Brentford 2-0 Leicester City

Brighton 3-1 Southampton

Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace 1-1 Newcastle

Liverpool 3-1 Man City

Man United 3-1 Everton

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich Town

Tottenham 3-1 Fulham

West Ham 1-1 Arsenal

Wolves 2-1 Bournemouth

This gameweek starts on Friday night.

Brentford 2 - 1 Leicester City

Brighton 2 - 0 Southampton

Chelsea 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Newcastle

Liverpool 2 - 1 Man. City

Man. United 2 - 0 Everton

Nottingham Forest 2 - 1 Ipswich Town

Tottenham 2 - 1 Fulham

West Ham 0 - 2 Arsenal

Wolves 1 - 2 Bournemouth

Very interesting that the chat GPTEFL  predictions won out of 10 predictions. However a very small sample size of 1 gameweek. Maybe Tyron can enter a few more times using chat to see how well it does over time.

And sadly the Robots win yet again.

Oh my.....

even more 'Disposable income' lol

Some of these award amounts will be reduced from next season to lower league income a little. 
The thinking being the awards would tend to go to best teams already making them even stronger.

more to follow tomorrow

A huge disparity of 9 points between top and bottom , with Tyron coming away with the win.

Tyron Barnard                                         11.5

Kevin Hull                                                 8.0

Andy Shaw                                                7.0

Tapani Olkku                                              6.5

James Tucker                                             6.0

Andrew Foss Grant                                    5.0

Roy Rolsten                                                5.0

Paul Cockyne                                             4.0

Alon Atie                                                      4.0

Andrew McCumisky                                    2.5

This is where Guardiola can show true leadership - easy putting 11 supermen on the park and letting them build his reputation, but now he has to step up to show he can motivate 10 supermen and 1 overpaid substitute. 😉😉

The following teams receive Division FrontPage Review through to match 51:
EF(200) EDI(200) HIB(200)

5 defeats in a row

EPL predictions on this here blog likely had no one predictions a
Maine Road (EmptyHad stadium) collapse. 

AI didn't do too well spotting the Man City and Wolves results.....remind me to wait for Chat-GPT5.....

Alan, you get my vote to run it again -nobody likely to want to do it instead of yourself. 
Great job, and this time we actually got a prize.. 👍👍

So the other day I saw the heading AI Predictions and figured Id do the same. Here is CHATGPT Predictions for this weekends EPL

Bournemouth 1 - 2 Brighton

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 1-1 Crystal Palace

Everton 1 - 2 Brentford

Fulham 1 - 1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 0 - 2 Man. United

Leicester City 1 - 2 Chelsea

Man. City 3 - 1 Tottenham

Newcastle 2 - 1 West Ham

Southampton 0 - 3 Liverpool

Thank you for running it Alan!

Next season I am going to analyze the teams less and see what happens, I got a 1, a 2 and a 3 this season...!

And I never just did random results...!   Wow...

Thanks to Alan for running the prediction league once again.  Your reports are always very informative and well-presented so I very much hope you can overcome the time pressures you've been facing and continue with the excellent job next season

Last week means in terms of final table movements there was very little. Bit of a damp squib.

Had to look that saying up. For info.

"Noun. damp squib (plural damp squibs) (literally) A firework that has been wet and therefore fails to go off correctly. (idiomatic, by extension) Anything that does not work properly, or fails to come up to expectations; a dud."

However there was some movement, Elgin who won in both weeks 9 and 10 snuck into the prizes. They joined Hibs in taking a joint 5th place. Not bad for a side who started 2,3 0.

That means we have a solitary winner, East Fife taking the top spot. Only just noticed this but they have sat in that top spot from week 1. Impressive.

Motherwell take 2nd spot, they are just an impressive prediction league team. Never far away.

Ayr and Cowdenbeath (last season's winners) take joint 3rd spot. Both scored consistently just above average each week.

Dundee take 4th spot, they again had a poor start going 2 , 2. They'll be dissappointed with the final week score of 2 and not being able to better their total. However 2 TP prize is still decent.

The afore mentioned Elgin and Hibs bring up the rear in relation to prizes. The excellent David at Hibs will be glad it's not a cash prize. 

Final Table here

Thanks for the participation this year. 

I wouldn't mind another season at being the admin, will try and get more timely results! If anyone feels strongly about giving it a bash then happy to step aside. 

Final table below. Any issues please inbox me. 

