I started this game in July 05 unemployed and waited for a job... I finally got one in February 06 with Northwich Victoria in Conference North. I have no transfer funds available, so I don't have any resources to improve the team. The team also has over $300k in debt. My contract runs for three years (expires June 2009) and I get $8,000 a year.
My only goal in this career is to coach Canada to the World Cup (much, much easier said than done. I don't have any club goals at this point as far as teams/leagues go.)
The leagues I am running (all in normal mode): English (All), French (top two leagues), German (top two leagues), Italy (top two leagues), Portugal (top two leagues), Argentina (top two leagues) and MLS. I am also running a number of first division leagues in 'basic' mode.
THE SITUATION
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The situation I got myself in is not pretty. Northwich is 17th in Conference North with a record of 10-2-14 (wins-draws-losses).
I only have one player with an average rating over 7, and my hands are tied with transfer funds. I should stay clear of relegation though.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that my staff includes ONLY a scout and physio. I placed advertisements in the Job Center for an assistant manager and for coaches.
TACTICS
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This is my first career in FM/WSM, so I will learn as I go along. I am starting with a vanilla 4-4-2, and will make adjustments once I see how my team is playing.
NORTHWICH VICTORIA ROSTER
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*note: I will be posting key stats for each position, according to Marc's tips and hints
GK- reflexes-handling-communication-jumping
D L/R- positioning-tackling-pace-anticipation
D C- tackling-jumping-positioning-heading-strength-marking-bravery-teamwork
AM- passing-off the ball-creativity-technique-dribbling
DM- workrate-jumping-tackling-stamina-positioning
F/S- pace-acceleration-dribbling-technique-finishing-off the ball-jumping-heading-strength
Goalkeepers
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating
Ben Connett, 22 years old, England, 8-6-6-5, 24(1), 6.76
Kristian Rogers, 25, England, 13-7-3-4, 9, 6.44
Right Defenders
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Rory Smith, 18, England, 3-2-6-11, 3, 6.00, 0
Jon McCarthy, 35, Northern Ireland, 5-6-2-11, 29(1), 6.53, 0
Left Defenders
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Ben Chapman, 26, England, 7-8-12-5, 28, 6.32, 0
Central Defenders
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Kieran Charnack, 21, England, 10-9-8-8-10-8-13-13, 12(5), 6.41, 0
Peter Handysale, 31, Scotland, 9-9-5-9-10-9-8-5, 5(4), 6.22, 0
Steve Payne, 30, England, 10-11-8-9-12-9-14-10, 30, 6.57, 0
Defensive Midfielders
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Paul Warhurst, 36, England, 6-10-8-7-7, 23, 6.74, 0
Michael Carr, 22, England, 9-6-7-10-5, 32, 6.44, 1
Attacking Midfielders
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Danny Mayman, 26, England, 5-6-5-6-7, 27(3), 6.07, 4
Carlos Roca, 21, England, 5-6-6-6-8, 25, 6.44, 7
Craig Lewington, 23, England, 7-4-8-2-4, 6.27, 2
Strikers
Name-Age-Country-Ratings(see above)-Starts(subs)-Avg Rating-Goals
Johnny Allan, 22, England, 11-10-3-6-10-7-10-10-12, 33, 6.97, 13
Paul Brayson, 28, England, 13-12-9-8-8-9-1-2-8, 32, 7.09, 14
Chris McDonagh, 19, England, 9-9-8-3-5-6-7-1-9, 1(2), 6.00, 1
Michael Byrne, 20, Wales, 13-12-10-9-5-7-3-2-6, 0(13), 6.15, 0**
Mark Sale, 33, England, 3-1-4-6-7-5-18-12-8, 0(12), 5.92, 0**
**- On reserve team.
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As you can see, it isn't *that* bad. They are a young bunch, and I am highly considering bringing striker Byrne up from the reserves for some added ability but I'm not sure if I want him to be a substitute.
Brayson and Allan are a good bunch, scoring the majority of goals. The midfield and defense is weak at certain spots, but I really like Payne and Carr.
TENTATIVE LINEUP
----
Connett
Chapman-Charnack-Payne-Smith
Carr-Lewingston-Warhurst-Roca
Allan-Brayson
I'm starting to prepare for my first game as manager... I'm getting nervous.
