi was struggling with an injury and played poorly. Add in the fact they no longer have Wanyama and Hooper, and I can't see Celtic even getting close to Barca.

Good to see someone else is going to take the step with next gen. I'm hoping my argument that XBOX1 comes with Blu-Ray (we don't have it at the moment) is a winning one.

But the PS4 also has Blu-ray. You should get that

In all seriousness, I can't see why anyone would choose an Xbox One over the PS4.

Because the XBOX was better than the PS2. Because the XBOX360 was better than the PS3. And because the XBOX1 is better than the PS4. It's established fackt.

That, and all my mates have XBOX. No point in moving to PS just to play you and Viva.

I have a 360 at the moment, but look at the specifications. The PS4 is a far stronger console than the Xbox One.

I went into this on the joypad section, blowing wide that particular myth

PS4 I would want: None.
X1 I would want: Halo, Minecraft, Ryse: Son of Rome and Titanfall (the undisputed victor of E3)

You're using an argument which is impossible to deflect. Saying 'what I would want' is a wishy washy argument if you want to say which console is truly better. There are PS4 exclusives too, and some quality ones at that.

1. They launched a CONSOLE rather than an idea
2. They launched with DETAILS rather than a wish-list

What they launch with is irrelevant, that's just a bit of publicity. The PS4 chose not to show the final console which does not make it any weaker. Now all of the details are out in the open.

3. A comparison of spec gives the X1 the nod imo

That's a pathetic argument. You're not giving any reasoning, just that you think the spec is better.  The PS4 has a better GPU and the RAM is implemented on a newer chip.

4. The major reason PS3 had better sales was because it had blu-ray, now X1 has it

PS3 sales are irrelevant. We're talking about PS4.

5. XBOX Smartglass.

There's the Playstation app which will do exactly the same thing.

6. Kinect v2 is awesome, apart from it being 'always on'

Kinect is massively over-rated and is a gimmick. Very few people actually use it and it does not make any serious difference to the games.

N64 > both of 'em

Sega Master System with Alex Kidd built in  

Why N64 is better than both Xbox One and PS4;

1. Versatile controllers, with the joystick in the middle or the arrows at the side.
2. Better games. Halo is no Goldeneye, and none of the driving games will match Mario Kart 64.
3. The Rumble Pac. Nuff said. Xbox One and PS4 will have vibrating controllers but that's a poor relation.
4. Much easier to damage Xbox One or PS4 games. You can't just blow the disc clean.
5. Xbox One and PS4 graphics are too sharp. You want computer games to look like computer games. None of this HD nonsense, nothing wrong with the RF Output.
6. Games much easier to change. Off, pull out, put in new one. No fear of breaking the disc drive or it getting jammed.

- at the time not showing the console was crucial. PS launched with no console, and very few actual details. They waited until XBOX had shown their hand before they committed. They were afraid.

- the GPU makes no difference to how the games appear, so that's irrelevant.

- the PS4 might be slightly ahead on RAM, but the XBOX has eSRAM which the PS4 doesn't. It makes the difference negligible.

- sales are relevant. A lot of PS4 sales were down to Blu-Ray. Now that the playing field is level on that regard, there will be a swing back to XBOX. Which last time round PS3 fanboys were drooling over, and how it proved the PS4 was the best. boobie for tat.

- Kinect is great. The Wii sold well, now that Nintendo are near death it's Kinect that will take that market. And take it from someone who regularly gets sent off for backchatting the ref on FIFA, it does make a difference to games.

- Games. The X1 has by far the better range of games. Which suggests that developers think X1 will win the console war.

The PlayStation is a better console. I wouldn't take the Xbox for free or even if you paid me. The PS2 is one of the greatest consoles ever let alone of its generation. 

PLaystation exclusives are far better, Last Of Us, God Of War, Heavy Rain that's top of my head and they peed all over any Xbox exclusive. 

I'll be getting the PlayStation because its the better console.

I have a xBox 360. I've more than likely though to get the PS4 for my kids at Christmas.

My reasoning...

A) PS seem to have more games for kids than xBox from memory.
B) The whole xBox launch debacle left a sour taste in my mouth of them knowing what their customers want.

Trebs you just named three dead boring games

And it's not the better console. You just think it is.

Hero - haven't a clue about PS, my lad plays Cars and Sesame St on Kinect. Loves it. I like that XBOX listened to customer feedback and changed - it's what all good companies do. Tescos changes their meat to being all UK after the horse meat scandal. One of the supermarkets changed to only free range eggs after some chicken scandal. Arsenal signed a player for more than a signing on fee, after listening to their fans. All good companies take feedback on board and go out of their way to improve. I was actually impressed.

