[FM 17] If You’re Not First, You’re Last Redux – Redemption For The “Nearly Men” Of Europe

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

He looks tasty at 18, too bad you missed out.

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, BoxToBox said:

Quality looking player too, unusually aggressive and hardworking for a winger.

My thought exactly. He could be immense in a strikerless system. The right PPMs would be huge, which is one reason why I was trying to land him.

1 hour ago, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

He looks tasty at 18, too bad you missed out.

Indeed. I've had a bunch of players opt to go elsewhere, but am content with my transfer business this summer.  Details to follow.

With Parfait... An injury to one of my attackers means that I've called him up for the qualifiers in September against Egypt and Cameroon. The temptation was too strong... 

Edited September 16, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

October 2069 Mini-Update

NeverEverkusen is turning into MaybeSomedayKusen...slowly.  We started the Bundesliga emphatically, and have since displayed the form of a young, inexperienced side.

We're also doing things that will reward us in the long run -- stealing points we don't deserve, scalping bigger teams on the counter.  It's a long, long road, but at least we're on it.  We're also looking good value to secure our stay in the Bundesliga nice and early.

Meanwhile, the Ivory Coast is well on-track for China 2070, officially securing qualification with one match to play.  We're ready.

In my search for a backup shadow striker, I called Parfait up to the squad in September -- he didn't play, and was dropped for October when 2 injuries had resolved themselves.  Does he have a chance to make the squad for China?  Absolutely.  But I don't know where he fits into.

   

The promised squad review is coming later today -- I got distracted last night and don't have time right now.

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen Squad Review; October 2069 

Better late than never.  As indicated before, I'm pretty happy with my summer transfer business.  I was able to offload the overpaid/older/crap players (for the most part) through transfers or loans, and to land some of my key targets.

The key moves in were some Ivorian youth on loan (Diallo, Kone, Kouadio and Koffi), and Moller, Reynolds, Lapcevic and Sogodogo on permanent transfer.

While I've tinkered with tactics, I'm playing the PM Cafetero Aguardiente suite of tactics that Gunnar has used to this point, other than the first bit at Partizan when the wingbacks were inverted.

We've only got a 22-player squad due to the small number of games we'll play this season.  I'll expand to 25 once we get into Europe.

 

Goalkeepers

 

In between the sticks, Mofokeng is my experienced starter.  Being out injured means that his deputy (and likely long-term replacement) Lapcevic is getting some playing time.  The Montenegrin has got some nice room to grow.

Liberos

 

Malyshev was my first-choice libero last year and to begin this season, but Groß is going to take over before long.  He's pretty much on-par with Malyshev, but has learned the position faster and has ample room to develop.

Defenders

       

At the back, Rother and Henke are my starting fullbacks.  Rother was the best player at the club when I arrived, and keeping him could be the biggest transfer coup of the summer.  He's capable of being a CL-winning right back in my system.  Henke is solid, but inexperienced.  Kuhn and Achille are servicable for now.  Moller and Donhofer are my backups in the middle, with promising youngsters Saravakos and Koc on the flanks.

Central Midfielders

   

Bringing in Diallo and Kone on loan was huge.  We need a solid midfield pairing, and Kone was in my 2nd XI at Valencia and has been in the Ivorian squad for a little bit.  Kone has always had promise, but chose Caen over Valencia before I left Spain.  Getting him on loan was a nice coup.  Koch and Kapdan are my backups here, but I need to strengthen this area of the squad once the loans end.

Attacking Midfielders

      

Up top, we have some serious talent.  Sogodogo is an immense talent, coming in from Académie Jean-Marc Guillou...if I can keep him.  Ekici is an Unterhaching product with some solid potential that my predecessor landed.  They're joined in the 1st XI by Kouadio -- a lad I had at Valencia who never made his mark, and has been disappointing in terms of his development.  I'm hoping that some first-team football will give him the boost he needs to take the next step and get into the Ivorian squad.  Kasprzk, Reynolds and Koffi are the backups here.  Reynolds is a FFA COE product, with Koffi in on loan from Sporting.  Koffi is another Ivorian lad who declined a move to Valencia and has stagnated...lots of unfulfilled potential.  If he kicks on, he could be in contention for the Ivorian squad in the future.

