Eric Portapotty - Comments

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#279968 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Stuck with Rooney as my FPL captain all this while, should've known that United scum can't be trusted.

West Ham, Sunderland & Newcastle to go down would be fantastic

It'd be awkward if West Ham's 1st match in the Olympic Stadium was in the Championship.

And glorious.
#279756 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
November 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/BYqDydWqWAPhxh83Zs3RH84jNlanfao6wfZ6DUpU.png

A good win, got caught out on the counter a few times too many for my liking, but what's important is us keeping up with Al Ahly.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/XMbVsQ12NiSyBWYXtzgKoD3hUSykKNTK762fb7M1.png

Another brilliant showing from Ibrahim, an assist and a hat-trick.

In fact, coupled with a hat trick against Senegal in the World Cup qualification playoffs he's now frontrunner for African Footballer of the Year:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/FzVpArNJrDcstLLNFaybmC6lGAowZ5GAP14eAA7Z.png

Tbf I'd think El Ashri would've been more deserving had he not broken his foot, but credit has to be given to Ibrahim for stepping up and grabbing this opportunity to impress.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/EHZy2QqCQabOf8xv7SVKwYAf3wfR1iOZZ75vPhuu.png

We're playing catch-up from this point on, desperately need to get one over them the next time we meet to claim the head-to-head stakes again.
#279729 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Surely its the same for your mother tongue as well?

Mandarin doesn't quite work the same way I guess.

Learning English is compulsory here as well though, which is why I was surprised 'should of' was so common.
#279705 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Sounds similar.

I'd also say its a mistake that people that learn English has a foreign language would be less likely to make because you have a better grasp on how to structure sentences.

You know that structurally 'could of' doesn't make sense because 'of' is not a verb. If you learn as you do when you're a young child then you don't have any sense of why the words go where they go you just know it sounds right, especially the way we're taught English in school.

So basically you guys learn to speak before you write, I see.

Thanks.
#279697 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
'would've' and 'should've' are both contractions, I'd wager that when we learn to write English the teach focuses much more on formal writing (essay writing etc...) where you simply don't use them.

Also writing quickly and informally is the norm now so people are writing without thinking and without checking. Same thing as 'your'/you're' and the correct use of 'it's' and 'its'. I make tonnes of mistakes when I type on forums, for example, because I'm just too lazy to make sure I haven't.

But how the hell does 'of' come into play? Surely it's 'have'?
#279694 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Question, why do I keep seeing Brits typing 'would of' and 'should of' instead of would've and should've? I mean English is your mother tongue after all, this shit's your bread and butter.
#279690 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
October 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/scPmJjEC9c4ChpLg7sdAsoh7KWPu9VrrWoCbWgqu.png

Aymen Farouk spends the game missing shot after shot, running the ball towards the corner flag, getting in the way of his teammates' shots... then scores a brace. Such a frustrating player, even if his ability as a striker is undeniable.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/j2IvGPEpeSJdFQIlOHiqUuJQNJPtx5eUFrZ36okY.png

Honestly though we would wipe the floor with these guys - newly promoted in their 1st season in the top flight, they definitely looked like ripe pickings.
Look a relative age to get going, and by the end of the match we were probably just glad that this wasn't an embarrassing slip up.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Rdno1nBFn8HVpT01W2VJQhPtVCiLsq2MwgTcO9AI.png

We did wipe the floor with Ittihad though, Ibrahim with a virtuoso performance in front of goal.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/n21r2U9KUK7UbHlnm58OOnGOqBCgKzj5aOWrS8aN.png

Way to bring us back down to earth, guys.
Conceding from a setpiece, we proceeded to waste attempt after attempt on goal, Farouk and Ibrahim not covering themselves in glory in the process.
Oh how I wish Al Ahly would sell their Czech GK and buy a dud to replace him...

