From Madeira With Love (FM2014 Dynasty) Finished!!! Check out stats and final stuff!! [Archive]

Abe Sargent

04-19-2014, 06:39 PM

Let me step back and explain how I came upon this idea for my next FM dynasty. I picked up a copy after a discount from vex (thanks again!). Then I downloaded and got it all ready to play, but as who?

My favorite genre of music is electronic music. Seriously, my five favorite artists are Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, Echoing Green, Schiller and DJ Roger Shah. Of the countless sub-genres of electronic music, one of my favorites is Balearic Beat, which comes from the island of Ibiza. It’s a more laid back version of club music, often with acoustic instruments tossed in. From Solar Stone’s Seven Cities to Roger Shah and Zara’s Lost, I adore this group of music.

Now, I don’t know a lick about Spanish football. If you put a gun to my testicles and promised to blow them off unless I could to name 10 Spanish clubs, odds are I’d be singing soprano. So, is there a club from Ibiza? Because that’d be really cool. Playing a club from the Balearic Isles in Spanish Football, and taking it up to the big leagues.

So I looked. Nope, no Ibiza club in the first three levels of Spanish football. Ah well. But there are some other clubs from the Balearic Isles, such as 2nd Division Mallorca, and 2B Division clubs Constància and Atlético Baleares. So I looked, and Atlético Baleares looked like a nice shot. It’s not in too bad of a position, and just two levels from the Real Madrids of Spanish football.

But the promotion system is wonky. See, there are 80 clubs in the 2B level, and each has 20 teams. And the top team isn’t even promoted – there are playoffs. So there’s just a one in four chance that you’ll make it to the next level if you finish in a top spot. Just one team is promoted out of each of these four leagues – but three or four are related from each one. Lots of teams finish in the top four over a few seasons and never make it out because of the playoffs. That would be quite frustrating, since there’s just one ticket out and it comes via playoffs.

What about Mallorca, which is already out of this labyrinthine setup? That’s fine. I really liked the idea of playing from an island against the mainland. I also looked at fellow folks from the Canary Islands – Tenerife and Las Palmas from the same division. I wasn’t sure though, so I moved to the Portuguese area.

We have a team from the Azores in the 2nd division - C.D. Santa Clara, from the Azores, is currently in the Segunda Liga, with a value of $0 and insecure finances! Predicted 14th – tough place to begin a dynasty due to financial situation.

And I found my team shortly thereafter.

Abe Sargent

04-19-2014, 07:06 PM

Clube Desportivo Nacional de Madeira

In the Premier League, expected to finish 8th, with 11.5 million value, and superb facilities. Okay finances. Very small stadium. But it’s in balmy Madeira.

Why did this club hit me all of the sudden?

Well, I’ve done two types of games in every FM game I’ve ever played. I’ve either taken a lesser known club in a smaller European top flight (Slavia Prague, Kaiserslautern, Metalurh Donetsk, Cercle Brugge, and others.) and tried to turn it into a major power, or I’ve taken a lesser known British club and promoted it up through the system as far as I can get before I get tired (Crewe, Carlisle, Wrexham, Yeovil, etc). So this gives me the chance to be another minor team in a major conference.

Abe Sargent

04-19-2014, 10:27 PM

Here’s the problem with Portugal.

They have a Big Three consisting of Sporting, FC Porto, and SL Benfica. These three clubs have won the league every single year of its existence since the 30s. Except for 45-46 season (Beleneses) and 2000-01 season (Boavista). Boavista fell hard and are back in the National Championship C – the third level of football. Meanwhile, after a few years in the second level, Beleneses was just promoted back to the top flight. So there’s no competition for the Big Three from those two clubs. In every season, you tend to see the Big Three locking up the top three spots.

In the last ten years, 6 of the seasons the Big Three held all three spots. In the other 4, just one team came in. So of the 30 places in the top three over that time, the Big Three held 26 of those spots. Braga finished second and third once each, Ferreira was 3rd last year, and Vitória de Guimarães was 3rd back in the 2007-08 season. Note that all four times, it was Sporting that failed to hit the top three, so Porto and Benfica have hit Top Three every season for the last ten years.

In its entire history, Madeira has finished 4th twice, and never cracked the top three. It finished 5th once.

Note that there is another Premier League opponent right here in Madeira – Maritimo. Our rival. Maritimo was the first of the clubs to reach European Competition, but Madeira have had some nice successes in the 2000s in European play. Promoted in 2002, we’ve been as low as 12th and as high as 4th. Our last three seasons were 6th, 7th, and then 8th.

What the team needs is consistency. Here are my goals for Madeira.

1). Secure ourselves and our future in the league by acquiring and improving our talent.
2). Qualify for European Play by getting in the top 6.
3). Do well in the European Leagues (the best we ever did before was making it to the group stage of Europa League)
4). Crack the Top Three of the League and Finish in Champions Qualification
5). Win the League

Young Drachma

04-19-2014, 11:04 PM

Good luck.

Abe Sargent

04-19-2014, 11:13 PM

I have no idea how far we’ll get in the plan. Here are the values of the top three clubs:

FC Porto – 127m Euros
SL Benfica – 266m Euros
Sporting – 111m Euros

Us? 11.5m Euros

Anyone else of worth?

Braga – 16.25m
Vit. Guimaraes – 11.5m

Everybody else is lower than 10 mill

So this would not be a major shock to the sporting world if we managed to gain consistency and move up. Even cracking the top three would be great, but not the biggest news item in football. Edging out Sporting has happened four times in the last ten years. It could happen right here in Funchal Madeira. Now, if we had a higher place than either Benfica or Porto, that’d be interesting. Porto has won 8 of the last 10 seasons, and Benfica the other two.

Abe Sargent

04-19-2014, 11:13 PM

Good luck.

Thanks!!!

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 12:53 AM

Now, let’s talk a bit more about the club:

Our stadium is just 5142 strong, and was built in ‘98. We have nothing special – no underheating or roof, just a grass pitch. Not like you need it here in the balmy island.

We have superb training and youth facilities. We are known as developing and finding a lot of young talent. For example, we are the club that developed Cristiano Renaldo. No surprise here, we call the youth stadium and junior coaching program the Cristiano Renaldo Campus Futebol. We have good junior coaching and above average recruitment.

We are affiliated with Camacha, Freamunde, and Santana, all Portuguese clubs. These are just loan clubs, nothing major. Camacha and Freamunde are in the National Championship (level 3) and Santana is lower.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 01:23 AM

Born in the city of Xai-Xai, in the lower part of Mozambique, James Essex was the son of a missionary pastor who married a local woman. Biracial technically, his dark composure is often darker than most pure Africans he grew up with. After eleven years of living in Xai-Xai, James Essex and his love for sports, including local football played in the tight streets, went back to his native father’s England. He spent a few years playing ball there before being spotted by a Swedish scout. At the age of 16, James Essex was signed by Osters IF for their youth squad, and he traveled there. For the next seven years, James moved to two other clubs in Sweden and grew up there, gaining Sweden as his second nationality.

Meanwhile, Mozambique came calling, and at the age of 20, Essex agreed to play for their national club and was capped for the senior squad. Over the next ten years, Essex would play 26 games for the squad at his natural central defender position. He would leave Sweden at the age of 24 for England, where he played for two clubs over the next four years. Finally, he returned to Sweden and finished his career there at the age of 31, when he broke his back in the brutally cold game and was wheelchair bound for two years until he recovered.

He used his time to develop skills with the local coaching staff in Sweden, and became more of a mentor and coach for the other players. By the time his injury was finished, he was promoted to a role as Assistant Manager to a club in the Allsvenskan. After assisting the team reach higher than expected, his name was circulated as getting his first manager position, but none came in Sweden.

So he reached out to see if he could find another fit. And he did – in Portugal. As a native of Mozambique, he speaks very good Portuguese. He also knows English, Swedish and Norwegian. He was tapped by Madeira to come in and stir things up and get them to the next level. It hoped that his experience getting a club to outperform expectations in the Allsvenskan as an Assistant Manager will help here in Portugal as well. Plus, the senior squad has three fellow Mozambiquean players – Zainadine Junior, Reginaldo, and Marcio Madeira.

Young Drachma

04-20-2014, 06:50 AM

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 10:13 AM

Good background story.

I appreciate it!

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 11:31 AM

It’s the 26th of June, 2013, and Rui Alves, chairman, escorts Essex into the room for a quick meeting.

I just have a one year contract, for 5250 a week.

Director of Football Bruno Patacas will handle our transfer activity I send him.

I agree to take a full report on the club’s history, They want a comfortable mid-table finish (There are 16 clubs, so our previous positions of 7 and 8 would fit.) I agree. We get 55k in budget and 150k in transfer. The club has no philosophies, but I ask for a meeting in a few days time to discuss them. I agree to a press conference.

In walks our Assist Man, Basilio Marques. I agree to an intra-squad friendly tomorrow, I take a report of all of the players, arrange a meeting with the staff, and agree for biweekly reports from him.

We are currently spending 46k a week on budgets.

I meet with our players. I begin by calmly introducing myself, then assertively saying we can finish in the top-half, which gets mixed results. One is passionately and agrees (Rondon) and another (Djaniny) calmly things its too ambitious. How do I handle Djaniny? He’s disagreeing with me five seconds into our first team meeting? I don’t back down, but calmly disagree with him. Another, Bruno Maura, cautiously agrees with my expectations. I affirm his reaction.

Eighteen players reacted well, Four not at all, and three worsened – Freire, Djaniny, and Kayke.

Freire, in particular, was bad.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 11:59 AM

I look at my staff first.

I move myself in charge of negotiations for our youth players. I also set assignments for scouts now.

We have:

Director of Football – Bruno Patacas
Manager - Me
Ass Man – Basilo Marques
Head of Youth Development – Ricardo Vieira
GK Coach – Emidio Junior
Coach - Jose Augusto
Head Physio – Rui Bettencourt
Physio – Joao Luis Alves
Physio – Filipe Mendes
Chief Scout – Antonio Pinto

And that’s it.

Basilo is not too bad, he’s not a target right now.

Vieira has a 2 out of 20 in working with youngsters. That seems just uncannily off.

Our GK coach is adequate

Jose doesn’t suck

But we have just one scout.

So I need to hire some folks here.

(By the way, these leagues are active – Brazil, Sweden, Spain, Argentina and Portugal)

I terminate Mendes immediately – he was the priciest of the lot.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 01:24 PM

Scout First:

We have a good understanding of Portugal, Brazil, Sweden, Mozambique and Greece (via our Ass Man).

So I look for scouts with other areas of interest, I am searching for non-Portuguese unemployed scouts. Who looks good? I like Romerito, from Paraguay (a former international with 66 caps). He has good judging abilities. We come to a deal.

I also like Rustu Recber, a Turkish international with 120 caps who knows Spain decently too. But he’s not interested. I’m also turned down by Danish scout Soren Lerby and German scout Norbert Ziegler

I go for quality and sign a great scout, Ayres Morais de Albuquerque who is Brazilian.

Next up other staff:

I sign Junior Fontoura to be our fitness coach. I also offer to Marcus Vinicius Tondato and Sergio Araujo – all Brazilians.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 01:56 PM

I begin to review our senior squad. I start with the report that Marques sent me.

According to my Ass Man:

4 Stars – Dejan Skolnik (ML), Mario Rondon (ST)
3.5 Stars – Mexer (DC), Freire (DC) Claudemir (DR), Daniel Candeias (AMR),
3 Stars – Eduardo Gottardi (GK), Zaunadine Junior (DR), Marcal (DL), Diego Barcelos (AMC), Joao Aurelio (AMR), Djaniny (ST)
2.5 Stars – Ricardo Baptista (GK), Kayke (ST), Rafa (DM)
2 Stars – Sequeira (DL), Jota (MC), Reginaldo (AMR), Nuno Campos (DR)
1.5 Stars – Miguel Rodrigues (DC), Bruno Moura (WBR),Saleh Gomaa (DM) , Dejan Skolnik (AML)
1 Star – Joao Barreto (MR), Ali (DC)
0 Stars – Rui Silva (GK)

That’s all 26 senior squad folks!

Let’s begin by looking at my two four star players:

Mario Rondon, 27, Venezuelan, 14 fin, 13/13 speed, 15 head, every physical stat is between 12 and 14, every mental stat is between 10 and 14 (save leadership at 8), drib 12, 1st touch 12, long shots, 12, pass 11, techni 12, penalty 13. Not a bad player at all. Currently on 2.6k weekly contract for three years. Last two years for us had 4 goals in 28 games and 10 in 29 the year before, with 0 assists. Not the goal machine I would hope for.

Dejan Skolnik, injured for 7 to 9 months with torn cruciate ligaments. 24, Croatian, we have for two years, at 2k weekly. We’ll look at him more closely when he returns from injury. So basically, due to the injury, he’s not on my team as far as I’m concerned.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 02:51 PM

Our current tactics are a 4-5-1. We played a dmc, 2 middles, and an AMR and AML to assist Rondon.

I don’t see Rondon as pulling that off well. We have a weak center midfield. But Diego Barcelos, a natural AMC, is at a position we don’t even run. He’s just competent at the AMR. Meanwhile, Daniel Candalais is our best midfielder, and also suited for the AMR role (and just competent at AML). So if we run it, we run Daniel and Diego in positions that are not natural fits. A bit awkward. The same is true of Joao Aurelio.

So we have some good attacking midfielders. Daniel had 6 goals for us last year and Diego Barcelos had 4. Joao Aurelio is a new signing. I’m confident in the AM battleplan – more than I usually am. So this team has that going for it.

Where I am concerned is at MC and defense. Rafa is not too terribly bad at DM. As a new signee, he’ll suffice for a year until I can get a better feel for him. Loanee Saleh Gomaa, an Egyptian from ENPPI is not good at all. I don’t want to start him at either MC or DM. Everybody else I have that can play MC (Jota) does not inspire either. We have a poor number of MCs (and one on loan).

So I need some center midfielders. Badly.

Then for defense, we have two players – Nuno Campos and Zainadine Junior that can only play right fullback. They cannot play DC, they are unconvincing at DL, and awkward at WBR. Junior’s not a bad player, he’s starting caliber, but there’s not a not of flexibility. And then Claudemir, and Bruno Moura (on loan from Angra dos Reis) can just play WBR or DR. That’s a weak amount of flexibility in the roster – four players can just play one position on the pitch. Joao Aurelio is accomplished back there, although an AMR. Then for DL, I have just two players who can play it – Marcal and Sequeira , Marcal is fast (16/15) and adequate skills. He is unconvincing anywhere other than WBL. Sequeira can play AML and DL and WBL all easily, but has more backup like stats.

As for DC, I have five players who can run it – Mexer, Freire, Ali, Miguel Rodrigues and Diogo Coelho. Diogo would be horrible at it, Ali does not inspire confidence, Mexer is fine, and Freire isn’t that hot either. His technical attributes are not where I would like for a DC.

What should I do for my tactics? I agree my team is currently not built for a 2 ST system, but I could easily sign another and be fine. Meanwhile, perhaps what my team really wants is to move to wingbacks. They are not my style, but they fit this roster. Would a 5-3-2 work? Although I don’t have good DCs to run 3. Could I just do 4 at the back but move them from FB to WB? Would I need a DMC at that point? Could I run 3 MC, 2 WB, 2 DC, 2 AML/R, and 1 ST? Or could I just do a 4-4-2 with both FB and MR/L pushed forward?

So, I’m playing around with formations. One is a 2 DC, 1 DMC, 2 WB, a MC, 2 AM, 2 ST. That’s odd. Or I could drop the DMC to DC, but then I have just one person in the middle, and that’s weak. I like having two STc. But I could pull one for another MC, which gives me 2 WB, 3 DC, 2 MC, 2 AM, and 1 ST. Basically that just takes our current formation, drops the DMC to DC and raises the DR/L to WBR/L. That’s not bad, although I like the lack of ST options, and I have two groups that attack down flanks – is that odd? Would it perhaps not be better to move those to two AMC roles? That would give me a 5-2-2-1 formation. (Or I could move one AM to ST and another to AMC, giving me a 5-2-1-2 formation – similar to the 3-2-3-2 in the game except move the SW to general DC)

Nothing works. So forget it. I’m building a team around a formation I like and am comfortable with, like 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 Diamond. For right now, let’s just sign some folks, and I can worry about tactics later.

So, I’d really like to target at least one major DC and at least two major MCs. I also want some more sauce for the pitch, perhaps a nice ST.

Let’s go shopping

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 03:30 PM

I send out a bunch of scouts from locals to Brazilians, we’re doing a ton of scouting.

I offer a few trials to some unsigned youthers.

I also make offers to a variety of youthers, including a few hot ones.

We’ll see what happens with my scouting, trial offers and major offers.

Our current youthers aren’t very good at all. So I need an injection of quality. We only have four under contract right now – ugh.

There’s a ST out there I really like who I can swing for a year or so at the age of 36, for about 5500 or so a week, but that’s most of my extra salary, and I’m about to bring in more staff, so nope.

Alright, I fast forward a bit in time.

One day passes.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 04:29 PM

Press Conference Time –

No major issues. Whew!

Sergio Araujo joins us – Junior Fontoura as well. I massage some of their assignments for training.

We sign de Albuquerque. He comes with a scouting report already compiled. I take a look and find a few intriguing folks. I add them to my shortlist. He has a great scouting knowledge of Argentina and Mexico too. He knows of a guy named Gonzalo Pineda, a 30 year old DM and MC from Mexico who’s pretty good and currently off a contract. He want sot be a kye player for 6000 in his initial stuff, so I just add him to my short list for now.

Friendly Scrimmage between our teams time. 2-1 at the half us. We score again and win 3-1.

Romerito joins us and we get his scouting report, which includes the US, Chile, Paraguay, Mexico. Yay!

He has a few nice players too. It includes a great, currently unattached Brazilian 29 year old Gk named Fernando Henrique. He also knows of an unattached middle named Hugo, 32.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 05:16 PM

One of my staff offers was rejected by the board. Stupid board. Our first trialist arrives – a 14 year old GK. He’s not good enough to keep. Another Trialist, 16 year old Portugese middle is good enough to sign. 2 more trial folks arrive. I sign both. Even more show up (the 29th of June) and I sign another.

As of today, the 29th, we have signed many youth players. Now its time to look at other players.

I offer three tirals to older folks to see what they have too. All can play the MC role.

One of my hot prospect guys signed on the 30th. 15 year old Jose Carneiro, a Portuguese guy, for 300 weekly. He’ll be one with my eyes on.

Time for our philosophy talk with the chairman.

They have agreed to my new philosophy of signing your players who will play a role in the 1st team squad and grow.

Later on I sign another hot prospect for 475 weekly – Striker,16, Portuguese named Joaquim Sousa with fast (15/14), good finishing (13), and decent work rate (11), has . One more comes through for 925 weekly but comes in later August.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 06:06 PM

Welcome to July 1

I ask for a Trial Day, they initially balk, but I stress its importance, and Rui Alves relents and grants it.

I begin to look at some of our new signees all youth folks.

Alright, time to look for folks for my team more seriously.

I finalize a deal with Juan Antonio Zamora, an Argentinean.

Our first older trailist has arrived, Botti, who’s 32 and plays middie. I like and might move for him later.

July 2 has arrived and a 27 year old guy, Costinha, arrived with his trial. I like Botti better. Although this guy is available for a cheap backup role.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 06:57 PM

Trial Day will be tomorrow. 34 players have signed up!

I decline to extend Trial Offer for a nice Swedish player after he arrives. He came back not as good as I had hoped. We brought in a 25 year old Brazilian striker – Adriano on a trial. I like him. He’s just 3.5 stars by my scouts, but he’s fast, (16/16), and has good technical skills, but not good at heading or jumping, sort of a fast

After the Trial Match, I look at every player:

I make offers to nine youth players.

I make a backup offer to Costinha for just 200/week. Another older Middie trialist, 30 year old Marco Pidocha came in, but he’s way too slow for me. Great passing – 15.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 08:08 PM

Our first friendly arrives, home against Wolfsburg on the 6th of July.

I decide to make that offer for Adriano. I want to run two strikers, and I like him enough to do it.

Not really that concerned about the friendly, only half watching it. Replaced an injury early. It’s 0-0 at the half but they go up 0-3 later on.

Costinha signs the next day. Not great. 11/10 speed, 12 passing, stamina, a handful of other low double digits. But a backup at the MC spot is vital for this time. So welcome our first, admittedly small, signing of a non-youth player:

Costinha:

http://www.fpf.pt/DesktopModules/PlayerDetail/GetPhotoControl.ashx?type=player&id=247284&w=180

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 08:31 PM

Our final major trialee arrives – Eusebio Manuwere, 27 year old MC. His physicals are good, and his mentals don’t suck. Passing is 12, tack 13, tech 13, and mark 11 but that’s it for technical attributes that are above 9. I need more. He doesn’t have it.

Botti’s trail is up on the 8th, but I still have him on a shortlist of answers for the MC.

Adriano accepts. Our second major transfer of the window arrives.

Adriano, 25, Brazilian:

16: Agility, Acc, Pace, Flair
15: Determination
14: Off the Ball, Stamina
13: Fin, Aggress, Antici, Brave
12: Technique, Long Shots, First Touch, Drib, Fitness, Penalties
11: Pass, Cross, Concentra, Creative, Decision
10: Heading, Free Kick, Composure, Teamwork, Work Rate

We liked him enough to sign him for 5.25k a week for three years.

http://sportv.globo.com/platb/files/999/2010/10/Adriano-comemora-um-dos-seus-gols-diante-do-ASA-foto-Eduardo-Martins-Ag%C3%AAncia-A-Tarde.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 09:15 PM

Reginaldo busts his toe in practice and is out for 2-3 months.

I hold the typical presser and then move to change tactics. Time to move to a 2 Striker set up, which I’m more comfortable with anyway.

We are sliding to a 4-4-2 diamond for now, because I still have weak MC stuff. I don’t have a good ML, as the only person who can play that position well is my injured for months Skolnik. So I need to get one. But this formation currently starts Adriano, Rondo, BArcelos, Barreto, Sequira, Rafa, Marcal, Friere, Mexer, and Aurelio in the field.

I hold my first meeting with the staff and even get some tutoring and such going.

Our target, Sanchez Prette, went to another team and turns us down in the 11th.

So, who next? With the 4-4-2 diamond, MC isn’t as much of a need, so that plays to our strengths, but we need at least a temporary ML for the year. Right now we are at 53.875k and I moved the wage budget to 55.48k. We weren’t signing anyone.

Sounds like we could use a loanee.

Our team is placed at 50-1 to win.

Today we host Hannover, with our new tactics to unveil.

0-0 at the half. And at the end of the game too.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 10:25 PM

A loan offer for a great guy fell through at the last moment on the 17th. What else can I unearth?

I have a guy in my sights, but my folks wont let me sign him for the 700 he wants. We have the money. I make him a first team offer and dicker him down to 425 weekly (our max right now) for a year after I increased of offer in several bonuses.

The most notable players in the last year of their current deal are:

Diego Barcelos
Daniel Candeias
Joao Battero
Joao Camacho
Rui Silva
Edgar Costa, Marcio Madeira (On Loan)

The 20th arrives and we are hosting OM

After being set up by Diego B., Rondon scores in the 15th minute. Halftime, busy, but no more scores. We hold off more barrages and win 1-0.

Abe Sargent

04-20-2014, 11:12 PM

On the 22nd, our last target signs.

Say hello to Carlos Mariano:

37, Portuguese, Plays DL, MC, ML, paying him 425 a week. He hasn’t played in the Premier League since 2004-05 with Penafiel. He’s just a body for a year, nothing major.

For example, passing? 11, crossing, 13, 10/12 speed, yadda, yadda, and I expect those to drop forthwith. He had been delegated to playing part-time football as an Amateur last year.

Well, welcome back to real football!

http://www.zerozero.pt/img/jogadores/63/33163_ori_mariano.jpg

He’s older than me!

He’s our one-year patch while our guy heals.

NoSkillz

04-21-2014, 10:21 AM

I will be following along!

britrock88

04-21-2014, 10:39 AM

Ditto.

ntndeacon

04-21-2014, 03:04 PM

As am I!

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 03:31 PM

Welcome one and all!

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 06:50 PM

Alright, let’s head to training.

I can’t figure this crap out. I’d rather just have the old training where you created a few schedules, and put people in whichever schedule suited them.

The 27th of July is here, and with it a friendly hosting Werder Bremen, in what my previous manager clearly thought was a fun little trend.

Mariano will start tonight. I move to a base 442 in the halftime after we are losing it in the midfield. They score easily at the 58th minute. We are unable to fight back and lose 0-1.

I accept a loan offer for Rui Silva, GK. I keep our pitch at the normal size.

Welcome to August:

3rd – Friendly at Santana
10th – Friendly at Freamunde
13th – Friendly at Camacha
18th – League Begins – Away at Sporting
25th – Host Braga

Rough first two games to begin the season.

Stupid FM – I’ve put 8 hours into the game and haven’t even reached the regular season yet! ;)

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 07:20 PM

Of the youth players I signed (many) one of my favorites is GK Jose Moreira, who played in the Trial Game, and then we signed him. Let’s take a look at this 16 year old Portuguese fella:

Physical Stats: 9 Acc, 12 Agi, 11 Bal, 15 Jum, 12 Fitness, 8 Pace, 7 Stam, 13 Str, 7 Technique
GK – 10 Aeriel, 8 Command, 7 Commun, 12 Eccen, 3 First Touch, 9 Free Kick, 10 Handling, 7 Kick, 10 1:1. 1 Penalty, 12 Reflexes, 17 Rushing Out, 14 Tend to Punch, 9 Throw
Mental – 11 Agg, 6 Anti, 10 Brav, 10 Compos, 8 Concentration, 5 Creative, 9 Decision, 13 Deter, 2 Flair, 5 Leader, 2 OTB, 10 Position, 8 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate

We think he’s good solid 4-star potential, according to my scout.

Except for Communication and Distribution, he’s better than Rui Silva. (Better at Shot Stopping, Aerial – same in physical, speed, mental).

Expect to see Moreira

I register my squad today and I add Moreira, Mariano, Costinha, and Adriano to the squad. I also hand out numbers:

Jose Moreira, 99
Carlos Mariano, 30
Freire, 25
Saleh Gomaa, 37
Costinha, 32
Adriano, 18
Kayke, 24

On the 2nd I get a call from a local report – Mexer is a transfer target for Vit. Guimaraes. I say I’m not discussing transfer stories today.

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 08:49 PM

I also have a lot of hope for Douglas Jardel, the 17 ST joining us in a couple of weeks. He’s a hot prospect too.

The only other youther we have anywhere near high hopes for is 3.5 star hopeful Jose Pedro Cardoso, 16 year old Portuguese man who plays DC/DL:

Physical – 9, 9, 11, 14, 5, 8, 12, 12
Mental – 17, 6, 16, 6, 6, 4, 6, 12, 3, 7, 7, 10, 14, 16
Technical – 2 Corners, 2 Crossing, 2 Drib, 2, Fin, 6, First Touch, 2 Free Kick, 12 Head, 4 Long Shot, 2, Long Throw, 10 Mark, 9 Pass, 5 Penalty, 10 Tack, 11 Technique

We’ll see. He’ll need some growth. And perhaps a spot of luck too.

We loan list him.

The 3rd arrives and I get my squad ready for today’s friendly. Most of my guys are fit. I elevate my two youther folks of interest to the first squad for today’s friendly. I start both of them. I massage other starts too to give other folks a chance to play.

We’ve had four shots on goal in the first 16, so let’s hope to continue the pressure. Mariano with a beautiful cross to Kayke who heads it in for goal at the 35th minute. Halftime. We foul a player in the penalty box in the 90th minute and they score the penalty kick to tie it 1:1.

I hand Cardoso the 40 shirt.

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 09:10 PM

On the 6th Djaniny resumes training.

I get some call ups – Mario Rondon for Venezuela and Saleh Gomaa for the U20 Egypt club

Time for a little friendly with Freamunde. I move around some people for more experience. 0-0 at the half. Mariano gets a score in the 72st minute off a strong shot that was put back to him after he found Adriano who bounced it back and freed him. Marcal gets a goal in the 75th minute after I subbed him in at ML for Marciano. Rafa set him up. We win 2-0.

Time to choose the captain. The best choice is Skolnik, but he’s injured for a long time to come. I choose Rafa instead as the captain. Skolnik will remain the vice captain.

And now the 13th is here, and our final friendly, this time against Camacha, I made a few set piece changes to get ready for the season.

I move José Moreira back to the U19 squad. I have about 4 or 5 people who think they were better options than Rafa. They are not happy right now. They can deal. I move several players into normal starting positions, and only Rondon is out (international) and I’m leaving in my youther for today too.

In the 3rd minute, Joao Barreto at the MR crosses the ball from deep, is off target, but manages to be on target for the goal and scores. In the 18th, Barreto has a shot on target with fierceness. He’s up. Kayke scores in the 25th minute on a set piece. He was taking a free kick and shot for target. I moved him to Free Kick and it worked. At in 27th minute, Rafa, taking a corner (whom I also moved up) sets up the ball, it bounces in the box, and Adriano finishes it. Adriano is fed the by by Kayke and runs in, and scores from outside, but is injured. I sub in Djaniny. Kayke has another DFK on target but collected by the GK in the 46th minute. Halftime. I pull anybody tired at all – we have a real game in four days against Sporting. They score off a corner in the 47th minute. Djaniny scores in the 61st. I move to a 451 and pull Kayke. Then Djaniny gets another score. We win 6-1.

I send DC Jose Pedro Cardoso back down to the U19 squad as we prepare for our match against Sporting.

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 09:47 PM

Our starting day roster:

GK – Eduardo Gottardi
DC – Mexer, Freire
DR – Joao Aurelio
DL – Marcal
DM – Rafa
MR – Daniel Candeias
ML – Carlos Mariano
AMC – Diego Barcelos
ST – Mario Rondon, Adriano

Backups:

GK Ricardo Baptista
ST Kayke
DL/AML Sequeira
DC Miguel Rodrigues
MR Joao Barreto
DR Zainadine Junior
ST Djaniny

I look at squad statuses of these folks. Everyone listed as key player (Daniel C, Mexer, Adriano, Mario Rondon) are starting. I move Jota to squad rotation from first team.

Joao Aurelio is listed as rotation, as is Rafa. Both are starting. Sequeira, Djaniny and Zainadine are listed as first team, but on the backup list. We might have issues there later on, but not yet.

https://img1.etsystatic.com/023/0/8364279/il_340x270.492393245_6dim.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 10:20 PM

I tell the lads to continue where they left off and we begin in a counter set up away in Sporting’s house. They are pushing forward in the first ten minutes and have a couple of shots on target but easily answered by us. Flowing move by Adriano to set up Rondon, but his shot is blocked in the 19th. I make adjustments in the 20s as pressure mounts as per my Assistant Manager’s suggestions. Despite a metric tonne of pressure, we finish the half 0-0. Stats for the first half – They’ve had 12 shots, 5 on target, we’ve had 3 and 2. Adriano gets free and scores at the 53rd minute but is called offsides. I pull Mexer for Rodrigues. Rondon is injured so I pull him for Kayke. Sequeira for Mariano. Game is over we tie 0-0. Not a bad result for on the road, against Sporting. That’s something to build on. Especially with Freire being the man of the match!

In the six matches today, there were just 8 goals scored.

I offer a few players for loans, and one gets a loan offer – Nuno Campos, a DR for me. I accept the offer.

During weight lifting, Miguel Rodrigues got a back strain and is out for two months. Ali will replace him in the backups.

Despite being at home against Braga, we are still expected to lose.

We have sold 900 season tickets.

We are ready to host Braga – we expect 3200 seats to be sold for today’s match.

We’ve had a pair of close calls by the 21st minute that almost went in. We’ve been controlling much of the tempo early on. I move from Standard to Control. After a quick 16 minutes of that, I go back to Standard. We get a header on target by Aurelio off a set piece but their GK stops it. Then they push forward off a counter and almost get a shot off before Mexer tackles the ball. Half. I tell them to keep it up and we can win tonight. We stop another counter, on target, by by GK. We make our first sub – Carlos, a bit banged up, for Sequeira. I then pull an injured Marcal for Zainadine Junior and I order us into more Controlling again. Our final sub is Kayke for Adriano. After a set up, Kayke has a beautiful shot on goal from about two yards out but the GK just manages to push it aside at the 82nd minute. Kayke pushes another shot on target for a corner in the 87th minute. We do nothing with it and end up as a draw. We should have won that one, we were dominant for much of the game. Ah well, MOM is Joao Aurelio.

Abe Sargent

04-21-2014, 11:03 PM

I head back to the tactics a bit and try to tweak things some. I’m moving Rondon to a Target Man, Attack. Adriano is an Advanced Forward. I thought about pushing him to Poacher, but I don’t have a lot of experience with that. I move Daniel Candeias to a Winger, and pu Mariano on a Wide but automatic duty. I move Rafa to support from defend, since we have no one in the center.

SL Benfica just had their biggest win ever – 8-1 at home in the Premier League.

Campos was loaned away.

The 30th arrives and our final major acquisition of the season arrives:

One of my junior players, Joaquim Sousa, ST, was called up for the U21 Portugal Squad. Hmmm… He wasn’t on my list of hot prospects that we signed. I thought he was just a bum. Maybe I need to take a closer look at him later. I signed him because he had great physical stats, finishing and work rate, but little else. Maybe there’s something under the hood here.

Adriano has twisted his knee in the training session

I register Joaquim, another youther Cardoso, and our recent Jardel. I hand 42 to Jardel and 51 to Sousa.

Douglas Jardel, our final acquisition –

Hot Prospect, 925/weekly euros. 18, Striker, Brazil

His best skills are: 13 – Acceleration, Dribble, Finishing, First Touch, Long Shots, Work Rate; 12 – Pace, Agility, Head, and so forth. His weaknesses are in some physical stats (like stamina, strength) as well as many lower mental stats (Off the Ball, for example, is just a 7).

Douglas Jardel:

http://avai.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Douglas-Jardel.jpg

So, for example, he comes in and he is immediately compared to Djaniny by me. Who is better?

Jardel is better at…nothing. They are the same in aeriel, technical, speed. In others, Djaniny is better. So Jardel is not going to immediately be my 4th guy.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 12:04 AM

5 call-ups for internationals arrive:

Saleh Gomaa – Egypt U 20
Djaniny – Cape Verde
Mozambique – Mexer, Zainadine Junior
Mario Rondon – Venezuela

Three people come in on the 31st with loan offers for Jardel, but he’s not even listed for a loan. Let me see. Do I like Jardel enough as a 5th option, especially with Adriano injured and both Rondon and Djaniny prone to international call ups? I do actually. I decline the offers. Then I get an offer to cover 90% of his wages from a local team – Uniao Madeira, in the 2nd league. Because of the financial assistance, that I’ll take.

I get a last minute offer to loan Barreto. He isn’t listed for a loan and he’s currently on my squad, but he’s not a high caliber guy and will be moved later on. For now, I keep him.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 12:38 AM

September:

1st – At Arouca
15th – Host Estoril
22nd – Host Maritmo – RIVALRY GAME
29th – At Vit. Guimaraes

We think Rafa, Jose Pedro Cardoso and Joaquim Sousa really impressed in training last month. Yay!

Game Time!

I have both my young DC and ST in the subs. Remember we have injuries to ST and DC right now. Soon, our internationals will head away, but we don’t have a game during that period.

I start with a counter set up. Just to get things warmed up. Diego B wastes a noffensive opportunity with a long, poorly off target shot at the 8th minute. I slide back to Standard at the 2st minute. Another wasted offense at the 25th minute by us. Rondon’s header at the 27th is off target barely. Half time. I encourage them. We’ve had chances. They score strongly in the 46th minute as a player passes into a full box. Freire is pulled for JP Cardoso. I pull Kayke for Sousa. And then Rafa for Sequeiera. I move to attacking at the 86th minute. We lose and I express my disappointment.

Reginaldo is resumed training after his long injury. Because what I need for more fullbacks for my roster.

Since we’re not doing anything, I order my scouts to scout like 20 young unattached Portuguese players. You never know. None come back looking good.

Barretto had an injury that’ll knock him out for 10 days.

Portugal is pissed. Northern Ireland held them to a draw in the Group stage after Luxembourg beat them 1-0 a few days ago. This knocks Portugal down to 3rd place, and N Ireland is 2nd in the Group behind Russia. Russia Is now 7 points in front of Portugal, meaning it can’t be caught in the last two games of the Group by us.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 07:31 AM

I had posted a Scout job a while back, and the results are in. I like Jose Reis. He’s a bit expensive though. Instead I make an offer for 350/week to Andre Marques

We are favored for the home match vs. Estoril.

Alright, let‘s get our game on!

I begin controlling. They have a pair of DFKs early in the first 10 but nothing comes of it. They take a shot that is turned into a corner in the 11th, and I back off into standard. Kayke picks up a smaller knock but I’ll keep him out there. In the first -20 minutes, they’ve had 7 shots and 4 on target, we’ve had just one, so I pull back into Counter. We push back and have had a couple of good offensive efforts. 0-0 half. On the counter attack, Candeis hoofs the ball past the defense to an onside Rondon who rushes the ball in a 1:1 Vs their GK and scores. We are up 1-0. That’s also our first score in 4 games. Rondon missed another shot givien too him – really nice one – at the 54th minute. Mariano hoofs the ball from the left side to the right and finds Candeias, who pushes it right past a defender to Rondon, who scores again in the 55th minute. I make our first sub at the 61st – Sousa for Kayke. Diego has a lovely on shot target blocked. Rafa picks up a yellow and I pull him for Diogo Coelho.Final sub is JP Cardosa for Mexer. Coelho is injured in the 85th minute and I move my formation around to compensate for having one fewer person on the pitch. Then they get a score off a corner kick in the 87th minute. Drama Late!!! But that’s it, and we hold off a late surge for a win – 2-1. Mario Rondon was the MOM

Our latest Scout signs. I send him to Central Europe

Mexer named in Team of the Week for the Premier League

Adriano begins to return from his injury, and Rodrigues a few days later.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 03:08 PM

Today we host our rivals, Maritimo. Changes to the top 11 – Adriano back in starting role (J Sousa is back to the Junior Squad). Cardosa joins him. We massage our subs a bit and get ready for the fun to begin.

I begin controlling. I back off into standard after 12 minutes. I slide to counter at 25. At 26th, Rafa misses a DFK. Adriano can’t finish a cross by Daniel C. Maritimo scores on offside goal and we head into the half. I slide back to standard. I pull Mariano at the 52nd due to injury. Sequeira heads in. I pull Adriano for Kayke in the 68th. I sub and move to attacking in the 80th minute. I pull Rafa for Coelho. Nice shot by Daniel C at the 809th minute but stopped. Draw. We had 9 and 3 on target, they had 6 and 2. MOM was Mexer.

