tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35840272257685387022024-03-07T22:50:48.390-08:00Michaeltmurrayuk's Dafuge's Challenge BlogWelcome to my new blog that will chronicle and archive my progress through Dafuge's Challenge on Football Manager 2009 with FC United of Manchester.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-45853293853187540152010-05-27T09:13:00.001-07:002010-05-27T09:15:14.999-07:00Championship 2021/22 – Season 13<br /><br />
After last seasons fine midtable position, I was hoping to push on and make a play for the playoffs (or at least be closer to the playoffs than relagation) with the bookies even giving me <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1072/odds.jpg">odds of 50-1</a>, though our media prediction was still last.<br />
<br />
Though my players quickly quashed any hopes of a play for the playoffs with nearly everyone wanting out: Keeper Galley, Right-Back Balu, Left Back Cardozo, Centre-Backs Diego, Whitbread and Cowling. Right Winger Owen, Midfielders Patterson, Batchelor, Hurrell, Fievet and Strikers Pearson, Mintus and Rankine.<br />
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By the end of the season Right-Back Allan, Left-Winger Friar, and Midfielder Gudgeon joined the list of players wanting out.<br />
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During the Summer window I didn't receive a single bid for one of the many players who want out or are wanted by someone, though with <a href="http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8729/transfersf.jpg">January approaching</a> I only managed to get Keeper Galley to sign a new contract with Striker Pearson sold to Hibs, Right-Back Balu sold to Millwall and Midfielder Hurrell sold to Partizian, and with no-one willing to offer any money for Caradozo or Fievet they were both poached on free's.<br />
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I didn't have a great time bringing in replacements - young Serbian Full-Back Ivan Miladinovic and Czech Striker Petr Kucera were brought in for the future, whilst I loaned a rightback from Leeds, and with most of my strikers injury prone I brought in Striker Whitbread on a free.<br />
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I also let various youngsters go out on loan, to get some experience, though my squad is now rather bare so some are going to be thrown in at the deepend.<br />
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This season proved to be a mixed bag, we had no consistency, whilst we had the ability on our day to beat anyone in the league if we could be bothered to turn up, the problem was when we didn't turn up we were woeful, having half my team wanting out didn't help the motivation, with the ones not wanting out upset due to a lack of squad harmony.<br />
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In the end it was just a case of where midtable we would finish - with seven games left we could neither reach the playoffs nor be relagated, I then gave some of the players who weren't unhappy a chance in the team and in the end we finished a creditable 13th.<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3130/tablea.jpg">Final Table</a> - Rather worrying is the amount of points needed to get out of this league, in any but the last two seasons Forests 97 pts would have been enough for the title. <br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6472/pos.jpg">POS Graph</a> - We just bounced around the midtable positions after a good start.<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6797/snapshoth.jpg">Snapshot</a> - The cups saw us go out to Premiership sides Arsenal in the Third Round of the Carling Cup after needing an injury time goal to beat Grimsby and a pen in extra-time to beat Notts County. <br />
The FA Cup saw us take Spurs to a replay in the Third Round before some woeful refereing knocked us out - this <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4247/facupnotred.jpg">challenge from Corluka</a> is not even worth a yellow card, but a <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1199/facupredcard.jpg">similar challenge</a> from my defender Diego is worthy of a red card - if anything my chance was more of a clear goalscoring chance than theirs and both should have been red cards :(<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2905/squad.jpg">Squad</a> - whats left of it.<br />
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In Goal <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/1051/galley.jpg">Mark Galley</a> had a solid season and his new contract see's him become my top earner.<br />
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In Defence <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3795/allan.jpg">Richard Allan</a> was given the rightback spot after Balu left, though of course he now wants to leave, on the left is <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/627/fedrdinand.jpg">Jack Ferdinand</a> who is about my only happy player now that he no longer dislikes half my team. Providing cover was young Serbian <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6541/miladinovic.jpg">Ivan Miladinovic</a>, he's not ready for first team football but I don't have anyone else.<br />
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In the centre of defence <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9066/diego.jpg">Diego</a> and <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/531/thompson.jpg">Mal Thompson</a> are first choice, with <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/697/cowling.jpg">Steve Cowling</a> given a chance to impress at the end of the season as Diego wants out, but now Cowling wants out aswell.<br />
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In midfield <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4289/cole.jpg">Jamie Cole</a> stepped in for the injured and want away David Owen, and he had a good season until Sunderland wanted him back and upset him. <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9916/owen.jpg">David Owen</a> had a quiet season apart from demanding a transfer, but with no interest he has decided to stay (we'll see how long it is before he wants out again).<br />
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The Left wing is the one position apart from goal that I seem fine in <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3308/alonso.jpg">Gonzalo Alonso</a> had another fine season as did his understudy <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7732/marshall.jpg">Andy Marshall</a> and rather shockingly they are both happy at the club.<br />
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The centre of midfield is another matter, <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1131/patterson.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> was in fine form, but demanded a move at the end of the season, which saw youngster <a href="http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/5770/wharton.jpg">Ben Wharton</a> given a chance. Partnering them was <a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6742/gudgeon.jpg">Harry Gudgeon</a> who stepped in for Keith Hurrell who defected to Serbia in January.<br />
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Upfront <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8364/sendoa.jpg">Captain Sendoa</a> was my top scorer for a record fourth time, with the loss of Pearson in January the striker spot was up for grabs with <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1333/rankine.jpg">Matty Rankine</a> and <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3631/mintus.jpg">Lewis Mintus</a> the least injury prone of the rest, though it will be no surprise to learn that they both want out aswell.<br />
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<a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3149/bestxi.jpg">Best XI</a> and <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9023/overallxi.jpg">Overall XI</a> - Overall is starting to look better now after a few seasons in the Championship (looks like games in higher leagues are given a lot more weight than the league below, so it'll break again if we ever make it to the Premiership) - with the sale of Pedro and Patterson at the end of the season the odds are rather high that Sendoa will have more appearances than the rest of the team put together soon.<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1529/profile.jpg">Profile</a> - minor changes, whilst I take it manager knowledge no longer exists apart from your nationality?<br />
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<a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/4175/clubinfo.jpg">Club Info</a> - Not sure what David Owen did last season to get on the favoured panel, whilst our repuation is still Regional but shockingly is better than Leyton Orient's as next season we are no longer expected to finish rockbottom.<br />
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<a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2339/clubfacts.jpg">Club Facts</a> - our average age actually went up for the first time in ages, whilst we are still outmatched wageswise but not as bad.<br />
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<a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6866/clubstats.jpg">Club Stats</a> - we rearly need to cut out some of those mistakes.<br />
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<a href="http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/9470/clubfacilities.jpg">Club Facilities</a> - most of my transfer profits have been put towards improving our Facilities, we now have Top Training Facilities (not 20/20 yet as they are being improved again) and Excellent Youth Facilities - which at the end of the season produced my first potential youngsters since the first couple of seasons - a 7star Keeper and a Championship Potential Left Winger, its a shame they are in positions I don't need, hopefully they are the start of a production line as I could do with some squad depth.<br />
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So the plan for next season is to see how many players I have left who want to play for me, and then hopefully make a play for the playoffs.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2017/18</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">3rd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Playoffs</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2018/19</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2019/20</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2020/21</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">14th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2021/22</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">13th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-91439177911351886542010-05-27T09:09:00.001-07:002010-05-27T09:14:35.945-07:00Championship 2020/21 – Season 12<br /><br />
So after narrowly avoiding relagation again last season, I was hoping for better this season, my young team has had a year to gel, though the game wasn't giving me much of a chance the board were willing to give me nearly £8m to <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1627/expectations.jpg">avoid relagation,</a> though they didn't expect any of the players I bought with that money to be given a wage.<br />
<br />
The press also gave us no chance double our <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1072/odds.jpg">odds from 500-1 to 1,000-1</a> and for the third season in a row we were expected to finish rock bottom and be everyone's wipping boys, even the fans weren't optismistic, with <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3546/seasontickets.jpg">300 less season tickets sold this season.</a><br />
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The board at least had enough confidence in me to give me a <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4184/newcontract.jpg">new contract.</a><br />
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Our <a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5058/transfers1.jpg">transfer dealings</a> would be relatively quiet this season, I got rid of the what I hoped was the last of the moaners: Wingers Woolley and Ross finally left both for Scotland, whilst the rest of the signings were mainly players who refused to sign a new contract unless they were a key player - Greek Winger Fotiadis and young midfielders Patterson, Jeffrey, Kearney and Basham wouldn't settle for squad roles and weren't good enough for first choice so they were all sold off.<br />
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<a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7212/transfers2.jpg">Transfers</a> in saw the arrival of some promising youngsters, whilst english youngsters Ferdinand and Cole were brought in to provide some depth at left back and right wing. Russian Keeper Astakhov was poached from under the noses of Real Madrid a couple of years ago but I had to wait for him to turn 18 to join us, I'm rather surprised he actually got a work permit at the age of 16 and again when he finally joined I snapped him up on a 5 year contract without a single cap for Russia.<br />
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We made a solid start to the season hovering around mid-table, with my defence solid for the most part I adopted a slightly more attacking system - pushed the team mentality up and made my MCa more attacking to create some more chances and goals.<br />
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And it worked for the most part when my team turned up, with my MCa causing havoc in the opposition defences, though November did go a little wierd as we managed five 1-1 draws in six games.<br />
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In the second half of the season we started to switch off in too many games, mainly due to half my 'loyal' defence declaring they wanted to move to a bigger club after struggling Championship sides and the likes of Basel, Zenit and Cluji (Romania) declared an interest in them.<br />
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Having three games postponed in March, saw us fall further down the table and if results went the wrong way we'd be in danger of being dragged into the relagation fight, Stoke being deducted 10pts helped us out and a 4-1 hammering of Norwich followed by a 2-2 draw to Fulham made us safe with five games remaining.<br />
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<a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4757/tableo.jpg">Table</a> - 14th place was a fantastic acheivement and even better we <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9360/posb.jpg">never dropped into the relagation spots</a> even once this season.<br />
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<a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/2905/squad.jpg">Squad</a> - Does anyone else have a problem with most of their players not being worth anything?<br />
