Hootieleece

Great work! European Nights Siren song is calling......

Great Work. I was finding similar results with the 4-2-3-1 DM Wide with Schalke, but I never had players of the quality of yours. Now you just have to win Three Champions League Finals in a row.......LOL!

They are generally parking the bus about 30 minutes in after the first or second goals and then it becomes TI's: Work the Ball into the box, Play for Set Pieces, and more Expressive. I give up an occasional over the top ball but it is really us controlling games when we shouldn't.......Gegen Press is OP in the match Engine. No way a bunch of Semi-Pro's with low stamina and fitness should be able to pull it off. I am a Liverpool Fan and that is the most obvious tactic for me to emulate.

August 2025: Regular Season "Rollin" Manager's Thoughts I came into the season with trepidation based on the two matches against bigger competition we had played and expected a big step up for us. I was also determined to keep playing a Gegen press style approach even though we are underdogs. I think that the approach is working because the AI doesn't expect it and expects us to "Park the Bus" because we have been big underdogs in every match. In every match after we get the first goal or two it is the AI the "Parks the Bus" and we then control the game and play for Set-Pieces which we are good at being tall and good jumpers. So far it is working, and we are well on our way towards safety from relegation. Let's just say we are "Rollin'". Schedule Highlights The first competitive match of the season was a Cup match versus Bangor 1876. I decided to field a strong team for the cup match as I saw it as dress rehearsal for the start of the season. We played well and dominated the action. Bangor played us like we were a much bigger team and parked the bus, but it was all for naught as we scored late with a Set-Piece rebound! Our new DM had a great debut among a few others. We signed last year's second half GK as a backup/emergency GK. Our Star Left Back has gone missing from training.....shouldn't have given him such a lucrative deal but he is one of the few players that will probably make it at this higher level. He will also sit out the season opener as further punishment. The Board wants me to try and avoid relegation and be competitive in the cups. That is what my objective is also. If we get off to a good start we may have relegation beaten before the league splits into Championship and Playoff Divisions. Since there are 32 matches in the season my goal is to get 33 points which should be enough for 10th place and safety. As a reward for beating Bangor we get a trip to Connah's Quay! After all that it was time for the first match of the new season and Bala Town was coming to visit the Y Morfa Stadium. We were underdogs, but never bet against home underdogs according to Hootie rule of Football Wagering. Bala Town was shocked that we tried to play on the front foot and pressed them hard even though it took Set-Pieces for us to score. We really controlled the match. After the historic victory against Bala we then had a trip to Pontypridd for the next match. Again we were big underdogs but I was going to play "Heavy Metal" Football and see where that takes us. Complete domination, Pontypridd didn't know what hit them as we blitzed them for FIVE goals! and it was our Backup Striker, Last Season's leading scorer Barratt that led the team to victory. I was pleased with his contribution to the game. After the glorious victory in Pontypridd we returned home to take on Caernarfon Town at Y Morfa Stadium. Again, we were considered "underdogs". Another great performance! We went out to a two zero lead and then were pegged back by a goal against the run of play and Barratt scored a finisher in Extra time to cap the victory and send all 190 fans home happy! It was a bit of a pyrrhic victory with our starting Goalkeeper getting injured and being out for almost two months! (I have noticed more injuries to goalies during matches in this year's match engine. No more not having a backup keeper on the bench) Conwy next had to take on Carmarthen Town in the next fixture. We are still considered underdogs because no one is taking us seriously yet....... Another Historic Victory because of working the ball into the box and Set Pieces. We went out to a 3-0 lead before they knew what hit them even though they tried to "Park the bus" after the first goal. Set-Pieces were how we scored we outclassed them in the Air! and just to make sure we didn't lose a key player I renegotiated another deal. League Table Monthly Analysis Report scoring many more than we concede is the recipe for winning Football! Monthly Awards Wright has played magnificently playing well in defense and getting forward to score as well! Management Report Monthly Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

