FM14 - The hunt for the old lady Version 2.0

THE HUNT FOR THE OLD LADY

Background:

After a bug finished my hunt for Gundo's challenge I've decided to try another journeyman save. I had my first real journeyman save last year and I had great fun.

My FM13 Journeyman career

I'm looking forward to yet again trying a variety of tactics.

Goal:

Once again I will have no real goals other than that I would like to manage Juventus at some time.

Setup:

Playable:

Wales, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Ireland, Hungary, Slovenia, Sweden, Belarus, Norway

View-only:

All other standard european leagues

All leagues loaded in the selected nations. I will change the playable leagues as my reputation rises.

Database size is Large.

I'm starting in July 2013. I will continue through the initial jobs and wait for openings after the initial available clubs.

The Manager:

My name is Danilo Bandini. I'm a 25-year-old italian manager.

After 5 years as a youth manager for Juventus I felt it was time to move on. In the past I have sent out unsuccesfull job applications to a bunch of Serie C clubs. Always the same answer, 'You're too inexperienced for this level'. That is not gonna get me closer to my dream job of managing Juventus.

So... I resigned as a youth manager in Juve to become unemployed and started off hunting clubs in less glamorous leagues. Apparently it required much harder work than I had imagined.

Updates:

Mostly seasonal updates.

The first interviews

The scandinavian leagues are nearing the halfway stages and most openings are here.

I get interviewed for the following positions:

Sandvikens IF - Swedish First Division North

Skiljebo SK - Swedish Second Division NS

Bodens BK - Swedish Second Division N

Drøbak-Frogn IL - Norwegian Second Division Group 1

GIF Nike - Swedish Second Division SG

The following clubs approach me:

Skiljebo SK

Drøbak Fogn IL

Decision Time:

I'm not really much in doubt here. I really like the possibilities in Drøbak-Frogn IL. Their facilities are much better than the other options.

Stop 1 - 2013 - Drøbak-Frogn IL

I'm excited to go to Norway for my first real manager test. It's pretty cold up here but I'm not complaining.

Lets get it on!

2013 Season Preview

Standings:

As I take over. Drøbak-Fogn IL is in 10th place.

Expectations:

League:

Board expectations: Midtable finish

Media prediction: 8th - Odds 26.00

Own expectation: Midtable finish

Key players and factors:

Key Players:

Timothy Strøm-Pedersen D/DM/M C - In the third-tier.. Seriously?!

Jørgen Røssevold M/AM RC - We'll look to this guy for our attacking pivot.

Jibril Bojang AM R / ST - Let's see how long I can keep him.

Key factors:

- We have some really good players. Squad depth is an issue.

- Our only goalkeeper is out for two months. We need a backup.

- With 14 day break I have time to build my team.

- I need to renew the contracts with my key players right away!

Let's get it on

THE HUNT FOR THE OLD LADY v2.0

Drøbak-Frogn IL - 2013 - Norwegian Second Division Group 1

Squad - Fixtures 1 - Fixtures 2 - Table - Transfers - Finances

Final position: 7th

Norwegian cup: 2nd Rnd loss home to FK Haugesund

Best result: 1-0 away win against Moss

Worst result: 1-4 away loss to Østsiden

Top goalscorer: Sindre Thorsen & Stian Nikodemussen, 6 (6 in the league)

Most assists: Thomas Valø, 6 (6 in the league)

Highest Average rating: Sindre Thorsen, 7.18(7.18 in the league)

2013 Quick takes:

- We have build a strong foundation to finish in the top-5 next season.

- We went 7-2-4 with me in charge for the last part of the season

- Unfortunately Røssevold is not interested in renewing.

- If we get a GK, ML and MR and possibly a ST we might even challenge for promotion

Player of the season:

Sindre Thorsen - D/ST C - I'm a sucker for good target man

Other Key Players

Timothy Strøm-Pedersen - D/DM/M C - Consistent performer.

Ásgeir Ólaufsson - D/M C - Plays kind of sweeper like for us.

Stian Nikodemussen - ST - Oldie but goodie. 19 Finishing when i signed him.

Problems already?!

I simply can't get my tactics working this year. The same tactics that worked wonders last year. I'm tweaking at the moment to get us some momentum.

THE HUNT FOR THE OLD LADY v2.0

Drøbak-Frogn IL - 2014 - Norwegian Second Division Group 1

Squad - Fixtures 1 - Fixtures 2 - Table - Transfers - Finances

Final position: 5th

Norwegian cup: 1st Rnd loss home to Ull/Kisa, 0-1

Best result: 4-1 away win against Rosenborg 2

Worst result: 1-3 homw loss to Kvik Halden

Top goalscorer: Sindre Thorsen, 12 (12 in the league)

Most assists: Shkodran Rexhaj, 9 (9 in the league)

Highest Average rating: Shkodran Rexhaj, 7.32(7.32 in the league)

2014 Quick takes:

- I've been under-pressure for most of the season

- After a weak start to the season we finished strong with 7 wins in the last 8 games.

