[FM 18] The Ballad of Stalin ‘El Bobo’ Pinzón – Part 1: One Zulte to Rule Them All… and in the Darkness Bind Them

[ManUtd1]

 

[ManUtd1]

This could prove interesting...or to be absolutely nothing.  The first rumored takeover fell through pretty quickly...but we'll see.

 

[oriole01]

If the fight club requires you to wear a costume, I know two guys who would love to give it a go...

This is how I spend my Saturday nights

 

[Minuy600]

Enough already, Rony. FFS 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

6 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

This could prove interesting...or to be absolutely nothing.  The first rumored takeover fell through pretty quickly...but we'll see.

 

Tycoon! Tycoon! Tycoon!

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, oriole01 said:

If the fight club requires you to wear a costume, I know two guys who would love to give it a go...

This is how I spend my Saturday nights

 

They're more than welcome 

8 hours ago, Minuy600 said:

Enough already, Rony. FFS 

4 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Tycoon! Tycoon! Tycoon!

As much as I would dislike that, think of the narrative possibilities...

[ManUtd1]

Poor Felix.  More than 5 months after joining the squad, he still has no close friends.

[wynter]

21 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Poor Felix.  More than 5 months after joining the squad, he still has no close friends.

He's just waiting for his Messi/Ronaldo One shot to really click with the lads. 

[ManUtd1]

15 minutes ago, wynter said:

He's just waiting for his Messi/Ronaldo One shot to really click with the lads. 

Clearly, that will be his magnum opus.

Sadly, no drama with the takeover bid.  

 

[BoxToBox]

1 hour ago, ManUtd1 said:

Clearly, that will be his magnum opus.

Sadly, no drama with the takeover bid.  

 

[john1]

2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Clearly, that will be his magnum opus.

Sadly, no drama with the takeover bid.  

 

Sad to see that  Does that mean you will have to sell players to keep afloat?

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, BoxToBox said:

Exactly. No fun in that.

14 minutes ago, john1 said:

Sad to see that  Does that mean you will have to sell players to keep afloat?

Nope, it really just maintains the status quo.  The last chairman had dumped money in to keep us afloat, as well. I'd also cut the wage bill by moving on older players who weren't in the 1st XI, and will continue building up youth (which usually means lower wages anyways).

In terms of finances in the long-term, getting into Europe will be really important. I'm hoping for EL next year, so that I can get my 2nd XI (which is comprised of young, talented players) more minutes. It may be a year too early for that, though.

[ManUtd1]

You should try not to talk so much, friend. You'll sound far less stupid that way.

December 2019 Mini-Update

I keep waiting for the wheels to well and truly come off.  But we keep putting results together, including a massive 4-0 win over Anderlecht by our 2nd XI in the Croky Cup quarterfinals.

It isn't beyond reason to think that we've got a chance at qualifying for Europe next year...even if I dare not say that out loud.  Can't jinx it.  Certainly, the easier route to the Europa League would be through the European Playoffs Group, but as things stand we're looking at a top 6 finish...  Then again, qualification through the Croky Cup is equally plausible.

We just need to keep our heads on straight and take care of business, one match at a time.

 

[noikeee]

Well this is not a bad start at all.

What I'm particularly intrigued about is how wacky that league table looks like. Eupen, Kortrijk, Standard at the bottom.... what? And this is 2019, not 2080 anymore.

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, noikeee said:

Well this is not a bad start at all.

What I'm particularly intrigued about is how wacky that league table looks like. Eupen, Kortrijk, Standard at the bottom.... what? And this is 2019, not 2080 anymore.

Thanks, man -- it is bonkers.  Eupen has outclassed me twice, while we took Standard and Club Brugge down, even giving Anderlecht a run for their money in the 4-5 loss (decided only by a late penalty).  Going from Belgium in 2090 when they're the #2 league in the world, with massive sides all over, to this...kind of a shock.  A welcome one, but a shock nevertheless.

The way things are set, it isn't at all unreasonable to hope for the EL (through the Croky Cup or league).

[ManUtd1]

December 2019 Squad Review

Ok.  I was 90% of the way through this and lost it when Chrome crashed.  I don't have the heart to go through it all again, so this will be abbreviated.

I'm running with a 23-man squad, which consists of 2 XIs plus one extra shadow striker.  The 1st XI consists of established, experienced players that were here when I arrived.  The 2nd XI (+1) are youth prospects from within the club and new signings, some of which were landed by my DoF, Luca Toni, when I arrived (or were already in negotiations).

Again, we're playing @Guimy's 3 Carat Diamond tactic, with 3 variations: (1) the base tactic, with fullbacks and "stay on your feet" ticked; (2) a counter version; and (3) an overload/very fluid version.

 

Goalkeepers

 

Bostyn is the nominal starter, but I signed Vinther from Brondby for the long-term.  Vinter could be immense and is already pushing for the starting role.

Defenders

       

Here, we have some strength/experience in Hamalainen, Verboom, Severin and Derijck, with tons of potential in Ahne (who filled in for Hamalainen for 3 months when the Dane was out with a hip injury), Kalala, Prevost and Vermeire.

Central Midfielders

     

Again, lots of strength/experience here, backed by youth/potential.  The first XI are Marcq (volante), Oldrup Jensen (mezzala) and Heyden (ball-winning midfielder.  The 2nd XI are Bordes (volante), Renard (mezzala) and Sylla (ball-winning midfielder).

Attacking Midfielders

      

Here, we are struggling a bit more...we do not have a solid core of experienced players, so the youngsters will need to step up sooner rather than later.  In the 1st 1st, De Pauw and Bala are the wingers, with Kanda as the shadow striker.

In the 2nd XI, Maertens and our budding author, Altenbuchinger, are the wingers, with Gulerce and Afkir battling for the shadow striker slot.

Final Thoughts

Again, apologies for the truncated version.

The side was in better shape than I expected upon arrival, with enough established talent to front a run for Europe this year.  If we can keep it up, next year will be a huge step forward as the younger lads get more minutes and (in theory) develop.  This is a great foundation to build from.

[Akkarin]

So excited for this... was it Stalin that had the prank war with Gunnar? Or am I remembering that wrong ?

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, Akkarin said:

So excited for this... was it Stalin that had the prank war with Gunnar? Or am I remembering that wrong ?

You're exactly right!  He was a great side character that I always wanted Gunnar to sign at a club, but it never happened.  Part of the World Cup winning Colombia side.

[Akkarin]

Some Sanderson-esque crossovers... I’ve finally started Oathbringer after an intense re-read of WoR via audiobook (brilliant way to re-read whilst still being able to play FM, tjough sensory overload at times). Can’t wait for quotes from that at some point!

[ManUtd1]

3 minutes ago, Akkarin said:

Some Sanderson-esque crossovers... I’ve finally started Oathbringer after an intense re-read of WoR via audiobook (brilliant way to re-read whilst still being able to play FM, tjough sensory overload at times). Can’t wait for quotes from that at some point!

There are so many good ones from Oathbringer, no question.  We may eventually see a face or two...one that we saw in the last thread, another that I considered but never brought in.

[Akkarin]

1 minute ago, ManUtd1 said:

There are so many good ones from Oathbringer, no question.  We may eventually see a face or two...one that we saw in the last thread, another that I considered but never brought in.

Love it 

[ManUtd1]

Seriously, Luca?  You sign the likes of Prevost, Altenbuchinger and Afkir...and then bring me this...?

 

Bad Luca.  No biscotti for you, one year.

[ManUtd1]

In the end, it wasn't the Cristiano-Messi fanfic that saw Altenbuchinger welcomed into the fold.  Rather, it was his 6-part Harry Potter oeuvre. 

Don't ask.  You're better off not knowing.

 

[ManUtd1]

You should try not to talk so much, friend. You'll sound far less stupid that way.

February 2020 Mini-Update

We're on a roll.

Betfred already paid out on their pre-season 60-1 odds.  Let's hope that doesn't jinx us...  And that no one posts the Ron Paul gif on r/soccer.

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

You should try not to talk so much, friend. You'll sound far less stupid that way.

March 2020 Mini-Update

Squeaky bum time...ironically, that was the name of Altenbuchinger's last...nevermind.

10 matches to play, with a spot in the Champions League up for grabs.  We can claim a Europa League place with a win over Club Brugge in the Croky Cup final in 6 days' time.

Suffice to say, we've exceeded any and all expectations.  Nevertheless, it would be a massive shame to fall off the pace now.  The job is not finished.  We must concentrate.

 

[BoxToBox]

4 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

 

My old Libero at Brondby.

[ManUtd1]

9 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

My old Libero at Brondby.

He's great for the role, no question!  I considered a libero tactic but decided against it. 

For now...

[BoxToBox]

He's handy for most midfield roles, really, I like players like that, who can do most any job you ask of them.

[ManUtd1]

Are you kidding me, lads?  Are you the Tottenham of Belgium?!

That's it.  The squad is sequestered.  No wives.  No girlfriends.  No social media.  And no g*****n fan fiction.  Get your **** together if you ever want to read that filth about Fleur and Hermione again.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

7 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

He's handy for most midfield roles, really, I like players like that, who can do most any job you ask of them.

Indeed.  He's been a treat as the mezzala in my 1st XI!

[ManUtd1]

Confiscating the fan fiction seems to have done the trick. 

As promised lads, you can have it back ... on one condition.  Win the ****ing title.

  

[ManUtd1]

Anderlect draw, leaving us with a golden opportunity to steal a march against 4th place (on goal difference) Kortrijk...  

A massive 2-1 away win.  The lads are finding their form.  4 matches to play, 3 points clear.  We host Eupen next, a side we have yet to beat this year.

  

[ManUtd1]

3 matches to play, lads!!! Keep this up and I'll even write a chapter for Felix's next book!!!

[20 minutes later.]

"Eddy, please tell me I didn't promise to..."

"Yeah, Boss, you did."

"****.  Temporary ****ing insanity, must've been."

"Yeah, Boss...  Whatever you say..."

"**** off, Eddy."

 

[ManUtd1]

[Uncontrollable weeping noises.]

 

[ManUtd1]

[Weeping continues.]

 

[ManUtd1]

90 minutes to play.  1 match.  Away to Anderlecht.  Their **** of an owner won't shut up about how we've bottled the league.  

Shove it up his ***, lads.  Right up there.  

 

[ManUtd1]

  

 

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

45 minutes lads.  You keep playing like that and the title is yours.

[Eddy whispering: "Don't forget your promise to--"  "**** off, Eddy.]

 

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Talk about an amazing end to the season, winning the title in Anderlecht of all places.  Full recap will come tomorrow.

    

[kidthekid]

unbelievable!!!

[Rikulec]

[BoxToBox]

Instant Zulte legend, what a way to win the title!

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Brilliant work. Makes the victory all the more sweet that you were able to win at Anderlecht.

[Sir_Liam]

What a way to win the title!

It reminds me of a few I've won over the years on FM where I think I've thrown it away, only to pull out an unlikely result on the last day.

[Minuy600]

Three words: Great job.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, kidthekid said:

unbelievable!!!

Utterly surreal!

7 hours ago, Rikulec said:

6 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Instant Zulte legend, what a way to win the title!

#ThereIsNoDana

4 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Brilliant work. Makes the victory all the more sweet that you were able to win at Anderlecht.

I've developed a genuinely visceral dislike for them, for no reason other than FM!

1 hour ago, Sir_Liam said:

What a way to win the title!

It reminds me of a few I've won over the years on FM where I think I've thrown it away, only to pull out an unlikely result on the last day.

It is a great feeling! I'm glad u decided to start tracking/posting the run-in in here!

10 minutes ago, Minuy600 said:

Three words: Great job.

Thanks, guys!

[noikeee]

Amazing. The absolute scenes.

I am, of course, referring to the rumours that someone dressed up as Rony de Pony was caught by CCTV humping someone dressed as Hello Kitty in the Brussels train station at 5AM, next to a couple of bottles of the finest most expensive Belgian beer.