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

[Punch]

32 minutes ago, vara said:

that run of fixtures cant get much more challenging and you've come through it quite well!

great cup progress too! 

I think I have gotten very lucky that I have managed to keep together a secondary squad that are very capable at this level as well, or at least so it seems.

But it has been a tough last few weeks, there are some very tired bodies in the squad.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - FA Cup 3rd Round - At Rotherham United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Job done! A good performance as we put 4 past Rotherham on our way to the 4th Round.

Michael Pilkington got us on the board after 28 minutes, before Rotherham hit back 5 minutes later to level the scores.

Earl Lea put us back in front pretty quickly, before Pilkington scored his second to have us 3-1 up at the break.

The second half was a pretty tight affair, with not a huge amount of chances created, but a highlight was Andrew Earl deciding to take on the entire Rotherham team, and go on a great solo run in injury time, before slotting the ball home to complete the scoring at 4-1.

 

Lee Bowyer was not impressed with our performance...

I wanted to say "We just thrashed them 4-1, and we currently hold the FA Cup. Tell that muppet to take Becks and have a lie down...", but unfortunately FM doesn't allow that response

Instead I took the diplomatic approach and didn't address him at all.

 

 

 

Round 4 Draw

Spoiler

Away to The Dons for Round 4.

 

We have a decent record against them, but it has been some time since we met.

 

 

Up next...we actually have  a full week to prepare for a tough match against 6th place Wolves.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - Match Day 23 - Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Amazing what a full week without a game can do, as we returned to our attacking best against Wolves, in front of a full house at The Isle.

We scored consistently though the match, beginning with Wes Heys in the 9th minute.

John Wright and Gary Gowdy also scored first half goals to send to the break 3-0 up.

It stayed that was until near the final 10 minutes when we went on a 3 goal burst in 4 minutes.

 

Starting with a John Hodgson penalty, his third of the season to make it 4-0.

Almost immediately after the kick off, Aled Harden made it 5-0, before Wright completed his brace a few minutes later to make it 6-0.

Wolves pulled one back in injury time, to make the final score 6-1, and send The Isle faithful home in a happy mood.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We jump to 4th, as a lot of teams around us lost.

At the other end, Fulham finally won their first game of the season, knocking over Forest.

 

 

Up next...we stay at home this time welcoming 12th place Norwich.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - Papa Johns Trophy

The Under 23s continued their Pizza Cup defence, beating Rochdale to make the Semi Final.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - Match Day 24 - Vs Norwich City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

AS a manager who has always had an attacking mentality, nothing drives me crazy like 0-0 scorelines.

That's what we had to settle for today, as neither side could find the target.

The visitors, with 55% of possession, could only manage one shot on target, and seemed happier to play not to lose, rather than trying to win.

While we got a point out of it, the game itself was more disappointing than the result.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We stay 4th as Arsenal and Wolves lost back to back games, and Chelsea could only draw as well.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Stadium MK, to take on MK Dons in our second FA Cup game for the month, the 4th Round.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - FA Cup 4th Round - At MK Dons

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A five star performance as we put The Dons through the ringer at Stadium MK.

We consistently applied pressure on their defence, and managed 5 different goal scorers before the game was done.

Up 2-0 by half time, we went on with the job in the second half to storm into the 5th Round.

 

 

 

Round 5 Draw

Spoiler

We get Leeds at The Isle

 

A close history makes for a tough looking match.

 

 

Up next...the second leg of the League Cup Semi Final, at home to Tottenham, with the tie in the balance after a 2-2 first leg.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - League Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg - Vs Tottenham Hotspur

 

Match Report

Spoiler

After rescuing a late draw in the first leg, we come from behind in the second to book our place in consecutive finals.

Spurs scored early to take a 2-3 aggregate lead after 7 minutes.

Wes Heys put us back on level terms on 20 minutes with a stinging drive that somehow missed everything and everyone and found it's way into the net.

The scores stayed level until just after the hour mark, when keeper Hodgson found defender Marcus Slack who had made his way forward and found enough space to unleash a shot, which gave us the lead.

Eight minutes later Slack was at it again, heading home a corner to put us 3-1 up (5-3 on aggregate) and we managed to hold the visitors out for the final 20 minutes.

 

 

Final Draw

Spoiler

United thumped City, so we will face the other side of Manchester in this years Final, after going down to City last season.

 

We have a poor record against the Red side of Manchester, although we did thrash them 5-1 in the season opener.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we travel to 9th place Aston Villa.

