2019
Brilliant Beddows masters revivial
Real Madrid on the move
Super Beddows has described the recent form as excellent and that the club are moving back in the right direction after an indifferent season overall - which Beddows blamed on himself and the desire to focus on the cup competition, sacrificing form and fitness for League games.
"We obviously want to finish as high as possible but we accept that 4th whilst mathematically possible is highly unlikely to be achieved."
The SMFA Champs Cup Semi second leg on Monday is massive for the club as it is their only chance of silverware this season, Beddows' 3rd in Madrid and still having only won the World Club Cup and Roy Keane Memorial Trophy - can they turn it around against Munich - Beddows is cautious - "our reckon against the Top 4 is poor and we might have to make some tactical changes to overcome Munich - but we will try our very best."
Poll Results
Here are the results of the recent polls everyone has been voting in.
- Improving Top 100 Social Activity
TotW
Doug and Nathan offered to do something similar to Team of the Week. I might try to do something myself, either way.Blog
I've (re)created a new more user-friendly blog Top 100 blog with its own domain - smtop100.blog.I’ve sent out invites to everyone who contributed original material for the blog here, so that once everyone has accepted their invite, I can import all the posts and pages from here to there and the original authors will still be credited, and can write new posts or pages.
2. Manager contracts
A small majority of managers in favour of losing their jobs on a regular basis!
We may need to think a bit more about how it will work so that we don’t piss off and lose good managers (which would be the opposite of what we want to do), but I think we can try to introduce it and see how it goes, and take it from there.
3. Sacking managers
That will obviously increase the managerial merry-go-round and stimulate the transfer market, which is the intention.
4. Squad cap
5. Sanctions for going over 50 players
Pleasing to see that sanity prevailed and that the new punishment will be the usual transfer ban, plus having to sell to an external club the player or players that took them over the limit, and not being allowed to re-bid on them.
6. Transfer windows
Stuttgart announce new Fray Bentos Pies link up
Pies and Puddings
German 5thdivision club Stuttgart have today announced a bold new sponsorship deal that they hope will take them into the 21st century and beyond.
Fray Bentos Pies have linked up with the German club in a 55 million Euro deal over 5 years which includes a stadium rebrand from the Mercedes-Benz Arena to the ‘Fray Bentos Steak & Kidney Pie Arena’ plus fresh aluminium cladding around the sides of the iconic stadium to reproduce that authentic shallow pie dish look.
Mercedes-Benz-Arena prior to pie cladding
'Pie Eyed'
Prominent local critics fear that the reputation of Baden-Wurttemberg state, home to not only Stuttgart but to more than a quarter of the countries Michelin starred restaurants (52) and renown for its local culinary specialities such as Badische Schäufele and Bibbeliskaes will be tarnished by the association with the Scottish processed pie pudding producers and have accused the Stuttgart hierarchy of being 'Pie Eyed'.
However Stuttgart Chairman Oberliga Sudacrem dismissed criticism of the tie up as 'local snobbery' claiming that the Scottish pie and puddings company will 'enhance the local culinary scene with a 5 million Euro package of sponsorship of the arts and the establishment of a new annual 'Bentosfest' running for 3 weeks in the summer featuring only the very best Fray Bentos pies, Puddings and golden Carling Lager on tap.'
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| A Fray Bentos Pie today |
Pie Breakfast
We were due to interview Impediments manager Nick Spoons but unfortunately he had been rushed to hospital after suffering a nasty gash to his hand from a tin opener.
We did however manage to speak to a number of players including new signing Vincenzo Grifo.
We asked him what he thought about Stuttgart's new sponsor?
' I love em me, I mean both me and Piccs immediately put in our transfer requests from Verona when we heard about the deal – all we get there is fuckin pasta & healths shite like, me, I love a good Bentos meaty pud, Piccs likes the deep fill steak and ale, he's mad for em, can't get enough, like me, two, three a day, breakfast lunch dinner, fuckin kaboosh!
Kevin Wimmer 'chicken dinner' was just as enthusiastic: ah man, I love and cherish the Bentos, I sleep with an unopened chicken and bacon every night on me pillow, give it a little kiss before going to sleep like. I find they're good for me figure too cos it takes me a week to open one so I never eat too much, in fact I'm down to 6 stones now, who needs weight watchers?
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| A Fray Bentos companion pie |
Young Pies
Well the first team seem in favour but what about the youth, maybe they wouldn't be as popular with the more dietary conscious youngsters yet to break into the first team.
