Arcadian Empire Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 The match will be epic - we should start getting predictions now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 After Arcadia's last performance against ALDM, I think they are the favourites. Detlef Botha was quoted today in Transvaler Daaglikse Sportnuus that he thought [it] "...would be the Skirts over VolNat 2-1." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machiabelly Posted July 8, 2009 Report Share Posted July 8, 2009 I hate to give my opponents a heads up, but I will be gone on Friday for two weeks. We are driving to Florida and then going to Disney World for a week. Wooooo See you all on the 25th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 I think the result of the match will be 1-0 to us... should be an epic. And Machiabelly have fun! Probably log onto an internet cafe so your opponents can't prepare for your tactics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 ’Boks fans shocked at Grünholz departure Original Springbok Gert Grünholz was released by Manager Bartnel Botha this afternoon. “It was a really tough, heart-wrenching decision to make but Grumpy Grünholz’s playing days were numbered and as much as we would have liked to have seen him retire with the club, management felt we needed to move on. With the recent injury to Thurston Alderton and management uncertainty with the long-term ability of back-up Göran von Knorring, the club has been scouting the transfer wires for a third keeper to bring in for development. To do so, we needed to make room and Gert was the most viable option to cut from our roster” explained a visibly upset Bartnel Botha at the press conference. Gert Grünholz – who at age 35 was the oldest Springbok going into this campaign – was one of 5 last remaining players from the original roster. One of the most popular players with the Loftus Versfeld faithful, he had a strong presence in the first two seasons for the club and was named team captain. However during Season 3 his production and ability began to dip and he had struggled the past three seasons for playing time. At the end of Season 4 it appeared that he had re-found his stride only to be felled by a season-ending injury. Grünholz played in 65 senior matches for the Springboks, putting him at sixth in career games played going into Season 6. He is fourth in career points and third in career goals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 That... was unexpected Botha. Well, I guess his skill wasn't up to standard I suppose. In other news, I'll be looking to progress where VolNation couldn't - in getting a win over Voobaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) That... was unexpected Botha. Well, I guess his skill wasn't up to standard I suppose. If I kept him on it would have been strictly for "sentimental" reasons - unfortunately sentiment doesn't help win games. The fact is he was 35 now and could retire any season now, but he would have require more playing time and form spending than I was willing to dedicate (for a 5-bar player) just to keep up his skill. After I acquired Neil Northfield a couple of weeks ago, Northfield basically equalled everything (and more) which Grünholz brought to the field but at 7or 8 years younger and with none of the negative qualities which Grünholz also had (i.e. greedy, loudmouth, and moody - hence his nickname 'Grumpy'). From a strictly management perspective, a complete no brainer. However, it won't be the last we'll see of the Grünholz name - in a couple of seasons I plan on naming one of my junior prospects Grünholz and have him as Gert's son. Edited July 10, 2009 by Botha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 So alas we find out why he was named Grumpy. Good win for us 1-0, left it late... very, very late... now we have VolNation! It's getting very exciting - it's like our first meeting since ever, and the fact we will bring our best line-ups makes it a million times better. If you thought the ALDM week was important, this is about 10 times more important! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voobaha Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Good win for us 1-0, left it late... very, very late... now we have VolNation! Stolen points in the 90th. Can't get much more exciting that that! Though we're only on one point through three matches, considering it's been against ALDM, VolNation, and Arcadia... well, the term moral victory is about right. Of course with a visit to that happy funland know as Loftus Versfeld next up... might not be enough antacids in the house for this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Of course with a visit to that happy funland know as Loftus Versfeld next up... might not be enough antacids in the house for this week. I dunno, the Boks haven't been springing too much as of late as we went down 3-0 to Keville