Hattrick: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

[RonnieDobbs]

After reading many of the dynasties on here I had to get a squad of mine own. We begin in the USA Series V.47, and after a few minutes of poking around I've been unable to ascertain our position last season.

Anyhoo, here are your BOSTON WYCKYD SCEPTRE:

Ken Hamilton (10700244)
50 years, disastrous form, healthy
A passable coach who prefers a strong defensive game
A pleasant guy who is calm and dishonest.
Has excellent experience and solid leadership abilities.


Alva Armstead
19 000 US$, 27 years, inadequate form
Has poor experience and poor leadership abilities

Stamina: weak Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: weak Defending: inadequate
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: disastrous

Brad Beebe
24 000 US$, 21 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities [Technical]

Stamina: weak Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: weak Defending: wretched
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: inadequate

Carrol English
4 000 US$, 26 years, weak form
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

Stamina: weak Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: disastrous
Winger: poor Defending: wretched
Scoring: disastrous Set Pieces: wretched

Carroll Floyd
44 000 US$, 26 years, inadequate form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: weak Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: weak
Winger: inadequate Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: wretched

Cecil Ledbetter
14 000 US$, 25 years, passable form
Has poor experience and inadequate leadership abilities

Stamina: passable Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: wretched Passing: weak
Winger: weak Defending: weak
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: weak

Jeffrey Lancaster
77 000 US$, 25 years, wretched form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: passable Defending: weak
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: poor

Justin Gee
47 000 US$, 26 years, inadequate form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

Stamina: weak Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: inadequate
Winger: inadequate Defending: weak
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: inadequate

Larry Sanchez
15 000 US$, 27 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and passable leadership abilities

Stamina: poor Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: passable Passing: poor
Winger: weak Defending: wretched
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: passable

Manuel Lapaza
44 000 US$, 27 years, weak form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities [Powerful]

Stamina: poor Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: poor
Winger: weak Defending: passable
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: wretched

Mariano Zaplana
22 000 US$, 23 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and inadequate leadership abilities [Head]

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: weak Passing: wretched
Winger: weak Defending: inadequate
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: poor

Ollie Faulk
19 000 US$, 30 years, wretched form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: weak Passing: disastrous
Winger: poor Defending: solid
Scoring: disastrous Set Pieces: disastrous

Oscar Kolb
7 000 US$, 26 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and passable leadership abilities [Quick]

Stamina: disastrous Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: poor Passing: inadequate
Winger: poor Defending: poor
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: poor

Philip Noel
189 000 US$, 21 years, passable form
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities [Technical]

Stamina: poor Keeper: passable
Playmaking: disastrous Passing: disastrous
Winger: wretched Defending: disastrous
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: inadequate

Ron Maier
27 000 US$, 18 years, inadequate form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

Stamina: wretched Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: weak
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: poor

Tyree Isaacs
29 000 US$, 25 years, passable form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities [Powerful]

Stamina: weak Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: poor Defending: wretched
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: solid

Vince Barrios
53 000 US$, 24 years, inadequate form
Has poor experience and inadequate leadership abilities

Stamina: weak Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: poor Passing: poor
Winger: solid Defending: inadequate
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: poor

Vinnie Velasquez
5 000 US$, 28 years, wretched form
Has weak experience and passable leadership abilities

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: weak Passing: poor
Winger: weak Defending: wretched
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: weak

First impressions: Love my new coach... solid would be great but for my first shot to get passable, w/ ex experience and solid leadership. Sounds good to me.

Also, my goalie. Valued at $189,000, 21, and passable. Not sure about our future, the money might be needed to improve the squad. Thoughts?

The rest of the team... hmmm.... I've got a passable and solid defender, but both are old. I was hoping to train defensively (it worked for DataKing ), so I'll have to pick up a few trainees. Also, how are we putting goals up? I see no ability on this team. I put the obligatory 20K into training. Other than that, first match is 4/3. Advice desperately wanted.

[lytic]

don't worry about trying to win the series yet... upgrade your arena to 16000 using the Arena formula (don't remember the %'s right off in my head). This will take a big chunk of your change. Then just fill in the holes with inad 17 year old where you are going to train... If you want to train defense, sell your 2 old guys and get about 3 passable defenders (18/19) and then depending on what formations you are going to run, get the rest in 17 year old inads.
I got plenty more ideas got you, but I gotta go...

[RonnieDobbs]

Added one player, probably overpaid for him (realized as soon as I bid that I probably shouldn't have) but really felt that the lack of scoring on my team was a problem. For 20K, the newest Sceptre:

Lee Gilbey
43 000 US$, 19 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and inadequate leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: wretched
Winger: weak Defending: inadequate
Scoring: passable Set Pieces: weak

For now, he will be a starting forward, maybe I can sell him later to recover what I spent, but right now he's my best option there, I think.

My first Cup game is against the Idaho Gladiators, a series VI bot team. Hopefully my guys will be able to handle it.

I'll be running a 3-5-2, wingers offensive, middies defensive. My starting lineup:

GK: Phillip Noel
WB: Ollie Faulk, Alva Armstead
CD: Manuel Lapaza
WNG: Justin Gee, Vince Barrios
MD:Larry Sanchez, Brad Bebee, Tyree Isaacs
FWD:Carroll Floyd, Ron Maier

The transfer didn't go through in time unfortunetly, so my attack will be weak I fear. I'll post the report in a few hours.

[RonnieDobbs]

MatchID: 6819291
Arena: Idaho Arena
Crowd: 4900


At Idaho Arena, 4900 punters turned up, and despite threatening clouds at the horizon, no rain came. Gladiators started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Rigby - Ouellette, Rangel, Hamilton, Coates - Evans, Lindquist, Quintana, Mcclure - Baugh, Winter.

Sceptre had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. Lineup: Noel - Faulk, Lapaza, Armstead - Gee, Sanchez, Isaacs, Beebe, Barrios - Maier, Floyd.

Sceptre had obvious problems in finding their positions. Sceptre´s Ron Maier could have put the guests one up in the 7:th minute, chasing a through ball but Preston Rigby was fast as a snake, grabbing the ball from under his nose. The teams went for a half-time break at 0 - 0. Sceptre held the ball, with a clear 60 percent possession rate.

Sceptre -coach had an extra briefing during the break, and after that his players looked a lot more organized. 47 minutes into the game Manuel Lapaza was a hair´s breadth away from giving Sceptre the lead. A prompt block by Preston Rigby saved the home team that time. Alva Armstead had a good try in the 50:th minute, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. Sceptre seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion about the organization of the team. Gladiatorss Al Quintana gave, after 66 minutes, the home team a 1-0 lead after an attack coming in from the right. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Sceptre, with an impressive 58 percent possession of the ball.

Gladiators´s best player was Preston Rigby. Al Quintana on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Sceptre player was without a doubt Philip Noel. Brad Beebe was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1-0.

Idaho Gladiators
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: poor
Left Side Attack: poor


Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Wyckyd Sceptre players:
Noel: **~

Faulk: *~
Lapaza: *~
Armstead: *~

Sanchez: *
Bebee: *
Isaacs: *

Gee: **
Barrios: **

Floyd: *~
Maier: *~

Analysis: This was against a series VI bot team. I am full of newbiness as to how to rate what went wrong, how good the other team was, etc. but I'll give it a shot. First thing I noticed prior to the match was that they had three players of significant (+150) value. So maybe the team I was given here was actually outclassed. It doesn't appear that that was the case, however, as my positional grades were higher in every case. Based on individual ratings, my middies were atrocious. However, we won the possesion war and my midfield was ranked higher than theirs. My final verdict, I guess, is that I just couldn't put the biscuit in the basket. Hopefully a few new transfers could help fix that. Noel was key in goal, and my wingers performed quite well. Overall, a mixed bag for my first game.

Advice and comments welcomed as always. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise, as now I can forget the cup and focus in on not getting crushed in my league.

[RonnieDobbs]

4/2/2003 You changed your weekly investment in the youth squad to 20 000 US$. (Makes sense to me and is recommended by most I've seen)

4/2/2003 You sacked a trainer at the cost of 10 000 US$. (He stunk. New one much better)

4/2/2003 Promoted a player and 2 000 US$ was added to your temporary costs. (Promptly canned him)

4/2/2003 You changed training type. (Wanted to go to general until I felt a little more stable with this)

4/2/2003 You sent a player to the transfer list with a starting price of 15 000 US$.
4/2/2003 You sent a player to the transfer list with a starting price of 35 000 US$.
(Both older defenders are featured in the FOFC Wire)

4/2/2003 Rebuilt the arena and paid the contractors 249 000 US$. (I like this move. It will be necessary to get more cheddar to roll in. Might as well do it now, and handcuff myself from spending too much in a rush right away)

4/3/2003 Bought a player and paid 20 000 US$. (The aforementioned Gilbey, who along w/ my next purchase will be my scoring punch hopefully)

4/3/2003 Bought a player and paid 12 000 US$.

Larry Manning (10636570)
18 years, passable form, healthy
A controversial person who is calm and dishonest.
Has disastrous experience and passable leadership abilities.
Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 44 000 US$
Wage: 720 US$/week
Stamina: poor Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: wretched
Winger: poor Defending: inadequate
Scoring: passable Set Pieces: weak


4/3/2003 A newly bought player got a really bad start when he arrived in the club. The team spirit fell when he initially turned out not to get along very well with the other ones.

