FM10 Small Club to Big Club Big Euro Nation Challenge

[Uffe Johansson]

Congrats Uffe!!

Thanks!

Well done Uffe! Unfortunately, I have at least one more season of 2nd Division football to come... 2 games to go in the current season and I'm locked into 3rd place. I'll finish the season and get a report up tomorrow.

Too bad. I found out that there is no big difference between 2nd Div and Liga Vitalis. So when you make it out of there you should easily make it to Liga Sagres.

so so tense, but we've done it after a 2-0 home win sees us win 3-2 on aggregate!!

Well done rlipscombe.

Well done on promotion Uffe, have you won the league as well, I guess we'll find out soon.

Sadly our goalie was injured in the end and my reserve keeper just isn´t good enough. It felt like he conceded every shot on goal in the last five games. We finished 2:nd... Review coming soon I hope.

[Uffe Johansson]

Casa Pia Portuguese 2nd Division Central 2014/15

I thought we were going to struggle in Liga Vitalis, especially after my ass man told me we were by far the worst team in the league. But we had no problems up until the last five games where we only took one point. But by then we had already secured our place in Liga Sagres next season.
League

Portuguese Cup
4th Rnd

Portuguese League Cup
3rd Rnd

Key Players - Stats Transfers

Stevan Kovacevic
Amazing as Always.
Ishak Belfodil
He scored 30 goals in 34 games .
Buba
Solid as ever.

Next season
I really believe we have to fight against relegation this season. After achieving back to back promotions it will be tough to get players good enough to compete. I need a better goalie and left and right defenders and addition to that I would love to have a solid defensive midfielder to partner up with Stevan.

Career

Season   Division          Pos   PC         PLC     Achievements
2010/11  2:nd Division C   11th  1st Rnd    N/A     NOPE
2011/12  2:nd Division C   5th   1st Rnd    N/A     NOPE
2012/13  2:nd Division C   4th   3rd Rnd    N/A     NOPE
2013/14  2:nd Division C   1st   Qtr final  N/A     Champions, Promotion via playoff.
2014/15  Liga Vitalis      2nd   4th Rnd    3rd Rnd Promotion

　

[el sid]

Leverkusen just much better than any other team in the division

[iacovone]

Filippo Ferri has 14 goals in 10 matches so far, he's on fire. If anyone plays with a lone striker, try putting him as a target-man with supply "to feet". Works amazingly well for me so far. I only turn off the target man if we face 3 central defenders.

May have to try that as I play with Alberto Merola as a lone striker. Though he's doing well at the moment. If he hits a poor streak I'll give the Filippo Ferri tactics a go! He's fast turning into a thread legend FF is

Leverkusen just much better than any other team in the division

Strange that Leverkusen have become the dominant side in your league!

[bjoggi33]

Season not starting well loss in the first game

[iacovone]

36 year old Ricardo Malafaia has announced he'll retire in his prime at the end of this season. Shame but he is struggling a bit now. What a servant to the club he's been. 152 games and counting.

Resident 'oldie' next year will be none other than Andrea Dossena who is joining on a free. He's still pretty good too and not that slow yet.

[iacovone]

I don't believe this we've been absolutely screwed over here! At home to Alaves, and the ref has given them 3 penalties!!!! Lost 4-3 with the last pen in the 93rd minute. That should have been 3 valuable points, instead its zero

[rlipscombe]

that's seriously unlucky iacovone.........

thanks for you congrats Uffe. i'll have the season review up tonight.

[PRDH]

Right final catch-up update.

**Season Update - SO Romorantin - 2012/13 Season**

Transfers

A fairly quiet season transfer-wise. Only 2 came in in time to play in this season the rest were signed on frees after the registration deadline but are for next season so I will mention them later.

The two to come in were youngsters. First was Jason Payne a very young goalkeeper who was brought in as back-up after Meite left for £600K.
Second was Giorgio Zanetti, a technically gifted if rather mentally untalented striker who made his debut towards the end of the season, scored, and then proceeded to score in the next two games too. He could be a big part of next season's team.

League

The league was again an improvement on last season. We never looked in danger of relegation, which was nice, but we never looked like challenging for promotion either which was not entirely surprising. We finished 8th after a fairly steady mid-table season.

Cup

Not a great showing. Nothing memorable certainly. I don't think it was this year I had my cup run. But if it was that happened and it's already been detailed by me.

Players

Just a few players of note this season. Expect a return to more in-depth updates next season.

Jorn Vermeulen is a right sided player who has shown himself to be a good acquisition with his form this season.

Vito Wormgoor - a good solid defender who is very useful at this level.

Claudio Keseru was a constant threat up front.

Ladislas Douniama - another good season for the tiny striker.

Amin Arroub - quite simply a fantastic season for the midfielder. He was our top scorer I believe.

Kola Agbo - took a while to secure him, but he looks like he'll be a good 'keeper.

Awards

Top Scorer - Amin Arroub
Fans' Player of the Season - Amin Arroub

Youth Watch

Home-grown

No-one worth mentioning yet.

Non-home grown

Maybe Jason Payne gets a look in here. See above for screenshot.

Aims For This Season Were

Didn't make any in my last report but I think mediocrity would have been an aim!

Aims For Next Season

A few exciting players already lined up, which means I'd like to at least put pressure on the top teams.

Best Elevens

10/11
11/12
12/13

Overall

Story So Far

Season			League			Position			Achievements/Wins
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010/11			National			15th				Avoided relegation
2011/12			National			10th				Consolidated
2012/13			National			8th				Steady progression

Trophy Cabinet

N/A

Previous Updates

2010/11
2011/12

[iacovone]

5 games to go

We face:

Recreativo (h)
Granada (a)
Cadiz (h)
Castellon (a)
R. Sociedad (a)

Need points before the final 2 games as they look too tough to expect anything from.

