2016
The Vigo Affair
Following Thursday nights shock defeat to high flying Celta Vigo, Levante’s invincibles were embroiled in a fresh controversy.
It has been alleged that Vigo manager Ryan Chisholm, along with former Levante player and Vigo’s goal scorer last night Gareth Barry, bribed a member of the Levante squad to ensure his side took the spoils.
No names have yet been mentioned, but Levante youth player Jermaine Anderson has since left the club, and was last seen packing 40 brand new pairs of Hi Tec Silver Shadow’s into a suit case. The rumor is that Jermaine will be supplementing his income at new employers Peterborough United with a market stall in the city selling trainers.
The Ultimate in Leisure Wear
Unsurprisingly, nobody from Vigo would comment, but as is to be expected, Parfitt has his two pence worth.
In the post match press conference, Parfitt said that Vigo should be expelled from the league, and all the points that they have gained via their disgusting cheating methods, should be handed to Levante. Not only that, the staff and players to a man should be banned from football for life. So much so that they shouldn’t even be allowed to play FIFA or Subbuteo.
Parfitt also reiterated his stance that the big clubs are looked upon favourably, and that the reason Levante are struggling is not anything to do with poor management, or a weak squad, but everything to do with the “Old Boys Club” at the top of the game.
He went on to once again name a few that he feels are at the root of the issue. Firstly, city neighbour David Senior was labelled a pot stirring imbecile. Parfitt said that just because he is a neighbour, there is no call to be buddies. “He’s like that neighbour who keeps an old sofa and washing machine in the front garden. He’s close, but you wish he wasn’t.”
Stephen Beddows was next in the firing line, being labelled as a “vomit inducing sycophant”. Parfitt claimed that Beddows tongue was “so far up Frank Hirst’s backside, he’s like a walking colonic irrigation”.
Roy Keane and DP also received less than favourable comments from the Levante gaffer. He said that he had “tried seeing things from their point of view, but I couldn’t fit my head up their arses too”.
The final rocket was reserved for PMW. After a lot of acrimony between the two earlier in the season, and Anderlechts tumble down the table, Parfitt suggest that the Royal One had “once again located his deep throat”, and that there was no other easily explainable reason for the Belgian outfit to have won last night.
Will Parfitt be reprimanded for his comments? Will the Top 100 board have the balls to take him to task? Will Parfitt accept a gagging should it arise? Only time will tell.....
Match Day 35 Preview
With only four games to go and clubs rapidly running out of runway after Thursdays fixtures here’s the update on the likely crash landers and those joining the mile high club.
Division 1
Both Barca (93pts) and Bayern (88pts) won again this Thursday leaving the Spaniards 5pt lead over the Germans in the battle for the title in tact, Bayern will be looking to their future clash on MD 36 knowing that victory is a must and hope that either Man City, PSG or Atletico can take points in Barcas other remaining fixtures.
In the battle to join these two in the SMFA Champions Cup Real stumbled with defeat away to Napoli, the Spaniards being joined on 60pts by Juve with Dortmund on 58pts after their win over Leverkusen then Liverpool on 55pts after their surprise defeat at Schalke.
Dortmund are assured at least an SMFA Shield spot with Liverpool all but guaranteed a place too, Lazio (50pts), Arsenal (49pts), Napoli (49pts) and PSG (48pts) currently sit in the other places with a comfortable gap to 11th placed Valencia (44pts).
Whilst additional Cup and Shield spots may arise from the outcomes of this seasons competitions the only other club guaranteed a spot is Porto after their T100 Shield victory.
At the bottom defeat for Fiorentina (18pts) to Barcelona condemned them to Div 2 football next season, Leverkusens (21pts) failure to pick up points against Dortmund mean that a similar fate awaits them if they lose to Man Utd on Sunday or, due to their much poorer goal difference, Fenerbahce or Schalke pick up a point.
Man Utd (29pts) despite defeat at Porto on Thursday are far from down and will be hoping for 3pts at home to fellow strugglers Leverkusen on Sunday to gain ground on the teams above them.
Fenerbahce (32pts) have slipped into the bottom four by nature of an inferior goal difference to Schalke, which could be crucial come the final game. The Turks off the back of a defeat to Arsenal host an in form Napoli side whilst the Germans follow up a surprise victory over Liverpool with a tough trip to their fellow countrymen Dortmund.
Then come Man City (34pts) who gained a vital point at Valencia on Thursday, they have the unenviable task of taking on Barca at the Ethiad whilst the last of those realistically in danger Atletico (36pts) are away to a PSG side currently struggling for form.
Whilst all games at this stage are crucial the stand out fixture at the top has to be Juves visit to Real whilst at the bottom the Man Utd, Leverkusen clash is a must win game for both clubs.
Chelsea v Lazio
Real Madrid v Juventus
Fenerbahce v Napoli
Liverpool v Arsenal
Dortmund v Schalke
Man Utd v Leverkusen
Fiorentina v Porto
Man City v Barcelona
Bayern v Valencia
PSG v Atletico
Division 2
None of the protagonists currently in the automatic promotion spots managed a win between them in their Thursday fixtures with Milan (68pts) drawing at home to Zenit whilst Monchengladbach (64pts) went down away at Roma and Spurs (64pts) lost at the Lane to Wolfsburg.
All are still favourites to go up, for Milan realistically a draw away to Boca on Sunday will see their return to the top flight by virtue of their superior goal difference to Roma who are the only club outside the top three that could possibly catch them. Monchengladbachs game with Spurs would see a victor with the opportunity of gaining promotion on MD 36 whilst a loser would still have clear daylight between them and 4th place.
That spot is currently occupied by Roma (57pts) whose victory over Spurs saw them leap frog over Zenit (56pts) after their draw in Milan, these two face each other on Sunday in a game which will end any outside hopes of automatic promotion for one if not both clubs, though both appear assured of a play-off place.
Ajax (55pts) currently sit in 6th and look comfortable play-off candidates after their win at home to Lyon and sit ahead of Shakthar (51pts) who drew at CSKA in the Thursday games. These two go head to head on Sunday and whilst the Dutch club would not lose their current position with a defeat the Ukranians would likely slip out of the play-off spots if they fail to take all 3 points.
