[FM10] When The Saints Go Marching In - Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save!

[crouchaldinho]

Play-off Semi-Final, Second Leg - St. Albans City 4 - 1 Wolves (The Saints win 5-1 on aggregate)

Formations & Starting Line-ups

Match Details

I went into this game thinking that we were easily going to see off Wolves and go through to the final. Although that was the case in the end, after about 20 mins I was really panicking.

First of all, our DM, Strasser,got himself sent off for a two-footed lunge. Then we conceded a goal to make it 1-1 on aggregate.

In the end though, we absolutely thrashed Wolves with 10 men and managed to get through to the final.

We would meet Hull City at Wembley to compete for a place in the Premier League.

[crouchaldinho]

Play-off Final at Wembley - Hull 2 - 0 St. Albans City

Formations & Starting Line-ups

Match Details

Well, we were absolutely rubbish in the final at Wembley and Hull walked all over us.

The pressure of the situation got to the players, clearly, and my assistant manager feedback indicated that some had 'lost confidence' at half-time.

A depressing end to the season and it just goes to show how unfair the play-offs are! Hull, who finished 6th, are going to be in the Premier League next season.

Anyway, it will give us a chance to build for another season and perhaps we can have a proper crack at automatic promotion next time around. I'm not too disheartened as we massively overachieved as it is and we'll be back soon!

[crouchaldinho]

END OF SEASON 2018/19 LEAGUE TABLE & PLAYER STATS:

Championship Final Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team          |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Middlesbrough |       | 46    | 30    | 10    | 6     | 76    | 32    | +44   | 100   | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   | P     | Reading       |       | 46    | 23    | 15    | 8     | 68    | 41    | +27   | 84    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Sheff Utd     |       | 46    | 24    | 11    | 11    | 85    | 53    | +32   | 83    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 4th   |       | St. Albans    |       | 46    | 23    | 11    | 12    | 82    | 43    | +39   | 80    | [/b]
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Wolves        |       | 46    | 22    | 11    | 13    | 69    | 46    | +23   | 77    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   | P     | Hull          |       | 46    | 21    | 13    | 12    | 59    | 33    | +26   | 76    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Burnley       |       | 46    | 19    | 14    | 13    | 50    | 42    | +8    | 71    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Norwich       |       | 46    | 18    | 16    | 12    | 66    | 50    | +16   | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Colchester    |       | 46    | 19    | 13    | 14    | 58    | 49    | +9    | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Ipswich       |       | 46    | 20    | 10    | 16    | 64    | 57    | +7    | 70    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Walsall       |       | 46    | 17    | 16    | 13    | 57    | 53    | +4    | 67    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Leicester     |       | 46    | 17    | 15    | 14    | 51    | 44    | +7    | 66    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Portsmouth    |       | 46    | 17    | 14    | 15    | 64    | 66    | -2    | 65    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Birmingham    |       | 46    | 16    | 16    | 14    | 56    | 55    | +1    | 64    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Huddersfield  |       | 46    | 16    | 14    | 16    | 64    | 58    | +6    | 62    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Watford       |       | 46    | 13    | 17    | 16    | 52    | 47    | +5    | 56    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Q.P.R.        |       | 46    | 14    | 14    | 18    | 36    | 52    | -16   | 56    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Sheff Wed     |       | 46    | 13    | 12    | 21    | 51    | 72    | -21   | 51    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Swindon       |       | 46    | 11    | 15    | 20    | 53    | 74    | -21   | 48    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Nottm Forest  |       | 46    | 12    | 11    | 23    | 50    | 78    | -28   | 47    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Plymouth      |       | 46    | 11    | 9     | 26    | 42    | 60    | -18   | 42    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  | R     | Scunthorpe    |       | 46    | 10    | 9     | 27    | 39    | 79    | -40   | 39    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 23rd  | R     | Derby         |       | 46    | 9     | 9     | 28    | 30    | 80    | -50   | 36    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 24th  | R     | Hartlepool    |       | 46    | 6     | 7     | 33    | 38    | 96    | -58   | 25    | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions)- sorted by average rating:

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name                       | Position    | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Rsv   | Chris Smith                | GK          | 51      | -     | -     | 1     | 6.84  | 33    | SCO   | £625K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    | Wnt   | James Rhodes               | D RL, WB L  | 36 (1)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.02  | 21    | ENG   | £475K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    |       | Joe Hall                   | D L         | 45 (2)  | -     | 3     | 1     | 7.10  | 19    | ENG   | £2M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Wnt   | Borja Rodríguez Sánchez    | D RC        | 44 (1)  | 3     | 2     | 2     | 7.14  | 24    | ESP   | £240K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Rodney Hansen              | D C         | 50      | 2     | 2     | 1     | 6.77  | 18    | BEL   | £1M   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   | Wnt   | Alaixys Romao              | DM, M C     | 9 (9)   | -     | 2     | -     | 6.63  | 35    | TOG   | £2K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Wnt   | William Carvalho           | DM, M C     | 14 (7)  | 2     | 4     | -     | 7.12  | 27    | ANG   | £100K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Rsv   | Andrés Abdesalam           | M C         | 44      | 7     | 15    | 5     | 7.31  | 24    | ESP   | £2.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   |       | Marc Albrighton            | AM R        | 35 (9)  | 4     | 6     | -     | 6.95  | 29    | ENG   | £275K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   | Rsv   | Lazaros Christodoulopoulos | AM RLC, F C | 21 (17) | 3     | 4     | 3     | 6.93  | 32    | GRE   | £700K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Loa   | Aleksandar Dimitrov        | AM/F C      | 47 (3)  | 25    | 10    | 6     | 7.21  | 21    | BUL   | £4.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Inj   | Billy Malone               | GK          | 4       | -     | -     | -     | 6.60  | 18    | ENG   | £725K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | Wnt   | Matthew Kilgallon          | D LC        | 14 (17) | -     | -     | -     | 6.72  | 35    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    | Loa   | John Joynes                | M C         | 3       | 1     | -     | -     | 6.73  | 20    | ENG   | £500K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    | Loa   | Neil Simpson               | M C         | 2 (7)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.76  | 20    | ENG   | £650K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Wnt   | Nabil Etchegaray           | AM RC       | 2 (5)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.58  | 23    | FRA   | £45K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    | Wnt   | José Antonio Gómez         | AM RL       | 21 (17) | 4     | 3     | 1     | 6.73  | 21    | ESP   | £1.4M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | Wnt   | Victor Yegorov             | ST          | 45 (3)  | 30    | 11    | 9     | 7.10  | 21    | UKR   | £2.3M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Kevin Doyle                | ST          | 1 (6)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.36  | 35    | IRL   | £4.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Jonás                      | AM RL       | 20 (10) | 3     | 4     | 2     | 7.07  | 35    | ARG   | £3.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Rodney Strasser            | DM, M C     | 33 (1)  | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.91  | 29    | SLE   | £140K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Haris Vuckic               | AM/F C      | 6 (13)  | 1     | 4     | -     | 6.81  | 26    | SVN   | £250K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Wnt   | Luke Hoyte YP1             | D RL        | 23      | -     | 3     | 1     | 6.90  | 25    | ENG   | £110K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Mick Hodgson               | D RC        | 6 (5)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.51  | 26    | IRL   | £14K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Marc Vega                  | AM L, ST    | 21 (23) | 12    | 8     | 2     | 6.98  | 22    | ESP   | £1.9M | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[m1234566778]

Oh ffs crouchy! Never mind always next season. But what a win against Wolves. KUTGW!

[hrbfcrule]

Really unlucky there next season will be your season

[Nobby_McDonald]

I didn't want to be right... but I did say you'd bottle it!

[jackripper]

unlucky mate got to be looking at a title challenge surely now

[crouchaldinho]

Yes, I hope so jackripper. We should be much stronger next time around as I am going to do quite a bit of rebuilding.

[crouchaldinho]

Obviously, team gelling is going to have an impact as well, as I am planning major changes to the squad.

[crouchaldinho]

Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save - St. Albans City in the Championship (Season Ten at Clarence Park - 2018/19)

End of Season 2018/19 Screenshots:

League Table - see above post for the full league table. Our 4th place finish was a record high for the club:

League Positions Graph - as you can see, it was steady progress throughout the season and just missed out on automatic promotion at the end of the season.

FA Cup - Barely a decent run and we probably should have gone further really. We didn't play any big sides, which was a disappointment. However, it is the furthest the club has ever been in the competition.

League Cup - Same old story. We were went out fairly early, although the third round is a slight improvement!

Transfers - We managed to raise £1.2m through sales, which is always pretty essential considering our poor financial situation. The biggest frustration was losing Glyfi Sigurdsson to Norwich in January after the chairman accepted the bid on my behalf! All of my new signings were free transfers, as usual, so we didn't spend a penny on improving the first team. Victor Yegorov was a sensation and ended up being thebest signing in the whole division in the end of season summary. Out of the loan players, Dimitrov was excellent, plus Hansen and Hall were pretty good.

Key players:

Joe Hall - Really solid fullback who came in on loan from Blackburn and really helped us out at the back. Definitely a player I will be looking to sign permanently if the opportunity arrises.

Andres Abdesalam - Abdesalam has been absolutely brilliant as our advanced playmaker in the midfield. I made him captain when the season began and decided that he would dictate the play in our team. 7 goals and 15 assists says it all really. Once again, he is going to be key to any success we have in the future, and he is still young at 24. My coaches rate him as a good Premier League player and he more or less carried the team this season.

Aleksandar Dimitrov - Another player who basically carried the team. He is a class act. 25 goals and 10 assists is a great return and he got most of them playing in the hole as an inside forward. I hope to bring him back next season and would love to sign him up if the opportunity is there. May try retraining him as an AML to play the inside forward role cutting inside from the left next season if I can get him on loan again.

Victor Yegorov - Scored 23 goals in the league and 30 overall. Sensational. A tortured genius who can't seem to keep his emotions in order. He's a hard one to manage but when he is on fire, he'll score goals all day long. The only real weakness he has is a lack of ability in the air, which worries me, especially when he is up front on his own. He is also poor at coping with pressure and gets complacent easily, so I may look to bring in another forward to rotate with Yegorov next season. Getting some interest from Premier League clubs, so may have to sell if the price is right.

