Rock Hard Championship Challenge Cup -- Small Rocks and Very Small Rocks Fight It Out

[1800-WorldCup]

Another idea, could be to have MORE leagues of smaller sizes.

The smaller sizes (maybe four or five in a league) should prove faster to run through the draft, as the leagues could be set up by time zone, or through concensus between the players who can be online to do the draft at the same time.

The free-agent pool would also be larger, maybe encouraging more transfer activity, maybe not.

Each League would need one administrator to keep the team-sheets updated and stored online and to keep an eye on illegal line-ups.

I could probably set up FTP access for League administrators to upload an edited template, when transfers are made, so that each league's rosters are in one place.

I agree with Hal that the Rocking Good Ladder didn't prove too exciting.

The Olympic table is easy enough to keep running and I could do another intra-league mega competition that would last the whole season.

If anyone could program something in PHP that would be a blast.

:D

[1800-WorldCup]

I think the one of the reasons we are slow out of the blocks is that we're often waiting for the premierleague site to get their game ready and the database updated.

:confused:

[Ingromius]

Thoughts, after 2 years' participation:

1. The 2-league system did make things much more interesting this year, I thought. I'm not sure about others, but I was always mildly aware of interleague rivalries, which spiced up our cup competitions.

2. Bigger leagues meant that it was sometimes impossible to find talented players to replace injuries, bans, or inepts. This was frustrating, but also interesting -- and since no manager had an advantage, I don't think it's a major problem. Maybe even an advantage...

3. The draft (part one) Maybe we need to start the dialogue sooner -- like we now are -- as it has seemed hard even to round up the usual suspects in late summer. Michel makes a good point about the lateness of the premiership site's updates. It's the new blood that makes things interesting (does it take talent and wit to know that Henry is a good striker?) and we've seen some friction in past years when new players are confirmed but not listed by draft time.

4. The draft (part two) I think we all agree things would be better if the process is quicker. The problem is that it only takes one awol manager to halt everything. Perhaps we could compile a telephone database so managers can be contacted when it's their turn. Not ideal, this, since some of us are overseas and therefore expensive to call. I also think we should come up with a cold, logical, no-exceptions policy (ie. 10 minutes for each manager on the clock, after which a manager forfeits his draft until his next turn, when he must pick 2) so we're not all sitting around waiting for people to show up. One way or another, the draft will always be 3 tough days. It's fun (in its way) and a good yardstick for who's interested enough to be involved in the first place.

5. Deadbeat managers. It's been a problem again this year; while it's been noble of Hal to take over Ajax, it's also led to some confusion. I read a post on this thread about someone getting confused about who Hal has on which team, and I almost picked up Robben the other day because I remembered Hal selling him... but from which team? Too confusing. Better, I think, to find another solution like breaking up inactive teams. These teams sometimes hide talent in their rosters that is wasted if the teams aren't using it.

6. I do like Michel's idea about a few small leagues. Teams would be stronger which is always good.

All for now, but I'm glad we're thinking about these things now...

[ibreak4coffee]

Just in general. I've been involved in many fantasy leagues over the years, but this was the best I've been in. The cup competitions, the trash talking, the knowledge of the managers of the premiership... it was all great.

A few thoughts on the format for next year:

1) I liked the two league idea and if we can find 12 active managers, we should keep that going. However, I would personally find it more interesting to participate in a 10 player league than be stuck in one league with only one or two active managers. The VSR has suffered from this problem as Hal pointed out. I know that if I can beat Andrew to a transfer target, I'll get it. I also know, however, that many of the players on the inactive teams will remain off limits, when in a more active league there would have been more wheeling and dealing. Basically my managerial skills have not been fully tested becuase of the inactivity, and at times this year I havent followed as closely as I'd like because I know the majority of my managers arent following at all. Specifically, KC Dynamo, sportingFCcolumbia, and TVDPhenomenons have been MIA for a while now.

2) DRAFT. I have two suggestions that I think could keep the draft for one day and eliminate some of the problems. The first idea is to hold the draft on the Saturday or Sunday before the premiership season begins. Work issues wont come into play on Saturday, and by that time the site should be updated as much as possible. Secondly, we could conduct the draft through AOL or MSN Messenger. This system would eliminate problems with the bigsoccer site, and if anyone left the draft room or became inactive, we'd know instantly. Just a thought, but I would be against having to submit proxy lists for example, as it would give everyone an idea of who was targeting who.

3) CUPS: We might want to spread the burden away from Michel running all the competitions. I'll volunteer to run one next year.

[United Forever]

I think that we should have a 20 team league. This way it would be really harder for me and I will have to make transfers. I will do tranfers this next season seeing how important it is to do them. I would just love a 20 team league like the REAL EPL.

[ibreak4coffee]

I think that we should have a 20 team league. This way it would be really harder for me and I will have to make transfers. I will do tranfers this next season seeing how important it is to do them. I would just love a 20 team league like the REAL EPL.

United that would be impossible. There wouldnt be enough players to go around. Some managers would be stuck with players who never see the pitch. I think 10 has to be the limit, or worst case 12.

[United Forever]

United that would be impossible. There wouldnt be enough players to go around. Some managers would be stuck with players who never see the pitch. I think 10 has to be the limit, or worst case 12.

