Yup, I'm feeling the same thing. I'm obviously still playing to win but I'm focussing more on developing my younger players now. I've been keeping the form up quite well so far and their DVs are looking good. I can see there's no chance of avoiding relegation (and I don't think I want to avoid it lol) so there's not much point focussing on winning. Best to focus on development, ready to pound the middle league again next season!
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N-Euro Elite League Season Twenty Four: Hours A Day
N-Euro Elite League Round One
****Eights United 4-1 Winston Gardens FC****
Eights play an offensive game with confidence while Winston Gardens increase their numbers at the back in anticipation. The ratings say it all for this game as Eights’ midfield rating reaches 14 while Winston Gardens managed only half of that. Justin Wilder scored the first goal for Eights in the 27th minute, quickly being helped out soon after with an own goal from Carlo Rosario of Winston Gardens. Emil Beck scored another goal for Eights in the 37th minute to put Eights 3-0 up but Magnus Ahnfeldt made sure Winston Gardens didn’t end the first half without a goal by scoring in the 40th minute. Eights were quick to score again in the second half with a goal coming from Charles Almaas in the 49th minute but that was their only goal of the second half.
****Battlestar Odwinica 0-0 Rising Phoenix***
Odwinica were favourites to win this game before going in but a tough stance from Rising Phoenix kept them from conceding any goals. All the chances were made in the first half with Odwinica creating two and Rising Phoenix managing just one. It seems that Rising Phoenix may well be able to stay afloat in the Elite League this time round if they can keep their defence up like this.
****Bubbles FC 1-2 Intergalactico Stars****
Some bad luck befell Intergalactico in the early minutes of the game as Nikos Scabos had to be taken off the pitch with heavy injuries, working slightly in Bubbles favour as he is replaced with a younger player. Although in the 39th minute the young substitute, Maximus Decimus Meridius was the first to score for Intergalactico. The second half began with Intergalactico still dominating the game and in the 47th minute Eddie Guerrero scored Intergalactico’s second goal. Still determined, Bubbles kept making plays and in the 56th minute the ball found Liam Haley in the penalty area and he managed to beat the keeper! With over 30 minutes left and just one goal’s difference, it was a tense end to the game but although Intergalactico didn’t score again, they managed to shut down Bubbles’ chances of equalising.
***Real Peeps 3-5 Madpool****
Things were going as expected for Real Peeps in the first half as Archie Gay scores the first goal for Madpool in the 13th minute. Soon after, Real Peeps lost a player in midfield due to a heavy injury leaving them vulnerable to an attack from Reggie Hales who scored in the 20th minute. In the 25th minute, Hales scored again from a freekick. There was still plenty of time left in the first half and Steven Gerrard was next to score for Madpool to put them 4-0 up but a goal from Thurston McAuley in the 43rd minute kept Real Peeps from being whitewashed. Real Peeps remained in favour as the second half started and managed to score again with a goal from Jimmy Exton in the 48th minute. Madpool were still knocking back the chances but failing to score while Real Peeps had only two chances in the second half and managed to score from both! Thurston McAuley scored their third goal in the 62nd minute and it looked like Real Peeps would actually be able to make a great comeback but in the 72nd minute Madpool were awarded a penalty from which Stanley Trainer easily scored, taking the fight out of Real Peeps.
****DuDs Baggies 2-0 Silverdale Hotpot****
After legitimately escaping relegation (narrowly, thanks to an inactive Happenstance FC) last season, DuDs Baggies are thirsty to prove themselves worthy of the Elite League and what better way than to defeat the latest cup winners and the winners of Season 22? The first half was free of goals with only one chance being made from DuDs Baggies that was easily saved. The second half yielded more successful results for DuDs Baggies as their offensive push allowed them to create 4 chances while Silverdale could only manage 2. The first goal came late in the game in the 70th minute and was scored by Rory Ashe but he wasn’t finished there and scored again in the 85th minute. The end of the game was drawing closer and it looked certain that Baggies would take the victory but in the 90th minute Rory Ashe felt compelled to shove a Silverdale player to the ground just before he took a shot on goal resulting in a red card for Ashe but Baggies’ victory was sealed.
Most Important Result: DuDs Baggies 2-0 Silverdale Hotpot, it’s too early to call anything but with Baggies beating one of the strongest teams in the elite league in their first game, it’s safe to say they are going to be a team to watch out for this season.
