Topic: Soccer Manager: The Sleeping Giants 20: T'lockdown

[mikey_LFC]

Great start to the new season. I think wins are going to be hard to come by this year for me. Staying up would be a huge achievement, I’m assuming I’ll be bouncing up and down for a few years.

Can’t see any path to winning Division 1. The best would be winning a trophy whilst staying in Division 1.
Right now though I need a minimal squad so I can afford top quality players wages.

[Card Cheat]

Great start to the new season. I think wins are going to be hard to come by this year for me. Staying up would be a huge achievement, I’m assuming I’ll be bouncing up and down for a few years.

Can’t see any path to winning Division 1. The best would be winning a trophy whilst staying in Division 1.
Right now though I need a minimal squad so I can afford top quality players wages.

Congrats! Points at an absolute premium in Div 1.

Made up drawing with Deportivo, let a two goal lead slip but a point against the Nearinvincibles could end up being oh so valuable!

[kesey]

Off to a flyer .

[mikey_LFC]

Another win! 4-0 vs the champions. Think it was against a reserve team but I’ll take it. Got 7 of the 20 point I’m aiming for already. 20 points should secure my safety I think.

[Betty Blue]

Another win! 4-0 vs the champions. Think it was against a reserve team but I’ll take it. Got 7 of the 20 point I’m aiming for already. 20 points should secure my safety I think.

Forgot to change my team.

Losing interest in all worlds right now if I'm honest. Might just pack it all in soon as I planned way back.

[kesey]

Havent been able to log in ( again ) all day. I mean. Its logs in but when I press to open my account it buffers.

Erm... help !

[LiamG]

kinda forgotten about this GW as i focus on my new challenge in LM's GW

[kesey]

I don't really like this GW for some reason. I think I like the 38 game ones more. I reckon another quit maybe coming soon.

[LiverpoolForever]

Can I be accepted as the Depor manager please ?

[Betty Blue]

Sorry for the sudden abrupt departure from Depor last night. I am leaving all worlds over the next few weeks, as I intended to do when Lawnmo departed. Decided to stick it out a bit longer with the new Barca challenge and my love for this world especially, but I need a break now for my own good. I spend far too much time obsessing about this game and sitting in my bedroom pretending I'm Klopp! I've left Depor first as I saw Neil was thinking of leaving Kaiserslautern, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to keep another good manager in the world. Thanks to Card Cheat for creating the best gameworld I've ever been in. Before leaving, I took a look through the history of the club and earmarked some of my favourite players -

Best signing:

Chiellini - Bought in the draft for 18.5m, current value 14m. Almost 10 seasons of this rock playing for us, missing just 4 games in the league in that time, ever dependable with an average rating rarely dropping below 7.0.

Biggest bargain:

Barzagli - Bought in the draft for 2.7m, current value 1.1m. Another 10 season man and another stalwart of the club's success. After losing his place in central defence, his added RB position has given him a new lease of life for the club. Defying the odds at 37, he remains a key squad member.



Brightest star:

Trent - My final signing in the draft for a mere 2m, current value 14m. The sky's the limit for this kid. I've resisted some almighty bids for him in the past and I have no regrets. I've loved watching him grow into a key player for Liverpool.



Best under 21 buy:

Pavard - Picked up last November under the radar for 400k + Whodama Diakhaby. Now a World Cup winner, Bayern's answer to Boateng's failing legs, and a star in the making.



Current favourite player:

Modric - In just 2 and a bit seasons here, he transformed a faltering Depor. Absolute monster at CM and deserves to hit 96 after the World Cup, but SM are too retarded to rise older players.



Trophy cabinet:

4 x Leagues titles, 3 x runners up medals, 3 x Charity Shields, the only team in the gameworld to never be relegated (gulp).

+

Last season's "Invincibles" tag with a run of 24 games unbeaten between April 15th and August 2nd 2018.

[Midget]

You did a great job with Deportivo creating one of the two (the other being Dresden) most prestigious clubs in the gameworld. Will be great to see a long time manager like Neil continue your legacy there.

We had our fair share of quarrels in the game, but if this truly is the end for you I wish you all the best. You'll be missed both as a manager and a person. I've enjoyed competing against your teams.

[LiamG]

Whats going on with everyone in this GW?