4/3/2003 You hired one or several specialists. (2 Assistant Coaches, to help with training)

4/3/2003 You hired one or several specialists. (1 Spokesman. Got to have someone on my side after losing to a bot, eh?)

4/3/2003 The team played a match. Spectator income amounted to 7 472 US$.

So, after all this I'm basically at zero money. I have a few offers out to purchase trainees but as far as I'm concerned I'm going to have to make a starting lineup out of what I have or sell players. I have limited myself to 50K of debt, but would prefer never to see the red. League play sees the Wyckyd Sceptre open on the road, then return for two home games at the creatively named "Bosten Wyckyd Sceptre Arena".

I actually have a question, iffin' anyone is reading this. So, next week I have room for a friendly, right? Is there anyone out there available or is pretty much everyone in the US still in the Cup
Basically, how do you recommend setting up friendlies?

Enough for tonight.

[RonnieDobbs]

One more thing (who said anything about hattrick being addictive):

Ron Maier (10690164)
18 years, inadequate form, healthy

A popular guy who is balanced and dishonest.
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities.
Speciality: Unpredictable
Assessed value: 27 000 US$

Stamina: wretched Goaltending: wretched
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: weak
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: poor

What would you guys expect an 18 yo passable winger/inadequate scorer to fetch on the market?

[Havok]

im not very good with prices yet. But i would say he'd be worth at least 20k. I bought this guy for 13k... and he's been playing great for me. Getting about 21/2 stars a game

Stuart Troutt (8821604)
19 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is temperamental and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: England
Assessed value: 58 000 US$
Wage: 972 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Maniacal Misfitz
Warnings: 0


Stamina: passable Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: poor
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: wretched

[RonnieDobbs]

Couple of changes going on with the Sceptre. A few men have left, and a few new faces are populating the Sceptre locker room.

Transferred Out:
Manuel Lapaza has left the team for 35K.

Ollie Faulk, my 30 yo solid defender, was sold to FOFC's own Qwikshot for 81K. We wish both Ollie and Qwikshot best of luck in their future endeavours.

Jeffrey Lancaster still has a day left on the market. He's currently at 15K IIRC.

NEW SCEPTRE:
Manny Barrett (8167919)
27 years, passable form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is temperamental and dishonest.
Has weak experience and passable leadership abilities.

Nationality: Oceania
Assessed value: 54 000 US$
Wage: 1 068 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Stamina: weak Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: wretched Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: weak

Got him to try to add a little skill to my midfield. However, he may be overshadowed by other purchases and go right back on the market. Try though I might, I think I have been over managing so far (buying a few redundant players) so I'm going to try to put that on hold. He may be a starting middie, maybe not. He was 25K.

Anders Nyholt (10616709)
17 years, solid form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 38 000 US$
Wage: 792 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: weak Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: poor
Winger: passable Defending: inadequate
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: poor

Although only 17 and inad. at defense, he will be one of my starting wingbacks. Hopefully he'll make a hell of a wb after some serious training. He was 17K.


Charles Keeler (8857469)
30 years, inadequate form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and dishonest.
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 30 000 US$
Wage: 810 US$/week
Stamina: passable Goaltending: wretched
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: weak Defending: inadequate
Scoring: disastrous Set Pieces: poor


More midfield depth. Only cost 9K. May start, haven't figured out my lineup quite yet.

Stefan Andersson (10678404)
18 years, passable form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and upright.
Has disastrous experience and solid leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 31 000 US$
Wage: 768 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: inadequate Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: wretched Passing: poor
Winger: poor Defending: passable
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: poor

My first fairly big purchase, at 48K. Will be my starting central defender and hopefully will train up to solid pretty quickly.

Jannik Schmitz (7820622)
27 years, poor form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and upright.
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Deutschland
Assessed value: 51 000 US$
Wage: 1 224 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: excellent Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: wretched Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: wretched

Jannik joins the team for 17K. Initially he will start at wb but could be moved. What skills are necessary for a wb with the orders "offensive"? Would Jannik thrive there?

Hardi Bruchhaus (5803552)
29 years, passable form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is calm and dishonest.
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities.


Speciality: Quick

Nationality: Deutschland
Assessed value: 43 000 US$
Wage: 1 068 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: solid Goaltending: wretched
Playmaking: passable Passing: inadequate
Winger: weak Defending: wretched
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: inadequate

Hardi Bruchhaus is my first good name. He's also assured a starting spot in my midfield. He cost me 26K.

So, after all of this, I'm about 50K in the whole, which is about where I wanted to be. I think I'll make my starters out of what I have, but I haven't really been thinking about my reserve squad (which will run a 4-5-1), so at some point in the near future I'll be buying lots of 17 yo inad defenders.

Coming soon: the starting lineup for league play.

I'm still trying to learn the markets, so iffin any of these transactions look like I got hosed or made a good deal, please please please let me know. I'm dying for feedback. Be brutally honest.

[RonnieDobbs]

4/5/2003 Bought a player and paid 4 000 US$. (17 yo inadequate defensive trainee)

4/6/2003 Bought a player and paid 11 000 US$. (22 yo inadequate backup goalie)

4/6/2003 Sold a player and received 38 640 US$ (Sold Jeffrey Lancaster, too all-around, not skilled enough to start)

4/6/2003 You hired one or several specialists.
My coaches, etc, now look like this:

Goaltending Coaches: 1
Assistant Coaches: 6
Sport Psychologists: 0
Spokepersons: 4
Economists: 0
Physiotherapists: 2
Doctors: 0

Look good? I think I'm standing pat here until my finances stabilize.

So, leading up to the first game of the season, I was about 60K in the hole. I put a lot of my starters that I'm not wedded to up for transfer at prices I doubt they'll fetch, but if they do, then that's great as well.

I had said I'd post my starting lineup for the first league game, until I realized it was against our very own AIRHOG and his Oklahoma City Rednecks.

[RonnieDobbs]

SERIES V.47 - LEAGUE GAMES ROUND ONE

Oklahoma City - It was a hot day as the Sceptre travelled out to OKC to visit the Trailer Park and the OKC Rednecks in the first game of Season 19, Series .47.

The Rednecks are entering their second season under Coach Airhog's control, finishing 5th last year.

Pre-game, Coach Ronnie Dobbs summed up his assesment of his team's chances thusly: "Well, we've made a few moves to try and solidify some of our weaker positions. We're hoping to have a bit more of an offensive bite though new guys Gilbey, Manning, and Bruchhaus without losing anything on the defensive end. Coach Airhog is a good coach, experienced in the hattrick world. I expect to be beaten, but hopefully we can make a go at it."

Coach Dobbs's optimism went unrewarded.
Oklahoma City Rednecks - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre 4 - 0





Date: 4/7/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 5543545
Arena: The Trailer Park
Crowd: 10500


A scorching day at The Trailer Park, where 10500 spectators were in place for today´s match. Oklahoma started off with a 4-4-2 lineup. Lineup: Greenwood - Turner, Rubin, Morris, Ratana - Pratt, Jamison, Barnett, Emmons - Shelton, Cummings.

Sceptre had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Noel - Nyholt, Andersson, Floyd - Barrios, Bruchhaus, Keeler, Sanchez, Maier - Gilbey, Manning.

The visitors were very close to gaining the lead from a monstrous free kick in the 20:th minute, but Ted Greenwood made a one hand save. Jacob Cummings gave his Oklahoma the lead with 1-0 , as he successfully challenged both the guests central defenders, then placed the ball unreachably at the goaltenders right post. Hardi Bruchhaus behaved like an inexperienced youth player in the 30:th minute as he gave the ball away to an opponent. Lucky for him though, there was no goal. The visitors almost came back with an equaliser in the 32nd minute after a good combination down the middle, but as Larry Manning was to put closure on the raid he couldn´t deliver a shot hard enough to seriously challenge the keeper. Jacob Cummings of Oklahoma received a yellow card in the 37:th minute for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Sceptre appeared unsure on how to play. The teams went for a half-time break at 1-0 . Oklahoma, bringing the final ball possession rate to 60 percent, dominated the battle.

During the break Sceptre´s coach went through the teams new tactics yet again. Ty Barnett hit the ball just perfect in the 51st minute and could score for Oklahoma with a fab long shot to 2-0 . Jacob Cummings should probably have put his team up another goal in the 62nd minute, but some great goaltending by Philip Noel kept the visitors in the game. Sceptre seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion about the organization of the team. In the 81st minute of the match the visitors central line of defence had to look on as Bill Rubin dashed through, knocking home 3-0 for Oklahoma. Gaylord Jamison increased Oklahomas lead to 4-0 by putting a header away on a hooked ball from the right. Oklahoma´s Ted Greenwood left the field after 82 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was John Harris. With 83 minutes played Gaylord Jamison could have brought this one home for Oklahoma, had his hooked ball gone in, but it went just a bit too high. Oklahoma held the ball, with a clear 67 percent possession rate.

Most important Oklahoma player was Cordell Shelton. However, John Harris made a disastrous appearance. The most dominating Sceptre player was without a doubt Philip Noel. Larry Sanchez on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 4-0 .

Oklahoma City Rednecks
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: passable


GK:Philip Noel **~

WB:Anders Nyholt **
CD:Stefan Andersson **~
WB:Carroll Floyd **

MI:Larry Sanchez *
MI:Charles Keeler *~
MI:Hardi Bruchhaus **

OWB:Ron Maier **
OWB:Vince Barrios **~

F:Larry Manning **
F:Lee Gilbey *~

21.5 total stars


What Happened? Well, I think that the roots of this implosion are a wretched midfield, a lack of stamina (I got killed in the second half!), and the fact that it was only my second game in the 3-5-2. After the game my experience with it went up to excellent, so maybe that's all for that. I think I need one more midfield to get rid of Sanchez, and some more training recruits. Then, I'll be set to train and improve.