Those four players are by far the best in the team and more or less carried us through the season. Without them, we were poor, but with them all on form, we were capable of beating anyone in the league on our day.

Team of the Season - Pretty close. Can't find much fault with it to be honest.

Overall Best XI - As usual, a bit off, but not too bad considering it never quite gets it right and makes some odd choices on occasion.

Other Club Info:

Fans’ Player of the season: Andres Abdesalem for a second year running.

Signing of the season: Yegorov on a free.

Top goalscorer(s): Aleksandar Dimitrov 25 in the league (25 goals in all competitions). Yegorov 23 in the league (30 goals in all competitions).

Most Assists: Abdesalam, as usual, with 14 in the league (15 in all competitions).

Most MoM awards: Yegorov with 9.

Best Average Rating: Andres Abdesalam 7.31 (44 apps).

Average Attendance: 5,958 (a small increase on last year).

Season Tickets: 1,489 (three more sold than last season!)

Club finances: Finances are much better. We have a new sponsorship deal and things are looking much better at the club.

City Legends: Wilfred Minter, Steve Clark, Phil Wood (no new additions).

City Icons: Colin Lippiatt, Lee Clarke, Peter Risley, Kevin Mudd, Richard Evans, Paul Bastock (no new additions).

City Favourites: Steven Hetherington, Andres Abdesalam (Crouchaldinho removed! )

Most League Apps for Club - Steve Clark 488 (all time), Luke Hoyte 268 (current).

Most League Goals for Club - Steve Clark 322 (all time), Aleksandar Dimitrov 43 (current).

Youth academy products season reports (the youngsters that my assistant recommended):

Luke Hoyte (YP1) - Luke is playing beyond his level now but is still fairly solid and reliable when called upon. Very much a backup now though. I want to keep him on so that he can taste Premier League football - then he will have played in all divisions as we have risen up the leagues!

Ryan Jones (YP2) - Ryan moved on as he wasn't going to make the grade.

YP3 - I'm afraid I didn't even bother recording who YP3 was. The whole in-take was a complete dud. Not one decent player.

Stephen Greenwood (YP4) - Not good enough in the end so I released him.

Alex Cooke (YP5) - Not good enough so had to release him. Made 21 apps for the first team and scored 1 goal.

John Armstrong (YP6) - Not good enough after another loan spell, so he has been sold to Notts County (2019). Made 2 apps for us overall.

Graham Hill (YP7) - I doubted that this lad had the ability to make it and so it proved. Released.

Glen Miller (YP8) - Woeful mental attributes have not improved. Will give him more loan time but having doubts and will likely have to let him go if we don't see some proper improvement.

David Waite YP8b - This guy wasn't even the recommended player from his batch. He has improved after loan time and I'm definitely going to give him some first team minutes this season. He's looking very decent. The first player who looks like he might be a first-teamer since Luke Hoyte all those years ago!

Liam Maskell YP9- Last season's intake gave me this lad. The basics are there and my coaches seem to rate his potential. He'll get loan time this season.

100 club (players that have made 100 league apps for the club under my management):

Name                	Position  	Era             Apps	Goals	Honours	
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Luke Hoyte (YP1)	DL		2010-Present	264	3	Blue Square South (2012)
								Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Laurence Gaughan	DRC		2009-2015	152	3	Blue Square South (2012)
								Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Sol Shields		MC		2009-2014	152	10	Blue Square South (2012)


Steven Hetherington	AMLC		2013-2017	146	21	Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Ryan Carolan		DLC       	2009-2013	137	3    	Blue Square South (2012)

Mick Hodgson 		DC		2014-2019	131	7	Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Horacio Palomino	ST		2015-2018	127	63	

Borja Rodriguez Sanchez	DC		2016-Present	124	4	

Craig Calver 		ST 		2009-2015	122	45	Blue Square South (2012)
								Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

William Carvalho	DM/MC		2015-Present	112	6

JJ O'Donnell		AMRLC		2009-2014	111	10	Blue Square South (2012)

Ben Martin 		DC		2010-2014	109	4	Blue Square South (2012)

James Rhodes		DR		2016-Present	108	1	

Peter Smith		DL		2009-2013	105 	4	Blue Square South (2012)

Paul Hakim 		FC		2009-2013	102	27	Blue Square South (2012)

James Quilter		DRC/DM/MC	2009-2013	102	1	Blue Square South (2012)

James Fisher		DR/MC		2009-2013	100	2	Blue Square South (2012)

Alfie Potter		AMR		2012-2015	100	17	Blue Square Premier (2014)
								Coca-Cola League Two (2015)

Other News:

- The Big Boys:

o Man Utd win their first league title since 2012 and finally stop the dominance of their rivals Man City who won the title four times in a row last season. Arsenal, Man City and Blackburn are all a fair way off the pace but complete the top four. West Brom, Leeds and Rotherham are relegated.

o Arsenal win the FA Cup defeating Chelsea in the final.

o Chelsea win the League Cup beating Blackburn in the final.

o Barcelona win the Champions League title defeating FC Bayern in the final.

o The Europa is won by Real Madrid with Chelsea as runners-up.