Sevilla (51pts) will be looking to follow up their victory against Loko and capitalise on any slip up by Shakthar with a result away to Wolfsburg. Spartak (49pts) visit Lyon and will look to continue the form that saw off Boca in their Thursday fixture.
Internazionale (48pts) went ahead of Newcastle on goal difference courtesy of home win against Benfica whilst the Toon went down at home to Everton, this Sunday it is the turn of the Brazilians to face Everton at home whilst the Geordies travel to Loko.
Everton and Wolfsburg both on 45pts have an outside chance of making the play-offs but will need to win all their remaining games and hope for a collapse from the group of clubs above them.
At the foot of the table Sporting (29pts) gave their faint survival hopes a boost with victory against fellow relegation strugglers Basel (31pts), the Portuguese side will hope for more of the same at home to CSKA on Sunday whilst their Swiss counterparts will need to reverse their fortunes at Benfica.
Boca (33pts) sit below Loko in the bottom four slots by a margin of -1 goal difference after their defeats on Thursday and both have tough home fixtures previously covered to look forward to on Sunday.
Benfica (38pts) slipped to 16th below CSKA and Lyon both on 39pts after their results and all need a result on Thursday to ease the relegation threat.
The Monchengladbach-Spurs clash is the stand out fixture at the top whilst Zenit-Roma and Shakhtar-Ajax will also have a big impact for the clubs chasing the play-offs, meanwhile Milans visit to Boca will influence the picture at both ends of the table.
At the bottom all eyes will be on Benfica v Basel, victory for Benfica will relegate their opponents and all but condemn Sporting regardless of their result due to their inferior goal difference.
Boca v Milan
Lyon v Spartak
Shakhtar v Ajax
Sporting v CSKA
Benfica v Basel
Everton v Internazionale
Loko v Newcastle
Wolfsburg v Sevilla
M’gladbach v Spurs
Zenit v Roma
Division 3
Villas (67pts) victory at Stoke on Thursday sees them within touching distance of promotion, victory at home to Sunderland on Sunday and Leicester failing to win at Internacional would confirm it.
Whilst Villa appear to be Champions elect a victory would also confirm them as title winners if Genoa (60pts) suffer a home defeat to Palace and Internacional (60pts) lose in the previously mentioned fixture with Leicester. Wins however assure the pair of at least a play-off spot.
Leicester (58pts) will take over the third automatic promotion spot with a win in that game at Internacional and would assure them of a play-off spot if Cruzeiro fail to win.
PSV (56pts) host Stoke and will be looking to gain ground should any of those above them slip up with Besiktas and Athletic Club both on 51pts looking to do likewise with fixtures away to Udinese and Southampton respectively.
Cruzeiro (50pts) who travel to Galatasaray could rise into the play-off places with a win if either Athletic Club or Besiktas fail to gain all 3pts. Wins for Southampton (49pts) at home to Athletic Club, Marseille (48pts) at St Etienne and Sunderland (48pts) at Villa are all vital to keep their respective challnges for the play-offs.
Galatasary (46pts) still aren’t out of the frame but will see their game with Cruzeiro as a must win to maintain any hopes.
After defeat to Udinese on Thursday Palace (44pts) realistically are now out of the picture.
At the bottom Bordeaux (23pts) may be down but they are still fighting with victory away at Sunderland on Thursday. Fellow French strugglers St Etienne (29pts) also recorded a vital win away to Hoffenheim which maintains their slim hopes of survival, this Sunday they host countrymen Marseille in a game they cannot afford to lose or the result at Swansea will send them down.
Above them are three clubs on 37pts, Swansea, Udinese and Hoffenheim, whilst Udinese host Besiktas, Swansea welcome Hoffenheim to the Liberty Stadium where as previously mentioned any result here will condemn St Etienne if they fail to win by virtue of the massively inferior goal difference.
Monaco (39pts) will be looking to keep their excellent run of form going away to relegated Bordeaux whilst Stoke (41pts) will be hoping to get something from their trip to PSV to ease the chances of them being dragged closer to the drop zone.
The top pick of games in the promotion battle looks to be Leicesters trip to Internacional whith the key battle at the bottom being Swansea-Hoffenheim.
Week 35 Fixtures
Swansea v Hoffenheim
Galatasaray v Cruzeiro
Internacional v Leicester
Udinese v Besiktas
Genoa v Palace
Bordeaux v Monaco
Villa v Sunderland
PSV v Stoke
Southampton v Athletic Club
St Etienne v Marseille
Division 4
If anything things are getting even tighter in what has to be one of the most closely contested and exciting Divisions there is likely to be for some time.
Villarreal (58pts) continue to stutter at the top with a draw away to AZ that saw their lead cut by West Ham (53pts) whose win at Torino took them to 2nd above Sao Paulo (52pts) who drew at home to Feyenoord.
The Yellow Submarine could all but confirm promotion due to goal difference with a win at home to Montpellier and if there are losses for both Feyenoord and Sampdoria. The Hammers host Hamburg whilst The Spoon Army travel to River Plate.
Feyenoord (52pts) dropped outside the top three on goal difference after their result on Thursday and will be hoping for a home victory against AZ to get back in automatic spots.
Sampdoria (51pts) gained ground with their win at Hellas Verona and will look to continue that run at home to Lille. Hamburg (50pts) also kept the pressure up with victory over fellow German side Stuttgart and now have tricky trip to the London Stadium on Sunday.
Chievo Verona (49pts) complete the teams currently in the play-off spots and they will be looking to get back to winning ways in their visit to Dnipro.
Stuttgart (48pts) dropped to 8th after defeat to Hamburg and face yet another German side when Koln come visiting. Lille (47pts) have that trip to Sampdoria whilst Sassuolo (46pts) will look to continue their current good run at home to Dynamo Moscow.
Hellas Verona and River Plate both on 45pts, the former have a trip to draw specialists Atalanta whilst River Plate host Sao Paulo.
