Gaming The SM RedCafe League

[Damien]

end of an era
with domestic cups and europe must be easy over 1250 appearances

You've got a good ready made replacement. Has to be the player with the most appearances for one club and a record that is unlikely to be ever beaten.

 

[Damien]

European finals tonight.

in brackets: trophies/number of titles in that competition

SMFA Cup
(45/11) Manchester United v Cardiff City (4/0)

SMFA Shield
(3/3) Newcastle United v Southend United (6/2)

 

[Damien]

Champions Cup final - 1:1 against Cardiff City, won 6:5 on penalties. Close one. Mbappe got sent off an hour in - I remember the start of the season when we were talking about it looking like the red card "problem" was fixed, those were the days.

Oblak (94)

Kounde (92)↓ Van Dijk (95) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (92) Trent (94)
Bellingham (93) -- Goretzka (93) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Eriksen (91), Frimpong (90), Ramos (92)↑, Rice (91), Zakaria (90), Sancho (91), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Manchester United v Cardiff City fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Cardiff City Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Cardiff City Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Cardiff City Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Cardiff City SoT Conv.
13th Apr: Utd v Cardiff City​	57%​	43%​	10 (4)​	9 (3)​	2​	1​	50%​	33.3%​
18th Jun: Cardiff City v Utd​	56%​	44%​	15 (6)​	6 (1)​	2​	0​	33.3%​	0%​
27th Jun: Utd v Cardiff City (N - Champions Cup)​	58%​	42%​	13 (6)​	7 (3)​	1​	1​	16.7%​	33.3%​
Combined​	57%​	43%​	38 (16)​	22 (7)​	5​	2​	31.3%​	28.6%​

Spoiler: crazy end to the shootout

The taker of the next penalty will have to stay calm to keep his team in this shootout.
ALEXANDER-ARNOLD will take the next kick for Manchester United.
ALEXANDER-ARNOLD tries to put it in the top corner.
Back of the net! That was an excellent penalty.

Antonio RÜDIGER will take the next kick for Cardiff City.
RÜDIGER tries to place it in the corner.
It goes just wide of the base of the post.

Scoring the next penalty will mean victory for Manchester United.
RAMOS will take the next kick for Manchester United.
RAMOS takes a short run up and tries to send the keeper the wrong way.
He makes a hash of it and it misses the target.

Luke SHAW will take the next kick for Cardiff City.
SHAW tries to put it in the top corner.
Great dive by OBLAK to save the shot.

Scoring the next penalty will mean victory for Manchester United.
HAKIMI will take the next kick for Manchester United.
HAKIMI aims for the bottom corner.
NEUER reads it but he can't quite get there.

What an end to this game as Manchester United win the shootout!

 

[Damien]

Spoiler: updated major honours by club

Congrats to Newcastle United, they really are the Sevilla of the SMFA Shield. Always winning.

Spoiler: updated major honours by manager

@Varun is now the third most successful manager in Caf SM League history.

 

[Varun]

Get in!!

@Damien as many titles as the next 5 managers put together

 

[Damien]

Get in!!

@Damien as many titles as the next 5 managers put together

Helps that a third of the trophies are ones you have a 50/50 chance of winning once you qualify for that competition (Charity Shield, Super Cup)

 

[Damien]

Division 1 top flight records tables (new entries this season/ongoing streaks in light purple)

Spoiler: goals and wins/draws/losses

Spoiler: points, goal difference and season trophy win streaks

Spoiler: positive player records

Spoiler: negative player records and most points teams have been relegated with

*NEW!* Division 2 records table (new entries this season in light purple)

Spoiler

Division 3 records table (new entries this season in light purple)

Spoiler

Division 4 records table (new entries this season in light purple)

Spoiler

Division 5 records table (new entries this season in light purple)

Spoiler

Thank you to each and every one of you for being part of the league. Without you all, this wouldn't have lasted as long as it has done so far.

 

[Varun]

Zlatan and Kane in the goals records

Zlatan was out of this world for me at Arsenal. Mental numbers. Didn't know about the 4 losses stat in the S19 season, pretty nice. Ended up this season with 6 losses after losing both the last 2 games after the title win. feck

 

[CrackersJr]

Newcastle continuing the fine dominance of the euros shield. Was at risk of greeny leveling my win record....

 

[Damien]

Visualisations

Cumulative Division 1 points

Spoiler: Snapshot at end of Season 28

• Newcastle United have overtaken Manchester City into sixth place and Darlington have overtaken Sunderland into 10th place, though next season Sunderland will be in Division 1 while Darlington will be in Division 2 so Sunderland should get their top 10 spot back, and possibly enter the top 9 with Chelsea also relegated.
• Manchester United have been top on cumulative points since Season 6 and was the first side to break the 2000 point mark this season.

