[FM22] A Day Without Football is a Day Lost

[Grumblewatcher]

Your posts continue to be a source of inspiration! Compliments for the depth, this makes it great to follow. Keep it up.

[SixPointer]

4 hours ago, warlock said:

It's a fair exchange - I've learned a lot from your posts this year and last 

I’m glad to hear that! It’s the beauty of the community!

1 hour ago, Grumblewatcher said:

Your posts continue to be a source of inspiration! Compliments for the depth, this makes it great to follow. Keep it up.

thank you very much! I really appreciate that feedback and glad your enjoying it. Makes the effort worthwhile. Should be an update out tomorrow latest. Thanks again 

[SixPointer]

March 2025

A much better month, so close to being perfect, and am happy to report not one single goal conceded beyond the 80th minute. The curse is broken, being more pragmatic and less stubborn, proving decisive. 

Four goals of real quality at the Limburg stadion, the third goal from the lethal IF is the pick of the bunch. A role I once found so frustrating is playing exactly how I want it to now, perfect run after nice build up play. You would forgive someone for thinking they were crazy by changing the system for the very next game but that's what I did.

The conductor, now tweaked & tuned and the early signs are promising as we battered GAE, 0 shots on target against and an XG of 3.56 makes for great reading and each end of the pitch. Had we taken more of our chances it would have been perfect, which leads nicely to Willem II.

Complete performance, everything went exactly to plan, four well worked goals, even weathering a late push from the away side. Baturina with 2 assists and 2 goals and a 10/10 performances, proving to be great business so far for the Croat, so much so that Leipzig are showing an interest, so I moved to sign him on a new deal.

After taking care of FC Utrecht we are rewarded with a colossal Rotterdam derby! The Utrecht game was not as clear cut as the previous two, as late on we came under pressure but I'm pleased to say we handled it and then actually sealed the game with our second goal, last month I feel we would have collapsed. Now it's really time to dream of some silverware...

The Vitesse game is the only negative this month, a poor match in every sense. Away side dominated the early stages, before a few changes at halftime brought us back into the game. A home loss is never good, especially conceding from a set play (another pet hate). A result which I do have to take a large portion of blame for as I perhaps pushed a few players' legs to the limit, as I tried to use the form to drive a result.

Eredivisie Table

Three points of our bitter city rivals, they do have a game in hand. The loss to Vitesse makes a dent in our hopes, and again we fail to fully capitalise on our rivals slipping up. Six games to go and it's still wide open, any of the top four could win this.

The goal difference this year i really have to be proud of, i know i'm upset about the goals late on but its only because they are late and in crucial moments, we have also only scored two goals less that we did in total last season.

Tactical Shift

The conductor takes a slight shape adjustment, enough that it's given it a new feel and a cutting edge. Still a 4-3-3 in form, which stops us devianting to much from the overall formation but gives us that variation.

The free 8's are moved into the AMC slot, the IW's move back into the midfield strata giving us a sort of xmas tree shape. The striker becomes a false 9, the DM becomes an actual DM.

In possession the shape now resembles a better form of a 2-3-5, the 8's moving up creates more space for the IWB''s to advance into making a better line of three. The IW's are really pleased with it as they now act the way I want in this system, stretching play and opening up the channels for the IWB & 8's but cutting in later on in the attack to become goal threats. The False 9 rotating with the 8's makes for a very fluid central front three (all are asked to move into channels), with the movement causing havoc on CB's shape.

Out of Possession the team defends in a 4-1-4-1, one of the main reasons i feel things have gotten a lot tighter at the back, a compact shape with two banks of four to play through gives us that added protection needed, with the IWB and DMC in good positions to stop the quick counter in the transition phase.

Changing the role in the number six has been coming for a long time, a regista with two free 8's was gung ho, on my part i fell to into the trap of the Condutor (no6) being a sublime playmaker. When in reality I didn't see many defence splitting passes or switches of play, nor did i need it, i need someone keeping the game ticking over and linking everything and from Verbeek's numbers moving the 8's up have given him more space to make this happen. Perhaps the Regista would have benefited from this but after reading the roles I feel am settled now.

Now the DMC gives me more of what I really need, the in-game description covers it perfectly. I want him to be neat and tidy on the ball especially in the transition, as we look to regain our attacking shape. He must also recognize the danger along with his IWB who initially will be positioned beside him before we recover into our shape. The easiest way to describe the change, ive went from a Pirlo type to a Fabinho/Fernandinho type.

Against Willem II you can see how wide the inverted wingers are in possession, compared to how narrow they become when out of possession. Ideal for teams who like to dominate the middle of the pitch, we stretch them when we have the ball making the pitch as big as possible, then in defence we narrow and suffocate the central dominance and send them down our sides.

