[FM10] When The Saints Go Marching In - Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save!

**hrbfcrule** · 30-09-2010 21:04

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

Genius manager or lucky git? You decide.

The 1st one obviously

KUTGW, looking very good so far this season

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 13:39

Cheers hrbfcrule.

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 13:42

My moron of a chairman has just sold Gylfi Sigurdsson against my wishes, accepting a measly £160k from Norwich. Apparently too good to turn down! What's he talking about? Grrrrrr.

A really quality player who was basically being rotated with Andres Abdesalem as the midfield playmaker.

I'm really not best pleased.

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 13:43

I'm a real connoisseur of the beautiful game apparently:

**AcidBurn** · 01-10-2010 14:28

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

My moron of a chairman has just sold Gylfi Sigurdsson against my wishes, accepting a measly £160k from Norwich. Apparently too good to turn down! What's he talking about? Grrrrrr.

A really quality player who was basically being rotated with Andres Abdesalem as the midfield playmaker.

I'm really not best pleased.

That's terrible on my Leeds save the guy is on fire, it's 2012 so he is a lot younger but he has 8 assists and 6 goals in 8 games averaging 7.87 in the EPL at AMC.

500th game well done, with FM11 approaching fast I am hoping for promotion this season Crouchy, I have faith.

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 14:57

Maybe I didn't have his squad status set high enough.

Well, I'll be playing this save until St. Albans City are dominating the world, which means I'll probably be playing it forever.

I'll be getting FM11 but I doubt I'll be starting a save on it straight away so there will be plenty of time to play on in this save.

**johangod** · 01-10-2010 15:24

hey crouchy, where did you get that facegen photo of you ..

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 16:53

Details are in this post:

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

Next up gents, I need some reassurance that I'm not the only huge FM nerd on this part of the forums. I really hope that someone else will find this just a little bit cool, and not just a little bit sad.

Basically, yesterday, I spent way too much of my Sunday afternoon creating a facegen/regen version of myself for my managerial photograph. And I feel quite proud of the final result.

I got this free software which analysed one of my real photographs and turned me into a facegen person. Then I just had to make a few minor changes, add some hair and hey presto!

Obviously, you guys have absolutely no idea what I look like in the first place, so you'll just have to take my word for it that this regen face looks weirdly and spookily like me.

The only way in which we really differ, is that my regen doppelgänger has a bit more hair than I do. I'm more follicly challenged than he is and a bit thinner on top. Other than that, it is an extremely striking likeness, right down to the stubble.

If anyone wants to know roughly how I did this then let me know and I will happily talk you through it. It's reasonably easy really. If I can do it, it must be easy to be honest!

I used the FaceGen modelling application basically. Free to download on the Internet.

It makes a facegen picture based on a photograph. I loaded in a photograph of myself and then let it do its analysis and create a face. A few minor adjustments to the detail level to make it look more facegen like. Then I saved it and loaded it into GIMP and added some hair from a hair pack download on the skinning forum. Was a bit fiddly for me but if you know how to use an application like GIMP then you'll probably find it quite easy.

**johangod** · 01-10-2010 17:01

sick, would you be willing to make one of myself, always like having a photo of me as a Manager but never liked the one of me playing poker or w/e ..

Would greatly appreciate but understand if you don't want ..

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 17:11

I'd rather not, if that's all right with you. It's quite easy to do yourself really. I mean, as I said above, if I can do it then it's likely anyone can.

Type 'facegen modeller' into google and download the free software. Also get 'GIMP' if you haven't already got it.

The Facegen Modeller software does most of it for you and the different sliders and controls are mostly self-explanatory. The most difficult part of the exercise is getting it into GIMP and adding the hair, for which you'll likely need to download a hair pack, or you could use existing FM hair (which is in the FM folder under data).

If you get stuck, ask me and I'll try to help. It's actually quite fun to do it!

**johangod** · 01-10-2010 17:18

alright, will give it a go

**crouchaldinho** · 01-10-2010 17:24

Good luck.

Like I say, if you get stuck then get in touch and I'll try to help if I can.

**Saxonaitor** · 02-10-2010 11:49

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

My moron of a chairman has just sold Gylfi Sigurdsson against my wishes, accepting a measly £160k from Norwich. Apparently too good to turn down! What's he talking about? Grrrrrr.

A really quality player who was basically being rotated with Andres Abdesalem as the midfield playmaker.

I'm really not best pleased.

What a signing by the Canaries there

**crouchaldinho** · 02-10-2010 12:18

Grrrrr.

**crouchaldinho** · 02-10-2010 12:22

I also just lost Marc Vega, winger or striker, who was another rotation player but who was on the verge of the first team. He wouldn't renew his contract and Hoffenheim came in and offered him a deal to move in the summer. One or two of my other youngsters won't renew contracts so it could be the first of many.

Along with the fact that I have quite a few older players who are coming to the end of their playing days, this will probably mean a bit of a rebuild at the end of the season. I have one or two youngsters who may be able to step up to the first-team - we'll see - but it's going to be a potential drop in quality unless I can bring in some new talent.

Despite our great league position at the moment, we're still a fair distance from the Premier League really.

**DSYoungEsq** · 02-10-2010 16:28

Crouch, what's up with your team's aversion for drawn results?? It's feast or famine with your team! 8 losses, and only what, four or five drawn? Do you whip them when they can't produce a result (good or bad)?? [del]

[/del] [insert much more interesting laughing smiley here]

**higgins** · 02-10-2010 17:41

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

I'm a real connoisseur of the beautiful game apparently:

Too nerd and too cool!

**crouchaldinho** · 02-10-2010 19:31

Originally Posted by higgins

Too nerd and too cool!

So it's like beyond nerd but also beyond cool at the same time. Excellent.

**crouchaldinho** · 02-10-2010 19:39

Originally Posted by DSYoungEsq

Crouch, what's up with your team's aversion for drawn results?? It's feast or famine with your team! 8 losses, and only what, four or five drawn? Do you whip them when they can't produce a result (good or bad)?? [del]

[/del] [insert much more interesting laughing smiley here]

Yes, it's a weird one. Especially seeing as last season, we probably drew the most games out of anyone in the league!

I've put it partly down to the team gelling making us inconsistent at times. There is also an element of the personalities we have in the team, especially the forward Yegorov. The guy is a tortured genius and plays either hot or cold and nothing in between. He gets complacent really easily and seems to have various personality defects. I can't seem to do much about it because he doesn't have any linked players for potential tutoring. But when he is on form, he is on fire. When he is poor, he is absolutely appalling. This is having a big effect on the results, which is why it is either win or draw for us right now!

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 16:58

This is the sort of thing I have to put up with while managing Yegorov:

And when he decides to have an off day, there seems to be little I can do about it. He has a full blown strop and just doesn't play.

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 17:04

UPDATE FOR JANUARY 2019:

Manager Comments for January 2019:

A solid draw away to Middlesbrough kicked off 2019. And then we had a nice little run of form, with Yegorov on fine form, netting 5 goals in 4 games.

We progressed to the FA Cup fifth round with wins over Nottm Forest and Hartlepool. We've drawn Colchester at home in the fifth round, which isn't a bad tie for us at all. I have dreams that we could progress even further in this competition.

We ended the month with a disappointing draw at home to Reading, but all in all, we should be proud of our form this month.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Middlesbrough |       | 31    | 19    | 7     | 5     | 47    | 26    | +21   | 64    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Hull          |       | 31    | 17    | 7     | 7     | 47    | 24    | +23   | 58    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | St. Albans    |       | 31    | 16    | 7     | 8     | 59    | 29    | +30   | 55    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd     |       | 31    | 16    | 7     | 8     | 57    | 32    | +25   | 55    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Wolves        |       | 31    | 15    | 8     | 8     | 52    | 30    | +22   | 53    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Birmingham    |       | 31    | 14    | 8     | 9     | 41    | 36    | +5    | 50    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 17:05

15 games to go and we're looking good for a play-off spot.