Then there are four clubs on 44pts, Montpellier, Atalanta, Koln and Dnipro in 16th and a mere 5pts off the play-offs.
Looking the other way at the foot of the table Malaga (34pts), Torino (36pts) and Dynamo Moscow (37pts) all failed to gain any points on Thursday and whilst AZ (38pts) did pick up a point at home to Villarreal the bottom four are now adrift of Dnipro in 16th by 6pts.
Malaga face Torino which will surely condemn one if not both teams to the drop,
Whilst Dynamo have a trip to Sasuolo , AZ face Feyenoord and Dnipro host Chievo.
The tussle that catches the eye at the top is Hamburgs trip to West Ham whilst at the bottom it has to be Malaga-Torino, anything other than victory for the Anchovies sees them relegated.
Week 35 Fixtures
Stuttgart v Koln
West Ham v Hamburg
Malaga v Torino
Villarreal v Montpellier
Feyenoord v AZ
River Plate v Sao Paulo
Sampdoria v Lille
Atalanta v Hellas Verona
Dnipro v Chievo Verona
Sassuolo v Dynamo Moscow
Division 5
Despite neither side being victorious this Thursday both Kyiv and Olympiacos managed to seal promotion thanks to Flamengo going down at Twente. Both clubs have 68pts as they now battle for the title, this Sunday Kyiv travel to Zagreb whilst The Legend host Rubin Kazan.
In the battle for the final promotion place Liege (56ts) have a 2pt lead over Flamengo (54pts) and face each other this Sunday in what will be a crucial game at the top.
Brugge (54pts) and Celtic (51pts) are the other two realistically challenging for the final automatic spot, the Belgiums host countrymen Anderlecht whilst the Scots host Independiente.
Celta Vigo (49pts) pushed their way into the play-off spots with victory over Levante, this being at the expense of Zagreb (49pts) who could only manage a draw at Bremen and now trail on goal difference.
Santos and Hertha both sit in contention on 47pts with the Brazilians hosting Twente whilst the Germans host Celta Vigo.
Rubin Kazan (46pts) and Espanyol (45pts) are probably the last of the outsiders with a realistic chance of challenging, Kazan must see off Olympiacos whilst the Spaniards have a short trip to Levante
At the bottom it now looks a straight fight between Augsburg (27pts) and West Brom (29pts), Augsburg host Bremen whilst West Brom travel to Partizan.
Flamengo-Liege heads the top of the table clash to watch whilst the games at Augsburg and Partizan may see a change at the bottom.
Week 35 Fixtures
Santos v Twente
Celtic v Independiente
Brugge v Anderlecht
Zagreb v Kyiv
Augsburg v Bremen
Olympiacos v Rubin Kazan
Levante v Espanyol
Hertha v Celta Vigo
Partizan v West Brom
Flamengo v Liege
Bonfire of the Vanities the story of the fall of Fiorentina.
A lonely figure strolled down the corridors of the Uffizi gallery for the last time as an eerie light flickered through the windows casting long shadows over his time in Florence.
The year is 1497, all over Florence the doors of churches, towers and houses are being forced open. The supporters of Savonarola run like rats through the narrow alleyways, converging into the wider streets before merging into stronger currents an maelstroms like those found in the near bye River Arno. The wealth and valuables of the high and mighty but also the poor and needy were thrown assunder onto mighty pyres. Savonarola scoffed at the lowering of the high and like a crow in his dark robe picked over the remains.
The Assassin watched from high above, normally so deadly , now hopeless again such a large number, such strength. He had gathered so many resources and in a year it would be a different story. His young apprentices would be fully trained and he would be able to guard his home town again. Savonarola was not to know that he would one year on be part of the same bonfire and then would pass into history.
The manager strolled into one of the side galleries, he wondered how such great works of art survived so many disasters and tragedies over the years.
Outside the tifoso were cermonially burning their season tickets, which flared with a lilac flame due to the potassium salts hidden in each as a security measure.
When would he return , did it matter, how would the next manager do in Division 2. He left the gallery and turned toward the Duomo looking up at the tower which dwarfed even the mighty red dome. Even at his lowest point a voice called out from across the ages "The best. May it never change.","Even those men you sought to save have turned their backs on you. Yet you fight, you resist, why?","Because no one else will!"
The plan was hatched, the deal was done, even as David slipped from his view he knew his adventures were not over.
Levante - History Makers
Today, long suffering Levante manager Tom Parfitt saluted his brave warriors after they made it a club record 6 games unbeaten, and completed a league double over West Brom to hammer yet another nail into Mark Deadman’s coffin.
Afterwards, the gaffer was full of praise for his side. Levante went into the game with five players missing through a combination of injuries and suspensions, including top scorer Leandro Damiao. This meant only a second start for Dieumerci Mbokani and young Argentinean winger Martin Bernitez. The two players were both excellent. Mbokani scored whilst Benitez also chipped in with a couple of assists Youth team centre half Luis Canga also got a start.
The win, which comes off the back of 4 consecutive 1 – 1 draws, and a win against Twente has been reported locally as the greatest achievement in Spanish history. Barcelona winning the Top 100 title and Real Madrid winning the Top 100 cup. Not even close.
Prior to the record breaking run, Parfitt was concerned that he may be in danger of losing his job. After relegation last season, he only held on to it because the Levante board weren’t prepared to lower their standards and take a punt on Stephen Beddows. This season though, with the club flying high in 16th place in division 5, there are plenty of vultures circling to take the job on. So much so that Parfitt was concerned he may have had to ask Lana Del Rey if she wouldn’t mind giving Frank Hirst a blozza just so he could stay on.
The danger seems to have been averted now though, and Parfitt will be looking forward to a relaxing post season break, and unlikely though it may be, perhaps ending up on the receiving end of lovely Lana’s lovely lips himself.
Whilst basking in the glory of this season’s success though, Parfitt laid out a couple more targets for his side. First and foremost, he has challenged his side to finish above PMW’s Anderlecht. This would seem a fairly easy task given that they couldn’t win a raffle if they were the only entrants right now.
