[FM21] Return of the Phoe Nix - Rise of the Raven. FC Isle of Man Youth Save.

[Punch]

JAN 2034 - FA Cup 3rd Round - At Plymouth Argyle FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A brilliant hat-trick from Heys highlighted a brilliant performance to send us through to the 4th Round.

We were favourites, and expected to win comfortably, but still had to get the job done, which was done well.

 

 

 

Round 4 Draw

Spoiler

Round 4 sends Bristol to The Bowl.

 

We have a 2-1 record but they did win our most recent meeting this season.

 

This draw means we will meet twice in a week, in the League, then the Cup.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we travel to Pride Park to take on 12th place Derby.

[Punch]

JAN 2033 - Match Day 27 - At Derby County

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tighter match than the scoreline suggests as we down Derby in their own house.

Hodgson was the Player of the Match again keeping a clean sheet, while it was a generally solid performance from our defensive unit.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We made up ground on Swansea who were beaten for the second time in three, while there are still plenty of good teams circling just below us.

 

 

Up next...the first of our back to back games against Bristol at The Bowl, as we take them on in the League, and then a week later in the FA Cup.

[Punch]

JAN 2034 - Match Day 28 - Vs Bristol City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Another solid performance with two second half goals getting the job done.

We just keep turning up and finding ways to win.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We stay 2nd, West Ham drew, so we have made a bit of a break from them.

 

 

Up next...we do it all over again with Bristol, this time in the FA Cup 4th Round.

[Punch]

JAN 2034 - FA Cup 4th Round - Vs Bristol City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Another week, another competition, another hard fought 2-0 win.

A spirited Bristol gave us another run for our money, with only an injury time goal sealing the deal.

 

We broke our gate record from last seasons FA Cup match in the same round.

 

 

Round 5 Draw

Spoiler

Round 5 sends us to Plough Lane to take on AFC Wimbledon.

 

A close history between us, although it was from 2 years ago in League One, and we are a much better side now.

This is a game we must be looking to win.

 

 

 

Up next...Blockbuster top of the table clash as we travel to Swansea.

[Punch]

JAN 2034 - Match Day 29 - At Swansea City AFC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We knew this would be a tough match, but our attack spluttered as we fell to Swansea in a close one.

They got a goal early before we hit back midway through the second half, but they then scored again just 3 minutes later.

We made plenty of chances, but simply could not get them on target often enough to be a real threat.

 

The loss breaks a sequence of five straight wins.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Swansea open up the gap, but in a saving grace, West Ham lost again, to maintain the gap back to 3rd.

 

 

 

Up next...20th place Brentford travel to The Bowl

[Punch]

JAN 2034 - Match Day 30 - Vs Brentford FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A disappointing result as we struggled to get anything going against lowly ranked Brentford.

The squad was slightly rotated, but we still had enough experience and ability to make much more of this game than we did.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A bad day at the office, made slightly better because most of the top 6 had a bad day.

 

 

Up next...another tough match up and 5th placed Blackburn travel to The Bowl.

[Punch]

JAN 2034

A month that started brilliantly, winning five on the bounce across all competitions, scoring 12 and conceding none, then fell in a hole as we lost two in a row.

 

Despite the end of month wobble, the analyst is still pretty happy with our performances.

 

A lot to like here, with Earl close to cracking 30 goals for the season, young Slack providing plenty of key tackles in defence, Millington providing plenty of assists, and key passes, Logan, Pearce, and Sheridan winning a lot of key balls in the air in defence.

Our main keeper Hodgson, along with a few goals, has provided 45 key passes and 5 assists from between the sticks. Nothing like turning defence into attack.

 

We are still sitting 2nd, but there are plenty of teams around.

 

Again went backwards in the finances.

There were a few offers came in through the transfer window, but none for players I wanted to sell.

The Board are still staying out of it for the moment, so I am happy to keep knocking back offers for now.

 

The only team under 100k per week, 2 million less than West Ham, and 450k below the League average.

We are still punching way above our weight for a little club from the middle of the Irish Sea.

 

Had not seen any job offers for a while, and then both Sheffield teams came after me on the same day.

 

They became my 44th and 45th interview offers, and my 17th and 18th job offers.

 

Another busy month coming up, including the FA Cup 5th Round, so the schedule could change if we get through that.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 31 - Vs Blackburn Rovers FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We got our goal scoring groove back as Blackburn were put to the sword.

A double to Earl, and goals for Millington, Slack, and Shanahan, along with a good defensive performance, shakes off back-to-back losses.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

The table is a bit wonky at the moment as we played a game in advance of everyone, to make up for our FA Cup game coming up.

