Buffs FC (Scottish Team) - server 112

[Buffs Mad]

Buffs FC travelled to France today to meet a side bouyant after recent run of victories.

This French side were in no mood to allow Buffs to take root at the top. If evidence was needed then it came staight at the start as Mattie Butler broke clear and was roundly up-ended in 3 mins. We can only assume the ref was unsighted - although how his guide dog missed it is a mystery? No foul, no card, no lecture just a stretcher and, as became clear post-match, a 4-game absence (ACL tear) . Gibson came off the bench intent on atoning for his recent form and in 20 mins a fine solo effort saw him find the selfish streak he had lacked, rounding the keeper for the opener. Poison spilled from the stands as the Buffs saw out the half.

As the visitors emerged for the second half the away fans gave voice but that was immediately quelled in this cauldron of a stadium. Couple of early forays into Buffs territory by the home side were confidently dealt with by the Buffs defence. You could feel the confidence build as Buffs gave up territory but contained the attacking side. The Buffs would see it out, wouldn't they? Alas football is a cruel mistress. Buffs Keeper Campbell leaped with grace and intent to intercept a swinging corner, clutched the ball, landed and went down writhing in agony. Buffs Mad looked anxiously at his keeper - who drew a finger across his throat. The stretcher was on and Erol Kahya was pitched in on 68 mins. Time for Buffs to settle? Think again - a speculative 30 metre shot for the French rocketed home within a minute. The home side clearly had the Buffs rattled and their tackling remained fierce and, according to the referee at least, fair. That was until a yellow was flashed in 74 mins for a knee in the back. Free kick to the Buffs and as Savage stepped up, he swung and it curled to the far corner. It looked a certaint goal. But the home keeper thought different and valiantly managed to tip it over. Buffs set about trying to see the match out - a point from here would be a decent result. But the lack of depth in the squad that saw young Kahya put on was again cruelly exposed as he was again beaten from distance by a screamer on 86 mins. The home side tried to play keep-ball and although a late flurry of 3 corners seemed to offer Buffs some hope it all came to nought. For Buffs it was time to return home, lick those wounds (and there are many) and ready themselves to come again.

Both 2nd and 3rd returned wins today to leapfrog Buffs FC.

[Buffs Mad]

....and with all Round 9 matches in the league completed the table is as follows:

[Buffs Mad]

Yo-yo Buffs FC continue to take the crowd on a roller coaster ride.

Today's league visitors were 10th placed Indonesian side who had suffered a dip in form lately. The away team had set up aggressively looking to take the game to the Buffs. And they achieved that in an opening spell which saw pressure exerted in the home end. Two corners then a free-kick in quick succession. Buffs packed the wall but the long run up was a diversion as Jailiashvili neatly flicked the dead ball to Toba and the marauding AMC curled it in at the back post. Would Buffs' temperament hold up to the pressure? The midfield was like no-mans land with the ball constantly popping over or around Buffs' centres. Clearly the frustration got the better of Buffs' Nicolson when he needlessly caught the heels of the away team's winger as he cut inside and saw yellow. Strangely that seemed to cause the home side to take stock and they visibly settled: no longer chasing but opting to put their foot on the ball and exert control. The equaliser came in 17 mins with Paraibabo coming inside, stooping and diving to head home Kalkoul's in-swinging cross. Buffs stroked the ball around and appeared relaxed on the pitch. The second came just before half-time with the advanced Nicolson picking up on a defensive mistake - a short pass back - and he rounded the keeper to prod home.

Half-time came and although the the home team led, Buffs Mad paced up and down huddling with his staff, notebooks twitching. The visiting manager meanwhile seemed relaxed. Did he have a masterplan or was this the pressure of expectatation being played out in front of our eyes? As the second half got underway the Buffs engine room purred into action - control was the watchword. A flurry of goals came with Kalkoul volleying home a Savage corner in 56; Butler splitting the defence and chipping the keeper on 64 mins; and this time Paraibabo converting another pinpoint corner from Savage. The visitors had not been devoid of threat - the composure of Buffs' defence just made it seem that way.

A 5-1 win at home seems comforting enough but the nervousness of the pitch was palpable and celebrations seemed muted.

In a after match comment Buffs Mad said "I'm not quite sure what game these league reporters were watching but clearly from their ratings they don't know what a commanding midfield display looks like."

[Tommy Vernersson]

It's very fun to read your detailed match reports with the sense of humor in it aswell
I believe in Buffs FC - You will top the table after 26 rounds

[Buffs Mad]

Thanks Tommy - its a bit more interesting than move pixels > wait 4 mins > move pix......etc

Now Round 10 is completed - leader lost so Buffs move up to 2nd on gd, 2 pts behind leader who managed to secure a 1-0 win and keep his unbeaten run going.

