PaulHartman71 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 Mid-Season Dutch Cup So far so good in the Dutch Cup. We have made it to the Quarter Final where we have a winnable tie with NAC Breda. Europa League A bit of a shaky start as I sort of established what level we were truly at. I wasn't too worried after we won two on the trot against Club Brugge, then of course we absolutely annihilated Rosemborg at home, which was a surprise as they'd been a very good side in Norway. We lost the last game to Bordeaux which again shows our level, but we still topped the group anyway which is nice. Mainz in the next round, which again will be an interesting test of the sort of level we're at. Eredivisie A bad start to the season with a loss at Heerenveen, which was worrying, but we then went on a great run of 4 wins from 4 games which put us top of the league. A well fought, hugely satisfying win against champions AZ, but then we blew it and lost at De Graafschaaf. I was worried maybe we'd be inconsistent away, but our next two away games we won comfortably, including a 4-1 win against Zwolle which saw Leguizamon grab 4. 3 more delicious wins, including good ones against strong PSV and Feyenoord, but then again, after fantastic results against top sides we go and lose to a crap one in Fortuna Sittard. Perhaps European football catching up with us. We did then beat Excelsior, which I thought was a Pokemon. A solid run of form to end the domestic year. I have actually moaned a bit about us dropping points/losing to crap sides, but they seem almost like nit-picks when you see how well we've done overall. Our wins against the top sides means we're top of the league, by 2 points, with a game in hand as well. It's been a brilliant start and without our owner putting in too much money yet. Plenty of football still to be played but it would take a bad run of form to put us out of the Top 2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 12, 2019 Author Share Posted September 12, 2019 Bloody hell this new boss man isn't messing about. We currently have a 24,579 seater stadium, with 13,963 season ticket holders and average attendance of 23,989: This is a look at what the other clubs have: Be interesting to see if it gets approved what sort of level they go for. I think anything over 35K would be extremely ambitious but who knwos what they go for Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 The January window saw us take in £12M+ Chimson Kalu was a back-up player not playing, so I was surprised anyone was willing to offer the sort of money that several teams did, he eventually chose Celtic. Brian van der Linden was brilliant last season but picked up a nasty major injury and has barely played all season. West Ham came in with a tasty bid and I chose to take it as Steven van Zanten is better and younger anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) End of Season Update Dutch Cup A disappointing Quarter Final exit. Europa League A couple of edgy games against Mainz, but we ultimately triumphed 3-2 on aggregate. Desna have done well in Ukraine recently so I was wary, but they were no match for us. 9-4 on aggregate, cya later lads. I was pleased to reach the Quarter Final where there were lots of tough sides. Lyon a good team and unfortunately over two legs they showed that. A great run though and I'm pleased to have done as well as we did. Eredivisie A fairly ropey start to the new year as our form slowed down a bit, with 2 wins and 5 draws from a fairly decent run of games. We won two in a row against Heracles and De Graafschaaf, but then lost to AZ and surprisingly to Sparta at the end of the month. We couldn't find a winner against Utrecht, but then went on a solid run against Volendam, PSV and Exclsior, before losing 3-0 to Feyenoord in a game that would ultimately decide the title. I'm pleased with the season overall, but the title was definitely ours to lose. If we'd just avoided losing in one of the games against Sparta, De Graafschap or at home to Fortuna Sittard then the title would have been ours. By no means a bad season but with a tycoon owner who expects a league title, cup final and Europa semi final I've now gone from "very secure" to just "stable" The players of the season were Leguizamon up-front, as well as van Zanten, Palmer and Arranz. No further update on the stadium plans since January, so maybe the pesky council have put a stop to it Edited September 15, 2019 by PaulHartman71 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Career History --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Club League Position Achievements/Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Arsenal Premier League 4th Europa League winners 2019/20 Arsenal Premier League 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1 & Coupe de la Ligue winners 2021/22 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1, Champions League & Trophee Des Champions winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022/23 AS Roma Serie A 3rd Italian Cup runners-up 2023/24 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Cup winners 2024/25 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A winners 2025/26 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Super Cup winners & Champions League runners-up 2026/27 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A, Italian Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2027/28 Atletico Madrid La Liga 3rd N/A 2028/29 Atletico Madrid La Liga 2nd N/A 2029/30 Altetico Madrid La Liga 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030/31 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 6th N/A 2031/32 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 5th Europa League winners 2032/33 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2033/34 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd N/A 2034/35 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 1st Bundesliga winners 2035/36 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd German Super Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2036/37 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2037/38 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2038/39 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League & Super Cup winners 2039/40 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2040/41 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Champions League & Domestic Treble winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2041/42 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd N/A 2042/43 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Taca de Portugal runners-up 2043/44 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th N/A 2044/45 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th Europa League winners 2045/46 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2046/47 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th N/A 2047/48 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Portuguese League Cup winners 2048/49 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 1st Primiera Liga & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2049/50 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2050/51 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trophy Cabinet Champions League x7 - 2019/20 (Arsenal), 2021/22 (Paris SG), 2026/27 (AS Roma), 2029/30 (Atletico Madrid), 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg), 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Europa League x3 - 2018/19 (Arsenal), 2031/32 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2044/45 (Portimonense SC) European Super Cup x2 - 2032/33 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2045/46 (Portimonense SC) Bundesliga x1 - 2034/35 (VFL Wolfsburg) German Super Cup x1 - 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg) Serie A x2 - 2024/25, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Cup x2 - 2023/24, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Super Cup x1 - 2025/26 (AS Roma) Ligue 1 x2 - 2020/21, 2021/22 (Paris SG) Coupe de la Ligue x1 - 2020/21 (Paris SG) Trophee Des Champions x1 - 2021/22 (Paris SG) Primeira Liga x1 - 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Portuguese League Cup x1 - 2047/48 (Portimonense SC) Russian Premier League x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Cup x4 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Super Cup x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Nations Completed 1. England - Arsenal 2. France - Paris SG 3. Italy - AS Roma 4. Spain - Atletico Madrid 5. Germany - VFL Wolfsburg 6. Russia - Zenit St Petersburg 7. Portugal - Portimonense SC ** - Nations completed by the AI: 1. England - Manchester City 2. Germany - RB Leipzig 3. France - Olympique Marseille Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 Nations Remaining (based on coefficient ranking) Holland Turkey Belgium Switzerland (+2) Austria Scotland (+1) Denmark (-3) Serbia Croatia (+4) Czech Republic (+1) Romania (-1) Norway (+2) Greece (+2) Sweden (-2) Ukraine (-6) Poland Bulgaria Republic of Ireland (+2) Israel Iceland (-2) Slovakia (+1) Slovenia (-1) Hungary Belarus Northern Ireland Finland (+1) Wales (-1) Ukraine come absolutely crashing down, with Croatia the highest risers. Wales regain their bottom place position. It's already been confirmed that for the season after next the Dutch coefficient has risen to 6th place, above both Italy and Russia, which means we get 2 Group Stage places automatically from next season. So next season we can finish 2nd like we did this year and we will automatically be in the CL group stage, how long that lasts will remain to be seen, but us getting to the Quarter Final of the EL will have no doubt helped that. Shows how far Italy have fallen though, even Russia too who were doing alright, although Zenit have dropped off in recent years. They reached the CL final just 5 seasons ago, but since then have only got out of the Group Stage on one occasion, when I beat them as Portimonense in the Quarters. Since then they usually finish 3rd and then wind up in the latter stages of Europa League instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 John Terry annoyingly wins another Champions League, as his Atletico side retain it against Man United. Good to see Portimonense in the Semi Final and Benfica also making the Quarters shows Portuguese football still doing it. Good shows for RB Salzburg of Austria and our own AZ making the knockout stages. A big win for Braga who have done Portugal proud, they even knocked Zenit out on the way. 4 Dutch teams in the Quarter Final though shows why we will have 2 CL group spots from next season. Good shows for Desna and Dinamo Zagreb to get where they got. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 It's a top two of Gala and Fener again, with Besiktas taking up 3rd. A hell of a season for Dundee FC fans as their side were top of the table for most of it and the Old Firm's run of domination looked set to be over. Harry Kane's Rangers spoiled the party in the end though. A second straight title as normality resumes in the Ukraine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 The champions Feyenoord decided to enact David Palmer's release clause, so we lost him, then PSV did the same thing with Javier Ortiz on deadline day which was a tad annoying, although I had already signed a better left back anyway. Sergi is a decent winger who couldn't get a game at Barca so wanted to leave. He'll get games here as he replaces the outgoing Palmer. Dario Rodriguez is a fairly experienced midfielder who joins us from the MLS. Jorge Alexandre joins from the Brazilian league and looks a great pick-up for price paid. We got Ernesto Pena on a free after his contract expired at Atletico Madrid in the summer following a few years where he couldn't get a game. He's another who will get games here. We also got Jose Alberto from Atletico Madrid, who of course spent all of last season on loan for us from them. No further news on the new stadium... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 Champions League Best Placed 3rd Qualifying Round Krasnodar are another side who are probably roughly around the same kind of level as us, but we should never be losing that away leg 4-1. Very disappointed to go out 5-2 on aggregate and it's the Europa League for us again this year. Our group consists of Inter, Tottenham and Hajduk. So by no means an easy group, although Inter and Tottenham aren't the sides that they once were, although tbf Inter weren't the side that they once were even at the start of the save Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 Mid-Season Update Al-Ittihad of Saudi irritatingly matched Pablo Cobo's release clause at the tail end of September, which meant I was without a first choice CAM for 3 months. To be fair to Tom Tol, who was originally signed as a back-up to Cobo and for HG purposes, he did actually step up and do alright for a player who wasn't expecting anywhere near that many minutes. Dutch Cup No real problems so far in the cup. Eredivisie A relatively slow start with two draws, but we were better in our next few games as we beat Excelsior, Heerenveen and Groningen. We made it 7 wins on the bounce following a very solid run of form, with the win streak ending after a 0-0 draw at home to champions Feyenoord. Bagged a few more wins before our first loss of the season, away to AZ. 3 more wins to end the festive period, including a Christmas Eve win in Amsterdam. So far, so good, with a game in hand on Feyenoord too. Also, look at Ajax There's pretty much no chance they go down as Excelsior are poor and with the way the Dutch relegation works, even if you finish 16th or 17th you have a playoff against the 2nd tier sides so they won't go down, but my word they're in a right pickle. Europa League I didn't know what to expect from Spurs, so I was pleasantly surprised when they rolled over in the first game. We then saw a cagey draw in Croatia before what felt like a decent point at home to Inter, especially as we then went to Milan and lost. We got a point in North London and then had to beat Hajduk on the last day and to be fair Hajduk put up a hell of a fight - and would have gone through themselves had they beaten us. Athletic Bilbao in the 1st Knockout Round. A decent side back in the day at Atletico Madrid, will be a very big ask I think. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Another good season there Paul, though the Champions League has been disappointing so far in Arnhem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 (edited) The only order of business in the January window was to replace Pablo Cobo and we did just that, delving into the Scottish market and picking up Roy Robertson from Ross County. What a player he looks like! Edited September 17, 2019 by PaulHartman71 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Some class signings in the last two windows... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 End of Season Update Dutch Cup An impressive run, which saw a 5-3 defeat of Feyenoord in the Semi Final sees me win my first trophy in Dutch football with Vitesse! Europa League I was pleasantly surprised by the ruthless performance in the home leg that dispatched of Bilbao, as you can see Roy Robertson has made a big impact since signing in January. The 2nd knockout round saw an all-Dutch affair, with PSV ultimately crumbling with the pressure, possibly as a result of playing in Europe and the Eredivisie and their squad being too stretched. A 6-1 aggregate win saw us through to the Quarter Final for the second year in a row. We met Swiss side Basel in the Quarter Final and outscored them, with a 4-1 win sending us into the Semis. The sides in Portugal are still strong and ultimately Academica were too strong for us, as they just about knocked us out 2-1 on aggregate. Eredivisie A poor start to the calendar year with a loss at PSV then a draw at home to Excelsior, then we smashed Sparta and Utrecht before dropping some more points in Heerenveen. February was a strong month as we won 5 from 5 in the league, including a good return win against PSV in the home match against them. We could only draw in MVV, but we picked up a hugely important 2-1 win in Feyenoord against our close title rivals. We then blew any advantage we gained from that by drawing to Zwolle and then unforgivably losing to Fortuna Sittard for the second year in a row. We could only draw with AZ, who tbf at the time were also right in the title picture, then we beat Heracles 5-0 and then ADO Den Haag on the last day. But was it enough for the elusive Eredivisie title... We were denied once again by goal difference! If we'd scored 4 more goals in our last match of the season the title would've gone down to a playoff I believe. An incredibly frustrating way to end the season especially as we actually beat Feyenoord in the big title match late in the season this time. I'm sure fatigue from Europe didn't help us, but still very annoying. Also look at Ajax They finished rock bottom and incredibly managed to get relegated! The coefficients mean 2 of us get automatic CL Group Stage, with AZ getting the Playoff possibility to make it 3 Dutch sides in a Group Stage for the first time in well over 50 years, if 3 have ever been in one before at all. Roy Robertson was a revelation since signing in January. Steven van Zanten and Jose Alberto also worthy of mention. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 Career History --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Club League Position Achievements/Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Arsenal Premier League 4th Europa League winners 2019/20 Arsenal Premier League 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1 & Coupe de la Ligue winners 2021/22 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1, Champions League & Trophee Des Champions winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022/23 AS Roma Serie A 3rd Italian Cup runners-up 2023/24 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Cup winners 2024/25 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A winners 2025/26 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Super Cup winners & Champions League runners-up 2026/27 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A, Italian Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2027/28 Atletico Madrid La Liga 3rd N/A 2028/29 Atletico Madrid La Liga 2nd N/A 2029/30 Altetico Madrid La Liga 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030/31 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 6th N/A 2031/32 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 5th Europa League winners 2032/33 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2033/34 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd N/A 2034/35 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 1st Bundesliga winners 2035/36 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd German Super Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2036/37 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2037/38 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2038/39 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League & Super Cup winners 2039/40 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2040/41 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Champions League & Domestic Treble winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2041/42 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd N/A 2042/43 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Taca de Portugal runners-up 2043/44 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th N/A 2044/45 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th Europa League winners 2045/46 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2046/47 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th N/A 2047/48 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Portuguese League Cup winners 2048/49 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 1st Primiera Liga & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2049/50 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2050/51 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2051/52 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch Cup winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trophy Cabinet Champions League x7 - 2019/20 (Arsenal), 2021/22 (Paris SG), 2026/27 (AS Roma), 2029/30 (Atletico Madrid), 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg), 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Europa League x3 - 2018/19 (Arsenal), 2031/32 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2044/45 (Portimonense SC) European Super Cup x2 - 2032/33 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2045/46 (Portimonense SC) Bundesliga x1 - 2034/35 (VFL Wolfsburg) German Super Cup x1 - 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg) Serie A x2 - 2024/25, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Cup x2 - 2023/24, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Super Cup x1 - 2025/26 (AS Roma) Ligue 1 x2 - 2020/21, 2021/22 (Paris SG) Coupe de la Ligue x1 - 2020/21 (Paris SG) Trophee Des Champions x1 - 2021/22 (Paris SG) Primeira Liga x1 - 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Portuguese League Cup x1 - 2047/48 (Portimonense SC) Russian Premier League x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Cup x4 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Super Cup x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Dutch Cup x1 - 2051/52 (Vitesse Arnhem) Nations Completed 1. England - Arsenal 2. France - Paris SG 3. Italy - AS Roma 4. Spain - Atletico Madrid 5. Germany - VFL Wolfsburg 6. Russia - Zenit St Petersburg 7. Portugal - Portimonense SC ** - Nations completed by the AI: 1. England - Manchester City 2. Germany - RB Leipzig 3. France - Olympique Marseille Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 Nations Remaining (based on coefficient ranking) Holland Turkey Austria (+2) Belgium (-1) Switzerland (-1) Croatia (+3) Scotland (-1) Czech Republic (+2) Ukraine (+6) Serbia (-2) Norway (+1) Sweden (+2) Denmark (-6) Greece (-1) Romania (-4) Poland Bulgaria Israel (+1) Iceland (+1) Slovenia (+2) Republic of Ireland (-3) Slovakia (-1) Hungary - Belarus Finland (+1) Wales (+1) Northern Ireland (-2) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 John Terry and Atletico make it 3 years in a row! Another all Portuguese Europa League final, as Academica ensure it's now 3 Portuguese winners in a row. Celtic and Dundee doing quite well for Scotland, with Basel of course also doing well to get as far in as tehy did. Club Brugge and Anderlecht doing well for the Belgians. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 Besiktas win their first title in over 25 years, with Fener in 2nd and Gala having to settle for 3rd and Europa League. A 3rd straight title for Harry Kane's Rangers side, with a very poor year for Celtic as they slump to 4th, with Kilmarnock getting closest to Rangers. Dundee's European exploits possibly catching up with them, but they will play at least some part in Europa League again next season. 2 in a row for Shakhtar as they narrowly pip rivals Dynamo Kyiv to the title. A strong year for Obolon-Brewer, who have taken the European spot from Desna. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 Jeez. Not another last day heartbreak. That's three in a role now. Fourth time's a charm...hopefully. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 I've not gone too nuts with the Youth due to the Tycoon takeover, but thought now would be a decent time to show-case some of the lads have had through in youth-intakes. All rated as potential first-team players in the future by the staff. Hoping to get decent loan moves for them all next season to give them some first team football somewhere to test their metal. Ozturk and Van Hese probably the two most likely to make it and have already been capped for Holland at youth level. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 19, 2019 Author Share Posted September 19, 2019 A not a lot of upheaval this summer, although I did get rid of a lot of deadwood. The main departure saw the very talented Steven van Zanten leave after attracting lots of attention. I let him go but only to my old side Portimonense. i The market wasn't that great this summer in terms of finding players that were affordable and would improve us significantly, so aside from Jackson who replaced van Zanten and Bocconi, most of the players were signed to be squad players. But this should still improve us a lot as they're far better squad players than we've ever had before. Roy Robertson impressed so much that I doubled our scouting efforts in Scotland. John Jackson joins on the left and he looks a good talent and was available for a cracking price too. Bocconi joins to shore up our central midfield, with the experienced Argentina available at a decent price himself. Donadell joins mainly to be back-up striker with option to rotate on the wing. Leguizamon wasn't as good last season as his cracking first season, so there's room to fight for the number 1 striker spot too if he takes his chances. Vazquez is a decent young right back who could well fight his way into the first team too. Axel Cacares looks an exciting young winger, who can also play attacking midfield, although he broke his ankle and put himself out for 4 months in pre-season... Laszlo Szabo played a big part in Dundee's European run and was another great pick-up from out Scottish scout. A good back-up left winger who has potential to break into the side if he takes his chances and develops a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 Mid-Season Update Super Cup Some revenge for the title as we beat Feyenoord. Dutch Cup Some good performances have seen us reach the Quarter Final. Eredivisie A less than impressive start to the season as we lose 2 of our first 3 games to Groningen at home and PSV away. Can maybe let the PSV result slide, but losing at home to Groningen is a disgrace. Could only draw with Fortuna Sittard before just about getting past NAC Breda in a goal-fest. We recovered from our atrocious start to go on a fantastic run, which included a big win at AZ and a huge 3-0 battering of Feyenoord at home. We extended our winning league run to 9 games, before drawing away to Zwolle. Another draw with Heracles before two good wins and then inexplicably losing to Groningen again who really seem to have our number. Our poor form has us 4 points behind Feyenoord who are actually quite a good side. I was thinking we were under-performing given our squad and how much we've spent to let them win the league last few years, but they're actually a strong side who finished top of a Champions League group with Sporting Lisbon, Bayern Munich and Young Boys. Champions League We got drawn in a tough group against two of my old sides who were both too strong for us. Some encouraging results against Real Sociedad. Back to the Europa League we go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 January saw one big departure in Sho Iwata, the very versatile Japanese CB who has played a big role in the side in the last few years, has been sold for a tidy profit to Man City for £33M. He wanted to go and we couldn't say no at that price, even if it was his release clause to CL sides and we had no real choice either way, but I would've accepted anyway. I've had my eyes on Yuri Jacobs for a year or so and have not been able to justify affording him yet. He's a young very good Belgian prospect and for some reason the Belgian clubs now are playing super hard-ball with all of their players, demanding crazy money for what you'd expect from that market, but I finally convinced them to part with Jacobs by breaking our transfer record and spending just under £20M for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 We've got Bournemouth in the 1st Knockout Round of the Europa. Initially you would think "wow, good on them getting that far!" but that's not even half the story. I hadn't noticed but Bournemouth were actually in the Group Stage of the Champions League like we were They did reasonably well to be fair to them. I investigated the English leagues and it appears that the Top 4 in the Premier League were Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. However, a tumultuous decade for Liverpool has seen them in all sorts of trouble: And due to their financial woes, despite coming 4th, they were banned from Europe, which opened the door for 5th place Bournemouth to take their spot instead Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 End of Season Update Dutch Cup Feyenoord in the Semis were the real test, we just about got past them after penalties. MVV put up a decent fight for a side who got relegated, but we beat them to retain the trophy. Europa League We comfortably beat Bournemouth over two legs to progress in the 1st knockout round. The 2nd knockout round saw a return to the South Coast as this time we beat Southampton to make the Last 8. It was another English side we met and my old side and old player Lucas Torreira smashed us over the two legs. Eredivisie A smashing start to 2053 as we won 5 from 5, including a good win against PSV. Feyenoord ended our winning run by smashing us at home and this loss pretty much ended our hopes of the title. We picked ourselves up though to beat AZ in our next game and kept winning to try and keep ourselves within Feyenoord's reach if they did slip up. We went 8 straight games of winning, before falling apart a bit after the Europa disappointment and dropped points in our last two games. An incredible season from Feyenoord who dropped points in just 5 matches. We recorded our best ever points total despite finishing 8 points behind them. If we'd got this points total last season we'd have won the title by 6 points! Leguizamon was in better form this season with 14 goals and 8 assists from 34 games, but he got injured towards the end of the season and missed a few months. Fernando Bocconi was very good in the middle of the park, with John Jackson and Roy Robertson also important players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 Career History --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Club League Position Achievements/Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Arsenal Premier League 4th Europa League winners 2019/20 Arsenal Premier League 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1 & Coupe de la Ligue winners 2021/22 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1, Champions League & Trophee Des Champions winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022/23 AS Roma Serie A 3rd Italian Cup runners-up 2023/24 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Cup winners 2024/25 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A winners 2025/26 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Super Cup winners & Champions League runners-up 2026/27 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A, Italian Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2027/28 Atletico Madrid La Liga 3rd N/A 2028/29 Atletico Madrid La Liga 2nd N/A 2029/30 Altetico Madrid La Liga 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030/31 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 6th N/A 2031/32 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 5th Europa League winners 2032/33 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2033/34 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd N/A 2034/35 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 1st Bundesliga winners 2035/36 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd German Super Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2036/37 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2037/38 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2038/39 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League & Super Cup winners 2039/40 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2040/41 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Champions League & Domestic Treble winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2041/42 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd N/A 2042/43 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Taca de Portugal runners-up 2043/44 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th N/A 2044/45 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th Europa League winners 2045/46 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2046/47 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th N/A 2047/48 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Portuguese League Cup winners 2048/49 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 1st Primiera Liga & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2049/50 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2050/51 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2051/52 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch Cup winners 2052/53 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch Cup & Super Cup winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trophy Cabinet Champions League x7 - 2019/20 (Arsenal), 2021/22 (Paris SG), 2026/27 (AS Roma), 2029/30 (Atletico Madrid), 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg), 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Europa League x3 - 2018/19 (Arsenal), 2031/32 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2044/45 (Portimonense SC) European Super Cup x2 - 2032/33 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2045/46 (Portimonense SC) Bundesliga x1 - 2034/35 (VFL Wolfsburg) German Super Cup x1 - 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg) Serie A x2 - 2024/25, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Cup x2 - 2023/24, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Super Cup x1 - 2025/26 (AS Roma) Ligue 1 x2 - 2020/21, 2021/22 (Paris SG) Coupe de la Ligue x1 - 2020/21 (Paris SG) Trophee Des Champions x1 - 2021/22 (Paris SG) Primeira Liga x1 - 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Portuguese League Cup x1 - 2047/48 (Portimonense SC) Russian Premier League x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Cup x4 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Super Cup x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Dutch Cup x2 - 2051/52, 2052/53 (Vitesse Arnhem) Dutch Super Cup x1 - 2052/53 (Vitesse Arnhem) Nations Completed 1. England - Arsenal 2. France - Paris SG 3. Italy - AS Roma 4. Spain - Atletico Madrid 5. Germany - VFL Wolfsburg 6. Russia - Zenit St Petersburg 7. Portugal - Portimonense SC ** - Nations completed by the AI: 1. England - Manchester City 2. Germany - RB Leipzig 3. France - Olympique Marseille 4. Spain - Valencia CF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 Nations Remaining (based on coefficient ranking) Holland Turkey Belgium (+1) Scotland (+3) Ukraine (+4) Croatia Austria (-4) Norway (+3) Switzerland (-4) Sweden (+2) Serbia (-1) Romania (+3) Greece (+1) Czech Republic (-6) Poland (+1) Denmark (-3) Bulgaria Israel Iceland Slovenia Hungary (+2) Republic of Ireland (-1) Slovakia (-1) Finland (+1) Belarus (-1) Wales Northern Ireland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 Benfica showing that Portuguese football is far from done at the top level as they reach the final, but it is Valencia under Welsh manager Ben Woodburn who win the Champions League, which is the first in their history. The AI now has 4 nations completed as the eagle eyed may have noticed in the previous post. Wolfsburg and Schalke doing well for the German contingent, with Schalke themselves narrowly missing out on a final and the chance to win their first ever CL crown too. Feyenoord knocked out in the 1st knockout round by the Germans. It's a win for Bayer Leverkusen as they beat the favorites Zenit in the final. A lot of big teams kicking about the knockout stages this year, with Rangers doing Scottish football proud by reaching the Semi and only missing out on a final by away goals. Southampton of course a surprise name to see at this stage, with Partizan also a noticeable name for the last 16. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 Galatasaray back on top, but the real surprise is Besiktas who won the title last season and will now have no Europe next season at all. Perhaps the pressure/fatigue of the CL group stage took a lot out of them or they had all their players poached or something. 4 straight titles for Harry Kane's Rangers, although Celtic did run them very close this year. Desna were back with a bang this year as they win the title for the 3rd time in their history. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 The Academy Van Hese spent the season on loan at Heracles. He was only a back-up option there with 14 competitive games and a load for their B team. He's kicked on a fair bit and I think after one more season on loan he could be a useful rotation option for us. Ozturk spent the season on loan at NAC Breda and developed well with first-team football, much like Van Hese I think another season on loan and he could be at a level where we could use him in the squad. Grootfaam spent the first half of the season in our B side, before going on loan to relegated MVV in January, where he made 6 appearances. He will definitely need another season on loan next year, but my staff seem less excited about his potential ability now. Joep Struijk is another who went on loan to MVV in January after B team football for the first half, but he didn't make a single appearance for them. He'll need another loan next year where hopefully he can see some game time. Pastoor spent most of the season with our B team after being promoted from the U19s midway through the season. He made 15 starts, with 8 assists and 3 goals. He also got a start in a Champions League match when we had a mini injury crisis at right wing. I'm hoping to find a nice loan for him next year. These two lads came through our intake this year and both look pretty exciting: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 22, 2019 Author Share Posted September 22, 2019 In an incredible turn of events Stoke City finished 4th in the Premier League and will be in the Champions League Group Stage next season, presumably a 4th seed, so we could well even play them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 Keep plugging away Paul. Stoke in the Champions League. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillHoward42 Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 What happened with the plans for the new stadium? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 3 hours ago, WillHoward42 said: What happened with the plans for the new stadium? Not too sure, all gone a bit quiet on that front. The board have got a few decent commercial sponsorship deals in for us, but other than randomly offer me more money for scouting and coaches I've had nothing from them in a while. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 25, 2019 Author Share Posted September 25, 2019 Nothing too excited happening this summer. The odd rotation/back-up player cleared out, but nobody too important. Managed to secure decent loans for a lot of the kids. Pretty funny that even though Ajax got promoted back up they're in such bad bother that they're having to loan players from us The dream is to get big enough that Chelsea loan a player from us: Saad Khairi is a very talented CB that was available on a bosman. Why spend £20-30M on a CB when you can get one for nothing I spent £11.5M on the talented midfielder Marcelo Garcia from Argentina, whilst signing a HG back-up keeper in Tom Mulder and a talented full back rotation option in Igor Pilcic from the ever reasonably priced Scottish market. I do have around £15-20M left in transfer fees, but the market is quite volatile and the only players that would significantly improve our side are out of our price range. There's a few half-decent players I could sign, but it would be a bit pointless and probably cause more problems in terms of other lads kicking off about a lack of game time. We've got some cracking youngsters coming through too so I'll see what I can do with them as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 27, 2019 Author Share Posted September 27, 2019 Mid-Season Super Cup We put up a good fight, but ultimately lost on penalties in the season opener. Eredivisie We got the season off to a decent start, with 3 wins from 5, but two draws at PSV and Groningen. A disappointing loss in our bid for the title as we lose to rivals Feyenoord, but we did then win 3 of our next 4, including an away win at Ajax who have got promoted back at the first chance. 3 wins from our next 4, although we did drop points at Fortuna Sittard. A poor loss at Heerenveen as we finish up our last 4 games before Christmas with 2 wins from 4, including a Christmas Eve draw with Ajax. 4 points behind Feyenoord who are in the driver's seat. Not looking too good for Ajax, who may very well go straight back down. Champions League As 3rd seeds this was actually a reasonable group to get. Bayer Leverkusen are a good side who won the Europa League last season, with Zenit obviously a good side too, although they've been a shadow of their former self in the last few seasons. FC Midtjylland of Denmark made up the group and you couldn't really call them whipping boys as they got a point off us and even won 2 games. We did well though, avoiding defeat the whole time, with two draws with Leverkusen, a draw with Zenit and a huge last minute 1-0 win at home which secured our place in the knockout round of the Champions League for the first time. Top of the group too, which means we wouldn't play a super massive side straight away. We have Porto in the 1st knockout round. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 A Chinese club came in with a huge offer for Dario Rodriguez who is a rotation central midfield option. To be honest I would've probably taken half of that with him around 27/28 and not starting every week, but I wasn't gonna complain. Another back-up option in Vazquez has also left the club. We signed Jack Scott from Aberdeen and Alberto Misidjang to replace the two departing players: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Jack Scott at 6 million is a great steal. He could even be retrained as a ball playing CB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 End of Season Update Dutch Cup We were fairly fortunate to get through two very tough games against AZ and Feyenoord, but we managed to defend the Dutch Cup and make it 3 in a row! Eredivisie A solid start to the new year, with 4 wins from 5, including a massive win away to title rivals Feyenoord. February started well, but then we dropped 7 points in 3 away games which blew any advantage we had in the title race. Some good wins in March and April, but also 3 draws which meant 6 more valuable points dropped on Feyenoord. Feyenoord end up 8 points ahead of us, as we pick up 9 less points than last year. It has to go down as a disappointing season. AZ also having a poor year by their standards, with Ajax going straight back down. Champions League A close set of games against the Portuguese side, but an unlikely goal from fringe player Tom Tol in the second leg saw us go through on away goals! We got another Portuguese side in the Quarter Final and Sporting Lisbon ultimately proved to be a bridge too far for us, as we got comfortably beaten over two legs. John Jackson had a very good season, with Leguizamon finishing top scorer in the Eredivisie. Bocconi and Jose Alberto also worthy of praise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 Career History --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Season Club League Position Achievements/Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018/19 Arsenal Premier League 4th Europa League winners 2019/20 Arsenal Premier League 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020/21 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1 & Coupe de la Ligue winners 2021/22 Paris SG Ligue 1 1st Ligue 1, Champions League & Trophee Des Champions winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022/23 AS Roma Serie A 3rd Italian Cup runners-up 2023/24 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Cup winners 2024/25 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A winners 2025/26 AS Roma Serie A 2nd Italian Super Cup winners & Champions League runners-up 2026/27 AS Roma Serie A 1st Serie A, Italian Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2027/28 Atletico Madrid La Liga 3rd N/A 2028/29 Atletico Madrid La Liga 2nd N/A 2029/30 Altetico Madrid La Liga 2nd Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2030/31 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 6th N/A 2031/32 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 5th Europa League winners 2032/33 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2033/34 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd N/A 2034/35 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 1st Bundesliga winners 2035/36 VFL Wolfsburg Bundesliga 2nd German Super Cup & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2036/37 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2037/38 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2038/39 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League & Super Cup winners 2039/40 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Russian Premier League, Russian Cup & Super Cup winners 2040/41 Zenit St Petersburg Russian PL 1st Champions League & Domestic Treble winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2041/42 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd N/A 2042/43 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Taca de Portugal runners-up 2043/44 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th N/A 2044/45 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 6th Europa League winners 2045/46 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 3rd European Super Cup winners 2046/47 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th N/A 2047/48 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 4th Portuguese League Cup winners 2048/49 Portimonense SC Primeira Liga 1st Primiera Liga & Champions League winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2049/50 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2050/51 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd N/A 2051/52 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch Cup winners 2052/53 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch Cup & Super Cup winners 2053/54 Vitesse Arnhem Eredivisie 2nd Dutch CUp winners --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trophy Cabinet Champions League x7 - 2019/20 (Arsenal), 2021/22 (Paris SG), 2026/27 (AS Roma), 2029/30 (Atletico Madrid), 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg), 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Europa League x3 - 2018/19 (Arsenal), 2031/32 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2044/45 (Portimonense SC) European Super Cup x2 - 2032/33 (VFL Wolfsburg), 2045/46 (Portimonense SC) Bundesliga x1 - 2034/35 (VFL Wolfsburg) German Super Cup x1 - 2035/36 (VFL Wolfsburg) Serie A x2 - 2024/25, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Cup x2 - 2023/24, 2026/27 (AS Roma) Italian Super Cup x1 - 2025/26 (AS Roma) Ligue 1 x2 - 2020/21, 2021/22 (Paris SG) Coupe de la Ligue x1 - 2020/21 (Paris SG) Trophee Des Champions x1 - 2021/22 (Paris SG) Primeira Liga x1 - 2048/49 (Portimonense SC) Portuguese League Cup x1 - 2047/48 (Portimonense SC) Russian Premier League x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Cup x4 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Russian Super Cup x5 - 2036/37, 2037/38, 2038/39, 2039/40, 2040/41 (Zenit St Petersburg) Dutch Cup x3 - 2051/52, 2052/53, 2053/54 (Vitesse Arnhem) Dutch Super Cup x1 - 2052/53 (Vitesse Arnhem) Nations Completed 1. England - Arsenal 2. France - Paris SG 3. Italy - AS Roma 4. Spain - Atletico Madrid 5. Germany - VFL Wolfsburg 6. Russia - Zenit St Petersburg 7. Portugal - Portimonense SC ** - Nations completed by the AI: 1. England - Manchester City 2. Germany - RB Leipzig 3. France - Olympique Marseille 4. Spain - Valencia CF Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 Nations Remaining (based on coefficient ranking) Holland Turkey Scotland (+1) Belgium (-1) Ukraine Croatia Norway (+1) Romania (+4) Greece (+4) Austria (-3) Serbia Switzerland (-3) Denmark (+3) Czech Republic Poland Sweden (-6) Bulgaria Iceland (+1) Slovenia (+1) Israel (-2) Hungary Republic of Ireland Slovakia Belarus (+1) Finland (-1) Wales Northern Ireland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 It's disappointing to have not won the Eredivisie yet, but I'm not joking when I say Feyenoord are a strong side. They were a penalty shoot-out from winning the Champions League - and what an unbelievable win it could have been, as the final was at the home of bitter rivals, Ajax, the Johan Cruyff Arena. What a season it would have been to win the Champions League at your rivals ground in a season where they got relegated City ultimately win it, with another penalty shoot-out to knock out Unted in the Quarters. 4 Portuguese sides in the knockout round show they're still doing well. My old side managed by Nagelsmann win the Europa on penalties against a Bordeaux side who did well to get that far to begin with. A great performance from Austrian side RB Salzburg to come so close to the final themselves, with good showings also from Mainz and Krasnodar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 Kayserispor with their first title in 8 years, with Besiktas in 2nd meaning the Big Two are back out of the Champions League. Absolutely unbelievable scenes in the SPL, as Kilmarnock topple the old firm's run of dominance after 69 years of Celtic and Rangers sharing the title. Shakhtar are champions once more in the Ukraine, with Desna remaining in the CL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 The Academy Ozturk spent the season on loan at Ajax playing more or less every game. He couldn't keep them up, but he did develop enough to come in useful as a back-up option for the first team next season. Van Hese was a regular for Heracles this season, providing 4 goals and 3 assists from his 20 starts. He too has developed enough that he will be useful as a back-up option for the first team next year. Struijk went on loan to NEC in the 2nd tier and did well, with 13 goals and 3 assists in 33 games. Grootfaam also went to NEC and had an incredible season, with an incredible 23 assists and 3 goals in 39 games. Van Dijk did okay at RKC in the 2nd tier, with 4 goals and 2 assists in 30 games. Not great numbers, but he's got decent enough physical stats that it's worth giving him another season out on loan to see what more he can offer. Van Der Schot got 13 games under his belt at senior level in the 2nd tier with FC Emmen. Excited to see what he can offer in the next few seasons. Olvira got the chance for some senior football in the 2nd tier with Dordrecht after winter and he did okay with 5 goals and 2 assists in 14 games. A bad year for Pastoor who had a decent 4 games with Almere City in the 2nd tier, before breaking his leg and missing out on pretty much the entire season. Terrible injury at such a young age, but hopefully he can crack on again next season. A couple of decent prospects have come through in our latest intake: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 5, 2019 Author Share Posted October 5, 2019 Summer transfers A few players left this summer. Jorge Alexandre was getting closer to 30 and not happy with being 4th choice CB, so we sold him for a good price to Fenerbache. Ozturk the youth academy player can be 4th choice next summer so this came at a good time for all involved. Axel Cacares wasn't playing as much as he wanted as a rotation AMR option so he left too, with Galatasaray giving us a decent fee for him. Laszlo Szabo the Hungarian left winger popped up with the odd important goal, but he didn't want to renew due to lack of game time, so he leaves for Everton. Van Hese the youth prospect can fill his role in the squad next season. We also loaned out a lot of our young talent again and hopefully the experience will help develop them further. We spent decent money on two very highly rated Dutch attacking players, then got two very good young rotation talents from Boca and Bulgaria. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted October 7, 2019 Share Posted October 7, 2019 Well done to wee Kilmarnock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulHartman71 Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 Mid-Season Gonna have to be brief as I have a plaster on a small niggling cut on one of my fingers which makes it really hard to type and I'm already further ahead in my save than I like to be when posting updates. Super Cup A disappointing big loss in our first game of the season. Dutch Cup So far, so good as we look to win 4 in a row. Eredivisie We have to be happy with that in the league. Champions League A difficult group as we got two of my old sides. It started with a loss in Rome and I thought that may set the tone for the group, but we won our next two, included a big big win in Germany. Boris popped up with a huge late winner at home too, then we drew with Roma. I actually thought based on results between teams that we would go out as we certainly lost over two legs to Roma, but then I'm not sure how they do it with 3 teams. Maybe they do it as a 3 team league, in which case we'd have 5 points, Wolfsburg would have 5 and Roma would have 5 - then it goes to goal difference? Well we'd beat Roma but not Wolfsburg? I'm not really sure how it has done it to be honest but we've somehow topped the group despite having worse results between teams with Roma and worse goal difference than Wolfsburg. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Fingers crossed for the knockout rounds. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now