Week 7 Results

Gladbach 1-2 Fool Em
Aubameyang; Ramsey, Lambert

Corinthians 1-1 Southampton
Muriel; Defoe

The Nodge 0-2 WHU
Carroll, Mandzukic

Ajax 1-1 Athletic Ballbag
S. de Jong; Herrera

*default 2-0 wins for both Lille and FC Basel

Expected a draw v Corinthians. I thought it would be a lot closer than Nando was making out, his side have really improved. Even a dark horse for next season if he continues.

Gladbach 1-2 Fool Em
Requires a lot of thought to calculate a winner but I can see Fool Em winning by one. They’ve really stepped up with tactics this week and I think allied with a relatively predictable set up from Gladbach they will outsmart them and hold the ball better. Debateable decision to switch Sam inside from the wing because it does mean his pace is going to be bottled up in a congested midfield.

Glad t’be bach 0 v 0 Fool Em FC

Gladbach 1-2 Fool Em
(Aubameyang) (Ramsey, Lambert)
Was always going to be a close game but Fool Em flooding the midfield worked for me and I see them edging the win as Pirlo beats Xavi over 90 minutes.
Good: Gladbach, a lot of pace going forward and still love the midfield pairing. Fool Em, tactically outdoing Hero by outnumbering them in whats basically a 3-6-1.
Bad: Gladbach, copying and pasting without editing properly... And Wendt being exposed at left back. Fool Em, susceptible to the counter attack when playing wingbacks and narrow at times.

Glad t’be bach 2-1 Fool Em FC
Sam-------------Di Natale
Bernard
Tactically both sides were up for this, Xavi and Pirlo playing as the lynch[in of their respective sides. Wheras Glad allowed his team to play an attacking flair game Fool em had that fear by trying to nullify the opponents and thier own wide men struggled to get in the game attacking wise.
Glad Good Point: I love the pace and directness of the attackers, it's going to be hard for teams to stop them.
Glad Bad Points: FB could be improved not the most flashiest but having another source of attack is a plus for Glad.
Fool Good Point: Ramsey is a good signing on hot form and having a goal scoring midfield is a bonus.
Fool Bad Point: Play to your strength get Ramsey in middle and more pace and injection from that front three.

Gladbach 0 - Foolem 1
G
Pro - Very strong upfront and I like the middle two
Con - 4-5-1 was countered perfectly by your opponent
F
Pro - I love the formation and the new way of doing tactics
Con - cb trio could do with a second zouma to add youth

Glad t'be bach 2-2 Fool Em
Glad bach good: Plenty of pace and movement up front make it extremely difficult to defend against.
Glad bach improvement: Need a plan B for occasions when Xavi and Capoue are not winning the midfield battle, like today
Fool em good: Great tactics for the midfield meant that you dominated possession and won the midfield battle, which is crucual to nullifying Glad bach.
Fool em improvement: Hangeland v Aubameyang was a big mismatch for pace and Aubameyang has enough to be able to get away from him enough times to make a difference. Other CBs were covering, but because they were drifting, Aubameyang always had a half a yard start.

Gladbach 1-2 Fool Em
Gladbach have set up decently but need to improve their supporting players to Aubemeyang. However, Fool Em knew exactly what was going to happen and prepared excellently, the whole system worked and Fool Em got a deserved victory.

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Corinthians 1-1 Southampton
Both sides probably below their best and playing with similar mentalities and set ups. That for me = draw so I’m going with that. Saints obviously took a walloping with injuries otherwise they would likely have been better equipped to win this. Corinthians need strengthening still. Up front and in the CM area especially in my eyes.

Corinthians 1-1 Southampton
A tight game which it was difficult to split the teams. Both teams have suffered as a result of injuries, but with the identical formations and similar tactics a draw is the fairest result.

Corinthians 1 v 1 Southampton

Corinth 2 - Saints 1
Corinth
Pro - I feel the set up is perfect against an injury ravaged saints, like the midfield a lot
Con - still a work in progress but congrats at sticking with it when "better" starting teams (cough PSV cough) have all but folded
S
Pro - a great stab at getting something out despite injuries, A superbly strong squad
Con - Ruiz is still a weak spot, Should be playing totti based on current form

Corinthians 1-2 Saints
Corinthians good: Tactics were solid and made it difficult for Saints to break you down
Corinthians improvement: But you were too negative and the teamtalk hardly inspired. With a positive approach, I think you would have won
Saints good: Injuries were crippling, so you clearly have good strength in depth, as it was a competitive team put out
Saints improvement: Going purely on the team out out, the AM trio don't fill me with excitement. Missing some real flair for me.