[Chrismonster]

The sleeping Giants is fast becoming my favourite GW.. This is the only GW I've ever played in that has frequent trading between managed clubs, I've been playing this game for 8 years, and honestly, I've never played in game world like this one before! The 35 player squad cap, very poor economy, 4 up 4 down system and how many competitive players are in it, make this world one to keep, the trading between managed clubs really is the icing on the cake for me..

So, the point I'd like to make is, I really hope that Betty, KK and all the other recent departures have a nice break from the game, before returning next season with a fresh new club, and help keep this game as infuriatingly competitive as it once was.     

Ps.. Sporting are beginning to surprise me this season, now for our annual mid season capitulation.

[KingLuis10]

The sleeping Giants is fast becoming my favourite GW.. This is the only GW I've ever played in that has frequent trading between managed clubs, I've been playing this game for 8 years, and honestly, I've never played in game world like this one before! The 35 player squad cap, very poor economy, 4 up 4 down system and how many competitive players are in it, make this world one to keep, the trading between managed clubs really is the icing on the cake for me..

So, the point I'd like to make is, I really hope that Betty, KK and all the other recent departures have a nice break from the game, before returning next season with a fresh new club, and help keep this game as infuriatingly competitive as it once was.     

Ps.. Sporting are beginning to surprise me this season, now for our annual mid season capitulation.

Big, big win for Sporting last night! Would've been quite happy with a draw to keep Dresden's lead at the top to 4 points, but Fernandinho had other ideas with that late goal. Ronaldo's been ruled out of our next two games with injury as well so things could be about to get really interesting! Fingers crossed that our rhyming wingers Mane and Sane step up in his absence.

Completely agree with you about this world as well, it's great. The short seasons make it that much more unpredictable as well. Dresden going from four titles in a row to almost getting relegated last season, then back to challenging this time around! Hope to see some of the old gang back managing in this world again in the future.

[Chrismonster]

Big, big win for Sporting last night! Would've been quite happy with a draw to keep Dresden's lead at the top to 4 points, but Fernandinho had other ideas with that late goal. Ronaldo's been ruled out of our next two games with injury as well so things could be about to get really interesting! Fingers crossed that our rhyming wingers Mane and Sane step up in his absence.

Completely agree with you about this world as well, it's great. The short seasons make it that much more unpredictable as well. Dresden going from four titles in a row to almost getting relegated last season, then back to challenging this time around! Hope to see some of the old gang back managing in this world again in the future.

I love the fact that Just forgetting to change your team once after or before a cup game, could, and has, condemned top teams to scrapping it out in the lower divisions for the next season!

Yeah, was a massive and somewhat unexpected win for us last night, as you say, it's mixed things up a little. I'm just happy to still be in the hunt at this stage of the season! Sorry about Ronaldo though dude, that's a big blow losing him for what could be 3 games (match fitness)

Underneath Sporting's ageing armour, the future team is very slowly and painstakingly starting to take shape! With the additions of Alisson, Gomez, Ake, Robertson, Lozano, Martinez and co.. hopefully soon, Sporting will be able to stand the test of time in this game.

hahaha... Mane and Sane!!

[kesey]

I don't really like this GW for some reason. I think I like the 38 game ones more. I reckon another quit maybe coming soon.

As predicted.

The season is too short for my liking.

[KingLuis10]

Dresden drop down to 2nd but I'll take that draw against Penarol all day long  Makes it 4 points from two games without Ronaldo, who should be back in time to face Sparta on Thursday. No doubt it helped that Penarol also had their main man (Kane) out injured.

Not much room for error left now though, with Sporting in the form they're in. We're set to play them on the final day of the season as well, could be an absolute cracker if the league title's still undecided!

[Midget]

Dresden drop down to 2nd but I'll take that draw against Penarol all day long 

I'll take that as a (surprising) compliment! This season hasn't gone as I planned back among the top dogs in Div 1. Shows me I have some work to do with my squad still to become a challenger up there.

[KingLuis10]

I'll take that as a (surprising) compliment! This season hasn't gone as I planned back among the top dogs in Div 1. Shows me I have some work to do with my squad still to become a challenger up there.

