2018
WBA - Albion Dream Story
Top 100 Announcement - The End of Days
It is with a heavy heart - but also a sense of excitement that we would like to announce that the great Frank Hirst will be taking a step away from the running and day to day management of T100 for the rest of this season and the entirety of season 8.
However it has been confirmed that the “End of Days” will not yet materialise yet, no spoons will be smashed and deals with Scallotti will still continue to be very difficult to achieve.
Yes the “End of Days” as predicted by the Book of Revelations has been postponed much to the delight of the people of Sao Paulo as they clattered their spoons in unison and to the disappointment of some including Man City and Atletico Madrid fans - both of whom face another season under poor leadership.
So like in every world - what happens next? Is the King dead? Will he rise again?
Sir Stephen Beddows - will act as a Regent for an interim period of time yet to be determined - but do not fear this is not 1483 - Beddows has not locked Princes Hirst and DP in the Tower of London and sent in Tom Parfitt to do away with them - Beddows also has no intention of being buried under a Leicester car park like the great and noble King Richard III - therefore will not seek battle with any pretenders to the throne from across the “Brexit Sea”
Nor will his reign be reminiscent of the Regency Council of Edward VI, whose short reign in the mid 16th century was marred by warring factions within the council - Beddows will not bow to DP’s determined desire to have every player he wants, and he will not allow for Broon’s willingness to fail at all costs every single season!
It has to be said this article though has to make a special mention of the great Frank Hirst, a man whose commitment to this gameworld for 2 and a half years is nothing short of amazing.
A bit of background - SMTop100 was born out of dream by Frank to create a custom gameworld of 100 teams - we’d tried Gold 279 but found gw’s in which we couldn’t control the possiblity of others to cheat or break the rules were flawed. I admit I doubted T100 - I said it was “too big” “too many egos to manage” I said 4 divisions of 16/20 teams would be enough - But I doubted Frank - I learnt very quickly I was wrong!
I don’t think anyone could have ran a gameworld as good as this ever! Lets think for a second the great job he did:
Decided manager comings and goings brilliantly
Did TOTW without fail every Monday and Friday without fail for 2 and a half years
Ran the Manager of the Year, POTY and YPOTY awards
Managed the World Club Cup
Imposed bans on anyone - including himself and me when they broke the squad limit rules
At times had to play peacemaker between managers
And yes at times even Frank had falling outs with people, including with me - but the effort and work he put in is incredible.
AND so much more… it is my opinion - and it is my only word on this that perhaps this was sometimes overlooked by some - did “some of us” take this for granted?
But lest us forget the world that he has built! Rome wasn’t built in a day - it certainly was down to the hard work of all - but Frank most of all should take credit - but it could crumble in a day if we don’t work and stand together!
FUTURE
So for the future - like Frank I have a very busy “real” life - therefore running a gameworld as important and as big as this is going to be impossible - BUT I will try my best. The intention is to enlist as much help as possible from those around me -
DP will still take on a prominent role - he doesnt know it yet but I have a job for him!
Marsden has committed to running the Youth Cup till Season 10 - 3 season contract signed last night due to his amazing job this season.
World Club Cup / Shield will continue - but I am unsure who will run them as of yet
We will appoint “policemen” to police the squad cap rules and snitch on those who mistakenly go over
I aim to bring in a particular manager who I know will do TOTW - which is a valuable asset and unique to very few gameworlds in my opinion.
Mark the Welsh Boy and Parfitt have already offered to take on more of a role in the gameworld as well.
My personal opinion on squad caps is to keep it the same - having different squad caps per division is difficult to manage and would cause conflict - minimizing the squad cap that so many are used to could be a future idea - BUT lets not forget I am here as a regent - I am not the King - Frank will always rightly so own this gameworld!
Long Live the King!
Athletic Club ... the resurgence ... 19 matches in, 19 matches to go
What has happened to Bilbao ? This time last season, languishing towards the bottom of Division 2, struggling each and every week, and ultimately relegated with several matches left before the end of the season.
