The Willy Cup

The opening game of the Willy Cup proved an exciting one as Chelsea went through to the final victorious. The game started slightly in Sunderlands favour when Honda broke past Bender and slid the ball forward to Huntelaar who tried to curl it round the keeper but couldnt. Sunderland took the lead when Rodriguez cut inside of the box and smashed the ball into the far corner. In the second half Chelsea got to goals in quick succession. The first coming from Van Persie when Teixeira worked with Kroos in a 1-2 and then placed the ball onto RVPs feet who just nodded the ball in with his toe. Vidal then sent the ball forward with a long kick to RVP who controlled the ball and then flicked it over the keeper. Chelsea confirmed their win at the end of the game when Moutinho sent the ball past the defence via the air which landed on Bentekes head and into the goal.

The second game was viewed as the more exciting game of the 2 yet it didnt live up to expectations. Real had a poor game by their standards and didnt live up to the threat of Portsmouth. Portsmouth took the lead when Grenier put the ball into space for Sterling who took once touch and then fired the ball towards goal which bounced off the keeper and then onto Lukakus feet and in. Gareth Bale pulled 1 back when he made a long run across the pitch and then fired it into the middle of the goal. Portsmouth however continued to be the better team as they threatened the real goal. Draxler came close when Dembele pumped the ball to the wing. Draxler tricked the ball past the full back and the fired the ball onto the crossbar. Portsmouth got the winner when El Sharaawy recieved the ball from Grenier and then nutmegged the defender and chipped the ball over the keeper.

Portsmouth 2-1 Real Malaga

i'll thrash out some tactics, gimme a bit of time

-------------------T.Krul------------------
P.Lahm---Williams---Bonucci---Baines
------------------Reinartz-----------------
-------------March------Maher------------
Teixeira--------------------------Schurrle
---------------------RVP--------------------

Hueng, Gabby, Pjanic

Another chance for some silverware as we take on Portsmouth, dunno what kind of team they will put out but we have thrown in some new signings to see what they can do..


Tim Krul in goal is a great shot stopper, quick off his line to close down the forwards and an intimidating figure, will come out for high balls and what he cant clear he will punch away. Send it out quickly to wide men to set up quick counters..

back four with regular fullbacks Lahm aand Baines playing, both know there jobs, attack when possible and the fact that Reinartz is sitting in allows both to attack at the same time, getting up to support the wingers allowing them to cut inside and support RVP, when Lahm and Baines do attack it gives the optioon for the winger to play them down the line to get the cross in. Defend strongly, keep the wingers quiet and away from the danger area, dont dive in.

Williams and Bonucci vying for a starting slot alongside Varane will both want to impress, Williams the burly CB who attacks all high balls and clears the danger, Bonucci will man mark when in open play, Williams marks the tall guy at set pieces. Bonucci can bring it out and start attacks from the back, is confident in his abilities. When defending the back 4 stay strong and tight.

Reinartz is in at DM, sits there watching the AM, follow him when they have the ball and give him no time to dictate. Where he sits allows both fullbacks to go and he will sit in a back 3 with Williams and Bonucci, break the play up and siomple balls to those around him.

Marchisio and Maher are two delightful pplayers to watch, full of running and can pass it around with ease, again with Reinartz sitting they have freedom to attack, if one has the ball deep the other pushes up to support the attackers, always follow the pass making themselves available, when defending sit in either side of Reinartz and help break up play.

Teixeira and Schurrle out wide will attack the flanks and force there fullbacks back, with support from our own fullbacks then they can cut in as Bainse/Lahm will take there markers away freeing up space for them to move into, use Maher/March as pivots for quick one-twos to break the lines of defence or look to RVP holding it up to get in and support, if they fancy taking it for a run go on theoutside of the fullback and take them on and cross in. Defending then track the fullbacks not allowing them too far forward.

