[FM22] Montee les Verts: Rise of the Greens! Trying to stem the tide and restore faded glory...

[13th Man]

Disappointing to miss out on Europe, and to have such an up and down back half of the year after a good start.  Still, 7th is a solid platform to build upon and you've got some good things going.  Getting that defense sorted with a few key signings and/or tactical tweaks might be all you need to take the next step.

[SixPointer]

Shame missing out on Europe but will allow you to focus solely on the domestic next season, giving you time to build a better squad to fight on all fronts in the future. 

[Hootieleece]

1 hour ago, karanhsingh said:

It's been a very solid first season, definitely out-performed expectations. Keep it up!

Yes, there was a definite worry at the start, but the December run pretty much made staying up a certainty. The Defensive Woes I am not quite certain how to fix. The team has a number of talented CB's but none really play the way the tactic needs.

In a future installment you will find out about a possible solution to the CB problems. A Brazilian one and NOT an Argentinian one!

[karanhsingh]

2 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

Yes, there was a definite worry at the start, but the December run pretty much made staying up a certainty. The Defensive Woes I am not quite certain how to fix. The team has a number of talented CB's but none really play the way the tactic needs.

In a future installment you will find out about a possible solution to the CB problems. A Brazilian one and NOT an Argentinian one!

LOL FM loves an Argentinian wonderkid CB for sure

[Hootieleece]

Montee les Verts

June 2022: The Offseason

Manager's Thoughts

The time had come for M. Football to begin to implement his vision for the future of the club. It coincides with the club culture. After some thought M. Football decided there would be a Youth Focus to his plans for the club. This didn't mean there wouldn't be transfer activity. It would just be limited and would focus on specific needs for the First Team if a specific type of player wasn't already at the club.  ASSE 2's youth recruitment was delegated to the General Manager with M. Football having veto power over any potential signees. This will allow M. Football to focus on the First Team and Potential First Team players training and development. The only potential roadblock is the rumored sale of the club.

Highlights

 

Pochettino wins Coach of the Year! Football is fuming anyone could win Ligue 1 with his team! Football believes he deserves the award because of what happened to ASSE in a Parallel Universe with the same players.....

Many players were rumored to be leaving due to Football's plans for the club, but the Club Captain wasn't one!

Even if Football was willing, it would take an extremely large transfer fee, because he was a player to be built around.

The possible sale of the club keeps a cloud over all of the possible work towards next season.

The team would have to pay for having a profitable season.....fair enough!

In light of that tax bill the board only allowed a limited scouting budget, but M. Football transferred funds from the Transfer pool to cover more extensive scouting and recruitment since he was going to continue the teams efforts in the Francophone countries of Africa.

The budget left a lot to be desired since it was less than 10% of PSG's budget, but there was room since Football intended to focus on Youth and selling players in the immediate future. Football did have a 5 Year Plan!

Missing out on European Football hurt, but now the team has a goal for next season.....

The media summed up the season and there was nothing of note in the teams 7th place finish.

All the usual suspects......with those players PSG should have won Champion's league!  

On to club matters with Bernardoni the loaned GK leaving in July. Football had to start solidifying that position. Luckily the team had a talented player at ASSE2 that would be promoted to the first team as a Backup GK.

As you can see not a bad backup GK. This will allow the current backup to become the Number 1 GK.

These four Loan players all played significant minutes this season, but none of them impressed enough for Football to make the move permanent. Sacko was the only one Football was interested in, but his release clause was impossible for the club to pay.

Crivelli had a cheap ($2.4M) fee in his loan contract, but Football decided to look at other options up front to lead the line.

More players were on the move. Aouchiche was one to build around, but when Chelsea came calling it would be unrealistic to refuse especially when they offered to loan him back for the next season.

Macon was another player that Football initially wanted to keep, but lack of playing time behind Sacko led to his becoming disgruntled so he was also allowed to leave. This leaves a big hole at Right Back, but Football was willing to explore his options.

Palencia was another RB and was sold to the team that loaned him because he wasn't Football's (Type of Player)

Football was going to have alot of work to do to find his back Four and he decided to start with a CB.

