Euro Division LXV

First topic message reminder :

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Enrique & J from 5ive League
 
FC WHU Do You Think You Are - Gregers
Bilbao - Afro
Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance? - Sodhat
Southampton FC - Marky
PSV - GSC
Sport Club Corinthians Paulista - Nando                                                                              
Lille - Trebs
 
Glad t'be bach - Hero
 
FC Basel - cherriesfna
 
FC ZwagAtletico - Zinedine_Ze_Zebra
 
The Nodge - Olly
 
Fool 'em FC - Azzy

That's never Van Basten esque

This on the other hand, is. (Watch from 0:25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRaf4z_zF1g

Doing commentary after the event is rubbish, he scores a wonder volley (at least by League One standards) "And it's turned in by Gary Alexander"

That is a quality volley at any standard. Mullers is van basten esque as that is exactly what van basten would have done in the same position

It's exactly what any striker would've done in the same position. He's six yards out in front of goal, what striker isn't going to shoot from there, despite being on the floor?!

I scored a Pele-esque goal in the warm up for my 6 a side game last night. Based on the fact that if Pele was 4 yards out, he'd have done exactly the same thing

Exactly

I wasn't being serious about van basten. 

I once scored a goal using the crane kick from Karate Kid, went like a rocket in the top corner.

So voting I have to give a description on the game and give one good point and one bad point for each time? Making us earn the bonus.

Going to send votes in, took me 40 miutes to do voting

Takes me a good 25mins too

Anyone interested in Iturraspe. I'm weighing up the lawyers offer

Results at kunch boys

I'm already hungry, I may have to eat my kunch now.

Has anyone else had a spider infestation round their way? All the streets around my way have hundreds of spiders webs across bushes, gates, fences, bins, cars, across wide open spaces, you name it. Except there are no spiders actually there

Added to the mist, it's like Arachnophobia.

I noticed a few webs around when I was walking to work but I assumed they were always there and I'd just not seen them until it got misty.

This will explain it and cheer you up though:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bites-reported-across-london-and-kent-as-south-east-sees-influx-of-britains-most-poisonous-spider-8827447.html

Open to offers on all my players

Most can go for lawyers equivalent or close. Barzagli, Gonalons and Villa will take a little bit more

Great news, thanks for that soddy

Are you an arachnophobe?

I'm not. But I don't want these things in my house either. I wish I lived back in my freezing flat because they wouldn't survive there.

I'm much better with them than I used to be. I can go near them, catch them, and dispose of them in the garden. But I'd never handle one. My lad however handles them all the time, even the big ones that don't fit under a normal glass.

I'd rather not have any spider in the house though - especially these venomous ones!

I was told by my elderly neighbour that when there are baby spiders born, they all go out and practice their web-making. So I think this is the result of that.

If I saw one in my room at night, I would probably go and have a sleep somewhere else. He can have the room.

My mate went to Afghanistan a while back and they get warned about Camel Spiders. Apparently they are huge and like to stand in your shadow, so when you run away, they chase the shadow. I bet there have been cases of guys firing rounds at these things.

Can't stand creepy crawlies, the cats bring in worms, spiders the whole lot all the time, and I hate them, can't touch them. The wife will have to deal with them

Olly wrote:Can't stand creepy crawlies, the cats bring in worms, spiders the whole lot all the time, and I hate them, can't touch them. The wife will have to deal with them

You can't leave all your problems to your sister.

Anyone going to any games later?
I'll be at West Ham v Cardiff hobnobbing in a box. Which will make up for our traditional 3rd round departure from the competition.

sodhat wrote:

Olly wrote:Can't stand creepy crawlies, the cats bring in worms, spiders the whole lot all the time, and I hate them, can't touch them. The wife will have to deal with them

You can't leave all your problems to your sister.

It's all right, she gave birth to him, she's used to looking after her little boy.

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to ask, has Gregers been on in the past couple of days? He's he's about can you send him my way. Cheers  

Not sure he has TBH, but will do.

He's been off sick from work according to the votes I've got from him, so no idea if he's back at all.

Have you ever thought about joining the league?

Olly - RVW's TM value just went down

"Jermain Defoe, no longer yiddo..."

It's kind of you to ask Sodhat, but I'm taking a short break from 606v2 football management. Probably be back in some capacity towards the end of the year.

Thanks for the quick response regarding Gregers.

Shame because you could have my team now

No worries. Whenever you're looking again come and let us know. I think GSC wants out. Don't take that as an indictment on the league though...

