Posted April 8, 2014 I checked the time log and Hydra sent the challenge at 11:41 on friday (game day). I was at work so didn't see it and iAccepted Bob's challenge as i assumed Hydra's had been deemed too late. If this is the case then yes, that's far too late (20 mins before the match would be played!) so I guess you are the cup champion! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 9, 2014 I think you went easy on me bob. Playing four defenders... looks like you've gone soft since our days battling it out in the lower league. Games that I lost... Don't worry, next season I'll be back with a full compliment of strikers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 9, 2014 Lightbulb is a great feature and I think it is part of the reason YS have done so great not to take anything away from Zell who always plays great tactics to match his players. Final will be interesting I either see a YS 3-0 victory or Inter edging it by a goal, I would give Inter a slight edge but that is just me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 9, 2014 Sorry @Haden only just seen your Qs, will get the answers to you ASAP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 9, 2014 Me and Rog were talking earlier about how great a manager Zell is. Really don't understand how The Sub are so successful! Is there some sort of secret about the intelligence special quality? The team must have been totally average three seasons ago when they first won the league. For the record, you're my personal pick to take up the vacant Spurs managerial position in the summer @Zell. Excited for change reports! Should get them on sunday right? When I first started and was looking to sign good players on the cheap, I always noticed how Intelligent players didn't cost an awful lot more than 'vanilla' players. Try to buy players with Goal Instinct or Free Kick Specialist or any other positive outfield quality and the price of the player is inflated massively. I have no idea what the Intelligence Quality actually does but it seems to give players a smaller advantage over similar players of the same skill. Dan, you should compare my player ratings in the match against Eights with my players' actual skill levels. Five of my players were rated 5 skill bars above their actual skill. High teamwork values (every player on my team has "Excellent" compatibility), high form and win bonuses equate to overperforming players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Whoa Zell you sure you want to be showing your ratings and current form before the cup final! Maybe you are playing mindgames :P Dan are you able to cover the semi finals? I was going to do a path to the championship feature for Yellow and Inter. If not dw we can retrospect them The Outer View This is a special version of the Inter View as the host Nikos steps out of the interview chair and becomes a guest on his own show. 1: After securing the double in Season 23-24 your team has been a feared member of the top league but have failed to mount a sustained title challenge since then. What do you put this down to? Yeah, I put this down to a combo of reasons. Firstly, during our Championship winning seasons I felt like we massively over-performed. Looking back, we should never have won the league given the strength of our squad and the quality of the opponents so huge credit must go to lads. I think luck was on our side and many teams underestimated us and we capitalised on that. As a result expectations have been high since but seeings my squad hit their peak around that time, it’s been a bit of a rebuilding process since the old guard left. Secondly, a lot has to be said for the quality of the opposition with the brute force of Eights and their dominance plus the shock rapid rise of Yellow Subs. Another reason for the possible decline (or inability to keep up with the best) since, was one major mistake I made in taking two of the now folded Seahawks team’s players (Kirk and Zorro). I thought they’d be great buys but they were more hassle than it was worth if truth be told, not only the furore it caused amongst other managers but the worst thing was that they both had poor compatibility and it threw the whole balance of the squad out which would have impacted on results. However, I feel we are almost back now to where we were now and title contention is surely not far off once again. 2: Apart from the Seahawk transfer duo you seem to favor youth over buying in talent. This used to be the norm but as your last interviewee dansliketrees pointed out some managers are now bringing in talent at a later age who are already quite skilled. Do you see yourself doing this or sticking to youth? I like danlikestrees philosophy and it is something I would definitely do if I had the money as it saves time waiting for them to develop but the trouble is we as a club have never really had that sort of money to be brandishing about, apart from the time I splashed out on the Seahawks players and Papadopoulos of course. Therefore, the next best thing is to bring through youth from an affordable age. The great thing about this is that when the time comes to sell him