- Local Interests:

o Bishop's Stortford ended up in the BSN and finished in a lower mid-table position.

o Boreham Wood finished in a mid-table position in the BSS.

o Luton were relegated from League One after finishing in the play-offs last season. They finished in 21st place in the league.

o Stevenage finished 2nd in the BSN but lost in the play-offs.

o Just for a change, Watford finished in yet another mid-table position in the Championship. It's happened every season so far!

- Ex-Saints:

Nobody has really gone on to have fame and fortune elsewhere.

[crouchaldinho]

My Manager Awards:

- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Year Third Place.

- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month for April.

- 2016/17 Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month for February.

- 2014/15 Coca-Cola League Two Manager of the Year.

- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year.

- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for April.

- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for March.

- 2013/14 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for December.

- 2012/13 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Year Third Place.

- 2012/13 Blue Square Premier Manager of the Month for December.

- 2011/12 Blue Square South Manager of the Season.

- 2010/11 Blue Square Manager of the Month for September.

- 2010/11 Blue Square South Manager of the Season Third Place.

- 2009/10 Blue Square South Manager of the Season Runner-up.

Career Overview:

My managerial record at the Saints (2009 - Present [3275 days])::

P 	W 	D 	L 	F	A	Win % 		Competitions Won
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
522	270	141	111	842	512	51.72%		Coca-Cola League Two (2015)
							Blue Square Premier (2014)
							Blue Square South (2012)									

Cups:

| Season 	| FA Cup	| League Cup	|  FL Trophy	| FA Trophy		
|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------  
| 09/10 (BSS) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| N/A		|  N/A		| 3rd Qual Rnd 
| 10/11 (BSS) 	| 1st Rnd    	| N/A   	|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 11/12 (BSS) 	| 2nd Rnd    	| N/A 		|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 12/13 (BSP) 	| 2nd Rnd    	| N/A 		|  N/A		| 3rd Rnd
| 13/14 (BSP)	| 3rd Rnd    	| N/A		|  N/A		| 1st Rnd
| 14/15 (L2) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 1st Rnd 	|  1st Rnd	| N/A
| 15/16 (L1) 	| 1st Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  S Semi	| N/A
| 16/17 (L1) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  1st Rnd	| N/A
| 17/18 (Ch) 	| 3rd Rnd    	| 2nd Rnd 	|  N/A  	| N/A
| 18/19 (Ch) 	| 5th Rnd    	| 3rd Rnd 	|  N/A  	| N/A

League:

Season      	Team      		League      	Position   	Achievements & Notes
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009/10      	St. Albans City   	BSS	    	4th      	FA Cup 3rd Rnd
2010/11		St. Albans City   	BSS	    	2nd      	Play-off finalists
2011/12		St. Albans City   	BSS	    	[b]1st		[/b][b]BSS Champions[/b], Manager of the Season
2012/13		St. Albans City   	BSP	    	5th      	
2013/14		St. Albans City		BSP		[b]1st		[/b][b]BSP Champions[/b], Manager of the Season
2014/15		St. Albans City		CCL2		[b]1st		[/b][b]League Two Champions[/b], Manager of the Season
2015/16		St. Albans City		CCL1		3rd		Play-off finalists
2016/17		St. Albans City		CCL1		2nd		Automatic Promotion
2017/18		St. Albans City		CCCh		7th		
2018/19		St. Albans City		CCCh		4th		Play-off finalists

Misc. screenshots:

Last season, we set a new attendance record:

We finally have a new sponsorship deal:

And last but not least, our stadium is being expanded (but not by much!):

Next Season: It was a general improvement all round this year. A higher league finish and more progress in both of the cups. More of the same for next season, I hope.

I've decided to change the formation to a 4-5-1/4-3-3 system and I'll be looking to strengthen in all positions really. Several players are going to have to be released and the likes of Jonas and Yobo are retiring. We really need to get rid of some of the fringe players and improve the squad quality and depth from a proper promotion push next time around.

COYS!

[crouchaldinho]

I convinced Yobo and Jonas to become coaches at the club after their retirement.

[crouchaldinho]

In other news, one of the directors has taken over the club:

No investment though:

Let's hope this new guy has more resources to put into the club, although I also hope he is is not an interfering type of chairman. The last guy may have been crap and not very helpful but at least he didn't interfere very much.

[crouchaldinho]

In pre-season, I was approached for the Leeds United job after they were relegated from the Premier League last season:

I turned it down of course. Dirty, dirty Leeds!

[crouchaldinho]

I was tempted to head off to Italy and to have a quick season with Hellas Verona on my calcio save. However, the calling of taking St. Albans City to the Premier League is too strong and so I've decided to get straight on with another season with the Saints!

[crouchaldinho]

PRE-SEASON 2019/20 TRANSFERS:

Transfers

This was a summer of change at Clarence Park as I sought to make the changes that would push us upwards and onwards, and take us to the next level.