Cumulative Division 1 goals

Spoiler: Snapshot at end of Season 28

• Newcastle United have overtaken Chelsea into seventh place.
• Everton has become the second team to break the 2000 goal mark.
• Manchester United have been top on cumulative goals since Season 1, though Everton aim to overtake this in the next couple of seasons.

Cumulative Division 1 Top 4 finishes

Spoiler: Snapshot at end of Season 28

• Everton had the longest streak of cumulative Top 4 finishes with 9 from Season 12 to Season 20 inclusive - Manchester United have matched this from Season 20 to Season 28 inclusive.
• 21 teams have finished in the Top 4, with Southend United being the latest in Season 28.
• Manchester United have been top/joint top on Top 4 finishes since Season 1.

Cumulative major honours

Spoiler: Snapshot at end of Season 28

• 29 teams have won at least one major honour with Southend United being the latest side to do so in Season 24.
• Aston Villa have overtaken Chelea into seventh, Southend United are the ninth most successful team while Newcastle United have become the joint tenth most successful team this season.
• Manchester United have been top/joint top on major honours won since Season 9, earning more trophies (46) than 20 sides on the above graphic combined (42).

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Lovely work as always. Do we have the full cumulative points table?

 

[Damien]

Lovely work as always. Do we have the full cumulative points table?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1v5HAQ1KFvdRrEs1X_ru2NgAY13T71sK5ThTwHjRLTcs/edit?usp=sharing

First sheet. Cardiff City are currently 20th

Rank	Team Name	Div 1 Total Points
1​	Manchester United​	2048​
2​	Everton​	1942​
3​	Arsenal​	1756​
4​	Nottingham Forest​	1612​
5​	Aston Villa​	1521​
6​	Newcastle United​	1384​
7​	Manchester City​	1369​
8​	Fulham​	1365​
9​	Chelsea​	1337​
10​	Darlington​	1292​
11​	Sunderland​	1290​
12​	Liverpool​	1191​
13​	Tottenham Hotspur​	1160​
14​	Wolverhampton Wanderers​	1105​
15​	Southend United​	718​
16​	Middlesbrough​	691​
17​	Southampton​	640​
18​	Bournemouth​	587​
19​	Blackburn Rovers​	532​
20​	Cardiff City​	519​
21​	Milton Keynes Dons​	501​
22​	Norwich City​	498​
23​	Queens Park Rangers​	433​
24​	Plymouth Argyle​	386​
25​	Hereford​	379​
26​	Barnsley​	337​
27​	Bolton Wanderers​	309​
28​	Reading​	295​
29​	West Bromwich Albion​	265​
30​	Leyton Orient​	253​
31​	Bristol City​	239​
32​	Stoke City​	220​
33​	Ipswich Town​	209​
34​	West Ham United​	204​
35​	Leeds United​	138​
36​	Coventry City​	127​
37​	Birmingham City​	116​
38​	Swansea City​	113​
39​	Derby County​	94​
40​	Hull City​	72​
41​	Kidderminster Harriers​	69​
42​	Gillingham​	36​
43​	Wigan Athletic​	32​
44​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​
45​	Bury​	28​
46​	Crystal Palace​	27​
47​	Millwall​	23​
48​	Portsmouth​	14​

 

[Damien]

Two more tables from the Div 1 total points

Number of seasons in Division 1

Spoiler

Rank	Team Name	Div 1 Total Points	Seasons
1​	Manchester United​	2048​	28​
=​	Everton​	1942​	28​
=​	Arsenal​	1756​	28​
=​	Aston Villa​	1521​	28​
5​	Fulham​	1365​	26​
6​	Nottingham Forest​	1612​	25​
=​	Newcastle United​	1384​	25​
=​	Chelsea​	1337​	25​
9​	Sunderland​	1290​	24​
=​	Liverpool​	1191​	24​
11​	Wolverhampton Wanderers​	1105​	23​
12​	Darlington​	1292​	22​
=​	Tottenham Hotspur​	1160​	22​
14​	Manchester City​	1369​	21​
15​	Southampton​	640​	15​
16​	Southend United​	718​	14​
=​	Middlesbrough​	691​	14​
18​	Bournemouth​	587​	13​
19​	Blackburn Rovers​	532​	12​
=​	Milton Keynes Dons​	501​	12​
=​	Norwich City​	498​	12​
22​	Plymouth Argyle​	386​	10​
23​	Cardiff City​	519​	9​
=​	Queens Park Rangers​	433​	9​
25​	Hereford​	379​	8​
=​	Barnsley​	337​	8​
27​	Bolton Wanderers​	309​	7​
=​	Reading​	295​	7​
=​	Bristol City​	239​	7​
30​	Ipswich Town​	209​	6​
=​	West Ham United​	204​	6​
32​	West Bromwich Albion​	265​	5​
=​	Leyton Orient​	253​	5​
=​	Stoke City​	220​	5​
35​	Leeds United​	138​	4​
=​	Birmingham City​	116​	4​
37​	Coventry City​	127​	3​
=​	Swansea City​	113​	3​
39​	Derby County​	94​	2​
=​	Hull City​	72​	2​
=​	Kidderminster Harriers​	69​	2​
42​	Gillingham​	36​	1​
=​	Wigan Athletic​	32​	1​
=​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	1​
=​	Bury​	28​	1​
=​	Crystal Palace​	27​	1​
=​	Millwall​	23​	1​
=​	Portsmouth​	14​	1​