When his scouts and recruiting let him know about this transfer listed player. Football decided to trust his instincts.

The Brazilian/Serbian would hopefully become ASSE's Virgil Van Dijk!

His agent tried to drum up interest.

At the same time the team was searching for a potential replacement for Camara in case he left.

Even though he is a mezzala, Football doesn't use the role. He will play either CM-S or CM-D. Most likely CM-D to move the current CM-D to be moved to Right Back.

The end of the season came and the team released some players.

The fans got angry at the sale of a player that was never going to make the first team.....

M. Football had a plan and was sure the fans would enjoy the end result!

He also reiterated his commitment to Youth Development.

Management Report

The team is in good shape and this is a make or break season for Football's Career.

Thanks for Reading!

 

 

 

[Hootieleece]

I have played until World Cup Break in 22-23 Season and hope to catch up soon.

[Hootieleece]

ASSE: Montee les Verts

July 2022: Preseason

Manager's Thoughts

Preseason started and it was time to ready the team for the season. The only real hole in the team was at right back (DR) and M. Football couldn't quite find a player to fit his style of play for his budget. He brought in a player to trial. Eventhough he played well it was decided he wasn't the right player. In fact, it was decided to convert CM-D (truly a Mezzala) Yvan Neyou into the starting Right back. Also the team took a trip to Tahiti for training camp. The time in a tropical paradise did wonders for morale and the friendly's against some of Europe's bigger name teams proved the young team could compete.

Schedule

Highlights

July's Transfer window began with the world breathlessly waiting on where this player would go......

And the internal takeover seemed imminent!

Even with the takeover happening the board set out objectives for the upcoming season. If ASSE had another season like the last it would meet expectations. M. Football was certain those objectives would be met and was hoping for an outside chance for Europe Again!

Who thinks this Mbappe guy is any good? So far Chelsea and Bayern!

after his agent drummed no competing offers Football got his man to build the back four around!

and just like that the internal takeover might not happen.....

and it collapsed!

So the board remains the same. At least with an Internal Takeover there was no transfer ban/embargo that would have not allowed Football to bring his vision for the club to full fruition.

At a Press Conference before the FC Porto Friendly,,,,,Football's enthusiasm for his New CB knew no bounds!

On the team's way to training camp in TAHITI the team visited FC Porto for a friendly. The Starting XI played the first 60 minutes and proved a match for the opponent.

With the arrival of Lyanco that made a younger First team player a prime candidate for loan....

Mbappe ended up at Bayern....thus removing an impediment from our quest for Ligue 1.

This is a Club DNA Chart Football "borrowed" from another coach so that he can make judgement about who should be on the team.

and this is a Young and "Big" Team.

The rumors of ASSE bringing in more players is unfounded, but the media still runs with the story anyway.

As Right Back is still a hole in the lineup Football decided to trial this player.

Another young player is sent out for First team experience.

Bonuses were decided. Football is sure that Normal is Fine.

Another takeover: Could someone just buy the club please! was Football's response.

another young player set for loan experience.

The guy just kept trying to be a Football Club Owner.....after two rejections. He is probably now eligible to run for President of France!

After returning from Tahiti the team hosted Manchester United at Stadium Geoffrey Guichard!

That is a pretty stacked team.....and will be tough to beat.

The ASSE Boys played hard but the gulf of quality was too much especially early on. The team played better after the awe of playing Man United and seeing Ronaldo in person wore off!

The team played better after halftime but it wasn't enough as shown by xG.

The pass map wasn't horrible it is that the team didn't have the ball enough to reach Football's Magic number of 500 passes in a match.

Yvan Neyou a CM being converted into a DR-Fullback-A played really well.

The final match of Preseason would See AJAX travel to St. Etienne for a Friendly.

And the ASSE stunned the competition with a late goal to win!

It was obvious to many in the stands that Football's roster clean out and transfers were smart business and the team was very competitive with all of the bigger teams on its Preseason schedule.

xG doesn't do justice to how well the team played. Mostly due to tactical familiarity. Football believes that the 2nd season when the team has had a full preseason and game experience behind it that the biggest gains in tactical acumen are gained.

This match was mostly played by the Squad players with starters brought on for the winning touch.