Comments and advice wanted. Thanks lytic and Havok for your feedback. Much appreciated.

[RonnieDobbs]

Faithful readers (?), it's been a while since an update, but that's mainly because not too too much has been going on. I've been holding back on the transfer market after some ill-advised spending early on (not terrible, but some purchases I'd take back if I could). Here's the update:

4/7/2003 Bought a player and paid 30 000 US$.

Tomas Hasseling (2450651)
29 years, wretched form, healthy

A nasty fellow who is temperamental and upright.
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 47 000 US$
Wage: 1 452 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: excellent Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: passable Passing: inadequate
Winger: poor Defending: wretched
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: inadequate

Damn those impulsive after-match purchases. I wanted to shore up the midfield, and Thomas would be a great solution, excepting that I forgot to check his form. He won't be starting immediately, but hopefully I can get that form up and he can be a part of an improved midfield.

4/8/2003 The team travelled abroad for an international friendly. The tickets cost 6 000 US$.

Wanted to try this out so the boys travelled to Sverige for my first friendly.

4/8/2003 Bought a player and paid 5 000 US$.

Theo Masson (10762202)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is calm and upright.
Has disastrous experience and wretched leadership abilities.


Speciality: Technical

Nationality: Oceania
Assessed value: 19 000 US$
Wage: 696 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: weak Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: weak Defending: inadequate
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: weak

Defensive trainee. Yup, that's about it.

4/8/2003 Bought a player and paid 5 005 US$.

Adrian Mihãilã (10761956)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: România
Assessed value: 29 000 US$
Wage: 768 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: wretched Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: passable
Winger: poor Defending: inadequate
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: weak

Another defensive trainee, I particularly liked his passing ability. Will this show up in the game at all? We'll see. Also, he bumped up to a passable defender after my first week of defensive training.

4/9/2003 The team played a match. Spectator income amounted to 2 933 US$.

Match report to follow.

4/11/2003 Sold a player and received 27 600 US$

Ron Maier was sold as he was a non-necessary part of my team and I'm looking to get out of debt ASAP. I'm not bad now (Economy report to follow), but my first priority now is to get back into the black.

4/11/2003 Sold a player and received 920 US$

Larry Sanchez, your crappy play will no more haunt my team.

4/11/2003 Sold a player and received 920 US$

Mario Zaplana was too old to train, and no good otherwise.

4/11/2003 You sent a player to the transfer list with a starting price of 60 000 US$.

Adrian Mihãilã, having recently bumped to a 17 yo passable defender, is put on sale. I'm hoping to make a quick buck on him.

4/12/2003 Bought a player and paid 3 500 US$.

Dan Kamp (10782054)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and righteous.
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Danmark
Assessed value: 17 000 US$
Wage: 696 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Stamina: inadequate Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: poor Defending: inadequate
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: wretched

Another defensive trainee. Whoopee~!

That's it for updating club news. More to come soon.

[RonnieDobbs]

The boys got their fill of ABBA and lox as they travelled to Sverige for an international friendly. Many of our new members cherished this opportunity to return home and see friends and family.

Honestly, I didn't care how my team did. Friendlies only exist to get my trainees some pitch time. I decided to run a 5-4-1 to maximize my defensive trainee possibilities, even though I haven't filled out my corp of trainees completely.

Eriksdal - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre 4 - 0

Date: 4/9/2003 at 20:00
MatchID: 6873117
Arena: Norra Station
Crowd: 1092


At Norra Station, 1092 punters turned up, and despite threatening clouds at the horizon, no rain came. Eriksdal had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. Lineup: Utterlius - Thorstensson, Tjäderling, Oxbeck - de Boer, Wicken, Hägerborg, Wennsten - da Silva, Flamholt, Sowers.

Sceptre tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. They fielded: Peck - Zaplana, Sörensson, Mihãilã, Masson, Schmitz - English, Isaacs, Beebe, Gee - Barrett.

After 5 minutes Eriksdals Max Flamholt had to be carried off on a stretcher in agony. Per Läfvenfeldt came in instead of him. Eriksdals João Carlos da Silva gave, after 10 minutes, the home team a 1 - 0 lead after an attack coming in from the right. Sceptre appeared unsure on how to play. Eriksdal seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion about the organization of the team. Brent Sowers almost managed to score another goal for Eriksdal, but his header was tipped to a corner by the visitors goalie. In the 35:th minute of the match the visitors central line of defence had to look on as Brent Sowers dashed through, knocking home 2 - 0 for Eriksdal. In the 37:th minute Sceptres Tyree Isaacs received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. The teams went for a half-time break at 2 - 0. Eriksdal held the ball, with a clear 85 percent possession rate.

The Eriksdal players spent the half-time break getting a rerun of the teams tactical organization. During the break Sceptre´s coach went through the teams new tactics yet again. Eriksdal´s Per Läfvenfeldt had an excellent opportunity in the 61st minute, shooting on a through ball, but he missed the goal by miles! Eriksdal had obvious problems in finding their positions. Things were going to get worse for the visitors. Elias Wicken squirmed himself through the central defense line in the 64:th minute, asserting the lead to 3 - 0. By now Eriksdal were drawing the troops back in order to defend their lead. Brent Sowers increased Eriksdals lead to 4 - 0 by putting a header away on a hooked ball from the right. Eriksdal held the ball, with a clear 93 percent possession rate.

The most dominating Eriksdal player was without a doubt Mattias Utterlius. Brent Sowers was a disappointment, however. Most important Sceptre player was Adrian Mihãilã. Carrol English on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 4 - 0.


What happened?
Wasn't expecting much, didn't get much. My trainees aren't very skilled right now, and this lineup has zero offensive punch. The Sceptre faithful still await the first goal for the team... may be a while.

[RonnieDobbs]

Economy Report

Cash funds: -47 702 US$ (-94 774) US$
Sponsors: content
Supporter Club: 521 members
Supporters: calm


This week

Revenue
Crowd 2 933
Sponsors 25 350
Financial 0
Temporary 68 170


Total revenue 96 453

Expenses
Arena 3 900
Wages 19 730
Interest 2 385
Temporary 85 510
Staff 12 000
Youth squad 20 000

Total expenses 143 525

Expected income/loss -47 072


Last week

Revenue
Crowd 7 472
Sponsors 0
Financial 0
Temporary 106 826

Total revenue 114 298

Expenses
Arena 0
Wages 0
Interest 0
Temporary 442000
Staff 0
Youth Squad 20000

Total expenses 462 000

Last week´s income/loss -347702

Right now, I'm about 100K in debt. I've frozen my spending, excepting cheap defensive trainees (who won't really affect the bottom line anyways). I'm hoping the potential sale of 17 yo passable defender Adrian Mihãilã and two consecutive home games will take care of that. I want to see black again, and I'm hoping my brand new stadium will do the job.

THE WYCKYD SCEPTRE PRESENT THE BRAND NEW ARENA

Globo-Chem Center for the Performing Arts

Belongs to: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Country: USA
Region : Boston
Last improvement: 4/11/2003
Total capacity: 16400

Terraces: 10400
Basic seating: 4000
Seats under roof: 1600
Seats in VIP boxes: 400

Hopefully the Sceptre faithful will see many a win in our new palace.

That's it on the economic front. Coaches and players report to follow.

[RonnieDobbs]

The Club

We are still very happy with Ken Hamilton as coach. Maybe when we become bigwigs in the Hattrick world we will go after that solid, all-out coach. Ken is just fine for now, and I can't believe I got him my first try.

Other coaches, etc:

Youth Squad: poor
Investment in the Youth squad: 20 000 US$ / week

Goaltending Coaches: 1
Assistant Coaches: 6
Sport Psychologists: 0
Spokepersons: 4
Economists: 0
Physiotherapists: 2
Doctors: 0

Any advice on changes here? I'm pretty happy with it, I think.

Training

Training Level: 90%
Training Type: Defending
Coach: Ken Hamilton
Team Spirit: composed
Confidence: poor

I'm considering bumping training up to 96% to try to get those trainees as good as possible. I may make that move this week. The team, on the other hand, looks a little shaken, and with good cause. This team has been outscored 9-0 since I got them.

Next, a look at the players of the Boston Wyckyd Sceptre.

[Doug5984]

For your staff I have heard 2 goaltending coaches is the way to go...I would add a sports Psycologist (i think they help the team spirit some, but you might want to wait on a conformation of that)...And yes you should bump your training up to 96%.

[RonnieDobbs]

In 2003, a group of footie players were sent to Boston by a crazed owner to play for a team that couldn't score. These men hopefully will escape from the offensive doldrums to rise to the top of the Major League. Today, still unwanted by many teams, they survive as soldiers of fortune.

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team.

(P.S. - I have a FOFCer in my series, Airhog and his Oklahoma City Rednecks. I debated whether to keep some of my information a secret, but then decided who cares. I doubt Airhog will use my diary to strategize against me, but even if he does I don't think I'd be able to win anyway. So this diary will include pretty much everything.)

Keeper:

Philip Noel (10690160)
21 years, solid form, healthy

A controversial person who is temperamental and dishonest.
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities.