GSC wrote:Shame because you could have my team now

Told you

England Keeper in talks about move to Old Trafford

Stand back y'all, Afro's fishing.

Thought I'd get the United boys rushing to the link

Unless it was John Ruddy, would it really be news?

I was pretty sure it wasn't genuine, thought it would be an old link with David Seaman or something.

If Joe Hart moved to United, that would be news wouldn't it?

Or Peter Shilton

Thinking about United keepers, anyone hear the trivia on Talksport the other night.

Name the 17 players who have played in goal for United post Peter Schmeichel

Roy Carroll
Tim Howard
Fabian Barthez
Ben Amos
Anders Lindegaard
Rio Ferdinand
David De Gea
Massimo Taibi
Edwin Van Der Sar
Tomasz Kuszczak
John O'Shea
Ben Foster

That's a quickfire 12 off the top of my head  Ron-Robert Zieler's a possibility.

That's a good start

I didn't hear it, but off the top of my head;

Van der Sar, Bosnich, Taibi, Foster, De Gea, Howard, Lindegaard, Kuszscak (sp), Amos, Van der Gouw, Goram ( ), Rio Ferdinand, Barthez, Carroll = 14

Struggling for the other 3.

Google tells me;

Spoiler:

Think me and Trebs have found 18 out of 17

I know, I also have no idea how Trebs remembered Ben Amos and John O'Shea but not Mark Bosnich or Andy Goram

You've not mentioned John O'Shea Marky, I remember him playing though for sure.

I was too young to remember Mark Bosnich, should have got Ricardo and van der Gouw though

onlytreblewinners wrote:You've not mentioned John O'Shea Marky, I remember him playing though for sure.

I was too young to remember Mark Bosnich, should have got Ricardo and van der Gouw though

Van der Gouw was before Bosnich

You're right about O'Shea though. I had no idea, I remember Rio picking the ball out of the net v Pompey, I think the year they won the FA Cup!

Riccardo?

I'd be more "Andy Goram?"

I remember van der Gouw from an old fifa game

Week 1 Result

Athletic Ballbag 1-1 Gladbach
Villa; Aubameyang

Week 6 Results

WHU Do You Think You Are 1-2 Gladbach
Mandzukic; Fischer, Aubameyang

Lille 1-1 ZwagAtletico
Thauvin; Giroud

Southampton 1-1 Ajax
Benteke; Eriksen

Basel 1-2 Athletic Ballbag
Neymar; Drogba x2

The Nodge 2-1 Corinthians
RVW, Quagliarella; Muriel

Ballbag 0-0 Gladbach
It does seem like Ballbag spend most of their time speaking of how they can counter Gladbach and they don’t really speak so much about how they’ll be attacking. Gladbach try and take the game to Ballbag but the problem there is that they are well countered by the defensive tactics. I see a game of Ballbag sitting back and trying to steal one on the break with Gladbach pressing fruitlessly.

Ballbag v Gladback game from yonks ago
2-2

Ballbag 0-2 Gladbach
Scorers: Aubameyang + Bakkali
Summary: I think Ballbag underestimated Gladbach, whose good tactics and surprise inclusion of Bakkali paid dividends.
Home good/bad: Good plan for negating Xavi's influence / underestimated the quality of Gladbach's wingers, and I think they would have done well against you
Away good/bad: Surprise selections = surprise result / every side so far has come up with a way of negating Xavi's influence, you need a plan to free him up

Ballbag 1-1 Gladbach
(Drogba) (Xavi)
Close game, both teams had the edge in different departments which balanced out into a score draw.
Good: Ballbag's willingness to try something new with the defence and their strong attack. Gladbach's CM runs the show today and their defence looks good.
Bad: Ballbag sneaking on an extra Martinez if losing... Gladbach wasting Aubameyang deeper when he would cause problems running at the Sweeper. And picking Bakkali the winger as a striker, based on a couple of offers for him on Thursday.


Ballbag 0 v 0 Gladbach
Scorers:
Ballbag Feedback: Think you've set up your team perfectly to negate the Gladbach threat, really good scouting. Think maybe with some of your injured players in the side, you would have snuck a win.
Gladbach Feedback: Love the quality you have throughout your side, but feel Afro has negated your side pretty well. Personally would play Aubameyang up top and not in the hole.
General Feedback: Good game for a 0-0 this one, like the quality throughout both sides, feel Ballbag in defence have done well to negate Gladbach's threat, however not sure they pose enough of a threat themselves to get the win as Gladbach are a strong defensive unit themselves.