Corinthians 0-1 Southampton
--------------Defoe
A game where Southampton took charge, they were on the front foot most of the time. Very strong in midfield where they controlled the possession. On the break the front three of Corinthians did get at Southampton but couldn't craft a killer ball.
Corinthians Good Point: Good FB and the attacking three behind striker are good
Corinthians Bad Point: CB bring in someone who can contain the better forwards in this league
Southampton Good Point: A very good squad overall two top strikers out and they still have Defoe.
Southampton Bad Point: Not sold on Llana an Pienaar and I want Totti to start!

Corinthians 2-2 Southampton
Injuries affect both sides quite a bit but it's a mixed blessing for Nando with Vidic out as I feel the speed of Defoe would have caused him more problems. I very much like the look of Nando's attack and with both sides weakened I see a glut of goals from both sides.

Corinthians 2-1 Southampton
Scorers: Muriel + Gargano / Lallans
Summary: Southampton rocked by injuries, Corinthians set up well to take advantage.
Corinthians Good/Bad: Muriel and Pjanic teaming up to take out the CBs / Januzaj isn't ready for the big leagues
Southampton Good/Bad: Unlucky with injuries, did a good job to put out a competitive side / I felt your defence would have been overwhelmed by Muriel's pace, Pjanic's role and the attacking intent of the FBs of Corinthians

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The Nodge 1-3 WHUDYTYA
Unfortunately thorough scouting costs Olly because Gregers changes it up and I can see them creating chances from out wide for their big men eventually. The middle of the field will be well contested although player for player the Hammers can come out on top here. It’s out wide where I don’t know how well Redmond will track back and he may expose the lumbering Bassong to Jenkinson. If I were Nodge I’d be improving my CM depth because without Stroot the cupboard is bare. West Ham would be in trouble if Demechelis was isolated against Redmond but luckily he’s on the other side.

Nodge 1-2 WHU
(Hooper) (Carroll, Mandzukic)
A weird game with Nodge's formation designed to frustrate WHU, but the WHU front two surprised Nodge and picked up the win today.
Good: Nodge being proactive, and Carvajal looks great at RWB. WHU, 5-3-2/3-5-2 looks better and Carroll much more impactful than Joe Cole.
Bad: Nodge being caught out, and a little exposed as Redmond is too attacking to be a wingback IMO. WHU, probably have some issues with lack of supply to the front two but other than that well done.

FC WHU Do you think you are 1-0 The Nodge
Noble
Nodge battled hard and put a workman like performance but as the game wore on WHU got the goal and the attack of Nodge struggled to open WHU. A lot of Nodge tactics are to stop opposition and not enough on what they are capable off.
WHU Good Point: Trio in midfield work well together.
WHU Bad Point: WB are better as FB as they lack the quality to be the main source off attack from wide.
Nodge Good Point: Decent wingers and with better attackers they will get assists.
Nodge Bad Point: Olly needs to take off his yellow tinted shades and get rid of Norwich players that are in the team on favoritism over merit.

Norwich 0-3 West Ham
Stop the ball from entering the net... Yeah not cutting it Olly.

The Nodge 0-0 WHU
Nodge good: It was great to see tactics targeting what you have seen in a team rather than the generic nonsense that we sometimes get from others.
Nodge bad: Although you did cancel them out, you blunted yourself a little too and with the slight change to the WHU formation, you lacked the firepower.
WHU good: Again nice to see tactics tailored for the opposition, shame you ultimately cancelled each other out.
WHU bad: You targetted them physically with your two CFs, but came up against CBs who are not going to be bullied easily.

FC WHU Do you think you are 4-0 The Nodge
Scorers: Mandzukic x2, Carroll, Lampard
Summary: A shocking lineup from Nodge, I thought they had a much better side than that.
WHU Good/Bad: Solid formation, good players all over / The CBs all need serious improvements
Nodge Good/Bad: Some cracking players - Redmond + Fer / take them out, and it's a PL relegation side. And I think you'd go down. Selling Strootman was catastrophic, you need to spend that money quickly and wisely! An AM is of paramount importance.

Norwich 1-2 West Ham
While Norwich have tried to counter the West Ham system, the problem is that they have gone for virtually the same system themselves. However, this is employed much better by West Ham. Mandzukic and Carroll cause a lot of problems to the Norwich defense and I can see the West Ham midfield dominating.

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Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 1 v 2 Athletic Ballbag

Ajax 2-2 Bilbao
A very interesting game here, with both teams looking to attack quickly. Bilbao have a more attacking line up which deserves some credit, but I can see De Jong and Clasie making things more tough for Bilbao than Gonalons and Herrera. It's too tight to call either way in a terrific game.