[PRDH]

Good luck iacovone - I'm sure if anyone can manage it you can!

Up the Castillo!!

[iacovone]

Thanks mate, solid progress on your season, I only just read it back. Giorgio Zanetti looks great for that level!

Well we....WON...against the oldest club in Spain (Recreativo) and secured an absolutely vital 3 points.

Ejido lost which puts us 3 points ahead of them, with the better head to head record. Its basically entirely between me and them now. I think we have to get a point at Granada and HAVE to beat Cadiz at home to be safe.

[G-Wiz]

Angri have clinched 5th place in Serie C2/C, and in turn a playoff semi against Prato...out of interest, i havent lost to Prato in 4 previous meetings, so fingers crossed!! full update to come soon

[el sid]

Drawn against Standard in the Champions League group stage qualifier

[iacovone]

Lost away to Granada but beat Cadiz at home to put 6 points between us and the relegation zone! Means I can't go down on head to head \o/

We've survived

[Ohanzee]

Good luck in playoffs G-Wiz
Good luck in CL qualifiers el sid.
Congrats iaconve! Well done.

We just lost both away and home to Porto. I really hate that tactic they are using Makes the group Porto 10, Man Utd 7, Noja 6 with two games left. We'll need a result away to Man Utd and hope Porto take something from them at home. Porto actually managed 3-3 at Old Trafford, they are really tough.

[Polar Bear]

Terrific stuff iacovone, that's some achievement with the constraints you were operating under. You should be given the freedom of the island for that!

Well done to G-Wiz. PRDH - that looks like a springboard for a promotion push next season.

[el sid]

Oh sod off, Neuer injured for 6 weeks. Out of the CL qualifier

[iacovone]

Terrific stuff iacovone, that's some achievement with the constraints you were operating under. You should be given the freedom of the island for that!

Couldn't agree more. Still not even on the favoured personnel list

[PRDH]

Congratulations iacovone! Knew you could do it. Consolidation over the summer and you can push up the table next season.

[Ohanzee]

Just checked, I'm not on the favuored personnel list of Noja either. But I am on the Legends list

[iacovone]

Goddamit!! Haha probably deserved, I hope I make it! On all of my long term small to big club challenges I've never so much as once made it onto favoured personnel!

EDIT: We have 1 defender at the World Cup

Eric Eto'o is with Cameroon (played about 1 game for me all year)

[el sid]

First Leg.

[iacovone]

Good away goal there el sid

[el sid]

Lucky one too Looked offside tbh

[el sid]

It's a champions league qualifier match ffs

[G-Wiz]

promotion here i come

http://tinypic.com/r/20t2r2b/6

was a close one lol

[Ohanzee]

Congrats G-Wiz, well done. That is close indeed.

We beat Wien and Porto and Man Utd played another 3-3 match, so we need at least a draw at Old Trafford. Gonna be tough. Worst case we're back in the EURO Cup, which isn't so bad after all.

[el sid]

Second Leg

\o/

[el sid]

Champions league draw
No opinion really. Could've been better, could've been worse.

Group C

[Ohanzee]

Congrats el sid. Hope you do better against Porto than us.

We did it. Man Utd - Noja. Finished 2nd in the group behind Porto on goal difference.

[el sid]

Terrific result there Ohanzee

[Polar Bear]

Well done Ohanzee and el sid. You've got a chance in that group I reckon.

Well, one of my summer signings has done sufficently well for this to happen already, five months later in the winter break.

So I've hastily offered him round at a bit more. I don't really blame the chairman - I'm well within budgets but we lose money every month - but it's a bit of a blow.

[Ohanzee]

We got FC Bayern in the 1st KO round. Could be worse.

[PRDH]

Just checked, I'm not on the favuored personnel list of Noja either. But I am on the Legends list

I got onto the list of legends at Domegliara. Not happened with Romorantin yet!

[iacovone]

Juan Baldomero's...
Castillo C.F 2017/18 End of Season Review
Liga Adelante

The "new league, new boardroom" Edition

18th|Graph

Predicted Finish: 22nd

Squad

Transfers - just 3 in due to the takeover.

Finances - a bit up and down but we're sitting pretty now and those loan repayments look like they'll be easy to cope with.

Season Ticket Holders - 110 (last year 48)
Estimated Value - £4.3m (up by £2.9m)

The Generalities...

Tough year at Castillo largely because of the takeover saga. It dragged on from the beginning of the season to November (about 5 months) and completely prevented me from signing anyone. In the transfers screen you can see that only 3 players were brought in, so essentially it was the promotion team that were charged to keep us up.

So kudos to these stalwarts for doing the job that was asked of them. The improvement to the stadium also crippled our finances to the tune of £4m following a required loan. So basically the club was thrown into dire straits but we just about came up trumps. Based on this the season was a success.

The Players...

Not many to note this year but here are the key men:

Ricardo Malafaia - Great servant for the club and captained us well these last few years. Has announced his retirement and I won't step in his way, he's past it now.

Alberto Merola - Kept up his goalscoring talent in this league scoring 20 this year. He also broke the 50 goal barrier for us in 3 seasons. Impressive form from the young Italian. My player of the season.

Marco Carletti - Had a good year in the middle and will take over the club captaincy next year. Bit inconsistent but I like him.

Carlo Amodio - Fan favourite continued his good form for the club and was our 'rock' at the back. Worryingly concedes a lot of penalties. At last count he'd given away 5 this season .