We're a long way from the top though. I want to try to finish in 3rd really, if it's possible. That would be a great step forward.

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 18:10

UPDATE FOR FEBRUARY 2019:

Manager Comments for February 2019:

Getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Colchester at home was the real low point of this month. Extremely disappointing as we had done so well to reach that point of the competition and I felt that the tie was winnable.

Otherwise, we made some nice and quiet progress in the league, with the wins against Derby at CP, and Burnley away, the real highlights.

Going out of the cup means that we just have the league to focus on now. We sit second in the table with 11 games to go.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Middlesbrough |       | 35    | 22    | 8     | 5     | 53    | 27    | +26   | 74    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | St. Albans    |       | 35    | 18    | 9     | 8     | 66    | 32    | +34   | 63    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Sheff Utd     |       | 35    | 17    | 9     | 9     | 62    | 38    | +24   | 60    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Wolves        |       | 35    | 17    | 9     | 9     | 57    | 33    | +24   | 60    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Hull          |       | 35    | 17    | 8     | 10    | 47    | 27    | +20   | 59    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Reading       |       | 35    | 14    | 14    | 7     | 49    | 33    | +16   | 56    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**hrbfcrule** · 03-10-2010 18:52

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

15 games to go and we're looking good for a play-off spot.

We're a long way from the top though. I want to try to finish in 3rd really, if it's possible. That would be a great step forward.

3rd? you really should be hopeful of automatic promotion. Good Luck I'm sure you'll be in the premiership nest season

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 19:13

I don't feel like we're anywhere near good enough for the Premier League Hrbfcrule!

I think Joe Hall, Andres Abdesalem, Aleksandar Dimitrov and Victor Yegorov are basically carrying us and would be good enough to step up another level. The rest are pretty average or worse! It's a surprise to me that we're doing so well.

I honestly think we need a rebuild as well. Quite a few older players need to be shipped out. We would also benefit from maybe selling one or two better players and investing any incoming money in the squad. I could also try to bring through some of the homegrown talent I've been storing up and loaning out over the last couple of years!

We'll see what happens though. Obviously, I'm aiming to finish as high as possible, but I'd be happy with 3rd and another season at this level to build!

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 20:12

We're faltering now in the run-in.

Andres Abdesalem was out with a two match suspension. Normally, I would bring in Glyfi but as we lost him in the transfer window I had to rely on lesser talents.

Abdesalem is the heart of the team and the midfield playmaker and we struggled without him and lost two away games in a row.

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 21:10

Standby for the report of a really poor month for St. Albans City.

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 21:17

UPDATE FOR MARCH 2019:

Manager Comments for March 2019:

An awful month for us.

It started well enough with a solid win against Birmingham at home. But it all went downhill from there onwards.

Without our midfield playmaker Andres Abdesalem, who was suspended for three matches, we really struggled. Even worse, midfielders Rodney Strasser and William Carvalho were on international duty and missed two matches, plus defensive midfielder Alaixys Romao was out with an injury. It left us absolutely bare in the heart of midfield and the replacements were not good enough.

We scrapped against all of the sides but only managed one other win, which came against Hartlepool at home. Where there is Yegorov, there is hope, but unfortunately despite some high scoring games, we just couldn't get any points on the board in our away matches this month. With a practically non-existent midfield, we struggled defensively, although we were always a threat going forward. It wasn't enough though.

We've slipped down the table to 5th but we have a game in hand on all of the top sides. If we win it, then we're straight back in the race for promotion. We've got quite a few home games to come, so you never know. Just six games to go now!

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | Pl    | Middlesbrough |       | 41    | 26    | 9     | 6     | 65    | 29    | +36   | 87    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Reading       |       | 41    | 19    | 15    | 7     | 62    | 38    | +24   | 72    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Wolves        |       | 41    | 20    | 11    | 10    | 64    | 38    | +26   | 71    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd     |       | 41    | 20    | 10    | 11    | 73    | 49    | +24   | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | St. Albans    |       | 40    | 20    | 9     | 11    | 73    | 40    | +33   | 69    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Hull          |       | 41    | 19    | 12    | 10    | 53    | 30    | +23   | 69    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 03-10-2010 21:28

Our game in hand is against Watford at Clarence Park.

A Herts derby!

And that's going to be the first game of April.

**hrbfcrule** · 04-10-2010 00:03

I still have faith in you

**Nobby_McDonald** · 04-10-2010 00:54

i don't. You're going to bottle it...

**jackripper** · 04-10-2010 09:05

Originally Posted by Nobby_McDonald

i don't. You're going to bottle it...

lol straight to the point lol

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 10:11

Originally Posted by Nobby_McDonald

i don't. You're going to bottle it...

Nobby obviously knows all about my previous form on FM.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 18:46

Originally Posted by Nobby_McDonald

i don't. You're going to bottle it...

So, I pinned Nobby's post up in the dressing room. We've been playing some great stuff ever since.

Bottle it? Pfffft.

Update coming up.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 18:52

UPDATE FOR APRIL 2019:

Manager Comments for April 2019:

With captain Abdesalem back in the midfield playmaker role, we were back in business, and went about demolishing Watford in our game in hand to put us back into second place. We then did the same to promotion contenders Wolves, putting us back into a great position.

However, beneath us in the table, Reading and Sheffield United just kept on winning, keeping the pressure on. After a fine 2-0 win away at QPR, I thought we were all set for automatic promotion but then we stalled at home to Hull and away to Swindon, allowing Reading and Sheffield United back into the race for automatic promotion.

As it stands, we go into the final game in 3rd place, 1 point off second-placed Reading and level on points with 4th placed Sheffield United. It's going right down to the wire but we are still in a great position!

It's going to be a dramatic final day in the Championship!

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Middlesbrough |       | 45    | 29    | 10    | 6     | 73    | 31    | +42   | 97    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | Pl    | Reading       |       | 45    | 22    | 15    | 8     | 67    | 41    | +26   | 81    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   | Pl    | St. Albans    |       | 45    | 23    | 11    | 11    | 82    | 41    | +41   | 80    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   | Pl    | Sheff Utd     |       | 45    | 23    | 11    | 11    | 83    | 52    | +31   | 80    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   | Pl    | Wolves        |       | 45    | 22    | 11    | 12    | 69    | 44    | +25   | 77    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   | Pl    | Hull          |       | 45    | 21    | 13    | 11    | 59    | 32    | +27   | 76    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 18:56

Final Day Matches:

Norwich City v Reading

St. Albans City v Portsmouth

Birmingham City v Sheffield United

If the Saints win, we are guaranteed third spot in the table. We have to hope that Norwich can get something against Reading. If they do, and we manage to win our game, then we'll go up. In fact, if the results go our way (i.e. Norwich win against Reading and Sheff Utd draw their match), then we may only need a draw to go up automatically thanks to our far superior goal difference.

So we're in a terrific situation really. It's not all in our hands by a long way but ultimately, as long as we win, we have a good chance.

We just need a performance from Norwich! On the ball City!

What price on Glyfi doing us a favour Sigurdsson doing us a favour after we sold him to Norwich in January?

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:00

Just reflecting on this season before the final games, I'm really not quite sure how we have got into this position really. The team doesn't seem good enough for promotion at all in my eyes. It's seems that we're being carried by about two or three players really, mainly captain and midfield playmaker Abdesalem, and withdrawn forward Dimitrov.

If we go up, we'll need a massive rebuilding mission over the summer to survive a season in the Premier League! Anyway, think I'm getting a bit ahead of myself really.

