FM22: Rotherham United. Let's recover from Covid.

[withnail316]

Very unlucky to miss out in that first season. 

[SpillBlood]

November

Started with a very strong win against Wycombe.  A Smith hat-trick, Moller on a sub to score and then set up Joe Ward.  Lovely football.

Bolton deserved their win.  We got a very lucky penalty but Bolton were the better side, we tried, they were just better.

We returned to winning ways against Donny.  Viktor was put back in the sticks and had a solid goame.  Joe Ward score early on and Sadlier got himself a brace in the second half.  A penalty and a lovely 25 yard hit to seal the points.

We were the better side against Charlton but they made us work.  Ferguson set up Smith for the only goal of the game.

This was the biggest game of the month as I needed backup players to come in get us the win as I want to win the JPT.   We dominated the match and the goal came from Danny Grant.

We're top on goal difference.

Benteke is just edging out Smith.

Another award for me





FA Cup



A win is a win.



Hopefully can keep it going.

JPT



We finished top of the group.  Battered Derby all game but could only score the one goal and conceded at the end, typical of our play.  Thankfully we won on pens as I wanted to top the group.





3 - 0 up at half time.  I took Wiles, Sadlier and Smith off and it felt like it was over.  Thankfully it was.



Big game, especially away.  Hope we can win this one.

Facilities

The transfer money has been asked to be put back into the club. 







It's very much needed.



Next Month


 

I'd like to think we can get an all green December.  I don't see why not.

Edited October 29, 2021 by SpillBlood

[DefinitelyTaylor]

On course to win promotion at the second attempt at present. Keep it up.

[Djecker]

Good progress!

[SpillBlood]

December



So so poor.  Ready to resign in frustration.

Fair enough we battered Forest Green and had an easy 2 - 0 home win.

But we also battered MK Dons and somehow only drew.  Smith equalised but he missed some chances.

Sadlier was the saviour away at Orient, I had to rest the likes of Smith.

It was a close game against Portsmouth but a mistake by Ikky saw them take the lead in the 89th minute, we attacked and they scored again.  Not good enough.

We battered Wimbledon and Smith missed a sitter and we're not scoring, Smith really doing everything but.

We conceded early against Sunderland but Rathbone equalised with a good hit.  Again, we should be winning here, we have the chances.


The team aren't happy with me and you can tell it's effected the team.  It's how I've dealt with Jamie Lindsay, he wanted more football, he got some but he's terrible sadly.  He just does not perform his role so he was listed.  I unlisted him to try bring him in because Jamie in real life is a crackin' player and everyone got mad.  They still are.  I'd rather he left, he doesn't play well and is on 3k a week but no one wants him.  The team morale, performance etc have dropped massively.

We should be cruising with the games we've played.  Easily should have another 4 points here but we're now 2nd.

I'm hoping to make some changes in January.



Smith only scored once in a month, that's bad.



FA Cup



Difference in finishing and we're out.  Oh well.

Youth intake



Chances of 2 alright players atleast.

Next Month



We have to do better.  Millwall and Wednesdays in the space of 4 days is huge.

[xray1324]

Good luck. Also unrelated to your save, but the preview looks better than last year's (irl) one, not sure if it was like that but I'm a touch player, it wasn't like that for me but it looks like an improvement along with the youth intake appearing like we're actually getting a decent amount of players (4 years in you'd find that your intake dropped to around 5 players in). Good stuff.

[deltablue]

I'm really enjoying this.

[DefinitelyTaylor]

It seems dynamics are having that bit more of an impact this year. Perhaps it’s just me? Pretty tough month just gone and hopefully you’ll be able to stabilise the dressing-room ASAP to regain form.

[SpillBlood]

January



Why can't we play like this every game .  We were superb against Cheltenham.  Smith, Moller, Barlaser and Ward all scoring.



That's how well we played!  All it took was to sell Lindsay .

This is where we have to do better.  We were 2 - 0 up against Millwall.  They've made some subs, changed style and pulled one back in the 80th minute.  Between Wiles and Ihiekew they've not done enough to stop the counter and Burey pops up in the 94th minute to equalise!  Last attack of the game.  That could be huge.