The good news is that through 6 games, we have 4 clean sheets and have allowed just two goals. The bad news is that we’ve only scored two as well. I can’t find a goal with a flashlight and a compass.

We draw Academica in the Taca de Portugal 3rd Round. We are playing in their place – a rough 3rd round match against a fellow Premier league team.

The final match of September is here. We are faced with Guimaraes.

Several of my players liked my pre-game stuff. Allons-y! I open in a Standard set up, here on the road. We push forward early. Adriano feeds Ronton outside the box who takes a long shot and scores at the 9th minute to open up the lead. Then two minutes later, Aurelio intercepts the ball on the right wing and our DR dribbles way down and shoots, the bar recoils off the crossbar and Adriano is there to finish it. We are up 2-0 and Adriano has his first score of the season. We have another offensive drive stopped by their GK just a few minutes later. At the 29th minute, Aurelio knocks a corner to Freire, who heads it in for our third score. Adriano leads a break four minutes later, but feeds Marcal who shoots far and off target. 3-0 at the half. Rafa gets a yellow. I don’t want to be down a man. I yank him for Coelho. Another flowing move into a missed opportunity for us, They foul Adriano in their tackle box and give us a penalty. They get a yellow and Adriano is injured. Rondon sinks the P Kick. I sub in Reginaldo for Diego and then swap him and Daniel Candeias on the pitch. They get in a score at the 64th minute from a few passes to a guy who slips past Mexer. Adriano is tired, so I pull him for Djaniny. They have some nice pressure in the last 70s early 80s that results in a goal at the82nd minute off a corner kick. 4-2 is the end of the game, and we win. I remind them that was a bit of jeckyl and hyde game. MOM is Mario Rondon. Candeias is put for 3-4 weeks with a groin strain. We had two goals off set pieces this game, without them, this is a tie game.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 04:38 PM

October:

6th – Away at Ferreira
20th – Away at Academica, Taca de Potugal Match
27th – Away at SL Benfica

And that’s it. Not a busy month here in Portugal.

Marcal, Diogo Coelho and Carlos Mariano impresses in training and Rafa disappointed.

Joao Aurelio was in League Team of the Week,

Mario Rondon though, won Player of the Month for the league. Yeah! He also had the 2nd goal of the month too.

I speak to him to congratulate him. Remember Rondon? He played in 28 games for us last year and had just 4 goals. He had 10 the season before for us in 29 appearances. He already has 4 in 6.

We have more WC matches this week. Joao Aurelio has a sports hernia and will out for 6ish weeks.

Sousa is called up for the U21 squad again

Rondon was left out of the Venezuela squad and it made the news. Those called up are the normal suspects, plus Reginaldo for Mozambique.

Abe Sargent

04-22-2014, 10:48 PM

We are favored to win in our clash against P Ferreira. Their boss praises Rondon in public. Porto have not been doing well (we have three points more than them) and their manager is coming under fire. Currently the manager of Ferreira and myself have been going back and forth in the media about how much w like each over. Ferreira has been high-flying at 5th, and I complimented their quick passing playstyle. Then the manager was happy since he admires me to hear my positive comments – etc.

Porto just beat Academica before our game starts on the 6th. So they got their win in. For our roster, due to injuries, we are starting Zainadine Junior at the DR and Reginaldo at the MR spot.

We begin countering. We fail to convert a corner early. They have a lovely shot on goal but our GK pushes it aside in the 8th. Mariano is getting schooled out there. Rondon is given the ball on the far right side dribbles down while Diego Barcelos makes and attack run. Rondon feeds him and he scores at the 18th minute. Counter is working so far. Rafa gets another yellow card – his third on the season in 7 games. That may be a problem. It’s just the 26th minute. He misses a DFK two minutes later. Reginaldo with an attack run finds Rondon in the break and he scores. 30th minute. Mexer injuries one of their players and they have to sub him out. They get in a score at the 35th minute off an extra pass by an unselfish forward who had a good shot, but passed to get an even better one. We have another good offensive run, and it’s the half. I tell them to keep it up. They shoot a very ambitious shot from very deep and manage to sink it. 2-2 at the 47th minute. We have a great moved stopped at the 57th minute. I pull out Rafa for Costinha and Freire for Ali. They score again. I pull Mariano. That’s a disappointing loss, to be up 2-0 and lose it. I get mad in the room, and they understand.

Abe Sargent

04-23-2014, 12:51 AM

Mexer and Z Junior both had 7+ performances for Mozambique in their 3-0 win and Portugal managed to win against Israel, wonder of wonders. Sousa is injured in a game in the youth match for Portugal and will be out like two weeks. Portugal can’t even beat Azerbaijan and just tie them 2-2. N Ireland makes it to the playoffs and Russia qualifies from Group 6 from the World Cup Qualifiers. Man – Portugal is out!

Reginaldo is out for a few weeks with a injury away in international land when playing the DRC.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/41/Ta%C3%A7a_de_Portugal_logo.jpg

Alright, Cup Match time

Joao Baretto is starting in place of the injured Reginaldo and Daniel Candeias. Time to play. I begin defensive since we are in their place. I try to pull off the pressure – we are underdogs here. Joao Barreto scores after Diego B found him off the side. He drove down the center, passes to the right and we score. 8th minute. Nicely done lad. They have a nice go of things but we stop their shots in the 17-19 minute. Freire collects a yellow at the 20 mark. They miss the DFK that follows. At 23, Freire picks up a knock, so I pull him for injury and the card for Rodrigues. Mariano injures one of their players. On a throw in, Junior swings it to Rondon deep in the right corner. He crosses it deep to Adriano, who springs past the defender and knocks it in. That defender he beat was the one Mariano injured – which just be coincidence. Or may have helped us spring Adriano for a second goal. Rondon intercepts the ball and drives for a counter and hits Diego, who dribbles nicely, but then misses the net entirely. We have put back a lot of pressure so far. Half. I remind them to not get complacent. Already we’ve squandered good opening halves in the season twice. They understand, except for our GK who looks stressed. I tell him he was fine (he was) and he’s back and happy. WHOA! Adriano gets the ball on a break, jukes and causes a defender to fall, hits Rondon, who lobs it over the GK for a goal. NICE! Why can’t we be this good in the regular season? Sub 2 – Rafa out for Joti. They knock down a corner kick in the 68th minute. 3-1. Sub 3 – Mariano for Sequeira. We almost had another goal off a break in the 86th minute. Game. Nicely done fols. MOM is Rondon.

Abe Sargent

04-23-2014, 05:41 PM

Daniel C is coming back from injury. We were drawn against Pampilhosa in an away match for the next Round of the Taca de Portugal. They are a semi-professional team in the Championship. Not a bad draw. A win there, likely, puts us in the Quarters.

We are NOT predicted two in our away game against undefeated Benfica. I wonder why not? But if we could… If we played like we just did, who knows what the results might look like. Daniel is back too. Let’s see what happens.

I begin defensive (no really?) Can we survive the onslaught of Benfica? This is the hardest match of the year, since Benfica is usually the best team in the league, as it is this year. I’ll be happy if we just don’t make a cock-up of things. Lose 1-0? Okay. 2-1? Okay. Just not 4-1 or something. For example, We just had a lovely move set up by Daniel to give Rondon the ball, who slipped behind the defense. He juked the GK, and a sliding tackle from behind dispossessed him. That’s a goal against every other team in the league. But here? Nope. An IFK results in a goal for them at the 30th. Adriano coming in off the corner, quickly, tackled in the box efficiently. No chance at anything. Half time. I tell the guys we’ve been unlucky, and they relax. I pull Mariano for Baretto in the 50s. They score again in the 60th minute. We stopped a bunch of attacks, but they got one through. After five shots in five seconds, without clearing,we allow another score at the 68th. Game. We lose 3-0.

We did damage the CL of one of their stars. Lazar Markovic, worth 8.75 mill and just 19 years old. He’s out for 8-10 months. So hey, there’s that I suppose.

Abe Sargent

04-24-2014, 04:36 PM

November

3rd – Home vs Porto
10th – Away vs Pampilhosa, Taca de Portugal
24th – Home vs Academica

In training, improvement by Barreto, Rodrigues and Mariano

We are not expected to win the Porto matchup either.

I start the game, and we’ll begin standard. It’s our place, and I want to see how it plays outs. Let’s make them earn this. I move to counter at the 23rd minute. They score, but its called offsides two minutes later. Massive pressure ensues. They are too fast at snuffing out our passes. We’re taking long, desperate shots too frequently . I don’t want middies taking long shots when we have a good possession. Mariano’s passes have been intercepted too frequently. Half time. Stats – They have 20 shots with 9 on target. We have 3 with 1. We are going to lose this game – it’s fairly obvious. I move moving Rafa into a defensive set. I change our passing and shots taken. Can we hold on for another 45? We had an amazing opportunity but they tackled Rondon with the ball in the box. They score off the post in the 47th minute. We knew it was happening, based on how the game was going. Offsides, they get another goal called off at the 50. After being told to shoot less often, Mariano just ended a good attacking move with a shot from just at the top of the box on the corner. I pull him. He’s out of there. In goes Barreto. I also pull the uneasy Junior for Sequeira. I pull Rondon for Kayke after an injury. I move to Standard in the last 15. Can we steal a goal late and escape with a point? Barreto now pisses me off. He had a shot in the 91st minute on target, thought it was going in, and raised his hands to celebrate instead of chasing after in case of a rebound. Of course, the GK stopped the shot. No last minute magic. Game over, we lose 1-0. They had 16 shots on target, and we stopped 15. That was a great defense. We had 4 on target and 9 shot, that’s not too bad for a team on the defensive. This could have been ours. Ah well, Rondon will be out for a bit.

Abe Sargent

04-24-2014, 05:37 PM

We’ve tumbled to 13th out of 16 in the league. But, we also have gotten through the rough opening patch. We have played Benfica, Porto, Braga, and Sporting. We even played the 4th place Ferreira. The next 6 games are against lesser folks. For example, we have not played #15, #14, #12, #11 yet. We get them in the next 6. We also have Rio Ave and Vit. Subal at 8 and a surprising 2.

So now let’s begin the easy part of the schedule, and see where we are then, at the half point.

Aurelio is back from injury. Reginaldo is too. Time for the Taca match:

Starting for us will be Aurelio and Kayke. I also send up my two major youth prospects.

JP Cardoso will start for Freire. I won’t bore you with the details overly much. 1-1 at the end of the match so extra time. We get a red card as Coelha collects two yellows. I have to move to counter. Kayke gets a yellow. Sousa gets a goal in extra time off a Mariano pass. His first for us. And we pull out in the 117th minute of extra time. We win. I tell them we got away with that one. MOM was Carlos Mariano. That’s a first… Diogo Coelha is banned.

Who is in the 5th Round?

We get a decent’ish draw at home against Vit. Guimaraes, who is currently 16th in the league. I’ll take that. Unfortunately, Porto gets a pass against a Championship team, while Sporting does as well hosting a 2nd division squad.

Abe Sargent

04-24-2014, 06:47 PM

I move Djanany to rotation from first team. He meets with me the following day. I promise him some football play. I’ll toss him some games for a bit, especially since Kayke is better, but just on a loan, so its not like I need to develop him, or anything.

Rafa is injured for 2 weeks in training. Rough.

For our match today against Academica, Saleh Gomaa is starting for the injured Rafa. Everyone else is starting as planned. We begin standard. They’ve been talking us well in the early part, so I move ot Control. They foul Adriano as he charges in, and give a penalty, which Rondon sinks to put us up 1-0. I head back to Standard. Half time. Good move by Candeias ultimately falls short. First sub – Barreto for Mariano. 2nd sub, Jota in for Gomaa. They get a second yellow and a guy is pulled, and I move to controlling in the 65th minute. Final sub, I pull a tired Rondon for Djanany. We hold on for a win. MOM is Freire.

Sousa turns pro and 17 on the 30th

Abe Sargent

04-24-2014, 09:36 PM

December:

Skolnik begins light training. He should be back in a month ish.

1st – Home vs Gil Vincente
8th – Home vs Rio Ave
14th – Away vs Olhanense
21st – Away vs Vit. Setubal

Best training – Diego Barcelos, Z Junior and D Coelho.

Match vs Gil Vincente – Rafa is back. Djaniny starts for a tired Adriano.,

We begin controlling. After all, we are favored by a bit – its our home, and this is the #15 squad. Rondon’s shot at the 2:12 is turned aside for a corner, which bounces around dangerously before picked up. It almost ends up another 1-0 game we win off a PK. Until Djaniny finds Rondon for a score in the 86th minute to put us up 2-0. Then they get a late score oo to make things interesting the next minute. Despite his assist, Djaniny did not play well to my mind, too many missed passes. Game. MOM is Rondon.

With everyone having 11 games down, we have moved up to 8th with our two, narrow, penalty kick driven wins. We have 15 points, and are tied with Maritomo, who has a lower GD (-2 to our -1)

Abe Sargent

04-25-2014, 09:55 AM

Sweden is in World Cup Stage A with South Korea, Brazil and Slovakia. That’s doable.

We are underdogs vs Rio Ave this week. They are 3rd in the league.

Adriano is back in the lineup. We begin standard to get a feel for the game. Candeias crosses to Rondon who scores in the 1:12 mark, just as we begin the game. Rafa’s deadly long shot from the 12th minute is just pushed aside. But they counter and hit us for a score. Back to even. Rafa finds Rondon for a score at the 32nd mark after a lot of give and take. Half. Keep it up! Djaniny for Adriano. Prolly should have left him in with the hot leg from last week. Rodrigues for Freire. I move to counter for the last 10 minutes. Jota in for a tired and wounded Rafa. Djaniny hits a score at the 82nd minute after Diego B lifted a corner but the GK hit it away. We win 3-1. POM is Rondon

We have won our 3rd game in a row ,and against the 3rd best team in the league right now. Good result. Djaniny requests a transfer. Odd. He started once, subbed twice in the three games since we talked. Why get pissed off now? I reject his request.

We face Olhanense and move Djaniny to the starting spot (hot leg). We begin countering. Half time. Rafa gets yellow. 0-0 score, MOM is Freire. It was a game where nothing really happened. But Diego B I s out for six weeks with a twisted ankle.

Abe Sargent

04-25-2014, 12:36 PM

Reginaldo is starting at MR, and Daniel C is moving to the AMC spot. Very quiet first half, which just an injury. Then Djaniny hits Rondon breaks the offside Trap and scores at the 43rd minute. 1-0 half. We begin with an injury to Reginaldo, so I swap him out for Joao Barreto. Sequeiro is in next. A bit more, not a lot. Coelho is in at the 85th minute, while I remain at Counter. They move to a 4-2-4 and take a few bad shots. Even get a couple of corners. But we win, on the road, against them 1-0. MOM is Rondon.

At the end of 2013, we are in 4th place after 14 games with 22 points and a +2 CD:

1 – SL Benfica, 35 and +30
2 - Braga, 31 and +16
3 – FC Porto, 23 and +7
4 – Madeira, 22 and +2
5 – Sporting, 22 and +5 (why are they not in 4th?)
6 – Rio Ave, 22 and 0

From 13th to 4th, we moved up quickly, but we just have two more easier games before the rough stuff hits us again.

Abe Sargent

04-25-2014, 01:06 PM

Before I leave behind 2013, I want to take a quick look to see if any folks are coming free of their team here in a short bit. Anybody coming off a roster? We have a good number to look through. Any diamonds in the rough? Any bargains worth hunting down? I send out some scouts for a few folks like Mutombo, Bruno Bergamin, Aquiles Ocanto or Leo Fernandes – young players with something to prove and give. I’m getting an ML to come off injury soon, so we don’t need someone there right now. We’re good at lots of places right now, just a little would help.

Our unbeaten six games in a row is a new record for us. To be fair, we were very lucky. Sure, we’ve won four in a row, but the first two wins were one goal victories off penalty kicks. Otherwise, we’d not be here. People would have talked about how long it had been since winning (since we had some losses before those tow ties, which led into the four wins). So, of our 22 points, we’ve gotten 14 in the last six games.

Abe Sargent

04-25-2014, 06:53 PM

http://futebolportugal.clix.pt/wp-content/uploads/taca-da-liga-640x3601.jpg

The League Cup was drawn. Group A is not that bad – Arouca, Braga ,Maritimo - we didn’t get matched up against a Big Three team. Although Braga won last year. These matches have been scheduled for..right now really.

Group A:

Madeira at home vs Maritimo – Dec 29th
Braga hosting Madeira – Jan 15th
Arouca hosting Madeira – Jan 25th

My scouting reports returned. Any bums in here worth signing?

Nah, Nah, Yes but he won’t come to us, Nah, yes but too pricey, yes plus but too pricey, Nah

Here are ones I like but too expensive – Paulinho, Very good AMC, ST, MR, ML, AML, AMR, and even MC. So flexible and awesome. Also great at set pieces (16 free kick, 15 corners, etc) – would be a great pickup up, and he’s 27/ And he’d come, but, he’s starting t 5.750 a week. Whoa – my club will let me pay up to 5500 – that’s crazy – I’m just 1800 below my cap right now. Maybe I could wait unil January, I’ll often get a notice from my board saying I’m doing better, would I like to change our goals, and give me more money if yes. I’ll hold off. But I do like him. A lot. Plus he’s cheaper than the guy I just licked Jackson, of Toronto FC.

Joao Aurelio was named Team of the Week – Skolnik is back from injury and hale, but not match fit at all.

Jardel, on loan, is out for 2 months with an injury

We will be moving Skolnik to the starting spot. But I may pull him early.

League Cup Time!

Braga and Aroulca tied before this match. So if there is a winner, they’ll have the early lead in the group. Rondon gets the ball on a break and lofts a beautiful pass down half the pitch on an onsides Djaniny, who finishes 1:1 Vs the keeper. We score before 5 minutes have passed. Rondon misses a beautiful and deep pass by Candeais. Candeias then lofts another cross to Rondon in the 19th minute, the GK gets to the ball and punches it free, and Rondon gets to it, has three defenders on him, so he passes to Djaniny who is certain to score against an open net and sinks it. 2-0 in the first 20 minutes. A cross and header at the 28th minute put Maritimo within one goal at 2-1. Mexer gets a yellow. Reginaldo and Candeais play a back and forth pass on the right side until Candeias feeds it to Reginaldo, playing the AMC spot, who then scores. 3-1 at the 37th minute. Then Rafa intercepts a pass deep into their territory and lofts it to Djaniny who plays it to Rondon who scores in the 42nd minute. 4-1. Half time. Rafa is injured badly and down to 49% in the 55th minute to I pull him for Costinha. I also pull Mexer too, I don’t want a double yellow to give them a path back in. In heads Rodrigues. Even Costinha is up for it, he makes some interceptions and such. Assuming we don’t have a collapse of epic proportions, I think we’ll have some excited fans after this victory in the Cup against our rivals. A Rondon-Djaniny goal is called offsides in the 65th minute. They score in the 69th off another cross-header. 4-2. They get a 3rd goal in just two minutes later and things have changed just like that. They get in another score two minutes later. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH. I go aggressive and make my final sub. Marcal wastes a nice offensive move with a crazy long shot. Penalty kick in the 89:35 mark on our guy. Skolnik. Rondon sinks it. I move to Counter. We win, 5-4. Once again, we live by the penalty kick.

Djaniny is MOM – this was a new record high for goals scored in a single game of the event. It is also a record number of goals scored in a match for us – we have never scored 5 in a game before.

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 02:31 AM

Contract Time

I sit down with Djaniny and tell him in no uncertain terms that he needs to knock off going to the press, and he respects it. He has the hot leg, I’ll keep him in for now. I think we had to work through the whole he was first team, and then I moved him down thing. His old manager screwed him over, signing him to a five year deal for first team for a team that had someone better, and was with a tactics that used just one striker, and then loaned in Kayke, who is also better. But he’s giving me good football right now, so he’s up, and hopefully we can use him for a few years in the better rotational set up.

I look through my 6 month contract so see what I may want to do. Right now, in my opinion, my rocks to build around are Daniel C., Joao Aurelio, Mario Rondon, and maybe Skolnik and Diego B.

I have these contracts ending – Diego B, Daniel C, Edgar Costa (on loan), Marcio Madeira (on loan), Carlos Mariano (but he get another year added to his deal if he plays enough games), Joao Barreto, Rui Silva (on loan) and Joao Camacho. I have no problem letting Silva, Barreto, Camacho, Madeira, or Costa go.

I can hold off on making a decision about Diego. But Daniel has been playing very well for me. He’s 25, so he has a lot of football left. I need to keep him. Problem is we are paying him 2.3k and he wants 6k t begin. He’s worth it, for next year. But not right now, my salary is too tight. So I’ll hold off for a bit. But I will soon.

What about people coming off in 6 months on my shortlist? I take a look to see what I can see.

For example Daniel Montenegro would blow the pants of Diego B. He’s 34, but still. Guy has great speed, 14 pass, 14 cross, 15 techqnieu, 14 drib, OTB 15, this guy is a stud. And he’ll play for 4.5k. He may only give me a year or two, but he’s awesome. Matias Defederico is much younger (24) not as good, but still would outclass Diego at the AMC spot. I could get Victor Zapata, 34, from Argentina (all of these folks are) to outclass and become my new DMC.

So, who do I want more – Daniel or Matias?

37 or 24? The guy who is much better but will deteriorate, or the guy who is not as good, but may get better? Let’s compare them?

According to our handy dandy comparison tool:

They are about the same mentally, aerially (they both suck), technically. Matias is better at speed. Daniel is better at physical stuff. He is slightly better at attacking and creativity, and Matias is slightly better at technical stuff.

Well, considering that, I’m going Matias. Although I lose a good set-piece person, I get someone who may be a key player for years. And if not, he’ll retain value for transferring. We agree to a deal for 4800 a week and remove the annoying clause to match higher earner. They’ll think about it.

Are there any players of note not on my shortlist?

I scout a few folks to see.

I also have come across an interesting middie – Luigi Bruins, 26, plays for OGC Nice. Decently fast (12/12), can play every mid position, even DMC. Has some really nice stats – 16 passing, 15 drib, 16 technique, 14 in first touch and long shots, and so forth. He intrigues me. He even has 12 cross for the wings. He could be AMC, DMC (poorly), MR, ML, MC if I had it, AML or AMR, and he even plays an unconvincing bit as a Striker. He’s a nice matilda man to come in, and play anywhere he’s needed. I love his versatility. But he wants 12k to begin negotiations. Here’s another versatile man, Geert-Arend Roorda, 25, can play every central position from Striker to DC. From his 14/13 jump/head to 15 pass, 13 mark, 12 tack, 14 technique, and 13 finishing, he is even respectable in DC or ST. He would be better than Rafa at the DMC, or replace a DC or an AMC or ST. Whatever is needed. Not bad either.

Here’s another that we really like – Javi Espinosa, currently on the Barcelona B team, just 21. Worth just 250k but has a nasty good scouting report. He came back with a 5 star review for potential. And, he can play every mid-position plus Striker (although ST and DMC are not great). Plus he just has an 8 finishing, so I wouldn’t push that. He can play right, left, middle, attacking, and normal. He’s contract is up in six months, and he is not on anyone’s radar. So he’s on my radar to make an offer next year.

We finishing scouting a few others and looked at reports. There are a lot of options out there.

And that ends 2013

SirFozzie

04-26-2014, 04:16 AM

The Portugese League's first tiebreaker is head-to-head, not goal difference

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 02:47 PM

Ah interesting. Thanks!

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 03:15 PM

January 2014

I select a new expectation – Top Half Finish. I thought about taking it to EURO Cup, but that’s just 1k a week more in budget, not worth the gamble. My budget has been raised considerably.

January 3rd – Home vs Vit. Guimaraes, Taca de Portugal
January 12th – Home vs Beleneses
January 15th – Away at Braga, League Cup 3rd Phase Group A
January 19th – Home vs Sporting
January 25th – Away vs Arouca, League Cup

So three Cup matches and two league ones.

These people impressed – Freire, Marion Rondon and Joao Aurelio

Messi wins World Golden Ball, Cristiano Ronaldo is 2nd and Neymar was 3rd.

Kevin Volland, 21 years, was the Golden Boy of European Football.

An Arouca player got Player of the Month, and Mario Rondon came in second. I came in 3rd in league voting this month for Manager of the Year.

My scout in Romania added a youth player to our list and I checked him out – Andrei Marc, he’s pretty solid as a DC. Just 20 years old. His contract is up in 6 months. He might be my target for DC.

On the first we officially sign Matias Defederico. He’ll arrive next year.

The next day I make an offer to Andrej Marc, since he’ll sign for a lesser amount. I accept a transfer offer for Claudemir from Panathinaikos.

I extend my contract for a year with Madeira.

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 04:05 PM

Game time!

In the first three minutes Candeais crosses to Rondon for score. We almost score again in the 20th as the ball pops lose tight but after a few bumps and fumbles its cleared out. Reginaldo gets a score in the 33rd. A pass by Rafa hits in dangerously close, and the ball is tackles but not cleanly, and he takes it and scores. Rafa, Djaniny pulled for Coelho and Adriano. Sequeira for Reginaldo was picked up a knock. Game. 2-0 win by us. Rondon is MOM.

We are through to the Quarter finals

The next day, Andrei Marc agrees to sign with us. I try to find someone who speaks his language too, maybe a cheap youther or two. He speaks French, Hungarian, and Romanian.

I had a nasty agent for Espinosa, so in order to force him away and get a better deal, I jacked up the Agent fee, and now I’ll massage my budget to increase my transfer fee to cover it, in case they agree. It’s a lot of money (7k a week) but we can manage it.

We have accepted the transfer of Claudemir, and we get 30k.

I offer a contract to Andrei Dumitrascu, a Polish/Romanian 16 year old lousy Middle, as well as 16 yer old GK Rares Rus, with the same pair.

Espinosa signed. We have loaned a few players, and in most cases, their wages are being covered. So we have our three major signings for next year.

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 04:58 PM

These eight teams are in the Quarters of the Taca:

Farense
Maritimo
P. Ferreira
Sporting
Us
Porto
Benfica
Vit. Setubal

So the big three are all still there. Time to sort out who plays who:

Farense home vs Benfinca
Us home vs Setubal
Ferreira home vs Porto
Maritimo home vs Sporting

I was hoping a big Three Pair. This means that at least one Big Three makes it to the final (unless they get knocked off by a non-big three) Not to be, sadly. We have a decent draw – home against a team 9th in the league right now. We play in February

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 06:10 PM

I signed a few more youth folks plus my two targets for Romanian language love.

One of my new signees was really hot – 6 clubs offered him a spot – Jose Goncalves, 16, who can play MC< AMC and ML. A guy like this with an 18 work rate and good stats already(and a high scouting rating) is pretty keen. We even beat out our rivals Maritimo for him.

Today’s home game against injury plagued Beleneses, who was just promoted, is expected to be a blowout for us. I put Adirano back in for Reginaldo, leaving in Djaniny at ST. I register Goncalves, give him 45 and select him for today’s sub squad.

Braga lost 4-1 to Porto, so this is a window to move up in the table. I started the game, and then got a call and forgot to hit pause. I came back to halftime and we are up 3-1. I tell them good job. And then I toss in Goncalves and Ali. In just a few minutes, Rondon gets what is apparently his second goal when Adriano lofts the ball deep and perfectly for his attack run. Rondon gets a hat trick off a Djaniny assist two minutes later at the 50th minute. They strike back at the 69th minute. Rafa gets a yellow and I sub him for Costinha. Rondon is MOM. 5-2 win for us. Other scores were by Djaniny and Daniel Candeias. Mexer got an Own Goal though.

Rafa is suspended due to too many Yellows

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 06:47 PM

http://i051.radikal.ru/1211/bd/aa9c78b22a77.png

I hold a backroom meeting and it is suggested that Costinha would be amenable to a mutual termination. Ah…I offer it, but the board block it. Ah well, I’m okay with that.

Our Gk Gottardi and Rondon were Players of the Week. Diego is back from injury but I’ll rest him.

Today is our League Cup match away at Braga. I begin Countering. Rafa sinks a DFK in the 7th minute, but then they score again five minutes later off a powerful shot from just outside the box. A Rondon I make goal is called offsides two minutes later. They power a shot in off the left side after dribbling it in in the 30th minute. A second DFK by Rafa is dangerously on target but barely blocked and caught by their GK in the 44th minute. They score off a cross and header juts seconds before the half and we are down 3-1. Two Braga players get yellows after the half early on. But then they score again in the 56th minute. I make a few changes but we are getting clocked here. Our chance of getting out of the Legaue Cup is evaporating as time times off. And they score again in the 81st minute. We get a corner from Skolnik to Freire who heads it in to score in the 88th minute. Skolnik is fed the ball by Marcal and his shot is pushed aside. We lose 5-2. After just winning a game by the same score, this is rough.

Abe Sargent

04-26-2014, 07:44 PM

Maritimo beat Arouca. So the points are thus:

Braga – 4, +3 GD
Maritimo – 3, 0 GD
Nacional da Madeira – 3, -2 GD
Arouca, 1 ,-1 GD

So there is very little chance of us winning. Martimo plays Braga. If they tie, and we win, then we get in. Otherwise, it basically won’t happen. There are just four groups, each group’s winner is in the Semis.

Stats for the 1st half of the season:

Mario Rondon has the 2nd best form (7.45). The other top five are ALL from Benfica. He leads the league in goals by 5 – 14, the next highest is at 9. He also leads with 6 MOMs, no one else has more than 3. Rafa has the 2nd most yellow cards. No one has run more than Daniel Candeais. Diego and Daniel have covered more ground per 90 minutes than anyone else either. GK Gottardi has 6 clean sheets, one less than the most at 7. Diego has 13 key passes, 5th in the league. The most goals ever scored ina season in the Primeira Liga is 46, so we won’t be duplicating that. But still, you have to be proud of how Rondon has just fired out of the cannon with all cylinders.

Now we begin the second leg of our season, and, like before, expect some difficult games, beginning with Sporting. I start loanee Saleh Gomaa in Rafa’s place. Diego B is in the AMC spot like normal, and Adriano is coming in for Djaniny. Skolnik has been hit around a bit in the first 12. I’m currently on Standard, just to see how things probgress and then Candeias scores in the 13th minute. Diego found him on the flank from a very busy center and he scores. A very long shot fired from mad range when our GK is out of position rifles off the goalpost and over the goal. Whew! They foul Skolnik in the corner box in the 23rd and we get a penalty kick which Rondon of course sinks – we are up 2-0 in the 24th minute. They launch a nasty counter attack and a vicious shot on target which our GK manages to turn aside – powerful attack move. Goal by Adriano called offices in the 36th minute. It seems contentious, and people think it shouldn’t have been called. They kick a DFK on target but we push it over for a corner. Yellow to Gomaa. And that’s the first half. I remain in Standard for the 2nd half. I sub out Gomaa for Costinha in the 60th. I don’t want a double booking to give them a way back in. Another Adriano goal is called offsides – they have set up a nice little trap. They just avoid scoring in the 64th when a ball is shot, on target, and our GK can juts deflects it, and both Mexer and one of their guys pounce on it, but we are just a little bit faster. I swap Adriano down to Diego’s spot, and put in Djaniny in the ST spot in the late 60s. We have a great drive in the 60s with two shots on target deflected. They kick another long shot from range and find target in the 76th minute. I put in Sequeira for Aurelio. Another shot by Rondon is stopped on target. I move to counter, in the last 10 minutes. We have a bunch more shots in the 80s. Costinha gets a yellow. And that’s game. Once again, we win off a corner. Candeais is MOM. Our first victory over a Big Three club.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 02:27 AM

I make offers to a few scouts – I want to increase our network. Our first scout arrived – USA’s Daniel Capecci. I add a few young folks from his scouting to my shortlist. He has one that’s not a the top of his list, but I like him – MC May Mahlangu, from South Africa, currently unsigned, 25. He can play MC, DMC, MC, ST, MR, and ML. He’s a more flexible backup than Costinha, and he’s better. I order a scout to check him out, what kind of money/deal is he looking for?

Our next scout signs – Ze Rui, from Cape Verde, capped three times as a player. I want him to scout parts of Africa for me. As a former African international myself, I know there are a lot of untapped players there. What can we uncover? He’s in Western Africa right now, while Daniel is in North America.

Today we have our difficult League Cup match vs Arouca. Win, and if there is a tie in the Maritimo-Braga game, we win this bracket on points. I move Rafa back in to start. We are favorite (they have two major players out). I order us to begin with a normal Standard set, and see how things flow. Candeais crosses, not to Rondon who is held back but to Adriano who is open, and he finds the net in the 3rd minute. One minute later Gottardi stops a similar play from happening on the other side of the pitch. Shot by Skolnik is on target, and butted away for a corner, and we are keeping up pressure through the 15th minute. We injure one of their players and they have to sub in the 25th minute. Rafa picked up a knoc, and I pull him for Miguel Rodrigues and order his role to be moved to defensive from support. Half time. We have some more nice moves, and then I order us to move to Counter. Skolnik has been injured a bit and I pull him for Carlos Mariano. Final sub – Reginaldo for Diego B. Then They hit a dramatic late equalizer in the 93rd minute and its 1-1. I tell them that wasn’t good enough. There was a tie in the other game. Had we not conceded the late goal, we’d be in the Semis. That sucks

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 01:07 PM

The report returns on Mahlangu. He wants too much to join. Although , I don’t think so at first, he looks better than I thought at first. 15/14 speed. 16 stamina. 13 passing doesn’t suck. Other than a 7 in leadership, every mental stat is at least an 11. Save for jumping at 9, every physical is at least an 11 too. I know him (He played in the Swedish Premier Division for three years). He speaks Swedish and English, like me – no issues there. I’m already bringing in two new midfielders though. Do I have space for another? Enough soccer balls to go around? I don’t think so. Now, if I had a 3-5-2, then maybe.

Whoa. Someone just made an offer to transfer Mexer. Him and Aurelio are my most in form defenders. We’d get 75k now, and 22k over two years, plus 20% profit from next sale. His contract is up in 2015. I just don’t feel like I want to move my best DC right now. Plus he’s a fellow player from Mozambique. I say no thanks. I had to pay him 1000 a week more for another year, but he’s worth it. I don’t mind too much.

I’ve been fairly lucky on injuries so far, save for the one I inherited with Skolnik. Should I sign someone today (31st) in order to protect myself from injuries? Nah, I’m good. What about a loaner? Nah.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 02:37 PM

February

1st – Away against Braga
4th – Home vs Vit. Setubal, Taca
9th – Home vs Arouca
16th – Away vs Estoril
23rd – Home vs Vit. Guimaraes

Player of the Month – Daniel C came in 3rd. I came in 2nd in Manager vote.

We were pleased with Sequeira, Diogo Coelho and Dejan Skolnik In training this month.

Djaniny will start across from Rondon today. The last time we played at Braga we lost 5-2. I begin countering. I tell them to get revenge. It lights them up. Diego B hits Djaniny for a score in the 19th minute from the left side. Half time. Gottardi has pushed away a lot of balls today. So far, in the 51st minute, they have had 6 shots on target he’s had to deal with. Some were struck with real verve. They cross dangerously and score in the 58th minute. I pull Aurelio for Zainadine Junior. Another cross-header scores for them in the 61st. I pull Mexer for Rodrigues and Diego B for Adriano. Powerful DFK by Rafa is on target but pushed aside. We go attacking in the last 15. And that’s it, we’ve lost 2-1.

Our first loss in a while, actually, in league play.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 03:30 PM

Cortiba have made an offer for Marcal, my DL. They have offered 185k. That’s a lot of money for us. But Marcal is the best DL we have. He’s young, and he’s cheap (1.1k/week) and he’s signed through the end of next year. He’s also pretty good. However, I’d not sure that I want to keep the 4-4-2 diamond next year. I could sell him, move to a 3-5-2, bump Aurelio to MR or DC and be very comfortable. What I have never liked about Marcal is the lack of jumping/heading he has. However, dude is fast – the fastest of my starters at 17/16. He’s just 24. Marcal may want this – he might like heading back home to Brazil. (In real life, I could ask him. Do you want to head back home, or are you enjoying your football?) If I refuse the offer, will he demand a significantly enhanced contract I can’t pay? But I have a ton of depth at the DL/DR spot. I can sell him, and cover with Z. Junior, Sequeira, and more. His average rating is 6.77. He has appeared in 23 games – tied for the most with Mexer and Gottardi. He’s probably one of my best money/ability people on my squad, but this is a nice offer, and it’s staggered over two years. I negotiate. I negotiate it up to 205k and an additional 25k over a year.

Mexer agreed to our new deal. I move Sequeira to the starting DL slot for our Taca game today against Vit Setubal. I begin controlling. I slide back to Standard after a quiet 12 minutes. They have been controlling it bunches, so I slide to Counter in the 22nd minute. 0-0 at the half and they dominated in the first half. They have 10 shots and 6 on target to our 1/1. They score in the 69th. I make changes and go attacking. Rondon gets a pass from Candeais and ties it up in the 76th minute. I pull back to Standard. We almost score again in the 86th. Extra time. One extra goal lads, that’s it! Daniel gets a yellow at the 104 mark. They shoot and score in the 118th minute on a Mexer mistake. They win. We lose, at home, 2-1 to Vit Setubal. That sucked too.

I admitted in the PC that Vit Setubal outplayed us and deserved the win, and their manager is pleasantly pleased. They did though., they outplayed us from the 1st minute.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 04:06 PM

Marcal has agreed to the transfer. Goodbye buddy! Man, half the team is either pissed off at Mexer, or wants to help him overcome his mistake.

Next up is our league match against Arouca. Here are the games we’ve had against Arouca this year:

Away at Arouca, League, Loss, 0-1, Sept 1, 2013
Away at Arouca, League Cup, Tie, 1-1, Jan 25, 2014
Home vs Arouca, League, ???

Arouca is the 14th ranked team, out of 16, in the league. They are not exactly a heavy hitter. They are an island in the midst of a big set of games, and we need this win to stay out of the oasis and keep up with appearances.

I begin controlling. I slide to Standard after they begin about the same level of power as us. Rafa gets a yellow (surprise, surprise). They score in the 28th minute. Sequeira a yellow, and I move to attacking for the last few minutes of the half. Half time. Djaniny scores to open the second half. Rondon headed a pass from Diego to him and Djaniny ran and scored. I pull my en-yellowed folks out. I move to Control late. Our GK is stopping some nice possessions. We tie, 1-1, Djaniny is MOM, and I get pissed at them in the locker room. Man, we can’t do anything against Arouca.

Djaniny was Team of the Week.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 04:47 PM

Costinha approaches me and wants to leave. I agree to move him at the end of the season.

