This isn't Spain. This is Catalonia, and we will be Top Dogs

[SRL88]

Great news on the finances. Hopefully they keep you at the helm!

Yeah there isn't any worry about that. Apparently they now 'trust me'.

[Dexter_Morgan]

Great news with the consortium, it sounds like something that happened on my Lillehammer save where a tycoon pulled out of one club and ended up investing in mine with a group. If that is the case then in a league like yours then you should be talking big money

On the pitch that is a decent start, always good to get early points on the board and certainly a lot better than the start of last season.

[SRL88]

Great news with the consortium, it sounds like something that happened on my Lillehammer save where a tycoon pulled out of one club and ended up investing in mine with a group. If that is the case then in a league like yours then you should be talking big money

On the pitch that is a decent start, always good to get early points on the board and certainly a lot better than the start of last season.

Hopefully they give me enough money to take the club to the next level. Without the money, we won't be able to compete with the big sides.

I am pleased with our start to the season. It makes life a lot easier having picked up points early.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - October & November 2017

Liga BBVA

October Results

A pretty solid month for us, despite a drubbing in Madrid. I am definitely pleased with our points return.

Despite being second best for much of the game against Bilbao, we managed to come from a goal down to secure a brilliant win. The goal we conceded came early on and a bombardment from our opponents looked as though we would be in for a torrid afternoon, but a goal against the run of play changed things and brought us back into the game, and we managed to go in level at the break. Just before the hour mark, we scored again to shock our opponents further and give us the lead. After that it was about defensive resilience as we hung on to our slender lead before hitting them on the counter to seal the win. We followed that up with a much better display in terms of our overall control of the game, but we failed to find the net in a goalless draw. We went to Real Madrid expecting defeat in our next game and that is what we got. We were trailing by three goals when they had a man sent off, and then scored ourselves to give us some hope, but Real's class going forward showed as they added a further three goals. The month rounded off with a solid display as two first half goals allowed us to comfortably beat Las Palmas 2-0.

November Results

Given how difficult this month was on paper, I am thrilled with our return.

Atletico had the better of the game against us, but we were always in it and I was gutted when we conceded with twenty minutes left on the clock. We kept plugging away though and scored a very well worked goal with seven minutes remaining to give us a hard-earned point. A second half own-goal away to Sevilla set us on our way to a fantastic victory against the odds as we grabbed a 1-0 win. We followed that up with another fantastic point, this time away to Valencia. Despite falling behind, we quickly overturned the goal and went in at the break 2-1 up. Despite clinging on for much of the second half, we tired and with little time left on the clock we conceded and had to settle for a point. The month rounded off with a poor result against Barcelona, but we managed to hold them off until just after the hour mark.

[tomtuck01]

Ninth after fourteen games, you're doing rather well to say the least. Well, the honkings by Real and Barca aside.

Keep it up.

[SRL88]

Ninth after fourteen games, you're doing rather well to say the least. Well, the honkings by Real and Barca aside.

Keep it up.

I can handle four beatings in a season at the hand of those two because at the moment, we simply can't compete. It's elsewhere that we have been picking up the important points to get us to where we are.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - December 2017

Liga BBVA

A solid little month which keeps us sat pretty nicely just inside the top half of the table.

We were by far the better side against Mallorca, and scoring early in the game thanks to a bundled goal from a corner, I expected us to push on to seal the game but it just didn't happen. We were leading at half-time, but in the second half we completely took our foot off the pedal and the more the game went on, we allowed them back into the game and our complacency came to show as we conceded. After a disappointing draw, we went on the road and grabbed a brilliant victory. It didn't take us long to take the lead, but we conceded pretty quickly as our lead was cancelled out. That didn't halt us though as we soon re-took the lead thanks to a well worked goal on the half hour mark. The second half was less eventful, but there were chances with either side failing to take theirs. We managed to hold on for a solid 2-1 win on the road. Our final league game of 2017 was a disappointing draw in a disappointing performance. We conceded early but managed to find an equaliser on 33 minutes. We should have been looking to go on and win the game from there, but our performance wasn't up to scratch and game fizzled out into a draw.

Copa del Rey 4th Round

Two ties which were never really in doubt and we just went about our job professionally to see the tie through. The first leg was a lot more difficult for us as Lugo were up for the game, but after a goalless first half we began picking them off and soon found our way through. We managed to double our lead late on to put us in complete control. The second leg wasn't very eventful, but an early second half goal sealed a 3-0 aggregate victory.

We face a tough task in round five against Valencia.