RVPO is the ultimate CF, good in the air, two good feet, and very strong, when crosses come in get up early to beat the CB to the ball, ball at feet he can take on the cbs on with pace and skill, if isolated then look to hold it up for others to come in and support and lay it off and look to get into more space..full of goals

Captain:- Lahm
Penalties:- RVP
freekicks:- Maher/Pjanic
Corners:- Wingers

Subs

65 Mins:-

Hueng Min Son > Teixeira
Agbonlahor > Schurrle

both using pace against tiring fbs

Pjanic > Maher fresh legs to help dictate

--------------------Maksym Koval
Carvajal--Papadopoulos-Ogbonna--Luke Shaw
--------Nemanja Matic----Leon Goretzka
---Salvio--------Clement Grenier--------Draxler
--------------------Aumbaneyang

Subs: Nastasic, Henderson, Martinez, Sterling, Kuba, Modric, Dembele

Today against Chelsea, We name a semi strong team, just like them. In this game, Dani Carvajal's aim of the game is to rampage down the right flank hard and fast and hunt down the RB. Papadopoulos needs to stay as a rock in defence and win everything in the air using his immense strength to barge players off the ball. Ogbonna is the faster, ball playing CB who loves to have the ball at his feet, and is always there with a tackle. Ogbonna smells danger from miles away, and is very fast for a CB so must track the main CB. Both CBs are good in the air, so between them mist clear any danger from set plays etc. Luke Shaw at LB is very very fast and very good attacking wise, whilst he is no defensive slouch either. He must connect with Draxler down the Left flank, and as soon as Draxler drifts inside, Luke Shaw must take that space and bomb down the left, whilst his crossing is top class, so must find the heads of Auby and Grenier. In midfield, Matic plays DM alongisde Goretzka who is the box to box. Matic marks the AM out of the game, reading the game well from his position. Matic is also good coming forward from midfield, so he musn't be afraid to step into the attack where he has good pace and energy. However, when Matic attacks, Goretzka must stay back and vice versa. This is because we don't want to get caught out on the break, and leave a gaping hole in the centre of midfield. Goretzka's job is to drive the team on from CM, using his great power and burst to carry the ball onwards. He will be the one lurking outside the box ready to pounce in the ball, whilst he will he pressing the opposition midfield high up the pitch, winning the ball back before playing the ball out to the wings. Out on the right wing Salvio will look to cut in on his left foot, and use his great speed and accelaration to turn defenders inside out. His aim is to get to the byline and cross the ball into the box, where our two very good physical strikers will be lurking. Salvio also has permission to attack the LCB, trying to take him out of position. In AM, Grenier will be staying on the DM/deepest CM, looking to torment him all game long. When the ball comes to the CM, Lukaku will auomatically drop back and look to pressurise him into losing the ball. Grenier is very nippy, so will often join Auby in the box, looking to get on the end of crosses. On the left Draxler is two footed so will use this to his advantage and look to cut in on his right and get inswinging crosses into to Auby/Grenier, or take it on his left and look to skip his way into the box. Draxler is very fast, which will be very important when we attack, as we will be looking to release him and Salvio from deep, and their pace will be very important in clocking up the yards. Up front, Auby will be the finisher, and look to feed off the support from the winger. He will always have Grenier's back, and the two of them must form a partnership to bag us the goals. Icardis movement is on point, and he must try and get around the defence using his quick thinking and knack offinding the net

Subs:

60mins: Henderson > Goretzka, more energy in midfield, Matic goes DM

If losing 65: Kuba > Salvio, Dembele > Grenier, Modric > Matic

4-2-3-1

____________________Reina____________________
Uchida________Toure_______Rami_______A. Sandro
_____________Boateng_____Pogba_______________
Shaqiri______________Honda____________Ocampos
__________________Huntelaar___________________
SUBS: Ahamada, Omerou, van Aanholt, Rode, Giaccherini, Torres, Destro

Captain: Reina
Right free-kicks: Honda
Left free-kicks: Honda
Penalties: Huntelaar
Right corners: Honda
Left corners: Honda


General:
Possession based attacking play. Aim is to move the ball around efficiently and with purpose, with many forward passes and none of Spain’s useless sideway passes. Passing will be quick and intelligent, players moving into space and plenty of interchange between the three attacking midfielders. Team will look at the striker as the focal point with the attacking midfielders running off and beyond him, linking up efficiently. When defending Ocampos and Honda will drop back to help, Shaqiri stays up as the out ball and Huntelaar prepared for anything lumped up to him. Team must attempt to block shots at all times. Deep defensive line.

Reina:
Claim crosses if possible. Always clear lines, and hoof up the pitch towards the strikers whenever possible. The ball must stay clear of the 18 yard box at all times. Communication is key with centre halves to avoid confusion when deciding who claims a loose ball / cross.

Toure and Rami:
Deals with opposition attackers. Rami keeps an eye on their attacking midfielder when he gets close to the 18 yard line. Rami will also mark their striker closely not allowing him space to turn. Rami or Boateng will deal with knock-downs to their supporting player depending on who is closer. Toure will try and win headers when long balls are played towards the back line. Toure will also clean up any balls / players who manage to get past Rami. Go up for corners.

