The FM22 Youth Academy Challenge

[Neo_Geo]

Santa Venera Lightnings FC Season 8 (2029/30) Review

Domestic

Repeat of last season with an unbeaten treble and dropped points only to Bikirkara away after a European game where I had to rest several first team players.

Hibernians still annoy me in that they too don't seem to drop points, it means you really have to beat them and not slip up against any of the other 12 teams.

In the last game of the season it was Zebbug Rangers in the FA Trophy final and we strolled it 7-0, as long as I hold onto the players I have now and continue to develop the youth coming through I think domestically things are looking good.

Kovalchuk broke another 3 records this season.

He's looking like the divisions best at the moment.

We also saw the first full international cap this year with Andre Zarb Cousin (27G) getting the nod, before Dimech getting his debut in the next match where he assisted Zarb Cousin for his first national goal (it was against Gibraltar but they all count)

Best eleven saw a few less 7+ average ratings but the season was still a success regardless

 

Europe

Another great season in Europe, made the Conference this time following a defeat 1 round earlier in the Champions League qualifiers to Slavia Prague AGAIN!

Narrowly missed out on the Europa League again with a 4-3 aggregate defeat to St Gallen.

I was happy with the group draw and ultimately 5 wins and 1 loss is a fantastic outcome that got me into the 2nd knock out round where we beat Lech before being outclassed by Anderlecht.

The good thing about dropping to the Conference is that you still get decent prize money but your chances are a little better (compare the group draw I had last season of Napoli, Feyenoord and Slavia Prague compared to Shamrock Rovers, Aris and Astana).

 

Youth

Another solid intake sees another couple of first team additions

Only issue with Bonnici is a potential change of formation as Reay had a huge number of assists for his strike partner Kovalchuk.

 

Youth Origins

 

Youth Details

 

Club Info

Not sure if the Youth Facilities bug has struck again, the training facilities were improved twice in one season but the Youth Facilities had disappeared after the first one. Only issue is Youth Facilities are at 2 stars and not 4.

 

Trophy Cabinet

 

Next Season

As with last year its all about making progress in Europe whilst maintaining domestic dominance, I may try to get Bonnici in as an AMC but no major changes to the formation just yet.

[Daddy]

On 14/09/2022 at 18:22, Daddy said:

2027/28 Season Review:

I knew it would be bad and it delivered. Fewest goals scored. Most goals given up. Was not a very fun season.

A lot of loans, though I recalled a good number to either use or because they were unhappy.

Youth Intake:

Overall a very good intake. I really wanted a striker, but the one I was given is not near ready. 

2028/29 Season Preview:

Not a lot is expected, which is good, however this late in the game cycle I don't think I'm going to stick this out if it's a bad or even mediocre season. If the young players take a step forward and dominate this league and we go up then I'll keep playing it. If it's another struggle I'll pull the plug. 

Reviving this. Bored of the Journeyman save (I've learned to hate scouting) and I play through these seasons faster with only the league in play as Playable and no time scouting. 

[Daddy]

2028/29 Midseason Review:

Frustrating in that we generally have control of the games but just can't score that one goal that turns a loss into a draw and a draw into a win. Better finishing and we walk this league and compete in the top flight. 

Intake Preview:

The intake looks promising from the standpoint of the issues I listed above. 

[JAwtunes]

We have our first senior international.  Mr & Mrs 32d will be very proud

[Daddy]

2028/29 Season Review:

One of the things I noticed on my journeyman was different tactics that I had used in Ukraine but wasn't using here. The switch helped turn things up. I was getting annoyed about dropped points as I think if we played the way we did to close the whole season we run away with the league and I feel better about surviving in the top league.

Nothing major here. I will be losing some players I don't want to this coming season though.

Youth Intake:

I had asked for some help scoring and I received!

He made an instant impact. 5 goals and 5 assists in 9 appearances. He's a mercenary and I don't suspect I get to keep him long.

2029/30 Season Preview:

Having the 3rd color as the opposite kit's primary as a pin stripe on the thick white stripes is a nice touch. Plus that pattern in the primary color stripes I love. One of the better ones if I do say so myself.