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<a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1051/galley.jpg">Mark Galley</a> stole the #1 Jersey from <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9492/pedror.jpg">Pedro</a> as Pedro really struggled this season whilst new signing <a href="http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9121/astakhov.jpg">Dmitry Astakhov</a> is highly rated but not quite ready for first team football.<br />
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On defence Romanian Right Back <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6574/balu.jpg">Marian Balu</a> struggled a bit with <a href="http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3795/allan.jpg">Richard Allan</a> proving to be a capable understudy.<br />
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On the left <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1061/cardozo.jpg">Omar Cardozo</a> was solid for the most part with new signing <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2569/ferdinand.jpg">Jack Ferdinand</a> providing cover.<br />
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In the centre of defence <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9066/diego.jpg">Diego</a> had a disapointing season by his standards not helped by his demands to leave the club and is now transer listed by request, partnering him was vice-Captain <a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/531/thompson.jpg">Mal Thompson</a> who quite possibly will be my only centre-back next season after my understudies <a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5618/whitbread.jpg">Dave Whitbread</a> and <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/697/cowling.jpg">Steve Cowling</a> demanding moves to bigger clubs - I've not even had a chance to play Cowling yet he demands a move to a bigger club after a handful of games, he spent the season loaned out to get some experience, he was called back when Diego got injured starts to show some potential and then demands a move :(<br />
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On the Right Winger <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1719/owenj.jpg">David Owen</a> was in fine form equaling our assists record from back in League Two, before injury ended his season, providing cover was new signing <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4289/cole.jpg">Jamie Cole.</a><br />
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On the left <a href="http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3308/alonso.jpg">Gonzalo Alonso</a> had a quieter season with <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9154/friar.jpg">Chris Friar</a> again providing cover.<br />
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In the centre of midfield <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1131/patterson.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> lost his place to <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7191/batchelor.jpg">Andy Batchelor</a> after he wanted a transfer, but by the end of the season Batchelor was demanding a move, whilst Patterson was happy at the club.<br />
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Helping out the attack was <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/9204/hurrell.jpg">Keith Hurrell</a> who had a fine season until he wanted out, which means that <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6742/gudgeon.jpg">Harry Gudgeon</a> is likely to take his place with Swiss midfielder <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5655/fievet.jpg">Gilbert Fievet</a> rewarding my giving him a chance by also wanting out.<br />
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Upfront we were given a boost when for some reason Bristol City decided not to make Promising Striker <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1168/pearson.jpg">Kevin Pearson's</a> loan permanent and he hit some fine form after a slow start ending up my top scorer, though he spent the entire season wanting a move to a bigger club, forgetting he signed a new contract with me at the end of last season when no-one was interested in him, and rather interestingly he is the only player I have who is actually worth something (£1.4m at the moment). My Captain <a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/8364/sendoa.jpg">Sendoa</a> had a good season aswell.<br />
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With the rest of my strike force being rather injury prone, Record signing <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/3631/mintus.jpg">Lewis Mintus</a> was the only one to manage a meaningful number of appearances.<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3149/bestxi.jpg">Best XI</a> - it's currently looking like only Thompson, Owen and Sendoa will still be here by September.<br />
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<a href="http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7063/snapshotz.jpg">Snapshot</a> - Accrington rather embrassingly beat us in extra in the first round of the Carling Cup, whilst luck was against us against Man City in the FA Cup.<br />
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<a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/5482/moneyj.jpg">Moneywise</a> we are in trouble, we lost £5m this season from last seasons transfers, not sure where the board were going to get the ~£8m they were offering me.<br />
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<a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6205/profilem.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - knowledge still not returning.<br />
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<a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4175/clubinfo.jpg">Club Info</a> - Still Regional reputation, and it is no surprise that next season we are again predicted to finish bottom of the league, whilst its a joke that my squad personality is listed as loyal.<br />
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On the plus side the board have upgraded our <a href="http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9470/clubfacilities.jpg">Training facilites</a> to Top and our youth to Good.<br />
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We also gained the <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/865/overachievers.jpg">Overachievers</a> tag for the first time in the Championship.<br />
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And my <a href="http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/254/kitsponsor.jpg">sponsorship deal finally increased.</a><br />
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So the plan for next season is to see how many players I am left with, and to hopefully make a play for the playoffs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2017/18</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">3rd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Playoffs</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2018/19</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2019/20</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2020/21</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">14th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-49922192701836453962010-04-28T16:02:00.000-07:002010-05-27T09:14:03.519-07:00Championship 2019/20 – Season 11<br /><br />
So after narrowly avoiding relagation last season, any hopes of climbing the table this season were quickly dashed when nearly my entire team declared their intentions to move to a bigger club, regardless of whether anyone else wanted them or not :(<br />
<br />
Last season was barely over before midfielder Tom Ruddy demanded a move, that was followed by both my left wingers Coleman and Woolley demanding moves, quickly followed by my remaining right winger Ross, star Striker Ellison and Promising Strkier Pearson all demanding moves aswell, we then came full circle as my only left back Holsgrove demanded a move as did centre-back Dootson and then my right back Gray demanded a move after just signing a new contract in July and recovering from a broken leg. I also sold off some youngsters who didn't develop or refused to sign a new contract.<br />
<br />
So I added an <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5058/transfers1.jpg">extra</a> <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7212/transfers2.jpg">£10m</a> onto the £8m I raised last season and with my socuts scouring Europe for U18 good/leading Premiership youngsters I went about rebuilding my team, the irony being that most of my signings came from the youth teams of Premiership clubs, good Europe players are out there they just don't want to play for me.<br />
<br />
With a new young inexperienced team we didn't get off to the best of starts losing nine of our opening ten league games.<br />
<br />
With the tactics based on the tactics forum not working, I switched back to my old style of tactics - leave everything on team settings and tweak for the person.<br />
<br />
I set up a defensive counter-attacking 4-4-2, with low creative freedom, with the MCd set as slightly more defensive, the MCa more attacking and gave the MCa and Wingers some more creative freedom, upfront I dropped the closing down to create some space and upped the mentality of the fast striker.<br />
<br />
The tactical change seemed to work we were playing better and creating chances winning the next four of five games.<br />
<br />
We quickly pulled ourselves of the bottom of the table and out of relagation, however we just couldn't put together any sort of run - if we were up for the game we'd win, if we didn't turn up we'd struggle.<br />
<br />
A good February saw us win three games from six, but after that we seriously struggled, we claimed spirited home draws against Newcastle, Fulham and Norwich, but we fell apart away with both Swansea and bottom side Burnley putting four goals past us.<br />
<br />
After defeat to Burnley we were five points above relagation with four games to go, a 1-1 home draw to Bolton left us five points clear with three games remanining, and that just left us Watford and Coventry fighting to avoid the last relagation spot.<br />
<br />
Our next game was away to Coventry, a win for us would see us safe, but Coventry were determined not to go down, and despite a fine defensive performance Coventry claimed a winner in the 84th minute to leave it looking like we were heading back to League One.<br />
<br />
However if we could win our last home game of the season against Nottm Forest we'd be safe and in the end a 19th minute goal from Lewis Mintus was enough to secure our Championship survival for another season :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4166/table.jpg">Table</a> - we again finished 21sth, but with two extra points on last season. Whilst Gillingham managed to throw away the automatic promotion spot on the last day. Our <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6472/pos.jpg">eary form</a> didn't help and the bookies seemed to be correct about our <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1072/odds.jpg">odds.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/2905/squad.jpg">Squad</a> - Only three of my players have played a full season before this Pedro, Patterson and Captain Sendoa.<br />
<br />
In Goal new signing <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1051/galley.jpg">Mark Galley</a> proved to be good competition for <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5582/pedro.jpg">Pedro</a>.<br />
<br />
My new look defence saw Romanian <a href="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6574/balu.jpg">Marian Balu</a> claim the right back spot after Jai Gray left with <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7826/reeves.jpg">Peter Reeves</a> and new signing <a href="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3795/allan.jpg">Richard Allan</a> competing for it as well.<br />
<br />
On the left <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1061/cardozo.jpg">Omar Cardozo</a> was signed from Arsenal and is my only left back, with cover being provided by loanees.<br />
<br />
In the centre of defence Spanish Defender <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6650/diegou.jpg">Diego</a> took command and was in fine form, only spoiled by him <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5747/diegomove.jpg">demanding a transfer</a> at the end of the season. Partnering him was vice-captain Mal Thompson and new signing <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5618/whitbread.jpg">Dave Whitbread.</a><br />
<br />
My new look midfielder saw another Arsenal player on the right winger <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9916/owen.jpg">David Owen</a>, with cover being provided by Greek youngster <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8252/fotiadis.jpg">Giorgos Fotiadis</a>, on the left wing was signing of the season and fans player of the year <a href="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3308/alonso.jpg">Gonzalo Alonso</a> who was signed on a free from Sevilla, providing cover was <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9154/friar.jpg">Chris Friar</a> who was signed from Man City.<br />
<br />
In the middle <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/3262/stevepatterson.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> provided the experience, whilst <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9204/hurrell.jpg">Keith Hurrell</a> was the creative spark of the side after being signed from Portsmouth for £1.4m, providing cover was english youngsters <a href="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7191/batchelor.jpg">Andy Batchelor</a> and <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6742/gudgeon.jpg">Harry Gudgeon</a>, along with promising Swiss midfielder <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5655/fievet.jpg">Gilbert Fievet</a>.<br />
<br />
Upfront <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8364/sendoa.jpg">Sendoa</a> lead the line with new signings <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3631/mintus.jpg">Lewis Mintus</a>, <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5308/burge.jpg">Richard Burge</a> and <a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/9922/williams.jpg">Tim Williams</a> impressing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/7826/bextxi.jpg">Best XI</a> - from the starting XI only Striker Sendoa has played more than one seasons worth of games for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5461/snapshotj.jpg">Snapshot</a> - we went out of both cups to North East sides Middlesbrough and Newcastle - Boro needed a late goal to beat us 3-2 whilst Newcastle held on to beat us 1-0 after having their Keeper sent off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6503/profilen.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - the new patch wiped all of my knowledge and it doesn't want to come back :( - this happened to anyone else?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4175/clubinfo.jpg">Club Info</a> - still only regional reputation, whilst the media prediction of last in our second season shows our reputation is quite a bit lower than everyone elses, considering next season we are expected to finish last again. At least the board put some money towards improving our <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9501/clubfac.jpg">facilities</a> they are now rated Good and Average, though I could do with getting away from Gigg Lane as the pitch is awful.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2339/clubfacts.jpg">Club Facts</a> - An average age of 19 at least means my players can only get better if they stay that is, whilst wage wise we are still out of our depth.<br />