Ballbags 1-1 Glad t'be bach
Villa--------Dante
Ballbags playing a sweeper allowed Glad to play the balls forward using the pace of the attackers. Ballbags were the stronger in midfield.
Ballbags good point: Good strong teams no real weakness
Ballbags bad point: I'd rather see a back 4 then a sweeper
Bach good points: Have good options wide from defenders to wingers
Bach bad point: Strikers role is important and I'd like an estalished striker playing.

Ballbag 0-0 Gladbach
Aubemeyang aside, I'm not sure about the Gladbach forwards. If he isn't upfront then for me he should be on the wing in an inside forward type role. However, putting Alderweireld out at right back is a good move, and he deals with Villa well. Munain isn't as effective in a central role as he would be out on the wing and Ballbag really struggle in the midfield battle against Xavi and Capoue. There are strengths and weaknesses with both sides, but overall a draw is the fairest result between these similarly lined up teams.

Ballbag 2-1 Hero's lot
GP: Strong front 4 + Sweeper/ Like a pacy midfield
BP: Villa is not a LW/Aubameyang not an AM

--------------------

FC WHU Do you think you are 1-1 Glad t’be bach
Scorers: Mandzukic / Bakkali
Summary: Midfield got bogged down, and the wing battle was a lockout. Strikers did well against defences not best equipped to deal with them.
Home good/bad: Good formation, good wingbacks / Cole in the hole, play with 10 men instead! Seriously, improve there asap
Away good/bad: Toby at RB. Good thinking / the Xavi thing again (see the other game's feedback)

West Ham 1-2 Glad t’be Bach
WHU Good: Good balance to the midfield 3
WHU Next improvement: Becoming a tad predictable by the looks of things. Unless your players are that much better than the opposition, you need to make yourself difficult to set tactics against
Glad t’be Bach Good: Good use of Aubameyang in the hole to counter the expected formation from opposition
Glad t’be Bach next improvement: SeeThe WHU improvement above


West Ham 1-0 Gladbach
With Mandzukic upfront, playing a high line is suicide for Gladbach which is a shame as the rest of their gameplan defensively is well done with Dante going for Mandzukic keeping him quiet. The attacking West Ham full backs give them an outlet and they do well in the middle of the park which Xavi nullified and the three at the back keeping out the ineffective forwards Gladbach have. A great win for West Ham.

WHU 2-1 Gladbach
(Mandzukic, Lampard) (Sam)
A good game but WHU outdo Gladbach in midfield and it leads to a narrow win for them. Verratti instrumental today.
Good: WHU sorting their wingbacks out and making their system work better. Gladbach, defensively solid again.
Bad: WHU now need to upgrade on CB's and at AM. Gladbach had no plan for being outnumbered by the three WHU CM's despite calling it. And as above, playing Aubameyang so deep and Bakkali upfront.

WHU 1-2 Gladbach
I like the WHU set up but I can’t see their midfield three being very dominant against Xavi and Capoue, even with the extra man. The wide CBs are probably a little overmatched if Gladbach get to them one on one and it could be a long day of chasing back for the WBs. I like Joe Cole but I do think that may be the next key upgrade along with CBs. Gladbach are well set up. They may want to improve on the wings to feed their striker though.

FC WHU Do you think you are 1 v 2 Glad t’be bach
Scorers: Lampard; Aubameyang x2
West Ham Feedback: Think your team set up is good, however I feel to be a bigger attacking threat that maybe playing a 5-3-2 would be more effective than a 5-3-1-1. Don't think Cole/Jenkinson pose a good enough threat going forwards at WB, but they are good defensively.
Gladbach Feedback: Much the same as your other feedback really, would like to see Aubameyang up top, but do feel you've done well to target the wings and think you have created a good matchup.
General Feedback: Went for a slight Gladbach victory, don't feel as if West Ham offer enough of an attacking threat going forwards, Cole isn't really as effective as a Carroll would be for me. Think Dante handles Mandzukic well, and Gladbach sneak the win.

FC WHU Do you think you are 0-1 Glad t’be bach
--------------------------------Fischer
Capoue man of the match for me protected Xavi well so he could strut his stuff, busy midfield of WHU but not enough to open up Bach defence.
WHU Good point: Top striker in the side who will guarantee goals at the club
WHY bad point: Lampard should not play box to box and Cole offers width but not good enough getting delievery in box.
Bach good point: Lot of pace upfront and a goal threat from everyone up there
Bach bad point: Bakkali up against seasoned pros here and was found out against international defenders.