The other thing Parfitt wants to see is a player make the TOTW every week for the rest of the season. Levante have been criminally overlooked in this department all season, and the gaffa feels that this is a personal vendetta against him and his by the Top 100 authorities. He claimed that the lack of appreciation is symptomatic of the big club favouritism shown by those in charge.
That hospice in Greece seems to get several nominations every week. Bernard Matthews chicken kievs seem to get people in every week too. The Belgian boys, with one obvious exception are always in there too. It’s a conspiracy to keep my boys de-motivated and leave us struggling.
I’ll tell you exactly who is to blame too. DP, Hurst, Beddows, Keane, Senior and #Barca manager# Every single one of them to a man are running scared because they know exactly what I am capable of as a manager, and what this club can be capable of once the youngsters here make the step up.
It’s all an old boys club, and the ones at the top are scared of us, and more than that, they are scared of the embarrassment that will be caused when we start climbing the leagues and beating them to the pots.
Match Day 34 Preview
With 5 games left to play things are starting to get a bit clearer in the battles for glory and the scraps for survival, whilst little is decided for certain there are a few inevitabilities beginning to appear.
Division 1
In the battle to be Champions Bayern are pushing Barca all the way but there appears to be no crack in the Spanish sides resolve to keep their crown, with 5pts separating the two their clash on MD36 will be pivotal.
Real need a single point to confirm their appearance in the SMFA Champions Cup next season whilst Juve continue to stutter and hold on to 4thspot by 2pts from both Liverpool and Dortmund who must harbour hopes of overtaking the Italians who must face both of the challengers in the run in.
After a recent dip in form PSG have seen their challenge wain and will surely have to be content with an SMFA Shield place. Both Lazio and Arsenal have hit a bad patch of form as they look to secure their berths in the competition but both they together with Napoli still look favourites to qualify whilst Valencia, Chelsea and Porto could sneak in if any of the above slip up.
At the foot of the table the fat lady is warmed up and the curtains are ready to be raised for Fiorentina, failure to gain 3pts away to Barcelona on MD34 or victory for Fenerbahce and a point for Man City will see the Florence clubs relegation confirmed.
Leverkusen seem destined for the same fate and whilst they can’t be relegated this Thursday failure to win will surely see them going down.
The battle above this pair intensified with a vital win on MD33 for Man City over Atletico lifting them 4pts clear of the drop zone and dragging the Spaniards back into the relegation mix. City leap frogged Fenerbahce who drew with fellow strugglers Schalke, the Germans will be the happier of the two as they jump above Man Utd on goal difference after they went down to Barca.
Whilst there are no head to heads on MD34 that stand out as key fixtures there are plenty of clashes which will have a bearing at both the top and bottom.
Match Day 34 Fixtures
Juventus v Chelsea
Napoli v Real
Arsenal v Fenerbahce
Schalke v Liverpool
Leverkusen v Dortmund
Porto v Man Utd
Barcelona v Fiorentina
Valencia v Man City
Atletico v Bayern
Lazio v PSG
Division 2
The automatic promotion spots look likely to go to the three current occupants, Milan, Monchengladbach and Spurs. Milans promotion could be confirmed on MD 34 if they manage a victory over Zenit.
Zenits draw with Monchengladbach on Sunday leaves them with fading hopes of an automatic spot though they could still have a major impact on deciding the Champions with that game to come against Milan and also with Spurs to play too. Roma failed to capitalise drawing with Wolfsburg though they too will have a big say in the top 3 shake up with games against all the contenders in the run in.
Both will be concentrating on cementing a place in the play-offs with Ajax and Shakthar occupying the other two places whilst Sevilla, Newcastle, Spartak and Internazionale are all in contention and will be looking to capitalise on any slip ups.
Whilst mathematically all the other teams down to CSKA in 16th could make the play-offs most will be concentrating on looking at avoiding being drawn into the relegation battle.
Sporting are likely to be the first casualties here, defeat on Thursday to fellow strugglers Basel would all but but condemn the Portuguese club to Div 3 football next season which would be confirmed if they lose and both CSKA and Benfica gain at least a point.
Basels recent run of good form came to an end with defeat to Shakhtar on Sunday but they have done enough in recent weeks to keep themselves within 2pts of both Boca and Loko above them.
A 5pt gap separates Loko in 17thfrom their Moscow rivals CSKA and Benfica above them, Lyons good run continued with victory over CSKA at the weekend seeing them now 6pts clear of the drop zone.
This Thursdays pick of the fixtures at the top of the table are Milans clash with Zenit and Roma taking on Monchengladbach whilst at the bottom Sportings visit to Basel will be pivotal.
Spartak v Boca
Ajax v Lyon
CSKA v Shakhtar
Basel v Sporting
Internazionale v Benfica
Newcastle v Everton
Sevilla v Loko
Spurs v Wolfsburg
Roma v Monchengladbach
Milan v Zenit
Things remain tight at the top of Div 3 but Villa are starting to put some daylight between themselves and their rivals and have built up a 7pt cushion to 4th place and are currently looking like the only firm favourites for promotion.
Both Genoa and Internacional have hit a bad patch of form which has allowed Leicester to close the gap with PSV, Besiktas and Athletic Club all still in the picture too despite all dropping points at the weekend.
The latter three though will also have to look over their shoulder as they are being pursued by clubs eager to grab one of the play-off spots. This group realistically extends down to Palace in 13th with the next placed four of Stoke, Monaco, Hoffenheim and Swansea all not yet mathematically out of the picture though they will all be surely concentrating on the battle at the bottom.
Bordeaux were T100’s first confirmed casualties of the season, with defeat at Stoke for them and wins for Hoffenheim and Swansea on Sunday sending them through the trap door. St Etienne are in danger of making it a French relegation double and defeat for them away at Hoffenheim on Thursday would all but seal their fate.
Just 4pts separate Udinese, Swansea, Hoffenhein and Swansea as they scrap to avoid making up the foursome of teams destined for Div 4.
Stoke are by no means out of the woods currently sitting 4pts above 17th placed Swansea, Palace should be safe with their 7pt cushion.
