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Round 21 - A busy weekend before the International break

24/1/2022

Hello all and here’s the update on Round 21 – so how was it for you?

A busy weekend despite the odd covid postponement and stars playing at the African Cup, but it’s what’s going on in the MicroNational Football League that counts!

Shedingeh stay top of the table but the New Weddington Warriors are not done yet – with an impressive 45 point haul taking them to within 5 points of reclaiming the lead.

Lundenvic Lions will be ruing a lost chance to move into second, 28 points enough to keep them in third; but with 41 points the Lehmark FC Legends will be eyeing a silverware spot; closely followed by Novascurra Jesters looking to restore some of their former league glory with the highest score of the week on 49 points.

In sixth we have The Isle of Lithua, well of course it had to be them; they are nothing if not consistent and don’t look like shifting from their mid-table dominance any time soon.

The United Mathisian Kingdom pull away from the power order with a decent 44, ahead of a below par score from H.E.R. Saints, looking to edge into the 600 point club.

Espoona’s fall from grace continues with 17 points only good enough to stay put in 9th. Pikeland Holy Crusader in 10th and Maslatonia in 11th are having their usual tussle; Maslatonia posted an impressive 45 but Pikeland did enough to stay ahead of the game with 32 points.

And stuck in 12th at the bottom of the pile is the Principality of Sealand – with 10 points they reclaim the wooden spoon from Espoona. Things are looking bleak down the bottom and Sealand are now80 points behind Maslatonia and a whopping 400 off the top mark…

So there you have it no major changes in league positions but plenty going on in the points. Feels like the league s finely poised for some changes…

Meantime, treat yourself to a well-earned break as there are no more Premier games until 5th February and just the One FA Cup game (Man U vs Middlebrough) on 4th.

So sit back, relax and chill out. If you get bored you can complete the mid Season Questionnaire which will be going out shortly – check your indox and spam filter out, and don’t miss your chance to have your say in your MicroNations Soccer League Cup 😊

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Week 21 of the MicroNational League Cup rolls on - the storm before the calm?

22/1/2022

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The games are coming thick and fast at the moment, but hang in there – we have an international break coming up so you get nearly two weeks off (other than hoping your star players don’t get injured playing for their countries), until February 4th!!

But first we have a full weekend on games and with the MicroNational League Cup award spots in the balance, it’s going to be interesting to see what the league looks like on Monday…

Right, let’s get on with it – starting with…

FRIDAY 21ST JANUARY
Watford 20:00 Norwich City
This weekend's set of fixtures kicks off this Friday at 8pm and features Watford and Norwich City. A bottom of the table clash between 17th place Watford and Norwich who are in 18th position. Dennis is the pick of the bunch for Watford but Ismaila Sarr is due back in training this month. For the Canaries, Gilmour is out, Aarons a slight doubt.

SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY
Everton 12:30 Aston Villa
Saturday's early game is at 12:30pm and is Everton versus Aston Villa at Goodison Park. Everton are under different management now Rafa has been shown the door. Everton have recently welcomed back Richarlison from injury. El Ghazi ineligible. Aston Villa have been revitalised under Steve G and the arrival of Phil Coutinho looks a shrewd loan signing, one’s to watch

Brentford 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers
There are three 3pm games, the first of which being Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Bees come into this game after only winning one game in their last five. Toney scored his first goal in ages last time out. Wolves are in good form, only dropping 5 points from a possible 15. Marcal and Neves expect to be available.

Leeds United 15:00 Newcastle United
The second of the 3pm matches is at Elland Road between Leeds United and Newcastle United. 15th versus 19th with both teams picking up points in their last couple of games (Leeds wins, Newcastle draws). Jack Harrison is in sparkling form for Leeds. Still no Bamford. A Newcastle win could lift them out of the relegation zone. Clark could be back for the Magpies.

Manchester United 15:00 West Ham United
Next up at 3 o'clock is Manchester United against West Ham United. The Red Devils played and won in midweek - Bruno Fernandes is in good form and United run of games doesn't look too bad. Cavani, Shaw, Wan-Bissaka and McTominay could all be back. West Ham are 4th but lost last weekend. Bowen is playing well. Soucek could be back but Benrahma is still at African Nations’ Cup (AFCON)..