February 4, 2006
Conference North/South
Worcester (10-10-6; 40 pts; 6TH) at Northwich (10-2-14; 32 pts; 17TH)
Much to my surprise we are 6-4 favorites to win this game, I guess because we are at home, but we have a lot of tired guys on this team, and that will shake up the lineup a bit, including having Allan coming off of the bench.
LINEUP
---
GK: Connett
DL: Chapman
DC: Charnack
DC: Payne
DR: Smith
ML: Carr
MC: Lewingston
MC: Warhurst
MR: Roca
ST: McDonagh
ST: Brayson
S1: Rogers
S2: McCarthy
S3: Handyside
S4: Mayman
S5: Allan
Game Story
It was a defensive first half. We had most of the chances, but couldn't finish despite six corners. All of our shots missed wide in the first half. At halftime I told the team I was pleased with their play despite the lack of finishing.
In the second half, we continue to control the possession, but several defensive miscues in our end led to scoring chances, and one in the 68th minute burned us, when Andy Preece put one short side on Connett to give Worcester a 1-0 lead.
In the 73rd minute, my first blunder as a manager. I had used my three substitutes already, and Carlos Roca went down with an injury and left the game, leaving us a man short for the remainder of the game. I move to an attacking 4-4-2, but move a defender to the midfield to make it a 3-4-2. It almost pays off in the 76th minute when Brayson was led on a nice ball, but fired the ball just wide.
That was our final great chance, and I lose my coaching debut 1-0.
After the game, I symphasize with my team because it is a game that could have gone either way.
Post-Game
Attendance: 440
*Brayson received a yellow card, his fifth, which earned him a one-game suspension.
*I learn that Roca will be out four weeks to two months with fractured ribs. A journalist asks me about the injury after the game and I tell him that Carlos is an important part of our team, but we have adequate men to cover for him.
Player Ratings
Connett 6
Smith 6
Chapman 6 (sub 28)
Payne 7
Charnock 6
Roca 6 (inj 73)
Carr 6
Warhurst 6
Lewingston 7 (sub 56)
Brayson 6 (YC)
McDonagh 7 (sub 56)
Handyside 6 (on 28; YC)
Mayman 6 (on 56)
Allan 7 (on 56)
We have a week until our next game, and hopefully the tired guys will have adequate time to rest up.
February 11, 2006
Conference North/South
Leigh RMI (12-6-9; 42 pts; 4TH) at Northwich (10-2-15; 32 pts; 19TH)
Last Meeting: September 27, 2005, L 3-1
Everything seems to be going against us in this game. Leigh is on a six-game winning streak and we are on a three game losing streak (including a loss in my debut a week ago). Nevertheless, we are 5-4 favorites to win the game at home. Let's hope we can live up to it.
Brayson is suspended and Roca is injured so I recalled Devlin and Byrne from the reserves. Byrne will start, Devlin will come off the bench.
LINEUP
---
GK: Connett
DL: Chapman
DC: Charnack
DC: Payne
DR: McCarthy
ML: Carr
MC: Lewingston
MC: Warhurst
MR: Mayman
ST: Allan
ST: Byrne
S1: Rogers
S2: Smith
S3: Handyside
S4: Devlin
S5: McDonagh
Game Story
We get a chance early with a free kick, but Byrne puts it over the net in the 12th minute. In the 26th minute, McCarthy making his first start in my tenure, leads the team in assists and I see why here, when he feeds a nice ball to Lewingston who puts it in! 1-0!!
Just three minutes later, Chris Taylor ties the game up after a mistake by Payne. But, then in the 38th minute, Allan was tripped in the area leading to a penalty. Warhurst takes it and promptly scores his first goal with us, 2-1!
At halftime I tell the team I was thrilled with their play.
In the 65th minute, Leigh's Ritchie Sutton was handed his second yellow card and was sent off. With the man advantage, Mayman lead Allan beautifully who walked in all alone to give us a 3-1 lead in the 69th minute.
Post-Game
Attendance: 414
*Johnny Allan impressed, getting man of the match. Byrne also played very wel in his debut, and I start to think I may not need Brayson as much as I thought, but he'll be back next week. Allan's goal was his 14th, tying him with Brayson.
Player Ratings
Connett 8
McCarthy 8
Chapman 6
Payne 9
Charnock 9
Mayman 7 (sub 77)
Carr 7
Warhurst 7 (sub 56)
Lewingston 8
Allan 9
Byrne 8
Smith 5 (on 77)
Devlin 7 (on 56)
February 4, 2006
Conference North/South
Moor Green (10-11-7; 41 pts; 8TH) vs Northwich (11-2-15; 35 pts; 16TH)
Last Meeting: October 1, 2005, L 1-0
My first away game as manager and we are STILL favoured, 4-5 against a pretty good Moor Green team.
LINEUP
---
GK: Connett
DL: Chapman
DC: Charnack
DC: Payne
DR: McCarthy
ML: Carr
MC: Lewingston
MC: Warhurst
MR: Mayman
ST: Allan
ST: Brayson
S1: Rogers
S2: Smith
S3: Handyside
S4: Devlin
S5: Byrne
Game Story
It was a dream start for us. After a Chapman throw-in to Carr, who promptly passed it to Allan who chipped it to Brayson, we were up 1-0 in the first minute!
It was a story of missed chances for us though. Brayson and Allan had countless opportunities that could have made it 2-0 or even 3-0. In the 32nd minute, a turning point. Connett, who had been making huge saves all game, came out almost to half to play a ball, but Neil Davis tipped the ball over the keeper and it rolled all the way down and into the net. The match was all square at 1.
Just seven minutes later, they scored again when a cross was punched away but right to Phil Trainer who put the ball in the open net. At halftime I told the team that we must get a result in this game, since we were just 4 points away from relegation.
In the second half, Allan and substitute Byrne started getting chances as I went to a 3-striker attack late in the game, but they couldn't convert and a frustrating loss after taking a very early 1-0 lead.
I tell the team that I was disappointed. Both teams had 13 shots, but the difference was 10 were off target for us, compared to five for them.
Post-Game
Attendance: 1400
*Allan suffered through a minor injury for most of the game, and after the game I realize it was because of a gashed head (ouch!) and will be out four days to two weeks.
Player Ratings
Connett 7
McCarthy 6
Chapman 6
Payne 7
Charnock 7
Mayman 6
Carr 5 (sub 55)
Warhurst 7
Lewingston 6 (sub 70)
Brayson 7
Allan 7
Devlin 6 (on 70)
Byrne 7 (on 55)
League Table
| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1st | | Barrow | | 29 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 43 | 35 | +8 | 50 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2nd | | Stafford Rangers | | 29 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 48 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3rd | | Hinckley | | 29 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 50 | 36 | +14 | 47 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4th | | Worcester | | 29 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 42 | 31 | +11 | 47 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 5th | | Leigh RMI | | 29 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 44 | 33 | +11 | 45 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6th | | Nuneaton | | 29 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 39 | 34 | +5 | 45 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 7th | | Moor Green | | 29 | 11 | 11 | 7 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 44 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 8th | | Kettering | | 29 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 51 | 44 | +7 | 42 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 9th | | Redditch | | 29 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 36 | 38 | -2 | 42 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10th | | Lancaster | | 29 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 38 | 35 | +3 | 40 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 11th | | Alfreton | | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 32 | 35 | -3 | 40 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 12th | | Hyde | | 29 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 40 | 41 | -1 | 39 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 13th | | Harrogate Town | | 29 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 42 | -3 | 39 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 14th | | Vauxhall Motors | | 29 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 40 | 36 | +4 | 37 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 15th | | Hednesford | | 29 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 37 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 16th | | Droylsden | | 29 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 34 | 38 | -4 | 36 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 17th | | Hucknall | | 29 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 36 | 42 | -6 | 36 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 18th | | Northwich | | 29 | 11 | 2 | 16 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 35 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 19th | | Stalybridge | | 29 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 36 | 43 | -7 | 34 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 20th | | Worksop | | 29 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 35 | 38 | -3 | 33 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 21st | | Gainsborough | | 29 | 9 | 5 | 15 | 34 | 45 | -11 | 32 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 22nd | | Workington | | 29 | 5 | 6 | 18 | 33 | 53 | -20 | 21 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
We are two points away from relegation, and I am not really worried... yet.
NoSkillz
11-22-2005, 09:50 AM
Good stuff Booj, I'll be reading.
I'm a n00b at FM too but I think I'll be trying to do something similar to you (ie: taking a job at a Conference-level squad).
Sounds like things are simplified a bit down in those leagues.
Thanks for reading.
I've been really busy lately..end of semester and all, but I should get some more playing time in soon.
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