There are signs directing you away from Birmingham but nothing enticing you in

[Constantine]

Hello again. Third (or fourth?) time's the charm?? Hopefully, this career can go further than last couple i attempted. Which surely can't be that hard to do, since i barely went past season 3.

This time i start with Birmingham. Tried couple different leagues, few other clubs but i always keep coming back to England. Third time playing with this particular club.

No goals in this save, just going with the flow. Why Birmingham? Well, i played an online save with a mate and took liking to them. Still remember their Carling Cup win and goals by Nikola Zigic. So that'ss it. No further backstory. Usually love some in clubs i manage (weak spot for sleeping giants) but Birmingham Blue are exception.

So... Let's go.

 

[Constantine]

Obligatory Wiki entry below.

Quote

Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club in Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. Since 2011, the first team have competed in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football.

As Small Heath, they played in the Football Alliance before becoming founder members and first champions of the Football League Second Division. The most successful period in their history was in the 1950s and early 1960s. They achieved their highest finishing position of sixth in the First Division in the 1955–56 season and reached the 1956 FA Cup Final. Birmingham played in two Inter-Cities Fairs Cup finals, in 1960, as the first English club side to reach a major European final, and again the following year. They won the League Cup in 1963 and again in 2011. Birmingham have played in the top tier of English football for around half of their history: the longest period spent outside the top division, between 1986 and 2002, included two brief spells in the third tier of English football, during which time they won the Football League Trophy twice.

St Andrew's has been their home ground since 1906. They have a long-standing and fierce rivalry with Aston Villa, their nearest neighbors, with whom they play the Second City derby. The club's nickname is Blues, after the colour of their kit, and the fans are known as Bluenoses.

 

Also, few obligatory screen shots...

 

As for squad, it's decent but paper thin. Outside of the players that can make it in first XI, there are barely any player worthy of Championship level football.

 

Stockdale will be our #1. His competition are elderly Lee Camp and former Man Utd backup Tomasz Kuszczak.

 

In defense, i really like the looks of Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts. They seem decent enough and will make my CD pairing.

Also, Colin in wide areas. Wes Harding and our own Dane Pedersen will compete for remaining spot in back four.

 

In midfield, things are also kinda clear.

Kierkegaard (somehow this is easier for me to spell than his real name) is arguably our best midfielder. Jota and Maghoma are first choice wingers of mine. There's two more place up for grabs. Gardner bros (are they?), Mrabti and Lakin will fight for those.

 

As for attack... Well, my head say Jutkiewicz but my heart scream Che Adams. Love me some rough diamond. And he seems just like one.

 

Friendlies are pre-arranged (except the last one).

 

There will be no transfers until January. Always play with locked transfers in first window. A cup of realism in all transfer madness and shenanigans that awaits.

 

 

 

 

 

[Constantine]

Our first (and only) signing. Backroom staff. Fitness coach from Arsenal. Not exactly a shining recommendation but still...

[Constantine]

Preseason was... Alright. Bit disastrous at the beginning but few tweaks here and there and we were flying. It was against lowly opposition so we're still to be tested. And there will be time for that, as our first few games seems... Tough. 

Norwich, Middlesbrough, Swansea... All promotion contenders. Including Schrodinger's cat of Championship known as Nottingam Forest. You never know where you're with them.

We should absolutely beating Bolton and Wimbledon. And now that i said that, we're losing those two games, aren't we??

Almost all players went through preseason without picking up any serious injury. They should all (bar Gardner) be ready for first game. Craig should come back for second one.

[danmcconnell1]

Woohoo, great to see a Blues thread on here for a change. To answer a couple of questions, the Gardners are brothers. Adams has been outstanding IRL this season, so do what you can to keep him, although finances may make for tough reading. Also, Jutkiewicz is a great target man at Championship level, so if you can accommodate both strikers in your team then it may well help.

[Constantine]

2 hours ago, danmcconnell1 said:

Woohoo, great to see a Blues thread on here for a change. To answer a couple of questions, the Gardners are brothers. Adams has been outstanding IRL this season, so do what you can to keep him, although finances may make for tough reading. Also, Jutkiewicz is a great target man at Championship level, so if you can accommodate both strikers in your team then it may well help.

Saw that Adams went for nice sum of money few days ago. When i played with The Blues first time, he was much worse. Always unhappy, couldn't get rid of him and finally sold him to Sunderland for peanuts. This time around, he's a lot better.  

Finances were an issue all of the times when i managed this club. First time i got lucky, managed to sell Maghoma and Jutkiewicz for 35m combined. Second time i was struggling and only miracle playoff victory saved me from being total shambles.

[danmcconnell1]

Yeah definitely do what you can to keep Adams.

Did you mean £3.5m for those two? Surely you didn't manage to get £35???? If so then well done haha! 

The Championship is a crazy league and anything can happen, finding any kind of consistency is key.

[Constantine]

Actually, i meant 13.5  

Apologies, i'm doing some analytics for a friend and i've got few numbers mixed up.

It was 9 mill for Maghona and 4.5 (3m and some add-ons) for Jutkiewicz.

[Deisler26]

Good luck with this!

[danmcconnell1]

You've done very well to get those numbers for 2 ageing Championship players.

[Constantine]

2 hours ago, Deisler26 said:

Good luck with this!

Thanks

 

1 hour ago, danmcconnell1 said:

You've done very well to get those numbers for 2 ageing Championship players.

Maghona was deadline day panic buy by Watford, if i'm not mistaken. We started that save back in Beta and played till February or something so details are...

Jutkiewicz had a good season, scored 16 or 17 and went to Middlesbrough.

[ashton321]

Birmingham are a strange team for me I have a complete hatred for them but I have no reason why 

[Constantine]

August 2018.

It was a long month. Longer than it should've been, as QPR game for some reason got moved after huge Palace win. As i played FM in background while doing some work, i think we've done quite well. Norwich result was sure a surprise for me, but it was basically same game as Forest. Both sides played 4231 with 2 DMC and we exploited that space between their lines and literally crushed them. Bolton game had to be a f*** up, i think i already said we'll be losing that one

Palace beat themselves. Expecting huge loss, i dispatched mixed lineup. And, as expected, Palace ran rampart. Zaha was unstoppable. Milivojevic scored from a penalty early on and i thought to myself: Please, let it be less than 5. But Jutkiewicz had his own plans that night... First he scored after corner on far post and got us surprise win in 86. minute after penalty was given.

And this is (most likely) where our journey end...

Looking good. Board expect top half so we're on point.

Among all those good news, of course that there has to be one bad. Really, really bad.

Our Captain got injured and he'll be missing a lot of football. And with that, i have to hope that Dean and Roberts stay healthy. Otherwise, we're f*****, since their backups are kids i moved from u23 team. Spoiler alert: They're terrible. Like, Conference level terrible.

And to end this update, have to mention two absolute beauties. Jacques Maghoma and Che Adams. Those two are fantastic so far.

 

 

 

 

 

[Constantine]

September & October 2018.

Not good, not terrible. Mixed bag of results, as we slip down the table a bit but... Everything is still wide open.

Matches v West Brom and Sheff Utd were one of the worst games i watched so far in this career. It was like two Tony Pullis sides playing each other. So, so dull and uninspiring. But Leeds game made up for that. Jesus!! Leeds were leading 2-1 up until 79th minute, when Adams equalized. Bielsa then overloaded, playing 424, which we were playing too at the moment and i guess my boys better coped in all that chaos. Adams added another goal to the tally, Mrabti turned into Messi and Craig Gardner dropped a beauty of a free kick past Casilla.

Carabao Cup exit was expected but we can head our heads high as we were equal for the most of the match. That's what i thought but players were obviously more affected since they dropped the ball against worst team in the division. Brentford and Rotheram were pretty straightforward affairs but the next two... Good Lord.

F*** off, game.

And only few days after, Reading humiliated us in front of our own crowd. Totally my responsibility though, as i put out weakened squad, wanted to rest few key players.  Concannon's red in 2nd minute also helped, as did my stubbornness about maintaining attacking formation while a man down. To quote the best British politician in recent times: "It was a s***show".

Also, finances became a worry. Not surprised by that but i don't remember it being this bad this soon last time i played with this team.

 

 

 

 

 

[karanhsingh]

Nice updates. KUTGW

That Stoke game, though 

[Constantine]

Grab your pitchforks, fellas...

 

 

[Constantine]

November & December 2018.

Well, s***...

That ain't supposed to happen. I don't know, everyone just forgot how to score. Jutkiewicz, Adams, Maghona, Jota, Mrabti, Gardners...

Less said, the better. But, silver lining, there's a lot of football to be played.

More good news, finances... We've had two board injections and it's still bad. Might have to sell few players in January.

 

[deltablue]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally choose Leeds?

[Constantine]

1 hour ago, deltablue said:

Are you sure you didn't accidentally choose Leeds?

Played with them last year (i think), so there might be some remaining bad karma

[Constantine]

January & February 2019.

Jutkiewicz left us. 2.5m + 1.5 after six months. Which is OK, i guess. Tried to sign a replacement but Brewster wasn't interested, Inter wanted too much wages for Merola... Actually, wages are sole reason for us not signing anyone, we just couldn't pay single dime. So i promoted some kid, our most talented striker and will start praying to all gods, new and old, so that Adams doesn't get injured. 2 mill for Vassell is a pleasant surprise, since he was injured for most of the season. Camp is out, his wages are written out of our books and Wigan can sign him for peanuts (let's hope they do). And while balance is in the black again (wages still red), that won't last. But... Improvement!

 

As for the league, someone flipped the switch and we remembered that we're capable of playing some nice football.

Backups lost to Ipswich but we have won pretty much everything else. Haven't conceded for 400 minutes. Day and night, compared to that dreadful run back in December.

 

 

 

[Constantine]

March 2019.

Alright... This is getting serious. Back in the race again. Let's keep it up.

Well, that was quick... No one is surprised, to be honest.

 

 

[Constantine]

April & May 2019.

Birmingham will have two clubs in the Premier League next year, as Villa and us got officially promoted 2 rounds before the end of season.

We continued in fantastic manner, beating opponent after opponent. F***, we kept a bunch of clean sheets. It was brilliant to watch.

Until we secured that promotion. Then we stop giving a s***.

Which almost cost us the title. Luckily, Villains and their players went on early holiday, as did my guys.

On goal difference, but title is in our pocket. Best attack of the league. Best defense of the league.

Well done boys... Well done.

 

Also, i rarely post screenshots of kids from intake, since they're usually garbage.

But now, i think we've got something special.

I mean, look at him. Best kid i had in this years FM, hands down. Got a good PA, my coaches hold him in high regard. Would've loved for his work rate to be a bit higher but... He'll improve. I'll help him improve. Already debuted in the first team in that defeat against Reading. Youngest player in this club's history. Gotta nurture him carefully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Constantine]

I actually forgot to put Squad screenshot in last night. So, here's what's left of them.

  Kuszczak and Lubala signed on Bosman with Lech and Bordeaux. Mahoney's and Gardner's loan has expired. Rest of them were kids i sent back to u23.

And this is what we're left with. Birmingham will be active in the market. Already signed one German talent in striker position and an Italian for midfield. Currently negotiating with right back from Barcelona B. All on Bosman. All that's left is to find new GK, LB, ML, MR and perhaps another midfielder. That's it. Won't change that much.

 

[trueblue.85]

Cracking job, now if this was true to life you will be getting fired shortly

[danmcconnell1]

Brilliant last few months of the season. Congrats on the promotion too, pipped the Vile to the post too, just to make it that bit sweeter haha. KUTGW!

[karanhsingh]

Good going and that newgen looks very promising !! 

[Deisler26]

Congrats man! Great season!

[Constantine]

13 hours ago, trueblue.85 said:

Cracking job, now if this was true to life you will be getting fired shortly

Luckily, its a game. How would otherwise Birmingham get promoted?  

 

9 hours ago, danmcconnell1 said:

Brilliant last few months of the season. Congrats on the promotion too, pipped the Vile to the post too, just to make it that bit sweeter haha. KUTGW!

Yeah, that was pretty special way to end the season. Something changed for the better when Jutkiewicz got sold. Which is kinda weird, since he was a model pro while he was here, complained in private for the lack of playing time but never did anything to affect the team.

 

5 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Good going and that newgen looks very promising !! 

Yeah. As i said, i rarely get even decent ones. Bad luck, i guess. But this one is a beauty.

 

4 hours ago, Deisler26 said:

Congrats man! Great season!

Thank you, kind sir.

[Constantine]

Summer Transfer Window & August 2019.

We've pulled a Newcastle, finishing transfer window with positive net spend. But we're in a much better state than we were few months ago. Perfectly happy with what we've done, although three huge targets escaped from Birmingham grasp.

Except Jota, not a single first team player was sold. Wouldn't even sold him but Huddersfield came on a deadline day with an offer i couldn't refuse. Nice transfer fee and 48k/pw off our wages. Also, can you see where Lee Camp ended up? Don't know how or why but... It's FM for you.

Worked our way through Bosmans and transfer listed players. Samper and Pjaca were insanely cheap deals, as they really are top quality players. Morilla is kinda panic buy when Jota left, as we activated his clause. Still raw and underdeveloped but he will improve. Kishna will be first choice AML until he does.

 

Still kinda young, English, will battle it out with Pedersen for starting spot.

 

Second best i could get at the market since Butland refused to come home (ended up at Watford). But Pope is doing alright. Had a blunder v Chelsea but...

 

This one is exciting for me personally. Had him in Foggia save last year and he was a world beater. Now, he's far from that but he could be decent.

 

Young German was my top scorer in previously mentioned Foggia save. Him and Rossi terrorized Seria A defenses. Had a great start in the PL too...

 

Had to be generous with clauses and whatnot to sign him but i like having one experienced man in midfield three.

 

Shaqiri was my first choice for that AML role but despite multiple tries, he's way too big for our financial capabilities. So i've got this guy. A bit worse but on far more affordable wages.

 

Midfield maestro.

 

Another player that made me play with clauses (there was like 6, 7 or them) but he's worth it. Brilliant player.

 

Liverpool loanee will be Pjaca's backup. Signed because Maghona torn his knee ligaments just days before first game.

 

Already spoke about him. Still raw but potential is there.

 

Undefeated on our first month back in the Premier League. Huge wins against fellow relegation stragglers and fortunate point v Chelsea as they battered us hard. Sarri's 343 flat was insane, so, so hard to play against. Abraham could've score 4 or 5.

Can we end the season now?? Please??

 

 

 

 

[Constantine]

Courtesy of that sweet, sweet PL money.

Also, i wanted to show you our first XI in the last post but somehow that slipped my mind.

So here it is. Our strongest XI at the moment.

 

[danmcconnell1]

Some good signings there. I signed Samper for Rangers going into season 2 before and he turned into a brilliant midfielder at that level so will be interesting to see how he gets on in the PL. Best of luck!

[Constantine]

A bit of a thread necromancy, this...

Took a bit of a vacation from this save, for reasons unknown to me. Guess i was bored a bit (vacation days and overall boredom) but i'm back.

Still keeping unemployed save i started for myself (enjoying quite a bit Boston Utd and Conference football) but i have some unfinished business here.

So, without further ado...

September, October & November 2019.

Still going pretty strong. Survived London clubs at the beginning of September due to switching to a more defensive style of play and actually kept going with it. We've become hard to break. Gave City really tough time, Jesus (Gabriel) and dodgy 94th minute goal brought us first (and so far only) defeat in the season. Got into Quarter final of Carabao Cup. Easy draw but still...

December's going to be a b****. 8 games to play, including derby against Aston Villa Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Quarter final i mentioned above. Tough time...

Both Birmingham clubs doing well. That's nice to see. Few of the bigger clubs are under performing at the moment and they'll overtake us in no time but... Let's just enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Simple but it works like a charm.

Going to look for another central defender to buy. Morrison is too slow for PL football and Harding is HG quota. That's my priority #1.

As for our boy Jenkins... He's doing rather well.

Would love nothing more to groom our own Stevie G... Fingers crossed.