The previously mentioned game between Hoffenheim and St Etienne is the key fixture at the foot of the table on Thursday with the games at Besiktas and Athletic Club being the ones to watch at the top.
Cruzeiro v Swansea
Leicester v Galatasaray
Besiktas v Internacional
Palace v Udinese
Monaco v Genoa
Sunderland v Bordeaux
Stoke v Villa
Athletic Club v PSV
Marseille v Southampton
Hoffenheim v St Etienne
Sau Paulo’s form has faltered leading up to the run in seeing them concede the leadership to Villarreal who now have a 6pt lead at the top over the Brazilians and Feyenoord in third.
West Ham, Sampdoria, Chievo Verona and Stuttgart currently sitting in the play-off spots are all within one win of catching the 2nd and 3rd place clubs.
West Ham, Sampdoria, Chievo Verona and Stuttgart currently sitting in the play-off spots are all within one win of catching the 2nd and 3rd place clubs.
This league has been too close to call all season and looks like going all the way to the wire with clubs down as far as Dnipro in 16th only 7pts away and having a realistic chance of making a late push for the play-off party.
Similarly at the foot of the table where Malaga despite 1pt in 6 games are still by no means certainties for the drop, though a serious turn around in form needs to start soon.
Above them 7pts separates 19thplaced Torino from 12th placed Atalanta with Dynamo and AZ currently making up the quartet in the drop zone, whilst a win won’t see any of them climb out of the bottom four on Thursday it would bring the pack above them well within striking distance for Sunday.
The stand out fixture at the top of table without doubt is Feyenoords visit to Sau Paulo whilst at the bottom Dyanamo’s clash with Dnipro and Malaga’s trip to Montpellier will be vital fixtures.
Hamburg v Stuttgart
Torino v West Ham
Montpellier v Malaga
AZ v Villarreal
Sao Paulo v Feyenoord
Lille v River Plate
Hellas Verona v Sampdoria
Chievo Verona v Atalanta
Dynamo v Dnipro
Koln v Sassuolo
Division 5
Kyiv who at one time looked likely to build an unassailable lead at the top lead the league by a single point from Olympiacos, these two are nailed on for promotion and are now scrapping over who will take the title, a battle that may be decided on MD37 when the two clubs meet. In the meantime a win for both clubs or defeat for Flamengo would see their promotions confirmed this Thursday.
In the play-off spots Flamengo sit 3pts ahead of Celtic and Brugge who in turn sit 3pts above Zagreb. A chasing posse of clubs within 7pts extend down to Bremen in 13th, all who will be hoping to put a run of results together to make the play-offs come the end of the season.
At the foot of the table Augsberg did their battle to avoid winning the wooden spoon again this season no harm with victory over Espanyol at the weekend and will need to continue that form if they are to overhaul either West Brom or Partizan above them who look the most likely of clubs in the basement to be caught.
The pick of the fixtures this Thursday is the visit of Brugge to Kyiv which could have a major bearing on the title and promotion picture for both clubs.
Match Day 34 Fixtures
Independiente v Santos
Anderlecht v Celtic
Kyiv v Brugge
Bremen v Zagreb
Kazan v Augsburg
Espanyol v Olympiacos
Celta Vigo v Levante
West Brom v Hertha
Liege v Partizan
Twente v Flamengo
Alek's MIA - No where to be seen
As the Div 2 title race reaches its crucial stage it appears one of its main protagonists Mr Aleks is no where to be seen - it appears Aleks isnt the lion that he claimed to be - but more of a simple stray pussy who cant cope with the pressure - here is the front page of the Gazzetta dello Sport from this evening.
 |
| Beddows rushes to congratulate Balotelli after his 2nd of the evening and 28th of the season - Shaqiri, Barzagli and Candreva are not to far behind. |
But come on Sampdoria...
And LOL - Inter are poor... :)
DOOM AND DESPAIR AT THE HAWTHORNS WHERE HAS IT ALL GONE WRONG THIS SEASON
That is what many fans are asking as their see their side 2ndfrom bottom with 6 games to play.
When Mark Deadman - ‘Big Sam’ Deadman or BS Deadman as some know him. It has been said that some players also call him Big Sxxx Deadman, but we cannot confirm that. He said that from his time at FC Twente he knew what was to be done her and stated his contract was to ensure a top 10 finish. Well that went a long time ago and now it is a fight to stay out of the bottom 2.
Well where has it gone wrong: There have been 29 players in and 24 out (net profit as well). But many will argue that the quality has not been there.
A poor defence conceding 52 goals and only 35 scored shows issues at both ends of the pitch.
The manager and his team have tried many approaches (and formations) although not attempted to park 2 double decker buses on top each other in the defence so far. There is a story that he took his players to a local field which had a barn and asked them to shoot at the double barn doors. I understand only 5 hit the target out of 50.
Also some question the ‘experts’ he has bought in to assist:
Donald Trump paid a visit and talked about defences' walls like the one he is going to build on the Mexico border, although some players were so thick they thought he was talking about a Mexican Wave.
David Cameron arrived to give the manager advice on buying EU players in the future or not. That was a confusing message.
Finally Joey Barton came for a few days to work on team bonding. Total failure with him having a fight with the mascot, club cat and some players finding out he has been fxxxxx their wives/wags or in a week.
So we asked the manager what happens now. ‘Well as I said my contract was to reach a top 10 position and that will not happen. The chairman and I have agreed that a new man at the helm is needed for next season. But I will continue to give 100% until the end of the season. After 3 tough seasons in this league I think I need to take a break and recharge my batteries (Duracell ones) before taking on any other club (if any offers were made of course). In meantime I will look to do some TV work as every other ex-manager seems to do.
Milan Move On...
Read More as Beddows hits back at the Pole.
smtop100.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/b… (Relieve those momentous moments when Beddows and Zenit answered Putin’s call 12 months ago.