Final Thoughts & Future Transfers

So, there you have it.  A decent squad, but nowhere near good enough to take Leverkusen to the next level.  To that end, I've lined up 4 transfers.

   

Koffi is a beast, who is banging in goals for ASEC.  He'll join up when his contract expires in December.  I hope he'll become a pure goalscorer for the Ivory Coast -- we have a number of brilliant attacking midfielders, but most of them are playmakers, not pure goalscorers (Sakanoko and Eric Kouadio being the main exceptions, but the latter's poor natural fitness (7) means he is exhausted by the end of a full tournament).

Osuchukwu just looks dangerous, as a speedy goal-scoring threat.  The BJ Foundation?  What a name.

Diarra is a potential beast in the making.  I'd be inclined to train him up as a libero...but worry about his size.

Bamba-Kouassi is a brand-new regen who also fits the speedy goal-scorer mold.  I'm worried about some of his stats, but he could be a squad player for Leverkusen (even is he's unlikely to make the Ivorian side any time in the near future...looks to be too much of a one-trick pony).

[sivso]

I've been reading this for the last few months - amazing. I finally signed up so I can finally comment!

[ManUtd1]

3 minutes ago, sivso said:

I've been reading this for the last few months - amazing. I finally signed up so I can finally comment!

Hey!  Glad to have you on board -- and the comment is much appreciated!

[smp20]

I am an awful human being...I'm way behind on this. Please slow down so I can catch up  

[ManUtd1]

2 hours ago, smp20 said:

I am an awful human being...I'm way behind on this. Please slow down so I can catch up  

Well, I am buried at work this week and next, so... 

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

November 2069 Mini-Update

While qualification for China 2070 was never truly in doubt, it is nice to have wrapped it up undefeated, without having given up a single goal.  Frankly, I expected more competition from the likes of Egypt and Cameroon.  No matter.  We're through, with a strong squad that will be in the running next summer.  We've got the talent.  We just need to put the pieces together over a one-month period.

Domestically, the lads are doing themselves proud.  We're well-clear of the relegation zone and claimed two big scalps this past month -- Dortmund and Leipzig, both 2-0 wins at home.  Surreal.  Stolen points.  But stolen points are just as good as ones truly earned, come May.

The fact that we're sitting 7th is an utter laugh, but no matter.

 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Only 4 points off the top too... 

[ManUtd1]

5 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Only 4 points off the top too... 

True.  But over the length of the season that gap will grow.  No question in my mind.  We aren't anywhere near good enough to compete for a CL spot.

[noikeee]

On 16/09/2017 at 19:05, ManUtd1 said:

Osuchukwu just looks dangerous, as a speedy goal-scoring threat.  The BJ Foundation?  What a name.

One of these days I'm gonna take over Deportivo Wanka just to set up a friendly against BJ Foundation and uncontrollably laugh of this juvenile joke like the inner 13-year old I am.

[BoxToBox]

5 minutes ago, noikeee said:

One of these days I'm gonna take over Deportivo Wanka just to set up a friendly against BJ Foundation and uncontrollably laugh of this juvenile joke like the inner 13-year old I am.

See if you can hold it at Young Boys ideally named stadium...

[Sheriff7]

7th with you as manager?? THAT'S why they call them Neverkupen.. 

[ManUtd1]

On 9/20/2017 at 02:25, noikeee said:

One of these days I'm gonna take over Deportivo Wanka just to set up a friendly against BJ Foundation and uncontrollably laugh of this juvenile joke like the inner 13-year old I am.

On 9/20/2017 at 02:31, BoxToBox said:

See if you can hold it at Young Boys ideally named stadium...

Peak humor, indeed.

20 hours ago, Sheriff7 said:

7th with you as manager?? THAT'S why they call them Neverkupen.. 

It is a well-deserved reputation.  They were even relegated under Telleus, FFS.

To be fair, the current scandals rocking the club are a major distraction.  