Average Points in Division 1 (Total Points/Seasons)

Spoiler

Rank	Team Name	Div 1 Total Points	Seasons	Avg Pts
1​	Manchester United​	2048​	28​	73.1​
2​	Everton​	1942​	28​	69.4​
3​	Manchester City​	1369​	21​	65.2​
4​	Nottingham Forest​	1612​	25​	64.5​
5​	Arsenal​	1756​	28​	62.7​
6​	Darlington​	1292​	22​	58.7​
7​	Cardiff City​	519​	9​	57.7​
8​	Newcastle United​	1384​	25​	55.4​
9​	Aston Villa​	1521​	28​	54.3​
10​	Sunderland​	1290​	24​	53.8​
11​	Chelsea​	1337​	25​	53.5​
12​	West Bromwich Albion​	265​	5​	53.0​
13​	Tottenham Hotspur​	1160​	22​	52.7​
14​	Fulham​	1365​	26​	52.5​
15​	Southend United​	718​	14​	51.3​
16​	Leyton Orient​	253​	5​	50.6​
17​	Liverpool​	1191​	24​	49.6​
18​	Middlesbrough​	691​	14​	49.4​
19​	Queens Park Rangers​	433​	9​	48.1​
20​	Wolverhampton Wanderers​	1105​	23​	48.0​
21​	Hereford​	379​	8​	47.4​
22​	Derby County​	94​	2​	47.0​
23​	Bournemouth​	587​	13​	45.2​
24​	Blackburn Rovers​	532​	12​	44.3​
25​	Bolton Wanderers​	309​	7​	44.1​
26​	Stoke City​	220​	5​	44.0​
27​	Southampton​	640​	15​	42.7​
28​	Coventry City​	127​	3​	42.3​
29​	Reading​	295​	7​	42.1​
30​	Barnsley​	337​	8​	42.1​
31​	Milton Keynes Dons​	501​	12​	41.8​
32​	Norwich City​	498​	12​	41.5​
33​	Plymouth Argyle​	386​	10​	38.6​
34​	Swansea City​	113​	3​	37.7​
35​	Hull City​	72​	2​	36.0​
36​	Gillingham​	36​	1​	36.0​
37​	Ipswich Town​	209​	6​	34.8​
38​	Leeds United​	138​	4​	34.5​
39​	Kidderminster Harriers​	69​	2​	34.5​
40​	Bristol City​	239​	7​	34.1​
41​	West Ham United​	204​	6​	34.0​
42​	Wigan Athletic​	32​	1​	32.0​
43​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	1​	31.0​
44​	Birmingham City​	116​	4​	29.0​
45​	Bury​	28​	1​	28.0​
46​	Crystal Palace​	27​	1​	27.0​
47​	Millwall​	23​	1​	23.0​
48​	Portsmouth​	14​	1​	14.0​

@BenitoSTARR you've done well to be so high after only nine D1 seasons and the others have done well to be so high over such a prolonged period of time.

 

[Dom Gill]

Season 14 was the year Barnsley turned the corner.

