Fusion United

[David Malone]

In what is becoming a slight annoyance in the cup, the Clarets where drawn against the much stronger Mohammed FC. The side from Iraq beat the Clarets 6-1 over two legs, 4-1 at home and 2-0 in the United Stadium. This see the clarets out of the cup, with the League coming up and the Champions League, there is much more of the season to come after the disappointment of the very early cup exit. The start of the league season should bring up some interesting opponents and ties!

Stay tuned for more Fusion United updates!

[David Malone]

After Yesterday's Cup ties going badly for the Clarets, the key for the first league game of the season was to put that all behind them and get the league off to the right foot in their push for promotion! The Manager, fresh from his birthday celebrations yesterday, was keen to emphasise how key starting the league well was, and named a strong formation and team to face the much fancied INTER side(23.9Q).

The Clarets set up in a 4-1-4-1 formation to hep counter the pace that the INTER side had in the middle and to help match numbers with the opponents when they attacked in the box. This strategy worked for a fairly dicy first half which saw no goals conceded at either end, 0-0 at the break.

The manager decided to make a decisive change which swung the game in the Clarets' favour, he took off Bourgugion and put on Suarez, switching it to a 4-4-2 formation. It was felt that this change would make the Clarets team more offensive minded and get the breakthrough that was needed. The change was almost immediate.

On 56 Minutes, Keane who had for the most part been kept quiet this game, perhaps feeling his way into the season, set up Suarez, who didn't need a second offer and blasted beyond the opposing keeper, to make it 1-0 to the Clarets, the home support of 1000 finally had something to cheer about after the disappointment of the cup. The clarets now on top it would seem.

It took less than a minute to capitalise on the advantage, as Costa was fouled on the edge of the box, Mostto given the yellow card, and a free kick in a promising position. Johnson, with what is now becoming a trademark, whipped the free kick around the helpless defensive wall and into the top right corner of the net. 2-0 to the Clarets, and the league was off to a flying start.

The period before the end of the game was marred slightly when Keane recieved a yellow card for a silly challenge on 79 minutes, so he will have to be careful in the coming games to avoid a suspension. The manager may opt to start Suarez or even both for the next game.

A solid start for the Clarets today, can they build on it, is the question on the fans lips. Real Candy come to the Claret's home looking for a result tonight in the Champions League, United hoping to spoil their trip! Stay tuned!

Final Result: Fusion United 2 - 0 INTER

[David Malone]

Onto Europe for the Clarets, and hoping to capitalise on the other group members drawing, a win would see them take top spot in the group. A crowd of 890 welcomed the Clarets onto the pitch, with some opting to stay at home due to high ticket prices following the Clarets' success in Europe from this season. The board would have to address this. A loud and gracious welcome followed for tonight's opponents Real Candy, who's manager failed to be present for the tie, tying up potential transfers I'm sure.

Sadly for the reader the game as a whole was pretty uneventful, with shots coming at a premium at the best of times, both teams seemed more concerned with not losing rather than winning, and it lead to a rather dull affair for the fans of both sets of teams.

The Clarets unable to make gains from the other group members, but then again, nor did they lose out in the long run, just one more game played, and the group is all tied up at 1 point a piece. Work to do for the manager to make sure a repeat performance is in order like last year.

Result: Fusion United 0 - 0 Real Candy

Stats Below:

[Buffs Mad]

Sorry to see you went out of the Cup early but very nice recovery for the League. CL looked not that bad - just no goals.

But, Clarets are fighters and next win is just round the corner. Go Fusion.

[David Malone]

It's ok man! Always next season Will be keeping tokens too as it seems I am on a level 3 token buyer server so will need to save up

[David Malone]

Back to the league action and a trip to England beckoned to the Clarets, hoping to make it 2 wins from two and get the season off to a great start. The Quality ratings of both teams read badly for Fusion with no.1 coming out on top(Who'd of thought it? ) with a average team rating of 24.5 compared to the Clarets' 22.2.

The game kicked off with two teams who would surely be competing for honours this season fighting it out in midfield for the opening exchanges. It was clear from the outset that the middle of the park offered very little as it was very congested so the obvious choice would be to play the ball into the box from the wide areas. The Claret's manager recognised this and gave Schmidt and Al-Selwi more licence to roam forward and ignore their defensive duties. A move that would prove vital in this game.

Ironically, it was a move created from the centre of the park that would create the first goal, with Costa weaving through 2 defenders and side footing it into the corner, only for the keeper to palm away, but gladly for the visitors Scmidht was there to pick up the pieces and with the pinace of a veteran, dinked it over the keepers flailing arms and into the net. 1-0 to the visitors. An unlikely lead to say the least but the Clarets where showing more attacking intent.

It got better for the visitors on 37 minutes, when Shaw wove in from the wing to deliver a cross directly onto Selwi's head, who duely converted with ease into the no1 net. Number 2 for the hosts, and all before half time.

It stayed that way until the end of proceedings with the Claret's defence holding firm, they have not conceded a goal this season, and with that the commentators curse has been laid on them. Plenty to ponder for the early season. Keane's form has slumped of late, is he missing his strike partner up front, or can he adapt to being a long front man. Al-Selwi got a goal today but is his form a cause for concern? We will find out further on into the season i'm sure.

