Gaming The SM RedCafe League

[Damien]

I mean the United dominance is sickeningly admirable.

To be on top for so long the wheeling and dealing must have been epic.

Definitely made a lot of mistakes in the time but letting Vinicius go is probably my biggest regret, with swapping Kimmich for Trent and Bellingham on par with signing Mbappe uncontested for the best deal.

I started off at Leeds United in season 1, already well on my way to building the squad when Zarlak left United in season 2(?). Took over there but made the choice to uproot a fair chunk of the side he built as, while a lot of the players were high rated, they were also very old and had to make some decisions very quick like selling Buffon and starting De Gea when he was still developing as he was getting playing concerns.

Hardest bit is knowing when to rebuild and making the moves before it is too late. It is certainly a lot tougher these days. I think I've done a good few successful rebuilds but the current one isn't going so well.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Definitely made a lot of mistakes in the time but letting Vinicius go is probably my biggest regret, with swapping Kimmich for Trent and Bellingham on par with signing Mbappe uncontested for the best deal.

I started off at Leeds United in season 1, already well on my way to building the squad when Zarlak left United in season 2(?). Took over there but made the choice to uproot a fair chunk of the side he built as, while a lot of the players were high rated, they were also very old and had to make some decisions very quick like selling Buffon and starting De Gea when he was still developing as he was getting playing concerns.

Hardest bit is knowing when to rebuild and making the moves before it is too late. It is certainly a lot tougher these days. I think I've done a good few successful rebuilds but the current one isn't going so well.

I’ve had a little scroll through the top deals in the GW history (annoying that pure P/E is not listed) but have to say the Kimmich for Bellignham and Trent stands out with the power of hindsight as the best deal.

 

[The Taurean]

31 Seasons of the RedCafe League: All-time Division 1 standings.

Spoiler

Most

Games Played: 1178 (Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester United)
Overall Wins: 672 (Manchester United)
Overall Draws: 277 (Arsenal)
Overall Losses: 432 (Aston Villa)
Overall Goals For: 2295 (Manchester United)
Overall Goals Against: 1652 (Aston Villa)
Overall Goal Difference: +929 (Manchester United)
Overall Points: 2248 (Manchester United)
Home Wins: 343 (Manchester United)
Home Draws: 142 (Arsenal)
Home Losses: 211 (Aston Villa)
Home Goals For: 1215 (Everton)
Home Goals Against: 818 (Aston Villa)
Home Goal Difference: +531 (Everton)
Home Points: 1142 (Manchester United) - Everton are just two behind!!
Away Wins: 329 (Manchester United)
Away Draws: 137 (Fulham)
Away Losses: 223 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Away Goals For: 1117 (Manchester United)
Away Goals Against: 834 (Aston Villa)
Away Goal Difference: +444 (Manchester United)
Away Points: 1106 (Manchester United)

Top 5 Overall Win %

1. Manchester United - 57.05% (672/1178)
2. Everton - 54.84% (646/1178)
3. Manchester City - 49.52% (414/836)
4. Nottingham Forest - 48.12% (512/1064)
5. Arsenal - 45.82% (505/1102)

Cardiff fall out of the top five after a dismal season. Arsenal come back into it despite facing last season in Division 2.

Proud of that.

Thanks for the summary.
Was hoping to break into top3 overall soon enough. Just there! Maybe another 2-3 seasons would have been enough for several stats.

 

[RedSky]

Got little ole Hereford to 7th, satisfied with that, was always going to be a huge challenge to get up to United/Everton levels of success.

I finally got some really good young players to take over from my older lads. Ah well.

 

[IRN-BRUno]

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

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.

And congrats to @IRN-BRUno for blowing the goals scored and conceded records out of the water. Didn't think they'd be beaten any time soon.

Thanks! Something to aim for again next season in Division 4.

Excellent work to keep all this updated.

 

[Damien]

Thanks for the summary.
Was hoping to break into top3 overall soon enough. Just there! Maybe another 2-3 seasons would have been enough for several stats.

What has been done with Forest is incredible, especially to be above Arsenal and Villa which had stronger teams when starting out. The first few seasons of Forest in Division 1 should have been devoted to trying to stay up, but @RedSky defied expectations and finished in the European places in the first two seasons, won the title in the third and the team never got relegated with you carrying on the success.

