The Master League adventures thread

[Professor Nutmeg]

SAISON 20008/2009

GOALFEST SEASON OPENER
FOR STRASBOURG

Pujol was a constant threat to Racing's back four

1ère Journée
Strasbourg 3 Vourinen 2' 20' Cohade 63'
Valenciennes 3 Pujol 15' 45'+1 Savidan 24'


Racing Club de Strasbourg kicked off their second season under Professor Nutmeg, with a thrilling draw at home to newly promoted Valenciennes. Five goals in the first half alone meant this fixture was packed full of action.

Both of Strasbourg's summer signings started upfront and it was Hermanni Vuorinen who took a mere two minutes to register his first league goal for his new club, after being fed by fellow new boy, Omer Golan. Valenciennes' Gregory Pujol looked to be their dangerman and the forward drew level on 15 minutes. Five minutes later, Vuorinen bagged another, heading in Pascal Johansen's cross, to put the hosts ahead once again. The Finn is looking an exciting prospect for Racing.

The game of tag continued, as Steve Savidan popped up for the visitors and struck to put Valenciennes on equal terms on 24 minutes. The encounter continued its end to end action and Pujol got his brace, when he gave his side the lead in first half stoppage time.

The second half saw Valenciennes denied a penalty claim, when defender Klemi Saban appeared to handle on the line. Televsion replays clearly showed the full back putting hand to ball. Both the referee and linesman somehow missed the incident and waved on play, despite Valenciennes' furious protests.

Only one further goal came in the second half and importantly for Strasbourg, Renaud Cohade conjured the equaliser on 63 minutes after a fine run and solo effort.

For the second season in a row, Strasbourg have begun their campaign with a frenzied draw.

 

[gerd]

Prof, i've just read that Golan would play for Belgian club Lokeren after new year...clubs like Anderlecht and Standard were also interested in him...if that is a fact, then he made a strange choice...

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Indeed, he should come to Strasbourg and imitate art :mryellow:

 

[begad]

Agreed!!!!

 

[denirobob]

José Sand seen leaving Ezeiza Airport bound for Europe

Despite 15 goals in 15 games for newly promoted Apertura champions Lanus, the tough number 9
broke away from the extended celebrations and was seen heading to the departure gate just past 5pm.

One of the most respected forwards in Argentina and appreciated for his passionate approach and work ethic,
his astonishing goal per game tally enabled the unfashionable side from the Buenos Aires suburbs to hold off
established giants Boca Juniors and clinch the title.

At the age of 27 and having represented River Plate, Independiente, Colon and Banfield in a fairly
chequred career, it appears that Sand has decided that the lure of one of
Europe's top leagues is just too great too turn down.

 

[gerd]

Getafe CF: a dream season:

Promoted teams:
1 Getafe CF
2 Fenerbahce (22 points behind)
3 Betis Sevilla

Relegated teams:
18 Lens
19 Lille
20 Bordeaux

Division 2 Cup Final:
Levante - Getafe CF 0-2

Division 2 individual honours:
Top scorer: Uche 30 goals
Top Assister: Mario Cotelo 6 assists
Overall best player: Uche

Division 2 Cup individual honours:
Top scorer: Braulio 6 goals
Top assister: Uche 5 assists
Overall best player: Extebarria (Athletic de Bilbao)

European top scorer:
Uche 35 goals

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

SAISON 20008/2009

STRASBOURG GO TOP ON DAY 9

Changing room joy on day 9

5ème Journée
Nice 0
Strasbourg 4 Camadini 22' Vuorinen 48' Gameiro 75' Fanchone 78' (p)

6ème Journée
Strasbourg 2 Golan 62' Mouloungui 64'
Bordeaux 1 Chamakh 35'

7ème Journée
Rennes 0
Strasbourg 2 Mouloungui 23' 40'

8ème Journée
Saint Etienne 0
Strasbourg 0

9ème Journée
Strasbourg 3 Golan 28' Vuorinen 32' (p) 79'
Monaco 1 Piquionne 51'

After a five game unbeaten streak, Strasbourg have rather surprisingly climbed to the top of the table, after day 9 of the season. Registering four wins and a draw, including a 4-0 thrashing of Nice, the biggest win under Professor Nutmeg so far, Racing have begun their season very brightly.
Having missed out on Europe last season, on goal difference, the Alsace outfit are looking to put last season's erratic form behind them. The sky blues are seemingly punching above their weight, partly thanks to their two summer signings. Hermanni Vuorinen has already netted 7 goals, whilst Omer Golan has struck 4 times and delivered 6 assists, since day 1. Could Strasbourg be this season's surprise package?

