Yet Another Hattrick dynasty: Morrisville

[NevStar]

Morrisville Morrisvillians (70926)

This is my first dynasty, please be gentle. After following everybody else's hattrick dynasty, I decided to start my own. I take over a team that's dead last in Series V.93. The previous owner must've done nothing, as we have a 0-6 record, with a 3-28 goal differential. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

First thing I did was raise my youth squad development to $20,000, as everybody seems to suggest. I ran my team through mybestteam to get a suggested starting lineup, which I prompty threw away & used my own (I'll introduce the team in the next post). I fired my weak 51-year old coach, only to get another weak. Another fire, and I get an inadequate coach, which I'll settle with, for now. Presenting the first coach of the Morrisville Morrisvillians:

Colby Hawkins (7891018)
46 years, disastrous form, healthy
A inadequate coach who goes all out
A pleasant guy who is calm and upright.
Has formidable experience and passable leadership abilities

And now, since I know interactive dynasties are more popular: The first team to challenge me to a friendly at beautiful Morrisville Morrisvillian stadium gets the right to name my stadium. (In extreme cases, subject to my veto power. Don't be getting any ideas about travelling to "Ka Ka Field" or anything.) My team name is yet another tribute to the Simpsons, the neighboring town of Shelbyville. My fan club will be named the "Attractive Cousins Brigade."

[NevStar]

And now...the team:
GK
Tom Egan
69 000 US$, 27 years, wretched form
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]
Keeper: inadequate
Not the best keeper, but he'll do if I can't find anyone else. Does the Technical specialty mean anything for goalkeepers?

Central Defenders
James Lund
17 000 US$, 19 years, weak form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: disastrous
Passing: inadequate
Defending: passable
Scoring: inadequate
He's a decent young player. I hope his stamina won't be too much of a negative for us

Dan Little
39 000 US$, 26 years, weak form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: inadequate
Passing: inadequate
Defending: inadequate
Not spectacular, but he should be able to hold down the fort

Wingbacks
Earl Frantz
72 000 US$, 23 years, weak form
Has wretched experience and passable leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

Stamina: passable
Winger: solid Defending: passable
"Crazy Earl" is my best wingback. In a pinch he could probably play midfield winger also.

Robert Doss
30 000 US$, 28 years, wretched form
Has weak experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]

Stamina: inadequate
Playmaking: poor Passing: inadequate
Winger: inadequate Defending: inadequate

Not bad, but I'd like to upgrade if I plan on only using 3 defenders. The lack of a 2nd strong wingback is my major reservation against playing the 3-5-2 that everyone seems to be using.

Central Midfield
Matt Atkins
119 000 US$, 26 years, weak form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: solid
Playmaking: solid Passing: inadequate
Defending: weak
Scoring: inadequate

Theodore Vega
102 000 US$, 19 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities

Stamina: passable
Playmaking: solid Passing: weak
Defending: inadequate
Scoring: wretched

Yeah! 2 guys with solids in Playmaking, what more can you ask for. Vega and Richard Stewart look to be the futures of this team.

Wingers
Kelvin Campbell
95 000 US$, 25 years, passable form
Has poor experience and passable leadership abilities [Technical]

Stamina: poor
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: passable
Winger: solid Defending: weak
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: passable
Another solid midfielder, Campbell also serves as the captain on the field.

Robert Cannon
46 000 US$, 27 years, poor form
Has poor experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: weak Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: wretched Passing: passable
Winger: solid Defending: poor
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: inadequate
Too many weaknesses. I may start Belenguer her, instead.

Forwards
Richard Stewart
272 000 US$, 20 years, inadequate form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities

Stamina: inadequate
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: wretched
Winger: inadequate Defending: solid
Scoring: solid Set Pieces: solid
The highest valued player on my team, he's my best defender AND striker, I'm not exactly sure where to put this guy yet. If I had another strong forward, then I'd probably move him back to defense.

Gabriel Ribelles
60 000 US$, 24 years, poor form
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities

Stamina: weak
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: poor
Winger: inadequate Defending: inadequate
Scoring: inadequate Set Pieces: wretched
This guy could play anywhere on the field serviceably, but certainly isn't going to blow anybody away.

Defense Reserves
Lucas Fréchette
3 000 US$, 29 years, poor form
Has poor experience and wretched leadership abilities [Quick]

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

Midfield Reserves
Victoro Sifres Belenguer
23 000 US$, 22 years, poor form
Has wretched experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]

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

Ethan Miller
7 000 US$, 25 years, weak form
Has wretched experience and inadequate leadership abilities [Quick]

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

Al Mahoney
5 000 US$, 23 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities

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

Belenguer may have an upside. That, or I could sell him to someone who doesn't see all his weaknesses. Miller will do OK as a central midfield backup. Mahoney should be back at his UPS job by the end of the month.

Backup Forwards
George Warren
40 000 US$, 24 years, solid form
Has poor experience and wretched leadership abilities [Quick]

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

Abhinav Tandon
7 000 US$, 23 years, inadequate form
Has wretched experience and poor leadership abilities

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



Looking over the team, I target the following goals in the transfer market.

1) a passable or solid goalkeeper
2) another forward (solid scoring)
3) a wingback (passable defense, passable winger)

[NevStar]

We accept an invitation to visit Spring Grove to face the Fighting Eagles (illinifan).

We also hire the following staff:

Goaltending Coaches: 2
Assistant Coaches: 7
Sport Psychologists: 1
Spokepersons: 3
Economists: 0
Physiotherapists: 1
Doctors: 0

Before closing up for the day, we also briefly browse the transfer markets, placing a bid on an American striker, a Polish keeper, and an aging Polish defender.

[Peregrine]

Morrisville? Wow, hard to imagine them supporting such a fine team.

[NevStar]

Originally posted by Peregrine
Morrisville? Wow, hard to imagine them supporting such a fine team.

I plan to add lots of VIP boxes so I can draw the Cary crowd

[Coffee Warlord]

Good lord your team is leaps and bounds better than mine was when I started.

Welcome to the war, and good luck to you!

[ausonny]

You mention needing two wingbacks to play a 352. THere are two types, symmetrical and asymmetrical, meaning you could push up a wingback to inner midfield instead of a central defender. Just a thought.

[NevStar]

ausonny-

That is true, but after reading in a dynasty here (DataKing's I think...) about the ease that the asymmetrical 3-5-2 was broken, I have reservations about that. I suppose I COULD play one of my central defenders wide.