Ajax 2 - Ball bag 1
A
Pro - The three de Jong's and the strong dutch feel to the side in general
Con - lack of strength in deep in defence
B
Pro - good set up against a formidable ajax side , Love the midfield trio behind the strikers
C - Fullbacks need improving next

Ajax 2-1 Bilbao
For me Afro pressed the suicide button with the overly attacking set up, Gonalons isolated at times with Herrera knackered by halftime.

Ajax 1-2 Ballbag
(L. De Jong) (Villa, Herrera)
A close game but I feel Ballbag were the more attacking and Ajax a little too conservative so Ballbag earn the win.
Good: Ajax, solid team with decent width today. Ballbag, went for the win and clever disguise of the 4-4-2 which is dead apparently.
Bad: Ajax badly missed Eriksen going forward, playing too much to not lose rather than to win. Ballbag, hard to criticise this week, well done.

Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 0-1 Athletic Ballbag
-----------------------------------------Herrera
Tactically Athletic did their homework and as they said Ajax went to combat the midfield but the wide men of Athletic instructed by the manager did the job. As much as the FB of Ajax tried the quality to match the wingers of Ballbag was too good.
Ajax Good Point: A strong and dependable side in every position
Ajax Bad Point: Like to see more creativity in that midfield to open sides
Athletic Good Point: Lovely side Afro has here and work well to play the way he tells them.
Athletic Bad Point: I think they can improve on both the FB weakest link in side

Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance 1-1 Athletic Ballbag
Scorers: S De Jong / Muniain
Summary: Ajax shut up shop with a 4-4-1-1 formation, but Ballbag were too good to not score.
Ajax Good/Bad: I like the midfield + de Jong theme / the whole defence is quite shoddy in comparison to everyone else
Ballbag Good/Bad: Nice change of tactics, surprised Ajax / I can't see your defence could handle the wing/FB combos coming at you

The one week I scout properly the other team changes there tactics

Although seems some people didn't see past the sarcasm in my instruction to Ruddy...(although good to see they're actually read )

Pleasing to see the more attacking approach generally got positive feedback after the more negative approach was criticised the week before.

Excellent result, I am ecstatic

Though quite why someone thought I was playing Ramsey wide is beyond me

Yours is a quality side Hero, next season you'll be right up there (probably overtaking me!)

Tight at the top now.

Ajax; 15pts +5
Fool 'em; 15pts +5
Ballbag; 15pts +4
Lille; 14pts +6
Southampton; 11pts +4
Gladbach; 11pts +1
WHU; 10pts +2
Nodge; 7pts -3
Zwag; 5pts -3
Corinthians; 4pts -5
Basel; 3pts -7
PSV; 2pts -8

4 weeks to go and one of 6 or 7 can realistically win the league.
We need the non partcipants to buck up though. Default wins can spoil stuff (no fault of the participating managers of course)

Anyone want Herrera or Muniain for their lawyers equivalent value (£20m and £18m)?

I was all prepared on Friday evening to knuckle down and thrash out some monster tactics v you Azzy. Then the Mrs wanted to cuddle up on the sofa and watch some crap telly and it went to pot. Well deserved win, I'd have voted the same if I was neutral.

Run in for each of the top 6...

Ajax
Zwag
PSV
Fool Em
Lille

Fool Em
Lille
Basel
Ajax
Corinthians

Athletic
Corinthians
FC WHUDYTYA
Nodge
Southampton

Lille
Fool Em
Glad t'be bach
Basel
Ajax

Saints
FC WHUDYTYA
Nodge
Glad t'be bach
Athletic

Glad t'be bach
Nodge
Lille
Saints
Basel

Unlucky Olly, playing the two up front seams to have done it for me...

Looking to buy new cb's and a striker

Gregers wrote:Unlucky Olly, playing the two up front seams to have done it for me...

Looking to buy new cb's and a striker

Any of my plethora of strikers interest you?

Well played you deserved the win. Deffo prefer the 5-3-2 to the 5-3-1-1

Some of the feedback was very interesting. It seems the reduced budgets and limited transfer manoeuvrability is still hampering our squads. I like it.

I do too olly, carroll injured this week so need a replacement to keep playing it. Need to improve my cb options as well though

Yeah the budgets and injuries are screwing me royally on actually using my money for who I want rather than having to bring in replacements.
Get told my LB isn't good enough, buy a decent one, 3 out of 4 weeks since the new one gets injured!

Anybody wanna beat Snodgrass for 6m? Might sell up for that need the monies

Yeah I'm liking the new rules and limited money, means you gotta make some tough ass calls

And everyone bar:

ZZZ
GSC
Nando

Can add their £1m bonus