Gaming The SM RedCafe League | Season 31 starts Sunday. One Division 1 team available (Gillingham). Let Damien know if interested.

Damien

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Yesterday's 1:1 draw against Fulham:

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Hakimi (92)
Zakaria (90) Rice (93)
Sancho (90)⚽ -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)➕
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Alaba (94), Frimpong (91), Kounde (92), Goretzka (92), Eriksen (91), Pulisic (91), Williams (90)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSR1L2: Leyton Orient (A)
MD30: Southend United (H) :nervous:
MD31: Newcastle United (A) :nervous:

Manchester United v Fulham fixtures this season

GameUtd PossFulham PossUtd Shots (SoT)Fulham Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsFulham GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Fulham SoT Conv.
4th Jan: Utd v Fulham​
56%
44%​
15 (8)
9 (3)​
1​
2
12.5%​
66.6%
10th Mar: Fulham v Utd​
61%
39%​
16 (7)
7 (3)​
1
1
14.3%​
33.3%
Combined
58.5%
41.5%​
31 (15)
16 (6)​
2​
3
13.3%​
50%
 

Damien

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Another 4:1 victory against Leyton Orient. United and Newcastle are the only two managed sides remaining in the SMFA Shield... will be an uphill task to beat them in their competition but will try my best.

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Kounde (92) Disasi (89) Hakimi (92)
Pedri (92)➕ Zakaria (90)
Baku (89)⚽➕ -- Eriksen (91) -- Sancho (90)⚽⚽⚽➕⭐
Pulisic (91)➕

Subs: Alaba (94), Goretzka (92), Van Dijk (94), Stones (93), Rice (93), Mbappe (96), Bellingham (95)
Suspended: Williams (90)
Did not travel: Trent (94)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD30: Southend United (H) :nervous:
MD31: Newcastle United (A) :nervous:
SSQFL1: Zenit (H)

Manchester United v Leyton Orient fixtures this season

GameUtd PossLeyton Orient PossUtd Shots (SoT)Leyton Orient Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsLeyton Orient GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Leyton Orient SoT Conv.
3rd Dec: Utd v Leyton Orient​
60%
40%​
15 (7)
11 (4)​
4
0​
57.1%
0%​
8th Feb: Leyton Orient v Utd​
55%
45%​
14 (6)
7 (3)​
2
0​
33.3%
0%​
4th Mar: Utd v Leyton Orient (SMFA Shield)​
65%
35%​
25 (12)
8 (2)​
4
1​
33.3%​
50%
11th Mar: Leyton Orient v Utd (SMFA Shield)​
61%
39%​
13 (9)
8 (2)​
4
1​
44.4%​
50%
Combined
60.25%
49.75%​
67 (34)
34 (11)​
10
2​
29.4%
18.2%​
 

Damien

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Two finals over the next couple of weeks (honours in brackets):

Cup
(9) Nottingham Forest v Fulham (3)

Shield
(7) Southend United v Rochdale (0)

Quarter finals of both SMFA Cup and SMFA Shield:

SMFA Cup
(21) Everton v Feyenoord
Real Betis
v Villarreal
Athletic Club
v Cardiff City (6)
Union Berlin v Southend United (7)

SMFA Shield
(47) Manchester Uited v Zenit
(4) Newcastle United v Sassuolo
Frankfurt
v Celta Vigo
Freiburg
v Hoffenheim
 

CrackersJr

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Another 4:1 victory against Leyton Orient. United and Newcastle are the only two managed sides remaining in the SMFA Shield... will be an uphill task to beat them in their competition but will try my best.

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Kounde (92) Disasi (89) Hakimi (92)
Pedri (92)➕ Zakaria (90)
Baku (89)⚽➕ -- Eriksen (91) -- Sancho (90)⚽⚽⚽➕⭐
Pulisic (91)➕

Subs: Alaba (94), Goretzka (92), Van Dijk (94), Stones (93), Rice (93), Mbappe (96), Bellingham (95)
Suspended: Williams (90)
Did not travel: Trent (94)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD30: Southend United (H) :nervous:
MD31: Newcastle United (A) :nervous:
SSQFL1: Zenit (H)

Manchester United v Leyton Orient fixtures this season

GameUtd PossLeyton Orient PossUtd Shots (SoT)Leyton Orient Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsLeyton Orient GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Leyton Orient SoT Conv.
3rd Dec: Utd v Leyton Orient​
60%
40%​
15 (7)
11 (4)​
4
0​
57.1%
0%​
8th Feb: Leyton Orient v Utd​
55%
45%​
14 (6)
7 (3)​
2
0​
33.3%
0%​
4th Mar: Utd v Leyton Orient (SMFA Shield)​
65%
35%​
25 (12)
8 (2)​
4
1​
33.3%​
50%
11th Mar: Leyton Orient v Utd (SMFA Shield)​
61%
39%​
13 (9)
8 (2)​
4
1​
44.4%​
50%
Combined
60.25%
49.75%​
67 (34)
34 (11)​
10
2​
29.4%
18.2%​
Not sure you need to worry about us.
 

Damien

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@BenitoSTARR pretty sure you have it sealed, looking at your remaining fixtures. In comparison I'm away to all four of Newcastle, Villa, Forest and Everton and Everton faces all three of Southend, Newcastle and me in the final three games of the season.
 

BenitoSTARR

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@BenitoSTARR pretty sure you have it sealed, looking at your remaining fixtures. In comparison I'm away to all four of Newcastle, Villa, Forest and Everton and Everton faces all three of Southend, Newcastle and me in the final three games of the season.
Nowhere near over.

Rüdiger, Tomori and Tagliafico are out suspended.
 

Damien

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Green = Home, Red = Away, Numbers = Club's Power Ranking.

Cardiff and Hereford play five home games, Everton and Villa play four and United play three.

Remaining head to head fixtures between the top five:

MD32: Aston Villa v Manchester United
MD33: Cardiff City v Aston Villa
MD34: Cardiff City v Hereford
MD35: Hereford v Aston Villa
MD38: Everton v Manchester United
 

BenitoSTARR

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Green = Home, Red = Away, Numbers = Club's Power Ranking.

Cardiff and Hereford play five home games, Everton and Villa play four and United play three.

Remaining head to head fixtures between the top five:

MD32: Aston Villa v Manchester United
MD33: Cardiff City v Aston Villa
MD34: Cardiff City v Hereford
MD35: Hereford v Aston Villa
MD38: Everton v Manchester United
I won’t feel comfortable until it’s mathematically impossible.

I need Villa and Everton to take points off you.
 

BenitoSTARR

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You have no worries there.

My top four predictions:
  1. Cardff City
  2. Everton
  3. Manchester United
  4. Hereford (MD35 could be the "decider")
I’m also dependent on the Saudi review too.

If that doesn’t happen before the EOS then I’ve got a good chance. If it happens sooner then I’m going to be crawling to the finish line.
 

Damien

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I’m also dependent on the Saudi review too.

If that doesn’t happen before the EOS then I’ve got a good chance. If it happens sooner then I’m going to be crawling to the finish line.
Honestly, I don't think the Saudi review will change much. I'm a big believer in momentum/the match engine "deciding" how a season is going to go for teams and it is hard to change it - like my poor season last time around, Forest, Southend and Newcastle's poor season this time around and that sort of stuff. Only thing I can't really explain is Newcastle last season going from top in the first half to barely picking up a point in the second half unless @CrackersJr had spells without the internet/to set tactics while sailing.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Honestly, I don't think the Saudi review will change much. I'm a big believer in momentum/the match engine "deciding" how a season is going to go for teams and it is hard to change it - like my poor season last time around, Forest, Southend and Newcastle's poor season this time around and that sort of stuff. Only thing I can't really explain is Newcastle last season going from top in the first half to barely picking up a point in the second half unless @CrackersJr had spells without the internet/to set tactics while sailing.
I do think the match engine is shocking at this point.

Pretty sure I said last season you just need a really good striker to be in with a chance? Or words to that effect.

It certainly feels like start of the season you’re assigned a probability of winning and very rarely do formation changes arrow changes etc make a huge difference.
 

Damien

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I do think the match engine is shocking at this point.

Pretty sure I said last season you just need a really good striker to be in with a chance? Or words to that effect.

It certainly feels like start of the season you’re assigned a probability of winning and very rarely do formation changes arrow changes etc make a huge difference.
Yeah, you did. I haven't changed anything with regards to formation or tactics for years now - just rotated a bit less of late - and my form this season is close to what it was like before last season except both my defensive and offensive record is better. Usually my % conversion is close to 20% and my % conceded is close to 40%
 

BenitoSTARR

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Yeah, you did. I haven't changed anything with regards to formation or tactics for years now - just rotated a bit less of late - and my form this season is close to what it was like before last season except both my defensive and offensive record is better. Usually my % conversion is close to 20% and my % conceded is close to 40%
It’s why I was annoyed at the start of the season. My own dumb fault for not changing the side to put Benzema in meant I lost 2 games I could have gotten more from.
 

Damien

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Thursday's 2:1 victory at home to Southend United:

Oblak (93)

Kounde (92) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (93) Rice (93)
Sancho (90) -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)⚽⚽
Mbappe (96)➕➕⭐

Subs: Williams (90), Goretzka (92), Frimpong (91), Baku (89), Zakaria (90), Pulisic (91), Eriksen (91)
Suspended: Trent (94)
Did not travel: Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD31: Newcastle United (A) :nervous:
SSQFL1: Zenit (H)
MD32: Aston Villa (A) :nervous:

Manchester United v Southend Utd fixtures this season

GameUtd PossSouthend Utd PossUtd Shots (SoT)Southend Utd Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsSouthend Utd GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Southend Utd SoT Conv.
7th Jan: Southend Utd v Utd​
58%
42%​
14 (3)​
12 (5)
3
2​
100%
40%​
14th Mar: Utd v Southend Utd​
54%
46%​
14 (5)
10 (3)​
2
1​
40%
33.3%​
Combined
56%
44%​
28 (8)
22 (8)
5
3​
62.5%
37.5%​
 

Damien

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Yesterday's shock 2:0 victory away to Newcastle United:

Oblak (93)

Stones (93) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Rice (93) Trent (94)
Pulisic (91) -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Kounde (92), Frimpong (91), Zakaria (90), Goretzka (92), Eriksen (91), Sancho (90), Williams (90)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSQFL1: Zenit (H)
MD32: Aston Villa (A) :nervous:
MD33: Norwich City (H)

Manchester United v Newcastle Utd fixtures this season

GameUtd PossNewcastle Utd PossUtd Shots (SoT)Newcastle Utd Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsNewcastle Utd GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Newcastle Utd SoT Conv.
11th Jan: Utd v Newcastle Utd​
60%
40%​
18 (8)
9 (3)​
4
1​
50%
33.3%​
17th Mar: Newcastle Utd v Utd​
51%
49%​
12 (3)​
9 (4)
2
0​
66.6%
0%​
Combined
55.5%
44.5%​
30 (11)
18 (7)​
6
1​
54.5%
14.3%​
 

Damien

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Green = Home, Red = Away, Numbers = Club's Current League Position.

Remaining head to head fixtures between the top five:

MD32: Aston Villa v Manchester United
MD33: Cardiff City v Aston Villa
MD34: Cardiff City v Hereford
MD35: Hereford v Aston Villa
MD38: Everton v Manchester United


I think by the end of MD34 Everton will be top. I still stand by my earlier prediction of the top four but I think a big part depends on how @BenitoSTARR does over the next three games. If Cardiff are on equal points or within a point of Everton by the end of MD34, they're favourites but if Everton are two or more points ahead then Everton are.

And I'm still comfortable with the fact that I'll be finishing third at best. The away games are too tough.
 

CrackersJr

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All of your four trophies are in the SMFA Shield! You're like Sevilla.
Yes but I am also pretty certain i have never had to play you in any of those seasons, look at our record in the super cup against you. 4 games, 4 Ls.... And have a look at your cheat code of a player who will likely finish the season as the top scorer in shield history...

@BenitoSTARR pretty sure you have it sealed, looking at your remaining fixtures. In comparison I'm away to all four of Newcastle, Villa, Forest and Everton and Everton faces all three of Southend, Newcastle and me in the final three games of the season.
Oh great! Just what i need, a Man United triple header when I cant beat managed teams!

[EDIT] Just actually had a look at my schedule and properly read your post. Only the once (currently) thats somewhat doable...

Honestly, I don't think the Saudi review will change much. I'm a big believer in momentum/the match engine "deciding" how a season is going to go for teams and it is hard to change it - like my poor season last time around, Forest, Southend and Newcastle's poor season this time around and that sort of stuff. Only thing I can't really explain is Newcastle last season going from top in the first half to barely picking up a point in the second half unless @CrackersJr had spells without the internet/to set tactics while sailing.
Tbh not sure what happened last season. This season I have either been in a yard or at sea so its somewhat excusable. But im just confused by the fact i've faced a remarkably similar amount of SOT and conceded so much more, its like my backline and GK just went on strike...
 

Damien

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4:0 victory against Zenit on Monday. Will be my last victory for a while:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94)⚽ Hakimi (92)
Zakaria (90) Rice (93)
Williams (90) -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)⚽➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⚽➕➕⭐

Subs: Kounde (92), Stones (93), Trent (94), Goretzka (92), Eriksen (91), Sancho (90), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD32: Aston Villa (A) :nervous:
MD33: Norwich City (H)
SSQFL2: Zenit (A)

Manchester United v Zenit fixtures this season

GameUtd PossZenit PossUtd Shots (SoT)Zenit Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsZenit GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Zenit SoT Conv.
18th Mar: Utd v Zenit​
66%
34%​
25 (15)
8 (0)​
4
0​
26.7%
N/A​
Combined
66%
34%​
25 (15)
8 (0))​
4
0​
26.7%
N/A​
 

Damien

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Latest table:


This time last season:

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:

Points difference this season to last season:
+29 - Manchester United
+23 - Fulham
+18 - Aston Villa, Hereford
+11 - Cardiff City
+3 - Everton, Sunderland
0 - Wolverhampton Wanderers
-1 - Leyton Orient, Liverpool
-2 - West Ham United
-6 - Bournemouth
-8 - Middlesbrough
-9 - Norwich City
-18 - Nottingham Forest
-20 - Newcastle United
-21 - Southend United
 

Damien

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Goes to show I'm crap at predictions - not a single one of mine for MD32 came true. Beat Villa 3:1 thanks to a lot of freekicks:

Oblak (93)

Stones (93) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Rice (93)⚽ Trent (94)
Pulisic (91)➕ -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)⚽➕⭐

Subs: Kounde (92), Frimpong (91), Zakaria (90), Goretzka (92)⚽, Eriksen (91), Sancho (90), Williams (90)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD33: Norwich City (H)
SSQFL2: Zenit (A)
MD34: Darlington (A)

Manchester United v Aston Villa fixtures this season

GameUtd PossAston Villa PossUtd Shots (SoT)Aston Villa Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsAston Villa GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Aston Villa SoT Conv.
14th Jan: Utd v Aston Villa​
55%
45%​
17 (7)
10 (3)​
1​
2
14.3%​
66.6%
21st Mar: Aston Villa v Utd​
58%
42%​
15 (6)
9 (2)​
3
1​
50%
50%
Combined
56.5%
43.5%​
32 (13)
19 (5)​
4
3​
30.8%​
60%
 

Damien

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Last night's 2:1 defeat to Norwich City:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Hakimi (92)
Zakaria (90) Goretzka (92)
Williams (90) -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)⚽⭐

Subs: Kounde (92), Alaba (94), Trent (94), Rice (93), Eriksen (91), Sancho (90), Pulisic (91)➕
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSQFL2: Zenit (A)
MD34: Darlington (A)
MD35: Leeds United (H)

Manchester United v Norwich City fixtures this season

GameUtd PossNorwich City PossUtd Shots (SoT)Norwich City Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsNorwich City GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Norwich City SoT Conv.
18th Jan: Norwich City v Utd​
58%
42%​
14 (8)
11 (1)​
1
0​
12.5%
0%​
24th Mar: Utd v Norwich City​
58%
42%​
12 (3)
7 (2)​
1​
2
33.3%​
100%
Combined
58%
42%​
26 (11)
18 (3)​
2
2
18.2%​
66.6%
 

Damien

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6:0 victory against Zenit on Monday. Will be my last victory for a while:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Kounde (92) Disasi (89) Hakimi (92)
Zakaria (90) Eriksen (91)⚽
Williams (90)⚽⚽⚽⭐ -- Sancho (90) -- Pulisic (91)➕➕➕➕➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⚽

Subs: Van Dijk (94), Alaba (94), Trent (94), Stones (93), Rice (93), Bellingham (95), Pedri (92)
Did not travel: Goretzka (92), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD34: Darlington (A)
MD35: Leeds United (H)
CCSFL1: Freiburg (H)

Manchester United v Zenit fixtures this season

GameUtd PossZenit PossUtd Shots (SoT)Zenit Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsZenit GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Zenit SoT Conv.
18th Mar: Utd v Zenit​
66%
34%​
25 (15)
8 (0)​
4
0​
26.7%
N/A​
25th Mar: Zenit v Utd​
65%
35%​
28 (13)
10 (2)​
6
0​
46.2%
0%​
Combined
65.5%
34.5%​
53 (28)
18 (2)​
10
0​
35.7%
0%​
 

Damien

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SMFA Cup
(21) Everton v Villarreal
(6) Cardiff City v Southend United (8)

SMFA Shield
(47) Manchester United v Freiburg
Frankfurt
v Newcastle United (4)

Would rather have played Newcastle over two legs but hey ho.

Predictions:
League: Cardiff City
SMFA Cup: Southend United (unless JB or Benito get Gold)
SMFA Shield: Newcastle United