I figured it try to find something out... in the latest fourfourtwo theres an article talking about how some people say the last 5 minutes of a match doesnt mean anything... so the writer took ALL the results from all the leagues in england and scotland and negated all goals scored after the 86th minute, just to see what (if any) changes there would be... i figured id do the same for columbus... only i did them removing goals after the 86th, 81st and 76th minutes, respectivley... the results are really sort of interesting and probably not what some would expect. Currently: 31pts. 8W - 7D - 11L 31-37 86th minute: 38pts. 9W - 11D - 6L 32-27 81st minute: 36pts. 8W - 12D - 6L 31-26 76th minute: 36pts. 8W - 12D - 6L 28-22 would that be enough to make a huge difference in the standings? i dont know. i didnt have enough time to do this for EVERY team, but it really doesnt seem to be making a HUGE difference in terms of our standing. interestingly, we seem to be giving away points with draws becoming losses. and giving up a heap of goals late. just look at the comparison between reality and the 81st minute. same amount of goals scored, however, 10 more goals given up. and it also looks like a lot of action is happening in the final quarter hour of the match, however it doesnt seem to be drastically changing results much... i just thought this was interesting. maybe it shows that were more crap than just plain unlucky or snakebitten.
I would feel better if those draws that were turned into losses were due to the CREW becoming more aggressive and trying to WIN the game; however, the sub pattern and actions looked like we were actaully playing not to LOSE. Perhaps adding Defenders and telling them to attack is a very sophisticated strategy (particularly in the 85th min) designed to mislead the opponet - somewhat like driving a farm tractor onto the track in the last lap of a formula one race. HEY! WE WON!. Tactics - don't leave home without them....
That is a lot closer than I would have expected. However, it does not take into account the points that NE, et al, received from us which vaulted them up in the standings. Can somebody that has the time do that --- or is it going to have to wait until I get around to it?
I did the league standing after 90 and 80 minutes as they stood at the end of August. At the time, the Crew would have gone from last to 2nd, tied with the MetroScum. If someone wants to look through the threads and find this post, then add in the September results, be my guest.