The FM21 Youth Academy Challenge

[OlivierL]

FC Encamp - Andorra - Lliga Biosphere - Season 2 [ 22-23 ] - Review

Fixtures 1 | Fixtures 2 |Player Stats| Finances |Transfers| Facilities | Best Eleven

We had a great season . We didn't dominate like last season but we are promoted (back to back). 

The oldest club in Andorra are back in the Primera Division.

In the Copa Constitució we lost for the second season against Santa Coloma (first division) in the quarter final.

Key Players

 
Hernandez 21-3 had a great striker and is the topscorer of the league. Oliveira 21-7 was again very important on the wing with 13 goals and 6 asssits.

Academy Records

Facilities changes

didn't expect this..  with our average attendance of 139 ..

Manager Thoughts

Very enjoyable second season with a new promotion. Unlike the first season, I didn't lose any players this time. Unfortunately, I do get offers every day so I have to give the players new contracts every time (with bonuses for goals, assists etc). Very frustrating.
On the one hand I am looking forward to next season but on the other hand the progression and level is so slow that I start doubting again.

 

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by OlivierL

[darren1983]

36 minutes ago, ManUtdFan said:

A question to non-native players here. How do you go about when choosing a nation? Is it a country you've never managed in before, some personal connections? Been struggling with picking a country, never mind the team recently!

If there's no stand out team for me (Palermo last year for example) then I always do England as I'm determined to do it here out pure stubboness  

[darren1983]

First season in league two, reach Jan and think my 18 year old left back is getting some attention 

[JLAB]

I was lucky to have Siena this year and Cottbus last year. Two teams with a history of being in the top tier and having an interesting backstory. Siena having to fold twice in the 2010s, and Cottbus being in the German Cup final as a 3rd tier side.

[XaW]

I'm not really feeling Czechia, but I don't really know why. Might have a play around with a few other experiments and see how it feels. 

[OlivierL]

This could be a thing that keeps me going..

And my B team is going up to 2th tier.

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by OlivierL

[OlivierL]

11 minutes ago, XaW said:

I'm not really feeling Czechia, but I don't really know why. Might have a play around with a few other experiments and see how it feels. 

I feel it in Andorra but it is very very slow and i don't like the instant result stuff  I'm doubting .. Could do a full transfer save from non league to... not sure yet . or a youth only in a higher division ( Bilbao, Sunderland, 1860 München).. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by OlivierL

[darren1983]

16 minutes ago, darren1983 said:

First season in league two, reach Jan and think my 18 year old left back is getting some attention 

Had a falling out with him so have told him I'll sell him when I sign a replacement and the fool is happy with that  

Also has a year left on his deal with a 2 year option on it  

[Armeniar]

 

The kids are really taking big steps 

[UnkleTass]

ACN Siena 1904 Season 2027/28 Review

 

Nothing like a good cup run to keep you up beat! We made it to the Serie C Cup semi finals in an incredible run, and also managed to make the playoffs again whilst equalling a season high finish for me with the team. Still struggle with cold spells at times but again good early season form gave us a platform to build on.

The Youth revolution has continued as most of the old guard are winding down only 5 non intake players remain in the first team set up, and 2 will be leaving on a free this summer

First major sale happened this year in Jan raking in a massive £100k, board accepted on my behalf because we were in dire financial position but I will miss Cecchini 24A

Due to the finances the old board decided to sell up and we got a new board in who cleared the debt but with a bank loan, so I have 12 years of debt to deal with but I guess on a much more manageable scale

This year I got 5 job interview offers, including Nott Forest twice! They must really want me  

Challenge: Squad League Table Transfers

Key Players: Ernesto Tartaglia 23D Gian Andrea Lavorini 25A Marco Carminati

Youth Intake: Preview Actual

Manager: Profile Attributes

Jobs: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5

Extra: Takeover Finances Moments

Edited February 6, 2021 by UnkleTass

[flyd]

 

My second season in Norway is done.