Average Attendance: 2226 (last year 782)
Fans Player of the Year: Carlo Amodio
My Player of the Year: Alberto Merola

The League Campaign...

Amazingly stayed up despite a number of spanners thrown into the works. We chugged along at the bottom of the table all year long and just pipped the other 4 crap teams to finish 18th.

Very little to say about the campaign to be honest. We had to thank Alberto Merola for his goals and Fran was solid in goal.

The Copa del Rey...

Nothing to talk about here this year. Dropped out of the cup at the first attempt to Real Mallorca.

Other Stuff...

Club Info

Best XI

Best Overall XI

The U19s came 10th out of 16 - still crap but a slight improvement.

The stadium improvements are complete now and the Castillo del Romeral now holds 9150 (6000 seats).

Pleased to finally announce that our facilities are going to be improved! Couldn't come soon enough. Sadly won't come into effect for the next batch of youngsters though.

We signed a new 2 year sponsorship deal for £190k per annum. That's a boost of £120k on last year.

The Plan...

I'm going to have to have a big summer window but to be honest we still don't have the reputation anywhere near big enough to bring anyone in worthwhile. I hope that'll change following the reset date but its unlikely. The expectation is that we'll end up being more players who are of a similar standard to what we have. But if it can plump up the squad then we should achieve survival again next year. As you may be able to tell I expect more small but progressive steps in this league.

Progress so far...

Season   Division          Position     Achievements
2010/11  2nd Division B1   15th         N/A
2011/12  2nd Division B1   12th         N/A
2012/13  2nd Division B1   8th          N/A
2013/14  2nd Division B1   13th         N/A
2014/15  2nd Division B1   10th         N/A
2015/16  2nd Division B1   2nd          Lost in 2nd Round of Playoff Phase, Quarters of Federation Cup
2016/17  2nd Division B1   3rd          Promoted via the Playoffs
2017/18  Liga Adelante     18th         Survived

Oh and some unexpected great news! We've turned pro!! Fingers crossed this will make us a more appealing club to join now! I LOVE my progressive new boardroom

[iacovone]

Oh this is brilliant! I finally have players worth over £200k interested in joining me (seriously that's been the case for 8 years!). We now have players in the upper echelons of the £2m-£3m bracket interested.

£1.6m to spend as well! First thing to do is bring in 3 more scouts and then get them out and about. I can see this being a very very productive transfer window!

[Ohanzee]

That's great iacovone! Now the real fun starts, you can really start to build a strong side

[iacovone]

Ah the relief is amazing. I've already found an interested Brazilian right back who is labelled the next Jorginho

Trying to get him in on loan

[minisav]

My assistant being amazing so far. Told me to look at a few players meaning the defence should be sorted soon. Team is starting to take shape. Still haven't played my first game yet

[iacovone]

Jorginho rejects the loan move

Debating whether to spend all my budget to buy him with the plan to sell him on for a massive fee next summer...

If not, there are a number of talented Spaniards I can sign for decent sums.

minisav - sounds good there, wish my assistant provided me with targets, hasn't done it in about 5 years now

[G-Wiz]

Angri - End of Season Review 2011/2012

Great season for me at Angri, managing to build on last season and finish in 5th in the league won the playoff final by the skin of my teeth, with a goal in the 90th minute to seal promotion, nice when they happen in your favour lol
also managed to break a few records along the way, firstly for the most goals scored in a league campaign in Serie C2/C with 63 (69 including playoff matches), and oldest goalscorer, for Massimiliano Bongiorni, who stumped up another 7 goals in 22 appearances, the last of them at the ripe old age of 41 years and 140 days old!! He has since retired so we'll see if anyone can break that record...

Transfers

player-wise there were a few standouts:

Sebastian Bueno - Top scorer
Andrea Conti - GK - kept us in quite a few games
Luca Crotti - young left back, among top-rated
Luigi Giandomenico Fans Player of The Year for the 2nd year running, he was vital in the teams success this season, scoring over 3 times as many as the previous year, getting on a bit now unfortunately
Matteo Scapini - parnered Bueno up front when possible, also chipping in with a good amount of goals
Antonino Tranchina - bit of a rock in the middle of the park alongside Giandomenico, allowed him to roam forward a bit more, again one of the top-rated for the season


Avg. Attendance - 2491 (up from 1744 previous season)
Season tickets holders - 128
Club value - 180k


As for the forthcoming season, the media predict i will finish bottom of Serie C1/B, so i have a bit of work to do to try and again consolidate for this year, before thinking about pushing on to the next level i think...got a couple of promising looking frees in so we'll see how it goes

[PRDH]

That's great news for you iacovone.

I've got 7 games left of my season. I'm currently in second place. 2 points behind top and 8 points ahead of 4th. Fingers crossed for a decent run in.

[minisav]

Cheers iacovone. Although we lost our first game to Aue (who have stolen a couple of signings too ) 1-0. Made up for it with new tactics and beat Werder II 2-1

Grats on promotion G-Wiz & good luck PRDH

[rlipscombe]

F.C. Unione Venezia - Serie C2/A - Season Review 2011/12

League Finish: 3rd in league, play-off winners Graph

Well it was a real rollercoaster season which ultimately ended with promotion to Serie C1 through they play-offs. it was far from easy though, as the graph shows. We started slowly again, before finding our form and a rise up the league. but with about 10 games to go the wheels fell off and we faded from the championship challenge. That meant the lottery of the play-offs.

We faced Valenzana who came 4th in the semis. We won away 1-0 with a great defensive performance, before going 2-0 up in the home leg. we were cruising until two late goals meant we were hanging on at the end. That meant a final against Pro Sesto, who came 6th. We had a record of 4-2-0 against them so i was fairly confident going into the games. however, we were s**t in the away leg, thankfully escaping with a 2-1 defeat and an away goal. In the home leg, we asserted ourselves and cruised to a 2-0 win which saw us promoted!!