[Dexter_Morgan]

You're doing brilliantly so far, a much different start to last year, hopefully you can keep it up and have a decent top half finish

[SRL88]

You're doing brilliantly so far, a much different start to last year, hopefully you can keep it up and have a decent top half finish

Cheers fella .

[SRL88]

It isn't much, but it is nice that the new board have enough faith in me to extend my contract.

[SRL88]

Just my second milestone, but one I am proud to reach.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - January 2018

Liga BBVA

So we head into a new year, and given the fixtures we had to kick 2018 off, I am pretty frustrated with our month here. We should have been looking for more from these four fixtures.

We started slow against Elche and that cost us when we conceded after just twenty minutes. From then on though we improved massively but a mixture of poor finishing and bad luck cost us. We were finally rewarded with a slice of luck when we were awarded a dubious penalty which was dispatched in the 72nd minute to draw us level. We had some fantastic opportunities to take all three points but squandered them. That result was followed up with a good win though. We scored a good goal after sixteen minutes to give us the lead, and not long after Deportivo had a man sent off which put us in even more control. We struggled to take our chances once again following that sending off and things got a little nervy late on, but in the 89th minute we sealed the game thanks to a wonderful strike from Andrea Russotto. We put in a poor performance against Granada, but when we scored in the 72nd minute it drew us level, and it was probably undeserving. We couldn't hang on to that point though because we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner late on as we suffered defeat. We fell behind early on against Real Betis as we started slowly but in first half stoppage time we levelled the game. Neither side really took the second half by the scruff of the neck and the game fizzled out into a draw.

Copa del Rey 5th Round

I am genuinely gutted that we have exited the competition because the performance from the players over the two legs was fantastic. All the goals in the first leg came in the first half as we went from a goal down, to 2-1 up and then level by the break. We also took the lead in the second leg thanks to a great strike by Kike. Knowing that a goal would send Valencia through on away goals I was nervous, and in the 80th minute we conceded and failed to find a second goal to send us through.

Transfers - In

I set myself up for this transfer window saying that we needed to strengthen a lot because I haven't been thrilled with a lot of performances this season. I also felt that since taking charge at the club I had gone away from the Spanish routes of the club, with only three Spaniards in the squad so that is where I wanted to focus, and all the signings during January were Spanish.

Dani Varas - £1.6m - A very good young acquisition who will be of major benefit in a few years, but for now, he is a good option to have on the bench as we look to blend a young player in.

Iago Falque - £1.5m - A different type of wide-man to what I have at the club. Not one of those 'run at defenders', and more of a crossing specialist.

Jaime - £3.6m - A young defender, but a good one too. He needs improvements in certain areas, but he is a good player for the coming years.

Victor Manuel Valero - £300k - A cracking little defender for such a tender age. Definitely looking forward to seeing his development.

Joel - £240k - I felt we needed a bit more of an experienced goalkeeper due to having a couple of younger ones. Joel has a few more years on his shoulders.

Pablo Hernandez - Loan - The wrong side of 30 but still has the ability and on loan, he is a good player to have from now till the end of the season.

Xabi Alonso - £1.8m - He might be 36, but he is still Xabi Alonso. His ability on the ball both in play and from set-pieces will be vital. He brings massive experience with him too.

Transfers - Out

Along with all our signings, we had a fair few departures in a busy January. I managed to ship out five players on permanent deals for a decent return. Players who hadn't featured much, if at all this season so I was pleased to have them off the wage bill. I sent a fair few youngsters out on loan to our feeder club while also managing to send a further two out on loan with the option of permanent deals.

Overall, very pleased.

[Reedy_1988]

Joel's free kick taking attribute :-D

[Nadessico]

Joel's free kick taking attribute :-D

we have complained about that in the Everton Thread

[SRL88]

Joel's free kick taking attribute :-D

we have complained about that in the Everton Thread

I'm not complaining .

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - February 2018

Liga BBVA

A solid little month which ended on an unbelievable note.

Our overall performance against Real Sociedad was solid enough, but in the final third we struggled to really make an impact. We improved a lot in the second half and it finally told just before the hour when Stanley Okoro scored a brilliant solo effort to give us the lead. There was always that tense sense of complacency, but with a few minutes remaining we were rewarded with a penalty which doubled our lead. Although Sociedad pulled one back a few minutes later, it was just a consolation as we grabbed the three points. Our performance against Espanyol was extremely good but we just couldn't find that decisive break in order to grab the win. It was a completely different contrast in performances against Levante because we didn't look effective at all. We took the lead through an own-goal but that lead was never safe and in the second half we conceded. We could have easily lost the point we had but managed to hold on for the 1-1 draw. The month rounded off with an absolutely superb win. The result looks as though we dominated, but that wasn't the case at all. Bilbao had 25 shots at goal to our 12, the difference being that every one of ours hit the target and we took our chances. An unbelievable first thirty minutes saw us four goals to the good and looking comfortable. They pulled one back in the second half but it didn't stop our momentum as we added a further two goals before Bilbao scored another consolation.

