Subject: II.2

Any guesses on the top 5 at all, I know it's hard to say with injuries, importance, transactions but at this point . . .

My Prediction for top 5
Top 2 CHC and Myself
3rd MaGoo FC
4th Quebec Armada
5th Horns

Others
I expect the Vikings to drop off, and I expect the very under achieving DreamFC to make a push if mpringle09 gives his squad a push, and ImpactCH has the chance to make a little noise to push for threat to the top 5

What say you?

I think you are pretty on spot. You are too strong to lose 1st place and CHC will probably fall behind by a game or two. The rest is really a toss of a coin and will probably be a result of injuries/importance like you said.

Finishing 4th would be a great improvement from last year 8. Fingers crossed.

I figure it's a coin toss between CHC and Melchester (honestly guys, CHC has been producing OTS 58-60 all season, which is a couple of points more than Melchester).

I predict that the winner of our second leg will take the table... unless either of us decide we aren't interested in promoting back to I.1 (I know CHC find it a difficult issue as this season is doing wonders for their OTR and the sponsorship payoff might exceed the 40+ million bonus for promoting--third place is a tempting thought). Doubt I'll make a solid choice before we hit the final ten games.

I'm wondering what people predict for the League Cup this season?

I've taken a little closer look at the top four as of now, and this is what I see:

Melchester and Vikings tend to juggle a few more players in and out of their starting line-ups than CHC and Magoo (though Melchester really uses an "A" and "B" team set up, while Vikings uses a lot of 8 and 9 rated players that are easy to replace game-to-game).

This means that Melchester and Vikings energy use in competitive matches this season is higher than CHC and Magoo (9.15 and 10.8 vs. 7.45 and 6.95), but that the over all energy use per player may be about equal.

Chemistry on Magoo and CHC should be roughly 97% or more, but may be less on Melchester and Vikings due to the juggling (though this can be overcome if the players in their lineups have been getting juggled for a couple of seasons with chemistry build in mind).

I suspect that Vikings will fade a bit due to energy use, possibly to fourth, but third is more likely, as many that are chasing have not been conserving energy either. Magoo could make a real solid push in the second half, or they could continue to harness energy savings and become my pick for League Cup champ (at least they would be the dark horse). Melchester and CHC will be neck-and-neck to the end, but may exhaust themselves out of a real chance at the League Cup.

Interesting development: with Magoo pulling out a "very high" match vs. CHC, does this mean they have decided to make a push for third (I had thought until then that they had decided to save energy for the League Cup)? Will Vikings hold them off? Can HORNS make the push?

Congrats to Melchester. Good luck in Div. I.1

Cheers.

Staying in II.2, saving energy in the relegation/promotion matches to get a League Cup berth?

I totally mis-read this post. Whoops.

Huh?

Oh did you think I was saying I'm staying in II.2 instead of asking EmileCarr if he was?

Yes, Nyte--CHC needs another season to catch up on OTR and get some decent sponsorship money. Can't be sure how the League Cup will go (there are a few contenders for this league I think), but I know I'd be rated a bottom eight team in Div I.1 with OTS of 62, and no real money to buy up players to make a difference.

Another season of building is the way to go for this group...

OTS doesn't mean that much. I finished 8th with OTS 56-57, because I had 2 squads in rotation letting me play high in all games. Actually since I don't have any star in my team, I'm quite happy with this strategy. I've no problem being bottom 4 OTS in the league if I can repeat next season...

It's really OTR that I'm working toward increasing. Three hopeless seasons spent surviving in Div I.1 left me far behind those in Div II. In the end, it's money that builds strong teams, and I'm not making enough to compete in the top division at the moment.

Looks like we get that final show down, Nyte... Good luck in the League Cup final. Don't know why I'm surprised, but I really thought there would be more upsets...

Wow. I did not expect to win that Nyte. I was very lucky that you did not start all out on very high, and I was able to pot two goals quickly and hold on. Have a great season in I.1. Perhaps I will join you next season. For now, CHC celebrate qualifying for their first international competition...

Ooops I forgot to reset my tactics after our League Cup final for the start of this season, good luck in the league cup.