The following teams receive Prediction League through Round 10 Winners:
ELG(100)

Carnage. 

2nd lowest average score of the season. We had another team score 0 points. 

Only one of the winning teams had more than half pick them. 

Banker count, only 3 teams picked up the 2 points. Too much effort to see if that is a first but that seems as low as I can recall.

However we did have 1 team buck the trend, step forward Elgin, who managed an impressive 5 points. 3 others had 4 then a fairly even spread amongst the 3,2 and 1s.

It's so unusual that I have to mention Deveronvale's 0. I think in recent times only the commish has managed that, twice. Though myself and 4 others were not far ahead with a solitary point. 

Someone could list end of season award winners ,

and maybe potential team sponsorship payouts due.

Manager of season voting continues before any pre season preparations normally.

I realise that it is many weeks away yet and that i am being seriously impatient but.....

Can anybody remember roughly how long between the end of one season and the opening of Pre-Season period is for the next season is ?

No participation bonus money in real life Scottish football as a 2nd club has gone in to administration.  
Dumbarton yesterday, and Inverness a couple weeks ago.

Cash-flow issues?  Lack of sponsorship?  Poor training facilities?  
SESL is ahead of its time with few teams at risk of going bust here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jr2r49g6lo

Poll voting is closer than I imagined.

STI Predictions

EPL

Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton

Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 2-1 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-0 Brentford

Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1-3 Man United

Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea

Man City 2-0 Tottenham

Newcastle 2-0 West Ham

Southampton 0-2 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1 - 2 Brighton

Arsenal 2 - 2 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 2 - 1 Crystal Palace

Everton 2 - 2 Brentford

Fulham 1 - 1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 0 - 3 Man. United

Leicester City 1 - 2 Chelsea

Man. City 3 - 0 Tottenham

Newcastle 2 - 1 West Ham

Southampton 0 - 4 Liverpool

In this and previous season I was able to train up a couple of youngster GK's for Steve and David, this gave me a significant amount of extra money right in the middle of the season. Yet, both seasons my team significantly underperformed while I really didn't notice any improvement being able to spend extra money. 

Starting money is worth a lot more as you can buy resources and still have something left for the first auctions, but I don't think that one or two seasons extra cash will give that more advantage. Maybe when you have a lot more cash then your opponents on a structural basis you might outperform them, but in my opinion, money is overrated. 

As for the front page reviews! Keep it going and do not decrease the rewards! I have done reviews quite a couple of seasons ago myself and it's nearly impossible to keep these things entertaining and fresh, while it also takes up a lot of time and effort. Much respect for the people doing these as it's a seriously underestimated task, quite thankless and well underpaid. 

Bournemouth 0 - 1 Brighton

Arsenal 1 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Crystal Palace

Everton 1 - 1 Brentford

Fulham 2 - 0 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1 - 4 Man. United

Leicester City 0 - 2 Chelsea

Man. City 2 - 1 Tottenham

Newcastle 2 - 0 West Ham

Southampton 0 - 4 Liverpool

I may have started this debate a week ago with my blog
"free 100k pending: INV RR AI CEL CB DFA FOR AYR BER MON STI"

Agree with Tyron EST it stirred up some good debate

Agree with James RR that discussion been polite and respectful.

Agree with Eduard DEE about capping the party income, 
but that is already capped at 50k a week that Andrew MOT hands out.   
The "other" participation I know Eduard means too, 
and Eduard blog posts are often inciteful and worth reading.

I not sure David HIB is "breaking the economy".  HIB is a Div 2 side again next season.  HIB are not dominating SESL.

Forgive me  please - with respect - is trade profit also to be capped?

July saw these trades:-
DEE sends Alan Wright (1/12 MF) to SM for 320k.
then
DEE sends 150k to COV for Declan Glass (1/14 MF).

DEE doubled their money in 4 days.  150K > 320k for exact same age and position (MF)
and added 2 SL to an age 1 - TP maybe worth 90K, so another 180k benefit (I not even adding the 2 x 25k in extra TP slots likely needed to add 2 SL).
350k profit total value (170k + 180k).  For one mouse click of a trade.  

DEE did nothing wrong.  But a flurry of such unbalanced trades may not help the game economy.  

HIB may give a similar 350k value away via Robin Hood rule soon. (bank 4000k max)  

One team loses 350k soon while another gained 350k value from a trade mouse click.  
A 700k swing right there.
350k would take maybe 10 hours of divisional front page reviews to earn as a comparison to one click of the mouse.

