Season 27 Week 20 processing...

Welcome to week 20 of the season, this season seems to be speeding past faster than normal.

Reset is finished, data entry is underway...

Data entry is almost finished ( its sweltering here atm way too hot to work too hard with all this computer equipment on even with fans ) so I'll finish it tomorrow, looks like the league games will be Wednesday afternoon.

This is an exciting week with the finals of all the inter country club competitions with the Champions Cup looking especially sumptuous between Barcelona and Schalke, two sides that regularly contest this cup final. Results from the last ten Champions Cup Finals...

s26 Inter beat Plymouth
s25 Man City beat Barcelona
s24 Barcelona beat Man City
s23 Arsenal beat Inter
s22 Schalke beat Plymouth
s21 Newcastle beat Schalke
s20 Milan beat Schalke
s19 Barcelona beat Real Madrid
s18 Milan beat Liverpool
s17 Real Madrid beat Milan

The Europa Cup doesn't have such a long and distinguished history as the Champions Cup but this season's game between Liverpool and Valencia should be a real cracker with both sides underachieving in their respective leagues they will be desperate to win some silverware at the end of a very tough season that promised so much early on for both sides.

s26 Roma beat Berlin
s25 Juventus beat Celtic
s24 Ancona beat Nantes
s23 Newcastle beat Nantes
s22 Nantes beat Watford
s21 Fulham beat Everton
s20 Inter beat Charlton
s19 Chelsea beat Lille back in the days when it was the UEFA Cup
s18 Blackburn beat Stuttgart
s17 Cremonese beat Lazio Geoff Scott's finest hour.

The Copa Libertadores is probably the easiest of the "big three" to win with most of the teams being reality managed in previous seasons, but this year it is very different and a whole host of very good clubs didn't make the final, all managed by some very accomplished managers. But we do have Santos and Corinthians in the final and it should be a cracking game, maybe Kaka's last chance to win a trophy so he will no doubt be up for the challenge.

s26 Sao Paulo beat Boca
s25 Santos beat Flamengo
s24 Boca beat Santos
s23 Boca beat Santos
s22 Vasco beat Boca
s21 Boca beat Santos
s20 Santos beat Boca
s19 Santos beat Flamengo
s18 Boca beat Flamengo
s17 Sao Paulo beat Santos

Unsurprisingly it is Cosmos against Chicago in the Confederations Cup final and they are the big two in North American football and both getting stronger each season, that should be a tough game, maybe a few injuries in that final as neither side like  to give an inch.

Brondby the Danish Champions elect face Sheffield Wednesday in the final of the Cup Winners Cup with the english side looking to lift it's first ever european silverware, but it'll be tough against Brondby, especially as Wednesday have targeted promotion as a priority so far this season, will they continue to do so and give limited field time to some of their aging stars ? should be very cat and mouse this one.

Borussia MoenchenGladbach face Cherry Orchard in the final of the European Cup and on the face of it that is a huge mismatch in terms of quality with Man City's feeder club hoping to spring a surprise and beat the high flying german outfit, but it's a tall order.

Tottenham are unrecogniseable from last season and an appearance in the Fairs Cup Final is just reward for the hard work put in by everybody during what has been a rebuilding season for them. Going well in the league can they snatch their second european trophy ? Harking back to better times when they lifted the Champions Cup under the guidance of Steve Gammon in season 5, but it wont be easy with Austrian league leaders Innsbruck on the other side its never easy, but it should be interesting.

A bit of controversy hit the Intertoto Cup final this week when losing semi-finalists Wimbledon insisted that Atletico's second goal crossed the goal line after the referee had blown for fulltime, causing their keeper to lose concentration for a moment and allowing Atletico to win what was a very tight and brutal match. However after an exhaustive investigation it was decided to let the result stand as that was the result the referee posted and could not be overruled. A bribery case has been initiated by Wimbledon who are looking for financial compensation at the very least.

As to the game itself we will see Atletico taking on Fiorentina and with the Italians in good form it is hard to see past them but should be an attacking fest if nothing else.

Interesting read, thanks Paul.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

The Europa Cup doesn't have such a long and distinguished history as the Champions Cup but this season's game between Liverpool and Valencia should be a real cracker with both sides underachieving in their respective leagues they will be desperate to win some silverware at the end of a very tough season that promised so much early on for both sides.

s26 Roma beat Berlin
s25 Juventus beat Celtic
s24 Ancona beat Nantes
s23 Newcastle beat Nantes
s22 Nantes beat Watford
s21 Fulham beat Everton
s20 Inter beat Charlton
s19 Chelsea beat Lille back in the days when it was the UEFA Cup
s18 Blackburn beat Stuttgart
s17 Cremonese beat Lazio Geoff Scott's finest hour.