you’d then hopefully make a mint and this in turn will enable you to start buying more established players in their mid 20s and that’s something were striving for but we’re a way off that still so it’s all about the long game! 3: Odwin, Haden, Ell, Charlie. These four managers had league winning sides and decided to quit and reform a new team. Has this ever crossed your mind? Or do you think the competition is so balanced or the love of your team so great that there is no need to re-start. It would be good to do one day but I won’t consider doing that until my team has reached its full potential. By that I mean looking at the team sheet and thinking DAMN, as though I were looking at Eights squad now! My team is still building in strength with a lot of the youth I bought previously beginning to reach their peak so there’s still plenty to come and many more seasons ahead of us. In other words, whilst we are still underdogs, there is still work to do. Plus I know how much time it’d take to get back to where I am now and quite honestly with the increasing strength of the three leagues, that might never happen so if I were to quit my team it may very well be the day I also quit Xpert, but we’ll see. Hadens Havoc: I am going to say five things I want you to respond with a short answer of the first thing that pops into your head. Season 30 Champions: Intergalactico Stars! Entertaining Team: Russian Revolution Player of the Season: Severin Granås Best Formation: 3-5-2 Player who has disappointed you: Nikos Scabos Thank you for your time Nikos, and thank you from us all as a forum for your dedication to the Inter Views, they are always a good read. Any final thoughts? My pleasure and thanks for turning the tables. Our knock out game was intense for the most part and I’m sure Hadens Rangers are gonna kick on and win trophies one day…when I’m dead and buried, haha, kidding, keep up the good work! :P Since these questions were conducted I have now reached the Champions league final and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish my opponent Yellow Subs the best of luck, but not too much! May the best team win!!! Season 30's Champions League has been epic and I'd definately like to see it done again, maybe every 5 seasons or so! See you on the other side! Yellow Submarine vs Intergalactigo Stars Champions League Final: 11/04/2014 12:30 GMT The Rivalry: Looking at the face to face of the two teams you will note that Inter have the edge on YS with 5 wins to 3 and 1 draw. However this advantage pairs up with the only time either side has lost at home which was when these two teams had their first league match in Season 26 and YS lost 3-1 at home. Every other time they have played apart from a draw in a cup game the home side has won. YS most glorious victory came in their historic season 27 run where they destroyed Inter 6-1 with 17 chances to 2 playing some blistering attacking football with a 3-5-2 formation. For Inter their best victory came last season where they packed the midfield with a 4-5-1 formation and Gandalf inspired them to a 4-1 rout of YS. Both managers have established themselves as part of the Elite Four, with Inter having won the league in Season 23-24 and YS winning it in Season 27-28. What they have in common is both sides won as relative newcomers in unexpected circumstances. With Eights United win last season it was felt that Eights United might go on to establish themsleves as the sole dominant force in Xpert 11 but this will not be the case. This is now a fantastic opportunity for one of these sides to take lead in their rivalry and establish themselves as a three time Xpert 11 Champion and the current one and only Xpert Champions League Winner. The Teams Inter have a very strong side with a defence that is one of the best in the league as well as a midfield and attack that overflow with options. This tournament has seen Papadopoulos shine for Inter with 13 goals and 5 assists not far behind is Gandalf who is so threatening in a dead ball situation and has the highest number of assists with 7. With 13 X11 awards between them Owen Hart in goal and Rocky Miavia in defence are an awesome combination and Inter may well hope to keep a clean sheet and win by a single goal, these two could make that happen. With their strong set of players Inter enjoy playing 4-4-2 or dominating a team with 3-5-2, oddly they seem to have a weakness from wing plays but score in all manners and are likely to score at the start of each half. YS have intelligent players they are adept at creating and stopping chances almost having a second sense. The team trains well and works together to perform above expectations. Ataisik has been simply outstanding this season and has an incredible 12 assists to his name he has been the architect of YS attacking play. Between them Delipiano, Falcao, Lennon and Beasley have 37 goals in this tournament and it is an amazing statistic that every YS player has scored apart from the goalies. Kirkby and McEnroe have performed heroics this season in defence and with Villa missing the game through injury they will have to be at their best in this final. YS also enjoy