I'm actually really nervous heading into the final matches but I do think we have a great chance! Come on you Saints!

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:02

And guess what? After some ill advised remarks in my latest press conference, I've been given a touchline ban for the must win last match of the season!

Will this help or hinder the Saints?

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:04

And add in yet another distraction in the lead up to the game. My chairman is rumoured to be stepping down to be replaced by one of the club's directors.

There has also been some really bad news as captain and midfield playmaker, Andres Abdesalem, is going to be missing with an injury. He is our best player and has been carrying this team all season. It's awful news.

Things aren't exactly going our way, are they?

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:05

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

Final Day Matches:

Norwich City v Reading

St. Albans City v Portsmouth

Birmingham City v Sheffield United

If the Saints win, we are guaranteed third spot in the table. We have to hope that Norwich can get something against Reading. If they do, and we manage to win our game, then we'll go up. In fact, if the results go our way (i.e. Norwich win against Reading and Sheff Utd draw their match), then we may only need a draw to go up automatically thanks to our far superior goal difference.

So we're in a terrific situation really. It's not all in our hands by a long way but ultimately, as long as we win, we have a good chance.

We just need a performance from Norwich! On the ball City!

What price on Glyfi doing us a favour Sigurdsson doing us a favour after we sold him to Norwich in January?

Before I post up the results and the final table, I'll leave this thread for a bit in case anyone fancies predicting the outcome!

Can Crouchaldinho's Saints win automatic promotion or will they bottle it?

We all know where Nobby strands on this issue!

Will post up the results a bit later this evening.

**hrbfcrule** · 04-10-2010 19:22

You'll win 2-0 with Reading only managing a 1-1 draw against Norwich.

. . . . . . But then Sheff Utd will thrash Birmingham City 12-0 and you'll miss out on automatic promotion by a single goal

**AcidBurn** · 04-10-2010 19:22

3-1 Saints win.

Norwich 1 - 1 Reading.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:31

Thanks for the confidence in my team chaps.

So when you've got a touchline ban, where is the option to communicate with your assistant manager via mobile phone from the stands.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:40

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

So when you've got a touchline ban, where is the option to communicate with your assistant manager via mobile phone from the stands.

I really, really, needed this option. Turns out my assistant manager is an idiot with the tactical awareness of an ITV commentator.

As you can guess from that, things didn't go to plan.

FINAL SCORES:

Birmingham 1 - 2 Sheff Utd

Norwich 0 - 1 Reading

St. Albans City 0 - 2 Portsmouth

What have I learnt from this?

That my assistant manager should stick to his day job and that he certainly isn't the next Mourinho. The idiot took off one of our best players (in Yegorov) at half-time for no reason but left on Dimitrov for the whole match despite the fact that he picked up a bad knock and was injured. He waited until the 85th minute to make a meaningful substitution despite the fact that we needed a bloody goal and he didn't make one change to the tactics to try to get back into the game. It also turns out that he gave them a team talk of 'none' before the match. Mr Motivator, he certainly isn't!

I'm so livid I'm not even going to post a screenshot. I can't be bothered. So you'll have to take my word for it.

We were crap and that's all you need to know. Plus Reading won their game so that was the end of that anyway.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 19:44

Top of the table finished like this:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Middlesbrough |       | 46    | 30    | 10    | 6     | 76    | 32    | +44   | 100   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | P     | Reading       |       | 46    | 23    | 15    | 8     | 68    | 41    | +27   | 84    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   | Pl    | Sheff Utd     |       | 46    | 24    | 11    | 11    | 85    | 53    | +32   | 83    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   | Pl    | St. Albans    |       | 46    | 23    | 11    | 12    | 82    | 43    | +39   | 80    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   | Pl    | Wolves        |       | 46    | 22    | 11    | 13    | 69    | 46    | +23   | 77    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   | Pl    | Hull          |       | 46    | 21    | 13    | 12    | 59    | 33    | +26   | 76    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Now I need to prepare my team for the play-offs. We've drawn Wolves and will play the first leg at Molineux.

**m1234566778** · 04-10-2010 20:21

Unlucky crouchy, bring on the play-offs!

**hrbfcrule** · 04-10-2010 21:23

Unlucky, but you still have a good chance in the playoffs

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 21:26

Cheers guys.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 21:32

The line-up I have been playing all season is roughly this:

Smith
Rhodes, Rodriguez, Hansen, Hall
Albrighton, Strasser, Abdesalem, Vega
Dimitrov
Yegorov

A 4-4-1-1 with Abdesalem as the playmaker.

With Dimitrov (the AMC playing as an inside forward) injured, I decided to make a change to a 4-5-1/4-3-3 style formation for the play-offs, as you will see shortly in my individual match reports.

The line-up would be:

Smith
Rhodes, Rodriguez, Hansen, Hall
Carvalho, Strasser, Abdesalem
Albrighton, Yegorov, Vega

Would this change pay off? Stick around folks.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 21:53

Play-off Semi-Final, First Leg - Wolves 0 - 1 St. Albans City

Formations & Starting Line-ups

Match Details

A superb result with Yegorov scoring a cracking effort to give us a first leg lead to take back to Clarence Park.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 21:56

Play-off Semi-Final, Second Leg - St. Albans City 4 - 1 Wolves (The Saints win 5-1 on aggregate)

Formations & Starting Line-ups

Match Details

I went into this game thinking that we were easily going to see off Wolves and go through to the final. Although that was the case in the end, after about 20 mins I was really panicking.

First of all, our DM, Strasser,got himself sent off for a two-footed lunge. Then we conceded a goal to make it 1-1 on aggregate.

In the end though, we absolutely thrashed Wolves with 10 men and managed to get through to the final.

We would meet Hull City at Wembley to compete for a place in the Premier League.

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 22:01

Play-off Final at Wembley - Hull 2 - 0 St. Albans City

Formations & Starting Line-ups

Match Details

Well, we were absolutely rubbish in the final at Wembley and Hull walked all over us.

The pressure of the situation got to the players, clearly, and my assistant manager feedback indicated that some had 'lost confidence' at half-time.

A depressing end to the season and it just goes to show how unfair the play-offs are! Hull, who finished 6th, are going to be in the Premier League next season.

Anyway, it will give us a chance to build for another season and perhaps we can have a proper crack at automatic promotion next time around. I'm not too disheartened as we massively overachieved as it is and we'll be back soon!

**crouchaldinho** · 04-10-2010 22:10

END OF SEASON 2018/19 LEAGUE TABLE & PLAYER STATS:

Championship Final Standings:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Middlesbrough |       | 46    | 30    | 10    | 6     | 76    | 32    | +44   | 100   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | P     | Reading       |       | 46    | 23    | 15    | 8     | 68    | 41    | +27   | 84    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Sheff Utd     |       | 46    | 24    | 11    | 11    | 85    | 53    | +32   | 83    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | St. Albans    |       | 46    | 23    | 11    | 12    | 82    | 43    | +39   | 80    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Wolves        |       | 46    | 22    | 11    | 13    | 69    | 46    | +23   | 77    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   | P     | Hull          |       | 46    | 21    | 13    | 12    | 59    | 33    | +26   | 76    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Burnley       |       | 46    | 19    | 14    | 13    | 50    | 42    | +8    | 71    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Norwich       |       | 46    | 18    | 16    | 12    | 66    | 50    | +16   | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Colchester    |       | 46    | 19    | 13    | 14    | 58    | 49    | +9    | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Ipswich       |       | 46    | 20    | 10    | 16    | 64    | 57    | +7    | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Walsall       |       | 46    | 17    | 16    | 13    | 57    | 53    | +4    | 67    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Leicester     |       | 46    | 17    | 15    | 14    | 51    | 44    | +7    | 66    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Portsmouth    |       | 46    | 17    | 14    | 15    | 64    | 66    | -2    | 65    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Birmingham    |       | 46    | 16    | 16    | 14    | 56    | 55    | +1    | 64    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Huddersfield  |       | 46    | 16    | 14    | 16    | 64    | 58    | +6    | 62    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Watford       |       | 46    | 13    | 17    | 16    | 52    | 47    | +5    | 56    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Q.P.R.        |       | 46    | 14    | 14    | 18    | 36    | 52    | -16   | 56    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Sheff Wed     |       | 46    | 13    | 12    | 21    | 51    | 72    | -21   | 51    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Swindon       |       | 46    | 11    | 15    | 20    | 53    | 74    | -21   | 48    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Nottm Forest  |       | 46    | 12    | 11    | 23    | 50    | 78    | -28   | 47    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Plymouth      |       | 46    | 11    | 9     | 26    | 42    | 60    | -18   | 42    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  | R     | Scunthorpe    |       | 46    | 10    | 9     | 27    | 39    | 79    | -40   | 39    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 23rd  | R     | Derby         |       | 46    | 9     | 9     | 28    | 30    | 80    | -50   | 36    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 24th  | R     | Hartlepool    |       | 46    | 6     | 7     | 33    | 38    | 96    | -58   | 25    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions)- sorted by average rating:

Code:

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name                       | Position    | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Rsv   | Chris Smith                | GK          | 51      | -     | -     | 1     | 6.84  | 33    | SCO   | £625K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    | Wnt   | James Rhodes               | D RL, WB L  | 36 (1)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.02  | 21    | ENG   | £475K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    |       | Joe Hall                   | D L         | 45 (2)  | -     | 3     | 1     | 7.10  | 19    | ENG   | £2M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Wnt   | Borja Rodríguez Sánchez    | D RC        | 44 (1)  | 3     | 2     | 2     | 7.14  | 24    | ESP   | £240K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Rodney Hansen              | D C         | 50      | 2     | 2     | 1     | 6.77  | 18    | BEL   | £1M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   | Wnt   | Alaixys Romao              | DM, M C     | 9 (9)   | -     | 2     | -     | 6.63  | 35    | TOG   | £2K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Wnt   | William Carvalho           | DM, M C     | 14 (7)  | 2     | 4     | -     | 7.12  | 27    | ANG   | £100K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Rsv   | Andrés Abdesalam           | M C         | 44      | 7     | 15    | 5     | 7.31  | 24    | ESP   | £2.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   |       | Marc Albrighton            | AM R        | 35 (9)  | 4     | 6     | -     | 6.95  | 29    | ENG   | £275K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   | Rsv   | Lazaros Christodoulopoulos | AM RLC, F C | 21 (17) | 3     | 4     | 3     | 6.93  | 32    | GRE   | £700K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Loa   | Aleksandar Dimitrov        | AM/F C      | 47 (3)  | 25    | 10    | 6     | 7.21  | 21    | BUL   | £4.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Inj   | Billy Malone               | GK          | 4       | -     | -     | -     | 6.60  | 18    | ENG   | £725K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | Wnt   | Matthew Kilgallon          | D LC        | 14 (17) | -     | -     | -     | 6.72  | 35    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    | Loa   | John Joynes                | M C         | 3       | 1     | -     | -     | 6.73  | 20    | ENG   | £500K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    | Loa   | Neil Simpson               | M C         | 2 (7)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.76  | 20    | ENG   | £650K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Wnt   | Nabil Etchegaray           | AM RC       | 2 (5)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.58  | 23    | FRA   | £45K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    | Wnt   | José Antonio Gómez         | AM RL       | 21 (17) | 4     | 3     | 1     | 6.73  | 21    | ESP   | £1.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | Wnt   | Victor Yegorov             | ST          | 45 (3)  | 30    | 11    | 9     | 7.10  | 21    | UKR   | £2.3M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Kevin Doyle                | ST          | 1 (6)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.36  | 35    | IRL   | £4.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Jonás                      | AM RL       | 20 (10) | 3     | 4     | 2     | 7.07  | 35    | ARG   | £3.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Rodney Strasser            | DM, M C     | 33 (1)  | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.91  | 29    | SLE   | £140K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Haris Vuckic               | AM/F C      | 6 (13)  | 1     | 4     | -     | 6.81  | 26    | SVN   | £250K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Luke Hoyte YP1             | D RL        | 23      | -     | 3     | 1     | 6.90  | 25    | ENG   | £110K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Mick Hodgson               | D RC        | 6 (5)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.51  | 26    | IRL   | £14K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Marc Vega                  | AM L, ST    | 21 (23) | 12    | 8     | 2     | 6.98  | 22    | ESP   | £1.9M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**m1234566778** · 04-10-2010 22:13

Oh ffs crouchy! Never mind always next season. But what a win against Wolves. KUTGW!

**hrbfcrule** · 05-10-2010 00:28

Really unlucky there next season will be your season

**Nobby_McDonald** · 05-10-2010 00:39

I didn't want to be right... but I did say you'd bottle it!

**jackripper** · 05-10-2010 12:19

unlucky mate got to be looking at a title challenge surely now

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 12:49

Yes, I hope so jackripper. We should be much stronger next time around as I am going to do quite a bit of rebuilding.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 12:51

Obviously, team gelling is going to have an impact as well, as I am planning major changes to the squad.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 13:40

Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save - St. Albans City in the Championship (Season Ten at Clarence Park - 2018/19)

End of Season 2018/19 Screenshots:

League Table - see above post for the full league table. Our 4th place finish was a record high for the club:

League Positions Graph - as you can see, it was steady progress throughout the season and just missed out on automatic promotion at the end of the season.

FA Cup - Barely a decent run and we probably should have gone further really. We didn't play any big sides, which was a disappointment. However, it is the furthest the club has ever been in the competition.

League Cup - Same old story. We were went out fairly early, although the third round is a slight improvement!

Transfers - We managed to raise £1.2m through sales, which is always pretty essential considering our poor financial situation. The biggest frustration was losing Glyfi Sigurdsson to Norwich in January after the chairman accepted the bid on my behalf! All of my new signings were free transfers, as usual, so we didn't spend a penny on improving the first team. Victor Yegorov was a sensation and ended up being thebest signing in the whole division in the end of season summary. Out of the loan players, Dimitrov was excellent, plus Hansen and Hall were pretty good.

Key players:

Joe Hall - Really solid fullback who came in on loan from Blackburn and really helped us out at the back. Definitely a player I will be looking to sign permanently if the opportunity arrises.

Andres Abdesalam - Abdesalam has been absolutely brilliant as our advanced playmaker in the midfield. I made him captain when the season began and decided that he would dictate the play in our team. 7 goals and 15 assists says it all really. Once again, he is going to be key to any success we have in the future, and he is still young at 24. My coaches rate him as a good Premier League player and he more or less carried the team this season.

Aleksandar Dimitrov - Another player who basically carried the team. He is a class act. 25 goals and 10 assists is a great return and he got most of them playing in the hole as an inside forward. I hope to bring him back next season and would love to sign him up if the opportunity is there. May try retraining him as an AML to play the inside forward role cutting inside from the left next season if I can get him on loan again.

Victor Yegorov - Scored 23 goals in the league and 30 overall. Sensational. A tortured genius who can't seem to keep his emotions in order. He's a hard one to manage but when he is on fire, he'll score goals all day long. The only real weakness he has is a lack of ability in the air, which worries me, especially when he is up front on his own. He is also poor at coping with pressure and gets complacent easily, so I may look to bring in another forward to rotate with Yegorov next season. Getting some interest from Premier League clubs, so may have to sell if the price is right.

