Skill Wizards: An FM14 Interactive Dynasty

[larrymcg421]

You will control a Skrill North/South squad.

You are a wizard at one specific skill. Therefore, every player on your squad will have a rating of 20 in that skill.

When signing up, you will select that skill. No two participants may take the same skill and selections will be determined on first come, first serve basis.

Physical stats are not eligible.

Goalkeepers are exempt.

When you promote, you can add a second skill from those not already chosen.

The ratings increase will happen at the start of every season and will not include anyone that your team might loan or sign afterwards unless/until they're still on the squad at the start of the next season.

If interested, respond below with your club and skill.

The 6 clubs you can choose from:

Vauxhall
Histon
Gloucester
Maidenhead
Gosport
Concord

The 28 skills you may choose from:

Corners
Crossing
Dribbling
Finishing
First Touch
Free Kick Taking
Heading
Long Shots
Long Throws
Marking
Passing
Penalty Taking
Tackling
Technique
Aggression
Anticipation
Bravery
Composure
Concentration
Creativity
Decisions
Determination
Flair
Leadership
Off The Ball
Positioning
Teamwork
Work Rate

[larrymcg421]

Participants:

bbgunn
Vauxhall
Off the Ball

DavidCorperial
Histon
Marking

britrock88
Gloucester
Free Kicks

ntndeacon
Gosport
Technique

collegesportsfanms
Concord
Anticipation

law90026
Maidenhead
Work Rate

digamma/Critch
Leamington
Aggression

Craigsca
Dorchester
Teamwork

[larrymcg421]

Placeholder 2.

[DavidCorperial]

Are we playing or will this be simmed out by you?

[bbgunn]

I'll take Vauxhall, with Off the Ball as the top skill.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by DavidCorperial

Are we playing or will this be simmed out by you?

Simmed out by me.

[collegesportsfanms]

I'll take Concord, and Anticipation as my skill.

[DavidCorperial]

I'll take Histon and Marking.

[britrock88]

Gloucester, Free Kicks.

[ntndeacon]

Gosport and Technique

[larrymcg421]

One more participant and we'll get started.

[law90026]

Will take the last team, work rate

[CraigSca]

This sounds like fun - can't do 7, huh? ☺️

[Critch]

Would have been interesting to see a team with maxed aggression. Like a non-league soccer Slap Shot.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

This sounds like fun - can't do 7, huh? ☺️

I can make that work. Pick your skill and I'll tell what team you'll have.

I'll also take one more entry so we can balance the North/South squads.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Critch

Would have been interesting to see a team with maxed aggression. Like a non-league soccer Slap Shot.

Do you want to take the 8th team and use that skill?

[digamma]

Critch and I can be joint owners of Team Aggro. If he's ok with it, then I'd pick AFC Telford.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by digamma

Critch and I can be joint owners of Team Aggro. If he's ok with it, then I'd pick AFC Telford.

This works for me, but I'll have to assign the club. The ones I picked in the OP were among the 4 lowest predicted clubs so no one would have a huge advantage. You and CraigSca will get whichever clubs are remaining from that pool.

[digamma]

Oh sure.

[larrymcg421]

Waiting on CraigSca and we can get started.

Looking ahead on the promotion rule, three promotions for everyone would cover 24 skills. At that point, I think I'll open up the physical skills for the 4th promotion.

[CraigSca]

Sorry, on a business trip and didn't see this. Thanks for opening this up! I'll go with Teamwork!

[larrymcg421]

Awesome. I'm editing the stats now and we'll get started this weekend.

[larrymcg421]

Updated 2nd post with the full list of squads and skills.

[CraigSca]

There's no "I" in "teamwork"!

[larrymcg421]

Still on the way to getting this started. I've done all the skill editing. Might not get started until after the holidays, but I'll try to post a few things before then if possible.

[larrymcg421]

Here are predictions and salaries for each team...

Promotion Odds

Skrill North

Histon 33-1
Gloucester 40-1
Vauxhall 40-1
Leamington 40-1

Skrill South

Maidenhead 40-1
Concord 40-1
Gosport 40-1
Dorchester 50-1


Salaries

Skrill North

Histon $294k
Gloucester $251k
Vauxhall $181k
Leamington $241k

Skrill South

Maidenhead $294k
Concord $247k
Gosport $183k
Dorchester $227k

[larrymcg421]

Histon (1-1-3, 16th)
DavidCorperial
Marking

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Colwyn Bay		H		0-0	Skrill North
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Brackley		A		3-0	Skrill North
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Solihull Moors		A		0-1	Skrill North
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Gainsborough		H		1-2	Skrill North
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Altrincham		A		0-3	Skrill North

The excellent marking seemed to really pay off as they only allowed 1 goal in three matches, but 5 allowed in the last two can't be a good sign.