I saying no more on topic.
Lets move on and do EPL predictions for bit of fun.....

Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton

Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-2 Brentford

Fulham 2-1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1-2 Man United

Leicester City 0-2 Chelsea

Man City 2-1 Tottenham

Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

Southampton 0-4 Liverpool

Great debate on participation and the value of it. I, in the past, had significantly more time and ran the Prediction League for 7 seasons. When I was actively involved in that role I was actively involved in more roles and my team was doing better as I spent more time in the game. Now that is not true for most, but its definitely true for some. 

I enjoy reading the blogs (Except Matt's) and they add a great value to the game. When I played OASL, SFLSL, ODFL and SESL I would regularly only spend time here thanks to the added extras involved. 

If nothing else, thank you for stirring up some good debate to kick off the tedious off season!
 

Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton

Arsenal 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-3 Brentford

Fulham 1-1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1-2 Man United

Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea

Man City 3-1 Tottenham

Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

Southampton 0-3 Liverpool

Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton

Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-2 Brentford

Fulham 1-2 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1-2 Man United

Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea

Man City 3-0 Tottenham

Newcastle 3-0 West Ham

Southampton 0-3 Liverpool

Let's have a go

Bournemouth 3-4 Brighton

Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace

Everton 0-1 Brentford

Fulham 3-0 Wolves

Ipswich Town 2-2 Man United

Leicester City 0-3 Chelsea

Man City 4-1 Tottenham

Newcastle 5-0 West Ham

Southampton 0-4 Liverpool

Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton

Arsenal 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 3-1 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 Brentford

Fulham 2-1 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1-3 Man United

Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea

Man City 2-1 Tottenham

Newcastle 1-2 West Ham

Southampton 1-2 Liverpool

EPL back again this week.

Bournemouth 2 - 1 Brighton

Arsenal 2 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa 2 - 0 Crystal Palace

Everton 2 - 1 Brentford

Fulham 2 - 0 Wolves

Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Man. United

Leicester City 0 - 2 Chelsea

Man. City 2 - 0 Tottenham

Newcastle 2 - 0 West Ham

Southampton 0 - 2 Liverpool

Just to put into perspective the amount 100K per week is(being paid for blog reviews) Even if a player earns 100K per league game played that comes to the 3000K one requires to buy the 50CP one needs per season.

The average manager thereafter may earn another 1000K per season from gameplay.

This 1000K is for exta coaching/training slots ,extra CP and TP purchased ,and all players purchased on auction.. so 100K is pretty much 10% of disposable income and is earned per week. This means that managers of equal skill level have virtually no chance against one who earns participation points if they do not.

So the participation bonus is not just a small benifit for participation ,but rather a massive distortion to the game which should be the primary reason we are all here.

Sure give a small bonus ,but as a percentage of disposable income the current bonuses are huge.

As the partipcation bonus has paid out I can start again! ;-)

I think that this discussion has been vey polite and respectful.  I have nothing but admiration for the amount of time and effort spent compiling reports, writing jounals, etc etc.  It is not a personal criticism of anyone, other than my comment on the effect it has on the game,  my (and others) potential enjoyment of it, and a suggestion/wish to see it reined in a little.  If that measn slightly less content then I think that is a compromise I could take.

I have seen participation bonus rise and rise in my 40 seasons from the old e-mailled circular once a week in word format to the multiple opportunites now.   I accept that a bonus helps stimulate an interesting and chaaging site, and it is probably a necessary incentive to get to that point.  But there seem to be plenty who think there may be too much.

Personnaly I spend most days writing e-mails, statements and reading documents so that I am not really that interested in settling down to write more and don't want it to be a chore.  But I do like to think about how I can get 11 SL 35 players or make the value for an odd deal.  On Bios I always like a time out after each season and so forget/miss the Bio part until after the deadline. Actually the Bios are the bits I enjoy most, some are quite fascinating!

The following teams receive Participation Bonus through Participation Thru Nov 17th:
ALB(50) ALO(15) BRE(15) CLY(30) DUM(10) DEE(50) EF(50) EST(25) EDI(50) FAL(25) FOR(25) FRA(30) GM(40) HEA(35) HIB(50) KIL(10) LIV(15) MOT(35) QOS(40) RR(50) STJ(15) STI(50) SRA(25)

David....

A truly wonderful post and so, so truthful.

I have been wanting to post something similar for the last week but could not find the words to be so polite.

