Revival of the Frauds: The Sir Alex "Fraud" Ferguson FMCU Community Challenge

[smp20]

 

Alright ladies and gents! I've been nominated to start up the thread, I'm not as creative as some others so apologies in advance this may not be the most exciting opener.

The aim of this thread is to give regular FMCU posters a place to take on a challenge together. We have a group of "frauds" that have already started up, but this is open to everyone that wishes to contribute!

The write up below is shamelessly stolen and slightly adapted from the challenge thread so thank you very much @jaysdailydose! Now we are frauds after all, so these restrictions are loose. 

The Sir Alex Ferguson Challenge

Your Manager

44-years-old, December 31 birthdate, Scottish, No Additional Languages, International Player (Continental Level)/Continental Pro License (preferential, you can be any manager profile you want!)

Sir Alex was 44 years old, coming up on his 45th birthday, when he took over Manchester United on November 6, 1986.  He spoke limited German and French, so no additional languages should be given.  He was a Scottish International with 9 goals in 7 caps, born December 31, 1941, and had a quality club career in Scotland (As an aside, at the time Fergie's caps were not counted by the Scottish FA so I went for Pro Footballer, National Level as playing experience) .  Sir Alex had taken his badges by the age of 24, and had already won two European trophies in the Cup Winners Cup and the UEFA Super Cup by the time of his appointment at United, so I'm sure we'll have no arguments over our manager!

Challenge Rules and Restrictions

You may load any database size and leagues you wish
You must always have a player produced by your club's academy in every match squad (not just HG at club, but actually directly through the academy)
You MAY sign ONLY 8 PERMANENT signings per season!  Sir Alex never signed more than this ever in a season.
ALL Options should be unchecked except for "Do Not Add Key Staff" -- you may do cosmetic edits, so your use of the editor IS ON YOUR HONOR.
You MAY sign any player that you can scout.  You do not have to scout them, but you MUST be able to do so.
You MAY NOT ever do transfer business of any kind with your fiercest rival.  (Liverpool/United have not exchanged a player since 1964.) [Phil Chisnall to Liverpool]
You MAY NOT edit the game in any way other than cosmetic enhancements.  No editor, no edited databases.
 A relegation is immediate challenge over at any time.
A sacking is immediate challenge over at any time.
International management is NOT allowed at any time.
Any version of the game is OK (and encouraged) that can meet these restrictions.
When starting the challenge, take a screenshot of your manager profile and the league table on November 6th for confirmation!

NOTE: For the "academy player in squad rule" -- if you do not have an eligible player registered at the beginning of the challenge, you do not have to be compliant until your first chance to register players (January 1st of your first season.)

It isn't a requirement, but you SHOULD try to develop your academy and youth coaching to their highest levels, and you should try to establish a coaching tree of former players.

The Challenge

Holiday until November 6, and take over the club 19th in the Premier League table. (Manchester United were 19th on 6 November, 1986)

In 27 seasons, you need to complete the following...

Milestones

Win the FA Cup within 4 seasons - Ferguson won his first cup, the FA Cup vs Crystal Palace in 89/90
Win the Premier League within 7 seasons - Ferguson won his first Premier League in 92/93
Win a Premier League/FA Cup double within 8 seasons - Ferguson won his first Double with United in 93-94
Win Three Premier League/FA Cup Doubles within 13 seasons - Ferguson's Treble Included His Third League/FA Cup Double
Win the Premier League/FA Cup/Champions League Treble within 13 seasons - Ferguson Won the Infamous Treble in 98/99

Achievements

Premier League (13)
FA Cup (5)
League Cup (4)
Community Shield (10)
UEFA Champions League (2)
UEFA Europa League (1) (Replaces the Cup Winners Cup) **
UEFA Super Cup (1)
FIFA Club World Cup (2) (One Replaces Intercontinental Cup)

** A third UEFA Champions League will meet the UEFA Europa League requirement! 

Let the fraudulence commence!!!

