Nikos9

Guys, I created an Xpert Eleven fantasy football league for the approaching 13/14 premier league season, just for us if you're interested in joining!? The site is:- http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ ...and the league code to enter:- 40850-264625 I also created one for the whole of N-Europe as it didn't look like there was one sorted for the coming season yet:- 40850-264981 The new thread I just made for it is here too for anyone interested:- http://www.n-europe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40249

Hello all N-Europers! The new Premier League season is fast approaching and I noticed no-one has created a fantasy football league thread or issued a code for anyone to join yet so I thought I'd get one set up! Without further ado, here's the code to join on http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ - 40850-264981 Good Luck!

Todays interview takes us to the very depths of the Lower League for a unique insight to the life down there and the ways of the Cube. Welcome Dean of Cubic County! Question 1) Much like a deep sea fish who needs to produce its own light to survive in the impenetrable darkness, it seems like Cubic County is in real need of a shining star to light the way for the club and help drag them out of the depths of despair that is being rooted to the bottom of the Lower League since your very existence, or should I say re-birth, three seasons ago. Now we're in pre-season mode, is there any sign of a big purchase on the cards, that the fans are so desperate for, to help start turning things around? We're mostly focusing on our youth, and bringing in some fresh blood who can become tomorrow's greats. Dafydd Cross works extremely hard in training and is showing some great promise. Funds are currently not brilliant so most of it is going into improving our current players and finding some great local players. However, we are in the market for an older striker. Question 2) Your three finishing positions have been 7th, 9th & 7th...what's going wrong for the County and can you see any way out of this predicament? As a manager are you paying enough attention? The club's biggest problem is me. In order to help fund the club, I've got a second job which takes up a lot of time, although I sometimes do forget about matches until just after kick-off. For next season, I will be making proper use of Google Calendar to give me alerts at the optimal time. Next season will be better. Question 3) Some cause for encouragement is that you didn't have a negative goal difference for the first time last season, granted it was '0' but do you think the balance in the squad still may not be quite right? The defence has certainly improved looking at the goals conceded, going from 42, 37 to 26 last season but the goals for is still lacking. What's your five season plan and where do you realistically see yourself being after that time? Last season was a big improvement, and not having a negative goal difference was a huge morale boost for both the players and our fans. Our main keeper, Mike Dilbert, was out of commission for a few games due to a severe injury, so part timer Alan Tannatt had to take over. To be frank, Tannatt was only ever there for a last resort. This season, we've found a promising youth keeper so we're in a better situation to defend ourselves. Our main weakness is now our strikers, Dafydd Cross and Zack Ibbotson look like they could become great players, but I think we do need to get someone more experienced this season or next in order to boost our goals scored. Our plan is to take it easy and not overstep our bounds. We don't expect to be promoted next season - we'd just be humiliated in the Middle League - but I think we can reach 4th or 5th. In 5 years time, I think we'll be ready to stand our ground in the Middle League. Any final words... We may not be much of a threat now, but when everyone performs their best (especially the manager, who has been slacking lately), we can hold our own against the best the Lower league has to offer. It may take a while, but we will become a force to be reckoned with. Signs of an exciting turn around could be on the cards then for Cube and their fans, making the Lower League an interesting place to be for themselves and the newish teams around them. If the manager can stick with it and deliver on his promises, his team will no doubt be a force for the future providing the youth can live up to their potential. The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (awaiting answers @Tales) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance)

@Cube your Inter View questions await you, check your xpert mailbox!

Yep, Fedex's invite was never accepted so we arranged a friendly after the 9pm deadline when I knew my game was also not gonna happen! Haha, we finally meet! Depending on how Ramos treats him, Bale...I mean Conden may want no part in this team! :p

Well, looks like Roger Federer is a no show as the invite deadline has passed. I'm gonna organise a friendly against someone else now! Feel free to challenge me, anyone who wants a game. I'll keep an eye on my messages and accept asap.

Still waiting on Roger Federers invite if anyone here can send him a reminder? Thanks!