Those four players are by far the best in the team and more or less carried us through the season. Without them, we were poor, but with them all on form, we were capable of beating anyone in the league on our day.

Team of the Season - Pretty close. Can't find much fault with it to be honest.

Overall Best XI - As usual, a bit off, but not too bad considering it never quite gets it right and makes some odd choices on occasion.

Other Club Info:

Fans’ Player of the season: Andres Abdesalem for a second year running.
Signing of the season: Yegorov on a free.
Top goalscorer(s): Aleksandar Dimitrov 25 in the league (25 goals in all competitions). Yegorov 23 in the league (30 goals in all competitions).
Most Assists: Abdesalam, as usual, with 14 in the league (15 in all competitions).
Most MoM awards: Yegorov with 9.
Best Average Rating: Andres Abdesalam 7.31 (44 apps).

Average Attendance: 5,958 (a small increase on last year).
Season Tickets: 1,489 (three more sold than last season!)

Club finances: Finances are much better. We have a new sponsorship deal and things are looking much better at the club.

City Legends: Wilfred Minter, Steve Clark, Phil Wood (no new additions).
City Icons: Colin Lippiatt, Lee Clarke, Peter Risley, Kevin Mudd, Richard Evans, Paul Bastock (no new additions).
City Favourites: Steven Hetherington, Andres Abdesalam (Crouchaldinho removed!

)

Most League Apps for Club - Steve Clark 488 (all time), Luke Hoyte 268 (current).
Most League Goals for Club - Steve Clark 322 (all time), Aleksandar Dimitrov 43 (current).

Youth academy products season reports (the youngsters that my assistant recommended):

Luke Hoyte (YP1) - Luke is playing beyond his level now but is still fairly solid and reliable when called upon. Very much a backup now though. I want to keep him on so that he can taste Premier League football - then he will have played in all divisions as we have risen up the leagues!

Ryan Jones (YP2) - Ryan moved on as he wasn't going to make the grade.

YP3 - I'm afraid I didn't even bother recording who YP3 was. The whole in-take was a complete dud. Not one decent player.

Stephen Greenwood (YP4) - Not good enough in the end so I released him.

Alex Cooke (YP5) - Not good enough so had to release him. Made 21 apps for the first team and scored 1 goal.

John Armstrong (YP6) - Not good enough after another loan spell, so he has been sold to Notts County (2019). Made 2 apps for us overall.

Graham Hill (YP7) - I doubted that this lad had the ability to make it and so it proved. Released.

Glen Miller (YP8) - Woeful mental attributes have not improved. Will give him more loan time but having doubts and will likely have to let him go if we don't see some proper improvement.

David Waite YP8b - This guy wasn't even the recommended player from his batch. He has improved after loan time and I'm definitely going to give him some first team minutes this season. He's looking very decent. The first player who looks like he might be a first-teamer since Luke Hoyte all those years ago!

Liam Maskell YP9- Last season's intake gave me this lad. The basics are there and my coaches seem to rate his potential. He'll get loan time this season.

100 club (players that have made 100 league apps for the club under my management):

Code:

Name                	Position  	Era             Apps	Goals	Honours	
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke Hoyte (YP1)	DL		2010-Present	264	3	Blue Square South (2012)
									Blue Square Premier (2014)
									Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Laurence Gaughan	DRC		2009-2015	152	3	Blue Square South (2012)
									Blue Square Premier (2014)
									Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Sol Shields		MC		2009-2014	152	10	Blue Square South (2012)


Steven Hetherington	AMLC		2013-2017	146	21	Blue Square Premier (2014)
									Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Ryan Carolan		DLC       	2009-2013	137	3    	Blue Square South (2012)

Mick Hodgson 		DC		2014-2019	131	7	Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Horacio Palomino	ST		2015-2018	127	63	

Borja Rodriguez Sanchez	DC		2016-Present	124	4	

Craig Calver 		ST 		2009-2015	122	45	Blue Square South (2012)
									Blue Square Premier (2014)
									Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

William Carvalho	DM/MC		2015-Present	112	6

JJ O'Donnell		AMRLC		2009-2014	111	10	Blue Square South (2012)

Ben Martin 		DC		2010-2014	109	4	Blue Square South (2012)

James Rhodes		DR		2016-Present	108	1	

Peter Smith		DL		2009-2013	105 	4	Blue Square South (2012)

Paul Hakim 		FC		2009-2013	102	27	Blue Square South (2012)

James Quilter		DRC/DM/MC	2009-2013	102	1	Blue Square South (2012)

James Fisher		DR/MC		2009-2013	100	2	Blue Square South (2012)

Alfie Potter		AMR		2012-2015	100	17	Blue Square Premier (2014)
									Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Other News:

- The Big Boys:
o Man Utd win their first league title since 2012 and finally stop the dominance of their rivals Man City who won the title four times in a row last season. Arsenal, Man City and Blackburn are all a fair way off the pace but complete the top four. West Brom, Leeds and Rotherham are relegated.
o Arsenal win the FA Cup defeating Chelsea in the final.
o Chelsea win the League Cup beating Blackburn in the final.
o Barcelona win the Champions League title defeating FC Bayern in the final.
o The Europa is won by Real Madrid with Chelsea as runners-up.

- Local Interests:
o Bishop's Stortford ended up in the BSN and finished in a lower mid-table position.
o Boreham Wood finished in a mid-table position in the BSS.
o Luton were relegated from League One after finishing in the play-offs last season. They finished in 21st place in the league.
o Stevenage finished 2nd in the BSN but lost in the play-offs.
o Just for a change, Watford finished in yet another mid-table position in the Championship. It's happened every season so far!

- Ex-Saints:

Nobody has really gone on to have fame and fortune elsewhere.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 13:54

My Manager Awards:

- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Year Third Place.
- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month for April.
- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month for February.

- 2014/15 Coca-Cola League Two Manager of the Year.

- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year.
- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for April.
- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for March.
- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for December.

- 2012/13 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year Third Place.
- 2012/13 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for December.

- 2011/12 Blue Square South Manager of the Season.

- 2010/11 Blue Square Manager of the Month for September.
- 2010/11 Blue Square South Manager of the Season Third Place.

- 2009/10 Blue Square South Manager of the Season Runner-up.

Career Overview:

My managerial record at the Saints (2009 - Present [3275 days])::

Code:

P 	W 	D 	L 	F	A	Win % 		Competitions Won
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
522	270	141	111	842	512	51.72%		Coca-Cola League Two (2015)
								Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Blue Square South (2012)

Cups:

Code:

| Season 	| FA Cup	| League Cup	|  FL Trophy	| FA Trophy		
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------  
| 09/10 (BSS) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| N/A		|  N/A		| 3rd Qual Rnd 
| 10/11 (BSS) 	| 1st Rnd    	| N/A   	|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 11/12 (BSS) 	| 2nd Rnd    	| N/A 		|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 12/13 (BSP) 	| 2nd Rnd    	| N/A 		|  N/A		| 3rd Rnd
| 13/14 (BSP)	| 3rd Rnd    	| N/A		|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 14/15 (L2) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 1st Rnd 	|  1st Rnd	| N/A
| 15/16 (L1) 	| 1st Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  S Semi	| N/A
| 16/17 (L1) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  1st Rnd	| N/A
| 17/18 (Ch) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  N/A  	| N/A
| 18/19 (Ch) 	| 5th Rnd    	| 3rd Rnd 	|  N/A  	| N/A

League:

Code:

Season      	Team      		League      	Position   	Achievements & Notes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009/10      	St. Albans City   	BSS	    	4th      	FA Cup 3rd Rnd
2010/11		St. Albans City   	BSS	    	2nd      	Play-off finalists
2011/12		St. Albans City   	BSS	    	1st		BSS Champions, Manager of the Season
2012/13		St. Albans City   	BSP	    	5th      	
2013/14		St. Albans City		BSP		1st		BSP Champions, Manager of the Season
2014/15		St. Albans City		CCL2		1st		League Two Champions, Manager of the Season
2015/16		St. Albans City		CCL1		3rd		Play-off finalists
2016/17		St. Albans City		CCL1		2nd		Automatic Promotion
2017/18		St. Albans City		CCCh		7th		
2018/19		St. Albans City		CCCh		4th		Play-off finalists

Misc. screenshots:

Last season, we set a new attendance record:

We finally have a new sponsorship deal:

And last but not least, our stadium is being expanded (but not by much!):

Next Season: It was a general improvement all round this year. A higher league finish and more progress in both of the cups. More of the same for next season, I hope.

