Welcome to Issue 3 of the T100 mag, I'll start by saying thanks to all those who have taken the time out to read the previous 2 issues, 115 views between the 2 issues so I'm well happy with those numbers, as ever if you feel I can add to this get in touch and I'll see if I can work something out. Before getting in to this issue however I feel I need to address the burning issue at the moment in T100 and that is the new player rule/lack of rule/oversight however anyone wants to address it. I called Gurismran out yesterday on the feed after incorrectly believing a rule had been broken after his bid for Pedri Gonzalez was withdrawn and re bid at an amount over and beyond what the rest of the managers had disclosed. I thought all players entering the database were subject to the same rule as free agents, max bid disclosed and no rebidding when value increases, and following the many comments I wasn't alone in thinking this way, It was however clarified that no rule was broken as the gentleman agreement only applies to free agents and not players added to external clubs. Whilst Gurismran broke no rules, I believe it was in poor taste and exploited the loophole we as a community were trying to block. I agree it would be hard to police but I'm sure we could give it a try, and I'm not saying thats on David Marsden to police either. It should be us as a group keeping a check on it, if you believe a manager is in the wrong soccerwiki has the dates players are added for us to quickly check. A new vote should at least be an option imo. That's my two pennies worth on that subject.

DIVISION 1

HELLAS VERONA V REAL MADRID

Hellas welcomed fallen spanish giants Real Madrid to the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium determined to bounce back after their defeat at home to Anderlecht in their previous outing, Real coming in to the game still undefeated this season and on a high after a great 1-0 away win at Arsenal in their last game. Real started in positive fashion and nearly worked an opening with just 3 minutes on the clock, Alexis Sanchez just firing wide after Casemiro found him in space. It took a while for Hellas to make an impact on the game, their only 2 chances of note both coming from set pieces in the first half. Gnarby was denied by a superb full length diving save from Olbak following his wicked swerving free kick, and just on the stroke of half time Guzman found space following Gnarby's corner but again Olbak was there to deny him. 0-0 H-T. Gnarby was beginning to take a hold on the game and on 51 minutes he took down Grujic's lofted pass and expertly controlled and volleyed in one movement but his dipping shot clipped the crossbar with Olbak beaten. Di Maria then played in Sanchez who again failed to find the scoring touch, Becker keeping the striker out. With 76 mins gone the decisive goal arrived and it was the home side who got it, Gnarby again was the man behind it, his mazy run beat the hapless Madrid defence before he laid the ball in to Politano's path who smacked it beyond the despairing Olbak. Real Madrid responded well and twice in the final 5 minutes they had chances to equalise but that man Sanchez was twice denied by the brilliance of Becker in the home goal, Real had their chances but unfortunately they fell to Sanchez and not Beddow's talisman Balotelli. Why never him? 1-0 and Hellas have their 1st home win in the top flight, the name of Andre Libras-Boas boomed around the stadium as the home fans revelled in their success.