Time for the next game against Estoril. I begin Standard. Candeais hits Rondon with a cross which he heads into goal in the 8th minute. They call a Candeais goal in the 16th offsides. We get some pressure, but nothing else cracks in, and its half. I pull a disappointing Rafa for Coelha. Rondon with his second goal off a Djaniny pass that set him on an attack run in the 57th minute. They claw one back just a minute later after an amazing save by our GK floats right to another guy who scores. I move to countering. Sub #2 – Diego out, Adriano in. Adriano has a beautiful run and shot, blocked barely by the GK. I pull a damaged Skolnik for Carlos Mariano. Mexer collects a yellow. They collect a second yellow in the 87th minute and a player is ejected. We win 2-1 away. Rondon is MOM.

By appearing in his 15th game, Mariano got a 1 year extension. I make an offer to Daniel C. It ended up being more, because our budget improved, but he’s still playing very well.

Apparently my comments about the game and coach last time against Vit. Guimaraes manager Rui Vitoria were enough to cause him to storm out of a press conference just before our game.

For today’s game, I massage my roster a bit. I start Z Junior in the DL’s spot, Adriano for Djaniny, Reginaldo, for Diego B, and Mariano for Skolnik. I start out standard. Adriano feeds Rondon who feeds the net in the 7th minute. Another one in the 8th is called offsides. Candeais makes what might be his prettiest cross of the season to Rondon perfectly in front of the goal and at an awkward angle for the Gk and Rondon easily taps it in. 2-0 in the 16th minute. Carlos Mariano scores his first goal of the season, after a shot by Adriano rebounds and Carlos finds it and knocks it in from decent range. 3-0 in the 26th. The old man striketh. Half time. We half dropped major leads later so we cannot get complacent. And they score in the 48th minute to begin just that. Candeais knocks in another cross and its poorly defended while trying to box out Adriano and they get an old goal. I sub out Rafa and Regilando for Coelho and Sequeira. Frere comes out for Ali later. We’ve had lots of powerful possessions and shots. This could easily be 6-1. We win. MOM is Daniel Candeais.

Mexer and Daniel were in Team of Week.

7 players called – up – Jose Moreira, JP Cardoso – Portugal U 19; Joaquim Sousa, Port U21; Mexer, Junior, Reginaldo – Mozanbique; Rondon – Venezuela

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 05:40 PM

March

2nd – Away at Maritimo
9th – Home vs Ferreira
15th – Away at Porto
22nd – Home vs Benfica
30th – Away at Academica

This is the last stretch of bad games. We are on the road against our rival – never easy. Before, we did poorly hereto, before picking up steam in the latter half of the first half. So, March will be officially known as Woodshed Month here in Madeira.

Impressing in training this month are Djaniny, Coelho and Mariano. Rondon wans 2nd in Playre of Month voting.

Back to normal starters for today’s game – can we defeat our rival on the road? I begin defensive. We miss a chance to score early when a great shot rebounds. I move to Standard. Late in the half, Skolnik cross to Candeais who puts it in, when the defense was expecting the two strikes in position to get the ball. Half time. Keep it up. These are our rivals at home, they won’t let up. Around the 55 mark I move to countering. I throw in Adriano for Djaniny. Out comes an injured Sequeira for Z Junior. They’ve had a lot of good opportunities. And then Freire hits a header off an Aurelio corner kick and we are up 2-0 at the 75th minute. Whew. Hopefully that buys us a cushion. I put in Reginaldo for Diego B. Adriano gest a goal in the 80th minute. He sprung on a tackled ball. They get a long shot in the 89th but its called offsides. We shut them out, on the road. Ouch! MOM is Joao Aurelio.

They sacked their manager right after the game. I liked him to, we had a nice rapport going. Five players were named in Team of the Week – Mexer, Freire, Aurelio, Candeais and Skolnik.

Maritimo’s new boss loses to Olhanense 5-3.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 06:33 PM

We are playing three nasty games in a row against the 6th, 3rd, and 1st teams. Wow. That’s not tasty.

This one is at home, and winnable, or at least tie-able I hope. Djaniny breaks free with a nice pass by Diego B. However, they foul him in the Penalty Box with a professional foul. The player is red carded, and we get a penalty kick. Rondon is on target, his shot rebounds off the GK. I make a few changes to our strategy, since they are down a man so early. (4th minute). Exploit the Flanks, Higher Tempo, that’s good for now. I also move us to control. They get a DFK into the goal in the 21st minute to tie things. We’ve had opportunities to score.. Like just there when Frere knocks into another Aurelio corner kick. I had told my lads to tackle harder, mark tighter, and press more. We’ve had a lot of shots on goal. Half time. I pull us off the hard stuff and up the tempo even more. They kick a cornerand Diego heads it away but into the goal. I yank him for Regilando. Rondon marches down with the ball, passes it to Djaniny who shoots, is on target, bounces away, and Rondon pounces on the rebound for a score in the 54th minute. Aurelio finds Djaniny for a cross and puts it in two minutes later. I sub in Z Junior for Sequira, and his goal one minute later on an IFK is called offsides. Mexer for Ali. Candeais finds Skolnik who sinks it in extra time. We win 5-2. MOM is Rondon.

We got lucky there with the early red card. Freire, Skolnik, Rondon – Team of the Week

One of the coaches talks to me about Skolnik and Djaniny’s contracts. They say both players may want to renegotiate soon. Our loanee was not getting gteh agreed upon time so I called up their manager and he agreed to give him more.

I move Adriano back into the starting lineup. His speed should help in playing the counter attack game. I tell them to get revenge for the last game. They are up for it! Skolnik scores in the 8th minute. He pounced on a rebound when Daniel C shot and his on target ball fell after deflection by their GK. We were on the counter-attack led by Diego Barcelos up the flank. They level up 8 minutes later – they just out ran my defense. Both teams have had good offensive attacks go dry at the end. They cross and connect for score in the 28th. Half. Rafa knocks down a DFK in the 53rd. And its tied. Oddly. Yank Freire for Rodrigues. Later, Sequieira for Zainadine Junior. They score in the 75th minute to head up 3-2. I pull out a tired Rafa. They get a goal called offsides in extra time. That’s game. That’s not a bad effort lads.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 07:38 PM

On March 18, we get a new set of players. Can we find the next C. Ronaldo? Whoa! We have a guy with a five star scout review. That does not happen. I guess welcome to Portugal! Hernani Costa, DC – Portugal youth Candidate. I take a look at the rest of the Youth Candidates Team. Either Portugese players tend to be massively better than other youthers (to respect history I suppose) or we just got an amazing lot of young talent.

I sign many of them – they have good work rates and lots of talent. I made offers to 11. Get this, when you look at our team page, Costa is listed as our Hot Prospect, when it used to be either ST J Sousa or the GK.

Alright, Benfica time. Get revenge – rar! Standard is fine, we’ve run the game a bit in the first 10. But then they score a few minutes later in the 16th. A pair of nice attacking moves by us are turned aside. Diego B nets a yellow. He’s not playing well either, so I yank him for Reginaldo. Adriano gets caught in a Trap. They get another score off a cross and header after half time. They also make a deep cross that winds up off target in the goal. Yuck. We need that luck. Z Junior in for Sequeira. I put in Djanany for someone and move some folks around to drop Adriano to AMC. In the 87th minute Rafa is injured and goes down and we are down a man. We lose 0-3. We had the same number of shot son target as they did – they were 12/4 and we were 10/4.

Kayke asks to terminate his loan, and I agree.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 07:55 PM

The final March game is here. No changes to the lineup. But they score in the 7th minute. That’s not what I want. After a very frustrating half, Skolnik hammers one in off a pass by Diego B ro set him up. 1-1 half time. Adriano gets the ball right after halftime, runs deep, then passes to Rondon for the score, at the 45:23 mark. 70 seconds later they return the favor and its tied again. Sequeiro out, Junior in. Adriano scores. Diego feeds him the ball and the GK has to come out, Adriano smashes it hard, the GK can just push it up but it bounces in. 3-2 in the 63rd. Rafa gives away a PK. They sink it and its 3-3. Rafa is pulled. Adriano with a score on the break. Rodrigues for Freire. We hold on and win 4-3. Yay Comebacks!

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 08:33 PM

April

6th – Away at Gil Vicente
13th – Home vs Olhanese
19th – Away at Rio Ave

We loved Diego B, Rafa and Sequira for training.,

Adriano was in Team of Week

Game time! They score in 32 seconds. Candeais sinks the equalizer at the 18th minute. Back in business. Rest of the game is rather quiet, and we tie.

I need 10 points to guarantee qualification for the Euro. We have four games left. We’re in 4th, with 45 and +12. In 5th is Sporting with 42 +6 as is Ferreira as well. I’m 10 points ahead of 7th place Rio Ave. However, 3rd and 2nd are 11 points ahead. So we likely are not cracking that in four games. The focus has to be on staying in the Euro spots.

Reginaldo is injured in training and will be out for 2 months.

The Olhanese game has arrived. I begin controlling. Freire collects a yellow early. Then they foul Adriano and donate a penalty. Rondon sinks it for a goal at the 24th minute. We miss a few shots – not even on target. They have been struggling. We injure a player on their left wing and they are forced to replace him. Half time. Keep it up, don’t let up for a second. I slide back to a Standard tactic. Then they score in the 48th minute. Cross to header. Sequeira to Daniel C, who shots, collects his own rebound, shoots again and sinks it. I yank three players – Adriano, Freire, and Rafa. We hold out for the win. 2-1. MOM is Candeais

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 09:26 PM

Well, now we need 7 points in 3 games. A bit more doable. Still in 4th, still one game up on Sporting.

Porto and Vit Setubal are in the Finals of the Taca.

Next game is up. Hello Rio Ave! You are looking so lovely at 7th. Away, I begin countering. They score in the 7th minute. Then Adriano answers in the 9th. Rafa nailed it off an IFK to Adriano’s leg to their goal. They score off an IFK in virtually the same way, but a heder instead of a kick, in the 24th. 2-1, them. Half time. Sequeira gets a yellow. Freire one too. Rafa notches one. I pull out Freire first and move to standard tactics. Rafa next. Diego gets injured in the 77th minute so I put in Djaniny and swap his spot with Adriano’s. They get a break away score in the 84th minute. We sink a DFK by Rafa – how is he still out there? I guess my sub order went in, and the injury one supplanted it? I swap Mariano for Skolnik instead. I go attacking. Mariano grabs a yellow. We even have a header on target by Rondon in extra time, but caught by their GK. Carlos Mariano has TWO shots on target, a shot, and the rebound, both blocked by their GK. Game. We lose 3-2. Not good.

Luckily, Sporting hosting Porto lost 0-2.

With two games to go, Benfica have won the league.

Benfica also win the league Cup against Porto 2-1. Rafa has the 2nd League Cup Goal of the year.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 09:52 PM

May

4th – Home vs Vit Setubal
11th – Away vs Belenenses

Good job Diego, Diogo, and Aurelio for training and stuff! Rafa had the 3rd best Goal of the Month.

Benfica ties Sporting today in the 2nd to last game. That gives us a window. Rio Ave won.

Here we go, all hands are on deck. Right now, with a game in hand, we are up by 2. If we win, we are in. If we tie we are likely in (we’d be up by +5 GD and 3 points heading into the last game).

I start Djaniny tonight. I have a feeling. We’ve had many opportunities to get that first goal in the first 25. It’ll crack, I have faith. They score in the 26th. Djaniny gets an assist from Rondon and equals us in the 34th. Rafa collects yet another yellow. I swap him now. Mexer gets a score off an IFK from Candeais. His first on the season – half time 2-1 us I pull Sequeira, who has a knock, for Z. Junior. They score in the 75th minute. I move to attacking. Skolnik crosses to Rondon, who heads it in the 86th minute. Back to Standard. They answer immediately in the 89th. I go overload. That’s the game. That was a letdown, 3-3 tie. I reveal my pissed-off nature and they looked fired up.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 10:32 PM

We qualified because we at least get 5th, the 6th team I not a threat. Can we keep fourth, and tie our best finish ever? Probably.

Right now, Belenenses are 15th and in the relegation zone, but just one point up is Vit Guimaraes who has been 16th most of the season but recently crawled out. Vit G has a huge GD, so Belenenses has to beat us, with a tie or defeat by Vit G to evade relegation. They are up for this.

My W African scout has uncovered a lovely little Ivory Coast gem, Moussa Diallo, 18 years old. I may try to make a play for the AMC soon.

Our game is away and afoot! I start out attacking, to see if I can push them around. Diego scores in the 6th minute off a Candeais cross. I pull back to standard. They have been moving against us a lot. They have collected two yellows already. Half time. Skolnik has been beat up so I put in Carlos Mariano. Djaniny grabs a goal in the 56th after Diego hits his attack run in stride. I sub in Adriano and Rodrigues. Game. We win 2-0.

MOM is Diego Barcelos. Good for a guy leaving us at the end of the year.

We had a major move today, I’ll show you the charts in the bit.

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 10:35 PM

http://cdn3-i.hitc-s.com/134/liga_portugal_34695.jpg

2013-2014 Final Standings:

1 Benfica
2 Porto
3 Braga
4 Nacional da Madeira
5 P Ferreira
6 Sporting
7 Rio Ave
8 Academica
9 Arouca
10 Estoril
11 Maritimo
12 Vit Setubal
13 Olhanese
14 Vit Guimaraes
15 Belenenses
16 Gil Vicente

A high flying first season!

Abe Sargent

04-27-2014, 10:59 PM

What did we learn:

We are better than we thought

Benfica and Porto are crazy good, and Braga is right there with them. It will be tough to crack that egg

We have some good talent to build around, but we need to push.

We made 1.23 m for our final position. Rondon won the Most Player of the Match Award. He gets the Top Goalscorer Award too. Rondon wins Forward of the Year. Rondon also was in the Team of the Year. (7 of the players were from Benfica).

We win the Fair Play Award.

I hold the end of the season meeting. I tell everyone to return, I want to qualify again for the Euro. Why not a second time?

Yearly Training Review –

Yay to: Rafa, Sequiera, Joao Aurelia, Jota and Diogo Coelho
Boo to: Carlos Mariano

Freire and Diego B were in Team of the Week

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 12:21 AM

League Stats!

Rondon rocked 24 goals. The next highest was 17. Djaniny had 7.

Daniel C was tied for 3rd most Assists with 11. Djaniny rocked 7, Adriano 6, Diego B and Aurelia 6 as well, and Dejan Skolnik and Mario Rondon 5.

Rafa was 5th in yellows with 8

Rondon’s 8 MOM was 3 more than the next person

Daniel C was 12th in dribbles per game with 3.03

Daniel Co covered more distance than anyone by 14 kilometers. Diego was 7th, Joao was 14th

Distance covered per 90 minutes? Barcelos, Skolnik and Candeais are all in the top 3. Mariano is 8th and Rafa 9th.

Gottardi had 8 clean sheets, 4th most.

Diego B was 3rd in key passes with 27, Rondon 5th with 23

Mexer was tied for 2nd with key tackles with 22. Freire had 20.

Mexer led the league in key headres with 75. Freire was 4th with 62.

Mexer led the league in interceptions with 306. The next was (272). Freire was 5th with 249. Aurelio was 11th with 211.

Rondon finished 5th with a rating of 7.35

We conceded 40 goals in 30 games, the 5th best. We scored 54, 4th best. At 3, we had one of the worst goals from corners. We were in the middle with IFK and DFK goals. Our salary is the 11th highest. We had the 14th worst attendance. If you are not the Big Three, Braga or Vit Guimaraes, you didn’t even break 5k. Those all had 13k or more.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 11:53 AM

Really good DC Hernani Costa is already starting for Portugal’s U19 squad. That’s crazy. Let’s look at him:

5 star scout report, 16, DC, born 19/3/98, born right here in Funchal, Madeira. Ambitious,

Physical: 9, 11, 10, 13, 6, 9, 11, 10
Mental: 3, 8, 10, 8, 11, 7, 10, 3, 4, 8, 5, 9, 14, 15
Technical: 6, 3, 6, 3, 11, 5, 11, 5, 2, 13, 10, 8, 12, 6

Not really that different from a lot of youth stats here in Portugal. He must have great potential. To be fair, he has good DC stuff already – 13/11 jump/head, 13 mark, 10 pass, 12 tack, and so forth. He has a lot of growth to do.

Porto crushes Vit Setubal to win the Taca.

Portugal’s season is officially over on May 18, We have officially been given our spot in the Euro. We will enter at the Group Stage, because we get the best slotting.

I came in 2nd in Manager of the Year voting – Ferreira’s manager won.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 01:28 PM

My Personal Player Assessment:

GK – Eduardo Gottardi – Adequate, contract for 2 more years. Baptista backup, Jose Moreira, youther my 3rd choice

DC – Mexer – Pretty Good, contract for 2 more years, Freire, solid, not spectacular, signed for 3 more years, new guy is Maca, we’ll look at him later. We also have Miguel Rodrigues and Ali as backups for 1 and 3 years respectively. And we have Hernani Costa and Jose Pedro Cardoso as young players with good potential.

DL/DR – Joao Aurelio – Strong DR, and is also a good AMR, AML, competent ST, MR. Signed for 2 more years, and strong player. DR Zainadine Junior is more of a backup guy, who can also spell at the DL spot. DL Sequeira is also just adequate, and was not sterling after we sold Marcal. Carlos Mariano can play DL, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Other than Aurelio, our backs and rotation folks are weak here. Do I keep a DL/DR role on my team, or move them elsewhere?

ST – Mario Rondon, have 2 more years, he’s 28. He starts. Adriano is a 26 year old guy who still has a lot of speed and potential, but never showed it overly much on the pitch. Djaniny, with his 4 years left, is a Cape Verde international at the age of just 23. He did well for us. 18 year old Douglas Jardel will be finishing up his loan soon, he’s a hot prospect and factor, as is 17 year old Joaquim Sousa. Jardel is getting better and is a legit option for #4 right now, as is Sousa for #5. I don’t see any need to bring on another ST.

Middies – We have our two new additions, which I am looking forward too. Daniel C has locked down the MR spot for us hard core. His contract is up in two more years of play. If you look at his skill set, you’d think he was just a guy, but he outplayed it. As long as he keeps doing that, he’ll have a home here. ML Dejan Skolnik is adequate, but not sterling. Despite a better skill set than Daniel, he was never in the same league on the pitch. We have him for another year, and I need to see more. Rafa pissed me off. We have him for 2 more years, but I was constantly wasting a sub on him for his yellows or stamina. Costinha is on the transfer list as per his request. Reginaldo is a decent backup, but not that good.

We have a few players that have been with us most or all of their lives, coming up from our youth ranks – Jota, Nuno Campos, Sergio Duarte, Diogo Coelho. None of these folks are good enough for my roster next year, not even as backups or rotational guys.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 05:51 PM

I need to figure out my strategy now for my roster. Do I want a formation with 4 in the back? If so, I need to find a replacement for Marcal. If not, if I am running a 3 DC defense (my preference in virtually every dynasty) then we’re good. For example, I’ve often been comfortable with a 3-5-2 or a 3-1-4-2 (with a DMC). Lots of teams runs a 1 striker offense in the league. One of the issues with the 4-4-2 diamond was I got beat in the midfield constantly. That’s just an innate issue, when you move the two MCs to DMC and AMC. Would a 3 DC set up be good against a league heavy in 1 Striker formations? I think that’s why my DL/R attacked a lot, 2 DC was enough. I don’t know though.

I’m leaning towards a 3-5-2. But here are how many people play exclusively a fullback (or wingback) spot that won’t have a place. Zainadine Junior, Nuno Campos, (Sequeira almost – I can run him in the AML role or even push him for Striker). And then these middies won’t have a place to go since I would not be running AML or AMR either. Sequeira, Reginaldo (he’s weak in the AMC, ST, or MR spot). However, I would be opening up MC spots for Costinha (on the transfer list), Jota, Sergio Duarte. Not major admissions to the party, obviously. But still, we lose a lot. And if I don’t have a DMC spot, then where is Rafa? If I don’t run an AMC spot, bad things might happen. I know the demand on a winger in that role, do I have that in Daniel? Not really. You need some defensive ability, and with a 6 tackles and marking, that’s just not going to be enough. The wingers are the single most important part about getting it right, to my mind. I ran a version of this in Ipswich with 3-1-4-2 and a DMC in there ,in order to accentuate Matthew Holland’s ability. I call it the Holland formation after him, and I still know all of the things needed to make it work. I need better jumping/heading on my DCs, for example, to deal with the crossed balls, and I don’t have it where it needs to be. So, for now, 3-5-2 is not in the cards.

Which saddens me. I was thinking about a 3-4-1-2 with an AMC role. Therefore, I will be playing some form, somehow, of 4 defensive players. So I need a DL. Time to hit the market.

Many were taken, but I do like Francisco Molinero, 28, from Murcia, who can play DR or DL and is leaving soon – I can get him for free and sign him for roughly 5k a week. He’s not a bad option. Any others I can find? Edgar Castillo wants too much. If I want to go youth, there’s Jordan Amavi at 20, or the slow stylings of 31 year old Aureliano Torres. He’d also be a set piece specialist, and with skills like 16 crossing and 14 passing, he’s has good technical skills. But he can’t head/jump, which is sad. But a set piece specialist might be worth it. Getting a guy with 14 corners and 16 cross is strong, as is 15 free kick and such. Long shots of 15, not great finish of 8, and such. I compare him with Sequeira. Torres is massively better at defending, but Sequeira is not bad at the rest comparatively, and better at speed and physical and aerial and technical. I don’t want to bring in someone to split time with Sequeira. I want someone to push him out of contention completely.

Actually, I think I might have found my guy. Hold up. Lemme scout ‘em

It’s basically this guy or Francisco Molinero. They are the class. Francisco outclasses Sequeira for a DL spot. I can get him for free, right now. Or I can try to transfer in this Portuguese guy named Luis Martins, 21 years old, started for Gil Vicente last year. He’s about as good as Sequeira is now, but our scout’s love his potential. He’s transfer listed, and would be cheaper on the salary. Martins to Sequeira is already better at defending by a lot, mental, and a bit faster. Sequeira is better at creativity, attacking, and they are equal in technical, physical. But we like Martins’s potential, and he’ cheap and just 21, I just have to pay the transfer kitty. Molinero is the obvious answer. Martins is the better answer. Plus, in one year of having half the salary, Martins will pay for the fee easily.

We sign him for 175k and everything is done. It seems like we basically swapped Marcal for him! You’ll see when he arrives, it was the right play.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 06:02 PM

I head to my board and they agree to allow me to get more coaches.

Now I want to go staff hunting.

I make an offer to a 2nd Fitness Coach, 2nd GK Coach, and another coach you might know…

I get new budgets on June 2 - 57k a week and 300k transfer kitty. Glad I paid for my transfer with last year’s money!

Jose Moreira is happy to sign his grown up contract – welcome again lad, and backup GK guy!

We have signed a new coach – Ruud van Nistelroojj. They reject my other offers – they gave me permission for just one more coach apparently. Ah well. Welcome aboard Ruud! He’ll be teaching tactics much better than our current guy, who was double booked anyway.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 07:07 PM

HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l9uxrCemhM8/S7CGoLXrAhI/AAAAAAAAA9I/PYDi94YYi0M/s1600/Europen-Golden-Shoe.JPG

Mario Rondon collected the European Gold Shoe award today, June 10. That is crazy. I have never even won that award before!

He had 48 points from 24 goals. 2nd place was Manolo Gabbiadini for Sampdoria, and Fernando Llorente of Juventus was 3rd.

Portugal slipped to 6th place in the European Nations Table, now behind France.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 07:27 PM

http://www.soccerbyives.net/images/2013/11/2014FIFAWorldCuplogo2-FIFA.jpg

Alright, let’s do this World Cup thang –

I’ll keep you up on stuff I find interesting. I begin by looking at the groups. Anything jump out?

My guess for qualifiers:

A – Sweden, Brazil
B – Holland, Chile
C – France, Germany (also has Mexico and Ecuador)
D – Argentina, Belgium
E – Uruguay, USA (They have Turkey and Algeria here too)
F – Spain, England
G – Colombia, Russia (If this had a power African side, like S Africa or Ghana, I’d go with it, but Zambia won’t make it out –Ghana is in the side with Australia, Spain, England, and S Africa has to match with two powers in Group H)
H – Italy, Switzerland

Not in that order, mind you, just my predictions for whose getting out.

Whoa! Japan crushed Argentina 3-1.

No other major upsets in the first round of games.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 08:04 PM

Both Sweden and Brazil cruise in their first two match and qualify before playing the 3rd.

2nd round done, some surprises – Group B, Greece and Chile hae just 1 point while Iran is in 2nd place with 3. They could get promoted. Group C has France and Germany, but Mexico is tied with France with 3 points, but just has a lower GD right now. In Group D, Japan managed to take points from Belgium in a tie. That means Belgium, Japan each have 4, and Argentina has 3. If Japan can beat Morocco, they will make it. That means if Belgium win or tie, they are in, if Argentina wins they are in, and if Japan wins or Belgium wins, they are in. Currently, Japan even has a +2 GD to Argentina’s -1, so Japan will win if they lose, and Argentina ties, if the GD is not made up. In Group E, USA is at 6, Turkey and Uruguay are each at 3. Ghana has a win and the same points as Spain, but a better GD. They face England next, but if they do something amazing, they could knock out Spain.

Alright, let’s play the last round of games in the Group Stage.

Group B finishes, Iran tied Greece in their game, Holland knocked out Chile so they knocked Greece and Chile out. Iran made it out – nicely done Persia!

Group C saw France stave off any Mexican Miracle. In Group D, Japan and Belgium both won, so Argentina lost two stage games. They both finished with 7 points and a +5 GD. So Japan, technically won this Group according to the next TB.

In Group F, Ghana won their game, and all three teams (Spain, England, Ghana) finished with 6 points, but Ghana had the lowest GD with +1, and the others had +2.

The Round of 16:

Brazil vs Iran
Sweden vs Holland
Belgium vs Germany
Japan vs France
England vs USA
Uruguay vs Spain
Switzerland vs Russia
Colombia vs Italy

So Japan knocked out Argentina and my guess of Chile was replaced by Iran. Not bad.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 08:23 PM

Now that we are nearing the end of June, I need to head back and focus on my club for a bit. You’ll get WC results laters.

Soon we have 10 loaners returning to us, as well as several players leaving, and several staff leaving, including both physios.

We gained a bit in the Portuguese club rankings and rep. We were the biggest Overacheiver last year in the league.

Mario Rondon, no surprise, was voted Player of the Year four our club by the fans.

The Media Prediction this year is 5th. Our value has increased to 12.25 M, and we just got a ton of money for the league. I can choose the season expectations. I push my board to Euro Cup to get the extra cash. We get a lot more money and transfer bucks.

We have released 10 players and staff today, June 30. I make an offer to Mike Rayner to be our head physio for hundreds less a week than the other guy, and with better stats.

I also lost my GK coach, so I offer again to the one refused by my board, who is better.

This is a good time to see if any bargains were released. I’m not looking for anything, but I’ll go shoe shopping with the best of them! I can’t anyone though. Ah well. I’m relatively content right now. Anyway, let’s head to July and bring in my new folks!

Grover

04-28-2014, 08:23 PM

Would a USA/Iran final be possible? Shades of 98 all over again.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 08:29 PM

Enter my five new people:

ST, AM RLC Matias Defederico, 25, Argentinian, 4.8k weekly through 2017, speaks Spanish and Portuguese, Looks like he got a little better since I signed him – nicely done. We signed him for Huracan, in the 2nd Division of Argentinian Football. He had a 7.27 rating season with 19 goals in 35 games. Guy can produce. I suspect either him or my next guy will be in the AMC spot. Stats?

Physical? 15/15 speed, 14 agility, 13 stamina, 12 fitness, 8 balance, strength, 7 jump (The classic “little guy”)

Technical? 11 Cross, Finish; 13 Pass, long shots; 15 Technique, dribb, first touch; 7 Head, 6 Tack, 5 Mark,
Set Pieces? Long Throw? 4, Corner -13, free kick – 13, Penalty 15.
Mental? 17 Flair, 16 Determination, 14 Bravery, 13 OTB, 12 Work Rate, Anti, Comp, Creativ, Decis, 11 Concent, Teamwork, 10 Leader, Aggression, 5 Position

That’s not a bad guy at all.

Welcome to the team!

http://www.corintimao.com.br/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/de-federico1.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 08:29 PM

Would a USA/Iran final be possible? Shades of 98 all over again.

It sure would be!

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 09:19 PM

Next up, MC, AM LC Javi Espinosa, 21, Spanish, 7k per week through 2017, Speaks Spanish and English, can play every mid-position, and ST. Signed from Barcelona’s B Squad. 5 star scout rating for potential. Last year played in 38 games, 7.04 rating, 2 goals, 11 assists. Another classic little guy that can play on the wings, MC, or AMC as needed. We invested a lot of salary into him, but expect to bear fruit quickly. Ready? He is an incredible signing…

Physical? 13/12 speed, 15 agil, 13 stam, 11 fitness, 8 balance, 7 strength, 6 jump – Not great ready? Now hold onto your butts!

Technical? 16 Passing, Technique, 15 First Touch, 14 Drib, 12 Cross, (Corners, Free Kick), Long Shot, 11 Penalty, 10 Finish, 8 Head, 7 Tack, 6 Throw, Mark - For a 21 year old with a 5 star scout ranking? That’s a great place to currently be at for us.

Mental? 16 Flair, Creativity, 14 OTB, Teamwork, 13 Composure, Decisions, 12 Anti, Concent, 11 Work Rate, 9 Determ, 8 Brave, Position, 7 Aggression, 5 Leader

So we have a technically proficient guy with a lot of goods stats for playing as an Advanced Playmaker, Attack, or Support. For a youth guy, he’s good room for growth, but is already sterling for us.

Gracias Javi!

http://estaticos.sport.es/resources/jpg/0/2/1372259409620.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:01 PM

What about our transfer signing? Let’s look at…

DL Luis Martins, 22, Portuguese, Speaks just Portuguese, Can play DR, 3k a week, signed until the end of 2017, 4.5 star scout rating for potential, and we think he also has a lot of Potential. Plus, last year, for the 16th placed Gil Vincente in a relegation effort, he had 27 appearances and a 6.82 rating – which we think is good in that atmosphere. He came up from the Benfica ranks, and played for them for a while and then Gil Vncente loaned, and then signed him, and now we transferred him in to play for us, as a fixture for DL for a while.

Physical? 15/14 speed, 15 Stam, 13 Fitness, Agi; 10 Jump, Str; 9 Balance

Tech? 14 Tack, Mark, 13 Cross, 12 Technique, Drib, First Touch, (Throw, Penalty), 11 Pass, (Free Kick, Penalty), 10 Head, Long Shots, 8 Finish

Mental – 14 – Position, Aggress, 13 Brave, OTB, Work Rate, Teamwork, Determin, 12 Concnetration, Anti, 11 Composure, Decisions, Flair, Leader, 10 Creativity

So he comes in already very strong, and has room for growth. He is exactly what I wanted, someone who can push Sequeira to the sidelines.

Welcome young one!

http://forum.soccermanager.com/picture.php?albumid=407&pictureid=2948

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:04 PM

And our last major signing

DC/DMC Andrei Marc, 21 years old, Romanian, Speaks Romanian, French, Basic Hungarian, can also play DR and poorly MC or MR. 2.5k week, signed until 2016, 4.5 star scout rating, has played his entire life for club Ceahlaul, in the Romanian First League. He played in 9 matches last year, for 7.12 and an assist (too young to crack the lineup I suppose). I expect to have him push Freire for a starting spot on the roster or rock the DMC position better than Rafa. He’ll do either very well.

Physical – 12/13 Speed, 16 Stam, 14, Str, Agi, Balance, 13 Jump, Fitness

Technical – 14 Head, 13 Mark, Pass, Tack; 12 Technique, First Touch, Cross, 10 Drib, Long Shots, Throwing, Penalty, 6 Free Kick, 5 Finish, 4 Corners

Mental – 15 Position, 14 Work Rate, 13 Teamwork, Brave, 10 Flair, 8 Leader, Determin, 12 Everything Else

Again, we have this strong youth candidate to growth with and improve while he can already start. I had already signed him when my great DC Hernani came through our system, but he should work for us. How will he survive in Portuguese Football away from home in Romania? No idea, but it’s time for the big leagues – European Football and a better flight by far.

http://zch.ro/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Andrei-Marc-intr-o-executie-spectaculoasa.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:24 PM

These four should help us lead the way, and improve our squad over time as they grow along with the great youth we already have. I register them, a few youthers, and hand out numbers –

20 to Hernani Costa
9 to Luis Martins
5 to Matias Defederico
17 to Andrei Marc
10 to Javi Espinosa

With the enhanced budget for my Euro ambition and a reduced transfer budget dropping to 100k, I’ve increased my wage to 75k a week. I’m spending 72k a week. We’ll get in some staff in a bit that I hope will help and get us there and keep us under budget.

Our GK Coach and head Physio sign with us.

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:28 PM

World Cup Update:

Brazil vs Iran – 3-0 Brazil
Sweden vs Holland – 2-1 Sweden
Belgium vs Germany – 0-2 Germany
Japan vs France – 1-3 France
England vs USA – 1-0 England
Uruguay vs Spain – 3-0 Spain
Switzerland vs Russia – 0-3 Russia
Colombia vs Italy – 1-3 Italy

Quarterfinals:

Brazil vs France
Sweden vs Germany
England vs Italy
Spain vs Russia

In the battle of Brazil vs Europe!

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:36 PM

I review my tactics. Is the 4-4-2 Diamond the best we can do with this lot? If so, expect our starters to be Mario Rondon, Adriano/Djaniny, Daniel Candeais, Dejan Skolnik/Javi Espinosa, Matias Defederico, Andrei Marc/Rafa, Joao Aurelio, Luis Martins, Mexer, Freire/Andrei Marc, Eduardo Gottari.

I offer Ali out for a loan. Costinha agrees to a mutual termination. Good bye buddy. I’ll always have a soft place in my heart for ya. I get my bosses to host a Trial Day.

World Cup 2014

We had an odd Quarter Finals. Every game ended 1-1 and went to penalty kicks. Every single one. Who advanced? France, Sweden, England and Russia.

World Cup Semi Finals

France vs Russia
Sweden England

Could we have a Russia vs Sweden Finals? As someone who played in Sweden for all but four years of his professional career, I’m thrilled to see fellow teammates, foes, and players do so well!

Abe Sargent

04-28-2014, 10:51 PM

Trial Day will be on the 7th. On the 6th,I look over everyone. We have a few thousand to spare for really nice folks.

I sign a couple of youthers, but this list is much more mature – I have a couple fo 30+ and 4 29 year olds. But there are a few that still are quite interesting. Danny’s not bad – 19 years old, can play a few wing spots.

I hold my team meeting. Everyone backs my Euro ambitions.

Our coaches feel that the 442 diamond, 4411 and 4222 are the best formations for us. I’m not a fan of the 4411. We found out that this team needs 2 in front. And I don’t like two DMCs in the back either.

So, we’ll keep the diamond I think, because it seems like it remains the best fit for us.

Ali is happy to go out on loan to Feirense. So he’s heading out for the season. He’s getting squeezed by my two youth DCs (Jose Pedro Cardoso, Hernani Costa) as well as Andrei Marc, Freire, Mexer, and backup Miguel Rodrigues. Better to be loaned out then sold, if that would even be possible.

We signed three youth players from the Trial Day.

JAG

04-28-2014, 11:51 PM

Very entertaining dynasty Abe, thinking about picking up the game as a result.

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 03:01 PM

Very entertaining dynasty Abe, thinking about picking up the game as a result.

Thanks, that's very humbling

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 03:02 PM

Ok, problem. Braga have made an offer for GK Gottardi. They have offered 44k plus 165k over the next two years. So here’s the question – is this a blessing in disguise? Will this give me an excuse to sign a replacement who is better?

Let’s look around…

There’s 24 year old Venezuelan international GK Rafael Romo. He’s not bad. I order a scout report. I was kind of hoping for a grizzled vet, since my starters and squad tend to be young folks, in order to balance things. Rondon’s 28 though, so that’s alright I suspect. Someone with gravitas I can hand the captain’s band to. There are a few I like, Eduardo, who was the GK for Braga for a while, and has 33 caps for Portugal, or Gomes, who was Tottenham’s GK for a while. But they don’t think I can even match their financial stuff. Who else?

Got him!

I make an offer to my GK target, and I accept the offer for Gottardi. I make my guy an offer to be the highest paid player for my squad at 7.25k a week, using the money that;’ll be freed up plus the rest of my transfer budget. But the transfer money I get from Gottardi can be used to buff my budget to make it all work.

My target is the grizzled, 37 year old vet who will come in, nonplussed, and get things to run right on the pitch. Despite his age, he has a 4 star evaluation, fully one more than Gottardi.

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 03:06 PM

World Cup 2014:

France crushes Russia 5-1
England brushes aside Sweden 3-1

Setting up a France vs England Final

We have our first friendly today, on the 10th. I move GK Baptista to the starting role. We are hosting Unao Madeira, in the 2nd league. I barely watch it. Adriano hits Rondon for a score in the 63rd. Final score. Rondon MOM.

Jota had been loaned to Vit. Setubal for the season.

Gottardi has officially left the club – he wants to play in the Champions League.

Nuno Campos is loaned to Beira-Mar.

Normal Win Bonuses. We are 40-1 odds to win. 4-6 for Porto, 4-6 for Benfica, Even for Sporting, 2-1 for Braga.

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 03:07 PM

http://www.thebrunswick.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/World-Cup-2.png

Sweden loses 0-1 to Russia and comes in 4th. Who wins?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzw0OVpXXUk/UzkVCXzrieI/AAAAAAAAOHY/8m93pjsOEgw/s738/England+2014+World+Cup+Home+Kit.jpg

After a 1-1 game, England defeat France in penalty kicks to win their 1st World Cup since the 60s.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02757/Front0_3_2757089b.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 06:44 PM

Our target has turned down two Italian clubs in Serie B to join us.

Welcome our last, unexpected, player to join us

GK Sebastian Peratta, 7.25k, contract for a year, with a 15game deal to extend it by a year. 37 years young. Argentina and Italy. Speaks Spanish, Italian. Started in the Argentinian Premier Division for three squads for 10 years off and on, mostly on. He knows football. He’s won the division twice for two different clubs.

Okay, let’s do comparison. Which GK, Peratta, or Gottardi is better?

Same in Shot Stopping, Distribution. Peratta is better at physical, Speed, mental, slightly worse in aerial, and worse in eccentricity and communication.

Where is Peratta best? Obviously mental – that’s why he’s here, right?