Manager Report

The team is on sound financial footing and Football is secure for now as manager.....

Thanks for Reading!

 

 

 

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[Hootieleece]

ASSE: Montee les Verts

2022-2023 Season Preview

Manager's Thoughts

ASSE has a mostly young untried team, but Football believes that if the team plays to their potential, the sky is the limit! The biggest thing is that most of the players in the starting XI were already at the club. The biggest gamble is converting Neyou from a CM to an RB. He looks to have the attributes to become a great one.

Transfers

Most of the Free transfers coming in to the team are actually for the ASSE2 team to restock the "farm". Abdullah Ba is our most expensive signing. Lyanco is probably our most important. Adil Aouchiche was transferred to Chelsea but we happily took him back as a loan.

 

Squad Report

As can be seen the team is talented but thin in some areas, but with loads of potential that Football hopes to be unlocked playing in Ligue.

Also there will probably be a shift in play as Football moulds the team in his image the team will look to press more and play "Heavy Metal" Football (Liverpool 2015 style) to take advantage of the abundance of physical players.

Starting XI

GK: Sweeper Keeper-D

Right Back: FB-A

Center Back: BPD-D

Center Back: CD-D

Left Back: WB-A

Center Midfield: CM-D

Center Midfield: CM-S

AML: IW-A

Striker: PF-S

#10: AP-A

AML-IF-S

Season Preview

After looking at the pundits prediction of 11th place it might be tough to reach the boards expectations. Also to no one's surprise no ASSE Players are touted for great seasons. M. Football believes that anything is possible if the team gets off to a good start with the favorable early schedule.

Thanks for Reading!

 

 

[Hootieleece]

On 08/06/2022 at 03:04, SixPointer said:

Shame missing out on Europe but will allow you to focus solely on the domestic next season, giving you time to build a better squad to fight on all fronts in the future. 

 

On 08/06/2022 at 02:31, 13th Man said:

Disappointing to miss out on Europe, and to have such an up and down back half of the year after a good start.  Still, 7th is a solid platform to build upon and you've got some good things going.  Getting that defense sorted with a few key signings and/or tactical tweaks might be all you need to take the next step.

The plan boiled down to a few key signings and using the talent already in house.

[karanhsingh]

Abdullah Ba is definitely a very good player from my previous experience! Good luck with the heavy metal football 

[Hootieleece]

 

ASSE: Montee les Verts

August 2022: Regular Season "Whatever it takes"- Imagine Dragons

Manager's Thoughts

The team came out of preseason in good shape and with confidence. The early schedule was mostly against relegation threatened teams and would give the team a chance to get off to a good start that was imperative if this young team was going to thrive. During the first match the team played tentatively, and it showed, but the real problem was goalkeeping and after that performance. I almost decided to bring in a more experienced player but didn't. First impressions are often wrong, and Green went on to have 3 good matches after that vindicating the choice made over the summer. The Lyanco signing is also showing to be inspired and most of our defensive woes have disappeared according to the stats. It is still early, and the level of competition is also a factor but if the trend continues the team might surprise some people.

 

Schedule

Highlights

The season began with a home match against newly promoted FCSM

The pundits and bookies favored us to win but were unsure about the team waiting for more results before truly backing Football's Team.

The Scouting department let us know what formation FCSM would play.

They were looking to sit deep and beat us on the counter. This might give us trouble because of how we have fared in the past.

FCSM proved tough to breakdown and did catch us on the counter, but everything being equal stats wise we should have won! The Team battered the FCSM defenses, and it was an incredible display of Goalkeeping that denied us victory. In many ways it was the stark contrast in the play of the goalies that was the difference.

After the game, Football wasn't sure about his decision to go with the young Etienne Green as his #1 GK.

and the scouts reported about this transfer-listed player, who seemed perfect for the job.

Afterwards, M. Football spent some time comparing the two GK's and decided for the time being to trust his instincts. If the bad play continued Football might pull the trigger on a deal.

The next match saw the team head to the ancient University town of Montpellier to play.

The teams were considered equals, but Football was certain it he got better GK there was a good chance of a win.