On the Inter View today I welcome a man and team of many facets under the banner and disguise of one name, one symbol, one meaning and one true vision...that is the legend (to be!?) of "bob". Question 1) bob...to whichever of you I may be addressing, most likely all of you...speaking of vision, what is your vision of the future and how do you see it unfolding for you? bob here, our vision of the future is simple - to always score one more than you. By 'you' we of course mean the opposing team, and by 'one' we mean 'lots'. We've had experts (with an 'e') researching the xpert (without an 'e') game, and they reckon that if we manage to do that consistently, then team bob should be pretty damn successful. We're aiming for the title. Question 2) In your first three seasons you battled hard and earned your first promotion to the Middle league last season. Unfortunately your fight for survival was not to be and Season 27 ended in a narrow relegation. What did make of life in the middle league and do you see an imminent return on the cards? Last season was pretty darned disappointing for team bob. Clearly there was no-one in the middle league capable of scoring as many goals as us, so to be sent right back down to the lower league is confusing to say the least. An appeal has been launched. However, looking at the remaining teams left in the lower league next year, the most any of them could manage is a paltry 28/29 goals. Bob laughs uproarously at that amount. We are confident of coming straight back up. Question 3) It's no secret that you're a great believer in attacking football and much like Madpool it can be at the expense of results. Do you feel you've got to grips with xpert now having had a steep learning curve or are you not bothered about the intricacies of management as long as you're playing attacking football and scoring lots of goals as it sometimes seems? Like we have said before, there is nothing hard about this game. The only intricacies is tricking the system into allowing as many strikers onto the pitch as possible. It's no mean feat to get around the 4 forwards limit, but bob has some tricks up their sleeves to help next season. We've not heard of this 'Madpool'? Did they score many goals last season? We doubt it. It was definitely less than us. Any final words... No. Well there you have it folks, you heard it first, right here, straight from the bob's mouth...there will be wizardry being performed in the lower league next season. I pity all those lower league defences coming up against bob and his many many strikers. The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (@Tales awaiting answers) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance)

On today's episode of the Inter View we have Jimbob of Recall Utd. Now in his 20th season, Jimbob is a one time Lower and Middle League champion and the official N-Euro Sports News cup draw presenter. Hello and welcome! Question 1) Jimbob, you must be considered as a veteran of xpert now having been a manager since March 2009. However, whilst you have won the Lower and Middle Leagues once each, one would have expected your trophy cabinet to be somewhat more glistening by now? Also, you have only been manager of the round a grand total of 11 times and are ranked 29 out of 30 in the manager rankings in N-Europe. What's going wrong and how are you going to go about changing these stats for the better? Yeah, the trophy cabinet. It's quite bare indeed. And the stats are terrible indeed, and that is something we are working on. It's something we should have done a long time ago, but we didn't. Which was to develop the younger players earlier, instead of at the last minute when an older player decided to call it quits. You can see at the moment the majority of Recall is made up of younger players all of whom are hungry and have great potential for the future. I'm quite shocked at being ranked 29 out of 30, and that is something that i will work on. This season has been youth orientated as we have been developing the forwards and midfielders over the already good defense. That is something Recall lacks, we have a decent defense from the looks of it. But we have nothing to show for attacking-wise. As a veteran manager, i don't think i've been focusing enough on the team. But we have pushed money into the youth academy and are now relishing the players coming from it. I think the lower league has seen enough of Recall, and once we are promoted we hope to not return for a long while. Question 2) Despite the stats seemingly signifying doom & gloom for Recall you're tantalisingly close to promotion to the Middle League once more with only Fedex standing in your way who you're level on points with but with an inferior goal difference. How do you see your run in going? To be honest, it's where i was expecting to be with the team we have at present. More younger players which have a good future indeed, and if we don't get promoted this season then I'll be disappointed as we've worked hard. But what knocks us down will make us stronger next time for another shot. How i see Recall in a few seasons is pushing for promotion for the higher levels. At the time of writing this, we are 2 points from promotion and need a win. Whilst hoping for FedEx to lose, i know that sounds bad. But its ultimately what is required. Question 3) Your on-screen cup draw antics have been going down well in recent seasons. Do you have any surprises or additions in store for us this time around to encourage a good turn out? They have been going well indeed. I keep thinking of ways how i can make each one fresh and different. One draw i did a rendition of Lionel Richie's "Hello" live, but didn't record it. As for what i may have in-store for future draws, well i won't say. Why, because it will ruin the surprise won't it. But i always make them worth watching that is a guarantee. And if i burst into another rendition of a song, i may record it for those unable to attend to encourage attendance next time. Any final words... This is a new Recall, watch this space as good things come to those who wait. Thanks Jimbo! With N-Europe seemingly becoming an ever-more competitive place to be by the season, this turnaround could be easier said than done and a long drawn out process as others progress in tandem. What can be said is that the lower league has increasingly become a tougher league to get out of over the last few seasons with new sides developing fast and strong teams getting relegated from the Middle League but Jimbob has experience and patience on his side, useful tools when you're in it for the long haul. The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (awaiting answers) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance) P.S Myself & FedEx will take part in the cup, just waiting to hear back from Co-op & Balbuzards on the matter. Also @Tales are you ever going to return your interview answers?? :p Co-op has confirmed he will play in the cup!