Southampton 17:30 Manchester City
Saturday's late match sees Southampton taking on Manchester City at St Mary's. The Saints suffered a defeat last Saturday but Ward-Prowse has been picking up points recently. Walcott and Elyounoussi could be back after illness. Man City are top of the League and playing well. Mahrez still at AFCON, Zinchenko should be available.

SUNDAY 23RD JANUARY
Arsenal 14:00 Burnley
There are three 2pm games on Sunday, the first of which takes place between Arsenal and Burnley. Both sides had games postponed last weekend but Arsenal got a game on Thursday in the Carabao Cup. Xhaka suspended for the Gunners. Partey is back from AFCON early but subsequently got dismissed in the Cup. Burnley last played in the FA Cup on the 8th Jan and Wood has left for pastures new. Cornet still at AFCON.

Crystal Palace 14:00 Liverpool
The second of the 2pm matches is Crystal Palace v Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Palace recorded a draw against Brighton last Friday night and currently sit 8th. There are quite a few at AFCON which has allowed Eze and Olise a run of games. 2nd place Liverpool won on Thursday in the Cup (Jota with a brace) and are still without Salah, Keita and Mane.

Leicester City 14:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
Our other 2pm game is Leicester City against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Foxes played on Wednesday and managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Daka and in-form Maddison scored for Leicester. Vardy injured and Iheanacho at AFCON. The Seagulls are draw specialists and rotated their line-up last time out - benching Maupay and Trossard in midweek. Mac Allister one to watch.

Chelsea 16:30 Tottenham Hotspur
And finally, at 4:30pm is a London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Chelsea are still unable to keep clean sheets, probably impacted by the injuries to Chilwell and James. No new injuries to report. Spurs played on Wednesday and managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - Bergwijn the unlikely hero. Kane also on the scoresheet.

So there you go plenty of action in the storm before the calm Updates on League will be posted Monday. We’ll be using the 2 week break to send out a mid-year survey on how you think the MicoNational Cup is going and any feedback ideas, so do watch out for that and PLEASE respond – it’s your league after all!

Thanks, Kate

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...a mixed bag of scores in the MicroNations Cup

17/1/2022

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Gosh, I said the return of the English Premier League would mean a return of higher scores but it seems the top 2 were the only teams to get the message!

Shedingeh had a storming week, high scoring on 74 to grab the top sport, whilst the New Weddington Warriors do enough to stay in 2nd and gain a few points on that all-important trophy position.

Giving way to Shedingeh are the Lundenwic Lions who, looking secure in first, are relegated to 3rd with an indifferent 27 points…

Looking over their shoulder they wont be too worried by the Lehmark FC Legends, low scoring with 17 points in 4th; whilst trailing the top 3 they are being hotly pursued by the Novascurra Jesters in 5th with a decent 39 point haul.

Completing the top 6 are – yes them – The Isle of Lithua. Who with 24 points somehow maintain their 6th place with NO transfers or activities yet again!!

A bad day at the office for Espoona who not only takes ownership of the wooden spoon with 7 points but also drops two places meaning United Mathisian Kingdom Kingdom and H.E.R. Saints both move up a place, to 7th and 8th respectively.

In 10th and 11th Pikeland Holy Crusader and Maslatonia post average scores but they need to move up a couple of gears to make an impact in the 2021/2022 League…

And finally, business as usual for Principality of Sealand, still floundering at the foot of the table – though they can take a little comfort that they have rid themselves of the wooden spoon.. just!

Well there you go, a quick breather before week 21 starts on Tuesday 18th January at 7.30pm (UK time). There’ll be a preview in advance so you can have a think about fine-tuning your team or taking it in for a complete overhaul – or is it ready for the scrap yard???

Back soon 😊

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Return of the Premier League...

14/1/2022

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For those of you discombobulated by the ups and downs of the FA Cup you’ll be glad to know that rest of January is an all-Premier affair, with a chance to pick up some serious points by your key players. A few changes with Villa spending big – bringing in an unsettled Digne and a highly touted Coutino, but can Gerrard get his money’s worth? Elsewhere Ronaldo a slight doubt and Salah and Mane are chasing silverware of the African variety in the AFCON Cup.

So … food for thought as we sail the choppy seas on the good ship MicroNations League Cup…

FRIDAY 14TH JANUARY

Brighton & Hove Albion 20:00 Crystal Palace

This set of fixtures kicks off at 8pm on Friday with a derby game between Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace. Brighton are 9th and have only lost once in their last five. Maupay is in good form. Dunk and Mwepu injured, Bissouma at AFCON. Palace are 12th and in reasonable form. Michael Olise will play while Ayew and Zaha are away at AFCON.