Manager of the Round: Tales, Eights United, it was tough to call this one but Tales had the best performance from his team and one of the best results with no dramas in the game.
Player of the Round: Reggie Hales, Madpool, as Rory Ashe of DuDs Baggies has recused himself with a shameful end to his game, the award this time goes to Reggie Hales of Madpool. Hales assisted the first goal of the game before scoring twice in a row himself, all before the first half was over.
N-Euro Elite League Round Two
****DuDs Baggies 1-1 Battlestar Odwinica****
DuDs Baggies continue their strong start to the season with a draw against the mighty Battlestar. Baggies are still rated one of the weakest teams in the elite league but have surprised their critics with these two impressive results. Odwinica are performing decidedly average with two draws now behind them. Dudley Dhall was first to score in the 36th minute for DuDs Baggies and while both teams were getting decent chances on each other, the next goal wasn’t scored until the 87th minute! Luckily for Odwinica, it was Isak Millberg who scored, saving them from an embarrassing defeat.
****Rising Phoenix 1-2 Eights United****
Rising Phoenix had a strong(ish) start to the season after holding Odwinica back for a draw away from home but this round they’re up against Eights United who are eager to win their first trophy and seem very determined this season. Alec Svanson of Eights United scored first in the 17th minute but Rising Phoenix didn’t let them stay ahead for long and scored in the 20th minute with a goal from Kaj Eklind. As the second half played out it seemed likely that the game would end in a draw with neither team able to create many chances but in the 70th minute Dagfinn Jalland was able to score to secure victory for Eights United.
****Madpool 6-0 Winston Gardens FC****
Madpool were glad to be back at home this round and made sure not to underestimate their opponent this time after they conceded three goals last round to Real Peeps. Neal HIles started the ball rolling with a goal in the very first minute, going on to assist Archie Gay in the 5th minute. Neal Hiles scored again in the 19th minute and once again assisted the next goal which was scored again by Archie Gay in the 31st minute. Neal Hiles still hadn’t tired out by the second half and assisted Steven Gerrard in the 48th minute. In the 62nd minute Hiles was on the phone to his agent while Spence Monk scored, assisted by Steven Gerrard. Winston Gardens did manage one chance in the game in the second half but were put off making any more after being angrily stared down by Madpool’s fans.
****Bubbles FC 1-3 Silverdale Hotpot***
Silverdale were another team eager to correct some mistakes made last round as they faced Bubbles FC today. Both teams went heavy in the midfield which made things kind of easy for Silverdale as they easily overpowered Bubbles whose midfield isn’t one to brush off lightly either. A freekick scored by Clifford Hope was the first goal for Silverdale in the 25th minute and just two minutes later, Hope assisted Jamie Jerome in another goal for Silverdale. A couple of light injuries towards the end of the first half resulted in a line-up shake up for Bubbles FC but they still managed to keep Silverdale from scoring again, at least until the 65th minute when Steven Calderwood was able to score. In the 84th minute Anselmo Giampietri scored for Bubbles to keep them from total humiliation but they still lost the game 3-1.
*****Intergalactico Stars 3-0 Real Peeps****
Intergalactico easily walked all over Real Peeps this round as the latter team attempted a defensive game. Intergalactico had only four chances in this game and managed to score from three of them while Real Peeps were barely able to make it past the half way line. Mark Undertaker was first to score in the 27th minute which was the only goal of the first half. Terry Hogan started quickly in the second half, scoring in the 46th minute but the next goal didn’t come until the 89th minute, scored by Gandalf Grey. With their goals fairly spread out, it seems the defensive option kind of worked for Real Peeps but unfortunately for them, Intergalactico were clinical enough to score from almost all of the few chances they made.
Most Important Result: Bubbles FC 1-3 Silverdale Hotpot, Silverdale prove their first round was just a fluke after easily winning away from home today to pull themselves out of 9th place and into 5th. At the top of the table, Madpool take the lead on goal difference after their 6-0 victory over Winston Gardens.
Manager of the Round: Nikos9, Intergalactico Stars, Nikos takes the award this round as the only manager to receive 5 stars for tactics this round in a sea of 4 star ratings.
Player of the Round: Neal Hiles, Madpool, Hiles easily takes this award after setting up three goals in his game and scoring twice for himself, having a part in every goal scored save for one.