Middle Earth Fantasy Football World Cup

[Nogrod]

Noggs' Ball

GK
Beor (Nargothrond) - traded for Smaug

DEFENCE
Nogrod (Barrow-Downs)
Maeglin (Gondolin)
Ancalagon the Black (Angband)
Firefoot (Barrow-Downs) - traded for Manwë

MIDDLEFIELD
Feanor of the Peredhil (Barrow-Downs)
Húrin (Gondolin) - traded for Beleg
Maedhros (Tuna)


FORWARDS
Finwë (Tuna) - traded for Tulkas
Gothmog (Angband)
Witch-King (Mordor)

I was especially sad to lose Elrohir and Rosie Cotton... but this team I think has better options to make it further... not only because of the teams they represent.

I still have been idealistic enough, I think, having Smaug, Nogrod, Fea, Beleg, Tulkas and the Witch-King in my team instead of Sauce, Sleepy and the others who will score the points... and as it seems that every one here is having his person in the game how could I play without my character at the line-up?

[The Saucepan Man]

Formation: 4-3-3

GK:
Ulmo (Gondolin)

DF:
Maglor (Tuna) (replaced Manwe 19 July)
Goldberry (Bree)
Maeglin (Gondolin)
Chief Warg (Misty Mountains) (replaced Elros 21 July)

MF:
Beleg (Doriath)
Thuringwethil (Angband) (replaced Legolas 19 July)
the phantom (The Barrow Downs)

FW:
Mormegil (Nargothrond)
The Saucepan Man (The Barrow Downs)
Sauron (Mordor) (replaced Pippin Took 19 July)

I'm quite happy with this team. Valinor, Bree and Numenor had the best defensive records in last year's competition, and Gondolin (having reclaimed Maeglin from Angband) appear to have bulit a solid defence this time round.

Beleg, Legolas and the phantom are all good attacking midfielders who like to get forward and will hopefully provide goals as well as assists. I believe that Beleg was the top scoring midfielder last time round.

Mormegil is a no-brainer for me, having won the Yellow Boot Trophy (in the guise of Turin) last year. Logic tells me to pick Sleepy, as he takes the penalties for the Downs, but I have gone with my heart and picked myself. We both scored prolifically in the 2006 competition. Pippin Took is a bit of a gamble, however. He was the surprise package last year, and his pace and guile were breathtaking. But, with the transfer of Merry to Buckland, he has lost his regular strike partner and it remains to be seen how well he will combine with his renowned ancestor. Their performance in the recent friendly bodes well, though.

[Sleepy Ranger]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But how do you people do these neat starting line-ups as whatever I try they end up being in a row...?

I haven't the slightest clue. Just thought I'd point out that to keep the thread from getting flooded whenever you make a trade, instead of reposting your team just edit your original team please. It'll make it easier for arcticstorm and I to tabulate points.

As for my team.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK:
Ulmo (Gondolin)

DF:
Glirdan (Barrow-Downs)
Ancalagon the Black (Angband)
Aule (Valinor)
Celeborn (Lothlorien)

MF:
The Phantom (Barrow-Downs)
Durin's Bane (Moria)
Sam (Shire)

FW:
Sleepy Ranger (Barrow-Downs)
Sauron (Mordor)
Melkor (Angband)

I picked Ulmo as my goalkeeper because he does seem to be a good talent as Saucepan Man too has spoted. I'm certain the the 'Downs defence will leak goals but Glirdan got an assist last season and I reckon he may be running forward a lot this season as well. I've picked Ancalagon and Aule because of their defensive prowess. I'm quite confident that they can bring home clean-sheet points.

As for forwards, well somebody *has* to pick *me*. I was in two minds about the other two first. I reckoned Sauron and Witch-King would pair up brilliantly and not only score but create as well. Eventually I decided to give Angband's front-man Melkor a look. I could always transfer out if there's any need for a change.

Also, I thought I'd take this oppurtunity to tell you how saves per match are calculated. Did you notice how in the friendlies under shots there were two numbers? The one in the bracket is assumed to be the number of shots saved. If there is any difference it will be noted. Just in case you wish to verify the scores.

[Elmo]

I'm always terrible at these things... Here it goes

Formation: 4-3-3
GK:
Ulmo (Gondolin)

DF:
Idril (Gondolin) Voronwe (Gondolin) Aule (Valinor) Manwe (Valinor)

MF:
Thuringethil (Angband) Orome (Valinor) Khamul (Mirkwood)

FW:
Sleepy Ranger (Barrowdowns) Saucepan Man (Barrowdowns) Rune Son of Bjarn (Barrowdowns)

I've swiped the whole Barrowdown forward line because I know they'll be banging them in, I can't see Gondolin and Valinor conceding many with their formation of death. I'm a bit over reliant on a few teams but meh.

[Volo]

One can pick players that an other person has already picked?

EDIT: Yes.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Sleepy

Formation: 3-4-3

But Sleepy, that's not a permissible formation ...

[Nogrod]

I didn't follow the last year's tournament but am I right when I'm beginning to wonder whether everyone wishing to win this should pick up Sleepy as he will make himself the top scorer of the games?

[Sleepy Ranger]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

But Sleepy, that's not a permissible formation ...

It's not? Ouch... thanks for pointing that out. How stupid of me...

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I didn't follow the last year's tournament but am I right when I'm beginning to wonder whether everyone wishing to win this should pick up Sleepy as he will make himself the top scorer of the games?

Of course not. All matches are simulated...