DIVISION 2

SC INTERNACIONAL V ESPANYOL

Internacional took their unbeaten start to the season into their game with 100% starters Espanyol in a game which has already set the benchmark for the quality in the 2nd tier. This was a simply fantastic game of football. Internacional came out flying and it was only the heroics of Handanovic which prevented Son from putting the home side ahead after 2 minutes, Espanyol were not level for much longer though as just 60 seconds later Ben Yedder had the home fans bouncing. Rekik strolled forward before nutmegging Pellegrini and sliding a great ball to Ben Yedder who took a touch before drilling an unstoppable drive beyond Handanovic 1-0. The old saying you can score too early was proved here as for the next 30 minutes The home side were pinned back by wave after wave of Spanish attacks. It took just 11 more minutes before Espanyol had restored parity, Alcacer finishing well after great work from Quincy Promes 1-1. 2 more chances came and went for Espanyol before Pellegrini put the visitors ahead, striding through the non existent Internacional midfield before firing home low past the outstretched hand of Cillessen 1-2. Alcacer missed another chance on 29 minutes after Cillessen denied him with a smart reflex save before the keeper was left helpless on 33 minutes when the aforementioned Alcacer got the most delicate of flicks to a superb cross from Pellegrini to make it 1-3. The home side were rocking at this point but they had hope just 4 minutes later when Rekik again turned provider, playing a lovely ball over the top of a static back line leaving Draxler with all the time in the world before finishing under the despairing dive of Handanovic 2-3 and the goalscoring was done for the 1st half. 2-3 HT and we've all earned that half time sit down. Just 8 minutes in to the 2nd half and away we go again, Quincy Promes grabbing his 2nd assist of the game as his jinking run left defenders trailing in his wake before calmly pulling the ball back for Pellegrini to notch his 2nd. That was unfortunately the end of the scoring but not the end of the drama. Draxler should really of done better on 56 minutes but his tame shot rolled in to the grateful arms of Handanovic. The main talking point after that was the substitution of Ben Yedder on 75 mins, The striker not taking the decision well, ripping off his jersey in an act of petulance and booting a water bottle into the crowd, Roberto Downinho will not be happy at the outburst and was seen ordering Ben Yedder down the tunnel. 2-4 FT and Espanyol still have their 100% record intact. A fine away win.

DIVISION 3

CSKA MOSCOW V SPARTAK MOSCOW

The 1st Moscow derby of the season was quickly upon us in division 3 as Cska hosted their city neighbours Spartak, who came into the game with a perfect record this season. The game itself was full of passion but lacking in real quality, not that any of the 60,000 fans inside the ground seemed to care. The first real chance came on 14 minutes when Ayoze Perez played a lovely defence splitting pass through to Poloz who tried to slot the ball under the out-rushing Ospina but the keeper stood tall and blocked well. The home side were struggling to make much impression on the game and only sporadically threatened from set pieces. Sigurdsson twice delivering good balls into the area from wide free kicks which firstly Dudu and then Luan brought comfortable saves from Soria in the Spartak goal. HT 0-0. The second half started tentatively, almost as both sides were scared to make a mistake which would lead to the 1st goal. Spartak were the first to blink and Feargal Hickey made a bold double change, bringing both central midfielders of as they tried to take control of the midfield. It didn't have the desired effect. CSKA kept coming and twice Soria saved again before Sigurdsson provided the breakthrough, he cleverly beat his man before playing in Ake who stepped on to the ball and let fly, the ball fizzing through the air before crashing in off the bar. 1-0. Again the game went into a lull after the goal as Cska defended deep, protecting what they had. The two Subs almost pulled it level for Spartak as Sanches played a neat 1-2 with Fer before drilling in a shot from the edge of the box but Ospina was equal to it and the points belong to Lee Adams and his CSKA outfit. Both sides however can be pleased with their start to the season 2 wins from 3 for both.

DIVISION 4

SAO PAULO V LILLE

Two unbeaten sides went head to head here as Sao Paulo entertained Lille. The match was a little over 10 mins in when Lille were awarded a penalty after a brain dead decision by Cook to pull Pizzi back by his shirt as he broke into the box. There seemed little immediate danger when Pizzi had the ball, he had his back to the goal and was going away from the danger zone when Cook pulled his shirt. Pizzi took the kick and Lunev in the home goal didn't get near it, 0-1. Carzola almost added an instant 2nd but this time Lunev was equal to the shot. The hosts were level on 22 minutes though as Mario Gomez controlled a lofted ball into the box on his chest before rolling the ball back to Gregoritsch to smash beyond the despairing dive of Mirante, 1-1. The home side finished the stronger, Cueva firing over from the edge of the box before Jese forced Mirante into a fine stop. HT 1-1. The 2nd half belonged to Lille as Lunev earned his wage. Three fine saves from Pizzi and twice from Iglesias kept the sides level. Cueva was probing for the home side and had already seen a shot deflected wide when on 77 minutes he tried to catch Mirante out at his near post however the keeper was wise to the chance and saved well with his feet. Then the game turned ugly, Pereyra was becoming frustrated and he lashed out with a disgusting elbow on the tricky Cueva which left him stricken on the floor, a full on 22 man brawl followed as the ref lost control. Both benches were at it and how the ref decided just to send off the wild Pereyra is anyones guess. The powers that be at SMFA will be looking in to video footage with further sanctions a possibility. The game played out time with no further incidents and both sides maintain their unbeaten records. 1-1 FT.

