2016
SM Top 100 Youth Cup and World Club Cup Draws
Right hope these draws will make sense to everyone. First a short explanation.
Youth Cup
3rd Round to be played on Saturday 27th August - please remember HOME TEAM must organise asap
Quarter-Final will then be played on Saturday 3rd September the matches will be as per the draw in the 2nd part of this video.
Draw in Video Below:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch
World Club Cup
2nd Round is due to be played this Wednesday 24th August (draw on relevant page and all fixtures arranged (nearly)).
3rd Round will then be played on Wednesday 31st August
Quarter Finals will then be played on Wednesday 7th September
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch
THE SEMI-FINALS and FINALS of both competitions will be over 2 legs.
Boca Juniors...Mid-Season Review...The Plan Comes Alive
Boca Juniors…The Pride of Argentina…
The fans crave success, they crave being the best, they can’t quite admit to themselves that the best is a long way off where they have found themselves but the new regime at La Bombonera is not short of ideas or confidence…but reality rules for now and the fans are trying hard to buy into a plan, a project…a dream.
Enter Sir Kevin Wallace…the man who turned Marseille into a lethal drawing machine…and the man now tasked with a revolution and a dream.
The plan seemed simple, Argentina’s greatest club would consist of only home grown players…well that box has been ticked and the 50 strong squad now contains no players who could not play for the national side of Argentina if called upon…the fans love it, they see the pride, the pride of Argentina in every player and they love it…
The Chairman was realistic after last season, he got the man he wanted in charge and all he asked was that the club move forward…have a plan, stick to it, make it work.
So 22 league games in to the revolution how is it going?
Last season’s point a game average now sits at 1.36…on course for 51 points which would almost half the mighty 23 point gap that existed last season between Boca and the play-off positions. Consistency has been a problem, injuries to key players and trying to find 2 or 3 formations that can be adapted have seen points lost to teams below the club but it’s a tight league and that is proven with Boca currently sitting 9th in the league…two wins from the play-offs…two defeats from the relegation zone…a league that tight is tough to navigate at the best of times, even more so when you are trying to make some progress and the plan is still a long way off being where you want to be.
The balance of the squad is the next project in the bigger plan…Boca didn’t enter the Youth Cup this season simply because they didn’t have a youth team…That is slowly changing and over the next few weeks there are plans in place to add to the Youth Squad and bring it to around 20 players reducing the First Team to 30…There are some interesting talents at the club and they need an outlet to shine so getting the squad right and entering the Youth Cup next season is a box that must and will be ticked.
Some good performances have seen Boca escape the group phase of the World Club Cup with relative ease and the challenge of a trip to Valencia next Wednesday in the knockout rounds is eagerly awaited…The plan has no specifics on success at this stage but over the next few seasons winning a trophy and promotion must be the aim if returning Boca to the place the fans desire is to be the goal.
The fans seem to trust their manager, they seem to be buying into the plan, they know that it is not something that will happen overnight but may take 2-3 seasons to see real results but if it means they get where they think they belong then that time will be allowed and will reap rewards.
And what of the players…the standouts so far…
Geronimo Rulli has been by far the player of the season, a goalkeeper who surely must become the regular No1 for the national side in the next few years. Sir Kevin Wallace knows he has something special between the sticks there and a long term contract seems sure to be signed at the end of the season.
Marco Ruben was brought in early in the project and has done well, some sublime free kicks to win games and an asset that will surely grow in the fans hearts.
Alejandro Gomez although blighted by injuries has been a threat up front when played, the project probably needs a scoring foil for him up front to help, and of course staying fit would also help. When Gomez plays Boca play, when he doesn’t the results tend to reflect that!
Others have played their part, some like Hector Villalba await their real shot at the first team but their time will come…this is the plan, the project, foundations and then success…this is the future of Boca Juniors.
Whenever you ask how things are going at Boca…one reply…We are following the plan…It’s the plan stupid…always the plan…
Fiorentina mid season review.
Fiorentina , the long good bye, mid season review.
The situation looks bleak and is bleak.
With no win in any competition since Jul 19th the only hope is to avoid the sack but even that would need a dramatic change in form.
Statistically and in reality the weakest team in Division 1 , it would need a minor miracle to avoid any thing other than the wooden spoon.After a poor start and realistically facing teams it is nigh on impossible to beat, a good cup run, a good win and draws against better teams saw Fiorentina on the up.
However the fact of the matter is that with a leading scorer on 5 goals , and attack argueably the stongest part of the team, a team that doesn't play to it's strength is likely to come of worse.
The one and only highlight is the addition of some good youngsters which should help the new manager whoever that will be. Not to say I have given up but without a single home win in the league, the sack is coming for sure.
Balotelli Rocks New 'Mink' Hairdo
Mario Balotelli today sported a new look ahead of the trip to St James retail park and staff dungeon.
Ever the character, his barber suggested a new 'Mink' hairdo, which he assured Balorz was all the rage in Milan's finest salons. The final result was most displeasing to the goalgetter, so he opted for a live mink look instead.