 

After the promotion of last season I expected a really hard fight to stay up. However it turned out to be way better than expected. Halfway the campaign we were even in the battle for second place. However, in the last 10 matches or so we collapsed and ended up on place eight. Still, I should be happy with this results if you look at the quality of my players.

Last part of the competition:

Spoiler

Three of the youth players made their debut with AML Orre, CM Smith and CD Skalmeras. I also put them in the starting eleven for the last match as we had no more chance to reach the play offs. The Youth coaching and youth recruitment were improved during the season. However, the preview looks really bad. (Also 2 players were poached this season).

[keeper#1]

Farnborough 2025 Youth Intake

He was spot on with the forward from Belgium.  He's already, based on star rating, my best forward.  He also uncovered a gem in the central midfield from Spain and some more defense depth from closer to home.

My Spanish-Moroccan midfielder.  A sweet passer of the ball for this level.  Not very fast and doesn't tackle well.  Will be a great deep-lying playmaker who can play a long direct ball to the forwards.

This Belgian-Moroccan forward is our best finisher.  He has decent speed and is great off the ball.  Has already been promoted to the senior team bypassing the U18 and U23 teams.

More midfield help from Jude Elliott 25C.  Not a great passer but a decent tackler who has some speed.  We are lacking quickness in the midfield so Elliott will be of help in there coming off the bench, at first, and then as a starter.

Brendan Bell 25D could be an interesting project.  He's an ambitious player on a team that has a lot of depth at center back.  The ambition makes me think he could develop quickly which could mean a move to the first team taking a spot from one of the established players or he wants to move to a bigger club (which could bring a financial windfall to the club)  

More center back depth from Sean Smith 25E.  Not as good as Bell but still someone who could develop quickly and push for a first team place.

[keeper#1]

[JLAB]

I don't know about you guys, but this intake feels more promising than some of my other ones that have produced some really good players for us. I'm a little excited about it to say the least.

[XaW]

Ok, I don't know if this is something I'm going all in on, but for now, I think it could be fun, so I'll give it a go. I've downloaded the England down to tier 11 and holidayed a season and taken over a club that finished last in one of the tier 11 divisions. I chose this team, because it kind of fits in this challenge. So I've taken over Liver Academy! The name really fits, because this is the academy challenge, and I thought I'd be fun to do it in England, but with a twist.

The team finished last in the Liverpool Premier League Premier Divison, and finished rock bottom the first season.

So, I have no idea if this is a viable thing to do, but here goes anyway!

The club have a horrible setup, unsurprisingly, and everyone is amateur, so I'm expecting to lose just about every talented player I ever get, but let's go!

[ravenation]

Gainsborough Trinity

2034/2035. 20th place league two - FA cup 3rd round - Carabeo cup first round - Papa Trophy 1st round

Our defensive football was challenged this season. Thouhgt we had good start of season and we beat top-5 teams at least 4 times during the season, so after 32 matches with 40 points i was quite optimistic.

But it all collapsed with just 8 points for the last 14 matches! On the final day we were actually going down for most of the match as Cambrudge were leading away against Colchester. It was quite late in the game Colchester equalised and saved us. Big thanks to my new favouite team.

We have many talents growing each season - but i am considering trying something new tactically as last part of season was just horrible.

Cups nothing special - and youth intake medicore as well.

And one of our former players was sold again - unfotunately i was so keen to cash in 1,5 million euro, that i didnt have a clause for making more money

Edited February 7, 2021 by ravenation

[XaW]

This should come in handy!

[flyd]

Which HOYD would you recommend?

Current:

Option 1:

Option 2:

[ANGL]

I have spent most of the preseason thinking what to do with Marc Torres 2N: too good for the B team, the doubt was to send him on loan or put him on the first team were he'll the third choice striker. His physical atributes are excellent for the level but he is worse than the other two options on technical and mental.

