AI Experiment - what would happen if?

[kipfizh]

Bandits report - Best and Worst

General

Stats

Finance Overview

Interested Players

The Bandits are making a healthy profit thanks to the transfer dealings of Ben Clayton, but those actions are not helping them on the field.

The interested players count continued to rise back up this season, moving up from last year’s 8458 to 8510, with some very decent players in there, but they are still some way short of the record of 8655, set three years ago.

New records:

Highest Transfer Fee Received: 12m from Arsenal for Paul Dove (previous: 9m from Chelsea for Ryan Morley)

Total Transfer Income: 26m (previous: 21.5m)

This season:

Best player – Spicer, 7.42

Top scorer – Spicer, 18

Worst player – Burgess, 6.41

The Bandits drop behind a resurgent Real Madrid into fourth in the rich list:

Rich Clubs

[kipfizh]

Bandits report - The ‘Ryan Morley’s of the world

As Ryan Morley hit 30, his CA began to drop, falling to 175 from last season’s 179, but he continues to star for club and country, hitting 33 goals at an average of 7.65 for Chelsea, although the rest of their team couldn’t help him push them beyond fourth.

In the Premiership, he came second on the scoring charts, and third on the performance charts, but even that was dwarfed by his Champions League achievements. He scored seven goals on route to the final, where he led his team out as captain against a fearsome Juventus side. By half time he had completely decimated them, scoring a hattrick inside the first 31 minutes, leading the way to a 4-0 half time lead.

He will not remember the second half so fondly, being sent off towards the end, but he still won the man of the match award, along with becoming the tournaments top scorer.

At international level, he continued to shine, maintaining his record of scoring at more than a goal a game in a record that now shows 75 goals in 72 caps., including the winner in his country’s opening game of the European Championships last summer, against Germany.

Paul Dove (20, 155/171) moved to Arsenal for 12m in January, but has yet to start a game. He came on in an FA Cup replay against Scunthorpe with five minutes to go and his side losing 2-1, and scored moments later to take the game to extra time, which they won. Good first impression to make. It remains the only shot he has taken as an Arsenal player.

[kipfizh]

Bandits report - Team analysis

Goalkeepers

James Wade (29, 164/164), spends his ninth season between the sticks for the Bandits, but exposed by his defence he doesn’t play at the level he is used to.

His backup, Owen Paris (24, 149/156), plays exceptionally well when called upon, and may soon take over if Wade’s standards continue to slip.

Tommy O’Neill (23, 150/157), remains at the club, along with up and coming prospect Darren Struthers (20, 135/159).

Summary: Still perfectly well covered here

Genie Scout’s Suggestion: James Wade (GK)

Defenders

After the sale of Ricky Holmes, who spent the first half of the season at left back, another option was required, and the rest of the season was split between the on loan Spurs player Richard Read (31, 145/158) and Paul Todd (24, 154/156), who can play on either side. There is very little cover elsewhere.

On the right, there was another sale, with Matt Stephenson going, to be replaced by Steve Burgess (29, 144/163), who struggled to settle in. Paul Todd provided cover on this side too, but otherwise there is again no-one.

German Nunez (29, 158/158) and Charlie Morgan (28, 161/173) continued their partnership in the middle, and have forged an excellent understanding. They are backed by Gary Small (24, 148/167), who struggled when he came in, and Alan Walsh (21, 145/159), who continues to improve.

Summary: Without a specialist left back not on loan, they need a new player there, and cover at right back is important too. In the centre they are fine, but the occupants are aging.

Genie Scout’s Suggestion: Richard Read (LB), Paul Todd (RB), German Nunez (CB, Charlie Morgan (CB)

Midfielders

Danijel Ivic (28, 157/161) continues at left wing, but is still struggling a little, but the only cover is Tyrone Small (21, 128/147) after the sale of Mark Jolly.

Ross White (27, 151/152) continues on the right, and his decent performances restrict the new signing, Wieslaw Maciejewski (23, 147/155) to only a few games. Stephen McNeil (25, 137/137) provides further backup.

Adrien Grosjean (29, 158/158) and Shaun Gibbs (25, 155/158) continued their partnership in the middle, with both playing well again, and being covered by defensive midfielder Peter Challinor (22, 147/164), aging defensive midfielder Colin Harris (30, 145/157), and excellent central midfielder Ian Walker (24, 148/157).

Summary: A new left winger is probably needed, but otherwise they are for once pretty well covered in midfield.

Genie Scout’s Suggestion: Danijel Ivic (LM), Wieslaw Maciejewski (RM), Shaun Gibbs (CM), Peter Challinor (CM)

Strikers

Ross Ellis (30, 153/157) played superbly well and added another fifteen goals to his tally this season, and he was once again partnership by Paul Spicer (25, 156/156), who for once trumped him in both performance and goals, scoring eighteen.

Paul Dove, the bright prospect, was sold to Arsenal, so the main reserve is now Rob O’Neill (31, 146/148), and then Jason Colbeck (21, 130/138).

There is another prospect waiting in the wings, although it will be a while before Adam Pilgrim (16, 69/159) will be ready.

Summary: They didn’t keep Paul Dove, so now they need a new striker.

Genie Scout’s Suggestion: Ross Ellis (ST), Paul Spicer (ST)

Last season’s shopping list:

Right Back – signed (Burgess), but Stephenson sold

Central Midfielder – not signed

Young 170+ PA players – not signed

The manager is simply not buying the players he needs to buy.

Summer shopping list: Left Back, Right Back, Left Winger, Striker

Now that the squad has been largely decimated by sales, many more players are needed.

