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

[SpillBlood]

Our finances are very poor, we're leaking money every month, we're close to the red

So this budget isn't a shock.

Tony has give us a loan



And Sponsorship money came in





Then he comes and asks this

We'll be okay.  I do need a bigger transfer window though.

And we got more money


 

 

We'll be fine .







Sheff Utd + Smith .  Shows how much we missed him in the play off final.

What a season though.  5th in our first season back in the 2nd tier.  I couldn't have asked for more.  I need to proper dig in, find players that fit and see what we can make of it.  I will be looking to move some players on to bring some budget in.

[Djecker]

Great first season. Go again next year, I reckon automatic promotion can be done with the right tweaks and upgrades.

[SpillBlood]

Season 2024/2025

We have alot of transfers in and out.  We have some money in the bank the board are quite happy to put into my facilities.  This is looking good.

I have to point out for my transfers, I was happy to pay loan wages but I refused to pay a fee.  I also did sell a player I very much wanted to keep.

We're still Rotherham United so attracting real quality isn't that easy.  No one seems to be able to take freekicks anymore either .

First, we'll go over the players out.

3 out in June.

And 9mil!  Made in July.

Vickers - Wasn't really good enough to be backup anymore, though I really like him in real life.  He had a year left so I let him move on.

Bree - Didn't play well with Grant, had a mistake in him.  That's cracking money for him.

Nascimento - Needs football, glad someone came in.

Odoffin - I didn't want to sell, I was very happy for him to stay and play backup RB but he wanted silly wages to extend so I had to let him move on.

Josh Grant - Wanted to make money, had loans to replace.

Shane Ferguson - He's declining through age, shame but a year left on nice wages meant it was time to move on.

Colidio - Demanded a new contract and wouldn't budget from 26k p/w .  He took some selling but thankfully Derby came in for him.

Just short of 11mil made from sales, that's massive.

Players in

Alot of screenshots coming



Goalkeeper:

Bishop arrives as backup to Viktor.

Right backs:

Silly priced, not good enough, the market was difficult on this one, so thanks Wolves for both loans.  Both class players for this level. Hoever will be starting, I jumped at the chance to bring him in.





Left back:

Replacement for Ferugson and cheap wages!



Center backs:

Backup for JCS and a player push REG.  REG has improved again, he's worth a bit and is supposed to be my best CB but I know Mengi can become a great player and what a steal that price is.  I also brought in a cheap English prospect for 110k that seemed far too cheap.







Wingers/Inside Forwards

725k for Jaden seems like a steal.  He can play both wings.  I'll be using him as my AML-IF.  McKinstry comes in as a place that can cover both wings.  Stansfield though a striker was a cheap English prospect that I'm retraining at AMR.







Striker

Parrott comes in to play.  Smith will be my stater but Smith needs a rest and I need someone else who can put the ball in the net.  I've seen Parrott turn into a world class striker before so I'm hoping we can help him improve.



That is all for first team transfers, or it should be.  I am looking to bring in some youth if I can.

The Squad

A bigger team this year, we got let down my injuries, this will hopefully help against that.



Random stuff


 

Lovely, keep it going hopefully.  Might have to try extend.



We're getting some good back room staff in.  I've just asked for more coaches and they'e accepted.  Need to add another GK coach and defensive coach.

Try prove them wrong and get Smith the top scorer again .

Facilities

Thanks to the finances being much better, I ask for everything to be improved, they said yeah, nps.







And we're still looking good.



Pre-Season



Results have gone well, we were very unlucky against Sevilla it seems, I let Richie play the friendly's .

Season Start



We have to start with a win against Sheff Wed!  A cup draw we should win and a month we should be able to get 9 points.

Edited November 5, 2021 by SpillBlood

[DefinitelyTaylor]

Going from strength-to-strength even if there was some heartache in the end. Excellent work thus far.

[SpillBlood]

10 hours ago, DefinitelyTaylor said:

Going from strength-to-strength even if there was some heartache in the end. Excellent work thus far.

I'm glad we didn't go up.  We'd of got battered .  I'd rather have a couple of good seasons in the Championship, build a strong young team and win the divison then I'll think we're good enough.

[Djecker]

Mengi and Parrott both excellent pick ups, and I like the loans like Hoever too. Good business.

[Guest]

21 hours ago, SpillBlood said:

I'm glad we didn't go up.  We'd of got battered .  I'd rather have a couple of good seasons in the Championship, build a strong young team and win the divison then I'll think we're good enough.

Hey, great read.  I'm learning a lot just looking through things you've done.  I'm of the same mind with my Wrexham save.  Granted I started in a lower league and didn't mind going up to League Two the first year... but I truly wouldn't mind a year here to get some of my youth up to speed before going up.  Or if I do, I'd prefer to spend a couple of years in League One before promotion.  With such a young squad I think it's best to get their feet a little wet before throwing them to the wolves.  The last thing I want is to go up and down and up and down.  But this is a really good read.  Good luck the rest of the way.

[SpillBlood]

August



What a month!