July 2025: Preseason Manager's Thoughts After a mostly discouraging offseason where I failed to really attract quality players. I decided on a change of formation from the 4-3-3 DM Wide that worked so well during last season to a 4-2-3-1 DM Wide but with the same TI's and Gegen Press. Think Klopp Liverpool 2015-2016. The new players were pacier and that helped but the core was still slow as molasses. The new formation worked well in the preseason, but we had problems against better competition like what I fear will be in the JD Cymru Premier. This is mostly based on playing recently relegated Haverford West in a cup last Season and York City in this Preseason. Schedule Highlights I started the month on getting another CB to provide cover. I am pleased with my signings, but I still wonder if they will be enough to keep us in the Welsh Premier League! The Welsh League Cup has us playing against old foes Bangor 1876 in the first competitive match of the season. I brought in a Defensive Midfielder that is much better than any of the current players and that should help the defense overall. Coaches with much better attributes and qualifications are getting jobs in this league..... And I spent much of the preseason in between matches renegotiating with the players to keep some of whom I had wished to replace but couldn't find a significant upgrade we could attract. These players are on cheap deals and could leave in the future but for now they provide cover and or play in the starting lineup depending on circumstances. We played well in the Preseason except for our match against York of the Vanarama National League. They definitely outclassed us on the pitch and off of it as well with the salaries of their players. They were fully professional and star players were earning $45k to $12k for our star players. (per year) Season Preview Being 400-1 means the bookies and Media expect us to get relegated. I am just looking at getting into 10th place and staying up. I think 33 points will do it. Of course, being relegation candidates mean none of our players are on the preseason lists for awards. Maybe we'll shock the world! Management Report Monthly Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

June 2025: Offseason Part Two Highlights Considering we are in the red......that is good news, I guess. We're moving up in Leagues and the prices of tickets are going down? When it says ticket prices are going up! The League we are joining is getting better. Not top 100 but close enough for a Semi-Professional Team from North Wales. We hired the best scout available and for this level he's great! 12 JPA and 12 JPP! We are one of two newly promoted teams! We're moving on up within Wales! Basically, the board just want us to be competitive! I can do that even with the terrible players I have...... Gegen Press is OP! At least we got TV Money this season! Even though that doesn't even pay my salary! This was a player I was looking to sign but he joined our newly promoted rivals Barry Town instead. Daniel Parry-Jones Kurtis Rees Ryan Holmes Josh Williams Sam Jones None of the players signed is much better than what I already had except all are significantly pacier/faster. Most will work well with the 4-3-3 even though I am thinking of going with 4-3-2-1 DM Wide. I still need a better Goalkeeper..... Management Report Monthly Financial Report to be continued:

Your in good shape! you just have to have your Center backs stop playing like 9-year-olds that have had their PS5 taken away! LOL Unfortunately Bruno is the leader of the bunch IRL too!

May 2025: The Offseason Part One Rhyl East Beach in North Wales for a few days of Relaxation. Highlights None of our players made player of the year....I think our many entries split the vote! We signed a new striker even though Barratt had a great season and was just given a new contract. This guy is cheap! We signed this player to become our new AMC-AP-A in the 4-2-3-1 DM Wide. His biggest advantages over our other players is pace and finishing. I am in search of better midfielders and attribute wise he is better than at least some of our current players. And I got the last of the Four Horsemen of our Defense to sign on the dotted line. In other world news Liverpool won a Treble winning the FA Cup while Arsenal won the Premier League. Man City came in 5th and got into Champions League on Coefficients! I have increased in several attributes due to my successful season even without the badges. Management Report Monthly Financial Report to be continued:

Thanks for the confidence. It was a bit of a shock winning the league, but the cup was a for gone conclusion. The board want me to to play Sean Dyche Football, but I am going to continue to gegen press this time with a 4-3-2-1 Wide DM Formation and hopefully better players.

Braintree will probably be your nemesis all season. Hopefully you go on to win the title!

