Generic Journeyman Career Title

[andychar]

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Don't worry I am ashamed of that title.

Friendlies went well. 

I mean I had nothing to do with them but my ass man is looking to replace me it seems.

As you can see Michel Lugo was back for the final game which filled me with confidence. He didn't play very well without Bleda last season so fingers crossed he can hit the ground running.

We started the season away to Tai Po. A very tricky start and a great early test of our newbies. 

The squad I'll be rocking into the new season with looks like this.

I'm more than happy with my 1st XI but if we hit an injury crisis we could be screwed. 

The media tipped Bleda to have another belting season...once he starts being a man about his awful, painful Shin Splints. 

It also boded well that we have 2 young players who could make an impact. Ng Ka Hin had a brilliant season last season and I'm hoping for more of the same. 

I also applied for the Suwan job who are currently 3rd in the South Korean top league...despite having a better reputation than the person who got it I didn't even get an interview. I'm hoping a strong showing in the league and another trophy laden season might be enough to bag me a top job and then maybe I can seriously look at challenging for the Champions League, rather than just being happy to be in it!

Another foreign rule mistake has been made. Your allowed 6 in the squad which is great. But only 4 on the pitch at any given time. It means when Bleda is fit I will have a very difficult decision to make.

Anyway onto the first game of the season and the only game to take place in August. 

5 new starters lets see how they do.

Great performance and a great result. 

Helio was MOTM by far and it was great to see the signing nobody wanted (including me really) Viterale get a goal. 

I won't bother with a table. We are 2nd. Purely on Alphabetical order. I have put a petition in for us to be renamed "Eastern and am awaiting the reply.

 

[andychar]

Rambo

Very busy month this month.

Plenty of domestic fixtures mixed with 2 World Cup Qualifiers as well.

We will start with the usual.

Help.

It he plays like he did on his debut that Major Criticism will soon disappear. It not a shot in the dark he was the 2nd highest Hong Kong goalscorer last season.

Dressing Room Atmosphere already back to a decent level.

The hardest match of the 2nd round qualifying for World Cup was next. Bahrain away. I'd be happy with a draw.

A great result made it 2 wins from 2. Same as Turkmenistan. Bangladesh away was next.

Was always expecting a big win but its nice to win that big.

We were already in control and will be fully expecting to make it through to the next round.

As you can imagine after that game the records tumbled.

Back to domestic matters.

The Community Cup game I can't take seriously. It was played one day after I beat Bahrain therefore smack bang in the middle of an international break. I was depleted and I'm sure they were. It was nice to win but it isn't a reflection on how the season is going to go.

We have looked good in both our League games. Dreams pushed us a little but the 3rd goal killed them off.

It was the 2nd year in a row we met Kitchee in the first round of the Senior Shield and the 2nd year in a row we bumped them off. Its the only cup competition the board cares about so its added pressure but another good performance. Unlike the Community Cup it was a full strength squad so all the more pleasing.

We are in the exact same position we were last season...and we know how that ended.......

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

5 hours ago, andychar said:

We started the season away to Tai Po.

Is it actually spelt that way or was that just a Tai Po?

 

Jokes aside, good luck with this! Looks like an interesting challenge.

[andychar]

The Foreigner 

Exactly how I felt being an English/Scottish man managing in Hong Kong while also juggling the Saudi Arabian National Team.

Speaking of which 2 more World Cup Qualifiers took place this month.

Turkmenistan at Home then Tajikstan away. 6 points from 6 should be a given here.

I did once against apply to a better job...

With the same old story. I have 1 more badge to go for and I'm hoping that will bump me over the edge. I'm not sure if I've gone as far as I can with a team from Hong Kong.

Any way back to the football.

Two good professional performances left me on the brink of the next round.

3 games left and only needing 2 more wins to guarantee and one of those is at home against a team I beat 11-1.

Domestically it was a short month thanks to international duty. 3 games in 3 different competitions.

Comfortable win in the league but we lost another striker during the international break so we had a 17 year old Hong Kong reserve striker on. He did ok.

We lost Lugo which is a massive blow but it comes just as Bleda is coming back to full fitness. Once again in the cup we relied on another Hong Kong Reserve Striker. He scored 1 and set up 2 so as far as debuts go it wasn't half bad.

The game against Lee Man in the only cup the board care about was the first back for Bleda. All eyes were on him. It took him 6 minutes 40 seconds albeit from the penalty spot. We dominated the first half but it took us a while to get going in the second. But we were safely through.

Onto the tables.

Annoyingly Kitchee played a game more than us in the league due to us knocking them out the cup. Puts a bit of early pressure on the game in hand but its so far so very good.

Very early days in the Sapling Cup. 

 

[andychar]

On 01/10/2018 at 16:23, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Is it actually spelt that way or was that just a Tai Po?

 

Jokes aside, good luck with this! Looks like an interesting challenge.

Its interesting indeed. Onto my 3rd season and I'm still to even play a Champions League game never mind win the thing!

[andychar]

Rush Hour

So November was going to be slightly more busy than normal.

That is on top of  international game.

"Okay"

Back to "pleased" for now.

Not worried.

Good new this month. Is this why my finances have been plummeting?

Internationally I only had one game.

But it was a good one!

Domestically it was a jam packed month with 3 different competitions.

In Champions League watch...

Al-Ain made it back to back titles with a seemingly straightforward aggregate win.

If I made it to the group stage it would be a modern day miracle.

Anyway back to Eastern.

Absolutely perfect.

We were 5-0 against Southern District at half time and as they were the team who beat us last game of the season last year I really wanted to stick the boot in. I had to settle for 5 though.

Lee Man had the audacity to equalise so 3 minutes later we made them pay and made sure they couldn't get back into the game. 

Fuli was a grind but we got the win. 

Dream was a strange one because we had so many internationals out. Luckily the foreigners don't tend to be good enough to be called up for the likes of Brazil and Spain so they stay. Straight forward win.

We went 2-0 down after 10 minutes against Pegasus. We clawed it back before half time, I gave them they old hair drier treatment and it worked a treat! The win saw our passage into the Semi Final of the League Cup secured.

Tai Po gave us a good game and we didn't shake them at least in the first half as it was 2-2 after 18 minutes. Luckily we pushed on and dominated the second half. In the return game they went 1-0 and we missed some sitters. I thought it was going to be one of those games but we grabbed the equaliser just before half time and then kicked on in the second. 

Brilliant month left the tables looking like this.

Kitchee have a game in hand but we have really avenged last season so far. 

We should get though this no problem.

I've applied for a job in China. A team who was predicted to finish 3rd but ended up finishing 9th. Its more of a see what happens type of application.

 

 

 

[kidthekid]

It's all coming together 

[andychar]

Black Christmas

My last month in the Black (hence the film used...see what I did!).

I would have this man's babies.

100% win record in all competitions just isn't enough for some people.

I can report a steady ship as well. 

3 games 3 different competitions 2 different competitors 3 different venues. 

Before the first game was played I got this piece of news.

My reputation is currently 2 stars. I can't be too far off at least getting an interview for these big jobs. I shall continue to try!

Hopefully this months results will cheer me up.

Perfection. Everybody is confident and although we have had a few injuries everybody is stepping up. Li Ka Yu is from our youth and is absolute trash...even he is playing well.

We are through to the semi final of the Sapling Cup and we bagged our first Cup Final to be played next month. 

100% at the half way stage but I haven't played Kitchee yet. That's a 6 point swing waiting to happen so I'm not getting carried about just yet.

2019 finished on a high. I'm hoping this time next year I'll be in a position where I'm at a club that could challenge for the Champions League.

 

[andychar]

10 hours ago, kidthekid said:

It's all coming together 

That it is! I just wish I was getting interviews at least!

[andychar]

Well I had a nice big post with updates including Champions League and I got a Crash Dump. Not happy and at this point I’m debating if I should carry on or not.

Too many of my saves have ended this way and I’ve really lost all my patience with FM. 