Well I didn't field my strongest team but got tactics spot on and the deed was done...more to restore some pride after Subs beat me 7-1 in the reverse fixture than to help you out though but hey! :p So congrats on winning the league, unless AC can conjure up a miracle against you in the last game!

It will indeed be the first time we've allied...it'll be like Bret and Vince finally shaking hands after the Montreal screw job! :p Lol, no worries it was worth a try...I'd never let him go if I had him in my squad and I'd probably not be able to afford anywhere near his value anyway! Beer sounds good APA style...lemme know when you're free!

True but then after that I asked you... In response to the following... You're on! Lets get the steel chairs at the ready! Excellent, shall do after the change report and when I've build up a bit more money pre-season. To soften the blow & keep our new alliance strong I'll offer a swap deal for Scabos too who should still be the same skill level as Conden after the CR plus Scabos also has the intelligence trait so you won't be missing out on a playmaker and he can act a veteren to mentor your youth and get your dangerously low average age up so you can compete better! Scabos should be good for you for 4 or 5 seasons I reckon!

What's the N-Euro league code for this season's fantasy football people? I created my team 2 days ago and looking to join it as I was there two seasons ago but missed out last season!

Huh @Haden...no reports since Week 5 (24.6.13)!!! You know what that means?? Money In The Bank! It's cash in time for Conden baby!!!

Greetings Fedex Utd and welcome to the Inter View. Thank you for participating and sparing a bit of time on Wimbledon final day to answer questions. In an ideal world you'd be celebrating the win of your close friend Roger Federer right about now but you can't have it all. Anyway, back to business... Question 1) Speaking of celebrating, you're the strongest team on paper in the bottom league but sit 4th at present, can you see your hand being raised in celebration due to promotion come the end of the season? If so how are you going to pull it off? FedEx United are at present in direct competition with Recall United for that all important third placed finish. At this stage it is too close to call and rather like the Ashes today it may go right down to the wire. The club will continue investing in its training programme to help boost skill and form and we wait with baited breath as the tension mounts for the last few weeks of the season. Question 2) Tell us a bit about the history of Fedex Utd, where you came from, what your achievements have been, future plans and aspirations for the team and squad etc. How is old Rog by the way? FedEx United came to fruition as a result of my love for all things tennis and the name derived itself from the greatest player ever to have picked up a racket the legend that is Roger Federer. Over the past few seasons the club has both over achieved and more recently under achieved so consistency until the end of the season will be key to securing a successful promotion to the second tier. My future aspirations are to secure the services of a second goal keeper when the window opens and also to encourage new blood in the form of young talent from the youth academy to build stability and success. Question 3) Looking at your squad, we've seen a Roddick in your team in the past who scored 10 goals and got 4 assists for you from midfield, keeping with the tennis is there a chance we could see a Mr. Federer being introduced into your youth academy at some point? Also, you have six strikers at your club whereas most have 3 or 4, some even cope well with two, do you not find that having six is more of a hindrance given that they won't all get the necessary game time to develop and skill up? We may see a future Federer but you will have to watch this space. I plan to be selective with my strikers next season as I probably over indulged on them this time around. Any final words... That is all for now. Apologies for the time delay of a week between the questions and answers but you probably worked that one out with the references to the Wimbledon final last Sunday and Ashes today. Good luck to you Mr FedEx and I look forward to seeing these products of your prestigious youth academy. The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (awaiting answers) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance)

Has anyone else notice their player compatibilites have changed? Some of the players I've had for years who have always had "Excellent" now only have good!

Lol, unlucky! This was my most recent one:- Raúl González recently met a woman online with whom he has a lot in common. After speaking via webcam a few times, they decided to meet in person and they got on famously! Raúl González now feels like the luckiest man on the planet and as a result of his newfound happiness, gains a fair bit of form.