<br />
<br />
So the plan for next season is to try and keep hold of my players and hopefully start to climb the table.<br />
<br />
One thing I couldn't resist was appointing old rivals <a href="http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/5927/merthyrlink.jpg">Merthyr as my feeder club</a> when offered, as the withdrawlal of their tycoon bankrupted them.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2017/18</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">3rd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Playoffs</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2018/19</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2019/20</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-89399352000500141422010-03-19T10:00:00.001-07:002010-03-19T10:01:55.206-07:00Championship 2018/19 – Season 10<br><br />
So after somehow winning the League One playoffs last season we find ourselves in the Championship.<br />
<br />
Where we will be up against 18 ex-premiership sides, the <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7644/expectation.jpg">expectations</a> as always is to avoid relegation with the board helpfully giving me £85K to it with :(<br />
<br />
Things quickly got worse when my entire defence declared their intentions to leave the club.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7212/transfers2.jpg">Transfers</a><br />
<br />
Whilst my scouts went searching across Europe for a new defence, I went about selling off the unhappy or unneeded players to raise funds, the sale of Peter Tanner to Barnsley for £1m raised enough funds to stregthen the team not that my scouts could find that many good players interested in signing for me (or with wage demands I could afford).<br />
<br />
When January came around the loss of two first teamers at least raised a fair bit of money - Spanish Winger Jose Manuel Ramos joined Bolton for £2.5m, he wasn't that much of a loss as he'd spent the whole season so far injured, the loss of centre-back David Robertson was a blow though he was by far my best defender though the ~£5m Dinamo gave me for him made up for it in part.<br />
<br />
So with a couple of million in the bank I could finally afford some premiership potential youngsters, though again my scouts struggled to find quality players in Europe (this doesn't seem to be my scouts fault, it looks like they only bother to report back on people who have some interest in signing for me, manual scouting reveals better players but with no intention to sign for me, hopefully our reputation will increase enough for us to attract some better players) a record £2m was spent on young WBA striker Tim Williams, unfortantley he got injured in a reserve game and would miss the entire season (well he came back for the last two games)<br />
<br />
The season got off to a good start, largly due to our home form where we were unbeaten until November, however our away form was woeful only managing our first away win in November also, with our second away win coming against Fierce rivals Leeds.<br />
<br />
Though with my entire defence wanting out and then not turning upto games we found ourselves in trouble and sliding down the table suffering 7 one goal defeats in a row during December and January sent us into the relegation spots.<br />
<br />
Another losing streak this time four games in February had looked to have killed any fight left, especially when it ended with a 4-0 mauling by league leaders Barnsley.<br />
<br />
However we breathed some life into our chances by beating Stoke 3-2 at thanks to youngster Scott Gerrard grabbing two goals from the bench, he then came off the bench in the next two games to grab the winner in each against Gillingham and in our last and third away win at Fulham.<br />
<br />
We then looked to have undone our good work when we could only claim two hard fought home draws against Bristol City and Crystal Palace and away defeats to MK Dons and a hammering from Southampton left us with two games left one point above Stoke, but at least Blackpool and MK Dons had already cliamed the other two relegation spots, whilst Coventry and Ipswich were the only teams above us in danger of relegation.<br />
<br />
So the 45th game of the season would see us play Fierce Rivals Leeds at home and with Stoke losing earlier in the day to Ipswich a victory would keep us in the Championship, and yet again my team were up for some Leeds bashing, Captain Sendoa opening the scoring just before half-time and Tom Ruddy added a second in injury time, to give us our third 2-0 victory over Leeds in three games and more importantly kept us in the Championship :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1092/tabley.jpg">Final Table</a> and <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3286/postpxh.jpg">Positions</a> - we really need to improve our away form next season, if I actually had players who wanted to play for me we would have done a lot better, there was only a couple of games we were outclassed in - 14 of our defeats we by just one goal, a few more clean sheets or goals would have made a lot of difference.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5602/squadu.jpg">Squad</a> - Keeper <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9262/pedrop.jpg">Pedro</a> played the entire season and had a solid season, with my want away defence not helping him out - right back <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6674/grayb.jpg">Jai Gray</a> started well but when he demanded a move he switched off and was dropped before breaking his leg, he did in the end sign a new contract in July, though if anyone does ever make a bid for him he is gone, with Gray out my two young Irish right backs <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7826/reeves.jpg">Peter Reeves</a> and <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2879/hilton.jpg">Arron Hilton</a> were given a chance, though with them both struggling is the main reason why I let Gray stay.<br />
<br />
Left back proved to be more of a problem <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9360/birch.jpg">Ross Birch</a> was solid until he demanded a move and then he fell apart on the pitch, he was replaced by <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8240/holsgrove.jpg">Graham Holsgrove</a> who did well until he also fell apart after demanding a move :(<br />
<br />
In the centre of defence with the loss of David Robertson in January, it fell to <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1826/thompsons.jpg">Mal Thompson</a> to fill his shoes, and he filled them admirably winning fans player of the year. Partnering him was <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9227/dootson.jpg">George Dootson</a> who started moaning at the start of the season, was quiet enough when no one wanted him to sign a new contract, but towards the end of the season starting moaning again, so I gave my young Spanish Centre-back <a href="http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/984/diegot.jpg">Diego</a> a chance.<br />
<br />
In Midfield with Ramos injured then sold it was chance for <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1300/ross.jpg">Tamer Ross</a> to claim the right wing position, however he had a poor season capped off by his demands to leave at the end of the season, providing cover was <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/3392/metcalf.jpg">Mark Metcalf</a> not highly rated by my staff but was solid when used.<br />
<br />
Also at the end of the season both my left wingers <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1385/coleman.jpg">Colin Coleman</a> and <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/1686/woolley.jpg">Lawrie Woolley</a> demanded to leave the club.<br />
<br />
In the centre of midfield <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1656/pattersonp.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> was solid as ever and is being pushed hard by new signing <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7191/batchelor.jpg">Andy Batchelor</a>, partnering them was <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4245/ruddy.jpg">Tom Ruddy</a> who had a good season until he too demanded a transfer towards the end of the season.<br />
<br />
My Strikers struggled this season against Championship defences, Captain <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8364/sendoa.jpg">Sendoa</a> plugged away ending up top scorer with 8 goals, his partner <a href="http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2077/ellison.jpg">Steve Ellison</a> had a disapointing season though he did get himself a Welsh cap and at the end of the season he shockingly demanded a transfer, we were then hit by my other Welsh Striker <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1168/pearson.jpg">Kevin Pearson</a> demanding a move to a bigger club after just 18 months at the club, at least one of my new signings brigthened things up youngster <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4337/gerrard.jpg">Stuart Gerrard</a> bought from Barnsley for £90K, proved to be something of a supersub finishing second top scorer with 7 games from mainly sub appearances.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/3149/bestxi.jpg">Best XI</a> - from the first XI there only Sendoa, Patterson, Thompson and Pedro don't want out.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/981/snapshotepp.jpg">Snapshot</a> - The cups didn't provide much luck again, we took Hull to a replay in the FA Cup Third Round, in the Carling Cup we beat Oldham before falling to Spurs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5822/profilei.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - minor changes to my attributes, whilst at the end of the season for some reason the game wiped all of my manager knowledge?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6791/infoy.jpg">Manager Info</a> - My <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9756/500thgame.jpg">500th game</a> saw us lose to bottom club Blackpool :(<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4175/clubinfo.jpg">Club Info</a>, <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/2339/clubfacts.jpg">Club Facts</a> showing how out matched we are in the Championship.<br />
<br />
One good thing about the Championship is the <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/1831/finances.jpg">money</a>, for the first time ever I got more prize money than the squad bonus cost me.<br />
<br />
With my scouts out scouring Europe for talent my <a href="http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4161/knowledgen.jpg">knowledge</a> increases, though is it just me or do the scouts seem to take longer in FM09? I like the roaming feature, saves me having to remember to send them out again.<br />
<br />
At the end of the season you'd think we'd been relegated with all the <a href="http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2533/moaning.jpg">demands to leave the club I got</a> :(<br />
<br />
So the plan for next season is too first see how many players I have left who want to play for the club, then rebuild and try and avoid relegation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2017/18</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">3rd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Playoffs</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2018/19</td><td style="width: 130px;">Championship</td><td style="width: 40px;">21st</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-40145134254673291062010-03-19T09:41:00.001-07:002010-03-19T09:42:55.073-07:00League One 2017/18 – Season 9<br><br />
So after winning League One last season we finally returned to League One.<br />
<br />
The boards <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7644/expectation.jpg">expectations were to avoid relagation</a>, and with them giving me no money to do that I'd have to rely upon the youngster I already had at the club.<br />
<br />
Fortantley my team didn't find the stepup to hard this season with a fine start seeing us play with the pacesetters, in the end though <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7628/postsotonnor.jpg">Norwich and Southampton</a> proved too strong and quickly opened up a massive lead at the top, leaving <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/963/posfcucrew.jpg">me and Crewe</a> to fight it out for third and fourth.<br />
<br />
A 13 game unbeaten run at the end of the season saw us claim a playoff spot with games to spare, however we couldn't catch Norwich who were the only team with a better run than us - 21 games unbeaten, but even they couldn't catch Southampton who even with the loss of their star striker in January held on to win the title.<br />
<br />
So we'd be left with the playoffs where my record so far wasn't great (rather annoying the 90 league points we got would have been enough for automatic promotion any other season and the title in all but two).<br />
<br />
The playoffs drew us against Sheff Wed and after a <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6946/playoffleg1.jpg">1-1 draw</a> in the first leg we outplayed Wednesday at home in the <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4416/playoffleg2.jpg">second leg to win 2-0</a>, thanks to a man of the match performance from Steve Patterson who scored only his second goal for the club and claimed an assist for the other goal.<br />
<br />
The final brought us up against Crewe who we'd spent fighting all season fighting in the league, and the tie was to be decided by a <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4081/playofffinal.jpg">cruel goal</a> in the 13th minute - Coleman sent in a woeful corner to the near post, where two Crewe defenders, the Crewe Keeper and my Striker McMahon all went for the ball, the Keeper missed it and one of the Crewe players attempted to clear the ball only to see the ball hit the Keepers back and roll backwards into the goal :)<br />
<br />
Somehow we now find ourselves playing Championship football next season.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6132/tablej.jpg">Final Table</a> - Promotion was down to our impressive defence we set a new record for least goals conceeded (not that the game records that stat) keeping 30! clean sheets in the process.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2905/squad.jpg">Squad</a> - Keeper <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3817/dawson.jpg">Ryan Dawson</a> started the season off as first choice, due to <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3116/pedrou.jpg">Pedro</a> missing the first two months due to injury, though both were impressive this season as I rotated through them with nearly identical stats.<br />
<br />
