FM18: Rotherham United

[SpillBlood]

End of Season

Moore who was poor for me vs top goal scorer Ball, strange picks.

Ryan Taylor over Ball aswell, what on earth .

Yet Ryan Taylor who scored 9 in 16 was a poor purchase 'cus he's only two stars.  This is baffling.

Now this is interesting!

 

 

[Jamesbfc1887]

Unlucky mate, but I think it would have been too soon and you'd probably gone straight down. Good luck for the season ahead. 

[SpillBlood]

Time to find some players!

3 minutes ago, Jamesbfc1887 said:

Unlucky mate, but I think it would have been too soon and you'd probably gone straight down. Good luck for the season ahead. 

Oh absolutely!  Just buzzin' to of finished where I did tbh!

[DavidBeckham]

So unlucky with the play-offs mate  But you've already done so well by defying the odds to go so close to promotion! All the best for your second try next year! 

[ajcardall]

Unlucky in the final, mate.

Always had something of a soft spot for Rotherham, so enjoying this one

[SpillBlood]

Season 2019/2020

Pre-season

I've had a bigger club after me but I turned them down and signed a new contract .  This save is about winning the Champions League with Rotherham United.

Especially since I got soft Brexit!

I've not spend much money on players.  I've decided to put money into our facilities instead so we can attract better players and hit players potential.

I made sure we had staff for the youth teams this year since we had the budget.  People from all over the world Europe to expand our knowledge.  There's some okay players in my U23s, I'm hoping one can make it.

When it comes to odds, you thought finishing 3rd would of changed people's minds but nope.  This is literally where they expect us to finish.

I mean, our squad has improved ten fold which I'll get too soon and this is our pre-season.  Tottenham only scored through an absolute beauty from Mertens that no keeper would of saved!

I managed to sign Brattan from last season but FC Midtjylland refuse to loan me, or sell me Kairinen again and he'll just sit in their B team though he's good enough for first team football for them! There's no McBurnie, I did look in getting him in on a free but he wouldn't take less than 12k p/w which he can absolutely nelly.  No one is on that much and he wouldn't even start over Ball and Fletcher.

Goalkeepers

O'Donnell keeps his place.  Ward will be my sub back up so I can have a Club grown player in the line up.  Haugaard is loaned in to be around and about, especially if O'Donnell gets injured.

Defenders

From form.  Jones, Ball, Hause and Mattock are my starting back four.  Riley, Bennnett, Hovstard and Fox is very strong backup and could any starting spots.  Clark is more of a midfielder who can fill in at LB and Warren is my 5th CB with potential.

Midfielders

Ball is a striker so ignore him. Mutch is an amazing signing but so is Brownhill.  They have been superb in pre-season.  Along with Brattan they've made a quality 3 man midfield.  I can't even see Newell getting in with the way these three are playing.  All free transfers.  Mutch is injury prone but he's basically replacing Frecklington who was anyway. I have Solbakken, Clark who can fill the role. Taylor, Mendez-Laing occupy AMR.  Thomas and Ahannach(who is also a natural MC) are IFs for the AML instead of shoe-horning people in.  Forde is back up who I would sell since I also have Bildoy.

Strikers

Ball is the main striker.  Fletcher is his partner if I play two uptop.  Akpom will be about the team and Roberts is a back up.

The Bank

I still have a budget and there's money there if I need but with those free transfers and no one who is listed even stands out I'd rather save the money for youth/better players.  Some people are on stupid money which doesn't help.  I refuse to pay it.  My max is 11k p/w with Mutch.  Our average is about 6.5k p/w.

I think this is everyone, will update if I've missed something out of my post.

[DavidBeckham]

I like how you keep things tight financially!

A couple of solid transfers there. Jordon Mutch is a shrewd little signing. Looking forward to see how you do in the upcoming season!

[SpillBlood]

August and the end of the Summer transfer window

League

Preston - There was nothing in this game and with it being the opening game of the season I decided to try attack at the end.  Up popped Fletcher to steal us the 3 points!

Wolves The game was over in the first half.  We managed to put chances away and went in 3 - 0 at the break.

Norwich - They'll be annoyed they didn't win this.  We were not in the game at all in the first half and they didn't put chances away.  I changed formation and Ahannach managed to put both of his chances away to steal the win.  We got lucky to be honest.

Swansea - Our play off semi-final opponents.  We were just better through out.  Was great to watch.

Sheffield Wednesday - I played for the draw to be honest or atleast to try and hit them on the break.  We were going for the draw until a cross came in and Ball brought down his man.  Hooper converted the penalty and their defense was just to good for us on the day when we attacked.

Cup

Notts County  - Played my "back ups" and they proved to me why they should not be backups.  It was actually 1 - 1 thanks to an own goal from Gethin Jones but we were quality.

Hartlepool Again my "back ups" and they played very well.  George Ward my 18 year old goalkeeper with potential even started.  Bildoy managed to play well setting up both of Fletchers goals.

Transfers

I accepted to be part of deadline day but there just wasn't anything out there.  I'm pretty happy with my squad and my new highest wage is 13k p/w.  Sunderland came sniffin' around Hause and he had a £4million min. fee and I was like woahh, he isn't going anywhere!  Thankfully he seemed happy to sign an new contract.  I mean look at the money that Championship clubs are selling players for or spending on their squad!  There's players in the Championship on 60k p/w!

 

[SpillBlood]

Two youth signings!

First costing me 500k.  He'll be first choice right back when he arrives in Jan.

Second costing me 90k!

There will be a league update tomorrow.

[SpillBlood]

January is here

Quick update!

What a performance from the lads so far!  I mean, we're having a cup run!!!  After the three losses and the awful display where we should of hammered Exeter just yet missed chance after chance after chance.  I changed my tactic, we've conceded so less goals.  O'Donnell would have most clean sheets in the league if didn't get injured for a few weeks!

I took the injury advice on board and I rotate my players alot more.  The only people I generally don't is Hause and Ball as they're brilliant at the back together.  I can see Bennett asking for a move due to this.

Only problem currently is this but we should be okay at the end of the season, I hope anyway.

I finally got an award as well!

[deltablue]

I hope this is your year. 

[SpillBlood]

January

Not the best but we're still top of the league and that's what matters and it's all league games now.  FA Cup we stud no chance, Liverpool were a class above us.  The Carabao Cup was so frustrating.  Away we weren't up to scratch but at home we should of won!  They only had two shots on target!  A quality shot from outside the area and a header from a freekick and that lost us the chance to compete in the final.  Hopefully the lads will rally on from this and win the league.

No players have been brought in but we've lost our third goalkeeper Haugaard and midfielder/inside forward Ahannach due to lack of playing time, they wanted to go back.  I wouldn't really mind but Ahannach was injured so couldn't play.  Haugaard fell behind my 18 year old in the pecking order, just didn't perform at all when O'Donnell was injured.

Wolves bid for Jordan Mutch, 1.2mil with bonuses that could lead up to 2.2mil.  I find that bid pretty offensive in all honesty. One of my best players in his prime and Wolves are rich!

Let's see how it goes from here.  I've been known to have post January dips in form, let's hope it doesn't happen this season.

[SpillBlood]

Atl east we didn't get battered by Manchester United in the final, tbf Huddersfield only lost 2 - 0. Overachievers, thrilled everyone with their performances!?  Hey, we might of made some new Millers!

[SpillBlood]

We need to improve 'cus it's pretty damn tight now.... Anyone from 1st to 9th can win this,

[SpillBlood]

It's hotting up.  Who will be the Champion!?

If any games cost us, it's this one.

And my secret weapon is injured.

Might not look like much but..

 

Also, new player comin' in the summer for 300k.

[SpillBlood]

We lost 2 - 0 to Burton and it's cost us the league.

The penalty that won Huddersfield the league.

After the Burton game we were drawing 0 - 0 after 45 minutes with Reading. I went my old 4 - 2 - 4 and we've scored 8 in 135 minutes of football, I like that.

It's Rotherham away at QPR and Sunderland at Home to Leeds.  Sunderland are 2nd behind Huddersfield in the form table.  This will be tough.

Ideally I need this win.  Our Financial Status is insecure! If we don't, then I'll have to let the likes of Hause, Mutch etc go will just set us back!

[SpillBlood]

Game day 46 - judgement day

How we're lining up.

27th minute: Mendez-Laing is in the first clear chance of the game and he hits it wide! Could that cost us?

32nd minute: Ball over the top and Akpom has half a chance but it's straight at the QPR 'keeper.

And there's a goal.

The different when you put your chances away.  Freeman through to Armstrong who looks just offside to me but it's a goal and this could be play offs.

There's another goal though...

Leeds doing is a huge favour!

It's half time and I give the lads a bollocking.

Second half

Another chance for Rotherham and we scuff it wide, this is not our day!

62nd minute: Akpom does brilliant is through.. he should score but the 'keeper saves!

65th minute: Roberts, Newell and Fletcher on for Mutch, Akpom and Thomas.

70th minute: Half a chance for Roberts but he skys it! 

Leeds still winning 1 - 0.

75th minute: A few good shots but Smithies is keeping them all out.

GOALLL FOR QPR!

86th minute: It's why I stopped using this tactic, cross in and Washington with the easy finish, Ball is in no mans land for that cross.

Is it too late? GOAL FOR THE MILLERS. 89th MINUTE!  LEEDS STILL WINNING.

Close game and I feel hard done by!

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!

Time for work!

[SpillBlood]

Quick end of season update

That is some money to play a round with and I can tell you now we have some interesting players joining the club, we have a potential a fantastic regen striker who City and PSG are after joining us.

Brownhill was the MVP.  Something funny is going on though as my striker is at CM-D?

Ball and Brownhill in team of the season!

Overachievers I wonder what we'll be this time next season!

[deltablue]

You have a long summer ahead it seems

[SpillBlood]

Pre-season and end of the transfer window

I'm sure I was supposed to spend more then I earnt .  Players such as Ball, Akpom etc aren't premier league players, have a year left and I got SILLY money for them.  I know Ball was in the team of the year but no way is he worth 5.5mil.  Jones, Thomas, Brattan, I robbed them all blind!

Two for the future - this is a player that BMG tried to sign, he chose me!  Arsenal were interested but I bid his min. fee and he's a Miller!

This lad is costing me 2million, Man City and PSG were interested but no one seem to actually bid for him, he looks like he'll be an absolute beast for me in the future!

Goalkeepers

Both are fighting for the first team spot.  It's currently Woodman from pre-season form but Audero is a goalkeeper I had last year for my Rotherham save who was just amazing, he'd be the difference in games.  I wonder if he can do the same.

Defenders

I have enough depth this year.  Camara - Moore - Hause - Mings will be the first team.  Moore didn't do well last season with Reading and they've been relegated to league 1 but I have faith he can do a job in the Prem. I like his stats and he's my captain for this season.  Are Fox and Riley good enough backups? Probably not but I have to give them a chance otherwise I'll have to start paying silly wages for even backup players.

I have probably too many midfielders but before Fila signed I had the chance to bring in Muyumba and I thought for £2mil he was worth a try.  I've managed to bring back Kaan Kairinen who I was a big fan of in my first season.  Mutch is back up to me, his attitude stinks.  He wasn't the best player last year for me, that was Brownhill by far and he wanted to leave due to Huddersfield bidding for him.  The offer was a joke, I rejected and he's been moody ever since.  Pre-season he didn't look bothered and no one seems to want him, even on a free transfer.

I feel I got the best deal on the wings.  I sold Thomas, got Lookman in on loan and signed this lad.  I've never heard of him but 18 jumpin' and 6'5 inside forward!? So different, it might work!  Put those balls in vs shorter fullbacks and he may get some goals.

Strikers

I think this is such a stronger area then last year.  Woodrow always seem to perform on FM for me and he fits in my tactic perfectly.  Balogh and Kadlec can play there without any problems though they'll be out wide.  Lynch is a youngster with potential, I still have David Ball as backup and I have Kubala comin' in January.  I do like my attacking line up. 

I feel pre-season could of gone better.  We had chances we should of scored and i'd of liked to of won by bigger margins but that being said, we have new players that need to gel and a slightly different tactic this season where I have two DMs and one MC, we'll see how it goes for my first few games of the season.

And the best part is..

https://i.gyazo.com/d6a6b35a7913dd91f612a6de167421b3.png

We even have some money in the bank!

And money being invested in facilities as they're in dire need of upgrading!

Now let's see how the start of the season takes us, first game.. at home to Leicester City!

[SpillBlood]

4 hours ago, deltablue said:

You have a long summer ahead it seems

It's been a lot better then I expected!  Just see if we can get results now!

[ajcardall]

Congrats on the promotion! Looking forward to seeing how you get on in the Prem.

Just out of curiosity, did we (Sheff Wed) manage to succeed in the playoffs, or are we as bad in game at choking?  

[SpillBlood]

5 minutes ago, ajcardall said:

Congrats on the promotion! Looking forward to seeing how you get on in the Prem.

Just out of curiosity, did we (Sheff Wed) manage to succeed in the playoffs, or are we as bad in game at choking?  

Thank you!

Um... i'll let you guess

[SpillBlood]

Two games so far have been crazy!  Neutrals would of loved them!

Leicester won 3 - 1 with Adrian Silva scoring a potential goal the season.  They got the luck, ball fell to them in the box for their 2nd.  Wasn't our day.

Max Clark filling in for the injured Mings headed it off the line and gave us a huge win!

[Jamesbfc1887]

Congrats on promotion 

[SpillBlood]

First half of the season

We're doing absolutely bloody brilliant.  It's a shame we've just ended our non-losing streak to Leicester as we were the better side, we missed our chances and they just knew were the net was without making any clear chances.  It's the same with the Southampton game we lost 2- 1.  It was an even game, they managed to get a very late winner, we then scored and it was ruled offside but I don't think it was but I kept my mouth shut!  Managing to draw against the likes of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool is a huge confidence boost to the team.  We're still in cup competitions as well!  We've been a bit lucky and given out of form teams.  Newcastle have a quality side but my word they should be doin' better.  West Brom game was mad, when we played in the league both teams were rubbish and couldn't hit the target.  Next game is a game that will of been loved by the neutrals!

Brownhill is still playin' superb.  Woodrow can miss some chances but he fits in my team very well.

The difference this season is how we defend better.  We'd of been joint 5th with Arsenal if it wasn't the 3 goals we'd just conceded that's put us to 8th. Still, 8th for a newly promoted side is great.  Leicester are top of goals scored aswell.   We're joint 9th with Everton and West Brom when it comes to goals scored with 27.  That could be a better stat due to chances created.

Still, the fans must have some fun considering we've scored for 13 games in a row!

The formation I'm using this season (I rotate alot, using the highest of 27 so far).

It's basically Cleons tactic but I'm using an AP-S instead of AMC-S due to the players available to me and it's working totally fine, well it's working well.  I wanted a tactic that had more stability.  It's the same sort of set up with 3 midfielders, 2 wide players and a lone striker I've been using but a different set up.  I like the idea of two DMC roles, Ipswich Town used two DMCs when they won the Championship in the 2018/2019 season and they were a really strong team.   Last season was about attacking but I couldn't do that in the Prem or I'd be probably sitting down where Newcastle is.  I always prefer playing with either a DLF or CF up top but last year I didn't have the players that could fill the role.  This year I bought in Woodrow for just that purpose.  I've kept the AML-IF and W-S like I played last season, especially since I have the players for it. The midfield is a different set up which you can read about in Cleons post but the Segundo Volante is an interesting role and my regen Roman Fila is playin' well there.  He's only 19 so I'm hoping we can improve his stats for that position.

Kubala has finally arrived.  I wonder how good this player will turn out. 

There may be transfers this January.  There's a 19 year old Ivorian DMC who's been on my shortlist and is wanted by clubs so I may look at bringing him in.  Kasey Palmer may come.  I refused to pay the wages he wanted in the summer but I've put another bid in for him but I'm not the only side after his services.  Tosin Adarabioyo has been playing really well at the back for me, he's actually currently playing instead of Hause.  I've enquired about his services due to other teams being interested in him.

It means players will need to leave, the first being Mutch.  I'm actually on his favoured personnel list but he's behind players in the MC slot and if Palmer joins then he won't get much football at all.  He has 6 months left and I currently have no interest in keeping him.  He was too of a swear word in the summer.