[andychar]

Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope

After doing a bit of research I did everything that was asked of me and now I just keep my fingers crossed it doesn't happen again!

I lost all my screenshots of the previous few months so here's a whistlestop tour to bring everybody bang upto date.

I will post a full fixture list but boy do I need to get this out the way.

We made the Champions League Group Stage!

We absolutely got battered against Ulsan and they missed a lot of easy chances. But end of the day I don't care.

I'm not expecting anything from that group but its brilliant to be involved.

I finally have an interview in the A League. Not expecting to get it but its nice to know I'm making waves. This was the day before we beat Ulsan so my stock will have increased even more so.

And there we go.

Anyway onto 2 months worth of fixtures.

Sapling cup meant nothing but I wanted to keep momentum and it worked! The game against Kitchee was weird because they were the better team but we took the chances and that was the difference. Can't remember the Pegasus game but it looks good doesn't.

First loss of the season in the first cup final. One of those games really we dominated but couldn't take a chance, opposite of Kitchee. Annoying really.

Then the Champions League happened. We won the first game against Suphanburi 4-1 then I had my crash dump, decided not to give up and then won 3-0. The game against Ulsan obviously I wasn't expecting anything. We took a 1-0 lead into half time with our only attempt on goal. They equalised fairly early in the second half then destroyed us for 45 minutes. They missed some big chances and by the end we were hanging on. Was happy with ET. Nothing happened in ET and we went to penalties. We won 4-3 on penalties after they missed twice. Smash and grab and a brilliant win.

Simple wins in the cup and league before we gave a good account of ourselves in the first group game. Not expecting anything at all but its nice to be there. We went 1-0 up but once again conceded early in the second half. We were hanging on a bit and our resolve ended with 8 minutes to go. 

Tables look like this.

Should be a matter of time now for the league.

I'm not expecting this table to change much.

Busy month next. Just the way I like it.

 

[ManUtd1]

Glad you're back up and running, man. 

[andychar]

5 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Glad you're back up and running, man. 

Cheers mate. I just couldn't leave it the way I did!

Continental Divide

It appeared the Asian Champions League had steamed the bleeding financially but we were still in the red. 

For the first time this season the board were delighted.

As this will do for now.

I'll start Internationally. Final two 2nd round games took place this month. Both as pointless as each other.

Not great performances but 2 wins from 2 and no complaints.

It was a breeze in the end.

These were the 5 countries standing in the way of me and the 2022 World Cup. I was more than happy; Iran, South Korea and Japan were all in the other group and Australia are hosting. I'll be disappointed if I don't qualify for the World Cup from here.

Anyway back to Hong Kong.

It was a great away point in the Champs League. We were 3-1 down and brought it back. 

We were brilliant against Sha Tin but then following it up with two limping performances. Still wins are wins and we move within one win of the League Title and automatic qualification for the Champions League Group Stage next year.

I felt 4-1 was slightly unfair but can't complain with the result. We gave them a good run for their money.

We reached the League Cup final thanks to a comfortable win. We followed it up with a poor performance in the Sapling Cup. I did rest a lot of players as I don't really care about the cups this season. 

All in all it made for a decent if not perfect month.

As mentioned we were only 1 win away from the League. That wouldn't be necessary if Kitchee lost their game in hand. At this point however I wanted perfection. 

No shocks in the Champions League. I would like to not finish last and feel I have a chance of this.

Decided to sign a new contract. No release clause so I would be free to leave whenever I wanted. I'm hoping I've done enough over the past two seasons to get a job with a team capable of winning the Asian Champions League.

More games with Kitchee next month (there is another the month after!). 5 games in 4 different competitions. 

 

[andychar]

Without A Paddle

We went into this month knowing we faced a few big games.

It also turns out you only receive money from the Asian Champions League with a win or a draw which has left us...

Not looking good at all. 

Harsh to be upset about a narrow defeat against a much better team while at the same time being delighted with a draw against one!

Dynamics were looking good.

Nothing to report this month really apart from the results.

We reached the FA Cup Final which is good because this season the board actually care about it. 

We gave Perth Glory another brilliant game, we were 4-0 down at half time and 100% fearing a battering but we came out in the second half and did the club proud. We will finish bottom but its a decent bottom (hehehehe).

Another win against Kitchee and we lifted our first silverware of the season (not counting the crappy community shield type thing). Same score and similar performance to the cup game. 

We went behind against Fuli but responded well. From then it petered out into a dull game. 100% record gone but unbeaten still remain.

We were outclassed in Japan and for the first time failed to score. It probably could have been more and I'll see 2-0 as not embarrassing!

Nothing out the ordinary in the Champions League. We bow out with a game against Suwon away...I fear the worse.

Despite there only being 2 games left and only having dropped 2 points all season the title is far from won. If we lose our next game against Kitchee then the title will go down to the final day...and we all know what happened last time....

 

 

[andychar]

The Fate of the Furious

Best get the usual out the way.

Didn't take as much of a hit but its still looking grim.

Delighted. That will quickly change if I don't win the league!

Nothing to report here.

Bring it on!

I was fearing the worse against Suwon.

They had 2 penalties, one scored one missed and we had a goal disallowed. Brilliant performance and I've never been so happy with a loss before!

Erm...yay?

If we win the league we will automatically be put into the Group Stages...not that I plan on being here for that.

We lost Bleda to an injury which will 100% keep him out of the game against Kitchee then potentially the final game of the season. Worse time for that to happen.

Ok so mayyyyybe it was a penalty.

Ok so 2 games left and only 1 point needed. First up is an away trip to Kitchee.

Not the start we had in mind.

And that's what it looked like at half time. Just one goal is needed to be champions.

Perfect! 25 minutes from the title.

And with 4 minutes to go there was a 3rd goal...

Boom! To win the league is one thing but to win it in the back garden of your rival is something special.

And with it comes the spoils.

 

Best manager ever in Hong Kong Fergie eat your heart out.

Two more games to finish the season including a Cup Final and the chance of an unbeaten season.

I know its only an 18 game season but I'm still proud of this achievement.

The final table looked like this with Kitchee actually losing their final game.

We swept the awards.

No surprises.

Top 3 top goalscorers.

Terrible signing this lad...

See if I can put the icing on the cake and take home the FA Cup.

Short answer was yes.

Great end to the season and unlike last season we can sit back and relax.

 

 

 

[kidthekid]

Congrats on winning the league. I wonder where you end up.

[andychar]

18 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Congrats on winning the league. I wonder where you end up.

Thanks it made up for the disappointment of last season. That's the problem now. I'm only wanting to go to a club who already has the foundations to challenge, or literally any Australian team but I'm not getting any interviews. I maybe stuck in Hong Kong for another season.

Oscars 2020

So it was awards night and after a great season a fun night was had by all.

No real surprises here. Henrique has been a force to be reckoned with.

Just the one failure in the Shield but other than that a near Domestic clean sweep and almost leading the way from start to finish.

Nothing really to report here.

They just won't let that 2-0 defeat slide!

One more step to go however I have a feeling what's I'm going to be told when I ask for the last one.

Yeah pretty much that.

Our first signing of the off season.

He was released from Kitchee after refusing to sign a new contract. He is one of the best Hong Kong Strikers out there, this coupled with Lugo bagging Hong Kong Citizenship we are going to be a force to be reckoned with going forward.

Just to keep you up to date with International Duties.

A simple two friendly international break. We were probably just the better team against the Ivory Coast but a draw was more than fair. We were behind 3 times against Venezuela before turning the screw. A really enjoyable game.

I didn't want to take a new job just for the sake of moving. I wanted to make sure a new job was the right one. Unfortunately there was nothing coming up and when it did I wasn't getting interviews. My reputation had steadily improved while at Eastern but obviously not enough. I was going to give it one more year in Hong Kong then I was probably going to have to leave for a bigger league if not a bigger club.

 

[andychar]

Repeaters

So after a lot of attempts to leave before I knew it the season was starting.

Good! I need all the help I can get! Hopefully it shows in the finance. 

Maybe not.