An Early Set-Piece Goal by Lyanco set the tone for the match and after prolonged time of rather even play. The dam broke and the goals came!

With Jessy Deminguet scoring a brace and Charles Abi scoring his first goal as striker. Both looked like good choices if they could keep it up.

The Analysts were jubilant about our dominant victory.

The pass map isn't bad and Lyanco controlled the action as a BPD, 

In other news the marketing team said that support for the team remains about the same as the previous year.

The team needs to start playing in Europe and challenging for titles if it is ever going to fill its 42k seat stadium!

The next match was against local rivals Clermont FC. It is more of a sibling rivalry with ASSE being the "Big Brother" and that meant that the team would have to put in a good performance despite the Hype from Local Media.

The Clermont team comes into the match in bad form and Football has a good record against the Clermont Manager things were looking good for a repeat of the last game.

It was a big win against Clermont, but theday was certainly decided by Clermont FC going down to 10 men. The Team was able to maintain pressure after the sending by switching from a possession heavy tactic to a gengenpress that created turnovers and led to the points in spite of Clermont "Parking the Bus" after the sending off.

Clermont supporters were not happy with the referee, but Clermont thought they could intimidate us with physicality.

Lots of words were shared after the match and Football did his best to be a magnanimous victor.

After the Clermont match the team had to travel to the site of the last defeat, FC Nantes. The FC Nantes team was expected to struggle with relegation once again and Football expected a win, but as always would be wary of overconfidence.

The team wasn't favored but Football thought the team was in good form.

The team scored early and dominated the game resorting to the possession. The only blemish on the performance was the late goal by FC Nantes Kader Bamba that was the result of a dramatic dribbling display!
 

The FC Nantes manager was embarrassed by the way ASSE bossed the game and needed a scapegoat!

Highlights of the match were on National Television and the undefeated month had the team in a great position in the table, but it was still early.

According to the "Nerds" we didn't play very well and escaped with a win by xG.

After the match the end of the Transfer window was upon us and after flirting with the idea of bringing more players in including these: 

Then again Football went with his gut and decided that Charles Abi and Etienne Green deserved the c

ance, he had given them and would not bring any players in last minute to upset the balance of the team.

Footbal was adamant going into transfer day!

and ASSE made no more deals.....

Lyanco had been the main business of the transfer window coming in the other players were mostly for depth and ASSE2.

Ryad Boudebouz would be missed as he was last season's leading scorer with 8 goals and 11 assists, but Adil Aouchiche seems to be a decent replacement even if only for this season.

League Table

Analysts Report

Player of the Month

Manager's Report

Thanks for Reading!

 

 

 

[Hootieleece]

ASSE: Montee les Verts

September 2022: Regular Season "Keep the Faith" Bon Jovi

Manager's Thoughts

The team has continued its good play with the only hiccup coming against Strasbourg that took advantage of our weakness against Over-the-Top Balls.  M. Football is wondering if this is because most of our play so far has been against lower table opposition. Not that M. Football is complaining because you can only play against scheduled opponents.  Even after the bad result against Strasbourg Football kept playing the same system because he believed it fit the players he had. The only tweak was the use of a more pressing system after getting a lead.

Schedule

Highlights

The new month started out with an International Break after the transfer window ended and most of the team used the extra time to be prepared for the visit of the "Orange Crush" FC Lorient.

They were yet another relegation candidate, so ASSE was expected to win.

The team did well and was slightly rotated to allow the international players more rest and their understudies proved capable.

Lyanco was dominant and is proving to be a shrewd piece of business so far!

The team seems to be in fine form and the media are taking notice!

The xG shows just how dominant the team was.

The passing map shows that the team found a weakness in FC Lorient's Defense on their Left Wing. So, our Right-wing players had major success playing the ball.

The next match would see the team head to Alsace and play Strasbourg. M. Football hated going to Strasbourg because it was like going to the dentist. A Big Physical team that sat deep and played "Old Fashioned" Sean Dyche 4-4-2 Football. Plus, the weather was often miserable like in Burnley.

Confidence was high before this test. What could possibly go wrong?

Lyanco was both the hero and goat of the match. Best player for ASSE by far, but it was his defensive mistake that led to the only goal of the match. 