SATURDAY 15TH JANUARY

Manchester City 12:30 Chelsea

Saturday's early kick-off features Manchester City v Chelsea at the Ethiad. This is a 1st versus second clash. City are in fantastic form, having won their last 5 in the League and winning in the FA Cup. Foden and Zinchenko may be back, Mahrez at AFCON. Chelsea played and won in the Carabao Cup in midweek. No Mendy, Chilwell or James.

Burnley 15:00 Leicester City

Four games at 3pm, the first of which sees Burnley taking on Leicester City. 18th place Burnley have sold Chris Wood so who knows who will be up front. Cornet away at AFCON. Leicester are comfortably mid-table and will be missing Vardy and Iheanacho from this game. Both teams play again in midweek.

Newcastle United 15:00 Watford

The second 3pm match is a bottom of the table clash pitting Newcastle United versus Watford. Newcastle are 19th but have been strengthening during the January window - Trippier and Wood have joined so far. 17th place Watford kept hold of Dennis rather than losing him for a month to AFCON.

Norwich City 15:00 Everton

Thirdly we see Norwich City taking on Everton at Carrow Road. The Canaries are rock bottom of the League but are only 3 points away from Watford in 17th. Cantwell and Gilmour both out. Everton are on a poor run of form but hopefully the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin will improve their results. Digne has gone but El Ghazi has joined.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Southampton

The final 3pm match takes place at Molineux between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton. Wolves are 8th have won two of their last three. Roman Saiss is at AFCON. Southampton played in midweek when they beat Brentford 4-1. Broja, Livramento and Walker-Peters are all doubts for this one.

Aston Villa 17:30 Manchester United

Saturday's late game kicks off at 5:30pm and features Aston Villa against Manchester United. Villa have gone on a shopping spree in recently, bringing in Digne and Coutinho. Traore is at AFCON. Man Utd will be hoping Ronaldo will be fit to play though Maguire is expected to be available. McTominay and Shaw are suspended for this one.

SUNDAY 16TH JANUARY

Liverpool 14:00 Brentford

Three games this Sunday, two at 2pm, the first of which is Liverpool v Brentford at Anfield. Liverpool played out a goalless draw against Arsenal on Thursday. Salah is away on international duty, as are Keita and Mane. Brentford lost to Southampton during the week but Mbeumo scored a hat-trick in the Cup last weekend.

West Ham United 14:00 Leeds United

The other 2pm fixture sees West Ham United taking on Leeds United. The Hammers are 4th and have won three League games in a row. Bowen is in exceptional form. Benrahma is at AFCON, Johnson was rested in midweek. Leeds are 16th and may have Rodrigo available. Llorente is suspended.

Tottenham Hotspur 16:30 Arsenal

And finally, at 4:30pm this Sunday the North London derby between Tottenham Hotspur (6th) and Arsenal (5th). Both of these teams were in Cup action in midweek, Spurs lost and the Gunners recorded a respectable draw. Dier missed the game with a calf injury, Son is also out. Arsenal will be without Odegaard (Covid) Pepe and Partey (both AFCON)

Next games are on Tuesday – and yes, the are Premier Leagues games…. No more FA Cup until 4th Feb! So good lose, Use your transfers well and review will be up mid next week! 😊

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MicroNations League Cup - FA Cup games start to count... stick or twist on players?

11/1/2022

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So – what a week the FA cup has given us! Disallowed goals, David and Goliath wins, new faces on the pitch… good for casual fans but frustrating for MicroNational League Cup managers faced with the choice of buying in top scorers who might not play, or sticking with lower order players…. Who still might not play! As such, no surprise that this has been a low scoring round – whilst Lord Watitune is off crying in a corner somewhere, I‘ll take you through the highlights and lowlights.

All eyes on the top of the league and Lundenvic Lions, having recently deposed the New Weddington Warriors continue to edge away - gaining another 3 points in the gap between the top 2, with Shedingeh in third just one point behind the Warriors!