Not surprising considering the season we had.

New season and new competitions.

The draw had been made for the League Cup. Tricky tie against Southern District.

We were favourites once again but it looks like it will be tight.

The board were delighted and for once had no criticism! Heaven forbid I dare lose a game.

Lots of what I assume is green (I'm colour blind) so I'm happy.

The favourites for player of the year so just how much of a two horse race they are expecting. I have a feeling they won't be too far off.

Young player of the year odds. Mateus' contract runs out the end of the season and he doesn't want to sign a new one. And I don't blame him at all.

All that was left was to start the new season. I will be applying for jobs all the way through the season. I'm a bit annoyed I cant see to get an interview anywhere but at the moment I'm enjoying my time with Eastern and hopefully my exploits with Saudi Arabia will help me bag a top Asian job.

I bagged one more signing before the season started.

Last season I only had 1 WBL and he was constantly shattered. This guy has great potential and I think he could easily replace the first choice who also happens to be a foreign player. Would be great to try and free up places for other positions.

As is tradition it seems we only had one game in August to kick off the new season.

Only one new face started and that was Alex up front. I believe we were so far ahead of the game last season I didn't actually need to do much...

I'd say I was spot on. Disappointed too concede 2 goals but a great start to the season. It put us top and 1 of only 2 teams to actually win on opening day.

The season had begun and for the time being I was stuck in Hong Kong.

[andychar]

Around the World in 80 Days

After two more applications in China led to zero interviews I made a decision to expand my horizons. I removed all the lower leagues in Asia so I was left with the top Divisions. I removed the 2nd tier in South Africa and I added the Mexican top tier and the MLS. 

Nothing in this challenge said I needed to do Asia first so maybe it was time to move.

But for the time being my focus will be on Eastern. The Kitchee match takes place in the middle of an International Break so it will be about taking that one with a pinch of salt. I wanted perfection in the league and the Senior Shield is one of the few competitions the board actually care about so it was an important month.

World Cup Qualification Final Stage also began this month with a Home game against Syria then an away game against Lebanon. Two winnable games.

But first the important stuff.

A certain Tom Petty song comes to mind when I see this graph.

Didn't even need to lose a game!

All good.

Back to Saudi Arabia.

The Lebanon game was annoying as we were 4-0 up and cruising but we held on thats the main thing.

Good start but we have harder games to come.

We started the month as we ended it with a great win against Kitchee. For the second year in a row we dumped them out the Senior Shield in the first round. We weren't great against Lee Man but grabbed the goal we needed. We were rubbish in the first half against Wong Tai Sin but scored 5 goals in the second half. 

For the third year in a row we were the only team with a 100% record after 3 games. Long way to go yet.

[andychar]

What Dreams May Come

Another busy month both Internationally and Domestically.

It started Internationally with 2 more World Cup Qualification games.

It was a grind but a brilliant result away to Iraq.

The scoreline flattered us in what I picked out as the hardest game. All in all a brilliant International Break.

We have opened up a nice gap already and it will take a collapse not to qualify for the World Cup in Australia.

Domestically it was same old same old really.

Sapling Cup Draw was made. Shouldn't be a problem.

Speaking of problems. Its obvious I'm not going to be able to stem the bleeding, I don't know what the future will be.

Luckily we have the backing still, apart from that awful signing which the fans were happy about.

I'll stop posting this unless anything drastically changes.

Not an eventful month so here are the fixtures.

Perfect but a bit disappointing defensively. Only the one clean sheet.

We were very dominant the first time we played Dreams FC and we could have had double figures. Apart from a good 4 minutes it was an even game. 

We were 3-0 up against HKFC then lost out concentration. They had a chance to equalise but luckily they couldn't take it. Fuli dared to equalise but we soon took control of the game and didn't let go.

We are 2nd but with a game in hand. Kitchee are threatening to take us all the way again.

 

 

[andychar]

Crazy Rich Asians

No not us.

Apparently the winner of the Hong Kong League face off against the Winner of the Chinese Super League in a two legged competition. I'm not being funny but that's about as fair as the winner of the Superbowl facing off against the winner of the Little League Finals.

This game sometimes...honestly...this was only the first leg. Oh and there was only suppose to be 4 minutes added on.

We lost the 2nd leg to lose 9-6 on aggregate. We had a goal disallowed and missed a penalty so it really REALLY wasn't meant to be.

I had an immediate chance to get revenge on the entire nation of China.

Suck it!

So close I can taste the World Cup.

Domestically it was a mixed month for a change.

Still salty about that Shanggang result.

Dreams FC once again. It wasn't a great game and their goal was a consolation.

Draws are few and far between and always confused me when they happen! This was a back and forth game. I was 2-0 up at half time and comfortable. 15 minutes later we were staring at the back end of an upset. We grabbed an equaliser and didn't really push on as well as we could. No complaints in the end.

We wronged the rights in the league but once again we struggled to shake them. 2-0 up was 2-1. 3-1 became 3-2. Luckily we pushed on and took control of the game.

Still perfect but still 2nd thanks to that game in hand. It a little bit of pressure.

If Southern beat Dreams by 2 or more goals it will be curtains for us.

Another Big month in December. Internationally we have WAFF Championship.

 

[andychar]

White Christmas

I always have to have a Christmas film for December and the Saudi Arabia second kit is white....that counts right?

We started the month with a friendly to get us going for the WAFF or West Asian Football Federation Championship to give it its Sunday Name.

We won 2-0 in unspectacular fashion.

We should get through the group. Truth be told we should be winning the entire thing.

Domestic games will take place side by side so it will be a very busy month.

The MLS will also come into play at the end of this month and after another job application without an interview I'm looking forward to broadening my horizons. I will be applying for every single job in the MLS. I've taken over the worst team before and turned them around in no time. I think I could do it again. While we are on domestic issues Southern and Dreams drew 2-2 meaning we won the Group in the League Cup.

We started the WAFF with a game against Kuwait then its Qatar before finishing at Lebanon.

 

Kuwait and Lebanon were straight forward wins. The game against Qatar was much more trickier. Nothing happened in the first half and not much happened in the second until the last 5 minutes. Qatar took the lead and looked to have snatched all 3 points but we grabbed a big equaliser in added time. There was still enough time for Qatar to have a goal disallowed and then for us to miss a sitter. A late winner wouldn't have been fair to either side.

We topped the group and qualified for the Semi Final although I'd be very surprised if Qatar weren't joining us.

It was Iraq in the Semi while Qatar face Oman in the other game.

Qatar easily dispatched Oman 3-1. Would we have a repeat of the group game?

It was 0-0 at HT with Iraq having the better of the game.

It was 0-0 at FT but we had come into the game a bit more.

Extra time went by in a blur and just like that it was penalties.

Out best penalty taker has a rating of 9. I have zero hopes.

Like I said....never worried.

We face Qatar in 2 days having played 3 hours later and for an extra 30 minutes. I would make them favourites.

Sigh!

Game on!

Excellent 120 seconds!

Never in doubt.

Brilliant performance...for 80 minutes anyway.

The tournament win did absolutely nothing for my reputation wooooo. Anyway...back to domestic bliss.

Perfect in the league and cup. Not much to say really. One foot in the Sapling Cup Semis. Our first Final place booked for next month and perfection in the league. The Domestic side took a back seat while I was winning the WAFF. Great month. It meant the league table was like this.

We can take charge with a win in our game in hand.

 

[kidthekid]

Your teams really know how to make things interesting

[andychar]

On 15/10/2018 at 19:49, kidthekid said:

Your teams really know how to make things interesting

Yeah its both a gift and a curse!

Open Season

It was January which meant the transfer window was open. I planned on purchasing nobody but shipping off a few.

Rivaldy Bauwo was first on the chopping block. Nothing against him other than the fact he's foreign. He won't actually leave until March but he isn't going to be registered for anything.

My star Brazilian will be leaving at the end of the season. I got to the point where I could offer him a new contract but he wanted the World (he wanted 100 quid a week more than the board was offering and refused to go any lower. 100!) He will be joing BAH (classic Brazilian name) in the top tier of Brazilian football. Don't see the appeal personally.

