TWIHT 20.5

[Raven Hawk]

Welcome to This Week In HatTrick!

I would like to start off a little "around the horn" type thread that is similar to the "Game of the Week" thread, but not quite. I would like to use this thread for teams to update the rest of the FOFC Hattrick Community about important things that are coming up with their teams this week. Sort of a preview for those of us who like to watch other people's progress.

Let's see what's happening . . .

THIS WEEK IN HATTRICK!

[Poli]

TWIHT 20.5 AE's North County Raiders

This week the Raiders travel on the road to play The System FC in their cup match. The Raiders appear to have an edge in personnel, but look to PIC in this match. Coupled with playing their trainees at the attacking positions could mean a loss in round 5 of cup play for the second season in a row.

In D4.43, the Raiders have a charmed week, practice will be low key, as we don't expect Gryphons FC, our D3 replacement for Cheetum's Ghetto Superstars, to show up for the match. In fact, they haven't shown up all season.

Last week, the Raiders narrowly edged Quiksand's Chesapeake Cheapshots in Chesapeake. AE was seen smashing new Hulk hands and saying HULK SMASH! to his players. Apparently this worked near the end of the game, with Ben Foster scoring two very late goals to win the game. The Raiders won despite have a 2 level disadvantage in the midfield and losing the possession battle for the first time all season.

We plan on distributing boiled crawfish to the fans in celebration of our 10th victory in a row at our next home game.

Overall, the Raiders haven't lost a home match since April 21st, to the Ghetto Superstars.

[The Afoci]

Originally posted by ardent enthusiast
TWIHT 20.5 AE's North County Raiders

We plan on distributing boiled crawfish to the fans in celebration of our 10th victory in a row at our next home game.


TWIHT Fighting Crawfish Style. As is custom for the big game, the Figthing Crawfish will be holding their semi annual PreVictory Party on Wed/Thurs to celebrate the crushing of FC Cheesecake. The last match ending 5-0 in favor of the Crawfish, but was the first time the Crawfish had even challenged the once superior Cheesecake. Also, the Crawfish have purchased another solid scorer for 61k, but his form is down currently, but with his excitement of playing for a new team and in the biggest game of the year, many expect him to be ready.

Also, the NCR's have been sent a gift basket of Crawfish that have love for sacks. Good Luck with that.

[Poli]

Originally posted by The Afoci
Also, the Crawfish have purchased another solid scorer for 61k, but his form is down currently, but with his excitement of playing for a new team and in the biggest game of the year, many expect him to be ready.

Also, the NCR's have been sent a gift basket of Crawfish that have love for sacks. Good Luck with that.

Attaching a crawfish to the player's sack shouldn't be misunderstood for excitement. That's actually fear, not excitement.

Would you mind sending over my cheesecake from last season? I never got it! You can PM me for my mailing address :).

[NAIWF]

This week in Hat Trick. . .

My team, the Manhattan Marauders stand atop V.152 with 12 points. 4 teams trail me with 7 points apiece. This Sunday, I take on the Flailing Fanatics who were relegated from D4 last season. They have an offense which contributes about 30-40 NSI per game, but their midfield is poor/weak, and their defense is passable/solid.

I should be able to get at least a solid midfield and 65-70% possession. I'm expecting that I'll need at least 4 goals to win because they seems to convert most of their chances. If I win here, I'll be 8 up on them and have wins over all the major contenders at home. My next 4 games are easily winnable and perhaps even PICable, so this is my last white knuckler until the week 10 rematch, in which I could be 9-0-0 if everything breaks the right way.

[damnMikeBrown]

The Aves are getting amped up for a 2 week stretch on the road. We figure to fight hard to continue our beaten streak in IV.19.

[bigjdotcom01]

TWIHT.....

The West Henrietta FC will unveil their new stadium for Wednesday's US Open Cup match against former Major League club AYSA Express. A crowd of 30000 is expected as West Henrietta FC will try to prolong it's deepest run in the Cup to date. Coach Lynn Salmon has said that he may play a few of his starters, as this Sunday's league match pits WHFC against series doormat Thundercats.

The Lions will be attempting to recover from their first place showdown this past Sunday with Midwest United, which saw United win a wild 6-4 affair.

Donald Oldham currently sits third in V.53 in scoring with 4 goals in four games.

[RPI-Fan]

TWIHT...

Averill Park will be doing more scoreboard watching than anything else. They'll be playing a young team, Da Fins, and should be able to take things easy in the game (though the whole A-team will run). Other teams, however, will have some important games. V.177 currently has a 4-way tie for 2nd place (which seems to be the spot to shoot for this year, with Southern Kestrels dominating the league).

AP are coming off a big-time game on the road, where they earned a hard-fought, defensive draw, 1-1. AP played a perfect road game (kept the score low, bend-don't-break). The point was a big one, as they now look to be able to compete for 2nd place through the rest of the season. The spirit of the team is still riding high, and should rise even more with an easy game this weekend.

However, they'll be needing to prepare for 4 huge matches in a row, twice vs. the Kestrels, and two more against The Great Vikings, last year's 3rd place finishers. Mercury staff haven't offically commented, but rumor has it that AP will be looking for 5 points out of these 4 games.

~rpi-fan

[Mr. Wednesday]

This week in Hattrick... Brays Bayou FC / V.84

Having been bounced from the U.S. Cup, Brays Bayou FC will be concentrating on league play. A shocking error by the most talented (and most expensive) team in the series allowed Brays to steal a win on the road last week against only nine men in a 3-2-3 formation, and the club is now reassessing their outlook for the season. The Bayou is now in second place, and still has two games upcoming against the 7th and 8th place teams before closing the first half against last season's second-place team. With that in mind (and a pretty good midfield disparity on our side), Brays will be taking the home match this weekend with Couch Potato FC easy to build spirit for later in the season. The biggest potential pitfall is that star midfielder Brad Courtney (3.5-star defensive IM) will be suspended, forcing coach Mauro Kern to patch something together.

The midweek games will be group phase games for a private cup. While the club is interested in placing well in the cup, the series pays the bills, so Brays will be playing backups except when injury or suspension requires otherwise.

[Blade6119]

In the already heated race for the V.193 crown, defending champs Blade Bombers(my boys) ake on current league leaders Reign(Heavyreign's boys)...both sqauds have put up high 60 NSIs in the past few weeks, and should decide who wins the divison this year. Both teams are coming off recent MOTS, so both spirits will be around normal. Look out for a close one as the reign attack squares off with the bombers defense!