And the fans are eager to see us



We were absolutely brilliant against Sheffield Wednesday, a derby I also want to win.  Bidace played it across to Smith, who played in Danny Grant to drill home after just 10 minutes.  Loved seeing my front 3 together like that.  Kayode came on for Bidace after 60 minutes and got himself a brace before they pulled one back in the 92nd minute.   It was their only shot on target,  a low placed shot from outside the area and Viktor didn't move.  Was a weird thing to watch.

We continued our lovely football though in a game where the home side had 3 shots, 1 on target compared to our 28 shots, 14 on target.  Smith with a hat-trick, all assisted by Mowatt and Bidace with his first Rotherham goal. 

Bidace was on the score shoot again against QPR, a team that didn't ever look like scoring so a 1 - 0 scoreline was fine for us.  3 points is 3 points.

I'm really happy we won away at 'Boro.  They had alot of first half shots but lacked quality.  REG scored after 3 minutes from a Mowatt corner and Smith doubled aftr 14 with a Bidace cut back.  Boro one pulled back in the 26th minute and equalised with a brilliant shot from 21 yards by Will Trapp.  'Boro wish their defense was as good as their attack.  A huge mistake, and the 2nd of the game by CB Dijksteel.  Smith stole the ball, played it back to Bidace who had some quality shots through this game and was unlucky not to score himself.  His shot was saved but Grant was sliding in to hit in the rebound in the 82nd minute to seal all 3 points.

We're the only team to get maximum points.  My front 3 have been brilliant and Mowatt is playing at the level I know he can play.





This won is some nice monthly awards.





Cheers Smudge .






Carabao Cup

Good comeback and a sweet freekick from Clarkson. 

Onto Doncaster.

We were amazing before they got a red card, we were brilliant for the 90 minutes .  Matheson and Kayode were both brilliant.

We've got a chance of progressing with our next draw.



End of Transfer Window








We're slowly moving up the wage table to show we're a competitive Championship side.  I'm surprised Forest are spending so much.

I only brought one more player in, a youth player with potential.

I do have another arriving in January on a free who can become class.



We also have one leaving in January.  Only 30 days here and he wanted to leave so he wouldn't miss out on any international fixtures.  He's only backup so I'm fine with it, cheers for the money since he was free .



Next Month



I don't want a two week break when most of my players are here.  We only have 4 away so I'd rather play a friendly to keep fitness/morale up.

It's a tough month but we can get 9 points here I reckon.

[SpillBlood]

1 hour ago, CallMeRichieB said:

Hey, great read.  I'm learning a lot just looking through things you've done.  I'm of the same mind with my Wrexham save.  Granted I started in a lower league and didn't mind going up to League Two the first year... but I truly wouldn't mind a year here to get some of my youth up to speed before going up.  Or if I do, I'd prefer to spend a couple of years in League One before promotion.  With such a young squad I think it's best to get their feet a little wet before throwing them to the wolves.  The last thing I want is to go up and down and up and down.  But this is a really good read.  Good luck the rest of the way.

Cheers man.  I had a long York save last year, they're in the league below Wrexham but it was really fun.  I always find bringing in youth the best way to play a save, especially since some bring in silly money .

[SpillBlood]

September

Not good enough.

We started the month great.  Hoever smashing in a low drive for his first Rotherham goal after just 3 minutes.  JCS nodded in for his first Rotherham goala fter 25.  Tello was great for Reading and pulled one back before Smith killed the game off.

We were pretty dire against Fulham.  The usual front 3 were actually poor.  Grant and Bidace both were warned after, Grant really was that bad.  Rathbone pulled one back with a beauty of a hit but it was too late.

This was not good enough.  We had to rotate and the likes of McKinstry and Parrott were not good enough.  Rathbone and Mowatt were also very poor in the midfield.  Barnsley took the lead after 35 minutes through a freekick after they'd basically done nothing all game.  Morris doubled and I was getting really annoyed .  I had to bring Smith on and he thankfully scored a brace.  We had two late chance but Kayode headed over and then the keeper saved his effort, we could have won.

Better against Millwall.  Very much like the QPR game, Bidace with an early goal and Millwall didn't offer much.

We're still top, just.



Gotta love Smith.



Shame that our two great strikes were just beaten.



Carabao Cup

We had so many chances, I have no idea how we didn't put the ball in the net.  Not happy to be going out like that.



New Contract

Tony came and asked if I wanted a new deal, of course I do!

Next Month



Need more wins, can we get revenge on Stoke? To be honest I'd be happy with 7/8 points here and buzzing with 9.

[SpillBlood]

October



Not good enough.  Far strong from our usual standard and I hope we improve.

You might think what? You've earnt 10/15.  Watch us.

We're the better side against Stoke we just, lack.   Thank you Rathbone.  90th minute and he hits in a nice 20 yarder for the win.

Well, I did rest some players but I never expected MK Dons to control the game like they did but they were dirty buggers and have cost me Bidace.  They'll stay up, they know what to do.



Bore draw against Blackburn. 1.23 vs 0.52 xG but unless the balls in the net it doesn't matter.

Not good enough against Birmingham.   Clarkson hits in a freekick but Brummy equalise just after with a ball in and Zagaritis is beaten in the air.  It's just too huff and puff from us and I'm like, PLAY YOUR GAME.  It just didn't happen, I just had to change it up and go for it all.  Parrott headed in an asbolutely quality cross from Matheson in the 92nd minute to win.  Thankfulyl.