Uchida and Sandro:
Will get forward in turns when we get possession, if they aren’t individually under too much pressure. Will sit back when without the ball, but bomb forward when the opportunity arises. Main aim is to provide width and provide extra bodies in midfield to link up play. They should thump in crosses to Huntelaar when it’s on. Shoot if there is a clear sight of goal. Stays back for corners. Must not commit to tackles otherwise wingers will skip past them, just stay close, limit their space and show them onto their weaker foot.

Boateng and Pogba:
Sits deep, breaks up play and snap at their heels. Boateng is fast and is an engine that can cover a lot of ground when defending. Boateng will hardly ever go past the half-way line. Pogba will sit deep and dictate play with his passing range. Pogba will be a bit ahead of Boateng to be more involved in exchanging passes with full backs / Honda, even going level with Honda at times to use his incredible vision to find teammates. Boateng stays close to the centre halves. Both sprays balls wide to fullbacks when they get forward. Stays back for corners. Will not allow the opposition any time on the ball in front of centre halves. Boateng sticks to position when fullbacks flys forwards, providing cover if needed. Pogba drops deeper when this happens.

Shaqiri, Honda and Ocampos:
Will constantly swap positions with each other. Will look to thread through balls to Huntelaar and exchange passes with each other. Constantly drifting in and out of position, into space to make it difficult to mark. Can cross when out wide. Honda should always track back to help the fullbacks and midfield when defending. Can burst past Huntelaar and shoot if needed. Goes to near post to anticipate crosses. Constantly runs at their defence.

Huntelaar:
Holds up the ball, brings the three attacking midfielders into play. Play on the shoulder of the last man, always sets himself at the far post for crosses. Will keep the centre halves occupied.

Subs:
Winning:
80 mins: Pogba OFF Barry ON
Straight swap, adds more energy to midfield. Can track back to help out. Generally snapping at the opposition’s heels and closing down space.

Losing:
75 mins: Honda OFF Torres ON
Go flat out 4-4-2 as a striker and link up with Huntelaar. Run off Huntelaar and shoot on sight.

if it's not too late to change, can i swap vucinic for ocampos

Welcome to the 3rd place play off of the willy cup where Sunderland play Real Malaga. Sunderland started the brightest showing much willingness to beat such a prestigious team. The first chance fell to Huntelaar when Shaqiri crossed the ball towards goal and Huntelaar tried just simply tapping the ball into the goal. However due to great reflex actions the GK managed to save the ball. Sunderland came close once again when Ocampos fed through Honda who tried chipping the keeper but as it reached the line the defender cleared it. Sunderland were showing great attacking threat in this game but couldnt finish off their chances. It was Real who took the lead when Gareth Bale cut into the box and squared it for Falcao who sent the ball into the middle of the goal. Sunderland tried equalising through Torres when Shaqiri sent him on a 1 vs 1 with the keeper but the keeper got to the ball first and cleared it all the way to Falcao who got into space, took the ball round the keeper and scored with a simple tap in.

Sunderland 0-2 Real Malaga

Sunderland earn 250k for coming 4th

And the final of the Willy cup has finally arrived and it saw Portsmouth take on Chelsea. Both teams decided to surprising feel their teams with unfamiliar faces to their starting 11 so it would be an interesting time to see who has the strongest back up, though chelsea did include some starting players. Portsmouth took control of the game from the off with an early goal from Draxler when Grenier took the ball past the left sided centre back and left the ball clear to Draxler just to flick in. Chelsea tried getting back into the game when Lahm ran down the wing as a wing back to set up a scoring chance for RVP but his volley went over the crossbar. In the second half Chelsea did equalise when Maher put Teixeira into space who ran into the box, did a fake shot to confuse the keeper and then he tapped the ball to the right and sent the ball in. Chelsea almost when 2-1 up when Agbonlahor made a blinding run across the pitch but for a brilliant reaction save by the keeper they were stopped from going ahead. Portsmouth eventually did get the winning goal when Modric's long shot got sent out for a corner. Modric took the corner but overhit it a little. It landed at Kuba's feet where he pushed the ball to the left of the box and then curled right into the top left corner of the goal.

Portsmouth 2-1 Chelsea

Portsmouth get 3m for winning the Willy Cup
Chelsea get 1m for coming 2nd

Manager of the Comp - 21
Player of the Comp - Draxler