17 Determin; 16 – Composure, Leadership, Anticipation; 15 – Bravery, Positioning; 14 Work Rate, Concentration; 13 Teamwork, Decisions; 12 Aggression (8 flair, 3 OTB, 4 creativity)

Obviously, that’s why I brought him. I’m handing him the captain’s 4 pips.

Physical? 11/10 speed, 15 – fitness, 14 – Jump, Balance, 13 – Agi, 12 – Stam, 11 Str

Adequate for his age, and he’s better here than our 28year old guy was

GK – 15 – Reflexes, 14 – 1:1, 13 – Kick, Punch, Penalty, 12 – Handling, Free Kick; 11 – Aerial, Communication, Eccentricity; 10 – Command, Rush, 8 Throw, 9 First Touch

So, his technical attributes are his weakness. This has probably eroded overtime, but for us, he’s worth it. And he’ll be helping us establish dominance in Europe and Portugal. He is also the 2nd player on my squad who is older than me!

Welcome Peratta!

http://www.ole.com.ar/newells-old-boys/Peratta-acomoda-defensa_OLEIMA20130613_0171_8.jpg

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 07:41 PM

And you are joining:

Mario Rondon:

http://cdn.noticiaaldia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/mario-rondon.png

Mexer:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LN0tK_gclvY/TE6StZD7Y6I/AAAAAAAADpM/16Lg315kKSE/s1600/mexer1.JPG

Daniel Candeais:

http://www.cdnacional.pt/galeria/fotos/g%20candeias,%20salino.jpg

Joao Aurelio:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiEyQYKsy6I/ThVE7mqW8hI/AAAAAAAAB40/qK5d6YiU03c/s1600/joao+aurelio%252Bnacional%252Btudosobrefutebol09.blogspot.jpg

Dejan Skolnik:

http://www.soccer-eleven.com/img/players/Skolnik-03.jpg

Djaniny:

http://aoutravisao.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/djaniny.jpg

And even Rafa:

http://cdn.record.xl.pt/storage/ng1BED0D66-DF65-4C07-B54C-C0FF0729E337.jpg?type=big

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 08:02 PM

Alright, I’m feeling really excited with my new additions.

Let’s see what we can do tactically

We are turning the AMC role into an Advanced Playmaker one, with Defederico in the role initially, and Javi can slide over as needed. Our coaches recommend we play Andrei Marc in an Anchor Man role as the DM. However, he seems fine as a typical DMC too. I’m a leave him at that, just like Rafa played last year. He’s got 16 stamina, so that shouldn’t be as much of an issue as it was last year with a tired or yellow Rafa. Rondon remains in a target man attack role, and the other is the advanced forward. I am going to try out something different this year – I’m giving Freire a Stopper duty and Mexer a Cover one.

I am naming Peratta the Captian. Skolnik remains the vice. I make some alterations to our set pieces as well, because a lot of my new folks are just better than my current establishment.

Rafa comes to find me, apparently I have a lot of angry players who feel I made the change too soon. I don’t think I handled Rafa very well. He’s not at all happy with how I handled the conversation. He can just deal with it from the bench.

I move Carlos Mariano to squad rotation. I offer ST Joaquim Sousa a new contract. His ends in 2015. Sousa is better than Jardel, who’s like 4th-ish in my roster right now. So I suspect I’ll be playing Sousa more this year.

We have another friendly today on the 17th verse the Maritimo B squad. Mexer gives away a PK which they get, then Skolnik scores in the 10th minute. Defederico in the 14th. Rondon in the 34th. Rondon in 66th. We win 4-1. Rondon MOM

I send 3 players to affiliate clubs. J Sousa has penned a new deal.

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 09:10 PM

Today we have an away game vs Malaga, and we’ll make 75k for it. I begin countering. I like having a few challenging friendlies like this one – it can’t be all pancakes and butterflies. After banging on the door a lot, they finally knock one down in the 43rd minute. Mexer just gave away another penalty in the box in the 47th minute. That’s a problem. Reginaldo feeds Djaniny for a score in the 72nd. They fire off a nasty long shot for a goal in the 85th minute. That’s game. We lost 3-1.

Pitch stays at minimum size.

After beating on the net all half long, Adriano finally scores against Santana in the 44th minute. Defederico scores a minute later. 2-0 half time. They get header off corner. Freire does the same in the 73rd minute. Jardel scores in the 82nd. We win 4-1. MOM was Freire.

Abe Sargent

04-29-2014, 10:07 PM

August, 2014

4th – Friendly, Away at Freamunde
9th – Friendly, Away at Camacha
16th – Home vs Porto
24th – Away vs Portimonense

We really liked Miguel Rodrigues, Jose Morreira and Joaquim Sousa in training. But bad Carlos Mariano, bad!

A Romanian squad has made an offer for fellow Mozambique player Zainadine Junior. He’s just a backup. I’m inclined to agree. I also agree to a loan offer from a 2nd division squad, Beira-Mar for Jardel, for the first team.

On the 4th, Djaniny has gained Portuguese citizenship. He is now an EU National. Our friendly arrives. We crush 8-2 over Freamunde, and Adriano had 5 goals.

I offer Rafa for free on transfer, no one is interested, so we mutually terminate for 45k. I didn’t want him to leave that way, but I don’t mind that he’s gone.

We loaned out JP Cardoso to Uniao Madeira.

The Chair, Rui Alves was initially dis-satisifed when I said we needed a new Feeder club, but I was able to convince him to get a new one. I’d like one abroad. Or at least on the mainland.

I make an offer to a nice young player on the U20 squad for Mozambique. Jardel’s loan is official.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 02:32 PM

Our final friendly has arrived. We win 3-0 on the road. Yay us. This included a virtually perfect DFK score by Javi Espinosa, right off the top corner bar and into the top right corner.He was MOM.

We have signed hot prospect Simao Cordeiro, the Mozambique player. He’s an 18 year old DC we have signed for two years at a cheap 120/week. Our scouts thought he was just adequate, but he’s cheap, and a decent guy to work on.

His stats:

Phy – 11/9 speed, 18 Str, 14 jump, 11 Bal, Fit, Stam, 10 Agi
Mental – 17 Aggression, 15 Deter, 14 Work Rate, 10 Team work, everything else single digits
Tech – 11 Head, 10 Mark, Tack, everything else single digits.

Not amazing or anything. I offer to teach him the DR spot. I rejected a loan offer by Freamunde for Simao Cordeiro since they just wanted him to be a backup. Camacha offers to start him in a loan, so I agree.

The Preseason Presser Was held. Now it’s time to get ready to host Porto.

Our starting 11:

GK – Sebastian Peratta
DR – Joao Aurelio
DC – Mexer, Freire
DL – Luis Martins
MR – Daniel Candeais
ML – Dejan Skolnik
DMC – Andrei Marc
AMC – Matias Defederico
ST – Mario Rondon, Adriano

Bench:

Djaniny, Joaquim Sousa
Hernani Costa, Miguel Rodrigues
Carlos Mariano, Javi Espinosa, Sequeira

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 02:51 PM

I begin against Porto Standard. The first 12 minutes neither side seems to be dominating – each Is adding something and making moves. That continues on for a while. Neither side has major chances – each are seeming to reach a bit. 0-0 at the half. Rigght now, they’ve had 9 shots, 4 on target, we’ve had 7 and 3. We’ve each had it 50% of the time, won more than 75% of our tackles, and 66% of our headers and 65% of theirs. Pretty even. The next half is underway. One of their DCs collects a yellow card. Porto are picking up steam in the 2nd half and controlling it a lot more. I move to counter. I pull Adriano for Djaniny. Sub 2 – Skolnik out for Sequeira. I pull Andrei Marc for Miguel Rodrigues in the 87th minute. Rondon turns over the ball stupidly and they get a break and score in the 88th minute. It ws a really horrible pass, after I said, keep possession 20 minutes ago. I’m very disappointed in that. They finished with 27 and 12 shots, and we just were about to get a clean sheet until we gave them one too many opportunities at goal.

I am very complementary to Porto in our Conference. After all, their manager was also born in Mozambique, and I am kind to my fellow countryman. He was one of the people who suggested the league in the first place to me!

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 06:50 PM

I agree to get some people to mentor others. I get Adriano to mentor Joaquim Sousa, which should help, since our staff think that he is a similar type of player to Adriano. I have Daniel Candeais working with Jose Goncalves, and now I want to try Mexer and Hernani Costa, but Mexer isn’t old enough (25).

We have a shortlist of five potential feeder clubs. They are:

Fortuna Sittard – Jupiler League, Holland
Catanzaro – Serie C1/C, Italy
Foggia – Serie CI/C, Italy
U Cluj – 2nd Division in Romania.
Paganese, Serie C1, C, Italy

I actually like U Cluj first and Fortuna Sittard 2nd.

They are our new feeder team.

For our next match, we are traveling to newly promoted Portimonense. I will be starting Javi Espinosa today at the ML slot. We’ll begin our road game on the road. They get a DFK off the crossbar in the 6th minute and we are already down! Uh oh. Luckily for us, Defederico hits Rondon for a score in a few minutes later. Adriano drives hard for about 35 yards down the left side of the pitch to the box, then finds Espinosa, who passes to Rondon who shoots, the ball is blocked, but finds the rebound and puts it away in the 13th minute. Andrei Marc injures one of their players and they half to go off in the 24th. Their GK misses a pass after a GK and had come way out of the box. Marc finds the ball and heads it up long, Rondon runs under it and into the box, but is fouled by a desperate DC wanting to keep him from his hatrick in the 25th minute. So now he’s taking a PK instead. In. Daniel Candeais gets the ball, shoots, it rebounds off the left post and back into play right into Javi Espinosa’s legs, who puts it away and we are up 4-1 in the 31st minute. He scored in his debut for us! Rondon finds Candeais who finds Defederico for a goal in the 33rd minute. 5-1. These guys are nasty together. A long throw by Peratta after a major offensive jump starts a Daniel Candeais counter attack and he crosses to Adriano who scores in the 40th minute. Espinosa feeds Adriano on the wing who runs into the box and scores in extra time of the first half. 7-1 at the half. I don’t even think I know what to say on a half like this…don’t get complacent? Pull off the GK cause they won’t get 6 on shot targets in the next half? Candeais feeds Defederico who dribbles into the right corner, hoofs it to Rondon, who gets his 4th score in the 47th minute. At this rate, we might score 15 points. Two of their players, frustrated, just collected yellows. I’m still Standard in tactics – haven’t made any changes there. Desperate, they fire a long shot and its on target, 8-2 in the 50th minute. 1st sub – Sequeira for Aurelio. 2nd sub – Rodrigues for Marc. 3rd sub – Adriano out for J Sousa. Game. MOM is obviously Rondon.

This was Aurelio’s 125th game for us. This is the biggest for us in league play ever. It’s the most goals scored in the game in recent memory in the league. NINE of our players were selected in the Team of the Week. We had the GK, all 4 defenders, 3 middles, and a striker. Only Adriano and Marc were not included.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 08:01 PM

After damaging his heel, Freire will be out for two weeks. I’ll rotate in our young dynamite guy, Hernani Costa.

The final game of August is our away game against Benfica. Can we channel the previous away game into it? I make no changes to my starting 11, wanting to capture the moment. We’ll start with a Counter set up. Carry on where you left off! I also have a retain possession instruction immediately. They foul Adriano in the penalty box early, and he;’s injured. I replace him with Dj and Rondon scores. Then they score twice in the next three minutes and I order my folks to close down more and such. No more scores, we get to the half down 2-1. And we have a very quiet second half where little happens and finish that way.

Simao Cordeiro is MOM against Ghana’s U20 squad in the African Champ Quals.

I reject a loan offer for Miguel Rodrigues. I accept a few for some other folks though.

As the transfer window closes, we currently have 14 people on loan.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 08:33 PM

September

14th – Home vs Sporting
21st - Home vs Arouca
28th – Away vs Perreira

Yes, I begin the season with the Big Three in my first FOUR games. But then, I won’t have any for months.

Good Trainings – Mexer, Luis Martins, J Sousa

I terminate three loans so I can have enough homegrown folks for the Euro Cup Rules.

We are in a difficult Group – Group H

AS PAOK Salonika (Greece)
Racing (Belgium)
Tottenham

We got 1.3 m for making the group stage. So basically, for getting 4th in the League, you get another 1.3 just for participating in the Euro.

Our fixtures:

Sept 18, Away vs PAOK
Oct 2, Home vs Tottenham
Oct 23, Home vs Genk
Nov 6, Away vs Genk
Nov 27, Home vs PAOK
Dec 11, Away vs Tottenham

Not an easy way to end things if we need points late…

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 09:35 PM

Lots of our players are internationaling it up!

For our home match today, we are keeping the same squad as before, with Hernani Costa in the Mexer DC spot because he’s tired from international play, and Freire is back from injury. I want to focus on the Euro match in 4 days.

They score in the 9th minute – yuck. Espinosa scores. On a lovely break Daniel Candeais is fed the ball deep by Aurelio, lines up for a cross to Rondon, and Rondon has his 6th goal of the season, and its tied in the 23rd. They get a yellow card ,and I move to Counter. Adriano was tackled running into the box, the ball fell to an unmarked Espinosa who finished in the 39thminute. Half 2-1. Possession is key in the 2nd half, and I keep at Counter for a bit. Martins has been key in his area, with interceptions and control. Freire has a foul dangerously close to a penalty kick place, and luckily they miss the DFK. Back to Standard. A goal by Daniel C was called offsides in the 58th. Tired Costa is subbed for Mexer. I’ll sub him in, just not start. I want to secure this win if I can. A DFK by Defederico sinks in the 69th minute puts us up 3-1. Next sub is Adriano out for Djaniny. Back to Counter. They’ve had some great attacks pushed aside by our defense. Final sub – Rodrigues in for Marc. Game, we win 3-1. We defeated Porto by a PK here in our place last year, so it’s nice to beat them with normal football. Defederico is MOM. In this game, we had 11 shots, 6 on target. They had 14 and 9 on target, so we did a good job an stopping their shots. Perratta finished with a good strong score too.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 10:39 PM

Another come from behind victory. We like seeing our folks have these sorts of games. Makes me happy. This is a huge win. I was hoping to emerge from this four game stretch with 4 or 5 points, and instead, I have 6. Not bad at all folks! GK Peratta and Defederico were in Team of the Week.

Diogo Coelho has a virus and I send him home

Apparently, we are favorites heading into this away match against PAOK. They have injuries to two key players and another rotation guy. Mexer is back in the lineup. We will begin defensive. They score in the 10th minute. Then Daniel C feeds the ball to Defederico and back to Daniel for a score 10 minutes later. One of their guys drops Adriano in the box and Rondon, of course, sinks the PK in the 24th minute and we are up 2-1. I have us on retain possession, work ball, hassle, use tighter mark, and drill crosses. Hope that can work with defensive to keep up the pressure as Rondon feeds a pass he got from Adriano to Defederico who scores in the 32nd minute. Luis Martins injures one of their players. Half time. Keep it up lads! Don’t get complacent. We have historically allowed too many comebacks since I’ve been here. Including a certain game we won 5-4 but allowed them back in after being up 3-0 and 4-1. They injure Adriano so I pull him for Djaniny. I add waste time to our instructions. Next sub is Skolnik for Javi. Then I change my Wingers to support roles from attacking. I want to keep them back more. We hold on to win 3-1. Awesome! MOM is Rondon. That was special lads! Another come from behind win

And we get 200k for the win. Better yet, Tottenham and Genk tied. So we are up after the first game. Won’t last at all but it’s a nice start.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 11:21 PM

Arouca game is here. We haven’t beaten them yet in 3 tries, but this team is good. I swap in Djaniny and Skolnik into the lineups. I begin controlling. They give us some pressure early, but off a corner kick, Freire heads in a score in the 24th minute. After that, it’s really quiet and we hit the half. Don’t get complacent. I sub in J Sousa, Reginaldo and Hernani Costa for tired folks. Sousa gets a score in the 63rd minute. We back off control to counter and just hold off their attack. Very little comes, and we win the game, quietly, 2-0. Freire, with a good performance, was MOM. Skolnik and Defederico had assists. Well, at least we got the Arouca monkey off our collective backs. That was Sousa’s first league goal.

We have been drawn against Leca in round 3 of the Taca. We are at home vs the National Champ – A team.

Mexer is now 26, so I approach him about tutoring Hernani Costa. Nah, still won’t let me. Ah well.

Abe Sargent

04-30-2014, 11:46 PM

Our final match of September is against Ferreira, a very respectable team. This is an away match against a rough team. Someone has mentioned they are chasing Adriano in the Presser. I have given him a tag of 800k – you offer that to me, and I’ll go find another striker, He’s worth 400 or 500k right now for us. Our most expensive players are:

725k Daniel Candeais
625k Mario Rondon
625k Djaniny
575k Joao Aurelio
500k Mexer
450k Matias Defederico
400k Adriano
350k Dejan Skolnik
325k Luis Martins
325k Javi Espinosa

Everyone else is below 250k

I sign Hernani Costa to a deal when he turns 17, but that’ll be for months down the road. This works for him – he grew up in the town, and we are his favorite club, and everyone loves him. He is gold. We were gifted him by the football gods, and I have no intention of letting him go.

Ferreira – we’ll begin defensive. We beat PAOK with a defensive set 3-1. Let’s see if we can duplicate that. I also tell them to work the ball, keep possession, tighter mark. I want to be ornery first, and then dial things back as needed. They score early on, so I keep it up. Then Daniel and Rondon play the ball to each other and Daniel gets a nice pass and scores in the 22nd minute – 1-1. I stay where we are. Daniel is then injured and I put in Reginaldo. I slide to counter. Then Matias comes out for an injury – in goes Javi. Half time. Rondon gets a pass from Reginaldo in the corner, runs into tight space and is heavily marked, passed to Espinosa for a score. 2-1 us in the 51st. They score right back in the 54th, Martins was beat on the side. Skolnik’s cross finds Espinosa for another score in the 62nd. We are back up by a goal. I order my team to head back to Defensive. Andrei Marc collects a yellow. I pull him in the 79th. In goes Rodrigues. They have MOUNDS of pressure in the 80s. Getting loads of shots off. Can we keep them from scoring? Game. We win 3-2. I thought we might give that one away late, but we held on. MOM was Espinosa. They had 16 shots and 9 on target. I was happy to keep them to 2 goals on that. We had 13, but just 3 on target. Every one sunk though. We just used them better. Once again, we won after being down early.

Matias Defederico is out for 10 days with a twisted knee, and Daniel Candeais out for a few days with a damages wrist.

Joao Aurelio approaches me. He wants an improved contract. I actually agree. I like him, he’s just being paid 1.6k, so he has some legit concerns. I make him an offer. Hernani Costa approached ,e and he’ll sign the deal we offer in March when he turns 17. Javi was in the Team of the Week

Aurelio agrees to his new deal. He’s played for us for years – and the right side of Aurelio/Candeais/Rondon is golden, I’m not touching that. He is making 5.25k/week – a little more than I wanted and was hoping for, but we have him secured.

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 12:37 AM

October

2nd – Home vs Tottenham, EURO
5th – Away vs Aves
19th – Home vs Leca, Taca
23rd - Home vs Genk, EURO
26th – Home vs Vit Guimaraes

We liked Dejan, Carlos and Joaquim in training last month.

Goal of the Month belongs to Matias Defederico

Daniel should be ready by the Tottenham game. We don’t think Defederico will be though

We’ll start Javi in his spot with Skolnik on the left side.

I begin Standard against Tottenham. You are playing in our place ‘Ham! We have an even early game – each team has some time with the ball. Then Espinosa hits Rondon for a score. I move to Counter. We both get some decent chances. One of theirs collects a yellow. Half time. I decide to hit defensive. I don’t want any cheap goals, we just almost lost it on a great break away by them that Perrata pushed away. I tell them to keep it up. In the 55th minute, Rondon gets a nice pass by Espinosa, and strikes, on target, deflected, falls to Adriano, who puts it away, and we are up 2-0. I order us to keep possession and slow the game down. They get another yellow booking. Espinosa finds Rondon in the box, and he feeds Daniel C on the right and Daniel puts it away, and we are up 3-0 at the 62nd minute. I still think ‘Ham have a shot. They have 16 shots, 5 on target, as of right now. We have 11 and 8. They are missing shots, but if they get another 3 or 4 on target, and those sink, we’re out. I need to make subs with my best people, not folks like Sousa or Costa for experience. One again, in the 65th, they have a great attack, but its offsides and stopped by Perrata anyway. Skolnik is very tired. I pull him for Sequeira. They fire a long shot in the 67th and it sinks. 3-1. They get a 3rd booking. My next sub in the 75th is no one – everyone is at 7.0 level or higher – and no ons ie below 73%. Well, never mind. I pull Martins. I drop Sequeira to his spot, I swap Espinosa to the ML spot, and I put in Reginaldo in the AMC spot. They rocket in another shot in the 82nd minute. Can we hold on? I order my players ot play nasty, with hard tackles and marking. I pull Marc for Rodrigues. Freire gets a yellow – which is fine, I want them to muscle Tottenham off the ball. And we do. We win 3-2. MOM was Espinosa.

We win another 200k

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 06:44 PM

Aves, newly, promoted ,has 6 straight defeats, and is laying in 16th. We are in 5th. Everyone is expecting us to steamrole them. Defederico’s injury keeps him out for this match too. I swap Djaniny for Adriano. We’ll begin controlling. We expect many goals.

Goal 1 – Candeais to Rondon, 18th minute.
Goal 2 – Candeais to Djaniny, 48th minute.
Goal 3 – By them, 49th minute, 2-1 score
Goal 4 – Peratta Goal Kick, collected by Djaniny, scored, 67th minute
Goal 5 – Rondon, PK, 75th minute
Goal 6 – By them, 81st minute
Goal 7 – By them, 87th minute
Goal 8 – By them , 89th minute

MOM was Djaniny, as we have an epic collapse.

Peratta and Djaniny were in Team of Week

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 08:26 PM

I’ll toss in some backups for this game against Leca. Once again goals are expected, so let’s stick with just that:

Goal 1 – Espinosa to Reginaldo, 5th minute
Goal 2- Mariano, score off a Mariano shot blocked and rebounded, 30th minute
Goal 3 – Goal by Them, 37th minute
Goal 4 – Djaniny to Rondon, 49th minute
Goal 5 – Reginaldo to J Sousa, 58th minute
Goal 6 – Djaniny, PK, 80th minute
Goal 7 – There is no goal 7. We win 5-1. MOM is Reginaldo.

I started Baptista too, in the GK spot.

Our next Taca match will be at home against Academica

Our next match is the Genk Euro at home. We have our best first team. Genk has just 1 point in two games. Could we win our first three matches? Let’s start Standard. Too many wasted opportunities early due to picks, so I order us to retain possession more. We’ve also been caught in an Offsides Trap twice, They get a yellow in the 37th minute. Genk scores in the 45th minute. Half time. You can do better in the second half! Plus, we’ve come from behind to win loads of times. Attacking! Candeais to Rondon to score in the 74th. Standard! Candeais scores two minutes later. Counter. Subs. Game – We win 2-1. MOM is Candeais. Brilliant comeback!! Another 200k for the bank

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 10:36 PM

The 26th has arrived, and with it, today’s match at home vs Vit Guimaraes. I initiate the attack by beginning with a controlling philosophy. I started Javi today at ML. Rondon gets caught in an Offside Trap early on, and then Adriano does too. I pull back to Standard. We’ve had a lot of pressure in the mid teens and early 20s, and I hope we can score soon – we’ve played like it. I move to very high tempo and attacking for a few minute to change things up. We lose a chance ot score, Adriano had an open net, but the ball bounced back from hitting the crossbar. Half. I aggressively tell them they need to knock this crap off. Adriano out for Djaniny. They score a goal and I make some changes – it was a header off a corner. And we finish the game, having been gob-smacked at home by Vit., Guimaraes.

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 10:41 PM

http://www.prendasnahora.com/WebRoot/Store/Shops/2610-110505/4E01/DACA/7196/7324/31F2/AC10/083A/AC73/Sem_titulo_6.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-01-2014, 11:53 PM

November

2nd – Home vs Maritimo
6th – Away vs Genk, EURO
9th – Home vs Academica, Taca da Portugal
23rd – Away at Olhanense
27th – Home vs PAOK, EURO

Good job in training Joao, Andrei Marc and Hernani Costa!

Djaniny was named Player of the Month – he also led with the top goal.

We will start Djaniny in the next game. I come out swinging in the press after their manager gets upset because I complemented his club’s performance, so I told them I can’t wait to bash in his little club.

I have to rest Mexer a bit, he’s not starting – Rodrigues is. Alright, I open things up attacking, very high tempo, and tackling hard. I want to push them around, and see if they fall. Quiet first 12, so I pull them back and counter, since they are driving the offense. Aurelio feeds Candeais on the wing who drives home a goal in the 32nd minute. Next, Djaniny finds Rondon just behind the defense for a counter attack score in the 38th. Half time. Keep it up lads! Andrei Marc collects a yellow. I pull him and Rodrigues. Lower Tempo! Sousa in for Djaniny. Game. MOM is Freire. Well done lads!

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 12:16 AM

In their presser, their coach admits that I played successful mind games on him and he needs to work on doing better with the pressure. Now we need to get ready for the real game against Genk. We are seen as strong favorites for the match vs Genk. I’ll be moving back Mexer, Skolnik, and Adriano into the starting roster.

If we win today, we make it out with two games to go. They have lousy morale, we’ve beat them before, and three key injuries. We can win this. Counter worked last time, so I start with it this time – we are in the road after all. We have a nice drive early that ends with a great GK move by our foes. After knocking on the door all day, Rondon puts it away in the 39th after a corner kick goes wrong and is knocked back, a header from Defederico in the back of the box sets him up. Half time, 1-0 us. I move to defensive in the 67th. I sub in Javi and Reginaldo for Defederico and Candeais. I tell my guys to start tackling hard and tighter marking. Skolnik feeds Adriano for a goal in the 80th, but its called offsides. My team thinks it was onsides, but them’s the brakes. Regilando scores from a Rondon assist off a break in the 83rd instead. And that’s it! We win 2-0, MOM is Rondon with a goal and an assist.

We have been to European play three times previously. Twice, we were knocked out prior to the group stage. Today, we went 4-0 in the first four games in our stage, and have been qualified with two games to go. We won another 200k. How many other teams went 4-0 in their first four games?

Everton
Nacional da Madeira

That’s it.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 02:28 PM

We have 6 players called up for duty.

Pick up where you left off in today’s match against Academica in the Taca da Portugal! They are pushing forwarding and dominating the match, so I take the slow plan, and pull back to counter. Halftime. They come back and keep pushing. That’s alright. Maintain possession, slow things down, play the long game. Be patient. That patience pays off in the 70th when Marc feeds Rondon a ball, who makes the extra pass to Djaniny who finishes it. Defederico=, off a Djaniny pass, hits paydirt 5 minutes later. I was saving my subs, in case of extra time, so I throw in two folks now. We won with the patient view, and won well. MOM Is Djaniny. It’s been 289 minutes since Peratta last conceded a goal.

We draw the next match – against Belenenses on the road.

Reginaldo just notched his first international goal. Good job buddy!

Our away match vs Olhanese is underway. I also begin countering too – it’s a strategy that has worked for us. Aurelio hits Freire for a header off a corner for a score in the 15th minute. I move to retain possession. They have a couple of long range shots – nothing that looks good. Then they have two good drive,s but we stall them and its half time after a nice Rondon shot is blocked and held to end a break away. Room for improvement! They notch a pair of yellows within a minute of each other. Defederico finds Rondon who shoots a nice shot, blocked, and Djaniny pounces on the rebound and puts it away. 2-0 in the 53rd.Mexer is hit a few times, and I yank him for Hernani Costa. Next is Sousa for Djaniny. Sous gets the ball from Marc, fires it from range, it rebounds off the top crossbar he collects, drives, and shoots and puts it away. I tell my guys to tackle hard and mark closer. Rondon scores but it’s called offsides. Game, we win 3-0 on the road. MPOM is Freire.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 03:46 PM

That was a good match. I pull Mexer from the squad, he’s getting a little jaded. I had one of my loaners not playing much, so I talked with the manager who agreed to give him some more time.

At the end of ten games a piece, we’re currently in 6th place. We are tied with 5th place Benfica with 19 points, and we have a +13 GD to their +10, but we lost to them.

Hernani Costa will start for Mexer. We begin the PAOK match in counter again, and in a corner kick the ball bounce around a bunch until Freire sinks it and we are up in the 5th minute. Then Djaniny intercepts a back pass, rushes goal, defeats the keeper, and gets a great 1:1 goal. That’s in the 17th minute. I slide ot defensive and retain possession. Then Rondon adds a score of his own in the 23rd minute when Aurelio launches a great deep pass to him. We clamp down a few of their attacks and it’s the half. Keep it up! I’d love to see another 3-0 victory. We’ve let teams in too many times in the 2nd half to just be comfortable sitting back and letting them go. I sub in Javi for Matias. They finally score in the 66th minute off a third shot. I toss in Carlos Mariano. Then Adriano heads in. They score again in the 87th minute. We hold on to win it and that’s game. We got another 200k.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 06:44 PM

December

3rd – Home vs Braga
8th – Home vs Academica
11th – Away vs Tottenham
14th – Away vs Rio Ave
20th – Away vs Vit Setubal

Training yays – Jose Moreira, Joaquim Sousa – boos – Joao Aurelio.

Let’s get revenge! They score in the first five minutes. Again, be patient with the counter ideas, but I’m moving to control. He’s getting knocked around, so I pull Defedreico early for Javi. Late, Adriano is given a nice little shot, takes it, and it’’s half. I move back to counter from control. In the 46th minute, Adriano finds Rondon with a great pass to set him up nicely for that score that puts us up 2-1. Skolnik was injured in the 69th I have to put in Sequeira. I tell my folks to do very low tempo – my team is dog tired. I just hope we can hold on. We do, and win against Braga in our place 2-1. Again, we got a win after begin behind. Adriano is the MOM.

Javi is starting at ML for a bit while Skolnik heals a bit. I give some of my folks some rest. That win over Braga helped, we now are three points above them in the standings. After 12 games, we’re in 4th – behind Porto, Sporting, and Benfica – in that order. The Big Three.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 07:03 PM

Alright, our Academican match is here. Let’s go. I begin Standard against these folks, rather than my usual Counter/defensive stuff, which has been very effective as of late. Javi drives deep on the side, kicks it out ro Marc who sees Candeais, finds him and Daniel scores in the 6th minute. We’re losing a lot of headers, so I tell them to retain possession and work the ball into the box. We scored that goal with working. Freire almost sinks a corner twice. They have been doing almost nothing but trying to keep us from scoring for the next 20 minutes or so. They launch a bullet in the 27th to even things up. It was struck with verve. Half. I come out attacking. I want to surprise them, knock off their guard a bit. We miss some shots. Aurelio to Freire gets another corner kick score. Back to countering. Friere gets ANOTHER corner kick to sink for a goal in the 63rd minute. I make my subs – in come Carlos Mariano, J Sousa and H Costa. MOM was Freire.

This was Rondon’s 100 game for us. I hand out more resting to prepare for our Tottenham game.

Friere named in Team of Week

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 09:48 PM

We are expected to suffer at the feet of Tottenham. We have won, they got second, nothing can happen today to change that. (We have 15 they have 9 points, the other clubs have 3 and 1).

Alright, woodshed time! I will play defensive for basically the whole match. Expecting mnay opposition goals, let’s do the same thing I did with other games but in reverse.

Goal 1 – Marion Rondon, 23rd
Goal 2 – Them, 34th
Goal 3 – Luis Martins finds Daniel Cardeais after gettng the ball on an IFK from Espinosa. 59th
Goal 4 – Them, 62nd
Goal 5 – Them, 73rdOffsides
Goal 6 – Them, 77th
Goal 7 – There is none – they win, 3-2.

Well, I was expecting more of a blow out. Not bad at all. We were unlucky folks

We get 400k for netting 1st place.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 10:15 PM

Away at Rio Ave. Daniel C is a winded, as is Marc and Espinosa. Skolnik is back and will start at ML. I move Joao to MR for Daniel, and start Hernani Costa and Rodrigues. I begin countering again. We get a Rondon goal called off. Then there’s a lot of quiet noise before Rondon actually scores off an Aurelio cross in the 29th. Nicely done in the rain. They begin to move forward to come forward. I move to defensive to stall them, but they manage to score anyway and even it up six minutes later. After a run by Defederico is tackled in the box, Rondon pounces on the ball, shoots, and scores again in the 42nd, just before half time. Keep it up folks! I head back to counter. Rondon almost had his hat trick in the 68th, just pushed aside. I put in Marc and Cadeais as subs. I move to defensive. I pull Djaniny when he gets a yellow. We are enduring huge pressure at the end of the game. They bring out their GK for a set piece. We survive the onslaught and win 2-1 on the road. MOM is Rondon. They had 22 shots, 11 on target, and just 1 goal.

Rondon in Team of the Week.

We drew against Zenit (Russia) for the EURO Knockout. It’ll be played in a couple of months.

The winner of our match plays the winner of the Stuttgart or AS Saint-Etienne match.

Many players are back to their original places for the match today against Vit. Setubal. Adriano gets a lovely dangerous ball by Candeais and scores. We have a quiet half, but a quick score by them late. Half time. We can still emerge with a victory! They score again off a corner. I up the tempo and slide into control. Then attacking. Then game. We lose, 2-1. I’m tired of losing these dumb matches, We can go 5-1 in the EURO but we lose to both Vits. Annoying. I get angry and they show being lit up. Our first loss in a while.

This was Daniel C’s 100th game for the club.

Abe Sargent

05-02-2014, 11:35 PM

League Cup was drawn, and we are in a group with Maritimo, Portimonense and Ferreira. Benfica and Sporting re in the same group – at least one Big Three club will be out. Braga and Porto have groups to themselves. Porto has a laughingly easy group. We can win, but Fereirra is 9th and Maritomo 3rd right now, with Portimonense a respectable 9th. That’s not bad at all.

The first game, Maritimo, was added to our schedule for the 28th. We are away for it.

I’ve gotten the press to believe that I got under the new Maritimo manager’s skin last time, so I push it again this time. This is our final match in 2014. I start defensive. I want to see what’s up. I’ll show you the table next. They get a yellow in the first minute of play. The Maritimo League Cup match in last December was the crazy 5-4 game. I take nothing for granted this time around. Candeais hits Rondon for a score in the 4th minute. But we can’t relax at all. Rondon crosses to Adriano, who is blocked by a defender, who scores an OG in the 2th. Two minutes later, Luis Martins is injured and I replace him with Carlos Mariano. Lots of minor stuff from both sides ensues, with a few corners and IFKs that amount to little. Rondon is injured too, in heads Djaniny Half time. You can do even better! They score a goal in the 59th. They collect a pair of yellows next. I want to keep my last sub in case of another injury. Adriano with a critical miss at the 80th mark. Daniel C puts this away five minutes later. I put in Sousa. We win 3-1. MOM is Daniel Candeais. Nicley done! We won, dominatinglt, on the roa,d in a defensive formation.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 12:01 AM

Table after 15 games are played:

1st – Porto, 37 points, +28
2nd – Sporting, 30 points, +20
3rd – Maritimo , 30 points, +5
4th – Nacional da Medeira, 29 points, +16
5th – Benfica, 28 points, +12
6th – Braga, 27, +10
7th – Vit. Guimareas, 24, +3
8th – P. Ferreira, 22, +7
9th – Rio Ave, 21, +7
10th - Portimonese , 20, -14
11th – Academica, 18
12th – Olhanese, 15
13th – Arouca, 15
14th – Vit. Setubal, 11
15th – Estoril. 10
16th – Aves, 2

So, if we had won against the 14th team in the league, We would have 32 points and be in second place at the halfway mark. Instead, we are still in 4th place – which has been our home for a long time. Sporting has sort of redeemed themselves so far after a disappointing year last year, and Benfica are now not looking so hot.

Our first 5 league games are home vs Portimonese, Away at Porto, home vs Benfica, away vs Sporting and home vs Ferreira. That is a rough trilogy of terror in games 2, 3, 4. Our last five are Estoril, Braga, Rio Ave, Vit Setubal and Academica, which positions us nicely for a final run of form.

For injuries, Luis Martins is fine. Just 3-4 days with a dead leg. But Rondon, is not. He’ll be out for a few weeks with a twisted knee. We’ll start Adriano and Djaniny while he’s out. We have made an offer to Rondon to extend his deal by two years and increase his pay, which was bugging him a bit. He’s someone I don’t want to mess with. I move over most of the transfer money to make up the difference.

I have really unsteadied the Maritimo boss - he just said that I got under his players’ skin and disappointed the fans. He is publicly chastising his own players. Got ya!

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 12:13 AM

In 6 months, these contracts expire:

Miguel Rodrigues
Sequeira
Jose Moeira
Dejan Skolnik
Douglas jardel
Nuno Campis
David Crespo
Edgar Abreu
Diogo Coelho
Carlos Mariano

Most of those are minor players. I make an offer to extend Moreira immediately. He may be our GK of the future. And if not, he’ll be a good one – he’s our third GK on the roster right now. I like Jardel, but I feel like we’ve been paying him just a tad too much (1.1k this year weekly), and he’s just a tad worse than the younger Joaquim Sousa. But he’s solid. I extend him an offer for another 2 years, to see where he is there.

I don’t feel I’ve gotten the quality play on the pitch I expected from Skolnik. I’m comfortable with Sequeira, Rodrigues, and Mariano leaving and finding youth or other players to rock those spots. Friere was destined to head away from our club – last year he had a 6.83 rating from 30 apps. So far this year, in 14, he has a 7.4 and 4 MOM spots. That’s pretty sexy. He has more goals in 14 games this year off set pieces than he did he did entire year last season. So, we may look to extend him too. Right now, he’s making just 2k a week and is with us through 2017. If he continues, I may bump him, but he’s still vulnerable, to my mind, with his 9 passing, just an 11/11 speed, and so forth.

Jardel signs his new agreement. Alright, December the 30th has arrived, time to scout around and see who I may be bringing in next year. We are winning this year largely on players that I signed last December/January. This is the time to win next year’s season.

I dispatch some scouts!

Rondon and Meriera also extend their deals. Rondon is now paid 6.5k a week through 2017

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 02:11 AM

After some scouting, I make an offer to a Porto youth player they let get to this stage. He’s not great – like Jardel level middie, buts some useful depth. I also have a target that seems like he would suit my club – Nurnberg’s Martin Angha, 29 years old. He can play DLRC all well and would be a good spot starter/sub for my team. He’s willing to sign for a rotation contract, but he wants more that rotation money. More like 7-8k cash, which is key player level of money. So that might be the sticking point here. But I like him, he Swiss/DR Congo guy fits my team. He feels right. Not so good he forces out Aurelio or Martins, but good enough to start for a month or two without any questions, unlike my other folks.

