wynter Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 End of Season Update 2020/21 Europa League Round of 32 Benfica were not a team I wanted to draw, especially after my struggles with Porto it was obvious that we weren't in for anything that could be described as an 'easy' game. Leg 1 With my squad this year, I never needed to bring Yoskov back. After this game I'm pretty sure it was the best thing I've ever done. Two absolute stunners from outside the box to tip the game our way. The most important factor of course, was the lack of a goal conceded. If we managed to strike at least once in Benfica, then the tie was ours. Leg 2 A Late Surge had me extremely worried, losing a comfortable 1-1 scoreline, but Tomov came in at the end to put it beyond all doubt. Into the 2nd Round we went, hoping we could finally get over the hurdle. Round of 16 Our draws weren't getting easier, rumours of a conspiracy against Bulgaria were running wild as we ventured into the First Leg away from home. Leg 1 Bore draw, did precisely what was needed and while a goal would have been amazing, the fact we weren't going Home having to try and take back the tie was a immensely more preferable to a 2-1 or 3-2 defeat. Leg 2 Game of the Season, one of the most dramatic I've had in FM all year. Striking early twice we looked to have the game firmly in control. Some questionable subs on my end gave Sevilla a peek and they took full advantage tying the game and grabbing the away goals advantage. Luckily, Moldoveanu came to our rescue right at the death and we somehow emerged 3-2 victors in a game that was much too close for comfort. Quarter Finals We'd finally done it, broken through to the end stages of a European Tournament. Who would we get? The British Giants themselves. We did our best, but we weren't able to take them down. Small consolation comes in the face of Liverpool going on to win the whole tournament, it was their time. First Division We'd been too distracted by Europe this season, heading into the Playoffs we were 6 points behind Ludogorets and tied with CSKA Sofia. When Liverpool knocked us off we were finally able to give the Domestic League our full attention. We JUST managed to claw our way back to the title, wins over Ludogorets both times trampling their morale and opening them up to be overtaken by CSKA as well. Group stages of the Champions League awaits. Player of the Season Metodiev 44 Games Played, 5 PoMs 7.40 Match Rating Imperious in Defence, his development has slowed down a little as our team has improved, but he's still the best defender at the club next to Grgic and a vital part of our squad. Form across all fronts was incredibly consistent, never had a bad game and aside from Europe we were almost unbeatable in the games he started. Now onto the Final Season at the club... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Great run in Europe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 6 hours ago, BoxToBox said: Great run in Europe! Seconded. Tough draws, but you acquitted yourself well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 On 6/28/2017 at 18:09, BoxToBox said: Great run in Europe! Cheers man! 17 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: Seconded. Tough draws, but you acquitted yourself well. I know the truth There will be justice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 Transfers 2021/22 And so our last season begins, with nothing holding us back I decided it was finally time to loosen the purse strings after we built up over 20million in our Transfer Budget. Misic A personal aim of mine was to play around with a Temperamental player this save, curiosity on my end as to whether I could draw anything out of them and Misic was an exceptional player anyways so it was a relatively cheap gamble. He's a classic number 10, lovely technique and we'll be looking to deploy him as an 'Enganche' and the fulcrum point of our attack. Munoz Sliding into our Central Midfield after being listed by Real Madrid, technically he's incredibly gifted. Mentally a little room for improvement but he's a leg up on almost all of the players in our squad and a great creator. Someone to really run our midfield when he gets going. Malefane Immediate improvement at Left Back over our current options, looks genuine quality and liking what he brings to the team. Gersbach Another option, this time on loan. Will be alternating between the two as we figure out who's the better fit. Hristov Grgic was picked up by Barcelona and he was an immediate in to add depth to the squad, better players around him effectively relegate him to our 3rd choice option, but he's still a superb player. His brother remains the better though, shame he refuses to sign for us. Onana Biggest signing of the window to solve our biggest issue, we needed a great keeper and we got one. Really enjoying what he'll bring to the team. Champions League Group We really aren't getting favours, but for some reason I think I could conjure up something pretty magical. We're looking at turning Bulgaria into a fortress and hopefully picking up something off Sporting in both legs. From there we'll hope for the best. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Champions League Update 2021/22 Game One Slavia Sofia vs Sporting CP First Game, if we want to turn Slavia into a fortress, this is where we make the statement. Brutality. Two Free Kicks from Javi Munoz in the first ten minutes both sailed into the top corner and Sporting had no answer. At 3-0 they got a goal back to make things a little tighter, but then we buried a 4th and gave them no chance. A perfect performance by every player on the pitch, and a great way to kick off our opening campaign. Game Two Juventus vs Slavia Sofia The worst thing to say about this game was we were VERY lucky to keep it at 1-0, we made no chances and Juventus were dominating us in attack. Losing only one goal though was great for our GD and hopefully we can pay them back with vengeance when they come to our home. Game Three Slavia Sofia vs Barcelona Getting a draw out of this would be critical, a win even better. With Top Spot on the table on the line, we needed SOMETHING. Hail Hristov, just when we were looking ready for a draw. The game itself was fascinating, end to end football with a multitude of chances for both sides. We held firm, off the back of some great keeping by Onana and managed to escape far better off than we would be otherwise. Table We need to beat Sporting away, then draw/beat Juve. I'm confident that 10 points, however we get it, should be enough to see us through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Great results. Out possessing Barca is always nice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheriff7 Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Excellent results in Europe!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Game 4 Barcelona vs Slavia Sofia We did nothing with the ball, aside from keeping it. On the other hand Barcelona were clinical and took us to school whenever they managed to snatch it off of us. I wasn't expecting to win the game, but was hoping for a closer 2-1/1-0 defeat if only for the sake of confidence. Game 5 Sporting CP vs Slavia Sofia Masterclass by Perez. They had shots on goal but they were fairly tame, on the other hand we made them pay with some inspired attacking. The result I wanted heading into Day 6. Where does it leave us? In the drivers seat as we host Juve in our final game. It means little though. We lose we're out unless Sporting and Barcelona Draw which doesn't seem all too likely as it's at the Camp Nou. If we draw we top a very difficult group and carry that confidence into the Knockout rounds. We win and no problems at all. I'm aiming for a win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 31 minutes ago, kidthekid said: Great results. Out possessing Barca is always nice. It is! Shame about Game 4 but I was surprised we dominated in that one as well, maybe their tactic's have changed? Either way I was pretty happy with it. 15 minutes ago, Sheriff7 said: Excellent results in Europe!! Cheers man! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 I'm so happy. Finally broken through after falling short the past three years. It didn't even come off the back of an easy group. Masterclass at the back by Petko Hristov who's become our European saviour, even getting up the other end to score a goal. Who do we have in the Round of Sixteen? Bring it. First January Reinforcement has been brought in and he looks fantastic. We need an additional right back and a right winger as well. We're in for an active window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneronaldo Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 Bayer Neverkusen? I assume they don't have Henrichs, Brandt, Havertz etc anymore as those will have been picked off by other clubs. Onwards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Things going well domestically. Enough room in the league that we can entirely focus on Europe at this stage of the proceedings. Hopefully we can keep up our form to ensure no one gets a sniff at the title. Mention for Nikolov. Came through the club originally as a LWB, but given his right footedness he switched him to the opposite side from day one. Rapidly turning into an incredible right back. Could do with a bit more work on his attacking play and offer an option out wide, but as it stands I'm very happy with how he's been getting on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Nicely done in the Groups! Not an easy one, either. Leverkusen will choke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 20 hours ago, oneronaldo said: Bayer Neverkusen? I assume they don't have Henrichs, Brandt, Havertz etc anymore as those will have been picked off by other clubs. Onwards They have everyone! Curse of not loading their league Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Youth Intake Haven't actually updated these in a while haha, but after last year where we didn't get anyone in I was interested in seeing if this year would be a marked improvement. First Player with the potential to be One of the Best of his Generation for the club and in a position we were looking to strengthen as well. He looks very, very good. Shame I'll likely be leaving at the end of this season but I'll be tracking his growth for sure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneronaldo Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Better put in a contract with some seriously high release clauses (I'm talking the "£50m or gtfo" kind), that lad is absolutely insane for his age. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 That kid is metal, try and bring him with you! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Wow...Tihomir could easily be massive...if he develops! Definitely one to bring along... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Leg 1 Leverskusen vs Slavia Sofia A tight game, made even more difficult by the suspension of Nikolov, our only functioning Right Back after Atanasov's Release Clause was activated and he abandoned us for Wolfsburg. Still 1-0 wasn't bad, and we were very much in the tie. Leg 2 Slavia Sofia vs Leverkusen Could we overcome? They didn't stand a chance, masterful performance by both Krejcik's with Milan laying on both assists for Matej who finished the game off entirely in stoppage time. From here on though things would only get harder... Who would we get in the Quarter Finals? Rematch with our Group G rivals, A team I knew we could beat, but had lost to on aggregate over the course of the Group Stage. It would be tight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Leverkus-who? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
argento Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Unbelievable progress here! Just read all this and loving it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 15 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: Leverkus-who? Lever-who-sen? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fola Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Are you not tempted to stay for another season? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 7 hours ago, argento said: Unbelievable progress here! Just read all this and loving it. Cheer man! I'm actually surprised at how quickly we've been able to get it going as well. Long may it continue 5 hours ago, Fola said: Are you not tempted to stay for another season? I'm so tempted, closer I get to the end of the contract the more I want too haha, haven't made my mind up yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 A pulsating match, a crowd on the verge of frenzy a sea of blue and red desperately cheering their team on as I find anyway to ruin their evening. These are the moments we live for. 2-1, 8 minutes left and 8 minutes away from walking out of Camp Nou with a chance. Then it happened. It was a tackle, one that was small, almost innocuous but the ref blows his whistle anyway. Javi helps the player back to his feet but the ref is sprinting over and my heart stops. RED CARD – Javi Munoz 82nd Minute The team surrounds the Ref but Dragos at the last second manages to drag them away before any more damage can be done to our squad. We’re out of subs, we’re out of gas and now we have 8 minutes to survive with 10 men. Out of the corner of my eye as I look up at the crowd, desperately trying to come up with a plan I see him. Of course, seeing the UEFA president isn’t all too surprising given the stature of the match… But why is he smiling? There’s something rotten in the state of Spain… Suarez pounced in the 87th and now we go home to try and get a result without our star playmaker... We need something magical. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 15 hours ago, Fola said: Are you not tempted to stay for another season? I was going to say the exact same thing, looks like you're having a blast with Slavia so I'm unsure why the hurry? Sorry if I missed it, but I'm not sure you posted why you're leaving? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 4, 2017 Author Share Posted July 4, 2017 3 hours ago, noikeee said: I was going to say the exact same thing, looks like you're having a blast with Slavia so I'm unsure why the hurry? Sorry if I missed it, but I'm not sure you posted why you're leaving? Domestically the game was a bit stale and things seemed to be stalling at the club with us not bringing in any noticeable improvements over those already in the squad. So I was going to take on another Bulgarian team and try and strengthen the league. Plus have another team producing good quality players for the Bulgarian NT. But yeah, really think I can do something in Europe now so I'm probably backtracking and sticking around for a few more seasons Wouldnt mind taking over another team and bringing Slavia down eventually though, would be a great challenge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Champions League Quarter Final Leg 2 Slavia Sofia vs Barcelona The two teams line-up. Barcelona have opted to employ a Defensive Mid in a bid to blunt the attacking prowess of Slavia's Front 4. Without Munoz Price elects to shift Milan Krejcik back to the Center Midfield sacrificing defensive efficiency in a bid to bolster their attack. He's throwing all caution to the wind. Kick-off 13th Minute Digne plays a ball through to Neymar as they build out the back. He picks out a charging Suarez and plays a superb pass over the Slavia back for, the Uruguayan is away... WORST START IMAGINABLE FOR THE BULGARIANS! 