Speciality: Technical

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 208 000 US$
Wage: 1 620 US$/week

Goaltending: passable

Match stars: **~, **~

Phil was an original member of the Wyckyd Sceptre, and remains my best player. Once my attack manages to figure out the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground, he may be key to keeping games close allowing me to steal a few. In the long term, I see myself keeping him for a while.

Wingbacks:

Anders Nyholt (10616709)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 39 000 US$
Wage: 792 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: weak
Winger: passable
Defending: inadequate

Match stars: **

Anders is a defensive trainee, but will be playing with the A-team. He should be adequate, and will only get better. Long term, I'll probably sell him off, but could keep him on as a winger if he plays very well.

Stefan Andersson (10678404)
18 years, inadequate form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and upright.
Has disastrous experience and solid leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 31 000 US$
Wage: 768 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: inadequate
Winger: poor
Defending: passable

Match stars: **~

Stefan finds himself playing wingback this week because of Jannik Schmitz's atrocious form. He's definitely more of a central defender, where he played his only game with the Sceptre. He will probably "platoon" that position with Adrian Mihãilã (if he stays a Sceptre), depending on whose form is higher. Long-term, he'll be with me for a while, but could always be sold. I'm not particularly wedded to any of my defensive trainees yet, so if I feel I can get a good amount of money for one, he's gone.

Central Defender:

Adrian Mihãilã (10761956)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: România
Assessed value: 30 000 US$
Wage: 768 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: wretched
Passing: passable
Defending: passable

Match stars: **

Much has been said in this dynasty recently about Adrian, so I'll keep this short. Unless his play is unbelievably stellar, I'll try to unload him for cash as soon as I feel I can take advantage of him.

Inner Midfielders:

Hardi Bruchhaus (5803552)
29 years, passable form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is calm and dishonest.
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities.

Speciality: Quick

Nationality: Deutschland
Assessed value: 43 000 US$
Wage: 1 068 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: solid
Playmaking: passable
Passing: inadequate

Match stars: **

Hardi was brought in to shore up the midfield, and I'll believe he'll do that just as I want. Long-term, he's only with me until I can afford to upgrade.

Tyree Isaacs (10690165)
25 years, solid form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is fiery and honest.
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities.

Speciality: Powerful

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 30 000 US$
Wage: 700 US$/week

Stamina: weak
Playmaking: inadequate
Passing: inadequate
Set Pieces: solid

Match stars: *, *~

An original Sceptre, Tyree probably won't be with us for long. He is not really what I'm looking for in a middie, and he's gone as soon as I'm financially solvent and looking to spend again.

Charles Keeler (8857469)
30 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and dishonest.
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 32 000 US$
Wage: 810 US$/week

Stamina: passable
Playmaking: inadequate
Passing: inadequate

Match stars: *~

Charles was one of my early purchases, and I got him for 9K. My original midfield was unbelievably bad, but Charles isn't much better. He's holding the spot for a better player to come later once the cash is there.

Wingers:

Brad Beebe (10690175)
21 years, passable form, healthy

A nasty fellow who is tranquil and honest.
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities.

Speciality: Technical

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 27 000 US$
Wage: 640 US$/week

Stamina: weak
Playmaking: inadequate
Passing: inadequate
Winger: weak

Match stars: *, *~

Brad will be starting this week mainly due to poor form of more talented players. Another original member of the squad, he too will soon be gone or relagated to B-team hell. His weak winger score isn't too important as it is rumored that coach Dobbs will instruct him to play more towards the middle.

Vince Barrios (10690166)
24 years, solid form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is calm and honest.
Has poor experience and inadequate leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 60 000 US$
Wage: 860 US$/week

Stamina: weak
Playmaking: poor
Passing: poor
Winger: solid

Match stars: **, **~

The best outfield player of the original squad, Vince's winger ability is all that is keeping him here for the time being. He's put up good stars so far, so he's a little safer than other members of the team. Of course, if I feel I could get 50K for him, I'd drop him in a heartbeat. Long-term, he's here until I can get someone better.

Forwards:
Larry Manning (10636570)
18 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is calm and dishonest.
Has disastrous experience and passable leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 44 000 US$
Wage: 720 US$/week

Scoring: passable

Match stars: **

Lee Gilbey (10403727)
19 years, inadequate form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and inadequate leadership abilities.

Speciality: Unpredictable

Nationality: Canada
Assessed value: 38 000 US$
Wage: 864 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Scoring: passable

Match stars: *~

I'll group these two together because they seen pretty similar to me. Got them both at the same time once I saw that the original squad had no one that could score. In retrospect, I should have gotten some experience here I think and I may unload one of the two in the next few weeks and get an older forward with good experience. If the money is good, I also might look for a solid scorer.

There you have it ladies and gents, the starting lineup (right now) of the Boston Wyckyd Sceptre.

[RonnieDobbs]

For the B-team, I'm only going to talk about the players that could see A-team play at some point. The rest are just placeholders.

Backup Keeper:
Trevor Peck (5539885)
22 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is temperamental and upright.
Has disastrous experience and wretched leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 88 000 US$
Wage: 1 030 US$/week

Goaltending: inadequate

Defensive Trainees:
Dan Kamp (10782054)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and righteous.
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Danmark
Assessed value: 17 000 US$
Wage: 696 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Defending: inadequate

Johan Sörensson (10595366)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is temperamental and upright.
Has disastrous experience and wretched leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 21 000 US$
Wage: 696 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate
Set Pieces: solid

Theo Masson (10762202)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is calm and upright.
Has disastrous experience and wretched leadership abilities.


Speciality: Technical

Nationality: Oceania
Assessed value: 19 000 US$
Wage: 696 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Defending: inadequate

I'm looking to add 2 more trainees in the immediate future.

Players who may see time with the A-team

Jannik Schmitz (7820622)
27 years, weak form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and upright.
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Deutschland
Assessed value: 56 000 US$
Wage: 1 224 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: excellent
Playmaking: wretched
Winger: passable
Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate

The only thing stopping this guy from being a winger or wingback on the A-team is his form. Hopefully it'll go up a bit and he could be a regular starter.

Manny Barrett (8167919)
27 years, inadequate form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is temperamental and dishonest.
Has weak experience and passable leadership abilities.

Nationality: Oceania
Assessed value: 49 000 US$
Wage: 1 068 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Playmaking: inadequate
Passing: inadequate
Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate

Nothing more than a sub or injury fill-in.

Tomas Hasseling (2450651)
29 years, wretched form, healthy

A nasty fellow who is temperamental and upright.
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 47 000 US$
Wage: 1 452 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: excellent
Playmaking: passable
Passing: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate

If/When his form goes up, he'll be a starting middie, perhaps with an offensive bent.

These are the important members of the B-team.

Next: A review of Series V.47, my home for the time being.

[RonnieDobbs]

Series V.47

My series is currently ranked 97/256 according to Hatstats USA.

Previous series winners (current series):
Season 15 - Galaxy (V.189)
Season 16 - Team Dank (III.12)
Season 17 - marcsters (still in V.47. now HelterSkelters)
Season 18 - Brookside Black Cats (IV.44)

Current Table
Team (Goals)/Points
1. Dark Warriors of Eclipse (5 - 0)/3
2. CRiSPyToWN FC (5 - 1)/3
3. Oklahoma City Rednecks (4 - 0)/3
4. Raider$ (4 - 2)/3
5. HelterSkelters (2 - 4)/0
6. WalleyeUSA (1 - 5)/0
7. Boston Wyckyd Sceptre (0 - 4)/0
8. hogheads (0 - 5)/0

1st - Dark Warriors of Eclipse

Last cup match:
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: wretched
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: wretched

They won their first league game in a walkover after the hogheads attempted to use the unique 4-0-2 formation. They appear to be paper champions, however, and will not finish high in my opinion. Along with the Sceptre and hogheads, they look to avoid the bottom of the series. Their owner is active.

2nd - CRiSPyToWN FC

Last league match:
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: solid

THE team to beat in V.47 this season. Recently relegated from IV.44, CRiSPy looks to promotion again in his fifth season as a Hattrick owner. I don't see them having a lot of trouble with regards to that. Their owner is active.

3rd - Oklahoma City Rednecks

Last league match:
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Their owner is active. I think the Rednecks owe their high position to the Sceptre. No offense to Airhog, but this looks to be a pretty competitive division, and I think he'll fall down the rankings to about 4th or 5th.

4th - Raider$

Last league match:
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Their owner is active. This team looks to me to have gotten an upset in their first week. A 4th or 5th place finish looks like its in the cards.

5th - HelterSkelters

Last league match:
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: solid

Their owner is active. This team underperformed in their first match, losing 2-4 to the Raider$. A second place finish would not surprise me.

6th - Walleye

Last league match:
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: outstanding
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Their owner is active. A fantastic defense but no offense to speak of. Is this where the Sceptre are headed? Hopefully not . Not sure how this team will play out the season, but I predict a 3rd place finish.

7th - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

Last league match:
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: passable

My boys. I think realistically I could finish as high as 5th, as low as 7th. We'll see though.

8th - hogheads

Last cup match:
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: poor
Right Side Attack: wretched
Central Attack: poor
Left Side Attack: wretched

Their owner is active, but hasn't been on for over a week. The first week they attempted a novel 4-0-2 formation and gave up a walk-over. Perhaps their owner has abandoned? I predict a last place finish.

There is the series. If anyone wants to see the Hatstats for the division, click away.

If you're reading and are more versed than I in the world of Hattrick, let me know what you think of the series and my analysis. Thanks in advance.

And thanks for the advice earlier Doug.

Next up: A preview of the next league game, where the Sceptre look to have their asses handed to them by Crispytown

[RonnieDobbs]

League Game #2 Preview - CRiSPyToWN FC vs. Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

The first game in the brand new Globo-Chem Center for the Performing Arts looks to be a massacre. The last time CTFC was in Series V they ran through it in one season. That was four seasons ago, and now they're back with tons of supporters and skilled players.

Last league match ratings:
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: solid

In their last league match, they used an "interesting" 3-5-2. Their best player is Carlos Artis, an original member of the squad. He is a **** star central defender. They have a *** star goalie, a *** star middie, and many **~ and ** star players. Their weakest player last game was a *~ winger on their right side, so I may try to put Barrios up against him in what may be my only favorable match-up.

We're going to get killed. The lineup will be the A-team described above. Hopefully the supporters will be having so much fun at the new arena that they won't even watch.

That's it for the updates today. Hope you've enjoyed reading them, I sure enjoyed writing them.

[RonnieDobbs]

Couple of transfers before the game.

On the way out:

Vince Barrios, my solid winger, was sold recently for 42K. I put that money immediately to use bringing to the Sceptre another defensive trainee/starter:

Christopher Bollinger (5021720)
19 years, inadequate form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and honest.
Has wretched experience and wretched leadership abilities.


Speciality: Unpredictable

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 59 000 US$
Wage: 810 US$/week

Stamina: passable Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: poor
Winger: weak Defending: passable
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: inadequate

Got him for 34K. I jumped on him because I suspect he's bumping up to solid defending soon. Then, I'll decide to keep him or make a quick buck with the sell.

[Havok]

yeah... with a value of 59k i'd say he will be bumping in a few weeks.

You need midfield help badly... need to get it to at least poor(perferably weak). Wretched Midfielding is a death sentance in Hatrick.

Besides that your team looks ok

[RonnieDobbs]

I hear ya, Havok. The only area I'm pleased with is defense. However, I'm not really in a "win-now" state of mind. Learn the ropes this season, and then next season I'm taking the series.

[Doug5984]

RonnieDobbs- he does appear that he will bump to solid soon, maybe you will get lucky like I did and he will bump after 1 week of training....I just sold him a few days ago for $127,000....which helped get me out of debt.

[RonnieDobbs]

That's actually going to be my plan for the immediate future, I think. Buy as many guys close to bumping as possible, bump them, and make a profit. Get out of debt that way. My belief in this philosophy is furthered by the fact that Adrian Mihãilã is set to sell for 66K with over an hour left on the bidding. That's already 61K of profit (minus a little of course) in one week. Two more times of this, and I'll be sitting pretty. Maybe in a little while I'll get some long-term prospects, but right now I want out of debt immediately.

[RonnieDobbs]

League Match #2 - CRiSPyToWN FC at Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

BOSTON- The Sceptre faithful finally got to see their boys play. And what more fitting way to continue with the season than have downpours all day? Instead of a packed house here to drink some Harpoon and watch some football in the sun, we got 4151 shivering in the cold as the Sceptre had their first match against the toughest V.47 squad, the recently relegated CRiSPyToWN FC on a soggy pitch.

Prior to the game, Coach Dobbs was quoted as saying "Let's face the facts. This is a brand new team against a four season veteran team. I'm going to be telling my boys to play it cool today, and try to have a valuable experience."

The lineup cards prior to kickoff showed that the Sceptre would again be going with the 3-5-2 offense. Early Sceptre star Philip Noel will start at keeper, defending for him on the wings will be brand-new Sceptre Christopher Bollinger and the solid swede Stefan Andersson, and the defense will be anchored in the center by young Adrian Mihãilã.

The midfield will be veterans Charles Keeler and Hardi Bruchhaus and original Sceptre Tyree Isaacs. The wingmen will be usual wingback Anders Nyholt and the marginal Brad Beebe. The starting forwards will again be the young pair of Larry Manning and Lee Gilbey.

In the 10:th minute Larry Manning almost put the home team one ahead on a cross pass coming in from the right, but the shot went wide.

In the games 13th minute Sceptre´s Charles Keeler fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Charles Keeler for taking a dive.

In the games 19:th minute Alvin Mcneil almost gave the visitors the lead, as he clipped a spectacular scissors shot just past the bar.

The referee showed CTFCs Hung Trout the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge.

After a fine move down the middle Anders Nyholt nearly gave the home side one up in the 21st minute. The finishing shot went just wide, though.

Charles Keeler of Sceptre got sent off for kicking the ball after the whistle, a completely uncalled for move, earning him his second yellow card of the game.

The teams went for a half-time break at 0 - 0. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by CTFC, with an impressive 56 percent possession of the ball.

CTFC took the lead in the games 47:th minute with 0-1 after some elegant plays down the middle. Shawn Stuart was the scorer.

In the games 66:th minute Alvin Mcneil nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through and fired from just outside the box, his shot passed just over the bar.

In the to 67:th minute a very unfortunate collision in the home teams penalty area led to CTFC´s Hung Trout being carried off the pitch and replaced by Per Hagstrand.

CTFC, bringing the final ball possession rate to 73 percent, dominated the battle.

Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: excellent
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: poor


CRiSPyToWN FC
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: brilliant
Central Defence: outstanding
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Wyckyd Sceptre individual ratings:

Noel - **~

Bollinger - **~
Andersson - **~
Mihãilã - **

Bruchhaus - **
Keeler - sent off
Isaacs - *~

Nyholt - **
Beebe - *

Manning - **
Gilbey - *~

CRiSPyToWN's star wingback Carlos Artis put up a ****~ effort. Yikes! The other wingback put up ***~ as well. Their keeper ***, the lowest was **.

What happened?
I'm damn impressed with my guys effort. A 0-1 final against a former series IV squad with my guys playing it cool and down a man the whole second half. I'm sure they didn't start all their starters, probably PIC as well, and the rain killed any offense. I don't care. I was expecting to get killed. Moral victories don't win the series, but they make getting to next week a little easier.

If nothing else I'm glad I took Hung Trout out of the game

[RonnieDobbs]

Adrian Mihãilã (10761956)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is balanced and honest.
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: România
Assessed value: 30 000 US$
Stamina: wretched Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: passable
Winger: poor Defending: passable
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: weak

Transfer list: Central Defender

Deadline: 4/14/2003 at 23:20

Asking price: 60 000 US$

Highest bid:
93 000 US$ by Winteam Ostrhauderfehn
Bidding is finished!

Transfers for Adrian Mihãilã

2 transfers found.
4/14/2003 Boston Wyckyd Sceptre to Winteam Ostrhaud 93 000 US$ (30 000 US$)
4/8/2003 Fontdor Gerona to Boston Wyckyd Sceptre 5 005 US$ (29 000 US$)

This guy just jumped from inadequate to passable. Suckers.

If I'm at all wrong here, let me know, because there was quite a bidding war for him. As far as I know, passing rating will do nothing for a central defender but raise their salary. So, this guy paid 93K for a 17 y.o. borderline passable defender. Bling!

[Doug5984]

Someone paid 93k for a passable defender??? They could get a 20 year old solid for 125k....granted he is not 17...but is the difference between 17 and 18 really worth +70K (I recently bought an 18 yr passable for $20k)...That just doesn't seem to make sense to me....if I am not mistaken it only takes 1 more week to train them up.

[RonnieDobbs]

If they're training defense, couldn't they train him up to be an 18 year old solid? Or 19 year-old excellent? Not sure if their coach is good enough, but I'm sure this is their thinking, right? They've probably just misinterpreted how passable he is. Am I wrong or does it take about 8 weeks to bump? I must admit I'm a little unclear on this exactly.

Now I'm praying Bollinger will bump to solid next week. At this rate he could fetch up to 200K

[Doug5984]

Originally posted by RonnieDobbs
If they're training defense, couldn't they train him up to be an 18 year old solid? Or 19 year-old excellent? Not sure if their coach is good enough, but I'm sure this is their thinking, right? They've probably just misinterpreted how passable he is. Am I wrong or does it take about 8 weeks to bump? I must admit I'm a little unclear on this exactly.

I am not positive on defense but with a solid coach i think it takes either 7 or 8 weeks...then for each year older than 17 you add a week...and each level below solid you add a week....so they are paying $70k for 1 week of training...that is how I interpereted it. Maybe if you are a team that is in the div 1 or 2 it might make a huge difference to get that week and $70k isn't that much money...so I am not sure.....either way I would be very happy with that money.

[RonnieDobbs]

Believe me, I appreciate it. After after another trainee purchase to come I see myself being 70K in the hole. Another home game and one more popped trainee and I could be in the clear.

Two recent purchases:

Pedro Óscar Coelho (8446522)
28 years, weak form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is balanced and upright.
Has weak experience and poor leadership abilities.

Nationality: Portugal
Assessed value: 32 000 US$
Wage: 996 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: inadequate Goaltending: wretched
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: weak
Winger: passable Defending: wretched
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: poor

Purchased for 10K. I saw Barrios was going to sell and didn't have anything that adequately fills the hole so that I am relatively competitive. As seen last game, my lowest performing player replaced Barrios. So, although this guy ain't anything fantastic, he'll do. He'll be a borderline starter, depeding on his form which isn't so hot right now.

