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

[Punch]

2036-2037 Season Review - Stats

 

We played a whopping 64 competitive matches this season, not including pre-season friendlies, and a number of players also had internationals thrown in as well, it made for a monster season.

 

Goalkeepers

Hodgson raked up his 300th appearance for the club in the Europa final, and he is still only 23. His performances this season were brilliant, leading him to be named the best Footballer in England.

Jensen would probably be good enough to be the starter at most other clubs, but seems happy to be the deputy for now, and is a very handy one at that.

 

A hat-trick in the Europa Final lead to his best return of 11 goals in a season, and took him to 30 career goals.

 

Defence

All the defenders put in great performances whenever they were called on. With so many games, there was a lot of rotation required.

 

Midfield

Plenty of rotation in the center of midfield as well, particularly impressed with the performances of Lewis Hoey, who has at times kept Archie Adams out of the team.

 

Forwards

Gary Gowdy - 52 goal involvements Incredible performance this season.

Six players here made double figures in goals, plus Hodgson makes seven all up.

Again, a massive amount of rotation required, and a lot of impressive players putting up great numbers whenever they were called on.

 

Aled Harden broke the key passes record which had stood since our very first season, and came within one of the assists record from the same season.

 

No goals for Williams this season, but he has climbed to within 4 games of Jordan Jack's all time appearances record.

 

Up next...Attribute Reviews.

[Punch]

2036-2037 Season Review - Attributes

 

That favourite time of year where we get to see how players have developed, or not, over the course of the season.

 

Goalkeepers

Hodgson has reached potential, but is still head and shoulders above the rest of the squad, and the League.

Jensen continues to be a reliable back up.

Dan Kearns is an exciting prospect.

Andy Cusato is a very exciting future prospect, with a higher PA than Hodgson, and an IoM native to boot. It's a juicy proposition the day he starts to challenge our current number one.

 

Defence

 

Center

Dave Keogh is still the best Central Defender, but there are plenty of capable options when rotation is required.

The highly rated Neil Forrest has come along massively this season, and may be pushing for game time next season.

 

Right

Kearney the clear number one, with the ever improving Kazalac a huge improvement, and capable back up.

 

Left

Smith the number one, with Reid slowly improving.

Crosby has had a massive improvement, and may be pushing for game time soon.

 

Midfield

 

Ball Winning Midfielders

Adams is still number one, but plenty of the AP's can also play here, so there is going to be plenty of competition next season.

 

Advanced Play Makers

So many options in this area, while Millington is still number one, and a lot of these guys can play BWM as well, so plenty of options available when rotation required.

 

Attacking Right

While Challinor is the number one, Aled Harden made this spot his own this season.

 

Attacking Left

Plenty of options available, plenty of game time shared around as rotation requires.

 

Forwards

Lewis Hoey has had a huge improvement, but will spend most of his time in midfield, while Harden plays on the Right.

Gowdy and Wright continue to be the most lethal combination in the League.

Gakou has stalled, and can't seem to find his way in the first team, so I have decided to give him a season out on loan to see if he can get it together.

 

Best XI

A lot of blue, and our average has snuck over the 80 point mark.

We have a lot of options available all over the park, and a lot of players who are more than capable in multiple positions.

Next season is looking good, while the future is still looking bright.

[Punch]

JUN 2037

 

There has been a lot going on during the off season...

 

Situation normal, as the Chairman wins re-election and keeps his seat for another three years.

 

We broke our attendance record at The Isle this season.

Will be interesting to see how playing in the 50+k seat Anfield will effect us next season.

 

We now have a European ranking, coming in at 67th place.

 

Internationals

Two new Senior Internationals as Dave Keogh and Obinna Tamara collect their first caps.

 

I hadn't had an interview for a while, but Chelsea tried for the second time...

 

...but then declined me for the second time

This was my 50th interview offer.

 

A loss...and player wages are through the roof. I will cover that later, but we are spending a lot more on wages this season.

 

Massive money still.

 

Brighton and both Sheffield team will join us in the Premier League this season.

 

West Ham away to start the season, before debuting in our temporary 'home' of Anfield against Wolves. We will then be the away side at the same ground to take on Liverpool

 

The highest the Bookies have ever put us, and still middle of the pack.

 

We've formed a partnership with Southend, which is the first one we have had.

I have made the decision to go back to sending players who are not playing out on loan this season, so will be interesting to see if they take any up.

 

Our win in the Europa League means we get a trip to Sweden to take on PSG in the Super Cup.

 

While our FA Cup win sends us to Wembley to start the season against League winners Man U, in the Community Shield.