NOT GOOD ENOUGH.  You're probably like.. uhh you won?  Yeah, just.  Our front 3 are lacking, we're struggling.  I've changed my tactic for the next game to the one I finished with here with scord two goals.  Amuzu scored for Forest after 9 minutes, Viktor has to do better, a low shot he's not even dove for.  Come on man, you're our damn Viking.  I went attacking at half time and nothing, I went ultra attacking 4 - 3 - 3 and we managed to win.  Barlaser in the 87th minute equalising and McKinstry putting in a killer cross for Kayode to finish in the 91st minute.

This is not good enough.  We were dominating games or killing them off, we're not.

Smith is declining fast and you can tell on the pitch, let's hope it's a blip.

We're in 2nd but we have to play better.



Smith



Next Month



I hope we get atleast 9 points.  WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

[Djecker]

Its tough when one of your key players goes into a rapid decline. Do you have a replacement you can bring in January?

[SpillBlood]

4 hours ago, Djecker said:

Its tough when one of your key players goes into a rapid decline. Do you have a replacement you can bring in January?

I have a couple of players at the club that are doing alright at leading the line.
 

Sadly the only proper looking replacement would cost me 6mil.  It's criminal that Fulham aren't playing him.  If Parrott can get fit and start playing like I knew he can, he'd cost me less than mil.

Edited November 10, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

November

Brilliant month.  We've played alot of the bottom teams and made sure we've won.

Step up Jay Stansfield, he's been the match winner in two games .

We took an early lead after just 8 minutes against Derby through Smith.  Obviously former play Colidio equalised and then Patrick Roberts put Derby 2 - 1 up.  Bola with his 2nd assist put in a peach of a cross for Smith to score a brace.  xG nerds would hate to see we drew this.

Barlaser was in the right place at the right time in the box to hit home our opening goal.  Norwich then equalised through an OG, Mengi headed it on the line into his own net.  Norwich were poor, really poor but we couldn't find our 2nd goal.  Stansfield hit in a 20 yarder to for us to win, what a goal.

He didn't stop there though.  We took the lead against Huddersfield through Danny Grant and a mistake by Mengi let in Koroma to hit home.  An absolutely incredible assist from Hoever played in Stansfield with a lovely finish.

We took an early lead after just 4 minutes through an Anthony Stweart OG, Parrott doubled before Wigan pulled one back before the break.  REG put us 3 - 1 up but Wigan got another back.  A killer ball from Clarkson played in Rathbone to kill the game off.

A mistake from REG saw Emond put Coventry ahead within the first minute.  We just weren't good enough, too many simple mistakes and I went for it, we still weren't playing well enough so I changed it slightly and it made a huge difference.  JCS headed back to Clarkson in the box to hit off the post and in after 71 minutes and Kayode was free in the box to fire home after Mowatt corner atfer 89 minutes.

The biggest difference this season is we're scoring the late goals, not conceding like last year.

Really proud of the wins since this happened.  We're without Smith for 3 months and have been since the Norwich game.



Honestly, I think that's possibly the end of his starting Rotherham career.  I don't play with a target man and he's getting to the point that's all he's useful for.  I'll keep him for the bench.  He's struggling to finish games now.



We're actually top of the league, nice .





An award for me





Next Month



I'd be happy with 6 points, that's alot of tough games.  We can just do our best.

[SpillBlood]

December


 

What a month! 14 unbeaten . If it wasn't a late penalty that was saved, it'd of been perfect!

Kayode gave us an early goal against Bournemouth and we were in control, they weren't playing well at all.  A simple cross in, Viktors come and missed it and Nuno Santos and said thank you very much and equalised.  Thankfilly Troy Parrott put us back ahead in the 2nd half and Wiles scored a 20 yards belter in the 90th minute.

We robbed Ipswich, there's no way we should have won this .  Viktor was immense this game, infact my back 4 were because we had two shots on target and scored both .  Mengi header early on and Kayode in the 82nd minute to steal the victory.

Carabao Cup revenge here.  Mavididi headed in after just 2 minutes for WBA and I was thinking not again, step up Kayode.  He scored a first half hat-trick for all 3 points.  He's been great.

We well behind again after just 2 minutes against Swansea and we weren't playing well.  We were much better in the 2nd half after Grant equalised in the 47th minute.  Kayode won a late penalty and Barlaser stepped up but Benda denied him.  REG went off injured in the 85th and Kayode had to fill in at CB so we couldn't push on for that win.

We were class against Sunderland.  They have Loftus-Cheek on 26k p/w .  Kayode with a brace and Stansfield with a goal saw us win and a clean sheet .

Much much better against Ipswich this side, a massively rotated side saw Troy Parrott get himself a brace.

We're leading the pack now with a nice gap.









FA Cup Draw



Well, that isn't fun.

Youth intake



This is exciting.  Well curious on what sort of players are coming in .

 

Transfers

Hanna has finally moved to Nashville for 2.9mil and I've brought in two 18 year olds on a free.  Not sure what my transfers plans will be this month.  Palace are sniffing after REG and JCS.  REG is worth far more money then I think he's worth, especially since Mengi is getting a run in his place at the moment.  Looks like he could be £8mil and I'd run straight to the bank if an offer like that came in.