- We took a long time to gel. But the team is signed for yet another season.

- Our defense has made a ton of simple mistakes.

Player of the season:

Shkodran Rexhaj - M/AM/S C- He's been great.

Other Key Players

Timothy Strøm-Pedersen - D/DM/M C - Yet another strong season from the stopper.

Edvinas Blazys - ST - Started scoring late in the season.

Sindre Thorsen - D/S C - We won half the games he started.

Time to move?

After being under-pressure for most of the season it's questionable wether Bandini's recent run of results have convinced the Drøbak-Frogn IL board to bet on Bandini once again.

His contract is up after the season, and while they are happy with the end result in the league, they're not happy with the showing in the first 2/3's of the campaign.

Besides this they're upset that Danilo Bandini insists on playing a possesion oriented system when the clubs supporters prefers a direct playing style.

'I've had a good time here in Drøbak-Frogn and I believe we can challenge for promotion next year. But in the end it's not my decision.' says Bandini.

More to come...

Yep... In a sudden change of heart the board decides to give me another chance. Even with a raise.

In the meantime I have a very constructive talk with the board and we decide that our current possesion tactic have been succesfull and judging me on direct football would be wrong. We remove the part about playing direct football.

I doubt I'll get more than this one chance. Let's make it count!

2015 Season Preview

Transfers:

We strenghtened the starting eleven by bringing in centreback Onstad and central midfieder Mankowitz. Our team should be strong enough with these additions.

Expectations:

League:

Board expectations: Respectable finish

Media prediction: 2nd - Odds 7.00

Own expectation: Win Promotion

Cup:

Board expectations: Reach 3rd round

Own expectations: Enjoy the experience

Tactics & Possible lineup:

Key players and factors:

Key Players:

Kristian Onstad: DC RC - Needs to prove he's the boss

Shkodran Rexhaj: M/AM/S C - Instrumental in the way we play.

Sindre Trondsen: D/S C - I'm a sucker for Target Men!

Key factors:

- Can we keep up our streak from last year.

- Our defense needs to keep costly mistakes to a minimum

- We need to see consistent scoring from Trondsen/Blazys

Let's get it on

Woop Woop!

Midseason Review 2014

Quick takes:

- Our defense stepped up. 9 goals conceded in 17 competetive matches

- We have changed our tactic slightly, and we hit the jackpot it seems

- We're on a 11-match winning streak

I of course remembered to include a hefty 50% promotion bonus in my new contract :-D

THE HUNT FOR THE OLD LADY v2.0

Drøbak-Frogn IL - 2015 - Norwegian Second Division Group 1

Squad - Fixtures 1 - Fixtures 2 - Table - Transfers - Finances

Final position: 1st - Promotion

Norwegian cup: Quarterfinal loss to Hönefoss, 1-3

Best result: 1-0 away win against Strømgodset

Worst result: 1-3 home loss to Ranheim

Top goalscorer: Edvinas Blazys, 17 (14 in the league)

Most assists: Sindre Thorsen, 10 (9 in the league)

Highest Average rating: Preben Mankowitz & Edvinas Blazys, 7.18(7.16 & 7.15 in the league respectively)

2015 Quick takes:

- An amazing season for the guys.

- A great two-way battle with KFUM Oslo for the promotion

- 16 goals conceded in 26 league games. Our defense is finally working!

Player of the season:

Edvinas Blazys - ST - Continued his goalscoring form.

Other Key Players

Martin Reier - D/DM/M L - Inconsistent, but gamechanging!

Preben Mankowitz - M/AM C - Bossed the midfield!

Timothy Strøm-Pedersen - D/DM/M C - Consistent performances at the back

2016 Season Preview

Transfers:

We strengthened the team with a bunch of new faces. 7 is in line to go into the starting lineup. They will need time to gel and time to learn the tactics. But they should be worth it.

Expectations:

League:

Board expectations: Stay clear of relegation

Media prediction: 14th - Odds 41.00

Own expectation: Stay clear of relegation

Cup:

Board expectations: Reach 3rd round

Own expectations: Play the depth players

Tactics & Possible lineup:

Key players and factors:

Key Players:

Petter Bruer Hansen: DM/M C - A clear upgrade at DM

Preben Mankowitz: M/AM C - The creative force on our team

Sabah Mukaber: S C - Perfect Target Man for this level

Key factors:

- How soon will the team gel.

- Will the succesfull tactic from last year translate into point at a higher level?

- Do we have a man providing the goals? Blazys certainly could last year. But can he continue?

