[FM22] The Fourth Glass, Vol. III: Straight Outta Sagarejo

[noikeee]

Holy **** you're in 2041. 

Been meaning to read sooner or later but it's almost impossible to keep up. I see the Georgian side is on the brink of glory here - but some things never change, ****ing PSG still giving trouble in 2041, really?

I like the tactics, strikerless, libero, it's all of your classic stuff. I've started to toy with WCBs recently, and am considering ramping them up to attack to help out, so it was funny to see you going in the opposite direction and toning them down - but you have a more open formation in front of them with no DM. Makes sense that the CBs have to stay put.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Your time will come, young man. 

4 hours ago, noikeee said:

Holy **** you're in 2041. 

Been meaning to read sooner or later but it's almost impossible to keep up. I see the Georgian side is on the brink of glory here - but some things never change, ****ing PSG still giving trouble in 2041, really?

I like the tactics, strikerless, libero, it's all of your classic stuff. I've started to toy with WCBs recently, and am considering ramping them up to attack to help out, so it was funny to see you going in the opposite direction and toning them down - but you have a more open formation in front of them with no DM. Makes sense that the CBs have to stay put.

I loathe PS-****ing-G. And not just for the usual reasons!

Glad you like the tactic! It is insanely fun, but high-risk for the reasons you reference.  I'm not going to sacrifice my libero -- if anything I want to be even higher up the pitch in possession -- so swapping the WCBs out in tough matches only makes sense. (The nature of international football also means it is helpful with Cameroon.) 

I do have to say, though, seeing your 3-back setup with a CD flanked by WCBs and with a DM yesterday made me want to tinker with my Nagelsmann setup from the last few years... But it would minimize Awoa's contributions in open play...

Edited July 22, 2022 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

June 2041 - European Review.

I don't know what's more depressing -- the fact that it is 2041 and we have yet to claim a European title (and only reached 1 final...), or that the English have run rampant for nearly 2 decades across all 3 competitions.

The Champions League saw Roberto Martinez's Liverpool claim their 4th title in 5 years, meaning $teven Gerrard is even more insufferable than usual, thanks to a 1-nil win over Didier Deschamps' Manchester United.

Mersad Selimbegovic's Monchengladbach claimed their 2nd European title in 2 years (after winning the 2039/40 Europa Conference League) with a 2-1 win over Diego Simeone's Inter Milan.

Simone Inzaghi's Leicester City did the Queen proud, though, claiming England's 2nd European title of the campaign with a 3-nil win over Gary Cahill's Parma.  I like to think that Gary knew what he was doing, thank you very much.

In the active leagues, Arne Slot's Manchester City claimed the Premier League title, points clear of their city rivals -- continuing the northwest's domination of the league over the last 2 decades.  Nahuel Ferraresi's Atletico won their 3rd La Liga title in 5 years.  Julian Nagelsmann's Bayern did Bayern things.  Diego Simeone's Inter won their 7th Serie A title in 10 years.  Thomas Tuchel's PS-****ing-G?!  They can **** right off, them, the cheese-eating surrender monkeys.  

  

  

  

    

Edited July 24, 2022 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

June 2041 - Coefficients Update.

Another year, another mixed bag.

Gareji rise to 10th in the club coefficients table, a massive accomplishment.  The Erovnuli Liga also rises -- 1 spot, to 19th.

The problem being that, as a whole, Georgia drop 2 spots in the qualifying coefficients table.

**** me ******* with a ****** *****.

Yeah, I said it.

 

   

[ManUtd1]

June 2041 - International Friendlies.

Saudi Arabia and Thighland?  Even after Mat leaves, his influence can be felt.

 

[ManUtd1]

Ooof.  That's a kick in the ****.  The production line at Fabrika needs an upgrade.

Edited July 24, 2022 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Somehow, I had a grander vision of what expansion might look like.  Adding less than 1,400 seats, for $2M, when we have more than $620M in the bank...?

[karanhsingh]

This english domination of the champions league is pretty much where things are moving IRL as well. It's depressing as hell. 

[ManUtd1]

8 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

This english domination of the champions league is pretty much where things are moving IRL as well. It's depressing as hell. 

 

[ManUtd1]

July 2041.

At the halfway mark of the Erovnuli Liga campaign, we are on pace to shatter last year's goalscoring record.  Somewhere, amidst all the nefarious plotting, I know Mat is proud.  And likely has a thought as to how we can wring even more out of this side.