We dug deep at Hillsborough though.  They took the lead but Smith equalised before the half.  We were the better side and went for it.  Hakeen Odoffin scored a belter for the winner. 

We were good against Lincoln but Smith and Sadlier keep missing great chances.  I went all out attacking at the end, as many players forward as I could and Wiles' cross was met by Moller in the 92nd minute for all 3 points!

I can't really complain against Salford.  I know we lost but we were the better side.  Ashley Hunter turned into prime Cristiano Ronaldo and there's not much we could do about it.  Smashed in a volley, scored from 25 yards.  He probably had the best game of his life!  I bet even Rotherham fans were applauding him, he really was that unplayable.

We need to win our game in hand, it's massive.





JPT



So many chances missed, glad we went through on pens.



Sadlier came off the bench and killed the game off, lovely



We do have a chance here but there's a reason teams like Manchester City Under 23s hold the cup and Manchester United 23s won 12 -2.  They're playing first team players!  Greenwood played ffs .  Why are they playing England internationals in the JPT .

Transfers





Bastida also went back, he wasn't very good.

I didn't want to sell MacDonald but he wants to play every game and Ikky is playing pretty well this year.



Clarkson covers Barlaser and he's actually been brilliant so far.  Really impressed.



Saw REG was listed but I wasn't paying 350k.  97k is a steal for him.  He's been fantastic so far.



I needed a player who can cover multiple positions and Grant does just that.  He was a first team player for Bristol Rovers who are top of League 2 so I'm shocked they let him go for just 175k.  He's been pretty good aswell.

Next Month



All league games we can win. 

[SpillBlood]

15 hours ago, xray1324 said:

Good luck. Also unrelated to your save, but the preview looks better than last year's (irl) one, not sure if it was like that but I'm a touch player, it wasn't like that for me but it looks like an improvement along with the youth intake appearing like we're actually getting a decent amount of players (4 years in you'd find that your intake dropped to around 5 players in). Good stuff.

The preview is much better.  It's alot cleaner.

6 hours ago, DefinitelyTaylor said:

It seems dynamics are having that bit more of an impact this year. Perhaps it’s just me? Pretty tough month just gone and hopefully you’ll be able to stabilise the dressing-room ASAP to regain form.

Seems so 'cause our form is much better after he's left and the atmosphere has started to improve again.  It's a shame because the bar was pretty much full, just gotta get back there.

[SpillBlood]

February



Good enough month, other teams have dropped more points.  We love conceding late goals when we're in control though .

Ward put us ahead after just 4 minutes against Accrington and Oddofin put us 2 up after 29.  They pulled back one in the 93rd minute but they were only just offside when they scored in the 92nd, no idea why Thorniley is that far back to be that close to be playing him on but he wasn't and we won.

Same again.  Smith scored a brace and they pulled one back in the 95th minute.

And again.  Smith scored a hat-trick and they pulled one back in the 88th minute .

Burton scored two early on but Smith pulled one back just before the break.  We were unlucky, we had chances but Smith hit the woodwork 3 times! 

Oh yeah, and again.  Ward scored a first half brace, Moller scored in the 78th minute and then they pulled one back in the 84th minute.

Atleast we won all the games they scored late on .



Smith has been class.





Next Month



Small month where it looks like everybody is having a break for the international break, wonder what side Chelsea will put out on a Tuesday.

[xray1324]

Bentekes doing well

[SpillBlood]

March



Good month. 

Smith got us the win at home to Wycombe.

We were 3 - 0 up against Bolton and they hit back at us, it was a very close game.  They thought hard, all credit to them.

This is what I love, it's what we didn't have last season.  Even though on top, we went down 1 - 0.  After the break, couple of changes.  Through Sadlier hitting a quality strike and Smith being Smith, we beat Derby 2 - 1, lovely.

