Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 3rd January saw me invited for two interviews. One I applied for and one I didn't I'll be attending both Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xray1324 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 I've been offered the Everton job, but I've asked for time to think it over (I'd prefer the Leicester job, but I'll take the Everton job if they reject me or don't come back in the next week) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 Leicester said no Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 And Everton came back. I've given them my answer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 This is the squad I've inherited at Everton and the league table the day I arrived. A step up for sure, but much work ahead to turn them into contenders for Europe and plenty to do to get the top half finish the board are demanding Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xray1324 Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 looks like this is turning into an almost journeyman save for you Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 8 minutes ago, xray1324 said: looks like this is turning into an almost journeyman save for you I'm hoping to stay with Everton for several seasons and see where it goes. I want to win a major trophy before this is over, and I hope I can do that here. JI think a Premier League might be asking alot, but an FA Cup or Europa League should be a medium term objective Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadManager Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 I only just caught up with this. Well done on reaching the original objectives of the save so quickly. They way things worked out with Plymouth, you will probably get silverware at Everton quickly as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 Not a great start at Goodison and we are a long way from where we want to be. There will be significant changes over the summer, if I survive that long Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 We have been very busy in the transfer market in January, with three arrivals and 11 departures Nail Umyarov is a defensive midfielder, but is probably only a backup option if everyone is fit Kevin N'Doram is also a defensive midfielder, and he will be first choice Zeefuik comes in at right back to replace Dest, who put in a transfer request on deadline day. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 1 hour ago, BadManager said: I only just caught up with this. Well done on reaching the original objectives of the save so quickly. They way things worked out with Plymouth, you will probably get silverware at Everton quickly as well. I wish I shared your faith. The way this save is playing out, I think I'll be lucky to survive the season as Everton manager. I hoped that the move would revitalise the save, as Argyle are not going to be able to do any more than battle relegation, but the early signs at Everton are that my touch seems to have deserted me. I don't even know where it's gone wrong yet, which is the first step to fixing the problem. It's all about ensuring I still have a job in August for now, loftier ambitions of Europa League qualification and cup wins will have to wait Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 February. Oh dear! and that leaves us still in the bottom half Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 Unbeaten, but slightly disappointing in the league in March, but we are through to the FA Cup Semi Final and that keeps us stubbornly just outside the top half in the Premier League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 Three wins out of four in April. The only blip came in defeat in the Merseyside derby. We're also through to the FA Cup Final but the defeat to champions-elect Liverpool keeps us in the bottom half, below board expectations, and there remains a possibility that I won't get to lead Everton out at Wembley against Newcastle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 Everton? Nice... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 4 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: Everton? Nice... Yup. Been a bit of a sticky start so far though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 23, 2020 Author Share Posted August 23, 2020 We had a torrid run in May, although we did end with a fine victory to take us into the FA Cup Final although we really should have beaten Bournemouth and a 12th placed finish means I've survived the season, and will get to play the FA Cup Final. Whether I'll survive into next season probably depends on us winning the final to qualify for the Europa League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Here are the teams for the FA Cup Final but sadly it wasn't to be. We never got going, and were deservedly well beaten. I think that will spell the end for me at Everton, and possibly this save Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Time for the season roundup, beginning with club awards and club stats Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 The review of a disappointing season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadManager Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 (edited) You didn't quite hit the board's league target, or get to Europe. But you weren't far offf either, after taking over in a worse position. Assuming you still have the job, a good summer could get you into Europe in a season's time. But, that wasn't the aim of this save, I guess. Edited August 24, 2020 by BadManager Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 A pretty decent set of preseason results, with plenty of wins and goals, narrow defeats against Bayern and PSG, a pleasing draw with Juventus and a brilliant win in Dortmund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Two players were released at the end of their contracts, neither were first teamers Three signings, ten departures, but all either fringe or youth players Umyarov's loan from last year becomes a permanent deal for the promising midfielder Diatta comes in as first choice left winger, but can also play right wing if needed and Andreas Skov Olsen comes in as first choice right wing, but can also