(FM23) We're Gonna Deep Fry....Everything!!

[andychar]

World Cup 2034

2nd Round

Ivory Coast (n)

We are favourites. Its not a surprise. We have apparently dropped down to 9th and Ivory Coast sit 14th. So its not as clear cut as maybe the Group Stage was. FA want 3rd Round so if I lose this there's a good chance it means my job as well.

You say this every single knockout game! It losses its merit eventually you know!

Its Winter!

Knockout stages started the day before we play with 4 games.

Morocco have enjoyed good Tournaments of late so that is a very good England win. Poland enjoyed a nice Bye week. Croatia beating Belgium, might be considered to some as a shock. Venezuela getting to the 3rd Round is most definately a shock!

We play last on the day so here are the results that came before us. 

A day of drama which doesn't bode well for us. Argentina are out! Now that is a shock in an all South America game. Holland and France both scrape through by the skin of their teeth. But it doesn't matter, by any means at this point.

We are up.

Some forced changes. Hardwick is suspended after picking up 2 yellows. Plenty more possibly where that came from after today. McGurk picked up a little knock so Curutchet comes in. Campbell's fitness a little doubt so his participation is a gamble. Turnbull comes in for the gassed Gemmell to pick up his 100th cap for Scotland. 

Well. We have had better starts.

We can have zero complaints. We haven't turned up.

Here goes the biggest team talk of my career.

I yelled.

65th minute and nothing has happened. Time to gamble.

Shellshocked. This could be how this save ends.

Didn't say anything in the dressing room afterwards. Just left in silence. Lets see what the future holds.

[andychar]

9 minutes ago, Makoto Nakamura said:

At this point...just sack the Scottish FA, it's your best hope.

They might be getting there first 

[andychar]

World Cup 2034

Well just because we are out doesn't mean the World Cup comes to a halt. Imagine waiting months to come back to this to get absolutely bent over in the 2nd Round .

I fancy a surprise winner this year.

Spain are looking good but haven't really played anybody yet. Can only beat what's in front of you though. Something we failed to do!

Germany seem to be limping through. USA and Costa Rica was as spicy as predicted.

Brazil go through, somehow. Italy and Portugal keep on chugging, they both look good. Denmark could be a Dark Horse as well.

Oh man it would have been Ecuador in the 3rd Round. That is a huge opportunity missed! England's habit of sleep walking through with easy draws continues, and they say FM is unrealistic! (I'm not bitter, honestly).

Germany v Spain, Italy v Portugal, Holland v France. Its starting to get spicy.

Venezuela held on for as long as they could but it was just not enough. Good effort. Poland however defied the odds and went through despite 10 men. Poland? Dark Horses as well?

France are looking like the team to beat. Ivory Coast going through makes me feel better.

Ok I'm calling it. Germany beating Spain is a shock. Norway seem to be slipping under the radar a little as well. Could be interesting these Quarters.

Italy v Portugal was hard to call and it proves it here. Penalties separating them. Brazil once again fly through, let their foot off the gas a wee bit but safely into the Quarters.

At this point it wouldn't surprise me if England drew Sao Tome and Principe in the Semi Final.

Wow France. England once again not very impressive but doing enough. They wouldn't meet France till a potential Final.

Maybe I was being harsh on Germany, they are in the Semi Final and have beaten good teams to get there. Brazil v France is the Final, surely?

We certainly aren't getting a shock winner.

A World Cup that started with a draw against Costa Rica will end with the Final. Germany, you have impressed me and I'm sorry for ever doubting you. Can't wait to face you in the Nations League...if I survive.

Question is who will Germany face?

First time England face a decent team they get beat. Smug mode activated.

Germany v Brazil. I don't think any Neutral would complain about that. England Germany would have been brilliant though.

I'm not going to give grief to England for losing this one. The most pointless fixture in all of Football and I will never change my mind.

So who wins it all? And do I keep my job? The answer will be revealed in the next 2 screenshots.

We survive!

The revenge tour starts now!

[andychar]

When I say no retirements I did actually mean important people. This is the same as me retiring from International Football. So if you are reading this Steve Clarke. I'm sorry.

[andychar]

54 days between me knowing I'm safe till our first Nations League game. I was fearing relegation before but now I'm expecting it. We can't let one bad result get us down. This team is still strong in my opinion and I think we are 2/3 years away from being a real force.

 

[andychar]

Update

I normally update after a major Tournament anyway but this one feels more poignant.