Strasbourg's game plan does very much nullify our playmaking advantages and speed and that means that eventually Football is going to have to change tactics.

but according to the analysts ASSE should have won! XG stats prove it!

Strasbourg attacked the left flank mostly and it was Over-the-top

ball from the GK the led to the goal.

We controlled the match through our passing just wasn't able to breach their defense.

The team came home from Alsace with its tail between its legs, but the next opponent Le Havre FC was a perfect "Bounce Back " opponent. The Newly promoted team was still settling into Ligue 1. M. Football wanted to give them a welcome they wouldn't forget! To erase the memories of the dreadful match against Strasbourg.

Our CM Ba starred for Le Havre during the last campaign and Football was hoping for a good showing by the young player.

M. Football decided to play the Squad players at home against Le Havre and victory was the result. Which means good things for the future in that there is depth at the club. M. Football always tries to have two similar players for each position in a formation so that the system continues to function.

The XG shows that it was close for a while but as Football started subbing in starters quality showed.

As shown by the result the young #10 Benkhedim played the role to perfection as the system is actually designed around the role. It used to use a Trequarista and it was changed to an AP-A.

After the match with Le Havre FC the team prepared to play LOSC Lille in the coal country of France. LOSC is expected to be a match for ASSE since it is one of the first non-relegation candidates that ASSE face this season. After Strasbourg, Football didn't change anything except players, giving the starters a rest, and was victorious by remaining true to his system.

Both teams came into the game in good form with LOSC topping the table in Ligue 1.

  The hosts were favored but Football believed in his players.

The match went much like the others with a victory, but the team was on the front foot from the first and an early goal by Khazri  set the tone. ASSE tried to press their advantage starting in the second half by applying pressure to LOSC by Gengenpressing like Liverpool circa 2015. This was effective and created two more goals the sealed the victory.

Aouchiche played a masterful match and people understand why Chelsea bought him!

The LOSC was embarrassed and didn't want to have anything to say about the Match!

but in Football's Press Conference......A reporter called Football's Style of play "Football-ball" for the first time!

Highlights of the match made the all the soccer shows that night and ASSE is in a really good place early in the season. Do we dare dream of European Nights?

Xg shows that the match was close until Football made the switch to Gegenpressing!

The team didn't pass the ball quite as well as usual, but Right Back Neyou was the focal point of our passing game attacking LOSC's Left Wing. Showing that Football had made another inspired choice by converting him to a Right Back.

League Table

Analysts Report

Player of the Month

Manager's Report

Thanks for Reading!

 

 

 

 

[karanhsingh]

Footballball has arrived!!

[Hootieleece]

It is unfortunate that I lost the game files on steam. After verifying the files of FM22 this morning. I couldn't find the save to continue.

I had played further in the save. It is a mystery to me how this team was relegated. I played two seasons and came to the conclusion that only epic bad luck and mismanagement could have created a team that got relegated based on the talent available to the team. I did add 3 players (starters) for the second season, and they made us better, but it wasn't huge difference from first season. First Season:7th and 2nd Season: 5th. (Europa League)

I think this might be more of a challenge in FM23 depending on the transfers over the summer. Since only 2 teams will be promoted from Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 going down to 18 teams after the 22/23 Season.

I will be back with another soon.

 

[karanhsingh]

8 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

It is unfortunate that I lost the game files on steam. After verifying the files of FM22 this morning. I couldn't find the save to continue.

I had played further in the save. It is a mystery to me how this team was relegated. I played two seasons and came to the conclusion that only epic bad luck and mismanagement could have created a team that got relegated based on the talent available to the team. I did add 3 players (starters) for the second season, and they made us better, but it wasn't huge difference from first season. First Season:7th and 2nd Season: 5th. (Europa League)

I think this might be more of a challenge in FM23 depending on the transfers over the summer. Since only 2 teams will be promoted from Ligue 2 and Ligue 1 going down to 18 teams after the 22/23 Season.

I will be back with another soon.

 

Ah that's unfortunate! But yes they are a good team to manage for sure. And have been mismanaged as you say in real life. 

Do you already know where you are off to next?