I've decided to change the formation to a 4-5-1/4-3-3 system and I'll be looking to strengthen in all positions really. Several players are going to have to be released and the likes of Jonas and Yobo are retiring. We really need to get rid of some of the fringe players and improve the squad quality and depth from a proper promotion push next time around.

COYS!

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 13:55

I convinced Yobo and Jonas to become coaches at the club after their retirement.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 13:57

In other news, one of the directors has taken over the club:

No investment though:

Let's hope this new guy has more resources to put into the club, although I also hope he is is not an interfering type of chairman. The last guy may have been crap and not very helpful but at least he didn't interfere very much.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 13:59

In pre-season, I was approached for the Leeds United job after they were relegated from the Premier League last season:

I turned it down of course. Dirty, dirty Leeds!

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 14:42

I was tempted to head off to Italy and to have a quick season with Hellas Verona on my calcio save. However, the calling of taking St. Albans City to the Premier League is too strong and so I've decided to get straight on with another season with the Saints!

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 15:10

PRE-SEASON 2019/20 TRANSFERS:

Transfers

This was a summer of change at Clarence Park as I sought to make the changes that would push us upwards and onwards, and take us to the next level.

I was ruthless in clearing the deadwood and fringe players from the side. Kevin Doyle, Alaixys Romao and Matthew Killgallon were all deemed too old. Mick Hodgson and Nabil Etchegaray were deemed surplus to requirements. As were several other young players who I felt would not make the grade. All were thanked for their efforts and sent on their way. We raised £1.5m in transfer fees received, which I thought was pretty decent business. Losing the talented Marc Vega to Hertha BSC was a blow and that was the only negative piece of business in terms of outgoings for the club this summer.

In terms of the incomings, first of all, I was able to tempt Aleksandar Dimitrov and Joe Hall, back from Chelsea and Blackburn respectively. Both joined the club on loan until the end of the season.

In terms of signings, I did some major business, bringing in no less than 11 players who would be in the first-team squad this season. The biggest names were ex-England internationals Leighton Baines and Michael Johnson. I also strengthened in pretty much every position in order to ensure improvement from the squad this season.

All in all, it was a pretty massive overhaul and rebuilding of the squad. I'll have to be patient, no doubt, due to the team gelling, but I feel we now have the quality and depth to take us to the next level.

I decided to change the formation this season to a 4-5-1-/4-3-3. I was desperate to move to using three midfielders in the middle due to the wealth of talent we have in that position, especially William Carlvalho and captain Andres Abdesalem.

This is my anticipated starting XI for the first game of the season:

New signing Luis Bianchi will start in goal. At the back, Rodriguez Sanchez and Joe Hall remain, and they are joined by new signings Scott Cuthbert, a solid Scottish centre-back, and Dutch attacking fullback Gianni Zuiverloon.

In the midfield, new signing Rodney Strasser will usually start at DM but in this shot we see new signing Vito Favalli (as Strasser has an injury). In the midfield, Carvalho will partner captain and advanced playmaker Andres Abdesalem.

Playing in the wide attacking positions are Dutch wing-forward Rob Kogeldans, and local youth product David Waite (YP8b). My intention is to retrain Dimitrov as an AML to play inside forward, so he will be a starter later in the season. Kogeldans, I can basically describe as being like the new Dirk Kuyt. He's hard working with phenomenal work rate, and a good, solid all rounder.

At centre-forward, we'll be playing new signing Jokin Saiz, a Spanish centre-forward. He's quick, good in the air, strong and a great all round striker. He will rotate with Victor Yegorov.

So it's a lot of new changes but we've improved the quality and depth of the squad quite dramatically. Hopefully the players will blend well and quickly. I think we've done enough this summer to ensure that we have a great chance of pushing for promotion come the end of the season. The only worry is that we will probably have a slow start due to all of the changes, but if we can shake that off quickly and find some form, we'll be up there come the end of the season.

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 15:13

I'm loving my 'magic triangle' in midfield of Strasser, Carvalho and Abdesalem. Could be the key to our season.

**hrbfcrule** · 05-10-2010 17:54

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

I was tempted to head off to Italy and to have a quick season with Hellas Verona on my calcio save. However, the calling of taking St. Albans City to the Premier League is too strong and so I've decided to get straight on with another season with the Saints!

Good choice

.

Do you need a new stadium yet? I know yours is being expanded but ~1300 more surely cant be enough

**crouchaldinho** · 05-10-2010 18:07

Definitely need a new stadium. CP is 6,000 capacity. Another 1,000 or so isn't really going to do it for the Premier League, is it? Plus, we'll only have a couple of thousand seats after the works have been done!

**crouchaldinho** · 07-10-2010 15:03

UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2019:

Manager Comments for August 2019:

A slow but steady start for us in our third season in the Championship. We started off really well but then struggled to beat Birmingham at home and were beaten by QPR away.

This is pretty much what I was expecting with so many new faces and I will need to ride it out and hope for improvement as the team gels.

We finished off the month pretty well and can be pleased with our progress in the League Cup. All in all, a fairly decent start but clearly lots of hard work ahead.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 9     | 7     | +2    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | West Brom    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 7     | 5     | +2    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | St. Albans   |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 5     | 3     | +2    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Watford      |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 7     | 6     | +1    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Sheff Wed    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 2     | +1    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 07-10-2010 15:07

In the end, I changed my mind about the formation and I decided that we would probably be best employing either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 formation depending on the game plan and the personnel available. These are more or less my favourite formations really.

The potential line-ups are:

I think the 4-4-1-1 will be used most often because Dimitrov is so brilliant as inside forward from this position and will score goals and play a key part in attack. Also, our two main strikers will probably need to be rested for different reasons during the course of the season. Yegorov is, as we have already established, temperamental and likely to lose the plot at times. Saiz, on the other hand, has quite low natural fitness. It was a slight risk signing him in a way but he was such a skilled forward that I thought it a worthwhile risk. He'll score goals and is a great all rounder so even if he has to miss some games, I still think he'll have a big contribution to make this season.

**AcidBurn** · 07-10-2010 16:32

I can never get 4-4-2 to work on any FM. Not the best start but not too bad always best to come into form in the middle of the season and hold it until the end.

On another subject tried to PM you but it said you had exceeded your stored message limit or something.

**crouchaldinho** · 07-10-2010 16:51

Originally Posted by AcidBurn

I can never get 4-4-2 to work on any FM.

I always find 4-4-2 the most easy to get working personally! 4-4-1-1 is my favourite though as I like to have a creative hole player if possible.

Not the best start but not too bad always best to come into form in the middle of the season and hold it until the end.

That's true. I knew I would have a slow start due to the team gelling. It'll hopefully come good towards Christmas and then, fingers crossed, I can start to push on!

On another subject tried to PM you but it said you had exceeded your stored message limit or something.

Oh, I'll look into that straight away. Feel free to try again in a minute.

**Saxonaitor** · 07-10-2010 17:55

Norwich better get promoted this season!

Don't really care about St Albans really

**crouchaldinho** · 07-10-2010 18:52

How dare you!