I was ruthless in clearing the deadwood and fringe players from the side. Kevin Doyle, Alaixys Romao and Matthew Killgallon were all deemed too old. Mick Hodgson and Nabil Etchegaray were deemed surplus to requirements. As were several other young players who I felt would not make the grade. All were thanked for their efforts and sent on their way. We raised £1.5m in transfer fees received, which I thought was pretty decent business. Losing the talented Marc Vega to Hertha BSC was a blow and that was the only negative piece of business in terms of outgoings for the club this summer.

In terms of the incomings, first of all, I was able to tempt Aleksandar Dimitrov and Joe Hall, back from Chelsea and Blackburn respectively. Both joined the club on loan until the end of the season.

In terms of signings, I did some major business, bringing in no less than 11 players who would be in the first-team squad this season. The biggest names were ex-England internationals Leighton Baines and Michael Johnson. I also strengthened in pretty much every position in order to ensure improvement from the squad this season.

All in all, it was a pretty massive overhaul and rebuilding of the squad. I'll have to be patient, no doubt, due to the team gelling, but I feel we now have the quality and depth to take us to the next level.

I decided to change the formation this season to a 4-5-1-/4-3-3. I was desperate to move to using three midfielders in the middle due to the wealth of talent we have in that position, especially William Carlvalho and captain Andres Abdesalem.

This is my anticipated starting XI for the first game of the season:

New signing Luis Bianchi will start in goal. At the back, Rodriguez Sanchez and Joe Hall remain, and they are joined by new signings Scott Cuthbert, a solid Scottish centre-back, and Dutch attacking fullback Gianni Zuiverloon.

In the midfield, new signing Rodney Strasser will usually start at DM but in this shot we see new signing Vito Favalli (as Strasser has an injury). In the midfield, Carvalho will partner captain and advanced playmaker Andres Abdesalem.

Playing in the wide attacking positions are Dutch wing-forward Rob Kogeldans, and local youth product David Waite (YP8b). My intention is to retrain Dimitrov as an AML to play inside forward, so he will be a starter later in the season. Kogeldans, I can basically describe as being like the new Dirk Kuyt. He's hard working with phenomenal work rate, and a good, solid all rounder.

At centre-forward, we'll be playing new signing Jokin Saiz, a Spanish centre-forward. He's quick, good in the air, strong and a great all round striker. He will rotate with Victor Yegorov.

So it's a lot of new changes but we've improved the quality and depth of the squad quite dramatically. Hopefully the players will blend well and quickly. I think we've done enough this summer to ensure that we have a great chance of pushing for promotion come the end of the season. The only worry is that we will probably have a slow start due to all of the changes, but if we can shake that off quickly and find some form, we'll be up there come the end of the season.

[crouchaldinho]

I'm loving my 'magic triangle' in midfield of Strasser, Carvalho and Abdesalem. Could be the key to our season.

[hrbfcrule]

I was tempted to head off to Italy and to have a quick season with Hellas Verona on my calcio save. However, the calling of taking St. Albans City to the Premier League is too strong and so I've decided to get straight on with another season with the Saints!

Good choice .

Do you need a new stadium yet? I know yours is being expanded but ~1300 more surely cant be enough

[crouchaldinho]

Definitely need a new stadium. CP is 6,000 capacity. Another 1,000 or so isn't really going to do it for the Premier League, is it? Plus, we'll only have a couple of thousand seats after the works have been done!

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2019:

Manager Comments for August 2019:

A slow but steady start for us in our third season in the Championship. We started off really well but then struggled to beat Birmingham at home and were beaten by QPR away.

This is pretty much what I was expecting with so many new faces and I will need to ride it out and hope for improvement as the team gels.

We finished off the month pretty well and can be pleased with our progress in the League Cup. All in all, a fairly decent start but clearly lots of hard work ahead.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 9     | 7     | +2    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | West Brom    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 7     | 5     | +2    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 9th   |       | St. Albans   |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 5     | 3     | +2    | 8     | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Watford      |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 7     | 6     | +1    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Sheff Wed    |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 2     | +1    | 8     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[crouchaldinho]

In the end, I changed my mind about the formation and I decided that we would probably be best employing either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 formation depending on the game plan and the personnel available. These are more or less my favourite formations really.

The potential line-ups are:

I think the 4-4-1-1 will be used most often because Dimitrov is so brilliant as inside forward from this position and will score goals and play a key part in attack. Also, our two main strikers will probably need to be rested for different reasons during the course of the season. Yegorov is, as we have already established, temperamental and likely to lose the plot at times. Saiz, on the other hand, has quite low natural fitness. It was a slight risk signing him in a way but he was such a skilled forward that I thought it a worthwhile risk. He'll score goals and is a great all rounder so even if he has to miss some games, I still think he'll have a big contribution to make this season.

[AcidBurn]

I can never get 4-4-2 to work on any FM. Not the best start but not too bad always best to come into form in the middle of the season and hold it until the end.

On another subject tried to PM you but it said you had exceeded your stored message limit or something.

[crouchaldinho]

I can never get 4-4-2 to work on any FM.

I always find 4-4-2 the most easy to get working personally! 4-4-1-1 is my favourite though as I like to have a creative hole player if possible.

