So the predictions for the red side were:
1) HR
2) GB
3) BBB
4) TC
5) VV
6) Krif
7) D²
8) Star
And the current rankings are:
1) Krif (9-2)
2) HR (8-3)
3) TC (6-5)
4) D² (6-5)
5) BG (5-6)
6) VV (5-6)
7) BBB (4-7)
8) star(3-8)
So far we've seen that Kril and HR are above the rest. Both Krif and HR have been trading blows so far. HR just lost to Poperinge, Krif still has to face them.
So first, we got Krif. They've added a nice SF and since they have looked really good. Krilonius has amongst the best defensif stats: Biggest difference for shots blocks per game (tied with HR for a positive 4.3 blocks per game). Highest amount of rebounds and 2nd lest amount of fouls committed by their players. This shows that Krif has addapted a defensif first approach and for now it's paying off. Having the 2nd highest salary amongst all the teams on the red side, i think it's fair to say that they are looking at a good PO run.
2nd we got HR. HR is still making loads of money, all while putting forth good defensif stats. The question becomes, once they face a good defence, how will they score their points? This is where Nwothm has to be a bitt creative and so far he's been managing that fairly well. Another good PO run is to be expected, but does he want to promote is the question i've been asking myself. Something tells me that this season is still too early for him. Having the 3rd lowest wage in the red conference really shows how impressive this record is.
3rd to 8th is fairly close to eachother. At the 3rd place, we got TC who are quietly navigating the season so far. at 6-5 he remains in the hunt for those very expensive PO spots. The concern here is that he's at his maximum. Despite being a very seasoned manager (in the top 10 for Belgiums oldest managers!) he still has a small stadium meaning that his gate receipts are pretty low. The quesiton is when will he invest in that stadium so that he can build up some cash and start looking to challenge for more in BB
4th are the Ducks and they are overachieving once more. With the 2nd lowest salary mass in the red conference, they are once again navigating the top flight very well. However, they are still within the cup and the questions should be asked if throwing 2 games against beatable opponents on the blue side might not come back to bite them in the end.
at 5-6, we got another 2 teams. In 5th place, we got BG. The grannies are balling the living hell out in II.2. However, with their salary, they should be looking at being in the top 2. Being 5th is probably feeling as a bitt of a dissapointment, so watch out in this second half once they put together a couple of wins. They could very well be the TC of last season where nobody pays attention to them until they storm up the board and take a PO spot.
The other team at 5-6 (in 6th spot) is VV. The manager took some big swings last season and got lucky to avoid getting punished for it. However, it's becoming harder to surprise people and thus teams have stopped underestimating them. This has lead to it being harder to get some sneaky wins. The question now becomes: will they add a player to their team or do they stay the course and try to get some wins in. They are in the hunt for the PO spot and if a couple of games go their way, then they'll be on it.
in 7th spot with a 4-7 record, we got BBB. They've sold a fair amount of players and are retooling, so the question becomes will they be able to make up ground or will they remain in the 7th spot? Their experience should allow them to get a couple of wins. How far they get towards the end of the season?
In 8th we got Starstruck, who have invested and added a fair amount of players but their stadium is still holding them back. They'll probably end up playing kingmaker in this conference. Whoever gets beat by Starstuck could very well be out of the PO's. The question is, can they overtake BBB to avoid direct relegation?