In defence ex-Arsenal youngster <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9227/dootson.jpg">George Dootson</a> became the fourth part of my impressive young defence partnering <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8577/robertson.jpg">David Robertson</a> in the middle with fullbacks <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5803/graye.jpg">Jai Gray</a> and <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9360/birch.jpg">Ross Birch</a>.<br />
<br />
In midfield <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4994/ramos.jpg">Jose Manuel Ramos</a> kept himself relatively injury free on the right wing, on the left <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1385/coleman.jpg">Colin Coleman</a> again struggled with injuries, with Irish youngster <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1686/woolley.jpg">Lawrie Woolley</a> providing cover.<br />
<br />
In central midfield <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4245/ruddy.jpg">Tom Ruddy</a> got the nod over <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6696/tanner.jpg">Peter Tanner</a> to partner <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1131/patterson.jpg">Steve Patterson</a>, with Spanish youngster <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7429/soria.jpg">Carlos Soria</a> providing cover.<br />
<br />
Upfront <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/8364/sendoa.jpg">Sendoa</a> and <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2077/ellison.jpg">Ellison</a> continued their fine partnership, easily beating the 6 goals my top scorer had last time I was in League One, they both even managed to score more goals than last season, with Ellison ending up Top Scroer for League One and Sendoa breaking the clubs league appearance record. Providing cover were two new signings <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1664/mcmahon.jpg">Micah McMahon</a> and promising youngster <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1168/pearson.jpg">Kevin Pearson</a> who becomes the first player I have to gain the Promising tag.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3149/bestxi.jpg">Best XI</a> - about right, <a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9023/overallxi.jpg">Overall XI</a> though is well and truly broken.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/6301/snapshota.jpg">Snapshot</a> - the Cups didn't go all that well this season - Oldham hammered us in the Paint Trophy, whilst we narrowly lost to Leicester in the League Cup, the FA Cup saw us beat Rochdale 3-2, before crashing to a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7616/profileg.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - I pick up some more random knowledge of the world.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4175/clubinfo.jpg">Club Infomation</a> - Clubs reputation finally rises to Regional.<br />
<br />
So the Championship is going to be fun, we have no real spare money and I'm on the verge of losing several first teamers - Ross Birch, David Robertson, George Dootson, Jai Gray (yes my entire first team defence) and Jose Manuel Ramos all want moves to bigger clubs so they can win trophys, forgetting that we have just climbed from League Two to the Championship in two seasons. And with all but Birch's contracts running out at the end of next season I now have the tough choice of keeping them and hoping they sign a contract rather than be poached for nothing, or sell them and leave myself with half a team :(<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2017/18</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">3rd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Playoffs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-41439930826765700222010-03-18T06:00:00.001-07:002010-03-18T06:00:20.212-07:00League Two 2016/17 – Season 8<br><br />
So after losing in the playoffs in the last two seasons, I was running out of chances to gain promotion, luckily the board weren't bothered and offered me a <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9329/newcontractas6.jpg">new three year contract</a> with the <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/556/expectationskc6.jpg">expectation of promotion again.</a><br />
<br />
One initial problem I had this season was the fact that most of the teams contracts were due to expire at the end of the season and nearly everyone wanted £1K-£2K wages p/w and to be a key player - which would bankrupt us and cause the squad harmony to plumment (if it could that was).<br />
<br />
Whilst I was busy trying to sign my players onto new contacts without going bankrupt, my <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3773/chairmanwe2.jpg">chairman</a> dealt us another blow by selling my vice-captain and possibly best player John Simpson to Bolton for £425K :( (at least he included a sell on clause, so we gained another ~£300K when bolton sold him for to Birmingham for £3m at the end of the season)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4224/transfersws5.jpg">Transfers</a> out also saw the sale of several other squad players who wanted too much money to stay at the club, though this did leave me rather under strength - I brought in defenders Holsgrove and Dootson to provided some cover in defence, the rest of my signings were promising youngsters for the future - with young Welsh Striker <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8468/bowesvw5.jpg">Derek Bowes</a> looking promising, whilst midfielder Carl Day arrived due to <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1553/newsigningrepei7.jpg">my reputation</a> turning down Championship sides Soton and Ipswich.<br />
<br />
We were further fit later on in the season when my star defender <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8343/robertsontransferra1.jpg">David Robertson</a> randomly demanded a transfer :(<br />
<br />
Even with all our off the pitch problems (squad harmony again hit the bottom with players demanding first team football regardless of whether they were playing or not - it finally went at the end of the season when I got down to one unhappy player, seems more than one unhappy player triggers a revolt) we finally clicked on the pitch and were living upto our potential even embarking on an FA Cup run.<br />
<br />
We overcame local rivals Oldham 2-1 in the first round, setting up a <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1185/facup2tw3.jpg">Second Round</a> tie away to Sheff Wed, where I was quite happy to just take home the gate reciepts, but with Wednesday reduced to 10men just after half-time we sniffed blood and Christie managed to bring us level after 70mins, before Young Welsh Striker Jay White scored an unlikely winner in the last minute after just coming on.<br />
<br />
This set up a Third round tie at home to fierce rivals Premiership Leeds and saw Leeds hand us a famous cupshock, after they were <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3466/facup3wy7.jpg">reduced to 9 men</a> before half-time, my second string took full advantage (I was fully expecting to be hammered) <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7153/facupreport3uo6.jpg">winning 2-0!!!</a><br />
<br />
This then set up a <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/960/facup4fb6.jpg">Fourth Round</a> tie at home to Man City our other rivals (we have now taken on Liverpool, Leeds and Man City, just Chelsea left from our rivals to play), however they'd be no fairy tale ending money bags Man City proved too strong for us we survived until just after the half-hour when three goals in nine minutes ended the tie.<br />
<br />
On the plus side the money from the cup run boosted our finances (and hopefully means my chairman wont sell anymore players) the slight disadvantage was it caused several league games to be postponed - this allowed Burnley to catch us up at the top of the league, but we had two games in hand - they'd managed to wipe out the six point lead we obtained over Christmas by beating title rivals Burnley and Oxford.<br />
<br />
Me and Burnley quickly pulled away from everyone else and we claimed a playoff spot after 38 games, claiming an automatic promotion spot after our next game - Burnley were doing their best to keep pace with us and were only six points behind but we still had a game in hand.<br />
<br />
We finally claimed the title after 42 games, and claimed the <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5162/tablelq2.jpg">title with a record breaking 99 points</a>, in the end the league proved too easy this season, we were <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3228/pospy3.jpg">top for pretty the whole season</a>, with me claiming <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3018/managerofyearvx6.jpg">Manager of the Year.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9074/squadth7.jpg">Squad</a> - player stars updated at the end of the season for League One.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8910/pedrozi8.jpg">Pedro</a> was again a rock in goal, with <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4949/dawsonrs7.jpg">Ryan Dawson</a> again rotating with him.<br />
<br />
In defence <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1976/graykc8.jpg">Jai Gray</a> pretty much owned the rightback spot, on the left <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3579/birchfj4.jpg">Ross Birch</a> was also a rock, with new signing <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4063/holsgrovepe7.jpg">Graham Holsgrove</a> providing cover.<br />
<br />
In the centre of defence <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8431/robertsonwn5.jpg">David Robertson</a> was outstanding and I really don't want to lose him, partnering him was <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2562/meulenxu2.jpg">Timothy van der Meuelen</a>, though new signing <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6569/dootsonbj7.jpg">George Dootson</a> is pushing for his place.<br />
<br />
On the right wing <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5203/ramoszb5.jpg">Jose Manuel Ramos</a> and <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6115/rosshr6.jpg">Tamer Ross</a> continued to rotate, as both aren't very fit, though Ramos <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7786/ramostransferaw9.jpg">demanding a transfer</a> at the end of the season isn't helping. On the left <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5248/colemanpd2.jpg">Colin Coleman</a> is my only left winger, so him spending half the season injured didn't help and saw me bring several players in on loan.<br />
<br />
In the middle of the field, the loss of John Simpson gave <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/932/tannerjh6.jpg">Peter Tanner</a> and <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4581/ruddyxi1.jpg">Tom Ruddy</a> a chance to impress, not that either them cemented their place in the first XI, it was left to <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7452/pattersonjn7.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> to control the midfield with young Spanish Midifielder <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5738/soriafg4.jpg">Carlos Soria</a> providing cover - I now have 14 players who can play MC so its not like I'm short of options, has anyone else noticed that there seems to be loads of DM,MC players?<br />
<br />
Upfront <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6217/sendoaxj3.jpg">Sendoa</a> and <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/181/ellisonbe1.jpg">Steve Ellison</a> continued their fine partnership, with Ellison becoming only the second player to score 25 goals in a season for FC Utd. Providing cover was Scottish Striker <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1517/christieph0.jpg">Craig Christie.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3372/bestxiai7.jpg">Best XI</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4974/snapshotsm6.jpg">Snapshot</a> - Carling Cup and Paint Trophy didn't go well, and I hope the board give me some money next season or at least increase the wage budget otherwise we'll be coming straight back down again.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6576/profiledf1.jpg">Manager Profile</a> and <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6987/clubinfoyb6.jpg">Club Infomation</a><br />
<br />
A rather interesting thing I came across this season, was the appearance of a random <a href="http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4760/grayplayersfh5.jpg">Dutch gray player</a> in my U18's?<br />
<br />
So the plan for next season is to not come straight back down now I've won League Two I have no desire to be in their again, I've also got to try and keep hold of my players with Gray, Robertson and Ramos all demanding transfers, not sure what trophys they'll win at struggling Championship sides?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
<td style="width: 60px;">2016/17</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr></tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-79076195604211184002010-03-18T05:34:00.001-07:002010-03-18T05:42:57.832-07:00League Two 2015/16 – Season 7<br><br />
After last seasons playoff final defeat I'd need to pick my players up and see if we could grab an automatic promotion spot this season, as being in League Two is not helping my finances at all.<br />
<br />
The board again were <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3203/expectationsrf7.jpg">wanting promotion</a> but weren't willing to give me any money or wages to do it, and our promotion hopes were not helped by my <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8924/chairmankp4.jpg">chairman selling my left back for £400K</a> :( - Which is just wrong for FC Utd, the only thing that softens the blow is that it was 20 times his value and the money will keep the club out of the red for the season.<br />
<br />
Other <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4113/transfersfv5.jpg">Transfers</a> out saw me cull the squad as the wage bill needed reducing before I could sign anyone.<br />
<br />
Transfers in wise we were relatively quiet - Ross Birch arrived to cover left back, Dutch Centre-Back van der Meulen was signed to bring in some experience, whilst in Jan my <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5585/assrecwj1.jpg">Assistant Manager</a> recommended Trindad Striker <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9528/jeffreywq2.jpg">Anthony Jeffrey</a> who arrived for £100K - but he didn't have much of a chance to impress <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8438/jeffreyinjky5.jpg">getting injured 20 minutes into his debut</a>, he then got injured 18 minutes into his second appearance and 3 minutes into his third appearance :(<br />
<br />
In the end injures would play their part in destroying our season - we got off to a bad start in the league, but some more tweaking of my tactics inspired my team as we quickly made our way up the table and into the playoffs, but our poor start left us to far behind the top times and as we reached december squad harmony randomly plummented - with the only problems being a couple of players wanting out but having to wait until Jan to actually move and other players being unhappy due to lack of squad harmony, but it didn't actually affect our on pitch form and we continued to try and chase down the top teams - which lead to more problems my players became overconfident due to our good form, and then the game started to hack down my attacking players, but despite our best efforts the top teams just wouldn't drop any points and we'd have to settle for 4th place and the lottery of the playoffs again.<br />