I don't mind the Cardiff loss, we lacked quality for some reason.  It was a match brought back because of the JPT final.  I could have postponed due to having 4 players away but I chose to play, we've done well.  With the games next month I feel we've won the league, we should be out of sight.



 

2 hours ago, xray1324 said:

Bentekes doing well

Yeah, but he's no Michael Smith







JPT



We were better until about 20 minutes to go and they proper turned it on but we held on to win and get ourselves to Wembley

I wonder if anyone will care considering we were in the semi final and...

Bring on Wycombe



A team I haven't lost too yet



Next Month



Games against Tranmere and Forest Green should be enough to win the league.



I should be able to smash Rotherhams record points here.

Here To Stay



Almost forgot, they offered me a contract and I'm here for what should be a Championship campaign .

Edited October 30, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

JPT Final

We made it this year and we're not against England internationals or wonderkids!

Sadly, we are without Joe Ward who has been our main AMR this season and he's out through injury.

This is how the teams are lined up



And it's time to go.

COME ON MILLERS.

First half

1st minute:  All it took for Scowen to be carded, hopefully we can take advantage of that.

2nd minute: Odoffin throws into the box and Ikkys header is just over.

14th minute:  Lovely passing, Edmonds-Green finds Wiles, lovely ball over to Kayode and.. he slots in!!! 1 - 0 Millers!

20th minute: Barlaser finds Sadlier who fires over.

24th minute: A long ball in and Wheeler heads well wide for Wycombe.

28th minute: A cross in and a headed effort that Viktor gets low to stop and holds.

31st minute: O'Brien long shot and it's over.

36th minute: Barlaser swings in the corner and it's over from Smith.

37th minute: Ferguson corner, headed effort and well saved, we still have the ball, a great shot form Wiles saved for another corner which comes to nothing.

Stats show we've hit the woodwork but I'm not sure when , it's half time.



Second half

55th minute: Ferguson sends in a freekick and it's headed out, we recycle possession, Kayode with a low ball in, think it's Barlaser with the shot and it's saved for a corner.  Ferguson takes and it's.. headed in by Odoffin!!! It's 2 - 0 to the Millers!

57th minute: Odoffins cross is met by Sadlier and it hits the bar and goes over, unlucky.

70th minute: Clarkson is replacing Barlaser who's booked and Bree comes on for Rathbone with Odoffin moving into midfield.

80th minute: Danny Grant replaces Sadlier.

82nd minute: Clarkson to Bree who crosses in but Smiths header is saved.

86th minute:  A freekick in and it's headed onto the bar by Wycombe.

IT'S OVER! 

WE'VE WON!







Attendance was a bit more at 48,374, not bad .

[SpillBlood]

We're up





4 games left, 10 points clear, 1 win and we'll be champions.  Smith was rested so Smith and Benteke are level on goals.

A slight issue.



I took a quick interest in how much the likes of Ferguson would want a week.  I didn't want to give him 5k a week, now because of promotion he wants 9k a week ffs .  Gonna be an interesting summer when we get there.  I don't see us making many changes.
 

[xray1324]

good luck

[karanhsingh]

Congratulations on promotion!

[SpillBlood]

April



Brilliant start at home to Crewe, Kayode was running the show before his injury.  They equalised but Smith got us the winner just before the break.

Tranmere got us promoted, lovely.

Portsmouth game won us the league

Forest Green we went behind, they got a red card and we worked our way back.  Moller and a Smith penalty to win the game.

We were the better side against Charlton yet found ourselves 2 - 0 down.  I tried to attack and it didn't happen, not good enough.

We have one game left, away at MK Dons to hit the 100 point mark.

Smith is 2nd due to games played.



Can he do it?

It would be nice to end on a win 'cause it would be another record broken.



League Winners











What a season, what a team.  One game to make even more history.

Youth intake

1 good player, 1 decent player, 1 lacks ambition and it could ruin him.



Brilliant, training him as an AML, could have a future here.


 

Right winger maybe?   I don't think he's a striker.



Some great stats, some potential.  I really dislike his personality and determination, training him at RB.

Benteke vs Smith

Time to play the last game of the season!