[SRL88]

These are both phase one of the planned expansion of both facilities. The rest of the works are now under way.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - March 2018

Liga BBVA

Woah, Woah, Woah!! Where on earth did that come from?

What a superb month for us as we pulled off our first ever 100% month at this level and stretches our winning run to five.

We were fantastic against Malaga and when we conceded just past the hour mark it was a massive kick in the teeth. We didn't let that hold us back though as we kept pressing and found an equaliser in the 74th minute. Our push for a second didn't stop there though and in stoppage time, although controversially, we were awarded a penalty which was thumped home by Xabi Alonso to give us a massive win. Just when you thought things couldn't get better they did. We were second best against Real Madrid, but that was expected really. What was important though is that we looked threatening going forward and defended for our lives when we needed too. We were lucky at times, and that was rewarded late on when Imoh Ezekiel scored the only goal of the game to give us a monumental victory. That was followed up just a few days later with a professional job, something which pleased me from a much changed line-up due to tiredness as we saw the game through with a comfortable 2-0 win. For the second time in as many months we scored six goals on the road as we exploited their narrow formation and scored all of our goals from crosses and pulled off a thumping 6-1 win.

[SRL88]

2017/18 Youth Intake

I'm not impressed, therefore I won't be signing anyone.

[Dr. Hook]

I'm not impressed, therefore I won't be signing anyone.

I hate rubbish intakes like that. It's one of things we wait all year for with a lot of hope and it looks like that more often than not I might have taken a flyer on Aitor Reyes unless he had some sort of terrible personality or one of the weird regen attribute things like a 1 in something positionally vital.

[Dexter_Morgan]

Superb month Europe maybe?

[kris0710]

Wow look at those couple of months! Fantastic results giving you a decent shot at a European place. KUTGW:thup:

[SRL88]

I hate rubbish intakes like that. It's one of things we wait all year for with a lot of hope and it looks like that more often than not I might have taken a flyer on Aitor Reyes unless he had some sort of terrible personality or one of the weird regen attribute things like a 1 in something positionally vital.

I might still take a punt on him, but I'm not entirely sure yet. I think it is more my own frustration with the poor intake.

Superb month Europe maybe?

I'm not going to say that we won't because we're right in the mix. You never know.

Wow look at those couple of months! Fantastic results giving you a decent shot at a European place. KUTGW:thup:

Cheers dude .

[tomtuck01]

I could go over the top with praise for your form, and indeed your overall league position, but I won't. The results speak for themselves. Keep up the good work.

[deltablue]

Very promising whatever happens.

[SRL88]

I could go over the top with praise for your form, and indeed your overall league position, but I won't. The results speak for themselves. Keep up the good work.

Cheers fella .

Very promising whatever happens.

Definitely. Update on the way.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - April & May 2018

Liga BBVA

April Results

Still a very solid month given the games we had to face, with all our opponents being near to us in terms of league positions.

We weren't at the races at all against Atletico so we did pretty well to keep the scoreline down too two. We followed that up with an extremely hard fought victory over Sevilla. We took a deserved lead after a quick start, but in just the 22nd minute we had a man sent off which changed the complexion of the game. It was very much back to the walls from that moment on and our whole team defended as a fantastic unit as we managed to battle our way through the rest of the game, holding on to a single goal victory. I was absolutely gutted with the result against Barcelona. The reason being that the only goal of the game came in the 92nd minute after such a massive effort from all the players as we nullified their attack throughout. We took a battering away to Mallorca in all honesty, but after the last two games we were running on empties. They had a massive 40 shots at goal but we managed to hold them at bay all game before snatching an unlikely victory in injury time. We pulled off a fantastic win to round off April as we battled our way through the game against Valencia. We were second best to them, but our class showed when it mattered as we were effective with every attack in a 3-1 victory.

May Results

Such a massive shame that we weren't able to bring Champions League football to the club, especially with us being fourth going into the final game of the season, but we have still had a remarkable season. After a tough April where maximum effort was put in, the squad was depleted in May. Tiredness had set it and we were suffering from injuries.

