Manchester United - The Continuing Quest for the Quadruple

[Eaglesfan27]

Greetings to everyone reading this. This is the electronic journal of Christopher Engles.

I'm a 40 year old manager who is considered something of a phenom. I started out my first season of managing professional football at Harrogate Town in the English Conference North back when I was 29. During my first season, I didn't know if I was going to make it through to a second. We had some rocky games in that first season. Fortunately, I showed enough improvement in the 2nd half of the season, that they gave me a chance to come back for another season. You can read about my first season as manager in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=32963 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=32963)


In my second season as manager, I really developed a system and brought in some good talent. Thanks to their play, I managed to help Harrogate win promotion from the English Conference North. You can read about that season in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=33340 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=33340)


In my third season, we continued to gather talent and we continued to win. We won the English Conference National Title and were promoted to League Two. You can read about that season in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=33908 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=33908)


In my fourth season, after some early struggles, the team adapted to League Two play and we went on a tear in the second half of the season. Thanks to our hot play, we won the English League Two Title and were promoted to League One. You can read about that season in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=34430 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=34430)


In my fifth season, I had to make a very hard decision. The team was struggling in League One as the board had continued to refuse to expand the stadium over the years. We were losing money. We didn't have the money to keep our top players. We were floundering. My status was very high and I was being offered several high profile jobs because of what I had done with Harrogate. I made the hard decision to leave Harrogate in midseason and I moved to Wigan. I suddenly had massive amounts of money. I sent some of it to Harrogate Town for a few of my favorite players. You can read about my fifth season in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=35300 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=35300)


In my sixth season, I managed to bring in some potent talent to Wigan via Bosman signings. Thanks to that talent, we won the English Championship with a 99 point season in which we had 30 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses. I was glad to see that my new system worked nicely at this higher talent level. You can read about my sixth season in this thread:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=36645 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=36645)


Then, in my seventh season, I knew that Wigan would have a hard time staying in the EPL and I also knew that Manchester United had a coaching vacancy. It took well over a month, but just before league play started Manchester United approached me and offered me the manager's job. I felt bad leaving Wigan after only a year and a half, but this was the golden ring I had been trying to reach. I quickly took the job. I had moderate to good success in my seventh season as I brought in a few very talented players, including wonderkids Adriano and Craig King. We also brought in the very talented Stewart Downing at left wing. As a result, we improved from the previous finish of 5th place to a 2nd place team. You can read about the seventh season here:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=36968 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=36968)


In my eighth season, we enjoyed great success. We had an early battle with Chelsea for the EPL lead. Eventually, our offense really started popping. Wayne Rooney had his best season ever as a Red Devil. Our defense came together. We won the EPL Title. We also won the English Cup Title. However, we fell short of the quadruple and lost in the final of the Champions League and the English FA Cup. Those were both disappointing losses. A developing story all year long was Wayne Rooney's dissatisfaction that I would not let him go to Milan or another "more prestigious club" that made huge offers for him. You can read about the eighth season here:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=37396 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=37396)


In my ninth season, the big question going in was if I would be able to sign Wayne Rooney or if I would have to sell him. Fortunately, just before I was about to sell him, I managed to sign Rooney to a new deal. Behind the dynamic duo of Wayne Rooney and Adriano at striker, along with a solid defense we finished 1st in the EPL for a second straight year. Perhaps, more importantly, we won the Champions League for my first time as a manager.

Read all about the 9th season here:

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/...ead.php?t=37735 (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/forums/showthread.php?t=37735)


In my 10th season, things had settled down. We had Rooney under a long term contract and our offense looked set. However, our defense had questions as Lucio and Rio Ferdinand were aging. Also, Wes Brown was aging and losing his skills. Would these guys be able to hold on for one more season? Would my replacements such as Salva, Marchetti, and Cahais step up? I gradually started the phasing out of Lucio and Ferdinand but they both played in some key games. However, Salva and Marchetti generally did well and proved they can play on this level. Also, we had an explosive offense led by Wayne Rooney who had his best year ever for me with 36 goals and 14 assists in 36 starts. I also saw the surprising developing of Antonio Ortega and Carlos Godoy. We did well and we won the EPL Title for the third straight year. However, we faltered in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and we only pulled off a double. We want.. no we need to build on that success and do better next season. Oh yeah, I helped guide England to one their best World Cup Finishes in a long time. There was a suprising villian that ended our run.

You can read about my 10th season here:

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/for...ead.php?t=38819 (http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=38819)


My 11th season was the season that finally saw me drop Rio Ferdinand from the active playing list. Also, we saw Lucio, Cristian Chivu, Wes Brown, and Zdenek Grygera all get phased out of the playing rotation. Newcomer Mark van den Boogaart had one of the best years I've ever seen out of a right back. However, I knew that he was only a stop gap for 2-3 years and I was actively searching for a young right back all year long. Unfortunately, I never found one worth signing. I relied on Wayne Rooney and Adriano more than ever in part due to injuries to Craig King and James McFadden, and also because James McFadden is slowly starting to lose his abilities. We faltered towards the end of the season and had a disappointing 2nd place finish in the EPL. That loss cost us our first triple. Read about our 11th season here:

http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=39668



Now, I enter into my 12th season. I have a few goals. Add some youth to the striker position. I'm already finishing up negotiations with a player (which will unfortunately count against this year's transfer budget.) I'm also looking for youth at right back and I have a definite target that just became apparent. I'm also unsure if Marchetti or Cahais is a great centreback and might choose to bring in another centreback to play alongside Salva more regularly. This is the season where I want to add more depth in the defensive line and finally complete the quadruple.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Eaglesfan27]

June 22, 2015 -

Due to overflowing coffers, the board have announced dividends totalling 42 million will be paid to the shareholders. Needless to say, they are delighted.

We have signed a new 5 year sponsorship deal worth 14.5 million dollars which is slightly higher than our old deal.


Due to our excellent financial position, the board has given me a 55 million dollar transfer budget!

The board expects us to win the EPL thanks to my big transfer budget this year.


Adriano, Mark van den Boogaart, and Jeroen Schreurs have been called up by their countries to play in the Confederations Cup. I'll also be calling on Rooney, King, Downing, and Ferdinand to be on the England squad.



I mentioned that I've found a good young right back. Aston Villa has Chris Miller, a 18 year old phenom right back. They just rejected an 18 million dollar offer for him. I'm countering with 20 million now.


Hertha BSC has sold Michael Oswald to me for 12.5 million dollars. Oswald is a 20 year old striker/attacking midfielder who already appears highly skilled. His agent attracted my attention earlier this summer with a videotape of Oswald absolutely dominating in a Germany U21 match in which he scored 6 goals in the game! I'm glad to have Oswald adding some youth to my AMC/striker position.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 24, 2015 -

Today I coach England in a match against Uruguay in the Confederations Cup. Uruguay has a talented team with Enzo Giovanni Scorze and Fabian Estoyanoff being a pair of dangerous strikers. Horacio Peralta is a skilled right winger. Ruben Ariel Olivera is a playmaker at left wing. The defense is some what weak and their keeper, Gustavo Munua, is 37 and somewhat slow. We should be able to score a few goals against them.

We are 4-7 favorites.


It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Paul Robinson
DL: Billy Jones
DC: Robert Morris
DC: John Terry
DR: Glen Johnson
ML: Stewart Downing
MC: Nigel Reo-Coker
MC: Jermaine Jenas
MR: Christopher Eagles
SC: Wayne Rooney
SC: Craig King

S1: Paul Lancaster
S2: Steve Turner
S3: Shaun Wright-Phillips
S4: Mark Tucker
S5: Rio Ferdinand
S6: Jamie Cook
S7: Luke Moore

[Eaglesfan27]

27 minute mark: Scorza gets the ball left of the box.. centers it to Javier Ernesto Chevanton.. he outjumps Terry.. heads it.. upepr left corner.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

36 minute mark: Reo-Coker steals the ball 30 yards out... fires a pass into the box.. Rooney has it.. 10 yards out.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1. That is Rooney's 70th career goal for England!


Halftime: 1-1 tie.



51 minute mark: Rooney left of the box.. sharp pass to the center of the box.. Reo-Coker with a diving header.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

Jenas with a very bad game. I put Cook on for him. Eagles with a bad game. I put Wright-Phillips on for him.


80 minute mark: Chevanton shoots from 20 yards out.. Robinson misplays the ball... it hits the crossbar.. Terry saves a goal by clearing it just before the striker gets to it.


Game over. 1-1 tie.

We were outshot 17-8 (5-4 on target in our favor)

Reo-Coker wins MoM, 8 for form, 16 of 23 passes, 1 key pass, 5 of 8 tackles, 6 of 13 headers, 3 interceptions, 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 25, 2015 -

Aston Villa rejected my 20 million dollar offer for Chris Miller. I offer them 25 million now for this talented youngster.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 26, 2015 -

Today we play Holland in a match which some experts are predicting we will lose. Holland has a very talented team. Jeroen Schreurs is considered the star of the team at right wing. Jerry Holmes is a 27 year old striker who is a dynamic player that is considered one of the best strikers in the world. However, he is questionable for this match. Mark van den Boogaart plays centreback for this team, and he is doing so very well. Maarten Stekelenburg has been a rock in goal. Stefan De Weerd has played great at the attacking midfield position. Rafael van der Vaart is still an effective midfielder. They have good talent at every position.


Holland are 6-4 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Paul Lancaster (Robinson has been too disappointing)
DL: Steve Turner
DC: Robert Morris
DC: Billy Jones
DR: Glen Johnson
ML: Stewart Downing
MC: Nigel Reo-Coker
MC: Jermaine Jenas
MR: Shaun Wright-Phillips
SC: Mark Tucker
SC: Luke Moore

S1: Paul Robinson
S2: Jamie Cook
S3: Jermain DEfoe
S4: Rio Ferdinand
S5: John Terry
S6: John Hall
S7: Wayne Rooney

[Eaglesfan27]

13 minute mark: Korsten with a blast from 20 yards out.. Lancaster with a confident save.

20 minute mark: Morris witha long pass to Tucker.. he heads it to Moore.. Moore shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.

30 minue mark: The defense shuts Moore down once again in the box.

32 minute mark: Boogaart shuts down Moore again. Tucker is getting him great opportunities, but Boogaart is closing them down quickly.

42 minute mark: van der Vaart passes to Schreurs in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Lancaster dives... tips it over the bar.

44 minute mark: Wright-Phillips centers it for Moore.. he heads it.. the keeper blocks it.. Tucker with the rebound.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.


46 minute mark: Schreurs passes it to De Weerd just outside the box.. he dribbles past Morris.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. Lancaster dives.. it is past him :( GOAL. Down 1-0.

53 minute mark: Reo-Coker crosses it to the far post.. Tucker heads it.. over the bar.

60 minute mark: Hall on for Downing, Rooney on for Tucker, and Defoe on for Moore. I also tell the offense to open it up.

70 minute mark: Hall with a corner to the near post.. Rooney heads it.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar.

79 minute mark: Boogaart stops a Rooney breakway.


Game over. 1-0 loss :(

We were outshot 11-10 (7-5 on target)

Paul Lancaster won MoM for his 6 saves, 6 of 16 passes. 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Wayne Rooney's 126 caps is the most of any English Player ever! (At least according to the game.)

[Eaglesfan27]

June 27, 2015 -

Jamie Cook has request that I transfer list him. I don't want to see him go, even though has disappointed me at times, and has subsequently not gotten as much PT as either of us would like. However, I still see him as a key fixture in our midfield in the near future. I accept his request, but will be asking for a HUGE amount of money for him. In the meantime, I hope to convince him to rescind his request in the future.

Adriano had the lone goal for Brazil in their 1-0 win over Japan.


June 28, 2015 -

Rio Ferdinand just announced his retirement effective immediately! Oops, I guess I can't start him in todays Confederations Cup as I planned.

Aston Villa have rejected my 25 million dollar offer for Chris Miller. They have countered by asking for Stewart Downing, Chris Taylor, and 10% of next sale!

It's an interesting offer. Downing is starting to slip a bit, but he hasn't slipped that much.... He probably has 2 more years of being very effective. Taylor is a very good keeper, but not an elite one and I doubt he will ever start for me regularly. Downing is a fan favorite, and ultimately that is the final reason that I have to turn this deal down.

I reject it and offer 30 million for Miller plus 10% of next sale.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 28, 2015 -

Today we play Australia in the final Confederations Cup Group Match. Holland beat Uruguay 1-0 earlier in the day. As a result, this match against Australia will determine who advances to the next round. Whoever wins, advances. If it is a tie, that will make for a messy tie breaker. Australia has a relatively weak team. Their best keeper is out injured. Their only true star player is Scott Gillett a left back who is a good 26 year old defender.

We are 1-2 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.

GK: Paul Lancaster
DL: Billy Jones
DC: David Evans
DC: John Terry
DR: Glen Johnson
ML: Stewart Downing
MC: Jamie Cook
MC: Nigel Reo-Cooker
MR: Christopher Eagles
SC: Wayne Rooney
SC: Mark Tucker

S1: Paul Robinson
S2: Robert Morris
S3: John Hall
S4: Luke Moore
S5: Shaun Wright-Phillips
S6: Jermaine Jenas
S7: Craig King

[Eaglesfan27]

19 minute mark: Cook with a diagonal pass into the middle of the box.. Tucker heads it.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. They are keeping 9 men back most of the time.. thwarting our attack.


59 minute mark: Downing shoots from 25 yards out.. curving shot.. upper left corner.. just wide left.

60 minute mark: King on for Tucker. I tell the offense to play much more aggressively taking risks.

I can't believe we are playing so lackadiscal now. This is a must win match.

65 minute mark: Glen Johnson gets a yellow card for a trip on Stephen Brown.

73 minute mark: Downing passes it to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.. Cook shoots the rebound.. the keeper dives.. saves that as well.

81 minute mark: Wright-Phillips on for Eagles and Moore on for Cook.

85 minute mark: Wright-Phillips with a pass into the box.. he lead Rooney too far.. it goes over the endline.

87 minute mark: Jones with a long pass to King who heads it to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. over the bar.

90 minute mark: Rooney passes to King in the box... Patrick Frigo tackles King from behind.. and ends up sending the ball past the keeper.. into the goal! Own goal for Frigo! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

92 minute mark: Terry with a long pass to King in the box.. King shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. misses it! GOAL!!! 2-0.



Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We outshot them 13-2 (5-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM with a 9 for form, 20 of 26 passes, 4 key passes, 2 of 2 tackles, 3 of 6 headers, 1 interception, 9 runs, 5 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 29, 2015 -

Adriano had the only goal for Brazil in their 1-0 win over Nigeria.

We will play Brazil in the Confederations Cup Semi Final :(

The match will be played on July 2nd.


July 1, 2015 -

Zdenek Grygera has retired effective immediately :)


The board is very pleased with my performance as manager. Our new striker/midfielder should be here soon :)

[Eaglesfan27]

July 1st, 2015 -

Aston Villa have accepted my offer for Chris Miller!

He is requesting a contract of 4 years, 1 million dolllar signing bonus, and 28,500/week. I agree to his request. He also wants a 15% annual raise which I agree to as well.


Sunderland have signed Souleymane Mamam from me on a free transfer.



Michael Oswald has arrived from Hertha BSC! :)

Hertha fans are upset that this top rated youngster was unncessarily sold for such a cheap price.



Alan Smith's contract has expired and I've let him go on a free transfer. The 34 year old striker has lost much of his technical ability.

Cristian Chivu's contract has expired. He has lost his footspeed, and I let the 34 year old defender go on a free transfer.


Anthony Morris a 21 year old striker, has been let go from my reserve system due to failure to progress in training.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 2, 2015 -

Today we play Brazil in the Semi Final of the Confederations Cup in what should be a very challenging match. Brazil has a very talented team led by star striker Adriano (my Adriano.) Nilmar is also a very good striker. Left winger Nelio is still very fast and very skilled at the age of 31. Luis Carlos and Andre Bahia are playing great at centreback. Bruno is a dynamic 28 year old keeper who has very good reflexes and is technically sound.

Brazil are 6-4 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 80's.


GK: Paul Lancaster
DL: Steve Turner
DC: Robert Morris
DC: John Terry
DR: Glen Johnson
ML: Stewart Downing
MC: Billy Jones (Reo-Coker is hurt)
MC: Jermaine Jenas
MR: Christopher Eagles
SC: Wayne Rooney
SC: Mark Tucker

S1: Paul Robinson
S2: Luke Moore
S3: John Hall
S4: Jermain Defoe
S5: David Evans
S6: Shaun Wright-Phillips
S7: Craig King

[Eaglesfan27]

5 minute mark: Uilliam trips Downing.. just outside the box.. Downing takes the free kick.. shoots it through a crack in the wall.. it curves.. into the upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

26 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner... the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

29 minute mark: Fabricio dribbles into the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Lancaster dives.. catches it!

45 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it cleanly.


Halftime: Up 1-0.


Evans on for Jones who is having a bad game.


62 minute mark: Fabricio passes it to Adriano in the box.. Terry blocks it.

68 minute mark: Nilmar passes to Adriano in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. over the bar.

72 minute mark: Defoe on for Tucker.

80 minute mark: Daniel crosses the ball to Adriano by the near post.. he heads it.. into the upper right corner.. GOAL. 1-1 match :(

88 minute mark: Long range shot from Adriano.. Lancaster saves it.

90 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney left of the box.. sharp cross.. Jenas with a diving header inside the 6 yard box.. over the bar.


End of regulation. 1-1 tie.

97 minute mark: Lancaster stops a long range shot from Diego.


Halftime of extra time.


King on for Jenas (mainly because Jenas is a bad PK taker, and King is a very good one.)

113 minute mark: Adriano with a long range shot.. upper right corner.. Adriano dives.. catches it.

122 minute mark: Eagles with a corner kick.. to the near post.. Defoe heads it.. the keeper blocks it... Downing shoots the rebound.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-1. Downing with the dramatic last second goal!!!! Downing has 2 goals for the game.


Game over. 2-1 win :)

They outshot us 26-8 (12-7 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 29 of 33 passes, 3 key passes, 1 of 6 tackles, 4 of 13 headers, 3 interceptions, 13 runs, 4 fouls drawn, and 2 goals.

Lancaster had a 9 for form.

[DeToxRox]

Good thing you didn't get rid of Downing .. You owe him for that one :)

Miller sounds damn exciting, and it seems like you got him on the cheap considering what they countered previous .. or am I off on that observation

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Holland beat Nigeria 4-3 in extra time to win the other semi-final. We will play Holland in the Confederations Cup Final on July 5th.




July 4, 2015 -

Darn :( Carlos Queiroz has retired from football. The guy has been an EXCELLENT Assistant manager and he will be hard to replace. I'll start my search immediately.


Chris Miller accepted my contract offer. He is ecstatic to have joined such an illustrious club.



I've kept a list of possibilities, and I decide to approach Sevilla manager Antonio Alvarez. Antonio is a 56 year old who is well respected throughout the football world. He wants 19,000/week which I agree to. I will also have to compensate Sevilla 1.8 million which I'm willing to do.

[Eaglesfan27]

Good thing you didn't get rid of Downing .. You owe him for that one :)

Miller sounds damn exciting, and it seems like you got him on the cheap considering what they countered previous .. or am I off on that observation
Well as far as face value, Downing is worth 21 million and Taylor is worth 5 million. So the cash is more, but Downing is really worth more than 21 million. As he just showed, he is one of the best left wingers in the world :)

However, he is starting to fade. What is even worse is that my scouts are starting to see Rooney fading (just a bit, but still it is worrying.)

[Eaglesfan27]

July 5, 2015 -

Today we play Holland in the Confederations Cup Final. Holland has the same stars as our last match against them recently.

Interestingly, we are 6-4 favorites now.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Lancaster
DL: Turner
DC: Morris
DC: Terry
DR: Johnson
ML: Downing
MC: Jenas
MC: Reo-Coker
MR: Eagles
SC: Rooney
SC: King

S1: Robinson
S2: Evans
S3: Cook
S4: Moore
S5: Jones
S6: Wright-Phillips
S7: Tucker

[Eaglesfan27]

5 minute mark: Long pass from Lancaster to Eagles.. Eagles heads the ball to king.. he dribbles into the box.. the keeper comes out to challenge him.. King chips it.. into the upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

8 minute mark: Terry starts the counterattack.. long pass to King.. King passes to Rooney.. he dribbles into the box.. shoots to the lower left corner.. past the keeper.. it hits the left goal post.

21 minute mark: Terry passes to Rooney who heads it to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. over the bar.

22 minute mark: De Weerd passes to Sneijder just outside the box.. he shoots.. powerful shot.. upper left corner.. GOAL. 1-1 match.


28 minute mark: Boogaart stops a Rooney breakaway.



Halftime: 1-1 tie.



52 minute mark: Eagles gets a yellow card for tripping Niesing.

72 minute mark: Rooney is exhausted. I put Tucker on for him. Cook on for Jenas as well due to his exhaustion.

80 minute mark: King gets a yellow card for a hard tackle on Boogaart.


End of regulation. 1-1 tie.



92 minute mark: Boogaart stops a Tucker breakaway.

93 minute mark: Long pass from De Vogel to Collins John in the 6 yard box.. he heads the ball.. upper left corner.. Lancaster dives.. misses it. GOAL. Down 2-1.

100 minute mark: Nigel de Jong gets a yellow card for tripping Cook.


Halftime of extra time. Down 2-1.

106 minute mark: Downing passes to Tucker in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

110 minute mark: Glen Johnson passes it long to King in the box.. he fakes out Boogaart.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-2. That is his second of the game!

111 minute mark: Wright-Phillips on for Reo-Coker who is exhausted.

116 minute mark: Eagles passes it just a little long for Tucker.

120 minute mark: Glen Johnson with a long pass.. King has it in the box.. whistle.. King was offside.


End of extra time. This is going to a shoot-out.



Unfortunately, with the exception of Jamie Cook, none of my available players are very good penalty shooters.



Cook steps up first... he looks confident.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!! 1-0.

Wesley Sneijder steps up.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL. 1-1.



Downing steps up next... he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-1.

Rafael van der Vaart steps up.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL. 2-2.



Steve Turner steps up next.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-2.

Nigel de Jong steps up.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL. 3-3 tie.


John Terry steps up.. he runs... he shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-3.

Arjen Robben looks confident.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. it hits the post.. bounces in. GOAL. 4-4 tie.



Craig King steps up... upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 5-4.

John Heltinga steps up with pressure on him.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Lancaster dives.. blocks it!!!! We win!!! WE win!!!! 5-4 on penalty shots.



Game over. 2-2 (5-4) win :)

We outshot them 17-11 (11-3 on target)

Craig King wins MoM, 10 for form, 30 of 31 passes, 9 key passes, 0 of 1 tackles, 1 of 12 headers, 5 runs, 1 foul drawn, and 2 goals.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Writers are now talking about me as one of the greatest managers in the World and not just England :)


The English Football Association is delighted that I guided the team to win in the Confederations Cup and they believe it will be a fantastic boost to the entire nation.

Nigel Reo-Coker is lavishing praise on me in the media for guiding the team to the Title.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 6. 2015 -

I ask my coaches to compare how good my players are now in relation to the end of the 2013-2014 season. Really, I should have asked them at the end of the 2014-2015 season 2 months ago, but this should still be interesting:


Biggest Improvement:

Sadly very few players have improved since last season. Hopefully, this is partially due to guys being rusty after being off the last weeks from training.


However, few minor improvements are:

1. Barry Parker - This 25 year old midfielder has become a more complete player. He is a better passer, a better defender, and a better leaper. His mental attributes seem more clear as well.

2. Darren Evans - this 20 year old keeper has improved in multiple technical attributes, but it is doubtful he will ever be a quality starting keeper.

3. Kevin Young - This 21 year old striker has continued to progress and could be a decent backup now. I'll use him if injuries occur.

4. Bob Wright - This 23 year old striker has continued to develop as well, and he has become a better finisher. He could be a decent rotation player and did score a few goals for us this past year.

That is it for players that have improved :(


Biggest Losses:

1. Wes Brown - This 35 year old right back/centreback is losing it quickly. I can't see him being useful at all this year. I'd only use him in an emergency.

2. Dalibor Stevanovic - This 30 year old midfielder is losing his abilities and he isn't going to be a reliable rotation player for long. Of course, I've rarely used him in the past year or two anyway.

3. Lucio - This 37 year old centreback is a medical marvel. He is still as fast as some 25 year olds, but he isn't nearly as skilled as he once was. However, despite that he is still a servicable centreback. I'll use him a bit in this last year.

4. John O'Shea - This 34 year old leftback/centreback is losing his abilities moreso during this past year. However, he is still a decent defender and could play some for us.

5. Darren Fletcher - This 31 year old midfielder is starting to lose his technical abilities and physical abilities. He has one more good year in him, but I doubt he will have much more than that.

6. Stewart Downing - This 30 year old left winger is starting to lose his technical abilities. He is still better than most left wingers, and he still has his speed. I expect he has 2 more good years in him.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 6, 2015 -

Antonio Alvarez rejected my first contract offer of 19,000/week. I offer the potential AM 24,000/week which is my final offer (in part because that is high as the board will go.)


July 8, 2015 -

Deportivo are interested in buying Mark van den Boogaart and want to know how much we want for him.

I tell them, I'm not interested in selling.


Antonio Alvarez has accepted my latest offer and has come on board as our new assistant manager.


The Wolves have signed Joe Cole on a free transfer.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 9, 2015 -

Liverpool have spent 30 million to buy 23 year old midfielder Philippe Durand from Mallorca.


Matias Cahais has requested to be transfer listed :( I can't blame him. I haven't used him much. The 27 year old centreback is good, but not superb. I'll use him more this year if he doesn't get transferred, but I'm expecting to eventually transfer him. He still has 3 years on his deal.


James McFadden has also requested that he be transfer listed. I agree to his request, but am hopeful that he might rescind it.

Even though he is 32, he is still a good striker.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 13, 2015 -

Adriano has been called up to Brazil and Matias Cahais has been called up to Argentina for the Copa America.

Liverpool has spent 30 million dollars to sign Jose Luis Abad, a 23 year old defender, from Roma.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 13, 2015 -

Today we have our first friendly at Sparta Prague. They are a good Czech Republic team that will hopefully challenge our players and bring out the best while working on conditioning.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller (Time to give the kid his debut with us, even if it is a friendly.)
ML: Barbosa
MC: Wood
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: Oswald (Time to give this kid his debut as well)

S1: Howard
S2: Alfonso
S3: Cook
S4: Djemba
S5: Brown
S6: Fletcher
S7: Stevanovic
S8: Lucio
S9: Downing
S10: Boogaart
S11: O'Shea
S12: Ortega

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Schmidt heads the ball to McFadden at midpitch.. he plays a perfect through pass to Oswald.. Oswald dribbles into the box.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper blocks it.. the defense clears it.