In all of my career in FM, I have never had someone play the ML spot for me as well or consistently as Adam Hlousek. I had him for years in my Slavia Prague dynasty, and even as my team around him improved and improved, he still was just as good. His contract runs out in 2015. I approach him for a deal, and he is willing to sign a key player term, but he wants more like 11-12k rather than the 9k, which is my top budget. Ah well, once again, money.

Javi hasn’t been amazing at the ML, but he’s great as a AMC. I’m training him to improve at the slot. Meanwhile, I have Skolnik whose never played more than adequately. Perhaps as a result of his injury with the ligament? Skolnik is 25, not improving, and has just a 6.81 rating in his 9 games so far and a 6.91 from the 15 last year. He’s had a decent number of assists (8) and goals (3) from the spot in those 24 appearances, but he’s not the next level, like I want. 1 assist every 3rd game would be fine. If he started 30 games and had 10 assists, that would be fine by me, but he also needs a bigger presence, and Skolnik doesn’t have it, so I’m letting him go. He should be better with great mentals, and a 15 pass, 14/cross. But he just doesn’t produce on the pitch like he should. So the ML spot is up for grabs. Actually, ideally I could slide Candeias over and then move Aurelio up to MR. But neither would have that work very well. Still, I order Aurelio to learn it, maybe he’ll be a future ML of some sort. He is pretty sexy in many ways. He still remains of the best players at my club. But if I can sign a good ML, who would I look for?

Another player who always played well for my team, year after year, dynasty after dynasty, was Sebastien Renouard, who is also available (and old, at 30 years). I haven’t made a play for him in a long time, but it would be nice to be reunited, for the first time, with one of my regular reliable, underrated folk. And he’d be willing to come over for 8k on a key player deal. I could even run him on the ML. Ah…

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 02:56 AM

Portugal has talent in lots of places, but not as much here. I know Portugese football really well, and I’m having difficulty unlocking anybody with any value for the club. I found an amazing guy from my area- Sweden, Alexander Kacaniklic, 23 years old, willing to come, but needs much much more than I can through at him. He already has 26 caps and 2 goals. I pump up the deal with my max 9k, but to increase it massively each year, and I get an acceptance. I did not expect that. Wow. We’ll see if he decides to sign with us.

My West African scout overturns a pair of nice youth Ghanian folks. They want too much to head to our club for now, but I want to wait and see what happens soon with the budget stuff.

We made an offer for another young African youth I was tracking to head over. Moussa Diallo, 18, from the Ivory Coast will arrive on a hot prospect deal.

The Swedish transfer offer has been leaked (prolly by the agent). Several clubs have offered him. Wealthy clubs we won’t beat at all. I withdraw my offer so I can concentrate elsewhere. Who else can be my ML? I’m not finding a great youth player, so what about someone a bit older?

Maybe Ivan Bella, Argentinian, 25. Let me scout him. We like him, but again, money. Ah money.

What about Diego, a 26 year old Brazilian. He seems pretty sexy too. Not enough money for him either though. I scout a few others too. Hopefully, one will come through. Let’s fast forward a day and see what the scouting looks like. Most of them come back with a big negative.

I can’t make an offer to any ML who is obviously better. And I don’t want to lose Skolnik, who’s adequate, simply because I needed to bring in a new face. Let me take a closer look at a few youthers.

Hmmm…what about Jerome Roussillon. Doesn’t have the stats I normally like with passing (12/11 cross/pass) and dribbling 10. Fast as all get out (17/17) and our scouts have a great report on him. His natural spot is actually the DL, but he can play every left position and ST, and WBR, DR unconvincingly. He’s just 21, and has room to grow, hopefully,, and solid physical/mental stuff going on. This might be the guy.

I make him an offer which he accepts. This might work out.

Let’s end the year.

mrtourette

05-03-2014, 10:28 AM

Nice read, and England win the world Cup, on penalties, against France? Jeez if only that were to happen this Summer.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 12:07 PM

Nice read, and England win the world Cup, on penalties, against France? Jeez if only that were to happen this Summer.

It could arguably be one of the five greatest games in English football history - defeating a rival in the WC on penalties? Good stuff! And thanks for your nice comments too.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 04:31 PM

January, 2015

4th – Away vs Belenenses, Taca
11th – Home vs Portimonense
15th - Home vs Portimonense, League Cup
18th – Away vs Porto
24th – Home vs P Ferreira, League Cup
31st – Home vs Benfica

Otherwise known as a ton of games.

Who trained well in December? Marc, Costa, and Peratta. Mexer and Mariano disappointed though.

Messi wins World Golden Ball and World Player of the Year.

Paul Pogba won European Golden Boy

Djaniny comes in 2nd place for African Striker of the Year.

I accept some loan offers for players.

Moussa Diallo has joined us. This 18 year older from the Ivory Coast is a nice hot prospect for us, uncovered by our African scout. He plays AMC. Coming in, we’ll begin teaching him quickness and the MR role. And we’ll loan him out for 1st team ball.

Alexander Kacaniklic signed with Cagliari, in Italy’s Serie A for 30k a week – we could never have touched that.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 07:34 PM

The away match for the Taca da Portugal is here. I put Moussa Diallo on the reserves, with the possibility of bringing him in at some point. I begin countering. After some early bumps, Defederico hits Daniel Candeais for a score in the 22nd minute. That’s good, we need goals, and we have no Rondon. They get in a cross and a header for a goal in just a few seconds, also in the 22nd minute. Defederico returns the favor by finding Djaniny for a goal in the 24th. A very back and forth thing, I suppose. About 10 minutes later I slide to defensive strategy. Half. Keep it up! Marc sets up Defederico right down the gully, who scores in the 46th minute. I swap a tired Matias for Diallo, and put in Sousa for Adriano. Aurelio for Costa late. And we win, 3-1 in the Taca. MOM is Defederico.

The 6th round of the Taca has arrived. 8 teams left. Braga draws Sporting, Maritimo draws Benfica, Porto draws Ferreira, and we get lucky with Athletico CP, a 2nd division club. Roussillon re-ups with his club for more money than we were offering him. Almost twice as much.

Sigh.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 08:11 PM

I head back to give things one more look before resigning myself to resigning Skolnik. Alright, I think I found my guy. For real this time, I hope. So he has agreed two days later, but I’m beginning to have buyer’s remorse. His name is Lucas Castro, of Argentina. Let’s do the comparison with Skolnik.

Castro is better than Skolnik at: Physical, Speed, a bit better at Aerial, Attacking
Same in: Technical, Creativity
Skolnik is better at: Mental, Defending

So, it looks like Castro is unqualifiedly better right?

His passing is 12/12. He’s 25, he really has no room to grow, and Skolnik is a better passer, and crosser. Castro has started for a Serie A club, Catania, for three years. Last year and this one, his numbers are in the mid 6s (6.74, 6.69). In 43 appearances, he has 4 goals and no assists. Is this a guy I can rely on to upend Skolnik? He plays all MC, MR, ML, AMC, AMR, AML and ST spots solidly, so he’s flexible. But, Rondon didn’t have the stats until last year, when he exploded. The right system can hone and perfect you. He still has four stars. But I’d be paying him a crap-ton of money. Is it worth it? Is Castro the right piece of the puzzle? I’m not as sold on him as others, he’s like my 6th or 8th best option. I could just head back, offer Skolnik, and move on. I do like his flexibility, and some defensive stats too. He can actually jump, head, mark, and so forth. Alright, I agree. He’ll arrive next season.

Despite beginning controlling, we had little effort in the first half They scored off a long shot that was well on target, with molassas. Half time – you have to do better folks! We had difficulty with scoring, until a Defederico DFK recoils off the crossbar, right to Adriano, who sinks it in the 73rd minute. A Espinosa to Candeais score follows a few minutes later. MOM is Daniel C. That was a bit of a let off lads! We’re having trouble scoring without Rondon. Once again, a win from behind.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 09:49 PM

Can we have the exact same result against the same team for the League Cup? I guess we find out today. This should be the last match Rondon misses. I begin controlling. Again. We score early this time, off a Javi Espinosa score in the 15th minute. I move back, and the game is tired – very quickly zooms by. Half. They score just outside of the half, and I begin swapping people. J Sousa is injured and I pull him. Then, on a corner kick by Skolnik, Hernani Costa gets a header in the 77th minute. I pull back to counter. They score elate off a corner too, and I move to Overload. We had a good shot but Adriano hit the ball at the GK right in front instead of doing anything tricky with it. Tie. Annoying. Not good enough! Sousa is just out for a few days.

Woodshed time – away at Porto! Arouca beat Braga, which is nice to see. Welcome back Rondon.

Expecting many goals, despite our defensive attempts, let’s count the goals. I like it, and it breaks up the monotony og game after game after game. Get us revenge! Hassle foes, mark more tightly! Maybe we can muscle them around?

Goal 1 – By them, 7th minute
Goal 2 – By them, 20th – Offsides
Half – Show Me Something Else!
Goal 3 – By them, 51st
Goal 4 – By them, 65th
Goal 5 – By them., 77th

The whole point of playing defensive is to keep the score close, give you a chance. We did not do that.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 10:09 PM

Whoa! I had set 1mill as the bid for Joaquim Sousa, just to keep away folks. Olympiakos came in today and made that 1mill offer. That’s a lot of cash. I accept their offer, plus a 40% of next sale.

The morning of the final League Cup match, Sousa accepts the offer. I wish him well! I need a striker to replace him. We got him for free a long time ago, and churned him for a huge profit. But now I need a 4th Striker option, so let’s dig in and see what I can unearth.

I have a ton of money to go transfer shopping now. And we have an open window on the 24th before our game. There’s a player I like from Rio Ave, right here in the division. I scout him out. Let’s play the game. If we win, we win the Group and make it to the Semi-Final of the League Cup. You need to improve your game! Quiet start to the game, I pull from defensive to standard. They get a yellow, and then Marc injures a winger. Finally, Djaniny is fed a ball form Rondon, in his game back to score in the 41st minute. But that’s not all! A lovely ball from Defederico deep (fed by Skolnik) hits Rondon for his own score in the extra time. Half. Don’t get complacent! We let too many folks back in. Which happens two minutes into the second half off a corner kick. Idiots. I have to pull Defenderio when he gets injured. Candeais finds Djaniny, who heads the ball over the attacking Gk and into an open goal. Nicely done in the 86th to finish this. They get another yellow before the game ends with us up 3-1. MOM is Djaniny.

Yay we qualified! We made 124k.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 10:46 PM

Alright, let’s chase my Sousa replacement. My enquiry into my ideal guy, currently loaned to Rio Ave from a Brazilian club was dismissed. Ah well. I look for a bit, and I can’t find one that thrills me. I could loan someone instead, and look later…

Wait, what? I went looking for a loanee, and I might have found a guy. He’s transfer listed, and 23, so a bit older than I was looking for. Go go scouts! Got the report back. Hmm. 23 years old, has a sixteen finishing, 12/14 speed ,12/13 jump/head. Worth 1.1 mill, not a super great scot report – about at the max ability now, not great passing/crossing – just a 9/9. Transfer listed for 275k, his contract ends in a few months and I can just sign him for next year if I want him then. But, he’s Turkish/German, and a bit outside of my normal range of signees. Cenk Tosun. Shoot, I might be able to loan him now, and sign him in a bit if he works out. That’s not bad. No one else is chasing him. And I’m thinking of letting Adriano go, and this guy could step into the 3 spot behind Djaniny and Rondon quite nicely if that happened.

Anyone else? I could loan Spanish striker Cristian Herrera. He looks sexy. I make an offer to loan Cenk Tosun. Reginaldo asked to speak with me, and requested to be transferred. I agreed. I sent out a request list.

We get an away game vs Braga for the League Cup Semi-Final, Benfica will travel to Porto for the other leg.

I sign 43 year old Faryd Mondragon, a Colombian with more than 40 caps, who played for a lot of teams in his past as our other GK coach. He also speaks Turkish. The board did not accept my request to add more scouts to the roster. Sad face.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 11:27 PM

Cenk Tosun has arrived. He’s match fit, so I’ll toss him on the bench for the match on the 31st. If he works out, then yay! If not, I can go elsewhere, it’s risk free.

Can we do anything in today’s home match vs Benfica? I begin defensive. Keep up where you left off! They have some early pressure, but it ebbs a bit, so I move to counter in the 9th. Skolnik finds an intercepted pass in a busy penalty area, slides the ball to Rondon who scores in the 15th minute. They score off a corner in the 24th to take us back. Then on a break away, Skolnik cross heavily to Candeais who drove and scores. We are back up 2-1 in the 33rd. Looking good folks! I order us to defensive again, but it doesn’t keep Benfica from scoring of a nasty rifled shot from just outside the box by their striker. Half time sees it all knotted up I tell them that they want revenge – it seems to really fire them up. Candeais makes an ugly cross in the 59th minute, one that is actually a shot on target, and the GK pushes it away, it is headed out of the box by a defender right to Skolnik, who puts it in from a tight angle. We are up 3-2. Matias has not been playing well, and neither Djaniny. I pull Matias for Javi and DJ for Cenk Tosun in the 63rd. A Candeais goal in the 64th is called offsides. I order harder tackling. They change to a 4-1-2-1-2. Daniel C is injured and I pull him off for Hernani Costa, whom I move ot DR and move Aurelio up. They get two yellows in the mid-70s, looking a bit off. I’ve been on counter for most of the game, but I slide back to defensive on the 85th. We must protect this house. Skolnik picked up a knock in extra time, but I have no subs left to yank him with. Can we hold on for a win against Benfica? Yes we can! Close. MOM is Skolnik.

Skolnik is out for two weeks with a damaged elbow. Daniel is fine though. We beat Benfica. This is a major game. We beat Sporting earlier. And then we turned around and got clocked by Porto 0-4.

I sign a youther who can speak German. He’s not that great.

Abe Sargent

05-03-2014, 11:42 PM

February

3rd – Away vs Atletico CP, Taca
8th – Away vs Sporting
12th – Away vs Braga, League Cup
15th – Home vs P. Ferreira
19th – Away vs Zenit, EURO
22nd – Home vs Aves
26th – Home vs Zenit, EURO

So, this month, the shortest of the year, we’ll be playing an incredible 7 matches. These matches include a lot of games we care about. Our win against Benfica has moved us to 3rd, with Maritimo moving up to 2nd. We care a lot about these league games. Sporting is 4th, if we lose against them, they’ll jump past us on the table. Important stuff. I also want to advance in both Cups and European football.

We loved Rondon, Aurelio, and Jose Moreira in training this month. Meanwhile our oldies, Mariano and Peratta, disappointed.

I came in 2nd behind Porto’s Manager this month. Porto are so far in front, they have basically won barring an epic collapse. Our merchandise income each month tends to be things like 13k. Really small stuff. We currently have 18 players out for loan, including Reginaldo. Skolnik made Team of the Week

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 01:03 AM

In order to keep my folks ready, I will be resting some players in the match against Atletico CP. So for today’s match, I put in GK Ricardo Baptista, DC Hernani Costa, ST Cenk Tosun, Adriano, Nuno Campos for Joao Aurelio, Sequeira for Luis Martins, Carlos Mariano, Javi Espinosa for Defederico, and Rodrigues for Marc. That leaves just Freire and Daniel Candeais as my normal starters. I go in countering. Keep the run going! I begin with some pressure, and I make a few changes as the pressure moves o them. Like tighter marking and play out of defense. And standard. We’ve had a lot of shots on target that’d been blocked or stymied, and its ultimately Daniel Candeais, obviously, who brings us home in the 30th. Mariano fed him. Javi gets the ball and rushes it in for a score off a header by Cenk Tosun. Half time. Keep it up! Daniel is again injured in the game and I pull him for Edgar Abreu. I swap him and Javi on the pitch. Espinosa sinks a deadly looking DFK for a score in the 53rd. He almost duplicates it four minutes later. Sub 2 – Marc in for Rodrigues. Back to defensive. Game over, we win 3-0. Good win! MOM is Javi. Cenk had a pair of assists.

This could have been Adriano’s shining hour. Come on in, slam home some goals against a chump team, and re-establish yourself. And you sucked again! I think it’s time to move on, and see if Cenk is the next guy. If not, I need to find that guy.

Maritimo took out Benfica in the Taca. We are in the semis.

Carlos Mariano has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 03:06 AM

Until further notice, Djaniny is starting for us. Everybody is back in our starting areas. Can we get points on the road against Sporting? I begin defensive. We have been undergoing a huge onslaught of goals, and I’m said that we are finally cracked by a stupid DFK and not the offensive in the 32nd minute. Half – unlucky boys! They score off their offense – suspicions of offsides, but they score. 2-0 in the 51st. They score off a set piece but they were offside this time for sure. Defederico with a lovely counter break but it stopped by a good GK move. They foul Daniel C, and for the third game, he is injured. Then Aurelio gets a yellow. I pull them for Sequeira and Costa. They pick up a 3rd yellow card. Freire gives away a pentaly right on the edge of the box and they score on the PK. Annoying. Then Freire gtes a yellow later. In goes Rodrigues. And we lose 0-3, the second time we’ve been blanked like that on the raod vs a Big Three team.

A few African sides became vacant that I might be interested in – DR Congo, Mali, Nigeria. But they are goods ones, and I haven’t made my name yet. Maybe after this season.

Well, bad news. The draw for the Taca Semis came in:

Porto hosts Maritimo
Sporting hosts Nacional da Madeira

So, looks like we are not making it in.

Skolnik is back for the away game vs Braga in the League Cup Semis.

It’s not just us. Porto just hammered Benfica 4-0 at home in a league match.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 10:33 AM

We begin defending, with Skolnik back in the lineup. We’ve been getting some early pressure, with a Candeais attempt off and a nice offense end in a missed header by Djaniny. But that doesn’t stop them from scoring in the 21st. We’ve come back from early goals down to come back lots of times. But maybe not tonight – we just let another goal through 1 minute later. Once again, we let another opportunity go begging when a Candeais pass is broken up, but bounces around a bit in the box before being kicked out. They net another goal in the 31st. We were doing so well with defensive and counter formations early on, and now, its crap. Half time. Show me something else! I swap in Cenk as my first sub. They get a 4th score in the 56th minute. And we badly lose. Once again, not pleased.

We are out of the League Cup. We won 206k for making it that far though.

I hand out some days off. We need rest.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 11:52 AM

We need to go out there and get a dominating win at home vs Ferreira as we have our Euro match next. Here we go. Much better performance! Five minutes in I move us to attacking. Then to control 10 minutes later. Now they have been pushing forward lots. Back to standard. They notch a pair of bookings, and then half time. Keep working passionately! And they score off a Skolnik corner kick to Freire in the 49th. They hammer Luis Martins and I sub in Sequeira. Skolnik crosses to Defederico and we score in the 71st. I pull some tired folk. Djaniny intercepts a pass, but was called offsides before he can shoot on a naked goal. Game. We win 2-0. Well done lads. Freire is MOM.

Give some folks a day of rest. Freire in Team of Week.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 12:17 PM

We are heading to Russia to face Zenit in the first leg of our match. Alright, here we go. I begin defensive. Pick up where you left off! We begin pushing the match in our favor. Skolnik crosses to Defederico on a break away and we score in the first 10 minutes. Then they push back hard and come after us. We survive an onslaught for another 20 minutes or so before things die down and its half time. Keep it up! As the 2nd half gets underway, again, Zenit has a major push. But then Rondon finds Djaniny on a nice pass and DJ grabs us a goal in the 59th minute. We are up 2-0. At this point, about 60 minute is, they have 16 shots, just 7 on target, we have 7 shots, 6 on target, so we’ve been careful with 50% fewer shots, but made them count. I tell my guys to begin tackling and marking hard. I want ot push them off the ball. Marc intercepts a pass, beginning an offensive move, gets the ball and feeds Defederico in a dangerous position. Matias runs at goal, but has two defenders in his face, and slides it to Rondon who scores in the 64th minute. Because we’ve been playing defensive ball all game, no one is tired. But they are. They have a striker named Rondon too, so it’s been a bit confusing. I still expect this game to end something like 3-2. Until Luis Martins intercepts the ball on the left has, finds Skolnik, who runs into the corner, crosses, finds Matias again for another score. I make a pair of subs – in go Costa and Rodrigues. Daniel C grabs a yellow. I slide back from my harder tackling. I don’t think they’ll score 4 goals in 14 minutes. Although Maritimo almost did. I pull him out for Javi Espinosa. They score in the 80th. As expected. They were banging all night long. We win, MOM is Matias Defederico, obviously. We got that win. That was really special lads! That was the sort of game that restores my faith in this team!

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 02:57 PM

Djaniny and Skolnik are both injured early, so I toss in Javu and Cenk.

Goals –

1 – Djaniny, 4tyh minute
2 – Them, 10th minute
3 – Skolnik, 14th
4 – Defederico, 31st
5 – Rondon, 36th
6 – Them, 53rd
7 – Them,71st
8 – Cenk Tosun, 75th
9 – Rondon, 88th

6-3, MOM was Defederico. Marc and Freire had yellows. Not a bad win, since it will push us to the final Zenit match

Skolnik will miss the Zenit match. Rondon and Defederico were in Tem of the Week stuff.

Can we make it through to the next round? A 3-1 result away really helps to propel us to victory in today’s Zenit match. Javi is starting for Skolnik. After a lot of football, this is our final February match. I have a couple of lesser known folks on the bench, activates for this – Nuno Campos and Sergio Duarte. I may end up bringing them in, give them some experience.e Pick up where we left off! I start countering, and we score in lightning fashion. Espinosa finds Djaniny, who slides it to Defederico for a score at the 0:31 mark. Then we have no scores for a long time. It’s the 35th minute before Zenit scores off a nasty pass that carves our defense and leads the way for a score. Mexer collects a yellow card. Candeais finds Rondon for a score in the 39th minute. That’s the old gang coming alive. A Candeais shot rifles at goal, but it pushed away at the last moment for a corner, which devolves into a morass of muddy balls here in the rain. They also easily handle a Rondon break away. I pull Mexer for Hernani Costa. Marc, Espinosa and Martins triangle the ball up the left side but a nice attack is brought to naught as they dispossess the ball. Corner. And it misses. Half tme. We are up 2-3 here, and 5-2 aggregate. Keep it up! A nasty Defenderico IFK hits Rondon;s leg but is pushed aside at the last moment. Then they march down the field and tie it up at the 54th minute. We’ve had a lot of quality shots go all blanks. They get an amazing break opportunity and shoot but Perrata stops it. Rondon does the same one minute later, is on target, they stop it, but Djaniny is there to finish things off in the 67th minute. I put in Sequeira for a tired Martins. Mario Rondon leads another charge and they dispossess him, and again, Djaniny pounces on the loose ball and finishes it. 4-2 at the 74th minute. Final sub – Campos in for a tired Aurelio. I move to defensive. We have three youth/backups out there, in D after all. Sequeira is playing well though, good tackles, interceptions, and more. Game. We win 4-2 today and 7-3 on aggregate. Nicely done! Mom is Djaniny

Stuttgart won, so we will be playing them next. We won 200k. Again.

I flip Cenk Tosun to the starting spot Djaniny holds for a few game,s see what he can do with Rondon.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 03:50 PM

March

1st – Away vs Arouca
8th – Away vs Vit. Guimaraes
12th – Away vs Stuttgart, EURO
15th – Home vs Olhanense
19th – Hone vs Stuttgart, EURO
22nd – Away vs Maritimo
25th – Away vs Sporting, Taca Semi Final

Another busy month, with another 7 games. Crazy stuff, I know.

Good training? Marc, Moreira, Costa, bad training? Aurelio, Mariano

Alright, here we go. Skolnik will remain out for the Arouca match, but will return for the next one. We will begin countering. Keep up our run! Defederico scores a DFK in the 9th minute after a quiet beginning. But they equilibrate and score just a few minutes later. I pull things back and keep it quiet. Half. You can still win thing! I sub in Defederico gets an assist by Rondon for a score after Rondon is closed down and passes it over in the 59th. I pull out an underwhelming Cenk Tosun and a tired Candeais. We keep them from any attack, and Adriano,, subbed in for Cenk, gets a pass from Rondon and puts Arouca awa yin the 82nd, and we hold on to win. MOM is Defederico. We had a pretty quiet game from them, little offense from Arouca at all. Well done lads!

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 04:59 PM

Now it’s a week until our next game, a bit of a break for us! Cenk did not have a good game, would he have gotten Adriano’s goal if I had left him in?

Jota asks if I can transfer him and I agree and list him.

Skolnik will be starting for us in today’s away game vs Vit Guimaraes. We lost to them earlier in the season when we hosted them. Pick up here you left off! We begin countering. We stop a major attack in the 4th. After a quiet first 30, they foul Marc with the ball just outside of the penalty area. And Defederico sinks the DFK for a score. Candeais almost doubles our score with a cross to him in the 38th that is blocked by the Gk. They slip a long shot juuuust inside the goal in the 43rd minute. Half time. Get revenge! They get a break away goal as soon as the half starts, but a corner kick by Skolnik to Freire is put down a few minutes later to tie things back up. I pull a tired Mexer for Costa. I move us to Control for a bit to give us some more opportunities. We struggle for a bit, but then a far away IFK by Defederico hits Rondon for a score in the 73rd minute. I have to pull Defedreico for Javi, but he did a lot before weariness forced him off. Back to counter. They have 3 yellows, we have none. Javi is injured and I put in Sequeira. Game, we win on the road 3-2. Defederico is MOM. Every goal was scored from a set piece.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 05:14 PM

I give everyone a day off in preparation for our match at Stuttgart. Porto are still in the Champions Cup. They won their first game away against Juventus and in two games they will host and try to win again and advance to the next round. Braga didn’t make it out of the Euro Group Stage. Benfica are still in the Champions too, they are against Schalke right now. They lost away 2-3, but that gives them a shot of winning today, March 11. Unfortunately they lost 2-3 again and are out of the Champions league.

And if Porto surprisingly loses against Juventus (not a big surprise, obviously) then we’ll be the last Portuguese team standing in European play.

Alright, time to see if we have any chance of progressing past Stuttgart. I pulled Tosun for Adriano in my starting squad. My team is superb morale, and playing well. We’ve won against a lot of good teams in the European Competition;. We will begin with a defensive strategy. If we can be as lethal in set pieces today as we were in the last game, we could have something. Their weakness was defending them, so I worked on attacking set pieces. They are cutting our longer passes too easily – our passing and speed aren’t good enough so I tell my folks to do shorter passing. Despite closing down an attack well, one guy shoots from range and makes it in in the 27th minute. Perhaps hassling them and tighter marking will help? Half time. Unlucky so far! Rondon had a great break away opportunity but just couldn’t find the net. They score again off a nice offensive movement in the 53rd. Daniel C had a good opportunity in the 75th and missed. We’ve found our groove it seems. An Adriano goal is called offside. If we can score here late, and get a nice away goal, it’ll help us massively at home – I order my folks to a very high tempo in the last 12 minutes of play. Then something happens. They made all of their subs, and in the 80th minute, we injiure one of their people, and they are down a person. I move to control, push the ball wide, and then it happens. A beautiful goal kick by Perrata finds Rondon, who feeds Candeais 1:1 With their GK. He drops it into the top right corner, and its 2-1 them. Nice. Now, if we can keep them from scoring (or score ourselves) that would be great. We have a couple of shots off a corner kick but can’t get the ball to sink. I pull back to defensive. But then they score deep in extra time to make it 3-1, and all of that energy is gone. They scored because someone (Aurlio) did not follow direction with a short pass or to keep possession risked a long pass from the back corner, which was obviously intercepted. ).

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 05:34 PM

Porto thumps Maritimo in their place 5-1. That may be the sort of game that will come back to bite them. That opens a window. With a game behind, Sporting in 3rd and us in 4th can move ahead of Maritimo, in 2nd, with a win. I’m just hosting 11th place Olhanenese. Sporting has Aves, so we can both easily win today.

We have Stuttgart 4 days later, so I make a few modifications to the roster. Cenk Tosun is an experiment I am calling done, so Djaniny is back. In five appearances, Cenk has a 6.69 rating, 1 goal, no assists, and some of those were against low ranking teams. So this is DJ’s party again. I need my backup Striker to do better than that. I will be starting Miguel Rodrigues instead of Andrei Marc. Freire is out for Hernani Costa. Did you know that Costa isn’t even 17 yet? (he turns in a few days) I expect much better – begin controlling. Rondon launches a beautiful pass to Djaniny who sinks it in the 5th minute. Called offsides. Later on, Djaniny finds Defederico for a score to give us a lead at the 31st minute. We’ve been knocking on the door for a whil,e it was time to let us in. Keep it up in the 2nd half, there’s room for improvement! Quiet second half. We dominated the stats, but no more scores are had. So we won 1-0. I might have preferred a bigger win, but we’ll take it. MOM is Defederico. We got away with that one. They agree,

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 06:33 PM

I order some more rests. Amazingly, Aves, on the road managed to tie Sporting, which pushes us to 2nd. We have 6 games to go with the season, and everyone has 24 games, and we’re 2nd place. That’s nice. But we have a knotted top of the standings:

1 – Porto, 61 points
2 – Nacional da Madeira, 50, +20 GD
3 – Sporting – 49, +32
4 – Maritimo, 49, +11
5 – Braga, 45, +24
6 – Benfica, 45, +21

7th is 12 points below Benfica. So basically, at this point, we are virtually guaranteed to make European competition of some sort. Will we finish top three and get a Champion’s invite, or stay in the Euro? Jota has been sold.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 06:44 PM

On tomorrow, the 18th, new players will arrive for our youth team. Will the football gods grant us another Hernani Costa? According to our scouts, we have a guy that is “possibly one of the best players of his generation” That’s what they said of Costa. Let’s look:

Joao Luis Rodrigues, 16, plays DR, DL and WB R. He looks nasty.

Physical - 14, 11, 13, 10, 17, 15, 13, 9 – that includes a 14/15 speed
Mental – 11, 7, 11, 8, 7, 8, 9, 19, 12, 11, 8, 7, 7, 14 – that includes a 19 determination
Technical - 5, 9, 14, 4, 11, 2, 11, 7, 8, 8, 8, 8, 15, 12 – that includes a 15 tackling, and a 9/8 cross/pass to work on.

Five star scouting. I sign the crap out of him. He’s from right here, Funchal, in Madeira, and is a huge fan of the club. His is a Model Professional. This guy is a bomb. He might be better than Costa. I will head to Aurelio and ask him to mentor Rodrigues immediately as soon as he signs.

I look over the other youth folks.

Woah! Hello Jorge Agra, ST. Dude had a great set of mentals (18 determination, 15 work rate, 14 flair, leadership, teamwork, etc), decent technical (11 drib, 10 first touch, 9 finish, 10 long shots) he is the unusual big guy (14 jump/11 head), but not super fast – 10/10 speed, 10 stamina, and such. He has some potential too.

I make a few offers to other folks too. I also offer jobs to a few youth coaches. We have such a large youth group that I need some specialized coaching for them.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 08:35 PM

The match against Stuttgart has arrived. If we have an apocalyptic win, we will make it to the Quarter Finals. We are all ready to go, right here at home. I start controlling to see if we can dominate the match early. We don’t and I pull back to counter in the 14th. I got a phone call and had to take it – quick summary. We won 3-2, and do not advance. Skolnik gave away a Penalty Kick, which was sunk. If we had not, this would have been 3-1 and OT would have happened. Freire scored on Skolnik corner kick, Defederico scored before I pulled him due to a yellow card, and Djaniny got a lovely pass from Rondon for a score.

We are out of the European Competition. We made 350k for getting that far. Porto lost yesterday against Juventus badly, so they are out too. Portugal bows out of the completion.

I begin countering in today’s match in Maritimo. They score early, and then its quiet for a bit befor ewe each get in some unanswered attacks. Djaniny to Rondon for our retort in the 38th. Then Defederico sinks a DKF and gets a yellow right before half time. The next half is underway. We have serious pressure as the next half opens up. I pull Matias for Javi, and then order us to mark and hassle more. Let’s keep them off the ball. Peratta stops two major attacks, and an on target DFK. Then they launch in a corner, it bounces a bit, and is finished and the score is 2-2. I pull Djaniny for Adriano. I pull Martins for Sequeira. Once again, Adriano’s shots are no where near target in a tight race. I pout him in because of his speed, but he often doesn’t do well. Game. We tied them 2-2. MOM is Defederico.

Ah well. That was a real opportunity to help finish in the Top 3. We fall from 2 to 3. If we had beaten Maritimo, then we would have made it really tough for them to have come back.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 08:55 PM

Our next game is the first leg in the Taca de Portugal Semi Finals against Sporting. The other semis are Maritimo vs Porto. Maritimo lost 1-2 on the road. Now its our turn. Get revenge! I order them to initiate the game defensively. Cadeais gets a lovely assist from Defederico in the 5th minute for a goal early on. Mexer picked up a knock. I swap in Rodrigues. They start pushing a lot so I tell my lads to retain possession, mark and tackle harder. Even before that words gets out, they score in the 11th minute. DFK by Skolnik is there in the 15th. They collect a yellow four minutes later. Defederico also sinks a DFK in the 32nd minute. Yay set pieces! They get another yellow. I pull off my hassling. I don’t want to get a bunch either. And then Defederico gets a Skolnik assist and scores on a break away. My midfielders are running this game. That was just a magical half. 4-1 with a defensive strategy. But we have allowed a team to come back 4-1 on the road (Maritimo) so no assumptions. Sporting can certainly do it. . Keep it going. Another great shot is stopped by them. Skolnik really seems to have increased his game in the latter half of the year. I put in Javi and Nuno Campos. Rondon with a great assist to Espinosa and he came that close to a hat trick today, the GK had a brilliant stop. We win 4-1, on the road, against Sporting, in the League Cup Semis. That’s a big win! MOM was Defederico

Really special lads!

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 09:23 PM

That’s our last match in March, and we have a bit of a break until April. Whew!

I get into a tussle with the manager of a club who had loaned one of my youthers, didn’t play him in the first team as requested, and then I leaned on him twice, but he refused to budge. My scout finds some nice youth players in Nigeria. Both are 18 year old DCs with good stuff:

Femi Kalu, 17 heading, 12 jumping, 13 mark, 15 tackling, good stuff ot build a DC around.
Larry Enyeama – 15 head, 13 tack, 16 mark, 11 jump. Again, same thing, has some good potential

I’d be happy to bring in both of them, but I’m not sure I could play them as much as they need, since I’m building up Hernani Costa.

After one year with Costa, here is how he has changed:

This was him a year ago:

Physical: 9, 11, 10, 13, 6, 9, 11, 10
Mental: 3, 8, 10, 8, 11, 7, 10, 3, 4, 8, 5, 9, 14, 15
Technical: 6, 3, 6, 3, 11, 5, 11, 5, 2, 13, 10, 8, 12, 6

This is him today:

Physical – 10, 12, 10, 13, 7, 11, 12, 12
Mental – 3, 9, 10, 10, 12, 8, 11, 3, 5, 8, 6, 11, 14, 15
Technical – 6, 3, 7, 4, 12, 5, 12, 5, 2, 14, 11, 8, 12, 7

So as you can see, he’s gotten a lot better in just one year. He is my major squad rotation option right now. Costa will be a stud someday. Hopefully soon!

Kalu was just signed, so one African guy is already done.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 10:00 PM

April –

5th – Home vs Estoril
12th – Away vs Braga
15th – Home vs Sporting, Taca leg 2
19th – Home vs Rio Ave

Good training? Dj, Moreira, and Peratta. Bacd? Backup GK Ricardo Baptista

Matias Defederico was named Player of the Month. He also has the 3rd Goal of the Month

I sit down to talk about contract renewal. I ask for improved youth coaching and recruitment, but they disagree. Ah well. I reduce my contract by a year and by some money to keep things running smoothly. Porto crush Braga 4-1 in the league game. We need 15 points in the last 5 games to guarantee we make the Champions Cup. With a bunch of games to go, Aves has officially been relegated. They didn’t even win a game.

Our home match vs Estoril is here. Pick up where you left off! Let’s see what a controlling tactic will do to start things off. Djaniny runs up the left, finds Skolnik in the middle, who puts it away in the 5th minute. That’s a good start. Defederico finds Rondon for another score in the 23rd minute. Skolnik does the same to Rondon, but the lethal header is caught. In the 31st, Defederico is rushing at goal, hits it outside and finds Candeais for the score. We have a lot more lethal shots. Finally, Estoril comes off the board with a header off a nice corner in the 44th. Half time. After some slow play, I pull Djaniny for Javi Espinosa. Defederico sinks another DFK in the 64th. We injure one of their players and force them to make a sub. Next sub for us is Costa in for Aurelio. In desperation, they sink a long shot in the 82nd minute. I put in Rodrigues for Marc. Game. We win 4-2. Skolnik is MOM.

Abe Sargent

05-04-2014, 10:39 PM

Skolnik is in the Team of the Week. Stuttgart was assigned to play against Tottenham, and lost the first leg 3-0. Sporting beat Maritimo here in Madeira and made it a lot harder for me to cross them and finish 2nd.

Our away match today against Braga is the last major test of the season. After this we had 8th place Rio Ave, 12th’s Vit Setunbal and 10th Academica. Braga is a tough opponent, and we have them on the road. Benfica won before our game. So we have a game in hand, and we dropped to 4th. Lose to Braga and we remain in 4th. Win and we keep pace with the others teams. Tie, and we’ll jump above Benfica to regain 3rd, but getting 2nd will become a lot harder. I begin defensive. Shoot, we just beat Sporting 4-1 in their place defensive. No reason not to think it won’t work here. Pick up where you left off! Freire gives away a PK in the first 5 minutes. They make it. That sucked. That needs to be the only goal they score tonight. Skolnik scores just before the half off a Defederico pass and its all tied up. Things are looking good for the second half, which is rather boring, until their offense begins to pick things up in the 80s. Then they manage to score at the 89th minute and win 2-1. That’s not good. Skolnik was MOM.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 12:08 AM

That was Aurelio’s 150th game for our club. I rest some folks for the Sporting match. Maritimo upends Porto at home on penalty kicks to win their Semi Final, setting up a League Cup Final with us, assuming with can convert our 4-1 victory away against Sporting into an aggregate win today in our place. I begin countering. Defederico sinks another DFK in the 7th minute. I put in Javi for Skolnik after he picks up a knock. Then Mexer decides hey, let’s help out our foes and donates an Own Goal at the 21st minute. They get a red card in the 38th minute. I move to control. Let’s burn this place! Sporting helps us out with an OG of their own after a corner kick bounces around a lot in the goal. I appreciate how, “sporting” that was. Anyone? Anyone?....I pull Mexer for Costa. I pill Aurelio for our new youth prospect, the other Rodrigues. We win in an odd game, 2-1. Congrats for making it to the finals! Defederico is MOM.