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/PiOGaC6X1rZeenvhSxk0AMCc8A2KaWwYg6HXOhOP.png

We're now behind on head-to-head, and with Al Ahly still unbeaten we could well find that that might not be necesay to separate us come the end of the season.
#279575 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
#279550 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
September 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xFPFa0MAjcBVTXpgW1wqiMpZ84eHMqKN7CTrxUnw.png

We were 4 goals up by the half-hour mark and should've been adding to it, so imagine my discontent (putting it lightly)n when we'd conceded 2 by the end of the game.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HgWtbjdV42xjjrfzFs8lVBZnTInclDvS0HC9LX7q.png

This one? 2 up inside 10 minutes, but we still conceded with over 20 minutes to go to make things interesting, so to speak.
Taalat come on after returning from his loan (for his debut no less) and scored an unlikely double to make the game safe.

So we went from 2 clean sheets from 2 to consecutive 5-2s, something's gone a bit iffy it seems.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/gKxZ9QiZewIgh1rQEJ7jKCzoaeKexyzytLuAST7U.png

Awful, tried to appease one of my youth CBs' (Khalifa) demands for game time and this is how I'm rewarded.
Though considering how the past few games have gone it was more of the forwards' fault for not plundering another 5 goals, obviously.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dQWaJgqRaidmYTxy89ph2tAxgFQKmZ13Y9HKRH4Y.png

After that reversal I'd have taken a narrow win against another title challenger, Tersana. And so it proved.
Ibrahim was utterly dire here, and I took an Abdel Kader double to settle matters.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/h5Mojzj5Rz6dAKhq3HGmanpm6amQrtkTW8nOddUm.png

A tight table, but already a couple of big(ish) names have started to fall behind - Tersana and Ismaily to name two.
Also, the striker that we loaned to El Gouna has incredibly scored 9 goals in 6 starts, propelling them to third - utterly bizarre considering he's actually essentially hopeless.
#279536 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Let Ed Woodward help YOU: Player testimonials

(For fuck's sake Ninja please don't take this piece seriously)
#279467 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium


Quite surprising still that this transfer has actually gone through, thought that he'd stay at Valencia anyway after United lost interest.
#279221 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
August 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Dj1TyBwOpfNTB9YhFGdZTQiV7vDbD93oQTwdPAG6.png

A league opener against Egypt's current equivalent of Liverpool, Zamalek.
Good win, Farouk could've been more accurate with his shooting but at least he did score one.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/aRulkLMYR5r17ZrPNr3SuSN3MgaXY4m4CDzFCcdE.png

3 crosses from the left wing, 3 goals from Ibrahim on the right flank.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/cq4NhRC9xdYb5y5G4YGTQRjKHOPim0phi6AttgAf.png

2 wins from 2 is good, but Al Ahly have again set the pace. Fingers crossed they crumble as they did last season.
#279213 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
How is everyone getting injured?
#279108 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Preseason 2029/30


We started off news from Edinburgh:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/PaNNnchaCj4M4kexscKld0vp4SyLYP4gIoEeonB1.png

It's a sad day when Hibs are no longer considered more famous than a team from Egypt.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/uazNV2Pt96a1RCMFP4LFmAy2VcM9UekKvFWtD5Ri.png

In return we get an affiliation with a meme team - Young Boys (inb4 pedo jokes).
Not too bad, at least we get paid in this deal.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/53G1dFghA0XgY9F3zFxqEa7KpixfjSFDkfYkHxK8.png

More money which is good.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/kk0vbkzEYipJKYOgDPelkDZaunevQLT6e42I97gY.png

Now this was a welcome surprise, albeit a near-meaningless contribution - we'd been losing around 800k p/m last season, and with the inevitable contract renewals and wages rises this can be expected to be gone within 3 months

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dPGnOLqFgXvGQ2quS6BOUcMcIm2FFZ06flqSpWM0.png

There really isn't much of a contest over who our Poty would be considering the heights El Ashri reached, so it was no surprise then that Mabrouk took home that accolade.
I mean he did have his best season, but come on, El Ashri's done that in his debut year as a starter, at least let him have this once.