Lehmark FC Legends have made fourth place their but being over 100 points adrift from the top 3 will be looking to make the most of the League games coming up with some rescheduled postponed games meaning 2-1 matches in a week for some teams…

Novascurra Jesters are chasing Lehmark in 5th but the Legends won’t be panciking on that count just yet, with a 50 point lead on them.

And in 6th – yes as always – the Isle of Lithua defy gravity by remaining in the top half of the league despite NEVER having made a change all season!!

Espoona (7th) and United Mathisian Kingdom (8th) continue to swap places with just a single point between them, and H.E.R. Saints top score for the round on 29 points but need a few more top scores to make a dent in their Cup changes…

And finally Pikeland Holy Crusader have their work cut out in 10th, as do Maslatonia in 11th – at least they have freed themselves from the bottom spot which – along with the wooden spoon - goes to the Principality of Sealand with a micro score of 5! Sealand may have fought off the Royal Navy and German coup attempts but they are struggling against the MicroNational League Managers!

So there you go – as the FA Cup mixes things up expect some future surprises, and we’re back into the League proper today the 11th! Of will our teams get a break thanks to Omicron? Look out for the next preview soon 😉 Kate.

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New Year Rings in the Changes in the MicroNations League Cup

4/1/2022

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So… does the New Year see a new order in the MicroNations League Cup? Things are starting to get interesting but don’t forget there is still plenty of football to be played - there’s all those postponed games to be squeezed into the fixture list (with maybe more postponements to come) – and from this Friday 7th January games played in the FA Cup also count towards your team totals!!!

A possible opportunity for extra games, but also likely that key players will be rested… this is where the need for strategy will sort the women from the girls; or the men from the boys… or any other combination (I tried the gender neutral term but ‘sorting the people from the people’ didn’t quite work😉 )

But enough rambling and putting off the inevitable update – let’s look at the League this week starting at the top…

Big news is the Lundenwic Lions who are sitting top having opened up a 15 point lead over the New Weddington Isles. The Isles are starting to look a bit uncomfortable, sandwiched as they are between Lundenwic and Shedingeh, who have stepped up a gear to score a whopping 85 points this week, pulling within 3 points of the Isles in 2nd place. Heads will roll in the Isles! ☹

Lehmark Legends are looking comfortable in 4th spot though with a growing gap between the top 3 they will need to start working up the gears themselves if they want to chase silverware.

Business as usual mid table – Novascurra Jesters manage an okay 44 to stay 5th whilst the mystery team of the Isle of Lithua are STILL in 6th despite no transfers made since start of season. They’ve been coasting along like a plane on autopilot but are the wheels starting to come off (sorry, bad choice of mixed metaphors 😊 ) as they post a lowly 30 and a wooden spoon to go with it…?

Bad day at the office for Espoona , who continue to play tag with the United Mathisian Kingdom – this week losing out and dropping down to 8th, 6 points behind UMK in 7th.

H.E.R. Saints stick in 9th and Pikeland Holy Crusader in 10th, though the latter post enough of a tally to give H.E.R. Saints a scare and now only trail them by 7 points…

And still doing the hokey cokey at the foot of the table we have The Principality of Sealand dropping down to bottom and overtaken by Maslatonia – both teams need to make use of those extra games coming up!

There you go, battles at the top, middle and bottom of the League – which are only going to heat up with rescheduled games and FA Cup. Oh and look out for any players you may have who have been selected by their National sides in the African Nations Cup… they’ll be packing their bags, taking a PCR and off this week…

I hope you’ve all had a relaxing 2022 so far – following the last couple of years all bets are off so I’ll just say hope you are well rested after the break, and best wishes to you and yours for a safe, positive (not in a covid test way), and prosperous New Year.

BTW – just a quick straw poll for the new year, who in the current league are interested in signing up for a 2022/23 season of the Cup? We’ll send out a proper survey soon, but meantime feel free to comment here or DM us @ Lord Watitune with any thoughts 😊

Cheers, Kate

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2022 Starts off as Expected in MicroNations League - Total Chaos!!

1/1/2022

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Plenty going on first week of 2022 - postponements, covid, injuries, African Cup (AFCON) absences, house invasion and assault, and then from next week the FA Cup games count towards the MicroLeague points!! What could possibly go wrong 😮 ?

A BIG thankyou to all participants for making the 2021 leg of the MicroNations League a proper competition throughout the league and showing enthusiasm going into 2022. Best of luck to all in the New Year (with the definite exception of Lundenwic Lions !!).

