Season 32 Week 22 processing...

Welcome to Week 22 and its a big week for a few of you.

Everybody's orders arrived safely and the reset is underway...

Data entry is underway, a bit later then normal, but we're off and running...

WATFORD

End of the season approaches.. and Watford have limped across the final part of the season. Tactic change, player changes, injuries. Havn't been managed by the manager as effectively as could have been. Also, over thought some games and outplayed myself, rather then letting the team play. So preparation for next season is well underway, Antonio Rudiger comes in to replace the departed Soyuncu, with Maguire moving to his more favoured CL. Maddison has been playing in sublime form and impressed each time he's been brought from the bench. So the manager has decided to start with the englishman. Unfortunately, this ment a bench/cameo role for KDB... Who came to see the manager and expressed his desire to try something else. The manager has never wanted to hold any player back, so agreed to seek a move... 

DEAN HENDERSON:GK,JOAO CANCELO:RB,LUKE SHAW:LB,DECLAN RICE:AM,HARRY MAGUIRE:CL,ANTONIO RUDIGER:CR,THOMAS PARTEY:BW,JACK GREALISH:DL,HARVEY BARNES:DR,JAMES MADDISON:TM,TAMMY ABRAHAM:CF

GENK

The side have played second fiddle all season in the league, having won the Cup and Europa. Looks like the side have been inspired and determined to regain the league! The side are still trying to find the right balance with all there Wingers and DY's. The manager isnt sure of his first choice pair at LW/RW. Currently occupied by De Ketelaere and Nkunku. Mahrez and Noa Lang have played there parts in the cup competitions. Franck Kessie is the terrier in midfield at BW. No changes to the side this week, as the side look to take all 3 points and claim the belgium league title.... How much longer before the belgian side moves on.... Extra Tall CF Paul Onuachu departs this week and wunderkid Rayane Bounida joins the project. 

BERND LENO:GK,NORDI MUKIELE:RB,FERLAND MENDY:LB,KALIDOU KOULIBALY:CR,BENOIT BADIASHILE:CL,RYAN GRAVENBERCH:AM,FRANCK KESSIE:BW,CHARLES DE KETELAERE:LW,EDUARDO CAMAVINGA:DY,ADAM HLOZEK:CF,CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU:RW

LEVERKUSEN 

Delighted with the form of Leverkusen throughout the season, was a little rough at the start of the season, and the fans began to fear... But Milinkovic-Savic settled into the role as captain and main man of the team! The manager has manged to reduce the average age of the squad over the season and managed to keep the level of performances up. Musiala took over from El Shawary, Szalai for Bonucci and Sarr is coming in for Heung-Min. Only transfer this week see's Sergio Busquets leave and Mikel Merino come in to replace like for like, for all the experience Busquets brought to the side, the manager had to manage his stamina closely. So hopefully Merino can keep the high standards set and manage two games a week come crunch time. Fullreview for midfield terrier Robert Andrich who will hopefully take over from evergreen Trochowski who is 38 now. With young Amadou Onana hopefully pushing for first team changes. 

RENE ADLER:GK,AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES:RB,ROBIN GOSENS:LB,MIKEL MERINO:AM,ATTILA SZALAI:CL,CAGLAR SOYUNCU:CR,ROBERT ANDRICH:BW,ISMALIA SARR:LW,JAMAL MUSIALA:RW,SERGEI MILINKOVIC SAVIC:DY,ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI:CF

BOTAFOGO

Botafogo have been strong this season, with only the defence something the manager wanted to improve on with 37 and 32 year old CB pairing being something of a weakness for the manager having to rotate in cup games to maintain stamina.. Struggled to find the right pairing, and then in the same week the manager manages to pull off a coup. Mario Hermoso and Lucas Verissimo come in to make the new foundation of the Botafogo side, stating playing for the Copa Libertadores winners was a deciding factor. The pair both 26, are the perfect fit.. On paper, will take a few games to build up their relationship but the manager is throwing them in together straight away to build on there coordination. The manager looks forward to next season and what the club can achieve together. 