I had a bit of a nightmare with my internet this week so all the screenshots I had taken and built up I lost so it will be a descriptive post rather than a visual.

Finances are still screwed although the board injected 400k to help running costs. 

Speaking of the board they are delighted with me.

I made a decision this month after MLS was loaded and not a single job was free. This will be my last season at Eastern. I've done everything I can with the club and feel its time to move on. It comes at a bad time really because Hong Kong have just been given an additional slot in the Champions League.

Anyway onto the results.

No Internationals this month so it was pure domestic bliss.

We had a chance to pull away in the league as well as pick up our first domestic trophy of the season.

We were great against Kitchee and fully deserved the win then threw it away next game against Lee Man. I can't be too critical because it was a last minute penalty which denied us all 3 points, this came after they had already missed a penalty at 0-0. 

A pointless game in the Sapling Cup lead to the low term injury of a CB which I wasn't happy about but can be blamed for for playing a full strength team.

We got back to winning ways in the League against a decent HKFC side. It was 1-1 before we turned the screw.

The Senior Shield Final was a tight affair, we bossed it but I was beginning to worry it was going to be a repeat of last year's 1-0 loss, luckily we made the break through. We finished the game with 10 men thanks to another injury. They are starting to pile up just before the start of the Champions League.

The game in hand is important because I don't want to give Kitchee even the smallest of hopes. You'll notice a slight change to the look of the table as I mentioned before Hong Kong next Champions League (which is qualified for this season) will get an extra place. Top 2 will be guaranteed then the usual playoff will decide the 3rd participant.

 

 

 

[andychar]

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 

The Champions League kicks off again this month and I am both excited and scared.

But before that we have the usual crap that goes with my posts.

Finances terrible.

Board delighted (apart from that draw...how dare I!)

Star man injured...jumping...really...Jesus.

So back to the Champions League and the group stage was drawn.

Very impossible on paper but...drew Hiroshima last season and although lost twice I wasn't disgraced either time. I lost 9-6 against a Chinese team earlier in the season which gives me hope I can at least be competitive against a worse Chinese team. Jeju beat Kitchee in the qualifier to get here so I feel I can give them a good run for their money.

1 point last season, would love a win this season.

Once again no Internationals this month so I could concentrate on my final season with Eastern (unless I get to the Quarter Final of the Champions League then I'll have to stay...gotta say I'm not worried.)

The injury list keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Clayton first choice CB. Ng Ka Hin, Alex and Viterale all Strikers. Mateus will be back soon so I'll let him off. Dunno who Chong Tsz Ming is so don't care about him but we once again have a Striker crisis. If Bleda gets injured we are screwed.

I took matters into my own hands this month and declared interest in a job that was insecure.

Screw you Tony!

You win this round Tony!

Any way onto the results.

We started the season with a fairly straight forward win in the league to maintain our 7 point lead.

The game against Kitchee was tough, very even. We actually went 2-0 up because we took our chances and they didn't. Then in the second half it was the opposite. They took their chances and pegged us back. It looked like there was only going to be one winning, luckily Manolo Bleda came through for us and sent us through to the FA Cup Semi Final.

Two wins and more of a rarity 2 clean sheets meant we have one hand on the league title with 4 games to go.

Oh the Champions League. We were in dreamland with 2 goals inside the opening 7 minutes. It was 2-0 at half time, I've thrown enough 2-0 leads away to know this wasn't close to being over. Then amazingly and against the run of play we made it 3-0! It stayed like that until the final half hour. 2 quick goals really put us under pressure before the equalised with 15 minutes to go. In the end we were hanging on. I would have taken a point before hand but the manner of which I got it sucks a little bit. Still another great performance in the Champions League and with the Chinese side away next another shock would leave us right in with a chance still.

Potentially 1 win away, 100% 2 wins away.

Damn those 5 other games we have to play!

Next month was a big one with no fewer than 4 different competitions to fight for.

 

[andychar]

The China Syndrome

Ok its now official. This save has given me a deep hatred of everything Chinese football. 

But more on that later.

Finances still terrible, it looks like they haven't really gone down much recently but that is only because of the 400k cash injection. Admittedly its one of the main reasons I'm jumping ship at the end of the season.

Still can't let that 1-1 draw go.

Was both Domestic and International as well as Continental football this month. We started things out in the Champions League.

I wanted to get this out the way because it comes with a little rant.

We more than matched this Chinese team and at half time it was 0-0. We came out with more of the same in the second half and actually took the lead on the hour mark...except it was disallowed and I was livid. Add more fuel to this fire by giving them a 75th minute penalty and you have cemented my hatred of Chinese football forever. It just seems like they get all the luck all the time against me. I hope we can show them up in the home leg of this group stage fixture.

I'll do this one separately as well. A win and a Kitchee lose would give us the title in March. We did our bit but it seems Kitchee didn't get the memo. They won meaning the title would hopefully be decided in April. 1 win from 3 is all that's needed.

Onto the rest of the month.

Another Champions League game and another heartbreak. We scored to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute and I thought we had grabbed our first Champions League win, however they went straight down the other end and equalised. Another great point but another case of what might have been!

At the half way mark we are very much in with an outside chance of qualifying. We would need to beat Huaxia at home and get a result away from home. I'm not expecting either but its nice to even be in with a shot at the half way mark. We haven't been outclassed in any game so far.

We finished the month with a cup semi final. We haven't had the clean sweep yet and it would be a perfect way to finish my time at Eastern.

Very straight forward win and a brilliant performance from Bleda. We will play Kitchee in the Final...I know...shocking!

So onto the International Side of the month. We had 3 games. 2 World Cup Qualifiers and a friendly...dunno why.

First up was a potentially tricky game away to Syria.

5 star performance. 5 different goalscorers. Play off place secured. A win at home to Lebanon will secure a World Cup place. I'll be very surprised if we don't do it.

Before I get into that I got this...

The Newcastle Jets job was free...all I want is an interview...please!

Back to the World Cup Qualifiers

It took a goal with literally the last kick of the game but we deserved the win. They only had 2 shots on target all goal and scored them both.

Thought Id show you both. Iraq and South Korea are all but there. Group B will be brilliant with everybody still in with a shot of automatic qualification. Everybody still has a chance of a playoff in our Group. I'm glad to be able to enjoy it from the outside looking in. We become the second Asian team (after Hosts Australia) into the World Cup 2022.

 

 

 

[andychar]

Extras

I know its a TV show not a film...so sue me.

In the excitement of qualifying for the World Cup I forgot we had an absolutely pointless friendly against Mali at the end of the month.

Pointless.

Nice record to have. I've only lost twice while in control of Saudi Arabia. Belgium and Colombia.

Was hoping for some big news regarding the Newcastle Jets job before the end of the month to pad out this post.

But no....a post as pointless as the friendly.

[andychar]

 Taken

Always one to build up suspense...look what plopped into my inbox on April 1st.

Oh please please please. I'm more than ready for the next step!

In the mean time I had to make sure I didn't take my eye off the ball with Eastern.

We have a very busy month in store...without a single home game!

Sorry either I get this job or I'm gone at the end of the season.

So I was in charge of the first game of the month. An FA Cup Semi Final away to Lee Man, after Kitchee they are probably the hardest team I face and I always seem to struggle, especially away from home.

Proper struggle.

So with no news it was another Eastern Fixture, another Semi Final. This time in the Sapling Cup.

The winner would play Kitchee in the Final...shocker.

It wasn't as spectacular but a wins a win and its another Cup Final that I hope to God I'm not involved in, but it looks like I will be.

I will find out Alistair Edwards and I will kill you.

I honestly don't know what else I can do...other than be Australian.

And he wasn't currently employed so it means we are back to square one.

Hey ho I have 2 cups and a league to win still this month as well as some Champions League fixtures. I'm not going anywhere so no point splitting up the fixtures!