I suspect the kits will be the highlight of the season. I already lost my starting keeper as his contract is up in a year and I was waiting for the promotion to extend and then bids came in and he wanted to leave. Had to get something to avoid leaving on a free. Two of my top three players are on their last year, refuse to sign, and there's no interest. Hopefully before Jan I can extend. The other of the three best players, well excluding the youth player, wants to resign, but for double the max I can offer. If I can't figure that out I'll have a tough decision. Sell for what I can for all three, or ride out in hopes of staying up and get better prize money. The second option is actually the smartest as last place is $2.5M and I don't think I'll get that from all three combined and I'm hoping for better. I think I just talked myself through the process. 

[BustaRaymes]

*FM20*

Haven't posted in a while, but Littlehampton is - although a bit on-and-off - still going. So updates incoming!

Some will be a bit short, apologies in advance.

 

Littlehampton Town 2056-2057

Sky Bet League Two

Back up after 2 seasons in L2!

 

Squad

Resano continued his goalscoring and Siegrist proved to be a much needed quality player at the back.

 

Other key players:

 

Transfers

 

Youth intake:

Could be worse, but could absolutely be better. I like Horton and Dublin.

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by BustaRaymes
small changes

[BustaRaymes]

*FM20*

Littlehampton Town 2057-2058

Sky Bet League One

A difficult season, but we were never in real trouble. Midtable for most of the season our form dropped towards the end.

 

Squad

Henry is developing into a decent winger, and Raby starts to become better and better.

 

Transfers

 

Youth intake

Forgot to take the intake screenshot, but Reece is the only talented player:

 

[BustaRaymes]

*FM20*

Littlehampton Town 2058-2059

Sky Bet League One

We started extremely strong and for some reason we didn't stop stringing together results, leading to our debut in the Championship!

 

Squad

I'm not sure we will have a place on this level. The fact that an ageing Clewlow still does not have real contention for a starting sport says a lot:

Henry continued delivering good performances in his first starter season, while Resano still does what he does best: score goals.

Other key players:

 

Transfers

 

Youth intake

Again, no screenshot from intake day, but we have some very interesting prospects:

Not sure what to do with Collins-Leigh position-wise, but first we need to get him off that personality anyway.

Hamon-Ardley has all the attributes of the kind of centre-back that I like, so he'll be retrained and we might finally have someone to replace Clewlow.

Not the brightest prospect, but I like the kind of player Hughes is.

A lot to learn, but Swidzikowski is one of the more talented prospects in recent years.

[BustaRaymes]

*FM20*

Littlehampton Town 2059-2060

Sky Bet Championship

We've been scraping points all season and were never out of reach of the relegation spots. Luckily we could hang on to keep us here.

First of all: hello upgrades!

Started to doubt if he would ever make a move as he was 27 already, but here we go!

 

Squad

Dublin was not the biggest prospect when coming through, but he popped to 4-5* PA and had a good season. Paxman entered the squad decently and Resano again proved he can score at any level.

 

Transfers

A nice fee for Young. We had Dublin lined up for his position so I couldn't pass up on 1.8m.

 

Youth intake

A nice batch coming through again!

I really like Crook and Crawford.

[BustaRaymes]

*FM20*

Littlehampton Town 2060-2061

Sky Bet Championship

Slightly more comfortable season, but not by much. Still hanging in there.

 

Squad

Salinas, Reaney and Horton came back after good loan spells and have cemented a place in the team

 

Transfers

 

Youth intake

Another top prospect in Staric, and Finch might be a long-term solution to our goalie problems. Olawale has a decent starting point as well.

[JAwtunes]

 

Cardiff Corinthians - Season 12 (2033/34) Review

Another excellent league campaign but we were unable to defend either of the cups we won last season.  We qualified for the group stage of the Europa Conference League again and that brought in some more much needed money.  The attendances in the league (including our) remain very low and no team has got close to an average attendance of 1000 yet.  The league reputation has increased again this year so hopefully in time we will start to see a bit of an increase in attendance and match day income.

We lost our start player at the start of the season.  Jay Lennie 30a clearly didn't want to stick around and was annoying the rest of the team so we allowed him to join Serie A side Torino.  Unfortunately he made just 1 sub appearance all season and, given that he is now 20yrs old, I don't think there is much chance we will profit from the 50% next sale clause we negotiated.

Spoiler

500 games

Competitions

Premier League - 1st

Welsh Cup - 4th Round

League Cup - 2nd Round

Europa Conference League - Group Stage

Players - This is how we lined up this season

Spoiler

The Fans Player of the Season went to Graham Byron 31d, while Young Player of the Season went to our new senior international for Northern Ireland, Lee Bolger 32d.

Spoiler

Byron

Bolger

Youth Intake

We received a poor 4star preview, albeit with lots of A ratings (not really sure how it works tbh).  thankfully the intake was fantastic, particularly our new left midfielder who is easily the best player we have ever had.  he is a real one-off and not something we are going to get used to, but hopefully we can mend his broken personality and convince him to stay a few years.

Spoiler

Preview

HoYD

Spoiler

Facilities and Youth Spend

No improvements yet but we were able to request an improvement to training facilities at the end of the season

Spoiler

Player Records

SUMMARY

[Daddy]

2029/30 Season Review:

An interesting season. I was expecting to get relegated outright and by mid-December I made the decision to sell off the three players that were leaving no matter what after the season for whatever I could get. My hope was if we did better than expected they might stay or at least help us stay up to get another season of money (the difference between the leagues is about 3 million). Relegation look inevitable so I sold them off. Then I noticed the players replacing them started stepping up, we got another great intake player as well, and in the end did enough to finish in 9th. From there we won the playoff to stay up. 

In addition to selling players that didn't want to stay I got rid of some roster bloat. A pay raise and another badge. No improvements to other facilities though. 

Youth Intake:

Another nice player. Still lacking scoring though. A lot of playmakers though. Hopefully next year I get some help on Defense.

2030/31 Season Preview:

Funny thing I failed to note above: Since I assumed I was going down I locked every player I wanted up to max length contract available. Now all the players I am not trying to get rid of are lock up until 6/30/33. This season may be a struggle, or maybe a step in the right direction. Regardless the players can whine all they want they're mine for three more years!

[aldojags]

@BustaRaymesGreat progress in relatively short period of time well done to u sir!

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 30 - English Premier League - Mid Year Review & Youth Intake Preview

League - 4th so far

Things are going well in the league, but we still struggle with inconsistency. Often beating the other top teams and going on a good run, only to lose to a mid table or relegation candidate. Frustrating. I have tried the usual stuff to keep morale up, tried changing tactics to exploit weaknesses, but I wonder if some of my players are just inconsistent in general (coach reports don't always show this, but I have seen it in a few of my starters).

Squad Insights

A bit of a random one here, but I am impressed with my dynamics and squad personality. The only worry being all of my leaders are getting old and will be out of the team in a year or so and my younger players do not have great leadership.

Next Gazza?
Dylan Ward (YP25A) has been labelled the next Gazza. Hopefully it is more the skill and not the personality traits.

Youth Intake Preview

A decent one here. We definitely need a good DM and our full backs Allan Baker-Moran (YP13C) and Ciaran Lowe (YP14C), my captains, are both nearing the end of their careers.

[Daddy]

2030/31 Season Review:

Staying alive again. Other than a few games we got hammered it really wasn't as bad as the stats look. Ultimately the same problems remain. We don't score enough and we give up too. Seems obvious but if we were just marginally better at both we would have been out of the playoffs. 10 one goal losses. 

Not helping matters is losing a top player due to a release clause. Another one out the door the day after the season rolled over. I was able to turn that money into upgrades that will finish up this season at least.

Youth Intake:

No immediate world beaters this time, but plenty of help in the system. 

2031/32 Season Preview:

Losing our top two forwards hurts, but they weren't really lighting up the scoresheet so how much does it suck? I don't know. Hopefully the training facilities and Youth Facilities upgrades that will complete early in the season will help. I suspect another season at the bottom of the table. Hopefully enough to stay out of automatic relegation.

Edit:
Forgot to add two wonderkids. Our first I think.

One already left and I assume I won't have the other for too long.

Edited October 17, 2022 by Daddy

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 30 - English Premier League - Youth Intake

An intake which on first glance doesn't look great. However I am very excited to have a Right Back coming through as well as a DM (especially as I just got a partnership in Israel, which may have impacted my first ever youth player from Israel).

A decent mix of nationalities including some new ones for us in a couple of Colombian players and an Israeli (I have youth affiliates in both countries). Personalities are not amazing, but having a professional winger is nice to see. Hopefully his PA raises from the initial report.

Top 3 - Youth Intake 30

Par Jurell (YP30A) - Now this is a player I am very excited by. A right back with a ton of potential and we are in need of more full backs. He struggles with the attacking portion of his job, but he has plenty of time to improve. He is definitely not a player that looks amazing right now, but I have faith that he will slowly improve. Trying to change his personality will be one of the first challenges.

Shalev Buchbut (YP30B) - Another player I am excited by, We also really need a good DM so this is perfect timing. He comes in with some really good mentals but will need to improve his physicals and the defensive side of the game if he wants to start for us in the Premier League. However I think he will make it. I am hoping in the next 3 years he will be a rotation player in the DM position and perhaps get to be our long term starter at the DM position.

Christos Antoniou (YP30C) - I am actually pretty excited by this guy too. I haven't said that about 3 youth players in a while. Despite not having the best PA right now (at least according to coach reports), he has some great attributes already. A very pacey winger with good dribbling and passing to start with. His crossing needs to improve as does his physical stats, but I think that he could become a rotation piece for us in time.

Other News

When the Scholars were announced its clear that some of the Youth Intake impressed the coaches, as they moved into the elite talent section.

[XaW]

Just noticed something that has quite the impact for this challenge in the latest post on FMFC in regards to FM23:

https://fmfc.footballmanager.com/blog/more-new-features-elevate-your-fm23-experience

Quote

A feature that many have been calling for on our forums, all user-controlled Under-18 and Under-23 teams can now receive invites to active youth leagues, even if those teams have been created after your save game began.

Additionally, we’ve made it easier for you to see how your youth sides are performing. Within the Development Centre, you’ll see a dropdown menu for each active age-grade team at your club. At the bottom of this is a ‘Competitions’ option, which, just like the Competitions page for the senior team, will show you the current leagues they’re playing in and where they stand in the table.

As always, we’ve done more work to improve newgen generation and balance the game world for those who, like me, enjoy playing with long-term saves.

(emphasizes are mine)

Hopefully, this is not just England, but all countries, and this will really help out in those leagues where our youth teams have been playing friendlies for countless seasons and never entered the youth leagues! Love this if it works as I hope!

[WhiteCat33]

1 hour ago, XaW said:

Just noticed something that has quite the impact for this challenge in the latest post on FMFC in regards to FM23:

https://fmfc.footballmanager.com/blog/more-new-features-elevate-your-fm23-experience

(emphasizes are mine)

Hopefully, this is not just England, but all countries, and this will really help out in those leagues where our youth teams have been playing friendlies for countless seasons and never entered the youth leagues! Love this if it works as I hope!

Now let's just hope they've addressed the YF bug as well

[DazRTaylor]

Sooooo, the beta drop is imminent.  Where are you starting?  Personally, I am torn between England and The Netherlands.

[OlivierL]

1 hour ago, DazRTaylor said:

Sooooo, the beta drop is imminent.  Where are you starting?  Personally, I am torn between England and The Netherlands.

Belgium or England for me  

 

[OlivierL]

6 hours ago, XaW said:

Just noticed something that has quite the impact for this challenge in the latest post on FMFC in regards to FM23:

https://fmfc.footballmanager.com/blog/more-new-features-elevate-your-fm23-experience

(emphasizes are mine)

Hopefully, this is not just England, but all countries, and this will really help out in those leagues where our youth teams have been playing friendlies for countless seasons and never entered the youth leagues! Love this if it works as I hope!

really important idd ! very frustrating if you notice after a few season into a save that you aren't getting a youth team.

[Daddy]

2031/32 Season Review:

This one was tough to take. 36 points, as captured above, was a record high for the automatic drop. It was enough points for 7th & 8th in some previous seasons. We finished really strong but the teams above us also went on a roll and we couldn't dig out of a little hole we had dug. A run of blowouts made the Goal Differential look worse than it really was. Still we gave up way too many goals. An additional pain point is a few players have relegation release clauses and I lost my best player for half of his normal release clause. 

A release clause met for a cool $6M which was timed well enough right after some facility upgrades completed early in the season so I asked and was approved for more. They completed in time so I was able to get two upgrades in training and Youth Facilities. 

Finally a Centerback!

Real good base there for a 16 yr old. 

2032/33 Season Preview:

Not getting automatic promotion would be a failure to me. 

 

RE: Beta - Once beta comes out I'll kill this save and probably pick a League one team and see what I can do until full release. Once the day one patch comes out I'll start a new youth save in England. I'm determined to complete the challenge in England for FM23.

[darren1983]

So do people want a thread for FM23? 

I'll try and get it up when the beta drops.

Not sure what I'm gonna do for a save this year but Ill try and be around the thread a lot more than I have been this year

[XaW]

12 minutes ago, darren1983 said:

So do people want a thread for FM23? 

I'll try and get it up when the beta drops.

Not sure what I'm gonna do for a save this year but Ill try and be around the thread a lot more than I have been this year

Yeah, please create a new one whenever the beta drops (or now, if you have the time and just edit stuff if something has changed?), I'll be digging into this again as soon as the beta is here!  

[JLAB]

I plan on starting the YAC once the full game comes out. Mostly because of any potential bugs.

[Bartrcm]

1 hour ago, darren1983 said:

So do people want a thread for FM23? 

I'll try and get it up when the beta drops.

Not sure what I'm gonna do for a save this year but Ill try and be around the thread a lot more than I have been this year

Of course we want a thread for FM23.

[JLAB]

I suppose I should be posting things that happened since I last posted an update too. This guy turned up in a youth intake.

[JLAB]

I won the league for the first time.

We also won the league and cup double in the last season I've played, in the 17th season of the save.

Even if I don't play anymore seasons, this has been a successful save as far as I am concerned.

Edited October 20, 2022 by JLAB

[DazRTaylor]

I really hope @Paddersreturns.

[darren1983]

Well with Beta confirmed for sometime this evening I shall have the new thread up later.

Obviously still use this thread to post in if you're waiting for full release to start your next attempt. 

[XaW]

2 hours ago, darren1983 said:

Well with Beta confirmed for sometime this evening I shall have the new thread up later.

Obviously still use this thread to post in if you're waiting for full release to start your next attempt. 

[DazRTaylor]

It is out chaps!  I will begin in the morning.

Edited October 20, 2022 by DazRTaylor

[thomas_e]

With the Beta out I would like the opportunity to thank everyone, and especially @darren1983, for another great year of the Youth Academy Challenge. A great little community!!! 

[The7Striker]

Thanks to everyone in this community. Time for a hard and crazy journey 

[darren1983]

40 minutes ago, XaW said:

Sorry for being so slow  

It's up now

 

Let me know if I've missed anything from the OP or if anything needs adding.

[Padders]

5 hours ago, DazRTaylor said:

I really hope @Paddersreturns.

I actually never went away

Just embarrassingly, I never managed to get in the EFL.

Hundreds of seasons and kept getting relegated out of the VNS/N

[XaW]

1 minute ago, Padders said:

I actually never went away

Just embarrassingly, I never managed to get in the EFL.

Hundreds of seasons and kept getting relegated out of the VNS/N

We missed you buddy, especially @Johnny Ace! Hope you give it another go in FM23 and let us follow your epic tales with the never say die spirit we've all come to know and love!

[Libertine13]

I may have to give on on the Holbaek save. Minimal progress and no cash flow in the lower leagues means its become a slog. I'm about 4 seasons ahead of my last progress post and I'm losing interest big time. 

I even went back to my old Energie Cottbus save for a change of pace and I'm kind of enjoying this one!

[glennuk]

On 20/10/2022 at 01:16, DazRTaylor said:

Sooooo, the beta drop is imminent.  Where are you starting?  Personally, I am torn between England and The Netherlands.

Indonesia or S Korea. Waiting for full release though

[ANGL]

 

The last dance!

[ANGL]

AS ARAPIRAQUENSE - SEASON 14 (2036)

 

This will be a short update:

 

That would have been an excellent way to end the save... but unfortunately:

 

Gremio were better and deserved the win, and so this is the second Libertadores lost in a row. Its been an incredible save which I am really fond of, but right now I will take a rest and go for another challenge in FM23, as I want to go back to signing players again. Will be reading your advances though!

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 30 - English Premier League - End of Year Review

I wanted to keep my save all in one thread, so I am avoiding posting in the FM23 thread for now. I will shorten these recaps as I am actually many years ahead, since I decided to keep going with the save.

League - 4th
This was one of those years that again I truly believed I had a chance at winning the league. We can beat anyone on our day, but we are still relatively inconsistent. Every time Man City slipped up, we also did. It was just one of those years.

Europe
We got knocked out of the Champions League....but got to the Euro League final.....where we lost in a game we should've won.

The Squad

Similar squad to usual, perhaps I need to change it up a bit more. With some of the starting 11 getting to retirement age I will be forced to sooner rather than later.

 

Random Note on Man Citys dominance

They have sooo many good players. 5 of the top 10 valued players in the world are at City. I think (I didn't screenshot, I counter 12 in the top 30)

Edited November 7, 2022 by glennuk

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 31 - English Premier League - Mid Year Review

League - 2nd so far

We have started the season very well indeed. 41 points after 19 games and as usual we have been able to compete with every team we have faced. We do lack the same firepower the top teams have, but we are constantly challenging for the title at this period in the save.

Youth Intake Preview

Not the best, but not the worst either. 

Youth Intake

Top 3

Andrew Pentney (YP31A) - He looks like he could be a decent CB in the next 5 years or so. Definitely one to look out for. Has decent starting attributes, but his mentals will need some work.

Jovan Radojkovic (YP31B) - Another decent looking keeper. This save we have been blessed by having too many good goalkeepers, so much so that I constantly have my next starting keeper loaned out somewhere. I think Jovan may be loaned out from the age of 18-23 and then we shall see if he can become a starter.

Won't let me update the third player

Edited November 7, 2022 by glennuk

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 31 - English Premier League - End of Year Review

League - 4th

Another solid season. I think if everything comes together we can win the league. A few injuries in the second half of the year. Fixture congestion and some bad luck meant we tailed off from our strong first half of the season.

Champions League - Quarters

Lost against the new Ligue 1 powerhouse of FC Metz.

The Squad

I am starting to rotate in some of the youth players. Luciano Lambrechts (YP26C) is a versatile youngster who can play in the AMR position or as a CM (although more natural as a winger). He has been consistently good and is a welcome addition to our front 3. Adam Knowles (YP20A) has been on loan...ALOT. He comes in as a rotation option as both Allen Baker Moran (YP13C) and CIaran Lowe (YP14C) are going to be retiring in the next year or two.

Dylan Ward (YP25A) ex wonderkid has had a bad season. I thought he had finally hit his form with 28 goals last season, but only 11 this season shows how inconsistent some of my top players can be.

 

 

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 32 - English Premier League - Mid Year Review

League - 3rd so far

Man City are still just too good. With no losses so far this season, I think it is going to be tough to catch up. As always though, I honestly believe and see that we can compete with anyone. We need to have our best year yet and need Man City to have bad year in order to win this.

Youth Intake Preview

Not terribly excited by this. Hoping it is a bit better than suggests. The last position we need right now is Goalkeeper. Hoping the high potential Full Back is real though.

Youth Intake

Well this is much better than expected. I think the two A's and B were really true this time. All three look like they could be started in the next 3-4 years. All of the top talents have pretty good personalities as well. This may be a home run in fact!

Top 3

Chris Vokins (YP32A) - This guy looks very very good indeed. We need a good LB, considering our long time starter Allan Baker Moran is going to be retiring at the end of the season. It may take him 3-4 years to be starter worthy, but pretty much every key stat is good, at least for a 15 year old. Getting serious potential wonderkid vibes from him, especially with the professional personality.

Danny Pryce (YP32B) - Another decent looking prospect with a decent personality (although not the best). We play with a Sweeper Keeper, so nice to see the rushing out tendency being high, as well as some other key attributes. The first touch obviously needs to improve, but with 20 determination I think he is determined enough to improve. We don't really need another young impressive keeper (I have 3 at premier level right now and 2 at championship level with room to improve).

Valentin Gancev (YP32C) - Another excellent prospect. His passing is the obvious flaw, but he is 15 and should get plenty of time in the Macedonian youth teams as well, which may help with both development and just match experience in general. I am excited by his personality as well as some of those mentals (I don't mind the high aggression).

 

Random News

The most recent inductee into the first team Luciano Lambrechts (YP26C) who can play AMR or Striker, got 4 goals in his international debut. He has been rotating in and around the first team this year and has been impressive to say the least.

 

 

 

[afailed10]

Are we supposed to start with u19 players? Mine are gray's only out and I loaded every division in the country..

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 32 - English Premier League - End of Year Review

League - 4th

We are always battling for top 4. The problem is we just are too inconsistent. There have been plenty of times in the last 5 years that I have thought....THIS is the year! Then we have fizzled out. Still trying to do minor tweaks to lineups, tactics, game plans (as in what I do when I go up, go down etc.). This year though Man City were just too good. I need to get my losses down to single digits to have a chance at winning the title.

Champions League - First Knockout Round

We were drawn against a pretty dominant FC Bayern side. Who really showed some clinical finishing to destroy any hopes of European Success. I feel I am further from European success than EPL success. Some comfort in knowing we lost to the eventual champions at least....silver linings?

The Squad

Well our long time left back Allen Baker-Moran (YP13C) finally lost his spot and Adam Knowles (YP20A) has come in and done a great job (for a RB converted to a LB). Reece Connolly (YP21B) is our new number 1 and has played very well all season long. Luciano Lambrechts (YP26C) is our new first choice AMR and Keaton Robinson (YP29B) recently took over the starting DM role. So with 4 new players in the squad I am trying to freshen up things and ensure success for the long term. I am really excited about all 4 of these players and feel that they could be in the starting lineup for a while (maybe with the exception of Knowles).

We do have goals coming in from everywhere, but we really need a striker to score 20+ a season. Dylan Ward (YP25A) has done that before with 28 goals in a season (2 years ago), but he hasn't reached those heights again.

Random Note - My current three best players

Just wanted to highlight my amazing CB duo and my AML (converted). As sometimes it is useful to see attributes of youth players who have reached their potential. I have no idea what I will do if my CBs start declining as my defense has been where all my success has been founded thus far.

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 33 - English Premier League - Mid Year Review & Youth Intake

League - 7th so far (missed the screenshot, but have a news item on Dec 23rd which says 7th)

Our worst half of a season in a long time....compounded by...

Champions League - Knocked out in group phase

Despite beating Barcelona in the group stages, we couldn't get a final day win against RB Leipzig, so ended up 3rd in the group.

Big Injury

Part of the downfall in performance is surely due to my 2nd best player (Bradley Richards (YP18C) and one half of my amazing CB duo getting injured for 5 months, during the Barca game 

 

Youth Intake Preview

Another decent preview. We are cycling through and upgrading a position or two each season at the moment (or at least bringing one or two new youth players into the rotation). So hoping for some good CMS, as that is one area that we haven't been blessed with in the last 5-10 years.

Youth Intake

WHAT A DISSAPOINTMENT! I was actually so mad at this. It was already a bad season so I hoped that getting a new CM prospect may brighten the season a bit. However most of these players are very unlikely to ever see the first team. When your 3rd best player has at max a 3.5* potential you know its a dud! On a side note look at all of those nationalities!

Top 3 - Youth Intake 33

Bradley Ndlovu (YP33A) - The best of the bunch and could be the future 3rd CB. I usually keep a 3rd CB on the bench just in case of injury to my two starters. Ndlovu has max potential in my opinion to be the 3rd option. The terrible personality may be able to be mentored out of him, but not much hope for him to be a starter let alone a star.

Vangelis Margaritis (YP33B) - Get the Margaritas in please! I actually think he could make a good option as another bench player. A full back who can play either side, is either footed and is decent all around (that dribbling stat does worry me though). Has some potential, but again probably at best a bench player.

Trevor Gardiner (YP33C) - A brave and aggressive CM, what could go wrong  He has discipline issues written all over him. However again I could see him becoming the 3rd, 4th or 5th choice in CM. Definitely not the 'top prospect' that was promised, but he may be able to participate in the senior squad in some way.

[glennuk]

Worthing FC - Season 33 - End of Year Review

League - 5th - so no Champions League...

Europe - Knocked out of Champions League.....BUT winners of the Euro Cup

After boring 0-0s in our quarters and semis (both won on penalties), we just about managed to edge the final. Meaning we do get into the Champions League next season.

However, THIS must be shown. I was so confident we had won the Vigo match after the first leg, that I played 11 reserves.....32...yes THIRTY TWO penalties later and we just squeaked through

Squad

We are still bringing in some youth, either to start or to play off the bench. Graham Bunker (YP26B) being the newest into our best 11 for the year.

Other News

Our club is worth ALOT. potential Takeovers have been rumored for a while. Well we do have over 800million in the bank! Still won't build a new stadium though.

 

 

[glennuk]

Other Random News

My loanees are doing excellent and Valentin Gancev (YP32C) had a great Premier League debut.

 

and...Keaton Robinson (YP29B) is now a Wonderkid

 

Edited November 21, 2022 by glennuk