I've got a run of 4 of my easier games next so........plenty of opportunities for Buffs to drop points.

*trip trap* *trip trap*>.<

[Buffs Mad]

Referral Team News: Celtic Rangers secure a 4-1 win away in the 1st leg of the cup. They also top the league with 10-0-0 record.

[Tommy Vernersson]

Celtic Rangers?

It can only be one, and that is CELTIC.

Celtic football club - Braveheart movie - Eluveitie metal band. Bagpipes for life!

[Buffs Mad]

Buffs FC put on a dominant display in the final CL Group match at home in a 4-0 win - Buffs peppered the visitors goal 20 times. But not even the rarity of a goal from right back Zdenek Racko, could soften the blow of the injury to Dean Savage which looks set to keep him out of action for 4 days.

With little rest time, next up for the Buffs was an away trip that on paper should not be problematic. Buffs hit 6 without reply to keep their push for the title on track: Nicolson bagged 2 and an assist (Butler), Racko proved that lightning can strike twice, Paraibabo claimed his 15th goal in 12 matches and new midfielder Alconero struck his 2nd in 3 matches since his arrival.

A 2-1 win for the leaders maintains the 2 pt gap at the top with Buffs in 2nd by virtue of their impressive and increasing goal difference (+21). And with Buffs rival matching up to today's 6 goal losers the table is not expected to change drastically anytime soon.

Steady the Buffs!

[Buffs Mad]

Its time for A buffs FC Player Spotlight and today you get a 2 for 1 deal.


Central Defensive Partnership
Dean Savage and Danny Shaw are the central defensive gatekeepers and mention of one naturally leads to the other. They are the Ying and Yang of Buffs defence - a contrast of style, age and outlook which combine to give balance.


Danny Shaw is the essence of the Buffs. Cut him and he bleeds blue n white. This 22 yo is a hometown boy who always dreamed of playing for the Buffs. While displaying the swagger and bravado of a glory-hunter there is one key component that makes this boy different from the usual club hopping, ferrari driving, investment junkie star-in-the-making. He wants it all.....while wearing the Buffs' colours.


Shaw plays from instinct. His decisions have an impact - sometimes negative but that's the deal. He plays on the right of centre and the only purpose his left foot serves is to allow him to stand to swing his right. He roams, he pushes, he presses, (he loses concentration)....he wants the ball. He's hungry and there's more to come from Shaw.


Dean Savage has been the journeyman footballer. He's been there, seen it done it. At 30 yo he's never really stood out but he has always stepped up. He's comfortable with both feet and is the last line - a consistent, reliable and solid defender. When Buffs first looked at Savage they were looking for a left back, a role he was accustomed to play, albeit in a defensive set up. But it was his poise and calm and potential pairing with Shaw in the centre that clinched the deal.


An early spell at left back this season in the Cup campaign (forced by injuries) brought a slump in form (and cup exit early doors). Buffs Mad has recognised that a left back in Buffs' offensive set up needed legs and the engine to get up and down and that this had left Savage exposed. Interestingly, this pipe and slippers approach, has seen Savage thrust into the limelight anew. This concentration on technique, consistentency and quality as opposed to lung bursting firness has seen Dean add to his armoury a reputation as an accomplished Corner Specialist. Its this that catches the eye of the league statisticians, racking up high numbers of assists - as well as his numerous 'last man' tackles of course.


When asked recently about his partnership with Shaw he said "Putting everything else aside, my job is simple - I am here to let Danny be Danny."

Danny Shaw in pictures




Dean Savage - the numbers behind the man

[Buffs Mad]

Editor's Note: didn't watch my games today so can't really give an insight into them.*

4-1 away win in the league was followed by a 2-2 away draw in the 1st leg of CL knockout phase.

At the mid-way point the league stands as follows:



I've also started renaming my squad after some favourite Scottish National Team players. I can't go too far back but limiting it to players I have seen still gives me a decent time period. XD But it'll take a while as defensive positions are giving me a problem. But so far for first team I have

GK Andy Goram (David Harvey or Jim Leighton might've been more solid but Goram was more instinctive)
MCs Graeme Souness and Billy Bremner
Wingers Jimmy Johnstone and Jim Baxter - a special place will be reserved on the bench for Davie Cooper
Strikers Dennis Law and Kenny Dalglish

DCs - options include ignoring individuals and pairing Willie Miller and Alec McLeish but there's Billy McNeil, John Greig, Alan Hansen, Richard Gough, Gordon McQueen....and I'll probably go the individuals route;
LB Tommy Gemmel looks most likely
RB can't see past Danny McGrain
DMC bit of a non-role; Hansen and McNeill could probably have played it defensively, Souness could've played it as a deep midfielder....this'll be a problematic one.