We won the League Cup in spectacular fashion against Kitchee. Brilliant from start to finish and it was one more trophy in the cabinet. We actually went 1-0 down against Hiroshima but equalised quickly. The rest of the game was pretty much attack v defence. I was delighted to hold on for a point. It kept us very much still in with an outside shot.

We won the league against Tai Po. One goal either half was enough. 

Two games to go and all we can do is stay unbeaten.

We completed another part of the puzzle with a win against Kitchee. We conceded a goal in the dying minutes of normal time and then again in the dying minutes of extra time. I was delighted to win on penalties. Not going to lie it was nerve wracking.

A brilliant game against Jeju. We were 1-0 down early and I was fearing the worse. We then missed a penalty and I was REALLY fearing the worse. We grabbed what was a much deserved equaliser for them to go straight down the other end and score. We grabbed again a much deserved equaliser before half time. We were very much in the game. We took the lead with 20 minutes to go and I was starting to think we could hang on....we didn't. An equaliser 2 minutes from time left the table looking like this...

We go into the final day of the Champions League Group Stage with a shot of qualifying. We need to win and hope Hiroshima win but they aren't going to take it easy. They aren't through yet either. Its all to play for!

 

 

[andychar]

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

There was 2m in the bank balance when I took over...I'm bad at this.

The draw has been forgotten about!

The FA Cup Final is the final piece of the perfect domestic season puzzle. 

We have potentially the biggest game in Eastern history against Huaxia Xingfu. I'm optimistic...which is what's going to kill me.

Unless I get through in the Champions League the away game to Kitchee will be my final game for Eastern.

In the meantime...

Admittedly this one was a long shot and I'm not surprised. Patrick Viera is the favourite and he is...a lot better than I am.

A good win against Southern District. 

We gave it a great go against Huaxia but it just wasn't enough.

Two games we conceded added time goals to turn a win into a loss...what might have been! Still a great effort and I'll choose to look at the fact I only lost once rather than didn't win at all.

You'll notice that isn't the full month there is a reason for that...

 

[kidthekid]

it's finally happening isn't it.

[andychar]

Looper

So I mentioned that the month hadn't been completed but even I was prepared for this...

On Football Manager 2018 I had been offered the job at Wellington Phoenix and then the Beta for 19 came out and it got me thinking...it would be a perfect time to jump ship. 

Therefore I have created myself on 19 exactly the way I left it on 18, minus the trophies and reputation gained from Eastern. I have the same coaching badges with Sunday League Experience. I have the same languages I learnt during my time at Eastern and Saudi Arabia. 

I will have to qualify for the World Cup again with Saudi Arabia. Potentially strange decision but its one I'm happy with.

So here is the new me, as you can see not only have I stepped back a few season but my reputation has taken a massive hit. I need to do well at Wellington Phoenix otherwise I could really be starting back at square one.

Let me know what you think. Is this a good idea or shall I just start from scratch?

[andychar]

Ok it has literally just dawned on me that this is a quest to win the Champions League in all 5 continents available to me and I’ve just been hired by the only Australian team who aren’t allowed to qualify for the Champions League. 

[kidthekid]

Yikes. So that means your plan is to get out as soon as possible?

[andychar]

Australia

10 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

Yikes. So that means your plan is to get out as soon as possible?

Ok so I may not be allowed to take part in the Asian Champions League (still can't believe I did that) but I can get my foot in the door of an Australian team who is capable of winning. It maybe a few more seasons of that but I don't really have any expectations here so I believe it can only go well...right??

My aim this season is obviously to make the playoffs...however the board have different ambitions.

Now that I can do...maybe not the Cup bit but 100% the league!

First things first.

Get the final piece of the puzzle in place.

So what's the team look like that even the board is only expecting bottom at best?

I have to admit I was expecting worse. We have foundations all over the pitch and only really lack in a few positions.

The money situation at Phoenix is better than at Eastern but its still not going to attract the best and brightest.

Its roughly the same budgets I was working with at Eastern...the gap between the best and the worst in this league is evident.

Before we had even begun anything we were told this guy has now got New Zealand citizenship and will no longer be treated as a foreigner which is a massive help straight off the bat.

My first transfer was a gamble...

I went for experience and with him also able to play RB I had to get him.

This will be my first competitive game in charge of Phoenix, a potential banana skin if ever I did see one.

Transfer budget gone. 1 of my designated player slots gone. (You get 2 players whose contract doesn't count to your wage budget, these are called designated players...I'll explain Australia as I go along...as I start learning).

He will fill a ML slot we were struggling with and is already pretty much one of our best players so I'm not complaining at all. There is still lots of wiggle room left in the budget but with my 2 signings I'm filled in the two biggest holes in the team.

 Generally speaking before the start of the FFA Cup and the League I'm happy with this team, the first few months will shape things but I've purposefully left a little bit left in the tank just in case I need to make any drastic changes. End of the day I've only got to finish 6th out of 10 to get playoffs and even that isn't expected of me!

 

[andychar]

Crocodile Dundee

Ok so that's the two most obvious movie titles out the way.

Another free transfer. He will slot straight into the RB slot and it gives us more than enough options for CB in case of an injury crisis.

Speaking of which...

Yes its the same Steven Taylor who played for Newcastle and easily our best player and one of our foreign player slots. Hardly surprising though, he was never the luckiest of players when playing in England. 

I was happy with my squad but were force into a sale I didn't really want to do.

Our first choice keeper came to me saying he wasn't going to be playing due to Work Permit issues and truth be told I didn't want to take the risk so off he went.

That mixed with this...

It wasn't look good for our GK situation. We have had a bid and contract offer accepted for a youngster from Mexico but we are awaiting Work Permit, same goes for a North Korean Midfielder who will slot straight into the team. We are in wait and see territory.

I made a decision that I couldn't wait for WP to come through for a keeper so I went and snapped up a FA New Zealander.

He won't be setting the World alight but he will do as a first choice keeper for now.

I've also noticed a lot more Cold and Flu, I don't know if its because I've been in Hong Kong for a while but it seems Australia/New Zealand is a very sick country. Apparently as well if you do not register a player for the season they will leave by mutual consent. Meaning if I wanted to keep Taylor I would need to register him despite him more than likely not playing a game all season.

I don't like friendlies. I have very little time as a father of 2 and don't want to waste any time with them. But I wanted to arrange something before the FFA Cup.

That being said here are the results.

There are way more friendlies in place before the start of the new season with FFA Games mixed in the middle.

After everything that has gone off in the off season so far I was more than ready to take charge of my "first career game".

Well it was a win but it wasn't pretty in the end. We were 3-0 up after 15 minutes and I was expecting a smashing but it didn't happen. They slowly kept crawling back into the game and scored a 2nd in the 87th minute. We held on. I suppose the important thing is we are in the hat for the next round.

Where we draw another team outside the A League. It gives us a good chance to get to the Quarter Final of the Cup which is exactly what the board wanted.

[andychar]

Team America World Police

Ok so I signed a North Korean, that's the only reason for the post title.

At 24k I think its a steal.

Anyway something good came from the win in the cup.

Good for him.

So onto the next round of the cup. It rained from start to finish...no wonder they all have colds!

Obviously delighted with the result but S. Singh will be several dealt with after ruining the whole "only one goal per person" thing.

Obviously I cant get carried away with 2 wins against teams not even in the A League but in the end you can only beat whose put in front of you. I'm ready for the season to start...shame I have a billion friendlies first.

The most least shocking piece of news entered my inbox.

Yay

Ok I feel I've been all over the place since moving to 19 so I will start going back to month to month updates.

But before that the Quarter Final of the FFA Cup was drawn and it wasn't pretty...

At least I reached the board's expectation.

 

 

[ToMexico!!]

Good move and good idea on moving this to 19. 

Love reading you're style of updates, tells a story of the month without being a story. 

I'm a fan of the A-League in general, watching the Melbourne derby at the minute on TV 

[andychar]

7 minutes ago, ToMexico!! said:

Good move and good idea on moving this to 19. 