 

[ManUtd1]

Me, when I hear someone ridiculing Xavi for saying Frenkie De Jong is a centerback.

[ManUtd1]

There were no questions at the press conference after the top-of-the-table clash on Matchday 22. 

 

[ManUtd1]

The papers are full of rumors.  Abega is on the verge of signing for Nagelsmann's Bayern.  Or perhaps Jeremy Menez's PS-****ing-G.

The press huddle at Fabrika awaiting word on his seemingly imminent transfer.  

A prime time press conference is finally called.  At which point we can only laugh as the ITK knobs make fools of themselves with their baseless predictions.

[ManUtd1]

July/August 2041.

Records continue to fall domestically -- we're scoring goals for fun, with nary a challenge in sight.

Fortunately, the Champions League has returned just in time.  We draw Nahuel "Vroom Vroom" Ferraresi's Atletico, the Spanish champions, Ajax and Carlos Pintado's Lorient (who sit 11th in the Ligue Agricole).  A chance to prove that we belong with the big boys.  And to go in two-footed on some radish-breathed Frenchmen.  It's all we could dream of.  Literally.

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by ManUtd1

[karanhsingh]

Ligue Agricole 

By the way have PSG won the league every single season since your save began?

[ManUtd1]

15 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Ligue Agricole 

By the way have PSG won the league every single season since your save began?

Lyon has pipped them 3x!  But that's it.  It's so frustrating.  

[ManUtd1]

September 2041 - World Cup Qualifying.

The Indomitable Lions can't match Gareji's exploits in terms of the sheer data.  Yet, we have not lost a match since the 2038 World Cup quarterfinal against ze Germans -- a run of 48 games, 44 wins, 4 draws.

And we continue to cut through an ostensibly difficult qualifying group with wins away to Algeria and over Angola in Yaounde.  With 12 points from 4 matches, we book our tickets to Russia, where a quarterfinal finish will not suffice.

 

[ManUtd1]

September 2041 - Champions League, Group Stage (Matchday 1).

We've been waiting for this night for 6 months.

6 long months.

Awoa gets us started, firing a free kick off the post from 35 yards in the 2nd minute.  A shot across the bow.  But is it another moment of "close, but not close enough?"

When the Spaniards take the upper hand, my heart sinks.  The pain, while existential, feels quite real.  When the referee walks over to the VAR screen in the 59th after Bruno finally draws us level, I can hardly watch.  Only...VAR confirms the goal.  Have we finally arrived?  I'm too confused to celebrate...when Anibal rifles a shot off the post moments later, I realize that this is, in fact, happening.  We're mere inches away from being up 2 on the Spanish champions...and then, Awoa -- who else -- heads home from a Kameni corner in the 78th minute.

We've only gone and done it. 

Back in Europe, where we belong.

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

September 2041 - Youth Intake.

When the best player coming out of Fabrika is Ahmed, something is amiss.

Seriously.  His decision-making is so poor he listens to the Dave Matthews Band.  Unironically.  And you know how it is.  Once you let one of them in the door, the next thing you know you're playing Frisbee golf and taking it way too seriously.

No, thank you.  **** off, Ahmed.  It's not you.  

Well...it is you.  If we're being honest.  

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by ManUtd1

[karanhsingh]

I think your squad has gone way beyond what Georgia can realistically produce academy wise even with the best facilities.

Also I had no idea what "frisbee golf" was until I saw it on a Virgin River episode last night, and now I've heard it mentioned twice in as many days  Sadly the sport has not found it's way to India yet...

[ManUtd1]

20 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

I think your squad has gone way beyond what Georgia can realistically produce academy wise even with the best facilities.

Also I had no idea what "frisbee golf" was until I saw it on a Virgin River episode last night, and now I've heard it mentioned twice in as many days  Sadly the sport has not found it's way to India yet...

Sadly, I think you are right.  The exception that proves the rule?  Mchedlishvili, who my coaches think is going to be an absolute beast.  They seemed to have soured a bit on Gabunia, who was from the same academy class (2038), but that may just be my disappointment at Gabunia's failure to develop.

Regardless, Mchedlishvili is -- hands down -- the best player we've had come through Fabrika.  He's in our 2nd XI right now, and was the reason I was willing to let Abega leave...only for Abega to have his #SeQueda moment.

