FM16: Nottingham Forest FC - 150 Years & Counting

Welcome To The Thread Of

Club Overview

Nottingham Forest are a football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham. They play their games at The City Ground which is situated on the banks of the River Trent. The club have played at The City Ground since 1898. The club currently play in the Sky Bet Championship and have done so for a number of years. The club’s current manager is Dougie Freedman who took over from club legend Stuart Pearce on February 1st 2015. The current chairman is Fawaz Al-Hasawi and he has owned the club with his family since July 2012. The club’s main rival is Derby County whilst they have smaller rivalries with Leicester City, Notts County, Mansfield Town and Sheffield United.

The History

The Beginning

The club was founded in 1865 after a meeting between a local shinney team. The players founded the club at the Clinton Arms on Shakespeare Street. The founding members were; A Barks, W Brown, W P Brown, C F Daft, T Gamble, R P Hawkesley, T G Howitt, W I Hussey, W R Lymberry, J Milford, J H Rastall, W H Revis, J G Richardson, J S Scrimshaw and J Tomlinson. The club played their first official match against local rivals Notts County on the 22nd March 1866. The club have played in red ever since they were founded. The official colour is ‘Garibaldi red’ and is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi. The club originally purchased red caps with tassels.

Despite the Football League being founded in 1888. Forest were only accepted in 1892. They were eventually accepted into the Football League in 1892 after winning the Football Alliance. The club had some success in the Football Alliance as they managed to reach the semi-finals of the FA Challenge Cup in the 1878-79 season where they finally lost to Old Etonians.

The club’s first FA Cup win came in the 1897-98 season where they defeated Derby County 3-1. The club had lost in four previous semi-finals before success in the fifth.

The club has had an impact on the development of the ‘beautiful game’ as they were the first side to wear shin guards and having a referee use a whistle. The club have played at a number of grounds in Nottingham throughout their history which include the Forest Racecourse Ground, The Castle Ground(The Meadows), Trent Bridge, The Parkside Ground, The Gregory Ground and The Town Ground before finally relocating to The City Ground in 1898. Where the club have played ever since.

The Middle Years

From Forest’s first FA Cup win, the club only managed to win four further trophies between 1898 and 1960. This included an FA Cup, Division Three and Division Two on two occasions. The club endured a tough time during the run up to the First World War and were struggling financially. The club ended an eighteen year spell out of the then top flight after achieving promotion in the 1956-57 season.

Forest’s second FA Cup win came in the 1958-59 season as they beat Luton Town 2-1. The club played most of the game with ten men as Roy Dwight(Elton John’s cousin)was taken off with a broken leg. In the 1966-67 season the club enjoyed its best ever season as a club as they were challenging for a league and cup double. Unfortunately injuries meant the club managed to reach the FA Cup Semi Final whilst finishing runners-up in the First Division. The club struggled from then until 1975 when the arrival of a genius happened.

The Clough & Taylor Years

Brian Clough took over as manager on the 6th January 1975. In this timeframe he turned Nottingham Forest into one of the most successful English clubs of all time as he guided the club to twelve trophies in eighteen years. Two of the most memorable trophies the club won was the European Cup in 1979 and then retaining it the season afterwards. Clough had turned the club into a successful team, five years after taking over with the club in the second division. Clough’s success was helped by having such a good assistant in Peter Taylor who had worked with him on a number of occasions.

Despite Taylor leaving the club in 1980, Clough still managed to keep Nottingham Forest in the trophy hunt for a further 13 years. The only trophy to escape the great man himself was the FA Cup. The club finished runners-up in the 1990-91 season. The club finished runners-up on another five occasions during Clough’s reign.

The era came to end by 1993 when announced that he would be retiring. The club had suffered relegation that season as well. The club have since named a stand after him and the city also has a statue of Brian Clough. The club have also recently honoured Peter Taylor with the renaming of the Main Stand.