Not the best start but not too bad always best to come into form in the middle of the season and hold it until the end.

That's true. I knew I would have a slow start due to the team gelling. It'll hopefully come good towards Christmas and then, fingers crossed, I can start to push on!

On another subject tried to PM you but it said you had exceeded your stored message limit or something.

Oh, I'll look into that straight away. Feel free to try again in a minute.

[Saxonaitor]

Norwich better get promoted this season! Don't really care about St Albans really

[crouchaldinho]

How dare you!

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for September 2019:

Pretty good. Three wins out of four in the league, with the only blot on our copy book being the loss away to Wolves.

We were well beaten by Aston Villa away in the League Cup but we didn't expect much more really.

Right now, I'm a bit concerned that despite my overhaul of the team, I haven't actually improved it that much. It's basically a bit of a Liverpool situation. I've got a kind of Gerrard and Torres situation on my hand. Two, or maybe in my case, three players who are really carrying the team with their quality. In my case, that's Abdesalem, Dimitrov and Yegorov.

I guess I won't really be able to tell until we hit some good gelling and played more games. I do feel that we're not as strong as I'd like on the wings and in the centre of defence. Time will tell though whether some of the younger players can step up and do a job for us in those positions. Specifically the likes of Nuno Paiva, David Waite and Jose Antonio Gomez.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 21    | 12    | +9    | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 18    | 10    | +8    | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 6th   |       | St. Albans   |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 13    | 8     | +5    | 17    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Leeds        |       | 9     | 4     | 3     | 2     | 16    | 8     | +8    | 15    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Rotherham    |       | 10    | 4     | 3     | 3     | 12    | 10    | +2    | 15    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[DSYoungEsq]

It's early days, and you've only lost 2. I find that the surest path to success is keeping the losses firmly in check; eventually the wins fall into place more so than draws. Your really tied for fourth right now, since goal difference so early is a poor indicator of later results.

[crouchaldinho]

My worry is that any injuries to a key players could hit us hard. The squad depth isn't much better than last season, and, to be honest, last season the lack of quality backups probably cost us promotion at the end of the season.

[jackripper]

i didnt realise you was in fm mate as a regen. I just signed you for Celtic, have yoiu signed yourself before mate

[crouchaldinho]

i didnt realise you was in fm mate as a regen. I just signed you for Celtic, have yoiu signed yourself before mate

I signed myself on my calcio save but I'm rubbish so I just loan myself out to Serie C2 clubs and I maybe get a handful of games a season.

On this save (the Saints one) I am a half decent League One level central midfielder playing for Bristol Rovers. I tried to sign me but I didn't want to come.

[jackripper]

hahahahaha thats epic fair play. im gonna sign you every save i can

[crouchaldinho]

Awesome.

Let me know if I'm ever any good!

[hrbfcrule]

Will you be in fm11 as well?

[crouchaldinho]

I hope so!

[jackripper]

who needs a son in the game when your in it as yourself lol

[crouchaldinho]

It would still be awesome to have a son!

And to be honest, I usually come out as an absolutely useless player. I don't think I've really seen myself as a half decent player once.

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 2019:

Manager Comments for October 2019:

It started off with a really disappointing defeat in our Hertfordshire derby, as we were well beaten away to Watford.

After that, it just got better and better. We beat Wallsall away, and picked up wins against Leeds and Huddersfield at home.

A 2-2 draw against Preston finished off the month. This was a disappointment, as we took an early lead but then went complacent and conceded twice. In the end, we rescued a point with a goal from Dimitrov, but Preston are bottom of the league and we ought to be winning games like this if we want to have any hope of promotion this season.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 14    | 9     | 3     | 2     | 34    | 15    | +19   | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | West Brom    |       | 14    | 7     | 6     | 1     | 21    | 10    | +11   | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 3rd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 14    | 8     | 3     | 3     | 25    | 16    | +9    | 27    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 14    | 8     | 1     | 5     | 26    | 16    | +10   | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Q.P.R.       |       | 14    | 7     | 4     | 3     | 21    | 14    | +7    | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[crouchaldinho]

Great record from Aleksandar Dimitrov - I'm desperate to sign him if I can!

50 goals in 100 games and all from the inside forward position (AMC) behind Yegorov.

[Flamers]

In the end, I changed my mind about the formation and I decided that we would probably be best employing either a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-4-2 formation depending on the game plan and the personnel available. These are more or less my favourite formations really.

The potential line-ups are:

I think the 4-4-1-1 will be used most often because Dimitrov is so brilliant as inside forward from this position and will score goals and play a key part in attack. Also, our two main strikers will probably need to be rested for different reasons during the course of the season. Yegorov is, as we have already established, temperamental and likely to lose the plot at times. Saiz, on the other hand, has quite low natural fitness. It was a slight risk signing him in a way but he was such a skilled forward that I thought it a worthwhile risk. He'll score goals and is a great all rounder so even if he has to miss some games, I still think he'll have a big contribution to make this season.