Let's get it on

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE

After 3½ years in Norway and Drøbak-Frogn IL I thank the fans, the staff and the players. I have gotten an offer I could not refuse. I leave Drøbak-Frogn in a good position financially and with upgraded facilities. We have also gotten a great start to the new season.

Thanks for the memories!

Stop 2 - 2016/17 - MTK Budapest FC

After applying for two jobs and getting interviewed for both I get offered the job at MTK BUdapest. The club has just gotten relegated from the Hungarian Division 1 and I'll be guiding the team back into the top-tier.

I simply could not turn down the pay raise. I earn triple the amount I did in Norway. Also here I get a professional team with a wage budget of 30K. Triple the one at Drøbak-Frogn. I also feel that I can move directly up with MTK and then I'll be in perfect position in a top-tier league for the first time in my career.

Lets get it on!

2016 Season Preview

Transfers:

The base on the team looks fine. I bring in a bunch of players with potential for more than just division II. Also I add a couple of players capable of playing the tactic I've chosen.

Before the window closes I would like to bring in a inside forward and/or a shadow striker.

Expectations:

League:

Board expectations: Win the division

Media prediction: 1st - Odds 2.0

Own expectation: Promotion

Cup:

Board expectations: Reach 5th round

Own expectations: Play the depth players

Tactics & Possible lineup:

Key players and factors:

Key Players:

Nathan Sinkala: DM/M C - How did I manage to sign this guy?!?!

Robert Vagna: DM/M RC - Great potential. Vice-captain despite his young age. Won't be a regular but a backup at both DM and MC.

Marcel Vindis: ST C - Should provide at least 20 goals.

Key factors:

- Will our rather defensive formation be controlling and creative enough to open the defenses?

- When will the team gel?

- Who will be our playmaker. We hope Sinkala can do it all!

- While I want to win now, I also want to build for the future which means DM/M C Varga, AM L Bamba and ST C Eromoigbe will see regular time on the pitch.

Let's get it on

Midseason Review 2014

Quick takes:

- Pretty good star to the season. We're currently unbeaten in 9 league games.

- We need to change the three unsatisfied leftover players from the previous regime. They're causing trouble.

- Great League cup run as we knocked out Ujpesti playing with our reserves.

THE HUNT FOR THE OLD LADY v2.0

MTK Budapest - 2016/17 - Hungarian Division II

Squad - Fixtures 1 - Fixtures 2 - Table - Transfers - Finances

Final position: 1st - Promotion

Hungarian cup: 4th round home loss to Papa, 1-2

Hungarian league cup: Quarterfinal loss to Ujpest, 2-3 on aggregate

Best result: 2-0 away win against Ujpest

Worst result: 1-2 home loss to Vasas

Top goalscorer: Alex Eromoigbe, 16 (14 in the league)

Most assists: Danny Konnings, 14 (12 in the league)

Highest Average rating: Danny Konnings, 7.42(7.50 in the league)

2016/17 Quick takes:

- An amazing season for the guys.

- With a solid lead we played our potential stars the latter part of the season.

- Unbeaten in 20+ games

Player of the season:

Danny Konnings - M/AM RC - The loanee had a huge impact.

Other Key Players

Sasa Bakaric - D/DM/AM R - Played an aggresive back. Will he be good enough defensively in the top-tier?

Sebastian Remme Berge - DM/M/AM C - Surprised people by being the leading central midfielder.

Alex Eromoigbe - ST C - Should be good enough to continue in the top-tier.

2017/18 Season Preview

Transfers:

The base of the team looks solid. I don't just want to survive though. I want to continue playing aggresive possesion football.

The addition of wingers Escobar and Bodin gives us some width we didn't have last year. We also picked up a couple of defenders.

Expectations:

League:

Board expectations: Stay clear of relegation

Media prediction: 14th - Odds 41.0

Own expectation: Midtable finish

Cup:

Board expectations: Quarterfinal

Own expectations: Play the depth players

Tactics & Possible lineup:

Key players and factors:

Key Players:

Georgi Kitanov: GK - Will hopefully save us a lot of points

Nathan Sinkala: DM/M C - A lot depends on Nathan performing.

Andres Ramiro Escobar: AM L / ST - Will hopefully both score and assist plenty

Key factors:

- Are we naive to think we can play attacking football in the top-tier?

- Injuries. We need to keep injury free.

- Our new african defensive duo Zango and Idris need to gel.

- Set Pieces. Have we sacrified too much aerial power as we've found technical ball-players?

Let's get it on

It's close at the top of the table.

A great start sees us tied for 1st after the first quarter of the season

We've had some impressive performances including two 5-0 wins and a 9-1 win in the cup against a Division II side.

If I was ever to return to Norway ;-)

That should eliminate them from the title chase.

Nothing like going into the winter break with a 6-0 away win over your biggest rivals :-)