Graeme Longhurst (10912035)
17 years, passable form, healthy

A controversial person who is temperamental and upright.
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities.

Speciality: Quick

Nationality: England
Assessed value: 25 000 US$
Wage: 744 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: weak Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: inadequate
Winger: wretched Defending: inadequate
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: disastrous

A trainee I picked up as I don't think he's that far from bumping. I've been deeply influenced by the easy money I made off of Mihãilã and I'm willing to try to ride that pony as far as she'll take me.

[RonnieDobbs]

Series V.47 Update

This Week's Games
Boston Wyckyd - 0/CRiSPyToWN FC - 1

See above.

Raider$ - 5/Oklahoma City - 2

A little surprised the Raider$ handled the Rednecks so easily. I guess it just goes to show how important the midfield is as Raider$ dominated 69 and 62.

Raider$
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak


Oklahoma City Rednecks
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: inadequate



Dark Warriors - 0/HelterSkelter - 8

About what I'd expected. The Dark Warriors look terrible, and Helter Skelter seems pretty solid. If they shore up their midfield, they'll be pretty darn good.

Dark Warriors of Eclipse
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: wretched
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: wretched


HelterSkelters
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: solid



WalleyeUSA - 5/hogheads - 0

Another walkover. I fear the hogheads have been abandoned.



League Table
Team (Goals)/Points
1. Raider$ (9 - 4)/6
2. CRiSPyToWN FC (6 - 1)/6
3. HelterSkelters (10 - 4)/3
4. WalleyeUSA (6 - 5)/3
5. Oklahoma City Rednecks (6 - 5)/3
6. Dark Warriors of Eclipse (5 - 8)/3
7. Boston Wyckyd Scept (0 - 5)/0
8. hogheads (0 - 10)/0

I predict a Raider$ falloff. I still think this is down to CTFC and HelterSkelters. As for myself, I think at least 6th, maybe if things start going my way we could creep into 5th.


NEXT WEEKS GAMES
WalleyeUSA @ HelterSkelters

The match of the week. I'm going with the HelterSkelters at home with this one.

Raider$ @ Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

If many things go right, maybe a victory? I can hope.

CRiSPyToWN FC @ hogheads

Probably another walkover.

Dark Warriors of Eclipse @ Oklahoma City Rednecks

Airhog should have little problem getting to six points.

[RonnieDobbs]

Edit: You're right Panther. It seemed to work but now just locks up.

[-Panther]

damn brain fart. I don't think you'll be able to link to it here as it's
an attachment that pops a download box.

[RonnieDobbs]

Changes in Short-Term Philosophy Highlight News Conference


BOSTON- Coach Dobbs hastily called a press conference today to discuss with the local press the current state of the team. "I think this is a good, young team. The pieces are falling in to place. We're playing damn hard. We're outplaying most of the teams we play! But, more importantely, we're losing. Losing pretty badly. We haven't scored a goal since I took over.

This is going to change as I think the schedule of coming games will provide us with a chance to get some wins and deliver the success that our Sceptre fans demand. I know the supporters out there are currently irritated at me and the team, and I want to change that. We're still keeping the same long-term goals of training defense and building the team that way; however, we need to win a few now."

When asked what this all meant, Coach Dobbs indicated that rather then focusing on defense during training sessions, he was willing to be more general in instruction and allow his players to get ready to play better on the pitch. "Hopefully some recent transfers can get their form up and begin to contribute as well." Dobbs added.

The Coach then introduced us to part two of this plan. He said these two men would help provide the offensive spark that might allow this team to get a few wins.

Carsten Henckel (7416391)
30 years, inadequate form, healthy

A controversial person who is fiery and honest.
Has poor experience and inadequate leadership abilities.
Speciality: Head

Nationality: Danmark
Assessed value: 30 000 US$
Wage: 972 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Stamina: passable
Playmaking: solid
Set Pieces: solid

Career Goals: 5

"We got Carsten from the Danish Leagues. We think he's ready to contribute to a better Sceptre midfield. His stamina is an upgrade for us and hopefully he'll be able to make something happen," Coach Dobbs was quote as saying.

Pavel Miklos(4014466)
29 years, inadequate form, healthy

A nasty fellow who is balanced and upright.
Has inadequate experience and poor leadership abilities.


Speciality: Powerful

Nationality: România
Assessed value: 62 000 US$
Wage: 1 332 US$/week including 20% Bonus

Passing: passable
Scoring: passable

Career Goals: 22

"Pavel gives us something we've never had before: a proven scoring threat. He will start at forward for us from this point on," Dobbs said. "Hopefully he'll help get us on the scoreboard." One could not help but note a hint of desperation in Dobbs' voice.

These moves better work out, as the Sceptre fans appear to be revolting. One thing this team cannot stand right now is losing fans. With the new stadium, they need to provide a good show for the fans to come see. These transactions put the team down 70K, so several B-teamers and displaced starters have reportedly been transfer listed.

[sterlingice]

How is your team form? If your players are almost all inad or above, then general will not help you- it only affects form (and a little on tending). Maybe train some stamina if you have good training: the results show up in only a week or two at the most.

SI

[RonnieDobbs]

I have a couple of guys whose form I'd really like to bump up a little. At the beginning on the transfer market I didn't look at form when I made my bids, and have a few guys who haven't put in any time with the A-team who deserve to. I'm only doing form for one week, then perhaps stamina but most likely back to defending.

[RonnieDobbs]

Friendly - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre @ Vaudville Swingers

The team travels to Tennessee to get some down south cooking as well as catch a game with the local Swingers.

I ran my training 5-4-1, and didn't expect much out the match, so I'll be brief.

Vaudville Swingers - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre 3 - 0

Date: 4/17/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 6906373
Arena: Vaudville Swingers Arena
Crowd: 175

175 spectators arrived at Vaudville Swingers Arena, where weather conditions were pretty good for football. Vaudville started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. Lineup: Iglesia Martínez - Medeiros, Lowry, Minter - Engman, Reaves, Sánchez, Abratkiewicz, Rojo - Lindhborn, Gilmore.

Sceptre had chosen a strategic 5-4-1 formation. Lineup: Peck - Nyholt, Sörensson, Longhurst, Clifton, Masson - Schmitz, Henckel, Kamp, Coelho - Miklos.

In the games 11th minute Vaudville´s Douglas Lindhborn fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Douglas Lindhborn for taking a dive.

After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, Vaudville´s Stanislaw Abratkiewicz got himself booked.

Vaudville had obvious problems in finding their positions.

Vaudvilles Douglas Lindhborn gave, after 40 minutes, the home team a 1-0 lead after an attack coming in from the right.

In the 41st minute Vaudvilles Kaj Engman received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first.

The teams went for a half-time break at 1-0. The fortyfive minutes were dominated by Vaudville, with an impressive 57 percent possession of the ball.

The Vaudville players spent the half-time break getting a rerun of the teams tactical organization.

With 50 minutes played Douglas Lindhborn could have brought this one home for Vaudville, had his hooked ball gone in, but it went just a bit too high.

After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, Sceptre´s Anders Nyholt got himself booked.

Sceptre had obvious problems in finding their positions.

Almost all the way down to the corner flag José María Rojo somhow managed to get a perfect pass into the middle, impossible to miss for Tracy Gilmore who struck for 2-0.

After 70 minutes Tracy Gilmore put Vaudville ahead 3-0 as he rose to head in a hooked ball, the result of an effort from the right side. The structure of the game started to change as Vaudville decided to pull back and meet their opponents in the defensive zone.

In the 80:th minute Anders Nyholt had a fantastic opportunity to reply but his shot hit the side of the goal.

The referee showed Sceptres -B0Taylor Clifton[/b] the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. Vaudville seemed to suffer a certain amount of confusion about the organization of the team.

Sceptre, bringing the final ball possession rate to 57 percent, dominated the battle.

Most important Vaudville player was Kaj Engman. Joan Lluis Sánchez on the other hand, had a terrible day. Sceptre´s best player was Pavel Miklos. Dan Kamp on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 3-0.

What happened?
I chose to train general this week, so I was just hoping for the new guys to clock some time and hope that everyone's form goes up.

[RonnieDobbs]

Weekly Update

Well, after training general I saw very little change in the guys who I wanted to bump up in form (Hasseling, Schmidt, Coelho). So, it's back to defensive training for me.

I now stand about 150K in debt. A home game this week, but I'm going to not allow myself to even look at the market right now, as tempting as it is. I need to train up my guys, and sell them off. I also need to keep telling myself this.

We have our first supporter as well! CRiSPy, owner of the recently relegated CTFC, sent me a gracious message after the match that I had put up a good fight. He then decided to support me! Awesome.

I've also decided to support my first team. The Sceptre will be going to the Maniacal Misfitz Arena in Florida for some football, fun, and coeds.

Up next: A Preview of This Week's League Game

[RonnieDobbs]

League Games #3: Raider$ @ Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

The Raider$ current are perched atop the Series V.47 table, with six points and a 9-4 differential.

Raider$ Last Game's Ratings:
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

Sceptre Last Game's Ratings: (PIC)
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: excellent
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: poor

The Sceptre needs its first win. And I think this could be it. They've got a good midfield, but a poor, poor defense. Also, for each of the league games this season they've pulled a wingback to be an extra inner midfielder, as well as moving the winger on the same side towards middle. They've exposed their entire left side both games, and I'm hoping for a third.