Edited October 31, 2021 by SpillBlood

[xray1324]

good luck hopefully benteke doesn't score 7 past you

[SpillBlood]

If he's good enough for you, he's good enough for me, we've got Michael Smith and he is 6 foot 3.






 

[SpillBlood]

Bree has had quite a few injuries so that's why he lacks apps.  Odoffin has also been incredible at RB.



I wonder if we'll fill the stadium next year.

Manager of the Year hasn't been decided yet but I better get it .  It seems to go to play off winners though.





Do like the underdog tale

Quality season, not many changes need to be made and that's a good thing. The wage budget will be going on keeping the likes of Wiles and Barlaser.

[withnail316]

Congratulations on the title and promotion. Great season. 

[SpillBlood]

Awards are in!

Forgot to post this



Love how we smashed it at 101





He only needed to wait a week



Right, let's sort out these contracts.  I'm happy to keep most of the squad.

[SpillBlood]

Pre-season

As boring as you'd think, I've extended most contracts, some could do with extending but we're out of wage.  We're actually over the budget since I brought in my new AML/ST.  Turns out top clubs want so much money to loan a player in it's not worth it at all.





Yeah maybe paying Danny Grant 7k a week is a bit much but he did well, he can still improve.  I want to keep this core.

Anyway, transfers.



McGuckin fell out with because I refused a loan offer for him and then loaned him out straight away because the original loan offer didn't benefit him at all so he wanted to leave.  Was all a bit stupid, so he's left on a free.

Tilt was released, Moller didn't want to extend his loan.



Leighton Clarkson stays on loan.  Clarke-Salter will be first choice LCB and Colidio was once bought by Inter for 6.25mil from Boca.



Give him a full season under his belt.  He'll improve, at worse he'll bring in some money to the club.



Hopefully he's the answer we've been looking for.

Think we've found ourselves a bug that's still in the game.



He missed out on the gold cup and wanted more first team football, not a problem, I'll give you a run.

Then he's complained twice after.  Yeah mate, we're in the holidays and pre-season what games do you think we're playing to help you push for an international call-up?!

That's how boring my pre-season was .

Found out that be actually played in the gold cup aswell! 

Barker has played the friendly matches and it's into the Championship we go.



Tough tough month.



Then again I think they all will be.  All we can do is try and stay up.

Edited November 1, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Welcome back to the Championship



Game of two halves.  We did have a chance cleared off the line in the first half but we were second best, a couple of changes including James Bree after 32 minutes .  Clarkson came on and Josh Grant went to right back.  Danny Grant was excellent when he came on and was unlucky not to make it 5.

I hope we play like that second half, we were brilliant.

[karanhsingh]

Two decent transfers there. BTW have you got yourself a parent club, good way to get players in for no loan fee if you are struggling with the wage bill.

[deltablue]

Well done on getting promoted the second time around.

[SpillBlood]

3 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Two decent transfers there. BTW have you got yourself a parent club, good way to get players in for no loan fee if you are struggling with the wage bill.

Yep, I got myself Chelsea in the first season.  I managed to get one loan from them for no fee, the rest they want money.  Most clubs are very tight on what role you can play their player in.  It just doesn't benefit me.

I'm okay with the wage budget being over, we're making money every month since our promotion and no doubt they'll give me some more budget at some point.

If they want to stay up, it's what they need.  I don't want to lose most the squad for peanuts.

[karanhsingh]

1 hour ago, SpillBlood said:

Yep, I got myself Chelsea in the first season.  I managed to get one loan from them for no fee, the rest they want money.  Most clubs are very tight on what role you can play their player in.  It just doesn't benefit me.

I'm okay with the wage budget being over, we're making money every month since our promotion and no doubt they'll give me some more budget at some point.

If they want to stay up, it's what they need.  I don't want to lose most the squad for peanuts.

That's true sometimes the wage budget is too static on FM and doesn't really take into account promotions and contract extensions 

[SpillBlood]

August



Danny Grant is a magician.

You can read about the super Reading game above but it hasn't stopped there.