April 2025: Regular Season "Looking for Lucky" Manager's Thoughts We didn't finish in style but won the title anyway because our rivals tripped up as well. We rebounded to win another trophy in a cup competition. A Domestic Double not bad for a novice manager. I ended up signing a new contract with Conwy after the Title win but was denied a coaching course after the cup win. This will probably be my last at Conwy unless we are successful at the next level. I don't think the current players are actually good enough to make it and I will be looking to upgrade most positions or use some of our U-19 players to round out the squad. Schedule Highlights The first week of April saw the first of the last two matches played. It would be at the Y Morfa and we were favored. The players knew how important these matches were...... I just keep playing the Gegen press until it doesn't work. The match was a frustrating one in that we dominated but couldn't get anything by the Bangor GK! Lucky for us Denbigh lost, and we kept our lead meaning it would all come down to the final day! The Team headed to Ruthin for the final match with everything on the line..... Rallying the boys in front of a big match that is what I want from my leaders! I thought our Striker was playing well in front of the press before the match. The Denbigh Head coach was more involved with what our opponents were going to do than his own team. Match of the Week and a Title Decider! It was a hard-fought match and we lost, and I thought all hope of our winning the league with it, but Denbigh had lost as well leaving us the Title! Talk about being Lucky! We did it! We won promotion to the JD Cymru Premiership. My Managerial Career has so far been successful. After the match among the rejoicing in the locker room I was asked about Conwy's Progress in the Football world. Of course, I was delighted to win the title in my first season! It makes it easy to win the title when your players make up Half of the Team of the Season! We were easily the best team in the league and the other teams couldn't handle "Heavy Metal" Football Liverpool Style! League Table After fulfilling the objectives of the board, I decided to sign on for another season in Conwy since we would be playing in a better league. I'm pleased that I don't have to look for a new job! After the Celebrations died down the team had another trophy to play for..... We were set to take on a lower-level team from the JD Cymru South and were favored. Trying to win our second trophy of the season! I thought my team was in a good place and would win the match. We dominated another over matched team and won the trophy! We did a Double! The Supporters love me......I bask in the adoration of the masses! LOL! Griffiths was the player of the match leading the team from Midfield! Of course, I was pleased with more silverware for the cabinet! I approached the Board about my badges after signing the contract and winning the Level2 Cup! Also, I hoped to work on my badges but that was quickly dashed by the board. I will probably be leaving Conwy after next season no matter what since I am unable to get the badges, I need to climb the pyramid and make a career. Season Review Fan's Player of the Year Young Player of the Year Season Summary Season Analysis Report Board Meeting-New Season We are growing the fanbase albeit slowly! The team is behind me even though I lack badges! After the Board meeting, I signed the better players on the roster to Part-time Contracts. Monthly Financial Report This is the core that I am going to build around for the next season. Expect a lot of player movement as I look to upgrade the squad. The Haverfordwest match during the season gave me much to think about the next level. Management Report to be continued:

Galacticos For the Win! This should end up a ROFL stomp.

March 2025: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played up and down and lost some ground in the quest for the title which will make the final two matches important since Denbigh isn't falling off the pace. The team also has a chance for another trophy as well. This is all because we are the best attacking team in the league and that covers for our somewhat shaky defense. Highlights The media used the first week of March to get everyone interested in the Title Race. This will be a nail-biter! Hopefully we don't bottle it! The next match versus Prestatyn Town was to be held at the Y Morfa Stadium. Prestatyn were to be tough opposition since they were in 6th place. At the pre-match press conference, I exuded confidence and hoped the team would pick up on it. We lost! it was all down to a late penalty.......I won't say anything about the referee! I kept my thoughts to myself because I needed to be on the sidelines for the rest of the matches! After the devastating loss to Prestatyn town we headed out on the road to Porthmadog We were favored and needed to win! We got the much-needed win on a penalty! See keeping my mouth shut has benefits! Afterwards we would have a Cup Semi-Final to play instead of stewing for two weeks before our next match. The Tier 2 League Cup isn't high on my priorities, but another trophy is always nice. We won and now have a Cup Final to look forward to and it will end our season! and we will face a team from the JD Cymru South in the Final. I sent my Assman to the Press Conferences for this because I was thinking about the League Title Race! Monthly Analysis Report Monthly Awards to be continued:

February 2025: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played well in the three matches in the this update. We did lose two points in a draw with Airbus UK, but our Captain led from the front in the remaining two matches with FIVE Goals in the two matches. Thus bringing us closer to our goal of winning the league and Promotion to the Cymru Premier League. Schedule Highlights With all the downtime in February the players heads were continuing to be turned and I spent a lot of time negotiating pay raises since all of our players were non-contract. Hopefully that will change when we are in the Cymru Premier League! Our Star Left Back! One of our Starting Center backs! Couldn't keep Holloway who was wooed away by our title rivals Denbigh. He was third best of our three best center backs. That ends the January transfer window. No new deals for us. After the transfer hubbub I was happy to return to just football with a match against Airbus UK Broughton. We were not favored even though we led the table. Did the bookies know something about the other team we didn't? I was asked about starting later than Denbigh in the league. I'm not sure there is a benefit to knowing what you have to do. I think it might put undue pressure on the boys. It was a tough match, and we were undone by Set Pieces for some reason even though we are among the tallest players and best jumpers in the League. One week later we were the hosts at the Y Morfa Stadium This time we were favored and needed to do a professional job to maintain our position with Denbigh hot on our heels. Again game of the week! We Dominated! Starting with a Hat-Trick from our Captain to open the match! We let up a bit in the second half after scoring five in the first and let them score one.... The captain led the team with a Hat Trick! One more match on the First of March Again we would be playing a relegation threatened side.... Our Captain led the boys yet again to a win! League Table A one-point lead with four remaining matches.... Monthly Analysis Report Scoring twice as many as we are conceding that is one way to win the league! Yet we are the worst defending team in the league...... Player of the Month Management Report Monthly Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Good Luck! I hope you get a "Sleeping Giant" in one of those big leagues. Even though the thought of you at Barcelona or Bayern has it appeal just to see what kind of tactical wizardry you would do with unlimited budgets and really good players. Even though it would probably be a rerun of your Benefica years.

Still have seven chances for it to go wrong. Denbigh just won't go away that puts pressure on us. That is the hope, and it is doing ok. I should have thought about it before but hindsight is 20/20.

Great month! keep it going! Use the recovery training period a lot, even two days in a row if matches are close enough together. Substitute Recovery for practice if necessary. Always use the recovery period after the match! A full strength team with match fitness is better than a less recovered team with practice.

Here are some more screenshots.

I can add or send more screenshots than those two. My best scorer had a new low goal total. The team scored a record low number of goals even though we were best attacking side in the league and won the title.

January 2025 Manager's Thoughts The team had an up and down month and a lot of interest in our players from our competitors. We ended up losing our starting GK to a JD Cymru South Team. We were able to keep the rest of our players that got offers from elsewhere. The team was carried by the play of Striker Jordan Barratt and our loss was due to over-the-top balls and miserable goalkeeping in a match that XG analysis showed we should have won. We are still atop the table but because of less than perfect play we haven't been able to really separate ourselves from our title rivals Denbigh. There only Seven matches to go in the season can we see out the Title Run which is what the board is asking for? That is the question that will be answered in future updates. Schedule Highlights The first match of the new year was against Holywell and we were favored being the home team. Just before the match our staring GK Connor Todd left the team for Alfan Lido. Mostly because for some reason I was unable to meet his demands in negotiations. The opposing manager trying to flatter me and my team, pointless mind games! The match was a bit more exciting than it should have been, but we are susceptible to balls over the top of our defense and that exploit worked yet again. The only real way to fix it is to get a better GK or pacier defenders. Young Jordan Barratt led the line with aplomb. Things are going well.... We've managed to create a breathing space in the title race, now can we keep it. It is always good when your best players ignore offers from other teams......more money helps incentivize them! We were on a high and travelling to the worst team in the league....what could go wrong? We were favored against the relegation threatened team and on a high! our backline has committed itself to our cause...... I was a little full of myself in this press conference if I say so myself. It was the game of the day! Everything went wrong and our defense was shredded by over-the-top balls and their goalie stopped just about everything! The undefeated run is over.....need to start another one. This loss rankled a bit as you will see. As you can see we got "FM'ed"! In other news the Welsh Cup ended as always in the hands of the New Saints! They win it every year because they are the only professional team in the Welsh pyramid. After the loss to Guilsford we headed on the road to Gresford looking to make amends. I am still confident that my team will win! It was another big game according to the local press. Jacob Barratt had a game! Hat-Trick Hero! Even the media are noting his good form! The team then headed home to take on our rivals Llandudno This would be a tight derby affair. The media wanted a war of words ahead of the Derby. More mind games, but I showed confidence in my team! Guilsfield hired a new coach after beating us! The derby didn't live up to the billing except there were two teams giving it their all and all we got was a stalemate. I started talking about the title race after the derby. As you can see the title race is tight and hopefully Denbigh drop some points. Only SEVEN matches to go! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report Monthly Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Great Start. Your Star man should dominate the league.