[kipfizh]

Bandits report - First XI Summary

GK: Wade (29, 164/164) – 6.94

LB: Todd (24, 154/156) – 6.68

CB: Nunez (29, 158/158) – 6.96

CB: Morgan (28, 161/173) – 7.29

RB: Burgess (29, 144/163) – 6.41

LM: Ivic (28, 157/161) – 6.54

CM: Grosjean (29, 158/158) – 6.79

CM: Gibbs (25, 155/158) – 7.00

RM: White (27, 151/152) – 7.04

ST: Spicer (25, 156/156) – 7.42

ST: Ellis (30, 153/157) – 7.35

Average age – 27.5 (up from last year’s 26.7)

Average CA – 155.5 (down from last year’s 156.4)

Average rating – 6.95 (down from last year’s 7.03)

That’s not a good combination – older team, worse quality, and playing worse. I can’t help but feel that the strikers bailed the team out this season – they had fabulous years.

[kipfizh]

Competitions - Other stats

England won all three games in their European Championship group, playing extremely well, before coming up against regular foes Holland in the quarter finals. For once, they triumphed, winning 1-0, but captain Richard Taylor picked up a knock, so Ryan Morley led the side out in the semi-final against Portugal. The match ended 0-0, with England down to ten men through injury, with their keeper also on a knock, and the shootout was a disaster, Portugal winning 3-0.

Portugal went on to repeat the feat in the final, winning in a sudden death shootout against Spain after another 0-0 draw. For the first time in around 30 years, England then conceded a goal in a qualifier, losing 2-1 to Sweden. They’ve won the other three games though.

QPR won the Premiership for the first time in their history, managed for the second half of the season by Danny Gamble. Newly promoted West Brom, managed by Gamble until he jumped ship, had a tremendous season to finish second, while Sheff Wed’s third place finish was also outstanding. Chelsea finished back in fourth, while Arsenal and Liverpool finished in mid table. Champions Spurs had an awful defence, finishing 13th.

Down in the Championship, Man Utd finished 14th as they once again got nowhere near a promotion challenge. But their debt is dropping and they are getting back to a decent financial state.

Coventry, who got promoted from the Championship, had an outstanding season, beating Spurs in the FA Cup final, in a season where their league was well represented, the fifth round having as many of their sides and Premiership teams. Meanwhile, Liverpool beat QPR in the League Cup, and have won the competition more times than anyone else, with nine titles.

Ryan Morley’s Champions League final hattrick helping Chelsea to a thumping victory over Juventus, while Real Madrid won another European trophy, beating Red Star in the UEFA Cup final to take their sixth trophy there – a record.

[kipfizh]

Player reports – the original Bandits

Goalkeeper 1 – Retired from playing 03/07/2032

2032-, Sunderland (scout), CA 170, PA 170

2033-2034, Liverpool (scout), CA 170, PA 170

2034-, West Ham (assistant manager), CA 170, PA 170

Remains West Ham assistant manager, as they recover up to fifth in the Premiership.

Goalkeeper 2 – Retired from playing 27/06/2032

2032-, Tottenham (scout), CA 170, PA 170

2033-2034, Birmingham (assistant manager), CA 170, PA 170

2034-, Leeds (assistant manager), CA 169, PA 170

Happy to stay Leeds assistant manager, as they move back up the league to 8th.

Left Back 1 – Retired from playing 30/06/2030

2030-2031, Scunthorpe (fitness coach), CA 110, PA 110

2031-2034, Tottenham (assistant manager), CA 110, PA 110

2034-2035, Tottenham (coach), CA 110, PA 110

2035-, Tottenham (assistant manager), CA 110, PA 110

Spurs have a terrible season, finishing 13th as champions and not making the expected progress in the Champions League either.

Right Mid 1 – Retired from playing 25/04/2026

2026-2027, Aston Villa (youth coach), CA 130, PA 130

2027-2035, Chelsea (assistant manager), CA 130, PA 130

2035-2037, Chelsea (manager), CA 130, PA 130

2037-2038, Roma (manager), CA 130, PA 130

2038-, Chelsea (manager), CA 129, PA 130

Chelsea remain fourth, but win the Champions League under Right Mid 1.

Centre Mid 1 – Retired from playing 02/07/2030

2030-2032, Liverpool (youth coach), CA 110, PA 110

2032-2039, Reading (coach), CA 109, PA 110

2039-2040, No Club, CA 108, PA 110

2040-, Yeovil (coach), CA 108, PA 110

Is now a coach down at lowly Yeovil, who 25 years ago reached the Premiership, but this season finished 9th in League One.

[kipfizh]

Premiership Analysis - Teams and Managers

Premiership

1 (10). QPR, Danny Gamble (54, 119/120) (new manager)

2 (-). West Brom, Michael Chopra (57, 103/103) (new manager)

3 (6). Sheff Wed, Neil Angus (54, 133/137)

4 (4). Chelsea, Right Mid 1 (51, 129/130)

5 (14). West Ham, Liam Marsden (56, 116/120) (new manager)

6 (9). Scunthorpe, Wayne Heard (47, 120/120)

7 (3). Man City, Andy Mason (65, 73/120) (new manager)

8 (12). Leeds, Eric May (41, 120/120) (new manager)

9 (2). Arsenal, no manager

10 (15). Liverpool, Roland Kirn (47, 185/185) (new manager)

11 (17). Derby , Mark Nicholson (39, 119/119) (new manager)

12 (16). Chesterfield, Yucel Askin (51, 151/151) (new manager)

13 (1). Tottenham, no manager

14 (11). Bandits, Ben Clayton (47, 93/93)

15 (7). Sunderland, Stuart Davies (58, 96/113) (new manager)

16 (8). Reading, Paul Moore (58, 113/120) (new manager)

17 (13). Newcastle, Adam Pearson (52, 109/109)

18 (-). Morecambe, Oliver Norwood (50, 107/107)

19 (17). Stoke, Gavin Allen (47, 84/84) (new manager)

20 (-). Leicester, Joel Lynch (53, 108/113)

A whole host of new managers hired this season, eleven in all, with two more fired at Spurs and Arsenal. It was a case of a manager either doing very well and getting poached, or very poorly and fired.