[larrymcg421]

Anyone know how to save match reports for teams you don't manage? Right now it is only showing me the most recent matches for each team.

[larrymcg421]

Leamington (4-1-0, 2nd)
digamma/Critch
Aggression

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Bradford PA		H		2-1	Skrill North
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Hednesford		A		0-0	Skrill North
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Boston Utd		A		2-1	Skrill North
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Gloucester		H		3-1	Skrill North
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Colwyn Bay		A		1-0	Skrill North

Great start for team aggression. Surprisingly, they have not accumulated any red cards and are at the bottom of the pack in yellow cards. However, in their most recent win over Colwyn Bay, they managed to knock two opposing players out of the game.

[larrymcg421]

Gloucester (1-1-3, 18th)
britrock88
Free Kicks

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	North Ferriby		A		0-1	Skrill North
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Worcester		H		1-1	Skrill North
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	AFC Telford		H		1-2	Skrill North
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Leamington		A		1-3	Skrill North
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Guiseley		H		1-0	Skrill North

They have yet to score on any free kicks and have been giving up far too many fouls.

[larrymcg421]

Vauxhall (1-3-1, 13th)
bbgunn
Off the Ball

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Gainsborough		H		1-1	Skrill North
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Harrogate		A		2-2	Skrill North
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Workington		A		2-0	Skrill North
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Altrincham		H		1-2	Skrill North
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Solihull Moors		A		1-1	Skrill North

Their Off the Ball skill has created a strong offense that is 2nd in the league in goals scored, but they'll need to convert more of those draws into wins.

[larrymcg421]

Concord Rangers (0-3-2, 20th)
collegesportsfanms
Anticipation

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Basingstoke		H		0-2	Skrill South
Mon, 19/8/2013	19:45	Chelmsford		A		1-1	Skrill South
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Dover		A		1-3	Skrill South
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Sutton Utd		H		1-1	Skrill South
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Bath		A		2-2	Skrill South

Anticipation hasn't helped the defense as much as expected, mainly due to some dreadful play by GK James Pullen (6.50) and an injury to DC Archange Nkumu, who is by far the best defender on the team.

[larrymcg421]

Dorchester (0-2-3, 22nd)
Craigsca
Teamwork

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Staines		A		1-1	Skrill South
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Weston-super-Mare		H		0-2	Skrill South
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Whitehawk		H		1-2	Skrill South
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Gosport		A		0-1	Skrill South
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Ebbsfleet		H		1-1	Skrill South

MF Jamie Gleeson (7.1) has really benefited from the maxed Teamwork, but Dorchester has been really screwed by awful play up front from Striker Ben Whitfield (6.3) and AMC Jamie Brown (5.93).

[larrymcg421]

Gosport (2-0-3, 16th)
ntndeacon
Technique

at, 17/8/2013	15:00	Dover		H		0-2	Skrill South
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Basingstoke		A		1-0	Skrill South
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Bath		A		1-3	Skrill South
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Dorchester		H		1-0	Skrill South
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Bromley		A		0-2	Skrill South

6.1 and 6.18 from the two starting Strikers has ruined their season so far.

[larrymcg421]

Maidenhead
law90026
Work Rate

Sat, 17/8/2013	15:00	Whitehawk		A		1-2	Skrill South
Tue, 20/8/2013	19:45	Hayes & Yeading		H		1-0	Skrill South
Sat, 24/8/2013	15:00	Farnborough		H		1-0	Skrill South
Mon, 26/8/2013	19:45	Ebbsfleet		A		1-2	Skrill South
Sat, 31/8/2013	15:00	Bishop's Stortford		H		3-1	Skrill South

The increased Work Rate has really helped the strikers out, especially in the most recent atch, but a very weak midfield is holding this squad back so far.

[bbgunn]

Nope, can't have that many draws. Might have to run some more sprints.

[Critch]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Anyone know how to save match reports for teams you don't manage? Right now it is only showing me the most recent matches for each team.

I think you need to click the FM button then chose "Detail Level" and make sure the division you're playing in is set to "All". If it doesnt run full detail for the division games between AI controlled teams will have a cut-down simulation.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by Critch

I think you need to click the FM button then chose "Detail Level" and make sure the division you're playing in is set to "All". If it doesnt run full detail for the division games between AI controlled teams will have a cut-down simulation.

Thank you!