Onto transfers now:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Vq2jrhIZdeeYi3soHk5SJmNBI6kL8N1MLIuwwB9s.png

Lots of ins and outs, though I've mostly opted for more of the same from last season, with loans just arriving for cover.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/BYygtrGZuN0wtj6gd5qmUcyNi8vuosLFFPGOELRw.png

Man's back, though for 3 months only since his parent club's deal ends in November.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/G64KtGeS34aVEJdgOsOIikzXzPk6y9HYrR7DwE0b.png

This one I've picked up just for tutoring, really.
Unfortunately he can't be arsed to tutor the better prospects in the team so it may have been a futile effort.
Still, excellent playmaking ability should we require his services.

Of the outs... Well Abdel Kader was injured for the entirety of preseason so he couldn't show what he could do, but by that time I'd already decided that he's be somewhere around 5th choice CB, so sending him out on loan for regular football (even at Tersana) would be a win for the parties involved.
I was amazed when they coughed up a million for Yao though, he was still 2nd choice and 1.1 mil for a backup was too good to resist, especially when I've got another decent LB in the youth squad - a year's loan back helped quite a bit as well.
Benoit David had potential, but he never looked like he could be anything more than a backup to Abdel Fatah - another loan back in the event of a goalkeeping injury crisis.

With that settled, onto our preseason proper:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/m125b7wEmTUszCyHkKcnYWaTfb6fegIicc4LYmzB.png

Twente aside, everything was a walk in the park, sweeping aside minnows like we're Bayern.

Halfway through this we travelled to Amsterdam:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/nFwj3EB7QjS4AmaUc7Q83ZjWDrj3WyDV4H6dhGYp.png

I suppose one could call it a smash and grab (it did come from one of the Sociedad CB's mistakes) but we held our own here I feel.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ETtWrnJ4rim4OoDlDg8gnYvP7VwTLcYVvJGqIC4h.png

Attacking on the counter worked again, with El Ashri scoring against a major European side for the 2nd straight year.
Beating Ajax on their own turf though, that took some nuts.

Preseason now over, we now headed to the season opener - the Egyptian Super Cup:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/AZNaVhjxV7gwlpfTjQEzMEC32R7D4OXTLnFVJ1HE.png

Given that the ref got a rating of 10 post-match, I'm going to assume that the penalty wasn't at all controversial, despite some very loud claims to the contrary.
Unfortunately, El Ashri's knock was anything but:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MRkqKXgjioOsYi2JRwTvlfQhak0tG63AX42sQD0i.png

4 months out with a broken foot? At 19?
It's also a bitter blow to our title chances, but it does mean Mahmoud Ibrahim can now stake a claim up top, having been shifted to the right wing since Abdellaoui.

Let's end on a positive note, shall we?

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/430AFcq1B41vedemTJrCquGJdSLZtPIDs7R5N0l2.png

A constant in our backline for the past decade, he's seen (and endured) some shit but now he can at least call Egypt home.
#278762 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
#278740 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Lee Chong Yong, haven't seen him for some time.
#278435 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Thanks guys for the kind words, been a brutal few days tbh.
#278158 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
My dad's gone, noon today.
#277845 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Thanks guys, been far too long.

--------------------------------------------

Season Review


Players of the season:

Ahmed El Ashri
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/YMXsrwO5kQQWFPqBj4lIcuJGiI1H1abc6tTGLdc5.png
Top goal and assist scorer, best average rating, all whilst only playing around two-thirds of the season - I think it's safe to say that he's completely vindicated my decision to sell Abdellaoui, allowing him to be the undisputed starting striker.
My Harry Kane, put it that way.

Mohamed Mabrouk
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Wxc6hvcL65AWPqWmz0uAAa9NAviFinT7cPk0zo1O.png
He's enjoyed a renaissance this season (his most productive actually), arguably in part due to El Ashri's ability to set others up for chances, but also possessing an eye for a pass himself.

Mahmoud Ibrahim
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/B5h6Q9fNhnuG4jDOMtoEfdcmoM7fpU7gqs2jp1gp.png
Playing wide on the right he got on the end of a number of long crosses, he also had a mean right foot, great for free kicks and long shots.