CLAUDIO BRAVO:GK,DOMILSON DODO:RB,NUNO TAVARES:LB,CARLOS CASEMIRO:AM,MARIO HERMOSO:CL,LUCAS VERMISSO:CR,LUCAS MOURA:LW,NEYMAR SANTOS:RW,SAUL NIGUEZ:DL,ARTHUR CABRAL:CF,MAROCS LLORENTE:DR

Good luck to all this week

So, another season comes and goes.  This week is massive for 2 of my clubs.  Nantes need a point to secure the title and if we don't get it there will be serious questions how we managed to throw it away!


Charlton however are yet again on the edge of something massive.  Unlikely as it is, there is a chance.  City currently 2 points ahead but an inferior goal difference.  If, big if, we manage to beat Chelsea which is a must, then any dropped points by City would mean the unthinkable.....

Charlton fans have been here before though and had notable last day disasters, whatever happens this week can't top those surely.....

Not sure which is worse looking back

Season 26 - Losing on on goals scored (not goal difference) to a 93rd minute Nathaniel Clyne goal

or 

Season 23 - Going into the last day 2 points clear at the top and getting soundly beaten by Nani, Marouane Fellaini and Rich's Birmingham.

Thanks for the reviews guys.

The friendly games have kicked off so the league games should kickoff Wednesday morning at 1000 hours as normal...

CHELSEA


Chelsea head to Charlton to play the possible role of party poopers , in truth games do not come much more difficult than this , Chelsea are more than capable of picking up a result but also there incosistency can also make this a comfortable home win,a case of which Chelsea turn up.... we will see

The manager is unsure where to go with his squad next , not overly happy witht the centre back partnership of Zouma and Lindelof he could be willing to ship them out if the right player becomes available  , it could also be time to move Alonso on aswell as Azpilicueta as the mnager has Castagne coming back from Bate.

The builders are in as 5,000 more seats are added.

EMELEC


Emelec travel to Ameriqua knowing a win or draw will clinch the title should Barselona fail win , however the manager is realistic all may well be lost as Barselona host 2nd from bottom Delfin at home.

Hopefully an inspired talk form the manager will do the trick and cause Barselona to crack under the pressure,

BATE


a home win against Neman and the title is coming to Bate a draw could be enough but we would be sweating on Dynamo Brest's result as they have a superior goal difference , the manager is hoping an inspired team will get the win needed in front of the home crowd can bring the title home in the managers first full season in charge.

Schalke

Having already won the league, the manager has the chance to tweak the formation to test a new version of FAS, against a strong side. Contract renewals are also being dealt with and a couple of youngsters go on the transfer list.
Prospective new feeder clubs are also being watched...

Last game in a great season. Really enjoyable and a few surprises across the Leagues. Schalke dominant and setting the pace, Real resurgent in Spain but Atletico probably going to nick it, can the Addicks eventually do it in the Prem .... and then there's my own teams.

Barcelona - it's been a huge rebuilding season for Barca with many of the serial title winners moving on to let a younger team for the future emerge. A huge test this week away at Real who have been incredible this season. Rich has done wonders with the 'Bernabeu Pensioners' and it'll be interesting to see if Pedri, Fati and co can keep it respectable. Theo Hernandez comes in to join brother Lucas in the backline in this week's only change. And a contract extension for 'King' Karim Benzema the main dealing news.

Nacional - fresh from a tense and edgy Cup final against Danubio, my Nacional team are visiting League leaders .... Danubio again in the second instalment of what is a thrilling end of season. Both teams are flying, both have a goal difference of over 100 and have only dropped 7 points between them this season. Will last week's Cup victory give Nacional the edge or will Danubio push for revenge. Who knows? Certainly not this avid 10am viewer!! The only team change is enforced by an injury to Lodeiro. Montiel comes in at RB allowing Sergi Roberto and Zaracho to shuffle and cover the gap. It's not a much covered league but Uruguay is certainly an exciting one.