Three pass maps from the new shape, good pattern of passing, plenty of options, diamonds and triangles across all three. Slight variation but of course that can come down to opponent, the wingers are wide the 8's are in the channels either side of the F9, IWB are narrow and crucially the DMC is in the middle linking everything and Conducting the play, not with lavish passes or wasting the ball just knitting everything together nicely.

I now feel the conductor is very much tweaked and given that specialisation that the salida received, now offering something different from salida while sticking to the core principles and game plans, just enough variation to keep our opponent from working out our attacking patterns and positions.

 

Off all the goals i've chosen this one to highlight the changes best, although if you look closely at the four goals in the Willem II highlights, you can see the IT's stretching the back line to open the channels as well as the midfield three (IWB-DMC-IWB) recycling play and making things happen.

Here though, wide men stretch the play keeping the full backs wide for as long as possible, opening up space for the central players. The ball is worked from CB to AMC who drops it into the DMC before moving into the space vacated from the F9 dropping to receive the ball from the IWB, the AMCL, drifts in and then out of the space left by the F9, too attract the attention of the CB which drags him out the way for his fellow AMC to exploit the space and score.

Edited May 7, 2022 by SixPointer

[_Ben_]

I was coming to comment on last month with the idea that I still think there must be a link to Concentration and Decisions, particularly under fatigue. However, you seem to have worked through that, which is great.

Your tactical shape is remarkably similar to my Christmas Matryoshka but I then love how an AM can create such a different style to my two SS. I also employ a flat three in the mid with 2xCAR and 1xCM(d). It's certainly a lovely way to overload the centre but have really struggled, and maybe you'll also have this, with getting good ratings for wide players in the midfield strata.

Baturina has had a great month, too!

Looks like Feyenoord's game in hand is against Almere but there looks to be a good chase on for second, definitely! Keep it up.

[SixPointer]

3 hours ago, _Ben_ said:

I was coming to comment on last month with the idea that I still think there must be a link to Concentration and Decisions, particularly under fatigue. However, you seem to have worked through that, which is great.

Your tactical shape is remarkably similar to my Christmas Matryoshka but I then love how an AM can create such a different style to my two SS. I also employ a flat three in the mid with 2xCAR and 1xCM(d). It's certainly a lovely way to overload the centre but have really struggled, and maybe you'll also have this, with getting good ratings for wide players in the midfield strata.

Baturina has had a great month, too!

Looks like Feyenoord's game in hand is against Almere but there looks to be a good chase on for second, definitely! Keep it up.

I’m 100% on you with concentration and decisions when fatigue. That’s why now when I get into a lead and spy the opponent working us out, I shift to a slightly more relaxed style and then wear them down with possession. I’m playing on attacking mentality and too play at that intensity for 80 minutes before shutting up shop is a big ask.

I’ve also come to the conclusion that tactical familiarity plays a huge factor, and I came upon this from watching city fold like a deck of cards against Real Madrid, asking my players to go from fluid positional/total football, to park the bus is a big ask. I have to be wise in my decisions when it comes to game manager.

This also applies to what I do instructions wise, it’s pointless going to a narrow compact block if my opponents are deadly down the flanks, I have to be dynamic in the approach. Just in the same way my game-plan is from the offset after the scout report. The game is ever changing and I need to match the AI. It’s actually opened up a lot more fun tactics as now am even more invested in every highlight.

I could have opted for SS, but while I want them running in behind I still want them to be a hybrid of a 8/10. Not a 9/10 hybrid that was my thought process. I originally went for a flat 4 but there was no room for IWB’s.

So far the wide men have had mixed games, I like how they start deeper and they do stretch play, they are essentially a decoy for creating space, But the fact they are more attacking in the other shape again gives me that variation, without ruining the whole philosophy. I’ll need to monitor it tho as I can see why you did have an issue.

Batu has been a revelation, Mijnans is still finding his feet after a bad injury, if both come onto song at the same time it will be the deadly midfield i desire.

I feel I can’t afford to drop any more points if I’m to win the league this season, but top three provides a shot at the UCL.

The big one is the KNVB Rotterdam derby special. I’ve yet to get the better of Arne Slot (came close a few times) there wouldn’t be a better time to get it spot on. 

[Shrewnaldo]

23 hours ago, SixPointer said:

March 2025

A much better month, so close to being perfect, and am happy to report not one single goal conceded beyond the 80th minute. The curse is broken, being more pragmatic and less stubborn, proving decisive. 

Four goals of real quality at the Limburg stadion, the third goal from the lethal IF is the pick of the bunch. A role I once found so frustrating is playing exactly how I want it to now, perfect run after nice build up play. You would forgive someone for thinking they were crazy by changing the system for the very next game but that's what I did.