 

 

Up next...another tough match up against 6th place West Brom at The Hawthorns

[Jtomsett11]

I think you're going to do it! Looking at your goal difference compared to others you're going to win more games than one of West ham and Swansea if you keep playing as you are. 

[Punch]

8 minutes ago, Jtomsett11 said:

I think you're going to do it! Looking at your goal difference compared to others you're going to win more games than one of West ham and Swansea if you keep playing as you are. 

It's certainly going to be an exciting finish to the season.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 32 - At West Bromwich Albion

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tough match against WBA and we could only manage a draw.

One of our own scored against us, Luke Rudd, who is on loan from Leicester, scored the equaliser, after young Rawlinson scored his first senior goal.

 

Certainly a debut to remember after being teed up by ever reliable Williams to score his first goal.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We managed to extend our lead over West Ham who were beaten again.

 

 

Up next...FA Cup 5th Round as we travel to Plough Lane to take on Wimbledon.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - FA Cup 5th Round - At AFC Wimbledon

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We made harder work of it than we should have, and the extra time will not help some of our fatigued legs, but we eventually got through a tough fight with The Dons.

Some Archie Adams magic in the midfield allowed Earl to net his 30th goal of the season, to finally give us the lead 10 minutes into extra time.

Barbour came off the bench to seal it just before full time.

 

 

 

Quarter Final Draw

Spoiler

We're off to The Hawthorns again to face division rival West Brom.

 

A win and a draw against them this season, but this will be a tough match.

 

 

Up next...a return to League action as we travel to Barnsley, to take on the 10th place Tykes.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 33 - At Barnsley FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A rotated squad took the field for this one to rest some legs after our FA Cup match.

It was a fairly quiet first half, before the game exploded in the last half hour.

The home team took the lead on 64 minutes, before Mr Reliable, Jordan Williams got us back on level terms a minute later.

Sub forward Barbour then score a 16 minute hat-trick to blow the game open, before Suk-Kuen complete the rout in injury time.

That was some performance for a rotated team.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

West Ham's wobbles continue, while Swansea continue their strong form, and we remain 2nd.

 

 

Up next...the tough matches keep coming as Sunderland travel to The Bowl.

[Sonic Youth]

The tables starting to shake out, with Swansea wobbling by drawing more than winning. West Ham becoming inconsistent is great timing! It looks like rotating your players at this point was necessary and a great move to freshen up your match day team.

Progress in the cup is good too, though West Brom away is tough.

Your D looks like it’s improving at just the right time  

Take a look at Barnsley’s wage and league position, second best after IoM 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Sonic Youth
Barnsley

[Punch]

4 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

The tables starting to shake out, with Swansea wobbling by drawing more than winning. West Ham becoming inconsistent is great timing! It looks like rotating your players at this point was necessary and a great move to freshen up your match day team.

The rotation has become necessary due to the number of games, and I am guessing such young players. Sometimes forget this this is a team of kids turning out against seasoned professionals that have been doing this much longer. They keep turning up though.

 

5 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Progress in the cup is good too, though West Brom away is tough.

Going to be a tough match up for sure.

 

6 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Your D looks like it’s improving at just the right time

Wonder if it's that second year syndrome again. It seems to be all over the place the first year in a League, then comes together in the second year.

 

6 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Take a look at Barnsley’s wage and league position, second best after IoM

Guess it shows you don't have to blow the bank balance to put a decent team together.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 34 - Vs Sunderland AFC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A really tight tussle as Sunderland defended the house down.

It took a second half header from sub Lewis to get us the lead, and that is all it took.

Good to see us hold our nerve and turn one of these tight matches into a win.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

West Ham were beaten again, to give us a 9 point buffer back to 3rd, while Swansea just keep winning.

 

 

Up next...we travel to last place Rotherham, for a match we must do well in to keep the pressure on Swansea.

[Punch]

Our next match sees us go up against another form IoM academy product.

Henry was sold to Birmingham before playing his entire contract on loan with us, then a failed bid to go to the MLS, and he landed at Rotherham.

He has turned out in 27 appearances for them this year, and has been solid, without being spectacular.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 35 - At Rotherham United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A solid day's work as last place Rotherham are put to the sword.

A brace for Heys, and another for Williams along with the defensive unit not allowing a shot on target, continuing their miserable season.

Not a happy reunion for former Raven, Charlie Henry, on the wrong end of a big loss, and having a pretty ordinary game himself.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

 

A Swansea loss send us top of the table on goal difference, while West Ham got back in the winners list.

A long way to go in this battle though.