Worth a punt, could be a good backup HG goalkeeper or first team in the future.



Bit slow but worth a punt, could bring in £££ in the future.  Looks better suited to play AMC rather than a striker.



Next Month



Don't see why we can't kep this going.

Edited November 10, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

January



Not a good month when it comes to the league.

Kayode scored the only goal against Millwall who never mounted a challenge.

Stansfield put us ahead after just 3 minutes against Stoke but we couldn't find a 2nd and Surridge headed in Burkes cross to equal the scores.  It isn't a bad draw.

What a boring game.  xG says we should have won, we've hit the woodwork but Rotherham vs Birmingham was awful .

We didn't do any better against Blackburn, they whipped a long ball over and Sam Greenwoods knocked in for a debut goal.  We couldn't find ourway into the game at all.

We're top with a game in but we're dropping fast to the rest of the pack.  We've had a couple of injuries but nothing major to lack the firepower we had in December.

Smith will be back for February and there's no reason to not start him.





FA Cup



With a team that started the likes of Isak, Saint Maximin, Renato Sanches, Theo Hernandez etc.  They were absolutely awful.  They had 1 shot on target!

Not a bad draw next either.



Transfers



Well, I signed no one else .  I did some bad loan deals and I can't terminate players so I'm not bringing in more loans for them to not play or not be as good as I'd hope.





I'm sure we'll be fine.  I'd love to know West Broms and Bournemouths finances .





Next Month



We have to do better, get that point lead back.


 

Edited November 10, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

February



Could have been a little better but we're still ahead.

93rd minute winner, the last action in the game.  Bola heads in a corner and we finally get the goal we deserve.

I have no idea how we didn't beat 'Boro.  We hit the woodwork twice and just couldn't score.

Viktor cost us here, we were the better team, their goalkeeper has kicked out a long ball, Viktors rushed to get it and been beaten by Paintsul who takes it round him to hit in.  I was furious .  Draw it had to be.

Same again here.  A game we were the better side yet obviously through ex-player Colidio scoring, Derby took all 3 points. 

I tried something different against Barnsley and it did not pay off.  An absolutely wondeful strike by Isaac Atanga saw Barnsley take the lead, I edited back to my normal formation and Stuart McKinstry got his first Rotherham goal.  Smith doubled our lead but Barnsley pulled one back in the 80th minute.  Smith, being Smith found us a winner in the 88th minute.  No one has the passion and determination to find the net like he does.

We were in control from start to finish against MK Dons and it was nice to get revenge.  Wiles scoring a lovely finish, Grant heading in and Mowatt scoring a freekick.  I'm glad to have Mowatt back.

We're still ahead by 6!

Bola has been immense.



FA Cup

Much better in our Forest double header and we can win the next round, we've got a good draw.



Next Month



Aslong as we beat the bottom teams, we should still be looking good at the end of March.

[rmcf2017]

Loving this so far, hope to see you in Prem next season

[SpillBlood]

March



What a turn around in form, what a month it's been.

It was a close game against Norwich and a draw would of been fair but Norwich scored just before and after the break and we couldn't find a reply.

I'm happy with a draw against Huddersfield.  We were awful against West Brom and we were so tired against Huddersfield that I can take positives out of that. 

After the Huddersfield game I changed my roles in the midfield to give us another attacking minded player, running from the left side to combine with my IF/Striker and my word, it's worked wonders.

It was two defenders in Mengi and JCS scoring against Wigan with Bidace also getting on the scoreshoot.  We were in complete control, Wigan didn't even have a shot on target.  This was so much better.

We kept it going against Coventry.  Bidace getting a brace through two Grant assists and Grant scoring via Mowatt.  Emond continued scoring against us with a 92nd goal before he went off injured in the 94th.

It didn't stop.  Wiles, Bidace, Purrington OG and Smith all getting on the scoresheet against Hull.  My York City save legend Charlie Goode pulled one back with Hulls only shot on target.

We're top but WBA are not giving up the chase and we play them soon, it's going to be a huge game.

Two defenders in the top 3 average ratings now.



FA Cup



Theft, daylight robbery.  Viktor was immense, my defense were, it got that bad I changed to a back 5 to take it to penaltys, I did not know how to counter their attack.  It didn't matter 'cause we won the shootout .



We were good and we gave them a run for their money.  To beat a Prem team on pens is huge.



And another Prem team to come.



International debut

Kayode has taken his decent club form and smashed it on the international stage, a debut brace ,





Next Month



This month is massive.  It could be the difference of us finishing 1st or 3rd.

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

Youth intake

This is a let down :(.  I don't think any of these players will make it.

He's obviously a fullback and not a CB.  We'll see on this one, he needs to get those physical stats up much higher.



That determination



Could be good for lower leagues.  Lacks strength/pace.



4 flair for a winger. 

Not a good year

[SpillBlood]

It's a bit late this year, I think we know who's going up.



There isn't a promotion battle.  It's just between Rotherham and West Brom to win the league.  Our game against them is huge.

We just have to play Spurs first .

Edited November 11, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

And we're up

We've not played WBA yet, it's just, we're up .





Now THAT is a different budget!







Now, let's finish 1st!