DIVISION 5

WEST BROM V SPORTING CP

The long awaited battle of Nuno Bento and Joao Alves arrived as the Portuguese managers battled it off at the Hawthornes. Sporting on the back of back to back relegation's and West Brom rebuilding from the bottom up. The game started with Sporting on the front foot, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Jhon Cordoba having their own personal battle for the first half hour. 4 times the big striker had good chances and 4 times the big keeper saved well, it was already starting to feel like these were the kind of chances that needed to be taken. Both sides were unbeaten going in to the game but Sporting were already on the back of 2 draws and their lack of cutting edge was glaringly obvious on this viewing. West Brom finally awakened to briefly threaten at the end of the 1st half, however their best two chances fell to the young full back Nuno Tavares, 1st he fired over from the edge of the box after good work from Pires and then he found space from an inswinging free kick from Malcom to force Koubek in to a save which looked easier than perhaps it was. HT 0-0. The 2nd half started just as the 1st had, kepa saving from Cordoba and that was it from a Sporting point of view, West Brom had a couple of half chances through Malcom and Pires but in truth this game was dying on its feet. The game erupted however with 4 minutes remaining as Llorente, seemingly eager to hit the showers 1st lunged from behind with both feet against Malcom, Bento and Alves traded insults on the bench as Llorente walked before the card was shown but as they were in Portuguese I couldn't tell you what was said. There was no handshake on the full time whistle as the game finished 0-0.

A CLUB IN FOCUS.....SHAKHTAR DONETSK

Every now and again I will be compiling a club in focus section and today it's has it's debut in the T100 mag. The honour of its first airing is the Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk.

The current manager is the original gangster himself, Scott Broon keyboard gangster living in a gangsters paradise. He took charge on the 30th December 2018 and spent the new year partying it up in Donetsk, unfortunately the partying had to stop and the hard work had to start but its been nothing but good since the Scotsman took charge. He survived a tough start at Shakhtar and finished 5th bottom in his first season, a season which included the great escape. Season 10 was Scott's time to shine and he took Donetsk up as runners up in division 3, losing out on the title by just 1 point. And Division 2 has already been impacted by the tidy outfit Scott has moulded with 7 points from the first 3 games. Club records held by Scott include, Most league games unbeaten at 15 (10/2/19-14/4/19) and he is already attempting to beat that as their current unbeaten run is at 10 league games, that is 2 fine unbeaten runs in the same calendar year which given the competitive nature of T100 shouldn't go unnoticed. He also holds the record for biggest away cup win in their history, a 0-6 demolishing of Udinese (28/5/2019). Consistency is the key to Donetsk's performances and its a rarity to see a squad with no transfer banned players. Why change a working formula seems to be the key message and he has recently cameout and said no players will be leaving Ukraine in the near future.

That's all I have time for for this issue, I was trying to fit a bit in about the youth cup but time has beaten me for now. Once again thanks for reading.

Welcome to issue 2 of the T100 magazine. The first round of fixtures of season 11 have now been played and managers will be looking to hit the ground running. Before I get into this issue I'll make a plea if not already done so to make your intentions clear to David Marsden about participation for both the youth cup and club world cup. Both friendly tournaments add to the GW massively imo and should be entered by as many clubs possible, even if your youth side is crap (like my Stuttgart) its just about contributing to the GW. Imo the last few seasons there seems to be a few managers who don't contribute to the GW fully, just pick their teams and the odd transfer. I know Real life can get in the way at times but we need to keep this GW as the best. Now on to the match reviews..

