mjaferrie Posted March 8, 2017 Author Share Posted March 8, 2017 14 hours ago, Ceching You Out said: If it's thrash metal children's lullabies in Afrikaans, please share. I'm a connoisseur of sorts. 2 minutes ago, deltablue said: That sounds really appealing Hahaha How did you know I was a specialist in southern African high-tempo overdriven music for all the family?! I should adopt the same methods in my FM approach. The new 'heavy metal' football. Move aside Jurgen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 Season Preview 2045/46! It's amazing how a week or so away from playing time already creates a bit of a disconnect with a save... Somehow, I opened up FM, and I just don't get the Linfield thing any more. Damn! We just turned pro, consistently in the top 2 these days and we even won the league a year ago! The icing on that cake of course being that we just qualified for the Europa League group stages for the first time in our history... Well now, what to do? I'm reluctant to leave Belfast at the moment, as we still haven't won the County Antrim Shield in the 6 years I've been manager here and this just happened: If I decided to leave Linfield now, without lifting that trophy, I'd have to take over at least 2 other Northern Irish teams in order to complete the country. Not sure I'm up for that anyway... And it's about time I had a crack at those international competitions (although, my reputation as a manager has plummeted since the stints in Wales and here - I seriously need to build that up again). I think for now, I'm staying put, persevering with the Linfield job and hopefully next season we can lift that final trophy.INNicky Black SP29a (17), born in Lisburn - £17.5k from DistilleryOUT Stuart Irvine YP27a - £500k to Dundee Only one player in this season as the quality just isn't available in the transfer market at the moment. We also lose our best player as Dundee again come in for one of our stars. Half a million quid with a 50% sell on is a pretty reasonable fee, but I think this is seriously going to scupper our chances in the league this season.FIRST TEAM SQUAD GoalkeepersGordon Caldwell SP26a NIR (20) - 2.5CA, 4PA, our number one keeper, and has plenty of room to improve too.Sam Boyd SP23z NIR (26) - 2CA/PA, backup.Verdict: We're fine here, Boyd is a reasonable back up keeper and we have SP28g and YP28b waiting in the wings.Right BackColin Griffin YP26c NIR (18) - 4CA, 5PA, first choice right back these days.Mark McNally NIR (23) - 2.5CA/PA, a good backup option!Verdict: We're a bit overstocked in this area, with 2 over 25s in the B team - not ideal.Left BackJang Jae-Yong SP24f NIR (24) - 2.5CA/PA. First choice.Aaron Rice YP25d NIR (19) - 2CA, 3PA. Hopefully he can develop into a bit better quality than Jae-Yong.Verdict: On this side however we're a bit understocked, with only SP28e in the reserves.Centre Backs/SweepersPatrick Carson SP28c NIR (18) - 2CA, 4PA. A bright future, and will get plenty of games this season.Lee Faulkner YP24g NIR (20) - 2CA, 3PA, will likely rotate with Carson.Marc Kemp SP24c NIR (22) - 4CA/PA, first choice.Verdict: Seriously under strength here nowadays, after Irvine leaves us for Dundee and Adam Patterson reached the end of his contract. We're going to need some fresh faces in here as we don't have anyone in the B or youth team either.Right Midfielders/WingersKevin Sinton SP23s NIR (25) - 2.5CA/PA. First choice for now.George Burns YP28d NIR (16) - 1CA, 3PA. Backup at the moment but could develop into our first choice.Verdict: Multiple transfer windows and youth intakes still haven't cured our shittiest area!Left Midfielders/WingersChris Edgar SP23b NIR (25) - 3.5CA/PA. No idea how this guy hasn't been snapped up by a bigger team but I'm delighted.Steven Irwin SP25f NIR (22) - 2.5CA, 4PA, excellent backup.Verdict: A really strong area of the team.Defensive and Central MidfieldStephen O'Brien YP28c NIR (16) - 1CA, 3.5PA, backup.Dean McLelland SP26b NIR (21) - 3CA, 4PA. Solid first choice.Rory Holmes SP27g NIR (19) - 3CA, 4.5PA. Really strong first choice, rotates with McLelland.Barry Marlin SP25d NIR (20) - 4.5CA/PA, an absolute monster. First choice.Verdict: Big changes here after Ives and Chambers leave us on a free in the summer.Attacking MidfieldersEugene Kerr SP23e NIR (26) - 1.5CA/PA. Useless, letting him run down his contract.Philip Duke SP26c NIR (19) - 3CA, 4PA. First choice AMC.Verdict: We need some more quality in this area.StrikersAaron Healy NIR (31) - 1.5CA/PA. On the way out, will be released at the end of his contract in one year.Stefan Gordon SP28b NIR (19) - 2.5CA, 4.5PA. A solid backup option at the moment and a star of the future.Paddy Kenny YP24a NIR (21) - 4.5CA/PA. Another brilliant player, first choice.Verdict: We're really strong in this area and are seriously overstocked in the reserves. Okay! Into the 7th season at Linfield with a 100% Northern Irish squad again. Hopefully I can rediscover some excitement for this part of the save Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 OH YEAH. This is what has happened so far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 So uh... this happened... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 So here's an interesting one. The B teams in Northern Ireland compete in the Steel & Sons Cup and the Intermediate Cup - and my B team have just won the Steel & Sons Cup for the 2nd year in a row. If I continue to develop the strength of the Northern Irish Premiership, and my team continues to get stronger and stronger, then will there not become a point when it is impossible for the lower league teams to win their cup competitions? I mean, in the S&S Cup, in the 30 seasons of this save so far the trophy has been claimed by a B team 14 times already - I can only see that number increasing. In the Intermediate Cup, it's 17 times! A lower league team has only lifted the trophy on less than 50% of times. As this save continues to develop, I can see it becoming impossible for a lower league team to win the trophy - and by the time they are strong enough to do so they would be getting promoted into the top flight and as such would become ineligible for the competition anyway... So what do you reckon? Am I allowed to tick off the Steel & Sons Cup now that my B team have won it twice, or should I bite the bullet and try to win it with a 2nd or 3rd tier team further down the line? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehibb Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I think you can tick it off mate. KUTGW. This is a fun career to keep up with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 43 minutes ago, davehibb said: I think you can tick it off mate. KUTGW. This is a fun career to keep up with. I'm not sure myself... I think it depends how the Linfield thing develops. If I end up staying here long term I might decide that it counts, especially if we've won it a fair few times by then. At the moment though, I'm questioning my long term future in Belfast so I might come back and do it with another club. I need to tick off the 2nd and 3rd tier anyway, as well as the Mid Ulster Cup which I can't compete for with Linfield.Mid Season and January 2046 Update! No one in or out in January, as has become a bit of a custom of late. I'm not sure if I've ever signed a player in January with Linfield... On the domestic front, things are going swimmingly! We smashed Glentoran 4-1 in the League Cup Final to lift the trophy for the 3rd time of my tenure, before putting 4 past them again in the Irish Cup 6th Round just a fortnight later. After our quarter final exit to Ballymena in the Co. Antrim Shield, Cliftonville went on to lift that trophy which remains so elusive for us so far. In the league, it's tight at the top with the usual 3 slugging it out. 4 points separates us and 1st placed Cliftonville, although we have a game in hand. Glentoran are in 3rd, and Portadown and Glenavon are both still in the title race to add some extra excitement for the closing stages. The post-split games are going to be crucial this season. We might only be halfway through the season, but that hasn't stopped Paddy Kenny from absolutely smashing the records. If he keeps it up for the rest of the season, I can see these records being held for quite a long time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 Europa League Roundup This season has also seen the first European group stage football at Windsor Park. We lost 5 of our 6 matches, but claimed a sensational 4-0 victory over eventual group winners Hamburger SV to mark our first season on the big stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 Youth Intake Day! This is potentially the best intake we've had at Linfield so far, with a 2 CA player in! I'm also really happy to see some high determination across the board, as that has been a particularly weak area over the last few years and it's something we're going to have to rely on further down the line if we're progressing seriously in Europe. High determination, work rate, professionalism etc. were crucial to my success at Celtic, in order to compensate for poor technical ability. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 My gut is telling me you want to stay...not that the intake has anything to do with it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 4 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: My gut is telling me you want to stay...not that the intake has anything to do with it At least for now! The league has come down to the final day... We face Glentoran. They aren't able to claim the title themselves but they can certainly **** it up for us. Our aggregate score over 5 matches so far this season is 14-5 in our favour, with 4 wins and 1 loss... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 10, 2017 Author Share Posted March 10, 2017 Season Review 2045/46! Oh yeah! We clinch the title on the final day of the season! In 7 seasons in Belfast, it's only the second time we're champions - and we head into the Champions League qualifiers again! It's been an incredible season for the Blues, as we also lifted the League Cup against Glentoran, and secured the treble by beating Crusaders in the Irish Cup final.End of Season Departures Players Aaron Healy, Eugene Kerr SP23e, Darren Kelly SP23h, Dean McGrath SP23bb, Roy Taggart SP27b - released at end of contractDean Sinclair SP23q - Free to Cliftonville Another year that sees a lot of previous regulars leave the team at the end of their contracts. With our outstanding levels in both junior coaching and youth recruitment, we're just bringing in much better quality than we already have in the team.Top 5 Young Players of the Season (Players 21 and under at the beginning of the season) Jason Heaney YP28e - Age 17, Appearances: 11(1); Goals: 2; Assists: 3; Av. Rating: 7.74Nigel Crawford YP28a - Age 17, Appearances: 8(2); Goals: 3; Assists: 5; Av. Rating: 7.69Colin Griffin YP26c - Age 19, Appearances: 55; Goals: 2; Assists: 7; Av. Rating: 7.49George Burns YP28d - Age 16, Appearances: 7(2); Goals: 1; Assists: 2; Av. Rating: 7.46Paddy Kenny YP24a - Age 21, Appearances: 60(1); Goals: 55; Assists: 9; Av. Rating: 7.43 This is AWESOME! All of our top 5 this year have come through the ranks at Linfield, and 3 of them are from last seasons intake. Looking good for the future!Notable MentionsPatrick Carson SP28c Roy Carlin SP28f Shea McCullough SP28d Barry Marlin SP25d Lee Faulkner YP24g Season | Club | Nation | League | Position | Other ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016-27 | Celtic | Scotland | Scottish Division One | 10x 1st | 7 Glasgow Cups, 6 League Cups, 4 Scottish Cup, 2 Europa Leagues (2018 and 2022), Champions League 2026, Club World Championship 2027, Resigned in December 2026. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2026-28 | Nottingham Forest | England | Sky Bet Championship | 14th, 1st | Joined with 8 games remaining in season 2026/27. 2028-31 | Nottingham Forest/Wales | England | English Premier League | 13th, 16th | Resigned in the middle of 2030/31. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2031-34 | Shamrock Rovers/Wales | Ireland | Irish Premier Division | 3x 2nd, 1st | 2 Leinster Cups, 2 Senior Challenge Cups, President's Cup 2035-38 | Shamrock Rovers | Ireland | Irish Premier Division | 3x 1st | 3 Leinster Cups, 2 Senior Challenge Cups, 3 League Cups, 4 President's Cups. Resigned as Wales manager in 2035. Sacked in the middle of season 2038. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2038/39 | Cardiff Met. University | Wales | Welsh Premier League | 1st | JD Welsh Cup, Nathaniel MG Cup, resigned at end of season. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2039/40 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | League Cup 2040/41 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | n.a. 2041/42 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | n.a. 2042/43 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 2nd | League Cup 2043/44 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 1st | Northern Irish Cup 2044/45 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 2nd | n.a. 2045/46 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 1st | League Cup, Northern Irish Cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Congrats, man! Nice to seal the title in the final day with an away win over a tough side! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehazeofspades Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Congrats on the title mate! What are the plans from here? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 14 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: Congrats, man! Nice to seal the title in the final day with an away win over a tough side! 12 hours ago, thehazeofspades said: Congrats on the title mate! What are the plans from here? Thanks! Not sure where to go from here. I think I will definitely stay at Linfield for the Co. Antrim Shield because I cbf taking over 2 other clubs in Northern Ireland to complete it. Might have to do that anyway depending on how the lower leagues go. After winning the treble and guiding Linfield to the Europa groups my reputation is back up to 40% but that's still less than half what it was after the Champions League win with Celtic 20 seasons ago! I think I'll stay here for now and push for the Champions League groups over the next few seasons, and see where it goes from there! Still only the three professional clubs in N.Ireland. Shelbourne have gone pro in the Republic so there's now 3 pro teams down south as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Haha, Kris Commons has just taken the Chelsea job after they sacked Greg Kiltie. The career histories of those two look like this... | Season | Club | Job ----------------------------------------------------------- Commons | 2017-26 | Celtic | Coach | 2026-27 | Celtic | Caretaker Manager, Interim Manager | 2027-34 | Celtic | Manager | 2034-38 | Scotland | Manager | 2038-42 | FC Schalke 04 | Manager | 2042-46 | Germany | Manager | 2046-?? | Chelsea | Manager ----------------------------------------------------------- Kiltie | 2031-32 | Brechin | Assistant Manager | 2032-35 | Stirling | Assistant Manager, Caretaker Manager | 2036-39 | Queen of Sth | Assistant Manager, Caretaker Manager (twice) | 2039-41 | Hibernian | Manager | 2041-42 | Celtic | Manager | 2042-44 | Bayern Munich | Manager | 2044-46 | Chelsea | Manager Quite different beginnings, but after a while it starts to look pretty familiar... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 After a really strong showing in the first leg, I ****ed the tactics in the second leg and we got punished for it. Fortunately, we're through comfortably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 This is a massive result, Basel are nowadays a regular in the Champions League groups. We're through to the playoffs, which can only mean one thing - we're guaranteed Group Stage football of some sort this season! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 You what?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Hey, this isn't as bad as it could have been! Shakhtar are regularly a 3rd or 4th placed Champions League group level team. They've only got out of the group 4 times in this save, and in recent years have been struggling to make the groups at all - losing to Rangers, Besiktas, BSC Young Boys in the Playoffs. Anderlecht are a bit more tricky, they have made the First Knockout Round in each of the last 3 seasons, and were a regular 3rd placed Group team before that, dropping into the Europa League. Dortmund are the big hitters, of course. They made the semi final last season and I fully expect them to top the group. I foresee two heavy losses against Dortmund. If we can pick up anything against Anderlecht, and grab at least one good result from Shakhtar, I don't think it's impossible for us to claim third place this season, which seems ridiculous somehow when you consider that only last year we came bottom of our Europa group... The most realistic scenario of course is that we come rock bottom with 6 losses from 6 games. The rest of the draw looks like this: Celtic and Hibernian are the representatives from Scotland, while Shamrock Rovers drop into the Europa League after losing to Malmo in the 3rd Q. Round of the Champions League. Hibernian qualified straight to the groups on account of winning the Scottish Division One by one point! Celtic came 2nd again, just 3 seasons after losing the top spot to Rangers, and they are through to the groups after beating A German Team in the Best Placed Playoff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Season Preview 2046/47! So, Football Manager chooses to punish my wayward thoughts and wanderlust with our best intake ever, the treble and qualification for the Champions League groups... Jesus! It's certainly not making it easy for me to get out, that's for sure. Qualification for the Champions League in our 8th season is fantastic, and a huge reward for our progress over the years. Hopefully we can start to pick up some results and get the coefficient up a bit, and hopefully see a rise in the prize money available in Northern Ireland as well. So many big games this summer meant I had to rest players in the domestic games, and it showed in several narrow games - three 0-0 draws and a 1-0 win on the domestic front... The media expect us to come first again this season, and I'm confident we can do just that.INTimmy Hamilton SP30a (16), born in Bangor - £13k from BangorKyle Herron SP30b (16), born in Lurgan - £37k from GlenavonOUT Roy Carlin SP28f - £185k to Notts Co Another reasonably quiet transfer window, starting to rely a lot more on the YPs which is great.FIRST TEAM SQUAD GoalkeepersGordon Caldwell SP26a NIR (21) - 2.5CA, 4PA, plenty of room to grow but has lost the number 1 spot.Kevin Stewart SP28g IRL (18) - 4CA, 5PA, had a phenomenal breakout season due to injuries to first team players and is now our first choice keeper.Verdict: Sam Boyd is released on a free after Kevin Stewart SP28g's remarkable rise to the number one spot.Right BackColin Griffin YP26c NIR (19) - 4.5CA/PA, awesome first choice.Mark McNally NIR (24) - 2.5CA/PA, a good backup option but is in danger of losing his place to SP28d.Verdict: Much better this season, with some deadwood in the B team leaving us. Left BackJang Jae-Yong SP24f NIR (25) - 2.5CA/PA. First choice.Aaron Rice YP25d NIR (20) - 2CA, 3PA. Hopefully he can develop into a bit better quality than Jae-Yong.Verdict: No change here, David McWilliams is likely to make a breakthrough this season.Centre Backs/SweepersPatrick Carson SP28c NIR (19) - 2.5CA, 3.5PA. Has been getting a lot of game time but I'd like to see more improvement.Lee Faulkner YP24g NIR (21) - 2CA, 3PA, rotation option.Marc Kemp SP24c NIR (23) - 3.5CA/PA, first choice.Verdict: Philip Hamilton YP29a is on the fringes and waiting for his chance, we're solid here.Right Midfielders/WingersKevin Sinton SP23s NIR (26) - 2.5CA/PA. First choice for now.Simon Troughton YP29g NIR (16) - 1CA, 3.5PA, pushes Burns into the B team.Verdict: Still looking for a bit of quality here, hopefully Troughton can develop well.Left Midfielders/WingersChris Edgar SP23b NIR (26) - 3CA/PA. First choice.Steven Irwin SP25f NIR (23) - 2.5CA, 4PA, rotation option, needs to get more games at his age though.Verdict: A really strong area of the team.Defensive and Central MidfieldStephen O'Brien YP28c NIR (17) - 1CA, 3.5PA, backup.Dean McLelland SP26b NIR (22) - 4CA/PA. Solid first choice.Rory Holmes SP27g NIR (20) - 3CA/PA, may have reached his peak at a very young age.Barry Marlin SP25d IRL (21) - 4CA/PA, first choice, switched to representing the Republic.Verdict: A very strong area if everyone is fit. Otherwise, we don't have much in the way of backup here.Attacking MidfieldersNigel Crawford YP28a NIR (17) - 2CA, 4PA. A good prospect for the future.Philip Duke SP26c NIR (21) - 3CA, 4.5PA. First choice.Verdict: This is a really strong area again with 2 or 3 quality backups.StrikersAlwyn Agnew SP26d NIR (21) - 2.5CA, 3.5PA. Has been on the edge of the first team for a few years now and finally makes the step up.Stefan Gordon SP28b NIR (20) - 2.5CA, 4.5PA. A star of the future.Paddy Kenny YP24a NIR (22) - 4CA/PA. Absolutely sensational player, with 55 goals last season.Verdict: We're really strong in this area, and we have plenty of backup. I'm still on the look out for a bit of quality in the same old areas. We're seriously overstocked in some places, while others are pretty thin. Hopefully as the team's reputation continues to grow we'll be able to acquire some strength in depth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Whoa...great run, and a fantastic draw! I like your chances, even if it is only for the Europa League spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 3 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: Whoa...great run, and a fantastic draw! I like your chances, even if it is only for the Europa League spot. There will be an update on that very soon! First up though, we have the County Antrim Shield final! We've made it to the final for only the second time during my tenure at Linfield, as we famously lost 3-1 to Glentoran in the 2041/42 edition. This year a 2-1 extra time victory over Dromara, followed by comfortable 8-1 and 4-1 wins over Ards and Ards Rangers, means we're through to the final to play Cliftonville who themselves dispatched Donegal Celtic, Bangor and Crusaders.The Build Up... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 The lineups are announced... A quick aside - I've been having a hell of a lot of fun with @Franky.'s Destroyer Tactic. I discovered that part of the problem with my lack of interest in the Linfield story was that I'd spent 7 years here playing a 4-2-3-1 and I wasn't interested in the football anymore. We didn't have the numbers in the AMC strata to go straight to the strikerless tactic that was so successful at Shamrock Rovers and Cardiff Met Uni, so I figured that this was a good compromise given the requirement for IWBs and I have the time to train some guys as AMCs. A 9-2 win over Dungannon in the League Cup, an 8-1 win over Ards in this competition, and three 5-0 wins in the league so far though kinda has me sold on this tactic for now... Here we go into the Co. Antrim Shield final! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 3 minutes, 57 seconds... Malone whips in the corner, an inswinger from the left hand side. It's met by the head of BRANIFF!!!! 1-0 TO CLIFTONVILLE! A disastrous start for Linfield! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 21st minute... Linfield win a free kick on the edge of the box. Barry Marlin steps up to take it.OH IT'S DEFLECTED OFF THE WALL! The 'keeper goes the wrong way as the ball is deflected into the opposite corner. 1-1! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 30th minute... Kevin Stewart plays it forward to David McWilliams on the left for Linfield. He makes a lovely run up the left wing before playing it inside to Philip Duke, who also makes strides into the Cliftonville box! He plays it to Paddy Kenny, Linfield's sensational goal machine, but he's crowded out and brings Dean McLelland in on the action. Dean McLelland plays the one-two back to Kenny and OH THAT IS INCREDIBLE! Out of nowhere, Paddy Kenny finds the space and blasts home from just outside the box! 2-1 to Linfield here, they've taken the lead! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 HALF TIME After disastrously going behind so early on in the match, we've managed to pull ourselves together and two wonder strikes from Barry Marlin and Paddy Kenny sees us take the lead into the break. We need to tighten up, as Cliftonville are still more than in this match. Hopefully we can see it out and lift this trophy for the first time! We're out for the 2nd half... Paddy Kenny kicks off, plays it all the way back to Shea McCullough in central defence. He plays it across to his partner in crime, Marc Kemp, who continues the movement out to the left with a neat pass to David McWilliams. He isn't messing about! McWilliams launches the ball upfield for Conor Armstrong, who heads it down for Philip Duke. Duke plays it first time to Dean McLelland, Cliftonville have EIGHT! men behind the ball here!!! McLelland switches it out to the right hand side for Colin Griffin. Griffin inside to Barry Marlin, who plays the one-two as Griffin bombs up towards the corner. Colin Griffin whips in a cross! A WONDERGOAL FROM PADDY KENNY!!! He smashes home the volley, 3-1 to Linfield! Only our goalkeeper and one midfielder didn't touch the ball in that move. 23 seconds into the second half and it's 3-1!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 10 minutes left to play... Cliftonville have got 10 men behind the ball and are defending for their lives. I'm not sure what for, they need a goal!83rd minute... Linfield win a corner and Paddy Kenny steps up to take an inswinger from the left. It's the same set up as that which led to Cliftonville's opener in this all-Belfast tie, can we nick a goal in the same fashion?OHHHH!!! MacDonald clears for Cliftonville, but it's only as far as Alwyn Agnew SP26d who plays it back out to the left for Kenny. He plays it back for David McWilliams who sets up Dean McLelland on the edge of the area!!! He's crowded out, but finds Matt Young SP27e. He plays it back to Agnew who SHOOTS!!! TOP CORNER!!! Four absolutely beautiful goals! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Finally! I haven't lifted this trophy at all up until now, and apparently Linfield haven't won it for 11 years! Another one to tick off the achievements, and Northern Ireland is now as complete as it can be with Linfield Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 I'd like to go on a slight detour and pay tribute to one of the true greats of Celtic Football Club. Tommy Gemmell, on the left, passed away last week and his funeral was held yesterday in Glasgow. He was one of the greats of the Scottish game and without a doubt, the hero of Celtic's heroes in 1967. He's also responsible for the tea-stain on my grandparent's ceiling that I mentioned back in the OP! After Inter Milan took the lead in Lisbon, Tommy Gemmell grabbed the equaliser before setting up Stevie Chalmers for the winning goal, and my great-grandfather launched his tea at the roof in celebration! Here he is pictured with midfielder Bertie Auld, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell, right back Jim Craig, centre half Billy McNeill and of course, that famous trophy. Hail hail Tommy, you'll never walk alone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Champions League 2046/47 Group Stage Roundup We started off in the Champions League as one might have expected, with losses against Anderlecht and Dortmund. The nature of these defeats though gave me a lot of confidence, as both were by only 2 goals and not the drubbings I was anticipating. Then came a magical turning point. The Ukrainians turned up at Windsor Park with the media expecting an absolute hammering, but they left with their tails between their legs as we claimed a famous victory! It was our first ever win in the Champions League Groups, and only the 2nd in Europe, and it would have been by an even better margin if Paddy Kenny's perfectly onside strike had actually been allowed. In the return fixture, we took a surprise early lead before Shakhtar scored three to put the tie at 3-1. Two late goals though saw us level the match in the 89th minute and we had another point in the bag! We went into the next fixture, an away tie at Anderlecht, with not much hope. They'd beaten us 2-0 at home, and we were certainly expecting a tough match in Belgium. A draw, while somewhat a fantasy, would set us up nicely for a third placed finish and I sent the team out with an ambitious tactic and an attacking mentality - I figured that hey, what is there to lose! Well now. I have absolutely no idea how the **** that happened. Anderlecht scored the first before we stormed to a 3-1 lead. Their second half consolation wasn't enough to see them claim a point and we have an absolutely mental result! All of this meant that our final game against Dortmund was an absolute must-win game. Sorry, what?!!?!?!?! LINFIELD HAD A MUST WIN TIE AGAINST DORTMUND! I can't believe I've just typed that. This is what the table looked like heading into the final round of games: If Dortmund beat us and Shakhtar beat Anderlecht, then we would come bottom of the group and be knocked out entirely. If we could get a draw against the Germans then, whatever happened in the other match, we would be at least guaranteed a Europa League spot. We could even qualify for the Champions League knockout stage if both games were a draw. If we won though... holy ****. I can't believe this is even a possibility. In all the years at Shamrock I barely got a result in the group stages, let alone the possibility of post-Christmas European competition... HA! We got absolutely humped. Anderlecht drew 0-0 with Shakhtar, which means that Dortmund top the group and Anderlecht come second... But thanks to our better head to head record against Shakhtar, we're going to the Europa League!!! We have European football after Christmas for the first time since I was at Celtic! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 Well, I can see our journey ending very soon. Benfica are a regular in the Champions League latter stages and made the quarter final recently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 A great group stage! Congrats on getting that elusive trophy too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Wow...what a run in the group stage!!! Is Benfica exceptionally strong? Typically, unless Portgual is active I don't see them (or Porto, etc) being too dominant. Regardless, making the knockout rounds (in either competition) is a great achievment. Well done! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 11, 2017 Author Share Posted March 11, 2017 5 minutes ago, Keano16 said: A great group stage! Congrats on getting that elusive trophy too. Cheers mate! 2 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: Wow...what a run in the group stage!!! Is Benfica exceptionally strong? Typically, unless Portgual is active I don't see them (or Porto, etc) being too dominant. Regardless, making the knockout rounds (in either competition) is a great achievment. Well done! Thanks! In the last 20 years, Benfica have reached the Champions League Semi Final twice, Quarter Final six times and the First Knockout Round ten times. They've only failed to get out of the Champions League groups on two occasions, this being one of them! Porto on the other hand, are more of a Group stage team and have only got out of the groups six times - on each occasion losing at the First Knockout Round. They are a regular in the latter stages of the Europa League though. The top four leagues have been England, Spain, Germany and France for years now, with Italy, Portugal and Scotland fighting over the next three spots. Scotland will have four teams in Europe after Christmas, while Italy have three and Portugal have five! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehazeofspades Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 You've done what I've been trying to do with Glentoran in about half the time and with transfer limitations.... I'm going to stop playing for a while Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Wow...that's an impressive run from Benfica! Nice. 37 minutes ago, thehazeofspades said: I'm going to stop playing for a while *10 minutes later* Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehazeofspades Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 11 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: Wow...that's an impressive run from Benfica! Nice. *10 minutes later* Me trying to console myself... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 7 hours ago, thehazeofspades said: Me trying to console myself... ...... sorry? I think Cliftonville and Glentoran being professional already was a massive help, and also that Linfield start out with ****ing ridiculous levels of youth recruitment so a wee boost in the junior coaching saw us bringing in a few brilliant players really quickly. And those 50% sell on clauses are a big help! Can't believe the big sides still haven't gone pro for you man! This year was a total fluke, as last season we only got one win in the Europa League groups so I'm really surprised we did so well this season. I think next year will be back to normal! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 January Transfer Window and Mid Season Update Feel like a broken record here, but naeb'dy in naeb'dy oot again this winter window. Every man and his dog are after Philip Hamilton YP29a, but a few £500k bids aren't enough for me to part with our star in the making. Lots of green arrows, and lots of improvement all around since he came in only a year ago, it looks like we could have a wonderkid on our hands! Either that, or he's an early bloomer... His contract is up in 18 months so hopefully I can tie him down to a new deal or I'll have to sell in the summer. We've had some incredible success in Europe this season, although I'm expecting an absolute slaughtering from the Portuguese, and we've continued that on the domestic front too. We're currently unbeaten in the league this season! And after our famous County Antrim Shield victory over Cliftonville, we also put them out of the League Cup semis on the way to a final against Portadown. A 5-0 victory later and we have ourselves a double, midway through January! We'll face them again in the quarter final of the Irish Cup, and I'm feeling pretty confident about that. It's going pretty well so far this season! Hopefully we can keep it up, as despite our unbelievable form in the league we are still 1 point behind Cliftonville in the league! We are however 11 clear of 3rd placed Glentoran so it looks like a battle between us and the Reds for the top spot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Ho ho! Another fantastic Scottish manager! Turns out Ryan Christie has also progressed from Celtic's backroom staff to the managerial world and is now in his first role at our next opponents! Ah, that's lovely! And all told, that's not an awful result! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 What the ****!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Youth Intake Day! Not quite the same vintage as last year, but Lowry looks to be a quality option and I like his personality. Not as high determination this year as last season's prospects. And we're off to England! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Phew! Back to reality. This happened though, and there are still 7 league games to play! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Season Review 2046/47! Ladies and gentlemen, please stand, FOR THE LINFIELD INVINCIBLES! We finish miles ahead of Cliftonville in the end, despite being 1 point behind them at the beginning of February. After winning the Co. Antrim Shield and the League Cup earlier in the season, an absolute hammering of our Belfast rivals Glentoran in the Irish Cup means we secure the quadruple this season - and also means we haven't lost a single domestic match. Results have been excellent in the second half of the season, with our only loss the 5-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham. After slow beginnings in Northern Ireland, we have well and truly established Linfield as the dominant force north of the border.End of Season Departures Marty McWilliams YP25h, Paul Dougherty - released at end of contractTop 5 Young Players of the Season (Players 21 and under at the beginning of the season)Stefan Gordon SP28b - Age 21, Appearances: 36(10); Goals: 37; Assists: 22; Av. Rating: 7.77David McWilliams SP28e - Age 20, Appearances: 45(1); Goals: 1; Assists: 17; Av. Rating: 7.62Colin Griffin YP26c - Age 20, Appearances: 57(10); Goals: 1; Assists: 14; Av. Rating: 7.59Philip Hamilton YP29a - Age 17, Appearances: 28(1); Goals: 1; Assists: 1; Av. Rating: 7.58Jason Heaney YP28e - Age 18, Appearances: 12(2); Goals: 1; Assists: 1; Av. Rating: 7.57 A really, really strong year with some excellent performances all round.Notable Mentions Conor Armstrong SP28a Lee Faulkner YP24gPatrick Carson SP28c Stephen O'Brien YP28c Paddy Kenny YP24a Season | Club | Nation | League | Position | Other ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016-27 | Celtic | Scotland | Scottish Division One | 10x 1st | 7 Glasgow Cups, 6 League Cups, 4 Scottish Cup, 2 Europa Leagues (2018 and 2022), Champions League 2026, Club World Championship 2027, Resigned in December 2026. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2026-28 | Nottingham Forest | England | Sky Bet Championship | 14th, 1st | Joined with 8 games remaining in season 2026/27. 2028-31 | Nottingham Forest/Wales | England | English Premier League | 13th, 16th | Resigned in the middle of 2030/31. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2031-34 | Shamrock Rovers/Wales | Ireland | Irish Premier Division | 3x 2nd, 1st | 2 Leinster Cups, 2 Senior Challenge Cups, President's Cup 2035-38 | Shamrock Rovers | Ireland | Irish Premier Division | 3x 1st | 3 Leinster Cups, 2 Senior Challenge Cups, 3 League Cups, 4 President's Cups. Resigned as Wales manager in 2035. Sacked in the middle of season 2038. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2038/39 | Cardiff Met. University | Wales | Welsh Premier League | 1st | JD Welsh Cup, Nathaniel MG Cup, resigned at end of season. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2039/40 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | League Cup 2040/41 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | n.a. 2041/42 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 3rd | n.a. 2042/43 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 2nd | League Cup 2043/44 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 1st | Northern Irish Cup 2044/45 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 2nd | n.a. 2045/46 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 1st | League Cup, Northern Irish Cup 2046/47 | Linfield | N. Ireland | Danske Bank Prem. | 1st | League Cup, Northern Irish Cup, Co. Antrim Shield Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Celtic have just won the Champions League after beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final! It's the first time they've lifted the trophy since I left 21 years ago! And in other news... I decided that I'd like to leave Linfield on a high. We secured all the trophies that I possibly could with them, and after such a phenomenal season I felt like next year would be a bit of a disappointment in many ways. I'm looking forward to the next step on this journey! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Part SixThe First 90 Minutes are the Most Important I left Linfield on the 8th of June, and it's taken until the 11th of November for me to find a new job. I applied for the Manchester City position in the summer, with a dream of taking a sabbatical from this 30 mile nonsense and spending £100m on a player for no reason other than to feel the adrenaline that comes with burning someone else's cash... But that job went to Celtic's Champions League winning manager Jorge Wagner (newgen) and I applied for the Celtic job instead. The ungrateful ***** turned around and told me that I wouldn't be making the shortlist due to the quality of the other candidates... I'm a ****ing club legend there! Still... There was nothing to be won at Celtic that I hadn't before and truth be told I'd only be heading there for the glory hunting of it all. So, five paranoia filled months beckoned, with rejections from several big clubs and not a single club approached me. I had to wait for the traditional sacking season before I applied for jobs at Ipswich, Coventry and Sheffield Wednesday, all clubs with a history in European competition, and the only one to answer was... The Tractor Boys! Founded in 1878, Ipswich have spent almost the entirety of this save in the Championship, with one or two spells in League One. We currently sit in 19th place after 18 matches, and we're only 4 points above the relegation zone. Fortunately I've joined the club in an international break so I have two weeks before our first competitive fixture, against 3rd placed Watford. It's time to get some team cohesion up, and some do or die tactics, as we try and turn around the fortunes of a squad with woeful morale. Ipwich's only Premier League success was way back in 1961/61, almost 90 years in the context of this save, with a single FA Cup win in 1977/78 adding to our pretty bare cabinet. The greatest success of course was during the Bobby Robson era, when a 7-2 aggregate win over Saint Etienne in the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup set up a semi final clash against FC Koln. Two 1-0 wins put the Tractor Boys through to the final against AZ Alkmaar, and they raced to a 3-0 victory in the first leg. Alkmaar bounced back, winning the second leg 4-2, but it wasn't enough to stop Ipswich lifting the trophy after a 5-4 aggregate victory. Our highest finish in the English system in-game has been 5th place in the Championship back in 2017/18, when a narrow 2-1 loss to QPR saw us fail to secure promotion to the Premier League. As ever, I'm restricted to signing players born within a 30-mile radius of our 30,311 stadium, Portman Road. This restriction has been absolutely great fun to work with in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, my stint at Nottingham Forest was a massive pain in the arse, due to the much greater detail afforded to England (at least, as far as I perceive) and the physical size of the country meaning there are more towns and cities in the FM database. It meant the scouting mission was a ****ing nightmare, to say the least, and while I am going to try and stick to the 30 mile rule for now, this may develop into an English-only signing rule for my time at Ipswich. Anyway, for now, here's my limits! Here's some info about the club! Good junior coaching, above average youth recruitment and good youth facilities... I'm happy with that! It's a great place to start for a youth focused save and I'm sure we will be improving there before long. Our overall balance is at £6.1m, and I have a transfer budget of £0 with wages of £43.59k to work with... That's not a lot at all. Time for a squad assessment, let's see what horrific deadwood we have waiting in store... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjaferrie Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Squad Assessment and Expectations The media predict a mid-table 13th place finish for us this season, and the board expect mid-table too, so we're going to have our work cut out to turn our season around. At the moment, Leyton Orient are in 13th and are only 6 points ahead of us, so they're perfectly catchable. We're already out of the EFL Cup after a 1st Round defeat to Bristol Rovers, so I'm hoping for a good showing in the FA Cup when we enter the 3rd Round in January. (MK Dons and Coventry are in the bottom two places, both on 9 points)FIRST TEAM SQUAD Hmm... this is old. We have 8 players over the age of 31, with another three turning 30 before the end of the season. We also have not a single first team right back, so I'm going to have to promote someone from the U23s or U18s. Here's where we're at just now.GoalkeepersMoustapha Diallo CIV (33) - 3.5CA/PA, the Ivorian is our first choice 'keeper.Ed Simpson ENG (31) - 3CA/PA, second choice for now, but if Diallo retires any time soon then he could take the number one spot.Verdict: This area is okay for now, certainly not a priority. We have 3 promising youngsters in the U23/18s, so plenty of backup.Right BackVerdict: Naeb'dy. I have 3 guys in the U23s who could do a job, but I'll need a couple of friendlies during this international break to assess who is best for the role. Left BackAchiel Willaert BEL (34) - 2.5CA/PA. Will surely retire soon.Erik Krokbo (32) - 2.5CA/PA. Will rotate with Willaert.Verdict: We're going to need to replace these guys as a matter of urgency. They are both heading for the retirement package and we only have one youngster with potential in this area.Centre Backs/SweepersJohn Fleming SCO (29) - 3CA/PA. Rotation option.Marek Dvorak CZE (29) - 2.5CA/PA. Backup for now but will move up in the pecking order when Collantine goes back up north.Kenneth Segers BEL (23) - 3CA, 3.5PA, first choice and can hopefully develop a bit.Michael Collantine ENG (18) - 5PA, a quality youngster on loan from Newcastle. I'd rather not have loan players in but I'll need him until the end of the season.Verdict: We're okay here in the short term, but I'll need to think again come the end of the season as two of these guys will turn 30 and another will leave us.Right Midfielders/WingersLeighton Shannon WAL (25) - 3CA/PA. A quality backup option.James Quinn ENG (22) - 3.5CA, 4.5PA, one of our best players and I'll be building the team around him.Verdict: This is a strong area and we don't need to improve here soon.Left Midfielders/WingersRob Flint ENG (32) - 2.5CA/PA. Backup, and will retire soon.Sebastian Lilleng NOR (22) - 3.5CA, 4PA, first choice and will hopefully develop further.Verdict: A strong area for now but Flint will need replacing.Defensive and Central MidfieldMohammed Nartey GHA (28) - 3.5CA/PA, rotation option.Junior Campbell JAM (29) - 3CA/PA, backup.Matthew Sim AUS (28) - 3.5CA/PA, rotation option.Ian O'Keefe IRL (23) - 4CA/PA, on loan from Leicester.Aitor Galdeano ESP (23) - 3.5CA, 4PA, first choice.Verdict: I'm likely to rotate between Nartey, Sim and Galdeano here as O'Keefe isn't contracted to us. He can leave in January, if I can terminate the loan.Attacking MidfieldersVerdict: Naeb'dy here either. This a crucial area for me and I'd like to get back to strikerless football so we need to focus on developing this area.StrikersDusan Nikodijevic SRB (32) - 2.5CA/PA. Backup and ageing.Steven Roddan ENG (31) - 2.5CA/PA, same here.Radmilo Jovanovic SRB (31) - 4CA/PA. First choice.Jose Gomes POR (27) - 3.5CA/3.5PA. A good quality backup.Jason Cann ENG (27) -3CA/PA. Likewise.Darren Palmer ENG (19) - 3.5PA. One for the future perhaps.Verdict: Well, this is completely unnecessary. 3 of these guys are heading towards retirement, and I'm going to try and ship them (apart from Radmilo) in the January window. I've got another 6 strikers in the U23s/18s so it doesn't look like I can move Palmer there either... Huh! Maybe Franky.'s 2 up front formation is the way to go for now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Utter domination with Linfield, onto the next chapter! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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