Euro Division Homepage LXX

First topic message reminder :

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Enrique & J from 5ive League
 
FC WHU Do You Think You Are - Gregers
 
Bilbao - Afro
 
Ajax - Lubo
 
Southampton FC - Marky
 
PSV - Holymik
 
Glad t'be bach - Nando                                                                              
 
Lille - Trebs
 
 
FC Basel - Viva
 
FC ZwagAtletico - Zinedine_Ze_Zebra
 
Fool 'em FC - Tranq

It's in the bag then for Adnan  

Charley Hull wins that one hands down.

Dont really get the point of them this year tbh. Andy Murrays going to win it at a canter despite having no actual personality. I'd vote for Rose

Every year we close the league during Christmas I've got a holiday page which I'll ask Hero to sticky and everyone post when they're off. 

If we don't get an Ajax manager by this Thursday I propose we postpone their match and play all three of their postponed matches next Thursday the 12th. Make this the last GM before our break for the rest of us and if we can get three people to do tactics for Ajax we can vote on their three matches next week. It'll give us time to bring in a new manager while the league is up to date I am willing to do one of the games that week. Just an idea though let me know what you think.

for sure nick. Fut is a bit dead on ps3 with next gen now out.

I am willing to take control of Ajax and still keep PSV if you want and run both teams I just don't know what we will do when The teams play each other (maybe a draw or something) I have the time to run both teams though if you all don't mind. If not that's perfectly okay and it's just a suggestion.

Holymiky wrote:Marky what do you think about Crawleys new manager, John Gregory?

Not sure what to make. He seems keen and he gets the benefit of the doubt, very ambitious talking about promotion but time will tell.

Im not sure. As I said last night I dont think its fair for a manager taking over to have such a fixture pile up to catch up with.

Vivas idea is an option. Although Im not keen on stopping our usual game week one week earlier than needed before xams break & having various managers do tactics.
If people think thats the best option I can roll with that.

What I don't get, is if Adnan Januzaj is on the list for being a young footballer with a personality, why isn't Romelu Lukaku ahead of him? Baffling.

Marky wrote:What I don't get, is if Adnan Januzaj is on the list for being a young footballer with a personality, why isn't Romelu Lukaku ahead of him? Baffling.

There not much to get Marky apart from the fact they are trying to butter him up in the hope he will pick England to play for.

Anyone interested in beating my lawyers offers?

Just about to results now.

I can confirm that everyone got their tactics AND votes in on time except Viva and Nando who got one of theirs in late, so no deductions but everyone else can add £1m.

(Not my decision, if Viva and Nando hadn't blabbed on here I'd have been happy to keep their punctuality issues quiet )

Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:Anyone interested in beating my lawyers offers?

Can't afford to. And I'm not convinced you'd sell me Carrick without wanting Luke Shaw off me

Marky wrote:

Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:Anyone interested in beating my lawyers offers?

Can't afford to. And I'm not convinced you'd sell me Carrick without wanting Luke Shaw off me

 last week yeah, Ive cooled off Luke Shaw. What could you offer?

Nocerino + Giggs + £4m?

Marky wrote:Nocerino + Giggs + £4m?

Come on dude. How much cashola have you got?
Mathieu Flamini, Ward-Prowse & Serge Gnabry all slightly interest me.

We need a decision soon, I don't want us to come back after Christmas without a Ajax manager and having 4 fixtures to play.

Lukakus too old

Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:

Marky wrote:Nocerino + Giggs + £4m?

Come on dude. How much cashola have you got?
Mathieu Flamini, Ward-Prowse & Serge Gnabry all slightly interest me.

Will think about it and get back to you.

Results are imminent.

Results day is boring when you dont have one. There no suspence lol

I'm after a striker and attacking midfielder.

How much money you got Viva  

Results delayed as Trebs didn't vote on one of the games, have PM'ed him but need his vote.

And a nice 3 in, 5 out deal. Proper fantasy management

Clubs don't do that enough in real life for my liking

BOOM Keita explodes onto the scene!!

Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:BOOM Keita explodes onto the scene!!

Who    

2.75m pounds. 

I guess Mighty has to take off his bonus because he didn't get votes in before deadline.

Zinedine_Ze_Zebra wrote:BOOM Keita explodes onto the scene!!

It's not 1995 anymore, Keita has retired.

 You know who Nando.
Have you seen him play Nando? He looked pretty handy in the Europa league.

2.75m pounds.