I'm running the same 3-5-2, but will be making my right winger offensive, as well as one middie. My left winger, defensive, both wingbacks defensive.

I'll be sending them this:

GK - Noel
WB - Nyholt, Andersson
CD - Bollinger
W - Coehlo (Off), Floyd (Def)
IM - Bruchhaus, Henckel, Isaacs (Off)
F - Manning, Miklos

I'm also MOTS this match since I really want a win and the schedule gets easier for the next few weeks. I'll MOTS this, PIC next week, Reg the next, then PIC again. I'm really hoping to win 3 of these 4. We shall see.

Instead of rain like last week, this week its merely overcast. Hopefully we can get more fans there to cheer the Sceptre on to their first win (or at least first goal )

[RonnieDobbs]

League Game #3 - Raider$ @ Boston Wyckyd Sceptre

BOSTON- The Wyckyd Sceptre have their second game at the new Globo-Chem Center for the Performing Arts, this time hotsing current Series V.47 top team Raider$. The Sceptre come into this game tumbling, as the supporters began to get irritated and some even left the Chip on Your Shoulder Club. We caught up with Coach Dobbs prior to the game to see how he hoped to right the ship.

"I think this is a game we can win. We've been playing well all along, the games just didn't go our way. Believe me, I realize that this team has yet to score a goal. But I'm telling my boys to go out there and play this game like it was the most important game of the season. The fans deserve a win; the team deserves a win."

Unfortunetly, the Boston fans don't seem to have the same optimism regarding the Sceptre. A rain-less cloudy day saw only 3507 fans come to the Arena. Perhaps a little winning streak will do the job to stanch the supporters leaving.

Boston Wyckyd Sceptre - Raider$ 2 - 0

Date: 4/21/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 5543553
Arena: Globo-Chem Center for the Performing Arts
Crowd: 3507


3507 spectators had come to Globo-Chem Center for the Performing Arts this cloudy day. Sceptre had chosen a strategic 3-5-2 formation. They fielded: Noel - Andersson, Bollinger, Nyholt - Coelho, Bruchhaus, Henckel, Isaacs, Floyd - Miklos, Manning.

Raider$ tactics involved an interesting 3-5-2 combination. They fielded: Katz - Williams, Jackiewicz, Bland - Salmon, Morales, Brownlee, Newton, Woods - Latorre Civera, Donahue.

In the games 11th minute Raider$´s Jean Bland fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee booked Jean Bland for taking a dive.

16 minutes into the game a free kick combination hooked into the box almost resulted in the home team taking the lead, but the last header went wide.

Hardi Bruchhaus received some harsh words from his coach after he acted foolishly, probably out of lack of experience, in the 26:th minute and almost caused an opponent to score.

Stefan Andersson gave his Sceptre the lead with 1-0 , as he successfully challenged both the guests central defenders, then placed the ball unreachably at the goaltenders right post.

The teams went for a half-time break at 1-0 . Raider$ held the ball, with a clear 53 percent possession rate.

Stefan Andersson increased Sceptres lead to 2-0 by putting a header away on a hooked ball from the right.

The referee showed Raider$s Ryan Newton the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge.

Jim Salmon had a lethal looking free kick grazing the post in the 74:th minute.

The referee showed Sceptres Anders Nyholt the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The Raider$ player was Stephen Donahue who had to be helped off the pitch, unable to finish the game.

In the 82nd minute Sceptre´s Larry Manning tried to nail the coffin shut, but the shot rebounded off the bar to fall behind the net.

Raider$ held the ball, with a clear 53 percent possession rate.

The most dominating Sceptre player was without a doubt Philip Noel. Pedro Óscar Coelho on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Raider$ player was Jim Salmon. Joseph Boyer on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2-0.

Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: excellent
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: poor

Raider$
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: inadequate
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: poor
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: poor

Match Stars
GK - Noel **~
WB - Andersson **~
Nyholt **
CD - Bollinger **
IM - Bruchhaus **
Isaacs *~
Henckel **
WG - Coelho *~
Floyd *~
FW - Manning **
Miklos **

What Happened?
We scored. We won. Sure we MOTS it, but I'll have time to recover. We got on the board. Supporters are content. Team is furious at me though. Heh. Guess I shouldn't have cursed their mothers out so much. But, the champagne flows freely tonight in Boston.

UP NEXT: A review of week 3 in Series V.47

[RonnieDobbs]

Series V.47 - Week 3

Game of the Week
HelterSkelter - 1/WalleyeUSA - 2

WalleyeUSA take the road upset. The close score in this game didn't surprise me much as I think these two teams will finish close to each other on the table. Defender Robert Jansson (***) and keeper Jimmy Daigle (***) led the Walleye to the victory. The Walleye defense again showed to be their strength. HelterSkelter were led by their right wing players, as wingback Clair Hackett (**~) and winger Jamie Ropero (**~) played well.

HelterSkelter
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: passable

WalleyeUSA
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: outstanding
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: poor

Other Actoin

Oklahoma City Rednecks - 9/Dark Warriors of Eclipse - 0

Since their week one walkover win over the hogheads, DWOE have been outscored 17-0 in two games. These guys are terrible. I guess I don't have to worry about relegation. Airhog's boys just killed them. The Redneck's lethal pair of strikers, Jacob Cummings and Cordell Shelton, both achieved **~. No one on the Warriors got two stars, including ZERO star performances from their goalie and one striker.

Oklahoma City Rednecks
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: excellent
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Dark Warriors of Eclipse
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: weak
Left Side Defence: poor
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: wretched


Boston Wyckyd Sceptre - 2/Raider$ - 0

See above.


hogheads - 0/CRiSPyToWN FC - 5

Another walkover. Hogheads appears to be done. No idea when they'll be taken over, though. Hopefully after my home and home with them (want to be able to rachet up my TS there).

[RonnieDobbs]

Friendly Game

After travelling to Sweden and Tennessee, the team wanted a more relaxing friendly this week. I complied and the team walked down the road to Killian Court to take on the MIT Football Club, a relatively new (but older than us) Series V team.

MIT FC - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre 1 - 2

Date: 4/24/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 6925225
Arena: Killian Court
Crowd: 419

Due to an all-day shower, 419 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Killian Court. MIT tactics involved an interesting 4-4-2 combination. Lineup: Barnes - Pitts, Painter, Parzuch, Crowley - Franks, Jackson, Hurtrez, Ng - Gerwig, Illera.

Sceptre tactics involved an interesting 5-4-1 combination. Lineup: Peck - Longhurst, Masson, Kamp, Clifton, Sörensson - Schmitz, Hasseling, Keeler, Gee - Barrett.

In the 13th minute Sceptres Taylor Clifton received a yellow card for going into a challenge studs first. MIT were forced to a substitution as Donny Crowley couldn´t continue playing due to the rough treatment.

MIT tried to break through in the middle repeatedly, but kept getting stuck on the visitors defenders.

Jannik Schmitz was doing a great job at his wing, sending in brilliant passes to his team mates in the middle.

MIT made a bid to take the lead as a ball coming in from the right hand side left Graham Ng completely alone with keeper Trevor Peck, who made a spectacular block.

The referee showed Sceptres Jannik Schmitz the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge.

Sceptre had obvious problems in finding their positions.

The 41st minute saw the home team take a 1-0 lead after a leak in the visitors right side defense. Scorer for MIT was Marek Parzuch.

The teams went for a half-time break at 1-0 . The fortyfive minutes were dominated by MIT, with an impressive 65 percent possession of the ball.

During the break Sceptre´s coach went through the teams new tactics yet again.

Sceptre could level the score in the 59:th minute at 1-1 , as Dan Kamp struck home after a fine midfield combination, leaving him completely unmarked.

Sceptre had obvious problems in finding their positions.

Sceptre will have to do without Theo Masson for a time due to a bad foot injury. He was substituted by Alva Armstead.

Some quick foot work on the left side of the field in the 82nd minute left Sceptre´s Jannik Schmitz completely free to score. 2-1 for the visitors.

In the games 83rd minute Johan Sörensson nearly put the visitors another one up as he broke through and fired from just outside the box, his shot passed just over the bar.

MIT held the ball, with a clear 54 percent possession rate.

The most dominating MIT player was without a doubt Lucien Hurtrez. Oliver Burden on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Sceptre player was Dan Kamp. Tomas Hasseling on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2-1.

MIT FC
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: weak


Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: formidable
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: poor

Match Stars

GK Peck: **
WB Longhurst: *~
WB Sorensson: **
CD Armstead: *~
CD Clifton: **
CD Kamp: **
WG Schmitz: *~
WG Gee: *~
IM Hasseling: *
IM Keeler: **
FW Barrett: **

What happened?
One of my defensive trainees got hurt. But, we won another one! Sure, it didn't matter for anything, but it's better than losing. Schmitz showed a hell of a time to finally have a game, as he was already situated (with a few others from the team) on the transfer list as the game began. I'm pleased with the performances of most of my trainees.

Up Next: A preview of Next Week's V.47 Action

[Airhog]

Good luck to you this weekend. Hopefully we both win big

[RonnieDobbs]

I don't think I'll have any problem, but thanks anyways and good luck to you.

Transfer Activity:

SOLD:
Larry Manning (10636570)
18 years, passable form, healthy

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 45 000 US$
Wage: 864 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Strongbow Boys
Warnings: 0

Stamina: poor Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: weak Passing: wretched
Winger: poor Defending: inadequate
Scoring: passable Set Pieces: weak

Wanted to get older here, and a little better. Sold him for 20K.