Here's the table sorted by points per game:

Spoiler

Forest, Cardiff, Darlington and Southend all stand out.

 

[TheReligion]

@Damien when does the new season start? I always mess this up for loans

 

[Damien]

@Damien when does the new season start? I always mess this up for loans

New fixtures will be out in the middle of the night - some time between 12-2am. After that is when you can accept loans.

 

[TheReligion]

New fixtures will be out in the middle of the night - some time between 12-2am. After that is when you can accept loans.

Ahh thanks thought it was overnight

 

[Damien]

The following clubs have stadium capacity increased

Div 1
Leyton Orient: 43701 -> 43955
Hereford: 43643 -> 43889

Div 2
Rochdale: 11222 -> 15580

No others in the other divisions. If West Ham and Arsenal do stay up then it should theoretically help the smaller stadiums in Division 1 increase.

 

[Damien]

New FFP (17 Sep 2024)

Div 1

1. Manchester United - 43/45
2. Arsenal - 48/48
3. Liverpool - 42/48
4. West Ham United - 48/48
5. Manchester City - 40/49
6. Newcastle United - 45/50
7. Sunderland - 46/51
8. Aston Villa - 47/52
9. Bournemouth - 40/52
10. Cardiff City - 51/52
11. Darlington - 49/52
12. Everton - 48/52
13. Fulham - 50/52
14. Hereford - 48/52
15. Leyton Orient - 48/52
16. Middlesbrough - 52/52
17. Nottingham Forest - 51/52
18. Southampton - 47/52
19. Southend United - 50/52
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers - 51/52

Div 2

1. Tottenham Hotspur - 37/44
2. Barnsley - 47/54
3. Blackburn Rovers - 33/54
4. Chelsea - 47/54
5. Ipswich Town - 53/54
6. Milton Keynes Dons - 51/54
7. Norwich City - 49/54
8. Bristol City - 41/55
9. Leeds United - 52/55
10. Sheffield United - 54/56
11. Kidderminster Harriers - 55/57
12. Bradford City - 57/58
13. Queens Park Rangers - 58/58
14. Rochdale - 53/60

Div 3

1. Reading - 41/58

Div 4

1. Bury - 60/63
2. Torquay United - 52/66

Teams with changes to FFP:

West Ham United (50 to 48 @TheReligion)
Arsenal (50 to 48 @Sepukku)
Bournemouth (54 to 52 @Dans)
Norwich City (52 to 54 @coolredwine)
Leeds United (53 to 55 @LungiDevil)
Sheffield United (58 to 56)
Rochdale (61 to 60)
Bury (65 to 63)
Torquay United (68 to 66 @IRN-BRUno)

 

[LungiDevil]

New FFP (17 Sep 2024)

Div 1

1. Manchester United - 43/45
2. Arsenal - 48/48
3. Liverpool - 42/48
4. West Ham United - 48/48
5. Manchester City - 40/49
6. Newcastle United - 45/50
7. Sunderland - 46/51
8. Aston Villa - 47/52
9. Bournemouth - 40/52
10. Cardiff City - 51/52
11. Darlington - 49/52
12. Everton - 48/52
13. Fulham - 50/52
14. Hereford - 48/52
15. Leyton Orient - 48/52
16. Middlesbrough - 52/52
17. Nottingham Forest - 51/52
18. Southampton - 47/52
19. Southend United - 50/52
20. Wolverhampton Wanderers - 51/52

Div 2

1. Tottenham Hotspur - 37/44
2. Barnsley - 47/54
3. Blackburn Rovers - 33/54
4. Chelsea - 47/54
5. Ipswich Town - 53/54
6. Milton Keynes Dons - 51/54
7. Norwich City - 49/54
8. Bristol City - 41/55
9. Leeds United - 52/55
10. Sheffield United - 54/56
11. Kidderminster Harriers - 55/57
12. Bradford City - 57/58
13. Queens Park Rangers - 58/58
14. Rochdale - 53/60

Div 3

1. Reading - 41/58

Div 4

1. Bury - 60/63
2. Torquay United - 52/66

Teams with changes to FFP:

West Ham United (50 to 48 @TheReligion)
Arsenal (50 to 48 @Sepukku)
Bournemouth (54 to 52 @Dans)
Norwich City (52 to 54 @coolredwine)
Leeds United (53 to 55 @LungiDevil)
Sheffield United (58 to 56)
Rochdale (61 to 60)
Bury (65 to 63)
Torquay United (68 to 66 @IRN-BRUno)

Wow! 2 more slots I can't use

 

[BenitoSTARR]

What has been done with Forest is incredible, especially to be above Arsenal and Villa which had stronger teams when starting out. The first few seasons of Forest in Division 1 should have been devoted to trying to stay up, but @RedSky defied expectations and finished in the European places in the first two seasons, won the title in the third and the team never got relegated with you carrying on the success.

Here's the table sorted by points per game:

Spoiler

Forest, Cardiff, Darlington and Southend all stand out.

I’ll 100% take that

 

[Damien]

Drew 1:1 against Newcastle United in the Super Cup, lost 4:2 on penalties:

Oblak (93)

Stones (93) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)↓
Rice (93) Trent (94)
N. Williams (91)↓ -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Kounde (92)↑, Frimpong (92)↑, Zakaria (90), I. Williams (90), Goretzka (92), Sancho (90), Pulisic (91)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Gomes (89)

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

Next three games:
MD01: Middlesbrough (H)
CCGAG1: Fenerbahce (A)
MD02: Hereford (A)

Manchester United v Newcastle United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Newcastle Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Newcastle Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Newcastle Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Newcastle SoT Conv.
21st Sep: Newcastle Utd v Utd (Super Cup)​	54%​	46%​	15 (8)​	12 (2)​	1​	1​	12.5%​	50%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	15 (8)​	12 (2)​	1​	1​	12.5%​	50%​

 

[Damien]

Following Blackburn's Charity Shield and Newcastle's Super Cup victories:

Spoiler: updated major honours

 

[Damien]

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

 

[Damien]

@Mani please withdraw your bid on Hermoso - rule is min value for all external/unmanaged players.

 

[Damien]

Yesterday's 1:0 victory against Middlesbrough:

Oblak (93)

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

Subs: Stones (93)↑, Frimpong (92)↑, Zakaria (90), Rice (93)↑, N. Williams (91), Sancho (90), I. Williams (90)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Gomes (89)

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

Next three games:
CCGAG1: Fenerbahce (A)
MD02: Hereford (A)
MD03: Darlington (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.
22nd Sep: Utd v Middlesbrough​	54%​	46%​	13 (3)​	11 (1)​	1​	0​	33.3%​	0%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	13 (3)​	11 (1)​	1​	0​	33.3%​	0%​

 

[Mani]

@Mani please withdraw your bid on Hermoso - rule is min value for all external/unmanaged players.

Damien, completely missed this, if you want I can sell him when he's avaliable and start a fresh bid.

 

[Damien]

Damien, completely missed this, if you want I can sell him when he's avaliable and start a fresh bid.

@BenitoSTARR your thoughts on that? And Mani not to play Hermoso in the meantime. Reluctant to put a full season transfer ban in so soon after last one expired, when the post I made in this thread still had the "No bids should exceed 2x face value" statement at the time.

I've edited the "About this Game World" above the chat to contain the new rules and will edit the transfer rule in the OP of the thread to more accurately reflect the current situation with transfers.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

@BenitoSTARR your thoughts on that? And Mani not to play Hermoso in the meantime. Reluctant to put a full season transfer ban in so soon after last one expired, when the post I made in this thread still had the "No bids should exceed 2x face value" statement at the time.

I've edited the "About this Game World" above the chat to contain the new rules and will edit the transfer rule in the OP of the thread to more accurately reflect the current situation with transfers.

I don’t think we should be TB for it. It’s annoying but not a ridiculous thing.

I’d say if you flip a coin and then at the end of the Hermoso TB he either stays at Darlington or is sold to Cardiff seeing as we were the only two clubs who bid at the time.

If he’s sold external and then re bought it wastes more time and the value of the player.

So just say he can’t play until the player TB is up. Then he either moves on the coin flip or stays and can play. (Essentially I just want the random chance to have acquired him and I trust you to do that fairly)

 

[Damien]

I don’t think we should be TB for it. It’s annoying but not a ridiculous thing.

I’d say if you flip a coin and then at the end of the Hermoso TB he either stays at Darlington or is sold to Cardiff seeing as we were the only two clubs who bid at the time.

If he’s sold external and then re bought it wastes more time and the value of the player.

So just say he can’t play until the player TB is up. Then he either moves on the coin flip or stays and can play. (Essentially I just want the random chance to have acquired him and I trust you to do that fairly)

Okay, I'm happy with that. Is this a weird time to say I've never flipped a coin before? Thanks for being understanding.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Okay, I'm happy with that. Is this a weird time to say I've never flipped a coin before? Thanks for being understanding.

I can’t believe you’ve never flipped one?

 

[Damien]

I can’t believe you’ve never flipped one?

Genuinely true in almost 34 years on this planet. Will flip in the morning - Heads Cardiff (first to bid), Tails Darlington

Another fun fact - I can't ride a bike.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Genuinely true in almost 34 years on this planet. Will flip in the morning - Heads Cardiff (first to bid), Tails Darlington

Another fun fact - I can't ride a bike.

Never for a coin toss for football or as a decider who goes first in a game of anything?

Did they not install bike.exe ?

 

[Damien]

Never for a coin toss for football or as a decider who goes first in a game of anything?

Did they not install bike.exe ?

It might shock you to hear I wasn't exactly sporty as a kid.

Dyspraxic child. Tried to learn as a kid but never got the hang of it and gave up.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

It might shock you to hear I wasn't exactly sporty as a kid.

Dyspraxic child. Tried to learn as a kid but never got the hang of it and gave up.

I’ve not cycled in years to be fair so you’re not missing out on much.

Once did a long ride with my dad to play a game of tennis and then rode back. I was walking like John Wayne for 3 days.

 

[Damien]

Genuinely true in almost 34 years on this planet. Will flip in the morning - Heads Cardiff (first to bid), Tails Darlington

It came up tails @BenitoSTARR @Mani

 

[Damien]

Tuesday's 2:0 victory against Fenerbahce:

Oblak (93)

Kounde (92) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Alaba (94)↓
Goretzka (92)↓ Trent (94)
Pulisic (91)↓ -- Bellingham (95) -- N. Williams (91)
I. Williams (90)​

Subs: Hakimi (92)↑, Disasi (89), Zakaria (90)↑, Rice (93), Gomes (89), Sancho (90)↑, Reyna (87)
Injured: Mbappe (96), Pedri (92)
Suspended: Frimpong (92)

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

Next three games:
MD02: Hereford (A)
MD03: Darlington (A)
CCGAG2: Roma (H)

Manchester United v Fenerbahce fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Fenerbahce Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Fenerbahce Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Fenerbahce Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Fenerbahce SoT Conv.
23rd Sep: Fenerbahce v Utd​	64%​	36%​	23 (13)​	8 (1)​	2​	0​	15.4%​	0%​
Combined​	64%​	36%​	23 (13)​	8 (1)​	2​	0​	15.4%​	0%​

 

[Damien]

Latest table:

This time last season:

Spoiler

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:

Spoiler

 

[BenitoSTARR]

It came up tails @BenitoSTARR @Mani

Congrats on your first coin flip!

Nice and easy one.

If @Mani wants to play him then let him. I just wanted the 50/50 chance sorted that’s all. No sense making things more awkward.

 

[Dom Gill]

It came up tails @BenitoSTARR @Mani

How did it feel doing that for the first time and did you do another one straight after? Or is it something you will never do again?

 

[Damien]

How did it feel doing that for the first time and did you do another one straight after? Or is it something you will never do again?

Ambivalent. I'll probably never do it again... hopefully.

 

[Damien]

Thursday's 2:0 victory against Hereford without Mbappe:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (92) Van Dijk (94) Stones (93) Alaba (94)
Zakaria (90)↓ Rice (93)
I. Williams (90)↓ -- Goretzka (92) -- Pedri (92)↓
Bellingham (95)​

Subs: Hakimi (92)↑, Kounde (92), Trent (94)↑, Gomes (89), Pulisic (91), Sancho (90), N. Williams (91)↑
Injured: Mbappe (96)
Did not travel: Disasi (89)


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

Next three games:
MD03: Darlington (A)
CCGAG2: Roma (H)
MD04: Super Cup Champions Newcastle United (H)

Manchester United v Hereford fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Hereford Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Hereford Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Hereford Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Hereford SoT Conv.
26th Sep: Hereford v Utd​	54%​	46%​	13 (6)​	7 (1)​	2​	0​	33.3%​	0%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	13 (6)​	7 (1)​	2​	0​	33.3%​	0%​

 

[Damien]

Latest table:

This time last season:

Spoiler

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:

Spoiler

 

[Damien]

Yesterday's 2:0 victory against Darlington:

Oblak (93)

Disasi (89) Kounde (92) Zakaria (90) Hakimi (92)
Gomes (89)↓ Bellingham (95)
Sancho (90)↓ -- Pulisic (91) -- N. Williams (91)
I. Williams (90)↓
​

Subs: Alaba (94), Stones (93), Trent (94)↑, Van Dijk (94), Rice (93)↑, Frimpong (92), Mbappe (96)↑
Did not travel: Goretzka (92), Pedri (92)


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

Next three games:
CCGAG2: Roma (H)
MD04: Super Cup Champions Newcastle United (H)
MD05: Fulham (A)

Manchester United v Darlington fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Darlington Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Darlington Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Darlington Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Darlington SoT Conv.
29th Sep: Darlington v Utd​	58%​	42%​	18 (4)​	11 (3)​	2​	0​	50%​	0%​
Combined​	58%​	42%​	18 (4)​	11 (3)​	2​	0​	50%​	0%​

 

[Dans]

Bournemouth being punished for not being GM I see from those alternate tables.

 

[Damien]

Monday's 2:0 victory against Roma:

Oblak (93)

Frimpong (92) Kounde (92) Stones (93) Hakimi (92)↓
Pedri (92) Bellingham (95)
Pulisic (91)↓ -- Goretzka (92) -- N. Williams (91)
I. Williams (90)↓​

Subs: Alaba (94)↑, Van Dijk (94), Trent (94), Zakaria (90), Rice (93)↑, Sancho (90), Mbappe (96)↑
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Gomes (89)

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

Next three games:
MD04: Super Cup Champions Newcastle United (H)
MD05: Fulham (A)
CCGAG3: Barcelona (H)

Manchester United v Roma fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Roma Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Roma Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Roma Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Roma SoT Conv.
30th Sep: Utd v Roma​	71%​	29%​	19 (11)​	4 (0)​	2​	0​	18.2%​	0%​
Combined​	71%​	29%​	19 (11)​	4 (0)​	2​	0​	18.2%​	0%​

 

[Damien]

Latest table:

This time last season:

Spoiler

Alternate table where 2.5 SoT = one goal:

Spoiler

 

[Damien]

Managed to get my revenge on Newcastle United - 4:2 victory.

Oblak (93)

Stones (93) Van Dijk (94) Alaba (94) Hakimi (92)↓
Rice (93) Trent (94)
N. Williams (91)↓ -- Bellingham (95) -- Pedri (92)
Mbappe (96)​

Subs: Kounde (92)↑, Frimpong (92)↑, Zakaria (90), Goretzka (92), Pulisic (91), Sancho (90), I. Williams (90)
Did not travel: Disasi (89), Gomes (89)

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

Next three games:
MD05: Fulham (A)
CCGAG3: Barcelona (H)
MD06: Bournemouth (H)

Manchester United v Newcastle United fixtures this season

Game	Utd Poss	Newcastle Poss	Utd Shots (SoT)	Newcastle Shots (SoT)	Utd Goals	Newcastle Goals	Utd SoT Conv.	Newcastle SoT Conv.
21st Sep: Newcastle Utd v Utd (Super Cup)​	54%​	46%​	15 (8)​	12 (2)​	1​	1​	12.5%​	50%​
3rd Oct: Utd v Newcastle Utd​	54%​	46%​	16 (8)​	12 (4)​	4​	2​	50%​	50%​
Combined​	54%​	46%​	31 (16)​	24 (6)​	5​	3​	31.3%​	50%​