Haden

Very interesting reading the best average rating the elite four of eights, silver dale, yellow and inter out in front with ac, dud, Winston and rfc just behind. I wonder if it is going to be an all elite four final or if someone might wreck the party.

Congrats to Leeds and kippen! Amazing results for you guys these past few games. Pleased with my finish almost snuck 2nd hehe So when Ido we find out who we are playing?

Still can't believe your result against @Ellmeister I would consider getting to the last 8 about right for my team so I hope I can make it past the last 16 before becoming cup fodder.

Nice organization there Peeps, I see the Kippen, Leeds, Aqui1a team winning this tourney in anger at their dismissal from the CL. Still bob could be in with a shout if he sorts out his defense

Lost to the better team today but if I can match those tactics with a team that turns up I may make an impact on the knockouts. Peeps have you had a new team try to join? I think @dazzybee is interested I think.

Epic read have a bad feeling about the game today but we will see. Just been thinking I guess if you get in the last 8 you have made it to the top league!

Special and Mushroom Groups: Games 10-11 Rovers Return? After looking like 4th place was sealed up its all change as Rovers have closed right in on the Familia who suffered two straight losses while Rovers won twice in a row. Rovers defeated Dedede 3-1 at home playing an ambitious 3-5-2 formation it was a close tie as Tomasencu put Rovers in the lead but Hill hit back right after half time. However the game really opened up as both sides got tired and a mistake in the box led to a penalty for Rovers which the captain Gamov smashed in, a late volley by Gubsky sealed the win. In a remarkable match Rovers then faced Hydra who were looking for their first league win and both sides played 3-5-2. Rovers dominated the first half but Hydra felt like they should have scored when Bradshaw had a goal disallowed for pushing. The Rovers captain Gamov again scored with a header this time but Hydra hit back as Bradshaw did find the net another time with a long range shot. The game really broke down as Rovers made chance after chance and Fedosov was unplayable down the win as he swung in a cross for Gubsky to head home. Hydra gained a penalty that Talebi hit home with just 4 minutes to go. As an immediate reaction Rovers manager chucked on youth striker Strom, Fedosov found Strom with a searching ball and Strom took it past the goalie and smashed it in to the screams of the away crowd. Rovers are now two points behind Familia with a game in hand their final two games are at home but against Eights United and Winston Garden Lions, can they dare to dream? The showdown for 2nd The other showdown that is set to take place in the final week in the Special League is for 2nd place. The Legends edged a victory against Lords of Hydra 3-2 with Castanheira and Ciobotaru scoring their first goals of the season and played really well against Eights United away from home but ultimately lost 1-0. Winston only had one game this week and Rosebotham was the difference maker as the Winston captain set up two goals to help Winston to a crucial and closley fought victory against the Familia. The Legends are 1 point ahead with two games left, Winston and the Legends will be facing Rovers and the Familia who have their battle for 4th to fight for so this will be a fight to the finish regardless of what happens on Tuesday. For the stats fans Legends vs Winston is 4 wins a piece and 1 draw, how many times have the Legends beaten or drawn with Winston at home? Zero... How the cards have fallen. While the title race between AC Elites and Inter is almost as exciting I will leave that to my fellow writer to chew over in retrospect next week (Don't miss AC Elites vs Inter it will be a title decider). What I am going to look at however is the fate of three teams in their battle to occupy 3rd or 4th: Atletico Aqui1a, Kippen FC and Leeds M.O.T Atletico Aqui1a This week Aqui1a did everything they could do to stay in the playoff position. They demolished Recall 4-0 and Multi-Bubble 5-0 playing with 2 up front both times and increasing their goal difference. Upson looked in good form and his unpredictably will be key to helping Aqui1a get that last spot but their real strength lies in their rock solid defence and emergent midfield. They have played Leeds many times and Leeds are just ahead with one more win. The last time they played Leeds at home they lost by one goal this might be a result that puts them out this time and they may rue the 2-2 draw that they were held to in the home fixture. This side have it all to play for and can only focus on Friday and get ready. Leeds M.O.T For a lot of people this team were the wild cards in the league, it was their double win against Kippen that really created this entire 3 horse race scenario along with their attacking never say die attitude. They lost 4-2 to Elites earlier in the week but they went out and played 3-4-3 which takes some guts to do and it almost paid off as Heidari set up two goals but a late header by Freund put the game beyond Leeds. They bounced back and destroyed Recall away playing 3-5-2 and creating 9 chances and scoring 6 with 5 different players finding the net. They have a small team that is quite unevenly balanced but work for their manager and have been unafraid to get in the faces of other teams. They face Bubble away which they should win and then its the crunch match at home against Aqui1a which will see a clash of styles and philosophies to see who goes up. Kippen FC That is unless this team freezes, after shooting to the top of the league with 10 points from their first four games Kippen have faded badly losing 4 of their last 6. Their last two matches saw another defender badly injured as they had a hell and brimstone game against Inter that saw two players injured a disallowed goal and penalty with Inter edging the game in the last minute. It seemed like it would go down to Kippen vs the loser of Aqu1ia Leeds on goal difference but a miracle win against title hopefuls Elites changed that. Kippen did the double over their old rivals when Vogele shot in a late goal in a tightly contested game. This was a huge win for Kippen it means their fate is in their hands they just have to beat Recall and Bubble at home to go up. They should do this but the fans will be wanting to see early home goals in both those games!