After playing him in preseason friendlies with good results, decided to promote him to first team.

First team of the season, starting striker gets injured, I decide to play him as starting. And this is what it happens:
 

 

No more doubts

[ANGL]

32 minutes ago, flyd said:

Which HOYD would you recommend?

Current:

Option 1:

Option 2:

 

I tend to go for the better personality (specially professional, model professional or model citizen) always, but in this case I have doubts. The second one has better skills, and with that judging PA he will be getting you higher potential prospects, however, because of his personality he will be getting players with lower profesionalism. If you have currently profesional players at the club who can mentor the younger players, maybe the second is a better option.

[XaW]

57 minutes ago, flyd said:

Which HOYD would you recommend?

Current:

Option 1:

Option 2:

The model pro. No doubt.

[JAwtunes]

Widzew Lodz (FM20)

Season 6 (2025-26) - Review

On the pitch

Starting 11: 5 academy players are now first team regulars.

PKO Ekstraklasa - 1st: Very impressive...

Polish Cup - 2nd Round: Poor and the board were unhappy.

UEFA Champions League: Proud to have made it out of our group for the first time but demolished by Real Madrid in the first knockout round.

Off the pitch

Youth Intake: Reasonable PA and CA but poor personalities.  as a result, i went away spent several hours building a spreasheet tool to help me fix my backroom staff.  I do hold out much hope tbh, but it will at least speed up the process of looking for staff and assigning coaches to training categories.

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

Spoiler

SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

[XaW]

2 hours ago, XaW said:

This should come in handy!

I like this board!

[DazRTaylor]

The new preview is in.  A good centre half would be lovely.

[JAwtunes]

2 hours ago, flyd said:

Which HOYD would you recommend?

Current:

Option 1:

Option 2:

What are their media-handling styles?

[flyd]

24 minutes ago, JAwtunes said:

What are their media-handling styles?

Bakli is Media Friendly, the other two are level headed

[DazRTaylor]

My airhead of a chairman, the chap who accepted a bid of £110 for a youngster as it was too good to refuse, allowed me to handle the sale of our best player.  I accepted £100,000 and then the bids kept coming and I eventually got £1.5m.  A lot more than £110.

[Britrock]

I've decided to jump into this in Argentina with Club Atlético Sarmiento de Resistencia.

[JAwtunes]

17 minutes ago, flyd said:

Bakli is Media Friendly, the other two are level headed

OK, nothing special then.

The determined one with 18 determination will probably have ambition of 1-11 and 1-18 professionalism, not great.

The model professional is likely to have ambition of between 6-18 (and 20 professionalism, hence 'model'). The professional one will have lower professionalism (18-19) and ambition is likely to be between 3-19.  FYI, with a better media-handling style, like unflappable, the professional guy would probably have ambition of between 7-20, and with his slightly higher determination, might be a worth considering.  I would agree with XaW though, model professional guy is the one to go for.

My HOTD has let me down big time this season though, so might be best to ignore me!

[XaW]

1 hour ago, XaW said:

I like this board!

And another one! Gotten two for coaching and one for recruitment and I've not even had my first intake!

[AlwaysNalah]

Just a quick update - I still need to post season 5 but am waiting until the end of season 6, and it's its looking better finally after 5 years of surviving.

 

We were given a 4 year contract for our hard work at Blansko so have decided to stop living out of the car and flying home for the winter break. 

We accepted a very low offer money wise to help the club so were limited in options. My mother lent me a deposit for this lovely erm.... hut. 

A couple of the youth lads are staying as well, you must have heard the one about the Englishman, the Vietnamise and the Brazilian walking into a bar

Ps sorry for the **** posting a bit of fun lol.

[DazRTaylor]

Damn it @XaWI love the English lower leagues.  May have to check it out.

[XaW]

2 minutes ago, DazRTaylor said:

Damn it @XaWI love the English lower leagues.  May have to check it out.