Send Brian the Lion to area elementary schools, they said.  It'll make everyone happy, they said.  No one said that "Brian" would sell an 8-ball to an undercover cop in the restroom of the Hauptschule on the Görresstrasse, while in costume, after going in studs-up on an 8 year-old at recess.  Perhaps we should have done a background check before hiring him.

His resume was a photo of Bruce Jenner.  Nothing else.  Who could have seen that backfiring?!

Edited September 21, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Der Speigel has obtained video footage of Brian's job interview with Felix Passlack, our now-retired Director of Football.

This doesn't look good for any of us.

[BoxToBox]

12 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Peak humor, indeed.

Yes.

Peak.

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, BoxToBox said:

Yes.

Peak.

I couldn't resist.  I'll show myself out now.

[ManUtd1]

Getting to and from Beijing for the World Cup draw on a Friday?  Not so easy.

At the end of the day, though, the sleep deprivation was worth it.  Coming out of Pot 3, we could have been in for a nightmare.  As it stands, I'm pleased.  But that could just be the 18 cups of coffee talking...it's really just all one emotion at this point...no peaks or valleys.

 

Argentina is brutal, but only the hosts were an easy draw from Pot 1.  Pot 2 was a mixed bag.  Pot 4, Hungary was a tremendous draw.  It should be between ourselves and Argentina for the top spot.  The only bad part?  Whoever finishes 2nd is almost certain to face Los Cafeteros in the 2nd round.  

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

December 2069 Mini-Update

Time for that much-needed holiday break, after a manic year shuttling back and forth across the globe.  2 trips to China, to-and-from the Ivory Coast...the Cup of Nations.  It's been a long, long year.

But everything is on track.  The Ivory Coast is ready for China.  While we won't be favored, everyone will know that we are a team to be feared.  And Leverkusen is well on-track, way ahead of schedule.

Yes, it's time to relax.  I'm meeting Stalin in Mallorca, a renewed truce in our prank war having been negotiated through third-parties.  What happens in Mallorca stays in Mallorca.  I just need to be back in time to welcome Julius and our newly-confirmed signing from Wits, Innocent Zuma.  He isn't Ivorian, but he already looks to be a steal at 1.7M.

[BoxToBox]

Zuma's an absolute steal.

[kidthekid]

Haha Zuma and innocent as his names. #politicaljokes #grownupsjokes #seemyselfout

[ManUtd1]

3 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Zuma's an absolute steal.

His release clause was their undoing. I'd had me eye on him, but holy **** he's developed.

His determination is only 8, far below what I usually want. But that rate of development gives me hope for his personality, since determination alone isn't the guidepost.

3 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Haha Zuma and innocent as his names. #politicaljokes #grownupsjokes #seemyselfout

I love it. #NeedsMoreCowbell

Edited September 21, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

As if I'd let Parfait go on loan to Levante, of all places.  Not a chance.

 

A big signing for us, which means that I've cancelled Cesar Koffi's loan as he's proficient enough playing centrally that the primary purpose of his loan has been accomplished.  I've weighed up sending Kouadio back, but he's my leading scorer.  With Innocent's signing, I've also sent Adama back to Caen.  

The loans are intended to help the Ivorian national side, but at some point I've got to focus on the lads here on a permanent deal.

[ManUtd1]

My assistant manager claims I can't cancel Thomas' contract, just because he's out for so long.

 

To which I gleefully responded, "challenge accepted."  And now I have to meet with Human Resources...

[ManUtd1]

A quick glance at Europe as we hit the stretch run.  No major surprises at the top, although Club Brugge are a pitiful 11th (on 33 points).

To be fair, West Ham being down 3-1 to Roma is surprising, although there's every reason to believe that result will not hold after a the 2nd leg in London.

  

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

1.7M for President Zuma is highway robbery.

[ManUtd1]

2 minutes ago, The_Gato_In_Goal said:

1.7M for President Zuma is highway robbery.

Can't argue with that.  He's an immediate addition to my 1st XI.  

[ManUtd1]

Whoa...I hadn't noticed this.  Gustav left Lyon mid-season, less than a year after winning the Champions League title, to take the reins at Chelsea.  Always knew he was a plastic, glory-hunting fraud.