Danny Gamble left West Brom when they were fourth, took over at table topping QPR, and led them to the title. Behind him, there are some decent managers, down to Man City, where Andy Mason is pulling them down. Arsenal and Tottenham’s failings saw their managers sacked, while Roland Kirn was poached by Liverpool, from Coventry, and as a result of having such a stunning manager they are doing far better.

Ben Clayton was in the minority by not getting sacked. Let’s hope he doesn’t get lucky twice.

Promoted from Championship

1. Aston Villa ®, Charlie Taylor (65, 103/129)

2. Coventry ®, Terry Arthur (53, 111/114)

4. Wycombe (+1), David Bullimore (49, 110/110)

All are decent managers, and have a shot at survival, although Taylor may retire.

[kipfizh]

Premiership Analysis - Reputation

(league position in bold)

1 (3). Chelsea (4) – 8539 (+381)

2 (2). Arsenal (9) – 8092 (-235)

3 (6). QPR (1) – 8082 (+70)

4 (4). Tottenham (13) – 7928 (-184)

5 (7). Man City (7) – 7833 (-98)

6 (1). West Ham (5) – 7816 (-574)

7 (5). Sunderland (15) – 7632 (-385)

8 (9). Scunthorpe (6) – 7285 (-66)

9 (11). Reading (16) – 7138 (-169)

10 (10). Leeds (8) – 7137 (-176)

11 (15). Sheff Wed (3) – 7120 (+346)

12 (14). Derby (11) – 7111 (+129)

13 (-). West Brom (2) – 7101 (+245)

14 (8). Chesterfield (12) – 7066 (-453)

15 (12). Liverpool (10) – 6925 (-310)

16 (13). Newcastle (17) – 6842 (-244)

17 (17). Bandits (14) – 6504 (+79)

18 (-). Morecambe (18) – 5616 (+184)

19 (16). Stoke (19) – 5594 (-1100)

20 (-). Leicester (20) – 5562 (+166)

Promoted sides

Aston Villa – 7803 (+1842)

Coventry – 6868 (+887)

Wycombe - 5669

Reputation alterations do seem a little delayed, but there’s a very good explanation for that. West Ham, who two years ago were champions, had a terrible season last time, but recovered this season. Yet, their reputation has plummeted because they went from a successful Champions League team to one which wasn’t in Europe at all.

Chelsea rise to the top after winning the Champions League, while Arsenal will suffer a hit next season from missing European competition. QPR rise to third off the back of their Premiership title, while the rest of the top ten all lose reputation. Sheff Wed have a good gain after their third place, while the Bandits have a small increase which a cup run would surely help.

Coming up, Aston Villa have a stunning reputation, something I can’t explain, after they rose nearly 2000 points. Coventry also had a large leap following their promotion, buy Wycombe will surely struggle.

These predictions suggest Wycombe and the Bandits are in trouble. The Bandits are now 19th in the reputation Premiership, a drop of one place from last year.

[kipfizh]

Premiership Analysis – Team Ability

(league position in bold)

1 (2). Chelsea (4) – 75.16 (+0.91)

2 (1). Arsenal (9) – 73.18 (-1.84)

3 (3). Man City (7) – 72.54 (-0.83)

4 (5). Liverpool (10) – 71.78 (+0.76)

5 (4). West Ham (5) – 71.71 (-0.74)

6 (7). Leeds (8) – 71.57 (+1.14)

7 (8). Derby (11) – 70.65 (+0.48)

8 (6). Newcastle (17) – 70.64 (-0.23)

9 (11). Sunderland (15) – 70.27 (+1.17)

10 (10). Tottenham (13) – 70.12 (+0.90)

11 (13). QPR (1) – 69.75 (+0.81)

12 (16). Scunthorpe (6) – 69.26 (+1.28)

13 (12). Sheff Wed (3) – 69.22 (+0.15)

14 (-) West Brom (2) – 69.10 (-0.33)

15 (9). Bandits (14) – 68.15 (-1.23)

16 (19). Chesterfield (12) – 67.61 (+0.94)

17 (14). Reading (16) – 66.83 (-1.40)

18 (17). Stoke (19) – 65.79 (-1.25)

19 (-) Leicester (20) – 65.39 (+2.40)

20 (-) Morecambe (18) – 63.52 (+3.05)

Promoted sides

Aston Villa – 66.48 (-0.23)

Coventry – 69.23 (+1.05)

Wycombe – 64.68

Chelsea take over as having the best side in the Premiership, largely because the standard of Arsenal’s squad deteriorated rapidly. They still hold on to second though, ahead of the rest of the big clubs. QPR, winning the Premiership with the 11th best side, can be delighted.

One of the biggest numerical losses, and certainly the biggest positional loss, falling from ninth to fifteenth, belonged to the Bandits, who are now close to relegation in terms of their team as well as their reputation and manager. They are in serious trouble now.

