[FM19] French Lingerie - Acre State, Brazil

[Jimbokav1971]

Terra AWOL. Apr 2046.

The goal-scoring GK might have scored 10 goals in the opening 22 games of the season, but he is far from happy that I have rejected bids for him and even activated a +1 year on his contract.

[Jimbokav1971]

May 2046. (Part1)

May isn't over, but the Cup competitions are, (I think). We have our 1st and 2nd league games this month but I will include them in another update. 

We were triumphant in the Copa Verde, but an awful 1st leg and some mysterious ref decisions in the 2nd leg of the Acre State Final meant that we had to be content with just 1 trophy.

We've won it 11 times before so it's not a huge deal, other than that it's my 1st trophy in Brazil. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Pre-season Update. May 2046.

I think as the save progresses, this part of the season will simply become an elongated pre-season and we won't really care if we win or how many we win by, (more likely). At the moment though it's new and fresh and I'm playing games myself so it's all rather strange. 

Friendlies. 

Acre State Championship. 

Copa Verde.

Brazilian Cup. 

This will be the 1 and only time I make a big deal about this part of the season. From now on it's just classed as pre-season. (Although they still count towards a double and a treble right?) 

[Jimbokav1971]

The League campaign. May 2046.

While it feels like we have completed a full season already, the reality is that this has just been the warm-up and the real business begins now. 

We have 18 games in the 1st stage group, and then....... I think it's 2 Quarter Finals, 2 Semi-Finals and 2 Finals. All the knockout games in Brazil seem to be 2-legged affairs. 

To give you a gauge of how well we are likely to do, Rio Branco (AC), (who beat is in the Acre State Final), finished 2nd in Group A last season and won promotion to the Second Division by..... well I'm not sure exactly. They lost the Semi-Final so maybe you just have to get to the Semi to get promoted? 

Yeah that's it. So if you win the Quarter-Final then you get promoted no matter if you lose the Semi. 

Rio Branco (AC) got promoted last season and we have just beaten them 4 games out of 5 in the Cup competitions. That's got to be a good omen right? 

 

[Jimbokav1971]

IR Button back on. May 2046.

I should also add that although I didn't use the IR button even once in the above games, I will be using it again for the League games. That might seem strange to some of you that I am prioritising the Micky Mouse Cup games ahead of the league games, but I really just wanted to play the 1st games to get a feel for the team and then we didn't have an Ass Man either so it was a bit more of a risk. In the end I decided that I would keep going as was until we lost, and that took us almost all the way. So anyway, I will be using the IR button again now, (and will keep using it as long as results aren't horrific). 

In other new, El Presidente has managed to sign a staff member, but of all things he's signed it's a Sports Scientist. 

We have a DoF of course, (I wonder can I tempt him to be My Ass Man?) and I also wonder who is in charge of the Youth Intake? El Presidente or the DoF? 

That's a shame. The DoF is rubbish. I was hoping it might be El Presidente. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad registration. May 2046.

I must have missed the squad registration email because we are now on Game day and nobody is registered. 

It might be because I have taken a leaf out of the @Makoto Nakamurabook and activated continue game timeout for the 1st time in a few issues of the game. 

What I would say though is that while I was manager of Bayonne I didn't respond to a single Media outlet ever. I never answered a single question or went to a single press conference. SInce I have arrived in Brazil I don't think I have missed one and if I have I have done so by accident. I will be ignoring the media again as soon as we have an Ass Man who can go and do it for me. 

We've made a few signings and some loan deals, but it's all down to El Presidente and the DoF. I haven't personally signed anyone yet and have vetoed quite a few for ageing players. 

Financially, we're doing well. We're only spending approx 53% of our wage budget, (that's impressive right?) and we have money in the bank. I don't know if that is likely to continue during the league campaign proper, but I would expect the income from Third Division matches to be greater than that of Acre State matches. 

We're predicted to finish 6th of 20..... but of course the league is actually 2 groups of 10 so.... Paysandu are in our group, (but we have already beat them in the Cup), CRB are in our group, and then there is us. So that's what the bookies think. I will be happy with anything other than relegation. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Meet the squad. May 2046.

I'm not going to show you everyone, but I will show you a few key players so you can get a gist of how good/poor we are. 

Terra.

Scoring 10 goals in a whole season is a big deal for a GK. I don't know many people who have done it in FM19, (3 I think). I have never seen anyone score double-figures with a GK while there was still 18 games remaining, (at least). 

Is he any good? I've no idea if I'm honest. He can score, but I don't know how good a GK he actually is. 

Edimar Silva Araújo.

I like this guy. It's a shame he's not younger, but he is an important player for us right now. He's not as good as the loaned in centre-half, but he's our player which means more to me. 

Traça.

I really like this guy. He's very impressive to watch. I usually don't like "wrong-sided" players, but you might remember that (39a) Jesús (F.Pro) (2039) * was wrong-footed at Bayonne and I had evolved the tactic to suit him. I just used this straight off the bat for Traça and it seemed to work a treat. The left winger that was brought in on loan is also a "righty" and the 3rd player who can play there is also a "righty" so we are fully embracing the "wrong-footedness" in this position. 

I think what I like about him so much is that in the 1st 2 games I watched us play, I noticed that he was coming and shooting with the outside of the right foot, (at least that's what it looked like), and was aesthetically pleasing on the eye. 

Valmir.

I'm not sure how good this bloke is going to be, but he's better than the other youngsters and was better than all our starting strikers when I arrived, (although a loanee has a better scoring record). You know I love young players in FM though and this guy is one of my favourites even if he has possibly under-delivered a little so far this season. It's early days yet though. 

So that gives you an idea of what sort of level we are at. 

I'm really keen to see how well we fare in the Third Division games and also really keen to see what sort of garbage we produce from the Youth Intake. (It's going to be nasty and not nasty in a good way). 

Does anyone know roughly when Youth Day is in Brazil? 

[Jimbokav1971]

Huston, we have a problem. May 2046. 

The competition that the U20's play in is the U20 State Championship and it continues throughout the year. Until now the Senior games have been coming thick and fast so I have had all the players in the Senior squad. Now I have a better feel for who is whom in the squad and who it what level, I have decided that 4 players on Youth contracts can be dropped to the U20 squad and they will get games there. 

Until now I have just had to go on holiday every time there was a game, and thankfully there have been only 2 occasions where these games have coincided with Senior games, (so I had to holiday both games). Now though, an U20 game is on the same day as the 2nd League game and I really don't want to holiday this. 

When I try to select a squad, (I don't care what squad. ANY squad), it won't let me and tells me that "Nobody is currently in charge of this team". Well I'm meant to be in charge of the team, but ok, can't I delegate this to the DoF? That would seem to make sense wouldn't it? 

Well it says I'm the manager so I should be able to select the U20 match squad, but when I click on it, I'm the only option available. 

I've had a look at everything I can think of on 3 separate occasions now, (every time this has come up), and I can't fix it. I'm stumped. Has anyone got any suggestions? 

U20 games on the same day are quite a regular occurrence, (about 30% at a brief glance), so this is quite a significant issue. 

If I compare it to the Reserve side, (which doesn't seem to be a problem), then what is different? 

Well for a start, the DoF is in charge of the Reserves, which is a waste of time because they don't have any competitive fixtures. So maybe if I take over the Reserves, then I can delegate the running of the U20's to the DoF? 

Ok. So I can take over the Reserves, so let's do that. 

So now I'm in charge of the Reserves, but the DoF takes control of all friendly matches, (which is all matches).

Now I wonder can I give him control of the U20 squad? 

No. 

I'm sure I have tried this before, but maybe if I make myself control friendlies that will work?

Nope. 

Oh hang on. I think I know what it is..... 

I need a tactic loaded for the U20's. I'm telling them to use the First Team Squad tactics but they still need at least 1 set. 

Success.

Grey success, but success nevertheless. 

I still can't delegate responsibility, but I can at least pick a squad and don't have to holiday. 

[Jimbokav1971]

May 2046. (part 2).

While the league is pretty much an unknown quantity, we do know that CRB are expected to be up near the top, so beating them 5-1 away on the opening day is a big result. 

Although we've been at this level before, the league wasn't active so there are no records carried over. Each of these games therefore sets a biggest league win record. 

Some of you might have thought that having a goal-scoring GK play so many easy Cup games is a bit of a cheat, (it had crossed my mind), but I am delighted to report that it is business as usual in the Third Division. 

GK Terra has now scored 12 goals in 31 games and there are lots of games still to play. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Retirement. Jun 2046.

Usually I don't want players in my starting XI to retire, but at the moment I would be delighted for one of them to hang up his boots and become my Ass Man.

Unfortunately he doesn't have a staff profile so I think it's a no-go. I've asked him to reconsider in the hope that he will become a staff member. I have checked and there are no options to discuss this with him.

I haven't made special allowance for his advancing years within my tactic because he has been hanging on ok, but I feel he is about to drop off and I might have to change the role I ask him to play to something more conservative.

[Jimbokav1971]

Jun 2046.

We are just on fire at the moment. We are not smashing teams, but we are just not losing even when the opposition play well and we have a man sent off. 

We had a player sent off in the draw away to Remo, but the draw to Confianca was a fair result. They have some very good players, especially the scorer Tita. 

[Jimbokav1971]

El Presidente is dead. Long live El Presidente. Jul 2046.

The old El Presidente didn't like us developing our own Youth players, (Youth Intake must be right round the corner by the way and I still haven't got an Ass Man and I don't know what to do), but they were at least keen on us signing young players. 

I suppose we should have a look at the new bloke and see what he likes and see what we can do. 

Well it would seem that they are not even willing to discuss adding new philosophies. I wonder if I can get any Facility improvements out of him......

Well that didn't go well. 

I was used to having some clout with Bayonne. 

The conversation went something like this. 

Me: Can we...

El Presidente: No.

Me: But...

El Presidente: No. 

Me: But...

El Presidente: No.

Me: What about...

El Presidente: No. 

Me: But...

El Presidente: No.

Me: But...

El Presidente: No. 

It's been a while since I had such a firm knock-back as that. 

With regards to the imminent, (I think), Youth Intake..... does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might to to create some sort of idea about players without an Ass Man opinion? 

Damn. Thought I had one. 

These are problem areas at the moment. 

We haven't got a single Ass Man/Coach and I'm unable to delegate some duties to teh DoF. 

I've just realised that El Presidente has been doing all the signings though, (so well done him), but that's stopped now and the DoF can have a go. 

The DoF is in charge of the Youth Intake, (it's not going to be pretty). 

I have 1 little idea that I might use if we still haven't got an Ass Man by then, but I'm going to be properly in the dark. 

This is an area of concern too. 

This is soooooo hard without an Ass Man, (but don't tell anyone, I'm secretly loving it!) 

Edited June 23, 2019 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

15 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

I've just realised that El Presidente has been doing all the signings though, (so well done him), but that's stopped now and the DoF can have a go. 

This is reaping instant rewards. 

[Jimbokav1971]

The run goes on. Jul 2046.

We were 2 goals down away to Botafogo (PB) in the last game, but we fought back valiantly to not only keep our unbeaten record, but actually take all 3 points. 

Confianca are 4 points behind and we have to play them at our place. Everyone else is another 5 points behind them. The draw at home to Paysandu was vital as although we didn't win, we stopped them closing the gap on us. Confianca must be absolutely gutted that they are unbeaten in the league yet still trail by 4 points after 11 games. I hope to sort that out of them next month by taking all 3 points off them,  

[Jimbokav1971]

Leading candidate. Aug 2046,

Just saw this media headline and my eyes almost popped out. 

He's an Ass Man and he wants to work for us.....

I don't know why I'm showing you what he looks like. 

HE'S AN ASS MAN AND HE WANTS TO WORK FOR US 

[Jimbokav1971]

 Aug 2046.

[Jimbokav1971]

Aug 2046.

We just keep grinding out the wins. The last game might have only finished 1-0, but it was an absolute thumping of a 1-0 if ever I saw one. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Unbeatable. Sep 2046.

[Jimbokav1971]

Not happy. Not happy at all.  Sep 2048.

Idiot El Presidente #2 has accepted a bid of £39.5k and £21k but rejected another bid of £39.5k. 

We have £124,000 in the bank and we are odds-on to be promoted. Why are we selling our best player for a pittance? If this was £1M or even £500,000 or I could even understand it if it was £100,000 but £39,500? Come on. This is a joke. 

He's got a year left on his contract and I have an option for another year on top of that. We don't need to sell.

[Jimbokav1971]

We had a +1 year option you flippin plank!

He's been nabbed by a First Division club and gone straight into their Reserves. Why didn't we get him back on loan, or get additional clauses or absolutely anything? 

[Edit]

I'm sat here in a state of shock and bewilderment. We are about to get a Youth Intake and I have no idea how to work out how good they are and now this! 

Edited June 23, 2019 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Youth Intake Day. Sep 2046.

(46a) Yago (2046).

(46b) Balão.

[Jimbokav1971]

Sept 2046. 

I was concerned that we might struggle up top after the absence of Valmir, but we have been doing ok on that front. 

With just 1 game to go we ware 11 points ahead in the league and that should mean that we end up playing America (RN) in teh Quarter-Finals and that suits me fine.

Goal-scoring GK Terra scores his 14th goal of the season 

[Jimbokav1971]

Oct 2046. 

A 1-0 win against Paysandu ensured that we finished the regular season unbeaten and earned the achievement, but I want to go the whole way unbeaten too. 

Figueirense finished 3rd in the other group and shorn of our 2 best strikers we struggled past them in the end. 

We're up. But I want the title. 

[Jimbokav1971]

A response! Nov 2046.

[Jimbokav1971]

Introductions. Nov 2046.

Ass Man. 

HoYD.

Chief Scout.

[kidthekid]

at least you finally got "staff". They might be horrible but they are still "staff."

Great season though

[Jimbokav1971]

Nov 2045.

Wow. What a season. We played 53 games all told, losing just 1 and drawing 6 more. We won 46 games of competitive Senior football this season alone. I have gone undefeated in the league, but recently only in small leagues such as Gibraltar and Iceland, (and back with San Marino in FM14 I think). I have never done it within a structure with so many games. 

There were 2 more goals for our goal-scoring GK Terra, bringing him to z whopping 16 goals in 1 season. That really is remarkable for a GK. 

\

Favoured personnel. 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

6 hours ago, kidthekid said:

at least you finally got "staff". They might be horrible but they are still "staff."

Great season though

Absolutely. I don't care even a little bit how rubbish they are. 

I have managed every match since I arrived and done every media interview. I have had enough. 

[Jimbokav1971]

New Record. Nov 2046.

This will take some beating, and I think the most likely chance of it being beaten is if we come straight back down again next season and have to do it all over again. 

[Lewis89]

salute.

That's a brilliant season. That amount of games is gonna suit you once you get back to your usual amount of players.

[Jimbokav1971]

Just now, Lewis89 said:

salute.

That's a brilliant season. That amount of games is gonna suit you once you get back to your usual amount of players.

Yeah, I think it is. 

The only issue, (and it's only a short-term issue), is that our Facilities and Infrastructure are so poor that the Youth Intakes are really bad. I mean REALLY bad. Where as I usually select teams to manage based specifically on their ability to generate youth products, the aim here was always about a big number of games and the potential for big records in the State Championship. Well our 1st season record would suggest that the plan worked really well, but the cost of that is that our intake was appalling. I knew it was bad even without the Ass Man reports, but I hoped there was a bit of PA in there. I will post the squad view shortly, but lets just say that none of our Youth products are going to be playing for the Senior side anytime soon. 

That's fine though because it just means I am going to have to scout and bring in my own players until such time as we can get the facilities improved. 

This season has been hard work because I refused to use the IR button until we lost, and because I usually delegate a lot of duties to my staff. This season I have had to do everything and while the results were good, it felt like hard work. No longer having to do every press conference and being able to get the opinion of my Ass Man with regards to squad selection and depth is going to make it much easier. With that in mind I will start buying players myself.

I was quite surprised to see the Youth Intake come through at 16 and 17 years old. I am used to France where they come through at 14 and 156. That's quite a significant shift.  

[dap1987]

Impressive stuff mate, not been online all weekend so had a good catch up this morning  

 

The amount of games is madness, and to come away pretty much unbeaten is an amazing achievement 

[Jimbokav1971]

End of Season review. Nov 2046.

Acre State Championship. 

I know I should be delighted with this, but the ultimate competitor in me looks at the Semi-Final 1st leg result and wonders "what if". It was a brilliant start and I can see some HUGE scores in this competition in the future. Rio Branco (AC) are our only rivals in this competition but unfortunately they were relegated from Second Division last season just as we get promoted so we won't be able to take the rivalry on into the league. 

Brazilian Cup. 

Despite all the wins, this was actually our best result, (and shame on the Brazilian FA for resolving the fixture in this manner).

Botafogo are a BIG team at the top table in Brazil and have players valued in the millions of pounds. Holding them to a draw was a phenomenal result.

Copa Verde. 

Yeah I know it's only a regional Cup, but it's my 1st Trophy in Brazil so important nevertheless.

Third Division. 

I knew we were going to do quite well in the State Championship, so the success there was not much of a surprise. Similarly, we were always going to be one of the favourites for the Copa Verde so again success there came with a certain amount of expectation. Here though we were somehow ranked 3rd favourites for our section, (and 6th overall), yet swept all before us  without losing a single game either in regular season or the Playoffs. 

End of Season Awards. 

 

End of Season Stats. 

Finances. 

Facilities. 

Squad Selection.

U20 Acre State Champs. 

You can see that I finally worked out to select the U20 squad at the beginning of June, and we went undefeated after that. 

Another reason for the building rivalry with Rio Branco (AC).

Youth Squad. 

You will see quite how bad the Youth Intake was in hindsight. I think it's fair to say that this is the worst intake that I can ever remember having. Not a single player with the potential to impact the Senior squad. 

[Edit] How could I forget this. 

Goal-scoring GK watch. 

He scored 8/10 penalties throughout the season.

3 from 3 penalties in the Third Division.
4 from 5 pens in the Acre State Championship. 
1 from 2 pens in the Copa Verde. 

That means that he also scored 8 free kicks. 

In the short-term, I definitely think that the 20 goal barrier is a realistic target and I think longer-term, (so in FM20), I think that close to 30 goals is realistic in a long term save. 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Goals for next season. 

• Win the Acre State Championship. 
• Retain the Copa Verde. 
• Avoid relegation from the Second Division.
• Have more money in the bank at this stage of the season than we do now. (£194,197), although I can see that there might be a problem with that, (but more about that as and when). 
• Improve the Facilities. 
• Get a proper scouting system in place with a number of young transfer targets in each area.

[Jimbokav1971]

Ooh. Wasn't expecting this. Jan 2047.

We are either going to be quids in in this league, or relegated back out of it pretty damn quickly. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Bigger squad suits me. Jan 2047.

[Jimbokav1971]

Scouting. Jan 2047.

[Jimbokav1971]

Improve Youth Recruitment. Jan 2047.

El Presidente #2 is not as hands on as the old bloke and has delegated some of the responsibilities to Director's. 

He said no to Junior Coaching (CA), but I was able to persuade him to improve Youth Recruitment (PA). 

I think that's enough for now. I will ask for something else after this season's State Championship and Copa Verde. 

It's a start, but what I really need out of this board is an agreed Youth Development philosophy which will make the discussions that much easier. 

I'm in a string position at the moment so I need to make the most of it.

Well this isn't a good start. 

Get in. 

I will be back for a Junior Coaching upgrade as soon as I can. 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Scouting Range. Jan 2047.

Usually I just say yes to anything that the board wants to improve, but I think I'm going to try and persuade them not to do this. We are already scouting South America. What more do we need? 

Like I said, I usually don't interfere here, so I'm surprised that they have given me the option to suggest something else instead. 

I wonder if Youth Coaching is the same as Junior Coaching? I think it is so let's go for that. 

This Fabricio guy is growing on me. 

It was indeed Junior Coaching and while it's a step in the right direction, there is still a long way to go. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Expectations. Jan 2047.

Second Division. Sounds brilliant. We don't even get sacked if we get relegated. 

Acre State Championship. We need to get to the Final. That seems fine. 

Brazilian Cup. Quarter Finals.  What planet are they on? Didn't we draw a big boy in the 1st Round last season? Oh hang on, we are not in the Third Division now so maybe don't enter at the same stage. Still, Quarters is a bit much. 

Copa Verde. Semi's. No problem there. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Records. Jan 2047.

[Jimbokav1971]

New record. Jan 2047.

[Jimbokav1971]

Jan 2047.

We lost,  but don't panic. It was just a friendly, (against a First Division side). 

Hélio became the 1st player to score a hat-trick, but he did so by virtue of stealing a penalty from our GK. 

Our goal-scoring GK Terra had to be content with just the 1 goal this month. 

[Nobby_McDonald]

Brazil is bloody confusing.

[CCSantos]

The reason to jump off Quarterfinal in Brazilian Cup in board pretensions is the champion of Copa Verde jumps for the Round of 16 in Brazilian's Cup in next year, since 2017 or 2018, I think.

In the old days, the champion of Copa Verde receives a invite to play in Copa Sudamericana, and a Copa Verde champion begin the campaign of Chapecoense on that competition in Copa Sudamericana 2016. They have played versus Cuiabá (Copa Verde 2015 Champion) on Second Qualifying Round on that year.

Cuiabá 1 x 0 Chapecoense on Mato Grosso; Chapecoense 3 x 1 Cuiabá on Chapecó.

Edited June 24, 2019 by CCSantos

[Jimbokav1971]

48 minutes ago, CCSantos said:

The reason to jump off Quarterfinal in Brazilian Cup in board pretensions is the champion of Copa Verde jumps for the Round of 16 in Brazilian's Cup in next year, since 2017 or 2018, I think.

In the old days, the champion of Copa Verde receives a invite to play in Copa Sudamericana, and a Copa Verde champion begin the campaign of Chapecoense on that competition in Copa Sudamericana 2016. They have played versus Cuiabá (Copa Verde 2015 Champion) on Second Qualifying Round on that year.

Cuiabá 1 x 0 Chapecoense on Mato Grosso; Chapecoense 3 x 1 Cuiabá on Chapecó.

Now THIS is what this thread is all about now. 

Thank you. 

I want to learn all this stuff for FM20, (and the history too). 

I don't completely understand all of your post, but I understand that the Copa Verde Champion used to go into a Playoff in which the winner qualified for the Copa Sudamericana, (which is the junior continental trophy in S.America I think). 

What confuses me is where Chapecoense come in to it or who Cuiba are. Are Cuiba a team in Acre State? 

In the game I can see a few regional Cups.

Copa Verde.

South Minas Rio, (and that's the one Chapecoense is in), so I think I'm on the right track here. 

NorthEast Regional, (What a rubbish name that is in comparison to the first two).

So there are 3 Regional Cups. You mention Mato Grosso but there is a Mato Gross State and a Matto Gross do Sul State, (or something like that). It's very strange. 

 

[Jimbokav1971]

58 minutes ago, Nobby_McDonald said:

Brazil is bloody confusing.

It is, but it's also pretty bloody brilliant too if you ask me. I'm loving it! 

[Bedese]

Brazil is proper mental in all the right ways  

[Jimbokav1971]

I forgot to post this in my Jan update. 

1st goal of the season for Terra. 

[Jimbokav1971]

GK Hat-Trick. Feb 2047. 

I commented in my Jan 2047 update that midfielder Hélio had become the 1st player to score a hat-trick under my tenure and mentioned that I was a little gutted that it wasn't Terra who had been the 1st to accomplish this. Well just 1 month later, this happens. 

What's that I hear you say? A GK scoring a penalty or a free-kick is all well and good, but what you really want to see is a GK score a goal from open play! Really? 

Ok, well here you go then.