[SpillBlood]

April



We're on our way

We were brilliant against Sheff Weds, Grant scoring from a Bola cross after 30 minutes and Wiles putting us ahead after 69.  A huge mistake by Viktor saw Wednesdays pull one back in the 87th minute but we held on.

Kayode scored after 17 minutes against QPR and that's all we needed.

We lost Bidace early and that's been a big blow, he's been class recently.  Thankfully a Wiles brace saw us beat Fulham after Onomah pulled a goal back in the 88th minute.

Grant made an early mistake and West Brom took the lead.  We didn't register a shot on target, Kayode had a big chance he hit the bar.

Kayode was a saviour here as he hit in Hoevers class ball in the 89th minute to win all 3 points against Swansea.

It's neck and neck, they have to drop points for us to be champions.





FA Cup



We tried, Kane was class, Viktor had a shocker .

Next Month



Difficult games.  I think we'll finish 2nd, all we can do is try.

Worst bit about being promoted



Good player, can still improve, I'm a fan.  Yeah 8k a week is probably low now but he wants a new contract, what you thinkin'?  He wants 29k a week.

Yeah, not happening .


 

Edited November 11, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

 







~

There's gonna be alot more images to be posted after the play offs finish.

Btw.

I'M BLOODY BUZZING.

WE'RE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

[Rikulec]

Top work there mate!

[SpillBlood]

Barlaser at DM with Bidace at AML and Grant at AMR is my usual 11.

 

Stadium

 

End of Season Awards

Edited November 11, 2021 by SpillBlood

[Djecker]

Great work, well done!

[SpillBlood]

This is taking hours

I've missed out on a wonderkid CB who chose City U18s over us.  A strong experienced CB who decided to go to Wolves. A very good BPD who could fill in at DM who decide to stay in Germany and move to another German team and I found an amazing young GK but when I saw PSG and City were interested, I didn't even bother .  It looks like he's on his way to PSG.



I do like when your bargains are voted as signings of the season and he'll be my main RCB this season aswell



And I always love to see biggest overachiever

So far in the market...







17mil for Viktor that's crazy money.  Viktor has been replaced by a goalkeeper that in real life was looking very comfortable as a Premier League goalkeeper this season before getting injured.  REG was replaced for 1.5mil by a young CB apart of the Portuguese trio I've brought in.

Hopefully I'll finish my transfers tonight.  It's been a slog finding good players that will come and I may lack real quality at CB and AMR, we'll see.

Edited November 13, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

2025/2026

Welcome to the Premier League

Pre-season



Since we have money coming in, I might aswell ask for upgrades to our facilities









Transfers (so far)

There's still money to spend if we need to bring in a certain type of player.  I cannot find a proper quality AMR so it looks like Grant will be given a chance.



Out:




Mason - I use wingbacks and I can't see Mason improving enough to play that role.  We also have a 20% profit sell on clause.

REG - With JCS and Mengi being as good as they were, REG wanted more football and didn't see it being with us, 12mil is a steal.

Bishop - Year left, let him move on.

Nascimento - Wasn't going to make it here.

Johansson - That's alot of money for Viktor.  Good player, not Prem quality.  Can invest it back into the squad. 

Duffy - Youth player that wasn't going to make it and wanted a silly contract.

Rest are loans out so they get to play football.



Rathbone wanted to play BWM and we don't use that anymore, he isn't good enough sadly, i'm a big fan irl so releasing him sucked but I need to stay up.  Rest were youth not good enough.


In:

Shane Ferguson 2.0?  Quality looking LB, love his set pieces.



Joveljic was a hero on one of my old Rotherham saves, absolutely brilliant uptop so I've taken a punt. 



Will push Hoever to play RB and fill in at RW.



I have no idea how I got Pedro on a free, he's been scoring in Portugal and looks great.





Backup for Mengi



1.8mil for a class MC, i'm a fan.  Hopefully can help us massively.

Once a Barcelona youth, backup for JCS.

Can't imagine Jovic will be here long, he's bloody brilliant.  He has a 22mil min fee for Champions League teams and I can see it being used.  Can be such a huge player for us.



Raya hasn't been playing for Brentford over the last couple of seasons and struggled last time he was #1.  I feel he can do the business and push his ability like Nubel did on Rotherham save last year.  My new #1.

Backup to Raya.

Opening games



Could really do with 4 points here but in reality 1 would be massive.  Big ask, you should see how hard September is .

Hopefully will shape the squad to see if I need any improvements.

[SpillBlood]

Opening Day









Can we end the season now? .  Those finishes above were filthy, I screamed as Necos went in .  Joveljics is just so cheeky, I love it.

[SpillBlood]

August

What a start .

We smashed Leciester.  We were brilliant and Williams' goal about is goal of the month .

Not a brilliant game against West Brom but my faith is repaid and Joveljic scored from nothing to give us the win.

So close to a point! Raya was so good in net.  Everything looked decent until Joveljic was moved onto the left, his poor pass saw Ramos Mingo absolutely take out Liverpools attacker and earn himself a red with 1 minute to go.  From that attack, in the 92nd minute a cross in which Hoever didn't block saw Salah hit in.  SO CLOSE!

Still, what a month .







Carabao Cup



Quality performance, they didn't have a shot on target .

