BoxToBox Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 Been a busy two months, and capped off on the 1st of March with a youth intake. Firstly we worked our way past Carlisle after Man Utd ended Gribbin's loan before the game, only to pick up a massive away day at Anfield. We then went there and put three past Liverpool! They scored seven, though.... Anyway, that earned us a million pounds, which lead to Coaching and Recruitment upgrades, going to Good and Average, respectively, but they also chucked 100k into acquiring some Data Analyst facilities. Of course, we instantly got a draw after the above comments. Still comfortably sitting on the peak. Our new star man, O'Connor had a growth spurt already, and now the staff say he's a League 1 level player! Thinking I might try and extend his contract already, 3 months in.... We continue to strengthen through the winter, adding a stronger DM, and some decent reserve prospects. One time PSG lad, and late of Blackpool, D'Almeida is a massive improvement at DM, better defensively than what we have and far more physical. Norton came from Southampton, McKeown from Everton, both were rated 5* one month ago, but I still think they'll have use long term. Then we had the intake..... We've got one real, true gem! Most are absolute chaff, sadly, I'll keep the top 3, and the very last lad, just to add more Professionalism to the squads. Look at this lad, though! He could go right in the mix today! If we get him tied down for a few seasons we'll be doing very well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Wow! Hopefully you can keep ahold of him. How do your three strikers link up in game, do they crowd the box or drift around? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 16, 2017 Author Share Posted November 16, 2017 3 minutes ago, mjaferrie said: Wow! Hopefully you can keep ahold of him. How do your three strikers link up in game, do they crowd the box or drift around? Two of them are DLF's so they'll drop into the buildup and rush back in late. I mean, about half the goals are Ayoola dropping off, dragging defenders with him, only to pick a ball out of the air with a flick on header for Poame to finish one on one with the keeper. If it's sustained buildup, which is rare enough for us, all thee will crowd the box, with my CM pair a BWM and Mezzala pressuring from the edge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 O'Connor and Davies are two guys you can definitely build around for the foreseeable future. Really nice pickups. D'almeida should add some nice physciality to your midfield as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 16, 2017 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Breezing it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 16 hours ago, wynter said: O'Connor and Davies are two guys you can definitely build around for the foreseeable future. Really nice pickups. D'almeida should add some nice physciality to your midfield as well. We have the core of an 11 that should be reasonable in League 2, at least. 7 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said: Breezing it. So far, all guns firing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Your making things look very easy. Great effort against Liverpool! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 1 hour ago, andychar said: Your making things look very easy. Great effort against Liverpool! Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 So, we've ran out the season, smashing all kinds of records along the way, most points, most wins, fewest draws, most goals scored(123) and Ayoola even picked up a record 20 assists. Amazingly, a lad from Guiseley, on loan from Norwich got the most goals, with 38. We finished up the season picking up the FA Trophy, but a penally win against Aldershot wasn't to standards, so the team received a post match bollocking. In the middle of the run in, there was a new board installed, too. Not sure what the deal is here, as it says the new capacity will be 2722, where as it was 5000. Maybe it means there'll be 2722 seas, as currently there are 1185. Also, when the season ended I yet again got them to pay up for Coaching and Recruitment upgrades, hitting Excellent and Above Average, respectively. We've also gone up a youth level to 4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixPointer Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Flying as per! I dunno how you get through it so fast! Amazing start Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 1 hour ago, SixPointer said: Flying as per! I dunno how you get through it so fast! Amazing start Cheers! I'll slow down for a bit now, getting stuck into the new Pokemon game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 18, 2017 Author Share Posted November 18, 2017 11 hours ago, bigjack.se18 said: Absoutely smashing it! Will be keeping my eye on this one. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 This summer has been brutally fun, just for the fact that some of the released players I landed look brilliant. Yet again we couldn't get any other teams to take part in the Wolf Cup that had appeared before. I think we have the bones of a squad that could all develop into Championship players, so it's a case of keeping the crew together. We did end up losing Lee Davies.... It's not end of the world, as we picked up better prospects, and the deal was good, but I do prefer to keep any good players from my teams intakes.... Plus he was the one HG(at club) player that could contribute, and you need one in every matchday squad in League 2. So, preseason was a cracker, beating rivals Bradford and Leeds(a Prem side) is an excellent showing. In early competitive fixtures, chucking the backups to the lions against Blackburn, for them to go "nah, lets 'ave 'em" and put on possibly the biggest thriller of a game this save was great fun. Albeit coming at great cost... The same backups didn't do as well, but didn't disgrace themselves against Burnley. Mich'el Parker is a good CB, and was a regular in the side, we have great CB depth, though! Transfers! I feel Arsenal could have given Sheldon another season or two, he could yet grow into a fine player and is an instant starter for us. Fisher is ex-Liverpool, and should be first choice CB for us, maybe for a long time. Martin, also from Liverpool, was brought in more as a prospect, but can fit in at CB or CM for us, and in a pinch RB, so should see good early minutes. Cooney is yet another from Liverpool, and a style of player we much needed, brave, hard working, defensively useful and a real handy passer. Redfern instantly usurped Davies as being ranked the clubs hot prospect, and has the personality to grow so I'm quite excited about the ex-Man Utd man. Lee was brought in as a prospect/backup for O'Connor, but the Arsenal lad has already had a growth spurt and looks ready for semi-regular minutes. Ivings comes from Stoke, and should be a fine prospect(especially as he's barely 17, signed as a 16 year old), love his aerial dominance. Owusu-Ansah is ex-Chelsea and should be a fine backup for Ayoola, though he needs work in key areas. O'Brien is from Leeds and worth a punt for 240 a week. Amankwah is missing a few key elements for a CB, but I'm hopeful the ex-Man City kid can be converted into a fine DM. Parpajola was chucked by Roma(I love the new scouting tools!) but has a bit about him, short term he's a fine prospect and backup for Sheldon. Veinante is a backup for the senior side, but the ex-Stade Rennais lad could develop into an important player. Frimpong, the ex-Man City lad is much needed coverage for Wassi. Gomes is a real surprise, released by Academica in Portugal, no other sides showed any interest, so he accepted a surprisingly cheap deal to join us. Not a very well rounded player, but at this level his shot-stopping is elite, I reckon best in League 2, if not the overall best keeper in the league. Levitt is a cheap punt who looks a potentially handy player, released from Man Utd. The finances will help, the main thing is we made this deal after convincing the board to cancel a deal they accepted with Sheffield United for 220k flat and no addons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheriff7 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 113 points??What in hell are you doing man?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abulezz Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Your team looks fantastic for that level of football - you should win the league again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 19, 2017 Author Share Posted November 19, 2017 4 hours ago, Sheriff7 said: 113 points??What in hell are you doing man?? Attacking! 8 minutes ago, abulezz said: Your team looks fantastic for that level of football - you should win the league again. Barring some horrible luck, we should be competitive, and with players this young they'll develop and our squad can only get stronger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Making it look very easy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I like how you are picking up players from the top English clubs. Smashing 113 points there mate KUTGW Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 9 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said: Making it look very easy. This season's looking a tad more challenging, well, we're just after pulling clear, but up until the last two games were tied on points with Oldham, and with 3 teams a single point behind. 1 hour ago, DavidBeckham said: I like how you are picking up players from the top English clubs. Smashing 113 points there mate KUTGW Cheers! I've started adding some foreign lads into the mix, but under the same mindset of giving these lads a chance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 So, we're flying, even if it's been more of a fight than past seasons, partially due to stronger opponents, but also because my midfield gets decimated during international weeks, with Irish and Welsh youth internationals, and a Benin full international. Still, I'm happier that we have international quality in the squad than our best players being lesser but available. The biggest surprise here is that Forest are a League One side.... Two new players join the ranks... Kongolo is here to help our midfield woes, we were lucky the ex-Man City lad was still available. He's the brother of Monaco defender Terence Kongolo. I probably shouldn't have signed Ouedraogo, as we have plenty of CB's, but it's hard to say no to a clear upgrade in the starting 11, released from Monaco. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Great Work! Had Kongolo in a Heerenveen save last year and really liked him so hopefully he can kick on and do some work for you League 1 looking like a matter of formality (Fingers Crossed!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 1 minute ago, wynter said: Great Work! Had Kongolo in a Heerenveen save last year and really liked him so hopefully he can kick on and do some work for you League 1 looking like a matter of formality (Fingers Crossed!) Six games played, and he's looking like he should be first choice at DM. Impressive considering he wasn't match fit for half. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Rodders for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 9 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: Rodders for me Much more physically developed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hate this, far too soft. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pompeyboyz Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 9 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Hate this, far too soft. Don't be so sure I got this one and can't even sign a French player as he's never been capped before. It can all depend on the finer points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hopefully there'll still be a bit of challenge to it so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Starting to wonder if you'll just win every league on the first attempt on the path to the Premiership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Brilliant achievement so far. Making the football league look very easy. Looking forward to the first Bradford PA v Bradford battle...it should be a bloodbath! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajj7 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Wow amazing progress, some of those youngsters these big clubs release. I do lots of Southampton saves btw and O'Connor has been a player I have been tempted to keep on several occasions. I certainly think he could do a job in the championship once he develops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 27 minutes ago, noikeee said: Starting to wonder if you'll just win every league on the first attempt on the path to the Premiership. It'd certainly be the least interesting path, but we're already starting to pull clear in League 1. Surely at some point, the quality of released players we can sign will level off, and things will become more difficult...?! 24 minutes ago, andychar said: Brilliant achievement so far. Making the football league look very easy. Looking forward to the first Bradford PA v Bradford battle...it should be a bloodbath! They're up in the Championship right now, but very much in a relegation battle. 6 minutes ago, tajj7 said: Wow amazing progress, some of those youngsters these big clubs release. I do lots of Southampton saves btw and O'Connor has been a player I have been tempted to keep on several occasions. I certainly think he could do a job in the championship once he develops. Aye, some of these lads I'd have given more time at any big club. O'Connor's development has slowed this season, but he still has time on his side at 20. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Into January, and we are indeed now in control of the league, 9 points clear of Crewe. I'm a bit annoyed though, some of the new boys, Sheldon especially, are already being creeped on by Championship sides. Huddersfield especially have eyes on our young starlets. Would have liked to have beaten Wigan, but less fixtures is probably more helpful. Of course, I can't keep my hands out of the transfer market.... Felt LB was especially a place were upgrades would be helpful. Ogilvie is an ex-Spurs lad I've been waiting to lower his demands for a few months, then a few weeks ago he wanted less than a third what he'd been asking all along..... Pendant comes from Sochaux and looks ridiculously good for this level..... I've been signing Fede for years in FM saves. Seems this year his star has fallen, but he's still excellent for us, and will add much needed leadership. Ex-Sevilla. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Ooooh, Fede looks like my kinda player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillHoudini24 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Fede the yellow card machine! I've been silent reading from the start, great thread! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 19 minutes ago, mjaferrie said: Ooooh, Fede looks like my kinda player. He's going to kick everyone, it'll be great. 3 minutes ago, BillHoudini24 said: Fede the yellow card machine! I've been silent reading from the start, great thread! Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Fede looks like an incredible signing. 16 tackling, 17 work rate and 18 aggression. Exactly what you want in a defensive mid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 3 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Fede looks like an incredible signing. 16 tackling, 17 work rate and 18 aggression. Exactly what you want in a defensive mid. Composure is the one weakness in his game that slightly concerns me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 3 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Composure is the one weakness in his game that slightly concerns me. Would it work if you gave him the “Looks to Pass Rather Than Attempting To Score” PPM to make him play the ball immediately and avoid being closed down. If it did work, it would stop the opposition exploiting his lack of composure. What I'd be wary of is, while 18 Aggression is very good, the fact that he has 9 Decisions to go with it. Might result in a few red cards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 8 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Would it work if you gave him the “Looks to Pass Rather Than Attempting To Score” PPM to make him play the ball immediately and avoid being