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by smp20

[smp20]

The Frauds, Clubs and Progress

@noikeee - FM22, Norwich City, Season 1 Complete (4th)

@smp20 - FM22, Leeds United, Season 1 Complete (4th), Season 2 Complete (Champions League Winners + 5th) ABANDONED

@andychar - FM23, Fulham, Season 1

@Deisler26 - FM23, Crystal Palace, Season 1 Complete (Survived, FA Cup Winners)

@wynter - FM23, Nottingham Forest Torino, Season 1

@Hootieleece - FM23, Bournemouth, Season 1 Complete (Survived)

@smp20 - FM22, Southampton, Season 1

@Kubson - FM23, Brentford, Season 1 Complete (10th)

@Helginho - FM23, Bochum, Season 1

Edited February 16, 2023 by smp20

[noikeee]

Am at work with no access to my screenshots etc but quickly posting just to say I've got dibs on Norwich, on FM22.

[andychar]

I didnt take the screenshot of the table but its Fulham for me! Currently in March.

[smp20]

Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!

If you're gonna do a fraudulent SAF challenge, you may as well do it with one of United's biggest rivals, right? Unfortunately I don't have an image of the league table, but as you can see above Leeds were sitting in 19th position as of 6th November and 10 games played, with my first game to be played against Villa on the day of arrival.

We all know Leeds well. They're notoriously disliked. Nevertheless a successful history, with a few titles and near misses in Europe, as well as a big fanbase. They're a giant in the making just as Man Utd were when Fergie took over in 1986.

The club culture is very much in line with what a (relatively) young Fergie would have wanted.

And here he is! I think the attributes do him justice. His reputation should be higher, but I didn't want to give him any unrecognised caps...

Here's the squad. While it has a core of aging players, there are some emerging talents and a sprinking of academy-grown players in Phillips, Shackleton and Cresswell who are all Leeds born too! Phillips is the heartbeat of the side (hands off City!) and Raphinha is a creative genius. There's also work rate in abundance.

 

Edited February 11, 2023 by smp20

[smp20]

January 1st 2022 Update

Results

Things really could not have got off to a better start! 9 wins out of 10 including Spurs, Arsenal and our fierce rivals United and Chelsea. A poor performance against a decent Leicester side was all that kept us from a 100% record going into the new year.

Premier League Table

Leeds' flirtation with relegation is nothing but a distant memory as now the Elland Road faithful start to believe in the possibility of the return of European football to Leeds.

Tactics

Here's the tactic and the current best 11 which includes the three local Leeds lads. Yes, it's Sacchi and it's still the same as FM13....

Telling the board we'd at least get a mid-table finish as opposed to the expected avoidance of relegation gave us a bit more dosh in the coffers to spend. We will bring in a maximum of 4 players, as 4 first team players joined in the summer (Harrison, Dan James, Junior Firpo and 2nd choice keeper Klaesson).

Edited February 11, 2023 by smp20

[smp20]

March 1st 2022 Update

Transfers Out

Lets start with the players that left Elland Road. Forshaw was deemed surplus to requirements and we were lucky to find suitors in Asia. Rodrigo threw his toys out the pram after losing his playing time to youngster Gelhardt so he was moved on to Udinese who will sign him permanently for £8.25m in the summer. I was also pleased to receive a bid from the Saudi-backed Geordies for our backup centre back Llorente; on paper he's better than Cresswell but the Leeds local was given the place and has performed well enough to keep it. Dallas was the only player that we didn't really want to lose, but when PSG come knocking with a big bid for a 30 year old, you've got to consider it.

Transfers In

The first player through the door was Leeds-born academy graduate Lewis Cook who comes in to bolster our defensive midfield and link up with Phillips. I wanted to bring in young, hungry attacking recruits so Liam Delap was brought in as a potential future star and Nketiah returned to familiar surroundings after being transfer listed by Arsenal. The final signing was Sessegnon on loan, who came in as a replacement for Dallas, covering our left hand side.

Results

January didn't get off to the best of starts after we were thumped by the league leaders and then slumped to defeat in the FA Cup against bloody Luton! Fixtures favoured us from there on in picking up plenty of PL points but requiring last minute winners from youngster Gelhardt against Watford and Burnley.

Premier League Table

With 11 games remaining, not only was European football a possibility, but even a chance of getting Leeds back into the Champions League!  Competition is tight though, with just 4 points separating 2nd and 7th.