15 minute mark: Dostal trips Oswald who was going to have a breakaway.. yellow card for him.

McFadden takes the free kick.. barely wide right.


20 minute mark: Miller with a long pass.. Oswald has it.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. hard shot.. the keeper blocks it.

34 minute mark: Adriano saves a long range shot from Hanus.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.



54 minute mark: Barbosa passes to McFadden in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

61 minute mark: I put on 7 subs. I move Barbosa to striker.

67 minute mark: Adriano stops a long shot from Zboncak.

81 minute mark: Straka passes to Vasicek in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Adriano dives.. it is out of his reach.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

91 minute mark: Downing passes it to Oswald in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper came out.. he smothers the shot.


Game over. 1-0 loss.

We outshot them 10-7 (5-2 on target)

Their keeper, Martin Krejcik, won MoM, 5 saves, 11 of 19 passes. 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 16, 2015 -

Dalibor Stevanovic broke his leg in practice today in 3 places! He is expected to miss at least 5 months.



Matias Cahais played well for Argentina, but not great in their 3-1 win over Chile.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 18, 2015 -

Chelsea have signed Sylvain Bon, a 23 year old versatile midfielder for 18 million. Wow. I can't believe this guy slipped under my radar. My scouts believe he is quite impressive.


Adriano played well but didn't score in Brazil's 1-1 tie with Paraguay.


Chris Miller (my new right back), Dean Watkins, and Alan Watkins have all been called up by me to the England U19 squad for the upcoming Euro U19 Championship.



Boogaart is exhausted and the physio tells me that I have to "nurse him back to health."

As a result, Wes Brown will be playing plenty of right back at my next friendly.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 20, 2015 -

Today we will be playing a friendly against Eupen. Eupen is a small fairly weak team in Belgium. This should be a confidence builder for our guys as we should score fairly easily.

It is sunny with temperatures in the 70's.



GK: Adriano
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Brown (I have no choice with Boogaart needing rest and Miller being away playing for England.)
ML: Alfonso
MC: Wood
MC: Fletcher
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: Oswald (I want to see him score for us.)

S1: Howard
S2: Cook
S3: Godoy
S4: Barbosa
S5: Djemba
S6: Downing
S7: Lucio
S8: Rooney
S9: Schmidt
S10: Schreurs
S11: King

I'm not even going to list Boogaart at S12 so I don't get tempted...

[oykib]

It's too bad that win versus Brazil didn't come a year or so ago...

[Eaglesfan27]

7 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Ortega.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. the keeper saves it.

They are playing us evenly so far :(

20 minute mark: Alfonso trips De Meyer.. yellow card for Alfonso

25 minute mark: De Peuw gets a breakway.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Adriano with a nice save.

43 minute mark: Alfonso dribbles down the left sideline.. past two defenders.. crosses it to the far post.. Oswald heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.



Halftime: 0-0 tie. A lot of my players aren't really exerting themselves.


46 minute mark: Ortega dribbles down the right sideline.. into the right side of the box.. he centers it for Oswald.. he heads it.. upper left corner.. the keeper saves it.

51 minute mark: Alfonso passes it to McFaddenin the box.. he heads it to Oswald.. he shoots from 10 yards out.. over the bar.

61 minute mark: Ortega with a brilliant dribble down the right side of the pitch.. he crosses it to the far post.. McFadden heads it.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

65 minute mark: I bring on all of my subs except for Schmidt, Schreurs, Barbosa, and Howard.

71 minute mark: Djemba passes it to Godoy in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. excellent save by the keeper.

88 minute mark: O'Shea passes to Djemba in the box.. he blasts a shot.. upper right corner.. excellent block by the keeper.


Game over. 0-0 tie. Hopefully, our guys will turn up the intensity once the regular season starts.

We outshot them 12-2 (6-1 on target)

Luc Hendrickx, their keeper, won MoM, 12 of 29 passing, 6 saves. 8 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

It's too bad that win versus Brazil didn't come a year or so ago...


Yeah, I was thinking the same thing as it happened.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 21, 2015 -

Today I guide England's U19 team against Germany's U19 team in the Euro U19 Championship Group Match.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Liam Andrews
DL: Gary Burke
DC: Richard Preston
DC: Andy Connor
DR: Chris Miller (my man)
ML: Richard Harding
MC: Danny Taylor
MC: Gary Bell
MR: John O'Brien
SC: Matthew Chapman
SC: Jamie Barnes

S1: Dean Watkins (also mine)
S2: Alan Watkins (mine)
S3: Danny Moore
S4: Matthew Dunn
S5: Adam Hogg
S6: Mark Wilson
s7: Jonathan Chapman

[Eaglesfan27]

6 minute mark: Miller with a nice defensive play and a good pass.

9 minute mark: Chapman with a breakaway.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

12 minute mark: Andy connor gets a yellow card for a trip on Schmitt, their striker.

19 minute mark: Miller starts the counterattack.. long pass to midpitch.. Taylor gets it.. he passes to Chapman just outside the box.. chapman dribbles between two defenders.. into the box.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

26 minute mark: Miller with an easy but solid defensive play.

34 minute mark: Wagner dribbles down the right sideline.. he passes it to Schmitt on the left side of the box.. Miller let that pass sail over him.. Schmitt centers it to Maier in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. no chance for the keeper. GOAL. 1-1 match.


Halftime: 1-1 match.



61 minute mark: Alan Watkins on for Bell.

74 minute mark: Jonathan Chapman on for Barnes. I know have Chapman and Chapman at the striker positions.

77 minute mark: Meyer with a breakaway.. my keeper comes out to meet him.. smothers the shot.


Game over. 1-1 tie.


We were outshot 11-8 (7-2 on target)

Our keeper, Liam Andrews, won MoM, 9 of 18 passes, 6 saves. 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 23, 2015 -

Roday England'S U19 team plays Poland's U19 team.

It's overcast and in the 70's.


We are using the same lineup except Andy connor is sliding to right back and Chris Miller is sliding to centreback.

[Eaglesfan27]

4 minute mark: Miller with a long pass to Chapman in the box.. he shoots.. wide left.


Rather boring first half which is surprising since they are running a 4 defenders - 2 midfielders - 3 attacking midfielders - 1 striker and I thought we would have had more offensive opportunities against that thin midfield.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.


Dunn on for Barnes and Alan Watkins on for O'Brien.

48 minute mark: Miller with a good defensive play.. long pass to Chapman.. he dribbles into the box.. shoots.. over the bar.

63 minute mark: Watkins passes to Dunn in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper blocks it.

79 minute mark: Their keeper stops a pair of our shots.

85 minute mark: Watkins passes to Chapman in the box.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. the keeper dives.. pushes it wide.


Game over. 0-0 tie.

We outshot them 12-2 (6-1 on target)

Wojciech Topolski (their keeper) won MoM, 9 for form, 6 saves, 24 of 39 passes.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 24, 2015 -

The European Super Cup was drawn and we will play FC Bayern in the European Super Cup on Aug 28, 2015.



Today, I've flown back home to coach my friendly match. We will be playing against Charleroi a small Belgium team. Hopefully, we can work on more than just conditioning and score some goals.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Salva
DR: Boogaart (is getting healthy - I'll only play him for a bit today.)
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Cook
S3: Alfonso
S4: Wood
S5: McFadden
S6: Djemba
S7: Oswald
S8: Lucio
S9: Ortega
S10: Brown
S11: O'Shea
S12: Downing

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Godoy passes to Rooney who is 30 yards out.. trademark banana shot.. powerful.. curving.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

44 minute mark: Schmidt passes it to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he blasts a shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it.


Another lethargic friendly. My guys are just coasting through these friendlies.. I hope they turn up the intensity once we start playing for real.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.

56 minute mark: Marchetti misplays a pass into the box.. Lenaerts gets the pass.. shoots from 15 yards out.. upper left corner.. Adriano misplays the shot.. it's past him.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

66 minute mark: Barbosa with a long cross to the far post.. King heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it.

70 minute mark: I put on all of my subs except for Howard, wood, and Cook.

82 minute mark: O'Shea passes to Downing.. he dribbles down the left side of the pitch.. he dribbles past two defenders to the left corner of the pitch.. he crosses.. to the near post.. McFadden with a diving header.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1.

86 minute mark: We get of a flurry of shots.. one that hits the crossbar.. a few others stopped by defenders or the keeper.


Game over. 1-1 tie.

We outshot them 14-2 (5-1 on target)

Despite coming on at the 71 minute mark, Downing wins MoM, 8 for form, 5 of 5 passes, 1 key pass, 1 of 1 tackles, 1 of 1 headers, 7 runs, 2 fouls drawn, and 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 26, 2015 -

Today I'm managing England's U19 team against Ireland. We have to win this match to advance. We are the hosts this year, and I really don't want to face the embarassment of losing this early. We might advance with a draw, but I don't want to take that chance.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 50's.


We are using the same lineup as our first match 4 days ago.

[Eaglesfan27]

13 minute mark: Chapman gets the ball from Preston.. he shoots.. over the bar.

30 minute mark: Chapman steals the ball.. dribbles into the box.. Ryan catches him and tackles him. Good play by their centreback.

35 minute mark: Miller with a good defensive play.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.



65 minute mark: Wilson on at left back.

70 minute mark: Dean Watkins on at left wing and Piper on at striker.

81 minute mark: Miller clears the corner kick.


Game over. 0-0 tie.


We each had 3 shots. we each had 0 shots on target.

Chris Miller won MoM, 8 for form, 34 of 44 passes, 6 of 6 tackles, 9 of 9 headers, 11 interceptions, 1 foul drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

I need Poland to beat Germany. If they don't, I'm eliminated with Poland and Germany advancing....


















Germany beat Poland 3-2. Therefore, Germany and Poland advance from our group and we are officially done in the Euro u19 Championship! :(

We need some more good young talent to come into the system.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 29, 2015 -

Chelsea have had to bring in a new manager as their old manager has retired! They hired jose Luis Mendilibar today.

Bolton have signed Ashley Cole from Arsenal on a free transfer.

Bolton have sent 2.2 million to Rostock for Jonathan Spector.


Adriano had a hattrick for Brazil in their 3-1 win over Bolivia in the Quarter Final of the Copa America.



Salva twisted his knee and will miss our next friendly.

[daedalus]

Congrats on winning the tourney. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Congrats on winning the tourney. :)

Thanks :)

[Eaglesfan27]

July 30, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Millwall in a friendly. This is our final warmup before the regular season. Millwall is in the English Championship and they have very few stars. Sulley Ali Muntari is a good midfielder. The rest of their players just aren't that good in comparision to our own.


It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.

GK: Howard (He needs a tune-up too. He is still going to play plenty for us this season, but Adriano is going to play much more.)
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Lucio (Cahais is away on international duty or he would get the start.)
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Wood
MC: Fletcher
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
sc: King (Adriano is away on international duty still)

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cook
S3: Downing
S4: McFadden
S5: Djemba
S6: Alfonso
S7: Oswald
S8: Godoy
S9: O'Shea
S10: Brown
S11: Boogaart
S12: Schreurs

[Eaglesfan27]

5 minute mark: Harris passes to Potrazasaj just outside the box.. he unleashes a powerful curving shot from 20 yards out.. upper right corner.. Howard can't reach it.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

24 minute mark: Barbosa gets the ball left of the box.. he centers for king.. he heads it.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar. Rooney hits the rebound on the half-volley.. over the bar.

38 minute mark: Barbosa gets the ball left of the box on a long pass from Miller.. Barbosa crosses it to the far side of the box to ortega.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1.


Halftime: 1-1 tie.


King has picked up a minor injury, so I pull him at halftime for Oswald.

My guys all look very fresh and I can tell they aren't really exerting themselves out there today.



47 minute mark: Barbosa passes it to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

54 minute mark: Schmidt is hurt :( I put O'Shea on for him.

60 minute mark; I put on the entire second string except for Adriano.

84 minute mark: Atkinson with a point blank shot.. Howard pushes it over the bar.


Game over. 1-1 tie.

We outshot them 13-4 (5-1 on target)

Their keeper, Maurizio Tommasi, won MoM, 8 for form, 9 of 22 passes, 4 saves.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 30, 2015 -

Schmidt injured his neck but will only miss a week.

Aston Villa have offered 5.4 million for Chris Taylor. I might regret this, but I'm not using him and Adriano is already better. So, I counter with 7 million for him plus 10% of next sale. If they want to pay that, I'll let Taylor go.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 1, 2015 -

The board is very pleased with my performance as manager. They are even more pleased with the financial position of the club. As a result, they have upped my transfer budget by another 5 million dollars. As a result, I now have 16.5 million remaining for transfers.


Argentina beat Brazil on penalty shots today in the 3rd place playoff in the Copa America. Adriano was injured early in the match :(

Matias Cahais played well for Argentina.


Brazil's manager stepped down immediately after the loss.


Aston Villa have countered with 7 million for Taylor. They took out the 10% of next sale clause. I agree to the deal.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 5, 2015 -

Liverpool hare attempting to bring in a VERY impressive striker from South Africa. According to my scouts, this guy could become the premiere striker in the EPL! They are applying for a work permit, and considering the guy has 67 caps and 20 goals, I suspect they will get it for 28 year old Lebohang Mokoena. He will be very tough to play against if my scouts are correct.



I've been made 6-4 favorites to win the EPL this year. Chelsea have 7-4 odds. Liverpool has 8-1 odds. Arsenal has 10-1 odds. Aston Villa has 16-1 odds. Newcastle has 25-1 odds.



Newcastle have made an offer of 7.6 million for Matias Cahais. That is MUCH too low. I counter with 28 million.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 5, 2015 -

Time to look at guys who are in the last year of their contracts:

(In no particular order)


James McFadden - This striker is 32, but he is still a very good 3rd or 4th option. He is unhappy with being a 3rd or 4th option however. I contact his agent, and he tells me that James doesn't wish to remain here as a 3rd or 4th option. I decide I will let him go after this season.

Wes Brown - He is 35 and deteriorating rapidly. I don't make an offer.

Eric Djemba Djemba - He is 34 and is slipping rapidly. I don't make an offer.


John O'Shea - He is 34 and this defender is losing his skills quickly. Already he is looking slower than he did a month or two ago. I'm not sure if he is going to be servicable even for this whole year now! I certainly pass on signing him to a new deal.

Tim Howard - He is 36 and he is starting to slip. Adriano is close to passing him on the depth chart. He is a fan favorite and I'll keep him on as a rotation player next year if he is willing. I offer him a million signing bonus and a slight paycut to 77,000/week.

Wayne Rooney - He is 29 and is starting to show the slightest signs of slipping, but he is still a premiere striker. He wants a 2 year extension with a 3.6 million dollar signing bonus and 180,000/week. He also wants 9k/goal and 5k/assist. I agree to his requests.

Darren Fletcher - This 31 year old midfielder is starting to decline, but is still good and might have two more quality years left in him. He wants a 2 year extension with a slight pay cut but 1.4 million signing bonus. I agree to pay him 79k/week for the next 3 years.


Lucio - This 37 year old centreback is slipping quite a bit, but is still good. Could he hold on for one more year after this one? The board finally feels that he is done and will only allow us to offer up to 30,000 for him. He won't extend for that amount. I'll have to say goodbye to one of my favorite players ever.

Stewart Downing - This 31 year old left winger is starting to decline and I do have two good guys behind him, but he is still one of the best in England. I call his agent. He wants 2 million plus his current salary of 86,000/week to sign a 1 year extension beyond this year. I agree.


Dalibor Stevanovic - This 30 year old attacking midfielder has probably never really gotten a fair shake from me. However, i'm not going to keep in reserve limbo any longer. I'll let him go after this season.


Salva - This 22 year old centreback has become everything I thought he would be. He is a very good defender and is close to becoming an elite defender. He wants a 2 year extension with a nice raise to 53,000/week plus 1.5 million signing. I agree to his requests.

Gabriele Marchetti - This 23 year old centreback hasn't been as good. He is a good defender, but his lack of leaping ability, lack of good strength, and lack of great balance sometimes hurt him. He also isn't a great position defender. I'm going to sign him to a new deal, but I'm starting to think he is not the long term answer here.

He wants a 2 year extension with a salary of 27,500/week plus 650k signing bonus. I agree to this. He also realizes that he will likely be a rotation player.

Mickael Schmidt - This 22 year old leftback is a gifted technical player and a great "coach on the field" with his mental prowess. However, his lack of great fitness hurts him. His speed seems to be dropping at 22 too! I'll sign him to an extension, but I need to find a left back to more frequently spell him. He wants 37,000/week for a 3 year extension plus a signing fee of 800k. Interestingly, he only considers himself worthy of being a rotation player. I'm sure I'll still be starting him plenty this year.

Adriano, GK - This 21 year old keeper still has a good chance of becoming my keeper of the future. He is willing to extend at his current salary of 29,500/week plus 1 million signing bonus for 2 more years. He is also willing to remain a rotation player behind Howard. Perfect.



Andy Ford - This 23 year old striker in my reserve system just doesn't have enough speed or skill to play at this level. I'll let him go after this year.

Darren Evans - This 20 year old keeper shows some promise. He only requires 750/week to extend for 2 more years and I decide to do it.

Mark Lambert - This 22 year old right winger has great speed, but not much else. I'll let him go after this season.

John Gray - This 22 year old left winger just doesn't have the skills to play at his level. I'll let him go.

Jason Stone - 20 year old right back has great speed, but nothing else. I'll let him go.


Dani - This 21 year old keeper has a tremendous amount of potential. His reflexes are possibly the best of ANY of my keepers. However, he lacks determination, concentration, or composure. I'll extend him to see if he can overcome these weaknesses.

Stephen Wright - This 21 year old midfielder hasn't shown enough potential. I'll let him go as well.


This is going to be the most turnover I've ever had on this team I think.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 6, 2015 -

Our physio Milton Graneolatti has retired from football. I need to find a replacement immediately.

Taylor has agreed to Aston Villa's terms. The deal can now be completed and I can start shopping for a dominant young centreback as Marchetti isn't going to fit that bill.


Looking at the notes of my scouts, I don't see any great defenders that meet my criteria that I can afford, but I do find one that can help against physical strikers. Dominique Rodriguez is a 25 year old French centreback who is very strong, a great leaper, and great at winning aerial battles for the ball. I offer Bordeaux 12 million for him.


I decide to approach a young unknown physio who just recently completed his education. Lee Bullock is 34 and he graduated at the top of his class. He is reportedly quite skilled technically at the art of being a physiotherapist. Since he is new and young, he only wants 550/week which I'm glad to offer him.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 8, 2015 -

Chris Taylor has been sold. We have to give Leeds 700,000 of the 7 million as part of our prior arrangement with them.


Dani, Evans, Fletcher, Marchetti, Adriano, Downing, Howard, Salva, and Rooney all signed new deals!


Newcastle withdrew their bid for Cahais.

Charlton have signed Cristian Chivu on a free transfer.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 9, 2015 -

Mickael Schmidt has signed a new 4 year deal worth 7.2 million dollars.


Real Madrid have offered 55 million for Jeroen Schreurs. He had a bad year last year, but he is a great right winger. Ortega is also a great right winger, and he is several years younger. This is a hard choice. I decide that I will sell him for 80 million which they might offer since he is actually "worth" 51 million.


Bordeaux have rejected our 12 million dollar offer for Dominique Rodriguez.

I counter with 15 million dollars.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 10, 2015 -

Lee Bullock has joined my staff as our new physio.

Arsenal have signed Manu (my ex-keeper) from Real Madrid for 2 million dollars.

(OOC: Gotta go run a few errands, be back in a half hour or so. I'm going to enjoy my last 4 days of vacation [except for being on call tonight and tomorrow]

[Eaglesfan27]

OOC Note:

These following thoughts occurred to me while grocery shopping /ooc.


Aug 10, 2015 -

With the season about to start, I've decided to analyze my notes and determine who my best 5 players are and to think of how to get them on the pitch more.


1. Adriano - Valued at 81 million dollars. This kid is 23 and he is coming into his prime. He is a dominating striker.

2. Rooney - Valued at 43 million dollars. He is 29 and is slowly starting to lose a bit, but he just had a dominating season and there is no reason to think he can't have one or two truly great seasons in the next two years with a good year or two following that up.

3. Jeroen Schreurs - Valued at 54 million dollars. This right winger has a superb skill set. Lacks top notch speed, but a great player.

4. Helder Barbosa - Valued at 33 million dollars. This 28 year old is one of the most technically gifted players I've ever seen.

5. Antonio Ortega - This player is valued at 27 million dollars (note higher valued players did not make this list) but he is only 21 and is a rising superstar. Top notch speed, great acceleration, and excellent technical skills.


Just missed the cut (in no order)

Salva - Great defender is only 23.

Mickael Schmidt - Lack of fitness prevents him from making the list. Natural Fitness is so bad that he will never be the truly dominating left back that he could be. Still very good.

Stewart Downing - Age is hitting him, but is still an excellent left winger.

Howard - Age is catching up to him.

Adriano, GK - Still developing.



So, I'm thinking.. 4 of my best guys play the same two positions. Downing and Barbosa are getting up there in age to an extent and can't play every day, but neither of them is going to be happy to be 50% players, starting every other game.

Similarly, Jeroen Schreurs and Ortega are great players who don't want to be splitting time evenly or even close to evenly.

So, I wish I thought of this earlier, but I'm going to experiment with an occasional midfield of Barbosa, Downing, Schreurs, and Ortega. This will allow me to get more of my best players on the pitch and I'm hoping this might take the team to even greater heights. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 11, 2015 -

Birmingham have signed Wayne Bridge on a free transfer.

Inter have offered 78 million for Jeroen Schreurs! Maybe 80 million isn't enough to keep him safe from the vultures... then again should I sell him for that profit and get another player? No, I want to see how he can do playing alongside Ortega. I counter with an offer of 100 million. If they offer that, I WILL sell him and get a player at whatever is my most needed position.


Real Madrid have withdrawn their offer for Schreurs.


Bordeaux have rejected the 15 million dollar offer from Dominique Rodriguez.

I counter with an offer of 18 million dollars.


Aug 12, 2015 -

Eric Djemba strained his calf and will miss about 2 weeks.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 13, 2015 -

Arsenal have spent 30 million dollars to sign 23 year old Spanish right winger Victor from Milan. Victor looks good, but I think they overpaid a bit.


Atletico de Madrid has hired jose Uribe as their new manager.


Inter have withdrawn their offer for Jeroen Schreurs.



Arsenal have signed 26 year old midfielder David from Murcia for 6.6 million dollars. David is good and this seems like a good bargain.


Aug 14, 2015 -

Bordeaux have rejected the 18 million dollars offer for Dominique Rodriguez.


I up my bid to 21 million which is coming up to my maximum offer.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 15, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Birmingham in our season opener! Birmingham only have a few good players. Dmitry Sychev is a talented 31 year old Russian striker. He still has very good pace. Jose Manuel Marquez is a 23 year old spanish midfielder/forward who is a great long range shooter. John Paul Kelly is an excellent passer in the midfield and is a solid all around player. Jose Moreira is a 33 year old keeper who is very good and is hard to score against.

Over the past 11 years we have 17 wins, 5 draws, and 3 losses against them.

We are 4-6 favorites today.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Barbosa
MC: Downing
MC: SChreurs
MR: Ortega (Trying out my potential dream midfield)
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Alfonso
S3: Godoy
S4: King
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

12 minute mark: Downing passes it to Rooney in the middle of the box.. the defender tackes him before he can shoot.

25 minute mark: Howard kicks it to Downing at midpitch.. he heads it to Schreurs.. he passes to Barbosa.. Barbosa passes it into the box for Adriano.. the keeper intercepts the pass.

27 minute mark: Ortega gets a yellow card for a hard tackle on Bridge.

36 minute mark: Schreurs passes to Ortega in the right side of the box.. Ortega shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.

42 minute mark: Wayne Bridge trips Ortega.. yellow card for Bridge.

44 minute mark: Boogaart passes it to Rooney in the box.. he heads it.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

45 minute mark: Sychev shoots from 20 yards out.. Howard misses it.. it hits the crossbar.. Howard falls on the rebound gratefully.




Halftime: 0-0 tie. They have over 30,000 fans here today.




46 minute mark: Schmidt passes to Barbosa in the left corner of the pitch.. he centers it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. the keeper pushes it over the bar.

50 minute mark: Downing passes to Barbosa.. he passes to Adriano in the box.. Adriano shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. acrobatic save.

53 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper pushes it over the bar.

58 minute mark: Rooney gets a yellow card for a trip on Scott.

63 minute mark: Rooney steals the ball at midpitch.. passes it to Adriano.. he fakes out two defenders.. great crossover dribble.. into the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. another very acrobatic save by the keeper.

66 minute mark: Ortega steals the ball.. passes it to Schreurs.. he has a breakaway.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. GOA... it's been disallowed.. schreurs was offside!

72 minute mark: Ortega has picked up a minor knock.. I slide Schreurs to right wing and put Godoy on for Ortega. Adriano is tired, I put King on for him.

81 minute mark: Salva with a dangerous two footed tackle on Sychev.. yellow card for Salva.

88 minute mark: Boogaart with a good defensive play.


Game over. 0-0 tie :(

We outshot them 14-11 (8-3 on target)

Their keeper had a 10 for form, but Barbosa wins MoM, 10 for form, 14 of 16 passes, 5 key passes, 4 of 6 tackles, 2 of 10 headers, 10 runs, 1 foul drawn.

Downing had a 9 for form.

The experiment was ok, but we were victimized by a very good keeper who played great.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Salva twisted his ankle and will miss 2 weeks :(


Bordeaux have rejected my 21 million dollar offer for Dominique Rodriguez.

I make my final offer of 22 million dollars.



Aug 19, 2015 -


Liverpool have completed the 21 million dollar deal to bring Lebohang Mokoena from Brescia to their club. I think this is the STEAL of the century. Great purchase by them. I expect Mokoena to become among the league leaders in goals.


Aston Villa have offered 2.6 million plus Richard Preston for Michael Wood. Preston is an 18 year old centreback with some promise, but he is no where near as valuable as Wood. Wood has been a disappointment to me, and I might move him for the right price, but this is not it.


Aug 20, 2015 -

Middlesbrough have offered 1 million dollars plus Trond Fredrik Ludvigsen for Michael Wood. Trond is a 33 year old striker who is over the hill. I reject the offer.