Ahmed Emam
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/i8Bl6hAyUQJ1k7VuJAZaYnIJ4ZKCLvlKdbLlLs71.png
Fewer injuries than last season, though squad rotation meant he didn't start as much as he should've.
A wicked left foot granted him a couple of Bale-esque goals, and a good burst of pace did him all the world of good on the counter.

Mahmoud Abdel Fatah
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/E0Dn08E8HYOilSGiGBRVHPtPFbWDbkcrYN3pQYlS.png
Conceding an average of less than a goal a game, 15 clean sheets in the league, no doubt the superior defending contributed to our title win.
Been starting a number of games for the Egyptian NT, a sign of his growing reputation in the country.

And what of our best loanees?

Mohamed Talaat
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Ra9vpIec2Spdy5TtUN93HRmRwvQ1yw2aFnGH36g4.png
Had arguably the best season of the loanees, top-scoring and assisting for Haras El Hodoud.
He endured an awful spell before the halfway mark of the season where his lack of aerial ability was brutally found out (and coincided with his team's losing streak), but they then forgot how to defend against him again and he recovered to end the season well.
Got a cup final on his belt as well(though he didn't play in it), all in all a very good deal.

Franck Yao
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/69Fo9P0jKnOvgbsKaLIIGfaUIuSRtb5UCb7JigYX.png
Would definitely have played more had it not been for injury woes, he didn't show much in the way of actual stats but he was a threat on the left.

Cheikh Diouf
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xrHmdRkV7QehEtXPz9Z3EkTnbK6xyJJvkjhLmEeZ.png
Definitely our best prospect by far, He scored 6 league goals and Millwall's very own Tony Craig managed to save Watford from relegation.
It's evident that he's benefited a whole lot from Watford, but I'd prefer that he played more - a loan to a mid table Portuguese side might do the trick.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/znnSbKM4m0zZvnEZORXFXAa49HE8moSCd1jEEd0L.png

A good season, and we can look forward to getting back to the Champions League.

---------

Finally, a surprising bit of news:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/zHjtmxEogtF3MIdiyPerdgVpCRAsBwrH07PFEmcD.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bknblO0w8xRe3Z3WoAwvHrdvfjWlriumfFEnHc24.png

We're going to Amsterdam! Nice to see that our achievements have not gone unnoticed on the global stage (though beating Real Madrid would've done that).
#277567 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
May 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Pg2zz0LFu78gUgFEKRLtGAbtO2UWcm1nuNcBA48F.png

Solid win, a win was never in doubt.

Also:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HAaXPhA0w7lT4wBTsGK2i0LWi47JSUPFGhHQBjSh.png

FUCKING FINALLY, back to the top after what seemed like an eternity (7 years).

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/iYUnCYBLlxgN82nNnN3Majz42L7qxliCs2VJAgoI.png

A ragtag team was then played in anticipation of Orlando Pirates, and we defended like one as well.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/36riEN6bBVmYVr2qDOs26onbXfJih2W5ccHRQBHJ.png

As a result we failed to break our own points record of 83, a massive pity.
Still, winners by a comfortable margin, a positive sign for next season.

Yes, so onto that Orlando Pirates game:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HYcayJUOQj446qwd68gBYsrIV48FfoUf5ZGUG7v9.png

We really only had ourselves to blame, but it seemed like our opponents were only content to shut up shop and kick our players off the pitch on a stretcher.
Mahmoud Ibrahim didn't do us any favours by missing a number of good chances, but we really shouldn't have found ourselves is such an unfavourable position.

Well at least we had another competition to look forward to:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Kz74yJrfrXC6gPBTlkPDRPqRp9qwJztTeepq9SVB.png

Yes, the Egyptian Cup 1st round - a dominating opening period against Zamalek, but I definitely had some words for the performances after the 70 minute mark.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/VwTl9zLKMXZqcDnUStZWbWgvxlaCLJbTj4yVr6Oj.png

A rotated team here, so a win's a win, not to mention 4 goals scored.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LimGddqX4f85NPR1aVrCkwO9EHfbOXAgmTUBRlwW.png

So, so annoying. Dominated proceedings, but as usual poor finishing cost us the game.