The Clough After Years

Frank Clark, former Forest player took over as manager for the 1993-94 season as Forest made an immediate return to the top flight. In Forest’s first full season back in the top flight the club finished third and qualified for the UEFA Cup where the club reached the quarter-finals. Clark left the club in December 1996 with the club in a relegation battle. As well as struggling on the pitch, the club was struggling financially off it.

In February 1997 the Bridgford Group Consortium took over the club. Stuart Pearce took temporary charge of the club until Dave Bassett was appointed as permanent manager in May 1997. Unfortunately the club were relegated back to Division One that season. Bassett led the club back to the Premier League after winning the First Division Title in the 1997-98 season. Forest’s first trophy win since the Full Members Cup in 1992. Unfortunately the club’s stay in the top flight was a short lived one as they suffered relegation the next season.

The 21st Century

From 1999 until 2012 the club was owned by Nigel Doughty, a Forest fan who invested large amounts of money and time in trying to improve the club on and off the pitch.

David Platt took over the club after Ron Atkinson’s spell for two seasons. Unfortunately Platt could only lead the club to two mid-table finishes whilst spending a large amount of money on three Italian players who didn’t have the best of spells at the club. This, combined with the collapse ITV Digital left Forest in another difficult position financially.

Paul Hart took over from David Platt after being Youth Team Manager for a number of seasons. In his first full season Hart managed to lead the club to sixteenth. Having promoted a number of youngsters into the first team during his spell as manager. Hart managed to help the club finish sixth in Division One. Unfortunately due to financial difficulties the club were unable to replicate the previous season’s finish which ultimately cost Hart his job.

The club had a two managers after Hart which included Joe Kinnear and Gary Megson. Neither could bring success back to The City Ground and both had contributed to the club being relegated to League One in 2005. Becoming the first European Cup Winners to fall into the third tier. Megson left the club in February 2006 to be replaced by the caretaker duo of Frank Barlow and Ian McParland. These two led the club to seventh having taken over when the club were only four points above the relegation zone.

Former defender Colin Calderwood took over as manager in the summer of 2006 where he remained as manager until December 2008 before departing with the club in the relegation zone. In this time Calderwood suffered defeat to Yeovil Town in the League One Play-Offs before securing promotion the following season by going up automatically.

Billy Davies took over on January 1st 2009 with him securing Forest’s Championship status as the club finished nineteenth. Davies had two further seasons at the club in which he managed to turn the club into play-off hopefuls. Narrowly missing out on two occasions. In June 2011, Davies left the club to be replaced by Steve McLaren.

McLaren only lasted a couple of months before the club underwent changes in the boardroom and management team. Doughty stepped down as Forest Chairman in October 2011 to be replaced by former player and manager Frank Clark. Whilst Steve Cotterill took over as manager and helping secure the club’s safety for another season. Unfortunately Doughty passed away in February 2012.

In July 2012, The Al-Hasawi family took over the club and immediately set out a three to five year plan. Sean O’Driscoll was the first manager of the Al-Hasawi reign before he was sacked in December 2012. Alex McLeish was the man to take over but he only lasted forty days before departing. Billy Davies returned to the club for a second spell on the 7th February 2013 where the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs. After a successful start to the 2013-14 season, things slowly tailed off as Davies was relieved of his duties on March 24th 2014. Gary Brazil became caretaker manager until the end of the season. On July 1st 2014 club legend Stuart Pearce took over the club. Unfortunately after a bright start things turned badly for Pearce as he endured a poor run of winning three games in about twenty-three. Despite beating rival Derby on the 14th January 2015, this wasn't enough to spur the club on a good run and he was sacked February 1st 2015 before being replaced by Dougie Freedman just a few hours later.

Dougie enjoyed a good start to his spell at The City Ground as he steadied the ship in testing times. Since then form has been 'poor' but due to the circumstances he's doing a reasonable job.

Goalkeepers

1. Dorus de Vries - At the age of 34 Dorus is coming towards the end of his career. He's been at the club since pre-season of the 2013-14 season and he's always been considered more of a back up. In real life for the 2015-16 season he's been promoted to first choice due to Karl Darlow's departure and he's taken the chance he's been given in these games. In FM, Dorus starts as your first choice as he's marginally better than young Bulgarian keeper Dimi Evtimov. With a contract until 2017 I'd happily keep him within the squad whilst you have a place for him. If he becomes unhappy then I'd look to move him on and allow Dimi to take over.