**crouchaldinho** · 11-10-2010 19:04

UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for September 2019:

Pretty good. Three wins out of four in the league, with the only blot on our copy book being the loss away to Wolves.

We were well beaten by Aston Villa away in the League Cup but we didn't expect much more really.

Right now, I'm a bit concerned that despite my overhaul of the team, I haven't actually improved it that much. It's basically a bit of a Liverpool situation. I've got a kind of Gerrard and Torres situation on my hand. Two, or maybe in my case, three players who are really carrying the team with their quality. In my case, that's Abdesalem, Dimitrov and Yegorov.

I guess I won't really be able to tell until we hit some good gelling and played more games. I do feel that we're not as strong as I'd like on the wings and in the centre of defence. Time will tell though whether some of the younger players can step up and do a job for us in those positions. Specifically the likes of Nuno Paiva, David Waite and Jose Antonio Gomez.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 21    | 12    | +9    | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 18    | 10    | +8    | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | St. Albans   |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 13    | 8     | +5    | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Leeds        |       | 9     | 4     | 3     | 2     | 16    | 8     | +8    | 15    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Rotherham    |       | 10    | 4     | 3     | 3     | 12    | 10    | +2    | 15    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**DSYoungEsq** · 12-10-2010 02:31

It's early days, and you've only lost 2. I find that the surest path to success is keeping the losses firmly in check; eventually the wins fall into place more so than draws. Your really tied for fourth right now, since goal difference so early is a poor indicator of later results.

**crouchaldinho** · 12-10-2010 08:50

My worry is that any injuries to a key players could hit us hard. The squad depth isn't much better than last season, and, to be honest, last season the lack of quality backups probably cost us promotion at the end of the season.

**jackripper** · 13-10-2010 12:19

i didnt realise you was in fm mate as a regen. I just signed you for Celtic, have yoiu signed yourself before mate

**crouchaldinho** · 13-10-2010 12:30

Originally Posted by jackripper

i didnt realise you was in fm mate as a regen. I just signed you for Celtic, have yoiu signed yourself before mate

I signed myself on my calcio save but I'm rubbish so I just loan myself out to Serie C2 clubs and I maybe get a handful of games a season.

On this save (the Saints one) I am a half decent League One level central midfielder playing for Bristol Rovers. I tried to sign me but I didn't want to come.

**jackripper** · 13-10-2010 12:34

hahahahaha thats epic fair play. im gonna sign you every save i can

**crouchaldinho** · 13-10-2010 13:03

Awesome.

Let me know if I'm ever any good!

**hrbfcrule** · 13-10-2010 14:04

Will you be in fm11 as well?

**crouchaldinho** · 13-10-2010 14:09

I hope so!

**jackripper** · 13-10-2010 14:50

who needs a son in the game when your in it as yourself lol

**crouchaldinho** · 13-10-2010 15:21

It would still be awesome to have a son!

And to be honest, I usually come out as an absolutely useless player. I don't think I've really seen myself as a half decent player once.

**crouchaldinho** · 14-10-2010 20:15

UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 2019:

Manager Comments for October 2019:

It started off with a really disappointing defeat in our Hertfordshire derby, as we were well beaten away to Watford.

After that, it just got better and better. We beat Wallsall away, and picked up wins against Leeds and Huddersfield at home.

A 2-2 draw against Preston finished off the month. This was a disappointment, as we took an early lead but then went complacent and conceded twice. In the end, we rescued a point with a goal from Dimitrov, but Preston are bottom of the league and we ought to be winning games like this if we want to have any hope of promotion this season.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 14    | 9     | 3     | 2     | 34    | 15    | +19   | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | West Brom    |       | 14    | 7     | 6     | 1     | 21    | 10    | +11   | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 14    | 8     | 3     | 3     | 25    | 16    | +9    | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 14    | 8     | 1     | 5     | 26    | 16    | +10   | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Q.P.R.       |       | 14    | 7     | 4     | 3     | 21    | 14    | +7    | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 14-10-2010 20:18

Great record from Aleksandar Dimitrov - I'm desperate to sign him if I can!

50 goals in 100 games and all from the inside forward position (AMC) behind Yegorov.

**Flamers** · 14-10-2010 20:29

Originally Posted by crouchaldinho

In the end, I changed my mind about the formation and I decided that we would probably be best employing either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 formation depending on the game plan and the personnel available. These are more or less my favourite formations really.

The potential line-ups are:

I think the 4-4-1-1 will be used most often because Dimitrov is so brilliant as inside forward from this position and will score goals and play a key part in attack. Also, our two main strikers will probably need to be rested for different reasons during the course of the season. Yegorov is, as we have already established, temperamental and likely to lose the plot at times. Saiz, on the other hand, has quite low natural fitness. It was a slight risk signing him in a way but he was such a skilled forward that I thought it a worthwhile risk. He'll score goals and is a great all rounder so even if he has to miss some games, I still think he'll have a big contribution to make this season.

I play a 4-4-1-1, I started with two wingers on attack and two central mids on defence, since i changed one to support with no effect on goals conceded however I have my AMC on attack duty and by god it helps!! My AMC's together have scored 25 in ~50 games this season

Flamers

**hrbfcrule** · 14-10-2010 21:56

Automatic promotion definately on this season

Thats a fantastic scoring record by Aleksander Dimitrov especially as he isn't even a striker. How much do you think it'll cost to buy him off of Chelsea?

**crouchaldinho** · 16-10-2010 21:06

Originally Posted by hrbfcrule

Automatic promotion definately on this season

I hope you're right!

Thats a fantastic scoring record by Aleksander Dimitrov especially as he isn't even a striker. How much do you think it'll cost to buy him off of Chelsea?

I have no idea to be honest. Probably way more than I can afford.

**crouchaldinho** · 16-10-2010 21:13

UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for November 2019:

Not a bad month, with two wins recorded and three draws.

I'm happy enough with the two away draws, and especially happy with the home wins against fellow promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City.

The major disappointment was mucking up against Southend. We threw away a 1-0 lead and at one point found ourselves 2-1 down before getting back to 2-2. We need to be winning these sorts of games, even more so at home!

Anyway, otherwise it was a pretty decent month and I'm happy enough with how things are progressing.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Leeds        |       | 19    | 11    | 4     | 4     | 33    | 14    | +19   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 19    | 12    | 1     | 6     | 33    | 19    | +14   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 19    | 10    | 6     | 3     | 36    | 24    | +12   | 36    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 19    | 10    | 5     | 4     | 39    | 23    | +16   | 35    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 19    | 10    | 4     | 5     | 31    | 21    | +10   | 34    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**AcidBurn** · 17-10-2010 09:55

Looking good so far Crouchy, I get a feeling this is the season.

**crouchaldinho** · 18-10-2010 13:55

UPDATE FOR DECEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for December 2019:

The busy Christmas period has proved to be a bad time for my St. Albans City sides over the years. It's always the most difficult time because you need to manage the squad, rest unfit players and rotate, in order to cope with the non-stop fixtures. In the end, this was one rare occasion where I felt reasonably pleased with our results.

It didn't start off too badly but then we had a bit of a blip in the middle of the month with a loss to Nottm Forest and a draw at home to Rotherham.

Things really improved towards the end of the month as we managed three straight wins. I think things are really starting to come together for the squad now and clearly we have more depth than last season. Hopefully this will stand us in good stead for the truly key and most exciting part of the season in my opinion - the last four months where everything will be decided.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 26    | 15    | 5     | 6     | 53    | 28    | +25   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 26    | 14    | 8     | 4     | 46    | 30    | +16   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Leeds        |       | 25    | 14    | 7     | 4     | 43    | 20    | +23   | 49    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 26    | 15    | 3     | 8     | 48    | 33    | +15   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 26    | 14    | 6     | 6     | 42    | 28    | +14   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

COYS!