We were the better side against Ipswich, Smith scoring early on.  Well, it is Smiths goal but I reckon he's stole a great long range effort by Wiles by heading it on when it looked to be going in .  Things then didn't go to plan, Colidio was sent off for his second yellow just 28 minutes in and I changed my game plan to something I'm not great at, playing defensive.  It wasn't working, Viktor was making save after save and we managed to lead at half time.  My subs weren't working, they were still attacking and King equalised.  I had to go back to what I know, on comes Danny Grant, Bree knocks a ball over, Grant runs down and puts Rotherham back infront, he's our magician.  If Kayode hadn't had such a horrid time and missed two sitters, he'd of gotten himself two assists also.

I gave Danny Grant the start he deserved and he put us ahead after just 7 minutes.  A mistake by Bree left Jack Robinson score a long range effort and Danny Rose but QPR ahead.  Odoffin came in for Bree and scored a real belter from the edge of the box, we were the better side and Grant hit the post late on, it's a game we should have won.

But did I expect to finish the month 5th with 7 points? Absolutely not.  It's been incredible!

Viktor has been incredible in net.  Clarke-Salter has been amazing, this is the left sided player we've needed!

We're clearly in a league with some class teams and very talented players and it seems fans have noticed .









Carabao Cup



Total football, they didn't have one shot .



Odoffin gave away an early pen but Viktor again was immense and saved Tielemans effort.  Dan came on as a sub and scored an absolute beauty of a freekick very late in the game. 

"He's magic ya know, Barlaser's the Geordie Pirlo",

We travel to Stoke next!



Transfer Window

This will show the difference in us compared to other teams .  Though our board finally came through and we're looking good.





(The transfer budget is supposed to be low, it's all gone into wages)







Next Month



If we can get 6 points here I'll be buzzing.  It's a very hard ask though.  Coverntry, Watford, Fulham and Swansea are all huge asks and there's a reason Millwall came up with us.  They don't have Benteke this season though.  He didn't want to stay and he's moved to Reims.

Edited November 1, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Really happy with how many points we've come out with.

Another mistake from Bree saw Coventry take the lead before a Michael Smith hat-trick turned things around.  Coventry pulled one back late on, we had chances to bury the game prior but we held on.

Smith gave us the lead against Millwall but Jed Wallace equalised just before the break.  Smith played a quality ball over to Joe Ward who scored the winner in the 60th minute.

You'd expect Rotherham away at Watford to be a one sided battering but both teams cancelled each other out, that was great to see.

We were great against Fulham, a Smith brace and Kayode with a goal saw us clear winners.

Then we've got into the Swansea game with no fit left winger.  Kayode is still out for a few days and in Stokes battering, Wilmot injured Colido for 4 weeks and Sadlier isn't fit for the match.

Odoffin made a mistake early on this time(it's always the right backs) for Swansea to go ahead, even when he was subbed, Bree was no better.  Clarke-Salter with a complete howler passing Obafemi the ball to hit in for Swanseas third.  My defense were terrible, all around.   I know we had some injuries uptop but that was awful.

Still a great month and we're flying high compared to where I thought we'd be.  I might be trying to sell Bree come January .





Smith is back



History maker

After his hat-trick against Coventry he became Rotherhams all time top goal-scorer.





Carabao Cup



Brilliant and clinical .

Big game next



Next Month



Birmingham will be a tough game.  I'd like to see us beat Sheff Weds obviously and Preston since they're in shocking form.  Norwich is asking alot and I'd be happy with a draw from Bristol City.

I'd take 6 points here.

Edited November 1, 2021 by SpillBlood

[DefinitelyTaylor]

What a start to life in the second tier! 

[SpillBlood]

October

Too many silly mistakes at the back is costing us .

We were the better side against Birmingham yet we found ourselves behind after 74 minutes.  A freekick swung in and headed in, I couldn't believe it.  Thankfully super sub Clarkson found himself on the end of a Rotherham corner to equal things up in the 84th minute.