Many thanks mate.

The following teams receive Participation Bonus through Participation Thru Nov 10th:
ALO(25) ARB(20) BRE(10) CLY(20) COW(50) DEE(30) EF(50) EDI(35) FAL(35) FRA(25) HEA(20) HIB(10) LIV(10) MOT(10) QOS(10) ROS(35) SRA(50)

The easy money here is the 200k for bios completion at the beginning of the season - yet quite a few don't bother. But that's okay - that's a personal choice, and i don't read everybody else's bios anyway - just a selected set of managers I have got to know over the seasons.

Same with reviews - I'd guess many aren't read, despite the effort put in - that's okay too. Personal choice rules - but quite a few do read them - thanks for that from my colleagues by the way!! 😉  👍👍

But why should people who haven't the time or the inclination to do relatively simple things like bios updates or an occasional blog/journal rule out earnings made by managers who are prepared to keep SESL where it is - great fun to play and be involved in. Live and let live...🤔

I have never denied, actually I have admitted in the past, I do as much as I can to earn cash to try to compete with obviously better managers, but I remain in the 2nd division.  🙄  I spend the time but starting to now wonder why if it seems to upset so many people ... I usually become a cash injection for a few 3rd division teams when I earn more 4,000k, I don't mind, it means I've worked for it and at least I can afford the 50 CPs at the start of a new season. 😉  

I try to bridge the gap between the 1st division extra gate cash (750k per season in the league alone) and the money I earn in the 2nd division.

I have made ready to hand over to a reviewer at MSA time but none have come forward - now is your chance to earn some cash for just short of 3 hours a weekend.  💰💰

I am going into the close season now - at least I personally have probably ensured some managers who don't participate will be earning some cash now. See, easy to make money, eh? 

In my opinion the 100k per review week is very well earned. Agree that it's a whole lot of cash per season, but it's also an incredible amount of work put in by each reviewer. When I've done them in the past it's hours of work every weekend. That's a really big ask.

I'd volunteer the idea that if lowering the payments was a desired outcome, then the workload should also be lowered. Maybe just reviewing one match per session or something similar. Not sure if I'd vote for that or not, but I think you just run out of reviewers too quickly if doing 30 hours of work over the season nets you only a few hundred k. It just has to be a significant payout if the expectation is on par with the amount of work that reviewers currently put in.

Personally I think 100k per week is too much for Front page reviews. I understand why it's this amount but even if 200k I wouldn't do them: I don't have the time or the inclination. I only read what is said about my team and the final part anyway.

I used to read all of Andrew McCumskey s and Rhys Briesden's (sp?) however.

Somebody made a quip about Alon's EPL predictions and the participation he gets. Well the last 3 were only 20, 25 and 30k for what I assume is two posts per week. 

As for Journals I only read a couple if they're in my division. Most I ignore. I sometimes find them a chore to do - last season I was "on it" but this season less so. There's only so many ways to be pissed off at RNG (formerly Olmec) and I'm not going to repeat myself on how good Ball Control is.

I do read all Blog posts fully (apart from EPL as I don't do it) and I think my participation is as high as it is because of replying to Blog posts.

Participation makes a big difference: if you're an average Div 2 or 3 team who doesn't bother then you get 150k per weekend. If you're a participating Div 1 team with a decent morale bonus that could easily be 275k per weekend.

I agree with James, Alon and Eduard.

Reviews used to pay out 75k but Mark put it up to 100k as he felt 6 managers would do half a season each (3 divisions x 2) and make a few shekels for their efforts.

I think 5 or 6 lads came forward a couple of seasons ago but only about 4 lads last season. 
I am happy to do a half season - happier to do the full season but realise not everyone thinks that's a good thing. Mark needs 6 bodies - he has 3-4. 
One thing for sure - no point in doing half a season if the other half season doesn't get covered. So I volunteer to do whatever Mark wants. 

This is strangely turning into a discussion about David's participation merits.
We can all (probably) agree that most of his writing is entertaining, and that he deserves some party bonus.

The starting topic, though, was neither whether David deserves a bonus (yes) nor if he is turning HIB into an invincible juggernaut (not yet).
The question was whether the amount of a particular bonus (and maybe others) was in line with the economic system.

Basically, a couple of guys (Alon's "minority") prefers playing a football sim.
Apparently some others prefer a creative writing contest.

I suppose that this would be a slightly different discussion if e.g. Andrew/MOT would decide to go for an additional 1500k income.