December 2024: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts It was another good month on the pitch. The team responded well to the change in roles that better fit the players. We even won the match versus Denbigh our main competition for promotion this season. Unfortunately, because of our success other teams want our players. which will mean more negotiations once the window opens in January. We also should be able to get 4-5 players from our youth intake that we can use. Schedule Highlights The Holiday Season would see us trying to keep our lead in the table before the big Six-Pointer with Denbigh just before Christmas. First up was a trip to Caersws. Conwy was favored due to Caersws bad form. I think we are doing well as I tinker with the tactics a bit.....more on that later. A Big time manager comes into the League, but not enough time to make a real run at us though for promotion. A really good manager for this league and he makes 1/3 of what I do! Back to the Pitch We had our way with Caersws and dominated them with the new roles. Barratt has been the beneficiary of our tactical evolution. Another New Manager......Airbus is just looking to not get relegated. We returned home for another match at Fortress Y Morfa! Our Captain led the team to victory! Denbigh plays a day later than we do...... Youth Intake Report Looks like we may get 4-5 players we can use next season since this league requires at least 2 u-19's in the 16 players named. Tactical Change Since the team was beginning to have problems scoring and I was tired of being asked about player roles. At the start of December I decided to adjust the player roles to ones the players were suited for. I got rid of the Inside Forwards and changed them to wingers. The midfield 3 saw a change as well DLP-D became a BWM-D, The Carriero became a CM-A and the third player became an Advanced playmaker- Support. I also setup overlaps and support on the wings depending on the Wingers orders. Also, the Goalkeeper became a GK-D. The TI's remained the same still an "out of the box" gegen press. As we were doing well, I asked to go on a Coaching course before money ran out......of course they said no fearing I would leave. The Y Morfa became a buzz with activity and expectation as the match with Denbigh neared. Denbigh was favored even though we sat atop the table and were the home team something to think about. For once I let slip what I was actually thinking to the media! I almost regretted it. Game becomes the Game of the week in the league. Denbigh tried to turn the match into a rugby match, but it was our captain that was given marching orders! Edwards is our captain and arguably our best player....of course he will be in the lineup ASAP! The last match of the month was against Llandloes. The home team was favored because of the Edwards suspension. We missed our Captain, but at least we didn't lose even if we threw away points due to an own goal! Two more goals for our Striker! With a Semi-Pro team on non-contracts there is always speculation about your best players leaving the team. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Monthly Awards Player of the Month Manager of the Month Management Report Monthly Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

And I'm not a United Fan, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying your updates. We are doing a pretty good job, but Denbigh just won't quit making this a two-horse race. Also, in the January window something happens that might change the calculus.

Even though I am playing a new save for career updates. I have played a few matches with Jester's Schalke04 and they play more fluidly definitely.