Edited February 11, 2023 by smp20

[smp20]

2021-22 End of Season Update

Results

We finished the season in reasonable form, winning 5, drawing 4 and losing just two. The highlight was the 6-2 thumping of Leicester in their backyard, while drawing our final home game against Wolves was probably the most disappointing.

Premier League Table

Despite drawing our final two games, we managed to stay in the final Champions League spot thanks to Spurs beating Chelsea on the final game of the season .

Player Stats

Eddie Nketiah was by far the standout performer under Fergie, proving to be a shrewd signing from Arsenal as he scores just shy of a goal a start. We will be looking to bolster the squad for the upcoming season, especially now we'll be playing Champions League football. Key targets will be an aerially dominant centre back, another winger ideally right footed, a big man option up top and a left back to push Firpo for his place. Sessegnon is not worth paying £40m+ for.

Edited February 11, 2023 by smp20

[Deisler26]

Well, with Palace struggling in 19th, here is our chance to lift them up! To make things a little harder, we'll be going Youth Only for this one.

The first XI, currently Wilfred Zaha is the Academy graduate, but I'll be shipping him out for cash soon, so our Academy graduate in the matchday squad will be...

We have a ton of players out on loan who are better, so Jack is the best man standing as it were.

 

First goal of my reign

[Deisler26]

Local derby for the FA Cup Third Round? Get that on TV!!!

[Deisler26]

2023 Youth Preview

This is looking good!

[noikeee]

Well since I'm doing it in FM22 this happened

Which meant this

 

And then somewhat ridiculously this is what has happened since.

 

Yeah I don't know how this has happened.  I guess my current tactic, which was inspired on internet stuff and refined over several other careers, is just overpowered as ****.

 

To make it slightly harder I will be following not just the "one academy player" in the match squad rule, which is pretty easy to follow given I have these 2 guys (and Idah has been scoring goals for fun):

 

... but also these slightly convoluted rules to make it a wee bit Sir Alex-y. Basically anyone I hire that's a foreigner (from outside Britain and Ireland) will have to relate somewhat to one signing from the Sir Alex era. Doesn't have to be a perfect fit but has to mildly resemble a player from this list:

 

 

 

With this in mind these are the 2 players that arrive in January to Norwich City:

 

 

An explosive, inconsistent Portuguese winger lacking some end product, originally from Sporting's academy. Yep it's Norwich City's Nani.

 

 

Less of a perfect fit, Kanchelskis was apparently more of a pure winger whereas Miranchuk is a bit more comfortable centrally not having the pace to dazzle out wide. I want him to be my mezzala and add creativity to our attack, whilst also covering the wings.

 

As it stands we are entering matches playing like this

Let's see what we can do rest of the season, there is a chance the Canaries are playing in the Champions League next year already.

 

[noikeee]

This evening's FM session

 

We're out of the cup after a pretty poor run with 2 replays and 2 extratime periods in the replays vs Milwall and Blackpool, but we're up to a CL place in the league. However, the remaining 9 matches are a pretty difficult run of fixtures as we're to face City, Liverpool, Spurs among others.

Gelson Martins and Miranchuk have been pretty unconvincing so far, not the greatest of starts to their Norwich careers. Homegrown bois Aarons and Idah are on a different trajectory - Aarons has been having a superb run of a few months with loads of assists, whereas Idah went on a goalless period... until smashing Brentford with a hattrick.

Edited February 9, 2023 by noikeee

[smp20]

October 1st 2022 Update 

Transfers Out

As always lets start with the outgoings. There were several U23 players released or loaned out, above being the players we sold for cash. Bogusz had decent potential but being a CAM didn't really suit our style so we got good money for him. Robin Koch was let go as he was unhappy with last season's playing time, while the rest were sold to trim the squad.