We can win our next draw aswell.



Stadium

So I tried to get them to expand and this time we were allowed!

Coaches

We need more coaches to cover the workload so I'm glad they accepted, we're turning into a "big club" .

Transfers

2 in, 1 out.  This covers all our bases.

Ngakia will be covering RB and can fill in at LB. 

For some reason Bynoe-Gittens hasn't kicked on at all so I'm going to try, I know he has alot of ability.

This is how it all ended.







12 isn't bad, we had alot of loan players here, now we have a proper squad and depth.




That's insane, over half less than anyone else

Our squad can compete easily.  There's alot of teams we can beat here, there's no reason we can't stay up.

Next Month



Except this is horrible, if I get a point, I'll be happy .

Edited November 14, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

September



Yep, that went as well as expected.  We're playing against the likes of Kane, Mbappe and Lukaku.  We're not good enough to play against these times.

My biggest concern is we never give penaltys away yet we gave two very soft ones away this month.

We just gotta brush it off and go again.

 

Carabao Cup



We should have been out of sight by 90 minutes.  Thankfully Milojevic saved El Mizouni's pen.

Should be able to beat Hull in the next round.

International Debut

Next Month



We can get 6 - 9 points here, we need atleast 4.

[Djecker]

Decent effort - some tough games out of the way early. Squad has been turned over a lot, you gotta give them time to gel as well.

[SpillBlood]

9 hours ago, Djecker said:

Decent effort - some tough games out of the way early. Squad has been turned over a lot, you gotta give them time to gel as well.

Absolutely and I can't fault them against the big clubs, they've got absolute class players in every position and we're still playing above our level.  I'm really happy with our effort.  Feels like there's a "top 7" which are solid to beat and then every other game is winnable.

[SpillBlood]

October



Really good month.

It wasn't a quality game against Watford but it was quality finishing.  Bidace setting up two goals and scoring himself.

Bidace continued his form scoring just 3 minutes in against Watford.  Jovic got his first Rotherham goal in the 76th minute to put us 2 - 1 up.  Florentin was sent off for a lunge in the 83rd minute but 10 men Watford pulled a fluke goal back with some help from the woodwork.  With the chances Watford missed in the first half, this could have easily been a draw or Watford win so 3 points is massive.

Joveljic scored a lovely finish after 31 minutes to put us ahead but it was Southampton who had the better game, Awoniyi headed home a corner after 60 minutes and a Raya mistake at the end nearly cost us, a good point.

From my post above, you'll see what I mean by a "big 7".  The 7 clubs with the money and players with more class than the other 13 clubs in the Prem.

It'll be hard to catch them up but we can stay up for sure.





Carabao Cup



We were pants first half, utter pants.  I went 4 - 2 - 2 - 2 attacking in the 2nd half and Grant was class.  Much better.

Tough game next.



Next Month



Villa and Everton are struggling, West Ham and Arsenal are tough games.  4 points would be good here, 6 would be brilliant, anything more would be full on amazing.

[karanhsingh]

Congrats on promotion! and you seem to be holding your own in the big time too

[SpillBlood]

November



Brilliant month!  Really happy with that we offered and 3 clean sheets .

West Ham were terrible, if they play like that every week I can easily see them getting relegated.  Joveljic with a good finish after 53 minutes and Joe Gomez with an unreal own goal that had me howling.  Jordaos chip hit the bar, crashed off straight onto Gomez and into the net.



The Aston Villa game was so tight and it was looking like a draw.  Both defenses were ontop form.  91st minute a corner is swung in, it's headed out, Kayode heads it back in and Hoever drills it low for the 3 points!  I think they'll escape relegation.

Everton won't though, they scored early but it was easily offside and after that they did.. absolutely nothing.  Mendes after 12 minutes and Kayode after 34, was far too easy.

We tried against Aresnal but they were just too good.  Nunes scoring after just a minute after Kayode misses an easy header.  Saka and Martinelli scoring in the 2nd half so I went attacking at 3 - 0 behind.  Mendes plays in Joveljic to pull one back but it's far too late.  They were just better.

We're nice and clear away from relegation currently.

 

December



Alot of games, roation will be needed, just try our best, I've no idea what to expect when we're playing this many games in a month.

Edited November 15, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

December



Not too shabby of a month.

Too many defensives mistakes against Fulham and you feel the game loves doing these htings.  Hojlund who I was interested in, who doesn't play, started and got himself a brace .  It was 2 - 2 until the 84th minute until Mengis poor header is headed back into space where Rhian Brewster picks it up and slots in.

So close!  Mendes got us off to a start early start but two mistakes in the back, a big one by Mengi that allowed City win.  We gave them a good attempt.

Much better, Clarkson put us ahead with a nice freekick, Joveljic then doubled after 17 minutes.  Burnley pulled one back but Joveljic scored again.  Fer Nino got a brace for Burnley but Danny Grant finished off the game for us.

We were poor against Leeds and until the 75th minute we were 2nd best, I full on attacked and we had chances to not just score or equalise but win, too many missed chance.

Wow!  xG says it was an even game but what quality against Brighton!  Mendes and Kayode both with braces and JCS finishing off the scoring.