SATURDAY 1ST JANUARY (dates and times UK, GMT)

Arsenal 12:30 Manchester City

The Happy New Year starts at 12:30pm with a game between Arsenal and Manchester City. The Gunners had a rest in midweek so should be reinvigorated for this one. No Aubameyang for the next month due to AFCON. Tomiyasu out with Covid. Manchester City played and won in midweek, beating Brentford with a Phil Foden goal. KDB's form appears to have picked up but Bernie O'Silva has turned pants. Still to be seen whether Cancelo makes the trip to Emirates stadium after suffering facial injuries in a house burglary (it’s grim down South!)

Leicester City 15:00 Norwich City

Match postponed

Watford 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur

The only 3pm match features Watford versus Tottenham Hotspur. Watford are 17th and also losing matches for fun at the moment. Dennisin not going to AFCON. No Foster - Femenía and Rose doubts. Spurs were held by Southampton in midweek but Harry Kane managed a goal and may be finally finding form. Bergwijn missing.

Crystal Palace 17:30 West Ham United

A London derby at 5:30pm - Crystal Palace v West Ham United at Selhurst Park. The Eagles are comfortably perched in 11th. Zaha is back for this one after suspension, Gallagher may be missing though (for ‘undisclosed reasons’) as may Andersen. West Ham returned to winning ways against Watford on Tuesday, Benrahma scored but is soon to be AFCON-bound, leaving Antonia to get his act together up front. Cresswell may be back but Fornals will be missing.

SUNDAY 2ND JANUARY

Brentford 14:00 Aston Villa

Four games at 2pm this Sunday, the first of which is sees Brentford taking on Aston Villa. The Bees have only picked up 4 points from a possible 15 so will be hoping to get back to winning ways today. Janelt, Mbeumo and Rico Henry will be missing. Villa midweek match against Leeds was postponed so they should be nicely rested. Mings suspended.

Everton 14:00 Brighton & Hove Albion

Next up, Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison. Everton lie in 15th place and have only won once in their last 5 games. Their match on Thursday was postponed as were their previous two. Rested or rusty? Richarlison and Townsend out. Brighton gained as last gasp draw against Chelsea on Wednesday, fit-again Danny Wellbeck off the bench with the goal. Doubts over Trossard and Dunk for this one.

Leeds United 14:00 Burnley

Thirdly, at Elland Road, Leeds United against Burnley. 16th place Leeds have lost three in a row and have had their last two postponed. Llorente and Harrison expected to return; no James, Rodrigo or Bamford though. Burnley are 18th and have become masters of the draw. They have only play one of their last four scheduled fixtures. Cornet may be back just before leaving for AFCON?

Southampton 14:00 Newcastle United

Match postponed

Chelsea 16:30 Liverpool

At 4:30pm, the weekend's big match features 2nd place Chelsea v Liverpool who lie in 3rd. Chelsea drew with Brighton in midweek. Christensen and Reece James both came off injured – James pulled a hamstring apparently so you might want to get that transfer trigger finger poised…. Thiago Silva also out, Werner may be back though. Liverpool suffered a rare defeat on Tuesday against Leicester. This is Salah's last game before AFCON. Robertson is suspended for this one.

MONDAY 3RD JANUARY

Manchester United 17:30 Wolverhampton Wanderers

And finally, the late Monday afternoon fixture is Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers at 5:30pm. Man Utd played on Thursday evening against Burnley, Ronaldo with a goal and assist, Shaw and Wan Bissaka reinstated. Lindelof has Covid and Pogba is still out. Wolves are 8th, have collect 4 points from a possible 6 and haven't played since Sunday 19th December. Ait Nouri may be back, but Hwang is missing long term.

So there you go – review due on 4th January where I fully expect New Weddington Warriors to have claimed their rightful top spot, then there’s a breather until 7th Jan when the FA Cup kicks in… plenty of chances for points against lower league teams but top players tend to be rested… decisions, decisions...

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Round 21 - A busy weekend before the International break

Week 21 of the MicroNational League Cup rolls on - the storm before the calm?

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...a mixed bag of scores in the MicroNations Cup

Return of the Premier League...

MicroNations League Cup - FA Cup games start to count... stick or twist on players?

New Year Rings in the Changes in the MicroNations League Cup

2022 Starts off as Expected in MicroNations League - Total Chaos!!

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