Transfers In

It was a busy summer as we looked to build a squad that could compete across the league, domestic cups and European football in a World Cup disrupted season. First in was right winger Woo-yeong Jeong, also being our most expensive capture, he brings quality now as well as being a potential future PL star. Early on in pre-season we added Adarabioyo for his release clause to bolster our backline, followed by academy-grown Charlie Taylor to cover left back and Onana to compete with Meslier for the No.1 jersey. We were looking for a big man option up top and Weghorst fit the bill perfectly. We didn't add any more players until deadline day where Milner returned to his boyhood club for 50% of his wages and wonderkid Livramento was added as a long term replacement for Luke Ayling. Overall some good business with room to add one more player in January once it's assessed where we need further recruitment.

Results

A good start but of late our results have faltered. A home draw against Blackburn followed by losses to the red and blue of Merseyside left me wondering if we'll be able to maintain the same feat of last season's CL football. 5 points from 3 games in a tough CL group isn't bad though.

Premier League Table

I don't think we'll be challenging for the title this season, but let's hope we can push on and aim for 4th place again.

Squad

With a loaded September schedule we've been rotating a lot. At the moment a clear First XI hasn't been established, which I think has contributed to our average start. Weghorst has been excellent up top, however other new signings such as Onana and Jeong have failed to perform.

[noikeee]

@smp20 I think your tactical setup is probably less effective when you're no longer benefiting from the underdog status, and I suspect I'll go through the exact same next season with my Norwich. The way we both struggled against minnows in the cups, already in season 1, heavily suggests this.

In a way it makes this challenge way more interesting, because it offers a barrier to surpass, otherwise it's just be plain steamrolling into success which can be a bit boring. It's still a great season to be in 7th with Leeds though so it's still going in the right direction. Keep pushing

Edited February 11, 2023 by noikeee

[smp20]

24 minutes ago, noikeee said:

@smp20 I think your tactical setup is probably less effective when you're no longer benefiting from the underdog status, and I suspect I'll go through the exact same next season with my Norwich. The way we both struggled against minnows in the cups, already in season 1, heavily suggests this.

In a way it makes this challenge way more interesting, because it offers a barrier to surpass, otherwise it's just be plain steamrolling into success which can be a bit boring. It's still a great season to be in 7th with Leeds though so it's still going in the right direction. Keep pushing

Yes you're absolutely spot on there!

[wynter]

Nottingham Forest, a club rich with history, scraping their way back into the Premier League. He sat in his flight from Perth to England, economy class. The heavy head weighed down on his crisp suit and he could only sigh in disgust as he felt the drool seeping into his clothes and onto his shoulder. The only thing keeping him happy was his name emblazoned on the back of the papers in a move that had shocked the world.

He was going to save them. He was going to turn Jesse Lingard into the greatest menace the Premier League had ever seen. For now though, for now he would rest and dream.

As he dozed off, he didn't hear the flight attendant announce that a detour was being made...

[Hootieleece]

This is my version of Alex "Frauddy" Ferguson and we are going to try with Bournemouth!

Biggest Question I have is do I have to use the 4-4-2 Formation?

[noikeee]

4 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

Biggest Question I have is do I have to use the 4-4-2 Formation?

No formation restrictions, I'm using a wide 4-3-3.

[Hootieleece]

1 hour ago, noikeee said:

No formation restrictions, I'm using a wide 4-3-3.

That is good to know. I started with a 4-4-2 but may play with a 4-2-3-1 DM Wide instead because that suits the players already on the team.

Also, it looks like the shape they are using against Newcastle today!

 

[Deisler26]

This is not a good day

Then

So I'm gonna be sacked and dumped out of the FA Cup. Ace.

[Hootieleece]

@Deisler26  I think I am on the same trajectory with Bournemouth. I win Cup Matches but can't win a League match. Best effort was 2-2 versus bottom sitting Leicester coached by Benito!

I have 5 home matches in a row both Cup and League, hopefully I can win a couple to give me hope!

 

 

I'm not sure this can be done without some luck especially in the early going.

 

[Deisler26]

5 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

@Deisler26  I think I am on the same trajectory with Bournemouth. I win Cup Matches but can't win a League match. Best effort was 2-2 versus bottom sitting Leicester coached by Benito!

I have 5 home matches in a row both Cup and League, hopefully I can win a couple to give me hope!

 

 

I'm not sure this can be done without some luck especially in the early going.