play on the left. This is our squad for the new season. I am still looking for a centre back and a backup goalkeeper, ideally so I can loan Leban out and get him up to his potential in time to replace Pickford when he starts to decline. Hopefully that's another 3-4 years away Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashjm Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Loosing to Newcastle in the final is gutting pal, the wingers coming in look decent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 12 minutes ago, ashjm said: Loosing to Newcastle in the final is gutting pal, the wingers coming in look decent We deserved to lose it, no complaints. More than happy with the new recruits, but the squad is still too weak and has players not good enough to play in the Premier League, never mind compete for a place in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 I want to try and get more players through from youth team to first team. With that in mind I asked the board for an affiliate, and I've got one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Kinda expected you'd establish Plymouth in the Prem before going away... On other side, you've played with them about dozen times now so this also makes sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Just now, Constantine said: Kinda expected you'd establish Plymouth in the Prem before going away... On other side, you've played with them about dozen times now so this also makes sense. Well I have been an Argyle fan for the last 28 years! I have done loads of other saves over the years though, and I don't think I'll be playing as us on FM21. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 We made a perfect start to the season but I'm sure there's a word to describe how we beat Newcastle that would land me in hot water with the mods.. Which leaves us top of the table, one of only two teams still with a perfect record. Equally impressive is that we haven't conceded a goal in those three wins. A very pleasing start to the season indeed, especially beating the Champions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Not a great September We should have beaten West Ham and could easily have got something against Southampton Those lapses see us drop out of the Champions League places Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 October wasn't great either but we really should have put Burnley to the sword and we remain in a Europa League spot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 24, 2020 Author Share Posted August 24, 2020 Given the fixtures in November, 10 points out of 12 is more than I was expecting, but after getting a victory away at Man City, it feels like an opportunity missed although it was enough to get us back into the top four, four points behind leaders Liverpool Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitner Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Good to see you doing well, mate. Cheers, Bitner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 33 minutes ago, Bitner said: Good to see you doing well, mate. Cheers, Bitner Thanks Bitner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Not brilliant, but still a reasonable December We deserved to lose to Liverpool, were a bit fortunate to get a point against Crystal Palace, but got utterly mugged by Burnley and as a result, we are clinging on to the top four. I don't have any capacity in the wage or transfer budget for any January business, so unless I sell anyone, or get an injection from the Chairman, there are unlikely to be any signings in January. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 January was really poor but we remain in a European place (for now) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 As expected, no arrivals in January, but seven youngsters have left, mostly on loan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 Only three games in February, but we got our season back on track with a perfect month and that saw us go fifth in the league, four points off a top 4 spot Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 March wasn't so good, not helped by losing Pickford to injury in the Liverpool defeat and we remain 5th, just outside the Champions League places Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 (edited) In March, an opportunity came up at one of the big guns, and I've got an interview after applying Edited August 27, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 I didn't get the job, and I can't complain at who I lost out to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Good work on doing so well with Everton Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 We continued the run of 'win one-lose one in April and as a result, our faint hopes of top four are now over, but we're in a good position to qualify for Europa League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 We were unbeaten, but underwhelming, in May although we should have beaten a Brighton team we utterly dominated We end the season 5th, and Europa League bound. Job done for this season, but we need to push on and make top 4 next season, and / or win a trophy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 Awards / roundup time, beginning with club awards and season stats Here is how our squad did as a whole Our top scorer was Joao Pedro, but it wasn't enough for the Golden Boot and Pickford missed out on the Golden Glove too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 We went through a busy preseason unbeaten, despite matches against Barcelona and Juventus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 Four players have been released at the end of their contracts, all youth or fringe players Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 Two signings, 13 departures in the transfer window Brazilian goalkeeper Jose Antonio gives us a second high quality keeper and Tomas Esteves is a right back, and will be first choice and that leaves my squad looking like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted August 27, 2020 Share Posted August 27, 2020 Tommy E is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaancy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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