Help me out on the strategy for this weeks league match

[Rich1033]

Alright guys, I would like some opinions on what you would do in my situation. I sit in first place and just suffered my first loss two weeks ago at the hands of the Rebels!. This is the the division standings for V.21


Team Played Goals Points
1. Toledo Drunkards 8 38 - 7 21
2. Rebels! 8 40 - 9 18
3. Wildcats 8 30 - 15 18
4. dragonsFC 8 22 - 10 16
5. FC Birbetta 8 24 - 31 12
6. Expedit 8 14 - 32 6
7. Tacoma Stars 8 6 - 29 4
8. redds 8 1 - 42 0


I blew through every team except the Rebels!. They gave me a whoopin at my place, 1-5. Now I play them again and Im unsure of how to approach the game. I expect him to put up about the same ratings as the last time we played, so here they are.

Rebels!

midfield: solid
Right Side Defence: solid
Central Defence: solid
Left Side Defence: solid
Right Side Attack: excellent
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: formidable

and mine...

Toledo Drunkards

Midfield: passable
Right Side Defence: formidable
Central Defence: formidable
Left Side Defence: formidable
Right Side Attack: solid
Central Attack: solid
Left Side Attack: solid

If my form stays high I could possibly put up an outstanding on my left side defense and an excellent central attack. Of course Im playing on the road, so Im not sure how much that will hurt me. Another important point is that after adding a few trainees my TS has fallen all the way to content, even after 2 straight PIC matches.

At first I wanted to MOTS him and risk everything for the league title. However I play both the 2nd and 3rd place team over the next 3 weeks, so if I kill my TS I risk losing to one or both of those teams.

Then I considered PIC and letting him tie me in points. The plus to that is it would help my TS and hopefully give me a good chance at beating him in goal differential over the rest of the season. The negative is that he could beat me up pretty bad and I would have a hard time catching up.

Finally, I can play normal and just hope for the best. A loss would hurt my TS and might even give DragonsFC a shot at beating me next week. If I somehow pulled out the upset I will pretty much wrap up the series title.

Suggestions and opinions on what choice I should make? This really is the defining match of my season.

[Alf]

I'd say 2. I did it against a superior team early this season and got luck pulling out a victory.

[Rich1033]

This guy is putting up 3*s right now with Inad stamina. For all you midfield guys out there, how much will he improve when I have a chance to improve his stamina? Can I get him up to 4 stars with excellent stamina, or am I looking at only about a half star improvement?


Ignacio Dominguez-Tagle Pare
175 000 US$, 26 years, solid form
Has weak experience and poor leadership abilities

Stamina: inadequate Keeper: wretched
Playmaking: passable Passing: passable
Winger: disastrous Defending: inadequate
Scoring: weak Set Pieces: solid

[Rich1033]

Thanks Alf. Im thinking if I move to the 3-4-3 for the rest of the season I should be able to put up more goals then I did in the first half. I tried it last week and I still put up an Inad midfield while I PIC.

[Bee]

I'd PIC and play counter-attack tactics.

[Mr. Wednesday]

It's a league game, the new tactics aren't available yet.

[NAIWF]

If you lost midfield at home by one level, expect a three level difference if you both play normal. I'd just PIC and hope for a lucky day. He might MOTS you anyway, so at least this way you'll have better TS down the stretch.

[Vince]

I picked that you should MOTs...if you blew through everyone else, then even if your TS is shot, you should be able to beat the rest. Question - if he is 'better' than you, who did he lose to to be three points behind you?

[Rich1033]

Originally posted by Vince
I picked that you should MOTs...if you blew through everyone else, then even if your TS is shot, you should be able to beat the rest. Question - if he is 'better' than you, who did he lose to to be three points behind you?

Well I guess I made it seem like my series is easier than it really is. We hovered between the 6th and the 15th toughest DV series for most of last season. This season we have fallen to the 35th position because the bottom 4 teams are horrible. The top 4 are relatively close.

The rebels! were getting around a passable/inad midfield until he player me. I cant get into Hattrick to check, but Im guessing he spent a decent amount of money to get his midfield up to solid right before our first match. His earlier losses probably came from the Wildcats and DragonsFC, who both are good clubs.

I have no money to spend on upgrading my team, so it will take some luck for me to hold onto first.

Thanks to everyone who voted. Right now Im leaning towards PIC.

[Desnudo]

What's your current TS at? If it's already very high, like Delirious or POE, then MOTS. If it's lower than that, I'd consider a PIC. It also depends on how you feel about the rest of your schedule. If you feel like you can win out regardless of TS, then MOTS, if not, then don't.

I was actually in a similar situation a few weeks ago if you want an example. I had Delirous TS going in to the 7-8 games as #1 against #2 back to back, up by 1 point in the standings. I MOTS'd the first at home and unfortunately tied 3-3. I PIC'd the second and lost 4-0. I had hoped to win the first one, thereby staying in first with a split. Instead I'm now at Calm TS and in second. I'd rather be at POE and in second by a few more points.

[Rich1033]

For anyone curious, I ended up losing 4-0. I was leaning toward PIC and a crappy form update really made that my only choice.

I was MOTSed yet again as he put up an excellent midfield. :(

[Desnudo]

Well on the plus side, it looks like you made the right call then and his TS will be in the dumpster if he did MOTS you.

[sterlingice]

Hm... that 4-0 hurts you in goal differential because that's an 8 goal swing. That said, you've got better form coming down the stretch so it's time to lay into some of the weaker teams.

SI