Seems both my teams choke in the big games!!
Four finals and a solitary win isn't a great record!!

Although I do remember Charlton somehow managed to get to the final in season 20 whilst playing their trade in league 2 at the time, a fair achievement I guess!!

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

Chelsea Vs Liverpool Likely Lineup;

Caballero:GK,Filipe:LB,Vlaar:CL,Lovren:CR,Kelly:RB,Mikel:AM,DiMaria:DL,Falcao:ST,Afellay:TM,Remy:S2,Anderson:DR
Gulacsi:GK,Fabio:LB,Klavan:CL,Coates:CR,Gunter:RB,Huddlestone:AM,Aquilani:PM,Zaha:RW,Slimani:CF,Tevez:TM,Moses:LW

Well Chelsea certainly discovered the art of scoring again last week, probably gave Jamie  few scares however wasn't scoring goals that was the issue. Conceding 5 goals is never going to result in points! Im sure the Chelsea boss will be looking to the off season to address the issue! As for Liverpool there Mid season transfers seem'd to have settled in and are the main players in the team! However is Carlos being a little greedy as of late as Zaha and Moses seem to have little impact in game's and i assume its down to Tevez reluctance to give the ball to his team mates!

Key Matchups; Filipe Vs Zaha, Kelly Vs Moses, Tevez Vs Mikel

Charlton v Arsenal Likely Lineup;

Mineglot:GK,Cesar:RB,Kolarov:LB,Henderson:AM,Luiz:CL,Willian:DL,VanDijk:CR,Lallana:DR,Coutinho:TM,Mane:ST,Firmino:S2
Forster:GK,Chambers:RB,Koscielny:CL,Cahill:CR,Jenkinson:LB,Schneiderlin:AR,Flamini:AL,Giroud:ST,Berahino:S2,Ozil:TM,Nasri:DY

Well Charlton have had a rolla coaster of a time as of late! They seem to play a very aggressive style of you score i score! They came out on top last week however shoring up the back will need to be a priority for the Charlton Boss! Countinho comes up agaisnt two AM this week how will he fair Vs Scheiderlin and Flamini? Will Flamini be too busy thinking about his renewable energy project? As for the Gunners they struggled to break down a stubborn WestHam! Will that prove costly in the Relegation battle.. Not many points left to play for now! Will Ozil turn up this week or will be thinking about the summer break... Henderson will no doubt be all over him this week? 

Key Matchups; Scheiderling Vs Countinho. Henderson Vs Ozil.

Watford v Westham Likely Lineup;

Lloris:GK,Clyne:RB,Rose:LB,Stones:CR,Kompany:CL,Dier:AM,DeBruyne:RH,Pogba:DY,Rooney:TM,Kane:CF,Bale:LH
Siegrist:GK,Christie:RB,Thompson:LB,Song:AM,Collins:CL,Dann:CR,Collison:DY,Mcgeady:PM,Cole:CF,Jarvis:RH,Taarabt:LH

Well it's fast approaching.. The EOS. Jamie will be hoping that the 3 games will be enough for a City slip up and Jamie to leapfrog them into 1st! He must be running out of motivational speeches.. Every week he has to ready the troops for another battle...Will he win the War? As for Westham seem'd to have stabled themselves as of late. We the grit and determination you'd expect from a relegated team.. Cant go down without a Fight! However it would seem Stuart is absent from the dugout.. Will the Assistant be given the role on a permanent basis Shakesphere esc... You'd expect all Eyes on Watford to control the game and add to there goal difference you never no how close the league will be at the end..

Key Matchups; DeBruyne Vs Thompson.. Song Vs Rooney.

Fulham v Plymouth Likely Lineup;

Reina:GK,Davies:LB,Walker:RB,Skrtel:CR,Ranocchia:CL,Schweinsteiger:AM,Sandro:BW,Negredo:CF,Sanchez:ST,Cisse:S2,Toure:DY
Cech:GK,Bellerin:RB,Gibbs:LB,Fernandinho:AM,Ramsey:DR,Vermaelen:CL,Welbeck:ST,Wilshere:TM,Vardy:S2,Delph:DL,Alderweireld:CR

Well did Fulham final Click? Looked like a convincing win on paper! However 1 win doesn't ease the burden of fending off relegation 1 loss and a win for a surrounding opponent could land me right back in relegation... Was nervous play a Youth GK but he didn't face a single shot! However Reina will return to action this week! As for Plymouth they struggled to break down a stubborn Leicester! Only scoring the single goal.. Hopefully the Argle players are comfortable now they are safe and will ease off... Here's Hoping!

Key Matchups; Sandro Vs Wilshere, Vermaelen Vs Negrado.

