Season 27 Week 17 processing...

Welcome to week 17 of the season.

Reset underway...

Data entry started...

TEAM DETAILS PREMIERSHIP

Fixtures: 
 Liverpool v Watford Westham v Charlton
 Arsenal v Chelsea Plymouth v Birmingham
 Villa v Leicester Man City v Fulham

Liverpool v Watford Likely Lineup;
Gulacsi:GK,Fabio:LB,Klavan:CL,Coates:CR,Gunter:RB,Huddlestone:AM,Aquilani:PM,Zaha:RW,Slimani:CF,Tevez:TM,Moses:LW
Lloris:GK,Clyne:RB,Rose:LB,Stones:CR,Kompany:CL,Dier:AM,DeBruyne:RH,Pogba:DY,Rooney:TM,Kane:CF,Bale:LH

Liverpool seemed have found out how to get the best out of Aqualini and Tevez ( Something his previous manager couldn't ) The wide players seem to be creating the space for Tevez to waltz through the middle of defences at moment. However will be a harder challenge to walk past Dier in midfield. How will Jamie take this game? Will he man-mark Tevez? He must have been nervous last game out where Arsenal seemed to remind Watford they still have a long way to go and can't take any game easy. Barkley seemed to control the early stages of the game however the Hornets will be glad to see Pogba back in midfield. It this going to be a team trying to save there status in the premiership or will Watford take another step closer to the title ? 

Key Matchup - Aquilani Vs Rooney. Moses Vs Clyne. Zaha Vs Rose


Westham v Charlton Likely Lineup;
Siegrist:GK,Christie:RB,Thompson:LB,Song:AM,Collins:CL,Dann:CR,Collison:DY,Mcgeady:PM,Cole:CF,Jarvis:RH,Taarabt:LH
Mignolet:GK,Cesar:RB,Kolarov:LB,Henderson:AM,Luiz:CL,Willian:DL,Lucas:CR,Lallana:DR,Coutinho:TM,Mane:ST,Firmino:S2

Another vacant Westham dugout.. Seem's to have got the team playing as a collective and Mcgeady seem's to be doing everything to drag his team to take the points. How will the Hammers boss recruit during the summer? But where to start when rebuilding a team ? Is it a case of who is a available? Will he be looking at Youth for the future or is there a secret billionaire at the helm ready to inject some cash? AS for Charlton, another frustrating day out for the manager. He must feel the quality of player's he has at his disposal should be delivering more for him. It would appear Mignolet had another poor game, with Charlton dominating the chances created. Surely a area of concern now.. Will be see van Dijk make his debut this week? The tower centre back will be surely wanting to show the manager he is the solution to the leaking Charlton defence! It most defiantly be a away win this week. Unless Tom has other ideas and decides to rest his entire squad? Will Tom try the new FAK and see how it deals with weaker opponents ? 

Key Matchup - Mcgeady Vs Countinho. Cole Vs Mingnolet.

Arsenal v Chelsea Likely Lineup;
Forster:GK,Sagna:RB,Koscielny:CL,Cahill:CR,Shaw:LB,Schneiderlin:AR,Flamini:AL,Giroud:ST,Berahino:S2,Ozil:TM,Nasri:DY
Mcgregor:GK,Filipe:LB,Vlaar:CL,Lovren:CR,Kelly:RB,DeJong:AL,DiMaria:DY,Falcao:ST,Afellay:TM,Remy:S2,Anita:AR

It would seem both of these team's have swapped to Dual Anchormen in the middle of the park to try and slow down the TM in previous games. I don't foresee any tactical change in this game. Both teams will feel they can score goals with both sides being clinical in there last outings. I imagine this to be another ding dong of a game and will be down to the side who can "score more then there opponents" Who is going to stand tall in this match? Cahill Vs Remy or Koscielny Vs Falcao? Some tasty challenge's.. However i feel it'll be midfield where Chelsea will edge it.. DiMaria or Nasri.. DeJong vs Flamini..

Key Matchup - Schneiderlin Vs Affellay. DeJong Vs Ozil.


