Northernpilgrim Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 The Challenge As the title suggests, I'm going to try and get more promotions than Neil Warnock has managed in his career. Simples. Starting point My profile I've given myself a starting point of having a National A Licence, which is what the game recommended for managing Eastleigh. I have set past experience to Professional Footballer National Level, given that Neil Warnock had a 12 year playing career in the bottom 2 professional leagues. Rules of the save I will achieve all of the promotions in the correct order (i.e starting with getting promoted from the National League (which he did with Scarborough in 1987). I'd have loved to have taken his clubs in the right order too, but Scarborough don't exist any more (at least not in their original form), and Burton are ahead of where they were under him, so it would be too difficult. Instead, I'm going to get Eastleigh into League 2, stay for another year and a half to establish them in the league. I'll then be looking to get hold of a League 1 club and take them to a double promotion to the Premier League (mirroring what he did with Notts County). I'll then join a team in League 1 again, and look to get them into the Championship (which he did with Huddersfield), before leaving to join a League 2 club and get them promoted (as he did my own team, Plymouth Argyle). I'll then spend a season with a third tier (League 1) club, as he did with Oldham, followed by an 18 month spell with a Championship club (Neil Warock was relegated for the first time from the Championship at the end of the first season, but remained at Bury until December of the next season). I'll then have my longest spell at any club, seven and a half years (starting in the Championship, as he did with Sheffield United), during which time I'll need to get promotion to the Premier League. Then its two and a half years in the Championship (as he did with Crystal Palace), before moving to another Championship club for almost 2 years, with another promotion needed (which he achieved at QPR). Then it's 14 months in the Championship (no promotion needed), mirroring his time at Leeds, followed by a final 4 months in the Premier League before sitting back and retiring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Initially we're going to set up using a 4-3-3 based around the 'Plan B' formation I used on my FM15 save (Knocking Fergie off his perch: The Noisy Neighbours are turning up the volume). Here it is with the first choice players selected Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 A quick overview of the squad. Given the positional suitability ratings, I'll be looking for two loan signings to replace Odubade and Constable as soon as possible. Edit: I have looked at the front three again, and given how good they all are for this level, have decided to tweak the roles to make use of the players we have. I have Odubade on the left as a DLF(S), Midson remains as a Poacher(A), and Constable is now a TM(S). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 The backroom staff could definitely do with reinforcements, although I think Shaun North could easily be my 'Mick Jones'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 That's a lot to keep track of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 That's a lot to keep track of. Shouldn't be too bad, I'll just concentrate on one club and one achievement at a time. Achieving them might be harder though!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Preseason results weren't bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Three players joined in the summer transfer window Cameron Dummigan is a 19 year old right back, 2.5 star current ability, 5 star potential. I'm hoping to sign him permanently in the summer. Luke Coddington is a 20 year old goalkeeper, 2.5 star current ability, 5 star potential. Again, he's on my list of players I want to sign permanently in the summer. David Pipe is a 31 year old right back, 2.5 star current and potential ability, but he'll be a regular as right back is our weakest position. I'll be looking for another right back in January, and a couple of players will leave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 A busy but satisfactory August and we're in the chasing pack, waiting for any slip up from Tranmere Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Jesus, Tranmere are dominating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Good luck with this! Looking forward to following another excellent Northernpilgrim adventure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted November 17, 2015 Share Posted November 17, 2015 Wow. That Tranmere start!! Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 17, 2015 Author Share Posted November 17, 2015 Jesus, Tranmere are dominating. Wow. That Tranmere start!!Good luck! Indeed. Ordinarily, 18 points from 21 would see you clear at the top, but Tranmere are incredibly strong. I'm up against it already in terms of matching him step for step, as I need to win the league this season, as well as doing well enough next season to earn a shot at a League 1 club. Good luck with this! Looking forward to following another excellent Northernpilgrim adventure. Good to have you on board. Hopefully it'll be enjoyable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 September was an unbeaten month, and we faced a rival for promotion in Wrexham too with Tranmere slowing down, but still unbeaten, we're now the side on top Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesey1975 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 gonna follow and see how u go good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 gonna follow and see how u gogood luck Welcome aboard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 And Tranmere finally conceded a goal too. Looking good at the top so far... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Great start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 Another really pleasing month in October and we're still top of the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 18, 2015 Author Share Posted November 18, 2015 Great start Thanks deltablue. I'm happy with how things are going so far, but Wrexham and Tranmere are going to make winning the League (which I have to do to keep pace) very difficult indeed. Getting a draw at Prenton Park was certainly helpful, but one problem is we're very reliant on the goals of James Constable. If we keep him fit and firing, I'm confident we can do what's needed. If that doesn't happen, I'm going to need someone else to step up or change the system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share Posted November 19, 2015 Out of the FA Cup, and defeat to Dover in the first league match of the month, but a very strong finish and I'm happy with November as we finish the month 4 points clear, with a game in hand too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 Tranmere still being miserly but they can't catch you back up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I don't think I've ever seen an AI team do that well in defence. What the hell are they doing? Playing 10-0-0? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 December also started with a defeat, but we recovered very well and ended the month three points clear, with a game in hand EDIT: I've just realised we still have one game to play in December, so this will be included in the January update, hopefully posted later today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 Tranmere still being miserly but they can't catch you back up. Their defence is quite incredible, but they're certainly not parking the bus, as evidenced by them beating us 3-0 in the cup, and the fact that only us and Wrexham have outscored them in the league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 I don't think I've ever seen an AI team do that well in defence. What the hell are they doing? Playing 10-0-0? They're actually playing 4-1-2-2-1, so not exactly parking the bus, though their DMC is probably doing only defensive work. Whatever they are doing, it's working for them, but I'm committed to getting promoted playing my attacking brand of football. 53 goals scored in the league before New Years Day says to me that I'm doing something right Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 Given our start to the season, at some point we were going to have a dip in form. It came in December, and coincided with our star striker's first dry spell of the season but thankfully we're still top of the league, although the others now have games in hand on us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Our form was better in February and suddenly we're 8 points clear and hot favourites to go up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 4 wins from 6 in March and surely promotion is a matter of time now, as we're 14 points clear, with a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Just one player signed from the youth intake, but he has the potential to be a quality central defender in the future Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 Job done. Promotion number one in the bag Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesey1975 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 well done on promotion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 22, 2015 Author Share Posted November 22, 2015 well done on promotion Thanks Cheesey1975. I will finish the season and get it posted, hopefully by Wednesday night, and I'll then be focussing on building a squad to compete in the Football League. I'm going to try to stick to the original plan in terms of how long I stay, but if a suitable League One club comes up, and I'm among the favourites for it, I might jump early. The important part of the challenge is winning the promotions in the right order, not the filler seasons in between. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Tiredness, injuries and a sense of 'job done' probably caused the alarming end of season collapse we wrapped up the title by beating Guiseley, but didn't win again. Overall, very pleased to match Neil Warnock's title in my first season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 It's obvious that promotion was built on scoring goals rather than clean sheets, but ideally I want to strengthen the back 4 and goalkeeper ahead of the League 2 campaign (or join Bolton if they decide to sack their manager following relegation to League 1) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Congrats on the new job - with the way Bolton usually perform in FM, you'll have your work cut out trying to get them back to the Premiership... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 and I've brought Shaun North with me too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Congrats on the new job - with the way Bolton usually perform in FM, you'll have your work cut out trying to get them back to the Premiership... Yeah, I know!! But I always thought that getting back to back promotions with the same team was going to be the hard bit, and I fancy Bolton being easier to achieve it with than the other team who came down from the Championship and sacked their manager (Rotherham). I was listed as favourite for both jobs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 I did think about staying true to the challenge's original objectives, but two things swung it for me. Firstly, Bolton are a very big club. Secondly, if my season in League 2 went badly, I don't think I'd get a shot at a League 1 club. I'm really pleased to have both a challenging club to manage, but one that has been where I want to get to. Excited much Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Normally I'd start at a new club by looking at the squad, but in Bolton's case, the only place to start is the finances. Particular cause for alarm is the massively overbudget spend on wages. There will be no incoming transfers for the foreseeable future, and I will not be able to renew or extend any existing contracts. Here is the full horror story Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Bloody hell. Over £900,000 loan repayments and interest per month! You'd have been better off staying at Eastleigh. Well done winning the National League with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 And here is the squad, which is quite simply massive, but not that high on quality outside the first team There are three goalkeepers, Ben Amos is clearly first choice, Will Jaaskelainen has huge potential, and Fitzsimmons is on my list to ship out On the way out in defence will be Nathaniel Phillips, Francis Kale, and Derick Osede, and I'll be looking to send Lonsdale and Finney on loan somewhere in midfield, I'll be letting all of the following leave permanently: Wilson, Everest, Hall, Harvey, Danns, Earing and Lane, as well as Liam Feeney who doesn't appear on the screenshot, but is a young, not that promising winger. and up front, Heskey, Madine, Abdo and Samizadeh will all be told they are surplus to requirements. Even with all those departures, I think we'll still be way over budget, but I've got to start somewhere, whilst retaining enough quality and depth to get back to the Championship. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 Bloody hell. Over £900,000 loan repayments and interest per month! You'd have been better off staying at Eastleigh.Well done winning the National League with them. I know the finances are scary. My immediate fear is that we go into Administration very early in the season, I start losing players for peanuts, and we don't have a competitive team. Being £153,000 over the wage budget every week isn't going to help either, but even getting that on budget would still mean losing money. I don't regret leaving Eastleigh as they were losing money too, and will not be able to compete in League 2, but it's definitely been a leap from the frying pan to the fire! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 23, 2015 Author Share Posted November 23, 2015 The board have just finalised the accounts for the season just ended, and we lost £10m on turnover of £21m last season. The frightening thing is that the wage bill isn't any lower yet, but the income is a fraction of last season's now that we're in League 1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Getting back up right away will be crucial... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Raising money was more important than results in preseason, but we still got a couple of fearful batterings Although we have lightened the wage bill with these departures Not as bad a start to the season as it looks, as 2 of our three defeats were in cup competitions, and I agree with dllu's assessment that promotion is not just the main objective, but the ONLY objective for the season and we currently sit top of the league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Really gutted about this news. I turned down big offers for him over the summer (I need money, but I also need promotion), and then this happens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Although the wage bill has come down considerably, we're still £30k a week over budget Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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