Thanks to all who are reading.


New 'Villians

Alan Felton
60 000 US$, 29 years, inadequate form
Has weak experience and inadequate leadership abilities [Unpredictable]

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

An American playing in Sweden for hapoel tel aviv, I got stuck into a 3 team bidding war for his services and probably spent way too much for him. $132 000 US. Hey, I really needed another striker. With this addition, we'll move Stewart back to his more natural defender spot.

Robby Dudley-Evans
163 000 US$, 20 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities

Stamina: poor Keeper: passable
Playmaking: disastrous Passing: disastrous
Winger: disastrous Defending: disastrous
Scoring: disastrous Set Pieces: poor
Transferred from Outside Guys in Oceania for $105 000, Dudley-Evans moves right into the starting goalie spot. Again, I probably could have found a better bargain, but I paid less than his value, so I'm happy.

Youth Team
After spending $20,000 last week, my Youth squad is up to a poor rating. Question for readers: Is it even worth it to make a youth pull until the squad is rated higher?

Economy

Looking at the balance sheet confirms my thoughts. No more transfer market for me. Fortunately I have a home league game this week, so I shouldn't go too far into debt.

Cash funds: 155 000 US$ (-13 072) US$
Sponsors: content
Supporter Club: 504 members
Supporters: content

This week
 
Revenue			Expenses 
Crowd 0			Arena 3 900 
Sponsors 25 800		Wages 16 972 
Financial 0		Interest 0 
Temporary 0		Temporary 132 000 
			Staff 21 000 
			Youth squad 20 000 
Total revenue 25 800	Total expenses 193 872 
Expected income/loss -168 072  

Formations
Formation experience
4-3-3: weak
4-5-1: weak
3-5-2: weak
5-3-2: weak
3-4-3: disastrous
5-4-1: disastrous

Looking over my team, I really think that we're best suited for a 4-5-1. I'll counteract the lack of scoring chances by playing my wingbacks & central midfielders offensively. One of the benefits of having a super-stud like Stewart, is that he can play anywhere, so I'll be starting him at wingback.

So, my starting lineup for my first league game (paren's are their skills in the most critical skill for their position)

			
			    Dudley-Evans(6)

Stewart(7,5)		Lund(6)		Little(5)	Frantz(6,7)
(Offensive)						(Offensive)

Campbell(5,7)		Vega(7)		Atkins(7)	Cannon(2,7)
(Defensive)		(Offensive)	(Offensive)	(Defensive)

			Felton(7)	Warren(6)
					(Xtra CM)

Set Pieces: Stewart
Captain: Campbell
Sub - GK: Egan(5)
Sub - Def: Frechette(4)
Sub - IM: Miller(5)
Sub - Fwd: Ribelles(5)
Sub - Wing: Belenguer(5,5)

[Poli]

Welcome to the big show! I'd say it's not worth it until your youth club gets to weak, but some other say do it regardless. Either way, my decent pulls came after I hit "weak".

That's my suggestion, and happy hattricking! Good luck!

[NevStar]

When listing my transfers yesterday, I forgot to mention one. I put a bid in on a passable Danish striker, when I had given up on the solid scoring Alan Felton, before deciding to bid once more (which turned out to be a winning bid). Suprisingly, my backup bid won also.

New 'Villians
Søren Andersen
31 000 US$, 19 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and passable leadership abilities [Head]

Stamina: poor Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: inadequate Passing: poor
Winger: poor Defending: poor
Scoring: passable Set Pieces: weak
Andersen, a former Houston Hippopotamus (hey sterlingice!), is slotted as the second striker, and should replace Alan Felton in the future. Unfortunately, he's a bit of a clubhouse cancer, as his arrival prompted this note: "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." Hopefully, he'll learn to play nice. I only paid $13,000 for him.


Match results
In the first league match in the Nevstar regime, I draw Yoknapatawpha Jefferson.
Looking at their history, I notice they play a 3-4-3, consistently get 3 excellent ratings in attack & have forwards valued in the $300,000 range. My midfield needs to play a great game to keep the ball out of their end.

Date: 1/27/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 4593030
Arena: Morrisville Morrisvillians Arena
Crowd: 6200


6200 spectators had come to Morrisville Morrisvillians Arena this cloudy day. People from all of North Carolina had joined up for the derby. Morrisvillians had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. The following players had been chosen: Dudley-Evans - Stewart, Little, Lund, Frantz - Campbell, Atkins, Warren, Vega, Cannon - Felton.

Yoknapatawpha had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Mayes - Crockett, Singh, Braden - Cedermo, Lemons, Engfeldt, Shoemaker - Dalifard, Ulrich, Ninic.

In the 15:th minute the home side managed to get a 1 - 0 lead as Theodore Vega flipped the ball after a cross pass from the right. A corner kick created great disorder in the penalty area, but at last Yoknapatawpha´s Jack Crockett was able to shove the ball in. 1-1. In the 30:th minute the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending and Jack Crockett put the ball away for 1 - 2. After a fatal mistake from the away teams right side defense in the 35:th minute, an alert Alan Felton bagged the ball, evening the score to 2 - 2. Yoknapatawpha´s Ray Lemons left the field after 39 minutes because of a nasty blow to the shin. His replacement was Timothy Spangler. A mistake by the home sides central defence in the 39:th minute allowed Gabriel Dalifard to score 2 - 3 for Yoknapatawpha. Halftime score was 2 - 3. Morrisvillians held the ball, with a clear 61 percent possession rate.

After a fatal mistake from the away teams right side defense in the 51st minute, an alert George Warren bagged the ball, evening the score to 3 - 3. Morrisvillians had a good opportunity to take the lead as Alan Felton came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into thearms of Harold Mayes. In the 60:th minute the home side were awarded a penalty. The visitors protested wildly but the referee was adamant. Richard Stewart easily put the 4 - 3 goal away for Morrisvillians. Visitors Gabriel Dalifard was alert on a play coming in from the left, making the score a tie at 4 - 4 in the 71st minute. Morrisvillians took the lead in the 82nd minute of the game by 5 to 4, as Alan Felton elegantly received a pass going deep, finishing off with a half-volley shot just below the bar. Morrisvillians appeared unsure on how to play. Yoknapatawpha held the ball, with a clear 54 percent possession rate.