**Flamers** · 18-10-2010 14:00

well done

i would try and get a bit more depth in your back 4 maybe? if you could cut down on goals conceded then you would be flying!!

Flamers

**crouchaldinho** · 18-10-2010 14:00

END OF THE YEAR (2019) LEAGUE TABLE & PLAYER STATS:

Championship Standings on 31/12/2019 (after 26 games):

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 26    | 15    | 5     | 6     | 53    | 28    | +25   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 26    | 14    | 8     | 4     | 46    | 30    | +16   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Leeds        |       | 25    | 14    | 7     | 4     | 43    | 20    | +23   | 49    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 26    | 15    | 3     | 8     | 48    | 33    | +15   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 26    | 14    | 6     | 6     | 42    | 28    | +14   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Rotherham    |       | 26    | 12    | 9     | 5     | 35    | 23    | +12   | 45    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | West Brom    |       | 26    | 11    | 10    | 5     | 36    | 21    | +15   | 43    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Watford      |       | 25    | 12    | 6     | 7     | 27    | 20    | +7    | 42    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Q.P.R.       |       | 26    | 11    | 8     | 7     | 31    | 23    | +8    | 41    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Sheff Wed    |       | 25    | 11    | 4     | 10    | 30    | 25    | +5    | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Ipswich      |       | 26    | 11    | 4     | 11    | 36    | 35    | +1    | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Burnley      |       | 25    | 10    | 6     | 9     | 37    | 34    | +3    | 36    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Walsall      |       | 26    | 9     | 8     | 9     | 41    | 39    | +2    | 35    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Leicester    |       | 26    | 9     | 7     | 10    | 21    | 29    | -8    | 34    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Southend     |       | 26    | 8     | 8     | 10    | 30    | 34    | -4    | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Plymouth     |       | 25    | 9     | 4     | 12    | 19    | 30    | -11   | 31    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Birmingham   |       | 25    | 7     | 9     | 9     | 36    | 34    | +2    | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Coventry     |       | 26    | 8     | 6     | 12    | 22    | 34    | -12   | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Wolves       |       | 26    | 7     | 8     | 11    | 41    | 39    | +2    | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Huddersfield |       | 26    | 8     | 5     | 13    | 36    | 42    | -6    | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Swindon      |       | 25    | 6     | 4     | 15    | 24    | 47    | -23   | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Portsmouth   |       | 25    | 3     | 8     | 14    | 23    | 38    | -15   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 23rd  |       | Colchester   |       | 26    | 3     | 8     | 15    | 25    | 50    | -25   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 24th  |       | Preston      |       | 24    | 3     | 3     | 18    | 16    | 62    | -46   | 12    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions)- sorted by average rating:

Code:

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name                    | Position     | Apps  | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Wnt   | Luis Bianchi            | GK           | 28    | -     | -     | -     | 6.82  | 26    | ARG   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    | Rsv   | James Rhodes            | D RL, WB L   | 1     | -     | 1     | 1     | 8.20  | 21    | ENG   | £275K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    | PR    | Joe Hall                | D L          | 4     | -     | 1     | -     | 7.13  | 19    | ENG   | £2.4M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Borja Rodríguez Sánchez | D RC         | 21    | -     | -     | -     | 6.78  | 24    | ESP   | £325K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | André Pinto             | D C          | 23 (1)| 2     | -     | 1     | 6.95  | 30    | POR   | £350K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MR    | Unh   | Marc Albrighton         | AM R         | 14 (7)| 3     | 5     | 1     | 6.78  | 30    | ENG   | £100K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ML    | Rsv   | Nuno Paiva              | AM RL        | 2 (9) | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.99  | 19    | POR   | £1.3M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Sus   | Rodney Strasser         | DM, M C      | 19 (2)| 1     | 4     | -     | 7.07  | 29    | SLE   | £210K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    |       | Andrés Abdesalam        | M C          | 23 (1)| 2     | 6     | 3     | 7.23  | 25    | ESP   | £3.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Wnt   | Victor Yegorov          | ST           | 23 (1)| 15    | 4     | 3     | 7.18  | 22    | UKR   | £3.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Inj   | Rob Kogeldans           | AM R, ST     | 14 (8)| 7     | 3     | 2     | 6.94  | 24    | NED   | £2.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Wnt   | Leighton Baines         | D/WB/M L     | 19 (1)| -     | 2     | -     | 6.80  | 35    | ENG   | £160K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | Rsv   | Scott Cuthbert          | D C          | 8 (3) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.83  | 32    | SCO   | £325K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    |       | Vito Favalli            | D C, DM, M C | 9 (1) | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.92  | 25    | ITA   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    | Inj   | Michael Johnson         | M C          | 3 (7) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.60  | 31    | ENG   | £500K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Rsv   | William Carvalho        | M C          | 8 (4) | 1     | 3     | 1     | 6.94  | 27    | ANG   | £170K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    | Wnt   | Jokin Saiz              | ST           | 6 (7) | 3     | 3     | 1     | 7.02  | 23    | ESP   | £2.3M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | PR    | José Antonio Gómez      | AM RL        | 4 (14)| 3     | 1     | -     | 6.79  | 22    | ESP   | £1.8M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Gianni Zuiverloon       | D/WB R       | 28    | -     | 2     | 1     | 6.99  | 33    | NED   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Tamás Kádár             | D LC         | 3 (3) | -     | -     | -     | 6.83  | 29    | HUN   | £140K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Haris Vuckic            | AM/F C       | 1 (5) | -     | 2     | -     | 6.78  | 27    | SVN   | £190K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Luke Hoyte YP1          | D RL         | 6 (7) | -     | 2     | -     | 6.92  | 26    | ENG   | £130K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Aleksandar Dimitrov     | AM/F C       | 21 (3)| 8     | 4     | 4     | 7.13  | 21    | BUL   | £4.5M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | David Waite YP8b        | AM L         | 26    | 1     | 3     | -     | 6.82  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

**crouchaldinho** · 18-10-2010 14:04

I thought I would go back to doing the table & player stats at the end of the year because it gives a flavour of how the team are performing.

Note that above, I have quite a few injuries and have been forced into rotation by the number of fixtures in a short space of time. The preferred starting XI has generally been:

Bianchi
Zuiverloon - Sanchez - Pinto - Hall
Albrighton - Strasser - Abdesalem - Gomez
Dimitrov
Yegorov

**jackripper** · 18-10-2010 14:47

come on crouchie bring home that title mate

**Saxonaitor** · 19-10-2010 15:41

Norwich! \o/ Into the premiership with St Albans cmon

**crouchaldinho** · 24-10-2010 21:55

UPDATE FOR JANUARY 2020:

Manager Comments for January 2020:

We kicked off 2020 with a loss in the FA Cup against our Hertfordshire rivals Watford. Very frustrating.

A couple of wins against Colchester and Coventry in the league brightened my mood, however.

We finished the month with a 1-0 loss away to Sheffield Wednesday.

We are struggling to show the kind of tenacity we need to grind out the results away from home right now. Our away form has been pretty disappointing this season, to be honest, so this is definitely something we need to improve in if we want to be looking at promotion come the end of the season.

Current League Position:

Code:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 29    | 17    | 5     | 7     | 60    | 32    | +28   | 56    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 29    | 16    | 8     | 5     | 52    | 32    | +20   | 56    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 29    | 17    | 4     | 8     | 55    | 34    | +21   | 55    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Leeds        |       | 29    | 14    | 11    | 4     | 45    | 22    | +23   | 53    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | West Brom    |       | 29    | 14    | 10    | 5     | 45    | 24    | +21   | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

COYS!

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