I'll still be looking to bring in more youth players.  I do play them and we have some positions that could with some younger hungry players with potential.  Namely a second RB and a LB.  A CB wouldn't be a bad thing either.  Bennett picked up a bad injury and has been out for most of the season so far.  Hopefully he'll come back and play the standard he was doin' but he's my 4th CB and I can't see him wanting to stay for that.  Hovstad is a young CB with some potential but he never really performs when I play him.  I may loan him out for the reason of the season to see is he can improve his game.  I kept him around so Moore could tutor him and for cup games. Up top we have the Irishman Lynch and Czech Kubala to put pressure on Woodrow.

Let's see what January brings.  I mean they did give me this.

And I don't think I've had a player score this many goals in any game, this was an U23s.  My Irish prospect.

[oneronaldo]

Kubala looks insane for an 18 year old. Skill, pace and most of the right mental attributes. And he can only get better too.

[SpillBlood]

January and Winter Window

Some great results here.  Tottenham we stole it, they were much better than us!  They looked so uninterested though.  No fire to beat us, it's like they thought they'd won the second they turned up.  Manchester City were utter pants, we deserved that game.  They're currently sat in 13th looking for a new manager.  Norwich were the better side in the cup sadly, we hit the woodwork twice but the lack of shots on target and no different tactics seem to be able to change my fortunes, my front 3/4 were just not good enough.  That being said we're in the Carabao Cup Final vs Chelsea!  We have a chance! 

It's Manchester United title to lose and they've just improved their squad!  They need to give Rashford more game time though!

We had to players arrive.  First was a player I bought last season he was just waitin' to turn 18.  Hopin' he can be a good player in our midfield.  I like the look of him, his teamwork, vision and work rate are top notch.

I purchased Adarbioyo for 1.4mil.  Felt like a steal.  Wasn't too happy with the wage I had to give him and nearly cancelled the deal but he's just playing too well.  Havin' a powerful, driven CB seems to fit at the back perfectly.

Mutch should be on his way out.  I've had bids of 1million from both Philadelphia and Sporting Kansas City. 

Let's see where we finish and if we win the cup!

[SpillBlood]

Cup Final

Strange one this.

So you have youth players on and Loftus-Cheek uptop to play as a target man???

You know you're team aren't playing well when this is the rating of your inside forward who's supposed to be scoring the goals.

Lookman had the best chance of the game where a bit luckily dropped to him in the box but it  was straight at the goalkeeper!

It came down to a penalty final, where we had to the chance to win it three times and it came down to 'keeper vs 'keeper.

Audero saved Courtois and scored himself

CUP WINNERS!

Going to be a different season next season.

David Ball only needed to score to get the top spot.  He finished joint 1st on goals but had more minutes.

[oneronaldo]

How the hell did Morata get a 4.8 rating? I've smashed teams 10-0 in the cups and lowest rating I've seen was a 5.2 on a guy who gave away 2 penalties to me.

[SpillBlood]

9 hours ago, oneronaldo said:

How the hell did Morata get a 4.8 rating? I've smashed teams 10-0 in the cups and lowest rating I've seen was a 5.2 on a guy who gave away 2 penalties to me.

I'm guessing down the mistakes.  Otherwise I can't figure it out.

[kidthekid]

loftus Cheek upfront, Morata on the flanks. FM being fm.

Great result though

[oneronaldo]

8 hours ago, kidthekid said:

loftus Cheek upfront, Morata on the flanks. FM being fm.

Great result though

Positionless football, fam

[SpillBlood]

End of Season

We did well!

Told you how good Woodrow is on FM

Need an expansion!

Need to look at the squad and formations.  Not convinced again with wide players.  My best players are my CM/DMs and my CFs.  I'd love to just have one formation to play, that everyone suits and we somehow push for Champs League.  I'm going to sell fringe players and see how much I can bring in since some of them are so over priced it's silly!  Will post a bigger update after the summer transfer window.  I need to figure out how to push on from here.

 

For a start I need an experienced solid goalkeeper, CB and LB.

[SpillBlood]

Okay that was weird, I pressed continue and get this

[SpillBlood]

Pre-Season and Summer Transfer Window

First, we've come through pre-season well with a different tactic i'm using.  I've sold some players, sadly some will rot in the deserves due to the lack of interest, even on loan and I've bought in players to fit tactics, rather than roles.

Both tactics I'm using are from the tactic and training guide.  One being 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 by Cleon as I have players for the AMC position this year and Oathbreaker by Mr U Rosler.  Sometimes I get frustrated my wide players, last year I used a 4 - 1 - 3 - 2 but I haven't been able to re-produce this. 

These are the shapes they use:

What I mean by tactics over roles is that I've brought in players such as Gribbin and Reine-Adelaide.  Gribbin is an AMC but has been playing as a DLF-A for me.  Reine-Adelaide is an inside forward who can play as a winger who's also got the stats to play DLF-A for me,  Players that aren't "green" for the roles/positon if that makes sense but when looking at the stats it suits them absolutely fine.

Transfers

I'd of liked to of done more transfers.  I lost out on a few prospects to bigger clubs.  I thought I had a quality LCB comin' in but PSG stole him from under my nose.  Let's be honest what do you choose? First team at Rotherham United or a hot prospect role at PSG on less money? I know what I'd choose but I'm a Rotherham fan .

Martin Thurner:

He was on my short list and more teams became interested.  He wasn't actually a player I was going to buy but he had a min. fee, alot of potential and can play first team already.  I love that he's a driven character and he'll fit in well.  Literally only bought because I didn't want other teams to have him.

Espen Lien:

Really liked the look of Lien.  He'll be playing as a AMC or DLF.  I think when he's accomplished uptop I'll re-train as a MC aswell.  He looks handy.

Stevie Clark:

He arrived in January and I thought nothing of him, I checked him out again and I think he looks bloody brilliant for an 18 year old.  Absolutely needs to be played to make sure he develops well.  His teamwork, vision and work rate are top notch.  Like my own Darren Fletcher.

Look at the money for one player!  Dybala is a steal though they sold Andre Silva to Real for £55mil when he cost United £66mil and had been playing very well.  Seems strange.

The Team

Goalkeepers:

Ryan is the starting GK without a doubt.  I needed an experienced GK and with Ryan I have that.  Audero is backup with Ward as a future HG GK I hope.  Ryan is tutoring him and I hope it'll help.  Woodman isn't needed but no one seemed that interested, even on loan.  I was so unimpressed by him.

Defense:

Stephens looks like a very solid CB and he'll start next to Moore.  Adarabioyo and Hause are good enough to be breathing down their necks if they're not playing well.  Bennett is a backup that I tried to sell without interest.  After his injury he didn't really play and his contract will be expiring at the end of the season.

My fullback positions are Camara with Robles on loan as a backup.  It was very hard to find a RB which is quite surprising.  I had to make do with what I could get.  Henry starts with Mings as his backup.

Midfield:

How many players? I know, it's pretty bloated.  I have alot of versatile players which is great.  Mendez-Laing and Taylor aren't needed.  Newell wanted to leave then rejected Blackburns offer which made no sense.  Muyumba is my best MC, it's a strong area for sure.  I just need to keep everyone happy.

Not bad for 2million a season a go!

Strikers:

Very very strong area.  With the likes of Gribbin, Lien and Adelaide that will also be playing there. I'll be trying to give Lunch some game time.  Kadlec is backup now.  Woodrow, Kubala and Thurner will be starting with Gribbin in there aswell.  Lookin' forward to watching these three flourish.

The bank

It's looking very very healthy, I think it may be helped that I'm not spending my budgets at all.  At the end of the day I'm playing as Rotherham United.  Though our rep has gone up, we can't attract that many good established players and I'll only spend so much on the wages.  I rejected talks with a few players, one of them bein' a very very good IF/DLF-A because of the wage they wanted.  They were on a free but wanted £80k P/W, wasn't happening.

The club

At the end of the day I'm still playing as Rotherham United.  We're over achieving but with the players we currently have I feel we can push on this season.  It's about getting familiar with these tactics and scoring the chances we create this season as that was a problem with the last.  I mean I'm very bloody happy what happened last season, 11th and a cup win but there was this niggle we could of done a little better in the league.  We let some silly goals in and lost some stupid matches, E.G West Ham game we dominated yet lost 3 - 2.

Let's see how we kick on from here and hopefully can build on these Europa wins with a good start to the season.

[SpillBlood]

We managed to quality!  We beat Celta Vigo on away goals with 10 men!  We were lucky as we got a penalty for bugger all and both teams were awful when we played at Oakwell.  Away goals for the win!

This though, is one horrible group and will be tough!

[deltablue]

Really rolling in cash now

[SpillBlood]

Quick Europa update.  Well, we won our group.

Took a few day break from the game and we've been scoring an insane amount of goals since I loaded up the save again.

[SpillBlood]

First half of the season 2021/2022

Some absolute crackin' results there.  Doin' amazing in Europa and we've got our next opponent.  We play Malmo FF, a tie that we could win.  They came 2nd in their group, winning 2, drawing 3 and losing 1.

The difference in tactic this year if we score goals and we foul a lot.

I can't see any changes happening in January.  I rotate the squad a lot.  We've used the most players in the premier league but it's helping us out.  I can't even tell who my best 11 is.  One match Kubala will be AWOL and the next will be amazing.  It goes the same with every striker, it's mad.  That being said Kubala is top of my goals and assists.  Kadlec and Reine-Adelaide hit form out of know where and it's like a selection headache.  Woodrow got injured and in came Thurner who scored some crackin' goals.  Reine-Adelaide probably scored the best of the lot in the 5 - 3 win over Leicester.  Cutting in from the right and hitting a crackin' shot on his left peg.  It's been good football to watch this season and if we continue our form and not have our post-January dip we'll do well.

It's a shame about the Cup loss, we just didn't turn up.  Our defense was woeful and we didn't attack well.  Atleast we're still in Europa and we're at home to Fulham in the FA Cup 3rd Round.

Let's see how this continues, but this 4 - 3 - 3 winger less tactic is fun.

[SpillBlood]

January

Goals goals goals!  We were 6 - 0 up in the first half against Fulham!  Was hopin' we'd hit 10!  The Everton game was horrible, they just battered us.  Chelsea game was frustrating, atleast one of their goals was clear offside!  Absolutely awful from the officials.  Beating City and Southampton are huge wins for us.  We're still in the FA Cup but it's either Manchester City or Manchester United next, let's hope for City.

There was some movement out but no one in.  I tried bringing in a young Japanese goalkeeper but he chose Brighton over me and I tried to bring in Fosu-Mensah as first team but he chose rotation at Valencia. 

Taylor wasn't needed and Newell wanted out as he felt he wanted a new challenge.  I was happy to sell both.

The league is tight, people have game in hands and can over take us.  Let's see where we can finish!

We also got a goal of the month award!

[ajcardall]

Cracking stuff mate.

8-0 against Fulham, brilliant result!

I imagine you'll beat Malmo. Europa League win for the Millers this season?

[SpillBlood]

4 hours ago, ajcardall said:

Cracking stuff mate.

8-0 against Fulham, brilliant result!

I imagine you'll beat Malmo. Europa League win for the Millers this season?

Think you've brought me some luck!  This is just the first half in the first leg.

Look how many we could of had!

Yeah look how it ended!  And we missed a penalty!!!

[SpillBlood]

I have never won by this sort of margin over an aggregate!

[andychar]

Going great guns in the Europa League. Champions League here you come!

[ajcardall]

Domination  

[SpillBlood]

This is a tough draw.  They're top of Serie A.

[SpillBlood]

Been away for a few days.

Europa dream is still on.  Thought I was down and out when we went 3 - 1 down, 3 subs made and it was like watching a different team!

Will the away goals be enough to take us through?

[SpillBlood]

Huge mistake from Stephens could of cost we, we hit the woodwork a couple of times but it was a boring match, especially compared to first.  Played 20 minutes without Thurner as he got injured and he's out for 2 - 3 months and he's my best in form striker atm :(.

ANYWAY WE GOT PAST A.C MILAN

We've played each other 6 times.  We've won 3 each, will be tough and it's a shame we're playing each other as we could of had an all English semi-final.

[DavidBeckham]

Ah Everton! Tough to back you as I'm managing the Toffees myself but still, good luck mate!