26. Dimitar Evtimov - Young Dimi has slowly moved his way up the pecking order to establish himself as number two at the club. He's a good young keeper with the ability to be your first choice now or in the future. At £1,000 per week and a four year deal he's here for a number of years.

Review: This is an area which you will need to start looking into in the near future. However, for the time being it's not a pressing matter. If Dimi improves enough then you could only be looking for a back up keeper. Otherwise it'll be a first choice. With the transfer embargo restricting you to free transfers you'll have trouble in bringing a new keeper in without going over your wage budget.

Right Backs

2. Eric Lichaj - Eric has become somewhat of a fans favourite during his two seasons at the club. With a chant named after him it's a good start. In FM he's a reasonable right back to have who is able to perform the defensive and offensive duties well. Along with being a reasonable right back he's also capable of filling in on the left should you need him to. He's only on a one year contract so you will have to decide whether he's worth an increase on his current £12,000 per week deal. Especially with you being close to your wage budget limit.

Review: There's only one reasonable first team right back at the club so it's an area which needs improvement. How you're going to source that back up is a tough decision to make considering you have a minimal wage budget left and you aren't able to sign loans or players for transfer fees.

Possible Signings: Stephen Kelly, Luke Wilshere, Emmanuel Eboue and Marco Motta

Left Backs

8. Chris Cohen - Chris Cohen is the club captain and one of two players who I would class as Mr Nottingham Forest. At 28 he's capable of playing at left back or in the middle of the park. Unfortunately he starts off the game injured as he's out for five to six months with a torn knee ligaments injury. Out of contract in the summer you'll have to decide whether he's worth the potential pay rise now or wait until later on in the season in hope that he's demands will be reasonable.

31. Dani Pinillos - Having joined in the summer from Córdoba, Dani has established himself as first choice left back with some good performances in real life. At the age of 22 he still has years to progress and he is on a reasonable wage. On FM he's a reasonable left back in both the defensive and offensive duties. Whilst I wouldn't expect him to pull up too many trees he's the better option of the two out of him and Danny Fox.

13. Danny Fox - Danny Fox arrived at The City Ground on a permanent deal for the start of the 2014-15 season after a short term loan. Unfortunately he's failed to put in the performances you'd expect of him. In FM he would be a reasonable second choice left back to have but nothing more. Here until the 2017 I wouldn't expect you to extend his stay any longer than that.

Review: I do feel that the left back spot is covered if you don't fancy getting rid of Danny Fox. However, when Cohen comes back Fox could well be relegated to third choice. Fox is on £20,000 per week so I would look to sell him asap due to my dislike for him. He's always played appallingly in the majority of games he's played and he never looks like he can be bothered. I won't reveal how much you can get for him or who is interested but if you do transfer list him for a reasonable fee there are clubs interested. You may however be required to pay some of his wages.

Possible Signings: Dwight Tiendalli

Centre Backs

25. Jack Hobbs - Hobbs joined the club a couple of seasons ago on loan before joining permanently. He's established himself as a key player in the back four. In FM he's currently one of four good centre halves. Depending on your preference will determine who you start with.

4. Michael Mancienne - The former Chelsea youngster joined from Hamburg at the start of last season and has established himself as a key player in the squad. Able to cover the defensive midfield role and right back role in real he's not fully competent to do that in FM. However, he is your second best centre back imo. I'd be looking to start him alongside Hobbs. He's in contract until 2017 but you have an extra year should you wish to use it.

6. Kelvin Wilson - At 29 Wilson isn't getting any younger. However he is just as a good as Hobbs and Mancienne along with being a Nottingham lad and Forest fan. He's out of contract in the summer so you need to decide whether offering him a new contract his worth it or looking at a cheaper and younger option.