Ill give you joey Barton for that lol

The problem for me is that Lazio's Europa League group is pretty poor apart from Trabzonspor and he only played 10 minutes vs them and most his league appearances have involved him being subbed on so it's hard to tell from the 25 minute spells he had. Did well vs Napoli the other day though got on scoresheet

25 minute spells he had

Huh? He started all but one of their Europa matches.

Read it again ZZZ  

Ohhh. Played 10 minutes vs them meaning vs Trabzonspor not vs each team.
 Nando
Well hes looked good anyway, seems like that powerful, explosive winger mould.

From foreign sigings id put him second after the Deulofeu signing. Actually maybe third behind Juan Iturbe, bit debatable that one as Iturbe has played more in the league & there quite close on goals & assist stats which is what you want your winger to be getting.

Nobody knows who he is Nick hahaha good luck with your never rated except by Afro and Nando who did a quick wiki search. Who does he play for Lazio?  Pahaha never heard of them.

Hes better than your William Carvalho signing, heck his name didnt even prompt a response from anyone

Carvalho is better than any of your DM.

Borussia Monchengladbach 1-0 Fool Em FC
(Benteke)
 
Votes: 2-1 (Benteke, Son) (Costa), 2-1, 1-0 (Benteke), 2-0 (Benteke, Kruse), 2-1, 0-0, 2-0 = 11-3 divided by 7 voters and rounded down = 1-0
 
Monchengladbach Feedback:
Strong side, decent midfield, Costa ruins Pasqual at LB though so better depth there is needed. Need to list your injuries.
I like the formation but Xavi is a bit exposed on the right of the three. Need more depth as bench is thin
Borussia GP: Have a very good spine and work the team around them.
Borussia BP: Maybe in tactics give a brief description on how they want team to play
Really like the trio of Son and Kruse supporting Benteke. Would occupy a defence whilst stretching them to give more space for the likes of Xavi. Brouwers would be the next improvement for me, and then Schniederlin, who is decent, but not the same class as some of the others
Good midfield & attack just not used to the right strengths to claim a win today. Son & Kruse seemed a bit all over the place at times. Bar Hummels the defence needs work, Benatia missed. LB & Keeper need improving, undecided on Piszczek, honest opinion is long term injuries never help a players rating
 
Fool Em Feedback:
Not a fan of sticking Costa and Sturridge wide without the ball, Costa a huge threat and should be up top. Ramsey and Barkley seem to interchange too. You also need to list your injuries.
You have Costa and Sturridge but I'd like to see Costa at 10 and Sturridge at 9! Also Ramsey morphs into Barkley AND Distin goes missing in the formation change! Need a better left back so Zouma can play CB
FoolEm GP: Have good midfielders who all have different qualities that work well together
FoolEm BP: I said it last week they should play Sturridge or Costa upfront they lack someone who holds the line
Costa and Sturridge up front are a real handful. I would play Pjanic in a more advanced role, whilst I found your tactics a little bit complex and would be asking the players to do a bit much
Good squad & starting XI but not used properly, again!! Costa needs to lead the line, hes performing in that position irl so why move him? Sturridge wont work defensively & is too wasteful out wide. System doesn't have the right balance
 
Both teams' feedback:
Both teams have very strong tactics. The goal goes to Benteke as i think that the tactics given to him will help him score the goal to win the match
FoolEm a bit out of place with Ramsey placed in one formation and not in the other and same for Barkley. Sturridge and Costa have far too much space to make from attack to defence play one as a striker they are banging in goals in real life. Borussia set up well but it was made easier for them today the pace from wide and the strength of Benteke was too much of the disorganized back 4.
Uninspired match today. Xavi didn't control the match like he can when central & with two midfielders either side protecting him, Fool Em's pressing got straight to him. Saying that Fool Em made poor mistakes, Zouma doubled in attacking/defensive overview, Ramsey or Barkley? If they hadn't listed their Starting XI at the top this would of cost them bigger
Fool Em shouldn't be having their best two players going wide. They should go with a straight up 4-4-2. Having said that, Hummels got drawn out of position a bit marking Costa. Schneiderlin was a good addition to the Monchengladbach midfield to help them control the game. The Fool Em defense needs someone with a bit of pace or something fresh
 
-------------
FC WHU 1-1 PSV
(Mandzukic) (Bony)
 
Votes: 2-2 (Mandzukic, Arteta) (Paulinho, Ben Arfa), 1-2, 1-2 (Morrison) (Bony, Agbonlahor), 1-2, 0-0, 1-0 (Riviere), 1-3 = 7-11 divided by 7 voters and rounded down = 1-1
+1 for 2 or more win votes for PSV = 1-2
-1 for PSV fielding an ineligible player = 1-1
 