The most dominating Morrisvillians player was without a doubt Theodore Vega. Robert Cannon on the other hand, had a terrible day. Most important Yoknapatawpha player was Harold Mayes. Timothy Spangler on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 5 - 4.

Morrisville Morrisvillians
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: weak


Yoknapatawpha Jefferson
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: excellent
Left Side Attack: excellent


Woo-hoo!! Newcomer Alan Felton with the game winner in the 83rd minute!

Ratings
GK Dudley-Evans 2.0
DR Richard Stewart 2.0 (1 penalty goal)
DC James Lund 1.5
DC Dan Little 1.5
DL Earl Frantz 2.0
MR Kelvin Campbell 2.0
AMC Theodore Vega 2.5 (1 goal)
AMC Matt Atkins 2.0
MC George Warren 1.5 (1 goal)
ML Robert Cannon 1.0
FC Alan Felton 2.0 (2 goals)

Coming up next: Match analysis.

[NevStar]

Match Analysis
I can view the outcome of the match in one of two ways.
1) Our team found a way to win, even playing against a vastly more talented team. OR
2) Our team was terribly outplayed the entire game.

My midfield and defense played just well enough to win. It concerns me that our possession dropped from 61% in the first half, to 46% in the second, even though we outnumbered them in the midfield. I don't know if this is a stamina issue, or simply unfamiliarity with the tactics I'm running. I'm leaning towards the second, as my central midfielders (where stamina plays the biggest part) had decent stamina ratings of passable, solid, and inadequate.

Training with the 4-5-1 increased from weak to passable, so we'll see if that has any effect in the next match. We have a rematch against Yoknapatawpha (the hell?) next week at their place & this time they'll know what to expect, so I suspect we'll have a tougher time with it.

In other club news,

1/27/2003 15 new supporters signed up and paid 450 US$ in fees.
1/27/2003 The team played a match. Spectator income amounted to 28 548 US$.

Team Spirit: calm
Confidence: strong

Cash funds: 155 000 US$ (2 926) US$
Sponsors: content
Supporter Club: 519 members
Supporters: high on life

[NevStar]

Going against the advice of grizzled veteran and super-genius ardent, we do a youth pull. Hey, I had nothing to do with my team today & I'm completely addicted! You know, "idle hands make the devil's blah blah blah."

Frank Bentley
0 US$, 18 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and inadequate leadership abilities

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

Hooray, it's crap! I pulled a goalie with the hope that i'd at least get a poor, so I could transfer my aging backup (Tom Egan) and his $1020/week salary (7th highest on the team). The passable skill in set pieces is interesting, but he'll probably eventually be fired. Nevertheless, I decide to transfer list Egan anyway. If he is sold, I'll find a cheap replacement on the transfer wire.

I've been toying with the idea of transfer listing my best player, Richard Stewart. I figure I could easily get at least $500 000. This would allow me to upgrade the stadium without going into debt, as well as grab a serviceable replacement. Any advice from the veterans? Also, what position would I list him as?

Richard Stewart (7871734)
20 years, inadequate form, healthy

A popular guy who is calm and dishonest.
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities.

Nationality: USA
Assessed value: 272 000 US$
Wage: 2 040 US$/week
Owner: Morrisville Morrisvillians
Warnings: 0


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

Career Goals: 1
Career Hattricks: 0
League goals this season: 1
Cup goals this season: 0

Coming up, on Thursday, we travel to Spring Grove to face illinifan's Fighting Eagles.

[samifan24]

If you want to sell Stewart, list him as a forward. A lot of teams will splurge for a young, solid striker, so I'd list him if you want the money because they'll give money for him.

[DataKing]

Looks like you're off to a good start there, Nevster. You can be sure I'll be following along.

A couple of things...

1. It was my thread where I mentioned how easy it is to foil an asymmetrical 3-5-2. However, the ease with which my team was able to do that has a good deal to do with the team that I faced. They always removed the wingback from the same side (their left side, if memory serves), so it was easy to predict. If someone altered which side they removed the wingback from, then it would be more difficult to predict. Also, that team didn't try to compensate, by playing the central defender 'toward wing' or the winger on that side 'defensive.' I prefer symmetrical 3-5-2 myself, but I feel that there are ways to make the asymmetrical 3-5-2 work.

2. Regarding what to list Richard Stewart as, I'm not sure it makes much of a difference. I believe that a number of people base their transfer market searches solely on the skill levels they are looking for, and pay little attention to the listed position for a player (this is something that I generally ignore). His value as a striker is slightly lowered by his wretched passing ability, but should still garner you some good money. However, if you plan on training either defenders or forwards, I would recommend keeping and training him. But that's just me.

Keep up the good work. I'll be following along.

[NevStar]

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

New 'Villians

I know I said that I was broke & couldn't check the transfer market anymore, but I found this guy right before his deadline:

Buster Minton
19 000 US$, 18 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]

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

He won't be a starter, but could be a decent midfield/defense backup, with room for training. I got him for the bargain basement price of $1000.

Supporter!

I shelled out the money for Supporter. The Fighting Eagles will be terrified of our shiny new brown & gray uniforms & the snarling face of mascot Shelbyville Manhattan!

[Poli]

I am a super genius.

And people get mad when I declare myself just a regular genius.

Thanks for the praise!

[samifan24]

Originally posted by DataKing


2. Regarding what to list Richard Stewart as, I'm not sure it makes much of a difference. His value as a striker is slightly lowered by his wretched passing ability, but should still garner you some good money. However, if you plan on training either defenders or forwards, I would recommend keeping and training him. But that's just me.

DataKing- I second that option of keeping him. If you recall I had a pretty good youth pull several weeks back named Hector Li. I kept him despite the possibility of getting some cash for him. I'm trying to build my team up and I'm sure you are too, NevStar, so I second the training option for Stewart. Besides, you could always just sell him later. Just a thought.

[NevStar]

Spring Grove Fighting Eagles - Morrisville Morrisvillians 4 - 0 .

Painful, just painful to watch. If you want the full match recap, check out illinifan's thread here. Here's the synapsis.

