Division One Mid-Season Review

It is what many believe is the most important time of the season, either you have made a fantastic start, and must now try to hold your s**t together coming up with different tactics and trying not to run out of ideas. Or you have completly cocked everything up, everything that could go wrong has and it's your last chance to get it right and blaze a trail to glory! Some of you will be looking at the next four fixtures rubbing your hands together, whilst others will be panicing and racking their brains for anything that can keep their title/survival hopes alive against all the odds!

Division one is possibly the most contested division in the league and is blessed with many talented managers all with one thing on their agenda, getting to the top tier as quickly as possible. It does not take a genius to realise now is your best chance, and possibly for some teams your only clear cut chance for the immediate future... there is little chance it will ever get any easier than this as very strong teams from division two will be arriving next season (including possibly the strongest team in the league). Which ever teams drop from above are not going to be any push overs, whilst Strollers surely will avoid the drop and will once again become a force to be reckoned with. So before you give it the old im happy to survive blah blah blah... consider next seasons grouping and the fact you might not.

So with that said it's time to take a closer look at the teams and their respective managers, there are many different styles both in manager and squad selection and we will delve deeper into results and see who are the real contenders and whose season may just be about to take a turn for the worst, who is doing an outstanding job and who needs to pull their finger out. These are only the opinions of myself and feel free to take offense to them :p, but we will try to keep it as unbiased and honest as possible... yea right!


African Imitators
Manager: Gravitons

Nine games into the season, they have only won one and drawn one, the win coming way of Amateurs their fellow strugglers, little suprise there but the away draw is of much more interest against current league leaders Greatness. Although a fantastic result for Imitators it looks to have done little to change their fate this season and will mean more to those other teams that look to dislodge Greatness from both top spot and promotion places. As for the squad itself, Gravitons had his work cut out from the day he arrived, the previous manager (ahem) used up all his options and a total rebuild was required. Gravitons will have an almighty job of picking up the players after they are surely relegated and if something doesn't change soon they may find themselves struggling to survive in division two, if any team in division one needed an inbox lottery win, it is Imitators. Tactically the manager sticks by his 442, they might be best trying someting different and more defensive to grab some vital points before Kensington are out of reach. They face Bristol and Gooners in there next four games both these teams have everything to play for and Imitators fate may most likely be set in stone after these fixtures.

Our Verdict: Relegation favourites


West Brom Strollers
Managerless

A story of riches to rags, two seasons ago Strollers took everything in their stride to become RMI champions and it would seem at that point they felt they had nothing more to do! This squad of players deserved better for along time! They are one of the stronger side in RMI with a good pedigree, but have been unloved far to long! DinkyDave you should feel ashamed! They are at a point where a turn around in both form and fortunes is possible, but that window of opportunity is very small. The next manager who decides to take this challenge, will have alot to do! They have no money as the sponsor cheques have not been collected and form is now boderline. The former manager has left a well balanced squad and whoever takes this on should acheive future success! The likes of Regis, Gera and Pennington are fine players and im sure many a manager are casting their eyes over this team in the hope of striking up a deal with the new manager who will surely need funds. Eleven points off the pace though means we dont feel its going to happen this season for the new boss, given the fact they have taken points from some of the big guns without a manager... means they surely jus need some variation in their play. The club will surely be looking for the right kind of manager with credentials and a good history but time is of the essence!

Our Verdict: Mid table Finish


Yorkshires Amateurs
Manager: Danlufc13

This is a club that has seen good times and were surely hoping to return to the top flight, instead they find themselves in a real crisis situation... having only won two games and drawn one in the early stages of the season. This is an almost team for many reasons but I am specifically refering to the player squad today. The defence looks strong as does the attack but the real area where games are won and lost is in the middle of the park and the Amateurs are severly lacking here. It would seem the manager is more than aware of this and had given up any hopes from the start. Playing 541 in each game shows this manager is playing a long game and banking on grabbing just enough points to survive. If they have some kind of financial plan in place and can pick up a couple of quality midfielders for next season then things could change dramatically for this club. Entering the mid point of the season they face Gooners and Strollers over their next four games, Gooners will surely be gunning for top spot and they will struggle against Strollers strength whether or not a manager has been appointed by then. They are only three points off Kensingtons early pace though and only time will tell if their strategy of stealing points will pay off.