Leicester and Morecambe managed to improve their squads but it wasn’t enough, and they drop out of the league. Coventry are well placed to survive next season, but Wycombe have a job on their hands.

[kipfizh]

Around the clubs - Man Utd watch

Man Utd rose up to 14th this season, but are still some distance from challenging for promotion. Their net value is now estimated at 89m, with loan debts of 113m.

Reputation – 4822 (-132) (14th in Championship)

Positionally, they remain 14th in the league on reputation, but the actual number drops once again. Their position is now similar to that of the Bandits a few years ago – plenty of money but no way of signing anyone decent.

FM Genie Scout Rating – 66.03 (+0.36) (4th)

Apparently, their squad is getting better, so they should be challenging, but they are getting nowhere near.

Finances – 41.1m (-3.2m) balance (1st), 36.0m (-3.7m) transfer fund (1st)

Their balance and transfer fund is still dropping, but it is still sufficient to buy plenty of players that would help push them forward. No-one else in the Championship has even 10m in the bank.

[kipfizh]

Summary

The Bandits are most definitely struggling now. The team is getting older, they are losing quality players, not signing anyone, and they got rescued this season because their strike partnership yielded an impressive 33 goals. If that dries up, they’re in massive trouble.

The expectations are going to improve, so the manager will still have to get poached or do extremely badly to get sacked. Hopefully, with his continental reputation, it will be the former, although it would take quite the stroke of luck.

These are worrying times – the promoted sides look decent, so next season relegation could be on the cards unless the now obvious holes are plugged. It is time.

QPR won the first Premiership in their history, while the promoted West Brom did fantastically well to finish second. Arsenal and Liverpool continue to struggle, but reputation-wise, the big surprise is that Aston Villa are coming up with a hugely improved number – what makes them so famous? They didn’t embark on any spectacular cup run last season.

So what becomes of the Bandits now? And what becomes of Man Utd, stuck down in the Championship with a constantly fading reputation?

Danny Gamble had an interesting season, managing West Brom and QPR for half a season each, for them to finish top two. If only he were still with the Bandits.

Bandit’s former manager watch

Justin Edinburgh has retired.

Steve Brackstone has retired

Gary Perry is now 68, has been out of work for four years, but still hasn’t retired.

Dean Glover has retired.

Martin Lawton has retired.

Danny Gamble took West Brom to fourth before jumping ship to leaders QPR in January. The press said he’d have a hard time keeping them up, even though they already had 47 points, and then went on to win the league by a single point. West Brom, meanwhile pushed them all the way to finish second in their first season back in the top flight.

Phil Edwards has retired.

[kipfizh]

World View - Ones to watch

Your annual guide to the stars of tomorrow:

Umit Abdulkadir (16, 100/199), is a Turkish striker with the potential to be the best player in the world. Only 16, he already has 100 CA and is a regular for Trabzonspor.

Sergey Sergienko (17, 100/193) is a Russian central midfielder playing for Zenith Peterburg. Only 17, he has already appeared twice for the Russian Under 21s.

Previous tips

Carlo Lupo (25, 198/198) has reached his peak, and is a complete world star at the back for Milan and Italy.

Toni Halonen (25, 184/187), the Finnish centre back, has finally started to play well at Chelsea.

Patrick Schmidt (24, 184/184) the right sided player, is still playing very well for Valencia and Germany.

Marian Badea (24, 170/189), rose another 10 points of CA, and plays superbly on the left flank for Valencia. You need good wing backs against Valencia with him and Schmidt.

Pereira (24, 187/187), the Portuguese defensive midfielder, is playing outstandingly for Bayern Munich and Portugal. In four games for his club, he got eight assists.

Aleksandras Stazys (23, 177/186), Lithuania’s left back, still hasn’t settled into the Premiership, and is struggling at Arsenal.

Tony Allison (21, 165/192), the winger and forward, has now settled in at West Ham, and is sparkling.

Barry Low (22, 152/195) is really struggling at West Ham.

Ronnie Blundell (20, 155/195), the central midfielder, rose 11 points of CA, played few times but then broke his ankle.

Hugues Guichard (19, 135/195), the French striker, gained another 18 points and is still only a teenager, but is now a regular for Marseille, scoring 17 goals.

Bjorn Strand (18, 144/193), the Norwegian striker, gained 17 more points of CA, starring for Tromso, before moving to Spurs, where he is yet to start a league match.

Ante Bacic (19, 150/189) the Croatian central defender, gained 12 more points of CA, and is already 150 while still a teenager, and he has been starring for Varteks. He is joining Lokomotiv Moscow at the end of the season.

Henrik Berg (18, 108/188), the Norwegian left winger, gained 23 points of CA, remaining at his hometown club Brann.

Luke Hallett (18, 113/184), the centre back or central midfielder, gained 26 points, and played once for Bolton, getting a five.

[kipfizh]

World View - World beaters

After four years at the top, Gerardo Robles has been knocked off his perch for former starlet tip Carlo Lupo (25, 198/198), who is playing at the top of his game for Milan and Italy.

Carlo Lupo

Hector Ceballos (26, 192/192) is a new entry into the second spot, the Argentinian centre back battling Lupo for the honour of the world’s best defender. He is currently holding Real Madrid’s defence together.

Hector Ceballos

Max Trehkopf (31, 191/191), Barcelona’s German keeper, and Ruben Camara (29, 191/191), Arsenal’s Spanish keeper come jointly in third and fourth as the number of 190+ players drops to just four.