Results from other ties meant that Franck Yao and Mohamed Talaat would then play each other in the semis:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/75ky96Xl26f6gNkHCtKQGM4KXeFtj4knBpz85TjW.png

The latter did score in that game, but couldn't play in the final due to an injury.

-------------------------------

Season review to come.
#277491 Модерниот Александар (A Modern Alexander)
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Inter always seem to implode and get relegated in my saves, got a few interview offers from them in my save as well.

Good work bro, juggling club and country responsibilities well.
#277356 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
This is always the beauty in non-South Africa FM, your youth batches are always cracking for the standard you are at. In FM14 I had a wander around various downloaded leagues in Africa I was fielding teams full of 16/17 year olds and we were holding our own.

Chuck him and the other two 1 CA players straight into the first team. Caution to the wind, load of 16 year olds running amuck.

Might have to, the way we're losing money month-on-month means I won't be spending any of the $10+ million(!) that the board will provide me with anyway.

You're right though, bloody easy to play the youths and have them improve leaps and bounds with regular game time - basically what happened to El Ashri.

-----------------------------

April 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/gkSnnxfWF4JGGQII3myn7ywhJzzNlgQMf5DZtoNL.png

Awful, a truly awful way to start a game.
But their resistance wasn't to last, as our sheer attacking prowess soon overpowered them and we promptly put things back in order.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/rLhUau1NlluzeKwWTLTsT6M87N2wi23iXQKP82i3.png
2 straight 6-1s in the league, we're tearing it all up.
Bit unfortunate that we couldn't keep the clean sheet, but when you score 6 any form of complaint is just ridiculous.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/76LD2FzRHp0wqPe0ako4raVffbE4VnWgeCSOR5zP.png

Didn't deserve to win this despite the stats, a draw was always looking to be but for a great winner from El Ashri, a matchwinning brace.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/DUrQ9wdY8fUzybj2PXinj1dB8SWtfGo4Xd06yUfz.png
Haras El Hodoud had just thumped Al Ahly 3-0(!!) so were on a great high - however due to other commitments I took the risk to play a second-string side.
I'd take a draw, keeps our unbeaten streak alive and saving a point gives that bit more confidence.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ClGyps9xENM2QyxlOyi4JHYodAHLwClOMjoIp4Rq.png
On the cusp, though I'd hate to look forward to the title then have us completely blow it somehow, so I'm just going to assume that we're going to lose it.

Onto the task of beating the Sudanese (and whoever that await after them):

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/nmpnq042DAK0kU2lzITRasxdcMBv2F3HuaIU2SGO.png

Funny how our strongest XI conceded 2 goals (albeit answering with 7 of their own) while our reserves managed a clean sheet.
Bit of a nothing match anyway.

Our next opponents though, that's anything but - Orlando Pirates, giants of the South African game, with an ability to hold their own (and then some) on the continent.
And so it proved:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sXi3lLw45w90SOrTUZgbFPN3YmfQYnVdAC15oarg.png
I'll admit that I was overawed by our opponents, and as a result attempted to play a more defensive system, though clearly by playing that against teams who are better will have you eaten alive, that much I've learnt.
The second half brought about more positivity, but we still conceded at the death to ensure an uphill task in South Africa.
#277340 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
If your defending is the same as it was last season then you lot will be letting in goals for fun. Romero was only a backup keeper at Sampdoria to Emiliano Viviano who himself was like third choice behind Szczesny and Fabianski for Arsenal a couple of years ago.

He's Argentina's first choice, he can't be that bad.
#277311 2015/16 Barclays Premier League Thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Right, a day to go. Prediction:

1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. United
4. City
---------------------
18. West Ham
19. Leicester
20. Watford

I think it'll be very close at both ends though.

I think Watford might do well, Quique Flores isn't a chump and the quality they've added to their squad will eventually reap dividends, even if they might endure a poor start.

Newcastle though, if they get sucked into an internal shitstorm like last season.