DIVISION 1

BARCELONA V JUVENTUS.

Juventus were given the task no one in Division 1 wanted, away to the champions 1st game of the season. A season where DP is surely looking to make an impression on the league title race but walking in to Scott Mckenzie's back yard is no easy feat for any side, just the 1 side managed to leave the Nou Camp with 3 points last season. The game started in ominous fashion with Messi putting over a great ball which Carvajal really should of done better with on 10 minutes. The let off didn't last very long as 2 minutes later Messi cut inside the static Juve defence beating 2 men with a drop of that magical left shoulder and played a defence splitting ball to Neymar who drew Schmeichal off his line before dinking the ball over the stranded keeper, 1-0 Barca. Juventus responded well with chances for Mane and Jesus which De Gea was equal to. Messi also had a chance to extend Barcelona's lead but Schmeichal saved well. The rest of the 1st half played out with both sides cancelling each other out but the game was evenly balanced at half time despite Neymar's 1st half strike. The 2nd half started as the 1st finished and on the hour mark DP had seen enough and made a triple sub to try and ignite some life into his attack and those changes had an instant impact. Leroy Sane came in off the right flank and laid the ball square to the newly arrived Pepe who sent an absoulute screamer into the top corner from the edge of the box, 1-1 and no more than Juve deserve it has to be said. Sterling and Neymar both had chances to put either side in front before the 1st VAR controversy of the season, Messi and Neymar played a scrumptious 1-2 before Messi slotted between Schmeichal's legs to send the Nou Camp wild..until the big screen flashed to show VAR were checking for offside...And offside it was by the tightest of margins..2.7cm. Mckenzie was fuming at the officials. He would of been inconsolable if Alonso had managed to connect properly with his chance in the last minute from Sterling's free kick but he fluffed at the chance and the ball flew wide. 1-1 it finished and it was a fair result.

DIVISION 2

MANCHESTER UNITED V VALENCIA

Manchester United started the campaign desperately trying to bounce back from their disappointing relegation from Division 1, on the back of 10 straight defeats. The board had given their backing to Nathan Prince and they welcomed Valencia to Old Trafford under the guidance of Paul Thompson who moved from Twente after a highly impressive Division 5 title last season. The game started brightly for the home side with just 6 minutes on the clock when Maier played in Toko Ekambi 1 on 1 with sommer in the valencia goal, Toko Ekambi hit a scuffed effort which deceived the keeper who probably expected a cleaner strike and the ball bounced over the keepers dangling leg and trickled over the line, 1-0 and just the start Nathan would of wanted. Maybe it was the run of defeats last season which had the effect but Manchester United didn't know how to deal with their early lead stuck between pushing on for a 2nd or holding on to what they held but Valencia came back into the game strongly. Areola in the home goal saved 4 times in the first half from Demiray, Poulsen, Ghoulam and Brahimi as the Spanish side fought to get back on equal terms. United had just the 1 other chance and again Toko Ekambi scuffed at it. Half time and Man United had managed to get in with their advantage. The 2nd half lacked the intensity of the 1st and both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game. That was the case until the 71st minute when Brahimi played a deft touch trough to the on running Poulsen who took the ball on and drilled his finish beyond the outstretched hand of the diving Areola, 1-1 and now the gane was anybody's. Toko Ekambi again had a chance for Man United before Brahimi again turned provider for Valencia with his neat lay off for Elvedi who strode on to the ball 25 yards out and picked out the top corner as Areola watched on, the force of the shot left the keeper flat footed and he was unable to move across the goal as it nestled in the net 1-2 and Man United were again staring defeat in the face. One final chance was to come the home sides way and again it fell to that man Toko Ekambi who forced Sommer into a decent save to prevent United stealing a late share of the points. FT 1-2 and a fantastic turnaround for Paul Thompson's men. Nathan Prince will be hoping Man United can kick this losing habit asap.