Max Trehkopf

Ruben Camara

Gerardo Robles (30, 189/197) drops off his perch down to fifth place, but try telling anyone the Mexican is past it – Inter’s striker hammered another 37 goals this season.

Gerardo Robles

[kipfizh]

World View - Distribution of 180+ CA players

The clubs

Arsenal – 7 (-1) (191, 188, 187, 184, 181, 180, 180)

Real Madrid – 6 (+2) (192, 188, 183, 182, 180, 180)

Chelsea – 5 (-1) (186, 184, 183, 183, 181)

Milan – 4 (+1) (198, 186, 183, 180)

Barcelona – 3 (-) (191, 184, 181)

Inter – 2 (-1) (189, 187)

Valencia – 2 (-) (185, 184)

Bayern Munich – 1 (-) (187)

Benfica – 1 (-) (184)

QPR – 1 (+1) (183)

Juventus – 0 (-1)

Roma – 0 (-1)

Total – 32 (-1)

The number of clubs holding a star player has dropped by one again, to an elite twelve, while QPR appear with a player who surely played a big part in them winning the Premiership. Real Madrid are threatening to break the English stranglehold on the top players.

The leagues

England – 13 (-1)

Spain – 11 (+2)

Italy – 6 (-2)

Germany – 1 (-)

Portugal – 1 (-)

Total – 32 (-1)

Spain are closing in on England, while the big three leagues now have 30 of the 32 world stars.

The nationalities

France – 6 (+2)

Spain – 4 (+1)

Germany – 4 (+1)

England – 3 (-)

Portugal – 3 (-)

Italy – 2 (-1)

Brazil – 2 (-)

Belgium – 2 (-)

Argentina – 1 (-)

Mexico – 1 (-)

Finland – 1 (-)

Serbia – 1 (-)

Paraguay – 1 (-)

Denmark – 1 (-)

China – 0 (-1)

Holland – 0 (-1)

Croatia – 0 (-1)

Turkey – 0 (-1)

Total – 32 (-1)

Four countries lose their only representative, with no new nation appearing on the map. France still lead the way comfortably, with six of the 32 top players.

[kipfizh]

World View - Distribution of 180+ PA Under 21 players

The clubs

West Ham – 3 (-1)

Arsenal – 2 (+1)

Bayern Munich – 2 (+2)

Inter – 2 (+2)

Porto – 2 (+1)

Boca – 2 (-)

Chelsea – 1 (-1)

Lens – 1 (-1)

Trabzonspor, Deportivo, Atletico, Hannover, Tottenham, Zenith Peterburg, ES Tunis, Milan, FC Utrecht, Monaco, Stoke, St Johnstone, Stuttgart, Roma, Wycombe, Lorient, Shandong, Charlton – 1 (+1)

Marseille, Varteks, Derby, Liverpool, Brann, Rosenborg, Slovan Liberec, Auxerre, Rapid, Leeds, Colo Colo – 1 (-)

Tromso, Real Madrid, Le Mans, Ajax, Raja Casablanca, Bolton, Man City, Birmingham, Nantes, Spartak Moscow, Motherwell, Diwang Zibo, Sunderland, Fluminense, Espanyol – 0 (-1)

No Club – 0 (-2)

Total – 44 (+4)

West Ham still lead the way, but there are more sides with two of the starlets, and they are generally big clubs.

The leagues

England – 13 (-1)

France – 5 (-1)

Germany – 4 (+4)

Italy – 4 (+4)

Portugal – 2 (+1)

Argentina – 2 (-)

Spain – 2 (-)

Norway – 2 (-1)

Turkey -1 (+1)

Russia – 1 (-)

Tunisia – 1 (-)

Holland – 1 (-)

Scotland – 1 (-)

China – 1 (-)

Croatia – 1 (-)

Czech Republic – 1 (-)

Romania – 1 (-)

Chile – 1 (-)

Morocco – 0 (-1)

Brazil – 0 (-1)

None – 0 (-2)

Total – 44 (+4)

England’s dominance drops a little, but not spectacularly, and Europe hold all but five players – 39/44, a big increase on last season. Boca in Argentina hold two of the others.

The nationalities

England – 7 (-1)

France – 7 (+1)

Scotland – 4 (+1)

Spain – 3 (+1)

Norway – 3 (+1)

Germany – 3 (+2)

Holland – 2 (+1)

Turkey – 1 (+1)

Russia – 1 (+1)

Croatia – 1 (-)

Tunisia – 1 (-)

Italy – 1 (+1)

Morocco – 1 (-)

Portugal – 1 (-)

Czech Republic – 1 (-)

Wales – 1 (-)

Romania – 1 (-)

Chile – 1 (-)

Peru – 1 (-)

Argentina – 1 (-)

China – 1 (-)

Brazil – 1 (-)

Israel – 0 (-1)

Nigeria – 0 (-1)

Serbia – 0 (-1)

Ireland – 0 (-1)

Belgium – 0 (-1)

Total – 44 (+4)

England and France clearly lead the way, with a bunch of European nations following up behind. Seven out of 44 are non-European, a drop from the 8/40 from last season.

[williamshankley]

Typical Gamble winning the Premiership!

Great update though KUTGW

[Meitheisman]

Great Update again Kipfizh

Could you please post a screen shot of Gerardo Robles' carreer stats, it seams that every year he gets a bunch of goals but no assist although his corner taking stats is 20! Thanks in advance.

[Sazchu]

great update, KUTGW.

[AB-forever]

Great update again!

Could I please see a screenshot of the Danish +180 CA player?