Che Adams had just finished his morning warm up and was about to start training when we caught up with him: 'Fray Bentos? Wassat then? Oh the pie tins, yeah fam, we got bare tins round here, the puddings are fanatic for training with, really improves your gastrocnemiusmuscles, all the lads use them, once you can ping a 20 yarder into the top corner with a Bentos pudding you don't worry about doing it with a football. Not so good for the keepers of course.'
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| A Fray Bentos training aid |
Needles
Last on our list was club Physician and Dietician Dr Heiter. We asked him what the effect of such a stodgy, pastry & processed meat diet would be on the players performance?
'Well firstly please call me Josef, secondly you are making the mistake all make in thinking the pies contain meat, they are in fact 100% vegetarian, the various chilli beef, steak, chicken is all plant based offal, nothing more. The pastry is very healthy, very very healthy, even Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it, where do you think Gloop got it's name?.' No, it can only increase the players performance on and off the pitch, all of them except Lazzari, so sad we had to let him go, hated pies you see, and needles.
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| The new Stuttgart club badge |
The Future is Pie Shaped
Interesting times ahead for Stuttgart it seems, already the club badge has been replaced with a Bentos minced beef and onion pie emblem and the clatter of thin, aluminium pie dish cladding can be heard going up around the stadium. Now, how do I get all these pies home, they weigh a ton!
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| Into the Fray! |
Poll: Should We Introduce Transfer Window(s)?
What it says on the tin.
If we do, we will still have to discuss and agree if one or two windows and when.
[polldaddy poll=10247813]
Should we introduce Transfer Window(s)?
(polls)
Poll: What Sanctions Should There Be For Managers Who Go Over The Squad Cap?
Another popular, yet contentious, issue.
Managers going over the squad cap tends to become an issue only when new (usually young, possibly future star) players are added to the database, with most of the game world bidding and clubs having a 1 in 50 lottery style chance of winning.
This results in managers bidding when they already have 50 players, either forgetting about it or thinking they won’t win the bid, or failing to sell another player in time.
It’s an easy mistake to make - I’ve done it twice myself.
And it’s easy to assume that the offender is somehow playing the system by taking a one month or three month (for a second offence) transfer ban to get and keep a good young prospect.
But it’s clear that the current sanctions on their own probably aren’t enough of a deterrent to stop it happening, whatever the reasons.
With all that in mind, what sanctions would be effective?
[polldaddy poll=10247774]
What sanction should there be for managers who go over the squad cap?
(polls)
Poll: Should We Change The Squad Cap?
Reducing the squad cap from the current 50 limit to, say 40, is perhaps one of the most popular - and contentious - suggestions to help stimulate the transfer market in Top 100.
So please read the blog summary of the discussion to date, and choose wisely…
[polldaddy poll=10247754]
Should we change the squad cap?
(polls)
Poll: Sacking Managers
A very straightforward one, this.
Should we increase the number of managers who are sacked at the end of each season from just the bottom two to the maximum allowed, which is three?
[polldaddy poll=10247433]
Should we increase the number of sackings per division from 2 to 3?
(polls)
Poll: Dealing With Manager Inactivity - Introducing Contracts
Should we ask managers to commit to achieving certain targets before giving them a new job, and give then a contract from, say, 1 - 6 seasons in length depending on what kind of job it is?
If a manager failed to achieve agreed targets he could then be asked to quit his job. Failure to do so could ultimately end his Top 100 career.
[polldaddy poll=10247311]
Should we introduce contracts for managers when they take on new jobs?
(polls)
Poll: Improving The Top 100 Social Experience
Following on from the devastating news that TOP 100 IS DEAD! here is the weather.
I mean, a poll.
What can we do to spark this beast back into life?
[polldaddy poll=10247215]
What should we do to improve activity on the newsfeed, blog, Facebook Group, etc.?
(polls)
Top 100 Is Dead! Long Live Top 100!
Mike’s addiction to transfer deals led to the most productive and active newsfeed discussion in, well, ever:
Like an extended Dead Parrot sketch, many Top 100 managers complained like Mike that their parrot wasn’t just not very active, or a bit slow, in a lull or a quiet phase, or just a bit stale, but is, in fact dead. An Ex-parrot!
On a more serious note, below is what I hope is a fair summary of the problems highlighted, and the solutions suggested, as well as some of the possible consequences of these proposed fixes.
I’ll do a follow-up post soon with some polls to see who wants what, and when.