Love reading you're style of updates, tells a story of the month without being a story. 

I'm a fan of the A-League in general, watching the Melbourne derby at the minute on TV 

Thanks. Glad your enjoying. I wouldn’t be able to weave a narrative like some of the amazing threads on here so I did what I do best. Sarcastic comments!

Im watching that too and thinking we wouldn’t even be able to come close to affording Honda’s wage demands! 

[ToMexico!!]

2 minutes ago, andychar said:

Thanks. Glad your enjoying. I wouldn’t be able to weave a narrative like some of the amazing threads on here so I did what I do best. Sarcastic comments!

Im watching that too and thinking we wouldn’t even be able to come close to affording Honda’s wage demands! 

Honda is so good, what a pass from Bratton for the 2nd City goal though. Commentary not even recognising it 

[andychar]

Deja Vu

So here I was in South America ready to take control of my first game for Saudi Arabia.

Last time I got beat 5-3 by Colombia in a positive showing. This time I was against Paraguay. Will be easier right?

Ouch my pride. All I can say is we drew the 2nd half. Its entirely my fault. I picked the squad without even thinking of tactics, tried to mirror the tactics I'm using for Phoenix and realised I've not actually picked the players for the new tactic.

I tried a new tactic in my next game, another friendly against Scotland.

We were easily the better team and took the lead. We let them turn it around with sloppy defending. We equalised and probably should have won it. In the end a draw isn't the worst result in the World. Its obvious I'm not going to find this game as easy as I did 18 with Saudi Arabia.

So we had 2 friendlies this month before the Quarter Final.

Well done my man Chris Greenacre for picking up 2 solid wins and not killing anybody. Now onto the actual competitive game.

A brilliant performance and a deserved win! Perth Glory did have a penalty at 1-0 but luckily it was saved and from there we managed to open up the gap and hold onto a great win. A Semi Final appearance is more than what was expected of us and will give my rep a nice little boost. 

One final pointless friendly this month.

Alright mate calm down this is my job.

Technically the Semi Final draw took place in October so we will call this a bonus screenshot!

There wasn't an easy draw but I've not had a single home game all tournament and would have loved one here. This was probably worse case scenario.

 

[andychar]

Halloween

I'm surprised I've not used this for an October update so far.

New game yet some things are oddly familiar.

I do like it when the board approve a player I've bought, especially as I had no idea what I was doing.

Would have been interesting to see what my Managerial Support would have been like in 18 but in 19 I have a job to do proving to the players I am the right man for the job. So far so good I'd say.

Erm...I'm not happy about those final 2 fixtures. Sunday and then Tuesday...really? Victory have the same though so can't 100% complain.

Looking forward for the season to start and looking forward to having a competitive home game!

Quick run down on how the league works in case you don't know. 

10 teams. 27 games (playing each team 3 times). Top 6 teams qualify for the play offs. Top 2 teams get a bye into the semi final. Simples.

Here's what the media are predicting. It seems the top 6 are set in stone according to them. Its nice to know we aren't completely rock bottom and it also makes that win away to Perth Glory all that impressive. I want to challenge for a play off spot but realistically it looks like its about not being embarrassed.

Chris Greenacre ensured the friendlies ended on a high and gave us a platform for the start of the regular season.

I also have 2 friendlies with Saudi Arabia this month. I will use them to try and figure out a tactic that will work so I imagine I'll have some strange results.

2-0 down at half time and completely outplayed. A change of tactic at half time saw us take control but didn't really threaten. We have another friendly against Cameroon where I'll give this new tactic a full 90 minutes.

Ok I couldn't last 90 minutes another terrible half of football meant we were 2-0 down once against at the break. A new tactic for the second half. An injury on the hour mark meant we finished the game with 10 men and didn't really give this tactic a chance to breath and meant they dominated once again.

I miss my 18 Saudi Arabia team, I'm really not enjoying Internationals at the moment. I have a WAFF Championship in December and our performance in that could sway whether I choose to stay and qualify for 2022 World Cup. My reputation has already taken a nose dive with the move to 19 and I don't want International Management to harm it further.

So with that dower it was time to start the league season. We start with a home game against a team who are predicted to be worse than we are...I can already tell what's going to happen here.

Much deserved win. They changed to 3 up front with 8 minutes to go and I got scared. Luckily we held on and I can boast a 100% record still...

Away to Brisbane Roar next, if I resign now I keep my 100% win record right?

A brilliant performance in Brisbane meant we left with all 3 points. We scored after 58 seconds to set the tone and then grabbed a second against the run of play in the second half. Brilliant result.

Don't think I've ever gone that long before with my you score 3 we'll score 4 approach.

A long way to go but the table looks like this.

Sydney FC surprisingly cropping up the table but look at us. 5 points clear of playoffs! Only another 25 games to go!

If we get through in the Cup then its Adelaide United in the final after they came through in Extra Time.

But it was a big if...

Get in! We had one shot in the first half, it was a penalty and it nestled into the back of the net. The second half was attack v defence and just when I thought I had produced a tactical masterclass they grabbed a much deserved equaliser in the 89th minute and it was Extra Time. We came into our own a little bit in extra time but we were still second best. Up step Krishna who has been awful in every single game so far, with 10 minutes left with Extra Time he broke clear and slotted home what turned out to be the winner. Massive result and a cup final to look forward to!

As we are leaving on a positive note I present this...

Always good to have a back up career in case the hits dry up.

I like him because he didn't tell me to sod off when I had the audacity to congratulate him on his first cap.

 

 

[andychar]

Unbreakable

3 regular season games this month with the Cup final looming in December.

I also get to "look forward" to 2 international friendlies. I'm going to stick with the same tactic I'm using at Wellington and just hope for the best. It can't get any worse!

Top two in Young Player of the Month is always a nice way to start a new month.

I'm used to Financial nosedives but Jesus!

Yeah never mind the fact I've guided this club into a cup final. That 1-0 home win against the worst time in the league. Spot on.

Managerial Support has greatly improved.

Western Sydney Wanderers was up next at home. They were also 2 from 2 so nobody expected us to win, which suits me perfectly.

As much as we didn't deserve to win the last game we really deserved this. Two set pieces was our undoing and I've got to admit I'm a little disappointed we haven't taken anything from this game. Hopefully this isn't the spark for the beginning of the end.

Melbourne City away next...I'm really not hopeful.

Fair result and a good result. We took a very early lead before being pegged back and falling behind. A scramble in the box leading to an own goal gave us parity and that's how it stayed. Neither side can argue and its a better points for us than it is them.

Whenever I get asked the same question 3 times I always storm out. Today was no exception!

So after a positive point it was onto the International Break. Two more Friendlies, two more chances to pick up my "first" win as Saudi Arabia manager.

First up was a home game against Bolivia.

2 goals in added time added some gloss to the result but it was a very pleasing performance. Bolivia missed a penalty at 1-0 so it could have been a very different game.

As you can tell we didn't deserve it. An 83rd minute goal was enough for back to back wins. Encouraging at least after a terrible start to life at Saudi Arabia.

That would be it until the WAFF in December. Must win tournament I reckon.

There was just enough time for one more domestic fixture before the end of the month.

Adelaide took the lead after dominating the opening 20 minutes. We were awarded a VAR penalty and took full advantage. Game on. The second half was an even affair and it really could have swung either way. We grabbed the lead then a 3rd. Adelaide made us sweat with a goal in added time but it was a great result. Hopefully a sign of things to come when the rematch takes place in the cup final.

It came at a cost however as we lost one of our best players. We do have a decent replacement but now start running the risk of getting thin on the ground.

Any higher and we will get a nosebleed. Our only loss came against top and even then I felt we didn't deserve to lose. Brilliant start and a very very busy month in store for December.

 

[andychar]

Die Hard

I don't care what anybody says this is a Christmas film.

Second month in the row Singh has picked up this award. With the injury we received in the last match he will be the heart of our midfield.

I have a massively busy month. 

All these mixed with at least...

All of these. 