[Veg]

Kip: Were did Seydou Kamara go has he retired or?

[Blackcats]

Originally posted by Veg:

Kip: Were did Seydou Kamara go has he retired or?

He retired a season or so back after being released by his club and after having full international caps, if i remember corrctly

[Veg]

ALl I've read that he was released.. might be that I overlooked something. The Tunisian player did retire.

[VonBlade]

Such a shame to see the heart of the Bandits being ripped out by this Christian Gross of a manager the Bandits have.

They're in desperate need of an ambitious talented manager to take them over before they descend back into the Championship or live a Sunderland life of always up and down without ever really setlling.

To keep selling your best players without replacing them all the while you have a war chest that would make Solomon blush is inexcusable. Let's hope he really has a bad opener to the season and gets the boot.

Great update as always Kip. A real joy to read.

VB

[Guest]

Originally posted by chopper99:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Slennett:

seriously ... what a sweet post

been a real good hour readin, have to admit ive skipped here and there cause of time

i have a question ... how can u tell what the players CA is at the end of the year?

thanks very much

COYI!!!

You need to download a program called Genie Scout which you can use to view players hidden attributes and stuff, such as CA and PA.

And what does COYI mean? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

its easy of course

Come on you irons!!!!!

[kipfizh]

Originally posted by Meitheisman:

Could you please post a screen shot of Gerardo Robles' carreer stats, it seams that every year he gets a bunch of goals but no assist although his corner taking stats is 20! Thanks in advance.

Robles Career

He certainly is a selfish one!

Originally posted by AB-forever:

Could I please see a screenshot of the Danish +180 CA player?

Jesper Boesen

Originally posted by Veg:

Kip: Were did Seydou Kamara go has he retired or?

He retired the season after Slim Sellami, despite his six international caps. Seems like being non-EU when English leagues only are being played makes your career short!

[kipfizh]

What are people's thoughts on the two distribution parts to the report?

I'm beginning to think that it doesn't show anything particularly useful, because I'm only running English leagues.

So far, we've seen that most of the best players are European and playing in the European leagues. But given that no non-European league is being played, that's not a surprise.

We've seen already that two immensely gifted Africans have retired, because they've got too big for their local clubs, left, but been unable to find a club in the selected leagues, probably for work permit reasons. Without a club for so long, they retire despite their international caps. Were I playing more leagues, I'm sure they'd find themselves a suitable home.

Likewise, were I playing the Brazilian league, I'd expect to see some talented young South Americans coming through and staying out there, breaking the European stranglehold on the best players, not to mention the international tournaments.

I just feel that these two sections are statistically worthless because of the game parameters I set up - England is accurately modelled, but comparing countries around the world may be pointless given that those countries are not being completely simulated.

Or do you think they have value?

[Evertonbloke]

I doubt there would be any tears if they were left out.

I skip over that bit anyway. I like the tips for the future with the updates on the former tips

KUTGW

[Wegason]

I like the reputation and ability analysis of english clubs etc as well as most of the reports. On a statistial viewpoint, you are right Kipfizh but it's still interesting to see

[AB-forever]

Originally posted by kipfizh:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AB-forever:

Could I please see a screenshot of the Danish +180 CA player?

Jesper Boesen </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks he looks quite good

[Meitheisman]

Originally posted by kipfizh:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Meitheisman:

Could you please post a screen shot of Gerardo Robles' carreer stats, it seams that every year he gets a bunch of goals but no assist although his corner taking stats is 20! Thanks in advance.

Robles Career

He certainly is a selfish one!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks, is there a way for you to check if he is taking the corners for his team or not?

Also, I would tend to agree that although it is fun to read this isn't the most useful section and the reports are getting so big that I personally wouldn't mind you taking a bit out and giving us updates more often

[5ergio]

World beaters and Ones to watch is the way to go. Distributions are not so needed imo as you said although it is trivial to read. I have to agree with Meitheisman, shorter reports, faster updates

[brambleten]

unless all of kips time is devoted to it, i doubt he could update quicker than he already is

[Guest]

Is it possible to find out the board and fan expectations at the start of the season? Is there a magic number that you can see in an editor somewhere?

The reason I ask is that is seems the fan expectations and how they impact the board expectations need tweaking. We have a club that is one of the richest in the world, with an avg attendance of (IIRC) 90K+. It seems odd that the fans would continually support the lack of ambition shown by the manager/board. One would expect that fans of such a wealthy club would get sick of seeing the club struggle in relegation/lower table mediocrity and would put some pressure on the board, and subsequently the manager.

[kipfizh]

Well, on the time front, the CA distribution takes practically no time, and has slightly more trivia use, as we can see ahead of World Cups, more example, who should be performing well.

The PA one takes ages, as there are more players, more widely distributed, and my number never add up without loads of recounting because I miss some Lithuanian side along the way - I will probably ditch this part.

The section that takes by far the longest is the team analysis one, but this is probably one of the most useful ones in there. Otherwise, no individual section takes too long, there's just a lot of them!

Meitheisman - I'll try to find out whether Robles is taking corners, probably can if he's been playing major games recently. If not, there's always a World Cup next summer to examine.

yesterday - certainly can, I'll take over the team at the start of each season (much like I do at the end), and get a screenshot. Too late for this season though, as I've already run through it, squad details on the way....

[kipfizh]

Season 2041-42

Bandits report - Transfers

Transfers In

Transfers Out

Summer

After a season in which a whole bunch of first teamers left, the fans were baying for new signings to fill the now obvious gaps in the squad. The summer started slowly, with only a few unimportant free transfer releases, and as the season approached the worry was that the squad would be largely untouched, aging and struggling to compete.