WHU Feedback:
Much better side when not injury hit, love the midfield two, and Mandzukic is a real goal threat for you. More depth needed for injury hit weeks though. Also would suggest Iraola needs upgrading for a better wingback. Iraola's great at right back but not attacking enough IMO.
Good fullbacks/Arteta and Verratti too similar
West Ham GP: Good work by the manager exposing the weakeness off the oppsoition
West Ham BP: Missed Diame today missing his physical presence need a replacement for him
Pity you set-up to play a different side than your were facing, which ultimately cost you the points from my vote. I like the set-up still. The obvious next improvements are Iraola and Riviere
Really liked the formation & use of players. Felt Arteta & Verratti would work well together, width from wingbacks & Morrison in his favoured role with enthusiasm & desire for me was all going in the right direction. Just setting up to play the wrong team I cant reward with a win
 
PSV Feedback:
Nice change of system, very bold 4-3-3 and really gets inside the wingbacks of WHU to cause problems. Going for goals like that means conceding too and I think you need to upgrade on Rio.
Good midfield 3/Need better fullbacks
PSV GP: I like the three upfront which will cause any team problems
PSV BP: As the opposition said the weakness is at the Fullbacks
much prefer the set-up and ideal for playing against the West Ham formation. Full backs look to be the next place to improve
Attacking trio I liked, Ben Arfa's trickery with Agbonlahor's pace & Bony central does intrigue me & I felt Bony would of got the supply. Paulinho & Lampard don't fit together for me. Fullback position require improving. Ultimately playing an injured Rio Ferdinand cost, it was punished last week & I cant award win for that
 
Both teams' feedback:
West Ham working on the PSV weakness out wide but PSV having the advtange in midfield with stronger players who powered down in midfield. Generally PSV dealt with the crosses from West Ham. The pace of PSV upfront caused a lot of problems for the defence of West Ham
Poor mistakes from both manager cost any chance of either of them getting a win. FC WHYDYTYA gave their team talk to play & counter Fool Em's "4-5-1 (of some description, be that 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1)" with their CB's informed on Costa & Sturridge while Morrison is on Biglia. PSV too a good attacking approach but fielded an injured Rio Ferdinand
West Ham looked to have set up against a different team, but some of their details could be applied to this opposition, and slightly edged the game today, neither team was fantastic out wide, but west ham were able to overrun the psv midfield and capitalised on a game of few chances. PSV just werent able to to break down the 5 man defence
West Ham think they're playing Fool Em, PSV are improving and get a good win with their front three working well. They need a couple of full backs though.
--------------
Lille 1-0 Southampton
(Sanchez)
 
Votes: 2-1, 2-2, 0-1 (Lukaku), 1-1 (Sanchez) (Defoe), 1-1, 3-0 (Sanchez x2, Giroud), 0-0 = 9-6 = divided by 7 voters and rounded down = 1-0
 
Lille feedback:
Like the Carvajal/Pedro wing pairing/Drop Januzaj and move Sanchez out wide
What an attacking force and with arguably the best keeper in the league (based on form) supporting it. You need some more depth as LB looks a weekness. CB could do with improving next
Lille GP: Look more threatening in this formation and likely to get more goals.
Lille BP: Improvement at centre back
great tactics again and Sanchez was a good move playing behind the striker. Defence was decimated this week so perhaps the next improvement is depth to the defence, whilst Januzaj is not up to the scratch of the rest of your midfield
Attacking options showcased today with Sanchez central, now its out there is will be harder for all us other managers to predict the attack. Improvements required at LB, CB & then keeper
 
Southampton feedback:
Good CB pairing/not quite sure what to make of formations compared to tactic
Srna at RM is a genius move as it negates Pedro/Januzaj when they are on the left. Ocampos should be playing over Gylfi though. Corchia not really up to the standard of the rest of the team either
Southampton GP: Marky is a good tactician who can change his team style to adapt.
Southampton BP: Didn't like the way Flamini was played would have been better letting him play his natural game
great tactics and matched up to Lille. It was difficult to split you. Next improvement would be to the centre midfield and at RB (neither are weak, but not as good as other areas of your side IMO)
Don't mind Srna playing RM, he has great attacking qualities. Having Flamini switch to the left didn't work, his position awareness lacked there & saying "as he can do very capably" doesn't actually mean he can. Having Sigurdsson track back to double up would of been fine as wide midfield players do are known to do that & have the positional awareness to work with their fullback in such instance
 