 

I found that scheduling a lot of easy friendlies in the World Cup break helped

[Deisler26]

10 Games to Go!

I took over in this position. 5 points adrift of safety

This is our record since I took over. Boom or bust, no middle ground.

This is where we are now. That last run of form, coinciding with a fail from the rest of the teams around me.

[smp20]

Nice recovery from the brink of the sack there @Deisler26 hope you can beat Utd in the cup!

Welcome @Hootieleece all the best with Bournemouth, one of the more difficult ones and an option I didn't have on FM22.

[smp20]

11 hours ago, wynter said:

Nottingham Forest, a club rich with history, scraping their way back into the Premier League. He sat in his flight from Perth to England, economy class. The heavy head weighed down on his crisp suit and he could only sigh in disgust as he felt the drool seeping into his clothes and onto his shoulder. The only thing keeping him happy was his name emblazoned on the back of the papers in a move that had shocked the world.

He was going to save them. He was going to turn Jesse Lingard into the greatest menace the Premier League had ever seen. For now though, for now he would rest and dream.

As he dozed off, he didn't hear the flight attendant announce that a detour was being made...

Welcome, Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Benvenuto!

[wynter]

Dear Diary,

I'm not quite sure what happened when I stepped off the plane. I grabbed my luggage and ran for the closest stadium. My Australian accent must be stronger than I thought, I asked strangers for directions on the street and they just stared blankly at me, some of them ferrying their kids away, running from me after a word. 

Eventually I made it to the stadium, seeing the fans draped in red, though the Forest they were known for seemed to be replaced by an animal of some sort?

I didn't know they'd changed logos.

I walked into the reception and let them know the new manager was here. The receptionist looked puzzled, maybe they weren't expecting me until tomorrow? But there was a match today and what manager doesn't get started the second they can? She rushes me through the stadium, to the locker room and I meet the players. As I look around there's only one real question I have.

Where is Jesse?

He must be injured, I thought he was fit but anything could've happened over the course of the flight.

It's fine, it's fine. Who needs him really?

I take over the team talk telling the team exactly what we're going to do. And then we walk out to play a team wearing orange.

No one wears orange in the Premier League...

 

 

[smp20]

February 2023 Update

Pre-World Cup Results

Prior to the World Cup we were in decent form, especially in the Champions League where we managed to top a tricky group thanks to a 4-0 thumping of Roma and 6-2 of Salzburg. We even managed to beat rivals United after being 1-0 down at half time. The worst moment was the 1-0 home loss to struggling Sheffield United which left Fergie scrambling for more fire power.

Transfers

We need more types of options up top so we ended up breaking the bank on DCL to add a combination of pace and aerial ability up top. He became our 8th and final signing.

Fan-favourite Cooper wanted to seek a new challenge so we let him leave, while the arrival of DCL meant sicknote Bamford was surplus to requirements and he was sold for a decent fee. A string of poor performances, fines and losing his spot to Meslier led to a big falling out between Fergie and Onana. No teams were willing to pay a reasonable price tag so he was shipped out on loan to Bayern. Delap joined him in the Bundesliga to gain first team experience with Hertha

Post-World Cup Results

A lot of wins broken up with the odd loss here and there. Frustratingly we're out of the FA Cup early again to lower league opposition. We also got thumped by Energy Drink FC with two late goals giving us a glimmer of hope at Elland Road. However, we do have our first shot at a trophy as we soon face Man City in the League Cup Final.

Premier League Table

We're in the battle for a Champions League spot which is what I was hoping for. Sheff Utd getting the double over us has really riled me though.

Player Stats

We have a decent core squad, but I feel we're still a bit weak at the back beyond our starters which will be a task for the summer.

He may have come through the academy, but this kind of big time Charlie rubbish combined with being the worst performer in the squad is the easiest way to get yourself exiled!

[smp20]

Man City vs Leeds United 2022-23 Carabao Cup Final Line Ups

As expected it's a very strong City line up. We will have to pray to the FM gods that Haaland has a quiet game!

We're without the suspended Milner and cup-tied Calvert-Lewin, other than that we had a full squad to pick from. Harrison pips both Jeong and James to the right wing position to give him a chance to excel against his old club.