 

Friendly season.

We kick of with a friendly at Anfield against City of Liverpool, before a training camp in New York, and then a few more games to get used to our temporary home ground, before the season kicks off.

[Punch]

JUL 2037

A good pre-season with plenty of hit outs to get some running in plenty of legs.

 

A new contract was offered an accepted, looks like I am a Raven for another 5 years.

 

Another solid month financially.

 

We sent Pearce on his way, he had struggled to get any first team time so we let him go for more first team action.

 

We have plenty of room in the budgets, but we are now spending massively more on wages then we had been previously.

I spent a lot of time in the off season upgrading contracts, to reflect the players performances over the last few years.

 

I also made the decision to start loaning out players who were not quite good enough for first team, as the 23's squad was getting bloated.

We have sent plenty of players out to see if they can get more first team play.

Our new partner, Southend, have taken the chance to grab a few players as well.

 

We have moved up the ranks of match day and ticket revenue.

Will be interesting to see how the upgraded stadium changes this next season.

 

Time to get the season underway.

We kick off against Man U in the Community Shield, before the League season starts away to West Ham, then take on the Champions League winners, PSG, in the Euro Super Cup.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Community Shield - Vs Manchester United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

For the second year in a row we go down in the Community Shield.

A dominant performance from League Champions Man U as they took an early lead.

Gary Gowdy thought he had the equaliser on half time, but it was ruled out for offside in the lead up.

John Wright leveled the scores just after the break, guiding home a great through ball from Pat Millington.

Both sides had their chances, but it wasn't to be for the Ravens, as Man U scored the winner on 78 minutes, and then hung on to lift the Shield.

A good solid hit out though, and there was a slight silver lining, taking home over £1.6 million for our share of the gate, from a full house at Wembley.

 

 

Up next...the season proper kicks off as we travel to London to take on West Ham.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Match Day 1 - At West Ham United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A thumping win to get the season underway.

John Wright and Aled Harden scored first half goals to give us a 2-0 lead at the break.

The same paid scored in the second half to complete a brace each, and secure a 4-1 win.

One of our own, former IoM player and academy graduate, Marco Petrosino continued his vein of scoring against us.

A dominant display to start the season.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

 

 

Up next...we are off to Sweden to take on PSG in the European Super Cup.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - European Super Cup - Vs Paris Saint-Germain

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A stunning result as we come from behind twice to beat Champions League winners PSG to claim our first European Super Cup.

PSG seemed in cruise control after scoring early and taking a 0-1 lead at the break.

Just after the hour mark, Captain courageous Pat Millington struck to level the scores, but it was short lived, as PSG took the lead straight back.

PSG seemed to be cruising to victory when late drama unfolded as John wright stole in to pinch a goal at the death to bring us back level, and send the game to extra time.

The flow of the game changed in extra time as we took over control and looked the most likely.

Gary Gowdy hit the post twice, and just as it looked like we would be going to penalties, our bench combined as Martin Challinor latched onto a Taylor Reid cross to put us up 3-2.

A come from behind win for the ages as we continue to turn heads in Europe.

 

 

 

Another pretty trophy to add to our collection.

 

 

Up next...Not much time to celebrate as we are straight back to League action as we welcome Wolves to our temporary home at Anfield.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Match Day 2 - Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We make a winning debut at our 'home' ground, with a dominant display against Wolves.

Gary Gowdy picked up a brace, scoring either side of half time, while Pat Millington continued his great start to the season, rounding out our scoring late in the game.

Wolves pulled one back just before full time, but this was a dominant display where we gave them very few chances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Early days, but only three teams left perfect.

 

 

Up next...we are the away team at our temporary home ground as we take on 3rd place Liverpool.

[Sonic Youth]

Started this season were you’ve left off from last season 

[Punch]

13 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Started this season were you’ve left off from last season 

Good start, the next match will be a big test though.

[Jtomsett11]

I feel like you may go even better this season,  but I won't jinx it!

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Match Day 3 - At Liverpool FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tough fight ends in stalemate at Anfield.

Gary Gowdy gave us the lead in the first half with a well finished goal, created by a Aled Harden cross.

It continued to be a tough battle through the second half, but we couldn't keep the hosts out, conceding just after the hour mark.

Liverpool probably had the better chances, so it was a well earned point 'away' from home.

 

It came at a cost as we have lost Kearney for a few months.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We didn't stay top for long as Man City came over the top the following day, but with Arsenal also beaten, there are no prefect teams left.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Bramall Lane to take on newly promoted Sheffield United.