Hannover - another team, another week 22 nail biter. Hannover lead by 2 points from Wolfsburg and need a point to secure the title and grab promotion in style. That's assuming Wolfsburg don't make up the 32 goal difference ...... Tom, that would be the ultimate last day disaster. No changes to the team as Hannover rely on the aerial prowess of Poulsen and Gregoritsch and the supply line from Wass, Schlager and Raum. The only transfer news is the arrival of 'Small' Paul Onuachu in an effort to increase the team's average height even further. 

Rennes - the 100% season is on with 1 game to go. To be honest it's not much of an achievement as the squad is far too strong for the bottom division in France. Thuram, Griezmann and Ben Yedder continue to prove their class and I'm looking forward to testing then in the Cup and in Europe next season. A change due to injury sees Savanier replace Mwepu and Cucurella comes in for his first start at LK. Sergi Roberto joins this week for the next stage of his nomadic, trophy laden career and this will see Rennes deploy 2 flying Spanish wingbacks next season. 

Good luck to everyone. Lots to play for and I'm sure there will be some nail biters. Enjoy!!!!!

Everything is ready for kickoff in just a few minutes time. Good luck to everybody this week...

The ref blows his whistle and we are underway...

Banstead 1 Everton 0 George Evans freekick on 3 minutes.

Wimbledon 0 Coventry 1 Lansbury on 4 minutes.
Rennais 1 Troyes 0 Ben Yedder.
Wolfsburg 1 Dusseldorf 0 Kroos.

Botafogo 1 Cruzeiro 0 Neymar freekick on 5 minutes.

Aston Villa 1 Man United 0 Watkins on 6 minutes.
Inverness 0 Motherwell 1 Tardelli.

Paris 1 Etienne 0 Malcom on 8 minutes.
Aberdeen 1 Partick 0 Falcao header.

Estudiantes 1 Independente 0 Jeisson on 9 minutes.
Plymouth 0 Man City 1 Tielemans freekick.
Burnley 1 Tranmere 0 Propper.
Fulham 1 Derby 0 Jo.
Monaco 1 Cannes 0  Tolisso freekick.
Gladbach 0 Cologne 1 Thill.
Cremonese 0 AC Milan 1 Halilovic.

Paul Hemmings wrote:

Estudiantes 1 Independente 0 Jeisson on 9 minutes.
Plymouth 0 Man City 1 Tielemans freekick.
Burnley 1 Tranmere 0 Propper.
Fulham 1 Derby 0 Jo.
Monaco 1 Cannes 0  Tolisso freekick.
Gladbach 0 Cologne 1 Thill.
Cremonese 0 AC Milan 1 Halilovic.

Not a good 9th minute - come on lads!

Flamengo 0 Palmeiras 1 Wellington on 10 minutes.
Charlton 0 Chelsea 1 Ziyech.
Watford 1 Wednesday 0  Abraham header.
Palace 0 Wolves 1 Blind.
West Brom 1 Bristol City 0 Jovetic.

Estudiantes 1 Independente 1 Nunez freekick on 11 minutes.
Liverpool 1 Arsenal 0 Lallana.
Norwich 1 Brighton 0 Bony.
Wolfsburg 2 Dusseldorf 0 Antonio.
Danubio 0 Nacional 1 Thiago Almada freekick.

Well the hope didn't last long! Lol

Barring a miracle, the premier league is done and dusted within 10 minutes!

On the plus side, I can relax now.

Bate 1 Neman 0 Berezkin on 12 minutes.
Rennais 2 Troyes 0 Savanier.
Corinthians 0 Vasco 1 Jhoncley.

Celtic 1 Livingston 0 Kral header on 13 minutes.
Rangers 1 Raith 0 Patterson header.
Mechelen 1 Gent 0 Zivkovic.

Inverness 0 Motherwell 2 Liam Henderson header on 14 minutes.

Santos 0 Coritiba 1 Hudson on 15 minutes.
Cremonese 0 AC Milan 2 Capradossi.
Celtic 2 Livingston 0 Jara.