Gaming The SM RedCafe League

Unsurprising 1:0 defeat to Cardiff City. Next up: defeat to Hereford:

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (93) Goretzka (92)
Pulisic (91) -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Frimpong (91), Kounde (92), Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Rice (92), Sancho (91), Williams (89)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD05: Hereford (A)
SSGAG3: Torino (H)
MD06: Liverpool (H)

Manchester United v Cardiff City fixtures this season

GameUtd PossCardiff City PossUtd Shots (SoT)Cardiff City Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsCardiff City GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Cardiff City SoT Conv.
14th Dec: Utd v Cardiff City​
55%
45%​
14 (7)
7 (3)​
0​
1
0%​
33.3%
Combined
55%
45%​
14 (7)
7 (3)​
0​
1
0%​
33.3%
 
Unsurprising 1:0 defeat to Cardiff City. Next up: defeat to Hereford:

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Stones (93) Goretzka (92)
Pulisic (91) -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Frimpong (91), Kounde (92), Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Rice (92), Sancho (91), Williams (89)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD05: Hereford (A)
SSGAG3: Torino (H)
MD06: Liverpool (H)

Manchester United v Cardiff City fixtures this season

GameUtd PossCardiff City PossUtd Shots (SoT)Cardiff City Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsCardiff City GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Cardiff City SoT Conv.
14th Dec: Utd v Cardiff City​
55%
45%​
14 (7)
7 (3)​
0​
1
0%​
33.3%
Combined
55%
45%​
14 (7)
7 (3)​
0​
1
0%​
33.3%
Flattered you went full strength too.
 
Flattered you went full strength too.
Only two teams are stronger than yours (not including me), so you bet I'd be going full strength.

Opponent strength so far:
Leyton Orient - 16
Bradford City - 19 (lowest)
Bournemouth - 14
Cardiff City - 3

My next three league games:
Hereford - 13 (Haaland's presence is a pain for deciding what team to pick rotation wise)
Liverpool - 7
Middlesbrough - 8

Top six I tend to go full strength or as close to, then rotate more for the weaker sides but as the league has strengthened, there's no difference in strength between 6th and 9th so it is a lot harder to rotate and get the minutes in - especially with me having byes in the first round of both cups this season *grumble*. Would feel more confident if I had more attackers 92+ rated but my problem is they're going to 90 (Sancho), at a team where cap realistically is 90/91 (Williams) or pulling up decent stats but not enough to get to 92 any time soon (Pulisic)
 
Latest table:
rHKWtUa.png


This time last season:
H4jYgc9.png

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:
2RQeslP.png
 
Only two teams are stronger than yours (not including me), so you bet I'd be going full strength.

Opponent strength so far:
Leyton Orient - 16
Bradford City - 19 (lowest)
Bournemouth - 14
Cardiff City - 3

My next three league games:
Hereford - 13 (Haaland's presence is a pain for deciding what team to pick rotation wise)
Liverpool - 7
Middlesbrough - 8

Top six I tend to go full strength or as close to, then rotate more for the weaker sides but as the league has strengthened, there's no difference in strength between 6th and 9th so it is a lot harder to rotate and get the minutes in - especially with me having byes in the first round of both cups this season *grumble*. Would feel more confident if I had more attackers 92+ rated but my problem is they're going to 90 (Sancho), at a team where cap realistically is 90/91 (Williams) or pulling up decent stats but not enough to get to 92 any time soon (Pulisic)
Surely not based on starting XI? Squad depth wise I’ve got a 90 rated replacement for each position.

Cup byes are a killer for player concerns especially on the off chance you get knocked out early.
 
Surely not based on starting XI? Squad depth wise I’ve got a 90 rated replacement for each position.

Cup byes are a killer for player concerns especially on the off chance you get knocked out early.
Yeah I do it based on highest 10 rated outfield players + goalkeeper, obviously it isn't foolproof as some positions are more stacked than others so you might have lower rated players in your first XI but generally it works well.

All from this chart:
Squad depths plus last season's performances on the left:

Zjz80Ru.png
 
Ben (Rochdale manager) has said he's not been able to login the past couple of weeks to SM:

I get HTTP Error 505. The main website & login page is accessible but once I add my credentials, it doesn't go ahead because of server error 505.
I deleted cookies & cache. I changed browsers, devices and even tried accessing the website using a virtual machine (location: US), no dice.

SM has no support. Their discord is useless.
I had so many transfer plans and I am sure the unbeaten run is spoiled by now.

Any ideas on what he can do?
 