Much better against Sheff Weds.  Smith put us ahead after 30 minutes, REG put us 2 up late on but the scoring wasn't over as Danny Grant popped up to make it 3 - 0.

Rotherham who love to score vs struggling Preston?  Absolute borew draw.

Norwich you say? Read this .  We were 4 - 1 down, got it back to 4 - 4, they took the lead and last attack of the game Rathbone slots it in for 5 - 5!






I'm very happy with that!  We had to rotate players and they have players such as Fred on 50k a week ffs .

Typical, Brentford are struggling, sacked their manager and we don't play as well as we should.  Smith gave us an early lead and Clarke-Salter made a mistake at the back to let Semenyo equalise.  Rathbone popped up with another goal but Semenyo equalise again with a chipped effort.  Bobby Decordova-Reid scored just after half time and that was it. 
 

We have a good 10 points on where I thought we would be, this is class .

We've really missing Ferguson as he's been out for 3 weeks and as much as I like Bola, he doesn't have the same skill.



Smith has demanded a new contract and I've managed to get him down to 13k a week!  I mean, I'll accept it, he's class.  I want him to take us to the Prem.




Carabao Cup

WE STOLE THIS ONE



Colidio has some skill, can see why he was so highly rated.

Transfers

One in, a young striker with potential on a free.

One will be leaving.  I've not interesting in extending his contract and he's not going to get back in with REG and Clarke-Staler(I might aswell call him JCS from now on) and their new partnership.



Next Month



I'll take what I can get.  6 points would be big.

[SpillBlood]

November



Brentford played us off the park.  My defense struggled.  They were just too good for us.

REG scored a proper belter against Hull just 2 minutes in and that was game. 

Colidio was the hero against Huddersfield.  Neither team could find the deadlock.  That lovely off the ball stat and he's found a pocket of space to hit the ball home. 

Two weeks without football, I was playing a friendly to keep fitness up for some of the fringe players.

We were on fire against Wigan.  We'd scored 3 in 13 minutes, Wigan pulled one back, Clarkson scored our 4th in the 81st minute, Cousins pulled one back but Smith got himself a brace for 5.  Lovely.

Stoke created great chances but we gave them their first.  Wiles lost the ball, they hit a ball over and REG gave them a penalty.  They created quality chances and you can see why they're 2nd in the table.

That was a better month than I expected, 9 points out of 15, happy with that.  We're somehow still in a placeoff place.  It's great .



Ferguson really does help the side play better. 



Next Month



A difficult cup draw and alot of games.  If I can come away with 9 points I'll be happy.  So many games .

[SpillBlood]

December



What a month .

We played very well against Boro as we took the lead just before half time.  REG doubled late on as we were down to 10 through injury.  'Boro pulled one back but thankfully it was too late.  Just a shame we've been without Kayode for the entire month.

What a game!  3 - 0 against the league leaders!  We were brilliant from start to finish.  Wiles putting us ahead, Smith doubling and Ferguson with a cracking effort saw us 3 - 0 up!

I'm not sure how we lost against Blackburn.  We were the better side, they were just more clinical.  We should have atleast got ourselves a point.

We weren't great here.  Luton were terrible, they had 1 shot and it wasn't on target.  We just weren't clicking.  Thankfully we won a penalty and Smith put it away.



Losing Oli hasn't helped.  He hasn't been great overall but he's really picked up form recently.

This one is on me.  We went behind in the 2nd half against Sheff Utd away and I tried to change things.  It left us with too much space and Sheff Utd just turned it up a notch and we couldn't recover.

Much better against Barnsley though it took a late Michael Smith goal for us to beat our locals.

We went 1 - 0 down through JCS giving away a penalty with Manning put away but we didn't give up.  Smith equalised in the 23rd minute and Colidio put us ahead after 39 minutes.  Smith got himself a brace and Manning got himself sent off.  Big result.

I could never have imagined we'd of done this well.









Carabao Cup



Viktor was amazing.  We took a good Everton side to pens, what more could I ask for.

 

Youth intake



If that DM is a DLP, I'll be more than happy.

Transfers

1 already in.