Gladbach manager Aleks Polonczyk issues brief statement following victory at San Siro
Firstly, I would like to praise my team for a great and important win against the scum that is Milan, an invaluable 3 points at the San Siro bring us within a point of the rossoneri and keep us to challenge for the Division 2 title. There are 6 very difficult games but we will do everything we can to ensure no silverware ends up at the San Siro.
Il duce clown Beddows pre and post-match comments and behaviour are deplorable we said we would do our talking on the pitch and that is exactly what we did. A comprehensive 3-1 victory ensured it was definitely not Beddows dolmio day ….
Clown Beddows was quick to make up excuses pre kick off that his sidekick fool of a forward Balotelli and Candreva were unavailable, I would point out to him that a team is made up of more than just two players and Milans players following the example of the great Italian military tradition were quick to surrender and like a Fiat Panda that has just come from the showroom they never got started.
It seems obvious that Beddows in his media outbursts and showboating is trying to make up for certain anatomical lacks by trying to project himself in the as a mix of Belusconi and Mussolini with a smidge of Pavarotti (in terms of physical appearance). His pre match outbursts were not backed by the reality of what happened on the pitch and his match tactics like a frozen Italian pizza which looks great on the TV advert when crunch time comes is just plain shit.
Beddows attempt to ban vodka in the city led to the Milan police were chased through the streets of Milan like little girls running away from a spider. And for someone who gets drunk a single multipack carton of Ribena what does he know about drinking? … Il duce clown come back when you start drinking something more than just your mothers milk and can handle a few shots of vodka.
Lastly I would like to make it clear that I have no time for Beddows the clown and his Milan team and in Germany and Poland they are as welcome as a tampon at an orgy.
The Run In - Match Day 33
It’s that time of season we all love or hate, the final run in, the push for glory or the panic to avoid the trap door, 6 games left to decide if we’re polishing up our silverware or polishing up our CV’s.
In what has been yet another quality season at T100 very little is yet decided in the shake ups at the top and bottoms but the coming games will soon change all that and this is the first of this seasons’ countdown.
Division 1
At the top it’s a 2 horse race for the title with Bayern trailing by two and half lengths to Barca who are looking like coasting in at a canter. With 5 points between them it is hard to see the Spanish giants dropping that many points in 6 games when they’ve dropped only 9 in 32 so far this season.
Both of the above are already assured of SMFA Champions Cup football next season but who will join them is still in the balance. After unusually inconsistent seasons both Real and Juve have bobbed in and out of the top 4 but currently hold those berths being closely Dortmund and Liverpool, whilst PSG have an outside chance of being in contention their current poor form would indicate that is unlikely.
Arsenal, Lazio and Napoli are realistically out of that race but likely to secure SMFA Shield places, Porto have secured a place courtesy of their T100 Shield win, Valencia and Chelsea have a lot of ground to make up to be in contention but both could still qualify by winning this seasons tournament.
At the dark end of the table Fiorentina look doomed, defeat on Sunday and victories for Man City and Fenerbahce would confirm their relegation, Leverkusen too look highly unlikely to avoid the drop and must win all their remaining games and hope results above them go their way.
Schalke, Man Utd, Man City and Fenerbahce are divided by 3 points as they battle to avoid the drop, Atletico have seen a current run of form starting to pull them clear but they together with Chelsea, Porto and Valencia are not yet safe.
Arsenal, Lazio and Napoli all just need 2 points to mathematically confirm their Div 1 status for next season.
Division 2
It’s hard to look beyond the current top 3 of Milan, Monchengladbach and Spurs for automatic promotion, however which one of them will take the title is far from being decided.
Senit, Roma, Ajax and Shakhtar currently hold the play-off berths but Sevilla, Newcastle, Spartak, Inter, Wolfsburg and Everton will all harbour hopes of gaining ground during the run in.
Whilst at the bottom nobody is going to be relegated this Sunday Sporting must start putting together a run if they are not going to be playing in Div 3 next season. Basels recent run of good form see’s them with a fighting chance of survival along with Boca and Loko all currently in the bottom four, whilst mathematically nobody up to 6th are currently safe in reality it is likely that only Lyon, Benfica and CSKA are in danger of being dragged into the mix.
Division 3
In a tight division nothing looks like being decided early.
Villa look likely to get automatic promotion but both Genoa and Internacional have both hit a bad run of form at the tail end of the season, all down to Athletic in 7th are in contention with play-off hopefuls realistically extending down to Marseille in 11th.
At the base defeat for Bordeaux and victory for Monaco will see the French club all but doomed, St Etienne look likely to follow but not imminently, the likely other contenders for the drop currently look to come from Udinese, Hoffenhem, Monaco, Swansea and Stoke whilst nobody up to PSV in 5thare currently mathematically safe.
Division 4
In the crazy World that has been Div 4 this season absolutely nothing is close to being decided.
Whilst Villareal look the only decent odds on bet for promotion anyone down to Sassuolo in 16th could make the rise.
Going the other way there are currently no teams showing they intend to be favourites with only 8 points between 10th and 20th.
This division looks certain to go to the wire.
Division 5
The Champions look likely to be either Kyiv or Olympiacos with the battle to join them in promotion being between Flamengo, Liege, Brugge and Celtic.
Play-off contenders together with those mentioned above look likely to come from Celta Vigo, Zagreb, Hertha, Rubin Kazan and Santos.
Augsburg are current favourites for the wooden spoon but West Brom, Partizan and Levante will be looking over their shoulders.
Squeaky bum time at Besiktas!!!!
squeaky bum time at besiktas!!!!
With just 7 games to go besiktas lie in 6th place just 1 point inside the play off places. And with 3 of the last 7 games against the top 3 sides in the league with genoa aston villa and internacional all set to visit the vodofone arena.it looks like being a dog fight to achieve a top 7 place.
the besiktas board demanded a improvement on last seasons finish especially with the cash the owners injected into the club. with marseille just 5 points behind us this season could easily go from a potential success to me being sacked as manager of this club after i promised the board id at least match last seasons finish..
the massive problem for us this season has been draws with us having 12 drawn games.this has to be changed quickly if were to achieve our play off aim now.
overall the players and fans have been great this season and hopefully we can finish it of in style
OLE! it's the south american round up!