  

Edited September 21, 2017 by ManUtd1
Fixing screenshot

[ManUtd1]

West Ham's fortunes have managed to improve, with another Tycoon takeover...this guy seeks to improve upon their 6-straight PL titles, and nearly 20 years of dominance in Europe.

  

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

March 2070 Mini-Update

8 matches to play.  We've got a shot at a Europa League spot, which would be ideal.  Completely beyond our pre-season expectations.  But very doable.

Focus, lads.  Focus.

[ManUtd1]

Hast du etwas Zeit für mich, dann singe ich ein Lied für dich

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

2069/70 Season Review

A fight to the finish saw us in 7th and secure European football for the first time since 2049.  It's been a long, 20-year wait for our supporters.  Hopefully we'll do them proud.

We're undoubtedly ahead of schedule.  With loans expiring, the question becomes how many I try to extend...or do we attempt to stand on our own two feet.  I have my doubts about the squad.  We're certainly not deep enough for a drawn-out European campaign.

Time will tell.  My  mind isn't focused on Leverkusen right now, as the World Cup is imminent.  Les Éléphants are ready.  We're taking a strong, experienced side.  We won't be favored, but our opponents would be foolish to overlook us.

Goals for 2070/71: Make a run at the World Cup.  Not embarrass ourselves in the Europa League.  Qualify for European competition in 2071/72.

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

Bundesliga Fixtures|DFB-Pokal Fixtures

Champions League Review

Leeds return to the pinnacle of European football, claiming their 5th Champions League title following triumph in 2033, 2036, 2044 and 2063.

More imporantly, after years of domestic dominance (8 straight titles, 2063-70) and falling late in the knockout rounds, Dijon has emerged as a newly-eligible team.  France is the place to be, undoubtedly.

  

 

Challenge Overview

Edited September 22, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

In hindsight this was inevitable, the need to dip into the transfer market.

My loanees are heading back to take on first team responsibilities. Their clubs won't even consider another year in Germany. 

Parfait would join on a permanent deal in a heartbeat, but the Italians are playing silly buggers.  I even tried shouting at them, given that most people are cowed by rapid-fire Serbian. Instead, they corrected my attempted conjugation of "fist" as a verb.

Even worse? I thought I was so clever, negotiating a 7M future fee for Georges Diallo with Valencia...only to have him reject a move to Leverkusen because we aren't in the Champions League. 

So much for the big decision on what to do with my loanees, eh? Turns out I never had a decision to make after all.

So, it may be time to dive into the market... The club's first foray into Europe in over 20 years is on the horizon, I dare not disappoint. But my attention is on our final preparations for the World Cup.

The problem being that my trusted Romanian assistant from Partizan (who joined up last summer) cannot be trusted to handle the transfer business on his own. He lacks a certain... Subtlety. 

I mean, he's a nice enough guy.  Ciprian can analyze an opponent's weaknesses while three sheets to the wind on plum Brandy. But he has no people skills whatsoever. He can't read cues.

Case in point: Ciprian is currently being sued by 4 different women for sexual harassment. And that's not the worst of it.

The 4th woman is the judge who was assigned to preside over the first three trials... Until she had to recuse herself due to Ciprian's unwelcome advances. His excuse? She was "talking dirty" to him. Nevermind that she was reading his late-night texts to the second woman in open court, mind you.

No, we're not going to task Ciprian with anything as important as this.

[ManUtd1]

Das ist mir Wurst.

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

China 2070; World Cup Preview

Here we are.  4 years into my tenure with Les Éléphants.  Time to put up or shut up.

We've got a great side.  No excuses to be made there.  If you've been following along, most of these names and faces will be familiar. The question is whether we can put together a run or not...

 

Goalkeepers

  

My undisputed starter in goal is N'Guessan.  50 caps by the age of 20?  Yeah, I've pretty much played him at every opportunity.  Diallo and Kamagate are the backups, even if they are more commonly seen fighting for the No. 1 jersey at Marseille.  Utterly nuts that they're in the South of France together, but that's AI squad management for you.