This season, after a second chance from the new Chinese owners, reinvigorated from a post season trip to Australia and a change in strategy, manager Mike T has Los Leones sitting in 2nd place in Division 3, three points behind leaders Lazio.
In an attempt to break from the pack, a decision to move from the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been recognized as the new 3-5-2 and used by many teams successfully and unsuccessfully (see Bilbao last season) was made, and the coaching staff transitioned the team to a 4-4-1-1 formation, pushing the DM-CM-AM forward to support the attack where-ever possible. A direct passing approach, and compact defending once the ball moved into their own half has Bilbao close to promotion again. Knowing that squad depth and starting 11 caliber was approximately mid-table in Division 3, a tight marking and counter attacking style was drummed into the squad, which has so far yielded the right results.
Not afraid to chase the game and open up a little has also brought some notable saves and wins, notably a draw in the opening season fixture vs Dynamo Kyiv, and wins against AZ Alkmaar, Hamburg and in their last outing, a late winner against PSV. Knowing that his squad is not built to win a possession battle, and playing a counter attacking style has meant that Bilbao average 48% of the ball at the San Mames, and 45% on the road. Interestingly the counter style has still yielded the same shots and shots on target both home and away 10S / 4oT at home, and 11S / 4oT away from the San Mames. Opponents, despite having more possession are only averaging similar numbers of shots and shots on target.
What has made the biggest difference this year has been the form of Fraser Forster between the sticks. Offered in a few deals during the summer after a forgettable campaign in Division 2 last season, he has turned it on and is having his best year statistically by far. Over the first 19 matches, he has kept 10 clean sheets, 5 at home and 5 on the road, and has average a 7.2 match rating, both home and away. With his confidence having returned, the defense has also responded in kind and have the second best goals conceded rate at 16, with only Lazio sitting above Bilbao at the head of the table with 15 conceded.
Having the left and right sided outside midfielders with defensive qualities has been a key this season in limiting the the goals and cutting off the outside channels that teams often exploited the previous season. The signing of Delaney in the off season partnering with Inan in the middle of the park has helped the settle the midfield and allowed club captain Camacho to anchor the center of the defense, as a CB with ball playing skills, with many a push forward set up with his initial ball.
Also noticeable has been the crowd returning to watch their team. After averaging ~35000 in their first four home games, yielding 3 wins and a loss, the next 6 matches have averaged ~42750 fans, a 20% increase through the turnstiles, with visit on leaders Lazio topping out at 44036 fans. An 11 match unbeaten run in the first 19 matches for good measure had many a die hard fan in tears … not having seen this sort of form for many many years.
Goal scoring has not been the focus this season, a haul of 25 goals from 19 matches places Bilbao mid pack. All but one of these goals was created from an assist which has in part validated the change to the formation and playing style, with nine players having created 2 or more assists. The goals hitting the back of the net also has a wide distribution, with seven players having scored two or more, Sandro Ramirez and Gio Dos Santos scoring 5 each. This spread of assists and goals has not made Bilbao the one dimensional team it was last season. A next man up mentality, selected for their ability to follow instructions and play the position while not sacrificing the balance of the team has also contributed, with youngsters getting their chance to start … Marcelo Saracchi scoring a goal against PSV in the last outing from a corner, starting his first match in place of the injured Ledley on the left side of midfield.
What do the remaining 19 matches hold ? The chairman and board still expect a Top 10 finish, and have not yet been putting any pressure on Mike T and the squad, but the fans are excited, and if the Rojiblanco’s continue with their form shown from the first half of the season, dreams of another season in Division 2 against some of the bigger clubs in the T100 could be on offer ….
Results and Tables from Last Night, Plus Preview of Final Group Games Next Week
Congratulations to Atletico Madrid, Flamengo and Bordeaux on securing their qualification for the Cup knockout stage.
Commiserations to Sassuolo, Udinese and Crystal Palace, who are out all together.
Group A
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Genoa's home defeat to Barcelona means the latter can still qualify for the Cup if they beat Juventus in the final group game next week, and Genoa lose at Benfica. Even then, it would be decided on goal difference.