Both teams' feedback:
I enjoyed reading both sets of tactics and they are both very strong in my opinion. Lukaku is the scorer in this match. I think that the tactics given to Lukaku and the way that the team is set up will help Southampton to win this match
Southampton tactics off stopping the wingers of Lille didn't work well. It was Sanchez playing as a SS to get the goal breaking between the lines. Southampton looked better after making the subs when the team had more of a direction with players having a more settled role
Southampton tried to be too clever today by switching player positions to nullify Lille, it didn't work. Credit to Lille they out foxed the fox, surprised to see Sanchez start central & all the talk of Pedro & Sanchez on the wings I don't think anyone expected it, smart move
Southampton set up to frustrate lille today and managed to do so despite a few close shaves, Sanchez gave them problems in the free role with him regularly getting that yard of space to get off some shots, lille occasionally got breaks with lukaku, but they were few and far between
 
----------------
Basel 0-1 Athletic Ballbag
(Rossi)
 
Votes: 1-1 (Villa) (Khedira), 1-3, 1-1, 0-0, 1-2 (Salah) (Rossi, Susaeta), 0-2 (Rossi x2), 0-1 = 4-10 divided by 7 voters and rounded down = 0-1
 
Basel feedback:
Still need to be stronger in defence but a nice balance of 4-4-2, two strong defensive CM's in Gonalons and Matuidi which I like, and decent wingers and attackers. Not enough to win today but overall looking good.
Good DM's/Need better fullbacks
The team is almost there but injuries are cruel to you today as strength in depth is lacking. Streller is great up front and gets the goal with the cross from the superb Schurrle but Villa just looks out of place in the team. Maybe playing Rosicky would balance the side more?
Good approach to the match, Streller is a good target man & now has some quality around him, definite plus point. Teams coming along nicely & ever improving. A team was warned last week about giving such quality passers time on the ball, with Villa dropping on Alonso, Matuidi would of been ideal to press Pirlo while Gonalons dealt with the box to box Khedira
 
Ballbag feedback:
Same strong defence and midfield, arguably the league is yours to lose but not convinced by dropping Drogba. Rossi's recent success in this league has been as a SS/AM, not as the main man against someone like Jagielka. Improvements on the front three needed to match the rest of the side.
Quality midfield 3/Need better wingers
The midfield is beautiful as is the rest of the team however against Schurrle you lack pace as neither Pirlo or Alonso are great movers any more. Need some fresh legs in their especially against a team that looks to frustrate those two
 
Both teams' feedback:
Both teams have strong tactics and are set up extremely well in my opinion and i think that the match will end up being a draw
Quite a battle going on in this match. I like the counter attack approach from Basel but the deep lying CM's allowed the trio of Alonso, Khedira & Pirlo to get time on the ball, even with Villa pressuring Alonso, and they controlled possession, the match which eventually broke Basel down
Ballbag absolutely dominated the midfield battle today, and with their full backs nullifying the basel wingers, this was a confortable day out for ball bag, alonso in particular got too many opportunites to look up and supply the front 3. basel got some foothold in the game when rosicky came on, but by then ballbag were playing an extended training match
A good game here with Ballbag changing their style and it working well as their movement caused a lot of problems for the Basel defense. Basel put up a very good fight and Gonalons and Matuidi both had a go in midfield, but I'd have liked to see them go for Rosicky or someone in CM, with Villa and Schurrle either side of Streller. A very close game but a narrow win to Ballbag

  Woo still gunna sell Benteke though if get offered right money  

Good game Marky, thought you'd do something special to counter my wingers. Glad to get the win, close one though which I expected.

League Table and Top Scorers updated. And well played Trebs, I knew I'd blown it when I saw your tactics

Oh my mistake, i must of left Rio Ferdinand in the team by accident, sorry. It's all good, thanks for the results and thanks for all of the feedback.

Can I have my £1m this week? Only reason I didn't predict fully was because one of the games wasn't posted at the time of my predictions.

Hold fire Miky, the precedent was set last week so I may have to deduct you a goal for fielding an illegible player. Need the thoughts of my fellow managers.

Trebs, yes. That seems fair enough, but in future either wait until all fixtures are up, or ensure you log back on to vote on any fixtures you've missed.

Morning

Good work with results Marky.
Another injured player played, think the "official" runner needs to decide if thats punished or not.

I assumed the injured player would be -1 goal so I didn't penalise it when i predicted.

My thinking is that the precedent was set. Fielding an injured player is -1 goal.

Sorry Miky, only a draw. Someone add it to the official rules please.

I'll edit the results etc.

Sorted then.