Our Verdict: Relegation favourites

Kensington Boy Club
Manager: Patrikpatrik

Here things become a little more interesting, Kensington are struggling this season and will not be happy to see a change of guard over at Strollers as currently they are next in line for the drop! Kensington fans will be puzzled by their lack of success with what looks to be a fantastic squad, but if we delve a little deeper we can see some possible reasons. The line up is border line on average age and there is a lack of depth in defence and no cover for injuries in midfield. That said what you are left with is a squad that has a great future ahead of it, although with double header against promotion hopefuls Carthage and Charming Men and a long term injury to their main defender James Wilde... the timing of the injury could seal their fate. It will take some real cunning an dolops of luck to grab anything from their next six games and we feel Bristol has a slightly more balanced squad which will grab vital points from some where. Tactically they have no space to manouvre and look to do well in division two next season. Its not the last we will here from Kensington though and their future looks secure.

Our Verdict: Relegation favourites


Bristol City
Manager: Pbstev

Lets start with the manager here... this is a guy I cant help but like, he is competetive and trains his teams proffessionally and I see a great manager in the making. Possibly he has the finer points tactically to discover still but none the less he sets his teams up very well, arriving in division one as a dark horse admittedly he had me worried and much research was done.
What he brings to bristol is assurance the players will develop consistently and more importantly they now have character! In his player choices I also see a little bit of me in there and he is a manager that likes to nuture raw talents that others would dissmiss (although they may just be a little too raw for this division). Bristol's start to the season was not a bad one, winning two and drawing four but they are also lacking in the middle of the park and we cant help but feel had they one more decent midfielder they might be fighting a whole different battle. Their next four games are with Imitators and AJ Rovers and it is now or never this season for Pbstev... he will need to win all four in our opinon to get back in the running... stranger things have happened and should they fail we still feel they will survive the drop comfortably.

Our Verdict: Just short of mid table


AJ Rovers
Rothion

Hate to sound like a broken record here but another team lacking the dominance in the middle of the park, and things dont look much brighter next season! You have to say the manager has done a sterling job to grab eleven points and place them mid table at the mid season point, but ahead of two back to back ties with Carthage and Bristol, it is looking tough to maintain that position as we enter the second half of a season thats only going to get tougher. The double header with Bristol is massive for both sets of players and the teams look well matched. The manager will need all his tactical know how to get through the second half of the season to finish in a respectable poition and will be hoping his midfield trio steer clear of injuries.

Our Verdict: Will just beat the drop


Charming Men
Manager: RDCM

Last seasons division two winners, havent quite found the pace yet and had a slow start to the season... here is a good example of everything going wrong that can... it happens! RDCM has dealt with these issues behind the scenes well though and making head way up the table. Looking through their fixtures you cant help but feel luck has not totally evaded them as they are yet to beat any of the top five sides yet still find themselves in contention. The loss at home to Carthage will sit very uncomfortably with RDCM and but for that he would find himself under alot less pressure. Tactically this season it would appear he lacks some faith in his squads abilities and rather than taking the game to the opposition he has opted for the more subtle approach. RDCM is a manager with a lot variety in his locker and is in a position where the next four games are do or die. Looking at certain parts of the squad an the issues made public concerning club funds this may be his best opportunity to gain promotion.. with all that in mind they are very dangerous opponents right now and could be the team to knock Greatness off their stride. You can never totally dismiss RDCM but we feel they currently are looking in better shape than they are, lets hope RDCM proves us wrong and finds some vital points in the Greatness fixtures.

Our Verdict: Just outside top three

Carthage FC
Manager: Blakey0500

If im totally honest Blakey0500 has built a fine squad that has sneaked under my radar and hats off to him for that, the first thing that jumps out at you is the average age and but for this the table may look very different right now. Obviously he is thinking longer term and in a season or two he will have developed quite a frightening selection of players. Ad Herbal and Dido will make the spine of the team as good as any and the defence will stand him in good stead for many years to come. Looking at this season fixtures so far it has been hit and miss and that is mainly due to the inexperience of the squad... even with the perfect tactical setup there will always be that random factor with such a young squad. Their last five games have seen them go on a run ending in a 5 - 0 victory over Imitators, looking towards the double headers they face AJ Rovers and Kensington and could find themselves sitting comfotably on the other side with all their hardest games being played at home in the second half. When you look at it from this perspective they are real contenders for the title... yes theres always a but... Blakey0500 will hoping that the average age factor is now under control and doesnt rear it's ugly head up when least wanted.