Sorry for tempting you all around Europe, mate!  

[XaW]

     

(Hope you like the badge, made it myself! )

Liver Academy - Youth intake 2022

No clue what to expect from the intakes down here, but this is apparently a "poor crop"...

Don't know what to say about this really. Going to sign everyone and see what happens.

This kid looks decent. Quite fast a good finishing should be good at this level at any rate.

Statistics:

Spoiler

Well, I ticked off all of the countries on the British Isles, and added some African countries into the mix.

 

[XaW]

Man, this board is really something! This was even their idea!

[OlivierL]

Good Luck Xaw , i'm also thinking about lower tiers England but a real save with transfers.. or continue with Encamp in Andorra..

[XaW]

49 minutes ago, XaW said:

Man, this board is really something! This was even their idea!

More improvements!

[XaW]

Liver Academy - Season 2021/22 Review

Table | Squad | Transfers | Finances

So we won the league and are promoted to the 10th tier already. Quite surprising, but the level of football down here is horrible! Anyone can beat anyone, it's all about finishing chances, because everyone makes loads of mistakes all the time. In the end we won it by quite a distance. The youth intake was nothing special, but I've gotten in quite a lot of improvements through the season, so I hope the next ones will be much better. I'm also excited to see how the next level on the ladder compares to this one.

The only cup we played in this season were the Liverpool County League Cup. Here we beat Page Celtic, Tempest United and MSB Woolton to reach the final. There we beat Waterloo Deck to claim the trophy.

[keeper#1]

Farnborough 2024-25 Season Review

Fixtures 1, 2, 3, 4: Started out choppy.  Got hot around Christmas time before cooling off in January-February and then catching fire in April and May.

League Table: Solidly in the playoffs with a record 5th place finish on 88 points and +23 goal difference.

Playoff Tree: Defense stepped up in the playoffs posting two shutouts and just one goal allowed in the three playoff matches

FA Cup: A very nice run to the 3rd round where we earned a big payday in our 5-0 loss to West Ham

FA Trophy: A decent cup run to the 4th round

xG General Performance: Pretty close to the league averages across the board except in shots per game and xG per game.  

xG Expected vs Actual: We vastly overperformed on xG (+24) which led to an overperformance on xG Points (+30).  I expect these numbers to come crashing back to earth next season in the Vanarama National League

xG Attacking Efficiency     xG Defensive Efficiency

Stats 1     Stats 2

2024-25 Player of the Year: Connor Cullen took over the center forward job from Wilberforce Orcan this season and responded with 26 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions

2024-25 Rookie of the Year: Big O 24B stepped into the defensive line in either the left back or center back positions depending on need.  A nice depth option at the moment.

Youth Intake Preview     Youth Intake     Youth Intake DNA

Soufiane Dghoughi 25A      Jawad Amrani 25B     Jude Elliott 25C     Brendan Bell 25D     Sean Smith 25E

Moments to Remember     Best XI     Accolades     History In the Making

Transfers

Almanac

Our first international call-up even if it's just a U19 team.  The official almanac only keeps track of U21 and senior team callups

Blue to highlight our promotion to the Vanarama National League

Something I stole from @_Ben_to see how we rank in the league.  Offense average.  Defense above average minus the shots allowed stat.  Possession is poor but we were effective in possession.

Neiland was a great player for at South Shields and is growing into this manager business as well.

Putting that West Ham payday to good use.

[darren1983]

1 hour ago, XaW said:

Liver Academy - Season 2021/22 Review

Table | Squad | Transfers | Finances

So we won the league and are promoted to the 10th tier already. Quite surprising, but the level of football down here is horrible! Anyone can beat anyone, it's all about finishing chances, because everyone makes loads of mistakes all the time. In the end we won it by quite a distance. The youth intake was nothing special, but I've gotten in quite a lot of improvements through the season, so I hope the next ones will be much better. I'm also excited to see how the next level on the ladder compares to this one.

The only cup we played in this season were the Liverpool County League Cup. Here we beat Page Celtic, Tempest United and MSB Woolton to reach the final. There we beat Waterloo Deck to claim the trophy.

If you make it to the Premier League before me from here.....  

[XaW]

1 minute ago, darren1983 said:

If you make it to the Premier League before me from here.....  

I'll do my best!

1 promotion down, 9 to go!

[ANGL]

 

 

Don't know what happened to him but I'm not complaining

[darren1983]

Season 2026/27 Review. Sky Bet League Two

 

League -  well that was unexpected! Think the cohesion of last season played a big part in our start. We started the season with 8 wins from our first 9 games (drawing the other) and never really looked back. The season graph shows we we top most of the season, we had a little wobble where we dropped to 2nd but then reclaimed top spot and ran out comfortable winners in the end. The star of the show was young striker Hugh Slane 23A, before this season he had 14 goals in 78 games and ended this season with 37 in 41! He took his chance this year that's for sure.

FA Cup - nothing great here, beat a side below us and lost to a side above us

League Cup - lost to local rivals

EFL Trophy - used this for backup players, almost made it through

Transfers - Sold Prince Adjei 24B in the summer. Used the money to upgrade youth coaching and recruitment, which looking at our finances was maybe a mistake

Squad - Only a handful of original players left now

Finances - Not great not, losing 200k a month to the youth setup  

Youth Intake - Looks another good one, can't moan with 5 5* players

Glen Frake 27A - our 2nd best keeper already. 
Andrew Weir 27B - not a fan of the personality but could be a decent wide option
Sunny Azeez 27C - another wide option for us
Kevin Philips 27D - I got excited by the name but he's not a striker, a decent looking CM player
Ashley Rothery 27E - Another CB to add to our options

Career Overview

Season		League		Position	Youth Recruitment	Youth Coaching		Notes & Achievements 

2021/22		VNLN		5th 		Adequate		Adequate		First coaching badge
2022/23		VNLN		2nd 		Adequate		Good			Promoted via playoffs, FA Trophy runners up
2023/24		VNL		16th 		Average			Excellent 		2nd coaching badge
2024/25		VNL		12th 		Average			Excellent		3rd coaching badge
2025/26		VNL		6th 		Average			Excellent		Promotion via playoffs
2026/27		League 2	1st 		Good			Exceptional		Promotion as champions

Next Season

Stay up. 50 points. That's all I want.

[Padders]

Season Review 2094/95

An okay season but really should and could have been so much better!

We sat 5th with 8 games to go and been on a run of 10 wins in a row!!

Play 4th place Arsenal and and lose 1-2 in a close tight game.

This then results in another one of this ridiculous runs where I can't win a game and don't win any of the last 8 league games and no surprise lose the FA Cu Final

May have a decent centre back in the Youth Intake which I am desperate for

 

 

[XaW]

      

Liver Academy - Youth intake 2023

I think the updates I've gotten improved have had an effect.

A really good intake with a lot of good players here.

An amazing striker at this level, and I'm going to try to keep him as long as I can, but I think he'll outgrow us quite soon.

Statistics:

Spoiler

A lot of variance this time. Added Poland, Trinidad & Tobago, Spain, France, Argentina, Australia and Guadeloupe! So we are only missing Asia to have covered all the continents.

 

[shaunvamos]

 

 

 

It didn't look likely at the beginning but we go straight back up into the Superettan as champions! Our goal scoring ways came back, scoring 75 goals in 30 games. We did concede over a goal a game, but as long as we outscore our opponents there are no issues. The aim now is to survive this time, and try not to get smashed (again). Our youth setup bled our finances dry as well, so the return to the Superettan will give us a much needed financial boost.