5. Matt Mills - Former Bolton skipper Mills joined the club in the summer on a three year deal despite Freedman saying he wasn't interested in signing him. In FM he's a good third or fourth option to have but imo, nothing more than that. He's 28 and on a three year deal so there possibly won't be any re-sale value on him. Nevertheless he's a good option to have.

40. Alex Iacovitti - The class of an Italian and the brut of a Scot. Iacovitti is the best young centre half at the club and should be promoted to the first team asap. He's got some good starting attributes and with the correct moulding he has the ability to become a good Championship central defender imo. Possibly more. He's out of contract in the summer I'd recommend renewing his contract to keep him at the club for a few more years.

Review: The central defence at the club is one of the strongest areas and if you're happy with what you have you won't need to change anything. Kelvin starts off with recently promoted Norwich sniffing around. At 29, he's a good player but should you get an offer will you be in a position to receive that offer again? It's a tempting one if you do.

Possible Signings: Richard Dunne, Gavin Gunning and Steven Mouyokolo

Wingers

15. Ryan Mendes - Apparently Freedman knew that Mendes was available all pre-season and in real life he's proven to be a good signing for an embargoed club. In FM I'd expect him to be first choice on the right wing for you during his one year loan. I wouldn't expect too much from his defensively but as an offensive outlet he should be able to provide you with a number of goals and assists. If he impresses enough and you come out of the embargo with a reasonable transfer budget then his loan can be made permanent for about £3.6m.

19. Jamie Ward - When it was rumoured that Ward was going to be joining Forest during this summer period it wasn't met with the greatest of responses. Possibly due to him always causing us issues and being able to wind Forest fans/players up during matches with fierce rivals Derby. However, since he's joined he's more than proven to be a good enough player in real life. In FM, he's on a four year contract, which for a 29 year old is a big statement to make. I'd use Ward as your first choice option on the left wing to start off with and see how he performs for you.

35. Oliver Burke - Oliver is considered one of the better youngsters to come out of the Forest academy over the past few seasons and it's not hard to see why. At 18 he has some good raw attributes that should enable him to be a good Premier League winger. I'd be looking to use him as back up during the first season, playing him on either flank.

27. Chris Burke - Chris is apparently the cousin of young Oliver. Who knew! Anyway, in real life Chris destroyed many Forest sides over a couple of seasons whilst he was playing for Birmingham City. Having signed a two year deal at the start of the 2014-15 season, Chris still has a season left on that deal. At 31 he's not going to get any younger and he may well be a second choice option for you. A capable back up/rotation option for the coming year though.

Review: The wingers at the club are more the reasonable for your expectations. Tight budgets mean you won't be able to sign anyone unless you can sell a few of the existing players and replace them with better free transfers.

Central Midfielders

10. Henri Lansbury - Henri joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2012 for £1m. Under Freedman he's been named as skipper. I wouldn't class him as the skipper material but he's more than good enough to play in your central midfield regardless of what formation you play.

38. Ben Osborn - Ben is another of good youngsters coming through the ranks at Forest and he's now dubbed the 'new Paul Gascoigne'. Called the ramslayer for his goal against Derby earlier in 2015, he's already loved by Forest fans. Especially as he's a Derby fan. In FM Ben is good enough to start as first choice and I'd be tempted to give him as much game time as possible. His long term contract should enable him to develop at the club for a number of years.

11. Andy Reid - Reidy is fans favourite at Forest having had a number of years over two spells playing for the club. When he plays Forest normally play better. At 32 he's pushing it a bit and he's also out of contract in the summer. It's a dilemma as he's out injured with a torn groin muscle for five to seven months. If he can hit the ground running when he comes back he'll be worth a new deal. If not then hopefully you can persuade him to become a coach.

24. David Vaughan - Welshman Vaughan is a quality player and he's in a great player to have as a rotation option. At 32 he may not have many more years left in him. With a contract of £22,500 per week until the end of the season you'll have to decide whether he's worth the risk in a longer term deal.