The conductor, now tweaked & tuned and the early signs are promising as we battered GAE, 0 shots on target against and an XG of 3.56 makes for great reading and each end of the pitch. Had we taken more of our chances it would have been perfect, which leads nicely to Willem II.

Complete performance, everything went exactly to plan, four well worked goals, even weathering a late push from the away side. Baturina with 2 assists and 2 goals and a 10/10 performances, proving to be great business so far for the Croat, so much so that Leipzig are showing an interest, so I moved to sign him on a new deal.

After taking care of FC Utrecht we are rewarded with a colossal Rotterdam derby! The Utrecht game was not as clear cut as the previous two, as late on we came under pressure but I'm pleased to say we handled it and then actually sealed the game with our second goal, last month I feel we would have collapsed. Now it's really time to dream of some silverware...

The Vitesse game is the only negative this month, a poor match in every sense. Away side dominated the early stages, before a few changes at halftime brought us back into the game. A home loss is never good, especially conceding from a set play (another pet hate). A result which I do have to take a large portion of blame for as I perhaps pushed a few players' legs to the limit, as I tried to use the form to drive a result.

Eredivisie Table

Three points of our bitter city rivals, they do have a game in hand. The loss to Vitesse makes a dent in our hopes, and again we fail to fully capitalise on our rivals slipping up. Six games to go and it's still wide open, any of the top four could win this.

The goal difference this year i really have to be proud of, i know i'm upset about the goals late on but its only because they are late and in crucial moments, we have also only scored two goals less that we did in total last season.

Tactical Shift

The conductor takes a slight shape adjustment, enough that it's given it a new feel and a cutting edge. Still a 4-3-3 in form, which stops us devianting to much from the overall formation but gives us that variation.

The free 8's are moved into the AMC slot, the IW's move back into the midfield strata giving us a sort of xmas tree shape. The striker becomes a false 9, the DM becomes an actual DM.

In possession the shape now resembles a better form of a 2-3-5, the 8's moving up creates more space for the IWB''s to advance into making a better line of three. The IW's are really pleased with it as they now act the way I want in this system, stretching play and opening up the channels for the IWB & 8's but cutting in later on in the attack to become goal threats. The False 9 rotating with the 8's makes for a very fluid central front three (all are asked to move into channels), with the movement causing havoc on CB's shape.

Out of Possession the team defends in a 4-1-4-1, one of the main reasons i feel things have gotten a lot tighter at the back, a compact shape with two banks of four to play through gives us that added protection needed, with the IWB and DMC in good positions to stop the quick counter in the transition phase.

Changing the role in the number six has been coming for a long time, a regista with two free 8's was gung ho, on my part i fell to into the trap of the Condutor (no6) being a sublime playmaker. When in reality I didn't see many defence splitting passes or switches of play, nor did i need it, i need someone keeping the game ticking over and linking everything and from Verbeek's numbers moving the 8's up have given him more space to make this happen. Perhaps the Regista would have benefited from this but after reading the roles I feel am settled now.

Now the DMC gives me more of what I really need, the in-game description covers it perfectly. I want him to be neat and tidy on the ball especially in the transition, as we look to regain our attacking shape. He must also recognize the danger along with his IWB who initially will be positioned beside him before we recover into our shape. The easiest way to describe the change, ive went from a Pirlo type to a Fabinho/Fernandinho type.

 

Against Willem II you can see how wide the inverted wingers are in possession, compared to how narrow they become when out of possession. Ideal for teams who like to dominate the middle of the pitch, we stretch them when we have the ball making the pitch as big as possible, then in defence we narrow and suffocate the central dominance and send them down our sides.

Three pass maps from the new shape, good pattern of passing, plenty of options, diamonds and triangles across all three. Slight variation but of course that can come down to opponent, the wingers are wide the 8's are in the channels either side of the F9, IWB are narrow and crucially the DMC is in the middle linking everything and Conducting the play, not with lavish passes or wasting the ball just knitting everything together nicely.

I now feel the conductor is very much tweaked and given that specialisation that the salida received, now offering something different from salida while sticking to the core principles and game plans, just enough variation to keep our opponent from working out our attacking patterns and positions.

 

Off all the goals i've chosen this one to highlight the changes best, although if you look closely at the four goals in the Willem II highlights, you can see the IT's stretching the back line to open the channels as well as the midfield three (IWB-DMC-IWB) recycling play and making things happen.

Here though, wide men stretch the play keeping the full backs wide for as long as possible, opening up space for the central players. The ball is worked from CB to AMC who drops it into the DMC before moving into the space vacated from the F9 dropping to receive the ball from the IWB, the AMCL, drifts in and then out of the space left by the F9, too attract the attention of the CB which drags him out the way for his fellow AMC to exploit the space and score.