I think the main problems that managers highlighted can be broken down into three interconnected areas, as per Mike’s original post:
- Social activity
- Transfer activity
- Manager activity
1. Social activity
Some comments from managers:
Hard to be sure about the newsfeed, although I wasn't around for the start of the Game World. Certainly, blog activity (pageviews) has reduced dramatically if this is any guide:
And people do chat a lot in the Top 100 WhatsApp Group, which may well have taken away from the newsfeed and blog.
We also have a Facebook Group, but it isn't very active - or interactive - from what I've seen.
Regarding blog content - regular updates, posts and pages - I can empathise with feeling like I'm the only one writing (and reading, commenting) on the blog, at times. And I also find it a pain to format posts and pages how I want them to look. And I suspect it isn't mobile-friendly.
In trying to offer a range of different platforms for people to get their Top 100 fix - in-game newsfeed, blog, FB, WhatsApp, it seems like we may have lost a lot of what people want and like in the game world itself.
2. Manager activity
There seems to be a strong feeling among some managers that there are now more managers than before who just aren't very active, or active enough to make Top 100 work as it should. This is most noticeable when it comes to trying to do transfer deals...
3. Transfer activity
Again, there seems to be strong feeling among most managers who commented on Mike's original post that transfer deals are getting harder to do, for a whole host of reasons. It should be said that there are a few managers who commented that this difficulty is part of what makes Top 100 what is is - a tough challenge! And others that say that it's the inevitable result of any game world after several seasons in.
So what can we do about any of the above problems? What are the suggested solutions?
1. Improving social experience
It's pretty clear people want Team of the Week, or something like it, back. Frank used to so this, and had his own system for doing it. And Doug and Nathan kindly offered to run something similar:
Regarding doing stuff on the blog more generally, that's always been an option for anyone who wants to contribute.
It would be great to do any and all of the other suggestions, and bring back Top 100 TV in some form or other, but all of these ideas require other managers to commit to doing some regular work!
Recent blog stats here show that even when people like myself, Norman, Malcolm, Stephen, Nathan and others have written articles or updates, there are only 10-20 views!
Whether that's down to difficulties with viewing the blog as it is on a mobile phone, not knowing there are updates, or lack of interest in what's been posted, I'm not sure.
Opening up our Facebook page so that all members can post might be a way of increasing activity there, but not everyone wants to or does use FB, and the risk is that like WhatsApp, we just take stuff away from the in-game newsfeed and this blog.
2. Dealing with inactive managers
There's obviously a lot of frustration with what are perceived by some as inactive managers - managers who fail to respond to transfer bids, private messages, or who don't post anything on the newsfeed, or the blog, and/or who are perceive to be underachieving at their clubs.
There seems to be a lot of support for making managers commit to achieving certain targets, and if they fail to do so, the expectation is that they then resign and let someone else have a go.
That would certainly make the game more realistic!
I've added 'manager contracts' to the list of suggestions, as I think that perhaps more realistically encapsulates the idea of the 'stipulations', and would leave room to offer managers longer contracts at clubs where more long-term squad building is required, and short-term contracts at top clubs where squads are already well-established and achieving, with the expectation for a new manager to keep winning trophies or to 'leave by mutual consent'.
If a manager refuses to quit under these terms, and is therefore in breach of contract, he could be permanently banned from doing transfers with other managers, and refused a new team.
In terms of the Game World admin settings, it's possible to increase the number of sackings from the bottom 2 to bottom 3 only (i.e., no option to sack the bottom 4), but even so that would still stimulate the transfer market by increasing the managerial merry-go-round.
It would also increase the need for having managers ready to replace those that leave Top 100 temporarily, or for good.
3. Stimulating the transfer market
There were a lot of suggestions about how to make the transfer market more active, mainly around the idea of changing the 50 player squad cap or limit, and somehow managing who gets to bid on new players and/or free agents on the player database.
Squad cap
Most suggestions were around reducing the squad cap with the expectation that this would force managers to sell unneeded players, thus increasing the number, and perhaps the quality of players available for weaker teams to buy.Some managers suggested that increasing the squad cap - certainly for lower division teams - would be more helpful for their longer term development.I think, overall, while there is lots of support for a reduction in the squad cap, there are also a lot of people against that idea because they believe it will be counter-productive, and/or that it will be unfair to managers who are using different strategies - a bit like moving the goalposts!There were also quite a few suggestions about limiting the youth squad size.
One problem with a split squad cap from an admin point of view is enforcing the rule, which brings us on to suggestions for increasing the sanctions for going over the squad cap (which often seems to happen when managers bid on new players).
