To PIC or not to PIC? Your thoughts welcome

[DataKing]

I am having a difficult time trying to decide whether or not to just PIC and concede this week's match against the league-leading Croats in Miami. There are a number of factors to consider here:

1. Wingback Arlen Lucas (4* average) and winger Valentin Rubio (3* winger) are both suspended for the match. Their backups will each play at a level one star lower.

2. Inner midfielder Pete "The Old Goat" Tomlin (2.5* average) is currently banged up (bruised), and I am not sure if he will be fully recovered by Sunday. He's 33 years old.

3. Inner midfielder Niklas Ivarsson (3-3.5* average) dumped form this week, dropping two levels down to weak. I only expect to get a 2.5* performance from him this week.

4. We typically put up solid midfields at home, but I expect that to drop to passable give the poor shape of our midfield at the moment. The Croats, on the other hand, have put up midfields ranging from excellent to magnificent (that's a 12 rating) in the past three weeks.

5. The Croats have a pretty good offense, but their defense is lacking, usually only in the range of solid, so if we do get scoring opportunities, we should be able to find the net.

6. My remaining two matches this season are against the Big Reds (on the road) and Ramblers (at home), both of which are pretty good teams.

7. The points race is so tight in my series that goal differential may very well be the difference between a final position, or even two. Only three points separate 2nd from 7th place (the Croats will take first place), so the number of possible scenarios are far too many to even contemplate right now. If we do PIC, I suspect that we will get hammered pretty hard.

8. Here is the biggest thing that is making me hesitate to PIC this weekend: the Screamin' Seamen have never lost a league match at home. Not once. We've never just laid down and accepted a loss, and take a certain amount of pride in that. And this is still a home match for us, and anything can happen when you're at home.

So there you have it. I'm having difficulty deciding, and would like to hear some thoughts from others on the matter. Thanks.

[sony]

I would definitely PIC being the risk taker I am. But if you want to maintain your reputation as being the most feared team to play in your stadium then I'd guess you'd play on normal.

It's a risk you are gonna have to take, and if I was in your shoes, I'd PIC.

[-Panther]

I'd play it normal. With Sweden Heights all but assured a win this
week, a loss by you (which is likely regardless of how you play) will
move them 1pt up on you. I think Ramblers will edge out Big Reds
and Neon will win so this is how I see next weeks standings:

Croats 29pts

Neon 21pts
Ramblers 19pts
Big Reds 18pts

Sweden Heights 18pts
Seamen 17pts

Wussies 15 pts
Supers 0 pts

finishing the season @ Reds then hosting Ramblers is tough but
winnable. goal diff, I think, is what will determine your fate. I don't
see you ending below 5th. With both Reds getting an easy win vs. supers and Ramblers playing wussies, I think you'll need GD to
contend due to schedule.

you may still loose, very likely, but conceding only 1-3 is better then
4-6 at this point.

I'd play normal and ride out the HF advantage. conceding too many
goals this week could keep you out of a 'money' spot.