Realistically:

1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. City
4. United
---------------------
18. Norwich
19. Leicester
20. Bournemouth
#276519 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
March 2029


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/VLYoagEf5TpaKfq9w5cbsS3msYsa2sQWnHdCIApk.png

Such was Zamalek's plight that they resorted to loaning one of our youth DMs (Amr Hassan) and played him in central defence this season.
For better or for worse he couldn't play against us, but it must've been a miserable predicament anyway - and so it proved.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3t2otR97Xuqiy2obgiK4wby0WtquyoTD5tlfj0fK.png

We had quite the scare when Koroum had an early goal chalked off for offside, but that did seem to wake us up as we quickly put the game to bed.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/moskvi6aupH3MBBhZJsLL1e4w1tCwHU4YHnatV4S.png

Al Ahly managed to drop points (at home to Koroum!) so we've managed to gain some buffer over the chasing pack.
We've scored the most, conceded the least and won the most games so far so you just know what we'll contrive to balls it up in the final stretch, which highlights. ever more so, the importance of this gap.

Confederation Cup time:

https://sortitoutsi.b-cdn.net/uploads/mirrored_images/8TBMP90toAMacrHnvbVplwwepequxdpNvGyMVVKT.png

A bit of a dead rubber, and the quality was as such.

The next round featured another Al Ahly - Al Ahl(i) Shendi of Sudan:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/AuFJAg3RBLxUnu4onzRV5UNs6x2CIYchA2sheOJP.png

A significantly stronger lineup was played as the reserves had their game earlier in the day and there wasn't a fixture pileup to worry about.
Some excellent combination play on show, and we reaped the rewards with El Ashri and Emam getting a bit more cash from their goal bonuses.

There was a new youth intake as well, time to see what this new HoYD (yes I sacked another one) could do:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/K8kFNSNjUi2uFnOPPFzizVgADbgQj6KQEPMHuIP4.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/cTGEzMHxvV3W2WvnNgenEkVY4T5GwwYZhKMQVP7i.png

A couple of fullbacks that seem ready for the 1st team squad, a couple of Driven players, overall a good intake.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ry232xjTVdITA1PJFv80t6OAZGOn003HmaVfYISs.png

Another striker? Looks like I've to sell of a couple guys if he's to come into the fray, which let's be honest isn't likely at best.
#276387 2015/16 Pre Season thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
We might - might - just have a team that can finally have a proper rivalry with Mourinho a la the Fergie-Wenger years.

Feels good, this.
#276376 2015/16 Pre Season thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
The camera angle coupled with the sun and the shadow sucks.

Was about to say, them shadows make for extremely difficult viewing.
#276374 [FM14] Pentagon - Redux
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
January/February 2029


Only 1 match in January, after which Egyptian football apparently went on a midseason break for the African Cup of Nations (which Egypt weren't even a part of).

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/5Pl0ko2c3a3Wv0prFZDozPVRBUMz3qHNGv3hEKVx.png

El Gouna had both first team strikers and a key midfielder out injured, we were top of the table and riding on 3 stright wins, so a win was expected, if only to keep the distance between us and Al Ahly.
Well we didn't.

We then spent the rest of the month playing a number of friendlies,faffing about with transfers throughout the month before trying (and failing) to get in some deadline day players.

February started with this:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vnXuch4ZssigbWS6QUNg2JLbhZnsOv5nYRIT9iG4.png

Credit to the team for doubling their goals in the 2nd half, we would've gotten complacent on another occasion.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9eybVypIeKJO4NbX4j6mQpdl13zS45lHb2E1mgEz.png

So we're still top, just, with Al Ahly yet again matching us for points this period.
I don't expect them to drop any more points, so there's virtually no room for error, particularly considering our vastly inferior head-to-head record this season.

There's also the CAF Confederation Cup, an opportunity to play the youths:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/S8CdeeQSlqZcdhAbgRJEh21RLoL9v1NMqvFAhWrK.png

They probably did well enough, but 3 goals from 24 shots isn't good reading however you look at it.
#276317 I've returned
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
#274989 Transfer Rumours 2015/16
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Yeah, and I bet LVG broke into Di Maria's house too the fuck.

And while we're at it it, I'm pretty sure I saw Van Gaal in the Middle East a few months before the appearance of ISIS so I bet thats his fault too.

For fuck's sake.