Goals
19-SGFE-Ted Ortega
64-SGFE-Norman Scruggs
75-SGFE-Martin Maurer
79-SGFE-Tom Sheets

Bookings
MMFC-Gabriel Ribelles (yellow), Al Mahoney (yellow)
SGFE-Rocky Beverly (yellow)

Possesion: 1st half SGFE 58%, 2nd half SGFE 57%

Spring Grove Fighting Eagles
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: weak
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Morrisville Morrisvillians
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: poor
Central Defence: weak
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: poor
Left Side Attack: weak

GK Tom Egan *
DR Robert Doss *
DC Lucas Fréchette *
DC Gabriel Ribelles *~
DL Al Mahoney (Offensive) *
MR Victoro Sifres Belenguer *
MC Ethan Miller (Offensive) *
MC Richard Stewart (Offensive) *
ML Earl Frantz (Defensive) *~
FC Søren Andersen **
MC Buster Minton (Extra IM) *~

Analysis
Not taking any credit away from illinifan, but my tactics just plain sucked. I'm training playmaking this week and I was hoping that by putting Stewart as AMC, he'd get some scoring opportunities, to take advantage of his solid scoring, but clearly that didn't happen. I've learned some more about tactics & will be ready to apply it to my next 'real' match. It looks like lack of stamina bit me again. Although SGFE didn't possess the ball any more in the 2nd half than they did in the first, they scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes. I'll have to work in a couple weeks of stamina training sometime. Silver linings, if there were any, was the decent play of backup forward Søren Andersen (**, same as my first-stringer Felton), and newcomer Buster Minton (*~ and had a scoring opportunity robbed by Spring Grove's keeper). Depending on how the forms update, Minton may earn a start as a defender in next week's league match.

Personnel
backup GK Tom Egan fails to generate any bids, so I fire my wretched goalie youth pull, Frank Bentley. The rest of the team seems to like Egan, even if he can't play soccer worth a lick.

(edit)
The Richard Stewart Situation
Thanks for everyone's advice. After this round of playmaking training, I'll probably be training defense, so I will keep Stewart.

[sterlingice]

Would've responded earlier but I just run across this dynasty today

Andersen, a former Houston Hippopotamus (hey sterlingice!), is slotted as the second striker,

That's cool
He was part of my buy-low sell-high program from a couple of days ago. I grabbed 4 guys for cheap on Monday after all the youth pulls flooded the market and turned around and sold them for a bit more the next few days. You got a good bargain, tho. Heck, I'd have kept those guys if I didn't need money.

Thanks for everyone's advice. After this round of playmaking training, I'll probably be training defense, so I will keep Stewart.

I'm a newbie, too, so take the advice with a grain of salt, but I think that was a smart move. I think that trading a good young player is not the best way to build a franchise unless he's spare. Keep him so he can become your cornerstone. Get his arse some passing.

SI

[NevStar]

Originally posted by sterlingice
He was part of my buy-low sell-high program from a couple of days ago. I grabbed 4 guys for cheap on Monday after all the youth pulls flooded the market and turned around and sold them for a bit more the next few days. You got a good bargain, tho. Heck, I'd have kept those guys if I didn't need money.

I've been following your dynasty as well. Yeah, I'm happy with Andersen. Just a word of caution about "day trading" players: Hattrick's rules have recently been changed to give you a small formation experience hit everytime you sell a player. With the small amount that you did, it shouldn't matter much, though. Thanks for reading

[sterlingice]

IIRC, that change in the experience hit will take place tomorrow, but I decided it wasn't worth doing it. While I made about 20K on 4 players, it lowered my team spirit some so it's not worth it unless I get a big boost in cash (i.e. I buy a 200K guy and sell him for 270K)

SI

[NevStar]

Latest events
1/30/2003 A friendly was arranged. (traveling to Houston to play sterlingice's Hippopotami)
1/30/2003 15 new supporters signed up and paid 450 US$ in fees.
1/30/2003 The change of training level from 90% to 95% took effect.


Apparently, I jumped the gun announcing no one bid for backup keeper Tom Egan. At the last minute, a US team with the wonderful name of Brown Turd made the $20,000 minimum. We wish Mr. Egan well.

Needing a reserve keeper, I find a guy with inadequate skill & scoop him up right before his deadline.

New 'Villians

Ed Negron (7154617)
23 years, inadequate form, healthy

A sympathetic guy who is tranquil and dishonest.
Has wretched experience and inadequate leadership abilities.

Stamina: wretched Goaltending: inadequate
Playmaking: disastrous Passing: wretched
Winger: wretched Defending: disastrous
Scoring: wretched Set Pieces: weak
He's at the same skill level as Egan, is younger, higher valued, has a lower salary, and he only cost me $14,000. After the agents take their share from Egan's transfer, I net a profit of $4000 from these transactions.

[illinifan999]

I think you said you used my best team, and then re did the roster. I would at least try their roster at least once. I was skeptic too, about where they put some of my guys, but right now in my season I have about 10 more goals, and about 15 less goals agaisnt using mybesteam, then last season without using it.

Now regarding the formation experience. What sterlingrice did shouldn't hurt his experience because he never had those players play in the formation. I don't know if that is how they are doing it, but that is how it should be at least. Save Stewart, train him, then sell him, and roll in the cash.

[Poli]

Sorry I missed it, but welcome to supporter! I hope, if you haven't already decided to, that you will decide to support the ever popular North County Raiders.

In return, you will receive season tickets and your very own VIP suite (Just think, no more fighting over FOFC members for those coveted suites!). Not only that, but you get a Jerome Bettis Bobble head doll!

Hope you enjoy hattrick half as much as I do!

[NevStar]

ardent,

actually, I'm already a supporter of your Raiders. I assume it was only a clerical error that prevented me from getting my VIP tickets & bobble head.

btw, the Morrisvillians currently support the following teams. If you're not on the list & want to be, bribes are always accepted

1. Screamin' Seamen in USA (DataKing)
2. North County Raiders in USA (ardent enthusiast)
3. Cedar Pond Horned Toads in USA (HornedFrog Purple)
4. Galesburg Avengers in USA (Coffee Warlord)
5. FC Hartford in USA (samifan24)

We're still waiting for our first supporter. In addition to guaranteed VIP suites (once the arena is upgraded), supporters receive complimentary "Crazy Earl" Frantz-brand chainsaws, as well as the official Robby Dudley-Evans pubcrawl map.

Training
We trained playmaking & saw no improvements in that skill.

10 players gained form (4 starters)
1 player lost form (0 starters)

17 players gained value (The highest was defender/forward/superstar Richard Stewart, who's now listed as $295,000 (+$23,000)
2 players lost value (GK Ed Negron, just obtained, and Forward Søren Andersen, which I don't understand at all, since he didn't change form at all.)