I mentioned Asia has been forgotten about and this is the extent. Only 9 out of 46 here. I might need to make the next 2 years all about Asia. Don't seem to face many in the World Cup either.

Ivory Coast become the first African Country to beat us. 21/54 isn't a bad crack though, lots of easy games left, that Mozambique line is filling me with doubt.

Some teams knocked off here. Ironically its currently got the most active Countries faced and not beaten. 12/35.

Obviously more yellow than white here and we have a chance to get 2 more in the Nations League, just the same matter of an Italian side we haven't beat in 3 and the World Champions.

Another South American down and one that got away in Ecuador. Didn't touch OFC this 2 year spell. Don't think I need to for a while.

Don't think I touched one of these either. Might get another off the list at some point over the next 2 years.

Overall we are currently at 87 out of 225. Still a long ways to go but the important thing is we have survived our first blip.

[andychar]

No Argentina this time 

[andychar]

The first call up after the disaster that was World Cup 2034. Big questions were going to be answered. Wholesale changes? Or just call it a blip and move on?

Well the first thing I've decided is I have two much talent up front to play one. So I've sacrificing a midfielder for a Striker.

I think what you'll notice is the lack of Youth in this squad. No point calling them up if not going to play them yet. They can get experience in the U21s. So its back to Ed McGinty. Johnson will keep the gloves.

McGurk being the youngest defender at 26 tells you the direction I'm heading here. Hopefully the likes of Patterson and Hickey have one more World Cup in them in 2038.

One less midfield place means less call ups. Hardwick not in shot as he's AMR/L. Gilmour comes back into the team, as I continue my "Going for experience" theme. Not quite sure he will make the World Cup but the Euros surely.

John Todd is probably the surprise package here. He hasn't played up front yet for the side. He might get a shot here, but its likely going to be Munro paired with Laidlaw. The first time this save I've played 2 up front.

So that's the answer to the question. Experience over Youth.

[andychar]

Nations League

Italy (a)

What better place to debut the new and improved (maybe) tactic eh. Italy away.

This doesn't surprise me at all.

We fell back down to 11th in the rankings and honestly thought it was going to be much worse.

Last time we played Italy in Italy we only lost 2-1. That was 11 years ago. Lets see how much has changed since then. I'm going to get into the habit of half time and full time reports rather than all goals.

Weird way of laying out the Starting XI here so...Patterson and Doig on the outside of defence with Campbell and Morrison getting the nod in the middle. Its Lowry and O'Hare in the Centre of Midfield. Hardwick and Brennan get the call on the Wings. Laidlaw and Munro up front. 

I have no idea how this is going to go.

Jury is still out. Munro missed a brilliant chance after only 20 seconds. Since then its been something of nothing from both teams. That possession worries me but we haven't been out classed. That's the main thing. I wouldn't say we have played well, in fact the only person in the green right now is Patterson. 

Lets stay positive!

Glad I made the decision to stop doing goal by goal updates. Saved me a load of time.

We played well. That is a very encouraging game. We don't tick Italy off the list, its now 4 attempts but that was a very good draw against a very good side.

Belgium thought it would be hilarious to stick 4 past Germany. So can't wait for the German response in our next game.

[andychar]

Nations League 

Germany (h)

Believe it or not this is our first attempt to topple the Germans and if we are to do it I have a feeling it has to be here. Don't fancy going to Munich needing a win against the World Champions.

The positive news at the moment is...we aren't bottom of the Group! Remember this competition goes to seeding for the Euro Qualifying. Its not as important this time around as Top 2 get there but if we go down it means we can't be Top Seed for the next World Cup Qualifers which will make our job all that bit harder.

Yep. Agreed.

Like an Australian Winter.

A few changes to the Starting Line Up.

Hickey comes in for Doig, Gilmour comes in for O'Hare. Turnbull called up cos of illness to Hunter, he starts on the bench. Hunter is the biggest sacrifice from this change of direction. 

Hey remember all that positivity and belief switching to 2 up front will be the right call?

Turns out we could be onto something. If you ignore the fact it's a winger who scored of course. We were great. In control for large portions of the game. We just need more of the same and another big Nation could be ticked. off.

It could have been more comfortable, it should have been more comfortable but right now I don't care.

Hey remember the World Cup? Nope, me neither. We just beat the Champions.

[andychar]

I need to show the table but I wanted to end that post on the cool sounding sentence.

So far, so very good. Belgium got thrashed at home to Italy. Meaning they have 3 away games still to come. Germany have been shocking so far and amazingly we are fighting for a place in the Semis. Hope you're watching Mozambique.