Hasn't been a great season for you so far but Penarol definitely have one of the stronger squads in this GW. Wasn't looking forward to facing you without Ronaldo! Dresden could definitely do with one more high rated forward for situations where one of Mane-Ronaldo-Sane has to sit out. Over the longer term I reckon Gnabry could be the answer, great opportunity for him to establish himself at Bayern with Coman out injured for the foreseeable future and Robben/Ribery getting on a bit. His 89 rating isn't too useful just yet though!

[Midget]

Deportivo ended my season both in the Cup and Division 1 within a week. Back in Division 2 next season. Hoping to be back stronger. Already making some changes to my team which I hope makes me better equipped to hang around in Division 1 the next time around without sacrificing my overall project.

[RK7]

Deportivo ended my season both in the Cup and Division 1 within a week. Back in Division 2 next season. Hoping to be back stronger. Already making some changes to my team which I hope makes me better equipped to hang around in Division 1 the next time around without sacrificing my overall project.

We're like a pair of yoyo' s Alex.

[Midget]

We're like a pair of yoyo' s Alex.

True that. Often one is going up, while the other one is on it's way down. Usually we meet in Division 2 or 3 every other season and go on our seperate ways again.

It's very hard to establish a team in Division 1 by now. Deportivo and Dresden are the big two, while Sporting and Dukla have build strong enough squads to consistently hang around. This season Dukla might lose their place to Sparta Rotterdam though, but Sporting is getting stronger and stronger.

[Card Cheat]

True that. Often one is going up, while the other one is on it's way down. Usually we meet in Division 2 or 3 every other season and go on our seperate ways again.

It's very hard to establish a team in Division 1 by now. Deportivo and Dresden are the big two, while Sporting and Dukla have build strong enough squads to consistently hang around. This season Dukla might lose their place to Sparta Rotterdam though, but Sporting is getting stronger and stronger.

Could all hinge on Deportivo's next few games. Sparta ---- Cup Final ---- Dresden. Fitness nightmare I hope!

[KingLuis10]

Dresden hitting a bit of a mid-season rut, got to shape up sharpish. Nice prezzie from Dukla today to keep us in touch 

[LiverpoolForever]

Deportivo ended my season both in the Cup and Division 1 within a week. Back in Division 2 next season. Hoping to be back stronger. Already making some changes to my team which I hope makes me better equipped to hang around in Division 1 the next time around without sacrificing my overall project.

Sorry about that ! Getting the chance to manage Depor certainly has re- ignited my energy for SM.

[mikey_LFC]

Nice win v Dresden puts me 2 points of my target pre season and hopefully survival.

If things go right could maybe sneak 2nd at this rate but that was never the aim. Got a way to go to challenge right at the top I think but that’s got to be the aim. Hopefully some choice signings and the odd trade could see me bridge the gap.

Having to constantly sell to support my wage bill at this level so not sure it’s sustainable.

[RK7]

Not sure what we need to be honest, we seem to go on runs of consecutive wins then runs of consecutive defeats. Finishing 2nd in Div 1 conceding just 6 all season was our highest finish but it's been up and down since.

It's a fun gameworld and I'm determined to find the awnsers.

[KingLuis10]

Welcome to Dresden 

[LiamG]

Another Cup win

[KingLuis10]

We have a new name on the roll of honours! Congrats to Chris & Sporting, a well deserved title. Looked all set for a final day Dresden vs. Sporting showdown, but Dukla's late winner against Dresden combined with Sporting's late winner of their own meant they wrapped it up with a game to spare. Can only imagine the scenes with Jeff & Kammy in the Soccer Saturday Sunday studio

Disappointing end to the season for Dresden after starting off so well. Just two wins from our last seven league games ain't gonna cut it. Looking to make a few more tweaks before going again next season, really want a league title with this new squad!

Another Cup win

Just seen this, Rangers are definitely the cup kings in this world! Think Dresden have only ever won about two cup games, really gotta do better there

[Chrismonster]

Thanks King Luis, really nice words! I'm sure Dresden will be back next season with furious vengeance, I just hope Sporting can continue to challenge for the big prizes, and not become a one hit wonder by fading into obscurity. Next season is a big one for Sporting, hopefully it'll be a great and competitive one, with all the managed clubs remaining just that, managed!


Also, congratulations to LiamG, that's one heck of a cup record you have with Rangers dude!

[mikey_LFC]

Back to back promotions followed by a second place finish, including ending the season on a 9 game unbeaten run. The first time Sparta has ever secured safety in the top flight!