In the Serie C Cup, we went out once more at the group stage round, although we did manage our first win. Still mainly used as pre-season though.

Squad 1
Squad 2
Transfers

Here are a few of the key players this season:

Poncelet - The Belgian U-21 goalkeeper took over from Marruocco as i opted to try youth a little more. Performed well in his first full season, having joined in 2010 on a free transfer. Has good potential and hopefully may stay for a few years yet
Di Bella - Another good season from the italian. Settled properly into the LB role this season.
Carbone - was kept out of the team by Semenzeto for the first part of the season, but once he was injured, Carbone never looked back. Brings good experience and consistency to the back line.
Adani - Veteran CB performed well again this season. out of contract at the end of the season though, and i am still debating whether to give him a new one or not. Feel he may be too old.
Locatelli - Loanee who spent his second season with the Lagunari. Spent last season as back-up RB, but due to a lack of CBs in pre-season, i gave him a go and he stayed there for the whole season. Possibly my surprise package of the season.
Zamfir - Young Romanian defender who provided back-up most of the season. Started a few games early on but had poor consistency so i decided not to risk him too much. Still, one for the future.
Mamede - Another good season from the veteran DM. whether he can handle the step up we will see.
Venema - Exciting young Dutchman signed at the start of the season. gave some outstanding performances and possibly my own player of the year. runner-up to Camolese in player of the year.
Chiazzolino - signed on a permanent deal after his loan spell last season, he performed well as our right winger. Overshadowed by Camolese on the other flank, he still did well.
Camolese - Made the breakthrough this season and found much more consistency. averaged almost an assist every two games. even more still to come. Was named Serie C2/A player of the year.
Perelli - he went and did it again, scoring over 25 goals this season. top goalscorer in the league, he also became Venezia's all time leading goalscorer, beating Filippo Maniero no less! One of the first names on the team sheet.
Paponi - Signed on a free at the beginning of the season, he started a little slowly. Quickly found his stride though and provided better support for Perelli than we'd had last season. Forget your SAS partnership, we have our own PAP one!!
Sanchon - Spanish attacker signed on a free, i expected him to do a little better. not helped though by Paponi's form. There is interest in him, and he is a high wage earner - i have a decision to make on him.
Fernandes - young Portugese winger signed on a free. Disappointed but never really got much of a chance. i do think the potential is there though and he does have great pace. need to keep him happy.

With regards to youth players, again we had nothing of any real talent come through. the game seems to love Italian regens based on other games but can we get any?? no chance!!

Finances

As you can see i took a big gamble on wages and went nearly £3k p/w over my budget. it was a gamble i thought worth taking and it proved to be a success. A few home friendlies made up for some of the damage, with Lazio coming to town, as well as the inaugural Venice Shield held over the winter break, which we won despite facing tougher opposition.

Targets for next season:

> Survival. having found the C2A really competitive, i don't really want to be back there. hopefully the C1 is a bit of a better spread.
> FInancially, hopefully we'll be a bit better and the board are willing to give decent budgets.
> keep hold of the star players.

SO, stage 1 of the challenge is complete - just!! onwards and upwards we go.....

[berty1978]

Well done of promotion there G-Wiz and rlipscombe.
Looking good for promotion then PRDH, nice one.
Excellent to see you stay up iacovone, also with the loan and going pro you should be able to aim higher next season (I'm still over a million in debt but making a small profit every month).
Good luck in the CL group el-sid, could be worse, you could be in Group C.

I've got some massive games coming up, and I don't mean to avoid relegation... I don't hold much hope though because I have been absolutely awful away which is weird after going all last season unbeaten away.

[rlipscombe]

what can you say about this message?????

[rlipscombe]

oh yeah, congrats on staying up iacovone!! i hope to follow your example next season..... it must be nice to have the money to spend....

EDIT: new kit sponsorship and main sponsor announced and we'll get an extra combined £130k from that this year. both one year deals

[PRDH]

Typical! I win my last game of the season 5-0 and what good does it do me!

Well quite a lot actually. It won me the league. Unfancied SO Romorantin have won the French National title and will be plying their trade in Ligue 2 next season.

Excellent!

[edit] - The board have just announced the construction of a new stadium. It's only going to be a 12,000 seater to start with, but it'll do! It'll take a year to build. Hopefully I won't be back in the National by then!

[G-Wiz]

Congrats PRDH, a lotta people making good progress in this challenge

[rlipscombe]

congrats PRDH!!! we're all making breakthroughs at last!! congrats on the new ground too. has it hit your finances much?

[Polar Bear]

Nice one PRDH.

Four games to go and we've nudged into 3rd for the first time this season...

[rlipscombe]

fingers crossed you can keep it up Polar Bear....

[Polar Bear]

Two games left and any one of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th could get it - and a possible promotion/relegation playoff with 1860 Munchen.

The good news is that we're 3rd, and two wins would do it. The bad news is that we're away to champions elect and best team in the division Dusseldorf in our last fixture. The worse news is that top scorer and totem Christopher Kullmann is injured, and would also miss the playoff should we make it.

[DodgeeD]

Sport Benfica e Castelo Branco – 2012/13 Season Review

2nd Division North – 3rd
Portuguese Cup – 3rd Round

A disappointing season as we fell behind Boavista early on and never caught up. We gave up too many goals against weaker opposition to draw or lose mathces we should have won and our lack of cover up front was exposed with Adriano injured a lot and Johnathan unable to find any form in his place.