Help.

We are losing about 350k a month...double help!

But the board are very pleased...which is nice.

No change in the dynamics. Seems I've still got a long way to go to convince the players I'm the right man for the job.

Asian Cup was also drawn this month. I should get through that group but I'm still an unknown entity to be honest.

The Asian Cup will take place next month. Another potential banana skin which could stop me moving forward as Saudi Arabia boss!

First game of the new month was a flat affair.

Neither side could honestly say they did enough to win the game and its honours even.

The next match is Wellington Phoenix's first ever FFA Cup Final.

Picked the worst game to have the biggest pile of crap performance. We were dominated in the first half and lucky it was only 1-0 at the break. Then we were handed a golden opportunity to equaliser with a penalty. It was missed then 2 minutes later our striker was stretchered off. They then scored with pretty much their only shot of the second half. Horrible game, really really REALLY frustrated.

We got 14k for our troubles. That will disappear in about 2 hours.

Hopefully it won't have a negative impact on the season and we can continue to excel in the league and maybe, just maybe, challenge for a playoff spot.

I played 2 games in 1 day as Wellington were away to Sydney at the same time as Saudi Arabia playing Syria in the first WAFF Champions group stage match.

First up was Saudi Arabia. My warm up friendly away to Iran finished with a 2-0 loss so I was keen for the lads to bounce back and get off to a good start. I needed to win this trophy not only for my job but to make up for the terrible FFA Cup Final.

It was by far a great performance but it was a win and at this stage in the competition that's all that matters.

MEANWHILE!

Exactly the same result but a much better performance. Ghosts of the cup final forgotten as we continue to shock everybody in the league.

Group stage will finish before I play another match with Wellington Phoenix.

Much better performance and a great win which should see us through. We dominated the first half and went 1-0 up. They dominated second half and equalised before we grabbed a late winner. Just deserved I reckon. We have probably the weakest team in the group left to play and all we will need is a point.

God at this point its only the 12th of December 

Just to break things up a little I wanted to show this...

This marks the first time all season we have been favourites to win a game.

Anyway back to Saudi Arabia. All we needed was a point to guarantee qualification and at least 1 more game in an otherwise boring December.

UAE actually played before us and won so we knew a defeat would see us finish second on GD regardless of the score.

We got the win required to reach the knockout stage. We probably should have scored more but I'm happy.

Quick flight to New Zealand for the next game.

Not really happy with a point here despite falling behind to a first half penalty. We just aren't showing that killer instinct and it seems we can't get any momentum going. Obviously its great not to lose but truth be told if we are serious about a playoff push this is a game we should be winning.

I think its best I break this monster month up. Still have hopefully 3 more international games (we have a silly friendly at the end of the month) and 2 more domestic games!

[ToMexico!!]

Die Hard is definitely a Christmas film!! 

Solid start to the A-League season, shame about the cup final, probably came a little too early in the domestic proceedings. Good luck for the rest of the season! 

 

[andychar]

39 minutes ago, ToMexico!! said:

Die Hard is definitely a Christmas film!! 

Solid start to the A-League season, shame about the cup final, probably came a little too early in the domestic proceedings. Good luck for the rest of the season! 

 

Cheers mate. Tell my Mrs that she refuses to let me watching it when shes watching her crap!

I was more annoyed with the performance rather than the loss I think.

Die Hard 2 Die Harder

Still a Christmas film!

So we reached the knockout round of the WAFF Championship and we got lucky.

It took us till the 100th minute to grab the goal as I was worried we were reaching penalties.

We deserved the win but I would have liked to do it in 90 minutes.

It was Iraq in the final. We are favourites but will have to play well.

Great start!

It was 1-0 at HT.

And that's how it finished! Not pretty but I don't care. It was a trophy. It avenged the Cup final loss earlier in the month and it helps my reputation head towards what it was before I moved to 19!

It gives us a platform for the Asian Cup next month. Starting to enjoy International Football again...weird that.

Back down to Earth with 2 more domestic games before the year ends.

We were favourite once again, I prefer to be underdogs personally.

We have developed a new tactic called "blending in". We have a white away kit...turns out we just like to be difficult.

Well it worked! We were 3-0 up at half time before Brisbane tried to make it a game. Every time they scored we responded before they added a 3rd in stoppage time. Brilliant win and for once a straight forward one.

Our last game of 2018 was an away game against league leaders Melbourne Victory. I have zero hope...but then I didn't for the Cup Semi either...

Before that match however is a little piece of personal revenge...or at least an attempt at...

Take that you b******s. (Disclaimer) I don't really hate the Chinese and welcome all Chinese to the forum

But boy do I hate Chinese Football!

Sorry...

Woooo go me.

Anyway I have one more game of 2018 and I cant wait...

Great result. We took the lead in the first half but they came back as expected. Neither team did enough to win it and as you can tell by the stats the ball was bogged down in midfield a lot. 

So after the World's busiest month the table looked like this...

Not a single complaint so far.

 

[andychar]

Wall Street

I don't think any amount of "people standing outside the stadium with buckets" is going to save us.

Just the casual 6 games in the league. It appears nothing gets stopped for the Asian Cup which I think could be an advantage to us rather than an hindrance.

We will lose our North Korean Midfielder but that should be it.

Board are very happy.

Players still not convinced.

So it seems I planned on cramming in literally as many games as possible this month...here's a pointless International Friendly dubbed "a warm up match".

We had enough time to miss a penalty as well.

I've tested the waters this month by applying for the vacant Melbourne City job. I don't think I'll get it but I'm interested to see if I get an interview or not. I've done great with Phoenix, surpassing expectation but my reputation is still only 1 and a bit stars a full 1 star lower than it was on 18 and I wasn't getting the big interviews there. The favourite ironically is the guy I booted out of Wellington Phoenix when I took over. If I get the job I will have made an enemy for life.

Our first domestic game of the month saw a repeat of the cup final. I wasn't expecting the win but a better performance wouldn't go a miss.

We were 2-0 down undeservedly and came back brilliantly with the equaliser coming in stoppage time. Its another point. I'm not holding any hope of keeping up with 1st.

Swiftly following this fine result it was over to Saudi Arabia for another "warm up match".

Can only beat whose in front of you...because they were put there by me...because I wanted easy wins before the Asian Cup.

Next up domestically was an away game against the only team who have beaten me in the league so far...good to know the games are getting easier.

Honestly this is the first time I'm gutted I can't take this team any further because I'm having a brilliant time. Great performance and a goal either half was enough to surprise the hosts. This win takes us top, albeit temporarily.

The transfer window has opened but we aren't in a position to go out and get anybody. If the right offer for the right player comes along however I have no problems selling.

Another domestic game before the start of the Asian Cup. We weren't just favourites, we were 1/3 favourites. That's pretty big favourites for us! I've been playing FM too long to know what that means.

Favourites for a reason. We could have had more but in the end I'm happy with any win. We have only played 13 games in the league, it feels so much more!

Our Asian Cup got underway with a game against Palestine. The weakest team in the group then against UAE probably the hardest team in the group.

Two goals, two penalties and one injury. Not a great performance but like I said before at this stage it doesn't matter.

Im livid. We conceded an absolute fluke goal, scored a late equaliser then conceded a stupid penalty straight away. Our tournament just got trickier. We aren't going to go far at all.

Just when you want to crack onto the next Asian Cup game you have a domestic game. Typical. It was Melbourne Victory once again and once again it was away from home. Once again I wasn't confident.

Well it won't win any awards for match of the year but its a good point nonetheless. Keeps us unbeaten in a while and ahead of them in the league.

So it was make or break time with Saudi Arabia. A win was needed to qualify from the group. Oman stood in our way.

Job done. Knockout stages here we come. It will be harder that it could have been however.

And there we have it. I didn't have any hopes of winning the thing but I wanted to get further than the second round. Don't see that happening.

UAE got Bahrain for those interested.

 

 

 

 

 

[andychar]

Wall Street 2 Money Never Sleeps

Well I had Korea in the Asian Cup 2nd round and that meant more than likely I was going to be fired.