It’s next season or never for the title i’d think for Sparta after the big signings of Marcelo, Higuain, Neuer and Douglas Costa revamped the squad, allowing a switch to a more attacking style which won recently against the champions, Sporting. I’ll need some luck with injuries to do it and to avoid any big cups runs for now, but if that all happens I really think I can run Sporting close.

Well done Chris this year. Great achievement but just know, I’m coming for you!

[Chrismonster]

Back to back promotions followed by a second place finish, including ending the season on a 9 game unbeaten run. The first time Sparta has ever secured safety in the top flight!

It’s next season or never for the title i’d think for Sparta after the big signings of Marcelo, Higuain, Neuer and Douglas Costa revamped the squad, allowing a switch to a more attacking style which won recently against the champions, Sporting. I’ll need some luck with injuries to do it and to avoid any big cups runs for now, but if that all happens I really think I can run Sporting close.

Well done Chris this year. Great achievement but just know, I’m coming for you!

Thanks man.. Looking at your Sparta side and the form you're in at the moment, I wouldn't bet against you at the very least challenging next season.. You'll find that your average attendance will grow now you finished in the top two, I kept braking my attendance record throughout the past season, was a nice little income boost!
 

[KingLuis10]

Bonucci to Sparta, another good signing for them. Division 1 is gonna be an absolute bloodbath next season, it feels like the teams at the top are a lot stronger than they were even just a few short seasons ago. Back then you could get away with having a lower rated player or two in your XI, not sure that's the case any more! Sporting, Sparta & Dukla all have 92+ rated players all over the park. Leeds are gonna be beastly with Messi & Neymar, and the other clubs coming up are all well-established and have held their own in Div. 1 before.

Dresden have stayed fairly true to their strategy of having one beastly forward (Messi then Ronaldo) complemented by promising but lower rated younger players. With the notable exception of a couple seasons where we had that epic arms race with Deportivo, bringing in Cavani, Thiago, Alderweireld etc I'm wondering if our strategy is gonna cut it next season, really looking forward to the challenge though 

[Card Cheat]

And just like that, after not partaking in the initial draft, Chris casually strolls in and wins the Division One Heavyweight Championship Of The World!




Elsewhere, Sparta roar into the runner up spot. Sporting FC #1...… Sparta FC #2...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Y-15ScxO07k" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Y-15ScxO07k</a>


Betty departs and Deportivo departivo the top flight. "Returnivo cantanter portivo next season, el amor it" said Neil.




Klipp slaps Ridsdale in the face, returns on a wave of fan support, burying the Ridster somewhere along t'road t'Barnsley and wins the Second Division for the first time!




Feyenoord are denied an Invincibles season in the boneyard by the newly managed Dynamo Moscow. In fact, in something of shock, the mighty Foggia with their ghost players secure promotion at the expense of humanoid Moscow and Forest!




Rangers do the ridiculous and win another Cup beating Deportivo in the final, the latter of which scooped the charity shield!




Your updated Roll of Honour for Season 10!

DIV 1:
Deportivo, Leeds, Deportivo, Deportivo, Dresden, Dresden, Dresden, Dresden, Deportivo, Sporting

DIV 2:
Foggia, Parma, Torino, Dresden, Rangers, Sporting, Feyenoord, Independiente, Penarol, Leeds

DIV 3:
Parma, Rangers, Fluminense, Rangers, Brondby, Feyenoord, Fluminense, Flamengo, Rangers, Feyenoord

SLEEPING GIANTS CUP:
Valencia, Rangers, Rangers, Red Star, Sparta, Sparta, Valencia, Rangers, Feyenoord, Rangers

CHARIDEE SHIELD:
Deportivo, Leeds, Rangers, Deportivo, Dresden, Sparta, Dresden, Rangers, Deportivo

[Card Cheat]

Here we go boys. Good luck!

[mikey_LFC]

Tough season ahead! Best of luck everyone. So many teams capable of winning this championship.

[KingLuis10]

I want my title back.

[kesey]

Any decent teams left ?

[Card Cheat]

Any decent teams left ?

In terms of player ratings...… ffffffffuck no.

However...…! The following are all available:

Parma, Flamengo, Kaiserslautern, Velez, Brondby, Foggia, Dusseldorf.