[andychar]

We've been rocked by injuries in between these two sets of fixtures.

John Todd also misses out.

He does because with Brennan and Doak playing well there just isn't room for him.

Murray Johnson remains the number 1. I just want that young keeper to have a bit more experience before I bite the bullet.

With Diog out Tidser has a chance to make his debut for Scotland.

We welcome back Fiorini who has been in and out the side his entire career it seems. I'm trying to try something new in midfield.

No surprises here really. Munro will be 1 shy of 100 unless he gets injured game 1.

[andychar]

Nations League

Belgium (h)

I hate to say this but after the Germany performance I'm going into this game with a sense of expectation. It shouldn't be there, but it is. We could all but secure safety if we can win this game, and at the same time keep pressure on the Italians.

Oh would you look at that. I don't like it.

Despite the injures we are only forced into two changes from the side that beat Germany.

Curutchet comes in for the just shy of fitness Campbell and Gemmell fills the hole left by Gilmour.

Expectation and hope is high. Lets not let the fans down.

It was a choice between Gemmell and O'Hare and its not surprise to hear it won't be a choice next time. Belgium have been the better team and missed a very good chance. We have huffed and puffed without really giving anything. We will do well to salvage a point from here.

How we did this I will never know.

A straight red on the hour mark meant we were down to 9 men. At that point it was a matter of when not if. I don't know if Belgium just risked everything and plowed men forward but out of nothing Laidlaw comes up with a huge goal. Even more impressive was the fact when Munro scored we had 8 men on the pitch because Lowry was recieving treatment off the pitch. A truly remarkable match and what a win.

Germany beat Italy 1-0 meaning at the half way stage of this Group...

We are top. 4 points clear of the Drop.

[andychar]

Nations League

Germany (a)

Even before anything else happens between last game and this I know I'm going to have to make 4 changes. 1 injury and 3 suspensions. Not ideal. Even less ideal is everybody picking up points left, right and center. This is a close group and it could come down to the final game.

Hardly a surprise. Even before the injuries.

I'm not hopeful about this one. Survive. That's the objective.

Changes include. Campbell coming back into the fold, McGurk for Curutchet who is a little jaded. Ramsay for the suspended Patterson. Doak in for Brennan, Fiorini in for the suspended Gemmell, O'Hare in for the injured Lowry (knock). Luckily Laidlaw and Munro have kept together!

Good luck I guess! I can't wait to go back to playing India and Zanzibar.

Ideally whatever happens here. Italy beat Belgium, keeps a 4 point lead over at least one Country.

We certainly haven't been outclassed. Germany probably have had the better chances. I'd take this at Full Time!

I said I'd take it but my God we should have won. It took a free kick to break the deadlock. I couldn't tell you what Munro's goal was like because I was making subs. Ramsay's however was a screamer. The equaliser came as a result of not being able to clear the ball well and it fell to Bilali for an easy finish. We probably should have won but I'm more than happy with that result considering how many changes we had to make.

Its a result that leaves the table looking like this with 2 games to go.

I think we are mathmatically safe. Correct me if I'm wrong but Germany and Belgium have to play each other so worse case we finish on 8 points, both Germany and Belgium can't leapfrog me?

Can they? 

Belgium could beat us and Germany, that's 9 points. Meaning most Germany can finish is 7.
Belgium and Germany could draw. Meaning most Belgium can finish on is 7.....

Yeah........we got this.

[andychar]

Oh and yeah, we are top of the Group still.

[Rikulec]

Looking really, really good in that group so far!

[andychar]

23 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Looking really, really good in that group so far!

Hardest group we have had, best we have done!

I think this is literally the first time this has happened. I'm not going to post the squad. Its the same as what it was before. Scroll up 

[andychar]

Nations League

Italy (h)

All the attention on surviving. Well it turns out if we win this game we are in the Semi Final! And we also finally tick Italy off. 

I had no reason to change anything, the last group played well, they have fully embraced the new tactics.

Ok so maybe we need to change.

We aren't favourites which isn't a surprise but I fancy we can give them a good go.

A few missing. Hardwick picked up an injury so Doak comes in. Wilkie in for Laidlaw who isn't 100%. Win and in. Draw and we control our destiny. Loss and its win and need help.

Good performance so far. We hit the post but we have kept our shape and kept it tight. Its set up for an entertaining second half.

Get in there! I thought we had it after scoring late on but they went straight down and bought us level. I was happy with a point but Laidlaw with a brace and then his hattrick was brilliant. He came off the bench and was just outstanding. 