Plymouth v Birmingham Likely Lineup;
Cech:GK,Bellerin:RB,Gibbs:LB,Fernandinho:AM,Ramsey:DR,Vermaelen:CL,Welbeck:ST,Wilshere:TM,Vardy:S2,Delph:DL,Alderweireld:CR
Krul:GK,Rafael:RB,Clichy:LB,Wanyama:CL,Evans:CR,Nani:DY,Herrera:DR,Hernandez:ST,Fellaini:CF,Jovetic:S2,Payet:DL

It would appear that Wilshere maybe in time for a rest, a very poor showing from Plymouth last time out. Or was it a masterstroke from Rob? How will Ben respond or will he let his Assistant take the reins for the week? You would feel the players at Ben's disposal would feel like they should be higher up the league having challenged for the title in previous seasons. Ben is known for being a bit of a wheeler and dealer yet nothing has happened in the transfer market for the southern club. Maybe he'll be dipping in come the EOS. As for Brum a very bright start when he swapped to ISF however two defeats in a row will tinker Rich keep his squad settled? Or will he put a AM in midfield to combat Wilshere? or is the confidence still flowing through the midlands club and just going to stick with it ? Fellanini seems to have been quiet the last couple of games.. Brum will be hoping he can take this one by the scruff of the neck and pull & push his team to glory this week. 

Key Matchup - Nani Vs Wilshere. Fellaini Vs Alderweireld. 

Villa v Leicester Likely Lineup;
Butland:GK,Coleman:RB,Brady:LB,Mccarthy:AM,Bruma:CL,Keane:CR,Eriksen:TM,Allen:DR,Coquelin:BW,Bony:CF,Chamberlain:DL
Jansson:GK,Briggs:RB,Buttner:LB,Cambiasso:AM,Demichelis:CL,Chiriches:CR,Valencia:RW,DeJong:DY,Adebayor:CF,Dawson:CC,Gnabry:LW

Well it would seem Villa have managed to find themselves a comfortable formation that both combines LON and uses Eriksen to his creative best! and it certainly worked a treat for Rob this week. Couldn't of been much more convincing and against a touch opponent as well! Villa have recruited the highly skillful David Silva, i'd imagine he'd be sitting on the bench until his team understand is built up as no need for Villa to rush his debut in since good form. However the same can't be said for Leicester.. The foxes must do something and quick even if just to get his team some form ahead of the next season in the championship there is no sign of things changing with the current lineup and tactic. With Adebayor having a dreadful game last week. When you only have one CF up front you need him to be dominating games.. Team seems unbalanced. It would appear a home win is on the cards.. but probably not just a win, more a case of How many? 3?4?5? Leicester have conceded 10 goals in 2 games without a single shot in response.

Key Matchup - Eriksen Vs Cambiasso. Coquelin Vs DeJong.

Man City v Fulham Likely Lineup;
Hart:GK,Cresswell:LB,Lescott:CL,Smalling:CR,Richards:RB,Paulinho:DL,Drinkwater:DY,Dzeko:CF,Carroll:ST,Aguero:S2,Gundogan:DR
Reina:GK,Davies:LB,Walker:RB,Mangala:CL,Ranocchia:CR,Schweinsteiger:AM,Sane:DR,Negredo:CF,Sanchez:ST,Cisse:S2,Toure:DL

Well its the leader's turn to be at home, how will the affect there game plan? City have played majority of there games at home where as second place watford have played fewer at home.. will this make the difference for the run in ? Which means this will have to be a game Geoff is looking at Winning. Transfer Klaxon sounds this week at Maine road.. Who will be joining the league leaders ? and will the have a affect on the run in? Well it was a forced Debut for Ranocchia, would have liked to have time to get him used to his team mates. However injury to Sktrel and Mbwia is believed to have put weight on! However the Fulham boys will be full of confidence after last weeks thrashing of Leicester! A draw would make the manager more then happy! Will Negredo finally hit the net? Will Sanchez continue his fine form ? Ranocchia has been given the task of marking Dzeko.. Will this leave too much space for Aguero ? 

Key Matchup - Ranocchia Vs Dzeko. Schweinsteiger Vs Aguero. Lescott Vs Negredo.

Another super match preview from Phil there, thanks.

Data entry continues...

Love Phil's match previews.

Friendly games have kicked off...

Reserve, Youth and Schoolboy games underway...

Domestic Cup Quarter-Finals have kicked off...