Other teams were interesting so I had to make a move. 450k with 40% sell on fee.  I'm more than happy with that, he's been quality.

Next Month



Tough games, I'd be happy with 6 points.  I don't care about the FA Cup game.

I do need to get some backup players in. Ikky, Thorniley are both moving on and potentially Sads also.  Could be more, we'll see.

Edited November 2, 2021 by SpillBlood

[DefinitelyTaylor]

Exceeding all expectations and then some. A great effort against Everton too!

[SpillBlood]

January



So close to perfect!

Clarkson basically signed, thanks for purchasing me, I'll hit in a 25 yarder after just 44 seconds against Birmingham .  They responded after just 3 minutes but Matheus Nascimento put us ahead after 31 minutes.  This was a much rotated squad since we'd play two days prior so I'm glad he found the net.  Barlaser put us 2 ahead in the 89th minute and I'm glad as they pulled one back in the 93rd minute.  The points were ours .

Smith put us ahead early after we won a penalty which he converted.  Danny Grant doubled our lead just after half time and Smith got himself a brace after 61 minutes.  Mohamed Elneny pulled one back after 78 minutes but that's all Norwich could muster.

Much better again Preston this time!  Even with a suspended Smith.  Colidio with a brace and a brilliant curling effort from Barlaser saw a quality victory.

This is where we let ourselves down. We were easily the better side but a freekick comes in, Viktor fumbles, JCS doesn't get to it and Bristol are somehow ahead.  Thankfully Kayode equalised and we shared the spoils.

A game in hand could see us move back into 2nd





FA Cup



Who know's what could have happened if Smith didn't commit assault!

Transfers



We also loaned in Lewis Gibson to replace the departing Jordan Thorniley, sold to Derby for 150k.

Chacon replaces Ward.  Ward wasn't good enough for this level, Grant is improving, showing his skill, loving life and Ward wasn't worth 9k a week.  Getting a mil is a steal.



Grant can move to RCB spot to cover with Mowatt coming in.  Mowatt is class, the type of player I need, he can take corners/freekicks when Ferguson isn't playing.  He's quality, I have such a good midfield.

These are great signings to help push on with this.. promotion campaign?

Wages!






Fulham really going for it!



Next Month



I should be able to get myself 12 points from those fixtures.  Coventry, Millwall, Sheff Weds and Hull are all games we can win.  I'd be happy with 9 points.

Edited November 3, 2021 by SpillBlood

[Djecker]

Solid effort in the Championship.

[karanhsingh]

Going well, looks like the play-offs are within sight.

[SpillBlood]

February

 

What a month!  5 wins and 4 clean sheets!!!

Brentford made this a difficult game, we managed to get an early goal through Danny Grant but Brentford never stopped.  Barlaser gave away a penalty which Forss converted after 74 minutes and that was that.

Just wow.  We destroyed Coverntry from start to finish.  Wiles playing at AML due to injuries scored a hat-trick.  Smith, Odoffin and Mowatt all getting on the scoresheet.  We were brilliant.  We could of easily had more than 6 and this game really has spurred us on.

Barlaser gave us an early lead against Millwall but Shaun Hutchinson headed home a corner to restore parity just before the break.  The second half belong to the Millers though as Smith put us back ahead and Chacon on a sub scored a beauty of a hit. 

Fulham vs Rotherham were two teams frustrating each other.  We hit the woodwork twice!  Thankfully an early Danny Grant goal saw us take home all 3 points.

And there he was again.  Viktor kept us in this game, Sheff Wed were decent but Danny Grant scored after 36 minutes for all 3 points to belong to The Millers.

Hull were very poor.  A Smith hat-trick and a Ferguson free kick made saw we won in style.

This is crazy! .  We have a chance of winning the league!











Next Month



No reason we can't keep the good times rolling.  I reckon we can get 9 points, 6 would be good.  Stoke and Reading are two good sides.  We should be beating Huddersfield and Wigan.  I reckon Ikky will score against us though since he just moved to Wigan .

[SpillBlood]

March



Not a good month.

