Oh Look. It's Another Izulde Try At FM (13) [Archive]

Izulde

01-24-2014, 08:50 PM

We somehow manage to sell 75 season tickets despite our trainwreck of a friendlies performance.

Louis-Rae Beadle, an AML who I don't think has played yet, gets hurt and is out 1-3 months.

Match 1 - Bromley
We'll probably get our tails kicked, but I do like that before the match, AFC Hornchurch's manager, Jimmy McFarlane, says we've got a good shot at staying up.

Starting Lineup
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Sam Page
DC Matt Drage
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor (Ass. Man.)
ML Wayne Young (Youth transfer)
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Perry Law (Youth transfer - No contract)

30' - No highlights thus far. Wayne Young gets a knock, though, so it's Reece Hall on for him. Young's looked nervous in any case.

Oh wait, I have it set to Key Highlights. No wonder.

38' - Scott Taylor's old ass gets blown past, but our defense recovers in time to prevent the goal, and Taylor hustles back to clear it out. That's it until halftime.

I tell Perry Law to calm down at half time because he's looking very nervous, and then he ends up looking confused. 16 year old boys don't know shit.

48' - Yeah, Jordaan Brown is playing like crap today, but we don't have anyone to slot in for him. Will Bor does take Scott Taylor's place, though.

50' - Nice little pass from Law to Garrod with Wheeler running to the subsequent feed to try and get the goal, but sadly, it's right at the keeper.

55' - A buildup by us is all soap, but they get a long, beautiful pass nearly all the way down the field to set up a perfect shot.... .... and it narrowly misses. Whew.

64' - One of their guys gets yellow-carded, but our free kick turns out for naught. They again try a counter, but the defense holds.

86' - They've had a couple corners miss, and Mario the Ass comes on for Law to finish out our subs. Ferguson is looking wiped out there, though, and we need more depth.

89' - A piss-poor job of clearing by us and Buchanan for their side stays with the ball and slots in it. FML. 0-1

And that's how it ends.

Jordaan Brown put up a 5.4 stinker today and Reece Hall's 5.9 was awful as well. Ironically our two DCs earned a 7.0.

I'm getting a little annoyed with how FM 2013 keeps fast-forwarding the calendar even when there's new messages I want to look at, though I'm sure there's a setting to fix that. Such as the staff telling me to train attack set pieces when I can't because by the time the game stops again, it's Match Day.

Heh, Bromley's in takeover talks. That boosted their value maybe to beat us.

Match 2 - Dorchester
Starting Lineup
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Odaine Kemar-Smith
DC Alfie Arthur
DR Qaseem Sotonwa
DMC Scott Taylor (Ass. Man.)
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Will Bor
ST Louis-Rae Beadle (Yes, we have 2 of them)
ST Mario Quiassaca

Not good for continuity, I know, and Wheeler's only at 87%, but what can you do?

17' - You can tell these guys aren't used to playing together. Nothing going on offense, and poor shooting form by Dorchester is keeping us alive. That'll change I'm sure.

25' - Ugh. Two beautiful setups for Quiassaca by Taylor and Bor, and Mario can't get his foot forward to hit in either one. That may have been our best shot.

Stop me if you've heard this before. 0-0 at the half, though we did get a couple whatever long-range cracks towards the end. Will Bor is playing like ass out there, as is Odaine Kemar-Smith, but we don't have any reserves to replace either one.

65' - A couple of half-ass close shots early in the second half, but Rae-Beadle *just* misses one here, and it's kicked aside to give us a corner. Taylor and Bor are ordered to switch spots, and Wayne Young[b] is brought on to replace [b]Hall. Ugh, Kemar-Smith *just* misses the goal on the header by a fraction of an inch.

70' - Turner punches the ball out although he's playing dangerously there. Young grabs it, runs down the entire left side of the field and crosses to Wheeler, who knocks it in for our first league lead!!!! 1-0

78' - Cyril Ocansey comes on for Quiassaca.

92' - Yellow for Kemar-Smith.

And we get the 3 points!

Nathan Beckett played great at DC today - 7.2 and 7.1s for Alfie Arthur and Qaseem Sotonwa at DC and DR respectively. But of course the man of the hour is the exhausted David Wheeler with our first league goal of the year and a 7.9, though one of Dorchester's defenders got Man of the Match.

Bromley got bought by David Sheepshanks.

Basingstoke
Starting Lineup
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Sam Page
DC Matt Drage
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor (Ass. Man.)
ML Wayne Young (Youth transfer)
MR Adam Cashin-Murray
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Perry Law (Youth transfer - No contract)

This is a game we definitely need to win if we want to make sure we stay clear of the drop zone.

10'[b] - A heart-stopping free kick by them misses.

[b]14' - Garrod is having trouble getting anything going today.

32' - Shit. Long shot by Lake and it's now.. 0-1

37' - Bullshit penalty given to them and of course they convert 0-2

I chew them out at half.

68' - Law heads it forward into the penalty area and Garrod races in to send it home. 1-2 and Bor on for Ferguson.

85' - We get screwed out of an equalizing penalty kick. Quiassica in for Law.

91' - Quiassca sets it up for Cashin-Murray, but it's no dice. Tony Garrod gets hurt right before game's end.

Some loan information coming up next time.

Izulde

01-24-2014, 11:17 PM

Our First Loan
ST Luis Cumbers - Welling - 3 month loan
If my staff is right, I should have done a full season loan on this kid. He's our best striker right now according to them, and it isn't even close. Very, very excited, though it feels weird to be loaning in somebody from our own league.

Couldn't have come at a better time because Tony Garrod is out 6-7 weeks with a twisted ankle.

Maidenhead
Lineup
GK Jack Turner
DL Max Worsfold
DC Odaine Kemar-Smith
DC Alfie Arthur
DR Qaseem Sotonwa
DMC Will Bor
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Louis-Rae Beadle
ST Mario Quiassaca

Our guys suck at staying in match shape apparently. I dont' think we've fielded the same lineup for two straight matches yet. Of course, some of these fellows are having to play winded due to lack of depth.

4' - We have a couple cracks off a corner, but nothing.

5' - Very stupid play by Turner coming out should have cost us a goal, but Maidenhead are fellow relegation candidates and it shows.

6' Quiassaca takes a pass from Wheeler and dribbles to the far post, then crosses it all the way to the other side where Hall is waiting to put in the goal! 1-0

19' - Our initial effort off a corner doesn't work, but Quiassaca catches the half-volley and calmly shoots it in! I'm sorry I talked smack about you, Mario. 2-0

31' - It's a yellow for Ferguson.

34' - Jesus. Turner[/d] drops a ball and I think we're in for it, but [b]Kemar-Smith just gets in to clear it out. Evidently Turner wants to risk losing his starting spot.

43' - Terrible giveaway by Sotonwa, but Bor gets it back and feeds it to Sotonwa, who redeems himself with a nice arcing pass that Quiassaca chases down and deposits for his second goal of the game!! 3-0

We better not lose this lead. That's all I can say. Sam Page goes in for a tired-looking Alfie Arthur, and Scott Taylor takes Ferguson's place.

47' - Damn. Beautiful assist by Sotonwa is disallowed because Clone #1 pushed a defender on the goal in.

65' - Cracking counter started by Kemar-Smith that not only prevented a goal but almost tacks another one on ends with Sotonwa narrowly missing. After a corner and some fiddling around, Quiassaca narrowly misses the hat trick when he can't pounce on a readily waiting rebound.

79' - Yellow for Hall.

80' - Second dropped ball for Turner this game. This time there's no respite and they're with a faint shimmer of hope. 1-3

89' - Second straight game with a late game injury. This time it's Bor and I decide to let the no-experience at DMC Beckett learn a few minutes there.

Hell of a game. Mario Quiassaca with the 9.0 and Man of the Match. 7.5 for Reece Hall and 7.1s for Alfie Arthur and Odaine Kemar-Smith. 7.0 for Qaseem Sotonwa, and it's our technical B squad that has our first two wins of the year. Food for thought.

Fuck Jack Turner and his 5.9, though. Might as well give the new goalie a shot. On the other hand, after I calmly tell him off, he gets motivated and inspired, so we'll chalk it up to a bad game.

I figured out how to pause the game so I could give instructions for our next pre-match training at the advice of my staff.

Qaseem Sotonwa is eligible for a professional contract and wants $5,500 with an increase to $7,000 once he hits 30 games with the club. ...Yeah, that's not gonna happen, great as he's been in the first two league matches.

...Because we loan in Robbie Rice for a season-long loan and Rice is capable of playing DR better than Sotonwa. Another season-long loan we pick up is Nathan Smart, who can play striker and anywhere along the right side of the field.

H&W
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Matt Drage
DC Alfie Arthur
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor (Ass. Man.)
ML Reece Hall
MR Nathan Smart (Season Loan)
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers (3 month loan)
ST Mario Quiassaca

Decided to go with a mix of alleged A and B because there's not only this game, but another league match a few days later.

5' - good thing I fired up Turner before the game because he makes a beautiful save after a Arthur misclear.

10' - Damn. Though that nice shot by Cumbers was going in.

17' - Yellow card for Smart. I'll let you do the CSI: Miami joke.

To put it bluntly, we're playing like shit at the half outside of Jack Turner, who has been making brilliant save after brilliant save. Alfie Arthur and Nathan Smart go out for Sam Page and David Wheeler respectively.

48' - We're taking stupid shot after stupid shot.

50' - Misfire by them in what should have been a goal.

52' - Sheesh. Two corners, one of which was damned close to getting us, but Ferguson wisely conceded the corner. We're getting slammed here.

63' - [b]Rae-Beadle in for Quiassaca, who's lolly-gagging out there for the fun of it.

91' - Third straight game with a late-game injury you say? Yep, and this time it's Wheeler, our most valuable player. And we're out of subs. Time to turtle up.

We escape with the draw and the point, though this is a game we should've won on paper. 7.5 for Man of the Match Matt Drage, 7.2 for Turner, 7.1 for Nathan Beckett.

After 5 games, we're 2-1-1 with 7 points and a +1 GD, good for 12th in the league. Drop zone is 2 points at the moment.

Board's fine with me, and I forgot to mention their aim is for me to Give youth a chance. Hopefully I've been doing that. Still need a DMC, though, for depth.

Izulde

01-25-2014, 05:47 PM

Weston-super-mare
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Odaine Kemar-Smith
DC Alfie Arthur
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Andrew Cashin-Murray
ML Wayne Young
MR Nathan Smart
AMC Will Bor
ST Perry Law
ST Mario Quiassaca

We're expected to lose this one.

0' - Well that was close. Should've been a goal, but Brown shoots it out the sideline just in time.

9' - Penalty kick awarded thanks to Kemar-Smith's screwup. And of course it goes in. 0-1

25' - There's a shot for Young, but instead he dribbles right into the goalie. Yay.

26' - We should be down 0-3 right now, but fortunately they miss again.

30' - Completely made to look like idiots. 0-2

38' - Young passes it up to Law, who loses possession, but Quiassaca pounces on the loose ball and drills it in from 30 yards out to give us a chance. 1-2

44' - Oh look, another freaking injury with seconds to spare in a half. :rolleyes: Fortunately, it's the cruddily performing Kemar-Smith, who gets replaced by Jerel Ifil, who's now recovered from his own injury.

It's Worsfold on for Brown at the half at DL. Smart needs a new person to replace him, but we have no one in our subs or in our lineup capable of doing it, as our other options were too tired to play this game.

51' - We're looking really fired up on defense since the break, fending off numerous shots and throwing ourselves in the path of the ball to intercept and prevent goals.

65' - But when you can't get anything going offensively, and keep getting slammed with shots, eventually one's going to go through. 1-3

71' - Now it's just piling on. Free kick into a leaping header, and it's 1-4

80' - We've quit, apparently. Turner just stands there, and will be benched next game. 1-5

Great game by Mario Quiassaca. Everyone else played like shit, and I tell them off about it, which greatly upset Quiassaca, even when I talked to him and told him I wasn't mad at him, and that he did great. Didn't work, though.

We loan in Marcus Moody from Farnsborough for 3 months, just to get another body on the MR side.

Welling
GK Iain Armstrong
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Qaseem Sotonwa
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor (AM)
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Louis-Rae Beadle
ST Mario Quiassaca

Another likely loss, TBH.

8' - Bad start for Armstrong as his hesitancy costs a goal. 0-1

10' - Completely outclassed. 0-2

22' - Yellow for Brown.

27' - Two narrow misses for Rae-Beadle.

30' - Armstrong looks like a dumb 16 year old kid out there. 0-3

31' - And another. 0-4

[b]67'[/b - Worsfold on for Hall.

Brown got hurt towards the end of the game, but we had no one to play DL, so he played on. This 5 substitutes thing has always been frustrating because we don't have much variety in our coverage.

I'm also thinking I need to rethink when I put guys in the lineup. I've been adopting a 90% minimum policy, but that's leading to constantly revolving lineups that's not helping our cohesion at all, I don't think.

Brown's out a month.

BYU 14

01-25-2014, 07:29 PM

Ouch, that's a brutal 2 game stretch brother..

Izulde

01-25-2014, 08:05 PM

Key match against Billericay next. We both have 7 points, and 4 points is drop candidate, so I talk a little smack at my staff's urging. We're also 19th right now, one spot above the drop.

vs Billericay (15th)
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Matt Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Mario Quiassaca

7' - A little bit better header and we'd have allowed a goal. Not a great start, guys. We need this one.

12' - There we go! Free kick from Turner to Quiassaca and bam! Half-volley for the lead! 1-0

14' - Wheeler to Cumbers, but the header's angled short.

17' - Terrible giveaway by Ferguson and some nice passing around sets them up for an easy goal. 1-1

42' - Billericay has been passing beautifully but can't get on target. Meanwhile we've been taking long shots, but not this time, as Wheeler heads it up to Ferguson, who answers for his prior giveaway with a nice short pass to Cumbers who actually dribbles closer before taking his shot, rifling it home. 2-1

It's Young in for Hall at the half.

46' - Taylor to Quiassaca to Cumbers... who somehow missed the goal and I thought sure it was in. Damn damn damn.

51' - Fuck. Turner, who has had an amazing game to this point, own goals. :mad: 2-2

61' - I singled him out as a great player in the prematch presser, but Ferrell has been playing like ass, so I pull him for Smart.

70' - Young loses the ball, but Beckett's right there to get it and make a lovely cross to Quiassaca who knocks it in for his second goal and the lead! 3-2

74' - Brilliant clear-out by Beckett, who has been amazing these last few minutes, and an equalizing goal is disallowed due to obvious offsides.

91' - Heart's in the mouth as they keep swarming, and a header comes up... but thankfully is off to the side.

Whew. 3 points we very, very much needed.

Key players
Mario Quiassaca - 8.8 (MoM)
Jack Turner - 7.9
Sam Page - 7.5
Luis Cumbers - 7.3

Jack Turner becomes our first player named to the Blue Square South XI Team of the Week.

We're also sitting 15th in the league following that win.

FA Cup - vs Sutton United
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Matt Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Mario Quiassaca

This is a winnable game against one of our conference foes, and we've a week before our next league match (albeit a short turnaround time), so I want to start building continuity and go with the same exact lineup as last game - a first for this year, I think.

7' - Ugh. Complete fluke pass by them somehow goes in. 0-1

14' - Yellow for Ferrell. Wheeler's gimped, too.

23' - And there's the great pass and the fucking giant leaping header by a guy who looks like he's 90 feet tall. UUUUUGGGGHHHH!! 0-2

26' - Fucking refs disallow a free kick goal because Cumbers allegedly pushed somebody. Screw that.

36' - A wasted opportunity for Sutton, my ass.

44' - Cumbers just misses a redeeming goal. Story of the game.

In which everyone stunk up the joint the first half. I tell them off, and Quiassca gets butthurt about it, so I bench him for Perry Law.

50' - Weird sequence where we keep going back back back before going forward, but our attack nets nothing.

54' - Young on for Hall.

72' - The fans start leaving, sick of Law and his wildly inaccurate long-range shots.

87' - In which there have been yellows for Wheeler and Young and after which there's been a crazy sequence of missed shot after missed shot, but finally Ferguson pokes through the crowd to get one home. Surely no more than consolation, though. 1-2

89 - You sure we're playing at home? Penalty award to Sutton and they of course there because Turner stands there like a fucking dumbass. 1-3

Great. I tell Ferguson individually he did a lot better that second half and he switches off. Quiassaca also Eeyores on me when I rip the team for their overall shoddy showing. Turner, Beckett, and Young are also pissed off at me for reaming the team a new one.

Shut up, whiny kids. Just shut the hell up.

Izulde

01-25-2014, 08:05 PM

Ouch, that's a brutal 2 game stretch brother..

Yeah I know. Seems like each version of FM gets more and more complex. Hopefully I can manage to stick around for another season at least, though.

Izulde

01-26-2014, 04:23 AM

So like, I just messaged a bunch of girls on OKCupid, of which only one of them will respond, and I know I'll get a response there because it's somebody I know who's quite the cool chick. Neither one of us is interested in each other like that, though.

I'm not in the mood to work on the novel, and can't sleep, so it's off we go back into FM.

I'm warned again by the FA for bitching about the refs, which makes the board mad at me. Watch me not care.

What the hell? Jimmy McFarlane turns his back on me and says we're not cut out for this level. OH YEAH? YOU'RE ON BLAST!

The growing rivalry between us and AFC Hornchurch continues when I tell the journalist there's no way in hell McFarlane's team is going to stay up.

Salisbury (5th)
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Matt Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Mario Quiassaca

Not much of a shot of our winning this one most likely, but we'll do our damnedest.

5' - Barrage of shots and one gets through on a sneaky header that looked offsides to me. I hate this game. 0-1

13' - Disallowed goal because this time they get the offsides call right. Yay! We've yet to do anything offensively in the highlights.

40' - Our first offensive highlight when Cumbers heads it up for Quiassaca to chase down, but the shot's a misfire.

At the half, Law comes on for the injured Cumbers, and Beckett is replaced by Worsfold.

49' - Aaaand we leave a guy wide fucking open for the easy score. 0-2

59' - Blown easy shot by Law.

82' - And there go my very faint hopes for a draw. 0-3

85' - Hat trick for Ross Wilson. 0-4

The press conference crackhead thinks *I* signed Lewis Ferrell and I didn't.

Our next opponent has 34 year old Pele as a player on their squad. ...Yeah, we're screwed.

Hayes &W
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Matt Drage
DC Qaeem Sotonwa
DR Robbie Rice
DMC Will Bor
ML Reece Hall
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Nathan Smart
ST Mario Quiassaca

Yeah we're trying some different things today to see if that will shake things up.

Oh, but before we begin, the board is pleased with my leadership, especially how many young kids I'm giving opportunities to. Um, okay. Whatever you guys say.

14' - We get about 90 billion chances right in front of the frigging goal mouth but nobody is brave enough to take the damned shot.

19' - Home cooking to give Sotonwa a yellow.

34' - Drage puts the ball into row Z to keep us alive.

35' - And Sotonwa is sent off. Fuck you, ref.

Continuing our tradition, Bor is hurt right before the half. Taylor comes on to relieve him and Worsfold subs in for Hall.

47' - Wheeler does a great wheel and puts a nice ball forward for Quiassaca, who promptly half-asses the shot.

49' - Bull dives and Wheeler gets booked. Talk about bullshit.

53' - Cutting through our D like butter and 20 yards out, there's the gamewinner. 0-1

67' - Ferguson got hurt and I missed it somehow. Worsfold gets robbed of a goal by the damn post. We pull Ferguson's spot back from AMC to MC and insert Marcus Moody. Fuck it.

76' - Turner's stupid ass rushes out and there goes our draw hopes. 0-2

We actually didn't play all that badly, all things considered. But our goal differential is ghastly and if we had the 7 points that a drop team does now, we'd be in the relegation zone.

We're playing terribly, all things considered, and will be lucky to stay up. None of the guys I've gotten has been worth anything, and we still can't find a consistent, coherent lineup for anything in the world

Izulde

01-26-2014, 03:33 PM

There's a really great looking 21 year old Congolese AMC who we spend all our money on, but he's being held up by work permit issues.

Eastleigh (3rd)
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

This is what my staff swears is the best lineup we can possibly put together, with the exception of DMC, where I prefer Scott Taylor's versatility off the bench, even though it isn't the best by the average ratings. We'll give it a go, though, and see what comes of it. Nice to see Garrod back at any rate.

8' - Young completely shanks a shot.

11' - Not sure how Eastleigh flubbed that one. Should've been a goal indeed.

16' - Cumbers is hurt, so it's Quiassaca on.

18' - Sloppy pass by Farrell leads to an interception by them and it's within a fraction of a centimeter away from going in. We've been lucky thus far.

28' - Hmm. Young didn't look offside to me, but he shanked it anyway. What is it with all my 16 year olds that can't shoot the damn ball?

b]30'[/b] - Boot from Turner to Garrod and so.damn.close. I really thought that was going in.

36' - Yellow for Quiassaca

46' - Yellow for Ferrell. :eyeroll:

Considering how massively favored the hosting Eastleigh is, fighting to a draw at the half is just fine by me. Jerel Ifil is winded, and playing like crap besides, so it's Drage on for him. Rest of the team is playing pretty well.

48' - Their defense has been doing a sensational job of throwing bodies in front of our shots.

51' - Brown's done, so it's Worsfold in.

65' - Sure wish they would take shots closer. Garrod's rebound could have netted us a lead if someone was there.

70' - Great defensive work to keep the sheet clean.

82' - GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLL!!!!!!!!!! Goal Goal Goal!!! reads the commentary! OMG. Worsfold makes a gorgeous pass for Garrod, who actually is inside and beats out the defense to kick it in!!!!! 1-0

86' - Fletcher to Quiassca, but Young isn't quite quick enough to drill in the easy rebound. Damn. Want that insurance goal.

OMG OMG BIGGEST UPSET EVER!!! TAKING DOWN THE #3 TEAM ON THE ROAD!!!

Ratings over 7
7.5 - Sam Page (Man of the Match), Tony Garrod
Everyone except Ifil netted a 6.8 or better.

Also, Jamie Day of Welling came to see how Luis Cumbers was doing. Too bad his loaned out player didn't see much field time.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/87gC_pII_wU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Crappy quality on the video, I know, but I don't know how to make it better.

Anyway, we're now 14th in the table, and our next match is against... you guessed it, AFC Hornchurch and its smack-talking manager, Jimmy McFarlane.

The Congolese AMC's work permit application was turned down, but we're going to appeal that, aaand we get turned down. Damn it.

AFC Hornchurch
GK Jack Turner
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Nathan Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Max Worsfold
MR David Wheeler
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Mario Quiassaca

0' - "Let's get this relegation six-pointer underway." Nice. Even nicer? The Hornchurch player kicks it out to goal kick touch and makes no attempt to even try and aim at the goal. :lol:

5' - Ferrell takes out a player, gets it up to Wheeler who splits a pass between two defenders to Quiassaca, but nothing happens of it.

17' - A lot of back and forth around the pitch, but despite two corners, Hornchurch can't do anything.

22' - Woo! We get a PK awarded even though Hornchurch wigs out!!! For some reason, Ferrell takes the penalty even though I quickset it to Quiassaca after looking at the ratings. Doesn't matter, though, because he brings home the bacon! 1-0

32' - Thought we had the insurance on a header off a corner, but their keeper does great to snag it out of the air.

36' - ...Damn it. Long-range goal. We seem to be giving up a lot of those lately. 1-1

Ferguson and Bor are doing terrible, but I have no one who can replace the former, so it's Taylor on for Bor. Smart comes on for Wheeler, who's playing with a knock and looking a little winded.

51' - A lot of ping-pong right now.

72' - I'm going to be pissed if we walk out of here with nothing. 1-2

88' - God damn it! Shot after shot so close so close and the one I thought sure was going in but no, it had to rebound and whoever shot it couldn't get the fuck up to just poke the bastard ball in!

It's another Man of the Match for Sam Page with a 7.7 and Nathan Beckett netted a 7, but everyone else? Fucking horrendous.

We also lose David Wheeler for close to two weeks.

Still 16th, but that was a devastating loss, as our -12 goal differential means we have to get points, points, points to avoid the drop. Worse yet, everyone behind us has a game in hand.

Izulde

01-27-2014, 02:26 AM

Basingstoke becomes the second BSS team to find new owners this season.

We sign 22 year old AMC/ST Jordan Johnson, who represents a massive upgrade over Troy Ferguson. How big? Ferguson is 0.5* at AMC - Johnson is 2* right now. This might be the one signing we need to get us over the hump.

We're heavy favorites against Sutton United, even though they beat us in our first match against them.

Sutton United
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Nathan Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Wayne Young
MR Nathan Smart
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

10' - Brown arcs the corner and Page nods it on to Garrod, who finishes it off with a header that beats out the defender, and just like that we've got a lead. 1-0

13' - Great sequence and goal disallowed after Garrod's declared offside. Boo.

17' - Ugh. Brown gets beat out and just like that, it's a tie game. Fucking typical. 1-1

Yellows for Ferrell and Bor before the half. Young has sucked the big one, so he's replaced by Worsfold at the half, and an exhausted Brown subs out for Beckett.

53' - Yellows for Smart and Johnson. This ref is a real assfarmer.

70' - Great pass from Bor to Smart, who runs in space but can't make the pass to set up the easy shot. Then they narrowly miss on the other end in a counter.

81' - Fantastic free kick strike by Ferrell and we've got the lead!!! Now hold it, you bastards!!! 2-1

85' - Narrow miss on a long shot by Sutton United.

89' - At first I get excited, thinking we have a PK, but no, it's Garrod with a yellow.

90' - FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK!!!! THEY SCORE ON A FUCKING CORNER! FUCK YOU, FM! 2-2

Such unbelievable bullshit. OMG I'm so fucking pissed right now.

7.9 for Man of the Match Tony Garrod and 7.3 for Lewis Ferrell. Ugh. Still, we got a point and yeah. Guess I should be nice in the full-time talk.

Wayne Young is butthurt when I point out he hasn't done the best for us so far. Get over it, kid.

The midfield version of Louis Rae-Beadle wants PT. That's cool. Take a hike, kid.

Truro
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Nathan Drage
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Max Worsfold
MR Marcus Moody
AMC Scott Taylor
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

1' - A mistimed tackle by Page gives them an easy shot on goal. Sigh. 0-1

5' - Getting ugly fast. 0-2

9' - Another fucking goal, but this one's disallowed at least.

Yeah, everyone is just terrible all half long. Mario Quiassaca on for Garrod at the half, Beckett in for Brown.

It's completely garbage in the second half, with no noteworthy highlights.

7.1 for Jack Turner, but yeah, awful all around.

Why the hell do journalists keep telling me this a weak lineup and I'm not playing key players? I've gotten that twice now in a row and I don't understand it.

WTF? My staff says to dump Matt Drage for poor play, but he has a 6.8 average rating. The same for Will Bor, whose 6.66 rating isn't awful by any means.

I don't get this game at all. I really don't.

Izulde

01-27-2014, 08:54 AM

Chelmsford
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

Hopefully the media will shut up about the key players thing now, because that's our best lineup according to our staff.

3' - Are we surprised? No. 0-1

7' - Okay, so maybe you should have been back in sooner, Ifil. He leaps above everyone else on a corner to head in for an immediate answer. 1-1

26' - Johnson is everywhere after a botched corner to keep the play alive, but the solid crack by Wheeler goes for naught after no one can follow through the rebound. Turner stupidly comes way out almost to the damned sideline to punch the ball for a throw-in.

33' - Oh look. Turner comes out and gets blasted for his error. What a surprise. :rolleyes: 1-2

We've been playing like crap and our assman wants to say we've been unlucky? HAHAHAHAHA. Taylor on for Bor, Smart on for Garrod.

78' - :banghead: Smart plays a beautiful ball for Cumbers with no one in front of the kid and he shanks it.

83' - Lollygagging by Ifil leads to Chelmsford taking the ball away and 90 million corners and shots, which by some miracle all go fruitless. Rice in for an injured Ferrell.

92' - I swear this game has code to make players hurt right at the tail end of games. Cumbers goes off, and fuck it all because we're out of subs.

Jerel Ifil wins Player of the Game with an 8 rating. 7.6 for Page, 7.4 for Ferrell, and really, our backline played outstanding in the second half. Wayne Young continues to suck - 5.9.

Really, though, we just got unlucky on this one.

We have our first casualty as Welling fires its manager. Expected to contend for promotion, the Wings are sitting a mediocre 12th. I'm tempted to apply, but decide not to.

The board's opinion of me is downgraded to satisfied because of all the losing and losing big we've been doing.

We sign 21 year old Welsh midfielder Billy Taylor to a $2.1k contract. He'll provide depth at ML/MR, even though he's not ready to push the starting lineup yet.

Tonbridge
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Will Bor
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

4' - Cumbers cuts to Wheeler in space, but the shot's off target.

10' - Garrod sets up the perfect header for Cumbers, who once again blows a perfect opportunity. :banghead:

40' - Finally!!! The god damned drought finally ends for Cumbers, who gets an absolutely sensational ball from Young and hits the goal on-target and on the freaking ground!!! 1-0

41' - Tonbridge has their own sitter screwed up, so nice to see we're not the only ones.

That was easily the best first half we've played in a long time. Page continues to be great, putting up a 7.4, and of course, Cumbers' goal gives him a 7.2 at the break. No subs for now. Let's just roll with this.

55' - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 1-1 Also, Beckett in for Brown.

71' - A knock for Ferrell but he'll fight through. Taylor on for Bor, Smart on for Garrod.

76' - The top post somehow saves us from a losing goal. That would just have been the icing on everything.

86' - Stop me if you've heard this one before. Smart sets up the perfect shot for Cumbers, and Cumbers blows it.

Gorgeous game by Sam Page, Man of the Match, with an 8.5 rating, the highest I've seen from any of our players. Overall we played well, and a t least we got a point, but man... Cumbers is the most frustrating player ever.

Sam Page becomes just our second player to be named to the Team of the Week.

Apparently Farnborough fired their manager at some point, too, and I somehow missed it because they've got a new one, right before we meet them in the FA Trophy.

I'm close to a potentially huge transfer signing that should hopefully keep us up, but for now...

FA Trophy - Farnborough
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Tony Garrod

Although a league win is more important at this point, a cup win would really boost the morale of the team, so I'm putting out what is supposedly our top lineup.

28' - We've been facing heavy pressure all game and have been fending them off. An easy shot off a corner, but they miss it like Cumbers is playing for them.

40' - Taylor[b] takes a knock.

[b]44' - Whisker away from a goal by them there. We've had not much luck trying to get any offense going on our side.

Against my better judgement, Ferguson and Bor go in for Taylor and Johnson, who are tired.

50' - Well, Ferguson executes a nice move for Garrod, but Tony's shot is right at the keeper.

52' - Well, well, well! Bor intercepts a pass, and gives it to Garrod who feeds Wheeler and it's in for the super score!!! 1-0

70' - Knocks for Bor and Cumbers, but we'll keep playing on.

75' - And now is where Bor's deficiencies come into play, as he's dispossessed and the ensuing run and shoot just bangs off the top bar and out of play.

91' - Ferguson to Garrod to Cumbers... ...who dilly-dallys trying to find the perfect shot and does nothing to it. Needless to say, he won't be back when his loan ends soon.

"Staines are the winners, but in truth it was a poor match."

Poor match, my ass. Look at this.

7+ Ratings
Sam Page - 7.8 (MoM)
Tony Garrod - 7.5
David Wheeler - 7.3
Jordaan Brown - 7.2
Jerel Ifil - 7.1
Jack Turner -7.1
Lewis Ferrell - 7.1
Luis Cumbers - 7.1

We really kicked it up in the second half, and I couldn't be more thrilled to finally snap the losing streak.

Will Bor is out a week and a half.

We loan 24 year old striker Guiseppe Sole from Blue Square Premier side Woking until the end of the season. We tried to sign him outright earlier, but the board wasn't willing to meet his demands. Although not the big, big signing I alluded to earlier, he's instantaneously the top striker on our club, and will be a nice replacement for the disappointing Cumbers.

We also pick up defensive midfielder Jean-Sylvain Dossou from Niger. The 25 year old is an uptick over the terrible DMC situation we had with Scott Taylor and Bor. Our fans love the signing.

...Great. Eastleigh in the first round of the FA Trophy. We're at home, but still...

...And then comes the huge signing. 19 year old defensive midfielder Johnny Goddard who signs for a whopping $28,000 contract but he's so, so worth it by my scouts. Right now he's a leading star for our level, and he has League 2 potential. Let me put it like this:

Defensive Midfielder Rankings
Goddard - 4*
Dossou - 1.5*
Taylor - 1 to 1.5*
Bor - 4 silver stars, whatever that means

Farnborough
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Johnny Goddard
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Luis Cumbers
ST Guiseppe Sole

I'm playing a dangerous game, starting two new guys in a contest that may have a major effect on the relegation battle. Farnborough is currently in the drop, and we just beat them in the FA Trophy. They're eager to kick our butts, no doubt.

Oh, cool note: both the FA Trophy game and this match are at Farnborough

1' - Great job by Wheeler to keep a possession alive, and though it doesn't turn into anything because Cumbers is out of position, Goddard sends a stinging rocket that I'm shocked the goalie managed to hang on to. Way to announce yourself, kid.

2' - Wow, our defenders get caught out of position, which has been pretty rare the last few games, and somehow they miss the wide open shot.

3' - Love, love, love this sequence. Johnson heads it up to Sole, who has his shot blocked, but Young finds it and sends it up to Wheeler, who centers it for Cumbers, who knocks it in! Every single player on that move except for Wheeler is somebody I managed to find. Great feeling. 1-0

13' - Ferrell strikes at the goal from a ridiculously long way away and I'm wondering why, but then Johnson shows why by pouncing on the rebound and getting it in. Lovely! 2-0

23' - Ugly times. Young, who has improved his play greatly since getting left out for a few games and called out in the media, takes a knock, and Page, the lion in the heart of our defense, both get knocks. Both insist on playing on, though.

Great first half, but we've all seen what that's been like before with epic second half meltdowns. Beckett in for Page at the break.

50' - ZOMG. So close to going in and cutting our lead in half. Young is looking a little slow out there, so I'm going to give Billy Taylor his first action.

64' - I'm already starting to see the huge impact Goddard is having on our team. He's darting all over the field and has saved our bacon numerous times. There's a goal by them at this point, but it's clearly offsides and correctly called as such.

68' - Goddard to Wheeler to [b]Johnson[b]... ...who hangs on to the ball too long, and Wheeler's follow-up crack goes wide.

71' - Time to lock this down and go defensive.

73' - Impressive shot by Billy Taylor that nearly knocks over the goalkeeper, but it hits the crossbar anyway.

79' - Failure to clear out adequately = goal for them. Do.not.fuck.this.up. 1-2

81' - If I wasn't unemployed right now, I'd pick up my monitor and throw it against the wall. Fucking worthless punkass bitchwore piece of fucking cumslut piece of shit positioning!!!!! :mad: 2-2

92' - OH MY GOD ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME YOU GOD DAMN MOTHERUFKC DKFASHNHSOGHASOGHASFOGHASDOHGA;FGHASD;GHAS;IAHASOGHASFOGHA9WTY34YTW390TYR90TYWR9TYA 2-3

FUCK YOU SCOTT TAYLOR THEY PLAYED LIKED FUCKING SHIT YOU DO NOT FUCKING PISS AWAY A GOD DAMNED MOTHERFUCKING 2-0 LEAD TO A FUCKIGN 2-3 LOSS WITH 10 FUCKING MINUTES LEFT

I don't care if you're stressed Lewis Ferrell. God damned right you should be fucking angry Jordaan Brown who fucking can't even spell your own god damned motherfucking first name right.

AND WE'RE NOW IN THE FUCKING DROP! THANKS A LOT, ASSHOLES!

FA Trophy - Eastleigh
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Johnny Goddard
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Guiseppe Sole

Might as well get Garrod and Sole used to playing together.

11' - Johnson swings up to Wheeler who centers it for Sole, leading to what is perhaps the prettiest goal we've seen this season. I don't care. We'll lose at the end anyway. 1-0

27' - I'm expecting the tie goal to happen here, but Shankuverymuch. Young goes down 30 seconds later, and he's done. More time for Billy Taylor to suck, I suppose.

39' - Garrod loses the ball in their half, and on the counter, the tie misses only by the slightest of margins.

At the half, Brown is dripping sweat, so I bring on Beckett. I'm sure this lead is only Fantasy Island.

57' - Wheeler gets knocked but he'll have to play on, as I spend my last sub on Taylor for a wiped Goddard.

59' - First highlight? Taylor giving the ball away. Luckily they miss.

60' - Great pass from Johnson to Wheeler, who misses the shot by a fraction of an inch.

69' - There we go. Turner rushes out like a fucking reject like he does sometimes and there's the tie goal we all knew was coming. 1-1

70' - Johnson to Wheeler to nobody there to apply the finish.

Further injury to Wheeler and one to Billy Taylor, but we scrounge out a tie. I guess you could call that a moral victory. 7.4 for Guiseppe Sole.

4-5 weeks without David Wheeler, who just happens to be one of our best players. Color me so not shocked.

Eastleigh - FA Trophy Replay
GK Iain Armstrong
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Nathan Drage
DC Qaeem Sotonwa
DR Robbie Rice
DMC Will Bor
ML Billy Taylor
MR Nathan Smart
AMC Troy Ferguson
ST Perry Law
ST Mario Quiassaca

Yep, we're putting out a B-list squad. We don't need to win this one.

36' - They narrowly miss on a free kick.

It's that quick and uninteresting a first half. Yellow cards for Law, Ferguson, and Drage, with Law getting his literally seconds before the halftime whistle.

For some weird reason, it's not letting me sub anyone in. ...Oh wait, I forgot to assign subs for this match. Oops.

Hilarious. Chance after chance after chance they have and it all falls short, including a disallowed goal.

91' - Roflsauce. Easy goal opportunity and they shank it.

101' - On-target shot... crazy bounce off the woodwork. LOL.

And it's halftime of extra time, still 0-0. And it's going to PKS!

1-0 - Robbie Rice
1-1
2-1 - Mario Quiassaca
2-2
3-2 - Will Bor
3-3
3-3 - Law shanks it
3-3
4-3 - Troy Ferguson
4-4
5-4 - Nathan Smart
5-5
6-5 - Billy Taylor
6-6 - Though I thought Armstrong had this stopped
7-6 - Nathan Beckett
7-7
8-7 - Nathan Drage
8-8 - Only just
9-8 - Qaseem Sotonwa

Armstrong saves the penalty!!!!! B side wins! B side wins!!!

Notes
Qaseem Sotonwa - 8.3 (MoM)
Robbie Rice - 7.4
Matt Drage - 7.4
Troy Ferguson - 7.3
Will Bor - 7.1

Sutton United
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Johnny Goddard
ML Wayne Young
MR Marcus Moody
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Guiseppe Sole

We need a win, plain and simple.

1' - Beautiful ball by Goddard, except nobody's there to send it in.

17' - Spirited defense by Sutton denies us.

30' - Young comes up with a dynamite header to end a scary moment.

35' - Completely pathetic inability to stop their striker from mowing us down. 0-1

43' - It's right there for Sole but he can't finish.

Worsfold on for Brown.

70 - Geez. They should've had that one and I don't know how they didn't.

80' - Holy crap. 25 yard strike from Young that finds the net! 1-1 and Taylor on for Johnson.

83' - Another shouldwouldacoulda for Sutton.

87' - Maybe luck is with us for once, as Taylor slams it in from 20 yards out. 2-1

91' - I swear under my breath as I think that's in, but Turner makes the most fantastic save of his career to stop it.

Not enough words to describe what this win means. Wayne Young is Man of the Match with a 7.3 rating, even though Scott Taylor's gamewinner puts him at 7.4.

That pulls us back up into 19th, albeit only a single point away from the drop, and far more worrying, that very team, Eastbourne Boro, has 2 games in hand on us. :(

Sigh. Wayne Young is out 2 weeks with injury.

Havant & W
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Scott Taylor
ML Max Worsfold
MR Nathan Smart
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Guiseppe Sole

We're playing defense and I tell the team to just calm their tits.

5' - Both teams are playing sloppy on the outset. They narrowly miss a goal, though.

18' - Sigh. 0-1

28' - A chance to extend their lead just misses.

41' - I see Eastborne Boro leading 1-0 and get depressed. Smart to Garrod to Sole connection for a goal tries to cheer me up. 1-1

We've played extremely well today, so much so that we've forced them into a 5-3-2 at the start of the second half. But we all know how this story is likely to end up.

61' - Smart's looking exhausted but I have no one to replace him. Brown has been bad, though, so Beckett comes in for him.

71' - Taylor slides up to AMC and Goddard comes in at DMC, letting Johnson end his night.

74' - Our corner defense sucks Gollum cock. 1-2

Sigh. It's hard to get mad at the team. It really is. Sam Page with 7.7 for MoM and 7.2 and 7.1 for our strikers. But more losing isn't what we need.

We're now in the drop on goal differential and everyone in the same territory has a game in hand on us.

Welling
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Johnny Goddard
ML Reece Hall
MR Billy Taylor
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Guiseppe Sole

36' - Both defenses have been playing great, but then Goddard launches a beautiful rainbow to Sole who shoots.... and misses, but for the first time in forever (cue Frozen soundtrack), Garrod is there for the rebound and the score. 1-0

41' - Oh look, terrible clearance. Oh look, goal tie. 1-1

We've been playing pretty well, but we all know the second half implosion is coming.

51' - That should have been it based on an easy rebound, but they shank it. Quiassaca in for Sole, Taylor for Johnson.

62' - Fucking dicks. Ferrell's getting treatment so we're down a man and they fucking score. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 1-2 JUST FUCKING SEND US DOWN ALREADY, YOU FUCKIKNG HATEFUL PIECE OF SHIT FM!!!

73' - I throw my keyboard. 1-3

Hall is hurt at some point and it's only that we're still mathematically in the hunt to stay up that I don't quit.

Basingstoke - FA Trophy 2nd Round
GK Iain Armstrong
DL Nathan Beckett
DC Odaine Kemar-Smith
DC Nathan Drage
DR Qaseem Sotonwa
MC Louis-Rae Beadle
MC Will Bor
MC Jean-Sylvain Dossou
AMC Scott Taylor
ST Perry Law
ST Mario Quiassaca

Because cups don't matter now.

6' - Cool. Red for Sotonwa. I'm going to just ignore the game now.

0-3 final. Next.

We loan in Josh Mulvaney for the rest of the season as a depth signing. We're likely to drop anyway, so what difference does it make? AMC/ML/MR playable.

Basingstoke
GK Jack Turner
DL Jordaan Brown
DC Jerel Ifil
DC Sam Page
DR Lewis Ferrell
DMC Johnny Goddard
ML Wayne Young
MR David Wheeler
AMC Jordan Johnson
ST Tony Garrod
ST Guiseppe Sole

#2 in the league? Yeah, good luck with that.

5' - Not sure how it happened, but Ferrell centered it for Jordan in no man's land, and he calmly put it in. We blow leads like whores blow old dudes, so I'm not excited. 1-0

8' - Only the woodwork prevents the immediate answer.

33' - They keep threatening and should have scored once or twice. Young gets hurt AGAIN! I hem, I haw, I put in Worsfold.

43' - There it is, the obligatory tie goal right before the fucking cuntsnap half. :banghead: :rant: 1-1

51' - Look! Nobody there for the rebound. :rolleyes:

63' - Guess what time it is?!!!! GIVING UP THE FUCKING LEAD AGAIN TIME! 1-2

72' - Look at all the fucks I do not give. 1-3

90' - Lulz. Fluke 45 yard strike from Goddard. Whatever. 2-3

Young is out 3-4 months. We're now 21st but could get out of the drop provided we won games. That isn't going to happen. I quit.

Apparently I really suck as a coach, because they go Draw-Draw-Loss-Win their next four games and are sitting 18th.

Whatever.

NoSkillz

01-27-2014, 10:19 AM

Love the writeups! :)

Hope the wins start coming soon.

EDIT: Oh crap, you quit. Couldn't see that line through the tears! ;)

chesapeake

01-27-2014, 11:16 AM

Is it wrong of me to delight in your obvious misery? It probably is, but your write-ups are so entertaining to read that I can't help but to enjoy them. And I've had similar bouts of extreme frustration with FM, where every reasonable measure I've tried to get the team going have failed. So I feel your pain, brother.

You've probably been trying this, but since your guys seem to get tired before the end of halves, maybe find a spot a little earlier where you can tell them to 'take a breather' (or whatever the shout is) and 'retain possession' so they can get a little energy back before the other team makes a big push at the end of the half. That seemed to work for me some of the time, although it can also mean that you give up the goal in the 27th minute rather than the 43rd. You've probably also tried switching to a defensive possession game with 5-7 mins left in the half as well, but if not, you may want to try that, too.

I didn't play FM 13, but I played 12 and am now playing 14 as York. I believe 13 is more like 14, and as such, it sure seems that games move much more dynamically and require more tactical changes during the game as circumstances ebb and flow.

JonInMiddleGA

01-27-2014, 12:00 PM

Your luck with this seems quite similar to my own with previous editions. Even when I had vague bits of success I never really figured out much of anything & some of the losing streaks were just brutal.

Izulde

01-27-2014, 05:54 PM

Thanks, folks. I'll continue to press on, likely with another BSN/BSS team, because it feels like cheating to promote myself to a higher level.

And feel free to delight away. I do think it's become much more nuanced tactically, which is probably adding to my woes. I tend to be better at finding talent than utilizing it properly in the FM series.

Young Drachma

01-27-2014, 05:58 PM

Haha..I find I enjoy that game more when I play with successful teams from the outset before torturing myself. Haha..but I love your attitude about it.

Also I'd hit up some tactics sites and download tactical files and training files people put out there. It's made my life WAY easier. I haven't done anything with 14, but in the past this is what I do to make the game more interesting because otherwise it's too much.

Izulde

01-27-2014, 06:27 PM

Yeah I may end up doing that. We'll see what happens, though.

Izulde

01-28-2014, 12:42 AM

Chester and Brackley in the Blue Square North have both opened up, so I apply to both gigs. Hopefully my luck in FM is better than IRL right about now.

Both teams are flattered by my interest, but the media wonders if I'm serious about the jobs since I applied to both teams. :lol:

Brackley is first to call. They're offering me $52,000 and are sitting 19th, just above the drop zone. I feel like they have solid talent on hand and should be doing better. Their wage budget is $275,000 a year, but they're spending $338,000.

On the one hand, I feel like I should take over this relegation candidate. On the other hand, I'm wondering if maybe I shouldn't wait for Chester first, so I'll delay.

Chester's not calling, but I'm pleased to see AFC Hornchurch sets a record with 12 straight losses. Meanwhile, Brackley is now goal differential away from the drop.

Fuck it. I'll try to be a hero.

First things first, clear out the staff and bring in my own people, something I should have done at Staines.

Next up, jettisoning the flotsam, which means goodbye, Jefferson Louis, Marvin Robinson, and Steve Diggin, all released on frees.

Maybe there's not as much talent as I thought. Brett Solkhon and Michael Corcoran are named captain and vice-captain for their highest combo of Influence/Teamwork/Workrate, though who knows if any of them are starters.

Solkhon was already the captain, it turns out, so it's all good.

Scouting range expanded? Do tell. Unfortunately when I go to the board room, I don't see anything that indicates where or how it's expanded to, so I'm confused.

Anyway, by releasing all those guys, I got the wage budget down to $258,000. Go me. Tom Sharpe and Brett Solkhon were named to the Team of the Week.

Nice. I'm asked about the Staines resignation and if I regret it. They're up to 17th now by the way, so clearly the failure was in my tactics. I'd like to smugly point out they're succeeding with guys I found, though.

Even nicer - "If Izulde Jestor hadn't realized how little interest his appointment at Brackley would generate, he has a better idea now, as only one journalist showed up at the press conference announcing his hiring."

And it was the Non-League Paper, who I've been friendly with from my previous tenure at Staines.

Ian Gay and Andrew Bernal sign contracts to be the assistant manager and chief scout respectively. Both should be upgrades over what I had previously.

Good thing I took the job because Chester went with someone else. The problem is, Brackley's now 20th, and in the drop. And we're playing the #2 team in the league.

We bring a couple coaches, so we'll see how this goes.

After a look at the team report, we're strong on the right side, okay in the middle, weak on the left, and have one great striker.

We're going to try a 4-1-4-1 and see how it goes.

Colwyn Bay
GK Laurie Walker (the starter is hurt)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
DMC Brett Solkhon
ML Tom Winters
MC Michael Corcoran
MC Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

Only 4 subs because we're short on bodies. Guess I shouldn't have canned everyone after all. Oops.

23' - Crawford takes two shots at the goal, but neither one manage to fall in. I found out before the game he's been on a major goal drought. Corcoran takes on a knock immediately after.

46' - The obligatory soccer Jestorball allowed goal near the half is disallowed due to obvious offsides being obvious.

Not a bad first half, but... *cue the ominous music*

46' - Damn. Odhiambo puts it up on the far post for Corcoran, who *just* misses the header.

52' - Warren Peyton on for Winters.

81' - Let's shut this shop down and contain to try and save the point. Ugh. Corcoran, who has been our most energetic player to this point, goes down. We switch to a 5-4-1 and bring in Josh Green at DC.

Gay wants me to say the team was unlucky, but we played this perfectly in getting the point. 7.5 for Stevland Angus and 7.1 for Tom Sharpe.

Unfortunately, the point's not enough to move above the drop, and (sound familiar?) everyone has a game in hand on us.

So the payroll we just cleared out got eaten up by getting 32 year old Aaron Brown from Bath, who has a 7.13 so far this season at this level. It took a two year commitment to get him to sign, but he projects to step in immediately at ML, and he can also play DL if need be.

We also bring in 19 year old Irish left midfielder Ryan Markey to develop on our reserve squad. Based on this awesome guide: FM13 Individual Training Guide (http://www.fmscout.com/a-individual-training-guide-fm13.html) I decide to train him as a Winger, because he's a little weak on the offensive side relative to his defense.

But we're not done yet, snapping up striker Lee Barney from Maidenhead on a loan. In retrospect that wasn't the best idea, but we're hurting for depth at this point, so whatevs. We'll train him to be a Complete Forward as per the guide's instructions.

Big, big game on tap. Away against Chester, the team who said they were excited about me, but then didn't bother offering me the job. Really want to win this one.

Chester
GK Billy Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
DMC Brett Solkhon
ML Aaron Brown (New guy)
MC Michael Corcoran
MC Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

16' - Woods takes a knock.

35' - Sharpe misses a header and they should have scored, but don't. We can't get anything on target today.

So many opportunities, so poor a shooting going on. I'm not sure what the answer is here, to be honest. I know we're playing pretty damn solid our first two games, but just can't break through for a goal.

56' - Team captain Brett Sokhon is hurt and has to come off. I'm going to try switching to a 4-4-2 and seeing what Lee Barney can do.

74' - Ryan Austin on for Odhiambo, Tom Winters on for Reid. Also, yellow for Barney.

78' - Caught out of position and we're done. 0-1

82' - Woods to Nisevic, who heads it up, and Barney beats out the others to coolly punch it on his debut. Why can't a certain someone else do that? 1-1

90' - Yellow for Corcoran

92' - A beautifully put forward ball by Chester and I'm thinking we're done, but then Nisevic makes a phenomenal defensive play to preserve the point!

7.2 for Stevland Angus, 7.1 for Eddie Nisevic, and 7.3 for Lee Barney.

Still 20th, and now a point behind. A win is needed so badly it's insane. Make that 21st after an interval period.

Unfortunately we've a rash of injuries that's completely decimated us. This team be snakebit, yo.

Harrogate (3rd)
GK Jack Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
ML Aaron Brown
MC Michael Corcoran
MC Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Lee Barney (Loan)
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

There's lots of guys needing a rest, but we just can not afford it due to lack of bodies. As is, we only have four healthy subs.

5' - Enormous pressure. 2 shots should have gone in for them already.

13' - With nothing to lose, I go with an Attacking, Rigid style to see if that changes anything.

18' - So close for Brown. Really thought he had it.

21' - Why do I even bother? 0-1

43' - Can I just say I hate the needless complexity of 13? It really makes me want to go back to 12. Sideline shouts are the most irritating addition ever, since they apparently mean so fucking much in this stupid engine, and I never use them ever. 0-2

Yeah, we're playing horrendous.

57' - I made a sub earlier but I don't care. Barney makes a terrific pass for Reid, then races all the way down the field and makes a sliding tackle shot for the goal. Oh so pretty. Too bad it won't matter a damn. 1-2

Now at 21st. 5 points just to be equal with the 19th placed team now, and we'd lose on goal differential. 29 games played thus far, and 42 in the schedule I think, so it's doable, but we need to get hot.

I've been trying to Google and find a super tactic for LLM in 13, and will try the Arrigo 4-4-2 to see if that works.

Stalybridge Celtic
GK Jack Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown
DM Michael Corcoran
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Warren Peyton
ST Lee Barney (Loan)
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

This guy says he never uses shouts, so we'll see if his tactic works.

9' - Whew. So close to a goal but it juuuust misses, thankfully.

18' - Hmm. Crawford beats out the defender, then centers it for Barney, who knocks it in. Maybe this tactic works after all. 1-0

37' - Turley has the worst goal kick ever, probably because I've been calling him Jack and his name is Billy. Right to the opposition, and somehow the ball bounces off the post and doesn't go in, much to everyone's disbelief. Oh, and Woods is booked on a dive.

Have we had a lead yet at the half in my tenure here? I don't know. But we're playing totes brills. Odhiambo on for Woods.

60' - We have been stupid lucky on the shots that are on target and should have gone in but haven't. Stu.pid.luh.kee.

64 - In which we fend off a trillion and one corners.

67' - In which Nisevic gives away the ball for free and fuck you very much announce for saying Bramley's terrible run of form continues. [b]1-1]/b] Oh and Winters on for Brown.

78' - Some never say die tackling from our side when it looks like Celtic is ready to start a counter, and Peyton gets the last slide in, following it with an electric pass to Barney who scores his second of the game! 2-1

84' - Holy shit! I think I'm in love! Reid with a throw-in, Corcoran with the sliding tackle-pass, and there's Barney for the first hat trick by one of my teams ever in FM 13!!!!! 3-1

Let me just post, so y'all can feast on its loveliness.

7+ Stats
Lee Barney - 9.6!!!! (MoM duh)
Izak Reid - 7.9
Stevland Angus - 7.7
Harry Crawford - 7.7
Warren Peyton - 7.5
Tom Sharpe - 7.2
Billy Turley - 7.2

Crawford's looking whatever about our rapturous joy, so I go over and tell him he did well, and he's happy. Got to be tough for the kid - prior management brought in him to be the man, and he still has yet to score a goal, and meanwhile Barney, who's a guy I thought about getting at Staines, has been tearing it up.

With the win we move back up to 20th and are 2 points away from safety (though game in hand thing applies). We're also 2 points from falling back to 21st, but let's give this awesome tactic another shot shall we?

Interesting question in the post-presser. Will I look to bring Crawford more permanently to the team? I'm not sure. I'd love to, but money becomes an issue.

Staines is back in the drop by a point, by the way, and it's a mad scramble at the bottom. Speaking of which, I try and get some of my players from them, but it's no soap. Board's being really stingy since we're a few hundred bucks over our wage budget due to Brown's signing.

We bring in MLR Anthony Edgar from Barnet and ST Stefan Brown from Basingstoke on 3 month loans to give us some depth. They're trained as Wide Midfielder and Complete Forward respectively.

I forgot who
GK Billy Turley
DL Aaron Brown (Purchased)
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
ML Anthony Edgar (Loan)
DM Michael Corcoran
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Lee Barney (Loan)
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

First time in forever I can remember having a full complement of reserves. We're abusing the hell out of the loan market, but that's good. Gives us quality along with what I hope is our new amazing tactic.

And we're actually favored in this one, believe it or not.

12' - Reid with the corner to Woods, who passes about an inch up for Angus to kick it in. <3 1-0

23' - Crawford to Edgar, who has a nice crack at it, but nobody there to pick up the rebound.

43' - Sigh. We've been dominating to this point, but then got caught napping. 1-1

It's Green on for the exhausted Angus unfortunately.

55' - A knock for Barney, who's been awful today anyway, so I'll put in Stefan Brown. Well, he's knocked out entirely, so yeah. Winters in for wiped Reid and Edgars slides over to the right side.

60' - Crawford's shot gets deflected (what else is new?) but S Brown has the presence of mind to run to it and kick it in for a debut goal! 2-1 And a sitter on the other end gets left wanting.

79' - Let's pull back into containment for the next 11 minutes, get our 3 points, and merrily trot along.

80' - Hi, there sexy thing. Winters centers it for Edgar just outside the box, who breezes home the distance shot and we're looking beautiful right now. 3-1

83' - Yellow for Sharpe.

7+ Notes
7.5 - Tom Winters (MoM)
7.5 - Anthony Edgar
7.3 - Stefan Brown
7.2 - Stevland Angus

Nothing way crazy here, and I feel a little guilty about this super tactic, but in my defense I'll say in both games we had a very real chance of allowing more goals (and should have), so the results might have been very different. Also, two of the best guys, including the Game MVP, were reserves that were *my* call to make.

Ping: FrogMan. Luton Town sets a record with 6 straight wins in FA Trophy play.

Unfortunately everyone around us also won, so there's not much to be said. Izak Reid is named to the Team of the Week.

Gainsborough
GK Billy Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
ML Anthony Edgar (Loan)
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Lee Barney (Loan)
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

We're now overloaded with options on the left, so we'll need to hunt around for more loan players and/or non-contract free transfers who can balance the roster out.

6' - Great interception by Solkhon, but Edgar can't convert on the ensuing pass.

11' - Another should've been goal for them, but somebody, I didn't see who, cleared out the danger literally in the nick of time.

18' - Magic juice gone? :( 0-1

30' - Heh. Crawford puts it forward perfectly for Barney, who clanks it off the frame.

This is the worst we've looked since swithching over to the awesome Arrigo 4-4-2. Corcoran comes on for Angus, who the very first game after I praise how awesome he's been since I got here, tanks it. I also get up in their faces to stop fucking around. We're in the drop, in case you guys haven't noticed.

58' - Yellow for Reid. Nary a highlight for anyone yet other than the whatever kickoff one.

73' - Reid and Woods look like they don't give a shit. Nobody to replace Woods, but Winters in and the flip-flop with Edgar as per usual.

79' Ugh. 0-2

91' - Yellow for Solkhon.

Okay, so not a supertactic.

We're now 3 points back and behind on goal differential. It may be too little, too late. :(

Guiseley
GK Billy Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Eddie Odhiambo
ML Anthony Edgar (Loan)
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Izak Reid
ST Lee Barney (Loan)
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

We're losing Crawford and Woods soon, but there's not much out there in the loan market to replace them right now, bad joss.

10' - Was it all just a dream? Long strike. 0-1

30' - They should've had the insurance goal there.

Not sure WTF is going on. We go from dreamy scoring back to the same old shit.

52' - Tired of watching Barney's wild ass long range nothings. In S Brown and our traditional Winters and swap of midfielders.

69' - After quite a bit of rinky dinking, Winters finds Solkhon, who evades the defender's tackle try and puts it in. Saints be praised or something. 1-1

71' - More long range shots, this time from S Brown. I quick google this and find that Put the ball int he box is what I should shout, so I do.

72' - Now isn't that nice. Edgar passes it into space for Crawford, who runs AND FINALLY ENDS HIS OVER 28 HOUR GOAL DROUGHT JUST BEFORE HIS LOAN FINISHES TO GIVE US THE LEAD!!! 2-1

73' - Winters narrowly misses on a free kick. The G team switches to a 4-2-4.

89' - Let's not make me look stupid, hmm? Contain.

Whew. Just barely pulled it out.

7+
Brett Sokhon - 8.1 (MoM)
Harry Crawford - 7.7
Anthony Edgar - 7.3
Ryan Woods - 7.2
Tom Sharpe - 7.1

Unfortunately, everyone ahead wins, and we're still 2 points away plus GD away. The hilarious part? #19 is held by none other than Chester, who have been just awful. Karma, bitches. Karma.

Having chosen to rest a number of key players? Really? Go fuck yourself. I'm sick of journalists saying that to me.

Anthony Edgar is in the Team of the Week.

Boston United
GK Billy Turley
DL Aaron Brown
DC Ryan Austin
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Tom Winters
DM Michael Corcoran
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Harry Crawford (Loan)

Okay, this is what my assman says is our best starting XI. We'll roll with it and see how it goes.

4' - Should've had that one there, Mulligan and Crawford.

11' - Our positioning inside the box is sucking today.

13' - They make a great tackle on a corner, but Mulligan is there to knock it back in for his first goal of the year. 1-0

24' - Man, that should have been in. Corcoran makes it beautifully for Mulligan, who even though he didn't get it, had a wide open rebound sitting there for Edgar, who then shot like he'd never touched a soccer ball before.

30' - I hate long range strikes. 1-1

Eddie Odhiambo in at MR for Edgar at the break. Overall though, we've been playing pretty well. Just that damn fluky long strike that hosed us.

56' - Turley you dipass!!!! IF you're going to come out for the ball, fucking GRAB IT. DON'T LOLLY KICK IT TO THE OPPONENTS! Your worthless hide is lucky that somehow missed! My assman is complaining about Corcoran, so I put in Solkhon to shut him up.

69' - Let's push it in the box, boys. None of this long-range crap.

72' - Odhiambo feeds it on up to Mulligan, who does this neat side kick thing to give it to Solkhon 20 yards out... and it's in!!! 2-1

78' - I'm *this* close to listing Turley. Fucker keeps giving it to the opponents like he bet his salary on them.

85' - Lock it down. Contain.

A truckload of 7s on the nose, but of course the hero of the game is Gary Mulligan, who has Ian Gay to thank for recommending him in the lineup. 8.8 and Man of the Match. 7.3 for Brett Solkhon and 7.1 for Ryan Austin, another Gay mention.

And we're 19th!!! Granted, only by a point, but Chester has to feel pretty salty right now, considering they were 10th at the time their vacancy opened up.

That's the good news. Bad news is, Harry Crawford won't be joining us for the rest of the year. We're not at a high enough level. Ryan Woods is due to end his loan term too, but we don't have the option of even asking for an extension.

So... lots of things to think about.

Izulde

01-28-2014, 08:45 AM

Youth Intakes
Ian Gay is really, really excited about DM Luke Dixon. MR Brad Varney and DR Gareth Lee also look like useful contributors when they develop.

We loan Charlie Hunter in for 3 months from Boreham Wood. He'll either be depth or a DM starter when Woods leaves.

My Gay assman (Teehee) wants me to sign a bunch of the young trialists, but only the three above are worth keeping around by my lights.

FC Halifax
GK Billy Turley
DL Aaron Brown
DC Ryan Austin
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Tom Winters
DM Michael Corcoran
DM Ryan Woods (Loan)
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Lee Barney (Loan)

Our comparative hot run of form has us favored, which is always a touch nerve-wracking. Barney wins out over S Brown for the start for now.

7' - We retreat backbackback from a botched corner and Turley does his usual stupid throw, but Austin's there to pick it up, and Barney just narrowly misses the shot after he outpaces everyone.

11' - After Barney wastes three beautiful balls with long shots I try shouting, "Work Ball Into Box" at him.

15' - Facepalm. Now Barney just lets a sitter go and the defense frantically clears it out despite the fact that we had close to 5 or 6 easy shot opportunities there.

28' - Their defense is really amped up for us. They keep finding ways to successfully contest our shots, even though we're finally getting smarter about them.

5.9? Not going to cut it, Lee Barney. Not when we have Stefan Brown on tap to replace you, which he does. Austin can't breathe he's so tired, so Solkhon slots in for him.

48' - Own goal on an A Brown cross into the box? We'll take it! 1-0

65' - Yellow for Corcoran

89' - Usual lockdown Contain to sew this one up.

For once I'll agree with the poor match comments. Very dull.

Tom Sharpe and his 7.9 are good for Man of Match, along with a sprinkling of 7s.

2 match ban for yellows for Corcoran.

How huge was that win for us? We leapfrog from 19th to 17th, and are now 5 points clear of the drop. Over in the South, Staines is 2 point clear of relegation and hated personal foe AFC Hornchurch is dead last, 7 points and goal differential from even dreaming of safety.

We bring Danny Newton in as a depth striker pickup on a 3 month loan, but the bigger fish is Frogman's Luton's Danny Walker on a end of season loan. Is he Crawford? Not even close, but he's immediately our second-best striker, and so will get in the lineup.

Time to page through my roster and see who is under 24 and hence worth setting to a specific training.

Eddie Nisevic - Wingback
Dan Walker - Complete Forward

The rest are either over 24, and hence not likely to develop further, or are not here long enough for it to matter. This really is an experienced team, so it was shocking to see them struggle as much as they had before I came on board with my magic tactic I found.

Whoa. We somehow have $26.45k in our budget now! Which means we must have been paying for Woods or Crawford. A week left to the deadline and it's time to go shopping!

Just for the fun of it, I check in on our old pal Luis Cumbers. On paper, he'd be our best striker, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from his ineffectiveness, and he'd want way too much money.

We find a dynamite player in John Nutter, but he wants too much money, and Portsmouth, one of my favorite English cities, and a league 1 side, is interested, so no go.

...Wait. Charlie Hunter is studying until June 30th, so he's not going to be available until after the season is over? What a god damned waste of a loan.

Vauxhall Motors
GK Billy Turley
DL Aaron Brown
DC Ryan Austin
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Tom Winters
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Eddie Odhiambo
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

4' - Come on, Winters. No long-range shots that are stupid, remember?

27' - Austin misses the interception and we pay. 0-1 Did I forget to mention Vauxhall is directly above us, and if we win, we can climb to at least 16th?

30' - Yellow for Odhiambo

36' - Should have hammered that one in, guys. About 3 people were standing there ready for the easy one and they all snuffed on it.

Stefan Brown in for Dan Walker, who isn't quite up for a full game yet.

47' - Yellow for Mulligan. I'd like to get a mulligan on this game.

60' - Odhiambo caps off a lot of passing and motion with a cross that Solkhon manages not to get in thanks to crazy mad defensive work by the goalie and a defender, but Mulligan finds his way to the scrum and it's an easy tap-in for the tie. 1-1 We'll put Angus in for Austin.

64' - Juuuuust missed the head-in there, Angus. Too bad.

92' - Yellow for Angus.

Sure, we should have won, but a point's a point. (7.3 Mulligan, 7.1 Reid, BTW), and we were really thin at DMC. We just got unlucky is all.

Yeah, I brought in a bunch of new players. It's worked, hasn't it?

Guiseppe Sole gets called out by Staines' new manager after a draw. I chuckle. Workington in our division fired theirs.

We come to fast terms with two players that will accept less than their initial demands in exchange for two year contracts. Just hope we can get them in before the deadline...

Frogman's Luton Town wins the FA Trophy. In other news, Nutter signs with Portsmouth as expected.

Well, shit. We lose Ryan Austin for a month. Huge blow to our defense.

Damn it. I wanted to speak to the journalist about the transfer deadline, but the stupid processor moved too quickly. :( I *really* wish I knew how to set it, so it would automatically stop for things like that.

We do pull off two transfers on the last day, though, and we're *still* $8.7k under budget. I miss the chance to talk to the journalist again. Damn it! I'm media awesome, damn it!

Anyway...

GK Max Crocombe is 23, and comes from one of our two parent clubs, Oxford on a free transfer. Signed for $17,75k a year for two years, he has Blue Square Premier quality upside, and could, right now, challenge Bill Turley's 39 year old rust ass for the starting spot. Will train as Sweeper Keeper, per the guide's recommendations.

DC/DMC Aaron Wickham arrives from Crawley and is 19. An important get considering our injury issues. Will train as Ball Playing Defender, an actual role in our setup, and is our best DMC right now. DC wise, he's pretty far down the chart, but he also has good BSP potential.

This is the first time since I've played 13 that they've actually asked for a press conference about my transfers. Seemed like it happened more often in previous versions. Wickham loves that I feel he can contribute right away, and why not? He played 19 games at BSP side Nuneaton on a loan, and while his 6.09 rating was abysmal, he's playing a level lower now.

Bishop's Stortford
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Aaron Brown (Signed)
DC Steveland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Tom Winters
DM Michael Corcoran
DM Aaron Wickham (Signed)
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

Our biggest game of the season, and I'm throwing in our new goalie in there. Stupid? Perhaps, but Billy Turley kept pissing me off.

Funny, when I started at Brackley, we were chasing Bishop's Stortford, but we found the magic and they stayed stagnant. We have 43 points to their 40, and our GD is over them by 1. So you can see just how insanely huge this game is. Probably our entire season defined by it.

28' - Nothing much doing for either side, though we had one opportunity. Mulligan's hurt and on the sidelines getting treated. Sharpe does a hell of a job, but eventually he gets beaten, and that's an ouch. 0-1

Pitiful we've been on offense. Odhiambo and Stefan Brown on for Wickham and Mulligan respectively.

81' - Nobody can get anything going. Not a single highlight so far, and I'm just here to say Solkhon has to come off with an injury and we throw Nisevic in there because there's literally no one else.

91' - A highlight finally... and it's a failed corner for them.

I'm not going to blame this loss on Crocombe. He played very well, near as I can tell. We were playing on their turf and they wanted it more. (7.3 Stevland Angus, 7.2 Tom Sharpe). Our first loss in 5 games.

Altrincham secures a playoff spot, Hinckley is officially relegated.

We lose Solkhon for a month. Bad time of year to be getting injuries.

5 games left to play, and we're now just 2 points from the drop. Had we won or even tied, we'd have a lot more breathing room. As is...

Remember how I said the last game was a huge one? Here's an even bigger one, just three days later.

I get jobbed out of the Manager of the Month voting. Tom Winters and Michael Corcoran both want more money than what I'm willing to pay, so they'll suit up for someone else next season if we survive.

Board's satisfied. Thought they'd be pleased.

Cromby
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Steveland Angus
DC Michael Corcoran
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown (Signed)
DM Eddie Odhiambo
DM Aaron Wickham (Signed)
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

Sketchy as hell lineup? Yep. That's what essential back to backs do. We're at home, facing 19th Cromby. Win, and we're very much in great shape. Tie or lose, and thin ice continues.

0' - I put the pressure on, telling them I expect a win. Great tackle by Odhiambo and pass into Muligan... who moonshots it into the next town. Sigh.

7' - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: Stupid fucking positioning, defenders! 0-1

16' - We're pissing this away like we're the fucking Dolphins. Yellow for Odhiambo.

27' - Work the ball into the fucking box!

30' - Crocombe does his best Tully impersonation.

41' - Yellow for Corcoran.

I go apeshit at halftime. Rip a fucking locker door off its hinges and throw against the wall, screaming at them to FUCKING PLAY LIKE OUR FUCKING LIVES DEPEND ON THIS SHIT! WE ARE *AT FUCKING HOME PLAYING A GOD DAMN FUCKING TEAM BELOW US!!!*

Stefan Brown on for Mulligan, and Tom Winters at ML for Aaron Brown.

51' - Winters gets the ball after a clearance, runs forward and crosses, where the Corby defenders beat up whoever is down there. And along comes Stefan Brown to calmly tie it all up. THAT'S WHY I SUB AT HALF, BITCHES! 1-1

52' - Angus makes a panty-dropping clearance to stop a sure goal. Way to go man.

Later 52' - Nisevic rainbows it to Stefan Brown who runs down until he can cross to Winters. Winters is like Nope Nope Nope about the shot and passes it to Edgar instead, who PUTS THAT DAMN BALL IN! BRACK-LEE! BRACK-LEE! SCORING GOALS LIKE BRUCE LEE!! 2-1

61' - Bullshit THAT WAS OFRFFSIDES! 2-2

80' - And down goes Stefan Brown. Yeah, because we sure as fuck don't have enough injured players. Show me why I loaned, you, Barney!

81' - FUCK YOU AND YOUR ZEBRA VAGINA PUNK BITCH SELF YOU FUCKING ASSFARMING REF! THAT WAS NOT A FUCKING RED ON WICKHAM! I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR FUCKING PUNK ASS AFTER THIS GAME, I SWEAR TO MOTHERFUCKING HOLY GOD!!!!

87' - Narrow miss. I get out my Kali sticks and wave them threateningly at the ref. Defensive because by Lake Fuck, we need at least a point out of this bullshit.

88 - YEAH! HELL TO THE FUCKING YEAH! SO INTIMIDATED BY MY STICKS YOU GIVE US THE PK!!!!!!!!! Shit... I haven't set my PKers yet. Damn Damn Damn.

DOUBLE YELLOW FOR THEIR GUY FOR BITCHING ABOUT THE PENALTY!!! WE'RE ALL SQUARE NOW, HOS!!!

Talk about pressure for Lee Barney. I told him in pep talk when I put him on, all passion and energy that he could be the difference-maker for us. Shit just got real right here, with the penalty kick in the 88th minute....

...Fuck I don't know if I can watch....

Kick to the left..... AND IT'S GOOD! GOOOOOOOAAAAALLL!!!! 3-2 Contain ye sons of whores... CUUUUUUNNNNN TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAIIINNNNNNN!!!!!

And we do!

I am punch drunk after finally caving and buying FRAPS because I wanted to preserve this moment for all time.

Before I show you the video...

7+ Ratings
Tom Winters - 8.2 (MoM)
Anthony Edgar - 7.7
Stevland Angus - 7.3
Stefan Brown - 7.2

Plus the usual assortments of 7s including Max Crocombe.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/odJFbCTz1yE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Video may be hard to see, and even at full screen it's blurry, but FRAPS can only do so much, unfortunately. Still pretty awesome, though.

Now, after this thrilling win, are we safe? No. Not by a long shot.

But with 4 games left, we're 5 points up on top relegation zone candidate Chester. I decide not to appeal Wickham's two game suspension. I want to guarantee he's there for at least the last two games if we need him.

Haha Michael Corcoran credits my locker room flipout for our win. Always good to see.

Altrincham has officially clinched the league.

We're 16th and taking on the 14th place team.

Guiseley
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Steveland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown (Signed)
DM Eddie Odhiambo
DM Michael Corcoran
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

With all our injuries and suspensions, we're holding that defensive line together with Scotch tape.

3' - Wide open rebound and they miss it. Unbelievable.

7' - Yellow for Odihambo. He's card-prone, I've noticed.

26' - Beautiful Reid to Edgar to Mulligan chain that misses the goal by the thinnest of margins.

42' - Yellow for Mulligan.

I'd be happy to hang on for a draw, to be honest, with how bad our defense is right now.

60 - Beautiful save by Crocombe

71 - Barney on for Edgar, Danny Newton in for Walker.

79' - Yellow for Barney. That was fast.

Scoreless draw it is.

7+
Stevland Angus 8.2 (MoM)
Tom Sharpe - 7.2
Eddie Nisevic - 7.1
Max Crocombe - 7.1

Winnable game, but we'll take what we can for now. Still 5 points ahead with 3 remaining. Sleep time.

Izulde

01-28-2014, 09:49 PM

So, funny story... one of the recording programs I tried I thought wasn't working. Came home today to a full hard drive and insert panic mode. Turns out it'd been on the whole time, recorded nearly 14 hours of video, and ate my hard drive.

Saddest part? The quality was 10000000x better than FRAPS, and I paid $37 for FRAPS' stuttering self. Kind of pisses me off to be honest, but lesson learned, I suppose.

So, three games left. Mathematically, everyone from 14th-21st could go up or down, with Hinckley already out as previously noted. Next game should narrow the field more though.

Charlie Hunter wants the loan terminated because he hasn't been getting enough games. WELL, NO SHIT, KID! YOU'RE AT UNIVERSITY. HOW THE FUCK ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY WHEN YOU'RE UNAVAILABLE FOR EVERY GAME?!

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/fcharliehunter_zpsf6a10c64.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/fcharliehunter_zpsf6a10c64.jpg.html)

Needless to say, we terminate it and good riddance.

Solihull Moors
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Steveland Angus
DC Michael Corcoran
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown (Signed)
DM Eddie Odhiambo
DM Michael Corcoran
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

Every game counts. I may have accidentally had the wrong lineup listed last game by the way. Corcoran played DMC then too.

6' - Fabulous 35 yard ball from Reid to Walker, who heads it in and finally gets his first goal for us. 1-0

9' - Penalty called on Nisevic. Rightfully deserved, to be frank. 1-1

26' - ....What the hell, Reid?! Colossally stupid header back towards the goal allows them to snipe right in. 1-2

32' - Our backline is just terrible today. Mistake after mistake after mistake and it's directly led to all three goals scored. 1-3 That one's on Sharpe.

45 - Don't know how that missed, but it did.

Edgar doesn't give a shit when I firmly but not screamingly tell them to get their head out of their asses, so he's benched for Barney. Wish I could do the same for Sharpe, but I'll settle for telling him personally to snap out of it by telling him I have faith in him to do better than that. He's normally one of my most reliable guys. He responds to that.

63' - Just as I'm about to bench him for crappy play, Mulligan intercepts a corner's clearance at the semi-circle and fires the hell out of it past the hopeless goalie to give us a spot of hope. 2-3

85' - Barney shows off his pacey stuff and gets it to Mulligan who tips it up to Walker.... but the Hatter loan's header is weaksauce like a white belt's first try at a kata.

86' - Aaaand there's the clincher. 2-4

5.8 for Max Crocombe and 5.7 for Eddie Nisevic. I'm not going to thrash either one for it, though. Honestly, it's the first bad game Crocombe's had in goal, and he's young, so I don't want to crush his confidence.

...And everyone but Dan Walker ignores me. Great.

Workington is officially relegated and everyone above our 17th place is safe. That means...

Relegation Candidates
Brackley - 47 points (-9 GD)
Vauxhall - 44 points
Corby - 44 points
Chester - 42 points (-13 GD)

Win one of the remaining two games, and we're safe. Tie and we're 98% safe. Lose both, and we may have issues. It's really that simple, and it's why that win over Corby two games ago looms so damn large right now. Otherwise we'd be where they are and they'd be where we are.

We try to get Dan Walker signed to us permanently, but we're way far apart on the money, so it's a no go.

Worcester (4th)
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Steveland Angus
DC Michael Corcoran
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown (Signed)
DM Eddie Odhiambo
DM Michael Corcoran
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

This won't be the game to get any points. Not sure why Wickham isn't eligible yet. But we're at home and Ian Gay says to tell them to do it for their fans! ...Okay.

6' - Yeah that's on Crocombe. Terrible positioning. 0-1

13' - Exceptional end run by Edgar, who kicks it back to Reid before getting it back and heading it to Walker, who nods it up to Mulligan for the authoritative slam home. 1-1

17' - I'm really warming up to Mulligan despite my initial skepticism. He's shown great drive the last few games and he does it again, pouncing on the keeper's inability to hang on to the ball to push it in. We've got the lead for the first time this game. 2-1

21' - Mulligan circles around the half-circle to kick it to Brown, who plays an absolutely exquisite ball that just keeps Walker onside for the easy lay-in. Sensational! 3-1

22' - This game sure isn't lacking for goals. Just a great hook shot by the likely playoff bound team. Quite pretty, actually. 3-2

What a thrilling first half. That's what it's all about right there - two teams fighting it out for points and position, neither one willing to give an inch. Barney gets the call in place of the tired Walker, because the kid's shown he has what it takes to step up in big moments like this.

55' - Man.... Mulligan gets nailed on the goal kick from Crocombe, but Odhiambo is there to pick it up and make a beautiful run in... only to shank the shot.

71' - Yellow for Corcoran, who's been playing kinda sucky today. Not as bad as Reid, who's sitting there with a 5.9, but still... all our replacement options are in the mid and attack, and there's no reason to sub those guys out.

86' - Let's secure staying up and drop the wall down.

87' - Corcoran must have heard me talking about him, because he delivers a textbook pass to Mulligan, who blows past everyone for the goal, the hat trick, and the guaranteed everything wonderful. 4-2

7+
Gary Mulligan - 9.6 (MoM)
Stevland Angus - 8.1
Michael Corcoran - 7.7
Aaron Brown - 7.5
Eddie Odhiambo - 7.4
Max Crowcombe - 7.3
Eddie Nisevic - 7.1

And with that, Brackley is officially in Blue Square North again next season! The media calls it a surprising win because Worcester has been hot lately, but I don't care. We'll take that one all day every day.

Gary Mulligan gets a nice little article about how he has 6 goals in the 12 games he's started. Needless to say he'll be named to the League Team of the Week.

You know it's a big win when 3 journalists show up to your press conference - Birminghammail.net, The Non-League Paper, and BBC Hereford & Worcester. Nice.

Meanwhile in non-safe land, Chester has 43 points, Corby 44, and Vauxhall 45 heading into the final game of the year. I actually kinda want Chester to stay up so I can kick their asses next season.

So we can't finish any worse than 17th, but with a win we can slide up to 15th provided both teams above us lose. Worth trying for the win, or no? Boston United could get up to 6th by beating us and having the teams above them lose, but they're a lock to finish no worse than 10th themselves (currently 9th)

Not sure what I'll do just yet.

Izulde

01-30-2014, 03:25 AM

Boston United (9th)
GK Max Crocombe (Signed)
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Steveland Angus
DC Michael Corcoran
DR Izak Reid
ML Aaron Brown (Signed)
DM Eddie Odhiambo
DM Michael Corcoran
MR Anthony Edgar (Loan)
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Dan Walker (Loan)

We're going to dance with the guys who brought us, even though Ryan Austin is back. We'll keep him as a sub, though.

13' - Brown to Mulligan who dribbles before passing it to Walker for the shot. Nobody's fast enough on the rebound, and make mental note to have Work Ball in Box be a permanent shout. Think I said that already but it bears repeating.

18' - After trying and trying, Odhiambo *finally* gets a shot just outside the box to go in for his first goal with us! Beautiful Brown to Mulligan to Eddie chain is what set it up, though. 1-0

20' - Poor pass by Mulligan is intercepted and they nearly score the immediate answer... just wide, though.

Still that scoreline at half, and we're playing beautifully this game. Really nice to see.

47' - Walker runs down a loose ball and centers it for a waiting Mulligan for the easy tip-in insurance goal. 2-0

50' - Another great Brown to Mulligan pass... but Gary sits on the ball too long before taking his shot, so it's wasted.

54' - Austin for the superbly playing Angus, only because the latter's getting tired and I don't want to risk injury.

55' - Edgar to Walker to Mulligan... GOAL! 3-0

66' - Mulligan with a knock, so Barney takes over.

We get a few more shots at padding our lead further, but they just narrowly miss. Not complaining though. "What an exceptional half from Brackley," the announcer says at the conclusion of the game, and I couldn't agree more. What a fantastic way to end the season.

7+ Ratings
9.3 - Gary Mulligan (MoM)
8.9 - Dan Walker
8.0 - Eddie Odhiambo
7.7 - Eddie Nisevic
7.6 - Tom Sharpe
7.3 - Aaron Brown
7.1 - Izak Reid

Vauxhall is the team dumped, much to my glee.

Gary Mulligan is our top goalscorer of the year with 8 goals in just 13 games. :eek: He's been a big, big part of our stretch run success.

The fans are over the moon with that away win, as well they should be. We finish the year 17th after the media originally predicted the team to finish 10th. Yeah, I can see why the previous guy got sacked.

Haha! In the press conference, this comes up:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/yayodi_zps34fcd9db.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/yayodi_zps34fcd9db.jpg.html)

Dude has been trying repeatedly to get a goal and it's taken him this long to succeed in my tenure here, so yes, collector's item, and congrats to him!

No Contract Players
Warren Peyton
Josh Green
Stevland Angus
Eddie Odhiambo
Laurie Walker

Expiring Contract Players
Billy Turley - $33,500
Michael Corcoran - $21,000
Tom Winters - $16,750

June 2014 Contract Players
Izak Reid - $35,000
Gary Mulligan - $33,500
Ryan Austin - $31,000
Tom Sharpe - $23,500
Eddie Nisevic - $20,000
Aaron Brown - $17,750
Max Crocombe - $17,750
Aaron Wickham - $17,750
Brett Solkhon - $17,500

Obviously Billy Turley won't get a new contract. Tom Winters wants more than what I'm willing to pay for a guy who doesn't figure as a long-term starter in my plans. Michael Corcoran is a good player, but he doesn't fit in my system at all, as we don't use MC, so I'll try offering him to clubs along with Tom Winters to see if I can get money for them.

Nobody's willing to bite, though.

Gary Mulligan is on the Team of the Week.

Max Crowcombe has impressed in training, which is always good to see. Aaron Brown's fitness is taking a hit, though. And in general, players aren't happy with the fitness and goalkeeping coaching we have.

Breaking News (Part 1)
Gary Mulligan wins the Blue Square North Player of the Month Award and Stevland Angus finishes third in voting.

Breaking News (Part 2)
I finished second in Manager of the Month voting, losing out to Bishop Stortford's coach, which is very fair. The board also comes calling with a new contract offer, with a repeat one year, $52,000 deal. I'd like to see something more, but it's fair, given we're only talking about a quarter of a season's work here.

I try to hire a fitness coach for $2,200 a year, but the board blocks me.

Ian Gay wants me to take Corcoran and Winters off the list. Yeah, not doing that.

Year-end Training Results
Laurie Walker and Max Crocombe both made improvements and both are goalies. Nice problem to have.

Tom Winters declined, and Billy Turley, Gary Mulligan, Eddie Odhiambo and some scrub look like they'll decline next year.

Board Review
Satisfactory. They loved the Dan Walker loan-in, and the Gary Mulligan breakout. The fans rate me Good in the transfer market and player performance.

Stefan Brown and Anthony Edgar posted a 7 and 6.83 average rating respectively while at the club, but Edgar was ever-present, whereas Brown was just a reserve.

Gainsborough beats Harrogate in the promotion playoff final.

The 17th place is a record high for the club because it's Brackley's first year in Blue Square North. I'm not shortlisted for the Manager of the Year award because I haven't been here long, which is fair.

We repeat our one year jersey sponsor for $8k for the season and our $275k wage budget with $0 transfer budget. There's also a shitty sponsorship deal worth $1k/year over 5 years. Hope we have the right to tear up that contract at some point.

God damn it. I land a great player but the board cancels it due to the effect on the budget. Time to just flat out release Winters, Corcoran, and Turley on frees. With that happening, we suddenly free up a ton of money in our budget and can grab some top talent.

Transfer Notes
We steal 21 year old MLC Callum McNish from Oxford City on a 2 year, $28,000 per year deal. He's already capable of playing at the BS Premier level and has League 2 upside. Pen him in as the starting left midfielder and a massive upgrade over the Winters/Brown combo we used last season.

MC/ST Elliott Sandy leaves us for Bishop's Stortford, which is pretty much whatever since he never played for us after I showed up and only had a 6.64 rating for the previous manager.

GK Laurie Walker goes to Oxford City. Again, don't care.

What does sadden me is that DM/DR Eddie Odhiambo packs his bags for Histon. Really wanted to keep him around, but he wasn't interested in staying with us at all.

By the way, Staines managed to stay up, and ironically also finished 17th.

Quick-skimming the roster, the backline is fine. But we need a backup goalie, a starting defensive midfielder, and another starting striker.

We take care of the DMC by signing 31 year old Tyrone Thompson from Gainsborough on a non-contract basis. Then we make the big splash by paying 21 year old Ashley Yeoman to a two year, $42,500 a year contract, making him the highest paid player on the club by far. He doesn't quite have the ripping pace that Dan Walker did, but he won out over Walker because my scouts swear Yeoman has a lot higher upside than Walker does.

Warren Peyton signs a non-contract with Welling

Croatia joins the European Union. Luis Cumbers signs a $21,000 a year with Histon. Good luck with that fellas. Anthony Edgar signs with Cambridge for a whopping $67,000. We wanted to bring him back but there was just no room in the budget for him.

I lock up most of my staff on one or two year deals, not wanting to hunt around, and they'll be fine for now. All get raises but that's okay.

Chester earns the biggest Underachievers label for our conference which is soo right.

Izak Reid wins Fans Player of the Year thanks to his 7.01 rating.

Brackley Best 11
GK Billey Turley
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Eddie Odhiambo
ML Tom Winters
MC Brett Solkhon
MC Michael Corcoran
MR Izak Reid
ST Harry Crawford
ST Gary Mulligan

Lee Barney made the alternates, which is awesome.

$12k in TV rights. Snore.

We're expected to achieve a mid-table position this year, but the budget increases for shooting higher are so tiny, I'm not even going to bother with them.

...LOL!

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/lulz_zps4d13f56f.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/lulz_zps4d13f56f.jpg.html)

So I guess AFC Telford is kind of sunk, huh?

We steal 20 year old Spanish DC/DM Sergio Sanchez out from under Staines' noses. He'll fight Tyrone Thompson for a starting spot at DMC. Better still, he has BS Premier potential and is signed for two years at the bargain basement rate of $4,400 a season.

Kind of regret giving Yeoman all that money now, as it's put us $13,7000 over our wage budget, but oh well. Hopefully he proves his worth it. We still have depth gaps to fill at goal and MR, but more on that in the next post.

Izulde

01-30-2014, 07:59 AM

...Whoa! We got moved to Blue Square South. Can this really happen?! Apparently, because we're now in the same division as Staines! Bishop's Stortford made the move also.

Goalkeeper
Max Crocombe (19 - $8k - New Zealand)

Yeah, just Max. My staff still believes in his upside and he performed well for us last season - 6.85 average rating in 6 starts. Obviously he's the guy in the middle for us, and if he is indeed BS Premier quality in his upside, he'll be here for a while. Signed through 2015.

Defenders
Stevland Angus (32 - Jamaica)
Ryan Austin (28 - $45k)
Aaron Brown (33- $2.5k)
Josh Green (25)
Eddie Nisevic (22 - $20k)
Izak Reid (25 - $50k)
Sergio Sanchez (20 - $2k - Spain)
Tom Sharpe (24 - $20k)
Brett Solkhon (30 - $12k)
Aaron Wickham (19 - $10k)

There's a fair bit of value here. Green is on his way out to another club most likely and I'm not going to comment much on this group because so much of their playing time pre-dates my arrival to the club last season. I will say that a Sharpe/Austin pairing at DC would give us arguably the strongest group in the league, but after further review, we're not going to do that. Instead, our backline is going to be as follows:

DL Nisevic
DC Sharpe
DC Sanchez
DR Austin

That gives us the strongest possible back four, with Sanchez's 3* current by my scouts the lowest rating. It's a group I'm excited about, particularly since they played so well last season. Solkhon, Angus and Brown are the reserve guys that will see quite a bit of playing time.

Defensive Midfielder
Wickham
Tyrone Thompson (31)
Sanchez
Solkhon

As you can see, by default, Thompson wins the DMC starting spot next to Wickham. I'd like to get one more player here for stronger depth, or upgrades, as Wickham and Thompson are both 2.5* currently, although Wickham has BS Premier upside.

Wing Midfielders
Brown
Callum McNish (21 - $16k)
Reid

McNish was a monstrous get for us. 4-4.5* current and he'll immediately become our new ML. Between him and Reid's 5* rating on the right side, I'll take that duo over any other pairing in the league. But there is literally no one to back up Reid, and while I love Brown's work last season, more help would be useful.

Strikers
Gary Mulligan (28 - $30k)
Ashley Yeoman (21 - $10k)

Yeoman and Mulligan both have 2.5* ratings currently, which is sorta making me regret that $42k a year contract I gave the kid, but it's all about that 5* potential. There's literally no one else to play striker either, so depth will be something we need to address here, too.

Youth Players
DM Luke Dixon (3*)
DRC Gareth Lee (2.5*)
MR Brad Varney (2.5*)

To be fair, Varney is also a MC, but we don't need those in our setup. Yeah, none of these kids will play at the BSP level it's looking like, but maybe they can be depth or something.

Welp, talk about a total reversal of plans, because we just loaned in 22 year old GK Joe Day from Peterborough for the entire season, and Day is a topflight keeper, as in BS Premier quality right now. This could potentially make us favorites for doing something.

A couple more of our guys get snapped away by other clubs, but they weren't in our plans, so it's not a big deal.

Uh oh. Izak Reid wants out to a bigger club. ...Shit. Shit shit shit. Still, he's got $50k value and I don't want to stand in the way of his obvious ambition.

We bring in 17 year old striker James Roberts on a 3 month loan from parent club Oxford. He's raw, and still very much a backup to our top strikers, but still.

I offer Reid to clubs, but nobody's biting at the $50k value. Tony Garrod signs with Eastleigh for $46,500.

Peterborough
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

7' - ...Well that's one way to show off your skills. Reid dribbles down the field singlehandedly and puts it in goal. Sure nobody wants to pay the $50,000 fee and make everyone happy? 1-0

16' - Really, they shoudl pummel us. 1-1

46' - We've had a couple really close chances since last update, but then this beauty comes through.. with Mulligan to Yeoman for a goal and the lead! 2-1

50' - Score should have tied up after Nisevic makes a terrible pass taht gets intercepted, but it just misses. Brown on for him after that awful error.

54' - Flawless free kick. 2-2

62' - Solkhon on for Wickham

72' - Gareth Lee on for Austin, James Roberts on for Yeoman

Lots of shot attempts by them, but nothing doing. What a fantastic result! I don't care if it's preseason. We just freaking tied a League 1 team!

7+
Max Crocombe - 7.4 (MoM)
Izak Reid - 7.3
Tom Sharpe - 7.1

One thing I noticed though is that our DMCs got exposed a lot in this tactic. Thompson in particular made a lot of bad plays, so it's an area we'll need to thicken up. The problem is, nobody listed for loan is worth having, and we can't get non-contract guys due to our being over budget.

[u]Blue Square South Promotion Odds[/b]
Hayes and Yeading, Salisbury, and Eastleigh all 6-1 favorites. Chelmsford 8-1, Welling 10-1, and Wealdstone 12-1. We're 33-1, which means oddsmakers think we'll have to fight against relegation. Media's got us slated for 14th.

Braintree
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

[b]15']/b] - ...Uhoh. McNish is knocked. Brown's hustled on for him.

25' - Wickham shakes off a tenacious defender to pass it to Yeoman in the half circle, who wheels about and passes it to Mulligan and it's in the net. 1-0

26' - Immediate answer via corner 1-1

41' - Sigh. Now Mulligan is hurt. In goes Roberts. This is not good. And Yeoman shanks the easy one on one miss. Yeah that's why we're paying you $42,000, asshole. :rolleyes:

53' - We looked slow there. 1-2

71' - I throw on all the subs bar Crocombe.

It's a BS Premier team and it's preseason, so I'm not too pissed at the loss.

Fuck!!!! Callum McNish out 4 weeks. Not good. Not.good.at.all.

Oxford
All you need to know is that all the subs started, and that includes the 3 U18 players. All in all, I'm fine with the 0-1 result.

What I'm annoyed by is Stefan Brown getting a non-contract from Hayes and Yeading. He's supposed to go to us, damn it.

Aldershot
The U18 kids were wiped so they got swapped out. I still went with a sub-heavy lineup. Regardless, 0-5 is NOT acceptable.

Unbelievable. Dan Walker signs a non-contract with Boreham Wood.

Brett Solkhon keeps his captaincy as he has throughout Brackley's time in Blue Square Conference play and I make the admittedly surprising decision to name 20 year old Sergio Sanchez vice-captain.

vs Truro
GK Joe Day
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

We're favored, and I'm excited to get the season started.

11' - Wow! Reid with the free kick and Sanchez heads it up and in for the goal. Great start by our new Spanish vice-captain! 1-0

14' - ....And immediately after, Sanchez flubs the play in the middle, leading to an easy equalizer for them. 1-1

27' - ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! Day's sorry ass drops the ball without even being shot at and in it goes. 1-2

28' - Fabulous play. Mulligan catches the ball *just* as it's about to go over the line for a goal kick, slots it back and center in the box for Wickham, who makes it our second defensive guy with a goal on the day. 2-2

30 - Wickham to Brown with a pretty ball for Yeoman... ....and shot's no good, but there's Reid with the follow-through for the lead!!! 3-2

Solid first half overall. Now let's cut down on the miscues and go win this thing.

49' - Seriously? Now Yeoman's hurt, meaning my two high-priced offseason signings will likely contribute jack shit for the early season. :mad: Roberts on for him.

64' - Fuck you FM, seriously just FUCK YOU!!!! Now Reid has to fucking go off. That's BULLSHIT! My 3 best fucking players all god damned fucking hurt before the fucking first game is over. Congratulations, Brad Varney, you're now the youngest player ever to appear on the pitch for Brackley.

85 - Shut it down and contain.

91 - Gorgeous run by Mulligan and he kicks it back to Varney for the giveback and the easy shot.. and of course Gary misses. :rolleyes:

7+
Izak Reid - 8.0
Sergio Sanchez - 7.5
Aaron Wickham - 7.3

I'm scared to look at the injury report after the game, but miraculously, both Reid and Yeoman appear okay.

We make two emergency 3 month loans - MR Nick Freeman from Histon, and DM/ST Jermaine Udumaga from Oxford.

Izak Reid is named to the first Team of the Week.

Well that's just great. Udumaga is hurt himself. :banghead:

Hayes & Yeading (21st)
GK Joe Day
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Ryan Austin
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Stevland Angus
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST James Roberts

Yep, a Scotch taped lineup because it's such a short break. We're away to boot, at a preseason favorite who got their asses kicked the first game.

4' - Mulligan intercepts a pass and gives it to Thompson, who does a back and forth with Solkhon before booting it up to Mulligan again in the box, who dribbles a bit more.... and bangs it in! 1-0 A dream start, indeed.

22' - Day makes an absolutely jaw-dropping save that makes me not regret loaning him in despite his big error in the opener.

46' - Bullshit disallowed goal. They claimed Mulligan fouled somebody which so did not happen.

50' - And here comes former Saint Josh Green as a reserve.

61' - Reid moves back to DR, and Nick Freeman comes on at MR, exhausted Austin taking his spot on the bench.

65' - Jesus! Another damned dropped ball by Day and only nerves by the H&Y guy prevent the tie as he shanks the wide as hell open goal mouth.

68' - Wickham on for Thompson.

78' - Wide open for Wickham and he just misses it. Ugh.

79' - Another easy goal we should have had, but the scrum ends up with the defense kicking it out.

80' - :eyeroll: Wickham has to come off, so I'm forced to jury-rig a 5-3-2 with Brown coming on at ML and Angus shifting back to DC.

83' - A should have been goal for them. Let's just lock this down and get the 3 points, mkay?

91' - Sharpe smacks it hard on a corner play and Mulligan follows with an insane slide tackle shot... but their defense is playing hardball, refusing to give up that insurance goal.

Not a pretty win, but I'll take it, by God. We were underdogs and playing awfully thin.

7+
Gary Mulligan - 7.4
Brett Solkhon - 7.3
Tom Sharpe - 7.3
Joe Day - 7.3

Aaron Wickham is out 6 to 9 days. And we have our third match of the season in 2 days against....

....

....

Staines.

Izulde

01-30-2014, 05:40 PM

Staines vs Brackley
Staines is coming to town and they've also started the season 2-0-0 and are 3rd to our 4th.

Our guys are exhausted - the curse of not having a good Fitness coaching regime, which they've complained about, so we run out with this lineup:

GK Joe Day
DL Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

They're running 4 flat backs, a DMC, 2 MCs, an AML, an AMR, and a ST. Familiar names include Jack Turner, Scott Page, Lewis Ferrell, David Wheeler, Johnny Goddard and Louis-Rae Beadle.

Staines is also on a 9 game unbeaten run dating back to last season, and they can set a club record with 10 today by beating us, so I really, really want to win the Izulde Jestor Classic. Doubly so since we're on our home turf.

22' - Scary moment there, as Wheeler boots it in to the post, but it bounces off and Angus clears it out.

25' - Yellow for Solkhon.

33' - And of course, another fucking injury force off, like we've had EVERY DAMN GAME SO FAR. This time it's Sanchez, and we slide Sharpe and Angus down to put Nisevic in.

43' - Solkhon should have had that one...

So we're exhausted (Thompson is at 61% already), and dealing with a rash of injuries. Yet, I'm hoping we can find a way to win this.

72' - Fuck. :( 0-1

74' - Page goes off on a second yellow, and I'm hoping that'll be enough to let us score the equalizer goal in the time remaining.

89' - Nice shot from Freeman, but no one's there to grab the rebound.

Heartbreaking loss, but really, what was to be expected with all our injury and fitness issues? Staines jumps up to first as a result of the win, heh, which we would have done had we won. The real kicker? They were picked to finish 20th by the media.

Oxford City (6th)
GK Joe Day
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

We're 7th, and Oxford City are our archrivals. We're playing at their place. Great to have McNish back, although we're still a ways away from full health, obviously.

0' - Terrible goal kick by Day and yeah. 0-1

19' - ...Yeah that should have been a goal by them and I thought it was in. Hair of chinny chin chin miss.

37' - Off a corner, Sharpe kicks it and misses, goalie deflects, Sharpe kicks it again, goalie deflects again, but third time is the try and Sharpe finally puts it in. 1-1

40' - :banghead: :banghead: Dear defenders, stop fucking scoring an awesome goal and then immediately playing shit on the other end to allow a goal that assfucks the point you just got. 1-2

51' - Pacey striker = d00m. 1-3

63' - Heh. PK and yellow for Sharpe 1-4

74 - Thought we were going to get away without a sendoff injury? Oh fuck no. Now it's Yeoman. :mad: Roberts in for him, but who gives a fuck?

89 - Pile pile pile. 1-5

Walk of Shame
Eddie Nisevic - 5.4
Joe Day - 5.2
Sergio Sanchez - 5.0

Needless to say, they're getting ripped into. I also transfer list Ashley Yeoman for half his $12k valuation.

Bromley
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Now we're almost back to full health, though it's another away game so I'm not holding out much hope. Day got benched after that disaster, so let's give Crocombe another shot.

2' - Narrowest of free kick misses by Austin!

24' - And again, Austin just missing on the free kick.

25' - Yellow for Mulligan

31' - Yellow for Sanchez

33' - Another stupid kick by Crocombe, only he has the pace to get back and stop the goal from scoring.

35' - Nice Wickham to McNish string to set up Mulligan ...who blows the open shot.

Roberts on for Mulligan at the half, because Gary's playing like ass. Overall, though, we've been doing pretty well.

46' - Yellow for McNish.

51' - Starting to feel a fuckload like Staines last season. 0-1

53' - Wickham Yellow

59' - Exactly like it. 0-2

76' - Solkhon and Brown on for Wickham and McNish.

Sanchez had a good day - 7.3, but I decide not to beat the team up overall, much as I want to. Their morale is already pretty hammered.

Training
Eddie Nisevic, Ashley Yeoman, and Joe Day have all improved. Aaron Brown continues decline.

Luke Dixon improved for youth squad, Brad Varney no.

Board really wants me to sell players. I'm trying man, I'm trying. But nobody's biting.

Bishop's Stortford (5th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Sergio Sanchez
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

0' - Thought Brown had it on the pass from Yeoman, but no soap.

1' - Yeoman to Solkhon to Mulligan and *there's* the start we were looking for 1-0

28' - Our backline has been really aggressive about getting in the way of shots, but they're outpaced on this counter. Fortunately the shot goes wide.

33 - Mulligan feeds it from midfield to Solkhon, who plays some lovely harp music to Yeoman in for the goal!! 2-0

Terrific first half, exactly what we needed. Roberts is going to come on for Yeoman, who needs the breather.

54' - Roberts gets a yellow card on what was a great goal opportunity for us, but I didn't see what for.

61' - Yellow for Thompson

71' - Freeman on for Reid. Yellow for Solkhon.

84' - We're facing a lot of pressure, so it's time to close the gates and contain.

7+
Brett Solkhon - 8.4 (MoM)
Tom Sharpe - 7.6
Gary Mulligan - 7.5
Ashley Yeoman - 7.3
Stevland Angus - 7.2

What a phenomenal performance by our team captain when we needed it most. Great job all around considering this was on another 3 days rest. Yeoman ended a 10 hour drought, too.

The win moves us up to 9th in the table.

Izulde

01-30-2014, 10:24 PM

The resting key players thing rears its head again. It's called resting my players, jackass.

Farnborough (12th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Everybody's healthy now, thankfully, so we can run out a full strength side. Their goalie hasn't allowed one in 209 minutes, key factor in why they're favored.

9' - Reid intercepts a throw-in and there's a whole lot of passing going on that eventually ends in this chain - Thompson to Yeoman to Mulligan inside the box for the score and the early lead. So much for that unstoppable goalie. 1-0

26' - Yeoman takes the ball all by himself down the field on a counter, but the keeper runs out to steal the ball away in a dangerous, yet successful move.

37' - Stop me if you've heard this before. Crocombe with a poor goal kick, but happily they're offisides and off target, to boot.

38' - Yellow for Austin

42' - Perfect shot. Nothing to be done. 1-1

Angus is on for Nisevic at the half, as our starter is having a lousy game (5.8).

52' - That's a goal we should have been able to stop. Ugh. 1-2

62' - We'll take that own goal on a corner, sure. 2-2

69' - Solkhon on for Wickham, Brown for McNish.

Heh, the announcers think Farnborough should feel like they've won the game, but I feel like we should have. I'll take the away point, though.

7+
Tom Sharpe - 7.4
Ashley Yeoman - 7.4
Sergio Sanchez - 7.3
Gary Mulligan - 7.2

Wealdstone (9th)
GK Joe Day
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

This is a match we should be able to win. We're at home and these guys were just promoted.

18' - Absolutely amazing stop by Day, as I'm now rotating whoever the hot goalie is. Crocombe earned himself a couple starts, but he cost us 2 points last game, so our loan guy gets in.

And that's about it. Our offense has gone nowhere so far.

65' - Solkhon on for Wickham, Udumaga on for Yeoman.

72' - Crackerjack shot Udumaga following a brilliant running interception by Austin and a play setup, but their goalie is playing as passionately as Day.

79' - So close again, but Mulligan's shot is blocked by a defender and when he gets it again after a throw-in, it bounces off the top of the crossbar by the smallest margin I've ever seen.

86' - Oh, for fuck's sakes. Such bullshit. :rant: 0-1

Yeah, that's a game we should have won. We were unlucky as fuck, though.

Tonbridge (12th)
GK Joe Day
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

28' - Bounced off Day's hands and in. Fuck. 0-1

33 - Yeoman catches a loose ball following a tackle of and we get the immediate answer. 1-1

42 - Mulligan makes a terrific tackle to start a movement that ends up with Nisevic launching one into the box for the originator to make a diving head in for the lead! 2-1

44 - Piss-poor fucking positioning by Day again. Why the fuck do I loan your overrated piece of shit ass, motherfucker?! 2-2

I tell off Day and half my backline over the complete shitwank job they did that half.

58' - Day is running all over the field like a snotragged dumbass. Lucky he doesn't give up a goal.

68' - Great save by Day? IDGAF.

71 - Solkhon on for Wickham. Oh look, Day's fucking reject ass comes out again and gets scored on because he isn't fucking protecting the goal. 2-3

78 - Reid to Yeoman to Mulligan, but all I can think about is how fucking stupid Day is. 3-3

83 - Reid to DR, Freeman in for Austin's sorry playing ass.

91 - Day is done. He will never fucking play another game for me ever unless Crocombe's hurt. Fucking idiot again played a shitty kick and only flubfucker on the enemy shank preserves the draw.

Oh look, Michael Corcoran scores the go-ahead goal late for Oxford City.

Day had a 3.6 rating, the worst I've ever seen from any player ever in the history of FM. Way to waste the 8.8 and 7.9 from Mulligan and Yeoman respectively, assmaggot.

Fucker just sits there looking composed. Fuck you, you piece of rotten overhyped shit.

I rip him again in the media, and his reaction? Day does not feel worthy of Izulde Jestor's comments. I'd release you on a free if you were contracted to me right now, punk. Eat a giant bag of rancid dicks.

Salisbury (11th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

6' - Crocombe and Sanchez make a trillion great stops to fight off heavy, heavy pressure.

28' - We've had a few cracks, but nothing superclose. They score a goal here but it's disallowed due to offsides.

37' - Can't believe they missed after Crocombe rushed out too soon.

47' - A miss on an easy goal on a corner for them, too.

49' - Yellow for Yeoman. I immediately replace him with Udumaga.

51' - Yellow for Austin

60' - Is that Crocombe out there or Day? Dropped ball and only Nisevic's boot to the sideline bails us out.

62' - Solkhon on for Wickham.

89' - Mulligan and Udumaga play the back and forth game, with Mulligan getting the last touch which goes in for the goal and the lead! 1-0 Lllllllllock it down.

Precisely the kind of upset road win we needed.

7+
Tom Sharpe - 7.7 (MoM)
Gary Mulligan - 7.7
Sergio Sanchez - 7.5
Ryan Austin - 7.5
Eddie Nisevic - 7.1

Basingstoke (8th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

One thing I forgot to mention - Brett Solkhon has the team record for league appearances with 83.

20' - It's a knock for Austin but he'll play through it. Feels weird to be favored in this game, as we're on the road and this team is above us in the standings. We're also not on a hot streak or anything.

Our offense stagnates the entire half. Only two offensive highlights and it's nothing even close to scoring. The usual flip of Reid to DR and Freeman at MR for Austin happens earlier this time because of that knock.

47' - Spirited fight by our defense to fend off multiple swarming shots to start the second.

57' - McNish hits a booming curve from way out near midfield that the opposing keeper drops, and Yeoman shows great pace to beat the fallen goalie for the easy goal 1-0

61' - Solkhon on for Thompson this time.

88' - Containment time.

Blahblahblah poor match. Whatevs. 3 points.

7+
Sergio Sanchez - 7.4
Ashley Yeoman - 7.3

Ryan Austin is out 4-5 weeks. We've got the depth to cover that, though, so not *too* worried.

Training Notes - Good
Ashley Yeoman
Sergio Sanchez
Asswipe
Gareth Lee

Training Notes - Bad
Izak Reid
Aaron Brown

The board is pleased with me because we're 9th in the table, but the fans are rightfully booing me about the Joe Day loaning, calling it "an aberration".

vs Chorley (FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Izak Reid
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Jermaine Udumaga
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

In addition to the Austin injury, I decide to give a few players a rest, and just start the reserves.

10' - The disparity in talent is ridiculous, so we get to see things like Freeman one kick bombing an intercepted throw in to the six yard box where Mulligan is waiting to head it in 1-0

14' - Damn. Just damn. Freeman is *UP* for this one as he belts a corner perfectly for Sharpe to knife in. 2-0

16' - Udumaga's long shot doesn't fall, but Yeoman's there for the ridiculously easy rebound. 3-0

22' - Oh, that's offsides. Yep. Nice try, Chorley

35' - Mulligan was allegedly offsides. Don't think so, but we're kicking so much ass, I don't care.

40' - Angus misses a header and we pay for it with 20 yard strike. 3-1

44' - Ugh. Reid's hurt.

We move Solkhon to DR and put Sergio Sanchez in at DMC so we can pull Reid, and James Roberts goes in for Yeoman.

53' - Yellow for Freeman

71' - ...I swear it crossed the touchline for a goal for us.

73' - Shit. Mulligan's hurt. He's waving it off, though.

74' - FUUUUUUUCK! 3-2

89' - Thompson's in for Udumaga and we go into lockdown mode.

90' - McNish plays the most perfect ball ever for McNish, who dribbles until he can find the angle he wants... and... BAM! INSURANCE FTW! 4-2

7+
Gary Mulligan - 8.8 (MoM)
Nick Freeman - 7.7
Tom Sharpe - 7.5
Jermaine Udumaga - 7.4
Ashley Yeoman - 7.4
Callum McNish - 7.1

That's a nice $7.94k in the coffers right there.

James Roberts' 3 month loan finishes but we won't bring him back.

Dorchester (17th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

We spend the entire first half beating down the door but doing absolutely nothing close until Wickham[b/]'s shot that was deflected in the 43rd minute. On the flip side, it's been all shutdown work by the defense.

[b]60 - Nothing cracking yet. Reid to MR, Solkhon in at DR, Sanchez in at DMC for Freeman and Wickham respectively.

83' - Thompson's done, so I push McNish over to MC and insert Aaron Brown in at ML.

And in the end, just absolutely nothing. We didn't play like shit - we just couldn't find that little something something to get it done.

Izulde

02-01-2014, 03:03 AM

@Havant & @ (2nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Izak Reid
DM Sergio Sanchez
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Not holding out much hope of our being able to do anything here, though we're still 9th in the table, especially since we're on short rest.

4' - Yeoman to Mulligan who has a crack, but nobody's there to hit the rebound.

8' - Had a try at tackling a guy as he was shooting, but there was just no stopping that one. 0-1

15' - Angus, who missed that tackle, pushes it to Freeman on a long header, who then sends it on up to Yeoman and I think it's the equalizer, but the goalie gets there before our striker.

20' - We keep on applying the pressure but they keep holding. Then, Wickham runs down a cleared out corner, wings it out to Freeman. Our loanee then jackhammers it up to the middle where Mulligan's waiting to head it in, and he does so. 1-1

33' - A completely fluke corner kick that turns into a goal all by itself. Ugh. 1-2

We've really been controlling the match, so we shouldn't be losing. Solkhon comes on for Angus, who is having his worst day in a long time (5.5).

50' - Should have had that, Yeoman.

67' - Yeoman runs all the way down the right flank and then makes a pinpoint cross to Mulligan, who nets his second header goal of the match, 10th overall score of the season. 2-2 Reid is also having an awful day, so Solkhon shifts to DR, Sanchez drops down to DC, and Udumaga comes in as the DMC.

86' - Brown in for McNish. But before that can happen, Freeman snags a Mulligan blocked shot, crosses it to the far post of the six yard box, and McNish is there to knock it in the wide open goalpost for the late lead!!! 3-2

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MTq0CnSwm3w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

88' - Contain curtain so we can walk out of here with 3 very unexpected points.

92' - Pretty fish to give a late yellow to Wickham, there.

"Brackley certainly showed they are no pushovers here!" Indeed. In fact, this might be the most impressive win of my tenure. What a great feeling.

7+
Gary Mulligan - 8.8 (MoM)
Nick Freeman - 8.4
Ashley Yeoman - 7.9
Callum McNish - 7.5
Max Crocombe - 7.2

Funny enough, it's Izak Reid who praises my halftime talk, even though he really wants out.

We're now in 8th place, tied with a bunch of teams with 21 points in 13 matches. Goal differential is what has us down here, as our -1 is the worst of anyone until Tonbridge at 13th. Top 21 point team is Chelmsford, in a promotion playoff spot at 5th, and Oxford City is 4th with 22 points. 26 points and 2nd and 3rd are Eastleigh and Havant & W. 30 points for Welling, the league leader.

I don't think we have the horses for winning the league, but I'm starting to think getting to the promotion playoffs is a possibility.

Our six game unbeaten streak is a new Brackley record (from 2012 on)

vs Bedworth - FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Jermaine Udumaga
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

We would have gone with as many reserves as possible anyway (except Assfarmer), but the fact of some guys needing some rest translates well into it anyway. Still should wipe the floor with these guys.

9' - Udumaga gets a knock, but puts to rest any notions of pulling him off by latching on to a cleared shot just outside the box and kicking it in for the early lead. 1-0

16' - Udumaga to Yeoman to Mulligan as a clean 1-2-3 and goal down the middle of the pitch. I love playing inferior competition. 2-0

23' - At this point, it's getting laughable. Yeoman with a plum pas to Mulligan and the totally easy goal to make this damn near a rout. 3-0

26' - Thompson booms it to Mulligan, who heads it to Yeoman. A touch of dribbling later, and we've got ourselves yet another goal not even 30 minutes into the game. 4-0

29' - I think I can legitimately LOL at this point. Brown with a beautiful corner right to Sharpe, who nonchalantly short kicks it in for the lead so large I've never seen us do it before. 5-0

42' - Reid lazily passes it and they intercept for a goal off the upright that gives them a tiny, tiny chance. 5-1

55' - We're getting sloppy. Angus misplays a kick from Crocombe, only a brilliant save by our goalie keeps it from starting to get a little interesting. Brown makes a dynamite clearance on the ensuing corner to rob Bedworth of a lockdown goal.

Talk about an asskicking. Everyone has a 7 or better with the exception of Izak Reid's 6.7, highlighted by 9.4 for Gary Mulligan (MoM), 9.3 for Ashley Yeoman, 8.4 for Tom Sharpe, 8.3 for Aaron Brown, and 8.1 for Jermaine Udumaga.

Udumaga is out 5 to 6 weeks, which brings him back after his loan finishes. It's suggested I terminate the contract, but I don't want to do that.

Gary Mulligan gets named to the Team of the Week, our most decorated player by far.

The good news is, Ryan Austin has resumed training. The bad news is, Nick Freeman and Jermaine Udumaga have their loans ending soon.

vs Eastleigh (2nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Big, big game. We've 7 games unbeaten, Eastleigh 13. We win this one, and it becomes a huge climb up the ladder, I think. Then again, we just beat the then #2 team on the road, so who knows?

20' - Should have been a goal for them there off the corner. Header went up and over.

27' - Bloop goal if I ever saw one. Looked just like a bloop single in baseball. 0-1

43' - Mulligan has been wildly misfiring all day. Then there's this sequence where Thompson sends it up to McNish, who heads it to Mulligan, who finally literally uses his head and dives forward to bang it in. 1-1

45' - Yellow for Freeman.

Despite the tie, we haven't been playing all that well. Austin comes on for the garbage playing Sanchez (5.9).

66' - Sigh. Caught out of position. 1-2 Reid up to MR, Solkhon on at DR.

81' - We're awarded a penalty, and McNish kicks it... barely making it!!! 2-2

91' - Thompson has to go off hurt, so Solkhon up to DMC, Austin to DR, and Angus in at DC.

7.9 for Mulligan and matching 7.3s for McNish and Crocombe. We'll take the tie, considering we were underdogs.

Tyrone Thompson is out 6 to 8 days. He'll miss the FA Cup game, and is iffy for our next league game against Maidenhead.

We can't find anybody decent on loan availability, and when we do, they reject us or are about to be transferred to another team. Very frustrating to say the least.

Izulde

02-01-2014, 05:10 PM

Impressive October Trains
Eddie Nisevic
Max Crocombe
Sergio Sanchez
Luke Dixon

Decline October Trains
Brett Solkhon

vs Hednesford (FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Stevland Angus
DC Ryan Austin
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

This is our last shot to play Freeman, probably, so we'll get the most out of him possible. Otherwise, standard distribution of rest as much as possible applies.

8' - I really do love Brown. He's so great at clearing out dangerous situations.

21' - Should have been a goal, Mulligan, given Yeoman set you up perfectly following Solkhon's header.

31' - McNish places a beautiful corner to Angus, but the goalie makes a great stop. Happily, it bounces off his hands to the far post where Austin is waiting to head it in for his first ever goal for us. 1-0

We're playing decently, but we're not quite dominating like I think we have the potential to be.

51' - It's a knock on Solkhon, but he'll play on.

68' - Yellow for McNish.

70' - Solkhon heads up for Mulligan, who gets drilled before the ball gets there, and I'm shocked that's not a penalty. Yeoman has the wide open shot and blows it, though we manage to get a corner. Wickham *just* misses on the second corner.

73' - The hell? Mulligan's diving header from Yeoman's boot cross is in, I swear! Must have just missed breaking the plane.

87' - McNish on the corner to Angus, who tries the turnaround kick... and it's finally in! 2-0. Lockdown mode initiated.

Only Ashley Yeoman's 5.8 was lower than a 6.9 (and he had a 7.0 at half, so really sucked in the second half. Stevland Angus was the highlight and MoM with an 8.9.

A huge $22,000 for winning that round.

We grab 26 year old ML/ST Nathan Arnold on a 3 month loan. He'll be a backup for us at both those positions, and could play MR if forced to.

vs Maidenhead - 20th
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Just three days after our FA Cup match, and we've got another one. This should be a win for us.

10' - Sanchez is facing a lot of pressure outside the box, so he passes it down the line to Wickham, who executes a pinpoint shot for the early lead. 1-0

26' - We put a ton of pressure on the goalie on a corner, but it's no soap for the insurance.

29' - Now it's their turn to amp up the pressure on a corner, but Sanchez finally eliminates the danger.

We get a couple more shots, but are unlucky not to pad our lead by halftime.

54' - Freeman's cross hits a streaking McNish to finally get that insurance goal! 2-0

60' - Sigh. And there's the answer off a corner. 2-1

63' - Thompson for Wickham, Reid to MR and Solkhon in on DR.

76' - Reid passes it forward inside the box to the six yard area, but the defender can't control it, and Yeoman is there to punish him for his mistake. 3-1

82' - Disallowed goal for us, as Yeoman is declared offside. A little fishy if you ask me.

Terrific outing. Nobody got lower than a 6.9, with the highlights an 8.0 for Ryan Austin (MoM), a 7.8 for Ashley Yeoman, a 7.7 for Callum McNish, and a 7.5 for Sergio Sanchez.

We were 10th before the match and are now 8th with 25 points. 3rd place Eastleigh has 27 points, 2nd place Havant & W 30. Welling is still dominating the league with 36 points, and have just 1 loss all season long.

Needless to say, we're definitely in a position to have ourselves challenging for a promotion playoff spot by the end of the season. Thing have looked pretty good through 15 games *knocks on wood*

Izulde

02-01-2014, 07:54 PM

Max Crocombe has been doing so well in training that Ian Gay sends me a note to tell me about it. I'd love to see Max be a long-term part of this team, but we'll just have to see what happens.

vs Oldham (FA Cup 1st Round)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Ryan Austin
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Nick Freeman
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

The usual resting of players, since I see no chance of our winning this game.

5' - Goal for them bounces just off the crossbar.

13' - Oh, come on, Yeoman! You had the wide open shot after Mulligan's shot is deflected by the defender and you hit it in the fucking side netting!

25 - Yeoman intercepts with a header to Thompson, who follows it up with a pass to Mulligan. Then the ball's sent to a hard-charging Yeoman who redeems with a neatly knocked in goal. 1-0

42 - Mulligan puts forth a lovely ball to Yeoman who should have had a goal, but he lost control of the ball at just the wrong moment. Then again, their counter should have netted a goal, so I'm calling it all even.

Sanchez on for Wickham at the half. Honestly, I don't really care if we win or lose this game now. The fact that we've held our own against a League 1 team for an entire 45 minutes shows we have the potential to do something this season.

56' - Mulligan gets knocked, but he'll fight it off since we have no replacements for him.

58' - A beaut of a control of a loose ball by Yeoman, but then he screws up the wide open shot. Sigh.

67' - This has been a game of terrible finishing by both sides, as Oldham misses on this one, too.

79' - Yellow for Freeman.

85' - Let's contain this one down for the massive upset. Reid goes in at MR for Freeman.

90' - Great hustle by our defense to cordon off a likely late tying goal, capped off by a booming kick from Angus that goes out for a throw-in near Oldham's goal box.

7+
Ashley Yeoman - 7.4
Ryan Austin - 7.4
Stevland Angus - 7.3
Brett Solkhon - 7.3
Max Crocombe - 7.3

Aaron Brown stunk in the second half and finished with a 5.9, but we still pulled off arguably the most massive upset since I've taken the reins here.

We pick up a cool $31,770 for the victory - much-needed money for our cash flow. Nice writeup about the win, too.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/BigFACwin_zpse2832f4f.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/BigFACwin_zpse2832f4f.jpg.html)

A record three players make the Team of the Week - Ashley Yeoman, Callum McNish, and Ryan Austin. We also get our first nibble on Izak Reid, whose value has plummeted to $35k, with Northampton interested, but not willing to pay $4k in transfer fees. On the other hand, Dover and Gateshead are majorly interested.

I screwed up on my loans, as Nathan Jones, the guy I wanted to have for the full season, I only did 3 months, while Simon Wilson, the striker I only wanted 3 months, I accidentally did full season on. Damn it.

On the flip side, Sergio Sanchez has been killing it in training.

@ Cinderford - FA Trophy Final Qualifying Round
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Stevland Angus
DC Ryan Austin
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Nathan Arnold

This should be a cakewalk, sticking with our usual B Cup lineup.

14' - It isn't the Wickham to Solkhon to Mulligan for a goal that impresses me the most. It's that Mulligan snuck behind Arnold to confuse the goal before low kicking it in. 1-0

Should have had another goal shortly before half, but Arnold is still getting used to our setup. We've been playing decently, but not dominating like we should against such an inferior team.

70' - Of course, their goalie being sensational isn't helping matters any. He blocks two successive shots from Arnold and Mulligan. Really, really doing well.

The most exciting win on the planet? No. But we'll take it. Everyone has 6.9 or better, headlined by Stevland Angus's 8.0 (MoM), Ryan Austin's 7.8, and Gary Mulligan's 7.4.

$6.79k for the win.

Gateshead's boss shows up at the game to check out Izak Reid, so the time may be coming when the transfer happens. 12 games since we've lost, which is a new team record.

@ Weston-super-mare (13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Ryan Austin
DM Tyrone Thompson
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Not gonna lie. This smells like a trap game, and it shows in the fact that we aren't favored.

17 - Own goal by Angus. :mad: 0-1

18 - Vicious strike by them that no one could stop. 0-2

23' - A breath of life? Nisevic dribbles a bit down the flank and crosses it to Yeoman, who heads it in. 1-2

33 - Or not. Our backline has been shit today. 1-3

37 - Mulligan heads it to Yeoman, who firmly kicks it in and is intent on not letting us fall out. 2-3

5.5 and 5.7 for Austin and Angus, the latter of whom is yanked for Wickham.

60 - Reid's played like shit, too, so I pull him for Arnold.

81 - Yellow for Solkhon

83 - Arnold recovers his own cleared out corner and centers it to a waiting Wickham who Man-Ram heads it in for the tying score! 3-3

91 - Damn. We had the goal at our mercy but Yeoman couldn't be fast enough to beat out the defender.

All in all, we'll take the tie. It's a game I think we could've and probably should've won, but so it goes. We drop down to 10th with the tie, but it's still a tight pecking order for the playoff promotion spots.

@Gloucester (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Nathan Arnold

3' - Thought Wickham had that one on Reid's box interior free kick, but I guess not.

36 - Crocombe has been fantastic at turning away a couple of good shots by them today.

64 ....That sure as shitfuck looked offsides to me. Oh, and I just noticed Billy Turley's 39 year old ass is the goalie for them. 0-1 Arnold drops down to MR and I decide to give Sam Wilson his first crack.

74 - GOD DAMN IT MULLIGAN NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO FUCKING SCREW UP EASY SHOTS!!!

79 - As it turns out, it's Wilson who has to show Mulligan how the fuck to get up after your own god damned rebound for the certain goal. FIST PUMP, MAN! 1-1

83 - Brown comes on for McNish

A few free kicks exchanged and a narrow, failed last gasp effort from Mulligan. Really, this is a game we should have won easily. But I don't want to rip them apart, either, because they showed resiliance to come back for the point.

And that point is temporarily good enough to slide us up to 7th.

Izulde

02-01-2014, 11:35 PM

@ Solham - FA Trophy 1st Round
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Ryan Austin
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Sam Wilson
ST Nathan Roberts

For the first time in forever, we have neither Mulligan nor Yeoman at striker, so this is a bit of a risky gambit. But the former needs rest and the latter could use a break as well, and we're facing incredibly weak competition again.

14' - Brown trots down the flank and passes up to Solkhon in the six yard box, and following the second's pass to empty space just on the opposite side of the post, I'm thinking it's a waste... until Wilson zooms past everyone else for the goal. I think this kid might be this year's Barney. 1-0

29' - The free kick goes short pass from Brown to Reid, short pass Reid to Angus, Angus goal! 2-0

We're really dominating this match, which is always great to see after those frustrating league ties.

57' Yellow for Wilson

79 - They've been getting some shots off but they've been of the long, whatever variety. Here's some more misery for them - Reid on a corner that sees Sharpe outjump the opponent for the header in 3-0

Complete and total domination. 6.9 the low, and up top we have matching 8.4s from Stevland Angus and Tom Sharpe (MoM), 8.0 from Izak Reid, 7.9 from Eddie Nisevic, and 7.7 from Sam Wilson of the 7.6+ territory.

$8.49k in the coffers for that one. Every little bit helps.

@Bath (18th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

It feels like it's been a while since we've won a league game, so this is our shot to do it.

7' - Yellow for Sharpe

42' - Thompson's in the box and he parks it with a short pass to spark a chase that Mulligan wins and puts in on the first real shot we've had all game. Bath's defense is doing great otherwise. 1-0

We're lucky to be up a goal, because we've been pretty damned mediocre out there. Arnold comes in for a lackluster Yeoman.

62' - Mulligan with the fantabulous ball forward for Arnold, who beats everyone and catches the keeper napping for an amazing insurance goal. 2-0. In the same breath, Thompson takes a knock, but he'll play on for now. By the way, that goal also broke Arnold's 10 hour+ drought.

71' - Wow. Not only is Austin there to get the ball after a rebound that has me thinking answer back, he drops it right in front of Mulligan to engineer another attack. Doesn't score a goal, but it eats up more time off the clock.

77 - Thompson's been great, but his injury is clearly affecting his stamina, so Solkhon heads out on to the field to replace him.

79 - Sharpe throws his body in front of the ball to stop a shot and Bath is screaming about a penalty but they don't get it.

86 - I hate doing it and robbing him of the rest, but Sanchez has to come on for an absolutely drained Wickham. And we'll just slam the door now.

90' - Actually we don't because I forgot to change it, but that's all right because Mulligan slams it home on a 20 yard strike to make this a full-on rout. 3-0

7.5+ Ratings
Gary Mulligan - 8.8 (MoM)
Stevland Angus - 8.0
Ryan Austin - 7.6

Yeah, it was that incredible a performance by our lads. Now, why the hell was I containing on a 3 goal lead, you ask?

Because our goal differential is now +4, and we're 4th in the league. That's right... we're in promotion playoffs territory. Before anyone starts dreaming about auto-promotion, though, Welling is running away with this thing with 42 points, second place Havant & W has 34 points with a game in hand, and then there's three of us all with 30 points.

vs Chelmsford (6th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Nathan Arnold
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Guys needing rest mean we have to juryrig the lineup a bit, but it'll work I hope, as this is a big, big game.

6 - Not a good start. 0-1

Yeah. It's been that shit a match so far.

47 - Wickham's knocked out of the game, so I slide up Sanchez and bring in Sharpe.

70 - In a desperation move, I shift Mulligan to MR in place of Arnold and slot in Wilson at striker.

77 - Knock for Solkhon.

We literally never got a shot on goal. And in front of our home fans, too. It was our first league loss in 11 games. But we're still 5th, which is promotion playoff spot.

Impressive Training
Gary Mulligan
Max Crocombe

Disappointments
Ryan Austin
Luke Dixon

Wow. Here's a new one. An agent is offering his player to me, 20 year old MR Francis McCaffey. We end up bringing him on a 3 month loan, because he's an immediate upgrade to Izak Reid's backup spot.

Board Confidence Update - December 1st
Delighted with me because of our league position. We made $41,370 profit last month due to $69,120 in prize money from the FA Trophy and FA Cup.

Izulde

02-02-2014, 07:01 AM

@ Eastborne Boro (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Sergio Sanchez
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Callum McNish
MR Francis McCaffery
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Good thing we loaned in McCaffery at the last second, because it turns out we need him right off the bat.

11' - ...Wow. How did their striker who outran everyone miss that wide open shot? Unbelievable.

Our passing has been for absolutely shit tonight, but spirited play from our backline has kept it all clean. Luke Dixon gets his first senior action at DM, and Wilson comes on for Yeoman.

84 - Both offenses have lacked punch and direction, but they finally get a goal... only it's called off due to questionable offsides call.

86 - Austin gets knocked, but he'll fight on.

92 - DAMN IT! I thought sure as fuck McCaffrey had that rebound goal in and he *just* missed it. What a fabulous finisher that would have been!

7+ for Crocombe and our entire backline except for Brown. Sharpe gets MoM with his 7.6. We were just unlucky this game is all. Unfortunately that drops us to 6th and out of the promotion playoff spot.

vs Southport (FA Cup Round 2)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Gareth Lee
DM Luke Dixon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Brad Varney
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Sam Wilson

Yeah, we're powering down the lineup as much as possible, as I don't see us winning this one at all. The U18 kids will get their taste of first action, as we try to rest up for the rest of league play.

1 - Hell of a rocket by Thompson. Too bad it's no soap.

9 - Own goal by Dixon. Shit. Kid looks devastated. 0-1

12 - 20 yard strike for Brown, which is his first goal for us? Have trouble believing it, but whatever works. 1-1

15 - Knock for Varney. Stay on, kid.

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. Three kids and we're tied at the half, and should be ahead. Reid comes on for Lee, McCaffrey for Varney.

Fuck. An own goal away from pulling off another massive upset. The replay's going to be away, so you know we'll get hammered there. Truth is, though, we just got way outplayed in the second half and were lucky to stay the course.

Max Crocombe earns his first Team of the Week nod. Brad Varney goes down for 5 to 6 weeks with a twisted ankle.

vs Welling (1st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Ryan Austin
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

We're 9th coming into this game, by the way, with a game in hand on #3-5. But trying to beat the clear-cut top team in the league is no easy feat.

Yeah, it's been that dull a first half. Neither side can chug their offense up to speed, so it's made for a boring game.

48' - First clear shot I've seen, but they shank the kick.

55' - I can see why they're the best team in the league. Twice Yeoman kicks it, and twice, Mott clomps on to the ball like a giant glob of apple sauce to save the goal.

74 McCaffrey and Arnold on for Reid and McNish

86 - One of Crocombe's bad goal passes, and it's somehow shanked again.

7+s for our entire backline again. Sure, we could have won this game with a little more luck, but there's no shame in drawing the team that's so far ahead of everyone else, it's ridiculous.

Unfortunately, we're now down to 10th in the table and no games in hand.

More bad news - Nathaniel Wedderburn, who we wanted to bring in, goes to Staines instead on loan. On the bright side, we bring in Oldham's MR Kirk Millar on a 3 month loan who I'm kicking myself for not bringing in for the whole season after I get a good look at him.

vs Worcester - FA Trophy 2nd Round
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Stevland Angus
DC Ryan Austin
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Sergio Sanchez
DM Lee Dixon
ML Callum McNish
MR Francis McCaffrey
ST Nathan Arnold
ST Sam Wilson

3 matches in one week, of which this is the first. To make matters worse, 4 starters need a rest, which is why we're going with this damn near C list lineup in the one cup match we've a shot at winning, as Worcester is 4th in the Blue Square North.

5 - A knock for Dixon, who has had a terrible start to his senior career, I must say.

28 - Sheesh. Four straight corners and nothing doing with anything of them. Our drought on offense continues.

44 - Long range strike right before the half of course, which will be enough for them to win the game. :rolleyes: 0-1

I'm getting a little sick of this shit, so I rip into them at halftime.

52 - Absolutely gorgeous run down the middle of the pitch by Arnold, who then splits two defenders and a goalie with a great shot in off the bar to equalize. 1-1

70 - I swear, Angus has more narrow goal misses than anybody else on this team.

84 - So what would be the total feather cap on Dixon's rough career start? Why, a fucking undeserved red card, of course. At this point I'm saying fuck it, pulling Sanchez back to DC, and shutting up shop for the draw.

91 - A little more force and Arnold would have a great fuck you goal. Alas, just a little too soft (That's what she said).

7.8 for Angus, 7.6 for Arnold, and may I point out that Dixon had a 7 before he got unfairly canned?

I'm fined $300 by the FA for shredding the refs about the red card. Fuck you, I don't care. I'm making $52,000 in this fantasy universe.

@Southport (FA Cup Round 2 Replay)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Gareth Lee
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Aaron Brown
MR Francis McCaffery
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Sam Wilson

Weak a lineup as iI can put out, what with injuries, suspensions, and rest needings. No way we should have a shot in this one.

0 - Balls to the wall Wilson shot that bounced off the interior top bar after a great interception and pass by Mulligan. Soooo close.

36 - Yellow for Wilson.

Neither side can break through, it seems, continuing our late trend of stout defense and non-existent offense.

48 - Hardnosed defense to start the second half can't hold up to a long strike miracle, which we seem to be giving up way too many of lately. 0-1

68 - WTF is this long bomb bullshit?! 0-2

80 - Home cooking. Just to make sure there's no hope of our coming back, here's a PK. 0-3

I won't tell you the number of sub-6s we had today. Worst second half we've played since probably sometime last season. I'm not too upset about it, though. The money's nice, but cup play has been a drain on our league position.

@Truro (21st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Kirk Millar
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Our blowing off the cup games gives a full-strength squad for a must-win game against one of the conference's shittiest teams.

18 - We're denied a penalty we should have gotten.

25 - Crocombe shows slow reflexes in going after a goal that should have scored, but it goes just over the bar.

41 - Yellow for Sharpe

I can't remember the last time we scored two goals in a game. Thompson in for Wickham.

64 - Sign of how rough things are that Sharpe's sure goal bounces off the crossbar instead of going in.

73 - And now Mulligan holds on to the ball too long looking for the perfect shot. :banghead: OMG another header that bounces off the crossbar on a corner :banghead:

84 - Arnold for Mulligan, Brown for Nisevic.

We can't even buy a fucking goal at this point. We're now 9th, 4 points out of a playoff promotion with a game in hand. I try to tone down my disgust with the referees, and the FA slaps me a $400 fine anyway. Fuck you.

Fuck you, John Nutter, for going to Maidenhead rather than me on loan.

vs Hayes & Yeading (22nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Nathan Arnold
MR Kirk Millar
ST Sam Wilson
ST Ashley Yeoman

If we can't even beat the league's worst team on our own turf, we don't deserve to fight for a promotion spot.

Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with this team? Shot shot shot shot shot shot shot shot shot and nothing nothing nothing nothing. Frustrated, I scream at them at the half break.

53 - Solkhon on for Thompson, and we're still nothing doing.

[b]82[/b - Arnold up to striker and Brown in at ML. We've had a crossbar bounce, yep.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS?!

After some haggling, we re-sign Brett Solkhon to a one year contract extension that will see him take a $4,000 paycut from $17,500 to $13,500. The only reason I'm retaining him is because he's played well for us, and he's our team captain. The rest of the squad looks like it's going to undergo some major overhauls.

Good Trainers
Max Crocombe
Callum McNish
Sergio Sanchez

Bad Trainers
Tom Sharpe

We loan in George Bowerman from Walsall for the rest of the season. He's so great a striker, he blows everyone else on the team out of the water. Hopefully he'll be the tonic we need to fix our anemic offense.

@Worcester (FA Trophy Round 2 Reply
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Nathan Arnold
MR Francis McCaffrey
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

Do I care at all about cup play? No, but I'm forced to put up a semi-decent lineup anyway. Interesting note: Aaron Wickham says he doesn't want to play for Jamaica in his player reaction. Does that mean he's been called up? A quick look at Jamaica's teams says No, but he must be in discussion for it.

18 - Yeoman is really pressing out there and doing jack squat. They score early and you know it's all over from here. 0-1

37 - Our drought *finally* ends as Thompson pitches a ball into the box that McCaffrey runs up and centers for Wickham to bounce it in. 1-1

46 - Oh look, a *just* before the whistle blows goal. :rolleyes: 1-2

Brown's 5.7 ass gets yanked for Nisevic.

56 - Time to stop paying attention 1-3

1-4 Final Ugh.

Joe Day requests to terminate his loan. I agree, you worthless sack of shit.

vs Oxford City (5th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Kirk Millar
ST Gary Mulligan
ST George Bowerman

You want to know the fitting part? George Bowerman is on a goal drought of his own. Of course, that's at Walsall, which is a League 1 team, as opposed to our level.

Big game. Rivalry matchup and Michael Corcoran and Laurie Walker on the other side. I always want to kick these guys' asses.

11' - Within the first 11 minutes, Bowerman cracks twice in a row at goal and misses, Wickham gets hurt, and Bowerman picks up a yellow. Solkhon on for Wickham. Oh, and Oxford City blow a certain goal.

24 - Oh, that was beautiful! Bowerman with the interception and running past everyone for a pristine shot and our first lead in forever!!! 1-0

36 - Millar jacks it forward for Mulligan to find, which he does on the far side and punches it in for ZOMG OUR FIRST 2 GOAL GAME IN LIKE UMPTEEN MILLION YEARS!!!! 2-0

43 - There's McNish with the cross after a dribble sequence upon the pass from Mulligan... and there's Bowerman slicing his way through for his second goal!!! 3-0

45 - They beat the 3 man defense somehow, but the post rises up to knock aside the goal and preserve our 3 margin halftime lead!

Wow, just wow! Evidently Bowerman was just what we needed! (More on that later).

53 - A knock on Nisevic. I'm not willing to take any chances, so Brown on.

69 - OMG!!!! McNish rainbows a beautiful ball for Bowerman WHO STRIKES IT HOME FOR A DEBUT HAT TRICK!!!!!! BOW-ER-MAN! BOW-ER-MAN! BOW-ER-MAN! 4-0

76 - THIS GAME GETS EVEN BETTER! MICHAEL CORCORAN GOES TWO FEET FIRST ON OUR HERO BOWERMAN AND THE REF RED CARDS HIS ASS!!! YES YES YES!!!!!

80 - Guess what? GUESS WHAT?! Bowerman can pass, too! as he takes the ball outside the semi-circle and gives it to Solkhon inside the box, and our team captain gets his first goal of the year!!! 5-0

87 - Their nerves are so rattled, Oxford City can't even hit a surefire goal.

What an absolutely awesome awesome awesome game.

Lineup Ratings
George Bowerman - 9.6 (MoM, duh)
Callum McNish - 8.9
Gary Mulligan - 8.8
Brett Solkhon - 8.3
Tom Sharpe - 8.2
Kirk Millar - 8.0
Izak Reid - 7.8
Ryan Austin - 7.7
Sergio Sanchez - 7.4
Max Crocombe - 7.2
Eddie Nisevic - 7.1
Aaron Brown - 7.0
Aaron Wickham - Pulled due to injury and so had no rating

That is the most beautiful team ratings line I've ever, ever seen.

I find out afterwards that Michael Corcoran is Oxford City's team captain, so it was awesome to see him sent off, and even more awesome to see *our* team captain score after the game. This is definitely one for the ages.

I also finally figured out that you can view the highlights on the main inbox after the match and where to change the video prefs so that they're actually good. I set the quality from 360 (yikes!) to 1080 and selected my favorite clips to package together and upload (One was a custom clip I created).

While we're waiting for that to process, some more notes on Bowerman:

I noticed during our drought that my best striker in that attribute only had a Finishing of 8 (Yeoman), so I trolled the loan list dropping the Finishing minimum down until I hit 12 in the loan list, where Bowerman was. Snapped him up immediately, and well, you see the result. Also has Pace 12, Stamina 13, Work Rate 12, PK 14, Technique 11... so he's someone I want to keep around for a long time if I can. At least he'll never have to buy another beer in our town ever again.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ItvFrYc_fvI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Huh, it didn't save the commentary. That's... disappointing. But I also saved it in FRAPS *with* the commentary, so there's that, I suppose. Let me know if you guys want me to upload it with the commentary and I'll re-upload and edit the link.

Anyway, the win's only enough to move us from 12th to 11th, but it knocks our archrivals down to 6th. We've 37 points and +8 differential. 41 points and +15 is what gets you into promotion playoffs right now.

Max Crocombe continues to flourish in training and he's without question a player we should try and keep long-term.

I'm just going to leave this here

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/Bigweek_zpsc2ba07be.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/Bigweek_zpsc2ba07be.jpg.html)

Talk about dominating.

Ashley Yeoman has also impressed in training and while he hasn't quite earned his lofty salary yet, he and Bowerman should be our top two strikers going forward, as he's surpassed Mulligan.

Hahahaha! Joe Day is disappointed to find himself transfer listed. Gee, maybe that's because you suck.

We loan in DC Garry Richards from our old friends Luton Town, which means we can shuffle our lineup some more.

@Bishop's Stortford (13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Say hello to our new powerhouse lineup. We're still weaker than we'd like at DMC, but it's hard to find those on loan, unfortunately. We're not favored in this due to being on the road.

35' - Yellow for Sharpe.

38 - I'm beginning to think last game's offensive explosion was just a sweet little dream when Millar drops it in the perfect spot off a corner for Richards to kick it in for a goal on his debut 1-0

A drab match, complain the announcers, but I think we're doing fairly well so far. Not awesome, but there's a lot of fairly new pieces in the lineup that are still getting used to one another.

80 - Solkhon on for Wickham

82 - The right wing cross to McNish is usually good for a goal, but not this time.

84 - He's been amazing, but now it's time for Richards to give way to Angus so he doesn't get wiped out. I'm pondering closing down, and after as much thought as one takes at 5 am when one has a screwed up sleeping schedule, I do.

Yeah, yeah poor match. Just give me my 3 points.

The whole backline gets 7.3 or better, headlined by Richards' 8.8 and MoM. It's also a 7.2 for Kirk Millar.

We inch our way up to 10th. At 25 games, we have 1 or 2 games in hand of everyone ahead of us, so hopefully we can use that to take our 40 points up to 44 and beyond, and get back in the promotion playoff spot.

Some interesting stats:
-Gary Mulligan leads the league in most times caught offsides with 34, and Max Crocombe's 85% pass completion rate has him tied for 4th in the league, the other people around him all midfielders.
-Crocombe is also 3rd in shutouts with 11. To no one's surprise, Welling's Sam Mott leads with 16 clean sheets.
-Michael Corcoran is tied for the lead in penalties with a flawless 3/3.
-Ashley Yeoman is tied with two others for the lead in shots on target ratio with 52%.
-Tyrone Thompson leads in tackles per game at 5.73.

Izulde

02-02-2014, 04:26 PM

Garry Richards gets on the Team of the Week.

@Staines (12th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Garry Richards
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

I always want to beat my former team to show them what they're missing (even though I resigned).

5 - I'm mesmerized by this bright yellow ball. First time I've seen it that color. What I hate? Bowerman blowing a chip shot. That's not how you get the fat money I'm thinking of offering you, son.

14 - Barclang by Nisevic

36 - Yellow for McNish

We're back to our usual flat play, so here's me firmly telling them to get their heads out of their asses.

57 - There we go. Cross from Yeoman to Bowerman who doesn't flub the easy strike this time. 1-0

71 - Great header by Yeoman to Millar on the wing outside the box, our right midfielder then crossing to Bowerman who coolly finishes it. 2-0 Solkhon on for Wickham.

73 - Textbook play by them. Just no stopping that. 1-2

77 - Offsides! That's offsides! THANK YOU!

83 - Angus on for Richards and let's get out of here with our 3 points. Especially after Solkhon misses the easiest goal in the world from Millar's feed.

93 - McNish goes down. Arnold on to replace him.

94 - WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT TOTAL AND COMPLETE FUCKING BULLSHIT?! FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU FUCK YOU OSBORN AND YOUR FUCKING DEBUT 2 GOALS! 2-2

That was the biggest fucking bunch of BULLSHIT I have EVER fucking seen! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Fuck that 94th minute goal bullshit.

And fuck Callum McNish's torn hamstring taking him out 3-4 months.

We move up to 8th, but I'm still not happy. A win would have had us in 7th and a point behind a playoff spot with a game in hand. Now a game in hand means we need to win that to get up into the playoffs spot.

Izulde

02-03-2014, 05:13 AM

vs Bromley (9th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DC Garry Richards
DR Ryan Austin
DM Tyrone Thompson
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Nathan Arnold
MR Francis McCaffrey
ST Gary Mulligan
ST George Bowerman

3 days from our last match and its bitter conclusion. This one is absolutely critical to get points from, as they're tied with us on points.

6 - Knock for Thompson.

20 - Crocombe comes out too soon and it's a long, easy goal. Sigh. 0-1

21 - That looked offsides to me, but what do I fucking know? 0-2

I'm already preparing for next season in my head, and it's clear we need to improve our finishing up front, our wing play, and our defensive midfield. Our backline will probably need a rebuild as well. In short, we're probably going to have a massive overhaul.

Dixon and Wilson on for Thompson and Bowerman, because it doesn't matter for this match anymore.

65 - Mulligan - McCaffrey - Mulligan give and go on right side of the box for the goal. 1-2

91 - Golden opportunity slips by when a barrage of shots does nothing, but then Richards captures the ball on the other hand that engineers an attack. Wilson's shot is blocked, but he picks up his rebound and slides it to Solkhon, who this time is on target for the late equalizer. 2-2

Well, 2 points over the last two matches is better than 0, but even 3 from Staines and 0 from this one would have been better. Still, the fightback is what counts. 8.1 for Brett Solkhon as MoM, and 7.3 for Gary Mulligan.

@Wealdstone (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Gareth Lee
DM Lee Dixon
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Aaron Brown
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Another short rest game. They're coming hard and fast now. Though we're 9th in the table, we're only 3 out from the playoff promotion spot with a game in hand.

30 - Angus with the short center to Brown and I think it's in, but it bounces out, and Lee can't use his youth to beat out the defender for the rebound goal.

[b33[/b] - For all the brilliant displays he puts on, Bowerman also has maddeningly easy misses like here.

37 - On the other hand, here's Bowerman short passing to the right for Millar, who does his short pass forward to a zooming Yeoman who *finally* ends his parched goal drought! 1-0

The scoreline doesn't reflect just how much we've been dominating this game, because we've totally controlled it. Wickham is wiped, but we've no replacements for him, so I decide to gamble and make the DMC a ST and put in Mulligan. Yeah, I feel like playing with fire.

66 - The side effect of the new shift is that Wealdstone gets more aggressive, taking advantage of Dixon all by himself in the midfield. Sadly for them, it also means that Mulligan puts forward an awesome ball for Yeoman, and though the shot misses, they're still running back to try and defend, whereas Bowerman is already there to put the rebound in. Nice to see the gamble pay off. 2-0

76 - Monstrous header on a corner. Nothing to guard against that. 2-1

79 - I'm getting a bad feeling here. 2-2

84 - We're robbed of a penalty. Nice home cooking, assmongers.

Honestly, even though we had no defensive subs, we probably would made the right decision. We were playing two U18 guys on the road and were exhausted all around, so maybe a draw was okay.

We're now 7th, all games even, and 2 points back of promotion playoffs. I shut my mouth about the penalty for once.

32 year old Dale Binns comes in on a til end season loan from Maidenhead, just because we're that desperate for ML coverage. He's out anywhere from 3 days to a week and a half himself, but we'll make do until then.

vs Farnborough (9th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Nathan Arnold
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

10 - Richards gets caught napping on a pass from Crocombe and nearly costs us a goal.

44 - Yellow for Thompson.

Our strikers have been awful and we've looked meh in general in what should be a very easy contest.

57 - Enough of Yeoman's incompetence. On comes Mulligan for him, and Brown for a winded Arnold.

83 - Chance after chance after chance we've come so close, and *finally* Millar does a little shake and bake inside the half-circle before the short pass to Mulligan for the goal. 1-0.

86 - Yellow for Wickham[b/]

[b]94 - We keep on the pressure and Brown gets a corner for Austin to rear up and send home!!! No last minute ties here, folks! 2-0

That was a breakthrough win we really needed after all these frustrating ties.

The entire backline is 7+, highlighted by Ryan Austin's 8.2 MoM. 7.4 for Gary Mulligan off the bench, too.

Ryan Austin hits the Team of the Week.

We're now 6th, a point away from promotion playoffs with 29 games in the ledger.

Izulde

02-03-2014, 07:26 AM

Expiring Contracts
DL Eddie Nisevic - $21,000
22 year old wants a pay increase, but he's only posted 6.76 rating so far this season, down from 7.03 last year. More to the point, while he's a good player for this level, he has no upside to him, and so he'll be allowed to either stay as a non-contract, or go elsewhere next season.

DR/MR Izak Reid - $35,000
26 year old is a BS Premier level player now and in the future, but his value has crashed with each passing month. It started off at $50k and now it's down to $22k. Originally a few clubs were interested, but now they've cooled off. He still wants to move to a bigger club and his 6.91 rating hasn't been wowtastic, just good. That said, he's willing to take a $500 paycut for next season, and I'm thinking of having him sign it.

DLC Tom Sharpe - $23,500
25 year old old has really elevated his game and is playing a 7.13 rating right now. Another BS Premier level player now and future, he wants a pay increase, but the board doesn't like him and is only willing to pay $13,500 - a contract rate he won't accept, obviously, and nor should he. Will keep tabs, however.

DCR Ryan Austin - $31,500
All the 29 year old does is average 7+ ratings in our setup, but he's injury-prone and, like Nisevic, tapped out to this level. He's willing to accept a paycut to $23,500 off the bat, but the board is only authorizing $13,500 salary, so he's another wait and see.

ST Gary Mulligan - $33,500
His technical attributes suck, but his 16 Bravery, 18 Teamwork, 19 Work Rate, 14 Natural Fitness, and 16 Stamina are why he's our leading goal scorer both last season and this, the latter of which he has 14, doubling that of Ashley Yeoman's 7. 7.28 average rating, too. But he just doesn't have the talent to compete at the next level, and he wants a sizable contract increase that I'm in no way, shape, or form willing to pay, so he'll be playing somewhere else next year, or sit on a non-contract.

D/ML Aaron Brown - $17,750
He's been one of my favorite signings ever, and posted a solid 6.94 rating this year, 6.87 last season. But he's 33 and is clearly on the downslide. He also wants a pay increase, if you can believe that. Not gonna happen, so he'll non-contract for us until someone decides they want to pick him up.

Impressive Trains
Eddie Nisevic
Max Crocombe
Ashley Yeoman

Sadface Train
Brad Varney

George Bowerman wins Blue Square South Player of the Month Award, and Sam Page from Staines finishes third. Even better, Bowerman tells the press that he loves it at Brackley because everyone is so friendly and supportive. So.tempted.to.sign.

The board's delighted with my leadership, thanks to George Bowerman, but Aaron Brown's recent struggles have caused concern.

vs Salisbury (2nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Nathan Arnold
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Big, *big* game here. If we win, we can legitimately call ourselves contenders for promotion, let alone the playoffs.

20 - Shit. Knock on Crocombe. We've had a few close chances, but can't connect for the lead.

36 Damn. Knock for Austin. Still no go.

40 - They've been hammering lately, and I swear they have this one on a corner, but Sharpe does well to pound away the danger.

Angus comes on for the injured Austin at half. I really want this one.

65 - Mulligan for Yeoman to try and break this stalemate.

Unfortunately their defense just plays phenomenally all game like ours does and it's another draw. Another 7.1 or better for the whole backline, but it's Sergio Sanchez who gets MoM with his 8.1 rating, showing tons of hustle out there.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK! MAX CROCOMBE OUT A MONTH!

Ryan Austin's out 5 to 6 weeks, too.

Oh, and Oxford City now has a full 3 point lead on us.

We hurriedly loan in Lithuanian GK Lukas Lidakevicius from Barnsley on our last available loan, a 3 monther. He's got BS Premier right now on him, with League 2 upside.

@Tonbridge (17th)
GK Lukas Lidakevicius
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

For some reason, they're favored.

3 - Horrendous start. 0-1

20 - Obvious offsides is obvious.

22 - Nisevic shoots a rainbow to Yeoman, who catches it in stride and darts forward for the tying goal. 1-1 Oh, Bowerman picked up a yellow at some point.

38 - Man, Nisevic has been on form today with his passing. Floats a short one to Wickham, who rams it in from 20 out. Guess Eddie really wants that new contract. 2-1

As good as we've been, we could be doing a little better, I think. Reid[b/]'s been dogging it out there.

[b]69 - Knock for Millar, so it's Reid to MR and Solkhon in at DR.

78 Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!!!!!!! Brackley drops from 5th to 6th because Sharpe fucking half-asses a clearance and gets scored on as a result Fuuuuck! 2-2 Get in there, Mulligan.

91 - Solkhon with the cross..... Sanchez jumps to head.... AND IT'S IN!!! 3-2 CONTAIN!!!!!!!!!

All but three players had 7 or better, and even those were 6.8, 6.9 and 6.9. What a huge, huge, huge win. Aaron Wickham gets Man of the Match for his 7.8 rating, but I want to give special recognition to Lukas Lidakevicius, who came in a difficult spot and delivered a 7.2 mark.

And with that, we're officially 5th in the league again, thanks to our goal differential. And it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility for us to actually challenge for the league crown, as Salisbury currently has top honors with 57 points to our 50. Welling's gone ice cold lately.

Izulde

02-03-2014, 11:16 AM

So don't break me tonight
This is crazy love
And you know I'm gonna follow you home
Through the rain
Cause I need your love
And you know I'm gonna follow you home

TI (ft. Rihanna), Akon (ft. Eminem), and Carly Rae Jepsen as a triple track on my Pandora and guess what I end up singing along to? Yep, CRJ.

I'm in that pre-interview zone a few hours too early, so to alleviate it, let's play on!

Brad Varney breaks his ribs and is out 2-3 months. Too bad, kid.

For some reason we have 3 weeks before our next game. Weird. Sergio Sanchez has impressed in training. Yay!

Lukas Lidakevicius gets called up to the Lithuania U21 team, which is pretty cool. Then again, he's already had 13 caps for them, so not as cool as a new callup.

Impressive Trains
Sergio Sanchez
Kirk Millar
George Bowerman

Sadface Trains
Stevland Angus
Dale Binns

Still delighted board, still concerned about Aaron Brown

@ Dorchester (8th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Why Crocombe and not the Lithuanian? Dance with the one who brought you. Every game is key from here on out, of course, so let's get it done.

7 - Barf. We putz around in front of goal and then they counter strike for the lead because Crocombe can't fucking stay in goal. 0-1

32 - Honestly, HTF do you miss on an easy heading opportunity from Binns, Bowerman? Dumbass.

It's Mulligan and Solkhon on for tired Yeoman and doesn't GAF Reid at half and I tell the team to wake the hell up.

Our offense completely disappears the whole fucking game. Completely inexcusable, and once again, we drop out of 5th immediately after achieving it.

Crocombe rats out my flipping out to the press. Good thing I like you, kid.

Turns out we're a point behind again. And it was our first loss in 13 league games.

vs Basingstoke(13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Kirk Millar
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Need to get winning again. And winning, not pissy little draws.

4 - Wickham swings in a free kick from the right flank and Binns of all people is there to push it in. Great start, guys! 1-0

16 - Sharpe nearly tacks on a corner header insurance.

40 - Nisevic far posts it on a corner for Richards, but the should've goal is an isn't.

77 - Brown in for Binns and Thompson in for Sanchez, the latter having picked up a yellow.

89 - Solkhon on for Wickham and Contain.

Poor match indeed, but 3 points is 3 points.

7.5 for Garry Richards and Aaron Wickham, 7.3 for Dale Binn, as once again our whole backline posts 7 or better ratings.

Unfortunately everyone else around us won as well, so there's no movement.

Ashley Yeoman's work in training is praised again, but we've yet to see the results on the field.

The youth pull this year is garbage. Nobody worth signing. Sergio Sanchez continues to stand out in training.

vs Havant & W (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Max Crocombe
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Millar's loan finished. He sucked for the most part, so I'm not sorry to see him go, especially since Austin is ready again. Huge game here. And a MUST WIN.

25 - The most precision pass I've ever seen from Wickham to Reid's elevating head. Ball bounces to Bowerman who heads.. only to have it blocked. But Bowerman's got the presence of mind to send an immediate volley when it hits the ground, and in it goes!! 1-0

40 - Nisevic corners it to Sharpe for the header, but it's deflected... happily Richards hangs about the far post for the lay-in and we've insurance! 2-0

Now we've all seen this before where we have a great first half and then melt down in the second. Let's hope it doesn't happen here.

61 - :rolleyes: Reid gets three shots on the goal after Bowerman's shot bounces and he can't make any of them.

70 - The defender trips trying to tackle Yeoman, who calmly waits a second and then shoots it on in for the beautiful, beautiful 3 goal lead. 3-0 Thompson and Solkhon on for our two tired DMCs.

This is the best I've seen the backline ever play, with everyone getting 7.4 or better. MoM honors go to Sharpe for his 8.5, Richards next to him getting 8.2. Sergio Sanchez earned a 7.5 and Yeoman got a 7.7, Bowerman an 8.1. Just a fantastic result.

With 56 points, we're now in 4th place and Welling is sitting up top with 60 points. Yes, folks, it's entirely possibly we could see Brackley Town find a way to auto-promote!

8 games left...

Izulde

02-04-2014, 05:25 AM

Izak Reid is complaining because he hasn't been moved yet. We offer him up again for a $2k asking price and Luton Town and Bradford City allegedly have interest.

We loan Gareth Lee to Leamington.

@Eastleigh (2nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Max Crocombe
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

We win this, and we can maybe vault up to 2nd. Lose, and we could find ourselves out of the playoff spot yet again.

Just two highlights total in the first half, one for each team. Defenses are playing fantastically and nobody's even coming close to sniffing a goal. Binns is struggling today, so we'll put Brown in for him.

59 - Great run by Yeoman, but then he completely tanks what should have been a chip shot for him. Sigh.

62 - Amazing long shot by Sharpe to hit Brown, and this time Yeoman sinks the easy shot in. 1-0

71 - I'm groaning when Yeoman gets knocked down for a disposession, but the speedy Reid is there to pick up, run down to the six yard line, and put it up for a Bowerman header. Just like that, we're looking superb value for the 3 points. 2-0

77 - Solkhon on for Sanchez

81 - Yellow for Nisevic

92 - We darn near add a third goal, but it just misses. We'll take what we got though.

In a familiar story, all defenders have 7.2 or better rating, spearheaded by Sharpe's MoM 8.4. Props also to Bowerman and Yeoman at 7.7 and 7.6 respectively to round out the 7.5+. Just an absolutely balla performance on the road by our guys.

...LOL! Oxford City wants me to give them Tom Sharpe. They're not offering any money. I tell them to fuck off. I set an asking price of $150k so everyone else leaves me the hell alone. He made it to Team of Week by the way.

The Lithuanian goalkeeper wants his loan terminated. I tell him no.

Izak Reid changes his mind about wanting to be transferred now that we have a shot at promotion (We're 3rd, by the way). No problem, man. Glad to keep you around.

@Maidenhead (19th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Garry Richards
DR Ryan Austin
DM Tyrone Thompson
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Aaron Brown
MR Izak Reid
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Injury to Wickham and Binns is ineligible because this is his parent club. Don't see us losing this one, however.

27 - Our offense has been for shit, and we're lucky they didn't score here, booting it in the air rather than line-driving it.

30 - I don't care if people trash him, Brown shows why he's one of my favorites by out-jumping his opponent and nodding it to the wide open Yeoman for the score. 1-0

I gotta be honest. It feels like we're lucky to be leading right now, and we need to step up our game in the second half.

45 - And then there's Bowerman, running down a backwards header by the hosts to shoot an easy one-on-one goal for the doubled lead. 2-0

52 - Absolutely aces job by Austin and Crocombe combining to stop an almost certain goal. Wow!

76 - I swear that was offsides, but ref says nope, nope, nope. 2-1 Mulligan and Solkhon on for Yeoman and Thompson

85 - Solkhon fights a scrum to play a beautiful pass for Reid who does a run and cross to the flying Brown, and just like that, we can take a breather. 3-1 Let's shut up shop eh?

86 - Fuck that immediate free kick answer. 3-2

This was one of our uglier wins, but 3 points is 3 points. Aaron Brown gets an 8.0, George Bowerman a 7.6, and Ashley Yeoman a 7.3. Eddie Nisevic really screwed up in the second half. He also ignores me when I'm talking after the game, so he'll sit next game.

With 6 games left, we're 1 point and goal differential away from 1st, yet still in 3rd. We've also opened up a 4 point lead on 5th - 62 points to 58 - so there's a small bit of breathing room there. But now that we're up this high, I want auto-promotion.

Good Trains
Stevland Angus
Sergio Sanchez
Ashley Yeoman

Sadface Trains
Dale Binns

I win Manager of the Month, which is awesome, and rightfully deserved, if I do say so myself.

Alan Cooke re-signs another year as our physio for a slight pay increase. We also sign Izak Reid to a two year contract extension that takes his pay from $35,000 to $30,500. Simply put, he was too valuable to let walk for nothing.

But then we lose Tom Sharpe for 2 months to injury. That's *really* going to hurt. Welling's head coach Simon Davey praises us to the press, so I give him some love in return.

We sign Stuart Bimson to a 1 year contract to be our second scout. He really likes Kirk Millar,who we had on loan before.

vs Gloucester (18th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Aaron Brown
DC Stevland Angus
DC Garry Richards
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Dave Binns
MR Izak Reid
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

We should be able to crush these guys.

8 - Everybody's falling down like toy soldiers, and Gloucester misses a goal they should have had.

25 - Sensational job by their backline to lock out what I thought was a guaranteed goal.

Familiar story here. Struggling offense and not able to generate anything. Mulligan and Thompson come on for Yeoman and Wickham, both exhausted at the half. I tell them in no uncertain terms to get it in gear.

We get about 10 different chances where we should have easily netted a goal and won this thing, but no, we had to settle for a fucking tie. I emphatically let them know that's not going to cut it.

That's good enough to temporarily put us in 2nd, but we're now a full 3 points plus GD behind Welling, and Eastleigh and Oxford City both have a game in hand.

Ashley Yeoman's training draws plaudits again.

Away goes Garry Richards, his loan finished. That further damages our backline.

vs Weston-super-mare(13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Dave Binns
MR Izak Reid
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

1 - Ugh. Dynamite ball from Reid to Bowerman, only to see the boneheaded shank of a wide open goal.

26 - Solkhon booms it to the moon and when it comes back down to Earth, Yeoman is there to get the ball, run forward, and show Bowerman how to not blow the easy ones. 1-0

37 :banghead: 1-1

Come on, guys. Stop fucking around out there.

66 - On come Thompson and Brown at DMC and DL respectively, replacing Angus and Nisevic after shifting.

68 - God damn I hate games like this from Bowerman. Get in there Mulligan.

74 - Binns finds Mulligan on a perfect pass, and our leading goalscorer picks up #20, because he doesn't have mental breakdown games like Bowerman. 2-1

76 - Mulligan loses the ball, but then backtracks to the half-circle and powers it in from that spot for the insurance! He wants that nice, new contract, but he won't get it. 3-1

What a difference a half makes. We go from sucking to everyone on the field having 7 or better at the end of the game. Naturally Gary Mulligan's 2 goals earn him the 8.5 and MoM honors, but Ashley Yeoman posted an 8.2, and Sergio Sanchez and Aaron Wickham round the 7.5 and up with 7.6 and 7.5 each.

Welling destroys my former club Staines so they stay on top.

With 4 games left, we're sitting at 66 points in 2nd place. 5th place has 61 points and a GD equal to ours, so we have a small cushion in terms of playoffs, but in order to get that golden ring...

...We have to beat Welling, and we play on their turf next.

Before that, though, it's time to vote for Blue Square South Player of the Year. Gary Mulligan is shortlisted, which I find interesting, as I don't think he necessarily deserves to be on there. I vote for Welling's DC. 11 Man of the Match awards and 7.80 average rating, both league highs.

@Welling (1st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

The formula's simple - Win, and we're goal differential away and tied on points for 1st. Tie or lose, and you can essentially giftwrap the championship to Welling, who I've said all season long is the conference's top team and rightfully deserves to be here.

13 - Wickham takes a knock, but he'll shake it off.

25 - We fight off 4 Welling corners in a row.

35 - Yellow for Solkhon.

47 - Yellow for Sanchez, which is bullshit.

Look, Welling is still clearly the class of this league, and I count ourselves lucky to have held them to a draw to this point. Odds are we lose this game, but I'm proud of how we're holding our own thus far.

53 - It's a knock for Solkhon, who already was tired, and I'm not willing to take any risks. On comes Thompson.

65 - Solid ball forward by McNish in his first game back. Yeoman gets it and plays the give and go with Bowerman. Upon the return from his partner, Yeoman STRIKES HOME THE GOAL!!!!! 1-0 But our star ML is also looking tired, so Binns pulls off his warm ups and comes on in relief.

75 - :eek: :eek: :eek: Welling get robbed by the goal line! Granted, that's happened to us before, but it sucks seeing it happen to them. Also great, because, well, we're still winning!

AND WE PULL OFF THE MONSTER UPSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Every single player on the team had at least a 7 except for Thompson with 6.9, with our top getters Sergio Sanchez (7.8), Stevland Angus (7.7), Ryan Austin (7.4), and of course, Ashley Yeoman (7.3)

A passing note to say Truro got relegated a long time ago. With 3 games left, we're tied for the lead on points and hold a 7 point advantage on 5th place. So with one more win, we at least guarantee we'll be in promotion playoffs.

But it's going to be a tough road as we play again 2 days after the shocking upset of Welling.

vs Bath (12th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Ryan Austin
DR Izak Reid
DM Tyrone Thompson
DM Lee Dixon
ML Dale Binns
MR Brad Varney
ST Gary Mulligan
ST George Bowerman

Yep, this lineup has been put together with scotch tape due to rest and injury issues. I don't know how the hell we'll scrape out a win with this crew, but it's our only shot, considering we have another game 5 days after this.

12 - Binns centers the ball, and Thompson picks the sweetest time ever to get his first goal of the season, his shot finding its way through a whole lot of traffic for the early lead. 1-0

13 - Great tackle by Thompson to start a counter, but Binns sees his shot *just* miss.

24 - In the miracle play of the whole season maybe, Dixon sends a gorgeous pass to his fellow youth class member Varney, who shoots WHILE HE'S RUNNING, and it bounces off the post and goes in!!!!!! 2-0

What a heroic first half! But our backline is playing on fumes right now, and we have 45 long, long minutes to go. I do have Solkhon in reserve, but he's a break glass in case of emergency sub.

57 - The pressure we're facing is immense, and the lead should have been cut to 1 here, but fortunately their striker is playing nervy as hell and not connecting the way he should.

60 - Yellow for Thompson

62 - You have to give credit to the staggering performance Thompson has put on. He makes a dazzling interception to commence an attack, then plays out a needle for Bowerman, who stares down the keeper and improbably tacks on his 10th goal of the season. I say improbable because of how exhausted we all are... but I'll take it! 3-0

80 - Absolutely world class performance from our worn out defenders and midfielders in stopping two straight corners. At this point, we're just going to try and run out the clock. Not getting cute with contain yet. I want to keep pressure on them.

This is probably the single most special game and victory I've ever had in FM. Two U18 players, a guy everyone wanted to give up on, an old loan-in... and we pull off an ass-whomping victory. Gary Mulligan has the team low of 7.0. Next lowest? 7.2, and it only gets better from there.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EtePmqu-a8Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tyrone Thompson, who was denigrated the same way Aaron Brown was, captures Man of the Match with and 8.8 rating. Sergio Sanchez, who played tired from the start, mustered an 8.6, and Ryan Austin netted an 8.1. Other 7.5 and overs: 7.7 for George Bowerman and Brad Varney, and a 7.6 for Dale Binns.

We secure a playoff spot with the win and are in first place following Welling's 1-0 loss to our archrivals Oxford City - the only time I may salute our foes.

2 games left. Like the NBA lottery, at absolute worst, we finish 4th.

Sergio Sanchez is named to the Team of the Week.

@Chelmsford (9th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST George Bowerman

Sharpe being out is killing our defensive depth. Sanchez is having to play tired again because I have no other options. It's going to be tough to win this away game, because they really, really want to play spoilers here, and we're not at 100%.

11' - Welling and Eastleigh take early 1-0 leads, and so do we after Yeoman receives a great pass from I think it's Wickham or Austin, runs forward, and times it for his liking. 1-0

36 - Funniest.moment.ever. I'd forgotten I set Crocombe to be the PK guy and so when we're awarded a controversial penalty, our goalie marches over to take the shot.... and it's in!!! Welling is up to 2-1 now after briefly dropping to a 1-1 tie. 2-0

41 - Whole lot of passing ends in Reid crossing to McNish, but the header is *just* outside.

A couple guys are playing on fumes, but we're in total control of this game at the break. Now do.not.let.up.

62 - Last I looked, Eastleigh was up 2-0 and Oxford City had a 1-1 tie. Chelmsford rightfully gets a disallowed goal due to an obvious foul by their heading guy.

65 - Fuck that dicksmurfing fluke fucking goal! :rant: :banghead: :rant: 2-1

70 - Mulligan on for the dragging Yeoman.

71 - Brilliant ball by Solkhon for Mulligan, and only an astronomic stop by their goalie prevents the add-on. 2-2 Welling last I saw.

86 - Binns and Brown in, because McNish is wiped and Nisevic is looking nervous. We'll keep pressure on, though, because that's how Brackley fucking rolls!

AND WE HANG ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7+
Ashley Yeoman - 8.0 (MoM)
Max Crocombe - 7.9
Ryan Austin - 7.8
Aaron Wickham - 7.6
Sergio Sanchez - 7.4
Stevland Angus - 7.1

I love the grit and composure these guys showed on the road, and really, all throughout the second half of the year. No matter what happens, I'm proud of them.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FTVf4Bs9ido" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Ashley Yeoman isn't listening to me. Brat. But I don't care right now. You know why?

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/enchantment_zpsb70dea58.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/enchantment_zpsb70dea58.jpg.html)

That's right. With Welling a 2-2 tie with Bishop's Stortford and Oxford City a 1-1 draw with Bath, we've officially clinched the Blue Square South title!!!!

Still one game to play, but I'll use that as a victory lap for my favorite players.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/newjobmaybe_zpsc4767089.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/newjobmaybe_zpsc4767089.jpg.html)

Obviously I want to stay at Brackley and grow them, similar to what so many have done elsewhere, but we'll see what happens.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/suretitle_zps18cc3d33.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/suretitle_zps18cc3d33.jpg.html)

Gee, considering I thought it was going to be Welling all season long, I think it's safe to say I didn't anticipate us winning, much as I hoped we would.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/titlefeels_zps17075522.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/titlefeels_zps17075522.jpg.html)

Fucking ecstatic of course. It's the best non-real life outcome I've experienced in the last few days. I seriously am sitting here wondering how the heck we pulled off this miracle run.

Sweet justice to see Max Crocombe in the Team of the Week.

Good Trains
Aaron Brown
Luke Dixon
George Bowerman

Bad Trains
Gary Mulligan
Dale Binns*

* - Note: Some dude in the reserves has popped up on good/bad trains through the season but I haven't listed him because he doesn't matter.

Obviously I win my second straight monthly Manager of the Month nod.

The board comes calling. They're willing to offer me a payraise to $60,000 from the previous $52,000 I earned before, but it's another one year deal. Hmm, that's fine. It'll give me a chance to show I'm worth even more next season if we stay up.

vs Eastborne Boro
GK Max Crocombe (Brought in at last year's transfer deadline)
DL Aaron Brown (My first ever signing with the club - taken from Bath)
DC Stevland Angus (Originally here)
DC Sergio Sanchez (Stolen in the offseason after Staines wanted him)
DR Brett Solkhon (Team captain before I got here - has kept that role)
DM Aaron Wickham (Brought in at last year's transfer deadline)
DM Tyrone Thompson (Offseason signing)
ML Callum McNish (Big offseason signing)
MR Izak Reid (Originally here)
ST Gary Mulligan (Originally here)
ST George Bowerman (Loan from Walsall)

Tom Sharpe would be here and Brown in place of McNish if Sharpe wasn't hurt. He's another original. I went back and forth between Mulligan and Ashley Yeoman, until I remembered the latter's highest wage on the club irked me because he didn't earn it.

Mulligan was also the single biggest reason we stayed up at the end of last season, and became the Fans' Player of the Year because of his 8 goals in 12 games. I also love how he overcomes his technical deficiencies with mental and physical grit. And, truth be told, it's probably his farewell song with us.

3 - Should have been a goal. Mulligan is playing a little too relaxed right now.

47 - While Mulligan and McNish both have taken knocks in the interim, that still should have been an easy score for the former. Looks like I'll put Yeoman in at the break.

Ashley Yeoman and Ryan Austin take their places at the half, allowing Mulligan and Thompson to take breathers and enjoy their season (Solkhon up to DMC). The two newcomers also played key roles in our title run.

73 - Yeoman passes to Bowerman in the box and a cool finish later, I'm wondering if Eastbourne had a shot of getting out of the drop if they beat us. 1-0

78 - Binns in for McNish, as not only our 1B big signing is tired and inefficient today, the 32 year old loan played a massive role down the stretch for us while McNish recovered from a nasty injury.

88 - Angus is hurt and has to come off. We'll play with 10 men the rest of the game.

7.5 for George Bowerman, 7.3 for Stevland Angus, and 7.1 for Sergio Sanchez.

Callum McNish is out a month, Gary Mulligan a little over that, but nobody really cares.

700 people showed up for that final game, which was our best league attendance all season long. Our best attendance? 1,215 people for the Peterborough friendly. Our best competitive attendance? 861 people for that epic 1-0 FA Cup upset of Oldham.

Last year's high
770 people for an Oxford friendly
League and competitive high: 300 vs Droylsden, 291 vs Bishop's Stortford 2nd

339 vs Weston-super-mare late in the season was our 2nd league best, but we broke the 300 attendance margin in 5 league games this season, so attendance really picked up towards the end of the season as we performed our title chase, as opposed to last year, which started off with the same rough attendance as this season, but tapered off when fans realized the team was just going to fight against the drop.

Incidentally, had Eastbourne Boro beaten us, they would have been safe and Gloucester would have dropped. Instead, they join Hayes and Yeading, and Truro as relegation teams.

Further season review on next post.

Izulde

02-04-2014, 08:09 AM

Movement's already happening. Eddie Nisevic is packing his bags for League 2 Lincoln on a free transfer come early June, and we're bringing in 20 year old Nigerian striker prospect Nabil Guediora, who though quite raw, has some delicious looking technical skills (11 in Dribbling/Finishing/First Touch/Passing, 12 in Heading) and a stellar 17 in Natural Fitness. He's got work to do on his mental game, but at $2.8k a year for two years, and BS Premier level upside, he's a cheap project.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/leaguestatschart_zpscfe6b7c0.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/leaguestatschart_zpscfe6b7c0.jpg.html)

You can see why I didn't have a real problem letting Nisevic go. He was the least valuable of all our regular starters.

Luton Town wins their second straight FA Trophy

Wow, I win the title and the board's just pleased with me. Whatever.

Top Trains
Eddie Nisevic
Max Crocombe
Sergio Sanchez
Ashley Yeoman

Decline Trains
Ryan Austin
Stevland Angus
Aaron Brown

St. James Park is undergoing an expansion from 3013 (261 seated) to adding 525 seats, 500 standing, with scheduled completion of September 24, 2014 in order to meet Blue Square Premier requirements. Hope our average attendance of 293 goes up next year in a big way.

$18 ticket price $285 season tickets $190k value Semi-professional Insecure Finances Local Reputation

My own reputation has gone from Local to Regional as a result of the promotion, I think.

How funny. Chester wins promotion to Premier as well via playoffs.

I'm heavily favored to win Blue Square South Manager of the Year award. I vote for my friend Simon Davey of Welling.

Despite getting promoted, we still only get $8k for our jersey sponsorship. But the payroll allowance jumps to from $275k to $375k. :eek: :eek:

I'm named Blue Square South Manager of the Year, as is only fitting. Ironically enough, Staines' manager comes in 2nd.

Dorchester is promoting up with me after beating Welling in the playoff final.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/prettystandings_zpsb3f9ab05.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/prettystandings_zpsb3f9ab05.jpg.html)

I have all the feels for Welling losing like that. Wanted them up with me.

So with all this money, I immediately set to work on retaining Tom Sharpe and trying to lure George Bowerman to the team. Bowerman's not interested, but I commit Sharpe to a two year contract extension that pays him about the same wages as he was making last year, so we still have money to burn.

Transfers In
DM/DC Taylor Parmenter (23 - Ebbsfleet)
-Didn't stand out for them last season, but we envision using him at the DMC spot where he's leaps and bounds ahead of everything else we had there last season. $28k is a fair price, considering how hard it is to find DMC guys.

There's an issue with trying to get Johnny Goddard from Staines. In order to pull off the deal I have to pay my old team $14k, which gets taken directly from my wage budget. I decide not to do that, and cancel the transfer.

DLCR Samuel Bangura (19 - Chelsea)
-Came out of the youth system but didn't cut it. Very cheap 3 position depth player who has BS Premier potential and has had 2 caps for Sierre Leone already. At $2.2k a year for two years, he's an out and out bargain.

I'm trying to get more deals done, and we have $109k in the wage budget, but the board keeps cockblocking me at every turn and I don't know. It's getting frustrating.

We lose out on a striker we really wanted to Welling. Ouch. We also strike out on a huge DMC upgrade who signs with Chelmsford.

Brackley Best 11
GK Max Crocombe
DL Eddie Nisevic
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Ryan Austin
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Tyrone Thompson
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gary Mulligan
ST Ashley Yeoman

I'm stunned Aaron Wickham wasn't there instead.

$9.15k in TV rights. Yay?

Yeah I'm not doing anything other than steer clear of relegation.

We lost $525k last year.

Aaron Brown, Gary Mulligan, and Ryan Austin all decide to leave Brackley after their contracts expire, as does our coach who wasn't worth much.

As a result, we're now up to $134k free money, which allows us cash to sign some key players to extensions, but my eyes are burning, and there's still a lot of roster decisions to be made and players to try and lure in, because it's been so long since I've been at the BSP level, I've forgotten if they have the freedom BSN/BSS teams do.

We'll hit July 1st and review later sometime tomorrow.

Simbo Klice

02-04-2014, 04:03 PM

I have to admit that I got a couple nice LOLs at your anger over Joe Day's disastrous game against Tonbridge. Congrats on promoting though.

Izulde

02-04-2014, 04:35 PM

Thanks. :) Was thrilled to promote, and I'm *still* mad at Day for that.

Izulde

02-04-2014, 06:47 PM

In addition to Parameter and Bangura, we've got the following guys:

ML/MR Courtney Harris (22)
$37.5k contract, but his physical attributes are amazeballs (14 Fitness, 13 Pace, 13 Stamina) and he has 14 Work Rate. My scouts rate him as equal to or better than Izak Reid, so he'll get the start there and we'll drop Reid to DR.

DLC Leon Clowes (22)
$19.5k and another great physical specimen (13 Jumping, 13 Pace) and also has 13 Decisions and 12 Positioning. Like with Harris, my scouts see him as equal to or better than our starter, in this case Sharpe, so he'll get the nod at DL and that means we can move Sharpe back inside.

ST Gianluca Gracco (23)
We went back and forth trying to land this Italian who has the best physical attributes of anyone I've ever had on this team - everything is 13 or higher with the exception of 7 stamina and 10 strength. 12 Influence and 13 Off The Ball, too. Should be worth the $37.5k contract, and he's rated as our top striker.

Board's back to satisfied. They're sad about Eddie Nisevic leaving.

ST Elliott James (17)
Strictly a shot in the dark youth signing. May not pan out after looking at him more, but we'll see.

DM/DC Ryan Woodford (22)
Inked on a non-contract, he has the upside to play at this level and could conceivably fight for a starting spot at DMC, as he's well behind a lot of players at DC.

ML Cladudiu Hoban (22)
Also on a non-contract, he's very raw and essentially here as a project to develop into a decent rotation ML guy in our system.

We sign a fitness coach, to stop players complaining about crappy the coaching there is.

89 season tickets sold so far. Lot of teams were sniffing around Tyrone Thompson, so we give him a non-contract to keep him locked in.

We can now afford 3 coaches apparently, so I'm going to put that to use.

Oh look, Izak Reid is crying that he wants to be transfer-listed again. Heh, okay pal.

Talk about a knife in the back. Tyrone Thompson signs a non-contract with archrivals Oxford City after signing a noncontract with us. Can't say as I really blame him, though. He'll get more opportunities down there.

Brazil[l/b] wins the World Cup, beating [b]England 2-1.

After our coach hires, every category is 2 or 2.5*. Not fantastic, but still better than what we had.

Cladiu Hoban is out 2-3 months, further weakening our ML depth. We sign Elvis Hammond as a Player/Scout apparently, even though I wanted him just as a player. I thought the 33 year old would be a useful depth player, but he stinks.

Interesting. The Forest Green and Brackley match will be on TV on November 8th. We get $3k for it.

Prior to our first friendly....

Goal Keeper
Max Crocombe (20 - $18k)

Yep still just the one keeper. Max is still our guy and is rated as decent for this level, with the potential to be leading. We'll have to find a backup obviously, because we all know what happened last season, but for now, he's our man.

Defenders
DLC Leon Clowes (22 - $3.5k)
DLC Tom Sharpe (25 - $35k)
DCR/DM Sergio Sanchez (21 - $10k)
DR/MR Izak Reid (27 - $45k)
DLCR Samuel Bangura (19 - $3k)
DLC Stevland Angus (33)

Obviously there's more coverage elsewhere, but this is what I see as the primary set of guys. Clowes/Sharpe/Sanchez/Reid should be a great starting backline and Bangura has 3 position versatility while he develops. Angus is pretty much done for this level, but he'll still hang around.

Defensive Midfielders
DM/DC Taylor Parmenter (21 - $10k)
DM/DC Ryan Woodford (22)
DM/DC Aaron Wickham (20 - $14k)
DM/DC/DR Brett Solkhon (31 - $9k)

Essentially what we have is one dynamite player (Parmenter) with League 2 upside and a bunch of currently mediocre players. We need to beef up this area through loans or something.

Midfielders
ML Callum McNish (22 - $24k)
MLR Courtney Harris (22 - $14k)
ML Claudiu Hoban (22)

While we have Reid who can slide to MR, depth here overall is an issue. I do like our two starters, though, and think they represent an upgrade. McNish signed a contract extension, as did Crocombe and Sanchez, by the way. Sanchez got the biggest jump - $4.4k to $17k.

Strikers
Ashley Yeoman (22 - $30k)
Gianluca Gracco (23 - $24k)
Nabil Guediora (19 - $4k)
Elvis Hammond (33)

So I said how I signed those three other guys to extensions, right? Well, Yeoman wants a hefty pay increase that I'm not willing to do, especially since he doesn't have next level upside. Depth is a serious issue until Nabil develops. I love the look of Gracco, by the way.

vs Newcastle Reserves
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Time to see how this new-look team plays out.

46 - Harris, who has really impressed me in the eye test, feeds it up to Yeoman on the border of the goalbox. Yeoman then slides it over to Gracco, who hits it for the just before half goal. 1-0

Bangura, Guediora, and Solkhon come on DC, ST, and DR respectively, Harris flopping over to ML, and Reid up to MR.

67 - Guediora steals the ball and gives it to Yeoman, who holds until our new Nigerian prospect is in the box before sending a controlled pass in, whereupon it's 2 for 2 in new guy goals. 2-0

68 - Lee, Hammond, Dixon and Angus on for a bunch of tired guys off at DR, ST, DM, and DL.

83 - [b]Varney[b] on for Reid

Pretty damn good result. The new guys made an impact and the old guys looked fine, except for McNish and his 6.1. Still need to add some more depth and find upgrades in places, but overall, nice start.

1,796 people showed up to watch that one, so I'm glad we gave our fans a good game.

Izulde

02-05-2014, 06:58 AM

vs Oxford (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Lee Dixon
ML Dale Binns
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Elvis Hammond

Only a few days after the first friendly, so it's a B/C lineup. As you can see, we've brought back an old friend in [b]Dale Binns on a non-contract. He's garbage for this level and decayed at 33, but he knows the system.

7 - Goal for our parent club. 0-1

8 - Superb pass by Dixon to Gracco who then crosses to Hammond for the score almost immediately following their opening salvo. 1-1

19 - Gracco should've made that.

Angus and Hammond both took knocks in the first half, so they're swapped out for Lee and Guedioura, whose name I keep spelling wrong without the accent mark and the second u. McNish and Varney come in on the wing spots, and Parmenter and Woodford take over at DM. Clowes slides in at DL.

77 - Yeoman on for Gracco.

88 - Woodford picks up the cleared corner and knocks it back to Bangura who finds an open Guedioura in the box. Just like that, we've a goal and the lead late in the game. 2-1

Brackley looking good in preseason. Max Crocombe gets a 7.6, our two goalscorers 7, and Bangura a 7.1. Really loving how these guys are meshing together.

vs Notts County (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

3 - Goal for them. 0-1

12 - Harris shadows Gracco so that when our Italian Stallion's shot is blocked, our right midfielder can move it in the middle for Yeoman, who snipes it in. 1-1

20 - They're ahead again. 1-2

28 - And again. 1-3

So, you know how our backline is traditionally the strength of our team? All sub 6s at the break. Whole lot of subbing going again, but fuck listing them all because it's preseason and I just want to hurry on to the regular season.

46 - Varney sticks with ball and passes it to Yeoman, who finds a running Solkhon, our veteran team captain finding the pluck and the net. 2-3

48 - Gracco runs down a ball flicked forward by Yeoman, and much to my incredulous disbelief, in the first 3 minutes of the second half, we've gone and equalized. 3-3

65 - Whoever this Jonathan Obika kid is, I want him. 3-4

77 - So much for all our goodwill. I en masse subbed after Obika's hat trick goal btw. 3-5

Just an awful day for our starting backline. Happens sometimes, and it's only preseason. Izak Reid is whining about his training load, and at this point, I can't wait to get him out of here.

Nabil Guedioura is out a couple weeks. Not a big deal, really.

We sign 18 year old ST Jack Jeffery on a 2 year deal for $2.1k a year. Good developmental project who can become quite good for this level.

DRC Andrew Burns comes in from Billericay on a 3 month loan. He'll be good insurance in case Reid leaves or gets hurt.

vs Shrewsbury
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

4 - Gonna be a long day. 0-1

25 - Yep. 0-2

Sheesh. Gracco, Bangura, and Clowes all pick up knocks during the first half. Subs for all three.

71 - Dixon intercepts (Yeah another round of subs) and passes it to Hammond, who runs into the box and scores. 1-2

72 - Just damn. Hammond to Solkhon and just like last game, we're all tied up in the second half. 2-2

91 - Poor pass by Crocombe = late goal. 2-3

Way to really step it up in the second half there, and I'm proud of how they played overall against a League 1 team.

We made $38k last month thanks to minimum 531 fans at each preseason friendly and also being still well under wage budget ($50k, in fact)

@Bromley (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Elvis Hammond

So I tell them they need to win this because it's a freaking BSN/S team and we come out completely flat on offense. Pretty ridiculous.

69 - After knocking on the door all second half, they miss a header in the box, and Hammond hammers it in to finally get the lead. 1-0

81 - Gracco locks on to the bounce of a blocked Hammond shot and we've got this one in the bag 2-0

"Brackley really picked up their game in the second half. The manager's halftime talk really must have motivated them."

I'm noticing this is a team that's responding well to kicks in the butt at halftime when they're lousing up the joint.

In the interests of preserving continuity, Brett Solkhon and Sergio Sanchez retain their captain and vice-captain roles.

Transfer In - MR/ST Lewis Taaffe (22 - Hayes and Yeading)
Provides an upgrade at backup striker/right midfielder. Signed to a two year contract that pays him $20.5k a year - perhaps a little steep for a backup at this level, but his versatility and upside to be a good player are worth it. Not flashy, but a solid all-around player who I'm going to train as a complete forward because Yeoman's out of contract and won't return next year.

Max Crocombe is praised for his training efforts again. Would love to see him called up by New Zealand's national team at some point.

We're tabbed to finish 21st and drop by the media. I don't care. I'm listed as Favored Personnel, incidentally.

@Barnet
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Here we go! Our BS Premier debut!!!

18 - We come into this as substantial underdogs, but we're holding our own so far. Then Clowes has to come off, so Sharpe and Sanchez slide one notch to the left, allowing Burns to come on, because Bangura's out with injury for this one.

20 - And this is why we signed him! Gracco not only steals the ball near midfield, he outraces everyone with his blazing pace, hornswaggles the keeper, and blasts it in! 1-0

30 - Yeoman has a knock but he'll play on.

33 - Great pass from McNish to Gracco, and the keeper does well to save. That's the second straight connection the two have made that came close to a goal, and they seem to be developing wonderful rapport.

35 - Reid with the corner and Sanchez heads it in! 2-0

39 - Yeoman gives Gracco the perfect setup, but the shot's wasted. Ugh.

Well, well, well! Nobody expected a first half like that! Guedioura will come on for Yeoman, but overall, I just have to say I'm thrilled with how the first 45 minutes went.

47 - This team's showing a lot of fight. Guedioura battles it out in the box for a ball and finally wins it for the quick pass to Harris. No challenge for our right midfielder because he immediately puts in the middle of the six-yard box where Gracco gets into a scrum and finally fights through the traffic for his second goal! 3-0

50 - Perfect pass, perfect one on one shot that no goalie would have stopped... and yeah. Not mad though. 3-1

74 - Beautiful ball by Guedioura, but Gracco shanks an easy chance at a hat trick.

78 - Shady yellow for Sanchez

92 - Shit. Crocombe is hurt. He'll play on, but it's an ominous sign...

All but Woodford have at least a 7, and even he had 6.9

7.5+
Gianluca Gracco - 8.8 (MoM)
Taylor Parmenter - 8.0
Izak Reid - 7.7
Courtney Harris - 7.5

What a beautiful start. To show just how huge this win was, Barnet was tabbed by the media to finish 4th. The bad news: Leon Clowes is out 2 weeks.

The relieving news: Max Crocombe is okay.

Izulde

02-05-2014, 09:12 AM

That victory was also our 6th in a row, setting a new club record. We sold 225 season tickets for this year, a massive increase over last season's 75.

vs Stockport (24th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Andrew Burns
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Dale Binns
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Short rest, so it's a makeshift lineup out there.

10 - Hard to believe they missed that one.

13 - Yellow for Sharpe

37 - Crocombe has been playing his ass off this game in my view, but we haven't had any offensive highlights until this one. Gracco kicks it back to Solkhon who plants it in the box for Wickham. I'm stunned to see our defensive midfielder up so high, but he sends it in, so it's all good. 1-0

Feels like we should be playing better. Guedioura and Sanchez on for the tired Yeoman and Burns

68 - Sharpe has been awful this half and nearly costs us the lead when he gets dispossessed and outrun. But what gets the note here is Guedioura's having to go off with injury, and Hammond in for him.

72 - Great counter goal by them. :( 1-1

88 - I forget who made the great tackle, but Harris gets the loose ball and sends it to Hammond. Lay-up is there for Gracco to run and shoot, and we've the late lead! 2-1 and we drop into Contain mode.

Awful pass by Wickham nearly made him the goat, but the whistle blows in time.

7+
Brett Solkhon - 7.9 (MoM)
Aaron Wickham - 7.9
Max Crocombe - 7.5
Gianluca Gracco - 7.4

And a whole lot of 7s. Another strong game, and we've opened play 2-0-0, which presently has 5th, or promotion playoff spot. :lol:

We finally have a backup goalie in 18 year old Liam Priestly. He's got considerable potential, but he's not there yet, being quite raw. Costing me $10.25k, which is a lot more than I want to spend for a backup, but oh well.

@Newport County (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Don't see us winning this one, but you never know.

27 - Reid gets the ball back after throwing it in and launches a high meteor to the six yard box, where Gracco uses his amazing leaping powers to outhustle everyone and knock it on in. That's 3 straight games our Italian man has scored. 1-0

34 - Harris plays a dynamite ball for Yeoman who applies the fiery finish and we're just unstoppable at the moment. 2-0

Incredible first half, but Yeoman and Reid are looking tired, so it's Taaffe and Burns on. Reid's pissed at having to sit and my talk about how we're playing well. Seriously dude, just shut the fuck up already. Everyone knows you hate it here, you fucking crybaby.

46 - I can forgive Gracco his misses at easy goals for now, simply because he's been productive.

48 - Disallowed goal that I saw coming because Harris was offsides. Too bad.

69 - Well, now they missed a should have scored, so it's all equal.

73 - That's the second poor pass Crocombe's had this game, and they miss another open shot. OTOH, our Kiwi keeper's made some incredible stops that made me say wow.

Minimum 7 for everyone bar Lewis Taaffe, whose shitty 6.1 I can forgive because he's coming off injury of his own and is being thrust into a setup likely entirely different from what he's faced before.

7.5+ Ratings
Gianluca Gracco - 8.2 (MoM)
Ashley Yeoman - 7.6
Sergio Sanchez - 7.6

That win moves us up to 2nd place, as only Exeter has also won its first three games. Crazy. Never would have imagined us starting this well.

chesapeake

02-05-2014, 12:18 PM

Congrats on winning the league. You have a great ability to not only get your team promoted quickly, but to do it by winning the league outright. Your Woking dynasty was the same way, IIRC. I can usually get my team promoted before too long, but I don't get nearly as many championships. So, kudos!

Izulde

02-05-2014, 03:17 PM

Thanks. :) I have to credit this one to the tactic though, rather than anything special I did. I also think the fact that I do a lot of rotation to keep my players healthy and fresh helps. Kind of like how in DDS leagues, I tend to have fewer injuries than other teams who run an above average pace offense and a high pressure defense because my starters average 28-32 minutes a game.

Izulde

02-05-2014, 06:06 PM

Max Crocombe earns Team of the Week honors.

@Gateshead (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Andrew Burns
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Brett Solkhon
ML Dale Binns
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

I'm just going to enjoy this fabulous run for as long as it lasts. Every game I see a loss, but we somehow manage to find our way through.

6 - Knock for Reid.

8 - They score on a corner. 0-1

20 - Yellow for Wickham

27 - Can't believe that didn't go in for them.

35 - Now Binns gets knocked.

Solkhon slides to DR and Dixon comes on. Taaffe pops in at MR. I'm not really seeing a way for us to come back because we haven't been playing well, are injury-riddled, and playing low men on the depth chart.

66 - Bangura's sent off with injury and I'm forced to end Sanchez's rest day.

We get a couple more shots, but nothing comes of it. Not upset about the loss, though. 7.8 and 7.2 for Burns and Angus in the back. We just didn't have any luck tonight.

Izak Reid is out 5 to 6 weeks and Dale Binns is out 2 weeks. We've got the resources to cover those guys, kind of.

Now this is interesting. Bromley want Liam Priestley on a 5 month loan and they're willing to pay all of his salary. That's actually a pretty good deal, so I'll accept it, on condition that I'm allowed to recall him in case of injury.

Gareth Lee and Jack Jeffery both go on a season loan to Leamington, our feeder team.

Bromley's not willing to consider a recall. But considering I'm bringing in another GK prospect, it's fine and so Priestley is off to Bromley.

vs Altrincham (19th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Elvis Hammond

This is a win we need if we want to be sure of staying up. Altrincham got promoted the first year in this universe via playoffs and managed to stay up last season.

Nobody can anything on target, and Gracco gets knocked just before the half. He'll come off in favor of Guedioura, and Burns will be replaced by Solkhon.

48 - Ugh. 0-1

54 - I'm tired of watching Harris's fuckups, and pull him for Taaffe.

60 - That was pretty neat. Woodford tackles an Altrincham guy who is dribbling out a corner and punts it into the goal. 1-1

79 - Guedouria centers it for Parmenter, who passes it into the box for Hammond. Our Ghanaian striker/scout dribbles with the defender on him until he finds the spot he likes, and *BAM*! 2-1

Courtney Harris's 5.9 was lousy as you can guess, but everyone else is close to 7 or better (a 6.9 and 6.8 in there). 7.7 for MoM Taylor Parmenter and 7.6 for Ryan Woodford.

We're now in 2nd place, TROLOLOLOL! Of course, Gianluca Gracco being out a week isn't going to help, but we'll make do.

Shane Fagan, a 19 year old Irish goalkeeping prospect, signs a two year contract for $2.1k, so we're quite fine to let Liam Priestley go on loan to Bromley. We also sign 18 year old striker prospect De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale on a two year, $2.4k per contract.

It's all about finding those raw gems and getting them cheap to polish them up.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/yay100_zps458efa4a.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/yay100_zps458efa4a.jpg.html)

Cool. CoolCoolCool.

[b]vs Braintree (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Dull first half. Gracco looks like he came back too early, so Guedioura takes his spot at the break. McNish has sucked, so I slide Harris over and plug in Taaffe.

71 - Bangura in for the drained Clowes.

Well, our backline and D-midfielders played great, all posting 7+ ratings. It's on the wings and up front where we were point blank bad. Not going to tear into them, though. It was a cold, foggy day.

Impressive Trains
Ashley Yeoman
Sergio Sanchez
Elliott James

Bad Trains
Elvis Hammond
Brad Varney

I finish second in BS Premier Manager of the Month voting to Exeter's guy, which is totally fair, considering they haven't lost a single game yet. (Still just a point behind them because of all their draws, however).

Transfer Deadline
We get super busy on this, working the loan and transfer lines, and at the end of the day we have:

MLR Tambeson Eyong (24 - 3 month loan from Wealdstone)
A depth pickup, strictly speaking. Probably won't see much, if any time at all once our guys are back from injury.

DM Seanan Clucas (21 - Season long loan from Bristol Rovers)
Genuinely excited about this kid. He's better than Woodford by my scouts, albeit only slightly so. So he's someone who gives us a pretty nice upgrade at what is the hardest position to find people for.

DC Jordan Smith (18 - Free transfer)
I originally wasn't going to buy anyone, but Smith was a $3.1k/year for 2 years deal and his 18 Natural Fitness jumped out at me, as did his upside. Will probably spend time with the Reserves to build up his game.

Shit, there was one more player I wanted to loan in, but I couldn't get it to revert back to the screen fast enough. :( Oh well.

[b]@Wrexham (13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Let's see how this goes. They're favored, because they're underachieving and everyone rightfully thinks of us as a paper tiger.

Another dull first half, but we'll take it, all things considered.

48 - Bangura exchanges passes with Harris, and, upon receiving it in the box, floats it to the side where Gracco cheerfully picks it up and bangs it home. 1-0

58 - Three straight corners we fend off.

63 - Precision strike. Nothing to do about that one. 1-1 Eyong and Guedioura on for Harris and Taaffe.

81 - :( 1-2

84 - Yellow for Gracco.

This one was all on our backline, save for Bangura, who won MoM with his 7.8 rating. 5.9s for Sanchez and Sharpe just aren't going to cut it.

With the loss we drop from 2nd all the way down to 8th. Because there's 24 teams, it's a 46 game season. Through 7, we have 13 points, with 5 points the drop zone.

Gainsborough, who *barely* avoided the drop last year (20th) after promoting in the first season, has lost all of its first seven games and have 0 points.

Izulde

02-05-2014, 09:12 PM

Max Crocombe[/g] gets another special great training note.

[b]@Dorchester (21st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Not sure why Dorchester's favored here.

4]/b] - Heavy, heavy pressure from our hosts. Then we get a shot at the other end and [b]Gracco loses the ball. Harris takes a knock, but will play on.

9 - Corner by McNish makes it easy for Sharpe to get the sliding tackle goal. 1-0

26 - Yellow for Gracco

31 - Whole lot of aerial kicks here in this possession, the last two of which are a 30 yarder back to Bangura from Yeoman, and our 19 year old versatile defender finishes the footie part of it with a half-volley to Gracco, and Air Italia flies it in goal with his head. 2-0

41 - Fraction of inch Yeoman missed that one by. Swore it was in. Yellow for Clucas

47 - How the FUCK DOES THAT BULLSHIT HAPPEN?! Fuckign SECONDS before the damn halftime whistle blows. 2-1

Harris to ML and Taaffe in at MR. Still so pissed about that goal allowed.

45 - Nice way to answer that! Gracco puts it forth to start a race between the keeper and Parmenter, and our DM gets the powerup and wins the goal. 3-1

47 - Whole lotta dribbling for Yeoman, but he makes it pay off with a laser beam goal, and we're looking great now. 4-1 My assman tells me Sanchez needs a rest, so in goes Burns.

52 - Gracco with the great ball for Harris, who delivers with the goal. Think we're telling the rest of the BS Premier that we belong on this stage? 5-1

70 - Taaffe is forced to go off with injury, and I'm forced to improvise with a modified 4-4-2 Diamond that uses Harris and Clucas as MC, Yeoman as AMC, and Guedioura as a striker.

Dorchester is crying after that complete and total second half meltdown. I think I set a record for highest average ratings. One 6.9 and the rest min 7s, but check out this 7.5+ line:

7.5+
Gianluca Gracco - 9.0 (MoM)
Ashley Yeoman - 8.9
Tom Sharpe - 8.6
Taylor Parmenter - 8.1
Courtney Harris - 8.0
Samuel Bangura - 7.8
Leon Clowes - 7.8

I don't think I've *ever* had five 8+ rated guys in a match before. This was definitely a statement game we made here, that we don't belong in the relegation contenders category.

We're back up in 6th following that rout of the Magpies, who have drawn better attendance than us so far. Indeed, so far our average attendance of 695, while blowing out last season's, is 2nd worst in the league, ahead of only Boreham Wood. On the other hand, the 23.08% of average capacity ranks 15th in the league.

Izulde

02-06-2014, 06:40 PM

Seanan Clucas is called up to Northern Ireland's U21 Team. He's made 6 appearances so far for them.

Ashley Yeoman and Leon Clowes are named to the Team of the Week.

vs Boreham Wood (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

3 - Fabulous volley from Burns to Guedioura who bounces it in, but it's disallowed late due to offsides. He sure looked onsides to me.

7 - ....Well that's a first. Guedioura gets busted for a handball and sent off with a red. Yeoman will be the lone striker up front now as we play for the draw.

35 - Terrible header clearance by Sanchez and the goal's in. 0-1

37 - Crocombe slips and falls over in the mud getting prepared to contest a long-range shot, and ...yeah. It's that kind of game. 0-2

66 - Yeaaaaaaah.... that offsides was obvious, McNish. Sorry.

72 - We *finally* get an onsides goal on a Burns to connection. [b]1-2 Hammond and Eyong come in at ST and MR, with Harris shifting to ML

A couple more shots, but no soap. My assman wants me to rip the team but they played well considering what they had to work with.

Izulde

02-07-2014, 07:08 AM

Taylor Parmenter has made the most tackles per game in the league with 7.5.

vs Cambridge (6th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

24 - Yeoman's on the right wing and he crosses it to Gracco. The Italian's shot is block tackled, but he stays in front of it and gets another shot with no one in front of him, and this time it's a score. 1-0

Really great first half. Maybe not so much on offense, but our defense is playing phenomenally right now. Woodford goes in for Parmenter and Eyong for Harris.

60 - Yellow for McNish

67 - Groan. Sitter for Yeoman goes unconverted. And after Eyong and Woodford got the nice pair of passes to set him up, too.

84 - Woodford lays a great ball for Gracco, who literally runs a circle around the goalie to knife it in! 2-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Wy2_xZ8YYWY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

As always, best viewed in fullscreen.

Nothing lower than a 6.9 and the entire backline got 7.2 or better. Needless to say the Player of the Match was Gracco with his 8.8, who is quickly becoming my favorite FM player ever. 7.7. and 7.6 for Sharpe and Sanchez respectively locking down that D-line middle.

Stockport fired its manager. I don't report on all the firings, by the way, simply because I can't keep track of them all. Gianluca Gracco is named to the Team of the Week.

We're back up to 5th after the win.

@ Lincoln (17th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

I've not been rushing back the injury guys for the most part, instead letting them work out with the reserves until they're back to match fitness. I've also noticed Liam Priestley got hurt while on his loan but don't know how serious it is yet.

"Brackley's low confidence after their slump will see Lincoln through." Um, slump? What the hell slump are you talking about? We're underdogs, yeah, but the only one who has poor morale is Reid, who wants so badly to get out of here.

Fantastic defense, no real offense to speak of as usual in what amounted to a very quick, uneventful first half. We're playing well, though. Woodford comes in at DC for Sanchez, his first time playing there for us this season.

74 - Cladiu Hoban checks in for the first time for us, subbing in for McNish.

We just couldn't crack the force field, and the ratings ranged from 6.9-7.2, so we did well overall, and at least got a point out of it. Crocombe was the high point with his 7.2.

Portsmouth fires their manager, and rightfully so. The once proud Premier and Championship side has had four straight demotions - from Championship to League 1 to League 2 and now down to Blue Square Premier, where they sit 15th. Glancing over their roster, they have just too good a team to be doing that poorly.

Then I realize something...

Semi-Professional Clubs in BS Premier
Brackley
Colwyn Bay
Dorchester
Ebbsfleet
Gainsborough
Woking

6 teams out of 24. Everyone else is a professional squad. And obviously we don't have the money to turn pro. Here's a full confession - Portsmouth is my favorite English city out of all the ones I've visited and going there ended up being one of my mom and I's favorite travel memories.

On the other hand, I'm building something very special here with Brackley. Tough choice. Even better? We play them next. I decide to apply, just to see what happens.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/portsmouth_zpsf395b842.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/portsmouth_zpsf395b842.jpg.html)

Looks like they found me out.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/AngryBrackley_zpsc6237ffd.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/AngryBrackley_zpsc6237ffd.jpg.html)

Really, jackasses? I just fucking got you a promotion *and* have you in contention for promotion playoffs, and this is how you repay me? Fuck you all.

Oh and Liam Priestley is out a month.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/boardhope_zps022d86a2.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/boardhope_zps022d86a2.jpg.html)

At least *somebody* out there likes me. :P

vs Portsmouth (15th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Portsmouth runs a 4 backline - DM - MC/MC - AML/AMR - ST formation. I prefer our Arrigo 4-4-2 personally, and it's what I'll implement if Pompey decides I'm the Caesar for them.

"This Brackley team just doesn't impress me, and Portsmouth should win comfortably" - Ian Smith, football.guardian.co.uk." Wow, way to throw more fuel on the raging fire between these two teams, Mr. Smith.

[b]35 - And there's the shank by Portsmouth. You guys sure you don't want to hire me? :D

Our strikers are having a terrible day, so Guedioura and Taaffe both come on to replace them at the break in a bold move on my part.

57 - Sharpe's header on a Taaffe corner *just* clangs off the bar. Damn, thought that was in.

We get a number of shots after that, mostly on Sharpe rockets to Guedioura, but nothing hits, and we're forced to settle for a draw in a game we should have won.

LOL. "Portsmouth's assistant has no right to be happy about that performance" and something else I missed because the screen went by too fast.

Wealdstone, which is leading the Blue Square South, wants to loan Jordan Smith for 4 months and promises regular first team action for him. Okay, sounds good to me.

The St. James Park expansion is completed, raising stadium capacity to 4,000 with 825 of them seats.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/hmmportsmouth_zps46db9433.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/hmmportsmouth_zps46db9433.jpg.html)

Hmm. Does that mean in order to get the job, I'd have to quit? Not going to quit, though. I'm fine with it either way. Either I get to rebuild Portsmouth or I get to continue building what I think is something very special here at Brackley.

vs Dover (20th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Where the fuck are you getting the idea that Brackley's been really poor of late? We've been doing fine, thanks.

22 - Obvious PK is obvious, and I will never, ever get tired of watching Crocombe shoot and make penalties. :D 1-0

29 - WTF are you thinking Bangura?! Backwards header leads to a banging goal for them. 1-1

40 - If I had a dollar for every time the post hosed Sharpe, I could buy a house in San Diego.

Sharpe moves over to DL and Burns replaces Bangura. Taaffe goes in at MR for Harris, who has been a big disappointment relative to his friendly successes.

Wow, is the team ever cursed. 5 times I've counted in the second half where the post just blocked at us every turn.

875 people attended that frustrating clank-show, which is a club record since our FA Cup game against Oldham in the biggest upset of my career. Izak Reid skips training, so I warn him. He does it again, I'll fine his ass.

Portsmouth opts to go with Sean Dyche for the manager position. Can't say I blame them - he has League 1 and Championship head coaching experience, as opposed to me who is an up and comer.

Still a little disappointing, though.

Izulde

02-07-2014, 09:40 AM

So it turns out the reason I'm not the Portsmouth head boss is because there would indeed have been compensation required to be paid. Oh well. Max Crocombe's in the Team of the Week.

@Mansfield (8th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Leo Clowes
DC Andrew Burns
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

2 - Le ugh. 0-1

4 - Sheesh. Lucky fucking bounce. 0-2

Yeah, worst half we've played in a long time. Reid's benched for Burns/Wickham because I forgot to put Woodford in the subs, and Taaffe replaces Harris.

58 - Two quick yellows for Hoban. Like trying to come back wasn't hard enough.

67 - K. 0-3

14 games in and we're 9th with 22 points. The drop zone has 12 points right now, so we're still okay with our cushion a little over a quarter of the way into the season.

Izulde

02-07-2014, 07:47 PM

Good Trains
Callum McNish
Sergio Sanchez
Ryan Woodford

Bad Trains
Izak Reid
Claudiu Hoban
Brad Varney

Board's delighted with me due to our league position, although they still bemoan Eddie Nisevic's departure. They lost $19k last month.

vs Hereford (22nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Andrew Burns
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Everyone says we're struggling, so we're being picked to lose to these cows. Not really seeing it, though.

0 - Not sure how that got in. 0-1

1 - That one should have gotten in though.

11 - Our offense utilizes a whole lot of passing, and this one is no different, with the end move a McNish center for Taaffe, who bags his first goal for us. 1-1

23 - And there's Gracco with his traditional easy miss.

30 - Clucas fakes out his defender and sneaks it in to Taaffe, who scores his second of the game and the season. Wow! 2-1

36 - Guess who's on fire today? It's Taaffe, who crosses it to McNish, and we've our third goal in 25 minutes. Epic scoring is epic. 3-1

43 - Hereford pins Gracco in the upper left corner, so he bolts it back to Bangura, who boots it to McNish, and it's like the Irish midfielder drank a Finishing +2 potion before the game, because lo and behold, it's another goal! 4-1

Take that, jackass oddsmakers telling us we'd lose at home to a relegation side. Woodford's on for Clucas.

67 - I love how this team never gives up. We have 3 or 4 shots blocked, but our boys keep fighting, and eventually Gracco hits the short-range scorcher. 5-1

69 - McNish is starting to misplay his passes, so Binns gets the nod.

All our starters had 7.1 or better, and we got some beaut of ratings overall.

7.5+
Callum McNish - 9.6! (MoM)
Lewis Taaffe - 9.4!
Gianluca Gracco - 8.3
Samuel Bangura - 8.0
Sergio Sanchez - 7.9
Seanan Clucas - 7.7
Andrew Burns - 7.6

I don't think I've ever gotten two 9+ ratings in a recent version of FM. Amazing. That was Taaffe's first goal in 24 matches. That's not the best part, though. The best is this:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/dungworth_zpsc920b01e.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/dungworth_zpsc920b01e.jpg.html)

Yeah, he was definitely worth dung, all right. And we're the ones who got him fired. :D Hereford was picked 10th in the preseason media, so for them to be in the drop is pretty bad. As for us? 7th, which is way above our heads.

Nobody wants Reid, even when I offer him at a really cheap price of $8k.

Gianluca Gracco and Callum McNish make the Team of the Week, but I'm disappointed to realize Andrew Burns' loan ends soon. Gracco, by the way, is tied with two others for most Man of the Match awards.

Oh cool.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/studygay_zps9d318d6d.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/studygay_zps9d318d6d.jpg.html)

He's become my most reliable staff member, so it's great to see him put in this effort at professional development. Ashley Yeoman steps up his game in training.

@Ebbsfleet (9th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

3 - They leave Harris wide open on the right side of the box and Parmenter finds him there. Although he hasn't shown good goal-scoring instincts yet this season, this one Harris deposits. 1-0

13 - No excuse for that goal to be allowed at all 1-1

23 - In the last 10 minutes, we've seen Clucas get a yellow, Gracco take a knock, and our opponents somehow miss a wide open goalmouth.

Woodford and Guedioura for Parmenter and Gracco at the half. We're playing well, but I think we can do even better.

Pretty dull second half, a yellow for Clowes the only noteworthy event. Still, considering how heavily they were favored and us being on the road, I'll take the point.

Gianluca Gracco is out 2 weeks. Not good.

Izulde

02-08-2014, 10:51 PM

vs Colwyn Bay (24th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Ashley Yeoman

There's no way we should lose to these guys.

Our pitch is already Very Poor condition and with it pouring rain right now, it creates a real slopfest where nobody's really able to do much of anything, so we're still sitting at a snore-inducing 0-0 at the break. Woodford for Parmenter and Guedioura for Yeoman.

52 - Reid crosses it to Taaffe, whose shot is blocked, but Clucas is there to send in the follow-through for his first ever goal for us! 1-0

53 - It's raining so hard the ball is slippery and Crocombe drops it. Fortunately Colwyn Bay is so demoralized at this point in their season they don't pursue it, and a few passes later, Woodford shoots... and it bounces off the post. But then Taaffe beats out the defense on the rebound, giving us the precious insurance score. 2-0

74 - We're awarded a penalty after McNish is drilled in the box and crumples to the ground. Crocombe moseys on over and hits it home! 3-0

87 - Guedioura misses an easy chance and he's really struggled for us, so it may be time to think about dropping him down to the Reserves, where he can play and build his confidence up.

88 - Bangura's knocked.

These are the kinds of emphatic wins we need if we want to stay up. 7.1 or better for all starters save Yeoman, and Seanan Clucas 8.2 - MoM), Max Crocombe (8.0), Andrew Burns (7.7), Lewis Taaffe (7.7) and Tom Sharpe (7.5) are the keys.

How bad is Colwyn Bay? They're 1-16 with no ties. Yeah. Meanwhile, we're up to 6th and within striking distance of the promotion playoffs again.

One of our coaches Steve Book, failed his Continental A exam.

vs Tamworth (FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DC Ryan Woodford
DR Andrew Burns
DM Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

Trying something experimental for the FA Cup lineup against a BSN team, just to see what happens. Tamworth is on a high streak and Guedioura (507 minutes) and Yeoman (540 minutes) are both on goal droughts, so let's see if the law of averages kicks in here.

Wickham and Solkhon both pick up yellows, and we have two instances in the first half where Yeoman and Geudioura had open shots, but hesitated and were taken down as a result. Bangura and Reid come on for Sharpe and Burns, as I'm determined to let our strikers play out of their funk.

52 - Unbelievable Tamworth miss.

61 - Bullshit penalty that probably just cost us the game 0-1

70 - Eyong hasn't impressed me at all, and neither has his counterpart, but on this attack, he constantly sticks with it and crosses to the far post, where an unguarded Hoban is waiting to kick it in for the tie and the first ever goal for us. 1-1

76 - It's more apparent than ever this game - Solkhon and his 5.7 rating are done as a useful player. We'll have a new captain next season, and anyway, on comes Clucas for him.

Eyong wins MoM with a 7.5 rating for his hustling work, and frankly we should have won this game. We just got bent over by the refs.

YOU'RE GOD DAMNED MOTHER FUCKING RIGHT I'M GOING TO BITCH ABOUT IT!

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/fucktherefs_zps1971ea2e.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/fucktherefs_zps1971ea2e.jpg.html)

May have? MAY HAVE?! Son, there ain't no doubt about it. The refs cocked that one up like a band of gay porn stars.

Max Crocombe continues to train well

@ Tamworth (FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Leon Clowes
DC Andrew Burns
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Dale Binns
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Elvis Hammond
ST Lewis Taaffe

Still trying to keep as low-wattage a lineup in there as possible.

3 - We've been disrespected by the oddsmakers all season long, and it continues here, with our not being favored despite being a higher division and higher in the league table than them. A goal for the hosts is disallowed due to offsides here.

32 - They're playing like they want it a lot more, but still miss open shots.

Doing well so far? I don't think so, Mr. Gay.

56 - Harris and Bangura in at MR and DR. I'm sick of Eyong's incompetence today, and Reid is just tired.

83 - It's a boot down and to the right for Angus, and Harris does this crazy, twisting header thing for the go-ahead goal that just barely bounces its way in! 1-0

Ugly, anemic win, but Stevland Angus got a 7.9 and MoM, and Leon Clowes (7.7) and Courtney Harris (7.5) contributed to our being just good enough to get the win and advance, picking up a $22k paycheck along the way.

Izulde

02-09-2014, 07:17 AM

vs Exeter (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andrew Burns
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Ashley Yeoman

Pull off the win in this one, and we'll firmly establish ourselves as a team to be really taken seriously in the BS Premier race this season.

38 - Our clearance and positioning have been awful, but we've managed to hang on. Bad news here, though, as Parmenter has to leave the game. Naturally Woodford takes his spot.

43 - At this rate, Crocombe is going to be our leading goal-scorer, as we're awarded a PK and he converts. 1-0

44 - McNish makes a fabulous tackle on the opening kickoff and sends it ahead of Taaffe, who is having a phenomenal game. He beats the defense and circles around the goalie, and just when I think LT is going to hang on to it for too long, he banks it right in on the angle and we have ourselves a two goal lead scored *just* before the first half ends. 2-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cf9zJHuh_rE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Announcers are calling this a drab match, but they must have missed the last two minutes of the first half, because that was damned awesome.

49 - Exeter changes to a 5-3-2, which makes no sense to me given that they're down two goals.

70 - Yellow for Clucas

74 - Gueduioura on for Yeoman

75 - Yellow for Harris

80 - Bullshit. That goal was offsides. Didn't get called, though. 2-1

Not the best we've ever played, but it's a win I'll take. 7.9 for Crocombe and McNish, the latter winning MoM, 7.7 for Sanchez.

That pulls Exeter down to 5th, but they're still a point ahead of us.

Colwyn Bay sets a BS Premier record with 18 straight losses, and our huge upset win over Exeter had 880 fans, breaking our non-friendly attendance record by 5 attendees.

Andrew Burns finishes his loan and did so well for us that Billericay now considers him indispensable and refuses to consider another loan.

Max Crocombe/b] is on the Team of the Week.

[b]@Chester (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Izak Reid
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Yep, that's right. Ashley Yeoman has officially lost his starting spot to Taaffe. It's all about the production.

8 - Yellow for Gracco

17 - Woodford sits on the ball too long when he has a clear shot, but we manage to get the corner, and Reid hits it to Clowes. The goalie deflects to the far post, but Sanchez is in the prime place to pop it in for the lead! 1-0

37 - Great sliding tackle shot by Taaffe, but the post robs him.

39 - Devastating injury to Harris. Reid moves up to MR to replace on him, and Bangura comes in at the DR spot.

We're playing really pretty well so far, so let's keep it going and maybe find some insurance somewhere.

50 - Chester makes a terrible pass back and Gracco's there to rush in, beat out the keeper, and strike the long-range shot at the empty net. In it goes for Air Italia's 10th goal of the season. 2-0

53 - And of course Gracco follows that by missing an easy header.

60 - In what is the most bizarre goal I've seen yet, Taaffe gives it to Woodford, who sends it forward for Clucas... and somehow the ball bounces up over the heads of both Clucas and Chester's keeper, and dribbles its way into the net for the score. Talk about craycray! 3-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XLPievVbZno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

71 - Chester's screaming for a penalty on McNish, but the ref ignores it. It's getting nasty out there, and our Irishman is feeling tired, so I quickly put in Eyong.

76 - I'm really starting to hate Chester now. They're whining that a Bangura foul should have been a penalty. I'm suddenly quite glad the team passed on offering me the job when I applied to both them and Brackley.

88 - For some reason, Crocombe just stands there and lets the shot in. Maybe he didn't even see it. 3-1

They fight like crazy to get another goal and give themselves a puncher's chance, but phenomenal work by our defense allows us to hold firm with the two goal away win. Solid ratings all around, headlined by Woodford's MoM-winning 7.9, Sanchez's 7.9, and Gracco's 7.5 in his first game back from injury.

We're now up to 4th as part of a crowded field of playoff promotion contenders. Only Forest Green, who has 43 points to the 2nd place Macclesfield's 37, is well above the fray and in firm command of the league's top spot.

Courtney Harris is out 3-4 weeks, so bad, but not nearly as terrible as it could have been.

We've now gone five games without a loss in league play, and people are calling us paper tigers, which is a very fair assessment. But as long as we avoid the drop, it'll be a successful season.

We poach Billericay again, this time taking on MR Max Noble on a 3 month loan. He's had 5 goals to be the team's leading scorer, though obviously that won't be his role here - he'll be a fill-in for Harris's injury.

Good Trains
Samuel Bangura
Claidiu Hoban
Seanan Clucas

Bad Trains
Tom Sharpe
Dale Binns
Elvis Hammond

Callum McNish surprises everyone by finishing 2nd in Player of the Month voting, and Seanan Clucas is 3rd in Young Player of the Month tallies. I finish 3rd in Manager of the Month voting, and there's no question Forest Green's boss deserves it.

Just shy of $25k in profit last month. Don't remember if I posted this before, but last season we lost $513k, or almost a half-million. This season we're on track to lose a little over $100k, but I'm wondering if the stadium expansion got applied to this season's bill or last year's.

@Northampton (FA Cup 1st Round)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Leon Clowes
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Izak Reid
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

We got hosed on the seeding for the FA Cup having to visit a League 2 team, so I'll just end out a B/C list lineup and see how it goes. Let's see if our two strikers can *finally* crack their goal drought (706 for Yeoman, 611 for Guedioura)

10 - A knock for Reid but he'll play on. One of Guedioura's problems by the way, is that he's having trouble fitting in with the rest of the squad - probably because he only has a basic command of English. Maybe I should find someone else who speaks fluent Arabic to help him adjust (Note: he also has basic French).

13 - Speaking of which... Guedioura performs this absolutely amazing run forward to steal the ball away and dash on to a one on one with the keeper. Now normally our Algerian prospect would shank it... but this one he hits for his first ever goal for us!!! Drought broken! 1-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LQNogi6GkLI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

15 - They score immediately on a rebound. Sigh. 1-1

16 - Getting ugly fast. 1-2

23 - That's an 8 minute hat trick for Moult. Damn it. 1-3

34 - 4 goals by one guy all in the same half. Unbelievable. 1-4

40 ...5 by the same guy. 1-5

Let's put Hammond and Eyong in for Guedioura and Reid and call this a day.

52 - 6! 6 by the same guy! 1-6

85 - Wickham goes down and Parmenter replaces him for the last few minutes of the game.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/Moult_zps198f34af.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/Moult_zps198f34af.jpg.html)

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/MoultProfile_zps2c434016.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/MoultProfile_zps2c434016.jpg.html)

I salute you, sir! And I totally don't care about the result or how badly we sucked. We just went up against a guy who was absolutely on fire.

Oh nice. Reid is out almost 2 months. Good thing we got that Noble on loan!

...LOL Now Izak Reid wants to stay and be removed off the transfer list. Fine.

Samuel Bangura may be hinting at wanting a new contract, but I think I'll wait to the offseason to be able to extend him until 2017.

@Gainsborough (23rd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Max Noble
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

This game should be a nice tonic to bounce back from that brutal defeat.

6 - Disallowed goal due to Gracco offsides.

10 - Yellow for Taaffe

46 - Their defense has been doing a terrific job of shutting us down in the middle, and Crocombe's made some dumb clearance mistakes. They almost score here, but Parmenter gets out the danger just in the nick of time.

So yeah, we're sucking ass here. Angus comes on for Clowes because we're that banged up on the D-line right about now.

75 - Full credit to their keeper - he's been lights out today, stopping what looked like a few sure goals. Guedioura on for Taaffe.

82 - McNish to Guedioura who sends it to Gracco... who plays a frozen rope between two defenders and finally into the damn goal. 1-0

Not the greatest and not the worst. One of those days where 3 points and Sanchez's 7.5 for Man of Match will do. That'll do.

20 games in, we have 38 points and a +17 GD, good for 4th in the league. We also hold a 4 point cushion on 6th place, which is crucial, given we get #1 Forest Green next game.

Izulde

02-09-2014, 11:30 AM

Huh. Nabil Guedioura is showing great training progress, apparently.

@Forest Green (1st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Stevland Angus
DC Ryan Woodford
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Max Noble
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Injuries and tired people mean we have a less than optimal lineup against the Premier leaders.

44 - Hoban holds to the ball, waiting until he sees Clucas just outside the box for the pass. Our loanee then skims along the box line until he finds a shot he likes, and *BAM*! In it goes for the host nutcrunching goal. 1-0

Wickham slots on for Parmenter, and we're doing great on defense. If we can just keep on to that and maybe get another sneaky score, that'd be awesome.

45 - Noble's knocked but will fight on.

73 - Guedioura on for Gracco, who's having the worst game of his career.

What.a.monstrous.upset.

7.5+
Stevland Angus - 8.1 (MoM)
Seanan Clucas - 8.0
Leon Clowes - 7.9
Samuel Bangura - 7.5

In short, another dominating performance by our backline, and Angus shows that he's still got it.

But it comes as a huge cost. Max Noble is out 6-7 weeks with an injury, further crippling our already shaky right midfield situation. On the bright side, we're up to 2nd in the league. Oh, and get this. Tambeson Eyong's loan expires in a few days, and I don't know who we have left that can play MR for the short-term

Ashley Yeoman continues to impress in training.

vs Woking (18th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Ryan Woodford
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

We have to get a little creative with the lineup here due to so many injury and rest needs. Three MRs all injured at once and our 4th one due out of loan soon. Just freaking insane.

34 - Keep coming close but nothing doing until Taaffe runs through the entire defense and plants it in. This was a guy I debated on for a long time before signing because my scouts thought he was just okay. The way he's played since claiming a starting spot, though, he's been more than okay. 1-0

38 - And here's the sweet, swinging corner by Taaffe to Sanchez, who punches it on in. 2-0

49 - Parmenter takes a nasty knock. I'll try to keep him on as much as possible, though.

57 - Taaffe plays a terrific ball for Eyong on the far right wing. Our loan healthy MR fetches it and centers it back to Taaffe, and there's our third goal! 3-0 This allows us to switch to a 4-1-2-1-2 setup with Bangura and Yeoman as DC and AMC, and Eyong and Parmenter off the pitch.

79 - they score, but probably too little too late 3-1

Nice win. 8.6 for Sanchez, 8.3 for Sharpe, and 8.8 for our MoM, Taaffe.

But it's another expensive win. Taylor Parmenter, our rock in the defense, is out a month. We're now 2 points behind Forest Green for the lead.

Free transfer and loan deadlines are both in a week.

vs Macclesfield (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Stevland Angus
DC Brett Solkhon
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Seanan Clucas
DM Ryan Woodford
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Ugly lineup, I know, but we really didn't have much choice. The transfers and loans we have lined up didn't go through in time for this game.

1 - Yellow for Woodford. Going to be that kind of game, is it?

43 - Yellow for Hoban.

So this has been a pretty ugly, boring game to watch. Feels like we're scraping out a tie here. Luke Dixon goes on for Woodford because we're just that weak right now in terms of depth.

45 - Should've been a goal for them there.

48 - Yellow for Clucas

63 - So does not only Angus flub the easiest goal ever, but we get scored on via the counter. Fuck this noise. 0-1 Yeoman on for Gracco

Total shutdown. Pathetic.

Still, we're halfway through the season, and after 23 games, we have 44 points and sit 4th. Considering we were tabbed to hit the drop in preseason, that's a huge improvement. And not shabby at all considering all the injury woes we've been hit with all at once.

Izulde

02-09-2014, 07:11 PM

Clucas will sit out next game due to too many yellows, but Bangura has continually impressed in training.

We loan in 21 year old DR Matthew Challoner from Stalybridge Celtic for 3 months, but are rejected by a ML/MR who could really help us out. Ryan Markey, one of our reserves, signs a contract with Gloucester. I care not. Another loan offer for a ML guy gets rejected because Dorchester doesn't want him on a division rival.

Sergio Sanchez is named to the Team of the Week.

A DM prospect I really wanted signs for AFC Hornchurch, much to my annoyance.

Courtney Harris has stepped up his training game recently despite his injuries.

vs Stamford (FA Trophy)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Lee Dixon
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Elvis Hammond

Keeping with my usual policy of scrub lineups in cup matches against scrub teams.

25 - I'm told Hammond doesn't like Solkhon as captain. Interesting. We're playing like shit today. Yellow for Angus at this juncture.

36 - Yeah. Someone's getting ripped into. 0-1

Bangura comes on for Sanchez and I go into epic meltdown mode all over the locker room.

59 - Odd sequence in which everyone is tripping all over one another, but in the end it's Hammond who floats one to Bangura, and the Sierra Leone native finally gets his first goal for us. 1-1

63 - Eyong misses a gimme, and Yeoman comes on for Guedioura.

Yeah, fuck this. I've got some things I need to pick up, a GM is dicking me around in one of my MP leagues, and there's no excuse to tie to a team like this on our turf.

I'll hit this again later.

Izulde

02-10-2014, 01:48 AM

@ Stamford (FA Trophy)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Stevland Angus
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Brett Solkhon
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Lee Dixon
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Tambeson Eyong
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

We've got a league game coming a couple days after this, so we're going with the same lineup, with the exception of Yeoman in for Hammond at striker. 873 minute drought for Yeoman, BTW.

11 - Dominating this game and nothing to show for it. Dixon to Hoban to Yeoman... ...and we finally not only break down a goalie that's been a real assfarmer, but our highest paid player stops the dry spell just shy of the 900 minute mark. 1-0

25 - Man, this just isn't Yeoman's year. Now he's hurt and has to go off, and Taaffe comes on much sooner than I would have wanted him to.

26 - Talk about your immediate impact. Taaffe tackle-passes the ball and Guedioura thunders down for the goal. 2-0

27 - Of course they answer right away. Of course. 2-1

That goal aside, we're controlling this match, so let's just let it ride.

53 - This is one sick fucking joke. 2-2

57 - I blame Wickham for these screwups and put Woodford on.

59 - Why yes, let's have a fucking horseshit penalty on top of it. Fucking homer refs. 2-3

Fuck.that.shit.

vs Barnet (20th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Matthew Challoner
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Feels like a long time since we've had a squad that was this close to full-strength.

[b]13 - So very fucking cold. 0-1

21 - Yellow for Bangura

Fucking embarrassing. That's what this streak is right now.

66 - Woodford's gotten hurt and I've subbed in Wickham and Yeoman for him and Gracco and Clucas at this point picks up his second yellow. Whatever.

77 - McNish pushes it to Yeoman who dodges and weaves until he finds his angle and powers it in. Nice, especially with only 10 guys on our side. Fucking idiot Clucas getting sent off. 1-1

8.4 for Crocombe, who really saved our asses to even get a point out of this pigslop mess of a game.

Izulde

02-12-2014, 10:31 PM

Good Trains
Tom Sharpe
Max Crocombe
Elvis Hammond

Tambeson Eyong's loan finishes. Won't really miss him.

Board is still delighted due to our position, but they're upset about the asskicking we took in the FA Cup. Profit of $16.42k last month.

Our January 27th match against Lincoln will be televised, and we'll pick up $8k from it.

vs Newport County (11th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Stevland Angus
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Matthew Challoner
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

We're big favorites here despite our slump and juryrigged lineup.

1 - Challoner to Woodford to Harris to Gracco, and there's the angled laser beam for the early lead! 1-0

19 - Textbook thievery by Clowes, who punctuates it with a 20 yard pass to Gracco. The Italian Stallion runs wild and free to the far side of the box, where he diagonal crosses it to Taaffe in the center and it's in. 2-0

20 - Great position, terrible finish by our opponents for the immediate answer.

26 - WOW! The opponent deliberately elbows Challoner in the face... and Nathan Jarvis gets the red!!!

32 - Yellow for Bangura

A goal attempt by them missed by mere inches near the end of the half and I'm shocked it didn't go in. Yeoman comes on for Taaffe, who got hurt early in the first but played through it to get us a goal.

66 - How stupid. Wickham gives up a penalty and they convert to cut the lead in half. 2-1 I immediately yank him for Dixon and give him an earful on the sidelines.

Woodford picked up a yellow at minute 90, and we had tons of shots in the second half, but just couldn't convert. Not the best win we've ever had, but we'll take it. 7.5 for Leon Clowes and 8.5 for MoM Gianluca Gracco in a game with a ton of 7s. Really needed that win to boost morale, too, which was starting to drop.

We're now up to 2nd, but 4th and 5th have a game in hand on us, and our 48 points still aren't remotely close to touching Forest Green's 55.

Izulde

02-14-2014, 06:41 AM

Gianluca Gracco is drawing a ton of praise from the press and Max Crocombe just keeps getting better and better in training.

@Altrincham (12th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Matthew Challoner
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Best lineup we've had in quite a few games, with Parmenter back from injury.

1 - Challoner throws it into Harris, and a short, looping pass to McNish later, the goal's in and the early lead's ours. 1-0

16 - Yellow for Bangura

We're doing well at the half. Both goalies have made some awesome saves to keep this a one score game. Dixon comes on for Parmenter, Taaffe slides to MR and Yeoman hops on at striker.

64 - Wow! For the second straight game, an opponent's sent off with a red for elbowing one of our boys in the face! Seems like teams are really fearing us and have to play dirty to try and win.

72 - In what I swear was the longest header of all time, Sharpe flies it all the way down the pitch for Gracco, who bonks it down for control, dribbles forward a bit, and then aces it home for the insurance goal! So pretty! 2-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sIh7Sx_RBH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

81 - Challoner hits a moonshot and McNish is there to send a powerful header quite a ways away from the goal, and yet, it somehow goes in. Wow, we are *really* up for this one... literally. 3-0

Although McNish wins Man of the Match with a 9.2 rating, I really feel like Crocombe (8.3) deserved it. He made so many amazing saves when it was still a 1-0 score that it was incredible. 8.1 for Challoner, 7.9 for Sanchez, 7.8 for Sharpe, 8.3 for Gracco as we really took advantage of the power play in the second half, unlike last game.

Better yet, Forest Green lost, so now the gap narrows to 4 points, and our +23 GD is better than anyone in the league except for 7th place Macclesfield with 47 points, +29 GD and a game in hand to our 51.

Nabil Guedioura impresses in training, but Ian Gay is warning me that he needs more first time experience or his growth will be stunted. Fair point and time to transfer list Ashley Yeoman then.

Gianluca Gracco, Callum McNish, Tom Sharpe, and Max Crocombe all make Team of the Week.

An offer's in for De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale to go on loan for 3 months to Gloucester. They're fighting a relegation battle, so I figure why not?

Checking In Other Loan Players
GK Liam Priestley - 11 apps for Bromley - 6.45 rating (7th in league, a point out of playoff spot)
DR Gareth Lee - 15 apps for Leamington - 6.42 rating and in need of a rest. Still better than last's year 6.26 rating in 10 games for the same team
ST Jack Jeffrey - 16 apps for Leamington - 6 goals, 1 assist - 6.35 rating and in need of a rest
DC Jordan Smith - 7 apps for Wealdstone - 1 goal - 6.53 rating (3rd in league) so Priestley and Smith are on opposites, and now DJTC will join them. :D

Ashley Yeoman really wants to stay at the club, but sorry kid. Your salary demands are ridiculous, and you're our third striker. I tell him the club needs money and he goes all aggro and asks me if I'm trying to make things worse.

...Excuse me? So I tell him he's being unprofessional, so then he's like You haven't left me with much choice, you wanker. So I tell him we should continue it at another time and he tells me he's not at all happy with how I've handled it.

Fuck.you.

...Um, what?

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/badashley_zps8088306f.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/badashley_zps8088306f.jpg.html)

Yeah... here's my thoughts on that, asshole Ashley.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/wire1-rawls_zpsb2682286.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/wire1-rawls_zpsb2682286.jpg.html)

Oh now this is interesting.

Dartford wants Ashley Yeoman on a 3 month loan and they'll pay 90% of his salary for those three months. Other teams are reportedly interested including Barrow and Mansfield, though those two want him for transfer. But I don't want to loan him, I want to transfer him, and I'm willing to do it at a discounted rate of $6k, even though he's worth $28k.

Dartford withdraws the offer upon my asking for a transfer rather than a loan. Mansfield will consider it if I lower my demands. Considering they're 6th in the league, that's a big fuck no.

Let's try $3k and see what happens.

Mansfield is offering me no money and I'll still have to pay his contract? Fuck that.

Samuel Bangura impresses in training.

vs Gatehead (11th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

It's my 100th game in charge of Brackley and for the first time in a long time, we have our total and complete preferred lineup in charge, Izak Reid finally back from injury. We've dropped to 3rd, as we didn't play on the last BS Premier day.

4 - Beautiful run by McNish after a pass from Taaffe, and the authoritative strike is in! Wow, our Irish left midfielder has been scorching the last few games. 1-0

9 - Sanchez starts an attack with a terrific dispossession, but the McNish to Gracco pass goes for naught when the Italian Stallion blows an easy goal as he often does.

12 - And this is why I don't get mad at him. Harris plays a perfectly pristine pass and Gracco grabs it, gunning it in goal. 2-0

26 - Taaffe taps a pretty one to Harris who has the goal wide open in front of him, but a weak kick robs us of the sitter. Our ensuing corner comes up empty, too.

32 - Yellow for Parmenter

Great. Parmenter and Sanchez both get hurt shortly before the half ends, so I immediately pull them in favor of Wickham and Bangura.

69 - This is how dominant we've been this game. It takes until almost the 70 minute mark for Gateshead to put up any highlights on offense, but we fend it off and the two straight corners that follow to stay clean.

72 - I really thought that was in by Taaffe

82 - Yellow for Harris

We keep the pressure on right up until the final whistle, and nearly scored another one a couple times.

8.1 for Lewis Taaffe as PoM, 7.7s for McNish, Harris, and Clowes in a textbook performance by our guys.

Still in third, but with a game in hand on Forest Green and Exeter, who we're behind 4 points and 2 points, respectively.

vs Wrexham (7th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

5 - Early yellow for Harris in what is a key game for position in the league.

19 - Yeah, we're playing like crap today. 0-1

30 - Holy shit! Okay, so Harris passes it to Clucas, right? Or maybe it was Parmenter in there somehow... anyway, Clucas is on the far side of the post and crosses it to the left side where I'm thinking it's going to be wasted, and out of nowhere, Gianluca Gracco and a defender come racing, and the Italian Stallion does this awesome freaking sliding kick that sends him, the defender, and the ball all into the goal! Wow, just W-O-W wow! 1-1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_5hbQB3DGOE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

38 - That amazeballs goal appears to have fired everyone up, because while we were sluggish and hum-drum before it, now suddenly people are playing faster and with fiery purpose. We get another shot opportunity thanks to a McNish-Parmenter-Gracco chain, but the shot's rejected... but Parmenter's there for the go-ahead goal on the rebound! 2-1

Taaffe is having a garbage game so he's pulled for Guedioura. Sanchez *was* having an equally stinky showing, but got his head out of his ass after that fabulous first goal so he stays in.

49 - Perfect dropshot by Harris in front of Gracco, who delivers for his second goal of the game. Love watching the Italian Stallion play. 3-1

66 - Harris again with the excellent play, racing down the sideline on a counter and sending it to Guedioura. The Algerian threads it through three defenders and into the goal! They're calling it his first senior goal, which doesn't make sense because he's scored for us, unless they mean first league goal, which would. Either way, just a lovely play. 4-1

80 - Yellow for Parmenter and he's tired anyway, so on comes Wickham

84 - A second yellow for their own Harris and it's early bath, like what, 10 minutes before everyone else? In case you're keeping track at home, that's our third straight game an opponent has gone off early.

7.7 for Clucas, 7.9 for Parmenter, 8.7 for Harris, 7.7 for McNish, and 9.0 for Player of the Match Gracco, of course.

I don't know what a ding-dong battle is, but we took the spoils in it. Oh yeah, and that's also Leon Clowes' old club we just waxed despite being underdogs at home.

Still third, still with a game in hand, but now we're 2 points out of 1st place. Media is saying we're still a fluke and disrespecting us, but hell... that's been going on all year.

Izulde

02-14-2014, 09:28 AM

Oh how cool. The fans have created a special chant just for Gianluca Gracco, and he's being idolized.

Shane Fagan is upset about not getting regular first team experience. Sorry kid, but you're playing behind Max Crocombe. What do you expect?

I offer to loan him out but he says he wants to be moved permanently. I tell him we should discuss it another time and he gets pissed off and says he's mad.

Whatever.

@Braintree (18th
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Oh now this is interesting. According to my coaching staff, Samuel Bangura has surpassed Izak Reid as our top DR player. He's also now tied with Leon Clowes for our 2nd best DL, who I'm switching back to DL because the gap between him and Sharpe at DL is less than the DC gap between the two.

Reid's been complaining about his heavy workload in training and he's decreased due to also having been trained at DR most of the year on the recommendation of the staff. I honestly don't think he's going to hang around here once his contract runs out - he's very much a backup now. Even when he was a starter, he was prone to bouts of inconsistency, and in danger of losing his spot to lesser players like what happened to Yeoman, who is still considered my top striker by far.

Weird first half. Only one highlight and it was for them. On the other hand, Gracco and Parmenter both pick up yellows, and Hoban and Taaffe are hurt. In come Max Noble back from injury to MR, Harris switching to the left side, and Guedioura in for our striker.

We should be dominating this team, so I firmly tell them they've been playing like crap, and by the ratings, they have been.

63 - Seriously? Now Gracco is hurt. But he'll play on.

75 - Going to burn my third sub with Wickham for Parmenter. This has been an ugly game.

Great job defensively, but we just lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. Our play did improve quite a bit in the second half and we had a few chances, so I'm not going to be too hard on them.

Taylor Parmenter impresses in training, and he's one guy I forgot to sign to a two year deal who I really wanted to lock up, but the board is blocking me from meeting his salary demands. With a little negotiation though, I'm able to get him to consider a contract extension.

I also work on locking up my staff that's under contract to keep them for another year. Why fix what isn't broken?

@Stockport (21st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

0 - I think it's a testament to how much Crocombe has improved that he made the right decision in coming out and snagging the ball out of the air in a dangerous situation. Before, he would have mistimed coming out and allowed the goal.

11 - Beautiful 25 yard strike on a free kick by Taaffe that overpowered the goalie! 1-0

30something - They made an awesome move of passes that completely hoodwinked our backline, but Crocombe makes a dynamite save on what I think again would have been a surrendered goal earlier in the year, and Sharpe gets rid of it.

Literally 5 seconds before the half ends, McNish is slapped with a yellow. Cheap shit if you ask me. We could be up by more than this, so let's keep it going folks.

46 - Booming kick by Crocombe and it's no challenge at all for Gracco to beat his opponent and charge ahead for the one on one with the keeper. This isn't a flub shot - just pure perfection and the sweet string music of a doubled lead. 2-0

51 - Yellow for Bangura

57 - Woodford on for Clowes

71 - Tiptop send from Sharpe to Gracco, but the open angled shot just nicks the post and out.

75 - Textbook pass by Clucas to Harris on a run and gun, and our right midfielder gets a very lucky bounce in on the post for the clincher. 3-0

8.0 for Crocombe, 7.6 for Bangura, 7.9 for Sanchez, 8.1 for Harris, 7.9 for Taaffe and 8.8 for our Player of the Match, Gianluca Gracco.

30 games in the books, 16 more to go. We're in 2nd place with 61 points, a mere point behind Forest Green for the lead.

Good trains
Max Crocombe
Ashley Yeoman
Sergio Sanchez

Bad Trains
Elvis Hammond

Gianluca Gracco wins BS Premier Player of the Month and I win Manager of the Month

We lost $34k last month, but the board still loves me, even if Eddie Nisevic is still on their hearts and minds. Nevermind that we've three players who are equal to or better than him.

Samuel Bangura signs a new contract that tears up his $2,200 deal and has him making $14.75k instead, a massive raise, but one he's frankly earned.

@Boreham Wood (11th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Stevland Angus
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Izak Reid
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Ashley Yeoman

Because everyone's tired, we've got a B-list lineup operating for the most part today. Could spell trouble.

7 - Yeoman came determined to play, slicing a beautiful pass by Guedioura, who does his best bang-in Gracco impersonation for the early lead. 1-0

40 - Yeoman gets knocked but he'll play out the half.

42 - I thought Crocombe had the ball when he pounced for it, but the attacker faked him out and literally dribbled it in. First terrible mistake I've seen from our Kiwi keeper in ages. 1-1

Uh, let's see.. 5.8, 5.9, 6.1 and you want to say we're playing well, Assman? Hell to the nawh, Shawty. Hammond comes on for Yeoman. So in my talking to players individually, I restored Guedioura's confidence but pissed off Wickham. Weird.

51 - Not going well here. 1-2

85 - Ridiculous. 1-3

So we lose Ashley Yeoman for 4 weeks and Ryan Woodford for 6-7 weeks. Better them than our starters. We also drop to 3rd, but are 2 points back. Getting to be a crowded field in the 1-4 spots - just 3 points separate those places. 5th is further back with 57 to 60 in 4th (Ironically that 5th spot is held by Portsmouth) and 6th is another 3 back with 54.

With 15 games left, anything can happen. Except our getting relegated. While it's mathematically still possible for us to drop as far as 22nd, we have no ability to crash all the way to 23rd or 24th, and even if we suddenly go on a cold streak, this will be considered a successful season.

Izulde

02-15-2014, 09:07 PM

For the umpteenth time, Max Crocombe draws praise for his training ethic.

I try to negotiate a deal for an elite DM from Mansfield, but though they're interested, we can't come to terms with the player, who has outrageous wage demands.

@Cambridge (8th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Stevland Angus
DC Taylor Parmenter
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Aaron Wickham
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Injuries and rest needs continue to cause backline shuffles.

27 - BS penalty awarded, but Crocombe blocks it!!!! A knock on Harris a few minutes later, but he'll play on til the half. We aren't doing so hot out there, by the way.

34 - Geez, now a knock for Parmenter

38 - Great boomer by Angus, but really, this is about Gracco showing once again why I love him so much. Out-heads his opponent, then zooms his way the rest of the way to a one-on-one, which he wins for the score. 1-0

44 - A third injury, and this time it's serious enough to need a sub. Clucas goes off for Solkhon

47 - Wickham crosses to the far post on a free kick, and Sanchez breaks free of the crowd by the time the ball gets there and puts in for the oh so late, oh so critical insurance. 2-0

Noble comes on for Harris, who had a lousy first half anyway (6.2), the injury clearly affecting him.

53 - Jesus. Another knock, this time for Solkhon.

60 - Despite the knock, team captain Solkhon steals the ball and passes it to Taaffe, who puts it up nicely for Gracco on the left flank. Our Italian Stallion gallops down the wing and then centers it to where none other than Solkon is there to rise up and head it in! 3-0

81 - I swear their guy was offsides, but at this point, it doesn't matter much. 3-1

Nobody thought we could pull this off, but we showed them. It's a huge win not only for the 3 points, but because it pushes a potential challenger for a playoff spot down further.

Sanchez earns Player of the Match with an 8.5, Gracco grabs an 8.3, and Solkhon rounds out the 7.5+ guys with exactly a 7.5 Nice performance from our team captain in what will be his final year with us.

Unfortunately Seanan Clucas is out 4 weeks, adding to our injury issues.

But guess what? We're now in first place! Granted, it's only by a point, and 2nd place Mansfield, who has been as fast rising as we have, still beats us on goal differential, but it's a delicious thing to savor.

Elvis Hammond is hurt in a reserves game and is out 6-7 weeks.

We lose Leon Clowes for 2-3 weeks with a virus, although on the bright side Samuel Bangura continues his stellar development.

vs Dorchester (20th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

We're having some good discussions with some teams about possible loans, I think, so we may see this shake up again by end of season. But for now, this is probably our best lineup. This should be an easy win.

7 - We're playing like ass right now, and should've surrendered a goal there. Pathetic.

16 - Knock for Parmenter. Suck it up, buttercup.

22 - Bullshit offsides call to stop what would've been a sure goal on our side.

24 - After an insanely long sequence that see us pass back to Crocombe twice and do a lot of movement, Harris finds Taaffe, and our biggest surprise of the year dribbles a bit, finds a seam, and knocks it in. They cry about it being offsides but fuck you. There were defenders well in the way. 1-0

Placing someone in sub of Parmenter at the half involves a lot of risk that I'm not comfortable with, so we'll roll with it for now.

64 - The injury issues just keep mounting. Taaffe's next on the list, and Guedioura comes on for him. Now's the time when I roll the dice, putting Challoner at DL, moving Sharpe and Bangura down the line at DC, and shift Sanchez to DM.

71 - Long free kick by Reid sees McNish beat out everyone else and his header finds its way home for majorly majorly important breathing room. 2-0

77 - Goal by them is disallowed due to offsides. Whew.

80 - We're robbed of a clear penalty, which is ridiculous.

Despite spirited Dorchester efforts, we fend them off the rest of the way, and get a solid, workmanlike win. 7.5 for Crocombe, 8.0 for PotM McNish and the usual spate of 7s galore.

Damn it. Lewis Taaffe is out 2 months. Major blow.

By a single attendee, we broke the attendance record and now have 881 as our high mark.

Another injury. Brad Varney out 4 to 5 weeks. Granted, he's a reserve, but still.

Max Crocombe in Team of the Week.

Although we tried to get him on a straight transfer and failed due to contract demands, we nonetheless secure DLR Ben Nunn on loan from Boreham Wood for the rest of the season. He's right up there with Izak Reid for second best DR behind Bangura, so the 24 year old gives us versatility and options.

Poor pitch conditions cause a game postponement and I really need to talk to the board about that for next season.

Oh, and Liam Priestley and Jordan Smith finish out their loans. Neither one impressed much in their time there.

@Portsmouth (6th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Aaron Wickham
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Ashley Yeoman

Going to be a tough matchup against the team I wanted to manage, so this game takes on major significance.

19 - Wow. So this is what a Premier League stadium looks like. Massive, to where players look smaller. Reid shoots an amazing pass forward, which Wickham of all people finds, dribbles forward, and calmly plants in like he was a striker. Damn. Never would have imagined that! 1-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RrK-o2l5W4s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

24 - Harris heads it to Yeoman, and our much misaligned striker sends it up for Gracco, only Portsmouth intercepts, but the defender can't control it, and the Stallion swoops in. From there it's a one on one, and he's not going to lose that one after missing an easy shot earlier in the game! 2-0

42 - Terrible job of marking. :( 2-1

We'll keep this going for now.

48 - He's tired and just had a terrible pass, so off goes Yeoman and on comes Guedioura.

71 - Fabulous game by Wickham but he's running out of steam, so Ben Nunn comes in at DL, with Sanchez moving to DM and slidings for Sharpe and Bangura

75 - Uhoh. Knock for Gracco

81 - Oh how awesome! Parmenter tackles the Portsmouth midfielder, gets up, runs and gets the ball, and threads it to Gracco. Knock or no, our superhero striker surges through and bangs it home!!! 3-1

And it's ours! Terrible game by Guedioura in the second half though, no matter what the 7 rating was, and Nunn's debut 6.5 did not excite. What does excite? How about Gracco and his 8.8 Player of the Match performance, Parmenter's 7.8, and of course Wickham's 7.9?

Oh, I forgot to mention, since I missed it in the news items, Parmenter did sign that contract extension, and for the same salary as he's making this year, with a little bit of finagling on my part.

So here's the good news. With the win, we have a game in and 2 points ahead of Mansfield, though they're still 2 ahead of us on goal differential. We also have a 7 point buffer and a game in hand on 4th place.

Here's the bad news. 3rd place Forest Green has a game in hand as well, and with a win get to 69 points, which would leave us with only a 1 point lead if we lose our game in hand.

And the horrific news? Gianluca Gracco is out 6 to 7 weeks, and his 7.55 average rating is the highest in the entire league, in addition to his 20 goals. Lewis Taaffe, our other starting striker, has 9 goals, and between them, they have 29 of our 62 goals.

And we have just two days left to the transfer window close

Good Trains
Sergio Sanchez
Samuel Bangura
Taylor Parmenter

Bad Trains
Dale Binns

I finish in 2nd to Altrincham's boss for Manager of the Month voting, and Mansfield finished 3rd. Frankly, I think that's a bit of rob job for Mansfield.

We're still bleeding money, losing $55k last month.

AFC Telford, a Blue Square North side, fucking steals a striker from us that we were just about to land on a season-long loan.

Fortunately, we're able to get two key season long loans in 23 year old striker Jake Reed and 20 year old DM Kieran Martin. The latter could in fact be a long-term starting defensive midfielder if I can transfer him, and almost thought about that instead of a loan, but wanted to make sure we control our finances.

Gianluca Gracco is in the Team of the Week, a bittersweet accolade.

Max Crocombe gets yet more praise for how hard he's working in training.

vs Lincoln (18th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Jake Reed
ST Ashley Yeoman

Note that Yeoman is at 87%. That's how bad a shape we're in up front, even with grabbing Reed on loan. Our only hope? Fucking survive. Oh yeah, Lincoln brought in 8, yes *8* transfers at the deadline, the busiest by far.

15 - Yellow for Sharpe

33 - Yellow for Reed. Also both our strikers are at 77% energy. This is not good at all.

35 - And there's Crocombe out too early. Ugh. 0-1

39 - Yellow for Yeoman. That's both our strikers now with a yellow, BTW. AND tired. And just... fuckity fuck fuck.

Yeah, this game had fucking trap all over it. I yank McNish for Hoban, on the playing like shit principle.

60 - Yellow for Bangura

62 - Martin pounds the ground with his fist after a fuck up play and well he should. Off he goes for Clucas.

90 - Wide open shot for Parmenter and he shanks it.

Completely fucking unexcusable for this pissant turd of a game. I don't give a fuck the striker situation you do not fucking lose at half to a motherfucking relegation candidate team fucking loading up the god damned fucking bus with 8 fucking new transfers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY A FUCKING TELEVISED GAME! :rant:

I make the bold claim just before our biggest game of the season that I see us as the title favorites.

vs Mansfield (2nd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Jake Reed
ST Nabil Guedioura

Just realized Bangura at DL and Sharpe at DC gives us the strongest lineup. Nobody is giving us a chance in hell of winning this one, and nor should they. Thing is, we lose here, and we're out of the #1 spot.

12 - Yellow for Sanchez

We're playing extremely tense, but manage to get out of the first half with a tied scoreline. Clucas comes on for Martin at the break, who has played like ass his first two games.

46 - Well, that'll make things a lot easier. Double yellow for some Smith on their side, and we now have essentially a full half of the power play.

64 - I'm tired of watching Sharpe suck shit out there, so Bangura moves down, and Nunn hops in.

77 - While Clucas gets a yellow, I'm really here to mention how we have a fucking man advantage and yet they've had 80 million shots with only 10 guys and we can't even get a fucking one out there

We'll take the point, at this point. Bangura wins PotM with a 7.4 - that's how uninspired this game was. Oh, and get this... I now find out that Jake Reed hasn't scored in 20 matches. No wonder our striker showings have been such shoddy shit.

10 games left. We're in first place by 2 points, 4 points ahead of 3rd, and 7 points still keeps us in the promotion playoffs. By the way we've officially clinched that we can't relegate no matter what we do, so that's good at least.

If we can just hang on until March, Lewis Taaffe should be back by then, and another couple weeks for our hero, our champion, our everything, Gianluca Gracco.

I only hope we're not out of the title race by then.

Izulde

02-16-2014, 09:19 PM

That draw broke our attendance record again, this time going from 881 to 910, so an appreciable jump.

@Dover (14th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST Nabil Guedioura

Things are starting to improve on the injury front, and I just have we have the Skillz to defeat Dover at Crabble.

20 - Sketchy offsides call to negate a goal for us.

We've been in control, but largely playing terrible, if that makes sense. Time to light a halftime fire under them. Clowes is freaked out by the ripping, so I move Bangura to the left side and insert Reid.

64 - Reed on for Guedioura

82 - Knock for Bangura

Both defenses played a sensational game in this one other than the iffy disallowed goal, so yeah, we should have gotten the win here by that margin. It's that kind of game again where Clucas' 7.4 is good enough for Player of the Match.

More injuries, as Samuel Bangura is out 4 to 5 weeks. We've had a terrible rash of them at the worst part of the year, and to key players to boot. Fortunately, Mansfield drew at home vs Portsmouth so we're still leading the league.

...Um, what?

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/fuckthefa_zps42f30778.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/fuckthefa_zps42f30778.jpg.html)

Fuck the FA!

@Hereford (21st)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Ben Nunn
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST Nabil Guedioura

42 - Yeah, because we don't have enough fucking problems with striker injuries and injuries overall, Yeoman takes a knock.

43 - We're taking a lot of long, useless shots because I'm not able to give instructions. And the relegation likely cows should've scored here, but shank it. Fuck the FA.

60 - Terrible pass by Crocombe and though I swear the fucker was offsides, they fucking score. 0-1

What a pathetic fucking game. All of our shots were long-range, so if my Work the Ball into the Box instruction was on, we would've won this one.

We still hold on to first place, but now Wrexham is just a point behind us.

Guess what? Ashley Yeoman is fucking out another god damned 6 to 7 fucking weeks. Fuck the injury rash

Ian Gay tells me to rip Hereford's poor pitch to the media to make our players feel less responsible for that shitstain loss. Good idea, so I do, and mock the Cows' manager while I'm at it.

In happier news, Lewis Taaffe is finally back to full training.

Good trains
Tom Sharpe
Sergio Sanchez
Courtney Harris

Bad trains
Max Crocombe
Brad Varney

We lost $22.8k last month.

vs Ebbsfleet (13th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Nabil Guedioura

Gracco should be back by next game, as he started training again just before this contest.

1 - It's so good to have one of our best strikers back. McNish passes it to Taaffe, who I think is going to shoot, but instead he makes the brilliant move to pass it to the other side of the post where a running Clucas is there to literally walk it in. 1-0

6 - Parmenter gets into a back and forth with a defender in the box, by gets the last steal and passes it to Taaffe, who shoots it in like he didn't just miss a month and a half of soccer! 2-0

30 - McNish chases down a loose ball on the left flank and crosses it to the far post. Charging like a bull, Harris makes a Goldberg-Spear style header at the goal and it's in! 3-0

33 - Long-range free kick goal. 3-1

35 - Are you fucking kidding me right now?! A knock for McNish :banghead:

Hoban on for McNish at the half because there's no way I'm going to risk it getting even worse than it already is.

49 - Yellow for Clowes

71 - A poor pass back allows Guedioura to steal the ball, dash forward, and shoot... ...and it bounces off, but he sticks with it, gets a second chance opportunity and makes it!! 4-1

72 - With the game now well in hand, I can sit Taaffe and put it in Reed.

Prior to this smashing victory, we'd only had 1 win in the last 5 games, so this was a crucial get. Clucas wins Player of the Match with an 8.5 rating and it's 7.8 for Harris, 7.6 for Parmenter, 7.7 for Guedioura, and 8.2 for Taaffe. Been a while since we've seen lines like that.

Gainsborough and Colwyn Bay are officially relegated. Sure fucking enough, Callum McNish is out 5 to 6 weeks. UGH!

We're now tied on goal differential with Mansfield, but are only 2 points ahead of them, and still just 1 point ahead of Wrexham. 4 ahead of Portsmouth and 5 ahead of Forest Green. We're also 10 points ahead of 6th place Exeter with 7 games left to play, so while we have no room for error in terms of winning this thing, we do have a buffer for promotion playoffs.

But of course, I want the trophy now that we've come this far.

Izulde

02-16-2014, 09:21 PM

Rightfully deserved that Lewis Taaffe makes it to the Team of the Week. He should have won Player of the Match, because his return instantly sparked us.

@Colwyn Bay (Relegated)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Ben Nunn
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Kieran Martin
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Jake Reed

Always dangerous to be on the road to a team that has absolutely nothing to lose.

11 - On his first game back, Gracco fakes out the opposition and passes to the left post, where Martin's all alone and comes in for the cool shot and goal. 1-0

34 - Pressure by Reed causes an Own Goal for Colwyn Bay. What an absolute disaster this season has been for them. 2-0

41 - Gracco patrols outside the box before passing it to Hoban, who, by the way I got ridiculed for saying he was my replacement pick for McNish, and the Romanian himself did not feel worthy... anyway, he centers it, and Reed kicks the ball through a seam to put it in and finally end his goal drought! 3-0

Yeah let's just keep this going for now.

74 - We'll victory lap it with Binns in at ML and Solkhon at DR, Reid moving up to MR

89 - Yellow for Nunn

7.8 for Sanchez, 7.5 for Nunn, 7.6 for Clucas, 8.2 for Player of the Match Martin, 8.0 for Reed

Upset loss for Wrexham means we're now 2 points ahead of Mansfield and even on goal differential with them, 4 points up on Wrexham, 5 on Forest Green, 7 on Portsmouth, and 12 on 6th place, which has now changed hands with Macclesfield. 6 more games to go and we're getting closer to locking up at least playoffs.

De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale comes back on loan from Gloucester. He made 12 appearances, scored 2 goals, and had a 6.54 rating. But he goes right back out on loan for 2 months to Klingstonian in the Blue Square South.

Youth Candidates
Only two guys worth talking about - MR Leigh Wade, who could turn into a pretty good player, and ST Jason O'Dea, who won't get a contract because we're loaded with striker prospects as it is.

@Exeter (7th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Jake Reed

Going to be a tough fight, but an important one. Well, every game from here on out is important, but winning here greatly damage their playoff promotion hopes while hopefully coming close to securing our own spot.

4 - Their goalie has nervous hands with the ball and we've already had numerous shots at it in two highlights. This one sees us with three different chances on rebounds before Clucas finally gets it in. 1-0

13 - Yellow for Clucas

42 - Fucking ugh. 1-1

We've been the better team by far, but that fucking stupid late allowance screwed things up. Reed is having a terrible game, so he's pulled for Guedioura.

54 - What the fuck kind of shot was that, Harris?! Great pass from Clucas and you should have DESTROYED THE GOAL, not fucking kicked it right at the fucking keeper!!

56 - WTF Hoban?!?! Guedioura sets it up perfectly for you and you do the same fucking thing as Harris just did?!?!

57 - There's some crazy hockey-style mugging of our boys going down in the box and finally the ref calls the penalty. Exeter's wigging out but it's well deserved. My boy Crocombe calmly jogs over from our goal and blasts it in for the lead! 2-1

82 - Unfuckingbelievable, and yes I actually just fucking shouted that at my god damned fucking screen. Sanchez misses a jumper and they hit the long range goal. 2-2 Out goes Clowes for Nunn

NO SHIT WE FEEL WE MIGHT HAVE WON THIS FUCKING GAME! :rant: :mad: :rant:

And yep, we just fucking lost the top spot to Mansfield on fucking goal differential 1 fucking goal differential

Want to know what's even better? Taylor Parmenter is out 4 weeks a week later

Exeter breaks Luton Town's FA Trophy streak. Look at all the fucks I do not give.

Jordan Smith goes on loan to Bath. We bring in MLR Christian Nanetti on loan just as a stopgap measure at the deadline.

vs Chester (19th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Kieran Martin
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

We need a win here, and should expect one.

1 - Yellow for Gracco

36 - We're playing sloppy, with awful passing and finishing. Disgusting. Yellow for Sanchez here, by the way.

43 - Oh look, another fucking knock for Gracco like WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MOTHERFUCKING STRIKING INJURIES YOU FUCKING WHORE'S GET OF A GAME! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

A lot of halftime shuffles - Guedioura on for Gracco, Sanchez to DM, Bangura to DC, and Reid at DR, with Martin going off.

70 - Remember last game when Hoban fucked up an easy goal? Well, here he redeems himself by getting first to an open ball in the six yard box following a deflection and kicking it in. 1-0

Our play improved dramatically in the second half, and though it was an ugly one with Sharpe's Player of the Match-winning 8.0 the lone highlight, we got the 3 points and secure ourselves a playoff spot.

Gianluca Gracco is out 4 to 5 weeks :banghead: :rant: :banghead: :rant: :rant: :rant:

940 people attended that match against Chester, breaking our attendance record again.

We're still in 2nd, still behind on 1 fucking goal differential. Also still 4 points up on Wrexham, 6 on Forest Green, and 8 on Portsmouth with 4 to play.

Elvis Hammond[/b and [b]Aaron Cooke are retiring at the end of the season - Hammond from playing and Cooke from being our physio.

Good trains
Courtney Harris
Nabil Guedioura
Elvis Hammond

Bad trains
Dale Binns
Lewis Taaffe
Elliott James

I finish second in Manager of the Month voting to Mansfield, which makes sense.

We lost $45.1k last month.

vs Gainsborough (Relegated)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Ben Nunn
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Ryan Woodford
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Christian Nanetti
MR Izak Reid
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Nabil Guedioura

We have to manage this very carefully, because we have Forest Green two days after this, so after a lot of thought, this is the lineup I'm going to go with.

10 - Yellow for Clucas

16 - Guedioura passes it to Taaffe[/b, who elects for a spin move and pass back to Clucas. A half-circle pass later, Nanetti's got the surprise shot and score on his debut! 1-0

22 - Clucas to Guedioura to Taaffe and GOAAAAAL!!! 2-0

33 - Clucas steals the ball in the box and kicks it in for the goal and temporary possession of first place!!! 3-0

Every goal matters right now, so we're not going to let up at all.

50 - Bangura bangs a long ball that I think is a goal kick, but no it's a perfect pass to Reid! The follow-up is a center to Guedioura who waits to set himself, then kicks it home!!!! 4-0

78 - Want to know why I haven't made any subs? Because we're fucking kicking ass, and here's Reid on the right wing making a second straight beautiful pass to Guedioura who is full of confidence and fire right now and snags his second goal of the game. 5-0

Statement.fucking.win.

How dominant? 7.2, 7.6 and 7.8 are the lowest ratings.

8+ Ratings
Nabil Guedioura - 9.5 (Player of the Match)
Seanan Clucas - 8.6
Izak Reid - 8.3
Lewis Taaffe - 8.2
Christian Nanetti - 8.1
Ben Nunn - 8.0

Wrexham secures a playoff spot and Stockport is relegated.

3 games left. +2 GD advantage on Mansfield. Still 4 points ahead of Wrexham. We can finish no worse than 4th, and with another win, we're no worse than 3rd.

vs Forest Green (4th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Kieran Martin
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Jake Reed

Taaffe is only at 87%, but we've shown that our offense falls apart without either him or Gracco in there. A win here, and we lock up at least 3rd place. Draw or lose, and chaos starts happening.

6 - Yellow for Taaffe

26 - Broghammer, a guy I really, really wanted but couldn't bring because of money, scores on us. :( 0-1

31 - Yellow for Clucas

33 - Yellow for Sanchez

43 - Yellow for Reed

44 - Reed's forced off with injury and it's Guedioura in.

Look, we're playing like shit this half and I tear them new assholes over it. We're in 2nd place now because Mansfield and Wrexham are both winning, and fuck that shit.

66 - Yellow for Hoban and Nanetti goes on for him.

Clowes and Guedioura pick up yellows as well and fuck this game. We got fined $2.1k for 7 players receiving yellows? FUCK YOU, ASSHOLES! IT WAS THE FUCKING COCKGOBBLING REFS THAT FUCKING SCREWED US!!!!

So remember that goal differential? Gone back to Mansfield and we're 3 points behind with 2 games left. Guess we're doing the fucking playoffs then.

Gianluca Gracco is shortlisted for BS Premier Player of the Year, but has no shot at winning.

@Woking (17th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Kieran Martin
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST Lewis Taaffe

We're almost back up to full strength, but at this point, it doesn't really matter. Our hopes of auto-promotion are all but dead.

7 - Fuck you, ref. We were onside.

9 - You can't call that McNish strike offsides, asshole. Long-range! 1-0

16 - Harris steals the ball inside the box after shadowing the defender for a long time, then passes it to the opposite post where Yeoman awaits the emphatic short goal. 2-0

28 - We're playing angry now. Taaffe's on the right wing and he centers it for a sliding Yeoman to literally tackle the ball in for his second goal of the game. 3-0

36 - Yellow for Bangura

As of the half, Forest Green and Wrexham are both losing. We're only 1 point ahead of Wrexham going into this one, and 5 ahead of FUFG. So with a win and losses by both of them, we can secure 2nd place.

43 - Yellow for Clucas, which means he won't be playing in the last game. Ouch.

49 - Beautiful booming kick by Bangura to Taaffe, but he's rapetackled in the box for the clear penalty. Woking laughably thinks it isn't, but it so is, and Yeoman's given the chance for a hat trick here.... and he converts! 4-0

56 - Another stupid pass by Crocombe. Should've cost a goal but didn't. Nanetti comes on for McNish.

58 - Yellow for Sanchez

86 - Ugh. And there's the double yellow for Clucas. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!

Minimum 7.2 for our starters, highlighted by Ashley Yeoman's 9.6 and Lewis Taaffe's 8.0.

Okay, here's the situation.

With one game left
Mansfield - 89 points - +47
Brackley - 88 points - +48
Wrexham - 87 points - +27

Scenarios in which Mansfield wins
Win in the final game
Tie with Brackley tie or loss
Brackley loss

Scenarios in which Brackley wins
Win and Mansfield tie or loss
Tie and Mansfield loss

Scenarios in which Wrexham wins
Win and Mansfield and Brackley losses

Seanan Clucas is banned for 2 games, so we really need to win and get some Mansfield help in the final game.

Nabil Guedioura is sent home with a virus. He's done for the season, I think.

Samuel Bangura and Max Crocombe are praised for their training results.

@Macclesfield (6th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Kieran Martin
DM Taylor Parmenter
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Ashley Yeoman
ST Lewis Taaffe

Well, we sure as shit didn't get any favors in the final game draw. Mansfield is at Forest Green and Wrexham has the easiest matchup of all at Braintree. The other two teams have opponents with nothing to play for. We have a squad that can still get into the promotion playoffs by beating us.

It's all down to this. Let's go. We're not favored, so I tell the team just to relax.

We have several opportunities in the first half, but just miss converting any of them. Not that it matters because Mansfield is having an easy time of it against Forest Green with a 2-0 lead at the break.

51 - I forgot Wrexham can leapfrog us with a win. They're doing so now, up 1-0.

62 - Nanetti on for McNish. Mansfield's up 3-0 now and will win the league.

68 - Yellow for Clowes

77 - Nunn on for Clowes and Reed on for Yeoman.

81 - They blow a surefire goal.

84 - Harris with the beautiful juke move and the just rightly placed angled shot for the late lead to push us back up into 2nd 1-0

87 - We win a penalty appeal, but Crocombe has his first missed PK of the year... then Taaffe roars in for the rebound and sends it home!!! 2-0

88 - Reed plays a fabulous ball for Taaffe and the one on one is no problem! 3-0

8.8 for obvs PotM Taaffe, 8.0 for Harris and 7.6 for Sanchez.

Unfortunately it wasn't enough, as Mansfield also won 3-0, and we lose auto-promotion by a single fucking point.

Oh, it gets better. We draw Portsmouth as our opponent in the playoffs - you know? The team I tried to leave Brackley for?

Fellow promoters from last season Dorchester drop on the last game of the year.

Courtney Harris gets praised for his training efforts

@Portsmouth (Playoff Leg 1)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Kieran Martin
DM Taylor Parmenter
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Jake Reed
ST Lewis Taaffe

Nobody, and I mean nobody, gives us a shot in this one, and for the first time in a long time, I think they're right to doubt us. Don't forget, they have the deadly Ashley Harris at striker, who is the one player in this league that scares me.

2 - Yep. Ashley Harris. 0-1

5 - OMFG GOD DAMN SON OF A BITCH ROBBED BY THE MOTHERFUCKING PUNK BITCHASS POST!!!!

13 - Yellow for Reed

39 - Fuck this. We're done. 0-2

44 - Reed steals the ball and crosses to Taaffe, who does his cool spin move and scores to give us a lifeline 1-2

Look, the goal was great, but a fluke. We're overall sucking out there. Bangura doesn't respond to my talk, and he's at a 5.9, so he's out for Nunn.

50 - 30 yard rainbow from Sharpe to Taaffe, and one on ones go in our favor a lot of the time. They do here and we've fought our way back!!! 2-2

51 - They answer immediately, but it's an offsides answer, so there!

56 - Sanchez is still having a shit day (5.8), so Nunn moves to DL, Clowes and Sharpe slide one down, and Reid replaces our vice-captain.

78 - Easy shot, and Reed blows it, his nerves getting the best of him.

Should've won, should've won, should've won. But we'll take the clean slate draw escape.

By the way, 15,148 fans showed up for that Portsmouth game, which is a Blue Square Premier record, breaking the 11,065 record set by Oxford in 2006. That's what happens when you have a former Premier League team in your conference.

A capacity sellout crowd of 4,000 is expected for the second game, with 1,000 of them Portsmouth fans

Whoever wins, we'll be facing Wrexham, who won 3-2 aggregate over Forest Green, which is good. I feel like FG is a tougher matchup for us.

vs Portsmouth (Second leg)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Kieran Martin
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

Note: There may be errors in previous lineups as I copy/paste and sometimes forget to write all changes. This is correct, though, and this is right here. McNish and Taaffe are at 88% each, but you dance with who brought you here, and our hero Gracco is back.

Everyone is still favoring Portsmouth.

26 - FUCKING BLOODY FUCKING HELLL DO NOT FUCKING LEAVE ASHLEY HARRIS WIDE FUCKING OPEN YOU FUCKREJECTS!w!!!!!! 0-1

I fucking scream at the team and yank Bangura and McNish for Reid and Nanetti.

70 - What a fucking waste of a god damned season. Fucking Taaffe shanks an open fucking goal.

83 - Hot potato in the box as Martin passes it to Gracco who defers to Taaffe, but our other striker doesn't like anything either so he hotfoots it to Nanetti, who scorches it home!!! 1-1

And we're on to extra time!

Nobody scores in extra time, though each side gets a couple opportunities, and it's down to a penalty shootout.

Portsmouth makes first 1-0

Crocombe does his part 1-1

Of course Ashley Harris scores 1-2

Goal for Taaffe 2-2

Portsmouth perfect still 2-3

Gracco gets goal 3-3

4 for 4 Portsmouth 3-4

Close one, but Martin gets it in! 4-4

Flawless five for five for Portsmouth 4-5

Harris keeps this thing going! 5-5

Unstoppable Portsmouth 5-6

Netting Nanetti!!! 6-6

PORTSMOUTH'S SHOT HITS THE BAR!!!!!

Now it's all up to Tom Sharpe... AND HE HITS IT!!!! WE'RE ON TO THE FINAL ROUND!!!!!!!!!!

7.6 for Sanchez as we were damned, damned lucky to win that and advance. Bet Portsmouth is wishing they'd paid the compensation to land me now.

Obviously that 4,000 people sellout smashed our attendance record and we got $75k in receipts, which destroyed our previous takings record of $24k in that monster upset of Oldham in the FA Cup 1st round last season. To put this in perspective that one game is equal to what we take in about 2-3 months

Taylor Parmenter is praised for his training work as is Max Crocombe.

Good Trains
Sergio Sanchez
Elvis Hammond
Dale Binns

Bad Train
Christian Nanetti

The board is willing to offer me a one year contract worth $66k a year. I don't like that number, and I think if we go up to League 2, we're automatically turning professional, so I'll reject it for now.

Nabil Guedioura's training draws praise and he's up to a 2* player now in current ranking. He started off the season as a 1*.

Manchester City wins the FA Cup. Dorchester, Gainsborough, and much to my amusement Chester all fire their managers.

Wrexham (FA Final)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

This is it. Everything riding on this game. Wrexham is pretty heavily favored, and there should be around 38,000 people in the Wembley Stadium seats.

Time to head on out and see how this goes.

4 - Gracco and McNish with rocket pass 1-2s and the Italian Stallion gallops through the defense and shoots a laser right into the goal!!!!! 1-0

44 - Gracco has had a couple shots since then, but nothing doing. Before the game I debated a long time over whether to start Clucas or Martin. That's relevant here because Taaffe passes to Harris, who lovely threads it to Clucas... ....who bangs it in the upper corner for the insurance goal right before the break!!!!! 2-0

45 minutes. That's all that stands between us and promotion.

61 - It wouldn't be Crocombe if he didn't put my heart in my throat with a stupid fucking pass, but Sharpe bails him out.

74 - Gracco can't convert on the great opportunity Taaffe gives him.

78 - 12 minutes away and we should probably think about shutting this into lockdown mode, but why? That's not the Brackley Town or the Izulde Jestor way. Instead, Yeoman and Reid go on for Gracco and Harris respectively. Unfortunately in that same moment, Lewis Taaffe own goals :eek: I feel sick. 2-1

87 - Sharpe is gangbanged and they score, but the ref wisely whistles the foul and disallows it.

AND WE'VE DONE IT!!!!! WE'RE GOING ON TO LEAGUE 2, WHICH I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER DONE IN FM!!!!!!!! CERTAINLY NEVER BACK TO BACK PROMOTIONS!!!!!

We slew the Injury Dragon who tried to kills, beat back all the damned naysayers who said all season long we weren't shit, and overcame Professional Portsmouth with their Premier League stadium!

7.9 for Player of the Match Sergio Sanchez, 7.7s for Clucas and McNish, and 7.5 for Gracco, as everyone secured a 7 or better in the most important for all the fucking marbles ever match of the year!

And it wasn't 36,000. It was 38,824!!!

Sure, $99k of our $210k money we just won had to be paid out in squad bonuses, but that still leaves $111k pouring into our coffers.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/League2_zps970dc87e.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/League2_zps970dc87e.jpg.html)

But that's not the best one... The sweetest news is this:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/Graccolove_zpsba828ee9.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/Graccolove_zpsba828ee9.jpg.html)

A lot of interesting stuff to report next time, but for now I'm just going to savor this one.

Izulde

02-16-2014, 11:49 PM

First, the following:

Dale Binns
------------
Favored: Ashley Yeoman

Leon Clowes
------------
Favored: Callum McNish, Ashley Yeoman

Luke Dixon
------------
Favored Club: Brackley
Favored: Ian Gay

Gianluca Gracco
------------
Favored: Callum McNish, Me

Claudiu Hoban
-------------
Favored: Me

Izak Reid
------------
Favored Club: Brackley
Favored: Callum McNish

Tom Sharpe
-----------
Favored Clubs: Nottingham Forest, Brackley
Favored: Me, Ashley Yeoman

Ryan Woodford
-----------
Favored: Me

Good thing I didn't ditch Ashley Yeoman, as he has a lot of friends on this team. Note: I only included those players who had Brackley as a favored club or a Brackley member as favored personnel. I did not not list the non-Brackley favored personnel because it wouldn't mean anything.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/Promoleague2stats_zps5f3da5b2.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/Promoleague2stats_zps5f3da5b2.jpg.html)

To put some of these numbers in perspective:

Gianluca Gracco
Tied for 7th in Goals - 21
Tied for 5th in Player of the Match - 8
2nd in Shots on Target - 58%
14th in Average Minutes/Goal - 123.9*
Tied for 1st in Offsides - 47
3rd in Average Rating - 7.49

* - Note Nanetti was right behind him, but since that was a late season loan, I'm not counting it, no matter how huge he came up for us.

Max Crocombe
Tied for 1st with 3 others in PKs made
Tied for 1st in Team Goals - 89
Tied for 2nd in Games Won - 28
19th in Pass Completion - 82%
1st in Shutouts - 20 (2nd place had 18)

Sergio Sanchez
Tied for 5th in Team Goals - 85
Tied for 8th in Games won - 26
Tied for 5th in Cross Completion - 50%
17th in Average Rating - 7.3

Tom Sharpe
13th in Games won - 24
Tied for 19th in Team Goals - 76

Courtney Harris
Tied for 19th in Team Goals - 76
5th in Distance Covered - 312.7 miles
1st in Distance Covered/90 minutes - 8.1 miles

Seanan Clucas
Tied for 3rd in Yellow Cards - 13
Tied for 1st in Red Cards - 2
5th in Tackles/Game - 5.97

Taylor Parmenter
3rd in Tackles/Game - 6.14

Callum McNish
11th in Distance Covered/90 minutes - 7.9 miles

Lewis Taaffe
9th in Key Passes - 40
Tied for 20th in Average Rating - 7.28

Gives you a good sense of who our key players were, I think. Note that I only listed Top 20 rankings

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/FinalStandings_zps55743f7b.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/FinalStandings_zps55743f7b.jpg.html)

Portsmouth averaged 7,234 fans this season to set a new BS Premier record.

Final Training Results - Good
Max Crocombe
Sergio Sanchez
Courtney Harris

Final Training Results - Bad
Stevland Angus
Elvis Hammond (Retiring anyway)
Izak Reid
Dale Binns
Christian Nanetti

The board's spending $232,000 to add 1,175 seats to the stadium as part of the terrace conversion as per League 2 requirements.

How the fuck do you get promoted as a relegation team and your manager doesn't even finish third in the Manager of the Year voting? That's some serious disrespectful bullshit.

I don't mind losing to Mansfield's Paul Cox. He deserved it. But to fucking vote Gateshead and Forest Green 2nd and 3rd when we finished 2nd in the league and were supposed to be dropped is a fucking slap to the face. Fuck all you assholes in the league.

We get a new one year uniform sponsorship deal. This one is worth $12k compared to last year's $8k, so it's a slight improvement at least.

The new wage budget is set $550k and $0 transfer budget.

The board realizes that only offering me a $2k raise after promoting is an insult, so they come back with a two year, $77k per deal, or a $17k raise plus extra job security, but I think we have to turn professional so I'm going to hold out a little while longer.

We made $133k last month, due largely to our prize money, and it's enough to actually make us stable.

Ian Gay got his B-Class license. Yay Ian!

The board is now offering me only a $66k a year, 2 year deal. Fuck that. After some haggling they bump it up to their original $77k a year deal, but I'm so pissed off, I want $83k a year now, which they finally give in on.

Dropping From League 1 to League 2
Wycome, Bury, Carlisle, Scunthorpe

Naturally we win Overachievers for BS Premier.

And naturally, Gianluca Gracco is voted Fans' Player of the Year.

New Overall 11 Players
Samuel Bangura
Gianlucca Gracco
Nabil Guedioura
Courtney Harris
Lewis Taaffe

All reserves, though Guedioura making it now is a weird choice.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/semiproalltime_zps7da36563.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/semiproalltime_zps7da36563.jpg.html)

The final semipro All-Time Brackley 11. That changes starting next season I *think*

Brackley given $524k in League 2 TV rights for next season. WOW!!!

And we officially go full-time. We also terminate the parent link to Oxford now that we're in the same league. Our scouting range is upgraded to include Ireland. Previously it was just the UK and more specifically England.

Transfer In - DM Kieran Martin (20) (Oxford)
Signed through 2019 with a $25k base salary on a fulltime contract, my very first one. I gave him what he wanted plus another year or two, I forget which, and he immediately signed on. Maybe I paid too much, but considering he did well for us, and it's so hard to find good defensive midfielders, I had to pull the trigger.

Transfer In - DMR Andy Yiadom (23) (Barnet)
Signed to a two year $48.5k/year part-time contract as I made the offer before we turned professional. He's immediately our best DR *and* MR, so what will probably happen is he takes over DR and Samuel Bangura moves to DL.

There's a lot of stuff to sort through and a greater plan of attack to be laid out, but for now, we've started laying the groundwork.

I will say that the board loves my signing of Kieran Martin back to the team, especially since we had no hope of getting Seanan Clucas back since he's under contract until the end of this year.

Oh, and team captain Brett Solkhon left after his contract expired. On the flip side, Ashley Yeoman is willing to stay or be offered a new contract. My staff still thinks Yeoman is our top striker by far, but the statistics just don't seem to bear that out. It'll be a tough choice in any case.

Goalkeeper Glance
It's still going to be Max Crocombe, though I think League 2 is the extent of his potential and his level. He can be decent here, but that's about it. So we might finally be seeing the end of the rainbow here.

Defender (Left)
We're okay here. Tom Sharpe and Samuel Bangura are both capable, and Leon Clowes is a capable option as well. Wouldn't mind getting another one here, but it's fine.

Defender (Center)
It's Sharpe and Sergio Sanchez as the starters, and it's clear that Clowes is going to serve the DLC reserve role that Stevland Angus played for us the last few seasons. Easily our strongest area.

Defender (Right)
As noted, Yiadom is the winner here, but Izak Reid has pretty much fallen to mediocre, so I'd like to potentially get yet more depth here.

Defensive Midfielder
We're okay at starters with Taylor Parmenter and Kieran Martin, but could use talent upgrade and depth, as it really falls off after them.

Midfielder (Left)
Callum McNish looks mediocre for the level, and depth is a screaming issue, as it's always been for us. I'd like to get a massive infusion and upgrade here, like what Yiadom was on the right side.

Midfielder (Right)
Courtney Harris will retain his spot, but like I said, Reid has dropped off, so the wing situation is going to be a concern.

Striker
The consensus is that Gianluca Gracco has maxed out his ability and at best he'll be average here. The Ashley Yeoman love is still strong as I've noted and they don't particularly like Lewis Taaffe, so this is going to be an area we need to take a long look at.

Synopsis
Goalie
Defensive midfield
Midfield (Left)
Striker

in terms of starting

and

Defender (R)
Midfield (LR)
Defensive midfield

in terms of depth

Izulde

02-17-2014, 05:15 AM

Ultimately I release Ashley Yeoman, Aaron Wickham, and Liam Priestley.

We get an additional jersey sponsorship - 5 years worth $2.5k a year.

Fulltime Extensions
Samuel Bangura - 2019 - $33.5k
Leon Clowes - 2019 - $20.5k
Max Crocombe - 2018 - $33k
Gianluca Gracco - 2019 - $39k
Callum McNish - 2019 - $38k
Sergio Sanchez - 2019 - $35.5k
Tom Sharpe - 2019 - $38k

Probably paid too much or went too long on some of these guys, but I wanted to keep my core together for now. Courtney Harris is wanting to be the top money-earner and he isn't worth it, so he'll probably play elsewhere next season. We also couldn't agree to a deal with Taylor Parmenter and still aren't sure if Nabil Guedioura is worth it.

Transfer In - DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (19)
In addition to having one of the coolest names ever, JBB signs cheap - $9.25k base until 2019. Very raw right now and largely an injury cover, but he has enough upside that he's worth the cheap contract.

Transfer in - GK David Raya (19)
Extremely raw, but I see this Spanish keeper's ceiling as even higher than that of Crocombe's and he could eventually supplant our Kiwi as our top keeper. In fact, I'm going to make sure he gets some first team experience this year, because I'm high on him. Signed to a similar deal as JBB.

Transfer in - ST Alexandr Geynrih (30)
I broke the salary cap bank for this guy. $55k a year base and signed for 2 years, but this Uzbek who has 78 international caps and 20 goals to his credit is the single greatest player ever to pull on a Brackley jersey. I had to get a work permit for this guy. He only speaks Russian and Uzbek though, which could be an issue.

We have only scant room in the budget now, so we're going to sit tight and roll with what we have, maybe try and find some guys on loan.

This is what happens when you're the boss of bosses.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/newparentteam_zps51d01a9a.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/newparentteam_zps51d01a9a.jpg.html)

Let's see what comes up. I canceled the link with Leamington, by the way. No sense in feeding to a scrub team like that. We'll look for a better one.

By the way, our new super striker spent a year in South Korea. Didn't pick up even basic Korean while he was there, but oh well.

@ Maidenhead (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Alexandr Geynrih

Only two new guys in our starting lineup, but there's still a long ways to go before they're fully familiar with our style of play. A little disappointed the familiarity bar is so low, to be honest. I then realize I haven't signed a Physio yet. Oops.

3 - Yeah, you think this guy's going to rock? Geynrih has a beaut of a long-range shot that he made look easy. 1-0

9 - Martin gets hurt

23 - Shit. Now Geynrih is knocked

24 - What the fuck? Now Gracco's hurt?!

So let's recap. We're barely beating a Blue Square N/S side and our two strikers and a starter at the thinnest position are all hurt. Yeah. Screw listing subs because it's preseason.

The second half was all about us missing easy shots for goal and just LOLbad.

Alexandr Geynrih is called up for international duty for July 25th and 30th.

vs Southend (Friendly)
GK David Raya
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Jordan Smith
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Luke Dixon
DM Keanan Martin
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Izak Reid
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale

Yep, I'm giving the kids a chance to shine in this one, since it's on short rest.

20 - Hohum 0-1

Knocks for Guedioura and Barnum-Bobb before the half. I have to say, despite the allowed goal, Raya is quietly impressing me.

46 - Showing the n00bz how it's done, Sanchez strips the ball, Reid gains possession and passes it way down the middle for Taaffe, and a goal hits the nets. 1-1

66 - Welp. 1-2

I'm not mad about losing to Southend. We had a scrub lineup out there and though they're a BS Premier team this season after dropping, they have a long history as a League 1/2 team with a 6 year run in the Championship in the 90s, as well as a fluke reappearance there in 2006/07.

Wow. We have to register 25 players. As it turns out, it's not a problem because we have a lot of U21 guys. In fact, we barely have enough to make the minimum 15, leaving 10 spots open.

Speaking of open slots, we have an open coach slot and that goes to Mark Noon, who we lock up through 2019, and who is easily the best coach we've ever had. We also get the best physio we can, and lock him up for 2019 as well.

Max Crocombe said he wants the #1, so I give it to him.

vs Brentford (Friendly)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Seanan Clucas
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Nabil Guedioura

By the way, Guedioura has gone from basic English to fluent English

23 - I meant to start Crocombe but accidentally left Raya still in. Anyway, Parmenter kicks it back to Bangura on the left wing, and a long, precise pass into the six yard box is perfect for Guedioura to just stroll it in. 1-0

42 - Caught napping. 1-1

55 - Hmmm. 1-2

56 - K. 1-3

68 - Guess who won't be losing his starting job anytime soon? 1-4

Now granted, that was a League 1 side we just played, but still.

Our feeder options aren't great. Team Northumbria has only been around since 1999 and are amateur, with a 1,000 seat stadium. Carshalton Athletic is at least semipro with an 8,000 seat stadium and a long history, so I'll recommend them.

International Update
Alexandr Geynrih scores a hat trick for Uzbekistan in a 4-0 smashing of the Philippines. Great work! Evidently a World Cup Asian Qualifying Match too.

And it is Carshalton who becomes our feeder.

@Tamworth (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Sergio Sanchez
DM Keiran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Nabil Guedioura

If we can't even beat a BSN team, we may as well pack it in for the season.

4 - Harris bloops it for Gracco, who somehow gets the angle to drop into the goal. 1-0

32 - Clowes with the solo shot just inside the box and I'm feeling a bit better. 2-0

90 - Taaffe makes a great feed to Taylor-Crossdale for a nice capping score. 3-0

Gianluca Gracco gets hurt again, but this time he's only out 2 weeks.

One more friendly to go, but I'll wait until later to play that out.

Izulde

02-17-2014, 07:13 PM

Uzbekistan beats the Philippines on aggregate, winning their second game 2-1, although Alexandr Geynrih didn't have the greatest game, so my guess that means they're on to the third round.

Farnborough and Wealdstone want De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale on loan, with Farnborough offering 6 months loan. DTC is 5th on our strikers list, so I'm okay with that.

Staines and Solihull Moors want Jordan Smith on loan, with my former club wanting 6 months loan. Yeah that one I'm not so sure about, as while Smith is 6th in our list, that includes DMs, so I'm going to decline.

Good Trains
Taylor Parmenter
Luke Dixon

Bad Trains
Stevland Angus
Izak Reid

No parent club for us, unfortunately.

vs Yeovil (Friendly)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Izak Reid
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Keiran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Lewis Taaffe
ST Nabil Guedioura

Neither side can get anything on target in the first half, so we're all square at the break.

63 - Fluke goal. 0-1

74 - I'm beginning to regret approving his loan because Taylor-Crossdale just make a splendid pass to Hammond for an equalizing goal 1-1

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with our tying a League 1 team in preseason.

We made a $101k profit last month, due largely to season ticket sales.

Last season (BSP): $18 ticket price $285 season tickets $190k value Semi-professional Insecure Finances Local Reputation 3013 seat stadium to 4000 by season's end
This season: (L2): $24 ticket price $418 season tickets $675k value Professional Okay Finances Local Reputation

3537 seats are available right now until our expansion is done on November 15th. 1175 terrace seat conversion project is planned, but we'll see if that makes our stadium bigger.

Anyway, you can see how jumping to League 2 and turning professional has skyrocketed us from a financial standpoint.

My reputation turned Regional after we got to Blue Square Premier and it's still there.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/facilities_zps6fa55afc.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/facilities_zps6fa55afc.jpg.html)

A lot of work to do in terms of our facilities, though. Let's see if we can get the training facilities improved. I'm turned down because they say there's not enough money yet. Which is true - we're almost $800k in debt, even though we only lost $3.5k last season. By the end of the year, we should have our debt down to $415k.

With Brett Solkhon now gone, we've decisions to make regarding our captaincy. My thinking is Sergio Sanchez and Gianluca Gracco, given that Sanchez has been the vice-captain the last two years and Gracco is our top player. Stevland Angus actually has the highest influence, but will almost never see the pitch, and Alexandr Geynrih has the same influence as Sanchez and is 30, but can't speak the language.

Ian Gay thinks Gracco should be captain and Sanchez vice-captain, but IMO the Spaniard deserves it over the Italian even though Gracco is 25 to Sanchez's 22.

My gut was right, as a lot of players commented how happy they were Sanchez was named captain, and Gracco is very happy at being named vice-captain. I anticipate Sanchez being our captain for a very long time.

Staines again come calling for Jordan Smith, this time for 5 months, and this time I okay it. My old employers also want Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and are willing to pay his entire salary, but that's not going to happen. Unlike Smith, who's stunk with the time he's been given, JBB has really done pretty well.

Transfer in - DM/DC Agustin Battipedi (24)
Another reason why I was willing to let Smith go on loan. The Argentinian can be a backup to both DM and DC (Also plays MC). 2 year, $20.8k is a little steep for someone who's strictly a backup, but it's a DM tax.

Alexandr Geynrih is being left off the Uzbek national team for the game against Laos, but he's okay with it.

vs Burton
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

You know we've hit the big time when we can now have 7 subs as opposed to 5. Also there's Homegrown designations now.

4 - Yellow for Geynrih

11 - Sure looked offsides to me. 0-1

15 - Sheesh. Crocombe looks really lost at this level 0-2

19 - Harris heads it to Taaffe, who kicks it in and we've got our first League 2 goal. 1-2

25 - Why oh why did I give Crocombe that extension? 1-3

43 - Missing easy goals like that doesn't help matters.

My entire backline is sporting sub 6s, which is inexcusable. McNish and Sharpe appears not to GAF, so on come Hoban and Clowes in their place.

83 - Parmenter stringshots a beauty to Harris who runs in open space into the middle of the box, then flicks it to the left where Geynrih is racing to hammer it home, which he does! 2-3

91 - Yellow for Parmenter

I'm proud of the way we battled back in the second half, even if we fell short. By the way, attendance was 1,545 which literally doubled our average attendance from last season I think

We sell 586 season tickets compared to 225 last season, so that's a huge leap too.

@Milwall (Capitol One Cup
GK David Raya
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Izak Reid
DM Agustin Battipedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Leigh Wade
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Jack Jeffery

Tanking the away Cup game at a League 1 side, you say? Yep.

17 - Own goal by Wade. Oops. 0-1

21 - Yep. 0-2

24 - Jeffery not only gets a yellow, he has to go off. LOL. I make McNish a MC and leave Guedioura as our lone striker up front.

Time to stop paying attention.

We go down 0-4 at the break but hold them scoreless the entire second half.

@Mansfield (16th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

If we want to get out of the drop this season, we need to win matches like these.

35 - Shit job by Crocombe to get to a ball. 0-1

There's only two teams relegated from League 2 every year, but damned if we don't look like one of them this season. Taaffe in for Gracco

60 - Tired of watching Yiadom's poor play. He hasn't done shit since he came here. On goes Reid.

63 - Sigh. 0-2

Going to be a very long season. We're 23rd after the first two games.

Izulde

02-18-2014, 02:59 AM

I've gotten mildly obsessed with this cover of "Let It Go"

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DAJYk1jOhzk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And it may be fitting if I end up fired because of how much we suck hobbit snot at this level.

vs Kidderminster (3rd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

5 - Yellow for Sanchez

29 - They should've scored there.

35 - ...and there. Thought they did but it just managed not to break the plane and Bangura blasts it out.

It's hard to know if it's simply a lack of talent, or if it's a system failure that we've been doing so poorly so far the first few games.

46 - Right as I say that, Geynrih's heading it to Taaffe after a beautiful Harris pass. Taaffe literally dribbles through the defense and the goalie to walk it in the goal. 1-0

61 - I didn't want to have to do this, but Martin in for Sanchez, who has been awful at DM and was directly responsible for what should've been a goal by our opponents.

70 - After a pause, I put in Reid for Harris to keep the freshness there.

71 - Our own shoulda, as Taaffe weak-sauces a header to the side of the goal.

They score late but it's called back due to offsides and we eke out a victory. 7.7 for Leon Clowes, who is PotM, and 7.4 for Taaffe. Yep, we're back down to that level of measurement.

Eastleigh wants Jack Jeffery on loan, but only as a backup. Screw that. I'm not going to lose the training we have here just for him to get a few scant games.

vs Accrington (6th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

0 - Oh wow! Harris makes a thunderous tackle, Gracco gets the loose ball and passes to Geynrih for the easy score. A flyer indeed, all the more dramatic since the Italian got his bell rung just seconds before the inciting tackle. 1-0

25 - A one on one for them and the guy shanks it totally.

38 - Harris takes a knock.

39 - Two straight clean sheets too much to hope for, I suppose. 1-1

43 - Yellow for Bangura

We've been doing okay. Yiadom and Harris come off with Reid at MR, Bangura at DR, and Clowes at DL.

57 - Reid flies it from the wing and I think the goalie's going to get there first, but then Geynrih does a diving header, falling to the ground as he nods it on... ... and it goes in!!! 2-1

68 - Did Gracco blow an easy goal? Yep, he did.

This right here is why I was willing to shell out $55,000 for a 30 year old who speaks no English. Geynrih naturally won PotM with his 2 goals and 8.8 rating. 7.6 for Gracco, 7.2 for Martin and 7.1 for Parmenter along with flat 7 for just about everyone else.

If it wasn't for our Uzbek, we don't get 3 points today and for a relegation candidate, every point matters. Just ask Southend and Grismby, whose 44 and 40 points saw them knocked down to BS Premier this season.

But it's our first win streak in League 2 and it's good enough for 12th. Right now every team in the league has at least 1 point, so it's great that we got those two narrow victories.

Izulde

02-18-2014, 06:20 PM

Alexandr Geynrih gets called up the Uzbek national team for September 4th and 8th games against India and Singapore.

@Carlisle (10th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

13 - 35 yard boomer by Yiadom lands in front of Harris who runs past his opponent and gets the 1 on 1... and the resulting shot is good! 1-0

23 - The opposing strikers are playing nervous and miss a chip shot here.

24 - Another nervy miss, even though they're beating us soundly. One thing I've noticed is that this game is having a ton more powerful tackles than I'm used to seeing, especially in the midfield.

Battipiedi on for Parmenter at the half. We've been playing better than I anticipated, but I expect they're going to finally break through in the second half. Parmenter's pissed about being pulled, but it's an energy issue. Sorry, dude.

60 - Yellow for McNish

71 - Hoban on for McNish

75 - That's... yep, offsides. Thought so. Our lead saved.

7.4 or higher for our entire backline and our goalie, capped off by Yiadom's 7.9 and PotM nod. 7.5 for Harris and Gracco, as everyone in the starting lineup posted 7 or better. 6.6 for Hoban is a little worrying, though, and our wing midfield depth still scares me.

Callum NcNish and Leigh Wade stand out in training but Elvis Hammond continues his decline.

The board's satisfied with me. We lost $17.8k last month. They love Alexandr Geynrih's signing, but are sad that Ashley Yeoman left. He landed on his feet nicely enough though, signing on with Boreham Wood for $90k a year. Sheesh. In 6 games, he's given them 3 goals and an average 6.54 rating. Not exactly what I would call ideal for that kind of money.

@Kidderminister (Johnstone's Paint Trophy)
GK David Raya
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Taylor Parmenter
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Izak Reid
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Lewis Taaffe

Since this is a winnable match, I'm not going to water down the lineup *too* much. Plus you have to figure Raya is due for a good game at some point.

1 - Damn. Knock on Parmenter

Both sides appeal for a penalty and both get turned down, so it's only fitting it's all square as we go into the locker room at half. Parmenter aggravated his injury so he needs to sit out the rest of the game IMO. That means Martin even though it's going to put us in dangerous position for our next L2 game.

53 - Wow!!! Taaffe steals the ball on a backwards pass and races all the way down the pitch with no one even coming close to catching him and he slams it past the keeper! I'd show the highlight but it cuts in after the steal. 1-0

68 - Ugh. Raya literally drops the ball and they score on the rebound. 1-1

No extra time in this one. Straight to the PK shootout!

Kidderminister makes it 0-1

Taaffe scores 1-1

Kidderminister does it again 1-2

Martin barely makes it 2-2

Sigh. 3 of 3. 2-3

Battipiedi has no problems 3-3

So close to a block, but just shy. 3-4

Hoban MISSES :(

And of course Kidderminster makes the final penalty to win the game and advance.

8.3 for Lewis Taaffe and PotM but this loss is solely on Raya's shoulders and I can't help myself from letting him know that, which greatly upsets him.

Wow. Kidderminister's players angrily call out their manager with how he treats them. Two of them did in fact. Taylor Parmenter is out 5-6 weeks, a crippling blow.

Damn damn damn. Should've just started Crocombe.

Izulde

02-19-2014, 02:26 AM

Mansfield added 11 players during the last transfer window. Sheesh. Shane Fagan is still whining about wanting first team soccer.

@Morecambe (24th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

18 - Opportunity after opportunity after opportunity and we miss, miss, miss... yet what happens on their first fucking offensive highlight? Yep, a fucking score. 0-1

42 - Favorable bounce for us keeps this a one score game.

We're playing terrible out there, and Martin gets all Eeyore on me during the halftime talk, so I put in Dixon

54 - Shit Crocombe pass = goal. 0-2

60 - Guedioura and Reid in for Gracco and Yiadom, both of whom have been fucking awful today.

82 - That kinda game. 0-3

Pathetic.

Uzbekistan destroys India 3-0, with Alexandr Geynrih getting a goal and posting a 7.5. The third round of qualifying is group play, and currently they're first in their group with India, China, and Singapore.

Bad game for Geynrih against Singapore (6.4), but Uzbekistan still wins 2-0, and they and China are in the early driver's seat for advancing to the Final Stage.

Geynrih and Harris make the Team of the Week.

vs Dag & Red (1st)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

38 - It's been a very quiet first half, with only one or two highlights thus far. Then there's this, with Martin passing to Battiepiedi and then on to Gracco for our Italian Stallion's first goal of the year six games in. 1-0

46 - McNish short-passes it to Geynrih, who lances it through an open hole of three defenders to Gracco. A short run later and a kick with a bit of loft to it, and we're looking in fantastic shape. 2-0

We're playing brilliantly and so far my new philosophy of switching keepers after one has a terrible game seems to be working out okay.

56 - Gracco pays back Geynrih with a beautiful pass and our Uzbek international star keeps the train running. 3-0

75 - Well, can't stop 'em all, kid. 3-1

76 - Of course, when you have a superior striker like Geynrih, and a good winger like Harris to get it to him, the occasional allowed goal is no problem. 4-1

77 - Terrible job defending that corner. 4-2

79 - Double yellow for one of their guys, which makes the comeback task that much harder.

Great win. 7.7 for Battiepiedi and Harris, and 9.3s for Gracco and Geynrih, the Uzbek beating the Italian for PotM honors.

Ian Gay praises Sergio Sanchez's development.

@Scunthorpe (21st)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

Smells like a classic trap game, on the road against a just dropped team who has yet to win at home this season.

14 - Battipiedi makes a sensational pass for Gracco who outpaces the four defenders closing down on him and strike its home for the goal. The fans are dancing in the stands! 1-0

25 - Damn near a repeat, but Gracco shanks the shot after getting it from Harris. It's just how he is.

39 - McNish runs down the wing and then centers where Geynrih is there to beat out the defender on the header battle! 2-0

44 - Yellow for Geynrih

Wow, what a fabulous first half!

48 - Yellow for Martin

54 - Dixon in for Martin, who has had a bad second half thus far.

61 - Bad positioning by everyone. :( 2-1

68 - Clowes in for Sharpe, the main culprit in the goal we just allowed.

92 - Lousy finish on a shoulda goal there, McNish. Clowes also picks up a late, late yellow.

8.0 for McNish, 7.8 for Gracco and 7.6 for Geynrih in a quite good result.

We're now up to 4th in the league through 8 games with 15 points. That's awesome, but it's still way early in the season, and even the drop zone guys have 5 points a piece.

Not gonna lie - I shudder to think where we'd be without Alexandr Geynrih. So far that gamble (we couldn't even scout him) has paid off in a huge way, as he ranks #8 in the league in overall rating.

Izulde

02-20-2014, 01:40 AM

@Oxford (10th)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

A chance for a real statement game here if we can beat our former parent club.

4 - Obvious offsides Oxford is obvious.

25 - No stopping that one. 0-1

41 - I love how well Gracco and Geynrih play off each other. Here, the Italian arcs it up to the far post where there's just enough hang time for the Uzbek to beat the keeper and equalize. 1-1

Bangura is having a garbage game so he comes off for Clowes at halftime.

60 - Taaffe on for an exhausted Gracco

83 - Caught not paying attention to the back door. 1-2

85 - Aaaaand an own goal by Taaffe. 1-3

We completely tanked it in the second half. Not cool. Not cool at all. Wasn't even Raya's fault. It was Yiadom and Hoban who let us down.

Izulde

02-23-2014, 01:42 AM

Callum McNish was named to Team of the Week.

vs Hartlepool (16th)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DR Izak Reid
DM Luke Dixon
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Lewis Taaffe
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Jack Jeffery

Rest concerns force us to this lineup and that's with Martin running at 88%. This lack of DMs is killing us, but we're already over budget.

31 - Clowes is mowed down. 0-1

40 - Sigh. 0-2

Gracco and Battipiedi go in at the half for Jeffery and Martin out of sheer desperation.

84 - Rain pouring. Taaffe got a yellow prior to this BTW 0-3

Not ready to bench Raya yet. Not when 3 of the 4 backline guys posted below 6 and the high mark was 6.1

@Wycombe (17th)
GK David Raya
DL Samuel Bangura
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Luke Dixon
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Gianluca Gracco

46 - We've had a ton of sloppy passing all half, but this one has Geynrih backpedaling to snag a failed corner outside the box, wing it out to McNish, and watch the resulting pass to go Sharpe for the ground-eating header that scores mere seconds by the first half whistle blows. 1-0

Harris got injured during the first half, so he's replaced by Reid at intermission.

68 - Our shots have been soft all half, but then there's this one, where Geynrih strips the ball from the defender and Gracco beats the race to the loose ball and sinks it in. 2-0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mTI2tLG9Fjs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

80 - Bangura costs us one with a terrible pass so he's yanked for Clowes 2-1

87 - Gracco's knocked out of the game, so I put in Taaffe, because Guedioura's salary goes up to $5,000 if I put him in another game.

Whole lot of mugging in their goal box but it doesn't called for a penalty. We still hold on for the win. 7.8 for Sharpe, 7.6 for Dixon and 8.1 for PotM Gracco. That's Bangura's third straight bad game so he's going to get benched.

Gracco is out 2 months. Wycombe and Hartlepool fire their managers.

The Italian Stallion sure gets hurt a lot. Now the onus will be on Alexandr Geynrih to even more carry the side. We're 6th with the win, 18 points in 11 games, but considering we've been inconsistent and 10, 9 and 6 points all hover around the drop zone, it's by no means a safe buffer.

Izulde

03-01-2014, 04:23 AM

@AFC Wimbledon (15th)
GK David Raya
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Samuel Bangura
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Sergio Sanchez
ML Courtney Harris
MR Izak Reid
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

1 - ...Well then. 0-1

2 - Bleh. 0-2

5 - Reid has to come off with injury. Harris to MR and Hoban in at ML.

30 - What's that? A first half hat trick? Yeah. 0-3

36 - Hoban hits Clowes for a header on a corner, but it's not anything worth hyping about, especially since Hoban gave away possession to lead to that last goal. 1-3

45 - Pile on, why don't we? 1-4

53 - Guess who's getting benched next game? 1-5

59 - Guedioura on for Geynrih

Yeah this was probably the worst performance ever. Just awful all around.

Good Trains
Callum McNish
Sergio Sanchez
Samuel Bangura

Bad Trains
Max Crocombe

Loss of $27k last month and Samuel Bangura is getting blasted for his recent play, which is understandable - he's sporting a 5.9 over the last several games.

Alexandr Geynrih has international duties again. We find a goalie who's so far ahead of everyone else on our squad it's incredible and we'd love to sign him, but will the board swing for it even though we're over budget?

...Yes, yes they will. While we wait to hear back, Oldham fires its manager, and good riddance to him, as they're dead last in League 2 at the moment.

vs MK Dons (16th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

28 - Beautiful free kick by Barnum-Bobb to McNish, who centers it to Geynrih for the score and early lead! 1-0

I'm really impressed with how our defensive line has bounced back from the ghastly showing last game. Yiadom moves up to MR and I'm going to give Bangura another chance to prove himself by putting him in at DR.

60 - A failed corner sees Geynrih take the ball and run horizontally towards the right flank, whereupon he crosses it back to Taaffe, and boom goes the dynamite! 2-0

75 - Clowes hits a rocket shot that bounces off Taaffe, who turns around and does a slide tackle back pass to Martin. Long-range shot? No problem! It's his first goal of the year. 3-0

81 - Bangura knocks it to Taaffe who can't control it and has to kick it back out to him on the wing. No problem here either, as Bangura boots it into the six yard box, where Geynrih beats the defense for another goal. That's one way to get back in good graces. 4-0

8.0 for Sharpe, 8.2 for Clowes, 8.1 for Martin, 8.5 for McNish, 8.3 for Taaffe, 9.4 for PotM Geynrih. What an incredible bounceback against a team nobody thought we could beat.

In what I think is the third time this season, our opponent fires their manager immediately after losing to us. :lol:

We get our goalie, snapping up 21 year old Welshman Luke Chambers on a deal through 2019 that pays him $48.5k base with 10% raises and way too much money. He was a backup goalie for Southend last season before they relegated and didn't look so hot there, but his potential says he can be elite at this level.

Luke Chambers struggled in a 2-3 loss to England, but Alexandr Geynrih notched 2 assists and an 8.1 rating in a friendly against India that ended in a 4-1 scoreline.

vs Cheltenham (23rd)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Lewis Taaffe

19 - Taaffe's thunderous crack is deflected by the goalie, but that leaves him out of position and Harris has just enough pace to win the race and put in the chip shot. 1-0

35 - Knock for Guedioura

44 - Knock for Clowes and Harris picks up a yellow

Play on, boys. Play on.

45 - Wow. Now Crocombe is knocked.

71 - Disallowed goal due to Crocombe getting fouled. Sanchez, who I forgot to put back in the starting lineup, goes on for Clowes.

Ugly win, but we'll take it. Nabil Guedioura is out 3 to 4 weeks, which further decimates our weak striker situation.

@Bristol Rovers (9th)
GK Max Crocombe
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Luke Dixon
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Jack Jeffery
ST Lewis Taaffe

33 - And that's why you're going to get booted out of here, Crocombe. Bad pass = allowed goal. 0-1

Bangura comes on for Barnum-Bobb, who's had a surprisingly good run in the lineup until now.

70 - Hoban on for McNish

78 - Injury for Clowes

To be honest, I didn't expect to win this one. We were on the road and pretty weak at striker.

Luke Chambers impressed in a 4-1 victory over Iceland's U-21s, but Alexandr Geynrih had one of his worst games ever in a 0-0 draw with China, but that still leaves Uzbekistan on top in their group and with a commanding lead. Wales, on the other hand, failed to get their U-21 team out of group qualifying, England and Romania advancing instead.

vs York (2nd)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Jack Jeffery
ST Lewis Taaffe

Our offense has been completely nonexistent in the first half, but our defense at least has held strong.

66 - Hoban on for McNish; Battipiedi in for Martin

74 - Perfect opening for Jeffery and he freezes. Ugh.

83 - Nothing to be done there. 0-1

Harrogate offers to take Max Crocombe on loan for 3 months and pay 100% of his salary. We'll take that. Other teams make offers to pay for less than 100% of wages, which is unacceptable.

vs Oldham (24th)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Jazzi Barnum-Bobb
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Leon Clowes
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Andy Yiadom
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

20 - Bullshit disallowed goal. No way Geynrih was offsides. In the next breath, Chambers shows why we pay him the big money by making an insane save after a terrible Clowes pass. Wow!

30 - Butter-smooth pass from Geynrih to Taaffe, who gets the excuse me bump off the upright for the goal. 1-0

67 - Reid on for Yiadom

70 - Yellow for Geynrih

79 - Dixon on for Martin

It was that kind of game where Bangura's 7.9 wins Player of the Match. It wasn't pretty, but 3 points is 3 points, and through 17 games, we have 27 points, which puts us 5th. Drop zone is 17/14/13 at 22/23/24 even though only 23 and 24 drop, but 23, which just fired their manager (Bury), has a game in hand. There's no easy outs in League 2, put it that way.

Max Crocombe takes the loan agreement from Harrogate and our wage bill thanks us, though we're still something $26k over it.

Izulde

03-01-2014, 01:31 PM

@Northampton (2nd)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Leon Clowes
DC Sergio Sanchez
DC Taylor Parmenter
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Agustin Battipiedi
DM Kieran Martin
ML Claudiu Hoban
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

39 - They've had shot after shot after shot on us with nothing doing. Meanwhile, we've had a complete shank by Taaffe and then this: Taaffe with the beautiful drop shot pass to Geynrih, who shrugs off two would-be tacklers and slots it home shortly after dribbling into the box, already his 10th goal of the year. 1-0

46 - Terrible diving decision by Chambers allows them to literally walk into the goal. 1-1

64 - Dixon on for Martin, Jeffery on for Taaffe. But before that happens, Martin does a beautiful pass for Geynrih, whose shot is denied by the post

72 - Heh. Jeffery is knocked out, so we try Harris at striker and Reid at MR.

80 - Not sure WTF happened there, but they score 1-2

Not going to be harsh on them for this. Our backs were up against it to begin with, and then with the injuries and yeah...

Speaking of which Jack Jeffery is our third injured striker and is out for 2 months. In other news, Crawley fires their manager. Tough time to be in League 2 with all the firings.

Loan-In - MLR Connor Hughes - 3 months
From Alfreton although he apparently can't be registered for the next match. Strictly a backup, but one who provides better quality than Reid on the MR and definitely Hoban on the ML.

Good Trains
Tom Sharpe
Callum McNish
Samuel Bangura

Bad Trains
Alexandr Geynrih
Izak Reid
Dale Binns

Board's delighted and we made $31.5k last month despite being over wage budget due to the fact our attendance has shot way up - we're averaging 1,763 attendees - still way last in League 2 - only Crawley is also below 2,000 and they're just that at 1,923 - but still.

@Aldershot (18th)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

18 - McNish-Taaffe-Geynrih create a triangulation, and it ends with our Uzbek blasting one past the poor keeper for the early lead. 1-0

23 - Taaffe argues for a penalty, doesn't get it, and is slapped with a yellow for his efforts.

35 - Perfect cross by McNish to an open Harris on the far side, and the Aldershot goalie is caught napping, giving up the easy score. 2-0

55 - Sharpe misses a jumper and Chambers comes out which ends up in a long-range effort scorching right over his head and into the net. 2-1

59 - I'm starting to hate Chambers. Poor decisions. 2-2

67 - Bangura on for shoddy Clowes

73 - Their goalie can't hang on to the ball and Geynrih is right there to punish him for it. 3-2

7.9 for McNish, 7.7 for Taaffe and 8.8 for PotM Geynrih. It was a scary win, but a win nonetheless.

We're now 7th, just barely hanging on to the last playoff spot.

Izulde

03-02-2014, 08:47 PM

vs Hereford (FA Cup 1st Round)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Alexandr Geynrih
ST Lewis Taaffe

What would happen if we actually *tried* in a cup competition? Let's find out.

42 - God, this game has been frustrating. Weak shot after weak shot after weak shot. Finally Taaffe, Martin and Harris do a circle of passes that caps off with the latter sending it to Geynrih, and *finally* we get the damn goal. And of course they're crying that it was offsides, but whatevs. [ b]1-0[/b]

71 - I forgot we have Hughes now, so he goes in for McNish and Battipiedi bops in for Parmenter.

82 - Well shit. Geynrih's hurt.

Great job by the defense as they only threatened twice all game. 8.0 for Sharpe and Harris, the latter earning PotM. 7.8 for Geynrih, and he's out 4-5 weeks. Not the worst injury in the world, thankfully.

$31,770 pours into our bank account with the win.

Izulde

03-06-2014, 06:04 AM

Sergio Sanchez is praised for his training. Luke Chambers does okay in Wales' 3-0 win over Taipei, but he was a reserve.

@Torquay (10th)
GK David Raya
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Andy Yiadom
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Nabil Guedioura
ST Lewis Taaffe

7 - Missed header by Parmenter gives them the goal. 0-1

30 - 25 yard strike a better keeper could have stopped. 0-2

No surprise our offense is struggling. We always do when Gracco and Geynrih are both out. It may be time to clear some guys out at the end of the season. Anyway, Bangura on for Yiadom at the break.

77 - Parmenter rails a beautiful pass to Guedioura who runs down the left flank until he crosses to Taaffe in the box, and our man puts it in to cut the lead in half. 1-2 Also, Hughes on for Harris.

They could've won by more, and probably should have, so we'll take the loss, tough though it is.

Our capacity is still 4,000 after the stadium renovation. The difference is, we now have 2,000 actual seats, 1,175 more than before. It's still a piss-poor pitch, though, with the field rated Very Poor.

Samuel Bangura continues to impress in training, but has still lost his starting spot for now.

vs Luton (6th)
GK Luke Chambers
DL Leon Clowes
DC Tom Sharpe
DC Sergio Sanchez
DR Samuel Bangura
DM Taylor Parmenter
DM Kieran Martin
ML Callum McNish
MR Courtney Harris
ST Gianluca Gracco
ST Lewis Taaffe

34 - [b]Taaffe[/b with the corner, and Parmenter heads it to Sharpe, who in turn heads it right in front of him into the net for a goal. 1-0

44 - WTF Chambers?! Poor hand pass that no one is ready for and a 30 yard striker given up. 1-1

45 - Insert keyboard smash here. 1-2

Raya and Hughes go in for Chambers and Harris. Both the latter players are on thin ice with me due to their poor play lately.

46 - Wow. such terribleness. much goals. Wow. 1-3

57 - Yeah, I'm resigning after this one. 1-4

We plummet from 10th all the way to 16th with the defeat. Yeah, time for me to head on out. It's getting to be a grind having that many games in a season.

Then this cool note pops up.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/loyalists_zps3cf278a8.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/loyalists_zps3cf278a8.jpg.html)

I've added a certain nation down to its lowest leagues because the quality is supposed to be delightfully awful, so we'll see if I get in there.

Rumors are starting almost immediately.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/jesrumor_zpse978c2b6.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/jesrumor_zpse978c2b6.jpg.html)

Yeaaaaaah... not gonna happen.

Australia has had its national team job sitting open for quite a while now, so I'll go ahead and apply.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/fuckoz_zps53e2d374.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/fuckoz_zps53e2d374.jpg.html)

Seriously? Fuck you guys.

At this point I decide to go on vacation and tell my secretary to apply at all openings and get back to me when I have a job offer. Then when the first offer is some Spanish lowest league B team I have no interest in signing, I just decide to wait until the nations change over.

But then this happens:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/Walsall_zpsccb1cfbb.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/Walsall_zpsccb1cfbb.jpg.html)

:eek: They've got a quite nice setup there, though they're also paying off a $3.9 million loan debt. Never made it to the Premier League as far as I can tell, so that'd be something to shoot for. With 6 games left, they're 20th, which is just above the drop zone, so no harm, no foul if we get relegated.

Very tempting. Very tempting indeed. But after reading about the city of Walsall I decide to pass.

Nobody offers me a job after the spate of end-season firings. Brackley and Staines stay in League 2 and BSS respectively.

David Raya gets a 6 month loan to Dover. Just for jokes, I apply to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Indonesia, which is the set of leagues reportedly the worst, don't look so bad at second glance, I'll cancel that out if I'm not hired by a lowest division club.

There's interest by both clubs I apply to, but both reject me. I try Cardiff City for the hell of it, keep trying to get a Premiership gig. And the numbers are frankly impressive.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/cardiff_zps365ea9df.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/cardiff_zps365ea9df.jpg.html)

But yeah... I was just doing it to see if I could do it. Sorry, Cardiff City! The new house rule is that I only take jobs offered to me, unless it's a Blue Square team. Then I can apply at will.

And I find one I'm looking for.

Havant & Waterlooville has yet to get out of Blue Square South, finishing no higher than 4th in this universe, and so far they're 16th. They're offering me a two year, $61,000 per season contract. They have a $415k/year wage budget, but are sitting at $487k.

So the first thing I do is release everyone making a significant amount of money on a free. LOL at this press conference question:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/hwpress_zpsec20f8e1.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/hwpress_zpsec20f8e1.jpg.html)

Yeah I'm slumming it. No, I don't care. They ask me if I have regrets about leaving Brackley, which I don't. This club is a lot closer to Portsmouth geographically, anyway.

Ian Gay signs a 2 year deal to become my assistant manager for the third time. He and I come in to what is now essentially an empty cupboard team, with $391k available in the wage budget.

We hire Martin Davies, a fantastic keeper coach, as one of our coaches, and bring in John Hartson to be our Chief (and only) Scout.

vs Maidenhead (17th)
GK Ross Kitteridge
DL Robin Whittington
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Ben Martin
DR Daniel Cleary (Loan)
DM Adrian Kearns
DM Medi Abalima
ML Lindsay Nardiello (Loan)
MR Alex Price
ST Sam Malsom
ST Dennis Osborne

Pay no attention to most of the names in this list. They're largely reserve league and youth team scrap heap guys. The nice thing is, I already had a bunch of DMs to run my Arrigo 4-4-2 right off the bat.

35 - Can definitely tell we're back in the slums. Awful finishing all around. But then there's this thing where Martin boots it to Nardiello and a header later, Malsom has the ball and kicks it in for the first goal of my H&W tenure. 1-0

Damned impressive first half from a team I thought was going to get clobbered. Let's see how we do in the second half.

66 - Well, we knew it wasn't going to last. 1-1

72 - Uff da. 1-2

80 - Abilamba kicks it along the ground to Osborne, and the hoof from the half-circle somehow goes in! 2-2

We came in 16th, so I'll take the draw against the team directly below us with the lineup we had out there tonight.

Keith Smith comes in to coach, so I've now got both staff members who left Brackley with me.

Transfer In - George Colson (23 - MR)
Signed to a 2 year deal worth $11.5k/year. Some great physical attributes, including 14 pace, and 13 passing. Massive upgrade at MR over the junk piles we had there, and he has BSP level potential.

Loan In - Michael Roberts (25 - DM)
Okay, so he stinks. But he's only here for 3 months and will probably start because there's not much quality to be found right now.

Loan In - Jack Maloney (22 - ML/ST)
From Portsmouth of all teams. 3 month loan who will be an immediate starter at ML and may see time at ST, because we have no depth there and he'd be a stopgap solution.

@Weston-super-mare (7th)
GK Ross Kitteridge
DL Robin Whittington
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Ben Martin
DR Daniel Cleary (Loan)
DM Michael Roberts (Loan)
DM Medi Abalima
ML Jack Maloney (Loan)
MR George Colson (New Signing)
ST Sam Malsom
ST Dennis Osborne

1 - Can't believe they missed there. And I just realized I forgot to set my position training for Colson.

We're lucky to go into the break tied. Whittington, who is a U18 call-up, is wiped, but we literally have no one who can cover for him there.

46 - Empty cupboard we are, so no surprise. 0-1

Despite the loss, Ben Martin earns Player of the Game with a 7.7 rating.

Swell. Daniel Cleary's loan deal is due to end in a few days.

Transfer In - Mark Bower (36 - DLC)
Signed to a PPA deal, he still has mental attributes galore, and will be a DL stopgap for now.

Loan In - Michael Drennan (22 - ST)
Got him from Woking until the end of the season. He wanted way too much money to transfer outright, so I cancelled negotiations and took the loan instead. Elite Finishing for this level (13) and strong all-around mental attributes, so if he pans out, I'll look to sign him long-term if the money isn't too funny.

Transfer In - Jamal Hackett (22 - DR)
Signed to a two year, $17k/year contract. (I've determined that I will sign no players above $20k this go-round). Already good for this level, he's got BSP level talent on him.

Transfer In - Elliott James (20 - ST)
Yep, *that* James, the one I signed as a prospect with Brackley, who fizzled out at the League 2 level. 2 year, $8.75k p/a deal, which turned out to be a major overpay, but we'll give him a shot.

vs Bromley (3rd)
GK Ross Kitteridge
DL Mark Bower (New Signing)
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Adrian Kearns
DR Daniel Cleary (Loan)
DM Michael Roberts (Loan)
DM Lindsay Nardiello (Loan)
ML Jack Maloney (Loan)
MR Alex Price
ST Sam Malsom
ST Dennis Osborne

Ben Martin went out for 5-6 weeks last game and I just realize I haven't hired a Physio yet. Oops. Michael Drennan and Jamal Hackett have one day injuries so they won't be back until next game.

We hold our own in the first half against a superior opponent, but this smells a lot like last game. I make a couple freshness subs at half and hope we can hang on. I also forgot to put Elliott James in the subs, because we really could use him right now. Double Oops.

60 - Like I said... 0-1

70 - New goalie too, perhaps? 0-2

So yeah. Nice at the unveiling of Elliott James and Jamal Hackett. I get asked if I plan to sign players I worked with before as a general policy, and yeah, I love doing that.

Transfers In
Chris Blackburn (34 - DCR/DM)
Wes Daly (32 - DM)

Just a couple of PPA depth/possible starter signings to beef up the squad for the rest of the season.

Good thing we got them too, because Lindsay Nardiello's loan is finished, which leads me to believe that the previous management fucking wasted the long-term loans they had this season. Only loan in season-end loans on long-term loans you fuckwits.

vs Basingstoke (18th)
GK Ross Kitteridge
DL Mark Bower (New Signing)
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn (New Signing)
DR Jamal Hackett (New Signing)
DM Medi Abalima
DM Adrian Kearns
ML Jack Maloney (Loan)
MR George Colson (New Signing)
ST Elliott James (New Signing)
ST Michael Drennan (Loan)

Note: Not all these guys are healthy enough to start by their fitness levels, but I don't give a fuck. This is a must win game so it's all possible hands on deck.

Malsom and Price come in at ML and MR respectively at the half, as it's been a very boring first 45 minutes and we have major fitness problems going on here.

62 - That's my boy!!!! Drennan slides it sideways into the half-circle to James, and the young kid shoots it perfectly right in the far corner of the net for a debut goal! 1-0

Despite Kitteridge fucking up with Crocombe-like passes straight at the opposition, and Drennan blowing an easy shot on goal, we grind out the win for the 3 points. Raftful of 7s, highlighted by PotM Adrian Kearns with a 7.6 and Elliott James my man with a 7.2.

Transfer In - Leon Hoskins (DM - 18)
Raw right now, but BSP-level upside. Signed to a 2 year, $3.1k deal that goes up to $4.9k if he appears in 30 games. Worth a prospect signing, to be sure.

Oh sweet irony. Staines's boss wins Manager of the Month. Daniel Cleary heads back to Exeter.

@Worcester (13th)
GK Ross Kitteridge
DL Mark Bower (New Signing)
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn (New Signing)
DR Jamal Hackett (New Signing)
DM Medi Abalima
DM Michael Roberts (Loan)
ML Jack Maloney (Loan)
MR George Colson (New Signing)
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan (Loan)

15 - Heh. PK for them. 0-1

32 - Knock for Maloney

35 - Should've doubled their lead there.

Lalalala let's keep going. Daly and James on for Abalima and Drennan, who Eeyore out on me at the halftime talk.

62 - Zzzz. 0-2

76 - Good thing I may have a new goalie coming in. 0-3

83 - Hat trick lulz. 0-4

Transfer In - GK Chad Collins (22 - $19.5k, 2 year deal)
My staff swear this kid is the real deal right now, with BSP potential all over him, so I went *right* up to that $20k line to get him. We'll see how this goes - I haven't had good luck with goalies that don't irritate me.

George Byers is loaned in for 3 months. Purely a ML spell.

@Wealdstone (14th)
GK Chad Collins (New Signing)
DL Robin Whittington
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Adrian Kearns
DR Chris Blackburn (New Signing)
DM Medi Abalima
DM Michael Roberts (Loan)
ML George Byers (Loan)
MR Alex Price
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan (Loan)

21 - Great recovery off a bounced corner kick by Blackburn, who wings it out to Byers. A kick up top sees Drennan head it in for the goal and the lead. 1-0

Lights out defense and just enough offense that first half. Let's hope we don't implode like we usually do.

57 - Price is hurt for the second time in the game, so I send in Colson even though I really, really don't want to.

67 - Daly on for Roberts

What a huge win. Nothing lower than a 6.9 for anyone, and Drennan (7.7 PotM), Kearn 7.6, and O'Connor 7.6, really dominated in our first away victory in a long time - 5 straight road losses this team has had, dating back to before I arrived.

We're still just 16th, but the team is slowly starting to come together.

Izulde

03-07-2014, 03:59 AM

Transfer In - Connor Hateley - MR (18)
Really more of an AMR, he signs a two year $15.75k per year contract. He's a backup right now, so I probably shouldn't have done that but oh well - he's good insurance for Colson. League 2 potential at AMR

Transfer In - Bernard Williams - DLCR (19)
Also inked a two year, $15.75k per year contract. I'm hoping he's my next Samuel Bangura. Hell, right now, he's our top guy at both DL and DC, so he'll likely start on the left side to give us our biggest boost. 18 Teamwork and 14 Work Rate are off the charts.

Transfer In - Kenny McGonigle - ML (19)
Solid potential but he's a PPA deal to give depth to our ML situation.

We try to bring in other players during our insanely long 3 weeks off, but no go.

vs Eastborne Boro (20th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Wes Daly
ML Jack Maloney
MR George Colson
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan

2 - Oi. 0-1

33 - Sheesh. Abilamba sets up a beautiful 1 on 1 for Malsom and he can't convert.

Yeah we stink at the half. Kearns on for O'Connor and James on for Drennan.

50 - Never seen an own goal by an opponent yet, I don't think. 0-2

59 - Maybe some yet? Maloney passes it to James, who kicks it back to Daly for the score. We won't talk about how Malsom blew another open shot earlier. 1-2

88 - Open shot #3 Malsom has missed.

@Chippeham (21st)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR George Colson
ST Elliott James
ST Michael Drennan

This will be our ideal lineup the rest of the season. I'm not bringing in an other new guys for now and will instead just let this group grow and meld together.

33 - How that made it in I'll never know 0-1

Hateley and Malsom replace Colson and Drennan at the break. We're really bad right now.

83 - Will we even stay up? 0-2

vs Oxford City (15th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR George Colson
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan

Elliott James got hurt last game and is out 2 weeks.

McGoinigle on for Maloney at the half, and our offense is truly, truly awful. 0 shots on goal that I saw in the first 45.

Great work by the defense, but Drennan is showing why he didn't deserve all that money he wanted. Still, a point is a point.

Izulde

03-10-2014, 08:54 PM

@Dartford 10th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR George Colson
ST Elliott James
ST Michael Drennan

ML Kenny McGoinigle got hurt in the interim and is out 2-3 months.

15 - Knock for O'Connor but he'll fight through it.

...Yeah, until people start really getting familiar with our system, we're going to struggle to score or do anything offensively.

51 - Hateley on for Colson, Kearns in for O'Connor

79 - A couple yellows for our guys, and here's Dartford with an amazing goal. That'll be enough for the loss 0-1

Our wing play has been absolutely dreadful.

Transfer In - ST Mark Postle (18)
Pace and Finishing combo (12/9) should be the best on the team, and he's cheap at $200 PA and $200 PG. Great mental attributes, too, so he'll get a start and see if he can enliven this offense.

Transfer In - MR David Wheeler (26)
Spent way too money - $27k guaranteed, up to $36k next year after he reaches 30 games, but he was great when I was with Staines, so I had to pull the trigger on it to try and fix our midfield.

Bad Trains
Mark Bower
Bernard Williams
Sonny Pullan

We somehow lost $15.6k last month despite a low salary budget, unless it was all the buyouts. Oh well. Board is only satisfied, which is fitting.

vs Bognor Regis (22nd)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR David Wheeler
ST Mark Postle
ST Michael Drennan

If we can't beat the worst team in the league at home, we're in deep, deep trouble.

21 - Trouble's here 0-1

Hateley in at MR, Wheeler sliding to ML and out goes Maloney, who I deeply regret having gotten.

54 - Drennan's hurt, so on goes Malsom.

FFS.

@Braintree (19th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR David Wheeler
ST Mark Postle
ST Michael Drennan

1 - Been so long since this has happened I don't know what to think. Abilamba gets the ball and slides it to Maloney, and shortly before his loan ends, we finally see our ML make a good play to put it in front of Drennan inside the box, and the kick is good! 1-0

Our defense has been phenomenal, but Maloney looks exhausted at the break, so Wheeler moves over to ML and George Colson gets a redemption try.

57 - The top bar robs Postle of his first goal after a precision pass from Ablilamba

64 - Missed sitter by them gives us a spot of luck

84 - Terrible pass by Collins goes unpunished.

Finally a win! Tons of 7s, led by Drennan's 7.5, O'Connor's 7.4, and Abilamba's 7.3. Maybe this is the break we needed to finish strong.

Heh. Izak Reid is on the shortlist of Player of the Year.

vs Gloucester (11th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML Jack Maloney
MR David Wheeler
ST Mark Postle
ST Michael Drennan

8 - Knock for Drennan, but he'll play through the half.

[b26[/b] - Postle chases down a cleared corner and passes it to Maloney, who centers it to O'Connor for the crane volley kick and goal. 1-0

35 - Sigh. Flubbed shot by Postle.

Colson and Malsom hop in for Wheeler and Drennan, though that might be a mistake.

49 - Roberts is forced off with injury, requiring Kearns to go in.

64 - Dafuq? Should've been tied game there. Totally weak effort on their part.

74 - And there's the tie on Collins' piss-poor pass. 1-1

77 - They should've scored there. Come to think of it, not once have we scored on a bad goalie pass. Or at most once. I hate this engine sometimes.

80 - Great, Postle has to go off and we're out of substitutions.

8.1 for MotM O'Connor and 7.2 for Maloney. While we're lucky to get the point, I'm bitterly disappointed about that bad pass goal which happens to almost all our fucking goalies it seems, so I rip into Collins.

Great. Mark Postle, who I have high hopes for, is done for the year.

We're not yet safe from the drop, with three games left, but we're perpetually Sweet 16th.

vs Bath (12th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Michael Roberts
ML George Byers
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan

Bognor Regis officially relegated prior to this game, so that's one out of the way.

3 - ...wow. Everyone just stands there and watches them kick it in. Pathetic. 0-1

Drennan and O'Connor are benched for James and Kearns at the break.

Second half as pathetic as the first. Sigh.

We drop to 18th and are still not safe from the drop. Jack Maloney goes back to Portsmouth and says it was a complete waste of time playing for us. Fuck you, dick. Maybe if you didn't play like a total fucking shitbag, you would have learned something. Michael Roberts also sees his loan end, which sucks, because he was great for us at DM.

@Farnborough (3rd)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Adrian Kearns
ML George Byers
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan

All you need to know is we lost 1-4. Moving right along.

Good news is, we've cleared getting dropped.

@Hayes & Yeading (15th)
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Pat O'Connor
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Medi Abilamba
DM Adrian Kearns
ML George Byers
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Michael Drennan

42 - Whatevs. 0-1

To be perfectly honest, it wasn't a bad effort to end the season on. Not great, either.

Board's slightly disappointed in how things have started, but the offseason is a fresh new page which will probably see drastic changes.

Izulde

03-11-2014, 07:38 AM

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/endstats_zps7c801e0a.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/endstats_zps7c801e0a.jpg.html)

Not great ratings by any means, which leads me to believe it may be time to abandon the Arrigo 4-4-2, and instead, I create the Izuldian 4-4-2 and make notes of the stats each position calls for.

Goalkeeper
Chad Collins - 3.5*

Wingbacks - Attack
DR Jamal Hackett - 3.5*
DL Bernard Williams - 2*
DR Chris Blackburn - 1.5*
DL Mark Bower - 0.5*

Ball-Playing Defender - Defend
DC Pat O'Connor - 2*
DC Bernard Williams - 2.5*
DC Chris Blackburn - 2.5*
DC Mark Bower - 1.5*
DC Adrian Kearns - 1.5*

Defensive Midfielder - Support
DM Chris Blackburn - 1.5*
DM Medi Abilamba - 2*
DM Adrian Kearns - 1*

Wide Midfielder - Support
ML Kenny McGonigle - 1.5*
MR David Wheeler - 2.5*
MR George Colson - 2.5*
MR Connor Hateley - 2*

Box To Box Midfielder - Support
MC George Colson - 3.5*

Poacher
Mark Postle - 1*
Michael Drennan - 4*
Elliott James - 4.5 silver stars
Sam Malsom - 2*

Deep-Lying Forward - Attack
Michael Drennan - 3.5*
Mark Postle - 1*
Elliott James - 4.5 silver stars
Sam Malsom - 2*

Notes
GK, DR, and MC are all fine and under contract. It's everywhere else that we need help. MR is also okay.

Heh. Staines wins the promotion playoffs and is going up to BSP. Oh, how the irony kills me. Brackley suffered through a terrible season and are being relegated from League 2.

Hehe. I make an offer for Jack Maloney and while Portsmouth is willing to consider it, he had such a bad time during his loan spell here, he won't consider it.

The fuck?!?! The board takes my wage budget from 415k p/a to 130k p/a

As a result, I have to cancel one of the depth signings I had planned, though I still make my superstar signing that will now take up a huge percentage of the wage bill.

$7.72k profit last month, but the club is still paying off a loan and is in poor financial shape. The board's disappointed in me, but I'm fucking disappointed them in for slashing my wage budget to a fucking quarter of what it was

Transfer In - DM Paul Branagan (19)
Signed him to the bargain basement price of $8.75k a year for 2 years. 4* DM Support and he's a massive boost to that spot in our lineup.

Transfer In - ST Jacob Hazel (23)
I broke the bank to get him, committing $36k a year for the next two seasons, but he is so, so worth it. 14 Pace and checks in as a 4* DLF, 4.5* Poacher. He's going to be a god damned star for us.

We're now $40k over the wage budget, so my hands are tied in what else I can do. Fucking board. And they want a mid-table position with that budget TROLOLOLOLOLOL

The team lost $400k last year.

We lose Adrian Kearns on a transfer to Bath and who knows who all else? There's enough money to relay the field, but not to increase the wage budget apparently. Heh.

Friendly - Vs Eastleigh
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Ben Martin
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Paul Branagan
ML Kenny McGonigle
MC George Colson
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Jacob Hazel

Let's see.. Wheeler misses a PK because I forgot to put my set piece takers, nobody likes Martin as team captain, and Hackett is hurt right before the halftime whistle.

Yep, gonna be one of those seasons. 0-1 loss that I'm not too worried about, to be honest.

Jamal Hackett is out 4-5 weeks.

I change captain to David Wheeler and vice captain to Paul Branagan because people hate Martin, and everyone gives me shit about it. Fuck you guys.

@Abingdon United
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Ben Martin
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Izzy Johnson
DM Paul Branagan
ML Robin Whittington
MC Medi Abilamba
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Jacob Hazel

I notice too late the ML screwup but it doesn't matter.

8 - Complete fluke off the post goal by Wheeler, but we'll take it as the first score under my personally designed tactic. 1-0

10 - Wheeler steals the ball on a clearance attempt and heads it to Hazel, who takes a bit to trap and control it before firing it in with authority! 2-0

19 - One of their players is sent off with a red.

So... it's a friendly against a scrub team, but best half so far. McGonigle in for my mistake.

51 - ... You've got to fucking be kidding me. McGonigle is hurt and has to go off. Malsom to ML and Postle in at ST

76 - Rushing out by Collins = yeah. 2-1

Garbage second half, but we'll take it. Wheeler gets Player of the Match with an 8 rating and a 7.3 for Hazel, 7.2 for Collins.

Soo... board tells me we can't find the funding to get a parent club. Whatever.

@ Merstham
GK Chad Collins
DL Robin Whittington
DC Ben Martin
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Bernard Williams
DM Paul Branagan
ML Sam Malsom
MC George Colson
MR Connor Hateley
ST Mark Postle
ST Jacob Hazel

38 - Hazel picks up the loose ball on the right wing, kicks it back to Branagan, and a lofting kick from Postle via the intermediary pass later, we've got a goal. 1-0

45 - Ball bounces off a defender and Hazel is right there to put it in 2-0

54 - Really rather would save the own goals for when it matters, but we'll take this 3-0

77 - Nothing doing about that one. 3-1

8.1 for Postle as PotM, proving my faith in him, but tip of the hat to Hazel's 7.7 as well. Even more importantly, two straight friendly wins have done wonders for our formerly terrible morale.

Ross Kitteridge signs with Woking, continuing the slow poach of our players.

Good Trains
Mark Bower
Paul Branagan

The board's bitching about the payroll. Well if you fuckclowns didn't have unrealistic expectations for a tiny budget, this wouldn't be a problem, now would it? As is, I have to bring in Louis-Rae Beadle on a 3 month loan - yeah the same guy who was an afterthought for my Staines squad.

@Harrow
GK Chad Collins
DL Bernard Williams
DC Mark Bower
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Izzy Johnson
DM Paul Branagan
ML Louis Rae-Beadle
MC George Colson
MR David Wheeler
ST Sam Malsom
ST Jacob Hazel

4 - Branagan gets knocked, which is not cool at all.

60 - Hateley centers it into space for Colson, who blasts it in from 20 yards out. Amazing how Colson has gone from struggling like crazy at MR last year in the Arrigo 4-4-2 to flourishing as the MC in the Izuldian 4-4-2 1-0

67 - Great shake and bake by Hazel, but his finish is awful.

71 - They equal on the flubbed shot

87 - Heh. Sitter Collins just sits there. 1-1

Not worried about it, though. Looking ahead to our first league match.

We lose Paul Branagan for 2-3 weeks, which sucks, but isn't awful. Ben Martin says he doesn't want to contend for the captaincy because he's signing a contract with Hyde, so I leave David Wheeler and Paul Branagan as captain and vice-captain.

Chad Collins breaks his ankle and is out 3-4 months. Seriously, fuck this.

@Wealdstone
GK Greyed out Keeper
DL Bernard Williams
DC Mark Bower
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Izzy Johnson
DM Medi Abalimba
ML Louis Rae-Beadle
MC George Colson
MR David Wheeler
ST Mark Postle
ST Jacob Hazel

25 - The joys of speed. Hazel is first to get to the ball near the six-yard box and he punches it home! 1-0

46 - Go jump in Lake Fuckass, injuries. 1-1

58 - A god damned injury fro Williams. Whittington and Daly in for him and Colson. But before that happens, Colson plays a beautiful ball in the 61st minute to Postle and my own pet project scores his first ever goal for us 2-1

Chris Blackburn, who has been an unsung veteran hero for us, wins Player of the Match with an 8.1. Postle's good for an 8, and Hazel nabs a 7.4.

Lucky win? Perhaps... but it's a season opening victory and a validation of the Izuldian 4-4-2

Izulde

03-11-2014, 03:12 PM

We sell 62 season tickets, or one less than last season with a much more hyped roster expected to contend for promotion playoffs.

GK Barney Watson comes in on a 3 month loan from Whitehawk. At 1.5*, he does suck, but he's better than a greyed out keeper.

vs Farnborough
GK Barney Watson
DL Robin Whittington
DC Mark Bower
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Bernard Williams
DM Medi Abalimba
ML Kenny McGonigle
MC George Colson
MR Connor Hateley
ST Mark Postle
ST Jacob Hazel

12 - Oh look, McGonigle takes a knock.

14 - The bar bounced their way. 0-1

20 - And an injury aggravation by McGonigle, so we'll just go ahead and put Malsom in.

21 - Bower boots it to Colson's head knocking it down to Postle, whose pretty little pass to Hazel ends in a boomtown goal and a tie. 1-1

25 - Colson kicks it out to Malsom on the wing, and our sub sends it to Postle for the defender shake off and the bottom corner score! 2-1

What a quality first half! Our guys are exhausted, though. We'll wait until they sub in before countering with our second sub.

70 - Daly jumps in for Abalimba

Wild shots by both sides to close it out and we have our second straight 2-1 league victory. Mostly 7s, with highlights being PotM Postle's 8.1 (his second straight 8 rated game, by the way), and 7.3s for Hazel and Watson.

Hopefully we can keep winning and start bringing people into the park. Our home opener netted 551 fans, which is better than what we were doing towards the end of last season.

Brian Swartz

03-11-2014, 10:25 PM

New thread game: counting how many different(real and made-up) words beginning with fuck Izulde can use.

Izulde

03-11-2014, 11:45 PM

New thread game: counting how many different(real and made-up) words beginning with fuck Izulde can use.

:D I have a bit of an anger issue (which I keep pretty well concealed publicly) and do have a tendency to swear a lot in general conversation.

In fact, during Nationals for a marketing competition one year, a bunch of us from my college were at a bar chilling and having a couple drinks, and somebody again happens to mention the round in Quiz Bowl at State where I won like 10 of the team's 11 points.

All of a sudden this cute girl a few stools down gasps and looks at me. "*You're* the guy from Wisconsin who's so insanely smart at Quiz Bowl?"

"...I do all right. Why?"

"I never would have guessed it from how much you swear. You shouldn't swear so much."

I just shrugged because I couldn't think of what else to say. Never had anybody get on my case about my language before. We ended up finishing third at Nationals (long story as to how that happened), but the team that finished first had this Filipina girl from Michigan who was equal to or even better than I was, and I would have *loved* to have challenged her in the championship, but we lost by 2 points in the semi-finals to a team we should have beaten easily.

Izulde

03-12-2014, 04:06 AM

@Bishop's Stortford (13th)
GK Barney Watson
DL Robin Whittington
DC Mark Bower
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Izzy Johnson
DM Medi Abalimba
ML Louis Rae-Beadle
MC Wes Daly
MR David Wheeler
ST Elliott James
ST Jacob Hazel

29 We're playing like garbage and are lucky to only be down one. 0-1

33 - Like I said... 0-2

43 - 2 gimme shots at the goal and we waste them both.

Hackett, McGonigle, and Malsom all go in at DR, ML, and ST to replace Hazel respectively, and I shred the team.

53 - And there goes any shot at making this a game. 0-3

87 - Consolation long-range goal by McGonigle 1-3

We played a lot better in the second half so I'll give them that.

@Bath (16th)
GK Barney Watson
DL Bernard Williams
DC Mark Bower
DC Chris Blackburn
DR Jamal Hackett
DM Paul Branagan
ML Louis Rae-Beadle
MC George Colson
MR David Wheeler
ST Mark Postle
ST Jacob Hazel

A full-strength lineup save for the keeper for the first time this season

8 - First game back, and Branagan's knocked again.

14 - Our defenders bunch up in the middle freeing them to strike from the wing. 0-1

44 - Bullshit penalty call 0-2

Abalimba and Malsom go on for Branagan and Postle.

[b]49[b] - WTF is this shit? Now Abalimba is knocked.

67 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 0-3

91 - Own goal, whee. 1-3

The FA is quiet on my ripping them, but at this point, I've fucking had it with the wage budget, the inconsistent team, and just everything ever, so I resign again.

This time I'll wait for somebody to offer me a job. New house rule: I can apply to jobs that list me as a candidate.

Heh. Remember Johnny Goddard, my last big FA signing for Staines? He just broke the team appearances record with 176. Too bad Staines and Brackley are both due to drop back to down to the BSN/S level, as through 14 games, they're 23rd and 24th.

We get to February and Staines is still in last, but Brackley is now above the drop zone and in 18th. Meanwhile, Havant & Waterlooville is currently in the drop zone, which warms the cockles of my heart.

We're into September of next season and nobody's expressed interest in me yet. Havant & Waterlooville did indeed drop, as did Staines. Brackley managed to stay up in BS Premier, but they're in last place right now.

So I go on vacation and tell my secretary to apply me to all bottom division jobs. They're the only ones that will hire me now with my flaky record, probably.

And even then, I get turned down by Bath. Wow. I get a few offers and turn them all down, but I forgot to reject Dartford's job opening, so I'm their manager for all of three days before I realize what happened and resign.

I wait and wait and wait until I find the exact right opportunity: Gainsborough Trinity. They have a $475k payroll available, but are only spending $282k of it and don't have much exciting history in this universe, although they were Championship level back at the turn of the century. They're offering me a one year, $47k contract, and a chance to prove myself. I feel like that's selling me short and work up to a $54k deal.

Ian Gay refuses to join me. He's still at Havant & Waterlooville

I change captain and vice captain to Aynsley McDonald and Danny Parslow. Parslow was formerly the captain.

We drop our first game 0-1 which puts us in the drop on goal differential. The team's been hit hard by injuries and I had to scrabble together a makeshift lineup.

Two days later, we have another game, but I'm able to hustle in a couple of loan guys into the lineup. We tie that one 2-2 and should have won, but for a fucking horseshit penalty in the 90th minute that gave them the draw. And you know who scored on us? Two guys named Wint and Dickman. No, I'm not kidding - Too bad it was Aaron instead of some form of Jimmy for the Wint

That tie pushes us up to 17th that's really a 3 way tie for 19th, a point ahead of the drop zone with 24 games played.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/FOFClulz_zpsdfe2b5c8.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/FOFClulz_zpsdfe2b5c8.jpg.html)

Izulde

03-12-2014, 04:35 PM

Roster Overview

Goalkeeper
Joseph Lumley (25) - 2*
Stuart Town (23) - 1*

Wingback - Attack
DLR Aynsley McDonald (27) - 1*
DR Danny Parslow (34) - 4*
DL Michael Riley (Loan) - 2*
DR Dwayne Samuels (29) - 4.5*
DL Paul Weldon (27) - 4*

Ball-Playing Defender - Defend
DC Aynsley McDonald - 1.5*
DC Danny Parslow - 4.5*
DC Curtis Da Costa (24) - 4.5*
DC Angus Hopkins (19) - 2.5*
DC Jack Taylor (24) - 1.5*
Paul Weldon - 3*

Defensive Midfielder - Support
Danny Parslow - 4.5*
Eddy Gnahore (26) - 5*

Box-To-Box Midfielder - Support
Eddy Gnahore - 4.5*
Nicky Deverdics (32) - 1.5*
Taylor Miles (24) - 4*
Jide Ogunbote (31) - 1*

Wide Midfielder - Support
ML Nicky Deverdics - 1*
ML Liam Hubbard (16) - 1 silver star
MR Taylor Miles - 3.5*
MR Dwayne Samuels - 4.5*

Deep-lying Forward - Attack
Jesse Darko (Loan) - 4*
Kane Richards (25) - 4*
Adam Creswell (21) - 2*

Poacher - Attack
Jesse Darko - 4*
Kane Richards - 4*
Adam Creswell - 2*

So a raft of injuries and general fitness issues have taken its toll on what should be an excellent team. GK and ML are the biggest concerns.

We bring in ST Elliott Charles on a 3 month loan (2.5* Poacher), 29 year old DC Remy Clerima (1.5* BPD) on same.

Other newcomers - 18 year old DM/MC Dion Argent on a PPA (2* DMC/3* B2BMC) and 18 year old DCR Jimmy Tickle, also on a PPA (2* DR/3* BPD)

After seeing our strength here, we cancel a transfer in of a DR, but do make another one.

Transfer In - ST Gergo Lippai (20)
2 year $19.5k a year deal, which I consider a fair contract for the Hungarian striker. As of right now he's the #3 striker when Richards comes back from injury, but Darko's also just a loan, remember, so this is a kid I can see building a future around, maybe. 3* DLF/3.5* Poacher

@Kettering (15th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Michael Riley
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Jimmy Tickle
ML Nicky Deverdics
MC Dion Argent
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Gergo Lippai

Lot of short-rest guys, as we've been ridiculously crammed in terms of fixtures.

[b]27 - It's snowing. Offsides goal disallowed for our opponents. Tickle seems ever-present from the highlights.

32 - Knock for Lippai

36 - No offsides luck this time. 0-1

Taylor in for Hopkins, Charles takes Darko's place.

53 - They should have scored there.

73 - Wow! Lippai threads a perfect pass to Charles, who takes advantage of the 1 on 1 to beat the keeper! 1-1

86 - Gorgeous pass from Riley to Samuels, but the open header is shanked. :(

Should've won this one probably, but given our issues, I'll take the tie and another point. Unfortunately, our shiny new signing, Gergo Lippai, is out 4 weeks.

Dwayne Samuels wants to leave, but I tell him I can get us promoted in the next two seasons, so he gives us that.

vs FC Halifax (2nd)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Aynsley McDonald
DC Remy Clerima
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Danny Parslow
ML Liam Hubbard
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Taylor Miles
ST Jesse Darko
ST Elliott Charles

Not seeing us winning this one, to be honest.

We have a few chances in the first half, but nothing goes. Fortunately, we're holding strong on the other end as well. Riley and Argent swap in at DL and DM, with McDonald moving to DR.

66 - In the post corner-kick scrum, Riley pounces on a loose ball and cracks it in for the lead. Is our first win far behind? 1-0

88 - ...Yeah, even I saw that offsides for us.

90 - Charles bloops a beautiful drop ball in front of Darko, who runs to beat the defense and score! They're complaining it's offsides, but my players are telling me they got away with two penalties, so it's all fair. 2-0

7.6 and 7.5 for Hopkins and Clerima, 7.9 for Player of the Match Charles and 7.6 for Darko, who by the way had a 5.8-6.0 before that goal, and 7.5 for Riley. A monumental upset that jumps us up to 17th and provides a precious 3 points of breathing room.

The board evidently believes in this team, because they infuse $170k in the finances even though we're still expected to lose money.

@Southport (6th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Nicky Deverdics
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

On paper, this is our strongest possible lineup, made possible by constant match rearrangements and a long break. We still need to do something about the ML, which i should have done during our idle stretch, but forgot.

41 - Shady fucking goal disallowed. No way Samuels was offside. We've been controlling this game all match but haven't pushed through yet.

55 - Fucking crybabies whine the goal should be disallowed due to offsides. How about um, NO. Richards went back and grabbed his own dispossessed ball and booted it in with 3 of your assclowns standing in front of him. Get fucked, prissy bitches. 1-0

78 - Thanks, post, for blocking the should've goal!

83 - Charles on for a tired Richards

What now, mofos?! Da Costa picks up Player of the Match with 7.9 and all 12 players to hit the pitch got at least 7

In a few days we've got a big rivalry match against Worksop/b], which is all the more important since they're 21st, and while they're all but guaranteed to relegate, [b]having just 2 wins in 28 matches and 13 points, a victory here would really put the sword to them and enhance our own standing.

@Worksop (21st)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Michael Riley
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Nicky Deverdics
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Elliott Charles

8 - 25 yard free kick goal by Deverdics, who at least brings that to the table, even though he's soon to be replaced in an optimal lineup, I think. 1-0

19 - Shit. Knock for Gnahore, who is only our most important player on the whole damned team.

25 -...Yeaaaaaah... kinda obvious we were offsides, there.

Argent and Weldon come on at the break to replace Gnahore at DM and in at DC with Tickle kicking out to DR due to health issues.

56 - Diverdics to Miles to Charles... and Gooooaaaal! 2-0

66 - Argent punts it to Darko's head, who nods it on for Charles to hoof it in. 3-0

75 - Sigh. Weldon gets knocked.

76 - Samuels kicks it out to Tickle on the far right wing, and the DR puts it up in the middle of the air. Charles is there to knock it down and in with his head, and we have the hat trick!!!! 4-0

What a blowout win. 8.2 for Tickle, 7.6 for Da Costa and Riley, 7.5 for Samuels, 7.7 for Miles, 8.3 for Deverdics, and, of course, 9.7 for Charles with his amazing hattrick.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ql-Oe8GwYbI?list=UUfejaPA5RVDBG4kfNvJPCLw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)

We jump up to 14th with the win. Originally this squad was picked to finish 5th, so the talent has always been there - it's just injuries and what apparently was a poor use of the players on hand took their toll.

For instance, even though we've been running the Izuldian 4-4-2 since I got here, even a base 4-4-2 they had no knowledge of, so it's been a learning process.

Izulde

03-14-2014, 02:53 AM

We sign 18 year old GK Dereck Turner as a prospect. He'll be in the Reserves for now, but will get work and development and could very soon take over as a starting goalie.

vs Bradford PA (6th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Danny Parslow
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Nicky Deverdics
MC Dion Argent
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

This is my 200th game as manager across three different clubs (since I don't think I got in a Dartford game, but maybe I did. Let's hope we can get a win out of this.

10 - Gnahore gets knocked.

13 - Deverdics is hurt badly enough to go off. Fortunately I have an upgrade over him waiting to sign the papers, but for now, it's U18 Liam Hubbard on to replace him.

We've had some great chances to get goals if people were in the right damn position, but they haven't been. Parslow moves to DM and Aynsley McDonald comes in at DR.

46 - Lousy free kick defending 0-1

80 - Second free kick goal given up, and our offense has had nary a shot this second half.

Yeah we flat out sucked there.

Worse yet, Eddy Gnahore is out 5-6 weeks.

You can imagine my shock when I win Blue Square South Manager of the Month. Totally unexpected.

Transfer In - ML Ray Atkinson (21)
Two year, $9.75k per year deal. Dude would not move from that number no matter what I did and he was getting pissy so I finally just signed him to it. Great potential and will be an immediate starter on the left wing, though he's very raw right now.

vs Solihull Moors (13th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Michael Riley
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Nicky Deverdics
MR Taylor Miles
ST Jesse Darko
ST Elliott Charles

17 - Beautiful clearance by Deverdics to Darko who outruns the field..only to blow the shot.

And yeah otherwise it's pretty scrummy the rest of the first half. Miles slides to MC with Samuels taking over on the right side, and Darko is replaced by Lippai up front.

Our midfield play was putrid today. 5.6 for Atkinson, and low-mid 6s for everyone else. It's why we generated no attacks in the second half. Our defense was the complete opposite - balls-out amazing, especially Da Costa[b/] PoTM'ing his way to an 8.3, and a 7.5 for [b]Lumley in the net.

Izulde

03-15-2014, 03:32 PM

vs Leamington (13th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Danny Parslow
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

17 - Lot of action in the first 17 minutes, but we don't see the first real breakthrough until Atkinson makes a phenomenal ground-cross to Richards on the edge of the six yard box, and it's an easy score right there. 1-0

37 - Parslow to Miles to a wide open Richards for the easy finish. 2-0

42 - Parslow short kicks it to Tickle on the wing, and a centering later, Richards has the first half hat-trick!!!! 3-0

Remember our old friend De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale? Well, he's playing for Leamington after two forgettable seasons with Solihull Moors. He's exhausted this game and it's great to be whipping a former prospect of mine.

58 - Argent in for Parslow, McDonald on for Tickle after they score on a corner 3-1

77 - Richards picks out a corner clearance and sends it back to Hopkins, who hits a booming cross to Darko's head for the easy goal. 4-1

82 - Hell of a long strike by them. Just one of those fluke goals. 4-2

Obviously a 9.6 for Player of the Match Richards, but let's also applaud
Miles for his 8.3, Darko for his 7.7 and Hopkins for his 7.6. Phenomenal performance by our boys.

Now this is interesting. We've got our eye on an amazing young DM who has an agent, and the agent is asking me to make an offer first before he reveals what his client wants.

Transfer In - DM Alex Worsfold (22)
Yes, it's a $29k/year contract, but it's for two years and he's immediately our best DM. Plus, at 22, he's young enough to be here long-term. Which is critical because...

Expiring Contracts
DC Curtis Da Costa (24) - $43.5k
DM/DC/DR Danny Parslow (34) - $34.5k
MR/DR Dwayne Samuels (29) - $38.5k
DL/DC Paul Weldon (27) - $38.5k
MC/DM Eddy Gnahore (26) - $26.5k
ST Kane Richards (25) - $36.5k
MC/MR Taylor Miles (24) - $31k
DC/MC Angus Hopkins (19) - $24k

2 Year Contracts
DM Alex Worsfold - $29k
ST Gergo Lippai - $19.5k
ML Ray Atkinson - $9.75k

8 of our current starters are expiring, and one of them, our oldest one, now has a cheaper replacement. As for the rest of our starters and most of our depth? Either loan guys or non-contract signings.

We get Kane Richards and Paul Weldon to sign one year extensions at their same paygrade, but everybody else is demanding far more money than I'm willing to dole out, so we'll have to do a lot of offseason shopping, it looks like. At least we have DL/ML/DM/ST/ST figured out, which is always a start.

We loan in DRC Leadun Astley for 3 months just to keep building our depth.

@Tamworth (7th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

22 - Richards swings in a corner and Da Costa rises above everyone to bang in his first goal of the year 1-0

56 - Lippai in for Richards, Parslow to DM and Astley in at DR. LOL and two seconds later, Astley gets yellow. Less funny - a minute later he loses possession deep in our half, but Weldon bails him out.

75 - That was down to Astley doing an awful job of defending 1-1

78 - ....fucking ridiculous. 2 goals right back to back and worse yet, the guy's name is Aeon Duckworth. Aeon and Kevin Duckworth from GAH all in one name. 1-2

86 - Fuck this. Duckworth with a second half hat-trick. 1-3

Pathetic. Just fucking pathetic.

Good Trains
Jimmy Tickle
Danny Parslow
Dion Argent

Bad Trains
Eddy Gnahore
Remy Clerima

The board is pleased with me, even though we lost $24.83k last month.

Oh and we've had a few players make Team of the Week the last few weeks that I forgot to report. Kaine Richards the week of his hat trick, Joseph Lumley a few updates ago, and now Danny Parslow.

Transfer In - MLC Antonie Boland (25)
Our first player signed through 2022, he's a 3* B2B MC, which is the role he'll take over next season most likely, but for now, he's our new starting ML, signed to a $24.5k a year contract. The Vauxhall supporters are *pissed* he left on a free transfer and felt he should have been sold for money.

vs North Ferriby (22nd)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

7 - Weldon swings it to Richards and it's a wham-bam easy goal. 1-0

9 - Richards has a great pass to Darko, but the latter's shot is denied. But then who's there to pick it up? None other than Boland, bopping in the easy rebound for a debut goal. 2-0

We're playing well, but we all remember what happened last time...

57 - Samuels on the wing to Miles, quick kick over to Darko, followed by pass forward to Richards and there's the shot for the three goal lead. North Ferriby is playing with zero confidence. 3-0

68 - Argent in for Worsfold, Lippai on for Richards

78 - What an amazing game Boland has had in his debut. This time he takes a great pass from Darko and crosses it into the penalty area for the *just* onsides Samuels for another score. 4-0

80 - Darko with the pass forward to Lippai, and another pass forward to the still racing Darko and yet another goal!! 5-0

90 - Samuels puts it in space for Miles and I think this six goal outpouring is an FM record for me 6-0

8+ Ratings
DL Paul Weldon - 8.9
DC Curtis Da Costa - 8.2
DC Jimmy Tickle - 8.3
DR Danny Parslow - 8.4
ML Antonie Boland - 9.0
MC Taylor Miles - 8.6
MR Dwayne Samuels - 8.7
ST Jesse Darko - 8.8
ST Kane Richards - 9.4 (PotM)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W4Je2VQgbUE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Absolutely amazing!!! And North Ferriby fire their manager immediately after that, continuing a long tradition :lol:

That win also set a contemporary club and Blue Square North record for margin of victory

Paul Weldon, Taylor Miles and Dwayne Samuels make Team of the Week.

Youth Candidates
DM/MC Will Wilkins looks to have tantalizing potential as a MC and GK Spencer Hubbard might turn into something worthwhile. The rest of the squad, though, is trash.

@Droylsden (2nd)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

Gnahore has actually been ready the last few matches to come back. I've just forgotten about him until now. Whoops.

35 - Richards cracks a jumpball that Darko wins and heads in for the early lead. I'm really going to miss Darko when his loan finishes in a couple days along with a few other players. He's really been a quality, if underrated player for us. 1-0

52 - Gnahore drops back down to DM and Miles comes in at MC. But before that happens, we're caught napping and they score. 1-1

58 - Parslow is hurt.

70 - Lippai on for Richards because I forgot to make sure I had backline coverage. Oops.

Honestly, against a vastly superior team like this and on the road, I'll damn sure take that point.

Danny Parslow is out 4-5 weeks, which sucks, but we'll make it through.

vs Accrington (6th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Jesse Darko
ST Kane Richards

7 - Blown easy chance by our opponents

37[/b - Goal given up on corner. We've been playing not great anyway [b]0-1

Argent for Worsfold, Atkinson for Boland

54 - I change to more direct passing on my Assman's advice

59 - Tickle has to come off, making that our second straight starting DR guy to be hurt. Astley gets the call.

69 - Weldon is knocked.

71 - Second time so far we've seen a Richards corner that Da Costa hits in, this time for the tie. 1-1

88 - Now it's Argent to get knocked.

Jimmy Tickle is out 5 to 6 weeks, Paul Weldon 3 to 4 weeks

Izulde

03-16-2014, 02:16 PM

We loan Liam Hubbard to Arnold to get some PT. Coaches are high on his potential, but he's not going to see PT here.

vs Guiseley (15th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Aynsley McDonald
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Leadun Astley
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards
ST Gergo Lippai

A bunch of players on loan finished out, and a ton more injured, so our lineup is a little shaky, to say the least.

27 - A high free kick by Richards is enough for Hopkins to get to head and slot it in the upper part of the net for his first goal in a Gainsborough jersey. 1-0

40 - Terrible pass by Da Costa. Fortunately, they shank the ensuing shot.

Adam Creswell in for Richards, and Gnahore in at DM in place of Worsfold, who has yet to play a full game for us, I think.

50 - Fuck! Lippai's out and I'm out of strikers. Guess that means Nicky Deverdics as a very awkward AMC. :(

[b]51]/b] - And Da Costa blows an easy insurance goal on a corner. Lousy game by him.

72 - Another blown corner header by Da Costa.

We close it out. 8.2 for PotM Hopkins, who literally was the differencemaker in a game we dominated and should have won by a bigger scoreline.

Gergo Lippai is out 3-4 weeks.

$26.56k loss last month, but the board is still pleased with me.

I try to convince the board to bring in a super-talented young goalkeeper, but they reject me. We also try to bring in Jesse Darko, but his agent refuses to even consider anything below $55k and the board nor I are having it.

@Workington (14th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Aynsley McDonald
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Leadun Astley
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards
ST Adam Creswell

21 - Miles delivers it to Creswell in the half-circle... and he booms it in from the distance! 1-0

28 - Miles again, kicking it back to Worsfold this time, and our DM races up the pitch and hits a screamer into the net. 2-0

I love it when telling the team not to get complacent results in some guys getting confused and others zeroing in. Pretty hilarious. I tell the confused guys, Miles and Creswell, that I'm happy with them so far, but they still look puzzled.

60[/b - [b]Atkinson in for Boland. But before that I notice a player for them called Wong Wai Sum, who on the pitch is listed as Sum Wong Wai, and they blow an easy shot right after one of his passes. :D He's EBC (English-Born Chinese) apparently and looks amazing. $70k a year and he's on loan from Altrincham

72 - Gnahore in for Miles

7.9 for PotM Worsfold, 7.8 for Miles, 7.7 for Da Costa 7.6 for Creswell and the team picked up its play in the second half despite a lack of goals.

We're now up to 10th with 50 points, but are 12 points away from the playoffs with 5 games remaining. So while it's mathematically possible, it's not going to happen. On the flip side, we're 15 points clear of the drop and can not be relegated. That didn't appear at all a certainty when I first arrived.

Our first June signing is confirmed, but we'll discuss him later. Leadun Astley somehow makes Team of the Week. We lose Alex Worsfold for a week and a half because of injury.

vs FC United (20th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Aynsley McDonald
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Leadun Astley
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards
ST Adam Creswell

0 - Richards hits Hopkins on the corner and the powerful header's in with ease. 1-0

6 - Awful miss by Miles

22 - Pathetic. 1-1

60 - Atkinson on for Boland

73 - Shocking miss by them.

81 - Another wtf miss by our opponents

So yeah, we should have lost. Granted, they're fighting to stay up, but we played down to their level, which is unacceptable.

Izulde

03-17-2014, 04:10 AM

@Alfreton (8th)
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Kyle Whalen (U18)
DC Jack Taylor
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Leadun Astley
DM Will Wilkins (U18)
ML Antonie Boland
MC Nicky Deverdics
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Richard Warriner (U18)
ST Neil Millidge (U18)

Short turnaround + still massive injuries = this ugly looking lineup.

2 - Gonna be a bloodbath. 0-1

Da Costa in for Taylor and Richards in for Millidge, exhaustion be damned. Let's try to at least squeeze out a point.

62 - Heh. An assist for Darko. Yes, that one. 0-2

90 - And they pile on 0-3

It's to be expected.

Chester clinches the title and auto-promotion. We're mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, so time to give the young kids some playing time.

@Nuneaton (14th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Danny Parslow
DM Will Wilkins
ML Antonie Boland
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards
ST Adam Creswell

Bunch of guys come back healthy for this one.

29 - Boland passes through traffic to Miles, who crosses it to Creswell in front of the goal, netting an easy score. 1-0

31 - Hopkins with the booming rainbow to the head of Richards, who knocks it to the far post where Creswell is wide open for another authoritative score. Where did this come from?! 2-0

55 - Astley on for Parslow, Atkinson to replace Boland

8.8 for PotM Creswell, 7.6 for Da Costa and Richards. Nice to see a clean sheet debut for Turner

vs Chester (1st)
GK Dereck Turner (Signed)
DL Paul Weldon (Signed)
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold (Signed)
ML Antonie Boland (Signed)
MC Will Wilkins (Signed)
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards (Signed)
ST Gergo Lippai (Signed)

Everyone's back healthy, and you can see we have 7 confirmed players signed for next season. There's also a third striker coming in June and we're working on finding a veteran DC.

38 - I've gotten a few notes throughout the season that Boland has had troubles fitting in, but he can play. Demonstrated it here as he races by the defense on the wing, kicks it to Samuels in the middle of the six yard box, and watches as our right midfielder hits it forward for Lippai to *finally* get his first goal in a Gainsborough jersey! 1-0

64 - Oh well. Gnahore on for Worsfold BTW 1-1

73 - Double yellow for Boland and Atkinson comes in at ML, with Wilkins sitting.

I'll take a 1-1 draw against the league's elite team.

Leadun Astley is out for 2 months due to a hernia.

And we get the 32 year old veteran central defender we wanted. He also represents a first position hire for us ever in my FM career, but more on that later.

Good Trains
Kane Richards
Antonie Boland
Dereck Turner

Bad Trains
Danny Parslow
Aynsley McDonald
Dion Argent

Nice to see three of our committed players doing well.

So, remember Gainsborough offered me a one year $54k deal to prove myself? Well, now they're offering me a two year extension at the same salary. I think I deserve a little more than that, and negotiate myself a two year, $62k per year contract.

vs AFC Telford (4th)
GK Dereck Turner (Signed)
DL Paul Weldon (Signed)
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold (Signed)
ML Ray Atkinson (Signed)
MC Will Wilkins (Signed)
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards (Signed)
ST Gergo Lippai (Signed)

8 - With help from the post, Richards snaps his goal drought! Beautiful passes by Wilkins and Lippai set up the score. 1-0

I just have to put a plug in here and say Dereck Turner showed in this one game why he's going to be our starting goalie of the future, maybe as soon as next season. He's been making phenomenal save after phenomenal save.

46 - Bad move by Tickle but they miss the open shot.

66 - Richards passes back to Atkinson and gets it right back on a perfect pass, and boom! Double the goals, double the lead, and that's his 10th goal of the season. 2-0

76 - Hopkins replaces Tickle, Gnahore does the same for Worsfold.

80 - They blow the chance to give themselves a lifeline.

89 - Lippai hurt again.

7.8 for Turner, 7.6 for Da Costa, and 8.8 for Richards in a great late-season win over a team that's trying to for sure clinch a promotion playoffs spot. As it turns out, that was our last game of the season and our last two contests drew over 1,000 fans at home, as we finished 9th on the year.

Round 2 of Negotiations
DC Angus Hopkins - Won't even talk
MR Dwayne Samuels - Agent won't budge on the $58k/year
MCR Taylor Miles - Debating whether I want to bring him back. He's only a 3* MR and while he's a 3.5* B2B MC, I'm not sure I see him as the guy, particularly with Wilkins developing more.
MC/DM Eddy Gnahore - On the other hand, Gnahore is the best player on the team and we're able to hammer out a two year, $38k per season contract where he gets a nice rise and we can afford to develop Wilkins more slowly. That also means Miles won't be back, as we'll look at a cheaper or at least more suitable option at MR.
DC Curtis Da Costa - We convince him to take a paycut to $35.5k a season in exchange for a deal through 2022. By itself, this covers a large chunk of Gnahore's raise.
DC/DR/DM Danny Parslow - I'm nervous about our DR situation, so when he's willing to do a one year deal at the same basic salary ($33k, which is slightly less, but bonus and whatnot makes it the same), I accept.

Dereck Turner makes Team of the Week.

Confirmed Players Through Next Year
GK Dereck Turner (19)
DL Paul Weldon (28)
DC Curtis Da Costa (24)
DM/DRC Danny Parslow (34)
DM/MC Will Wilkins (16)
DM/MC Eddy Gnahore (26)
DM Alex Worsfold (22)
ML Ray Atkinson (21)
ML Antonie Boland (25)
ST Georgo Lippai (21)
ST Kane Richards (25)

11 players inked for next year, plus I have a defender and striker coming in when June hits. Oh yeah, and the defender can play DC/DM/MC natively just as a teaser, and could play MR if he needed to. So needless to say, we are beyond stacked at DM.

Key Areas
MR - Starter
Depth - DL/DC/DR/ML/MR
4th striker
Backup GK

Portsmouth have fired their manager, so I just have to try and see if I can get the job

Good Trains Of Players Confirmed For Next Year
Dereck Turner
Antonie Boland

Bad Trains of Same
Danny Parslow

Portsmouth considers me, but again it comes down to the compensation since I just signed an extension. Oh well, they're League 1 anyway and I like what I'm building here.

Payroll gets slashed to $375k for next season which means we're going to be well over it once our new transfers come in. This is not good. Until I remember Dwayne Samuels, Taylor Miles, and Angus Hopkins are all expiring contracts, which will cover the money we're spending and give us a little buffer besides.

We get $22.9k from Chesterfield as part of our parent club arrangement. We lose $11k the month before.

Transfer In - ST Zach Little (22)
Two years, $27k a year, 3.5* both as Poacher and Complete Forward. He'll be a starting striker for us, which means Georgo Lippai will move back to the third striker spot. Some solid all-around attributes to be sure.

Transfer In - DC/DM/MC Director of Football Simon Walton (32)
Yeah. We now have a Director of Football of all things. I do some Googling to find out what he can do, and apparently it's a bunch of stuff. Nothing I want him to do except take over outgoing Transfers and Youth Development, since he's a better assessor of talent than Ed Marney, my Assman, and I can never find players to take my guys when I put them on the transfer list. Speaking of which... I transfer list my expiring contracts to see if they can get moved out quicker. None of them are worth much, but it'll be a test of Simon's transfer sending out ability.

...Wow. Within 2 days, he's got teams bidding on Hopkins and Samuels. No money coming in because they were only worth $2k each (which is weird for Samuels), but still.

Player of the Year is Kane Richards, which is no surprise.

Gainsborough Best 11
GK Joseph Lumley
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Angus Hopkins
DR Danny Parslow
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Jidie Ogunbote
MC Taylor Miles
MR Dwayne Samuels
ST Kane Richards
ST Adam Creswell

None of these guys were people I signed, although in the subs Gergo Lippai and Jesse Darko get mentions.

Gainsborough All-Time Best 11 Current Players
DL Paul Weldon
DR Danny Parslow
ST Kane Richards
Reserve GK Joseph Lumley (Just joined)
Reserve DC Curtis Da Costa (Just joined)
Reserve DM/MC Eddy Gnahore
Reserve ST Adam Creswell

Note - the All-Time Best 11 uses a flat 4-4-2 for whatever reason.

We get $12k in TV rights for next year.

The budget is cut again - $371k/year for a top-half finish. The increases for something better aren't worth the expectations, so I'll stand pat.

Taylor Miles and Kyle Whelan leave the club once their contracts expire. Dwayne Samuels goes to Luton and Angus Hopkins goes to Histon, both on free transfers.

Hopkins is getting paid an insane $42k, but I'm pissed to find Samuels took a $37.5k deal. We would have kept him for that amount of money. Asshole.

We have $44.5k in wage budget following the transfers.

137 season tickets sold in the early going. We transfer in DL/DC/ML Matt Fell on a PPA contract. He's 1* in everything but he's a depth signing and doesn't count against our wage budget.

DC Jack Taylor signs a PPA with Boston United and the fans are happy. Meanwhile, we have a huge hole at MR we can't sign anyone for. MLC Nick Deverdics goes to Guiseley on a PPA and the fans are once again good with it. Boston United signs a couple more of our scrubs on PPA deals for some weird reason. Team captain Aynsley McDonald goes to Droylesden on a PPA.

This is how desperate we are for a MR. We burn a season long loan on 21 year old MLR Tom Knotts who grades out as a 1.5* Wide Midfielder Support. We're so weak there that he's an immediate starter

@ North Ferriby (Friendly)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knotts
ST Kane Richards
ST Zach Little

4 - Knock for Little

6 - Boland is forced off. Not good. Atkinson takes his place, naturally.

7 - Worsfold to Richards and the chance fizzles out.

20 - Knott picks up a blocked ball and sends it to Worsfold, who strikes it from 20 yards out 1-0

40 - Sheesh. 1-1

58 - Richards takes advantage of a poor clearing header to punch it in. 2-1

65 - Weird. Wilkins hits a diving header, but it lands at Lippai's feet. No problem for the Hungarian striker, with a punishing finish to finally put this game right 3-1

The kick in the ass I gave them at halftime did the trick all right, but we lose Antonie Boland for 4 weeks, so he'll miss our league opener it looks like.

Izulde

03-17-2014, 02:21 PM

So after poking around, I see Brackley managed to stay up, and much to my shock, I discover that Gianluca Gracco has retired. He doesn't want to work on our staff, though, and I don't even bother asking Alexandr Geynrih. But imagine my even bigger surprise when I discover someone else who retired:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/stafftaaffe_zps7df32608.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/stafftaaffe_zps7df32608.jpg.html)

Yep, our underrated striker. He's leaps and bounds ahead of my current Assman in everything but scouting potential, so I decide to fire my Assman and sign Taaffe to a 2 year deal for the same position. He accepts! This also means I fire one of my old coaches for $7k and bring in James Bittner, a world class goalkeeping coach (20 Goalkeepers, 13 Working with Youngsters) to train up Dereck Turner.

I'm just going to make quick notes of the rest of Friendly season.

vs Oldham
Ugh. Lippai is sent off at 16th minute due to injury. We play like we don't care much and lose 0-1.

Bittner's transfer is cancelled because fuck the board. We're listed as 20-1 second tier promotion candidates, and the media has us picked 6th, just out of the promotion playoffs.

Reputation: Local
Ticket Price - $15
Season Ticket Price - $248
Value - $130k
Stadium Rent - $160 per year
Capacity - 4.304 (504 seated)
Average condition
Very good Field Condition
Fairly basic corporate facilities
Basic training facilities
Basic youth facilities (rented)
Youth setup category: 0
Adequate youth coaching
Basic youth recruitment

I let Lewis Taffe handle friendlies from now on because they bore me. Kane Richards is out 3 to 4 weeks and we lose to our parent club Chesterfield 0-3.

Adam Creswell gets $53k out of Macclesfield, which is hilarious.

We lock up another year on Alex Worsfold, but it requires raising his pay from $29k to $37.5k. But we won't be bringing back Paul Weldon next year, either, so we'll save money that way.

Good Train
Alex Worsfold

Bad Train
Liam Hubbard
Simon Walton

We're upset by a god damn weakling team 0-3 in our last preseason.

Danny Parslow regains his captaincy, and Simon Walton is named vice-captain. This makes everyone happy, and truth be told, I never should have demoted Parslow in the first place.

vs Alfreton
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

A couple injury issues, but in all, a solid lineup

30 - Atkinson longballs it to Little and the little header back to Lippai in the half-circle is a left-handed storming volley that slices into the net 1-0

Solid first half by our boys, and amusingly enough both goalies are named Turner. It's the battle of Dereck vs. Jack. Tickle comes on for Walton.

62 - Ugh. 1-1

68 - I throw my keyboard in the air and wonder why the fuck I even bother. 1-2

I scream at the players and almost ponder quitting again.

We sell 331 season tickets this season, compared to 323 last year.

I try to convince the board to spend money to bring in a great looking young MR, but though they're willing to agree to it, they don't have the money, and so decline.

@Solihull Moors
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Simon Walton
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Liam Hubbard
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

Boring first half. Argent for Worsfold and Da Costa for Walton at the break.

53 - :banghead: Hubbard should've sunk that.

72 - Oh look, Lippai's knocked again.

73 - Dangerous foul by Wilkins, but we get a very generous spot so it's not a PK.

77 - Lippai wings in the corner and they miss the interception, so Da Costa is right there to punish them for it! 1-0

87 - Holy shit! He's so tired, but Lippai takes a great pass from Little, dribbles through the defense, finds a spot inside the six yard box, and slams it home! 2-0

8.1 for Lippai, the obvious PotM. 7.8 for Tickle, who I'm tickled is still with us on a PPA, 7.6 for Little, and a huge 7.5 from Da Costa who came off the bench on what was supposed to be a game off.

vs Histon (7th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

Both our strikers are exhausted for this one but we have no depth, and Kane Richards isn't due back until next game. This contest is notable for two reasons: 1) The young MR we wanted but the board said no and Angus Hopkins both play for this squad.

36 - 25 yard free kick by Knott! Wow, way to earn the season-long loan we gave you, kid. 1-0

70 - Tickle out to DR, Walton in at DC

A somewhat surprising grindy win, but we'll take. The kind of game where Knott's 7.4 is good enough for PotM.

24 year old DR/MR Ryan Richefond signs on a PPA. He's strictly a depth signing.

@Tamworth (9th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

2 - How did Little even miss that?

Garbage first half.

60 - Worsfold has gotten the trouble blending in comments several times but here he passes it to Richards, who knocks it in to space for Little to beat out the opposition and pop it in for what is surprisingly his first ever league goal for us 1-0

Also, Knott moves to the left side and Richefond gets his debut at MR. Wilkins comes in for Gnahore at MC.

72 - Wilkins makes a brilliant dispossession and starts a counter move by running down the pitch and long-balling it to Richards. Our prized striker runs all the way down the right win and deep crosses it to [b]Little/b], who doubles his goal tally for us all in one game. 2-0

78 - Blown easy goal for Wilkins

87 - A 25 yarder from Wilkins for his first ever senior goal!!! 3-0

7.9 for Da Costa, 8.6 for Richards and 8.8 for PotM Little. This is exactly the deadly striker combination up front I was hoping these two would be.

We're in 3rd after our first 4 matches. Brackley has dropped their first 5 games in BS Premier play and are looking terrible.

Izulde

03-19-2014, 03:17 AM

Alex Worsfold continues impressing the hell out of everybody in training.

@Grimsby (17th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

37 - :banghead: Great pass to Richards from Da Costa and rather than take the shot himself, he slides it to Little, who shanks it.

50 - Ugh. 0-1

52 - Immediate answer as Boland hits Little for the run, shoot, and score! 1-1 Subs in as Knott to ML, Richefond in at MR, and Lippai replacing Richards at striker.

We were heavy underdogs in this one, so to walk out with a point is okay, though I feel like we should have taken 3.

Bad Trains
Eddy Gnahore
Simon Walton

Good Train
Will Wilkins

Loss of $20.3k and board is satisfied.

vs Corby (20th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Jimmy Tickle
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

33 - I thought Richards tried to shoot it, but upon further review it's a pass forward where Little literally steamrolls the opposing defender and goalie for the score. 1-0

47 - Now it's Boland's turn for a wide open miss. I'm wondering if perhaps I should be finding a new ML. He isn't that great out there and is maddeningly inconsistent.

55 - Fell in for Boland, Lippai on for Richards

Not a great win, but one we'll take. I keep thinking about Boland, who I've actually been training as a box-to-box center midfielder because I thought that's where he'd be playing this year before I re-signed Gnahore and developed a strong liking for Wilkins.

vs Kettering (8th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

Their goalie does a beautiful job stopping a surefire Gnahore goal in the first half, but otherwise it's defend, defend, defend for us.

As an experiment, I move Gnahore to DM, Boland to MC, Knott to ML, and put Richefond in at MR. Let's see how this goes.

70 - They score. Lippai on for Little, Walton in for Tickle. 0-1

82 - Gnahore is forced off but it doesn't matter. Tickle's fuckup cost us the game already anyway. Or maybe not. Weldon hits a crazy shot that was supposed to be a pass I think, but it bounces off the woodwork, confusing the goalie, and Richards nabs the equalizer! 1-1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jeXz5VPzZZE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They get their own woodwork bounce but no one's there to stick it in (That's what she said), so we escape with a draw.

Transfer In - ST Curtis Beasley (18)
Two year, $4.6k/year deal. Raw right now, but has BSP potential. Then again we've all heard *that* one before. But if he works at it, I think he can definitely be something.

vs Leamington (19th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

3 - Gnahore to Boland to Worsfold as a 3 man triangle of passes culminating in the last's thundering kick for a score. 1-0

24 - Boland on a free kick and a walk-in Walton goal. 2-0

Could be leading by even more. Wilkins in for Gnahore and Fell on for Weldon at halftime.

66 - We suck at corner defense 2-1

7.9 for Walton, 7.5 for Worsfold, and we're in 1st place, but we should have destroyed this team, not played down to its level.

vs Blyth (FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Liam Hubbard
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Gergo Lippai
ST Curtis Beasley

I would've put more second unit guys in, but most of them were still tired from the Reserves match three days prior, so we'll run with a mix of first teamers and reserves.

18 - Dafuq? 0-1

27 - Beasley takes the pass from Lippai, runs through a horde of Blyth defenders, and hook shots it in the goal!! 1-1

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Eh_7C4xuT_M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

30 - Not a combo I expect, but Wilkins' free kick hits Tickle for a long header goal. 2-1

38 - Knock for Lippai. He'll shake it off though.

[b]63[b/] - Fell on for Hubbard, Argent in for Wilkins

We win this one because PotM Turner has the game of his life, racking up an 8.4. 7.6 from Tickle didn't hurt either. Lippai is out 9-12 days and we get $9.75k for the win.

Izulde

03-19-2014, 03:33 PM

@Buxton (22nd)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

9 - Disallowed goal because Little fouled the keeper.

Fell for Boland and Beasley for Little at the half. This has been a disgrace.

70 - A mostly silent second half cuts in with this exchange of Beasley and Richards flipping the ball back and forth until Richards finally breaks the scoring drought. 1-0

76 - Worsfold is still getting problems fitting in messages, but here he passes to Beasley, who centers it for Richards and a second goal. Nice to see us finally waking up. 2-0

82 - Should've been a hat trick after Fell's great cross, but nope.

9.0 for Richards as a one-man show, but the rest of the team really stepped up in the second half and prevented embarrassment.

@Accrington (6th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Curtis Beasley

21 - Trap game writ all over it and sure enough... 0-1

45 - ...Yep. 0-2

So that was a pretty shitty half. Weldon is yanked for Fell, Beasley for Richards.

69 - Richards dribbles through the defense to knock one in and give us a faint glimmer of point hope 1-2

Despite the loss, we're hanging on to 1st by a point 10 games in.

Izulde

03-20-2014, 04:58 AM

Loan In - MR Trevor Sedgemore (20)
We've been going back and forth on this kid with AFC Flyde until we finally got him on a season-long loan. He's raw but he's supposed to be better than Knott at MR, and at the very least, it gives us insurance.

Good Trains
Paul Weldon
Dereck Turner
Tom Knott

I finish in second in Manager of the Month voting.

$29.5k profit last month, which is great to see. Board's very pleased.

@Hyde (FA Cup Qualifying 3rd Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Danny Parslow
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Ryan Richefond
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Curtis Beasley

Trying something a little different and putting in guys who have Important Matches as a strength and witholding guys who have Important Matches as a weakness

21 - Score one for the IM theory. It's not Boland who makes the great initial pass, but Wilkins who has the trait and delivers a pristine assist to Beasley, who takes two steps and fires it in! 1-0

31 - HTF did Beasley miss that?

Parslow shifts to DR and Fell comes in at DC.

70 - Fucking Fell gets robbed and they get post help 1-1 I move him to ML and decide to gamble with bringing a poor IM guy in Da Costa

79 - Off Beasley goes with injury, leaving it up to Richards to step in.

85 - I told him before he went in that he could be the differencemaker and what do you know? Wilkins to Little to Richards, and the angled shot banks in!! 2-1

89 - First time I've seen the opposing goalie make a bad pass, but they get back on defense and the goalie atones by making a hell of a stop.

They threaten again in the 94th minute, but the whistle blows just in time.

So that IM theory? Will Wilkins is PotM with an 8.0 and Zach Little gets a 7.7 None of the IM strength guys get less than a 7. Bad IM guy Da Costa got a 7 too, though, so it's inconclusive.

That's another $13.24k in the piggy bank. Kingstonian upsets Staines much to my glee.

vs Nuneaton (13th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Tom Knott
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

9 - Wow. Should've been a penalty but they denied us.

18 - Little bloop header by Little somehow finds the net due to goalie incompetence. We'll take it. 1-0

41 - Our umpteenth corner this game. The traditional method is to kick to Da Costa's head, but this one's far post to Gnahore, who rifles it home for his first goal of the year. 2-0

67 - Wilkins in for Gnahore, Knott flipping to MR and Boland stepping in at ML.

68 - Da Costa forced out and Tickle on.

7.7s for Walton and Gnahore, and an 8.0 for PotM Little. Our old friend Jesse Darko is playing for them and I bet he bitterly regrets not staying with us now.

Oh, nifty. I forgot to save it, but a journalist comments on how our goalscoring streak means that we must be confident of scoring on any opponent. Sure enough, we've scored in 13 straight games.

Which means we're probably due for a goose egg next time out.

Izulde

03-22-2014, 04:09 AM

We cut further into our wage budget by signing Will Wilkins to a two year, $5.5k per year contract for his first professional deal. We still have $23.5k in room, though.

@Colwyn Bay (13th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Jimmy Tickle
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Ryan Richefond
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

44 - Very quiet first half. So much so that this is only the second highlight in total, but it's a pretty one, as Gnahore challenges and wins the ball, then challenges again to pass it to Little for the short, firm locker room lead *just* before the break. 1-0

45 - Holy shit! Lippai kicks it to Richefond on the wing, and the booming kick is to Worsfold's head who "bravely rises above the opponent" to knock it in! Wow, talk about devastating for the Bay! 2-0

Tickle moves to DR, Weldon to DC, and Fell comes on at DL. The stellar playing but tired Gnahore is replaced by new contract man Wilkins.

73 - The second half has been all about yellow cards, including one of their guys getting a double yellow right here. At this point, the game is ours. They're not coming back down 2 with only 10 guys on the pitch.

Worsfold is PotM with 8.2 so screw the trouble fitting in remarks. Weldon nabs a 7.5 and we just played a solid all-around game.

That win gives us a 3 point cushion + goal differential in first, which is a great combo to have.

vs Hereford (FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Paul Weldon
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

Still sticking with my IM theory for cup games. Hereford's a BS Premier side, which sucks for us to get one this early, but we're still going to make a go of it.

5 - Richards with the corner... and Weldon with the sliding tackle goal!! 1-0

40 - At long last, an own goal that goes our way!!! Though I seriously thought it was Wilkins with the score. We'll take it either way. 2-0

Want to know the weird part? Despite the two goal lead, we haven't been playing that brilliantly overall. We've just been damned lucky.

46 - Hmm. Parslow gets the ball stripped away from him and they score. 2-1

65 - Gnahore on for tired Wilkins, and I'm going to risk Da Costa at DC with Weldon moving to DL.

71 - ....Turner really should have stopped that one. 2-2

74 - And they blow the go-ahead goal opportunity there.

79 - The post denies them.

84 - Weldon to Worsfold to Richards sitting in the middle of the six yard box. Takes Kane a bit to control it, but then he puts it in the lower right hand corner for the lead in our only offensive highlight of the half!!!!! 3-2

They switch to a 3-4-3 to frantically fight for the tie, but it's no go and we pull off the massive upset!!!

7.8 for Worsfold, 7.5 for Weldon and 8.0 for Richards. Only the first one is part of the IM strength crew. One of their players won PotM but I don't care. It's us who won.

I'm tempted to tell them off and say it's a Jekyll and Hyde performance because it was, but why ruin that? They ignore me anyway when I say it's a good win. First time that's ever happened.

$22k in the bank for *that* win. I like these cup victories.

Gavin Mutch wants more than the youth contract he's got. WTF are you again, kid? Oh. Somebody who's got some potential apparently, but he's never going to break into our current rotation as it stands. I tell him to prove to me that he deserves that money. He played 21 games last year before I came in and stunk.

@FC Halifax (2nd)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Tom Knott
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

As you can see from Halifax's place, this game has huge implications for the early league lead. We're heavily favored due to our hot streak, which makes me nervous since it's an away game.

18 - Our favorite corner move strikes again with Walton punting it to Da Costa's head for the quick, sneaky strike. 1-0

42 - He damn sure looked offsides on that free kick goal to me. 1-1

We're playing like garbage, particularly our strikers, and Weldon gets butthurt when I tell the team off, but I have no one to replace him, so I switch Knott to MR and put Boland in at ML.

54 - Going to gamble here. Lippai in for Richards and Wilkins replacing Worsfold while I pray there's no injuries. Oh, and they should have taken the lead here.

Da Costa played his ass off and got PotM with an 8.4 and Walton grabbed a 7.7, but our strikers were terrible and I give them a head-knocking talk.

vs Boston United (13th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Ryan Richefond
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

Remember our old friend Lukas Lidakevcius (sp)? The Lithuanian goalkeeper who didn't pan out with Brackley on a loan? Well, he's been the keeper for Boston United ever since he flamed out at Brackley.

The first half is sheer trash. Our offense is nonexistent. Lippai replaces a tired Richards at the break.

52 - Gnahore-Little-Lippai is the chain reaction that breaks the drought and keeps our games scored streak alive for another day. 1-0

58 - The whole team's been fired up since the halftime and Fell charges down the wing, then crosses it to where none other than Richefond is there to put it in for his first ever goal for us!!! 2-0

63 - Wilkins subs for Gnahore

92 - Just for good measure, we get ourselves a Boland weirdly on the right side kicking out to Walton, whose cross is just what Worsfold needs to head in the finisher. 3-0

By the way, you may also remember Boston United as the team that raided our scrubs on frees in the offseason, two of whom started today.

I get the expected comment about how the half-time talk really sparked something in the team. How big a difference? I'll let you see for yourself.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/bigchange_zps751a3dd8.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/bigchange_zps751a3dd8.jpg.html)

Yep.

@Scunthorpe (FA Cup 1st Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Danny Parslow
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

We have zero chance almost of beating a League 2 side on their own turf, so I'm just going to put out the most well-rested lineup possible since we have a league match again in a few days. The fact that it turns out to be a solid lineup is bonus points, I suppose.

15 - Wow! Wow wow oh wow *that* was a clear own goal to our advantage! 1-0

18 - That immediately changed the complexion of the game, with Scunthorpe going more offensive, and us going defensive for the first time ever.

33 - Little and Richards exchange passes and I'm half out of my chair because I think Little has it... but he shanks it.

41 - Damn! Damn damn damn!!! Little denied by the upright!!!!

44 - Fuck. Terrible clearance by Knott :( 1-1

We should be winning, not tied.

52 - Fuck you, dipsucking ref. That was not a fucking penalty! 1-2

54 - Floodgates are open now. Lippai replaces Little 1-3

75 - ANOTHER FUCKING PENALTY?!?! FUUUUUUUUCK YOU YOU FUCKING FUCKSTICK GNOBBLING ASSCLOWN FUCKING PAID OFF BY THE GOD DAMNED FUCKING SCUNTHORPE BOARD! 1-4

Granted, we totally fell apart in the second half: See Parslow - 3.1 and I have to rip them for it, but still...

That also ends our unbeaten streak overall, but not in terms of league play.

Good Trains
Jimmy Tickle
Curtis Da Costa
Antonie Boland

I win Manager of the Month going away.

Board's very pleased and we make a huge for us profit of $90.46k, the biggest sum I've made with any team in a month in this universe.

vs Southport (10th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Tom Knott
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Ryan Richefond
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

For some reason Danny Parslow's in a morale slump and the fans think he should be pulled after that last game, but I'm going to give a shot to play his way out of it.

12 - Bout time they called offsides on a free kick.

33 - Fucking great. A double yellow for Wilkins and he's off.

45 - Yeah. The game wants us to lose. 0-1

Knott is pulled for Fell, Walton slides up to MC, and Tickle comes on at DC.

51 - Motivated and committed Weldon steals the ball in the 6 yard box and goes up the line to Richards, who hoofs it in. 1-1

60 - And of course Richards is knocked out with injury, requiring Lippai in.

67 - Beautiful pass from Lippai to Little, and this time we get some damned frame help! 2-1

77 - Time for us to turtle up into defensive.

81 - Fuck this bullshit. Overload, motherfucker. 2-2

89 - Fuck you Turner and your shitty passes. You're lucky they fucking blow it.

Not happy. Not fucking happy with that punkass cockknobbery at all. We fucking drop out of first with that pissant performance. I also warn Wilkins about his dumbassery, which he accepts as he damn well fucking should.

@ Garforth (FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matthew Fell
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Ryan Richefond
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Dion Argent
MR Tom Knott
ST Gergo Lippai
ST Curtis Beasley

Worst first half I've ever seen us play and it's only because they're such a fucking horseshit team that we're still scoreless at the break.

55 - Fuck it. In go Gnahore and Little for Argent and Beasley. Somebody show me they want to win this fucking thing.

81 - Lippai's shot is blocked but he grabs the rebound and puts it in space for Little and we finally fucking have somebody who can put the god damned ball in the fucking net. 1-0

When a 7.3 is good enough to win PotM (Fell), you know it was a putrid game and I tell the players as much. Unbelievable.

$6.79k for the win.

@Hyde (18th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

30 - Little parks on the upper left corner of the six-yard box until Boland gets free and kicks a pretty around the net blaster for the lead! 1-0

50 - Lippai on for Richards, who appears to be in a real slump.

59 - Biggest bullshit offsides call ever.

65 - Da Costa gets knocked. Fight it off, son.

76 - Lippai is hurt and there's fucking terrible miscommunication between Turner and his defense leading to a fucking WIDE AS SHITFUCK OPEN FUCKING HORSERAPEY GOAL! 1-1 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: Wilkins in for Gnahore and OVERLOAD!

80 - FUCK YOU, ZEBRAFUCKING ZEBRA FUCKFACE FUCKING REF! LIPPAI WAS NOT FUCKING OFFSIDES EITHER TIME! I AM SO GOD DAMNED MOTEHRFUCKCING SICK OF TIRED OF THIS FUCKING BITCHY ASS FUCKING HOME COOKING COCKSHIT BULLSHIT!!!!!

83 - AND NOW LIPPAI HAS TO FUCKING GOOFY FOOT LONGRANGE A FUCKING SHANKER BECAUSE OF YOU, YOU FUCKING STRIPEY ASS WANKER!

Here is a fucking giant ass saw thing:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/GiantAssSawThing_zps8279c2c0.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/GiantAssSawThing_zps8279c2c0.jpg.html)

Sit your fucking homer ass on the sharp end and gyrate, you fucking two-bit line of code low-level fucking clueless "official". You fucking piss me off so fucking much you fucking made me scare quote AND I FUCKING HATE SCARE QUOTES! I EVEN TELL MY UNDERGRADS NEVER TO FUCKING USE THEM!

Kettering tries to lure Dion Argent away. He tells them to fuck off until they show him the god damned money.

Curtis Beasley gets a vacation to deal with the flu. He's as sick as this team's been playing.

vs Wealdstone (FA Trophy 1st Round)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

We need a breakthrough win, so I'm going almost full strength here.

2 - I literally can not read the yellow on white text. And my fucking moron players evidently can't see our opponents 0-1

5 - Yeah, let's have Worsfold go off with injury right after the fucking game starts too, why don't fucking we? Get in, Gnahore

45 - Don't forget to knock Richards too, assholes! Oh wait, you didn't.

48 - Boland finds Little, who dodges the would-be tackler and strikes it home. I shout, "Yeah! Fuck you!" and double-flip off the nearest ref. 1-1

73 - Wilkins is playing like ass, so let's put Walton in at MC.

82 - Let's see if Lippai can give us some fucking onsides magic for once. In for Richards

I can't fucking read the text at the end. All I know is, it's another worthless showing.

Alex Worsfold has a hip injury, which means the following options
A: Specialist. Out 3 months + $1k
B. Injections. In for next game, but out 8-10 months + $1k
C. Let the physio handle it. Free, but out 6-7 months.

What the fuck option do you think I'm going to choose? Fuckin' A!

vs Wealdstone (FA Trophy 1st Round Replay)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Ryan Richefond
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

Shaking things up a bit for the replay.

5 - Does it even matter anymore? 0-1

43 - Fuck it. 0-2

45 - Another fucking injury for Richards

A couple of subs at half. Who gives a fuck?

60 - I crack a half-smile at this Vincent-Young sends it into own goal! which I don't see how it was possible, because it was clearly a score from Da Costa 1-2

Morale is starting to tank, so I'm far nicer than I feel like being at full-time. Whatever. Fuck it.

Izulde

03-22-2014, 06:08 PM

vs Droyslden (6th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Jimmy Tickle
DR Danny Parslow
DM Simon Walton
ML Ryan Atkinson
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

7 - 25 yard free kick goal by Lippai. Maybe we can finally snap out of the slump? 1-0

14 - Lippai gets knocked, and of course that means he shanks the wide open shot.

33 - Clanging action sees Da Costa score the header off the corner from Lippai 2-0

Argent replaces Gnahore at MC and Beasley comes in for Lippai at ST during halftime. Health reasons, you know.

50 - Here's Beasley with the crossing free kick... and Tickle with the jumping half-volley kick for his first ever senior goal!!! 3-0

52 - Can't believe they missed. What a weak effort.

69 - Great stolen ball by Little and he's got the one on one... and he sends it completely wide. What the hell, dude?

81 - Bye clean sheet. 3-1

8.3 for PoTM Da Costa, 8.0 for Lippai. Lot of guys looked whatever after we went up by 3 goals, which is something to take note of. Still, that was a huge win for us in terms of creating space in promotion playoffs.

Injury train continues with Gergo Lippai out 4-5 weeks.

Good Trains
Joseph Lumley
Zach Little
Liam Hubbard

Bad Trains
Danny Parslow
Simon Walton

Curtis Da Costa is named to Team of week and there's probably other guys I've forgotten as well.

Board's still very pleased, but we lost $8.65k last month.

Loan In - ML Ryan Lloyd (26)
Finally we get a left midfielder worth having! 3* WM support and he's here until the end of the season. I wanted to transfer him outright, but Bradford PA wanted $20k for him, so I'll just keep him around for our title fight. He'll miss the next game because he's hurt, which is a shame, because it's such a huge one, but major impact player right here.

vs Worcester (1st)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Atkinson
MC Will Wilkins
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

Still trying to find the right combination on the right side of the pitch. I do think Danny Parslow is all but done. Fans hate him and he hasn't broken out like I hoped he would. Anyway, big game obviously. Win and we move back into first place. Don't win and we have a growing hill to climb.

They're doing a phenomenal job defensively, and we can't crack them in the first half. Likewise, we do well enough to keep things all square. Knott and Argent take over at ML and MC respectively.

67 - Not a single highlight thus far and Argent is knocked out. Gnahore is pushed up to MC and Parslow is going to get a shot at redemption at DM.

90 - Walton with the corner in just the third highlight for either side this half... and it's to Little's head for the late score!!! Let's Contain!!!! 1-0

8.1 for Walton, Player of the Match. He played brilliantly, and Da Costa pulled a 7.7. More importantly, by stealing that win, we're back in first place!!!

Dion Argent is out 4 weeks, just when I'm thinking of giving him an extended tryout at MC. On the other hand, Will Wilkins is continuing to develop and Lewis Taaffe singles him out for his gains.

@Bradford PA (8th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Danny Parslow
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Kane Richards
ST Curtis Beasley

Short turnaround, and a lot of rest and injury things to sort out, so we're going with a slightly wonky lineup.

36 - Own goal by Turner after he dropped the ball. Literally. 0-1

42 - Richards and Beasley trade passes back and forth until the first sets up the latter with a pass prettier than Kate Upton, and our prospect slams it home for his first-ever senior league goal 1-1

Knott's pulled for Sedgmore at MR. Our guys are sucking wind, but they'll have to keep fighting on.

57 - Knock for Richards so I move Parslow to ST, Gnahore at DM, and Fell replacing Da Costa at DC.

62 - Free kick goes like this - Walton spraying out to Weldon on left, short pass to Boland, kick sidelong to Beasley, who hits his second goal of the game! 2-1

77 - Everyone thought that was a Beasley hat trick, but a superb job by the keeper parries it.

Hell of a performance by Beasley with his 8.8. Evidently there's something to this kid, after all.

But we lose Kane Richards for a week and a half. Not the worst injury in the world, but it does deplete our striker stocks in the short term.

Izulde

03-26-2014, 03:26 AM

@Workington (21st)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Antonie Boland
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Curtis Beasley

14 - Yeah, he couldn't be any more offsides. Good call, zebra.

15 - Wow, another offsides call in our favor after Turner literally drops the ball.

45 - We have been completely shut down offensively until this sequence, when Fell hits the rocket to Little's head.. and the keeper makes a ridiculous save. Luckily Walton boots the corner to Da Costa's head, and we get a just before half goal! 1-0

51 - Well that's just great. Walton earns a red on what should have been a simple yellow. We go to a 4-1-3-1, with Little the lone striker and Parslow at DC.

65 - Wilkins on for Boland

91 - The home fans have to be calling for the ref's head right about now after a third disallowed goal, this time due to a foul.

8.3 for Da Costa, as he did yeoman's work back there, particularly after Walton got sent off. We had a couple chances to get goals and add to our lead even with the man down, but it didn't happen. I'm going to appeal the suspension, as I don't think it was warranted.

My appeal's denied but that's not the worst part. I was willing to go over wage budget to sign an amazing 19 year old Irish DC... who chooses Alfreton, right behind us in the league standings, instead. :(

@Guiseley (10th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Danny Parslow
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ray Atkinson
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Curtis Beasley

35 - Our old pal Nicky Deverdics is on the team, and for some reason Tickle keeps fouling him until a yellow results. Deverdics pays us back though by setting up Wong Wai Sum, who has the best.name.ever., for the score. 0-1

43 - Thank goodness Wong Wai Sum went the wong way because a stupid ass fucking pass by Tickle got easily intercepted and Turner got caught with his shorts down.

Lloyd will finally make his debut as he goes on in place of Atkinson, and Gnahore's whatever ass is replaced by Wilkins.

65 - Because we can't keep any of our fucking strikers healthy, Beasley goes off with injury, requiring me to promote Parslow of all people, and put in Fell at DC.

90 - WHAT.THE.ACTUAL.FUCK?! THAT WAS WIDE OPEN, LITTLE! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING OUT THERE, YOU GOD DAMN TINY DICKED JAGOFF?!

BAM! There goes our undefeated streak. And there goes our goals scored in a game streak, too.

But it gets better! Beasley is out 3 to 4 months. You know, because we aren't short enough on strikers already. :banghead:

Loan In - ST Steve Dowie (21)
From Wrexham. Kid's got solid all around skills and he'll be a valuable asset on a 3 month loan while we sort through our striker hell.

@ Alfreton (2nd)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Danny Parslow
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Steve Dowie

We're 4 points up, so we'll still be in first no matter what happens with this game, but obviously a victory would go a long, long way to solidifying our position.

6 - Are you FUCKING BLIND, YOU HORSESHIT ZEBRA?! THAT WAS NOT A FUCKING PENALTY! 0-1

15 - Makeup penalty!! And Lloyd god damned blows it! :banghead: :banghead:

37 - Another PK awarded to us! And Dowie converts on his debut! 1-1

I switch Tickle and Parslow around to try and snap them out of it, and Fell and Boland go in at ML and MC for Lloyd and Wilkins respectively.

63 - Bullshit! He was fucking offsides, you assfarmer! 1-2

85 - Fucking pathetic. 1-3

I rip into the players and they leak that shit to the press. I get suspended for a game for the second time by the FA.

Antonie Boland has officially blossomed into a star player for this level and will be taking over MC permanently.

vs Solihull Moors (9th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Danny Parslow
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Kane Richards
ST Stevie Dowie

Taafe didn't even fucking replace Richards when he went off with injury, which probably cost us in this 0-1 defeat that dropped us to 3rd.

Fuck this bullshit and fuck Kane Richards going out 5-6 months.

Izulde

03-27-2014, 01:16 AM

Expiring Contracts
ST Kane Richards - Current: $36.5k
DR/DM/MC/ST Danny Parslow - Current: $33k
DL/DC Paul Weldon - Current: $38.5k
ST Gergo Lippai - Current: $19.5k
GK Dereck Turner - Current: $2.4k
ML Ray Atkinson - Current: $9.75k
A bunch of reserve guys

Richards is too injury-prone and Parslow is too old. Weldon makes and wants far too much money. Lippai and Turner have no interest in signing with us again right now. Atkinson is filler.

So in other words, we're saying goodbye to everyone on this list for next season.

vs Tamworth (16th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Stevie Dowie

25 - A whole lot of tackling outside the six-yard box turns into Gnahore kicking it out to Lloyd for the supreme feed inside the box to Dowie and the score! 1-0

27 - Terrible clearance by Tickle equals immediate answer. :banghead: 1-1

43 - Dowie receives the throw-in on the right side, dribbles inside the six-yard box, and boots a ball to Little's head, and we're back in the lead. 2-1

54 - Lloyd steals the ball and proceeds to run all the way down the left side of the pitch. Just before he gets to the touchline, he centers it to Little, who kicks it in with ease! 3-1

56 - Boland tackle-passes it into space, and there's Little for the hat-trick!!!!!!! ]b]4-1[/b] It's Wilkins on at DM.

61 - Wilkins shifts to MC, Walton moved to DM, Fell in at DC.

84 - Lloyd pops the ball forward to Little, who runs with it into the box, and slams in his fourth goal of the game! 5-1

86 - Consolation goal for them 5-2

What an exceptional game! 9.8 for PotM Little obviously, but also give credit to Dowie with an 8.6, Lloyd having exactly the kind of game I envisioned when I loaned him in to finally solve our ML problems at 8.3, and even a 7.6 for Sedgemore.

More importantly, we're back in 1st

Oh, and Little's 4 goals is a Gainsborough record

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_onhZKrHOUg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Good Trains
Danny Parslow
Will Wilkins
Ray Atkinson

Bad Trains
Simon Walton
Joseph Lumley

The board's very pleased, and we only lost $165 last month.

@Histon (15th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Danny Parslow
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Antonie Boland
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Stevie Dowie

9 - Our old friends Eddie Nisevic and Angus Hopkins are playing for Histon. In this sequence, though, it's Fell who clears out a corner to Wilkins, and the race is on with our youngster charging down the length of the field until he picks out Gnahore, and the MC to DM is a GOAL. 1-0

34 - Well crap. Boland has to go off, so I'll move Knott to the left and put in Richefond on the right.

36 - Own goal by Parslow of all people. :banghead: 1-1

Walton moves to DM at the half, and Weldon comes in at DC.

77 - Goal for us is called off due to foul, which was a little ticky-tack, but whatevs.

92 - Wilkins picks up the Histon clearance and shows steely nerves in pushing it up to Little... who SCORES WITH SECONDS TO SPARE!!!! 2-1

This was all about Wilkins putting on arguably his best performance yet for us, an 8.6 that sees him net Player of the Match honors, and no one else in the 7.5 or better range.

Ryan Richefond picked up a knock that will have him out a week and a half. Not a big deal, as he's just depth at this point anyway.

Transfer In - ST Richie Madine (22)
A two year, $31k per season contract. My scouts consider him the team's #3 striker right now, but with League 2 potential, so we're thrilled to get him. That means we're over budget and we'll have to send out a player. I already have in mind who I want to dump.

@ Corby (17th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Sam Walton
DR Danny Parslow
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Will Wilkins
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Gergo Lippai

2 - Lippai shifts it out to Sedgemore for the blooper volley ahead, and Little mows down everyone to thunder the ball in. Wow, he's just been freaking AMAZING the last few games. 1-0

25 - I've counted three different times Little was close to bagging his second goal, and then Lippai gets this thing started by passing it to Sedgemore, who locates Wilkins, and then it's to Little, and this time he won't be denied! Cool to see Wilkins and Little brohug after that one! 2-0

40 - It's starting to rain now. Sedgemore passes it to Lippai, who runs through the falling rain and the defense to just inside the six yard box, where he powers it in. 3-0

44 - Lloyd takes the free kick and plants it perfectly for Walton to ninja-style sneak ahead and kick it in for the ongoing deluge. 4-0

57 - Madine and Argent go in for Lippai and Wilkins respectively, since we have no chance of getting caught.

85 - Uh oh. Da Costa, our defensive rock, has to go off. Fell goes in.

8.4 for Walton, 7.8 for Da Costa, 8.1 for Weldon, 8.2 for Sedgemore, 7.5 for Lloyd, 8.0 for Lippai and 8.9 for Little, who again is PotM. Talk about total and complete domination!

Curtis Da Costa is out 2 months.

The papers are continuing to sing the praises of Zach Little and Lewis Taaffe comments on the amazing progression of our young striker. I see him capping out at the BS Premier level, though, rather than someone who hangs around long-term.

Transfer Out - DC/DR/DM/ST Danny Parslow (35) - Colwyn Bay - Free
Sad day for the fans and the squad, as our team captain packs his bags. He's been with the squad for 5 and a half seasons, but we needed to free up the money, and though he made 24 appearances for us this year, he was really a second string option rather than a true starter.

In his stead, Simon Walton is promoted to captain, and Curtis Da Costa is named vice-captain.

For the most part, people are happy with the appointment, though Dereck Turner and, ironically, Curtis Da Costa are upset about Parslow's leaving.

I don't list all the players in Team of the Week because that gets repetitive, but Zach Little, Trevor Sedgemore, Ryan Lloyd, and Simon Walton all making the squad deserves a mention.

vs Buxton (22nd)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Paul Weldon
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Before we begin, I'd just like to note that the top 5 teams in the Blue Square North have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Team #5 - 50 points. Team #6 - 38 points, through 26 or 27 games.

Also, our efforts to add to our defensive line strength have fallen through. We lost one guy on loan to Dover, who's in the BS Premier. Another guy wanted more money than we were willing to offer him in spite of what my scout said, and a third didn't want to join us on loan at all.

19 - Their finishing is awful, but their defense is stout. Then Weldon kicks it back to Fell, who deep crosses it... their defender misses the header, and a hard-charging Sedgemore sends it in for the lead. 1-0

25 - Lloyd finds Little's head on the free kick, and we double our lead, finally starting to show we're working the kinks out after an 11 day layoff. 2-0

43 - Madine's had trouble blending in so far, but here, he takes the moonshot from Sedgemore, dribbles down the right flank, and makes a beaut of a center to Little, who blasts it in. 3-0

I see Gnahore's all whatever at the half, so I replace him at DM with Wilkins.

58 - Wow, wow, wow! Little pounces on a tackled ball and just boots the hell out of the ball into the upper right hand corner of the goal for his hat trick and 20th goal of the year! 4-0 Dowie comes on for Madine, who still needs to be gradually worked into the lineup, it appears.

7.6 for Weldon, 9.0 for Fell, 8.7 for Sedgemore, 7.6 for Lloyd, and of course, 9.6 for the guy who has become perhaps the greatest striker I've had at this level, Little of the Hat Trick.

vs Grimby (8th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Paul Weldon
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Remember Callum McNish? Well, after six seasons with Brackley, he moved on to League 1 Chesterfield where he played for a year as a reserve, then transferred to Grimsby this season on a whopping $60k contract.

Both teams are playing stiff, and our strikers in particular are doing terribly, so I actually sit Little for Dowie at the break.

58 - Tickle goes off with injury, and I'm thankful we have Richefond to cover for him. We really need more help on the wingback positions.

Nevermind Weldon's 8.1 PotM performance. We played like shit and were lucky to scrape out a point.

Still, it's enough to increase our lead to 2 points over FC Halifax and 4 over Accrington with 28 games in the books and 57 points to our name. Pretty impressive when you think about it, considering all the injuries we've had at striker, the chaos in the backline, and the lengthy injury to a key player who should be back in another week or so.

Izulde

03-28-2014, 08:26 PM

So, about Callum McNish. He's actually on loan from Chesterfield - not outright transferred like I thought. Whoops. He's listed as not needed, but he has no interest in moving to play for us despite having me as favored personnel. :(

@Leamington (17th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Matt Fell
DC Paul Weldon
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

10 - Knock for Madine

13 - Lloyd passes it back to Gnahore and gets it back again, dribbles just inside the left corner of the six-yard box, and hits a screaming diagonal that finds it way in the net for his first Gainsborough goal! 1-0

16 - Gnahore locates Madine, who sends it in the middle to Boland. Our MC shows off his comfort and newly acquired skill by passing it perfectly to Sedgemore, and just like that, our loaned wide midfielders have a score a piece. 2-0

22 - We really need a new DR. Tickle's toyed with like twine twice, and the end result is a long-range strike for them. 2-1

30 - Little delivers it to Boland, who records his second straight laser beam, this time to Madine. With a little help from the post, our pricey striker FINALLY gets his first goal for us. 3-1

Dowie goes in for Madine, Tickle shifts to DC, and Richefond suits up at DR at the break, because Weldon's looking complacent.

56 - Gnahore has to leave after an injury, and Wilkins comes on.

[]b72[/b] - Boland passes to Dowie and it continues on to Little. Our top striker pauses just outside the box, takes aim at the upper-corner of the goal... and hits! 4-1

Boland scores a 9.0 and PotM. He's blossomed into exactly the role I envisioned for him when I signed him last year. 8.0 for Sedgemore, 7.8 for Lloyd and 7.7 for Little.

Transfer In - DL/MC Seb Turner (23)
2 year, $28k per year deal. Rated 3* attacking WB and 2.5* B2B MC, and he has upside of the BS Premier level. While his contract puts us over budget, he's $10.5k a year cheaper than Paul Weldon, and his replacement for next season. Given that Curtis Da Costa is still hurt, Seb will immediately step in the starting lineup at DL and get an opportunity to win the job now. Nuneaton has some unhappy fans with the move.

Joseph Lumley signs a non-contract with AFC Telford because he knows he'll never see the starting lineup again with us.

vs Accrington (2nd)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Seb Turner
DC Paul Weldon
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Big, big game obviously, given that we're only 1 point ahead, although we do have a game in hand. We definitely need to get a win here in the 30th game of the season to really cement our hold atop the conference.

1 - Madine kicks out to Tickle for the booming hoof, but Little can't put it in despite the golden opportunity.

30 - It's Madine again, this time using his speed and awareness to race and grab his own deflected ball, power down the pitch, and then pass it horizontally to Little, and all the faked out goalie can do is watch as Zach tallies up another one. 1-0

Knott comes in at ML, because Lloyd is having a terrible game, and Wilkins takes over at MC for a tired Boland. Close, close contest.

79 - Brilliant tackle by Wilkins results in the ball in Little's possession. He passes it to Madine, and the post once again is in favor of our newest striker, for the doubling of the lead and Madine's Gainborough goal tally!! 2-0

91 - And there's Sedgmore knocked out of the game. Richefond steps in for him.

"Gainsborough secure a massive win!" Boy, you ain't kidding. 7.5 for Dereck Turner, Walton, and Weldon. 8.2 for the duo of Little and Madine up front, the first getting the PotM award.

Sedgemore is out 4 to 5 weeks, but that may not matter.

D/MR Freddie Dalton comes in a 3 month loan. He's just depth, though.

Good Trains
Will Wilkins
Dereck Turner
Steve Dowie

Zach Little comes in 2nd in Player of the Month voting, and I win Manager of the Month and the difference is not even close. Our efforts at landing an elite MR loan-in failed.

$4.71k lost last month.

Will Wilkins continues to flourish in training.

@Kettering (12th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Seb Turner
DC Paul Weldon
DC Sam Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Stevie Dowie

Yep, you saw that right. Alex Worsfold is finally back from injury, and it's amazing how well we coped in his absence. Or maybe not, considering depth at DM was a big priority for us in the offseason.

37 - This is our game in hand, and we're playing like we don't care. 0-1

60 - Dowie and Walton are yanked for Madine and Fell. Sub-6.0 isn't going to cut it.

80 - So much for that 0-2

83 - Beautiful strip, run and pass to Little by Madine to give us a glimmer of hope after Zach's knock-in. 1-2

88 - Ugh. Lloyd hits it right, but the post bounces us out.

93 - Fluky long strike. 1-3

Our backline completely let us down there. Just a total collapse.

Izulde

03-29-2014, 07:54 AM

I release Ray Atkinson on a free because I'm really trying to free up space to land an absolutely perfect player.

Zach Little is praised for his awesome development.

vs Colwyn Bay (12th)
GK Dereck Turner
DL Paul Weldon
DC Jimmy Tickle
DC Sam Walton
DR Freddie Dalton
DM Eddu Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Will Wilkins
MR Tom Knott
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Our old friend Danny Parslow is playing for them, remember, and is itching to get revenge on us for letting him go, no doubt.

8 - Back and forth passing between Gnahore and Wilkins and before I know it, Wilkins jacks a shot from just outside the semi-circle, and holy cow it goes in! 1-0

37 - Nothing to do about that one. It was a perfectly blasted thunderbolt. 1-1

Richefond is in for Knott at MR at the half. We're doing okay, but we're capable of so much more.

59 - Fell on for Lloyd at ML, who's lollygagging his way through the match.

Our strikers were sleepwalking the whole game. Just a sad, sad performance all around.

Transfer In - GK Ricky Castles (20)
2 year, $28k per year contract that puts us over budget but he's worth it. Already a top-shelf goalie with BS Premier level upside and immediate next year replacement for Dereck Turner. I'm excited to have this kid from Crawley in our system.

Transfer Out - ST Gergo Lippai - Free Transfer - $26k contract - Hinckley
He wasn't going to come back next year anyway, and the Hungarian never broke into the starting lineup full-time. And with Zach Little and Richie Madine locked up as our starters next year as well, and Curtis Beasley a rising prospect, he was just surplus to requirements.

And we're still $4k over our wage budget, but I'm not releasing anyone else for now. As it was, we had to pay Atkinson $4k on the free just to get under budget so the board would sign off on Castles' contract.

@Nuneaton (10th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Seb Turner
DC Paul Weldon
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Almost to full health, as we can see. Curtis Da Costa may see reserve time in this one, but he'll be back full strength next game for sure.

32 - Castles just earned his paycheck right there by having the alertness to swipe the ball from none other than Jesse Darko in what should have been a surefire goal.

35 - Sedgemore is knocked out again, and we have no true cover for him. Fortunately, Walton can play MR in a pinch, so we move him there, and bring Da Costa in at DC, since we were going to put him in at half anyway.

42 - No stopping Darko that time. 0-1

Multiple 6.0 and below equals horrid play. Boland slots in for Gnahore at the break to try and jumpstart this offense.

71 - I've had it. Off goes Madine and in goes Dowie, whose loan ends in a few days.

88 - Darko strikes again. He knows us too well. 0-2

Our lead is cut to a single point, and 10 points away is all we have left away from 6th, 4 from 5th, so things have tightened up very quickly.

Good
Jimmy Tickle
Richie Madine

Bad
Matt Fell
Seb Turner

Big $34.34k loss last month due to not having many home games.

@Boston United (17th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Seb Turner
DC Paul Weldon
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

That was a real nothing first half. Our offense is awful, and we've dropped down to 2nd place if we tie so far, so we need to win this game. Dowie in for Little and Boland on at MC at the half.

84 - Lloyd steals the ball on a throw-in and we get a daisy chain of him, Worsfold, Boland, Madine for the late slammer that maybe gets us out of here with a win against our old Lithuanian goalkeeper 1-0

85 - He was fucking offsides, you assgnobbling ref!!!! 1-1

94 - Fuck the cumslut homer refs and fuck the literal Coward who knocked Boland out of the game and fuck Boston United for fucking keeping playing even when our injured player was fucking out cold on the grass. Fuck this match and fuck the god damned fucking horsedick Blue Square North

Seb Turner's out for 2 weeks, Antonie Boland a week and a half most like.

Youth Intake
We're developing a real reputation for producing promising MC prospects. First was Will Wilkins, and now this year there's two more, both of whom could be even better than he is - Arron Payne, who has BS Premier potential, and Aaron Eustace who has same and can also play DM naturally, along with pinch-hit playing at ML and MR. Everyone else is trash, though.

vs FC Halifax (5th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

We need a win here to really add some punch to our playoff ticket hopes and maybe even sneak us back in 1st place.

30 - Offsides call finally goes our way after Weldon giftwrapped them the fucking ball.

35 - One of my favorite plays: Sedgemore boots it out to Tickle, who crosses to the Little head for the big goal 1-0

57 - We're awarded a penalty and somehow the goalie stops Walton, who has a 19 PK rating from scoring. Fuck that noise.

64 - Dowie in for Madine, because I'm getting real sick and tired of seeing stupid plays, and Wilkins hops in at MC, because Gnahore has looked uncomfortable whenever he's played there lately.

67 - We suck donkey dick at defending corners 1-1

Another pissant performance when we needed a breakthrough win. One that, I might add, would have put us back in 1st place. That's our fifth straight game without a win

Salisbury City wins the FA Trophy

@Southport 16th
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

8 - And the rain keeps pouring 0-1

44 - Fuck this. 0-2

Fuck it. 4-1-4-1 with Gnahore an attacking CM and Little the lone striker.

72 - Seb Turner in for Boland

We drop all the way down to 4th after that horseshit display and we fucking deserve it.

@Worcester (2nd)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Alex Worsfold
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Eddy Gnahore
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

19 - *Keyboard toss* 0-1

- ... 0-2

vs Hyde (20th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Seb Turner
DC Paul Weldon
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Will Wilkins
ML Tom Knott
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Curtis Beasley

Part of this is due to rest, part of it is us trying something, anything to get a result going.

31 - "Great spell of dominance by Hyde". Fucking of course. Even though a relegation candidate is tailor-made to be a bigger slumpbuster than a so fat every time she turns around it's her birthday redheaded chick for DaddyTorgo, and we put up with this shit.

32 - Sedgemore gets the ball and dribbles, then passes it down to Knott, who tries a desperation shot that manages to go in. Ho-fucking-ray. 1-0

45 - You have GOT TO FUCKING BE KIDDING ME!@$%!@#%$!@#$%kl4JTHIOAWERHAWERGHI8[RY890YHRT4H4RTF789YTPWE3RT789T782354235T78923R5T789235RTY890Q235RFGT89P23;5UG23P895

[B]63 - Seb Turner goes off so some shuffling of players and Dalton in at DR. Not that it fucking matters. We're going to tie or fucking lose to a god damn fucking relegation team AT FUCKING HOME

68 - GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, ALL OF YOU! SHUT IT FUCKING DOWN! 1-2

72 - We level it but I'm too busy in DON'TGIVEAFUCKVILLE to care. Madine goes in for Beasley 2-2

vs Workington (21st)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

We fucking lose 0-1. Fuck it. I'm going to finish out this season and then close this fucking dynasty down.

vs Guiseley (14th
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

9 - Little scores on a pass from Sedgemore. I don't get excited. Not with the fucked up way we've played in however many fucking games. 1-0

12 - Sedgemore to Madine to Little, and all I can think is, where the FUCK was this shit before?! 2-0

51 - Dalton in at DR after a swapout of Da Costa, Wilkins at MC.

61 - Three straight shots at the goal and nothing. FML.

74 - Wilkins to Little to Madine and that's another one on the board. Hard to get jazzed up though. This isn't doing anything other than solidifying our 5th place spot. 3-0

7.7 for Walton, 8.2 for Madine, and 8.8 for PotM Little.

2 games left. Table looks like this:

Worcester - 75 points
Alfreton - 73 points
Accrington - 71 points
FC Halifax - 71 points
Gainsborough - 70 points
Grimsby - 66 points

Everyone else is already eliminated from title or playoff consideration. With a little luck, we can sneak up to as high as 2nd, but Worcester has this all but locked up.

With those 2 goals, Zach Little has 24 goals and breaks the 2017 record for most goals scored by a Blue Square North player

@Droyelsden (9th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

8 - A 30 yard boot by Sedgemore sends everyone into raptures and vaults us temporarily into 3rd place 1-0

12 - Madine should have crushed that, but he freezes instead.

27 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

WTFE - BULLSHIT THEY GOT TO FUCKIG PLAY POWER PLAY WHILE ONE OF MY GUYS IS GETTING TREATMENT OH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YOU!

47 - We answer with a Da Costa header off the corner but I don't give a fuck. Sick of fucking getting SCREWED BY THE FUCKING REFS 2-2

I move Sedgemore to ST at the half and put Knott in at MR, because Little hasn't done shit all game. Dalton goes on at DR.

60 - Unexpected. Not Sedgemore passing to Madine, but Madine dumping it off to a wide open Lloyd who is up in the striker position and slams the net 3-2

80 - Boland blows two great shots at goal. I'm going to snap my keyboard in half if that costs us.

8.2 for Da Costa, 7.6 for Walton, 7.8 for Lloyd, 8.3 for Sedgmore, and 8.5 for PotM Madine, who despite the missed open shot played brilliantly even if he didn't end up on the scoresheet.

We clinch a playoff spot and Worcester wins the league. We can still get up to 2nd with an Accrington loss or tie and a victory by us, or even a loss by them and a tie by us. Hell, even a tie by them and a win by us gets us up one more spot.

vs Bradford PA (7th)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Tom Knott
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Their goalie is playing the game of his life and it's frustrating right now.

63 - We're awarded the penalty and this time Walton converts 1-0 Meanwhile, Fell and Wilkins are waiting to go in at ML and MC, respectively.

78 - That was a wide open goal and Little blows it.

Castles is PotM with an 8.5. First time in a long time we've had a goalie earn that honor. 7.7 for Walton, 8.1 for Gnahore

We do end up 2nd on goal differential and draw Grimsby, who snuck in at the very last minute over a free-falling FC Halifax. It was a 5 point margin of championship for Worcester, so it's not like we would have beaten them for sure if we didn't have that prolonged slump anyway.

@Grimsby (Promotion Playoffs)
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Tom Knott
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

Why the hell we're playing at their place and not ours, I don't know.

7 - Gonna be a quick exit. Fuck the draw 0-1

Seb Turner and Fell replace Weldon and Walton at the break, because our whole backline is playing like ass.

FICL UPI SDFJASTJAERHFOLAWEOASGHA[FGH][SDGHO[ASGHIRTGRFHHGNASDIO;WERFYFHWEU9POYWE89PRTWE89PITYH789WEGFWUIPOFB79-ROFV783RTB026B2389P

[b]76[/b] - Boland goal. WGAF [b]1-2[/b]

[b]vs Grimsby (Promotion Playoff)[/b]
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Richie Madine

...Oh. Guess there's a second leg. Heh.

[b]Mansfield[/b], once rivals of [b]Brackley[/b], got up to Championship level but relegated back down to League 1 after finishing last there this season.

35 - If this is our last hurrah, at least we got to see the Walton corner to Da Costa for a score one more time. 1-0

51 - Madine's knocked. In goes [b]Richards[/b], who made his stealth return last game, but nevermind that.

[b]52[/b] A FUCKING OWN GOAL BY WALTON [B]1-1[/B]

[b]73[/b] FUCK YOU THAT WAS NOT A FOUL YOU FUCKING ZEBRA DICKED COCK MUNCHING ASSCLOWN!!!!!!

[b]81[/b] - And here's a doublefisted FUCK.YOU. to the fucking refs. Walton hits Little and this one they don't DARE FUCKING deny [b]2-1[/b]

88 - Wilkins and [b]Richards[/b] make the two most important passes of our entire season, the latter pushing it to Little for the icy-veined score! [b]3-1[/b]

We drop down into contain mode and we pull it off!

Walton played the game of his life, his 9.0 getting us through to the Final, and of course Little's 8.8 and 2 goals deserve mention.

[b]Richie Madine is ruled out for the Final[/b]

And here's why the higher seed is finally an advantage. We play [b]Alfreton[/b] on our own turf.

[b]vs Alfreton (Blue Square North Promotion Final)[/b]
GK Ricky Castles
DL Paul Weldon
DC Curtis Da Costa
DC Simon Walton
DR Jimmy Tickle
DM Eddy Gnahore
ML Ryan Lloyd
MC Antonie Boland
MR Trevor Sedgemore
ST Zach Little
ST Kane Richards

This is it. All the blood, all the sweat, all the cursing comes down to this one final game. Win, and we're up. Lose, and everything will feel as though it's been a giant waste.

12 - Shit. Little gets knocked. He'll fight through it, though.

35 - How many times have we seen this? Walton on the corner to Da Costa, and while this time it's trapped by his feet and then kicked in, it's still a thing of beauty in this high-stakes moment. 1-0

[b]73[/b] - I decide to play dangerous, putting Knott at MR and Beasley in place of [b]Richards[/b] at ST.

Da Costa with the 8.4 and PotM, and Walton with the 7.8 as we pull off the defensive victory [b]AND WE'RE GOING TO THE BLUE SQUARE PREMIER!!![/B]

Before we get too excited though, this isn't new territory. In fact, they were in the BS Premier for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and then again in 2018. Nor, obviously, is it my first promotion rodeo in this universe, having taken [b]Brackley[/b] all the way to League 2 before I abruptly quit there.

Oh, and we'll be passing each other, too. [b]Brackley finished last and least in the BS Premier[/b], so they're going down and I'm going up with my new team. At least they had a nice 7 season run between League 2 and BS Premier before dropping back down again. The only players left from my era are [b]Samuel Bangura[/b] and [b]Taylor Parmenter[/b]. [b]Bangura[/b]'s the team captain now, incidentally, and their finances are insecure.

Izulde

03-29-2014, 08:37 PM

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/gainspromobsnstats_zpsf44e7143.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/gainspromobsnstats_zpsf44e7143.jpg.html)

The good news - we're retaining most of our key players. The bad news - Seb Turner was terrible, so we may need to rethink that.

The fans loved the signing of Ricky Castles and I do too. I'm hoping he can be a long-term fixture for us in back.

Year Training Results
Fantastic - Will Wilkins
Great - Dereck Turner
Good - Antonie Boland, Tom Knott, Trevor Sedgemore
Decline - Simon Walton
Red Flag - Seb Turner

Well that's just great.

We get a 2 year, $22k per year main sponsorship deal. Our last one was $21.6k, so it's a slight improvement.

I win Manager of the Year for Blue Square North, which is awesome and rightfully deserved.

Our payroll is boosted to $550k, which means we have $173k to go shopping with.

Critical Need Areas
ML, MR, DR, DL

Worth Looking At
DC, ST

We're fine at MC and DM, though I may look for depth there.

Transfer In - DR Cameron Dummigan (24)
3.5* attacking wingback but with 13 Tackling and Marking. Has a ways to go in his development yet, but BS Premier quality, and signs for the affordable rate of $25.5k a year for 2 years. World beater? No. Insane upgrade over Jimmy Tickle? Hell yes. Put up 7.12 average rating with Hyde last year.

We're paid $22.9k by Chesterfield as part of the parent club arrangement. Oh, and we also make a profit of $115k the previous month, a new high

As a result, we're -$18.3k in the bank account now, which is the best shape the club's been in since I got here.

Transfer IN - DR Terry Windass (23)
I'm sorry, but that's the best.name.ever. He can fight it out with Dummigan for the starting spot, and he signs a two year, $18.25k a year contract. Jimmy Tickle is quickly fading into the dust on our depth chart.

Our efforts to fill our other need areas, though, aren't going so well. Either they don't want to come here, will cost too much, or suck.

Oh now this is interesting:

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/cool_zpsc08e6fed.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/cool_zpsc08e6fed.jpg.html)

Hope Stuttgart doesn't match!

Dion Argent gets a $27k contract from Corby, where he'll actually get paid and get PT. He's still a talented kid - just got lost in the logjam we had at DM and MC.

Transfer In - ML Wayne Gregory (22)
We had to massively overpay to get him - $38k on a two year contract, but we were in a real bind at the ML spot, and he represents a current upgrade already over Ryan Lloyd with good upside for the next level to boot.

Jimmy Tickle signs a $34k contract with Guiseley, to which I say good for him. Would have loved to keep him to play DC, but he was never interested in a contract when I offered him.

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/yaylittle_zpscd2dd516.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/yaylittle_zpscd2dd516.jpg.html)

That's a first for me! Let's see if we can go back and see what I said about his initial signing...

quote]
Transfer In - ST Zach Little (22)
Two years, $27k a year, 3.5* both as Poacher and Complete Forward. He'll be a starting striker for us, which means Georgo Lippai will move back to the third striker spot. Some solid all-around attributes to be sure.[/quote]

[b]Oh and we won our U18 group last year. Don't ask me how

No surprise to see Zach Little voted Player of the Year

http://i341.photobucket.com/albums/o395/Izulde08/CK2andsuch/promoteam_zps9b09dd1d.jpg (http://s341.photobucket.com/user/Izulde08/media/CK2andsuch/promoteam_zps9b09dd1d.jpg.html)

Weird seeing Matt Fell on there, as he played ML/DL/DC and was more of a flexible bench player than someone I'd expect to see on this list.

$9.15k for TV rights.

$550k and no transfer budget to avoid relegation? Yep, I'll take that.

Tired Players
Eddy Gnahore
Curtis Da Costa
Antonie Boland
Ryan Lloyd
Richie Madine

One of our coaches is saying we should use the 4-2-2-2, the 4-1-3-2, or the 4-1-2-1-2

Loan In - DLR Damilola Leigh (20)
Season-long loan from FC Halifax. May or may not start at DL, but he was solid at the BSN level last season and he gives us depth there at least.

Paul Weldon and Kane Richards immediately leave the club after their contracts expire. Dereck Turner has decided to stay for now.

$187k in budget room after those choices. We have no one to occupy the MR spot other than Simon Walton and we're still weak at DL and DR despite our signings. We could also really use a powerhouse DC so I can make Walton a versatile reserve rather than a required starter. ST depth is weak. DM, MC we're golden still though.