Also the Liverpool tactics for that many yellow and red cards

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Two more tables from the Div 1 total points

Number of seasons in Division 1

Spoiler

Rank	Team Name	Div 1 Total Points	Seasons
1​	Manchester United​	2048​	28​
=​	Everton​	1942​	28​
=​	Arsenal​	1756​	28​
=​	Aston Villa​	1521​	28​
5​	Fulham​	1365​	26​
6​	Nottingham Forest​	1612​	25​
=​	Newcastle United​	1384​	25​
=​	Chelsea​	1337​	25​
9​	Sunderland​	1290​	24​
=​	Liverpool​	1191​	24​
11​	Wolverhampton Wanderers​	1105​	23​
12​	Darlington​	1292​	22​
=​	Tottenham Hotspur​	1160​	22​
14​	Manchester City​	1369​	21​
15​	Southampton​	640​	15​
16​	Southend United​	718​	14​
=​	Middlesbrough​	691​	14​
18​	Bournemouth​	587​	13​
19​	Blackburn Rovers​	532​	12​
=​	Milton Keynes Dons​	501​	12​
=​	Norwich City​	498​	12​
22​	Plymouth Argyle​	386​	10​
23​	Cardiff City​	519​	9​
=​	Queens Park Rangers​	433​	9​
25​	Hereford​	379​	8​
=​	Barnsley​	337​	8​
27​	Bolton Wanderers​	309​	7​
=​	Reading​	295​	7​
=​	Bristol City​	239​	7​
30​	Ipswich Town​	209​	6​
=​	West Ham United​	204​	6​
32​	West Bromwich Albion​	265​	5​
=​	Leyton Orient​	253​	5​
=​	Stoke City​	220​	5​
35​	Leeds United​	138​	4​
=​	Birmingham City​	116​	4​
37​	Coventry City​	127​	3​
=​	Swansea City​	113​	3​
39​	Derby County​	94​	2​
=​	Hull City​	72​	2​
=​	Kidderminster Harriers​	69​	2​
42​	Gillingham​	36​	1​
=​	Wigan Athletic​	32​	1​
=​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	1​
=​	Bury​	28​	1​
=​	Crystal Palace​	27​	1​
=​	Millwall​	23​	1​
=​	Portsmouth​	14​	1​

Average Points in Division 1 (Total Points/Seasons)

Spoiler

Rank	Team Name	Div 1 Total Points	Seasons	Avg Pts
1​	Manchester United​	2048​	28​	73.1​
2​	Everton​	1942​	28​	69.4​
3​	Manchester City​	1369​	21​	65.2​
4​	Nottingham Forest​	1612​	25​	64.5​
5​	Arsenal​	1756​	28​	62.7​
6​	Darlington​	1292​	22​	58.7​
7​	Cardiff City​	519​	9​	57.7​
8​	Newcastle United​	1384​	25​	55.4​
9​	Aston Villa​	1521​	28​	54.3​
10​	Sunderland​	1290​	24​	53.8​
11​	Chelsea​	1337​	25​	53.5​
12​	West Bromwich Albion​	265​	5​	53.0​
13​	Tottenham Hotspur​	1160​	22​	52.7​
14​	Fulham​	1365​	26​	52.5​
15​	Southend United​	718​	14​	51.3​
16​	Leyton Orient​	253​	5​	50.6​
17​	Liverpool​	1191​	24​	49.6​
18​	Middlesbrough​	691​	14​	49.4​
19​	Queens Park Rangers​	433​	9​	48.1​
20​	Wolverhampton Wanderers​	1105​	23​	48.0​
21​	Hereford​	379​	8​	47.4​
22​	Derby County​	94​	2​	47.0​
23​	Bournemouth​	587​	13​	45.2​
24​	Blackburn Rovers​	532​	12​	44.3​
25​	Bolton Wanderers​	309​	7​	44.1​
26​	Stoke City​	220​	5​	44.0​
27​	Southampton​	640​	15​	42.7​
28​	Coventry City​	127​	3​	42.3​
29​	Reading​	295​	7​	42.1​
30​	Barnsley​	337​	8​	42.1​
31​	Milton Keynes Dons​	501​	12​	41.8​
32​	Norwich City​	498​	12​	41.5​
33​	Plymouth Argyle​	386​	10​	38.6​
34​	Swansea City​	113​	3​	37.7​
35​	Hull City​	72​	2​	36.0​
36​	Gillingham​	36​	1​	36.0​
37​	Ipswich Town​	209​	6​	34.8​
38​	Leeds United​	138​	4​	34.5​
39​	Kidderminster Harriers​	69​	2​	34.5​
40​	Bristol City​	239​	7​	34.1​
41​	West Ham United​	204​	6​	34.0​
42​	Wigan Athletic​	32​	1​	32.0​
43​	Sheffield Wednesday​	31​	1​	31.0​
44​	Birmingham City​	116​	4​	29.0​
45​	Bury​	28​	1​	28.0​
46​	Crystal Palace​	27​	1​	27.0​
47​	Millwall​	23​	1​	23.0​
48​	Portsmouth​	14​	1​	14.0​

@BenitoSTARR you've done well to be so high after only nine D1 seasons and the others have done well to be so high over such a prolonged period of time.

