Hootieleece

I bought the regen from Swansea for $12.5M. He will probably move on and I should be able to make a decent profit. Alfie Dorrington (CB) from Tottenham U-21's was probably my best "find". I bought him for $1M. Sadly, he is leaving on free after this season because he wants to join a bigger club and is going over his "options." Dante Cassanova (Tottenham) and Nico O'Reilly (Man City) are also decent options as well. Nico in real life will probably have a progression at Man City similar to Phil Foden.

January 2029: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts We are just not getting wins we are playing well especially defensively but our attack is almost exclusively Finley Roberts. None of our attacking midfielders are really making a go of things in front of the goal. This is distressing to Jester because we had 3 double digit goal scorers' last season. Jester wants to change things up tactically but wants to wait until the offseason or we are safe from relegation. Winter in Lancashire is taking a toll on the team and the supporters. The immediate future doesn't look much better. So Jester will put everything into the FA Cup Run hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Schedule Highlights The First day of the month sent us to table propping Leicester City FC. Leicester was the favorite due to Home advantage and our form. It was a tough match between two teams that both didn't want to lose.....they scored on a penalty, but we answered, and our Star midfielder got himself an early shower late on with a straight red. The next match of the month saw us host Brentford in the Third Round of the FA Cup. We escaped with a win in which they took more shots but ours were better..... As a result of that match we would now play our Ancient Rivals in the 4rth Round A trip to Turf Moor is always tough. After the FA Cup match the team welcomed Leeds United to Deepdale stadium hoping for a better result this time around. We played well but were surprised by a goal in extra time off a Set Piece! The next match would see Erling Haaland and Man City visit Preston. We played well but couldn't stop the relentless Man City possession and shots.... We are stuck in a rut, but we are also so close to getting results.... Jester trying to keep up with the Brave face in spite of the losses. We then set off for another tough match this time in Newcastle upon Tyne. We played well just denied by a late goal...... After the disappointment in Newcastle, Chelsea visited the Deepdale Stadium for a match. Chelsea is favored of course. Again we played well but just didn't have the quality to get a result. It was ugly stat wise..... We just need a win.....badly! The fans are questioning tactics that have much success this season.....and Jester doesn't want to change anything radically until the summer..... The end of the month saw the end of the Winter Transfer Window Jester only tried to sell Dorrington but no one would buy waiting for him to become a Free Agent this summer. These were the moves made by PNE during the window. The Hamilton and Muller loans should lead to them leaving the club permanently. Jonck went on Loan to his home Country to get regular playing time so he can continue to represent his country Internationally. He would be training with the first team but playing with the U-21's. He is 3rd keeper. And now we are the lowest spending team in the Premier League some people would say our problems are because we aren't spending enough! League Table Monthly Analysis Report Our good defense is because of Dorrington that wants to leave.... Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Doing well when you consider we were picked 19th in the preseason. I really don't think that we can really make a claim for Europe, but an uptick in form to remain outside of the relegation battle would be nice.

December 2028: Regular Season "Reality Bites" Manager's Thoughts The team came into December on a high note and was just outside the European Places. Jester was sure we were overachieving and our play during December reflected that we had benefited from teams underestimating us and our Home form. Preston is in good shape but needs more and better players to compete. Teams are able to press us hard and take us out of our game on the road. At home we play much better but if we play a top 6 team the gulf in class usually means we get less than we deserve. Defensively overall we are solid it is just that we are not reliable on the attack. O'Reilly was the third leading scorer in the Premier League last season, this season nowhere to be found. The new CF-S Finley Roberts is starting well but can't carry the load himself. He is not Haaland! He is the new Gareth Bale being Welsh and all..... The Team enters January in 11th place. Schedule Highlights The month of December would start off with a visit to Preston from Man United FC. Man United FC was the definite favorite even if they were in indifferent form and PNE was the Home team. Louis Enrique was buttering us up with mind games..... PNE battled hard and with a little luck got a draw that by stats should have been a victory! By stats we should have one it was just the Soccer gods laughing at us..... The next match was a trip to London to face Chelsea. Chelsea were definite favorites..... They proved they were better and our main man got a consolation goal late..... The stats show it was closer than the neutral would have thought but mostly it was just a gulf in class that proved PNE's undoing. After the match against Chelsea Jester received bad news about the Academy class..... The Youth program doesn't look good this year, but It has worked in the past, O'Neill and Cross-Adair contribute at the Premier League level. The team then had to leave the friendly confines of Lancashire and travel to Leeds for a match against Leeds United. Leeds played a pressing 4-4-2 so Jester was prepared for a loss..... We went down early and their press never let our possession game to get going..... The stats are almost as ugly as the match itself! After the loss at Leeds the team returned chastened to Deepdale Stadium to prepare for the Wolves. Preston was favored due to being the home side..... In other news Ollie takes charge of Hull in the Championship..... The wolves match was hard fought between to equal teams. We scored first on a penalty but had a hard time getting a second. They scored late to draw level, but former Wolves man Hector Bueno won it for us in Stoppage time! It was an even match but we did a better job with our chances on goal! After the victory against the Wolves the team had to prepare for a Boxing Day trip to Middlesborough. Middlesborough was favored even though they were propping up the table..... Jester rotated the squad for this one..... We escaped with a draw..... It was an even match, and the stats show it. The final match of the month would bring Arsenal to Deepdale Stadium. Jester would play for a draw with his rested Starters. again sheer quality like the Chelsea match beat us....in a close match. We also didn't play particularly well.... It was an even match and if we had played better we might have the match or gotten a draw. We got penetration on their Left Flank but didn't exploit it. We kept going to their right flank and getting stopped. Monthly Analysis Report Our Defending is good it just needs a little more complementary football from our attack. Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

