Previews in FL5 for Friendly League

Wrap up for the new season of the Friendly League has already started... As usual several managers used to do their previews on the forum.
Chris Everitt, manager of CHELSEA FC X, and member of the board, have made his own predictions. Let´s see what he write.

1. The Borg (borg)
Promoted into 7-1-4 lifting his second league title in a row. Will start to come up against a lot stronger opposition in the next couple of seasons. Runners up in zola conference 1 and will be hoping to produce the same form and challenge this time around.With a squad full of season 2/3 players and very high stats throughout the team they have to be one of the favourites. The Borg will get stronger and stronger.


2. CHELSEA FC X (zola) - create division
Relegated from 1-1-1 last season with a large influx of new players last season and relegated from FL4 in a tight battle to the end last season. Has a fairly strong team who will get better as the season matures. Should have enough to stay up but would not regard them as title contenders.

3. Dudley ogres (chucklebuns)
Finished 8th in 7-1-1 last season and will be looking to build on that next season. Won a stack load of trophies and majors on ptv server, but like many is still bedding in on this one. A string of new players recently joining the squad will mean they will be stronger in a few seasons and promotion will be a bridge too far.

4. Lagerfield (dmac77)
Champions of 7-1-1 and a real contender for this title. With conference 7, the Elite cup and Champions shield in the trophy cabinet they have questionably been the strongest team on the server. Looking at the squad a few new players but the squad strength is immense and anything other than 1st will be surprising.

5. Sharks Teeth (pellinor)
Relegated from 8-1-1 but a very tough league. Last time they bounced straight back into the top flight after dropping to 8-1-2. A strong set of stats across the board but not as strong as some teams and may struggle in this one if they have to replace a few players throughout the season. With 6 teams going down they would not expect or want to be one of them.

6. Northwest Rags (chiiiiiiiii)
Promoted into 2-1-1 and will be hoping to give Bignick a run for his money after he ran away with conference 2 last season. Conference 2 past winners and will be looking at taking his team up another level. Strong stats in all areas but not the strongest, will be hoping to prove themselves and progress into FL4 but I fell they will fall short of promotion this time round.

7. Shannons Nuclides (Atomic)
Champions of 3-2-2 working their way steadily through the conference. Has a strong squad and should be safe but promotion will be just out of reach. Will be interesting for me to see how they get on as I have them in my league next season after switching.

8. MAD ONE (craigbh)
4-2-1 champions, working through the conference and I am little surprised to see them in conference 5 after being previous runners up in fl4 a few seasons back. Stats are strong and should be safe this season but not sure if they are strong enough to gain promotion.

9. Bravehearts (fraser)
11th in highly competitive 5-1-1 and only 3 points off of the drop last season but make no mistake they are a very strong side. A lot of players at their peak at the moment and providing too many of them do not need replacing should be challenging for the title.

10. Ocean City Orioles (booksie)
1-1-4 champions and slowly working their way to 1-1-1. A strong squad which is still maturing and will become a very strong squad in a season or two. May struggle against some of the elite teams this time round but may surprise a few teams and finish closer to the top then bottom.

11. Surreal Madrid (mickydoodle)
Finished 6th in 4-1-1 with some top sides finishing both above and below which shows their strength. Like most teams strong stats throughout the squad and with a little more training will be at full strength. An excellent history of winning title and majors on ptv2 and mickydoodle will be itching to get back to winning ways.

12. Craven Cottagers (jimbo)
Walked 7-3-1 winning easily as expected with the strength of his team. A few new players have recently been added to the squad but some very strong players at their peak. It would not surprise me if they are in contention come the end of the season.

13. Buxom Polecats (ollie)
Carl strolled to success as easily expected last season in 6-2-3. A mixture of some good players and some to be polite (not so good). Unfortunately can’t see anywhere but down in the predictions for their outcome but a few new faces coming in might keep things respectful for them.

14. Beautiful Liars XI (rhino_x)
Looking at 1-1-1 again next season after finishing runners up in 1-1-2. A previous force on man2 server winning all three majors at some point will give them a competitive edge. The squad looks strong and no replacements are needed, they will be safe from the drop but who knows who will be in for the promotion.

15. Menagerie (footballwizard)
Runner up in 7-1-3 and will be hoping for a successful season next time round. Stats look very strong and on their day could cause any one a probem.

16. Harchester Legends (jaymz)
Finished 10th in 4-1-1, relegated from Fl4 last season but will be looking to bounce right back. I don’t think this will be possible this season as a lot of new players still need training up a bit. Tactically very aware and may cause a few upsets. Main aim is to secure survival in fl5 ready for a title push nest season.


Daniel Booker aka Booksie, and manager of Ocean City Orioles, a team also involved in this season FL5, also made predictions:

Lagerfield - dmac77
Having locked horns with this guy a fair few times this season in PL's and Smokey Doubles I know for a fact that Lagerfield will be the team to beat this season. He is a proven manager currently at the top of his game and he is very good at tactics and you are guarenteed a tactical ding-dong when playing him. He also has the squad to match it. I cant see dmac losing that many this season. Lagerfield spent last season in Zola Conf 1 with the likes of The Borg and they both easily got promoted and made light work of Conf 1 last time round.

The Borg - borg
Borg and his team have become a good quality side and for a team of season 2's they are working wonders currently with his partner rockline in the Smokey Doubles and have beaten some very good team these past few weeks. The Borg & Lagerfield have played eachother quite a few times now and with being in the same Conf in the friendly league last season they should know what to expect when playing eachother. A really good side here and one certainly to watch in challenging for the title. But be careful not to annoy him because you may be Assimilated!!

Northwest Rags - chiiiiiii
I spent last season in a battle at the top in Zola Conf 2 with Chiii and Fraser and he ended up winners of the div and worthy ones of that. He mentioned replacing some players this term and a lack of squad funds, he still has a good side and good tactical ability and is capable of beating anyone on his day. One to watch again.

Dudley Ogres - chucklebuns
A manager who is very much unknown and does not speak alot on the forums, but has brought together a good side and they are improving week by week. Can give anyone a good game.

Chelsea FC X - Zola1000
Good proven side over the seasons in 1-1-1, got relegated in both 1-1-1 and the friendly league but he wont get disheartened as hes just got a new team and will also be focusing on re-building them. Another strong player who can beat anyone on his day, Will certainly be up the top end of the league.

Bravehearts - fraser
Bravehearts gave a good account of themselves last season by finishing 2nd in Conf2 just behind Chiii and just infront of myself, did well to gain promotion to this league and will provide tough opposition. Another manager who we dont hear from on the forum, seems he tends to let his team and tactics do the talking.

Ocean City Orioles - booksie
Had to say a little about me. I feel i could of done better in Zola Conf2 last season but was pleased to get in FL5 this season and pit myself against some strong opposition. My team is also Season 2's but they are improving really well and i reckon in a couple of season will get stuck in with the big guns. Im hoping for a top 6 finish and i would be satisfied.