We controlled things against Osasuna and after taking the lead it was the usual case of we should have kicked on but we didn't. That came back to bite us because late in the game they scored meaning we had to settle for a disappointing point. A quick start had us in the lead against Villarreal, but they levelled the game just before the interval just when it looked as though we would go in at the break ahead. The second half was very even and neither side looked like winning as the game settled into a 1-1 draw. We comfortably saw off Elche at home with two first half goals gave us the win. The season rounded off in disappointment though. Despite taking the lead twice, we were unable to keep Deportivo at bay as we fell to a 3-2 defeat.

Overall, despite final day disappointment, I am delighted with the fact that European football will be coming to Sant Andreu.

[SRL88]

Genuinely thrilled to have claimed this award.

This is the second year in a row we have been awarded with this.

[SRL88]

Woah, brilliant!!

This is huge news for the club.

[tomtuck01]

Tremendous season on the pitch, but even better season off it.

[Dexter_Morgan]

Brilliant season Good news with the new stadium too.

[SRL88]

Tremendous season on the pitch, but even better season off it.

Brilliant season Good news with the new stadium too.

Definitely. The new stadium is huge news.

[Reedy_1988]

Unbelievable season with a richly deserved recognition for yourself in the manager of the season. Great news off field with the new season too, will you be editing the stadium name?

[SRL88]

Unbelievable season with a richly deserved recognition for yourself in the manager of the season. Great news off field with the new season too, will you be editing the stadium name?

Cheers dude.

I doubt I will edit the stadium name. I don't mind that. It's when they name it after me or another player I deem it annoying.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - Season Review - 2017/18

Liga BBVA

Results (Aug - Dec) - Results (Jan - May)

League Performance: 6th

Just when I thought things couldn't get better we managed to eclipse our performances from last season. Last season was fantastic. It was one of those wow moments, but this year we upped that by finishing sixth, and bringing European football to Sant Andreu. Despite results we did struggle in the first half of the season as I messed about with tactics a bit too much. It was mainly with the way I was wanting us to play and when I finally settled on that after Christmas we started to pick up steam. The stand-out time came when we won five games in a row, including scoring six goals in two away games during that time. We went into the final month favourites for the final Champions League, but after an exhausting April we struggled and had to settle for the Europa League.

Copa del Rey

Competition Performance: Knocked out in Fifth Round

The fifth round was the board target at the start of the season, but I am slightly disappointed. After comfortably being Lugo we were brilliant against Valencia over the two legs so it was such a shame to exit the competition, especially on away goals.

Squad

As the years have gone by the squad has improved massively. We're in a fantastic position at present, but with European football on the horizon we need to strengthen in order to compete.

Transfers - Finances

The season was very busy transfer wise, in both directions.

We are in a healthy position financial wise, but with the summer up and coming as well as repayments on the loan for the stadium I expect this to change.

Player of the Season

1st - Georgi Terziev - Definitely the stand-out performer for us. Best average rating and played every league game.

2nd - Ruben Ricardo Carabali - I honestly believe his performances justified this position. He was an ever-present in the first half of the season but played less after the January window due to signings. He still had a brilliant season for someone of such a young age.

3rd - Stanley Okoro - Very pleased with his season for us. Having arrived from a relegated club where he hadn't really performed he managed to step up for us this season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Season   | League             | League Position  | Copa del Rey  | Copa RFEF    | Notes                       |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 2013/14  | Segunda Div. B3    | 3rd              | Second Round  | First Round  | Promoted via Play-Off's     |
| 2014/15  | Liga Adelante      | 5th              | Third Round   | -            | Play-Off Semi-Final         |
| 2015/16  | Liga Adelante      | 1st              | Second Round  | -            | Promoted as Champions       |
| 2016/17  | Liga BBVA          | 10th             | Fourth Round  | -            | -                           |
| 2017/18  | Liga BBVA          | 6th              | Fifth Round   | -            | Europa League Qualification |[/Code]

[center][size=3][b]Next Season[/b][/size]

I am now five seasons into my reign as Sant Andreu manager and we have European qualification already. It's been a massive achievement for the club and I am proud of it. The challenge now lies in juggling three competitions, something we've never really had to do before.[/center]

[SRL88]

This should help. That is a massive budget for me.

I feel that these show we're heading in the right direction as a club.

[P O\'D]

Brilliant season.

[john1]

Sant Andreu in Europe \o/ Epic season!

[SRL88]

Brilliant season.

Sant Andreu in Europe \o/ Epic season!