Leicester v Man City Likely Lineup;

Martin:GK,Hewitt:RB,Buttner:LB,Demichelis:AM,Smedley:CL,Chiriches:CR,Valencia:RH,Cambiasso:BW,Diouf:CF,Oubina:PM,Gnabry:LH
Hart:GK,Cresswell:LB,Lescott:CL,Smalling:CR,Richards:RB,Sane:DL,Drinkwater:DY,Dzeko:CF,Carroll:ST,Aguero:S2,Gundogan:DR

Surely Leicester don't have a bug enough Bus to park this week!? They have certainly managed to reduce the amount of goals they are conceding as of late however they are still picking up the same amount of points also..Zero? Surely there must be away to get Gnabry onto the ball? Foxes manager has he work cut out for next season's rebuild! As for City will they resume where they left off? Scoring Scoring Scoring! This city side seem to be able to score the goals and keep clean sheets! There DY's Must be getting tired now? Do they have enough left in the tank to seem them cross the line?? Going to be a very interesting Run in!!

Key Matchups; Gnarby Vs Richards, Cresswell Vs Valencia

Birmingham v Villa Likely Lineup; 

Krul:GK,Rafael:RB,Clichy:LB,Wanyama:CL,Evans:CR,Blind:AM,Payet:RW,Herrera:DR,Fellaini:CF,Nani:DL,Young:LW
Butland:GK,Coleman:RB,Brady:LB,Allen:AM,Bruma:CL,Savic:CR,Silva:TM,Eriksen:DR,Coquelin:BW,Bony:CF,Chamberlain:DL

Well what will the Tinker man do this week? An unsuccessful trial of PEP didn't seem to  bare fruit for Rich last turn will Stick or Twist? Rich has a versatile squad who are able to switch and swap to near enough any formation however is he shoe horning he squad into a formation? Can Payet play a more key Figure? Fellaini started off so well at CF however it seem's the defender's have sussed out his style of play and are containing the big Belgian! As for Villa is just didn't quite happen for them last time out! It seem the magic evaded them.. However you'd expect them to bounce back this week and give it a good game at St Andrews! 

Key Matchups; Payet Vs Coleman, Fellaini Vs Savic.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

s26 Inter beat Plymouth
s25 Man City beat Barcelona
s24 Barcelona beat Man City
s23 Arsenal beat Inter
s22 Schalke beat Plymouth
s21 Newcastle beat Schalke
s20 Milan beat Schalke
s19 Barcelona beat Real Madrid
s18 Milan beat Liverpool
s17 Real Madrid beat Milan

Considering the Naive nature of game plan in my early career in Hemsoft it was a massive coup to beat Inter with Arsenal.. But you never know with the Underdogs! I believe it was a Chamberlain Winner that day! 

Now it's a scrap to even survive the league!!

s26 Inter beat Plymouth
s25 Man City beat Barcelona
s24 Barcelona beat Man City
s23 Arsenal beat Inter
s22 Schalke beat Plymouth
s21 Newcastle beat Schalke
s20 Milan beat Schalke
s19 Barcelona beat Real Madrid
s18 Milan beat Liverpool
s17 Real Madrid beat Milan

Wow, didn't Jamie do well with Schalke, getting to 3 CL finals in a row - kudos!

Thanks for another great preview Phil and data entry is ongoing...

Tip of the week...

The players you choose for your reserve team are as important as the players you choose for your first team, because these are the players that create competition in the team, and if a player feels that he has competition for his place in the first team from the corresponding reserve team player he will always play at his best level. Full competition bonus is reached when reserveCR+2 is greater than or equal to firstteamCR and the reserve player has a matching PP or lastpos.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Tip of the week...

The players you choose for your reserve team are as important as the players you choose for your first team, because these are the players that create competition in the team, and if a player feels that he has competition for his place in the first team from the corresponding reserve team player he will always play at his best level. Full competition bonus is reached when reserveCR+2 is greater than or equal to firstteamCR and the reserve player has a matching PP or lastpos.

Good to know, thanks Paul

The friendly games have kicked off...

Reserve, youths and schoolboy games have kicked off so we seem to be on course for a league game kickoff at 1300 Wednesday afternoon...

I will be running the vidiprinter in the morning ( Wednesday ) for the Euro Finals, kickoff at 1000 hours...

Good luck to all the finalists.

Most impressive record of all has to be the one manager who has appeared in nine of those big finals in the last seven seasons. Best manager in the game by a mile at the minute.

Huge games this week, hope it's a good final Andy!

Good luck to all the finalists this week as the ref blows for the start of the finals...

Cherry 1 Gladbach 0 Johnson after 4 minutes.

Valencia 0 Liverpool 1 Tevez on 9 minutes.

Cherry 1 Gladbach 1 Herrmann header on 20 minutes.

Spurs 1 Innsbruck 0 Defoe on 21 minutes.