closed down. If it did work, it would stop the opposition exploiting his lack of composure. What I'd be wary of is, while 18 Aggression is very good, the fact that he has 9 Decisions to go with it. Might result in a few red cards. Oh, he's definitely going to get some red cards, no doubt about that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 Few months later, and it's smooth sailing, along the way we've had the junior coaching and youth recruitment upgraded to exceptional and established, respectively, along with the latest intake. After buying a couple of good left backs, of course the star is another left back..... Took a quick, surprise lead against Swansea. Then they kicked the arse off us, oh well. Oddly enough, no January signings..... one big 700k sale to Hull, though. Wasn't getting enough of a chance with us really, and the money helps. Going to keep a few around for personality reasons. O'Leary looks bloody excellent though! Hopefully he'll be with us a long time, we need homegrown talent badly. Not great PA, but I like this guy too and if he gets his finishing up some, Muntari can be a useful wide striker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Season's done, and it's all good. We've won the league, smashed a few records along the way too. Bradford City stayed up in the Championship, in the end, so we won't have competitive derbies next season, unless we get drawn in the cup. The latest round of youth upgrades may have been a mistake, as running costs have skyrocketed, and we enter the summer on the edge of going into the red. Now, I'm off to offer all my young starlets new contracts, despite giving them all new contracts in January.... freaking load of Championship sides giving them the eyes...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 This is getting too easy for you Congrats on the triple one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Amazing end of season form! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torresinho Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I follow this from the begining , and i'm really interested to see your 4-3-3 tactics , u have rly nice results . Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 1 hour ago, DavidBeckham said: This is getting too easy for you Congrats on the triple one! Cheers! 57 minutes ago, mjaferrie said: Amazing end of season form! Definitely kept the best for the run in, almost like the players knew they were in the shop window..... 52 minutes ago, Torresinho said: I follow this from the begining , and i'm really interested to see your 4-3-3 tactics , u have rly nice results . Cheers Cheers! This is what I've been doing so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 There needs to be a new difficulty setting for you where either you start with 9 men or they get to start with 13. Just to even things up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maw74 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Wow, talk about leaving your rivals in the dust! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 1 hour ago, andychar said: There needs to be a new difficulty setting for you where either you start with 9 men or they get to start with 13. Just to even things up. Fede was supposed to help with that, but the lad only picked up 6 yellows in 24 games.... 1 hour ago, Maw74 said: 53 minutes ago, deltablue said: Wow, talk about leaving your rivals in the dust! I'm not sure how long we can keep this pace up for, but it's been frightening so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 This summer was a bit different. Not as many good young players available, despite us moving up a league, and having better budgets. I did get some in, but that said, it was more about keeping the stars we had. Pretty much everyone was offered a new deal, luckily most new deals were close to their old ones, and even those with a good raise were still well within reasonable numbers. The biggest effort of all was Dave O'Leary, since he was too young to give a new contract, I had to spend all summer battling Championship and Premiership sides for his contract. Everton most notably. Luckily it was managed and he stays with us for now, hopefully for good, he's currently 2nd choice at LB...... On pitch, we started at some severe pace, notably beating two Championship sides in the Carabao Cup, rewarded with a lucrative(ish at this round) trip to Man City. The highly prestigious Wolf Cup adds a new name to the history books. Transfers! Bennett was released by Man Utd, but looks like there's a handy playmaker to be developed. Wood is ex-Stoke, doesn't look special, but high PPA and on a youth deal, worth a punt. Swaine is ex-Spurs, and again, worth a chance on the cheap. Dessie-Cro is ex-Man City, another flier on a youth deal. Bentley is also Man City and could become a tidy Mezzala. Clucas though.... He was my main target this summer, so well rounded with ridiculous passing and vision he could become really important for us quickly. Ex-Chelsea. Miller is ex-Man Utd and should at least make a backup DM. Bettis is depth at striker, as I didn't realise we were light until quite late in the summer, still, the ex-Bournemouth lad could be a good wide strike or Mezzala. Two big sales. 500k to Brentford and 750k to Marseille Consolat, respectively. Would have liked to keep them both, but need the money and far more besides to keep the wolves from the door. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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