Stuttgart is out 4-0 aggregate. Braga comes in and ties Benfica. We dropped to 4th, but now a window is open again. Keep up your run! We start against Rio Ave standard-ing (it’s a verb now). Dj nails Rondon for a score in the 5th minute. They get a goal called off a few minutes later for offside. Candeais finds DJ for a score on a nice cross in the 42nd. Half time, we are up 2-0. I put in Mariano and Javi. We win 2-0 Good win folks! MOM is Djaniny.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 12:40 AM

May

3rd – Home vs Vit Setubal
9th – Away vs Academica
24th – vs Maritimo for Taca da Portugal

Good training? Skolnik, Martins and Moreira. Bad?? Mariano, Rodrigues

After the win against Rio Ave we move back into 3rd. We need 3 points to qualify for the Champions Cup in the next two matches.

Uh oh. Someone made an offer for 1.5 mill for Defederico. I wait until after the game. Keep up where you left off! Again I am hoping for some standard-ing. Rondon scores after a very quiet 1st half in the 42nd minute. Candeais had crossed to him, a defender intercepted, but he grabbed the interception and put it away. Half time. You did well, now keep it up! Rondon gets a nice cross from Candeais, leaps up to head it between two defenders from range, and puts it away. Beautiful vintage Rondon. They notch a yellow card a minute later. In goes Adriano for a quiet Djaniny. Freire gets a header off an Aurelio corner kick and we are up 3-0 at the 69th. I go ahead and toss in Costa for Mexer and Javi for Skolnik. Espinosa finds Rondon who shoots, GK blocks, Adriano finds it and puts it away. We dominated them today. MOM is Rondon.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 08:18 AM

Now, what to do with Defederico? It’s an offer from Corinthians. Matias will probably be displeased if I just say no. He has arguably been our bes t player on the pitch. In 28 apps for us in the league, he has 10 goals, 11 assists, and 6 MOM with a 7.26 rating in the league. That’s no someone you can easily replace. I increase it to 2.5 mill. They counter with 1.6 mill and 145k over a year. We get 1.9mill plus 200k over a year. That is a ton of money for a club like us. Peratta, Aurelio and Rondon are in Team of Week. He signs with the, For our final league game, I move Espinosa into his spot.

Diego Barcelos retired, and is now manager.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 04:31 PM

Here is the top of the table going into today’s away match vs Academica.

1 – Porto
2 Sporting – 60 points, +37GD
3 Us, 60 points, +27

Other teams below us have more than 3 points difference. So we will either be 2nd or 3rd. Obviously, we’ll probably be 3rd. We have Academica away. Sporting travels to Braga. So We have the easier away game, but they have the better team.

Alright, time to have some fun. Pick up where you left off! I begin with a counter instruction to my people. Candeais slides the ball to Espinosa who scores in the 1st minute (0:51). Rondon scores in the 36th. Yay scores! Half time – Keep it up lads! I pull Skolnik to give Carlos Mariano his last league match. They claw one back at the 73rd with a corner kick header combo. We win 2-1. Did Sproting win against Braga? Guess we’ll find out soon. Meantime, Candeais is MOM with his double assist love.

Braga and Sporting had a 0-0 tie, so we moved into 2nd in the last game of the season.

Whew!

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 04:35 PM

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRPJ1814HM7zDxK-qziAJeIeRh9-aawOKh1vHTdRbk3oRIhZovvg

The Final Table:

1 – Porto, 71 points, +54
2 – Nacional da Madeira, 63 points, +28
3 – Sporting, 61 points, +37
4 – Benfica, 57 points, +31
5 – Braga, 56, +27
6 – Maritimo – 53, +6
7 – P Ferreira – 48, +7
8 – Rio Ave, 39, +1
9 – Vit Guimaraes, 37, -4
10 – Vit. Setubal, 32, -20
11 – Academica, 31, -8
12 – Portimonense, 31, -28
13 – Arouca, 29, -25
14 – Olhanense, 27, -22
15 – Estoril, 25, -27
16 – Aves, 12, -57

Aves won their last game.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 05:34 PM

Stats!

Rondon was 2nd with 21 goals
Defederico was tied for 11th with 10.
Defederico and Candeais both had 11 assists tied for 3rd with three other folk. Skolnik and Rondon each had 9, and Djaniny rocked 8, and Aurelio 7.
Defederico led the league with 6 MOM. Freire was tied with one other for 2nd with 5
Candeais was 6th with most dribbles/game
Candeais led the league is most distance covered. Martins was 5th.
In distance per 90, leaders were Defederico, Skolnik, Candeais and Espinosa in 5th.
Peratta had 7 clean sheets, tied for 4th
Defederico was 4th in key passes, and Rondon was tied for 7th
Freire was 3rd in key tackles
And 5th in Key Headers, Mexer was tied for 12th
Freire was 2nd in interceptions, Mexer was 13th

We had the second most goals with 71, just 8 behind the juggernaut of Porto. We had the most DFK goals.

Our squad made 240k and we won 1.41 mill for our position. Plus we’ll start getting that sweet, sweet Champions cash. We’ve never gotten above 4th in the league, so hitting 2nd is a dream.

Defederico got 3rd in the league Player of the Year.

Freire, Defederico, and Rondon were in the League Team of the Year.

We won the league’s fair play award. I got 2nd place again in Manager of the Year.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 06:37 PM

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGvDez4HNxI/UIUB9nLU-5I/AAAAAAAADF0/32DqoZPoJCI/s400/Ta%C3%A7a-de-Portugal.jpg

Liverpool defeat Dynamo Kyiv in the Euro Cup to win it.

We are favorites for the derby against Maritimo tonight. This is the first time Nacional da Madeira have ever made the finals of the Taca da Portugal. Maritimo have made it this far twice, but never won the whole thing.

Can we upend our rivals and snatch our first Cup for us? If we beat Maritimo for this cup? It’ll be one of the greatest matches in our club’s history. Defederico is ready to go in the AMC spot. It’s Taca Time! Win this for the fans!!! I open up standarding. They open up some early pressure, so I move to countering. Dj takes a long shot and it’s nowhere near goal. A Candeais cross is eaten by up their Gk. Rondon shoots, but is way offside. We had a wasted opportunity in the 20s as a good chance by Candeais misses badly. They move into the attack a few minutes later. A good shot is turned aside for a corner that goes nowhere and we are back to square. Aurelio feeds Candeais a dangerously deep ball in the back of the box. He crosses it to Defederico, whe heads it to goal, but a defender interferes, so Defederico springs on the ball and finishes it. Goal in the 38th minute! They try to push back before the half. I tell my guys to begin marking more tightly. They injure Skolnik and his health decreased massively. Half time. Let’s see the trophy at the end of the match! I’ll keep a close eye on Skolnik. He’s not getting better quickly, so I toss out Javi Espinosa for him. We injure their left winger. Another offense by them was shunted aside. A Defederico attack is converted to a corner, which we can’t turn into gold. My 2nd sub is Miguel Rodrigues heading in for Andrei Marc. Mexer tries to clear the ball out but poorly, hits one of their attackers, without anyone nearby marking him, and he shoots and scores. Hassle opponents. Will someone score? Nope, extra time. WE CAN STILL WIN THIS! And Rondon scores at the 90:17 mark after Djaniny finds him. We have very exhausted folks. Half time in extra time. Shorter passes. Keep possession. I pull Aurelio for the other Rodrigues. Game. We win the Taca da Portugal!

Enjoy your Success!!!!!

We won the Cup!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kdeDKUQPDl0/TPD43RG46QI/AAAAAAAAcMo/xZE36Cv-w58/s1600/tacadeportugal1.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 08:53 PM

We paid out 100k in bonuses, and won 300k.

Alright, time to focus on finding a few new players for our squad. Cenk Tosun did not work out. We are losing Defederico. Should I resign Skolnik? He came on in the second half of the season. I have a guy coming in for him. Should I bring him back for competition? Should I sell Adriano? If so, will I need another ST in addition to the one I’m hunting, or will my youth players of Jardel and Jorge Agra be enough?

So, we need answers. The first one is the Skolnik question. I cannot believe a player of his caliber has not gotten an offer from someone. No team is tracking him. I’m expecting to run Espinosa in the AMC role. He’s a natural at it, and now that’s he’s been her e a year, he’s even better. Maybe Skolnik is just back from his injury fully now…

We still have Lucas Castro coming in. And actually, he can play AMC too. I could slot him in for Defederico, sign Skolnik, and keep the band together.

We have a huge transfer remaining right now. 1.21 mill. I could go shopping to see what I can uncover. You know, the more I think about it, the more I like Castro as the AMC and Skolnik as the ML. I may make that happen, but let’s look around. I’m not happy with Mexer’s play this year. Too many mistakes, and M. Rodrigues is leaving. I might want to bring in a real DC to really be a threat back there. Or I could bring in a nasty DMC and drop Andrei Marc to DC. I offer Djaniny a better deal financially. He’s good, but he’s not amazing. But we already have the guy signed for a bajillion years. He’s outplayed his contract, and the second most expensive player on my team after Defederico. He’s also improved a bit here and there, and he’s just 24. We’re comfortable with him.

Alright, my plan is to use Jardel/Arga like I used Joaquim Sousa this past year. Cenk was supposed to be my Sousa replacement, that didn’t work out. He can head back to Turkey. So I need to sell Adriano, and bring in someone to be that 2nd/3rd person around Djaniny. The reliable sub off the bench or the occasional starter.

That’s my first need.

Second need – I wanted to sign a good FB backup, but we were just made one. Joao Luis Rodrigues will be on my first team as a primary backup for the DR and DL spots. That’s no longer a need.

GK – Jose Mereira is getting better and better. Assuming Peratta retires at the end of next season, will he be ready to go as a starter at the age of 19? That’s young to be a starter GK at this level. But he is sexy.

DC – Last year, Friere was the worse of the two, this year it was Mexer. Both of these guys are solid. Hernani Costa is my DC of the future. Perhaps I should consider a hot prospect DC to run alongside them, instead of a fully developed one? I could keep Mexer around another year, and see what develops. That’s a good idea.

We are losing – Carlos Mariano, Sequeira, David crespo, Nuno Campos, Miguel Rodrigues, and Diogo Coelho, in addition to the obvious Cenk Tosun, Dejan Skolnik and Defederico.

That’s a loss of quite a bit of midfield backups and rotation folks. I consider Sequeira for a one year extension as a squad rotation player. We’ll bump Sequeira’s salary up to 2k a year and a one year rotation extension. I think that’s a good answer to help our depth.

We also get back a ton of loanees.

So the first thing I want to do is search up a nice Striker. I have some cash, and I don’t need too much (although if I wind up with a massively good guy, I won’t turn him down – I can move Djaniny to backup again). If I bring in a ST too young with potential, he’ll compete with Jardel/Arga.

I find a guy and make an offer – Chilean Francisco Castro.

Abe Sargent

05-05-2014, 11:48 PM

I transfer list Adriano. I start with 100k

End of the Season meeting!

I want to get Champions Cup again!

End of the Year Training Report – Luis Martins, Jose Moreira, H Costa, JL Rodrigues, and Jorge Agra looked good. Carlos Mariano disappointed.

Five weeks of mid-season fun!

Sequeira and Djaniny have signed their deals.

Alright, I’ve made an offer to a 2nd/3rd ST and offered Adriano to others. Who next?

A young hot prospect DC is my next target. Or if I can find a stud DMC or DC that’d be fine too. Who can I find?

Hold up, I may have found a guy from my neck of the woods up in Scandinavia that might be a very studly signing. Let me scout him, just to make sure. We both speak the same language – Norwegian. I want until a scout verifies his talent.

We get news that Jose Moreira delighted with the results of his link-up with Peratta. They both got on really well on and off the pitch, and Morieira gained a lot. You see what I’m saying. Could be GK of the future for us.

Yeah, our scouts love him as much and I thought they would. I make an offer to 24 year old Stefan Strandberg to come be a great D, DMC or MC for us. We finalize a deal for him. Alright!

If he signs, get ready for a fun time!

We sign ST Francisco Castro officially.

Strandberg signs as well. Awesome. These guys are two more quality additions to my club.

And we have one more. Dejan Skolnik re-ups for us.

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 11:59 AM

Messi named as Player of the Year, Ronaldo won Top Goalscorer

We have quite a few staff contracts up. I take a gander to check in on them. I will let two coaches head off. I reup a few of my scouts and my fitness coach.

I’m considering bringing in a new Assistant Manager. I won Manager of the Month for May.

Messi also won the Golden Boot.

Do I need to sign anyone else? I’m bringing in a new midfielder and keeping Skolnik, a new ST and DC or DMC. I think we are good to go!

We have sold Adriano to Sport in the Brazilian League. Portugal got a Sporting draw for the Euro.

We have doubled our new kit sponsor. The old one was 532k a year, and the new one is 1.1 mill a year for four years. Our initial budget is set for 1.81 mill transfer and 115k wage. Our club’s value is now 17.5 mill.

Someone is chasing Daniel C, so I bump him to 2.5 mill asking price. I also have four people sniffing around GK Jose Moeirera. I bump up his value massively too.

We moved up massively in club rankings. We are now 72nd position. Portugal moved back up to 5th place in the Coefficients Table and edged out France again. I have agreed to get my guys to improve our youth recruitment efforts. Yay!

Football agent Alexandre Sousa has submitted a 200k offer to purchase 10% stake in Gk Jose Moreira. I like the cash. But I expect to, perhaps, keep Jose around, perhaps for a very, very, long time. I say no.

In what I consider to be a huge slap in the face of where I want to take this club, we have accepted to be a feeder for Dortmund.

Defederico and Adriano have left us.

I sign Jose Moreira to another, better hot prospect deal, in order to keep other teams away.

Mariano has officially retired.

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 04:06 PM

One of our scouts retires too. I sign Jermaine Beckford, newly retired Jamaican international, as my new scout to replace him. We have increased our stature to 5th in the Portuguese football after winning the Taca and doing well in the league.

Alright, tomorrow, June 29, we have some staff leaving. We were the biggest overachvers in the first league this year. Mario Rondon was voted Player of the Year again by our supporters.

The 30th has arrived. I keep the Euro Cup challenge that is expected of me. We got 2.46M for Premier League TV Rights. 10 players and staff were released today by us.

Reginaldo who had asked to be transferred, wants to come back.

I hold up, staff time

I make an offer to a good Argentina scout named Diego, and Scottish Joe McLaughlin, as well as Swiss Maheta Molango and French Jonathan Tehoue. Apparently I’m allowed to sign more folks now!

I make an offer to Keith Andrews, Irish International star, to be my Director of Youth Development.

I make an offer to current player Dario Veron, Paraguayan international stud, to be my new Assistant Manager for one year, I really like him.

I make some more coach offers.

I find a studly coach for fitness training. A decent Welsh guy for tactics. And an adequate shooter and attacker.

What do I do with Reginaldo? I take a look to see if anyone I care about was just cut from their teams across Europe. There are some that would obviously never, ever sign with us, like Arjen Robben, Michael Essien or Kaka. Actually, hold up. Kaka is retiring. Could I sign him as a staff and then ask him to relent, and play for another year? That’d be crazy.

So what about some youth players? Any good prospects? There’s a pretty good GK out there, American Fabian Ruiz, unsigned, 21. He was scouted by my N. American scout. But I have my GK of the future ,maybe, already. There’s a nice Middle, Filipe Augusto, Brazilian 21, who is willing to do a rotation contract. He played for Rio Ave for two years, and then was purchased for 275k by a Brazilian club. Now he’s out of contract. I put him on my short list, but a lot of Portuguese folks like him.

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 05:06 PM

Players in the last year of their contract include:

GK Peratta
Mexer
D Candeais
Sequeira
ST Lucas
Sergio Duarte
Edgar Abreu
Jose Pedro Cardoso
Moussa Siallo
Simao Cordeiro
Andrei Marc

What to do with Reginaldo? I reject it. He isn’t any better than my many younger players.

July has arrived. Our Castros get here, I’ll look at them later. I get a bunch of my staff in here. I have scouts in the Caribbean, North America, South America, North Africa, West Africa, Eastern, Central, South Europe.

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 10:21 PM

Let’s look at our Castros!

AM RL, ST Francisco Castro, 24, 4 star report, Chile, Balanced, speask Spanish, 3 caps. 8k/week, first team, through 2018, 350k

Physcial – 15, 14, 11, 6, 9, 14, 8, 6 – Fast and agile. That’s it.
Mental – 12, 14, 4, 3, 10, 10, 14, 10, 19, 15, 13, 4, 14, 12 – Pretty solid stuff.
Technical – 14, 13, 15, 14, 15, 13, 9, 13, 5, 10, 6, 12, 7, 15 – Also solid, but weak passing scares me.

Could easily be our #2 behind Rondon for long terms, or be the 3rd guy behind Djaniny.

Welcome to Madeira!

Where are we going Castro?

http://img.emol.com/2011/10/17/File_2011101714316.jpg

To the Top!

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 10:24 PM

AMRLC, M RLC, ST Lucas Castro, 26, Argentina, speaks Spanish, Italian, basic Portuguese, Balanced, 9.25k/week, key player, until 2018, 4.4 mill

Physical – 14, 17, 14, 12, 12, 15, 14, 14 – Great stuff!
Mental – 17, 14, 12, 12, 11, 11, 12, 12, 16, 12, 15, 8, 13, 15 – And again!
Technical – 12, 12, 15, 12, 12, 10, 12, 11, 12, 11, 12, 8, 10, 13

So, this guy was signed to be Skolnik’s replacement, but instead will be Defederico’s at the AMC spot, but he’s a really good ML or MR too. He’s not even a bad ST, although his 12 finishing isn’t amazing. He’s a great addition. Arguably, he’s intantly the best player on our club, at least for a month until someone Norweigan joins us.

Welcome Castro!

http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z328/99Doogs/Serie%20A%202012/Catania/LucasCastro.jpg?t=1352246126

These are the sorts of signings that will hopefully push us on more and more. Especially since they are free! It’s good have such great scouting in the Hispanic world.

Abe Sargent

05-06-2014, 11:15 PM

I hold our pre-season meeting nad everything looks good.

Blast it! Someone actually made a 2.5 mill offer for Jose Mereira. I didn’t think that would actually happen. Leverkusen see him as a good target, apparently. Arsenal are also chasing him. So here is he question. I have been developing Jose for a while. For years. I have been grooming him to take over – is able to? Because if he’s not ready to take over next year, I might as well sell him now, because I’d need to find someone else anyway.

So, here is Jose Moreira, after being with us for two years, being tutored twice, and starting tons for the youth international squads.

GK JoseMoreira, 18, 800/week, hot prospect, through 2018, Portuguese, professional, 4.5 stars,

This was Moreira when I signed him fresh of the Trial Game:

Physical Stats: 9 Acc, 12 Agi, 11 Bal, 15 Jum, 12 Fitness, 8 Pace, 7 Stam, 13 Str, 7 Technique

GK Stats – 10 Aeriel, 8 Command, 7 Commun, 12 Eccen, 3 First Touch, 9 Free Kick, 10 Handling, 7 Kick, 10 1:1. 1 Penalty, 12 Reflexes, 17 Rushing Out, 14 Tend to Punch, 9 Throw

Mental Stats – 11 Agg, 6 Anti, 10 Brav, 10 Compos, 8 Concentration, 5 Creative, 9 Decision, 13 Deter, 2 Flair, 5 Leader, 2 OTB, 10 Position, 8 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate

Here is Jose today, two years later:

Physical – 11 Acc, 13 Agi, 13, Bal, 16 Jump, 12 Fitn, 10 Pace, 11 Stam, 16 Str, 8 technique

Some of these increased a lot. (Strength, Stamina).

GK Stats – 12 Aerial, 10 Command, 10 Communication, 12 Eccen, 5 First Touch, 9 Free Kick, 13 Handling, 11 Kick, 12 1:1s, 3 Penalty, 14 Reflexes, 17 rushi, 14 punch, 10 throw

As you can see, he’s gotten a lot better here too. In some cases (Communication, Handling), he’s really improved. You’ve seen the reports and how often he has been noted for training well.

Mental Stats – 11 Agg, 8 Anti, 10 Brave, 12 Composure, 10 Concentration, 4 Creative, 11 Decisions, 16 Determin, 2 Flair, 5 leader, 2 OTB, 13 Position, 11 Team, 15 Work Rate

And again, he has improved here in many ways.

So, here is the question. If he improves as much this next year as he already has, where does he end up? What’s the potential of #99. Currently training his kicking. Remembering that GKs continue to develop for years and years, is he the guy for us?

I compare Jose to Baptista, our backup GK. Currently, Moreira is slightly better at physical, better at speed, eccentricity (I don’t care), the same at aerial, communication, mental, and worse at distribution. So he’s already basically a better choice than Baptista.

If I decline the offer, will it piss him off? I guess we’ll find out.

Abe Sargent

05-07-2014, 07:42 PM

No fall out. I start Jose for today’s friendly at Santana. 3-0 at the half. 5-0 at the end of the game, including goals by Jardel, Agra, and Freire. MOM is Aurelio, Good job

We sold Reginaldo to Olhanense. I doubled Jose Moreira’s asking price to 5 mil. You offer me 5, I’ll go get another GK.

I offer high for domestic cups, normal for the other stuff.

League Odds:

Porto – 1-2
Benfica – 4-5
Sporting – 5-4
Braga – 5-4
Us – 2-1
Maritimo – 33-1

Well, we’ve made closer on the list by far.

Wow. Leverkusen just made the 5 mill bid. I was, um, ummm…?

I don’t even know what to do at this point.

Abe Sargent

05-07-2014, 08:46 PM

I sell him, and I make an offer to my American guy we liked.

We also force through a loan back for the season and a 35% sell on fee. I offer Fabian Ruiz a 1 year rotation deal.

We have a friendly hosting Uniao Madeira. It starts. I pulled Jose off as GK and Peratta is back. 3-0 at the half. We win 4-2. Luis Martins even scored, and was MOM.

GK Ruiz is here. We’ll have a year to work on him.

We win 1-0 on the road vs Freamunde.

We sold Moreira for 5 mill. He went in worth 3.2 mill now on their roster. But we have him for loan for a year, in case we need him.

I went the board asking for another Trial day. They initially turned me down – which is idiotic. Two years ago a Trial Day found a young GK talent who we just converted for 5 million Euros. I convince them to hold another.

Our new guy:

GK Fabian Ruiz, 21, American, Speaks English, Spanish, Farily Professional, 4.5 scout potential, played for Philadelphia for a bit, but never started, he’s not as developed as Moreira, and he’s 3 years older, 3.3k/rotation, 1 year contract.

Physical – 10, 12, 14, 13, 12, 7, 9, 14, (4 technique)

Mental – 9, 13, 9, 12, 12, 4, 13, 15, 1, 13, 1, 12, 11, 14

GK – 13, 12, 11, 8, 6, 9, 13, 13, 13, 1, 15, 8, 9, 11

So he’s not a bad recruit at all, and he has solid potential. Since they both speak Spanish, I offer to have Peratta tutor him, and they both agree.

Abe Sargent

05-07-2014, 10:44 PM

Trial Day is tomorrow, I look at the 34 players expected to participate. Wow, there’s another, decent, guy, 16 year old DR Paulo Franco. He plays the DR and DL. 15 work rate, has unusual jumping and heading for his potion (15/12), and 11 mark, 9 pass, 8 cross, 9 tack, 9/11 speed, etc. I offer him a deal right now.

Who else? He’s the only one I sign. There are a few I’d pick up or consider if this was year 1, but we are passed them now.

We’ll have two friendless on the road against Mallorca and Tenarife. DR franco signs with us.

We have arrived on the beautiful area of Mallorca for our friendly today. We’ll be defensive. Luis Martins scores in the 13th minute off a Skolnik corner kick. We have a decently quiet 1st half for a while until both sides get pressure late. Our set piece goal remains the only score on the first half. Keep it up! I make subs early in the 2nd half. In goes F Castro for Dj and Espinosa for Skolnik. Aurelio out for Rodrigues. A Lucas Castro goal aided by Rondon is called off. But Francisco Castro fires one through the GK for a score in the 57th. H Costa heads in for Freire. F Castro gets another score of a Luis Martins IFK. We need to look up Martins as my new set piece guy. He’s gotten a header in off a corner, kicked a DFK in, and assisted on an IFK for a score. I put in Agra, Moussa Diallo, in order to give us some more youth/experience. They score off a cross and powered ball in the 76th minute. Diallo picks up a knock and I sub in Sequeira. Candeais finds Javi on the other side for a score in the 90th minute. We win 4-1. Nicely done. MOM is Francisco Castro.

I move Francisco to the starting spot. No changes to the size of the pitch.

I offer Ali on a transfer. I have a nice ML/AML Luis Carlos, I link him to Lucas Castro for tutoring.

We arrive at Tenerife. We lose 1-2/

Abe Sargent

05-07-2014, 11:19 PM

August

3rd – Friendly at Freamunde
8th – Porto, Supertaca
16th – Away at Portimonense
23rd – Home vs Maritimo
29th – Away vs Olhanense

Who trained well? Costa, Cardoso, and Ali and Peratta were concerning.

Today brings our last major acquisition:

DC, DMC, MC Stefan Standberg, 25, Norwegian, speaks Norwegian, English, Swedish, Danish, Fairly Loyal, 12.25k/week, until 2018, 1.5 mill value, played very well for Rosenborg in Norway – three years at 7.62, 7.38 and 7.39 starting in the division.

Physical – 12, 14, 15, 15, 13,12, 15, 17

Mental – 13, 16, 15, 15, 14, 11, 14, 13, 6, 14, 11, 15, 15, 15

Technical – 2, 8, 8, 7, 12, 5, 16, 6, 2, 16, 13, 7, 16, 14

16 in each of the key three stats (head, mark, tack?) Very strong stats everywhere across the board? You can see why I think an argument can be made that he’s better than L. Castro.

He got a little bit better since I signed him. He wasn’t supposed to get better. But his heading increased 1.

Welcome to the defense!

http://www.scan-scout.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Stefan-Strandberg.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 02:26 PM

Set pieces? All set up. I move in Stefan Strandberg to Mexer’s spot. I then swap their sides.

I look around. Is there anyone coming free in 6 months? A few leagues end then. Nothing that draws me in.

The tutoring of Costa is completed, and he learned a lot. Yay! We have scored three goals in the first 4 minutes. And then 4 in 5 minutes. 7-0 at the half. I make some subs. I pull back and we win 8-1.

Let’s get ready for the Supertaca.

Starting:

GK – Sebastian Peratta
DR – Joao Aurelio
DL – Luis Martins
DC – Freire, Stefan Strandberg
MR – Daniel Candeais
ML – Dejan Skolnik
AMC – Lucas Castro
DMC – Andrei Marc
ST – Marion Rondon, Francisco Castro

Subs:

Mexer
Joao Luis Rodrigues
Hernani Costa
Djaniny
Javi Espinosa
Sequeira
Douglas Jardel

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnoLvEIXYmI/UgDLVN8k77I/AAAAAAAAD8k/JI7-xDRuHDo/s1600/supertaca4.jpg

The Supertaca is underway. We owe Porto! I begin countering. Everyone’s had great opportunities in the first 10. They score in the 13th minute of a corner kick. Then in the 21st, Lucas Castro is found by Francisco Castro for a score to tie it back up. Then they score again five minutes later. It frustrating, bu t late in the half, Rondon picks up a knock right before Candeais gets a Franny assist too for a score. 2-2 half. Once again, get vengeance! I sub inDj for the injured Rondon. On an IFK, our kicker finds Dj who passes to F Castro in the box who drives around and shoots, the ball falls to Freire, who puts it away and we are up 3-2 in the 57th minute. A break is led by Djaniny who is pushed back and slides the ball for Lucas C, who hits Fran C for another score in the 57th minute too. Hey, if the tactic is working, don’t bother it, but let’s keep possession. This is Porto, they’ll come on strong. We’ve been closing them down and keeping their shots long. Lots of minor pressure in the late 60s and early 70s. I sub in Javi for Skolnik, who is underperforming, and then I switch his position with Lucas Castro to move him to the ML spot. I’ll keep the final sub for injuries or extra time. I don’t know what’ll happen late, but our defense has been good for the last 10 minutes or so., We have a few of our own, usually quick break aways. Perrata gives a poor kick to the midfield rather than the back, and its intercepted easily, and our defense is largely out of position. They score in the 81st. Can we hold on? Djaniny had a beautiful long shot that was just off target. Hassle opponents. We hold off and win, 4-3. Proud of you lads!

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 06:41 PM

I keep Perrata and Skolnik as Captain and Vice Captain.

We open the season on the road against Portimonense. We are the favorites here! I begin with a countering idea, just to give me a feel for the day. We give up a goal early and fight for some opportunities. They get a yellow, and bang around Skolnik, although he gets better after a few minutes. Retain possession – they are letting the ball get away too much. Half time. Show me something else! I move to Standard. Five minutes in, Skolnik is taking a corner kick and it bends into the net and we score, oddly, because he missed a corner. Then Lucas Castro feeds Rondon for a nice score. I pull back to defensive, make some subs, and finish things out despite some pressure late. We win 2-1. MOM is Candeais.

Season ticket sales are up massively from last year’s 1600 to more than 1900.

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 08:57 PM

Time for today’s home match vs our rivals, Maritimo. I slide Djaniny into the starting role again. I think we’ll begin with a normal, standard set up, no changes or anything. I want to see what we can do with our normal skills and instructions. We’ve had some early pressure and good D, but have not been able to convert it to anything on the scoreboard. They have been hammering Aurelio, but I will keep him in through half time. Finally we manage to score, Rondon was given a nice pass in the box by Candeais and Lucas Castro is driving on a running attack to his left He hits Lucas who scores in the 29th. We get close again on a Skolnik cross to Rondon’s who’s header is just off target. Then they get a lazy score just before the half. Our Gk was in position, the ball was not hit with a lot of spice and from distance, but he couldn’t get to it in time. Not a good sign. Could age be catching up with Perrata? Half time. I’m far from pleased with you! Lucas Castro finds Djaniny on an attacking run as well and Dj scores in the 52nd to put us in the lead. Keep possession time. I sub in Javi for Candeais and swap him with Lucas Castro. They collect a yellow. My next sub is Mexer in for Andrei Marc, and then swapped with Strandberg. Rodrigues comes in for Martins, and I pull back to countering to help with increased pressure from Maritimo to score in the 80s. We’ve had a few chances to get that third goal. A header by Rondon, a shot by Dj, and a few others. They score, but its waived offside in the 90th minute. They get another yellow and its time. We win, 2-1, against our rival. 2-1 wins must be our new thing. Well done lads!

Sequeira comes to me upset at his lack of first team, I tell him, frankly, he’s only a backup, he can’t expect to be a starter, and surprisingly, he agrees. One of my favorite international players, El-Hadji Diouf, who was a rock for my Senegalese team back when I ran their national side, is available (age 34) on a free. He’s no longer my level of guy, but I throw him on my shortlist just to follow him.

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 09:01 PM

Alright, time to draw the Group Stage for the Champions League. We get 8.6 mill for making it to the Group stage. That’s right, the sweet, sweet smell of cash.

After winning in their place2-1, Sporting tied Napoli 0-0 on the road to make it through the club and qualified for the Champions Group as well.

Our group isn’t that bad, but it’s still not great.

Group H

FC Bayern
Valencia
Zenit
Nacional da Madeira

So we’ve taken out Zenit before last year in European play. They are a known quantity. Then we have the expected heavy hitter of Bayern. Valencia is tough, but we did surprisingly well last year. Do we have another strong campaign this year?

Sporting were drawn with Dortmund, Galatasaray and Barcelona. Porto have Man City, Basel, and Salzburg. In the Euro, Benfica has SK Strum Grazm Standard, and Lokomotiv Moscow – a very comfortable group to escape. The other clubs are already out.

We have a ton of international callus, including GK Fabian Ruiz to the senior squad and Skolnik, who is surprised and nervous to be called up (never had a cap or anything).

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 09:10 PM

Our most expensive players:

Lucas Castro – 4.9 mill
Jose Moreira (on loan) – 3.3 mill
Dejan Skolnik – 2.6 mill
Javi Espinosa – 2 mill
Daniel Candeais – 1.8 mill
Stefan Strandberg – 1.4 mill
Marion Rondon – 1.1 mill
Joao Aurelio – 1.1 mill
Djaniny – 950k
Luis Martins – 650k
Freire – 550k
Mexer – 450k
Francisco Castro – 425k
Andrei Marc – 325k

Someone is chasing Candeais, and I had increased his value to 2.5 mill last year, but that looks closer. IF they made a play, I’m considering to lean for it and find someone else (or just start Espinosa in the MAC spot and Lucas Castro in the MR one).

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 09:44 PM

Our away game vs Olhanense has arrived. I worked on attacking movement. I slide into our typical countering style of play. After banging on the goal for 20 minutes, Lucas Castro collects a Candeais pass, drives at goal for a bit, and scores. Oh yes, he’s definitely a suitable replacement for Matias Defederico. Work ball into box. Skolnik hits Strandberg for a corner kick score 6 minutes later. This guy has huge ups. He leapt higher than anyone on the pitch. We stop a huge counter play by them with a 1:1 Opportunity for a score by a nice Perrata move. Not all washed up yet! A Candeais cross to Dj is just wide of getting us a 3rd goal. We let another massively strong break away occur so I move to tighter marking. Half time. Pleased, keep it up! Retain possession in the 2nd half. Rondon sinks a great counter, but its waived offside. I pull Dj for Jardel. Next is Costa in for Marc, who subs with Strandberg. Finally javi replaces a tiring Castro. Game, we wi n2-0. MOM is Lucas Castro. A good win!

It’s nearing the end of August, so I take a quick look to see if our transfer kitty can be used to pick up something interesting out there. Whoa. Screw that American guy, that’s a GK of the future! I would sell my left tit to bring him in. Can I get him? I send Dynamo Kyiv an enquiry offer. I offered 6 mill, and nope it was rejected after they said nope to my enquiry. I agree with them. Okay, there’s another one from Argentina. I make an enquiry for Jeronimo Rulli. They reject it. I offer 3.5 mill just to see. They send back a negotiation. They accept 4.2 mill. I enter negotiations, and we can’t get close. I offer 16k on key player but he walked. (He’s currently making just 2.7k, and that’s a huge upgrade in price).

Ah well. Who else? Not really. All right, we’ll just develop Fabian Ruiz into my Jose Moreira.

Abe Sargent

05-08-2014, 10:40 PM

Benfica made a laughable offer for Marc – 35k now, 250k over the next two years. Come on Benfica. You can do better! You have players making 40k a week. If you want to splash the cash, you can. I reject all offers to people in the same division. I increase his asking price to 1.2 mill. His agent comes by and wants to talk. I offer Marc a new deal. It was ending this year any way, and I really like him, he keeps improving.

Whoa! Later on the 31st, our scout unearths this young GK prospect from Bosnia & Herzegovina. I add him to my shortlist, he’s 19, and came back with a 4.5 star report. He has been called up to their senior squad. He might be my backup if Fabian doesn’t work out. Marc signed his deal, extending it by two years for 8k/week and a first team status.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 02:31 PM

September

13th – Home vs Academica
16th – Home vs Valencia, Champions
20th – Home vs Arouca
26th – Away vs Porto
29th – Away vs Zenit, Champions

Good training, Marc, Rodrigues, Paulo Franco. Bad? Rondon, Dj. That’;s not who you want to see.

Lucas Castro made Team of the Week – he had 2nd place in Goal of the Month.

I was 2nd in Manager of the Month, but the Benfica guy won it. We are the only two teams to go 3-0 in our first three matches. One of our youth guys loved learning from Rondon. Now I hand Rondon to tutor 16 year old Jorge Agra.

Skolnik picked up his first cap subbing in against Bulgaria in the 21st in the Euro Qualifications. Mexer was MOM and scored the team’s only goal vs Zambia. Andrei Marc picks up his first cap for Romania. I speak to both. Mexer’s goal was his first for his country, and I congratulate him too.

Joao Luis Rodrigues was MOM in Portugal’s 2-2 U21 game. He even scored!

I start Franny Castro in the ST spot. Pick up where you left off! We are at home. I start controlling. I don’t want to get too tired for the Valencia match though. Which is nice, since Aurelio’s corner kick smashes the head for Strandberg for a score in the 5th minute. I worked on attacking movement this week, so let’s see how that works out. In the 13th, Skolnik picks up a knock - I send in Sequeira. He wanted some 1st team play, and this is most of a game. At home, against Academica, when we are already up by a goal, that’s a safe time to throw him in. Marc hits a deadly ball deep for Lucas Castro in the box, and he slide sit to Francisco Castro for a goal in the 32nd minute. Half time. Played well, but room for improvement! Candeais gest a nice interception, drives a bit and passes back to Aurelio under pressure and moves ahead. Meanwhile, Aurelio moves the ball a ways, and then finds Lucas Castro, who immediately bounces it back to the attacking Candeais, who scores in the 51st minute. 2nd sub – Jorge Agra for Rondon. Aurelio swings out another corner and they give us an OG in the 75th. 3rd sub – Edgar Abreu for Marc. I slide to counter. We win, 4-0 MOM is Lucas Castro, who enabled a pair of goals with nice passing. A good win, well done.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 03:05 PM

In the media, they dub Jorge Agra the next Domingos Paciencia. Now I know. Domingos PaciÃªncia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domingos_Paci%C3%AAncia)

I hand out some rests. Aurelio, Strandberg, and Lucas Castro were in Team of Week. Freire is now Portugese!

Alright, today’s match vs Valencia is here. If we want to hang with the big boys, then we need to do well in a game like this. Keeping the same starters. Keep it up! I start defensive to see if I need to open up later. I started this game pissed off. We were down 0-3 at the half. I had lost interest. Then they scored again, and I really lost interest. Then something interesting happened. Aurelio hit Strandberg for a header off a CK. Great. Then it happened again just three minutes later in the 54th. Alright, I’m back in. I make a couple of subs – in went Javi at the ST position for a poorly performing Franny Castro and Mexer went in for Freire. We’ll probably lose 5-2 or something. And then in the 75th minute, Locus Csatro, right after picking up a yellow card, lofts the ball beautifully to Espinosa who gets free on a break away and puts it away and all of the sudden its 4-3. I have a tired Candeais. I slide up Aurelio to his spot and put in Rodrigues. I move to standard. Can we win late? Nope! We lose 4-3. Respectable after all. Unlucky folks! We were refused a PK and that perhaps might have pushed the game into a tie.

