Season 32 Week 18 processing...

Welcome to week 18.

The final international week of the season and the World Cup Final where England and France face each other. The World Youth Cup sees the Spanish youngsters taking on the Italian starlets and in the Gold Cup we have Sweden facing Nigeria. Good luck to everybody.

No orders from Newcastle...

The reset has finished and data entry has started....

Another week of the season down... Not many points left to be won.. But plenty to be lost!

WATFORD

After a agonising close game Vs Newcastle, Watford must look forward to there next game against Liverpool who find themselves just one point above the relegation zone! Lallana normally dictates the tempo of the game in midfield, but will find it hard this week coming up against Declan Rice. Only change to the starting line up is the return of KDB, who has been recovering from injury and biding his time in the reserves as of late. But Sublime form has given the manager a headache, so Harvey Barnes makes away for the influential playmaker at RW, who will no doubt use his flair and trickery to whip in some crosses and delightful through balls. All 3 points are a must this week, so Sterling and Cancelo are poised to come on should the game plan not come to fruition! 

GENK

The side see's Camavinga and Gravenberch come straight back into the starting XI to help build there match sharpness ahead of the next round of cup games which could help define the season. Anderlecht are rampant at he moment. So Genk have to rely on others to help them in there chase for League glory... Mechelen Vs Anderlecht this week will be a really interesting game.. However, Genk need to do there own job and secure 3 points Vs Beerschot. Hlozek, Nkunku and Mahrez have been in inspiring form as of late and no doubt will be called upon again to do the business against there opponents. 

LEVERKUSEN

Leverkusen are somewhat busy off-field this week, seeing the departure of the highly regarded Piero Hincapie. But 2 players are arriving to soften the blow for Die Werkself. Who are always looking to rejuvenate the aging players in the squad and looking to keep there talent pipeline going. Club will also see the arrival of Ainsley Maitland-Niles who with his versatility should provide a great option in defence or attack. After a turbulent start to the season Leverkusen sit 2nd in the league.. On Goal difference. 2nd most goals scored and 2nd most goals conceded. Give the side a solid foundation to continue the project into the latter stages of the season. This weeks game is Home Vs Stuttgart with their captain Max Kruse looking to inflict some damage, hopefully Busquets is up to the task of keeping him quiet. 

BOTAFOGO

With the side still within touching distance of the league leaders are against Flamengo who after a reckless red card for Rodrigo Ely last week Vs Santos saw his side collapse can only watch from the side-lines this week are they visit Botafogo in what will be a tight affair. Anderson Talisca is the danger man and the game comes too soon for Casemiro who is still returning for injury will see Fernandinho take up the Anchorman role this week instead of youthful Bobsin. No risks being taken as the side need to take maximum points if to catch the rampant Santos. Llorente keeps the Captains armband after a top game last week. Neymar is currently on 29 goals this season from 28 games. He has told the manager he wants to break the 40goal mark... Which the fans are looking forward to coming to fruitions to help the club maintain there ambitions this season!

ENGLAND VS FRANCE

The highly anticipated World Cup final! 

Second final in two years for English manager Phil Green who is delighted to be at the helm of his country. (Surely a knighthood is due soon?)

The  manager has a full squad to choose from ahead of the final, which makes it sometimes more problematic!

Lines up;
Hart, Wan-Bissaka, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Henderson, Rice, Maddison, Grealish, Barnes,  Kane. 
Expected France lineup;
Lloris, Pavard, Hernandez, Umititi, Mendy(Ferland) Bakayoko, Kante, Pogba, Mbappe, Griezmann, Benzema

Some giant battles to he had there... Mbappe/Wan-Bissaka, Griezmann/Shawzinho, Grealish/Pavard, Barnes/Mendy... However, maybe the biggest battle will the be the midfield 3 of each side... No doubt his game will be decided by a moment of flair.. a flash of speed and obviously... Goals, goals, goals! 

Good luck to everyone this week. 

Thanks Phil and good luck with the search for a knighthood...

Friendlies have kicked off so I expect the league games to kickoff at the normal time of 1000 hours Wednesday morning...