 

[karanhsingh]

You are right, Davit looks great. Not even going to bother trying to spell his last name. 

How do you give so many players adequate game time for them all to develop? Also btw had a question what's your weekly wage bill at the moment?

[ManUtd1]

October 2041 - Champions League, Group Stage (Matchday 2).

It takes a few minutes to get the motor running in Amsterdam, but once we turn it on, it's on.  3 big points on a night when Atletico fall in Madrid to the French.  We will have a chance to seize control of the Group over the next 2 matches.

  

 

[ManUtd1]

2 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

You are right, Davit looks great. Not even going to bother trying to spell his last name. 

How do you give so many players adequate game time for them all to develop? Also btw had a question what's your weekly wage bill at the moment?

It's really hard, frankly -- since we were out of Europe for ~6 months, my 1st XI and the bench (1st XVIII?) took most of the games over the Spring/Summer, with the 2nd XI filling in on occasion and playing extensively with the reserves, in the 2nd tier.  Now that the Group Stage is upon us, however, we'll be rotating far more heavily -- generally swapping between the 1st and 2nd XIs, to ensure that the 1st XI plays all Champions League matches and does so on ~6 days' rest.

Dongou is a great example of how this has played out over the year-to-date.  He isn't good enough to break into the 18-man "first team," so he's made 10 appearances for the senior squad (6 league, 4 cup), and 12 for the reserves.  Lots of competitive minutes.

Our wage bill is only $400k/week, which is a little more than $20M/year -- more than 2x Dinamo Tbilisi's, and more than 5x that of Dila Gori.

[karanhsingh]

Nice one! I guess having a reserve team playing proper professional football is helping you to give all the players adequate minutes. I think they would simply not progress without it. 

Your wage bill is still fairly under control for this level 

[ManUtd1]

11 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Nice one! I guess having a reserve team playing proper professional football is helping you to give all the players adequate minutes. I think they would simply not progress without it. 

Your wage bill is still fairly under control for this level 

Couldn't agree more on both counts -- I hand out new contracts with some frequency to keep everyone happy, but we haven't had to bump wages to an insane level just yet.  It's coming...

(Having a reserve team in the pyramid was critical for this exact reason.  Planned from day 1, and it has worked spectacularly.  We don't have enough domestic games to ensure those minutes for everyone.

[karanhsingh]

1 minute ago, ManUtd1 said:

Couldn't agree more on both counts -- I hand out new contracts with some frequency to keep everyone happy, but we haven't had to bump wages to an insane level just yet.  It's coming...

(Having a reserve team in the pyramid was critical for this exact reason.  Planned from day 1, and it has worked spectacularly.  We don't have enough domestic games to ensure those minutes for everyone.

Right. Man, I wish I could get myself a team like that in the Ukraine too. 

[ManUtd1]

October 2041 - World Cup Qualifying.

Having already secured our spot at the World Cup, perhaps it is inevitable that our form will suffer.  After all, what's the point?

We labor to 1-nil wins over Algeria and Ghana -- both extremely competent sides, mind.  I realize that there is something to be said for grinding out wins, but this was...not saucy football.  By any definition.

 

[ManUtd1]

8 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Right. Man, I wish I could get myself a team like that in the Ukraine too. 

I get it - affiliates just don't cut it.  Being able to set the XIs for my reserves is huge, separate and apart from the fact that the reserves are playing our tactics, I'm controlling training, etc.

[ManUtd1]

October 2041.

With 4 matches to play in the Erovnuli Liga, we are on the verge of breaking our own records for goals scored and goal difference -- 206 and +194, from last year.  We are also sitting atop our Champions League Group, having slapped the French -- it was nothing less than they deserved.  

Now, we simply need to close out the campaign in style -- readying ourselves for post-holiday football in the New Year.

 

[ManUtd1]

The Pursuit Of Greatness Must Embrace The Ridiculous

November/December 2041 - Run-In & Season Review

The calendar year ends on a high.  Rampant, dominating football with both the Indomitable Lions and Gareji. Clutch moments to secure key wins, like a 91st minute winner in Madrid.  Pillaging the Georgian countryside.

From Madrid to Yaounde, our football is setting the standards to which all others aspire.

But the real tests lie ahead.

The siren song of the Champions League.  And that of the World Cup.