Tomas Hasseling (2450651)
29 years, wretched form, healthy

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 40 000 US$
Wage: 1 452 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Fc Húopatossut
Warnings: 0

His form has never been good. Was to be a part of my midfield, but never left the B-Team because of that fact. Sold for 33K.

Stefan Andersson, who popped to solid defending this week, was placed on the transfer wire at a debt-clearing $165,000

Stefan Andersson (10678404)
18 years, inadequate form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is balanced and upright.
Has disastrous experience and solid leadership abilities.

Nationality: Sverige
Assessed value: 35 000 US$
Wage: 768 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Warnings: 0


Stamina: inadequate Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: wretched Passing: poor
Winger: poor Defending: solid
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: poor

Additionally, Manny Barrett has been transfer listed at 0K. I need to dump his salary and he's only B-team material on my team.

Manny Barrett (8167919)
27 years, solid form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is temperamental and dishonest.
Has weak experience and passable leadership abilities.

Nationality: Oceania
Assessed value: 59 000 US$
Wage: 1 068 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Warnings: 0


Stamina: weak Goaltending: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: inadequate
Winger: wretched Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: weak

Purchased:

Pavel Myslbek (4084978)
30 years, inadequate form, healthy

A pleasant guy who is temperamental and honest.
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: Ceska republika
Assessed value: 58 000 US$
Wage: 1 272 US$/week including 20% Bonus
Owner: Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Warnings: 1


Stamina: excellent
Passing: passable
Scoring: passable

New forward to replace Manning. Hopefully my two Pavel Ms will generate enough offense for the squad.


My youth squad player was only around long enough to get Stefan Andersson's autograph before security escorted him out of the arena.

[RonnieDobbs]

League Game #4 - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre @ Dark Warriors of Eclipse

I hoping that this will be a my first blow-out. The DWOE aren't good. Not at all. They "scored" five goals in their first game walk-over the hogheads, but haven't scored since (17-0). Here are the latest games ratings:

Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: excellent
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: poor

Dark Warriors of Eclipse
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: weak
Left Side Defence: poor
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: wretched


I've also decided to change the strategy a little, at least for this game. I'll be running an "interesting" 4-4-2 where one of my CD plays IM and one of my wingers plays CD. I've decided to try this for a two main reasons: I don't have good wingers, and I'm training defense, so cramming one more in there is a good thing. I know that I'll kill my attack on one side, but I think we'll still do alright. The defense will be even better, and more will be trained.

My lineup:

GK: Noel
WB: Bollinger, Nyholt
CD: Andersson, Longhurst
IM: Henckel, Bruchhaus, Keeler
Wing: Coelho
F: Miklos, Myselbeck

I'm going to PIC, and I still think we'll kill them. They stink.

[RonnieDobbs]

Week 4 in Series V.47

Game of the Week
WalleyeUSA - Oklahoma City Rednecks

Airhog's team is more well-rounded and he has the home crowd. WalleyeUSA brings their top-flight defense to the Trailer Park in this important match, as both these teams will probably finish high in the series.

Prediction: OKCR 2, WEU 1

Other Matches
CRiSPyToWN FC - Raider$

CRiSPy should roll over the Raiders.

Holland United One- HelterSkelters .

The hogheads are gone, and before I had a chance to walk over them. This new team, obviously, is a wild-card of some sorts. They haven't made any transfers yet, and the team they got doesn't look particularly good. HS looks to win this one fairly easily.

[Airhog]

Just so you know, that was a road game for me

[RonnieDobbs]

It's been a while since an update, but here we go.

League Game #4 - Boston Wyckyd Sceptre @ Dark Warriors of Eclipse

The Wyckyd Sceptre, having less money that the team would desire, hopped on the team bus and headed down I-95 to New York City for todays match against the DWoE. The team looked refreshed and ready to go, as for the first time the side goes into a match as the favorites.

"Hopefully this doesn't go to their heads," remarked Coach Dobbs. "They're a good, young team, but they're far from ready. I hope that this one doesn't slip past us. However, I'm still going to tell our guys to take it easy out there are think about next week's match against the WalleyeUSA. No offense to the great people of New York City, but these DWoE remind me of the Nets teams of ten years ago."

Coach Dobbs also lamented the fact that the bosses won't give him more flexibility with transfer funds. "I've been told nothing more can come in until more green comes in, so that's why we're in the shape we're in. We really don't even have a functional winger, and I had to adjust our gameplan to compensate." He revealed to us that he would be using a new 4-4-2, with 3 Inner Midfielders and one Winger. However, this is a formation that could be ripe for the pickings. As it turns out, Coach Dobbs had nothing to worry about.


Due to an all-day shower, 3554 paying spectators got to see a match on a pitch-turned-bog at Dark Warriors of Eclipse Arena. Warriors had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Miller - Becerra, Rosario, Freixes, Artis - Herring, Iniesta, Harrison, Lake - Rinehart, Muñoz.

Sceptre had chosen a strategic 4-4-2 formation. The following players had been chosen: Noel - Andersson, Bollinger, Longhurst, Nyholt - Bruchhaus, Henckel, Keeler, Coelho - Miklos, Myslbek.

Sceptre had a good opportunity to score the lead goal but the home team goaltender Wes Miller saved Pavel Miklos´s shot headed for the top corner.

Sceptre took the lead in the games 16:th minute with 0-1 after some elegant plays down the middle. Carsten Henckel was the scorer.

Sceptre´s Graeme Longhurst received a play slashing through the home side´s defense in the 24:th minute, chipping it past the keeper scoring 0-2. The home crowd was not pleased with that one.

The teams went for a half-time break at 0-2. Sceptre held the ball, with a clear 66 percent possession rate.

The visitors Anders Nyholt took advantage of an error due to a misunderstanding between the home side´s goalie and full backs in the 74:th minute. 0-3 for Sceptre.

The referee showed Warriorss Kev Harrison the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge.

Pavel Myslbek increased the visitors lead by putting a volley shot away on a pass from the right. 0-4.

After 83 minutes a combination in the middle resulted in a through ball for Pavel Miklos who increased Sceptre´s lead to 0-5. By now Sceptre were drawing the troops back in order to defend their lead.

In the 83rd minute the visitors put themselves ahead 0-6 as Pedro Óscar Coelho finished off an attack from the left with a spectacular scissors kick.

Sceptre, bringing the final ball possession rate to 81 percent, dominated the battle.

The most dominating Warriors player was without a doubt Joe Becerra. However, Wes Miller made a disastrous appearance. The most dominating Sceptre player was without a doubt Philip Noel. Christopher Bollinger on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0-6.


Dark Warriors of Eclipse
Midfield: disastrous
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: weak
Left Side Defence: poor
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: wretched
Left Side Attack: poor


Boston Wyckyd Sceptre
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: excellent
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Player Stars:
GK - Noel **~
WB - Andersson **~
Nyholt **
CD - Bollinger *~
Longhurst **
IM - Bruchhaus **
Keeler **
Henckel **
WG - Coelho **
FW - Myselbak **
Miklos **

Wha' Happened?
We put the boots to a terrible, abandoned team. I was surprised that the guys were able to put six up while PIC, but I'm not complaining. This win pretty much means nothing, though. Their goalie, again, got zero stars. Next week will be a much more telling game.

[RonnieDobbs]

Week 4 in Series V.47

Game of the Week - Oklahoma City Rednecks @ WalleyeUSA
As Airhog pointed out above, this match was actually a road game for him, visiting the tough WalleyeUSA. It ended up a 1-1 draw, as Walleye's gritty defense shut down Airhog's fantastic attack.

WalleyeUSA
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: outstanding
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak
NSI: 51

Oklahoma City Rednecks
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: excellent
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: passable
Left Side Attack: inadequate
NSI: 47

Other Action
CRiSPyToWN FC 8 - Raider$ 2
CRiSPyToWN puts up an NSI of 63 compared to Raider$ 38.

Holland United One 0 - HelterSkelters 6
A lot like our match, where HS gets an NSI of 46 while Holland U, in their first match, put up an NSI of 29.

THE TABLE
1. CRiSPyToWN FC (19 - 3) - 12

2. Oklahoma City Rednecks (16 - 6) - 7
3. WalleyeUSA (9 - 7) - 7
4. HelterSkelters (17 - 6) - 6

5. Boston Wyckyd Sceptre (8 - 5) - 6
6. Raider$ (11 - 14) - 6

7. Dark Warriors of Eclipse (5 - 23) - 3
8. Holland United One (0 - 21) - 0

I think that this is where the table stablizes to a degree. CRiSPy is going to run away with this series. Airhog and the Walleye seem to be fairly evenly matched and will battle for the second slot. HS and myself will battle for the fourth place prize money (it's mine! ), and the others hope to avoid leaving.

[RonnieDobbs]

Friendly - @ Fairfax Admirals

We take a FOFC friendly this week as we visit awm9a's Series IV Fairfax Admirals.

I won't post the match report, because it's not that pretty. The game tied 1-1 with Justin Gee scoring in the fourth minute for our side.

The bad news, more injuries. Backup goalie Trevor Peck was injured, and will be out for 2 weeks. Trainee Johan Sorensson is also bruised but playing. Along with Theo Masson, that makes three injuries to my backups/trainees. I hire a couple of doctors to try and fix them up a little faster.

Up Next: Transactions, transactions.