Just out of curiosity:
Since when are the reviews - and their 100k per week amount - established?

David Blair is a credit to Sesl.

Is this the same HIB still due to collect 400k in sponsor money.  

Is this the same HIB who will be losing many hundred K to Robin Hood rule giving free money to teams near foot of Div 3.

Is this the same HIB who are still playing in Div 2 next season when Sesl a few times has seen same team.win Div 1 three times in a row (history on front page)

Doesn't sound like HIB are breaking the economics of Sesl.  Ofcourse he'll enjoy the funds to spend on his team, but if was only for money then he may have stopped participating a month or so ago knowing full well he'd be over 4000k total bank maximum.

David Blair adds fun, and a reason to log in to Sesl during the week to catch up on blogs. Handful of other managers too which are appreciated by the silent majority I'd guess.

Other team equalise in 90+6 minute, 

then Uruguay do this.....

GOAL:  M. Ugarte 90+11

From this corner of the world I can say that I really enjoy this game and the blog and match comments plus the reviews definitely makes it a lot more interesting!

I haven't been able to participate much and understand that that hurts our club power (how far is Forfar Athletic from "club power"...??), but I enjoy it nontheless!

While I only have 15 seasons in SESL, like Dave, I have been playing Olmec games for almost 100 years, and it has always been a lot about the managers' interactions and not just the game engine and the lineups...

A few months ago a friend from Spain that I've made a very long time ago came to visit us in the US and spent a couple of days here with us.

That is just one example, some of you may remember Ricardo Rio, he just messaged me about my b-day and has very fond memories of his Olmec days.  (Met him and others at an SFLSL RL reunion we had in... 2002!).

(this should make FOR some $...)

Cheers!

PS: still ecstatic about Uruguay's 3-2 win over Colombia last night!

	Div	Adj	Bet	Bio	Draw	Div Rvw	Gate	Party	Pred	SA	Total B
Saint Johnstone	1		300	200			5,447	230			6,177
Motherwell	1		450	200			4,493	610	167		5,920
Hearts	1		150	200			4,812	220			5,382
Cowdenbeath	1		450	200			4,314	410			5,374
Dundee FC	1		550	200			3,798	610	67		5,225
Albion Rovers	1		500	200			4,393	95			5,188
Fraserburgh	1		300	200			4,237	320			5,057
Dumbarton	1		700				4,160	160			5,020
Hamilton Accies	1			200			4,536	115			4,851
Clyde FC	1		300				4,129	235			4,664
Rangers	1						4,429	25			4,454
Stenhousemuir	1			200			3,943	195		100	4,438
Alloa Athletic	1			200			3,636	590			4,426
Inverness	1		550				3,772	50			4,372
Raith Rovers	1						4,140	30			4,170
Aberdeen	1						3,810				3,810
East Fife	2		500	200		600	4,138	820	167		6,425
Edinburgh City	2		400	200	50	1300	2,729	795	100		5,574
Hibernian	2		350	200	100	1100	3,087	725			5,562
Livingston	2	50	50	200			3,762	345	50		4,407
Stranraer	2		550	200			2,971	390			4,111
Arbroath	2		250	200	50		3,276	320			4,096
Falkirk	2		450	200			2,844	370	50		3,914
Ross County	2		300	200			2,891	490			3,881
Clydebank	2			200			3,385				3,585
Dunfermline	2		150				3,222				3,372
Nairn County	2			200			3,122	35			3,357
Forfar Athletic	2			200			3,058	45			3,303
Greenock Morton	2		350				2,855	80			3,285
Airdieonians FC	2						2,965				2,965
Peterhead	2			200			2,700	30			2,930
Celtic	2						2,859				2,859
Annan Athletic	3		550	200	100		3,764	240			4,854
Kilmarnock	3		550			800	2,728				4,078
Elgin City	3		550	200			3,161		150		4,061
Brechin City	3		250				3,252	200		100	3,802
Cove Rangers	3						3,427	180			3,607
Deveronvale	3		550	200			2,686	100			3,536
Dundee United	3		300				3,051	45		100	3,496
Queen of the South	3		100	200			2,912	265			3,477
Saint Mirren	3	200.0		200			2,582	285	200		3,267
Queens Park	3			200			2,970	75			3,245
Stirling	3			200			2,875	25			3,100
Ayr United	3			200			2,708	45			2,953
Partick Thistle	3			200		100	2,506	125			2,931
Montrose	3						2,887				2,887
East Stirlingshire	3			200			2,625	25			2,850
Berwick	3						2,543				2,543

I am throwing my weight behind David Blair. HIB lighten the mood at every occasion on Blogs, and his front page league reviews are worth a read rather than repeat what is already in the match commentary.  