DIVISION 3

LEVANTE V STOKE CITY

Levante welcomed newly promoted Stoke City hoping to step up from their 12th place finish last season, only 2 points off the play off spots but a disappointing season for a talented squad. Stoke having finished 2nd in Division 4 on GD were looking to make steady progress in the 3rd tier with their young squad, only 3 of which are 30 years and older. Goulart had the 1st chance of the game for the visitors but his blistering shot whistled past the right post with the home keeper stranded. The home side then took control of the game with Milik twice forcing Zoet in to decent stops before Delaney narrowly fired over from a free kick on the edge of the box following a clumsy challenge from Castillejo, a challenge which earned him a yellow card. Then one of Stoke's golden oldies stunned the home crowd with a finely taken goal. Hugo Mallo did much of the donkey work before playing the ball acroos the box to Kagawa who hit a fantastically struck shot which curled in to the top corner, Pacheco in the home goal was full length but he couldn't reach the shot and the newly promoted side had the lead 0-1. the 1st half drew to a close with Stoke defending what they had. The 2nd half will leave questions being asked of Dario Saviano's side as despite having the majority of the ball they failed to test Zoet apart from a couple of long range efforts which barely registered as a shot in truth, Stoke on the other hand defended majestically depriving the home side any space but they looked dangerous on the counter, Pacheco was beaten all ends up from El Haddadi but his shot just went past the post. To add to Levante's misery they will be missing Milik for a game after his wild lunge at Castillejo with 5 minutes remaining, how he receives just a 1 game ban for such a challenge is beyond me. A superb win for Stoke. 0-1.

Division 4

ASTON VILLA V RIVER PLATE

Aston Villa welcomed last season's play off losers River Plate to Villa Park in a battle of 2 sides both looking for promotion. Villa have the youthful side put together very well by Nick Justice whereas River have the more experienced legs and will be looking to bounce back from their devastating end to the season where they narrowly missed out on a 2nd promotion in 2 seasons, firstly missing out on an automatic promotion spot having looked assured of one at one point, then losing the play off final to add to their misery. The game started in an hesitant fashion, both sides feeling each other out and sharing a yellow card each before the only goal of the game came in the 22nd minute. Allan Saint-Maximin, sporting his new gucci headband, skipped past a couple of challenges down the left hand side before cutting in to the box, a swift nutmeg of Clyne followed before he laid the ball into Kahveci's path who calmly rolled the ball into the bottom corner. River responded well to falling behind and wilson should of made more of his effort when presented well by Lemina before Lemina himself got off a decent effort which Strakosha did well to see off. Xeca then played a lofted ball over the top of the defence which was cleared by Strakosha but with the keeper stranded after the clearance Ismaily really should of done better but his chipped effort went well over the bar. HT 1-0 to the Villa. The second half was a scrappy affair, another 3 bookings in a niggly match. Bernard and Lemina both putting wide when in good positions either side of a great save from Fabianski from Saint-Maximin. In to the final minute of the match and River carved open Villa, subsitute Ruiz delivered an inch perfect ball into Callum Wilson who took an immaculate 1st touch before sending his shot just wide of Strakosha's post. FT 1-0 and a good start to the season for Villa.