West ham 0-2 Hero's lot
GP: Xavi & Capoue/ Cole behind Mandzukic
BP: Aubemyang as AM/SS/ Id probably replace most of that back 5



-------------------

Lille 1-1 Zwag
I can only see a draw. Lille look a little softer than usual at the back and with Cnadreva and Jallet doubling up on that flank there should be chances for Giroud in the box. Obviously Rami is good enough to get in amongst it but it could be profitable long term. I like Navas staying wide and crossing but I’m not convinced that suits Eto’o. Attacks through Thauvin and Roux will likely bear more fruit and with Jallet going up field it could be the way that Lille get their goal. If I’m trebs I’m looking at my left side to improve. If I’m Zebs I’m looking for wingers with accurate delivery to make the most of Giroud.

Lille 1-1 Zwag
Lille Good: Great combination in the central midfield 2 and great to see Kjaer has been upgraded
Lille Improvement: Eto’o yet to convince me IRL and I actually would prefer Cassano atm, unless Eto’o sparks to life
Zwag Good: Front 6 are as good a combo as any other in the league. Really well balanced
Zwag improvement: No stand out performer across the back four. All 4 look to candidates for the next improvement

Lille 2 v 2 FC ZwagAtlético
Scorers: Thauvin, Navas; Giroud, Remy
Lille Feedback: As I said to you via PM, really like to look of your side, you know your weakness now is LB, but other than that this may be the strongest starting XI in the league. Would probably look to improve your depth as your bench doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Zwag Feedback: Really impressive line up from Zwag today, love the setup think you get the best out of your players with it. Really like the spine to your side when Kirchkoff comes in, Coutinho was an inspired signing. If I was pushed to give you an improvement would probably be RW, but it's being picky.
General Feedback: Really good game between two very good sides, lots of good attacking flair on show, and I think this ends in a 2-2 draw. Like how Zwag have targeted the Lille left hand side, but I do think Eto'o gives Onouha a rough day, very tough to call a winner, draw is a fair result.

Lille 1-1 Zwag
(Eto'o) (Giroud)
Two good attacking sides but both deal with the other fairly well. Score draw today with both strikers on the scoresheet.
Good: Lille having a much better striker, even if Eto'o has looked awful IRL. You will have to hope he improves IRL though. Zwag, I liked Peluso marking Navas, it works to an extent limiting his impact.
Bad: Lille telling me to note that two players can interchange. Just put it in your tactics like the rest of us. Also Roux is a weakness in attack. Zwag, it's the CB's again only weaker still with Onouha. Sign a quality CB and it'll be vastly improved.

Lille 1-0 ZwagAtlético
Bender
Probably the closest match for me, Lille for me tatcically one the match as i think the manager did a better job.
Lille good points: Coleman used very well Remy at times didn't track back as much allowing them space.
Lille bad points: I'd like to see a replacement in for Soaure not as composed on the ball.
Zwag good points: Giroud in nicely for the three attacking midfielders I think it will work well for them.
Zwag bad points: In defence i think they need to improve and can cost them a goal.

Lille v FC ZwagAtlético
1-1

Lille 3-2 FC ZwagAtlético
Good tactics from both managers with both exploiting the opponents weaknesses well which is why iVe gone for a high scoring game. For both sides as well the attacks very much are better than the defence and for both sides they need to improve at the back over the coming weeks.

Lille 1-3 QPHa
GP's Solid defense for Lille/ Cracking front 4 for QPHa
BP's Need better AM/LW/ Remy is not really a winger tbh

Lille 1-1 FC ZwagAtlético
Scorers: Thauvin / Candreva
Summary: Two very good sides that I couldn't possibly separate. Bravo to both for excellent tactics.
Home good/bad: Dangerous going forwards / need a much better striker if Eto'o doesn't buck his ideas up IRL
Away good/bad: Excellent forward 4 / Onuoha. Really? No one better available?