David earns his bonus money well.  

Not like he is skewing the economics and dominating season after season with this so called advantage - HIB in Div 2 guys, give him a break.

Great numbers.  Could table be posted of total B that excludes MVP, Trades and Retirements but in order high to low x 3 table (per division)?   

Hide a handful of columns if table fits width better.

I don't have an issue with participation awards.  Managers of HIB ALO DEE etc are worthwhile readings and insightful.  Mr Blair adds humor too.

MOT EF EDI and others I will have overlooked deserve their money.   A few hundred K per team is maybe the average - a relatively small overall percentage of income.

Interesting discussion about participation and other bonuses.  Here is a table, which probably won't fit across the page, showing income this season by club.  I have the base data in a spreadsheet and am happy to supply further numbers on request.

Headings show

DIV : Division

Adj : Adjustments

Bet : Income from cup betting

Bio : Income from Bio / About

Draw : Participation in cup draw online

Div Rvw : Income from writing front page divisional reviews

Gate : Total gate money

MVP : MVP

Party : Participation Bonus

Pred : Prediction League Winnings

Retire : Income from retirements (both opportunities combined)

SA : Income from Sponsorship Admin

Trade : Income from trades

Total : all of the above (except DIV) added together

Total B : This total excludes MVP, Trades and Retirements as I am not sure they are relevant to the discussion

The following teams receive an MVP bonus after match 52:
Celtic - MVP #4: 1 CP (wWW)

Stats suggest that is not true Alon, as someone below said 44 out of 48 managers didn't want take a turn doing divisional reviews.

What is a fair payment for division reviews Alon?  State your price, and ask to take a turn?

Someone gets participation cash for posting EPL predictions that has no relevance to Sesl whatsoever.   Would you continue doing EPL predictions next season and forfeit any participation payments?  If not, why not? 

I'm OK with EPL thing as it create interaction, so I mention it only as a comparison.

I think Alon is a top top manager who has turned ALB around in recent seasons and will win Div 1 next season or two. 

My participation is down this season also - that is MY fault, and not the economy of Sesl or due to "overpayments" to active managers who keep the community feel going in my humble opinion.

Has been too high for a long time to be honest I've considered giving up over the last few seasons as it's not a level playing field.   That and no longer being the in the same division as EST although I'm working on that.

Maybe all the bonuses are to high compared to the gate receipts.

Try reducing all of them for a season and maybe increase gate receipts slightly.

As I know we are in a minority I am throwing my weight behind James Tucker .

I have to agree with what he says. There should be a limit to the advantage that can be gained 

by writing posts/reviewsin a resource management game. The overpayment for divisional reviews is the biggest 

culprit and should be much less..

Hi David,

> I do a divisional review but actually think the 100k is fine.
> The Rules say each manager is supposed to do at least 3 Journals pwer season. I wouldn't push that if I was a Commish, but even 3 (reasonable) entries would get a manager pretty close to 100k.

Both true. The minor difference is that the review 100k is paid every week - while the 3 journals pay out 100k per season.

> My extra money over James is due to the fact I am happy to spend time being involved in the set up and yes, get paid for it.

I am all for participation, and rewarding it.
Like James, I don't like the silly amount.

HIB did get 2125k from various participation sources - so far, end of season payouts pending.
Those amounts are simply breaking the economy.

I do like reading the occasional journal and note - and getting a sense of community.
In a football sim, I do think that a working econonmy is much more important.

A simple solution would be just capping the party income (all sources combined) per season to e.g. 500k.
This would still reward participation, but the effective difference of 4 CPs would have no major impact on the game balance.

Without blowing my own horn, but ELG and QOS did remarkably well this season.

didn't keep track of the average of ELG, but we improved 5 odd points.

Up to next season!
 

With Paul on this one......

Boo!!   Hiss!!

Shame on those that do it.

In order to drum up more party bonuses I may start up a segment called the Weekly Waffle where I ponder on random stuff that has nothing to do with the game.

There was another manager who used to do that brilliantly in one of the games we played. He would talk about hiking in the hills of the US avoiding cougars etc, Can't remember his name if anyone can help out?