After the year we have had -- in which we found the back of the net an absurd 223 times in the Erovnuli Liga -- failure will only demonstrate the fragility at the heart of our systems.  Our "project."

We have come too far -- accomplished so much -- to fail.

So why is it that when I look in the mirror, I see the doubt in my eyes? 

When I talk to the lads, I can hear his voice in my ears -- Mat's voice.  I wonder if they hear it, too.

Though I know he is with me, he maintains his distance.  This...separation between us.

The only place I can see him these days -- truly see him -- is in my father's painting.  Lurking.  Holding his knife... Only, now... I see the silhouette of a man inside the house.  His back to the window.  And, that man?  That man does not see Mat.  Part of me wishes I could see that man's face -- to know if it is me, or someone else.  In my heart, I know.  But still I want to see it with my own eyes.  See what is coming.  What Mat is planning.

Goals for 2042:  Win the lot, domestically. Make a run in the 2041/42 Champions League knockout rounds.  Make a run at the 2042 World Cup.

 

   

 

   

  

[FiftyBeforeThirty]

Such a flow of green for the results there, great stuff. Long may it continue into the new year too! Thoroughly impressive form and seems like it's almost at the stage of a long run in Europe to me...no curses whispered (hopefully)

[ManUtd1]

Achille Awoa, Danny Roberts Challenge - 2041 Overview

For the first time in 4 years, Achille Awoa cedes his POTY crown to Anibal.  And, let's face it, the Uruguayan deserved it, having claimed 39 goals and 29 assists over the course of the calendar year.  An utterly absurd tally by any measure.  It isn't like Awoa's 26 goals for Gareji are anything to shake a stick at, especially since only 11 were from penalties.  regardless, he is nearly one third of the way to the appearances number.

Meanwhile, Thierry Kameni and Franck Ngongang continue to inch ever closer towards the 1,000 club.  The funny thing about our system being that -- even as our team goals skyrocket, Kameni's have stayed relatively flat.  While that is arguably a frustration for the purposes of the Danny Roberts Challenge, it is exactly what I always envisioned for PM Draugrson and its FM21 predecessor PM Draugr -- players contributing from across the breadth and depth of the pitch.  If you focus on one player, we'll strike through another.  Heads I win, tails you lose.  Lacking a natural focal point for the attack, we excel when our various and sundry parts raise their levels.  Having a bat**** crazy IWB on the left (Iljo Jakimovski, yet another retrained striker) has proven to be a revelation in that regard, though I'm far from the first person to utilize an IWB on attack duty.  And now that our defense seems to be both: (1) more stable, tactically; and (2) more competent, in sheer footballing talent, it is time for the system to prove itself on the grandest stage.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

12 minutes ago, FiftyBeforeThirty said:

Such a flow of green for the results there, great stuff. Long may it continue into the new year too! Thoroughly impressive form and seems like it's almost at the stage of a long run in Europe to me...no curses whispered (hopefully)

Seriously!  The campaigns boil down to a handful of games at this stage! Thank you for the well-wishes!

I've vowed not to brush my teeth until we win the CL, though.  So my wife is certainly hoping we put the pieces of the puzzle together this year.

 

[ManUtd1]

[ManUtd1]

December 2041 - World Cup & Champions League Draws.

The moment of truth.  Twice in a matter of days, I sit nervously.  Waiting for someone to pull our name out of the hopper.

For the trip to Russia, we fear no one in the draw, and are selected to face Nuno Espirito Santo's Czech Republic and the United Arab Emirates.  

For the Champions League, my hope is to avoid the likes of Roberto Martinez's Liverpool, Jeremy Menez's PS-****ing-G, and Julie Stephan's Real Madrid.  Big sides who will each have something to prove after a poor showing in the Group Stage...and we draw Dylan Levitt's Marseille.  I slowly exhale, at which point I realize I've been holding my breath.  This is promising.  Not as promising as the Portuguese would have been, but promising nevertheless.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2022 by ManUtd1

[karanhsingh]

Can't really complain about those draws!

[FiftyBeforeThirty]

Quality draws - hopefully indicative of some good form and runs in the competitions - should definitely be an interesting few months coming up!  All the best!

[ManUtd1]

7 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Can't really complain about those draws!

 

5 hours ago, FiftyBeforeThirty said:

Quality draws - hopefully indicative of some good form and runs in the competitions - should definitely be an interesting few months coming up!  All the best!