 

 

Up next...18th place Preston travel to The Bowl.

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Punch

[Sonic Youth]

First place! A nice psychological boost. It will be interesting to see how Swansea react to loosing first place. As you said, a long way to go yet. The end of season run in for The Ravens looks promising 

[Punch]

2 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

The end of season run in for The Ravens looks promising

There are some tough matches, but we have the benefit of already having played both Swansea and West Ham twice.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Under 18s Win the League...again

 

Our kids have taken out the Under 18s Division 3 North-West again, and with still 5 games remaining in the season.

 

Another undefeated season so far, peeling off 74 goals, and only conceding 14, in 23 games.

 

This will make the 6th straight season our kids have won this League.

We have some pretty handy kids running around in this squad, but it is clear they are way too good for this division.

Surely it must be time for a promotion.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - Match Day 36 - Vs Preston North End FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Preston give us a good run for our money and we struggled to make anything of our chances.

Our defence held firm long enough for Millington to get a goal just before half time, and that would be the only score of the match.

A tricky match, but we managed to get away with the three points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Just about everyone in the top 6 won, so it's the same situation. 1st on goal difference, nine points clear of third.

10 games remaining, so anything can happen yet.

 

 

Up next...The tough matches keep coming as we travel to 4th place Birmingham.

[Punch]

FEB 2034 - League Cup Review

 

United have won the Manchester Derby and taken out the League Cup.

We were knocked out in the Quarter Finals by eventual Champions, United.

[Punch]

FEB 2034

A brilliant month as we go undefeated, only the draw at WBA blemishing our perfect record.

Plenty of goals, but not conceding many has been a real key this season.

 

The Analyst is happy, both attack and defence looking solid.

 

Very happy with what I am seeing here, good performances from the regulars, and the rotation and fringe players have been stepping up when needed as well.

 

Our month lead me to the Manager of the Month award, which I think may be my first one in the Championship.

 

Another month going backwards, luckily we have been good with the finances previously so there is still plenty in the bank.

The new stadium is only a few months away, so that will be a game changer next season.

 

The 10 game race to the title kicks off in March, along with an FA Cup Quarter Final.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Match Day 37 - At Birmingham City FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

It was just one of those days.

15 shots, 8 on target, an xG above 2, and we have nothing to show for it.

They had 4 shots, 2 on target, an xG barely above zero, and they take all three points.

It's a funny old game.

In fairness, their keeper had a blinder to keep us out.

 

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Our loss after 6 undefeated, and a draw for Swansea was enough for them to take back top spot.

West Ham lost again, and also lost 3rd place to Birmingham who beat us.

 

 

Up next...16th place QPR travel to The Bowl.

Edited March 14, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Match Day 38 - Vs Queens Park Rangers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A stunning result as QPR are blown off the park by half time.

Four different goal scorers and a clean sheet to boot.

A good day at the office.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Everyone else in the 6 had a draw, so we went back to the top of the tree.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Cardiff to take on the 19th place Bluebirds

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Match Day 39 - At Cardiff City FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

With a view to the upcoming FA Cup tie, I took a gamble and played a rotated squad against 19th place Cardiff.

The gamble looked to have paid off when Rawlinson put us ahead on 76 minutes, only for a mistake in the defensive line to hand Cardiff an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A win for Swansea send them top again, while draws and losses below us have extended the gap to 10 points.

 

 

Up next...a monster FA Cup Quarter Final tie takes us to The Hawthorns to take on division rival West Brom.

[deez0r]

In a very good spot. A couple more wins should see you up!

[Punch]

3 hours ago, deez0r said:

In a very good spot. A couple more wins should see you up!

With some of the other teams seeming to be falling away, it looks like it might come down to a straight shootout between us and Swansea for the title.

[deez0r]

5 minutes ago, Punch said:

With some of the other teams seeming to be falling away, it looks like it might come down to a straight shootout between us and Swansea for the title.

Even better! Title is a nice to have but promotion is the big thing in the end!

[Punch]

8 minutes ago, deez0r said:

Even better! Title is a nice to have but promotion is the big thing in the end!

We are 10 points clear of 3rd with 7 games to play. It's not impossible, but it's a massive gap for them to need to make up in a short time.

[Sonic Youth]

Four wins until promotion, more for league title is likely 

FA Cup is also still on the table.

A lot to play for this season 

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

A lot to play for this season

At some point I may have to choose something to sacrifice. Some tired legs starting to show.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Youth Intake

 

The class of 34 has arrived

 

The stars don't show a lot of hope for this intake.