I really like this hybrid-4-3-3ish shape. My major problem with it was when the opposition were established in the offensive phase and we had retreated into a defensive shape, that the AMs wouldn't protect the edge of the box well at all. If the DM got pulled wide, and with the IWBs obviously playing in their defensive wide positions, then we just ended up getting exposed to shots from the edge of the area over and over again.

Have you have any issues with this is you've used "the conductor" against stronger sides?

[SixPointer]

7 hours ago, Shrewnaldo said:

I really like this hybrid-4-3-3ish shape. My major problem with it was when the opposition were established in the offensive phase and we had retreated into a defensive shape, that the AMs wouldn't protect the edge of the box well at all. If the DM got pulled wide, and with the IWBs obviously playing in their defensive wide positions, then we just ended up getting exposed to shots from the edge of the area over and over again.

Have you have any issues with this is you've used "the conductor" against stronger sides?

So far so good, we are suffocating them high up and forcing them long over the press. I have 3 players in the two CB’s and the right back all very strong in the air, with the DMC picking up second balls. My opponents hasn’t scored from any of there long shots in the last 5 games but have hit 12 shots from outside the box.

Will be interesting to see how it fairs against the bigger sides, Vitesse got the result but it was a poor game from both teams. The main success behind the system is fact it has offered a solid solution against the 4-2-3-1 where we are essentially man for man, blocking balls into the double pivot with the AMC pairing has proved very effective. 

[karanhsingh]

Excellent updates as per usual, and really rooting for you in that cup final! Although judging by the league positions, it seems like Feyenoord has assembled a pretty strong squad?

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, karanhsingh said:

Excellent updates as per usual, and really rooting for you in that cup final! Although judging by the league positions, it seems like Feyenoord has assembled a pretty strong squad?

It’s going to be a big ask! I haven’t beaten them yet! Works been mad busy today so I’ve not had time to play. But I should have some time to play the month tomorrow!

[SixPointer]

They do have Ajax, then Chelsea in the Europa league before hand. So I’ll be watching both games to get my game-plan together! Hopefully the tired legs can help us!

[SixPointer]

This certainly makes things a lot harder, club captain and rock solid CB out of the big game. Young Staal has had a phenomenal breakout season so will get his chance in the final.

Chelsea needed extra time to get past Feyenoord, fortunately for us the game came three days before the cup final. Tired legs for our much powerful neighbours is certainly an issue and I will be looking to keep the pace of the game fast and expose that weakness. A crucial blow for them, Marcos Leonardo picked up an injury, the lethal forward will sit out the KNVB final which is a massive boost for us, especially with Nagalo sitting out.

[Hootieleece]

Love that you watched their game before your Cup Final!

 

 

I'd do it more often if it wasn't so difficult to find the screen to do it in....also I tend to forget!

 

[SixPointer]

17 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

Love that you watched their game before your Cup Final!

 

 

I'd do it more often if it wasn't so difficult to find the screen to do it in....also I tend to forget!

 

I watched the game before Chelsea against Ajax also. Helps me get an idea of things to counteract. As always you need to look at into context. Both those opponents are stronger than us so there would be slight differences in how they play against us. But overall it helps me see the patterns of play, there positional shapes, who’s making the key passes, who’s the big threats etc  

[SixPointer]

4th season is finished! I’ll be writing it up between Saturday and Sunday! A lot to cover! 

[SixPointer]

April 2025

A real Jekyll and Hyde month in the Eredivisie, two sublime performances especially attacking wise then a very poor defensive display. The defeat to Ajax is a real blow to what title hopes we had left, consistency is key as they say.

A real clinical performance on the road at Almere, it's great when everything comes together nicely. We dominated and were absolutely clinical, scoring 4 from an XG of 1.81, the pick of the being the second, from the IWB who made a perfectly timed run in the half space and then finished well.

Maturina Baturina hits a splendid hatrack on our way to another four goals for, his late replacement Kolbeinn Þórðarson rounded off the scoring showing how lethal the double AMC role has become within the conductor system. Three assists from the inverted wingers, who now in the conductor have really become the providers! Great finish after some nice patient passing & some sublime off the ball movement and slick passing.

Baturina made our early momentum count and hit his fourth goal of the month, and as you can see from above its sublime pass and move football. Players dropping into space, players rotating and overloading and then a beautiful third man ran to get in behind, shows my style of play in all its glory, unfortunately the legs tired, suppose that was expected after the Cup final.