Total team value increased $112,000. I briefly consider selling the club to Dan Snyder for a quick profit, but decide against it.

Up next, the team prepares for a league rematch against Yoknapatawpha Jefferson.

[Poli]

I'd love to become an official supporter, but as many of the Hattrick faithful can attest, the slots are limited and few. Early on it was easy to choose who received the official support. Heck, I think only three of us had supporter!

Unfortunately, I have to be a closet supporter of many teams, including yours, I'm afraid.

Don't worry, a new bobblehead is on the way, and your suite is being sprayed for Toads as we speak.

Go Morrisvillians!

[NevStar]

Economic Update
Cash funds: 2 123 US$ (-35 001) US$
Sponsors: satisfied up from content
Supporter Club: 534 members
Supporters: delirious

This week

Revenue    	Expenses 
Crowd 0    	Arena 3 900 
Sponsors 28 800	Wages 19 024 
Financial 0	Interest 0 
Temporary 0	Temporary 2 000
		   Staff 21 000 
		   Youth squad 20 000 
Total 28 800	Total expenses 65 924 
Expected income/loss -37 124 

Wages are up $2000 from last week. If things remain the same, I won't turn a profit, even with home league games.

Youth Squad

Up to weak. Unfortunately, my youth pull, Ray Hawkins, is worthless, so I release him immediately.

New 'Villians

Greger Bladin
22 000 US$, 18 years, inadequate form
Has disastrous experience and poor leadership abilities


Stamina: poor Keeper: disastrous
Playmaking: poor Passing: weak
Winger: inadequate Defending: inadequate
Scoring: poor Set Pieces: weak
This Swede was purchased for $2000 off the transfer market. He'll be a stopgap at wingback until I can find someone new. He's also young, with more potential to improve than my current wingbacks. Unfortunately, Bladin doesn't initially get along with the rest of the team & my spirit drops, it's now down to composed.

The acquisition of Bladin made 28-year old Robert Doss expendable. He was transfer listed with an opening bid of $5000. With one day remaining, he has garnered no bids.

[NevStar]

Match

This is a rematch against the team we beat 5-4 at home last week. Since they're really more skilled than us, I'm not sure what to expect this time. I arrange my 4-5-1 to attempt to give us a huge midfield advantage.

Yoknapatawpha Jefferson - Morrisville Morrisvillians 2 - 2

MatchID: 4593033
Arena: Sartoris Stadium at Sutpen's Hundred
Crowd: 15611

A scorching day at Sartoris Stadium at Sutpen's Hundred, where 15611 spectators were in place for today´s match. People from all of North Carolina had joined up for the derby. Yoknapatawpha had chosen a strategic 3-4-3 formation. The following players had been chosen: Gates - Braden, Ninic, Crockett - Cedermo, Engfeldt, Singh, Landers - Dalifard, Ulrich, Quesada.

Morrisvillians had chosen a strategic 4-5-1 formation. The following players had been chosen: Dudley-Evans - Bladin, Stewart, Minton, Frantz - Campbell, Atkins, Warren, Vega, Cannon - Felton.

Morrisvillians took the lead after 26 minutes with 0 - 1. Alan Felton placed the ball out of reach for the home sides keeper after a fine move, coming in from the left. The visitors Greger Bladin took advantage of an error due to a misunderstanding between the home side´s goalie and full backs in the 29:th minute. 0 - 2 for Morrisvillians. Alan Felton's experience almost gave Morrisvillians a goal in the 33rd minute but the keeper made a great save. Earl Frantz behaved like an inexperienced youth player in the 39:th minute as he gave the ball away to an opponent. Lucky for him though, there was no goal. Matt Atkins could have put his team up another one in the 42nd minute, after a rush down the left, but his closing shot hit the post. The referee showed Morrisvillianss Robert Cannon the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. 0 - 2 was the half-time score. Morrisvillians, bringing the final ball possession rate to 60 percent, dominated the battle.

Leon Gates kept the home side in the game with a magnificient save, as Richard Stewart delivered an almost perfect free kick to the far cross bar. A marvelous Yoknapatawpha effort to the right resulted in a 77:th minute goal by Chestaka Singh, putting the score up to 1 - 2. Alan Felton was, after 78 minutes, almost able to extend the visitors lead with a well placed diving header but home side keeper Leon Gates saved. Chestaka Singh put his head to a well placed ball lifted in from the left and scored the 2 - 2 goal in the 80:th minute. Yoknapatawpha, bringing the final ball possession rate to 53 percent, dominated the battle.

Most important Yoknapatawpha player was Leon Gates. Bo Cedermo was a disappointment, however. Most important Morrisvillians player was Richard Stewart. Kelvin Campbell on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 2 - 2.

Goals:
MMFC: 26- Alan Felton
MMFC: 30-Gregor Bladin
YJ: 77-Chestaka Singh
YJ: 80-Chestaka Singh

MMFC Bookings:
42nd: Robert Cannon

Possession:
1st half: 60%
2nd half: 47%

Yoknapatawpha Jefferson
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: poor
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: excellent
Left Side Attack: formidable


Morrisville Morrisvillians
Player rating and Team formation
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: passable
Right Side Attack: weak
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: inadequate

Ratings
GK R.Dudley-Evans **
DR G.Bladin *~ (Defensive)
DC R.Stewart **~
DC B.Minton *~ (Offensive)
DL E.Frantz ** (Defensive)
MR K.Campbell *~ (Towards Middle)
MC M.Atkins **~ (Offensive)
MC T.Vega **~
MC G.Warren ** (Defensive)
ML R.Cannon ** (Offensive)
FC Alan Felton **~

Match Analysis

MUCH better individual ratings this time. We could have blown them out, but their keeper had the game of his life, and got the well-deserved Man of the Match with a 3-star rating. We faded at the end once again, but I'm more inclined to think that YJ has excellent stamina, rather than we have poor stamina. Looking through their match history, they increase possession every game in the 2nd half. I may still work in some stamina training next week, however.

We get our first solid team rating, in central defense, held down by superman Richard Stewart, with help from a defensive oriented MC George Warren. Overall, I'm happy, especially that we held their excellent-excellent-formidable attack to only 2 goals.

Next week we play 1st place, undefeated Cons Commandos, but first we prepare to travel to Houston to play sterlingice's Hippottami, in the sparkly-new Hippodrome.