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Group B
Atletico's win at Arsenal guarantees them a place in the Cup knockout draw. It also means Arsenal can now book their place only if they win at group winners Dortmund in their final game, and Real Madrid fail to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Group C
Flamengo secured their place in the Cup knockouts after Leverkusen's youth team failed to show - no doubt still celebrating their own success from the previous week.
Group D
Everton and Milan got the wins they needed to secure their Shield knockout places, while joining them will be Napoli, as long as they can match or better Stoke's result in the final game.
Group E
Three draws in the 'Group of Death', also the only group with no forfeited games!
Group F
Group G
Group H
Group I
Last Night's Youth Cup Results, Updated Tables & Preview of Final Games
Roundup of Week 8, and preview of Weeks 9 and 10 as the Group qualification places are decided.
After last night’s matches, congratulations to Bayern on winning Group A, Dortmund on winning Group B, Aston Villa on winning Group D, Inter on (all but) winning Group G, and Celta Vigo on (all but) winning Group I.
Congratulations also to Leverkusen on qualifying for the Cup knockout stage in Group C.
Group A
Bayern won group A with another convincing victory, this time at the Camp Nou.
Top Scorers in Group A
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Group B
Dortmund's win over bottom club Verona confirms their status as runaway winners of Group B
Top Scorers in Group B
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Group C
Top Scorers in Group C
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Most Forfeited Games
Wins From Forfeited Games
Group D
Milan's failure to beat bottom club Roma at home means that leaders Villa's own home draw with Everton is enough to win Group D and take the only Cup knockout qualifying place.
Next week's fixtures:
Top Scorers in Group D
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Group E
After a poor start to this season's group games, in form Manchester City move into second following their easy victory over bottom club Liverpool. They host leaders Sporting - who hold on to top spot courtesy of a a hard-fought one nil win at Sevilla - next week in what promises to be one of the matches of the day.
Top Scorers in Group E
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Group F
Top Scorers in Group F
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Group G
Shakhtar's seniors forfeited their match at Fiorentina, so they swap positions in the table.
Top Scorers in Group G
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Most Forfeited Games
Wins From Forfeited Games
Group H
Bordeaux will win Group H and secure the sole Cup qualifying place if they can win at second placed Villarreal next week.
Next week's fixtures:
Top Scorers in Group H
Most Assists
Most MOMs
Clean Sheets
Most Games Forfeited
Forfeited Games Won
Group I
With a six point advantage and a +16 goal difference advantage, Celta Vigo look assured of winning Group I and qualifying for the Cup knockout stage, after their impressive win at second placed Sao Paulo.
Top Scorers in Group I
Most Assists
Most MOMs
| O'Hara |
Clean Sheets
Cornet Quadruple Creams Fiore
Very quick and late round up of all last Saturday’s results in Week 7.
Group A
Bayern tightened their grip on top spot with an easy win over Genoa, as Juventus made a schoolboy error in fielding 40 year old Gianluigi Buffon in goal at home to Benfica.
Those three points give the Lisbon club some breathing space at the bottom, where the penultimate fixture between Genoa and Barcelona could decide which of the big guns drops down to the Shield knockout stage.
The top three can all rest easy now with their places in the Cup knockout stage guaranteed.
Group B
Dortmund qualified for the Cup knockout stage with a comfortable win at home to second placed Atletico.
With just four points between second and sixth, the remaining two Cup places are up for grabs with three games left to play.
Group C
Group C has turned into a group of two halves, with the top three battling it out for the two Cup places, and the bottom three trying to avoid dropping into the Spoon.
Group D
Villa's win over second placed Milan means they can seal top spot and the only Cup qualification place in Group D with victory over Everton tonight.
Group E
With nine points to play for there are nine points separating top and bottom in the Group of Death.
Group F
Group G
Group H
Group I
German Victory Celebrations Put on Hold, First Wins for Swans and Lokomotiv
An even later than usual round-up of last week’s results, movements in the tables, and brief previews of tomorrow night’s big games.
Group A
After beating Barca the previous week the Old Lady of Turin beat unbeaten Bayern this time, at the Allianz Arena to boot.