A couple of easy games saw us reach the 3rd round of the cup, where we came unstuck against Liga Sagres side Naval.

I notice a worrying pattern: 1st 2 years ago, then 2nd, now 3rd... I need to buck the trend next season. I’ve got some new players coming in who should improve the squad – I just hope it’s enough.

Best match of the season: B.C. Branco 5, Chaves 3 – a great game to watch with end to end action and plenty of game-changing moments!

Key Players:
Samir (DR) – once again played better than his stats would suggest.
Guiseppe Ferraro (DC) – in great form at the centre of defence. It looks like it will be a struggle to keep him at the club this summer.
Massimo Galli (DL) – not as many assists as last year but still a key member of the defence and nerves of steel when it came to penalties!
Maurizio Ciaramitaro (MC) – my deep-lying playmaker did a great job protecting the defence and starting the attacking moves.
Marquinho (ST) – topscorer with 17 goals, we would have struggled a lot more wşthout him.

Awards:
Fans’ Player of the Year – Guiseppe Ferraro
Portuguese 2nd Division Team of the Year – Guiseppe Ferraro & Massimo Galli

The Season Ahead (Aims):

• Challenge for top spot.
• Add more depth up front.

I’ve already arranged a few deals for July 1st so I’ll introduce the new guys who I hope will make a difference next season now:
Gerardo – set to become first choice on the right and offers cover across midfield if needed.
Juan Lorenzo – my scouts believe this guy is a future Liga Sagres star.
Christopher Verblist – will be back-up on the left for now but will add depth to the squad.
Manu Busto – will give me some more experience up front.

The Story So Far...

Season   Division     Pos.   Cup     L.Cup   Europe   Other
2010-11  2nd(Central) 1st    3rdR    N/A     N/A      3rd in promotion play-off
2011-12  2nd(North)   2nd    2ndR    N/A     N/A      -
2012-13  2nd(North)   3rd    3rdR    N/A     N/A      -

[Uffe Johansson]

Wow

I have never had that high odds playing FM

[berty1978]

Dodgee, that's unlucky again. The table link takes me to the 5-3 match, did Boavista go up finally?

[PRDH]

Right. I have a five hour train journey this morning, and the same tomorrow. I'm taking my computer, I'm hoping to get some serious playing time in! And, hopefully I'll be able to get my report up sometime today too. I'm sure you can all hardly wait after that announcement!

[edit] - First job offer. My reputation is obviously growing. Tunisia wanted me to take over. Obviously, je dit: "Non!"

[DodgeeD]

Dodgee, that's unlucky again. The table link takes me to the 5-3 match, did Boavista go up finally?

Link should be the right one now. Good news is Boavista did indeed finally go up. In fact, they blitzed the play-off group, winning all 4 games!

I made a couple more new signings and changed my backroom staff a little. My new ass man already seems on the ball as I played the same formation as last season in the summer friendlies and he has been pointing out gaps in the midfield and suggesting more detailed OIs than the previous guy ever did.

I'll update on my new signings and how it's all going after little playing session.

[rlipscombe]

already i have to say planning for the new season is going pretty well. We got an £18k transfer budget, and a £31k p/w wage budget. the board only wanted me to stay up and offered £26k p/w, but i have taken a calculated risk and said mid-table which gave me the extra £5k p/w. My starting wage total was £18k p/w, so i had £13k to play with.

i have changed my Ass man to a guy with national reputation, and he seems to be better. i have brought in an extra 4 coaches and 2 more scouts which is good.

i've already been pretty active in the transfer market and am quite excited by some of the signings. i'll introduce them in the season preview but IF we gel pretty quickly i'm optimistic we can meet my targets......

[el sid]

Stunning result, definitely didn't see that one coming.

[bjoggi33]

fantastic result el sid, Gignac

[PRDH]

Oh dear. First game in Ligue 2 is not going well! I thought I'd assembled a pretty decent squad. But just found myself on the end of a 4-1 home defeat to Angers. My goal was a late consolation. Oh dear, this could be a tricky season!

[bjoggi33]

OMG just found the best regen i have ever seen playing for Real Madrid. Hoping too get him someday when i'll be in German First Division, by that time he'll be 40 lol

Marcao

[DodgeeD]

B.C. Branco Mini Update: January 2014

Time to risk the forum curse! We have been playing much better this season, mainly due to a more attacking line-up which is getting us a lot of goals (my new ass man suggested my midfield was sitting too deep at the start of the season so my wingers are now much more aggresive and my central midfielders are covering dfence less and getting forward more). Those 1-1 draws and 2-1 defeats of last season are now turning into 3-1 and 4-2 victories in our favour.

After 15 games, the table looks like this. Infesta are our main challengers and in many ways they are the opposite to us as they play a very tight defence and grind out those 1-0 and 2-0 wins. We haven't played each other yet so those two matches will be key in deciding who advances to the promotion play-offs.

Two new summer signings have been instrumental in our success so far. Gerardo has been fantastic on the right and a lot of our attacking play goes through him. Manu Busto has been a key addition up front with goals and assists a plenty - I just wish he was ten years younger!

[PRDH]

OMG just found the best regen i have ever seen playing for Real Madrid. Hoping too get him someday when i'll be in German First Division, by that time he'll be 40 lol

Marcao

Wow! He is a great player. Possibly the best 21-year-old I've ever seen.

Good luck getting him in the future.

My second game didn't go well either. A 4-0 loss. Two games played. Lost two, conceded eight!

[bjoggi33]

Wow! He is a great player. Possibly the best 21-year-old I've ever seen.

Good luck getting him in the future.

My second game didn't go well either. A 4-0 loss. Two games played. Lost two, conceded eight!