20. Jonny Williams - Joniesta is only on loan until January from Crystal Palace as he looks to gain more match fitness after a couple of injuries. In FM he has the ability to pull the strings and pick the locks of opposition defences so it's going to be a tough to find the right balance and partnership to get the best out of him. Under the embargo restrictions, it's not possible to renew his loan at the start of the season. With his loan deal expiring on the 3rd January you'll have a couple of days to try and renew it should you wish to.

14. Kyle Ebecillo - The FC Twente man joined the club on loan during the summer of the new season and he's not exactly had the best of starts at the club. Being substituted after coming on as sub against QPR sums it up. He's also picked up an injury in this time. In FM he's a good option to have. I'd consider him to be a bit of muscle in your 'Spanish' midfield and it's something you may well need during the Championship season.

32. Robert Tesche - German Tesche starts the game injured as he's out for five to seven months with a broken foot. In real life he's a good player to have but he wouldn't be one of your first choices. Able to play a number of midfield roles to meet your desires, it's important to decide whether Tesche will be a key part of your squad when he returns from injury. Out of contract in the summer he'll no doubt want a payrise. It's whether he justifies it.

37. Jorge Grant - Jorge came to the Forest academy via the Nike Academy after Jimmy Gilligan recommended him to the club. Jorge burst onto the scene against Spurs in the Capital One Cup as he put the club one up. In FM he's possibly never going to be a key player. However, as has been said before, funds are tight so he'll provide a good option in the middle of the park or as an attacking midfielder.

Review: The central midfield spaces are well and truly covered and there isn't any need for a new face or two. Even though you have two players out injured you have six to call upon for the time being. Depending on what formation you want to play and how well Reid and Tesche come back from their injuries later on in the season along with Williams pending return to Palace. You may want to delve into the transfer market and find someone else.

Strikers

9. Britt Assombalonga - In real life Britt has slowly improved each season and continued a good goal return. Unfortunately towards the end of the 2014-15 season he injured his knee cap. In FM this has meant he is out for nine to ten months with a damaged knee cap. Britt should be your first choice striker for a number of seasons and he should be able to make the step up to the Premier League whether it be with you or not.

17. Nélson Oliveira - Nélson has joined on loan from Benfica in real life and for a club under an embargo it's a real coup. On the game he does look to be a good striker and a reasonable option to have whilst Britt is injured. I'd consider him as more of a creative forward who will link up the play and give others the chance to score.

7. Matty Fryatt - Matty signed from Hull in pre-season of the 2014-15 season. Unfortunately he hasn't been able to hit the heights of getting the goal return you'd expect. In FM he starts out injured for five to seven months with a damaged Achilles tendon so you won't have to decide who to start out of your three better strikers.

29. Chris O'Grady - Chris was with the club as a youngster but was released. Now he's back on a season loan from Brighton. He's not the most inspiring of players in FM but he's not the worst option to have. He's more of a target man striker but if you were to decide to play that type of style he's a great option to have.

23. Dexter Blackstock - Dex is someone who could possibly be sold depending on your formation and who you can find to replace him. He's an ok back up but nothing more than that.

34. Tyler Walker - Son of club icon Des, Tyler has a good future at the club and has already broken into the first team set-up. He's got reasonable attributes already and if he can be nurtured in the right way you should have a good enough striker for the Premier League in the future.

Review: If you can ride out the first half or so of the season with the injuries to the current strikeforce then you're in a good position. No changes are needed at the moment unless you decide that any of the current strikers don't fit into your preferred system.

Under 21s and Under 18s

As the current Forest boss you may required to watch the club's finances and delve into the club's youth ranks in order to supplement the current squad.

In here I will aim to give you my opinion on a few players who I think might be able to make it.

Jack Kelly(DL) - Was earning some good reviews last season but has since tailed off slightly. In FM he's got some raw attributes and has some reasonable potential ability according to your staff. If you can develop him enough he could provide an option currently as back up left back or in the future. His contract expires at the end of the season so you will have to decide whether it's worth renewing it or not.