Considering the teams around me and what ratings and squad I had originally I’ll 100% take 7th average points in Div 1.

Your record however is absolutely ridiculous!!!

 

[Damien]

I think the following clubs have stadium capacity increased

Div 1
Cardiff City: 43876 -> 44112
Leyton Orient: 42362 -> 42901
Hereford: 42268 -> 42898

Div 2
Gillingham: 22134 -> 22379

 

[Damien]

New FFP (4 July 2023)

Div 1

1. Manchester United - 44/45
2. Arsenal - 45/48
3. West Ham United - 45/48
4. Liverpool - 48/50
5. Newcastle United - 47/50
6. Sunderland - 47/51
7. Aston Villa - 52/52
8. Bournemouth - 51/52
9. Cardiff City - 49/52
10. Everton - 49/52
11. Fulham - 52/52
12. Middlesbrough - 50/52
13. Nottingham Forest - 52/52
14. Norwich City - 51/52
15. Southend United - 51/52
16. Wolverhampton Wanderers - 52/52
17. Hereford - 51/52
18. Leyton Orient - 50/52
19. Milton Keynes Dons - 51/52
20. Kidderminster Harriers - 55/55

Div 2

1. Tottenham Hotspur - 37/44
2. Manchester City - 39/51
3. Barnsley - 46/54
4. Blackburn Rovers - 33/54
5. Chelsea - 50/54
6. Darlington - 52/54
7. Plymouth Argyle - 44/54
8. Southampton - 54/54
9. Bristol City - 47/55
10. Leeds United - 51/55
11. Bradford City - 58/58
12. Gillingham - 51/59

Div 3

1. Ipswich Town - 54/56
2. Rochdale - 57/63

Teams with changes to FFP:

Sunderland (53 to 51 @2mufc0)
Bournemouth (54 to 52 @Dans)
Darlington (52 to 54 @Mani)
Chelsea (52 to 54 @christy87)
Plymouth Argyle (56 to 54 @Panther)
Bristol City (53 to 55 @harshad)
Kidderminster Harriers (57 to 55 @Nighteyes)
Bradford City (60 to 58 @Ravelation)
Rochdale (65 to 63 @Trionz)

Everyone's compliant - great job.

 

[Damien]

Loan Cap (S14 and onwards)

1. Applies to unmanaged clubs only
2. Loan cap = FFP minus 40, first come first serve (e.g. if your FFP aka squad limit is 50, your loan cap = 50 - 40 = 10, which means you can only loan 10 players out to unmanaged clubs)
3. Duration for the above - until Turn 2 every season. After Turn 2, it is free-for-all
4. HARD RULE: Only players with rating 75 and/or above are allowed to be loaned out - if you spot someone breaking this, tell them to recall the player

 

[Damien]

Squad depths plus last season's performances on the left:

I'm guessing that me winning the Champions Cup last season meant that @The Taurean got Champions Cup qualification despite finishing outside the top four, and @CrackersJr winning the SMFA Shield meant that both he and @The Stain got an SMFA Shield place despite finishing outside the top 12.

 

[Dom Gill]

I think the following clubs have stadium capacity increased

Div 1
Cardiff City: 43876 -> 44112
Leyton Orient: 42362 -> 42901
Hereford: 42268 -> 42898

Div 2
Gillingham: 22134 -> 22379

Yup, all 245 seats

Loving having the 4th worst squad depth but so close to div 1

 

[Damien]

Yup, all 245 seats

Loving having the 4th worst squad depth but so close to div 1

Yeah the stadium increases suck sometimes

Congrats to greeny on winning the Charity Shield

Spoiler: updated major honours

 

[Damien]

2:2 draw against Newcastle United in the Super Cup but won 5:3 on penalties (Vinicius Jr was first up for Newcastle United and missed)

Oblak (94)

Kounde (92)↓ Van Dijk (95) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (92) Trent (94)
Bellingham (93) -- Goretzka (93) -- Pedri (92)
Pulisic (91)​

Subs: Eriksen (91), Frimpong (90), Ramos (92)↑, Rice (91), Zakaria (90), Sancho (91), Disasi (89)
Suspended: Mbappe (96)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
MD01: Middlesbrough (H)
CCGAG1: Napoli (A)
MD02: Southend United (A)

Manchester United v Newcastle United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Newcastle United Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Newcastle United Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Newcastle United Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Newcastle United SoT Conv.
8th Jul: Newcastle Utd v Utd​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​