November 2028: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The team played well in November led by our new #9 Finley Roberts. Going into the month Jester was looking for 7 points out of 12 and that was exactly what the team got. The only thing that is concerning is our response to pressing especially during away matches. This is shown by our terrible loss to West Ham at the end of the month in London. As December and January come it will be tough due to match congestion to keep playing the starters every match, so Jester expects to fall down the table a bit, but we should be able to stay well clear of the relegation battle. Schedule Highlights The month of November was another short month for Premier League teams because of an International Break. The Four Fixtures included some against Relegation battle rivals and none of the Top 6. The first was against Brighton. The Brighton Boss began the run up to the match with mind games. Jester ignored the rumors and continued his preparations for the Brighton match. The trip down to Brighton turned into a stalemate as neither team could really get control of the match and it ended 1-1 Draw. all in all Jester was pleased with the draw on opposition ground. The biggest differences were in Fouls and chances both of which Brighton had more of. Out of no where AGAIN! Lazio offer an Interview. Jester said no. Jester said no because of his love of Democracy and Lancashire! Newly promoted Luton Town were headed to the Deepdale Stadium next. Jester and everyone else in the world expected a Lilywhite Victory. and it proved to be. Biggest difference was that both our CCC's went in the net! Our new man is leading the line! Plenty of penetration on the wings. Just before we play Tottenham this happened..... After the firing of the Tottenham manager and Lazio's offer, The Board decided it was time to tie down Jester. Jester negotiated an incentive laden contract with an eye to the future. Since Jester has no intention of leaving this is a great deal for him. Preston still had to take on a talented Tottenham team even though Preston was favored. Moving up in the world....Jester doesn't think we can keep it up, but it will make the second half of our campaign easier. It was a close match that Jester was happy to get the win from. The fans are loving the fact we are now in the top 6! Cassanova and Roberts have a connection...... The last match of the month would see us take on Brendan Rodgers West Ham United. The trip to London would be a tough one like all of them.....we are a team that loves home cooking. Finally some closure to another Takeover! Another high-quality team pressed us hard and didn't let us play out of the back. The Stats prove it. Jester thinks his team is intimidated on the road since there is such a difference between our Home and Away forms. Our passing was terrible and never found our forward players. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Player of the Month Management Report We are playing so well that the board freed up some more money for wages! Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

I do know but I have been playing with the "Standard" settings for so long it would be wierd. Plus playing with camera angles would probably make me miss putting in subs. I barely have time to look at the in game IPAD to help make decisions.

I only play with extended highlights.....I didn't know there were other choices!

Great last month! Getting the defense right is the way to go. Offense will come. To paraphrase a famous quote: Defense wins Championships, Offense puts fans in the seats!

