Also... Kyushu can't play Hartlepool (the best 3rd placed team) as they are in the same group?

This is correct

Hellhound howler: Round up

It's been a long old while since we checked in with the Hellhound squad. This edition looks at the team's performance as they hit the mid point of the league season.

Player performancesGoalie: Hikkara - its been a strong showing so far for the club's number 1. He's conceded 25 in 177 shots on goal, that's a save rate of 86%, saving around 7 of 8 shots on goal - potentially meaning opponents need around 15 shots to score a goal.

Jalen Hurts - 27 tackles, comfortably the most in the team. He's has combined that with 6 goals and 2 assists, demonstrating his all round capabilities and why so much was outlayed to bring him in in the close season.

Shynkarenko - talisman in midfield, now up to 55 passes with 5 assists, and 6 goals to boot.

Lyle Warwick - less was expected of young Warwick following his move but he's matched Shynkarenko for goals and assists so far.

Raffi Karrar - 9 goals from 78 shots, a decent return, but needs to improve on almost 9 shots per goal, it's holding the team back.

League form - reviewRating: 7/10
It could have been so much better, but two back to back defeats against title rivals leaves Helsinki 6 points adrift and starting to hope for mircales.

Xbox cup - reviewRating: 9/10
Safely through to the last 16 following 5 consecutive victories after a worrying opening defeat. Reasonable draw in last 16 makes the team hopeful of making the quarter finals. From there anything can happen.

EA KO cup - reviewRating: 6/10
Safely navigated the first round against Tranmere but now face a real step up away to Arctic. Tough draw, tough ask. They'll need a top performance to make it through.

So a bit of a mixed bag, a number of players playing well, but just feels like the team is missing the 2 or 3% needed to be genuine contenders.