Spoiler: updated major honours

 

[BenitoSTARR]

2:2 draw against Newcastle United in the Super Cup but won 5:3 on penalties (Vinicius Jr was first up for Newcastle United and missed)

Oblak (94)

Kounde (92)↓ Van Dijk (95) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (92) Trent (94)
Bellingham (93) -- Goretzka (93) -- Pedri (92)
Pulisic (91)​

Subs: Eriksen (91), Frimpong (90), Ramos (92)↑, Rice (91), Zakaria (90), Sancho (91), Disasi (89)
Suspended: Mbappe (96)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
MD01: Middlesbrough (H)
CCGAG1: Napoli (A)
MD02: Southend United (A)

Manchester United v Newcastle United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Newcastle United Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Newcastle United Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Newcastle United Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Newcastle United SoT Conv.
8th Jul: Newcastle Utd v Utd​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​

Spoiler: updated major honours

Feels like you need a striker in the squad.

 

[Damien]

Feels like you need a striker in the squad.

I'd give you an insulting offer for Sterling but you signed Otamendi so the joke wouldn't even work

Striker is definitely a weakness but it is awkward as Mbappe's my highest rated so he'll play 99% of games. Finding a low 90s rated striker who can be versatile and play most of their time elsewhere is almost impossible... frigging Vini popping off right after I sold him, he'd be ideal.

 

[Damien]

2:1 victory against Middlesbrough in opening game of the season. Next two league matches will be two of the hardest.

Oblak (94)

Frimpong (90)↓ Van Dijk (95) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Rice (91)↓ Trent (94)
Sancho (91)↓ -- Goretzka (93) -- Bellingham (93)
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Kounde (92)↑, Ramos (92), Stones (92)↑, Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Pedri (92)↑, Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
CCGAG1: Napoli (A)
MD02: Southend United (A)
MD03: Everton (A)

Manchester United v Middlesbrough fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Middlesbrough Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Middlesbrough Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Middlesbrough Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Middlesbrough SoT Conv.
9th Jul: Utd v Middlesbrough​	56%​	44%​	15 (7)​	9 (4)​	2​	1​	28.6%​	25%​
Combined​	56%​	44%​	15 (7)​	9 (4)​	2​	1​	28.6%​	25%​

 

[Damien]

Latest table (ah that new season smell):

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Cardiff City Transfer News

Cardiff City are delighted to announce that their long term RB issue is finally resolved with the agreement to sign Benjamin Pavard from Sunderland in exchange for Manuel Locatelli and Kristjan Asllani.

Locatelli was first brought into Cardiff for £10.5m back on 11th March 2019 and was subsequently used in a deal alongside Raul Jimenez to bring Ciro Immobile to the club in September the following year.

He returned to Cardiff in December 2021 just before his rise to 91 and has since been a key player in the side with Cardiff seeing him as the long term midfield partner to Aurélien Tchouameni. However a reduced role last season due to the performances of Thiago caused unrest and Locatelli made his concerns known about his game time.

This prompted Cardiff to explore their options going forward and an opportunity arose in the north at Sunderland. With Ruben Neves’ motivation under question and Reece James the undisputed starting RB, Cardiff identified a chance to offer Sunderland a life line, give Locatelli the career he deserves all while also resolving a long term squad issue themselves.

The addition of Kristjan Asllani to the deal certainly appears to have tilted it in Sunderland’s favour but Cardiff feel their scouting history of DMs is good enough to cope with the loss (having identified Tchouameni, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Asllani and most recently Lavia who they have very high hopes for in the next few seasons) they do however expect Asllani to have his breakthrough this year.

Pavard is very highly rated by the manager as his composure and ability to progress the ball from the back line is exactly what is needed from a modern RB and has been lacking in the Cardiff side for years. It is understood that this will also enable greater tactical flexibility with Rüdiger able to come back into a central role or rotate with Pavard.



Manager Benitostarr had this to say:

I want to firstly say thank you to Manuel and Kristjan two terrific young midfielders who I know will have great careers. I really wish them both well at Sunderland.

As for Pavard he’s a world class RB and exactly what we’ve been looking for since I took this position in February 2019. He’s statistically the perfect fit for us and I can’t wait to work with him and see what we can achieve together.

 

[The Taurean]

Latest table (ah that new season smell):

Same old same old for % conceded.

 

[The Taurean]

Cardiff City Transfer News

Cardiff City are delighted to announce that their long term RB issue is finally resolved with the agreement to sign Benjamin Pavard from Sunderland in exchange for Manuel Locatelli and Kristjan Asllani.

Locatelli was first brought into Cardiff for £10.5m back on 11th March 2019 and was subsequently used in a deal alongside Raul Jimenez to bring Ciro Immobile to the club in September the following year.

He returned to Cardiff in December 2021 just before his rise to 91 and has since been a key player in the side with Cardiff seeing him as the long term midfield partner to Aurélien Tchouameni. However a reduced role last season due to the performances of Thiago caused unrest and Locatelli made his concerns known about his game time.

This prompted Cardiff to explore their options going forward and an opportunity arose in the north at Sunderland. With Ruben Neves’ motivation under question and Reece James the undisputed starting RB, Cardiff identified a chance to offer Sunderland a life line, give Locatelli the career he deserves all while also resolving a long term squad issue themselves.

The addition of Kristjan Asllani to the deal certainly appears to have tilted it in Sunderland’s favour but Cardiff feel their scouting history of DMs is good enough to cope with the loss (having identified Tchouameni, Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Asllani and most recently Lavia who they have very high hopes for in the next few seasons) they do however expect Asllani to have his breakthrough this year.

Pavard is very highly rated by the manager as his composure and ability to progress the ball from the back line is exactly what is needed from a modern RB and has been lacking in the Cardiff side for years. It is understood that this will also enable greater tactical flexibility with Rüdiger able to come back into a central role or rotate with Pavard.



Manager Benitostarr had this to say:

Would have liked to get him.

 

[Varun]

Pavard is a quality pick up

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Pavard is a quality pick up

We were both really in need of what each other had. I’ve lost out on value there and Asllani I think will rocket up next season but overall think it’s a fair enough deal for both.

 

[Damien]

Pavard is a quality pick up

Yeah, a good fullback option is hard to find. Well done both

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Yeah, a good fullback option is hard to find. Well done both

I’ve been looking for an actual RB since I took over Cardiff. Irony is Pavard is potentials leaving Bayern as he wants to be a CB in real life.

 

[CrackersJr]

2:2 draw against Newcastle United in the Super Cup but won 5:3 on penalties (Vinicius Jr was first up for Newcastle United and missed)

Oblak (94)

Kounde (92)↓ Van Dijk (95) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (92) Trent (94)
Bellingham (93) -- Goretzka (93) -- Pedri (92)
Pulisic (91)​

Subs: Eriksen (91), Frimpong (90), Ramos (92)↑, Rice (91), Zakaria (90), Sancho (91), Disasi (89)
Suspended: Mbappe (96)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
MD01: Middlesbrough (H)
CCGAG1: Napoli (A)
MD02: Southend United (A)

Manchester United v Newcastle United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Newcastle United Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Newcastle United Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Newcastle United Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Newcastle United SoT Conv.
8th Jul: Newcastle Utd v Utd​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	16 (7)​	9 (6)​	2​	2​	28.6%​	33.3%​

Spoiler: updated major honours

Played in 4 of those against you and this was the closest ive come to winning...

 

[Damien]

Played in 4 of those against you and this was the closest ive come to winning...

Oh wow, didn't realise until you've just said that, that every season you've won the SMFA Shield I've won the SMFA Cup. Cool stat.

Season 16 Super Cup: Manchester United 1:1 Newcastle United (5:4 on penalties)
Season 17 Super Cup: Manchester United 1:0 Newcastle United
Season 22 Super Cup: Manchester United 3:0 Newcastle United
Season 29 Super Cup: Newcastle United 2:2 Manchester United (3:5 on penalties)

If it makes you feel any better, season 16 one was closest. My team back then

Spoiler

De Gea (94)

Kimmich (91) Ramos (95) Boateng (94) Alaba (93)
Pogba (93)↓ Kroos (95)
Isco (93)↓ Griezmann (95) Bale (95)
Mbappe (91)

Subs: Stones (90), Gaya (90), Goretzka (91), Dele (91), Eriksen (92)↑, Sterling (91)↑, Martial (90)
Suspended: Roberto (91)
Did not travel: Matip (90), Brandt (90)​

​

You will win it one day, I've got no doubt about that. You've got a good side and when they do eventually review Spain/England it'll look even better.