I was hoping we could get a tie, or even snatch a win. I can’t be surprised

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 03:41 PM

Today’s home match vs Arouca arrives. I massage the roster. In goes Djaniny, Javi, Costa, and Rodrigues. I begin controlling, with the idea to keep up our relative dominance of the division thus far. After a weak early start to the game I pull back to standard. Javi has a deep IFK from almost midfield and it hits Candeais’s leg in a perfect position for a score. Half. Do even better! I pull DJ for Jardel. Castro is injured nad I pull him for Sequeira. Javi buries a DFK in the 73rd to give us a cushion. I put in Sergio Duarte for Marc. Game. MOM is Espinosa. Well done.

We will travel against Naval for the 3rd round of the Taca.

For today’s away game vs Porto we have our normal 11 in the place. I want to be defensive, and not tire them out overly much, I have my Zenit match in 3 days. Keep your form of run up! In the 5th minute, Aurelioa launches a corner, finds Strandberg, a defender interferes for an OG. They score back in the 8th. I tell my folks to hassle and mark tighter. We have injured three of their players, who are playing with knocks. They score just before half. Show me something else! I put in Javi. Then Mexer. Perrata has been a one man goal stopping show in the 2nd half so forth. Skolnik selfishly risked a loss. He intercepted the ball and ran it past the defenders in the box. He had Javi and Rondon on attacking runs, with a defender on him, and a tight shot, but he shot himself, rather than pass the ball. I immediately pull him for Sequeira. They finally score, like we knew they would, in the 83rd. We lose 1-3, and I express my displeasure.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 04:48 PM

Because of how selfish he was, I pull Skolnik for today’s away game vs Zenit here in Russia. I am starting Javi in the AMC spot and Lucas Castro out left. DJ is in my starting spot. We thumped them 3-1 last time we played them here. I begin defensively, obviously. Lucas Castro on a counter finds Rondon who shoots, its blocked, and Candeais finds the rebound and puts it away in the 4th minute. 2 minutes later, Rondon sinks the Castro cross. Unfortunately, they score back in the 23rd. But our nice options keep them away the rest of the half and its 2-1. Alright, let’s keep it up! Daniel is getting beat up badly so I pull him for Skolnik and switch sides with Castro. They’ve picked up a pair of bookings Then another. All in the 60s. Let’s start hassling folks, maybe we can get them to fight back. Francisco Castro head sin for Djaniny. Skolnik intercepts a ball deep, runs, finds Franny onsides who runs in for a lovely break away goal in the 81st. Friere gets a yellow so I through in Mexer. I pull off hassling. Just like our first game here last year, we come in and win 3-1 defending. MOM is Rondon. Special lads!

We win 1m for the victory. After two games, here is the Group:

FC Bayern – 6, +3 GD
Valencia – 3, 0
Nacional da Madeira - 3, +1
Zenit – 0, -4

That’s not too shabby. Assuming we lose again to Valencia away and win against Zenit in our place, we need to steal some points from FC Bayern and we might sneak out with 7 points.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 05:14 PM

October

5th – Away vs Gil Vicente
17th – Away vs Naval, Taca
20th – Away vs FC Bayern, Champions
25th – Home vs Sporting

Not that busy a month, really

Who was a good trainer? Freire, Skolnik, and Moussa Diallo. We did not like Marc.

We have 14 international call ups.

Our away game arrives. Gil Vicente is currently 11th. I start Jorge Agra today. Let’s see what the next Domingos Paciência can do. I use a counter strategy. Pick up where you left off! The first half begins quietly. Then we begin to pressure them, and we are unable to come up. Luckily, set pieces come to our aid again. Aurelio hits Freire, but he’s backed, so he heads to Candeais outside the scrum,who shots and scores. That’s t he half. Not bad, but you can do better! We come out all countering again. Rondon is playing poorly, but Agra is been u pfor it, so I swap their positions and lay in Franny Castro. I also put in new youth guy Luis Carlos I’ve been working on, followed by Joao Luis Rodrigues for Martins. Gil Vicente scored on us cheaply in the 88th minute when they got a lucky, and I mean lucky shot off that deflected off the crossbar and to a defender who sunk it. I will NOT GO DOWN LIKE THIS. I order my team to attack, highest level of tempo , hassle folks, mark tightly and get ready to go. And we are just pushing everything away. Then, in the 86th minute, Agra slips the ball out from a defender and beginsan attack on goal, only to be snuffed out, but his pass to Franny Castro gets a goal. I pull back to defensive, and we hold on to win 2-1. In his first start, Jorge Agra Is MOM. We got away with that one! They look all fired up!

Did you know that Luis Carlos has been labeled the next Paulo Futre? I don’t know who that is…

Paulo Futre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Futre)

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 06:30 PM

I terminate Jose’s loan after the manager is concerned that I am not playing him enough.

I’m basically running my youth and sub team for today’s Taca match. I have starting – Fabian Ruiz, Jardel, Agra, Costa, Rodrigues, Sequeira, Mexer, Javi. It’ll be fun! Good luck!

Goal 1 – Javi Espinosa, 3rd minute
Goal 2 – Aurelio, from Espinosa, 32nd
Goal 3 – Aurelio, PK, 70th
Goal 4 – Agra, assist by Aurelio, 84th

And that’s game. Aurelio is MOM, obviously.

Our next round is against Camara Lobos.

Our game vs Bayern Munchen is my 100th game for the club. The away game is about to begin. I’d love to snitch a tie on the road. But I’m not stupid, I have a better chance of that when I host them. In the meantime, I want Valencia to lose to Zenit. If that could happen, that’d be great. Zenit is the host, so who knows? Carry on from where you left off last match! I begin hassling and marking more, hoping we can muscle our foe off the pitch and off balance. In the first 10, we’ve both had incredibly good attacks. They finally break through in the 34th off an IFK. Skolnik collects a yellow. They nab another goal just before the half. You’ve been unlucky! Crosses haven’t been working much, so I move to working it into the box. I pull Mr. Yellow Card Skolnik for Javi and switch him and Lucas Castro. They’ve gotten a pair of bookings too. They score a 3rd goal on a break. I pull Aurelio for Rodrigues. Candeais attacks the right side vigorously, crosses to Rondon who heads it for a score in the 68th. And we are on the scoreboard. Marc gets a yellow so I pull him for Mexer. They win 3-1. I can’t fault your effort.

Unfortunately Valencia won. That will make it a lot harder to sneak out.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 07:33 PM

I will start Dj in today’s match against Sporting. Can we upend one of the Big Three in our place? We have handled Sporting here before. Better performance than last time! We’ll begin with normal stuff against the might of Sporting. We suffer some crazy early pressure so I move to countering and hassling/marking. But they score just a few minutes later anyway in the 26th. We don’t even get close to scoring again. I am pissed off at the half time break talk. It seemed to piss them off, how will they react on the pitch. They seem a little more up for it, more attacking opportunities. Then Candeais gets a decent pass from Lucas Castro and runs in and scores. All tied up! After a few mote smintues and some subs, I push to control, and then attacking, trying desperately to get that final goal, but Sporting have locked up shop and thrown way the key. 1-1 tie.

Freire agrees to tutor Costa. Rondon agreed to tutor Agra.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 07:53 PM

November

1st – Away vs Rio Ave
4th – Home vs FC Bayern Munchen, Champions
7th – Away vs Camara Lobos, Taca da Portugal
21st – Away vs Braga
24th – Away vs Valencia, Champions
29th – Away vs P Ferreira

Lots of not playing in Madeira this month

Peratta disappointed in training, but Franny Castro, Fabian Ruiz and Paulo Franco all impressed

For today’s Rio Ave game, I start Agra again, Espinosa, Costa, and I make a few changes on the sub list. Show me what you can do when you counter! Not much early, but Costa sinks an Aurelio corner at the 27th. A few minutes later they shoot over the GK and land a shot in the goal behind him. Half time. Knock this off! Rondon does, in the 47th minute he gets a nice pass from Agra and sinks it. They foul Rondon in the box and he scores the ensuing PK to put us up 3-1 in the 66th. I put in midfielder Jose Goncalves into Javi’s spot. And then Rodrigues for Martins. Then Castro for my youther ML Luis Carlos. Game ,MOM is Rondon. Good win!

Aurelio and Costa were named in Team of Week

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 08:57 PM

Today we’ll find out if we have any shot of making it out of the Group Stage of the Champions League. Valencia have Zenit in their place, and we have Bayern in ours. If we can steal three points, we still have a shot, especially if Zenit rise to the occasion and perhaps tie Valencia. I don’t think it would happen, but if we can’t take any points from today’s match, we have no chance of getting out – we are too far behind. We have Bayern here in Madeira, this is our last chance to steal something at home. We’re starting the full team, both Castros, Skolnik, Marc, etc. we begin and whoa! We just scored in the 2nd minute! Lucas Castro hits Franny Castro for a score on a break away opportunity. Nice start! But they level it just 11 minutes later in the 13th. Powerful cross. I move to hassle and mark more, hoping to push them off the ball. Candeais collects a yellow, but then Marc goes in to tackles and tears himself up, I pull him for Mexer. Half time, 1-1. I swap out Candeais early in the 2nd half and then I put in Javi for a tired Aurelio. They score in the 77th minute after I was trying to turtle up and keep us alive. I emerge from our shell. Then they give us a penalty after fouling Lucas Castro in the box. Rondon steps up and….sinks it in the 87th minute! We are tied. Can we keep them from scoring again? Can we score again? We just had another attack by Skolnik headed over for a corner. Corner is dispersed. We tied them 2-2. Great result folks!

Although we made 500k for the draw, Valencia won, so that ends any chance of that. Andrei Marc will be out for 3-4 weeks with a thigh strain from the game. I’ll start either Mexer or Costa, and then move Strangberg to the DMC Spot.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 09:26 PM

Once again I have a mostly young and back up team for today’s Taca da Portugal match against Camara Lobos. Luis Carlos the ML guy hits Agra for a score in the 6th minute. I slide to control after another ten minutes pass blandly. Another Agra goal is waived off. Aurelio to Costa on a corner for another goal in the 30th. Retain possession, now that we are up 2-0. Jardel scores also called offside. Espinosa slides the ball forward to Agra with enough space to notch his 2nd goal of the game in the 40th. They foul Luis Castro in the box. Agra sinks a penalty kick in the 43rd minute to net a hat-trick. Half time I’m pleased, keep it up! Aurelio scores in the 87th minute from a Luis Carlos cross. We win 5-0, MOM is Agra.

Agra has been looking good so far, but Jardel has been disappointing. I will be moving Agra into the 4th spot over Jardel in the next few weeks, just to see what’s to see.

WHOAH! Aves just took down Benfica away in the Taca’s 4th round. The team that couldn’t buy a win with a 10000 dollars just went on the road and scored 4-4 and won the penalty kick. I am a fan! But then we draw Maritimo away for round 5. I’m not a fan of that.

During a training session, Luis Martins injured his leg and will be out for two weeks, I’ll start Rodrigues in his spot.

Jose Goncalves gained a little from Aurelio.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 10:01 PM

Get us revenge today against Braga! Since we are at home, we’ll start out with a standard tactic, and work from there. Martins will be back for his first game since the injury. Have you ever had one of those games where nothing literally happens the entire game., and then all, of the sudden in the back 10 minutes it explodes? Well, that just happened for us. The entire game was 0-0. Then in the 80th minute I decided to just push it and go to attacking. I had made some changes, let’s go full throttle. Suddenly, we look like a real team. Lucas Castro finds Rondon for a score to break this annoying tie in the 84th. Then, in the 89thafter I’ve moved back to counter, Skolnik’s corner kick bounces around a bit, springs back to Candeais, who puts it away. Then Franny Castro is driving, fouled in the box, and Rondon sinks a PK in extra time. And a game that was 0-0 at the 83rd minutes turns into a 3-0 throttling of Braga. Mom was Rondon.

This game was Daniel Candeais’s 125th game. Strandberg in Team of the Week.

Get us revenge today too, against a certain Valencia, on the road against them with our defensive attempts. Again, a quiet game for us. They are up 3-0. We even gifted them with an OG by Peratta. Then in the 76th, Skolnik scores after shooting and following with a rebound. 2 minutes later, Hernani Costa lifts a nice through ball to Rondon who runs with it and scores. No more scores though. A close game at the end, 3-2. Can’t fault ya for effort.

We are officially out of the Cup. We have a game left though. Several players from Valencia came to the media complaining about how their manager treated them in the locker room post-match.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 10:20 PM

Athletic Club Bilbao, who fired their manager, have asked me to interview for the position. They are disappointed with their 10th place spot right now. It would be nice to upgrade from Portuguese Football to Spanish, especially since my original idea was to play Spanish ball.

http://www.miathletic.com/media/galeria/6/5/2/9/1/n_athletic_de_bilbao_fondos-1451925.jpg
I do like some of Bilbao’s history. If I were to jump to a non-island club in one of these leagues, the Basque one does have some things to offer. It’s got to be an easy team to scout for – are you Basque? Come play for us! If not, go away.

While looking over their club, I find a nice Basque youther they have and scout him out even more. He looks tantalizing…

I make an enquiry

I head to the interview. The owner sits me down to discuss things. I agree with European Qualification. 1-4 are in the Champions, 5-7 in Euro. We’re in 10th right now, out of20 clubs. We are a rich club, with a ton of money – 12.5 mill in transfer dollars. We’re only 3 points from 7th after 14 games.

I decide not to pursue the job. I am making a ton of progress in Portugal, and I don’t want to leave that behind. Right now, in the 1st 10 games (1/3 of the season over) I’m sitting in 1st, tied with Benfica with 25 each and a +2 GD over them.

I get back the enquiry over that nice Basque youth player, they say they are not interested. He looks a bit wonderkid-ish.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 11:00 PM

The final game in November arrives, an away match against P Ferreira, currently 6th in the league. I begin countering and ask for them to continue their good football. I am starting Franny Castro tonight instead of DJ. Not a lot of action early, but we are playing good D so I’ll stick with this for a bit longer. There have seen to be a few moments where either team is capable of putting the ball away for a score. That symmetry ends in th 31st when Rondon slides the ball to Candeais on the fall right for an attack run, who crosses to Lucas Castro and he finishes the play. Good stuff. Minutes later, Candeais’s cross finds Rondon’s head for another score off the right flank. They get a yellow just before half and its 2-0 us. Things are going well, keep it up! Lets start to retain possession. We’re ahead nicely, so I put in my first sub early, Sequeira for Skolnik, who’s not been playing too well today on the left. All of our attacks have come from the middle or the right. Sub #2 is Jorge Agra for Franny Castro They’ve gotten two more bookings, and we had a Lucas Castro DKF dead on rights but just blocked by the Gk. My final sub is Costa in for Marc. Peretta stops some very attractive attacks by Ferreira. I would not be surprised to see them score here in the 80s. I move to defensive. We hold off, and we 2-0. MOM is Danny C. Good win for us!

Actually, with Benfica’s loss to Sporting, we are now in front by 3 points.

Abe Sargent

05-10-2014, 11:59 PM

December

2nd – Away vs Vit. Guimaraes
6th – Home vs Vit. Setubal
9th – Home vs Zenit, Champions
13th – Home vs Benfica
19th – Home vs Belenenses

So currently 5 games, and typically the League Cup draw gives us another game later in the month. That 13th game against Benfica may be huge. If we both keep form, that might be one of the games that decides the league.

While Sequeira and Edgar Abreu disappointed in training this month, Costa, Luis Carlos and Strandberg all impressed.

Peratta and Candeais were in the Team of the Week

Mario Rondon won the Player of the Month award for November.

And I won Manager of the Month for November.

I’ve gotten the offer for that potential wonderkid up to 1.8 mill and still no release on their part. Will there be one?

We arrive at Vit. Guimaraes with similar instructions. Keep up the run! Counter! I am going to start giving the occasional starting spot in games against someone other than the Big Five (Maritimo, Braga, the Big Three). Today Rodrigues is in for Luis Martins. On a break away, Skolnik hits Rondon for a score in the 3rd off a lovely cross. Well we’re getting in attacks from the left side this game! Freire misses a tackle in the box, and they answer back in the 11st. Candeais crosses to Rodrigues for a score and he nails it. Let’s move to retain possession. Skolnik is fed a nice ball in the box by Marc, slides it to Franny, and he scores in the 39th. Daniel Candeais limps off the field injured, and we replace him with Javi, and swap his spot and Lucas’s. Half time. Keep it up! Hey, on the road ,up 3-1, that’s good stuff. After Freire’s header on defese goes right to a middie who hits an attacker pen on the left flink, I yank him for Costa. I’m going to start Mexer there next game. They begin pushing hard, so I tell my lads to begin hassling and marking more tightly to change things up. It doesn’t matter, they hit the equalizer in the 63rd. I order my folks to a Control style, higher tempo offense. After getting ayellow and knocked around, I put in Mexer for Strandberg. Then attacking in the final 10 minutes. They score right after. Then off a corner kick, the ball bounces for a bit before Franny sinks it and we are even again. And that’s game, 4-4 tie on the road against Vit.. I’m far from pleased. Benfica won, so instead of continuing to be up by 3 points, we are now just up by 1.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 01:00 AM

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 01:32 AM

While we are out in the Champions play, I still want to win today’s home match, if for no other reason that to bring home a cool million Euros. I begin countering, and wish my boys luck. Mexer and Javi are still starting. Franny has begun to solidify his spot across from Rondon. They are over powering us across the pitch early on, so I tell them to increase marking and hassling. Then Skolnik finds Rondon for score off the left side for a score in the 16th. Our finishing has been letting us down, we’ve had control, had good chances for 20 more minutes, but no finish. Work the ball into the box folks. In the 37th minute the other Rondon (Striker for Zenit, also a Venezuelan international) scores, but its waved off. Peratta did everything he could to stop that 1:1 break away by Rondon and pushed it aside, but they score off the corner kick. Half. Go get us a goal! I sub out Martins for Rodrigues when he collect s aknock. Their Rondon gets a yellow (I was scared, I thought it was ours). Lucas Castro is then injured and forced to come out. I swap over Rodrigues, slide Aurelio to MR, and then put in Sequeira for the DL spot. In the late 60s I tell my guys to pick up teh pace. For my final sub, I pull out Franny for Dj. Much higher tempo! Attacking! Game. Disappointing.

We won 500k Martins is out for a week with a gashed arm. Meanwhile, Candeais should be back for the next game.

After crushing Sporting, Porto have moved to 2nd. If we beat Benfica today, they will had had some major losses. Even though we are at home, I begin countering and let’s keep up the run! No one is close to goal for a while. Much later, Candeais finds Lucas Castro who shoots, the ball is pushed back to Rondon who scores in the 31st. Half time. Played well, room for improvement. When Daniel is driving at goal, they give a professional foul to keep him from getting to close and a red card in the 49th minute. I make some changes. Up the tempo, begin hassling and tighter marking, move to control, and more. Nothing happens with the IFK. We are already pushing up the flanks and get two major surges that are just pushed away. We get a goal disallowed by Franny. I toss in Agra for Franny. He’s not been playing well today. They get a very lucky IFK to sink in the 71st from 40 yards away. Attacking, Marc gets a yellow, much higher tempo, but we still can’t get that second goal. That was annoying. We could have 6 points yup right now on Benfica and Porto, not 4 on each.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 10:00 AM

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 11:48 AM

Candeais is out for a few days and will miss the next game at least. We’ll start Javi in Lucas’s spot and slide him over. After getting to 4.3 mill, I cancel the contract talks with the wonderkid, they kept rejecting our offer.

I sign a new 3 year deal with Nacional da Madeira.

Martins is back in the squad for today’s home match. We are starting Mexer and Javi. Keep the run going! We’ll keep a normal set up, just to get a feel for the early game. From the Candeais spot, Lucas Castro crosses to Rondon for a score in the 5th, but they come back and score of fan incredibly long shot 4 minutes later to tie things. I move to controlling, since I’m feeling a bit of momentum our way, despite the score. Then Castro hits Espinosa for another score in the 19th minute. Rondon intercepts a pall from the GK to a DC and on the volley hits an open net. They return the favor for a strong offensive score in the 41st. Room for improvement. Skolnik picks up a knock – I pull him for Luis Carlos. He invariably plays better than his stats. He just tackled someone and stole the ball on the edge for example. I pull Franny C for Jardel. Then Martins for Sequeira. We hold off a counter-assult later for a 3-2 win. Close. MOM I Rondon. We got away with that lads!

At home, Braga beat Benfica. So we pull out again.

While we are out in the Champions play, I still want to win today’s home match, if for no other reason that to bring home a cool million Euros. I begin countering, and wish my boys luck. Mexer and Javi are still starting. Franny has begun to solidify his spot across from Rondon. They are over powering us across the pitch early on, so I tell them to increase marking and hassling. Then Skolnik finds Rondon for score off the left side for a score in the 16th. Our finishing has been letting us down, we’ve had control, had good chances for 20 more minutes, but no finish. Work the ball into the box folks. In the 37th minute the other Rondon (Striker for Zenit, also a Venezuelan international) scores, but its waved off. Peratta did everything he could to stop that 1:1 break away by Rondon and pushed it aside, but they score off the corner kick. Half. Go get us a goal! I sub out Martins for Rodrigues when he collect s aknock. Their Rondon gets a yellow (I was scared, I thought it was ours). Lucas Castro is then injured and forced to come out. I swap over Rodrigues, slide Aurelio to MR, and then put in Sequeira for the DL spot. In the late 60s I tell my guys to pick up teh pace. For my final sub, I pull out Franny for Dj. Much higher tempo! Attacking! Game. Disappointing.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 01:33 PM

We won 500k. Martins is out for a week with a gashed arm. Meanwhile, Candeais should be back for the next game.

After crushing Sporting, Porto have moved to 2nd. If we beat Benfica today, they will had had some major losses. Even though we are at home, I begin countering and let’s keep up the run! No one is close to goal for a while. Much later, Candeais finds Lucas Castro who shoots, the ball is pushed back to Rondon who scores in the 31st. Half time. Played well, room for improvement. When Daniel is driving at goal, they give a professional foul to keep him from getting to close and a red card in the 49th minute. I make some changes. Up the tempo, begin hassling and tighter marking, move to control, and more. Nothing happens with the IFK. We are already pushing up the flanks and get two major surges that are just pushed away. We get a goal disallowed by Franny. I toss in Agra for Franny. He’s not been playing well today. They get a very lucky IFK to sink in the 71st from 40 yards away. Attacking, Marc gets a yellow, much higher tempo, but we still can’t get that second goal. That was annoying. We could have 6 points yup right now on Benfica and Porto, not 4 on each.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 02:28 PM

We got knocked down to the Euro from the Champions, and are drawn against Basel. Today we start Djaniny, Costa for Mexer/Freire. Our final league match for the first half of the season arrives today home against Belenenses. I begin controlling. It’s another very, very quiet game. Marc got a yellow card. Then Lucas Castro smashes Rondon with a pass in the 87th minute to go up 1-0. I pull back my folks to defend. Then Strandberg gets a red card in the 90th. We hold on to win. MOM is Castro, the Lucas one. That was a bit of a let off. I get pissed off at Strandberg, who clearly deserved the card.

Martins will come back for us for the next game from his injury. I issue a formal warning to Strandberg.

For the league cup, we are in

Group B

Portimonense
Braga
Nacional da Madeira
Beira-Mar

I don’t like getting matched against one of the Big Five, since we were seeded 1st along with the Big Three, there was just a 50% chance of getting Braga or Maritimo.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 03:06 PM

The Halfway mark

Nacional da Madeira, 36 points, +18 GD
Benfica, 32, +12
Porto, 30, +16
Sporting, 29, +10
Maritimo, 28, +17
Braga, 27, +16
Vit Setubal, 22, -1
Vit Guimaraes. 20, -3
Belenenses
Ferreira
Rio Ave
Gil Vicente
Arouca
Academica
Portimonense
Olhanense

We are doing fairly well so far. If we could just have beaten Benfica, it would look a lot better.

We now have a home game vs Braga on the 27th for the League Cup. Since he’s in form, I’m leaving in Costa, but Martins and Franny Castro are in starting spots for today’s cup match. If we can defeat Braga here, we should make it to the Quarters, the other two games are against a 15ht place club and a club from a lower level of football. I begin standard, but pull back to counter after Braga have some initial push. Rondon is given the ball way out on the right by Marc and finds Lucas Castro for a score in the 33rd minute after a quiet half. Half time. You’re capable of better! After getting banged around and not playing super hot, Dj comes in for Franny. Then Aurelio hits Strandberg for a score in the 71st. In heads Javi. In the 77th, Espinosa scores after the ball is wrestled for in the box. Final sub is Sequeira. We crush them 3-0. I’m very happy! MOM was Strandberg, odd after he got a red card last match.

And that’s our last football of 2015.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 03:52 PM

Sebastian Peratta has announced he will retire at the end of the season. Can he go out with a win for Nacional da Madeira? I recommend management, and he agrees.

December 30th has arrived – time to see who has a contract coming up in 6 months. Who can we get for our team next year?

What do I need?

These players are currently leaving (of note) this year:

Daniel Candeais.
Sequeira
Seastian Peratta
Mexer
Fabian Ruiz

I like Daniel, we’ve had great years with him. But, he’ll be 28 in February. How much longer can we realistically have him? If I can find someone better, I feel obliged to do just that. Now, I like Danny. In the three years as a starter for me he has:

63 apps, 16 goals, 27 assists, , 7.17, 7, 15, and 7.30 ratings. That’s very respectable stuff. If he was 24, I’d reup him happily. He’s not. Always. Be. Growing. Now, I replaced Skolnik, and then decided to keep him anyway. We might do that with Danny C too, but for now, he’s slotted to be replaced.

My guess is that next year Costa will replace Friere in the starting DC spot. Mexer won’t have value anymore as my suddenly 4th , so he’s free to leave. That means I have a space for my 4th DC. But I can figure that out later.

So my first goal is to find a new MR, if possible. I suspect I’ll sign Ruiz back for a new deal soon. In fact, I just go ahead and offer him a deal for squad rotation now for a few years.

What we like about Candeais as a winger in attack mode is his speed – 15/15. 15 agility, 13/12 cross/pass, 14 dribble, 15 flair, 13 otb and 10 decisions along with a 13 technique. I can’t swap Danny out for someone who is fas but not a good passer or vice versa.

Let’s look at two options:

25 year old Henri Lansbury, of Nottingham Forest.

14/15 speed, 15/14 cross, pass, 13 balance, agility, 15 dribbling, 14 technique, 12 decisions, 14 flair, 15 otb. Not a bad option

23 year old Stefano Magnasco, of FC Groningen

15/15 speed, 13/12 cross, pass, 11 balance, 14 agility, 12 dribblie, technique, 12 decisions, 11 flair, 12 otb.

I can go for the cheaper, better Lansbury. Or the more expensive, younger Magnasco.

Do I want the 25 year old who is better?

I make Lansbury the offer.

I look to see if any other talent is obviously a great pickup for us. I’m still not happy with Andrei Marc at the DMC spot. I could bring in a great DMC, and move him with Freire to be our DC backups. The Basque wonderkid was a natural DMC too.

We love Dennis Praet, 21 years old, great stats (like 17 passing), but not good DMC stuff. Horrible marking and tackling for this level (7 each) as an example. I send out some enquiries for some younger DMCs that I might be able to sign, since I Can’t find a good one for free coming of a contract soon.

WOAH. I found my guy and made him a great offer. I found a Danish stud in my neck of the woods. He wasn’t that interested in my club We’ll see what happens soon. Will he sign?

Ruiz does.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 07:03 PM

January, 2016

3rd – Away vs Maritimo, Taca
10th – Away vs Maritimo
14th - Away vs Portimonense, League Cup
17th – Home vs Portimonense
23rd – Away vs Beira-Mar, League Cup

Good trainers for December include Mouss Diallo, Rodrigues and Jorge Agra

I select a Champions Cup challenge. I get some more money.

Messi wins the World Golden Ball, and World Player of the Year

Rotariu gets the European Golden Boy

I use my new money to increase my offer to my golden boy I found, and hope that Iam able to fend off other suitors.

There is a younger Portuguese player my scouts let me know about from Leixoes, a 2nd league club. He’s supposedly another younger 16 year old Striker with great potential. I take a closer look. Another is Vitor Barreto, a 17 year old AMC, MC from Louletano in the Championship. We have a ton of great young talent here in Portugal, and I want to encourage it as much as possible, so as I come across some of these quality youth players at lesser clubs, I want to envelop them and bring them to our side to help them along.

I made offers to both youth prospects.

Henri Lansbury is coming to Portugal.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 07:33 PM

Remember how we sometimes would have quality players who might sign with us, but we lacked the finances to give them a reasonable salary? Well, we just beat out FC Bayern resigning, and another team that made an offer for Pierre-Emile Hojberg, a player I added to my shortlist after looking over their roster when we played them. He’s amazing. You’ll see.

Let’s begin with a defensive set up in today’s Taca match away at Maritimo, our first game of the year. They score in the 9th off an IFK header. Rondon reciprocates in the 30th after Lucas Castro hit the crossbar on a shot and it rebounded to him. Then a boring game results. We hit 1-1 at the end and its extra time. Penalty kicks.

They sink their 1st.
Espinosa sinks his – 1-1
Peratta gets his hands on their shot but can’t keep it out. Our GK Peratta sinks it. 2-2.
They sink their 3rd. Franny Castro sinks his. 3-3
They are at 4-3. Daniel Candeais steps up and blasts one in as well 4-4.
They hit their 5th. Can Luis Martins keep us in sudden death? He can! 5-5

Sudden Death – They make it. Rodrigues does not, and is pushed aside. They win in penalties. We are now out of the Taca da Portugal.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 07:36 PM

I spent 135k for the two Portuguese youth folks that impressed us. Here they are:

ST Sergio Laranjeira, 16, 17/14 speed, 7/13 jump/head, 11 finishing, 14 work rate, 17 team work, 16 determination, signed for several years after he turns 17 in June. 4.5 star scout review.

AMC, MC Vitor Barreto, 17, 12/14 speed, 17 fitness, 18 work rate ,11 pass, 13 dribb, 10 finish,1 4 first touch, 12 technique, 10 determination, flair, composure, etc. Signed for several years on a hot prospect contract, also had a 4.5 star scouting rating, 875/week.

We are starting Friere and Mexer for today’s follow-up match against Maritimo. Get us revenge! Still defensive though. Franny Castro feeds Rondon off the center for a score in the 13th, and I pull us back to counter. Then Danny C collects a yellow. Lots of pressure by both sides. I move to retain possession, and tighter mark. They get a yellow. Despite a massive counter attack opportunity jumpstarted by Candeais on the right, we both are blanked for the rest of the half until extra time, when they manage to hit a tasty shot from just outside of the box. Skolnik feeds Rondon and he just blasts past the keeper in the 51st. I put in Rodrigues for Candeais and swap him with Aurelio. Francisco Castro shoots off a Skolnik assist, pushed away by the GK, Skolnik pounces and scores in the 68th. Costa comes in for a poor-playing Mexer. Javi steps in too. We win 3-1. MOM is Rondon. I’m very happy. You know, even Franny C got a pair of assists,

Rondon and Francisco Castro were both in Team of the Week.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 08:04 PM

The results from the Ruiz-Peratta link up for our GKs apparently were really good. I want to sign someone to tutor Rodrigues. Can I find someone good? I found an old, cheap DR, and am scouting him out now.

Starting for today’s game is Costa and Strandberg in the DC spots, Agra across from Rondon, and Espinosa. Keep up your run! After going in when Javi was injured, Lucas Castro scores off a Candeais pass. Agra gets a score right before the half off a Skolnik pass. Half time – keep it up! Rondon is given a lovely on sides ball by Agra and scores. MOM is Agra after we win 3-0. Well done lads!

However, Javi Espinosa is out for more than a month.

Once again we do a double with someone for their league game just after a Cup match, both on the road. Today I’m starting Agram bew signee Vitor Barreto, Costa, and Rodrigues. We begin standard again. I’d love to see another 3-0 victoire for us. Keep up our run folkses! We injured their GK in the 36th minute and he leaves the pitch. I move to controlling. Now score at the half, but Rondon breaks through in the 48th minute. Freire and Sequeira sub in later. And we win. Barely. 1-0. MOM was Rondon, obviously. We got lucky there folks.

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 08:29 PM

Abe Sargent

05-11-2014, 09:43 PM

I am starting GK Ruiz, DR Franco, DL Gonzales, DC Costa, DC Mexer, ML Luis Carlos, AMC Jose Goncalves, ST Agra, MR Aurelio, DMC Marc and ST Djaniny. Let’s control them on the road. Quiet first half. I get pissed off at them in the half time speech, and in th e47tyh minute, Aurelio crosses to Djaniny for a score. Then Agra is injured and pulled for the new youth guy Sergio Laranjeira. That’s it, we win 1-0. MOM was Aurelio. Yay Qualification.

We made 128k for making it out of our group and to the Semis of the League Cup.

Porto have Benfica and we are home vs P Ferreira for the Semis.

I sign Paulo Sergio to be a mentor for Rodrigues. He arrives, and the 37 year old is on a backup contract.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRh-N5zGERx5rtlY8ZERfEQ-Ek4VeFPwpWM1Et27DAoXcoxhWQpew

I’ll leave Djaniny in the starting lineup. Rondon scores after a Skolnik cross to Djaniny is headed away by a DC near him. Skolnik follows in the 11th with a Lucas Castro ball. I pull Marc for Mexer after the idiot gets a yellow. Still room for improvement! I put in Moussa Diallo for Lucas Castro. Freire has to get pulled for Costa due to a major injury. They claw one back in the 65th. We’ve had two Rondon goals called offside. After two collapse around Rondon, he finds Dj for a score in the 75th. Moussa Diallo hits Dj in just a thread of space and he scores again in the 80th. MOM is Skolnik.

Freire will be out for 3 weeks with a twisted knee. Mexer will start.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 07:15 AM

February

7th – Away at Academica
11th – Home vs P. Ferreira, League Cup
14th – Away at Arouca
18 – Home vs Basel, EURO
21st – Home vs Porto
25th – Away vs Basel, ERUO
28th – Home vs Gil Vicente

Aurelio, Perrata, and Diallo were not great in training, but Abreu, Agra, and Paulo Franco were.

Mario Rondon won Player of the Month. Dejan Skolnik was 3rd.

I won Manager of the Month

I tie Rodrigues and new signee Sergio together for tutoring.

Danny C is in the Team of the Week

I have All of the normal folks. Plus our new signee dresses. Let’s keep this wagon train a moving! By Countering. Skolnik hits Strandberg for a header early on via Corner Kick, then gets winded, so I put in our new signing for him. On a nice break, they score back. Then Rondon gets a score from a Castro assist. We are up 2-1. Keep it up! They gift us an OG and I put in Rodrigues and Costa. They climb one back on a lovely flowing move, before Rondon scores off a Costa ball lofted right over everyone to him. We win 4-2. MOM is Skolnik. Good win boys!

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 03:48 PM

Today we have the match against Ferreira for the Finals of the League Cup. Porto beat Benfica and are in the Finals. Francisco Castro is back in the lineup. Keep up the run! Early in the first half they collect a booking, followed by a second. Marc is badly injured and I pull him for Costa. Shortly thereafter, Ferreria score. Then Candeais finds a nice spot to run into, crosses to Rondon, who scores, and it’s the half. The second half opens with a corner to Costa who puts it in and we are up 2-1. I start to protect the ball a bit more, such as keeping possession. I also slide back to standard. I slide in Agra for a disappointing Franny Castro. But, before he comes out, Rondon and him play a back and forth ball and Rondon scores in the 76th. Final sub -Rodrigues for Martins. On another corner, Candeais’s leg hits goal. We hold on to win 4-1, after being down 0-1. Congrats on making the finals! Rondon is MOM.

With a bruised thigh, marc will be out for about 20 days We’ll move Strandberg there and start Costa with Mexer.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 04:50 PM

Keep up the run today against Arouca! Marc is out, Freire still injured. A strike for paydirt in the 9th by Franny Castro is called off. Then they foul Franny two minutes later in the box and yield a PK which Rondon obviously sinks. I use tighter marking because they have some good passers I want to tie down. Lucas Castro feeds Franny for a score in the 25th that’s nowhere near offsides, just nice. Retain possession time. I slide to countering. They pile on some pressure near the end of the half. I’d like to keep them from scoring. We can slide back to Standard post half. Lucas Castro is injured and I’, forced to pull him out in the 42nd . I put in youth guy Jose Goncalves since Javi is still injured. Then Rondon is injured two minutes later. Rough. I toss in Agra. Half time. I keep counter since we’ve dropped two of our best offensive players. I also can’t sub in people for tired folks, since I have to keep my last guy in case of a 3rd injury. So I need to not do so much, I tell my guys to play slower. Strandberg is en-yellowed in the 69th. Francisco Castro hits Agra for a goal but its called offsides in the 71st. I put in Luis Carlos for Skolnik in the 80s. Franny hits a DFK for a score in the 88th Game, we win 3-0. MOM was F. Castro.

Injuries? Lucas is fine, but Rondon? Uh oh. He fractured his wrist and will be out for, gulp, 6 weeks. Not good. And not good timing. Franny won Team of the Week. Edgar Abreu asked to be transfer listed, and I agree. Wow. My American scout just uncovered his studly 18 year old Eric Shorey for Real Salt Lake.

For today’s match against Basel, Freire is back. We are starting Dj and Franny at the ST spots. Freire is on the bench as a sub, since he’s not super ready yet. We’ll begin standard in today’s home leg in the EURO. We had a great move that ended in a Lucas Castro strike that was held. But hopefully we’ll continue. They get a booking in the 9th. We had some more good shots in the 25th but all were turned aside. Without Rondon there, we aren’t winning many headers on crosses so I tell my guys to drill them. Candeais finds Djaniny on the right side for a goal in the 39th. Dj picked up a knock, but I’ll leave him in for a bit. Half. Keep it up. Played well, but room for improvement! I’d love to finish 2-0 in a game without Rondon. Aurelio finds Mexer’s head in a corner kick in the 49th who sinks it and we are up 2-0 as hoped. I move to counter, and then Aurelio grabs a yellow – not something he’s known for, really. Agra comes in for Dj now that we are up 2-0. They get a 3rd yellow. Sub 2 – Goncalves for Lucas Castro. Franny Castro sets up Goncalves at the corner of the box and he strikes and scores his first goal for the club. Final sub – Paula Franco for Aurelio. Lower Tempo folks. We win 3-0 without Rondon. MOM is Aurelio. Well done!