Balorz said he was 'delighted with my new look. I've given it a name. Miko. With Miko adorning my barnet we will terrorize defences across the division.' He then fed 'Miko' some crayfish which he pulled from his pocket.
Juventus manager DP, who has bid a cheeky £10M for the star, was unavailable for comment. However it is thought, according to a club insider, that he was unhappy with the new development and had already warned Paul Pogba against following suit. Poggers for his part favours a 'Stingray' look and has been seen shopping at Turin's Aquario.
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Mario and 'Miko' enjoy a moment together. |
Celtic FC - Mid Season Review
Celtic FC
T100 - Division 5 - Season 3
P22 W9 D6 L7 F26 A21 GD+5 PTS33 : 7th
T100 Shield – R1 Exit (Hertha)
T100 Cup – QF Exit (Valencia)
Notable transfer activity:
Ousmane Dembele for Musa, Milinkovic-Savic & Hojbjerg (Real Madrid)
Key Players:
Musa 89, Saponara 88, Bojan 88
Manager’s View:
Although pretty much an ever present in Division 5’s top 7 Celtic have arguably stood still since Season 2. The future potential is there but is dependent upon ratings rises. The pool of 23 (largely unused) players rated 85/86 needs to produce to push into the established 18 man match day squad. It’s a long-term, youth-based strategy which requires patience at the expense of immediate progression. The focus of attention during the next phase of recruitment will be the defence.
The Duel for Del Rey - The Aftermath
Following last night’s stunning victory for Levante over PMW’s Anderlecht, there has been a national outpouring of joy, with scenes completely unrivalled by anything that has gone before.
The scene outside Levante’s training ground as the players arrived this morning
The Levante squad and staff arriving this morning
The Levante dressing room last night at full time
Many employees haven't made it to work this morning due to the celebrations
Meanwhile, over in Belgium, thing's havent been quite so good for PMW and his Anderlecht squad.
Anderlecht land back in Belgium.......
PMW's 'shag pad' was targetted by fans after last night's dismal effort. All fleshlights are thought to have been accounted for
More sad pictures, this is PMW's driveway this morning
The Anderlecht squad arrive for training in the only safe manner available
Doubtless things will eventually quieten down in both Spain and Belgium eventually, but for now Levante are a side on the up. They have moved away from the foot of the table, and although they have a tricky set of fixtures looming, the confidence in both the first and youth team's is at a real high.
Anderlecht on the other hand are a club seemingly in freefall right now. Has the Playboy Prince taken his eye off the ball? Will he be able to turn it around again and get the club back to challenging for the title?
The season is still long, with many twists and turns ahead, but at the moment, the two sides are heading in opposite directions in the table. Will they cross over at some point? On last night's evidence, you would have to think so.....
Youth Cup 2nd Round Draw
Im in a little bit of a hurry but will breifly explain that the 2nd Round draw has been worked out fairly and see’s best group winner play worst 3rd place and so on as has been stated lots of times.
Click Read More to see full draw:
Can you please arrange the matches on Saturday 20th August 2016.
Home Teams MUST ORGANISE
1 leg only
Fictional Extra Time will be used in the event of a draw.
Barcelona v Cruzeiro
Real Madrid v Man Utd
Udinese v Twente
Lokomotiv Moscow v Sampdoria
Chelsea v Celta Vigo
Hamburg v Levante
Napoli v Atletico Madrid
Liverpool v Juventus
Bayer Leverkusen v Aston Villa
Valencia v Feyenoord
PSV v Bayern Munich
Marseille v Sunderland
AC Milan v Monchengladbach
Borussia Dortmund v ACF Fiorentina
Anderletcht v Olympiakos
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE
I'm coming home Newcastle.
LITTLE HAVING A SNEAK PREVIEW OF HIS NEW TROOPS
Norman Little returned home to his roots as he was appointed manager of 2nd divison Newcastle United(sounds familiar doesn't it) and is determined to repay the faith shown in him.
In what has been a whirlwind 7 months of managerial merry-go-round for me in which I have had a short spell at Fenerbache before the lure of English football brought me to West Brom, unfortunately being a thick Geordie I didn't read the small print in the contract and was sacked a few games later(writing off a season and pissing around with formations/tactics isn't advisable when you finish in bottom 2 and get sacked...forward planning eh) and that brought me to Twente, well if Steve McClaren can have success there I may as well have a blast, and I set about a rebuilding job that genuinely I had no intention of leaving until Oran Robson quit Newcastle....then I begged for the Job.
This is my club, the one which give me grey hair at 20 years old and one which despite it's many pitfalls I bloody adore. Season ticket holder and lifelong member of the famous black and whites I pledge to give my all for the club.
On quick first glance at the club I have inherited a decent squad and one that I can play around with in regards to transfer's. Immediately Gini wijnaldum and Moussa Sissoko have been told they are not part of my Long term plans and I will be actively trying to flog them off(nee cash bids mind) Cabella, Cisse and Babel have all been told they need to prove their worth to the club or they will be next to be escorted off the premises. I think I am a bit light in defence so if anyone is after any of the aforementioned players then defenders will be looked at as part of any deals if possible.