Chelsea 1 Man United 4
Man City 4 Palace 2
Forest 0 Wimbledon 1
Watford 3 Banstead 2

Great to see at least one of the League One sides making the semi-finals.

My own Banstead side we're twice in the lead against Watford and it was really exciting until Gareth Bale popped up late on with yet another winner. Good game though, very enjoyable.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Chelsea 1 Man United 4
Man City 4 Palace 2
Forest 0 Wimbledon 1
Watford 3 Banstead 2

Great to see at least one of the League One sides making the semi-finals.

My own Banstead side we're twice in the lead against Watford and it was really exciting until Gareth Bale popped up late on with yet another winner. Good game though, very enjoyable.

I'm hoping city will be tired from there cup and gives me an advantage in the league!!

Paris 4 Sedan 0
Nantes 5 Lille 0
Monaco 2 Etienne 3 aet
Marseille 4 Le Havre 0

Great game in Monaco, could have gone either way with Monaco just running out of steam first.

Stuttgart 1 Cologne 3
Bayern 4 Dresden 0
Berlin 4 Gladbach 3 aet
Dortmund 0 Schalke 4

Gladbach totally dominated in their game but couldn't keep Diego Tardelli quiet and paid the price.

Bologna 2 Cagliari 1
Juventus 3 Atalanta 0
AC Milan 4 Inter Milan 6 aet
Fiorentina 1 Lazio 0

Cracking game in Milan where Inter showed their undoubted class yet again to win through after extra time.

The rest of the games can run in the morning and then league games should be kicking off in the afternoon, all being equal...

Cup quarter-finals continue...League games will kickoff at 1200 hours today ( Wednesday )...

Twente 0 PSV 3
Ajax 3 Dordrecht 1
Willem 4 Sittard 5
Feyenoord 3 Rotterdam 2

Top three sides all go through after a thrilling win for Feyenoord sees them past a very strong Rotterdam team.

League games reset is underway...

Well this week for Fulham seems to be a bit of one of those games where any points would be a bonus to the Team, Playing away to a team who have only lost twice all season and havn't drawn a single game doesn't give much confidence. However maybe there cup game took there toll on them and allow's Fulham to take advantage.. As for Genk it's all about trying to figure out the best combination of players... With new additions every week new arrivals can only add to the competition with in squad. But it's about settling the team. A switch to the new ISB this week to try and help with trying to contain some of the bigger team's in Belgium. We shall see how it works. Need to allow the team to settle so they can compete for the title next season. Wont and can't settle for mid table mediocrity. As for Botafogo, any points are welcome there! No tactical changes, And its about the right recruitment for them. Some of the young lads coming through will probs push the retiring players out of the door early. But also got to make sure i take care of the bank balance and ensure strength in depth. Overall i'm probs expecting a Win in Belgium and defeats elsewere! But as i learnt at the weekend... I'm a terrible gambler and this is Football!

Had a bit of a problem with the reset of the German league. Seems the data for the german league has been corrupted due to a faulty sector on the hard disk. This will take time to restore and update as I need to restore it from the backup and then check to see all is as it should be, so the league games may be delayed slightly, more to follow...

I am going to run the games then sort out the german league afterwards cos it looks like it may be a bg job to sort out as there is some serious corruption in the files...so kickoff will be at 1300 hours, sorry for the delay...

Hi Chaps...glad to be back operational again.  For those of you who dont know I have had to have a toe amputated and trust me this has been a lot harder and more complicated than one might think. Anyway, recovery is well underway and maybe too late for this week but beware whomever plays Leicester next week as I see some changes and possibly a bus coming lol. Andy

Good to see you well on the road to recovery Andy.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

I am going to run the games then sort out the german league afterwards cos it looks like it may be a bg job to sort out as there is some serious corruption in the files...so kickoff will be at 1300 hours, sorry for the delay...

O dear, sounds tough...

Andy@Leicester wrote:

Hi Chaps...glad to be back operational again.  For those of you who dont know I have had to have a toe amputated and trust me this has been a lot harder and more complicated than one might think. Anyway, recovery is well underway and maybe too late for this week but beware whomever plays Leicester next week as I see some changes and possibly a bus coming lol. Andy

welcome back Andy. Hope your recovery goes well mate...

And we're off...