[Sonic Youth]

Another cup final! Going to be tough match though.

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Another cup final! Going to be tough match though.

Yep, very tough match, that to be honest we could do without, but exciting to get there for a second year in a row all the same.

[Punch]

JAN 2037 - Match Day 25 - At Aston Villa FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Villa have indeed been red hot lately, and we really struggled to get anything going in attack.

We took the lead after a Marcus Slack cross found the head of Earl Lea, who directed the ball into the net to put us up 1-0.

Villa then hit back with two goals in five minutes, to take the lead by half time.

The second half was pretty dour with the game bogging down in the midfield, and neither side creating many chances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Our first loss for a while and we drop to 5th, and it's still a very tight table.

 

 

Up next...12th place Everton travel to The Isle.

[Punch]

JAN 2037

A monster month with 5 League games, and 4 Cup games, and we battled through immensely well, suffering only the one loss in the last match.

Fatigue has been a big issue this month, but with careful rotation, and picking and choosing which matches to hold players back from, we seem to have managed it pretty well.

 

The Analyst is still pretty happy. We have one of the best attacks in the Premier League, and the defence has been solid.

 

Holding down 5th spot after our last up loss.

 

Wright just keeps going from strength to strength, picking up the Young Player of the Month award.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

Both keepers are still performing exceptionally well.

 

Defence

So much extra rotation has been required this year with the extra games, especially this month, but the players just keep stepping up when needed and getting the job done.

 

Midfield

The usual suspects doing their usual good work.

Rotation again required, and I have been impressed by Hoey, who has spent time at midfield, and striker, and also Christian and Tamara, who have shown glimpses of what they might be capable of in coming years, when presented with opportunities.

 

Forwards

A lot happening here with plenty of players required due to rotation needed.

Three players have now hit double figures in goals.

 

Young Tarawallie was on international duty, representing Sierra Leone at the African Cup of Nations.

 

Another good month financially, the TV money is just insane, especially at our wage spend

 

Those 50% clauses also make for some tasty bonuses, we will get over £310k for this sell on clause.

 

The February schedule is much calmer after the last two months, so hopefully I can freshen up some legs before the Europa League kicks off again in March.

[Jtomsett11]

Next month doesn't look too bad! Your form in the cups has also been insane,  have you ever lost to anyone other than a really good side?

[Punch]

7 hours ago, Jtomsett11 said:

Next month doesn't look too bad! Your form in the cups has also been insane,  have you ever lost to anyone other than a really good side?

It's been a while, probably have to look back to when we were a lower division team, getting beaten up by the EFL teams.

Lucky to have a solid set of back up players, who don't seem to mind being back up players though.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - Match Day 26 - Vs Everton

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We come from behind late to beat Everton, who put up a good fight at The Isle.

The visitors got the early goal, and try as we might, we were unable to score, trailing 0-1 at half time.

We came out with attacking intent in the second half, but it wasn't until the 69th minute that we got back on level terms, through an own goal no less.

Ten minutes later Gary Gowdy blasted a shot home to put us in the lead 2-1.

It took only two minutes for substitute Martin Challinor to make it 3-1, nicely heading home a cross.

That would be the final score as Everton ran out of steam.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Up to 4th as we jump the beaten Wolves.

 

 

Up next...our FA Cup defence continues as we host Leeds in the 5th Round.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - FA Cup 5th Round - Vs Leeds United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

It took us a while but we finally got the job done against Leeds at The Isle.

Our defence kept Leeds pretty quiet for the entire game, but our attack was a bit stuttering in the first half, creating plenty of chances, but not being able to finish them off.

It took until the 73rd minute before Gary Gowdy volleyed home a Marcus Slack cross to finally give us the lead.

Andrew Earl came off the bench to finally kill off the match in the 88th minute.

John Wright added the icing to the cake heading home our third goal in injury time.

3-0 seems comfortable, but we made harder work of it than it should have been.

 

 

 

Quarter Final Draw

Spoiler

We will host Middlesbrough in the Quarter Final.

 

We have won both previous meetings, but that was 4 years ago.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we take on last place Fulham at Craven Cottage.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - Papa Johns Trophy Semi Final

Our Under 23s are through to their third straight Pizza Cup Final after thumping Liverpool U23s.

 

We will take on Man City U23s in the Final, after they knocked out Millwall.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - Match Day 27 - At Fulham FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The Cottagers have only won two games all season, and we put in a dominant performance to make sure there wouldn't be number three against us.