Schalke
A single lge match away to mid-table Karlsruhe, should be an away banker, with superior matchups all over the pitch - but nothing is taken for granted, especially in an international week, although not many schalke players will be called upon! Anchormen and wingbacks are being employed to counter the opponents' flying wingers.

The manager is eager to bring in a couple of youngsters this week, whilst putting a couple of other players onto the transfer list.

The board continue to spend money on increasing the worldwide fanbase whilst closely monitoring the clubs' shirt and scarf sales.

Thanks Andy...

and now for the results of the International finals...

Gold Cup Final

Sweden 4 Nigeria 1

Strong winghalf play allied to the heading prowess of Ibrahimovic worked well for Robert Wilson's Swedish outfit as they racked up nineteen goals on their way to this season's Gold Cup trophy. Congratulations to Rob...

World Youth Cup Final

Spain 1 Italy 3

Italy proved too strong for the other young players in this competition and a fine display in the final capped off the win for Dave Brothers and his team. Congratulations to Dave...

and now the big one...

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

League games will kickoff at 1000 hours Wednesday morning...

Paul Hemmings wrote:

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

Well done Phil - my France side couldn't get close in the friendlies - did think about a different tactic and probably should have done in hindsight. Oh well second not to be sniffed at! Roll on tomorrow at 10am

Ben@Plymouth wrote:

Paul Hemmings wrote:

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

Well done Phil - my France side couldn't get close in the friendlies - did think about a different tactic and probably should have done in hindsight. Oh well second not to be sniffed at! Roll on tomorrow at 10am

Thanks Ben, Well played i'm sure. Always the dilemma when going into a match. Getting to a Final is no easy feet!

Paul Hemmings wrote:

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

Wooooooooooooo   Sir Phillip Green, King of the North...   Or maybe the Knights Watch...

Phil@Watford wrote:

Paul Hemmings wrote:

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

Wooooooooooooo   Sir Phillip Green, King of the North...   Or maybe the Knights Watch...

Careful Phil, I thought the King of the Knights Watch got assassinated by his own men at some point... 

Ben@Plymouth wrote:

Phil@Watford wrote:

Paul Hemmings wrote:

World Cup Final

England 5 France 1

After finishing above Brazil in the group stages and beating Belgium in the semi-final most pundits were expected more in the final from France than they delivered, although the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. England at Wembley were just too strong for the Frenchies and soon to be knighted Phil Green must be well pleased with his team selection. Congratulations to Phil...

Wooooooooooooo   Sir Phillip Green, King of the North...   Or maybe the Knights Watch...

Careful Phil, I thought the King of the Knights Watch got assassinated by his own men at some point... 

There is always time for a player revolt!! Ha. Competition for first XI is fierce!! Maybe Mings is going to round up the subs and come leave a hole in the managers door!! 

Lol!

In Barcelona for a quick work trip so unfortunately no time for a preview this week. Well done to all the international winners and commiserations to the losing finalists.

Well putting France’s disappointment aside, another massive week in the league for the three teams in Spain, Holland and Argentina - all must continue winning, any dropped points and, at least for two of the teams, then the league would be out of reach.

Plymouth welcome back Lukaku and with Silva injured VDB comes in to fill that spot. No change in tactics, though a bit of MM to counter Villa’s CF and DY’s. Plymouth beginning to ramp up preparations for next season!

A few scouting of certain players to try to fill the final few pieces across the squads…

Roll on 10am

Rob@Barcelona wrote:

In Barcelona for a quick work trip so unfortunately no time for a preview this week. Well done to all the international winners and commiserations to the losing finalists.

I like the commitment to managing Barcelona here by heading out to watch the results live. Might have to plan a quick trip to Argentina to base myself there for the Copa Sudamerica final…

Ben@Plymouth wrote:

Rob@Barcelona wrote:

In Barcelona for a quick work trip so unfortunately no time for a preview this week. Well done to all the international winners and commiserations to the losing finalists.

I like the commitment to managing Barcelona here by heading out to watch the results live. Might have to plan a quick trip to Argentina to base myself there for the Copa Sudamerica final…

Just worried about finding the time to do Nacional and Hannover’s games in the same weekend. Although going to be working in the US and Latam a lot more from April onwards.

Fans are beginning to stream into stadiums around the world as the pre-match entertainment kicks off...

Here come the players as the excitement builds...