[smp20]

A dull first half and we're behind courtesy of a Rodri screamer

[smp20]

We've managed to get one back as a long ball to the far post tucked home as subs Cresswell and James combine.

[smp20]

Now that was a real sucker punch

[Deisler26]

2023 Youth Intake

Well, quite the UK flavour in our first intake! Lets check out our top 3 prospects!

1. Bryn Gardner (GK)

Very, very nice. He'll be the backup from day 1. Which will take care of any academy issues going forward, should there be any

2. Breandán Barrett (DR)

Certainly a backup for next season, if not first choice in a year or two's time

3. Stewart Archibald (AMC)

Very tasty. He'll also be a backup for next season with an eye on being the starter in a few

[smp20]

Nice intake @Deisler26! I've had two now and they've both been woeful.

[smp20]

In crazy fashion we've found ourselves in the Champions League Final!  We came from well behind twice against German opposition. First against RBL, followed by holders Bayern who were 5-2 up on aggregate before a centre back red card and we pushed our way back into it. Liverpool were well on top at Anfield but we managed to hold on and keep the score at 2-2.

We face an Inter side that are struggling in Serie A but managed to knock out United and Real Madrid. As an aside, I'm not sure Leeds back at Istanbul will go down well with the Galatasaray lot - good job hooliganism doesn't exist in FM!

[noikeee]

Jesus  already??

[Deisler26]

The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
19 Mar 2023
15:00

Manchester United  3-4  Crystal Palace
Casemiro 5...........................................................Eduard 14, 49, 90+2 
Malacia 52................................................... ........Schlupp 40
Antony 69

 

What a game, I thought we were cruising, then lost the two-goal lead and then the hat-trick to knock them out. Magnificent.

[kingjericho]

Fun idea, cool to see how's everyone doing

[Hootieleece]

Down on the South Coast another "Fraud" is valiantly trying to keep AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League!

The 90-day Review!

The form since since 11/06/22-02/06/23

The Biggest Win! and First win in Premier League under "Fraud"!

This is when I finally decided I had a chance if I kept with the 4-4-2!  

Even made headlines!

The League Preview

We have gained points but have not left 19th Place! Just like the Bookies' said. Leicester is Bottom of table and Rafa Benitez is Manager, and they bought Luis Suarez to help with their goal shyness!

Also of interest....

 

We are going to continue and play our next match versus Chelsea. I will then post with the table and tactics.

 

 

 

Edited February 12, 2023 by Hootieleece

[Hootieleece]

Update: 2/12/23

I played the home match versus Chelsea. If we had won, we would have moved out of Relegation. VAR played a factor took one away from us and gave one to Chelsea!

In the tunnel after the weekend of VAR Failures in IRL. I was just expressing my frustration in FM!

Here is the table......as sad as it is for us!

The rest of the schedule looks like this:

I will fight using the 4-4-2 till the end of the Season! I think it will be difficult to stay up and may go all the way to the last day versus Everton!

 

 

[smp20]

I get the feeling April will be a key month @Hootieleece - best of luck, you can do it!

Nice work @Deisler26 in the FA Cup, I feel a final coming on!!

[smp20]

Road to Istanbul Champions League Final 2023

First we needed to navigate through a tough group which contained former CL finalists Dortmund, current Serie A winners Roma and a wonderkid stacked Salzburg. For whatever reason Salzburg's wonderkids were no match for us at all as we thumped them home and away, while the best result was beating Roma 4-0 at Elland Road. We managed to go undefeated against Dortmund to top our group and experience against Bundesliga opponents was key to our future success. Red Bull couldn't find their wings in Leeds as we overcame an away deficit in extra time. The comeback from 5-2 down after 135 minutes against holders Bayern was something to behold, although we were helped by a red card. We were extremely lucky to come away with a draw at Anfield as we were dominated, but you've got to take the good times and the bad times (I'm looking at you Sheffield United) and we had a surprise early Champions League final awaiting us!

The Line Ups

Upon seeing the line ups and seeing their recent results I was quietly confident going into the match. They had a solid defence but it was a team that lacked cutting edge as shown by their lack of goals. My biggest worry was the recent appointment of ZZ, who is normally one of nemesis' on FM.