Group B
Group C
Flamengo's win over South American rivals Independiente moves them back into second and the Cup qualifying places. Defeat fro Gregg Robinson's side means they are all but out of the Cup, although they can still qualify for the Shield knockout stage.
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
Group I
Dortmund Wipe Arsenal Out, Old Lady Beats Barca
A night to forget last Saturday, as EIGHT managers forfeited the three points and had a 0-3 defeat recorded against their team for fielding ineligible players, or failing to arrange their fixtures.
Just a gentle reminder that all fixtures can be found on FixtureList.com (search for Top 100) and here on the blog :
- Groups A. B and C: https://smtop100.blogspot.co.uk/p/youth-cup_13.html
- Groups D, E and F: https://smtop100.blogspot.co.uk/p/youth-cup-groups-d-e-f.html
- Groups G, H and I: https://smtop100.blogspot.co.uk/p/youyh-cup-groups.html
Group A
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Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Fiorentina beat Augsburg to put themselves back in with a chance of qualifying for the Shield knockout stage. Berlin knocked Shakhtar of the top with an impressive win in Donetsk, while Inter disposed of sorry Spurs to move into first place.
Group H
Like Group F, mangers, fans and viewrs at home shrugged their shoulders and collectively sighed, 'Huh!' as Besiktas failed to turn up at all for their game against Brugge, while Udinese fielded their senior team in Bordeaux.
Group I
Tight at the Bottom as Germans March on for Victory
A little late with the round-up of Saturday’s Youth Cup Group results this week, but here they are in all their glory. Tables are here.
Group A
A third German club, Leverkusen, also have a perfect start after four games, with a great victory at last season's beaten Shield finalists, Flamengo.
Good win for Milan over Stoke keeps them in touch with leaders Villa, who surprisingly dropped points at home to Napoli.
Inside the T100 School of Witchcraft, Gambling and Trickery - PART ONE
PART ONE
Have you ever wondered why some managers excel in T100 - whilst others like Broon fail time after time? Have you ever questioned how Mr DP continuously finishes in the higher positions of the gameworlds elite season on season yet poor Gerrit always gets sacked - is it a mystery? Is it coincidence?
It is neither it is due to the secret society of - no not the freemasons - but the secret T100 school of witchcraft, gambling and trickery which some managers attended in their youth - whilst others were either rejected or just never received their owl!
Let us begin with the school itself - situated in a dark, mysterious council estate in Huyton - it is a place no one would in their right mind consider going to - or even driving through for that matter and this is the sheer brilliance behind it all - no one - except those privileged to go there know it even exists!
On his 11th birthday Mr DP received an owl addressed directly to himself from a Mr Senior, headmaster - inviting him to the elite school of T100 witchcraft, gambling and trickery - a school where Mr DP and others would be taught to be the elite, the very best! Where lessons would consist of watching football, analyising players, going on scouting trips to the Peruvian second division and watching the Finnish ladies Premier League of an evening just to pass the time.
Mr DP was elated and set off straight away to London to buy the equipment on the list that accompanied the letter - upon arriving in London he made his way to a mysterious shop called Sports Direct in Piccadilly where he was assured he would be able to find all of the equipment he would need for his studies:
football boots - of any sort
football shirt - of any sort
football shorts - of any sort
a football - size 5
shin pads - of any sort
football socks - of any sort
a notepad
a laptop computer
a pen
Mr DP was taken aback upon arriving in the shop by the vast variety of merchandise that he could take with him on his educational journey to the T100 School of Witchcraft, Gambling and Trickery when his eyes set upon a rather bedraggled boy who was awash with second hand pens, notepads shirts, shorts and a new pair of sondico boots (odd ones) and socks!
“Blimey! How are you. Nuff said, yeah?” DP said addressing the strange looking boy?
The boy looked taken aback by the brash confidence and arrogance that Mr DP clearly showed in an abudance and responded…
“Hi….” he stuttered. “I’m Little Linda! and I am going to the T100 School of Witchcraft, Gambling and Trickery - but I do not know the way?"
Then silence - that seemed to last for months before Mr DP said -
“I know the way - follow me and the two set of on their journey that would last a lifetime…."
END OF PART ONE…