 

The PA show a slightly better picture, but I think there are a few of these kids that will not even get picked up.

A few decent looking prospects in the striking area, if they can reach their potential.

 

It's an interesting comparison, as on attributes alone, 34p Lewis Wood is the 4th highest rated player. But when you take into account his CA/PA, he is not far from already having reached his potential, so there will probably not be much growth.

 

Top 3

Spoiler

Looks like a potential quality striker, if we can get his pace and finishing stats up. Also has the potential to cut his teeth in midfield, like Millington, who has become our best player. All about weather we can get him to his potential ability.

 

One of the best right backs we have produced for a while, with some good stats already. And a cool name to boot.

 

Another striker, this one has good pace, just need to work on those finishing stats. Another with good potential.

 

 

Overall, a disappointing intake, but their are some players that could make the step up.

Was thinking reading through this that our current season leading scorer Andrew Earl, was rated poorly at intake, and almost didn't get picked up, yet he is now on track to score 60 goals in two season in The Championship, and has been a massive part of our push towards the Premier League.

Also, this is our first intake with zero IoM natives. Plenty of English kids, but none from the Isle.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - FA Cup Quarter Final - At West Bromwich Albion

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The gamble in the last match didn't pay off then, and hasn't paid off now.

We were very wasteful with our chances, and one of our own came back to bite us with Rudd scoring a brace to send us out.

A slight positive is at least now with only League games to worry about, we can concentrate on our Premier League push.

 

Plus about 250k from the gate.

 

 

 

Up next...we have nearly 30 players on international duty, so our next match away to Ipswich has been pushed back to the end of the month.

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - FA Youth Cup

 

In some good news, our under 18s are into their 5th straight FA Youth Cup final, after overturning a 0-1 deficit against Liverpool.

The kids will take on Chelsea, looking to lift the Cup for the 5th straight season.

[Sonic Youth]

It would have to be an ex-IoL player who dumps you out of the FA Cup  

Time to focus on the league!

[Sonic Youth]

1 hour ago, Punch said:

MAR 2034 - Youth Intake

 

The class of 34 has arrived

 

The stars don't show a lot of hope for this intake.

 

The PA show a slightly better picture, but I think there are a few of these kids that will not even get picked up.

A few decent looking prospects in the striking area, if they can reach their potential.

 

It's an interesting comparison, as on attributes alone, 34p Lewis Wood is the 4th highest rated player. But when you take into account his CA/PA, he is not far from already having reached his potential, so there will probably not be much growth.

 

Top 3

  Reveal hidden contents

Looks like a potential quality striker, if we can get his pace and finishing stats up. Also has the potential to cut his teeth in midfield, like Millington, who has become our best player. All about weather we can get him to his potential ability.

 

One of the best right backs we have produced for a while, with some good stats already. And a cool name to boot.

 

Another striker, this one has good pace, just need to work on those finishing stats. Another with good potential.

 

 

Overall, a disappointing intake, but their are some players that could make the step up.

Was thinking reading through this that our current season leading scorer Andrew Earl, was rated poorly at intake, and almost didn't get picked up, yet he is now on track to score 60 goals in two season in The Championship, and has been a massive part of our push towards the Premier League.

Also, this is our first intake with zero IoM natives. Plenty of English kids, but none from the Isle.

It would be good to see the personalities of the youth intakes if possible, as the three you showed are fantastic! A bit of development, but sure look like they’ll do well.

[Punch]

8 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

It would have to be an ex-IoL player who dumps you out of the FA Cup  

Time to focus on the league!

Yeah, he is a very good player, I am honestly surprised he is on loan down in the Championship and hasn't made it into the Premier League set up yet.

 

8 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

It would be good to see the personalities of the youth intakes if possible, as the three you showed are fantastic! A bit of development, but sure look like they’ll do well.

I will see if I can find a view that shows them all tonight. It was the biggest spread of PA we have had for a while.

It was certainly very interesting to compare what the stars show, Vs what the attributes show Vs what the CA/PA shows. All three tell very different stories.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Match Day 40 - At Ipswich Town FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Three goals in seven minutes in the second half allowed us to run over the top of Ipswich.

They held on to level at half time, but we applied to much pressure, and once we got a crack, the flood gates opened.

Earl continued on his merry way, scoring at will.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A draw for Swansea sends us back top by a single point, with 6 games to play.

 

 

Up next...23rd place Bristol travel to The Bowl.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - Under 18's Win again

Our Under 18s continue their winning ways, this time taking out another Division 3 League Cup.

 

Along with the League title, this marks the 6th consecutive season we have lifted the League Cup.