WTF!?! Lee Bullock my new physio decided to go to Doncaster to join their physio staff. I've been compensated with 80,000 dollars! Why did he leave my squad for Doncaster?

I decide to appraoch Martin Albrechtsen who has become a physio after retiring, and is reportedly good at his job.


Nigel de Jong suffered a torn ACL and will miss most of the season. Arsenal will be scrambling to add another defender now.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 22, 2015 -

Bordeaux countered with an offer of 30 million for Rodriguez. I'm going to pass. He just isn't a big enough upgrade from what I have to justify 30 million.


Today we host Arsenal in an EPL Match. Arsenal won their first game and are looking strong. Mauro Di Mauro is a very dangerous striker who is flourishing with Arsenal. Mario is a very good midfielder who is only 24. Lukas Podolski is a great 2nd striker. Salomon Kalou is still playing right wing despite their recent acquisition. Hatem Ben Arfa is playing well at left wing since Jose Antonio Reyes is out injured. Jesus is a good but not great keeper. Michael Smith is a good centreback.


In the past 11 years or so, our record against them is 7 wins, 7 draws, and 13 losses :(


We are 5-4 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Boogaart (With Salva's injury, he is the best option here.)
DR: Miller (the 18 year old kid gets his debut with us tonight.)
ML: Barbosa
MC: Downing
MC: Schreurs
MR: Ortega (One more try for the dream midfield.)
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Fletcher
S3: Oswald
S4: King
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

6 minute mark: Miller with a good defensive play.. starts the counter attack.. heads it to Ortega.. Ortega with a great pass.. to Rooney just outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.. Adriano shoots the rebound.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

10 minute mark: Schreurs steals the ball in our own half.. he passes to Rooney... Rooney has it at midpitch.. he dribbles past one defender.. up the pitch.. past another defender.. he splits two more defenders.. into the box.. puts a spin move on the keeper.. right on around him.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0! Sensational goal by Rooney!

13 minute mark: Marchetti with a good header.. to Adriano near midpitch.. he passes to Rooney who is just across the center line.. Rooney dribbles past one defender.. past another defender.. past a third defender.. into the box.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. Goal!!!! 3-0! Rooney is looking magical.

20 minute mark: Ben Arfa gets a yellow card for shoving Miller.

24 minute mark: Miller heads the ball from our own box.. to Ortega deep in our zone.. long pass to Rooney.. Rooney just has to beat one defender and the keeper.. he dribbles past the defender.. fakes to his right.. dribbles to his left.. around jesus.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0! Rooney has his hattrick already.

42 minute mark: Howard stops a long range shot from Podolski.

43 minute mark: Schreurs passes it to Downing.. he is tripped outside the box by Yobo.. yellow card on Yobo.



Halftime: 4-0 lead. We have over 91,000 fans here watching us demolish Arsenal! :)



46 minute mark: Gary Burke with a hard two footed tackle on Barbosa.. he gets a yellow card.

48 minute mark: Howard stops a long range shot from David.

49 minute mark: Another good play by Marchetti.. this is his best game in a long time.

50 minute mark: Miller with another good defensive play.. Podolski with a hard tackle on Miller.. yellow card on Podolski.

51 minute mark: Rooney gets a yellow card for pulling Smith's jersey.

54 minute mark: Marchetti with a good defensive play.. Mauro Di Mauro tackles him hard.. yellow card on mauro. Our defenders are frustrating them!

56 minute mark: Downing elbows Mario in the jaw.. yellow card for Downing.

61 minute mark: Oswald on for Rooney, Schreurs has picked up a bad knock.. I put Fletcher on for him.

Rooney gets a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch.

80 minute mark: Miller with another header away from Podolski.

89 minute mark: Miller with a long pass down the right sideline.. Ortega gets to it.. he centers it to the near post.. Adriano heads it.. jesus blocks it.. Oswald gets the rebound.. fires it into the open left side of the net! GOAL!!!! 5-0! Oswald scores in his debut!


Game over.. 5-0 win over Arsenal :)

We outshot them 15-14 (12-4 on target)

Rooney wins MoM, 10 for form, 9 of 13 passes, 1 key pass, 0 of 1 tackles, 6 of 7 headers, 6 runs, 1 assist, and 3 goals.

Adriano also had a 10 for form.

Miller and Ortega had 9's for form. Great debut by Miller!

Every other starter had an 8 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 23, 2015 -

Martin Albrechtsen has agreed to come work for us as a physio for 550/week.



Aug 24, 2015 -

Chris Miller, Boogaart, and Rooney were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 25, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Fulham in an EPL Match. They are in 5th place while we are in 4th place. Fulham has several stars including striker Collins John who is 29 and is a dangerous scorer. Michael Rensing is a very good keeper who is on top of his game at 31. Conall Murtagh is a 30 year old midfielder who specializes in great passes, and hasn't taken the place of Thomas Hitzlsperger as the main midfielder (who is declining as he is now 33.) Christian Schulz is 32 and is their leading defender at left back.


Our career record against them in the last 11 years is 15 wins, 9 draws, and 2 losses.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Tim Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cahais
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Cook
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Lucio
S3: Alfonso
S4: Godoy
S5: Oswald

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Barbosa passes to McFadden left of the box.. he draws a defender over.. fires a pass to King.. a defender outjumps him and heads it away.

2 minute mark: Wayne Dunn stops a McFadden dribble into the box.. I forgot about that pesky defender.

16 minute mark: Collins John gets the ball in the box.. shoots from 10 yards out.. Howard blocks the shot.

20 minute mark: Cahais trips John in the box.. penalty awarded.. Christian Schulz steps up.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL. Down 1-0.

36 minute mark: Barbosa beats two defenders.. dribbles left of the box.. fires a pass to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.

38 minute mark: Cook passes to King just outside the box.. the keeper comes out to challenge him.. King shoots.. left of the keeper.. it's past him.. heading towards the goal post.. wide left.


Halftime: Down 1-0. They have over 22,000 fans here today.



47 minute mark: Schmidt passes to Ortega.. he passes to King in the box.. King is hesitant.. he doesn't shoot.. he passes back to Ortega.. Ortega passes to McFadden.. a defender intercepts the pass.

59 minute mark: Ortega passes to Barbosa left of the box.. Barbosa passes it to McFadden in the middle of the box.. he shoots... upper left corner.. the keeper easily saves his soft shot.

61 minute mark: Marchetti trips John outside the box.. Marchetti gets a yellow card.

63 minute mark: Oswald on for King and Godoy on for Cook.

65 minute mark: Cahais trips Hitzlsperger.. yellow card for Cahais.

73 minute mark: Alfonso on for McFadden who is exhausted.

78 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Fletcher inside the box.. he shoots.. weak shot that is wide left.

88 minute mark: Tabb steals the ball from Barbosa.. passes it to Postiga.. Postiga dribbles into the box.. shoots.. lower left corner.. right on by Howard.. GOAL. Down 2-0.



Game over. 2-0 loss :(

They outshot us 22-5 (10-1 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 8 for form, 14 of 20 passes, 4 key passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 2 interceptions, 7 runs, 1 foul drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Boogaart already needs rest. He never really had much of an offseason. Miller is going to have to step up early in his young career..


Aug 26, 2015 -

We have been put in Group F of the Champions League. This is a very nice draw. The other teams in the group are: Panathinaikos, Dinamo Buc. and Young Boys (apparently a team from Switzerland.)


We've been given 4.8 million dollars for playing in the Champions League Group Stage.




Aug 27, 2015 -

John O'Shea has told the club's website reporters that he expects to be in the first team if he is going to remain with the club.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 28, 2015 -

Today we play FC Bayern in the European Super Cup. FC Bayern has a very talented keeper in Maarten Stekelenburg who can beat a team on any night by himself. Diego is a very good left winger - the 30 year old Brazilian shows no signs of decline. Nelson Haedo Valdez is a 31 year old striker who has excellent physical abilities. Herve Garcia is a very good centreback who is only 20 and is becoming a very solid player.

We are even odd favorites despite having 11 players away on international duty.

Due to international play, I need to bring up 3 reserve players just to fill out my sub list.


It's raining with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Adriano
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Brown
ML: Alfonso
MC: Djemba
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Oswald
SC: Adriano

S1: Howard
S2: Lucio
S3: Boogaart (Absolutely will not play this game, but need a name to fill out the 7 subs.)
S4: Salva (doubtful due to injury, and likely will not play.)
S5: Jason Stone (very raw 21 year old right back that I called up due to all of our international away players)
S6: Mark Lambert (raw 22 year old right winger that I called up for same reason.)
S7: James Bailey (20 year old striker who is here for same reason.)


My England U21 Team is playing at the same time...

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Schreurs passes to Oswald.. their defender stops Oswald before he can shoot.

3 minute mark: Lapaczinski takes a free kick from 25 yards out.. Hanke in the box.. heads it.. upper right corner.. Mike Henke scores. GOAL. Down 1-0.

19 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Adriano in the box.. he heads it to schreurs by the right post.. Schreurs shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

22 minute mark: Djemba passes to Oswald in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar.

31 minute mark: Beer passes to Diego in the left side of the box.. he dribbles past Marchetti.. he shoots.. upper right corner... Adriano misplays it.. it's by him.. GOAL. Down 2-0 :(


Halftime: Down 2-0.


51 minute mark: Alfonso crosses to Oswald who heads it to Adriano.. he shoots from 15 yards out.. blistering shot.. over the bar.

63 minute mark: Godoy passes to Oswald in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.


Game over. Our guys got their butts handed to them :( 2-0 loss.

They outshot us 8-6 (3-1 on target)

Adriano had a very bad game in goal.

Schreurs won MoM, 8 for form, 22 of 26 passes, 3 key passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 1 of 3 headers, 8 runs, 2 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 29, 2015 -

The Wolves have made an offer of 4.6 million for David Harper.

I counter with an offer of 4.6 million plus 25% of next sale.

[Scholes]

Do you ever send your scouts out? And if so, where? I only recently started sending some to Africa and there are some real gems there (Mokoena, etc.) Had your scouts rated him, or did you just discover him?

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know I'm reading and enjoying this.

[Eaglesfan27]

Do you ever send your scouts out? And if so, where? I only recently started sending some to Africa and there are some real gems there (Mokoena, etc.) Had your scouts rated him, or did you just discover him?

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know I'm reading and enjoying this.
Thanks for the compliment. I send my scouts out, but I admit that I haven't sent them out that much to Africa. Liverpool beat me to Mokoena and I'm going to start scouting Africa more heavily. I only discovered him when I heard of the negotiations between his club and Liverpool. Whenever a rival is negotiating with a club, I scout the player to see if I want to poach on the deal. I was too late to interrupt this deal however.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 29, 2015 -

Today we play against Greece in the European Championship Qualifying Match. My English Team is in flux as many of our guys are becoming old without enough youth developing yet. Greece could be a tough match for us today. Their top players are centreback Antonis Rikkas and keeper Kleopas Giannou.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's is sunny with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Chris Taylor (now that he has left my team he is getting some regular PT. Lancaster and Robinson have been disappointing lately. Time for Taylor to get a start.)
DL: Steve Turner
DC: Ben Bennett
DC: Billy Jones
DR: Glen Johnson
ML: Stewart Downing
MC: John Collins
MC: Michael Wood
MR: Christopher Eagles
SC: Wayne Rooney
SC: Jermain Defoe

S1: Paul Robinson
S2: Wayne Dunn
S3: Craig King
S4: Bob Wright
S5: David Evans
S6: John Hall
S7: Mark Tucker

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Downing passes to Collins.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. just over the bar.

21 minute mark: Eagles dribbles over the endline.. I hate when my wingers make those mistakes.

23 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney just outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.

31 minute mark: Glen Johnson gets a yellow card for trippng one of their strikers.

36 minute mark: Wood passes to Collins outside the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.

43 minute mark: Downing passes it to Collins in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.



Halftime: 0-0 tie.



46 minute mark: Downing dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to the right side of the box.. Defoe heads it.. right of the box.

48 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney 25 yards out.. he unleashes a powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper pushes it over the bar.

52 minute mark: Chris Taylor with a very long kick.. Defoe gets the ball just in front of the two centrebacks.. he spins away from the defenders.. shoots.. upper left corner.. powerful shot from 20 yards out.. the keeper dives.. misses it! GOAL!!!!! 1-0.

70 minute mark: Evans on for Turner, Hall on for Collins.

72 minute mark: Downing dribbles past a defender.. crosses it to the middle of the box.. Defoe heads it.. over the bar.

74 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. the keeper charged him to challenge him.. Rooney chips it over the keeper.. into the upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0!

83 minute mark: Wright on for Rooney.



Game over. 2-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 24-1 (12-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 22 of 24 passes, 2 key passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 3 of 4 headers, 28 runs, 2 fouls drawn, 1 assist.

Eagles had a 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 30, 2015 -

Juventus have bid 29 million dollars plus Jose (a mediocre 23 year old striker) in exchange for Carlos Godoy! I like Godoy quite a bit, but this kid is 24 and isn't quite a premiere right winger/midfielder/forward. I'm a bit surprised at their bid. He is only "worth" 13 million. I like Godoy, and I need to get him into more matches regularly. However, I will sell Godoy if they make it 50 million as I just have some surplus at the position.

Of course, I don't expect them to bid 50 million.


Aug 31, 2015 -

Arsenal have signed 23 year old midfielder Herve Remy from Leeds for 9 million dollars. A nice pickup for Arsenal as he adds nice depth to the midfield.


Aston Villa spent 15 million to sign Diego Cardozo, a talented defender, from Deportivo. Another nice signing that I missed out on. Come on scouts.. do your job!


The Wolves surprise me by pulling their bid for Harper.



I decide to add 3 scouts to my staff today. I'm tired of missing on some of these good prospects.

[Eaglesfan27]

August 31, 2015 -

I've signed Simon Ambrose from Middlesbrough as a scout. I have to compensate them 30,000 dollars.

I've signed Gil Prescott from Stockport as a new scout. I've had to reimburse them 48,000 dollars.

I've signed Wesley Sonck from Murcia as a new scout. I've had to compensate them 24,000 dollars.



Sep 1, 2015 -

The board is very pleased with my performance as manager.

Helder Barbosa has won the EPL Player of the Month. Freddy Adu of Chelsea came in 2nd, and Thorben Marx of Middlesbrough came in 3rd.

Derby's Paul Simpson has won the EPL Young Player of the Month. Antonio Ortega came in 2nd, and Luke Briggs of Birmingham City came in 3rd.


Djuradj Vasic of Tottenham won Manager of the Month. Steve Coppell of Fulham came in 2nd, and Jose Luis Mendilibar of Chelsea came in 3rd.


Wayne Rooney swept the goal of the month award with his goals against Arsenal!

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 2, 2015 -

Antonio Ortega had 2 assists for Spain's U21 team in the Euro U21 Championship Qualifying match against Georgia. They won 2-0.


Sep 7, 2015 -

James McFadden has disappointed our supperters by publicly announcing that he is not going to re-sign with the club and he is going to leave as a Bosman after the season is over.


Adriano (the striker) injured his ankle in practice today and is expected to miss about 2 weeks.


Cahais strained his neck in practice today and will miss about 2 weeks.


Mickael Schmidt had injured himself in a French international game on Aug 29th (I just realized this) and he will miss about another 2 weeks :(



Sep 9, 2015 -

Eric Djemba Djemba has requested to be transfer listed :( I have too much talent, and can't keep them all happy :(



Real Madrid and I have been made 4-1 join favorites to win the Champions League. Valencia is third at 6-1. Milan is 8=1. Barcelona is 9-1, and Deportivo is 11-1.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 12, 2015 -

We host the Wolves in EPL Play today. We are currently in 9th while they are in 8th. The Wolves are led by Michele Sardo who is playing great in goal. Daniel Hofmann and Alexandr Orekhov are playing well in the defense so far this year. Sebastian Battaglia is playing well in the midfield. Bruno Moreira has been playing well at the striker position this year.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller (Boogaart is just exhausted from too much international play so far.)
ML: Barbosa
MC: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: King

S1: Adriano
S2: Godoy
S3: McFadden
S4: Ortega
S5: Lucio

[Eaglesfan27]

12 minute mark: Salva with a long pass to Rooney just outside the box.. the defense closes down on him and knocks the ball away.

19 minute mark: Barbosa collides with Battaglia.. he is hurt.. he has to leave the pitch. I slide Downing to left wing and put Godoy on in the midfield for Barbosa.

22 minute mark: Downing with a corner kick.. to the middle of the box.. Sardo pushes King down! Penalty awarded.. Rooney steps up.. looks confident.. blasts a shot into the upper left corner.. the keeper was late getting there! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

25 minute mark: King was tripped just outside the box.. yellow card for Orekhov. Downing takes the free kick.. curves it around the wall.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.. the defense clears the rebound.

33 minute mark: Godoy passes it to Rooney in the box.. he heads the ball.. upper right corner... it's past the keeper! GOAL!!!! 2-0. Rooney with his second of the game! :)

44 minute mark: Schreurs picks up an injury just before the half.. will he be able to play the second half? I'm not sure.



Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 65,000 fans here today.


50 minute mark: Schreurs is limping out there.. I pull him for Ortega.

56 minute mark: Downing passes to Godoy.. he fakes out a defender.. dribbles into the box.. shoots.. lower left corner.. the keeper dives.. it is past him! GOAL!!!! 3-0. That is Godoy's 1st of the year.

60 minute mark: Miller with a good defensive play.

61 minute mark: Miller with a long pass to King right of the box... King centers it to the near post.. Rooney with a header.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. Rooney has his hattrick!

70 minute mark: McFadden on for Rooney. He gets a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch.

75 minute mark: Godoy passes to Downing the corner of the box.. Downing is tripped.. penalty awarded.. McFadden steps up to take it.. shoots a rather soft shop to the lower left corner.. but the keeper is late getting there! GOAL!!!! 5-0. That is McFadden's 50th career League Goal for us.

79 minute mark: Moreira steals it from Salva.. dribbles into the box.. blasts a shot.. upper left corner.. Howard misplays it. GOAL. 5-1 match.

86 minute mark: Downing passes it into the box.. the defender heads it away.. Godoy heads it from 20 yards.. upper left corner.. the keeper slips.. misplays it... GOAL!!!! 6-1.


Game over. 6-1 win :)

We outshot them 12-2.

Rooney won MoM, 10 for form, 11 of 14 passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 6 of 11 headers, 1 run, 3 goals.

Downing also had a 10 for form.

Godoy had a 9 for form.

Most of my starters had 8's.

I decide to praise Rooney in the post game media conference.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Barbosa bruised his ribs and will miss about 3 days.


Sep 13, 2015 -

OH MY! OH MY!!! OH MY!!!!!

My new scout Gil Prescott (who has a reputation as being an excellent scout) has found a 16 year old that KNOCKS my socks off if the impressions are correct....

This 16 year old Spanish striker is already very good physically, however, he lacks good footspeed (it's not bad, just not good.) However, my scout finds him to be very hard working, with a great shooting touch, great heading ability, great dribbling, and great passing. This kid is simply the most amazing 16 year old I've ever seen. He is still a youth, so I won't be able to sign him to a pro contract, but I can poach him from Xerez for 2.8 million dollars! I'm offering him a deal. His agent wants him to be paid 1,000/week plus 20,000 signing bonus. My AM agrees that this kid has "considerable talent" for his age and that we should pay 1,000/week.

I make the offer!


OH MY!!! They also having an amazing looking 16 year old keeper. This kid lacks composure, but hopefully he can develop that.. I only have to pay a million to poach him.. I make the offer.



If either one of these prospects pan out, I'll have to give this scout a lifetime contract. They both look great.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 14, 2015 -

O'Shea, Downing, and Godoy were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


Sep 15, 2015 -

Alberto Flores rejected Xerez's new contract offer and accepted my contract offer!!!

The transfer will go through on January 1, 2016.


We will compensate Xerez for 2.8 million dollars.



Antonio Blanco turned down a new contract from Xerez and accepted my contract offer. We will send them a million and he will arrive on Jan 1, 2016.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 16, 2015 -

Today we host Panathinaikos in a Champions League Match. This should be a win for us, as long as we don't underestimate them. Their best players are keeper Kostas Kanakousakis and midfielder Alexandros Brilakis. Their forwards have not played very well this year. Hopefully, they don't break out against us.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 40's.


GK: Adriano (Time to start working him in more.)
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart (He finally seems to be rested up..)
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Djemba
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Lucio
S3: Schreurs
S4: Oswald
S5: Wood
S6: Cook
S7: Godoy

[Eaglesfan27]

9 minute mark: Thodoris Pappas trips Ortega... yellow card for Pappas.

17 minute mark: Downing with a long cross to the right side of the box.. Ortega knocks it down.. shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. can't get there! GOAL!!!! 1-0. That is Ortega's 1st of the year.

30 minute mark: Ortega with a great dribble past three defenders.. passes it to Djemba in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper barely tips it over the bar.

38 minute mark: Ortega burns three defenders.. dribbles into the right side of the box.. draws another defender over.. very fast pass.. to the far post.. McFadden hits it on the half-volley.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

44 minute mark: Ortega with a gritty play to knock the ball away from the centerback to Djemba outside the box.. Djemba shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper is there.. he misplays it! GOAL!!!! 3-0. Djemba is thrilled with that one.



Halftime: 3-0 lead :) We have about 65,000 fans here today.



65 minute mark: Oswald on for King and Godoy on for Fletcher.

79 minute mark: Salva gets a yellow card for tripping Vitalis outside the box.

82 minute mark: Downing with a corner kick to the near post.. Godoy outjumps his man.. heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. Godoy is an amazing leaper.


Game over. 4-0 win :)

We outshot them 17-0 (11-0 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 10 for form, 14 of 17 passes, 2 key passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 0 of 3 headers, 1 interception, 29 runs, 3 fouls drawn, 1 assist, and 1 goal.

Downing also had a 10 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 20, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Middlesbrough in an EPL Match. They are in 13th while we are in 6th. Their defense has been very good early with Jan Lastuvka playing superbly in goal. Despite being 33, he still has top notch reflexes, aerial ability, and is one of the top keepers in the EPL. Christophe Sanchez is a 25 year old French striker who has blazing speed and a great shot. He has 4 goals in 2 starts! Thorben Marx is playing well in the midfield. Leon Andreasen and Benjamin Weigelt are playing solid defense.

We are 4-5 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea (Schmidt is still recovering from his injury)
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Cook
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: King (Adriano is still doubtful and will get more rest to recover from his injury)

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Ortega
S3: Barbosa
S4: Godoy
S5: Alfonso

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Miller with a good defensive play.. long pass to King.. Steven Taylor trips him.. Taylor gets a yellow card.

10 minute mark: Howard stops a bullet shot from marx from 25 yards out.

12 minute mark: Salva with a pair of good defensive plays.

14 minute mark: Miller gets away with a warning after tripping Acosta.

17 minute mark: Howard gets compeltely out of position as Sanchez passes to Kaka right of the box.. he immediately passes to Collins by the far post.. Collins taps it in for an easy goal. Terrible play by Howard and the defense.

20 minute mark: Cook gets a yellow card for pushing Marx.

25 minute mark: Cook passes to Rooney just outside the box.. he shoots.. powerful curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it cleanly.

29 minute mark: Acosta passes to Sanchez just outside the box.. he puts a good crossover dribble past Salva... dribbles two more steps.. shoots.. lower right corner.. Howard dives.. that was a nasty shot.. GOAL. Down 2-0.

41 minute mark: Downing with a corner kick to Cook.. he heads it.. upper left corner.. the keeper catches it cleanly.



Halftime: Down 2-0. They have over 35,000 fans here today.



Godoy on for Cook who is having a bad game.

50 minute mark: Marx collided with Fletcher.. He appears to be hurt.

63 minute mark: Alfonso on for Downing and Barbosa on for Rooney.

74 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Barbosa in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.


Game over. Very disappointing 2-0 loss.

We were outshot 7-6 (6-5 on target)

Jan Lastuvka won MoM, 8 for form, 5 saves, 18 of 28 passes.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 25, 2015 -

We drew Stoke (12th in English Championship) for our third round English League Cup Match. I'm happy with this draw.


Sep 26, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Charlton in an EPL Match. They are in 10th while we are in 7th. Charlton is led by the scoring of Rob Morgan at striker and Mohamed Sissoko at midfield. Stephan Andersen is a good keeper. The rest of the team appears distinctly average. Porcellis is still a good striker potentially, but he is having a bad year so far.


In past meetings, we've had 14 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss.

We are 2-5 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Schreurs
S3: Cook
S4: Cahais
S5: Wright

[Eaglesfan27]

6 minute mark: Liam Walker trips Fletcher.. he gets away with a warning.

24 minute mark: Boogaart shoots form 30 yards out.. inches wide left.

35 minute mark: McFadden with a breakaway.. being chased by two defenders.. dribbles into the box.. shoots VERY far wide left.

36 minute mark: Salva gets a yellow card for holding Porcellis back.

44 minute mark: Barbosa passes to McFadden.. he shoots from 20 yards out.. wide right.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. They have over 27,000 fans here today.



Ortega picked up a knock just before the half, I put Schreurs on for him.

47 minute mark: Salva passes to Schreurs.. he is 30 yards out.. he shoots.. powerful curving shot.. inches wide right as it curves into the sidenetting.

51 minute mark: Adriano stops a long shot from Sissoko.

58 minute mark: Wright on for King who is very tired. We are playing poorly. :(

61 minute mark: Salva passes to Godoy.. Godoy dribbles past two midfielders.. draws another defender over.. threads a perfect leading pass to McFadden who is wide open in the left side of the box.. he immediately shoots from 18 yards out.. upper left corner.. it's past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

64 minute mark: McCormack gets the ball in the box.. he shoots from 10 yards out.. Adriano punches it over the bar.

66 minute mark: Boogaart with a good defensive play.. starts the counter attack.. passes to Godoy at midpitch.. he plays a perfect through ball to McFadden just outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. wide right.

72 minute mark: Adriano stops a point blank shot from Walker.

75 minute mark: Long kick from their keeper to Walker in our zone.. he heads it along.. McCormack gets it.. dribbles into the box.. shoots.. lower left corner.. Adriano dives.. he misses it. GOAL. 1-1.

82 minute mark: Godoy passes it into the box for Wright.. he is tackled before he can shoot.

89 minute mark: Barbosa passes it into the box to Wright.. he is tackled before he can be shoot.


Game over. 1-1 tie. Our team is officially playing terribly. I think all of the turmoil and desire for more PT is causing our guys to start losing cohesion and playing some bad games.

We were outshot 17-11 (9-4 on target)

Adriano wins MoM, 9 for form, 8 saves, 8 of 24 passing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 28, 2015 -

Adriano, Boogaart, and Fletcher were all named to the EPL Team of the Week.


Sep 29, 2015 -

Today we play Dinamo Buc on the road in the Champions League Match. They are a fairly weak Romanian team and we should be able to beat them easily. Their best player is Andrei Moldovan - A speed striker without much else going for him.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: McFadden
S3: Cahais
S4: Oswald
S5: O'Shea
S6: Barbosa
S7: King

[Eaglesfan27]

16 minute mark: Schreurs passes into the box for Rooney.. a defender tackles Rooney as he is about to shoot.. and sends the ball past his keeper into the goal! Own GOAL!!!! 1-0 lead for us.

36 minute mark: Godoy crosses it to the near post.. Adriano heads it.. wide right.

46 minute mark: Godoy with a nice pass into the box.. Rooney gets it.. shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.


Halftime: 2-0 lead for us.



55 minute mark: Howard stops a long range shot from Iacob.

62 minute mark: McFadden on for Rooney and King on for Adriano.

72 minute mark: Godoy passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper misplays it.. it is past him.. it hits the crossbar.

74 minute mark: Cahais on for Schmidt.

88 minute mark: Cahais passes it long to McFadden.. he chips it over the keeper from 20 yards out.. wide left.

89 minute mark: Godoy passes to King in the box.. great pass! King shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0! King with his first goal of the year. Godoy is starting to show me that he might be a great midfielder :)


Game over. 3-0 win.

We outshot them 13-9 (8-2 on target)

Godoy wins MoM, 9 for form, 29 of 33 passes, 4 key passes, 4 of 7 tackles, 9 of 9 headers, 2 interceptions, 2 runs, 3 assists!

[illinifan999]

Can we get ss's of those 2 young Spanish stars-to-be? :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 1, 2015 -

The board is only "satisfied" with my performance as manager.


Middlesbrough's John Collins suffered an ankle sprain. He will miss England's upcoming matches and wll be out for about 4 weeks.



Arsenal's Salomon Kalou has won the EPL Player of the Month Award. Steve Edwards of Leeds came in 2nd, and Mohamed Sissoko of Charlton came in 3rd.

West Ham's Victor has won the EPL Young Player of the Month Award. Paul Simpson of Derby came in 2nd, and Andrea Salerno of Middlesbrough came in 3rd.


Middlesbrough's Tony Mowbray has won EPL Manager of the Month. David Wilson of West Brom came in 2nd, and Steve Coppell of Fulham came in 3rd.


October 2, 2015 -

Lucio broke his collarbone in practice today. He'll miss about a month.

[Eaglesfan27]

Can we get ss's of those 2 young Spanish stars-to-be? :)
Sure, of course, perhaps they might not be as exciting as I initially thought. However, these are two of the best looking 16 year olds I've ever seen :)

[Eaglesfan27]

His first touch is a bit low and his physical skills will hopefully get higher, but here is the striker first. (I'm more excited about him.)

http://64.17.163.76/images/Alberto%20Flores%20Prof..jpg

[illinifan999]

If I saw a 16 year old like that I'd probably have to put on a new pair of boxers. :eek:

[Eaglesfan27]

This is the best looking 16 year old keeper I've ever seen. Particularly, his aerial ability. Hopefully, at least one of these guys lives up to their potential.

http://64.17.163.76/images/Antonio%20Blanco.jpg

[Eaglesfan27]

If I saw a 16 year old like that I'd probably have to put on a new pair of boxers. :eek:

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks he is exciting. I'm just trying to temper my enthusiasm in case he doesn't work out. :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 3, 2015 -

Today we host Cyprus in an European Championship Qualifying Match. They are a weak team that doesn't have any clear stars.

We are 1-8 favorites!

It's sunny with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Taylor
DL: Turner
DC: Morris
DC: Bennett
DR: Johnson
ML: Hall
MC: Reo-Coker
MC: Wood
MR: Eagles
SC: Luke Moore
SC: King

S1: Robinson
S2: Evans
S3: Cook
S4: Tucker
S5: Dunn
S6: Downing
S7: Hargreaves

[Eaglesfan27]

12 minute mark: Hall passes to Moore in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper blocks it.

14 minute mark: Wood with a nice pass to King in the box.. he shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

22 minute mark: Wood passes through two defenders.. to king in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

27 minute mark: Eagles dribbles into the right edge of the box.. he crosses it to Hall.. Hall shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.



Halftime: 3-0 lead. We have over 78,000 fans here today.



61 minute mark: Hall passes to Eagles in the box.. Eagles shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!! 4-0.

66 minute mark: Hall passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GoaL!!!! 5-0.

69 minute mark: Eagles passes to king right of the box.. King centers it to the far post.. Moore with a header.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!! 6-0.


Hall on for Downing and Hargreaves on for Eagles.

81 minute mark: Cook on for Wood.


Game over. 6-0 win :)

We outshot them 17-0 (9-0 on target)

Craig King won MoM, 10 for form, 8 of 8 passes, 1 key pass, 1 of 1 tackles, 2 of 12 headers, 1 interception, 3 runs, 1 foul drawn, 1 assist, and 3 goals.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 6, 2015 -

Bolton sacked Ruud Gullit today.

John Hall thanked me for allowing him to score his first International goal in the game the other day.


Antonio Ortega had 2 goals for Spain's U21 team in their 3-1 win over Finland in the Euro U21 Championship Qualifying match.

My England U21 team tied Austria 0-0 and now has to play Israel in the playoff Qualifying Match.

Those matches will be November 13th and 17th.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 7, 2015 -

Today we play Austria in the European Championship Qualifying Match. They are a relatively weak team that we are expected to beat easily. Their only real potential star player is Martin Six a striker who plays for Austria Vienna.

We are 1-2 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 40's.


GK: Taylor
DL: Turner
DC: Morris
DC: Bennett
DR: Johnson
ML: Downing
MC: Reo-Coker
MC: Wood
MR: Eagles
SC: Tucker (I'm trying to give Rooney time off this past week or so.)
SC: King

S1: Robinson
S2: Evans
S3: Hall
S4: Rooney (only if we are down)
S5: Dunn
S6: Cook
s7: Defoe

[Eaglesfan27]

9 minute mark: King gets a yellow card for tripping one of their centrebacks.

17 minute mark: Johnson passes to Eagles who passes to King in the right half of the box.. he fakes the pass to Tucker.. shoots.. upper right corner.. he squeezes it in between the keeper and the goal post.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

38 minute mark: Krenn shoots from 30 yards out.. nice curving shot.. Taylor misplays it.. upper left corner.. GOAL. 1-1.



Halftime: 1-1 tie. They have over 61,000 fans here today.



46 minute mark: wood passes it to King in the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

59 minute mark: Downing takes the corner.. to the far post.. Tucker heads it.. over the bar.

61 minute mark: cook on for Wood and Rooney on for King (I slide Tucker over to the other striker position and put Rooney in his preferred left striker position.)

63 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he draws two defenders over.. fires a pass to Tucker by the far post.. he heads it.. over the bar.

69 minute mark: Taylor stops a long range shot with ease.

73 minute mark: Defoe on for Tucker.

79 minute mark: Cook with a nice pass to Defoe in the box.. he fakes right.. dribbles left.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-1.

84 minute mark: Eagles passes to Defoe in the box.. he immediately turns and shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-1.


Game over. 3-1 win.

We outshot them 18-17 (10-7 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 16 of 17 passes, 4 key passes, 3 of 4 tackles, 4 of 8 headers, 1 interception, 10 runs, 1 foul drawn.

Eagles, Glen Johnson, and Chris Taylor all had 9's for form.

Defoe had an 8 as a late sub.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:


I've decided mostly just to report on spectacular play in non World Cup International Play. Boogaart had 3 assists for Holland in their 6-0 win over Lithuania in the European Championship Qualifying Match.


Oct 9, 2015 -

I haven't used my new acquisition Oswald as much as I would like, but today we got bad news. He suffered a hip dislocation and will miss at least 5 months.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 10, 2015 -

Today we host Coventry in an EPL Match. We NEED to start winning our EPL Matches. We are currently in 11th while Coventry is in 18th. Coventry's main player that we have to watch out for is Wayne Worthington. He is one of the top 5 strikers in England and he will be tough to stop. Dalibor Glavina is a strong powerful defensive midfielder. Peter Seibert is a quick skilled left winger. Ryan Warner is not the most skilled keeper, but he is performing decently.

In the past 11 years, we have 8 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses against them.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy (He is earning more starts at this position)
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Ortega
S3: Barbosa
S4: King
S5: Wright (will get more rotation time with Oswald hurt.)

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Rooney tripped Durst.. Schreurs argues the call.. Schreurs gets a yellow card.

15 minute mark: Downing tripped Bailey.. yellow card for Downing.

28 minute mark: Downing with a corner to the middle of the box.. Adraino heads it.. the keeper catches it.

29 minute mark: Salva intercepts the ball.. long pass to Rooney.. he shoots from 30 yards out.. powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

38 minute mark: Adriano steals it at midpitch.. passes it 20 yards up the pitch to Rooney.. he turns on the speed.. dribbles past two defenders.. into the box.. fakes to his right.. the keeper falls for it.. he dribbles left.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.



Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 67,000 fans here today.



62 minute mark: Barbosa on for Downing and Ortega on for Schreurs.

75 minute mark: Rooney has had his chance for the hattrick.. Wright on for Rooney.


Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We outshot them 6-4 (5-1 on target)

Salva wins MoM, 9 for form, 22 of 26 passes, 11 of 12 headers, 5 interceptions, 3 fouls drawn, 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:


O'Shea damaged his shoulder and will miss about a week.

Rooney's 151 League Goals in his career is a new team record.



My scouts have found another great Spanish Young Player. However, Milan has this 17 year old locked down. I decide to see if they might take 7 million for this youngster.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 14, 2015 -

Today we host Derby in an EPL Match. They are in 16th while we are in 8th. Derby's offense has been anemic with Right winger William Flood being their main scorer with 2 goals. Only 2 other players have scored a goal. Their best centreback, Richard James, is out injured. Their keeper, Luis Carlos, is fairly skilled.

We are 1-4 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 40's.


GK: Howard
DL: Marchetti (Both Schmidt and O'shea are injured)
DC: Salva
DC: Boogaart
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Djemba
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Alfonso
S3: Cook
S4: Rooney (only plays if we are down or tied in the 2nd half.)
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

20 minute mark: They are keeping the defense well stocked with 9 men back.

43 minute mark: Godoy shoots from 20 yards out.. a defender deflects it wide of the net.

44 minute mark: Their centreback trips Barbosa.. but it is ruled just outside the box..

45 minute mark: Barbosa passes to king in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. great save by their keeper.

45 minute mark: Ortega steals the ball dribbles past two defenders.. great speed.. to the right side of the box.. quick pass to King inside the 6 yard box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.


Halftime; 1-0 lead. We have over 68,000 fans here today.



55 minute mark: Ortega passes it to King in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper partially blocks it.. it is trickling towards the goal.. the centreback clears it at the last second.


61 minute mark: Cahais on for Boogaart. Alfonso on for Barbosa.

65 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Djemba outside the box.. Djemba shoots.. wide left.

68 minute mark: Ortega steals it at midpitch.. dribbles twenty yards.. shoots from 25 yards out.. upper right corner.. powerful curving shot.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

70 minute mark: Godoy steals it at midpitch.. passes it to Djemba who heads it to McFadden in the box.. he is wide open.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. the keeper dives.. can't get there.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

80 minute mark: Cook on for Godoy.


Game over. 2-0 win.

We outshot them 10-2 (7-0 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 10 for form, 22 of 27 passes, 1 key pass, 1 of 1 tackles, 4 of 10 headers, 2 interceptions, 12 runs, 1 foul drawn, and 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Antonio Ortega sprained his knee and will miss at least a week (including our next match.)


Oct. 17, 2015 -

Today we play sunderland in another must win EPL Match. They are in 7th while are now in 5th. Sunderland is led by left winger John Hall who is a promising young left winger that has gotten some play on the international team. Midfielder Thomas Hassing Skjaerbaek has been playing well and is the second leading scorer with 3 goals on the year. Striker Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor leads the team with 4 goals, but he is away on international duty. Luca Brunoni is having a very bad year in goal, and hopefully we can catch him on another bad day as he had horrible starts his 3 games.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Wood
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cahais
S3: Barbosa
S4: King
S5: Djemba

[Eaglesfan27]

3 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper blocks it.

11 minute mark: Wood heads the ball away from a midfielder to Rooney.. he threads a perfect pass into the box.. Adriano beats the defenders to the ball.. dribbles to his right.. around the keeper.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

14 minute mark: Salva starts the counter attack.. long pass to Rooney just inside our zone.. he passes to Adriano.. Adriano immediately shoots from 25 yards out.. powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0! Adriano going for the hattrick today.

17 minute mark: Fletcher gets a yellow card for pushing Hall.

20 minute mark: Schreurs passes to adriano just outside the box.. Adriano passes it to rooney on his left.. Rooney dribbles past one defender.. crossover dribble past the keeper.. shoots.. open net.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. Rooney with a great move there.

28 minute mark: Boogaart dribbles to the right corner of the pitch.. crosses it to the near post.. Schreurs heads it.. over the bar.

32 minute mark: Rooney gets a yellow card for tripping Reid.

35 minute mark: Schreurs dribbles past two defenders.. fires a pass to the far post.. Rooney with a powerful header.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. Both of them going for the hattrick now.

43 minute mark: Downing gets a yellow card for a trip on Hall.


Halftime: Up 4-0. They have over 48,000 fans here today.



47 minute mark: Schreurs starts the counterattack by intercepting a corner kick.. he passes it long.. Rooney outraces everyone to it.. dribbles into the box.. shoots.. upper right corner... over the bar.

52 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney who gets to it just before it hits the endline.. he shoots.. parallel to the endline.. it curves.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 5-0! Rooney has his hattrick! I haven't seen him pull that shot off in a while :)

62 minute mark: Barbosa on for Downing, Djemba on for Fletcher, and King on for Schreurs.

71 minute mark: Djemba steals the ball.. heads it into the box to Rooney.. the keeper is racing to it.. Rooney is racing to it.. he gets to it.. dribbles to the left of the keeper.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 6-0.

76 minute mark: Howard catches a long shot from Hall.



Game over. 6-0 win. That feels good.

We outshot them 15-12 (8-6 on target)

Rooney wins MoM, 10 for form, 13 of 14 passes, 3 key passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 1 of 7 headers, 1 interception, 4 runs, 2 fouls drawn, 2 assists, and 4 goals.

Adriano and Howard had 9's for form.

Every other starter had an 8.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Schreurs bruised his head!?! He will miss 5 days.

Rooney has a strained neck and will miss 5 days.

That is ok. I wanted to rest them during my next easy Champions League Match anyway.


WOO HOO!! We are now in 3rd place and are only 3 points behind first place Chelsea. Suddenly, morale is improving, and it looks like my season isn't going to end in disaster after all :)


October 19, 2015 -

O'Shea and Rooney were both selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

Milan just rejected my 9 million dollar offer for Jose Lopez Rodriguez, the young 17 year old Spanish player who has great potential. It is clear they aren't going to move him cheaply, and his low determination scares me. I decide to pass on him for now.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 20, 2015 -

Today we host the Young Boys in a Champions League Match. (There are so many potential jokes with that name) They are a mediocre swiss team. Peter Webber and Ricardo Osorio their defenders are their only truly good players. Yes, that is the same Osorio that I brought to Wigan! However, he is now 35 and declining quickly. Really, they just don't have many talented players.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Adriano
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Cook
MR: Godoy
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Cahais
S3: Adriano (might play if we are down in the 2nd half.)
S4: Djemba
S5: Barbosa
S6: Boogaart
S7: Wood

Injured:

Lucio, Schmidt, Parker, Schreurs, Ortega, Oswald, Rooney, and Alfonso!

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Cook passes to McFadden in the box.. he heads it.. over the bar.

8 minute mark: Their defenders and keeper stop a flurry of shots.

10 minute mark: Miller passes it to Downing in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper blocks it.. Downing races to the ball outside the box.. Downing gets to it.. shoots from 22 yards out.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

17 minute mark: Gretar Steinssoon gets a yellow card for a trip on Godoy.

19 minute mark: Osorio shoved cook to the ground when Downing crossed it to him.. Cook gets the penalty shot.. he steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.


Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 72,000 fans here today.



60 minute mark: Cahais on for Marchetti and Djemba on for Fletcher.


Game over. 2-0 win.

We outshot them 17-1 (10-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 17 of 21 passes, 4 key passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 1 of 6 headers, 1 interception, 19 runs, 1 foul drawn, and 1 goal.

[Eaglesfan27]

14 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney left of the box.. Rooney passes to Downing who is inside the box now.. he shoots.. over the bar.

20 minute mark: Downing crosses it to the far post.. Adriano heads.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar.

26 minute mark: Godoy gets a yellow card with a trip on Marshall.

31 minute mark: Godoy passes to Adriano right of the box.. he centers for Rooney.. he is in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it cleanly.

33 minute mark: Schreurs was tripped.. darn.. it is ruled outside the box.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. We have over 77,000 fans here today.



50 minute mark: Downing dribbles left of the box.. past the fullback.. crosses it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it.

65 minute mark: Downing crosses it to the middle of the box.. Adriano heads it.. over the bar.

71 minute mark: Downing takes a corner.. to the near post.. Adriano heads it.. the keeper blocks it.. Godoy gets the rebound.. passes to Fletcher on his left.. Fletcher shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper isn't in position to stop that... GOAL!!!! 1-0.

72 minute mark: Alfonso on for Downing and Cahais on for Marchetti.

88 minute mark: Goal kick from Howard.. long kick.. Schreurs heads the ball up the pitch.. Rooney gets it.. fakes out the lone centreback in the box.. fakes out the keeper.. dribbles to his right.. shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.


Game over. 2-0 win.

We outshot them 18-3 (10-0 on target)

Schreurs wins MoM, 9 for form, 26 of 32 passes, 6 key passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 1 of 2 headers, 7 runs, 1 foul drawn, 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Adriano broke his nose and will miss about 5 days.


October 25, 2015 -

Boogaart, Schreurs, and Rooney were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

Alfonso strained his knee ligaments in practice today and will miss about a month. I was going to start him in our next game as well. :(

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct. 28, 2015 -

Today we host Stoke in a third round English League Cup Match. Stoke is currently 3rd in the English Championship. They are led by star striker Gavin Lynch. Gavin is a 24 year old sharp shooter. However, he lacks spped or strength and that is why he will likely never be an EPL Striker. However, his shooting is really a fearsome thing if he gets an opportunity. Joe Lewis is a good 28 year old keeper and he has been key to the team's success. He has 9 clean sheets this year in 14 starts. Phillip Bardsley is their best defender and the 30 year old isn't that good. We should be able to score easily against them.

We are 1-6 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Djemba
MC: Wood
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cahais
S3: Cook
S4: Wright
S5: Rooney

[Eaglesfan27]

3 minute mark: Wood passes to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper blocks it.. McFadden shoots the rebound.. the keeper blocks it.

5 minute mark: Barbosa goes past two men.. crosses towards the far post.. the keeper intercepts it before King can head it.

15 minute mark: Barbosa crosses it to the right side of the box.. Ortega shoots from 20 yards out.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

19 minute mark: Djemba gets called for tripping a midfielder.. McFadden argues the call.. McFadden gets a yellow card.

25 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two defenders into the left side of the box.. he passes to the near post.. McFadden heads it.. wide left.

30 minute mark: Barbosa with a corner kick to the middle of the box.. Salva heads it.. into the crossbar.

32 minute mark: Ortega passes between two defenders to King deep inside the box.. he shoots from 10 yards out.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

40 minute mark: Ortega passes it to King in the right side of the box.. he shoots from 15 yards out.. sharp angled shot.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.



Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 62,000 fans here today.



50 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to the far post.. King heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.

60 minute mark: Wright on for King who is tired, and Cahais on for O'Shea.

81 minute mark: McFadden steals it from a centerback.. fakes the pass to Wright.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper fell for the fake pass.. it's past him.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. That is McFadden's 5th of the year.

85 minute mark: Ortega passes to Wright in the right side of the box.. Wright draws a defender over.. he fires a pass to the far post.. McFadden with a half-volley.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.


Game over. 4-0 win for us.

We outshot them 21-1 (10-0 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 20 of 24 passes, 5 key passes, 2 of 4 tackles, 2 of 4 headers, 21 runs, 1 foul drawn.

Ortega and McFadden had a 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 30, 2015 -

Barry Parker resumed full training today! He has become an important midfielder and I'll use him once he trains a bit and gets his legs under him - i.e. very soon.

YES! We received the best remaining draw for the English League Cup 4th round as we will travel to play Crystal Palace (ok, it would have been better at home, but we got the only EC team! :)) Of course, we've won the English League Cup the last few years and this isn't the one that I keep losing.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 31, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Aston Villa in a pivotal EPL Match. They are in 4th while we are in 3rd. They have a very dynamic team with 3 high flying scorers. Luke Moore has 9 goals in 14 starts, Jhon Jairo Mosquera is a great #2 striker with 8 goals in 14 starts, and Stephane Dalmat has 7 goals in 9 starts at the AMC spot. Fortunately, Dalmat is hurt. Gael clichy is a dominating left back and he solidifies their defense. Chris Cohen is a good centreback. Ville-Pekka Luukkonen is developing into one of the better midfielders in the EPL. Chris Taylor is playing very well as their keeper :( He has 7 clean sheets in 14 starts.

We are 4-5 favorites.

It's very windy with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Miller (My AM thinks he can play this side too.. and O'Shea is tired and Schmidt is still hurt)
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cook
S3: Barbosa
S4: King
S5: O'Shea

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Howard with a pair of acrobatic saves :)

15 minute mark: Boogaart starts the quick counterattack.. long pass to Adriano.. he dribbles into the box.. racing past defenders.. he dribbles into the 6 yard box.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. Great strike.

32 minute mark: Glichy with a long pass to Cohen who heads it to Luukkonen.. he shoots from 20 yards out.. Howard dives.. it is out of his reach.. GOAL. 1-1 match.


Halftime: 1-1 tie.


49 minute mark: Salva starts the counterattack.. heads it to Adriano.. long pass from Adriano.. to the box.. Rooney outraces a defender... he gets to it.. shoots from 18 yards out.. upper left corner.. Taylor saves it.

54 minute mark: Cohen gets the ball at midfield.. passes it to Davis in the edge of the box.. he shoots... upper right corner.. Howard with a weak play on it. GOAL. Down 2-1.

62 minute mark: Cook on for Fletcher and King on for Adriano.

78 minute mark: Downing crosses it to ortega by the far post.. he heads it.. Taylor dives.. catches it.

85 minute mark: Ortega passes to Cook he shoots.. powerful shot form 20 yards out.. upper left corner.. Taylor pushes it over the bar.

88 minute mark: Downing dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to the far post.. King heads it.. over the bar.

92 minute mark: Ortega crosses to Downing... he heads it.. upper left corner.. GO... Downing is judged to have unfairly pushed the defender.. the goal is waved off :(


Game over. 2-1 loss :(

They outshot us 16-13 (6-6 on target)

Chris Cohen wins MoM, 9 for form, 20 of 25 passes, 2 key passes, 0 of 5 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 2 interceptions, 9 runs, 2 fouls drawn, and 2 assists.

[Eaglesfan27]

November 1, 2015 -

The board is pleased with my performance as manager.


Arsenal's 30 year old full back Jaime Gavilan won EPL Player of the Month. Stephane Dalmat of Aston Villa came in 2nd, and Antonio Ortega came in 3rd.


Antonio Ortega won EPL Young Player of the Month. Chris Miller came in 2nd and Michael Jackson of Aston Villa came in 3rd.


Chelsea's Jose Luis Mendilibar has won the EPL Manager of the Month. Bruce Arena of Aston villa came in 2nd, and I came in 3rd.


Wayne Rooney's goal against Coventry won Goal of the Month. His goal against Sunderland came in 2nd. Lukas Podolski of Arsenal came in 3rd for his srike against Middlesbrough.

[Eaglesfan27]

November 3, 2015 -

Mickael Schmidt has returned to full training :)


November 4, 2015 -

Today we travel to play the Young Boys in a Champions League Match. We should be able to beat them. We won the home match 2-0 a few weeks ago.

We are 4-6 favorites.

Injured: Oswald, Brown, Alfonso, and Lucio.

GK: Adriano (He needs more starts)
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Salva
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Parker (Welcome back!)
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Rooney
S3: Schreurs
S4: Cook
S5: Boogaart
S6: Downing
S7: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

13 minute mark: Barbosa with a GREAT dribble past three players.. weaving in and out.. dribbles into the left side of the box.. passes to King by the far post.. he heads it.. past the keeper.. into the crossbar.

19 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two defenders.. left of the box.. short cross.. McFadden heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

33 minute mark: Parker trips Gruter.. gets a yellow card.



Halftime: 1-0 lead for us. They only have about 11,000 fans which is a packed stadium.



50 minute mark: Adriano stops two quick shots. The second save was very acrobatic and stopped a point blanks hot from their striker (on a rebound attempt)

54 minute mark: Salva starts the counter attack.. long pass to the box.. McFadden beats the defenders to the ball.. he shoots.. it's a .. offside call.. erases the goal.

63 minute mark: Cook on for King and schreurs on for Parker.

73 minute mark: Schreurs passes to MCfadden in the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

81 minute mark: Miller gets a yellow card for holding Osorio's jersey.

Cahais on for Miller.


Game over. 1-0 win.

We outshot them 14-9 (5-4 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 10 for form, 14 of 28 passes, 4 key passes, 6 of 10 tackles, 2 of 3 headers, 6 interceptions, 11 runs, 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

With that win we guaranteed that we will advance to the next round of the Champions League.


Nov. 10, 2015 -

Lucio has recovered from his injury.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov. 11, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Crystal Palace for our 4th round of the English League Cup. They are 11th in the EC and they only have 2 good players that I really need to watch out for. Attacking midfielder Chris Robson has 4 goals in 17 starts and he is a good player around the net. He is also a very strong 25 year old midfielder. Tom Day is a 24 year old midfielder who is a great header. He has 7 goals in 13 starts. Their keeper, Rune Almenning Jarsteain is a reasonably good keeper as well.

We are 1-4 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 40's.

GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Schreurs
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Howard
S2: Godoy
S3: Wood
S4: King
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. wide left.

41 minute mark: Downing passes to Adriano in the box.. he blasts a shot.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

43 minute mark: Parker is keeping the ball in their half.. he shoots from 20 yards out.. upper right corner.. the keeper catches it.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. They have over 26,000 fans here today.


51 minute mark: Rooney passes to Ortega in the right side of the box.. he shoots... the keeper blocks it.

59 minute mark: Downing dribbles past his man.. crosses it to the center of the box.. Rooney heads it.. over the bar.

61 minute mark: Wood on for Parker, and I tell the offense to become more aggressive.

72 minute mark: Downing crosses it to right of the box.. Ortega passes it to Adriano in the right side of the box.. Adriano shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

Godoy on for schreurs.

78 minute mark: King on for Rooney.

88 minute mark: Boogaart with a long pass to Ortega.. Ortega with a long cross to the left side of the box.. Downing knocks it down.. immediately shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

90 minute mark: Sundell gets the ball in our box.. shoots from 10 yards out.. Adriano tips it over the bar.

92 minute mark: Ortega passes it to Goody just outside the box.. Godoy shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper barely gets to it to tip it over the bar.

92 minute mark: Adriano starts the counter attack.. long pass to Ortega in the right side of the box.. he passes it to King on his left.. great leading pass.. king with a one time shot... upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0. That is King's 5th of the year.



Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We outshot them 18-5 (10-1 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 10 for form, 22 of 27 passes, 5 key passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 0 of 5 headers, 1 interception, 11 runs, 1 foul drawn, 2 assists.

Downing also had a 10 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov. 12, 2015 -

Chris miller strained his calf today and will miss 2 weeks :(

Fortunately, that will only be a game or two, but he will miss 2 important England U21 Matches which will determine if England advances to the Euro U21 Championship Elimination Round.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov. 14, 2015 -

We will be playing Aston Villa on the road for the Quarter Final of the English League Cup. That was almost the worst possible draw of the possibilities.


Liverpool is in 14th place! Tony Colbert paid the price today as he was sacked. Djibril Cisse has finally lost his offensive touch and the defense has been faltering. So far, Mokoena hasn't caught fire for them (then again they only started him 7 times.)


Lucio is becoming brittle :( He suffered a fractured cheekbone in practice today and will miss 3-4 weeks.



Nov 21, 2015 -

Liverpool has hired David Wilson as their new manager. The 46 year old leaves West Brom to take over this job.

[Eaglesfan27]

November 21, 2015 -

Adriano was hurt in practice yesterday. He will miss about a week due to a twisted ankle.


Today we host Tottenham in an important EPL Match. Tottenham is 9th in the EPL, however their top 3 scorers are all out with injuries today. They have Paul Robinson in goal and, when he is on top of his game he can be difficult to beat. Carlton Cole is a good secondary striker but with Andrea Conte out due to injury, Cole will be their main scoring option. Alan Thomas and Hedwiges Maduro lead the defense.


We are 4-6 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Schreurs
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Godoy
S3: Djemba
S4: Wright
S5: O'Shea

[Eaglesfan27]

15 minute mark: Their defense is stifling us so far.

20 minute mark: Downing with a very long shot.. Robinson easily saves it.

21 minute mark: Long pass from Salva to rooney.. he and Maduro are tangled up.. Maduro is hurt.. rooney heads it to downing.. Downing with a quick pass into the box.. perfect lead pass for Rooney.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. That is his 15th of the year.

25 minute mark: Boogaart passes it long to Rooney in the middle of the box.. Rooney spins.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

36 minute mark: Downing dribbles pat two men.. long cross to the far post.. Parker with a diving header.. upper right corner.. Robinson saves it.

43 minute mark: Rooney and Ivair collide.. Ivair gets a yellow card for a dangerous play.. Rooney is hurt.. he has to be carried off the pitch. :(

I put Wright on for Rooney.



Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We only have 65,000 fans here today.



53 minute mark: Parker passes to king in the box.. the keeper blocks his shot.. it bounces out to Parker.. he passes to King in the left side of the box.. King shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.

57 minute mark: Boogaart on the right side of the pitch.. throws it to Schruers right of the box.. he centers to Downing in the middle of the box.. Downing shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.

72 minute mark: Djemba on for Parker (Who has played GREAT) and Godoy on for King who is tired.

88 minute mark: Adriano stops a point blank shot from Cole.


Game over. 4-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 11-2 (6-1 on target)

Downing won MoM, 9 for form, 11 of 17 passes, 2 key passes, 0 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 1 interception, 8 runs, 2 fouls drawn, 1 assist, and 1 goal.

Parker also had a 9 for form.

Now, it is time to head to the hospital and hope Rooney is ok.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

NO!!!! Wayne Rooney had a slight tear of his ACL and will miss at least a month including our key EPL Match against Chelsea next week. He is 30 now, and I wonder if he is going to start suffering injuries?


Rooney was crying and told me how frustrated he is at being injured during such an important part of the season.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov 23, 2015 -

Boogaart and Parker were selected to the EPL Team of the Week.



Nov 24, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Panathinaikos in a meaningless CL Match. Win or lose we already advanced to the next round.

We are 4-6 favorites.

We beat them 4-0 last match.

It's windy and overcast with temperatures in the 40's.


injured: Miller, Lucio, Alfonso, Oswald, Rooney, and Adriano :(


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Salva
DR: O'Shea (Boogaart is very tired from his last match and needs rest betweeen matches now.)
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega (He has surprassed Schreurs as the superior right wing and he is only 21, but Schreurs will get plenty of starts too.)
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Djemba
S3: Schreurs
S4: Cook
S5: Boogaart
S6: Downing
S7: Wood

[Eaglesfan27]

10 minute mark: Their keeper stops a flurry of shots.

22 minute mark: Schmidt shoots from 20 yards out.. the keeper blocks it.. McFadden gets the rebound.. shoots from 18 yards out.. between two defenders.. upper right corner.. it hits the post.. and bounces in! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

25 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two defenders.. centers to McFadden he hit sit on the half-volley.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it.

28 minute mark: Barbosa passes to King in the box.. he fakes left.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

35 minute mark: Their defender collides with King.. King is hurt and has to leave the pitch. I try Schreurs at striker for him.

39 minute mark: McFadden gets the ball left of the box.. dribbles into the box... passes to Schreurs.. a defender heads it right back to McFadden! McFadden hits it with a header.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.


Halftime: 3-0 lead for us.



53 minute mark: Salva with a long pass.. McFadden beats the defenders to the ball in the box.. dribbles to his left.. around the keeper.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. McFadden with the hattrick.

65 minute mark: Ortega collides with their right winger and appears to be limping.

I take Ortega out, slide Schreurs back to right wing and put cook in at striker. I also put Djemba on for Fletcher.


Game over. 4-0 win.

We outshot them 10-7 (7-4 on target)

McFadden won MoM, 10 for form, 11 of 12 passes, 1 key passes, 0 of 3 tackles, 4 of 7 headers, 3 runs, 3 fouls drawn, 1 assist, and 3 goals.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Marchetti sprained his wrist and will miss a week. I don't understand why the doc thinks that will keep him out a week.

Craig King bruised his shoulder and will miss about a week. We are running dangerously low on strikers :(

[Eaglesfan27]

November 28, 2015 -

Jose Luis Mendilibar told Rivals.net that we are a "weak team that was not worth worrying about. Regardless of the score tomorrow, I'm sure we'll finish higher at the end of the season."

That jerk!

I respond with a rare outburst, "I think Jose is a poor manager and isn't worthy of coaching Chelsea. I hope he underachieves this year."


Salva came into my office and told me that he appreciates my fiery attitude and believes we are going to work even better together in the future.

Jeroen Schreurs came into my office and told me that he is proud of my response in the media.

[daedalus]

Sucks about Rooney. Good time to blood some of the youngsters anyway, though. :D

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov. 29, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Chelsea in an EPL Match. They are currently in 2nd while we are in 5th. Chelsea is led by the incomprable Adriano who has 12 goals in 16 starts. Despite being 33 years old, he still appears to be playing at the highest level. He is losing a bit of his speed, but not much else. He also has 6 assists in his 16 starts. Freddy Adu is hitting his prime at the age of 26. He is a superb assist man and he has 9 assists and 4 goals in 19 starts. Nicky Platt is a 27 year old striker who is playing alongside Adriano as Chelsea is now running a 3-2-3-2. Platt has 8 goals in 16 starts. He lacks speed, but he still manages to be an effective striker. Petr Cech is still a very good keeper at the age of 33, and he is showing no signs of decline.

We are 6-4 favorites which I'm surprised due to all of our injuries.

It's raining and temperatures are in the 40's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Boogaart (I need him there with Marchetti hurt.)
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Schreurs
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: Adriano (recovered from his injury just in time.)

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Fletcher
S3: Barbosa
S4: Wright
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

Sucks about Rooney. Good time to blood some of the youngsters anyway, though. :D
Yeah, hopefully Wright can really step up :)

[DeToxRox]

This game has some DRAMA

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: McFadden is whistled for being offside.. he argues the call.. he gets a yellow card :(

14 minute mark: Howard stops a 20 yard blast by Adu.

16 minute mark: Ortega's great dribble past three men is stopped by Glen Johnson.. he starts the counterattack.. long pass to Ribiero.. Ribiero passes to Adu in the left side of the box.. Adu dribbles into the 6 yard box.. shoots.. upper right corner.. it sails right by Howard.. into the goal. GOAL. Down 1-0. Darn Adu.

23 minute mark: McFadden is called for being offside ruining a good breakaway.

35 minute mark: Ortega passes to Schreurs.. he passes it to Adriano in the box.. he blasts a shot.. lower right corner.. wide right.

41 minute mark: Howard stops a long shot from Adu.

42 minute mark: Parker gets called for a push on Adu.. Platt says something to Salva.. Salva shoves Platt.. yellow card for Salva.

43 minute mark: Salva with a two footed tackled on Adu.. Salva gets a red card! CRAP! Maybe I fired the guys up too much.

I put Cahais on for McFadden and go with a 4-4-1.

46 minute mark: Adu passes to Adriano left of the box.. Adriano centers it to the far post.. Howard tries to intercept the pass.. he misses it.. Platt heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL. Down 2-0.


Halftime: Down 2-0 :( They have 42,000 fans here today.



49 minute mark: Ortega with a great dribble in which he evades three defenders.. into the box.. quick pass to Schreurs.. Schreurs shoots.. upper left corner.. Cech dives.. blocks it.. the defense clears it.

59 minute mark: Johnson passes to adu in the midfield.. he dribbles past two of my men.. passes it Sneijder right of the box.. Sneijder centers it for Ribiero.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL. Down 3-0.

61 minute mark: Cech kicks it long to Adriano.. Adriano blows by Boogaart.. shoots from 18 yards out.. upper left corner.. Howard misplays it.. right on by him. GOAL. Down 4-0 :(

73 minute mark: Adu passes to Adriano inside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. Howard dives.. tips it over the bar.

75 minute mark: Wright on for Adriano and Fletcher on for Parker.


Game over. 4-0 loss. We were dominated. This was the worst defeat I've suffered since becoming manager of Manchester united. The entire team had 6's except for Howard who had a 5 for form.

We were outshot 15-2 (11-1 on target)

Freddy Adu won MoM, 9 for form, 18 of 20 passes, 2 key passes, 1 of 3 tackles, 1 of 3 headers, 10 runs, 1 foul drawn, and 1 goal.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info;

Salva has been suspended a match for his misconduct.

Downing sprained his ankle and will be out for a week or so.


Dec. 1, 2015 -

Sheesh! Can't I keep anyone healthy? Salva sustained two fractured ribs in training today. He will miss a few weeks. Besides Rooney, this is my biggest loss. I need to get another great DC.


The board called me in and said they are "satisfied" with my performance. They couldn't fire me after all I've done. Could they?




Alfonso has returned to full training.


Aaron Lennon of West Ham has won the EPL Player of the Month. Jose Antonio Reyes of Arsenal came in 2nd, and Nick Davies of West Ham came in 3rd.

Gary Burke of Arsenal has won the EPL Young Player of the Month. Burke is an impressive looking 17 year old right back. Paul Simpson of Derby came in 2nd and Dave Russell of West Ham came in 3rd.


Arsenal's Antonio Lopez has won the EPL Manager of the month. Stuart Baxter of West Ham came in 2nd, and no one came in 3rd?!?

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 2, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Aston Villa in the League Cup Quarter Final. Aston Villa has been hit a bit by the injury bug this year too, but not as bad as us. However, they are also missing their top striker as Luke Moore is unavailable for this match. Rob Davis, a good midfielder, is also out for his game. Luukkonen another midfielder is doubtful. Stephane Dalmat is a good attacking midfielder and he leads the team with 10 goals. Jhon Jairo Mosquera, their striker, also has 10 goals and is doing very nicely this game. Diego Cardozo is a very talented centreback that I'm strongly considering buying from them, particularly because he has an 18 million dollar buyout clause. Chris Taylor is doing well in goal for them.

We are even odd favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.



Injured: Rooney, Oswald, Downing, and Lucio. Salva is suspended.


GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: O'Shea
DC: Cahais
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: King
SC: Adriano

S1: Howard
S2: Djemba
S3: Cook (questionable for this match)
S4: Wright
S5: Boogaart

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Cahais with a good defensive play.. passes to Ortega who centers to Adriano.. a defender tackles him before he can shoot.

3 minute mark: Jenas shoots from 20 yards out.. Adriano saves it.

4 minute mark: Miller starts our counterattack..long pass to Adriano.. he heads it to King.. Cardozo tackles him before he can shoot.

6 minute mark: Adriano starts out counterattack.. passes to Adriano in the midfield.. he passes to King in the box.. Cardozo tackles him before he can shoot.

9 minute mark: King is called for being offside.. he argues the call.. yellow card for King.

24 minute mark: Robson passes to Mosquera in the box.. he shoots from 10 yards out.. upper left corner.. very nice save by Adriano.

27 minute mark: Miller with a good defensive play.. long pass to Adriano.. he centers for King.. King is 10 yards out.. alone with the keeper.. shoots.. upper right corner.. Taylor with a great save.

37 minute mark: Their defenders and keeper stop a flurry of shots by us.

40 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two men.. crosses it to Adriano in the center of the box.. Adriano heads it.. over the bar.

43 minute mark: Miller with another great long pass.. Adriano gets to it.. shoots.. upper right corner.. Taylor saves it.



Halftime: 0-0 tie. They have over 43,000 fans here today.



46 minute mark: Clichy with a great pass to dalmat.. Adriano comes out to challenge him.. Dalmat shoots.. Adriano blocks the shot.. mosquera gets the rebound.. shoots it into the wide open net! GOAL. Down 1-0.

50 minute mark: Mosquera shoots from 20 yards out.. Adriano saves it easily.

52 minute mark: Adriano is whistled for being offside.. Cahais argues the call.. Cahais gets a yellow card.

62 minute mark: Barbosa passes to king left of the box.. Adriano heads it.. over the bar.

Adriano is hurt, but insists he can keep playing.

Wright on for King who is tired. I also tell the offense to open it up.

75 minute mark: Cook on for Adriano who is exhausted and Djemba on for Fletcher.

80 minute mark: Djemba passes to Ortega in the right side of the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.. cook goes for the rebound.. the defender tackles him.. Cook is hurt :( He has to leave. I've used all 3 subs and have to go down a man :(

88 minute mark: Godoy passes to ortega in the right side of the box.. Ortega passes back to Godoy who has just drifted into the box.. Godoy shoots.. upper right corner.. Taylor dives.. blocks it.. the defense clears it.

92 minute mark: Barbosa collides with their fullback.. he is hurt bad.. he has to be carried off. I have to go down another man :(


Game over. 1-0 loss. We will not defend our English League Cup Title for Another Year.

We were outshot 11-9 (8-5 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 9 for form, 13 of 16 passes, 2 key passes, 2 of 5 tackles, 2 of 4 headers, 21 runs, 2 fouls drawn.


Perhaps, I should have called this year's journal entry: The Quest to not be fired.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

My team doctor is becoming my most hated man, he informs me that:

Chris Miller twisted his ankle and will miss about 2 weeks.

Helder Barbosa has a torn groin muscle and will miss at least a month

Jamie Cook twisted his ankle and will miss at least 2 weeks.

Mickael Schmidt bruised his ribs and will miss a few days.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 3, 2015 -

Salva has been hiding it, but the team doctor informs me that he fractured several ribs in his game against Chelsea! He is out for at least a few weeks as the doctor feels that he is unable to play.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 5, 2015 -

Today we host West Brom in an EPL Match. They are in 10th while we are in 5th. This is a vital match for us to win. West Brom is led by a pair of good centrebacks in Jamie Adams and Michael Jakobsen. Michael Perry is a good striker and he has 5 goals. Michael Chopra is their top striker with 8 goals in 12 starts, but I think his skills are fading. Milos Ninkovic is a 30 year old midfielder who is a good passer. Gary Baker is a 23 year old keeper who has significant potential, but isn't a very good keeper yet.


We are 1-2 favorites (I think that must be before all of the injuries.)

It is sunny with temperatures in the 40's.


Injured List: Miller, Salva, Lucio, Barbosa, Downing, Cook, Oswald, Rooney.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Boogaart
ML: Alfonso
MC: Parker
MC: Fletcher
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: King

s1: Adriano, GK
s2: Djemba
S3: Wright
S4: Adriano
S5: Brown

[Eaglesfan27]

13 minute mark: Cahais passes to King just inside the box.. King shoots.. upper left corner.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar.

16 minute mark: Their defender gets called for obstructing McFadden.. penalty awarded! McFadden steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!!! 1-0.

30 minute mark: Alfonso beats a defender.. dribbles left of the box.. crosses it to the middle of the box.. McFadden heads it.. over the bar.

36 minute mark: Mickael Jakobsen is called for tripping Fletcher.. he gets a yellow card.. he argues the call.. he gets a second yellow card! GOODBYE!

43 minute mark: Chopra trips Cahais.. Cahais looks hurt :(



Halftime: 1-0 lead for us. We have over 66,000 fans here today.



I'm going to try to keep Cahais in since I'd have to use Wes Brown if he can't go..

55 minute mark: Fletcher and Schreurs pass it up the right side of the pitch.. Schreurs with a long cross to open it up.. Alfonso has it.. passes towards the near post.. Parker heads it.. into the upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

66 minute mark: Cahais is just limping too much. I move Boogaart to centreback and put Brown on at right back.

86 minute mark: Brown passes to Schreurs who passes to King on the right corner of the box.. he shoots from 15 yards out.. upper left corner.. past the keeper.. wide left by a slim margin.


Game over. 2-0 win :)

We outshot them 12-1 (7-1 on target)

Schreurs won MoM, 8 for form, 29 of 32 passes, 4 key passes, 0 of 0 tackles, 0 of 3 headers, 2 interceptions, 9 runs, 4 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 7, 2015 -

NO! NO! NO! NO! Adriano suffered a severe knee sprain in practice today and is expected to miss at least 3 weeks! We are just about out of strikers.


Boogaart and O'Shea were selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


We had a good draw in the 3rd round of the English FA Cup. We will be traveling to play Sheff Wed.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 8, 2015 -

Due to Schmidt, Boogaart, and Miller all needing time off periodically. Also, Cahais just never truly panned out, nor is Marchetti great. Therefore, I've decided to use my remaining transfer budget to meet Diego Cardozo's release clause. I will be paying Aston Villa 18 million dollars for the Uruguain defender who can play all defensive positions. Diego is fast, strong, a high jumper (which is Cahais's big failing - lack of strength and jumping.) The downside is that Cardozo lacks natural fitness and probably will never be a 40 game/year type of guy. However, he is a superb technical defender with great determination and work habits despite his lack of natural fitness.

Of course, I would like a new striker to bolster the squd, but eventually Rooney, Adriano, and Oswald will be back. I can't get a striker with 18 million that is worth spending on. However, I suspect next year we will spend most of our money on one very good striker to be Rooney's eventual replacement.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 8, 2015 -

Despite all of the doom and gloom, I just realized we are only 5 points behind 1st placed Fulham!?! Chelsea is also having a rough year and the point totals to win the EPL are looking like they will be somewhat lower than in past years.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 9, 2015 -

McFadden has played better than expected this year and he isn't showing as much decline as I thought he would. I offer him 1.5 million plus 100,000/week to sign a 1 year extension beyond this year (despite his earlier proclaimation that he was leaving as a Bosman player.)


Today we host Dinamo Buc in an essentially meaningless Champions League Match. I'd like to rest some of my guys, but injuries and having players ineligible has made my choices very limited.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Boogaart
DR: Schmidt (He is ranked at right as well as left fullback)
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Djemba
S3: Wood
S4: Lucio
S5: Cahais
S6: Schreurs
S7: Fletcher

[Eaglesfan27]

4 minute mark: Ortega dribbles up the right sideline.. centers to Godoy who heads it to O'Shea just outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it... the defense clears it.

They are keeping 9 men back and making this a boring match.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. We have 79,000 fans here today.



49 minute mark: Ortega passs to Parker outside the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

60 minute mark: Wood on for Downing and Djemba on for Parker.

70 minute mark: Marchetti passes to McFadden left of the box.. he dribbles past a defender.. draws another defender over.. quick pass to Wood inside the 6 yard box.. Wood with the half-volley.. left of the box.

75 minute mark: Marchetti with a long pass to McFadden.. he dribbles into the box.. the centrebacks close in on him.. and tackle him.

79 minute mark: Ortega passes to King in the right side of the box.. he heads it to Godoy.. Godoy shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.. McFadden gets to the rebound.. shoots.. open net.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

84 minute mark: Ortega dribbles around three defneders.. fires a pass to Djemba.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

92 minute mark: Iacob passes past three of our defenders.. gets Moldovan wide open in the net.. Moldovan fakes left.. dribbles right.. shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL. 1-1 tie.


Game over. 1-1 tie.

We outshot them 23-3 (18-1 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 9 for form, 24 of 28 passes, 4 key passes, 2 of 3 tackles, 1 of 4 headers, 2 interceptions, 19 runs, 2 fouls drawn.

McFadden also had a 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 10, 2015 -

Aston Villa accepted the offer for Diego Cardozo since they had to. I've contacted his agent who wants his client to be given a 2 million dollar signing bonus and 120,000/week. My AM thinks that Diego could become an integral part of the team and that we should agree to the requests. I agree and offer him what he is requesting on a 4 year deal.


Dec. 11, 2015 -

McFadden has told me that he is not interested in re-signing a new deal. He is determined to leave and go become a featured striker. Too bad, but probably for the best. He is going to start declining sometime soon..


Dec. 12, 2015 -

Cardozo rejected my contract offer because he wants a slightly better salary. I offer him 130,000/week. He better not reject that deal.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 13, 2015 -

Today we travel to play Bolton in an EPL Match. We are currently in 3rd place while Bolton is in 19th place. Bolton's only scoring threat is striker Filipe Oliveira who has 7 goals in 13 starts. Achille Emana is finally starting to slow down and isn't as dangerous at right wing/striker. Kevin Nolan is injured and that will hurt their midfield play. Kasper Schmeichel is a 29 year old Dutch keeper who is having a rough season with only 3 clean sheets in 14 starts.

We are 4-6 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Adriano
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Schmidt
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: Parker
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: King

s1: Howard
S2: Djemba
S3: Ortega
S4: Wright
S5: Lucio

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: David Jurcik gets a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Marchetti in our own box.

6 minute mark: Adriano stops a long range shot from Achille Emana.

19 minute mark: Parker passes to McFadden left of the box.. we have them on the counterattack.. only one defender back.. he covers McFadden.. McFadden passes around him to King by the far post.. he hits it on the half-volley.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

23 minute mark: Long pass from Emana to Jurcik.. he dribbles past both of our centrebacks.. Adriano comes out partially to cut the angle.. Jurcik shoots.. lower left corner.. Adriano misplays it.. it's past him... GOAL. 1-1.

30 minute mark: Fletcher with a good pass between two defenders.. leads McFadden.. he gets it.. shoots.. lower left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

37 minute mark: Emana dribbles into the box.. shoots from 15 yards.. Adriano saves it.

45 minute mark: Parker intercepts it at midpitch.. passes to Fletcher.. he quickly passes it to McFadden in the box.. he immediately turns.. shoots.. lower left corner.. it is out of reach of the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 2-1.


Halftime: 2-1 lead for us.



54 minute mark: O'Shea is running and suddenly grabs his calf. He has to be assisted off the pitch. I put Lucio in for him.

56 minute mark: Groeneveld passes the ball to Appiah.. Appiah with a strong curving shot from 30 yards out.. Adriano is in position.. he .. misplays it! ARGGH!! It's past him. GOAL. 2-2 match.

65 minute mark: Adriano stops a flurry of shots.

68 minute mark: Wright on for King.

83 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Downing left of the box.. he draws a defender over.. passes to the middle of the box.. Wright heads it.. past the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 3-2.

Djemba on for Parker who is tired.

87 minute mark: Downing passes to Wright in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. VERY wide right.

89 minute mark: Lucio starts the counterattack.. heads it to Mcfadden at about midpitch.. McFadden with a perfect lead pass to the right side of the box.. Schreurs gets to it.. fakes left.. dribbles towards his right.. shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. he is off balance.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 4-2.



Game over. 4-2 win.

We outshot them 17-15 (10-8 on target)

James McFadden won MoM, 10 for form, 16 of 19 passes, 2 key passes, 0 of 1 tackles, 3 of 8 headers, 4 runs, 2 assists, and 1 goal.

Fletcher and Downing also both had 10's for form.

Adriano had an 8 for form despite his few bad plays.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Downing has hit the yellow card limit and will be suspended for our next match.

John O'Shea pulled his calf and will miss about a week.

We are still in 3rd place, but are now 4 points behind Chelsea who have taken over 1st place.


(OOC: Be back in a bit, just got a page that I have to go see a patient.)

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 14, 2015 -

Fletcher, Downing, and James McFadden were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


We will have to play Parramatta Power in the Club World Championship Semi Final in 2 days on the 16th, I was informed today.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 15, 2015 -

Diego Cardozo accepted my latest offer. He revealed that he is "really relishing the prospect of playing for and improving the fortunes of such a popular club."

The deal will be completed on January 1, 2016.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 16, 2015 -

Today we play Parramatta Power in the Semi Final of the Club World Championship. Parramatta Power is a decent Australian team. Their star is Joseph Ghaleb, a 29 year old Australian striker, who has 9 goals in 16 starts. Joseph is a decent speed striker with excellent acceleration. Alex Brosque, their most consistent midfielder this year, is injured and will not be available for this match. Adam Stone and Aaron Downes are an ok pair of centrebacks. George Catalano is a 19 year old keeper who my scouts don't know anything about.

We are 1-6 favorites.

It's very windy with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Djemba
S3: Fletcher
S4: Alfonso
S5: Wood
s6: Schreurs
S7: Wright

[Eaglesfan27]

4 minute mark: Downing throws it in.. the keeper tries to intercept the throw-in.. King outjumps the keeper.. heads it.. to Godoy by the right post.. he taps it in for an easy goal! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

7 minute mark: Downing passes it to McFadden in the left half of the box.. he dribbles past a defender.. draws the keeper over.. fires a pass to King by the far post.. king heads it into the open net! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

21 minute mark: Downing dribbles into the left half of the box.. quick pass to Ortega in the right half of the box.. ortega shoots for the upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

33 minute mark: Downing passes to King in the box.. the centreback trips King.. Penalty shot awarded.. McFadden steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.


Halftime: 3-0 lead for us.



60 minute mark: Wright on for King, Alfonso on for Downing, and Wood on for Parker.

65 minute mark: Alfonso dribbles past his man.. left of the box.. long cross.. wright heads it by the far post.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.


Game over. 4-0 win.

We outshot them 15-0 (7-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 26 of 29 passes, 4 key passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 2 of 3 headers, 1 interception, 17 runs, 1 foul drawn, 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 16, 2015 -

Walter Alfredo Novellino has been sacked by Roma. Walter Bonacina and Giuseppe Iachini are being linked as the favorites to take over the job.

DC United beat Independiente 2-1.

We will play DC United in the Club World Championship on Dec 20th which will postpone my match with Leeds until January 6th. Excellent, another EPL Match moved to a time when Rooney should be healed.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 18, 2015 -

Jeroen Schreurs injured his ankle in practice today and will miss at least a week :(


YES! We had a favorable draw for the 1st knockout round of the Champions League as we will be playing Maccabi Haifa, an Israeli team.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 20, 2015 -

Today we play DC United in the Club World Championship. Inter are the current holders. DC United is led by Neto, a 33 year old, striker who is still dangerous and is one of the leading MLS scorers with 10 goals on the year. Daniel Karbassiyoon is their other striker, and he isn't that good. He only has 4 goals in 25 starts this year. Chris Glauser is a 27 year old American keeper who is a good keeper, but isn't great or even very good. Daniel Marques is a 32 year old Brazilian centreback who is still quick, strong, and a good leaper.


We are 1-2 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Boogaart
ML: Alfonso
MC: Fletcher
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Parker
S3: Lucio
S4: Wright
S5: Cook
S6: Salva
S7: Wood

Salva has recovered from his injury and will be worked into this game to get his legs back under him.

Rooney is now doing some light training. He should be ready to play in a week.

[Eaglesfan27]

12 minute mark: Cahais stops a Neto offensive.

21 minute mark: Alfonso passes to King in the box.. he has a wide open shot.. whistle.. he is offside.

30 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Fletcher outside the box.. he shoots from 22 yards out.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

42 minute mark: Ortega passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOA... whistle.. king is judged to have pushed the defender.. the goal is waved off.

44 minute mark: Neto punches cahais! Neto is given a red card! He is gone.


Halftime: 1-0 lead.

61 minute mark: Cook on for Godoy and Salva on for Cahais.

67 minute mark: Ortega dribbles down the right sideline.. crosses it to Alfonso left of the box.. Alfonso passes to king.. he shoots.. into the crossbar.

70 minute mark: Cook passes to King in the box.. he heads it.. wide right.

73 minute mark: Howard with a long pass to Ortega.. he quickly knocks it down.. passes to McFadden in the box.. mcFadden shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

86 minute mark: Alfonso passes to McFadden.. he passes to king by the right post.. king shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!! 2-0.


Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We outshot them 23-1 (15-0 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 10 for form, 22 of 27 passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 2 of 3 headers, 1 interception, 18 runs, 5 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

We've been awarded 9 milliond dollars for winning the Club World Championship! :)


Dec. 22, 2015 -

Roma has hired 51 year old Spanish Manager Alexis as their new manager.


Sheesh. I need a brand new training staff or something. Antonio Ortega damaged knee ligaments today in practice. He will be out for at least a month!

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 23, 2015 -

Today we host West Ham in an EPL match. We are in 3rd place while they are in 10th. West ham has also been hit by the injury bug, but their best striker is playing today. Roberto is a 25 year old Spanish striker who is a true burner. He is also an excellent leaper and header. He has 9 goals in 15 starts and he has been key to their success this year. Nick Davies and Ben Walters are a good pair of defenders who work well together. Andy Reid is a very effective left winger despite being 33 years old and losing some of his physical skills. Warren Norman is a 25 year old keeper who is good not an upper tier keeper.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.


GL: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Salva
DR: Miller
ML: Alfonso
MC: Parker
MC: Fletcher
MR: Godoy
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, Gk
s2: Cahais
S3: Djemba
S4: Wright
S5: Boogaart

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Godoy gets the ball.. passes it to king right of the box.. King passes back to Godoy who has run into the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper saves it.

8 minute mark: Marchetti gets a yellow card for tripping Roberto.

15 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Fletcher outside the box.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.

18 minute mark: Miller with another good defensive play... he is really playing very well for an 18 year old.

26 minute mark: Parker passes to Fletcher who unleashes a very good banana shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. We have over 84,000 fans here today.



51 minute mark: Alfonso crosses it to the far post.. Parker heads it.. good save by the keeper.

67 minute mark: Parker shoots from 20 yards out.. the keeper parries it.. King gets to the rebound.. the keeper is scrambling to the ball.. King passes over the keeper.. to Mcfadden by the left post.. he heads it.. into the open net! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

75 minute mark: Miller with a series of great defensive plays.

77 minute mark: Wright on for King and Djemba on for Fletcher.

82 minute mark: Salva with a key intervention on a pass into our box.

90 minute mark: Godoy passes it to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

93 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Parker in the box.. he shoots.. inches wide left.


Game over. 1-0 win :)

We outshot them 23-5 (14-1 on target)

Warren Norman, their keeper, won MoM. 13 saves, 11 of 22 passes, 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 26, 2015 -

Wayne Rooney is fully recovered from his injury!!! :)



Today we travel to play Newcastle in an EPL Match. We are currently in 3rd place in the EPL. Newcastle is currently in 16th place! ignacio and Jermain Defoe are a dynamic duo at striker that have 25 goals between them, but no one else is scoring. Furthermore, the defense has been terrible the last few weeks. Michel Testerink is a good keeper, but he has been breaking down as he has been peppered with shots. Andreas Gorlitz is the only defender playing well, and he is playing at left back. Luis Carlos and Giuseppe Corradini are playing bad at centreback this year.


We are even odd favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Salva
DC: Marchetti
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Fletcher
MC: wood
MR: Godoy
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cahais
S3: Parker
S4: Wright
S5: Rooney (I want to ease him back as he regains his legs.)

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Schmidt starts the counterattack.. long pass to wood.. Wood passes to King who beats the defenders to the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. blistering shot.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

20 minute mark: Boogaart with a very good defensive play of Defoe.

22 minute mark: Lorentzen with a hard shot.. Howard parries it.. Defoe shoots at the open net.. Salva dives.. blocks it wide of the net! GREAT play by Salva!

28 minute mark: Salva passes it to wood at midfield.. he passes it to king who is 30 yards out.. king takes two dribbles.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper can't get to it.. GOAL!!!! 2-0. That is King's 10th of the year.

32 minute mark: Quick pass from Fletcher to Godoy to Wood to King in the right corner of the box.. he dribbles past one defender.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper misses it! GOAL!!!! 3-0. King has his hattrick!

37 minute mark: Schmidt intercepts their attack.. passes it to Fletcher.. Fletcher with a great through ball that has a bit of backspin.. stops just inside the box.. McFadden gets to it.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. That is McFadden's 15th of the year!


Halftime: 4-0 lead.


57 minute mark: Cahais on for Boogaart who is very tired.

68 minute mark: Rooney on for McFadden. Time to help him get his legs back.

81 minute mark: Lorentzen passes to Borghi who heads it to Defoe in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. Howard dives but misses it. GOAL. 4-1.

83 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Rooney just barely inside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.

88 minute mark: Wood collides with Borghi.. Wood is hurt.. he has to be carried off the pitch. I put Wright on for him.


Game over. 4-1 win for us.

We outshot them 13-10 (7-5 on target)

King wins MoM, 10 for form, 16 of 17 passes, 4 key passes, 2 of 4 tackles, 2 of 19 headers, 2 runs, 2 fouls drawn, and 3 goals.

Downing also had a 10 for form. Wood and Godoy had 9's for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Wood injured his chest and will miss at least 5 days.


Valencia has paid Leeds 41 million dollars for Gregory Maury, the young rising striker.



Dec. 28, 2015 -

Barbosa has resumed full training.

VERY bad news today as Salva suffered a dislocated hip during training today :(

He is expected to miss the rest of the season, but if heals quickly he might be back for the end of the year. Picking up Cardozo looks like an even better move now, as I suspect Cardozo will become my best centreback on January 1st when he arrives.


Downing, Salva, and Wood were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec. 29, 2015 -

Today we host Liverpool in the last match of the year. We are in 3rd place while they are in 8th place. They are officially in transition as Djibril Cisse is only an infrequent rotator now. However, in only 6 starts, he does have 5 goals. Mokoena is a regular starter, but he only has 5 goals in 16 starts. Markus Stadler is their star striker and leads the team with 10 goals in 19 starts. Nigel Reo-Coker is still an effective midfielder and Nuno Ferro is on top of his game at 29 years old. He is a great passer. Chris Kirkland is still a very good keeper, but the defenders haven't done that well this year and he has crumpled in a few games under the pressure. 3 games ago, he had a very bad game.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cahais
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: O'Shea
S3: Alfonso
S4: Adriano (healed from his injury - I'll ease him in this match)
S5: Lucio

[daedalus]

Oi. Manchester United M*A*S*H Unit.

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Downing dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it short.. to the near post.. Rooney heads it.. upper left corner.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

16 minute mark: Downing passes back to Schmidt just outside the box.. Schmidt with a powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. Kirkland dives.. catches it.

25 minute mark: Schreurs throws it in to Godoy.. he heads it to Schreurs.. Schreurs with a back heel pass to Cahais.. he is just outside the box.. he shoots.. it deflects off a defender.. and bounces into the left side of the goal! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

38 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney.. Rooney draws a defender over.. passes back to Downing who is left of the box.. Downing draws two defenders over.. passes it long towards the far post.. Schreurs heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.



Halftime: 2-0 lead. We have over 91,000 fans here today.



67 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney left of the box.. he dribbles between two defenders.. fires a pass to King who connects with a half-volley.. upper right corner.. the keeper catches it.

68 minute mark: Alfonso on for Downing and Adriano on for King.

Downing gets a standing ovation as he leaves the pitch.

75 minute mark: Godoy passes it to Adriano who is 35 yards out.. he turns on the speed.. burns two defenders.. dribbles into the box.. blasts a shot.. upper right corner.. great parry by Kirkland. The defense clears it before Adriano can get to the rebound.

82 minute mark: Junior passes to Stradler inside the box.. he shoots.. barely wide right.

84 minute mark: Godoy intercepts the ball at midfield.. my guy can jump.. he heads it to rooney.. he passes to Schreurs right of the box.. Schreurs with a short cross.. Adriano heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper saves it.


Game over. 2-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 15-4 (11-1 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 9 of 11 passes, 1 key passes, 0 tackles, 2 of 4 headers, 1 interception, 23 runs, 1 foul drawn, 2 assists.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oi. Manchester United M*A*S*H Unit.

So true.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 1, 2016 -

My personal assistant has reminded me that O'Shea, Lucio, Djemba, Brown, McFadden, Stevanovic, and Lambert all have contracts that expire in 6 months. I make one last bid for McFadden.


The board is pleased with my performance as manager.


AC Milan's Cristiano Ronaldo has won the World Footballer of the Year Award. Fernando Cavenaghi of Real Madrid came in 2nd, and Fernando Torres of Milan came in 3rd.

Fernando Cavenaghi of Real Madrid has won the World Player of the Year Award. Craig King came in 2nd!?!?! Diego of Barcelona came in 3rd.


Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Footballer of the Year Award. Fernando Cavenaghi came in 2nd, and Anthony Osei of Juventus came in 3rd.


Valencia's Tim Wiese has won the European Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Tim Howard came in 2nd, and Victor Valdes of Barcelona came in 3rd.


Mark van den Boogaart has won the European Defender of the Year Award. Except for his fatigue problems, he has been a great "stop gap" right back. Vincent Kompany of Real Madrid came in 2nd, and Frank Wolf of Real Madrid came in 3rd.


Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Midfielder of the Year Award. Anthony Osei of Juventus came in 2nd, and Francesc Fabregas of Valencia came in 3rd.


Fernando Cavenaghi won the European Striker of the Year. Diego of Barcelona came in 2nd, and Fernando Torres came in 3rd.





Stewart Downing won the EPL Player of the Month Award. Adriano of Chelsea came in 2nd. James McFadden came in 3rd!

Tottenham's Alejandro Lozano, a 21 year old full back, won the EPL Young Player of the Month Award. Stephane Dufour of Derby came in 2nd, and Martin Gibbons of Sunderland came in 3rd.


Chelsea's Jose Luis Mendilibar has won the EPL Manager of the Month. I came in 2nd, and Tony mowbray of Middlesbrough came in 3rd.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan. 1, 2016 -

17 year old keeper Antonio Blanco has arrived from Xerez! :)

Alberto Flores who is now 17 has arrived from Xerez! :)

I might give Flores a start or two if we have any meaningless games later in the year.


Diego Cardozo has arrived from Aston Villa. He will instantly become part of the starting lineup, particularly since Salva is injured.

[Eaglesfan27]

January 1, 2016 -

Today we host Birmingham in an EPL Match. We are currently in 2nd while Birmingham is in 20th. Birmingham has a team that is on the verge of mutiny and has been losing every match as a result. Wayne Bridge is 35 but is still an effective left back/left defensive midfielder and he is the only one on the team performing well this year. He actually leads the team in goals with 4 as well as playing solid defense. Jose Moreira is doing ok in goal, but the defense is letting so many shots get through that he is failing in many games.

We are 1-2 favorites.

It's cloudy with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cardozo (despite just arriving, he is starting right away.)
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Flethcer
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Adriano
S3: Parker
S4: Rooney
S5: Barbosa

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Schmidt passes it down the left sideline.. Downing gets it at the left corner of the pitch.. centers it for McFadden.. he heads it.. the keeper saves it.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. We have over 77,000 fans here today.



50 minute mark: Their keeper stops a flurry of shots by us.

51 minute mark: Downing passes it to Fletcher in the box.. he shoots.. the keeper tips it over the bar.

62 minute mark: Barbosa on for Downing and Adriano on for King.

69 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles down the left sideline.. centers it for Adriano.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. That is his 5th goal of the year. That reminds me how much of the season he has been injured.

74 minute mark: Barbosa passes it to McFadden in the left edge of the box.. he draws two defenders over.. he fires a pass to Adriano who hits it on the half volley.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

86 minute mark: Barbosa with a corner kick to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. past the keeper.. into the crossbar.. Godoy shoots the rebound.. over the bar.


Game over. 2-0 win.

We outshot them 18-4 (11-1 on target)

Schreurs won MoM, 9 for form, 24 of 27 passes, 4 key passes, 1 of 3 tackles, 1 of 3 headers, 1 interception, 15 runs, 1 foul drawn.

Downing and Adriano (despite limited PT) also had 9's for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Great, my physio tells me Cardozo needs rest.

Newcastle has fired Micky Adams today after another loss.



We are at the halfway point of the EPL Season. We are in 2nd place currently. We are 7 points (but with one less game) behind Chelsea which has suddenly caught fire and is suddenly sprinting towards a very respectable end of season point total. Meanwhile Fulham is 5 points behind us in 3rd, despite playing one more game. So, it looks like this race is going to come down to us and Chelsea again if things keep progressing as they have. I'll post some midseason info tomorrow, but I'm getting tired tonight.

[Eaglesfan27]

I wake up this morning to see the midseason standings are as follows:

http://64.17.163.76/images/EPL%202015-2016%20Mid%20Season.jpg

[Eaglesfan27]

Half Season Team Reports:

I think Newcastle is the biggest surprise. The early success of Fulham, Sunderland, and Middlesbrough are also surprising.

The top 2 offenses are my own team and Chelsea. I'm actually surprised to see we are tied for the top offense. Chelsea has the top defense with only 11 goals allowed, but we are second with 15 goals allowed. Again, I'm a bit surprised. At times, my frustration has made me think we are doing worse than we actually are doing. Hopefully, we can catch Chelsea down the stretch.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 3, 2016 -

Chelsea have offered a contract to James McFadden!

I've also offered another deal to him.



Paris has fired Louis Saha.


I've decided to offer a Bosman Contract to Michael Heller, a 22 year old physical German defensive midfielder. Michael is very strong, fast, and is an excellent passer and shooter. He also is a VERY hard working player. My AM agrees that he could be very useful to our team. I've offered him 77,000/week plus a million dollar signing bonus.

I've decided to offer a Bosman contract to Gael Clichy, the 30 year old fullback who is now with Aston Villa. I think he could replace O'Shea as a veteran rotation player at the left back position. Gael is VERY fast and strong. He is requesting 76,000/week which I agree to.



January 4, 2016 -

Downing and McFadden were selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

Werder Bremeb have also offered a contract for Heller.

[Eaglesfan27]

January 5, 2016 -

The injuries keep on rolling as Darren Fletcher suffered a severely sprained ankle in training today. Our trainer estimates that he will be out for at least 3-4 weeks.

Diego Cardozo injured his foot in practice today and will miss about a week.


Jan 6, 2016 -

Today we host Leeds in an EPL Match. We are in 2nd place while Leeds is in 8th place. Leeds is led by the scoring of Shane Paul who leads the team with 7 goals. The striker is doing well this year again. Zander Diamond and Billy Jones are providing strong defense for the team. Matthew Alexander is doing well in the midfield. Richard McDonald has been very inconsistent in goal this year. His last three games have been strong performances, but he has had some bad games this year as well.

We are 2-5 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 40's.

GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cahais
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

s1: Howard
S2: Djemba
S3: Barbosa
S4: King
S5: Cook

[Eaglesfan27]

6 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney.. he dribbles past two defenders into the left side of the box.. he centers it to Godoy.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper blocks it.. Adriano just misses the rebound as the defense clears it.

9 minute mark: Marchetti gets a yellow card for a trip on Paul.

10 minute mark: Schreurs steals the ball.. makes a perfect pass the drops just inside the box.. Rooney gets to it.. shoots.. upper left corner.. good save by the keeper.

14 minute mark: Adriano saves a shot from 25 yards out by Roberts.


Halftime: 0-0 tie. We have over 91,000 fans here today.


60 minute mark: They are consistently keeping 9 men back and blocking our shots before they even reach goal.

63 minute mark: Downing passes to Marchetti who is 30 yards out.. he shoots a hard curving shot.. it's past a defender.. past the keeper.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!!! 1-0. That is Marchetti's first ever for us!

68 minute mark: Downing with a fancy dribble between two defenders.. dribbles into the box.. passes over the keeper.. to the far post.. Adriano outjumps the defender.. heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

70 minute mark: Adriano has picked up a (hopefully) minor injury. I put King on for him. I also put Cook on for Parker.


Game over. 2-0 win for us.

We outshot them 19-3 (13-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 15 of 18 passes, 4 key passes, 1 of 1 tackles, 3 of 8 headers, 2 interceptions, 12 runs, 2 fouls drawn, 2 assists.

I decide to praise Downing to the media after this match.

[Eaglesfan27]

January 6, 2016 -

Alberto Flores my new young phenom striker had a hattrick in his first reserve match over Cardiff City's reserves! (He is also playing with my U18 team.)

Downing has 10's for form in 4 out of the last 5 games (he has a 9 in the other game.) Before I could even praise him, the media wrote an article talking about how great Downing is playing. I still praise him today.



James McFadden rejected my latest contract offer and has signed with Chelsea :( That jerk!


Gael Clichy rejected our offer and chose to re-sign with Aston Villa.



Jan 8, 2016 -

Juventus have offered 30 million for Carlos Godoy. I counter with a request for 75 million as I don't want to lose this high jumping player.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan. 9, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Sheffield Wed (5th in EC) in the Third Round of the English FA Cup. They are a good team for their conference, but are inferior to us. Their top players are striker Michael Vickers who is a 27 year old striker with a great header but not a whole lot else. Mark Jackson is a 29 year old English Striker who is a great speed player, but lacks a good first touch or good finishing. Their keeper is only 23, and Craig James is rather raw still. However, he does have some good aerial ability.

We are 1-3 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Lucio
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Wood
MC: Cook
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, Gk
S2: Adriano
S3: Djemba
S4: Alfonso
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

15 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Cook in the box.. he shoots.. wide left.

25 minute mark: Power passes to Jones.. Jones shoots.. Howard blocks it.. Benneett gets the rebound..shoots.. Howard blocks it.. Bennett gets the rebound... shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL. Down 1-0. Terrible defense.

32 minute mark: O'Shea starts a counterattack.. long pass to Downing who crosses it far to Schreurs.. Schreurs dribbles into the 6 yard box.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1.

37 minute mark: Schreurs passes to King right of the box.. he passes back to Cook on the edge of the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

39 minute mark: Schreurs gets a yellow card for pushing Bennett.


Halftime: 1-1 tie.



63 minute mark: Adriano on for King.

75 minute mark: Barbosa passes it to Schreurs in the right side of the box.. he passes it to McFadden.. McFadden shoots.. wide right.

89 minute mark: Lucio trips Baros just outside the box.. Jackson takes the free kick.. it hits off the wall.. bounces into the right side of the net! GOAL. Down 2-1. :(


Game over. We've been upset 2-1!

We were outshot 13-8 (10-3 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 9 for form, 12 of 17 passes, 6 key passes, 3 of 8 tackles, 1 of 5 headers, 8 runs, 1 assist.

Schreurs and Howard also had 9's for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

January 9, 2016 -

Alberto Flores had a goal and an assist in my U18's 2-0 win over Aston Villa's U18 team :)


Jan 10, 2016 -

Boogaart twisted his ankle today and will miss at least a week.


Jan 12, 2016 -

Downing, Parker, and Rooney were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


I don't usually mention the large amount of Loan offers I get (many of which I accept) but I'll mention that Alberto Flores has been requested by Plymouth. They are 19th in the EC but their training facilities are poor. I reject the offer. I'd rather keep him with my trainers unless he is going to a team with great training facilities.


Michael Heller rejected offers from Inter, Valencia, FC Bayern and Werder Bremen to come to us as a Bosman signing. The 22 year old midfielder will arrive on July 1, 2016.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 15, 2016 -

Liverpool paid 14 million to sign Stephane Dalmat from Aston Villa. The attacking midfielder will be a good scorer for Liverpool in their system I suspect.


Jan 17, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Arsenal in an important EPL Match. They are in 5th place while we are in 2nd place. Arsenal has a potent offense this year led by Lukas Podolski who has 13 goals. However, he is out due to injury this match. Mauro Di Mauro is also having a good year and has 11 goals currently. Jose Antonio Reyes is having his best year in the last 3 years. He has 8 goals, 6 assists, and is playing an all around good game every night. At 32, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Hatem Ben Arfa is playing well alongside him. Joseph Yobo is playing good defense, but his partner Michael Smith is having a very rough year. Jesus has settled in goal, and is playing very well the past two months.

We are 5-4 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Cardozo
MR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: King
S3: Alfonso
S4: Djemba
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

3 minute mark: Reyes with a long range shot from 35 yards out.. Howard stops it easily.

4 minute mark: Schreurs dribbles into the right side of the box.. he passes it to the far post.. Parker with a header.. nice save by Jesus.

7 minute mark: Yobo stops a Rooney breakaway.

15 minute mark: Cardozo with a long pass to Schreurs who heads it to Adriano in the right portion of the box.. he immediately shoots.. upper right corner.. Jesus dives.. saves it.

26 minute mark: Parker passes to Downing in the box.. he shoots from 10 yards out.. upper left corner.. Jesus dives.. blocks it.

27 minute mark: Howard stops a long range shot from Mauro.

33 minute mark: Miller heads it to Schreurs who passes it 40 yards up the pitch to Rooney.. he fakes left.. dribbles right.. the keeper backpedals.. he wasn't fooled.. Rooney shoots.. the keeper saves it.

35 minute mark: Schreurs passes it to Rooney in the box.. he fakes going to his left.. nice crossover move to his right.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

44 minute mark: Cardozo stops a Di Mauro breakaway.

45 minute mark: Reyes shoots from 25 yards out.. Howard saves it easily.



Halftime: Up 1-0. They have over 60,000 fans here today.



46 minute mark: Cardozo stops a pass that was intended for Di Mauro in the box.

59 minute mark: Ben Arfa trips Godoy.. yellow card for Ben Arfa.

60 minute mark: Miller steals it from Reyes.. starts our counterattack.. passes it to Godoy at midpitch.. he passes to Parker.. Parker immediately threads it between two defenders to Rooney in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0. He doubles his talley. I'm amazed that Miller is playing so good at such a young age.

72 minute mark: Schreurs has picked up an injury.. hopefully it is minor.. but he is limping so I'm pulling him.

I slide Godoy out to right wing and put Djemba on for Schreurs in the middle. I also sub Alfonso on for Downing.

93 minute mark: Godoy passes to Adriano.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. Jesus saves it.


Game over. 2-0 win. :)

We outshot them 19-11 (11-9 on target)

Rooney wins MoM, 10 for form, 15 of 21 passes, 1 key pass, 1 of 1 tackles, 2 of 7 headers, 9 runs, 1 foul drawn, 2 goals.

Howard, Schruers, and Parker all had 9's for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan. 18, 2016 -

Liverpool paid 26.5 million and signed Nicky Platt from Chelsea. Nicky is slow, but has done well for Chelsea. Probably a good signing for them.

Parker and Rooney were selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


Alberto Flores had a bad game, but our reserves still beat Manchester City 2-0.


Genoa have offered 80,000 for Lucio. I reject their offer. He is still useful this year, and I'm hoping he'll choose to retire rather than go to another team after the season.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan. 20, 2016 -

Today we host Fulham in an EPL Match. We are in 2nd place while they are in 5th place. Fulham is led by striker Collins John but he is injured for this game. David is also a good striker who has 10 goals on the season. David is only 25 and he is a fantastic leaper. Thomas Hitzlsperger is having a good season despite being 33 years old. Wayne Dunn is a very good centreabck who is playing great this year. Michael Rensing has been inconsistent in goal.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cahais (Cardozo is tired)
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Cardozo (will only play if necessary.)
S3: Cook
S4: McFadden
s5: O'Shea


Still injured: Salva, Fletcher, Wright, Ortega, and Oswald.

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Parker gets the ball outside the box.. dribbles left of the box.. quick pass to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it.. still a goal! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

16 minute mark: PArker passes to Adriano in the box.. Wanye Dunn trips Adriano.. whistle.. penalty shot! Rooney steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.


Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 70,000 fans here today.



61 minute mark: Parker passes to Barbosa in the left half of the box.. big left footed shoot.. inches wide right of the net.

70 minute mark: Schreurs passes to Godoy in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

71 minute mark: Godoy slide out to right wing.. Cook on for Schreurs. McFadden on for Rooney.

73 minute mark: Barbosa with a corner kick to the near post.. Parker jumps.. the keeper pushes him down.. whistle.. penalty! McFadden steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0.

92 minute mark: Cook passes to Parker.. Parker shoots from 25 yards out.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. can't reach it.. GOAL!!! 4-0.


Game over. 4-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 18-2 (10-0 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 10 for form, 30 of 34 passes, 5 key passes, 0 of 1 tackles, 1 of 3 headers, 18 runs, 5 fouls drawn.

Parker also had a 10 for form. Adriano had a 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Mickael Schmidt sprained his ankle during that match and will miss about 2 weeks.

Chelsea tied Coventry 0-0 and we are now only 2 points behind them :)

Wigan upset Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup 3rd round today!


Jan 23, 2016 -

Liverpool have signed promising young left wing John Hall from Sunderland for 10.5 million dollars.

Torino have signed Manu from Middlesbrough for 4.2 million. As part of our earlier deal, I get 2.1 million of that transfer money :)


January 26, 2016 -

Parker and Adriano were selected to the EPL Team of the Week.

Tottenham have signed Mark Tucker, the young promising striker from Sevilla (which just acquired him from Real Madrid) for 9.2 million. Tucker fizzled with Real Madrid, but it will be interesting to see what he does with Tottenham.


Ortega has resumed full training :)


Jan 27, 2016 -

Reading have made an offer to borrow Alberto Flores for 3 months. They are currently 4th in the EC and have top facilities. I agree with the provision that I can recall Flores. If they don't actually play him in their first few games, I will recall him.


Jan 28, 2016 -

Quentin Westberg told Bruce Arena that he expects to be in the first team at Aston Villa and he wants to be traded if he isn't going to be starting.


Gabriele Marchetti suffered a groin strain and he will miss at least 2 weeks.


Jan 29, 2016 -

Darren Fletcher has resumed full training.

[daedalus]

AC Milan's Cristiano Ronaldo has won the World Footballer of the Year Award. Fernando Cavenaghi of Real Madrid came in 2nd, and Fernando Torres of Milan came in 3rd.Man . . . everytime I see these news bits in this dynasty, I keep thinking: "If only ManU had hired EF in time to stop that sale . . . "

[Eaglesfan27]

Me too. He was one of my favorites in CM 03/04 when I was hired by Manchester United quickly enough to keep him.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 30, 2016 -

Today we travel to play the Wolves in an EPL Match. We are in 2nd while they are in 12th place. The Wolves have been hit by injuries and two of their better defenders are definitely out today. Juli is a right back who will have to anchor the defense along with centreback Simon Roberts. Stuart Taylor may start in goal due to their regular keeper, Michele Sardo, being out injured. Taylor is 35 and is not as sharp as he used to be. Bruno Moreira is a decent striker who has 9 goals on the year, but no one else on the team has more than 3 goals. Wouter Vandermieren is their new left winger who has done very well in limited action. Wouter is 27 and he is an excellent technical player.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's windy with temperatures in the 40's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Cardozo
DC: Lucio
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Barbosa
S3: Brown (can't believe I'm relying on him again, but with Marchetti and Salva injured...)
s4: King
S5: Ortega

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Downing gets a yellow card for obstruction.

4 minute mark: Boogaart gets a yellow card for tripping Moreira.

13 minute mark: Parker gets the ball outside the box.. dribbles left of the box.. quick curving pass.. wicked pass... Adriano by the far post.. heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!!! 1-0.

26 minute mark: Juli gets a yellow card for tripping Downing.

28 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney along the endline.. he immediately shoots.. parallel to the endline.. it curves... upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0. That is Rooney's 20th of the year! That is amazing considering he missed a month.

30 minute mark: Downing passes to Parker outside the box.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. Taylor dives.. catches it.

38 minute mark: Parker gets the ball left of the box.. fires a cross.. Schreurs just misses it as it sails by the far post.

41 minute mark: Downing passes to Adriano in the box.. July trips Adriano.. penalty awarded.. I let Lucio have one last one.. he steps up.. shoots.. lower left corner.. the kepeer dives.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 3-0.


Halftime: 3-0 lead for us.


49 minute mark: Downing passes to Parker outside the box.. Parker with a strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.. Adriano is right there.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0. That is Adriano's 2nd of the game. That is his 10th of the season.

62 minute mark: Barbosa on for Downing, Ortega on for Schreurs, and Brown on for Boogaart.

74 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. over the bar.

82 minute mark: Juli with a hard tackle on Rooney.. the ref gives him his second yellow card.. he is ejected.

86 minute mark: Barbosa passes it to Parker just outside the box.. Parker with a powerful shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 5-0.



Game over. 5-0 win for us.

We outshot them 16-4 (10-3 on target)

Adriano wins MoM, 10 for form, 16 of 20 passes, 1 key pass, 4 of 4 tackles, 6 of 12 headers, 2 interceptions, 1 run, 2 fouls drawn, 1 assist, and 2 goals.

Parker also had a 10 for form. Downing had a 9 for form.

Every other starter had an 8 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 30, 2016 -

Newcastle have hired Tony Colbert as their new manager.


Feb 1, 2016 -

The Board is "satisfied" with my performance as manager.



Barry Parker won EPL Player of the Month! Stewart Downing came in 2nd, and Jaime Gavilan of Arsenal came in 3rd.


Steffen Seitz of Middelsbrough won EPL Young Player of the Month. Chris Miller came in 2nd, and Chris Thomson of Charlton came in 3rd.


I won manager of the month. David Wilson of Liverpool came in 2nd, and Djuradj Vasic of Tottenham came in 3rd.


Feb 2, 2016 -

I took Salva off of my list of eligible players for the Champions League. Unfortunately, Cardozo is ineligible, but I added Alfonso to the list. Salva's rehab is taking longer than expected, and the trainer believes his chances of playing this season are less than 5%.


Darren Fletcher injured his knee in practice today and will miss at least a week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 3, 2016 -

Today we host Middlesbrough in a big EPL Match. We are in 2nd place and they are in 3rd place. They are led by striker Christophe Sanchez who is becoming a star. He has 19 goals on the season. Christophe is very fast and is using his speed very well this year. Dexter Blackstock is their secondary striker and he has 9 goals and 4 assists on the year. He is a great finisher. Johny Alejandro Acosta is playing his best ever despite being 32 years old. He shows no signs of decline. He has 6 goals and 7 assists on the year. Leon Andreasen is providing very strong defense and Jan Lastuvka is a very good keeper who is having a great season. He has 17 clean sheets in 31 starts.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Adriano (a bit of a chance in this big match..)
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Boogaart
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden (giving him a chance to shine against this big team)
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Rooney (will come on if we are down at the half.)
s3: Adriano (ditto)
S4: Cook
S5: O'Shea

[Eaglesfan27]

Sigh... my laptop hasn't frozen in months since I bought a laptop pad with 3 fans, but it just froze a bit ago. I gave it 10 minutes, but it was frozen just like in the past with nothing moving on any screens (or the inability to change screens as well.) I had just finished my game and won 1-0. I'm annoyed right now, so going to take a break from the laptop. Fortunately, I only lost 4 days of game action. Hopefully, I'll win both of those games when I play them again (probably later today.)

[Eaglesfan27]

Doing the replay now, hopefully it will go similar to last time:

11 minute mark: Downing dribbles left of the box.. he centers it to Schreurs who heads it.. into the crossbar.. rooney gets the rebound.. shoots... upper left corner.. GOAL!!! 1-0. That is Rooney's 20th of the year!

27 minute mark: Rooney dribbles left of the box.. past a defender.. centers to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. into the crossbar.


33 minute mark: Schreurs gets a yellow card for tripping his man.


Halftime: 1-0 lead.

48 minute mark: Schreurs passes to Adriano right of the box.. he holds it up.. passes it to Schreurs in the middle of the box.. Schreurs shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

59 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney left of the box.. he crosses it long to Schreurs who heads it to Godoy in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. inches wide left.

62 minute mark: Ortega on for Schreurs and Barbosa on for Downing.

74 minute mark: Brown on for Boogaart.

85 minute mark: Ortega passes to Rooney who is breaking away.. great pass.. Rooney dribbles into the box.. shoots.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!! 3-0.


Game over. 3-0 win. Close enough to the last game (which I need to forget about.)

We outshot them 19-10 (9-3 on target)

Rooney wins MoM, 10 for form, 15 of 19 passes, 1 key pass, 1 of 4 tackles, 3 of 8 headers, 1 interception, 7 runs, 1 foul drawn, 2 goals.

Downing had a 9 for form. Every other starter had an 8.

[Eaglesfan27]

Now, I'm playing the Manchester united - Middlesbrough game.

I'm using the same lineup except I'm starting Rooney and Adriano at striker since they weren't as tired this time...


17 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Rooney.. he centers it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. good save by the keeper.

25 minute mark: Michael Mancienne kicks Adriano (the striker!) Mancienne is given a red card and is ejected!!!

35 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Rooney left of the box.. he dribbles between two defenders.. shoots the sharply angled shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

41 minute mark: Barbosa passes it to Rooney in the left corner of the pitch.. Rooney gets to it.. draws wo defenders over.. quick pass to Adriano just outside the 6 yard box.. Adriano shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.



Halftime: 2-0 lead for us. We have over 73,000 fans here today.



46 minue mark: Barbosa takes a corner kick.. to the middle of the box.. Godoy heads it.. he is pushed down by a centreback.. Penalty awarded.. Ortega takes the penalty shot.. the keeper dives to his left.. blocks it.. Ortega gets the rebound... shoots it over the keeper who is still on the ground! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

70 minute mark: McFadden on for Rooney, King on for Adriano, and Cook on for Godoy.

72 minute mark: Schmidt throws it to King in the left side of the box.. he knocks it down.. turns.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!! 4-0.

90 minute mark: Ortega dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to the near post.. Parker with a diving header.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 5-0.



Game over. 5-0 win for us :) (I'm glad to be done the "replay" games and get back to where my computer froze. I hate having to re-write history.

We outshot them 20-0 (12-0 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 10 for form, 15 of 23 passes, 3 key passes, 0 tackles, 4 of 6 headers, 1 interception, 12 runs, 5 fouls drawn, and 1 assist.

Miller, Ortega, and Parker all had 9's for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 6, 2016 -

How interesting. Alberto Flores said he would rather remain with our U18 team and he rejected the loan to Reading.


Today we travel to play Coventry in an EPL Match. They are in 17th and we are in 1st because Derby tied Chelsea 0-0 last match! Coventry is led by Wayne Worthington who is their leading scorer with 8 goals. However, the rest of the team isn't providing much supprt. Dalibor Glavina, a midfielder, has 4 goals, but no one else has more than 1 goal. Jeroen Drost leads the defense along with Martin Scott. Cedric Rossi is a 19 year old very raw keeper. Marco Tedeschi is still injured, and we will probably face this kid and it should make for an easy game for us.


We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 40's.



GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Lucio
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Parker
MC: Fletcher
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Adriano
s3: Wood
S4: Rooney (only to play if we are down at halftime.)
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

I just got word that Alberto Flores had a hattrick for our U18 team in a 3-0 win against Blackpool earlier today!

10 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Parker in the box.. their defender trips him.. penalty awarded.. Lucio takes it.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it... the defense clears it.

24 minute mark: Rossi stops a flurry of shots by our guys! The young keeper is playing above himself at this point.

44 minute mark: Barbosa with a corner kick to Cardozo outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.


Halftime: 0-0 tie.



50 minute mark: Parker passes it to King in the box.. he heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

57 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Parker.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. Parker is playing great this season!

72 minute mark: Cahais on for Cardozo who is exhausted, and Wood on for Parker who is tired.

89 minute mark: Wood passes to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper blocks it.

90 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Schreurs right of the box.. he centers it to King.. King is 10 yards out.. shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it.. still a goal! GOAL!!!! 2-0.


Game over. 2-0 win :)

We outshot them 20-9 (9-2 on target)

Barbosa wins MoM, 10 for form, 23 of 31 passes, 2 key passes, 4 of 8 tackles, 1 of 8 headers, 2 interceptions, 16 runs, 4 douls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Schreurs has picked up a 1 match ban for too many yellow cards.



Chelsea lost to Everton 2-0!!! We are alone in 1st place, 3 points ahead of them! :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 8, 2016 -

Boogaart, Ortega, and Rooney were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


Alberto Flores played for Spains U19 team in a friendly and had a goal in their 2-1 win over Belgium.



Feb 10, 2016 -

Alberto Flores had 2 goals and an assist for our Reserve team as they beat Blackburn's reserves 4-0. Flores is playing great so far.

Feb 12, 2016 -

Michael Oswald has resumed light training. He will be at full strength in about a month.

Fulham took a heavy blow as they lost Thomas Hitzlsperger to a broken leg for the next 2-3 months.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 13, 2016 -

Today we host Charlton in an EPL Match. They are in 14th while we are in 1st. Charlton's offense is below average and their defense has been bad this year. Stephan Andersen is having a good year in goal despite facing plenty of shots. He has 15 clean sheets in 32 starts. Alan Harrison and Andy Campbell are playing good at midfield and right wing respectively. Ryan Smith is their leading goal scorer with 6 goals from his striker position. Ross McCormack, the other striker, also has 6 goals. Scott Murphy is the only defender playing well.


We are heavy 1-6 favorites.

It is raining with temperatures in the 30's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: O'Shea
DC: Miller
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Barbosa
S3: McFadden
s4: King
s5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

If I don't get to post what happened in this game, it is due to a tropical storm heading this way. Cindy just made my lights flicker twice (and my modem go out twice.) Fortunately, the laptop is running on battery backup.

[illinifan999]

We're now managing at the same place. :) ManU finally fired Steve Bruce who had been with them from the second year of my career to now, 2015. Almost 10 years with one club, I'm impressed, but as soon as they offered me the job I had to say goodbye to Real Madrid and to all the young Americans I imported who had sick skills. :(

[Eaglesfan27]

5 minute mark: O'Shea starts the counterattack.. passes to Rooney just inside our half.. Rooney with a long pass just outside the box.. Adriano gets to it.. dribbles past two defenders chasing him.. shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0. That is Adriano's 10th of the year.

11 minute mark: Barry Parker gets a yellow card for tripping one of their men.

13 minute mark: Downing gets a yellow card for obstructing their man.

22 minute mark: Boogaart with starts a counterattack.. 60 yard pass.. Adriano gets it just inside the box.. he fakes out the keeper.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.



Halftime: 2-0 lead. We have over 72,000 fans here today.



53 minute mark: Downing with a corner kick to the far post... Adriano outjumps his man.. heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 3-0. That is his hattrick!

57 minute mark; Godoy passes to Ortega.. Ortega is just outside the box... he passes to Godoy.. Godoy shoots.. the defender blocks it.. Ortega passes to Rooney.. he is inside the 6 yard box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.

63 minute mark: Downing passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 5-0.

64 minute mark: Cahais on for Schmidt. McFadden on for Rooney, and King on for Adriano.

Rooney and Adriano each get standing ovations.

89 minute mark: Downing passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 6-0.


Game over. 6-0 win :)

We outshot them 21-1 (15-0 on target)

Adriano wins MoM, 10 for form, 8 of 11 passes, 1 key pass, 0 tackles, 6 of 8 headers, 1 interception, 1 run, 3 goals.

Downing also had a 10. Boogaart, Miller, Parker, and Rooney all had 9's.

[Eaglesfan27]

We're now managing at the same place. :) ManU finally fired Steve Bruce who had been with them from the second year of my career to now, 2015. Almost 10 years with one club, I'm impressed, but as soon as they offered me the job I had to say goodbye to Real Madrid and to all the young Americans I imported who had sick skills. :(
Sorry to hear you left those young Americans, but you can always try to bring them to Manchester United!

Good luck with them :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 14, 2016 -

Arsenal sacked Antonio Lopez today. They are rumored to be interested in hiring Charlton boss Ernie Tippett.



Feb 15, 2016 -

Boogaart, O'Shea, and Parker were all selected to the EPL Team of the Week.



Feb 17, 2016 -

Liverpool lost Nicky Platt to a partially torn hamstring today. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.


Tullio Gritti has been sacked by Chievo.


Alberto Flores had a 9 for form with 2 assists in our reserves 3-0 win over Middlesbrough's reserves.


Feb 18, 2016 -

My plan to start O'Shea in our next match was ruined as he sprained his ankle and will miss at least a week.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 24, 2016 -

Today we host Maccabi Haifa in the 1st leg of the 1st knockout round of the Champiopns League. This Israeli team has very few good players and we should be able to beat them easily. Their man players are midfielder Guillermo Pablo Israilevich, a 33 year old midfielder who has a decent skill level. Milan Stojanovic is a decent fullback. Nir Shemesh is a 21 year old striker with good speed and potential. Nir Ohayon is a 24 year old centbreack with good jumping abilities. Haim Ghnayem is a 29 year old keeper with excellent aerial ability.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 30's.



GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Marchetti
DC: Miller
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: McFadden
S3: Barbosa
S4: Fletcher
S5: Cahais
S6: Schreurs
S7: King

[Eaglesfan27]

16 minute mark: Miller with a long pass to Adriano.. he heads it to Ortega who is right of the box..... Ortega crosses it to the near post.. Adriano heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

21 minute mark: Downing dribbles past two defenders.. into the left side of the box.. short cross.. near post.. Rooney heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!! 2-0. That is Rooney's 25th goal of the year.

32 minute mark: Downing with a corner to the near post.. Adriano heads it.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!! 3-0.



Halftime: 3-0 lead for us. We have over 65,000 fans here today.



50 minute mark: Schmidt passes to Rooney.. he heads it back to Parker.. Parker shoots from 25 yards out.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.

62 minute mark: King on for Adriano.

67 minute mark: Ortega dribbles past three defenders.. into the right side of the box.. he is using speed, dribbling, and great vision.. quick pass to King on his left.. King slams it home into the open net as the keeper had come over to meet Ortega! GOAL!!!! 5-0.

78 minute mark: Miller passes to King who heads it to Ortega.. Ortega dribbles into the box.. fakes out a defender.. draws the keeper over.. fires a pass towards the far post.. King hits it on the half-volley.. GOAL!!!! 6-0.

81 minute mark: Schmidt throws it into King.. a defender heads it away.. Boogaart gets the ball.. he is 30 yards out.. he shoots.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 7-0. That is Boogaart's first ever for us.

91 minute mark: Boogaart with a long pass to King right of the box.. he dribbles into the right side of the box.. passes it to the far post.. Downing heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 8-0.


Game over. 8-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 16-0 (13-0 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 12 of 18 passes, 3 key passes, 1 of 2 tackles, 1 of 6 headers, 1 interception, 13 runs, 2 assists, 1 goal.

Ortega and Rooney also had 10's for form.

Boogaart, Parker, Godoy, and Adriano all had 9's for form.

[daedalus]

Alberto Flores had 2 goals and an assist for our Reserve team as they beat Blackburn's reserves 4-0. Flores is playing great so far.That boy is just a tiny bit special. Apparently.

Maybe that's the Adu that you missed out on. :DLiverpool lost Nicky Platt to a partially torn hamstring today. He is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.So, ummm, what're the odds of him coming back, y'know, slower?

[Eaglesfan27]

That boy is just a tiny bit special. Apparently.

Maybe that's the Adu that you missed out on. :DSo, ummm, what're the odds of him coming back, y'know, slower?
OOC NOTE:


The storm has passed after knocking out my power last night (along with tens or even a hundred thousand other homes,) and I'm at work today, but I'm thrilled to see that the school has actually set up my email!!!

This is especially important since my boss called out today, and therefore cancelled my orientation, but I'm still required to be here today for at least 6 hours. Lots of time to catch up on other dynasties as all of my patients have cancelled too!

/ooc

Yeah, I don't have the game here at work, but I know that Flores is averaging over a goal/game and a half of an assist/game. He is looking very special. Hopefully, he'll continue to grow. My only concern is his lack of footspeed, and if that will hamper him too much in the EPL...

Good question about Platt ;)

[Eaglesfan27]

Feb 28, 2016 -

John O'Shea strained his calf and will miss about 2 weeks.


March 1, 2016 -

The board is pleased with my performance as manager.


Barry Parker has won EPL Player of the Month Award. Arjen Robben of Chelsea came in 2nd, and Christian Schulz of Fulham came in 3rd.


Chris Miller won the EPL Young Player of the Month Award. Paul Simpson of Derby came in 2nd and Massimo Macuso of West Ham came in 3rd.


I won the Manager of the Month Award to get the clean sweep of EPL Awards this month! Steve Coppell of Fulham came in 2nd, and Henk ten Cate of Bolton came in 3rd.



Wayne Rooney's goal against Middlesbrough won goal of the Month. Barry Parker came in 2nd for his goal against Coventry on the 6th.


Ernie Tippett has been hired away from Charlton to take over at Arsenal.

[Eaglesfan27]

March 2, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Derby in an EPL Match. They are in 19th while we are in 1st. Derby has a weak offense and a decent but below average defense. Richard James and Tom Davis, their two centrebacks, have been their most consistent players this year. Paul Simpson is a young rising star at midfielder. Robbie Keane is their leading scorer and top striker but he is injured for this game. Luis Carlos is a good keeper who has been erratic this past month.


We are 1-3 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.



GK: Adriano
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Cahais
S3: Barbosa
S4: Djemba
S5: Rooney

[Eaglesfan27]

9 minute mark: Downing gets a yellow card for elbowing Mabizela.

13 minute mark: William Flood gets a yellow card for a trip on Marchetti.

18 minute mark: Miller passes it down the right sideline to King outside he box.. he centers it to McFadden.. the defense tackles him before he can shoot.

33 minute mark: McFadden is called for being offside.. Parker argues the call.. Parker gets a yellow card.

42 minute mark: Ortega gets a yellow card for a trip on his man.

45 minute mark: MCFadden passes it between two defenders to king in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper saves it.



Halftime: 0-0 tie. They have about 33,000 fans here today.



48 minute mark: Godoy passes to Parker.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. strong curving shot... upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

71 minute mark: Rooney on for King and I slide McFadden over to the right striker (putting Rooney at his preferred left striker.)

78 minute mark: Djemba on for Parker and Barbosa on for Downing.

89 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past his man.. crosses it to the far post.. McFadden heads it.. into the crossbar.. the defense clears the rebound.


Game over. 0-0 tie. Disappointing considering they are a much weaker team.

We outshot them 15-5 (5-1 on target)

Luis Carlos, their keeper, wins MoM, 5 saves, 16 of 28 passes, 8 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

We remain 1 point ahead of Chelsea at this point.

Alberto Flores had his first average game with just a 7 for form and no assists or goals in a 2-0 win for our reserves over Bolton's reserves. Dalibor Stevanovic had a goal and an assist in the match.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 5, 2016 -

Today we host Sunderland in an EPL Match. They are in 4th while we remain in 1st. Luke us, they have a diversified offense and a good defense. Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor is the leading scorer with 11 goals and 4 assists. Peter Williamson is a young striker who is rotating and he has 10 goals in 14 starts and 10 relief appearances. Thomas Hassing Skjaerbaek has 9 goals from his midfielder position. Harmen Boven has 8 goals from the other midfield position. Fabrice Piet who used to be with Arsenal is playing excellent defense since coming to sunderland at the start of this season. Steven Taylor is playing well at centreback. Luca Brunoni is having a bad season in goal, but the offense and defense are picking him up.


We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Cahais
DC: Cardozo
DC: Miller
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Fletcher
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Wood
S3: Barbosa
S4: King
S5: Marchetti

[Eaglesfan27]

8 minute mark: Downing dribbles down the left sideline.. past two men.. crosses it to the far post.. adriano with a header.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

12 minute mark: the Centreback trips Rooney in the box.. the ref awards a penalty.. Fletcher steps up... blast a shot to the upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

20 minute mark: Novak with a long range shot.. Howard catches it easily.

32 minute mark: Dwoning passes to rooney on the left edge of the box.. he dribbles past a defender... shoots an impossibly angled shot... it hits the right goalpost.. bounces in! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

44 minute mark: Downing passes to the right side of the box.. right to Ortega's feet.. he dribbles twice.. shoots.. tight angle.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-0.


Halftime: 4-0 lead. We have over 70,000 fans here today.



70 minute mark: Barbosa on for Rooney, King on for Adriano, and Marchetti on for Miller.


Game over. 4-0 win for us.

We outshot them 14-3 (8-2 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 18 of 21 passes, 3 of 4 tackles, 0 headers, 15 runs, 1 foul drawn, and 3 assists.

Ortega also had a 10 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mar. 6, 2016 -

Darren Fletcher suffered a groin strain today and will miss at least 2 weeks.


Chelsea tied West Ham 1-1 today. Hopefully, we can use this to expand our margin over them in the EPL.


March 7, 2016 -

I was planning on starting Lucio in our next match. However, today in training he suffered a dislocated shoulder and will miss at least 6 weeks.


Dalibor Stevanovic misses training yesterday without prior approval. I fine him 1 week's wages for his unprofessional behavior. If he does it again, I'll fine him 2 weeks wages.


Boogaart and Fletcher were named to the EPL Team of the Week.

[Eaglesfan27]

March 8, 2016 -

Dalibor Stevanovic indicated that he deserved the fine and that he will not repeat his unacceptable behaviour in the future.



March 9, 2016 -

Today we play Maccabi Haifa in the 2nd leg of the 1st knockout round of the Champions League. We are up 8-0 on aggregate and I feel confident about our advancement to the next round.

We are 4-7 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Adriano
DL: Cahais
DC: Marchetti
DC: Boogaart
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Wood
MC: Cook
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden
SC: King

S1: Howard
S2: Djemba
S3: Alfonso
S4: Schmidt
S5: Adriano
S6: Downing
S7: Rooney

[Eaglesfan27]

13 minute mark: Barbosa gets a yellow card for pushing their right back.

28 minute mark: Cook intercepts a keeper kick.. passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. it hits the crossbar.

30 minute mark: Atar passes to Fligman.. he passes to Malka just outside the box.. upper left corner.. Adriano dives.. can't reach it. GOAL. Down 1-0, but up 8-1 on aggregate.


Halftime: Down 1-0, up 8-1 on aggregate.


53 minute mark: I slide Cook to right wing and put Djemba on for Ortega who is very tired. Alfonso on for Barbosa.

82 minute mark: King is hurt.. he is clutching his leg.. I put Adriano on for him.


Game over. 1-0 loss, but 8-1 win on aggregate.

Wow. We were outshot 18-2 (7-1 on target)

Adriano wins MoM, 6 saves, 8 of 19 passes, 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Craig King suffered a severely sprained knee and is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks.

Matias Cahais suffered a groin strain that will likely keep him out 2 weeks.

Jamie Cook bruised his ribs and will miss a few days.


Fortunately, our next match is 11 days away.


Alberto Flores helped guide the reserves to a 2-0 win over Leicester. He didn't have any goals or assists, but he had a 9 for form and was the MoM with excellent all around play.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mar 10, 2016 -

Auxerre have hired Louis Saha as their new manager. Auxerre is currently 12th in the French First League and Saha will have his work cut out for him.


March 11, 2016 -

We have drawn Valencia in the Quarter Final of the Champions League. This should be a tough matchup. We will play the first leg on April 6th.

The other matchups are:

Real Madrid vs Chelsea

Milan vs Aston Villa

Juventus vs Inter.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mar 13, 2016 -

Lazio sacked Roberto Mancini. Giorgio Pellizzaro is suspected to be the likely replacement.

Barcelona has sacked Victor Munoz. They are currently 11th in the Spanish First Division. Pako Ayestaran is believed to be the favorite to take over with Antonio Lopez (recently fired by Arsenal) also listed as a favorite.



March 16, 2016 -

Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-0! Our lead over Chelsea now grows to 6 points with 10 games to go.


March 17, 2016 -

Michael Oswald has resumed training after being out almost 5 months due to his injury.

I'm going to try to get him on as a rotator in our next game if we have a lead.


March 19, 2016 -

Boogaart suffered a strained ankle ligament in training yesterday, and he is expected to miss 2-3 weeks.

[Eaglesfan27]

March 20, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Everton in an EPL Match. They are in 12th while we are in 1st. Everton's top striker is Neil Gibson, a 26 year old English striker who is an excellent leaper. Gibson has 8 goals in 17 starts. Benoit Grange is a 22 year old keeper with tremendeous potential acquired from Liverpool, and he is showing that potential at times but is having so bad games as well. He has 29 starts wth 13 clean sheets, but he is giving up 2.2 goals/game in the other 16 starts. Aleksander Djuric is a 27 year old centreback who is very fast, strong, and he is having a terrific season so far. Valery Mezague is having a very good year in the midfield with 9 assists and 2 goals in 22 starts. He is also playing solid defense.


We are 4-6 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 60's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Barbosa
S3: McFadden
S4: Oswald (hoping to work on getting his legs back.)
S5: Schreurs (just back from his injury, also want to get his legs back.)

[Eaglesfan27]

16 minute mark: Miller passes to Ortega who heads it to Adriano in the box.. Dennis Cagara with a good defensive play.

26 minute mark: Howard passes it long to Downing left of the box.. he centers it to Adriano in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.. the defense barely beats Adriano to the rebound.. they clear it.

43 minute mark: Scott Laird passes to Right winger Jose ignacio Carreno in the right side of the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. Howard dives.. misses it! GOAL. Down 1-0.


Halftime: Down 1-0. Rooney picked up a knock just before the half and is limping. I'll see if he can play, but I might pull him in the next 3 minutes if he can't run well.

50 minute mark: Downing passes to Parker outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. strong curving shot. The keeper dives.. catches it.

51 minute mark: McFadden on for Rooney who is limping.

58 minute mark: Downing throws it into to McFadden.. he heads it to Godoy by the right post.. Godoy shoots.. the keeper dives.. blocks it. Amazing save.

69 minute mark: Mezague passes to McDonald in the box.. McDonald shoots.. lower right corner.. Howard is out of position to stop that.. GOAL. Down 2-0.

71 minute mark: Downing dribbles left of the box.. short cross.. McFadden heads it.. upper left corner.. the keeper catches it.


Game over. 2-0 loss. Very disappointing.

We were outshot 10-8 (5-5 on target)

Aleksandar Djuric wins MoM, 9 for form, 29 of 36 passes, 1 key pass, 4 of 4 tackles, 12 of 13 headers, 4 inerceptions, 2 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

March 22, 2016 -

Barcelona announced that they have hired Antonio Lopez.

Our U18 team beat Manchester City's U18 team 4-1. Alberto Flores had a 10 for form, won MoM, and had 2 assists and a goal. He completed 27 of 29 passes.

[Eaglesfan27]

March 23, 2016 -

Today we host Aston Villa in an EPL Match. We are in 1st place. They are in 4th place. Luke Moore has been devastating at striker and he leads the team with 20 goals. Jhon Jairo Mosquera has been a good #2 striker and he has 14 goals on the year. Ville-pekka Luukkonen has developed into a very good attacking midfielder and he has 8 goals and 7 assists. Chris Cohen has aken over for Gael Clichy at left back in the last few games and Cohen is playing very well. Jordi is playing well at right back. Chris Taylor is playing very well in goal the last few weeks, and I find myself wondering for just a second if I should have kept him as Howard's successor.


We are 4-5 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the 40's.



GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Barbosa
MC: Downing
MC: Parker
MR: Schreurs
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: O'Shea
S3: ortega
s4: Oswald
s5: Djemba

[Eaglesfan27]

5 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots a sharply angled shot.. past the keeper.. it hits the crossbar and takes a bizarre bounce... the defense clears it before we can get to it outside the right side of the box.

22 minute mark: Marchetti is whistled for pushing mosquera in the box.. penalty awarded.. Gareth Barry steps up to take it.. blasts a powerful shot.. upper right corner.. Howard dives but it is out of his reach. GOAL. Down 1-0.

41 minute mark: Downing passes to Parker.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

45 minute mark: Barbosa dribbles past two men left of the box.. nice cross.. Taylor punches it away before it reaches Rooney.

45 minute mark: Schreurs crosses it to Adriano.. he is pushed down by Taylor.. penalty! Downing steps up.. shoots.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-1.


Halftime: 1-1 tie. We have over 72,000 fans here today.



46 minute mark: Adriano steals it from the centreback.. shoots from 25 yards out.. powerful banana shot.. upper right corner.. Taylor dives.. blocks it.

48 minute mark: Downing passes it to Rooney in the left side of the box.. he shoots.. the ball bounces off a defender.. to Barbosa.. he passes across the box.. to schreurs in the middle of the box 15 yards out.. he hits it on the half-volley with an athletic move.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-1. That is Schreurs's 5th of the year.

57 minute mark: Barbosa passes from midfield to rooney left of the box.. he quickly centers it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. great save by Taylor.

68 minute mark: Marchetti starts a long counterattack.. Rooney with a breakaway.. dribbles into the box... Taylor backpedals.. Rooney shoots.. upper right corner.. Taylor blocks it.

72 minute mark: oswald on for Rooney who is tired, and Djemba on for Downing.

78 minute mark: Djemba passes to Barbosa who passes to Oswald just left of the box.. he dribbles into the box.. draws a defender over.. fires a pass to Adriano.. he heads it.. over the bar.

82 minute mark: Chris Miller gets a yellow card for a very hard tackle on Gael Clichy.

86 minute mark: Jordi and Barbosa collided.. Barbosa looks hurt.

87 minute mark: Djemba passes to oswald in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

88 minute mark: Howard stops a flurry of shots before Miller finally clears it.

90 minute mark: Barbosa passes to Oswald left of the box.. he passes back to Djemba.. djemba passes to Oswald in the middle of the box.. he blasts a shot.. lower right corner.. no chance for the keeper.. GOAL!!!! 3-1.


Game over. 3-1 win.

We outhsot them 18-7 (9-6 on target)

Howard had a 10 for form and wins MoM, 5 saves and 9 of 9 passing.

Barbosa also had a 10 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Mar 25, 2016 -

Antonio Blanco has been called up to spain's u19 team for their friendly versus Switzerland's U19 team.


May 26, 2016 -

17 year old Alberto Flores has been called up to Spain's U21 team for their friendly against Switzerland on the 29th!

Michael Oswald has been called up to Germany's U21 team.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 26, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Tottenham. They are in 8th while we are in 1st. Chelsea is just 3 points behind us with 8 games to go. Tottenham is led by a very good defense, ut their offense has been just average the last few weeks. Carlton Cole leads the tema with 9 goals and he hasn't scored much in the last few weeks. Andrea Conte is developing nicely as a secondary striker. The 25 year old has 9 goals and 5 assists in 25 starts and he is developing a very nice shooting touch. Jason Eaton is playing well in the midfield, and Davide Chiumiento is playing VERY well at left wing. He has 6 goals and 10 assists on the year so far. Paul Robinson is 36 and he is starting to show his age, but he still remains the #1 keeper over Jesus. Robinson has 11 clean sheets in 27 starts.


We are 4-5 favorites.

It's overcast with temperatures in the 40's.

GK: Howard
DL: schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Fletcher
S3: Schreurs
S4: Wright
S5: O'Shea

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: ortega passes to Parker 25 yards out.. he shoots.. over the bar.

8 minute mark: Godoy takes a free kick from midpitch.. he finds Marchetti just outside the box.. Marchetti shoots.. upper right corner.. curving slightly.. the keeper dives.. it's past him! GOAL!!!! 1-0.

26 minute mark: Ortega steals it from the left back.. centers it to Adriano just inside the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

29 minute mark: Conte and Cardozo collide.. Cardozo is hurt.. he is screaming in agony. He has to be carried off the pitch. O'Shea on for cardozo.

36 minute mark: Downing dribbles down the left sideline.. crosses it to the far post.. Adriano heads it.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

44 minute mark: Howard stops a point blank shot from Cole.


Halftime: 1-0 lead.



52 minute mark: Ortega gets a yellow card for a push on their defender.

56 minute mark: Downing passes it to Parker outside the box.. he heads it to Rooney inside the box.. Rooney shoots from 15 yards out.. lower right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-0.

75 minute mark: Fletcher on for Parker and Wright on for Rooney.

82 minute mark: Fletcher passes to Adriano in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

87 minute mark: Ortega dribbles up the right sideline.. he centers it to the far post.. wright heads it.. upper left corner.. it hits off the post.. and into the net! GOAL!!!! 3-0.

90 minute mark: Howard stops a long shot from Momo.



Game over. 3-0 win for us.

We outshot them 13-11 (9-9 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 12 of 14 passes, 1 key pass, 2 of 4 tackles, 0 of 2 headers, 1 interception, 15 runs, 3 fouls drawn.

Howard had a 9. Every other starter had an 8 (except Cardozo who was hurt early.) O'Shea also had an 8 as he did very well as a centreback this game.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Diego cardozo sprained his ankle and will miss at least 4 or 5 days.


Chelsea tied Leeds 0-0! We are now 5 points ahead of Chelsea with 7 games to go! :)

[Eaglesfan27]

March 28, 2016 -

Lazio have announced Giorgio Pellizzaro as their new manager.


Jhon Jairo Mosquera suffered a hip pointer and Aston villa will be without him for at least a month or two.


O'Shea and Downing were both selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


March 29, 2016 -

Darren Fletcher suffered a groin strain today and will miss at least 2 weeks.


Michael Oswald played well and had an assist in Germany's U21 1-1 tie with Hungary.


March 29, 2016 -

With Alberto Flores away on interntional duty, our reserves lost to Liverpool's reserves 1-0.


Alberto Flores didn't play in Spain's u21 match :(

[Eaglesfan27]

April 1, 2016 -

Today I'm renewing coaching contracts:

I decide to offer Fabien Barthez 17,000/week for a 4 year deal. He has become one of the best keeper coaches in the business.

Ruud van Nistelrooy isn't coaching well. I'm letting him go after the season and bringing in another striker coach.

Christian Roberts is a good 36 year old physio who is doing well. He only wants 2000/week for a 3 year deal. I agree.

Ivo Ulich is a 41 year old physio who wants 3,200/week for a 3 year deal. I agree to his terms.

Tony Coton is a good 54 year old keeper coach. He wants 15,500/week for a 4 year deal. I agree to his request.

Roy Keane is a 44 year old scout who was one of my favorite Manchester United players when I was younger. He is a good scout. He wants 2,800/week for a new 3 year deal. I agree.

Paul Underwood is a 32 year old physio who is good at his job. He wants 1,250/week for a 1 year extension. I offer him that for a 4 year extension.


David Bushell is my top scout. He is 57 and does a great job of scouting my opponents. I offer him 2,200/week on a 3 year extension.

John cooke is a very good outfield coach. He wants a big raise to 15,500/week for a 4 year extension. I agree.

Kevin Poole is a 35 year old outfield coach who is doing a very good job. He wants a huge raise from 700/week to 7,600/week. I agree to his request.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 1, 2016 -

The board is pleased with my performance as manager.


Stewart Downing has won the EPL Player of the Month. Helder Barbosa came in 2nd, and Johny Alejandro Acosta of Middlesbrough came in 3rd.


Antonio Ortega won EPL Young Player of the Month. Chris Miller came in 2nd, and Craig Powell of West Ham came in 3rd.


Middlesbrough's Tony Mowbray won the EPL Manager of the Month. I came in 2nd, and Bruce Arena of Aston Villa came in 3rd.


Freddy Adu won goal of the month for a strike against West Brom on March 19th.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 2, 2016 -

Craig King has resumed full training.

All of my staff have signed the contracts that I offered them. I'll be looking for a new outfielder coach to work with my strikers in the next month or two.



April 3, 2016 -

Today we play Chelsea in a pivotal EPL Match. We are 5 points ahead of them with 7 games to go. If we win this match, we can give ourself a very nice margin going down the stretch. If we lose this match, we will have Chelsea right back on our tail with no breathing room.

Chelsea will be missing superstar Adriano who is out injured this match and for the next week. My scout reports they are starting Freddy Adu at striker today alongside Stefan de Weerd at the other striker position. Arjen Robben is playing at left wing and he is still effective. Julien Ribiero and Wesley Sneijder are still very good in the middle. Sylvain Bon is a 24 year old right winger who looks like he has the potential to become a superstar, but he hasn't produced much for Chelsea in 33 starts this year. Urby Emanuelson is a good left back and Jimmy Murphy and John Terry are decent centrebacks, but Terry is getting older and they aren't a great pair. However, Naldo is hurt so it is likely that who is will start. It is unclear who they will start at right back. Petr Cech is a good keeper who still remains very effective at age 33.


We are 5-4 favorites.

It's raining with temperatures in the high 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: Schmidt
DC: Cardozo
DC: Marchetti
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
S2: Schreurs
S3: Barbosa
s4: Oswald
S5: Cahais

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Downing dribbles past two men.. quick pass to Rooney inside the 6 yard box.. he heads it.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar. Excellent save.

4 minute mark: Rooney collides with Terry.. Rooney is hurt bad :( I put Barbosa on for him.

9 minute mark: Miller passes to Ortega who dribbles past two defenders.. into the right side of the box.. quick pass to Adriano.. the keeper punches it away before Adriano can head it.

20 minute mark: Glen Johnson (who is playing despite being doubtful) stops Downing as he tries to go past him.

22 minute mark: Sneijder gets a yellow card for a two footed tackle on Downing.

27 minute mark: Downing dribbles left of the box.. he passes it to far post.. Ortega with a diving header.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

44 minute mark: Downing passes to Parker outside the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.


Halftime: 1-0 lead for us. We have over 91,000 fans here today.



54 minute mark: We get off a flurry of 5 shots.. their keeper or defenders block every one of the shots.

75 minute mark: Ortega dribbles right of the box.. crosses to Adriano by the near post.. he heads it.. the keeper pushes it over the bar.

76 minute mark: Cahais on for Schmidt.

82 minute mark: Gary Moore starts the counter attack.. long pass to Adu.. he dribbles past Marchetti.. fires a shot into the upper right corner.. GOAL. 1-1 tie.


Game over. 1-1 tie.

We outshot them 16-3 (6-2 on target)

Downing wins MoM, 10 for form, 10 of 16 passes, 2 key passes, 3 of 3 tackles, 2 of 6 headers, 15 runs, 4 fouls drawn, and 1 assist.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Wayne Rooney dislocaed his shoulder, but he expects to be back in 5 to 7 days!


April 4, 2016 -

Downing was selected to the EPL Team of the Week.


April 5, 2016 -

OUCH, Mickael Schmidt went down with a groin strain and will miss about 2 weeks. This was one of the positions that I really didn't want another injury.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 6, 2016 -

Today we travel to play Valencia in a Champions League Quarter Final Leg 1 Match. Valencia has a talented team and we are missing a few of our best players. Fortunately, they are missing their best defender, Ben Bennett who is injured. Tim wiese is a world class keeper who is still playing very well at the age of 34. Gianpaolo Pazzini is a 31 year old striker who still has excellent speed, physical ability, mental ability, and a great shooting touch. He has 13 goals in 29 starts this year. Miguel is a 23 year old Spanish striker who is a rising star. he has speed, strength, stamina, acceleration, and he is an excellent leaper. He is also a great shooter and can be dangerous around the net. He has 11 goals in 17 starts. Fran is a good midfielder who at the age of 22 is becoming a star for them. He has 15 assists in 35 starts. Nelio is a 32 year old right Brazilian right winger who still has superior speed, acceleration, and great passing ability. The defense is their slight weak point with Bennett injured, they will have to rely on 21 year old Spanish right back Rafael Fernandez Garcia to lead the defense. The 21 year old has excellent physical abilities, but he is still a bit raw from a technical standpoint.


They are 6-4 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 70's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Boogaart
DR: Miller
ML: Downing
MC: Parker
MC: Godoy
MR: Schreurs
SC: McFadden (Rooney is hurt)
SC: King

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Djemba
S3: Oswald
S4: Barbosa
S5: Wood
S6: Ortega
s7: Cook

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Downing passes to King in the box.. he has a good opportunity.. he shoots.. over the bar.

14 minute mark: Downing dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it short.. King heads it.. wide left.

16 minute mark: Downing takes a corner kick.. to the center of the box.. Schreurs with an acrobatic half-volley... upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

21 minute mark: Philipe Mexes tripped McFadden in the box.. penalty awarded.. McFadden takes it.. blasts a shot... upper right corner! GOAL!!!! 2-0.

36 minute mark: Godoy passes to King in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

42 minute mark: Miller with a great defensive play to stop a likely goal from Nelio.


Halftime: 2-0 lead :) I was really going into this game just hoping for a 0-0 draw. If we can win by 2 on the road, this will be great.


51 minute mark: Miller with a great defensive play on Christopher Eagles.. Miller plays so well that it is hard to remember he is only 18 sometimes.

58 minute mark: Eagles passes to Miguel in the box.. he shoots.. over the bar.

60 minute mark: oswald on for King who is tired, and not playing very well today.

72 minute mark: Eagles passes to Pazzini in the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. GOA..it's waved off as Pazzini was offside.

Barbosa on for Downing and Cook on for Godoy.

85 minute mark: Schreurs passes to Parker outside the box.. he shoots.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. blocks it.

92 minute mark: Parker passes it to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. it sails just wide.



Game over. 2-0 win for us :)

We outshot them 17-9 (9-3 on target)

Parker wins MoM, 9 for form, 18 of 27 passes, 2 key passes, 6 of 7 tackles, 7 of 8 headers, 5 interceptions, 2 runs, 1 foul drawn.

McFadden also had a 9 for form.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

Adraino had a goal for Brazil in their 1-0 win over Bolivia in the World Cup Qualifying Match.

Diego Cardozo played well for Uruguay, but they were beat by Argentina 4-0 in their World Cup Qualifying Match.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 9, 2016 -

We are 5 points ahead of Chelsea with 6 games to go. Today, we travel to play West Brom which is currently in 16th place. West Brom has been plagued by injuries and they are misisng their top keeper this game. Instead they will have to start Diego Mele in goal today. Diego is only 20 and he has potential, but he is not ready to be starting regularly for an EPL Team at this time. He should be easy to score against. Jamie Adams is a good centreback, and he is their best defender. Left back Paul Konchesky is also a good defender. Milos Ninkovic is a decent midfielder who is 31 years old and is still a good passer. Michael Chopra is their leading striker and he leads the team with 13 goals. Their second and third best strikers are both injured. They will probably start Ryan Wallace as their secondary striker today. He has 0 goals in 13 starts and 13 relief appearances.


We are 1-2 favorites.

It's sunny with temperatures in the 50's.


GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Miller
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Godoy
MC: Parker
MR: Ortega
SC: McFadden (Rooney is still recovering)
SC: King (Adriano just returned from international play)

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Alfonso
S3: Barbosa
S4: Wright
S5: Brown (yeah, Wes might still get a chance to play.)

[Eaglesfan27]

1st minute: Ortega dribbles past two defenders.. crosses it to King.. he heads it.. over the bar.

4 minute mark: Puscher gets a yellow card for pushing McFadden.

5 minute mark: O'Shea throws it into McFadden deep in enemy turf.. he quickly centers to the near post.. Parker heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

15 minute mark: Downing passes to McFadden in the box.. he shoots.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it.

29 minute mark: Jon Martin, their right back, elbows McFadden.. he gets a red card!

33 minute mark: McFadden slides hard into Price trying to make a play.. yelloww card for McFadden.

42 minute mark: Parker gets a yellow card for handballing.


Halftime: Up 1-0.

47 minute mark: Adams passes long to Chopra.. he dribbles past Marchetti.. he shoots.. lower right corner.. Howard dives.. it is past him. GOAL. 1-1.

48 minute mark: King gets a yellow card for pulling the centreback's jersey.

53 minute mark: Downing crosses to Ortega who heads it.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. tips it over the bar.

63 minute mark: Wright on for McFadden who is tired.

75 minute mark: I slide Wright over to the right striker and put Barbosa on for McFadden who is tired. I also put Alfonso on for Godoy who is tired.

I also tell the offense to open it up.

80 minute mark: Alfonso passes to Barbosa.. he shoots.. over the bar.

90 minute mark: Downing passes to Alfonso in the box.. he goes down.. he is ruled to have dived.


Game over. 1-1 tie :(

We outshot them 13-5 (7-1 on target)

Ortega wins MoM, 8 for form, 16 of 21 passes, 1 key pass, 5 of 7 tackles, 1 of 5 headers, 1 interception, 11 runs, 2 fouls drawn.

[Eaglesfan27]

Post Match Info:

YES! Chelsea tied Newcastle (14th in EPL) 1-1. Therefore, we remain 5 points ahead of them with 5 games to go now :)



April 13, 2016 -

Today we play Valencia at home in the 2nd leg of the Quarter Final of the Champions League.

We are 6-4 favorites as we have several of our players back.

It is overcast with temperatures in the 40's.



GK: Howard
DL: O'Shea
DC: Marchetti
DC: Miller
DR: Boogaart
ML: Downing
MC: Godoy
MC: Parker
MR: Ortega
SC: Rooney
SC: Adriano

S1: Adriano, GK
s2: Barbosa
s3: Alfonso
S4: Oswald
S5: Cahais
S6: Schreurs
S7: King

[Eaglesfan27]

2 minute mark: Ortega dribbles past two defenders.. quick pass to Adriano.. he shoots.. a defender blocks it.. Parker get it outside the box.. blasts a shot.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 1-0.

10 minute mark: ortega with a long pass into the box.. Rooney outjumps the defender and the keeper.. heads it.. upper left corner.. GOAL.. it's waved off. Rooney unfairly pushed the defender.

20 minue mark: Howard and the defenders stop a flurry of shots until Maury gets a rebound and shoots it into the upper right corner from 6 yards out. GOAL. 1-1 match. 3-1 lead on aggregate for us.

21 minute mark: Downing passes to rooney.. he shoots from 25 yards out.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. saves it.

23 minute mark: Parker was tripped just outside the box.. Rooney takes the free kick.. curves it through a crack in the wall.. upper right corner.. GOAL!!!! 2-1.

30 minute mark: Downing gets a yellow card for tripping Fran.

32 minute mark: Pazzini gets it left of the box.. passes it between two defenders to Maury inside the 6 yard box.. he heads it.. upper left corner.. past Howard.. GOAL. 2-2 match. 4-2 on aggregate.



Halftime: 2-2 tie. 4-2 lead on aggregate.


54 minute mark: Ortega dribbles past his man.. crosses to Adriano in the middle of the box.. he shoots.. upper left corner.. wide left.

63 minute mark: Godoy steals it at midpitch.. passes it to Rooney.. he is racing to the ball.... the keeper is racing to it.. Rooney beats him to it.. chips it on a dead run.. over the keeper.. upper right corner.. it sails under the bar! GOAL!!!! 3-2.

Alfonso on for Godoy and Cahais on for Marchetti.

74 minute mark: I've given Rooney his chance for a hattrick.. Oswald on for Rooney.

Rooney gets a standing ovation from our crowd.

83 minute mark: Downing dribbles past three defenders.. fires a pass to Parker outside the box.. he shoots.. strong curving shot.. upper right corner.. the keeper dives.. catches it. Great save.

86 minute mark: Howard stops a pair of close range shots from Pazzini.

89 minute mark: Parker passes to Oswald in the middle of the box.. good shot.. lower left corner.. the keeper dives.. pushes it wide. On the ensuing corner, downing kicks it to the middle of the box.. Parker heads it.. powerful header.. upper left corner.. GOAL!!!! 4-2.


Game over. 4-2 win :) 6-2 win on aggregate.

We outshot them 22-14 (14-8 on target)

Rooney wins MoM, 10 for form, 12 of 15 passes, 4 key passes, 0 tackles, 2 of 10 headers, 1 interception, 10 runs, 1 foul drawn, 2 goals.

Parker, Downing, and Ortega all had 10's for form as well!

Howard had a 9.