OLE! it’s the south american round up!
Sau Paulo
The Spoons are currently occupying 2nd position in league 4 however a poor run of form has seen no wins in 3 games for the Brazilian club. It’s a well known fact that their squad is amongst the weakest in the league & that it’s only the astute tactics of manager Wheels that has kept them in the title race.
Off the field activities such as the recent dressing room siege by a disgruntled bloc of the infamous ‘Spoon Army’ has led to Wheels issuing a ‘unity’ cry, much like Jeremy Corbyn & miraculously, the S.A. has responded, ceasing all hostilities until the final game of the season is over. Wheels now needs to build bridges with keeper Kivrak & top striker Ibarbo in order to secure a play off spot. Anything else is unthinkable.
Boca Juniors
It all seems to have gone tits up for manager Kevin Wallace & his Boca squad. Despite some great early season results their form has tailed off & they are now without a win in 9 league games.
It's surely time for Wallace to read the riot act to his big name stars such as Banega & Insua to 'insua' they remain in Division 2 next season, a feat that is looking increasingly unlikely with each game
This seasons marks 4/10
This seasons marks 4/10
RIVER PLATE (Argentina)
The Plates as they may well be known, looking at Division 4, seem to be struggling this season.
But in true Div 4 style they are only 5 points of a play off position.
Inconsistency, like many div 4 teams has been the Plates problem this year. Manager secasiu calin-mihai has bought in some good young players such as Demaria Gray, Dwight Gayle & Cardona to add to his core of players with potential - not too many golden oldies here. If the gaffer has the patience to stick with his younger players the Plates could be spinning into div 3 in the not to distant future.
This seasons marks: 6/10
Flamengo (Brazil)
Mark Phelp's Flamengo are now unrecognisable with 19 players leaving this season & 27 arriving.
Club sources claim the revolving door array had to be closed after creating a rare violent thermal vortex in the club main terminal building. This caused mayhem in the newly opened branch of Greggs when a tray of newly baked pizza slices swirled into the air nipping Joao Pedro & Mathius Doria in some sensitive places, whilst in the next door Tie Rack Bruno Alves was nearly choked by several red & yellow stripey numbers resulting in him handing in his transfer request.
Flamengo are sitting 3rd & if Phelps can continue to motivate his players to achieve the results they have been, then promotion looks very likely.
This seasons marks 8/10
Santos (Brazil)
Santos started the season ok, had some good promotion form mid season & now seem to have slumped as we head towards the seasons end. Manager IanD has a strong squad with star players like John Obi Mikel & Pablo Piatti plus some promising youth players but mid table mediocraty beckons unless IanD can pull a motivational rabbit out of the metaphorical hat. Perhaps a team talk from renown spoon bender Uri Geller might help. That is if he's recovered the use of his limbs after he tried his spoon bending during half time at The Morumbi recently.
This seasons marks 5/10
Independiente (Argentina)
Manager nikolas NIKKIS nikolaou has a good youth base with some useful 1st team players like Layun & N'Zonzi to call on. However the home crowd would be forgiven for thinking the gaffer had sent out the volleyball team by accident as results have been less than impressive this season.Personally I feel a club mascot is needed, a large furry hernia maybe, or perhaps a rabid squirrel, something to shake up the crowd & get those players going cos the pre-match armed Taliban salute just isn't working.
This seasons marks 4/10
SC International
Despite managing a club that sounds like a large discout warehouse (open to the public 7 days a week), Robérto Downinho has done a sterling job guiding the club into 3rd position in Division 3.
A not necessarily 'strong' team but a very well balanced one has done the gaffer proud & if they can remain consistent, could find themselves playing in a higher league next season. Paul Ntep has done especially well and Roberto must be hoping he can keep this form going till the seasons end.
This seasons marks 9/10
Cruzeiro (Brazil)
This Brazilian club got it's name from its first chairman, who it's rumoured, used to cruise around the red light district of Belo Horizonte in his Ford Capri attempting to pick up prostitutes. However when the ladies of the night heard what depraved acts he wanted them to perform they refused to go with him & threw used condoms & egg whisks at his car. This happened so regularily that the club he owned, Horizonte Rovers became Cruzeiro. Manager Isak Bellman has only been in place for 4 games & in that time has recorded 1 win, 2 draws & 1 defeat, 5 points from a possible 12. Not promotion form you may say but if the gaffer can get some more belief in the dressing room then they are well placed to secure a play off spot.This seasons Marks 7/10
Milan win in Amsterdam
Beddows' brilliant Milan won comfortably in Holland this evening with 9 men thanks to a man of the match performance from who else - Mario Balotelli.
Two goals and a red card were enough to secure another 3 points as Milan opened up a 4 point lead on second place Monchengladbach ahead of the two sides meeting next Thursday.
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| Brilliant Balotelli scored 2 goals |
Played: 30
Goals: 26
MOM: 17
Assists: 10
Avg Rat: 7.83
POST-MATCH FALLOUT IN MILAN
Once again AC Milan dominated headlines in tabloids around the globe with their matchday antics, after their recent match against visitors Vfl Wolfsburg.
But this time it was the manager of Die Wolfe, Greg Owen, who was making bold statements in the post-match press conference.
After seeing their second goal disallowed - which would have put the visitors 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes - Owen complained about the Italian linesman to the assembled press corps:
"Look, I'm not saying he was one-eyed ... but he was wearing an eye-patch ... and wearing last season's Milan jersey. Looking at the evidence, you'd have to say he was less than capable, and a fan of the Rossoneri to boot. So to have Insigne's strike ruled out in such a manner, well we're not happy".
The Italian linesman ruling Wolfsburg's second goal offside.
Owen also complained about the physical approach that the Milan players brought to the match, which has been a notable feature of their play under Beddows this season:
"You only had to look at their tackling to see how Stephen has been coaching them. Now you know I have a lot of respect for Mr Beddows. In fact, he helped me out when I was at Moscow with some coaching tips - in exchange for a private physio session - and I have learned a lot from him. But recently - as the stakes have increased - it's all been about the bash from his lads. You take young Jordan Henderson - and some days I wish somebody would! - but after he scored the first goal he got absolutely targeted by the Milan hitmen. Result? He's got a concussion and he's out of action".