I play a 4-4-1-1, I started with two wingers on attack and two central mids on defence, since i changed one to support with no effect on goals conceded however I have my AMC on attack duty and by god it helps!! My AMC's together have scored 25 in ~50 games this season

Flamers

[hrbfcrule]

Automatic promotion definately on this season

Thats a fantastic scoring record by Aleksander Dimitrov especially as he isn't even a striker. How much do you think it'll cost to buy him off of Chelsea?

[crouchaldinho]

Automatic promotion definately on this season

I hope you're right!

Thats a fantastic scoring record by Aleksander Dimitrov especially as he isn't even a striker. How much do you think it'll cost to buy him off of Chelsea?

I have no idea to be honest. Probably way more than I can afford.

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for November 2019:

Not a bad month, with two wins recorded and three draws.

I'm happy enough with the two away draws, and especially happy with the home wins against fellow promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City.

The major disappointment was mucking up against Southend. We threw away a 1-0 lead and at one point found ourselves 2-1 down before getting back to 2-2. We need to be winning these sorts of games, even more so at home!

Anyway, otherwise it was a pretty decent month and I'm happy enough with how things are progressing.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Leeds        |       | 19    | 11    | 4     | 4     | 33    | 14    | +19   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 19    | 12    | 1     | 6     | 33    | 19    | +14   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 3rd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 19    | 10    | 6     | 3     | 36    | 24    | +12   | 36    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 19    | 10    | 5     | 4     | 39    | 23    | +16   | 35    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 19    | 10    | 4     | 5     | 31    | 21    | +10   | 34    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[AcidBurn]

Looking good so far Crouchy, I get a feeling this is the season.

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR DECEMBER 2019:

Manager Comments for December 2019:

The busy Christmas period has proved to be a bad time for my St. Albans City sides over the years. It's always the most difficult time because you need to manage the squad, rest unfit players and rotate, in order to cope with the non-stop fixtures. In the end, this was one rare occasion where I felt reasonably pleased with our results.

It didn't start off too badly but then we had a bit of a blip in the middle of the month with a loss to Nottm Forest and a draw at home to Rotherham.

Things really improved towards the end of the month as we managed three straight wins. I think things are really starting to come together for the squad now and clearly we have more depth than last season. Hopefully this will stand us in good stead for the truly key and most exciting part of the season in my opinion - the last four months where everything will be decided.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 26    | 15    | 5     | 6     | 53    | 28    | +25   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 26    | 14    | 8     | 4     | 46    | 30    | +16   | 50    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Leeds        |       | 25    | 14    | 7     | 4     | 43    | 20    | +23   | 49    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 26    | 15    | 3     | 8     | 48    | 33    | +15   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 26    | 14    | 6     | 6     | 42    | 28    | +14   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

COYS!

[Flamers]

well done

i would try and get a bit more depth in your back 4 maybe? if you could cut down on goals conceded then you would be flying!!

Flamers

[crouchaldinho]

END OF THE YEAR (2019) LEAGUE TABLE & PLAYER STATS:

Championship Standings on 31/12/2019 (after 26 games):

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 26    | 15    | 5     | 6     | 53    | 28    | +25   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 26    | 14    | 8     | 4     | 46    | 30    | +16   | 50    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Leeds        |       | 25    | 14    | 7     | 4     | 43    | 20    | +23   | 49    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 26    | 15    | 3     | 8     | 48    | 33    | +15   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Norwich      |       | 26    | 14    | 6     | 6     | 42    | 28    | +14   | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Rotherham    |       | 26    | 12    | 9     | 5     | 35    | 23    | +12   | 45    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | West Brom    |       | 26    | 11    | 10    | 5     | 36    | 21    | +15   | 43    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Watford      |       | 25    | 12    | 6     | 7     | 27    | 20    | +7    | 42    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Q.P.R.       |       | 26    | 11    | 8     | 7     | 31    | 23    | +8    | 41    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Sheff Wed    |       | 25    | 11    | 4     | 10    | 30    | 25    | +5    | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Ipswich      |       | 26    | 11    | 4     | 11    | 36    | 35    | +1    | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Burnley      |       | 25    | 10    | 6     | 9     | 37    | 34    | +3    | 36    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Walsall      |       | 26    | 9     | 8     | 9     | 41    | 39    | +2    | 35    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Leicester    |       | 26    | 9     | 7     | 10    | 21    | 29    | -8    | 34    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Southend     |       | 26    | 8     | 8     | 10    | 30    | 34    | -4    | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Plymouth     |       | 25    | 9     | 4     | 12    | 19    | 30    | -11   | 31    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Birmingham   |       | 25    | 7     | 9     | 9     | 36    | 34    | +2    | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Coventry     |       | 26    | 8     | 6     | 12    | 22    | 34    | -12   | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Wolves       |       | 26    | 7     | 8     | 11    | 41    | 39    | +2    | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Huddersfield |       | 26    | 8     | 5     | 13    | 36    | 42    | -6    | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Swindon      |       | 25    | 6     | 4     | 15    | 24    | 47    | -23   | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Portsmouth   |       | 25    | 3     | 8     | 14    | 23    | 38    | -15   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 23rd  |       | Colchester   |       | 26    | 3     | 8     | 15    | 25    | 50    | -25   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 24th  |       | Preston      |       | 24    | 3     | 3     | 18    | 16    | 62    | -46   | 12    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions)- sorted by average rating:

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name                    | Position     | Apps  | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Wnt   | Luis Bianchi            | GK           | 28    | -     | -     | -     | 6.82  | 26    | ARG   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    | Rsv   | James Rhodes            | D RL, WB L   | 1     | -     | 1     | 1     | 8.20  | 21    | ENG   | £275K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    | PR    | Joe Hall                | D L          | 4     | -     | 1     | -     | 7.13  | 19    | ENG   | £2.4M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Borja Rodríguez Sánchez | D RC         | 21    | -     | -     | -     | 6.78  | 24    | ESP   | £325K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | André Pinto             | D C          | 23 (1)| 2     | -     | 1     | 6.95  | 30    | POR   | £350K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MR    | Unh   | Marc Albrighton         | AM R         | 14 (7)| 3     | 5     | 1     | 6.78  | 30    | ENG   | £100K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ML    | Rsv   | Nuno Paiva              | AM RL        | 2 (9) | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.99  | 19    | POR   | £1.3M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    | Sus   | Rodney Strasser         | DM, M C      | 19 (2)| 1     | 4     | -     | 7.07  | 29    | SLE   | £210K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| MC    |       | Andrés Abdesalam        | M C          | 23 (1)| 2     | 6     | 3     | 7.23  | 25    | ESP   | £3.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Wnt   | Victor Yegorov          | ST           | 23 (1)| 15    | 4     | 3     | 7.18  | 22    | UKR   | £3.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | Inj   | Rob Kogeldans           | AM R, ST     | 14 (8)| 7     | 3     | 2     | 6.94  | 24    | NED   | £2.1M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Wnt   | Leighton Baines         | D/WB/M L     | 19 (1)| -     | 2     | -     | 6.80  | 35    | ENG   | £160K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | Rsv   | Scott Cuthbert          | D C          | 8 (3) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.83  | 32    | SCO   | £325K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    |       | Vito Favalli            | D C, DM, M C | 9 (1) | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.92  | 25    | ITA   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    | Inj   | Michael Johnson         | M C          | 3 (7) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.60  | 31    | ENG   | £500K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Rsv   | William Carvalho        | M C          | 8 (4) | 1     | 3     | 1     | 6.94  | 27    | ANG   | £170K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    | Wnt   | Jokin Saiz              | ST           | 6 (7) | 3     | 3     | 1     | 7.02  | 23    | ESP   | £2.3M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | PR    | José Antonio Gómez      | AM RL        | 4 (14)| 3     | 1     | -     | 6.79  | 22    | ESP   | £1.8M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Gianni Zuiverloon       | D/WB R       | 28    | -     | 2     | 1     | 6.99  | 33    | NED   | £1M   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Tamás Kádár             | D LC         | 3 (3) | -     | -     | -     | 6.83  | 29    | HUN   | £140K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Haris Vuckic            | AM/F C       | 1 (5) | -     | 2     | -     | 6.78  | 27    | SVN   | £190K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Luke Hoyte YP1          | D RL         | 6 (7) | -     | 2     | -     | 6.92  | 26    | ENG   | £130K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Aleksandar Dimitrov     | AM/F C       | 21 (3)| 8     | 4     | 4     | 7.13  | 21    | BUL   | £4.5M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | David Waite YP8b        | AM L         | 26    | 1     | 3     | -     | 6.82  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5M | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[crouchaldinho]

I thought I would go back to doing the table & player stats at the end of the year because it gives a flavour of how the team are performing.

Note that above, I have quite a few injuries and have been forced into rotation by the number of fixtures in a short space of time. The preferred starting XI has generally been:

Bianchi

Zuiverloon - Sanchez - Pinto - Hall

Albrighton - Strasser - Abdesalem - Gomez

Dimitrov

Yegorov

[jackripper]

come on crouchie bring home that title mate

[Saxonaitor]

Norwich! \o/ Into the premiership with St Albans cmon

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR JANUARY 2020:

Manager Comments for January 2020:

We kicked off 2020 with a loss in the FA Cup against our Hertfordshire rivals Watford. Very frustrating.

A couple of wins against Colchester and Coventry in the league brightened my mood, however.

We finished the month with a 1-0 loss away to Sheffield Wednesday.

We are struggling to show the kind of tenacity we need to grind out the results away from home right now. Our away form has been pretty disappointing this season, to be honest, so this is definitely something we need to improve in if we want to be looking at promotion come the end of the season.

Current League Position:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team         |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Sheff Utd    |       | 29    | 17    | 5     | 7     | 60    | 32    | +28   | 56    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 2nd   |       | St. Albans   |       | 29    | 16    | 8     | 5     | 52    | 32    | +20   | 56    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Nottm Forest |       | 29    | 17    | 4     | 8     | 55    | 34    | +21   | 55    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Leeds        |       | 29    | 14    | 11    | 4     | 45    | 22    | +23   | 53    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | West Brom    |       | 29    | 14    | 10    | 5     | 45    | 24    | +21   | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

COYS!