Today on the Inter View we are privileged to welcome what must be regarded a seasoned professional now in his 11th season, a previous Lower and Middle League champion and a stoic, stubborn, resolute Russian through and through, the manager of Comerade Co-op. Co-op are a team who have had their ups and downs, always seemed to have stayed around the same standard and a team who are capable of catching many an unsuspecting manager off guard to pull off the odd shock result here and there. Welcome and thanks for joining me! Question 1) Excuse the reference to stubborn but from the outside it has appeared over the years that you would sacrifice what's best for team progress by sticking to your regimented ways of relying on your ageing veterans instead of promoting youth for the future and yet you refuse to delve into the transfer market to strengthen despite being possibly the richest club in N-Europe. Would you say this was a fair assessment and is this the way it'll remain or have you had/do have a change of plan on the horizon? The team comes first, the players most willing to commit to the cause will always be chosen against entitled youth (regardless of heritage) and foreign journeymen intent on plundering mother Russia. Question 2) Speaking of youths, you appear to have a pretty good youth academy but a lot of them fall by the wayside, what's going wrong and will the day arrive where we'll see more legendary characters emerge such as Vlad The Impaler and Rasputin The Immortal at the club again? Our youth development program is the most sophisticated in the world (our Docktors have instructed some of the foremost experts on sports science including the famous Dr's Fuentes and Ferrari), however the product does not always live up to our exacting standards and we do not hesitate to cull the weak so the strong will strive. Question 3) For anyone who may not know, could you fill us in on who Comerade Co-op are, why they came about and what the future holds? Looking at the immediate future, you're currently involved in a relegation scrap, sitting bottom of the Middle League, 5 points adrift with an inferior goal difference and only 7 games to turn it around, do you think you have what it takes to avoid the drop or are you happy to go down? We are a political movement that stands alone against the tide of capitalism, If we lose, we lose knowing we have already won the only contest that matters. Any final words... (None given but a cold blank silent stare with the sound of the prevailing wind sending tumbleweed rolling down the road and church bells chiming in the background) A man of few but interesting words there. Thanks for the insight! The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (awaiting answers) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance) In what has turned out to be good timing now that his beloved Federer has been knocked out of Wimbledon meaning he has more time on his hands, my next interviewee will be Fedex Utd so keep your eyes peeled...

Way!

Wooooo...in the top 100 managers on xpert and 15th in England!!! Screenshot time! :awesome: :p

Anyone know how to make an avatar on xpert? I'm able to shrink the pixels down to the right size but can't get the pic I want down to the required kb (10kb).

Who's quitting? Well, next up for The Inter View was due to be Eights Utd but due to either a no show, going MIA on us or due to possessing somewhat Axl Rose like tendencies, we've yet to hear from the Champ. However, the show must go on so whilst we're waiting for Tales to arrive from Caprica City I'll move on to my next guest. So with no further ado let me call out my next guest, the artist formally known as Seahawks, Les Balbuzards. Question 1) Matt, you're somewhat of an enigma to the N-Euro league, you've been around for almost as long as I have after I recruited you in my second season here and yet you remain one of the most underspoken managers of the bunch. If you could use this interview as a platform to announce yourself to the league and forum members who don't know you, how would you describe your management style/philosophies, future intentions and what do you make of your time as a manager so far? Well firstly, may I thank you for this kind offer to interview me. I've enjoyed my time as manager so far. I would say that might style is based around developing talent. Before I left Seahawks a lot of players that I bought in the first season or got through the youth system then were the core of the team and worth millions which is something I'm proud of. My first season with Seahawks was extremely interesting, I think I just missed out on promotion on the last day. In the second season I won the bottom league and in the third survived a relegation scrap in the middle league. After that I was stuck in the middle of the middle and if I'm honest I did get bored, didn't pay as much attention, which led to Seahawks getting relegated. Question 2) Most managers usually wait until they have won the Elite League before they embark on taking on a new team. Tell us why you decided to fold Seahawks and start afresh? The reason I wanted to start fresh was to rekindle the fun in playing. Part of me wanted to continue with Seahawks but I just wasn't enjoying it. I'm having more fun this season although the competition in the lower league is a lot harder than in was when I first started. Question 3) Looking at your new team this season, you've yet to make any changes to the squad. Have you not been tempted to buy/sell/sack any players? Given we're half way through the season now is it safe to assume that this is the way it'll stay for now until next season at least? Is there a grand plan for a reshaping of your squad or are you simply losing interest? I haven't made many changes as I really didn't have much money. Now that I've built some up I'm going to invest in my youth academy and hopefully get some great new talent from that. Come the end of the season I might just enter the transfer market too! Any final words... Streamers Rule! Long live the stream! They do indeed! Thanks for your time there Matthew. I'll be keeping an eye out for this French revolution of yours and hopefully we'll be seeing an introduction of a bit more 'va va voom' to the Lower League next season. For anyone who's wondering what the hell he was going on about in his last comment there, here it is:- The Inter View list:- 1. Haden 2. Coloccini 3. Madpool 4. Peeps 5. Eights (awaiting answers) 6. Balbuzards 7. Co-op 8. Fedex 9. Recall 10. bob 11. Cubic 12. Valyrian Steelers (Alliance) Depending on when Tales of Eights graces us with his presence, we'll either be seeing his good self or the Russians of Co-op next up in the hot seat so stay tuned...

I'll be happy with 2nd or 3rd...will be progress from the last few seasons! Btw, could I have your interview answers either today or tomorrow so that I can get it out as my PR for this week? Cheers.

It doesn't matter too much, just thought I'd check in case you'd forgotten or to give you a heads up in case you hadn't seen the questions yet.

How are those Inter View answers coming along Tales??