Table after Day 9 (top)

1 Strasbourg 20
2 Paris SG 19
3 Auxerre 18
4 Anderlecht 17
5 Lens 17

 

[gerd]

Congratulations Prof...it seems you did a couple of excellent transfers...
I've augmented the difficulty in my ML...on what used to be 4 stars (professional???) it was perhaps a tad too easy...
The fact that my top scorer became overall top scorer (European Golden Boot, albeit in second division) proves that PES 2008 is aesier than previous versions...

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Thanks gerd, indeed i wonder how long it will last. Perhaps not long. Lyon had a bad start to the season, but they are on their way up and will surely be eyeing top spot soon enough.

I'm pretty happy with my squad. I think it's well balanced and i have a good few youngsters coming through or still waiting to. Most players can fill in well when called upon.

I'm very happy with my two signings. Goals were what we were missing last season in abundance.

A goal by Golan got me thinking the other day. Do team mates of the same nationality, but not in their own national league, link up well? I ask because Golan's equaliser against Bordeaux was supplied from the right by full back Saban (the 2nd time he's assisted Golan).
The goal was spectacular. I haven't scored a great volley like this in a long long time. Think Zidane against Leverkusen in the CL final. Saban crossed into the box from the right. Golan, facing Saban, pivots 90 degrees on his standing/left leg and volleys it into the top part of the goal.

 

[denirobob]

hello chaps,

glad to see you are both having success and into your second seasons.

thats an interesting question about teammates linking up proff. Id love for it to be true!!

db

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Would be good, wouldn't db. Actually, i haven't yet checked their teamwork/compatibility rating between the two of them in my squad. It must be reasonably good though, as the two get on well in training. Klemi Saban has been instrumental in helping Golan settle in Strasbourg :mryellow:

I call it good management

 

[denirobob]

that is good mgmt proff.

there have been quite afew occasions where one player has been signed and another taken too to make sure he has company. I guess stuttgart purchasing of osorio and pardo last summer was based on similar reasoning.

db

 

[gerd]

I know this works in Football Manager...when you manage an Italian team and you got an Icelandic player in the squad who can't get used to Italy, it helps to buy a second Icelandic players (ps: it works with other nationalities too :mrgreen::mrgreen.

It would be nice if this would be the case in Pro Evo too, but somehow i think it's a coïncidence...

What i do notice is that often two particular players can work well together...

I had that with Martin Petrov and Diego Klimowicz in my Wolfsburg ML...it was awesome to see.


PS: Prof nice to score such a goal Prof...i rarely score fantastic goals...

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

SAISON 20008/2009

STRASBOURG HOLD NICE
IN CUP DRAMA


COUPE DE LA LIGUE (Round 1, 1st Leg)
Nice 2 M. Traoré 52' Job 82'
Strasbourg 2 Gargorov 38' Zenke 90'+1

With confidence running high in the camp, Strasbourg travelled to Nice, for the first round of the league cup. The sky blues dealt the Côte d'Azur side a 4-0 thrashing at the Stade du Ray, earlier in the season and the home side were eager for payback. While Nice fielded a strong line-up, Strasbourg fielded a mix of experience and youth, with several first team players being rested. As in the previous encounter, Professor Nutmeg chose to mirror Nice's 4-3-3 formation, a tactic which had ensured a comfortable victory.

Goal
The visitors drew first blood through Emil Gargorov. The diminuitive, yet pacey wideman struck on 38 minutes, forcing Nice to once again ask questions of themselves.

Level terms
Nice rallied in the second half and an attacking spell soon saw Mahamane Traoré equalise on 52 minutes. With about 15 minutes left, Professor Nutmeg brought on James Fanchone and teenage Nigerian striker, Simon Zenke. The youngster reacted well to his selection, his first appearance under the new manager and buzzed around Nice's defence. One effort hit the woodwork in what was looking to be a sensational introduction by the Nigerian.

Late show
Nice then looked to have grabbed all three points, when on 82 minutes, an unmarked Joseph-Désiré Job profited from a loose ball in the box. Nutmeg gestured to his players from the sideline to push for an equaliser. As play entered second half stoppage time, substitute Zenke produced a flash of brilliance and an expert finish from just outside the box, bamboozling Hugo Lloris, capping a dramatic finish to the tie and a dream debut for the Nigerian teenager.

 

[gerd]

Newcomers Getafe relatively modest on transfer market:

Transfers out:
Mario Cotelo (To Lille)

Transfers in:

Cesar Arzo (from Villareal who was on loan at Real Murcia)

Christian Villagra: Argentinian side back from River Plate

Ben Sahar (from Chelsea, last year on loan to Queens Par Rangers): Israeli forward

 

[denirobob]

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

SAISON 20008/2009

SAMASSA HALTS STRASBOURG RUN

Samassa was influential for Le Mans

10ème Journée
Le Mans 1 Samassa 63'
Strasbourg 0

After the midweek cup fixtures, the league resumed once again on day 10, as Strasbourg visited Le Mans, looking to extend their five game unbeaten run. Strasbourg last tasted defeat on Day 4 at home to PSG, a feat which saw them sitting at the top of the league table, prior to kick-off.

The game was a cagey affair, but the home side always looked more eager for the win. Le Mans forward Mamadou Samassa had a brilliant game, threatening the visitors' goal whenever possible. The youngster kept popping up everywhere, proving a real handful for Strasbourg's back four. The tall striker eventually broke the deadlock with a headed goal, midway through the second half. Strasbourg searched for an equaliser, but came up short, eventually relinquishing their short stay at the top of the table, as Le Mans claimed all three points.

 

[Stringer Bell]

N.C.E. Super League Division 1

AZ Alkmaar Master League 2008

Game Level: Regular / WEFA Matches: Top Player*
Match Time: 15 mins
Master League: Normal
Player Development: Yes
Transfer Frequency: Normal
Hidden/Classic Players: No
Reset Prevention features: No
Auto Save: Yes

I’ve decided I will be playing my AZ Alkmaar ML on the PS2 version of the game. I had enough of the shit, unfinished, faulty PS3 version of the game. I was half into the season, but I decided to quit because there wasn’t any new or exciting thing in the ML. It was to easy, the framerate and slow down problems were annoying and the game overall was poor! I sold it for £17; bought the PS2 version for £19.97 in Woolworths. The PS2 version is more compact and the gameplay (which is similar to PES6) is more of a complete thing.

SO I’M STILL CURRENT GEN FOR NOW! :mrgreen:

Okay. Let me take you through how the structure of my Master League with AZ Alkmaar will look like. I will be playing on the PS2 version of PES2008 (yeah, I know, I already said that!) Here is how I sorted out my League:

N.C.E. League Div1:
AZ Alkmaar
Feynoord
PSV
Ajax
FC Twente
SC Heereveen
Vitesse
N.E.C. Nijmegen
De Graafschap
Sparta Rotterdam
FC Utrecht
FC Groningen
Heracles Almelo
FC Hansa Rostock
FC Energie Cottbus
DSC Arminia Bielefeld

N.C.E. League Div2:
SBV Excelsor
Roda JC
Willem II
VVV-Venlo
NAC Breda
VfL Bochum 1848
MSV Duisburg
Eintracht Frankfurt

This is some of the rules I’ve created for myself to make the game more challenging:

Master League Rules:
1. A maximum of three players can be bought per season.
2. A maximum of one free transfer per season.
3. A maximum of one can be traded for another per season.
4. A player who plays for a team with a team popularity higher than your team, cannot be bought.
5. A player who is being bid for by a team with a team popularity higher than your team, must be sold. (Rule doesn’t apply in the first season)
6. Players who wouldn't come to the club in real life due to climate, culture or playing style cannot be bought.

* I’m going to be playing the game on Regular during the league matches. But when I’m in a European competition (WEFA European Championship or European Masters Cup), I will be switching the game to Top player. The reason for this is because I wanted the European matches to reflect real life, where it is a difficult competition to play in. Also because I’m playing in the Dutch league (with six German teams), the golf in class of the league to Europe should be high! When I’m playing in the domestic league it should be at a normal level, where I can compete in, but when i'm in Europe it should be A LOT tougher for me to compete in against other teams.

 

[gerd]

Good start for Getafe in the top division:

Betis Sevilla - Getafe CF 0-1
65' Belenguer

Saint - Etienne - Getafe CF 1-2
4' Gomis
26' Albin
54' De la Red

Cup:

Real Zaragoza - Getafe CF 1-1
2' Milito
8' Albin

Getafe CF - Porto 2-1
4' Quaresma
18' Manu del Moral
62' Diaz

Juan Albín Leites: no adaptation needed.

1 Barcelona 9
2 Real Madrid 9
3 Valencia 9
4 Sevilla FC 9
5 Getafe CF 9

 

[gerd]

Consternation in the Stade de Gerland: L'OL humiliated...

Olympique Lyon - Getafe CF 1-6
3' Juan Pablo Pino (penalty)
12' Ogbeche (assist by Juan Pablo Pino)
38' Juan Pablo Pino (assist Cortès)
45' + 2' Baros
52' Ben Sahar (assist Juan Pablo Pino)
67' Ogbeche (assist Juan Pablo Pino)
78' Redondo (assist Albín)

Two goals and 3 assists: the tormentor...

Fabio Grosso: in despair...

League Standings after 4 games:
1 Barcelona 12
2 Getafe CF 12
3 Real Madrid 12
4 Valencia 12
5 Sevilla FC 9
6 Fenerbahce 8

 

[Stringer Bell]

I think you might have to turn the difficulty level up a bit after that result gerd.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Well done gerd. It's seems perhaps you are better than you think. A call from the Belgian FA beckons.

off topic: What did you make of the Miss Belgium booing? Here in the UK, there are many minor celebrities on TV, who can't even speak English properly :mryellow:

 

[Stringer Bell]

N.C.E. Super League Division 1: Fixture 1

PSV and AZ lock horns in the first match of the season

Top Draw

The first match of the season saw me in an away trip against title challengers, PSV Eindhoven, at the Philips Stadion! Both of us will be looking to win this game to prove our tile credentials.

PSV were playing their customary 4-3-3 formation; the danger men in the line were Aissati, Mendez (in the midfield) and Farfan, one third of the PSV forward line. I was playing 4-2-2-2 with Cziommer and Martens the two AMF who I was hoping to open up the PSV defense. >click to see full line up<

The game started with PSV playing well. They started attacking my team right from the kickoff, but I was holding tight. Managed to get a shot on goal when Martens ran down the left flank, fed a ball to Ari, who passed it to Demélé, which saw him with a one on chance with Gomes, but just put the ball to high! As the game settled I started to get more chances which I wasn’t taking. De Zeeuw and da Silva were bossing the midfield, which was stopping PSV three midfielders from creating chances for their forwards. PSV were mostly relying on counter attacking play. The first half ended 0-0 with my team playing rather well, controlling the game, but wasn’t making the most of the opportunities.

After shouting at my players during the halftime break, my team started the second half, as the first half ended, with continuous dominating of play. The breakthrough came ten minutes into the half. Martens (who was having a good game) crossed the ball from the left flank, which saw Demélé run towards goal to smash the ball in with his head! The Belgian caught the PSV defense napping; they looked like they were discussing what they ate during the break! Jan Wouters started to bark out orders his team to attack, which they did and started to show some intent to get back into the game. I had to get a second goal, because PSV were starting to build up the pressure. Wouters didn’t want to lose this match so he decided to take off the Addo (who came on just 10 minutes ago!), for AZ old boy Perez. PSV were now playing with four strikers up front! I had to be cautious now, so I told my players to soak up the pressure and counter attack (or should I say I just pressed & for counter attack). PSVs bravery paid off and they got an equaliser in the 82” minute. Lazovic fed Perez with a through ball, who took the ball by his stride, beat Jaliens (who fell on the fall like a moppet), managed to hold off the on rushing Steinsson, before calmly slotting the ball past the keepers left post. 1-1! My team tried to get another goal but there was little time left and the match ended in a draw.

Not a bad result away to PSV. I should have won it with some of the chances I had, but I’ll settle for a draw.

MOTM: Perez (7.0)

N.C.E. Super League Div1:
1 Feyenoord.....................3
2 Ajax.............................3
3 Vitesse..........................3
4 FC Energie Cottbus........3
5 FC Hansa Rostock.........3
6 AZ Alkmaar..................1
7 PSV.............................1
8 N.E.C. Nijmegen............1
9 Sparta Rotterdam...........1
10 FC Groningen...............1
11 DSC Arminia Bielefeld...1
12 De Graafschap.............0
13 FC Utrecht...................0
14 SC Heerenveen............0
15 FC Twente....................0
16 Heracles Almelo............0

 

[gerd]

Nice post Stringer...the three Belgian guys played...

Prof, was that on the news in the UK???? It shows how ridiculous things are going here...i'm fascinated by recent history and i've read quite a few books about the troubles in former Yugoslavia...that started the same way as what his happening in my silly country now...i sincerely hope it ends otherwise...

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

It was on the BBC news website, gerd. No doubt, a story from BBC News 24. It seems petty doesn't it.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

SAISON 20008/2009

ALL SQUARE IN AUXERRE

Dennis Oliech denied Strasbourg victory

11ème Journée
Auxerre 1 Oliech 88'
Strasbourg 1 Vuorinen 71'

Not for the first time this season, Professor Nutmeg fielded a 4-3-3 formation when his side visited Auxerre. Both teams mirrored each other, but the visitors looked to make the majority of chances. Finishing was lacking however, particularly when Renaud Cohade missed an open goal from six yards, after impressive leg work from Yacine Abdessadki (yeah, cheers computer, i tapped it and you decided i wasn't going to score. It was one of those games)
Eventually, Strasbourg's pressure paid off. Substitute Romain Gasmi's lively wing play forced a parry from Olivier Sorin, only for the in-form Hermanni Vuorinen to head his eighth goal of the season, on 71 minutes.
Auxerre rallied and two minutes from time, Dennis Oliech volleyed an equaliser from within the box, to bring the tie level.
Strasbourg remain second in the table, level on points with a resurgent Lyon in third.

 

[Stringer Bell]

A 4-3-3 formation, Professor Nutmeg! Someone's getting desperate for results.

Like your Managers blog, smart idea.

 

[Stringer Bell]

I had probably the strangest match on PES. I managed to draw 5-5 away to Heracles Almelo, my former team.

It was like every time I scored they scored!

I was literately a case of: I scored, they scored; I scored, they scored; I scored, they scored; I scored, they scored; I scored, they scored!! :mrgreen:

When I was 4-5 up late into the game, I said to myself they can’t get a goal back now...but would you believe they got a goal in the last minute of the match! :|

It was a bit frustrating the way they kept on drawing level with me. I’ll need to be cautious about this team because I’ve got them in the cup!

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

A 4-3-3 formation, Professor Nutmeg! Someone's getting desperate for results.

I managed my best result so far with it, a 4-0 thrashing of Nice. I used it to devastating effect with Cagliari in PES4 and it was quite effective with FC Vaduz. Danté Lopez became a goal machine because of it.

I find when i face a team playing 4-3-3, it's useful for me to mirror it. In the past, if i've played a 4-4-2 of sorts, it can sometimes be a struggle. Plus it's great for the "opposite side attack" tactic. Great if you have effective/creative wingers. I do normally stick to a 4-4-2 though. I like my teams to be versatile.

As for the 5-5 SB, i totally believe it. The com just wasn't going to let you win. I've had games like that before.

 

[PES King]

Good stuff SB/Prof/gerd/DB, enjoyed reading all your updates, keep it up. :8):

When I can be bothered, i'll post up an update of my Napoli ML. I'm at the half way stage atm, tbh, I have to echo Stringer Bell's views that the PS3 version is too easy.

I picked them for a challenge, and that's not what I am really getting out of it sadly.Dare I say, this game might even be easier than PES4.

As for the keepers on the game. :-x