New players
Another suggestion that seemed popular was limiting or managing who can bid on new players added to the database, although again here there were also plenty of dissenting voices, arguing that it will unfairly penalise managers using different strategies.
Other suggestions
Cash only transfers, limiting or managing loans, who can bid on players that request transfers, and having some kind of between seasons player draft were also offered up, but with fewer supporters and more dissenters.
One idea that came to my mind on writing up this summary is to implement some kind of Financial Fair Play system, but I'm not sure how this would work or be enforced. A wages cap? A total player value cap?
In terms of what I can do via the Game World Admin settings, other popular suggestions also included introducing transfer window(s).
The options are to have one or two windows, between turns 1 to 38 (not sure how that would affect the between seasons period, which is currently when most transfer activity occurs).
Another option would be to change the Game World economy setting from normal to poor, in anticipation of clubs having to reduce their wage bills further down the line.
Of course, most (big) clubs already have so much cash in the bank this might make very little difference?
Voting on suggestions
I think all managers are of the view that if the most popular suggestions are selected on and voted for by a majority, then those changes can be implemented.
I think it may be wise, as some have counselled, not to try to do too much too soon, as it could create unintended problems and be unfair on managers who are pursuing strategies based on the current longstanding game world rules and conditions.
So, a bit like Brexit, I'm intending to run some initial non-binding votes or polls to get a better idea of how many managers support the following ideas:
- Future use of and contribution to the Top 100 newsfeed, blog, Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
- I've created a new 'test' blog here https://smtop100.wordpress.com - it should be easier to use and view using a mobile phone (as well as being easier to create posts and pages, and it allows polls, which Blogger no longer does).
- Introducing contracts for new managers - and extension of managerial stipulations, contracts offered by Top 100 managerial selection panel, and agreed to and/or negotiated by new manager.
- Increasing the number of mandatory sackings from bottom two to the maximum bottom three. Managers can still be offered a new contract with the club they have been sacked from, as now.
- Squad cap - increase or decrease, different caps for each division?
- Squad cap - increased sanctions for going over the limit.
- Introduction of Transfer Window(s).
Please do let me know if you think I've missed anything, got something wrong or if you have anything else to add to the discussion.
Long Live Top 100!
Scout Centre: Volume 1.
Intro.
I've decided to start a new series on the blog highlighting external players who have potential. These will primarily be youths but there could be a few reports where I focus on older players (possibly closer to the big reviews). I'll try to get one of these out every 2-4 weeks depending how busy I am, I will also be making sure the players I include aren't on other teams shortlists so I don't ruin other teams scouting plans. I'm not sure how long these will be, and the level of info will vary for each player but hopefully it's something that is enjoyable and that I can keep up.
Scout Centre.
Farid El Melali.
Having joined SCO Angers in August from Algerian side Paradou AC, El Melali was originally used sparsely by the Ligue 1 team. He made a 14 minute substitute appearance in the 3rd game of the season and made just two more appearances off the bench until mid season. However, he has now begun to be a regularly used late substitute and played in 5 games in a row for the 12th placed team. He picked up an assist against Nantes and could become a regular in the side if he continues to settle well. The right winger is contracted to the club until 2023 and has already represented Algeria twice. The 21-year-old is rated 78 on Soccer Manager and is valued at £600,000 which is a low price for any team. While at the moment he is fairly generic, he could quickly rise if he becomes a regular at Angers.
Sammy Skytte.
After facing relegation with Silkeborg IF last season, Skytte joined FC Midtjylland for £450,000 and is now on loan at AC Horsens. The 21-year-old has been a regular in the centre, making 18 appearances in the Superligaen picking up 2 assists. Skytte has also made 3 appearances for the reserve team where scored 2 goals and assisted 1. Standing at 190cm, Skytte brings a dominant physical presence to the midfield. He has played for the Denmark U21 side and will hope to feature for Midtjylland next season after his successful loan. Soccer Manager value Skytte at £500,000 making him a solid pick up with his 78 rating.
Emmanuel Iyoha.
Since arriving at Dusseldorf in 2011, Iyoha has progressed through the youth levels before breaking into the senior team durinf the 16/17 season. He made 17 appearances before being loaned out to 3.Liga side VfL Osnabruck last season. He made 25 appearances, netting 4 goals and assiting 2 more. Now aged 21, the striker is on loan at Erzgebirge Aue in the 2.Bundesliga. He has played in 17 games in which time he has set up 5 goals and scored 2 himself. The 6'3" forward has also featured for Germany at U19 and U20 levels. Iyoha is rated 77 and can be bought for just £600,000 in Top 100. Iyoha has impressed this season averaging a rating of 6.78 this season according to Who Scored. He could potentially look at returning to Dusseldorf next season to play in the top tier of German football.Sebastian Vasiliadis.