Last night's thumping at the hands of Hereford (they've won four of our last nine meetings)

Oblak (93)

Baku (89) Van Dijk (94) Disasi (89) Alaba (94)
Stones (93) Trent (94)
Frimpong (91) -- Eriksen (91) -- Sancho (91)
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Kounde (92), Hakimi (92), Zakaria (90), Rice (92), Bellingham (94), Williams (89), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Goretzka (92), Pedri (92)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSGAG3: Torino (H)
MD06: Liverpool (H)
MD07: Middlesbrough (A)

Manchester United v Hereford fixtures this season

GameUtd PossHereford PossUtd Shots (SoT)Hereford Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsHereford GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Hereford SoT Conv.
17th Dec: Hereford v Utd​
57%
43%​
13 (4)
12 (3)​
0​
2
0%​
66.6%
Combined
57%
43%​
13 (4)
12 (3)​
0​
2
0%​
66.6%
 
Monday's 5:1 victory against Torino:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Alaba (94)
Rice (93) Trent (94)⚽
Williams (89)⚽➕⭐ -- Goretzka (92) -- Pedri (92)➕➕➕➕
Mbappe (96)⚽

Subs: Kounde (92), Hakimi (92), Zakaria (90)⚽, Eriksen (91)⚽, Bellingham (94), Sancho (91), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD06: Liverpool (H)
MD07: Middlesbrough (A)
SSGAG4: Southampton (A)

Manchester United v Torino fixtures this season

GameUtd PossTorino PossUtd Shots (SoT)Torino Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsTorino GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Torino SoT Conv.
18th Dec: Utd v Torino​
63%
37%​
19 (11)
7 (1)​
5
1​
45.5%​
100%
Combined
63%
37%​
19 (11)
7 (1)​
5
1​
45.5%​
100%
 
Thursday's 2:2 draw against Liverpool:

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Hakimi (92)
Rice (92) Goretzka (92)
Sancho (91)➕ -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⚽⭐

Subs: Kounde (92), Alaba (94), Frimpong (91), Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Williams (89), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD07: Middlesbrough (A)
SSGAG4: Southampton (A)
MD08: Sunderland (H)


Manchester United v Liverpool fixtures this season

GameUtd PossLiverpool PossUtd Shots (SoT)Liverpool Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsLiverpool GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Liverpool SoT Conv.
21st Dec: Utd v Liverpool​
57%
43%​
14 (9)
13 (4)​
2
2
22.2%​
50%
Combined
57%
43%​
14 (9)
13 (4)​
2
2
22.2%​
50%
 
Yesterday's 2:1 victory against Middlesbrough.

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Alaba (94)
Rice (92) Goretzka (92)
Williams (90) -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⭐

Subs: Kounde (92)⚽, Hakimi (92), Frimpong (91), Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Sancho (91), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSGAG4: Southampton (A)
MD08: Sunderland (H)
MD09: West Ham United (A)

Manchester United v Middlesbrough fixtures this season

GameUtd PossMiddlesbrough PossUtd Shots (SoT)Middlesbrough Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsMiddlesbrough GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Middlesbrough SoT Conv.
24th Dec: Middlesbrough v Utd​
52%
48%​
13 (7)
9 (2)​
2
1​
28.6%​
50%
Combined
52%
48%​
13 (7)
9 (2)​
2
1​
28.6%​
50%
 
Yesterday's 4:1 victory against Southampton:

Oblak (93)

Trent (94) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Alaba (94)
Rice (92) Goretzka (92)
Frimpong (91)➕ -- Bellingham (94)⚽➕⭐ -- Pedri (92)⚽➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⚽

Subs: Kounde (92), Hakimi (92)➕, Disasi (89), Zakaria (90), Eriksen (91), Sancho (91), Pulisic (91)
Injured: Williams (90)
Did not travel: Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD08: Sunderland (H)
MD09: West Ham United (A)
SSGAG5: Monchengladbach (H)

Manchester United v Southampton fixtures this season

GameUtd PossSouthampton PossUtd Shots (SoT)Southampton Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsSouthampton GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Southampton SoT Conv.
4th Dec: Utd v Southampton (SMFA Shield)​
65%
35%​
21 (12)
4 (2)​
5
0​
41.7%
0%​
25th Dec: Southampton v Utd (SMFA Shield)​
63%
37%​
21 (14)
6 (1)​
4
1​
28.6%​
100%
Combined
64%
36%​
42 (26)
10 (3)​
9
1​
34.6%
33.3%​
 
Wolves now up to 11th, a fair bit above both Brentford and Fulham who got generous reviews. Despite that, Joao Gomes is the second lowest rated player in the Wolves first team despite being one of the players with the most minutes:

i7kyzH2.png


Social media reactions:

X/rajsinghchohan (14 Aug 2023)

Goals always the issue for them but Wolves’ technical quality all over the pitch should see them clear of the relegation battle imo. Neves was actually not a bad sale to raise funds, given how good João Gomes is. They should’ve kept Nathan Collins though.

X/AA_Richards (30 Sep 2023)

Belligerent display from Wolves so far, typified by Joao Gomes. He's been everywhere, winning tackles, making fouls, backing up teammates & trying to keep the ball.

X/EBL2017 (11 Nov 2023)

It's incredible how mid-table Premier League clubs often have replacements for players that join the elites whilst they're ALREADY at the club.

It is superb preparation.

Wolves may have sold Matheus Nunes to City but João Gomes filled his shoes immediately. Keep an eye on him..

X/Resenhadb (24 Dec 2023)

João Gomes is another Brazilian midfielder who is shining on European soil.

One of the main names defensively in the Wolves team.

Especially against Big Six teams, he plays very safe games and is always highlighted. Rise.

X/MrRyanLeister (24 Dec 2023)

The Brazilian played a huge part in Wolves Christmas Eve victory with a tremendous midfield shift.

Tackle after tackle, run after run, it was a relentless performance from Wolves midfield warrior.

You can’t help but love this guys tenacity & passion, plus who doesn’t love a celebration after an important tackle. Well played Gomes, Feliz Natal!

X/Ben_Mattinson (24 Dec 2023)

All the conversations about Douglas Luiz when he’d cost £80m and meanwhile João Gomes is right there…

Gomes is so underrated and I hope one day he gets his flowers he deserves.

Wolves have so many quality midfielders to be honest, great recruitment from them in recent windows
X/Kiniology (27 Dec 2023)

City went to Wolves and bought the wrong midfielder…

Should’ve got Joao Gomes



Even Harry Wilson rose to 87 with fewer minutes in a worse Fulham side. There's my case @BenitoSTARR
 
Wolves now up to 11th, a fair bit above both Brentford and Fulham who got generous reviews. Despite that, Joao Gomes is the second lowest rated player in the Wolves first team despite being one of the players with the most minutes:

i7kyzH2.png


Social media reactions:
















Even Harry Wilson rose to 87 with fewer minutes in a worse Fulham side. There's my case @BenitoSTARR

Seems fair. Will raise it.
 
Thanks chief.

Latest table:
Igc2NWZ.png


This time last season:
OcopsdH.png

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:
0N0H8Vb.png

Cardiff City and Southend United's fortunes are so different.
 
Jesus fecking hell. :lol:

Kerkez is the first choice fecking LB and 85 rated. How do they keep skipping young players, its actually mental. I'll be ready to go full on this with spreadsheet tomorrow, finally got the house back after tomorrow morning.
Me arguing that Zabarnyi (a full international and Ukraine’s best CB) and Kerkez deserve a +1 has annoyed another member on the discord.
 
I’m honestly at the point where I’m starting to think it’s pointless
 
Me arguing that Zabarnyi (a full international and Ukraine’s best CB) and Kerkez deserve a +1 has annoyed another member on the discord.

Honestly, why has Olise risen? He's not started in any wins for Palace who are having a terrible season. Missed half the season through injury and yet risen +1 to 89. Kerkez is 85 rated for fecks sake. If you don't rise Kerkez then how is any player in the bottom half of the table meant to rise?

On top of that, you've got Eric Garcia who started pretty much every game for Girona and didnt rise for who knows why despite leading La Liga for ages and currently 2nd. You've got Lunin who's 86 rated GK started for Real Madrid in loads of games and doesn't rise despite them being 1st in La Liga. Thats just my players. Already pointed out players in Ligue 1 that got missed (I owned none of them).

This is why you shouldn't allow people to dictate what the rises are because you'll have stupid selfish people who have no idea how rises should work dictate the windows.
 
Last edited:
Honestly, why has Olise risen? He's not started in any wins for Palace who are having a terrible season. Missed half the season through injury and yet risen +1 to 89. Kerkez is 85 rated for fecks sake. If you don't rise Kerkez then how is any player in the bottom half of the table meant to rise?

On top of that, you've got Eric Garcia who started pretty much every game for Girona and didnt rise for who knows why despite leading La Liga for ages and currently 2nd. You've got Lunin who's 86 rated GK started for Real Madrid in loads of games and doesn't rise despite them being 1st in La Liga. Thats just my players. Already pointed out players in Ligue 1 that got missed (I owned none of them).