[Punch]

1 minute ago, Jtomsett11 said:

I feel like you may go even better this season,  but I won't jinx it!

It's been a great pre-season and a good start, but a long way to go, and we are going to have a lot of games to play again this year, so it will be interesting to see how the rotation and management of fatigue/injuries.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - League Cup 3rd Round Draw

The 3rd Round draw send us to Preston North End.

I think I will be using the kids in this Cup this season, after winning it last season, it's a lower priority going forward.

 

We have a decent record against them, although its been some time since we met.

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Champions League Draw

The press have called it a tough group. The draw will send us to Italy, Monaco, and Holland.

 

A nice boost to the finances just for making it the Group Stage.

That money nearly covers our entire stadium expansion cost.

Edited Saturday at 11:09 by Punch

[Punch]

AUG 2037 - Match Day 4 - At Sheffield United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Devastating!

A train wreck for The Blades fans as Gary Gowdy got us on the board after just two minutes, and then completed his brace on the stroke of half time.

The first half didn't show the carnage that was to come.

Pat Millington ran amok scoring just after half time, then completing his own brace on 71 minutes.

Martin Challinor came off the bench to score his own brace in the final 10 minutes, either side of Lewis Hoey's goal.

The 7-0 result, our biggest ever win in the Premier League.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We jump to the top of a 4 way tie at the top of the table.

 

 

 

Up next...an international break before we face Man City at Anfield.

[Punch]

AUG 2037

We started the month with a loss in the Community Shield, but we remained undefeated in the rest of the month.

 

A happy Analyst, solid defence, and the best attack.

 

Harden has been on fire to start the season, being named Young Player of the Month.

 

We are top of the tree in a 4 way tie.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeeper

Hodgson has been brilliant to start the season, although not many clean sheets yet.

Jensen will get his chances later in the season.

 

Defence

The defence has started well, although we will be without Kearney for a few months.

 

Midfield

Millington has been on fire to start the season, while the rest have been rotated as needed.

 

Forwards

An hugely impressive start to the season by the attacking unit, although Heys on the left has started slowly.

 

Our Under 23's will again take part in the Pizza Cup, although it will be interesting to see how they perform without a lot of the players from the last few seasons who have been sent out on loan.

 

Transfers

 

Speaking of, I sent a mass of players out on loan who had not been making it to the first team, so they can get more first team experience, to see if they can either push for our first team, or make an impression and be sold on.

 

Southend making use of our partnership taking their full contingent of 4 players.

 

A good month financially.

 

We sold a massive amount of season tickets, but I guess loaning a 50k seat stadium helps.

 

I finally got the Board to agree to the Training and Youth Facility upgrades, to coincide with our upgraded stadium.

 

We broke our record home attendance in our only home game, although not at our stadium, and the record we broke was from our season at DW Stadium the last time we were upgrading The Isle.

 

We have risen up the tree slightly in the Income table.

 

We nearly tripled our wage spend, and it's still below half of our budget, yet we are dead last still.

£2 million below the average, and over £5 million below Man U.

 

Three League games, the League Cup, and we make our debut in the Champions League.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - Match Day 5 - Vs Manchester City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tough fight at Anfield as we go down.

Archie Adams gave us the lead with a rocket in the 13th minute before the visitors hit straight back to level.

City struck again on the half hour and took a 1-2 lead to the break.

Both sides had their chances in the second half, but we couldn't bridge the gap, and the Citizens took the points.

 

Our 7 game unbeaten run ends.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

The loss drops us to 5th, as there are now just three unbeaten teams.

 

 

Up next...our debut in the Champions League as we welcome AS Monaco to Anfield.

[Sonic Youth]

You’ve settled into life in Anfield 

Man City looks a different team this season. Good result against Liverpool though 

[Punch]

7 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

You’ve settled into life in Anfield 

Man City looks a different team this season. Good result against Liverpool though 

Be interesting to see how we go there. We were terrible at DW Stadium a few years ago, and then were unbeaten back at The Isle last season. Hopefully we go better at Anfield than DW.

City were challenging for the title last year, then fell over in the last two months.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - Group Stage Match 1 - Vs AS Monaco FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Welcome to the Champions League!

A dominant performance as Monaco are put to the sword...eventually.

We played positive football, but couldn't find a way to score in the first half, going to the break at 0-0.

It took something special to get us going straight after half time as Dave Keogh went on a run from the back, and the visitors kept backing off, so he just kept running, all the way into the box and buried his shot to put us in front.

Monaco struggled to get out of our midfield as we kept turning them around, but the game wasn't sealed until Lewis Hoey scored on 80 minutes.

Harry Bannigan added another goal for good measure just before full time to round out an impressive Champions League debut for the club.

 

I had forgotten how good the money was for winning games. A good chunk of change for our first game.

 

I kind of wish we were breaking these records in our own stadium, but I guess we can make do for now.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Lazio won the other match.

 

We sit first due to the goal difference.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we welcome Tottenham to Anfield.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - Match Day 6 - Vs Tottenham Hotspur

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A massive turn around as we come from behind to secure a dominant result over Spurs.

The visitors got on the board early, but it was one of their few chances. The score stayed that way until half time.

The second half started with an attacking flurry, and we were finally rewarded with Gary Gowdy scoring two goals in 4 minutes to put us in front.

Just after the hour, Wes Heys secured the points, and a 3-1 victory, which was a fair reflection of the dominance we displayed.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Getting back on track after a loss jumps us back to 3rd place.

 

 

Up next...our League Cup campaign kicks off away to Preston. I will be playing a fully rotated squad for this one.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - League Cup 3rd Round - At Preston North End FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The rotated squad get the job done at Deepdale.

First half goals to Jordan Williams and Wes Heys sent us to the break 2-0 up.

Colin Rudden sealed it in the final 10 minutes, before Williams completed his brace before full time for a solid 4-0 win to send us to Round 4.

 

 

Round 4 Draw

Spoiler

Round 4 send us to Fulham.

 

Two wins a piece, although we have won the two most recent games.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we travel to Southampton.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - Match Day 7 - At Southampton FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A disappointing performance as we are soundly beaten by The Saints.

Down 0-2 by the half hour, we did get our first penalty of the season near half time.

 

Hodgson scores his first goal of the season to bring us back within one.

But it wouldn't be enough as the hosts closed out the game with a 3rd goal on 68 minutes to take all the points.

We drop our second game in three with a pretty poor performance.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We drop back into 5th place.

 

 

Up next...Champions League action as we are off to Rome to take on Lazio in the 2nd match of the Group Stage.

[Punch]

SEP 2037 - Group Stage Match 2 - At SS Lazio

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We took the lead twice, but ultimately fell in Rome.

Gary Gowdy gave us the lead on 14 minutes, before the host leveled ten minutes later.

John Wright put us back in front just before the hour mark, but two goals in two minutes for Lazio gave them the lead that they would not give up.

Probably a disappointing result to give up the lead twice away from home, and to come away with nothing.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Monaco beat Feyenoord on the other match.

 

We drop to 2nd, staying above Monaco on goal difference.

 

 

Up next...back to League action on a short turn around as we travel to 16th place Leicester.

[Punch]

SEP 2037

Three wins, three losses this month, as we win only one of three League games, move through to the 4th Round of the League Cup, and take a win and a loss in the Champions League.

 

The attack is still impressive, but the defence has slipped a little.

 

Sitting 5th on the table.

 

Internationals

Plenty of Seniors representing their country early in the month.

 

We currently have produced two England internationals.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

Hodgson still doing Hodgson things, racked up his 250th League appearance for the club this month.

Jensen made his season debut in the League Cup, and performed well.

 

Defence

The defence has been a bit off this month, and we are still missing Kearney through injury, and we have needed some rotation already.

 

Midfield

Millington is still leading us through the midfield, although we did miss him in the last Champions League game, with a minor training injury.

Adams and Hoey have been sharing time.

 

Forwards

Gowdy has been brilliant, racking up 8 goals and 3 assists in 11 games. He is being repeatedly linked to Man City, but luckily he doesn't seem too concerned about leaving.

The rest of the forward rotation is working well, with plenty of great performances, and rotation as well.

 

We had another player poached, although with only silver ratings, I don't think he would have rated highly here.

 

We are still managing to turn a monthly profit, even with our higher wage bill.

 

This is a record we won't be able to break even at The Isle, as it's max expansion capacity is slightly less than 38k.

 

Four League games, a Champions League match, and League Cup 4th Round coming up.

[Punch]

OCT 2037 - Match Day 8 - At Leicester City FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A complete performance as The Foxes are shut out at King Power.

First half goals to Andrew Earl and John Wright gave us a 2-0 lead at half time.

We dominated the second half, but it took until injury time for the sealer to come through substitute Michael Pilkington.

A solid 3-0 win is a good bounce back from our disappointing performance against Southampton.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We rise to 4th although Chelsea have a game in hand.

 

 

Up next...an International break where we have 36 players on duty, before we welcome last place Burnley to Anfield.