KNVB Beker Cup Final Feyenoord vs Sparta Rotterdam

After watching the Ajax and chelsea games, a few things became absolutely clear. Feyenoords wing backs pushed extremely high, secondly their legs would be extremely tired from extra time at Stamford Bridge. These were the two things I would focus on in my game plan. Higher tempo to expose the tiredness in their legs, and force the opponent inside to help nullify the threat from their wing backs. Feyenoord would also have home advantage as the game is played out in De Kuip which is madness!

Things didn't go to plan in the start, as Feyenoord started better and Woodburn rifled in from distance on the 16 minute mark. A good strike but Verbruggen doesn't cover himself in much glory again. Young Staal was called upon to replace Nagalo in the backline, the youngster headed home from a nicely delivered freekick  and the game was tied on the brink of half time in which we were the better side.

1-1, 70 minutes played, the ball was cleared from Feyenoord. Jacob Christiansn has a rush of blood to the head and decides to dive in recklessly on the half way line, looks a little soft in my book but the ref gives him his marching orders. 10 men and a mountain to climb, it would be backs to the wall for the rest of the game.......

The change in dynamic after going down to ten men is massive, as the momentum swings in Feyenoords favour. The boys hold out and make it through extra time and not with more controversy from the referee and his assistants, a very debatable offside call to chop off a Ugalde goal in the first half of extra time. The KNVB Beker Rotterdam special would be decided on penalties.

The boys hold their nerve in a pulsating shootout. Larajeira missed first but was let off the hook, it was then a tale of three youngsters. First a miss from feyenoord the young Staal dispatched his penalty before a dreaded moment for young left back Pronk as he missed and handed the trophy to their city rivals.

Howedes has brought home major silverware to the oldest professional club in Holland for the first time since 1966, doing so against their much bigger city rivals in what will go down as a historic moment for the club and the city. Considering they have lived in the shadows of their neighbours for some time, even in Howdes tenure alone this is the first time they have gotten the better of them.

A big worry for Howedes was going into such a huge match without his club captain, but it was his young replacement that stole the headlines, getting his side back in it, before dispatching the last penalty for his team, showing maturity beyond his years and picking up man of the match, a day he will never forget.

Edited May 14, 2022 by SixPointer

[Rikulec]

Well done winning the cup!

[SixPointer]

9 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Well done winning the cup!

Thanks mate!!
It certainly wasn’t the free flowing attacking football we usually put on show, but we won the battle something we have been lacking at times. 

[Jogo Bonito]

Congratulations on the Cup win and good luck for what lies ahead.

[Hootieleece]

Great Cup Win!

Do you still have to win the league at your current club to stay on "Schedule"?

or is it time to move to a bigger club?

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, Jogo Bonito said:

Congratulations on the Cup win and good luck for what lies ahead.

Thanks! Hopefully the first of many trophies!

43 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

Great Cup Win!

Do you still have to win the league at your current club to stay on "Schedule"?

or is it time to move to a bigger club?

Thanks mate. No I don’t have it win it here a Sparta, the scope was to win the KNVB Beker within 7 seasons. So objective is complete which now opens up the Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV jobs if they were to come available.

Then the plan there is to win the league, while Happel won’t the European cup at this stage in real life.  @JarheadFM‘s challenge states this can be done anywhere within stages 2-4.

Im not sure if there is an objection to me staying on at Sparta and winning a league title but personally as I strive for realism if one of the big three jobs came up I would have to go for them. Maybe with exception of Feyenoord. Due to Howedes loyalty to Sparta and their fans. 

[karanhsingh]

Congratulations on the cup win mate!

Any of the big jobs may be available in the summer?

[SixPointer]

15 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Congratulations on the cup win mate!

Any of the big jobs may be available in the summer?

Thanks bud

Frank De Boer at Ajax is on a shaky peg at the minute, Mark Van Bommel has breathed fresh air into PSV and Arne Slot looks on course to make it back to back Eredivisie titles.

[Deisler26]

Cup win!! Congratulations!

[SixPointer]

24 minutes ago, Deisler26 said:

Cup win!! Congratulations!

Thanks my man, RKC up next in the league

[haier_fm]

From one cup winner to the other - congratulations.

[SixPointer]

14 minutes ago, haier_fm said:

From one cup winner to the other - congratulations.

Thanks dude!! Rotterdam is ours….. for now!

[karanhsingh]

4 hours ago, SixPointer said:

Thanks bud

Frank De Boer at Ajax is on a shaky peg at the minute, Mark Van Bommel has breathed fresh air into PSV and Arne Slot looks on course to make it back to back Eredivisie titles.

Yes looking at the league table you had posted Ajax seemed like the best bet. 