Liberos

 

Kone is my starter here, although it is becoming harder and harder to leave Demel out of the side.  I'm likely going to partner Demel in the central defense with Guehi, even though he's here technically as my backup libero.

Defenders

       

Among my traditional defenders, 3 are clear starters in my mind -- Guehi, Soro and N'Gorani.  Gnago has partnered with Guehi for years now...but at 34 his legs are starting to go.  He isn't capable of being in the 1st XI for the whole tournament.  Sery and Konan are fighting for that spot, although (as noted above) I may put Demel into the XI with Guehi.  My backups on the flanks are Fofana and N'Guessan-Bakari -- the latter being a dangerous player to bring on, or for my 2nd XI.

Central Midfielders

    

My central midfield pairing has been Kouassi and Diaby for a while now, and that won't change.  Kouassi takes up the more defensive-minded, right-sided slot.  Diaby is the attacking slot.  Rennes lad Kouakou is Kouassi's backup, while Georges is capable of covering both positions effectively.  

Traore is here as a 5th wheel, no doubt.  It came down to him or Parfait Etienn.  I went with Traore.  In a pinch, Traore can cover 3 of my midfield spots (central, or as the deep-lying targetman/playmaker at the center of the front 3), while Parfait is limited to the shadow striker roles.  That versatility was the deciding factor, even if if leaves me without 3 "natural" attacking midfielders.

Attacking Midfielders

    

Up top, Kone will be flanked by Kouakou and Sakanoko in the 1st XI.  Sakanoko took over in the last year or so for Kouadio, due to the latter's poor natural fitness which constantly left him dragging in the Cup of Nations.  So, Kouadio takes over as the primary goal-scoring threat off the bench.  Kouame can technically play all 5 midfield positions in my formation, although I think he is best at the center of the front 3.  He and Traore can flex as needed, even if he isn't the pure goalscoring threat that I might want.  Diaby could be pulled forwards in a pinch, but...

Final Thoughts

There's no good reason for us to not make a good run.  This is a great squad.  I only hope that my decisions on personnel (leaving Parfait and a few other goalscoring attackers behind...) doesn't come back to bite me in the ****.

Our pre-tournament friendlies were less than impressive.  We dominated 16th-ranked Australia, but couldn't finish.  The 2nd XI were laboring to a scoreless draw against the 14th-ranked United States, before some late substitutions made the difference.  Finally, a 1-0 win over 12th-ranked, 10-man Poland...and then we were off to China.

I've had underwhelming lead-ins to tournaments, but this is making me nervous.

  

[ManUtd1]

China 2070; Group Stage Review

A dominant display against Hungary was followed by a near-perfect match against Argentina.  Near-perfect in that we took and then held a 1-0 lead ... until the 92nd minute when Argentina grabbed the equalizer.

Our progress all but assured, I rotated the squad and my 2nd XI annihilated Iran.  So, we're through as Group winners on goal difference...  Yes, we packed our shooting boots.

 We're going to need them.  We've drawn Colombia, after Los Cafeteros' shock 3-0 loss to Tunisia on matchday 2.

Colombia -- my Colombia -- are the defending champions, and ranked 2nd in the world.  This is going to be interesting...

  

 

[HawkAussie]

That is going to be a tough opponent.

[yugo23]

How does their current squad compare to their squad from 2066?

Edited September 23, 2017 by yugo23

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Koné and Sakayoko look immense. Good look against Los Cafeteros.

[deltablue]

Belgium win the prize for easiest WC draw ever.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, HawkAussie said:

That is going to be a tough opponent.

5 hours ago, yugo23 said:

How does their current squad compare to their squad from 2066?

There are a lot of familiar names.  We were solid 4 years ago, but I thought 2070 would be our year.

 

     

3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Koné and Sakayoko look immense. Good look against Los Cafeteros.

They are!  Thanks, man.

1 hour ago, deltablue said:

Belgium win the prize for easiest WC draw ever.