------------------

Southampton 2 v 1 Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance
Scorers: Benteke x2; Eriksen
Saints Feedback: PLAY BENTEKE/LUKAKU TOGETHER!!! Oh and avoid playing Bryan Ruiz at all costs.
Ajax Feedback: Think the spine of your side needs improving I feel, but then your injuries suck. Nice set up, like the two banks of four.
General Feedback: For me I think Southampton win this game, they have the better quality in the side, and despite Ajax setting up well with the high line, just feel Saints with Benteke would get enough chances to win the game. Would like to see Benteke/Lukaku start together!

Southampton 2-1 Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance
Scorers: Totti + Shaw / Eriksen
Summary: Southampton look good all over the pitch, Ajax need a few improvements to match them. Good game though!
Home good/bad: Where to begin? Very creative side / Speroni is so bad every team is going to score against you
Away good/bad: Eriksen-Milito combo would be dynamite IRL / expected two strikers, and was too defensive I think

Southampton 0-1 Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance
The Southampton team could do with signing a couple of new defenders and upgrading on Totti. Why they didn't start Lukaku alongside Benteke I'll never understand. Eriksen stands out in the Ajax but I think a top CM is what they need. Overall the two sides played similar line ups, the only real difference being that the Ajax wingers were instructed to track back unlike those of Southampton. The only real difference I can see between the two sides is that Ajax have a stronger defense so they get a narrow victory.

Southampton 1-0 Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance
Ruiz
Two good sides, Ajax did well to contain Benteke in the air. The wingers are very talented and got the better of the Ajax Full backs. Ajax did get the ball in attacking third but the two defensive midfielders did well to stop penetration.
Southampton Good point: I like the overall balance in the side they look solid all over.
Southampton Bad point: Want to see more pace injected in the Southampton front line.
Ajax Good point: I can see a good partnership forming between Eriksen and Milito.
Ajax bad points: Wingers to be given more liscence getting forward as they will offer more attacking then defending.

Saints 1-1 Ajax
Saints good: Like the look of Defour and Schneiderlin together, and although Schneiderlin will need to be improved sometime in the future, atm it looks the best combo
Saints improvement: I would play Lukaku over Benteke. Also, the AM trio are all good players, but I feel there is plenty of room for real quality in there
Ajax good: Good tactics to deal with opposition strikers and plenty of classy players in the side
Ajax improvement: centre mid lacks a bit of steel and a bit of experience. Both great players, but feel they both would be better with someone more experienced alongside them. Look a bit thin in the striker department


Southampton 1-1 Ajax
I think Marky ran scared a little of the talk of Benteke and Lukaku being too similar and should have stood by his conviction, does it make sense to keep one of your top two players on the bench? With Ajax's injuries I think they were there for the taking today and with a little more belief Southampton would have the win.


Southampton v Would you dance, if Ajax you to dance
0-1

Southampton 1-0 Ajax
GP's Ajax have good wide players/Benteke on his own is good but...
BP's Milito ahead of Eriksen is no for me/ Lack of Lukaku who personally i prefer


-------------------

Basel 1-2 Ballbag
(Neymar) (Drogba, Villa)
Despite the improved Basel, I feel it's not enough yet to stop Ballbag getting the win, but with the right investment this Basel side can be a real force.
Good: Basel have much better instructions, and retain Neymar in the number 10 role. Basel's real life form helps a little. Ballbag's front two, 4-4-2 is not dead and this proves it. Good choice of Gonalons to man mark Neymar.
Bad: Basel still need to improve on personnel despite the Chelsea game, and add support going forward. Ballbag playing a man marker and a DM leaves no creativity in the middle of the park.

FC Basel 1-1 Athletic Ballbag
Scorers: Neymar / Gonalons
Summary: No team is capable of stopping Neymar, and so it proved again as Basel added another fine result to their RL win over Chelsea.
Home good/bad: Neymar / the other 10. Get cracking with the signings!
Away good/bad: I like the balance of the midfield, it covers all bases / Gonalons was never going to be able to pick up Neymar, it needed a CB to do that, and Barzagli's instructions were so basic he didn't know how to handle the man

Ballbag 2-1 Basel
Interesting because with a better XI Basel could have gotten something today. They counter Ballbag well in terms of keeping the full backs back but they fall down on a man vs man basis. I just can’t see them being able to keep the strikers quiet all game and eventually they will be made to pay. If Viva gets a couple of quality CBs in and someone to sit deep in midfield he’ll be looking much better. I quite like the idea of playing hoofball to Streller and knocking it down for Neymar, but that may be the Allardyce effect. Ballbag are obviously very strong outside and they rightly play to their strengths for the win.