But in mid-July, the chequebook was finally brought out, signing Robbie Watts, Derby’s right back, for 6.5m. He’d not impressed at Pride Park last season, but the England Under 21 international was a decent addition to the squad.

Better news was to follow, with the 11m capture of Tom Finley from Liverpool. The 21 year old striker, prolific for the England Under 21s, had been frozen out at Anfield and his signing sparked joy amongst the Bandits fans. With no other signings or departures, there was a more optimistic mood around the club, heading into the new season.

January

Clayton had a reputation for carrying out most of his transfer dealings in the January window, and this was again the case. This time last season, he’d cleared out the squad and placed enormous pressure of those that remained, but this window saw more players come in, than leave.

Hallett, McAusland, and Watt were all brought in as players for the future, and none would go on to feature much in the second half of the season, but the other two signings would slot in quickly.

Phil Thompson was signed from Liverpool (I wonder if he has a huge nose?), and the 24 year old centre back/midfielder played for most of the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, the final signing of the window, Karl Reeve, was purchased from Newcastle for 7m. The young right winger had only been bought by Newcastle a year earlier, for 10m, and seems to be a real prospect.

Ben Clayton, having cleared the squad out last year, sold no one of note this time around – only fringe and reserve players. Additionally, he spent over 30m on new talent, mainly young. Is this the turnaround they needed?

[kipfizh]

Bandits report - squad

Top 20 in Squad (sorted by CA)

Name, Pos, Age, CA-PA

Wade, GK, 30, 164-164 (0)

Morgan, DC, 28, 162-173 (+1)

Finley, ST, 21, 162-169 – new signing

Gibbs, M LC, 26, 158-158 (+3)

Ivic, AM L, 29, 157-161 (0)

Nunez, DC, 30, 157-158 (-1)

Reeve, AM R, 23, 156-171 – new signing

Grosjean, MC, 30, 156-158 (-2)

Spicer, ST, 26, 156-156 (0)

Todd, D RLC, 25, 156-156 (+2)

Mariotti, D/WB R, 24, 154-163 – on loan from Milan

White, AM R, 28, 152-152 (+1)

T O’Neill, GK, 24, 151-157 (+1)

Thompson, D/M C, 24, 150-169 – new signing

Watts, DR, 21, 150-165 – new signing

Small, DC, DM, 25, 149-167 (+1)

Challinor, DM, 23, 149-164 (+2)

Walsh, DC, 22, 149-159 (+4)

Walker, MC, 25, 149-157 (+1)

Paris, GK, 25, 149-156 (0)

Players in last season’s top 20 who have left the club:

Read, DL, 31, 145-158 – end of loan, returned to Tottenham

Players in last season’s top 20 who have dropped out of the top 20:

Ellis, AM/F C, 31, 148-157 (-5)

Maciejewski, AM R, 24, 147-155 (0)

Harris, DM, 31, 141-157 (-4)

R O’Neill, ST, 32, 140-148 (-6)

Well who would’ve thought it? Ben Clayton is actually able to make some decent signings. Having sold absolutely no-one from last season’s top 20, the only player leaving being one on loan, he brought in a bunch of new signings, all young and talented.

Finley is a stunning signing, at just 21 and with CA of 162 he could be huge for the Bandits, and he still has room for improvement, while Reeve has a PA of 171, so the right winger could be even better. Thompson has a PA of 169 and may head towards it, while even Watts, at right back, has fifteen points to make to reach his PA of 165. At just 21, he could get there.

And it doesn’t end with the top 20. Clayton made another signing in Luke Hallett, a centre back or central midfielder by trade, and while the 19 year old has some way to go with his CA of 127, his massive potential ability of 184 is only two short of a certain Ryan Morley.

He’s brought them into the club, can he keep them? Much will depend on how the season has gone.

CA of X or above:

190 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

180 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

170 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0

160 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 3, 2, 3

150 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15, 13, 11, 15

140 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 5, 5, 6, 10, 9, 9, 14, 19, 27, 25, 22, 27

130 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 8, 10, 13, 10, 11, 22, 28, 32, 31, 28, 33

120 : 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 2, 2, 6, 6, 7, 5, 5, 12, 13, 14, 18, 16, 15, 29, 37, 38, 36, 30, 34

110 : 0, 2, 2, 3, 2, 6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 8, 7, 7, 9, 10, 10, 12, 12, 13, 13, 16, 23, 25, 23, 24, 21, 22, 39, 42, 39, 36, 30, 36

100 : 2, 4, 7, 7, 6, 13, 13, 12, 13, 13, 16, 12, 12, 12, 16, 16, 19, 21, 20, 18, 24, 31, 32, 28, 30, 29, 27, 43, 45, 40, 36, 32, 39

90 : 7, 11, 10, 9, 10, 16, 17, 15, 15, 20, 22, 16, 15, 17, 20, 22, 29, 33, 26, 24, 29, 32, 36, 31, 33, 31, 28, 46, 51, 44, 39, 34, 42

80 : 13, 14, 13, 13, 16, 21, 21, 18, 16, 21, 26, 20, 22, 21, 26, 26, 34, 36, 32, 31, 33, 40, 40, 33, 34, 33, 30, 50, 53, 47, 43, 39, 46

70 : 19, 22, 21, 20, 22, 27, 25, 19, 23, 25, 30, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 35, 39, 38, 35, 37, 42, 43, 36, 37, 36, 33, 55, 57, 50, 48, 46, 52

60 : 26, 26, 25, 23, 24, 32, 30, 24, 26, 30, 32, 26, 28, 28, 38, 33, 40, 44, 41, 37, 40, 45, 45, 38, 43, 37, 38, 60, 60, 53, 52, 49, 54

50 : 30, 31, 31, 26, 26, 35, 33, 28, 32, 34, 35, 30, 32, 34, 42, 37, 43, 46, 43, 42, 44, 49, 49, 45, 47, 43, 42, 62, 61, 56, 54, 50, 54

Now that’s much better – big improvements across the board, and with younger players too – Clayton has addressed both the problem of quality and age with a few simple signings.