At first I was trying to remember who they drew, thinking that Cape Verde ... but then I saw England.  Brilliant...  #It'sJustbanter

I'm shocked Belgium hasn't won the World Cup or become eligible, actually.  They even failed to qualify for 3 straight -- in 2038, 2042 and 2046...despite their domestic league rising to prominence and winning the 2052 and 2064 Euros (runners up in 2024):

   

[ManUtd1]

China 2070; Second Round Review

An emotional day in Hohhot. We set out in Foquiado, aiming to frustrate Los Cafeteros' narrow attack and hit them in transition.  When we played them straight up at the Confederations Cup Group Stage last year, they were far more effective.  The Third-Place match is where we adopted the approach we're taking tonight, to great effect.

Past is indeed prelude.  We were clinical.  An extremely even match, but we created meaningful chances while they found little more than frustration.  A 3-0 win, although the scoreline was kind in our favor.  We're through, to thundering applause from the Colombian support.  How many times had they seen their heroes scalp a heavily-favored opponent in the way we just did?

Portugal are next.  A tough draw, but there are few Cinderella teams this year.

   

 

[ManUtd1]

China 2070; Quarterfinals

No, I don't want to talk about it.

 

   

[ManUtd1]

China 2070; World Cup Review

At least we went out to the eventual champions, Portugal.  I'm still bitter, though.

 

[ManUtd1]

 

Well, that's something good to come from the tournament.  In all fairness, I said yesterday (off-forum) that I'd be ticked if the Ivory Coast won it because I'm having too much fun with them... 

4 more years isn't all that bad, I guess 

Transfer moves for Ze Germans are progressing.  Caught a news item that Sery was possibly off to Porto for a mere $13.25M, so I naturally had to bid.  Fingers are crossed...

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

UrCristiano must've had something to do with that. Probably moved the ball a fraction to one side from beyond the grave for Koné's penalty.

At least you get to stay with Ivory Coast though.

[ManUtd1]

On 9/24/2017 at 12:18, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

UrCristiano must've had something to do with that. Probably moved the ball a fraction to one side from beyond the grave for Koné's penalty.

At least you get to stay with Ivory Coast though.

My faith wasn't pure enough ... Need to buy more urCristian oils, I guess.

Definitely the silver lining. This team is going to be immense in 4 years! 

Edited September 27, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Das ist mir Wurst

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

October 2070 Mini-Update

It's amazing we've accomplished anything this fall, as I've discovered the golden, plentiful joy of Weissbier.  It goes with everything.  Literally.

I had it with my pancakes last Sunday.  It was ****ing brilliant.

Go on, try it.  You won't regret it.

Well, if your Board sees you playing like this, you might.

Not good enough, lads.  No more Weissbier in the water coolers, until you turn this around.

   

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

10 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Das ist mir Wurst

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

October 2070 Mini-Update

It's amazing we've accomplished anything this fall, as I've discovered the golden, plentiful joy of Weissbier.  It goes with everything.  Literally.

I had it with my pancakes last Sunday.  It was ****ing brilliant.

Go on, try it.  You won't regret it.

Well, if your Board sees you playing like this, you might.

Not good enough, lads.  No more Weissbier in the water coolers, until you turn this around.

   

Maybe they need more Weissbier...

[ManUtd1]

51 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Maybe they need more Weissbier...

Too much Weissbier...or not enough?!

[ManUtd1]

Das ist mir Wurst

Bayer Leverkusen / Côte d'Ivoire 

December 2070 Mini-Update

I've taken it too far.  There's no going back now.

Weissbier with grapefruit?  Oh, yes.  It was a filthy, deviant idea, born out of frustration, anger and a night of far, far too much AbbyBullMeister (a local beverage, 5 parts Absinthe, 6 parts Red Bull, 4 parts Jagermeister) with Ciprian.

Some say it is a fine line between genius and madness.  This idea is precariously balanced on that razor's edge.

We've climbed upwards slowly, and qualified for the Europa League knockout rounds.  So, it can't be that bad...can it?!  Time will tell.  After a short holiday break, it's off to Tunisia for the Africa Cup of Nations, where we'll look to win our third consecutive title.

 

 

Edited September 28, 2017 by ManUtd1