I had 2 domestic games before that to potentially cheer me up!

Before that I didn't get the Melbourne City job. It was a long shot and shows I've got a ways to go yet before I can be considered for a major Asian Club. The perils of starting again on 19.

We dominated the match. It should have been more than 1-0 but in the end I'm happy for the 3 points. 

Its top v bottom next and amazingly we aren't the bottom team! Even better its Melbourne United, a case to show them what might have been. Even even better their new manager is the old Wellington Phoenix boss. We are jaded, I'm just hoping they are the same.

Absolutely amazing performance. Easily the greatest performance we have put in. It puts me in a good mood the day before we get beat by South Korea.

But its the end of the month domestically so here is the table.

Pinch me! Pinch me! That gap between us and 7th is massive. Playoffs surely in the bag.

So here we go...the game against South Korea...really looking forward to this...

Its worth pointing out that UAE got knocked out by Bahrain.

Well not the start I was expecting!

Half time we were just edging it. We have missed some glorious chances to make it 2-0. Its a big second half.

Not going to lie its been coming. Big 20 minutes.

Normal time over it was time for ET. Neither side did enough to win it in 90.

15 minutes to decide a winner otherwise its the lottery of a penalty shootout.

It was penalties. Our best penalty taker is rated 9. I'm not hopeful.

They were perfect. 5 from 5 while we missed the 5th. Absolutely guttered but its our fault for not winning the group. Will have to wait to and see if I keep my job.

 

 

[andychar]

The Big Sleep

So after two absolutely hectic months I was so glad to just have to deal with domestic games.

All 4 of them.

Its time to play the "What If" game.

If we had finished top of our group and then beat Bahrain in the second round we would have had Syria in the Quarter Final. Basically I'm salty because that would have been an easy route to the Semi Final. Maybe I'm being too harsh on Bahrain. They are Semi Finalist and I'm left clinging onto my job.

Anyway...

Another Young Player of the Month award. Get in!

The only thing saving me from jumping off the top of the stadium is the fact the status is still labelled as "Okay". Okay then.

Well the fact that the major criticism is an away 0-0 draw against one of the best teams in the league. I think I'm doing well.

Still not won over the players.

The transfer window opened and shut without any activity from us.

Perth Glory away opened the month. Do I dare be optimistic. Fiver on a draw.

Another brilliant defensive display as we neutralised them for 90 minutes. It was an own goal that won it for us despite VAR chalking off a goal. We march on.

I didn't even realise this. By the time we play again it will be a month!

Newcastle Jets away. Much like Perth was its a tricky match to gauge.

Another 1-0 win. We missed a penalty so glad we held on. Two home games in a row now.

Yet another game against Melbourne Victory, seems we are playing them every other game!

Before that we got some news and it didn't come as a surprise.

Disappointed as I qualified for World Cup 2022 on 18 but on 19 I didn't even reach qualification.

Iran, South Korea and Uzbekistan are the jobs I've applied for following the Asian Cup.

The sacking did affect my reputation. I went from 1 and a bit stars to just 1. I'm hoping my performance with Phoenix will boost it considerably.

Good performances from Bahrain and Thailand. Philippines and Turkmenistan have done well to get out the group stage.

So it was our 4th game against Melbourne Victory this season and amazingly our first home game against them.

Couldn't stay unbeaten forever. We conceded a stunning goal then 50 seconds later we were reduced to 10 men. We kept fighting but couldn't quite manage an equaliser.  We need to regroup and move on. 

Funny enough I've been having messages for weeks saying Singh needs a rest...well he took matter into his own hands and gets his rest while hes suspended!

One more game in February as we head into the final few months of the season.

Wasn't sure to take it or wait to see if South Korea or Iran want me.

In the end I thought what good would being the Uzbekistan manager actually do me? It was a no from me dog.

I didn't get either Korea or Iran job. Truth be told after the very busy two months in a row I was happy to keep away from International Management for now.

I signed a new contract with Wellington Phoenix, this was because I have applied for a few jobs and as of yet not had a single interview so obviously I've got a bit more proving to do. That and I'm loving it here.

So the final game of the month was against Sydney FC. 1 point between now and the end of the season was enough to secure a playoff place. I wanted it sooner rather than later.

Brilliant performance and a dominating one. We grabbed the 3rd late on so it was a bit nervy. 

If we finish top 2 we go straight into the Semi and obviously there is winning the league to still play for.

The Q next to us is brilliant but that 7 point lead is even better. 7 games to go. 21 points to play for.

 

[andychar]

The Ides of March

March was a small if not massively important month. We put ourselves in a brilliant position and we couldn't let it slip now!

Not the greatest start to a month I've ever had. They scored 2 brilliant free kicks and a devestating counter attack to go 3-0 up at half time. For the first time this season I completely laid into the team. Performance wise it wasn't a bad one. They took their chances and we didn't. That was the difference. 

The gap was now 4 points and with 2nd to play next suddenly the wheels could fall off quite quickly.

Brilliant result! The first goal was a terrible mistake by their defender, weak pass back straight to Krishna who slotted calmly home. Once we made it 2 the game as a contest was over as we suffocated them.

Gap at the top was 6 points but for the second week in a row we played the team in 2nd place so once again the wheels could come quickly off.

Oh my word what a match. We flew into a 2-0 lead early on and was riding high. When we made it 3-0 I thought it was game set and match. A crazy 3 minutes changed all that and suddenly we were holding on. Both teams had glorious chances in the second half to score but neither could meaning we held on for another brilliant 3 points.

Ok admittedly this screenshot was taken in April and not March but it shows we have one hand on the Regular Season crown. I don't know if it actually gets us anything but I want to find out!

Its not been a bad season really.

[andychar]

Chariots of Fire

So we went into April with the World at our feet (well Australia) and with one hand on the trophy? for winning the regular season.

You keep using that word Okay. I'm not sure you know what it means.

Be very shocked it was anything but.

Seems the players still think I'm doing an okay if not spectacular job. Seems they are put off by my reputation. That will change come the end of the month.

We had Adelaide United away from home in order to go 9 points clear with 9 points to play for and a much superior GD. I'm still salty about the Cup Final to be honest.

I thought you said the finances were okay!

3 Previous matches against Adelaide. Won 1 drawn 1 lost 1. The tiebreaker!

A goal in both halves was enough to take all 3 points. It was an even game as you can tell. We took our chances they didn't. It means we are 9 points clear with 9 points to play for. Basically its going to take something special not to come first from here.

The win also guarantees our spot in the Final Series semi final.

The records kept tumbling.

I have to apologise. I notice I go from present, past and future tense a lot. I update as I play. So as of right now I don't know if I win the league but in like 5 minutes I will.

Next up is Brisbane Roar away. Top v bottom and a perfect fixture to try and win the league. 1 point was enough dunno if I mentioned that.

Perfect start.

Game on.

VAR penalty puts us on the back foot.

Big second half needed if we are to win the title here.

Champagne on ice and we can't complain at all really. Better team won.

Of course Newcastle Jets still need to win their game to stop us coming first.

Which they did. But it was only a 2 goal swing which was good. We had a 9 GD better than Newcastle Jets which could play a part yet.

Our second chance to win the league was at home to Melbourne City. They have been disappointing and will finish outside a playoff place but still pose a threat.

Newcastle Jets actually play before us this week so we could win the league without kicking a ball.

Which is exactly what happened!

Newcastle Jets drew 0-0 against Brisbane Roar who picked up 4 points against the top 2. It means our last 2 games are pretty pointless as we head towards the playoffs.

We would have picked up the point necessary regardless. Not a great game and I feel the team have taken the foot off the gas with the games meaningless.

One more game before the playoffs begin.

We were 3-0 down at HT and very annoyed. Not happy with the loss but happy we went down with a bit of fight. Disappointing month really. Hopefully its a little blip before the playoffs and nothing more sinister!

And that's without them even starting!

Final table looked like this.

Into the lions den we go!