Aled Harden got us on the board early, and we continued pressing.

We were rewarded with our second goal just after the half hour mark when Earl Lea forced a mistake at the back and snuck in for a 2-0 lead.

We kept pressing after the break, but it wasn't until just after the hour mark that the game was finally killed off when Captain Pat Millington fired a bullet from outside the area to put us 3-0 up.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Back to back wins keep us in 4th place, with a circling pack right behind us.

 

 

Up next...only a short break before our catch up game away to 13th place Leicester.

[TelcontarTargaryen]

A bit late, but congratulations to your first major trophy, the FA Cup. Great achievement to win all three of the FA cup trophies.

[Punch]

4 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

A bit late, but congratulations to your first major trophy, the FA Cup. Great achievement to win all three of the FA cup trophies.

Thank you!

Definitely a unique bit of history. Would be cool to see a club do it for real, but probably very unlikely.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - Match Day 28 - At Leicester City FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

An early goal and a solid defensive display allowed us to take advantage of our game in hand at King Power Stadium.

Martin Challinor got us on the board after just 3 minutes and allowed us to control the game.

Even though The Foxes had their chances, we were able to keep them out, and just before half time, Lewis Hoey made it 2-0.

The second half continued to produce some attacking football, but our defence held firm, John Wright sealing the points and making it 3-0 just after the hour mark.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We remain 4th after our third straight win, but winning the game in hand has meant we now have a slight break over the chasing pack.

 

 

Up next...off to Wembley, for the League Cup Final against Man U.

[Punch]

FEB 2037 - Second Knock Out Round Draw

 

We learned our opponent for the next stage, and it's a familiar foe...

 

AS Roma who we were grouped with are our opponent for the next round.

 

We took a win each in the group stage, with us thrashing them 5-0 at home, before they stumbled to a narrow win against our rotated squad, after both team had already secured qualification.

 

Should be an interesting match up, with much more on the line this time around.

The Board only wanted us to reach this stage, so if we can get past Roma, they will be exceptionally happy.

[Punch]

FEB 2037

A quieter month this month, and we made the most of it, winning all four games, scoring three goals in every game, and conceding only one for the month.

 

The Analyst is happy with our performance, as you would expect.

 

We hold down 4th place.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

John Hodgson still performing like he is one of the best keepers in the Premier League.

 

Defence

Plenty to like from the defensive unit still, while they don't score a lot, they do provide a lot.

 

Midfield

The midfield continues to perform well. Lewis Hoey is starting to push Archie Adams for starting time.

 

Forwards

Gowdy has hit 20 goals, and Wright needs one more to join him. There are several others pushing double figures as well.

 

We made a small profit this month.

 

We get a small add on from one of our transfers.

 

Our Training Facilities have been upgraded. The Youth upgrade will be completed soon.

 

We are still at the bottom of this list, and I expect to be for a while, although there are a few players pushing for new contracts, which might push us upwards soon.

 

League Cup Final, Europa League Second Knockout Round, and an FA Cup Quarter Final...oh, and we need to fit three League games in there as well.

Big month coming up.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - League Cup Final - Vs Manchester United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We put our foot on their throat in the first minute, and we never let go.

A stunning result as we lift our first ever League Cup title by beating the heavily favoured Red Devils 3-1 at Wembley.

In fact, we scored all four goals, starting in the first minute, with Michael Pilkington, in for the rested Gary Gowdy, firing a rocket through the Man U defences, that shocked them, and they never really recovered.

John Wright doubled the lead on 14 minutes with a great run and delicate finish, showing the composure of a striker with much more experience, but executed brilliantly to put us 2-0 up.

A deflected cross gave Man U a chance with the score at 2-1, but it's as close as they would come.

Just before the hour mark, Aled Harden rose highest to meet a Kyle Christian cross, and headed home to give us a 3-1 advantage, that we would not relinquish.

We cruised to an unexpected victory, and lifted another trophy in this clubs short history.

 

We also collected over £1.2 million for our share of the gate.

 

Regardless of what happens, we are going to be playing in Europe again next season.

 

Another pretty trophy to add to our growing cabinet.

 

Champions and biggest over achievers.

 

 

Up next...not much time to celebrate as things start heating up in Europe. We travel to Italy, to take on Roma in the 1st Leg of the Second Knockout Round of the Europa Cup.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Second Knockout Round 1st Leg - At AS Roma

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Half way there. A brilliant result as we beat Roma in Italy, and keep them scoreless.

