Northernpilgrim Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 At last some good news. Hopefully we can get a good youngster in on loan as a result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 September results were ok but unspectacular and it sees us slip to third but still well in touch Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 Nothing but success so far. Them Bolton finances. Great start. Early days yet Analog but thankyou. The finances are an utter mess, and I'm beginning to wish I'd pocketed the £5m that was offered by among others Everton for Zach Clough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 No wonder Bolton always go into freefall under AI control. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 A perfect month in October and we're back at the top of the League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 And just one day into November, I get this message from the board Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Brave move going to Bolton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 Brave move going to Bolton. I'm beginning to realise that! My thought process on taking the job was that if I could get them back up to the Championship at the first time of asking, whilst giving the youngsters a fair bit of first team football, the extra revenue in the Championship would enable me to not have to slash the wage bill next season, and the talented youngsters would have had a year in the team, and might do very well in the Championship. What I hadn't banked on was that Administration might kick in and rob me of not only my established first team, but the young talent too. It hasn't happened yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if we're in Administration before the end of the season. Whatever happens, my focus at the moment is on getting beyond 60 points as quickly as possible (if we do that, even a 10 point deduction won't see us relegated). If the promotion I need for the challenge doesn't materialise, I'll have to change the rules to carry on, and it may be that I just go for getting more promotions than him, without regard for the order or having to get a club up twice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 One setback on the pitch in November in an otherwise perfect month and we're 16 points clear of 7th place now. Given the financial situation is worsening by the day, I think focussing on keeping that gap above 10 points is important, as I believe it's when, not if, we go into Administration. I'd rather it happen away from a transfer window, because I don't want to lose players for little or no money, but ultimately it's beyond my control. If I manage to get Bolton to the Premier League, I think it'll be my biggest achievement on FM ever, probably topping winning the Premier League with Plymouth Argyle on FM15. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 December is going to be a massive month, beginning with a second round FA Cup tie away to Leyton Orient, currently 4th in League 2. I'm actually pleased to have been drawn away, as if we can take it to a replay and get through, we stand a chance of drawing a Premier League team. Wait for the next update to find out how we get on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abulezz Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I had no idea Emile Heskey still played! Hows he doing? Looks like you are going to be crowned Champions no problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 I had no idea Emile Heskey still played! Hows he doing? Looks like you are going to be crowned Champions no problem. I let him leave because he's 38 and quite honestly he's not up to the job of League 1 football. As for being crowned Champions, IF we can avoid administration, we've a chance. If not, it will depend when it happens as to whether we can make a challenge for promotion Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 You're doing all you can on the pitch anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 On Christmas Day(!!) this announcement from the board, a further illustration of our plight Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 You're doing all you can on the pitch anyway. I am, but I can't keep pulling rabbits out of hats. In the same week as the above announcement, three first team midfielders have been injured or fallen ill, for between 4 and 8 weeks each. I have no money, and I think the training ground sale was a bid to stave off administration, but given we're losing a million a month, even the £20m raised from the sale has only given us a £14m bank balance. The real worry is that our outstanding loan is still £92m and is costing almost £1m a month in interest. I'm beginning to believe that, even if I survive the season, this'll be my only year at Bolton, and I'll be looking to move to a Championship club in the summer, and achieve the promotions with different clubs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Despite the increasing gloom off the pitch, December was a good month for results and we're on the verge of being 10 points clear and achieving the 60 point barrier we'll probably need for survival Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Not a brilliant January on the pitch but we're still top Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 and there have been more departures too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 A decent enough return from February's games and the lead at the top now stands at 14 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 You are battling manfully. Kudos to you sir! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 You are battling manfully. Kudos to you sir! Thanks Deisler! I think we all know that I will be off at the end of the season though. Leaving will feel like someone has driven the double decker bus off the top of my head. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 You're doing a tremendous job in the circumstances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Another decent month in March and we're up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 With just 1 point needed to secure the title, I'm going to holiday until the last match has been played, then try to find an exit strategy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Shaun North did at least secure the title as we won the league by 8 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Congratulations! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 At the end of the season, two of the relegated Premier League teams sacked their manager. One of them decided I was the man to get them back up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Congratulations! Thanks Deisler. I'm hoping the finances at Villa are better than Bolton's were!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Here's the squad I've inherited. It looks like it definitely has the quality to get promoted, and we need to go straight up to keep on track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 This request was turned down at both Eastleigh and Bolton on financial grounds, but Aston Villa agreed without hesitation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 The finances at Villa are in much better shape, and in many ways it's a shame this one won't be a long term project, but at least I will be able to keep all the players I want to, and fund replacements for any I don't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 There will be a change of system at Aston Villa due to the quality of wide players on the books. I'm trying a 4-1-2-2-1 to begin with, but we will also use the 4-3-3 as we have 3 strikers who need to play. I will switch between the two, most likely the 4-3-3 will be wheeled out against the lesser sides, and the new formation will be the main one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 Congrats on the title. Villa came and swept you away from a nightmare. Good luck going forward! Thanks Analog! It does feel as though I've walked away from a nightmare, but I'm not exactly pressure free, given that promotion is required just to keep pace. Given that I will then leave if I've got the promotion, I can't help but wonder what the FM world will make of me walking out and going to League 1. This is already shaping up to be a really enjoyable save for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 1, 2015 Author Share Posted December 1, 2015 My first choice lineup looks like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Good luck at Villa mate!! How does Jack Grealish look? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 Good luck at Villa mate!! How does Jack Grealish look? You can see from his star ratings that he's one of the best players at the club (and one of the reasons I'm switching formation), and here are his stats Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 Not a brilliant set of preseason results Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 A slow (but unbeaten) start to the season and we're in a playoff spot at this early stage Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Quite a busy transfer window I went back to Bolton for Max Clayton, who was brilliant for me (and out of contract too), picked up Jason Steele as a backup keeper, snapped up Curtis Nelson as a backup to the defence (he'll be a first teamer in a couple of seasons, but I won't be here to see it). Mason Bennett has huge potential, and I'm hoping we'll see flashes of it as I intend to use him as an impact sub. Finally, Tommy Smith adds further defensive options, as we only had 2 centre backs at the club before he and Nelson signed. I didn't want to lose Angelo Henriquez, but Palace put in a bid that triggered a release clause, and was too big to turn down anyway. I've saved a chunk of the budget for January reinforcements if needed, though I expect loans rather than permanent signings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 You wrote Aston Villa and quality in the same sentence. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 You wrote Aston Villa and quality in the same sentence. It's all relative though, Nobby. A quality Championship team could easily prove to be awful in the Premier League. Luckily, I won't find out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 An unbeaten month in the league, but cup disappointment and we're top of the table, but I can't help feeling it should be even better Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Decent start! How's Clayton fitting in? Thanks Analog . Clayton's done ok, he's only played 4 games so far, but his average rating is better in the Championship than it was with Bolton in League 1. He'll be a useful member of the squad, and I'll be looking to integrate him over the rest of the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 A tough month in October sees our unbeaten record gone and we're out of the automatic promotion spots as a result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 A quiet, underwhelming November and we're off the top again in a very tight race Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 You need to convert some of those draws into wins. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 Part way through December, and I've completed a coaching badge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 You need to convert some of those draws into wins. It's easy looking at the results and the league table to see where we need to improve. We're scoring plenty of goals, conceding too many, and it's preventing us killing off some games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 7, 2015 Author Share Posted December 7, 2015 And I immediately asked to go on the next course, which again the board approved Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 December was a pretty good month and we're now 6 points clear at the top Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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