Best part is he's not even a first team regular

[PRDH]

Baffling!

I've got my first point!!

[edit] - And there's my first win. Lille sent crashing to a 2-0 defeat.

[Jobnik]

UD Merida Season Review 2010/11
4th in Segunda Division B Grupo 4 (pred: 12th) | Transfers | Finances | Graph

The Team

I was pretty ambitious from the moment I took over. I knew I need to make major changes and be active in the transfer market for us to have a chance to battle in the top, and that is exactly what I did.
At the beining, I had no backroom staff, so in order to be able to recognize the true qualities of players, I had to bring them in on trial. Many came in, a few stayed.

In the beginning i've also struggled with the tactics, until I found a formation with which i've played for most of the season. It is quite offensive, with both full backs and the defensive midfielder supporting. Magallens, who started the season quite poorly, cought his form and acted as a playmaker.
As Magallens is not in the best shape, he could not play more than 60-65 minutesm so, usually i've brought in an extra supporting DM instead for the last 30 minutes.

GK Carlos played for most of the season, but I was not quite satisfied from his form. In jnauary I signed Alberto Serafini, who was released from Inter. He didn't get in the team right away, but when Carlos got injured he took the place, and he held it until the end of the season. Eventually, Carlos was released.

DR Santiago Villafane, who was signed from Boca, played for most of the season, but again, injury ruled him out for a couple of matches, which opened the way for Kevin Debris, who played at the center of defence up until that point.

DL This position change a few times throughout the season. Jose Mari played for most of the season. Carlos Delgado, who was on loan from Valladolid, and played at the center of defence for most of the season, also had a few matches in the position. Eventually, the place was taken by Paolo Marchi, who was also released by inter.

DC As I said, Carlos Delgado and Kevin Debris played quite a few in the position. But as they can also play as full backs, the most permanent player at the position was young and talented Daniel Ayala, who was released by Liverpool. Diego Rangel Was also another player who got a few matches, befor being released at the end of the season.

DMC Espolita was signed from Racing at the begining of the season, and he held the position throughout. In january I felt I felt i have no depth in the position, so I signed young Koke from Atletico Madrid. He didn't get to many chances, but he's one that i'm relying on for the future. Rangel also got a few matches in the position, as well as Josep Maria Pages, who was released in the end of the season.

AML From the moment i've found my winning formation, which included a left winger, which I didn't use before, it was taken by Giuseppe Giovinco, who was singed in December, after being released by Juventus. Being the younger brother of Juventus and Italy star Sebastian, Giuseppe is very ambitious, and I hope he will help us progress. Ismael is another player who played a few matches, but i'll be looking for a new club for him, as I dont think he has the qualities to help me.

AMR This position saw one of my best player. Brazilian winger Claudio was signed on a free transfer in the begining of the season, and he was absolutely great. David De Pablos also played a few matches, but his contract ended in the end of the season and i've decided not to renew it.

AMC This position belonged soley to our captain Federico Magallens, who had a good season with 15 goals and 10 assists. Not in the best shape, and was not able to play more than 60-65 minutes, but still was one of the best. Pablo Valcarce, who was signed on the recomandation of the scouting team, didn't get too many chances, and will probably be offloaded.

SC I had a pretty good striking partnership, with physical Aridane who was signed from Zaragoza on a free, acting as a target man. Goran Maric helped him up front, and also had quite a good season. Another position I felt I did not have enough depth in, so in January i've signed young Stefano Di Fabio, who didn't leave quite an impression so far.

The League

The season can really be divided into 3 phases:
The first phase made me think that although the team just got promoted, we have a good chance of going up.
The second phase made me understand where i'm at, and that there are just a few clubs which have more quality.
The third phase (3 more wins in the end which didn't fit in the screenshot) signified my season the most, and was the longest. After the good beining, and the few bad matches which followed, i've found my form and was quite stable until the end.


I've had a few good matches during the season:
The best one was against champions Cordoba, who only lost 4 matches throughout the season, and finished the campaign with 96! points.
Another nice one was away to promotion candidates Jaen.
I've also had a few demolitions, with the more notable were against Murcia Imperial and Alcala.

And than came the playoff. I've came in of a really good league run, and was quite secure of my team. the first 45-50 minutes of each of both matches went really well, but from than onwards, in both games, the team just crashed. I don't have a better word to describe what happened, and why it happened. Maybe the lack of experience, maybe the players were tired from the long season, or maybe Ferrol were just better.

In any case, the experience was quite traumatic:
Game 1
Game 2

Aims at the begining at the season

1. To build a decent backroom staff who will help me move forward-Check. I've signed an assistant manager as well as a few nice coaches and scouts. Also got a pretty god physio.
2. Bulk up the squad a little bit with some experience- I've signed a few experienced players, but they weren't quite significant, and most of them were released in the end of the season. I will just have to keep building on Magallanes' experience.
3. Possibly find 1-2 young prospects- Check. Got quite a few in, with Koke, Claudio nad Giovinco being the most noteble.
4. Finish in the top 10 of my division- Check big time. Finished 4th and only lost in the playoff.

Aims for the next season

1. After a season of acclimation, my main goal is without a doubt getting the promotion to Liga Adelante.
2. Improving the squd in a few key positions, mainly in the defensive part.
3. Improving my finnancial situation, which is quite poor at the moment.
4. Building an infrastructure ready for Liga Adelante: facilities, back room staff and players. I don't want to go back down if I do go up.

SEASON	LEAGUE	POS	S-CUP				NOTES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/11	2D-B4	4th	-				Lost in the playoff

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[berty1978]

Great first season Jobnik, ul in the play offs though.