playing 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 and are a very attacking high energy team with most of their goals coming in the first half and the majority from headers, they sometimes struggle to contain teams that use breakaways. Path to the final: YS had a very hard group and struggled in the middle phase of the group stage losing to Dragooooo and then drawing twice to RFC. It seemed top spot would not be theirs but they then won the next four games in a row scoring 4 times in each one and ended with a final victory against the 64s to win the group. This saw them up against Kippen FC who tried to stifle YS but Delipiano's talent was to much for them, a heroic late goal by Falcao saw them through against top league rivals Silverdale Salmon in a tense 2-1 victory, this was then followed by a tie with Eights United which saw Beasley score 4 and YS unbelievably beat one of their oldest foes 4-1. For Inter they were in a group of death themselves and they also had a wobble drawing twice and losing within the first give games, they then went on to string together a run of 100% victories culminating with a 3-0 win against title rivals AC Elites to win the group stage. This saw them have a favourable tie against Coloccini that proved tricky with Grey having to save the tie from going to extra time with two late goals. Next they went against they Legends which was a close game until Papadopoulos proved the difference maker with a crucial goal in the 69th minute. A nervy game against DuD saw Inter lacking possession but having the cutting edge as Meriduis headed home the only goal of the game. Good luck to both teams may the best team win and make Xpert history I will be watching the loaded version of the match live for full excitement Edited April 10, 2014 by Haden Automerged Doublepost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 10, 2014 When I first started and was looking to sign good players on the cheap, I always noticed how Intelligent players didn't cost an awful lot more than 'vanilla' players. Try to buy players with Goal Instinct or Free Kick Specialist or any other positive outfield quality and the price of the player is inflated massively. I have no idea what the Intelligence Quality actually does but it seems to give players a smaller advantage over similar players of the same skill. Dan, you should compare my player ratings in the match against Eights with my players' actual skill levels. Five of my players were rated 5 skill bars above their actual skill. High teamwork values (every player on my team has "Excellent" compatibility), high form and win bonuses equate to overperforming players. Yeah, I think mine were similar when I drew aginst with Eights in the group (team ratings were about the same as your anyway) - my team seems to play a lot better against teams much better than me than against lower league teams. YS's consistency is the impressive thing though, can't have been easy to win week in week out with an inferior set of players. I'd imagine everyone in top league has excellent compatibility, generally very good form and good-ish win bonuses. Done a bit of research into intelligence and (vague answers) it does appear to have much more impact than I assumed - I'd previously thought it was more or less just useful for playmakers. Will bear in mind for future forays to the transfer market. I'd quite fancy a friendly once the change reports come in, to see where Winston are more accurately. WDan are you able to cover the semi finals? I was going to do a path to the championship feature for Yellow and Inter. Sure thing guv! You wanna do the final? Got a busy-ish weekend but I could do it next week if not. Great interview btw, I've enjoyed them this season. In fact doing to match reports in general has made all the games a lot more interesting to watch and hearing the managers all the more intriguing. Yellow Sub 4 - 1 Eights United For the opening half an hour this clash of titans looked like it would be the kind of fiercely contested back and forth tie that we had all expected, yet after the Eights scored the equaliser after half an hour the game turned on it’s head. For the thirty minutes that followed, Yellow Sub were completely unplayable, and irresistible to watch. They played fast and direct, a variety of deliciously weighted through balls and lethal crosses. The back three of eights were completely overwhelmed; as this writer remarked on earlier in the season, defence is Tales’ weak spot right now, one taken full advantage of by the rampant, exciting football on show - and by the 50th minute the game was beyond Eight’s reach. Everything on the Yellow Sub tactics sheet was pitch perfect - preparation for the 352 that Eights favour had been drilled into the team all weekend. Eights’ Emil Beck was tightly marked out of the game, and fans of Eights calling out their manager for being too stale and predictable as the Sub players seemed to read their every attempted pass. Whilst possession was vastly in favour of Eights, Irvine and Viana, playing at the back of the YS midfield, kept Granas and Beck from probing past, rendering their possession