 

They are still in the hunt for a 5th straight treble, with a two legged tie for the FA Youth Cup to come.

[Punch]

MAR 2034 - International Reports

 

FC Isle of Man welcome two new Senior Internationals.

Oliver Wylie and Gary Gowdy became our 3rd and 4th Senior Internationals, with Gowdy making a goal scoring debut.

Suk-Kuen and Sheridan continued their international careers, with Suk-Kuen scoring at international level again.

 

We also had a mass of Youth Internationals representing this month.

 

Our first Senior International Suk-Kuen has now represented on 20 occasions, and scored 5 times.

Sheridan has now collected 15 caps.

After 31 Youth Caps, Wylie became our 3rd Senior International.

After 20 Youth Caps, and being our leading Youth International scorer, Gowdy became our 4th Senior International, and scoring on debut.

We also welcomed Youth Internationals number 61 and 62.

[Punch]

MAR 2034

Two wins a draw and a loss in the League, and we exited the FA Cup in the Quarter Final. A mixed month indeed.

 

The Analyst is still pretty happy with our performances at the moment.

 

If we make it to the Premier League, those first 5 players are going to form the spine of this club for many years to come. If we can keep them.

 

6 games to play, 1 point between first and second. This is going to go down to the last day I think.

 

Even though we made the FA Cup Quarter Final, we didn't get a big pay day this season, so the bank balance is still heading backwards, but is still OK for now.

 

This one came out of the blue, when Tottenham offered me an interview and then the job, and 115k per week, dwarfing my current 4.6k p/wk deal.

 

They were my 46th interview, and 19th job offer. The biggest club by far that has approached me in my career to date.

 

6 games to decide the title. It seems promotion the the Premier League should almost be assured, just depends on if we can go up as winners.

Another footnote, Our final game of the season against Southend, should also be our last ever game at The Bowl.

The Bowl has been our nest since we started way back in the 10th Division, 14 years ago.

I guess there would be something symmetric about entering our new nest, as we enter the Premier League.

It's all coming together.

[Sonic Youth]

That’s a lot of youth internationals! Gowdy really looks like he’s stepping up this season. Good thing too, as your going to the Prem. The sprint for the title is now on 

 

[Punch]

9 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

Gowdy really looks like he’s stepping up this season

He is improving as a player, just got to get him putting the ball in the back of the net more. He is one of our few forwards who as less goals than xG. But I guess that will improve with more experience, as he has also spent more time playing on the wings.

 

9 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

The sprint for the title is now on

Going to be a very close race I think. We have been swapping positions for a few months now.

[Punch]

APR 2034 - Match Day 41 - Vs Bristol Rovers FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A stunning result as we put Bristol through the ringer.

Five different goal scorers, and it could have been six, but for Hodgson missing his first penalty.

Our defence kept the visitors from mustering a single shot on target.

 

This result guarantees our best ever finish position.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We remain in 1st place, with a play off position at worst now secured, although I would be disappointed if we were involved in play offs this season.

Swansea are also confirmed to be in the play offs at worst, while Rotherham have been confirmed relegated back to League One.

 

 

Up next...our push for the Premier League continues as 14th place Portsmouth travel to The Bowl.

[Punch]

APR 2034 - Match Day 42 - Vs Portsmouth FC

 

 

Match Report

Spoiler

In one of the most bizarre games of my management career, we secured promotion to the Premier League after a 10 goal thriller.

BY 35 minutes we'd taken a 3-0 lead and seemed to be cruising to victory, but Portsmouth kept chipping away, and by 72 minutes had leveled the scores.

After sending a rocket into my guys from the sideline, what happened next was remarkable, as we scored 4 goals in the next 12 minutes to blow them off the park 7-3.

Such a strange game, but we've never done things the easy way.

 

After his penalty miss in the last game, Hodgson hit back with this stunner from some distance for his first free kick of the season.

 

So promotion to the Premier League is secured, we now have 4 games remaining to fight for the title.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We still hold a one point lead over Swansea, have have also been promoted to the Premier League.

The fight for the title continues.

 

 

Up next...we travel to 15th place Crystal Palace.

[Punch]

APR 2034 - The title race is on

 

After 42 games, the season turns into a 4 game shoot out for the title.

Neither of us really has an advantage over the other in terms of games to play, so it will depend on who can hold their nerve, and who blinks first.

[Sonic Youth]

Congrats on promotion to the PL 

That Portsmouth result is wild, like Hodgson’s free kick 

[Jtomsett11]

Excellent work on the promotion! Easily a few seasons ahead of me with Jersey and you've not made any signings so super impressive!