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 07:51 PM

I hand out some rests. Today we have our home match vs Porto. We have to get used to winning without Rondon. Against a Big Three club, even here in Madeira, without Rondon forces me to begin countering. They score quickly off a shot, reboud, and put in. I order my folks to tighten up, and Luis Martins feeds Dj for a score in the 11th minute. They march down and score in the 26th, but its waived offsides. Despite the 1-1 score we are being outclassed so I order us to hassle and mark tighter. Strandberg collects a card. Half. We owe Porto! Skolnik sinks a DFK in the 47th. After Strandberg picks up a knock, I pull him for Freire, who swaps with Mexer. Lucas Castro also. I’ll put in Goncalves later. Final sub is youther Sergio L. for Franny Castro. I pull defensive to deal with some late pressure. Can we hold on? 4 extra minutes ugh. 1 go ne. 2 gone, 3 gone. 93:37. 94:05. Full time, We win 2-1. Good win! Mom is Djaniny.

Marc is starting to get back. I think he’ll be back after the next Basel match. We are on a huge unbeatable run right now. I’ve been focusing on attacking set pieces with Rondon out in every game, no matter what is advised. Maybe that’s been helping.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 08:24 PM

For today’s away match at Basel, I simply begin defensive. Freire is starting. Retain possession. We play a boring game and finish 0-0 at the half. Hold onto the aggregate lead! They score in the 51st. I toss in Agra for Dj. I slide to counter. Skolnik crosses to Lucas Castro who scores. Lucas was rattling the goals all day long and now he’s scored. Next sub – Rodrigues for Martins. It’s nice, we’ve scored at least one goal in every game this season. Tired, I pull Skolnik for Luis Castro. Candeais is called offsides after a great assist by Aurelio. Game. 1-1 tie, MOM was Skolnik. Well done!

We make 200k for advancing to the next stage of the EURO. We have Standard de Liege next. I hand out more rests.

Belenenses just beat Benfica in their place, a total trap game. Andrei Marc is back and pushes Strandberg back to a DC spot. Rio Ave just tied Porto in their place too.

I begin controlling in today’s match vs Gil Vicente. Keep the run going! A quiet half but Djaniny hits Candeais for a tight squeeze score. Half. Do better folks! After the half, Candeais drives hard down the side, crosses to Dj but the cross is enough to score on its own. 2-0 in the 58th. 4 minute slater they work the ball into the ball and score too. Agra in for Franny Castro. Rodrigues for Aurelio. I move back to standard. Then they score, and I move to attacking, super high tempo, and such. The post denies Dj in the 84th. Mexer for Freire. Mexer gets a yellow. We are unable to get a final score, and it’s all knotte dup. Mom is Danny Candeais. That was ugly!

How come in the week when Benfica and Porto opened up a chance, we got surprised by 12th placed team in our own place? So annoying… That was Skolnik’s 100th game for us. A virus is tearing through my youth club.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 08:49 PM

March

5th – Away at Sporting
10th – Away at Standard, EURO
13th – Away at Braga
17th – Home vs Standard, EURO
20th – Home vs Rio Ave

Javi Espinosa will be back by the Sporting match.

We loved Rodrigues, Ruiz, and Goncalves in training, but not Abreu and Strandberg.

Danny C is Team of Week.

I got 2nd place for Manager of the Month.

With 8 games to go, here is the top of the League Table

1 – Nacional da Madeira, 55, +30
2 – Braga, 48, +30
3 – Benfica, 46, +22
4 – Porto, 44, +28
5 – Sporting, 43, +16
6 – Maritimo, 38, +20

With 7 points in front, we are looking pretty keen. But an away loss to Sporting could change things quickly. Which is why I am beginning defensively on the road against them – keep our run going! I’m very ha[ppy with a tie today, in one of our remaining difficult games – especially without Rondon. I get up to make a cup of coffee in a K-Cup machine for a minute, and come back down in the 33rd minute having just scored. Lucas Castro drove on the left, crossed to Francisco Castro for a score. Half. Nothing happened besides that goal. Played well, still room for improvement! Keep possession and mark tighter. One of their players picks up a knock from a tackle by Marc, and another fouls Dj outside the box a minute later and is given a yellow card. Sub 1 – Javi Espinosa for Skolnik. They score, but it’s called offside. Sub 2 – Agra in for Djaniny. They notch another yellow card. Sub 3 – Sequeira for Lucas Castro, swap with Javi. Lower tempo! Can we withstand a huge surge by Sporting late? Yes we cane! We win on the road against a big three club 1-0. MOM is Strandberg with great defense (Other great games include Luis Martins and the Castros). Good win!

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 09:26 PM

I should start giving Ruiz some starts to see if he has what it takes. He’s better than Perrata now, Sebastian has degraded in his 39th year. Joao Luis Rodrigues has signed his first professional contract with us! I get permission to hire more scouts - I make a pair of offers.

We are slight favorites on the road today in Belgium. I’ll begin defensive, since this is continental football on the road in the 2nd Knockoff Leg of the EURO. After 14 minutes, I ease up a bit to counter. Not a lot of offense by either team thus far. Then they get a nice attack before we make the change. They grab a yellow card. Then another. After several nice passes they have a powerful strike from the corner of the box to sink into the net for a goal. A Skolnik goal is waved, he fouled a defender. They get a 3rd booking. Half. Show me something else!!! It’s looking bad, but then one of their stars gets a second yellow and is sent off. I make some changes immediately. Let’s go! In goes Agra for Francisco Castro. Skolnik off for Espinosa. Goal by Dj called offsides. We don’t manage to score that goal, despite 34 minutes of an extra man. I’m far from pleased!!!

I hand out some rests too.

We sign former international Malek Cherrad, from Algeria, as our scout. Then a German scout, Gerhard Poschner.

I have now added East Africa and Middle East to our scouted areas.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 10:00 PM

Our last seven division matches are

At Braga
Rio Ave
Ferreira
At Vit Setubal
Vit Guimaraes
At Belenenses
At Benfica

So after today’s match vs Braga, our schedule warms up for a while. Mark tightly. Play defensive! Skolnik is injured in the 30th and I put in Espinosa. Very quiet half. 0-0. You can still win tonight! Agra swaps in for Djaniny. They score in the 66th. They hammer Candeais, and I sub in Rodrigues for him and move up Aurelio. We fail to score and lose 0-1 on the road vs Braga. Far from pleased!

We weren’t going to keep it up. We had to lose eventually. We’ve struggled to find goals post-Rondon. It’s as simple as that.

New youth players were just added to our roster. Let’s take a look over them and see.

Any Jorge Agra, Joao Luis Rodrigues or Hernani Costas? Maybe a GK Jose Morreira?

They one they want me to keep an eye on is Pedro Pereira, so I look at him first. I look at every single one. This looks like a weak class compared to our other ones. Ah well. I take a quick look at youthers around the nation. Other ones that tweak us, need a scout? Meh, I just offer some trials to nine folks, and let them come to me.

Abe Sargent

05-12-2014, 11:36 PM

Losing 1-0 on the road is not bad, if we can beat Standard here by a two goal margin we’ll be in. I keep things Standard. We owe them! Other then seeing our foes collect two booking and an injury, they have a quiet half. WE OWE THEM!!!!. Our chances are running dry. The n 2 minutes into a 2nd half, they foul us in the box and up steps Djaniny for the PK and he sinks it. We are up 1-0. Aurelio collects a card. On a break away Francisco Castro drives, finds Djaniny and he puts it away in the 55th. We are up 2-0 baby – we hold onto this, and we win on aggregate. But one score by them means we lose, so I’m not pulling back and defending just yet. Then Franny is injured, and I have to put in Agra for him. I don’t want to – it’s a big match for him. But I have to. They have closed shop, trying to prevent any further scores. One score by us means they have to score 2, so they are playing defensively minded football. They score on a break! But then it’s called offside. 2 minutes later, Candeais crosses to Agra, who heads it in for a score, and the young guy gets his 6th goal of the season. They collect a 3rd yellow. I move back to counter as they press forward. 2nd sub – Rodrigues for Aurelio, in the 71st. They get a 4th yellow for fouling Skolnik. Playing rough. Retain possession, lower tempo! They get a huge break away chance but its hits the crossbar. Our final sub is a tired and underplaying Lucas Castro for Javi. Even after a pair of corner kicks, they have nothing. They barely stop another score by Agra. That would have bene lights out, time to go home. 87th minute, 89th minute, 3 extra minutes. And that’s it, we win 3-0 after a crazy second half nets us a trio of goals! MOM is Daniel Candeais. I’m very happy!!!

We have made it to the EURO Semi Finals. These teams are left:

Nacional da Madeira
Rubin (Russia)
AS Monaco FC
CKSA Moscow
Real Sociedad
Napoli
Tottenham
Juventus

Knocked out of this round include Liverpool, Stuttgart, AC Milan and Schalke.

If we can draw Rubin…

We won 350k

Here is the draw

Nacional da Madera va CKSA Moscow
Juventus vs Real Sociedad
Napoli vs Monaco
Tottenham vs Rubin

So we have a feasible match.

Moscow won 11 years ago. We don’t just want to assume that since their a Russian team that we can handle them when we dogpounded Zenit all of those teams. They have arguably the best Russian GK of all time in Igor Akinfeev back there. We’ll see what happens, but simply because I’m not going against a club from England, Spain, Germany, Italy or France doesn’t mean that we have a bye.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 07:21 AM

Back to club football for a bit. Sporting hosting Benfica and they tie 2-2. Another opportunity to pull away today in our match against Rio Ave. Fabian Ruiz will start for us in the GK spot. Pick up where you left off! I’m very pissed off. We tied 0-0. I like that Ruiz got a clean sheet, and I’m pissed that my team couldn’t find a goal with a dowsing rod. I’m not even going to bore you with the details. But Benfica lost on the road. So hey, we got a point over them. We have to learn how to close out the season. This is not the first time we’ve struggled late.

I only sign one of our of the Trialists I made offers to.

Rondon will be back by the next match, on the 31st of March against CSKA Moscow.

GK Fabian Ruiz was capped today for the first time for the US. I congratulate him.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 12:14 PM

I hope to do well in today’s match against Moscow. We are at home in Madeira but I still begin countering. I’m glad we have Rondon back to test that GK of theirs. They score in the 4th minute. Uh oh. But then Francisco Castro is given a pass by the other Castro, finds Rondon, and he scores in the 14th. Its 1-1. Then they march back down and score, again. That’s not good, I can’t let in that many away goals. Rondon unselfishly gives Franny the ball but he can’t keep it on target. They get a header and a hat trick. And then another. They get a 5th score before the half. So its, ummm, 5-1 at the half? Got a good half time talk that’ll work there? How about show me something else. Please. We literally had the ball bouncing in the box for about 40 seconds and took four shots and still couldn’t get one to sink. Skolnilk scores in the 64th. I pull a yellow carded Lucas Castro for Javi. I sub in older players like Mexer and Sequeira rather than young players who might get depressed. Well hey, at least we held them 1-0 in the second half. You were just unlucky?

Like I said, we can’t take Moscow lightly.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 04:31 PM

April

3rd – Home vs P. Ferreira
7th – Away vs CSKA Moscow, EURO Quarter Finals
10th – Away vs Vit. Setubal
17th – Home vs Vit. Guimaraes
23rd – Neutral vs Porto, League Cup Final

Good trainers included Peratta, Agra and Franco, while Rondon and Paulo Sergio were not.

With 5 games to go, we have 4 points on Braga and Benfica, and 6 on Porto.

I’ll start Ruiz against Ferreira today. I’ll also start Rodrigues. Much better performance tonight! I start out controlling. We have early control of the game, but no score results. Candeais crosses over both strikers driving all the way to Skolnik who scores in the 14th behind the GK. I sub in Dj for a wounded Franny Castro. Keep it up in the next half! They collect a booking. Costa replaces Freire. Javi for Lucas Castro. They are moving forward more, trying to find that last goal, so I slide to counter and such. Skolnik scores again in the 89th minute as Daniel crosses to Rondon who heads it to Skolnik instead of at goal. And that’s game, we won 2-0. MOM is Skolnik.

Braga tied. 450 minutes since Ruiz has conceded a goal. (He never has).

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 06:46 PM

Next Is the woodshed game against CSKA Moscow. I’m going heavy defensive, just to keep things interesting. Lucas Castro is red carded for this match and cannot play. We owe them! I begin with retaining possession, high marking and tackling. They score in the 38th. And then Javi just steals the ball from a DC in the box and scores in extra time ands its1-1 at the half! Let’s just win this game. Even if we lose on aggregate, let’s push them around here in Moscow like they did us in Madeira. (Not a halftime option, but I wish it was!). They score off a corner kick in the 58th. Freire for Mexer. Rondon gets an amazing pass by Javi to score in the 68th, but its offsides. They hit a DFK in the 71st. Sequeira for Martins. Moussa Diallo heads in too. Marc with a booking late. We lose 3-1 on the road and 8-3 aggregate. They manhandled us.

We made 450k for making it that far. The sweet European money train continues!

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 07:20 PM

The 10 semifinalists for the Portuguese Best Players include Daniel Candeais and Joao Aurelio

Rondon and Franny Castro are on the Forward Shortlist.

Strandberg is on the DC shortlist. Luis Martins for fullback.

I hand out some rests.

Braga and Benfica tie, which helps us pull away with a win. Olhanense have already been relegated with 3 games left. I’ll start Agra in today’s matchup away vs #8 Vit Setubal. I’ll keep Javi out too. He was the only one to play well last time. Lucas has been disappointing recently. I play the hot leg. Much better performance than last time! I begin countering. Its quiet early, but then Javi gets a lovely pass from Martins, runs a bit, feeds Rondon to his right and Rondon scores on a lovely little break. They move forward, and I order my foolks to more tightly mark these passers. Half time. You can do even better! A few crosses are snuffed out in both sides, with little attacks up the middle. Costa in for Freire. Castro for Javi. Sequeira for Skolnik. Marc with a yellow card. We win 1-0 on the back of a Rondon goal. MOM is Aurelio.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 07:43 PM

With 3 games to go, we have an 8 points lead over Porto and Braga. So if we win today’s match against Vit Guimaraes, who just made it to the Taca finals, then we have won the Portuguese Premier League. I begin standard to knock out any rust. Marc shoots a long shot from outside the goal, on target, and sinks it in the 4th minute. Nicely done! Javi to Rondon offside. They’ve had two very close headers. We need to watch out. Skolnik finds Rondon for a score in the 27th. Called offsides. Half time. You are capable of more! We are a half away of football at home against the 10th best team in the league from winning the division and hitting all of my goals with this dynasty at the end of the 3rd year. Can we keep this up? They’ve had some good plays, so I move to retain possession and mark tighter. 1st sub, Costa in for Strandberg. Lucas Castro in for Skolnik. Rodrigues for Martins. I certainly would have hoped for more goals, but we just won 1-0. Any W counts. We have won the league. MOM is Andrei Marc. Enjoy your success!!!!!

We have officially won the league. We began in front, and never gave it up. Boom!

http://www.portuguesefutebol.com/images/liga_portugal_trophy.png

I tell them to rest a bit and get ready for the League Cup!

We’ll focus on attacking set pieces.

Who else has a job status of untouchable? Just 11 other folks in our active leagues.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 08:20 PM

Last year, we won our first Taca da Portugal, after having never even made it to the final before. Today, we are in the Finals of the League Cup, also something we’ve never done. Can we defeat Porto? They have never won either (but lost four times). Let’s find out! We are underdogs so I’ll come out firing. I want to start attacking, instead of the normal attitude. Who will win the Taca da Liga? I have made no changes to my squad, we are loaded and ready for bear. Porto score in the 4th minute. Alright fine. Lesson learned. I move to counter, hassle opponents, mark tightly. They push forward, and we have just a few attacks. Luis Martins gets a yellow card, and then, in the 28th minute, they drop a man as they foul Marc nastily and get a red. Manoel, a DC/DR guy they really value is out. I go to some of my normal stuff – standard, up tempo, wider on the pitch. I remove hassling. Maybe this is a sensitive ref. Can we turn this into a win? Or will it be like the last game we saw this happen down 0-1 and were unable to score. Half time. Nothing yet. I get aggressive - SHOW ME SOMETHING ELSE! What they showed me was allowing a counter attack to score in the 47th minute. But then Skolnik hits Francisco Castro for a score in the 51st and we still are begging for a blasted GOAL I pull Martins for Rodrigues. Candeais finds Franny for another goal in the 61st. It’s 2-2 officially. Let’s keep going! And That’s his hat trick, as Javi hits him for a goal in the 69th minute! Costa in for Strandberg, who has not played well (just a 6.1). They’ve have some great attacking shots, Perrata has pushed them aside. They get two more bookings. I remove our tempo and lower ourselves to counter. I’ll save my last sub until late, in case of a tie, for ET. I put in Agra for Rondon in Extra Time. We hold on and win 3-2. What a game! Franny is OBVIOUSLY the MOM. Congrats!!!

Ruiz was concerned with the lack of 1st team ball, and I told him he’ll feature in my First Team next second, and he accepted that. Apparently, Jorge Agra learned a lot from Rondon, while Costa learned a lot from Freire.

Juventus and Tottenham made it to the EURO Final.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pOGtjSLcko/T4bj7618_7I/AAAAAAAABJY/GRxrv5Hd5us/s1600/ta%C3%A7a+da+liga+2012.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 08:24 PM

May

1st – Away vs Belenenses
7th – Away vs Benfica

We like Djaniny, Abreu and Rodrigues in training, but not Paulo Sergio or Freire.

I won Manager of the Month

A year earlier, here was Hernani Costa:

Physical – 10, 12, 10, 13, 7, 11, 12, 12
Mental – 3, 9, 10, 10, 12, 8, 11, 3, 5, 8, 6, 11, 14, 15
Technical – 6, 3, 7, 4, 12, 5, 12, 5, 2, 14, 11, 8, 12, 7

And now, here he is today:

Physical – 12, 13, 12, 14, 8, 12, 14, 14
Mental – 3, 11, 10, 11, 13, 10, 12, 7, 6, 9, 7, 13, 15, 16
Technical – 7, 5, 8, 5, 12, 6, 13, 6, 3, 15, 12, 9, 14, 8

Again, you can see the change over Costa. He will start for us next year, no question. I have mentored, tutored, and developed him. You could pay me 20 million tomorrow and I wouldn’t let him (or Rodrigues) go. They are the future of Madeira, of Portugal, and of us.

His favorite personnel include Me, Freire, Mexer, and one of the backroom staff. (Freire and Mexer were both mentors to him).

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 09:58 PM

I start Costa today, as well as Rodrigues. We’ll initiate the game with a counter mentality and see where that leads us. When Skolnik sinks a DFK in the 7th minute, it seems like it’s going alright… This is our last game to have fun. I can’t start a bunch of youthers in what is likely to be a tough as nails game against Benfica on the road. Therefore, I have some fun younger folks on the bench. They score back in the 20th. Then Franny hits Espinosa for a score in the 36th. Back up in front. I move to Standard . Half. In go Luis Carlos for Skolnik, Agra for Rondon. Agra loops a shot deliciously over their GK and right into the goal in the 49th. Good stuff from the young’un. Final sub – Backup old guy Paulo Sergio for Joao Aurelio. So despite being on the road, playing youth players either the whole game or a whole half and a backup guy for 25 minutes, we still win 3-1 on the road. Awesome! MOM is Rodrigues with 2 assists in the FB spot that Luis Martins normally plays in. Good win!

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 11:40 PM

I work on attacking set pieces for Benfica. Skolnik in Team of the Week. We have a bunch of youthers called up the Euro U19 Championship Qualifiers.

I’m starting just my normal squad, minus youth. No Costa or Rodrigues starting. Here we go – starting defensively, and with my grown up squad. Lucas Castro is back. They score right before Luis Martins is injured and I put in Paulo Sergio the backup again. They gift us an OG in the 37th when Skolnik lifts a corner and they head it into goal. They even had positioning too, and none of our players were 5 feet from the ball. They just panicked. Just before the half they score again. 2-1 them. Push it! Next sub – Mexer for Freire. I want Mexer and Sequeira to play today. This is their final match for us. Skolnik heads to the bench for Sequeira. We lost 1-2. Martins will be out for a couple of weeks with a twisted ankle.

Abe Sargent

05-13-2014, 11:46 PM

The Final League Table:

1 – Nacional da Madeira, 71, +34
2 – Porto – 66, +44
3 – Benfica -65, +35
4 – Braga, 63, +36
5 – Maritimo, 54, +24
6 – Sporting, 54, +19
7 – Rio Ave, 39, -3
8 – P. Ferreira, 37, -5
9 – Vit Setubal, 37, -15
10 –Belenenses, 35, -12
11 - Vit. Guimaraes, 34, -13
12 – Academica, 30, -23
13 – Gil Vicente, 29, -15
14 – Arouca, 23, -33
15 – Portimonense, 22, -24
16 – Olhanense, 14, -49

As you can see, we have really stratified the league with the Big Six (Martimo, Braga, use, the Big Three) and everyone else below. For much of the 2nd half of the season, Braga was behind us,but in the last few games they let Porto and Benfica get in front, and I’m disappointed.

We have done the impossible. Someone not named Porto, Sporting, or Benfica have won the division. And it’s us.

We need new goals!

1). Win the Liga again next year.
2). Get out of the Group Stage of the Champions Cup
3). Get the club to 100m value
4). Win all four Cups in the same year
5). Get to the Finals of European play.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 12:17 AM

Dejan Skolnik won Personality of the Year for Portuguese Football. Sebastian Peratta was 3rd. Congrats on winning the award!

Daniel Candeais came in 3rd in voting for Best National Player of the Year.

We won 1.57 Mill and gave out almost half to our squad for winning.

Rondon got 2nd for Forward of the year, Peratta got 3rd for GK.

We won the fair play award.

I approach my club to improve facilities since our training ones were downgraded due to technology. They agree.

Yearly training summary:

Costa, Agra, Goncalves, Rodrigues, Paulo Franco – yays!

Paulo Sergio, Peratta – boos.

Let’s win the title again boys! (In my team meeting)

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 08:16 PM

Stats!

Rondon – 3rd goals – 18; 4th - MOM – 5; 15th – Key Passes, 17; 13th Average Rating – 7.26
Lucas Castro – 1st Assists, 13; 15th Dribbles/Game, 2.77; 1st Distance/Game, 12.67 klicks
Candeais – 13th Assists, 8; 6th Dribbles/Game, 3.5; 8th Shots on Target, 50%; 1st – Distance Covered, 350 klicks; 14th Average Rating – 7.25
Dejan Skolnik, 7 Assists; 6th Key Passes, 21; 17th Average Rating, 7.22.
Andrei Marc – 7th Tackles/Game – 4.54;
Francisco Castro – 6th – Shots on target, 54%; 5th Key Passes - 17
Djaniny - 8th Shots on Target, 50%
Perrata – 2nd Clean Sheets - 11
Strandberg -6th – Key Headers, 73; 5th Interceptions ,273,

Leaving of Note:

Perrata (retiring and leaving)
Mexer
Sequeira
Daniel Candeais

Moussa Diallo
Many Others

I’m still not 100% sure about Candeais. Am I making the right call? The replacement is better skillset, but will he actually be better? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 08:35 PM

The Portuguese U19 squad beat Swiss – MOM was Rodrigues and Agra scored the only goal.

I sign a new youth coach who just retired. A guy I played with on the Mozambique National Squad – Dario.

Tottenham crush Juventus in the Euro Final 3-0

We made 2M for Euro TV Revenue.

After a relatively unsuccessful search of the Caribbean, I send that scout to Southern Africa.

Porto crush Vit Guimaraes in the Taca da Portugal 4-1.

I won Manager of the Year for Portuguese Liga.

FC Bayern beat Man City in the Champions Cup 1-0.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 09:36 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/df/2016_Summer_Olympics_logo.svg/220px-2016_Summer_Olympics_logo.svg.png

I have applied for and been accepted as the new U23 coach for Brazil. I was hoping to get a national side, but none never came up, so I’ll do the youth thing for Brazil instead. This is a nice challenge, to do the Olympics upcoming and see what I can do. I’m taking over one of the favorite teams. Hopefully I can use success here to springboard me to better stuff.

Olympics Group A:

Argentina
Australia
Ivory Coast
Spain

Group B:

France
Ghana
Japan
USA

Group C:

Brazil
Uruguay
Qatar
New Zealand

Group D:

Algeria
Germany
Mexico
South Korea

Top two teams qualify. What do you think my chances are of not qualifying? Exactly. I’m heading in as a heavy, but I sincerely doubt that even should I win, and the Brazil manager post open up, that I would be a serious contender. Brazil would never have a non-Brazilian coach the national side. But Brazil, despite their many honours, have never actually won the Olympics. So let’s aim for Gold!, and if we win, then perhaps a major side will listen.

My interest was considered big and my reputation muscled out others.

I have to select my squad this week. Alright, it’s ready to go. It’s downright nasty too. I would put this U23 squad for Brazil up against any national squad. I offer two friendlies to warm up to the Olympics Squad vs Argentina and Mexico, they accept.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 09:47 PM

Welcome to June!

My initial budget will be 5.24 mill transfer and 275k budget. Our sponsor, for one year, has doubled the previous stuff.

I have confirmed my squad for the Olympics

Fabian Ruiz has been called up to the US Olympics Squad.

I had bumped up Luis Carlos’s value to 4 mill to keep away people from sniffing his skirt. But Man U just made that 4 mil offer. I get them up to 5 mill. Then Luis Carlos rejected the bid. From Man U. Because he felt the pay increase after career league games wasn’t good enough. And that’s how we failed to make 5 million Euros today.

Our club has cracked the Top 50 European Clubs and leapt to #49.

Probably because of Sporting’s tumble to #53, we have lost a Champions Cup place. Now, only the 1st place club automatically gets to the Champions Cup Group Stage, not 1-2. We’ve fallen behind Russia and France.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 11:24 PM

Besiktas have signed Daniel Candeais.

I get an offer from Basel for Martins and I drive them to 2.2 mill (he’s worth 2 mill). Now, Rodrigues actually had a better ranking (6.95 vs 6.93) last year with a lot of subs. Martins was solid, but I could sell him and then either promote Rodrigues a year earlier than intended, or use this as an opportunity to upgrade the position considerably. I accept.

Let’s see if I can find the replacement for Martins. We bought him for 475lk and then flipped him for 2.2 mill plus a 30% of next sale fee. That’s good stuff. He’s not getting better and mostly peaked at 24. I’m comfortable with this sale, especially if I can flip him for someone else of higher quality.

What can I unearth? Since I have a great scouting resource in the National Pool of Brazil, I start there. Maybe some uber-superstar, like, say, Canela, a 16 year os Left fullback who I will be starting at the U23 level. He already has 18 tackling, 16 passing, 15 heading, etc. And he’s just worth 2.6 mill at the age of 16. This guy is sexy awesome. I scout him to see if we can figure out how much it’d take to lodge him (plus I think Brazilians can’t leave until 18). We would be pre-singing him.

Anyone else? The 21 year old Ronan is playing for my squad. He’s better than Martins, but not massively so. I could loan someone for a year if I can’t find a stud. I was expecting to move Rodrigues behind Aurelio next year, and I could just do that early. I’ve been working on his passing, but its still not great, and I don’t know if I want to give him the full starting job this year, and burn him out.

Okay, first of all, none of the hot young studs in DL football are interested in coming here. Except for super-stud Wonderkid Canela, my own guy on the U23 Brazilian club. He is mega hot. I make an offer. Now, he turns 18 in 13 months, so we would ne be getting him this year. What I would love to do is pick him up for next year, use the Martins money to help defray his cost, and then loan someone for this year as a one year patch. Then my future fullbacks will be incredible. The strength of the team with Rodrigues behind Aurelio and Canela where Martins was. That’s the plan. And Canela is amazing already. If I got him next year, what he already looks like, things would be incredible. I hope we’ll get someone even better.

I start scouting some loan candidates, just in case.

We agree to a 6 mill offer for Canela. We offer Canela a contract worth 14k a week.

Abe Sargent

05-14-2014, 11:56 PM

We are now worth 26.5 mill

We were the Biggest Overachievers in the League this year.

Perrata has retired. Mario Rondon was voted the Player of the Year by the fans.

Tis June 29. We get 2.36 mill. I keep our Champions Cup Challenge for now.

We have 30 loans complete.

The 1st has arrived. Our new players get here. We’ll see them in a moment. I offer a deal to a new GK Coach.

I need a new captain. I could promote Skolnik. Is there someone else who might work? With Agra, Rondon, Djaniny and Franny, we’re fine in the ST spot. We have Javi, Lucas Castro in the AMC spot, and Skolnik and Javi for the ML one. We jus tbrought in Henri for the MR and Aurelio is good there too. I run my new stud out of DMC but Marc and Strandberg will do well too. I have Marc, Strandberg, Costa and Freire in the DC spot. DL I was looking for a loaner. I could, feasibly, sign a new older guy at DL for a year to be my captain. And tutor my youth. Somebody like say, Ashley Cole, Carles Puyol, or Razvn Rat. Cole and Puyol are retiring in afew days. Rat is not, however.

With his 114 international caps for Romania, and currently unsigned, maybe I just want to sign him. That seems like a better and better idea the more I think about it. He’s good still at 35, can be a great captain, will be my one year patch for the DL, and can mentor my younger players. (He’s also really good at set pieces too). That’s a good target. I offer him a 1 year deal.

Noon has arrived, and our players all get here. Martins has been sold and left.

Our GK coach signs on the 2nd. Mark Beeney, from England. He has 4.5 star GK Shot Stopping coaching.

On the 3rd we announce we have signed Canela. That’s a huge coup for us for next year.

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 12:47 AM

My coaches recommend both Castros and Strandberg as the new captain.

Razvan Rat has joined us. Our best captain options are:

Leadership? 16 Franny, 15 Strandberg, 14 Agra, Goncalves, Paulo Franco, Skolnik, 13 Razvan Rat, Lucas Castro, Fabian Ruiz, Francisco Camppos

Determination? 18 Agra, 17 Ruiz, Rodrigues, 16 – Sergio Laranjeira, 15 Campos, Paulo Franco, Skolnik, 14 – Henri Lansbury, Aurelio, Goncalves, Rondon, Freire, Rat

Team work – 18 – Laranjeira, 16 – Ali, 15 – Costa, Strandberg, Sergio, 14 Rat, Agra, Franny Castro, Skolnik, Marc

Work Rate – 18 – Vitor Barreto, Skolnik, Goncalves, 116 – Costa, Campius, 15 – Agra, Rodrigues, Lucas Castro, Paulo Franco, Strandberg, Rat, Laranjeira, 14 – Ruiz, Marc Ali, Hojberg, Kevin Trulsen

Let’s look at Razvan Rat

So Rat is on all of the lists. And he’s seen it all. He won 6 league titles with Shakhtar, 2 with Rapid, he knows how to keep momentum. The last three years he started virtually every game in the Top Spanish league and last year alone he had a 7.3 rating. The previous year he had a 7.07 and had 5 MOM awards. He was one of the few bright lights as Rayo was relegated last season. He speaks a bajillion languages – Romanian, Russian, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Ukrainian, and Hungarian (but not Portuguese).

Razvan Rat will be playing DL for us for one year at 15k a week. He has 114 caps and a goal. He joins Andrei Marc as a fellow Romanian international. He’s just worth 30k, and even if I don’t make him my captain, he should prove to be a great tutor and mentor to Rodrigues. The Light-Hearted professional should be a quality first team signing for the next year.

Welcome man!

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/10/05/article-2446172-1859413E00000578-494_634x629.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 12:52 AM

Our next major signing was MCRL Henri Lansbury, English, 25, signed for 15.25/week until 2019 and worth 5.25 mill. Signed for free from Nottingham Forest, where he played for years. This Fairly Ambitious lad jus speaks English, but we have enough of those around, such as Fabian Ruiz, me, and Rat.

Signed to be the replacement for an aging Candeais, he will have to step into his shoes. After looking at his stats before, here’s another quick look:

Physical – 14, 13, 13, 10, 12, 15, 12, 11
Mental – 13, 13, 9, 11, 12, 14, 12, 14, 14, 6, 15, 10, 12, 11
Technical – 14, 15, 15, 14, 16, 11, 7, 13, 4, 7, 14, 6, 13, 14

The keys here are his better passing that Danny, slightly slower, better dribbling and first touch, mentals are slightly worse. We suspect he’ll be just as productive on the pitch, younger, and better in the big game, when Danny would sometimes not show up. He’s also much better in front of the net, with that 14 finish and 13 long shots.

Welcome to Madeira!

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Henri+Lansbury+Arsenal+v+Anderlecht+Markus+AaJNTuHH7hIl.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 01:02 AM

Our final signings, and this one is huge is DMC/MC Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Denmark, 20, signed through 2020. We stole him from Bayern Munchen for 24k/week and key player. Our scouts love him, and think he’ll get even better with 5 stars of potential. The French/Danish footballer already has 7 caps and 4 goals for Denmark. He’s worth 7 mill, and our most valuable player. He can play DC, AMC, ST, AMR and MR too. I would not play him much at DC though, it exposes a major weakness (low heading of 8, his only major one).

Let’s examine just how awesome this guy is.

Physical – 13 Acceleration, 12 Pace – acceptable. 12, 15, 16, 15, 16, 14 everything else in order. The best is the 16 stamina (useful for this role), 14 strength, even 16 jumping (sad that its combined with a low heading).

Mental – 16 – Creativity; 15 – Aggression, Off the Ball; 14 – Composure, Decisions, Determination, Work Rate; 13 – Anticipation, Team Work, Positioning; 12 – Flair, Leadership; 11 – Bravery, 9 – Concentration. For a 20 year old, those are quite good stats. He’ll grow into a very sharp player.

Technical – 17 – Passing; 16 – Technique; 15 – Crossing, First Touch, Long Shots; 14 Finishing, Free Kick Taking, Penalty Taking; 12 – Dribbling, Tackling; 11 Corners; 10 – Marking; 8 – Heading; 7 – Long Throws

So, those Technical skills are very developed for someone this young. He’s not a physical stud, but he’s fine. Where he steamrolls everything is those mental and technical stats, which we expect should continue to develop. I would like to get that tackling, marking, and dribbling up. Particularly the two defensive stats, since I will likely be playing him in the DMC spot.

Welcome to the club, young star!

http://static.goal.com/295000/295069.jpg

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 01:07 AM

Our transfer money is gone, and our wage budget is: 203,499 out of 230,400. I lower it a bit to give myself 200k in transfer money,

Who is leaving in 2017:

Razvan Rat
Paul Sergio
Ricardo Baptista
Freire
Douglas Jardel
Mario Rondon
Joao Aurelio
Ali
Javi Espinosa
Luis Carlos
Hernani Costa
Youth folks - Campos, Goncalves, Venancio

I make an offer to Hernani Costa. First Team, 2700/week, 15% wage rise annually, until 2019.

Another question to review later – do I let a 30 year old Mario Rondon go, or do I sign him to remain my starting ST? How much longer can he be our main guy?

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 11:56 AM

We play a friendly at Freamunde. We win 3-1. MOM is Lucas Castro.

In revenge of the World Cup, France defeat England to win the Euro 1-0 today.

Costa resigns with us. I know that I want to make Hojbjerg at least a Deep Lying Playmaker. Let’s start with that in a support role. I want to see how that goes. He might be a Regista later on.

Costa is a horrible stopper with his mighty 3 aggression. Se he’s my Cover DC instead, between Strandberg on the left and Aurelio on the right.

Skolnik agrees to tutor Luis Carlos. The guy who lost me 5 million. Paulo Franco agrees to learn from Freire. Rondon agrees to mentor Sergio Laranjeira.

Set Pieces:

Penalty Kicks:

Rondon
Hojberg
Djaniny
Aurelio
Javi
Franny

Throwing, Corners, and Free Kicks have all been doled out

Friendly away at Santana next. 6-0 at the half. MOM is Franny C, 10-1 ultimate victory.

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 12:12 PM

Mario Randon has been in the Copa America for Venezuela. The US have huge potential in their youth and many stars in the youth ranks they can be proud of. I have a shortlist of like 10 or 12 hot American youth, like Ruiz.

Our U23 Brazil folks arrives to prepare for the Olympics.

I make an offer to Luis Carlos. But Jose Goncalves wants like 3500 an squad rotation, and refuses to accept a hot prospect developmental role. Fabian Ruiz is out for while since he is called to be an Olympian too.

Today we have a friendly away at Camacha. GK Baptista will start until Ruiz returns. We win 6-0. MOM is Hernani Costa.

I convince my board to have a Trial Day!

I create my own tactic as a backup to learn. Its 3 DCs, 2 wingbacks, 2 AML/R, 2 ST, and 1 MC. I nickname it the “God’s Eye” since it looks like a circle with a dot in the middle.

We are invited to do a Spanish Tor due to our popularity there, and we agree.

Celtic pissed me off today. They made an offer for Aurelio. Damn it. I could sell him, move Rodrigues up, and move on. Aurelio will be 28 next month, so I’m happy to resign him, over him, or let him go at the end of the year, as needs dictate. I think players like Joao Aurelio, Dejan Skolnik and Mario Rondon help fans know that we are the same team, just better. I accept a 2.3 mill offer for Aurelio.

Our trialists arrive, and I take a looksee. None of them impressed. In fact, some were former youth players of ours that tried to secure another go around.

Abe Sargent

05-15-2014, 02:38 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/df/2016_Summer_Olympics_logo.svg/220px-2016_Summer_Olympics_logo.svg.png

I have my U23 friendly vs Argentina today. I won’t give you a bunch of details, since it’s just a chance to get a feel for my squad. We are playing a 4-3-2-1. We have tons of great middies, especially attacking ones, but not a lot of good true Strikers. Some of these players I added to the national pool so I could round out my team, such as Gilberto, who plays DR, WBR, MR and such.

My starters:

GK Rafael
DC – Marlon, Doria, Defend both
DR – Canela (Coming to Portugal in August 2017!), As Needed
DL – Igor Juliao, As Needed
MC – Marlon Bica, Support,
ML – Neymar, Attack
MR – Gilberto, Attack
AMC – Oscar, Support; Vitinho, Attack
ST – Otavio, Attack

I could take 3 players over 23, and I have Rafael, the best GK for the nation, who has started for the national squad, and Neymar and Oscar, just downright awesome players. Since the Copa America is going on, the Senior Squad has the best Gk and I took the 2nd best for the Olympics.

Marlon Bica is the captain, and Doria the Vice.

In the first 20 seconds, Gilberto finds Otavio for a score. Now I’m pulling back and just giving you a summary. We win 2-0, yay!

Next is our first friendly in Spain vs Hercules. Pick up where you left off! Rondon is back. We wi n4-1 and MOM is Franny with a hat trick.

I trim my squad for the Olympics final 18