Jordan Henderson in Disneyland after getting knocked out by the brutal Milan defence.
"I mean somebody's got to look at the way this team is playing and say enough is enough", concluded Owen.
AC Milan manager Stephen Beddows was unavailable for comment after he failed to show for the press conference amid rumours that Balotelli had set Beddow's blazer on fire in an Italian-English language mix-up.
Overall, most of the comments from the Wolfsburg manager ended up sounding like a case of sour grapes. Especially considering his team managed a 1-1 draw away from home against the Division 2 league leaders, and with their mixed form coming into a game they were not expected to take anything out of. There is certainly speculation that his complaints were designed to deflect criticism of his own team's performance in the final run-in. Hopes of a play-off place are fading for Wolfsburg after a series of results which have only seen them pick up 5 points from the last six league games. Fans who were hoping for Owen's arrival to signal a turn-around in league form - and for some more of the managerial magic which saw his previous charges Lokomotiv Moskva punch well above their weight - have been sorely disappointed by the team's performance in the past 11 games.
- Sky Calcio
FRANKBET under fire
FRANKBET usually have a decent track record of predicting SM Top 100 yet season 3 they seem to have got a little bit wrong, back in June they predicted many of the divisions and gave their odds lets have a look at what they said and how they compare to the real thing with 9 cup finals to go.
DIV 5
RSC Anderlecht 1/12
Olympiakos 3/1
Hertha Berlin 4/1
Celtic 6/1
Werder Bremen 10/1
Celta Vigo 10/1
Standard Liege 12/1
Espanyol 16/1
Levante 22/1
Twente 22/1
West Brom 33/1
Club Brugge 66/1
Augsburg 66/1
Dinamo Zagreb 100/1
FK Partizan 100/1
Santos 125/1
Dynamo Kiev 200/1
Independiente 250/1
Flamengo 400/1
Rubin Kazan 5000/1
DIV 4
Malaga 1/1000
Torino 5/2
Villarreal 7/2
Dynamo Moscow 8/1
Sassuolo 9/1
Sampdoria 9/1
Atalanta 12/1
West Ham 16/1
Feyenoord 16/1
FC Koln 22/1
Hamburg 25/1
VFB Stuttgart 33/1
Sao Paulo 33/1
AZ 50/1
Chievo Verona 50/1
River Plate 60/1
Dnipro 100/1
Montpeillier 500/1
Hellas Verona 650/1
Lille 5000/1
DIV 3
Marseille 2/1
Athletic Club 3/1
Southampton 5/2
Genoa 9/1
Sunderland 12/1
SC Internacional 14/1
Galatasaray 21/1
Udinese 21/1
Leicester City 33/1
AS Monaco 33/1
Cruzeiro 40/1
Aston Villa 50/1
PSV 75/1
Beskitas 88/1
Swansea 125/1
Crystal Palace 250/1
Hoffenheim 250/1
Bordeaux 300/1
AS Saint Etienne 500/1
Stoke City 6000/1
DIV 2
Internazionale 1/6
Sevilla 1/2
Tottenham Hotspur 4/1
Spartak Moscow 8/1
Everton 11/1
VFL Wolfsburg 12/1
Monchengladbach 16/1
AC Milan 16/1
AS Roma 16/1
Ajax 22/1
Newcastle United 33/1
Lokomotiv Moscow 40/1
Sporting 42/1
Lyon 54/1
Benfica 66/1
Basel 100/1
Zenit 250/1
Shakthar 350/1
Boca Juniors 5000/1
CSKA Moscow 5001/1
Kyiv Debrief
So far so good this season for the Ukrainian Giants currently sitting top of Division 5. With 9 games remaining in the league and currently sitting 3 points clear of Olympiacos in second place, Manager Grant Cameron has taken the time to evaluate the goals set out to achieve at the start of the season.
SO HERE WE GO ...
Cameron believes his side have exceeded all expectations this season so far and what has already been a great season could become an incredible season by winning the Division 5 title.
At the beginning of the season the objective was to improve on last season and try and push for a play-off spot, currently 19 points clear of 8th placed Santos with 27 points available it would seem that a play-off place is almost guaranteed. Automatic promotion would be next on the agenda with 4th placed Standard Liege 12 points behind this is still not guaranteed.
Cameron believes that 65 points will get automatic promotion and 76 points will be enough to claim the Division 5 title.
So far this season 22 players have came into Kyiv and 26 have left with the majority leaving being under 21. Recently there has been a lot of interest in Armando Izzo the 24 yaer old Italian centre back.
Cameron spoke with Izzo and both have came to an agreement that he will not be sold before the end of the season and a decision will then be made whether or not to place the Italian on the transfer list.
Scenes in Milan!
There were jubilant scenes reminiscent of the day that Prince Michael William was sacked as Inter manager - yes that’s right manager Stephen Beddows cannot finish in the bottom 2 so he will be there next season.
Joyful scenes as now Beddows is mathematically safe and cannot lose his job, there were women weeping uncontrollably, children cheering continuously and grown men chanting Beddows' name as Beddows declared “Job Done” in his speech in Piazza Duomo.
With his job safe for another season and Milan now 3 points clear at the top of the table he has now stated that the next target is to secure safety to ensure that the side will not be relegated which is still a strong possibility - deluded one commentator said of Beddows who responded…
“I am not deluded… we are in a fair position but we will not count any KFC chicken buckets until the fat lady sings!” Beddows then disappeared with Barbara to celebrate with the players.
Some rival managers have questioned Balotelli’s continued inclusion with him apparently being unavailable each week to then turn up miraculously on the team sheet.
Beddows defended his star striker who he described as insecure and simply a player who needs “love and care… and not to be treated like a spoilt brat, which he clearly isn’t!"
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| Meanwhile Mister Malcolm seen with the Italian Team of the Year Award Season 1 - where are they now? |