 

[Damien]

Spoiler: Super Cup history

So the most frequent Super Cup matchups:
4 - Manchester United v Newcastle United (4 Manchester United victories)
2 - Manchester United v Cardiff City (2 Cardiff City victories)
1 - Atletico Madrid v Dynamo Kyiv (1 Dynamo Kyiv victory)
1 - Arsenal v Aston Villa (1 Arsenal victory)
1 - Arsenal v Southend United (1 Arsenal Victory)
1 - Bolton Wanderers v Hanover (1 Hanover victory)
1 - Chelsea v Marseille (1 Marseille victory)
1 - Everton v Fulham (1 Everton victory)
1 - Everton v Manchester City (1 Manchester City victory)
1 - Everton v Nottingham Forest (1 Everton victory)
1 - Lazio v Arsenal (1 Arsenal victory)
1 - Liverpool v Montpellier (1 Montpellier victory)
1 - Manchester City v Manchester United (1 Manchester United victory)
1 - Manchester City v Sunderland (1 Manchester City victory)
1 - Manchester United v Arsenal (1 Manchester United victory)
1 - Manchester United v Darlington (1 Darlington victory)
1 - Manchester United v Everton (1 Manchester United victory)
1 - Manchester United v Milton Keynes Dons (1 Manchester United victory)
1 - Manchester United v Olympiacos (1 Olympiacos victory)
1 - Manchester United v Southend United (1 Southend United victory)
1 - Nottingham Forest v Lokomotiv Moskva (1 Nottingham Forest victory)
1 - Schalke v Manchester United (1 Manchester United victory)
1 - Shakhtar Donetsk v Milton Keynes Dons (1 Milton Keynes Dons victory)
1 - Valencia v Nottingham Forest (1 Nottingham Forest victory)

 

[CrackersJr]

Oh wow, didn't realise until you've just said that, that every season you've won the SMFA Shield I've won the SMFA Cup. Cool stat.

Season 16 Super Cup: Manchester United 1:1 Newcastle United (5:4 on penalties)
Season 17 Super Cup: Manchester United 1:0 Newcastle United
Season 22 Super Cup: Manchester United 3:0 Newcastle United
Season 29 Super Cup: Newcastle United 2:2 Manchester United (3:5 on penalties)

If it makes you feel any better, season 16 one was closest. My team back then

Spoiler

De Gea (94)

Kimmich (91) Ramos (95) Boateng (94) Alaba (93)
Pogba (93)↓ Kroos (95)
Isco (93)↓ Griezmann (95) Bale (95)
Mbappe (91)

Subs: Stones (90), Gaya (90), Goretzka (91), Dele (91), Eriksen (92)↑, Sterling (91)↑, Martial (90)
Suspended: Roberto (91)
Did not travel: Matip (90), Brandt (90)​

​

You will win it one day, I've got no doubt about that. You've got a good side and when they do eventually review Spain/England it'll look even better.

heart breaking stats, and that its also the most common fixture is good fun!

Well heres hoping but i have a few duds who will drop in the review too. Very dissapointed Cara didnt get a +1 last year and is unlikely to now.

 

[Damien]

Close 5:0 victory against Napoli on Monday. Next two league matches will be two of the hardest.

Oblak (94)

Frimpong (90) Stones (92) Disasi (89) Hakimi (92)
Rice (91)↓ Zakaria (90)
Sancho (91)↓ -- Eriksen (91) -- Pedri (92)↓
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Kounde (92), Ramos (92), Van Dijk (95), Trent (94), Goretzka (93)↑, Bellingham (93)↑, Pulisic (91)↑
Did not travel: Alaba (94), Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
MD02: Southend United (A)
MD03: Everton (A)
CCGAG2: Barcelona (H)

Manchester United v Napoli fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Napoli Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Napoli Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Napoli Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Napoli SoT Conv.
10th Jul: Napoli v Utd​	73%​	27%​	25 (12)​	3 (1)​	5​	0​	41.7%​	0%​
Combined​	73%​	27%​	25 (12)​	3 (1)​	5​	0​	41.7%​	0%​

 

[Damien]

Lost 2:1 to Southend United, expecting another defeat against the almighty Ev.

Oblak (94)

Kounde (92)↓ Van Dijk (95) Stones (92)↓ Alaba (94)
Bellingham (93) Trent (94)
Pulisic (91)↓ -- Goretzka (93) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Frimpong (90), Ramos (92), Hakimi (92)↑, Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Rice (91)↑, Sancho (91)↑
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89), Under (89)

Key:
= Goal
= Assist
= MOTM
↓ = Subbed off
↑ = Subbed on

Next three games:
MD03: Everton (A)
CCGAG2: Barcelona (H)
MD04: West Ham United (H)

Manchester United v Southend United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Southend Utd Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Southend Utd Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Southend Utd Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Southend Utd SoT Conv.
13th Jul: Southend Utd v Utd​	53%​	47%​	11 (6)​	9 (4)​	1​	2​	16.7%​	50%​
Combined​	53%​	47%​	11 (6)​	9 (4)​	1​	2​	16.7%​	50%​

 

[Damien]

Latest table: