FM13: Southend United - Still Building on Rubble!

[alstarz01]

Welcome to the Southend United Football Manager 2013 Thread

Club Information

Facilities

City: Southend-On-Sea

Rent: Nominal

Stadium Capacity:12163 all seater

Year Built: 1955

Stadium Condition: Poor

Under Soil Heating: No

Roof: No

Surface: Grass

Field Dimensions: Length 100m, Width 68m

Field Condition: Very Good

Training Facilities: Adequate

Youth Facilities: Basic Youth Facilities

Youth Category Setup: 3

Corporate Facilities: Adequate Corporate Facilities

Junior Coaching: Adequate Junior Coaching

Youth Recruitment: Adequate Youth Recruitment

Affiliated Clubs None

History

1906–1958

Southend United F.C. was formed in 1906 and played in the Southern League until 1920, when they co-founded the Football League's new Third Division; they finished 17th in their first ever season. In 1921, the Third Division was regionalised with Southend United joining the southern section and here they remained until league re-structure in 1958. Southend came close to promotion twice when they finished 3rd in 1932 and 1950, the club's highest league positions until 1991.[1]

1958–1981

Southend United joined the new national Third Division in 1958, where they remained until 1966 when they suffered their first ever relegation, into the Fourth Division. The club had to wait six seasons until 1972 to experience the club's first ever promotion as runners-up behind Grimsby Town. In 1976 Southend suffered relegation again before taking another runners-up spot behind Watford in 1978. Another relegation in 1980 was directly followed by one of the most successful seasons in the club's history as they won the Fourth Division Championship in 1981, breaking a series of club records in the process.[1] Despite success on the pitch and low admission prices, the club's gates were low and condemned as "a bad reflection on the town".[1](p72)

1981–1987

Many of Southend United's most gifted players were sold due to a financial strain.[1](p74) In June 1983 Anton Johnson, a local butcher who was also chairman of Rotherham United,[1](p74) bought 44.9% of the club from the Rubin brothers. The club was already £250,000 in debt.[1](p147) By August 1983 Dave Smith had been replaced as manager by Peter Morris who lasted until February 1984. On his arrival, Morris discovered that he had a squad of only ten players.[1](p121) Bobby Moore was installed as chief executive with Andrew MacHutcheon as chairman. The club were relegated into the Fourth Division in 1984 with Bobby Moore as manager. One of the club's darkest hours saw a season average attendance of barely above 2,000. Vic Jobson was elected as a director in the 1984 close-season, only to be forced out, along with MacHutcheon, months later.[1](p75) On the pitch, the team finished in 22nd place, narrowly avoiding the need to seek re-election to the Football League.

Johnson was arrested on 23 October 1984. Two weeks before Christmas, fans discovered that £70,000 of the club's Christmas savings scheme had gone missing.While the fraud squad investigated, Robert Maxwell and Ken Bates stepped in, at Jobson's request, to lend the necessary money to the club to repay its Christmas savers. The club was now over £800,000 in debt.[1](p76) Johnson was banned by the FA from any future involvement in football, having simultaneously been in control of Southend, Rotherham and Bournemouth. Over a decade later, Ceefax reported that Johnson was seeking to take over Doncaster Rovers.[2]

1987–1992

Promotion in 1987 was the beginning of a golden era for Southend United. Relegation in 1989 was a mere blip as two successive promotions in 1990 and 1991 saw Southend United become "full members" of the Football League for the first time in the club's history, and in 1992 Southend United finished 12th in the old Second Division, their highest ever position in the Football League to date. On New Year's Day, 1992, the club briefly topped the Second Division but their dreary late season form stopped any hopes of a unique third successive promotion that would have given them a place as a Premier League founder member. Manager David Webb then stepped down.

1992–2003

Southend United were managed by Colin Murphy, Barry Fry and then Peter Taylor over the next three seasons. In 1995, former Liverpool player Ronnie Whelan agreed to become player-manager,[3] and Southend finished 14th in Division One in his first season as a manager, a year later the club suffered relegation after finishing bottom of Division One. Ronnie Whelan left the club, claiming a lack of support from the fans and a lack of money from the chairman. Subsequently, Whelan won a case for wrongful dismissal.[4]

Alvin Martin was named Whelan's replacement. Martin was unable to avoid a second consecutive relegation which Southend once again finishing bottom of the table and were duly relegated to Division Three. First team regulars Simon Royce, Jeroen Boere, Andy Thomson and Andy Rammell all left the club and were replaced by Martyn Margetson, Mark Beard, Mark Stimson and Rob Newman. Alvin Martin left in April 1999, with Southend fifth from bottom in the Football League.[5]

Alan Little took charge of his first game away to Leyton Orient, a game Southend lost 3–0. Alan Little, who had previously managed York City, signed former York City players Mark Tinkler and Martin Curruthers. With limited success gates were barely getting above the 3,000 mark and a crowd of only 2,403 showed up to watch the game against Kidderminster and Alan Little's reign had come to an end.

David Webb had resigned as Manager of Yeovil Town and was quickly appointed the new Blues manager after Webb's first season back as Southend manager prior to the 2001–02 season Webb signed youngsters Darryl Flahavan, Leon Cort, Tes Bramble and Mark Rawle. Later that season David Webb was taking to hospital after feeling ill, he was later revealed to be suffering from stress. Rob Newman took temporary charge in Webb's absence, By his high standards the results had been poor and Webb announced his intention to quit the club. Rob Newman had deputised earlier in the season, he along with Peter Taylor and Paul Clark appeared to be the front runners to be the next manager. Rob Newman later got the job on a permanent basis. Southend suffered straight defeats to Lincoln, Swansea, Kidderminster and Hartlepool, that was the end of Newman's time at Southend and was sacked shortly after.

Steve Wignall took over as manager and made a host of new changes, bringing in Drewe Broughton, Mark Gower, Mark Warren and Che Wilson. One Wignall decision that did not go down to well with the Southend fans was the release of goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan after he deemed the keeper too small to play in the Football League. After a poor run of results Wignall re-signed Flahavan, a further two defeats followed and Wignall was sacked. In late 2003 former Southend United midfielder Steve Tilson was appointed manager and named former Leyton Orient boss Paul Brush as his assistant.

2003–2006

The duo turned things around dramatically and Southend reached their first ever national cup final in 2004 when they met Blackpool in the final of the LDV Vans Trophy at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.[6] Over 20,000 Southend fans travelled,[7] but the team couldn't quite rise to the occasion and Blackpool won 2–0.

In 2004 Tilson and Brush were installed as a permanent management / coaching duo and responded by guiding Southend to promotion via the play-offs in 2005 whilst also making a second successive appearance in the Football League Trophy final. Once again the trophy eluded the Shrimpers as they lost 2–0 to Wrexham,[8] but the third appearance at the Millennium Stadium in the League Two play-off final against Lincoln City brought success as Freddy Eastwood and Duncan Jupp scored the goals[9] that gave the club their first ever taste of promotion via the play-off system and their first major piece of silverware since 1981.

2006–2007

On 29 April 2006 the Shrimpers were promoted to the Football League Championship, the second highest tier of English football, after a tense 2–2 draw with Swansea City at the Welsh club's new Liberty Stadium. Southend were crowned League One champions on 6 May 2006, the final day of the season, after beating Bristol City 1–0 at Roots Hall in front of almost 11,400 fans. The 87th minute winner came from Wayne Gray, who had come on as a substitute for Shaun Goater, who was playing his last professional game. Fans from his former club Manchester City had made a special trip to the game to give their hero a special send-off at the end of a long and distinguished career. For Southend United, the championship title was the club's first in 25 years. On 6 May 2006 manager Steve Tilson was named as the League Manager Association's Manager-of-the-Season for League One.

Southend United started the 2006–07 season reasonably well, beating Stoke City 1–0 on the opening day. Just a few games later Southend beat Sunderland 3–1 at Roots Hall Stadium. After that, Southend did not win a league game for 18 games until 9 December 2006 when they beat Southampton 2–1. The Blues then followed this with a convincing 3–1 win over promotion-chasers West Bromwich Albion, on New Year's Day 2007, Southend picked up their first away victory of the season over Cardiff City with a Lee Bradbury 30 yard volley the difference between the two sides, that took them to five games undefeated. A 3–1 victory away to Birmingham City on 31 January 2007 saw the Shrimpers lift themselves from the bottom of the Championship, moving above Leeds United on goal difference. On 9 February 2007 the Shrimpers defeated Queens Park Rangers by a scoreline of 5–0. It was to be a nightmare return for Southend's former goalkeeper Simon Royce, conceding in only the 9th minute when his attempted clearance rebounded off of the onrushing Lee Bradbury and into the net, Mark Gower, Efe Sodje and Kevin Maher were also on the scoresheet with the latter bagging a brace in added time. Southend pulled themselves out of the relegation zone on 13 March 2007 when Richie Foran came off the bench to score with his first touch and his first Southend United goal in the 6th minute of injury time after latching onto a Freddy Eastwood through ball giving the Blues a 1–0 victory over Burnley.

Regrettably, the form did not last and after a humiliating 3–0 home defeat to Colchester along with many others and with just 10 league wins the Shrimpers were relegated back to League One. Top scorer Freddy Eastwood was to Wolves for £1.5 million and Jamal Campbell-Ryce was sold to Barnsley for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £300,000.

On their return to League One Southend had bolstered their squad, adding Striker Charlie MacDonald, Winger Tommy Black and centre midfielder Nicky Bailey to their ranks. Despite the sale of Freddy Eastwood, Southend finished sixth in League One at the end of 2007–08 much to the thanks Lee Barnard, a January signing from Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 9 goals in 13 games, thus qualifying for a play-off place against Doncaster Rovers. Southend drew the home leg 0–0, but lost the second leg 5–1.

Following the play off defeat to Doncaster Rovers manager Steve Tilson began a mass summer clear out when Goalkeeper Steve Collis, Defender Lewis Hunt, Winger Tommy Black and club captain and loyal servant for over 10 years Kevin Maher were all released. Forwards Matt Harrold, Charlie MacDonald, Gary Hooper and Richie Foran were transfer listed. Darryl Flahavan and Mark Gower both turned down new contracts to sign for Championship sides Crystal Palace and Swansea City respectively. Simon Francis, Peter Clarke and Nicky Bailey were also later placed on the transfer list after failing to agree new contracts at the club. Francis later agreed and signed a new two-year deal. Bailey was being chased by Championship side Charlton Athletic, Bailey put in a man of the match display on Southend's opening game of the season against Peterborough United which was being watched by the London club, the game proved to be Bailey's last for Southend and signed for Charlton 3 days later for £500,000 which could rise to £750,000. Peter Clarke remained on the transfer list for the entire season stating that he "never wanted to leave and never asked to be transfer listed" but wanted to concentrate on his football and discuss his future at the end of the season.

2008–2010

Southend pulled off the shock of the summer transfer market with the deadline day signing of Crystal Palace legend Dougie Freedman, the Scotsman signed a two-year contract at Roots Hall just minutes before the window shut. Manager Steve Tilson was delighted to bring Freedman to Roots Hall adding some much needed experience to Southend's forward line, something The Blues had been without since the retirement of Shaun Goater. Tilson also signed goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall from Yeovil Town as his new number one following the departure of Darryl Flahavan and the shot stopper has become a firm favourite with the Southend fans. With Kevin Maher's departure Adam Barrett was officially named new club captain. Southend ended the season well with a run of just one defeat in nine games in February and March, that form was much down to two loan signings. Theo Robinson, a striker who signed until the end of the season from Championship side Watford and France U21 centre back Dorian Dervite signed from Tottenham Hotspur also until the end of the season and were both influential in Southend's late surge up the League One table. Despite this good form Southend unfortunately just missed out on a play off place with an eighth-place finish. Peter Clarke, who had remained on the transfer list for the entire season won the clubs player of the season award before leaving the club and signed a three-year deal with League One rivals Huddersfield Town. Clarke admitted that he was leaving with a heavy heart and his time at Southend at been an enjoyable one, thanking the fans and management for their support.[10]

Southend made four loan signings before the start of 2009–10 season with the signing of Colchester United defensive duo Matt Heath and John White both signed on initial one month deals. Chelsea teenager Lee Sawyer returned to the club for a six month spell, the midfielder enjoyed a three month spell at Roots Hall the previous season. Sunderland's French defender Jean-Yves M'Voto also signed until the turn of the year.

In Southend's opening four games of the season they picked up four consecutive draws, an opening day 2–2 against Huddersfield Town despite Lee Barnard and Franck Moussa giving the Blues a 2–0 lead. Southend followed that up with another 2–2, this time away at Walsall and then again on their travels at Wycombe Wanderers, Jean Francois Christophe levelled the scores in a 1–1 draw. A goalless draw with Millwall followed. Southend's first win of the season came in the First round of the League Cup against Cheltenham Town on 15 August 2009 Lee Barnard scored twice in a 2–1 win. That win in the League Cup set up a second round tie away against Premier League side Hull City, Tom Cairney and Jozy Altidore gave Hull a 2–0 lead but Franck Moussa pulled a goal back for Southend with an impressive volley from the edge of the area. Southend created chance after chance with Lee Barnard, Dougie Freedman and Anthony Grant all thwarted by Tony Warner in the Hull goal, Southend were caught on the break pushing for an equaliser and ended up conceding a third when Geovanni scored with seven minutes to play. Southend once again gave a good account of themselves against Premiership opposition. Southend picked up their first victory of the season on 4 September 2009 at home to Leyton Orient, Southend won the game 3–0 with Lee Barnard scoring his first professional hat trick.

Lee Barnard continued his fine form in front of goal with a number of braces against Walsall, Stockport, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool. On 26 December 2009 Barnard scored his last goal for Southend in the Essex derby, it was not enough to prevent Southend falling to a 2–1 defeat. Barnard was reluctantly sold to Southampton on 22 January 2010 after an impressive 17 goals from 27 games in all competitions.

Southend signed Southampton striker Matt Paterson as part of the deal. Southend began life after Barnard with a home game against Wycombe Wanderers on 23 January 2010 which ended in a 1–1 stalemate. On 30 January Southend made an awful start in a game against Swindon Town finding themselves 2–0 down after just 7 minutes, Southend showed great fighting spirit and scored two goals in the final 3 minutes, Scott Spencer and Pat Baldwin earning The Blues a share of the spoils.

Southend lost out in the Essex derby, falling to a 2–0 defeat. On 6 March 2010 Southend lost 3–0 against Hartlepool with former Southend loanee Roy O'Donovan scoring a hat trick, the result also saw the club fall into the relegation zone for the first time in the season.

On 8 March 2010 assistant manager Paul Brush was dismissed after six and a half years with the club, Steve Tilson expressed his disappointment of the decision stating 'I've not only lost my partner, but I've lost my best friend'.[citation needed] The following day former manager David Webb was installed as Steve Tilson's new assistant. Webb stated that his role is only until the end of the 2009/10 season.

A dismal run of just one win in 2010 left Southend deep in trouble at the wrong end of the table, relegation was confirmed on 24 April 2010 away to Oldham despite twice coming from behind to earn a 2–2 draw it was not enough and Southend's fate was sealed.

Southend were relegated to League Two following a 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic and with League Two having a salary cap that would mean the high earners at the club leaving. Player of the season Simon Francis and goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall were placed on the transfer list, Francis was given permission to speak to League One side Brentford but he failed to agree terms. Winger Damian Scannell turned down a new deal to sign a two-year deal with Dagenham & Redbridge.

Club captain Adam Barrett and vice captain Alan McCormack both had their contracts terminated by mutual consent.[11] Barrett stated he was sad to be leaving as he was and always will be a follower of the club but the clubs problems off the field with late payment of wages throughout the season were too much to take for him and his young family. He also stated he would like to return to the club in some capacity one day but with the current state of affairs he felt it was time to move on.[citation needed]

McCormack made a short switch to London signing a two-year contract with Charlton Athletic,[12] Addicks boss Phil Parkinson admitted he had been a long term admirer of the Irishman.[citation needed] Barrett later joined Championship side Crystal Palace where he linked up with former Southend coach Dean Austin and former Southend striker Dougie Freedman who is now assistant manager at Selhurst Park.

On 4 July 2010 manager Steve Tilson was put on gardening leave,[13] ending his seven year stint as manager. Chairman Ron Martin stated that he didn't see the fight from the players or the manager at the end of the season as Southend were relegated back to League 2

The Good Days

[video=youtube;jFysv6je59M]

The Downfall

In October 2009 Southend faced a winding up order from HM Revenue & Customs[21] over an unpaid tax bill of £690,000.[22] The club were also hit with a transfer embargo, this left Steve Tilson with just 12 fit professionals due to injuries and suspensions to his already threadbare squad. George Friend, who was on loan with Southend from Wolves before the embargo was in place, was unable to have his loan extended, despite an agreement between the two clubs for the left back to stay at Roots Hall.[23]

On 27 October 2009 Southend avoided the prospect of a winding up order but the club could still have fallen into administration,[22] acquiring an automatic 10 point deduction so every point on the field was vital. Southend beat Gillingham 1–0 on 30 October with Lee Barnard scoring the winning goal in the 3rd minute of injury time. Southend avoided going into administration on 9 November having paid the outstanding tax bill of £2.135 million on 6 November.

A previous high court hearing was told that HMRC originally presented a winding-up petition for a tax bill of £690,000, but applied to have the club put into administration when the debt became larger.

—The Guardian

[24] On 12 December 2009 the transfer embargo was lifted.[25][26]

On 10 February 2010 Southend were back in court for another unpaid tax bill, this time £205,000.[27] Southend chairman Ron Martin claimed that he was refusing to pay because the initial tax bill of £2.1 million was overpaid, the winding up petition was adjourned for 28 days. On 9 March 2010 Southend confirmed that the players had not yet been paid for and February and the PFA had to pay the players for January, the club were placed under another transfer embargo until they paid the money back.[28] On 10 March 2010 Southend were given a 35 day extension to pay the unpaid bill or face administration.[29]

On 14 April 2010, Southend were granted a final seven days to pay the outstanding bill.[30] On 20 April 2010 the fee of £378,500 was paid.[31]

On 2 August 2010 all cases against Southend United were dropped and an agreement was reached with HMRC.[32] Southend's transfer embargo was lifted later that week

Curtosy of Wikipedia

Because of these problems and the debt that Southend are currently in, wheeling and dealing is the name of the game.

[alstarz01]

The Team

Goalkeepers

Paul Smith

Signed From Nottingham Forest, very dependable first choice goalkeeper for League 2.

Daniel Bentley

Still only 19 years old. Good solid Backup choice

Defenders

Sean Clohessy

Should be your first choice Right back, solid and likes to get forward

Chris Barker

Captain and strong Defender

Bilel Moshni

Although he has actually left on loan to Ipswich, is still here on the game, very reliable player, can also play in Right Midfield and Up front!

Mark Phillips

Another strong Defender, equally adept to the right of Defence

Luke Prosser

Still young, good backup defender

Anthony Straker

Signed this year from Aldershot, another fullback who likes to get forward

Ryan Cresswell

Our new Adam Barrett, strong and a good leader, maybe future captain?

Ryan Leonard

Not too sure where to put this boy as he can play Right back, Midfield, Attack anywhere!!

Midfielders

Ryan Hall

Is another player is no longer actually with us anymore, having recently signed on loan with Leeds, until Jan when the deal is meant to be finalised, but a very good player through the midfield!

Kevin Hurst

Very Versatile winger like Hall, can play on both flanks as well as in the middle of the park

David Martin

Ability on both wings, good crosser of the ball.

Michael Timlin

Decent midfielder, good ability on the ball

John Spicer

Good passer of the ball, new signing from Notts County this year.

Alex Woodyard

Braught up from the Academy, started to break into the team at the end of last year, doing well this year too

Strikers

Freddy Eastwood

The king is back! Good finisher, could be crucial in game

Britt Assombalonga

Super Brit, has been in amazing form at the beginning of this season and looks like he could do that in the game too

Neil Harris

Good old Chopper Harris, strong and a good finisher, but old

Gavin Tomlin

Can also be deployed as a right winger if needed, but has good stats for League 2

Elliot Benyon

Starts in the reserves, could be used as backup but wont push for 1st team placing

[alstarz01]

So where do we go from here?

Transfer Budget

Well, what can i say about the transfer budget, mainly if you dont mind working with a wallet full with only dust and the occasional cobweb then this is the job for you!

Southend start with a whopping £0 for their budget with 28k in wages, of which you are currently using 27k of!

Transfer Targets

This is going to be mainly down to the loan market as players in the free market might push you over budget, which will get more of a debt going. My advice is to get a parent club in quickly.

[alstarz01]

Records

Thanks to FabioMVP and RickButton for letting me pinch his records list.

If you want to claim one of these record slots, simply post a screenshot of the record in question and I'll list your name and your screenshot next to the category. Only competitive games will be used.

Team

Biggest League win -

Biggest win in a domestic Cup game -

Biggest win in European Competition -

Highest scoring win -

Highest scoring loss -

Highest % possession in one game -

Most goals scored in one league season -

Least goals conceded in one league season -

Largest goal difference at end of season -

Most points in one season -

Most games won in a row -

Most games without defeat -

Most games without conceding a goal -

Fastest goal scored -

Most 1st team goal scorers in one season -

Most Premier League Titles in a row -

Most Champions League Titles in a row -

Players

Most goals scored in one game -

Most goals scored in one season -

Most assists in one season -

Most MotM awards in one season -

Fastest hat-trick -

Youngest goalscorer -

Highest average rating over 1 season (30 games+ needed) -

Transfers

Most spent on one player -

Most received for one player -

[alstarz01]

4th Post Reserved

[MichaelBrown]

Nice start

[alstarz01]

Thanks, if only i could get the pictures to work

[MichaelBrown]

I'm useless at computers really ha, but have you copied and pasted the links right?

[alstarz01]

Got it sorted now

[Ricky Button]

Good to see the Southend thread finally up and running. Could possibly do with a bit of tidying up and maybe some more info (feel free to take stuff from last years thread), but good stuff!

Maybe now I'll be inspired to get playing a Southend save again.

[matthewpeterstock]

Really annoying not being able to bring free players due to budgets. Tried offloading a few players but you get nothing for them so thought better of it. Improved the back room staff instead and got in a few loan players to boost the squad

Tactic wise, I am struggling to find a consistent alternative to 4-4-2 but will continue to experiment

Pre-season was up and down, struggled for goals against teams we should put 4/5 away against. First competitive game was Peterborough at home in capital one cup, won it 1-0 so cracking start to the season! Will be playing first league games tonight so will update after.

How is everyone doing and who have you you managed to bring into the club?

[matthewpeterstock]

15 games in the league, won 9 and drawn 3. Sitting 4th in the league. 2 points behind 1st with a game in hand

Already looking at January and who to offload to create space so that I can get in some players signed up permanently. The team seems to really struggle when I make big changes so going to try get away from having loads of short term loans

[ReggaeBwoy]

I want to start a save because my old team mate plays on loan there. How are you lining up?

[Garrybibson]

I am playing on the handheld version, but did not realise there was thread about Southend. When I started I did struggle a little as I have not played cm for about 7 years.

I am currently at jan in season two and near the top of league 1, it is pretty tight up there though.

Season 1 summary.

Won the division but Wycombe pushed me all the way, 99 points, scored 120+ but let in over 60. I played a 4132, I could not quite work out if it was my defence that caused bad goals against or the tactic? Still not completely sure! Not sure how, but I managed to beat palace 1-0 in the carling cup and I got 200k to spend

My first team was as below...

Gk: Paul smith, loaned in speigel second half of season (for kishna) but made no real improvement

Dr: Michael Kay, probably improved on what I had slightly, not sure it warranted 85k though.

Dl: matt fry, free. Marginally better than starker

Dc: moshni,

Dc: was a close call between Phillips and cresswell, I preferred Phillips.

Dmc: paulo Jorge, loaned from Blackburn. Well worth it.

Mc: Ryan hall, probably southends best player, still getting 7.5 ave in league 1.

Mc: timlin, not as good as hall, but still did well.

Mc: David prutton, 40k, good buy.

Fc: Eastwood, did really well scored 20+ in the league, can't ask for more

Fc: Liam Hearn, 60k, top scorer, 8+ average. Bargain.

Notable others

Carlos vela mc, from Bolton on loan, was gutted Bolton would not let me have him in season 2.

Kane hemmings, from rangers on loan, same again, scored 17 in 27 or something.

Ricardo kishna, loan, surprised I got him, but did not play well. Did not suit my formation.

Brennan Dickinson, loan, did well up front and in midfield.

Doyle Middleton, free, was ok backup for midfield but sold him after season finished.

I kept Leonard, but he's not that great to be honest.

################################

Can a moderator please review my posting privileges, I have about 5 posts that have stated "a moderator will review etc..." That never seem to be approved?

################################

[matthewpeterstock]

@ reggaebwoy - I'm lining up 4-4-2

Gk- smith

Dl- straker

Dc- moshni

Dc- Daniel eger (signed on free transfer end of oct, been amazing signing)

Dr- clohessey

Ml- Craig Forsyth (loan from Watford)

Mc- eggert jonsson (loan from wolves)

Mc- joe McKee (loan from Bolton)

Mr- Ryan hall

St- Neil Harris

St- Barry corr/Freddie Eastwood

The striker I have had to rotate purely because I got jermain Easter in on loan for 3 months and he was great. Linked play, scored 9 goals in 16 games then left after loan window closed and I can't get him back until January so annoyed about that. However, corr has stepped up with 2 goals and an assist in 4 games. Eastwood too is playing nicely.

I do push the wide midfielders into aml and amr when I play a weaker team or need to find a goal

@garrybibson - looks like you had a great 1st season getting the title! I have just started jan and sitting 2nd, Wycombe are 5 points above me. Also, those players you signed are amazing!! Not sure how you got vela on loan! I'm amazed he didn't destroy the league!

[Garrybibson]

He scored 9 in 32 with a 7.28 average. He went back to league 2 with afc season 2. Bolton would not accept an offer from me???

Where did he go on your save? Eosin wearan is another getable mc. I have got him in league 1 currently, has offered similar results.

I did start to provide some info on season 2, but apparently that post is being reviewed by a moderator?

[matthewpeterstock]

@garry, sorry to see your posts are not coming through! Would like to see how you are doing with your save. I will post a full update of my save tonight when I get in from work. Just finishing February and managed to close a 9 point gap behind Wycombe to be level on points but behind on goal difference. 15 points clear of third placed Oxford. So two horse race for last ten or so games

[matthewpeterstock]

Long overdue but here is the first season review...

Final position: 1st ---- won: 27 drew: 11 lost: 8 for: 65 against: 32

Overview: all in all, very glad to win the league and seal the promotion the board expected! However with 8 losses and not a great number of goals scored, I am looking at a busy summer reshaping the squad.

Key transfers:

Marcel Eger, Defender, free transfer, 33 games, ave rating 7.28

Christians Zanetti, midfield, free transfer, 17 games, ave rating 7.19

Jonathan Forte, striker, 3 month loan, 13 games, 7 goals, ave rating 7.05

Looking at next season I am going to keep 442 as a backup formation but going to go for more direct football and try to develop a 433 formation to suit. Should produce more goals whilst still being secure at the back. Also looking for a cup run next season, capital one cup or fa cup. Not worried about JPT. Will wait and see what I am offered in terms of budgets when it comes. Will still look at free transfers and loan signings, should get away with it in league 1

[Garrybibson]

Ok 2nd season I won league 1, was tight for a long time but eventually pipped Charlton by 2 points and won the jpt ( had a good run against l2 sides though). Stuck with 4132, but still had defensive challenges, so looking to change to 41221 for the champ (wish I could get kishna back now!).

Ok changes to the team were as follows.

Gk: abbiatt, free. Good stats ESP with IT, but still leaked loads of goals and ave rating was under 7

Dl: dan Potts, loan (signed for free at en of season)

Dc: Anderson polga, free (really good signing)

Dc: Michael Keane, free (still in my championship team)

Dmc/mc: juninho perm, wow, was fantastic, but retired in jan which set me back!

Dmc: Steven Gregory, 90k. Did a job but would not recommend.

Mc: eoin wearan, loan, very good signing

Fc: Nakhi wells, 130k, scored 30+. Best ave in division. Buy him!!

Prutton, hall, Hearn and Kay kept there places and the rest is history.

Timlin, phllips and Leonard played there part too, but this is the top of their ability. I have kept moshni for the champ purely due to versatility.

Notable others:

Chris Clements, 60k, looks good and hoping will make a bigger impact in the championship as he develops

Ben fairclough, 30k, was very cheap so took a punt, still undecided.

Graham Burke, loan, recommended, vey versatile.

Therry racon, free, put him on IT, didn't play too much but flogged him in the summer for 220k!

Carl Rodgers, 30k, never really got a chance, but I felt he had some good stats. Could do you a good job but not above L1.

The ones that got away

I had my heart set on Sam Johnstone (gk) and Scott woottan (d/dmc) from Man U, but hey just would not come. Highly recommended for anyone with a slightly higher rep in season 2 (prob need to be in he champ).

Hopefully this provides some good targets for all those llm out there!

@matt, I had a real good look at forte a few times, but never quite settled for him. Zanetti is a great signing, I tried but he would not come to me. Ambrosinni is another one that someone else had that I thought would of improved my team.

[matthewpeterstock]

Great to see you can get your posts online again! And we must be playing the same save because I won league 1 too! I cannot believe Charlton came down though so that was a big competitor to have in league 1! As for your formation, I am tempted to employ it in the Championship in an attempt to overpower others. Well done and by looks of things you’ve made some good signings! Def going to try get that Nakhi Wells!

After league 2, I wanted to make some wholesale changes and quite a few players left us in the summer. Managed to offload a few players to bring in some money too which was great as the budget of £70k was not going to get me far. Most noticeable was Ryan Cresswell going to Dundee for £150k! Despite this, I was only given 40% of that fee for players. I made the decision looking at the transfer market that I could bring in sufficient quality with free transfers so I changed the budget and put everything into wages. I ended up with 11 players coming in on a free and a further 10 loans throughout the season! Out of the all these players a few familiar faces came back to Roots Hall. Leon Cort and Darryl Flahaven, both had good seasons for me but the best signing were Alex Nimely (season loan from City) who bagged me 19 league goals and Andre Amougou (free transfer from Sheff Wednesday and beautifully negotiated by my Director of Football) who grabbed the player of the league award by putting in an impressive 35+ games with an average rating of 7.78. The guy is a rock in the centre of defence. Other names include David Bentley (loan from Spurs), James Vaughan (loan from Norwich), Dean Whitehead (loan from Stoke) and Stephen Hunt (loan from Wolves)

So with all these signing I was able to win the league with a few games to spare finishing on 99 points! I was on 98 with a game left but drew it and blew the chance at 100 points! Stevenage and Preston came up with me. As for the cups, quarters of JPT but played second string as too many games involved for me. Capital One cup I beat Birmingham in the first round but went out to Blackpool in the second round so not too disappointed! FA Cup, I had easy first and second round draws but drew Everton away. Took them to a reply with a 1-1 draw but lost the replay 2-1.

Over the season in league 1, we made a £2million profit so going into the Championship with a transfer budget of £2.7 million to avoid relegation. I plan to put some more into wages and focus on free transfers as there are quite a few available that offer great quality. But I am willing to spend some cash this year as quality will definitely be required to stay in the championship!

[Garrybibson]

Definitely looks like you got some good names in for league 1.

I got 1.7m for championship.

Basically I have in a load of frees

Dc: Leon Barnett (really struggled to find a dmc to buy)

Dr: sergi Ruiz, looks the nuts

Dl: Tommassi Rossi, again looks great

Dmc: Conor coady

A couple of loans too..

Aml/r: piazon

Aml: Leon Bennett

Dmc: Nathan ake

Sc: Wesley said

Plus I've spent cash on

Mc: Gareth barry, 240k

Sc: ruben Gomez, 1m. Panicked on this one a little. Just not sure if Hearn/wells will cut it in the prem.

I found some other great payers in Castilia/Barcelona b, but could not get work permits. Suggest you have a look.

I'm currently looking for another mc, but struggling to attract anyone that looks good enough. I'm considering luke young from plymouth, but they want a lot of cash (1m). Who have you signed for the champ?

I thought I had found a gem in Jadson from Sao paolo, but he is listed as interested, but won't come. For only 85k too!

I tried to sign amougou, he's at middlesborough, but they won't sell to me as I'm the same division.

I will try to post some screenshots if I can work out how on the iPad.

[Garrybibson]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d8jd1m4gz7xsqbw/Photo%2013-01-2013%2011%2023%2016.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/81at6o2h2aylajv/Photo%2013-01-2013%2011%2023%2029.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7vqht5bmi04ieu/Photo%2013-01-2013%2011%2023%2053.png

Do they work?