useless. Going forward, the other key factor to this overwhelming victory was the partnership of club veterans Ataisik and Beasley, one that Eights failed to find an answer to, which saw Beasley score four. The latter has had a quiet season but, like Zell, he is one to come alive in the big matches. It was a huge win for the Yellow Sub fans but you rarely escape games as big as this without battle wounds. Zell has been given a major selection headache for Friday after Villa’s injury in defence leaves him with a narrow pool of tactics to select from, in a game that will be just as big for the club. Intergalactico Stars 1- 0 DuD’s baggies For two teams playing 3-5-2 this was a surprisingly cagey, tense affair, neither side wanting to slip up and gift the other a spot in the final. DuDs had the overwhelming majority of possession throughout the game but the deciding goal ultimately came from pace on the wing and an old fashioned header inside the box, Gandalf the Grey continuing his fine season under Nikos. This was a strong effort from DuDs and they were unlucky considering both side’s lack of distinct chances - he will be left wondering what could have been were his first choice keeper not removed from play after 54 minutes. Inter was strong across the pitch, and his stoic defence will prove harder for Yellow Sub to break down that Eights’ did. Despite being uninvolved in the goal, Ramos and Papdopulos were the best part of the Inter team, hassling players high up the pitch to prevent DuD from moving the ball forward, and bringing the advanced midfielders into play. Nikos has yet to settle on a formation having mixed it up throughout his campaign - it will be interesting to see if he piles on the forward line to take advantage of a weekend defensive lineup from Yellow Sub. All eyes on lunchtime tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 I am happy to do the final! Great reports dan we should carry this partnership on somehow next season any ideas? Btw Peeps I was wondering would it be possible for you to set the league up this weekend? I mean for a future date but have it all set up. I ask because I am able to do the thread this Monday/Tuesday was thinking of blitzing it but it will be a lot easier with the league up. If not no worries I am gonna bring out here right now the future your future the face of Xpert 11. The coal that has now become a diamond. The new Xpert 11 champion! NIKOS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 You guys put win bonuses in friendlies? :p That's 2 in 2 you've put down a win bonus in friendlies against me? should I be flattered? Deliberately didn't put one on as wanted to see how we'd fair just on strength and tactics. Congrats to Nikos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 That's 2 in 2 you've put down a win bonus in friendlies against me? should I be flattered? Deliberately didn't put one on as wanted to see how we'd fair just on strength and tactics. Congrats to Nikos It's the bronze final, ie the battle for top 3. I have 7 top 3 finishes in a row, and I would like an 8th as well, no matter how unofficial it is. Do you want to agree on how a potential draw is decided? Goal, chances, goals away, chances away, in that order? Or maybe goals away before chances? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 @Haden the season doesn't officially end until Monday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 1 mill for the return leg from me then. Away goals first as in real life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 @dazzybee @Agent Gibbs please re-apply to join and it should let me accept you (invite link: http://www.xperteleven.com/?lid=120161 ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 @dazzybee @Agent Gibbs please re-apply to join and it should let me accept you (invite link: http://www.xperteleven.com/?lid=120161 ) Done. Please excuse the unimaginative naming... Regretted it as soon as I sent it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 lol you can change your team name anyway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 done and done! still not sure on my name either but nevermind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 As long as it's not just your name on here. At least TRY and make an effort to come up with something original. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 @Haden the season doesn't officially end until Monday Would it be possible for you to do it on Monday? I will then have that day and Tuesday to try and blitz it well in advance Welcome to Xpert Agent Gibbs and Dazzy I will have a look over your teams later give you a few pointers of who to keep and who to scrap Peeps usually does great guides for new teams as well As long as it's not just your name on here. At least TRY and make an effort to come up with something original. Good advice also avoid naming your players after yourself who does that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 I am happy to do the final! Great reports dan we should carry this partnership on somehow next season any ideas? Btw Peeps I was wondering would it be possible for you to set the