It's ok you can make up for it nex...

Can't wait for our game gonna be great will make sure to watch the proper game I predict conden will assist 3 goals with mallet getting a headed hat trick haha. Your choice as far as leagues go I don't mind I got to do them all last time. I am guessing you and roger don't know anyone that could join? Nice to see roger back on form that's a side I'd quite like to avoid in he last 16 draw!

Lost but only just with a chance more to boot very pleased with that now it is time to start the mind games last time you fell for them dansliketrees what about this time? I say this every time but Leeds kippen is epic cannot believe he latest twist looking at it it is going to now be Leeds, kippen, Aquila on the final day with kippen almost certain to go through one way or another.

Talking Points – All leagues Games 9-10 1. Mallett carrying his side? Clint Mallett justified his manager giving him the captains armband this week as he was the key player in two victories thathave pushed the Legends into the playoffs and 2nd position in their group. In a tense game against Rovers Mallett scored from a headed goal while he picked up a hat trick against Dedede to take his goal total to 9 with 1 appearance in the xpert 11 team of the day. It is clear that Mallett is in fantastic form and his manager should be pleased. However when you consider the Legends have scored 14 goals this season with their other strikers scoring none you have to question what would happen if Mallett was injured or suspended in a crucial knockout game? Dedede vs Familia The Familia beat AFC Dedede 1-0 to all but clinch the last play off spot in the Special League. Dedede played 4-4-2 against 5-3-2 from the Familia, While Dedede looked well balanced they could not break down a fantastic defensive display even when Wallwork was substituted off the pitch. Kingston and Auffret looked deadly up front and Kingston struck the only goal a close range effort in the 14th minute. The Familia had a clear game plan and withheld the inevitable counter attack and flurry of late substitutions by the home side. This was ironically a good display by Dedede who look like a very well rounded team but they lacked either individual brilliance or a real tactical plan to take apart this Familia side. If the Familia do make it through it will be interesting to see how this team fare with a brilliant defence and attack but a very average midfield. A late Yellow Charge Yellow Submarine have started a strong late charge for the title by scoring 4 against group leaders Dragooooo and Madpool. The side played with 2 up front in both games and Falcao found the back of the net in both games. Their game against Dragooooo was very impressive as they dominated with 7 chances to 1 and over 60% possession. This form is ominous for other teams as it looks like the Yellow Submarine of old who create chance after chance and can tear teams apart at will. However they are still 3 points off the lead, they have County, Revolution and 64s to play three games that should be quite easy for them to win. They must rely on Dragooooo slipping up and losing to either 64s, RFC or Madpool. The latter two games stick out as hard tests for Dragoooo and this title race could quite easily go down to the wire. The Revolution is nearly here? Russian Revolution after a poor start are now on the edge of being in the knockout stages of the Champions League. With Madpool under performing Russian Revolution played the game of their lives against RFC winning a shock 2-0 away victory by playing a counter attacking 5-3-2 against RFC 3-4-3. The captain Guselnikov scored a close range shot and then set one up for Encarnacao to leave RFC reeling and their title dreams in tatters. However one team could still spoil the party, Madpool are 6 points behind but with a game in hand and a home game against Revolution next. Madpool will have to turn up to this and stamp down their authority or the Revolution will be televised in the last 16. Which players are shining? As I am doing a whole league overview this time around I thought it might be good to get a feel for the in form players before the knockout stages. The top 3 scorers are the ice cold veteran striker Bodin for AC Elites who has notched up 12 goals in the campaign so far, the only midfielder in the top 3 is the long range specialist Granas with 11 and the diverse Shearer for Baggies and close range predator Goufran for bob are equal 3rd with 10 goals apiece. Assists sees a raft of players in equal 2nd with 5 assists but Phelan of Lylat Wanderers stands out with 7 assists from only 3 games as the leader in this category! The players with the most X11s in their group is Ryman for Baggies with 9 in the Flower League, Ataisik and Mcnroe for Yellow Submarine have 9 each in the Star League, Papadopoulos is leading the way with 8 in the Mushroom League while Beck and Granas have 7 each and are the stand out players in the Special League. Baggies bounce back After sustaining their first loss of the season the Baggies bounced back with back to back wins. Squeezing past Lylat 1-0 first and then easily dismantling Coloccini 4-0. What has been really useful for the Baggies is the skills of Shearer, in these games Baggies played 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 but as lone striker or leading a diamond of 3 Shearer scored in both games showing his fantastic adaptability. This gives DuD options and allows him to secure the defence and midfield by playing 4-5-1 knowing he has a scoring outlet up front. Shearer staying in this form will be key for Baggies progress in the knockout stages. Fedex not quite there In contrast to the success of the Baggies it has been a bad week for Fedex who have failed to kick on and keep the pressure up for 4th spot. Fedex did very well to concede only once against Silverdale however failing to score in either game including a demoralising 4-0 loss at home to Lylat show a real weakness in midfield and attack. While they have Platt and Akerland Fedex is full of to be frank hanger ons like Potts and Figueroa who do not deserve the pay cheque they pick up each month. If he could get rid of the dead weight and bring in some youths this team might go somewhere. Leeds vs Kippen This was the game to watch in the Mushroom League and it was a bloody affair. Kippen were on the backfoot with a makeshift defence and Leeds went with 3-5-2 to try and exploit this fact. Straight away Heidari scored an early goal to give the home team a lift, in the 2nd half Leeds kept the pressure on and Heidari again lost his marker as Kippens defence was all over the place. A series of bad tackles saw Kippens players cautioned until veteran defender Herriot slid in for an awful challenge that saw him dismissed with the Leeds manager giving him an earful on the way back to the dressing room. Heidari finished the game off with a hat-trick as he headed in a goal on the 89th minute. The Leeds fans roared they knew how crucial this win was Kippen fans are worried they have lost any sense of early momentum. Inter stride on Crisis what crisis? Inter carried on their good form with a dominant 2-0 win over Aquila which saw them playing 3-5-2 and frankly being superior in every area of the pitch. They made 4 chances to 0 had 55% possession and scored twice before the 20th minute, the two assists were from midfielders and the two goals from forwards it was a simple textbook win against a title rival. They then handled the unpredictable Leeds even after their goalie Palpatine was sent off and Leeds looked ready to make a comeback. A hat-trick by in form Papadopoulos steadied the ship as Inter saw Palpatine sent off for a tirade of abuse towards a linesman in a bizarre incident as Palpatine took exception to the linesman telling an Inter ballboy to stop timewasting. Aside from this it was again a fantastic performance by Inter who are hitting form at just the right time. Made men Look sharp and shine your shoes. I am using point 10 for a bit of an appeal. I think it is clear we could use some new blood. Some more made men. I have been PMing a few people and hope @Clownferret and @Agent Gibbs might take a peak in here but if you know anyone on or off the forum now would be the time to ask to make sure this thing of ours carries on being the healthy enjoyable game we all love to play.