Thanks, fellas!  I agree, these are excellent draws. Like anyone else we will need a little luck to make a true run in either competition... But I can't help but be optimistic...

[TelcontarTargaryen]

I was casually reading this and catching up from the last two pages, but that Wheel of Time reference blew me away. 

[ManUtd1]

4 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

I was casually reading this and catching up from the last two pages, but that Wheel of Time reference blew me away. 

There are a lot of things like that sprinkled throughout from WOT and beyond, so I'm glad you caught it! I'm sure most of the references are too oblique. Even Mat's full name was a hint as to the non-WOT aspects of nature (as was the fact that he shared Rezo's birthdate and didn't have a face in-game: screenshot from his intro post), in addition to me always planning on him holding a very particular knife - one I've never described, but as a WoT reader you know exactly what it looks like.

I actually have a 20+ page, single-spaced document outlining what's going on in the broader world beyond the club, the different forces arrayed and what they're doing/planning, and how this save fits into the multiverse of saves I've documented on here and the blog. It entertains me to no end 

Edit: Frankly, the references and allusions to the broader story have slowed down significantly, since I've thought they're too oblique and there wasn't an interest. 

Edited July 27, 2022 by ManUtd1

[karanhsingh]

Now if these were GoT references I'd me more into it 

Sadly not seen WoT yet. 

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, karanhsingh said:

Now if these were GoT references I'd me more into it 

Sadly not seen WoT yet. 

I'm actually not sure that I ever included GoT references -- not for the lack of appreciation, just haven't re-read it in a while!  

WoT books are at the top of my list... The show. Oof... Solid television, but I didn't like the adaptation, personally. I ranted to @wynter about it when it came out 

[ManUtd1]

December 2041 - Award Season.

The biggest award season in Gareji's history, as we claim numerous prestigious awards and honors for the very first time:

• Bruno claims the FIFA U21 POTY;
• Ngongang claims the World Golden Glove and FIFA Best Goalkeeper;
• Awoa wins African Footballer of the Year and the Broadcasters' African Footballer of the Year;
• Ngongang, Awoa and Kameni are named to the African XI;
• Ngongang and Awoa are named to the FIFPro XI; and,
• Fernandez wins the Golden Boy.

       

Meanwhile, Anibal is left empty-handed, wondering what a man has to do to get an award 'round here...

[ManUtd1]

Another bump in television rights for 2042 -- $1.91M for Erovnuli Liga teams, $307k for Erovnuli Liga 2 teams:

 

On 16/07/2022 at 21:00, ManUtd1 said:

Television rights resume their slow rise, with a slight bump for 2040 -- $1.82M for Erovnuli Liga teams, $297k for Erovnuli Liga 2 teams.

 

Edited July 29, 2022 by ManUtd1

[karanhsingh]

Screenshot of the golden boy?

[ManUtd1]

2 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Screenshot of the golden boy?

In all his glory!  His first full campaign with the club was quite remarkable -- a beast in his prolonged trial, we'd initially planned for him to be an inverted left wingback, but it quickly became obvious that he'd better serve the club as one of our flanking CBs.

[karanhsingh]

Excellent! You got him on a free transfer?!

[ManUtd1]

January 2042 - Transfer News.

There's a buzz around a number of players, with Abega leaving for Germany (having rejected Wayne Rooney's Rennes).  But, most of the first team have signed new contracts in the euphoria surrounding the end of a glorious campaign.  Mchedlishvili will step into the 1st XI to replace him.

In the "new signings" column, though, we've landed Sekou to shore up our midfield (almost certainly taking over for Mchedlishvili), with Miletic promoting into the senior squad after playing with the reserves for the latter half of 2041 (having signed on a free), in anticipation of Bell and/or Aboubakar leaving.  Baye Diop will join the reserves upon signing professional terms in early February -- though he has not progressed much during his prolonged trial. 

I'm also undecided as to Isaac, though he would probably be served by spending another year on loan.  Gabunia will (hopefully) be loaned out as well -- he needs more minutes than he's going to get, in order to live up to the potential he had upon his emergence from Fabrika.

  

    

Edited July 29, 2022 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

11 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Excellent! You got him on a free transfer?!

Yes!  Found him in the Honduran youth national team setup, unattached.  In the December 2038 squad review a few pages back, I noted that my scouts though he would be "bigger than Jeebus" and it turns out they may have been right. 

This is him at at 16: