It's Golden Frog Time! (FM16 Real Maracas)

[Izulde]

So I was getting bored with the whole amateur, sign a bunch of grey guys who dominate, promote, etc. in European leagues. After scrounging around, I found Claussen's World Megapack update and after installing some leagues, decided to head to Trinidad & Tobago's Super League (the second division), because I found the best.logo.ever. there. (One of my best students at UArk was also a Trinidad and Tobago native who was a rising star for their national volleyball team before they got hurt).

https://i.imgur.com/VyChXPe.jpg

Is that not the coolest logo you've ever seen?!

I don't know what their actual nickname is, or if they even have one, but I'm calling them the Golden Frogs.

As you might expect with a league of two divisions, they're already a semi-pro team, and the situation is uh... interesting.


Team Value: $24k
Average Ticket Price: $14
Average Season Ticket Price: $71
Season Ticket Holders: 80
Stadium: 700 capacity (Owned by the council)
Basic Corporate Facilities, Training Facilities, and Junior Youth Coaching
Poor Youth Facilities
Average Youth Recruitment
Balance: $2,279
Payroll Budget: $6k
Transfer Budget: $0
Media Prediction: 10th of 15 teams - Bottom 3 relegate, Top team promotes

We have two players under contract, a 31 year old DC Hayden Vincent who looks amazing and is making $2.5k this year and a 26 year old DC/ST Marvin Manswell earning $3k. Together, they comprise almost our entire wage budget.

So I might see if I can sell off Manswell, but realistically, we're looking at a season where I'm not even going to bother reporting on anything until youth pulls come in. In fact, I'm going on vacation until the youth pulls arrive.

Annnnnd I overshoot the youth pulls by a month, then say fuck it and sign everyone my way too expensive $10k a year assman says we should. At this stage, it's early April, and the table looks like this:

https://i.imgur.com/2wt1m9E.jpg

With 28 matches, I can pretty much do whatever the fuck I want for the last 4 games of the year. We're safe from relegation. Board is pissed that we're at $18,000 in salaries after all the youth signings, and I'm just like *shrug*. Oh, and we'll be up over $20k once the remaining youth guys sign and bring us to 15.

Oddly enough, we're making money for the season, because the club is amazeballs at fundraising - $90k so far this year in that category. Our payroll will shoot up next season as a result, and I can cut some of these 12 youth guys easily. We're also lopping off $5.5k in salaries next year because neither of the original two dudes will be back.

I'm not going to break down these guys at length just yet - remember, more to sign, plus I want to just throw them in to my first true formation - what has become one of my primary formations through the FM16 dynasties: 4-1-3-1-1 DM.

@ P/Palo Seco (4th)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: David Stewart/Marvin Manswell/Hayden Vincent/Akil Scotland
DM: Trent Cummings
M: Jamal Romano/Bradley Delice/Michael Lewis
AMC: Shaquille Leslie
S: Darren DeFreitas

70 - That's some bullshit. He was fucking offsides! 0-1

We played about as ugly as you'd expect us to, and of course, Darren DeFreitas, whom I consider our best prospect gets hurt first game and is out 5-6 weeks.

vs Guaya United (5th)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: David Stewart/Akil Scotland/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
DM: Trent Cummings
M: Jamal Romano/Bradley Delice/Michael Lewis
AMC: Shaquille Leslie
S: Marvin Manswell

At the half, Scotland shifts to DR and Nicholas Richards is in at DC. I stupidly didn't see the auto-lineup put the grey guy in at goalie, so he's pulled for Charles

67 - Richards hoofs a long ball down the middle of the pitch to Manswell. Three defenders are on him in the right half of the box, so he passes left into space, and surging forward is Leslie for the loft shot over the outstretched arms of the keeper's head!!!! 1-0

72 - Richards intercepts a ball and starts a counter move capping in Lewis on the right wing centering to Delice in space. A horde of defenders is swarming on him, so he passes into the box space. Manswell is first and beats the keeper on the 1v1 for his obviously team-leading 13th goal of the season 2-0

74 - Eh 2-1

76 - WHAT THE FUCK?! WHTY THE FUCK ARE YOU HELPING THEM OUT YOU SHITTY ASS BAR?!?! FUCK YOU!!! 2-2

Heartbreaking to come so close to a huge upset, only to let it slip away. Still, we got the point we mathematically needed to stay up with two games left to play.

WASA - Water & Sewage Authority - which is as hilarious a team name as I've seen in FM, clinches the title.

Akil Scotland is very quickly getting on my shitlist. He's been a major part of why we've failed to pick up more points the last couple games. My assman thinks we need to keep him, but my assman can go to hell.

Last two games next time, because I'm sick of being in front of a computer all damned day.

[Izulde]

@ Stokley Vale (6th)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: David Stewart/Devorn Phillips/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
M: Jamal Romano/Bradley Delice/Kevin Jamerson/Michael Lewis
AMC: Shaquille Leslie
S: Marvin Manswell

Our lone DM is out with a virus, so flat 4-4-1-1 it is.

4 - As expected 0-1

13 - Jamerson steals the ball and shoots it down the pitch to Manswell. Shot is pushed away and it rolls left into space. Romano/b] is *just* fast enough to get a quarter-step on the defender and put away the rebound for his first Golden Frog goal! [b]1-1

35 - Caught napping on the free kick 1-2

73 - They're just far too talented for us 1-3

- [b]Romano hits the aerial cross and Lewis is able to head it down into the box for Jamerson to put away the debut goal 2-3

Tough loss to take, as I felt like we played well enough to win here. Still searching for my first W.

vs Police B (13th)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: David Stewart/Devorn Phillips/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
M: Jamal Romano/Bradley Delice/Kevin Jamerson/Michael Lewis
AMC: Shaquille Leslie
S: Marvin Manswell

55 - We desperately need to improve our keeping next year. Richards for Phillips; Jamerson out to MR and Cummings in at MC after they score 0-1

67 - Romano dribbles into the box and shoots. Defender blocks it. Leslie is open for the rebound long shot. Keeper deflects it, and finally Manswell is able to sink the equalizer in 1-1

70 - Jamerson intercepts a goal kick and laterals to Cummings and lateral again to Leslie. Longball hits Manswell and he dribbles into the half-circle for a stunning, searing shot and go ahead goal!!! 2-1

83 - Leslie's corner finds Richards, but he doesn't like what he sees, so back out right to Leslie it goes. Pass into the box for Manswell and no one is around as he slams in the hat trick in his final Golden Frogs game!!!!! 3-1

9.4 and PotM for Marvin Manswell, 9.0 for Shaquille Leslie, and 7.0 bench outing by Nicholas Richards. Pissed at being benched is Devorn Phillips

But we finally get a win in the last game of the season, and send Police's B team down!!!

But then suddenly the 10th place club is sent down instead?! Oh. They're the Club Sando B team and the senior squad was the Pro League's lone relegation.

I finalize a year extension for my assman, who is now up to 11 JPA/12 JPP. With some reluctance, he agrees to stay for the $10k salary, which is good, because the board refuses to pay more.

4 games (less in some cases) isn't enough to get a good read on dudes, so I'm not going to bother posting year-end stuff.

I sign on for another year at the same $34k rate, and next season is when the game really begins.

[Izulde]

Re-signing: DC Hayden Vincent (32) - 2 years, $2.1k/year
After a lot of hemming and hawing, I re-signed him to a cheaper contract. Quite simply, he's our best player even at his age and the perfect team captain. That's a savings of $400 from his original deal and without any bonuses tacked on.

We get $90k in sponsorship deals, a slight drop from the original $95k, but the money is still such an infusion, suddenly the board is setting $160k a year payroll budget and $11.33k transfer budget :eek: :eek: Time to go shopping!!!!!

Only we don't have a scout. Oops. They're cheap enough to hire - $1.5k for a 7 JPA/5 JPP who is best available.

We're 20th in reputation amongst Trinidadian teams. Goes to show how meh the country is.

Transfer In - DL Nicholas Samuel (16) - From Stokley Vale - Free Transfer
Signed to a two year deal paying him $7k a season. 11 Decisions, 12 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace. Only thing I'm not in love with is his shitty Determination. In 9 appearances last season for our division foes, he had 2 assists, was named PotM 3 times, and had an average 7.46 rating. So this is a pretty damn big pickup if he can replicate that success for us.

Transfer In - GK Michael Amoroso (18) - From Harvard Sports Club - Free Transfer
Only posted a 6.54 at the level below, but who knows what kind of defense he had in front of him. 11 Aerial Reach, Concentration, and Decisions, 12 Positioning, Teamwork, and Jumping Rate. Signed to a $1.8k a year deal for the next two seasons, so it's not like I'm breaking the bank.

Transfer Out - DC/ST Marvin Manswell (27) - To Police (TRI) - Free Transfer
Gets a $4k deal. He was our leading scorer last season, but I was pretty much whatever on him. Besides, he doesn't fit our youth window.

The Trinidadian Pro League jumps up from 10th to 6th in the North American Leagues rankings, which sounds impressive until you realize the top flight in this island nation is 2*. The Mexican First Division is tops in North America at 3.5*, MLS 2nd at 3*, followed by Costa Rica's Premier Division at 2.5*, and then a bunch of 2* leagues.

Amateur Signing: ML/AML Javon Wilson (23) - From St Ann's Rangers
11 Crossing, 10 Acceleration, 10 Pace. Blows what we currently have there out of the water. I'm surprised that's all he wanted was an Amateur backup deal, but we'll definitely take it.

Transfer In: ML/AML Damian Pino (24) - From Club Sando - Free Transfer
Posted a 6.82 rating in 18 appearances with their B team at this level last season. 2 years, $7.5k a year. 10 First Touch, 13 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate, 10 Acceleration, 11 Pace.

Everyone is complaining about the fitness training, even though it's at a perfectly acceptable 2*. I don't know what to tell you, man - we're maxed out on coaches and no one really good wants to coach here.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Everald Corker (16) - From Caledonia United - $2k
We dipped into our transfer money to grab a kid with 10 Passing,11 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 11 Vision, and 10 or better Physical attributes everywhere but Balance and Strength at 5. The low determination pisses me off, and he's our highest paid player at $9.5k, but I think I see something really interesting in him.

The board just wants us to avoid relegation again and doesn't think we'll do anything in the cup game, which is perfectly fine by me. Building this squad is going to be a slow, gradual process. Hayden Vincent retains his captaincy and Damian Pino is the vice-captain, almost certain right now to take over when Vincent retires.

[code]
Team Value: $120k (+$96k)
Average Ticket Price: $13 (-1)
Average Season Ticket Price: $66 (-5)
Season Ticket Holders: 81 (+1)
Stadium: 700 capacity (Owned by the council)
Basic Corporate Facilities, Training Facilities, and Junior Youth Coaching
Poor Youth Facilities
Average Youth Recruitment
Balance: $95,342 (+93,063)
Payroll Budget: $160k (+154k)
Transfer Budget: $9.33k (+9.33k)
Media Prediction: 10th of 15 teams - Bottom 3 relegate, Top team promotes

Transfer In: DC Kirt Lewis (26) - From Point Fortin - Free Transfer
His 6.03 average rating at the pro league was terrible, but he's got 10 Heading and Determination, 13 Teamwork and 11 Strength. Signed to a two year deal paying him $7k a year. Immediate infusion of talent in our backline.

Despite our upgrades, we're still slated to finish 13th and relegate. That makes sense - we still don't have a lot of great players, and our depth is shit.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Kowyn Samuel (33) - From Siparia - $50 Transfer Fee
$3.8k for a year stopgap at either one of those two positions. Had a 6.89 for Siparia last year. 11 First Touch, 12 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 11 Vision and Work Rate, and hopefully his 13 Natural Fitness means he'll be able to hang on to his skills for a full year.

Transfer In - Multi-position Kyle Morgan (25) - From Bethel United - Free Transfer
https://i.imgur.com/mfLQ7Z0.jpg

Very well-rounded player and our first double-digit salary signing. My assman first gave him like 4* and now 2*, but says he's a good player for this level, so he's talking out his ass. Whatever - he's going to see a lot of PT.

vs Siparia
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

We're unveiling a new 4-2-3-1 Wide formation at the suggestion of my coaching staff just before the match. Kyle Morgan unfortunately ate some bad fish, so he's out for the opener, but Kowyn Samuel gets to go up against his former club right away. Everyone's talking about how that was a huge steal for us.

24 - Nicholas Samuel makes a great steal on a cross, and on the counter, DeFreitas has it at midfield. Pass to Coker who slips it forward and right to Jamerson for the dribble and shoot, and it's in!!!! 1-0

58 - Wilson comes on at ML and Keston Boucad replaces DeFreitas, who has been bad all game

67 - Coker is under heavy pressure, but he gets it to Korwyn Samuel to the right of him. Defender misses the tackle, and the feed to Jamerson in the box results in a second score!!! 2-0

Obviously Kevin Jamerson is PotM with an 8.8, but don't sleep on Everald Coker's brilliant 8.7 outing, Akil Marshall was a distant third best at 7.1

Nice way to open the season. Who knows? Maybe we'll surprise some people.

[Izulde]

@ Club Sando (5th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Nicholas Richards/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

Another game featuring one of our guys playing their old team in Damian Pinto's return to his former employer. Sando relegated down after a single season in the Pro League and they're determined to go back up.

54 - Stewart in for Samuel; Akil Sam takes over for tired Morgan

57 - Sigh. 0-1

68 - No excuse for that bullshit 0-2

71 - Marshall's error cost us the first goal and he atones here with a longball all the way down the pitch to Jamerson. The cross to DeFretais for the latter's first Maracas goal 1-2

Tough loss, and it gets even worse when Everald Coker, our best player the first two games, goes out for over 2 months. Really rough blow. Even worse Kowyn Samuel is out 3 weeks with a strained groin. So that's two of our top players down with injury which is just fucking stupid.

vs Defense Force SL (10th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Shaquille Leslie/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

24 - We didn't get back fast enough. Such bullshit reffing, too - 2 quick yellows for us, and their guy fouls and just a talking to. 0-1

37 - Delice to DeFreitas to Jamerson all on the diagonal, with the last putting away the score easily. He's quickly emerging as our top offensive threat 1-1

55 - Leslie intercepts a clearance and wings out to Pino. The cross to Jamerson translates to a center to Cummings and the mid-range shot sinks in to go ahead!!! 2-1

57 - Sam is in for Delice; Phillips for Samuel

90 - GOD DAMN IT!!!! FUCKING DEFEND THOSE CORNERS!!! 2-2

92 - DeFretais gets our own cleared corner in the box. He taps off to Jamerson who turns around and gives back left to Cummings. The shot's blocked but a defender, but Lewis is there to put away the bounce ball right on the rebound!!! 3-2

We don't have a PotM, but Trent Cummings netted an 8.6, Kevin Jamerson was his usual great self with an 8.1, and Kirt Lewis' game-winner pushed him up to a 7.3.

@ Stokley Vale (3rd)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

42 seconds - Samuel steals the ball on the opening possession and we counter, eventually culminating in a kick back to Marshall on the right side for a booming long ball ahead in space for Jamerson. A defender kicks away the intended cross to Pino, but Cummings is right there to sink the goal!!! 1-0

44 - JFC! We could and should be up 3-0 right now, but DeFreitas keeps blowing easy shots, and they equalize just before half 1-1

46 - Boucand in for DeFreitas, whom I'm tired of watching fuck up

50 - Faggoty ass fucking bar!!!! 1-2

54 - Phillips in for Marshall, who has been shit all day

82 - Delice with the long, screaming free kick into the box, and Jamerson is a step ahead of them all to put in the equalizer 2-2

*Very* frustrating draw, as this is an upset we should have easily hammered down. No such luck, however, and we drop to 9th. But we do have a game in hand, and we've also signed a DR who will come in at the next transfer window.

[Izulde]

vs Prisons (TRI) (4th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

Yes, we've got Police (B) and Prisons in the same league. Hilarious. Anyway, these guys were tipped as fellow relegation candidates, but like us, they've been a real surprise out of the gate.

4 - Incredible sliding stop of a free kick by Amoroso. Our youth pull guy from last year wouldn't have been that great.

44 - Jamerson has the ball and dribbles right to the sideline. He moves forward and lofts the ball high and hard. It's intended for Pino who blew a sitter earlier, but instead it's a fluke goal for our rising AMR star's 5th score of the year 1-0

61 - Wilson goes in for Pino; Morgan takes over the attacking CM role and Cummings shifts to the defensive CM spot, sitting Delice

72 - Damn it!!!! 1-1

We let another slip away from us due to a meltdown on the left side of the backline.

@ FC Phoenix (11th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

27 - *That* was pathetic 0-1

42 - Great interception by Pino with the precision pass to DeFreitas in the box. Cross hits a streaking Jamerson for the score. 1-1

46 - Just before half, Cummings is dribbling, then passes into the box, where it takes a bounce to DeFreitas. Three defenders are surrounding him on the right side, but he's able to sneak the cross where Pino, slammed by our fans repeatedly, finally scores his first Golden Frog goal!!! 2-1

52 - Jamerson to Cummings for the pretty diagonal into the half-circle and DeFreitas. Our lone strike strides in, then snipes the shot home! 3-1

57 - Awful set piece defense 3-2

58 - Richards goes in for Vincent; Phillips for Nicholas Samuel

83 - ARE YOU FDJASDFSGBIOAIOUGBAUIGWEUIA495YTBHIOAGH89GYA789R3G5R49238G5TUIWBFRT9TG59 3-3

91 - Jamerson shakes off his defender and a screaming cross rips across the ground from right to left into the box, where a Pino who has the defense beat by a step scores his second goal!!! 4-3

Three players with a 9.0 - Darren DeFreitas, Damian Pino (PotM), and Kevin Jamerson, with Trent Cummings netting an 8.3. The backline and our keeper nearly fucked this one up for us, but we *finally* get a win we should have.

With that victory, we jump all the way from 10th to 5th and the fans are absolutely ecstatic.

[Izulde]

Darren DeFreitas gets called up for the Trinidad & Tobago U20 squad, which is pretty exciting.

vs Guaya United (10th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

49 - Pino's been playing through injury and we've forced off two of their players by wounding them (sorry about that!). Here, he kicks a wide out corner to DeFreitas on the left side of the box. Center to Morgan, and he finally scores his first ever Maracas goal!!! 1-0

53 - Wilson is in for Pino; Richards for Lewis

PotM and 7.8 for Kyle Morgan, 7.2 for Trent Cummings, 7.1 for Hayden Vincent. We really should have won by more than this, but a win is a win is a win.

@ P/Palo Seco (10th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

53 - Wilson in for Pino; Boucand for DeFreitas

86 - Nicholas Samuel throws in to Kowyn Samuel, and the latter dribbles back, back, back, then centers to Cummings. Perfect box pass to Boucand, and the fully healthy substitute striker puts it in! 1-0

87 - FUCK THE IMMEDIATE ANSWER BULLSHIT 1-1

That was a real opportunity to be Top 3 and within striking distance of the title, but we blow it. Still, we move up to 4th, which is way better than pretty much anyone ever anticipated we'd be, including me.

[Izulde]

vs Barrackpore (15th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

8]/b] - Awful free kick defense [b]0-1

47 - Utter horseshit! DeFreitas is knocked out and the fucker only gets a warning. In is Boucand

52 - Kowyn Samuel slides to the attacking CM role and Delice replaces Cummings

68 - GARBABGE$%#$^%^% 0-2

Worst game we've played all year. Darren DeFreitas is out 3 months and Nicholas Samuel will miss our next match due to yellows accumulation.

@ Malabar (2nd)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: David Stewart/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Everald Coker/Kyle Morgan
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

57 - Morgan moves up to Striker, Cummings comes in as the attacking CM, and Wilson replaces Pino

60 - Ugh. Fucking awful 0-1

82 - ARE YOU FUCKING KDDING ME?!?! JAMERSON WAS FUCKING ONSIDES YOU SHITNOBBLER REF!!!!

83 - That was some buslslhiethoawhtoawrhtoawrhoahrtiohwothawothawriothwio fucking buall spdhaohhfapdfhawdfa fa 0-2

There was an awful lot of damned luck involved in this one. Some shitty ass ball physics bounced in their favor. Fucking fuck. Our great season is going down in flames.

[Izulde]

vs Central (TRI) - FA Trophy 2nd Round
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/David Stewart
MC: Bradley Delice/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

6 - Huge talent disparity 0-1

14 - Bullshit penalty call on Delice, and Amoroso just misses the save 0-2

15 - Whatever 0-3

35 - It's like we're not even trying 0-4

54 - Pfeh 0-5

75 - Scotland, who subbed in for Stewart, scores on a header off a corner kick. Figures. 1-5

84 - Heh 1-6

vs Police B (7th)G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuels/Kirt Lewis/Nicholas Richards/Akil Marshall
MC: Bradley Delice/Everald Coker
AM: Javon Wilson/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Edwards

6 - Breathtaking interception of a throw-in between two opponents by Jamerson. He splits them like pins, dribbles into the box, and adds to his team-high tally! 1-0

51 - Marshall shows great composure on a corner, leaping to head it long to Jamerson. Long pass to Edwards and he dribbles and crosses to Wilson for the first touch pass into the box. Kowyn Samuel receives the ball and scores his first ever Golden Frogs goal!!! 2-0

62 - Awful corner kick defense there 2-1

64 - Scotland and Vincent on for both our DCs

We had a few more easy chances but can't convert. Instead we battle hard defensively and hold them off in a key position battle.

Kowyn Samuel takes home the match ball with an 8.4, and a litany of 8.1s follow him: Javon Wilson and Everald Coker, with Kevin Jamerson just behind at 8.0.

Bradley Delice is out the next game with yellows

@ La Horquetta (9th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

45 - 42l%#^^@3453453536266!!!! 0-1

52 - Scotland in for Vincent; Pino to BWM, replacing Coker, and Wilson takes over at AML

64 - I'm nervous when Pino is elected to take the PK following a triple gang beatdown on Boucand in the box, since he blew a sitter earlier, but he manages to get it through 1-1

87 - Our corner kick defense SUCKS.ASS. 1-2

Sigh. I fucking hate this game sometimes.

[Izulde]

Michael Amoroso is called up to the Trinidad U20s. As of yet, no one's been capped.

vs Bethel (15th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

7 - If we lose to an ass team like this... 0-1

32 - Jamerson dribbles down the right wing and crosses. Defender leaps up and heads it away, but Jamerson is already charging left into the box, smashing the header back into the same spot, where Coker evades the defender to slot in his first Golden Frog goal!!! 1-1

64 - Scotland for Marshall; Coker switches to BWM, Kowyn Samuel moves up to AMC; Morgan to ST to replace the ass Boucand, and Cummings comes in as MC

82 - FUCK YOU!!!!! JQAMERASDGOASGHAS WAS ONSIDSDIESJWEJL3H45L34H561251!!!!!!!!

We got robbed there. And top it all off, Kyle Morgan is out over a month

A couple more transfers get inked for January 29th.

@ Santa Rosa (TRI)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: Nicholas Samuel/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Marshall
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

12 - Nothing you can do about those 0-1

40 - Not having our best keeper means free kicks = free goals 0-2

53 - Wilson for Pino; Scotland for Marshall

88 - Final insult 0-3

Akil Marshall gets hurt in training and is out for a month.

Halfway through the season and the table looks like this:

https://i.imgur.com/uitPpsf.jpg

I feel like we can maybe stick around the mid-table. We've had a ton of injuries and a lot of close games that could have swung our way. Probably won't win again until our new talent comes in, but we've an 8 point buffer, which is almost 3 games, so we'll be okay I hope.

[Izulde]

@ Siparia (6th)
G: Dwayne Charles
D: David Stewart/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Akil Scotland
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Kevin Jamerson
S: Keston Boucand

40 - So Pino blows a sitter earlier in the match, and now Lewis is sent off with an unfair red card. Awesome. Coker is left as our primary CM, with Richards in as the second D, Cummings also sitting.

56 - Wilson in for Pino

63 - JFC. Wilson is whistled for the PK and OFC they convert 0-1

65 - Wilson gets the ball on the cross and centers back in. Tackle after tackle until finally Coker atones for his earlier whiff on an easy one by poking the ball in 1-1

68 - Coker taps it just left to Kowyn Samuel. He's under heavy double-team pressure, so he wings out to Wilson all alone on the left side. Cross, and streaking Jamerson slots it away!!!! 2-1

71 - We just can't defend set pieces at all 2-2

74 - Yep, I already knew how this ashgohasghasoghaoghasgh awas gosghasghasghoasfghoasfgasg 2-3

87 - Kowyn Samuel to Coker to Jamerson diagonal, and on the dribble into the box, our leading scorer spears a pristinely plotted shot in! 3-3

Impressive result, considering A) We were huge underdogs, and B) We played most of the game short-handed.

vs Club Sando (1st)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Nicholas Samuel/Nicholas Richards/Hayden Vincent/Akil Scotland
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kowyn Samuel/Shaquille Leslie/Kevin Jamerson

Yep, we're going with a striker-less formation because we have no one able to play up top who is healthy other than some youth guys I don't like (we're going to be cutting a *LOT* of people in the offseason).

2 - Pino takes the wingout from Leslie and dribbles down the left side. His cross hits Jamerson amidst three defenders. Our boy dribbles left past all of them and kicks the short-range in!!! 1-0

5 - You knew that immediate answer was coming 1-1

51 - HE WAS OFFSISDESs!!!!!!!!!!! Nicholas Samuel is yanked for Stewart and I think I'm going to just transfer list him. 1-2

We had a shot to tie it up towards the end of the game, but Pino once again blew the shot. I'm not quite ready to list him yet, though. Nicholas Samuel is absolutely furious he's been listed, but frankly, he's been one of our worst players this season.

Transfer In - AMR Colin Williams (27) - From Prisons (TRI) - $8k/year
Signed to a multi-year deal with solid physical attributes, including 14 Acceleration, 10 Pace. Also has 11 Flair and 18 Leadership, and may well take over the captain's role. 10 First Touch, too.

Transfer In - ST Dwayne Alzola (29) - Free agent - $8k/year
Also a multi-season contract. While up there in years, he has 11 Dribbling and Finishing, 10 Determination, 11 Off the Ball, 13 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration, and 10 Pace. A touch worrying he only had 1 goal in 20 appearances and a 6.21 average rating at a higher level, but perhaps they weren't using him right.

Transfer In - GK Kevin Mussio (28) - From Santa Rosa (TRI) - $10.5k/year
He was pissed about his lack of PT, but he's even better than Michael Amoroso, with 10 Aerial Reach, Communication, Handling, Reflexes, and Decisions. It's a very slight thing, but still big enough that we'll be set for the future in the net. Also a lengthy deal.

Transfer In - DR Marvin Thomas (17) - From Santa Rosa (TRI) - $1.8k
Yep, we're poaching guys from one of the top teams in the league who haven't been getting enough PT. A rental, and a solid all around player with 12 Teamwork and 10 Stamina. Fills one of our biggest holes.

Transfer In - DLR/WBL Devon Young (17) - From Spiria - $2k transfer fee - $7k
11 Stamina and 17 Teamwork! I'm really excited to see how this kid does, even though he's only signed through the end of the season.

@ Defense Force SL (11th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kowyn Samuel
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Dwayne Alzola

[b]23[b/] - UGH! An own goal by Lewis :( 0-1

52 - Scotland for Lewis; Jamerson for Williams

62 - Coker to Morgan to Pino, and there's the equalizer after we miss some open opportunities 1-1

85 - Pino with an amazing steal, and on the counter, Morgan plays it just ahead into space for Pino to pick up and cross to flying Jamerson for the go-ahead goal!!!! 2-1

7.5 for PotM Damian Pino, 7.1 for Kevin Jamerson off the bench, and a number of 7.0s, most notably Devon Young on his debut. That's our first league win a long time.

And of course, our shiny new striker, Dwayne Alzola, is out with injury, for anywhere up to 3 weeks. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Izulde]

We cut a number of prospects who we felt would never be anything, and Nicholas Samuel left on a free transfer to Guaya United to try and help them dig out of the relegation hole they're in (currently 14th).

[vs Stokley Vale (5th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kowyn Samuel
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

9 - Jamerson takes the cross after Pino's incredible interception. He centers to Morgan but the shot's pushed away. Jamerson beats two defenders to the ball and crosses, where DeFreitas, who started at 82% and was a gamble to start, puts it away! 1-0

16 - We just can't stop Tyrone Manning no matter what we do. We're going in hard on him and the bastard still scores 1-1

29 - Thomas runs down a long ball and sends it back to Mussio for the booming kick all the way down the right side of the pitch and Jamerson. Box delivery to DeFreitas and a second score! 2-1

38 - Jamerson outlets back to Thomas, then runs ahead for the return longball at the touchline. Cross, and Pino punches it in with his head!!! 3-1

40 - Manning blocks Vincent's pass and pounces on the loose ball. He's got a clear 1v1 and somehow shanks the shot! :eek:

85 - After Pino blows an easy cross, he's pulled for Wilson. Cummings replaces tired Coker, and there's an MC switch.

9.0 and PotM for Kevin Jamerson, 8.3 for Kowyn Samuel, 7.6 for Damian Pino, and 8.8 for Darren DeFreitas in our best game of the year.

10 games left in the season and we're sitting 11 points above the drop with a game in hand. 30 points is traditionally the safe zone and we're at 26.

@ Prison (TRI) (2nd)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kowyn Samuel
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Darren DeFreitas

39 - Lewis clears out a corner and Pino picks it up on the right side for a firecracker shot down to DeFreitas. Our striker holds up play until he can lay off left to Jamerson, then tap the first touch on the return pass into the box. The ball rolls ahead to two of our guys unmolested, and Morgan slams in the go-ahead! 1-0

67 - Jamerson moves over to AMC to replace tired Morgan, Cummings in at attacking MC because Samuel is also tired, and Williams jogs on at AMR

72 - Ugh 1-1

A game we should have been able to win considering how we played, but we'll take the draw. It's another point to put us 12 up on the drop with 9 to go and one in hand. We're pretty safe right now, and we've gone 2-0-1 in our first three games since we brought in our new talent - even if Dwayne Alzola is currently shelved and Colin Williams is presently battling Kevin Jamerson for the starting AMR spot.

[Izulde]

vs FC Phoenix (12th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Dwayne Alzola

20 - Lots of build up along the backline until Thomas gets it, whereupon he cracks a screaming rope all the way across and down the pitch into the box, where Alzola has everyone beat his first Real Maracas score!!! 1-0

Mussio is saving our ass on shot after shot, because our defense has been dreadful.

50 - Stewart is on for Young; Jamerson moves to AMR and Samuel replaces Williams, who is really struggling to adjust to our style of play.

78 - Pino continues to blow easy shots, but redeems himself here on the free kick by delivering to Jamerson in the box for the desperately needed insurance goal 2-0

Kevin Jamerson's 8.3 walks off with the match ball, but hat tip to Kevin Mussio for an amazing 7.5, and Dwayne Alzola is the 7.4 third star.

St. Ann's Rangers wins the FA Trophy

U18s 1 Youth Candidates 2
Impressive comeback victory by the youth candidates, and while we'll be much more selective about who we take on, it's looking like another banner crop, thanks to our recruitment being pretty darn good.

Youth Signings
ML/AML/MC/ST Ronald Spann (16)
11 Pace, 12 Acceleration, 11 Stamina, 11 Flair. Fairly consistent player, though selfish.

DC/DR Cornell Theobald (16)
12 Aggression, 11 Decisions, 12 Jumping Reach, 10 Strength. Fairly consistent player, but also quite raw.

AMC/ST Akim Peltier (16)
The player I'm most excited about, he has godly mental attributes - 10 Decisions, 15 Determination, 13 Leadership, 18 Teamwork!, 16 Work Rate, and solid all-around physical attributes, though not outstanding. Also 13 Free Kicks. Fairly determined and consistent. Could be a starter right now.

Guaya United (13th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kowyn Samuel
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

10 - Peltier kicks back to Samuel for the wing out right to Jamerson. Exquisite cross hits Pino just right for the shot even he can't miss 1-0

15 - Coker to Morgan for the long pass to Peltier. Our star youth pull dribbles with two defenders on him, then cracks a 30 yarder that finds the net for a debut goal!!! :eek: :eek: Holy shit!!! We'll be watching that one for some time 2-0

63 - Theobald will also see immediate action, pulled from the bench to to go in for Vincent. Also out is Samuel in favor of Cummings

88 - No one got back in time for that one 2-1

9.0 and PotM for Kyle Morgan, 8.3 debut for Akim Peltier. We slacked off in the second half, which I'm not exactly happy about, though I'm smirking at Nicholas Samuel's 6.4.

We're up to 5th place now, though I think that's where we'll top out at. Currently the bands go like this:

Club Sando - 50 points
-------------------------
Malabar - 42 points
Prisons (TRI) - 42 points
Santa Rosa (TRI) - 40 points
----------------------
Us - 33 points
Stokley Vale - 32 points
La Horquetta - 31 points
Police B - 31 points
Siparia - 29 points
----------------------
Barrackpore - 22 points
and on down

with 6-7 matches to go.

[Izulde]

Can't sleep, so on we go.

vs P/Palo Seco (11th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Dwayne Alzola

34 - Fucking corners 0-1

42 - Horrendous defending 0-2

49 - Jamerson moves to AMR, Cummings in at CM, Samuel replacing the absolute ass Morgan at AMC

83 - Coker intercepts and hoofs it right to Jamerson. He dribbles into the box and crosses to Pino, but it's too little, too late. 1-2

We played tons better in the second half and frankly should have been able to get at least a draw, if not a win.

I splash $500 down in compensation and $5.5k a year in coaching salary to bring in a guy to rework our training so that Fitness areas are both at 2.5*. If that doesn't satisfy the whiners, I don't know what will.

@ Barrackpore (11th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Kevin Jamerson/Kowyn Samuel
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Dwayne Alzola

31 - We'll take that double yellow!!!

54 - Peltier and Cummings in for Alzola and Samuel respectively. Is this where we just admit we made a mistake with Alzola and try to dump him in the offseason?

64 - Williams dribbles down the right flank, and on the center, Peltier powers in the header to finally go up 1-0

76 - Cummings passes left to Williams outside the box, and the delivery to Peltier later, we've got insurance and I think the choice is clear. 2-0

It took us a while to get going, but Akim Peltier's 2 goals off the bench translated into an 8.6 rating and Colin Williams had a breakout 7.9 game.

Welp that attempt to get rid of Dwayne Alzola bombed miserably. He doesn't want to leave and no one else wants him, either. I'd really like to clear that $8,000 dead weight off my books.

vs Malabar (2nd)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

3 - Williams to Morgan on the short pass, and then the AMR runs ahead into the box. He and Jamerson are facing off against two defenders, with Morgan's pass hitting the latter. Lateral left, and Peltier beats the defense for the score 1-0

60 - Jamerson to AMR, Samuel at AMC, and Cummings is in as the attacking MC

81 - Fucking terrible kick by Mussio. Right to them 1-1

I'm going to be honest - we didn't deserve to draw that game, much less come close to winning.

I lock up most of my staff for next season with minor pay raises. One coach and Kowyn Samuel will be playing elsewhere next year, however. He's willing to take a small paycut, but his physical attributes, which were never great to begin with, are already declining and he's 34.

@ Police B (9th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

12 - Thomas throws into Morgan despite the double team. He gets it to Williams in the box. Shot between two defenders is deflected, but Williams sinks the rebound for his first ever Golden Frog goal!!! He's a guy that took a while to acclimate, but I saw something in him and stuck with it. Really great payoff as he's adjusted 1-0

34 - Jamerson lays off right to Williams for the dribble into the box, and on the center, Jamerson rises high to smash in the header!!! I had hopes the shift would eventually start working 2-0

42 - Morgan somehow dodges the sliding tackle and passes to Pino in the box. Our left winger doesn't like the double team, so he kicks back to Morgan for the first touch to Jamerson in the half circle. Loft shot goes in!!! 3-0

55 - Mussio with the v.v. stupid own goal 3-1

58 - Jamerson to Peltier for the right side give to Williams. Pass forward to Morgan, and he hits Peltier in the box for our youth pull's 5th goal of the year already! 4-1

65 - With the game well in hand, Spann will get his first action at AML, and Theobald will sub in for Lewis

75 - If we blow this, I'm going to fucking scream 4-2

87 - Morgan to Jamerson to Williams in the box. Just as the defender closes in, he lofts the mid-range shot that finds the net!!! 5-2

https://i.imgur.com/qCaHRUg.jpg

Our most complete victory of the season, and with 3 games left, we'll finish somewhere between 5th and 9th most likely (currently 6th). For a team that was supposed to be in a relegation fight, that's an excellent position - especially since I'm only spending about half the wage budget.

[Izulde]

Just got into work thought. As of our last win, we've lost a little over $14k on the season. That's largely due to the salaries, and we have to ask ourselves some hard questions to get to solvency next year, where our budget is projected to drop to $150k.

Namely - is Kyle Morgan worth $11k a year? Obviously Dwayne Alzola isn't worth $8k, but offloading him is proving to be a headache. Our second-highest earner, Kevin Mussio, at $10.5k a year *has* earned the bucks, even with Michael Amoroso waiting in the wings (and probably going to bitch next year about PT).

Then we get into guys like Everald Coker, Colin Williams, Devon Young - in that $7-9.5k a year band. It'll all make for interesting study at the end of the season.

[Izulde]

vs La Horquetta (8th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

60 - The usual Jamerson to AMR, Cummings as attacking MC, Samuel at AMC

85 - Thomas with the long, long throw to Cummings. His pass to Jamerson in the box is intercepted, but Cummings takes the ball on the perimeter of the half-circle and drills the long bomb home!!! 1-0

88 - Jamerson draws a double yellow. Ugh.

Trent Cummings' 8.1 off the bench is PotM and our lone standout. Next best is Kevin Jamerson with a 7.2 before his sending off. Ugly win, but we'll take it.

Also out next game is Everald Coker with yellows. Not that it matters - winning here clinched that we'll finish somewhere in the 5th to 7th band.

@ Bethel United (15th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Kowyn Samuel/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

11 - Peltier takes the long ball on the right outside edge of the box and holds up play. A defender's on him, but he kicks back to flying Williams for the precision cross to Pino and the score is on 1-0

58 - Samuel goes left to Pino, and the pass into box space is easy for Peltier to pick up the 1v1 and get the insurance goal, as we overcome laziness in the first half. 2-0

82 - Morgan clears out a set piece and Williams runs down the loose ball for a boomer down the right flank to Peltier. Hold up of play, ground cross to Pino, and we've clinched these guys are going down. 3-0

Everyone but Kyle Morgan had a 7.0 or higher, with our 3 standouts Damian Pino (9.3 and PotM), Colin Williams (8.0), and Akim Peltier (7.9).

vs Santa Rosa (TRI) (3rd)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

21 - Jamerson to Williams for the box lead that Peltier picks up and curls the hook shot in! 1-0

38 - That's why they're a top 3 team 1-1

40 - FUCK YOU!!!! PELTIER WAS ONSIDES!!!!!!

51 - Spann is in for Pino; Jamerson moves to BWM MC and Cummings comes on as attacking MC

53 - Morgan tries to get it to Peltier, but it's nicked. Somehow Cummings fights through three different defenders to get to the ball and send it to Peltier in the half-circle. Moonshot hits, and fuck your offsides shadiness, ref! 2-1

Those assholes get a free shot at the end of the game, but Mussio stops it. Akim Peltier carried us on his back with his 8.8 PotM, Colin Williams his deputy at 7.4. Not a game we frankly deserved to win, but we'll take it.

https://i.imgur.com/PIvzpRz.jpg

Hell of a season. Predicted to relegate at 13th, and here we are with a Top 5 finish and firmly cemented status as a second-tier team within the league.

Which raises the question - can we compete for the title next year? *Should* we go for it? The 7-1-1 record since the transfer deadline says we can. Our 12th ranked attendance out of 15 says we shouldn't. We lost almost $26k on the season thus far, so our financial solvency is non-existent - just $114 in the bank before next year's sponsorships. And 6 out of 10 Pro League clubs are Insecure financially.

That pushes me in the direction of trying to dump all our high-priced vets and operating with a even smaller budget.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/i64kR4A.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WOwSUVC.jpg

The power of having a strong youth recruitment network - we've found two of our biggest rising stars through there - as well as the overachieving Trent Cummings.

The fallout of my efforts to move on the veterans, especially Kyle Morgan is spectacularly epic. The veterans themselves are furious. But Michael Amoroso is happy, because I've promised him his starting job back once Kevin Mussio is gone.

Weird thing - the board sets initial budgets of $250k and $12k and change respectively - even though we're at a -$4k cash balance.

https://i.imgur.com/BuzliBl.jpg

Nothing really to quibble with here other than Kevin Mussio should have been the pick in goal.

We lock down Marvin Thomas and Devon Young on one year extensions for the same rate, and the same for the holdout coach who was demanding more money initially.

Our sponsorship money is just $80k this year - a $7k drop despite our fantastic season performance. Kind of pisses me off to be honest. Kowyn Samuel is set to retire, but wants to be a scout, refusing my coach offer, even though that's the best place for him.

For some reason I thought we were 20th in reputation in Trinidad last year? Now we're 26th, but our reputation also rose, going from a half-star to a full star. So who knows?

The board expects me to finish in the top half of the league, reach the third round of the FA Trophy and the first round of the Classic Cup. Wait, what?! The Classic Cup?! What's that?!


The Trinidad and Tobago Classic, or commonly known as the TOYOTA Classic, is a knockout tournament for teams in Trinidad and Tobago's TT Pro League and National Super League. The football competition began in 2005, with TOYOTA as the primary sponsor, and is currently contested each October and November following the Pro League and Super League seasons

The knockout tournament begins in the first round with all TT Pro League teams automatically entering the competition. Following each National Super League season, the top eight teams in the final league table qualify and enter in the first round as well.

$8.85k for the tournament winner, $6.12k for the runner-up. Not that we're not going to get that far - we're just happy to be able to attend. With those increased expectations, I might need to rethink a few of the guys I've transfer listed.

Transfer In - MC Kerry Brown (17) - From Stokely Vale - Free Transfer
Solid all-around player with 17 Teamwork and 11 Work Rate. With some work, he'll become an AMC as well. Making $6.5k on a one year deal. He'll become a primary backup and essentially replace the retiring Kowyn Samuel's role.

I try to convince DC Jeremy McMeo to sign with us, but even with his friend Marvin Thomas on the squad, he just isn't interested.

Contract Extension - MCL/AML Damian Pino (25) - 3 years - $8k/year - $1k year raise
Got off to a slow start, but blossomed into one of our best players as the season wore on last season. The raise increase is reasonable to lock him down for his prime years for a guy who grades out as our second best player behind Kevin Mussio.

Contract Extension - DM/MC Trent Cummings (18) - 2 years - $1.8k/year
On paper, he doesn't have the talent to be any good. But he was excellent for us last year and slots in perfectly as our attacking MC. Even if he gets surpassed, for that price, he's a very cheap lockup.

Oh, and we also released four youth players to chop another $3.6k off the payroll. In total, we're back to last season's roughly $90k per year in salary expenditures.

Since Kyle Morgan's contract expires at the end of the season and my staff keeps bugging me to take him off the transfer list, I finally do.

Loan In - AMRC/MCR Leon Hernandez (17) - From Defence Force - Season Long Loan
13 Acceleration and 12 Pace are this pint-sized (5'6") winger prospect's primary skills, and he represents quite a contrast to the 6'5" tall glass of water Colin Williams. We've been underachieving in the friendly season, yet to record a win, so the kid will get his shot with an eye towards potentially bringing him in as a long-term solution.

Hayden Vincent and Damian Pino reprise last season's roles as Captain and Vice-Captain, and it's widely expected Pino will become the new captain next year, because I'm not going to renew Vincent's contract.

[code]
Team Value: $70k (-$50k)
Average Ticket Price: $14 (+1)
Average Season Ticket Price: $71 (+6)
Season Ticket Holders: 89 (+8)
Stadium: 700 capacity (Owned by the council)
Basic Corporate Facilities, Training Facilities, and Junior Youth Coaching
Poor Youth Facilities
Average Youth Recruitment
Balance: $39,702 (-$55,640)
Payroll Budget: $250k (+$90k)
Transfer Budget: $12.3k (+3k)[code]

https://i.imgur.com/JCCqEmA.jpg

Loan In - DRC Jamal Edwards (17) - From W Connection - Season-Long Loan
12 Marking, 11 Aggression, 12 Decisions and Acceleration, 11 Pace, 10 Strength. Unambitious dude who probably doesn't want to come here long term, and has a host of other problems, but he's an immediate DR upgrade, especially since Marvin Thomas has had injury problems in preseason.

vs Siparia
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Leon Hernandez
S: Dwayne Alzola

Yep. We've had injuries to both of our strikers, so we're forced to start the asshole who won't leave.

2 - Jamerson passes right to Hernandez just outside the half-circle. Despite three defenders swirling around him, our loanee slides the pass back to Jamerson in the box and the midrange is good! 1-0

8.8 and PotM for Kevin Jamerson, 7.4 for Leon Hernandez, and 7.1 for Everald Coker as our top 3 performers. I thought about subbing in at some point, but my gut said to just ride our starters.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! Dwayne Alzola, much as I hate him, gets hurt, and is out 6-8 weeks. We're also without Kyle Morgan for 3-4 weeks. The injury woes we get hit with are fucking dumb.

We now have ZERO healthy natural strikers for next game, and only a couple of maybe could play it. Rage rising.

[Izulde]

@ Police B (14th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Kerry Brown/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kevin Jamerson/Leon Hernandez
S: Ronald Spann

11 - Edwards with an amazing interception of a throw-in deep in our half. On the other end, Spann is facing a triple-team, so he kicks back to Jamerson for the dribble and box feed to Hernandez. He converts the 1v1 for his first Golden Frog goal!!!! I think I'm going to have to try locking this kid down later in the season - he's been amazing for us 1-0

36 - Bleh. 1-1

48 - Edwards plays it mid-long to Spann in the middle of the pitch. He takes two steps outside the half-circle and cracks a 30 yarder that goes in!!! The announcers are absolutely rapturous over the strike, even though Edwards is then immediately pulled for Thomas due to numerous mistakes he's made 2-1

51 - Coker intercepts and Jamerson is just fast enough to beat three defenders to the ball, whereupon he slips it left through a seam to Pino. There's one defender on our left winger as he dribbles a touch, but he's giving him space. Bad idea, as the center comes to Spann in the box, and I'm suddenly wondering if we have a new secret weapon at striker 3-1

71 - That was a bullshit penalty call on Brown. So pissed 3-2

74 - Out goes Brown with Coker moving to BWM and Cummings in at his usual attacking CM spot.

Ronald Spann is the obvious PotM with an 8.8, and he's supported by matching 7.4s from Leon Hernandez and Everald Coker.

FUCK!!!!! LEON HERNANDEZ PICKED UP A SLIPPED DISC AND IS OUT 3-4 MONTHS!!!! That's just horrible news. God damned injury bug!!!!

vs Prisons (TRI) (10th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Kerry Brown/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kevin Jamerson/Colin Williams
S: Ronald Spann

Last season's surprise package is off to a rough start this season, but they always play us tough.

62 - Jamerson moves to AMR and Sam comes in at AMC. Wilson gets his shot at AML

I'll take the draw. It's about right for how we played.

@ Santa Rosa (TRI) (3rd)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Kerry Brown/Everald Coker
AM: Damian Pino/Kevin Jamerson/Colin Williams
S: Ronald Spann

There's virtually no chance we win this one. Not with all our injuries.

5 - Coker to Spann in the half-circle for the threaded between two defenders box pass to Pino. Defender tackles the ball loose from behind and it rolls into the net for an own goal. They're crying that it's offsides. LOL. Go fuck yourself. 1-0

11 - Happy birthday on that goal 1-1

20 - Oh look. ANOTHER FUCKING INJURY!

Wilson goes in for injured Pino at half.

48 - Edwards slides over to DC to replace suddenly shitty Vincent and Thomas comes in at DR

58 - :( 1-2

63 - Sigh 1-3

76 - Wilson on the corner and Lewis jams it in to give us a touch of hope! Peltier runs on for Spann as we try and work a miracle 2-3

We played well enough to beat them in the second half - just came down to Michael Amoroso having one of the worst games of his career.

We're without Damian Pino for 3-4 weeks. That means our entire attacking midfielders starting lineup will have missed major time this year with injuries, and we're still really feeling the loss of the electric Leon Hernandez. In his place, Colin Williams has gone back to being terrible.

[Izulde]

Should sleep but can't.

vs Cunupia (2nd)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Kevin Jamerson
AM: Ronald Spann/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

A promoted team from the lower leagues, they've been on fire to start the year.

53 - Jamerson moves to AMR, Cummings as attacking MC, and Brown takes over for Coker at BWM

63 - Young muscles the ball off their right winger and on the other end, it's Spann lateraling to Peltier outside the half-circle. Box feed to Jamerson and he mows down the defender, injuring him on way to a fire strike score! 1-0

Michael Amoroso atones for the last game by picking up a 7.1 PotM in this one. It was that kind of match.

@ Marabella FCC (6th)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Ronald Spann/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

6 - Edwards charges to secure a loose ball and pushes it left to Morgan, who goes up the horizontal ladder to Cummings. Box feed to Peltier and the breakthrough goal comes in 1-0

At half, Edwards shifts to DC to replace yellow and awful Vincent, with Thomas in at DR

71 - Tired Cummings gets subbed in for Brown and MC switch

Trent Cummings' 7.4 wins PotM, buttressed by matching 7.2s from Jamal Edwards and Kirt Lewis

Next match is a huge one. We're in 3rd place, hosting the #1 ranked team in the league. Just wish our attendance would go up - projections keep coming in at 130, but actual attendees are still the same low 90s they've been each year, even with our increased reputation.

[Izulde]

vs North East Stars (1st)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Ronald Spann/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

13 - That was a stop Amoroso should have made 0-1

33 - We're simply outclassed 0-2

43 - And of course a bullshit offsides call on Spann

47 - Wilson for Spann; Thomas for Edwards

48 - On the counter, Peltier gives to Wilson in the box, and the cross finds Jamerson. This time, flag stays down 1-2

61 - Pure fucking trsh 1-3

vs Police (TRI) (Classic Cup First Round)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Ronald Spann/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

10 - FUCK YOU, POST! 0-1

39 - Whatever 0-2

53 - Brown in, Cummings off; [b]DeFreitas in; Peltier off

76 - DeFreitas draws a PK and Morgan converts 1-2

It costs us $9k, but we *finally* get Dwayne Alzola to agree to a mutual contract termination a year early. Expensive lesson learned about veteran players.

Things are kind of frustrating right now - attendance is stagnant, we keep bleeding money despite a low payroll, and yeah. V.V. frustrating.

[Izulde]

@ P/Palo Seco (14th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards/Marvin Thomas
MC: Roland Spann/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kerry Brown/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

Energy issues cause this lineup shakeup - plus I think Michael Amoroso just isn't ready.

29 - Thomas throws into Young on the left box line. From there it's all right side up the latter - Young to Pino to Williams for the turnaround midrange score 1-0

50 - Edwards charges into the midfield circle to steal the ball and hit a long ball to Peltier in the box on the other end. Their keeper has played brilliantly, but here, our striker is just too fast for him 2-0

72 - Pino slides down to attacking MC, Spann moves to BWM, Wilson as AML and Stewart in at DL

Jamal Edwards notches an 8.4 PotM, our #2 and 3 stars Akim Peltier with 7.5 and Colin Williams with 7.3. We should have won by way more, though.

vs La Horquetta (11th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM:Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

6 - We suck at defending set pieces 0-1

14 - Morgan picks off a bad header clearance just outside the half-circle and sends it to Peltier in the box. The score is easy 1-1

48 - Cummings recovers his own stolen pass and sends to Morgan for the on to Peltier in the box after I yell at them at half. In it goes 2-1

50 - Edwards shifts one over, sitting Vincent, and Thomas comes on at DR

58 - Stewart in for Young

82 - Brown in for Cummings and MC switch

8.9 and PotM for Kyle Morgan, 8.8 for Akim Peltier as they cracked on in the second half. Third star is a distant 7.1 with Jamal Edwards who has emerged as one of our most reliable defenders after coming in on loan.

@ Guaya United (10th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM:Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

13 - SMH 0-1

46 - Morgan passes to Cummings for the box give to Jamerson. Only it's poked away and the ball is sitting in the half-circle. No problem, as Morgan runs in and slams the shot through from the half-circle! 1-1

49 - Thompson in for Edwards, who is shitting the bed the very game after I praise him

58 - Spann on to replace Pino

60 - WTF is with this suddenly shitlord team?! 1-2

70 - DeFreitas in at striker

vs Stokley Vale (10th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM:Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

We've made a slight tweak, switching Akim Peltier to a Defensive Forward rather than his previous Advanced Forward role.

18 - FUCKING SET PIECES!!!! 0-1

25 - Coker is busting ass, winning that ball back twice. Jamerson's fighting a double team outside the box and wings right to a suddenly diverting Cummings. Center and Peltier knocks in the equalizer 1-1

38 - I hate this team 1-2

40 - sdfhlsdogasdhgowghawohawo FUCK YOUR LASTE BUSGLSLSGHLSDOFHSOHADODF OFFSIDEHROSHFOSDHFOASHFHSDGHSOAA

49 - Peltier goes wide and long to Pino, who dribbles untouched until his cross hits Jamerson for the easy equalizer 2-2

54 - Thomas and Stewart replace our suddenly shitty FBs

74 - Thanks for the OG gift 3-2

75 - FUCK YOUR IMMEDIATE ANSWER!!!! 3-3

@ Stokley Vale (FA Trophy 2nd Round)
G: Michael Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Kerry Brown/Everald Coker
AM:Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

My hatred of this team knows no bounds. Fuck these guys and fuck their superstar Tyrone Manning

58 - Spann swaps in for Pino, Jamerson moves to AMC, and Williams comes on at AMR. Peltier has been denied by post/crossbar twice so far. But not before an Edwards to Jamerson right flank run, with Pino having just enough gas on the cross to beat his man and score his first goal of the year. 1-0

A trio of 7.4s - Michael Amoroso, Jamal Edwards, and Kevin Jamerson bailed us out, with Everald Coker just behind at 7.3. Never thought we'd beat these guys in a defensive fight.

No money for the win, which fans were thrilled about. What a fucking gyp. How the fuck are we supposed to become a cash money team if we can't make any?

[Izulde]

@ Petit Valley United (8th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Marvin Thomas
MC: Kerry Brown/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Colin Williams
S: Darren DeFreitas

2 - Morgan taps back to Brown for the long ball to Pino in the box. Dump off right to DeFreitas and there's his first goal of the year 1-0

45 - Thomas gets a head wound and it's cool to see him play with a bandage on his head (literally there's an animation for that). I'm also smirking that there's a player called Trim on a team that's named Petit Valley. What's not funny? Thomas getting bullshit PK called on him right before half and them converting 1-1

53 - Scotland comes in at DR, Stewart at DL

64 - I'm replacing our whole fucking backline next season 1-2

vs Police (TRI) - FA Trophy Third Round
G: Micheal Amoroso
D: Devon Young/Kirt Lewis/Hayden Vincent/Jamal Edwards
MC: Everald Coker/Trent Cummings
AM: Damian Pino/Kyle Morgan/Kevin Jamerson
S: Akim Peltier

52 - Spann in for Pino; Edwards shifts left, because I'm tired of Vincent's bad play, with a tired Scotland at DR

69 - DeFreitas on for Peltier

We're on to PKs!

Amoroso just misses blocking the first one 0-1
:( :( :( Morgan denied by the post!!! 0-1
It's over 0-2
Their keeper blocks Coker and yeah 0-2
bleh. 0-3
Spann is the first one to score, but too little, too late 1-3
Yep 1-4

vs Barrackpore (8th)
G: Kevin Mussio
D: Devon Young/Akil Scotland/Jamal Edwards/Marvin Thomas
MC: Damian Pino/Ronald Spann
AM: Javon Wilson/Kerry Brown/Colin Williams
S: Akim Peltier

6 - Fuck this team 0-1

30 - Fuckhead Thomas gets a PK called on him, but Mussio manages to block the shot for once

45 - BUKLSDFJOSFHSODGHAS BULL SHIT BULLSHTI SBHSDHSDHOGHAOGHASGHSFGHOAA WILSON WAS FUCKCING SONOSISDSES YOU SGOPASHGOAWHOSDHFO OSFUYSFOHSDUC DFKSFYHSDOFHWRFESD FUCKC FUFUDKDKU CUF UDK!!!!!!

Jamerson and Stewart fill out our right side at the half and I scream my fucking head off at this shitpile team

51 - I swear to fucking hell I'm going to resign after this game 0-2

60 - *commence throwing things* 0-3

69 - Because why the fuck not?! 0-4

Fan day reaction: "A bumper crowd of 93" LOL. Fuck you.

Malabar opens up as they're struggling to avoid relegation, and I'm listed as one of the favorites there.

As it turns out, I don't quit. I pack my bags and move to another country in the Caribbean.

https://i.imgur.com/rsrKqzU.png
Fort Road FC - Antigua & Barbuda First Division
What a spectacularly ugly logo. It's like someone threw up a really bad '90s logo in Paint. I'm loling hardcore. But there's a lot to like about this club - $90k payroll with only $15k spent in salaries. A giant 12,000 All-Seater stadium that's admittedly shared with 12 other teams in the 81,799 population capital city of Saint John's. Above average Youth Recruitment, though that honestly the standard for the Saint John's-based team, with many Established.

This team dropped down from the Premier League last season, and are mid-table right now. The seasons are blissfully short - 22 games at this level and just 18 in the Premier League! This is the most interesting situation I've ever been in for sure.

@ Sea View Farm (7th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Grey
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Alric Cochrane/Randolph Abraham/Reece Peters
S: Calaum Henry/Chesley Willett

Going with a flat, boring 4-4-2 while I try to get bodies in here and figure this squad out.

58 - Quinton Kirwan goes on for Henry

59 - Peters, a grey guy I signed because his 9 crossing was the highest on the team by far, taps to Kirwan outside the half-circle for the reverse touch right to Willett. Screaming shot sings home! 1-0

Chesley Willett's 8.3 is PotM as he single-handedly took us there. The win moves us up from 6th to 5th.

So, the first two teams in the league promote up. Our league champion is already decided, because they're so far ahead of everyone else, it's just dumb. Then, the 3rd and 4th place teams go into a promotion playoff against the 3rd worst team in the Premier League. There's two games (each team plays each other once), with the winner of the group moving up to or staying in the Premier League, the bottom two either staying in the First Division or relegating down.

In short, it looks like a *lot* of fun.

[Brian Swartz]

51 - I swear to fucking hell I'm going to resign after this game 0-2


Hell's gotta be pissed at you after you broke your word later in the same post …

[Izulde]

Hell's gotta be pissed at you after you broke your word later in the same post …

Payback is coming unfortunately. Midway through next post I'll have up later today/tonight your time.

[Izulde]

We make a flurry of signings to go through in the transfer window and lose one of our guys.

vs Urlings (12th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Grey
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Alric Cochrane/Randolph Abraham/Reece Peters
S: Quinton Kirwan/Chesley Willett

56 - Henry jogs in for Willett and we swap grey guy DCs

We completely outplayed them, but just couldn't find the ability to put it in the net.

Our assman is hired away, and we get a better, cheaper upgrade. Now that's winning.

vs Sea View Farm (8th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Grey
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Alric Cochrane/Grey/Reece Peters
S: Calaum Henry/Chesley Willett

33 - Henry laterals to Cochrane for the tap to grey MC and giveback, and all of a sudden, Cochrane launches a 40 yard shot that hits the net for his first ever Fort Road goal!!! 1-0

92 - WHAT THE FUCK?!?! HENRY DRAWS A PENALTY SECONDS BEFORE THE WHISTLE BLOWS AND THEY CONVERT?! 1-1

That's just devastating for our hopes to really become a promotion contention team. What absolute HORSESHIT!

vs Liberta (2nd)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Grey
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Alric Cochrane/Randolph Abraham/Reece Peters
S: Quinton Kirwan/Chesley Willett

51 - Eugene Jeremy, out for months with injury, comes in to replace Cochrane, with Henry subbing in for Willett

62 - FUCKING FLUKE GOAL BULLSHIT!!!! 0-1

83 - Hughes-Mason is knocked out with injury. Grey guy on.

Molvin Hughes-Mason is out 5-6 months, and we've been fucked out of at least 5 points by this stupid fucking engine screwing us over by not making one shot and the bullshit PK, and the fluke shot.

So, so pissed right now.

But the complete overhaul of the squad is happening soon. I've lost count of how many players we're bringing in when the transfer window opens.

[Izulde]

vs Swetes FC (12th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey//Grey
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Randolph Abraham/Alric Cochrane/Grey/Reece Peters
S: Chesley Willett/Quinton Kirwan

6 - Abraham has it outside the box, but there's a three defender wall, so he outlets back to Simon for the high ball forward cross into the box. Peters is there and drills it for his first Fort Road goal! 1-0

28 - Beautiful sliding tackle by grey guy defender and Kirwan tracks back to the loose ball. Booming kick down the middle for Willett who dribbles into the box, rolls right, and slams in the mid-range. 2-0

34 - Abraham draws the double team and taps left to Cochrane. Just as a defender gets there, Cochrane feeds it to Willett in the box for the dribble and angled shot behind the keeper 3-0

50 - Pathetic 3-1

51 - Jeremy slams it far and left, and Jahraldo-Mason has just enough gas to beat out the defender. Near post pass to Willett in the box and there's the hat trick!!! 4-1

55 - Fucking PATHETIC! 4-2

62 - You've got to be fucking shitting me 4-3

65 - Henry for Kirwan after the latter absolutely blows an easy shot, and Grey DC for Grey DC

9.4 and PotM for Chesley Willett, 8.5 for Alric Cochrane, 8.1 for Rowan Jahlrado-Martin as we nearly blow it thanks to shitty keeping. 3 games left and we're in 4th place by a slender 2 points. And of course, our next game is against the top team in the league. :(

[Izulde]

@ Point West Ham (ATG) (1st)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey//Grey
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Randolph Abraham/Alric Cochrane/Grey/Reece Peters
S: Chesley Willett/Quinton Kirwan

9 - Peters kicks it back to a grey defender on the free kick, and forward to Abraham. Forward further to Willlett. A defender charges him, allowing our more explosive striker to slip it to Kirwan in the box. He dribbles and buries the go-ahead goal with ease 1-0

11 - Willett runs down the longball from Jahraldo-Martin, keeps dribbling, and crosses across the front part of the box. It's intended for Kirwan, but it rolls long to Peters. He takes it, rushes forward, and crosses back left to Jahraldo-Martin, and the flummoxed goalie watches our left winger's first goal of the year roll on by 2-0

17 - Too good a team to be shut out, and bleh on corners 2-1

40 - Jeremy's free kick on the right side floats horizontally into the box, and Grey Guy DC scores, because everyone ignored him!!! :o 3-1

63 - We have to go asymmetrical on the backline by bringing in a grey guy DC to replace the tired and awful DR. Grey guy on ML too.

75 - Henry jogs on for Willett

Every full-time starter except our keeper had 7 or higher, with the 7.5+ guys Alric Cochrane (7.5), Grey Guy DC 7.7, and PotM Reece Peters, a former grey guy himself at 8.4!

Despite the loss, they still clinch the division title, and manager Marc Nesbitt, who has had stints at three different Antigua & Barbuda clubs on both levels in the three seasons of this universe, enters the Antigua & Barbuda Hall of Fame. Not that it takes a lot - literally one division title or cup is enough to put you in the not so hallowed rankings.

@ Celtic (ATG) (8th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey//Grey
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Randolph Abraham/Alric Cochrane/Grey/Reece Peters
S: Chesley Willett/Quinton Kirwan

@ Celtic (ATG) (8th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey//Grey
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Grey/Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Randolph Abraham/Reece Peters
S: Caulum Henry/Quinton Kirwan

Two games left, and we could finish anywhere from 3rd to 9th. It's that tightly packed a division. One thing that's a stone cold lock - we won't relegate.

Grey guy DC switch at half.

56 - Willett comes in for Kirwan

77 - Our exhausted grey guys on the backline put in work, taking the ball away and getting it to Willett deep in their half. He dribbles, kicks back to Abraham, and the long ball goes to Henry's head in the box. Our third choice striker nods on it over the head of the coming out keeper, and the ball rolls into the net!!! 1-0

84 - That's a double yellow for Jeremy, and we swap out the grey guy ML, with Rahnaldo-Martin moving to his natural ML, Abraham moving to DM, and a grey guy on at DC to give us 5 at the back.

89 - Abraham passes to Willett, but the short give to Peters is stripped away. No worries, as Willett gets the rebound and cracks a 30 yard cannon shot into the net!!!! 2-0

8.4 and PotM for Randolph Abraham, 8.1 sub showing for Chesley Willett, and 7.9 for Calaum Henry as we overcome a suspension, a double yellow, and engage in some shenanigans tactically to pull off the massive victory!!!

We're now zeroed in on the 4th-6th range as a result of that win. A key match between 5th and 6th place happens the day before our final game. I'm pulling for a tie, because that clinches promotion playoffs for us.

It doesn't happen. 3-1 victory with ironically a player we're getting in the offseason as PotM with a pair of goals.

Now it looks like this:

4th place - Us - +6 GD - 33 points
5th place - Them - +6 GD - 30 points

If we hadn't gotten so badly screwed over in a couple games this season, we'd already have our playoff ticket punched. But now we have to earn it.

vs Five Islands (8th)
G: Mikele Beckles
D: Lloyd Simon/Grey//Grey
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Grey/Rowan Jahraldo-Mason/Alric Cochrane/Reece Peters
S: Chesley Willett/Quinton Kirwan

53 - Grey guy at MR, Henry for Kirwan and striker switch. We've played like ass so far and should be losing

75 - Amazing interception and clearance by Abraham and the longball is perfectly sailed to Henry for a 1v1, and he shanks the fucking shot

78 - NOOOOOOOOOO!!!! FUCK YOU, LONG SHOT!!! FUCK DHFASHODFOASDF DFHOASDOFHSDOHOAEHEOHAWEOEE BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIT BULLSHIT!! FUCKKSFASODFASA 0-1

FUCKED OVER YET AGAIN! Now all the 5th place team has to do is win, and they go to the playoffs.

And they do, winning 3-1.

ldfasdhfldfogoaofghsodfh FUCK THIS GAME!!!! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN FUCKED HARD LIKE WE DID IN THOSE EARLY MATCHES!!!!

Once again, the guy we're getting scores 2 goals and is PotM. The irony levels are fucking killing me right now.

What hurts even worse? If we'd made the playoffs, our 11 new players would be suiting up right away.

Our spend shoots up from $15k to $50k, still well under budget as we literally brought in a whole entire new team. I'll delve more into it later - I'm just super fucking pissed right now.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DR/WBR/MR Walter Williams (18) - $60 P/A
18 Aggression, 13 Bravery and Work Rate, 12 Acceleration. A nice all-right side backup to have.

Transfer In - ST Kelly Nesbitt (17) - From Bassa SC
Struggled at the Premier level, but for $3k a year until 2020, he's the perfect Defensive Forward - 12 Aggression, 14 Flair, 16 Teamwork, 13 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration and Pace. He'll obviously start there.

Transfer In - DCR Janiel Santiago (17) - From Hoppers
Another Premier youth raid, he earns $2.1k through next season. 11 Aggression, 10 Decisions, 12 Positioning, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, 14 Jumping Reach, and a captain candidate at 14 Leadership. Penned in as a starting DC.

Transfer In - GK Lloyd George (17) - From Bassa SC
12 Aerial Reach, 13 Handling, 10 Reflexes, Positioning, and Agility. $2.5k and he just barely gets the nod over the other keeper we signed. Had 2 shutouts in 5 games for the Premier club, but also allowed 5 goals. Spirited individual.

Transfer In - ST Junior Cochrane (18) - $60 PA/$9 goal bonus
Somehow slipped a bonus by me. 11 Finishing and Flair, and a truckload of solid but not brilliant double-digit physical attributes. Starred as a part-time starter for Grenades this year, who made it to the playoffs in 3rd place, where we should have been.

Transfer In - DLC/ML Brentton Kirwan (18) - From Bassa SC
Another poach who has been struggling. $2.5k salary, with 14 Teamwork and 10 Acceleration. Also projects as a free kick taker with 10 there. Worth noting - much of his struggles came at DC - when he played DL, which is where he'll slot in for us, he was quite good.

Transfer In - ST/AMC/MC Kelly Matthew (17) - From Willikes (Fuck those guys)
We're shelling out $8k in salary for this kid, who just singlehandedly sunk our promotion playoff hopes. 16 Flair is the highlight and he has 11 Leadership and 12 Acceleration, but I'm not seeing a dominant player here. I do think we're going to make some tweaks to our tactics, though, to take advantage of him and others.

Transfer In - ST Brentton Jeremy (17) - $55 P/A
Eye-popping 17 Flair. 15 Aggression and Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 10 Acceleration. 10 Finishing. Has a lot of work to do on his mental game but we're very quickly dividing the strikers on this squad into Poachers and Defensive Forwards.

Transfer In - MR/AMR Jermaine George (17) - From Parham FC
A little pricey at $6k, but hard to argue with his 16 Flair, 13 Leadership, 11 Teamwork, 12 Acceleration, 10 Pace package. He'll get training on ML to make him more useful. Unfortunately out for 2 months with a dislocated shoulder.

Transfer In - GK Bo Luke (18) - From Five Islands
10 Handling, 11 Reflexes, 11 Agility. The second choice keeper, even on a Key Player deal that pays him $2.5k (this was before I had other players inked on).

Transfer In - DC/DM/MC Marc Jarvis (18) - From Bassa SC
4 of our 11 new players come from that Premier club, which is in the promotion/relegation playoff. Yeah, I'm still mad. 12 Aggression, 16 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 10 Acceleration, 14 Jumping Reach.

The upshot of all this activity is that we switch to a 4-3-3 formation, shocking a Premier league side in our first postseason friendly, 3-2.

Transfer Out - ST Brentton Jeremy (17) - To Freemansville
Uh... okay. Plays one friendly and opts to go to a lower division side. Sure. You do you.

Transfer In - ML/AML Luke Simon (18) - From Empire FC
$3k per year until 2020 for a 16 Flair/15 Acceleration/10 Pace left winger who my staff absolutely loves.

Vomit. Willikies goes 1-0-1 for 4 points and promotion to the Premier League. That could have, should have been us. In no one cares news, Otto's Rangers wins the FA Cup.

Youth Pulls
Yep, youth pulls happen *after* the regular season here. The Head of Youth Development is a shitlord, so there's only two guys who captivate my interest:

DC/SW Anderson Derrick (16)
From the jump, he stands out technically - 13 Marking, 12 Tackling, 16 Aggression, 17 Bravery, 11 Decisions, 16 Teamwork, 15 Work Rate, 13 Jumping Reach. Absolutely amazing player, and our best defender. Side Note: Here, youth contracts are $1.3k, so you really have to be selective in who you pick.

MC/AMC Anton Ferrell (16)
11 Passing and Leadership, 14 Aggression and Work Rate, 16 Teamwork. Will definitely see time as our third MC.

Randolph Abraham extends his season for another 4 games, as a Premier club on the verge of relegation loans him in.

I poach Kelly Jahraldo-Martin from Premier Side All Saints United. He's an 11 JPA/9 JPP/9 Youngsters Head of Youth Development who is far superior to the trash Elvis Simon, whom I mutually terminated for $500.

Our shiny new 4-3-3 has been amazing in postseason friendlies, and it makes me excited for the possibilities of next season.

And it's on to the offseason proper. We're not going to add a ton of dudes - we just added 12 of them, 14 if you include the youth signings. Besides, we're bleeding money like crazy due to the rush of talent we brought in.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/ghK2SjZ.jpg

The salt is still real. We won't compile stats because I was only here for the last part of the season.

I decide to make some wholesale changes to our staff - we did retain our Chief Scout despite a pedestrian 7/7 because he's hella cheap, and there wasn't much better out there.

Our reputation naturally declines as we fail to head straight back up, making us the 11th highest reputation club in Antigua & Barbuda (FWIW, Parham FC, the top team, has a 1* reputation).

My assman is a dick and won't sign a new contract so soon after his first one, even though it expires like in a week. Oh, and we only have a $65k payroll budget to work with, even though we're already spending $50k. And the board expects us to get to the promotion playoffs in league, quarterfinals in FA Cup.

We get a nice bump in sponsorship - $12.5k compared to the $9.73k from last year.

Fucking assman leaves. Dick. I find a meh replacement, and also convince the board to let me add another coach.

Because so many teams are competing for stadium slots, we have to re-arrange our friendlies schedule numerous times. Kind of annoying, TBH. Nor can we attract big money names who will fill our stadium and generate boku bucks.

Transfer In - MCR Elvis Williams (19) - From Willikies
I don't remember signing this dude, but he's 11 Passing and Work Rate and our new starter at the MC spot.

We also go to ink an exciting new striker, but he goes down for 5 weeks *right* when we're about to complete the transfer. So yeah, we delay a week, and this game continues to fuck us over.

Jermaine George has been injured twice in the short time we've had him, and he's one of our most expensive wage earners at $6k. Needless to say, I won't be bringing him back.

Promotion Odds
English Harbour: 4-6
Piggotts Bullets: 4-6
Freemansville: 4-6
Fort Road: 5-1
Otto's Rangers: 5-1
Bassa SC: 25-1

Pretty wide open field this season.

Janiel Santiago is named Captain, Elvis Williams is Vice-Captain.

Anderson Derrick, our stud youth pull at DC, tears his hamstring and is out 3-4 months. Just keep fucking us over.

vs Sea View Farm
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Walter Williams
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Martin/Anton Farrell/Reece Peters
S: Quinton Kirwan/Junior Cochrane/Kelly Nesbitt

We have no less than 5 players off on U20 duty, two more guys injured, and one suspended. So it's a very tired, brittle lineup we have out there today.

51 - I don't give a fuck about the ragtag lineup. We shouldn't be losing to these shitlords 0-1

62 - A bunch of subs happen after Jahraldo-Martin gets hurt, because FUCK THIS BITCHNOZZLE GAME, THAT'S WHY!

Fans are devastated by the result. I'm wondering when FM is going to quit dicking me around with bullshit losses and injuries.

[Izulde]

@ Celtic (ATG) (5th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Anton Farrell/Elvis Williams
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

23 - HE WAS FUCKING OFFSIDES!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT CALL TAHT SHIT?! 0-1

27 - Farrell wings right to Williams for the box entry pass to Matthew. Shot. Deflected. Rebound shot. Deflected. Finally Matthew is able to sink the third attempt and get the debut goal but JFC! 1-1

46 - Farrell charges down a sloppy pass deep in their half and intercepts, spraying left and up for Willett to run down. Dribble and daring cross to the opposite side, and Nesbitt has the opener netter for his own debut goal 2-1

49 - Farrell goes long down the pitch. Defender steals it, but Nesbitt pressures and strips the ball. He dribbles into the half-circle with two guys on him, and calmly slots the long-range into the net, erupting the stands into pandemonium! 3-1

67 - Lloyd Simon is in for Kirwan; Junior Cochrane for Matthew

Obvious 9.0 and PotM for Kelly Nesbitt, with a 7.7 for Anton Farrell, one of last year's two youth pulls, and a 7.5 by Chelsey Willett. Looks like the wide 4-3-3 is meant to be a counterattacking formation.

vs Empire FC (9th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Anton Farrell/Elvis Williams
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

31 - Our finishing has been dreadful, but in the confusion of a corner kick, they give us an own goal 1-0

65 - Matthew slides over to the AF role and Junior Cochrane comes in as the Poacher. Abraham replaces tiring Farrell at MC

82 - Hughes-Mason comes up with the critical stop deep in our half and launches a longball down to Simon on the left flank. He dribbles, centers it to Willett for the box feed to Cochrane, and there's the latter's first Fort Road goal, giving us the insurance we needed!!! Out goes tired Santiago with Lloyd Simon taking his spot for the closing minutes 2-0

It's the kind of game where Chesley Willett's 7.4 is good enough for PotM, Luke Simon's 7.3 our second best. Hat tip to Junior Cochrane for the 7.1 showing.

Rowan Jahlando-Martin gets hurt again and is out 2-3 months. Those fucking injuries, tho.

@ Otto's Rangers (11th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Anton Farrell/Elvis Williams
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

44 - Kirwan takes the give back and cracks the ball all the way down to the left touchline, where Simon gets it and centers to Matthew for the snipe strike just before half 1-0

66 - Matthew goes to AF, Cochrane at Poacher. Lloyd Simon steps in for Santiago

Most of our full-time starters were 7 or better in this strong all-around victory. Player of the Match goes to Kelly Matthew with a 7.6, Anton Farrell is second with 7.4, and rounding out in third is Brentton Kirwan at 7.3.

https://i.imgur.com/xCRt8bo.jpg

We're temporarily in 2nd, but the 3rd place team has a game in hand, and we get raided by U20 callups. Brentton Kirwan becomes callup #6 after an injury.

And we play the 3rd place team on short rest. With 6 of our players out on international duty.

Even when we win, this game comes back round to fuck me.

[Izulde]

@ Piggotts Bullets FC (3rd)
G: Bo Luke
D: Lloyd Simon/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Janiel Santiago
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Luke Simon/Anton Farrell/Alric Cochrane/Reece Peters
S: Junior Cochrane/Kelly Nesbitt

We got a horrible draw for the FA Cup of course, but more on that later. Energy issues and not international callups caused a savaging of today's lineup on short rest - as well as using one of our backup formations.

A highlight-less first half, and Williams goes in for exhausted, yellow-carded Santiago at the break.

63 - Kirwan's scheduled day of rest ends as he comes in for dreadful Lloyd Simon at DL

72 - Jarvis also sees his day off end, going in for Hughes-Mason, who has been strong (7.0), but tiring rapidly.

73 - HORRIBLE JOB AT CLEARING THE BALL! KEPT GIVING RIGHT BACK TO THEM 0-1

81 - Kirwan hits Jarvis on the corner, and with some help from the underbar, that's his first Fort Road goal with the late equalizer. Good work, backline subs 1-1

90 - Williams totally fucked us with two complete shit plays, and Luke is never going to be a full-time starter for us because he should have stopped that 1-2

Fucked over AGAIN by a late goal. The press blames me for a tactical error in switching to this formation. FUCK.YOU. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE HEALTHY STRIKERS FOR IT!

Anton Farrell is out 3 months. We continue to get fucked by the injury bug.

vs Freemansville (3rd)
G: Lloyd George
D: Lloyd Simon/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Walter Williams
DM: Eugene Jeremy
M: Luke Simon/Alric Cochrane/Elvis Williams
S: Chesley Willett/Junior Cochrane/Kelly Nesbitt

*Now* comes the internationals ravaged lineup.

20 - Elvis Williams launches a long free kick into the box that plants the ball right at Nesbitt's feet for the score 1-0

37 - George's free kick was absolute shit. Fuck this bullshit 1-1

43 - Lloyd Simon has been shit this half, but he charges a throw-in to steal the ball, lateraling to Alric Cochrane. On to Nesbitt, then Willett, and Junior Cochrane is completely alone to receive the pass and pop in the go-ahead goal before half 2-1

60 - Elvis Williams slips over to MC and Peters comes on as MR

76 - Kirwan comes on to replace Willett as the DLF

85 - That double yellow on their dude may have just saved this game for us

86 - FUCK YOU!!!!!!! 2-2

92 - Walter Williams to Peters as times is running out. Our reserve right winger races down the flank and crosses to Kirwan, who rises up to put in the header with seconds to go!!!! 3-2

Elvis Williams was great, with a 7.8 PotM. But the real heroes are Reece Peters and Quinton Kirwan, who both posted 7+ performances off the bench and gave us the monster upset that is so, so vital for promotion playoff hopes.

@ English Harbour (2nd)
G: Lloyd George
D: Lloyd Simon/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Brentton Kirwan/Alric Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Quinton Kirwan/Calaum Henry/Kelly Nesbitt

Juggling the lineup around some, because we play these guys twice in a short time frame - once for league, once for FA Cup, and they've been murdering everyone. Both games are on the road. Like I said, we got fucked in our draw.

Bullshit home cooking as we're hit with 4 yellow cards in the first 45 minutes.

50 - Cochrane and Willett replace Henry and Nesbitt respectively. I wanted to give the strikers more rest than that, but it's just not meant to be after Nesbitt blew an open shot, and Henry not only had a yellow, but is playing like it's his first time ever playing soccer

68 - Okay, I guess it doesn't matter who we put at striker. They're all going to fuck up easy shots :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

88 - Of course Hughes-Mason gets a double yellow. Of course.

91 - How many times have we been dickfucked by a late goal?! sjkdfoasdhoagsdfgohgarghauiogharu FUCK THIS GAME!!! SUCH FUCKING ABULLSHIT ATE EVERY FUCKKCING TURN!!!!!!! 0-1

@ English Harbour (FA Cup First Round)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Walter Williams
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Reece Peters
S: Chesley Willett/JKelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

I can't wait to see how we get fucked in this one.

4 - Walter Williams throws to Nesbitt in the box. In a crowd of defenders, he pushes it to Matthew, who fires a gangsta shot between two defenders as a nice fuck you. Feels like forever since he's been able to play for us. But at least he's played, not like fellow expensive Jermaine George, who still only has one appearance for the $6k we paid him - and he was shit besides, despite getting lots of reserve work as he came back from injury. 1-0

9 - 1, 2, 3... 3 straight George kicks right to our opponents. The fucker pulls that shit constantly. If Luke wasn't such ass as a keeper, he'd be getting starts because I'm sick of that bullshit.

12 - Elvis Williams has a brutal intercepting header he knocks down to Willett. First touch give to Matthew who charges into the box, fights off three defenders, and powers his second goal in. We got denied promotion playoffs because of him, and it's safe to say, kid is a soccer god. 2-0

60 - Santiago is literally the only other body we have that can play DC, so tired or not, he goes in for wiped Jarvis. Sliding up to MC is Abraham, with Jeremy popping in at DM.

75 - So, we get fucked by injuries again. Simon is playing with a groin injury, and now Jeremy goes off with injury 15 minutes into being on the field. :p Abraham back down to DM, Matthew all the way dropped to MC, and Junior Cochrane in at Poacher.

Kelly Matthew's 8.8 and PotM carried us, but begrudging respect to Lloyd George's 7.3 despite his kicking fuckery. Chesley Willett's 7.2 was third best.

Eugene Jeremy - Out 2 months
Luke Simon - Out 1 month

Even when we win, we get fucked. Oh, and Brentton Kirwan will miss the next match with yellows, giving us one person who can play DL and nobody who can play ML. Screw job piled on top of screw job.

U-20 Callups
DL/ML Brentton Kirwan
DC Marc Jarvis
DCR Janiel Santiago
DM/MC Randolph Abraham
ST Kelly Matthew
ST Kelly Nesbitt

So 3 out of 4 starters on the backline, and 2 of our 3 starting strikers. Fucking wonderful.

It's not next game that'll hit us with it, but it's still damned frustrating.

[Izulde]

vs Potter's Tigers (12th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Lloyd Simon/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
DM: Randolph Abraham
MC: Marc Jarvis/Elvis Williams
AMC: Kelly Matthew
S: Junior Cochrane/Chesley Willett/Kelly Nesbitt

We gin up a 3-4-3 Narrow Diamond because of our lack of ML guys, replacing our 3-4-1-2 DM formation. Antigua & Barbuda teams use a lot of 3 striker formations, incidentally - usually a 4-3-3 Narrow. I've seen a flat 4-4-2 every once in a while, too.

13 - That was a well-deserved red card for the asshole who spiked Cochrane from behind to stop a goal. Willett converts the PK, giving last year's leading scorer his first goal of the year. Not an issue that he's been so drought-ridden - his role this year is more of a setup man. 1-0

40 - A rare George kick that connects with one of our guys, Jarvis specifically, who fends off a double-team to hit Elvis Williams in the middle for a first touch box give to Nesbitt. Dribble, and there's the insurance 2-0

57 - Cochrane heads it into box space and Matthew is there first. Surrounded by four defenders, he passes right to Willett for the easy score 3-0

65 - That one's on me for not pulling tired Santiago. He goes out, Jarvis dropping down to his usual DC, and Alric Cochrane comes in at MC. 3-1

Every starter except the keeper, Lloyd Simon, and Junior Cochrane were 7+ or better, with the top stars Elvis Williams (9.0, PotM), Chesley Willett (8.6), and Kelly Matthew (8.5).

vs Five Islands (5th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Lloyd Simon/Janiel Santiago/Marc Jarvis/Walter Williams
M: Brentton Kirwan/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

63 - Peters for George; Junior Cochrane for Matthew. Though to be honest, we're playing like shit all over the pitch in the most important match of the year to date.

68 - This is my shocked face that Walter Williams is hit with a double yellow. Now we'll lose the game on some bullshit.

We had like four easy shots to win, and none of them went in. Very frustrating game, but at least we'll take the point.

@ Grenades (6th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Molvin Hughes-Mason/Anderson Derrick/Lloyd Simon (No DL)
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Alric Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Quinton Kirwan/Junior Cochrane/Chesley Willett

Anderson Derrick is playing injured with 69% energy because we've been hit so hard by injuries and international call-ups. This is pretty much a guaranteed loss. How bad is it? We've got another injured but half-ass playable guy and two keepers in the subs. That's how many bodies we don't have.

22 - :eek: :eek: :eek: I've literally never seen this before. Okay, so the defender beats Kirwan on the longball, right? He kicks it back on a slow, lengthy roller towards the keeper. Only the goalie is just standing there, not paying attention, and by the time he realizes the ball is headed to him, it rolls past and into the net for an own goal! Wow, brain fart of the century! 1-0

45 - Alric Cochrane to Williams to Kirwan diagonal, and the last keeps that trend going with the short forward diagonal to Luke Simon. Our left winger cuts in and slams the insurance goal, his first Fort Road score ever!!! Way to make up for the shit day our strikers are having in finishing 2-0

62 - Oh look. A double yellow for Alric Cochrane, which just happens to be our second straight game where someone is sent off. Ugh. Henry for Junior Cochrane, Peters for George, who has been brilliant for the first time ever, but is tiring and also has a yellow.

66 - Luke Simon picks up a clearance and taps forward to Kirwan. Center to Willett and he gets a foot in for the score! The heart this team is showing through all the bullshit is stunning me 3-0

https://i.imgur.com/be9JKb2.jpg

Next game up will put us at the halfway point of the season. We're in 3rd place, and two stunning losses by English Harbour have put the whole division in play heading into the back half.

[Izulde]

@ Sea View Farm (8th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

7 - This team always seems to have our number 0-1

36 - Fucking stupid 0-2

42 - We draw a PK on a corner and Willett converts to claw one back 1-2

45 - Simon recovers a cleared corner, and we reset back. Kirwan with the short to Simon and a center to Nesbitt, and we storm back to equalize at halftime 2-2

Santiago is yanked hard for Hughes-Mason at half, though our whole backline has been ass.

49 - I don't know WTF is wrong with our normally star DCs today, but Jarvis is out as we move to put Abraham in as a DM, dropping to a 3 back line

78 - k24jh534oh5o3h5a9grhs9dfvhsdf9aty945h345y345349h5tofguhsd9gh 2-3

@ Bassa SC (7th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
M: Luke Simon/Randolph Abraham/Elvis Williams
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

26 - Walter Williams laterals to Abraham for the pass to Nesbitt just outside the box. In the box the ball goes to Matthew, who slams the goal in. 1-0

37 - SMMFH 1-1

49 - Lloyd Simon in for Walter Williams; Hughes-Mason for Santiago

52 - Kirwan to Willett to Matthew in the half-circle. He turns around and lays it in the box to Nesbitt, who also twirls about before hammering a goal against his old team 2-1

70 - Willett heads it to Matthew, but it's tackled away into the box. Willett charges to dispossess the ball and it squirts to the right, where Nesbitt bowls over a defender to shoot in his second goal!!! 3-1

Kelly Nesbitt's 9.1 earns PotG honors, with Kelly Matthew (8.7) and Randolph Abraham (7.8) his supporting stars.

After some catchup matches are played, we fall from 3rd to 4th on GD, and here's how the table looks at just past the halfway mark:

https://i.imgur.com/r0hq67j.jpg

Funny... a year ago, Kelly Nesbitt scored just 3 goals and really struggled with Bassa SC in the Premier league. Now he's bagged 7 goals and is posting over a 7 average rating.

[Izulde]

vs West Ham (ATG) (FA Cup Second Round)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

42 - Kirwan's free kick goes up to Williams and he blasts it all the way right to George on the touchline. On the cross, he connects with Willett for the score! 1-0

55 - Out sits Nesbitt for Junior Cochrane, but not before Kirwan mails it to Willett for the box ball drop pass to Matthew. He shoots, keeper pushes it away. Matthews blocks the deflect with his own body and practically walks in the rebound!!! 2-0

71 - Lloyd Simon on for Santiago

90 - Lloyd Simon makes a brilliant clearance and drills it long down the right side to Cochrane. Despite a defender on him, he bulls a pass into the box through his opponent, and Matthew is there to pop in his second goal and completely guarantee the victory 3-0

Lloyd George and Luke Simon were our low guys at 6.9 - all the other box to wire starters were 7+, the highlights being 9.0 PotM Kelly Matthew, 7.7 Chesley Willett, and 7.5 Elvis Williams.

So, Kelly Matthew has set a modern-day Antigua & Barbuda FA Cup goal-scoring record with 4, and his 3 PotM awards is a new Fort Road season club record. I love him so much.

Chesley Willett is out a month and a half after a training injury, which sucks, because he's key to this team.

vs Piggots Bullets (2nd)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Junior Cochrane

We have 2 games in hand on the 3 teams in front of us, and we just need a win or draw out of those two matches to leap ahead of Freemansville into 3rd place. If we win both matches (including this one), we can nip into 2nd!

8 - That was a bullshit disallow of a score. No way Simon pushed anybody!

48 - Walter Williams goes on for Santiago

60 - Elvis Williams shifts to MR and Abraham pops in at MC

69 - We switch to a flat 4-4-2 with Cochrane coming off, Jarvis moving up to a second MC spot, and Hughes-Mason as a DC

We were very unlucky not to win that game, but at least we didn't lose, which would have put us in a very bad position in terms of fighting for a promotion spot.

Janiel Santiago will miss the next match on yellows.

vs Willikes (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Lloyd Simon
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Junior Cochrane

9 - Luke Simon gets the ball back after a steal and jogs right out of a crowded area in the box, swinging a beautiful cross into ball space on the right. George tracks it down, dribbles, and the cross is an aerial fight between the keeper and Nesbitt. Our guy wins and heads it in! 1-0

53 - We switch to a flat 4-4-2, with Cochrane coming off, Jarvis up to MC, and Hughes-Mason in

75 - Lloyd Simon flips over to DL and Walter Williams is in at DR

79 - Walter Williams hits the corner. George and Hughes-Mason charge the defender, and it's Hughes-Mason rising up to bang in the header insurance goal!!! 2-0

89 - Jarvis clears out the free kick with a header and longs it to Nesbitt on the right flank. Only one defender in front of him, and he races down the right side, making everyone looking like fools. On the cross, there's a crowd of red shirts running back, but Elvis Williams has them all beat for his first-ever Fort Road goal!!!!!!! 3-0

https://i.imgur.com/GpJw1Ud.jpg

That was our second straight huge Cup upset. Not pictured: Lloyd George (6.9) and Brentton Kirwan (6.6 before being subbed off).

Lloyd Simon and Jermaine George will both miss the next match due to yellow card accumulation.

Bo Luke, Kelly Matthew, Marc Jarvis, and Janiel Santiago sign deals through 2020 with either static or slight increases - $1k in Matthew's case because he's so vital to the team.

Our first profit since the sponsorship money comes in at $383. That's down to the larger crowds we've been getting this year, mainly in the FA Cup run. Overall, we're a little over $13k profit still as January opens up.

@ Freemansville (3rd)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Randolph Abraham/Elvis Williams
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Junior Cochrane

Big match here. We've dropped to 5th place and have 2 games in hand on the others above, 3 on Piggots Bullets.

3 - These guys are really, really good. :( 0-1

27 - Santiago throws in to Abraham, who sends it to Simon in the box. It's poked away, but Matthew moves left and strikes in the equalizer 1-1

46 - Nesbitt has three defenders on him, but he weaves around one and puts it in the box, where Simon chases it down at the touchline. Cross to flying Williams, and whilst that's probably offsides, he scores and the assistant ref ignores the protests!! 2-1

Walter Williams subs in for tired Santiago at the half.

50 - MOTHERFUCKER!!! 2-2

52 - Hughes-Mason in for Jarvis. Our backline has been HORRIBLE all game.

56 - I don't know WTF to do about our shitty defense keeping giving away possession right back to them 2-3

58 - FUCK YOU POST!!! FUCK YOU UP THE ASS WITH A GIANAT RABID DILDO CHEWED BY RATS!!!!!! 2-4

88 - Way too little, way too late for that Nesbitt goal. :( 3-4

Kelly Nesbitt takes the single season club scoring record in the loss. Brentton Kirwan and maybe someone else signs a contract extension.

vs Otto's Rangers (12th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Martin/Anton Farrell/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Junior Cochrane

10 - Matthew wings right, and George pushes through a defender to get the ball. On the cross, he connects with streaking Jahraldo-Martin for the latter's first score. RJM will be leaving us after this season, because he has no interest in re-signing. That's fine - we've already arranged a transfer for his replacement 1-0

37 - George takes the pass into the box and crosses to Nesbitt for the insurance kick past the flailing keeper 2-0

55 - Luke is injured, so George steps into the nets. Kirwan moves to DC to replace yellow card Jarvis and Lloyd Simon steps in at DL

64 - Own goal by Santiago argh 1-2

66 - WHO THE FUCK WAS SIMON THROWING TO?!?! 2-2

We crash to 6th place, albeit with 2 and 3 games in hand. Really need to snap out of the slump we're in, or I could be fired at the end of the season.

[Izulde]

@ Empire FC (10th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Randolph Abraham/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew

We're going to our 4-4-2 because Junior Cochrane has been ass, and maybe bolstering out midfield will take pressure off our backline.

48 - Simon runs down a blocked shot on the left wing and kicks it back to Kirwan. High ball into the box, and Nesbitt is all alone to head it in as we finally break through 1-0

59 - Lloyd Simon goes in for Santiago, Cochrane for Matthew

69 - Two yellows in a half for Abraham. More bullshit.

78 - Derrick rushes in to steal the pass and there's the long ball into the ball, where Cochrane beats the keeper on the 1v1 to finally break his drought and give us the insurance!!! 2-0

Only our keeper and Luke Simon failed to record a 7.1 or higher of the starters. Anderson Derrick is PotM with an 8.5 and Brett Kirwan's 8.0 were our heroes. Also a 7.1 by Junior Cochrane off the bench.

Luke Simon and Randolph Abraham will both miss our next match.

With 34 yellow cards and 4 red cards, we break the worst disciplinary record in the league. Dirty dudes, we are.

vs English Harbour (1st)
G: Bo Luke
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Martin/Anton Farrell/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew

Sigh. At least we get the slaughter out of the way?

7 - Yeah. 0-1

10 - Matthew runs down a long ball on the right flank, then sends it to George in the box. Our right winger weaves in and out, then centers to Farrell for the kid's first ever Fort Road goal!!! 1-1

37 - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 1-2

54 - Lloyd Simon in for Santiago; Willett for Nesbitt

Second straight tough loss to these guys, who are clearly the class of the league.

Elvis Williams and Anderson Derrick will have their turns to miss a game.

@ Potter's Tigers (11th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
M: Luke Simon/Randolph Abraham/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Chesley Willett

5 - #$%@#$^@#$^$@#%^@%$@#$%@#$%@#^#%&#$^& 0-1

12 - George dribbles fast down the right flank and centers to Nesbitt, who has his back to the goal. He turns around and fires in the equalizer 1-1

15 - WHY THE FUCK DID YOU STAND THERE GEORGE?!?! 1-2

21 - Simon to Nesbitt in the box. Shot cracks off the post of course, but Matthew thunders in the equalizer rebound 2-2

26 - Kirwan cracks it long into left flank space and Simon runs it to the touchline for the cross and score to Willett. Our offense is making up for our shitty defense today 3-2

36 - Williams throws in to George for the pass to Willett. He steps back away from the double-teaming defenders and sends to Matthew in the box for the angry shot 4-2

38 - Nesbitt dribbles in the box and crosses to Matthew. Ball is stripped away, but then Willett tackles it loose and Nesbitt slams in another score! 5-2

63 - Hughes-Mason for Santiago; Lloyd Simon for Williams

73 - We're awarded a PK, one of their guys is sent off with a double yellow, and Willett converts the penalty by faking out the keeper 6-2

https://i.imgur.com/e9QaYcN.jpg

Our defense finally woke up a bit in the second half. The game breaks quite a few goals records, and with 4 games left, while we have 2 games in hand on everyone ahead of us, we're not going to catch them. Really, this is about using our game in hand on the teams below us to fend them off and prevent another season of heartbreak.

It won't be easy - we're on short rest for next game, have a day off, and then a third game. It's bullshit scheduling, but what can you do?

[Izulde]

@ Five Roads (6th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
M: Rowan Jahraldo-Martin/Anton Ferrell/Marc Jarvis/Elvis Williams
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew

Okay, so a win here will knock them out of playoff contention, but I also have to keep in mind the match in two days. So with that in mind, all the 93% guys are having a day off or are in the subs list. Everyone else is 94% or better.

18 - Matthew sends it up and right to Elvis Williams. On the center, Nesbitt hits the mid-range shot and it goes in! 1-0

62 - Kirwan moves to DC and Lloyd Simon is at DL, with Santiago getting a break. Jahraldo-Martin moves to MC as a danger play, with Simon's day of rest ending

69 - Walter Williams throws to Matthew in the box for the tap back to Elvis Williams. The cross to Simon looks good, but it's tackled away. Nesbitt's right there to sink his second goal of the game, and 15th of the season, though! 2-0

73 - Lot of short passing around the midfield until Jahlrado-Martin cracks a long one all the way down the left side for Simon to chase down deep along their box. On the center, Nesbitt heads it over the keeper for his hat trick!!!!!!!!! 3-0

89 - Kirwan longs it, but the defender intercepts. Matthew steps in, steals, and flares the 25 yarder and it goes in!!!! 4-0

https://i.imgur.com/mxXfbnP.jpg

So they're out. It's now down to either 4th, 5th, or 6th, and those fuckers who give us hell, Sea View Farm, are the ones chasing us at 2 points behind. I *really* don't want the disappointment of losing the postseason to those dicksmurfs. Lurking in the distance in Bassa SC, who like when I took over are down out of the Premier League and slowly rebuilding. They also have 3 games left and are 9 points behind, so could theoretically catch us, but it'd require our losing all 3 and they're winning all 3.

English Harbour clinched going up, by the way.

Aces game, so I need to go cheer on my favorite local team.

[Izulde]

Note: Luke Simon had a 7.2 off the bench last game that I forgot to mention. Cool tidbit ahead of the next match:

https://i.imgur.com/sB9HCNL.jpg

Keep doing stuff like that kid, and I'll keep you here as long as possible.

vs Celtic (ATG) (8th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Brentton Kirwan/Anderson Derrick/Lloyd Simon
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Marc Jarvis/Eugene Jeremy
AM: Alric Cochrane
S: Junior Cochrane/Chesley Willett/Quinton Kirwan

So we've ANOTHER game two days after this one - meaning we're playing 3 matches in a week. We've got a *lot* of tired players, and are being forced to play Brentton Kirwan and Marc Jarvis at suboptimal energy.

5 - We're playing like shit against gassed players 0-1

26 - Bullshit PK, but Luke saves it

37 - Jeremy flares it to Junior Cochrane on the left side of the box. Two defenders on him, but he shakes them off enough to center it, where Alric Cochrane picks it up and slots it in for his first goal of the year 1-1

53 - Now it's us who are awarded a PK, and Willett fakes out the keeper to put us up! 2-1

58 - Jarvis is exhausted, so tired Renhaldo-Martin who is also not in the best energy shape, but lots better, comes in.

66 - Henry replaces tired Willett, though I'm pissed Kirwan just blew a sitter

We had about 9,000 different chances to add our tally, but are forced to accept the one goal win. Alric Cochrane's PotM-winning 8.1 and Anderson Derrick's 7.5 bailed us out as we failed to finish properly all night long.

To describe how huge that win was - we're now 5 points up with 2 games to play and we suddenly have a shot at potentially catching not only Piggots Bullets but sniping the auto-promotion spot from Freemansville, though we obviously need help there.

vs Bassa SC (7th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Lloyd Simon/Molvin Hughes-Mason/Janiel Santiago/Walter Williams
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Calaum Henry

We patch together a lineup that has only 82% Lloyd Simon as the tired one, though some guys are just barely above the 90% margin. Win here, and we head to at least the playoffs.

4 - Santiago intercepts as they're threatening and booms the ball all the way down the right flank to Henry. Into the box goes the pass, and Matthew has to juggle it a bit before trapping, shooting, and scoring! 1-0

9 - Henry has three defenders triangling him, but there's a gap and he delivers it to an ahead Nesbitt in the box, and there's the insurance goal against his former club! The announcers go into raptures, talking about how he punished his old team and how that was one of the big talking points leading up to the match 2-0

23 - Hughes-Mason tackles the ball away as they're about to score. Jermaine George picks it up and passes to Henry. Blasting ground pass bounces to just outside the half-circle and flying Nesbitt grabs it, showing everyone his cleats as he crushes the opposing keeper for his second goal!!!! 3-0

46 - Nesbitt has it in the middle of their half and he's dribbling right when he plays out to Jermaine George on the right wing. Dribble, cross, and Nesbitt slams in the hat trick header on the second half's opening kickoff!!! 4-0

50 - Embarrassing. Lloyd George should have stopped that one. Kirwan the also tired goes in for Lloyd Simon at DL 4-1

62 - Farrell in for Elvis Williams, because I don't want to risk a double yellow and he's tiring anyway

75 - If we piss this away, I'm going to throw shit 4-2

Kelly Nesbitt's 9.5 is obvs PotM, with Calaum Henry at a surprise 8.7, Jermaine George with an 8.3, and Kelly Matthew narrowly missing making it an all-7.5+ striker game with 7.4.

We've clinched a playoff spot and are in 2nd place on GD with one match to go!!!!!!

But of course, Piggots Bullets has a game in hand on us and is just 1 point behind.

Kelly Matthew played hurt and is out for a week. I hope our next match isn't until he's ready to go again.

And of course, Piggots Bullets smashes their game in hand 4-1. I'd really rather face them than Freemansville in the playoffs.

@ Grenades (8th)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Jermaine George
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

Interestingly enough, there's a scenario that involves Freemansville winning the promotion spot, but that involves them winning, Piggots Bullets losing, and us drawing or tying.

We need to win here if we want the promotion spot. A tie or loss and we can only finish 3rd.

14 - Brilliant header clearance by Derrick to Simon, and the counter concludes with Nesbitt taking the wingout and centering to Matthew in the half-circle. Three step dribble, and BAM! 1-0

56 - We switch to a 3-1-3-3 DM, with Derrick coming off and Abraham as DM

71 - Williams moves to MR and Jahraldo-Martin steps in as MC. After some debate, I put Lloyd Simon in at DR as well.

76 - Kirwan passes to Jahraldo-Martin, and before the two defenders can close in, he skims the ball to Willett for the center to Matthew. And there's another brilliant distance shot, this one from 25 yards!!!! 2-0

77 - The ball is cleared, but Jahraldo-Martin intercepts in the half-circle, dribbles into the box, and fires a shot. The keeper comes out to push it away, and it falls to Nesbitt, who has to bounce it off his knee. But once he's got control, he drills it behind the slow to come back keeper for his 20th goal of the year!!!!!!! 3-0

https://i.imgur.com/8XHud3d.jpg

Rowan Jahraldo-Martin had a 7.0 off the bench, too. Honestly, it felt like these guys were playing not to lose, rather than to win, as they employed a 2 DM formation - first time I've seen that.

And Five Islands pulls off the 2-1 road upset of Piggots Bullets!!! WE'RE GOING TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:

For the first time ever, I'll be in the top league of a country!!!!!!! (Granted, it's Antigua & Barbuda, and there's only two playable leagues, but still...)

After the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the playoff promotion last season when I came in late during last year, to capture going up in my second season in such a beautiful thing.

We have 3 new players come into the club, as well as our youth pulls under our new Head of Youth Development.

More on all that and the FA Cup Semi-Final to come next time.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DM/MC Victor Matthew (18) - From Empire FC
Earning $3k per year through 2020 and I'm thrilled to get him. He's been a star for a bad team - 14 Tackling, 12 Decisions and Determination, 10 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate. The only knock on him is that he's bad physically outside of 13 Natural Fitness, but he's far and away our best MC and DM.

Transfer In - MLC/AML Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin (17) - From Potter's Tigers
Also earning $3k a year through 2020. 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, 14 Flair, and he's a better crosser than Luke Simon. It's going to be an interesting battle between those two for the starting ML spot. I'll stick with Simon for now, but it's very close. Oh, and he also has 12 Leadership.

Transfer In - DRC Rolston Benjamin (17) - From Empire FC - $50 P/A
It's a shame he didn't want to sign a guaranteed deal, because he's our best DR by far. 14 Decisions, 18 Teamwork!, 13 Work Rate, 12 Balance, Jumping Reach, and Natural Fitness. Like Matthew, he's been really good for a poor team.

A couple teams are inquiring about Lloyd Simon. Wanting him back are Urlings, and Five Islands also would love to have him. He's making $2.5k a year through the end of this season. After some debate, I decide to accept the offers.

@ Grenades (FA Cup Semi-Final)
G: Lloyd George
D: Brentton Kirwan/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Luke Simon/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Chesley Willett/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Nesbitt

16 - Kirwan throws in to Willett, gets it back, and sends a terrific ball into the box to Matthew. Shot's pushed away. Nesbitt has the rebound, but that's also deflected. No problem, as Nesbitt again gets the rebound and this time kicks it in! 1-0

28] - What utter horseshit. Jarvis is hit with a penalty and a yellow card. Derrick is also yellow carded for protesting the bullshit penalty. Lloyd George stops the PK but then they get two straight corner kicks and convert one 1-1

At the half we switch to a flat 4-4-2, with Willett off, Elvis Williams as the second MC. We also sit Derrick, slide Santiago to DC, and put Benjamin in at DR

77 - Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin jogs in at ML for Simon

86 - Nesbitt has the ball in the box, but he doesn't like his options, so he kicks out into space on the left side. Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin runs it down with nobody around him, dribbles to the touchline, and crosses for Matthew to smash in the header!!! 2-1

91 - You have GOT TO FUCKING BE KIDDING ME!!!! 2-2

121 - The bullshit continues with a double yellow for Kirwan. Un-fucking-believable.

PKs
George badly fooled... 0-1
Nesbitt scores.... 1-1
George is acting like he's being paid to throw the fucking game... 1-2
Kelly Matthew converts... 2-2
George keeps getting ripped.... 2-3
Victor Matthew can't control it and FUCK THIS GAME 2-3
George sucks ass. 2-4
Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin scores but who cares? 3-4
Yeah. 3-5

We got fucked HARD in this one. No two ways about it. And we continue to have horrible penalties luck, now 0-2 in my tenure.

In my rage, I fine Brentton Kirwan. He's upset, but we talk it out.

OH LOOK, THE FA DOESN'T SAY A DAMN THING ABOUT THE PENALTY! This is my shocked face.

Transfer Out - DLR Lloyd Simon - To Urlings - $4.2k contract
Ultimately, he just wasn't good enough for the next level, and he earns himself a nice payraise. Works out well for both sides.

Transfer In - DLR Terrence Lewis (19) - From Willikes - Free Transfer
We're paying him $3.5k a year and he's a huge upgrade at DL over Brentton Kirwan. 18 Teamwork! 13 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 11 Stamina, 15 Natural Fitness. Looked great in two cup games.

Transfer Out - DR/MR Walter Williams - To Five Islands - $2.4k contract
A little sad to see him go, as he was solid for us.

Jermaine George signs a contract that will keep him through 2021 with a $1k/year payraise. Ultimately, he was just too good to let walk just yet.

Transfer Out - ML Rowan Jahlrado-Martin - To Potter's Tigers - $2.5k contract
He had no interest in being here, and was already on the verge of being pushed out by a suddenly crowded ML situation. I'm good with it.

We release the following players:
GK Mikele Beckles
DC Molvin Hughes-Mason
MRC Alric Cochrane
DM/MC Eugene Jeremy
ST Quinton Kirwan
ST Calaum Henry

All of whom were never going to be good enough for the next level

Transfer Out - MR Reece Peters - To Villa Lions - Non-Contract
High upside player and former grey guy. Wanted to keep him, but he's probably better off going down and getting more match experience.

Freemansville wins the promotion playoffs, which doesn't make me happy. They're hell to play against.

Transfer Out - ST Junior Cochrane - To SAP FC - $2.5k contract
I tried to keep him, but he wasn't interested in committing to us. Now we're looking at a situation where we have just three strikers, and the 4-4-2 is our default.

Grenades upsets Old Road (ATG) to win the FA Cup. That could have been us :(

https://i.imgur.com/1Z0Mdq0.jpg

We were definitely keyed by our Kelly strikers.

https://i.imgur.com/Qe9vrmS.jpg

Still a miracle season, despite all the frustrations and the FA Cup disappointment.

I opt not to sign any of our youth pulls - no one is good enough.

Exciting news: Kelly Matthew gets his first callup to the senior team and could be capped. 9 other players are called up the U20 squad.

Transfer In - ST Bo Benjamin (18) - From Empire FC - Free Transfer
$3.5k a year through 2021 with 14 Finishing, 10 Free Kicks, 13 Flair, 10 Off the Ball, and 10 Acceleration. His work ethic is ass, but he's an extremely talented player who immediately grades out as one of our top strikers, preserving the three striker setup for next season.

Transfer In - GK George Fredrick (18) - From Parham FC - Free Transfer
$3.5k a year through 2021. Struggled last year, but there's a lot to like about him - 10 Command of Area, 11 Handling, 17 Determination, and 14 Agility. He completely outclasses our other two keepers for sure.

https://i.imgur.com/2Uw5xdn.jpg

Not surprised by any of this.

The board tries to screw me into a paycut, but I force a raise to $36.5k over my previous $34k. I re-sign most of my staff, but do get a huge scouting upgrade and leave a coach spot open.

Chairman Anderson Bailey might step aside, as there's an investor looking to buy the team. George Williams is willing to pay $35k.

Kelly Matthew gets his first cap for the Antigua & Barbuda national side!!!

Oh, which reminds me

Favored Personnel
Kelly Matthew
Chesley Willett
Molvin Hughes-Mason (Oops)

Favored Clubs - Fort Road
Kelly Matthew
Chesley Willett
Randolph Abraham
Anton Farrell

Nobody loves me :(

We lost $10.2k last season, a huge improvement over the $31k from the year before. Very small increase in sponsorship deal.

Young Warriors FC takes over Parham FC as the highest reputation club in the country, whilst we polevault to 6th on the strength of our promotion and FA Cup run.

Still more offseason decisions to make, but it's time for a break, and then off to work.

[Izulde]

The takeover is now doubtful to happen. I just want it resolved one way or the other, because there's been some released players worth picking up.

The Antigua & Barbuda Premier Division stays 29th in the North American rankings.

...We really need our own stadium. I'm sick of friendlies getting cancelled.

The Antigua & Barbuda National team opens up, much to my surprise. Even more shocking, when I apply on a lark, I'm listed as a favorite for the job.

Transfer In - ST Brentton Matthew (16) - From Willikes - Free Transfer
Never got a shot, and I'm thinking he can be as successful as a certain other striker we poached from this team. 13 Finishing, 14 Flair, 10 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, and tailor-made for our Advanced Forward role.

Transfer Out - ML/AML Rowan Jahraldo-Martin - To Potter's Tigers - $2.5k contract
Was always a second choice and dropped to third after our other acquisitions. I originally planned to extend him, but he had no interest in that.

Loan Out - MC/AMC Anton Farrell - To Willikes
The kid's not going to get much, if any PT here, so he goes to a division foe and a frequent poach target of ours to get some match experience.

Transfer In - DL Kelly Robinson (22) - From Urlings
Welcome to our first player rated as a star by my staff. A breathtaking 19 Teamwork and 15 Work Rate with 12 Pace and Stamina, and just great physical attributes all around. Doesn't really impress me technically, but we'll see how he does. $3k a year is a good deal if the evaluation is accurate.

https://i.imgur.com/QbsyXUK.jpg

So this happened. It's hard to find good staff, but we do, tapping English Harbour's assistant manager for the same role, and acquiring two unemployed coaches.

The board is offering a whopping $327k wage budget and a $21.25k transfer budget. They expect a mid-table finish and a Quarterfinal appearance. Not going to spend anywhere close to that money, but it's cool they're offering.

Kelly Matthew takes over Captain duties, with Janiel Santiago demoted to Vice-Captain.

3 of our matches get picked for TV.

@ Aruba (North American Qualifying Section Second Round First Leg)
G: Christopher Peters
D: Kelly Robinson/Karanja Simon/Hazeley Pyle/Lenny Hunte
M: Tevaughn Harriette/Fernando Joseph/Calaum Jahraldo-Martin
S: Josh Parker/Lucas Brochero/Dexter Blackstock

Our strength is in the 3 strikers up front, who all play in Europe. One of my guys makes the starting lineup.

47 - Jahraldo-Martin plays it down the right flank for Blackstock, and the cross to Parker nets the score! 1-0

54 - Joseph flares it out left to Harriette and he centers, where again Parker is for doubling his tally! 2-0

74 - Pyle wants off, so Derrick goes in

84 - Joseph is shown a yellow, so Matthew gets the call at MC due to lack of options

Josh Parker is PotM with a 9.0 and Dexter Blackstock recorded an 8.3 as his primary support.

Definitely a different feel with international management. Everyone is absolutely thrilled by our victory and the chance for numerous youngsters to get blooded.

We sell 73 season tickets, a significant jump from the 57 from last year.

Free Agent Signing - MR/AMR Gayson Smith (19) - $6k per year deal
12 Crossing, 11 First Touch, 13 Flair, Leadership, and Work Rate, 15 Teamwork, 11 Acceleration and Pace. He's a National Team member I convinced to come play for us, and is one of the top players on our team. Stoked to snipe this signing after his initial reluctance.

vs Aruba (North American Qualifying Second Round Second Leg)
G: Christopher Peters
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Hazeley Pyle/Lenny Hunte
M: Tevaughn Harriette/Fernando Joseph/Calaum Jahraldo-Martin
S: Josh Parker/Lucas Brochero/Dexter Blackstock

[b]10 - That was embarrassing set piece defending 0-1

12 - Derrick charges to take back a clearance, and his forward pass bounces off a defender and to Brochero in the box, where he equalizes! 1-1

16 - Blackstock runs down a longball and centers, where Brochero leaps up and smashes in a header 2-1

43 - Brochero takes the free kick in the half-circle and slams it over the wall and into the net for a hat trick in the first half!!! 3-1

72 - Tamorley Brochero takes over at ML

82 - Our boy Gayson Smith will run out the clock at MR

85 - Kelly Matthew subs in at MC

Lucas Brochero's 9.4 hat trick and Dexter Blackstock's 8.1 single-handedly carried us into the next qualifying round.

The wins move us up to 102nd in the World Rankings. Good deal.

[Izulde]

So a couple notes:

We're tabbed to finish 5th in the Premier Division, with Young Warriors heavy 4-6 favorites to three-peat. Winning the league gets you into the Caribbean Club Championship, which is also the path you need to walk to get to the North American Champions League.

There's also no professional clubs and no foreigners in Antigua & Barbuda's top league. The latter is a function of the former - nobody wants to come play here unless on a full-time deal.

@ West Ham (ATG)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Elvis Williams/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Between injuries and suspensions, we're having to field a 3-1-3-3 DM formation we've used sporadically.

24 - Rolston Benjamin to Kelly Matthew for the box dropoff to Brentton Matthew. The shot bounces off the post (our third blown easy chance this game), but Jahraldo-Martin just manages to get the rebound in time to put it away for his first Fort Road goal on the debut! 1-0

29 - Smith runs down the wing out and makes a gorgeous cross to Jahraldo-Martin. He has to struggle a bit to control it, but pushes past the injured defender to fire in his second goal 2-0

43 - Smith centers to Kelly Matthew in the box for the tapoff to Brentton Matthew and this time he doesn't blow it in getting his debut goal! 3-0

59 - Kelly Matthew fights off a double team to pass to Bo Benjamin in the box. The shot bounces off the defender and the ball careens left. Brentton Matthew picks it up and slams it in! 4-0

66 - Williams is injured, so Kelly Matthew moves down to MC, Bo Benjamin moves to the Poacher role, Brentton Matthew slides to the Advanced Forward spot, and Kelly Nesbitt comes as the Deep-Lying Forward. On the backline, Rolston Benjamin shifts to DC and Terrence Lewis is in as the DR.

82 - Meh 4-1

87 - Okay, now that's bullshit 4-2

Shit performance by our defense after Janiel Santiago's 7.8 and Elvis Williams' 7.9 left, but we were carried by a 7.9 from Gayson Smith, 7.8 from Kelly Matthew, 8.8 from Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin, and of course the 9.1 from PotM Brentton Matthew. It's an emphatic season-opening win.

Elvis Williams is out 4 weeks with a thigh strain, though.

@ Old Road (ATG)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Rolston Benjamin
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Luke Simon/Kelly Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Brentton Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Injuries and other health issues force the 3-1-3-3 DM again with a less than ideal MC in Kelly Matthew. Guess we need to go shopping.

3 - Kelly Matthew makes a huge interception of a corner and blasts it down the pitch to Brentton Matthew for the dribble and perfect ball forward to Bo Benjamin. Free of the last defender, Bo races into the box for his first Fort Road score!!! 1-0

50 - That was absolute ass defending. 1-1

51 - Lewis and Santiago replace the shitbirds at FB

77 - Unfuckingbelievable 1-2

81 - Abraham goes off injured. Victor Matthew comes on as we switch to a 3-4-3

6-7 weeks without Randolph Abraham. Are we shocked at the injuries piling up? Fuck no.

We split a couple international friendlies that I don't manage because I hate friendlies. It drops us to 110th in the world as we get set to play Haiti in the third round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying - a one-off elimination game.

[Izulde]

Kelly Robinson breaks his foot in national team training and is out 4-5 weeks. Not the huge loss it initially looks - he's been performing pretty poorly. The bigger problem is that Gayson Smith has tendinitis and is out for 8 months! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

@ Haiti (North American World Cup Qualifying Section Third Round First Leg)
G: Christopher Peters
D: Anton Hughes-Mason/Anderson Derrick/Hazeley Pyle/Jermaine Jarvis
M: Tevaughn Harriette/Keiran Murtagh/Calaum Jahraldo-Martin
S: Josh Parker/Stefan Smith/Lucas Brochero

Dexter Blackstock is out with injury as well, so we're having to field a less than brilliant lineup. Keiran Murtagh plays for League 2 side Port Vale and found him not in the pool, so in he goes and called up.

12 - Embarrassing 0-1

33 - WTF?! 0-2

35 - ?! 0-3

49 - Parker out to Jahraldo-Martin and on the center, Smith knocks it to Harriette for the score. 1-3

50 - We switch to a 3-3-1-3, with Anton Farrell at AMC, taking off our FBs and putting in Karanja Simon and Oakland Tumwa in at DC to remove Derrick and Jarvis

59 - I don't understand why we're melting down all of a sudden 1-4

@ English Harbour (7th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Terrence Lewis/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Luke Simon/Elvis Williams/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Chesley Willett

Between international callups and injuries, this is a horrible looking team. We even have 3 grey guys in the subs.

15 - And of course Willett twists his ankle. Because we don't have enough fucking injuries. Still playable, however.

61 - Simon to MC, Jahraldo-Martin to MC, and Kirwan to ML, because why the fuck not?

89 - ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?! 0-1

6-7 weeks without Chesley Willett on the top of the game fucking us over with that bullshit loss and putting us in the drop zone. FUCK.YOU.FM!!!!!!

vs Haiti (North American World Cup Qualifying Section Third Round First Leg)
G: Christopher Peters
D: Anton Hughes-Mason/Anderson Derrick/Hazeley Pyle/Jermaine Jarvis
M: Tevaughn Harriette/Keiran Murtagh/Calaum Jahraldo-Martin
S: Josh Parker/Stefan Smith/Lucas Brochero

17 - If I'm not fired, I'm resigning after this 0-1

43 - I changed keepers and still bullshit 0-2

It's 1-3 at the half.

We come back to win 4-3, but it's not enough and though I'm not fired, I resign the next day.

vs Liberta FC (7th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Terrence Lewis/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Brentton Kirwan/Elvis Williams/Victor Matthew/Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt

51 - Simon goes in for Kirwan

62 - Santiago is knocked out, continuing our bullshit run of injuries. Benjamin at DC Grey Guy at DR

I'll take the draw, considering our awful situation. It moves us out of the drop zone on GD, but we've got a *ton* of work to do in order to salvage our season after that promising opening game.

[Greyfriars Bobby]

I hope you and the Golden Frogs can turn things around. It's a bit of a shame your international management career was so short. I've toyed with managing small national teams, too, but I've never really gotten into it.

Anyway, I'll keep following. It's good to see some FM stories on the board.

[Izulde]

I actually left the Golden Frogs when I moved from T&T to A&B. :) Fort Road has no nickname I can find - just a really ugly '90s Paint logo. It's been fun, though, despite my frustrations. I like playing in low level, small leagues. Much easier for me to get a read on talent levels.

[thehitcat]

I don't know that I enjoy your pain but I certainly enjoy how you express it. I'm also having fun with you playing in leagues I didn't even know existed. Keep it up, even if it means jumping to Anguilla to take over the Ballers :)

[Izulde]

I don't know that I enjoy your pain but I certainly enjoy how you express it. I'm also having fun with you playing in leagues I didn't even know existed. Keep it up, even if it means jumping to Anguilla to take over the Ballers :)

:D Bryan Swartz loves both the pain and the expression. And yeah, it's really fun to play in these obscure, out of the way leagues.

vs Hoppers (9th)
G: George Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Brentton Kirwan/Anderson Derrick/Rolston Benjamin
M: Luke Simon/Kelly Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

Let the healing begin hopefully, now that the madness of international management is over and we're playing one of the worst teams in the league.

6 - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 0-1

18 - Fuck 0-2

19 - This 0-3

35 - Brentton Matthew scores to bring us one back 1-3

63 - Brentton Matthew cross to Nesbitt. Two back 2-3

83 - Kelly Matthew charges to intercept a clearance and plays it to Jahraldo-Martin in the box who fires the equalizer from 3 down! 3-3

85 - Lewis centers to Brentton Matthew in the half-circle. He feeds it to unmarked George in the box, who scores his first ever Fort Road goal at the best time possible!!!!! 4-3

9.0 and PotM for Jermaine George, 8.1 for Brentton Matthew, 8.0 for Kelly Matthew, and 7.5 for Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin off the bench, as the stunning roarback after my hair-dryer treatment blistered them into action.

Yet another injury: Elvis Williams out 7-8 weeks with a sports hernia.

@ Parham FC (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

46 - More yelling at half. Brentton Matthew has it on the right side of the box. He crosses to Jahraldo-Martin who surprises everyone by nodding his header back to the half-circle. We quickly see why as Victor Matthew is storming up to slide tackle the ball to Kelly Matthew in the box. Our star striker, First of the Matthews, Scorer of Goals, Raja of Fort Road, has time to set and score what is weirdly his first goal of the year 1-0

47 - On the ensuing kickoff, George blocks a pass that Brentton Matthew picks up, parlaying it in the middle to Kelly Matthew. Pass into space hits Bo Benjamin, who dribbles into the half circle, and just before crossing into the box, cracks a shot that goes in! 2-0

59 - George picks up a corner clearance, wings right to Bo Benjamin, and Kelly Matthew reads the cross perfectly, trailing left to smash in the header! 3-0

61 - Bo Benjamin swings the corner to Victor Matthew for the first touch shot. Keeper is playing out of the net slightly, and he can't move quick enough to get it! First ever VM Fort Road goal!!! 4-0

76 - Simon is in for Jahraldo-Martin

88 - My fault for not pulling Santiago for Jarvis earlier 4-1

All full-time starters except Terrence Lewis and the keeper had 7.2 or higher, with the highlights Victor Matthew (9.0), Kelly Matthew (9.2), and Bo Benjamin (9.0).

A third of the way through the season and we're in a solid 4th place.

vs Freemansville (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

13 - Victor Matthew fires it out right to George, who nails the perfect cross left to untouched Jahraldo-Martin for the score 1-0

22 - Robinson throws in to Jahraldo-Martin and crosses behind him to distract the defender while our left-winger centers into the box to Victor Matthew, who follows up his first goal last game with a mid-range strike in this one! 2-0

41 - ....Santiago gives up a PK and they convert 2-1

42 - On the ensuing possession, Victor Matthew goes out right to George and the benefit of the great cross this time is Kelly Matthew, who scores with ease 3-1

55 - Out is Santiago, in is Jarvis

77 - Bo Benjamin-Victor Matthew-Jermaine George around the globe, with George feeding to Brentton Matthew in the box. He dribbles, shoots, and we have our third straight game of 4 goals scored!!!! 4-1

78 - Couldn't stop that one 4-2

86 - We change to a 3-1-3-3 DM with 3 DCs, Benjamin moving over and Robinson getting a break, Abraham in as the Anchorman DM

9.0 PotM for Jermaine George, 8.7 for Ranjae-Jahraldo-Martin, and 8.2 for Victor Matthew. Unfortunately, Brentton Matthew got hurt like 30 seconds before game end.

Rolston Benjamin will miss the next game due to yellows. Luke Simon is out 2 weeks with a thigh injury.

3rd place. And we face the cream of the crop next game.

[Izulde]

vs Young Warriors (1st)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

2 - What the actual fuck?! Santiago kicked the ball into our goal like he was paid off 0-1

6 - Robinson throws in to Santiago, gets it back, and centers to Nesbitt who forces a kick through two defenders into the net! 1-1

9 - Frederick kicked it right to them. WTF is going on?! 1-2

25 - "This will make it 14 straight games without defeat 1-3

58 - Bitchass fluke goal 1-4

I didn't expect to win, but this was just trash. Victor Matthew is out next match with yellows.

@ Wadidi (3rd)
G: George Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Rolston Benjamin
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Randolph Abraham/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Janiel Santiago has been in awful form lately, so he's getting dropped.

5 - Abraham plays it short right to Brentton Matthew, who beautifully feeds Kelly Matthew in the box for the score against his old team! 1-0

16 - Pfeh. Immediate answer 1-1

19 - ...Well, shit. Kelly Matthew out with injury. Just when I think we're starting to turn the corner... Kelly Nesbitt in and an ensuing shuffle of strikers

54 - Sigh 1-2

56 - Rolston Benjamin slides in to replace Jarvis; Santiago's day off ends by in at DR

69 - Rolston Benjamin strips the ball away and plays it long to Brentton Matthew. He dribbles and cracks the 25 yarder into the net! The 16 year old has been exactly what I hoped for when we signed him 2-2

83 - I'm horrified at a dangerous pitch ground cross by George, but Jahraldo-Martin races forward to retrieve it, then tears his ass off all the way down the left side of the pitch until hitting Brentton Matthew on the cross for the stunning go-ahead goal!!! Santiago shifts to DC, Lewis over to DR, and Robinson jogs in at DL to try and stay fresh in the last minutes of the game. Derrick has redeemed himself slightly, but is wiped. 3-2

84 - Robinson with a critical interception on the following kickoff, and on the back end, it's Nesbitt playing right to George, and the short pass into the box finds Brentton Matthew for the hat trick insurance goal!!!!!! 4-2

86 - Abraham finds the seam in the defense and longballs to Jahraldo-Martin near the touchline. Cross and the defense can't stop Brentton Matthew in the second half, as he torches them for his fourth goal of the night!!!!! 5-2

9.7 and PotM for Brentton Matthew, obviously, but shoutouts also to Jermaine George (8.7), Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin (8.5 and who has really made the ML spot his own since Luke Simon's early season struggles), and Randolph Abraham (7.8).

We pay $275 to send Kelly Matthew to a specialist, and he's still out 4-5 weeks. Devastating, really.

@ Sea View Farm (FA Cup Second Round)
G: Bo Luke
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Rolston Benjamin
M: Brentton Kirwan/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

My mortal enemies right here. They always play us hard. Rough, rough draw.

3 - That one is squarely on Derrick's shoulders 0-1

37 - Derrick atones for his earlier fuckup by heading in the corner from Bo Benjamin for his Fort Road goal! 1-1

47 - Rolston Benjamin shifts to DC, replacing Jarvis, and Lewis takes over at DR

65 - Jahraldo-Martin's day off ends as he replaces Kirwan

82 - George is squeezed between two defenders just outside the box, and somehow his tired ass fights them off just enough to feed Brentton Matthew in the box, and our heroic teenager comes through again!!! 2-1

PotM goes to 9.0 Victor Matthew, who has sparkled in our MC spot lately. 8.1 for Jermaine George and 7.6 for Brentton Matthew. Although it didn't show up in the ratings, Rolston Benjamin made stop after stop after stop after moving to DC, and will get an extended look there.

Finally, we get that monkey off our backs. And Brentton Matthew continues to be precisely the rising star I hoped he'd be. Between him, Kelly Matthew, and Bo Benjamin (the latter a player I always feared at the lower level), we've got a really good trio of strikers up front.

[Greyfriars Bobby]

I actually left the Golden Frogs when I moved from T&T to A&B. :) Fort Road has no nickname I can find - just a really ugly '90s Paint logo. It's been fun, though, despite my frustrations. I like playing in low level, small leagues. Much easier for me to get a read on talent levels.

Duh, of course. Sorry about that.

I keep envisioning a Fort Road supporters' group called the Garrison, for some reason. :)

I know what you mean about enjoying lower league football. I'm comfortable there, too. If my Wantage save weren't so much fun, I'd probably have been distracted by another adventure by now. I think Iceland might be fun to try sometime.

[Izulde]

Duh, of course. Sorry about that.

I keep envisioning a Fort Road supporters' group called the Garrison, for some reason. :)

I know what you mean about enjoying lower league football. I'm comfortable there, too. If my Wantage save weren't so much fun, I'd probably have been distracted by another adventure by now. I think Iceland might be fun to try sometime.

It's all good. :) Hmm. Great idea for supporters' group. I'll weave that in, thanks.

@ West Ham (ATG) (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick//Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

3 - Jahraldo-Martin races horizontally across the pitch to beat out a defender in the chase for a cleared corner kick. He pops it ahead to Bo Benjamin and on the cross, Nesbitt sinks it 1-0

7 - Rare dropped ball by Frederick bleh 1-1

56 - Santiago moves in to DC, Lewis to DR, and Jarvis subs in for Derrick

61 - Brentton Matthew is in the half-circle with three defenders lined up against him. Rather than force it, he makes the smart play and lays off to George on the right side. Return feed into the box, and Brentton Matthew drills in his 10th goal of the year 2-1

78 - Simon in for tired Jahraldo-Martin

79 - Bo Benjamin with the loft free kick, and George hits the soft, rolling header for the insurance goal!!! 3-1

Jermaine George wins PotM with a 9.0, and supporting him with 7.4s - Victor Matthew and Kelly Nesbitt.

vs Old Road (ATG) (9th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick//Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

15 - George just quick enough to beat the defender on the clearance loose ball, and he first touches it to Bo Benjamin in the box. Shot's deflection, but Brentton Matthew moves in and strikes the rebound 1-0

19 - Victor Matthew takes the outlet pass and blasts it wide right to George. He dribbles down the flank and pitch-perfect delivers to Nesbitt for the easy goal 2-0

61 - Jarvis in for Derrick; Lewis for Santiago

72 - Simon on for Jahraldo-Martin

85 - Jarvis makes a great interception and laterals Rolston Benjamin. Laser beam down the pitch to Nesbitt's head is a knock-in the box to Bo Benjamin, who finally breaks his drought, scoring just his third goal of the year. Don't feel too bad for Bo, though - he contributes in a lot of areas and defers to superior finishers 3-0

91 - Bo Benjamin intercepts and lays out right to Brentton Matthew. It's off to the races with B-Matt on the touchline. He doesn't like the cross to Nesbitt, so he kicks back on the diagonal to Bo Benjamin, who cracks a second long-range goal! 4-0

https://i.imgur.com/usYYyIl.jpg

That's the type of victory we like. So, 7 games left. We're 5 points behind both Young Warriors and English Harbour, but likewise enjoy a 5 point edge on Wadadli - 8 on Freemansville in our preseason projection of 5th, who have gotten off the snide.

vs Liberta FC (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick//Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

16 - Terrible. F. 0-1

51 - Lewis for Santiago

62 - Willett on for Brentton Matthew

Yes, we were robbed by the post twice, but we still played like shit against a team we should have steamrolled, so I let the team have it.

Victor Matthew earns a $500k a year a raise and is signed through 2022. Kelly Matthew takes a $1k/year paycut and is now making $8k a year through 2022. I'm excited he was willing to reduce his demands. We have some other extensions in the offing.

George Frederick sprains his wrist badly and is out 2-3 weeks. Kelly Robinson goes down with injury and is out a month.

@ Liberta FC (9th)
G: Bo Luke
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick//Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

There's a lot of talk in the runup about how we haven't been able to solve Chester Benjamin, Liberta's 30 year old keeper who has shut us out every game we've played him.

21 - He sprained his wrist early in the game, but Derrick forces a steal, and Rolston Benjamin blasts it long to Brentton Matthew in the half-circle. He shows the afterburners and fires the mid-range right as he crosses the goal line, and we finally beat the wily veteran keeper! 1-0

39 - Nesbitt is in the middle of their half and volleys it right where Brenton Matthew and George are jogging partners. The former takes it and crosses to Jahraldo-Martin for the open score. Not today are you gonna beat us, old man! 2-0

45 - Brentton Matthew firebombs it across the pitch when he runs into a three defender wall. Jahraldo-Martin first touch crosses to Bo Benjamin and we keep piling it on before the half 3-0

58 - Luke takes the goal kick after they shank a sitter, hitting George in the midfield circle. Short lateral to Victor Matthew, and the longball into space has Nesbitt beating everyone and driving into the box for the score! 4-0

59 - Now we're getting sloppy on the backline. Rolston Benjamin shifts out to DR, Jarvis comes in at DC, and Kirwan replaces Lewis at DL

All full-time starters except the keeper had 7.3 or higher, with the 8+ headliners Victor Matthew (8.1), Kelly Nesbitt (8.2), Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin (8.4), and PotM Brentton Matthew with a 9.0.

Bo Luke, Elvis Williams, Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin and Kelly Nesbitt lock down same price extensions. We'll be without both Anderson Derrick *and* Janiel Santiago next game due to yellows.

That's going to be rough, because our most important match of the year as far as positioning is up next.

[Izulde]

vs English Harbour (2nd)
G: Bo Luke
D: Brentton Kirwan/Marc Jarvis//Rolston Benjamin
DM: Randolph Abraham
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

Kirwan and Abraham are both starting this game tired, but we have no choice thanks to injuries and suspensions. If we can somehow pull off the upset, we'll move to 2nd on goal differential.

59 - Kelly Matthew for Bo Benjamin; Willett for Nesbitt

84 - Brentton Matthew is being hassled by a defender, but he's able to sneak a short pass out to the right and up for George, and the cross hits Jahraldo-Martin for the score!!! 1-0

That was an ugly, ugly game, with Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin our highest at 7.2 and no PotM award for us. But now we're just 3 points behind Young Warriors and would have GD over them if we pulled off that upset.

We're also guaranteed to stay up with 5 games left, as our worst place we can finish is 7th! That's a huge accomplishment, considering there were a few going into the season who were doubtful we had what it took to remain in the top division.

Jermaine George breaks both his own team and the Premier Division record with 9 assists, 8 in the league. Very cool.

@ Hoppers (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Luke Simon/Victor Matthew/Elvis Williams
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We're having to give some guys rest today and there's still a couple outstanding injuries as we play this short turnaround. Victor Matthew and George Frederick aren't in the most energy-filled shape, but we have no choice in Matthew, and I'm leery of starting Bo Luke again that quickly.

7 - I wanted to give Brentton Matthew the day off, but that's over with as Kelly Matthew goes off with injury yet again.

46 - Lewis gets in the way of Derrick's attempted pass back to Frederick, but luckily Derrick is able to fetch the loose ball and play it long to Simon. Kick back to the middle and Victor Matthew for the rainbow long ball to Bo Benjamin in the box, and he spears it home!!!! 1-0

72 - Jarvis in for Santiago; George for Williams

83 - Heads up play by Lewis to already see where the corner clearance is going, and he gets it and taps to Bo Benjamin for the long, high cross to poorly defended George who sinks the insurance goal!!!! 2-0

90 - Rolston Benjamin throws in to Brentton Matthew and gets it back. He has all the space and time in the world to dribble, set, and crack a high ball to Simon in the box for the easy walk-in goal! 3-0

All full-time starters but the keeper had 7.0 or higher, including the star outings of 9.0 PotM by Victor Matthew, 8.4 by Bo Benjamin, 7.8 from Luke Simon, and a heroic 7.4 off the bench by Jermaine George.

English Harbour manages a poor 2-2 draw at home, and because Young Warriors didn't play today, we're temporarily in 1st place with 4 to play! (That won't last, however). We're also now locked in to a top 4 finish to beat projections.

Kelly Matthew is out 6-7 months :( :( :( :(

Young Warriors draw 1-1 away, which means just a single point separates us now.

vs Parham FC (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick//Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Randolph Abraham/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Brentton Matthew/Bo Benjamin

They run a 3-5-2, so we're going with a 4-4-2 in response.

57 - 5 straight fucking corners they get and then Brentton Matthew is whistled for a bullshit PK they convert. I immediately yank him and Abraham for Nesbitt and Jarvis/b] respectively. [b]0-1

80 - This is a game where it's decided you're going to lose. Victor Matthew sent off with a double yellow.

This was a blown golden opportunity. Young Warriors suffered their first loss of the season, and English Harbour went down, too.

Even more bullshit, the refs denied a penalty we should have been awarded, so the fix was definitely in on this one.

I'm fined $210 by the FA. The board's upset, but FA, fuck you.

So let's see here. 2 week break. Terrence Lewis and Victor Matthew suspended for our next game. Janiel Santiago also a miss with a particularly virulent flu. Gayson Smith and Kelly Matthew obviously done for the season.Chelsey Willett is out a month with injury.

vs Wadadli (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Marc Jarvis/Rolston Benjamin
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Randolph Abraham/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

3 - Shitlord start 0-1

43 - Matthew kicks back to George for the high pass to Bo Benjamin in the box. Header clunks off the top bar, but he's there to put away his own rebound 1-1

56 - FUCK YOU!!!! GEORGE WAS ONSIDES!!!!!

63 - Abraham intercepts and plays it left to Jahraldo-Martin. Play into the box connects with Nesbitt's sudden left veer, and the cross to Matthew has no fucking flag this time as he puts it away 2-1

74 - Kirwan goes in for Derrick; Williams for Abraham

Kelly Nesbitt's 7.6 PotM outing saves us on a rough day. Unfortunately, Young Warriors narrowly avoided a collapse and won, while English Harbour won easily.

2 games left. The top 3 teams are already set for the year - it's just a matter of who captures the championship amongst the 3 sides - Young Warriors, us, or English Harbour.

[Izulde]

@ Freemansville (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Anderson Derrick/Janiel Santiago/Rolston Benjamin
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

22 - Robinson is hurt again, but it's playable. Victor Matthew plays a beautiful ball out right that George runs down and hits a stunning cross to Bo Benjamin ahead of everyone to just barely knock the header in!!! 1-0

47 - Victor Matthew cracks it right to George for the pretty ball to Brentton Matthew in the box. Cross, and Nesbitt bowls over the defender on his way to the insurance goal! 2-0

59 - We switch to our 3-1-3-3 DM, with Abraham in his usual DM spot and Santiago sitting

68 - Lewis is on for Robinson

82 - Jahraldo-Martin wants off, so Simon subs in for him

8.0 PotM for Jermaine George, but it was George Frederick who really stood out in my eyes - brilliant save after save for a 7.5.

Kelly Robinson - 3 to 4 weeks. And then Anderson Derrick, in the most devastating blow possible, is out 5-6 weeks with a back strain. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( :( :( :( :( :(

@ Young Warriors (1st)
G: George Frederick
D: Marc Jarvis/Rolston Benjamin/Janiel Santiago
DM: Victor Matthew
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Randolph Abraham/Jermaine George
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Bo Benjamin/Brentton Matthew

This is it. The match for all the marbles. We've never beaten them. Ever. Our best striker? Out. Our best central defender? Out. Our best fullback? Out. Our best MR? Out. So we're going with 3 DCs at the back, a DM, and our 3-1-3-3 DM setup.

61 - Simon and Williams go in at the winger spots. We haven't had any opportunities to score.

Kelly Nesbitt shoots two wild attempts, one he just had to fucking dump off to Brentton Matthew for the score and we would have won. I was fucking AGHAST when he shot rather than cross.

So bitterly heartbreaking to lose the title this way.

English Harbour wins their final match to drop us to 3rd place.

Transfer In - DR Lenny Hunte (18) - From Parham FC - $7.5k deal through next season
Expensive buy, so I didn't want to commit long term. 10 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration, 13 Pace, 13 Stamina though, and he's been a great player for Parham.

Transfer In - AMLC/ML Terrence Derrick (27) - From Villa Lions
My intention is to turn this first true veteran signing (signed for $4k through 2023) into an MC, where he's already awkward, or consider switching to a formation next year that calls for an AMC. 12 First, 20 Leadership!, 12 Stamina. He'll take the captain's armband next season and perhaps be the stabilizing influence we need.

Transfer In - ML/AML Connor Hughes-Mason (22) - From Piggots Bullets
Star player for this level along with Kelly Robinson. 11 Crossing, 12 Technique, 14 Flair, and great physical attributes, including 11 Acceleration and Pace. Earning $4k a year through 2023.

https://i.imgur.com/pvS0BIr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9upnqMM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/WfMq30u.jpg

Here's what we know - There's a lot of guys who are going to be playing somewhere else next season, including Brentton Kirwan. We really need help at DC and MC. An elite GK would go well, as would strengthening our strikers, oddly enough.

Transfer Out - DL/ML Brentton Kirwan (20) - To SAP FC - $4.5k
Our weakest player by far last season. Was time for him to go.

For some fucked up reason, everyone wants PPA deals now. Not that it's a bad thing - I signed and cut a trash player as a result.

Transfer Out - DM/MC Randolph Abraham (19) - To SAP FC - $2.5k
I liked him a lot, but the talent level just isn't there.

Transfer Out - ST Chesley Willett (19) - To Willikies - $3.5k
Gets some more money because he was very distant in our rankings.

Oh, and our youth pull signing was GK George Jarvis of 13 Handling, 10 Kicking, 13 Decisions, 15 Teamwork, 13 Work Rate, 13 Agility. I'm not convinced he's our best keeper, but my staff all swear he is, so why not?

More of the offseason next time, as we continue trying to unload salary to players who don't cut the mustard and send them to lower division clubs.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DLCR Calaum Abraham (25) - From English Harbour - $150
8k per year contract is steep, but he plays all three positions with 12 Aggression, 11 Decisions, 15 Leadership, 18 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, and 12 Jumping Reach. He slots in as a starter for sure.

Transfer In - MCL Jay Simon (25) - From English Harbour - $0
Another $8k per year contract, but I love this dude - 10 Passing, 11 Decisions, 13 Determination, 10 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration and 10 Pace. Doesn't have the Flair I like, but that's okay. We continue raiding one of the teams above us. Our payroll is going to balloon but oh well.

https://i.imgur.com/dZN8qPd.jpg

New All-Time 11 Inductees
ST Brentton Matthew
DM/MC Victor Matthew
ML Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin
ST Bo Benjamin
DRC Rolston Benjamin
GK George Frederick

We lost $15k last year. But we get a new sponsor that instead of paying $15.15k shells out almost double at $27k. Huge boost, though a 4 year deal seems a little long.

We inch up to the 5th most reputable club in Antigua & Barbuda. We're also heralded as having been the biggest overachievers for our 3rd place finish.

The board now expects a top half finish and for us to make it to the championship of the FA Cup. Transfer money is the same, but salary budget goes up to $375k, of which we're spending about 30%.

Departing The Club
ML Luke Simon
DCR Janiel Santiago
DC/DM/MC Marc Jarvis

They were good for a while, but it was time for them to leave and free up more space, dropping our payroll down to about $90k.

Our division drops to 30th in North America - one spot.

Transfer In - MC Bo Cochrane (26) - From Urlings - $6.5k a year contract
We had to fight off English Harbour for his signature, but he's worth the money - 13 First Touch, 13 Passing, 17 Teamwork, 13 Work Rate, 16 Leadership, 11 Stamina.

Transfer In - DLC Chesley Henry (25) - From Urlings - $5.5k a year contract
We're spending like mad, I know. But I really want that title. 10 Marking, 12 Tackling, 10 Aggression, 10 Decisions, 15 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate, Acceleration, and Jumping Reach.

Slight uptick in tickets sold at 77 vs 73.

Young Warriors are favorites to four-peat at 4-6, but we've invested so much in talent upgrades, we're 6-4 and projected to finish 2nd.

vs Piggotts Bullets
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

33 seconds - Cochrane picks up the cleared ball and taps it to Simon. He waits, then delivers to Smith in the box. Our right winger splits two defenders with his shot that curls into the net for his first Fort Road goal! 1-0

39 - Simon forward to Smith and the feed to Kelly Matthew. He taps off to Brentton Matthew for the power stroke in! 2-0

69 - George enters the game at ML, Abraham in for Hunte

8.3 and PotM for Gayson Smith, 8.1 for Kelly Matthew as we post a solid season opening win over an old First Division foe.

Victor Matthew is out 2 months, and we've had some other injuries to our insane depth crop up. Honestly, I'm going to be very disappointed if we don't win the title this year. This is a ridiculous deep, powerful squad.

[Izulde]

@ West Ham (ATG)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Elvis Williams/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

14 - Grrrr 0-1

58 - Terrence Derrick in for Hughes-Mason, and Williams goes off for Bo Benjamin as we switch to our old 4-3-3 standby.

83 - Benjamin fights off the defender to center to Cochrane for the box feed to Brentton Matthew and the equalizer 1-1

Terribly unlucky not to crush them in the second half. And of course, we're now 2 points behind Young Warriors.

A handful of players are getting international caps, including their first ones, which is cool.

@ Parham FC (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

13 - Cochrane intercepts a deep in their half throw-in and passes to Kelly Matthew in the box. Three defenders encircle him, so he lays off to Bo Benjamin for the open score 1-0

70 - Benjamin runs down a ball to the touchline and passes right to Hughes-Mason. Shot's slapped, but Kelly Matthew is there to bury the rebound 2-0

74 - Abraham for Henry; George for Smith

PotM 8.3 for Connor Hughes-Mason, 8.0 for Kelly Matthew, and 7.7 for Bo Cochrane

We're now in 1st place on GD over Freemansville. What happened to Young Warriors? They suffered two shocking early season defeats.

vs Hoppers (9th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

12 - JFC 0-1

48 - Dude is sent off with a red, but we've got no less than six players sitting on yellows.

57 - 4-3-3 Wide, with Brentton Matthew the lone strike and having Terrence Derrick and Jermaine George as attacking AML/AMR wingers

We crash to 4th on that shitshow, and I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do. We should be murdering everyone.

vs Freemansville (5th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

20 - Benjamin with the corner, and Henry strides forward to hit his first Fort Road score!!! 1-0

54 - Hunte shoots a long ball over the header of the defender to Brentton Matthew. He runs into the box, and three defenders are chasing him, keeper swiveled to guard. Dumb mistake, because it's an easy lateral to Kelly Matthew translates into an open walk-in. Out are Cochrane and Smith for Williams and George because I forgot to put Simon in the subs 2-0

58 - Benjamin with the swinging free kick into the box, and Henry is in front of the pack for his second goal 3-0

88 - Eh, whatever. 3-1

Chesley Henry and Bo Benjamin were set-piece masters today, netting a PotM 9.2 and 8.0 respectively as we jump back up into 1st.

@ Villa Lions (8th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Terrence Derrick is a whiny little bitch and if he keeps complaining, I have no qualms about transfer-listing his ass to dump him this offseason. I'll gladly welcome the reduction in payroll.

13 - Robinson short laterals to Cochrane for the give to Kelly Matthew. He's being blanketed, but managers to pass left to Benjamin for the return pass into the box and score 1-0

16 - Robinson passes forward and in to Kelly Matthew for the quick box feed to Brentton Matthew. He's destroyed on the tackle and I'm expecting a penalty. None give, but Smith beats two defenders to the loose ball and drills in the diagonal anyway 2-0

47 - Damn it. Benjamin off with an injury, so Nesbitt comes in.

59 - You've GOT to fucking be kidding me!!! Now Kelly Matthew goes out with an injury :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: Shift to a 4-3-1-2, with Cochrane as an AMC, Simon in as the CM.

76 - Lewis on for Robinson

Matching 7.7s for Gayson Smith and Anderson Derrick, the latter winning PotM. 7.5 for Calaum Abraham as we rode our defense to victory despite injuries to two of our strikers.

Bo Benjamin is out 3 months and Kelly Matthew is out 2 months. Fuck these assholes.

Great. Connor Hughes-Mason is out 2 to 3 months. Good thing we loaded up on depth, because these injuries are hitting us HARD.

Kelly Nesbitt then goes down for a month, giving us just one healthy striker. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

vs Young Warriors (5th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Elvis Williams/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

4-4-1-1 is our formation for this one, thanks to all the bullshit striker injuries.

7 - Sigh 0-1

35 - FUCKING BULLSHIT FLUKE GOAL! 0-2

49 - Henry slides in to replace Abraham at DC and Lewis is the new DL Jahraldo-Martin subs in for Derrick at ML

We're just absolutely worthless with all our strikers hurt. Young Warriors may have gotten off to a slow start, but now they're right behind, and only GD is keeping us in 1st.

[Izulde]

@ Wadadli (2nd)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Elvis Williams/Victor Matthew/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

Jay Simon[/b is out with suspension. I made a small tweak to try and fix our suddenly inept offense.

[b]65 - Smith shifts inside to replace Victor Matthew at MC with George at MR. Henry shifts right to swap out Abraham, with Lewis at DL.

81 - Derrick crosses to George, but he's tackled. Brenton Matthew gets the ball, but it's stripped away, too. Ball squirts loose and Brentton Matthew is first to it to finally break our scoring drought 1-0

Ugly game with no PotM and a few guys at 7.0 as our highest. But a critical win nonetheless.

@ English Harbour (FA Cup Second Round)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

Gayson Smith is out on yellows, to say nothing of all our injuries. This is one of the shittiest draws we could have been stuck with, and it's not out of the realm of possibility we go out here.

5 - Hunte's corner finds Abraham's head for the goal against his former team!!! 1-0

47 - Horseshit offisides call on Anderson Derrick on that free kick to rob us of the vital insurance before half.

49 Henry throws in to Brentton Matthew and gets the ball back to tap off right to Terrence Derrick. Beautiful ball into the box and George puts it away! 2-0

64 - Williams in for Simon; Jahraldo-Martin for Matthew - actually switch that for roles. Anyway, we freshen up our midfield for the final 30.

67 - That one was all Henry's fuck up and he's immediately yanked for Robinson after that screwup 2-1

For the second straight game, no PotM, though our backline all had 7.4-7.6 with the exception of Chesley Henry, and are the ones who bailed us out.

His name doesn't ring out much, but Lenny Hunte is very quietly developing into an elite player, well worth the $7.5k we're paying him as one of the club's biggest earners.

vs English Harbour (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

Anderson Derrick got hurt, but our strikers are back, so we're able to field a better suited 4-3-1-2 setup. English Harbour has been cold lately, and already have an astonishing 5 losses on the season, or 2 more than they had all of last year.

45 seconds - Kelly Matthew is getting hassled by three defenders just inside the right side of the box, so he passes it up and to the right into space for Smith's run. Cross to Terrence Derrick, and I'm thinking the shot's going to be off-target, but it finds the net! 1-0

16 - Can't stop those 1-1

22 - Fuckers are striking lucky as shit 1-2

43 - YOU'VE GOT TO FUCKING BE KIDDING ME!!! 1-3

Young Warriors is now back in 1st by 2 points with GD besides. Same shit as it ever was. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Izulde]

@ Piggots Bullets (4th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Calaum Abraham
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

30 - Benjamin, in because of food poisoning by Lenny Hunte, intercepts and plays it long down the middle of the pitch to Cochrane. Box feed to Kelly Matthew, who outmuscles a defender, dribbles, and hits the scorcher 1-0

49 - Awful defending by Abraham. Our whole backline is shit this second half. 1-1

53 - Abraham moves in to repalce Benjamin with Lewis on at DR

56 - George on for Smith

We're robbed of a penalty but didn't deserve to win anyway.

@ Liberta FC (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Calaum Abraham
M: Terrence Derrick/Victor Matthew/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

38 - Abraham throws in to Smith and gets back. High pop ball lands at Kelly Matthew's feet inside the box, and he dribbles and scores 1-0

48 - Henry is exhausted, so Abraham slips into his spot and lewis pops in at DR

52 - Nesbitt replaces Brentton Matthew, who has been horrible lately.

59 - Injured and awful is Derrick, so George goes in at ML

Although they in no way deserve it outside of George Frederick, who had the 8.2 game of his life, I tell them it was a good win.

Terrence Derrick is out for over a month and that's two of our ML dudes hurt. Fucking ridiculous.

vs West Ham (ATG) (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

12 - Cochrane taps the ball to Simon for the power wing out right to Smith. Center, and Brentton Matthew finally gets off the snide with a fierce header into the net 1-0

19 - Smith to Kelly Matthew to Cochrane in the box. Shot's pushed away, but Jahraldo-Martin gets to the ball and powers in the diagonal rebound! 2-0

24 - Out goes the most disappointing player on the team, Robinson with injury. Lewis his replacement.

28 - Cochrane hits the left wing and Jahraldo-Martin. Dribbling with lots of cushion and on the center into the box, Cochrane charges through the defense for his first ever Fort Road goal! 3-0

70 - Lewis is hurt and playing awful, so Henry moves to DL and we switch to a 3-1-3-3 DM with Victor Matthew as our Anchorman.

That was a fuck you win. All full-time starters had 7 or higher, with the 8+ guys Jay Simon (8.1) and PotM Bo Cochrane (9.0). We're now in 1st place with slim GD, 2 points ahead of a ton of teams with 18 points - 7 games left in the season.

The Injury BS
Kelly Robinson - 3 to 4 months
Terrence Lewis - 2 weeks

Parham FC fires their manager as the once undisputed kings of Antigua & Barbuda soccer are in the drop zone. Granted, it's a packed table. 20 points up top to 9 at the bottom with 7 games left attests to really how wide open the league has been this year.

[Izulde]

@ Freemansville (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Rolston Benjamin/Lenny Hunte
M: Jermaine George/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

47 - Just before half, Smith's corner connects with Abraham for the score! 1-0

59 - Victor Matthew in for Simon; Williams on for Smith

81 - FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1-1

What a shitty draw :( We're now behind Young Warriors on whatever the third tie-breaker is past points and GD

vs Parham FC (8th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Brentton Matthew

Kelly Matthew earned himself a suspension due to yellows. Swell.

60 - George for Hughes-Mason; Bo Benjamin for Brentton Matthew

More injuries. More suspensions. We're fucked out of a PK that would have won us the game yet again, and we hit the crossbar/post so many times it got mentioned in the post-game presser. GD now drops us down to 3rd. Coincides perfectly with the bullshit that happened to me in DDS MP league tonight.

[Izulde]

@ Hoppers (4th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Terrence Lewis/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

FINALLY we can move back to our preferred 4-3-3.

6 - Lewis throws in to Hughes-Mason and gets it back to uncork a highball that lands in the box where nobody but George is, resulting in an easy score 1-0

35 - SMH 1-1

Pulled at the break is Abraham for Rolston Benjamin

58 - Nesbitt in for Bo Benjamin

62 - Nesbitt recovers the ball twice on this possession, the second time kicking back to Hughes-Mason for the lateral to Cochrane. 25 yarder screamer and we go back up 2-1

91 - Nesbitt with a game-saving clearance on that corner kick

92 - Hunte blasts it down the right flank to George who runs down the touchline and crosses to Hughes-Mason for our left winger's first ever Fort Road goal seconds before the game ends!!!! 3-1

Jermaine George (PotM 9.0), Connor Hughes-Mason (9.0), and Bo Cochrane (8.7) carried the day for us by absolutely dominating the midfield in a game where our strikers and defenders were mediocre or worse.

We're still in 3rd place - Young Warriors (+10 GD), English Harbour (+9 GD) and us (+9 GD) all deadlocked at 25 points, with [b]Piggotts Bullets right behind at 23 points.

4 games left.

vs Villa Lions (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

38 - Dumbass Abraham gets sent off with a double yellow.

I scream at the team at half. We should be crushing this sorry team.

57 - Unfuckingbelievable 0-1

62 - Nesbitt in for Kelly Matthew and striker shuffle. Lewis on for Hunte

90 - This loss just cost us our season 0-2

We fall to 4th and now will need help from other teams if we want to have any chance at a title.

@ Young Warriors (3rd)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Anderson Derrick/Terrence Lewis
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

18 - Brentton Matthew takes the long ball and centers to Kelly Matthew in the half-circle. He dribbles into the box, shoots, and scores 1-0

38 - Bo Benjamin to Cochrane to Kelly Matthew in the box. He shoots between three defenders and it's pushed away, but Kelly Matthew is able to fight off the crowd for his second score of the game 2-0

61 - Nesbitt for Bo Benjamin; George for Smith

66 - JHFC 2-1

67 - WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS BULLSHIT?!?! 2-2

83 - Cochrane ahead to Kelly Matthew for the lay-in to the box and Hughes-Mason. He crosses, and a flying George screams in the vital substitute goal! Our left-wingers change, with CHM going off for Jahraldo-Martin to close this one out 3-2

Kelly Matthew 8.8 PotM and 7.3 off the bench by Jermaine George, but our defense - Anderson Derrick in particular - damn near cost us this game.

We finally get the damn monkey off our back and what happens? We're only up to 3rd place because English Harbour and Piggotts Bullets refuse to lose.

2 games left.

vs Wadadli (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

We won't be first this game no matter what happens - English Harbour and Piggotts Bullets play each other. An ideal outcome would be a draw there and a win for us, allowing a pickup of 2 points and some GD.

4 - Abraham with the long ground pass to Bo Benjamin, who passes into box space. Kelly Matthew beats the keeper to the punch and scores again versus his former club! Piggotts Bullets are up 1-0, by the way. 1-0

35 - About God damned time a fluke goal went our way. Thanks, Hughes-Mason! Piggots Bullets-English Harbour now 1-1. 2-0

Piggotts Bullets goes back up 2-1 on a penalty kick right before halftime.

57 - Lewis replaces Henry and we switch to a 3-4-3, swapping out Derrick in favor of Simon as a defensive MC. English Harbour has roared back to a 3-2 lead, which is the worst possible outcome for us.

68 - Cochrane hammers it out and down all the way to almost the right side touchline, where Smith picks it up and crosses slightly back to Bo Benjamin for the mid-range strike! 3-0

90 - PK and Brentton Matthew converts, but it's also 4-2 English Harbour :( Not good 4-0

I'll sum up by saying everyone was absolutely amazing. Bar the keeper, all full-time starters were 7.4 or higher, with the high end Bo Benjamin's 9.2 PotM. Not going to screencap because 2nd place is just 1st loser.

George Jarvis is done for the year - out 5 months with injury. Not that I care because I'm trusting George Frederick more anyway.

@ English Harbour (1st)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M:Jermaine George/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Okay. So here's the situation. We lost to them 1-3 in the first game. They have a +1 GD on us, so if we win by just a goal, they win the league based on total GD tiebreakers. Piggots Bullets really fucked us over. We not only need to win, we need to win by two goals.

9 - Tell your team to do everything to stop their leading scorer - Always Mark, Always Close Down, Hard Tackling, Weaker Foot. He still scores 0-1

28 - OH LOOK! THE REF FUCKS US OVER WITH A SHITTY OFFSIDES CALL! HOW NOT SURPRISED I AM!

32 - George to Bo Benjamin to Kelly Matthew in the box. Shot's pushed away, but Smith sinks the rebound 1-1

50 - Henry throws in to Cochrane for the pass down the left flank to Bo Benjamin. Short cross to Kelly Matthew and we're ahead!!!! The game tells me we're in 1st place and I don't know why, but we'll take it!!! 2-1

57 - Lewis is in for Henry and Nesbitt replaces Brentton Matthew with a striker shuffle

8.0s by Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew and an underrated performance by George Frederick pulled us ahead. Now let's see what happens....

...WE'VE WON THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! OMG!!!!! OMG!!!!! FIRST TOP DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP OF MY FM CAREER!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!!

[Izulde]

@ Hoppers (FA Cup Semi Final)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

5 - Derrick charges to intercept and plays it long to Kelly Matthew, who dribbles into the box and splits two defenders with a shot that singes the net! 1-0

There's some serious home cooking going on with the referee - 4 yellow cards slapped on us in the first half alone.

56 - When you have to play hesitantly because half your squad is on a yellow, stuff like this happens 1-1

58 - On the possession immediately after their score, Benjamin runs down the longball at the touchline. His attempted cross is blocked, but Hughes-Mason is lurking behind to fire the loose ball to the opposite side where Brentton Matthew finally overcomes his drought and sinks one 2-1

59 - Lewis for Henry and we switch to our 3-4-3, Abraham sitting in favor of Simon as the second MC

68 - Hunte, who Trinidadian teams keep trying to poach for free, rushes in to steal the ball and the end sequence is Smith centering to Simon for the fierce cross to Hughes-Mason just outside the box. Dribble in, and the midrange shot powers in for the insurance! 3-1

69 - Following kickoff, Lewis heads away a pass to Hughes-Mason, who dribbles down the left flank before tapping to Benjamin. Pass is returned to our left winger, who launches a high cross right to Brentton Matthew for an absolute fakeout of the keeper! 4-1

https://i.imgur.com/dY4awR2.jpg

So we meet the board's expectations after all, which I thought were honestly unreasonable.

Transfer In - ST Eugene Joseph (17) - From Liberta FC - $60 P/A
The best-fitting DLF we've had, though he's by no means perfect there. My staff also thinks he's our second-best striker next to Brentton Matthew. Solid all around player who scored 9 goals in 20 appearances down in the First Division after his club got relegated last season. 14 Free Kicks, 10 Anticipation, 10 Flair, 11 Off the Ball and Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 11 Pace and Strength, 12 Stamina. Wish he would have signed a committed deal, but I'm thrilled to have him nonetheless.

Transfer In - AMC/MC Walter Jeremy (17) - From Hoppers - $4k/year
I initially signed him back when we were running an AMC. 12 First Touch, 16 Passing!, 15 Flair!, 10 Vision and Pace. I'll have him train up at MC and possibly at MR as well, since his Crossing of 6 isn't bad at all for this level.

Transfer In - DLC Randolph Edwards (22) - From Potter's Tigers - $5k/year
Solid all around skillset, and my staff thinks he has 4* potential. Like Jeremy, he needs work on what may well be his primary position of DC. 13 Marking, 11 Decisions, Jumping Reach, and Positioning, 14 Teamwork. He'll get a start at DC right away with Anderson Derrick out due to yellow cards.

Transfer Out - AMC/MC Anton Farrell (19) - To Willikes - $7k/year
Gets a fat, fat check from his new employers. Our former youth pull just wasn't good enough to cut it anymore, and he had no intention of re-signing with us anyway.

vs Five Islands (FA Cup Final)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Randolph Edwards/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Take Five Islands lightly at your own peril - they've played on the biggest stage here before, and are currently in promotion playoffs fight.

15 - Like I said... 0-1

35 - We're awarded an admittedly generous PK and Brentton Matthew converts with ease 1-1

63 - Lewis replaces Henry; Edwards goes off as we switch to a 3-4-3 with Jeremy getting his debut at MC

66 - Cochrane dribbles in the middle of the pitch, then passes to Joseph for the just-barely-in box feed to Kelly Matthew. First touch shot goes in! 2-1

Eugene Joseph had a couple of easy shots to add the insurance, but blew them both, making the last few minutes tense, but we carry it off!!!!! Kelly Matthew is PotM with an 8.3, Connor Hughes-Mason adding a 7.6 as we...

https://i.imgur.com/xaL0aZy.jpg

The biggest thing though? That $45k in sweet, sweet cash money for winning the Cup! Financially, that trophy matters way more than the league title, which has prize money of uh... $0. Granted, $10k of that cup money was paid out in squad bonuses (which we also have to pay for the league title, though it's much less thankfully) - but that's still a $35k net profit.

Loan Out - MRC Elvis Williams (21) - To Hoppers
They offered to pay his salary and we're loaded at his spots, so this was an easy decision.

Contract Extension - DR Lenny Hunte (19) - $8k/year - $725 agent fee - Through 2024
Did I want to make him that kind of money, now one of four players making $8,000 a year? No. But when the dude constantly gets mentioned as one of our fastest developing players and he's currently 4*/4*, you pay the kid what he's worth to lock him down for multiple seasons. He has also 4 caps for the national side.

Extensions
GK George Frederick - $3k - 2023 - $0.5k paycut
MLR Jermaine George - $70 PPA, which is a HUGE savings
DLR Terrence Lewis - $55 PPA, which again is a paycut
ST Brentton Matthew - $3k - 2023 - $0.5k payraise

Terrence Lewis, Bo Cochrane, and Gayson Smith make it into the All-Time Best 11, which looks like this after our double title season:

https://i.imgur.com/PEFUul0.jpg

Player of the Year Voting
Kelly Matthew - 44%
Bo Cochrane - 29%
Gayson Smith - 17%

I'm a little shocked Bo Cochrane didn't win it, but it's hard to argue with our leading goal scorer.

https://i.imgur.com/IQBWJ1D.jpg

George Frederick really shone this year after I decided I didn't trust George Jarvis late in the season. He used to be awful for Parham FC, but I took a chance on him and the now 20 year old has been terrific the last two years.

You can see why I offered Lenny Hunte the big money. Anderson Derrick wants a PPA deal, but negotiations have been tense - probably because he initially didn't want to come back at all. Kelly Robinson absolutely tanked this year, finally proving that his struggles are here to stay. His contract likely won't be renewed next season - I just don't trust him.

https://i.imgur.com/v608qwk.jpg

What a find Connor Hughes-Mason was! Brentton Matthew came down to earth and Kelly Matthew continues to way outperform his ratings.

And the sweetest thing of all:

https://i.imgur.com/K6YTosH.jpg

We qualify for the Caribbean Club Championship next season, which we somehow have to get out of if we want to qualify for the North American Champions League.

But we're a long way from dreaming of that because...

Caribbean Club Championship Winners
2015 - Arnett Gardens (Jamaica) - Professional
2016 - Central FC (Trinidad) - Professional
2017 - Harbour View FC (Jamaica) - Professional
2018 - Portmore United (Jamaica) - Professional
2019 - W Connection (Trinidad) - Professional
2020 - W Connection (Trinidad) - Professional

Yeah. Rough row to hoe for our little semi-pro club.

On the bright side, we turned a profit of $24.3k this year, the first season that we're in the black. Thanks, FA Cup prize money!

We also extend all of our staff to same money or slight raises except our Head of Youth Development, who has been a $3.5k waste of money.

I negotiate a one year contract extension that pays me $40k. I was already the most highly-paid manager in the league - the next-highest is only making like $18k. Greedy pig is me.

Stunning decision: Desmond Burton, the 35 year old who ranks as the #1 Hall of Fame manager in Antigua & Barbuda history in this universe, with 3 Premier Division titles and an FA Cup trophy, announces his resignation after the team's 4th place finish. :eek:

We almost double our old secondary jersey sponsorship, going from $12.78k a year to $23k a year. That's going to be very nice to have in the coffers.

Desmond Kirwan is hired as the new Young Warriors manager. It's the 33 year old's first top job and he's paid $31.5k - still significantly below me, thankfully.

We're now the #2 most prestigious club in Antigua & Barbuda. First is still Young Warriors, with English Harbour #3, Wadadli #4, and Freemansville rounding out the Top 5.

By the way, my reputation is at a personal FM history high 20%! I'm also 4th in the joke Hall of Fame national standings.

Bad news bears. Lenny Hunte is getting interest from bigger leagues, and he's pissed I won't let him join North East Stars in the Trinidadian top tier league. Soo now he wants to leave :( But no one will pay me any money for him, which is bullshit. What's the point of even developing players if I can't make money from their sale?

[Izulde]

Leaving the club are the Head of Youth Development, Kelly Nesbitt, and Bo Luke, none of whom are up the standards of the club.

I transfer list Lenny Hunte at his request, but put a $16k pricetag on him.

Transfer In - DR Gayson Edwards (23) - From Potter's Tigers
Didn't play that well for the First Division Champs last season, but he has solid all-around ratings highlighted by 12 Teamwork. In the event Lenny Hunte does leave, he's first option to take over. $5k/year.

Transfer In - DLC Audwin Blackwood (23) - From English Harbour
Making $8k/year but worth the money to steal him from a rival. Also has 11 Heading, 10 Aggression, 13 Decisions, 16 Leadership, 17 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 10 Jumping Reach, and 11 Strength. Star player by any measure, who was exceptional for our division foes the last two years before we pried him away. Immediate DC starter.

Transfer Out - MRC Elvis Williams (22) - To Urlings - $4.3k/year
Good deal for both sides. We clear $3.3k off our books for a player who never was going to be relevant again, and he gets a raise and more PT.

Gayson Smith signs through 2024 for a $0.5k/year pay increase. Money well spent.

Bo Cochrane retains his captaincy, though the vice-captain spot is now handed over to Gayson Smith, fresh off his deal.

Slight bump in season ticket sales - 83 compared to last year's 77. Eugene Joseph is out the early part of the season 6-7 weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

We're 4-6 favorites to win the league; Young Warriors even odds, English Harbour 5-4. Then it crashes to Piggotts Bullets at 16-1. Seems fair.

@ Freemansville
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

7 - Cochrane plays a beautiful longball to Brentton Matthew in the right side of the box, and on the center, Kelly Matthew shows why he was upgraded to Icon status this offseason by heading it in 1-0

8 - Cochrane pops it high and long to Brentton Matthew on the right flank again, and this time it's Benjamin as beneficiary of the cross 2-0

74 - Blackwood wants off so Rolston Benjamin comes in

77 - Tired Henry is out for Robinson

91 - Meh 2-1

Solid game all-around. Brentton Matthew is 8.7 PotM, followed by Gayson Smith's 7.5.

Terrence Derrick is a dick who is causing problems. The team meeting mostly smooths things over, but Chelsey Henry and Audwin Blackwood aren't pleased. Oh fucking well.

vs Wadadli (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

They were skunked 0-4 by Piggotts Bullets in their opener, and this is normally a proud team.

5 - Beautiful interception by Hunte, who is understanding about our *cough* inability to move him. Benjamin races down the pitch at end stage, then crosses to undefended Brentton Matthew for the laughably simple score 1-0

8 - Smith takes the flareout and puts into the box. Defender kicks it away, but Brenton Matthew laughs in rebound and drills it 2-0

14 - Cochrane out to Hughes-Mason, box delivery to Kelly Matthew, and the goal gut continues 3-0

39 - Benjamin recovers the corner clearance and is getting hemmed in, pushed back by the defense. Finally he says fuck it and hauls it right, where Smith wins the jumpball and nods it to Brentton Matthew in the box. Handoff left to Kelly Matthew, and we're matching Piggotts Bullets goal for goal 4-0

54 - Henry and Cochrane trade passes until the former rips the ball all the way down the pitch to Benjamin in the box. Defender beats him though and heads it to uh... I have no idea who, but Kelly Matthew picks it up and slots it in for the hat trick!!!! 5-0

https://i.imgur.com/Svj6GO0.jpg

Total annihilation. Weirdest thing about the first two games of the year? English Harbour has drawn both and Young Warriors have lost both. I mean, they'll both be back up here fighting for the title at season's end, but it's still a fascinating thing to see.

[Greyfriars Bobby]

Congratulations on the double! Good luck in the Caribbean Club Championships, too. It looks like that could be a challenge.

I don't think I've ever managed in a nation's top flight in FM, because I usually start with a lower level club in England or Scotland. I ought to think about giving a real minnow nation a try sometime.

Keep up the good work!

[Izulde]

Congratulations on the double! Good luck in the Caribbean Club Championships, too. It looks like that could be a challenge.

I don't think I've ever managed in a nation's top flight in FM, because I usually start with a lower level club in England or Scotland. I ought to think about giving a real minnow nation a try sometime.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks :)

I've been researching a bit and turning pro requires sustained success and the right chairperson. Obviously Young Warriors didn't achieve that, finishing 3rd, 2nd, and 4th in Caribbean Club group stage (only the winners advance to the knockout rounds).

Playing in these tiny nations where the top flight is all semi-pro is really interesting. You're limited in what you can do as a part-time side, and even still small nations that do have pro clubs in the top flight (Jamaica and T&T in the Caribbean) will eat your lunch.

I'm half-tempted to jump to one of the professional teams, but for now would rather see if I can gradually build up Fort Road into a pro team, which would be a major accomplishment in and of itself.

@ Villa Lions (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

32 - Hunte's amazing slide tackle is beautiful to watch. On the other end, Brenton Matthew is pressured, so he cracks an aerial to Benjamin in the box. Shot's forceful and though it's deflected, the keeper staggers back into the net, allowing Kelly Matthew to win the stampede to the ball and score 1-0

37 - Son of a bitch 1-1

55 - Kelly Matthew runs down the pitch after the field-length pass from Derrick. Tap off to Brentton Matthew on the right, and the power diagonal scorches the net. Lewis in for Hunte; George for Gayson after we go up 2-1

86 - Cochrane to Brenton Matthew tapped ahead to Kelly Matthew for the pass to Benjamin in the box, and after several failures by our side to convert, Bo puts this one in to put the game away 3-1

87 - Hughes-Mason goes for the long shot from way out on the left wing. Keeper pushes it away and Brentton Matthew is right there to sink the rebound 4-1

All full-time starters except the keeper had 7 or better, with the 8+ guys Bo Cochrane (8.2), Bo Benjamin (8.3), and matching 9.0s for our two striker Matthews, Brentton Matthew getting the PotM nod.

vs English Harbour (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Frustrating start to the season for English Harbour. The perennial title contenders have gone 0-0, 1-1, 1-1 for three straight draws. I smell a trap game here.

14 - Kelly Matthew crosses right to Gayson Smith, and on the box feed, Brentton Matthew does just enough to stay onside in beating the line and scoring 1-0

47 - Lewis in for Henry

72 - Switch to a 3-4-3, with Derrick's bad day ending and Simon in as second MC

Very ugly win we didn't deserve. Bo Cochrane's 7.4 was PotM - that's how lackluster it was.

We're the leading producers of national team players by far with 8.

@ Potter's Tigers (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Randolph Edwards/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Chesley Henry is out on yellows, so Randolph Edwards gets to play against his old team.

28 - Rowan Jahlraldo-Martin has been learning to play ST and of course our former ML scores on us 0-1

Out is Hunte at half for Lewis

57 - Joseph comes in for Kelly Matthew and we rearrange our strikers

63 - Draw a PK and of course Brentton Matthew has it stopped :( But the keeper can't control it, and BM runs up to the ball first and puts it away anyway 1-1

We definitely deserved to lose that one.

My name comes up in discussion for the Defence Force FC job in Trinidad & Tobago. They're the only Trinidadian club to ever win the North American Champions League, having accomplished that feat twice! In 1978 and 1985, as well as being runners-up twice in 1987 and 1988. So a historically successful club, which doesn't interest me. Nor am I enthused by the fact they're in financial hell.

Nope.

vs Hoppers (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

10 - I'm gritting my teeth when Cochrane puts the ball right out in to space, but Brentton Matthew wins the race, continuing to dribble right until he blasts a screamer into the box's left side, hitting flying Cochrane who makes the tricky shot 1-0

23 - Hughes-Mason throws to Henry and gets it back on a fierce header. Center and there's Brentton Matthew smashing the header in with authority 2-0

58 - Switch to a 3-4-3, Derrick out for Simon as per use

76 - Lewis for Henry

8.1s for Bo Cochrane and Brentton Matthew, the latter winning PotM. Third star is Connor Hughes-Mason with 7.7.

A third of the way through the season and Piggotts Bullets is still hot on our heels, just 2 points behind. After that, we have a *huge* dropoff with Freemansville 6 points below Piggotts Bullets. Definitely a two team league so far this season.

[Izulde]

@ SAP FC (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Trap game. They haven't won at home yet.

16 seconds - Benjamin to Brentton Matthew in the box. Defender closes in and exposes space for the tap and score to Kelly Matthew. Might be a record. 1-0

21 - Flawlessly executed counter, capping in Kelly Matthew dribbling down the middle of the pitch and passing into box space. Keeper comes out and Brentton Matthew punishes him for it 2-0

22 - Cochrane steals the ball, igniting yet another counter. Kelly Matthew flies down the left flank and crosses to where Brentton Matthew and Smith are in tandem. It's BM who takes the ball, dribbles, and slams in the mid-range. 3-0

30 - Cochrane steals he ball on the throw-in, passes to Kelly Matthew in the box, and on the cross, Brentton Matthew high-kicks it into the top of the net for his half-hour hat trick and 10th goal of the year!!!!! 4-0

60 - Cochrane launches the free kick high and left to Hughes-Mason. Cross, and Brentton Matthew again pierces the top of the net! 5-0

75 - You just don't stop those 5-1

90 - Pure laziness on our part 5-2

Our backline tanked the last 15 minutes of the game, but our other guys held strong - 7.8 or higher for the midfield and strikers except Bo Benjamin, with a near-perfect 9.9 by Brentton Matthew, 9.2 from Kelly Matthew, and 8.0 by Bo Cochrane as the three standouts.

Kelly Matthew did indeed break not only the team record, but the league record as well with that score. We've also set a team high 12 games unbeaten. Lenny Hunte will miss the next game due to yellows.

vs Piggotts Bullets (2nd)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Gayson Edwards
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

These dudes, tho. 2 points behind us and the 3rd place team is 7 points behind - meaning even if we dropped the next 3 games and they won the next 3, they'd tie us on points for 2nd and we'd be just past the halfway mark of the season.

17 - Exactly what I was afraid of 0-1

25 - Cochrane to Hughes-Mason in the half-circle. There's a trio of defenders swarming all over him, but he finds the gap to put it in the left side of the box for a streaking Benjamin. Cross, and Brentton Matthew drills it behind the keeper, who has had an amazing game so far 1-1

35 - Jesus fucking CHRIST! We should be up like 4-1 by now, but nope fucking BEHIND! 1-2

37 - Such bullshit 1-3

59 - Blackwood charges to intercept and flares it to Brentton Matthew in the right side of the box. Cross and Benjamin nails the midrange to put us in striking distance of salvaging a draw 2-3

62 - Lewis in for Edwards; 3-4-3 formation with Blackwood sitting and Simon as MC. On second thought we say fuck it and pull Kelly Matthew for Joseph too, rearranging strikers.

82 - And that's all she wrote. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 2-4

90 - Absolute embarrassment. 2-5

A journalist keeps me hammering me with the same fucking question about a Bullets player, so I tell him to go fuck himself in numerous impossible positions and storm out.

Bo Benjamin whines and complains that he's not getting enough and is offended at my new contract offer. By the end of our conversation, he wants out, so off he goes into free agency.

Randolph Edwards is caught talking shit on social media, so I warn him. He cries about that so I transfer-list him. Season is going to shit in a hurry.

@ Young Warriors (6th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

14 - Hunte centers to Cochrane for the pass to Brentton Matthew. Short pass to Smith just inside the box, but he's hammered and the ball rolls left... right in to the path of Kelly Matthew for the score! 1-0

15 - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: I knew I should have paid that guy what he wanted to come here 1-1

41 - WTF IS THIS TEAM SUDDENLY SHIT?!?! It's called back for offsides, but still. 1-1

Lewis is in for Henry at half. Screaming ensues.

57 - Simon for Cochrane; George for Hughes-Mason

61 - Derrick storms forward to send it into the box and Joseph beats the keeper to the punch for his first Fort Road goal!!! 2-1

68 - Kelly Matthew passes right into box space as an outlet from pressure. Joseph gets there and centers back to Kelly Matthew for the insurance goal 3-1

8.8 and PotM for Kelly Matthew, 7.6 for Eugene Joseph.

Halfway through the season, we're a point and -3 GD behind Piggotts Bullets, who have literally been unbeatable.

[Izulde]

@ English Harbour (FA Cup Second Round)
G: George Frederick
D: Kenny Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

https://i.imgur.com/flttHwv.jpg

That's two straight years we've drawn English Harbour away in our first FA Cup match. I smell a fix. We'll probably lose.

46 - At the start of the second half, Derrick makes a phenomenal clearance on the free kick and on the other end, Brentton Matthew gathers the long ball, dribbles in, and shoots. Knocked away by Lloyd George, the All-Time Best 11 keeper here. But Brentton Matthew grabs the rebound and crosses, where George can't back in time to stop Hughes-Mason from putting his first goal of the season into the net 1-0

58 - We go with a flat 4-4-2, injured Kelly Matthew coming off for Jay Simon and Lewis replacing Robinson, who keeps risking a double yellow.

Not a great win, but Connor Hughes-Mason's PotM-winning 7.8 gets us through.

Kelly Matthew is out two weeks, meaning a flat 4-4-2 for now.

vs Freemansville (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: KellyRobinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Brentton Matthew

15 seconds - And there's the record broken again, as Smith plays it down the line for Matthew, who stops by the touchline. Cross, and Joseph surges from the crowd of defenders to kick it high, up, and in 1-0

8 - We're doing a great job of defending, but awful job of clearing, until Hunte is able to knick the ball and start a counter that concludes in Matthew's cross was intended for Joseph, but rolls into Hughes-Mason's purview instead. He dribbles, then blasts it to Matthew in the box for the score 2-0

17 - Smith laughs in the face of a defender and drills the ball to Matthew in the box. Fingertip save by the keeper, but he's sprawled out on the ground, allowing Joseph to pocket the rebound with ease 3-0

Tired Simon ends his day at halftime, with Victor Matthews his replacement

58 - Cochrane to Joseph to Brentton Matthew in the box after Joseph stole the ball from the defender. BM likewise gives his man the slip and fires away the bomb 4-0

All full-time starters were 7.2 or better, with our 8+ stars Connor Hughes-Mason at 8.5, Eugene Joseph at 9.4, and PotM Brentton Matthew at 9.5.

Piggots Bulllets suffered a stunning 1-4 home shocker loss to Wadadli, putting us back up in 1st by 2 points.

Brentton Matthew breaks his own Premier League scoring record with 14 goals in 10 games, a record he first set with 12 in his first year with us after we promoted up.

@ Wadadli (3rd)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Brentton Matthew

It'd be a mistake to take these guys lightly. Yes, we have a ridiculous 10 point edge on them, but they're on a high after taking Piggotts Bullets to the woodshed. They also have former Fort Road left winger Luke Simon, who has reinvented himself as a striker and is tied for 2nd in goals scored with 8. Bo Luke is also their backup keeper.

16 - Nobody even tried to stop that 0-1

29 - OH FUCK YOU! JOSEPH WAS ONSIDES!

52 - Lewis for Hunte; Victor Matthew for Simon

62 - And that stupid fucking penalty given away by Cochrane seals it 0-2

Fortunately, Piggotts Bullets only managed a draw against an inferior Villa Lions team, so we're still in 1st.

I lose my long-time assman, Terrence Beckles, who Grenades taps as their manager. Funny thing is, the board opened up their wallets earlier this season to raise the cap on an assman salary. Guess I can go get one now.

[Izulde]

We pay Parham FC $1.5k in compensation to lure their 33 year old assman, Ivor Parker, to fill the same role with us. After assignments, every single training category is 2* or 2.5*.

@ Sea View Farm (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: George Frederick
D: KellyRobinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

The bane of my existence are these guys right here.

9 - Robinson throws back to Hunte and on the dribble and box highball, Joseph beats out the defense to put it away 1-0

12 - We go around the horn on the backline after Hunte retrieves a clearance that goes deep into our half. Back on the other side, Joseph feeds Kelly Matthew in the box. He holds up play, and just as three defenders are about to gang tackle him, he shoots the ball into in a small window of the net 2-0

13 - Joseph to Kelly Matthew for the box pass to Brentton Matthew. He dribbles forward, keeper comes out, and BM pays the goalie for that mistake 3-0

24 - Hughes-Mason dribbles into the box and he's flying. Cross to Smith, and the shot is one hand pushed away. It's sitting on the line and Smith beats them to the ball to slide tackle nudge it over 4-0

63 - Can't stop those 4-1

74 - Robinson and Smith keep trading passes on the right side after a throw-in until the latter delivers to Hughes-Mason on the right side of the box. The header bounces off the upper bar, but when it falls on the left side, Joseph is there to snipe it in. 3-4-3 formation, Simon second MC with Derrick sitting. Lewis replaces Hunte, who has slacked off in the second half. 5-1

https://i.imgur.com/v3whLus.jpg

Unfortunately, we're screwed in the Semi-Final draw again and aren't the home team. So irritating to have to defend our cup title all with games on the road.

vs Villa Lions (9th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

9 - Smith to Brentton Matthew, who dribbles into the box. Shot's shoved aside, but Hughes-Mason hurries in to nail the rebound 1-0

50 - Hunte goes off for Lewis; Kelly Matthew is pulled as we switch to a 4-4-2 flat, with Simon in as second MC

It's a win, but one we didn't deserve. When Connor Hughes-Mason's 7.2 wins PotM, you know it was an ugly day.

Piggots Bulllets, meanwhile, keeps blowing people out.

Bo Cochrane is out next game with yellows.

@ English Harbour (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

32 - Smith to Brentton Matthew to Kelly Matthew in the box. The keeper comes out and stops the shot, but drops the ball. It rolls off left, and Joseph wins the foot race, kicking in the rebound 1-0

58 - Simon to Joseph, who passes in a giant gap between two defenders to Kelly Matthew in the half-circle. Dribble in to the box, and there's the desperately needed insurance goal 2-0

59 - Victor Matthew in for Simon; Terrence Derrick for Hughes-Mason

Kelly Matthew is PotM with 8.2, Eugene Joseph his support with 7.6.

Piggotts Bullets wins 4-0, but that's not enough to put them up in 1st place - they're still a point behind. I must have missed a draw or something somewhere. Not complaining, though!

5 matches left. And a very interesting table:

https://i.imgur.com/QtdUjKl.jpg

Young Warriors' continued slide is easy to explain. Desmond Kirwan has ruined what Desmond Burton made so successful.

But English Harbour, like us, has kept faithful to their core formation (4-4-1-1) and players, notably Hazeley Simon, who in my opinion is the best MR in the league except for maybe Gayson Smith. I think it's because in their case, people have managed to solve them and long-time manager Ranjae Smith stubbornly refuses to change what worked for so long.

[Izulde]

vs Potter's Tigers (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Lewis/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

23 - Blackwood sent off with a double yellow. Great.

59 - Smith on the left side with a free kick, and he hits the long, high perfect shot to Brentton Matthew's head for the knock-in over the keeper 1-0

61 - We'll definitely take that fluke goal by Terrence Derrick for sure! 2-0

62 - Lewis for Robinson; George for Smith

66 - Their keeper must be the worst, because now Joseph snags a fluke goal! 3-0

Our defense was exceptional - bar banned Blackwood, every defender and our keeper had a 7.4 or higher, including Terrence Lewis. Also, all full-time starters except Kelly Matthew netted a 7.2 or better. Standouts: PotM Eugene Joseph (8.6) and Terrence Derrick (8.0).

@ Hoppers (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

16 seconds - Smith dribbles and sends it to Joseph in the box. The 18 year old sidesteps two defenders and cracks the goal in! 1-0

59 - Benjamin in for Henry

66 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES, YOU FUCKING BLIND SHITLORD REF!!! Lewis on for Robinson. Ugh so pissed right now. 1-1

81 - Brentton Matthew passes left to Smith, who hits an exquisite diagonal pass to Joseph in the box. He's clear through and converts the 1v1 with ease 2-1

9.0 PotM performance by Gayson Smith, 8.8 by Eugene Joseph, and 7.5 by Bo Cochrane.

Piggotts Bullets continues to smash right through the opposition. But there is one small silver lining in it all - we've guaranteed that we can finish no worse than 2nd with 3 games to go.

vs SAP FC (4th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Benjamin replaces Hunte at half because I accidentally left Lewis out of the subs. We're playing like shit.

61 - Untold shot after shot has also clanged off the post, so when we get a set piece free kick just outside the box, Joseph delivers a true and hard strike that's right in the middle of the net 1-0

68 - We switch to a 3-4-3, with Kelly Matthew injured and poorly playing off in favor of Simon as second MC. But just before that happens, we're awarded an own goal insurance by the same guy who gave up the yellow card and free kick! 2-0

89 - Joseph runs into a wall of defenders in the half-circle, so he passes out right into space for Smith. The cross comes in and Brentton Matthew slots it away 3-0

All full-time starters except the keeper were 7.2 or better as we snap back after a shitty first half. 8+ stars are: Anderson Derrick (8.0), Gayson Smith (8.3), Eugene Joseph (8.7), and PotM Brentton Matthew (9.0).

With two games left, Brentton Matthew adds to his glowing records, now cracking 11 assists which is a new team and Premier Division record. Piggotts Bullets has smashed the old Premier Division team goals scored mark with 46.

It's February 1st and we've officially dipped into the red for the season. Not surprising because we haven't had the benefit of home games in the FA Cup.

@ Piggotts Bullets (2nd)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

We're without Eugene Joseph, who has such a nasty case of the flu, he's out 2-3 weeks. Absolutely devastating to miss one of our most valuable players in the most important game of the year. If we can pull off a miracle in beating these guys, we'll have locked up the title. Draw and it goes to the final game. Lose and it's pretty much over.

16 - Hunte throws in to Kelly Matthew and gets it back. Box delivery, and we get an own goal gift!!! 1-0

51 - Brentton Matthew dribbles through the defenders into the box and he taps off to Kelly Matthew. Defender slide tackles the ball away and the goalie stumbles trying to get to it. Hughes-Mason storms in and pops the clearance into the empty net, avenging on his old team! 2-0

66 - Henry in for Blackwood; Victor Matthew for Simon

82 - George for Hughes-Mason at the latter's request

7.7 PotM performance by Bo Cochrane and 7.5 by Connor Hughes-Mason. Two very costly mistakes by their defense, who was used to coasting through on their powerhouse attack, sealed our second straight Premier Division title!!!!!!!

vs Young Warriors (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Randolph Edwards/Terrence Lewis
M: Terrence Derrick/Walter Jeremy/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

Desmond Kirwan and I get into it before the match because I'm laughing at everyone who is praising him for getting the club clear of relegation. I'm like um no, he's done a shit job of the dynasty and rightfully deserves to be under pressure, if not outright fired at the end of the year.

He says I'm jealous. What a joke. If I didn't want to keep my stars healthy for the FA Cup and the Caribbean Club Championship, I'd turn on the heat. As is, I'm making this a relaxing game for Fan Day, giving our backups some time to shine. The 600 fans we're expecting are no doubt upset it's the backups, but at least they get to see the star Matthew strikers up front (No relation).

3 - Yeah 0-1

50 - Smith and Jahraldo-Martin go in at the winger spots to try and salvage at least a tie here.

63 - What a joke this game is 0-2

@ Freemansville (FA cup Semi-final)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Gayson Edwards
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

37 - We're pushed back and Simon has a defender all over him. But he uses his backside to block the defender and pass the ball to Cochrane, who sends it into the box. Kelly Matthew is first to the loose ball and he puts it away. 1-0

65 - Blackwood moves out to DL; Benjamin comes in at DC, Simon goes off for Victor Matthew

92 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES, YOU FUCKERS!!!!!!!!!! OMG SECONDS BEFORE THE GAME ENDS SUCH BULLSHIT!!!! 1-1

95 - George is on for an exhausted Smith

117 - Edwards plays it down the right line for George and he grabs and dribbles. Center, and Brentton Matthew beats the defense and the keeper!!! 2-1

8.4 and PotM for Bo Cochrane, who was magnificent all game. Anderson Derrick saved us in extra time with power clearance and played to a 7.5.

Transfer Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham (27) - English Harbour - $7k/year contract
Was a starter during our run last season, but made way too much money and got lost in the shuffle this year. He's thrilled to go back to his old club and help them fight to stay up in a battle against teams that include Terrence Beckles' Grenades club, incidentally.

Loan Out - DCR Gayson Edwards (23) - Potter's Tigers - 100% Salary Paid
No brainer for a guy who couldn't establish himself. Like Abraham, he's going back to his old team.

Youth Signing - ST Tamorley Benjamin (16)
13 Dribbling, 11 Composure, 10 Decisions, 13 Work Rate, and almost all 11s in Physical Attributes. 4* Potential. Exciting player and just the pull we needed, as Kelly Matthew is giving off strong signals of wanting to play somewhere else next season.

@ West Ham (ATG) - FA Cup Final
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Yep. Every.single.game. in our FA Cup defense we've been the road team. The bullshit is unbelievable, but it is what it is.

3 - Joseph's free kick is blocked by a wall leap, but he gets his rebound and single-handedly fights two defenders in a 1v2 matchup. He hangs on to the ball and blasts it into a narrow gap for the lead! 1-0

20 - Thanks for that double yellow, constantly going after Smith, dude!

26 - Cochrane to Hughes-Mason in the box. He's being hassled by two defenders, as these guys have gone after our wingers all game long. Lateral to Kelly Matthew, and here's the insurance. 2-0

33 - Hunte throws in to Cochrane, whose high ball into the box sees Joseph win the jump ball and head it in! 3-0

69 - Bleh. 3-1

70 - Immediate answer as Smith crosses to Hughes-Mason. Shot bounces off the bar, but the defender does a poor job of passing back to the keeper, allowing Hughes-Mason to nip in and put away the rebound 4-1

71 - 3-4-3 switch with Victor Matthew replacing Blackwood, who is playing injured. Lewis on for Hunte

https://i.imgur.com/EmL1Hvv.jpg

Our second straight double. With the FA Cup money we'll once again be in the black for the year. Last season, after taxes, etc. were paid, we finished ~$15.5k in profit.

Audwin Blackwood will be back in time for our first Caribbean Club Championship match. Bo Cochrane probably won't, which is a tough ask - we're facing against a team who has been to the North American Champions League in this universe, and is making their third straight appearance in the Caribbean Club Championship.

But more on that, and our other foes, next time.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/AtNB6Ck.png

Yes, that's their actual nickname - The Brave and the Strong

In This Universe
North American Champions League Appearances: 1 (2020/21)
Jamaican Premier League Titles: 3 (2019/20 the most recent one)
Caribbean Club Championship Appearances: 5

They're managed by the legendary Linval Dixon, part of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, the only Jamaican side to ever qualify.

Top 3 Player Salaries: $155,000; $155,000; $85,000

Each of their top 3 players makes almost as much or more than our entire payroll

Looking over their team, only Lenny Hunte and maybe Gayson Smith would even sniff their roster.

vs Portmore United (Caribbean Championship Group 3)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

3 - Just to make absolute certain we have no hope, they injure Brentton Matthew and force us in to a 4-4-2 with Jay Simon as our second MC

11 - What will undoubtedly be the first of many goals they score 0-1

Benjamin replaces Hunte at half.

77 - And there's the second 0-2

Devastating to lose Brentton Matthew for 2 months. He's our most valuable striker.

Loan Out - DCR Randolph Edwards (23) - Potter's Tigers
So many teams going and getting their old players back. As long as they're footing the salary bill (they are), I don't mind one whit.

@ America (HAI) (2nd) (Caribbean Club Championship Group 3)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Walter Jeremy/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew

This *should* be a winnable match. There's no one of note on this team.

We promptly shank like 4 easy and open goals. It's ridiculous.

58 - Lewis for Hunte; Simon for Cochrane; Tamorley Benjamin for Kelly Matthew and striker switch

77 - Double yellow for their guy!

...And we can't get it done. We were snakebit on hard luck shots that should have gone in. We didn't play horribly at all, really.

Kelly Robinson signs a contract extension for $3k a year. After analysis, though he's inconsistent, the national team keeps calling him up, and I'd hate to have to face him.

@ Gauloise (4th) (Caribbean Club Championship Group Play)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Walter Jeremy/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew

We should be able to crush these guys to secure a 3rd place finish, maybe even take 2nd.

11 - Hunte throws in to Matthew, gets it back, and highball crosses. Hughes-Mason heads it to Joseph's head for the header score. 1-0

30 - Hunte and Smith play 1-2 a bunch after the throw-in until the latter taps off to Simon. High cross and Joseph rises about three defenders to knock it down to Smith, who waits, dribbles, shoots, and scores 2-0

50 - George for injured Smith

59 - Henry centers to Kelly Matthew. Shot is pushed away, but George storms through the wall of defenders to sink the rebound for his first goal of the year!!! 3-0

74 - Jeremy charges and highballs it out left to all alone Joseph. Cross and Kelly Matthew smashes the header in 4-0

https://i.imgur.com/4fDGEWL.jpg

Beautiful way to end the season.

Some more extensions happen.

Okay, here's my thinking - I can stay at Fort Road and we'll keep doing what we've did this season - shoot for doubles, get participation trophies by finishing 2nd in Caribbean Championship group play or lower depending on the draw.

Or we can turn professional and start luring talent from outside the islands.

The board denies my request to turn professional. Welp, that just about seals it.

Connor Hughes-Mason, Chesley Henry, and Lenny Hunte are inducted into the All-Time Best 11 - all as starters.

Brentton Matthew wins PotY voting with 48%, Kelly Matthew with 22%, and Bo Cochrane with 18%.

The board seals my impending departure by refusing to let me go on the Continental Pro coaching course.

Jorrin Smith is hired by Swetes FC as their manager, poaching another coach of ours.

Off the field events have turned Gayson Smith into Eeyore, which isn't cool.

W Connection FC's manager retires and I'm listed as the favorite to take over a club that has made it to the North American Champions League Quarterfinals the last two years in a row, and won the Trinidadian Pro League the last six years in a row.

Not that i have an interest in that job - there's nothing to build there beyond winning the North American Champions League. It's only continuing the success that's already there.

https://i.imgur.com/aJL7CxG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8aJJGOD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/esVNVop.jpg

Brentton Matthew also led the league in assists.

We claim the top reputation spot in Antigua & Barbuda, as is to be expected.

Victor Matthew and Jay Simon are allowed to walk free.

Some absolutely AMAZING offers come in for Lenny Hunte and I accept one.

I apply for an interesting job, and then am mentioned as a favorite for another one. Both look like very interesting situations.

Belgium wins the 2022 World Cup on penalties after a dull 0-0 tie with Brazil.

Transfer Out - DR Lenny Hunte (20) - To Rivoli United - $15k transfer fee plus 50% of future sale
Everybody wins in this situation - Lenny finally gets to go play for a pro team in the Caribbean, making $20k in Jamaica. We make bank (he was only worth $750) and can get more cash coming in if/when he gets sold off in the future.

I accept an offer from a club that gives me a lot more to build towards. Just how much I don't realize until I take the job.

It's going to be very interesting times indeed.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/szaJ25J.jpg

CSD Suchitepequez is a Guatemalan professional football club with the awesome logo and nickname of los Venados (Deer). They have a rich history, including beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in a friendly match in 1981. 4th place in the CONCACAF Cup in 1993. The Deer have also won some domestic cups and won the top division in 1983. In real life, they won again in 2015-16. after some swoon years in the second division in the 2000s In the FM universe... they've won the second division in 2020/21 but didn't promote up?! I'm confused. So very, very confused. And there's things called Opening Stages and Closing Stages and... yeah. This is gonna be odd to figure out.

While the Deer have $10k in the bank, they lost ~$88k last year, and have bled $22.8k so far this year. $24k in payroll space but there's a few 30 year olds making hella bank who need to go out of here, even if they're the best players on the club.

2 interesting rules for the Guatemalan Second Division:

1. A max of 27 players over the age of 23
2. A max of 3 foreign players

Guatemalan citizenship isn't found online anywhere, but by looking at other clubs in the game, it takes 5 years accumulatively. Okay, cool. Plenty of space to bring in some hot young foreign talent and turn them into citizens.

No foreign players on Los Venados right now, so I'm free to go shopping as I like there.

I'm not going to mess with the staff, given the amount of bleeding that's going on here.

Our prize young DC also wants to leave for a bigger club. Okay dude, if that's what you really want. Our prize young GK? He wants out, too. Wow.

Transfer Out - MC/AMC/ST William Morales (30) - To Liberia ($72k)
We suckered them into paying more than value (it immediately dropped in half) for a guy who's only going to be a backup on this Costa Rican team. Suckers!

Transfer Out - MC/AMC Freddy Lopez (30) - To USAC - $57k fee
We cleared off his salary *and* netted some sweet cash money.

Transfer In - ML/AML Joaquin Fernandez (19) - Uruguayan
Castoff from Petapa and I'm not sure why - 10 Crossing, Determination, Stamina, and Pace, 16 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration and just balanced all around in physical attributes. I really like this kid, and my staff does too - 4* potential. 699 days served already, so I'm looking forward to getting him nationality.

So I just ripped off two teams, cut our wage bill by a ton, and generated some huge cash. Excellent! I wouldn't say we're suddenly solvent or anything - the club spent $724k last season, so this just puts us in a much healthier immediate cash position.

Our transfer budget started at $0 and after those big money deals - the two largest in universe club history outside of $101k back in 2016/17 - it's leaped up to $38.7k.

We work on restoring the damage by appointing 23 year old Luis Molina as Captain. He was Vice-Captain last year. Jose Hernandez, the star keeper who wants out, is the new Vice-Captain for now.

@ Halcones FC
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Alvaro Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

32 - Dumbass Rodriguez, who is pissed about the sale of Morales, gives up a PK. Fortunately Hernandez stops it.

56 - Mario Lopez[/b in for [b]Molina; Luis Lopez Castellanos in for Fernandez

57 - Sliding tackle by Estrada, who is our #2 MR, stops a clearance. Carlos Lopez picks up the loose ball and taps to Martinez for the easy score! 1-0

75 - Juan Carlos Castillo hits the corner (haven't set my set piece takers yet) hits the corner and Estrada heads the insurance goal in!!! 2-0

83 - Carlos Lopez wrecks the attacker and Lopez Castellanos picks it up. Dribble and cross, and Juan Castillo nails it for his first ever Deer goal!!! 3-0

88 - Disgusting 3-1

Juan Estrada wins PotM with an 8.8, matched by Juan Carlos Castillo, and Jose Hernandez has a godly 8.4 in goal as we secure an upset in our first game of the year! God, I love my 4-3-3 in this universe, even if this is a slightly different tweak.

Migraine and I still have some stuff to figure out on this squad. Plus we have a short rest turnaround.

Still an exciting debut, even if my opponent says I was lucky. Eat my ass. We whipped your butts in the second half.

[Izulde]

vs Barcena (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Alvaro Cabrera/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

54 - Jose Rodriguez in for Monterroso; Lopez Castellanos in for Fernandez

Very unlucky not to win this game - things just didn't break the right way. 1,500 people showed up to this Fan Day and they thought it was a thrilling draw, which it was as much an an 0-0 game can be.

Transfer Out - DLC Alvaro Cabrera (19) - To Chiantla - $2k + 50% future sale money
I wasn't going to get rid of him but that money was too much to pass for a cash-strapped club. He was solid for us as the starting DL the first two games, but there was no upside there.

@ Iztapa (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Luis Molina/Mario Lopez/Francisco Ortiz/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Lopez/Jorge Castillo

20 - Rodriguez is sent off with a red card. Great. 3 at the back now, with Mario Molina in at DR and Mario Lopez out - he's tired anyway.

25 - FUCKING BAR BULLSHIT 0-1

36 - The Hernandez magic is gone 0-2

53 - Lopez Castellanos for Rodriguez

58 - It's like we're not even trying 0-3

66 - Our star young DC is hurt of course, and of course a bullshit disallowed goal. Yep, not even trying as we allow a goal on the other end 0-4

77 - Fuck this game. I should have stayed in Antigua & Barbuda 0-5

2 weeks without Francisco Ortiz - the star young DC.

Transfer In - MLCR/AMLCR Carlos Gramajo (19) - Free agent signing
$5k per year and he offers us a *lot* of flexibility off the bench. Technically he still has miles to go, but 10 Work Rate, 17 Flair, 14 Acceleration, 13 Pace, plus a bunch of other double-digit physical attributes... he's going to surprise, I think.

Transfer In - ST Carlos Chavez (23) - Free agent signing
Pricey at $9k per year and my staff is meh on him, but I fell in love with his ratings - 11 Corners, 11 Dribbling, 14 Finishing, 11 First Touch, 13 Flair, 11 Acceleration, 11 Pace. He only got one game in all his years with Carcha, but I think he's going to be a star for us.

Transfer In - DL Gustavo Morales (22) - Free agent signing
Another expensive pickup at $8.5k a year, but I also dig his ratings - 10 Concentration, 18 Teamwork!, 14 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration, 11 Decisions, 10 Stamina. Played a lot for Puerto San Jose to poor results, but I think we can get a lot out of him.

Transfer In - DLR Jorge Gonzalez (19) - Free agent signing
16 Teamwork, 10 Work Rate, and 13 Stamina. Long way to go, but high upside (3.5*). Another Carcha castoff.

vs San Pedro (6th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterreso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

55 - Melvin Martinez in for Carlos Lopez. I forgot to put Jorge Gonzalez in the subs somehow. Hector Monzon for Fernandez

56 - Estrada recovers the corner kick and wings out right to Chavez. On the cross, we secure an own goal 1-0

87 - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 1-1

Fuck that asshole for saying they were the better team. They weren't. It was a bullshit lucky goal.


@ Huehueteco (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

Short rest, so wonky formation.

8 - Christian Rodriguez to Estrada for the tap left to Castillo. Box feed to Martinez and we *finally* break our scoring drought 1-0

17 - Castillo intercepts a free kick and a swarm of pale yellow shirts around him, blasts it all the way downfield into space for Lopez to pick up, run, and drive into the box. Keeper runs out and in goes the score! 2-0

47 - Horrendous defending 2-1

50 - Carlos Lopez for Molina; Gramajo moves to MR; Carlos Castillo comes in at MC

59 - Jose Rodriguez to Castillo on the right flank. Pass into space down the line for Gramajo who catches it and crosses so that Carlos Lopez can sink the insurance goal! 3-1

62 - Gramajo sails the free kick into the box, and Carlos Lopez beats everyone for his hat trick goal!!!! 4-1

79 - Carlos Castillo plays it right to Gramajo who puts in the box for Jorge Castillo and the score!!! Have we found a new star right winger? 5-1

https://i.imgur.com/wnYJgHz.jpg

Have I unlocked the best formation for this club?

The rout rises us up from 8th all the way to 3rd place. That's how close the table is in the early going.

vs Nueva Concepcion (5th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

8 - That was a terrible goal kick by Hernandez. Shocking 0-1

41 - One of the J Castillo guys on the corner. Martinez's header is blocked, but the ball bounces off Molina's head and he has the follow-through to walk the rebound in 1-1

57 - Jorge Gonzalez in for Jose Rodriguez; Estrada in for Chavez and striker shuffle

Unlucky not to win that one. Missed opportunity to consolidate our hold on 3rd place, but I'll take the draw. I'm still figuring this team out and where I can bring in fresh talent upgrades without spending too much money. Besides, I kinda like the $125k salary that it's at right now.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - GK Zefanias Joao (20) (Mozambican) - From Academia Mario Esteves Coluna - Free Transfer
$4.8k a year for two years on a hot prospect deal. High upside keeper (3-4*, depending on which staff member you ask) who will use one of our foreign player slots and immediately steps in as the #2 netminder behind star and likely soon to depart Jose Hernandez. 10 caps for Mozambique's senior team already. 15 Aerial Reach, 12 Handling, 11 One on Ones and Reflexes, 12 Agility, and not a single physical attribute under 8. Speaks Portuguese.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Eurico Cassama (19) (Guinea-Bissau) - From Os Balantas - $160
$3.3k a year for two years on a youngster deal. My staff's not high on him, but fuck them. I love his Mental attributes - 11 Decisions, 14 Flair, 11 Teamwork and Vision, 14 Work Rate. Has some work to do technically and physically, but he'll get there. Will be at least a part-time starter. Also speaks Portuguese.

@ Barillas FC (9th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Francisco Ortiz/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

20 - Jorge Castillo kicks back to Christian Rodriguez for the pass to Martinez, and boom shaka-laka there's the 25 yard blast into the net! 1-0

45 - WHY THE FUCK IS CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ TAKING CORNERS?! UGH!!!! 1-1

56 - Gonzalez for Morales

59 - Christian Rodriguez to Martinez for the perfect box play to Chavez, and there's his first ever Deer goal!!! 2-1

66 - Estrada in for Jorge Castillo and striker shuffle

81 - White-knuckle moments where after every single set piece that we're doing, we fuck it up and they launch a counter that should have scored but somehow miss. Christian Rodriguez short passes right to Gramajo for the box pass to Chavez and we get the achingly needed insurance goal!!! 3-1

Matching 9.0s for alliterative Carlos Chavez and Melvin Martinez, the former PotG. Shoutout also to Carlos Gramajo's 8.4 and Cristian Rodriguez's 8.6.

Loan Out - DR Jorge Rodriguez (32) - To Malacateco - 100% Salary Paid
Dump $10k in salary *and* ditch an old malcontent? Sounds like a winning scenario to me! Especially since our youth setup is costing us over $200k a year - more than we have budgeted for salary.

vs Aurora FC (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

We're ahead of these guys on a tertiary tiebreaker, so getting the win here would be really nice. Cool thing - 5 of our starting 11 are guys that I've personally brought into the club, so I'm really putting my stamp on this team in a short time.

56 - Monzon for Fernandez; Carlos Castillo for Cassama

57 - Morales is completely punked 0-1

83 - SON OF A BITCH! 0-2

92 - Embarrassing 0-3

Gustavo Morales conveniently hurts himself in training and will be shelved for over a month.

[Izulde]

@ Juventud Escuintleca (10th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

40 - Cassama to Martinez for the lateral to Chavez. Defender misses the interception and on the box feed to Castillo, the crowd of defenders is too late in catching up to prevent the ball piercing the net 1-0

59 - Estrada in for Martinez

66 - Molina makes a goal-saving interception and Chavez tracks down the loose ball. Booming kick down the left-center of the pitch lets Estrada use his fresh legs to outrun the defense and torch the keeper on the 1v1! Molina has been amazing, but he's also winded, so Ortiz comes in for him

77 - Cassama to Estrada for the first time lateral to Chavez. Pass into box space, and Castillo nails it to shut out any discussion of their coming back 3-0

78 - Bleh 3-1

90 - Horrible defending 3-2

3 assists gives Carlos Chavez and a 9.0 PotM. Also standout were Jorge Castillo (8.8), Eurico Cassama (7.6), and Juan Estrada (7.1 off the bench). Oh, and Luis Molina with an 8.2 before being subbed out as well.

We nearly blew that one as Zefanias Joao was nervy all match in his debut.

Mynor Monterroso is out over a month with injury.

So, there's 36 matches - split into what looks like an 18 game opening stage and an 18 game closing stage. I do some more digging and come across this:

Apertura and Clausura - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apertura_and_Clausura)

...Interesting. So there's essentially two seasons in one calendar year, and presumably a four or eight team playoff to determine who is the champion for that mini-season and gets the promotion spot I'm guessing 4 from Group A and 4 from Group B. Which would explain why los Veranos didn't go up the year they finished 1st in the league.

I'll play around with it and see. Anyway, we're halfway through the Apertura, and we're in 5th, one point out of a playoff spot, but well ahead of the 6th place team.

vs Halcones FC (6th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

12 - Beautiful charge by Cassama to snipe a clearance. He kicks the ball off the face of a defender and Martinez pounces on the rebound to pierce the upper net 1-0

31 - Gonzalez fucked that up. 1-1

51 - After yet another blown shot, Castillo is yanked for Estrada and we do our shuffle of strikers

61 - FUCK 1-2

62 - THIS 1-3

64 - Martinez scores but I won't give a shit unless we come back 2-3

76 - 3$%@#$^@^@%^#%^@%^@ 2-4

Jose Hernandez's value is tanking and I can't get rid of him fast enough. Ugh.

@ Barcena (4th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Joaquin Fernandez is out with injury over a month.

14 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES!!! 0-1

17 - CAN WE GET A FUCKING CALL, REF?! 0-2

19 - An answer as Chavez wings out to Gramajo for the back cross to Martinez and header in 1-2

43 - Gramajo is being hemmed by two defenders, but he lofts the ball over the heads and into the box for streaking Martinez to equalize 2-2

49 - Mario Molina for shitty ass DR Luis Molina

66 - Lopez Castellanos for Monzon at ML

71 - Cassama picks up a clearance and passes to Rodriguez. Box pass into space and Castillo drills in the diagonal go-ahead goal!!! 3-2

92 - Very last play of the game, they get a corner, and one of their dudes on a yellow gets whistled for a foul and a double yellow just as time expires!!! Holy shit!!!!

8.8 for Melvin Martinez, 8.5 for Jorge Castillo, 7.7 for Cristian Rodriguez and we don't have PotM.

Which is totally fine because we're in a playoff spot at 4th!

The board cries that we're losing money and need to sell players. MAYBE IF YOU DIDN'T SPEND OVER $230,000 A YEAR ON A YOUTH SETUP THAT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM!

JHRC.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/16qbc8a.jpg

So this fucker... He ruins the Young Warriors dynasty, then he somehow cons the board into taking my job. What does he do his first transfer window? Jettisons George Frederick, Chesley Henry, and Audwin Blackwood for nothing. Henry is at least somewhat defensible - Kelly Robinson and all. But Fort Road's best keeper and second best DC? Man... GTFO. And of course, they've already lost 0-2 to English Harbour.

So the board agrees to cut the junior coaching budget, but they refuse to cut back youth recruitment. I am not okay with this. Especially not when they decrease transfer revenue retaining to 10% because of their own irresponsibility.

vs Iztapa (2nd)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - One of their players handles the ball outside the box, and Martinez blasts in the free kick 1-0

55 - Carlos Castillo for Rodriguez; Estrada for Chavez and striker shuffle

82 - We go right to left with a series of passes, the last Estrada winging left to Monzon. He centers, and Carlos Castillo puts away the insurance! 2-0

Lots of 7.0s and 7.1s, with the stars 8.3 PotM by Melvin Martinez, 7.5 for Hector Monzon and 7.2 for Jose Carlos Castillo off the bench.

The victory also vaults us into 2nd place!

Because of our successes, the board pours in $150k in cash to keep us in the black for the season.

@ San Pedro (9th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

13 - WE WERE ROBBED OF A GOAL KICK!! ASSHOLE REFS!! HE WAS CLEARLY OVER THE FUCKING LINE WITH THE BALL!!! 0-1

21 - OFFSIDES! MOTHERFUCKING OFFSIDES!!!! 0-2

41 - Why is this team so fucking shit?! 0-3

88 - Because why the fuck not? 0-4

Transfer In - DL Robin Cabrera (21) - From Marquenese - $14k
I paid the full value sticker price for him - his team wanted more, and spent extra money to lock him into a 3 year deal rather than the 2 year he wanted. $4.8k is still a good price for a guy who immediately upgrades our weakest backline link. He was a 6.82 star for us as a loanee a couple years ago before I got here. 10 Tackling and Positioning, 14 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, and only Jumping Reach and Balance are below 11 of Physical Attributes at 7, and he has 16 Stamina! Great find.

Transfer Out - MC Byron Monterroso - To Jocotan FC - $4.8k with potential escalation
Staggered deal that will pay out almost $5k and could go more with incentives, plus 30% of future sale price. I normally would have haggled, but it was right up against the deadline and it was great value for a player who was only worth $425, so I took it.

vs Huehueteco (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

11 - We were robbed of a PK earlier. Here, Martinez escapes the wall by belting out right to Gramajo, who has no one around him. On the center, Castillo knocks the header in 1-0

32 - GRAH!!! 1-1

46 - @#%$# 1-2

54 - FUCK THIS SHITLORD TEAM 1-3

@ Nueva Concepion (9th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - Cassama plays it right to Gramajo for the box feed to Castillo and while he scores, we've seen this movie before 1-0

15 - Cassama to Gramajo. Cross to Martinez, but the defender heads it away. Too bad Castillo leaps up to sink the counter header into the net. I'm really liking the way my two signings have bonded well. 2-0

22 - Remember when I had good goalies who actually performed to their ratings? Fort Road and Pepperidge Farm remember 2-1

30 - Cassama plays right to Castillo. Box pass to Chavez, and amidst bullshit cries of offsides, he strides forward and scores 3-1

32 - Fernandez recovers a clearance and sends it right back into the box, to Chavez, and my ratings wonder strokes his second goal of the game 4-1

66 - Cassama laterals to Rodriguez for the go-ahead ball to Castillo. Pop ball into the box, and Chavez slams his hat-trick!!!! 5-1

77 - Can't stop those, but off go Ortiz and Molina for Mario Lopez and Gonzalez respectively anyway 5-2

86 - Gramajo to Castillo, who runs over the defender en route to Rodriguez in the box, who somehow scores his first goal of the year 6-2

88 - ..... 6-3

89 - ......... ...... 6-4

9.5 PotM - Carlos Chavez
9.4 - Jorge Castillo
8.0 - Joaquin Fernandez; Cristian Rodriguez

We damn near fucking blew this one.

And of course Zefanias Joao gets a fucking sports hernia and is out almost 2 months. Meaning we have to rely on our OTHER disappointing as shit keeper for the final 3 games to try and stay alive in 4th place or even move up.

[Izulde]

vs Barillas FC (5th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - Chavez retreats from a defender and passes out right to alone Gramajo for the surge forward and cross to Martinez. Score is easy 1-0

5 - Of course 1-1

6 - Cabrera throws in to Cassama, who dribbles right along the box until he cuts in and shoots. Keeper stops it, but can't hang on to the ball, and Chavez charges in to pop in the immediate answer rebound 2-1

25 - There's a whole lot of triangulated passing on the left side after a throw-in until Cassama boots it right to Gramajo for the run and cross to Martinez. BAM! Goal #10 on the season for the 17 year old 3-1

39 - Rodriguez holds up play, then dribbles down the middle of the pitch with a cushion. Pass forward to Chavez, wing out right to Gramajo, return cross, and Chavez knocks in another goal 4-1

62 - Fernandez takes the outlet pass and sends it to Martinez in the box. Defender wipes out our young striker, but the ball rolls on to Chavez for his hat trick!!!!! 5-1

63 - Estrada for Castillo and striker shuffle; Monzon for Fernandez

67 - Cassama taps back to Rodriguez for the long ground pass to Chavez in the box. Defender tackles him from behind, but that just sends the ball into the path of Martinez for his hat trick!!! 6-1

82 - Can't stop that Chinese-Guatemelan guy from scoring 6-2

86 - Rodriguez with the short pass to Chavez in the box. Outlet right to Gramajo and cross to Martinez for yet another goal! 7-2

https://i.imgur.com/XEhDyEN.jpg

The one slight tweak I made was to put Cristian Rodriguez on a DLP (D) duty to try and stop the bleeding of goals. Seems to have helped.

Melvin Martinez sets records with his 4 goals, and I forgot to mention, but the 10 goal fest of a couple games ago also broke team and league records.

My staff continues to hate on Eurico Cassama and Carlos Chavez, but they're #5 and #3 in average rating, and Cassama tops out Pass Completion % at 85 and is tied for 1st in shot % with 50 with Francisco Ortiz.

@ Aurora FC (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

2 - Fernandez picks up a clearance and plays a gorgeous longball into space for Chavez. Run into the box, cross right to Castillo, and there's the score 1-0

8 - Castillo's got heavy pressure, so he shoots it out right to Gramajo, who teams stubbornly refuse to hone in on. By the time the defender gets there, the ball's already on its way back into the box, where Fernandez, our Uruguayan left winger who got criticized early on and lost his starting job, hits his first ever Venados goal!!!!! 2-0

50 - And this is where we start imploding I'm sure 2-1

52 - Cassama sneaks the ball past the defender to Fernandez for a stunning ball into the box that flying Castillo puts in for an immediate answer! 3-1

57 - Horrible corner kick defense 3-2

58 - Cassama to Gramajo for the short pass left in the box to Castillo. Center to Chavez and I guess it's going to be that kind of game 4-2

59 - Molina moves in to DC, with Gonzalez the new DR

71 - fuck you Molina 4-3

72 - GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!!!!!! 4-4

Thanks to our fucking TERRIBLE SHIT GO DIE IN A FUCKING FIRE DEFENSE AND KEEPER, we now have to win our next game to guarantee going to the playoffs.

vs Juventud Escuintleca (10th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Juan Estrada/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Francisco Ortiz is off on international duty and Melvin Martinez gets food poisoning the day of the game.

39 - l%#$^@#%^@^@ 0-1

40 - Cassama pops it up to Estrada for the cross and score to Castillo but we need to fucking win this match 1-1

51 - Estrada takes the longball and slams the high cross to Castillo for the go-ahead goal! 2-1

56 - Carlos Castillo in at MR; Tired Cassama out and Lopez Castellanos in with an MC switch.

9.0 for Juan Estrada, 8.8 for Jorge Castillo, 7.7 for Luis Molina, and a well-deserved 9.1 PotM for Jose Hernandez, the much-maligned keeper.

We finish 3rd in Group A in the Opening Stage and are going up against Achuapa, who finished 2nd in Group B.

Note: I don't know how promotions work at all. It looks like the Opening Stage doesn't matter in terms of promotion, because Aurora FC won the tournament last year and didn't promote up.

It looks like there's one team that's guaranteed promotion to the top league, with possible 2nd depending on playoffs. I imagine that only applies to the Closing Stage? Not sure. Really getting annoyed with this setup, especially since it clutters the history page with Opening Stage and Closing Stage standing finishes.

So I may bail on this team after a year or half-year.

[Izulde]

Jose Carlos Castillo is mentoring Eurico Cassama.

vs Achuapa (Quarter Final First Leg)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Juan Estrada/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

55 - Estrada to Fernandez for the sliver window box pass to Chavez. Dribble and score! 1-0

59 - Hernandez should have stopped that 1-1

62 - Gonzalez for Cabrera; Molina out to DR with Lopez in at DC

69 - Well, forget advancing 1-2

92 - PATHETHEIHOAHSGOAWHRFGOAWEHTAWHTO3W4HT34OGO9ADFYAE9FGY6R9Y34963Y49TY 1-3

@ Achuapa (Quarter Final Second Leg)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Long story short, we draw 1-1. I quit the next day and go on a long vacation until June 20th.

When I come back, there's no job openings that interest me, so I wait some more until one comes up that intrigues. And then I take it.

I took a job but their previous success bothered me, so I jumped ship. I did, however, vastly improve their staff situation before leaving.

Come to think of it, I really should have stayed in Antigua & Barbuda. Much to my amusement, Desmond Kirwan quickly found himself sacked - 2 days after I quit los Veranos, but I was already on vacation. After a long search, they promoted Ivor Parker, the assman I'd hired, to permanent manager.

But then I find myself back where I belong... in Antigua & Barbuda.

https://i.imgur.com/5IfvDSY.png
Old Road (ATG

A happy surprise here - Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew are already part of the team, and so is the meh Calaum Abraham. Good - you already know we're installing my old 4-3-3. Oh, Randolph Edwards is here, too.

There's two games left, and Old Road (ATG) is already on their way down. Ivor Parker won the Premier Division title with Fort Road.

@ Parham FC (7th)
G: Rolston Jeremy
D: Randolph Edwards/Kieran Chiddick/Anton Luke/Calaum Abraham
M: Rolston Williams/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Kamali Abraham/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

13 - Fucking free kicks 0-1

15 - Our defense needs a LOT of work 0-2

40 - Muhammed runs down a ball to the touchline and crosses to Williams for the kick back center, and Benjamin nails it 1-2

43 - I can not wait until we start upgrading this shitty as fuck backline 1-3

46 - But it won't be today 1-4

64 - Edwards plays down the left flank into space for Williams, who hits Muhammed on the cross for the score 2-4

82 - Chiddick on the free kick plays it right to Muhammed for the longball down the flank to Benjamin. Cross, and Kamali Abraham pops it in with ease 3-4

vs Freemansville (6th)
G: Rolston Jeremy
D: Randolph Edwards/Grey Guy/Anton Luke/Grey Guy
M: Rolston Williams/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Kamali Abraham/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Because yellows.

7 - I hate shitty keepers 0-1

12 - I mean, sure.. we'll take that goal by a grey guy on Williams' corner 1-1

32 - Next season will be better. Next season will be better. 1-2

45 - Williams run and cross to Benjamin. Shot blocked. Shot blocked. Poke forward and Matthew finally fights his way in to kick the ball in 2-2

57 - Zaine Roberts in for Benjamin, who has stunk today

58 - Williams blasts it down the pitch to Abraham who dribbles in for the 1v1 and scores! 3-4-3 switch as Molvin Hughes-Mason (not the guy you're thinking of) comes in as a second MC and grey guy goes off. 3-2

60 - Hughes-Mason plays out right to Muhammed and box delivery to Roberts results in a score and the kid's first goal of the year! 4-2

PotM and 9.0 for Junior Muhammed, 8.7 for Rolston Williams, 8.3 for Kamali Abraham, 7.1 for Zaine Roberts off the bench.

And now come in a couple of transfers to start fixing this backline mess.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DC Anderson Derrick (22) - From Fort Road
Okay, so $12.5k a year seems like a ton and is more than I ever doled out to any Fort Road player. But salaries have been creeping up in this little island country, and we've locked him down on a 4 year deal! Initially, my boy didn't want to come here, but I sold him on being an Icon.

Initial Ratings: 13 Marking, 12 Tackling, 16 Aggression, 17 Bravery, 11 Decisions, 16 Teamwork, 15 Work Rate, 13 Jumping Reach

Current Ratings: 12 Decisions, 15 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 14 Jumping Reach, 15 Strength - everything else the same. Okay, so he improved on Decisions, Jumping Reach, and become an absolute workhorse in Strength.

Transfer In - DLR Terrence Lewis (24) - From Fort Road
$7k a season is more than I wanted to pay, but he's played far too well in my system to not bring him in. Plus, he starred last season with a 6.8 rating, so is ready to be a full-time DL starter.

Everyone else we try to get is either playing in Trinidad & Tobago: (George Frederick, Connor Hughes-Mason) or refuses to move down a level.

Going forward, I want a DR and a third striker - preferably one who can play DLF. Another keeper would help, too.

Youth Signings
GK Reece Christian (16)
A 6'8, 198 lbs behemoth with 11 Aerial Reach, 10 Handling, 14 Reflexes, he has a long way to go on Agility, which is what I'll train him up in. Rolston Jeremy is probably better overall right now, but he's been awful, so Christian gets the nod as the starter for next season. 4* potential, too.

ST Victor Chiddick (16)
Not the DLF I'm looking for, but 14 Finishing, 13 Flair, 10 Acceleration and 4* Potential mean he's worth a crack, even if he might not play immediately.

MC Terrence Harriette (16)
10 First Touch and Passing, 10 Decisions, 17 Determination!, 12 Teamwork and Vision = say hello to our new MC.

Transfer Out - DC Anton Luke (27) - To Piggotts Bullets
Never liked him and he was always going to be buried in our suddenly strengthened backline. Nice to move his salary off our books.

Loan Out - ST Kelly Matthew - To Parham FC - 100% Salary Paid
More than pleased to see his high salary get paid for the rest of the season.

Loan Out - DLC Randolph Edwards - To West Ham (ATG) - 100% Salary Paid
Keep offering to cover my expensive guys for the rest of the season!

Transfer Out - GK Rolston Jeremy (24) - To SAP FC
He came up as a youth pull for us, then went to SAP FC, where he became a fan favorite. Back here where he actually played great outside of the two games I saw him, but we offload his shitty salary, and he takes a paycut to $6k to be back with a club he loves. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Bo Benjamin is appointed the new Captain, Terrence Lewis the Vice-Captain.

Loan Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham - To Potter's Tigers - 100% Salary Paid
Keep on lowering our payroll, guys!

Transfer In - DRC James Smith (18) - From Bassa SC - $40 P/A
I'm quietly intrigued by his 14 Acceleration, 9 Pace, and 12 Bravery. Has a long way to go, but could be a hidden gem.

Rolston Williams joins the parade of loanees who are getting paid by other teams.

Transfer In ST/AMLR Junior Edwards (18) - From Celtic (ATG)
$3.3k a year for 2 years. Not the most exciting player, but does have 12 Teamwork and 11 Stamina, and should slot in as our DLF. 3*/4* by a lot of my staff, so he's a very cheap signing who could produce.

Transfer In - MR/AMR Kelly Murtagh (17) - From English Harbour - $65 P/A
Yes, there's a lot to hate about his game. But he's good physically, including 12 Acceleration and 10 Pace, and 13 Bravery and Flair. He'll immediately link up with Junior Muhammed to try and improve his game. The signing gets bashed but they can go fuck themselves.

Transfer In - ML Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin (22) - From Fort Road
Okay, so this screwup is on me. I somehow missed that he was willing to take a committed contract, so I'm paying him $35 P/A plus $11.5k a year. :banghead: :banghead: But it's absolutely worth it to bring in yet another guy who was a star in my setup.

The end of season team meeting bombs spectacularly. Lots of the guys I just signed will be looking for transfers, including Anderson Derrick. I'll need to prove them wrong is all.

I extend my staff to two year deals for same or slight increases, then talk the board into letting me hire another coach. By the time we're done, all training areas are 2*, with the exception of GK Handling, which is 2.5*.

Slight bump in jersey sponsorship from $9.37k to $14.25k per year despite our relegation. That's what happens when you have a 30% reputation manager who is bringing in his old players to restore luster to a fallen team.

We crash to the 13th best reputation club in Antigua & Barbuda. Fort Road reclaims the top spot. Old Road once upon top finished 3rd and 2nd in the Premier Division, and they've won the FA Cup a couple teams, the last in 2012-13, so this is about me reviving a team who was once a power in the country... and hopefully becoming the first Legend.

Transfer In - DLR Lloyd Simon (24)
Another former Fort Road player, he was decent as a First Division player for us, and we're so weak at the DR spot, he'll get the nod as a starter for $3.3k a year for two seasons.

Transfer Out - DLC Randolph Edwards (25) - To Villa Lions
I hated this dude at Fort Road and I hated him here. More than happy to wipe out his $6k/year contract off our books, and he signs for $5.5k/year with his new squad.

Loan In - DLCR Lawson Simon (17) - From Piggotts Bullets
We may be looking at more transfers out on our backline, and this raw kid with 12 Teamwork and 14 Aggression deserves a look to see if he's a good fit for us.

Transfer Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham (29) - To Villa Lions
Clear out his $6.5k/year salary (like Randolph Edwards he accepted a drop to $5.5k)? Sounds good to me! I don't know why the Lions want our busts so bad, but in both cases, the fans were happy to see these guys leave.

People keep trying to get Kelly Matthew on loan or transfer. I keep telling them to fuck off. He's my boy, damn it!

Transfer In - DL/WBL/ML/AML Hazeley Blackwood (21) - From Parham FC
I'm quietly intrigued by this 14 Teamwork, 11 Pace, solid all-around physical attributes kid - enough to pay him $4.3k a year and beat out Swetes FC and All Saints United FC.

Loan Out - ML/AML Trevor Edwards (18) - To Grenades
They fired my main assman guy and I love a lot of this kid's ratings, but right now he's super raw, and will be behind a few of the other dudes at the ML spot.

Promotion Odds
Old Road (ATG): Even
Willikies: Even
SAP FC: 6-4
Hoppers: 8-1
Liberta FC: 33-1
Five Islands: 33-1

Writes a journalist:


That Old Road team looks a lot like the Fort Road team Izulde Jestor turned into the most powerful club in Antigua & Barbuda. 6 of the starting 11 players have suited up for him before, most notably Anderson Derrick and Ranjae Jahlraldo-Martin. While Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew have disappointed so far in their time here, being restored to Jestor's old scheme will again see the goals accumulate, and only a lack of quality in goal could prevent an automatic promotion

vs Willikies
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Rolston Williams/Terrence Harriette/Kelly Murtagh
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Kamali Abraham

Between preseason games and international call-ups, to say nothing of injuries to Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew, we're fucked in terms of our opening game lineup. I fully expect a loss here.

14 - Former Fort Roader Chesley Willett is going to crush us today 0-1

17 - Fuck you. Injury to Abraham

27 - FUCK. YOU! INJURY TO EDWARDS

56 - Walsh's day off ends as he goes to MC. Smith is in at DR

63 - Willett is sent off with a double yellow.

But we're too tired, too injured to take advantage.

@ SAP FC (8th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/James Smith/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Bo Benjamin/Victor Chiddick

We're still exhausted and have just two healthy strikers because the game likes to fuck with me on striker injuries.

Another loss is likely.

37 - Muhammed runs back to get a bad pass and delivers into the box, where Benjamin, despite starting at 86% and VC at 76% (this is how bullshit it is), manages to beat the defense and put it away 1-0

58 - Blackwood is in for Walsh and Kieran Chiddick's day of rest ends, with Simon getting benched

61 - Of course they score. OF FUCKING COURSE 1-1

71 - Derrick is on for Smith, who gave up that equalizer

81 - THAT WAS FUSCKSOGHAOHA OLFFSIDESDS!#$%!@#%$%!@# 1-2

89 - Now that was just funny. Defense runs back and gets the ball, and the defender tries to clear from the penalty box. Benjamin blocks the clearance with his body and the ball bounces into the net. Hey, we'll take it anyway we can 2-2

And of course THERE'S ANOTHER FUCKING INJURY! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: This time it's Lloyd Simon out for a month.

The amount of bullshit is fucking unreal.

[Izulde]

vs Otto's Rangers (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Bo Benjamin/Victor Chiddick

34 - We're backed up after a failed corner and Simon has it on the right wing. He dribbles forward a bit, holds up, then cracks a longball cross to the left side, where Jahraldo-Martin sinks his first Old Road goal! 1-0

60 - Murtagh in at MR; Blackwood for Walsh

65 - Benjamin draws the PK in the box, and Victor Chiddick hammers it to score his first Old Road goal! 2-0

90 - Figures 2-1

We finally won, but we played like ass and were very lucky to get the 3 points to jump us up from 10th to 5th.

@ Urlings (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We *finally* get to use our preferred formation.

13 - Matthew taps it left to Jahraldo-Martin, who initially went forward too far and had to go back. Cross to Harriette and the header bangs off the upper bar, but he gets his own rebound on the drop and walks it in for his first Old Road goal!!!! 1-0

29 - Harriette passes up to Benjamin for the quick give to Matthew. He immediately passes it left in the box to Edwards, and the first Old Road goals continue! 2-0

41 - Harriette crosses right to Muhammed for the dribble into the box and cross. Edwards rushes in and knocks in his second score 3-0

44 - Our set piece defending is ass 3-1

62 - Blackwood on for Jahraldo-Martin

Matching 8.0s for Junior Muhammed and Terrence Harriette, but it was always going to be Junior Edwards' 8.8 that was PotM.

vs Hoppers (10th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

2 - Lewis takes the safety valve pass from Jahraldo-Martin, who was so fast on the counter, Muhammed couldn't catch up on the cross and so we had to backtrack. Center to Harriette for the box feed to Benjamin, and just as the defender gets there, our striker buries the mid-range shot 1-0

21 - Benjamin is tackled from behind in the box, drawing a PK, and he converts his own try. He already has 4 goals this season, which I believe equals the amount he had all of last year. Artemis bless the 4-3-3. 2-0

54 - Victor Chiddick subs in for Matthew

57 - And of course Victor Chiddick is injured immediately after stepping on the field.

63 - Murtagh for Muhammed

74 - Smith for Derrick, who just missed a double yellow here.

75 - Eyeroll 2-1

We win, but we really were ass in the second half, despite my warnings not to get complacent. Victor Chiddick will miss a couple weeks with a toe injury, and of course our other backup striker, Kamali Abraham, goes out over a month a few days later. I hate this game because of how frequently it likes to injure my strikers.

@ Liberta FC (9th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kieran Chiddick/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

4 of our guys are still out on U-20 internationals duty, so we're having a less than ideal lineup for this game. It stinks because we finally have propelled our way up to 2nd and auto-promotion.

9 - Awful 0-1

12 - Benjamin has heavy pressure so he crosses left to Jahraldo-Martin. Our right winger dribbles towards the interior of the pitch, drawing the defense, then suddenly passes right to Edwards just inside the box. The beautiful power stroke goes home 1-1

15 - We're just getting eaten alive out there 2-1

20 - Chiddick to Muhammed, but the attempted pass in to Benjamin is kicked away. Ball sprawls left and Jahraldo-Martin drills in the distance shot from outside the box! 2-2

33 - JFC 2-3

35 - Jahraldo-Martin's cross is cleared, but Muhammed beats them to the ball and hammers his own long-range shot from outside the box. It's just really that kind of game 3-3

49 - Smith subs in for Lawson Simon and Lewis is yanked for Blackwood

56 - Edwards passes right to Matthew for the box entry pass to Benjamin. He fires in a gap between two defenders and we *finally* take the lead for the first time today 4-3

64 - HE WAS FUCKING OFFSIDES!!!!!! 4-4

70 - Benjamin charges to recover a tackled loose ball and passes to Chiddick for the first touch pass to Matthew in the box. Midrange shot goes home, and we continue in this mad goalfest 5-4

76 - Simon throws in to Benjamin, gets it back, and slams a screaming cross into the box that hits Edwards for the walk-in insurance goal!!!! 6-4

88 - FML we can not stop that one asshole no matter what we do. 4 goals he's scored, despite going in everything on him 6-5

https://i.imgur.com/3wkp0R2.jpg

Just to give you an indication of how lopsided the game was re: defense vs offense. James Smith had a 6.6 off the bench; Hazeley Blackwood an abysmal 6.2.

This win was vital because it gave us temporary possession of 1st place and ensured that we'll at least stay in the playoff spots despite having to do the same bullshit next game. That's what happens when your best MCs and your only good keeper keep getting called up to the U20s.

Edit: The game damn near ended in a tie, too. They got clear shots in stoppage time and frankly should have converted.

[Izulde]

@ Villa Lions (6th
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/James Smith
M: Hazeley Blackwood/Kieran Chiddick/Kelly Murtagh
S: Junior Edwards/Mervyn Challenger/Bo Benjamin

There's an FA Cup game in a few days, so we'll fiddle with the lineup some.

3 - Benjamin kicks back to Chiddick for the pass to Edwards in the half-circle. In the ball goes to Challenger just inside the box, who is our only healthy backup striker, and he scores! I don't even know in his ratings - I just put him in to save Matthew for the Cup game. 1-0

4 - Derrick with the interception on the ensuing kickoff and he blasts it middle of the pitch to Benjamin. Taking the short give is Challenger for the long, loping rope out to the left sideline. Edwards gets there before Blackwood, dribbles, and hits the fierce cross. Defender misses the interception and Benjamin hits the short-range score 2-0

At the half, Blackwood shifts inside to MC and Williams comes on at ML, because Chiddick has made a ton of mistakes and we can preserve him for the trophy game.

69 - Lloyd Simon's day off ends as he comes on at DR

8.3 PotM award for Mervyn Challenger, even though we were mediocre outside of him.

@ SAP FC (FA Cup First Round)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Victor Chiddick

Due to energy issues, we're fielding our 3-4-3 today that you'll recognize from Fort Road's closing out of games. First time it's been a go from the onset, I think.

18 - Muhammed outmuscles the defender on Christian's goal kick and passes down to Victor Chiddick. He has his own fight past a defender and delivers to Harriette in the box. Center to Matthew and the keeper blocks the shot, but Harriette nicely sinks the rebound. 1-0

47 - Walsh with the short pass left to Jahraldo-Martin. He dribbles towards the interior of the pitch, and just as two defenders are about to gang-tackle him, his booming cross hits Victor Chiddick in the box for the insurance score! 2-0

61 - Too hard a deflection by Christian leads to a rebound goal. Edwards is off for Benjamin; Jahraldo-Martin moves inside to replace Walsh, and Williams is on at ML 2-1

74 - Lawson Simon for exhausted Kieran Chiddick. Not playing due to yellows suspension is Anderson Derrick

92 - After withstanding two should've scored counters by them, Harriette laterals right to Benjamin for the long ground pass to Matthew in the box. They've hammered my boy all game and he *finally* breaks free with a mid-range shot seconds before the whistle to clinch the win 3-1

PotM 8.8 for Kelly Matthew and 8.1 for Terrence Harriette.

You know I always get screwed over in FA Cup draws, right? Happened again for our next round.

vs Swetes FC (2nd)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We were supposed to play another team a few days before this but that match got cancelled due to shitty pitch conditions. Works out fine for me, as I'd rather play our closest challengers first.

2 - How the fuck did Chiddick let that own goal happen?! 0-1

46 - Harriette blasts the ball down the right flank to Benjamin's run. He gets there, and despite two defenders, manages to cross to Matthew for the equalizer just before half 1-1

55 - Lawson Simon replaces Lloyd Simon and we switch to a 3-4-3, with Blackwood as the second MC

74 - Victor Chiddick is on for Matthew

We didn't deserve to draw. We played like shit, and the fact that we would have won if not for that own goal is insane to me.

@ Celtic ATG (8th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We've fallen to 2nd thanks to a 2 week layoff, but have 2 games in hand. We also have 2 games on short rest, and our best keeper is off on international duty yet again. Terrence Harriette got his first cap for Antigua & Barbuda's senior team in just his first year of playing, which is awesome.

3 - Edwards to Matthew in the half-circle, and he taps back to Benjamin. Dribbling to join his striker-mate in the half-circle is Benjamin and his long shot goes in. This version of Bo has been far superior to the Fort Road one, who was plagued by inconsistency 1-0

13 - Lewis intercepts a clearance and plays it down the left flank to Jahraldo-Martin. Cross, and streaking Benjamin bangs in his 50th career league goal!!! 2-0

14 - Edwards to Benjamin for the wing out left to Jahraldo-Martin. Another cross, and this time it's Muhammed who knocks it in. 3-0

25 - Benjamin lines up the free kick outside the box and nails it for his first half hat trick!!!! 4-0

54 - Out because of a yellow is Jahraldo-Martin. In is Blackwood

63 - Can't stop those 4-1

85 - Simon throws in to unmarked Muhammed and he kicks it into the box, where Edwards rips through the tired defense to add another goal. The keeper throws a temper tantrum, which is hilarious to watch 5-1

https://i.imgur.com/IsjsRI5.jpg

Great win to not only put us back in 1st, but also on top of the GD charts.

[Izulde]

@ Bassa SC (11th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kieran Chiddick/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Don't let the 11th place fool you - they've several games in hand on the teams above them. Plus, you know, shitty keeper and MC depth issues.

He's already wiped at half, so Chiddick is out for Harriette, who himself isn't exactly daisy fresh, but a damn sight better, at half. Then again I'm telling them off for dragging ass out there after last game's goal party.

55 - Bullshit 35 yard strike 0-1

57 - Derrick can sit and think about how much a disappointment he is while we switch to the 3-4-3 with Blackwood as second MC

74 - Challenger for Matthew

92 - FUCK YOU!!!! THE BALL CROSSED THE SIDELINE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUR FUCKING THROW-IN!!!! 0-2

@ Wilikies (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

10 - Blackwood, who along with Chiddick already has a yellow, passes right to Harriette for the triangle to Jahraldo-Martin. Pass to Edwards straddling the box line and the screaming shot curls into the corner of the net 1-0

47 - Derrick with the interception and pass to Harriette. Booming high ball out to the right flank for Muhammed who dribbles and crosses to Matthew for the usual punishing of the team I first stole him from 2-0

53 - Derrick with a shin injury because of fucking course. Smith his replacement

69 - Harriette with the longball down the pitch to Benjamin in the box. He keeps dribbling and opts to take the shot himself rather than pass off. Greed is good, because he scores 3-0

77 - Walsh in for phenomenal but tired Harriette

89 - Blackwood, you knob! Earns himself a double yellow. No worries - 3 man backline with Lloyd Simon at DL, Chiddick at DC, and Smith at DR

Every starter except Lloyd Simon had 7.1 or higher, including Blackwood. The 8+ stars were Junior Muhammed (8.6), PotM Terrence Harriette (8.9), Bo Benjamin (8.1), and Junior Edwards (8.3).

But there's bad news bears ahead. Not only is Hazeley Blackwood going to sit, so is Kieran Chiddick. BTW, in scoring his 10th goal, Bo Benjamin breaks Vernan Joseph's team record.

We keep ping-ponging the league lead with Swetes. Also lurking in potential takeover of the top spot is SAP FC, who have been equally dominant.

[Izulde]

@ Wadadli (FA Cup Second Round)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

3-4-3 because of suspensions and whatnot. Really shitty draw here, on the road at a Premier team.

5 - Oh look, a bullshit 30 yard strike 0-1

44 - We've had so many fucking shots that should have gone in but they haven't. Meanwhile, these assholes keep striking lucky 0-2

64 - Victor Chiddick for Matthew. Lawson Simon went in for Derrick at halftime.

71 - :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 0-3

vs Five Islands (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

25 - We are absolute ASS at defending set pieces 0-1

26 - Edwards plays it out right to Mohammed on the ensuing kickoff, and Matthew nails the center header for the immediate answer 1-1

46 - #$@#%^@#$%#$%^@ 1-2

48 - After that bullshit just before half goal, 3-4-3 with both our DCs yanked for Lawson Simon and Hazeley Blackwood

66 - Chiddick for Benjamin

69 - Chiddick with the little pop ball to Jahraldo-Martin for the smash header to Edwards in the box. He waits, finds his spot, and sinks the equalizer 2-2

I get on Anderson Derrick's ass after that game. We should have won despite the meltdowns. We're now in 3rd, although we do have a game in hand on leader SAP FC and a staggering 3 games in hand on 2nd place Villa Lions, both of whom we're 3 points behind.

vs Urlings (12th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

4 - Unfuckingbelievable 0-1

39 - Chiddick's corner is cleared, but Edwards gets it and puts it back in the box. A defender kicks it towards his teammate, but the pass is off, and Derrick sinks his first Old Road goal 1-1

45 - JHRC! A BULLSHIT PK. and of course they convert 1-2

50 - Chiddick is yanked for Lawson Simon

54 - Off goes Matthew for Victor Chiddick

69 - Lewis charges to intercept and blast it to Benjamin in the box. Shot's rejected, but Benjamin is there first to cross and finally Edwards equalizes 2-2

84 - Double yellow for Derrick. FFS. Blackwood on for Jahraldo-Martin

We drop to 4th place.

Bo Benjamin and Junior Muhammed get a one year contract extension and a slight payraise. The board isn't too happy with me right now - if this constant fuckery keeps up, I could be gone by the end of the year.

My name comes up in a post for a Trinidad and Tobago top league club. Not interested, but thanks.

@ Otto's Rangers (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

6 - Harriette to Matthew with a short pass to Edwards in the box, and for the first time in forever, we start strong 1-0

8 - Harriette intercepts a clearance, wings out left to Jahraldo-Martin, and the angry cross has the keeper completely confused en route to a Benjamin bang-in. 2-0

33 - FUCK YOU!!!! BENJAMIN WAS ONSIDES!!!!

74 - Blackwood for Jahraldo-Martin

79 - Injury to Benjamin because of course this game *has* to fuck me any time I snap out of a funk. Victor Chiddick in

7.9 for Kelly Matthew and 8.0 for PotM Junior Edwards as we finally staunch the bleeding.

But it's only good for a move up to 3rd.

[Izulde]

@ Swetes FC (2nd)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Victor Chiddick

62 - Blackwood for Harriette; Challenger for Matthew

72 - Murtagh in for Muhammed

A nothing burger game.

Anderson Derrick breaks his leg in training and is out 7-8 months - you know, the guy eating up most of our payroll with $12.5k a year.

@ Hoppers (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Hazeley Blackwood/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

They fired Terrence Beckles, which I'm sad about.

2 - Chiddick on the corner to Harriette. It's headed away, but Matthew has the distance shot on the rebound. Defender blocks it, and Benjamin barges in to convert the third chance 1-0

14 - Harriette clears a corner to Matthew, who has to win a fight with the defender for the ball. Rocket into space for Benjamin, who dribbles into the box. Doesn't like his shot, so he crosses where no one is. Here comes Blackwood finally, and on the center, Matthew nods the header in 2-0

22 - Benjamin's corner connects with Lawson Simon's head for his first ever Old Road goal! The loanee still hasn't convinced me to bring him on long-term, but he'll get his chance to prove it with Derrick lost for the season. 3-0

39 - Lloyd Simon charges to beat them to a clearance and passes to Muhammed. Ball swings into box space, and Matthew drifts right to dart the ball between two defenders and into the net. That's his 50th league goal!!! 4-0

58 - Merg. 4-1

62 - Smith for Chiddick; Victor Chiddick on for Edwards and switch with Benjamin

All full-time starters except the keeper were 7.0 or better, the 8+ stars Terrence Harriette with 8.2, Bo Benjamin with 8.3, and PotM Kelly Matthew with a 9.2.

vs Liberta FC (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

46 - JFC 0-1

51 - Smith for Chiddick; Chiddick for Matthew

71 - It's like we're not even trying 0-2

And back down to 3rd we go.

vs Villa Lions (4th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

A two month injury to Terrence Harriette pretty much deep-sixes are hopes for auto-promotion.

7 - Sigh 0-1

46 - Muhammed with the cross to Edwards and of course it bounces off the bar. Edwards does sink his own rebound tho 1-1

50 - Victor Chiddick for Benjamin; Smith for Lawson Simon

57 - Jahraldo-Martin is dribbling down the left flank when he cracks a cross that fresh Victor Chiddick rises up and smashes the header in on 2-1

It was a gnarly, choppy game, with Christopher Walsh's 7.5 PotM and Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin's 7.4 were our best showings.

vs Celtic (ATG) (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Terrence Lewis
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

6 - Walsh forward to Edwards at the touchline, and on the cross, it's a Benjamin bang-in. 1-0

8 - Jahraldo-Martin at the touchline, and center to Matthew. Shot staggers keeper, sliding tackle rebound makes him fall, and finally the third attempt by Matthew goes in 2-0

20 - Blackwood throws in to Edwards for the kickback to Jahraldo-Martin. Cross and Benjamin buries it 3-0

30 - A fucking stupid own goal by Christian. JHRC 3-1

30 - Edwards with the booming flare to the right flank. Muhammed shorts it to Matthew, who needs time to trap and control before dribbling and firing the immediate answer 4-1

79 - We now have ZERO healthy true MCs, as Walsh is out with injury. Blackwood moves up and in, Lewis switches to DL and Smith comes in at DR. Like I said, every time I start doing well, this game fucks me in the ass.

Sure enough, Christopher Walsh is out 5-6 months.

https://i.imgur.com/JDCn8O6.jpg

We clinched playoff play at least.

But Terrence Lewis and Lawson Simon are both out next game on yellows, which, combined with our other injuries, means our backline is just as fucked as our MC spot. I totally don't know what I'm going to do now.

[Izulde]

vs Bassa SC (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/James Smith/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

Ugly lineup with no backups on the backline. It is what it is.

17 - Matthew intercepts a throw-in and passes to Victor Chiddick in the box. Shot bounces off a defender, but Edwards gets it, sets up his shot, and slots it in to put us ahead 1-0

We pick up 4 yellows in the first half alone - every single one of our defenders.

57 - Challenger in for Benjamin and striker shuffle; williams on for Jahraldo-Martin

82 - Williams gets the ball after it pops loose deep in our half. He wings out right to Victor Chiddick for the beautiful flank ball down the line to Muhammed. Dribble all the way down the right side and cross, and Edwards' header goes in for the insurance! Murtagh comes on for our exhausted MR immediately after 2-0

9.0 and PotM for Junior Edwards, 8.6 for Junior Muhammed as we played a solid, total team game to get the win.

vs SAP FC (1st)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

This is a huge swing match. It's their last game of the year, so if we can beat them here, we're guaranteed to finish 2nd, as we're a point behind. If we lose, we're out of the running for 1st and will need help from Swetes FC to avoid the playoffs.

12 - Go all in on their star player, he still scores 0-1

Rolston Jeremy has played amazing revenge ball in the net for them. Fuck him.

25 - Blackwood for Lewis

63 - Double yellow for Lawson Simon and ofc they convert the free kick :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: 0-2

66 - And of course Matthew tackles the ball right into an open and free shot for them 0-3

The inconsistency of this fucking team pisses me off to no end.

So.... 3 of our players will be out due to yellows for our final match. Are you surprised? Yeah I didn't think so either. Keep fucking us over, you bullshit piece of trash game.

@ Five Islands (4th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/James SmithLloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Murtagh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

5 - FUCK THIS GAME SO MUCH WITH ALL THE BULLSHIT SUSPENSIONS AND INJURIES AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO FUCK US OVER 0-1

6 - BRB smashing keyboard 0-2

8 - We score but it takes three tries 1-2

16 - FUCK YOU 1-3

We lose 2-4.

Junior Muhammed goes out with injury for the rest of the season.

Ditto Reece Christian.

I resign immediately.

[Izulde]

https://i.imgur.com/eTYtaY8.png
IFK Timra - Swedish Second Division North

There's 3 games left in the season and they're just barely above relegation playoffs, so the pressure is on me to produce quickly for this bleeding money club.

The town of just over 10,000 is located on the Indalsalven River where it meets the Gulf of Botnia on the east central coast of Sweden.

With no nickname, the team has also sold off their best player for nothing due to financial straits. Irritating, but it is what it is.

So uh, there's evidently elections for Chairman here. Interesting.

Oh, and the board expects a mid-table finish. Laugh.

vs Solleftea GIF (7th)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Tim Collden/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Axel Westman/Victor Selander/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

8 - Selander steals the ball and goes right to Mohammed. Pass into the box to Ahlin. Two defenders overshoot him, giving space for his first score of the season 1-0

11 - Everyone is screaming that was a horseshit penalty and of course they convert 1-1

22 - Not surprised 1-2

40 - SMH 1-3

91 - Olofsson, the star, crosses to Ahlin for a too late last second secore 2-3

Our backline, which is supposed to be the strength of this team, was PITIFUL. OH AND THAT PENALTY WAS INDEED BULLSHIT! WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DRAW OUT OF THIS!

vs Skelleftea FF (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Erik Grahm/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Mohammed Hadi/Daniel Andersson/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

15 - Beyan, who is retiring, charges to intercept a clearance and on the cross, their keeper falls down, leaving an empty net for Nordin to pop it in 1-0

53 - HE WAS OFFSIDES!!!! 1-1

We played pretty well, all things considered.

@ Soderhamns FF (9th)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Erik Grahm/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Mohammed Hadi/Daniel Andersson/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

11 - This team just has no talent 0-1

25[/b- Absolutely none [b]0-2

81 - Too little, too late again, this time by Olofsson. Sigh 1-2

Fortunately, we manage to stay up and I can start reconstructing this club from the bottom up - starting with finding an actual Chief Scout. I also begin clearing out all the contracts on the club to start fresh. We get a 13 JPA/10 JPP Chief Scout by signing a player whom we convince to hang up his boots.

So the board's chairman is re-elected with ease because most of the fans skipped voting. Uh, okay. They also take out an $70k loan, which pisses me off.

Transfers Out
DL Cevin Dotson (31) - $3k transfer fee
DC Tim Collden (30) - $1k transfer fee
DC/DM/MC Mohammed Hadi (21) - $2.6k transfer fee*
Star Player Philip Olafsson (30something) - Don't talk to me about this

*Note: I didn't want to get rid of him, but he was asking for double his salary and was an expiring contract, so I had to offload him while I could still get a smidgen of value.

Transfers In
DCR Anton Johansson (17) - From Bergnaisets AIK - Free
Trash reserve, but only $550 P/A, plus $2 appearance fee and $2 shutout bonus. Does have 10 Decisions and 12 Work Rate

ST John Stromberg (17) - From Ullareds IK - Free
14 Determination, 16 Flair, 16 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate, 10 Acceleration, 11 Pace. My staff thinks he's trash. I think he's going to be an exciting player who makes $10 per appearance, $2 goal bonus, $2 unused substitute fee. He's an absolute steal of a signing by my lights.

MR/AMR Martin Andersson (22) - From Syrianska IF Kerburan - Free
15 Acceleration, 13 Pace, 13 Flair is all you need to know about why I signed him. $3.5k contract and he's at least equal to the scrub we're trying to offload who makes $8k - over double. Plus, the kid has upside.

ML/AML Goran Gustafsson (22) - From Boo FK - Free
Say hello to your new star player, folks:
https://i.imgur.com/ngerHIf.jpg

I'm excited about this dude. Oh, and the general rule of thumb for making money:

Player salary <= Match Money

Which is... $39,179.

Right now our payroll is much higher than that at $130k - hence why we're losing so much money.

ST Andreas Klingberg (17) - From Orebro Syriasnka IF - Free
$11/$2/$2 paychecks for 11 First Touch, 16 Flair, and 13 Acceleration. He'll figure in, too. 3* upside, so this is a legitimate cheapass get.

MLC/AMLC William Walemark (17) - From Asarums IF - $1.5k
I dipped into the payroll budge to give myself a transfer fee to land this kid. Raw, but high upside - 12 Flair, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, and just $550 for the year.

Our spending is now down to $90k, but we can't manage to offload our other veterans, even for free. Still, we've done yeoman's work chopping it down this far, and while our team is probably even weaker than last year in terms of current talent, we're in the process of setting ourselves up for the future.

[Izulde]

Loans - $250 a year
DLCR Patric Broberg (17) - From Gunnillse IS
12 Aggression, 17 Bravery, 10 Decisions, 13 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 10 Stamina. Our primary backup at all 3 backline spots, I think this is going to be a fun kid to watch.

DLCR Philip Martinsson (17) - From IFK Aspudden-Tellus
11 Teamwork and 14 Jumping Reach. Not too exciting and will be a last choice option.

MC Fredrik Nilsson (17) - From Vasteras SK
13 Passing, 10 Vision, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, 13 Flair. Intriguing kid who also has the makings of a great MR which I'll start training him in.

Loans - Free
Two of these guys are from GIF Sundsvall, our Swedish Premier League parent club who pays us a little over $19k a year in sponsorship money. I tried to get another parent club, but the board couldn't find one. We also have a feeder club, whom I may cut ties with (more on that later).

ML/AML Viktor Ek (18) - From GIF Sundsvall
10 Crossing, Flair, Teamwork; 12 Vision, Stamina, and Free Kicks. A capable backup to Goran Gustafsson on the left wing and a candidate to play the MC spot, which he'll train in. In fact, I really want to get his free kicks on the field, so I might run him out in a starting lineup.

DM/MC Adrian Sandstrom (17) - From GIF Sundsvall
11 Tackling, 18 Determination!, 15 Bravery, 11 Work Rate, 12 Pace and Flair. A bit of a weird duck. I'll train him as a B2B MC and see how that goes.

AMC/ST Sebastian Larsson (18) - From IFK Varnamo
11 Dribbling and Decisions, 12 Aggression and Flair, 10 Stamina. Our third striker for now.

Yet More Transfers In
DLC Filip Lidner (24) - From IFK Aspudden-Tellus - Free
$5.5k a year as a Key Player through 2027. 14 Decisions, 10 Determination, 12 Work Rate, 11 Strength, and a "Complete Role Model for Younger Players" and "Model Professional". Say hello dreamboat tutor! I'm going to have him tutor like EVERYONE I can.

DC Lukas Holuj (17) - From BKV Norrtalje - Free
$450 plus $50 signing bonus - 10 Marking, 10 Heading, 11 Bravery, Jumping Reach, and Stamina. Low Determination kid who will be a prime tutee target of Lidner. I expect to see him get a lot of playing time.

ST Simon Bjur (24) (Danish)
$6.5k as a Key Player the next two years due to his 10 Finishing and Work Rate, 11 Anticipation, Decisions, and Acceleration, and 12 Off the Ball. My staff is eh on him, but I think his attributes will make him a star here for a couple of seasons. He hasn't gotten his chance after being a First Divison South castoff.

DCR Robin Ljungberg (17) - From IS Halmia - $1k Transfer Fee
I went ahead and dipped into the funds to bring this kid in. 11 Tackling, 12 Aggression, 17 Teamwork, 15 Work Rate, 15 Jumping Reach, 10 Positioning and Stamina. $550 for the year.

GK Erik Goransson (17) - From Vasteras IK - Free Transfer
Usual $550 contract. 11 Command of Area, 12 Handling, 13 Reflexes, 14 Agility. Raw, but high upside prospect who I signed because our $12k salary keeper is 33 and on the verge of retirement. I'd like to get a better keeper in, but *shrugs*.

That's enough shopping, as our wage bill has crept up to around $105k.

Oh, and I scrapped our youth setup - $11k+ a year doesn't sound like much compared to *cough* Guatemala, but we're already in the red, so every penny we don't have to spend is worth it, even with the cheap deals the kids offer over multiple seasons.

This year is going to roll by slowly because I loaded the Level 23 English leagues for this season, with the possibility of going there - and it killed the speed of my game from its prior versions. It'll take until next season to clear it.

Lukas Holuj, who starts off as a Low Determination player, eagerly agrees to tutoring from Filip Lidner.

3 players all want #2. FFS. I give it to Lukas Holuj in hopes that helps his tutoring go better.

My staff's suggestions are for the 4-4-2 and 4-5-1, with no third formation. Er, okay. We'll go with the 4-5-1 as our primary setup.

Preseason
Friendlies go pretty well overall resultswise, I think. Two games to note:

vs Ostersunds FK
We paid them $2.5k to come here. 303 people showed up, netting us about $2.6k in gate receipts so it ends up being a complete wash and probably a waste of time.

@ GIF Sundsvall
We're paid $3.5k by our parent club to come to their place for a beatdown. Is that better than hosting them and keeping all the gate receipts? I'm not sure - it's an experiment for next year. It takes our balance from slightly in the red to back in the black, however.

Martin Andersson quickly is emerging as the star player for our side in preseason. If I can keep his wages down, he's a guy I might want to keep around long-term. He has 7 goals and 1 assist in 11 friendly appearances.

Victor Selander gets the captain's armband for his last season, with Filip Lindner the Model Professional as Vice-Captain. Look for Lindner to take over the captaincy next year. Selander and Lindner are both thrilled with their assignments, and it goes down well with the rest of the squad, too.

I laugh my assman out of the room when he suggests a formation with a DM. It's like no, bruh. No. We have no one even remotely capable of doing a good job there.

Board wants a mid-table position, which I personally think is wack. But we'll see.

@ Anundsjo IF
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Linus Ljuslinder*/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Adrian Sandstrom/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

* - denotes old fart holdover

28 - Gustafsson is facing pressure from a defender, so he outlets right to Bjur. Hold and then kick back to Gustafsson for an eye-popping cross that streaking Andersson connects with and slams in for a debut goal!!!! Wow, I guess that's why he was so dominant in preseason 1-0

39 - Bad set piece defending 1-1

57 - Larsson for Bjur; Naslund for Ljuslinder

60 - Lindner throws in to Gustafsson and a beautiful box delivery bounces the ball into the path of Nilsson for the debut goal! 2-1

85 - Holuj raises his hand to take the clearance and he does, booming it down the middle of the pitch to Larsson. Dribble and furious ball booted down the left flank for Gustafsson to grab. His cross is headed away, but he retrieves the rebound and re-centers it for Larsson to head in his own debut goal!!! 3-1

No question on PotM - Goran Gustafsson with a 9.0, racking up all 3 assists and functioning as exactly the kind of star I hoped he'd be. 8.0 for Fredrik Nilsson, 7.7 for Martin Andersson, and 7.1 off the bench for Sebastian Larsson.

We were slight underdogs coming into the open, so to pull off this massive upset is amazing. But we play again in 3 days, so it's a very quick turnaround. Good thing I stocked up on all these loanees and whatnot.

I also belatedly set up an on the pitch tutoring relationship between Johan Sjoberg and Erik Goransson, his heir apparent. The faster the kid can get up to speed, the better.

[Izulde]

Can't sleep so will get some games in.

vs Solleftea GIF (10th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Daniel Naslund*/Linus Ljuslinder*/Robin Ljungberg
M: Viktor Ek/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur

Adjusting some guys due to short rest, and I'd rather conserve our ancient keeper because it's a 26 game season.

18 - Andersson passes right to Nilsson for the pass to Bjur in the half circle. Box feed to Mohammed and the soft shot finds its way into the net. 1-0

55 - Holuj replaces Ljuslinder; Lindner shifts inside to DC, and Broberg gets his first official action at DL after preseason injury

88 - Mohammed sails the free kick to Broberg in the box. He's drilled, drawing a PK that Nilsson converts!!! 2-0

9.0 PotM for Fredrik Nilsson, 8.3 for Faress Mohammed, and 7.8 for Simon Bjur as our three stars. I'm really loving this 4-5-1 setup far more than I thought I would.

We're one of just two teams in the Swedish Second Division North to win our first two matches. Impressive, considering we were slated to finish 12th in relegation playoffs.

We sell 165 season tickets, just short of last season's 169 mark.

@ Bergnasets AIK (7th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

62 - Ljungberg moves out to DR with Naslund in at DC. Larsson replaces Bjur

64 - Andersson lofts the ball into the box over the head of a leaping defender. Gustafsson takes it and crosses to Andersson for the easy score 1-0

74 - We suck at set pieces 1-1

80 - Wow, that was a bullshit red card on Naslund. Back out to DL is Lindner, with Holuj the lone DC and Selander dropping to DM to give them some more help.

Really tough draw we didn't deserve. One mistake cost us the game.

vs Skelleftea FF ((9th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder*/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Adrian Sandstrom/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur

21 - And this is where the decline starts 0-1

49 - Bleh. Larsson for Bjur; Holuj for Ljuslinder but this game is already over 0-2

66 - Just one of those games where nothing works 0-3

80 - And I mean nothing 0-4

88 - Sure, add that own goal by Holuj. I mean why not? 0-5

"The ref blows the whistle on a woeful second half for IFK Timra" No shit.

We're bleeding money still. Oh, and I'm only Stable despite the fact we're off to a firecracker start (dud last game notwithstanding) and are sitting 4th in the standings, 5 points and GD away from the drop with 4 of 26 games played.

[Izulde]

vs Hudikvallis FF (13th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

21 - Walemark hits the free kick into the box, and the ball bounces just right to evade the keeper and allow Bjur to *finally* score his first Timra goal!!! 1-0

49 - Don't call for the fucking assignment and then blow it! Broberg for Lindner, Ljungberg yanked for Holug. Ugh. 1-1

62 - Beyan puts it down the right flank for Daniel Andersson, box delivery connecting with Bjur between two defenders, and he scores his second goal! 2-1

65 - Walemark outlets back to Selander for the pass in the half-circle to Daniel Andersson. Box feed to Martin Andersson doesn't go as intended, as our right winger slide tackles the ball away from the defender... and much to everyone's amazement, the ball rolls into the opposite corner of the net for the insurance 3-1

86 - That shit was on Broberg all the way 3-2

9.0 PotM for William Walemark, 8.2 for Daniel Andersson, and 8.8 for Simon Bjur. We were actually underdogs here, so it was nice to pull out the win and move up to 3rd.

@ Bodens BK (13th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

Ljungberg moves to DR with Holug in at DC because Beyan has been dreadful in the first half. For some reason, despite our position in the league, everyone is Eeyoreing. I don't understand it.

58 - Ugh. Sandstrom in for Selander and we're playing like shit 0-1

64 - Nilsson has the ball after two shots get blocked by various players and passes to Martin Andersson in the box. Cross to Gustafsson, who has a time trapping and controlling it, but when he finally does, he cracks it in for his first Timra score! 1-1

78 - Larsson in for Bjur

Unlucky not to win. Drop to 5th.

Imagine my shock when I'm listed as the odds-on favorite to take over League 1 side Swindon Town.

@ Pitea IF (8th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

25 - I don't know why my defenses are so terrible in this universe 0-1

51 - Sucking at set pieces has a lot do with it 0-2

53 - It's one of those games. Beyan off, Ljungberg at DR; Holuj in. Off goes Bjur for Larsson although it doesn't matter 0-3

72 - Larsson scores, but it's meaingless 1-3

80 - Martin Andersson floats in the free kick and Ljuslinder scores his first goal. Too little, too late. 2-3

Time to make some adjustments to the starting lineup. Or maybe implementing a 4-4-2? Not sure.

@ IFK Ostersund (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

46 - Daniel Andersson passes right to Nilsson, who sees an opening on the left side and pops the ball softly left. Gustafsson reads the game well, gets it, and fires in the score! 1-0

54 - Holuj is in for Ljuslinder, whilst Sandstrom subs in for Selander

59 - We reset on the throw-in by passing back to Sjoberg. Booming kick finds Larsson for the wingout left to Gustafsson. Defense is on him like flies on computer screen, but he centers into the box, and Larsson adds the insurance! 2-0

67 - That looked offsides to me but WTF do I know? 2-1

Massive upset of a superior team, geared by Goran Gustafsson's 9.0 PotM and an 8.0 by Fredrik Nilsson, who has been the surprise of the season.

Back up to 5th in what is a very tightly packed upper table. The top team has 16 points, we have 14 points, and two teams behind us have 13 points - That's 3 points separating 1st and 7th, with another 3 points then separating 8th and 9th with 10 points.

[Izulde]

vs Harnosands FF (3rd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Sebastian Larsson

Martin Andersson is out a month and half to two months with a sports hernia. Fredrik Nilsson is out with a strained wrist.

7 - We suck at set pieces 0-1

Mohammed is hurt shortly before half. Walemark moves out to MR, Selander slides to the MC support role, and Sandstrom comes in as the BWM.

54 - Holuj for Ljuslinder

We were absolute trash on offense today. No highlights there.

vs Sandvikens IF (11th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/William Walemark
S: Sebastian Larsson

Yeah we're having to start the guy I'm training to be a MR because we've been that hard hit by injuries.

30 - That was an easily stoppable goal. 0-1

58 - Beyan for Ljungberg; Sandstrom for Selander

75 - Nilsson goes off with injury, leaving us with a 5-3-2 and Holuj as the fifth backline member

87 - First Broberg fails to get the ball. Then he gives away a PK to seal the game 0-2

I take one last look over the English clubs that are available before I decide to stay here. I have a chance to remake this team into a fiscally responsible one next season. Everyone else would involve more lengthy courses.

@ Selangers FK (11th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/William Walemark
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

I'm going to be totally honest. I hate the way the 4-5-1 plays and I think it's caused our strikers to be utter shit out there. So we're switching to the 4-4-2.

5 - Andersson to Selander, who recovered two lost possessions on this sequence. Pass to Larsson in the box, only it's tackled away. Loose ball rolls to Bjur and the open net is his. Score one for the 4-4-2. 1-0

63 - You know what I also hate? The bright yellow, unreadable text of our second uniforms. Anyway, Ek in for Gustafsson; Holuj for Ljuslinder

A solid, if unremarkable win to break the drought. Victor Selander is PotM with a 7.7.

Multiple teams in the division approach our Chief Scout. I'm *pissed*. I'm the one who found this guy and convinced him to quit playing and become a scout. Buzz off, assholes!

It doesn't work. He leaves for a bigger payday, and we get $3.1k in compensation. We'll operate without a Chief Scout the rest of the way, as I don't plan to dig into the transfer market.

vs Friska Viljor FC (6th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

21 seconds - Gustafsson dribbles out to the left wing, then kicks ahead to Broberg, who is an attacking position. Center to Larsson, and the shot's shoved aside, but Bjur is there to sink the open net rebound 1-0

2 - Bitchass immediate answer 1-1

5 - Ljungberg atones for his earlier screwup by dribbling down the right flank and cracking a searing cross that Gustafsson runs down and walks in. 2-1

23 - Bjur heads a corner clearance back down to Larsson in the box. He scores and does a Happy Feet dance with fist pump 3-1

55 - I just shouted "That was offsides!" and the assistant ref lifted his flag up. FUCK YEAH AND FUCK YOU!

57 - Holuj for Ljuslinder; Ljungberg shifts inside to DC, and Beyan comes in. I just realized why our FBs were overlapping on those attacks - they're set to Automatic duty. Oops.

https://i.imgur.com/qsPkNyE.jpg

Our first dominant win.

This is how swingy the table has been. We dropped to 8th after our two losses, and now the two wins after our victory, we're up in 4th and just 2 points behind the league leaders.

@ Anundsjo IF (1st)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

This game marks the halfway point of the season. If we lose, we could fall as far as 9th. Win, and we might even take the top spot. It's been an insane, wide-open first half in the Second Division North.

52 - Shit! Just before I can get the sub in to pull Broberg, they score on his fuckup :( 0-1

61 - Ek for Gustafsson

We were honestly pretty unlucky out there. Should have pulled at least a draw. But we lost, and plummet to 8th we go.

@ Soderhamns FF (8th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Viktor Ek/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

Shaking things up a bit.

57 - Walemark for Mohammed; Beyan for Ljungberg

83 - FUCK YOU ON THAT FLUKE GOAL BULLSHIT!!!!! 0-1

Such a fucking bullshit ripoff that was.

@ Solleftea GIF (12th
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

30 - Christ on a crutch we're shit at set piece defending 0-1

53 - Ljuslinder for Lindner; Bjur is off for Ahlin and some striker adjustments up front

So god damned fucking frustrating.

Daniel Andersson is out on yellows next game.

@ Skelleftea FF (6th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

30 seconds - ....... 0-1

50 - Can't wait for this season to be over 0-2

60 - I make subs that won't matter

75 - Andersson with a beautiful rocket to Larsson. He dribbles, then fires a shot just outside the box that goes in and gives us a lifeline 1-2

92 - Ahin you fucknozzle IF YOU STAYED ONSIDES WE'D BE WALKING OUT OF HERE WITH A POINT!

The fans want me to change to a different formation, even though our losses have been INCREDIBLY NARROW

We're in 9th and hold a team meeting to up morale, which we do.

[Brian Swartz]

55 - I just shouted "That was offsides!" and the assistant ref lifted his flag up. FUCK YEAH AND FUCK YOU! … 83 - FUCK YOU ON THAT FLUKE GOAL BULLSHIT!!!!! 0-1 Such a fucking bullshit ripoff that was. … So god damned fucking frustrating. … 92 - Ahin you fucknozzle IF YOU STAYED ONSIDES WE'D BE WALKING OUT OF HERE WITH A POINT!

Disappointing showing on the pitch. The lack of variety in profane outbursts is even worse. The F-word isn't the only swearword. Get some creativity :P

[Izulde]

Disappointing showing on the pitch. The lack of variety in profane outbursts is even worse. The F-word isn't the only swearword. Get some creativity :P

I will strive to improve my swearing game. :P

vs Bergnasets AIK (7th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Fredrik Nilsson/Victor Selander*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

7 - Nilsson brilliantly takes the ball back after a strip and passes to Bjur for a 1v1 in the box. Shoots it right at the keeper and the ball bounces loose. Gustasfsson moves in and puts away the rebound 1-0

8 - Shitstain immediate answer. Such horseshit, esp. since we're defensive 1-1

38 - WHERE THE HELL IS THE GOD DAMN SET PIECE DEFENSE?! 1-2

51 - Bjur is off with injury. Ahlin on, and Beyan for Ljungberg

89 - Another fucking set piece disaster 1-3

93 - I mean, he's been ass poor anyways, but Ahlin ankle twist

Simon Bjur wrecked his spine and is probably done for the year. Jonathan Ahlin is out a month and a half.

vs Bodkens BK (14th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Santstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Goran Gustafsson/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

So I finally gave to my staff and go with the 4-2-3-1 DM Wide. I mean, what have we got to lose at this point? We've crashed to 4th and have lost five straight games.

11 - Everyone on defense just stood there 0-1

56 - Stromberg for Klingburg; Ek for Goransson

58 - Larsson kicks back to Broberg and takes the return pass just outside the box. Pass to Ek and we *finally* have a ball go in after like three shots cracking off the post or bar. 1-1

80 - Ljuslinder for Selander

My name comes up with a relegation-threatened Swedish Premier vacancy.

Patrick Broberg is out next game with yellows.

@ Hudiksvalis FF (12th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Robin Ljungberg/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Sandstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Viktor Ek/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

35 - Gee, another shitty set piece goal given up 0-1

51 - This team sucks 0-2

62 - Martin Andersson dribbles past the defender and crosses to Ek for the score 1-2

End Result - Mentoring - Lindner and Holuj
Holuj said he was a little disappointed, but he went from a low Determination individual to 10 Determination and switched to being a Professional personality.

@ Harnosands FF (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Sandstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Viktor Ek/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

28 - We're awarded a PK and Lindner converts for his first Timra goal. Did I even establish my set piece takers? Dunno. 1-0

48 - Now Andersson gives up a PK, but Sjoberg actually stops it!!!

56 - Gustafsson for Ek; Ljungberg for Holuj

Finally the streak is broken, and we move up to 9th. More critically, with 6 games left, we've bought ourselves a 4 point cushion on relegation playoffs.

...So my staff, who has been bitching at me for WEEKS to use the current formation now says "Oh, that's not suitable at all. You should play the 4-5-1."

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:

Eat whale dick, shitbrains.

[Izulde]

vs Pitea IF (8th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

41 - Holuj with the gorgeous, booming free kick left to Gustafsson in the box. He dribbles to the touchline, then crosses for Larsson to slam it in 1-0

52 - Gustafsson hammers the counter down the middle of the pitch to Nilsson. Shot deflection is so hard, Gustafsson rushes in and puts away the long rebound! 2-0

59 - Sandstrom in for Selander

72 - Ljungberg for Beyan after the dude just sat there and didn't go for a clearance

9.0 PotM goes to Fredrik Nilsson, who I'd love to lock-in long-term after his loan. 9.0 for Goran Gustafsson, too, with 7.7 Daniel Andersson rounding out the third star.

7 point cushion on relegation playoffs with 5 to play.

vs IFK Ostersund (1st)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

54 - Ljungberg for Beyan

60 - Oh look. A SET PIECE GOAL GIVEN UP! GEE WHILLIKERS! 0-1

73 - Walemark for Daniel Andersson

That was a tough, hard loss to bad luck. Even the media said so.

We lock up Martin Andersson on another year the same $3.5k a year rate. Probably could have convinced him to take a paycut, but I'm not a dick, and he's been one of our best players.

@ Sandvikens IF (10th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

Out with injury is Fredrik Nilsson. Great, but brittle player.

8 - Horseshit PK call but Sjoberg stops it.

46 - MOTHERFSJDFSJFWFSJAFDKLS ANOTHER BUTT-RAPING SET PIECE GOAL GIVEN UP JUST BEFORE HALF 0-1

65 - Sandstrom for Selander; Stromberg for Larsson

Two bitter losses have put us just 3 points ahead of the relegation playoffs.

Erik Goransson signs a year extension that pays him $1.2k. Double his previous wage, but he's worth it.

vs Selangers FK (13th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

2 - So.damned.frustrating. 0-1

Sandstrom on for tired Nilsson at half and midfield shuffling.

67 - Ljuslinder for Holuj

@ Friska Viljor FC (4th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

41 - Raise your hand if you expect a set piece goal given up. 0-1

56 - And now we're playing in relegation playoffs 0-2

vs Soderhamns FF (7th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed
S: Johan Stromberg/Sebastian Larsson

It all comes down to this.

70 - Ljungberg shifts in, replacing Lindner, and Beyan comes on at DR. Bjur replaces Stromberg

Everyone agrees we should have won. We COMPLETELY outplayed them. But no soap.

We're going to the playoffs and I have no idea how this is going to work. Our group is two Third Division teams.

I'm under serious pressure from a board that allegedly gives managers a long leash.

vs IFK Olme (Playoffs Group 1 Game 1)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

26 - Broberg blasts it down the left flank to Bjur, and the cross finds Larsson for the score 1-0

28 - Martin Andersson has a lot of defenders to try and move around, which he does, and on the cross, Gustafsson hits the angry score 2-0

54 - Sandstrom on for Daniel Andersson. Out is Lindner for Ljungberg shift, and Beyan bounces on

7.9 PotM for Goran Gustafsson, 7.6 for Fredrik Nilsson and 7.5 by Sebastian Larsson

@ Sparvagens FF (Relegation Playoffs Group 1)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

Despite the win, a bad result here and I'm out.

11 - Nilsson to Larsson in the half circle. Box feed to Martin Andersson and we're up 1-0

26 - Broberg to Nilsson for the blast left. Bjur signals he'll take it and he does, centering. Larsson rises up to outjump two defenders and knock in the insurance goal 2-0

36 - Martin Andersson throws in to Larsson, then runs to get the return backheel pass. Cross and Gustafsson heads it in. 3-0

48 - Martin Andersson kicks back to Ljungberg for the beautiful bouncing ball into the box. Larsson runs it down and slots the score 4-0

89 - Larsson has five defenders on him, so he outlets to Martin Andersson for the rainbow box delivery right at Bjur's feet, and the rout is complete 5-0

https://i.imgur.com/6usR8fM.jpg

We had our best game ever when it counted most.

Player of the Year Voting
Fredrik Nilsson - 36%
Goran Gustafsson - 32%
Daniel Andersson - 22%

https://i.imgur.com/REbcjlU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OjYVl8V.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PlTVNh4.jpg

I sign a one year contract extension at the same price. Martin Andersson is thrilled I'm staying on.

Loan Extensions
Fredrik Nilsson - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Sebastian Larsson - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Patric Broberg - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Adrian Sandstrom - $0
Viktor Ek - $0

We go our usual route of convincing a player to hang up his boots in landing a 10 JPA/9 JPP Chief Scout. He inks for two years at $3k/season.

An $18k tax bill on profits but we pick up a $21k sponsorship worth roughly the old rate of $20.79k and we bounce from $17k in the red to $8.2k in the black.

Our gate receipts last season were a paltry $28.8k, so it's going to be a very tight budget - the board's willingness of $300k notwithstanding.

Goran Gustafsson wants half that budget on a new deal. I'm like um, no, and promptly offer him out to other clubs.

Transfer In - DM/MC Roger Jonasson (17) - From Skoftebyns IF - $1.5k transfer fee
10 First Touch, Tackling, and Technique, 14 Aggression, 11 Composure, 10 Decisions, 13 Leadership, and an eye-popping 14 Acceleration/12 Pace combo. We've got him locked down for 3 years at $3k per year, which I think is a huge steal. He'll pair with Fredrik Nilsson in the central midfield most likely.

Transfer In - DC David Linder (17) - From Skiljebo SK - Free transfer
12 Heading, 10 Tackling, 12 Aggression, 11 Decisions, 10 Jumping Reach. He has a long, long way to go but he's locked up for 3 years at $550 per/year. There will be ample opportunities for him to grow into what he's capable of.

We're at $31.5k in salaries after we clear everyone out of the club. If we were at ~$40k in gate receipts, I'd give Goran Gustafsson the five figures he's asking for, but we're not. I also rejected two lowball transfer offers for him.

Oh and my shitty staff actually wanted payraises to stay. LOL GTFO.

[Brian Swartz]

Might it have actually been better to have that kind of great showing before the playoffs so you could have, you know, not been stuck in them to begin with? Still, good job staying up and all that. Have fun with the financial crunch.

[Izulde]

Might it have actually been better to have that kind of great showing before the playoffs so you could have, you know, not been stuck in them to begin with? Still, good job staying up and all that. Have fun with the financial crunch.

Financial crunch is right, buuuuut..... well, you'll see.

[Izulde]

So I bring in a ton of loans, am all set to go for next season, when I suddenly can't land a single assistant manager. I put an ad out. 3 months later, still no responses. It's preseason - we have no friendlies, no preparation, no coaching staff, and the board has me at Insecure.

So I say screw it and jump ship:

https://i.imgur.com/PpBWAIV.jpg
Liga Athletic FC Reds

Are those oranges? Are they cherries? Who knows? In any case, I've leapt to Malta First Division last place team Liga Athletic. I have exactly 5 matches to make up an 8 point deficit and stay up, or it's down to the Second Division.

Gate receipts here are a little over $1k, and of course everyone's on a PPA deal making too much money. A reaping will occur this offseason, oh yes. And it's already started by firing my shitty assman for a great one, and canning the usual crappy Head of Youth Development. We'll be scrapping the youth system, too.

I'll just quickly summarize what happens the last six games.

Match 1: 1-0 home win over the #6 team in the league, snapping a drought of 17 games without a win
Match 2: Massive 1-0 road upset of the #2 team in the league to tie us on points with 13th place, also a drop spot
Match 3: 0-1 road loss to 11th team with our starting goalie out on yellows. Also we missed our second as of many PKs since I've started

We're officially relegated and I don't want to deal with the hassle of PPAs, so I resign and hang out on the beaches, growing out my beard and listening to '90s and '00s pop music.

Fort Road opens up and I go and interview about possibly coming back. The chairman is kind of an asshole, however. Then they lowball me on their offer, so I say fuck it and walk away. You can't really go home again, anyway.

IFK Timra ruins my careful financial planning by adding $35k+ in salary and they're 13th in the league anyway, fighting to avoid relegation. LOL.

...Aaaand they get relegated. I'm laughing my ass off.

I interview for Finn Harps but they refuse to set up a link with a parent club, so I'm out.

Then I join an Estonian team but the registration is bugged and won't work. :(

So I'm closing up this dynasty because that *really* pisses me off. Time to start fresh with something else.