A free transfer arrival at SC Paderborn this summer, Vasiliadis has been quick to settle at his new club. The 21-year-old was eased into the starting line up but impressed on his debut when he picked up an assist in a 2 minute appearance against Koln. In his next game he was given over 30 minutes and impressed again when he scored his first goal for the club. Since becoming a regular starter he has continued to improve and has now increased his tally to 3 goals and 7 assists in all competitions. He has averaged a rating of 6.97 according to Who Scored, he is also has the 4th highest aerials won at Paderborn which is impressive for a 5'9" centre midfielder. The German is currently rated 76 and would cost just £340,000 for an interested club. Paderborn are currently 3 points off automatic promotion meaning he could be playing in the Bundesliga next season. If the team were to miss out on promotion it would be no shock to see him move up a division to a new team given his impressive season.David Schnegg
Another free summer arrival, Schnegg joined FC Liefering in the second tier of Austria. Liefering are a feeder club of RB Salzburg. The 20-year-old has been the number 1 left back this season but can also play further up the left. The Austrian has provided a goal and an assist this season for Liefering. With RB Leipzig captain Andreas Ulmer now 33, there will be a gap at left back in the near future. This could potentially be filled by the talented full back. Schnegg is rated 75 and valued at just £340,000 on Soccer Manager. He could be a quick riser if he plays his cards right and could end up at Salzburg or possibly even Leipzig in the near future.
monaco review and future
after promotion from division 4 myself and the chairman set ourselves a target of a top 10 finish. nothing can be taken for granted within top 100 with so many good teams and managers.
my first thought was I need some new players ahead of new season in division 3. so the list of names was sent to the chairman. they did a great job as the experienced players I needed soon followed with mascherano Douglas costa and manduzic soon following. some younger players like Caldara of course joined to keep the average age of the team down.
the season started very indifferent with defeats against Espanyol and psv. with both games ending 1-0. things needed to change from the team and that's what happened as we went on a 16 game unbeaten run in the league. that run came to a sudden halt as Lazio and newly appointed warren gave us a 1-0 defeat.after that we were given another 1-0 defeat by psv yet again . since that defeat we have steadied the ship with 5 game unbeaten streak. can this be another big unbeaten run until the end of the season.
no transfers were planned and even tho a few opportunities were put our way most never got to advanced but one which ended up going through was with leo paredes leaving to Chelsea. Christian pavon and alverez joined. 2 young players who I had wanted for a while but never had the assets to do it.
with 10 games to go we have 1 game left against a promotion chasing side. the rest are 10 or lower so consistency is the key now with psv hamburger and Espanyol all playing each other in the next week..lots of twists and turns are expected but I hope the lads can grind out the results we need to secure back to back promotions.
rumours are making there way around that manager Nathan is potentially looking to move on at the end of the season if the right job comes along.
Youth Cup and Shield 2nd Round Draws
Ties to be played on Saturday 5th January 2018 (if you cant do this date please arrange first leg on Wednesday 9th. Return legs to be played on Saturday 12th January.
Fictional Extra time over the two legs in the event of TWO same score draws will be used. Away goals will be used as well as the first determiner.
| youth cup 1st Leg/2nd Leg | ||
| match 1 | Basel | Benfica |
| match 2 | Flamengo | Barcelona |
| match 3 | Sevillia | Borussia Dormund |
| match 4 | Monchengladbach | Bayern Munich |
| match 5 | AC Milan | Real Madrid |
| match 6 | Club Brugge | Anderltecht |
| match 7 | Southampton | Man City |
| match 8 | Beskitas | Juventus |
reverse fixtures the week after.
| youth shield | ||
| match 1 | Tottenham | Atletico Madrid |
| match 2 | PSV | River Plate |
| match 3 | Lyon | Newcastle |
| match 4 | Malaga | Stoke City |
| match 5 | Indeptendiente | Chelsea |
| match 6 | Werder Bremen | Napoli |
| match 7 | Sassulo | Celta Vigo |
| match 8 | Rubin Kazan | Genoa |
reverse fixtures the week after.
quarter finals will be (same for both competitions):
| match 2 | v | 1 |
| match 3 | v | 4 |
| match 6 | v | 5 |
| match 7 | v | 8 |