0-1 Barcelona and Slavia need 3 unanswered goals to get back in the tie. 27th Minute Milan Krejcik finds Nedelcu, they exchange a quick one two splitting the centre midfield pairing of Rakitic and Melegoni to find Samuel finds Kraev who feed a superb ball through to Matej getting him one on one with the keeper... 1-1, SUPERB FOOTBALL! 31st Minute IT CAN'T BE... IT IS! PENALTY TO SLAVIA SOFIA, reckless challenge by Umtiti brings down Matej in the box and they go to the spot. Matej lines up... the crowd is silent, praying for the ball to go into the back of the net... SAVED 1-1, Slavia with their head in their hands as they miss a golden opportunity. Half-Time 1-1 The Bulgarians with the ascendancy but Barcelona are surviving, can they make use of this momentum in the 2nd Half? 58th Minute A wayward pass by Barcelona finds Nikolov, they switch to the opposite flank as Gersbach finds Perez, Perez plays Samuel, Samuel dispossessed but the ball falls to Yoskov, Yoskov to Matej who backheels it to Yoskov and he finds some space for a long shot... TIPPED OVER THE BAR! Magnificent keeping by Ter Stegen to keep the Bulgarians out. Price is eyeing the bench... 69th Minute Matej is off, on comes Moldoveanu as they look to add some fresh legs up front. 79th Minute Milan is out wide... Plays it back to Nedelcu who shifts a quick pass towards Samuel. Yoskov makes his run inbetween the Centre Backs and Samuel feeds him through. One on One... GOAL!!! 2-1 to Slavia 10 minutes left and there's still life in this contest! 82nd Minute Nikolov at the throw in... Quick one-two with Nedelcu, pass to Samuel, finds Yoskov... What a cross, perfectly weighted to find Moldoveanu who hits it first time... GOAL 3-1 buried into the bottom corner past the outstretched glove of Ter Stegen. The crowd is ballistic, the Barcelona supporters silent and in the top boxes I spy a certain UEFA president remarkably less pleased than he was in Barcelona. Vengeance shall be ours. THE WHISTLE SOUNDS... Extra Time Awaits... Both teams out of subs, now it's about who wants it more... 97th Minute Rakitic passes to Driussi, Driussi sees a pass, but we see it earlier. "Petko!" I holler from the touchline and Hristov moves, keen on intercepting it. And then it happens... Did he slip? Or was it premeditated? Petko goes a mile beyond the ball and Suarez is off, Metodiev desperately trying close the gap... 3-2, the killing blow. In that crowd a man is smiling, I don't see him, too busy trying to motivate our weary warriors but I saw him in Barcelona... I know that somehow he is behind this. Full Time "Let come what comes, only I'll be revenged" Where to now from here...? Damn right we were. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 "An Injured Lion Still Wants to Roar" We finished off the league, with nothing else to play for we mercilessly tore into our opponents. We fell just short of the League Record for most points taken. With the end of the season the first focus is our contract. Will we stay, or will we go? (Already decided, just doing it via story, post should be up tonight) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 That penalty miss... Aaargh!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 "I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody." They’re everywhere, no matter where I go I see them. Jeering fans, Luis Suarez, Match Officials denying me penalty after penalty, Luis ******* Suarez. Petko keeps apologising to me, but I don’t know what to do. I’ve always said his brother is better and I can’t help but shake the feeling he’s made me pay for that. I see that smile. That smug, knowing smile on his face in training and Martin tells me I’m hallucinating but I’m not. He’s part of the conspiracy. A knock at the door breaks me out of rumination. “Come in.” The two people I’d been avoiding the most from the moment we’d lost to Barcelona come in. No doubt ready to hand in their transfer requests. They’d have stayed if we won, if Petko hadn’t forgotten how to tackle someone. Don’t be bitter. Says one voice in my head. Send him to Siberia without clothes. Says the other. “Boss, you ok?” Matej asks as Vladislav looks particularly unnerved. I wasn’t thinking out loud was I? “I’m fine.” It’s not the right answer, and everyone knows I’m not. Defeat has not been good for me. Antonia most of all, each press conference she watches me, ready for me to start hissing at the supporters like a feral cat but all emotion has left me. I don’t even hear their questions anymore, just droning out meaningless platitudes as she keeps a firm grip of my hand under the table, almost as if she’s trying to keep me in reality. Bless her soul. I’ve moved into the office, the chair I’m reclining on has been my bed for the last three weeks and I think I’ve lost any and all sensation in my neck. My beard is now spiralling out of control, dangling perilously close to my desk and the cup of coffee that sits in front of me. Just yesterday I turned up to work in a bright green and yellow suit after having a dream about a giant shark in Aldosivi. I don’t even know where Aldosivi is. “So, I guess this is it huh boys?” I ask as I recline in my chair. They both told me they’d leave if we didn’t win. “About that boss.” Matej says. “When you told us we could win, we thought you were full of **** to be honest.” Vladislav admits. “But we got close, we got closer than I think any of us imagined. So we’ll stay here one more year.” They both look at me. “Only if you stay at the club.” With that they both leave, thoughts of the conspiracy against us gone from my mind. Instead a decision has to be made. … I suppose Prague can wait. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 your wage is still 500 pounds though? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 15 minutes ago, kidthekid said: your wage is still 500 pounds though? And the board gave themselves a 2.8 million Dividend a few days after I signed, was not a happy man Brazil's 52k PW offer was appreciated, shame I'm still with the Bulgarian NT haha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world... Everyone believed the worst was over when I renewed, I even reluctantly moved out of the office and returned to my apartment but these thoughts won't leave. Sleepless nights have led to work, not the work the board expect me to be doing, but it's the work the World Needs. Someone knows something, but who is the weak link? Petko is like a rock, unbreakable no matter how much pressure I exert and given his near 2 metre tall frame plus the high value I place on my life that pressure has been minimal. Martin knows nothing, he doesn't have the brains to be involved. His squad selection recommendations are so bad he's been trying to get me out of a job since before I even made it into Europe... This goes deeper, higher up, into the very echelons of UEFA Boardrooms. But conspiracy only goes so far... What must I do? Where are we lacking? A conspiracy can fail when the side its set against is unbeatable. Has Avarice reached its limits? It's time to experiment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Boss, I don't mean to be rude... But what is this?" Milan's finally learned Bulgarian, and with it he asks a remarkable amount of questions. I preferred him when he was silent. The rest of the squad nods in agreement as they look at the board, our trial system for the pre-season revealed. No-one but myself understands the genius, the board themselves are perplexed but they do their best to hide it from the players. The coaching staff had already cornered me this morning. But the board that doubts me wants to give me 500 a week when Brazil offered 1200 times that, the coaching staff want me to play a Wide 4-2-3-1 because they don't believe in me, the man who raised this club from the ashes of mid-table anonymity. The players that made me stay now doubt me, the man that turned them all into one of Europe's finest. I'll make believers of them all. Avarice was not a fluke. "This my boys..." I say as I look at the board with more reverence than a parent standing next to their child. "Is the evolution of Football." Introducing... The Symplegades Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattJames15 Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Really enjoyed reading through this past season. Intense second leg against Barca! Look forward to reading as you continue! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneronaldo Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Nothing like some manic obsession setting in to the story, this should be cracking to witness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriole01 Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 3 hours ago, wynter said: I’ve moved into the office, the chair I’m reclining on has been my bed for the last three weeks and I think I’ve lost any and all sensation in my neck. My beard is now spiralling out of control, dangling perilously close to my desk and the cup of coffee that sits in front of me. Just yesterday I turned up to work in a bright green and yellow suit after having a dream about a giant shark in Aldosivi. I don’t even know where Aldosivi is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 I like it. The story is shaping up nicely here, and beautiful tactic! Looking forward to seeing how your two DM's perform especially. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 On 05/07/2017 at 08:41, wynter said: Ah yes, Suarez's trademark move of ghosting through the middle of the defender's body. Unlucky in the Champions League, that was a superb effort vs Barcelona. I like the new 3-4-3 wide tactic too. Hipsteresque. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 Understanding The Symplegades While the Cross-sected Hermit was an accurate depiction (The hermit being the unmoving Enganche) the Symplegades is also a worthy name. Taking its form from the 'Clashing Rocks' Jason sailed through during his escapades. How does it work? Avarice primarily functions off a control system with a quick but methodical short passing game that waits for a gap and seizes the opportunity. If you watch the Slavia vs Barcelona gifs that becomes apparent in two of the goals that are scored. Where our midfield waits for the attacking four to create space through their runs and then utilises the gaps that are created, only feeding it forward when a chance is beginning to present itself. Symplegades is going to be a bit more brutish than that, abandoning our short passing game in favour of a more direct threat. Ideally the 'chasm' in midfield is going to be rapidly closed down (as the walls did in the myth) when the opposition are in possession via our tactical instructions. The WBs and DMs are effectively a second midfield, rushing forward to rapidly close off any space the team creates, hence the use of a Roaming Playmaker to ensure he surges forward, rather than a Regista who may stay slightly deeper regardless of instructions. (Cheers for that tip @Benjoe ) as a result I've shifted off of my preferred Fluid approach to balanced, I was contemplating a Structured angle but was worried as to whether that might result in our Playmaker staying deeper than I would like. Balanced as it says, tries to cater to that niche area that we need in order to succeed. This is all of course hypothetical, we need to see how it does in a game first. Dunav vs Slavia Too dominant to draw any reasonable conclusions. Early signs indicate the attacking is a lot more direct, for lack of a better term. Less fluid, probing football in exchange for just trying to get the ball in the back of the net at the earliest opportunity. Slavia vs Levski This is a much better test. The high line works in closing the gap between our midfield and attackers. It also works in swarming in and around the box to choke off chances for the opposition. The two DMs most importantly the BWM screens the defence and helps break up the opposition play, defensively it's reasonably sound but I won't really know until we test it out vs European teams where the playing filed is more level. There is a massive drawback. We have trouble countering, something we also had trouble with using Avarice but it's very notable here. If we win the ball in midfield we can easily transition, if the opposite team presses into our backline though we can drop too deep and as a result leave our striker isolated. Interesting conundrum. In terms of the ball we're still keeping something akin to 55-60%. Not as dominant as Avarice but we are getting a similar if not greater amount of shots on the opposition goal and drafting more chances. Whether we get those chances vs the big sides though is the biggest issue and whether this will work or not. Pro's More Chances crafted Less Fouls Maintain similar possession stats Con's Cannot Counter It's all about winning the ball back in midfield, if we can't do that we'll struggle. Overall watching the highlights, the football's also a lot less attractive. Style vs Pragmatism seems to be the biggest clash between the two... Still undecided if this will be the way I push, early signs are interesting though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 2022 World Cup Qualifying Update We put up a decent fight, bad result in losing to Slovenia and the 5-1 loss to England was Harsh, overall though 4-4-0 was very respectable including a great win over Croatia. We didn't qualify though. The World Cup threw up some interesting results. A nice run by Sweden into the Quarters,but from there normal service resumed and France look to be an unstoppable team as it stands. Should be a fun challenge headed into 2026/30. I've also updated our tactic for the National Team, given the large amount of Slavia players I was just running Avarice but mixed results have me catering almost entirely to our strongest spots. Nikolov is the only brilliant player that doesn't fit into the system but he could easily function as a right midfielder with some training. Or I could even simply push the flankers back to WBL/R if the mood strikes me. The first match with it was very promising, less so if you were a Northern Ireland fan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 10, 2017 Author Share Posted July 10, 2017 Transfers A new system needs players, and this side needs improvements if we're to fully match up with Europe's Elite. I didn't want to let him go but 12million gives me the funds needed for the players I want and Perez wasn't going to be getting as much play time this year. The fans are upset but they're willing to back me, and with the guys I'm bringing in I think they'll see this deal as a master piece. Outgoing Marcelo Perez A great part of the club for the last two years and someone I liked, but didn't need. Couldn't say no when every other piece I needed necessitated his transfer. Incoming Ivalyo Chochev - Free Transfer Last year the biggest thing that stopped us beating Barcelona was the lack of Munoz in Leg 2, we needed one more creative midfielder that I could use in the centre of the park and who better than the Bulgarian Icon himself? There's three years I can extract out of him, I'm at the club for three more... It's perfect. Alonso - 2.3Mil The future heart of our team, already excellent but now if I can remove that personality of his, ideally with Chochev's aid I can craft a world-beater. The next year will be pivotal. Hamza Mendyl - 8.25mil A massive signing in more ways than one, incredibly expensive but he locks down the left side of the pitch for me after Gersbach returned to AC Milan. Offers something offensively and defensively like his predecessor and with our WBs pushing further upfield under Symplegades he could be a key factor in making the system work. Milivoje Petkovic - 1.8mil Cheap replacement for Perez with bagloads of potential, wasn't a necessary signing but I thought he was too good to pass up. Florin Tanase - Loan Our Ramdeuter, has all the attributes needed to succeed and really make this tactic thrive. Also added depth to the position and will share duties with Kraev over the course of the season. Dilemma Bahtarliev is coming along incredibly strong and Onana while a solid addition to the team, is just that solid. Bahtar can be better and maybe even usurp Bashliev as Bulgaria's future #1 Half tempted to go all in on the Bulgarian, as I did with Stergiakis. I'll see how they both do and make a firm decision in January. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 Great signings, and regarding Onana and Bahtar, I'd rotate for the time being with Onana taking big games and Bahtar taking cups and games you're comfortable dominating. Then I would accept the highest bid received for Onana (if it was a proper offer, mind). Bahtar looks class already, and Alonso will be a god soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 10, 2017 Share Posted July 10, 2017 No harm giving the two lads a heavy rotation. 18 is no age for a keeper, so 35-50% of the games should be plenty of his development. Plus it's always nice to have a high quality option if one gets hurt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Outright favourites in Real Madrid for the Title and a resurgent Liverpool that knocked us out on their way to winning the Europa League a few years ago... Dinamo are easy, should have no problems getting at least 3rd. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Superb start by the team. 7-1-0 and a 5-0 thumping of Botev in the last game has confidence soaring. Really confident that we can break this record, only 63 more points to go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler16 Posted July 11, 2017 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Just read the entire thread in one sitting, amazing stuff. Some incredible players in the team now. Have you been able to grow the domestic league reputation at all yet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 16 minutes ago, tyler16 said: Just read the entire thread in one sitting, amazing stuff. Some incredible players in the team now. Have you been able to grow the domestic league reputation at all yet? Cheers! League's done really well, think we got it up from 28th or something to 11th, ahead of Serbia, Greece and a few other countries like Romania. I think we could move up to 8th/9th over the next few season with some good results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 11, 2017 Author Share Posted July 11, 2017 Champions League Group - First Half Bad result, we went with an attacking system into their home and got outclassed. A bit too cocky on our end but we did get a goal and threaten their goal a couple more times beyond that. Scoring isn't an issue. Conceded late at the end, but over the course of the match we were all over them. Notes from here have inspired us to change out tactic a little and the small notches have streamlined it into something even greater than before. Tanase has been a revelation and is thriving in the Raumdeuter role with 9/9 so far in all competitions and an 8.23 rating. We toughed it out, Liverpool had a late surge but we managed to keep them nabbing a 3rd and emerged out of the stadium as winners, albeit in a very close run affair. Where are we? Much to my benefit Liverpool have been dreadful. A win away in Dinamo and I think we can seal second off quickly. Would love to get revenge on Real Madrid when they come to Bulgaria though. Our first game vs Liverpool and another Tanase masterclass, unfortunately my laptop crashed right as the game was saving and I luckily only lost the 4 days between competition and the Liverpool game. Would have preferred this win though, we played far more brilliantly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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