As I am doing both sets reports will still be today but this afternoon. Still loving Leeds vs Kippen that is going down to the wire hopefully.

You nearly beat me today though! Damn my new goalie is so poor lol I hate getting youth goalies. Next I am away to Eights United, oh dear...

I think that has been the real down side of this format it has been hell for new teams. Try and keep your form up how are your dev values doing? Next season will be a normal league I am sure you will do great, is there any part of the game you are struggling with?

You're on the dating scene again though what better way to impress a date by telling them about how you play bruise, long balls with dirty trix and are keen on man to man marking. After you have told her that then invite her to this online thread filled exclusively with male members I guarantee you will get a strong reaction.

Hey man just making sure you got the invite link right? Use this to join, http://www.xperteleven.com/?lid=120161 Anyone else have any friends who could join we only need one more.

Slowly but surely my team is resembling Arsenal I am sure. A defence that has improved leaps and bounds from last season. A midfield stacked with young creative midfielders who have sustained a few injuries down the road. A lone striker who is on fire but with no real credible backups. And the feeling that we can hang around at the top but are not quite ready to win. We also won the cup this season!

Really liked this little challenge good idea! What are your thoughts about league structure Peeps? 9-9-9 seems very doable with just one team left to get if things get desperate you could always see if one of the old teams would get picked up like Rovers did. Dan dont worry I will do all reports this week I take it as a challenge! Nice win against Dedede today although it was obvious he was playing a weakened side. We have found our form again and I am confident we will get 2nd place ahead of the Gardeners. Leeds vs Kippen is insane now lol that will be one to watch!

Thanks for joining it really is a great game. Peeps will give you the lowdown. A couple of bits do advice we lose a lot of new managers who have hard first seasons. The key thing to know is xpert is all about taking your awful starting team to being a legendary all star team over the course of multiple seasons. It is all about training your players keeping their form high and developing youths. If you win a few games in the first season you are doing great but always remember the long term goal unlike real football there are no board directors to give the club loans so it's all about the youth system to develop or some great transfer skills that balance the books. Hopefully you will enjoy from a tactical standpoint it's an easy to learn hard to master game, formations are very important both yours and your opponents. Peeps I guess at this point you need one more team? 999 sounds a good league format to me if you are after feedback.

You can set tactics in advance if that helps next season will be back to leagues and easier!

I wanted to thank this post then saw the 2nd part and thought maybe not. Glad you are staying! Jimbob maddog got any recruits potentially?

I think cube may also be a gonner I have pmd a few newbies to see if any our interested.

Very nervy win today Conden substitution was needed to kick start us into gear, with that win we are starting to look safe but even a point against Dedede will wrap it up I think. Peeps did you still have plans for a cup for the people who didn't make it? Also may be wise to start to look for some replacements having said that are you changing to a 9-9-9 format next season? In that case I think you will only need one recruit? Anyone know any interested peeps who might want to join our league