Cheers lads .

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - Season Preview - 2018/19

Board Expectations:

Liga BBVA: Achieve a Mid-Table Position

UEFA Europa League: Reach the Group Stage

Copa del Rey: Reach the Fifth Round

My Expectations:

Liga BBVA: I like how the board aren't expecting too much. It makes life a little easier. European qualification is a must for me

UEFA Europa League: Group stage is definitely the aim

Copa del Rey: A cup run would be nice

Budgets:

Transfer: £14m

Wage: £421,697 (currently spending £298,179)

Balance: £13,865,964 (-£1,829,405 since last season)

Projected Balance: £24.43m

[SRL88]

Definitely a sign of where we're heading as a club.

[Beestonite]

This should help. That is a massive budget for me.

I feel that these show we're heading in the right direction as a club.

Love to see this. It's reward for the hard work you put in and so satisfying. Enjoying the read so far. Would be great to see Barca/Real playing second fiddle to you!

[fmFutbolManager]

A fantastic season. Well done. Some personal accolades also!

Great news about the staduim. Shoud bring in some extra revenue. The board seem quite demanding with the qualification from group stages, so good luck with that. I look forward to reading about your European adventures.

[chile_paul]

Great to see the improved performances at the end of last season and with the improved financial power from the new owners you should be in a very strong position to push onwards and upwards over the next couple of seasons

[davehibb]

Absolutely fantastic progress mate and a wonderful read.

I'll certainly be following your fortunes.

[deltablue]

Excellent, hopefully a springboard to further success.

[cameronpo]

Excellent reading & quite an achievement, congratulations! You've also just helped me pass a boring afternoon in work

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask this but what is your teams prefered formation?

[SRL88]

Love to see this. It's reward for the hard work you put in and so satisfying. Enjoying the read so far. Would be great to see Barca/Real playing second fiddle to you!

Definitely showing that we are reaping the rewards for hard work.

A fantastic season. Well done. Some personal accolades also!

Great news about the staduim. Shoud bring in some extra revenue. The board seem quite demanding with the qualification from group stages, so good luck with that. I look forward to reading about your European adventures.

Well it depends on who we draw in the Play-Off in Europe. That will determine whether we qualify for the group stage which would meet their expectations. If we can match that I will be delighted.

Great to see the improved performances at the end of last season and with the improved financial power from the new owners you should be in a very strong position to push onwards and upwards over the next couple of seasons

Absolutely fantastic progress mate and a wonderful read.

I'll certainly be following your fortunes.

Excellent, hopefully a springboard to further success.

Cheers for the comments lads .

Excellent reading & quite an achievement, congratulations! You've also just helped me pass a boring afternoon in work

Not sure if I'm allowed to ask this but what is your teams prefered formation?

Thank you kind Sir . Very much appreciated.

My formation and touchline instructions.

[SRL88]

Our route into the Group Stage is set.

[SRL88]

SRL88's Career - U.E. Sant Andreu - Pre-Season - 2018/19

Friendlies

An excellent pre-season for us with some very good wins on board. I was exceptionally pleased with the two wins which kicked off pre-season at home to Newell's and Borbeaux. We played really well in both fixtures, and with both being biggish sides, the score lines were particularly pleasing. Other than a high-scoring draw away to Racing, we grabbed three other wins in a positive pre-season.

Transfers - In

Jose Angel - £600k - A solid rather than spectacular signing. He's at the prime of his career and looks like he will be one of those dependable players.

Moussa Gnahoua - Free - I had him on loan last season and although he didn't play much I feel he has a bright future. He was mainly a back-up last season, but I might take advantage of the fact he is a natural right-back.

Chico Flores - Loan - He isn't exactly a signing which will set the world alight, but he is an experienced head and with the upcoming European campaign he will come in handy.

Alfonso Ibarra - Free - I was completely shocked when I managed to find available towards the end of last season. I snapped him up. He will be brilliant in a year or two's time.

Antonio Jesus Donoso - £13.25m - Our record signing by some margin. It is a risk, but a risk I felt worth taking. He is at that age where he might struggle to justify his price-tag now, but in the future he will prove a bargain.

Iker Undabarrena - £2.6m - I attempted to sign him in January but Lyon wanted too much. He handed in a transfer request towards the end of the season so I managed to get him rather cheap. A solid signing.

Transfers - Out

Nothing to the extent of last season of last season but there were a few departures.

Four of the six who exited the club in the summer I want to pay tribute too. They're all players who have helped this club in some fortune since my arrival and I wish them all the luck in the world.