And we did it again!  We were down to 10 men after 32 minute after Jordao got himself a 2nd yellow but Joveljic came off the bench to score in the 89th and 93rd minutes!

I'm happy with 9/18!






FA Cup Draw



Another cup game again Hull, one I think we can win.

Carabao Cup


 

Sadly, we were 2nd best here, we couldn't break them down compared to three days prior.

Youth Intake



Yes please

Youth facilities

We've just finished upgrading so I had to ask again.









Next Month



I'll be happy with 6 points here.  No reason we cannot beat Leicester and West Brom.

Other 3 though .

There will be transfers, infact here's 1 that we've already signed to come in.



Man Utd etc had interest in him but I was the one who bid and he'd join as an important player, look how good he is .  Well happy with this transfer, he was only 3.8mil!

[SpillBlood]

January



Good month, I got 7!

We took the lead after just 3 minutes against Leciester and I'm thinking yeah!  We can beat them 4 - 0 again!  Jovic got himself sent off and Leciester scored 2 in the 2nd half, so annoying.  Jovic is going down as one of my biggest flops in FM history.

We offered zero attack and defended for our lives against Liverpool and it worked!  I'll take a draw.

Clarkson gave away an early penalty which saw Johnny put West Brom 1 - 0 up.  Mendes pulled one back after 15 minutes and put us ahead just before the break.  Kayode put us 3 - 1 up and Mendes got himself a hat-trick after 86 minutes.  West Brom got one back in the 92nd minute but it was far too late.

Raya was superb against Spurs.  McAtee got his first Millers goal to give us the lead, Mowatt doubled just 4 minutes later and Bidace put us 3 up!  Devine finally got Spurs a deserved goal 'cause Raya was saving everything.  Deserved win.

Really tight game against Man Utd.  Rashford took the lead just before the half which I felt we'd edged.  Kayode equalised but Fekir found the winner for Man Utd.

Still a great month.

FA Cup

Not great but alot of debuts.

Difficult game next.



Transer Window

(This is before our deadline say as the Prem spent another 140mil)





Barlaser wanted more football and he isn't prem quality which is a shame. 

McAtee has been sat rotting in Manchester City reserves which is frustrating, he has potential, can I get him up there or is he too old?



We're still well below everyone else in wage




Next Month



Two big games we gotta win at the end of the month.  I don't mind what happens in the FA Cup.

[SpillBlood]

February



We took an early lead against Chelsea but Reece James' set pieces with an assist and goal saw us fall behind.  Jovic was sent off... again and Lukaku got his brace.

We were battered by Wolves, my word we were terrible.  Ngakia got skinned, Wolves' shot his the post and bounced off Ngakia to go on, was so unlucky .  He set up Joveljic just a minute later and that was that.  We were lucky.

I went back to my normal tactic, I'd tried something else since the end of December vs Newcastle and we were much better.  Joveljic put us ahead after 2 minutes and that was that, Watford never threatened.





FA Cup



Jordao with a goal and 3 assists, absolutely brilliant.



Tough game next.

Training facilities



Keep it goin'. 

Next Month


 

We can win every game here, we'll see.

[SpillBlood]

March



Fans in a pub somewhere would have loved our game vs West Ham.  West Ham were better first half, they got a red just before half time and in the 2nd half we were brilliant.  Wiles and Jordao ran the show, got themselves a brace each with Joveljic finishing off the scoring.  Cole Palmer got himself a brace for West Ham.  Really fun game.

Villa nearly got revenge!  They got a late goal just like we did in the reserve fixture.  We went up there end after we kicked off and equalised









FA Cup





Not happy to go out like that.  I rotated some backup players in defense and my word they were shocking.  I'll be looking to move Neco and Araujo on in the summer.

New Contract





Youth Intake



Yeah, none of these will make it.  I couldn't attract better HOYD at the end of last season, I really hope I can this time.  The players we are recruiting have some really bad personality traits. 

Top 50 Wonderkids



8th is a Miller 1st is the goalkeeper I wanted but knew bigger teams would beat me too it .

International Debut



Next Month


 

Hopefully get 6 points here.  Anymore will be a nice bonus.

Edited November 16, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

April

Terrible month, we've never looked like winning.  We're struggling to get shots away, shots on targets and my wide players are having a horrible time.

I'm glad we only have 4 games left.  I need to look at my tactic in the summer and have a big overhaul.  I would very much like to use a 2 striker formation, there are some absolute gems out there for not alot of money.

Another reason I'm glad we only have 4 games left.







Next Month


 

Let's try and score some goals

Edited November 16, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

What a season, it's been brilliant.  We drew and won 2 in May, much better. 

I didn't realise how well Raya had done, we've conceded the 8th least which is a big deal considering we're new in the league, really happy with that.  Raya is also joint 5th with Man Utd and Newcastles goalkeepers for clean sheets, only 1 behind Chelseas, 2 behind Arsenals and 3 behind Citys.  Nice.

I'm going to be have a big overhaul of players, I need to bring in real quality, especially at AMR.  Both Bidace and Grant are already leaving.

Finishing 8th is better than I expected though, hopefully this is just the first to come.



Hopefully I can bring in a better HOYD within the next month.

Wow!  The board clearly clearly want me to make a real statement here.