The benefits of being back home now mean I'm off down the Bigg Market for a piss up and a kebab..till next time be good and be lucky
Outside the Box #5
Man City new boy Franck Ribery is impressed with how manager Will Trafford is turning things around at the Etihad, Franck said “the boss has brought in quite a few new faces and the main reason I signed is that he promised to get me one too”
Show
Wolfsburgs new man at the helm Greg Owen has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the club having immediately set about increasing the ground capacity with an extension to the North stand to provide executive spectator accommodation.
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Whilst over in England West Brom chief Mark Deadman has denied that the clubs new state of the art training pitch has been having an adverse effect on player performances and results.
Show
Meanwhile Gav Harmer is to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA ruled his new tactics to turn Bremens season around which were trialled in a behind close doors training match were found to be in breach of Law 3.
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And finally Rahul has denied that after a mid-week training session in Mallorca his players are demanding improvements at Villa Park to match the facilities they enjoyed at the Spanish club.
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The Duel for Del Ray
The game of the week in div 5 this Sunday see’s Tom Parfitt’s Levante take on PMW’s Anderlecht. The game is already being dubbed the “Duel for Del Ray” in some quarters, and both managers will be chomping at the bit to take all 3 points, along with Lovely Lana’s heart. Prior to the game, both managers had a few words to say in a hastily arranged pre match press conference.
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You made the front pages of the press by stating you only slept with Lana Del Rey to piss off Parfitt. His response was that it's all in your head. How do you react to that?
PMW: Allin my head he says? Well maybe he should check out Youtube. I uploaded the video two day's ago and it's had over 35,000 hits so far, and quite a few compliments from the viewers. And thanks Hewitt, I know.
Parfitt: Lana has been at home in Spain with me the whole time. Princess Marshmallow Wonderbra has clearly invented the whole thing, even going to the expense of hiring a body double. My bet is the double is one of David Senior, James Foster or Frank Hirst in a dress by the way.
Levante are rumored to be interested in Andy Najar. Is there anything init, or just antics to unsettle the player?
PMW: Do you know Andy Najar is an anagram of Lana Del Rey? It's not, but I bet you looked! Andy looks a little like Lana though so maybe there is something in it. Seriously though, I think Parfitt has been looking at all of my players as any would be an improvement on what he has at the moment. I can't imagine any of them banging on my bedroom door requesting a transfer to Levante though.
Parfitt: Actually, Andy Najar is an anagram of Najaryand. Najaryand is an ancient inca word which translates as Parfitt my leader, so really, if Anderlecht and Prince have anything about them, they will allow the young man to head here ASAP. At the end of the day, i'm sure every single pro worth his corn would rather play for me than live in the shadow of football's answer to Peter Stringfellow.
Given the issues between you both recently, how big a game has this become?
PMW: The game is huge for both of us regardless of recent issues. The game is about more than just us two though. There are 22 players on the pitch who don't even know who Lana Del Rey is. They'll be playing for 3 points.
Parfitt: The game is massive. Not just for me and Prince. Not just the players who take part. This game is massive for the people of Spain. If we win, it would be the greatest victory ever achieved by a team, or individual from Spain.
Is it just Prince you have beef with, or are there others too?
Parfitt: Oh, there are others all right. Stephen Beddows at AC Milan. Relegated with a club like that, nailing the bosses daughter, and he has the nerve to offer me £4 million for Isaac Success. He's still in a job? Unreal. DP. Named after an act performed by a particularly athletic young lady in grumblevids and he's still running Juve? Shocking. Roy Keane. I'd have won all there is with that Madrid squad. He hasn't even come close. Still working at the Bernabeau though. Disgraceful. Broon, only took the job because he mis-heard and thought somebody asked if he wanted a turkey sandwich. Oh, and Hewitt. Calls himself theKing. Well he wasn't so regal when we kicked his sorry little ass out of the cup earlier this season. Sorry King, sorry Prince, there is only one royal here, and he's running Levante.
What will you be discussing over thepost match glass of wine?
PMW: I doubt Parfitt will be there as he'll be running allover looking for a hand dryer. I'm having them all removed before the game as a precaution. He's very fond of them. If he does accept though he'll be in for a surprise. Lane will be there, and she'llkiss anybody after a few drinks, so he might just get lucky.
Parfitt: Bwwaaahhhaaahhhaaa, only a fool would believe that. She has very exacting standards that only the best, ie me, can match. I'll be inviting Prince in. Ive got a bottle of that girly pink wine cooling in preperation. Being a man's man though, i'll be getting stuck into a crate of Tennents Super. I'll probably have a mate or two around as well in case Prince Big Ball's gets a bit leary.
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| Parfitts drinking partner |
Finally, can we have a score prediction?
PMW: Which game? Haha, I'll be bold and say 4 - 0 to us. They just wont be able to handle thepurple train, FULL STEAM AHEAD!
Parfitt: I'll be nice to Anderlecht and say it'll finish 2 - 1 to us. We're scoring a few, and due a result. It'll be nice to take 3 points and start to aim for the top half of the table.