[larrymcg421]

Leamington (5-3-1, 3rd)
digamma/Critch
Aggression

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Altrincham		H		0-1	Skrill North
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Stockport		A		0-0	Skrill North
Tue, 17/9/2013	19:45	Solihull Moors		H		2-2	Skrill North
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Gainsborough		H		3-0	Skrill North
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Grantham		A		1-1	FA Cup

Leamington's aggressive tactics continue to pay off. Amazingly, they still have a very low foul count despite sending 5 opponent players off the pitch this month.

[larrymcg421]

Vauxhall (3-4-2, 10th)
bbgunn
Off the Ball

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Boston Utd		H		1-3	Skrill North
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Hednesford		A		2-0	Skrill North
Tue, 17/9/2013	19:45	Stockport		H		1-1	Skrill North
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Oxford City		H		3-0	Skrill North
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	AFC Telford		A		0-2	FA Cup

The Off the Ball skill is apparent when watching team highlights. The match reports describe almost every Vauxhall goal as a "great team move". The defenses have a really hard time marking Vauxhall's guys and it leads to some easy passes and goals.

[larrymcg421]

Histon (2-2-5, 18th)
DavidCorperial
Marking

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Workington		H		1-1	Skrill North
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Harrogate		A		1-3	Skrill North
Tue, 17/9/2013	19:45	Hednesford		H		2-3	Skrill North
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Barrow		A		4-3	Skrill North
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Stafford		A		3-0	FA Cup

Surprisingly, Histon's only victory this month was a 4-3 shootout. They've been suffering from some injuries on the defensive side that should be cleared up soon.

[larrymcg421]

Gloucester (2-2-6, 19th)
britrock88
Free Kicks

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Barrow		A		2-0	Skrill North
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Workington		A		0-1	Skrill North
Tue, 17/9/2013	19:45	Brackley		H		1-3	Skrill North
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Boston Utd		H		2-2	Skrill North
Tue, 24/9/2013	19:45	Altrincham		A		1-2	Skrill North
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Ebbsfleet		A		0-2	FA Cup

Gloucester has still failed to score on a free kick. I've watched some goal highlights to see if the free kicks have set up some of their goals, but I cannot see anything yet.

[CraigSca]

Everyone knows that teamwork really becomes a factor when summer ends.

[larrymcg421]

Maidenhead (5-1-3, 5th)
law90026
Work Rate

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Gosport		A		1-2	Skrill South
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Eastleigh		H		2-0	Skrill South
Tue, 17/9/2013	19:45	Weston-super-Mare		A		1-1	Skrill South
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Concord Rangers		A		2-0	Skrill South
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Chippenham		A		0-1	FA Cup

Starting strikers Pacquette and Erskine have been the stars, scoring three goals each so far.

[larrymcg421]

Gosport (3-1-4, 14th)
ntndeacon
Technique

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Maidenhead		H		2-1	Skrill South
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Boreham Wood		A		1-2	Skrill South
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Tonbridge		H		2-2	Skrill South
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Havant & W		A		0-1	FA Cup

A win, draw, and loss was enough to move up two spots in the standings. Technique has helped them perform especially well in special teams, scoring two goals from corners and one from a free kick.

[larrymcg421]

Dorchester (2-3-3, 15th)
Craigsca
Teamwork

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Concord Rangers		A		2-0	Skrill South
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Bishop's Stortford		H		1-1	Skrill South
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Chelmsford		H		1-0	Skrill South
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Sutton Utd		H		0-2	FA Cup

A fantastic month for Dorchester moves them up 7 spots in the standings. Phil Simkin finished 2nd in Head Coach of the Month voting.

[larrymcg421]

Concord Rangers (1-3-5, 20th)
collegesportsfanms
Anticipation

Sat, 7/9/2013	15:00	Concord Rangers		A		2-0	Skrill South
Sat, 14/9/2013	15:00	Bishop's Stortford		H		1-1	Skrill South
Sat, 21/9/2013	15:00	Chelmsford		H		1-0	Skrill South
Sat, 28/9/2013	15:00	Sutton Utd		H		0-2	FA Cup

Despite being experts at anticipation, Concord has allowed the most goals in the Skrill South so far. And they only scored 2 goals in 4 matches this month. Dreadful.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

Everyone knows that teamwork really becomes a factor when summer ends.

It definitely paid off this month.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Concord Rangers (1-3-5, 20th)
collegesportsfanms
Anticipation


Despite being experts at anticipation, Concord has allowed the most goals in the Skrill South so far. And they only scored 2 goals in 4 matches this month. Dreadful.

I think you accidentally copied my team's results here.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by CraigSca

I think you accidentally copied my team's results here.

Oops. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to fix that tomorrow.