Our Verdict: Possibly top three


Gooners
Manager: FMRealism

How do I do it? No chance im telling you lot! Every season we find ourselves in the mix and each season we seem to start stronger than the last... this season has been no different and similar to Carthage we find ourselves looking at the double headers feeling confident of taking maximum points and with many important points gained away from home, the majority of our harder fixtures will be played at Highbury. As always the Gooners fans cant help but feel, what if no injuries... the double headers are against Imitators and Amateurs and I will be spitting feathers if were to drop many points if any against both sides. Tactically bar the Carthage game we have been pretty much spot on and to take so many MOTR awards in this division in particular is fantastic. Form is the key and we must put a run together.

Our Verdict: Fingers crossed top three


Bully Boys FC
Manager: Cathalio11

Another team with high expectations that had a hit and miss start to the season but has recovered well, but I feel are in a simalar if slightly better position than Charming. They look well placed but Cath will know the pressure he is under heading into the double header phase... four games against in form Greatness and White Hawks without much room for mistakes is not something any manager will want to face and should either Charming or Bullies lose any more ground during these double headers it will be hard to recover. That said I fancy them against the Hawks but whether they have the variety in their game to grab enough points from Greatness remains to be seen. For me the squad is not half as terrifying as it was when Bong was in that midfield, Bong was a sale I never understood as Cath relies heavily on 352 and prefers to dominate the midfield and as i mentioned it is no longer such a frightening prospect to face. The defence looks weaker than i remember also and the injury to Olle Hultqvist could not have come at a worst moment, this certainly can be a cruel game at the best of times. Cath knows what he is doing though and cannot be dismissed although again, given the injury and start to the season it might be a big ask to remain in the top three (even if he does there are some large hurdles in the form of away games to come), although as with RDCM he is a probably at his most dangerous right now. Daz will need to be on top of his game!

Our Verdict: Third depending on Carthages random factor


White Hawk FC
Manager: Hooraymee

Well whats going on here then.. everything about this team defies logic yet somehow they manage to keep pace in early part of season! I can confirm via match reports that the rather odd looking selection of players is not wining due too tactical genius! The only sensible answer I can come up with is his keeper Tarik Dankoi who has saved 73% of shots fired at him and played 12s on many occasion! I have a feeling Cath will beat him comfortably and Strollers may prove to be too much with or without manager, and those maybe the last points they obtain from the other promotion hopefuls. Although stranger things have happened.. Wortley beat Legends, Gooners and Morley to a claim a title! Normally I would say drastic changes are needed but it works for them so... go figure. In our opinion will lose their way just after the mid season point and will need a lot of money to rebuild an aging midfield.

Our Verdict: Mid Table


F.C. Greatness
Manager: Darrencalvert

Finally we reach current league leaders and strongest squad on paper Greatness, looking through the fixtures they probably should be in a more secure position beating both Carthage and Gooners yet losing points to Imatators and Bristol will not have pleased the boss. Every other team will take heart from the fact that it can be done and Daz has maybe the hardest four games of any season! RDCM and Cath are two of the leagues highest ranked managers and neither can afford to drop points if they wish to remain promotion contenders.. so back to back fixtures with both could not of come at a worse time. Greatness do have Faust Baronchelli on fire right now and he will need to remain in the same form and fit if Greatness are to come out on the otherside intact. After that they will face both Strollers and Carthage away whilst a hopefully fit in form Gooners will be out for revenge! I for one will watch with great interest as Daz,RDCM and Cath give everything in the next four games and like many others will be hoping to see Greatness slip up! For me those four fixtures may be the most interesting of the season. As for my opinions on the Greatness squad it is very strong and Daz obviously takes great interest in his players. The only worry he will have is replacing the aging defence if and when they decide to retire. Looking to the future Greatness will surely find themselves promoted and are in good hands under Daz's reign.

Our Verdict: Should take the title... should!?