[illinifan999]

Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: excellent
Left Side Attack: formidable

Wow, that's impressive.

[NevStar]

Originally posted by illinifan999
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: excellent
Left Side Attack: formidable

Wow, that's impressive.

Indeed! Especially for a division V team. EspeciallIER for a fifth-place division V team. My league is tough. My next post will have more details about my league.

[NevStar]

Economic Update
2/3/2003 13 new supporters signed up and paid 390 US$ in fees.

The fan club has 547 members, and their mood is up to delirious, the highest. Go Morrisvillians!!

In the next 2 weeks, I have 2 home games in my 7000 seat arena, which I'll obviously sell out. We send out feelers to local construction firms to get a price on expanding the stadium.

Advisors suggest a 16020-seat arena costing $236580, with weekly maintenance of $10252. A cheaper proposal of a 13675-seater costing $188140 (maintenance of $8544) is also being considered. Contractors estimate it will take 9 days to finish.

If we do nothing this week, we'll be in debt $34,611. I'm afraid of going even further into debt, but my current arena just cannot support the team I have now. For now, I delay on the decision. If I want this built by the 2nd of my back-to-back home games, I have until Thursday to decide.

Personnel
Following his MVP performance in the tie against YJ, Richard Stewart has been referring to himself in the 3rd-person in interviews with the press.

"Richard Stewart can play defender. Richard Stewart can play forward. Richard Stewart can play anywhere he wants to. Richard Stewart has unlimited potential. Talk to my agent."

Series V.93

A look around the league shows that I've moved up to 7th since I've taken over.

Team 			Played	Goals	Points 
1. Cons Commandos 	8 	44 - 8	24 
2. The Champion		8	39 - 14	21 
3. Maryland Defect	8	22 - 13	15 
4. Opiewon Kenobi	8	24 - 16	13 
5. Yoknapatawpha Jeffe	8	26 - 23	8 
6. F.C. Hastings	8	12 - 28	6 
7. Morrisville Morrisv	8	10 - 34	4 
8. SpearsRocks		8	6 - 47	3 

Unlike a lot of other division V series, this one is NOT filled with lots of new and/or inactive teams. Every team is active and has been a member at least since the beginning of this season (with the exception of my team). All of the top 5 teams are dangerous and could legitimately have a chance at promotion in any other series. The leaders, Cons Commandos (my opponent next week), were relegated from D4 last season, and appear well on their way back this year. Although we clearly have no shot at winning, we do have a slight shot at finishing in the money (4th) and can at least hope to be a spoiler for the higher teams.

[sterlingice]

Advisors suggest a 16020-seat arena costing $236580, with weekly maintenance of $10252. A cheaper proposal of a 13675-seater costing $188140 (maintenance of $8544) is also being considered. Contractors estimate it will take 9 days to finish.

FYI, I played a guy in my league at a stadium which was still under construction. He got credit for all of those seats being full even though they were not finished building so make sure if you do this that you get it started before your first game.

SI

[NevStar]

My name is Nevstar, and I'm a Hattrick-addict.

Stadium
Renovation plans are accepted to our (as yet unnamed) arena. After renovations, the arena will seat 15,041. It costs upwards of $215,000; it should take 6 sellouts to pay off. Next week, I'll have a deficit of $245,451. Next week, I'll be hiring an economist to help with the interest payments.

Personnel
backup wingback Robert Doss sells for $6000 to an American division IV team (which concerns me... Perhaps I evaluated him wrong if a higher division team wanted him. He was 28, too old to be trained.). After agent fees, we take $5910 of that.

Suddenly conscious of the weekly bill, I also sack reserve Al Mahoney. Although popular with his teammates, he had no primary skill above weak.

Next in the crosshairs is reserve central defender Dan Little, who may soon be transfer listed.

Next Match
As I stay behind to supervise the stadium construction, the team boards the bus heading for Houston. This week's friendly we will play sterlingice's Houston Hippotami, who became the Morrisvillians' first supporter this week. In thanks, we sent him a basket of severed heads courtesy of "Crazy Earl" Frantz (he assured us they were fake), and added the Hippos to our supported teams list.

Meanwhile...
(the bus is ready to depart from North Carolina)

Coach Hawkins: OK, now I'm not going to tell you again, no booze on the bus.

Robby Dudley-Evans: *hic* Ahh, itzh okaay, I guesh I don't need anymer.

*the team notices a small figure running alongside the bus*

Alan Felton: Hey, it's Al Mahoney! Didn't you tell him he was fired.

Hawkins: Yeah, he took it kind of hard.

(opens the bus door)
Hawkins: Go home, Al. You're too small to go to Houston.

Mahoney (running): But what I lack in size... I make up for in...obnoxiousness!! OOF!

*Richard Stewart kicks a soccer ball through the open door & knocks Mahoney down. The team cheers as the bus speeds off *

Earl Frantz: Coach! The empty seat is looking at me funny again!

Hawkins: *sigh* I've got to convince NevStar to charter a plane to these matches.

[sterlingice]

Do you have to put earl in one of those hannibal lecter suits?

SI

[NevStar]

Only when he misbehaves. Although, come to think of it...

Earl Frantz behaved like an inexperienced youth player in the 39:th minute as he gave the ball away to an opponent. Lucky for him though, there was no goal.

..maybe it would help.

[NevStar]

Friendly at Houston Hippopotami

The match report is verbose & probably not read by anyone; I'll just give the summary. If anyone would RATHER have the match report included, let me know.

Houston Hippopotami - Morrisville Morrisvillians 0 - 4
Date: 2/6/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 4984644
Arena: The Hippodrome
Crowd: 633

Formations
HH: 4-5-1
MMFC: 3-5-2 (weak experience - after the game, it's now passable)

Scoring
MMFC 1-0 - xx: Alan Felton (assist: Gabriel Ribelles)
MMFC 2-0 - 38: Greger Bladin
MMFC 3-0 - 74: Richard Stewart
MMFC 4-0 - 75: Søren Andersen

Bookings
HH - xx: Hugh Hebert
MMFC - xx: Victoro Sifres Belenguer

xx = no minute given in the match report

Possession
1st: MMFC 58%
2nd: MMFC 59%

Houston Hippopotami
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: weak
Central Defence: inadequate
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: inadequate
Central Attack: poor
Left Side Attack: weak


Morrisville Morrisvillians
Midfield: wretched
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: passable
Left Side Defence: weak
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: inadequate
Left Side Attack: weak

GK: Ed Negron *~
DR: Greger Bladin *~ (Def)
DC: James Lund **
DC: Dan Little *~
MR: Victoro Sifres Belenguer *~ (Off)
DMC: Richard Stewart ** (Def)
MC: Buster Minton *~
ML: Gabriel Ribelles *~ (Def)
MC: Ethan Miller * (extra mid, from DL)
FC: Søren Andersen **
FC: Alan Felton **~

Match Analysis
Heh, sorry sterling. The lads were in great spirits after the match. I hear Earl Frantz, who was stalking the sidelines for most of the match, even took the stuffed head of the Houston mascot as a souvenir. For the first time since I've taken over, our team really outplayed their opponents in every facet, and DESERVED a win.