Andreas Karo(DC) - Young Cypriot Karo has been at the club for a couple of seasons now and again is someone who is slowly earning some good reviews. In FM he's got some raw attributes that if nurtured, could turn him into a reasonable back up to have. Another who is out of contract in the summer, so you will have to decide whether it is worth giving him a chance to make the grade at The City Ground.

Dylan Burns(MC) - Burns is another who has come from the Nike Academy and is possibly another good youngster who may make the grade. He's out of contract in the summer and with him coming from New Zealand, the likelihood of him getting a new work permit is slim.

Virgil Gomis(ST) - Whilst I don't think Gomis will ever be good enough to make the grade at Forest in this FM. I would like to show you this goal he scored in an under 18s match this season.

[video=youtube;9x8wJjSeJlE]

Notable Loan Players: Jamie Paterson & Lars Veldwijk

Staff Training on Take Over

First Team

Under 18s

There are a number of formations you could implement at Forest. Here are a few;

Assistant Manager: Lennie Lawrence

Coach Jimmy Gilligan

Goalkeeping Coach: Steve Sutton

Fitness Coaches: Ross Burbeary and Nathan Beardsley

Physios: Andrew Balderston and Steve Devine

Under 21s Staff: Jamie Fullarton, Jake Wigley and Ian Bennett

Under 18s Staff: Jack Lester, Gary Brazil and Andy Hunt

Scouts: Martin Wilkinson and Glen Burdett

Assistant Manager: Michael Lindeman, Des Bulpin, Gerry Taggart, Neil Bailey and Zigor Aranalde

Coaches(1st Team & Under 18s): Chris Kiwomya, Eoin Jess, Jimmy Lumsden, Paul Scholes, Steve Cooper, Colin Cooper, Alan Kernaghan, Darren Patterson, Grant Murray, Arthur Albiston and Wally Downes

Head of Youth Development: Phil Cannon

Physios: Kenny Crichton, Luke Anthony, Pip Yeates, and Nick Worth

Scouts: Allan Gemmill, Andy Marriott, Bobby Downes, Charlie Palmer, Dave Philpotts, George Rooney, Joe McLaughlin, Lindsay Parsons and Steve Martin

Once you have reached the quota on staff allowances, if you ask the board for more they normally grant this request.

With the club under a transfer embargo, you'll have to keep a check of your finances regularly to try and ensure you come out of the embargo in time for January and to make sure there is no risk of staying under one.

Extra Information

In real life the club can only spend £10,000 per week on players wages until the end of the 2015-16 season. They're not allowed to spend any money on bonuses either. The club can also only have 24 senior players over the age of 21. Or something like that.

So for an added challenge can you sign players for £10,000 per week or less. Signing players who have agents will be impossible to pay them fees. The club have 23 senior players at the start of the game.

Outstanding Intro YOU REDS!

Got a few Forest fans that I know through work, might make an interesting save for me.

Interested to see who the clubs youth prospects are

Having a bit of a laugh at the moment. Sent a fair few prospects out on loan, and am using a few of the other youngster to cover injuries.

There is this though..

History is a bit too detailed for my taste but the squad review reads awesome so far! I will put Forest on my "list of clubs I'd like a save with some day" - although, granted, that list is quite long...

Having a bit of a laugh at the moment. Sent a fair few prospects out on loan, and am using a few of the other youngster to cover injuries.

There is this though..

If Dougie gets the chop, send in your CV ROB

If Dougie gets the chop, send in your CV ROB

The temptation is always there, but I don't think I will.

Oliviera looks like a machine from that pic. Look forward to starting later

Will look to finish the thread off tonight and tomorrow. However, I have been to the pub.

Will look to finish the thread off tonight and tomorrow. However, I have been to the pub.

You've "been" to the pub?

It's only 6.11pm!!! ;o)

Yeah I know .

Thread is now complete.

Ho hum...

I don't know how you perform so well every FM year Rob?

Good going Rob, got a few days off so just loaded up to start a Forest save, Good guide as always NF.

I don't know how you perform so well every FM year Rob?

I'm a god... ;)

Heres another one for you.. A way of shutting Leeds down.