That's 300k more wage and 20mil more on my transfer budget.

Edited November 16, 2021 by SpillBlood

[deltablue]

Good to see you in the Premier League.

[SpillBlood]

Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool keep stealing all the youth players I want to bring in for my first team!



Always love being the overachievers

I knew Raya would be good



This I don't understand though.



I know he cost me 6mil but he did better than Mendes.  If it says Jovic I'd totally understand.  But Joveljic did well, pic of his goals below.



I am finding it tough to find my starting AMR, both players I wanted have gone to youth teams instead.  About to hit July so hopefully some others pop up.

[SpillBlood]

Season 2026/2027

First things first, we're investing the money!















I'd improved my backroom, still have room to improve my coaching staff and have brought in the best HYOD that I could.  He's superb, he's brought in some quality youth players in this save for Ipswich and has a professional personality.  Sadly, his style/formation doesn't suit us but he is by far the best we could interest.







We have a pretty decent team.

I do need to improve my recruitment team and medical compared to the rest of the Prem and I look into that now.

[SpillBlood]

Transfers

Alot has happened here and it's all for the good.  Including bringing in a player that I probably didn't need for that role but he has potential and his brother is an elite player

Out

£34mil brought in from players out.

Neco didn't fit here, it just didn't work.

I'm ready for Ruiz to be backup now so Milojevic wasn't needed.

Stansfield isn't good enough for our level now and 3mil is great.

Bola had a year left and I felt we could replace.

Mowatt is the wrong side of 30 and can be replaced.

Grant wasn't prem level.

Neither was Bidace.

Araujo nearly cost us a game by not blocking 2 shots that both went in, he isn't my type of player.

Bynoe-Gittens finally got himself a loan.  McAtee is improving, alot, Bynoe hasn't at all.

In

Now, we have some class players in and I've spent money, we have some experienced players here.




My new Italian fullbacks, really happy with the upgrade to Hoever and Bola.




Suarez replaces Aruajo but in honesty should be starting games, get that vision etc up but he's a very solid CB.

One for the future

Ability wise Anthony is one of the best at the club, I think only one player may be better techincally.  He could be amazing like he was at Ajax or he could flop like he did at Watford.





I know Manning is a left footed winger but I feel I'd regret not bringing him in, he was listed, only Championship side Brentford were interested and he's pretty good.

Okay so Hugo is Joao's brother.  He has skill, flair, he can hit a freekick.  I mean, I'm playing him as a Mezzala and he can't jump/head but he has skill, worth a try .

 

The Squad

i think we should be covered everywhere.  Could be a good season, try and get 8th - 10th.

Pre-Season



I mean, Barker played them for me, get some fitness in there.

Opening Month



All we can do is try 'cause what are those two opening games .

If we can get points against Leeds and Leicester it's all good.

Edited November 17, 2021 by SpillBlood

[Adi Dhillon]

nice work so far

[SpillBlood]

Wait, what year is it? Made me chuckle seeing this.  I remember being a kid and that Yeboah goal vs Liverpool .

Edited November 17, 2021 by SpillBlood

[SpillBlood]

August



What a month.  Raya has been absolutely brilliant.  The whole defense has.

Manchester City were the better team but Raya was MOTM for a reason.  He was immense between the sticks.  I swapped what sides of the midfield Felix and Jordao were playing and it wasn't long after Felix set up Jordao to us take the lead after 75 minutes.  Subs combined when former City player McAtee crossed in and Kayode headed in after 83 minutes.  HUGE WIN.

It didn't stop though.  We were great vs Manchester United and deserved the win.  Jovic heading in Del Pratos throw in after 18 minutes and Suarez headed in Jordao's corner after 39 minutes for his Rotherham goal.  Sadly we lost Bastoni in the 90th minute, he's been great.

Raya was MOTM, both defenses were superb.  We came the closest hitting the woodwork and finished with 9 men.  Piquerez being sent off for a 2nd yellow in the 85th minute and Del Prato picking up an injury in the 90th minute.

Leciester was a game of two halves, we should have been out of sight in the first half.  Leicester had a much better second half.


 

Still, what an amazing month.  I think I need to try Mendes uptop next game, he was brilliant in the cup and Joveljic isn't scoring.



I wasn't joking about Raya .  "Zebre" tried to loan him as their cup goalkeeper on deadline day???



Carabao Cup



Silly mistake by sub Gundersen meant no clean sheet for Ruiz but Felix and Mendes were class.

Let's keep it going in the next round.



Miscellaneous


 

We're at Oaksell for a season but glad we have more fans coming in.

 

Glad that we're happy to improve.



I have some good youth players that need to play.  No one was interesting in taking them on loan so I found myself a feeder club.  They are more than good enough to play so let's hope they do .

Transfers

A huge window for us.  We had interest in Jovic and Joveljic and there is a Portuguese AML that I'm interesting in if it doesn't work with Jovic this season, atleast I know I can sell and replace.

I sold Joaquin Piquerez for 5mil and brought in Miguel Gutierrez on loan for the season.







I got slated for this in the media 'cause how many of my youth have gone out on loan.




After all those transfers and we're still 450k away from Palace!

Next Month



Hopefully we can keep this cracking form going.

Edited November 18, 2021 by SpillBlood