I won't put too much stock in this win, as essentially it was my reserves beating the Hippo's reserves. There were lots of blunders on both sides; this surely wasn't the best display of American professional soccer. I did play 2 regular starters (Stewart, for midfield training, and Felton, since I don't have an extra striker). I was especially happy with the play of James Lund, who'll be moved back to the first team, and the new guy Bladin, who's scored from the wingback position in both games he's played for us.

2/6/2003 The team played a match. Spectator income amounted to 1 659 US$.

Hey, every little bit helps. We're now projected to be $243,792 in debt by the end of the week. Joy.

[sterlingice]

Sorry we couldn't get you a better crowd. I think the clouds might have chased away a few of the fans. Good game- eventually I'll be able to play a 2nd formation without my players drooling on themselves. Nice game and I look forward to playing a rematch sometime later, after the FOFC Consolation Cup.

Also, how do you format yours like that? Some sort of utility or just manual. I think I've seen a couple of others like that on the board (or I'm mistaken and I'm just thinking of other games of yours).

SI

[NevStar]

sterlingice,

I was suprised, I had never used the 3-5-2 before, but they handled it pretty well, and it jumped all the way to passable after the match. How is your 4-5-1 experience now?

I type it in manually, probably copied it from somebody. I have a template that I fill in for matches, but, usually it's just random thoughts.

[NevStar]

Training results

Gabriel Ribelles (24 yo) increases playmaking from inadequate to passable. Woo-hoo! He'll likely replace George Warren in the central midfield.

During the week, Alan Felton (29 yo) increased his experience from weak to inadequate. He will be our new captain.

6 increases in form (4 starters)
4 decreases in form (2 starters)

13 increases in value (highest Richard Stewart $320,000 (+$25,000))
3 decreases in value (lowest Ed Negron $57,000 (-$7,000))

Team Stats
these stats do not include the coach.

Players: 18
Total Value: $1,424,000
Avg Value: $79,111

Total Wage: $16,670
Avg Wage: $931

Avg Age: 22.61
Avg Age of Starting 11: 23.45

Friendly
Next week, we will be travelling to New York to face bigjdotcom01's West Henrietta FC.

Economy (yet again)
In preparation for our impending debt, we downsize by firing 2 assistant coaches and 1 goaltending coach, bringing our totals to 5 and 1, respectively. I must pay an extra week's salary, to each of the coaches that I sacked.

I'm planning on keeping the youth squad investment maxed even while I'm in debt.

Here's what appears to be the final tally for the week.

Cash funds: 2 123 US$ (-247 902) US$
Sponsors: satisfied (up from content last week)
Supporter Club: 560 members (+26)
Supporters: delirious (down from high on life)

[sterlingice]

I was suprised, I had never used the 3-5-2 before, but they handled it pretty well, and it jumped all the way to passable after the match. How is your 4-5-1 experience now?

It went from poor to passable, I think (I know it's passable now).

SI

[NevStar]

Weekly Update

Cash funds:   -247 902 US$ (-292 261) US$  
Sponsors:   delirious  (+1)
Supporter Club:   560 members  
Supporters:   delirious  

Revenue			Expenses 
Crowd 0			Arena 3 900 
Sponsors 31 200		Wages 17 764 
Financial 0		Interest 12 395 
Temporary 0		Temporary 2 000 
			Staff 19 500 
			Youth squad 20 000 
Total revenue 31 200    Total expenses 75 559 

Expected income/loss -44 359   

I hired an economist and an extra spokesperson before the weekly updates. However, it appears that the economist's effect didn't "take," as I'm still paying 5% interest.

Youth Pull

Dewey Pinson
3 000 US$, 17 years, passable form
Has disastrous experience and weak leadership abilities [Technical]

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

Sadly, this is the highest valued youth pull we've ever gotten. We'll hold on to him until the Wednesday friendlies, as a backup, then we'll likely cut him.

Up Next: Tomorrow we host the league leading Cons Commandos. The scouting report across my desk this morning read:

The team is undefeated for 6 competition games and has 6 wins in a row

Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: formidable
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: passable

On paper, we're grossly outmatched, yet again. However, they face the #2 & #3 ranked teams in the next 2 weeks, so possibly they will be looking past us. We're in a position to be a major spoiler if they PIC this match.

Economically, CC regularly draws over 30,000 fans to their home games, so hopefully, they'll bring a good number of their fans here.

[DataKing]

A piece of advise, if you're interested. Concentrate your attack of your left side (right side of the match orders screen) against the Commandos. If you look, you'll see that they run an asymmetrical defense. They always pull their right wingback and replace him with a midfielder. Your left side attack should get some nice looks, unless they change things up on you.

Best of luck.

[NevStar]

Thanks for the advice, I had already noticed that & have planned accordingly. (I learned something from your dynasty, DataKing )

[Poli]

Good luck, you probably have a better chance against them than I have against the Superstars of my division...esp without Bettis. I am going to give it my FOFC best though!

[NevStar]

Match
We face the Cons Commandos, who have smashed through V.93 this year, hoping to get back to IV, after being relegated last season.

On paper we look to be overmatched, but in looking over their match archive, I notice they play an asymmetrical 3-5-2, always moving up the right wingback. In my gameplan, following in the footsteps of DataKing, I hope to exploit this weakness. They regularly pull inadequate ratings in the midfield, so I will not be able to rely on a midfield advantage, like I normally do.