today. Losing Alderton to injury is obviously hurting us while Goran just isn't cutting it for being a 6-bar keeper (he now has 55% save average after today, we went 25% against Keville). To sum up... pretty much indicates who *should* have been named MVP last season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinho Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Other matches:Keville United FC 1 - 3 Transvaal Springboks[/b] United has had a difficult opening to the season with a close match against VolNat in their home opener and a tough loss to AFC on the road last week. This week they look to surprise the 'Boks who are coming off a tough draw last week to the Sinners. Unfortunately even at home, Keville will have a hard time coming away with any points. If that was a hard time, I look forward to the easy ones. I always knew that United would break through sometime. To do it against the 'Boks, who barely troubled my defence, well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) To do it against the 'Boks, who barely troubled my defence, well... Combine a sub-par back-up keeper with an uncommon (for us) 3-3-4 formation = recipe for disaster Edited July 10, 2009 by Botha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinho Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Sure, but it still seemed a surprisingly weak performance from the champions. I did find it interesting that you used a 4-3-3, especially as mine cancelled its effects out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) I did find it interesting that you used a 4-3-3, especially as mine cancelled its effects out... I had my reasons for having to go with that formation. I will say I wasn't too thrilled to have to go with it, but I did nevertheless. Edited July 11, 2009 by Botha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 (edited) Yeah that loss was weird... now that I look at the table, it's the Big Three at the top - Keville 3 points behind and then everyone else on like one point. I guess it's gonna go to one of the Big Three this season, unless Keville can score tons of upsets as 6 points behind the pace is winnable... but extremely unlikely. 8 points off the pace almost guarantees a team will not win the title... Edited July 11, 2009 by Arcadian Empire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botha Posted July 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 I guess it's gonna go to one of the Big Three this season I have to agree with you, I'm edging towards that opinion myself. The Boks do have a game at hand against the rest of the Big 3 and that might factor later in the season if we get a good momentum going in our six-game run against the Big 3. That however is "if"... I think our next two games will pretty much indicate which direction in the table we're going. If we cannot regroup against Voobaha or Duckies, then we aren't going anywhere against the Big 3. How I figure the shocker result from Keville is they probably had an edge in what formation they were defending against. Even though neither of us were 'prepared' their defensive formation might still have worked. Also my midfield wasn't applying its usual pressure, with my defense opting for long balls which we have never used. Keville also marked Brennen which eliminated our offense as Balthazar Botha had a poor game and GB Bathoen was completely outclassed. The reasons for the usual style and formation were due to a number of internal reasons which I won't go into detail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voobaha Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Even though we're on one point, we've already faced the Big 3, and have an admittedly struggling Transvaal next up. Follow that with eight straight matches with teams that we CAN beat, it's a golden opportunity for the VooMan Group to make a run towards the top. Let everyone else beat up on each other over the next few weeks, and that works even better. Love my fixtures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 I actually thought I'd do this - might be fun to do. Basically I mapped out each fixture from each matchday and assigned 3 points to the team I thought was gonna win, 1 point to each team if I thought they were going to draw, and 0 points if I thought they would lose. Basically this is better than blind-eye predictions because we have a fixture list and can plan stuff out. Current Position9 ALDM 9 ARC 7 VOL 3 KEV 1 SWA 1 1984 1 TRA 1 VOO 1 EST MD4 TRA 3-0 VOO 1984 0-3 VOL ARC 3-0 EST KEV 3-0 SWA 12 ARC 10 VOL 9 ALDM 6 KEV 4 TRA 1 SWA 1 1984 1 VOO 1 EST MD5 VOL 1-1 ATL EST 0-3 TRA SWA 0-3 VOO 1984 0-3 ARC 15 ARC 11 VOL 10 ALDM 7 TRA 6 KEV 4 VOO 1 SWA 1 1984 1 EST MD6 VOO 3-0 KEV SWA 0-3 EST TRA 3-0 1984 ARC 1-1 ATL 16 ARC 11 VOL 11 ALDM 10 TRA 7 VOO 6 KEV 4 EST 1 SWA 1 1984 MD7 EST 0-3 KEV 1984 3-0 SWA VOL 1-1 ARC ATL 3-0 TRA 17 ARC 14 ALDM 12 VOL 10 TRA 9 KEV 7 VOO 4 EST 4 1984 1 SWA MD8 KEV 3-0 1984 TRA 0-3 VOL ATL 3-0 SWA VOO 1-1 EST 17 ARC 17 ALDM 15 VOL 12 KEV 10 TRA 8 VOO 5 EST 4 1984 1 SWA MD9 1984 0-3 VOO KEV 0-3 ATL ARC 3-0 TRA SWA 0-3 VOL 20 ARC 20 ALDM 18 VOL 12 KEV 11 VOO 10 TRA 5 EST 4 1984 1 SWA And since that's the half way point we'll just double the scores to get our final placing... 