[SixPointer]

May 2025

Three wins from three, the perfect month, including a first Rotterdam derby league win for Benedikt Howedes, but would it be enough to bring a league title back to the Het Kasteel

Two early goals down RKC's right hand side which had been highlighted as a weakness beforehand got us off to a flying start. The use of the Salida system which focuses play down the right and has the attacking IF, created havoc with the overload and space created leading to both goals being identical. The third came before the break from the IF but was worked from the left, but RKC hit back with two great goals of their own before half time which made the second half a cagey affair.

The switch back to the conductor ensured we controlled possession with our diamond & triangles shape, as well as commanding the game against AZ, we however lacked cutting edge and in the end young Staal (becoming a goalscoring sensation) headed home another well worked set play.  Taking the time to set a thorough set piece plan really is rewarding, especially for days like this when it digs you out a hole when your finishing is not up to scratch.

Feyenoord had the title wrapped up with a game to spare, PSV have cemented their place as runners up, leaving ourselves and the mighty Ajax to fight it out for third place and Champions League football next season. We had what has become the standard Rotterdam end of season derby, while Ajax had a tricky trip to FC Utrecht.

We held up our end of the bargain in a rather bizarre Rotterdam derby, the giants of the city rested their team, perhaps showing they consider the fight against Ajax to be a much more meaningful one. Only Marcos Leonardo would be considered a first team player, which I used to my advantage as I deployed the Salida system in order to pin him back with our attacking right hand side.g they consider the fight against Ajax to be a much more meaningful one.

The now familiar combo of Hasenhuttl finding Mijnans the CM(a) to head home sent us into the lead, the third time in three games this combination has paid off. I love when I see patterns of play coming off regularly from a system that backs up the idea of my positional play philosophy.

The second goal was much more of the same, this time only slicker and showed more of our deep build up before taking it up a notch as we advanced, a lovely inside channel run from the IF something I felt I never used to see from the role, and the finish well........

An incident-filled draw at the Stadion Galgenwaard, ensured back to back third place finishes for Sparta Rotterdam and Benedikt Howedes.

Playoffs at each end of the table is all that is left to play for, Feyenoord win it but i can't help but wonder what could have been had we not thrown away so many late goals. Fine margins are the difference and a few more wins instead of draws would have made a massive amount of difference, even the one point trailing second is the difference between going straight into the UCL groups and qualifying.

Ajax board won't be best pleased, two years without a title and this year no champions league football, they certainly are the underachievers. Sparta now boast 4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd, and a KNVB cup win, while it's not quite enough to consider the big three becoming a big four it's certainly an upper trend on its way to doing so. 

I'll be coming back later on throughout the week to debrief the season as a whole and analyse the season, that way I can get into the finer details.

Edited May 15, 2022 by SixPointer

[haier_fm]

Strong end to the season, just unfortunate to see how the league panned out in the end. But CL football is secured for next year and that is all that matters imo. 

The Eredivisie title? There's always next year. 

[SixPointer]

9 hours ago, haier_fm said:

Strong end to the season, just unfortunate to see how the league panned out in the end. But CL football is secured for next year and that is all that matters imo. 

The Eredivisie title? There's always next year. 

Very big summer will be required if a title push is to come to light. Potential champions league football on top of the league will mean more investment in the playing squad, while I feel we are only about 3/4 light in terms of a good level of depth, the issue is going to be, keeping a hold of the Crown Jewels, or finding suitable replacements.

The level of signings like Baturina, Mattsson and Walemark last season will have to be matched. All were great success stories and all for modest prices for their performances.

[_Ben_]

Congratulations on the cup win and really strong end to the season. What are your summer priorities in terms of ‘planned’ incomings and areas to develop?

[SixPointer]

33 minutes ago, _Ben_ said:

Congratulations on the cup win and really strong end to the season. What are your summer priorities in terms of ‘planned’ incomings and areas to develop?

Thanks man! Emm I really want to take the next few days to really analyse this at depth. If no one was to leave I’d be tempted to get a real top level keeper and probably a left back as Hojer isn’t getting any longer.
 

But in truth i want to take my time. I done the write up after finishing the game yesterday, so I want to good look over things. 

The big concern is going to be the outgoings. Hasenhutl and Mijnans both likely to be on their way. Especially with the way am dealing the transfers. Hasenhutl is now the best wonderkid on the planet and Barcelona are after Mijnans. 

[karanhsingh]

Can you put up updated screenshots of both?

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, karanhsingh said:

Can you put up updated screenshots of both?

I certainly will. Probably won’t be until tomorrow, as am off to the Aalesunds FK vs Molde derby match tonight after work! Will be my second one when working in this beautiful country. First one I watched was when AFK destroy Molde when they both top of first and second tier in Norway and it was a cup game.

this week will be full of small updates as I look to tie up the season. I have a academy spotlight to do along with analysis of the season and future transfer plans. 