His name was William, but I'm not sure if it's Bill or Billy or Mac or Buddy?

We recently had an engagement (fun/wellbeing etc) activity at work where everyone was asked to vote for who was the Most Supportive, Best Dressed Man/Woman and Prom King and Queen etc. Just fun stuff.

The guys running it had to say that only people receiving 2 votes of more would be recognised as one guy voted for himself in all categories 

....is NEVER, EVER justified, Matt....

I believe we won a cup my vote for myself is fully justified this season!

1. Have any of the Managers stuffed your Xmas stocking full of $$$$? If YES, vote for them in descending order of $$$$.

2. Is SRA listed at all? A highly unlikely scenario but if YES then vote for SRA

3. Check the Managers listed. Will any of the them be in a different Division to SRA next season? If YES then vote for any one of them as the extra $$$$ will not be matched against SRA.

4. If all the Managers will be in the same Division as SRA then add "Other" and vote for SRA as the poll setter has clearly forgotten to add us.

1. Dont pick ALB
2. Dont pick KIL

After that pick what is most important to you. Whether it is a manager performing above their means, doing well in the cups and league, or just bossing the league. After it all, it is your vote and nobody Trumps your vote

What is criteria when picking top coach in poll vote for each candidate?

Is cup performance factored in also when some managers reviewing options?

Gonna earn my money this week for sure..

I do a divisional review but actually think the 100k is fine (less and it isn't so interesting, but I am happy with the current amount). I too was only supposed to do half a season, but again nobody came forward to sub me, so I stayed in. I love it, you get to know the teams in your division more... Mark could abandon these reviews but I think the game could suffer - many managers earn by reviewing their own teams performances in the Journal, and get paid for it. Overall SESL blossoms due to daily participation throughout - maybe only in MHO, but that counts too.

The Rules say each manager is supposed to do at least 3 Journals pwer season. I wouldn't push that if I was a Commish, but even 3 (reasonable) entries would get a manager pretty close to 100k.

My extra money over James is due to the fact I am happy to spend time being involved in the set up and yes, get paid for it - RR gets 750k more than me in league matches alone being a division higher...(25k extra per match.. just saying) - I make it up by writing.

Good subject, and a good earner when managers comment on it.... :-)

At the start of every season, Mark asks for volunteers for 'Front page Divisional reviewers' and pretty much every season i put my name forward with the proviso that he should give other managers preference and call on me if all else fails. As i'm sure many have noticed, it is nearly always the same small minority that accept the job and that includes myself. 

The KK's are certainly a decent incentive IMO and come in very useful. Personally i am more than happy to read other folks reports etc but i am equally happy to 'sit on the bench' unless required.

I'm not sure I can manage 75k from blog postings in 2 days to then win 100k

I hadn't realised my participation was so low this year

James at Raith makes decent discussion points.

It's a balance though with incentives- I was asked to step in as a one-off replacement for a front page divisional review, but I felt the workload of reviewing 16 matches was not worth the 100k.

There doesn't seem a queue of volunteers willing to write match reviews and keep the front web page "fresh".

43 or 44 managers out of 48 didn't think it worth 100k bonus per week to andwer the request for vunteers a few times during this seaaon.  Economics dictates the price needs be of sufficient incentive.   Currently the vast majority do not wish write divisional reviews - for a variety.of reasons.  Could be time constraints or disconnection with set up at times.  But lowering the participation bonus would see even less likely of new.volunteers coming forward.

RR had a decent season I think, after a tricky start.  I don't want navigate away as I type incase I lose this text to my browser refreshing, but I noticed from memory a win then lose strategy by RR that is a decent plan. Sometimes 4.or 6 points from 9. 

Plenty for James at RR to shout about this season.  If he had the inclination ofcourse. 

😁

All what you say is true David, but the bonus is too much.  Hibs have 700K more than Raith.  The game is at the end of the day a resource management game - and as the main resource is cash -  is it right that the game be skewed by those who like writing?  I won't get extra cash in Monopoly at Christmas through my exellence (or otherwise) at consequences.  It is a balance, but I think there is too much money from Participation.  And I argue this each time the subject comes up without much success so I am at least consistent.

And while I have great acknowledgement for the mighty efforts the division reviewers go to, I am sorry to say I don't think I have read any more than the comments on Raith's games and the Div 1 summary, nor do I read any journals.  

(I also have little liking for betting, sponsorship and end of season awards!)