league up this weekend? I mean for a future date but have it all set up. I ask because I am able to do the thread this Monday/Tuesday was thinking of blitzing it but it will be a lot easier with the league up. If not no worries I am gonna bring out here right now the future your future the face of Xpert 11. The coal that has now become a diamond. The new Xpert 11 champion! NIKOS! Sounds good! I've been liking the 5 things format - could just take it in turns each week and do it once a fortnight each? Or alternate doing 2 and 3 points. I'm assuming we'll both be battling it out in elite league - which is going to be full of top quality teams if it's everyone from the quarter finals plus probably Lylat and someone else. Well played Nikos, huge win. @peeps don't forget about the clownferret chap, any user who sings the praises of champ manager is surely shoe in for future elite league contender. Hope we don't have to wait till blooming monday / tuesday for the change reports!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 (edited) If it is based on the cup, surely the ninth spot is awarded to Familia? Though I wouldn't be surprised if the system just used the results of the leagues to decide next season's leagues. I was hoping to get a lead by winning this season, making it 4-2-2(Eights/Inter/Sub) in titles won, instead it became a lot more closer with 3-3-2 respectivively. Doesn't help me that the coming season, particulary if based on the cup, will be one of the thoughest in a long time. Edited April 11, 2014 by Tales Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 If it is based on the cup, surely the ninth spot is awarded to Familia? Though I wouldn't be surprised if the system just used the results of the leagues to decide next season's leagues. I was hoping to get a lead by winning this season, making it 4-2-2(Eights/Inter/Sub), instead it became a lot more closer with 3-3-2 respectivively. Doesn't help me that the coming season, particulary if based on the cup, will be one of the thoughest in a long time. Oh yeah lol - forgot you had to take it to penaltys to overcome such a minor obstacle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 Familia is hardly "minor". Thoughest round of 16 opponent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 Familia is hardly "minor". Thoughest round of 16 opponent. You just going to sit there and take that @The Peeps @RogerFederer @dragooooo? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 I have to admit that I am absolutely devastated to have lost the final. Beating Kippen, Silverdale and Eights only to fall at the last hurdle... it's hard to take. That might prove to be the best I chance I'll get at getting another title in the near future, what with so many strong teams emerging. Very well played Nikos, some great offensive tactics. Having only four defenders to chose from was a massive ball ache for me in choosing my tactics, in the end I went with the formation that allowed for my strongest possible line-up. Thought that if I could boss the midfield then my weakened defence would not matter as much. As it turned out, I got my tactics wrong and got exposed at the back. A smaller squad this season has been good for development but has hampered my performances at times. I was especially vulnerable when Delipiano was out for an extended period. I reckon will need to spend some big money in the transfer market to stay competitive. I've come second twice in a row now - now I know how Tales feels! Oh and lastly, a massive thanks needs to go out to @dan\-likes\-trees for writing awesome reports all season. You guys have really made this season special. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted April 11, 2014 Come on Eights you must be joking! Familia are a good side but everyone knows bob were the toughest round of 16 challengers. Oh, wait... Anyway, congratulations on winning Wimbledon, Nikos! What a team! What a day! What a moment to be alive! This whole universe, every last facet of being – it is yours!; that vast, terrifying depth of existence, that awesome (in every sense of the word) weight of consciousness; it belongs to you today!; every atom, every microbe, every last organism; every man, every woman, every cat, dog and ape; every politician, every football manager, every young couple gazing longingly into each other's eyes!; every carefully-crafted masterpiece, every act of charity, every tear on a young babe's cheek!; All of evolution, all of human history, leading to this day, this day, a day pregnant heavy with destiny; a day on which footballing legends, standing at the gates of Olympus, turned, like Benjamin's Angel, to face the unrelenting onslaught of History, and gazed upon that great and terrible thing; they looked upon the approaching tide of fate, and, somehow, remained calm, stoic, undeterred, utterly determined, focussed in the way only an Xpert Manager on a mid-sized Nintendo Fan Forum can be! THIS IS LIFE. THIS IS ART. THIS IS DEATH. THIS IS LOVE, THIS IS FATE, THIS IS EVERYTHING. THIS. IS. XPERT!!!!! Thanks, as always, Roger Federer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
