Tuesday, November 23, 2010

BZZZ Season 5 Preview/ Power Rankings

Aussie Basements FC - This team is currently on a high, finishing in second place in the division last season. The Basements will look to continue their success this year in an attempt to build on the triumphs of last season. Joselol's full 20 player squad shows a good degree of balance, both between FW/MF/D and from old to young. The key to this team's season will be whether the older defenders can prop-up the burgeoning youth movement in the squad.

BZZZ AFC - The Vuvus will look to continue their run of success from last year, after finishing 4th in the division. Their squad has tremendous depth and strength in midfield, with six midfielders in the team of 7 skill or higher. One potential weakness for this team is the defense, which is a bit light and lacks any rising youth players. Expect many teams to try to avert this strong midfield this season, as this part of the squad will be integral to any success BZZZ has.

DOUK City FC- This team will also look to extend its run in the top flight this season, coming off of a 5th place finish last year. This team has great depth in defense and a strong midfield, with no players below 7 skill. However, depth in midfield could be a problem as the season wears on. In order to have any success this season, DOUK will need to keep its midfield healthy.

Mild-Mannered Men- This team, a BZZZ veteran of every season but the first, will look to build on its third place finish last season, after a relegation scare the year before. Stroyent, for the most part, is still using the same group of players he won the title with a few seasons ago. They have become more skilled over time, but they are beginning to age. This could end up being a long-term problem for MMM, but for now, continued success could be expected.

Oh The Lulz- This season, OTL, under the direction of Uptempo, will make its debut in BZZZ after a come-from-behind title capture in >shaw. One potential problem for this squad is that much of its offensive capabilities are propped-up by two 9-skill players, Nicolas McCauley and Earl Chillingworth. Keeping these players producing in the face of the tight marks that are to come is integral to OTL's potential successes this season.

Oranje- Returning from BZZZ after a one season hiatus, BFF's team, now under the direction of J2isWIN, will look to make a splash this season in the top division. The team was promoted by finishing second in 18-1 last season. The squad features many of the same cast of characters that we are all used to from the days of Freebags, but with some new faces as well. Youth phenom, Mark van Bommel, will look to make his impression as one of the /sp/ league's biggest future talents this season. For this team, it will be interesting to see if its aging backline can hold together for another season.

Strong Island- Back to BZZZ by the grace of winning 18-1, the Guidos will look to solidify their place in the top flight this season. Anchored by a squad of veterans, such as Matthew Gillett and Kieran Clare, and burgeoned by youth talents, such as Theodor Schramm, Strong Island has the potential to create a stir in BZZZ this year.

Trollchester United- The only team to have been in BZZZ for all five seasons. The only team to repeat. Defending champions. This team has done it all. However, this squad is starting to age severely, with only 5/18 players under the age of 27. If Divegrass wants a three-peat, he's going to have to reconcile his current squad with the needs of the future.


POWER RANKINGS
1. Mild-Mannered Men - good for one last season
2. Aussie Basements FC - well balanced, good potential
3. Strong Island - well balanced
4. DOUK City - Assuming midfield works out
5. Oranje - Assuming old veteran defenders hang on.
6. Trollchester United - old as fuck
7. BZZZ AFC - prepare to be long-balled
8. Oh the Lulz - still developing