Final Result: No1 0 - 2 Fusion United

[David Malone]

Continuing on with the League now, and the Clarets where back on home soil for the visit of Alexandria FC. 1000 eager fans welcomed both sets of teams onto the pitch, the board seemingly repented on the ticket prices increases and the fans trust applauds the effort and the Clarets are back in full numbers and in full voice. A flawless start to the season for them, put them joint top with 6 points and not a single goal conceded. Alexandria FC where adjudged to be the minnows of the league coming into this season with few bookies offering them any hope of survival as their average rating is 18.4, a considerable difference compared to the other teams in the division. However, football is a strange game, and the Clarets would need to be careful here to avoid an embarrassing turn of events.

The game started pretty much as the fans would have expected, with the Clarets having plenty of the ball, and the Alexandrian players chasing shadows. It continued in this vain for 10 minutes until Promut made a silly foul on Brendhal and got himself put into the referres notebook, a yellow card this time. Sadly for Brendhal, this would end his game, with the fall from the challenge injuring him and forcing him off on a stretcher. An ovation from the Claret fans greeted his exit, you don't like to see a player injured so early on.

Continue the repeat of the opening 10 mins, with the Clarets retaining 70% of possesion plus at the best of the game, they sought to make this advantage count. On 25 minutes, Schmidt tried a speculative effort from 35 yards, to everyone's amazement, and his own, it found the top corner with the keeper off his line. 1-0 to the Clarets in world class style, that's 2 goals in 2 games for the veteran winger, who looks to be replaced by Jamie, who is after recovering from his injury. This may sway the managers mind a bit, mind.

No events to report between the 25th and 45h minute as the Clarets where comfortable to play the ball around, making the opposing players tire as they chased a seemingly endless passing pattern. 1-0 to the hosts at half time, everything going according to plan.

The manager decided on a change at half time, with Bourguinon coming off to be replaced by Suarez up front in a slighty more offensive 4-4-2 formation. A signal of intent, this game was not over by any means. Alexandria proved as much on 50 minutes when Salinas cut the United defence apart with a sublime solo run, passing 3 players, rounding the keeper, and cooly slotting home to make it 1-1. A sniff of a result beckoned for the Alexandrian's who rarely had a chance in the game as a whole.

However, a piece of sloppy defending would cost them the game, when on 55 minutes a reckless lunge on Suarez was adjudged to be a foul, and the Clarets where awarded a free kick just outside the area. The player in question, Jamal, was booked for this incident. It was left to Johnson, who, in what is becoming a trademark of his, fired around the wall and into the top corner, the keeper left stunned and fuming at his wall. Truth be told, even without the wall, it was unlikely he would have gotten to it.

It stayed like that until the whistle, the Clarets comfortably through another game, 3 wins in the League on the bounce now, a result which sees them top of the table on 9 points, 2 ahead of AC Milan in the early punches.

Final Result: Fusion United 2 - 0 Alexandria FC

[David Malone]

Ok, so I haven't been on the forums in the last few days, Sorry about that!!

Instead of bombarding you with match reports for every match I have played since the last report, I thought I would give a picture describing the match goals and a brief summary of what each meant to the league/champs league tables!

Ok, first up an away trip to Lisbon, the winner of this game taking leadership of the Champions League group! Clarets won 5-2 after a first half scare, goals from Johnson, Suarez, Bourguigon, Costa and two from Jamie sealing the victory leaving the clarets top of the pile.



Back to the League and the Clarets sought to continue their impressive in a trip to England, the only goal of the game coming after 23 mins from a Shaw Free Kick.



Into Europe, and a home game against a bot ended in a thrilling 3-2 win for the clarets, putting them top of the group with 7 points, and firmly in control of the group now. Goals from Suarez, Keane and Fitzsimons, a new left winger for the Clarets, with the goals.



Back in the league, a freak result left claret fans devastated as Barcelos FC beat them 2-0 at home, ending their great start to the league campaign!



Another devastating day for the Clarets followed as they went down 3-0 to the league leaders.



A slight reprieve from league pressures allowed Fusion to record a win in Europe to make the gap at the top of the group 6 points and guaranteeing the clarets a place in the next round! Goals from Fitzsimons and Johnson sealing the win!



Another freak result early on in this season left a bitter taste as the Clarets went don 3-1 at home, the Clarets heavily fancied. A goal from a Shaw blast gave them the lead, but it wasn't to last as Inter rallied and put 3 past Given's posts!



Here is the league table as it stands, the Clarets with work to do, clearly.



A much more open and shut case in Europe, with Fusion controlling the group standings.



A lot to go through from the last few days!! Hope I can post some more in the coming days, I'll keep you guys posted!

[Buffs Mad]

Nice going in CL - hitting a bit of a slump in the league but its so tight you could get away with it - just need someone to upset the leader once and its all up for grabs again.

Good luck.

[David Malone]

I'll have to concede an early lead to him, but hope I can come in second at least, top four is the aim for the season, and as you say it's just a matter of results going my way once to make a difference 3 Straight losses isnt helping matters, I was the leader! :P