The Goals

In under two  minutes we found ourselves ahead after Rapha was presented the goal with just a keeper to beat.

Midway through the second half an enticing cross was easily met by man mountain Weghorst to tuck away to double our lead.

The Result

And that was it! We drew another early red card just like vs Bayern and Inter's heads were gone. They were more interested in kicking lumps (7 yellows, one red) that actually trying to score, managing just one shot on target the whole game.

Leeds United are Champions of Europe!

The Accolades

[smp20]

Winning the CL bumped Fergie's rep from 2/2.5* to 4.5* and I think I'm along the right lines with the "Known For" - just waiting for our "Class of 92" to develop....

[smp20]

End of Season 2022-23

Premier League Table

5th is a very solid finish - we dropped a lot more points against the lower table sides, but we still managed to get some good results over the course of the season despite needing to compete across multiple competitions.

Player Stats

Over the course of the season our most started XI would have been: Meslier; Livramento, Adarabioyo, Struijk, Firpo; Phillips, Milner; Jeong, Raphinha; Weghorst, Calvert-Lewin. DCL was a star performer when he joined, and while Raphinha struggled with a few injuries he was integral especially in the Champions League. Adarabioyo was good at the back but I feel he may need a new partner. Both Struijk and Cresswell were a little inconsistent this season.

Onana is being sold to Bayern for £15m after a bust up, so Meslier will need some proper competition. While left back seems a weak area. We will look into bringing in Milner on a permanent deal as he was key in some important matches despite his age.

Elland Road Developments

Huge plans at Elland Road means the Stadium will be a little bit smaller next season (around 34,000) in preparation. This development would put us up as the7th largest stadium in the PL.

[smp20]

£100m to spend in order to push us up as title contenders. This season's transfers will be crucial.

[smp20]

A big transfer for Daniel James, a club record in fact, adds even more into the coffers.

[smp20]

I haven't shared many player profiles, but I think Lacroix is worth a mention! He is a classy centre back with pace to burn, worth splashing out on his release clause. Him and Adarabioyo could form a great partnership at the back.

[noikeee]

Fairly decent season 

[noikeee]

End of my season 1

 

At one stage it looked like we handed over the final CL spot to Leeds by losing to them, but then we went on a run whilst Spurs fell apart and Leeds lost momentum. Beating City away was a highlight and suddenly we were fighting with Man Utd not just for a CL spot but for 3rd. We lost in the final day to champions Liverpool but with Utd losing to Chelsea the same day as well, we did get 3rd.

 

 

Squad stats and best 11:

 

Best players:

1. (A)Max Aarons - Confirmed his hype with 10 assists and highest rating in the squad.

2. (A)Adam Idah - Top scorer on 16 goals and similar rating. Super satisfying to have our 2 academy players be the best 2 players in the squad.

3. Pierre Lees-Melou - A surprise, I didn't really rate him but he took to the mezzala role really well, 8 goals 8 assists.

4. Mathias Normann - Quality season as DLP, I'm considering activating the 12.75M€ optional fee.

5. Tim Krul - Pretty damn high ratings for a keeper.

[smp20]

Frauds make their own rules...

So to be honest I've grown a little bit tired of the Leeds save already as success came a bit too early! I want to have a struggle before the success. So here's my new rules...

I'm holidaying until Christmas Day and taking over the club that are bottom of the league. Only three clubs have ever stayed up in the Premier League after being bottom at Xmas - West Brom (2005), Sunderland (2013) and Leicester (2014).

And here I am, newly appointed manager of Southampton. Andrea Pirlo took a couple of days training at the club and thought no thanks, not for me.

 

So in a bizarre move, the Southampton board appointed me, with my CV containing real life management in Non-League steps 5-7 (Tier 9-11) and Football Manager achievements, as the man to try to save them from the drop 

In line with the club vision I will be putting some transfer restrictions in place. We many sign per transfer window:

One Player aged 23-28

One Player aged 19-23

One Player aged 18 or under

One Academy-Grown Player (any age)

Attempt Two, let the fraudulence commence!