Last season they did okay despite a deteriorating squad, this time round their squad is undoubtedly stronger – will that be reflected in their performance?

[williamshankley]

Phil Thompson was signed from Liverpool (I wonder if he has a huge nose?), and the 24 year old centre back/midfielder played for most of the rest of the season.

Yeah just found the profile picture

[Xennaz]

Not sure if thhis has been mentioned before, but I almosttried this out on an earlier version.

Run a smallish league (Scotland, Singapore, etc) and manage every club in the top flight.

Employ a formation with 5 sweepers and 5 defenders, ultra-defensive mentalities all around, no Creative Freedom, no long shots, crosses, runs with balls, through balls, forward runs.

What happens when every game in a season ends 0-0?

[Meitheisman]

Although the squad does look better I'm pretty pessimistic and will predict a bottom half finish again for our beloved Bandits.

[Meitheisman]

Originally posted by Xennaz:

Not sure if thhis has been mentioned before, but I almosttried this out on an earlier version.

Run a smallish league (Scotland, Singapore, etc) and manage every club in the top flight.

Employ a formation with 5 sweepers and 5 defenders, ultra-defensive mentalities all around, no Creative Freedom, no long shots, crosses, runs with balls, through balls, forward runs.

What happens when every game in a season ends 0-0?

I remember a thread of someone trying to do that but he never got passed the 2nd WE of the season since at least 1 team kept scoring a goal... not sure you're in the right thread to discuss it though

[Scotty Walds]

Originally posted by Xennaz:

Not sure if thhis has been mentioned before, but I almosttried this out on an earlier version.

Run a smallish league (Scotland, Singapore, etc) and manage every club in the top flight.

Employ a formation with 5 sweepers and 5 defenders, ultra-defensive mentalities all around, no Creative Freedom, no long shots, crosses, runs with balls, through balls, forward runs.

What happens when every game in a season ends 0-0?

IRL everybody would play each other once on a neautral venue.. in effect, half the season would be replayed

[Scotty Walds]

*neutral

[Xennaz]

Originally posted by Scotty Walds:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Xennaz:

Not sure if thhis has been mentioned before, but I almosttried this out on an earlier version.

Run a smallish league (Scotland, Singapore, etc) and manage every club in the top flight.

Employ a formation with 5 sweepers and 5 defenders, ultra-defensive mentalities all around, no Creative Freedom, no long shots, crosses, runs with balls, through balls, forward runs.

What happens when every game in a season ends 0-0?

IRL everybody would play each other once on a neautral venue.. in effect, half the season would be replayed </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

True, though some others have reported very strange situations where teams have appeared to have advanced from group stages of competitions on alphabetical order, if nothing else.

Just curious, and the same thing happened to me when I tried it once, a long time ago (some team would score a random goal).

[kipfizh]

In case anyone is pining for the days of Danny Gamble, go and talk to a QPR fan.

After jumping ship to them in the second half of last season, and completing their process of becoming Premiership champions (they were already top when he arrived), he has managed to take them down in his next season.

They came 19th,

That's three years running that the Premiership champions have finished in the bottom half, after West Ham and Spurs both followed their title-winning campaigns with absolute shockers.

[r0x0r]

Originally posted by Meitheisman:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Xennaz:

Not sure if thhis has been mentioned before, but I almosttried this out on an earlier version.

Run a smallish league (Scotland, Singapore, etc) and manage every club in the top flight.

Employ a formation with 5 sweepers and 5 defenders, ultra-defensive mentalities all around, no Creative Freedom, no long shots, crosses, runs with balls, through balls, forward runs.

What happens when every game in a season ends 0-0?

I remember a thread of someone trying to do that but he never got passed the 2nd WE of the season since at least 1 team kept scoring a goal... not sure you're in the right thread to discuss it though </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

with multiple reloads, i actually made it 3-4 weekends in

[HD]

why is this randomness bing discussed in here?

Can't take the wait for the Bandits' season update...

[Meitheisman]

Originally posted by kipfizh:

In case anyone is pining for the days of Danny Gamble, go and talk to a QPR fan.

After jumping ship to them in the second half of last season, and completing their process of becoming Premiership champions (they were already top when he arrived), he has managed to take them down in his next season.

They came 19th,

That's three years running that the Premiership champions have finished in the bottom half, after West Ham and Spurs both followed their title-winning campaigns with absolute shockers.

Did he get sacked? Found a new club?

[AB-forever]

Can't wait for updates

[MrTomBomb]

I only started following this yesterday and after so long reading it my vision has gone a bit odd. Still it's worth it, an amazing idea that is extremely well written.

Can't wait for the next update

[Hello From Hell]

Originally posted by MrTomBomb:

I only started following this yesterday and after so long reading it my vision has gone a bit odd. Still it's worth it, an amazing idea that is extremely well written.

Can't wait for the next update

Was the same for me a few days ago. Only stopped reading when I went out, came back and started reading again (until about 5am!).