 

Youth Intake

 

 

Emil Göransson 5A  -  Joel Persson 5B*  -  Mathias Sandström 5C*

 

 

 

Another great intake, as Persson goes straight into our first team. Surprisingly, so does Arvidsson, the second worst player by PA in the intake, as he becomes our first choice at LB. For the second year running we get a class CB masquerading as another position in our top prospect Goransson. At just 16 he's 6'5", has amazing physical attributes, and can already tackle and mark pretty well. He's going to be a great find. Pretty cool to get a Colombian too!

 

 

Robert Jonsson 1E  -  Daniel Eriksson 4D  -  Samuel Svensson

 

Until the season review page shows the true Best XI, I'm going to use this format. Eriksson 4D was amazing in his first full season, top scoring with 25. He probably would've scored more if he hadn't been pushed back to LW after the youth intake. Svensson was also excellent up front Eriksson's striker partner, and Jonsson was also excellent at the back, contributing with a few goals as well.  

 

 

 

 

 

Transfers

 

 

 

Record Breakers

 

 

 

 

Progress

 

 

 

[Britrock]

I forgot just how hard this challenge can be when your youth intake is this horrible. Only three guys were worth tagging out of this lot and I don't think any of them are going to amount to anything special either.

Unrelated but does anyone know how to embed these images as thumbnails? I'm sure previously I just copy/pasted them in but they come out as large images now, is there a technique that I've forgotten or is it just dumb luck?

[Sn00gle]

2 hours ago, Britrock said:

I forgot just how hard this challenge can be when your youth intake is this horrible. Only three guys were worth tagging out of this lot and I don't think any of them are going to amount to anything special either.

Unrelated but does anyone know how to embed these images as thumbnails? I'm sure previously I just copy/pasted them in but they come out as large images now, is there a technique that I've forgotten or is it just dumb luck?

Always sign whole pack event if they wont Play all You may earn some money. At start when your Staff is bad the stars might be not true.

Edited February 8, 2021 by Sn00gle

[DazRTaylor]

So with myself not having an original bone in my body and with @XaWtaking me on a tour of Europe, I have holidayed for a season and taken over at Friar Lane & Epworth.  They finished bottom of their league in the eleventh tier when I holidayed for a season.  I chose them simply for the name.

Club Introduction

Friar Lane & Epworth

The Manager

This is me:

Personal Coaching Data

Season     Reputation            Qualifications    Att   Def   Fit   GkD   GkH   GkS   Tac   Tec   Men   WWY   Ada   Det   PlK   YoK   LoD   MaM   Mot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At start   Minimal   (0.25*)     None                1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     1     4     1     1     1     4     1     1     1

Club Facilities

Season     Training Facilities  Youth Facilities  Youth Level  Corporate Facilities  Junior Coaching  Youth Recruitment  Club Reputation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Start   Poor                 Poor                   0       Basic                 Basic            Limited            Local   (0.50*)

 

Season Record

Season     Played     Won     Drawn     Lost     Goals For     Goals Against     Goal Difference     Win Percentage
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall Career Record

After Season   Played     Won     Drawn     Lost     Goals For     Goals Against     Goal Difference     Win Percentage     Time At Club
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trophy Haul

Season     Competition Won
--------------------------

Trophy Cabinet

League Titles
-------------


Cup Competition Victories
-------------------------

 Career Overview

Season     Champions League    Europa League    Europa Conference League             League                             Position     F.A. Cup                    League Cup        Achievements
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Appearances (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Appearances
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Goal Scorer (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                          Cumulative Number of Goals
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Assists (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                        Cumulative Number of Assists
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Record Number of Clean Sheets (Players From The Academy Only)

Season     Player                    Cumulative Number of Clean Sheets
----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2021 by DazRTaylor

[DazRTaylor]

Youth Candidates

Season 2042/43

SV Babberich

A preview that promised a decent central defender delivered just that.  I am slightly disappointed though, in the overall depth this year.