[karanhsingh]

1 minute ago, SixPointer said:

I certainly will. Probably won’t be until tomorrow, as am off to the Aalesunds FK vs Molde derby match tonight after work! Will be my second one when working in this beautiful country. First one I watched was when AFK destroy Molde when they both top of first and second tier in Norway and it was a cup game.

this week will be full of small updates as I look to tie up the season. I have a academy spotlight to do along with analysis of the season and future transfer plans. 

Nice! I am sure watching live football in Norway must be a wonderful experience

[SixPointer]

Two poor goals conceded from AFK, but controlled the game second half but lacked any real creativity, good atmosphere for a sold out derby!

Reminds me of my FM 17 exploits when I turned  Aalesunds FK into a Norwegian power house with a certain Erling Haaland breaking the league goalscoring record!

After Odd last season it will be a few years until I return to this country for a save. But working here and following matches will always draw me into a save every so often. 

[Sheriff7]

Beautiful pic.

[SixPointer]

37 minutes ago, Sheriff7 said:

Beautiful pic.

Thanks man 

[Rikulec]

What a lovely place, it reminds me how badly I actually want to move abroad.

[SixPointer]

16 minutes ago, Rikulec said:

What a lovely place, it reminds me how badly I actually want to move abroad.

I love the fact I work in Norway and live here a lot of the time I’m doing so. But there is no place like home when I get back for rotation time off 

[haier_fm]

Very nice view from the stands. 

[SixPointer]

2 hours ago, haier_fm said:

Very nice view from the stands. 

Was a beautiful evening for it! 

[SixPointer]

Season Review (Part 1)

Another successful season at the Het Kasteel, 3rd place finish in the league providing potential UEFA Champions League football, A huge KNVB Beker triumph the first major silverware at the club since 1966, along with making the group stages of the UCL. Here I'll try to dissect the reasons for success, the improvement from last season and ultimately the reasons we just fell short in the league. I will most likely break these down into smaller posts.

At the beginning of the season I highlighted goals scored as being the main area in need of improvement. Last season in the league we hit 63 goals, 19 goals off Ajax who hit 82. This year there is a marked improvement of 13+ and only 4 off the top goalscorers.

2023/2024                                                               2024/2025

Comparison of the expected tables brings me great joy. Last season we really struggled to perform our XG, this season out scoring it by 8. Our performance in XPTS matched last seasons, while XGA isn't shown here. It was also matched as we conceded the exact amount of goals expected two years in a row.

The first focus for improving this area was indeed player recruitment. I highlighted the need for more goals from the RW slot, as well as more goals from the RCM, to match the output of Sven Mijnans and more creation from the LW slot. After a detailed process i moved for three key signings in all three positions, Baturina would come in at RCM, Mattsson at LW and Walemark at RW.

Martin Baturina was the man tasked with becoming the Sven Mijnans from the RCM slot, boy did he become that, almost identical numbers to the little Dutch Maestro (who did have a bad injury spell at the start). He surpassed him with his overall final product amassing an impressive 28 direct goal involvements with 14 assists & 14 goals. Mijnans himself had the sort of season i've come to expect from him and there is no surprise a few big clubs are taking notice of him.

A raving success and carried on his performance from his previous season in Dinamo, showing that the combination of his good stats in a weaker league and his great attribute spread made for a great transfer all round. Pure stats gets my attention, if attributes then back it up and there are no issues in the scout report then it's the time to strike a deal.

Mattsson was brought on board to become the more creative outlet on the left, he didn't just do that he had a superb season as notched 10 goals to go along with his 14 assists. A real swiss army knife on the flanks capable of bringing so many different threats to his game

Buying Mattsson from NEC proved to be very shrewd business, his numbers were already decent for the yo-yo club, but i knew that if i brought him with our style of play and better level of player he could really kick on and become an excellent player. He proved me right and has gone from strength to strength which made the battle with PSV for his signature even more meaningful.

Interestingly Emegha who had been more prolific and less creative in recent seasons, had a productive assist season and a less impressive goal tally. He has doubled up as the false 9 at times but a solid season. Less can be said for the other original squad player in this area, Dardai who now looks a real weakness as he struggled to put together in sort of form when given a chance someone ill look to replace.

Walemark was slightly different from the previous two signings, his actual output numbers were rather low, but i factored in his key passes and chance creation and shooting numbers, along with taking into account the team he was playing in. This again coupled with a solid attribute profile and a very good scouting report made my mind up. The swede didn't disappoint and his 16 direct goal involvements (8&8) showed he was a very well balanced threat from both roles.

Unlike Mattsson he exclusively played on the right, a key feature of his play when in the IF role was darting in to the channel and finishing with power, something that made me fall in love with the player and role. he rounded up Three very successful signings, based on a balance of statistical, attributes and scout report to provide the perfect blend for success.