October 2028: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts The month of October was another short month due to an International Break. After looking at the schedule Jester was hoping for 4-5 points but had to settle for 3 because his team is unequal to breaking the press. Both Arsenal and Everton pressed us high up the field and totally disrupted our possession gameplan. The opposite happened with Norwich we almost had too much of the ball and couldn't breakdown their Low block defense. At least we finally scored on a Finley Roberts header to give us 3 points for the month. The team is playing well except for when we play high quality teams that press us hard. Jester has no real answer for the problem, but it is one he will need to fix if the team is to take the next step. This season is all about a NON-RELEGATION threatened campaign and so far, so good. Schedule Highlights The month started out with another International Break which meant lots of time on the training ground working on Set Pieces. The first match for the month would be against the Arsenal who are League Leaders. A powerful lineup with no holes in it. With the extra time Jester decided to use one of his "Other" Formations against Arsenal. Our Midfield General is excited to play his former employers. The Gunners are prohibitive favorites..... Jester won't get fancy again and just stick with what is working going forward. We were pressed hard and didn't look comfortable at all.....it was ugly. The 6 match undefeated run augurs well for the season. Hopefully we can start another with another tough match coming Everton and Sean Dyche's Direct 4-4-2. We just had a takeover this is getting ridiculous! We headed to Liverpool and changed back to our regular 5-2-2-1 formation but also decided to play the backups because of player complaints. The Backups proved why they are backups but, there is something wrong with our tactics when we play aggressive pressing teams and Jester is at a loss as how to fix it. He is afraid of pressing hard up the Pitch himself and being beaten over the top and he doesn't have the fastest team..... Stats don't lie! We were pressed hard an unable to get any deep penetration of their half. This is a problem. The final match of the month was Norwich coming to Preston. The Pundits expected us with our new found credibility? with home advantage to win the match. It was a tough match, Norwich were extremely hard to breakdown because they played deep and forced us to attack them rather than scoring on the counter. This is analagous to our problems with the Press as well. But on this day we got the goal! We dominated possession but had a hard time connecting on crosses. Wagner was salty before and after the match because a VAR ruling went against his team..... The pass map shows much more penetration by advanced players compared to Everton map. League Table Monthly Analysis Report Dante Cassanova is providing the assists like TAA! Player of the Month The match against Everton featured the Backups so Bazunu still had a good month. Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

It is not a bad start except in my mind. I generally don't make any not realistic transfers. I generally prefer transfers to loans, and I don't usually play teams with a lot of pulling power. So, I have to go the Free Agent route most of the time. I don't mind loaning out my kids to free up payroll for the first team, but loans for most of the better young players to play for us are outrageous costs for teams like Preston.

September 2028: Regular Season Manager's Thoughts Jester came into the month of September wanting to play better and establish our midtable credentials now before the schedule got tougher. He would have been really happy if we could have gotten 8 points out of the possible 12. Instead, he had to content with 7. The state of play wasn't the best offensively, but our defense bailed us out and the offense did just enough to keep us unbeaten this month. There are glimmers of hope it seems like most of our offensive woes are because of luck.... we hit the woodwork an average of two times a match. If we can get our offense firing while still playing good defense, we have a good chance of making mid-table a reality no matter what the pundits say on Sky Sports! Schedule Highlights The month of September started with an international break and several members of the First Team were involved. Jester was happy to see his players doing well on International Duty. The rest of the team worked on Set-Pieces and conditioning while their teammates were away. Finally after what felt like an eternity it was time to play another Premier League Match. The next match was against Brentford in London. It was a back and forth affair between to evenly match teams and we were lucky to get a draw but neither side could break the stalemate afterwards. Dante was Player of the week with a breathtaking Freekick goal and the assist on the other goal against Brentford. We got penetration on the Flanks that set up our goals but had difficulty in the middle of the pitch. The next match would see Middlesborough arrive at Deepdale Stadium. Jester was hoping for a win.....and it was predicted. It was an ugly match we were bossed off the ball and were attacked "Rugby" style when we had it. The next match would take place in Wolverhampton. The wolves were favored and PNE wasn't playing particularly well. This was another ugly stalemate that was broken by an 80th minute own goal by Fagan-Walcott giving Wolves the lead. Jester went to all out attack and was rewarded with a game tying goal by Mikey O'Neill. Even though we aren't playing particularly well we are unbeaten in 5 matches so far! That is good news when you are Relegation Battle participants. The next match would be against Table-Propping Leicester City. They used an unusual formation a lot like our 5-2-2-1 but with 4 at the back. PNE was favored in the contest, but would need to do a professional job. PNE played the best they had in a month, and we were led by Dorrington. Dominance indeed! Look at the stats and it could have been more! Cassanova's Freekick came in third place..... League Table Player of the Month Monthly Analysts Report Our defense is bailing out our offense. It is led by Bazunu and Dorrington. Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

At least you aren't Nottingham Forest's Defense! If you are playing a high line are the attributes of pace, positioning, anticipation good (13+) for your CB's? How Defensive minded (Positioning and tackling) are your Full/Wingbacks? Last but not least look again at the Goalkeeper. That should help until you do your deep dive into the stats. So far you are Crystal Palace playing like well Crystal Palace.