DIVISION 5

BREMEN V CRUZEIRO

Last season was one to forget for Wayne Bullough and his Bremen side, they finished 4th in season 9 before suffering relegation in season 10 and he hopes for an instant return to Division 4. Cruzeiro under Josh Mcmillan had made some progress after a big turnover of players and finished 15th last season, they will be hoping for some of their players to push on again this season. The game was only 6 minutes old when Bremen delivered a message of intent for the season, an out swinging corner found Barbosa just inside the box and he unleashed a fine half volley which flew past the helpless Casillas in the Cruzeiro goal. A fine start for the Germans. Cruzeiro managed to compose themselves and matched their counterparts for the remainder of the first half, chances of note for both sides from Pereiro and Patrick but the score remained 1-0 at half time. The second half was one way traffic, whatever was said at half time worked a treat for the home side as they took apart the Brazilians at ease. Tameze played in Dost who with a clear run at goal took his time, composed himself before finishing under the despairing dive of Casillas. 2-0 and the floodgates were being breached here. Casillas was being over worked here and despite saving from Pereiro just moments before he was left wrong footed by the same player on 64 minutes as the Germans went 3-0 ahead. Dost then hit the post on 70 minutes with a superb deft flick which had Casillas beaten all ends up, Dost was denied again 10 minutes later as Casillas blocked well with his body before he was beaten for the final time on 81 minutes from a superb free kick from MOTM Pereiro, who smashed the ball through the poorly organised wall to grab his second of the game. FT 4-0 and Bremen will take some stopping on this performance.

In The Hot Seat With...

Next up in the Hot Seat series of interviews with managers of T100 is...well me!! Stuttgart's well travelled manager Norman Little.

What is with all the moves in T100? Well what can you say, Technically I've been in charge of 8 clubs over 9 changes of managers (West Ham twice, once for 1 game) and for all but 2 of the clubs I never really found my feet. The full list of clubs I've managed are West Ham, West Brom, Twente, Newcastle, Fenerbache, Atalanta, River Plate and finally Stuttgart. Some moves were enforced after failing with Newcastle and West Brom, and I had a couple spells away from T100 when I've needed time for personal issues. I'm back for the duration now though as mentally I'm in the best place I've been for years. Who's to say that will be sorely at Stuttgart though?

Biggest regret in T100? Well I've two, firstly failing with Newcastle. I know it's just a game but when managing your club it means just a bit more, I've always been a lover of doing deals but sometimes I do far too many and I think that was the problem at Newcastle. The second is the one I regret even more, River Plate. After they had finished bottom in Division 5 season 8 I left a good Atalanta side to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Argentinian giants, 1st season we won the title, my finest achievement in SM let alone T100. second season hadn't long started when I wasn't in a good place and needed a break from a few things, I needed to take a step back and just relax so I quit all SM and took a few months break from this and some forms of other things. Before long however I was wanting back in and I'm slowly loving the game again.

Aims for Stuttgart this season? To improve the squad and maybe a run at the play offs. I inherited a decent squad, but an ageing squad. I want to cut numbers down to around 42-44 players ideally but that's not always possible with the amount of youngsters everyone chases. The 1st team squad will be a maximum of 22 players by the end of the season.

Best player at Stuttgart? Well I would have to say Miggy Almiron, I love the little fella. I know IRL stats aren't helping him at Newcastle but believe me the kid is tremendous. He doesn't stop running and once that 1st goal comes he will maybe relax a touch. I also have another favourite of mine in Ben Arfa, a magician. No one in 10 years has come close to getting me as excited at a game than him, everytime he got the ball you knew something special could happen. Witnessed some absolute great goals by him.

Real life club and hopes for the season? Everyone knows its Newcastle, and the aim is simply to see the back of Mike Ashley. League position is irrelevant. Steve Bruce isn't anyone choice as a premier league manager but it isnt his fault he got offered the job, Great win at spurs yesterday on the back of the worst performance in 3 years at Norwich last week, I get the feeling inconsistency will be the key word for us this season.

That's all for this issue, hope you all enjoy the read and if you have any suggestions feel free to get in touch, the magazine will be weekly, I don't have the time to do one every game. Some issues will have manager interviews(be ready for questions falling into your message box), some will have features on youth cup/club world cup, some may have other features dependant on time etc.