40 ARC 40 ALDM 36 VOL 24 KEV 22 VOO 20 TRA 10 EST 8 1984 2 SWA And I have to concede that ALDM would score more goals than us... so the actual placing would be: 40 ALDM 40 ARC 36 VOL 24 KEV 22 VOO 20 TRA 10 EST 8 1984 2 SWA Feel free to disagree, I highly doubt the lower order will be like that - now that I look at it, Swamplandia on 2 points? Doesn't seem right. And do we have any more predictions for the Copa Del Mar final? I mean come on! This is like the match of the season! It's the oldest rivalry in Liga Mundo history - there has to be some interest in it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voobaha Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Having faced BOTH squads in the past 2 weeks, I'd have to give the edge (narrow though it be) to Arcadia. Arcadia FC 2 - 1 VolNation. Wagerlines from the Lakeshore Casino and Lawnmower Repair: Arcadia -.5 Goals over VolNation Ov/Un 3.5 goals Prop wagers: First to score: Arcadia 1/1 VolNation 1/1 Last to score (including PK) Arcadia 1/1 VolNation 1/1 First goal of match (either team): minute 1-15 3/2 minute 16-30 2/1 minute 31-45 1/1 minute 35-60 2/1 minute 61-75 5/2 minute 76-90 9/1 extra time 22/1 Either team scoring an own goal: 10/1 Arcadia going scoreless for regulation 4/1 VolNation going scoreless for regulation 2/1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 It is quite tight - although I don't understand the "wager lines" bit. And tell me if this is wrong, I bet on Arcadia to score first at 1/1 odds, which means I get my money back if I'm right? Not very good odds I'd just keep my money.. The most interesting stat you have there is probably the first goal time. VolNation has said that if it goes to penalties he'll win, I agree with that unless there's a freak upset. So naturally VolNation has an advantage and will do whatever they want - probably attack. Meanwhile, I have to win in regulation or extra time - meaning I have to attack as well. Then again, both teams will naturally attack - it's just how often it is. Very defencive will mean I pass the ball around wasting time but I'll still go forward. I'd put my money on minutes 31-45. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PremierApex Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 My bets: minute 16-30 2/1 - first goal of match Im gonna go under the ov/un Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I've enlisted the help of a few "strategists" to help me in my quest for Copa Del Mar dominance... good to have advice I suppose from several people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voobaha Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 It is quite tight - although I don't understand the "wager lines" bit.And tell me if this is wrong, I bet on Arcadia to score first at 1/1 odds, which means I get my money back if I'm right? Not very good odds I'd just keep my money.. 1/1 odds is basically a "coin flip" situation. First goal could go either way. (in Las Vegas, a wager like this would get you double what you bet. $5 bet gets you $10.. your $5 + the $5 you win) I see the first half as starting off a bit sluggish for the first 30 minutes, with Arcadia taking a 1-0 lead by the break. Both teams trade 2nd half goals, but that's it. Just my estimate of how this may go. Your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevinho Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Its amusing how one win over Transvaal has boosted Keville in the pundit's eyes from being no-hoper relegation fodder to potential world beaters. Perhaps even title outsiders. There's a lot to be said for quiet belief in your team. Arcadia's predicted end table is interesting but we still have a long way to go in reality (only 3 out of 16 games played) with a lot of potential twists and turns. For instance, the big 3 could still mathematically end up as the bottom 3. Seriously though, I think the big 3 will be up there still but it does seem unlikely that the Boks will be able to defend their title. As for my team, I think we will do better at home and away, especially against teams better than us. And keeping the form up remains key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadian Empire Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I know huh... weird that. I'm wondering where everyone elses tables are! Only takes a few minutes to do. And PremierApex, come on... who do you think is going to win - I haven't seen your prediction yet... I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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