Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 No SPL Managers lost their jobs over the summer, so the wait goes on for my next job. I will apply whenever something suitable comes up as this part of the challenge is already completed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 We got off to a good start in the League Cup and with one game to go, we're top of the group Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Not too shabby a start to the season which saw us top our League Cup group before we pushed Rangers all the way and nicely placed in the Premier League too though it could have been better as we conceded an 89th minute equaliser to Rangers and an 86th minute own goal equaliser to Inverness, having taken the lead on 81 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Very well done Jamie. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Just now, Nobby_McDonald said: Very well done Jamie. Thanks Nobby Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 There have been quite a few squad changes too, with all of these players either released at the end of their contracts, or retiring and the following arrivals, only two of which are players who were not here last season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 I was delighted to get Ben White, whilst Joe Rodon will be a backup player Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 An unbeaten September, with 7 points out of 9 and we remain in the top 4, but out of the European places Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 October. 3 games, 2 wins, including an impressive 2-1 triumph over Celtic and that left us in third place, just a point adrift of the Glasgow giants, 4 clear of Rangers, with Aberdeen second. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 On 8th November, this job has become available. Rude not to at least apply, so I have Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 and the bookies seem to think the job might be mine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 On 22nd November, I've been offered an interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 On 26th November, I received my answer from Rangers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Here are my final set of results from St Mirren, and I've included the next match as well, as just look what the fixture computer has thrown up for my first game as Rangers manager and here is confirmation that I left St Mirren second in the table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Here's a quick look at the squad I'll have to work with Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 and a quick reminder of the trophies I will need to win as Rangers manager before moving on to England So, three SPL titles, four Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup, a Europa League and a UEFA Super Cup. No pressure then! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 We got the win against my old club, which was obviously pleasing but a glance at the league table shows how far behind we are, and the goals for column goes a long way to explaining why. Defensively we're solid, but we need to score a lot more goals to achieve my aims this season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 December wasn't fantastic, and that defeat really rankles but we are up into the top 4, just three points behind St Mirren in second Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 On 3/3/2018 at 18:18, Northernpilgrim said: and a quick reminder of the trophies I will need to win as Rangers manager before moving on to England So, three SPL titles, four Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup, a Europa League and a UEFA Super Cup. No pressure then! The toughest task is surely the UEFA Super Cup win! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 3 hours ago, DavidBeckham said: The toughest task is surely the UEFA Super Cup win! Probably true, though the Europa League won't be easy, and I've inherited a team in a mess, so there will be massive changes over the next couple of seasons. There is also no money, so I'll be looking to sell whoever I can, and bring in free transfers. I could have waited for the Celtic job to come up, which would have been easier, but this felt like the right club, and of course there is a link to Ferguson himself, as he was a Rangers player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 Following the winter break, we returned to an Old Firm derby, which we lost, but won the other two games in January but the defeat has seen us drop to 5th, though 2nd remains an achievable target if we can get some consistency Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 In terms of transfers, there were two players signed, but one was by my DoF for the youth team. I signed a goalkeeper, as Foderingham has picked up an injury. Couldn't afford a permanent signing, so I've got a young goalkeeper in on loan from Derby County Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 A near perfect February, which would have been totally perfect if we hadn't blown a 3-1 lead in the St Johnstone game after Tomori saw red and we're up to second Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 We went through March unbeaten too, but more sloppy dropped points which keeps us in second Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 I never noticed the Cup Winners Cup before. You're screwed. With that and the Drybrough Cup you will never emulate Sir Alex. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share Posted March 5, 2018 13 minutes ago, Nobby_McDonald said: I never noticed the Cup Winners Cup before. You're screwed. With that and the Drybrough Cup you will never emulate Sir Alex. Cup Winners go into Europa League, which effectively replaces UEFA Cup and Cup Winners Cup in a single competition. The Europa League will cover both in this save. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Just two league games in April, plus defeat in the cup final in a bad tempered game that finished 10 v 9 leaving us second on goal difference, but having played a game less than our rivals Hibs Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 A near perfect May and we end the season qualified for the Europa League, in second place on 77 points Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 So, 17 wins, 5 draws, 2 defeats from my 24 league games in charge. Over a season that average would produce 89 points, which would have been enough to pinch the title from Celtic this season. Cause for optimism, certainly, but there still need to be a few changes to the squad, although we only have a small budget Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 Preseason went very well as we won every game, scored loads of goals, and were defensively solid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 We did make a few signings, and there was one big name departure, which again the board didn't ask me about Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 6, 2018 Author Share Posted March 6, 2018 I'm hoping to add one more player, a left back, before the transfer window shuts, so will post details (if I manage to get someone) with the August update. Here is the squad as it stands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Andy Carroll should do well for you if he can stay injury free. Cathcart is a good signing too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timetxu Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I'm still amazed by the entire European competitions restructuring: finishing 2nd in the league and having to start off in the 1st Qualifying Round. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 2 hours ago, DavidBeckham said: Andy Carroll should do well for you if he can stay injury free. Cathcart is a good signing too! I agree on both counts, but it's a shame they're both 31. They might help me topple Celtic this season, but they aren't going to be around for too long. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 24 minutes ago, Timetxu said: I'm still amazed by the entire European competitions restructuring: finishing 2nd in the league and having to start off in the 1st Qualifying Round. All because of the Scottish UEFA coefficient being terrible as a result of Scottish clubs' dismal record in Europe, and the poor rating of the SPL meaning that it's entrants are not as highly regarded as those in the so-called bigger leagues. Having a twelve team top division probably doesn't help, I think they'd be better served with two divisions of 20 and three up, three down myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribster Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 55 minutes ago, Northernpilgrim said: All because of the Scottish UEFA coefficient being terrible as a result of Scottish clubs' dismal record in Europe, and the poor rating of the SPL meaning that it's entrants are not as highly regarded as those in the so-called bigger leagues. Having a twelve team top division probably doesn't help, I think they'd be better served with two divisions of 20 and three up, three down myself. In my Aberdeen save I reached the second knock out round in EL in my second or third season helping move Scotland up the list, I failed to make Europe the next season but thanks to that success it has opened up a second cl qualifying spot and a group stage entry for EL for third place The Scottish coef's are so bad that one good year really boosts them, in the next three seasons I'm losing coef's of 8/9 so a few decent runs by Celtic myself and Rangers should pump this up even more. I image it should end up similarly for yourself all being well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 Progress through to the Europa League group stage, but a disappointing start in the league as the SPL table looks like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 The Europa League group draw has been made Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 September was nearly perfect, but we were beaten in our opening Europa League game and we're up to second in the SPL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 8, 2018 Author Share Posted March 8, 2018 Defeat to Celtic, but otherwise a perfect October as we end the month second, 6 points behind, with a game in hand and with a chance to progress in the Europa League too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Something is clearly wrong. West Brom are in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 8 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said: Something is clearly wrong. West Brom are in Europe. When I'm on later rather than on my phone, I'll have a look to see how they qualified. I'm guessing a cup win but will confirm later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 11 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said: Something is clearly wrong. West Brom are in Europe. It was because they won the FA Cup Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shenif Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 I see you are using the infamous 3 strikers and wing back formation... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 4 minutes ago, Shenif said: I see you are using the infamous 3 strikers and wing back formation... Not so. I'm using a flat back 4, 3 CMs and 3 strikers, but my strikers are not all the same, I'm using a TM in the middle, flanked by an AF and a poacher. Not an exploit tactic, and one I've done myself rather than a download. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 November was a great month in the league, but we were beaten in the League Cup Final and West Brom completed a double over us in the Europa League leaving us second in the league, with a game in hand and qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 9, 2018 Author Share Posted March 9, 2018 December was a massive month, with 9 games. 6 wins, a draw, 2 defeats, both of which were awful and it looks like Celtic are running away with it again but our Europa League quest continues Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 A perfect January but Celtic remain well clear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Not a great February and if it wasn't Celtic's title already, it surely is now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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