I'm not sure how we didn't win against Huddersfield, by far the better team and we took the lead within the first minute.  Former loanee Koroma equalised just after half time but we couldn't get the ball into the net.

Two big blows didn't help.  Two bad injuries in the game that's had a knock on effect for the entire month.



He's been solid at RB and we've missed him.



Offers something different and we've missed him.

Bore draw at Wigan.  We attacked, they defended.  We couldn't break the deadlock.

Stoke were the better side until the 14th minute where Amer Gojak was sent off for a straight red.  They were very dirty but a Smith brace and a Rathbone goal saw us win nicely.

Not good enough against Ipswich, we found ourselves behind but battled on, Rathbone won us a pen in the 80th minute which Smith converted.

Reading full on destroyed us, we were absolutely awful.  I can't say much more.  Terrible, the worst I've seen us play.  This image says enough.



Threw in a friendly to get some of my returning players fit.

We've hit a blow for the rest of the season. 



Hopefully Vickers can step in, Viktors been very decent.

We'd need to win every game now to be promoted, reckon it's play offs for us.  I don't want to go up, every game would be like the Reading game.





Next Month



We'd need to win every game for a chance of automatic promotion.

[Punch]

Tough break on the injury front, that's a lot of players to go down all together

[SpillBlood]

35 minutes ago, Punch said:

Tough break on the injury front, that's a lot of players to go down all together

I've just lost Danny Grant who's been a key part of this campaign, Leighton Clarkson and Tolaji Bola.  Really unlucky.

Edited November 4, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

We drew 1 - 1 to Watford after Colidio equalised but then missed a sitter to win and we smashed QPR 4 - 0.

I think Sheff Utd will win the league with Brentford finishing 2nd.  Just too many draws for us in March to keep up. 

[Punch]

24 minutes ago, SpillBlood said:

I've just lost Danny Grant who's been a key part of this campaign, Leighton Clarkson and Tolaji Bola.  Really unlucky.

Ouch! That's a tough break.

 

But damn! That's a tight table at the top

[Djecker]

Not a bad thing to consolidate in the Championship another season. Too many promotions can be quite painful for a squad not ready for it.

[deltablue]

It would be amazing if you went up again.

[SpillBlood]

2 hours ago, Djecker said:

Not a bad thing to consolidate in the Championship another season. Too many promotions can be quite painful for a squad not ready for it.

What I'm hoping for, we've qualified for the playoffs.  Just see what happens.

2 hours ago, deltablue said:

It would be amazing if you went up again.

With our rep etc to bring in players, I think we'd go straight back down .

[SpillBlood]

April + May



It's not been great, but we've had so many injuries it hasn't helped.

We drew 1 - 1 to Watford after Colidio equalised but then missed a sitter to win.

We absolutely battered QPR and qualified for the play offs.  A Smith brace, Colidio and Danny Grant all scoring.  This is where Grant went off injured and we've never looked the same.  I don't think he'll be back for the play offs either.





Blackburn were clinical, we weren't. 

Better against Luton, we took the lead but they equalised.  A 74th minute goal from REG and Colidio in the 84th saw us take home all 3 points.

Bore draw against 'Boro.

No idea what we did here, the xG squad will be pulling their hair out.  Didn't defend crosses, Viktor not good enough, our midfield 3 weren't good enough.  A bad day.

This is how it's finished.

And it's Stoke we play in the play offs.

A team we can beat.



Youth intake

Yeah, not the best this year.





I thought maybe Birks had potential, wanted a silly wage to sign and then when I refused, got injured for 4 - 6 months. 


Some good news





Now let's try and pick up form and win these play offs.

Edit: You can't write it.



He misses the play offs!  This is such a blow!

Edited November 4, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Leg One



Smith is hugely missed, Kayode cannot score in a month of sundays.

Leg Two



REG is in awful form, anything coming over to him he was beaten too.  We got battered, it's worrying how good of an attacking side that doesn't let many goals in to how many we've conceded recently.  I need to relook at my midfield 3 roles, some games they're just not doing enough.