Up next was the increased level of detail in our attacking phase within the tactical systems. Salida added an IF(A) to the RW slot and gained an CM(A) at LCM, along with focus play down the right and overlap on the left, attacking mentality was utilised from the start, and the combinations worked together nicely to make a 343 shape in attack,  which made Salida the first system to be full proofed.

The Conductor began the season with a minor tweak to width and focus play through the centre, however it finished with a big shift. The CM's moved into the AM strata and the IW's back to the midfield, a DM was swapped in for the Regista to offer a more solid base and the IW's were used to stretch play making a very nice 235 shape in the attacking phase, in the end this became a very potent system not only on the offensive but it lended up to pressing higher which helped the defensive aspect.

These tweaks to both systems allowed our attacking play to become less predictable all while sticking to our overall principles (see stats), scoring some increible team goals along with exploiting weaknesses in opponents from pre match game plans. Both these systems look set in stone now. As you can see our passing numbers are the best they have been in the four seasons that I have been at the club, another great stride towards the Total Football model.

The third system never really came to life, i toyed with a flip of Salida but with a three man front line but it never really lived up to scratch, this slot will most likely become a more conserbative 4-2-3-1 system for European tie and tough games, so the double pivot can offer more protection.

What Went Wrong?

Realistically not a lot went wrong, 5 defeats don't strike me as being terrible. The main issue i would say was the draws, 5 out of 6 draws come from winning positions with only the Heerenveen equaliser coming before 80 minutes. Late goals killed the league challenge but in the later part of the season through smarter game management I have managed to get control over this issue.

Playing slightly more cautiously after leading will also put us in good stead for when we have to play more cautiously if we reach the UCL group stages.

After all we conceded the least amount of goals in the Eredivisie, so again another concern from last season was massively improved on. I still feel Verbruggen is naive and still has a long way to go to realise his potential, if a world class keeper was to be an option and within budget i would probably pounce.

The shift to the higher press has a huge effect on our winning the ball back numbers, something i'm striving to be the very best in, so an upward trend is always welcome here and it again ties in with my footballing philosophy.

Edited May 18, 2022 by SixPointer

[Sheriff7]

Great work mate,these passing stats looks great.Good luck in CL next season.

[SixPointer]

4 hours ago, Sheriff7 said:

Great work mate,these passing stats looks great.Good luck in CL next season.

Thanks man, yeah the style of play has really started to shine through now. We are playing exactly how I envisage. 

[Hootieleece]

Conceding less than a goal/match and leading the league in the category and complaining your GK isn't good enough......

Good season though and with your improvements over the previous season with the right signings you shall challenge for the league again.

The idea of a 4-3-2-1 Wide as a third system sounds good, but I don't really think of it a cautious/defensive system!

 

[SixPointer]

20 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

Conceding less than a goal/match and leading the league in the category and complaining your GK isn't good enough......

Good season though and with your improvements over the previous season with the right signings you shall challenge for the league again.

The idea of a 4-3-2-1 Wide as a third system sounds good, but I don't really think of it a cautious/defensive system!

 

Yeah I know that sounds a bit over the top. But he has let in a few poor goals which has caught my eye! He is unreal as the first line of attack though and he will improve. His handling and reflexes both glaring weakness are up a point each already. He’s young and Dutch so most likely he will remain number one, as budget needed elsewhere.

The 4231 is certainly more defensive and pragmatic than 433, when you consider in both my systems the other two CM’s have the license to bomb forward. In the 4231 it offers two players protecting back four. Plus when you take into account a the style you assign the formation.

Jose Mourinho famed for being pragmatic and counter attacking has this as his favourite shape.  

[Rikulec]

I'd say it's not as much about the shape as it is about what you do with it and the roles you assign to your players. Mourinho is a good example of a conservative 4-2-3-1. In Poland it's widely recognised as defensive since its most popular version is the one with two big lumpy defensive midfielders whose sole job is to knock opponents around and kick the ball away as far as possible if it happens to land at their feet.

[SixPointer]

5 hours ago, Rikulec said:

I'd say it's not as much about the shape as it is about what you do with it and the roles you assign to your players. Mourinho is a good example of a conservative 4-2-3-1. In Poland it's widely recognised as defensive since its most popular version is the one with two big lumpy defensive midfielders whose sole job is to knock opponents around and kick the ball away as far as possible if it happens to land at their feet.

Couldn’t agree more my man! A shape (within reason) can be made into any style really. 

[SixPointer]

No title in two years since Ten Haag left for Red Bull Leipzig and no champions league football next season has seen Frank De Boer's second spell in charge come to an end. The big news is Benedikt Howedes is among the favourites to take over the Dutch giants.