Your still outside the relegation zone. Cup runs are often a nuisance when your in-relegation battle. For a club like yours the money is good, but you must balance it against the needs of the main competition the League. Sometimes it's not worth it.

A lot of smaller countries in the old eastern bloc do it. I know that both the Czechian and Slovakian Leagues split near the end of the season. Also, Wales. So, I guess those are places you won't try in the future. Premier League Mornings on USA and Peacock Networks are the Highlights of my Weekends while playing FM of course! I don't watch the Bundesliga or La Liga because I don't have ESPN+ and now I have to start paying for peacock next month to watch a lot of the Premier League matches.

August 2028: Regular Season Schedule Highlights The Premier League season would begin with a visit from Newcastle United to Deepdale Stadium. Newcastle being one of the Big Seven was favored even though PNE was at home reflecting the Preseason rankings. We scored first on a corner and then shut them down defensively, especially after Perr Schuurs got frustrated and sent off with a second yellow turned red. After the Victory the board brought Jester to a meeting to remind him of this season's objectives. The number of season ticket holders are slowly increasing.....we will need Champions league Football to really add to the numbers now. A trip to the Etihad Stadium was next on our itinerary and this is how the scouts said that Man City would setup. Man City was expected to blow us out of the Stadium..... We drew the match, but we were embarrassed not to take advantage of a Rodri Red Card. But actually, it was Bazunu our Goalie that kept us in the match because Man City didn't stop attacking when they went down a man. The next match was another tough one with Liverpool coming to town. Liverpool were the definite favorites with the bookies and Media. Klopp playing mind games! Jester wasn't sure he needed to play them.... After the Liverpool defeat the team started preparing for the next match..... Also the Board had agreed to find a local affiliate to send players on loan to....and Jester chose: AFC Fylde of the Vanarama League. The team then headed to London for a match at Craven Cottage. Fulham was a classic yo-yo team who just got promoted from the Championship as Champions and they were considered a "safe" mid-table team during the season preview, Looking at the analytics before and after Jester thought the match was a missed opportunity. After the match in London the team had to head to Ipswich for the Carabao Cup. Jester intended to play the Backup at this early stage versus lower league opposition and to give his starters a rest. Preston was expected to win.... We scored early but couldn't get a second, then they scored late and it went to penalties....which we didn't even score one! Bournemouth was the last match of the month. They no longer played the 4-4-2 that gave us so many problems..... Bournemouth was expected to win.... Except it was Roberts coming out Party with two goals! We were incisive in our finishing even if we didn't get many chances. The pass map shows that we did a lot of good work against their right flank! Transfer Deadline Day The following players joined the team this offseason. Charlie Patino DMCL DLP-S Lewis Gibson LCB-BPD-X Finley Roberts Striker CF-S Jamal Baptiste RCB BPD-X Gavin Bazunu Goalkeeper SK-D Even with us upping our payroll costs by 35% we are still 19th! and more than $100M less than the "average" League Table Monthly Analyst Report Player of the Month Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Your doing good work more points than games played is the goal when trying to survive a relegation BATTLE. 34 points in 28 matches isn't bad at all. If you were on 56 points I think you would be talking promotion......and the title race. It goes back to my rules of thumb: that 2 points per match will win you the League or Promotion most seasons. 2 more points than matches usually makes you safe from relegation most seasons.

I am drooling over ASSE's Jourdan......he would be perfect for my Preston Team.....even if I am mostly trying to win with British players.

Take the "Old Lady" back to the top! Now that is a Challenge......especially with a Board and Fans that wants it done Yesterday! The biggest thing I have noticed when I play really Big Clubs (I never Career update those saves) is getting recruitment right. Try to pay attention to the players you scout that the analysts say will fit in with the current team. (Group Dynamics screen) if you already have a good club culture and the right leaders in place. It will make transitions much easier. They are often considered the BEST (most expensive) players that you have scouted. (It irks me when I play a midtable club that doesn't have the funds).