Bilbao 1-2 Basel
The Neymar show, the injuries to Bilbao's midfield were horrendous this week and it simply gave Neymar a remit to put them to the sword.

FC Basel v Athletic Ballbag
1-2

FC Basel 1 v 2 Athletic Ballbag
Scorers: Neymar; Drogba x2
Basel Feedback: If I was Viva I'd be in the market for a CM and a CB personally, you've got good attacking threat down the wings and up top however. Well set up side as well.
Ballbag Feedback: Like the formation a lot, think your CM could get a little overrun, but that's negated by the attacking threat you pose down the wings and up top. Love the defence.
General Feedback: I feel this is a win for Ballbag, not by a great margin as Basel have set up well, and are a good threat in attack, but just feel Ballbag have too much going forward for Basel to handle

Athletic Ballbag v Basel
Ballbag won this at a canter as Basel need upgrades all over. They have a couple of decent players like Streller and Dragovic, but they aren't anywhere near the level they need to be at to challenge.

Ballbag 1-1 Basel
GP's Width of Ballbag/ Neymar as AM
BP's Not much in the centre for ballbag/ Basel need better forward/Midfiedl but that will come over time


--------------

Nodge 3-1 Corinthians
Merit to both approaches today although slightly surprised nando didn’t see a 4-4-2 coming. Nodge use the width and that will be a problem for Corinthians early because the fullbacks have no winger ahead to help out so help could be slow to arrive. Corinthians use of pace helped by Nodge going high lined, but equally they lack that clinical finisher to really exploit it. If I were them I’d go looking for that player. If I were Nodge I’d be thinking about better wingers. Top full backs could be expected to win more than their share against those two.

Norwich 1-3 Corinthians
Nando is quietly putting together a really top side and going unnoticed whilst doing it, the likes of Pjanic and Muriel are both great additions and they both give Bassong a torrid time whilst at the other end the duo of Quagmire and the Wolf look more miss than hit.

The Nodge 1-1 Corinthians
Quaglairella---Joaquin
Tight game both teams generally have chances and time where they controlled the game but neither took the initiative to win it.
Nodge Good point: Strong two in midfield which allowed them to battle the narrow midfield of Corinthians.
Nodge Bad point: Like to see better wide men then they have at the moment.
Corinthains Good point: Joaquin good in that role drifting around.
Corinthians bad point: I'd like to see a more experienced striker leading the line.

The Nodge v Corinthians
0-2

Nodge 3-0 Corinthians
The Nodge have a decent set up and had a lot of joy out on the wings with Corinthians unable to deal with the threat posed there. They could do with improving at centre back and left back though. The way Corinthians set up for me was doomed to fail from the first minute. Joaquin is an out and out winger, not someone who plays upfront and while he has some pace, he's not a pace abuse kind of player. Great win for the Nodge.


Nodge 2-2 Corinthians
(RVW, Redmond) (Muriel x2)
A good game between two improving sides, a draw for me as neither side has enough to grind out the win.
Good: Nodge, improvement at RB, keeping Strootman, focusing on width to support RVW. Corinthians, great signings and pace abuse upfront. Bassong is slow and vulnerable to Muriel which causes problems.
Bad: Nodge, considering selling Strootman. Stupid. Too similar to real life Norwich which isn't a good thing. Take the yellow tinted glasses off and improve on Snodgrass. Corinthians, pace abuse. It's not big and it's not clever. It's morally wrong.

The Nodge 3-0 Corinthians
Scorers: RVW, Quagliarella, Fer
Summary: Shocking lack of width from Corinthians allowed the Nodge FBs and wingers to dominate the game.
Home good/bad: I like the whole side / apart from Bassong. Improve there next
Away good/bad: The only thing I can say is that the defence is good / I really hated the Joaquin up top idea, didn't feel it would work at all, and the lack of width allowed Nodge to torment poor Gamez and Felipe. Credit for trying something different, but I can't see how the formation would stack up against the 4-4-2 of Nodge.

The Nodge 1-1 Corinthians
Nodge good: Great improvement made at RB and as ever Strootman and Fer stand out
Nodge improvement: Left hand side looks weak now compared to the right and perhaps a more clinical striker
Corinthians good: Defensively very tight with a good quality back four and defensive midfielder. Pjanic is a quality addition too. Joaquin up top to exploit Norwich CBs could be a master stroke!!
Corinthians improvement: Must be a tad light up front give the lack of other options and the need to play Joaquin up top (despite his success)