Keys to winning:
* Strong left side attack
* Control their midfielders

Following this strategy & using an intriguing lineup suggested by mybestteam, we start the following:

GK: Robby Dudley-Evans
DR: Buster Minton (Defensive)
DC: Richard Stewart
DC: James Lund
DL: "Crazy" Earl Frantz (Offensive)
MR: Dan Little (Towards Middle)
DMC: Theodore Vega (Defensive)
AMC: Matt Atkins (Offensive)
ML: Kelvin Campbell (Offensive)
FC: Alan Felton
MC: Gabriel Ribelles (Extra Inner Midfield)

On to the match...

Morrisville Morrisvillians - Cons Commandos
Date: 2/10/2003 at 01:00
MatchID: 4593039
Arena: Morrisville Morrisvillians Arena

Attendance: 7000 (sellout)

Formations
MMFC: 4-5-1 (solid)
CC: 3-5-2

Scoring
MMFC: 3 - Alan Felton (4) 1-0
MMFC: xx - Gabriel Ribelles (1) 2-0
MMFC: 22 - Alan Felton (5) 3-0
CC: 22 - Russell Banda 3-1
MMFC: 63 - Gabriel Ribelles (2) 4-1
CC: xx - Henrik Harthult 4-2
CC: 78 - Mikey Hicks 4-3

Bookings
MMFC: 30 - Matt Atkins (yellow - studs first challenge)
MMFC: 63 - James Lund (yellow - taking a dive)
MMFC: 71 - Earl Frantz (yellow - unsportsmanlike behavior)

Possesion
1st half: CC - 54%
2nd half: CC - 68%

xx = no minute given in the match report

The most dominating Morrisvillians player was without a doubt Richard Stewart. Dan Little on the other hand, had a terrible day. The most dominating Commandos player was without a doubt Mike Rios. Tony Pollard was a disappointment, however. The match ends 4 - 3. And the people rejoiced (yay...)


Morrisville Morrisvillians
Midfield: weak
Right Side Defence: excellent
Central Defence: excellent
Left Side Defence: inadequate
Right Side Attack: poor
Central Attack: weak
Left Side Attack: excellent


Cons Commandos
Midfield: inadequate
Right Side Defence: passable
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: formidable
Right Side Attack: passable
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: passable

GK Dudley-Evans: **
DR Minton: **
DC Stewart: ***
DC Lund: **
DL Frantz: **

MR Little: *~
DMC Vega: **~
AMC Atkins: **~
MC Ribelles: *~
ML Campbell: **~

FC Felton: **~

Match Analysis

*Happy dance*

Despite yet another late second half collapse, we hang on for a MAJOR upset. Despite only getting a 1.5-star rating, Ribelles gets 2 goals in his first game at midfield. We get excellent ratings in left-side attack & right and central defense. Stewart continues to amaze us (3 stars). We controlled their midfield, at least in the first half. Beyond the stamina issue, absolutely nothing to complain about.

League
No other surprises in league matches, and we move up to 6th place.

1. Cons Commandos 	9 47 - 12 24 
 
2. The Champion		9 43 - 14 24 
3. Maryland Defect	9 25 - 14 18 
4. Opiewon Kenobi	9 27 - 16 16 
5. Yoknapatawpha Jeffe	9 27 - 26 8 
6. Morrisville Morrisv	9 14 - 37 7 
7. F.C. Hastings	9 12 - 31 6 
8. SpearsRocks		9  6 - 51 3 

LAST ROUND

F.C. Hastings - Opiewon Kenob 0 - 3
Maryland Defe - Yoknapatawpha 3 - 1
SpearsRocks - The Champion 0 - 4
Morrisville M - Cons Commando 4 - 3

NEXT ROUND

Morrisville Morrisvi - Maryland Defect
Yoknapatawpha Jeffer - F.C. Hastings
Opiewon Kenobi - SpearsRocks
Cons Commandos - The Champion

Another home game next week, as we continue to be designated spoiler for the series. Although it's a very long shot, We're rooting against Opiewon Kenobi, as we're shooting for 4th place.

Club News
2/10/2003 The team played a match. Spectator income amounted to 32 000 US$.

Unfortunately, the attendence figures were with our current stadium, despite what sterlingice said. We'll still be losing money this week (currently -12,359), but the new stadium will be finished for the game next week.

With the win, supporter status is up to "high on life."
Formation experience with the 4-5-1 is up to excellent.

We'll probably train stamina next week. This week, we're training playmaking again.

Where Are They Now?

This will be an infrequent section that will detail what transfer-listed players have been up to since leaving the Morrisvillians.

Tom Egan, backup keeper was purchased by a USA div-V team which shall remain nameless (check above if you really want to know ) for $20,000. Their regular 2-star goalie was injured, and they purchased Egan as a short-term replacement. He has played 3 games for them, and has gotten a 1.5 rating in each one. For us, he got a 1.0 once. His value is up to $125,000, most likely because his form has increased from wretched to weak.

Robert Doss, backup wingback was purchased by a USA div-IV team, FC Red Devils, for $6000. They immediately tried to daytrade him for $7000, but got no takers. He's currently transfer-listed again, for $0. We're toying with the idea of re-acquiring him for $1000 if he gets no bidders in the next two days. He has not played a game for his new team.

Al Mahoney, pathetic loser, was sacked. He continues to show up for practices, and is constantly chased off by security.

[DataKing]

Originally posted by NevStar
On paper we look to be overmatched, but in looking over their match archive, I notice they play an asymmetrical 3-5-2, always moving up the right wingback. In my gameplan, following in the footsteps of DataKing, I hope to exploit this weakness.

You have learned well, Grasshoppah.

Glad to see that it worked. Congratulations on the upset!

[vex]

I think I might just steal your "Where are they now" idea. I really like that, very interesting.

[sterlingice]

I think I might just steal your "Where are they now" idea. I really like that, very interesting.

More thievery! Me, too. I think I'll throw it in as part of the Monday/Tuesday Player of the Week Update.

SI

[NevStar]

Hey, I had a good idea! No problem if you steal it, I won't even ask for royalties... even though my team could use any source of income they can get.

Just a short update today:

The manager of Cons Commandos sent me a short hattrick email congratulating me on my victory & management skills. Pretty classy of him. This probably also means he'll be ready next time, so we're rooting for him to get promoted this year.

2/10/2003 15 new supporters signed up and paid 450 US$ in fees.

This brings our supporter club up to 575. Assuming that another 15 will sign up after our friendly, we're assuming an attendence of around: 590 * 20 = 11800 for our first game in the new arena. Not even close to a sellout, but it's a good start.

[Poli]

Congratulations!!!