This is why you shouldn't allow people to dictate what the rises are because you'll have stupid selfish people who have no idea how rises should work dictate the windows.
A few people are far too stuck on a who scored rating to make a decision.

Its all being done on a rush and personally I’d much rather we do things like the PL review in January so we’re not pushed for time.
 
Thursday's 2:0 victory against Sunderland:

Oblak (93)

Kounde (92) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Eriksen (91) Goretzka (92)
Sancho (91)⚽⚽⭐ -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)➕➕
Mbappe (96)

Subs: Trent (94), Stones (93), Disasi (89), Zakaria (90), Rice (92), Frimpong (91), Pulisic (91)
Injured: Williams (90)
Did not travel: Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD09: West Ham United (A)
SSGAG5: Monchengladbach (H)
LCR2: Gillingham (A)

Manchester United v Sunderland fixtures this season

GameUtd PossSunderland PossUtd Shots (SoT)Sunderland Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsSunderland GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Sunderland SoT Conv.
28th Dec: Utd v Sunderland​
58%
42%​
12 (4)
8 (1)​
2
0​
50%
0%​
Combined
58%
42%​
12 (4)
8 (1)​
2
0​
50%
0%​
 
Yesterday's 3:0 victory against West Ham United - Nico's coming for you @Dom Gill!

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Stones (93) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)
Zakaria (90) Rice (92)
Williams (90)⚽ -- Goretzka (92)⚽ -- Bellingham (94)➕➕
Mbappe (96)⚽➕⭐

Subs: Trent (94), Van Dijk (94), Kounde (92), Eriksen (91), Pedri (92), Sancho (90), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Baku (89), Disasi (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
SSGAG5: Monchengladbach (H)
LCR2: Gillingham (A)
MD10: Fulham (H)

Manchester United v West Ham United fixtures this season

GameUtd PossWest Ham Utd PossUtd Shots (SoT)West Ham Utd Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsWest Ham Utd GoalsUtd SoT Conv.West Ham Utd SoT Conv.
31st Dec: West Ham Utd v Utd​
57%
43%​
15 (6)
9 (3)​
3
0​
50%
0%​
Combined
57%
43%​
15 (6)
9 (3)​
3
0​
50%
0%​
 
Monday's 4:0 victory against Monchengladbach:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (90) Van Dijk (94) Kounde (92) Alaba (94)
Zakaria (90) Rice (92)
Williams (89) -- Bellingham (94) -- Pedri (92)⚽➕
Mbappe (96)⚽⚽➕➕⭐

Subs: Trent (94), Stones (93), Hakimi (92), Eriksen (91), Goretzka (92), Sancho (90), Pulisic (91)⚽➕
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Baku (89)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
LCR2: Gillingham (A)
MD10: Fulham (H)
MD11: Southend United (A) :nervous:

Manchester United v Monchengladbach fixtures this season

GameUtd PossMonchengladbach PossUtd Shots (SoT)Monchengladbach Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsMonchengladbach GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Monchengladbach SoT Conv.
11th Dec: Monchengladbach v Utd​
64%
36%​
22 (10)
6 (2)​
3
1​
30%​
50%
1st Jan: Utd v Monchengladbach​
68%
32%​
22 (13)
7 (2)​
4
0​
30.8%
0%​
Combined
66%
34%​
44 (23)
13 (4)​
7
1​
30.4%
25%​
 
Triumphant 3:5 penalty win against Gillingham on Tuesday:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (91) Disasi (89) Kounde (92) Baku (89)
Zakaria (90) Eriksen (91)
Williams (89) -- Pedri (92) -- Sancho (90)
Pulisic (91)

Subs: Debast (86), Santos (83 (disgrace)), Martinelli (84 (disgrace)), Gomes (86 (disgrace)), Sucic (85), Reyna (87), Mara (82)
Did not travel: Mbappe (96), Van Dijk (94), Alaba (94), Trent (94), Bellingham (94), Stones (93), Rice (92), Hakimi (92), Goretzka (92)

Key:
⚽ = Goal
➕ = Assist
⭐ = MOTM
= Subbed off
= Subbed on


Next three games:
MD10: Fulham (H)
MD11: Southend United (A) :nervous:
SSGAG6: Torino (A)

Manchester United v Gillingham fixtures this season

GameUtd PossGillingham PossUtd Shots (SoT)Gillingham Shots (SoT)Utd GoalsGillingham GoalsUtd SoT Conv.Gillingham SoT Conv.
2nd Jan: Gillingham v Utd​
54%
46%​
8 (4)​
7 (6)
0
0
0%
0%
Combined
54%
46%​
8 (4)​
7 (6)
0
0
0%
0%