What a way to get only my second away win of the season. I'm sure to be in Liga Adelante again next season but it's been promosing and picked up some good results including beating Betis at home who I hope go up along with Las Palmas who are the only team so far to do the double over me.
Won the next game 5-0 with another Saúl hat-trick.

[iacovone]

Guys I need an opinion...

Found Oscar Juarez in Argentina who I can sign for 90% of my transfer budget. He won't arrive til the January window though. Is this worth it or should I spend it more wisely and more across the board?

[berty1978]

iacovone - He looks good for 17, do your scouts say he'll become a good Liga BBVA player? I'd probably retrain him as an attacking midfielder too.

However at the moment if you need more strength in depth I'd stick to spreading the money around a bit more.

[PRDH]

Guys I need an opinion...

Found Oscar Juarez in Argentina who I can sign for 90% of my transfer budget. He won't arrive til the January window though. Is this worth it or should I spend it more wisely and more across the board?

He looks like a decent signing, but I'm always a fan of steady improvement. It depends what you think the rest of your team are like.

If they're good enough for the league go for it. If you don't think they are then I'd try and get 4 decent players for the league, rather than one is very good. It's a team game.

[iacovone]

Hmm yes a 'good BBVA central midfielder'. I was going to retrain him as an AMC too but really stuck on this. I guess it would be foolish to spend all my money on him for only 6 months this year. Going to leave him for now and hope in 12 months he'll still be attainable.

Cheers berty and PRDH

[Jobnik]

Guys I need an opinion...

Found Oscar Juarez in Argentina who I can sign for 90% of my transfer budget. He won't arrive til the January window though. Is this worth it or should I spend it more wisely and more across the board?

Looks great overal, although his passing and off the movement are not the best. Does he have SC as an optional position? great finishing, good pace, only the heading left to improve.

Anyway, depends how much time there is until January. If youre outside the transfer window, and any other player will also arrive in January, I would say take him. Even if you could get others right now, I think it will be better to wait for him, as he looks class.

[berty1978]

Christ, Saúl with 8 goals in 3 games now, now both him and Pinau over 20 league goals for the season (we've still got 12 games left ).

[iacovone]

F.C. Unione Venezia - Serie C2/A - Season Review 2011/12

Great season rlipscombe, many congrats on the promotion.

what can you say about this message?????

That is a fantastic message . Don't go setting anymore records like that though.

Typical! I win my last game of the season 5-0 and what good does it do me!

Well quite a lot actually. It won me the league. Unfancied SO Romorantin have won the French National title and will be plying their trade in Ligue 2 next season.

Excellent!

[edit] - The board have just announced the construction of a new stadium. It's only going to be a 12,000 seater to start with, but it'll do! It'll take a year to build. Hopefully I won't be back in the National by then!

Great season PRDH and to get a new stadium so soon is fantastic news!

Wow

I have never had that high odds playing FM

That is the highest I've ever seen! I was at 1010.00 last year and thought that was a lot!

Right. I have a five hour train journey this morning, and the same tomorrow. I'm taking my computer, I'm hoping to get some serious playing time in! And, hopefully I'll be able to get my report up sometime today too. I'm sure you can all hardly wait after that announcement!

[edit] - First job offer. My reputation is obviously growing. Tunisia wanted me to take over. Obviously, je dit: "Non!"

Tunisia!! Brilliant. Save that for a rainy day perhaps?!

Stunning result, definitely didn't see that one coming.

Awesome again el sid, you're flying with Munster!

OMG just found the best regen i have ever seen playing for Real Madrid. Hoping too get him someday when i'll be in German First Division, by that time he'll be 40 lol

Marcao

He is absolutely amazing. I'd love to see you snap him up one season down the line!

Baffling!

I've got my first point!!

[edit] - And there's my first win. Lille sent crashing to a 2-0 defeat.

Hurrah!!

[DodgeeD]

B.C. Branco Mini Update: January 2014

Time to risk the forum curse! We have been playing much better this season, mainly due to a more attacking line-up which is getting us a lot of goals (my new ass man suggested my midfield was sitting too deep at the start of the season so my wingers are now much more aggresive and my central midfielders are covering dfence less and getting forward more). Those 1-1 draws and 2-1 defeats of last season are now turning into 3-1 and 4-2 victories in our favour.

After 15 games, the table looks like this. Infesta are our main challengers and in many ways they are the opposite to us as they play a very tight defence and grind out those 1-0 and 2-0 wins. We haven't played each other yet so those two matches will be key in deciding who advances to the promotion play-offs.

I laugh in the face of this forum curse!! HaHaHaHaHaa!

And that against Infesta, who had only conceded 5 and had kept 7 clean sheets in a row prior to this game.

[iacovone]

Really struggling to find a decent RB at the moment. Signed a fantastic LB that I'll introduce in due time. But its a RB that is required!

[Ohanzee]

Congrats PRDH, and a new stadium! Sweet!
Good luck DodgeeD, have a good feeling with Boavista gone!
Great result against Roma el sid!
bjoggi33 that guy looks amazing. Did he start at Real or did their scouts find him?
Great first season Jobnik! Superb review as well.
iacovone I think Juarez looks brilliant for that level tbh. If you can find more decent improvements on free transfers I'd go for him even if there's a 6 month wait tbh.

I haven't played any more myself, the call of the beers caught me last night Might get some done this evening.

Good luck everyone

(edit) On the topic of regens. Liverpool got this guy, Simon Ward. He's one of them face in the game regens I guess, only appeared this summer. We found him to late obviously, he's a important first teamer already now.