Again, I'd love to know how you're setting up in games. I'm probably going to start again eventually. Not managed to complete a season as Forest in about 4 FMs .

Again, I'd love to know how you're setting up in games. I'm probably going to start again eventually. Not managed to complete a season as Forest in about 4 FMs .

Playing 4-2-3-1, sitting deep, high tempo short passing stuff.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pr9yt8g1ogpa77x/4-2-3-1%20Wide%20ST%2016.1.0_C1E68594-F7AF-412C-812F-AB357FBF66B5.fmf?dl=0

You may want to change from 'Control' to 'Standard', as I find either works well.

Have you given Tyler Walker a decent run in side Rob? I'm not sure whether to send him out on loan or not, I only play 1 up front in a 451 and he is 4 choice at the moment.

Have you given Tyler Walker a decent run in side Rob? I'm not sure whether to send him out on loan or not, I only play 1 up front in a 451 and he is 4 choice at the moment.

Hes been second choice behind Oliviera. His best run came at the start of the season when Oliviera had a few weeks out injured, and he scored 5 in 3.

I'm selling Blackstock in January...

Goal by Oliviera in the first leg of the Capital One Cup v Stoke.

I like the build up then the no look pass from Henri.

[video=youtube_share;MG11fFN_k-c]

Wow this years Nottingham Forest is a lot harder than last years one, Comfortably won everything within 3 seasons but struggling to even stay up above relegation on this version. I guess that depends on no one knows a good tactic and stuff, doesn't help that you are transfer embargo'ed and have no money to spend throughout the year. I guess the first year is targeting a 15-20th position and building from there.

Or if you're Rob just taking us to the play-offs and possibly a cup final . Researcher's benefits .

Definitely although I see major problems in the team

The problem I had on last years version was, while the attack and midfield was good the defence was absolutely hopeless. In this version it seems the attack and defence are absolutely hopeless. Constantly missing open goal opportunities, I don't foresee getting a good enough transfer budget in the next season to address these issues, so it might be a few years of transition.

But that would be how we're playing this season in certain games. We've been creating the chances but not putting them away and then we'll have a lapse in concentration which ultimately causes our downfall. I don't think it helps with the injuries but that's the beauty of it.

How many sides can say they're in our position.

Definitely although I see major problems in the team

The problem I had on last years version was, while the attack and midfield was good the defence was absolutely hopeless. In this version it seems the attack and defence are absolutely hopeless. Constantly missing open goal opportunities, I don't foresee getting a good enough transfer budget in the next season to address these issues, so it might be a few years of transition.

I don't think it helps with Assombalonga being out injured for so long, and the core of the side all being injured 'long term' either.

I think you can say the defence is strong enough, its just a question of whether we can score enough going the other way. I've been lucky in my game that Jamie Ward and Nelson Oliviera are scoring regularly, but even then, its the need for someone else to step up if they don't.

I don't think it helps with Assombalonga being out injured for so long, and the core of the side all being injured 'long term' either.

I think you can say the defence is strong enough, its just a question of whether we can score enough going the other way. I've been lucky in my game that Jamie Ward and Nelson Oliviera are scoring regularly, but even then, its the need for someone else to step up if they don't.

Definitely, in my game no one was there to score. I had Ward playing up front, and he was my top scorer with 13 goals, so I will definitely be on the market for a clinical striker. Blackstock and Britt 6 goals each in 15 games is not good enough.

Rushed through the first season but not sure I could of pushed for promotion, I changed tactic near the end of the season and won 4 out of 6 games with 4 clear cut chances vs 1 in the loss so I would expect to push for promotion this season.

Overall:

12th in the Championship

FA Cup 5th Round

Carling Cup Qtr final ( Loss to eventual winners Man city)

Wow are club finances really that bad? I know we were transfer embargoed because of it but a transfer budget of £278k and 313k wages weekly after finished mid table??

Am I allowed to swear???

Concede a poor equaliser in the final, only for a young winner to score the goal that takes us to Wembley....

Only, I'm playing these guys though...