 

We have a goalkeeper goal in Europe, as Hodgson smashes home this effort from distance to give us the lead on 15 minutes.

We always looked the more likely, but Roma didn't let us get away, and it took until the 70th minute before we finally finished the game off, with John Wright tapping home a Pat Millington cross, to finish the 1st Leg at 2-0.

 

In a weeks time we do it all again, 90 minutes away from a Quarter Final spot.

 

 

Up next...a tough ask on a short turn around as we travel to Tottenham.

Edited April 30, 2022 by Punch

[Sonic Youth]

Amazing couple of results, especially the cup win against Man Utd 

Season is successful no matter what now, though still a lot to play for  

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Amazing couple of results, especially the cup win against Man Utd 

Season is successful no matter what now, though still a lot to play for  

We put them on the back foot straight away and they never really recovered.

Exciting to tick that one off. I think we get a set of steak knives for winning all the Cups now

[Sonic Youth]

32 minutes ago, Punch said:

Exciting to tick that one off. I think we get a set of steak knives for winning all the Cups now

Man Utd would want those knives kept away from them after that cup final game 

[Punch]

21 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Man Utd would want those knives kept away from them after that cup final game 

Ole will be tearing them a new one

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Match Day 29 - At Tottenham Hotspur

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A very tired performance as we suffered from our Europe exploits, facing an in form Spurs outfit on one days rest.

I was forced to rest and rotate a lot of players, as we have the 2nd Leg coming up in a few days.

Our rotated patch work squad were not able to get anything going though, and were on the back foot conceding an early goal, and we never recovered, eventually going down 0-3.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Disappointing timing of this match, as the result means we have now fallen into striking distance of the teams below us down to 7th.

 

 

Up next...Roma travel to The Isle for our 2nd Leg match, where we hold a 2-0 advantage.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - 2nd Knockout Round 2nd Leg - Vs AS Roma

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We've done it! Through to the Quarter Final!

Carrying a 2-0 lead from the 1st Leg, we didn't sit back, managing a goal either side of half time from Earl Lea to take us to a 4-0 aggregate lead, just before the hour mark.

This effectively killed the game off as a contest, and while Roma did manage a late goal, we advance to the next round with a 4-1 win.

 

The prize money keeps rolling in from Europe.

 

 

Quarter Final Draw

Spoiler

We will face German side Hertha Berlin, with the 1st Leg being played at The Isle.

 

Man City still in the fold as well.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as Southampton travel to The Isle.

[Sonic Youth]

Congrats on reaching the quarterfinals! Some big teams left, with Hertha Berlin a fairly kind draw.

It’s looking like squad management is key for the rest of the season.

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Congrats on reaching the quarterfinals! Some big teams left, with Hertha Berlin a fairly kind draw.

It’s looking like squad management is key for the rest of the season.

Thanks!

Yeah, a lot of extra games this season, and it's starting to show.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Match Day 30 - Vs Southampton FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Our unbeaten home record came under threat from The Saints, before a very late goal rescued a draw.

It was a tight affair at The Isle, and the visitors got on the board first after 18 minutes.

We had to chase the game, but couldn't get anything going, until the 87th minute when Gary Gowdy, coming off the bench, latched onto a Lewis Hoey cross and smashed home and equaliser, to salvage a point.

Not our best performance, but good to see us stay at it.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Despite the draw, we dropped to 6th after those around us won.

 

 

Up next...a massive clash at The Isle as 2nd place Man City arrive for our catch up game.

[Sonic Youth]

Lots of green circles in the top 6 placed teams form, with Arsenal starting to join the clubs. Going to be a challenging last eight games of the season.

[Punch]

3 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

Lots of green circles in the top 6 placed teams form, with Arsenal starting to join the clubs. Going to be a challenging last eight games of the season.

Pretty close season, although the title looks like a fight between the Manchesters.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Youth Intake

The class of 2037 has arrived, and while the preview didn't provide much in the way of optimism, on stars alone, this is one of our worst intake ever.

 

The attribute, and CA/PA scores seem to confirm that is the case, although there are a couple of players that might hold a chance of making it to the rotation.

A real mixed bag on the attributes compared to PA, and we seemed to have a lot of central midfielders in this intake, which the top two have potential to be two of our best Central Midfielders, if they can reach their full potential.

Only one player from The Isle this year, although he does look like he might have some potential as an AM(L), and possibly a striker.

 

The Top 4

Spoiler

Lee is a solid looking central midfielder, with the potential to be one of our best if he can reach that high.

 

A second central midfielder, while he lacks the pace of Lee, he looks to be a solid prospect.

 

Mitchell is our only IoM player in this intake, and will start out being trained as a Left Winger. If he can get his finishing stats up, he is a potential striking option as well.

 

Hough is another Left winger who possibly has the potential to be a part of the rotation, if he can reach his max potential.

 

 

All in all, not much to get excited about, but the preview told us as much.

But after all that, there are a few prospects, that could still become first team potentials.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Match Day 31 - Vs Manchester City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We continued our unbeaten run at home, but only just.

A tough fight at The Isle against the Championship contenders, with Aled Harden smashing home a great volley from a Pat Millington cross on 18 minutes to give us the lead.

An arm wrestle followed and it looked like we might have been doing enough to hold the visitors out, before a brilliant free kick leveled the scores near the hour mark.

City looked the more likely from that point, trying to keep pace with their Red rivals, but the game ultimately ended up a 1-1 draw.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We jumped back to 5th, but we also gave United a 2 point gap at the top.

 

 

Up next...FA Cup Quarter Final time as we host Middlesbrough at The Isle.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - FA Cup Quarter Final - Vs Middlesbrough FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Seventh heaven indeed as Boro are unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup.

The visitors started positively, even coming close to scoring early as a shot from distance almost caught Hodgson out of position, but thankfully it smacked against the bar and was scurried away to safety.

The tide then started to turn and we started applying the pressure to their defence, and we finally got them to crack in the 38th and 40th minutes as Michael Pilkington scored a first half brace, to take us to the half time break at 2-0.

After the break, the Ravens went crazy, and no mercy was shown as we peeled off 5 second half goals.

Andrew Earl scored a brace, before Pilkington completed his hat-trick on 76 minutes.

There was more to come as Pilkington netted his fourth goal just before full time, and then in injury time, John Wright came off the bench to net our 7th, to complete a game of total domination.

 

A good chunk from the gate as well.

 

Surely the warm smile meant he's taking the pi$$ right

 

 

Semi Final Draw

Spoiler

A replay of last seasons Final, as we host The Gunners in the Semi Final.

 

We've had a great record against them since we joined the Premier League.

 

 

Up next...an international break to end the month, before we return to League action with Forest traveling to The Isle.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - FA Youth Cup

After winning 6 in a row, our Under 18's missed out last season, crashing out in the 6th round.

But they're back up to old tricks this season, qualifying for their 7th final, in 8 seasons.

[Punch]

MAR 2037 - Internationals

Plenty of players on international duty this month, but again, just concentrating on the seniors now.

We had three players make their senior debut as well.

 

Senior internationals 14, 15, and 16.

Kim Suk-Kuen earned his 50th cap.

Aled Harden keeps scoring at will.

[Punch]

MAR 2037

A great month started with winning our first League Cup, before advancing to the Europa League Quarter Final, around a belting from Tottenham.

We didn't win a League game this month, drawing our next two, before smashing Boro in the FA Cup Quarter Final.

 

The Analyst is happy, although we have slipped a little in the attacking side.

 

No wins in the League this month means we slipped to 6th.

We will be in a European competition of some sort regardless after winning the League Cup.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

Hodgson has been brilliant, and Jensen still performing well when called on.

 

Defence

Still plenty of great numbers from the defensive unit, happy with this lot.

 

Midfield

Solid contributions from the central midfield as well. A lot has been asked of them this season, so there has been a lot of rotation.

 

Forwards

Another area where rotation has been key, and it's been working well, as we now have 6 players who have reached double figures in goals.

 

Another good month financially.

 

After the training facilities were complete last month, the Youth Facilities have been completed this month.

 

The Board are also happy as they have now deemed us an established Premier League team, and ahead of schedule.

 

Four League games, a Europe Quarter Final, and an FA Cup Semi Final, a busy month coming up.

[RoguPL]

Just caught up with this thread !  (it took me a while)

and WOW you have came a long long way to get to where you are ! 

Europe looks like a walk in the park for you  Except one Roma result. 

Fingers crossed for a CL spot next season ! 

All in All, tons of great work, congratulations ! 

[Punch]

4 hours ago, RoguPL said:

Just caught up with this thread !  (it took me a while)

and WOW you have came a long long way to get to where you are ! 

Europe looks like a walk in the park for you  Except one Roma result. 

Fingers crossed for a CL spot next season ! 

All in All, tons of great work, congratulations ! 

Thanks for the feedback!

It's been a hell of a ride, but a lot of fun.

[TelcontarTargaryen]

One questions, or rather two or three of them.. Given that your keeper is the one taking free kicks, does he only take the direct ones? I mean do you have outfield players set up taking the others, and keeper(s) only taking direct free kicks and penalties?

The other question is, how often, if at all, do you concede goals after your attacking free kicks are turned into opposition counter-attacks?

The most important question, how much, if at all, keeper taking set pieces, helps you score from free kicks, either direct ones but also the ones that do not go directly, but with keeper taking shots, you have all ten players available to wait in the opposition penalty area to pounce on a rebound, or I would assume so?

P.S. Congratulations on another cup. I guess you have all the FA/professional cup trophies now in your cabinet.

[Punch]

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

Given that your keeper is the one taking free kicks, does he only take the direct ones? I mean do you have outfield players set up taking the others, and keeper(s) only taking direct free kicks and penalties?

Keepers all the way

 

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

how often, if at all, do you concede goals after your attacking free kicks are turned into opposition counter-attacks?

I have honestly not seen any that I can remember. But I also set up with a couple of players hanging back behind the play, so that there is some bodies in the way to give the keeper a chance to get back.

I asked this same question of others when I started this, and they hadn't seen it happen often enough to worry about either.

 

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

but with keeper taking shots, you have all ten players available to wait in the opposition penalty area to pounce on a rebound, or I would assume so?

Per above, leave a few players behind the ball to run interference and give the keeper a chance to get back

 

3 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

P.S. Congratulations on another cup. I guess you have all the FA/professional cup trophies now in your cabinet.

Thank you!

Yes I think we have them all now. I believe the FA is sending us a set of steak knives for our efforts

[Punch]

APR 2037 - Papa Johns Trophy Final

Our Under 23's have done it again, taking out the Pizza Cup for the 3rd straight year.

 

Three in a row for our U23s, and our club has won 4 of the last 6.

 

[Punch]

APR 2037 - Match Day 32 - Vs Nottingham Forest

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A match we dominated, but took over an hour to take control of, before blowing Forest off the park in the final 30 minutes.

The first half was a pretty tight affair, heading to the break 0-0, was probably a bit disappointing as we had our chances.

It took over an hour before Gary Gowdy finally got us on the board with a cracking strike, which looked like it might be enough.

But in the final 10 minutes, we finally opened the floodgates, with Gowdy completing his brace on 88 minutes, before John Wright and Dave Keogh piled on the misery for the visitors in the final few minutes.

A 4-0 scoreline possibly flattered us somewhat, but we had been the better team all game.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A tight table means a draw drops Tottenham two places as we and Arsenal jump over them.

 

 

Up next...Europa League Quarter Final time as we welcome German side Hertha Berlin to The Isle for the 1st Leg.

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APR 2037 - Title Race preview

Interesting that from 5th, we are considered title contenders, but Chelsea in 4th, are not

We have a tough finish to the season, away to Liverpool, and then home to Chelsea.

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APR 2037 - Quarter Final 1st Leg - Vs Hertha Berlin SC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

It may seem strange to be disappointed in winning a European Quarter Final, but in reality, this tie should be over already.

We got the ball in the net 4 times, but had 3 of them ruled out, Gary Gowdy twice before half time.

 

John Hodgson smashed home the one that did count, but the scoreline in this one could have been anything up to 4-0.

 

So we take a 1-0 lead to Germany in a weeks time, instead of being comfortable, any slip ups now and we are in trouble.

 

 

Up next...Back to League action as 18th place Burnley travel to The Isle.

[Punch]

APR 2037 - Match Day 33 - Vs Burnley FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A slightly rotated squad after our mid-week game, but they were dominant against lowly Burnley.

Michael Pilkington got us underway on the half hour with a fine strike from the edge of the area, and we took a 1-0 lead to the break.

A pair of second half headed goals from Earl Lea, and substitute Wes Hey kept the scoreboard ticking over, and by the full time whistle, we had taken a comfortable 3-0 victory, and wrapped up three more points.

A good day at the office all around, and I got to rest some players in preparation for the 2nd Leg of the European tie.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Arsenal drew, and Chelsea didn't play, so for the moment we have jumped into 4th place.

 

 

Up next...We're off to Germany, for the 2nd Leg of the Europa Quarter Final tie, against Hertha Berlin, holding a 1-0 lead.