The challenge and enjoyment is the game, and that is what keeps me plugging away season after season with the increasingly forlorn hope of ever winning a league title.

I appreciate I am in the non vocal minority, so so be it.

Like James I have played the game for hundreds of years but unlike him, I enjoy the blogging and Journalling - although I WILL admit, if there was no participation cash for them likely I would cut so far back as to be minimal.

It is part of involving managers in discussions, views, talking about their clubs etc - many online games have NO interactiion amongst managers at all - I have played dozens of them so know (as does Derek now).

One more thing - OASL is well run by Andy (and I like to think it was well run by myself and certainly Dave Dowson before me) but it suffers from a lack of participating by managers - it is largely entering the team lines, read the match results/reports and entering team lines etc. It becomes "colder" which is something I would not like to see in SESL. Participating is actually in the rules - and I wouldn't like to see it coming out.

(Mark reserves the right to award some decent progression/discussionm/comment and not just a silly message of no interest to SESL.)  Taking part is up to the individual, of course, but don't take away some clubs extra income..

Next somebody is going to suggest we dispense with divisional reviews and divisional predictions..........slippy slope methinks! :-)

I agree with both Matt and Paul.  After 40+ seasons my enthusiasm for blog posts and journal writing is non existent, having run out of ideas many seasons ago.  I also find it  frustrating that non writers are penalised in the game so severely.  I am around 700K down on some teams.  22 Managers have posted for less than 100K, so we are not a small minority, 9 nothing at all.  A 1K per 5 characters, still means 250 characters to produce 50K

Of course it is my choice not to post and disadvantage myself, and I have in the past enjoyed some of the discussions, but the participation bonus is out of kilter with the game itself.  I have always thought there should be other encouragements related to game play.  Early order bonus, number of posts on the transaction board perhaps.    

Maybe I will see what AI generation can do, seeing as no manager has ever offered to meet my inducement on the Team Needs page!

This post is 452

...we'll say something!

FOR's season could be saved in the next match if we manage to avoid relegation.

I think we have a chance, but MON has a good team and we look like the underdogs here...

In the cups we got unlucky to draw Mark's STJ on both and we were quite easily disposed of.

More after the match!

Sponsorship cash of an extra 100k for free if these teams post a few blogs in next couple of weeks.

INV need earn another 50k in participation bonus for the free 100k on top,
RR to earn 70k more, AI 100k, CEL 100k, CB 100k, DFA 100k, FOR 55k,
AYR 55k, BER 100k, MON 100k, and finally
STI 75k more participation to earn another 100k for free

GM need earn 20k more.  This post should help lol
 

Team Sponsor detail lifted from front page:-
Earn 100k in participation bonus
Div 1: ALB DEE DUM HAM INV RR
Div 2: EDI AI CEL CB DFA FOR GM ROS
Div 3: AYR BER COV DEV MON QOS STI      

pays out 100k for free sponsorship   
default sponsor for all teams not winning a lot 1-10 

For the best and most up to date info.....

Click on your team homepage.....

Click on Account.... 

Loads of enlightening info about YOUR teams finances and also comparable info with the rest of SESL.

Then you really know where your team stands, especially compared to other teams.

Still few left this season to earn extra dosh for CP next season

Participation Earnings (k)
ABE - 0      KIL - 0      PET - 30    DFA - 0
HIB - 725    BER - 0      RAN - 25    AYR - 45
INV - 50     EDI - 795    CEL - 0     STJ - 230
STE - 195    QOS - 265    ALB - 95    DUU - 45
LIV - 345    ROS - 490    ALO - 590   HEA - 220
MOT - 610    COV - 180    RR - 30     ELG - 0
FAL - 370    PT - 125     ANN - 240   STI - 25
COW - 410    ARB - 320    SM - 285    DEE - 610
FOR - 45     CB - 0       AI - 0      FRA - 320
MON - 0      DUM - 160    EST - 25    CLY - 235
HAM - 115    NAI - 35     EF - 820    BRE - 200
QP - 75      DEV - 100    SRA - 390   GM - 80

Some good comments here, except a specific payment for certain amounts of characters. Mark has it right - amount depends upon the number of posts AND the quality. 
There can never be payments made for a certain amount of posts or words - quantity will always get a payment, the amount will depend on the content. Has to be..

(This should get me 100k, but I'll refuse it - it'll be going to the 3rd division anyway. The money, not the team!!) 😂😂

Not sure why I am in the firing line, but consider me warned

:)