Robterrace Forest Legend, or as stated above reaping the benefits of being a researcher How is your league form Rob? got any lads back from injury?

Robterrace Forest Legend, or as stated above reaping the benefits of being a researcher How is your league form Rob? got any lads back from injury?

Well, they're plodding along. Reid and Fryatt have come back and made no appearances, Cohen has been a regular, although off the bench a fair bit, Tesche has started a few, and Assombalonga has only just come back. I've got 14 games left, and I'm 3rd, 4 points off 2nd.

So we could be looking at a league title and the Capital One Cup .

I've just completed August and we're sat in 8th. I'll take that at the end of the season. We've won 1 and drawn 4 of our first 5 league games.

Against Brighton we took the lead through a great volley from Oliveira before Hemed levelled before half hour. Neither side could break through and then Kayal smashed in a 30 yard screamer to give them the lead seven minutes before time. Luckily for me young Burke grabbed an equaliser three minutes later. In the Capital One Cup we had a trip to Barnet. They took the lead after 9 minutes, young Burke levelled before a Stack own goal and Walker finish put us 3-1 up after 66. They pulled a goal back on 69 before Ebecillo put us four up. Against Rotherham we drew. Young Burke put us in front before Bowery scored for them. We should have won that one. Against Charlton it was much more even. We took the lead through Oliveira before Watt equalised just after half-time. Against Bolton we won 4-2. But it was a frustrating match. Their right back crossed the ball twice and we conceded two own goals from it. Exactly replicas. Luckily for Oliveira was on form and when he could have scored his hat-trick he squared it for Mendes. Oliveira did grab his hat-trick with a penalty late on. Against Rochdale in the Capital One Cup I rotated a few players and it took us until the 91 minute to get an equaliser. We won in the end. Against Cardiff they took the lead about twenty minutes before time. However, young Burke grabbed another late equaliser.

Transfers In: Marco Motta, Gavin Gunning, Paul Taylor and Giorgos Samaras.

Transfers Out: Danny Fox, Kelvin Wilson and a loan of youngsters.

I've improved the backroom staff no end as well but there are too many of them.

We've not kept a clean sheet all season so I've just changed to defending training in the hope it will shore us up a little.

I've also had more injuries as well. Mendes missed about five weeks from pre-season to midway through August. Lansbury is out for about 6 weeks. Vaughan was out for 3 weeks and then came back before picking up a 5 week injury. Lichaj is out for 3 months with a broken ankle.

Well, I lost the Capital One Cup final, Sergio bloody Aguero scored the winner in the 90th minute...

I am still in Pre Season, tinkering with formations etc, Jamie Ward is my top scorer so far playing as an IF on the left, Cant seem to get a good combination in centre midfield, How have you been playing Lansbury?

I am still in Pre Season, tinkering with formations etc, Jamie Ward is my top scorer so far playing as an IF on the left, Cant seem to get a good combination in centre midfield, How have you been playing Lansbury?

Lansbury worked well for me as a Deep Lying Playmaker in the centre of midfield, although, he has also been used in the #10 role as an Advanced Playmaker.

He needs to be alongside a Vaughan type midfielder who sits deep and allows him to pull the strings a bit.

Lansbury worked well for me as a Deep Lying Playmaker in the centre of midfield, although, he has also been used in the #10 role as an Advanced Playmaker.

He needs to be alongside a Vaughan type midfielder who sits deep and allows him to pull the strings a bit.

Vaughan has been good in Pre Season as a BWM(D) lots of assists with his corners too, looks like promotion is on for you Rob.

I've been playing a midfield 3 so far. Oliveira has been in fine form but we're sat in 17th. Usually go with Osborn(DLP-S), BWM-S and CM-Attack. We're not playing too badly but either we do something daft or can't put chances away. Even lost 7-1 away at Huddersfield .

To add into that 11 of the players think we're under performing. Three were still unhappy after the chat including Lansbury.

I am on the verge of being sacked. We can't buy a win and we were 1 up against Sheffield Wednesday only for them to score two late wonder goals to give us another defeat.