It was just a thought. I did not look into it much but in that case 10 would be ideal and in the big cups it could be 5 game playoffs and so on like the final you are in now.

[subbuteo]

Two divisions of 6 or 7 managers or one of 10 or 12 would be my vote for next season.

As ibreak4coffee says, sure we got first choice on free agents in VSR due to lack of others' interest, but the selection also was limited and rather stale because the "inactive" managers (of course it's a manager's right to just keep the squad he has intact) failed to spice up the pot with their cast-offs. It would have been a lot more fun if people remained active.

I'm sure if $ and prizes were involved that would have been the case ;)

[1800-WorldCup]

I think that we should have a 20 team league. This way it would be really harder for me and I will have to make transfers. I will do tranfers this next season seeing how important it is to do them. I would just love a 20 team league like the REAL EPL.

Imagine getting that drafted.

:eek:

[ibreak4coffee]

While the Aviators captain Brian McBride still has one game left to play, it looks like FC Springfield has climbed back into the race for the Rock Hard Championship Cup. FC Springfield leads 67-45 this week, needing to overcome a 30+ point difference before a make or break gameweek 37. While McBride can still rack up some points, Springfield has Radzinski, Knight, and Milner left to play a game!

[ibreak4coffee]

Rock Hard Cup Championship Update

After Gameweek 35

Aviators 137 vs FC Springfield 99 (diff +38)

Gameweek 36

FC Springfield 79 - 51 Aviators

Aviators 188 - 178 FC Springfield (diff +10)

Gameweek 37 (after weekend play)

FC Springfield 50 - 46 Aviators

Barring any changes by premierleague.com, Aviators head into the home stretch of Gameweek 37 with a 6 point lead!!!! Cracking Final!!!!

Both teams have 10 players still to play another match, with captains Reyes (Aviators) and Rooney (FC Springfield) possibly providing the difference.

[Hal]

My push for the finals:

Aviators:
OUT:
GK Friedel Bla
Def Weir Eve
Def Hibbert Eve
Def Mokoena Bla
Mid Robben Che
Mid Vieira Ars
Mid Keane Man U.
Fwd Bent Eve
Fwd McBride Ful

IN:
GK Kuszczak West Brom 3.6
Def Carragher Liv 6.5
Def Huth Che 5.5
Def Queudrue Mid 6.4
Mid Francis Nor 5.8
Mid Hughes Cry Pal 5.2
Mid Diouf Bol 7.6
Fwd Ashton Nor 7.1
Fwd Baros Liv 10.0

In the bank 1.9

[ibreak4coffee]

My first moves...

OUT: Drogba, Chelsea, 10.6
IN: Huckerby, Norwich, 7.2

OUT: Fabregas, Arsenal, 6.4
IN: Francis, Norwich, 5.6

[ibreak4coffee]

UPDATE after Chelsea-Man U match

After Gameweek 36

Aviators 188 - 178 FC Springfield (diff +10)

Gameweek 37 (with Arsenal vs Everton to be played tomorrow)

FC Springfield 75 - 54 Aviators

(Gerrard, 7 points, subs in for Drogba for FC Springfield, while Gera, 5 points, subs in for Robben and Friedel, 1 point, subs in for Cech for the Aviators)

Therefore FC Springfield has jumped into the lead 253-242. However, Aviators have captain Reyes to play tomorrow, as well as five other players. FC Springfield counters with six players of its own!

[kopiteinkc]

UPDATE after Chelsea-Man U match

After Gameweek 36

Aviators 188 - 178 FC Springfield (diff +10)

Gameweek 37 (with Arsenal vs Everton to be played tomorrow)

FC Springfield 75 - 54 Aviators

(Gerrard, 7 points, subs in for Drogba for FC Springfield, while Gera, 5 points, subs in for Robben and Friedel, 1 point, subs in for Cech for the Aviators)

Therefore FC Springfield has jumped into the lead 253-242. However, Aviators have captain Reyes to play tomorrow, as well as five other players. FC Springfield counters with six players of its own!

Great final guys.

My regular non drafted team imploded this week leaving me stranded in 4th in the bigsoccer league and outrageously second in the "Adams Family" league. My younger cousin in Liverpool has overtaken me with a 50-odd point haul, the whippersnapper. Oh the shame ...

Follow the links to Kopite FC to see how the Adams Family league plays out this weekend, less than 10 points in it .. :)

Yes, all those "Adams'" are real people ...

[1800-WorldCup]

Thumbs up to the final.

Great game!

[subbuteo]

holy cow, what happens after today's match!?

[United Forever]

holy cow, what happens after today's match!?

Which ever team has Dennis they sure got the advantage now. WOW! :eek:

[ibreak4coffee]

UPDATE after Chelsea-Man U match

After Gameweek 36

Aviators 188 - 178 FC Springfield (diff +10)

Gameweek 37

FC Springfield 93- 75 Aviators

271 - 265

FC Springfield carries a six point lead into the final... anything can happen. The gameweek will probably be decided by the manager who can predict those that will rest and those that will play!

I had thought of picking up Dennis, but didnt... if one of us had, they might already be the winner!

[subbuteo]

This is edge of your seat stuff