<br />
The playoffs would draw us against league favourties Huddersfield and with several players missing due to injury and international duty (why are home nation youth international games played with the playoffs???) <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8576/playoff1dv7.jpg">Huddersfield claimed a 2-1 first leg victory.</a><br />
<br />
The <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6547/playoff2yz0.jpg">Second Leg</a> didn't go much better, an awful first half saw Huddersfield take a two goal lead, two late goals made it even on the night but we just couldn't find a third to force extra-time :(<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2514/tableao1.jpg">Table</a> - considering the <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1804/posxc7.jpg">start we had</a> 4th place was a miracle, <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1499/pos2yg7.jpg">whilst yet again</a> the team that poached a playoff spot on the last day claims promotion, with Huddersfield collasping in the second half of the season.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/9709/squadjk1.jpg">Squad</a> - Keepers <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2111/ryandawsonrr2.jpg">Dawson</a> and <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4004/pedrobn5.jpg">Pedro</a> continued to rotate, through Pedro chipped in with 5 assists and rather interestingly from the stats would either keep a clean sheet or conceed two goals.<br />
<br />
In defence <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/852/jaigrayly3.jpg">Jai Gray</a> had a solid season at right back, whilst Academy player <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7019/smithns4.jpg">Gary Smith</a> provided cover, on the left new signing <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2881/rossbirchkb7.jpg">Ross Birch</a> made up for the loss of Artoumian.<br />
<br />
In the centre of defence young Irish defender <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3651/robertsoney9.jpg">David Robertson</a> was a rock and has the potential to be a quality player I just hope I can keep hold of him, and he struck up a fine partnership with new signing ex-Ajax youngster <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/274/vandermeulentl7.jpg">Timothy van der Meulen</a>, who makes a nice change from my old defender Christophe not picking up a single booking. Providing cover was <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1375/markfitzpatrickmk8.jpg">Mark Fitzpatrick</a>, who did well but struggled to displace my first choice centrebacks.<br />
<br />
In midfield Right Winger <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1552/ramosoz9.jpg">Jose Manuel Ramos's</a> season was cut short by injury, but luckily <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1889/rosspw9.jpg">Tamer Ross</a> stepped in so he wasn't missed whilst on the left <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2392/colincolemanse5.jpg">Colin Coleman</a> got the nod with some fine form.<br />
<br />
In the centre of midfield <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7594/simpsoneb0.jpg">John Simpson</a> and <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3580/stevepattersontq6.jpg">Steve Patterson</a> continued their fine partnership.<br />
<br />
Upfront saw <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/526/steveellisoncp6.jpg">Steve Ellison</a> settle in following his £350K move from Merthyr last season and he ended up my top scorer forming a fine partnership with club captain <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/695/sendoaos4.jpg">Sendoa</a>. Cover for these two is proving a problem new signing <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5712/whiteim7.jpg">Jay White</a> (signed from Merthyr for £6K) was the best of the rest, mainly because my other strikers were fairly injury prone - Scottish Striker <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7356/craigchristiezy0.jpg">Craig Christie</a>, Irish Striker <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7145/dannyjoycetw2.jpg">Danny Joyce</a> and Trindad Striker <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2558/antonyjeffreyvz1.jpg">Anthony Jeffrey</a> all struggled to stay fit.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3657/bestxivz7.jpg">Best XI</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/7642/snapshotfi4.jpg">Snapshot</a> - the Carling Cup and Paint Trohpy didn't go well, but the FA Cup went a lot better - we beat Grimsby and Macclesfield before making the trip to Anfield to play Liverpool in the Third Round, rather annoyingly the press expected us to beat them (due to being fierce rivals) we put up a good fight but Liverpool took there chances whilst we didn't and a 4-1 defeat was a little hard on us, but at least the money from that game kept us out of the red for another season.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/652/profileoj1.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - no real change, still getting linked in the press to ever championship job.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4369/clubinfopq6.jpg">Club Info</a> - again no change.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/270/clubfactsso8.jpg">Club facts</a> - still only got an average age of 20, mainly due to the fact that we can not compete wage wise with the other teams, and if we don't get promotion soon we will be in real problem as we aren't making any money at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2985/confidencekp1.jpg">Squad Harmony</a> randomly hovering between Poor and Very Poor for no reason isn't helping.<br />
<br />
I was cheered up by the fact that <a href="http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/5729/merthyrli6.jpg">Merthyr</a> finally won promotion to League Two only for their Chairman to withdraw his money leaving them bankrupt (and unable to sell players due to the silly wages they are on) Notts County also saw their funds withdrawn aswell which should level the field a little.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />
--------------------------------------------------------<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td> <td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
<tr><td style="width: 60px;">2015/16</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">4th</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="height: 16px; text-align: left; width: 430px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-32460705559142535032009-10-08T08:32:00.001-07:002009-10-08T08:36:07.825-07:00League Two 2014/15 – Season 6<BR><br />After last seasons rather disapointing relagation from League Two the board were expecting us to go <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8793/expectationsmx2.jpg">straight back up</a>, one problem was I again failed to bring in any new attacking players and was left to just bolster the defence.<br /><br />We took another blow when my Captain <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5968/christopheleavingtb5.jpg">Jean-Francois Christophe</a> demanded a transfer, luckily I kept hold of him for the season with him leaving on a free at the end of the season.<br /><br />We did get some good news when my Assistant Manager <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9485/assreportlu5.jpg">recommended</a> <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/962/assreport2ao9.jpg">two</a> quality defenders to me - Centre Back <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4129/pedromendeshy6.jpg">Pedro Mendes</a> from Sporting and Ajax Left Back <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1690/arjanartoumiankk7.jpg">Arjan Artoumian</a> who both arrived on frees after trials.<br /><br />Other initial <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8339/transferssj3.jpg">transfers</a> saw the arrival of Mark Fitzpatrick whos a natural leftback and centre back who was released by Sunderland and Defensive Midfielder Steve Patterson who was released by Reading.<br /><br />Interestingly just before Jan my Manager Reputation must have increased as I could now attract players from Irish sides (even managing to sign a few players from youth contracts including 14yo right back <a href="http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7223/peterreevesqn6.jpg">Peter Reeves</a> who looks like he'll be a class player)<br /><br />I also spent the bulk of my transfer budget on a premiership potential midfielder <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6964/tomruddyou2.jpg">Tom Ruddy</a> from Bury and a striker <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7889/steveellisoniy6.jpg">Steve Ellison</a> from Merthyr - Ellison picking up an injury before he signed for me didn't help him this season and his struggle for match fitness reduced his impact.<br /><br />The season didn't quite go to plan, we again struggled for goals and would have to settle for a playoff spot.<br /><br />The playoffs drew us against Barnet and we'd be without my Keeper Pedro who was injured in the last game of the season and stand in Captain John Simpson who got himself sent off in the last game also.<br /><br />The first leg ended <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5103/playoff1ug1.jpg">1-0 to Barnet</a>, in the second leg we took the game to Barnet with Sendoa evening things up on agg after the hour, but we couldn't find a second goal and extra time would be needed, where with injuries and international duty reducing my strikeforce I had to bring on Swedish Striker Rasmus Jonsson who <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8853/jonssondroughtej2.jpg">hadn't scored in 1,146 minutes</a> (since the second game of the season - nearly 13 games) to replace Sendoa who'd taken a knock and somehow he <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8972/playoff2nx2.jpg">grabs two goals in 3 minutes</a> to send us through to the playoff final (not the best goals mind you - scrappy tapins from a few yards out but they all count).<br /><br />The playoff final would see us face Rochdale at Wembley and it appeared the occasion got to both our defences as they both just stood around ball watching leading to a <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6638/playofffinalki1.jpg">3-3 draw</a>, which went down to pens that were won by Rochdale thanks to Fitzpatrick smashing his pen against the post :( - something weird happened to the pens this season before this season every pen involving my team was scored, this season saw one saved in a shootout, two were saved during a game (one for and one against me) and Fitzpatrick's was the first I've seen strike a post, just need one to go wide now.<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9536/playofffreportfx6.jpg">Playoff Final Report.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1723/tableef5.jpg">League Table</a> - Shrewsbury stormed the league claiming the title back in March, things didn't go too well for Morecambe or Oldham who were the early pacesetters. We had the best defence in the league, but our inability to score let us down again (and seems to let me down in the challenge every year).<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8254/poskm7.jpg">POS graph</a> - we had a good start to the season, not conceeding for the first 5 games, however we couldn't keep it up and once we lost the leaders we never caught upto them, whilst Rochdale snuck promotion out of nowhere.<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4184/squadoh4.jpg">Squad</a> - my Keepers <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8568/pedrobr8.jpg">Pedro</a> and <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6034/dawsonid1.jpg">Dawson</a> were rotated this season as both were in fine form.<br /><br />Defensively rightback <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7632/grayne3.jpg">Jai Gray</a> had a fantastic season and is showing a lot of potential after being snatched from Oldham for £35K last season, and my faith in him let me sell Bentley to QoS for £100K at the start of the season, one worry was at the start of the season he moaned about first team football when he hadn't missed a league game when fit - rotating him could be a problem, on the left <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1/artoumianfo5.jpg">Arjan Artoumian</a> was a rock aswell, as were my centrebacks <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/179/mendesup8.jpg">Pedro Mendes</a> and <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6264/fitzpatrickrd9.jpg">Mark Fitzpatrick</a> who was given a chance when Christophe decided to leave.<br /><br />In Midfield my wingers again proved to be a stong point with <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5189/gilliganxz6.jpg">Gilligan</a> and <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/672/colemanel2.jpg">Coleman</a> rotating on the left whilst <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2658/rosskx1.jpg">Tamer Ross</a> provided cover for <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6324/ramosbs2.jpg">Ramos</a> on the right.<br /><br />On the middle of the field <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6058/simsponqc7.jpg">John Simpson</a> struck up a good partnership with <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3779/pattersonkx6.jpg">Steve Patterson.</a><br /><br />Upfront I may have finally have found my goalscorer - 18yo Irish Striker <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8207/cartervk4.jpg">Paul Carter</a> signed from Bray on transfer deadline day for what loose change I had lying around (the board just about let me pay £3K over 24mths for him) - with my other strikers underperforming or injured he was given a chance against bottom of the league Darlington and scored twice and didn't stop scoring since.<br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7098/sendoayl8.jpg">Sendoa</a> Guarrotxena again lead the line, Swedish Striker <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/1366/jonssonmj0.jpg">Jonsson</a> had a poor season, but his goals in the playoffs means I'll give him a chance next season before selling him.<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5963/bestxiwp8.jpg">Best XI</a> and <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4583/overallxinj9.jpg">Overall XI</a> - the Overall XI again is broken - Dawson somehow replaces Pedro in goal, Saganowski replaces Sendoa upfront and Allan who was onloan in the past, ousts Captain Christophe?<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/9644/snapshotzo3.jpg">Snapshot</a> - The cups didn't go that well this season - In the FA Cup we smashed League One Preston 4-0, but then went and lost 2-1 to league rivals Morecambe in the Second Round. The Carling Cup saw us lose to Newcastle, whilst in the Paint Trophy we beat Oldham on pens before losing to Bury yet again.<br />Also being in League Two is not good for our finances.<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3224/profilegj4.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - Appartently I favour an attacking style, yet we cannot score.<br /><br /><a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3448/clubinfoyy8.jpg">Club Info</a> and <a href="http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7686/clubfactsgm5.jpg">Club Facts</a> - An Average age of 20 both good and bad - they have time to improve, but lack the fight sometimes. A low average wage also shows what we are up against.<br /><br />So next season we need to make a run at the Automatic Promotion spots, otherwise I'll struggle to keep hold of my players and my job will be in doubt.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />--------------------------------------------------------<table style="text-align: left; width: 430px; height: 16px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td><br /><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><br /><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr><td style="width: 60px;">2014/15</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">6th</td><td style="width: 200px;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-30242212855387321942009-10-06T12:54:00.000-07:002009-10-08T08:31:07.516-07:00League One 2013/14 – Season 5<div style="text-align: justify;"><br><br>So after somehow claiming promotion from League Two last season in our first season in the League, I wasn't feeling very confident of our chances in League One, our expectations were to <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3776/expectationsqx5.jpg">try and avoid relagation</a>, which was about all I was hoping for aswell.<br /><br />Any chance of avoiding relagation would depend on who I could attract to the club - and our chances took two early blows when both Chadwick and Petrucci had no intention of returning on loan - it appears that no striker is interested in signing for me atall.<br /><br />We seemed to have hit the point where the reputation of the club was too low to attract the kind of players that could advance the club, it appears my managers reputation was the only thing that was attracting players to the club and that only affected a few young players.<br /><br />Another problem I had was the fact that the Irish and Welsh teams are far more active in the Transfer market than previous versions, they seem to have a Championship level reputation - Bobby Zamora joined an Irish team for half the money I was offering him.<br /><br />I did manage to bring in a <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7533/transfers1dh4.jpg">few players</a> - Spanish Midfielder Alfredo Serra joind from a free from Denia, however he didn't really impress and when FC Dallas offered £140K in April I snapped their hand off.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/5817/ramossigningas4.jpg">Signing of the season</a> was Spanish Right Winger <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1586/ramosbz3.jpg">Jose Manuel Ramos</a> who has a premiership potential that lead me to spend two seasons worth of transfer budget on him.<br /><br />Transfers out saw me get rid of various players who weren't upto League One standard.<br /><br />The board picked this season to have a <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4599/fandayha5.jpg">fan day</a>, which apparently didn't <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7761/fanday2ov2.jpg">go down well</a>, despite it being one of the few games we actually <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/362/fanday3jc2.jpg">won this season</a>.<br /><br />In the end my new signings didn't prove to be enough, as we ended up getting relagated, and with relagation confirmed with a couple of games left we <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9006/postd8.jpg">collapsed</a> and ended up finishing <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3870/tablekz4.jpg">bottom of the league</a> :(<br /><br />On the plus side we were never outclassed, defensively we were solid we just couldn't score and in the end that killed us - doesn't matter how well your defence plays if the best you can hope for is a 0-0 draw<br /><br /><a href="http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3646/squadzz8.jpg">Squad</a> - Keeper <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2928/pedroip8.jpg">Pedro</a> had an impressive season him and my defence helped keep the scorelines down, with my captain ex-Portsmouth youngster <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9219/christophehy2.jpg">Jean-Francois Christophe</a> being the rock that kept my defence together, well when he was on the pitch that was - 18 yellow and 3 red cards amounted to a fair few suspensions.<br /><br />In midfield new signing <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4816/simpsongh5.jpg">John Simpson</a> (ex-Everton Youngster) struck up a good partnership with Sam Togwell - though the game doesn't seem to rate central midfielders very well (possibly due to them both being natural DM's rather than natural MCs?), whilst another Spanish youngster <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7263/josemiguelwm1.jpg">Jose Miguel</a> provided cover (its weird that players from Wales, Ireland and Scotland won't join me, but Spanish players will?)<br /><br />The Wings were where we were the strongest and most dangerous <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6418/gilliganan9.jpg">Scott Gilligan</a> was solid on the left only let down by his finishing, whilst <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/302/josemanuelramosuk6.jpg">Jose Manuel Ramos</a> was devasting on the right I just lack the players to turn in his crosses and claiming the Fans Payer of the Year Award at the end of the season. Providing cover were two new signings NIrishman <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/4293/colemanon6.jpg">Colin Coleman</a> and <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7122/rosspc0.jpg">Tamer Ross</a> - another youngster with premiership potential.<br /><br />One of the most interesting signings was Swedish midfielder <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1228/berglundzx0.jpg">Stefan Berglund</a> - who was born in Sweden but generated in Ghana, who was signed on trial after he turned up unattached in my player serach screen, he then recommended Helsingborg Striker <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3596/jonssonif4.jpg">Rasmus Jonsson</a> who arrived on a free after a trial.<br /><br />Upfront was a real problem this season, I was unable to bring in a replacement for Davide Petrucci and it was left to <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6027/sendoatg7.jpg">Sendoa Guarrotxena</a> to lead the line, with him ending up top scorer with six goals - finding a partner for him was a struggle neither Saganowski nor Kee impressed, on loan Utd Striker Joshua King was useless yet again (why Man Utd keep on extending his contract I have no idea) in the end I recalled Italian Striker <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/672/trottaha3.jpg">Marcello Trotta</a> from onloan and three goals in six games was a better return than my other strikers.<br /><br /><a href="http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3558/bestxigd9.jpg">Best XI</a> - putting my backup left winger upfront tells it all.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7543/overallximm4.jpg">Overall XI</a> - Ramos and SImpson join after one season, whilst Petrucci and Wilson don't even make the bench any longer.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/449/snapshottm6.jpg">Snapshot</a> - The cups didn't go all that well, we beat Stockport in the First round of the FA Cup 1-0, but then went out to League Two Grimisby 1-0. The Carling CUp saw us somehow beat Championship Nottm Forrest 2-1, before losing to Premiership QPR in the Second Round, but at least that tie brought in some money. The Paint Trophy saw us beaten by rivals Bury in the First Round.<br />At least we made some money this season, though Christophe tried his best to lead each player stat.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3954/profiledm5.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - the board gave me a new contract at the start of the season, so at least I didn't have that to worry about at the end of the season, whilst my National reputation (compared to the clubs Local) may have something to do with me being linked to every Championship jon going. <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6171/managerinfons6.jpg">Manager Info</a> - Ramos transfer my biggest transfer by a long way.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6255/clubinfoqf1.jpg">Club Info</a> - Sendoa drops off the fav. personnel list, whilst we really need to get our reputation upto Regional to stand a chance of ever reaching the Championship.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1757/clubfactsmx2.jpg">Club Facts</a> - The Average and Highest Wages show how much out of depth we were this season.<br /><br /><a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/5499/clubstatsdb1.jpg">Club Stats</a> and <a href="http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/8923/clubfaczo7.jpg">Facilities</a> that are slowly being improved.<br /><br />So the plan for next season is to try and get repromoted whilst attempting to find a decent striker who can score goals and then fill in the gaps left by any players that leave the club after our relagation.</div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><table style="text-align: left; width: 430px; height: 16px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td><br /><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><br /><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2013/14</td><td style="width: 130px;">League One</td><td style="width: 40px;">24th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Relegated</td></tr></tbody></table><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-87288914129455728622009-09-02T12:54:00.000-07:002009-09-02T13:02:09.257-07:00League Two 2012/13 – Season 4<div style="text-align: justify;"><br>So after winning the BSP last season, the plan for this season was to <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5315/expectationsma2.jpg">not get relegated</a> and hope to use my new found professional status and the ability to scout the UK plus Ireland, France and Spain, to attract some good promising players to the club.<br /><br />First of all the board let me pick a specific side to be linked with, and after noticing that <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7981/feederev2.jpg">Marine</a> got promoted to the BSN I picked them in the hope that I can help them climb the leagues.<br /><br />Rather disappointingly the ability to scout outside of England didn’t prove very helpful – my scouts weren’t finding people, so I did some manual scouting and it appears the players in Ireland and Scotland just aren’t interested in signing for me, luckily I had more luck signing players for England or on frees (either due to my promotion, or more than likely due to applying the new patch at the start of the season)<br /><br />So initial <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4227/transfersdg2.jpg">signings</a> saw me sign two promising full-backs from Blue Square sides, the others were several freebies and Chadwick and Petrucci (who was sent by Utd) returned for another season onloan, as did Corry Evans and Daniel Galbraith later in the season.<br /><br />Transfers out was a different matter, with no one willing to pay for my players I ended up releasing them or letting them go on frees to reduce my wage bill – including captain Kyle Wilson and vice-captain Simon Spender who both struggled with league football.<br /><br />The beginning of the season saw us rocked by my youth prospect <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5521/swifttranscm3.jpg">Neil Swift</a> demanding a transfer after a couple of BSP teams became interested in him, but no one made an offer and he spent the season on the bench as punishment.<br /><br />Boxing day saw us claim our biggest win to date with a<a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6018/bigwinav3.jpg"> 7-1 hammering</a> of bottom side Rushden, and that somehow saw us sat third in the league at the halfway point, with ground-owners Bury top of the league.<br /><br />Though the game did decide to pick on me in Feb letting <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5083/aldershotcheatie2.jpg">Aldershot cheat</a> their way to a 2-1 win – their second goal came in the 97th minute, when we should have only played 93 minutes, whilst the first goal was blanantly <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9369/aldershotcheat2aqj2.jpg">offside</a> – though rather worryingly the <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7708/aldershotcheat2bqo2.jpg">different views</a> had the players in <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/523/aldershotcheat2cgo7.jpg">different positions?</a><br /><br />In the end that didn’t matter as towards the end of the season my new signings started to gel and we stormed the table claiming a playoff spot with games to spare, before making an attempt on the automatic promotion spots, claiming promotion and <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4439/tablekm1.jpg">second place</a> on the <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5293/posgh6.jpg">final day</a>.<br /><br />League Two proved to be rather easy due to their being no strong sides in the league, with victory depending on what mood my strikers were in.<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4091/teamstatsvb5.jpg">Team Stats</a> – winning our last 6 games propelled us past Exeter into second, whilst we ended top scorers, and with a good defence and attendance. Though <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8076/playerstatsua3.jpg">Man Utd loanees</a> Chadwick and Petrucci helped out storming the league.<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7039/squadiw6.jpg">Squad</a> – I signed quite a few players this season, and now need to reduce the wage bill and also see who is good enough for League One.<br /><br />In goal we are sorted for the future <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1584/jamesonxw3.jpg">Aaron Jameson</a> is a solid Keeper, however my scouts spotted two Premiership Potential Keepers this season – Spanish Keeper <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2702/pedroendgm7.jpg">Pedro</a> eventually signed at the end of Jan for £7K from Real Madrid and was a rock at the back, keeping 10 clean sheets in just 17 games, though this left record signing <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4296/dawsonsr3.jpg">Ryan Dawson</a> on the bench (he was signed when it looked like Pedro wouldn’t come and with other sides interested I splashed out £100K on him)<br /><br />I also strengthened my defence this season, picking up two rightbacks for free from Fulham – <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1971/bentleyev1.jpg">Jonny Bentley</a> who displaced vice-captain Simon Spender and <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/773/proctorkg4.jpg">Dean Proctor</a> who was mainly used as a sub. At left-back I picked up <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6482/barwickvu6.jpg">Keith Barwick</a> from Newport for a bargain £10K and he looks like he’ll be a quality player.<br /><br />At centre-back was another new signing <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4166/christophewu9.jpg">Jean-Francois Christophe</a> who was picked up on a free after being released by Portsmouth, he was initially partnered by Ashley Williams, but towards the end of the season with a transfer to Cardiff agreed I gave <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8339/cookcr9.jpg">Billy Cook</a> a chance as he’ll be needed next season.<br /><br />Midfield saw two new left wingers arrive – Irishman <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/886/mcdermottne4.jpg">Donal McDermott</a> from Man City via Preston and <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5848/gilliganji1.jpg">Scott Gilligan</a> who arrived from Tiverton when he finally turned 17 and is highly rated by my staff and even got capped by the England U19 team to become my first English International.<br /><br />In the centre of midfield <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8607/chadwickjf3.jpg">Adie Chadwick</a> was again the rock in the middle of the park, though my two new signings didn’t really impress Norwegian <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3889/eikremwc4.jpg">Magnus Eikrem</a> arrived on a free after being released from Man Utd, whilst <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6825/bowdenzu3.jpg">Des Bowden</a> was picked up from Watford, whilst he has bags of potential he didn’t play well (and is possibly why Watford let me have him on the cheap). Rounding out my midfield is Academy player <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9646/laylady4.jpg">Rafi Layla</a> who did ok and is highly regarded by my staff.<br /><br />Upfront we were again reliant upon <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9351/petrucciau0.jpg">Davide Petrucci</a> who took the league by storm, with promotion being helped out by him gelling with my new Spanish Striker <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4096/sendoazm0.jpg">Sendoa Guarrotxena</a> in the second half of the season – Sendoa had a slow start to the season, but the sheer size of him and his work rate (he’s like a slow Spanish Emily Heskey) kept him in the side, and eventually he started scoring and also became the first player to <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6326/sendoappmsj9.jpg">learn a PPM</a> when asked. Providing cover was NIrish striker <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/849/keeqk5.jpg">Billy Kee</a> and new signings including Polish Striker <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6424/saganbq9.jpg">Marek Saganowski</a> and Man Citys Italian Striker <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/515/trottasb8.jpg">Marcello Trotta.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/600/bestxiel2.jpg">Best XI</a> – was about right, though the <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/373/overallxioy9.jpg">All-time XI</a> is rather broken – Keeper Pedro makes the overall one after half a season at the club, but hasn’t made a seasonal best XI, whilst upfront is even worse Kee and Sendoa are preferred to Petrucci, whilst legand Kyle Wilson is dropped in favour of Challinor who spent the season out on loan?<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8165/snapshot2tw2.jpg">Snapshot</a> – the cups didn’t go to well this season, whilst we lost money, due to being over the wage budget and squad bonus being more than I got for being in the league.<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2671/clubinfona3.jpg">Club Info</a> – Sendoa gets added to the fav. Personnel, whilst we turned pro we still only have a local rep. <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8022/clubstatsor5.jpg">Club Stats</a>, <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5978/clubfactsco2.jpg">facts</a> and <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5972/clubfacfn2.jpg">facilities</a> – Hopefully with Burys promotion the ground will be kept in good condition.<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7658/finzp3.jpg">Finances</a> – are Ok but the wages really need reducing.<br /><br /><a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3590/profilebf6.jpg">Manager Profile</a> – upto National rep, which explains all the job offers, hopefully it will allow me to attract some better players. <a href="http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1886/maninfouy1.jpg">Manager Info</a>.<br /><br />Next season is going to be interesting, I got no youth players of any interest at all – I got three useless DMs.<br /><br />Also Petrucci and Chadwick have refused to come back on loan next season, so I am now left searching for a striker and a midfielder :(<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><table style="text-align: left; width: 430px; height: 16px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td><br /><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><br /><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2012/13</td><td style="width: 130px;">League Two</td><td style="width: 40px;">2nd</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted</td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-51638862682495748502009-08-17T09:08:00.001-07:002009-08-17T09:33:21.424-07:00Blue Square Premier 2011/12 - Season 3<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />So after having lost in injury time of extra time in the playoff final last season, the goal this season was to win promotion to the football league.<br /><br />At the start of the season the board gave me a <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/217/newcontractzh8.jpg">new contract</a>, in which they wanted a <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6756/expectationsom8.jpg">midtable position</a>, and were going to give me £55K to do worse than last season.<br /><br />Finally with some money I could go and <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6226/transfersrw5.jpg">attempt to sign</a> the promising youngsters my scouts keep on finding, though first I brought in several players on free's to bolster my squad depth - Welsh International Centre-Back Ashley Williams (Swansea), Defensive Midfielder Sam Togwell, NIrish Striker Billy Kee and Italian born English Right Winger Piero Mingoia were to be key players this season, whilst right back Lee Cooper and Keeper Mitch Walker would provide cover.<br /><br />I also raided Man Utd for some quality loanes, though only Midfielder Adie Chadwick and Striker Petrucci played a major part in the season, the rest used to cover injuries or for the bench.<br /><br />On the wayout of the club was flop striker Higginbotham who joined Cambridge for £18K making a profit at least, and in January Irish Side Cork City offered crazy money for midfielder Jonny Rowell (x10 his value) and with him failing down the pecking order in the middle of the pitch I gladly took Cork's money.<br /><br />The season didn't get off to the best of starts, as my squad decided to embark on several cup runs, which resulted in a lot of my league games being postponed.<br /><br />The first cup they decided to put some effort into was the FA Cup - in the Qual. round we smashed Whitby 3-1 to set up a 1st round tie against Grimsby who were top of League Two - somehow against the run of play we took the lead, with <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6498/facupr1fu4.jpg">Grimsby needing a injury time penalty</a> to stop us claiming an unlikely victory, with the replay at home we smashed <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9025/facupr1roj7.jpg">Grimsby 3-1</a> though giving them another penalty. With the <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3157/winfacupyw1.jpg">press somehow thinking we could win the FA Cup?</a><br /><br />The 2nd round saw us drawn away to League Two Darlington where came back from a goal down twice to claim a 2-2 draw, and we again claimed a win in the <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4822/facupr2lc7.jpg">replay</a> thanks to an early and late goal from Captain Kyle Wilson that would set up a money spinning Third Round tie against Premiership Everton.<br /><br />Somehow we managed to claim a <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7604/facupr3nv5.jpg">0-0 draw at home</a> without <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8242/facupr3newsdd7.jpg">even being in the game,</a> though we did end up losing the replay 3-1, we did on the plus side make nearly £1m profit from the two games, allowing me to upgrade both the training and youth facilites next season.<br /><br />Our next cup run was in the Setanta Shield, where upon making it to the Final we were informed the final would be played at our opponents ground - title rivals Oxford? But even with <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3513/setantashieldfinalxd5.jpg">home advantage</a> Oxford were no match for us and we claimed our first Cup with a <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1449/setantafinalnewsxz0.jpg">2-1 win.</a><br /><br /><br />Our final cup run was in the FA Trophy where we easily beat Workington, Bath, Kidderminster and Burton without conceeding, before drawing to and beating York in the Semi-Final, setting up a final against current holders Chester, who we easily <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1082/fatrophynewsbf0.jpg">beat 3-1</a> in an <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3156/fatrophyfinalzn6.jpg">empty Wembley</a> to claim our second cup of the season.<br /><br />One consquence of our cup runs was in the league, was our games were being postponed left, right and centre - this meant by Feb we dropped out of the playoffs due to being upto 4 games behind.<br /><br />By Game 38 we had finally caught upto Title rivals Oxford and with a <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9629/oxfordh38aq8.jpg">4-1 win</a> over them we moved to the top of the league by Goal Difference, and still with a game in hand. And in the end we claimed the title and promotion with a game to spare, beating bottom side St. Albans whilst Oxford fell to Chester.<br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4753/tableau8.jpg">Final Table</a> - we finish with the best defence and as Top Scorers, whilst poor old Oxford lost in the playoffs :)<br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/985/posci8.jpg">League Pos Graph</a> - Slumps were down to the fact that I didn't play, but by the time we actually played our games in hand we easily stormed to the title.<br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6419/squadkv0.jpg">Squad</a> - Keeper <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9664/jamesonhe2.jpg">Jameson</a> was a rock at the back, whilst new leftback <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9826/gibbonsek0.jpg">Troy Gibbons</a> will push <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9607/swiftyt6.jpg">Neil Swift</a> hard for the leftback spot. In centre midfield <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2794/togwellss0.jpg">Sam Togwell</a> and <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5464/chadwickzl5.jpg">Adie Chadwick</a> struck up a mean partnership. Upfront <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1658/petruccilh8.jpg">Davide Petrucci</a> was again on fire, though he spent far too much of the season out injured, luckily I actually have some competition upfront with new signings <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2653/keezj0.jpg">Billy Kee</a> and <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3283/wardzq4.jpg">Francis Ward</a> getting among the goals.<br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3079/bestxifn6.jpg">Best XI</a> and <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/1543/overallxiex4.jpg">Overall XI</a><br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/628/clubinfobe1.jpg">CLub Info</a>, <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8319/clubfactswc8.jpg">Facts</a> and <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8968/clubstatsxt6.jpg">Stats.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5041/snapshoteh4.jpg">Snapshot</a> - 65 games we played this season.<br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4976/profilevd6.jpg">Manager Profile</a> - Attributes slowly climbing, whilst our FA Cup run boosted my rep upto Regional. <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4075/infobc4.jpg">Manager Info.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4864/summaryyl3.jpg">Season Summary</a> - Sees FC United again marked as Overachievers, whilst Billy Kee wins signing of the season and ex-player Higginbotham was the worst signing of the season :)<br /><br />Though I'm glad I got out of the BSP as next season there will be Tycoon sides - Merthyr and Hayes were both taken over and won promtion, whilst the third side Cambridge City were taken over from someone from the USSR(!) but got relagated :)<br /><br />Whilst <a href="http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6264/euro2012wu8.jpg">Englands Euro2012</a> campaign didn't go well, narrowly going out in the group of death, with Spain then beating France in the final.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br /><table style="text-align: left; width: 430px; height: 16px;" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2009/10</td><br /><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square North</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2010/11</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">5th</td><td style="width: 200px;">Playoff Final</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 60px;">2011/12</td><td style="width: 130px;">Blue Square Prem</td><td style="width: 40px;">1st</td><td style="width: 200px;">Promoted - Champions</td></tr></tbody></table><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-64249769263128800752009-08-06T08:59:00.000-07:002009-10-08T08:30:51.478-07:00Blue Square Premier 2010/11 - Season 2<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br />So with last seasons unexpected promotion from the BSN, the first task was for me to reinforce my team with player that wouldn't get me relagated back to the BSN.<br /><br />Helpfully the board gave me £8K to spend on players, not that I could spend a penny of it, as anyone still at a club wasn't interested in playing for FC Utd, I couldn't even attract anyone on loan apart from Man Utd youngsters.<br /><br />In the end I managed to bring <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7779/transfersxu5.jpg">6 players in onloan and sign 6 players on frees.</a><br /><br />The new players I brought in ensured we could compete in the BSP, in the end we spent most of the season comfortably in the top half, occassionaly dipping into the playoffs, but never enough to mount a title challenge - being up against 16 professional teams in the BSP didn't help things.<br /><br />But somehow with some tactical tweaks and a gelled team we managed to poach the last playoff spot from Chester on Goal Difference with three games left - which resulted in a rather nervy last week of the season (the last three games were played within a space of a week) where both us and Chester won our last three games - but we claimed the playoff spot by three goals.<br /><br />The playoffs drew us against Pro side York, where goals from Man Utd youngsters Evans and Petrucci set up a <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8097/playoff1sb9.jpg">2-0 first leg win,</a> whilst York felt the need to cheat in the second leg using it as a <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/4729/fandayqp4.jpg">fan day!</a> but despite us controlling the entire game <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/2156/playoff2ki7.jpg">York claimed a 1-0 win</a>, but it wasn't enough and would see us through to the final to face Wrexham who were the medias favs for the title at the beginning of the season.<br /><br />The Playoff Final got off to a good start with Wrexham's Keeper smashing the ball into Petrucci which then bounced into the net to open the scoring, Wrexham then quickly equalised and gained the upper hand, but we held out for the 90 minutes and the game went to extra-time where again we held out until the 123rd minute when Striker Petrucci was injured and I was reduced to 10men, and a minute later the game was over as Wrexham's centre-back somehow found himself one-on-one with my Keeper and finished like a Premiership Striker making it <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7271/playoff3ab7.jpg">2-1 to Wrexham</a> and ending our unlikely hopes of promotion :(<br /><br />The after <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/2517/playoffreportnd4.jpg">match report</a> hardly made the game out to be a classic.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8213/tablecg4.jpg">Final Table</a> and <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9686/posln5.jpg">Pos screen</a> - we were never in a title fight but neither were we in a relagation fight.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/2212/squadhu7.jpg">Squad</a> - Both my Keepers Jameson and Jones are about the same level, with Jameson just getting the nod in the second half of the season.<br /><br />Defence saw a change in personnel during the season, with right back <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8821/spendersp9.jpg">Simon Spender</a> the only one who started and ended the season as first choice, young left back <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/4881/swift2011vz7.jpg">Neil Swift</a> had a solid season and managed to dislodge first choice Skidmore in the second half of the season. In the centre of defence new signing <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/5642/robertssl4.jpg">Kevin Roberts</a> started off first choice but lost his place to two youngsters I signed through the season <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8678/dunkxv1.jpg">Lewis Dunk</a> and <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1149/cookna3.jpg">Billy Cook</a>, who despite their young age were rocks at the back. Whilst Academy player <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1846/perkins2011ow4.jpg">Danny Perkins</a> provided cover at right back.<br /><br />In midfield new signing <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9833/rowellwz9.jpg">Jonny Rowell</a> partnered <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3471/evansfo2.jpg">Corry Evans</a> who returned for a second season loan from Man Utd, I also employed two Man Utd youngsters on the Wing <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1883/eikremsw6.jpg">Magnus Eikrem</a> and <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7384/galbraithhv5.jpg">Daniel Galbraith,</a> whilst <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9734/beestonbe7.jpg">James Beeston</a> was brought in to provide cover.<br /><br />Upfront <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3882/wilsonjy3.jpg">Kyle Wilson</a> again held the line, forming an impressive partnership with young Italian Striker <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3456/petruccitm1.jpg">Davide Petrucci,</a> whilst new signing <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1246/higginbothamto3.jpg">Kallum Higginbotham</a> failed to impress, which left us struggling when Wilson or Petrucci were tired or injured. Though Academy Striker <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1714/shortli6.jpg">Danny Short</a> provided an assist and claimed Man of the Match in his only appearance of the season, and I may end up giving him a chance next season if I cannot sign anyone.<br /><br />Whilst several of my players took the <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8223/playerstatslh1.jpg">BSP charts</a> by storm, with Petrucci ending up top Scorer and had the highest Rating.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/5277/bestxipg8.jpg">Best XI</a> - pretty much correct again, anyone know what that Score bit means?<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8595/overallxiby6.jpg">Overall XI</a> - sees Dunk, Eikrem, Rowell and Petrucci join the list.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/6652/clubinforb5.jpg">Club Info</a> - sees no real change, whilst I fail to claim a <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/2139/clubfactszj7.jpg">single fact</a> and <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/5614/clubstatsvs7.jpg">club stats</a> - Striker Higginbotham is a better tackler than scorer.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/4209/snapshotcp5.jpg">Snapshot</a> - the FA Cup saw my first team smashed 3-1 by BSN side Hyde, whilst Broadbent who I had on loan last season knocked me out of the <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1388/cleaguecupqj5.jpg">Conference Cup</a>, whilst the <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/563/fatrophyci3.jpg">FA Trophy</a> saw us fight back from 2-0 down just to lose 3-2 after the game should have finished in <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3792/trophyreporthy2.jpg">another error prone match.</a><br /><br />I also played my <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/1994/100he2.jpg">100th game</a> as manager of FC Utd, a 3-0 win over Woking.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/9971/summarykt7.jpg">Season Summary</a> saw us named Overachievers again, whilst Rowell was runner-up in signing of the season.<br /><br /><a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/6158/profilenr4.jpg">Profile</a> - my reps still unproven, but the stats have started climbing, whilst I picked up some more random knowledge of the world.<br /><br />And finally our <a href="http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/7599/financesun0.jpg">finances</a> are doing well, shame the board won't improve the facilities at all.<br /><br />So the plan for next season is to try and get promoted, so for that I'll need to sign a quality striker and try and fill the gaps left by loan players - mainly cover for the wingers and fullbacks.<br /><br />Whilst Man City continue to splash the money £108m for a 4th place finish and the UEFA Cup :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Career Overview</span><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------<br />2009/10 Blue Square North 1st Promoted - Champions<br />2010/11 Blue Square Prem 5th<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-65596517560953079902009-08-02T08:21:00.000-07:002009-10-08T08:30:20.510-07:00Blue Square North 2009/10 - Season 1<div style="text-align: justify;">So new game, new team - the lure of FC United was enough to drag me away from Marine (who didn't come up anyway).<br /><br />Straight away the challenge seems harder - hardly anyone wanted to sign for FC United, most youngsters either ending up going to Ireland or retiring at the end of the season.<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3706/transferslt0.jpg">Transfers</a> - The first five players into the club were all signed by the previous manager with transfers arranged for the 1st July, with me only able to add 5 more new faces, neither of them first teamers.<br /><br />Luckily I managed to bring in some key players on loan - PNE DC Dominic Collins for 3 months, and with Man Utd as a parent team AMR/FC Antonio Bryan and MC Corry Evans arrived for the season, whilst later in the season <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4971/adamchapmanxm0.jpg">Adam Chapman</a> and <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1210/jamesjo2.jpg">Matthew James</a> came in for 3 month loans at centre-back.<br /><br />Whilst mid-season I brought two quality strikers in on loan for three months - <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2729/broadbentiq4.jpg">Daniel Broadbent</a> from Huddersfield and <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8182/andrewoseisiribourrr7.jpg">Anderw Osei-Siribour</a> from Port Vale - both of them bringing much needed firepower to my side taking the pressure off Kyle Wilson, though neither would extend their loan past three months, leaving me to grind out results at the end of the season.<br /><br />A single Kyle Wilson goal was enough to beat title rivals <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1376/game37sz3.jpg">Barrow 1-0</a> in April.<br /><br />Eventually we claimed the <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1898/tableey6.jpg">title</a> with a game to spare - this is the first time I've ever managed to win promotion in my first season, we normally lose in the playoffs.<br /><br />We pretty much <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2782/posit3.jpg">walked the league</a>, after I'd settled on some tactics and my team had started to gel, thankfully we had few injuries and fewer suspensions (was only two red cards in all of my games this season, neither for me).<br /><br />The <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2265/boarduc9.jpg">board</a> and <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9623/fansgj2.jpg">fans</a> are both delighted witht me, I can get used to that :)<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/738/squadpo0.jpg">Title Winning Squad</a> - Whilst the core of my team is strong, squad depth is weak in several positions.<br /><br />Both my Keepers <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4593/jonessw1.jpg">Michael Jones</a> and <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4800/jamesoncs1.jpg">Adam Jameson</a> are solid at the back, whilst also picking up several assists from long punts down field.<br /><br />In Defence right back <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3199/spenderli0.jpg">Simon Spender</a> was a great capture from Wrexham, whilst left back <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/79/skidmorerl4.jpg">Alex Skidmore</a> is one of the best original players, in central defence capatain <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1272/nugentkp0.jpg">Robert Nugent</a> was partnered by a loan signing.<br /><br />Midfield was our strongest position thanks to Man Utd youngsters <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8651/bryanzt3.jpg">Antonio Bryan</a> and <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4773/evanslk8.jpg">Corry Evans</a> (who now <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/9414/evansproli6.jpg">likes both me and the club</a>, so he'll never be coming back :(), left winger <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8321/comptonbv4.jpg">Jack Compton</a> is highly rated, with another Welshman <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5945/crowellfu7.jpg">Matty Crowell</a> partnered Evans in the middle.<br /><br />Upfront <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/4982/wilsonfq9.jpg">Kyle Wilson</a> is pretty much my only Striker and he did well grabbing 20 goals.<br /><br />Youngsters:<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3953/swiftendti0.jpg">Neil Swift</a> - Highley rated by my staff with a league two potential, and managed to hold his own in the cups, more appearances were limited due to the fact that the left side is the strongest side of my team.<br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/832/peacock2uq4.jpg">Phil Peacock</a> - did ok, mainly used as sub to rest Wilson.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3508/confidenceaj1.jpg">Confidence Screen</a> - Board are delighted with the BSN Title<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/8946/clubinfocy0.jpg">Club Info</a> - The board/fans were so delighted that I even made the fav list after the first season - lets see if I ever become a legend.<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5731/snapshotgq0.jpg">Snapshot</a> - we actually made money, due to having the highest attendance in the league and a good cup run in the FA Trophy making it to the 4th round before losing to BSP side Mansfield.<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1892/summarymn7.jpg">Season Summary</a> - We claim the overachievers award, whilst right back Spender and midfielder Crowell win signings of the season (shame I didn't actually sign either of them).<br /><br /><a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2770/bestxicb2.jpg">Best XI</a> - Which I'd agree with for a change.<br /><br />I was also linked with the <a href="http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5242/joblinkfo8.jpg">Wrexham job</a> during the season, which I think nearly everyone has been offered.<br /><br />Hopefully with the promotion to the BSP I'll be able to attract some players to the club, as I really need a centre-back, a central midfielder, right winger and one or two strikers - that will need to be loaned or signed, luckily with promotion confirmed the board have allowed me 3 scouts and 5 coaches - so I've managed to bring in some good scouts to scout players, and some coaches to boost my training upto 3/4 stars.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3584027225768538702.post-28372522120097312312009-08-02T07:56:00.000-07:002010-03-18T05:20:18.529-07:00Welcome<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: small;">Welcome to my new blog that will chronicle and archive my progress through Dafuge's Challenge on Football Manager 2009 with FC United of Manchester.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: small;">If you don't know what this is all about then check out <a href="http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=62170">this Thread on the Official Sports Interactive Forums</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: small;">The aims of the Challenge are fairly simple:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-size: small;">"To take a small club who were previously unplayable in the game from the Blue Square N/S to Premier League and Champions League glory."</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com