[matskulainen]

I'll be joining this challenge shortly, as soon as the saved game for Scotland finishes downloading. Within minutes we'll see which club I'll end up with...

[bjoggi33]

Congrats PRDH, and a new stadium! Sweet!
Good luck DodgeeD, have a good feeling with Boavista gone!
Great result against Roma el sid!
bjoggi33 that guy looks amazing. Did he start at Real or did their scouts find him?
Great first season Jobnik! Superb review as well.
iacovone I think Juarez looks brilliant for that level tbh. If you can find more decent improvements on free transfers I'd go for him even if there's a 6 month wait tbh.

I haven't played any more myself, the call of the beers caught me last night Might get some done this evening.

Good luck everyone

(edit) On the topic of regens. Liverpool got this guy, Simon Ward. He's one of them face in the game regens I guess, only appeared this summer. We found him to late obviously, he's a important first teamer already now.

No he came from the academy of Sao Paulo, then Real Madrid bought him for 18.25m

[bjoggi33]

Just got a message saying that a bad result next match seals my faith

[el sid]

omg just found the best regen i have ever seen playing for real madrid. Hoping too get him someday when i'll be in german first division, by that time he'll be 40 lol

marcao

what.a.player.

[iacovone]

Well the busiest summer we've had has just ended and I'm pleased to introduce the 6 new boys.

Airam Cabezas - is a 16 year old prospect from relegated Ejido. He'll provide me with a chance to get excited about a youngster for a change

Serafin Gago - will get pulses racing even more however. What a prospect he looks at just 16. Signed from Pontevedra for £400k - not cheap but is versatile enough to give us good options at the back. Described as 'volatile and confrontational'!

Dario - young right back from Brazil described as 'outspoken'.

Darko Jakimovski - looks a good centre back to replace Abels. I hope anyway! Also described as 'outspoken'.

Giannis Athanasiou - signed for £0 from PAOK and immediately becomes the best player in the squad. A dream signing for us really. He is 'outspoken, volatile and confrontational'!

Carioca - the fans weren't happy when he signed as he saw us as a stepping stone to greater things. But that's ok by me so long as we get a nice big transfer fee. Also 'outspoken, volatile and confrontational'!


So overall the defence has had a complete makeover, I'm pretty pleased with the new look at the moment. My man management skills are going to be severely pushed to the limit though with these big personalities entering the dressing room! I can see a lot of tension on its way...

I am also pleased to let you know that I will be signing Oscar Juarez as well. The chairman sold VC Johan Abels to Castellon for a tidy million so we were left with enough to spend on the exciting youngster. He arrives on January 2nd 2019.

[iacovone]

Predicted to finish bottom again! We've started the season fantastically - a 2-1 away win at Alaves (pred: 7th). Delightful!

[DodgeeD]

A good set of signings iacovone - I especially like the look of Gago, not too sure about the 'look' of Jakimovski with that red mane! (Also LOL for his name - cue plenty of jokes including 'Jack him off' ).

I have just secured the 2nd Division North title with 2 games to go. Now, on to the promotion play-offs!

[Jobnik]

Congrats PRDH, and a new stadium! Sweet!
Good luck DodgeeD, have a good feeling with Boavista gone!
Great result against Roma el sid!
bjoggi33 that guy looks amazing. Did he start at Real or did their scouts find him?
Great first season Jobnik! Superb review as well.
iacovone I think Juarez looks brilliant for that level tbh. If you can find more decent improvements on free transfers I'd go for him even if there's a 6 month wait tbh.

I haven't played any more myself, the call of the beers caught me last night Might get some done this evening.

Good luck everyone

(edit) On the topic of regens. Liverpool got this guy, Simon Ward. He's one of them face in the game regens I guess, only appeared this summer. We found him to late obviously, he's a important first teamer already now.

Thanks for that. We have adopted the model which was implemented at Noja :-)
Hope we can get to that level.

[Ohanzee]

Nice signings iacovone. Glad you're getting Oscar Juarez as well, can't wait to see how he turn out. Good luck, I think you'll stay well safe this year, maybe even surprise a bit
Good luck in the playoffs DodgeeD, crossing fingers

[iacovone]

I especially like the look of Gago, not too sure about the 'look' of Jakimovski with that red mane! (Also LOL for his name - cue plenty of jokes including 'Jack him off' ).

I have just secured the 2nd Division North title with 2 games to go. Now, on to the promotion play-offs!

Haha he does have a great name our Darko

Good luck with your promotion playoffs! Great work winning the title

[iacovone]

Nice signings iacovone. Glad you're getting Oscar Juarez as well, can't wait to see how he turn out. Good luck, I think you'll stay well safe this year, maybe even surprise a bit
Good luck in the playoffs DodgeeD, crossing fingers

I think we may surprise a few people too tbh

[bjoggi33]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! GOT SACKED FROM Hallescher FC, goddammit I am so angry right now

[DodgeeD]

Good start - just beat the 2nd Division Central Champions Camacha 5-0 in the opening game.

[iacovone]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! GOT SACKED FROM Hallescher FC, goddammit I am so angry right now

Oh no bjoggi - sorry to hear that. What are you going to do?

[bjoggi33]

Well, I just have to try this challenge again, but don't know what country i should go too. Anywhere but Germany atleast.

[iacovone]

That's the spirit. Join the Spanish Armada

[bjoggi33]

Yeah, See you in Spain soon

[Liverbird93]

Decided to start in Portugal with Casa Pia.

Profile

[Ohanzee]

Sorry to hear that bjoggi, what happened exactly? Where you doing that bad?
Good luck Liverbird93

[bjoggi33]

Well after finishing 8th last season the board were asking too much, well not all the board i had been doing terrible in 20th place