July 2028: Preseason Training Manager's Thoughts Jester was happy with the offseason acquisitions and was excited to see them play and get used to our system. The Friendlies were many because Jester believed Match training was the best way to get ready for a season. There were several losses in the bunch. The one against Barrow is unforgiveable and the one versus Borussia Dortmund can be given to just one of those days. The team overall played well and began to create the cohesion needed to make them what Jester hoped was a Mid-table Premier League team. He is especially excited by new number nine Findley Roberts. The young Welsh star looks like another Haaland (Big Fast and can Score). He didn't score many in the Preseason, but he hit the woodwork a lot! The Bookies and Media are still counting us out, but Jester understand why because of analytics. Schedule Highlights The team came back from their Summer vacation and began training for the season. Jester is a big believer in match training so NINE Friendlies were scheduled. Most were against Lower Level opposition. The best opposition were matches against Celtic and the Home Match versus Borussia Dortmund. The Friendlies started as always with a match against the U-21's. The next match versus Bristol Rovers was a cakewalk. The surprise came when we played Barrow on our way to training camp in Scotland. Barrow was the winner they played their Hearts out in what is probably the "Match of the Season". We should have won by the statistics, but it also came at a time that Jester used as "Learning Moment"! Afterwards the team played well in Scotland and returned to Euxton Training Center to get ready for the match with Borussia Dortmund We couldn't shoot and buy a goal in this contest..... Again the statistics say we should have won! We are one of the smallest teams in Ticket and Matchday income. We are relying on the TV Money. The last Friendly came and it was a win for us, but we also suffered a loss. Our Star Player will miss the first month of the Season! Season Preview The Team Team Attribute's we are good jumping and still a little slow. Mentally we are best with composure and positioning which will help in the upcoming season, We are great at Heading, yet we are terrible at Corners.... Premier League Preview At least we aren't the worse team. Jester believes we can replicate last season and finish Mid-table. All the usual suspects! Only Lizardo is newgen, more of the usual suspects. No Preston Player makes the list..... Management Report Financial Report Looking Ahead to be continued:

Great signings. Alex Scott is a gem.

Goalkeeping is one position if you can find the right player (or in form) can mask a lot of deficiencies and make a difference in relegation battle. In my Preston save we did well to end up 14th, but one move I made over the summer was to find a better goalie. Mostly because the old #1 dreaded big matches and almost every match in the Premier League is a "Big Match."

I think so and even better former #1 took his downgrade to Cup keeper in stride. Funniest thing is that my third keeper is South Africa's #1 at 19. He is loaned out to a League2 team for the season.

Who is AI St.Etienne's manager? Getting a new stadium is always a good thing even if it isn't named after you!

June 2028: The Offseason "The Silly Season" Manager's Thoughts The Offseason finally came and Jester continued working the phones and Board to improve the squad. He had made most of his moves already, but he decided that the team needed a new Goalkeeper and relegated Southhampton had Ireland's #1 on the Transfer list. Yes, He had said he was going to be careful with the money, but He also realized that the team needed improvement that only money could buy. In fact, he was betting his job on this allowing for another midtable run in the Premier League. Because his contract was up at the end of the '28-'29 season. Highlights The month began with the Youth Facilities being upgraded which will hopefully help us in the future. In an interview Jester let out a sound bite he almost instantly regretted. as shown by this..... and it wouldn't stop there as Jester secured the players already on the team and a few to join them. Findley Roberts is the Centerpiece of Jester's Squad Makeover as a true #9. and during the Roberts press conference He was asked what other position could use help....he thought for a moment and said GoalKeeper. Patino will be our new midfield General taking over for Whiteman. He had been on our radar for some time and in fact we tried to lure him from London at the beginning of last season! Our rivals Everton giving contracts to players on our U-18's They must think he is going to be the next Donnarumma! Of course we offered him a contract as well. This is the player in question, and he just joined from our Academy. We added another CB ro add depth to our defense and to help with the impending loss of Dorrington. He had been on the Books at West Ham but was on loan at our rivals Burnley. We decided to overlook that at brought him into the fold. Still spending and not done yet! In comes our new #1 Goalkeeper. This is the end of the spending we are now looking to off load a player or two for the right price. Stanton signed on with us for an extravagant contract. Now that we are back in the Top Division! Mostly thanks to our overachievement Premier League! Even after Spalshing the cash this offseason the books should be balanced! Management Report Financial Report to be continued:

I think Patino is an O'Reilly except from Arsenal and a Midfield playmaker. O'Reilly is playing as Trequarista, but is more of a shadow striker with 19 goals overall and no assists. I had to borrow from the Transfer Budget, and I ended up "Splashing the Cash" and now the Payroll Budget is slightly in the red at $61M. I have to stay up this season or my contract probably won't be renewed.