For the first time we have reached the Semi Final. What a brilliant way to bounce back after the disappointing World Cup.

[andychar]

Nations League

Belgium (a)

Its nice to have an absolutely pointless game here. It means nothing. We are in the Semis. The only thing we are playing for are World Ranking Points.

It would be nice to end the Group Stage with a win and keep the good times coming.

Changes galore. McGurk, Morrison, Tidser start in defence. Fiorini comes in at the heart of midfield. Todd and Laidlaw start up front.

Both teams started strong but the match faded out towards the end. I'll take a point and finish this group unbeaten!

This entire Tournament so far has been beyond my wildest dreams.

We relegate Belgium. Oh well eh!

[andychar]

We don't play for another 127 days as things stand. Time to put our feet up.

[andychar]

Euro 2036 Qualifying Draw

All I ask for is teams we haven't played yet. I want to tick off 4 Countries! Unlikely but you never know.

Lets take a look who we could get before we draw the first seeds.

Group A - 2 teams we haven't ticked off
Group B - 1 team we haven't ticked off (Kazakhstan)
Group C - 1 team we haven't ticked off (Kosovo)
Group D - 2 teams we haven't ticked off 
Group E - 1 team we haven't ticked off (Nothern Ireland)
Group F - 1 team we haven't ticked off (Latvia)
Group G - 2 teams we haven't ticked off
Group H - 2 teams we haven't ticked off 
Group I - 3 teams we haven't ticked off!
Group J - 2 teams we haven't ticked off

So at least we will get the chance to tick 1 Country off during these qualifying.

Screw you Kosovo.

[andychar]

There was nobody I could have drawn we haven't faced and beaten. So, I'm happy with that. I'll update on how all Nations League went.

 

The downside is here.....we miss out on a chance for a friendly.

[AM23]

Great Nations League performance! Hopefully you can carry this form on to the Euros.

[andychar]

12 hours ago, AM23 said:

Great Nations League performance! Hopefully you can carry this form on to the Euros.

Thanks mate. I feel like I'm setting myself for an even grander failure in the Euros 

[andychar]

All I've seen in the build up to this is "Injury this" and "Injury that". I don't know who is going to be left.

We have lost Patterson until the end of the Season. Hopefully that's only a few games for us.

Just to name a few!

I think at this point it would be silly not to give Steven Campbell his first cap. Murray Johnson misses out due to injury.

Another potential debut for Gareth Mitchell, he's had a fine season and deserve the call up. 

Hunter comes back into the frame after missing most of the Nations League with injury. Mick Campbell also back in after an absence. The injuries are starting to pile up.

Laidlaw and Munro will start and with only 1 backup. Kamara has a bright future and hopefully he can live up to it.

[andychar]

Euro 2036 Qualifying

Slovenia (h)

A tricky game to start the campaign with. We don't have our best squad but we should have enough to start strong. Confidence is nearly at a all time high.

We are odds on favourites. Shows how far we have come in the 13 years I've been here.

I mentioned earlier how Hunter was the biggest casualty of the change. He does not suit our new playing style at all. Hickey isn't fully fit so Ramsay goes to the Right and Tidser starts on the left. Gemmell picked ahead of O'Hare and Hunter. 

Banged and broken before we have even started!

Its been poor and we are struggling without some key pieces in this line up.

We wil call this one job done. A much better 2nd half from the lads. The first goal was a bit lucky, bounced around, hit Laidlaw and trickled in. The second was from a set piece. 3 points in the bag and a clean sheet for the 16 year old.

[andychar]

Euro 2036 Qualifying

Kosovo (a)

This is the big one! The only Country we can tick off the list this year! I assume we are going to be heavy favourites...

No more than at home to Slovenia and that was a tricky tie in the end. Lets not take anything for granted.

Changes needs as fatigue has played a factor. Campbell (Sam) and Morrison at the back with Hickey now fit to play. O'Hare comes in for Lowry and Kamara starts against of Laidlaw. Doak and Munro start despite not being 100%.

April the 1st. Please don't make a fool out of me.

We have been dominant but a 1-0 lead only at the half. An early second will calm some nerves. Good to see Kamara on the scoresheet. Munro has been quiet since the change of tactic I think.

We survived a big scare early on with the goal chalked off. We thought we had it in the bag when Kamara score but that was ruled off. When the second did go in it was a killer and we really took control. Laidlaw is flying with the new changes. Long may it continue.

Maximum points and another Country ticked off.