FM2016 - From Africa to Europe - ALL DONE!!!!!

[Abe Sargent]

So I have this eternal idea for a FM Dynasty. It would be really hard, but here’s the idea.


I don’t know how much you might know about the history of Spain. But many lands exchanged back and forth over the years and various holdings spread back and forth, as cities, forts, and islands passed hands.

The result of this changing swaps is that Spain currently holds two cities on the North African coast surrounded by Morocco. Both of these holdings are the remnants of former holdings in Morocco and Africa by Spain long ago, and both were never taken back. They have been in Spain’s possession for centuries, and despite the political climate and being surrounded by Morocco, they have never been retaken. It’s sort of like Gibraltar in reverse.

These two cities are Ceuta and Melilla. Melilla is a city of 78000 that’s been in Spain’s holding since 1497 while Ceuta is 82000 and they were taken by the Portuguese in 1415 and then became Spanish in 1668 after the Civil War that forced the personal union of Portugal and Spain apart and Ceuta went with Spain.

With their long histories as part of Spain, it’s no surprise that they would embrace Spanish culture completely, and that means a love of football. One of these cities, Melilla, has its own football club that plays in the Spanish Segunda Division B – Group 4. . UD Melilla.

The rules to achieve promotion to the next level are very byzantine. Now Melilla has very solid history, and they have regularly placed first, second or third in the Group 4. But they’ve been on a downturn and haven’t been promoted out, ever.

There are four Groups, and the placed teams that win the various divisions square off in playoffs, with a limited number of promotions to Segunda A. 80 teams play in Division B. It’s not easy to make it out. Just four teams get out a year, and often it’s not the winner. And then you have 22 teams in Segunda A and you have to make it through that before you improve to La Liga. And there are a lot of good, high quality teams in Division A just mucking about and causing problems.

This Dynasty has four goals in increasing levels of difficulty:

1). Get UD Melilla out of Segunda B for the first time in its history. This is hard. Even if you win the 20 team Group B, that’s hard to get promoted. Melilla has won before and still never made it out.
2). Get UD Melilla, an African team, to the top flight of a major European League by winning promotion from Segunda A to La Liga.
3). Do well enough to secure a spot in a European Competition (As an African Team).
4). Win any European Title (As an African Team).

That’s my goal. Can we do it?

[Young Drachma]

I love this idea.

[Abe Sargent]

THanks!

[Abe Sargent]

I have never won a European Title until I got a Champions Victory with a previous dynasty with a team in the Portuguese Division, Nacional da Madeira. That’s never happened before or since, but that’s eb a long term goal.

An African Team lifting a European Title? That’s just awesome.



So let’s go….Melilla!


Active Nations –

Spain, Portugal

All three levels playable in both

Start date – July 10, 2015

Meet:

Julio Fernandez Salgado

In Spanish custom, that’s the given name, father’s familly name and mother’s family name in order. Properly Julio Fernandez

Born 24 Feb, 1980

Spanish/Moroccan, speaks French and Portuguese as well

Born in Melilla

Favorite Team – Melilla

Preferred Formations – 3-5-2, 3-1-4-2, 4-3-3, and 4-4-2 Diamond

[Abe Sargent]

Born in a local hospital in Melilla, Abraham ben Sancho was born just ten days after Valentine’s Day to older couple who weren’t expecting any more children. The fifth in his family, and youngest by 11 years, Julio was in an odd position as potentially both the youngest baby and an only child as many of his siblings were out of the house. His parents were respectable Jewish merchants in the city, one of a large number of Sephardi Jews in the city. However, disaster would strike when a local fire hit the block of the city five months after he was born. Like many others, he wound up in a local orphanage, having lost his family, and his parents died, and many children were never found.

Various children were similarly disinherited from their families, and some families were denuded of their children. Adopted by a local factory worker of Basque descent and his wife, the newly christened Julio would be raised Catholic, and raised in a blue collar section of town, with his father working long hours at making and smelting metal and creating ingots from the local mines.

With the major trade that comes through the city, there are numerous businesses, and the increasingly diverse population was seeing newcomers. Melilla embraced many Spanish customs, and their love of football was one, and Julio was one of many children who played in the streets and local parks. A few Moroccan clubs and scouts were in Melilla as well, and a small youth club was in the area of the city he lived in. He joined, and was considered one of the three stars of that club.

The club was one of the lesser known ones from the city, and the local club of Melilla wasn’t seriously interested in him, despite his love of the club as a fan. But next door was a third tier team in Nador - Fath Riadi de Nador. They recruited him, and he came through the ranks and left for Morocco and played for Nador for 6 years, earning his Moroccan national badge next door. After early introduction into the youth team and then to the main squad, and he won Young Player of the Year at the age of 19, and he had been capped numerous times for the junior level, and he was traded to the major club of Maghreb Fez, (Maghreb Association Sportive de Fez), in the Botola, the top division of Morocco. He played there for 4 years, but was disappointing on the pitch and never lived up to the potential he was claimed to have.

He was left to head out on his own, and having been known in Morocco, another lesser Botolan club signed him to kick the tires. Olympic Safi signed him, and he played there for seven years, and was at first a rotation player, but proved himself a smart and savvy player for his age, and eventually became a solid first team player for the team as a center back. Strong at ordering folks around, and leading the pitch, he was vice captain of the squad. Due to the savvy experience he showed, he was even called up and played on the National Moroccan Squad and was capped 6 times during his run with Safi.

Ultimately Julio’s time at Safi would end at the age of 30, as other youth were brought onto the squad who were better and younger. Julio never won any major accolades or anything, and never finished in the top of the stats for the leagues they played in, but he was always a solid and strong contributor to the 3-5-2 scheme they ran.

Seeing the writing on the wall, and knowing that the mental game had always been his boon, Julio began to look for opportunities for coaching. Despite being in Morocco all of his natural life, that was not to be. He looked for a variety of jobs, and spoke French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Spanish as needed, but was not a major name.

He moved to open his job outlook in Portugal and Spain as well. He found a spot in Bilbao, working as a youth coach for the Bilbao squad, and using the Basque connections of his adopted father. Julio worked for Bilbao for four years as a youth coach and then a defensive one. Then Athletic Bilbao, the top Liga club brought him up. He worked at Athletic Bilbao for a few years, again getting licenses, and developing himself as the defensive and later tactical coach. After securing a Continental B license, many were tabbing him to be a Assistant Manager anytime, and with a strong potential to be a Manager later for a big name club.

And then it happened. Destiny called for Julio.

His hometown club of Melilla fired their Manager. Two days later, Julio’s adopted mother had a stroke, and was in bad condition. A dutiful son, Julio wanted to return to Melilla to take care of her and help his father help out with the expenses and care that would be needed.

So he submitted his application to become the next Manager of UD Melilla.



On July 10, 2015, Melilla announced the hiring of Julio Rodriguez Salgado. This is seen as a big hire for Melilla, a small time club in the Segunda B division with 80 teams. Lots of Managers started in smaller leagues and moved up, so Julio is taking a similar path, and he’s certainly earned this as an internal footballer for Morocco and coach for Athletic Bilbao. However, his connection to the city and the fact he is a fan of the team underline the obvious reasons for his hire, and no one would hold him going back to Melilla to help his mother against him later if it doesn’t’ t pan out.

It’s been a few years since Melilla was in the title discussion for Group 4. Can Julio get them there? Can he make them relevant again?

[Abe Sargent]

UD Melilla

12000 stadium

Predicted 12th

Stadium – Municipal Alvarez Claros

Basic Training facilities, below average youth, Central Europe region, okay finances, 1.6M value

Julio RS – Favorite teams – UD Melilla, Bilbao, Athletic Bilbao (Moroccan teams are not in the game). International Experience. Continental License. Emphasized the manager and tactical aspects of the game over tracksuits and coaching up skills. Emphasis on areas of Youth Coaching (12 highest in coaching stats), Motivating (19), Man Management (18), Discipline, Determination (16).

Speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese

Favorite tactics – 3-5-2, 4-1-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 Diamond wide

“The Melilla Board today have announced the appointment of Julio Rodriguez Salgado to the role of Manager of the team. Rodriguez Salgado enjoys a growing reputation within the soccer world and it is hoped that his appointment will take Melilla onto bigger and better things.”

“The club’s board is extremely pleased to have acquired a head coach of your caliber.” Julio is given a contact of 205,000 a year. We attend meetings and such.




Melilla is an odd blend of cultures. The Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha is a national holiday here. The first time a non-Christian religious holiday of any sort has been a holiday since the Reconquista. The nearby Moroccan city of Nador shares the same bay as Melilla. (Population around 200,000 for Nador).


The Morocco/Spain relations are weakened due to the status of Ceuta and Melilla. Despite numerous treaties setting the borders signed centuries ago, Morocco claims Melilla as an occupied territory of itself by Spain. Using the concept of integrity of borders and such that Spain signed later than those treaties, Morocco claims Spain has agreed that these two holdings are really the property of Morocco. What really busts Morocco is the identical claim that Spain makes against the crown holding of Gibraltar. Similar claims are made by Spain that Gibraltar is theirs due to treaties the UK signed later regarding territorial integrity.

[Abe Sargent]

Budget –

41488 Euros/week

Current: 40500/week

0 transfer available

Alright, so what can we do?

34800 of that is players

The rest is staff. Can I trim some staff or $$$ in order to reduce that?

We have:

2 coaches
0 physios
1 Scout

Well that’s not really trimmable. Our scout is also the Director of Football, Paco Montoya. And I’m one of the two coaches, the other is a Fitness one. No Ass man either. Most other teams have a real staff (Cadiz, Cartagena, Murcia, and such) although there are some staff light ones too like Jumilla and Sevilla Atletico) . We need a real staff

We have 8 players on the B squad, 21 players on the main, and 0 on our U19 one. None of our B squad members are younger than 24. (There are a bunch of greyed out players out there I could bring in if I need to)

[Abe Sargent]

Let’s look at the squad:

GK Dani Barrio, 350k, 2.2k/weekly, Our best player 28 years old, just joined us, key player, 1 year deal, best stats include 14 reflexes, 15 rushing out, 14 handling, 13 aerial reach, 14 jumping, He’s fine for now

GK Alvaro, 26 years old, 1.1k/weekly, 80k value, 10 Aerial, 11 reflexes, 7 jumping, ut much better mentally.

DRC Mohamed Mahanan, 31 years old, 40.5K value, 1.4k.week, for two years, Heading 9, 12 arking, 11 passing, 12 tack. 2.5 star rating

DCL Richi, 29 years old, 2.5 stars, 14 jump reach, 13 head, 10 mark, 10 tack, 8 pass, 105k, 1.5k/week

DC Fatah, on loan from Almeria, Moroccan, 18 years old, 2 stars vs 4.5 star potential, 12 mark, 11 head, 9 jump, 12 pass, 12 tack. He’s pretty good and the only major youth player on my team, but just on loan.

DR, WBR – Pepe Romero, 210k, 4th most expensive player on team, 2/k for 1 more year, 22 years old, 4 stars and 4.5 potential. Best numbers 12/11 acc/pace, 12 pass, 12 tack, 13 technique, just 8/10 jump/head,

DL/WBL – Pendu, 22 years old, 675/week, 2 stars, 2 potential, 12/10 acc/pace, just 11 mark, 10 tackl, 11 technique, and no other single numbers.

DM Pedro Bolanos, 29 years, 2.1k/week, 2.5 stars current and potential, 9/10 ac/pace 13 tack, 10 pass, and just one year left on deal.

DM Brahim, 19 years old, listed for loan, DM, MC, AM R, MR – 11/11 acc/pace, 10 dribbling, 10 pass, 10 tack, 11 technique, 41.5k value, 575/week, one year left, 1.5 stars,

DM MC Nando, 21k value, 2k/week, 2.5 stars and potential, 33 years old, 12 head, 9/10 acc pace, 10 pass, 14 mark, 10 technique, 10 pass. Great mentals. One year left on deal

DM.M C, Moha, 23 years od, 71k value, 1.1k/week, 1 year left, 2 stars, 2 potential, 12/11 acc/pace, 12 mark, 12 pass, 12 tack, 12 tech, solid mentals

AM/M/DM C – David Sanchez, 32 years old, 4 stars, 4 potential, 2 years left, 3.7k/week, 10/10 acc/pace, 16 pass, 15 technique, great metnals, and also my set piece specialist too 15 free kick, 14 penalty, 12 long shot, 10 finishing

MC David Vazquez, 3.5 star rating, 3.5 stars, 14 corers, 16 free kick, 10 finishing, 12 long shots, Another set piece guy, plus 13 pass, 10/11 speed, 13 tech.

MC/MR Chupe – 29 years old, 220k, 2.1k, 15/14 accc/pace, 12 tech, 13 pass, 10 cross, 14 dribb, 3.5 stars, 2 years left on deal. 3rd most expensive player on the list.

AM/m R, Sufian 170k, 1.8k, one year, 3.5 potential and current, 12/12 speed, 18 fitness 12 cross, pass, 11 dribb, 9 tech, . Meh

AM/M C – Borja, 2 current, 3 potentia, 20 years, 1 year left, 60k, 750/week, 12 mark, 10 tack, 13 technique, 13/10 speed, solid mentals.

I like Borja as a nice rotating guy

AMC/ST C – Manolo, 28 years, 90k, 1.5k/week, 1 year left, 2.5 stars and potential, 12/11 speed, 12 jump, 12 finish, 11 head, 10 pass, 11 tech, 14 flair,

AMC/ST – Diego Cascon, 31, 230k value, 3.4/week, 1 year left, 2nd most valuable player on team, 10 finish, 12/14 speed, 14 jump, 12 head, 12 pass, 11 technique, 12 flair, 11 dribb ,good physical stats. 4 star player.

STC Nacho Aznar, 49.5k value, 2k/week, 1 eyar left, 32 years old, 2.5 abilitty, 11/13 speed 13 pass , 12 tech, 11 cross, 12 dribb, 10 finishing

STC Jose Luis Plata, 12 finish, 12 first touch, 25 years old, 135k value, 1.8k/week, 12/12 speed, 12 head, 14 penalty, 10 flair,

STC Koeman, 60k value, 1.1k/week, one year left, 11/11 speed, 1st touch 11, head 11, 14 work rate, 13 flair, 24 years old

[Abe Sargent]

Our home stadium:

Estadio Municipal Álvarez Claro

http://www.resultados-futbol.com/estadio-alvarez-claro-melilla-rf_70285.jpg


http://static.foot-base.com/images/attachments/stadium/1355950408306.JPG


The city

http://www.polibeaturismo.com/boletinesAnteriores/2006/septiembre/breves/imagenes/MelillaVieja.jpg


http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/43/62/61/melilla.jpg


http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/3a/3d/7b/melilla.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

So we have some interesting strengths on the roster. Here’s what I;m seeing:

2 great set piece specialsts in the midfield
A solid target guy for Striker
A solid DC and strong GK
And a strong fullback. Some adequate rotation.

So here’s what I’m thinking. I’m thinking a defensive tactics, emphasizing our ability to push on set pieces, and playing solid defense.

If I were to run a 4-4-2 basic tactic, I’d see

GK Barrio
DC Fatah, DR Romero, DC Mahanan, DL Richi
ML Chupe, MR Sufian , MC David Vazquez, MC David Sanchez,
ST Diego Cascon, Nacho Aznar

Rotation – MC Pedro Bolanos, Borja, ST Jose Luis Plata, MC Nando,

We are strong in the middle MC, and have some good defenders and some weaker ones. It’d be nice to have more talent in some areas, but help is clearly not on the way.


Let me take a quick look at the other main tactics in the league:

442
4142
4411
4411
41221
4411
41221
4411
4411
4411
4411
4411
442
42121
4411
4411
4231
42211

So as you can see, 4411 is about 11 of 20 teams.

Our director of football thinks a 4-3-3. 4-1-2-3 and 4-3-1-2 are the best formations we have. I think a defensive counter striking strategy is a good way to counter these, as they tend to push midfielders and others up to support their attack, rather than rely on the two forwards to score. I have a weak DL, an uncomfortable DC, and one of my wingers isn’t super hot, and I’ve got a weak ST core, despite a lot of bums there.

Key players by contract – ST Diego Cascon, GK Dani Barrio, Middie David Sanchez

First Team by contract – ST Nacho Aznar, DM/MC Nando, DC/L – Richi, AM/R Chupe, AM/R Sufian, DRO Mohamed Mahanan, MC David Vazquez, DR Pepe Romero

Rotation – DM Pedro Bolanos

Backup – Everyone else

Hot Prospect – DC Fatah, Am/M C Borja, DM.MAM RC Brahim

How many players on this squad were born in Melilla?

Brahim, Mohamed Mahanan (Also Moroccan), Manolo, Moha, Pendu, Pepe Romero, Sufian, Nacho Aznar, Borja

Fatah was born in Nador next door in Morocco,by the by.

Fatah came through the Melilla ranks, and then we sold him to Almeria, and loaned him back

Aznar had 12 goals two seasons ago and 7 last year for us, and has 146 club appearances for us. Sanchez had 13 goals last season. Mohamed came through our youth ranks, and plated with us his whole career. 287 appearances for the club. 153 appearances for Manolo, and such.

[Abe Sargent]

I make Mohamed my Captain an D Sanchez my vice

(In real life, Melilla is currently 18th of 20 this year)


Let’s take a looksee at the rules of the Group 4 in the Segunda B

38 games

Players signed on a free can be registered anytime
5 subs, 3 used
Max 2 GK, 20 outfield, and 22 players on squad. Max of 16 Over 23 players

Top 4 teams qualify for playoffs, 16 team tournament for 4 spots to make it out.

Bottom 4 relegate from each league, and 16th team is placed in relegation tournament

Melilla began in the 3rd division in 1976 after it was reformed. During that time it was 4th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd and 3rd and ultimately was promoted in 1987. Since then it has never been relegated back down. There have been hot and cold spells, but it’s been in the Segunda B for a long time. It’s time to give it a upgrade

We have 2 GK, 16 Over 23 players already, 5 under and 21 totally – room for one U23 guy.

All but 3 players on the squad are up in one year . We can recast our team as needed.

There are a few amateur and young players that I like and I’d normally approach. But we are close to the radar and I still need staff.

Can I trim any of this fat?

Salary wise, the worst player on my team making good cash is probably Nando. He’s older at 33, we’re paying him 2k/week, he’s a DM and MC, and at a place I have good players already, he has a first team contract deal, and he’s only good with mentals. Nando is my first target of slimming down.

I approach him, and after we have a talk, he agrees to leave. That frees up my roster space and salary enough to chase some young talent.

[Abe Sargent]

I like these youth:

DR/WB R 19 year old Antonio Jesus Diaz – I make him a hot prospect offer for 550/week. He has a 20 determination and I’m hoping I can build a solid DR for us.

Playing for another youth squad in the Group 2 of Segunda Division is this next hottie:

ST Oshie Paul Asu, 18 years old, Nigerian, buit he wants 2k/week and a major deal. He’s nice though. But I can’t bring him in for that cost.

Ah well, who else is there?

ST Alan Avila, Mexican, played for a bunch of clubs here in Spain, but the last one (Marino) let him go. Currently on a freee. 20 years old, offered a hot prospect deal at 525/week.

Another guy on a free after FC Barcelona let him go IS AM LR Richard Ebwelle, Cameroonian, 19 years old, also 20 determination, and I feel I could use a future winger that I can develop as well. I make him a hot prospect offer as well for 300/week

Later in the day we agree to terms with Avila

I get some season expectations and 200k transfer cash. We expect a mid-standing finish. I agree.

My salary was set to 41.5 and transfer at 200k

I’ll use some of that cash for singing on fees and making agents happy fees.

And staff

Everybody is happy with my captain choices and new players and signing deals and such. No one is upset that I let Nando free

[Abe Sargent]

Avila signs

Alan Avila – 525/week, 1 year deal, ST, 2.5 current, 4 star future rankings, 17 determination, 15 work rate, 12/12 speed, 11 finish, 12 head, 11 dribb nd 1st touch, 11 technique, 14 fitness, but 9 flair, 4 passing and such -0 needs to develop. Speaks Spanish, eligible for Spanish nationality if he wants.

Coach evals – Very well suited for this division; determined attitude, fits into loyal squad, fair speed, can only play one position, could do with being taught the aerial game, inability to leap off the game, and should be put on regime to improve passing. I put him on a passing focus.

We have him rated as a better Striker right now over Manolo and Koeman, and 4th best on our squad

I talk to Mahanan to welcome Avila, and he agrees.

Player meeting –

Morale post-meeting is around 6 players loving it and the rest improve morale here less

I feel like I could use a 3rd GK that doesn’t suck. My third is over n the B squad and he sucks.

Any youthers I want to push?

How about 18 year old and disappointment from Real Madrid Marcos Lavin? I offer him a hot prospect deal for 475/week

I get ready with some pressers and a sample game.



I meet the players

I make an offer to Finidi George for a coach spot

Miguel Baston as a GK Coach; some random as a coach

Gustavo Sanchez as a scout

I even make a physio offer

I make David Sanchez a Deep Lying Playmaker, Cascon a Target Man, my wingers into defensive ones, and Vazquez an Advanced Playmaker.

Alright scrimmage time vs the B Team. We finish 0-0. Not happy with that lads

Antonio Jesus Diaz agrees to terms with us and will play for us

19, 2 tars now, 4 later, 20 determination, 12 speed, 15 teamwork, and some other solid places. Not a bad backup guy at all, really.

Reports – Driven, fits into squad, good team player, can play multiple positions, well suited to 3rd division soccer (not 2nd), needs aerial presence, should be put on training regime to improve strength

Baston signs as our GK coach

Finidi George rejected us

We sign that physio I was looking at

I offer a deal for Rafa Pozo as a coach as well as another bum

[Abe Sargent]

Koeman gets a thoigh injury during training that’ll keep him out for a few weeks

GK Marcos Lavin joins us

Marcos Lavin, 18 years old, 2.5 rating vs 3.5 potential, 13 refelxes and 16 teamwork, 12 work rate, but just 6 aeriel reach. I’ll be moving Marcos to my B Team, he’s better than my current GK there.

Has work to do, should be put on regime to improve positioning, well suited to our division, balanced and normal, fits in with squad and great at shot stopping.

Richard Ebwelle signs on the 14th


Ebwelle, 19 years, AM/M RL, 20 determination, 15 teamwork, 12 work rate, 16 flair, 12 speed, 12 cross, 10 pass, 12 1st touch and technique. 2 current stars, 3 future, Driven, fits into squad, speedy, versatile, but needs to improve strength, well suited more to 3rd division than us right now, needs to work in the gym, and should be put on a regime to improve stamina.

Fatah was called up for the Moroccan youth football squad

So we have a minor issue. I now have 23 players on my top squad. We can only register 22. I still have Brahim offered for loan, but nothing. HE’s definitely on the outs. I can also drop one of my strikers.


More staff join

I have a scout, but I can only scout Spain. Not next door in Morocco, just Spain.


15 July – Alan Avila now gained Spanish citizenship today after his paperwork cleared

I convince the board to increase the coaches. We can now have 5.

I was rejected when I asked to increase our scouting range though. Ah well

We will sell around 1100 season tickets


The only thing that I’m good at coach is tactics, and if left alone, and not focusing on anything else, can get you a very saucy 4 star training there. We have 3 and 2.5 stars in fitness with our expert there, 3 satrs in the GK stuff, 2 stars I Ball Control, attacking and shooting, and 3 in defensing.

Hmm


I think I have enough salary for an Ass Man. Let’s see if I can unearth a good one

I make an offer to Sergio Pellicer to be my Ass Manager

[Abe Sargent]

One of my coaches was just offered a job at another club

We are drawn vs Algeciras in the 1st Round of the Spanish Cup.

Pellicer joins us. I hand him Ball Control and it rises to 3 stars,

24 Jul – My coach signs with Getafe and we make 43k in the move. I need a new coach.

26 Jul – Our first away game arrives and we head to take on Rayo Majadahonda

We lose 4-2.

Next up is an away match vs Xerex

I massage my starters a bit. Whoa I like the look of my kits here. Plata got me two goals last game from the bench, so I moved him in to start for ST Nacho. Pepe Romero drives, crosses to our target man Cascon for a score in the 45th and we are up 1-0 at the half. Vazquez intercepts a pass, hoofs it perfectly to Chupe driving the side and Chupe crosses to Cascon for another score in the 59th. 2-0 us. Vazqeuz and Plata play a one two one two driving with the ball, Plata then slips it to Cascon for his hat trick and a 3-0 score for us in the 64th. Ebwelle scores in the 84th off a rebound after Brahim’s shot off a dfk was blocked. We win 4-0. Much better

A few days later, DM Pedro Bolanos is injured for a couple of weeks with a training injury.

Koeman is back from his injury

Aug 5 – Next friendly, the first one at home. A Vanquez corner connects with Sufian for a score. 1-0 at the 16 mark. Then Sufian crosses to Cascon who heads it in delightfully for a 2-0 score at the 24 mark. We even get an OG from them in the 62nd, they have a goal called offsides, they penalize us for a nice cross by Ebwelle in the 87th and Plata scores a PK. 4-0 final score. We defeated AC Cesena, a Serie B team in Italy.

[Abe Sargent]

We are given 50-1 odds at winning the 4th Division

15 August – We have a Testimonial Game!

Today we host Perugia, and the game is in honor of Mohamed Mahanan, our captain, and the guy who’s played his whole career for us and has 287 league appearances in that time. Ex-Melilla player Guille Roldan will be making an appearance at the game. Perugia is a Serie B team from Italy as well.


0-0. Lots of momentum changes. We were hounded early on, ADND AT THE HALF THEY HAD 9 SHOTS AND 6 ON TARGET AND US 3-0 (sorry, all caps) Then we split And headed and dominated and brought it to 13-5 for us and 12-7 for them. It was a rough scoreless night.


Here our captain, Mahanan, permanent Melilla guy, and guest of honor:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blYkG1c-nhI/VaoqEU2LubI/AAAAAAABhYs/eXWzMReEjTo/s1600/Mahanan.jpg


https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwUKhCrNI2Xm6kACYem7aFeT1iPv_PF9som3CPe-JAbLF15yE-

[Abe Sargent]

Aug 18 – Bolanos is back from injury

I move a bunch of players to my B squad (Koeman, Brahim, Pendu) and I am looking for a good DC. I’m currently about 2k under budget after massaging it for coaches and other staff. Are there are folks out there for me? I’d rather develop my own guy than someone else’s including the DC we have on loan.

I make an offer to Uxio, a 22 year old Spanish DC. Whoa, he wants key player. He’s better than Fatah. So I can negotiate him down. But not that much. Hmm. One year deal, see how he does. Nah they are forcing my hand for two years. Alright fine. 2 years, first team, 1.6k/week

He joins us. I register him and that puts us at 22 players.

Uxio, 22 years old, Spanish, DC/DMC, 13 head, 12 jump, 12/12 speed, 13 mark, 12 tack, 12 technique, 16 teamwork, 13 position, 12 work rate, 15 aggression, now just 10 pass, and str, and such. But not bad for this level – comes with 3.5 stars current and 4.5 potential. My folks have him at pros – leading player for most Segunda folks, balanced and normal, good in the air, versatile – bad – not really loyal like my other guys, needs to improve str

In the Second Division Team to Watch comments on 25 Aug we are listed as a team that could surprise pundits and are a dark horse to do well after my acquisitions


Our final friendly arrives, and we have arrived in Mallorca to face their B team. Penalty given after they tackle Cascon in the box from a cross. Sanchez sinks it easily. Nacho Aznar hits Cascon for a sore and its 2-0 before 10 minutes have hit the clock. Half. They score back in the 85th. 2-1 final, and we win away.

That was our final friendly, and we’ve done well with our pre-season. We’re ready for the year.

[Abe Sargent]

August 30 – The season begins. We head to Cadiz to take them on. I move Uxio to the bench in a sub squad, Fatah’s match fit, so he starts. Let’s see what my lads have. Subs are Borja, Uxio, Ebwelle, ST Avila and ST Plata. I want to rotate the Avila spot among other youthers to give them some experience as needed. But that’s a DC/DMC, AM/M C, MRL, and STx2 in my cache. Now many of my defenders can move from one spot to another, so if I have a fullback injured, I can slide over Mohamed Mahanan into their spot and put n Uxio.

Everyone expects a tie today. But is that what will happen on the pitch? Let’s find out! They collect a booking early. Then Pepe Romero follows. No major pressure early, after a cross to Cason is headed just off target. We’re both playing about evenly. 0-0 haltime, and we are 8 shots, 1 on target, and they 6 and 2. Keep going! And then it happens. They double team and foul Sanchez. David Vazquez lines up a DFK and fires it from long range, and hits Nacho Aznar who scores in the 56th minute. There’s that set piece beauty. We play counter, we play set pieces, and we play smart football. That’s how we are going to win in this field. My first sub is to pull the yellowed Romero for Uxio. I pull Sanchez for Borja. They collect three bookings, and have four players threatened with reds on another yellow. Avilar heads in late. I have moved to defensive for the last 15 minutes or so, and………they score on a corner kick in the 91st minute and tie it. 1-1. Game. MOM is not us . We almost won that one, and we could have. I’ll take it.


After all Cadiz are 16-1 odds on and expected to be 3rd in the season, so we started in their place and almost won. That’s okay.

End fo August –

Good training? Fatah in tactics

Upcoming schedule:

Sept 2 – Home vs Algcrs in the 1st Round of the Spanish Cup
Sept 6 – Home vs UCAM
Sept 9 – 2nd Round Game of the Spanish Cup, in case we win
Sept 13 – Home vs Betis B
Sept 19 – Away vs REC
Sept 23 – Home vs San Ro
Sept 27 – Away vs Jumill

We’ll have a good sense of ourselves pretty soon

[Abe Sargent]

The Cup Match arrives. I start Uxio. We are favored. Algecieras is jut promoted to the Segunda B league. Quiet first half. 0-0. Get that one goal!!! Vazquez heads to the bench first for Borja. Borja starts a counter in the 64th minute, hits Chupe who drives the side, slides the ball to Cascon who the keeper comes out to push, and Cascon finds Nacho Aznar attacking just off angle and slips it in. Nice counter-score. Next sub is Diaz who subs in for Uxio right after Uxio gest a yellow. Final sub is Ebwelle for Chupe. We win 1-0. MOM is Romero.

We’ll take a Cup win all day long.

Next up is UD Longrones, a fellow Segunda B league team fro another group.

Bolanos is back from injury


Match vs UCAM – We are expected to win by a bit. This time I rotate in Pedro Bolanos into the spot that Diaz was in on the sub-bench. Here we go . Beautiful shot by Cascon is barely turned aside. 0-0 half. Not a lot of shots – 4-1 on target by them, 4-2 by us. You can still win! I sub out a quiet Aznar for Plata. On a counter, Pepe Romero is driving down the Side, crosses to Cascon who drops the ball to the ground and then kicks it in. Next sub is Bolans in for David Sanchez. They get their own counter to sink in the 78th and bring back level with us. And that’s game. Disappointing.

[Abe Sargent]

Round Two of the Spanish Cup – I swap Bolanos for Diaz. Show me what you can do! At 25 minutes, they are 5 shots, 1 on target, and us? None. They score off a corner kick, header on target, knocked away by a defender, and then pounced on the rebound and put it away. Half time. COME ON! Cross to Cason who slides it to Nacho Aznar for a goal in the 64th to tie it up baby. Romero is dinged, and I sub in Diaz for him. I sub in Plata for a tired Cascon next. They score off a counter in the 87th minute. Borja heads in. Game. We lose.


Game 3 of the season is here vs the B Squad of Real Betis. I sub out a tired Chupe for Ebwelle. Sufian drives, finds Cascon for a score in the 20th. They collect two yellows quickly. We are just all over Real BB but no more scores (13 shots, 6 on target vs 5 and 2 for them). KEEP IT UP! I pull Richi for Diaz. 3rd yellow for them. 2nd sub is Borja for Vazquez. Then Sanchez for Manolo. We keep this lead and win. In all three league games we were ahead 1-0 and in lost a goal late until this one and we get the victory and emerge with 5 points in the first three games. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

Game 4 – vs Recreativo – who are favorites by the by. Chupe is back in the starting lineup. Show the world what you can do! We have a Goal called offsides in the 21st. 0-0 at the half. . We can still win! At the half, each team has precisely two shots, and none on target. I sub in Fatah for a poor-playing Mahanan before bad stuff happens. ST Avila heads in for a quiet Nacho Aznar. All quiet, quick draw. MOM is FB Richi. Unlucky! But a point is fine here.

Game 5 - Away vs San Roque. Boring 0-0 half. WIN this thang. Mahanan with a yellow card. I sub him out for Fatah. On a counter, Aznar gets the ball, feeds it string down the middle to Cascon who rushes in and scores in the 70th minute. 1-0. I sub in Diaz for Richi . Final sub is Borja for Vazquez. We win 1-0. MOM is Cascon. That was a bit of a let off, assert yourself more in the future.

Now the good news is that we have 9 point sin 5 games and are tied with UCAM and Cadiz at 4-6. But we’ve barely done it. We have 4-2 goals in those games, we have thee ties, and two 1-0 squeakers. Our offense isn’t breaking anything open.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 6 – We are expected to win today’s away game vs Jumilla. Keep the run going! Romero finds Cascon for a score in the 3rd minute to open things out nicely. Jumilla pushes hard back for a while. Lots of shots, corners, and such, but we weather the storm without breaking. They finally keep pushing and score in the 30th, but its offsides. Whew. 1-0 half. Don’t get complacent! More assaults and sieges of Castle Barrio. I sub in Moha for Vazquez and then swap him and Sanchez’s spots We score in the 74t, but it’s also waived off. I sub in Borja for Sanchez. Aznar feeds Cascon another ball on a break, and Cascon rushes with it for around 20 yards, dribbles between two folks, and scores in the 81st. Final sub is Ebwelle for Chupe. Game, we win 2-0. MOM is Cascon obviously.

I’m very happy and now we’re in 3rd.

End of September:

Vazquez good training


Important Dates for October:

Oct 4 – Home vs Alme B
Oct 11 – Home s VIllan
Oct 18 – Away vs Lahoya
Oct 25 – Away vs Jaen


As I mentioned, we’ll know a lot at the end of September. We were feisty.Mahanan has not played well in this stretch and just hs 6.52 rating in an 8 game start that includes one loss, 4 wins and three draws. That’s troubling. I move him to squad rotation status, and bump Farah to his spot and moe him to a main sub.


Game 7 vs America B – We are expected to win this as well. SO the Aznar to Cascon score in the 9th minute is no surprise I guess. Richi intercepted the ball and began a counter. A foul puts Vazquez iin a powerful DFK territory and he sinks it in the 27th. Chupe hits Cascon for the third goal of the game, waived off. Then Vazquez off a long FK from just over the halfway line launches a FK at Cascon who sinks it. 3-0 at the half. On another FK, Vazquez hits Cascon again for a score, and it’s 4-0 at the 47th minute. I sub in Moha for Vazquez. They score a goal off a counter in the 62nd. Plata heads in for Mister Man. Borja heads in for the final sub. They score off a corner in the 88th. We win 4-2. MOM is Cascon. Good jorb everyone

Cascon was injured and he’ll be out for 7-10 days with a facial injury.

We are in 1st place right now.

Game 8 – I start ST Plata instead fo Cascon. We are expected to win of course. Pick it up! We are home today vs Villanovense. They begin with the momentum and are working hard to turn them away. 0-0 half after we come back . Each team has 8 shots, we have 3 on target, they have 4. The result will come! We set up a nie drive down the right flank and Aznar shoots hard but it’ turned off, corner. Then Vazquez lifts the corner, and Uxio heads it in, his first goal for us. 1st sub is Moha for Sanchez. Then Manolo for Vazquez. Finally Mahanan for Fatah. I go defensive, I don’t want to give up a late score like before. Our foes have been really good. We hold off and win 1-0. MOM is Romero. They had 18 shots, and 8 on target, we have 14 and 5. We should wouldn’t fall. I’d look at our GK on a day like today. Also another “Set Piece” victory today as well. We played counter/defensive all day and still won.

We are rocking this thing right now.

[Abe Sargent]

After putting in serious work off the pitch, Pepe Romero is now capable of switching the ball to the other flank.



Game 9 – Cascon is back. . We are favored away vs LaHoya. They are last in the division with 2 points in 8 games. I sub in Avila for Aznar I want him to get a start, and Diaz for Richi. Avila scores in the 20th after Sufian crosses dangerously to him. They fire a long shot that rattles down from the crossbar and hits goal. Nothing you could do and it’s tied up at the 32nd minute. Avila is injured in the 39th and I send in Plata. Half. Go Play! Next sub is Ebwelle for Chube. Plata feeds Cascon a goal in the 79th after we flow right up the middle off Sanchez. Borja heads in. We win 2-1. I’ll take it. We injured one of their players for a few months with a broken collarbone.

Avila is out for 3 weeks with a damaged foot.

Game 10 – Away vs the #3 team Jaen. I swap Mahanan with Fatah again. Pull off the upset! Mahanan gest a yellow in the 13th. They have one too. Sufian gest a yellow later. They get a lovely move in the 37th and score. Aznar is injured and I sub in Plata. Half. Unlucky Boys! We’ve had one shot, zero on target. I send in Fatah for Mahanan to pull a yellow off the field. They score again in the 73rd off a lovely cross. Chupe hits the bench for Ebwelle. Game. We lose 2-0. Can’t fault your effort

That’s our first loss of the season for the division. Aznar is out for 7-10 days with a thigh injury. I speak with Bolanos who is concerned over the lack of soccer, so I agree to give him some time later, and move him to my bench squad for a bit. I move Ebwelle to start for Chupe for a bit.

Brahim is injured for 7-8 months with knee tendonitis injury over on B.

End of October:

Good training? Uxio, Fatah and Sanchez

[Abe Sargent]

November:

Nov 1 – Home vs Cartagena
Nov 8 – Away vs Murcia
Nov 15th – Home vs Seville Ath.
Nov 22 – Away vs Linens
Nov 29 – Home vs Merida

Going into November, we fell to 3rd.


Game 11 – Home vs Catagena – They are 16th, we are expected to win this game. Here we go. Ebwelle crosses to Cascon for a score at the 0:26 mark, which is a very fast goal by any account. Ebwelle crosses dangerously to Cascon again, he shoos, the ball is stopped by the GK, falls to Plata who heads it to Sufian who scores.. 15th minute, two hits. Ebwelle has been lethal. Another dangerous pass to Cascon is just off target by the target man. Half. Keep focused!!! Mahanan with a yellow card. Fatah heads in. Sub 2 – Bolanos for Sanchez. Cartagena score in the 82nd. Borja for Vazquez. Cartagena has had 16 shots, and a very aggressive game. We had just 9. But we still win. 2-1. . Well done lads

Oh, that goal by Cascon? Fastest goal in a game in Melilla history and the fastest in the division’s history as well!

I’m keeping Ebwelle in for now.

ST Avila retruns from injury

Salah, on the B squad, wants to move on, and I agree if someone comes in with a reasonable bid. He was born here, has been with squads here (B and us) his career. I get it. I get two more requests the next day from B squaddies. I do the same and transfer list them all.


Game 12 – I’m tired of Mr. Yellow Card Mahana, so I put Fatah back. I give Bolanos a start and rest Sanchez. We head to Murcia. They finally break us open for a score in the 33rd. Corner sinks and another score in the 40th. Half. Show me something else! Long shot sinks in the 57t.h. Manola heads in. We lsoe badly. This was relentless. Murcia had 25 shots, 11 on target.

I move Mahanan and Aznar back. Fatah is traveling to international matches I slide Sanchez back in as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 13 – Much better performance! We host the Sevilla Atletico cub. Ebwelle crosses to Cascon but it’s cut off by a header from the defense and Richi springs on it and scores. Good job fullback! Aznar crosses to Cascon after a lovely pass deep down the side arrives from Ebwelle. Half. Keep it up – don’t get complacent! Borja on. Then Bolanos. They counter themselves in the 72nd. Corner kick in the 84th by Sufian results in a penalty! I send in Avila. Aznar steps up and sinks the PK. They have a questionably offsides sores in the 88th. Then Sufian crosses to Aznar in the 90th on a counter and we score. We win 4-2. Wild late. MOM is Aznar. Godo win!

We are back in 1st

I promise ST Platea he’ll get more football if he does really well in training

After having a conversation with Bolanos two games ago, and then giving him a start and a sub in those two games, now he’s complaing that he wants first team soccer. Nope. Knock it off. I make him the same offer, show me on the training pitch, and you are in.


Game 14 – We head out to Linense. We are favored. Pick up where you left off! Mahanan gest a yellow and gives way a penalty in the 29th minute. They score. Half. You need to improve! Aznar finds Cascon for a score in the 58th to tie things up. I send in Fatah, and then Borja. That’s game. We tie 1-1, and that would have been a 1-0 win. I call him out in the locker room.

Mahanan notched enough yellows for a match ban and got a PK. You can’t do that.

The board offers me a new deal. I ask for new buildings but they turn me down, ditto more scouting range.

Game 15 – Our final game of November is hosting Merida. I move Chupe back to the starting lineup. Go win this! We have a lot of shots, but none are hitting the target. Boring half. Keep fighting! No yellow cards, no major issues, they had one shot, off target, so not a lot to recommend that half. Yellow for Chupe in the 58th. Ebwelle heads in. Fatah gives them an OG in the 70th. I yank him. We lose 1-0. That was downright unacceptable.


End of November –

Good training includes Diaz and Ebwelle.

[Abe Sargent]

December –

Dec 6 – Home vs Linare
Dec 13 – Away vs Algeceiras
Dec 19 – Away vs Granada

Time to do some contract stuff.

Who do I want to keep and extend moving forward?


I offer two more years to ST Avila’s hot prospect deal. 2 more for Diaz and Ebwelle and 1 more year for Borja.

I have no desire to extend Bolanos, Manolo, Alvaro, or Moha.

Maybe ST Plata. He’s not interested in any more, sorry.

What about rotation folks RIchi and Mahanan? Nah. FB Richi is one of my worst starters, as is Chupe, and Mahanan has been not-good.

Who else then? Pepe Romero has been solid. The rest of the plaeyrs who’s term end this year include:

GK Barrio, ST Cascon, ST Aznar, MR Sufian, MC Vazquez, DR Romero,

I make an offer to Cascon to extend his deal by one year and GK Barrio wants two years.

3 Dec – Borja can now lob GKs.


Game 16 – Starters include Ebwelle on the left. We host Linares, and are expected to win well. They collect a pair of yellows, and a bit of game commences, but it’s all knotted at the half. I’m not happy with that. I send in Plata. Then Borja. Nothing. Bore game

MAM was Cascon

Everyone I made an offer to signs

[Abe Sargent]

Game 17 – Next up is Algeciras. I make no changes to my starting roster. We are favorites here as well. Boring half, one card for them. Knock it off!!!! Vasquez on a long range FK hits Cascon for a score in the 49th. Bolanos in. Avila next. Then he gets a yellow. Borja IN. We win 1-0. MOM is Vazquez. Well done.


Game 18 – We head to Granada B. I am favored, and again, no major changes to the roster. They are on a rol and about to smash hammer us. You know what to do! They score in the 8th. In the 29th, Ebwelle finds Aznar who finds goal and its tied. Nope, offside. Half. Need to see a much better showing next half! They had 11 shots to our 3. I doo my normal tactics moves. I swap the Davids in the middl,e, and I might swap my wings. They score again the 48th. Richi gest books. Then Vazquez. I send in Mahanan for Richi. Diaz spots Fatah. Diaz with a booking. We lose 2-0.


Even with that lose, we are now 6th in the league. A strong place to be

24 Dec – Avila adapts his gsme to a central dribbling role. Bolanos has a cold

30 Dec – Time to slow down and see if I can sign next year’s peoples.

I want to really push myself. I make a one year offer to older ST Younis Mahmoud, of Iran, for a key player, 3.5k/ deal with some nice clauses


Mahmoud signs. He’ll be joining us soon.

End of December:

Good training includes Fatah, Pepe Romero, and Cascon.

World Golden Ball goes to Messi, Ozil, and Eden Hazard

[Abe Sargent]

January:

Jan 3 – Home vs Marbella
Jan 10 – Away vs UCAM
Jan 17 – Home vs Cadiz
Jan 24 – Away vs Real Betis B
Jan 31 – Home vs Recreativo

These teams are 16th, 1st, 4th, 17th, and 12th


I’ll be starting Avila tonight vs Marbella. I want to give him a start prior to my new guy joining tomorrow and driving him down the depth chart. Other than that, no major changes. In the 20th, Ebwelle fires a long shot and it sinks for a goal. Avila injures one of their defenders. Cascon scores on a counter from a lovely deep ball from Romero. Half. Keep it up! Borja heads in. Then Plata. They claw one back in the 86th minute. I send in Diaz. Plata hooks up Cascon on a drive and he scores in the 89th. We win 3-1. We had 19 shots and 9 on target on the day. We owned them. Very Happy! MOM is Cascon obviously

Transfer window opens again

I change my expectations to top half finish and get some more cash

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s my new signing, I want to push hard for a playoff spot. We were very lackluster in Nov/Dec.

32 year old Iraqi International with 93 caps, 36 goals, ST Younis Mahmoud (wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younis_Mahmoud) – 5 stars in ability and potential. He’s speedy with a 12/12, 14 finishing and drib and first touch and heading, and 14 jump, and 13 long shots, and technique, and 15 flair, and 17 leadership and 14 strength. This guy is on fire. We signed him through the end of next season, 2017, even if I get a major promotion, He’ll be good. He gets 3.5k/week and a key player deal.

My major issue with Cascon is that I’m playing him a bit out of his element with an attacking role. Neither Cascon nor Aznar are true attackers, but more like support folks. Mahmoud though? He;s an attacking machine. He’ll come in and break defenses. His contract ended 1/1/16, and he joined us. One con – counts against our 22 person cap. Pros – Would be a good player for the Liga, is a current international with a ton of playing experience, fits into our loyal squad, balanced and normal, good in the air, and versatile

He speaks Kurdish and Arabic, and since a few of our folks speak Arabic, including our captain and me too, that should be okay. Playing for a head coach who was a Moroccan international, and right next to Morocco should be a solid fit for a guy who has played a lot in Iraq, Qatar, and UAE and Saudi Arabia. Mahmoud has been in the Arabic world his whole life until now.

There’s no reason not to sign this guy all day long.

I am pulling Manolo’s registration and giving it to Mahmoud. I’m also transfer listing him as well .

I want to keep my four ST as Mahmoud, Cascon, Aznar, and Avila, with Plata as an emergency 5th option. Plata has 0 goals and 2 assists in 3 starts and 10 subs. He’s just not playing that well.

Cascon moves to support Target Man role, and Mahmoud will be a Complete Forward, attacking. I just want to unfurl this guy on everyone.

Now, I still could use an update at DC and DL. Mahmoud is the real deal I hope. Financially, I’m currently at 46k salary, and 45.5k under the budget. I head to Koeman and then head back to Manolo. We agree to mutuals in both cases and they are heading home. I invested around 30k in trimming them both.

As of today, here are the fiscal values of my most valuable folks:

GK Barrio – 350k
ST Mahmoud – 325k
DC Uxio – 275k
ST Cascon – 185k
MR Chupe – 165k
MLR Ebwelle – 160k
ST Avila – 120k
DR Romero – 105k

Those are my 100K plus folks.


The captain of the Iraqi International Squad:


http://i1.wp.com/footballchannel.asia/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/462259472.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024

[Abe Sargent]

Alright, now can I unearth a solid defender to join and push my ranks next?

I’m looking at a few unsigned upgrades at the DR – Sergio Diaz, Miguel Angel Riau,

I make an offer to Diaz. He’s not amazing, but he counts as an improvement all day long

I offer him a key player, 3k deal

We’ll see what to see.

I head to the board and they agree to arrange a trial day for us

No major interest and the day was cancelled. Ah well

Diaz can now knock the ball past the opponent.

Sergio Diaz has agreed to join us. Valued at 450k, Makes 3k/week on key player deal, for two years, 24 years old, 4 current, 4.5 potential, can play D, WB, M and AM all on the left side. E’s very fast with a 14/14 speed, fitness and stamina as well, 13/12 pass/cross, 12 tack, tech, drib, solid work rate, aggression, brave, antic. Now he’s a little weak in things like marking (8), Head/Jump, and flair (5). But he’s a good improvement over Richi. Cons 0 Very one footed, poor in air, can’t leap off ground well, pros – Decent player for most 1st division sides (which is the one above us) ,versatile, balanced and normal, loyal like our squad, and speedy.

Moha is the one who loses. Moha is not needed, so Diaz heads in for him. I trim Moha.


Game Away vs UCAM - We are playing away against a major threat. Mahmoud I s starting, and Sergio Diaz is active as a potential sub. Here we go. Slow but steady eary on, and then Vazquez grabs a yellow card in the 23rd. Romero takes a throw in and throws the ball to Cascon dangerously deep and just off the penalty line. Cascon slides the ball to Sufian who sinks int and we score in the 33rd. Half. Keep it up! After a defender clears the ball from a deep Sufian cross, Vazquez heads the ball to Mahmoud who sinks it in the 54th. They bring the kitchen sink forward and score in the 56th. I send in Biorja to pull the yellow carded Vazquez. Sufian collects a yellow. Sergio Diaz heads in for Richi. They are just bringing the heat right now. I send in fres legs for defense, and Mahanan heads in for Fatah. But they cannot break our defense, despite 17 shots, and 9 on target, we just concede the one goal, and we win 2-1 away vs the no-longer #1 team in the league. MOM is Sufian. Well done!

(This is a major art follows real life thing. In real life, Sergio Diaz also signs with Melilla this year - Sergio Díaz - U.D. Melilla :: Fútbol de Andalucía :: (http://www.lapreferente.com/J54135/ud-melilla/sergio-diaz.html))

http://i.imgur.com/o6RKx6F.png

[Abe Sargent]

Home game vs #3 Cadiz. We barely tied them last time we fought against them. I am moving Sergio Diaz to the starting DL spot now. Ignore the media praise, and play your natural game! They grab a goal in the 13th on a corner kick. Boring half. 1-0 down. You can do this! Cadiz collects another goal in the 49th. I make some subs, I try new tactics, but nothing. We were never in this game, and we lose 2-0. I’m not pleased with that

I offer Romero a two year and an increase in his salary to 2.1k/week from 2k.he signs it. Mahan is out for a few days with a cold . Get better today!


Next is our vs the B Team of Real Betis. They grab a goal in the 28th minute, but Mahmoud is crossed to by Sufian in the 35th to tie things up and it’s 1-1 at the half. Pretty quiet half – just 7 shots on both sides, and each team had just one goal on target, both happened to sink. Keep working hard! In the 48th, Ebwelle is driving on a counter, crosses to Cascon, and he sinks it. Fatah collects a yellow card. They have made all of their subs by the 59th minute to try and spark something. I push them around and tell my lads to mark and tackle and increase the pressure. I send in Richi for Fatah, and then Bolanos for Sanchez. Mahmoud grabs the ball from Vazquez, drives, slides it to Cascon, and he scores in the 81st. Borja heads in. And that’s game. MOM is Cascon. We’re very happy with that!

Chupe is unhappy with the lack of 1st team soccer he’s been getting ;lately, and I can’t talk him down.

At 17 goals, Cascon has broken the league record for Melilla folks.

Ebwelle is now capable of placing his shots.

Transfer deadline passes with no major news. There’s a solid razilian on my radar ho was just let go, without a home, and I offer him a trial so I can do a better job of sussuing him out (he was next door in Portugal, and I can’t scout there).

Home match vs Recreativo – I move Mohanan into the starting role. Carry on from the last match! My foes get a couple of yellows, and that’s it early on. We’re missing a lot of shots. So I massage our group a bit here and there. Sanchez gives them an OG before the half. We get plenty of action, but again, no deal. Post half I am struggling. I send in Chupe, who gets a yellow, and then Aznar. Finally in the 91st minute, off a corer kick, the ball falls to Mahanan who slides it to Ebwelle for a score. 1-1 tie. Good come back! MOM is Ebwelle

End of January

Good training? Fatah and Ebwelle

Oth Pepe Romero and Ebwelle have improved this year. Sanchez has declined a bit.

[Abe Sargent]

February:

Feb 7 – Home vs Jumill
Feb 14 – Away vs San Ro
Feb 21 – Away vs Almeria B
Feb 28 – Home vs LaHoya

Here’s a new one. After not doing well in the training pitch, Bolanos has dropped is first team request. Plata soon after

Richi is injured for 2 months with a damaged knee.

Our Brazilian agreed to a trial. Say hello to Bruno Souto. Has no cons and 5 pros )versatile, well suited to level 1 football, good personality, fits in with loyal squad, fast). 19 years old, and he’s a MC and AMLC We give him a 4 current ad 4 potential rating. That’s pretty fine. He’s better than Bolanos. I do like him.

Can we sign him?

Yes, but I’m lying, I sign him to be a first team (he won’t take anything less) and I can slide him to a lower place later. (like hot prospect)

We do:

19, Bruno Souto, AM CL, MC – he’ll come in next transfer window.

Since we’re letting go of so many backups, that just makes sense.

We’ll move the other Diaz to start for Romero, and now both Diazes are starting at FB today vs Jumilla. Take these folks out! We are after all, heavily favored. Sanchez gets a score after Vazquez finds him on a corner kick in the 40th. We were assaulting the goal but not getting shots on target before then. Half. You can do even better! I send in Aznar and then Chupe. My last sub is Fatah in for Uxio to help give the defense a breather. I was intending to send out the youther Diaz who’s a hot prospect, but not great, but he’s playing very well at 7.1 right now. It’s like Romero is on the field. We wasted a lot of shots this game, we finished with 20 shots, 5 on target. They had 5 shots, none on target. We win 1-0. That was a bit of a let off, we cant do that against better teams! Vazquez is MOM

Three of my coaches are now working on better licenses.

Our next game away vs San Roque Lepe is here and we are expected to win. We are currently in 4th. DR Romero is back in the starting lineup after a week break. We can do this! We are favored a bit. Not massively or anything, but a bit. Wow, 25 minutes just flew off the board with no highlights. Now just some quiet ball exchanges ensue. Offsides score by us. Ah well. Half. Keep working hard! Sanchez feeds Mahmoud, and the defender goes for a tackle and misses. Mahmoud pushes the ball, feeds Cascon, and that’s a score in the 60th. I Send in Borja, and then swap him and Sanchez’s spot on the field. Sufian crosses an amazing goal opportunity, and Mahmoud sinks it. 67th minute. Chupe heads in. Avila heads in. We win 2-0. MOM is Cascon. Good jorb!

[Abe Sargent]

I get a message that Romero has increased his heading and jumping and Avila his passing

We have a big match today. How big? We’re #3 in the league, and we are heading to #4 Almeria B. No changes to the starting roster - I need my big guns today. Prove it! Lots of dry spells and turnovers by both squads early on. Sufian feeds Cascon the ball down the center after driving in, and Cascon scores in the 25th minute. Sloppy match in the first half. We have 5 shots, one on target, and then have 3 and 0. Then just before the half, Vazquez is injured and I send in Borja in injury time of the 1st. Half – 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent! We worked hard for that goal, and we can’t assume that more will follow or that Almeria B won’t push back hard. EBwelle injures one fo theirs. They get a little angry and one, two cards follow. Let’s push that. I have my people tackle hard. 1 3rd follows. I sub in Aznar for a tired Cascon. Borja feeds Aznar, and Aznar scores in the 80th. Avila heads in. I order folks to stop tackling hard and to take a breather and such. We win 2-0. Almeria B was up for the second half, they finished wit h11 shots, but just 1 on target, they were pressured and spraying balls ll over. We had 12 and 6. Sufian is MOM. Defeating the #4 team on the road? Good job!

Well not good injury news. Vazquez is out 5-6 weeks with damaged knee. That sucks. Borja will start for him. I tell him his place is secure just to worry on the injury and he;s glad

Sufian collects a cold. But he should be fine by gameday


I’m having more pushback from Bolanos, and I ask Mahana to intervene and talk to him and he agrees. I basically tell Bolanos that he’s under contract, and he needs to knock it off. We are in the playoffs right now, so shut up and sit down.

We are favorites for the La Hoya match today. Chupe starts for Sufian who is very very tired. Pick up from where you left off! Chupe gset a yellow in the 23rd. Then quiet. 0-0 at the half . We can still win this! They get two yellows to open the half . Fatah heads in for Uxio. I slide in FB Diaz for Chupe, and then move a bunch of folks around to manage (Ebwell to the MR, and then Diaz and Diaz in the left side of the pitch). Mahanan gets a yellow. Bolanos for Borja, and I swap him and Sanchez. Bolanos with a yellow. Bore 0-0 tie. That was unfortunate. Not good enough. Romero is MOM


End of February:

Good training from Avilea and Ebswelle.

[Abe Sargent]

March:

Mar 6 – Away s Villan
Mar 13 – Away vs Cartagena
Mar 20 – Home vs Jaen
Mar 27 – Home vs Murcia


Table at the end of Feb – everyone has 27 games:

1st – Jaen – 57 points
2nd – Cadiz – 57 points
3rd Melilla – 52 points
4th – Murcia – 50 points
5th – Almeria B – 48 points
6th UCAM – 46 points

Those are those that are near us. We needed 3 points against La Hoya, who’s 19th in the league right now. But that was not to be. Still, we’re not in aa bad place right now.

A media note mades its way to the press about Bolanos not being happy, but how no one in the locker room supports him. At the press conference that ensures, I isolate Bolanos a bunch for going to the media. This is an isolated incident, and the rest of the squad is fine. And they gain are fine. No issues at all. Bolanos is just getting ornery.

He goes back to the media again. This time I cut him off in the presser. “I’m paid to win soccer matches, not pander to Pedro. “

Sufian is back starting in the match vs VIllanovenses today. The result will come! It’s very rainy here in Spain today. Sanchez finds Mahmoud for a score in the 6th. I’s not until the 26th that Villa even have a shot, and it’s so far off target than it looks like a artful description of a “shot”. Cascon sinks one after Sergio Diaz crosses it to his head. 2-0 half. Don’t let your performance drop and subject yourselves for complacency. Sufian gets a rebound after a tackle on Cascon, slides it to Mahmoud who scores in the 56th. We have more shots on target than Villas has shots right now. . I sub in Avila and Fatah for BBorja, and then I swap Borja for Uxio (he can play DMC if you’ll recall) and then swap Uxio and Sanchez They get a yellow. Young Diaz heads in for Romero. Very happy – MOM is Mahmoud

We haven’t given up a goal in 5 games. Good stuff!


Our away match at Cartagena is here, and we are favored a bit. I make no changes to my starters, we have Borja still out there after all. Keep the run going! Mahanan injures one of their forwards in the 17th. Lots of close calls that are stopped by late tackles, shutting down counters. No team seems to have momentum early, on, and then they pop out a score on the 26th minute. No clean sheet bonus this game. We have only twice come back from losing the first goal and winning. Can this be #3? Once we won 4-1. They foul us in the box, and Sanchez steps up and…misses the pk – the goalie stops it. That sucks. The shot was good, the goalie was better. Let’s move to hard tackling and tighter marking. Sanchez gets a yellow card. I expect much better in the 2nd half! I pull Sanchez for Fatah with the same rules as before. Borja gets a yellow. Ebwelle another. Thy get a cross and score in the 70th. Chupe in for Ebwelle. Sergio Diaz is driving, crosses to Cascon, and he scores in the 71st. Whoa now. Then they score again in the 78th. Ah well. Diaz a yellow, and Avial heads on. Game, we lose 3-1. Yuck. Worst loss of the season for us.

Borja’s potential has dropped and we are saddened with that, according to one coach

[Abe Sargent]

Mar 15 – We get a new influx of talented players. One is particularly heralded MC Jose Antonio, 16 years old, 14/12 speed, 16 balance, 11 agility, 12 deter, 11 work rate, 9 pass and technique, 10 first touch, they like him a lot. Here’s what our staff say – We have a loyal group of players, and Antonio is a shining light when it comes to loyal, could improve a lot in the future, consistent, speedy, acceleration underpins speedy versatile. Needs more marking, tackling, very one footed, needs to improve long shots, and such.

I head to the youth match to watch. We sign 16 of the folks. Richi is back from his injury

I massage my finances and remove most of my remaining transfer money to accommodate the youth deals.

We host the #1 team in Jaen, and I make no major changes. Get a win to prove yourselves! Mahmoud collects a booking early, and one of theirs follows. Then Mahan follows ,all in the first 9 minutes. Then Mahmoud scores in the 10th. Sanchez found Cascon for a lovely ball, and Cascon;s shot rifled off the crossbar and Mahmoud finished. Another yellow given to them, four in the 1st 20 minutes. I tell my folks to back off the tackling. Another booking for Jaen late I nthe half. They push forward hard in the last 8 minutes of the half. Half. Give the fans something to cheer for! We are pushing with multiple good counters, that end up with no finish. Right now we are 12 shots, 3 on target when our foes are 8 and 5. Ebwelle picks up a knock and I send in Chupe for him. I send in Fatah for Borja and make the expected swaps. Whenever I do that I move Uxio to the Ball Winning DM role, rather than deep lying playmaker of Sanchez. They get an amazing cross and score in the 82nd. I send in Richi for Mahanan. We wasted too many shots – 15/3 a the end. We were good everywhere else. We tie 1-1. Unlucky!

Ebwelle wil be out for 7-10 days with a thigh injury. CHupe starts. Vazquez is back from injury and will start again. I make a professional offer to MC Jose Antonio. Born in Melilla, and with a love of the club, he is happy to sign his first professional deal to a hot prospect deal. The other good one is DRC Jose Miguel, who’s alright. I make him a hot prospect offer as well. He accepts too.


Mahmoud is heading to international play, so Aznar is starting again today. I offer Vazquez a two-year extension. Now let’s host Murcia today. And beat them! Go punch some people in th mouth! Lots of rain too. Well that’s bad. We give away a penalty. And…..they miss it entirely. Whew. We injure on of their players later. Boring half, very quick. We head out. Avenge yourselves! I send in Borja, Avila, and Diaz. Cascon came out after he got a yellow card. It’s not until the 84th minute that they deflect a cross from Chupe into their OG and give us the ball. Then they just bring the heat. HARD. I mean like mega hard. Even their GK moves forward in set pieces. And despite the fact that they outplayed us wiyh 56% of the possession and 15 shots to our 8, and 6 to our 5, and we are facing a tough, tough battle, even into extra time, and then it happen. They focus so much on bring the heat that a counter by us at the 92:25 mark sees Chupe loft the ball to Avila, so scores. We win 2-0. All because they missed a PK early, and then allowed an OG. I’m pleased. MOM is Mahanan.

That was a strong and lucky win. We had games this season we should have won and lost, so it’s ice to see the opposite happen today vs Murcia.

I am offered a new deal. We extend our deal by two years.

End of March –

I double check my expiring players to see if there are any folks I want to retain. The only major player up is Sufian. He’s been fine, but I’d be okay pursuing a better MR as well if I needed to. His average rating is 7.23 and he has 7 assists and 2 goals a 2 MOM. Which seems fine. Do I extend him by a year? He’s not the best player ever – he’s 29, he lacks passing, his speed is okay at 12/12, and he’s not versatile, he can only play on the right wing and that’s it. I’ll hold off for now.

Vazquez inks the new deal I proffered

[Abe Sargent]

April –

April 3 – Home vs Linens
April 10 – Away vs Seville Atletico
April 13 – Away vs Merida
April 17 – Home vs Algeciras
April 24 – Away v Linare

Right now at the end of March we are in 3rd with 31 games under out belt.

Current table:

1st Jaen – 64
2nd Cadiz – 64
3rd Melilla – 59
4th UCAM – 58
5th Almeria B – 55
6th Seville Atletico – 52
7th Murcia – 50

That’s everyone with 50 or more . We have games against 12, 6, 8, 20, and 18, so this is a fairly winnable streth of the schedule, before we finish in May with Marbella and Granada B which are 17 and 10. We made it through the tough part of the schedule, and now we just need to hold serve. From the final 7 games, we need to do well enough to finish 4th or better. That gives us a chance to head up.


Good training included Borja and Sergio Diaz.


This is doable.

Mahmoud is back in for the match today vs Linense. Ebwelle is back from injury. Carry straight on from last match! We have two major surges turned aside. Mamoud crosses to Cascon from deep and gets a score in the 32nd off a counter. We have just hammered them, and at break its 12 shots, 5 on for us and 2-0 for them. Don’t get complacent! A 1-0 win is not unsurmountable. By the 64th, my foe has made all of their subs so I press forward. Sanchez is tired so I send in Borja for him. Aznar next in for a tired Cascon. I send Richi in for Uxio to give us some new legs in the back. Good win

Backup GK Danilo is injured in training and out for a few weeks.

I want to be a little bit better with rest in today’s match vs Seville Ath. We have another game three days out. Alright here we go. Keep it going here away from home in North Africa! Mahmoud finds Cascon for a score in the 12th minute to open things up. Nice pass between two defenders. Mahmoud with an odd score in the 24th. Let me set you up. Sufian and Mahmoud and Cascon have closed and are firing, and the ball bounces back, and such. Then Mahmoud fires a shot and the GK falls on it, but the ball has just enough momentum to break the plane and that’s a goal. They get angry and trip Mahmoud a few minutes alter and gets a yellow. Calm down, you have this. Be professional in the second half. We have just five shots, all on target, then have 1 and 0. I send in Borja for Vazquez and Aznar for Cascon. Fatah for Sanchez. Mahmoud gets a heavily contested header from a cross by Romero in traffic of two defenders and the GK to sink in the 81st. We win 3-0. Zang! MOM is Mahmoud. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

Mahmoud is back in for the match today vs Linense. Ebwelle is back from injury. Carry straight on from last match! We have two major surges turned aside. Mamoud crosses to Cascon from deep and gets a score in the 32nd off a counter. We have just hammered them, and at break its 12 shots, 5 on for us and 2-0 for them. Don’t get complacent! A 1-0 win is not unsurmountable. By the 64th, my foe has made all of their subs so I press forward. Sanchez is tired so I send in Borja for him. Aznar next in for a tired Cascon. I send Richi in for Uxio to give us some new legs in the back. Good win

Backup GK Danilo is injured in training and out for a few weeks.

I want to be a little bit better with rest in today’s match vs Seville Ath. We have another game three days out. Alright here we go. Keep it going here away from home in North Africa! Mahmoud finds Cascon for a score in the 12th minute to open things up. Nice pass between two defenders. Mahmoud with an odd score in the 24th. Let me set you up. Sufian and Mahmoud and Cascon have closed and are firing, and the ball bounces back, and such. Then Mahmoud fires a shot and the GK falls on it, but the ball has just enough momentum to break the plane and that’s a goal. They get angry and trip Mahmoud a few minutes alter and gets a yellow. Calm down, you have this. Be professional in the second half. We have just five shots, all on target, then have 1 and 0. I send in Borja for Vazquez and Aznar for Cascon. Fatah for Sanchez. Mahmoud gets a heavily contested header from a cross by Romero in traffic of two defenders and the GK to sink in the 81st. We win 3-0. Zang! MOM is Mahmoud. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

The Merida game got here quickly. Chupe is starting for a winded Ebwelle and Fatah for Uxio. We owe these guys! Chupe crosses a dangerously deep ball for Cascon beautifully for a goal in the 36th to cap a very slooooooooow half. They answer in extra time and it’s 1-1 at the half. Mahanan lifts a ball downfield and beautifully dangerous to Romero who crosses to Mahmoud a few seconds later for a score in the 53rd. Chupe collects a yellow and I bench him for Ebwelle. A gold card follows for Merida Then another. Hmm. We’re both playing about evenly, this match is still momentum-less. Borja heads in next. We have a chance and an opening. We are currently 1st after this match if results hold, based on current updates. Sufian kicks the ball down the flank well and Cascon gets underneath it, he crosses to a lone Mahmoud over two defenders, and Mahmoud sinks it in the 75th minute of the game to put us to 3-1 . Richi heads in for Sergio Diaz. They launch a cross that’s one of those poorly hit ones that manages to wind up in goal and you can’t defend against in the 87th. Score holds and we win 3-2. Close. Mom is Mahmoud. Well done!

And things held and we moved up to 1st.

With 11 points separating us and 5th place and with five games to go, it’s highly unlikely we’ll be caught and drop from the playoffs . If we win next game, we are ensured. I head in defensive/ Vazquez collects a booking early, and two major thrusts of ours are pushed aside. They have a quick pair of long shots that are off target, and one on turned aside. 0-0 Half. Hmmm… not bad. Away at the #5 team and we are scoreless. We can win this! Just keep on keeping on! I send out Antonio Deiaz due to a banged up Romero, and then Osmar gives the ball to Suarez, on a corner kick(I have Osmar at DC while Diallo is out) and Sanchez fires a long shot, on target, top right corner, and scores. Nicely done. I toss in Anaba on the right side. Then they Bring some heat, and they score in the85th minute and equalize. Yellow card for Sergio Diaz, and we finish 1-1 . That’s a good result.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Good concept born from the quirky backstory.

[Abe Sargent]

Glad you like it!

[Abe Sargent]

Today we play against Algeciras. We host the #20 team in the league. What do you think will happen? We are favored, in case you needed me to tell you that. I put Ebwele and Uxio back in starting spots. I move Avila in for Cascon. Let’s get a win here and seal this thing. Mahanan with an early yellow. Feh. Two of our attacks were turned back, and one of theirs. Vazquez is a bit inured in the 41st and I bench him for Borja. Half. Win this for the fans! They injured Borja. Hmmm… Fatah heads in for him, and we swap folks on the pitch around. They try to injure Sufian badly in the 62nd and get a red card. I do my normal red card swaps. Speed up tempo, attack, go wide, close down and tackle hard, etc..Richi in for Mahanan. We get a corner kick in the 85th and Sufian kicks and this Uxio for a score. Uxio lofts a deep ball to Ebwelle who crosses to Sufian and scores in the 90th. We win 2-0. Good win, well done, and we are secured the playoffs. Sufian is MOM

Borja is out for a week with a stubbed toe. Melilla are among the lowest in the league for fouls and cards. We relegated Algeciras.

Three games left…

Jaen, Cadiz, and us are all in the playoffs. They are right on our heels with one point fewer than us

[Abe Sargent]

We head to Linares. Cascon is back in the lineup . Keep it going! Mahmoud gets an interception but his pass to Cascon is just offsides. Ah well. They clamp down on a Cascon attack and then collect a booking. Cascon is up. He just singlehanded drove at the defense juked two defenders, and was barely turned aside by the GK. Half time . We are having some offensive plays but they aren’t getting goals, not yet at least. Keep it going and you can still win! Ebwelle finds Mahmoud for a score in the 51st after a nice deep ball by Vazquez opened him up. They get a corner kick score in the 65th to tie it up. Avila heads in. Chupe and RIchi as well. 1-1 tie. We should have had that one. That was the sort of match we should be winning. Ebwele is MOM.


UCAM are in the playoffs too. Only Cadiz was expected to be here and was. The other three teams in contention were all expected to have mid table results.

With two games left:

1st Cadiz – 74
2nd Melilla – 72
3rd Jaen – 71
4th UCAM – 69

It’s still pretty close.

Backup GK Alvaro is back from his training injury. .

End fo April –

Uxio has improved in training and is not rated more highly.

Good training is held by Fatah, Ebwelle and Uxio

[Izulde]

Mahmoud has just been ridiculous for you guys.

[Abe Sargent]

Mahmoud has just been ridiculous for you guys.

I know! Dude has been sick!

[Abe Sargent]

May

May 1 – Away vs Marabella
May 8 – Home vs Granada B

And then playoffs follow



Here we go. I make no changes to today’s game. Keep our run going! In the first three minute we have three shots on target, but things ease back. They collect a yellow card. Sergio Diaz picks up a knock and I sub him out for the other Diaz. Then they score in the 19th minute off a counter. Then Sufian hits Mahmoud for the same in the 21st. It’s 1-1 already. Cascon finds Mahmoud for another score in the 24th. Crazy scores today! They trip Mahmoud and get another yellow. Sanchez just misses the DFK. Whew that was a busy half. Keep it going, don’t let up! They get a 3rd yellow. Then they score I the 53rd off a decent cross. Chupe heads in next. Fatah subs in for Mahanan. They get a luck long shot to sink in the 86th. We lose 3-2. That was a crazy game. We should have won that match!

We’re still in 2nd, but we can’t get 1st. Cadiz win, and they won last year too. No surprises there.

La Hoya and Linares is relegated

Here’s the last game of the regular season vs Granada B. Are you ready? Here we go! DO this for the fans! Pretty quiet early on. Just exchanges of possession without anything major happening. No major pressure. Pretty quick 0-0 draw. Head out there and finish this thing! I Send in kid Diaz for Uxio. On a throw in, Romero finds Cascon who passes to Vazquez who fires a long shot into goal in the 71st. Chupe for Ebwelle. I sub in Anzar for Cascon. We win 1-0 and Vazquez is MOM.

We secure 2nd place!

We finish 2nd with 75 points.

[Abe Sargent]

Now we play a lower ranked team from the Group 3 Segunda Division – RCD Espanyol B

Cadiz set a record for most points by a team this season in Group 4’s history

Our physio has announced he will retire




Playoffs Round One VS RCD Espanyol B


Here we go! I make no changes to my starting squad. Go out there and take this win. We’ve had a few long range opportunities or rush jobs early in the first 15, but nothing from it. They retake momentum. We bang up one of their players – Martinez. They get a yellow afterwards for a reciprocal foul. I order my guys to muscle folks more, let’s push them around before the hald. In extra time, Sergio Diaz is yellowed. Half time. This is not bad ,keep it up. Uxio gets a red card in the 56th minute. I move my guys around. I have a stable set of red card strategies I employ, I sub in Fatah fro Cascon and move hum to DC and then drop Sanchez to DMC, I shift Mahmoud to a different role as my sole striker, and such. I put in Richi for the yellowed Diaz and then Aznar for a tired and exhausted Mahmoud late. One onslaught fails. Then another. Then another. Then extra times hits and we keep them from scoring. 0-0 draw. All things considered, that’s a win in my book.

I send a warning to Uxio to not do that again.

Borja can now kick killer through balls


The next leg at home is here. I have Fatah starting for Uxio. Vazquez slips a ball down to Cascon who scores in the 3rd to get things started off nicely. Diaz gets a yellow. Romero is a bit knocked, and I chose to pull him for the other Diaz in the 26th. They foul Vazquez hard, and on the ensuing IFK he kicks at Sufian in their box, and then foul him. Penalty! Sanchez sinks it! Half time. Keep it focused. You can do it! They get a nice move that is just pushed aside by our GK Barrio. Fearing a double yellow, I pull Sergio Diaz for Richi in the 66th. Borja spells a tired Ebwelle late. We have a flowing move and then another stopped. They get a yellow as frustration mounts. Then another. We get another attack stopped. Vazquez feeds Cascon down the misled and he scores in the 89th. We win 3-0. They folded late with the pressure. MOM is Cascon. We’re very pleased!

Now there are just 8 teams vying for the final 2 spots ,not 16

Who’s left?

Our next leg is against Villarreal B.

The others are Barcelona B, UD Longrones, Cadiz, Guijuelo, UCAM, and Toledo. We had 3 of 4 win in the first leg.

It’s a battle of 2nd place finishers, as Villareal B was 2nd in Group 3.

Romero is now ready for long range passes.

[Abe Sargent]

Playoffs Round Two, vs Villarreal B


The first leg arrives. Here we go! Uxio is back in the lineup. As before, we begin on the road. Pick up where you left off! We have a bit of an early surge by Villarreal but it ends after 10 minutes or so, and things quickly speed by. Vázquez hits Ebwelle deep on the line, and he crosses backwards to Cason, who scores in the 33rd. Sufian grabs a yellow shortly thereafter. I move to defensive. Half. We are up 1-0. Up until then, we had no shots, and none on target, and that was the first. Now we are 3 and 1. They have had more pressure and possession. We can do this. Keep it up! Sergio Diaz picks up a yellow. I sub in Chupe in the 62nd for Sufian and his yellow card. We’ve had some pushes too. Vazquez lofts a ball, onsides, behind the defense to Mahmoud who puts it away in the 74th. Richi for Diaz, So ar, Villarreal have wasted shots – 11 shots, 1 on target. We are 6 and 3. I send in Borja in the 85th. That was a strong win. MOM is Ebwelle. We did well.

It’s been a long time since GK Barrio allowed a goal



End of May –

Good training was Ebwelle and Sanchez


Our next game is on the 5th

You can see why the labyrinthine playoff stuff is problematic.


I make no changes to my roster. Here we go! We are winning this tie but its effectively halftime. Don’t let up!!! Great shot by Mahmoud averted in the 4th. Hey have a pair fo dangerous crosses we force back out, and the counter is on but Mahmoud can’t finish. Mahmoud grabs the ball from Romero, rushes a bit, fires it to Cascon who scores in the 18th minute. I really like this Cascon/Mahmoud duo. We are piling on more pressure, and ultimately a Sanchez to Uxio corner kick gets another score in the 28th. We fire a long shot but it rattles off the crossbar by Vazquez. We are winning headers, possession. We have more shots on target – 5, then they do shots at all, 3 , and so forth. 2-0 at the half. Keep it up! I sub in Richi for Sergio Diaz. They get a cross and goal in the 71st. They push more pressure as well. Borja is on next. Chupe last. Game. We win 2-1, and 4-1 in aggregate.

We have made it to the final round of the playoffs.

Time for the draw. Teams still in are Cadiz, Melilla, Toledo, and UD Logrones. We are facing….Cadiz. That’s irony.

Last year Melilla was 7th, and was thought to drop to 12, but rose to 2. But now we’ve got another barrier. Cadiz.

So here’s how the labyrinth works in detail:

1. Take the four winners - Cadiz, Toledo, Reus and Ferrol. Put them up against each other in a tournament
2. In that round, Cadiz and Toledo lost to Reus and Ferrol. Now have a game for Reus and Ferrol for bragging rights
3. Reus wins. They are technically the winners of the Segunda Divison this year
4. Both Reus and Ferrol are promoted
5. The two losing winners, Celta and Toledo, are added to the other 12 teams for the last two spots
6. Make a massive 14 team tournament with 3 rounds for those folks
7. If you are in that 14, win three rounds of playoffs to be one of the last two standing



We’re in that other 14.

This is why, despite the fact that Melilla has won the division, and gotten playoffs before, it’s never gone higher. You’ve seen the common B teams running around, pretty good with strong resources.


Now there’s just four teams left. Win this playoff, and you get promoted. Only Cadiz, a team with a winning record against us, stands in our way. The other teams are Toledo (1st) and Logrones (2nd), so all of the teams left made it to 2nd or higher.

[Abe Sargent]

Playoffs Round Three v Cadiz


Can we continue where we left off?

Well, let’s find out today! We are the underdogs and we host Cadiz today. No changes to my starting 11. I hold a team meeting earlier today to help out. Get revenge against Cadiz!!! Quiet exchanges of balls early on lead to nothing in the first 25. Nerves? Two teams figuring each other out? No offense to speak of By the 35th minute each side has two shots, none on target, all from outside the box. Then Diaz is rushing off a counter started by Vazquez, and he finds Cascon for a score in the 36th minute. Mahoud is doubled, and he finds Cascon for a shot in the 42nd and a goal. Half. Don’t. get. complacent. They collect a yellow card. We have two shots on target, and two goals. Aznar heads in for Mahmoud. I want more energy up top, and I’m not pulling Cascon since he’s hot. Nice pushes by Cadiz, but they are spraying balls at the end, not connecting. But that changes in the 75th as they hit a nice cross and score. That could be a crucial away goal for them, if we tie on aggregate. I send in Borja, and then Fatah. We win 2-1. This is the first time I’ve beaten Cadiz at all . MOMis Cascon. I;mn proud of y’all – well done.



Alright, let’s talk about why I’m upset at the game that’s about to arrive.

Sometimes when I have years when I’m really successful like this, I’m sure an obvious question rises. Am I cheating? Am I save-scumming? Wat’s going on?

These are obvious questions. I thought the honest parabola for this dynasty would be to get 6thor 5th this year, then playoffs next year, and finally out three years down the line. Or maybe, finish in playoffs three or four times before you see how hard it can be to get out.

And now I got 2nd, and I blew through the first two rounds, and now I’m up 2-1 on Cadiz. What happened? I think there were a few thigns that got us here:

1). We finished 7th last year, and while folks expected us to do worse, oing from 7th to playoffs (at 4) isn’t a big move on the charts
2). We added a great GK this year. Prior to my arrival, two major additions were brought in – Cascon and GK Barrio.
3). I was never afraid to keep pushing my team. Here are the players on my starting 11 going into today’s game that I signed – DC Uxio, DL Sergio Diaz, ML Richard Ebwelle, ST Younis Mahmoud. We also had new players Cascon and Barrio added, and Aznar helped us get here from the chart. We had one loanee in Fatah. So I built around he best players on the roster that was 7th place last year – Sufian, Mahanan, Pepe Romero, Sanchez, and Vazquez
4). I created a simple, boring 4-4-2 tactic that works for my guys, counters the most common tactic here, and emphasized where I was strong. I always play a more defensive, counter attack, slower team. That’s who we be. It plays to our strengths and attacks the weaknesses of the area.


Don’t forget that I have invested in a lot of backups and hot prospects as well. That made my team. Some of these are better than starters on the old squad. ST Avila is one example of many.

The result is a team that is very different from last year’s 7th place team.

And now, can we win today vs Cadiz and get out of this thing in the first year? I don’t want to. It would feel anti-climatic. Like I didn’t earn it. But here I am anyway, one game away from knocking out my first goal relatively easily.

So let’s see what happens, even if its not the good story I was hoping for.

I make no changes to my roster. Don’t let the lead slip! Maybe Ill lose 6-1 or something. Probably not though. Ebwelle finds Mahmoud for a score in the 8th minute. Cadiz push forward, and we knock them back a few times. They get a booking Then they push away our attack. A questionably onsides call leads to a goal by our foe at the 24 mark. Sanchez finds Sufian on a driving attack and he puts it away in the 40th. We have another attack before half, and they push it away a few times Then Mahmoud on a nasty incisive break away finds Cascon and scores. One of those beautiful counter attack scores. 3-1 half. Keep it up. We totally could have come here today, lost 1-0 on the road, tie aggregate, and lose on away goals. And here Sugfian is hitting another goal in the 49th. Ebwelle crossed it to him from the other side, when the two strikers were being marked, but Sufian was unmarked.I send in Fatah for Mahanan. Then Aznar and We have 16 shots and 11 on target this game. They have 10 and 4, Game. We win 4-1 and 6-2 aggregate!

That was special lads!! MOM was Sufian



We have been promoted!

We are going to be at 72k and 66k transfer next year, tentatively.

We pay out some bonsues


Alright, now we need to stop. No more hitting Continue for a while

[Abe Sargent]

Stats:

Goals? Cascon’s 24 led the league by 8. Mahmoud, despite just being here half the year had 13, and was tied for 5th. Sufian was tied for 5th with 9 assists. Most MOM was a guy with 9. Cascon was tied at 3rd with 7. Sufian was 2nd most with miles covered.

We didn’t have a lot of top stats though. For example, we didn’t have anyone in the top 20 for overall rating.

Team Stats:

GK Barrio, 44 apps, 6.85 rating, 36 goals allowed, 20 clean sheets

Romero – 43 apps, 7.24 rating, 5 assists, 2 goals, 2 MOM

Mahanan, 36, 1 asst, 1 MOM, 6.89 ratig

Uxio- 42 games, 3 goals, 1 assis, 6.99 rating

Sergio Diaz – 25 games, 3 assis, 7.09 rating

Sufian – 43, 5 goals, 10 asist, 4 MOM, 7.34 rating

Sanchez – 43 apps, 2 goals, 3 asists, 7.12

Vazquez – 40 apps, 2 goals, 8 assist, 3 MOM, 7.23

Ebwelle – 37, 2 goals, 7 assist, 3 OM, 7.13 rating

Cascon – 42, 31 goals, 5 ass, 9 MOM, 7.35

Mahmoud – 24, 15 goals, 6 assist 3 MOM, 7.44

And then my current backups

Fatah – 32 apps, 6.65 rating
Chupe – 24 apps, 3 assists, 6.87
Richi – 29 apps, 1 goal, 1 MOM, 6.76
Borja – 31 apps, 1 ass, 6.84 rating,
Aznar – 26 apps, 4 goals, 5 assist, 1 MOM, 6.93 erating

Other backups of note:

Avila – 13, 2 goals, 1 ass, 6.87 rating
Antonino Jesus Diaz – 14 app, 6.80 rating


That was a good campaign. But not a lot of mega years by folks

[Young Drachma]

Yeah was gonna say that the Iraqi signing was huge. Glad this one is moving along nicely.

[Abe Sargent]

True true!

[Abe Sargent]

I was going to let Sufian go if I got promoted. But this is my current squad for next year:

GK Barrio
DC Uxio, DC Mahanan
Fullbacks Romero, both Diazes,
ST - Avila, Cascon, Mahmoud
Middies – Borja, Sanchez, Ebwelle, Vazquez, Chupe


Now doesn’t it make sense that I might want to retain Sufian, just as a solid backup? I think so. I have one middle transferring in, if you’ll recall. So we are set there. But Sufian is just a 3 star guy for the B, and now we’re heading up to A. But this guy plays hard, and I have to acknowledge that. Hes willing to cut his salary by 33% from 1800 to 120. I increase it to 1300 and drop it to a one year extension. That’s fair.

Here are my other folks leaving of note. Any I care about? Bolanos, Richi, Plata, Aznar, Alvaro,

Aznar was good, but I can do better and he’s33, I need some strikers that aren’t worsening. Most of my talent there is dropping (Mahmoud and Cascon are 33 and 32).

I transfer list Chupe

We’re good here.

I need some defenders, and such. But I like this for now.

[Abe Sargent]

Welcome to the Liga Adelante, aka, the 2nd best league in Spain!

Any new rules I need to know before I grab more players?

There are 22 teams here, and thus 42 games per season

Top Two are promoted, playoffs from 3-6 for the last spot.

Bottom four are relegated. We need to finish 18th or higher.

We meet the minimum ground capacity of 6000

We have new rules for squad registration:

Maximum of 2 Non-EU players allowed, max of 3 GKs, and max of 23 outfield players so max team size if 25. COntonou nations, and many eastern Europe nations count as EY (like Albania and Ukraine) plus northern Africa like Morocco, Tunisia and more. So lots count.

7 subs named, 3 play, so that;s two better than before which was 5 and 3. No restricions on age.

So there you are. I look at a team that finished 16th randomly to check it out Girona. They have 4 players worth 1 mll or more They were expected to finish 13th.

I could be Girona.

I head to the board. We need to get some stuff. I ask for some new toys

First, I want an increasing scouting range. They grant my request only after I tell them we’ll be left behind by our rivals (we have no rivals, our major rival, in Ceuta, folded in 2012).

That’s good.

Next –

They turn down my request to upgrade our training facilities, but agreed to upgrade the youth ones.

End of the Season Awards:

Fans Player of the Season – Mahmoud
Gaol of the Season – Uxio
Signing of the Season – Mahmod
Young Player of the Season – Romero


Final training report – Good stuff

Romero, Uxio, Antonio Daizz, Fatah, ad Ebwelle did good.

Sufian inks his new deal for a year,

[Abe Sargent]

We hit the end of the year officially. June 30t his here.

1 July arrives, and our new middie too. Bruno Souto is here.


We are given 2.25 mill

My expectations are to attempt to avoid relegation. I keep tehm there

I head to July 9, when we officially move to the next level. Now perhaps I can pursue better FA (there’s often a idle area where folks aren’t seeing uou as the next level up)

There is a great Striker, Mosquito, but others have moved on him, and he wants key player and too much money when he’d be my 3rd option.

Right now my numbers are:

1 GK
5 DEF
3 ST
7 Mid

I need more GK, D, and ST the most. I have 16 players.

So what I need to do is to push the vault

I make an offer to GK Pedro, who’s on a free, as a backup for us

One down. Who’s next?

I decide to chase that pricey ST. He’s one of the best players available for free right now. Mosquito. There are others who have made offers too. I send some enquiries for players as well. I make a loan offer. I make an offer to DC Jesus Suarez as a starting DC.

That would give me a ST, GK, DC, and some enquires as well. What next?

I could also use a starting quality MR. My current MRs are Sufian, Ebwelle, and Chupe. None of those are quality for the future. I can play Souto, Chupe, Sergia Diaz, Ebwelle are on the left, so I’m not sure I See the need for a good one, but a good MR is something I could really use

I have an idea, Real Betis B have a guy they developed. Can I buy him? I make an enquiry

I make an offer to a Physio

I make an offer to player Roberto Izquierdo to be a scout for us. Jorge Pina as well

I offer my current scout the vacant Head Scout role.

I make an offer for another coach and then to another.

I make an offer to the open spot of Head of Youth Development

Ah ha!

I make an offer to 33 year old ST/AM RC Joseba Arriaga to be my U 19 Ass Man. He’s good. But he wants to be a player/coach, so I’m signing him to that role with me. He’ll be my 5th ST and my youther guy

I make an offer for a U19 Physio.

I also have an old offer in play – Mahanan is a good coach. Could I make him a player/coach role? He doesn’t want to yet.

One of the enquires comes back, and I can just make it. I finalize the offer

Some of my offers are arriving. I am signing a player I thought was out of my league, and then missing on one I thought would be. It’ll be weird, but I can massage my team

A physio is here. Some other staff arrive as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Spain wins the 2016 Euro

I get an offer accepted off enquiry for another middle dude, but I really only have the space/price for one.

Arriaga joins us as a player/coach

I make an offer for a DC as well.

I head to my board and ask for more transfer money, and they agree, after I push some and I make my offer to my DC since my board love him….


I sign Pedro, the young GK as my backup

Pedro – Aerial Reach – 9, Jump 13, 11 reflexes, 12 kick, 13 1:!, etc. He’s fine. 21 years old, souts says he has room to grow he started last year in Group 4 for Rea lBeatis and wasn’t hot, but he’s young. I release GK Alvaro ,who stayed with us on a month to month deal

Aright one of my two middie deals is accepted and gose through from a transfer. This uses up most of my transfer, with enough for my DC target. Here are my two choices, assuming the other agrees too:

22 year old David Junca, Spanish, 7k/week for 2 years, can play all L spots (FB, WB, ML, AML) with 10 pass, 14 ross, 11 dribb, 14/14 speed, 8 head, jump, 11 mark, solid mental – just 3 in single difts – flair, det, and leadership. He’s a good player. He can come in and play ML or DL as neeed, and sub for the other, he’s a starting ML on this roster, and he’s better than Sergio Diaz, so you could start him at DL as well and he’s better than Ebwelle at ML. So he’s a clear upgrade ad fit for the team.

Here’s the other that acceptedl

23 year old Joan Angel Roman, plays ML, AML And AMC, and has 15/13 speed, 10 stam, 11/12 cross/pass, 1y flair, 15 tech, 14 first touch, etc. He is better, by far, than Ebwelle. I can move Edwelle to right, and have Sufian, Ebwelle over there and fighting for spots. Either of these players work. Junca is more expensive for the contract we negotiated. 5.5k for two years vs 7k from Junca.

So which do you like? Both are unhappy, want first team ball, and were transfer listed by request for an amount below their value. I have the salary cap for both, but not the need on my roster (they play similar positions) nor the transfer kitty for both. Who do I bring in?

Let me compare them side by side:

Junca has more stamina, cross, tack, mark, mentals including Work rate, con, otb, posit, anti, brave, dec , and more.

Roman has more tech, pass, 1st touch, flair, drib, deter, vision

Let’s go with Junca, who had a min release clause of millions of cash.

I accept that offer and cancel Romans

Welcome to the club!



David Junca - wikipedia page David JuncÃ* - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Junc%C3%A0) - David Junca pics -

http://www.mundodeportivo.com/img/a8358000-7277-11e3-8000-01de5540394f/lowres/david-junca-y-richy-alvarez-bajas-en-el-girona-para-santander.jpg


Pedro -

wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_L%C3%B3pez_Galisteo

http://www.betisweb.com/content/attachments/25297d1395223546-pedro.jpg/

[Abe Sargent]

Now I get an odd signing. Jesus Suarez is someone I made an offer to. Middle age at 27, players DC and DM, and an improvement there. But…

I made an offer and it was accepted for a very, very good Dc later. You’ll see

And with a guy I can start at DL just added with Junca, do I need Suarez?

I do. I agree to bring him on

Jesus Suarez – 27, DC, DMC< 4.4k, 2 years, 16 head, 15 jump – how about that. 12/11 speed, 13 mark, 12 tack, 10 pass, tons of great mentals, and he’s pretty solid. Spanish. We rate him at 3.5 stars now and future, and coaches have one bad -positioning, and 5 good – good player for this league, good in the air, balanced and normal, loyal, and versatile. He’s a solid addition, and he’s better than Uxio

We think Jesus is a quality player


Jesus Suarez wiki (can't find it in English, sorry) - https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jes%C3%BAs_Su%C3%A1rez


Pics -

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/arLQ-1tWNjs/hqdefault.jpg

Enforcer Jesus - http://www.lapreferente.com/imagenes/jugadores/1314/154908.png?f=20150320




Sad news. Our ST guy, Mosquito, went to Nursaspor. That sucks. I still need a good ST. I have four – and we could use one more especially since Avila and the coach SR Arriaga are’t really good and my other two are old and on the downswing.

I have a random friendly on the 15th vs Granada. Suarez and Junca are starting tso I can get a feel for stuff. Show me what you got! We ie 1-1 .

No major injures

So my next chase is the St. Mosquito would have really helped. Who’s in the conversation next?

I make an offer to ST Pere Milla

I make an offer to one last middie

Here we go, you ready for my last transfer list guy? The one who made my board go, “okay, that’s not bad lad?”

Ibrahim Diallo, 19 years, old, DC, DMC, 4 star current assessment, 4.5 future. Mali, speaks French, Spanish, Arabic, and has already completed 1500 days in Spanish heritage requirements. He was playing for Valenica, but they sold him to us for hundreds of thousands of euros. But it’s worth it. I cut my salary to fit him in soI could get a little transfer cash.

Diallo – Can play DR if you need. First of, fitness at 12, every other physical stat at least 14. He’s pacey. He’s sharp too. 13 work rate, 16 determination, etc. 12 head, pass, tack, technique, and 13 mark. He’ll be good, and he’ll grow. 2.4k week, 3 year deal.


Diallo;s wiki page - Ibrahim Diallo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_Diallo)

Pic -

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/482825636-ibrahim-diallo-of-valencia-cf-during-the-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXkPteErsTdoQhh0bsRtwb8HokjH%2F%2FTHo2WuELdgrGQ16oFpa9zp7%2Bxs80khtYW56mA%3D%3D

http://i.imgur.com/rv7UvIM.jpg



After him, a middie for depth and that ST I want, we’ll be decently set


Another friendly is here. 0-0 boring draw.

Milla joins us:


A LRC, ST - 23 year old Pere Milla, 13 finish, dribb, pass, penal, vision, 10 head/jump, 12/12 speed, 3k/week, 2 years, He is average man. He has just 4 stats that aren’t in double didgts – mark, tack, long throws, and aggression, but not a whole lot at the higher numbers.



Pere Milla - wiki - Pere Milla Peña - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pere_Milla_Pe%C3%B1a)


Imgs -

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwc0neJ0UMg/Ve9Y89PBJ3I/AAAAAAAADeU/XlMFbCMRgMk/s1600/PERE.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

The middie I was looking at reisgned with his club. Ah well.

I start moving some of my players team status I hand hot prospect to Souto and GK Pedro.

I sign Dario Simic as a youth coach. I drop Sufian to rotation, and Sanchez to 1st team.

I work on set pieces and such

I add popular Turkish player Nihat Kahveci to my staff.

We host Cadiz for another friendly. Mahmoud scores early. We win 2-1. Good job.


Are tactics here similar to those in the lower level? There’s a ton more diversity. Just 4 versions of 4411. And 5 other 442s. 2 352s. Then a lot of changes and morphs. 4123 DM is probably the most common at 7. We have 2 4222 and 4312 narrow and 541 and 5212 and 3 4231 wide, and 4141. It’s very crazy. Our 442 is fine here as much as anything else. There are not that many trends to exploit.

After massaging my coaches, I now have 4 star training in Str, Aerobic, tactics, 3.5 star training in attacking, and 3 star in ball control, defensing, shooting, and shot stopping an handling.

End o July –

Training good? Ebwelle

Second to last friendly is here. Boring 0-0 end

As of right now I have two foreigners in my squad (Mahmoud and Souto) so that’s my limit. No one else is allowed in. I currently have 21 in my squad


Ebwelle can now better influence the wing

The final friendly arrives. We win 3-0.

[Abe Sargent]

Let’s go hit the season!

My expected starters will normally be:

GK Barrio
DC Suarez, Diallo
DL Sergio Diaz OR Junca; DR Romero
MC Sanchez, Vazquez
MR Sufian or Ebwelle; ML Junca or Ebwelle
ST Mahmoud, Cascon

With players like Souto, Uxio, ST Milla, Avila, and Borja in the rotation schedule

Our first game is in 11 days, so we have some time to suss stuff out.

Currently, the squad is:

21 players
68k spending, still under budget by a lot,

I think our team is fine for now. I drop Cascon to 1st team. And Sergio Diaz as well. I get a message that Diaz has been improving. Sanchez and Mahmoud have declined.

I chase and sign some more youth contract folks out there, like people on amateur deals and such. I send out scouts to places like the UK, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, and more.

I make an offer to a younger guy as a rotational middle – Marco Rosa. He’s willing to do a hot prospect deal. He’s 20, and one of my scouts recommended him,said he had strong potential

I am not starting Mahanan this season, and I tell him ahead of time, and he understands. So I move the captaincy to Mahmoud, and leave Sanchez at vice. Everyone likes Mahmoud, he’s the best choice by abilitys, and he’s a captain at the international level, so it’s an obvious direction.

Rosa Signs and I register him:

Rosa, 20, AMC.MC, 11/11 speed, 13 technique, 12 pass, 11 dribb, 12 ast touch, and such. Raw, needs work. I registered him, but I’m not 100% sold on the idea of needing him, I’m thinking about sending him to the B squad for games, or to loan him out. There’’s another option on my roster I like just as much, and he’s younger by far.

Yeah, let’s do it. I offer to loan out Rosa. I offer him for a loan, as well as a few others

I move MC Jose Antonio to my 1st squad, and then make him available for U19 games. I don’t see me needing any more Middles, (other than someone who can dominate MR). We’re set

I loan my GK younter I signed last year to get some first team action

I have some transfer offers from Chupe.

I loan GK Lavin,

Despite wanting to leave madly, Chupe turned down three offers to stay. Stupid. Avila moves for a loan, and I have to force him down after I tell him to knock it off, and he finally backs down.

We loan Rosa. I pull him off our squad’s registration. I speak with him first, and he heads out

Young Diaz also wants some playing time, and wants to talk about loans. He also pushes back on me and I have to dial Is back.

Our promotion odds are 100-1. The main favorites are Real Betis at 6-4, Granada at 7-4, And then Sporting, Zaragoza, and Elche round out the top five.

[Abe Sargent]

Time for the first game of the season:


1st game, away vs Ponferradina. We are slight favorites. My squad is the same as before in the friendly, and we have my 7 subs selected. Let’s head out and win a game! Did I upgrade my quad enough to compete? That’s the question. I have a new ML (Or DL), DC, and DC. That’s about it though, just an upgraded defense. Let’s see what we can do. Pull off that upset! Vazquez has a DFK on target and their GK pushes it away. We give a penalty in the 24th in the corner of the box, and they connect. They connect a DFK In the 36th and are up 2-0 at the half off set pieces. I expect a lot better next half! Sergio Diaz with a yellow card. Diallo with another. We’re not getting shots to be threats. They have 8 and 4, and we have 8 and 1 on target. Finally Junca crosses deep and over a defender to Cascon for a score in the 57th. We begin to push. I sub in Uxio for Diallo. My next sub is Avila for an underperforming Mahmoud. Lots of pressure from us follows. By the 80th minute, we have 17 shots, 7 on target. Sufian heads in for a tired and not-well-performing Ebwelle on the right. Can we bring a goal in the last ten? Vazquez gets a yellow. Game. We lose 21. Can’t fault you for effort!


Diallo is called up for Mali

2nd game, hosting Mallorca, and again we are slight favorites. Here we go! Get that win! Vazquez finds Cascon for a deadly shot in the 2nd minute, but the GK here is fast enough to turn it aside. Junta with a devastating cross to Cascon for a score in the 24th. This guy is lethal. Ebwelle picks up a knock and I send in Sufian in the 39th. Mahmoud flips the ball to Cascon on an attacking run and we score in the 43rd. 2-0 at the half. Don’t let up, anything can happen! Sergio Diaz opens an attack run on the side, crosses over Mahmoud, who is double teamed, to Cascon, who scores, and gets his hattrck in the 47th minute. Romero has a lethal pass to Sufian, and his shot ,on target, is just pushed away. Both us and Mallorca have 10 shots, we have 8 on target, they have 2. I sub in ST Milla for a tired Cascon. They get a header off a cross, tht Suarez couldn’t stop, he missed the header. Goal for them in the 72nd. I pull Sanchez for Borja. Lots of momentum and shots by both teams, and a suspiciously onsides goal by Mallorca in the 89th brings us to 3-2. We waste time with corners on their side for a couple of minutes, and that’s game. 3-2 us, MOM is Cascon. Good win lads.


Ebwell twisted his ankle and is out for 5-6 weeks.

[Abe Sargent]

Mahmoud is called up


For game 3 away vs Racing Club de Ferrol SAD we are slight favorites. Sufian is starting at MR for a while I suspect. Carry straight on from last match! It’s raining today. David Sanchez is driving down the center, fires a pass to the left to Junca on an attacking run. Junca hits the cross to Cascon on an attacking run and Cascon scores in the 9th minute of play. He outjumped two defenders. They get a booking. Quiet half until extra time, and they score off a counter. 1-1 at the half. Keep it up Uxio heads in for Suarez. Mahmoud scores off a header in the 74th as the Junca is crossed the ball from Sufian, and then headed it on I send in Souto for Vazquez. ST Milla for Cascon last. Two more yellows for our enemies. Game We win 2-1. Good win boys. MOM is Junta.


I think 6 points in 3 games is a pretty strong shout to the opening stanza. Cascon makes team of the week. I register Chupe as he is still on my club, and I have the slot open.

I have a ton more questions on deadline day today than last time. I get an offer to loan out Antonio Jesus Diaz. But he’s being mentored by Mahanan. So I reject them, since I Want to keep him in house for now . He’s not listed for loan either.

I get a key player offer for ST Avila, from a Group 2 next division down club. That intrigues me. I agree. They’ll even pay the salary of our guy too.

I look for another guy to bring in for rotational purposes.

I have 2 hours and 15 minutes left

I send out two enquiries. And I line up someone from Free. One team wants way too much cash for their guy and I pull out. I barter with the last chance. I make an offer…


I’ mvery excited by this. You’ll see…


He signs

45 minutes lateer, we have him


He’s a young matilda player who can play lots of spots. In fact, Barcelona sold him for roughly 1/3rd of the offer we also made for another person from the same league as us. I’m very okay with this. Again, I massaged my budget down to very, very low.

AM RLC, ST, MRL Maxi Rolon, 21 years old, Argentian and Spanish, 4k/year for two years. 3.5 star current and future. Speed of 16/13, pass/cross of 12/12, 12 technique, first touch, stamina, 13 flair, 11 finish, 13 dribb – now his major weaknesses are aeriel – 6 jump, 9 head. But’s a solid, playable on the right wing or the left or as a sub for STC all solid.

I’m going to give him a start for MR at first to see what he can do. He’s match fit. 6 pros – fast, versatile, well suited to this division, balanced and normal, loyal, acceleration is awesome, but he;s very one footed. He’s a good addition to our team, and we have him 4.6k/week for two years, and first team label.

I register him and hand him a squad number.

I have a couple of players still hanging on with month to month deals and I let them go – like Richi and a few on the B Squad to pay for that transfer. Gone are Pendu, and Hamin, and I’ve signed Brahim to a backup role and tossed im on my B squad. 7 players were released by us


Rolon's wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxi_Rol%C3%B3n


Pic -

http://estaticos.sport.es/resources/jpg/3/0/maxi-rolon-tiene-transfer-para-jugar-1360168928603.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

End of August –

Good training by Antonio Diaez and Jose Antonio.

September –

Sept 4 – Home vs Lega
Sept 7 – Home vs Osasun, Spanish Cup
Sept 11 – Away vs Nastic
Sept17 – Home vs Lugo
Sept 25 – Away vs Real Betis

Game 4 vs Lega is here. Mahmoud is out for international duty, so Mila starts. Keep up our run! Other than some yellows for our Lega foes, the first 30 minutes are pretty quiet. Rolon hits Cascon for as core in the 32nd minute. Welcome to the club! They first a shot with such strength that it breaks past the GK 1-1. On corner, Vazquez fires, finds DC Diallo for a header and we score. 2-1 at the half Don’t get complacent! They have a rough tackle on Cascon in the 47th, but its just a yellow. Should have been a red. Suarez gets a yellow for us. I send in Souto and Uxio. Rolon gets a yellow. They fire a logn shottat’s on target from the corner of the box in the 81st. Suspicions of offsides. Then they award a ok for a tackle by Uxio. They kick it in. ST Arriga heads in. We lose 302, but we had three major calls go against us. The non-red, the PK, and the offsides. Now how many were actually right? I don’t know. Vazques is MOM. Unlucky!

All of our games have been one goal affairs. I shored up my defense hard, and we are hemorrhaging goals. In 4 games, wev’e allowed 8 goals. With six points, we’re in 9th, I can’t complain too much. But still


Vazquez was player of the week team

Our Cup Match is here and I have massaged my roster to start Uxio, Souto and move others to the sub spaces. For the Fans! We lose 3-1.


Game 5 – We head to Nastic, who are favored to win. Cascon to Mahmoud in the 0:15 mark for a score! He picks up a knock and I send in Milla. They get booked Half. Keep it up! Quiet half, 4 shots and 76 shots total, just on target total. Lots of running around and no major moves for a while. We get a little pressure, and our foes are up to it. They collect a red for a hard, double-footed tackle on Sanchez in the 71st . I send in Borja for him. Souto for Vaz. They get a yellow card. We both ease off, and we collect the 1-0 win. MOM is Sergio Diaz. Well done

Gascon is out for 2 weeks with a injured thigh. Milla will start for him

Mahmoud;s goal is not only the fastest in our history, but the fastest in the league history as well . It’s was pretty fast. Mahmoud was in Ream of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Diaz wants some first team play so I tell him I’ll give him some subs coming up.

GK Pedro isinured for 11 days in trainin


Game 6 – We are slight favorites vs Lugo. We get a yellow early for Diaolo, and then look, another for Suarez. Hmpf. They have early moment with 11 shots and 6 on target. They finally socre in the 35th. And then again in the 39th. We head to the locker room down 2-0 . I send in a few subs like Antonia Diaz and Uxio, and in the 66th, Sanchez finds Vazquez for a nice score. 2-1. I push us, but that final score
never drops We lose 2-1.


Bruno Sauto is getting anxious for games. He’s gotten some here and there though. He gets a little pissy and I pull him back. Ebwelle is back from injury


Game 7 – Today we are away vs Real Betis, one of the heavies of the division, and in 1st place. Obviously, they are expected to win. We’re underdogs, and there’s no pressure! It’ll be hard to push this without Cascon though. One of my coaches suggested I slide Milla to a false nine role, so that’s his new space. Mostly a quiet first half, although they get a tyellow card fouling Suarez, and I send in Mahan to replace him since he’s lightly injured. No major pressure, light attacks, mostly intercepted by tackles and such. But hey, 0-0 at the half vs Real Betis I’ll take. Keep it uip! Real Betis move forward heavily and launch a 10 minute fusillade of fire. By the time it’s over, no scores, but they have doubled their shots. Then in the late 50s, after they intercept our pass, they turn it into a counter and scoe. 1-0 them. Romero drives, finds Milla who glides the ball to Mahmoud for a score in the 59th minute . 1-1 tie. Quick answer by us. Sub #2 – Souto for Sanchez. They keep hammering away. 18 shots, 11 on target. Mahmoud injures one of their defenders. Sub #3 – I swap in Uxio for Mahmodu and swap to 5-4-1. Tie ame, 1-1 tie. They have 26 shots, 13 on target. This was a great tie. Great result!

Suarez out for two weeks. Uxio starts for him

GK Barrio was in Team of the Week

Diallo is called up for Mali.

End fo Sept –

Good training includes Sergio Diaz, Pepe Romero, and Diallo

[Abe Sargent]

Oct –

October 2 – Away vs Zarago
October 8 – Home vs UD Logrones
Oct 15 – Home vs Granada
Oct 23 – Away vs Sporting
Oct 30 – Home vs Bilbao (A club Julio used to coach for)


Game 8 s Zaraggosa. We are expected to win, they are out of form and sitting at 22nd, with no wins, and just one draw. Cascon just got back from injury, so I’m not playing him today. Uxio starts for injured Suarez. Here we go! We have some early pressure, but to naught. Well, we madden Zaragoza to ge ta booking, only iif that counts. Then another for them. Hmm. I move my guys to push tackling harder. Can we get them off their rhythm? After ten minutes, nope and I dial back off. Half. Keep it up, and the win will come. Sanchez collects a yellow card. I put in Souto for Sanchez, and they get a 3rd card, Romero heads out for Antonio Diaz. I send in Arringa for Milla. Off an IFK late, Vazquez hits Diallo for a score. They hit back in a minute. End fo the game, 1-1. Annoying result.


Game 9 – We face fellow promote Logrones today in our place, and are favored. With their traveling, Diallo, and Mahmoud are out, Cascon is back from injury. I have Antonio Diaz in the DR spot and I moved Romero to the DC one. So we have Diaz, Milla, Uxio starting today instead of our normal folks. Get vengeance! Milla’s goal is waved offsides. 12 shots by both teams, non on target by the half. Start smashing folks! They score quickly and I move around folks and more, and I sub in lots, but we can’t take it home and we lose 1-0. Disappointing.


Borja comes to me and wants more soccer. I agree to look into loaning him and he finishes his specialized training. I get a message that SOuto has been doing well developing in training..

Game 10 vs Granada. Today we host Granada, the new #1 team. Mahmoud is back. Diallo is back as well. I start Souto for Sanchez. Np pressure, we’re underdogs! It’s raining here in Melilla. We have a couple of opportunities on set pieces we fail. 0-0 half. The last 24 minutes blazed away. Keep on going, the match is ours. I send in Ebwelle for Rolan. Mahanan for Uxio. I send in Sanchez for Vazquez late. Normalyl I might do Borja, but I want the set pieces to still be there. 0-0 tie. We had 9 shots, 3 on target, they had 12 and 3. Diallo is MOM. I’ll take that. Well done

[Abe Sargent]

Diallo in Tema of Week. Suarez is back from injury.


Game 11 vs Sporting – Our foes are favorited. Suarez is back, and I leave Souto in. Junca crosses to Casocn for a score in the 4th. Then Sporting recovers, and pushes hard, for twenty minutes, and scores twice. 2-1 them half. A yellow for them follows. MY GK gest out of position and a long shot makes him pay and that’s 3-1. Borja and Antonio Diaz head in for some playign time. Then Ebwelle. We lose 3-1. Yellows by Rolon and Souto late. I’m not pleased!


Game 12 – We host Bilbao. I make no changes to my starting roster. Sergio Diaz crosses to Cascon after getting freed by a Bruno Souto pass, goal. 2 minutes later, in the 8th, Bilbao score too. Momentum goes both ways, a thrust by Mahmoud is turned aside. Halftime. Draw a line in the sand. No more losses. No more ties. GO out there and win this game, and let’s end the 6 game losing streak. I do thigns like swap Diaz and Junto or sub in the other Diaz since Romero I not having a great game. While out at ML and attacking, Sergio Diaz cross and finds Cascon for a score in the 81st. Nice! Ebwelle heads out. We win 2-1, and MOM is Cascon, and 2 assists by Sergio Diaz. A good win!


At the end of October we are 13th with 15 points.

Training – Good Romero, Souto, and Jose Antonio. I talk to Antonio and he’ll be learning the DMC role, which I think is a solid fit.

Diaz and Cascon named in Team of the Week

[Abe Sargent]

November –

Nov 6 – Away vs Eiche
Nov 12 – Home vs Girona
Nov 20 – Home vs Cordoba
Nov 26 – Away vs Reus


Huh

I just got a call from another club about sliding over. Zaragoza, currently in 22nd, wants me to interview for their open job. I decline. I’m good for now. I get a call from a reporter, and I tell him I wasn;t interested in the job. I drop Mahanan to backup status. His skills have atrophied considerably. Mahmoud called up.




Game 13 vs Eiche – We are slight favs. Sanchez heads back in, and Sufian starts at MR. Pick up where you left off! The only action early is one of those crazy crosses that are lethally on target for a goal, and Barrio turned it aside. Then things pick up as they score in the 25th from a DFK just outside of the box. I move to tight marking, so prevent them from getting space, after a few folks got more open that I’d hope. They fire a long shot and it sinks. Half time. That’s not acceptable! Sanchez yellow. Suarez another. Uxio and Borja head in. Diallo gives away a penalty and….they sink it. We are getting crushed this gae We have 4 shots, 0 on target, and they have 24 and 13. We lose 3-0. That was disappointing

Mahmoud suffers a minor injury on international duty. Romero is now adept as using one-two passes better.

Game 14 – Vs Girona.. Milla back in the lineup with Cascon. I expect to see something better today! Rolon is back in the starting lineup. They have a totally unmarked guy come in off a counter and score in the 19th. Junca to Cascon for a score in the 52nd. I Send in Souto and Diaz for Vazquez and Romero. Corner kick in the 80th falls to a few folks, Sanchez finds it and scores. I send in ST Arringa. They scored first, and we came back to win 2-1. Got to respect that. MOM is Junca. Good comeback!

[Abe Sargent]

Antonio Diaz is happy with his recent football, and removes any complaints. Now we do have an issue I’ll look at if it continues. Nah, let’s do it now

What was my best defensive effort last year? DR Romero, and DL Sergio Diaz after we signed him, and DC Uxio was solid and GK Barrio was solid. Now….

DR Romero – 6.63 rating
GK Barrio, 6.84 rating

Now Diaz is fine. Sergio has the highest rating of my defensive guys at 7.12. But our defense has been a sieve. I need to improve. Ill start Anontio Diaz next game for Remoro, because their scores have been the same. Not as good of a player, but Romero has been lost this season. Junca named as a Team of the Week guy


Game 15 – Cordoba is next and Mahmoud is back in the lineup. We are slight favorites. We are at home and they are next to us on the chart. Souto is starting. Let’s do this thang. Lots of thrusts turned aside, and little else to show for it. 0-0 half. Keep it up the win will come! We have a lot of ball in their space, but they are quick at tackling. Junca is knocked, and I sub in Ebwelle. They get a score in the 71st. And then I push and we have Sufian and Sanchez heading here. They score again in extra time and we lose 2-0. Suck.


An agent offers an African middie to me. I offer him a trial to give him some see, because I like what we see.

Game 16 vs Reus – Antonio Diaz had a 7.1 rating last time, so I;m leaving him in the DR spot. They push us around and give a penalty early, and Mahoud sinks it in the 7th. No shots by anyone for 22 minutes. They collect a yellow. A few long range shots ensue. Another card for Reus. Then they savage Cascon with a nasty two footed tackle and they get a red card in the 41st. I move to my normal changes, wide, up tempo, etc. I move to control. Borja heads in for Souto. They grab another yellow. They score a fluke goal in the 78th from a long shot tat flips over my GK so I go attacking, sub in Sanchez, move ttwo middies to AMC and drop my defenders to 3, so to fo a 3-3-2-2. I’m not losing this game. On a corner in the 86th, Vazquez fires and hits the leg of Jesus Suarez for a score. They get another yellow. I had one guy with a yellow Antonio Diaz, and they had half their team. We win 2-1. MOM is Vazquez, and we get that one. Whew. I’ll take it

Barrio, Suarez, and Vazquez were all in Team of the Week.

Chupe signs a transfer for a free and I sent him on.

Our trialist arrives

AM/M RLC ST – Michael Anaba, Ghana, 22 years old, 14/13 speed, 4 star current rating, can’t play MR very well though , and not great at ML or ST. Ghana counts as COntonu, so he’s fine. Is this guy good enough? He is actually. But I need to sign someone sexy. So hold up for a day or so.

End fo November –

Good training by Diallo, Ariaga, and Sergio Daz.

Antonio Diaz is happy with his recent football, and removes any complaints. Now we do have an issue I’ll look at if it continues. Nah, let’s do it now

What was my best defensive effort last year? DR Romero, and DL Sergio Diaz after we signed him, and DC Uxio was solid and GK Barrio was solid. Now….

DR Romero – 6.63 rating
GK Barrio, 6.84 rating

Now Diaz is fine. Sergio has the highest rating of my defensive guys at 7.12. But our defense has been a sieve. I need to improve. Ill start Anontio Diaz next game for Remoro, because their scores have been the same. Not as good of a player, but Romero has been lost this season. Junca named as a Team of the Week guy


Game 15 – Cordoba is next and Mahmoud is back in the lineup. We are slight favorites. We are at home and they are next to us on the chart. Souto is starting. Let’s do this thang. Lots of thrusts turned aside, and little else to show for it. 0-0 half. Keep it up the win will come! We have a lot of ball in their space, but they are quick at tackling. Junca is knocked, and I sub in Ebwelle. They get a score in the 71st. And then I push and we have Sufian and Sanchez heading here. They score again in extra time and we lose 2-0. Suck.


An agent offers an African middie to me. I offer him a trial to give him some see, because I like what we see.

Game 16 vs Reus – Antonio Diaz had a 7.1 rating last time, so I;m leaving him in the DR spot. They push us around and give a penalty early, and Mahoud sinks it in the 7th. No shots by anyone for 22 minutes. They collect a yellow. A few long range shots ensue. Another card for Reus. Then they savage Cascon with a nasty two footed tackle and they get a red card in the 41st. I move to my normal changes, wide, up tempo, etc. I move to control. Borja heads in for Souto. They grab another yellow. They score a fluke goal in the 78th from a long shot tat flips over my GK so I go attacking, sub in Sanchez, move ttwo middies to AMC and drop my defenders to 3, so to fo a 3-3-2-2. I’m not losing this game. On a corner in the 86th, Vazquez fires and hits the leg of Jesus Suarez for a score. They get another yellow. I had one guy with a yellow Antonio Diaz, and they had half their team. We win 2-1. MOM is Vazquez, and we get that one. Whew. I’ll take it

Barrio, Suarez, and Vazquez were all in Team of the Week.

Chupe signs a transfer for a free and I sent him on.

Our trialist arrives

AM/M RLC ST – Michael Anaba, Ghana, 22 years old, 14/13 speed, 4 star current rating, can’t play MR very well though , and not great at ML or ST. Ghana counts as COntonu, so he’s fine. Is this guy good enough? He is actually. But I need to sign someone sexy. So hold up for a day or so.

End fo November –

Good training by Diallo, Ariaga, and Sergio Diaz.

[Abe Sargent]

December –

Dec 3 – Home vs Alcorcon
Dec 11 – Away vs Llagos
Dec 18 – Home vs Numancia


I check to see if anyone I coming available in a month. Some leagues end at the calandar year. If I want to dip into the old Striker pool again, David Barral, a 33 year old Spanish ST is available. He’s just as good as the others .

Whoa!

Say hello to my new Sanchez? Osmar, 28 year old Spanish guy , coming up free in a month.

Anyone else I like?

I need to push my team, so I offer a deal to Osmar right now. Osmar isn’t on anyone’s radar, he’s playing over in Korea right now.

Huh, there’s a better African middie for a free right now anyway. Daniel Ndi. Ndi is a little less stamina, and better at dribbling, passing,

Here’s the thing. Sanchez isn’t cutting it. Vazquez is, he as a 7.29 rating in 17 games. He’s fine. Sanchez isn’t. Now I could run Bruno Souto a lot, and then sub in others. But you want want to know something? Souto is slightly worse that Ndi and Anaba.

Here’s my current best players by cash:

DC Diallo – 500k
ML Junca – 500k
MR Maxi Rolon – 375k
DC Suarez – 300k
DL Sergio Diaz – 300k
ST Pere Milla – 275k
GK Barrio – 250k
ML Ebwelle – 2235k
Romero- 200k
Vazquez – 185k
Souto – 120k
Uxio – 105k

Those are my six digit players.

Ebwelle, Sufian aren’t really cut out for this stage. Sanchez is dropping in quality. I could pull them off my squad in January, loan out Ebwelle, and then move Sufian to the B squad or something. I slide Sufian to backup. Never really broke out, despite a few starts and subs. I just don’t want these folks mucking about at this level, it makes no sense.

I could use another striker since Cascon/Mahmoud have hit crap for a while, and Milla was not a good addition. I could slide over ROlon, but he’s always at MR cause I have nothing better.

Which is sad about Michael Anaba not being good enough for the MR. –He’s awkward at that spot. What about Ndi? He’s fine at MR. Hmm.

Constantly improve the squad. Don’t stop

I make Ndi an offer. I can see Ndi and Rolon battling for spots. Both nice young folks. I also want to offer to Anaba to stay with me.

That gives me two solid African middies to come in and push for playing time.

Now if you’ll recall, Borja was subbed in a lot last year, and was a nice hope for the future. But then his potential waned according to our coaches. I make Borja available for loan and I offer him out. Borja is worse, by far, than these two bums. In fact, he’s the worst middie I have right now, other than future development prospect Jose Antonio

[Abe Sargent]

Game 17 – No major changes to the roster for today’s match. Due to us being at home, and Alcorcon being lower than us on the table, we are expected to win today. Sergio Diaz with a nice deep shot to Cascon, turned over the net, and then the corner is to no avail, in the first few minutes of the game. Exchanges of possession ensue. Diallo with a yellow, and they get one two. Mahmoud gets a yellow card and they miss a dfk. Antonio Diaz with a yellow late in the half. Lots of shots that aren’t on target for both sides. 0-0 half. Still nothing, I send in Romero to pull off a yellow card. I swap Diaz and Junca on the pitch. Uxio for Diallo for the other flag. A throw in to Mahmoud in te 79th in the box is fouled and they award us a PK. Mahmoud sinks it, and we are up 1-0. I send in Milla for him since he has a yellow. They give us another penalty, and Vazquez scores. From a deep DFK, Vazquez fires it at Cascon for as core. In extra time. 3-0, and of the scores in the last 12 minutes, all on set pieces. I’ll take. Even without the PKs we’re still a 1-0 victor. MOM is Vazquez

The head coach of Alcoron was upset with the first PK. The manager is moping that my team regularly gest referee calls. Yeah, sure, remember the game with t he missing red card, PK?

I confirm Anaba to sign with us.

Because he was on a free, he’s already on our team now. Because I have an open spot, I register him

We like Anaba – Good player for most sides in this division, high work rate, balanced and normal, loyal, good team player, versatile. Very one footed and needs to improve composure

I don’t know how important this may be to others, but I like how he’s a bit punch-y. Strong, can tackle, mark, and now be embarrassed. He;s not awesome, he’s not a specialized defensive player, but he is something else.

Say hello to:

Daniel Ndi, 21, Cameroon, I have an extra spot and register him, and I like his speed , 14/14, his 13 cross, and 13 pass, 15 dribb, 12 first touch, 14 technique, Just one mental ability not in double digits – determination, just one physical jump, and then other than set pieces and defensive junk, he only has head at 8 (and long shots at 8) that I’d like higher from technical. He’s anther solid entry. He can play all of the midfield spots, and is adequate at WB and FB on the left. Anaba was let go by Eiche and Ndi by Sporting.


Ndi- wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dani_Ndi

Pics -

http://www.realsporting.com/webrsg/images/stories/contenido_web/primer_equipo/GRANDES_15_16/33_ndi.jpg


Vazquez in Team of the Week

Diallo has been looking better in training.

Real Betis B offer me an interview, and I turn them down.

[Abe Sargent]

Souto. Keep our run going! (We’re expected to lose). Mahmoud has wasted a bunch of shots early on. Good positioning, but missing the target . Too many long shots too. Mahmoud, knock it off. Our foes score in the 29th minute. Yellow for Diallo. Nothing for the scoreboard, and that’s us down at the half. Show me something els.e Uxio heads in for Diallo. Ndi with a card. Sancehz with a card. Rolon for Ndi. I send in Milla. We lose 1-0. Ah well. Unlucky


Sufian gets ornery and I dial him back, Meanwhie Ndi and Diallo are called up. As I sign more Africans, they may be on international squads in roughly the same time.


Game 19 vs Numancia – I swap Romero back in at DR. Souto is starting. Good luck! We are not expected to win tonight, but let’s see what we can see. 24 minutes in, no shots by either team. Then we get two, but that’s it. On a break, on their first shot of the day, Numancia scores. Then Junca crosses to Mahoud for a score to answer and it’s 1-1 at the half. We can still win! Sergio Diaz crosses to Mahmoud in the 68th for another score. I send in Michael Anaba for a look see. Milla for Cascon. Game, we win 2-1. Mahmoud is MOM. Good job.

After 19 games, we are in 10th place tied with Logrones and Numancia with 27 points each.

Mahmoud in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Uxio fails to adapt his game, Belenenses over in Portugal offers me an interview. I decline. Milla comes to me wanting more football, but I point out he’s not been good. No goals scored. He agrees, and wants to show that he has the stuff to ge the distance, so I agree to give him a bit more time to show his class.

Dario Simic finishes learning Spanish.

I have a friendly vs Marabella to keep stuff fit. We win 3-1.

The end of December arrives, and I hold up. It’s not six months from all of these major contracts being done. Anything that I fancy?

Not really.

End fo December

Good Trainin – A Diaz, Junca, and Anaba.


Jan –

January 4 – Away vs Osasuna
January 8 – Home vs Ponferradina
January 15 – Home vs Tenerife
January 22 Away vs Mallorca
January 29 – Home vs Ferrol


Souto has adapted his game to get forward

Messi, Ozil, Aguero World Ball winners

Now that he was released by Soeul, my target is more interested in coming here.

I increase my expectations to Avoid Relegation rather than Attempt, and we get some serious injectioning of cash.

Today is the day that the window raises.

Get ready here he comes. This is my Mahmoud of this year, the key signing.

Osmar, 28, Spanish, 11k/week, 4.5 star rating for current rating. 11/11 speed, 15 balance, jump, 16 fitness, 14 stam and str – good stuff there. Mental? He owns it. Other than Flair at ten, or Leadership at 11, or OTB at 7, or Vision at 12, everything at least 13. Technical? Passing of 15. Other than finishing at 8, corner and long throws, everything is at least 11, just crossing and free kciks are that low. He’s good. He can lay DMC< MC< DC, and DL. His natural position is DM. I’m starting him as the Deep Lying Playmaker we all know and love. I am modifying my tactics somewhat. I am dropping a MC to DMC. Which is fine I have a ajillion people who na play it. I register Osmar and pull out Sufian and Borja.

I also needed more DC movement, and Osmar can play that spot rather nicely as well. I can drop him and put someone else in the DMC spot instead, like Sanchez.

He cost some serious cash – I cut my transfer budget post-cash bonus from moving to higher in the league, and we used up extra salary from that too. My salary is now 88.05 budgeted and 85k spent. We’re fine. 0 dollars in transfer.


I felt that Osmar would be a huge help because we are just allowing way too many goals, so dropping a middle to DMC should prove valuable. He should help. He is the Hojbjerg of this team (my Nacional da Madeira club only really took off after I brought in PeterEmile Hobjerg as my DMC).

I accept a loan from Borja



Osmar wiki - Osmar Barba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmar_Barba)


Pic

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EId8x5IHGtI/mqdefault.jpg


http://static.tlcdn2.com/data/11/pictures/0213/11-29-2013/p18ahl48qk1sp4c1h4di148v6le8.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

Game 20 – vs Osasuna. Punch it! U gave Osmar starting and I move Roton back on the MR spot. Suarez grabs a yellow, pretty boring half actually.. They score to open up the next half, and then I pull Suarz for Uxio. Still a quiet game though. Milla and Souto don’t help either. We lose 1-0

Mahanan wants to leave after getting no play. . I offer him a role in the coaching team instead. Borja heads out on loan

Game 21 – s Ponferradina, Here we go. Get that win! We both have early counter attacks turned aside. I go up and grab a coffee. When I come back, it’s 0-0 at the half. Alright fine. Let’s ead out. They score early twice, and then Vazquez fires back for a score in the 72nd, but that’s it and we lose 1-2. Sorry coffee.

I get permission to hire another coach. I make Mahanan an offer. Whoops, he wants to be my Director fo Football. But he is better than my current guy Paco Montoya by a lot. Okay. I fire 70 year old Paco

I need another player to push my squad and team. Are there any others?

We are at 14th at the halfway mark. I need wins. I need goals.

Mahmoud – 6.88 rating, 18 starts, 7 oals, 1 assist, 2 of those goals were PKs,
Cascon - 7.14 rating, 18 starts, 11goals, 3 assists
Milla – 6 stars, 9 subs – 0 goals, 1 assist, 6.67 rating

Cascon had been okay, but Mahmoud has disappeared

I thought it would be the opposing this year, and Mahmoud would be good for this year and Cascon would drop, but it’s the opposite so far.

Is there another Striker in the queue I can pull up? I usually disdain loans (why develop someone else’s player when you can develop your own?). Maybe there’s a loaner?

There’s no magic brew to fix our attacking game. No great striker for loan or for pick up. David BArral is the only one who would really, really help, but he’s not interested in us. 33 years old, let go from UAE. Plus, I doubt he’d sign for a lot enough contract offer to matter awyways…


Hm…

Could I massage my tactics?

Could I run one Striker and one AMC instead? Let’s try that. I have a ton fo AMCs. Let’s try it out and see what there is to see

Rolon gets the flu

Sufian stubs his toe

Mahanan signs

[Abe Sargent]

Game 22 vs Tenerife. Ndi, Diallo are traveling, and Rolon injured. Here we go, with Milla in the AMC spot and Anaba on the right, Uxio in DC. Let’s figure this tactic out. We start playing hard. We aren’t getting a lot of pressure, so I sub in some folks. They score in the 40th, but at the half we just have 1 shot and 0 on target. I tell them we can keep it up, and I make some changes, trying to figure it out. Looks like always possession is something I may want to add to it. They score again, then a cross is Ebwelle, whom I subbed in, fro a score. 1-2. Finally, they score again and it’s 1-3. They had 17 shots to our 7 Unlucky! I pulled the ineffect Milla for Mahmou ,and things picked up a bit. I also move to Fluid with our tactic

Diallo got his first cap. I turn down head coaching offers. Junca adapts game to left win.

Game 23 – vs Mallorca – We’ll be using Mahmoud at AMC and then Rolon is back from injury at MR> We have nothing to lose! These guys atre 5th and at home. No one expects us to do anything. So let’s do something. They are getting some bookings.



I get a loan offer for Bruno Souto, which I wasn’t expecting…. Hmmm…alright.

[Abe Sargent]

Maxi Rolon is out with a virus for 2 weeks

It’s the end of the transfer window day, and I head to ST Barral. Alright, no one has blown up your skirt. There’s no interested clubs but us, you are aging and getting older, and out of work for a month. Want to come and play for us? Nope. Ah well. He would have given us a major push (in real life, after his UAE deal ends, he’ll sign with Granada, but here, he stayed in UAE longer, and thus comes in on the downslide of his career).

I try with some other STs out there. They want to much (Danilo) or aren’t interested (Leon Best)

Let’s get a serious look at my attack talent:

Mahmoud – Still low, 6.86 rating, still not great, and some abilities have begun to drop (pace, stamina, finishing, etc) In fact, my coaches think he’s dropped considerably.

Cascon – Still fine. In fact, before Cascon and Mahmoud used to be very different – Mahmoud was a lot better, but that changed, and now our scouts rater them roughly equivalent. Both have “Decent player for this side”.

Avila – On Loan

ST Milla – Sucked hard. No real reason for it either, our coaches also give him the same “Decent player” evaluation

ST Arringa – Just a backup.

ST Rolon – Plays over at MR regularly, 17 apps, 1 assist, 0 goals, 6.86 rating. Haven’t realy pushed him as a striker, but he’s not amazing at any FC roles

I need someone with some zest

Barral still doesn’t want to sign though, even fi I offer him just a few months to finish up the year.

Well I find someone that intrigues me a bit. He’s under a hot prospect deal with Tenerife in this division. Young. Nadijb. His contract is up at the end fo the year. I make him an offer to scoem to us post-contract. First team. I make him an offer to come.

And he’s listed for loan. So I make a loan offer to Tenerife for 1st team play. So we’d get him now on loan, and in the future as a player. And then I’m not developing someone else’s ST. They accept our offer next year in theory. Nice. Tenerife gets on the phone. We give them a little cash to make the move now – not much. Just enough


Nadijb – 20 years old, Spanish, plays ST, and MR, MR, and AM MLC, 13/14 speed, 17 fitness, mentals are a bit here and there – 14 flair and determinion, 12 otb, and just 9 work rate. Dribbling is 15, as is crossing, and 14 finishing, first touch, 15 technique, 11 passing, 13 long shots, and he’s even got good corners. He’s a solid technical and physical guy. We rate him 3 stars now, and 4 future. Selfish, one footed, can avid rough challenges, versatile, loyal, well suited to this league, balanced and normal, and great technique in attacking

His best roles in the forward spot are false nine and poacher, and he can doa good job on the wings as well. Nadijb is also Moroccan, like the manager, Julio, he was born in Spain too. 2 years, 2.5k/week first team deal.

I hand him the #8 jersey and submit him



Nadjib wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadjib_Mengoud

http://fotos01.laopinion.es/2015/08/03/646x260/04lo36afot5.jpg


Game 24 – vs Ferrol. Sergio Diaz is out with a red card, and I slid Junca back to his spot. I will start Nadjib at the left spot. Diallo is back from away, and he’s in DC and I move Osmar back to DMC. We have a lot of pressure early, and they get a booking in the 5th, and Vazquez’s DFK is deadly, on target, and knocked aside by the GK. We have a few shots crowded down, and them Mahmoud gets a yellow We are winning possession, shots, and everything else. Ferrol have one shot, not on target. And then they have a ncie move and scoe rin the 23rd. Yuck. Then Mahmoud, with his card and all, runs down the middle, is crowded so he kicks the ball out to Nadijb. On one bounce he fires a cross to Cascon just behind the defense, and Cascon gest a score in the 30th. Vazquez gets a yellow. Osmar gest a yellow. I order my guys to do light tackling. Then Nadjib crosses to Mahmoud who scores in the 43rd. Half time 2-1 us. Guard against complacency! Ferrol are trying a lot of long shots, but nothing is sinking. I pull a tired and underwhelming Ndi for Sufian. Milla heads in for Mahmoud. Mahanan for Suarez. Our foes wasted a lot of shots 12 made, 2 on target. We had 15 and 5 though, not exactly high % either, but we scored 2-1 and won. Good win!

[Abe Sargent]

End of January –

Good training – Romero, Sergio Diaz.

February -

Feb 5 – Away vs Lega
Feb 12 – Home vs Nastic
Feb 18 – Away vs Lugo
Feb 26 – Away vs UD Logrones

We are currently 13th in the league

Youth facilities are finished upgrading.

And I get an interview offer from UD Las Palmas SSAD< currently in last place in La Liga, the top flight league. You have plenty of time to turn the season around, they are 22 games in, and just 5 points from 20 and 16. I go on the job interview, just for fun.

UD Melilla approach me to keep me. I ask to improve training, and they say no. I push they say no, and I basically give a light ultimatum, and they agree. Training facilities are being improved. I pull out of the interview and commit to Melilla. The improvement of the facilities is a condition, and I pull out of my interview with Las Palmas. I should send them a thank you card. (We needed it)

Game 25 vs Leganes – I move Antononio Diaz back into the starting lineup at DR after Romero still is not doing well. I am trying something something different. With Sergio Diaz back from his game off, I move him back to DL, which is does well with. He works hard, and despite age fo 25 is still improving in a few places. Sergio Diaz is fine. He’s set at DL, rocking a 7.11 rating despite a ton of games and bad form at times from the team. And I moved Junca back from DL to ML. He plays well there, so there’s no major concern either, he’s 7.17 rating. So what I want to try today, after my failed tactical experiment was scratched a few games ago, is to move Nadijb to the MR. Rolon is still out with a virus, and Ndi wasn;t superhot recently. After an awesome double assist opening game for us at ML, I want to see what he can bring for us at the MR spot. I signed him to be a great striker, and then last game he brought our strikers out of retirement. Let’s see what we can do from here. I move Uxio in for Suarez to give him a start. Lagenes has gone on a poor run of form and is in 20th out of 22. Get vengeance! They hit us hard and fast, and I am forced to move to defensive, and then we ge a break, Mahoud slips the ball to a running Cascon for a score in the 30th . We keep them out of the endzone, despite 11 shots. 1-0 half. Keep it up! I sub in Anaba for Vazquez . Then Ndi heads in. We injure ne of their players. They are just assaulting us. 32 shots at the 86 minute. I sub in Milla. Our foes re tackling hard and get two yellows. Game. We win 1-0. That was a nice win! Very special guys!



‘
Diallo is now more able to play a short passing game.

Another club is making an offer to bring in Mahmoud after his deal with us finishes. Rolon is back from his virus. I offer to extend Uxio by a year. I downgrade DR Romero to rotation. Petrolol sign Mahmoud and he gets a work permit. Good luck out there!


Game 26 vs Nastic. My foe is complaining to the press about the condition of my pitch. Our foes haven’t lost in 6 matches. I leave Uxio in for the game, and Milla is in as well. Good luck! Sergio Diaz knocks one of their middies around and then we score in the 10th minute with an assist by Vazquez to Cascon on a nice building play. Quiet second half of the half. 1-0, Don’t get complacent out there! Milla is injured early and I pull him, move Nadjib to that spot, and then Anaba heads in. Antonio collects a book and I send in Romero. My final sub is Sanchez for Osmar, who’s playing well but really tired. They score in the 84th minute on a counter, and I move to attacking to try and bring us out. We have a nasty and incisive attackourselves, and Vazquez feeds the attacking subbed in Michael Anaba on the right, who strikes, and sinks it in the 88th, I pull back off attacking. Anaba’s first goal for the club. Nadjib’s ass set up the attack run. Junca crosses over both attackers who are marked to the unmarked Anaba attacking and Anaba hits another goal in extra time. We win 3-1. MOM is Vazquez. Very happy with that!

We are told past-conference that the “pitch is a disgrace” by the opposing manager. But you know what? Welcome to Africa Baby!

[Abe Sargent]

Milla is out for 5-6 weeks with a twisted ankle. Junca has improved in training and has been upgraded by our coaches from a good player in this league to a leading one. Middie Jose Antonio, the hot guy who came through our ranks is getting rave remarks, and they think he could be a potential Liga quality central middie in the future, not just for the current one. I look at Antonio and he has gotten better in several areas.

Junca and Vazquez both named in Team of Week. Uxio pens that deal. One year extension.

Game 27 vs Lugo – I slide Romero back in at DR. Suarez is back at DC. Mahmoud is back in the lineup, and we are expected to win, a little, due to our recent run of good form. We are sitting in 10th, and they 9th, but we’ve been winning and they’ve been dropping games. Avenge yourselves to our loss earlier! They score early in the 14th minute, and uh oh. And then Mahmoud finds Cascon on an attacking in the 26th and we equalize. Lots of close calls and alte tackles on both parts, and it’s 1-1 at the half. We can still win this thing! Junca fires a cross to Nadjib on an attacking run, and the GK tries to intercede since the defenders are out of position, fails, and Nadjib finishes. I sub in Anaba for Vazquez. Then Mahanan in for Romero. Final sub is Rolon. After being down 1-0, we come back 2-1. We have been more resilient t with that lately . Good job!


My ST Barral is made an offer finally by another team, out in the Middle East. He still never wanted a deal with us. Ah well. I like my squad right now, it’s playing nicely. We’ve won 4 matches in arrow, and tied one, so we’ve 5 matches unbeaten.

Alright fine. Barrel signed for more money weekly than my entire budget. I get it… 

Junca named in Team of the Week. Mahanan is out with a cold.

Game 28 vs Logrones. Our foes come hard and fast and we concede a goal in the 8th minute. They keep coming and I move to full on defensive posture. They get a red, and around 15 mintues later, they ease off the gas. Then we move slowly and methodically down and get a shot off from range, pushed aside. One corner kick. The second corner from Vazquez t oSuarez connects with the header and it’s a gaol in the 34th minute. 1-1 at the half. Shot by Cascon pushed aside at the 60 minute mark . Can we get lucky with the corner and strike twice? Osmar misses. Nope. I move to pull out Mahmoud fir Maxi Rolon. Anaba follows, and then Arringa. Pepe Romero with a late yellow card in extra time. Tie game, 1-1. That’s fine.

I want to show you something:

Goals allowed in games since singing Osmar:

1
2
3
1
1
0
1
1
1

11 goals in 9 games

Goals allowed in previous 9 games pre Osmar

1
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
3
1
3

Total allowed pre-Osmar in that 9 games is 16

Now that’s obviously a small sample size. But that’s worth noting I think


He’s our Hojbjerg

Junca named in Team of the Week

End of February

Good training includes Sergio Diaz and Diallo

[Greyfriars Bobby]

I'm enjoying the new FM dynasty stories that have appeared recently. I've followed yours from the start; it's a great premise, and I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

Good luck with Melilla! I'll be reading.

[Abe Sargent]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[Abe Sargent]

March

March 5 - Home vs Real Betis
Mar 11 – Home vs Zaragoza
Mar 19 – Away vs Granada
Mar 26 – Home vs Sporting


We are in 10th at the end fo March. Here ‘s the table, briefly

Granada, 56
Mallorca 52
Tenerife 51
Alcorcon 49
Osasuna 48
Sporting 47
Real Betis 45
Logrones 44
Luga 43
Mellilla – 41
Cordoba 40
Eiche 38
Bilbao 37
Girona 36
Numancia 36
Llagosterea 36
Ponferradina 34
Reus 26
Nastic 21
Ferrol 18
Zaragoza – 18
Leganes 17

As you can see, we have the 7, 1, and 6 teams this month, but we’re on a hot streak. I would love to finish 9 or 8, in the single digits. A bad run of form could knock us down badly quite easily though.

Maxi Rolon can now knock the ball past his opponent.

Game 29 vs Real Betis – We are home, but they are still favorites. Since he was hot, Anaba is starting this match, and I want to see what he can do with a full 90. Come on folks, lick up from where you left off! Sergio Diaz is injured in the 5th minute I move Jucna to DL, and then put in Nadjib. Very little. We have about 1 minute where the ball is in their box and nothing results. One of our foes takes an obvious dive in th box, and brings up a PK, and then….they shot and Barrio turns it aside. Missed pK at the 42nd. 0-0 half. Keep it up! They trip Nadjib in the 47t minute, and now it’s our turn at the penalty kicking. Up steps Mahmoud and he sinks it. 1-0 us. Sub – Sanchez for Vazquez. Our foes, probably angry, get one booking, then another. Final sub – Rolon for Cascon. We win 1-0. MOM is Nadijb. Great result


Osmar and Nadjib named in Tam of the Week.

I turn down an offer for an interview by Almeria, 18th in the Liga

Game 30 – Zaragoza is here. I give Sergio Diaz a rest and move Junca back to DL. We are favored here, obviously. We almost have a sub-zero strike when a nasty shot is truend aside by Mahmoud in the 0:56 mark, and then no corner or anything follows. Romero launches a blast to he other side of the pitch, where Junca is unmarked, and he crosses to Cascon for a score in the 9th. Ndi, starting today, hits Mahmoud, but the ball is turned aside. They get a foul around 20 minutes later for a yellow card. Whoa, they pop the ball out, back in, and score in the 38th. Osmar with a yellow too. 1-1 alf. Keep it up and the result will follow. I Send in Nadijb for Yahmoud. Sanchez in for Osmar. Sancehz fires a nice pass to set up Anaba, who fires and it bounces off their GK and Ndi finds it and sinks it or a score in the 78th. Ndi’s first goal for us. Final sub is Rolon. Ndi with a yellow. Another 2-1 result. We’re showing some grit. MOM is Junca. Both him and Anaba finished with 9 ratings. Anaba has been on fire recently. Well done boys.

[Abe Sargent]

What I wish I could do was move Sergio Diaz o the right and Junca at the DL. Both are very left footed though.

Ndi has been getting better. I agree to give Antonio Diaz some start soon and move him back to DR.


Junca and Anaba in Team of Week

I have some very hot middies right now – Anaba, Vazquez, and I slide Nadijb into my ST spot pending Mahoud out for international duty

Milla is back from injury

My GK Pedro is out for 405 weeks with a strained stomach muscle in the training

Sufian is upset at the lack of 1st team soccer, and I offer to sell him. I palce him on tarsnfer, although he’s up at the end of this season anyways.

Sufian was with Melilla all of his career. Born right here, with almost 240 apps for either Mellia or the B squad, save for some loans.


Game 31 vs Granada, #1 in the league. With a great game last week there, I’m leaving Junca at the DL spot this week and Sergio Diaz on the bench. I do want to slide in Uxio. He’s faster and I think a better fit for the anti-Granada stuff we’ll need. So we have a few new changes here for this game (Antonio Diaz, Uxio, Nadijb at ST) Anaba and Ndi in at the wings, and Vazquez and Osmar. We’re underdogs, no pressure! They score quickly, this time getting us in the 9th minute. They score again in the 37th. 2-0 them at the half. Show me something else. Anaba to Cascon for a score in the 59th, offisdes. I send in Rolon. He;s faster. Tehre have been times Cascon can’t get to the balls in te back. And there’s the score. Nadjib, Rolon, score in the 67th, powerful shot from the box. Rolon’s first goal for us, ever. Corner from Vasquez to Osmar is on line, but held. Antonio Diaz is sucking so I send in Mahanan to spell him. Osmar and Vasquez driving and passing the ball back and forth on the flank. Vas hoofs it over some folks to deep for Ndi to run on, and a defender, in panic, rushes to clear it and hoofs it to the GK, but Nadjob, also on an attack run is there, gets to the ball first, and fires it in. Major error by them. Score – 72nd minute. They march down, fire a shot that rebounds off the crossbar right at another player who finishes it. I send in Sanchez. Maybe a late set pieces would help. Game 3-2. That was close. Unlucky!

Our first loss in a lost of games. Their manager was very positive of us pre-game, and post-game as well, talking about how we battled back.


Game 32 vs Sporting. We are slight favs due to home advantage . I move Milla back to start in lieu of Nadijb. Suarez back in for Uxio. Sergio Diaz back at DL and Junca at ML. I swap Aanba to the MR spot and Ndi is on the bench, We owe Sporting! Milla is injured in the 10th minute and has to come off and I send in Rolon. Junca fires a long shot, it hits the GK and Rolon dives through a crowd to get the rebound and puts it away in the 13th. Rolon with quick results again. Vasquez collects a booking. Junca lays out a dangerous pass, just collected by them. Cascon has a shot waived offsides. We hammer a lot, no more cores though. Half time we have 12 shots, 6 on target, to their 7 and 3. Don’t get complacent! Anaba gets a yellow. I send in Nadjib to pull off a potential double yellow situation. Final sub – My defense all have at least 7.0, and Sergio Diaz an 8.1, so none of them….Ndi for Vazquez. Nadjib finds Cascon on an attack run for a score in the 81st. We win 2-0. MOM is Sergio Diaz. Special guys!


Well Milla is out. For 5months with a broken foot. I get an offer for Sufian for transfer and I agree to it.




We get our new intake of youth folks. Any great players? Future stars or studs? Nah. Nothing at all to mention.

I attend the youth game. The youth contract are signed and we are now a bit over my budget.

End of March

Good training –

Uxio, Diallo, Nadjib

[Abe Sargent]

April –

April 2 – Away at Girona
April 8 – Away vs Bilbao
Apri 16 – Home vs Eiche
April 22 – Away vs Cordoba
April 30 – Away vs Alcorcon

Game 33 vs Girona - Vazquez is banned for a match with too many yellows, so I move Sanchez to start for him. I Start Rolon across from Cascon after the good match they both had last game. With our winning streak last month, and just one loss there, we are now 8th, but with a game in hand we are about ti play – win and we rise to tied with Tenerife at 3 points at 6/7 spot. It’s a big game. Note that this month we aren’t play in North Africa much. I start Nadjib on the MR. Carry on from last match! They force through a powerful shot through our GK, almost knocks him down. We’ve had some opportunities too, bub thing sticks. We’re down 1-0 at the half. Unlucky! They collect a yellow and seem to be a bit more kick-y than last half. Subs – Mahmoud, Romero. Antonio Diaz has been bad the last two games, I’m moving Romero back into the starting role next game. Rolon a yellow card. We’ve had shots. Rolon got Mahmoud one there, but the shot hit the crossbar and went over. Uxio in We get a breakaway attempt wit about 18 seconds left in the game. Can we finally hit paydirt? Oh yes we can! Nadjib gest a nasty pass from Junca to hit the corner of the goal from the tightest angel ever created by man. Nice 1-1 tie. Great comeback! Junca is MOM

Nadjib, Junca, Osmar in Team of the Week

Football is odd. Vazquez is proof. Last year, Vazquez was the junior partner of Sanchez, got pulled regularly, and was alright. Now he’s doing very well, and despite tons fo competition at MC and AMC running around, is one of the more secure folks on the field. All this despite an upgrade in talent in the league. Dude is money


Game 34 vs Bilbao – I have Nadjib at ST, Ndi at MR. Romero at DR. For the fans! In the Rain!!! The game is listless for a while, so I move to Control, and then Bilbo get a ton of momentum, back to counter. They fire a cross at the guy Suarez is marking and he is beaten, and they score in the 44th. 1-0 at the half. I expect to see better next half. Ndi has a great cross to Cascon, but to no avail – not on target. I sub in Uxio for Suarez. They fire another shot and connect, this time a long shot. I send in Mahmoud for Cascon. Anaba heads in. Nope. We lose 2-0. Not good enough today, we should be winning those matches

[Abe Sargent]

Game 35 vs – Eiche – Again we get some complaints about the pitch from the manager. He can just deal. I start Uxio. I drop him to rotation squad status. Get vengeance! Lots of minor possession exchanges, and I move to Control, but nothing major happens. Half time. We can still win! I ease back to standard since control did nothing. I swap Mahmoud for a quiet Cascon. Anaba for Ndi. Ebwelle for Junca. Quiet, boring, 0-0. Unlucky



Game 36 – Cordoba. Suarez back, I slide Anaba to the starting MR spot. It’s raining and we are in those pretty red kits and they score in 0:21 mark. Cascon finds Nadjib after he hit Cascon,and a score in the 15th equalizes thangs. Half. Keep it up! They get a yellow right after. They foul one of our players, and Vazquez lines up a IFK and hits Osmar for the goal, and that’s his 1st for us. 2-1 at the 53 mark. Blast. OG by Vazquez in the 56th! Anaba fires a deep cross at the goal, and Nadjib is there and puts it away beating their keep in te 62nd. Sub – Ndi for Vazquez. Uxio in for Diallo, who’s having a bad game, having allowed a goal earlier. I sub in ROlon to spell a tired, but fine, Cascon. He has an assist. Anaba finds Nadjib down the center for his hattrick and it’s 4-2. They dove in our tackle zone to try and get a pk and get a yellow. MOM is Nadjib. We started down 1-0 in the first minute And win 4-2. That was truly special.


If I were the Moroccan coach, I’s ask Nadjib to commit to Moroccan football and start him now.
\Anaba and Nadjib both Team of the Week.

Granada secured at least a playoff spot

Game 37 – Alcrocon game is here. I pull Cascon for Mahmoud. I make no other changes. Pick up where you left off! I begin defensive against the yellow unicorns. They score in the 10th from a Diallo OG. They get a pair of bookings, and the quiet half ends. Show me something else! 3rd yellow for them. I sub in Uxio for Dialoo, tehn Ndi. Then Rolon. Nothing. I’m tired of these OGs. Unlucky! Osmar is MOM and Sergio Diaz collects a yellow in extra time


After that match, Alcorcon are guaranteed a playoff spot.

End of April –

Training of Worth – A Diaz, Jose Antonio (the good middle youth guy I have) and ST Arringa

[Abe Sargent]

May –


May 7 – Home vs Reus
May 13 – Home vs Llagos
May 21 – Home vs Osasuna
May 28 – Away vs Numancia

April wasn’t super hot, and we finish 8th

We have 5 games to go

Mallorca guarantee themselves a playoff pot

Game 38 vs Reus. Uxio is in for Diallo. I move Cascon back to the starting lineup. No other changes. We are favored. Good luck folks. We get early pressure but no goals, just a yellow for Reus and then another for Michael Anaba. Osmar has had three shots all close, all on target, all stopped Vazquez with a yellow. Osmar has a light injury and I pull him at the half for Sanchez. They rifle a goal in the 58th. Ndi heads in for the yellow and not-that-great Anaba. Rolon too. Our foes got 4 cards. We have more than double the shots, and yet it’s not coming. Will attacking strategy help? A guy with a yellow fouls us in the penalty box in injury time. It’s both a PK and a second yellow sending off. David Sanchez…..misses the penalty GRRRRR. We lose 1-0. That was not good enough!

After linking up Sanchez and Antonio, Antonio feels he got a lot out of it.

Game 39 vs Llagostera – Diallo back in the lineup, Ndi as well.. Vengeance! Sergio Diaz injures one of their players in the 19th minute. Lots fo wasted shots, long shots, misses, and then Cascon gest a yellow in the 35th. 0-0 half. Keep going! Romero jumpstarts a counter and….nothing. They land a random header in the 57th for a goal. In leads Rolon, Diallo with a cad, and then Uxio and Antonio Diaz. Nothing. We lose, in a quiet game, 1-0. We need to start winnng again please. Thanks.

With that win, Llagostera avoid relegation. You are welcome

Nastic, Zaragoza, and Leganes are relegated

[Abe Sargent]

Game 40 vs Osasuna – Diallo is banned with to many reds – Uxio starts. We can win! These folks are #6. They score quickly. Then later Nadjib is running deep, cross to Cascon for a score. And then nothing else happens. A bunch of exchanges of possession, nothing happens, not mahor shots, no stories, no yellows, nothing 1 -1 draw.


Ferrol are relegated. Nadjib in Team of Week

Game 41 vs Numancia – We move Cascon to the bench and Yahmoud is up. Show me what you can do! Each a yellow early, I move to defensive after they come.. We get a counter but to no avail. We halt one fo their counters before it even begins – halftime. Vazquez to Suarez on a corner in the 60th. I pull Serigio Diaz and his yellow for Anaba. Nadjib hoofs a defender to hit Mahmoud for a score in the 73rd. Rolon for Ndi. They get a cross and header for a score in the 77th. Sanchez in for a tired Vazquez. We win 2-1. Good job!

Sporting won a playoff spot Granad is promoted for sure.

[Abe Sargent]

Whoa!


In a very odd coincidence, Nacional da Madeira, my own club from the earlier dynasty, come to offer us an interview. No thanks.

End of May

Training – Mahanan, Diallo, Nadjib

Game 42 vs Tenerife – Tey are 6th, and there is a slight chance if we beat them and Eiche wins that Eiche could move past them. Very slight. I keep our starters. Here we go! Final game of the season. Vengeance! I start with defensive to get a feel for the game. They are moving forward and align very aggressively, They stop one of our counters. Ndi’s shot is pushed aside. Half. Keep going, you have this! I sub in Antonio Diaz for Romero and Rolon for Nadjib who twisted his ankle. 0-0 and quiet in the second half. We had 9 shots, 2 on target, they had 10 and 3. MOM is Junca.



We finish 10th with 60 points in 42 games, and the highest of the other two 60 point finishers – Cordoba and Real Betis, whoa re 11th and 12th. If we had won this match we would have been 9th

But tenth ain’t bad. #6, the lowest placed playoff is 66. That’s pretty close.


We had a good campaign, finishing 10th fo 22 and safely avoiding the relegation scrum.

[Abe Sargent]

I look at the players I have leaving of quality:

Mahmoud – Signed elsewhere
Cascon
David Sanchez
Sufian
Borja


My goal this year was to bring in enough talent for my club to compete, and we did. I never stopped. My last two additions in January really helped. And we have a lot of young talent here too.

So, stats!


Most MOM in the league was 9, and then we had Vazquez with 5, leading our team

Highest average rating in the league was 7.68 – Vazquez was 5th with 7.45, Junca 20th wth 7.31

Cascon was 2nd with goals at 18

Mahmoud had 4 PKs, the most

Most assists? Junca with 12, and the

VAzuez was 4th in best cross ratio.

Diallo was 2nd in the leage with key headers, and Suarez was 6th.

Diallo was 3rd in interceptions


Stats:

GK Barrio – 42 apps, 6.85
FB Romero 36 and 6.68 rating
DC Diallo - 37, 1 goal, 1 asssit, 1 MOM, 6.94 rating
DC Suarez – 35 games, 4 goals, 6.92 rating
DL Sergio Diaz – 39 apps, 4 assit, 2 MOM, 7.12 rating

Fullback Antonio Diaz – 20 apps, 6.68 rating
DC Uxio – 24 apps ,6.74 rat

ST Maumoud – 32 starts, 10 oals (4 penalties), 3 assist, 1 MOM, 6.86rating
ST Cascon – 36 starts. 18 goals, 4 assist, 2 MOM, 6.94
ST Milla – 20 apps,0 goals, 2 asit, 6.69
ST/M Nidjib – 19 apps, 6 goals, 7 assist, 2 MOM, 7.22 rating
S/M Maxi Rolon – 31 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, 6.88

DMC Osmar – 23 apps, 1 goal, 1 assit, 1 MOM, 7.45 rating
DMC David Sanchez – 26, 2 goals, 7.02 rating
ML/DL Junca – 42 apps, 12 assist, 5 MOM, 7.31
MR Ndi – 17 apps, 1 goal, 6.94
MC Vazquez -40 apps, 2 goals, 8 assist, 5 MOM, 7.45 rating

MC Anaba – 18 apps, 2 goals, 3 ass, 7.21 rating


So there you are – Vazquez, Osmar, Junca had the best campaigns by ratins, and S. Diaz, Nidjib, Anaba were fine as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Coming off loans will be Bruno Souto, Alam Avila, Marco Rosa, and Borka.

For Alves, Souto had 15 starts 5 goals, 4 assist, 2 MOM, and 7.48 rating. Avla had 13 goals I 34 starts.


Next year what I need to do is find a few ways to update my squad at the DR and perhaps….GK psot



GK Barrio – 42 starts, 8 clean sheet,s 51 scores allowed, 15th in goals allowed this season, 6th most goals allowed by a GK. Most shut ots was 21, fewest was 8.

Team Stats – We led in headers ,penalty scores, we had 51 goals and 51 allowed, best cross completion ratio in the league, We score6 goas from DFKs, 6 from penalties (led league in both categories) and 2md most in IFKS – 6, and and tied for 2nd best in corners – 6. That’s 24 goals, or roughly half of my scores, that came from set pieces (24 of 51). My emphasis on set pieces worked. But still. I’d like a more rounded team in the future. We allowed one DFK, 2 IFK, 6 corners, and 4 PK – so we allowed 13 set pieces to 24 made, a +11 GF on them.

Our goals on target ration was 18th worst out of 22.

Barrio wasn;t that great s a GK. Now he didn’t suck. I’m not getting frustrated because he did a lot fo bad stuff, but you cn see next to others ,he wasn’t exactly scintillating. Our coaches rate himas “Decent” for this league

Can I get a decent plus guy?

Not amazing.

There si one guy who can play DR and would be a great benefits, and he’s up in a month, Antonio Barragan, who plays fo Valencia in a rotation, but he’s I the Liga, and on a rotation, set up, andeven though no one has made an offer for him, he still doesn’t want to slum it with us

Here’s another Lillo, 28, can play DR, platyed for Eibar right now in the LIGA, makes a low enough salary that we are feasible. But he’s not interested.

Hmm, I found someone is is interested – Vasyl Kobin, playing here in this league for Alcorcon, he played in Ukraine his whole life, and is Ukrainian, until he came to Alcorcon for a year, and they sigend him to first team, but barely played him. He’s wil to sign with us. He’s 32, he’s not mega-expensive, and

Holy Crap!

I may have found someone nasty good.

16 year old GK Adolfo Cruz, plays for Las Palmas, way back there. Our club would be a nice improvement for him. (Not Las Palmas, the Liga club, Las Palmas Atletico, in the 3rd division). He’s good. A lot good. A scout found him and gave him a great future report. I send in an enquiry

But I’m not finding a great DL, or a ST to replace my Cascon/Mahmoud leaving tandem. Although Rolon, Nadjib, Avila, and my injured and sucky Milla may have it covered for a while.

Hmmmm

There’s another studly potential DR playing for Sevilla Atletico in the Segunda B. Juan Lopez, at DR. Lopez could be a future stud. He’s been capped for Spain already at the U19 level. I make an enquiry for him too After trying and fialing to develop Antonio Diaz into a major force, maybe it’s time to look at another? I can loan Antonio out, and he can get some expeirnce, but Antonio is 21, and about as good as Lopez, at 17. So that;s an area I want to explore

One player in this division with us, Dani Perez for Osasuna, got a great DC. Others too. It’s sad we didn’t get any major youthers this time, but that’s probably to be expected in Melilla.

Let’s make some inquiries for a few more. See if anyone out there is interested in me

[Abe Sargent]

Melilla End of Season Awards:

Fans Player of the Year – Osmar, then Vazquez and Junca
Goal of the Season – Mahmoud, vs Ferrol
Signing of the Season – Osmar
Young Player of the Season – Junca

I tell my folks in the meeting that I am aiming for a top half finish again next season and they are all in one accord.

Yearly Training Summary



Good – Romero, S Diaz, Diallo, Jose Antonio, Nadjib

Bad – Milla, Arriaga, Sanchez, Mahanan, Mahmoud



I get my initial budget and transfer from the board. Whew is it an upgrade in price! Last season it was 88k, this season like 135k, and a big kitty. They expect us to be here for a while and me the cash to prove it.

I wat told that Juan Lopez is not for sale at any price. I make an offer

Cruz doesn’t want to sign, even after we negotiated a deal for him. He would have ben awesome. Ah well

Other Gks on my radar are Ivan Villar, Samu, Juan Soriano and these are all young Spanish GKs in the 19-20 range, who are solid now and look to have good futures.

I’ll give you an example Here’s 19 year old IvanVillar compared with our own Barrio:

Barrio is better at: Speed, a bit of jumping, stamina; flair, positioning, vision, aerial reach, first touch, passing, rushing out ,throwing

Villar is better at: Balance, fitness, strength, aggression, brave, concentration, decisions, determination, leadership, teamwork, command of area, communications, one on ones by a bit,
So basically, Villar is better mentally, and Barrio is better in the air, and will ball distribution.

Since there is an 11 year age difference ,and they are roughl equals already, it’s an obvious thing to look at, you know?

I send an enquiry to all three GKs.

Sergio Diaz approaches me. There’s been some talk in the news about Eiche beong interested in him, and I agree that if they make a bid that matches our valuation of him, I’ll let him talk with them.

I negotiate a deal of 360k for Villar. About 10 times his current value

We agree, and after giving him and his agent some cash, it’s more than 4 all told.

By the by, Cadiz won their division again – 3 in a row, and 4 in 6 years.

[Abe Sargent]

I have a handful of staff who’s deals end soon – GK Coach BAston, Coach Hernandez, Assistant Manager Sergio Pellicer, Fitness Coach Nacho, and Coach Jose Ramirez.

I offer to extend Baston. I want to bri g in another GK coach too, and he’s a 4 star in shot stopping there if I solo him, so he’s fine. I’m letting Hernandez go, he’s not that great for this league, with a 3 star as his best. Ramirez is 3.5 stars in defending. If I can find a 4 star guy, I’ll move him. Nacho is a fitness specialist, but still just has 3.5 in strength, so i’d like to upgrade that as well

One of the things I like to do is to bring in staff that used to be players that I really liked in previous dynasties, like Besnik Hasi, Finidi George, Matthew Holland, Sebastian Renouard, etc.


I make an offer to Serginho to come over and retire and stating coaching my GKs.

I offer Renouard a scout spot.

Serginho arrives. He speaks basic Spanish, so I send him on an intensive language course. He’s set up for a 4 star training on GK Handling

I like a youther named Quique Fornos, a DC 20 year old for a decent hot prospect sort of guy, contract up soon. Not great, but someone we can develop


Going into next year, these are my current players of note:

GK Barrio, Pedro, Ivan Villar
DC Uxio, Diallo, Suarez, maybe Mahanan
DR Pepe Romero, Antonio Diaz
DL/ML Sergio Diaz, Junca
ST Milla, Rolon, Nadjib, backup Arriaga, Avan Avila
DMC – Osmar, (Uxio Diallo can play as well)
Middies (In addition to playing Nadjib, Rolon as midiles) Vazquez, Anaba, Ndi, Bruno Souto, Marco Rosa, Ebwelle, maybe Jose Antonio from the youthers

That’s fine in places. The left side is set, as is Vazquez, Diallo, Suarez/Uxio are fine, and such

Now I expect to loan out Ebwelle and let him get some experience, probably Rosa as well. I;m leaning on Arriaga and Mahanan for coverage much, they are old, on staff/player contracts, and worsening

Milla sucked and gest injured a lot. And I’m loaning Antonio Diaz and I might be loanin gout Pedro.

That leaves me:

2 GK
1 DR who’se not great
3 DC
2 DL
2 ML I like a lot
1 DMC
1 MC (Vazquez)
2 MR’s that rotates (Ndi, Anaba)
2 ST (Rolon, Nadjib)

Not relying on Milla or Arriaga, nor having Avila as a known, and ROlon and Nadjib are probably better at middies. I need a lights out striker. The last two years it was Cascon and Mahmoud, but Mahmoud faded, and Cascon is starting to. Avila didn’t improve that much, and he’s a distant 4th or 5th on the chart, above Arriaga. He was a good signing for the Segunda, but not now. I am leaning to transfer listing him or more loans for free. Both Nadjib and Rolon seem more like supporters for another with good crossing, passing, etc, and not amazing finishing. Rolon is 11 finishing but 13 pass, for oexample.

Values of my guys after one year here?


Osmar – 1.3 mill
Nadjib – 425k
Junca – 400
Diallo – 400
Anaba – 325
Rolon – 300
Ndi – 275
Sergio Diaz – 275
Pere Milla – 235
Uarez – 225

And then 5 more at 100k or above (Uxio, Souto, Vazquez,z Romero, Barrio)


I need a Striker to come in.

[Abe Sargent]

I still don’t get how Vazquez just had a career year starting 40 games in this league, it’s crazy. He’s tis 31 year old miracle. Here we are, just 10th in the league, and he’s not only the most in form player on our roster, but also one of the top in the league. He started with the Real Madrid C club for a couple of years, and then went to Castilla, who placed in the Segunda B league for 3 years, and the he came to Melilla for a year, left for Huesca for a year, back back to Melilla for two, then went to Veroia for a year, and then came back to us and was new last year for us, and played two years now. And last year, he was never that great compared to Sanchez, and was regularly pulled for others later in the game, like Borja. His skills aren’t that great. He is worse than both Ndi and Anaba and Souto. And yet, this guy just had an incredible season for us. There’s nothing on paper to predict what just happened with David Vazquez . Determation? Just 12. Work rate? 8. Passing at 14 is good, helps him connect, and obviously have the 14 crossing, tehe 16 free kicks, the 12 long shots, and such help too. His physical skills are laughable -10, 10, 12, 10, 12, 11, 12, 11. Those are the physical traits of a guy who just dominated in the middle in the 2nd best league in Spain. He doesn’t have this great presence phsycially with 7 tackling, 8 marking, nor does he have this great heading skill to help out – just 9. 10 finishing. 13 technique, 13 first touch. So where does it come from? I don’t know. I haven’t a clue. But at 31 years of age, Vazquez is a man of mystery, and a tour of force



Alright, next is ST and DR and those will be my major acquisitions this time. Other than some talented youth or anything, that’s the limit I think of my roster, since it’s good. Just because I have the cash for more doesn’t mean I have to spend it. I make some offers for some solid youthers coming off deals to flesh out my U19 and B Squads.

Croatia is lucky. There are a number of strong young folks in the Croatian area our scout found that we like. Damir Begic, nd others, bu the best is Mladen Mance, an 18 year old guy who us already amazing, and would get better very, very quickly. Like a wonderkid quickly. He plays for Basel. He doesn’t want to sign with us, but if the did, I would do everything I could to move mountains to get him. He’ll be a great one. He has a minimum release fee of 1.1 mill. If I slashed my salary to 119k a week, I’d have enough to pay for him. So I can do it. And I would. I’d have already sung his praised. Ah well. Finding a newly generated wonderkid is one thing. Signing is very much another.

You know what? Let’s take a shot. I offer 1.1 mill, his escape clause to Basel

I bring in Renouard as a scout

Offer for Mance accepted, but nope, not interested, as we suspected. Ah wells.

I find a 20 year old DR named Fernando Fonseca who plays for Porto and who’s deal is up soon. He’s not great. He’s not amazing. He’s not a lights out DR. On the pitch, we think Romero is better, but Romero certainly didn’t play better last year

I head to the board and request an upgraded scouting assignment, they decline, but I convince them

I can now scout…


The whole world!

I send a scout to North Africa first and another to West Africa

I ask for more scouts and they agree. We get one more. Whoo hoo.

I make an offer to Ruud van Nistelroojj to help my U19 team

I make an offer for a Portuguese/Brazilian to come and scout for me.

Elche wins promotion to the Liga after winning the playoffs. Good luck!

Ruud arrives, I make an offer to, and sign for 14k a young talent from Sestao River, a club so far down on the charts that you’ve likely never heard of it. Welcome.

I also sign youther Ibrahim Compaore. My scout arrives, Alvaro Dias. Hmmm


What about Rubio Rubin?

(He plays for the USA< and has been capped already). One of my scouts recommend him. Now I lost Mahmoud, so I only have one non-EU player on our roster – that’s Souto. I sent out a scout to check him out. He plays here in Europe.

Now there is a player I’ve been dodging, since I have someone on my roster who’s good in that area already:

31 year old Markel. Plays MC< DMC< and DC< and is best at DMC> Mentals stats are amazing. Physical are feasible, and his technical – wow – 16 mark? 17 tack? That’s good styuff there. He’s not great at aerial stuff, meaning he’s better as a DMC than as a DC, and he’s a ball winning guy, btu not a deep lying playmaker, his passing is just a 10. His whole career has been at Real Sociedad but they have let his contract go. He’s willing to sign, and he is a good quality player. If I didn’t have Osmar, I’d be happy to bring him in.

Could I run a formation with 2 DMC, one a ball winning and the other the deep lying playemr?

Hmm…

I’m trouble with the DR stuff. What if I moved Sergio Diaz like he wants to Elche, and then I move to three DC and remove fullbacks. Sort of a 3/2/3/2. I don’t know if that’s a real strategy though or not. A 4/2/2/2 would never work, I have too many wingers, right? Plus I still need that DR. Now what about 4231? Nah I need an MC spot for Vazquez. 4213 works better. It is 3232 is there.

I’d rather have too many good players than not enough. What if Osmar get’s injured? I make Markel an offer.

[Abe Sargent]

Ebwelle is now a Spanish citizen. Ndi can now get forward far more often. Markel wants a little too much cash, Ima wait until he’s free and clear, often fiscal demands drop wen that occurs.

I sign another youther, Fernando Gomes.

Cadiz was promoted and won the promotions, and if anyone deserves I, it’s them.

There’s another ST out there, ST Joao Paulo Brazilian, club want 1.3 mill, which I can afford he’s 20, an he’s good enough. But our scouts don’t think Paulo had the same upside as that wonderkid out in Croatia.

I make the offer

He’s the best ST I’ve seen that would actually work for us.

Wow!

The World Cup 2022 is being moved to Morocco. Crazy.

June 30. I release some coaches from deals at the end of their contracts. I promote Dario Simic to the head coach of my U19 squad.

Markel resigned for a ton of money, 32k. No way I could touch that. Another major opportunity off the table


Here are our four signees:

You’ve seen GK Villar already

ST Ibrahim Compaore, hot prospect, 18, Portuguese, hot prospect adequate, not great, just a body, cheap,

DRL, DMCMC, WBl Fernando Gomes, 17 years, Portuguese, hot prospect, a bit better looking. Very high potential, low current.

ST Ibon Uriarte, Youngster deal, cheap, and not great at all, but again, good potential. Someone we can use

GK Pedro gets a loan offer, which I accept, also GK Marcos Lavin.


Rolon is not listed for loan, but I get a few offers. I reject them, Rolon is a part of my plans right now. I offer Antonio Diaz, Ebwelle, and Rosa for loan.

I finalize a deal for Joao Paulo. Others supposedly are on.


I loan out Brahim, and Rosa, Avila and Souto


I get an offer for some other loanees

Milla is back from injury

Joao Paulo decided to sign with Braga after they made an offer for him at the last minute

I am still bereft of a ST and DR

[Abe Sargent]

I have been spending a ton of time scouting people, and trying to find the best fit for us.

Here are a few that I’m thinking about – Wilson Morales, Ecudorian,


I have scouted hundreds of players. I went to national youth clubs for nations like Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Mali. I scouted anybody who came up as “reasonable transfer target” with a low enough current value that I think I can make an offer. I am scouring for talent somewhere.

Here a few final options:

1 – DC/R Roberto Ragazzi 16 years old, looks like a high quality player, in the Italian youth system right now, he’s already valued at 157k and he’ll cost more than 1 mill to unhinge from Bologna, but he looks good. I’m not sure if he’s the next Joao Luis Rodrigues but he’s in a good place right now (that’s a reference to the fact that I had a very, very good fullback come through my youth system in a previous dynasty who went one to become one of the best fullbacks in the world.). I don’t know what the upper limit on Regazzi is but he is a very, very, intriguing target

2 – D RLC – Adilson – 18 year old Brazilian, can play multiple spots, requires more than a mill to secure,

3 – DL Paul Jordan – If I lose Sergio Diaz, I may need a DL replacement, and while scouting fullbacks, this guy came up. Currently 8 years old with Hull in the Championship, and this English player is pretty slid now, and looks to have a solid future as well, and we could bring him in for a few hundred thousand from Hull. 18 years old. Great physical and Mental, weak, weak technical (6 passing? 7 cross? 10 head? 7 technique? Just a 11 mark and 12 tack?)


These two guys are on a free and will sign with us at ST and have some value there:

ST Ruben Martinez, Australian, on their national youth club, available for free, best role is poacher – attack, 20 years old, will sign a hot prospect deal for 1.1k/week, has good speed, finishing, first touch, technique, and such, but poor aerial, and weaker passing of just 9. Not great right now, but my scout says that he has strong potential.

There were four unsigned players on the Australian youth team. It would be easy to bring in another on a young player deal to help Martinez adjust.

ST Wilson Morales,, 24, Ecuadorian, okays AMC and ST, willing to sign for first team and around 5k a week, best role at ST is Trequarista, and he’s strong now. Not a lot of room for growth, he’s ready to rock and roll now. Fast, good finishing, great technical skill set actually, passing of o16, 15 1st touch, etc. And he’sfine physically (not with jumping reach, but he’s still good with heading at 15), and his Mentals are….okay.



Morales is the best I can fine who’s interested and free, and then I can bring in Martinez as well as a project to grow and develop. Then I can make an offer for some serious cash for a Regazzi or



Now here are the obvious issues.

We can only register two non-EU folks For purposes of that “EU” stuff, the Contonu pact nations are fine. That includes much of Africa, former colonial nations like Belize, much of the Caribbean, and so forth, plus a lot of Oceania like Fiji or Tuvalu. We can also get the Turkic nations as well – Azerbaijan, Turkey, etc. Those are all fine and dandy, just like candy. We can also sign mush of Eastern Europe that’s not in the EU, and the various Baltic states – Bosnia, Armenia, Russsia, Ukraine, etc We also can sign Morocco ,Tunisia, and Algeria from North Africa.

Morales and Martinez are both outside, and I can only have two of those folks. Now I had two last year, and I loaned away Bruno Souto and then let Mahmoud go. I have loaned away Souto now, so I could bring in both of these guys and then



I like Morales enough to make him an offer now. Its 4.7week for two years. We can bring him in and see what he’s got and if he can strut his stuff here in Europe. I scout some Ecudorian youth to see what they have

The real question is Martinez. Do I have a space for him?

My current strikers:

Avila – Sent on Loan
Nadjib – Can play middle too
Rolon – Can play right wing too
Morales – My goal guy
Arringa – Very very backup guy

This guy would likely slot behind Rolon, Nadjib, and Morales as my 4th option. I can bring him in as a hot prospect and then loan him for some gains too. Martinez is also a Spanish speaker, with Chilean descent as well.

Offers made to Morales and Martinez

I also make offers to 19 year old Stefan Strain and Matthew Adelson from Australia

Now time for my DC question.

Ragazzi is up. He’s younger, European, 1.2 mill, and ready to go. I make Bologna an offer.

I make an offe r to the Cape Verdean international Hugo Evora to come to my club as a coach. I also like Hetor, a young Spanish guy who played his career in the lower levels of Spanish football, but looks to be a great defensive coach . I make him an offer as well. Ilike Spanish Basque guy Ianki …. As a coach for shooting, he’s 33 and willing to retire for coaching now.

Those three should come in and improve my training considerably. We also have training and youth facilities improvements underway.

A job is open at Granada, who won the division we are at, and heading up to Liga and I am touted as the best candidate for it.

[Abe Sargent]

Ebwelle is now a Spanish citizen. Ndi can now get forward far more often. Markel wants a little too much cash, Ima wait until he’s free and clear, often fiscal demands drop wen that occurs.

I sign another youther, Fernando Gomes.

Cadiz was promoted and won the promotions, and if anyone deserves I, it’s them.

There’s another ST out there, ST Joao Paulo Brazilian, club want 1.3 mill, which I can afford he’s 20, an he’s good enough. But our scouts don’t think Paulo had the same upside as that wonderkid out in Croatia.

I make the offer

He’s the best ST I’ve seen that would actually work for us.

Wow!

The World Cup 2022 is being moved to Morocco. Crazy.

June 30. I release some coaches from deals at the end of their contracts. I promote Dario Simic to the head coach of my U19 squad.

Markel resigned for a ton of money, 32k. No way I could touch that. Another major opportunity off the table


Here are our four signees:

You’ve seen GK Villar already

ST Ibrahim Compaore, hot prospect, 18, Portuguese, hot prospect adequate, not great, just a body, cheap,

DRL, DMCMC, WBl Fernando Gomes, 17 years, Portuguese, hot prospect, a bit better looking. Very high potential, low current.

ST Ibon Uriarte, Youngster deal, cheap, and not great at all, but again, good potential. Someone we can use

GK Pedro gets a loan offer, which I accept, also GK Marcos Lavin.


Rolon is not listed for loan, but I get a few offers. I reject them, Rolon is a part of my plans right now. I offer Antonio Diaz, Ebwelle, and Rosa for loan.

I finalize a deal for Joao Paulo. Others supposedly are on.


I loan out Brahim, and Rosa, Avila and Souto


I get an offer for some other loanees

Milla is back from injury

Joao Paulo decided to sign with Braga after they made an offer for him at the last minute

I am still bereft of a ST and DR



I have been spending a ton of time scouting people, and trying to find the best fit for us.

Here are a few that I’m thinking about – Wilson Morales, Ecudorian,


I have scouted hundreds of players. I went to national youth clubs for nations like Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Mali. I scouted anybody who came up as “reasonable transfer target” with a low enough current value that I think I can make an offer. I am scouring for talent somewhere.

Here a few final options:

1 – DC/R Roberto Ragazzi 16 years old, looks like a high quality player, in the Italian youth system right now, he’s already valued at 157k and he’ll cost more than 1 mill to unhinge from Bologna, but he looks good. I’m not sure if he’s the next Joao Luis Rodrigues but he’s in a good place right now (that’s a reference to the fact that I had a very, very good fullback come through my youth system in a previous dynasty who went one to become one of the best fullbacks in the world.). I don’t know what the upper limit on Regazzi is but he is a very, very, intriguing target

2 – D RLC – Adilson – 18 year old Brazilian, can play multiple spots, requires more than a mill to secure,

3 – DL Paul Jordan – If I lose Sergio Diaz, I may need a DL replacement, and while scouting fullbacks, this guy came up. Currently 8 years old with Hull in the Championship, and this English player is pretty slid now, and looks to have a solid future as well, and we could bring him in for a few hundred thousand from Hull. 18 years old. Great physical and Mental, weak, weak technical (6 passing? 7 cross? 10 head? 7 technique? Just a 11 mark and 12 tack?)


These two guys are on a free and will sign with us at ST and have some value there:

ST Ruben Martinez, Australian, on their national youth club, available for free, best role is poacher – attack, 20 years old, will sign a hot prospect deal for 1.1k/week, has good speed, finishing, first touch, technique, and such, but poor aerial, and weaker passing of just 9. Not great right now, but my scout says that he has strong potential.

There were four unsigned players on the Australian youth team. It would be easy to bring in another on a young player deal to help Martinez adjust.

ST Wilson Morales,, 24, Ecuadorian, okays AMC and ST, willing to sign for first team and around 5k a week, best role at ST is Trequarista, and he’s strong now. Not a lot of room for growth, he’s ready to rock and roll now. Fast, good finishing, great technical skill set actually, passing of o16, 15 1st touch, etc. And he’sfine physically (not with jumping reach, but he’s still good with heading at 15), and his Mentals are….okay.



Morales is the best I can fine who’s interested and free, and then I can bring in Martinez as well as a project to grow and develop. Then I can make an offer for some serious cash for a Regazzi or



Now here are the obvious issues.

We can only register two non-EU folks For purposes of that “EU” stuff, the Contonu pact nations are fine. That includes much of Africa, former colonial nations like Belize, much of the Caribbean, and so forth, plus a lot of Oceania like Fiji or Tuvalu. We can also get the Turkic nations as well – Azerbaijan, Turkey, etc. Those are all fine and dandy, just like candy. We can also sign mush of Eastern Europe that’s not in the EU, and the various Baltic states – Bosnia, Armenia, Russsia, Ukraine, etc We also can sign Morocco ,Tunisia, and Algeria from North Africa.

Morales and Martinez are both outside, and I can only have two of those folks. Now I had two last year, and I loaned away Bruno Souto and then let Mahmoud go. I have loaned away Souto now, so I could bring in both of these guys and then

[Abe Sargent]

I like Morales enough to make him an offer now. Its 4.7week for two years. We can bring him in and see what he’s got and if he can strut his stuff here in Europe. I scout some Ecudorian youth to see what they have

The real question is Martinez. Do I have a space for him?

My current strikers:

Avila – Sent on Loan
Nadjib – Can play middle too
Rolon – Can play right wing too
Morales – My goal guy
Arringa – Very very backup guy

This guy would likely slot behind Rolon, Nadjib, and Morales as my 4th option. I can bring him in as a hot prospect and then loan him for some gains too. Martinez is also a Spanish speaker, with Chilean descent as well.

Offers made to Morales and Martinez

I also make offers to 19 year old Stefan Strain and Matthew Adelson from Australia

Now time for my DC question.

Ragazzi is up. He’s younger, European, 1.2 mill, and ready to go. I make Bologna an offer.

I make an offe r to the Cape Verdean international Hugo Evora to come to my club as a coach. I also like Hetor, a young Spanish guy who played his career in the lower levels of Spanish football, but looks to be a great defensive coach . I make him an offer as well. Ilike Spanish Basque guy Ianki …. As a coach for shooting, he’s 33 and willing to retire for coaching now.

Those three should come in and improve my training considerably. We also have training and youth facilities improvements underway.

A job is open at Granada, who won the division we are at, and heading up to Liga and I am touted as the best candidate for it.

The contract with Ragazzi is agreed to We are waiting confirmation by him

It’s July 10th. We have my club wanting confirmation of my First Table finish desire, and they give me a little more cash. Like 100k transfer and 9k salary. Not a lot, but some cash.

We had a lot of overachievers last year . Remember UD Logrones? Like us they finished 2nd, and then like us they won the playoffs, and then like us they were expected to be relegated ,and they finished 8th. They had a great year. We aren’t the only team that had a quick rise. Logrones had never gotten past the Segunda either. I wish them well. I’d love to see us both in the playoffs this year, and in the Liga two-three years together down the road, that’d be cool.

Two Wins

That’s the litany of this season. Turn just two losses across a 42 game into wins. That’s enough to move us into the playoffs last year. Two wins.

[Abe Sargent]

I make offers to a pair of Italian youth, unsigned.

I loan Antonio Diaz officially.

Hector arrives as a coach and he’s 4 star defending which is nice.

Wow, Hugo Evora? He’s a 4.5 star fitness guy – I give him aerobic

I make Osmar my captain and Jesus Suarez my vice

David Sanchez and Cascon are still on my squad, since no one made them offers yet, and they have chosen to stay on month to month deals

Our first signing arrives, Ruben Martinez, from Australia, for a couple of years on a 1.1k hot prospect deal hes a newly generated player – 14/12 speed, 12 stamina, but just 8/5 jump/head, and just 10 pass, 14 finish, 16 1st touch, 13 technique, 13 work rate, flair, otb, and 11 determination, and 12 dribbling. He’s okay. That’s it. But we can work with him


Wilson Morales, 4.7k/week, 2 years ,valued a 725k which is pretty good, 15/13 speed, 15 ba;ance 14 agility, fitness, and then 13 corners, 11 long shots, 13 penalties, and 15 free kicsk so Morales is another set piece specialist for me. 14 finishing, 15 first touch, 16 passing, 15 technique – great technical stuff. And he’s got a solid mental set up, 18 teamwork, 13 determination, devisions, 14 work rate, leadership, vision, flair, etc. Ecuador ,never played outside of the country. Born in the capital of Quito.

I intend to start him as a Trequaristia.

I slide GK Barrio to rotation

I sign a minor Australian player to a contract at the end of his in 6 months. Another, Stefan Strain joins us now. Strain is hot prospect, 600/week, 2 years. I move him to my U19 squad. Ndi gets an injury for a week or so. I set up 5 firendlies, each Sunday for five weeks in a row, with teams like Real Betis, Granada, Cadiz, and then a Moroccan team FUS Rabat.



Morales wiki - Wilson Morales - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre (https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Morales)

Wilson Abel Morales Silva - Soccer - Scoresway - Results, fixtures, tables and statistics (http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=player&id=116646)



http://losjugadoresdefutbol.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/WILSON-ABEL-MORALES-SILVA.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

Well I have some good news and some bad news


Bologna signed their guy to a rotation, and now he no longer wants to sign with me, even after I offered them a deal, and he was interested. I put a ton of work into finding, selling, and working to find him, that is very frustrating

However, there is a guy who’s available on a free who’ll now sign with me if I want – Portuguese Ricardo Marchado, plays DC and DR, 28 years young. But his best role is a limited full back, I want a pure full back, someone like Sergio Diaz.

Feh

What about the Russian 17 year old Vladislav Zakharov?

Alright I found a Spanish guy, Juan Lopez, 17, at a lower level Spanish club in the Segunda B
I make them an offer for him.

After a 1.1 mill offer…



17 year Juan Lopez, Spanish, DR only, 16/15 speed, 19 determination, 14 strength, 13 agility, 11 balance and stamina, just 6 jump and heading. 13 decisions, 15 teamwork, 14 work rate, 13 positioning, aggression, and the n13 tackling, 11 cross, 12 pass, 11 mark, 10 technique. Needs work on technical stuff. But we think he has a lot of offer.

Juan is a bit of an oddity. Usually the big name clubs in a nation are the ones to purchase and grab the high profile long term projects, and they’ll send a few hundred thousand or more at the top talent the various clubs have, so how did Real Madrid, Barcelona, or even someone like Granada or Malaga miss on this guy, in a club in the 3rd division? I don’t know. We only found him because I was scouring for someone playable and decent on U19 clubs here in Spain.


I signed around 9 young players for my U19 squad this season.

Players for my roster right now:

GK Ivan Villar, Barrio
DR – Juan Lopez, Pepe Romero
DL.ML – Sergio Diaz, David Junca
DC – Jesus Suarez, Ibrahim Diallo, Uxio, and Mahanan?
DMC – Osmar (Can also drop to DC if needed)
ST Wilson Morales, Nadjib, Rolon, Ruben Martinez, Milla and maybe Arriaga
Middles – Vazquez, Anaba, Ndi, (Rolon, Nadjib can play Mid too)

That’s 2 GK, 3 DC, 4 FB, 1 DMC, 5 St, and 3 Mid, with two backups in Mahanahn and Arriaga if needed

20 players total, and I have a squad of 25. Are there others I want to add? I could add in Cascon, Sanchez, or Borja, they are all on my roster still. I could move up youth players. Why limit myself to this number, you know? It seems artificial

I need two more wins. I don’t want to have a major incident result in falling because I didn’t have coverage. Take DC for example. I have 5 players that can play it, and four will do a good job. I would need a pretty big earthquake to cause enough problems to hit three of my DCs at once. Mahanan can spell in at DR and plays the position too.

Now one of the youth I signed from Portugal for like 15k intrigues me:

16 year old Fernando Gomes, he turns 17 soon. He can play DMC, MC, DL, DR, and WBL. Now he’s very raw. Firstly, he’s not super fast right now, just 13/9, and now technically proficient, just 8 tack, 7 pass, mark, technique, etc. But he’s amazing mentally. 16 Determination, 15 work rate, and leadership, and aggression and bravery, etc. Our coaches say he;s ambitious, determined, and good team player and versatile, and that he needs a lot of improvement. They like his potential. Gomes could be something. He came through the Limianos youth system in Portugal. I got him for almost nothing, but I do like him more than others, and I could see me giving him a game or two here and there, but I am primarily mentoring Lopez and grooming him right now, Gomes could be something else.

But Gomes doesn’t require me to use a squad selection, since e’s EU and U18, same with Lopez.

So what I think would be nice is some quality depth I can bring in now, maybe one or two more players, or someone who’s special and pushes my team in any given direction. Last year I brought in Diallo, and he’s now amazing. He’s really growing. My coaches say he has some more room for growth, but not a massive amount. He gained in things like heading, decisions, leadership, strength. All the things you want in a vital DC spot. Junca hasn’t grown as much, he’s much closer to his cap, but he improved a bit here and there. Junca’s good, no issues. Ndi improved, although not as much.

Our coaches feel Diallo is good for LIGA ball not this league, as is Osmar, Junca, and we think Nadjib and Ndi could be Liga folk.

[Abe Sargent]

2 more wins. Is there someone out there I can bring in to drive my team to more wins?

I offer Sanchez a coach role and he’s not happy. I offer him player coach and he’s not happy. Ah well.

I loan Ebwelle, and one o fth youerhs I brought on

I also got an offer for Sergio Diaz which I accept.

I make an offer to my own English backup, just in case


As of today, all of my trainings get at least 4 stars, with Tactics, (by me) and Aeroic at 4.5 stars


Rolon adapts his game to a central dribbling role.

I made the contract offer for Paul Jordan, we’ll see what happens with Sergio Diaz

But for now, we have our first friendly vs Real Betis. I want to get a feel for real football, not against local scrub teams. Wilson Morales gets a score in the 8th, they score in the 10th, and then again in the 14th. I’m starting Barrion, and he’s not looking super great yet. I need to move to VIllar next match instead. I was hoping to ween him in, but why bother? Vazquez scores. Half 2-2. I sub in VIllar now to give him some experience. 2-2 tie, Real Betis in the second half had 6 shots on goal that were on target, none got through Villar.


Now, is there someone who’ll push me?

Not really, not right now

I accept the deal to let Sergio Diaz go for 375k and 40% of the future transfer fee

That’s the biggest sale in my club’s history.


Okay, nevermind. Sebastian Renouard in South Africa suggest an 18 year old newly generated player named Seenyane Moiuda for a high prospect. I’m not the first nation to find him. Sporting in Portugal are interested too. I make an enquiry. Maybe there’s a deal here, maybe not

I make an offer after negotiating with the South African club

I finalize an offer with them

Paul Jordan agrees to join us. I sign him for a few hundred thousand, a little more than Sergio Diaz – 450k

Mellia fans are happy that his acquisitions was made and that he can serve well. Hull supports are is happy with the fee we paid, they like the deal, and ous are hapy too.


Paul Jordan, - 18, 3.4k/week for three years, 16/14 speed, 10/11 aeriel, 11 mark, 13 pass, 11 cross, 11 tack, 10 technique, 14 str, 13 stamina, 17 aggress, 14 brave, 18 team work, 15 work rate, 14 determination, 13 concentration, 12 anticipation, 13 stamina, je’s a solid guy right now, and we think he’ll get better over time. Welcome our English addition, Paul Jordan

So we’ll be starting Lopez, VIllar, and Jordan in the GK, and fullback roles for the next few friendlies to bring them in.

[Abe Sargent]

The next friendly is here and we head away to Corboba. Diallo scores – corner kick. Junca cross to Moralles is a score. We are cleaning Cordoba’s clock with a defensive stet up, 14 shots, 8 on target, 60% possession in the 33rd minute. Junca hits Morales for another score in the 42nd. Nadjib hits Morales for a hattrick. After subbing in a new defense, we have a let got a goal, and the final is 4-1 us. Good job!

I have really enjoyed Morales thus far. That’s a huge win, Cordoba is a club in our league. That’s a big win.

My wingers are Ndi at MR, and Nadjib, Rolon, Anaba can play it too, and ML is Junca, with Anaba and Nadjib able to run it as well.

I massage my set pieces

Okay, we get my last major singing of the year or this window:

DC Seenyane Mosiuda, South African, 2.2k/week, 3 years, 14/15 speed, 16 jump, 14 head, 15 str, 15 mark, 13 tack, now pass is just 10, technique too, and while he has 17 determination just 1 leadership, 9 brave, 10 aggression, and positioning, so he’s uneven mentally, great physically, and ahead of the curve technically. Our report is professional, good in air, leap, well suited for this league, not versatile, and needs better positioning.

I thought Sporting would make an offer to beat us, but never did. Anyways, Mosiuda is the end of my transfer money.

I tell Mosiuda to begin to work on the DR spot too.

I host Granada today. We score fast, DL Lopez fids Junca on an attack run in the 6th minute. Half. Keep it up! Nadjib is injured. We win 1-0. Just defeated a Liga club in our home. Nicely done. MOM was GK VIllar, with a 8.2 rating.

Nadjib is out for 5-6 weeks with a sprained ankle


I signed Osmar to a new deal. He’s signed through 2020.


End of July –

Good traiing by Ndi and Diallo

[Abe Sargent]

Aug –

Aug 6 – Friendly at home vs Cadiz
Aug 13 – Friendly away vs FUS Rabat
Aug 20 – Home vs Sporting
Aug 23 – Away v Alcorcon
Aug 27 – Home vs Cordoba

I go to the board and they agree to relay the pitch, after I talk to them twice.

Our odds of promotion are 20-1, which is not bad really. Rayo are 7-4, Real Betis 5-2, Las Palmas 5-2, Sporting 5-2, Tenerife 6-1, and Osasuna 10-1. We are predicted to finish 8th by the media, behind Real Oviedo and ahead of Cordoba and Alcorcon at 9 and 10.

Playoffs begin at 6, so all we have to do is do a little better than 8 and we’re in the picture. But I think our heavy push for players like Morales, Johnson, Villar, and Lopez, along side players like Junca, Diallo, Vazquez, and such is really good, and my hope is to get #4 or #3 to push playoffs to ie us a better shot at making through with the seeding and such. Plus, you’ve seen how we’ve done already in the friendlies against good quality teams.

Our Cadiz friendly arrives. Quiet first half ,0-0. We have 56% possession, 8 shots, 4 on target, they have 3/0, numbers are there. Unlucky so far! Vazquez scores in the 54th. Junca slide the ball to him and he headed into goal. Yes, that Vazquez. Seriously, Vazquez has become my favorite guy on this team. I adore him. Morales feeds Ndi a nasty pass and he scores in the 66th. We win 2-0. Good job

One of my youth players is out for 4 months with a training injury

Final friendly. Rolon with a nice long shot in the 15th. Then they get an OG from Suarez, and it’s 1-1. We hit half, with Rabat never hitting a shot on target, but even score due to our stupid OG. Romero crosses to Rolon and he score in the 68th. Rolon’s been good in there for Nadjib. We win 2-1.


We are ready. We won all of our friendlies, and they were against three peers our division, the Liga, and the top division in Morocco. We’re ready to rock.

[Abe Sargent]

We open hosting Sporting. Good luck! They score in the 11th minute, and then we dial them back. We push them back, and then go 1-0 at the half having gone to a neutral stale of game. That neutral state of game continues, with a lot of back and forth, and I ned in Mosiuda, Anaab, and finally youther Fomes, but nothing happens ,and we lose 1-0.

Two wins folks, two wins. We can’t drop home games to major contenders like Sporting . Osmar named in Team of the Week.

Game 2 – Away vs Alcorcon. I start defending. Rolon is injured and I send in Martinez, our new Australian signing. It’s very tickey tack, and little pushes, we have 3 shots, and they 1 by the 35th. 0-0 half. Don’t get complacent! They gather their third yellow of the day. I send in Anaba for Ndi. . Vazquez scores a yellow. So does Jordan. Diallo too. Quiet. Quiet……0-0 game.


Game 3 vs Cordoba – I move Juan Lopez to start, Romero started the first two games. Good luck! We get a lovely driving cross from the edge by Junca to Morales who sinks it in the 16th. We are the beneficiaries of two cards to Cordoba, and we have two more drives turned aside, before the 1-0 half. Don’t get complacent! They score off a corner in the 49th. I sub in both Mosiuda and Ruben Martinez. In the 79th, Osmar feeds fullback Jordan for a ball and he scores. We get a lot of pressure late, no score, but it keeps the ball down on their side, and we win 2-1. Good job everyone. MOM is Osmar.


Junca, Vazquez, and Osmar in Team of Week

End of August –

[Abe Sargent]

September

Sept 3 – Away vs UD logrones
Sept 6 – Away vs Oviedo – Spanish Cup
Sept 9 – Away vs Osasuna
Set 16 – Away vs Cadiz
Sept 24 - Home vs Reus



Game 4 vs Logrones - Nadjib is back from injury but I’ll sit him. I have four players out on international duty. Uxio is in for Diallo, Romero for Lopez, and I have some different subs. Junca with an amazing play. He ball was bouncing out of the penalty box, and he rushed under it, kicked it over to Ndi on the faar side of the box from over the goal, and past everyone and Ndi with an easy shot . Score in the 11th minute. Amazing play by our foes to finally get a oal. They were pushing and had a variety of shots. ROlon is injured and I sub in Pere Amilla. A ogn shot fires at the cross bar and bounces to the attacker for them and they score again. Now we have a window to pull back. One of their players, Payu, just got a second booking in the 53rd, so he’s sent off. I create my anti-red card strategy. We had our first chance in the 56th but failed to put it away. Junca crosses to Morales, shot on target, pushed aside by GK. Ut nothing. We lose 2-1 . Junca is MOM, and Rolon is injured for a week.




Spanish Cup vs Real Oviedo – I start GK Barrio today. I move in Martinez for Morales, Lopez, Uxio remains, and Mosiuda. We are fouled near the half way line and Vazquez fires an FK from deep to Ndi for a score. Jordan colts a booking. Keep it up! They fire a long shot from about 10 yards outside of the box that squirts between two of our defenders and hits home. I sub in Gomes, the youther, for Jordan, with the yellow. After fouling Nadjib, they get a double yellow and a send off. Vazquez booked. I send in Mahanan. Extra time, 1-1 score. We had a close shot here. In the 113th minute, Junca finds Nadbjib on an attacking run for a score. I subbed in Milla for Martinez a long time ago, and he still can’t score. Game, we win 2-1 in extra time. Junca is MOM

I give some time off to recover

[Abe Sargent]

Game 5 away at Osasuna, Morales back, I pull a tired Ndi for Anaba, Carry On! Morales forces the ball to Anaba who scores early, but Osanana is deadly. They have 6 shots, all on target and then a 8t comes and they finally break through and its 1-1 at the half. I Want another attack, so I pull Paul Kordan for Rolon nd then moe folks around and junca back. Uxio in for Suarez and I pull a tired Vazquez for Ndi. Tie, 1-1, MOM is Anaba

Folks, we aren’t going to gt 6th or better in the league if we can’t do better. In 5 game, we are at 5 points and 16th. You need to start getting wins. TWO WINS


We draw Sporting for round 3 of the Cup

Game 6 home vs Cadiz. Impress me! Suarez booked early. Junca crosses to Nadjib for a score in the 23rd after a slow start by both sides. Morales has a lethal shot that their GK just sells out to stop in the 37th. Half. 1-0. Keep it up! We have 59% of possession, more shots, more shots on target. I sub in Uxio for Suarez and such. We hold on and win 1-0. MOM is Vazquez

Nadjib is now capable of placing his shots.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 7 vs Reus - Relegation candidates Reus are expected to head right back down, and are 18th right now . We are hosting them and favored. I move Mosiuda to Suarez to give him a start. Vengeance! Diallo – yellow. Nadjib finds Morales on a breakaway for a score in the 11th. Osmar with a lethal assist by Morales in the 40th, turned aside . We have been hammering their goal. 1-0 at the half though. Don’t get complacent! Morales put away another goal in the 56th minute from a corner kick. Vazquez kicked the ball short to Osmar rather than dee, and Osmar passed it to Morales. I put in Uxio for Diallo. Martinez for Nabjib, and then Lopez drives down the flank, hits the ball to Osmar, who centers it for Vazquez, shoots and scores. Send in Rolon for Ndi on the side. We win 3-0. MOM is Morales. Very happy!

The pitch is becoming an issue again. Welcome to Africa!

That was our first big victory, not a simple 1-0 affair or something similar.

Osmar, Vazquez, and Morales all made team of the week, one of my youther, Santiago, will be out for 7 months with a broken collarbone

Many of my players are getting international call ups. Johnson to Englands U squad, and Lopez to Spains, etc.


Game 8 vs Lugo – Suarez is back in, an I put in Milla. Nadjb is tired. Today is Milla’s final chance to do something. Maybe he has a fire with Morales. Maybe he can score. Give him a chance to put last year behind him. Keep our run going! We are predicted to win in the rain here. Jordan with a yellow. JUnca fires to Ndi for a score in the 20th, and it’s a beauty. Perfect curling cross that slides past everyone. Vazquez with a booking. More pressure from us follows. Half 1-0. Don’t get complacent! I put in Anaba for Jordan and drop Junca to fullback. Vazquez for Nadjib. Uxio for a tired Osmar. They fire off a score in the 80s, and it was off a counter. We can’t get a win, and it’s 1-1 at the end.

We can’t leave points on the board like that.


End fo September –

Good training for Lopez, Mosiuda

[Abe Sargent]

Oct –


October 8 – Home vs Bilbao
October 11 – Home vs Sporitng, Spanish Cup
Octover15 – Away vs Tenerife
October 22 – home vs Oviedo
October 29 – Away vs Rayo

Morales named in Team of Week


Another youther with a major injury, 2-3 months
Game 9 vs Bilbao - Anaba starts for Jordan, and Junca in FB, Nadjib back to start. For the fans! We’ve had two shots turned aside. Vazquez sinks a DFK after Osmar was fouled. They sink a corner a few minutes later. Tey have three bookings at the half. Vengeance! Diallo booking. I’ve had more shots on target then they have shots. We’re going to sink one I have faith. Uxio for Suarez. No other goals, Vazquez is MOM


Junca named for oTeam of Week



Home vs sporting 3rd Round Spanish Cup – This is my 100th game for Melilla. Vengeance! BArrioo and Milla are starting. We have early momentum, but after 16 minutes, it’s back to normal Morales scores in the 18th, after a pass by Vazquez to Ndi is intercepted by Sporting, and then he falls on it unmarked. I ease back from control to standard. Half. We might be wining but it’s just half time! Diallo with a yellow. I need to have a conversation with Ibrahim he’s collecting too many yellow cards. Uxio subs in for Diallo. Junca is lightly injured and I send in Anaba. I send in Gomes for some experience. Morales finds Ndi for a goal in the 86th. They have a fluke shot that falls sin extra time from a cross that’s deep and hits the goal post, and knocks back to an attacker who taps it in. MOM is Morales, and we win 2-1. Good win!


I get a positive training report about Ndi

Draw – 32 teams left. We get…whoa….that’s right. We will be hosting FC Barcelona.


And if we win, we’ll play the winner of UD Logrones and Real Valladolid. Good luck Logrones, I;m rooting for you

[Abe Sargent]

Game 10 vs Tenerife, I am moving our South African guy to the starting role for a game, and then moving Nadjib in as well. We aren’t favored to do well today . So show them all! We start defensive, and Morales scores in the 12th. After a pass was deliver by DC Mosuida and Ndi heads it over a defender. Morales hits Ndi on an attacking run in the 39th for another score. 2-0 us at the half. Keep it up! Jordan is booked and I pull him for Anaba. Martinez heads in for Nadjib. Romero for Lopez. They fire a devastating shot and Barrio can’t get there and it’s 1-2 in the 83rd. Anaba intercepts a pass on a counter, hits Morales out of positions and it’s a goal in the 87th. We win 3-1. MOM is Morales. Proud!


We are in 8th. We were cold in the first five games, and then unbeaten since. I’m told Vazquez has improved in the last 6 months and is even better.

Morales named in Team of the Week. Suarez is injured for two weeks in training.

Game 11 vs Real Oviedo. Villar is back at GK> Seenyane stays in at DC for the injured Suarez. Have you ever had one of those boring 0-0 games where nothing really happens and you aren’t sure what occurred later? That just happened. MOM was ndi.




Game 12 vs Rayo – Early pushes by us. You can do this! By the 20th minute, we have 6 shots to their 1 and 54% of possession. This is great on the road. Then in the 23rd Morales s pushed and passes the ball outside of the box to Osmar, who sinks a long shot for a goal. Momentum begins to shift. We are ahead 1-0 at the half. Keep it up! Our foes get a pair of yellows. Then they get a goal in the 56th minute. Mosluida is out positioned by the header off a cross. Junca finds Morales for a score in the 60th. Osmar injures their soccer and he has to get pulled. Uxion for Mosiuda. Rolon for Ndi. Gomes heads in for Johnson. In extra time, Nadjib finds Morales on a break, and scores . We win 3-1. MOM is Morales. Key result. Unbeaten in 10 mathce,s when you count cups.


Osmar, Junca, Morales named in Team of the Week


End of October –

Training – Good? Junca, Nadjib, Villar

[Abe Sargent]

November


November 4 – Home vs Llagostera
November 11 – Away vs Numancia
November 18 – Home vs Real Betis
November 26 – Away vs Racing
November 29 – Home vs Barcelona, Cup match leg #1

We are 6th after everyone has 12 games

Game 13 – Suarez is back from injury, but I leave him off the sqaud for now. We are ready to go Idaho. I am starting Pepe Romero for Juan Lopez. We are both at home and pretty favorites. Very fast start here in the rain. Ndi finds Nadjib for a score in the 1:17 mark . Jordan’s cross set it up strong. No major tests offensively of either goal for a while. Yellow to Jordan. Then a goal in the 41st is set up by a cross fron Junca to Nadjib. 2-0 half. Don’t get complacent! One of their players picks up a light knock from a Vazquez tackle. I slide Uxion for Mosiuda, Martinez for Morales, and then Gomes is next for the yellow Jordan. Martinez feeds Nadjib for his hattrick in the 89th. We win 3-0. Nadjib on the day had 8 shots, and 5 on target, they had 7 and 2, so he outshot their whole team.

I think we can agree that thus far the Nadjib+Morales combo is working pretty well:


Morales – 13 league games, 6 goals, 3 assists, 7.48 rating in those games

Nadjib – 20 games, 4 goals, 3 assists, 7.59 rating

Junca and Nadjib named in Team of Week

Game 14 vs Numancia – The last few games have been against clubs in the back of the chart. Numancia is dead last in 22. I have Jordan, Lopez ,Mosiuda, and such. Suarez is back to start after his injury and recovering. Anaba is in and I’m leving in Romero as wel. Carry on from last match! I start ou tstandard, but early pressure forces me to go defensive. Quiet half, 0-0. You can win this one! They fire in a goal against us in the 55th but it’s waived off due to a foul. Rolon for Nadjib, Mahananan for Romero, They foul us in the 85th and we get a corner kick. Vazquez winds up, fires it it bubces around the box and….one of their defenders puts it in for an OG . Odd, but I’ll take it. Arriaga for Morales. We win 1-0 and MOM is Osmar. You got away with that one boys, we need to pick it up later!


We have 10 league games without a loss now

Milla has declined in ability over the last 6 months according to my coaches.

Wales defeats Spain today and makes it to the World Cup. They swept Spain in qualifiers. Spain did not make the World Cup! Their coach is obviously fired.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 15 vs Real Betis – Now we are finished with the easy part of the schedule, time for brass tacks. Most of my core starters are back today. But we are hosting, so everyone thinks it’ll be a draw. Get a win today! They score in the 5th minute off a counter. We hit them back in the 24th as Diallo gets a header from a corner in from Vazquez. Bookings for Betis, and then an injury for us – Johnson. I send in Anaba. Half. We can still win tonight! Great push by us turned aside early on. Long shot by Betis in in the 60th. Lopez is having a bad game, I send in Romero. Uxio for Suarez. Diallo yellow card. We should have won this one. We were winning in every stat, and we had 18 shots, and 7 on target. But we lost. Happens sometimes. MOM Is Vazquez.

Jordan tore his jammy and is out for 3 months. While Jordan is out I have Anaaba starting

Uxio wants more soccer. Dude has played in 12 of 15 matches in the league, but wants more soccer.

The head coach of Athletic Bilbao, in the Liga, one of Julio’ favorite clubs (he was assistant coach there, if you’ll recall, before the Melilla trip) is hired for Spain and is now open, ad the rumors are that Julio is one of the top people in line for it. (In reality, Athletic Bilbao is my favorite Europe soccer club, so I slid that Basque history into Julio’s to make it a little closer to home)

Vazquez in Team off Week


GK Villar is now capable of avoiding the weaker foot.

Game 16 – Diallo hit his red card limit, he’s benched. We are away at Racing. Romero is in too Good luck! They collect a booking early and another soon follows. Villar turns aside a Racing thrust. I’m playing defensive. Mosiuda gives away on OG trying to head away a deep cross. Show me something else! They do, on a corner, Ndi scores . Then…nothing for a while. I send in Gomes, Uxio, and Rolon. Nadjib dries, crosses, finds Morales, who puts it away in the 84th. Ndi picks up a knock late and we finish with 10 on the pitch. We win 2-1. MOM is Ndi. Well done. Beat Sporting here? Awesome!


Ndi has a calf strain for a few days

[Abe Sargent]

I sign a new deal with Melilla extending me here for 3 years

Spanish Cup vs Barcelona, Leg 1 – For today’s math, Ndi is out, Rolon is starting for him. Diallo back in too. Can we get the best win in Melilla history? No pressure! Rolon intercepts the first pass Messi makes, starts a counter that ends with a Nadjb shot on goal in the 0:44 mark. That would have been something. Barca get a yellow and then ROlon follows. Neymar finds Suarez for a goal in the 44th, and then it’s half. Unlucky! Anaba with a yellow. This may change, but I can’t fault Villar, he’s getting abused out there. He just turned away a shot by Messi and another that was lethal. Finally they crack the goal in the 61st with Rafinha. I send in Milla and Uxio. We lose 0-2. Not an unexpected result Good effort!

First of all, that’s a record attendance for us – 10, 937. And secondly, Low is very complimentary of uis post-match. We made a crap-ton of cash, more than 200k.


End of November –

Training – Good for Lopez and Mosiuda

[Abe Sargent]

Dec –

December – 3rd – Home vs Castilla
December 10 – Away vs Ponferradina
December 13th – Away vs Real Barcelona
Dec 16th – Home vs Girona


Game 17 vs Castilla – They are back on 17ths place, this is a chance to regroup and get some points. I slide Lopez back into the starting gig. Ndi is back too. We are at home and favored. Come out swinging! Junca fires the ball to Morales for as core in the 12th. Hand ball by Diallo gets a yellow. 1-0 half – don’t get complacent! Lopez tackles the player with the ball, crosses to Anaba, who puts it away in the 53rd. I send in Rolon for a tired Ndi. Anaba feeds Morales, who gives the extra pass to Vazquez who scores in the 56th. Junca finds Nadjib deep, who crosses up front to Anaba, who scores again in the 59th minute. We are all over them. I send in Gomes and Mosiuda. Vazquez feeds Rolon in the 89th. That’s his first goal this season. Game, we win dominatingly 5-0. MOM is Anaba.


That game result is just…wow…

5 players named in Team of Week – Suarez, Junca, Anaba, Morales, Vazquez.

Anaba adapts game to a better dribbling role

Game 18 vs Ponferradina. They are lying in 10th spot not too shabby, but we are expected to win still. We have won 4 of the last 5 on the road. I’m subbing in Uxio for Suarez. Keep our run going! We are getting shots, but not on target, so I tell my folks to work te ball into the box. Very quiet, 0-0 You can still win this! In the 49th, Morales breaks out, is driving to goal, and is fouled hard, and that’s a red card. Morales finds Nadjib for a score in the 60th. Vazquez finds Nadjib for another goal in the 62nd. I send in Mahanan, and then Rolon. I ease back on tempo. We’e got the Barcelona game soon. Desperate, ur foes fire a long shot that’s on target and in the upper left corner on the goal. Then Morales answers 44 seconds later with another goal. We win 3-1. MOM is Vazquez.


That win moves us to 2nd in the league


Joseba Arraiga has set a date for retirement at the end of the season.

Nabjib and Vaz in Tema of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Cup Round #2 – Time for shellacking – I move Romero and GK Barrio to start. I’m going to ski talking about this overly much and just get to the main stuff. Vengeance! Junca yellow. Only card in the first half. 0-0 at the half. Lots of pressure by Barca, 20 shots, 9 on goal, none sunk. Morales was a little dinged up, and I sub in Martinez. Nice! Barcelona finally find goal in the 49th with a long shot by Ivan Rakitic. Ndi booking Subs – Rolon, Mosiuda. Game. 1-0, 3-0 aggregate. Can’t fault you for effort

Morales is out for 7-10 days with a rained neck. Martinez will start in his place


Game 21 – at Girona I leave Uxio and Barrio in. We are expected to win. Girona is 11th. I start defensive to get a feel for the game, and then I slide to counter. Girona start piling on some pressure. But we push them away. Half You can still win this! Girona are wasting a lot of shots 12 shots 2 on target. ROlon for Anaba, Mosiuda for Uxio, Junca yellow, Diallo gives away a yellow in the penalty box, and it’s a PK they make. We lose 1-0. Not good enough today!

I sanction Diallo, I’m tired of his dope-y yellows. He gave this game away. I fine him for a week’s salary, and he accepts. We drop from 2nd to 4th after the loss


A tied would have kept us even with points with Oviedo and Tenerife.

Are there any major players with a deal coming up soon like Mahmoud or Osmar have helped in the past? The best are South Americans I can’t sign and bring in due to the non-EU issue. Unless I were to pull Martinez off my active roster, loan him out, and then bring in a Striker. But Nadjib and Morales have been fine. I’ve been wanting one more player for depth for my squad, and feel we could benefit from someone else in January.

I order scout reports of Bryan Olivera. Braian Romero There’s a good solid defender, Victor Oliveir,a, 23 years old, Brazilian ,willing to come over, but I have too many good Dcs already. Unless I have 3 DCs starting in a 3-XX or a 5XX I don’t see that as something I need.

I extend Ndi’s deal by two years. He’s clearly shown himself.

I offer to extend Junca by a few years as well. I’m locked in with him.

I scout players like Sergio Aguza. I make him an offer. He can push us.


End of December –

Good training –

Diallo, Anaba, Nadjib

[Abe Sargent]

Welcome to January, 2018


January 3 – Away vs Mirandes
January 6 – Away vs Sporting
January 13 – Away vs Las Palmas
January 21 – Home vs Alcorcon
January 28 – Home vs UD Logrones


Messi, Oscar, and Kevin De Bruyne win Golden Ball; Oscar won World Player of the Year,

Junca extends his time with us



Game vs Mirandes – We are home and they are 19th, so as you can probably draw, we are expected to win. VIllar is back, Morales too. Oh and Lopez. Diallo scores off a corner kick header on the 9th ,and then they follow in the 14th. We have an attack waived off. Then Nadjib scores in the 25ht. They howl back and its 2-2 half. Come on folks! Then after a screechingly potent first half it’s all boredom and tears in the 2nd. I sub in guys like Mosiuba, but to no avail, and we tie 2-2. MOM is Vazquez. Not good enough!


I make no changes to expectations

A few teams are bidding on Aguza as well so I double the signing bonus for both agent and player.



Game away vs Sporting – I have to go to a meeting, so I am getting ready as I run this game. I just have highlights. Which is unfortunate. Morales to Ndi for a score in the 4th minute. Morales hits a score in the 21st after a Nadjib assist. Ndi finds Morales for a score in the 36th. Subs are Rolon, Mosiuda, Romero. Anaba finds Rolon for a score in the 77th. We were on the defensive the whole day, and just thumped them 4-0. MOM is Morales.


That sort of a win on the road against one of the best teams in the league is a signature victory.

[Abe Sargent]

Diallo, Ndi, and Vazquez in Team of Week

I offer to extend Bruno Souto’s deal by two years as a hot prospect.

I Accept a loan offer for ST Martinez for a few months to Real Union.

Sergio Aguza signed with a Turkish club


Game away vs Las Palmas 0 Pick up from where you left off last time! Osmar slips the ball to Nadjib down the middle for a score in the 16th 2 cards for our foes, as they become punchy We get two more attcks pushed aside, half. Keep it up! At the half they have 1 shot and on target, we have 7 and 5. We injure a Palmas player Morales a great push for goal in the 54th and 55th but finally stopped by their GK and held. I Send in Martinez for him early this could be the last game Martinez plays for us for awhile. Uxio heads in for Suarez. Rolon for Ndi. Las Palmas score a goal late in the 89th and bring back a tie, and that’s bad. They were never really in this. 4 shots, 2 on target, vs our 15 and 9. We pounded them mercilessly.



Martinez heads out, and I register Bruno Souto, who returned from loan recently.

Since Sergio Aguza went elsewhere are there are other players available for free that’d be interested in moving to North Africa? I start up some scouting.

I find an interesting Brazil/Spain youth named Denilson, who has an odd set fo skills and abilities I scout him out. I make him an offer. If he signs, you’ll like him I suspect.

Bruno has gotten a little better. I decide to pull him of the loan list, and use him myself as my extra middie the 2nd half of the season

He’s improved at several positions on the pitch (ML, MC) and developed with first team play the last year and a half on loan. I’ll give Souto a chance to see what he can do for us here.


Jan 19 – Training facilities expansion concluded. They are now rated Below Average. Delison has agreed to a deal with us.

Home game vs Alcorcon – I keep most of my main 11, but I send in Souto for Anaba on the left wing and Mosiuda for Suarez. Because Alcorcon are missing a key player to a red card tackle earlier, we are favored today . Good luck! We have a pair of attacks just off target. Then they get a yellow. Two corners have gotten headers on target, but turned aside by their GK. We’ve had pressure, but not broken through, by the half. Keep it up! They get a second yellow early. In the 49th minute, Nadjib finds Ndi on an attacking run, crosses it to him, and he scores. Vazquez fires a pass to Nadjib in te 52nd minute deep in the box, ball tackled and Nadjib rushes on the ball and scores with it. Subs – Romero for Lopez, Rolon, and Anaba. Ndi with a late yellow. We win 2-0 and broke that game open in the 2nd half. GoOob job! MOM is Nadjib

[Abe Sargent]

So here’s our new signing:

Denilson, 22, Spanish and Brazilian, can play ST naturally, and was trained in WB and Fullback as well, and he’s got an odd and unusual set of abilities:

Offensive ST ones – 13 finishing, dribbling, 14 flair, 13 first touch, agility and balance too, 13 composure, decisions, and otb, and 16 teamwork, and just 8 vision and 7 anticipation

Other Fullback ones – 12 cross, 14 pass, 13/14 speed, 12 stamina

Defensive ones – 9 mark, 12 tackle, 13 head 12 jump,

He’s an interesting synergy of defensive, wing stuff, and attacking, although lacks some zest in mark, some mentals, and long shots. He’s fine otherwise though and he could be an interesting defensive forward, and fullback as well. He’s signed for this eyar and next for 2.8k/week on a rotation contract. His previous folks were working on him as a MR as well, and he’s awkward. We’ll continue that here.


Nadjib in Team of Week. I transfer list Mila.


Game home vs Logrones. I have never beaten Logrones in 4 attempts. I slide back to Anaba on the lft, everything else is the same from the Alcorcon game. Vengeance! I’d still love to see Logrones and us in the Liga in a few years, fighting the good fight. Anaba with a lethal cross to Ndi for a score in the 11th and they score back in the 17th Diallo a yellow. Half. Keep it up, the result will come. Vazquez wth a yellow. Uxio heads in for Diallo. A strong attack of ours is pushed aside. Rolon in. Souto for Vazquez. Souto booked. Some shots on goal late turned aside. Junca booked. Osmar card. Tie game 1-1. Not good enough today!

We had an opportunity to solidify ourselves inte h2 spot but failed, and now we’re close to everyone else.

On the last transfer day of the window, I get an offer for Milla from Murcia which I accept. It fails Milla is not happy with eth contract, and another from Numancia is out as well. Milla went to the media and complained about the lack of 1st team play and demands a trade and such. So I pull him off the squad. Nastic signs him and Milla is gone

I Accept an offer to loan out Gomes

Jordan is back from his injury


End of January –

Training Report – Good stuff from Souto, Nadjib, and Villar

[Abe Sargent]

February

Feb 4 – Away vs Cordoba
Feb 10 – Away vs Cadiz
Feb 17 – Home vs Osasuna
Feb 25 – Away vs Reus


Cordoba match arrives. Suarez is back in the lineup, and DL Johnson is back, with Junca moving to ML. We are idiots and let our foes score twice in the 1st 20 minutes., and I slide back to, defensive from counter. They get a yellow, and then Diallo follows. They push forward hard, but at the half, nothing. Do a lot better! As the 2nd half kicks off, Cordoba keeps hammering us. I send in Denilson at the DR, and then Anaba. And then, in the 78th minute, it happens. Morales intercepts the ball, and then drives, shoots, and scores. Total individual effort. Morales is a bit dinged up,and I send in Souto for him. Nothing….until extra time. Then at 92:19, Osmar finds Souto for a score. Suarez picks up a knock in the final minute, but nothing. We finish 2-2 and tied. Well, that’s better than nothing I suppose. Good comeback!

Morales is out for 5 days week with a facial injury, Suarez is out fotr 2-3 weeks with a damaged foto, and I move in Uxio.

Junca can now start kncokign the ball past an opponent.

I get a great training report on GK Ivan VIllar, he’s improved a lot in the last six months, Morales inproved, but Suarez has declined, and


Away vs Cadiz, who are 6th in the league right now. Other than Uxio in and Romero heading in and DR, nothing else major is happening. Morales is fine. I start defensive, and we have a chance to win this! Very little happens early. It’s not until around 33 minutes in that anything of note happens. Nadjib fires an amazing long shot into the upper corner of the goal, after an opening is provided by Osmar. We are up in the first half after moving forward in the last 15 minutes and finishing with 9 shots, 4 on target, vs Cadiz’s 5 and 0. Don’t. Get. Complacent. No cards in the first half, but Cadiz gets two early in the 2nd. Then Junca crosses to Nadbjib and his scores in the 58th. It’s like all is right when Junca is back on the ML spot. My first sub is Denilson for Romero. Uxio injures a midfielder and they have to sub him out. Morales is tired, I send in Souto, and then Rolon for Ndi. Jordan a yellow card. Then we win 2-0, MOM is Nadjib.

[Abe Sargent]

Home vs Osasuna – Johnson has too many yellow and is benched a game. Osasuna are comfortably in first. Lopez is back in the lineup at DR, and I am moving Mosiuda to the Uxio spot vacated by the injury to Sergio Juarez’s injury. Due to the big nature of today’s game, I have also slid GK Barrio back in. Pick up from where you left off last match! Anaba, starting at ML finds Osmar for a score in the 3rd minute. We injure one of their defenders in the 14th. They give any a penalty in the 26th and here goes Morales…in. Score. I move to defensive, they have been hitting us hard all game long, we have just 3 shots, 2 on target, to their 7 and 4. We’ve been lucky. We get a break away opportunity and almost score in the 41st. Half. Scores are about the same, 51-49 possession, 8./4 us, 9/6 them, and 4 corners to their 3, and such. But we are leading with the PK and the early score. You’ve got this! 1st yellow of the game is in the 66th for Osasuna. I send in Denilson for Nadjib. Next is Souto for Vazquez. We are getting pressure again. Denilson shoots for the coren and they toip it over, nothing for the corner though. I send in….David Sanchez for Osmar. (Sanchez and Cascon are still on my squad on month to months) We win 2-0. Good stuff. Well done, MOM is Osmar


We are scoring with a huge number of crossing, and we are beginning to get complimented on it.

Osmar in Team of Week

Away vs Reus. Suarez is back but he’s still tired so he won’t play today. Rues are in 21st and lost 6 straight. We are obviously expected to…well…not lose. Johnson is back from red card, and I leave Barrio in after his great game vs Osasuna. Pick up where you left off! Junca crosses to Ndi, who slides the ball to Nadjib for a score in the 15th. That’s the only major action early – both sides are taking long inaccurate or panicked shots. Osmar a long shot of brilliance in the 32nd, from Ndi. He was open behind the box where defenders covered our attackers. Vazquez sets up Morales beautifully in the 38th, and the gk has to dive to knock it back, and Junca finishes. Good luck in the 2nd half. Keep it going! Reus with a gold in the 2nd half. Denilson for Lopez. On an IFK Vazquez hits Morales for a score in the 65th. Souto for Morales. Jordan booked. I send in Anaba and slide Junca back. Reus fires a long shot and it hits nice, and they get a score in the 80th. We had 26 shots today. Boom! We win 4-1 - Osmar is MOM

Osasuna lost again, and we are temporarily back in first, but other teams have games in hand

Five players in Team of Week – Osmar, Junca, Morales Ndi and Vazquez

End of February –

Training: Juan Lopez and Seenyane Mosiuda.

[Abe Sargent]

March –

March – 4 – Away vs Bilbao
Mar 11 – Home v Lugo
Mar 18 – Home vs Tenerife
Mar 25 – Home vs Rayo

We are 2nd coming into March


We arrive is the Basque country to take on Bilbao. They are 8th in the league. GK Barrio remains in, he’s played well enough. Defensive orientation here as well, and Bilbao are slight favorites actually, due to being home. In the rain, quiet early. Junca crosses to Nadjib for a score off a counter in the 27th. Then he crosses to Morales for a score three minutes later. Paul Jordan almost gives a ball away with a very sloppy back pass that wasn;t necessary and was intercepted but the person who drove on goal missed. In extra time, Bilbao scores from a DFK. 2-1 half. The jobs not done, don’t get complacent. Jordan gets a booking, and I send him out. He has sucked. I send in Souto. Suarez is looking bad so I send in Mosiuda. Bilbao are pushing hard. Rolon subs Ndi. We win 2-1. MOM was Vazquez. Good job!


I slide Suarez to a rotation status. Vaz named I nTeam of Week

One of my scotus just sent me a report about this hot young Algerian player, and I send an enquiry. Then we finalize the offer for Said Meddour. I offer him a hot prospect status, and he’s fine with that.

Home vs Lugo - We have a three game home stand starting today. The combination of our foes rating at 19 and our home play makes us easy favorites. GK Villar is back, and Mosiuda is in for Suarez for now. Oh, Mosiuda is now very accomplished at the DR role, so I move him to learn DMC next. Carry on folks! Vazquez firs a ball deep to Nadjib who scores in the 19th. Lots of shots follow that aren’t on target. Half. Keep focused! Amazing goal follows. Vazquez finds Nadjib deep, he jukes past a defender and drives at goal and scores. Both did very well to make that goal. That’s Nadjib’s 10th of the year. Ndi drives, finds Osmar, who scores in the 57th. Souto for Morales, Anaba for Junca. They foul Anaba in the box and….Vazquez misses the PK. That would have been nice. We win 3-0. MOM is Osmar.

The Vaz and the O are in Team of Week

Meddour joins us, and he’ll arrive at the end of the year

[Abe Sargent]

New intake of players – anybody good or great potential

WOW!


Say hello to Jesus Angel Ortega, 16th year, Striker, Born in Lineres,

14 dribb, 14 finish,
14 acc, 13 pace, 14 stamina

Mentals? 18 determination, 12 work rate, 14 teamwork, 14 flair, 14 leadership, 13 aggressio, 11 composure, 12 decisions, and 11 off the ball. Our coaches thng he’s determined, ambitious, could improve a lot, fast ,and consistent yet needs more fitness,

Smart, determined, and our coach’s say he’s 1 star current (for our league) four star potential. I don’t even wait, I immediately sign him for our club on a hot prospect deal. Anyone else? Not really.




The Tenerife match is here, and this is a big one. They are 3rd and a major contender for the playoffs. Diallo is out for international duty, and Suarez is back in for him. Pick up where you left off! Very quiet early on, and then Ndi gets a cross from DL Paul Jordan over the defense and attackers and scores in the 44th. No cards, all quiet, half Keep it up. Tenerife is wasting their shots and is just 5 and 0 on target. We’re 8 and 3. Suarez is still not doing well (6.4), and I send in Uxio. I slide in Romero for Nadjib and Denilson up front. Morales finds Ndi for a score in the 79th. Souto for Junca . They score off a header from a corner in te 83rd. They foul us and Ndi scores the PK. Hattrick for the lad. No cards the whole match. We win 3-1, Mom is obviously Ndi . Dropping Tenerfie is a good win for us

Jordan, Ndi, and Junca in Team of Week

I link up my start new striker and Cascon. I also sign two more youthers to permanent hot prospect deals.

Our final home game of March is against Rayo. They’re 15th, we are home and on a 6 game winning streak. Diallo is back and starting, and I move in Lopez at the DR although Denilson had some games for us there. Keep our run going! Short of eit – 12 shots, 6 on target, nothing on the board, and then late in the first, a Vazquez corner gets stopped and then Diallo scoops it up for a goal. Half. 1-0. Finish them !I slide in Denilson for Nadjib. Yellow card by Vazquez. On a FK, Vazquez’s shot is blocked, falls to Mosiuda who scores in the 73rd. I sub out Ndi, with a weak performance thus far, for Rolon. Uxio for Osmar. Rolon yellow. We win 2-0. Osmar is MOM

We break a club record for most wins in the row. Diallo is in Team of Week

I review my folks finishing up their deals in a few months, and I make offers to some youthers I want to retain. In addition to thos,e here are the big ones:

Vazquez
Rolon
GK Barrio
Anaba
Romero
Suarez
Arriaga
Uxio
Mahanah

We also have these people out on loans – Avila, Ebwelle, Marco Rosa, GK Pedro, DR Antonio Jesus Diaz, and others. I offer Diaz and some others extensions


End of March –

Training? Goof ro Lopez, Jordan and Mahanan

[Abe Sargent]

April –


April 1 – Away vs Real Oviedo
April 8 – Away vs Llagostera
April 14 – Home vs Numancia
April 22 – Home vs Racing
April 29 – Away vs Real Betis

We are in 2nd place right now by 3 points, with a game in hand over #3 Real Betis, and 6 over 4th Tenerife, and 13 over Sporting at the five spot .




Game vs Real Oviedo – Vazquez is out with too many yellows. Souto is in instead. Keep the run going! I begin defensive. Real with all sorts of pressure early. Ndi is injured and I pull him at the 20 minute mark. Rolon heads in. We survive their onslaught, but haven’t really come close to a goal. Half. You can still win this one!Junca to Morales breaks the stalemate at the 57 mark. A few flowing moves by our foes turned aside. In heads Uxio for Mosiuda. Another attack turned aside by us. David Sanchez replaces Souto. Rolon finds Uxio on a corner for a score in the 89th. We win 2-1, MOM is JUnca.

Ndi is out for a week with a bruised head.


Diallo, Junca Moroales in Team of Week

Paul Jordan and Mosiuda finishes the language course and know knows Spanish fluently.

Away game vs Llagostera – Rolon starts tonight for Ndi. Ndi should be back by the next game though. Our foes are ranked 20th. Good news, Osasuna lost yesterday, and we can move ahead to the One spot with a win today. Vaz is back. I also start Denilson for Nadjib to give him a bit of a rest. Keep up the run! Llagostera start out the game in front for a while, until we counter and a Denilson strike is turned aside. Then they give us a penalty and Morales sinks it in the 8th. Half. Keep it up! Vazquez penalty followed by a booking. Bruno for Vaz. Uxio for Mosiuda. Jordan yellow. Anaba in. Llago have tween better than us all day long, and they prove it by sinking a ball in extra time. Not good enough!

[Abe Sargent]

Home vs Numancia. They are 22nd and dead last. We aren’t. Ndi is back, and I put in Nadjib as well. Keep our run going! Nadjib injured and Denilson heads in. Half . That was a quick, 60 second half, with only the injury to speak of. Keep your heads up! Vaz a yellow. Morales intercepts a pass for their GK in the 70th and scores. Morales finds Ndi for a nice long shot that sinks in the 75th Uxio heads in for Mosiuda. Then he promptly gets a yellow card. We win 2-0. Better late than never. MOM is Ndi.


We have secured ourselves a playoff spot, as have Osasuna. Both of us have 73 points, and looking good.

Ndi in Tema of Week


Home vs Racing. They’ve fallen into 10th, can we push them further down the list? Uxio starts today for Mosiuda. Keep up the run! In the first minute, we have three shots, none on target, and no result. Osmar booked At the half, no one has any shots on goal from either team 8-0 us, 3-0 them. Keep working hard, the result will come! Uxio booked. I send in Suarez for him. Shots are hitting goal now. Rolon for Nadjib. We injure a Reading dork. Nothinghappens. I pul forward to control, and then attacking. And then….finally. with 3 extra minutes of stoppage time, and a the 93:13 mark, Rolon finds Osmar for a score. We win, barely, 1-0. Wins are wins. That was a bit of alet off, we can’t afford to keep doing that! (Osasuna had won, so if we had tied, we’d b 2 points behind them in the title chase now)

Osmar in Team of Week



Away vs Real Betis, in 3rd. This is a major match. Mosiuda back in, and I start Romero. Veangence! They have a great shot on goal in the 0:56 and Villar is only just able to turn it aside, but the corner is nothing and back to normal. They have three attackers, none hit the paydirt, and our one counter doesn’t either. And then, in extra time, they finally break our goal for a score. Johnson get a booking and then it’s half. Unlucky! They score again in the 52nd A third off a corner in the 55th. Anaba for Jordan, Junca hits Morales for a score in the 58th, Denilson for Romero. Rolon for Ndi. We injue a Betis player, but not badly enough to force him to leave the pitch. We finish with 15 shots, 8 on target to Real Betis’s 22 and 10. We lose 3-1 – Not happy with that!

Betis won a playoff spot after beating us. With a tie, Osasuna moves in front by a point over us.

Enf of April –

Training of the Good – Jordan, Mosiuda, and Jesus Angel Ortega, our new striker guy

[Abe Sargent]

May –

May 6 – Away vs Castilla
May 13 – Home vs Pontefferria
May 19 – Away vs Mirandes
May 27 – Home vs Girona
(June 3rd, Home vs Las Palmas, the final game of the year)

We are in 2nd place


Away vs Castilla, the 15th team in the league. Lopez backi in and good luck! Ndi to Morales for a long shot on the mark in the 16tth. 30 minutes in, Castilla haven’t had a single shot. . Jordan and Diallo with yellows. Don’t get complacent! Vaz to Morales for a goal in the 60th . Waved off. Anaba in. Denilson for Nadjib. Uxio in for Diallo. Morales finds Ndi deep who crosses to Denilson for a goal in the 87th. We win 2-0. Vaz is MOM.


Vaz and the O in the Week’s Team

Home vs Pontaferria. Diallo and Jordan are out with too many yellows. Anaba and Uxio are starting for them today. Carry on from the last match! We are expected to win, even with our two out for discipline. Pontaferradina with the early momentum. They score in the 15th. Half. I expect a much better half from you! I ease to control. . Morales scores in the 56th from a set up by Ndi. Nadjib with a score in the 66th after Vazquez finds him and jukes around a defender. Back to standard. SOuto for Anaba. Lopez with a booking. I send in Romero. Morales to Ndi in the 79th. I send in my youther, Jesus Angel Ortega for Morales. We win 3-1. What a comeback! Morales is MOM.

Reus relegated. 3 games left. Osasuna have dropped a point after tying, and are now one point behind us and we are in 1st. We are 7 points ahead of 3rd, and can comfortably believe to be automatically promoted in the 1 or 2 spot.


Morales in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

I hold a team meeting

Sanchez and Mahanan both announce retirement.


Away vs Mirandes, no major changes. If we win, then we secure the 2 spot and guarantee promotion. Keep up the run, and I start defensively minded. We have a counter attack fail, and then a push do so as well. Mirandes are missing, and then yellowing here in a messy raining stadium today. Quietly quiet, as we have some shots miss their target, and then Mirandes follow Half. This match is winnable! Miranes pushes hard for 10 minutes post halftime. Denilson for Nadjib. Rolon in, and then Suarez in. 0-0 boring draw. MOM is Osmar.


Morales’s agent wants to redo his deal and I agree.

Osasuna win and move into 1st.

Diallo is no longer going to try killer passes. Another team meeting is held.


Home vs Girona. I don’t make any major changes this time either. Vengeance! Junca crosses to Morales in a lovely and decisive manner for a score in the 4th minute. Vaz booked. Corner in the 25th from Vaz to Mosiuda on target, bounced back by the GK and Osmar sinks in. They grab a yellow tackling Nadjib just before the half. Junca crosses lethally to Morales in the 45+1 and hits. Half we are up 3-0. Don’t get complacent. Souto in for Vaz, I don’t want a yellow issue. Denilson in, then Rolon. We just dominated this game – 22 shots to 3 is one way. MOM is Junca. We got promoted to the Liga officially. Congrats!

[Abe Sargent]

Osasuna won and are out too.

We get a salary and transfer bump in anticipation of next year.

Numancia relegated – Alcorcon gets a playoff spot.

Souto now can dole out some killer balls

Ndi can been called up for the Cameroon World Cup Squad.

Dialllo, Morales, and junca in Team of Week



End of May –

Training - Ndi, Lopez, and ST Jesus Angel Ortega all impressed.

I hold a team meeting and tell my lads that the goal was never to win, so don’t feel any repssure today, and they all agree. We finished 2nd and secured promotion, that’s enough.

Home vs Las Palmas – This is the last game of the year, and we are one point behind Osasuna. If we win and they tie or lose we make it. I put Mahanan on the bench. He’s played with this club his whole life, and he’s retiring. I want to give him some time late. Due to Diallo playing internationally, Uxio starts . Enjoy the game! Welcome to Africa Las Palmas. Early strikes on target by both teams turn up nothing. Then quiet for a while before things pick up again in the 30s. Uxio gest the first card of the night, and then they follow and then its halftime. 0-0. Keep going out there! Osmar to Nadjib for a gaol in the 53rd. I send in Mahanan for Uxio after his yellow card. Ndi to Vazquez for a score in the 66th. I send in retiring David Sanchez for Vazquez. Rolon heads in. Rolon booked. They score in extra time. We win 2-1. Good work!


Osasuna loses, and we won, so….we win the league.

Llagostera and Las Palmas head back down. Cadiz won a playoof spot, so they were promoted last year, and are in the playoffs this one. Meanwhile Logrones finished 9th, so they are likely here for a while. We are not the only hot riser!

[Abe Sargent]

Stats!

League Team Stats –


We won, what stats did we lead? Most goals with 78, 1 more tha Real Betis

Highest % of shots on target

Fewest goals allowed – 29

We spent more money on transfers than the rest of the league combined, but I hewed my salary down to 14th to do so.

And that’ it.

League Player Stats:

With 10 each, Paul Jordan and Diallo were tied for 4th most yellows. Bad players.

At 8, Vazquez led the league with the MOM, and Osmar rocked 7

Osmar was 3rd most miles run, and Junca was 5th


Get ready to hold onto your butts. Who was the best, most highest rated player in the league?

David Vazquez, with 7.94. Then Osmar with 7.84.

Morales, Ndi, and Junca round out top 10

Morales was 2nd in gaols with 23, 3 behind the leader. Nadjib was 7th with 15

Junca was tied for 2nd with 13 assists, Morales had 12

Morales and Vazquez were 2nd and 3rd in key passes

Diallo had 4 mistakes leading to foal tied for 6th worse in the league

Daillo was 5th in key headers, 6th in most interceptions,

VIllar was 2nd in goals allowed. 2nd most shutouts with 18


Individual stats and such –

GK Villar – 37 league starts, 25 goal allowed, 18 clean sheets, 6.85 rating

DC Mosiuda – 29 apps, 1 goal, 2 assist, 6.99 rating

DC Diallo – 36 apps, 3 goals, 7.16 rating

DC Suarez – 19 apps, 8.82 rating

DC Uxio – 28 apps, 1 goal, 6.79 rating

DR Juan Lopez – 31 apps, 7.06 rating

DL Jordan – 28 apps, 1 goal, 1 assst, 7.11 rating

DM Osmar, 42 ap, 6 goals, 8 assist, 7 MOM, 7.84 rating

MR Ndi – 41 apps, 13 goals, 9 assist,, 4 Mom, 7.53 rat

ML Junca – 42 apps, 1 goal, 13 assist, 3 MOM, 7.53 rating

MC Vazqe – 41 apps, 4 goals, 8 assist, 8 MOM, 7.94 ratig

ST Morales – 41 apps, 23 goals, 12 assist, 5 MOM, 7.57 rat

ST Nadjib – 38 apps, 15 goas, 8 assist, 3 MOM< 7.37 rating

Others:

Souto – 14 appes, 1 goal, 6.93 rating

Rolon – 28 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists, 6.91 rat

Anaba – 27 apps, 3 goals, 3 assist, 2 MOM, 7.15



We had improved years from Vazquez, Ndi, and my GK position. Morales was a clear hit and I’ve never had a trequarista that worked before. You’ve got to respect it

[Abe Sargent]

Financial stuff:

Here are my major money players

Morales – 1.7 mill
Ndi – 1.6 mill
Nadjib – 1.4 mill
Junca – 1.4 mill
Osmar – 1.1 mille
Villar – 1.1 mill
Mosiuda – 650k
Jordan – 575k
Diallo – 550k
Juan Lopez – 500k


Those are my 500k+ players.


Now I have some major clubs chasing after some of these.

Villar – Napoli – 8.75 mill release

Junca – Lorient, Kaislerslautern, Nurnberg – 5 mill release

Mosiuda –Paris Ste-Germain – 4.7 mill minim release

Jordan – Chelsea, Everton, Man City, Man Utd – 4.3 mill release clause

Juan Lopez – Real Madrid, Barcelona – 4.5 mill min

I guarded my peoples


I also promoted myself for promotion. Only my major players are still here next year right now:

GK Villar
DC Diallo, Mosiuda
DR/L Lopez, Jordan
MR Ndi
ML Junca
DMC Osmar
ST Morales, Nadjib

Backups – Souto, Denilson,

That leaves me a lot of space to dig out a good high quality squad that won’t get relegated. I can use spots freed up by players like Romero, GK Barrio, retirees Sanchez, Arriaga, Mahanan, and such.

But there are a few I want to double check:

Rolon
Anaba
Uxio
Suarez?
Romero?

And then ask the Vazquez question

These players have to one degree tor another been helpful to me.

Let’s start with the one I thin kwill be the easiest – Suarez.

29 years old, great head/jump, weaker mark and tack, but smart and savvy. I agree Suarez’s time has come. Good bye buddy


The next I want to check out is Romero – who’s been with Melilla his whole career now at the age of 25. Now if Romero were willing to take a cheap backup role, I’d send him to my B squad happily. I’m not sure, so I approach him. He is interested in a backup role, but doesn’t like the idea of a cheap deal. I’d consider him, if he were more flexible in the positions he pkays, but after three eyars with me, he’s only learned one more spot. So he’s good, but he played poorly, and I’m comfortable ending his Melilla tensure.

Next is Uxio a signing that helped me get promoted from the Segunda division B Group 4 a few years ago. I am not sure he’s ready for the next level. He was always just okay here. I’m fine with Uxio leaving too.

And that gives me some chance to find better defenders as well for the next level, with Uxio, Romero, Suarez, and Mahanan all gone


Rolon – Where is Maxi today? His passing and cross and other technical attributes never really bumped up that well. He’s okay in a pressing situation, but not great. He’d be willing to sign a simple backup role, but way too expensive – like 5k+. Nah.


Anaba – The best of the group I’ve looked at thus far, very flexible with his positions, and is now 24 and about the cap of his development, but he’s solid. We worked him on things like cross/pass and composure/concentration and he’s improved. I could see him as a backup at the next level subbing in due to his flexibility. I make Anaba an offer

And now it’s time

David Vazquez is awesome. He is getting better and better the harder things get for him, and he’s this rock at 32 for my attack. But despite his play on the pitch, he’ really not that strong. He pass isn’t amazing, he doesn’t have these intimidating mentals, he’s slow at 11/11, and such. We rated him as a 2.5 stars this year, and yet he played as one of the best players in the club. He wants to come back, and I have to admit that I’d have a fondness seeing if he could take his game to the next level, but I also feel like throwing money at him would be like the cash I tossed to Sufian, whom I should never have extended. Offer him a simple one year rotation deal, and he agrees.

Assuming that they sign, that gives us these numbers:


1 GK
2 DC
1 DR
2 DL/ML
1 DMC
1 MC
1 MR
2 ST

Backup – 1 DR/ST, 2 Middies who can play ST if needed (Souto, Anaba),

Total of squad size – 14. Add in youth like ST Jesus Angel Ortega or Antonio Jesus Diaz as needed

Alright, who’s next?

Youthers like Ebwelle, Avila, etc

Goodbye Avila, Ebwelle, Marco Rosa, GK Pedro,

[Abe Sargent]

Melilla End fo Season Awards:

Fans Player of the Season – David Vazquez (followed by Osmar, and Morales)

Goal of the Season - Morales vs Castila on May 6th

Signing of the Season – Morales, for free

Young Player of the Season – Ndi


About half my a squad are dubious about staying in the Liga and about half are very okay with it.



Annual Training Summary –

Hits by Nadjib, Villar, Mosiuda, Lope,z, and Jesus Angel Ortega

The board announces an extension to the stadium of 3000 seats.


I head to the board to ask for more scouts. I can now have 9. They also agree to upgrade the training facilities. In my opinion they are far under the class needed in the Liga. I also convince them to upgrade the youth facilities. So we are getting a ton of upgrades right now. We need it though.

Cadiz and Real Betis win the first leg of the first round of their playoffs.

Time to look at my staff

I offer new deals to some of my scouts.

Mahanan wants too much money to remain my Director of Football, so he’ll go, which is really, really stupid, by the by.

I extend Arrianga as my scout

I offer a scout deal to Argentian player Diago Calgaro

What coaches are ending this year?

I offer to extend Serginho, our 4 star GK by one year, and then Israel by the same for his shooting proficiency. Two other coaches are offered 1 year extensions as well. I want to have coverage so I have time to find replacements if I can.


I begin shopping for a new Ass Man. No one immediately jumps out at me, so I’ll hold off for now

I also extend my physio y a year

9 Jun – Here comes the first attack on my carefully assembled squad. Man Utd are offering me a deal of potentially 1.9 mill for Paul Jordan. He’s worth 725k, and they are offering 600k up front, and then 450k over installments, and bonuses of 275 and 55 k eacj, with a 40% of profit from the next sale. I find that a very disappointing offer. I don’t even get cash up front equal to his value.

I make a counter offer that’s much much better. I swap 40% profit of next sale with just 40% next sale, I increase the front end go 2.7 mill, and I cut the 55k bonuses out to show I am willing to deal. I figured that would be too much. They accepted. Bastards.

I accept similar offers from Arsenal and Chelsea.

Cadiz and Betis won and will face off against each other. Meanwhile my scout offer is taken by Calgaro

The final playoff game arrives - Cadiz wins the first leg at home 1-0.

Jordan accepted a 3.2 mill bid, for Chelsea and is heading out. I confirm the deal

Now let’s go shopping with the transfer kitty

Who’s out there that might be willing to come to us and help us out? I need either a DL or a ML, preferably DL.

Got one.

Marc-Oliver Kempf, German, 23 years old, plays for Freiburg. Plays DC and DMC and would be a good starter in the Liga according to my scouts. We could grab him and start him at DC and then rotate in my other two youthers – Mosiuda and Diallo. He’s valued at 12mill but he’s willing to come bplay for us if we can sign him. I make an enquiry

Next is Oliver, a 23 year old Spanish guy who plays in the Liga for Atletico. Unhappy, transfer listed by request, young and strong, never really cut it there. Plays a bunch of positions really well – MR, ML, MC< AM RLC and ST. I ask for a scout report of him

Ideally I’d use the Chelsea for multiple upgrades on my roster.

I also scout out Lasse Vigen Christensen, Abdou Aziz Thiam, Wallyson, Brazilian Auro, Takumi Minamino, and many others

How about some plaeyrs coming free in a few weeks?

22 year old Egyptian/Belgium set piece specialist middd e Ahmed Sayed

I do a ton of scouting and then check out the results

I make an enquiery to a Romanian club for a 27 year old Spanish player named Alex Martinez who can play the positions of Junca/Jordan

I make Sayed an offer.

Oliver’s price was slashed considerably. I make him an offer.

I make a pair of enquiries for other players too

We come to negotiated offer with Oliver

I submit an offer for Wallysonbtus’ he’s not a top target by any means

Nah, it’s too many center middies. I withdraw my offer for Wallyson for now.

Cadiz win promotion to the Liga as well after defeating Betis 3-1 on the road and 4-1 aggregate.

Vazquez set a record for the best overall rating in the history of the league.

Avila won the B2 division top goal scorer with 16 goals in 35 games


I sign Oliver for 1.8 mill. This is a good open salvo

Sayed joins us as well

Both play in the middle, and Oliver can drop the various sides as well. I can start Oliver at the ML spot and drop Junca to DL, as one example. Oliver was looking for a new challenge, and this should prove to be it.

[Abe Sargent]

Alright, next up.

Kempf would be great, they want too much

I scout up some solid DCs.

I make an offer to a guy I found named Antonio Milic a Croatian player, who two other teams are making offers to, but neither are a large like ours, and I like him since he can play a bunch of defensive positions. I make an offer to him. I do like him, and the offer is 500k + bonuses around 625k total

I find another DC that I love, and he’s very Icelandic, and I try to make an offer to him. I make an offer for him. Sverrir Ingi Ingason.

Ingason agrees to a deal prior to Milic. Which would I prefer?

As a pure DC, Ingason is better by far. Milic has the flexibility to play other positions and Ingasson deosn;t. (I do, barely, have enough money for both I I drop my salary some). Do I even want both?

Alright lets bring in Ingason, and if Milic wants, he can join too, although there’s no guarantee that he’d want too anyway

Paris Ste-Germain make an offer or Mosiuda at 4.700 mill, the non-negotiable offer for him. Milic signs with us


My current new folks:

DC Ingason
MC Sayed
Middle Oliver
ST Said Meddour (youth , trong Algerian, signed earlier)
D RLC /WB, DMC Milic

That’s good for now, I want to get stock of my team first

Mosiuda signs and we make 4.7 mill

I have a hole on my roster, but Ingason, Diallo, and Milic should be fine, and another major inject of cash arrives as well…

Who would be a nice addition to my squad? Are there other players out there that are perfectly signable? I scout some youth and send some equiries

I found one I like to make an offer for. River’s Italian youth player Jacopo Moschella. I negotiate to a 1.6 mill offer for him. He plays ST and trequarista is his main thag, so I can grab him and sub him in and out for Moralles easy enough. He even speaks Spanish


Another thing I’d like to consider is GK.

If I brought it a much better GK and then developed Villar into it I think that would help. I scout up a few GKs. There sis one I know would like me, Kim Seung-Gyu, starting GK for the South Korean national club, and pretty good. But I’d need to sign some Koreans, and then move Souto to free up the Non-Eu splot on my starting 11 and such.

Rules for the Liga:

20 teams, 38 games

7 subs, 3 played.
Max 3 non-EU folks, 3 GK, 23 outfielders, 25 max team,

So it’s 3, and that allows Kim. Hmmmm. I send in an enquiry.

We get an acceptance with Moshella, and I make an offer to him. Others are making offers to, supposedly.

We make an offer for Kim, and he has agreed to think it over

[Abe Sargent]

June 30 is jhere.

Mahanan’s desires for cash have dropped and I resigned him

I make na offer to Miguel Luis, a Portugese youther. He agrees a few hours later

End of June

I sign GK Barrio to a one year backup deal for cheap.

7 signings arrive:

Youth –Said Meddour, Miguel Luis

Current Squad

GK Villar, Barrio
DC – Diallo, Severrir Ingi , Antonio Millic
DR – Juan Lopez, Millic
DL – Millic, Junca
DMC _ Osmar
MC Souto, Vazquez, Sayed
MR Ndi, Oliver
ML – Anaba,
ST Morales, Danilson, Nadjib, Martinez

20right now with a GK on the way perhaps – 21,

And we could slide in Gomes, ST Ortega, and such.

This is where we’re at right now.

My keys are increasing our Keeping, and then maybe somewhere else.

I begin to accept loan offers from other clubs.

I get an enquiry for a transfer for Lopez from Paris.



World Cup 2018 Finals:

Chile vs Uruguay
Argentina vs USA
Germany/Brazil va Denmark/England
Belgium/Wales bs Holland/France

[Abe Sargent]

Here are my new players drilled into:

23 years old, Oliver, M/AM RLC, ST – 13s speed, 13 cross, 18 passing, 18 first touch, technique, 17 dribbling, 13 corners, and then 9 finish, 10 free kicks, and such. Mentally he’s 19 flair, 18 vision14 teamwork, composure, anticipation, but just 9 work rate, 8 aggression, 7 bravery, and 8 positioning. He’s good at the stats you want an attacking styled middle to be good at – passings, crossing,flair, first touch, technique, vision, and such. But not a lot of ability to play outside of that role. We signed him with 17.75k, key player, for four years. Worth 4.5 mill. I see Oliver as a strong squad addition, who is currently the best one on my team and can play a lot of spots and roles in my squad like MR or ML


Oliver wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%93liver_Torres

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/%C3%93liver-Torres.jpg




DMC/DC Severrir Ingi Ingason – 16/15 speed, 13 jump, 16 head, 13 pass, 17 tackle, 14 mark, 11 tenciqhue and corners, and then 13s or higher in every key mental stat needs (Aggression, Bravery, etc). Physicals are good, and he’s at 13+ at everything other than an 11 for stamina. 15.25k/week, 2 year deal, 2.6 mill value. I see Ingason starting at DC pretty regularly


Ingason - wiki - Sverrir Ingi Ingason - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverrir_Ingi_Ingason)

Pic -

http://433.moi.is/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Sverrir-Ingi-Ingason.jpg



D RLC, WB LR, DMC Antonio Milic, 24 years old, 13s speed, 16 jump, 14 head, 12 balance and then every other non speed physical stat is 14+, technical are lower with 13 technique, tackling, 12 mark, first touch, 11 dribbl, and then solid mentals, but nothing major, like 14 bravery and workrate, and 13 aggression and positions and teamwork. A good solid rotation guy (I’ll massage his stuff later). 15.25k/week, 3 years, worth 675k, and key player.

Milic wiki - Antonio Milić - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Mili%C4%87)

http://dalmatinskiportal.hr/sadrzaj/vijesti/velika/2014-12-16-18-27-1678-.jpg




MC/AMC Ahmed Sayed – 22 years old, 15/15 speed, 16 stamina, 15 teamwork, work rate, and tons fo 14 mentals (6 stats) and then 13 visions and flair. 14 first touch, passing, 15 corners, 14btechnique, free kick 17,, long shots 15, finishing 11, dribble 13, and tackle even 12. 12.75k/week, 3 yers, key player, 2 mill value. I see Ahmed Sayed as a strong Vazquez option for the next level, and if Vaz falls short, he’s that guy. If somehow Vaz manages to do well, well, he’s 32, and won’t for too long.

Sayed - Ahmed Sayed - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Sayed) wiki, and pic:

https://images.voetbalkrant.com/full/63/63574.jpg

I still have offers out for GK Kim Seung-Gyu, ST Moschella, and I don’t think the Moschella one will work, there are offers by Real Madrid and Barcelona as well to Moshcella.

[Abe Sargent]

In the past I’ve always found that when you get promoted, some players aren’t able to deal with the uptick in talent and challenges, while others revel and flourish with it. This is particularly true when heading up to a top league like the EPL or Liga. Take this dynasty. I thought Mahmoud would be a powerful ST for me in the next level, and he wasn’t, he dropped a bit, although he was still quality, but he wasn;t there. I thought Pepe Romero would play hot, and he has the abilities, but he didn’t. I had serious doubts about Vazquez’s transition and he outplayed his year for me in the lower league two consecutive years in a row.

I have no idea which of my retained players will play well and which will disappoint. If I had to guess, I’d say that Junca and Ndi will be fine, Osmar won’t be bothered at all, Diallo will take a step back but be okay, Morales and Nadjib will be lost in the goal, Lopez will need to be benched to grow more, and Anaba/Souto aren’t going to make a major impact. But who knows? Ndi could be sucky, Osmar overwhelmed, and Diallo a rockstar. So I need to give my roster some time to congeal and test the waters. That’s my goal the first half of the season, other than add talent where it’s essential to fill holes (DC for Mosiuda, DR for Jordan) or to push myself where it’s needed (midfield, defense, goal)


I ask for, and receive permission to get another coach.

And we set up the first Melilla Trial Day!


I have these nationalities in my staff:

Spain, Portugal, Morocco, France, Cape Verde, Argentina, Turkey, Croatia, Netherlands

The more nations in your staff, the better you know that area.

So I like to bring in staff to give us a homefield advantage when it comes to scouting.

I make an offer for Brazilian scout to join us, then an Italian one and a Mexican scout

I terminate my Ass Man and make an offer to French Yves Colleu

I begin to scout out nearby folks and I come across an interesting GK talent from Morocco. I also scout out a bunch of Morroccan folks in the national squads. There are some that aren’t signed right now

Kim has signed with us

GK Kim, Seung-Gyu – GK, Korean guy, 27 years old, 2.2 mill value, 13k//week, 3 years, GK stuff – 16 aerial, communication, one on ones, handling, throwing, 15 command of area, 14 reflexes, 12 punch, passing, kicking, 11 1st touch, eccentricity, and rushing out. Physcially – 12/12 speed, 13 jump, 14 agility, 13 and balance, 12 stamina, 14 str. Mental? 12 anticipation, decisions, 17 determination, 14 positiong, 10 teamwork, work rate, 9 vision, 12 composure and concentration, and 11 leadership. So adequate mentals and physically, very technically proficient.

wiki - Kim Seung-gyu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Seung-gyu)

Pic -


http://www.o-posts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Korea-Republic-v-Belgium-Group-H-B5GYdyDu52cl.jpg

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aq-A91tsH4o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Osmar, our team captain speaks Korean, so this is a solid move for me

I like a young Korean guy on their U20 squad. I make an offer for him

I get two offers for Lopez. Real Madrid and Paris’s are taken. Yves COlleu joins us – more staff begin to follow

I make an offer to bring in David Sanchez as a U19 coach.

The Trial Day was cancelled due to a lack of interest

[Abe Sargent]

Lopez signs for 6 mill to Real Madrid

I’m done with this crap. I make an offer for Roberto Ragazzi again, the young Italian guy I’ve liked for a while, but then slid to Lopez when Bologna re-signed him. I settle on a 1 mill deal for him.

He signs:

DRC(Some L) Roberto Ragazzi, 17 years old, 5k/week, rotation, 3 year deal, 650k value, 15/14 speed, 14 jump, str, 16 stamina, 11 agi, 12 bal, 15 fitness; 15 heading, 17 marking, 12 passing, 13 tackling, 9 cross, 11 technique; 17 deter, 12 work rate, 16 teamwork, 13 leader, 14 decisions, 12 anticip, concentration, position, 11 composure, brave, flair. He’s a solid addition, I can play him at the spot Lopez is about to leave, I can drop him at DC and he’s unconvincing at DL, which I will train him to grow in. No cons – all prots.

In the World Cup Quarters, Uruguay beat Chile, Argentina beat the USA, Frane beat Belgium and England knock out Brazil.

The young Italian we were chasing, Moschella, signs with Man Utd


Yves gives us 4.5 training in Ball Control

I accept offers to loan out ST Martinez and Middle Souto in order to free up my non-EU slot. I have Morales and GK Seung-Gyu.


We are given 12.18 mill season TV rights, and then I take my expectations to avoid Relegation (not bravely) and we get a big bump in cash.

My board come to me and ask if I’d be okay with raising the salaries of staff, and I agree. They offer me more scouts and coaches too

I make an offer to one of my favorite former players ,FInidi George to be coach for us and he accepts. He’s really good too, and he adds a Nigerian element to my staff

I make an offer to a Ukrainian and USA scouts.

The board agree to fund me when working on a training course

I also like Giovani Invernizzi as a coac for me, Italian guy

I also offer to Nikola Popovic, a Serbian coach

The Korean youth I was chasing signed with AC Milan

I offer my new youthers like Said Meddour or Miguel luis out for loans.

[Abe Sargent]

I am currently swimming in cash.

We have four updates going on right now – expanded grounds, relaying pitch, improving training and youth facilities.

I set up some friendlies Our first game of the season is August 26.

I arrange friendlies wit Bilbao, Cadiz, Aston Villa, Tenerife, and Real Betis. One a week, every Sunday for 5 weeks

Since I’m swimming in cash, is there anyone else that calls to me? Someone that could really push us to the next level?

Young Striker Patrick Bamford, of Ireland, os on a free, he;s pretty good

Middie Jefferson Montero is pretty good too, and from Ecuador as well, so him and Morales would be buddies. He would need to reside in Spain and apply, hes got enough days to qualify as Spanish. 28 years old

Moroccan middle Oussama Assaidi is also free and would join us. 29 years old.

Ideally I’d bring in a striker in case either Nadjib or Morales can’t cut it at the next level. That’s Bamford. I think Morales will be okay and Nadjib will suffer. So I make an offer to the unsigned Bamford. That seems like a good guy for free.


Bamford signs. He was let go my Chelsea, he;s 24 and he’s on the Irish National Team. Key player, 19k/week for 4 years, worth 6.75 Mill, 24 years old, 14/15 speed, 14 agility, 15 stamina, strength, 13 balance, jump, 11 fitness; 15 finish, 14 1st touch, technique, penaltyies, 13 long shots, 12 dribble, cross, 11 head, pass; 12 flair, 15 anticipation, off the ball, 14 composure, decisions, work rate, 13 teamwork, vision, concentration, 12 determination, 11 positioning

So Bamford is strong. He’ll likely play up front attacking a lot and he gives me a powerful option. That’s enough signings for now.

I offer a four year extension to GK Villar with a changed hot prospect deal, instead of the rotation deal he previously had.

Some of the coaches I offered are beginning to arrive



Bamford - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Bamford

http://avillafan.com/site/wp-content/uploads/patrick-bamford.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I have a ton of cash, so what I would like to do is shop for a bargain. I check to see if any players with a high high value are listed for cheap basement bargain proices, like a 25 mill guy for 5 mill or something like that. I scout a couple that I find

Finidi George has arrive!

And my scout reports come back too. Any good Craiglist style moves I could invest in?

There’s a few:

Alex Pritchard, English, 25, midfield for TOttenham, worth 13 mill, for sale for 5.5 mill

2 year old Boscilla, Brazilian at AS Monaco, worth 11.5 mill, available fo r5.75

DM/MC Omar Masarell at West Ham, worth 7 mill, available for 5

23 year old Adama Traore at Moaco as wel, 10 mill value, 5.5 mill sale

25 year old Ravel Morrison, valued at 9.75 mill, for sale for 4.8 mill, English plays for Lazio

DM/ AM/M C Darko Brasanac, at Sportin, 26, 9.25 mill value, 5 mill sale

DWBM R DeAndre Yedlin, USA< plays for TOttenham, worth9.25 mill but available for 4.6

All of these would be interested in coming here. I left off those that aren’t. Any future Melilla folk her?

Traore is the best of the list, but he doesn’t play a position fo need – MC, AMC


Current Squad Check -

GK Seung-Gyu
DC Ibrahim Diallo
DC Ingason
DR Roberto Ragazzi
DL Junca
DMC Osmar
ML Oliver
MR Ndi
MC Vazquez/Sayed
ST Bamford
ST Morales

Others of Note – Milic, who can rotate into DL and move Junca up, and slide Oliver to MR, spell Ragazzi at DR, or run at DC
Nadjib – Who can play on the wings or ST
Anaba – Can play lots of mid spots
GK Barrio, Villar – backups
Denilson, backup DR and ST


That’s 18 key folks on my squad for sure.

Other youthers of value include ST Jesus Angel Ortega – doesn’t need to be squad assigned as a U18 EU guy

That’s not a lot fo depth. Who covers for my various internationals when they are away? Who subs in when tired, red cards, or injury? I need more depth

At DC, I have Ragazzi who can slide over, Milic, Ingason, Osmar who can slide over, and Diallo. But another option would be nice – I had four major ones last year.

At DR I can run Ragazzi, Denilson and Milic. That’s fine

At DL I have Milic and Junca. I’d like a 3rd, so a backup who can play DC and DL would be nice

At DMC I have Osmar, and Diallo, Milic can run it too. I can also move to a normal 442 if things get wonky. I’m fine


At ML I have Oliver, Junca, Nadjib, and Anaba – good coverage

At MR I have Oliver, Ndi, Anaba, and that’s it. One more would be totally fine with me, but not necessary

At MC I have Vazquez, Sayed, Ndi, Anaba, Oliver, Osmar. We’re good to go

At ST I have Bamford, Morales, and then Nadjib, Denilson, youther Ortega

If I could being in folks, we need some defensive addtiions, maybe another strong middie too. Preferably people who won’t mind not getting brought on that often, like young folks on a hot prospect deal, for example

Whoa hello phoenix. I may have a youther player, another major addition, and a strong option, all in one. But he’s another Non-EU guy. That would cap me . But he’s good.

I make an offer for Yoon Jae-Hwan, a great Korean newly generated player, with great evaluations.


Out for loan is Martinez and Souto, due to the EU rules. I could bring one or both back if needed. But If I bring in Yoon, that’s not super likely

When I scouted Yoon looking for a tag team partner for my GK he wasn’t interested. Now he would join us, according to our scouts. Maybe that’s because we have a Korean player on our club? And a Korean speaking captain?

I negotiate an offer of 2.8 mill for him

We negotiate an offer in about an hour after the offer was accepted

I loan out Martinez. I also offer him two more years with us

Uruguay defeats France ,and Argentina defeat England in the semis of the World Cup

Argentina defeats Uruguay badly (4-0) to win the 2018 World Cup!

My peops are back, and I hold my pre-season meeting with my staff.

I sign my guy. In coms Yoon Jae-Hwan

Hold onto your butts:


19 years old, Yoon, 4 caps already, plays M/AM RLC – 8.5k/week, 4 year deal, worth 2.6 mill, 15/16 speed, 15 stamina, 13 str, fitness, and 11 balance (3 jump); 13/15 cross/pass, 17 first touch, 14 technique, 13 tackl, 12 mark, dribble, 11 long shots, 10 head, 9 finishing; 17 work rate, 13 determ, 15 decisions, 16 vision, 13 concentration, composure, 12 off theball, teamwork position, anticipation, 11 flair, 10 aggression, brave.

He’s very sexy. 7 pros, just one con (The non EU things). Determined fast, versatile, suited for the league, professional, international, etc. Lots of good stuff. We think he’s a 4 star guy right now, and the potential to grow a lot more. At just 19, lots of opportunity to do precisely that. Yoon is a good, solid, addition to my squad

[Abe Sargent]

Now I’d like to find another lesser one for defense

Martinez sings our offer, followed by GK VIllar

I do a little scouting.

I found a guy to make a play for.

We agree to a 750k deal. I make an off with Dinamo in Croatia for him


He signs with us about two hours later.

After bonuses and such, it was around 900k in total for him:

19 year old Ivory Coast Guy Ouattara, DLRC, 6.5k/week, 4 years, 700k value, 14/15 speed, 18 strength, 16 balance, 15 jump, 14 fitness, 13 agility, stamina; Mental stuffs include – 18 determination, 15 work rate, positioning, brave, 14 leadership, decisions, 13 concentration, aggression, 12 composure, 11 teamwork; Tech includes 16 tack, 11 technique, 13 mark, 12 head, 12 1st touch, 12 cross,11pass, 8 dribb, not great here. Needs work. But he’s smart, physically there, and can sub in and learn the game better. Our coaches this his versatile, determined, well suited to LIGA, fast, and strong. No cons


He’s worse than Milic and Junca on the DL, 4th on rhe DC list, but good on the DR side. As an Ivorian, he counts as a Contonu Agreement player and can play without striking against the non-EU players

We spent 9.31 mill and gain 13.65 mill this season in transfers.

I tried to spend my money from Lopez/Mosiuda/Jordan well across many people

Our salary is currently:

296k, and we are spending 250k
Transfer left? 2.537 mill

We’re in the money

As of July 18, I have 15 players out for loan

I make some offers to some young players for hot prospect deals.

We are selling a ton of season tickets. Despite the 12000 seater, we only sold around 1200 tickets in the Segunda ,and that doubled in the lower level, but we are expected to sell a ton more now. That brings in some cash.


Our Cadiz friendly arrives. Cadiz are cool because we were in the same division a couple of years ago, finished 1-2, and now both of us are in the Liga at the same time. We got through the Segunda through a death gauntlet early, but then won the next league. Cadiz was the opposite winning the lower league, and then getting the death gauntlet playoffs to arrive here in just one quick year. We win 3-1. Assists by Vazquez and Sayed, scores by Junca, Diallo (IFK), MOM is Sayed off the bench.



I sign three young French youthers to hot prospect deals to flesh out my youther/B squads. Armand Combes, Bissafi Dotte,and Joris Mallet.

[Abe Sargent]

Well that sucks.

I just got news that David Vazquez has suffered a severe hip inury in training and will be out 3-4 months. I send him to a speclaist to hope and shave off some fo that.

That sucks hard

After playing in the Euro19 Championship, player of ours DR Razazzi was named in the Dream Team

The next friendly vs Real Betis is here. 2-2 draw. Scores by Oliver, assists by Ingason and Morales


End of July –

Morales the only report, and he was good

Friendly away vs Bilbao. We win 1-0, MOM was Yoon Jae-Hwan with a assist to youther Miguel Luis.


Odds are in and we aer 2000-1 favorites to win. Which I agree with, by the by I’d like to get mid-table in the 14-10 range. If I get 1 point per game average, which is one tie, one win, and two losses for every four games, we’ll be well out of relegation range.


Friendly vs Aston Villa arrives. Morales to Oliver for a score in the 25th. They score. Half. Tie game. MOM is Oliver


Squad registration time. I don’t have to sign players like Ragazzi, Miguel Luis, and such. Instead I’ll register the French trifecta I just brought in, just in case I need depth – I deregister Borja and Cascon, still on my squad on month to month deals (as is Rolon and Marco Rosa). I have the cash to keep them on their old deals and can release them anytime.

23 players on the squad submitted

Our final friendly arrives hosting Tenerife. Diallo scores in the 3rd. Half. Anaba to Nadjib for a score 66th. We win 2-0, Diallo MOM.

[Abe Sargent]

I don’t play Spanish Football .. This is my first time ever playing the Liga. I don’t know what to expect, so I’m assuming something similar to the EPL promotion. Take the money, make yourself better at a lot of spots rather than just a couple of key players, and push hard to get out of the relegation bubble. That’s what I’m trying to do here. We’ll see how well it works, after I get a feel for how my team will do. My best guess is that upgraded I’m the 15th or 14th best team in the league by talent. We’ll see

The first two goals are down, get out of the hard Segunda B, and then get to the Liga. . Now I need to stay here, and then get good enough to make European Football. Sub goal 2b is to stay in the Liga and avoid relegation.



We keep Osmar as captain and Morales as vice



Our opening day match arrives! We are away vs Desportivo. We could send a real notice to Spanish Football by winning our first game. No major changes to the squad – we are starting the folks you would expect us to start. Defensive, good luck! They score one goal in the 13th and another in the 18th. Uh oh. Not a good start. Then we settle down and play defense. We even have a pair of atatcks turend aside (easily) by Desportivo. They get two bookings. Half. Do better! Oliver with a booking. We push, but are not close to a goal, and they push back a lot. But we continue to old on. I send out Ouattara for a poorly performin Ingason, and then out goes Nadjib for Oliver’s yellow and then Denilson for Ragazzi. We keep them at bay, and then….in exrta time, Sayed finds Bamford on an attacking run for a score. We lose 2-1, which all things told, was not a bad result. MOM is Sayed. Unlucky!



We sold 9300 season tix.

[Abe Sargent]

Aug 31st is here, and it’s the final day for transactions, registrations of squads, and such.


I have a concern about the depth of my squad. This was hammered home recently when I got messasge about all of the players on my squad getting call ups for international play. Here are my current backups that aren’t injured or GKs.

DR/ST Denilson – Not great. More of a body at this level.
DMC/ D RLC Milic – A solid quality backup rotational guy.
D RLC Outtara – A solid quality backup learning guy
M RLC, AM RLC Anaba – Adeqaute backup at best
MRL, ST – Nadjib –Adequate
AM/M RLC Jae-Hwan – High quality, may end up being a major player for us.

The French youth trio I brought it for ST, DC, and DM/MC. None of them are that good for the division

I need more depth. I can’t bring in someone later to spell my weaknesses. That’s my starting 11, +2 Gk, +1 for Vazquez, + these 6 – 20 players, and the French three are at 23. (I have Rolon registered too,since I have the depth)

I have the money. I have the roster space. I have the need. I need t ooring in some depth.


My first concern is a 4th ST who’s not Denilson. I move his status from rotation to backup. My youther, Jesus Angel Ortega is at least a year from getting major play at this level.

Some players on a free have dropped their contract demands, or are interested in singing with me when they weren’t before. Say hello to Manuel Lanzini, an amazing 25 year old talent. He’d push Junca, Oliver, and Ndi and Jae-Hwan all day long. I was thinking bringing in someone who’d play nice on a hot prospect deal but dang. There he is.

What about that ST need though?

He’s old, but a one year deal to unsigned Klaas-Jan Huntelaar? This guy once had 29 goals in the First Division over at Germany. He even started for Real Madrid for a season and had a pruductive year before AC Milan purchased him. He’s 35, and sloooooow but he’s other skills are just amazing, even at that age.

I decide to chase a compromise. Someone younger than Huntellar and not as one sided in his skill set. Pablo Hernandez, 31, ST or 24 year old Alain Oyarzun. Nah, they are more middies than strikers.

Nope, he’s retiring in a month and I didn’t see it. Ah well. Oyarzun is a middle who can play the position, but I want someone who can score

I find a youther Bolivian ST for a hot prospect deal I make an offer too while looking around by the way

I make an offer to a famous older striker in the zenith of his career still wants to play at a top level from his current club for a few hundred thousand

I make that offer to Lanzini. I’m not shying away from bringing in talent, no matter who it might hurt

I massage my transfers down to raise my slary a lot so I can sign the next guy

We sign:

35 year old…..ST Robin Van Persie 1 year deal, first team, paying him 34k/week, 750k value. No matter how old he gets, dude is still Robin Van Persie. Welcome to Africa! I’ll skip him, you already know who the dude is.

Say hello to…

Manuel Lanzini – 25 years old, plays every midfield position and ST. Argentinian and Italian. Was playing for Al Jazira in UAE for a few years and just let go. This guy is possibly the best player on my team. Here I’ll show you:

Mentals – 12 Agg, Anticipation, Brave, Concentration, Teamwork; 13 – Decisions; 14 – Composure, Leadership, Work Rate, 15 – Vision, Flair, Determination, Off the ball

Technicals – 12 – Finishing, Penalties, 14 – Long shots, 15 – Cross, pass, corners; 16 – first touch, technique, free kicks, 17 dribb.

Physicals - `12 STR, 13 Fitness, stamna, 145 pace, 16 agility acceleration.

Weaknesses? Head jump of 10 and 8; tackling of 5, mak of 9, positioning 9, and balance 10.


That’s a strong player. We signed him for 27.5k/week, for four years, and he’s worth 10.5 mill.

You have to add talent like that to your club when you can.

My coaches love him, not one negative thing to say about him – He’s fits in, good player for the league, fast, versatile, determined, We like the guy a lot.


I still want a nice youther to flesh out my squad.

I register them both and de-register Rolon.

Finidi George knows of a Nigerian youther that could work for us. I order some details.

Jorge Mesa joins us, a 17 year old forward who’ll join us in January, after he turns 18. ST. Bolivian, and fun.

I offer one of my French youthers out on a loan. The worst of the lot, Joris Mallet.

I make an offer for David Ibrahim from Nigeria to join us for a few hundred thousand. He does:

MRL, AMRLC David Ibrahim, Nigerian, Hot Prospect, 3 years, 1k/week, 300k value, 17/18 speed – fastest player on my team. 15 agility, 14 balance, 14 fitness, 13 stanimia, 14 str. 10 jump/8 head. 14 cross, 13 pass, 12 first touch, 13 dribb, 12 free kicks, 11 corners, 10 technique – needs improvement here. 16 teamwork, 13 determination, vision, position 15 work rate 11 anticipation, leadership, off the ball, 12 composure, concentration, 10 flair, aggression. Solid guy now, our coaches have one con (best suited to the lower league soccer) and 5 pros (determined fits in, fast, versatile, professional) potential star rating of 4. He does not need to be registered as a youth Contonu nation counts as well as EU for purpsoes of non registration

I want to keep my other two Frenchies in, and Mallet get’s loaned. The DC one, Dotte, gets a loan offer. Hmm… My DCs are Ouattara, Ragazzi, Milic, Ingason, Diallo, Osmar, but two of those start in other roles. So I reject it to keep Dotte registered as an emergency option.

Are there any other youth hot prospect style depth targets I can find? Ibrahim is perfect for us, and I’d love to get in a better DC for example, and then loan out Dotte. There’s another interesting Nigerian youth, can play DMC and DC and MC as well. But he’s too raw technically to play in this league.

I find a Portueguese DC for Braga that I make an offer for DC and others I make an enquiry. Braga and I don’t have a meeting of the minds to him.

I scout some various DC youth and make some enquiries. I found a good one, 16 year newly generated Louis Mputu for Club Brugge in Belgium, but they want too much for him. None of the others are interested


I run into a young GK prospect from the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) I make an offer to since our youth squad could use a good one. I find a decent South African DC – not as developed as Mosiueda was, but still a solid choice for us. The offer is taken for Ntsume from RSA. I then finalize our offer for that GK as well.

Ntsume signs.

I offer DC Diotte for loan.

The GK deal falls through as the deadline hits before paperwork was formalized.

DCR Maselaelo Ntsume, hot prospect deal of 1.4k/week for 3 years, 170k value, raw, 12/13 speed, 24 jump, 13 head, 12 str, 16 fitness, 12 balance, 14 work rate, 13 determin, position, 14 decisions, 10 aggression, no other mental stuff in double digits, mark 10 tack 15, that’s it for double digit tech.

Okay, that day was good. We added a variety of depth and quality.

End of August –

Training – Good includes VIllar, Denilson and Ragazzi.




Lanzini - Manuel Lanzini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Lanzini)


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/article34117825.ece/ALTERNATES/h342/PANews_P-b16835c3-b94f-4f56-9d10-633e782c47dd_I1.jpg



Van Persie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_van_Persie


https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1448199/robin-van-persie.jpg

[law90026]

Well I have to hope you get relegated now that you signed Judas Van Persie.

[Abe Sargent]

Ill take a guy of Van Persie's class all day long :)


Sept:

September 2 – Home vs Valladoid
September 16 – Away vs Celta
September 23 – Home vs Real Madrid
September 26 – Home vs Levante
September 29 – Away vs Barcelona

I Have done my typical FM Build a Team strategy for Melilla in a few major ways, and we’ll see if it holds here.


1). Sign old players who can come in cheaply ,give you a year or two of strength and experience, and then put you in a good place. Diego Cascon, David Sanchez, and Younis Mahmoud all showed how that works. And now in the new area, a grab like Robin Van Persie. And if I didn’t have as much transfer cash from the three major sales from my squad upon promotion, I would have continued to grab some older players.
2). Aggressively push for young,hot talent, play it and develop it hard. Build a great player you could not otherwise afford. Players older like Lopez, Mosiuda, and Diallo through Ragazzi this year. Go after the great young future talent.
3). There are always some strong early 20 players who want 1st team play, are virtually developed, and ready for a major deal, and frustrated by the lack of first team play. Bringing in these players, like David Junca or Oliver on the cheap and give them what they want at the top of their path.
4). There are also usually a handful of great players for free that you can grab. Sometimes they are in the above categories (Ahmad Sayed, Ndi) and others you can find talent that really pushes your team (Morales, and hopefully Patrick Bamford).
5). Finally, when you get those four groups of players, then target a handful of players to push your team to the next level with more cash or exposure or whatever (such as GK Kim Seung-Gyu)


Game 2 home opener vs Valladoid. Good luck! A few nice moves by us early, we have the early momentum for around 12 minutes or so, before things move back to normal. Ndi crosses to Morales for a score in the 38th. Half. Don’t get complacent! We have 9 shots, 6 on target they 4 and 1. A few on target shots by them push us back. I sub in Van Persie for Bamford. We injured on of their middies. Next sub is Nadjib for a tired Oliver. Ingason a yellow. I send on Ouattara for him. Osmar finds Sayed for a score in the 88th. We win 2-0. We had a good offense 12 shots, 8 on target. MOM was Osmar. Good win!


Ahmad Sayed named in Liga Team of the Week, Osmar a sub

Outtara is injured for a week with a bruised shin

Game 3 vs Celta - I pull two players to sub in new signings. I have Junca off DL and Milic starting there and Yoon Jae-Hwan for Ndi. Pick up where you left off! I start defensive. They hit goal in the 2nd minute from a long shot. Ugly. Then on a counter in the 19then Morales is fed the ball, unselfishness feeds it to Bamford instead of taking the shot himself despite just one on one and Bamford scores. Diallo booked –what a surprise. They collect a pair of cards too. 1-1 half. Keep it up! Osmar feeds Morales for a score in the 53rd. I sub in Junca for Diallo and then swap him and Milic. I send in Lanzini for Oliver. I slide Lanzini over for a tired Sayed, and then sub in Nadjib. Yoon has been up late, lots of picks, headers, really involved. Ragazzi a yellow late. We win 2-1, and MOM is Sayed. Proud!

We have 2 wins already. Interesting. We came back after a quick goal and grew very stalwart. You can’t get better.

The planned expansion of our stadium has completed. We now have a 15k stadium. Youth facilities also increased.

Sayed in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Game 4 vs Real Madrid – Alright, auto loss woodshed time. We sold 14,300 tickets. I have Junca back at DL, and Van Persie instead of Morales, and Lanzini on the left for Oliver. Pick up where you left off! They are hammering us in the first 20 minutes. After a long time keeping them away, in the 38th, they fast scoot by the defense and win a one on one battle for a goal. 1-0 half Unlucky! Van Persie scores in the 58th. The old man still has some magic left. Lanzini isn’t playing super hot, so I send in Oliver. Milic for Diallo to give my defense some energy. I doubt we’ll finish this game 1-1, but that’d be nice. Anaba for a tired Yoon. Real Madrid come forward hard in the last five mintues. And we survive. They had 24 shots, and 13 on target, and only scored once. Nice tie Well done guys

We now have average youth facilities. I get my board to increase our youth recruitment. Barcelona are on a 39 game unbeaten streak stretching back to last year, and that’s a new Liga record. I have begun to drop some players in squad status. Some are going from key to first team, like Junca, and Ingason, and others like Ndi are moving to rotation.


Game 5 vs Levante – I move Milic to DR for Ragazzi, Morales is back in, and Oliver for Manzini on the ML spot. Good luck! Early on, Sayed passes the ball to Yoon on an attack run, and Jae-Hwan sinks it for a score in the 4th .They get a booking shortly after. They fire a shot in the top left corner of the net in the 24th for a score. Sayed yellow, then Diallo another. Half. We can still win! Another yellow for Levente. Yoon yellow. Van Persie for Bamford, Outtara for Diallo. Nadjib for Oliver. Our foes score in the 78th off a nasty cross. Uh oh. I move to control. In the 85th, yoon drives, takes a shot, pushed aside, Morales there puts it away. 2-2 tie. Whew. Unlucky!

Yoon has been looking strong. I don’t see Ndi pushing him any time soon. Vazquez is back from injury

[Abe Sargent]

Game 6 vs Barcelona – I start Van Persie and Lanzini and Ragazzi. This should be one of the hardest games on the map. It’s undoubtedly a loss. So let’s just go, get our licks in, and head home. Vengeance! I start defensive. Driving rain. 2-0 first half them. We injure Neymar. Milic for Ingason. Our foes have made all three subs by the 64th mark, so I tell my guys, with no cards, to tackle hard. Not something I normally do. But this seems appropriate. Van Persie with the best chance of the day intercepts a ball, ahas a one on one shot with their GK and can’t sink it. Outtara and Ndi head in too. We get some momentum late. But nothing doing. Game, we lsoe 2-0. Don’t worry about the result, you were unlucky

Neymar as injured for 6 weeks.


End of Sept –

Good training by Seung-Gyu, French Armand Combes, youther Miguel Uis, among others.

[Abe Sargent]

October –


Oct 5 – Away vs Getafe
Oct 19 – Home vs Real Sociedad
Oct 28 – Away vs VIllareal
Oct 31 – Home vs Cadiz

We are 8th in the Liga

If you had told me that the first full month of this season would include games against Barca and Madrid, and we would 8 points in 6 games, including a tied against Real Madrid, I’d be super mega happy.


Game 7 vs Getafe Lanzini stays in since I’m not super happy with Oliver thus far. Outtara starts for Ingason ad Morales is back in. Getafe are in 20th and have 0 points. We are predicted to win. Good luck! Lanziri crosses to Bamford for a score in the 18th. Yoon hits Morales for a score in the 42nd. Otherwise quiet first half, no bookings or anything else. Half Don’t get complacent y’all! Lanzini is injured and Oliver heads in. Van Persie followed. They get a cross in and score in the 62nd. Vaz for Sayed. Outtara with a yellow. We win 2-1. Real Jecyl and Hyde there. MOM is Yoon


Lanzini received a concussion and is out for a week

Wilson Morales ad an overhead kick that’s goal of the week

Yoon named in Team of Week subs

Anaba injured with a strained wrist for a few weeks

Milic was capped by Croatia for the first time; Yoon gets his first international goal. The press are beginning to label him a “wonderkid”

Spanish Cup sees us play Granada in the 4th round.

Game 8 vs Real Sociedad. I have Oliver start on the right with Yoon a bit tired from international play. I start Milic on the DL, and the concussion is over. Pick up where you left off! Well there is was an early momentum by them, pushed aside, but I slide to counter, even here in my own back yard. They continue to hammer us and I slide to defensive to ensure proper shape. They score a goal in the 5th minute. Osmar is booked, then Diallo. After a few more minutes, Bamford is free and scores with an assist by Sayed. Half. They’ve had a lot of pressure next, so I move to a more defensive style of play I send in Nadjib for Morales, Junca for card’ed Diallo. They foul us deep, and a FK by Sayed to Milic hits the upright, and it bounces back to Oliver who taps it in for a score. His first for us and the season. 69th minute we are now up. Our foes have been the better team thus far though, and I’m not sure about the rest of the game. Vaz for a tired Sayed. Our foes get a card. They have 23 shots, 11 on target, we had 13 and 5 They had 56% possession, 1 0 corners to our 3, better pass %, better tackles, and more. We just survived. MOM is GK Seung-Gyu.


We have a lot of points early on.

GK Seung-Gyu and Sayed were in Team of the Week

[Abe Sargent]

Game 9 vs Villarreal – I move Van Persie in. Yoon Jae-Hwan is back in. Ingason as well. Keep the run going! I begin defensive as this is an away game against one of the better teams in the league. Very quiet, no shots by either team for the first 30 minutes. Cards by Diallo and Ragazzi, and our foe another. 0-0 half. Pleased, keep it up lads! At the half they have 2 shots, 1 on target to our 1 and 0. Nadjib for Bamford. They are coming forward now and getting a ton of shots on target, like 8 and 6. Oliver in for Lanziri. We have our first major push in the late 70s and early 80s. I sub in Junca for Ragazzi. They get desperate and start taking long shots. We tie 0-0. Good job!



Game 10 vs Cadiz – I start Nadjib at ST today, Oliver for Sayed, who’s tired, and Outtara for Diallo. Dominate these folks! We know our foes, we beat them in friendlies or regular team. We can do it again today in Melilla. They get an early booking. Then another. Cards for Ingason and Outtara early too. Then they get a score and its 0-1 at the half. Play better! They come forward, and I sub in Junca. Nadjib is injured so I send in Van Persie. Then we get some push but Cadiz get a counte rand score in th e73rd. We have Junca in, and then lose 0-2. Annoying. Not good enough!


End of October –

Training? Jae-Hwan, Ouattara, and Ibrahim are the best

Morales got 2nd place for Goal of the Month

[Abe Sargent]

November


Nov 3 – Home vs Granada
Nov 10 – Away vs Sevilla
Nov 25 – Away vs Espanyol


Game 11 vs Granada – Sayed is back, Junca too, Morales as well. Vengeance! Bamford drives, slides the ball to Morales, who scores in the 30th. They get a booking. Yoon is injured a bit and I send in Ndi. Half. We are up 0-1. Don’t get complacent! They get another card posthalftime. Ingason with a yellow I send in Anaba and Milic, but they score in the 84th, and we can’t do anymore, Tie game 1-1. Unlucky!


Yoon is out for two weeks. I’ll start Ndi there.

Frenchie Mallet develops a hernia and is out for weeks
Training facilities are all upgraded. We are now Adequate

Game 12 vs Sevilla – Ndi is in. I send in Van Persie for Bamford. We are on the road today, so I am playing defensive football, at least first. Our foes score twice in the first 19 minutes, and then Lanzini gets a yellow. Van Persie gets injured in the 41st, and I send in Bamford for him. Half,do better! The 2nd half opens and they get some serious offensive pushes, but nothing follows, and then some more A time fades. I send in Oliver for the card-ded Lanzini. Sevilla almost allow a counter attack by Morales to sink down but push it aside. I send in Milic for Ingason, but nothing else happens, and we lose 2-0 . Can’t fault you for effort!


Van Persie is out for 2-3 weeks with a damaged foot

[Abe Sargent]

A lot of these big two week breaks are due to international football. I get some good training reports from folks like Yoon and Outtara. Nadjib back from injury.


Game 13 vs Espanyol – Morales and Bamford start, Espanyol have been on a massive losing streak and are down at 16th. Despite the fact that we are away, we are expected to be competitive and perhaps even win. Starters include Diallo, Yoon. Show everyone what you can do!!!! Ingason yellow card in the first 10 minutes. Yoon grabs a card too, about 12 minutes later. Our foe has all of the early momentum and it’s all we can do to just push the attacks aside. Quiet later, but then we get a corner, and Sayed kicks the ball to Ingason, who is pushed back and out of position, so he slips it to Lanzini, who scores. Half. Dot get complacent, we are not winning statistically. Osmar is banged up ,I slide Diallo to his spot, and then send in Milic. We have some pressure soon for around 10 minutes. Diallo booked. I send in Anaba for Jae-Hwan and Denilson for Morales Then our foes sore in the 85th to tie it up. Suspicions o offsides, but it happens. Then then score again in extra time to pull out the win. We lose 2-1, MOM is Lanzini. I’m not happy ith that!


Diallo has too many yellows and sits the next match.

Lanzini named in the subs of the Week’s Team

We started hot, and have cooled off

Van Persie is back from injury’

End of November

Training of value by Denilson, David Ibrahim and others

[Abe Sargent]

December

Dec 2 – Home vs Malaga
Dec 5 – Home vs Granada ,Spanish Cup
Dec 8 – Home vs Valencia
Dec 16 – Away vs Athletico
Dec 19 – Away vs Granada, Spanish Cup
Dec 23 – Away vs Osasuna


We are 12th in the Liga right now


Game 14 vs Malaga. Malaga just fired their HC and are without a manager. Ouattara starts today, and I have Oliver in as well. For the fans!! Yoon Kae-Hwan drives, jukes a player, drives the box, and then passes to Bamford for a score in the 23rd. Yoon drives, takes a shot, and it’s pushed aside for a corer a couple of minutes later. Sayed lifts that corner and hits Ingason for a score. His first for the club. Pressure on them in the 40th results in an OG for us. Junca crosses a nasty ball to open it up. Keep it up! Sayed finds Morales for a score in the 48th. I sub in youther David Ibrahim for Jae-Hwan. Let’s give him some action. Anaba for Oliver. As of the 80th minute, we have 14 shots, 8 on target, they have 10 and 0. That’s their major issue today. They finally crack the code in the 83rd. Denilson for Ragazzi. We win 4-1. MOM is Sayed. Really special!

Did you know that Ibrahim has been labeled the next Finidi George?

Four of my players in Team of Week – Ingason, Ragazzi, Junca, and Jae-Hwan.


Cup Day. I am moving Oliver to ST across from Bamford. I want to see what he can do there, Lanzizni on the ML spot. Pick up from where you left off! Lanzini crosses to Bamford for a score in the 13th. Oliver is banged up a bit and I send in Nadjib. Half. 1-0 us, and let’s not get complacent out there! Junca drives, crosses across the pitch to Jae-Hwan, who scores in the 52nd. We are lethal in front of goal right now, 7 shots, 6 ion target. Sayed intercepts the ball, finds Lanzini on the side driving, who dribbles a bit, crosses to Bamford for another score in the 61st. Milic in for a tired Osmar, but before he leaves, he scores, Sayed found him for a score. Sayed is tired. I send in Ndi, and then swap Ndi and Jae-Hwan. We finish with 12 shots, 10 on target, and they with 7 and 0. We win 4-0. MOM is Bamford. Very happy!


Oliver is out for 3 weeks with a calf strain




Malaga offer me an interview. I decide to accept. I usually just decline job interviews when they pop up. But the one time I was in an interview, I was able to negotiate with my board to pull out for renovations to our facilities. Can I do the same here?

[Abe Sargent]

Game 15 vs Valencia. I start Van Persie, Diallo and Morales, Ndi and Milic. Valencia is a heavy team. We need some luck for today’s match….so GOOD LUCK OUT THERE TODAY! Yay you! They score a wonder goal in the 17th, but then not a lot of follow through. Just 3 shots, and 2 by us in the half. Quiet. Unlucky! They grab bookings earlier in the 2nd half, and then I sub in Nadjib for Morales, Ibrahim for Jae-Kwan, and then Outtara for Ingason. In the 87th minute after a counter drive, we score!!! Waived offsides. Doh! We’ve had shots. 7 shots, 5 on target to their 10 and 4. We’ve been in this game. But we lose 1-0. Ah well. Unlucky boys!

The next day, Melilla Board come to me and request that I enter into talks with them. They don’t want to upgrade the training facilities, and I tell them that I can’t see myself staying here without improvements there. They relent. The same with youth facilities. They agree after I threaten them. I take the two improvements, and then agree to withdraw. The new facilities will be finished around 10 months from now.

That worked perfectly.

GK Seung-Gyu in Team of Week

I get a great training report on Jae-Hwan

Morales breaks down in training with a hernia. He’s out for 5-6 weeks.


I have Van Persie mentor David Ibrahim, the “next Finidi George.”


Game 16 vs Atletico. Atletico Bilbao are in 6th place, and we are not favorites on the road against them in Julio’s former club. Bamford and Nadjib are starting in the ST spots. Sayed back at MC, Milic for Ragazzi on the DR, and Junca in. With injuries to both Oliver and Morales that play ST< I move some folks around on my bench. Good luck! Yellow by Osmar early and he’s banged a bit I Send in Denlison. Diallo gives away a PK in the 38th, and they score . 1-0 half. Unlucky! They score again in the 63rd. I send in David Ibrahim and Frenchie ST Combes to replace Nadjib and Lanzini, both with bookings. In the 85th, Yoon intercepts the ball and scores. But that’s it and we lose 2-1 Not too bad.

[Abe Sargent]

Cup Game #2 - I move Van Persie into the lineup for Nadjib . We re winning but it’s just half, don’t let the lead slip! Cross to Bamford, scores in the 8th, and then inspiration strikes. They have a shot fired from about 40 yards away, just past the circle at he half way mark and it hits home hard. It’s just incredible stuff. They get another score, 2-1 half. Yoon sinks it from a Bamford pass in the 54th. I send in Ouattara, Ibrahim, and Ndi. Osmar finds Bamford for a score in the 69th. They had more shots 22 with 7 on target, we had 14 with 10 on target, so we were more lethal. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Good win! We win 7-2 on aggregate.

I get a good training report on David Ibrahim.

Game 17 vs Osasuna – We keep most of my starters. Ahmad Sayed is tired from the last match, and I rest him, playing Ndi. I start Ouattara for Ingason. Today is Junca’s 100th appearance for the team. Pick up from where you left off! Quiet first half, until two bookings for them and Milic for us in the 30s result. Each team subsequently has a sure that’s pushed aside. You can still win this one! Van Persie finds Lanzini driving, and then he unselfishly feeds Bamford for a score in the 49th. Then Ndi gets a red for a hard, two footed tackle in the 53rd. That’s not normally his style. I sub in Ibraham for Van Persie, move him to Ndi’s spot, and ten leave Bamford all alone out there. Osasuna, who have not been in this match at all are now moving forward hard. Ingason heads in for a tired Osmar. Denilson for Milic who has a card and is tired too. We hold on and……win 1-0. MOM is Lanzini. Close. Reall special.

It’s good that we win, but that’s unaccept. I warn Ndi.


We finish the first few months of Liga play at 12th. Not bad. 22 points in 17 games.

[Abe Sargent]

Now, is there anyone with an expiring contract I’d like to look at bringing in?

Let’s do an analysis of my squad:

GK Seung-Gyu – 6.94 rating, solid, 19 apps,

DC Ingason – 6.81 rating for Liga, 14 starts, 1 sub, and 4 yellows. Not great.

DC Ouattara – 6.94 ratig, 8 starts, 6 subs

DC Diallo – 15 apps, 6.87

DCRL Millic – 15 apps, 6.81

DR Ragazzi – 15 and 7.01 rating.

DL/ML Junca – 7.06 rating, 18 apps

DMC Osmar – 19 and 7.33

MR Jae-Hawn – 15 and 7.61 rating

ML Lanzini – 15 and 7.22

MC Sayed – 16 and 7.89

M/ST Oliver – 12 and 7.07

ST Bamford – 18 and 7.24

ST Van Persie – 11 and 6.95

ST Morales – 11 and 7.15

Nadjib – 10 and 6.79
Ndi 9 and 6.85

Others don’t have enough games to count

The idea fo Vaz coming in and trying in the MC is gone due to injury and Sayed doing very Vazquez things. I said before, he strikes me as young Egyptian Vazquez.

So the middies are fine, and I’m okay with my attackers as well. But that defense, ugh. And they have the right stuff. Ingason? Good player for most Liga sides. Enjoys big matches. Consistent. Brave. Team player. Diallo is Good player for most Liga sides too, determined, enjoys big matches, consistent, good potential. Milic is good player for Liga. Ouattara is well suited to Liga. All are good, quality players. My African internationals – Diallo for Mali and Ouattara for Ivory Coast are both rated as high potential folks. All are good.

But they aren’t playing hotly. Ragazzi is, he’s young at 18, is well suited to Liga already, has a solid rating, and is supposedly rocking a high potential in the future.

I expected Junca and Osmar to make successful transitions, and they did. Both are fine. Probably my best acquisitions were Ragazzi, Jae-Hwan, Bamford, Sayed, and Lanzini. Ingason is not looking like a good addition thus far based on match play, he’s good on paper. We’ll see how things develop



Often times I use this upcoming window to bring in a lot of talent, like Mahmoud, Ndi, Osmar, Anaba, and Nadjib. I don’t see it for the future though at DC and there aren’t a lot of top level talent folks coming free soon. Maybe a youth or two.

Nadjib is now comfortable using his weak foot

Oliver back from injury

Ndi is banned three games for his foul

29 Dec – Today is the day you can start making offers to players that have 6 months to go on their deals. Is there anyone out there I like enough to bring in? Oh yeah, a young Osmar option at DMC< 21 year old English Lewis Clark is very interesting. I make him an offer. We love him. He plays for Leeds. He would take about 15 mill to unplug from them. Can I steal him for free? Osmar would be 31 by the end of the year, so bringing in a young DMC to compete and push him and ensure coverage does make a lot of sense. Our scouts have Clark ar fitting into our squad, resolute, versatile good team player, etc.


Anyone else who just sells me? A studly Striker? An awesome DC? Someone who’ll push me hard? No major DCs that seem like a good improvement on my current squad. ST? Not anyone that just sells me. Anyone else.? Not really. Cook is the best option.



Major contracts of ours that are up soon:

ST Van Persie
DC Diallo
Nadjib
Vazquez
GK Barrio


Bunch of youthers like Gomes and Jose Migual.

I make an offer to extend Diallo. He’s been a relative rock for us, and grown considerably over the last few years, and he’s just 22. I lock him in for 4 years at 8.75kweek.

We’ll let Vaz and Van Persie go. They are both older and expendable. I haven’t seen enough from Nadjib yet to sell me for another deal

Another strong South Korean youther has been let go and is available on a free, Yoon Dong-Hyuk.19 years old, and he always has been internationally capped. I make the lad an offer.


End of December and 2018



Good training? Osmar, Ouattara, Ibrahim

World Golden Ball Winners were Messi, Paulo Dybala of Juventus and Sergio Aguero of Man Utd. He got the World Player o fthe Year Award

And……get ready….Our first major award….


Asian Footballer of the Year Award is given to Yoon Jae-Hwan, of Melilla!

Second was the Iraqi player for Sunderland Yaser Kasim, 27 years old; and then 30 year old Lee Seung-Gi of South Korea for Persepolis. That is awesome.

I speak with my guy.

GK Seung-Gyu is named in Asian All-Star Xi


Daniel Ndi won 3rd place for African Midfielder of the Year

Ahmed Sayed got 2nd

[Abe Sargent]

January –

Jan 6 – Home vs Atletico Madrid
Jan 9 – Home vs Sevillla, Spanish Cup
Jan 13 – Home vs Eibarr
Jan 16 – Away vs Sevilla, SC
Jan 20 – Home vs Desportivo
Jan 27 – Away vs Valladolid

We are 12th in the Liga right now

Cook approves of the deal, signs, and we confirm it. He’ll be joining us next year!

He’s a good signing. That’s high quality.

I get an offer from my board to reaffirm our goals, or to move to something else. I confirm my earlier stuff, we could see another change of form. And we get some extra cash for transfer and salary.

Say hello to:

ST, AMC/MC Yoon Dong-Hyuk, South Korean, 19 years old, 13,500k/week, hot prospect, 4 years, 1.3 mill value, There’s strong value there. Report has him at versatile, fast, well suited to this league, balanced and normal, fits in, good at both feet, good run of form, fast – 17/16 speed, 14 str and agility, 15 balance, fitness, stamina; 16 dribbling, 15 finishing, 14 head, 13 technique, passing, first touch, 11 long shots; 17 flair, work rate, 16 composure, 15 anticipation,leadership, 14 determin, off the ball, 13 teamwork, decisions, 12 aggression, vision, 11 concentration, brave, 9 position.

Smart and savvy, physically gifted, talented in skills like finishing already, our scouts rate him for Liga already. The obvious issue is here – I can’t run 4 non-EU folks. Now, while I can I deregister Morales since he’s injured and we’ll run out Dong’Hyuk to see what we have for a few games he’s match fit already

Diallo signs the deal. I get some loan offers for David Ibrahim but I’m not really interested right now as I have Van Persie mentoring him. Never mind. The Asian Nations Cup is going on right now, so now Dong’Hyuk. Next game. Ah well.


Game 18 vs A. Madrid. They are currently 1st in the Liga. Tough. But at least we’ll have them here at home. Starting for us is GK Ivan Villar, Oliver on the right wing, and Ragazzi is back in for Milic. Pick up where you left off! They tackle, foul, get a yellow card, and Van Persie sinks a PK in the 2nd minute. The GK guessed right, but Van Persie’s shot was so strong it overpowered him. They get another card. Lots of pressure follows. We hold, and we are up 1-0 at the half. Good jorb, but on;t et complacent. They fiinally crack goal in the 50th. RAGAZZI BOOKED. I sub in Milic, nd Nadjib for a very-poor Oliver. Junca yellow. They crack goal in the 81st. I put in Ingason. Ouattara booked. They score again the 87th. Grr. Then in extra time, Sayed lofts the ball to Bamford who forwards it to Van Persie, fires and scores. We lose 3-2. Can’t fault your effort! Van Persie is MOM

Van Persie in Team of Week

The young Bolivan Striker Jorge Mesa we signed earlier arrives.

5th Round Cup – Sevilla – I have a lot of internationals out for the game today. In the game are Oliver at MC, David Ibrahim at MR, Ingason and Milic at DC, and an odd set of players on the bench . Basically my African internationals are out for the African Cup. Vengeance! They score in the 8th. But then we sort of shore up defense for a while in the 26th, Lanzini is fed the ball by Oliver and scores. Now we ae pushing forward. We’re winning the stats, but still 1-1 at the half. They had just 4 shots, 1 on target, we are at 9 and 4. We can win tonight! On a FK, Van Persie finds Osmar who feeds to Milic for a score, his first ever for us. I send in Nadjib for Bamford. Ingason with the game’s first yellow. Remember my South African hot prospect DC guy? I send him in, Ntsume, for Ingason. Junca a yellow. Oliver another. Anaba for Lanzini. We win 2-1, very respectable considering.


Their manager doesn’t “like how we played to get back into the match”

Julio Rodriguez Salgado, aka me, finished the next level of coaching qualifications.

I offer ST Combes for loan

Game 19 vs Elbar – We are favored for today’s match. I make no changes from the Cup match. We’re rocking more folks gone. Pick up where you left off! Pretty quiet early. Our best shot rebounds off the bar and away from everyone else. We’re had shots and pressure, but no cracking the egg. Miic with a booking. Then Van Persie is given the ball, sends it to his left to a driving Lanzini for a goal just before half. Don’t get complacent! Ntume for Milic. Vaz for Oliver. Nadjib for Bamford. They score in the 89th minute to tie the game! Oh noes! Ten in extra time, Lanzini drives, fires the ball to David Ibrahim, who scores. His first goal of his Melilla career! We win, MOM is Lanzini, 2-1. Good win!


I hand out some rests to prepare for our next match, soon thereafter

Lanzini and Van Persie in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

5th Round Cup, Game 2 – Sevilla – no changes to the lineup. We’re pretty weak right now. You can do this! We start defensive! They get an early booking. They have early momentum and pushes. AN early thrust by us is turned aside. More give and take, long shots, nothing doing or sinking follows. Then they collect a second booking for one of their guys, and now they are down to ten. 0-0 half. Don’t get complacent! OSmar finds Lanzini for a score ein the 53rd. That’s going to be pretty hard to finish. They et a goal in the 59th. Then they get another person sent off. We have no cards, but I tell my guys to tackle light anyways. Oliver finds Van Persie in the 69th. I send in Nadjib, Anaba. They sink a DFK. Ntsume for a tired Osmar. 2-2 tie here, 4-3 aggregate. We make it to the Cup Quarter Finals vs Getafe. MOM is Oliver

I again hand out the rests

Game 20 vs Desportivo - Morales is back from injury, but he’s too tired for this game. No major changes for this game with my squad, but I do massage my backups. Pick up where you left off! Ragazzi crosses to Bamford for a score in the 25th. Half – no getting complacent out there lads! Ingason first yellow of the match. David Ibrahim booked. I send in midflieder youther Miguel Luis for Oliver. Ntsume for Ingason. They fire a long shot late that hits. Nadjib heads in. Driving, Ibrahim fires and hits Lanzini for a score. 2-2 tie. I’m not happy with that!


Ingason is banned for a game


Sayed adapts his game to central dribbling


Away vs Getafe, Spanish Cup – Morales is back in the lineup. Van Persie gets a rest. Good luck! We allow THREE goals in the first half. Crazy. Then I begin to make soume subs for Ntsume for Ingason and new Bolivian Striker Mesa for a tired Morales. Then in the 71st, Ibrahim finds Bamford for a score. Then Lanzini rushes for a score in the 78th and it’s suddenly a different game. Then Ibrahim crosses to Mesa and he scores in the 83rd and he scored on his debut from the bench. I sub in Luis for Oliver. 3-3 tie. That’s pretty interesting That’s a brilliant salvaging, and we got 3 away goals, so all we have to do is tie at home and the away goal rule likely sends us on.

Go Bolivia

[Abe Sargent]

Game 21 vs Real Valladolid – Today Ingason is out, so I am dropping Osmar to DC and running Oliver at DMC, who I’ve been training to upgrade there. We have Vazquez in there. Although this is an away game, they are 20th, and we are favored. Good luck! Morales finds the ball, passes to Lanzini attacking and he scores in the 29th. Half. Not complacency! Vazquez takes a knock and I send in Anaba . Van Persie for Bamford. Nabjib for Ibrahim. We win 1-0!


I hand out rests again

Milic named in Team of Week

I loan out DC Dotte. Real Oviedo have made an offer to Nadjib at the end of this deal. That’s fine with me. I don’t fight it, and it goes though

Home vs Getafe, Cup – No major news today. I’m keeping much of the same squad as before, although Ingason is back from his too-many-yellows. Impress everyone! LAnzini finds Bamford for a score early in the 15th, but then it’s pretty quiet four around 25 minutes, the last part of the half saw Getafe move forward hard but to no avail. Half. Keep it up! They rocket back and score in the 56thI sub in Matthew Adelson, an Australian guy, for Junca on the DL. Bolivian striker for an underwhelming Morales. Bamford nice pass to Lanzini who drives, finds ST Mesa, who scores in te 78th. Final sub is Anaba for Ibrahim. They score off a corner in the 86th. They score again in extra time and knock us out 6-5. Not good enough!


End of January –

Training –

GK Villar, Ingaso, and Van Persie.

[Abe Sargent]

February –


Feb 4 Home s Celta 4th
Feb 9 – Away vs Real Madrid 3rd
Feb 17 – Home vs Barcelona 2nd
Feb 22 - Away vs Levante 25

We are 9th in the liga, but we have a nasty three-game streak against the heavies


Game 22 vs #4 Celta. Ndi is back from suspensions. Unless their nation advanced deeply, my African internationals are back. Ouattara is starting for Ingason, and the Asian cup is over for Korean folks, so I have my GK, Jae-Hwan, but Sayed is still with Egypt, they advanced. Good luck! Morales passes to Osmar and he goes to hit Oliver, but they do a back pass, but Oliver is faster, runs on it, and scores in the 13th. . Lanzini booked. They fire and score in the 22nd. Lanzini crosses to Bamford for a score in the 41st. 2-1 half, us. Keep it up! They push aside two attacks by us. Van Persie heads in for Morales, and then I pull the carded Lazini for Ibrahim. Oliver sets up Van Persie for a score in the 77th. Ntsume in for Ragazzi. Yoon Jae-Hwan with a card. We win 3-1, MOM is Oliver. Good win!

Getting 3 points from this run of three games is great.

Van Persie’s long shot was Goal of the Week, Ouattara and Olvier in Team of the Week

Milic is injured ad out for 2 weeks in training


Game 23 vs Real Madrid. Diallo starts for Milic and Sayed is back at the MC spot. We tied R. Madrid earlier this year in our place. I don’t expect getting a point this time it’s a major gauntlet. Pick up where you left off! Yoon drives, finds Morales on an attacking run off a counter, and he slides it over to Bamford for a score. At the half, they have 11 shots, 2 on target, and have been uneven in attack, we have 9 and 4. Keep it up! No bookings, all quiet. They begin to move forward hard. Ingason for an underwhelming DIallo. Ndi in next. Lanzini is tired, Anaba heads in. We hold on to win, 1-0. Real Madid wasted a ton of shots – 26 shots, 7 on target. We had 14 and 7. Good job!

Winning 6 points in that gauntlet is just unspeakably crazy. That was just R Madrid’s 3rd loss of the year.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 24 vs Barcelona – We are actually expected to win this match. We are 6th, they are 3rd. We haven’t dropped a game in a while, Barca have lost 4 of 5. Plus we’re home as well. I rotate in Van Persie. Vengeance! Sayed to Bamford on a IFK for a score in the 21st. Jae-Hwan banged up and Oliver heads in. Half. Don’t get complacent! Junca card for fouling Messi. We injure Aleix Vidal on their team. I sub in Ibrahim for Lanzini. To give me a little more enrgy late I sub in Ntsume for Ragazzi. Barca also are wasting shots – 22 and 5 on target. We have not a lot better 11 and 3. We win 1-0. MOM is Sayed.

We just ran that gauntlet hard.

Jae-Hwan is out for a week ith a bruised thigh

I get a job offer over in France for Lille. No thanks.

Ouattara and Sayed in Team of the Week

Game 25 vs Levante – Watch me lose today’s game.  Ndi in for Jae-Hwan. I leave in Van Persie. Keep up the run! Lanzini finds Van Persie, who slides the ball to Bamford on an attacking run, score in the 4th minute. They have two ajor surges to no avail. They are pushing, so the fact we are up at the half is very interesting. Today, we’ve been the team wasting shots and have 10 shots, 2 on target, and they 9and 6. Keep it up! The break away and have a one on one shot, but we win that battle. I send in Oliver for Van Persie. Vaz for a tired Sayed. They score in the 85th, waived offsides. I send in Ntume for Junca. And there’s another 1-0 win. MOM is Sayed. Well done.

It’s been 319 minuts since GK Sueng-Gyu allowed a goal.

Who would have thought we’d run the table in February?

Milic back from injury

Link up between Rosa and Morales finished. Rosa gained a bit.

Younter Miguel Luis is upset at the lack of play

End of February –

Training? - Good by Luis, Lanzini, Irbahim

[Abe Sargent]

March –

March 2 – Home vs Getafe
March 6 – Away vs Real Sociedad
March 10 – Home vs Villareal
March 17th – Away vs Cadiz
March 24 – Away vs Granada


We are in 5th in the Liga – Considering last month, you can see why


Game 26 vs Getafe – Jae-Hwan is back, Milic too. Milic starts for Junca. Morales back in. We owe these guys! I begin controlling. Lanzini scores in the 5th after grabbing a loose ball. Bamford finds Jae-Hwan for a score. Sayed gets a yellow. All before the 10 minute mark! Then things shift, they pull forward, and I ease back to standard. Half. Keep it up! Jae-Hwan a card. I send in Oliver for him. Vaz in for the carded Sayed. Ndi for Lanzini. (I swap him and Oliver). We win 2-0, MOM is Ragazzi. Good win.


That was the Vaz’s 200th game for Melilla.

Ragazzi in Team of Week

Game 27 vs Real Sociedad. Junca back, I start Oliver in ST. I want to see what he can do there, and see if that really pushes my scoring potential. I can’t rely on too many 1-0 wins. Here we go – keep the run going folks! Snowing! Not how I was hoping thing’d start, they get a score in the 3rd minute. Another follows in the 17th. Half. Unlucky? Corner sinks in the 47th Ragazzi booked. Bamford shoots, rebounded, Oliver finishes. Milic for Ragazzi. Ingason for Diallo, and then Ndi for Lanzini. We lose 3-1. Well the run couldn’t last forever, and it went on a long time. Far from pleased with that!

Morales has declined in ability, according to my coaches. Bruno Souto is now Spanish


Game 28 vs Villarreal. I move in Ingason for Diallo, Good Luck! They clear the ball from a cross to Bamford, and Ragazzi hoofs it to Osmar. He fires a long shot that sinks in the 23rd. Junca gives away a penalty in the 38th. They score. Sayed finds Lanzini on an attack run deep, hits him, and scores. Half. Keep it up! They score in the 49th. All even. Another goal follows. Have to reset my defense they are sucking. In heads Diallo, and Milic for a sucky Junca. Then Bamford scores in the 83rd. KLAte cards like Diallo, Lanzini, and Sayed, all in the last ten minue.s MOM to Osmar, 3-3 tie. Unlucky?

Osmar’s long shot is Liga Goal of the Week

I go to the board and they agree to increase our youth recruitment network.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 29 vs Cadiz. Milic starts for Junca. Cadiz are 16th right now. Sayed booked early. Two follow for them, Lots of wasted momentum as such. We aren’t hitting any shots. We’re losing every stat at the half, but no one has broken momentum. You need to do better! I change up some folks and tactics, keep it up, send in Junca Ibrahim, others, but nothing. They finally score in the 74th.. In an eerie irony of some of our recent wins, we lose 1-0, and wasted a lot of our shots (were were 2 on target of 13 attempts) . Need to do better!

Now they good thing about losing to Cadiz is that we do give them 3 points to help them stay up. Cadiz have made it to the Liga a few times, and usually dropped right back down. Once they were up for aroud 6-7 years, and they wre nicknamed the Yellow Submarine (their color is yellow) They would b in the back three most of the year hard, and then an impressive run on form in the last handful of games would see them rise just above relegation – they were finished 17th, 15th 17th, stuff like that. Eventually they hit relegation.

As of today, Cadiz has more yellows in the Liga than anyone ever before.

GK Barrio is injured for 6-7 weeks with a broken finger

Game 30 vs Granada - Sayed is banned next game for yellows. I slide over Oliver and Yoon is out for U23 International play. Ndi is in. I move Morales back in the ST spot . Oliver didn’t impress there. You can win today! Ndi crosses to Morales for a score in the 16th On a corner, Ouattara gest the ball and scores. His first ever for us, assist by Morales. Half. Keep it up! They foul Ndi in the box and Bamford sinks a PK in the 53rd. I send in David Ibrahim and Vazquez. Granada have 3 yellows, we don’t have any. I send in Miguel Luis for Osmar. They have a counter drive and cross and score in the 84th. We win 3-1. MOM is Ndi. Good job!

For the first time, the media used the description Wonderkid to refer to Guy Ouattara, the Ivorian I have. I knew Ragazzi probably was last year when I scouted him, and he was interested in coming to our club, but his own, Bologna offered him a sweet deal, even though I was offering more. A year later, my deal was a lot better looking – We’ll triple your money, and start you in the Liga. That’s pretty good compared to the slow development that may have happened elsewhere. So I can understand why Ragazzi accepted my offer.


Milic adapts his game to shorter passing

Diallo is Team of the Week

I have a lot of internationals heading out.


Our youth candidates arrive. We have a few with solid potentials. No major wonderkids or anything. There’s no Hernani Costa, Joao Luis Rodrigues or even Jorge Agra (three major players who came through my youth system in Madeira in my previous dynasty).

The best is likely middie Lorenzo Castillo, with middie Mohamed, winger Jesus Angel Castillo pretty solid potentials. Spain is not a big country, and folks brag behind the scenes of major folks they brought in, so I scout a few out.

I sign 9 of those folks


End of March –

Training of Quality – Ragazzi, Jae-Hwan, Ouattara

[bbgunn]

Very nice run in which you beat both Real and Barca!

[Abe Sargent]

I know, it's was epic!

[Abe Sargent]

April –


April 6 – Home vs Sevilla
April 10 – Away vs Espanyol
April 13 – Away vs Malaga
April 21 – Away vs Valencia
April 28 – Home vs Atletic Bilbao

We are 5th

Osmar’s goal was 3rd best of March

I hook up Junca with a mentoring with Ouattara.



Game 31 vs Sevilla. Sayed back from the ban . Ingason in for Diallo. Jae-Hwan back in. Pick up where you all left off! Quiet for the first 25 minutes, and then they cross a delightful ball between our defenders ,Milic misses a tackle, and then they score in the 33rd. Half. Not good enough! 25 more minutes ebb. I try control, I don’t know. No shots on target ,- we have 16 shots, 2 on target, and no changes I make tactically seem to change that. . SO I sub in Van Persie for Morales, Junca in for Milic. Nothing happens. We lose 1-0, and MOM is Oliver. That’s not an acceptable performance



Game 32 vs Espanyol. Ouattara is tired from the last match, so I move Diallo in. Van Persie in for Morales. Vengeance!!!! Lanzini picks up an injury in the 11th and they are carded for the tackle. I send in Oliver. After little happens, I move to controlling. Espanyol two more cards. Then they foul us in the box and…They blocked Van Persie’s PK. They injure Sayed in the 43rd. I send in Ndi and swap him and Jae-Hwan. Half. We can still win this one! 62nd minute and Osmar is injured and I send in Vazquez. Ingason with a yellow. Booking by Ragazzi. We are tied 0-0 . Osmar was MOM. I’m not happy with that!


Sayed – Bruised Shin, bacm in a week
Osmar – Chest Injured, out for 2 weeks
Lanzini – Thigh Strain, out foro 2 weeks
Ragazzi reaches yellow card limit

[Abe Sargent]

Game 33 vs Malaga – We are starting Ndi, Ouattara, Oliver, Milic and Junca in the full back spots, Good luck! In addition to defensive, I begin with retain possession. They get a cross and score in the 16th. We get no attacks at all. No shots in the first 30 minutes, until things begin to open up later. Half. Unlucky! Milic booked after. I try to distract and disrupt their game and move to tight marking and such. No major offenses for a while, but nothing’s happens for us either. Hmm. IS end in Ntsume for Milic and Morales for Van Persie. Junca booked . Nadjib for Ndi. We lose 1-0. Unlucky!

Jae-Hwan is now able to switch the ball from one flank to the other.

I get great comments on Ouattara in training and such – he’s supposedly gotten a lot better in the last few months.

Game 34 vs Valencia. They are 4th. We are not in good form right now so we are not expected to win today’s game on the road. Ragazzi back in. Sayed’s injury is completed. Ndi back on the bench. Morales in for Van Persie. Good luck! (I get a phone call, work the game while I’m on the phone, but have no in-game updates. Sorry) . 0-0 draw, cards to Vazquez, Junca, Sayed.

Morales injured and out for week with a bruised shin


One of my youths Juan Luis, is coming back late from a bar the night before a youth match, and I issue a warning for unprofessional behavior.



Game 35 vs Alethic Bilbao – Junca is banned with too many yellows, Milic starts. Van Persie starting too. OSmar and Lanzini back from injury. Vengeance! We have an early push, nothing, and then they get a booking. Nothing. Another falls their way. Nothing. We push and get three corners, nothing. Half. Keep it up, you can win! As we open up, Lanzini is driving, fires a shot to Bamford, and he puts it away hard. No major pressure follow, and a bunch of time just ebbed. Denilson heads in for Ragazzi. Lanzini feeds Van Persie after getting a nasty deep pass from Sayed to set them up in the 69th. I send in Ndi. Ntsume for Diallo MOM is Lanzini and we win 2-0. Nicely done.

That win puts us back into EURO contention at 6th place.


GK Barrio and Morales are back from their respective injuries



End of April –

Good training – Ouattara, Ibrahim, Dong-Hyuk

[Abe Sargent]

May –

May 5 – Away vs Atletico Madrid. #1
May 12 – Home vs Osasuna
May 26 – Away vs Elbar

We are 6th right now

Top three Liga teams make the Champions Cup Group Stage. #4 team gets in the Playoff. 5 and 6 make the EURO Group Stage. 7 gets the Qualifying Rounds. Right now we are in the EURO stage.

We’ll be letting Vazquez, Barrio, Van Persie, and Nadjb go at the end of the season.

I’m also considering transferring and moving Morales, but we’ll talk of that later.



Game 36 vs A. Madrid. We are not expected to win this one. Keep up where you left off last time! They score in the 7th and 9th minutes. Half. I send in Ingason, Morales, and Oliver, but nothing happens. They get an epic amount of cards, nothing happens. We can’t punch ourselves, and they just eased off the gas after those scores. 2-0 loss.


I get an offer for youther Miguel Luis from Tottenham for 750k and I accept. He’s on his way.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 37 vs Osasuna. Morales is back in. Junca as well. Ragazzi runs down the pike, crosses deep to Sayed, and he scores in the 17th. We get some pressure here, but nothing too bad. No cards for us, they have one, and they have barely been in the game thus far. Don’t get complacent. They begin to liven up over the first ten minutes of the next half, but nothing too much, Sayed a bit banged up and I send in Ndi. Ibrahim for Lanzini. They clatter Yoon in the box and her steps up Morales and PK sinks in the 82nd Ingason for Ouattara. We win 2-0 MOM is Sayed.


Eibar are relegated. Real Valladolid as well.


That was Osmar’s 100th game for us

One game left.


5 – Celta, 57 points
6 – Melilla – 56 points
7 – Villlarreal – 56 points
8 – Levante – 54

We could get as high as 5th, or as low as 8th, based on the various results of the final match


Oh, and by the way, in case you care (I do!) Cadiz are guaranteed of not getting relegated, 4 points about the drop zone at #16.


Ragazzi and Diallo in Team of Week

Atletico Madrid won the Spanish Cup

Ndi out for a week iwith blisters

Game 38 vs Eibar 0 Our foes are already relegated, so there’s nothing they are playing for. We are heavily favored despite being on the road. I am starting Vazquez today. He has earned this game. Pick it up from where you left off last year! Yoon Jae-Hwan finds Bamford for a score in the 13th. On an FK from deep by the half line, Vazquez lifts the ball, finds Bamford, and he scores. Dude still has it. Dude still has it! Morales finds Bamford in the 26th minute, and there’s his hattrick. Eibar is tackling hard now, and gest a pair of flags. Half. Keep it going! Jae-Hwan collects a booking. Ntsume for Ouattara, Ibrahim for Lanzini. Denilson for Morales. We win 3-0 and Bamford is predictably the MOM. Very pleased!


We finish 6th. Hello EURO!

[Abe Sargent]

Osasuna relegated, Atletico Madrid win the Liga.

We are given 4 mill for our spot, and give out 600k to our folks

Spanish League Player of the Year was Ronaldo, followed by Richaira ZIvkovic for Atletico Madrid and Victor for Desportivo.

Ronaldo was leader is goals with 32, and then Zlkovic with 23, and Eugene Seleznyov with 21 at Granada


Get ready:

Head Coach of the Year goes to Julio Rodriguez Salgado

Ahmed Sayed named to LIGA Team of the year

Melilla is Most Improved Club

Melilla End of Season Awards:

Fans Player of the Year – 1 - Ahmad Sayed, 2 - Osmar, 3- Yoon Jae-Hwan.
Goal of the Season – Morales vs Getafe on Friday, Oct 5, 2018
Signing of the Season – Sayed
Young Player of the Season – Sayed


Great Training –

Ragazzi
Jae-Hwan
Ouattara
Ibrahim
ST Jorge Mesa

Van Persie disagrees with me in the locker room and thinks we can do the Champions League next year, but I’m pushing for EURO again. This is a tough league.

[Abe Sargent]

Stats!

Liga Ones First –

Sayed was 4th with 7 MOM, the leader was 11

Lanzini was 1st with 8.73 miles run per game, and Jae-Hwan was 2nd with 8.71

Sayed was 4th in rating at 7.85m the highest was 8.02

Bamford – tied for 7th with 16

Diallo was 4th with key headers

Ragazzi was 5th in headers won ratio

Our GK was tied for 7th fewest goals allowed, 12 shutouts was 8th and he led the league in saved held at 92.


CLUB!


GK Kim Seung-Gyu – 34 starts for league, 34 goals, 12 clean sheets, 1 MOM, 6.97 rating

Very good stuff there

DR Roberto Ragazzi – 34 games, 3 assist, 1 MOM ,7.05 rating

DL David Junca – 32 apps, 1 asst, 6.91 rating

DC Ibrahim Diallo, 30 apps, 1 assust, 7.00 rating

DC Guy Ouattara – 29 games, 7.02 rating

DC Ingason -25, 1 goal, 1 assist, 6.80 rating

D RLC Antonio Milic – 28 apps, 1 asst, 6.86 rating

Junca faded a bit in the second half, and Ingason has really disappointed me. But both Diallo and Ouattara have solidified a strong showing for us. I see both continuing with us

DMC Osmar – 35 games, 1goals 2 assist, 7.33 rating

MRLC Yoon Jae-Hwan – 28 apps, 3 goals, 5 assists, 1 MOM, 7.28 rating

MC Ahmad Sayed – 28 games, 2 goals, 7 assist, 7 MOM, 7.85 rating

M RLC Oliver, 28 games, 3 goals, 1 assists, 1 MOM, 7.07 rating

M RL Manuel Lanzini – 32 games, 6 goals,7 assists, 4 MOM, 7.24

Daniel Ndi – 16 games, 3 assists, 1 MOM, 6.97 rating; David Ibrahim, 14 games, 1 goal, 1 asiists, 6.91 rating;

I’m very okay with my midfielders


ST Patrick Bamford, 37 games, 16 goals, ,5 assist, 1 MOM. 7.05 rating

ST Robbin van Persie, 24 games, 5 goals, 1 assists, 1 MOM, 7.01 rating

ST Wilson Morales, 22 games, 8 goals, 4 assits 7.10 rating

This is my struggle.

We were 6th most in goals with 49, but it was pretty weak in a lot fo areas We got lots of goals against bad teams like Osasuna or Eibar. But we had some real problems with scoring when we needed it, and we dropped a lot of games and points by not getting better here.

Cross completion? 4th best. Goals from set pieces? 12. That’s just 37 goals from the field. We need to do better.

We had the 8th best defense in goals allowed, we were the only team to ot allow any IFKs this season. We didn’t let any DFKs either, but 4 other teams were the same. We conceded just 2 penalties, 2nd fewest in the league.

We had the 18th worst possession time, 3rd most headers won, fewest red cards with just one, and 50 yellows in the middle of the pack.


So we were good at ome seriously important places

[Abe Sargent]

Why did we come in and do so well this fast?


1). We had sold three players for a serious amount of cash. In it’s history, Melilla has never sold a player for more then a few hundred thousand at most. This was a big deal. We got a ton of cash from those huge high profile sales. Here’s the players we purchased – Milic – 500k, Ingason – 2.2 mill; Oliver, 1.8 mill; Seung-Gyu – 475k; DR Ragazzi 1.4 mill, ST Van Persie – 1 mill, Jae-Hwan – 3.5 mill; Ouatarra -750k, Ibrahim – 450k, and Ntsume – 300k. Those are mostly all great players or future prospects, all were a part of our successes, and only Ingason stands out as not really worth it (and I stand b that move by the way, it looked really good pre-move). I didn’t chase one or two agents. I grabbed a ton ot players for a total transfer fee of 12.75 mill. We brought in 14.6 mill, plus the initial kitty that I had. Using the extra money, I was able to build my squad with an additional year of investment. Normally, your first year in a top flight would be unable to grab that sort of spending splurge

2). I was willing to pick up multiple quality players on free transfers – Sayed,Bamford, Lanzini, some youth that might play laters (ST Mesa, ST Dong-Hyuk)

3). I pushed my depth hard. In fact, we played more players in the Liga by far than any other players. When we had a game and three players were injure, we were fine. When GK ViIllar had to step in and start all of my January games (4 Cups, and a ton of league games) we were fine. I really pushed my depth early. I’m subbing a player like Oliver most games, for example. We had international call ups, injury coverage, tiredness coverage, and red cards and such. So we had a lot of depth and that’s a valuable commodity

4). Wow February. We had a very good February that really pushed us to the forefront. We defeated top teams and brought them down. I took 4 points from R. Madrid. 3 from Barca. That lucky February was enough. Our record wasn’t amazing – 17 wins, 8 ties, 13 losses. That is a lot of losses. In act, our 13 losses is more all the way down to 10th for Athletic Bilbao with 14 losses, and then Sevilla at 12th just had 11 losses. 17-8-13 isn’t going to win any major accolades. But… Two wins? Turn two losses to wins, give hs6 more points? We oust Valencia for 4th and make Champions League.


Table:

1. A. Madrid – 86 points
2. R Madrid – 83
3. Barca – 71
4. Valencia – 64
5. Celta – 60
6. Melilla – 59
7. Villarreal 59
8. Levante – 54
9. R. Sociedad 53
10. Atletic Bilbao – 52
11. Espanyol – 51
12. Sevilla – 49
13. Malaga – 48
14. Desportivo – 42
15. Granada – 42
16. Cadiz – 39
17. Getafe – 37
18. Osasuna – 32
19. Eibar – 31
20. R. Valladold – 28


The yellow submarine stands! Good job Cadiz. And my goals would have stood – finish with 38 points in 38 games, and you get 17th.

[Abe Sargent]

Now I want to do an honest assessment of my team.

DC I am very happy with Diallo and Ouattara last year. Both did well. This is the first year to start for Ouattara, and 20 year old Ivorian has impressed me. Meanwhile Diallo has continued to grow, ever since we bought the guy for 400k 3 years ago from Valencia. I bet they wish they hadn’t sold him! 22 years old, both still have some development ahead, according to our coaches. The only major issue I have is that both are African, so there are times when both got called up for things like the African Cup of Naions.

Now I don’t like Ntsume yet as a quality backup, and Ingason proved not-great. I may look to bring in one DC that can sub and get some games.


DR Roberto Ragazzi had a great year for us. He’s already in a good place for us. Media calls him a wonderkid. Our coaches love him. I am set here….

DL – Junca disappointed later, and Milic is nothing more than a sub. I need a good DL next year.

Mid:

DMC – Osmar was great, and we have an issue. Leicester is interested in a transfer. His min release is 8.25 and I’m nto sure they’ll make that. I might be interested in it – he’s 30 and will be 31 next month. He’s not getting any younger. I am bringing in a major youth player too at the DMC spot off a Bosman free, so he is a bit expendible, but he’s my captain, and he’s good. I could keep the guy

MC Sayed – He’s great, and his value increased considerably. There are some clubs sniffing around his panties. If I want to lock him in, I could offer him a new deal and raise that min fee release clause. Dude is 23 and has a lot to offer. He’s pretty good. My coaches love him too.

I love Yoon Jae-Hwan. He’s locked in. Lanzini was great pickup, and is one of my most valuable players (by money) these days. He’s 26, at the top of his game, and had a strong year. He’s not going anywhere either. Oliver was fine. He got a lot of games, played well, and looked better. I also liked Ndi as a sub, and Ibrahim has a bright future. I’m very happy with my midfield this year, and doubt I’ll be looking to move anyone

St:

Bamford was suitably solid, and I’m not moving him. Van Persie is old, and was a temp to bring in, and give the team some needed gravitas. Other than Osmar at 30, all of the starting group were younger (and GK at 28) . He’s almost 36, and he’s skills atrophied a bit. I could resign him, but that’s not a goal of mine right now.

I’m looking at moving Morales. For a few reasons. Firstly, after seeing how good he has been in training, and he’s gotten better, ST Dong-Hyuk is looking very good.

Dong-Hyuk vs Morales:


Morales is better at…+1 balance, +1agility; set pieces; +2 first touch, +1 long shots, +5 marking, +1 passing, +1 technique, +1 concentration, +1 decisions,+1 leadership, +2 psition, 3 vision

Dong-Hyuk is better at…+1 jump, +2 pace, +4 stamina; +4 dribbiling, +2 head, +2 cross, +6 aggression, +3 anticipation, +2 brave, +8 composure, +3 work rate, +3 flair,

So results – Morales is better at set pieces, and some technical skills. Morales is a bit faster, a lot smarter, and still growing. Morales peaked, and lost a little if you’ll recall. There were a lot of games where he wasn;t doing anything out there.

So by transferring Wilson Morales, ,I can move Dong-Hyuk to my 3rd spot. I also want to pick up a studly 2nd Striker.

Now it’s the time for targeted transferring. I want to bring in a better DR and ST.

I may move Ingason. Napali are interested in him.


About 6 clubs are interested in Bamford


Value of my peops:


Lanzini 11.5 mill
Sayed 11.5 mill
Jae-Hwan 8.75 mill
Bamford – 4.3 mill
Oliver – 3.6 mill
Morales 2.6
Osmar 2.5
Dong-Hyuk – 2.5
Diallo 1.9
Ndi 1.7
Seung-Gyu 1.6
Junca 1.6
Ouattara 1.2
Ingason 1.1
Ragazzi 1
Milic 725k
GK Villar – 675k
Ibrahim 575k


We get the initial budget for next year – a lot of payroll, not as much transfer, but we’re pretty good on cash. But I get 10 mill if I cut my budget harshly.

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to bring in a Romanian coach, and he arrives. Ovidio Petre, from Lanciano, and other teams, just retired a few months ago, we are the first one to offer him a gig

I resign folks like Ruud van Nistelroojj and Sebastian Renouard. In fact I make offers to retain most of my current allotment of coaches.

Barcelona fire their HC.

Am I willing to accept a job interview at Barcelona? Yes!

I get a couple of offers for my players. One is from OM for Milic. He hasn’t been great, but he suffices. I’m not sure I want to move him. Give me enough money and I’ll sell him all day long. This isn’t that. I offer 2 mill for him, his min release clause. That I’d do. They want less. I offer 500k now, and 1.5 mill in installments for a year. E eventually do 1.5 mill, a clause for 100k after 30 games, and 50% of his next transfer fee.

The next offer is for Oliver from Lyonnais. He’s got a min fee of 18 mill. They are offered 3.1 upfrot and some other junk. Tell you what, I’ll off you the 18 mill, and we are good to go. They choose to walk away. Oliver wants an improved deal, and I offer him a few thousand more.

Ibrahim grew a lot from his hook up with Van Persie.

OM offers for Bamford. He has 17.5 mill min release. I offer that, they pull out. Bamford is upset, but after I explain that the finances weren’t right, he’s okay.

Barca did not hire me

I offer Ingason as well. I offer him for 2.2 mill. Getafe and I dicker down to 1.5 mill.

I sell Milic.

Juventus, who’s HC was hired by Barcelona, hired the guy fired by Barca.

One interesting thing. Morales is about to be Spanish. Younger folk apparently don’t need as long as others. So I hold off on him for now.

We make 1.5 mill.

I need to find a replacement for him.



I transfer list Denilson

Who do I have that’s coming up soon I may want to lock down?

We are freeing up spots for Van Persie, GK Barrio, MC Vazzuqez, Nadjib, and then the leaving Milic and I have listed Denilson and Ingason

ST Jorge Mesa got his first cap for Bolivia

Oliver pens his new deal with us. We now pay him 29k/week.

Anyone else I want to resign now?

These folks are in the last year of their deals – Anaba, Osmar, Junca, Ndi,Morales.

Junca wasn’t there. Anaba has someone interested Cordoba in the next league down. I offer him for transfer. He’s a backup and not that good anyways.

Deal with Ingason and Getafe agreed to.

[Abe Sargent]

Now I want to start finding depth in some places, and a star DL. What’s out there?

I start with folks on free stuff. There;s a middle guy named Alan Dzagoev for free who’s amazing, but I don’t need another top flight guy, I don’t have the starts. He;s 29 as well Not exactly my unusual suspect

Alright, DL….hmmm….Lazio have a DL wonderkid, Italian, both are on the U Italy squads together. Seems like that might be a interesting choice, but this guy would be pricey. Perhaps all of my money pricey. He’s one of the best ones around. We agree to an offer of 9 mill. I know. But, again, targeted additions to my squad are how you push it

I make an offer to him.

Just one more wonderkid on my roster would push me hard. I massage my budget to cover

Alright, contract done, and he’ll be joining us soon. You’ll like him. Both him and our free middie are both looking pretty young, hot, and sexy

I need to get new physios in a week when the old ones leave. I also will have two scouts leaving I need to deal with

Anyone coming free I like for depth?

Alright, can I find a GK Barrio?

Got it. GK Giacomo Nava, will sign backup deal, 22 years old, Italian. We offer 2k deal, they accept. That was quick and perfect, he’s actually better than Barrio.


Who else?

I make offers to some youthers out there. I find a great Ivorian St named Marc Zeze.

I feel like we’ll be good with the Strikers I have. And I’m bringing back our own Melillan guy for a spell.

The next thing I’m looking for is DC depth

What about Chidiebere Nwakali, 22 years old, over at Man City? He’s interested in rotation, and he hads the skillset down. Only issue is that I could rotate in Mr Nigeria when my African DCs move out for international, as he is on the Nigerian International Squad.

Anyone else? What about an older guy looking for one last gasp who can tutor my young guys? Anyone out there like that? Gary Cahill from Chelsea want’s too much, what about Celta’s Gustavo Cabral? Last year, playing in th e liga, he had 32 starts, and 6.89 rating. Not amazing, but a lot of experience. Another option might be Mexer, a 30 year old Mozambican and French guy who’s had a lto of starts, and would be happy with a rotation role. I like Cahill the most, but I don’t have the cash. Welshman James Chester?

For a generic backup, Nwakali is the best option. To have coverage in case of African folks heading out for internationals at the same time, he’s not. I like Cabral. He knows the league, he’s experience and can tutor someone as well.

I make an offer to Nwakali. I need an Ingason, a generic, strong DC.

I negotiate a deal.

Now, what about a Milic replacement. A generic, solid, can play everything guy? Although Junca can sub at DL, and I have Nwakali at D C/R. I think we’re good here in the defense for now.



Offers accepted for Denilson

Let’s move forward and see where we are at.

Marc Zeze agrees to join us

We’re going on an Italian Tour for friendly season

GK Nava agrees to join us. Nwakali comes in

[Abe Sargent]

It’s June 30. Any major changes?

Anyone else out there for me to bring in. Any hotnesses?

I make staff offers to Uruguayan Federico Martinez, Physio. I make an offer to Bolivian international player Mauricio Saucedo as my Head Physio. I make an offer to studly Belgian Scout Stan Van den Buijls and another to Algerian scout Samir Amireche.


Our ST Ruben Martinez won a prize for 2nd place Top Goalscorer of the league for Llagostera.

I make an offer to Greek Coach Vangelis Moras to take the reigns of my U19 squad.


I offer scout and ex-player of ours, Arriaga, a role as my chief scout, which opens a space for Polish Artur Boruc. I offer Ivorian Yaya Toure my Ass Man role for the U19 squad



Our new folks:

Let’s start with the big one first:

Media-described wonderkid DL Domenico Cecchi, Italian, Value 6 mill, signed for 27k/week, get ready – 19 years old,

Physicals? 17/15 speed, 17 fitness, 14 agility, 15 strength, 16 stamina, 13 balance, 9 jumping – all good

Technical – 14 cross, 15 pass, 14 tackling, marking, 13 long throws, first touch, 12 technique, 11 long shots, 10 finish, dribbling, 9 head. Good stuff already, particularly in ball distribution.

Mentals? 19 determination. 17 brave, aggress, work rate, 16 teamwork, 14 position, 13 decisions, composure, vision, 12 anticipation, concentration, 11 off the ball, 10 flair, 6 leader Very good already

He’s a very strong player who should get better according to all of my scouts and such. Again, I like to make one big addition each year to fill a gap massively once we’re in a good place. Well, we’re in a good place.


Lewis Cook, 20.5k/week, 4 year, 7 mill, 22 years old, English, DMC, MC, AMC, ML. Speed? 14/14, 15 balance, agility, fitness, stamina, and 12 str. And 10 jump. 11 Cross, 16 pass, 14 dribb, 15 tackle, technique, long shots, 13 finish, 14 1st touch, 10 head, mark is 11. Mental? Everything in double digits – aggression is 10, leadership is 11, and concentration and flair are 13, and the rest is at least 14.

Our coaches and scouts loved him. Leading player for Liga. Fits in. versatile. Good team player. Resolute. Etc.

GK Giacomo Nava is 2k/week, backup, 2 years, 220k value, and our coaches thing he’s roughly even with Villar. However they feel he’s mostly developed, unlike Ivan VIllar.

ST Marc Zeze is a Ivorian 18 year old youther we just singed. He has some places to gerow, but he’s just 18, and since Ivory Coast is part of the Contonu agreement, we can bring him in and give him a chance to develop.

And finally.

Chidiebere Nwakali, 22 years old, Nigerian, 3 years, rotation, 14.25k/week, 2.8 mill, DR C, DMC, WB R, he;s fine 12/14 speed, 14 head, 13 cross.13 pass, 14 mark, 15 tack, 16 strength, 15 aggression, anticipation. 14 concentration, decisions, but just 9 determination, not great at jumping ,and such. He’sa little one-dimensional at times.


And those are our 5 additions. Obviously this class is about Cook and Cecchi.


Nwakali -

Why Man City's Chidiebere Nwakali remains a promising talent (http://www.o-posts.com/teams/uk/manchester-city/chidiebere-nwakali-man-citys-nigerian-neymar-remains-promising-talent/)

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/185429465-chidiebere-nwakali-of-nigeria-looks-on-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=GkZZ8bf5zL1ZiijUmxa7QRHZX%2B%2FRqBY2SCABdYuPL06umrB%2Bsy7RGLQcxHlUlc6BqBmwZFVg2Yn%2F4BnV%2BPF24Q%3D%3D




Can't find Giacomo Nava in much of antyhing, sorries.


Giacomo Nava - player profile - Transfermarkt (http://www.transfermarkt.com/giacomo-nava/profil/spieler/341171)


G. Nava: "C'è una grande emozione ad essere qua a Bardonecchia, ma mi sono trovato subito molto bene" - Sampdoria News (http://www.sampdorianews.net/primavera/g-nava-c-e-una-grande-emozione-ad-essere-qua-a-bardonecchia-ma-mi-sono-trovato-subito-molto-bene-62484)



Cook -

Lewis Cook (footballer, born 1997) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Cook_%28footballer,_born_1997%29)

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/01/06/13/2FD7C1F500000578-0-image-a-53_1452087108983.jpg


Cook is strong now a days

[Abe Sargent]

A lot of media think I overpaid for Cecchi. I don’t think so, but we’ll see.

The 9 mill we paid for Cecchi is clearly a big one for us, and a record.

I want to check in with a few of my ex-loanees.

How’s DR/L Antonio Jesus Diaz looking? Nah. He’s always been more hope that success during my tenure.

Algerian ST Said Meddour? Work in process. I offer him out for loans.

How’s Bruno Souto? He’s pretty good, he’s Spanish now, so I can use him as a backup or something else on my team without any push back, and he’s fine. He needs a little more development. I offer him out

Fernando Gomes is back. He’s growing, still needs work, and I offer him out.

Remember Jose Antonio? He’s been with us for a few years, came through our youth team, was the sol bright light. He’s getting a little better here and there, but he also needs some development. I move him to my senior squad. We may need him for something else. The EURO’s homegrown players

Another home-grown guy is ST Jesus Angel Ortega, the only good one that year, and he’s pretty solid. He’s almost good enough to push. I’ll leave him in my senior squad for now as well.

French DC Dotte is my 4th or 5th option now, and I make him unavailable for loaning out

Uh oh!

I just got a major offer for Bamford so good I am forced to accept it. Well that’ll be annoying.

I make an offer to lock in Sayed.


I reject an offer for Ouattara from Paris for being too small, and we renegotiate a first team deal.

Denilson signs for Santa Cruz out in Brazil

Patrick Bamford heads out. I bring in a ton of transfer cash

Now where do I hunt up a replacement?

I‘ve always found that good quality Striking is easier to find that a lot of people are willing to admit.

The first place I look is to see if there are any hot options out there. There is a nasty one, Juan Iturbe, 16, very, very strong, but he’s not interested in singing with me, and has an offer from a German club already. What about Wayne Rooney? He wants too much money, no agreement there.

Another option is to use this transfer cash I just got to head out and find and pick up a young wonderkid ST who’s going to set the world on fire. I wish I could get my Croatian ST but that won’t happen.

I think we’ll be fine with Dong-Hyuk as one of my main guys, and Morales and my youthers.

But I am swimming in cash. Is there a wonderkid at another place I can grab?

Let’s scout these ST youth and see.

Whoa!

Never mind. Guess who is now interested, for the first time ever, in joining our club according to my latest scout report? ST Mladen Mance, the Croatian wonderkid ST who plays for Basel in Switzerland. I’ve made offers for him before, and Basel accepted but he didn’t. He;s been on my radar for a while. Basel has kept folks at bay, but I;m in

I negotiate an offer of 11 mill

I agree to a deal with Mance. Let’s see what happens



We make 14.89 mill from TV rights this season and are expected to get mid table finish

I rejects offers for Ouattara and Sayed, and both sign their deals to recommit to the club

I ask for an affiliate club to send our folks out on loan, and I convince them to do o.

I choose the Belgium club of Lierse.

Y’all ready for this


Mladen Mance and the crap ton of money heading Basel’s way is done!


The club is unhappy that Mance left, and yet they are happy about the cash. Meanwhile, our supporters love the move.

Get ready for the guy that’s smash you away:


20 years old, Croatian, Mladen Mance, ST, 33k.week, four years, first team, worth 14 mill.

Physicals – 16/18 speed, 16 agi, 14 stamina, 13 str, balance, 11 fitnes, 6 jump

Tech – 16 long shots, finish, 1st touch, 15 dribble, 14 head, technique, 11 cross, pass

Mentals – 18 off theball, flair, 17 anticipation, 16 determin, decisions, composure, 14 aggress, work rate, 13 brave, 12 teamwork, concentration, 11 ision, 9 lead, 8 position


Smart, savvy, skilled, young, 12 caps, 7 goals, Our coaches think he is very well suited to Liga football, determined, professional, fast, and non-versatile. He speaks Italian, Croatian, and German. I sign a random Croatian unsigned youther to two years to help Mance acclimate.


That is a major addition


Mance in Euro 21 Dream, Team Subs

[Abe Sargent]

My squad thus far:

GK Seung-Gyu, Villar, Nava

DC Diallo, Ouattara, Nwakali, Dotte

DR Ragazzi

DL Cecchi, Junca

Nwakali can play DR, and youther Ntsume as well if I want to rely on him more.

DMC Osmar, Cook

MC Sayed,

MR/ML – Oliver, Jae-Hwan, Lanzini, Ndi, Ibrahim


Cook can play MC, ML as well; Jae-Hwan MC, Oliver MC,

Lanzini and Oliver can play ST as well


ST Morales, Mance, Dong-Hyuk, youthers Zeze, Jesus Angel Ortega and perhaps Bolivan ST Jorge Mesa

That gives me 22 players.

I could add another. Not anywhere near my crowded midfield.


Our folks return. Our coaches recommend, with our player pool, to shift to a 4-3-3 2DM so there’s 4 back, 2 DM – Cook and Osmar, and then the centere MC for Sayed, and the flankers are pushed forward into AM RL spots, and the Mance up top. I have my guys learn it and drop the 3-5-2, which I never use anyways.

After bringing in coaches and suh, we now have 4.5 stars in GK Shot stopping, str, tactics, and attacking

I set up friendlies with teams like Sparta Prague, Club Brugge, and Real Betis.

I transfer Michael Anaba to Sporting

There are a few players available on a free that interest me. The most is GK Roman Burki, 28 years old, the starter for the Swiss national team, and a very good starter. In fact, our scouts like Burki a little more than Kim Seung-Gyu. Now there are a few GKs out there that are looking like awesome wonderkids I have on my radar, including two German ones. But this guy is good and I could bring him in for free right now.

Now there are a few good reasons to move on from Seung-Gyu

1). Kim was about the 6th or 7th best GK in the league last year in every major stat other than saves held. That’s fine, and I don’t have any issues with it, but he’s not a take-it-to-the-next-level sort of body. This is an improvement I can make, right now, to make my GK a little better. If I stop two or three more goals this year, can I get those two wins? Roman is a little better

2). By moving off Kim and embracing Roman, I make a little transfer money. There are a few teams interested in Kim I could move.

3) By moving off Kim, I can free up a crucial non-EU spot for another person on my team. For now that could be ST Jorge Mesa of Boliva. In the future it could be anyone of serious value.

4). My starting 11 are probably going to have Kim Seung-Gyu, Yoon Dong-Hyuk, and Yoon Jae-Hwan on my team. All are on the South Korean international team. Anytime that team is called up, the trio would be gone. This becomes increasingly important with Cup, League, and Europe games as well on the calendar.


Now, there are a few reasons not to:

1). It’s fun to have three Korean players for my team

2). Moving off Kim now for a free vet means I can’t move off Kim later. One of the places I see for improvement long-term is a stud GK or a wonderkid. Roman isn’t a mega-stud at the position. Moving to Roman now commits me to him for longer than it would take to improve the position more

3). Kim works. I don’t know if Roman would. I can’t pay both or have both on my roster taking up valuable space, cash, and such. If I bring in Roman, I have to commit to the strategy early, and move Kim at the earliest opportunity. What if Roman is worse? What if Roman has the same stats and isn’t an improvement? What if I jump through all of these hoops and delay my potential GK stud-ness for later all to give myself a new contract on a new player that I can’t really use or buy my way out of without a big transfer kitty.

I don’t know what to do. I’m unsure.

[Abe Sargent]

In what ways is Roman better?

He’s better mentally, they are the same age, there are some gk Tech where Roman is better – ball distribution, and reflexes but Kim is better in the air – better aerial reach, just jumping reach, and command of area and communication.

But with better ball distribution, reflexes, and mental stats, it seems like Roman is better.

There are clubs out there looking to bring in Kim.

I make Roman an offer. If I want, I can play him in some friendlies and such, get a feel for him.

Plus lots of big clubs have two great keepers. Barcelona have this 20 year old Italian GK named Gianluigi Donnarumma who is one of the 20 best GKs and he’s a backup to their starter. I Make an offer to Roman. I’m not 100% sure that I can get a wonderkid like Althof later. I only know of 4 or 5 wonderkid GKs right now. ALthof and Donnarumma are two. Brazil has 18 year old Matheus and Mario, and then there’s Spain’s own Adolfo Cruz. That’s it – those are the five I’m aware of. Italy, Germany, Brazil, Brazil, and Spain. 6 actually, I just scouted Yamil Luna, Argentinian, he count

Offer is made

I make an offer to Cameroonian scout. Pedro Fernandez of Venezuela. Finnish scout Juho Makela Kujovic. Norwegian scout Rune Lange, Danish scout Kenneth Brylle.

Physio Moto Watanabe joins us of Japan. I also make an offer to English Jordan Reese to be my U19 Physio.

I make an offer to Austrian DC Emanuel Poagtetz toe leave the pitch and join us as a U19 coach

A bunch of my staff offers begin to arrive.



I have these nationalities covered – Japan, Morocco, Spain, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, England, Portugal, France, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, USA, Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Uruguay, Turkey, Nigeria, Venezuela, Denmark, Norway, Algeria, Austria, Finland.

That’s a lot of nations. I’d love to get Russia, South Korea, Australia, other major African sides among others. Maybe Scotland/Ireland.

The board approach me and offer me a new contract. I accept. One of my new hires at scout now has some serious youth talent in their first scouting report. Huh

Teni Yeria, of Cameroon, was with some clubs in Belgium, and he has an interesting person to put on my plate

16 year old ST Frederick Verbeke of Club Brugge who is supposedly a major future star for Belgium football. He is intetesed in joing us, and would be pretty solid. We love hi and think he’s strong, but Club Brugge aren;’t going to budge off him cheaply. Still I toss him on a shortlist. Just like fellow Belgium stud DC Louis Mputu who has been on my radar for a long time.

Brugge start at 15 mill for Verbeke on an enquiry. I could probably dial them back to 10 or so, but I don’t have the cash for that right now. And I’m good on the ST front anyways. I still like Mputu a lot tough as a potential replacement for Diallo long term.

I negotiate 1.6 mill for Seung-Gyu with Fenerbache

Say hello to GK Roman Burki!

Phy – 14/9speed, 13 jump, 16 fitness, str, 15 balance, 13 stam

Tech – 14 Aerial, communication, handling, 17 rushign out, kicking, 16 refelxes 13 command fo area, 12 friest touch, 11 ecc, 10 passing


Mental- 17 brave, composure, 16 aggression, anticipation, determination, 15 position, team, 14 decisions, 12 lead, concentration, 10 work rate


Strong mental game, better ball distribution that Kim, and worse at a few things like jumping, speed, aerial, command, and work rate. Salary is 40k/week, for four years, and he’s coming in worth 15 mill. I think we’d all agree he’s upgrade. Never settle.


Always push yourself to greatness. My fans love his signing. It’s rare they endorse a free guy this fully.

Just for fun, I go on vacation and then head to bed


I’ll be back I finished 8th if I did;t touch anything.

Morales finishes his paperwork application and will be Spanish officially.




Burki -


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_B%C3%BCrki

http://www.bvb.de/var/ezdemo_site/storage/images/media/bilder/galeriebilder/85g_buerki/1469072-1-ger-DE/85G_Buerki_bvbnachrichtenbild_regular.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I feel like we are in a really good place. I’m cheating-ish. I download the FM app FM Genie Scout to review the current and potential abilities of my folks, and I just want to show you where they are today. I’m not opening them up or anything massive, just a basic PA and CA for my various folks, to give you an idea of where we are - Here let’s take a gander:

As of July 18, 2019

I just filter only Melilla players on GS and sort by pa and ca.

Mladen Mance – 146/191
Yoon Jae-Hwan – 158/187
Roberto Ragazzi – 140/186
Domenico Cecchi - 138/179
Yoon Dong-Hyuk – 133/179
David Ibrahim – 125/170
Oliver – 150/169
Guy Ouattara – 141/163
Manuel Lanzini – 149/160
Lewis Cook – 150/159
ST Jorge Mesa 103/159
Chidiebere Nwakali – 129/159
Maselaelo Ntsume – 81/158
GK Roman 156/159
Daniel Ndi -118/154
Jesus Angel Ortega – 98/153
Ahmed Sayed – 143/153
Ibrahim Diallo – 137/150
Ivan Villar – 116/149
ST Marc Zeze – 85/149
MC Jose Antonio – 89/138
Wilson Morales – 123/130
Osmar – 130/130
David Junca – 124/129

Others of note:

David Vazquez – 86/110
Van Persie – 115/180
GK Giacomo Nava – 118/135
Yuther Matthew Adelson – 116/133
Youther ST Jorge Gil – 76/141
Youther DC French Bissafi Dotte, 113/131

Recently left:

Kim Seung-Gyu – 145/145
Patrick Bamford 141/155
Antoniio Milic 129/139
Ingason – 140/143

You can see why players like Junca and Morales have been on my short list and struggled last year with this. Players who did very well in the Liga for us are at least in the 140s. My best players statistically, still here, were Sayed,Jae-Hwan, Lanzini, Ouattara, Diallo, and Ragazzi, with GK Seung-Gyu solid. You can see the value there. You can see players like David Ibrahim, the “next Finidi George” looks really good after some games and tutelage by Van Persie, and Ndi has never really hit that potential, despite a lot more work and starts for us. My three major additions, Cook,Mance, and Cecchi were scouted, and looked really good pre-signings. No concerns there at all, right?

So it seems like the 140 line is roughly where players start playing well here. Obviously that’s not the true story, some players with good Pa never develop, and some stats are more important than others.

So here is the CAs only of the top 13 players for Real Madrid, that are 160 or above, just as an example

Ronaldo 187
Isco – 180
Toni Kroos 176
James Rodriguez – 175
Varane – 174
Morate – 167
Reus – 165
Ramos 165
Danile 164
Acensia 164
Kovacacic 163
Navas 162
Odegaard 160

They acan afford a team this good with their sheer money

How many players over 160 does A Madrid have?

Koke 174
Griezmann 166
Jackson Martinez 163
Diego Gode 160

Just the 4. And they won the Liga. They have 11 more players in the 50s, and 5 in the 140s.

But you can do very well with that level of talent?

Barca?

Messi is 193, Neymar, 191, then 180, 177 for Suarez, ,and then 6 players in the 160s, 7 in the 50s, and 5 in the 40s. They are top heavy and weaker at the bottom.


Now You can see the issues obviously, but in two years, if my various wonderkids have all grown, and I keep adding in talent like Cook or Lanzini for free, my club is going to have a lot of 160, 170, 180 level players too. I have positioned myself.


Now, let’s not forget that Spain have those three heavy teams. What about the others? Let’s grab a quick look at three teams – Celta, Villarreal, and Atletic Bilbao

Celta – 151, 144, 144, 143, 143, 140, 139, 137, 134, 134, 131 – Top 11 scores – finished 4th last year

Villarreal – 150, 149, 146, 146, 144, 143, 142, 142, 141, 138, 137 – Top 11 scores, finished with the same number of points last year as us, but down one spot at #7.

AB – 156, 154, 148, 147, 142, 142, 141, 137, 134, 132,132, Top 11

So they are all some fo the best non-Big Three and they are all roughly the same in currents

How about lesser names?

Espanyol – 149, 146, 141, 139, 137, 135, 134, 130, 129 128, 127

Deportivo – 135, 135, 134, 133, 131, 125, 123, 122, 122, 120, 119

Cadiz – 123, 119, 119, 118, 117, 115, 114, 113, 112, 112, 111,


Getafe – 139, 136, 134, 133, 133, 132, 130, 129, 129, 128, ,126

Malaga – 148, 141, 138, 138, 135, 134, 134, 133, 132, 132, 130, 128



As you can see, there’s a real have and have not, and we are already mainly in the have section. And since many of my best are getting better, we’re going to really push folks around. Finishing 6t last year was clearly not a mistake or punching too high when you look at these numbers broken down.

No, we’re aren’t in the top three conversation yet. But soon? We could be. We can grow into it.

The top ten players in Spain right now play for Barca, Barca, Real M, Barca, Real M, Bar, RM, AM, RM, Barca.

But by potential (and not using players well past their mark, like Van Persie or Andres Iniesta)?

Barca – Messi
Real – Dani Perez
Real – Ronaldo
Barca – Neymar
Melilla – Mance
Barca – Luis Suarez
Melilla – Jae-Hwan
Melilla – Ragazzi
Real Oviedo – Javier Garcia
Real - Isco

That’s pretty good.

We are in a good place for the future of stuff

I have wonderkids at

ST Mance
Midfield – Jae-Hwan
DC Ouattara
DR Ragazzi
DL Cecchi
And perhaps ST Dong-Hyuk
And perhaps winger David Ibrahim

That’s easy to build around. I can get one/two more each year. Next would be perhaps a wonderkid GK (Dortmund have one I’ve scouted that’s just amazing and he’s just turned 18, he would love to sign for us, and Dortmund are the issue though – named of Lukas Althof). I’ve found lots of wonderkids, it’s signing them that’s the hard part. DC Louis Mputu in Belgium, ST Samad Seidi in the Netherlands, I missed a massively awesome deal. A small Belgium club got a god of a player. At 18, he’s one of the best young players I’ve ever seen this early. The club let him go on a free, and Liverpool signed him with 6 months to spare. Had we found him, I could have traded or moved or something for him. I would have moved the heavens for him – Matteo Peeters. He’s now worth 37mill for Liverpool at the age of 19. He came from Leirse, which is why I’m setting up a link there!

Anyway, let’s close this down before I start to cheat. And no, I’m not adding Javier Garcia to my “To purchase” list. :) (He was already in my shortlist)

[Abe Sargent]

I’m still looking for a smidge more depth. I scout a few folks.


I sell Seung-Gyu officially to Fenerbache for 1.8 mill


We have our opening friendly. We win 1-0.


Our board let me know that they also hooked up with Metalurg Donetesk in Ukraine as another affiliate of ours.


I hook up new GK Roman Burki to tutor a youth GK I have. There are a couple of older 33 year old fullbacks out there for free that would give me solid coverage. One is Japanese Yuto Nagatomo, who was with Inter for more than a decade and gained Italian citizenship. The other English/Brazilian Ramries.

I also Lanzini to tutor MC Jose Antonio and Morales with youther ST Jesus Angel Ortega

We bring in….


D, WB, M RL Yuto Nagatomo, 32 years old, Japanese International with 81 caps, Italian as well, 35k/year, two year deal, worth 1.6 mill, our coaches rave – poor in air, and versatile, good player for liga, determined, fits in, high work rate, experienced, light hearted and jovial, good team player and good with either foot . I’m a drop him to rotation soon. He’s a solid addition that was brought in for a few reasons, one to be a better backup on the sides that the weak Junca, and another to be a mentor to my youther fullbacks. He can also play some DC if needed, where he’s “competent”. Although with his low head/jump, that’s not ideal. After Inter dropped him, it pissed him off, and now he’s not interested in going back. He’s great mentally, sold technically (pass of 14, cross of 14, dribb of 14, tack 13, mark 13, etc) and adequate physically.

I give him my final of the 25 registration spots


I offer a coach role to Russian Vasily Berezutskiy, a ex-player who’s 37 and has more than 100 caps. We are his first club post-playing days, and I like him. We get Ball Control to 4.5 stars after his arrival

I need another fitness coach. Someone who can ease the pressure on the other two I have. How about Slovakian Jozef Piacek? Nah, too pricey for a fitness coach. Hmm.. Got it ,Korean Han Jae-WOong.

Paris St Germain made an offer for ST Ortega, I refused it outright


Ortega signs a new deal.


Friendly #2 – We win 2-0

I scout all of the Dream Team for the Euro U21 squad.

I make an offer to lock down David Ibrahim for longer on hot prospect. I also make an offer to lock down French ST Armand Combes for another 4 years hot prospect.


End of July –

Good training with ST Ortega, Jose Antonio and Dong-Hyuk.



Nagatomo -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuto_Nagatomo

http://b.smimg.net/14/03/yuto-nagatomo.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I loan Combes to Cadiz to get some 1st team play

I loan VIllar out to Almeria


Friendly #3 – We beat Napoli in their home 2-1.

I decide ot loan out Jorge Mesa for a season to Girona

Friendly #4 – We win 5-1 on the road vs Messina . 1 goal and 1 assist by Ibrahim and 2 goals by Jesus Angel Ortega after I sub him in. Very happy with that!


I know it’s preseason, but I just went into Italy and won against two Serie A teams by a collective score of 7-2.





Friendly #5 – We win 3-1, scores by Mance, Ortega, and Morales. We’re ready

I retain my captains



Match 1 vs Desportivo – I have been running Mladen Mance as a advanced forward and we’ll be trying out Dong-Hyuk as a support complete forward. Jae Hwan is suspended from the end of the last match last year, so Oliver is starting at the MR spot. We have Cecchi in the DL spot. We are hosting and favored. You’ve got this! In the first 13 minute, Desportivo are the ones with momentum and an attack we push away. Ragazzi launches a deep cross for Dong-Hyuk who scores in the 32nd. This is his first match for us too. They score back just before the half. We can still win! Our foes with two cards. We are pushing but it’s turned aside. I slide to control. First sub is Junca for Cecchi. Osmar with a yellow. I pull him for recent signee Cook. They forced an attack away, corner kick. Lanzini lines up, finds Ragazzi, who slides the ball to Dong-Hyuk behind goal for the score in the 77th. Final sub is Ibrahim for Lanzini after he gets a yellow card. We win 2-1, MOM is Yoon Dong-Hyuk, in his debut for us senior team. Good win!

Dong-Hyuk in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Dotte comes to me and wants to get loaned out, but my plan was to have him as one of my subs, so I decide to look now and see if that works. We’ll use him as my primary sub at the DC role for the next few games and see how he performs – if he does well, then no need loaning him, if not, then yes, it seems pretty important.


I accept an offer to loan out ST Marc Zeze

I loan out a bunch of my top-drawer youth, like Ntsume, DL Adelson, and ST Jorge Gil

I have enough space to register Vazquez and Van Persie, who are on month to month deals





End of August –

Good training – Ouattara, Ibrahim, Dong-Hyuk



September –


Sept 1 – Away vs Celta
Sept 14 – Home vs At. Madrid
Sept 22 – Away vs Granada
Sept 25 – Home vs Levante
Sept 29 – Away vs Barcelona

Sept 19 is when the first EURO Cup Group Stage is set to begin




Game 2 vs Celta – Jae-Hwan back in at MR. Good luck out there! I begin defensively. Boring game early, no major moves es by us, just playing defense. Then a triple strike of love is turned aside in the 20s but nothing else emanates. Ouattara booked. Celta has a player as well. Half. You can still win! We begin to dominate this match, and over the next 15 minutes, nothing but strong shots, and such, and we have 11 shots, 8 on target, by the 60th minute, but not goals to show. Dotte heads in for Ouattara. Let’s see what he’s got. Osmar finds Sayed on an attacking run, he slips the ball to Mance who finds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 64th. They get another yellow and have a player send off a minute later as they argued with the ref inappropriately that the goal was offsides. Lewis Cook for Lanzini. Morales heads in. We win 1-0, MOM is Sayed. Well done!


I register my squad for the EURO Competition


I get 2.4 mill for the Euro cash

Our Group:

CSKA Moscow
Young Boys
Mainz
Us

Our scouting is really good. We have a 57% world knowledge right now.

[Abe Sargent]

In my earlier dynasty as Madeira, I had a wonderkid fullback come through my ranks and I developed him into the best fullback in the world. One of the keys to that was bringing in mentors, and singing them, so I have done the same a bit with my Japanese guy. He’s Italian too, and both of my wonderkid fullbacks are as well.

Game 3 vs At. Madrid – I start Cook today at the ML spot. I want to get a feel for him in that role. Is that something he can do or bring? Our foes just drubbed Real Betis 4-0. At least we’re home. We’re still not expected to win though. Here we go! They foul us a few times and collect some early bookings ,but neither team looks tidy in front of goal. We can still win! Still quiet. Our pressures are quickly converted to corners which aren’t going anywhere. Nagatomo for Cecchi. Then Ibrahim for Cook. Dotte for Ouattara. Game, 0-0 draw. MOM is Sayed. Good result.


EURO Game 1 – Home vs Young Boys – Today is the first game of the Melilla North African invasion of European Football. Today is the day we assert ourselves and send a clarion call to all of Europe. Africa is here! I begin controlling. For the fans! Early momentum is not ours, I slide back to standard. They score in the opening 17 minutes, and then we calm down. Sayed sinks a DKF I the 33rd. Half. You can do this! Get those three points! I sub in Ortega for Mance. Dotte for Diallo. Ouattara with a card. Nwakali for him. Game, 1-1 tie. MOM is Sayed. We should have won that one.

That was a missed opportunity. Mainz defeated CSKA Moscow, if we had won arguably the easiest game (home vs Young Boys) then we would have had a strong shot.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 4 vs Granada - I move Nagatomo to start for Ragazzi. I also put in Morales for Mance. Early on, off a counter, JaeHwan finds Morales for a score. We force some nice tackles away from the box and aren’t given away any gifts. No cards for either team, and we are up at the half. We have 3 shots, 2 on target, and they 2 and 1. So pretty quiet as you can see. Don’t get complacent out there! We allow a score off a nice cross in the 68th, and I send in Ibrahim and Dotte to help. Cook in for a tired Osmar. But nothing. 1-1 tie. MOM is Sayed. Unlucky!



I want to be fair to Ndi. We’ve been together a while. He’s last in my plans at the wings these days, so I give him a backup role. I also slide a few players to first team from key, and then Junca to backup from rotation.

Sayed in Team of Week.

Game 5 – Home vs Levante. I have some tired players. Sayed is tired, and I send in Oliver for him. Today is also the day for Dotte to prove himself, and I move him into the starting lineup for Ouattara. We’re favored vs Levante. Keep the run going! We allow a score in the 5th minute. Hmmm…. We injure their star striker in the 25th. I move to control to break us out of this malaise an d we actually begin to push the ball forward, wonder of wonders. Half. I expect a much better half from you! Dotte not looking good so I send in Nwakali In heads Ortega for Mance, and then a tired Osmar comes out for Cook. In the 86t minute, Jae-Hwan crosses to Lanzini on an attack run who scores and ties it. Then a minute later they foul us outside of the box and Lanzini steps up, and sinks the DFK in the 89th! We win 2-1 with a great comeback, and Lanzini is clearly MOM. In the pres, GK Burki credits my talk as inspiring them to victory.


We’re doing fine points wise, 3 wins, 2 ties thus far. 11 points in 5 games and we are 4th in the Liga. But we aren’t doing much scoring. We have won 2-1, 1-0, 0-0, 1-1, 2-1. We’ve scored 6 goals and allowed 3. I move Mance to hot prospect. Less pressure that way.


Game 6 – Away vs Barcelona. Ready for our streak to end? I start today Morales, Sayed, Nagatomo, Ouattara, for Mance, Oliver, Dotte, and Ragazzi. We’ll be defensive, obviously. Pick up where you left off! Lanzini is injured in the 40th after a quiet half. I send in Cook. Half. Keep it up! Mance heads in for a horrible Morales. Messi scores from a Neymar assist in the 60th. Cecchi a booking, and I send in Ragazzi and switch them on the pitch with Nagatomo. They score again in the 79th. And then again in the 83rd. Diallo booked. Then they sort of lay off, and Mance is given a nice pass by Dong-Hyuk and runs at the goal and fires a shot one on one on their keeper and sinks it in the 89th. We lose 3-1. Far from pleased!


Lanzini is out for 6-7 weeks with strained knee ligaments.



End of Sept –Jae-Hwan, Ibrahim, and a youhter of mine were all good in training

[Abe Sargent]

October –

Oct 3 – Away vs Mainz – EURO
Oct 6 -Home vs Athetic Bilbao
Oct 20 – Away vs Cadiz
Oct 24 – Home vs CSKA Moscow, EURO
Oct 27 – Home vs Real Betis
Oct 30 – Away vs Villarreal

Lanzini and Mance were in Team of Week Subs, and Lanzinis goal was 3rd best of the week


Guy Ouattara and Junca really got on well on and off the pitch, and Ouattara learned a lot.


EURO Vs Mainz – Cook starts for Lanzini today. Good luck! Sayed starts a drive and after some nice passes, they just miss the shot on our end. They score in the 12th minute. Well, not one said that that we would shut them out in their own place I suppose. I order up some changes to get more shots.. Then they score against in the 25th. Uh oh. We have 2 and 0 shots on that, and they 5 and 4 . change up our rhythem, tighter marking, move to hard tackling for about ten minutes to mess with their flow, and then swap folks on the field, like my ST’s role. Half, we’re down 2-0. Show me something else! We blast out, and thins are looking a bit better. We’re keeping them from closing on goal, we’re getting shots. But nothing is sinking. I send in Ragazzi for Cecchi after he gets a yellow card, and then Mance for Morales and finally Ibrahim for Cook. In the 87th minute, Dong-Hyuk tackles the ball from a defender, breaks free and scores. Very nice individual merit! Well that’s something, that makes the game a lot interesting. And then in extra time….he does again! Ibrahim hits him for a score. Ibrahim intercepted a midfield pass, and found Dong-Hyuk on an attack run. We tie 2-2, and that was a nice comeback. Moscow won.


I sign Younis Mahmoud to join us as a U19 coach. He’s got some solid stats, like 15 ATT Coach, 14 Mental and Working with Youngsters, and 11 or 10 in Determination, Adapt, Discipline, and Motivating

Juan Luis, who was late on a game once in April after coming how late of a bar, just did so again. Last time I warned him, this time I fine him 1 weeks salary. He’s “shocked” to find out what we do to him.


Game 7 vs AB – Today we start Oliver at ML not Cook, and Ragazzi is back in the DR spot. Whenever I Get a scout result that tells me there is no specific preparation that would be need, I always work on attacking set pieces instead. I slide Mance back in too. Good luck! We begin with a long Bilbao invasion for a while, and we fend them off, ,and then slowly begin to move folks back. But nothing too major. We had a few off target shots at the end of a build up or a long shot, but nothing that good either. Half. You can still win this! We head in, and I sub in Ndi for Oliver, and then swap his spot with Jae-Hwan. Then I send in Nwakali for Cecchi. In the 73rd, Ndiis driving, crosses to Dong-Hyuk, and a defender intercedes, heads the ball away, but he’s still close and he closes and puts the ball into the goal. Dong-Hyuk breaks the tie. I slide in Jesus Miguel Ortega for Mladen Mance. In the 87th minute, off a corner kick, Sayed finds Dong-Hyuk for a shot, blocked, falls to Ortega for a score. His first of the season and first for the club. Ouattara is banged up with a leg injury late. Sayed collects a booking late and then is MM with our 2-0 selves. Good job!

Ouattara is out for around a week or so.

Bissafi Doote wasn’t super great, so I loan him out.


Ragazzi named in Team of Week


WHOA!!!

9 October –

Consortium targets Melilla Takeover

UD Melilla will name Fernando Hierro as their new head coach should their bid to take control prove successful. Consortium leader Andres Fassi hinted at the appointment to the Spanish Football Free Press. The UD Melilla board have placed an embargo upon transfers as a result of the rumors regarding a possible takeover. These restrictions will remain in place until the outcome of any takeover has been resolved.

Ummm….

[Abe Sargent]

While on Nigerian International Duty, David Ibrahim is injured for 3 weeks with a twisted ankle and Diallo with a week with a stubbed toe during a Mali game.

I offer a job to Scottish scout John park. He signs.

Ouattara is out with a sports hernia for a month

Spanish Cup Draw Arrives – We get Real Murcia in the 4th round.


Game 8 vs Cadiz I want to give Cook a chance to see what he can bring, so I decide to bench Osmar for three games and play Cook there. That starts today. I have Nwakali starting for Ouattara, and Diallo is back from injury. Vengeance! The 3rd minute, Cadiz foul us hard, get a yellow card, and then off the free kick, we push forward, and they push us aside, and then Mance grabs it and hits Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 5th minute. Diallo a yellow. . We injured one of their players in the 21st. Oliver booked. We fire a cross in the 44th, and they handball in their box. PK And….Yoon Jae-Hwan misses. Half. 1-0 us. Keep it up! They score, and we keep bringing it. They score in the 51st. Then I sub in Junca, Osmar for DC Diallo, and finally Ndi heads in. In the 86th, Junca hits a DFK. Another penalty is given, and Osmar hits it. Another of their players is injured and forced to leave. We win 3-1 Good win!

Their two players are both out for 3 months (broken ankles). Sorry, but you had 4 yellow cards to our two, and gave away more fouls and a PK at the end with a tackle.



CUP vs CSKA Moscow – We start Morales at ST, Osmar at DC, and Cook remains at DMC. You can win this! We head out and push forward for about five minutes. That was a nice five minutes. Then the Moscow wave just hits our North African sands and begins to erode our defense and composure. Slowly, whittling away, closer and closer to goal. 15 minutes, 30 minutes, half. That was close. We can still win! After another 15 minutes, I make some changes to try and dial us back in like retaining possession and working the ball into the box and moving to a counter set up. In heads Nagatomo, Mance, and I get my first real thrust in ages in the late 70s, but nothing comes. Ortega for Morales. 7 shots for us, 2 on target, 15 for them 7 on target, and no scores. 0-0. MOM is Yoon Jae-Hwan. Mainz won too. Look, we can’t get out of this group unless we win


Mance is doing better than a lot of folks might realize. Here’s his Liga stats:

6 games, 1 goal, 2 assists, 76% of shots are on target, 7.50 rating

Dong-Hyuk?

8 games, 5 goals, 3 assists, 53% on target, 7.41 rating

Mance has been fine.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 9 vs Real Betis – This is the final game of the Cook as DMC experiment. Nagatomo is in for Ragazzi at DR, but I slide Ragazzi to DC for the wounded Ouattara. We have a tired Oliver on the left, and Ibrahim is back from injury, so I give him a start. Vengeance! We push at them hard early, so I move to control. Dong-Hyuk finds Mance for a score in the 20th. Sayed a yellow. At the half, we have 8 shots, 3 on target, to their 2 and 0. Don’t get complacent! They score in the 50th. But the Mance drives, slides the ball to Dong-Hyuk, and he scores in the 52nd. Mance had a dead leg, and I send in Ortega for him. Whenever I send in Ortega, I usually move him to Defensive Forward (his best role) and then his striker partner to an attack role (Dong-Hyuk si a complete forward support, so I give him an attack role now). My next sub is Junca for Sayed. I move some middles around to accommodate. They score on a counter in the 79th. Dang it! Osmar heads out for Diallo. I move to attacking. I want this win! N extra time, Cecchi is driving and lifts the ball to Junca coming up free behind him, who runs into space. Junca does exactly what he’s done for us so many times before, he crosses over Dong-Hyuk, who’s attacking, and Ortega, who’s driving at goal and defending, and finds Ibrahim on the far side, driving. David Ibrahim puts it away at the 90:25 mark. Back to counter! We win 3-2. MOM is Dong-Hyuk. Good win


Mance is out for a few days with the dead leg.

Like I said last year, I got a little lucky with my signings.


Ouattara was signed as my 4th option, on the last day of transfer window, and wound up owning that DC spot, and being my best one after growing hard. Dong-Hyuk was singed a nice youth prospect for depth and training, and yet, had been a great player for me thus far this year.

I got lucky

Nwakari approaches me wanting more regular soccer. I point out our great form at the moment, and tell him he’ll get a chance, and he agrees.

I mean seriously. Right now we’re 4th in the Liga, having only dropped a game to Barcelona away 3-1. In 9 games we have 20 points and a 6-2-1 record. That’s pretty smoking. The top three are the expected Barcelona and the Madrids, but we are sitting at 4, just one point behind Barca, and a full win over 5 and 6 points over #6. You don’t mess with success like this right now

After investing in the training, Nwakali can now switch the ball to the opposite flank. Like Junca did.

Dong-Hyuk named in Team of Week


Game 10 vs Villarreal. Since this is an away game vs one of the “big six (Villarreal, Valenca, Celta, the Madrids, Barca)” we’ll be playing defensively. Against the others I expect more of a counter based orientation. For today’s match, I have placed Oliver back in the ML spot. Osmar outplayed Cook in the DMC role, so he heads back in as well. I gave Cook an easy game (Cadiz) a rough game (Moscow) and a decent game (R. Betis) and Osmar was still doing better. Pick up where you left off! They get two bookings early. Osmar hits a long shots for goal in the 25th. Mance was setting up Sayed for a shot and the ball was tackled and Osmar had a moment to line up the shot with no defenders on him, just the GK on line. Pretty slow from both teams, we have 4 shots, 2 on target, and they have 5 and 1 at the half. Keep it up! We give away a penalty in the box. They score. They follow with another score super fast. It’s like someone woke up the giant. Antother goal in the 65th. I send in Cook for a suck Oliver (5.9). NWakali for Nagatomo who’s underperforming as well (6.20 ).Ibrahim heads in. We injure a foe in extra time. We lose 3-1. Got to do better!


End of October –

Training – Ortega, Jae-Hwan, and Mance impressed

[Abe Sargent]

November

Nov 3 – Away vs Getafe
Nov 7 – Away vs CSKA Moscow, EURO
Nov 10 – Home vs Sevilla
Nov 24 – Home vs Elche
Nov 27 – Away vs Young Boys, EURO

I terminate a few of my youthers that are pretty bad. Like 7 of them.

Osmar agrees to tutor Nwakali


Game 11 vs Getafe – Morales starts, I want to see what Nagatomo has to bring at the wide spot, so I swap out Oliver for him, and I slide Cook at DMC and Osmar at DC for continuing coverage of Ouattara’s open spot. Good luck! It’s nice that we have such great depth that I’m able to do well despite having two starters – Ouattara and Lanzini, out. Ingason is with Getafe if you’ll recall. Yoon Dong-Hyuk finds Yoon Jae—Hwan on an attack run and that’s out only score. Pretty quiet. Don’t get complacent! We have 8 shots, 4 on target, and them 3-0. Then Sayed finds JaeHwan for another score in the 49th. Just an amazing assist by him. By the 59th minute, Getafe have made all of their subs. I push forward tempo, tackles, and marking. No cards, so I think we can get away with some harder tackling. I send in Ibrahim for Nagatomo, Ortega for Dong-Hyuk. In the 81st, Ibrahim crosses after driving all the way to the corner, and then Morales fires, it reboudns off the post to him, and then shoots and puts it away . Nwakali for Ragazzi. We win 3-0. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Very happy!


Sayed and Osmar in Tema of Week



EURO vs CSKA Moscow. Nagatomo for Ragazzi, Oliver in the ML spot, Pick up from where you left off! Nagatomo finds Morales for a scores in the 5th minute. They fire right back in the 6th. Yoon Dong0-Hyuk drives, finds Oliver on an attack, and he scores in the 20th. Yoon Jae-Hwan finds Morales for a score in the 24th. They score off a cross in the 33rd. 3-2 half. Whew! Don’t get complacent! They fire a score into the goal in the 47th. Junca for Cecchi. They score again. Then Oliver finds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 65th, Ragazzi for Diallo. Ibrahim for Sayed. They score again the 85th. We lose 5-4, we have 19 shots, 11 on target to their 14 an 11. That was just a bizarre game. Unlucky?

That game is the highest scoring game in Melillas long history




Game 12 vs Sevilla - Manuel Lanzini is back from injury, but I want to give him some time to recuperate. He doesn’t play today. Sayed is too tired to play, and David Ibrahim starts instead. Mance back in too. Vengeance! Osmar booked very early. Nagatomo finds Oliver driving and he scores in the 12th. We push back hard. And then it’s pretty quiet. Half. Keep it u! In the 47th minute, Osmar collects another yellow and is sent off! Oh noes! I slide to a 3-1-4-2 set up and Dotte heads in for Cecchi. In the 56th, they score. Then Oliver steps up a DFK and…..sinks it in the 64th and suddenly, we’re ahead again, despite being down a man. God bless the set piece. Ortega for Yoon Dong-Hyuk. Oliver booked. Final sub I pull Oliver for Junca. They’re coming forward hard to get this last goal and at least tie it up. We win 2-1. MOM is Oliver. Whew! That was close. Good win!

Osmar is banned next match, and I have issues him a warning to knock that off.

[Abe Sargent]

Oliver selected in Team of Week


13 Nov – The Consortium takeover fo UD Melilla is completed. Andres Fassi took it over. He sends me a message telling me that:

1) Money has been spent to continue the development of the training ground and youth facilities
2) 12.5 mill was dumped into the coffers
3) Current Board keep their current roles
4) A decision on whether or not to retain me will occur shortly


Ouattara is almost back from injury. Nwakali starts for him until he returns.

Cecchi out for 2-3 weeks with a strained stomach muscle

Ndi focuses on improving his dribbling for us.

Game 13 – v Elche. Lanzini is back. They get a pair of cards, but nothing in the first 27 minutes , Then they score a goal, but it was offside. Nope. We retaliate with a pass by Jae-Hwan to Ibrahim and he finds Mance running and Mance puts it away, score in the 33rd. 1-0 half. Keep it up! I send in Ortega, On a corner, Diallo gets the corner kick from Lanzini, centers it to Mance, who scores in the 67th minute. Dotte for Nwakali, and Ortega scores in the 82nd minute off Ibrahim cross. I send in Ndi. MAnce is MOM. 3-0 win


At the game was Hierro, the head coach the board would like to see replace me.

Morales is concussed and out for a week


We are retained as the head coach of Melilla.

The new guy offers me a new contract, and I dicker him into improving the youth recruitment of the club as well. I finalize my offer but only for one more year.


EURO Young Boys – Osmar is back, Sayed back in the middle, Nwakali and Nagatomo and such. Pick up where you left off! I start counter-style. It’s snowing here in Switzerland today. Sayed finds Mance for a score in the 14th. They cross and score in the 19th. Nwakali was poor and missed the header. On an IFK, Sayed finds Osmar for a score in the 32nd. Yoon Jae-Hwan drives, finds Yoon Dong-Hyuk for a score just before half time and we are up 3-1. Nah, goal is disallowed. Half – 2-1 us Don’t get complacent! Sayed is booked. We are having a lot of pressure turned aside on counter after counter. Oliver for Sayed, Junca for Lanzini. Jae=Hwan yellow card. They foul Dong-Hyuk in the box. Osmar sinks it in the 80th minute Dotte for an underwhelming Nwakali. In the 88th, They foul us again, and again, Osmar sinks it. That’s a hat trick – one normal score, two PKs. He’s MOM. We win 4-1.

Despite our win, we fail to qualify with one game left. Our foes are both at 10 points, and we have 6.






End of Nov –

Good training – Dong-Hyuk, Jose Antonio, and Mance

[Abe Sargent]

December


Dec 1 – Away vs Mallorca
Dec 4 – Away vs Murcia, Spanish Cup
Dec 8 – Away vs Valencia
Dec 12 – Home vs Mainz, EURO
Dec 15 – Away vs Malaga
Dec 18 – Home vs Murcia, SC
Dec 22 – Home vs Espanyol

We are 2nd in the Liga right now


So we have 2 Cups, 1 Euro, and 4 Liga games this month. This is very busy

A Congolese Striker is brought to my attention, young nad good, and I make him an offer. Kudra Mwasika


Game vs Mallorca, the worst team in the liga thus far. Ouattara is back. Morales and Cecchi are still out. Lanzini is a little tired, so I send in Cook for him. Pick up where you left off! Mance fires, it’s turned aside, but they can’t control it and gets on the rebound and scores. 5th minute. Nice start. Well I’ll take it. Then Sayed feeds Dong-Hyuk for a gaol in the 36th. Yellow for Jae-Hwan. Keep it up! We have 7 shots, 3 on target, hey have 5 and 2. We were countering so they have possession. Mallorca are pushing forward hard. Diallo yellow. Nwakali for him, and Oliver for Cook. Ibrahim for Jae-Hwan. We win 2-0. MOM is Sayed. We’ll take that. Godo win!

According to the news, Dortmund are interested in Yoon Jae-Hwan and the 30 millit’d take to secure him from us

I have Benfica interested in Ragazzi, Dortmund in Jae-Hwan, Leverkusn in Sayed, and Juventus in Lanzini. Oh, and Eibar for Ortega.

.

Oliver will stop dictating tempo

GK Burki in Team of Week


Game 1 vs Murcia, Cup Match – I move a few folks around, Morales is back from injury, he spells Mance. Ibrahim starts ,Cook for Osmar, and Dotte for Diallo. Keep our run going! We are expected to win Quiet half. 0-0. You can win this one! We assault their goal, and I make subs. Nothing until the 87th when Oliver finds Morales for a score. We win 1-0. You got away with that one!


I sign that youth Striker, Kudra Mwasika, he’ll arrive in January

Espayol hire Hierro, the guy that was going to be my replacement here

[Abe Sargent]

Game – Away vs Valencia – I need my best players in for this match. Today is my 200th game as a head coach of Melilla. Good luck! I’d defensive for this match, and we are not expected to win. No pressure, right? 21 minutes in, we don’t even have a shot yet. They move to hit us, but can’t crack out defense. Diallo with a card. 0-0 half Keep it up! They have 3 cards to our 1. Later in the 70s, we are stil holding. I sub in Cook for Nagatomo,and swap folks around to move Osmar to DC and him to DMC. Oliver in for Lanzini On an IFK in the 86th. Sayed kicks the ball, and finds Osmar on the back end for a score. Ortega heads in for Mance. We win 1-0 on a set piece against Valenica. I will take this all day long. MOM is Sayed. Burki was on fire – 10 shots on target, none fell.


That’s 5 wins in a row for us

GK Burki is Team of Week

Random EURO Game vs Mainz – Cecchi is back form injury. I want to try something fun. I swap Ragazzi and Ouattara for a while, to see how they can do at each other’s roles. Ouattara is a better pass/cross by far, but Ragazzi is better at jump/head and mark, so I want to see what we can do there. Maybe we can unlock one or both more? I want to give them some serious games, maybe 6 or 8 or so to get adjusted to their space in the upper flight of a major league. Pick up where you left off! At the 2:26 mark, Mance intercepts a bad pass by the GK and shoots for goal. Lanzini booked. Osmar finds Sayed who slip the ball to Mance on an attacking run, and he scores in the 12th. They foul Jae-Hwan hard in the box, get a yellow, and now…Mance a PK and it’s his hat trick in the 37th minute. Half. Keep focused! Ibrahim for Lanzni. Ortega for Mance. At the 80th, we aren’t really dominating the board. They have possession, 15 shots and 6 on target to our 11 and 7, more headers, more tackles, more passes completed. Osmar is a little tired, so I send in Cook. In the 83rd, Mainz gest a score from a long shot. Mainz finishes with 19 and 9. We we win 3-1. MOM is MAnce, obviously.

[Abe Sargent]

Away vs Malaga – Here we go! Pick up where you left off! We have a solid counter-based strategy for today. I rested some of my key players to keep them ready for today, like Sayed and Jae-Hwan. I don’t want to talk about this game, it pisses me off. We finish and lost 4-2. Oals by us for Sayed and Dong-Hyuk. Booking by Cecchi. We were just dominated by the #16 team. They had 32 shots 15 on target. Yuck. That was not acceptable.


Murcia Leg Two – Rotating into today’s match is Oliver, Cook, Nwakali, Nagatomo. We played counter/defensive in the last match, not too tired as a result. Dominate this match! (I ordered foodI got a call just as I started this match, headed out to get ready, then as the half ended, I made my adjustments, swaps, and such and headed out). We won 2-1. MOM is Sayed, and yellow card to Mance. Goals by Sayed and Ibrahim. Mance and Sayed with assists. We win 3-1 aggregate


Our next opponent in the Cup is Elche

My scout finds a studly South African striker, Felix Kadodia.

Ragazzi loved the tutoring he had with Nagatomo!


Game vs Espanyol. Back in the starting lineup are Diallo, Lanzini and Osmar. Winning this game si important for momentum over Winter Break, so I have most of my core starters on tap. Pick up where you carried off! Quiet half. FOR THE FANS!!! Go go Morales! Sayed finds Lanzini for a score in the 67t. Nwakali for Diallo. Cookin for Osmar. Jae-Hwan finds Morles for a score in the 80s. We win 2-0. MPOM is Sayed.


After 17 games, we finish the December and 2019 campaign at 12-2-3 with 38 points

[Abe Sargent]

Our youth/training facilities are improved.

I intend to rotate in Nagatomo at the DL spot regularly. Cecchi didn’t catch fire like I Was hoping early on.

Jae-Hwan approaches me and asks to talk to Barcelona if they make an offer, because he wants contentenial football. I promise him that end of the season, we’ll qualify, and if not, then I’ll sell him, and he’s content with that.

Jae-Hwan is my new favorite guy, so I really hope he sticks with us. Honorary mention to Osmar and Sayed.

Why Sayed? Let me show you some of my stats:


Sayed - 22 games, 3 goals, 9 assists, 8.25 rating. He’s currently 2nd most highly rated in the liga.

Yoon Dong-Hyuk – 25 games,11 goals, 10 assists, 7.26 rating

Yoon Jae-Hwan, 24 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 7.62 rating

Osmar – 22 games, 6 goals, 1 assists, 7.50

Mladen Mance 20 games, 10 goals, 3 assists, 7.39 rating


Ragazzi leads my defenders with 7.19 rating, and then Diallo at 7.08, Ouattara at 705 and Cecchi at 6.87. Nagatomo is 6.93 amd oters – Lanzini at 7.21, David Ibrahim at 7.19, and Morales at 7.13 are good too

(These numbers include the Cup matchs and EURO ones)


Who’s contracts are up soon I care about?

Osmar
Junca
Ndi
Morales

Youth – Antonio Jesus Diaz, Jose Antonio, Matthew Adelson, Said Meddour

I make Adelson, Antonio, and Said Meddour

I’m fine letter Diaz o finally

Meanwhile Ndi, Morales, Junca, and Osmar are all the rest of my relics from getting promoted a couple of years ago. We won’t miss any of them. I have Osmar’s replacement on my roster with Lewis Cook. Morales was just a rotational guy for me, and Ndi and Junca are in backup roles now. David Ibrahim sort of ended Ndi as one of my key young wingers. After he was successfully tutored by Van Persie, he grew pretty quickly.

I want to pause and see if there are any great additions coming free in a week or so.

There aren’t any major players that tweak my radar. Any good youth? Not that many. I send out some scouts, make an offer to a Nigerian GK youther that’s just okay, but I don’t have any solid GK For my sub-senior squads

Now that they EURO is over for us, I offer to loan out some other folks I was holding onto.


I’m not a super fan of Nwakali or DOtte and how they played, but Dotte at last was a youth player with potentials that should keep him growing. Anyone I can buy to come in and play a similar role


Nagatomo finished his Spanish course.

Ahmad Sayed comes to me wanting to transfer for the same reasons and Jae-Hwan and he agrees to wait for us until the end of the year.

[Abe Sargent]

Dec 29 – the time to review contracts coming up free.

Are there any players out there that would change us? Push us to the next level? There are some big names – Cristioano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso but they are either too old or not interested.

There are some players at a Lanzini level of play that would be interested in heading over. Nothing more though. If I need a great middile, there’s Algerian sensation Saphir Taider or German Karim Bellarbi. The young Anwar El Ghazi si very similar to my Oliver. French middle Florian THauvin is also pretty interesting. So if you want to push yourself, there are some quality midfielders of all stipes there.

Even assuming I let Ndi and Junca (who can play ML) and Osmar go, I still have a tight battle at my midfield with Ibrahim, Oliver, Lanzini, JaeHwan, Sayed, Cook, and who knows what others. Now if I want to grab an up-and-coming player, or security against a forced-ish transfer of Lanzini or Oliver or someone, then grabbing one of these would make some degree of sense.

Who do I like the most? I make an offer to El Ghazi.


West Brom have a hot young Striker, Michael Wellington, 19 years old, they have left him exposed. I make him an offer.


That’s good

End of December

Good training for ortega, Ragazii, and Ouattara



World Golden Bal wen to Juan Mata, Oscar and Ronaldo and Player of the Year was Mata,Oscar, and Ozil

Ahmad Sayed won Broadcaster’s African Footballer of the Year!

He also won African Player of the Year, followed by Mohamed Salah of Roma and Sofiane Fegouli of Valencia

Sayed named in African XI of the Year

Jack Lokhoff named European Golden Boy, os PSV,


Yoon Jae-Hwan named as Asian Footballer of the Year, Odil Ahmedov and Shinji Kagawa go2nd and 3rd.

Yoon Jae-Hwan also naed in Asian All Star XI



African Awards Announced:

Middie of the Year – Sayed


As you can see, both Sayed and Jae-Hwan are really good

[Abe Sargent]

January

Jan 4 – Home vs Real Sociedad
Jan 8 – Away vs Elche – Spanish Cup
Jan 12 – Away vs Real Nadrid
Jan 15 – Home vs Elche, Cup
Jan 19 – Home vs Celta
Jan 26 – Away vs Desportivo

We are 3rd in Liga right now


Bayern Munich make an offer for….Jesus Angel Ortega. No thanks

Michael Wellington confirmed his future with a sign to West Brom. Ah well

I may have to fend off some clubs again looking to poach my guys. I just got offers for Ragazzi from Man City and Benfica. Now, Ragazzi has a 14 mill mimum fee release clause. I’m not sure Benfica can keepup, but Man City surely has the cash to splash, right?


I negotiate Man City for 14.5 mill. I don’t want to lose Ragazzi. But that is a lot of money, and it’s jut 500k under his release fee anyways. Benfica is in too. Ragazzi is worth 2.4 mill


Dortmund have made an enquiry for Yoon Jae-Hwan . Yoon is worth 22.5 mill and is my most expensive player. I’m not interested in losing him. His min release is 45 mill. Now Jae-Hwan is not really someone I’m willing to negotiate. You need to offer me an epic amount of money for me to be interested in moving my best player.

I offer 45 mill. Dortmund offer back 26 mill. I doubt they are going to like the result. I offer a trade. You send me GK Lukas Althof, who’s worth 575k, and pay me 30 mill. I call that even

They walk away. 



I need to line up a replacement for Ragazzi assuming that offer goes through. The best DC I Know out there that I like of a similar parabola is Louis Mputu in Belgium. He’s on my short list, a total wonderkid for them. He’s been interested in coming to me from Club Brugge, but they were an obstacle What about now?

Obviously we’ve had a lot of talent poached from us from various sources ever since we hit the bg stage. I invested heavily in young player defensive players in my lower level team, hoping they would grow with me as we went to the liga, only to see folks like Juan Lopez and Mosiuda get purchased out from under me. I brought in Ragazzi who I’d always wanted anyways and Ouattara, and then I had more grabbed – often against my will – like ST Bamford, who I just slid to Mance, or others I chose. I would love to have a consistent top XI, but my toys keep getting taken from me. I thought Ragazzi woud stay. No one has ever really been interested in Diallo? Why? He’s cheap, he plays okay, he’s grown up around the club, and he’s not on a lot of radars. I figured Ragazzi would be too, but nope.

Anyways, I’ll try to bring in Mputu with my Ragazzi cash

Arsenal made an offer for Ragazzi as well that meets the fee.

We agree to a deal with Anwar El Ghazi to come to our club next year. Anwar is worth currently like 13.5 mill, so getting him for free at he beginning of next season is a strong bt of finance

I move from top half finish to EURO Cup QUal expectations, and we get a lot more cash from my nex board. The cash difference from my old board would have been a lot lower.

Two youthers join us. GK Adamu and St Mwaslka


Game vs Real Sociedad – Vengeance! Jae-Hwan crosses dangerously, a DC misheads it away and into goal. Diallo with the obligatory yellow card. Half. Don’t get complacent out there.! Jae-Hwan scores in the 60th. Cross by Ouattara to set him up. Nwakali for Diallo. Then Ortega. Finally Nagamtomo picks up a minor injury and I send in Cecchi. Ragazzi a booking. We win 2-0. MOM is Jae-Hwan obv. Good job everyone!

Nagatomo is out for 2 weeks with a facial injury. Cecchi starts for him.

[Abe Sargent]

Uh oh

Stupid big teams with their big cash. Man Utd are sniffing Ahmad Sayed’s panties. They offer me a ton of cash for Sayed. His min release is 55 mil, which seemed like a good idea. But now he’s worth 40 mill. He’s a 23 year old Egyptian force of nature. When you see a guy win all of those awards and accolades clearly you are interested. I’ve never had a player win African Player of the Year before for me. Or Asian for that matter.

I tell Man Utd that his release fee, which is only 25% or so above his actual value, is where I’m holding the line. I dicker them to 54 cause I’m nice, but that’s it. I try a few extra clauses to help them pay the cost, and then then make a non-negotiable offer of 24.5 mill up front, 2 mill in installments, 7.25 mill after 10 games, and 7.25 mill after 10 league goals, and 40% of next sale. That’s a lot of cash….

A lot of cash

Who would I bring in to replace him? Who’s in the queue?

I don’t even know.

But I am in THIRD PLACE IN THE LIGA. That’s awesome. And Sayed is a valuable part of that. My goal I to win games, not to make money. But with that kind of transfer money? It’s epic. Plus, it frees up my MC for a wonderkid (my early inclinations would be or run Jae-Hwan there and Oliver on the right.) I’m so deep at middie too.

Alright let’s do it

Alright I make an offer to Mputu

We agree to a 7.5 mill deal. We negotiate a deal for him

He signs first. I hurt my payroll massively to sign him and agree to the deal (He signs and arrives to us that day)


The club’s fans love the cash we negotiated, but they hate losing a strong rising star.


Louis Mputu, 18 eyars old, Belgium/D. R. Congo, DC only,worth 4.1 mill, and 6.5/week hot prospect deal, after 10 apps, salary increases to 10k/week, 40 mill release fee,

Physcial – 15/16 speed, 16 jump, str, 14 stam, fitness, 13 balance, 11 agility

Techni – 17 mark, 13 tack, 16 head, 12 tech, 11 first touc, pass, 10 cross

Mentals – 15 decisions, team work, 16 aggress, 14 – concentration, determination, 13 work rate positions, 11 anticipation, 10 vision


So he needs to grow clearly, but he’s a strong potential guy who’s already fast, good in the air, and marking fiend. Speaks French, Dutch, and Portuguese. Our coaches like him too.

Assuming Ragazzi leaves, I was thinking of keeping Ouattara split wide for now and Mputu in the DC role.

I accept a loan offer for Dotte

I send GK Adamu to Lierse for a loan. My coaches love ST Kudra Mwasika’s potential, which is one of the reasons I signed the 18 year old that was free after his agent sent me a tape.


Jae-Hwan named in Team of Week

Ragazzi accepts the Man City deal. He loved his time here, and says we really helped push his game forward. I readjust my budget and such back post-Mptutu deal and we have 8.4 mill in transfer cash, 660k in budget, and spending 575k week.

[Abe Sargent]

CUP vs Elche – Alright Mputu, let’s see what you’ve got! Starting today is Oliver at MR, and Jae-Hwan at MC. Keep your run going! We start counter as we are on the road. Oliver drives, crosses to Lanzini who sets up Dong-Hyuk, score in the 41st. Half time. All quiet. Keept it up! We had 14 shots but just 5 on target, to their 3 and 0. Oliver finds Lanzini in the 47th for another score. Ortega and Cecchi head in. Osmar scores in the 83rd. Lanzini’s tired, Cook spells him. We win 3-0, and MOM s Oliver. Very well done!

Mputu was 7.5 rated in his first game for us in the Cup.

It’s been 333 minutes since GK Burki allowed a goal

Alright it’s time….

Goodbye Ahmed Sayed.

After some of the immediate money is funneled elsewhere, I have 29 mill in transfer cash


Now I need to find someone or some folks to replace my peops.

I have the money, and there’s no need to shy away from the good stuff.

There is a Sayed-ish guy in Brazil (I searched the world for people like Sayed, and just two others showed up with the set piece talents – one is worth way too much money for Real Madrid). Ricardo, Brazilian, just turned 20 years old. I scout him to see if we could do a deal with Gremio . He’s not interested right now. I do like him a lot, and add him to my shortlist, in case things change in the off-season.

Junca signs with Elche at the end of the year

Is there anyone out there I can spend this money on right now?

My midfield can probably take an Ahmad-less hit fine. It’s the deepest part of my roster by far.

Next year we’ll have just three ST Dong-Hyuk, Mance, and perhaps Ortega getting better. Could I bring in another ST to play a strong role as an occasional sub for me now? I have signed players, and then groomed them into starters later later.

Or could my new signee, ST Mwasika play that role? He needs some developing, but eventually, I could see him there. Van Persie agrees to tutor him.


I keep scouting and scouting, but I’m not seeing an option that wants to sign for us at ST or an obvious MC.

The best Italian GK is a young stud who keeps for Udinese. I did a search for “Realistic” transfers, and he shows up. I send in a scout. He’s 23 and a total stud. Not sure why he’s on my list, but let’s see.

Alright, I have an idea. Make an offer to bring in the stud young German GK I’ve loved fo a while and finish up this year rotating and giving him starts, and then moving Burki in the offseason


Mance learns how to beat the offside trap

I scout up a bunch more midfielders

After scouting, GK Scuffet would be interested in joining our team. We think he’s one of the nest in the world. But, Udinese would likely require 25-35 mill to unhinge him. I can’t dedicate all of my transfer hopes on him. For example, in 17 starts in the Italian top league, 20 goals allowed, 7 clean sheets, and 6.91 rating vs our Burki with 18 starts, 24 goals allowed, 9 shutouts, and 6.94 rating. But still, I feel this is an area we need to improve on. Always be improving. And Burki is fine, but there are better out there. Altdorf is my target moving forward. I want to bring in a studly but developable player somewhere else . MC, ST, whatever. Right now, at misfield, I have Osmar, Cook, Jae-Hwan, Oliver, Lanzini and Ibrahim as my obvious choices for 4 spots. At the end of the year, Osmar is leaving, and we bringing in another That’s 6 players of quality for four spots. We could use another.


Away v the #1 team Real Madrid – Diallo is suspended, I moved Ouattara over, and both Cecchi and Nagatomo are in. Pick up where you left off! Defensively! Last year we stole a 1-0 win here. I’m not sure that’s happening again. We have a handful of chances in the first 20. Nothing serious comes if it. Cecchi with a yellow later. Ouattara as well. At the half we have 9 shots, 3 on target, they 14 and 7. You can win tonight! Nagatomo with a yellow. I sub in Morales. Ibrahim next. Our foes are getting booked now late, getting angry, punchy or told to go hard, I’m not sure. Oliver booked. Junca heads in for Cecchi. Everybody is scrambling hard late to get a goal. Real Madrid 24 shots, 12 on target, no scores. We tie 0-0.

That’s a strong result, and one I’ll take happily.

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to Atlethic Bilbao for 20 year old Borja Velez. He’s Spanish, does some good stuff, has some incredibly interesting things to offer, and he’s domestic, which is cool. We negotiate 6.75 mill

We agree to a contract with him

There youther over at Anderlecht, Abdellilah Bourchta, we scouted, and he really wanted to leave and join us, but they are not easily swayed. He just send out a “Please come and get me” plea. SO I make an offer to Anderlecht, just to unsettle him. Guy’s worth like 200k. We cancel the bid.


Cup Match 2 vs Elche – I have Ndi, Ibrahim, Cook and Ortega in the starting lineup. Dong-Hyuk finds Ibrahim for a score, and then Elche break our Gk’s streak, and hit us back 1-1 at the half. Don’t get complacent. Then then score again . Annoying. I send in Morales, Oliver, and Nwakali. Ibrahim gest another goal in the 82nd. Then the next minute, Ibrahim gest his hat trick on the day. We win 3-2 here, and 6-2 aggregate. MOM is clearly Ibrahim. Asssst also by Cecchi and Mputu.


So as you can see, Ibrahim is growing.

We make it to the Quarters and we’ll play against Celta.

I keep rejecting offers for Ortega

Our offer for Velez will be delayed while I just discovered another possibility….

I have one of my old players in another dynasty, he’s 23 now a few years into this one, unsettled, a big name, Argentinian Sebastian Driussi Worth 11 mill. Plays in Brazil for Sao Paulo. Druissi is young. Developed. Nasty good. And young.

Now the guy I just made an offer to,Velez, is not a wonderkid, just a really good younger guy wo’s got solid set pieces and sterling passing. But I’m having second doubts. He’s not sexy. He’s not amazing. Velez has 9 finishing, 14 technique ,17 pass, 11/12 speed, 13 long shots, 11 mark, but he’s nto great technically, and physically. Mentally he’s hit and miss – 19 work take, 18 vision, 16 team work, 10 deter, brave, etc. He’s not an amazing set pieces, just okay, and he’s not a great advanced playmaker, just okay. Plus, he can only play DMC< MC, and AMC. I;m no longer solid on him

Could I target a younger MC instead, one more wonderkid-y, but less developed? Instead of the 23, 20, how about an 18 or 19 year old? Again, this could be a more developmental sort of guy. That person I can sub in occasionally when I need.

Jose Antonio and Lanzini finish turoting and he gained some. I offer Antonio for loaning

[Abe Sargent]

LIGA Game Home vs Celta We have Celta 3 out of 4 in a row. Diallo is back and I move him in. Also back are Mance and Lanzini. Pick up where you left off! All of the early attacks are us, but noting hits. Dong-Hyu finds Lanzini on the edge for a score in the 23rd. We injure one of their players, and they are getting cards now. Half. Don’t get complacent out there! Ibbrahim with a card. Ortega for Mance. Oliver for Ibrahim. Ortega scores in the 73rd off a nice build up through the center. Offsides. Mwakali for Louis Mputu. We win 1-0, but it should have been more, we had 26 shots, and just 7 on target. Lanzini is MOM.


ST Kudra Mwasika was capped for Congo DR and is in “dreamland”

I make an offer to South African ST youther Felix Kalodia. We sign him, he’ll join us in July.

Diallo and Ouattara in Team of Week


I make an offer to my GK Lukas Althof. We agree to 12.75 with Dortmund. I sign the awesome horse for 3 years, 18 years old, hot prospect, 13,5k/week, and 625k total value.


Away vs Celta, Quarter Finals Spanish Cup – We are away, but we know each other pretty well. I start out defensively. Oliver is in for Ibrahim. Pick up were you left off and all that! Dong-Hyuk scores in the driving rain in the 18th minute for us. Mance found ‘im. Jae-Hwan to Mance in the 20th for another goal. Jae-Hwan to Dong-Hyuk in the 23rd and this game has gone in a surprisingly odd direction. At the half, 9 shots, 5 on target, 1 and 0 for Celta. Stay focused! Nagatomo for Cecchi. Irahim in. Nwakali for Mputu. Jae-Hwan finds Mance for a score in the 86th. We win 4-0, no cards (they had two) MOM is MAnce, nicely done. That was special

I have an idea for a way to spend my cash. What about on a top-flight wonderkid who’s under 18 and needs to wait until that age to move? I could spend the transfer kitty now, and then wait for the results later. Typically that would mean someone like an Argentinian or Brazillian.

I make an offer to 16 year old ST/MC Allan Luiz, Brazil 4.5 mill now.

[Abe Sargent]

Game vs Deportivo. We are favored, they are 13th, and we are in their home. My opponent praises me for being a brilliant defensive tactician. Lanzini is a little tired and I send in Cook for him. I begin countering. They give us an OG under our withering attack, more and more shots are on target, and then half . We have 12 and 7, they 1 and 1. Nagatomo in, Mance with a great long shot in the 56th for a score, Dong-Hyuk the architect. Nagatomo injured. I send in Nwakalii and ove folks around. They walk the ball in for a score in the 82nd. Dong0Hyuk scores in the 84th off a corner. Ibrahim for Osmar, and I swap Cook to his DMC spot. Wow. They fire an amazingly on target long shot from way out for a score in the 89th. We win 3-2. Closer than ot should have been!

Nagatome out for two weeks with a damaged heel

The agent for Osmar wants to reopen talks, but I decline

Osmar in Team of Week

Allan Luiz signs – he’ll join us in July 2021

Quarter Final Cup Match away at Celta. Don’t get complacent! Lots of pressure by us early. Nothing too threatening on the goal though. Then Jae-Hwan hits Mance for a score in the 36th. I tell my guys to tackle light. No sense getting any cards or injuries. Half. Keep your focus! Mance injured, Morales heads in. Jae-Hwan lightly injured, and I send in Cook. Morales scores in the 59th. Junca heads in for Cecchi. Game. We win 2-0, and 6-0 on aggregate. MOM is Jae-Hwan.

Jae-Hwan – injured for 5-6 days with a dead leg
Mance – Out for 2 months with strained knee ligaments.


Mance out sucks. We’ll be running Morales/Dong-Hyuk up front, and then Ortega, and ST Mwasika as subs. Cecchi in for Nagatomo as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Now, there are a few issues I want to unearth.

First, what happened with GK Altdorf?

Dortmund have an unbelievable amount of GK talent. N Their starting GK is a Polish guy, just stopped being a wonderkid and is almost fully developed, and mega-hot and spicy. At 22, we think he’s one of the best GKs in the world. The next GK they have on their roster is a grizzled veteran on a squad rotation. He’s 32 and pretty battle hardened. Then you have Altdorf, who would be starting for most teams already at 18, and has a ton of upside as well. We love him, and we was willing to come to us to get some playing time and out from underneath the Dortmund’s GK Shadow. I mean, when one GK is a key player and the oter rotation, it’ll be hard to crack that lineup

I mentioned earlier that there was this studly, already very developed German GK on my radar. And we just signed him. We’ll take a look in a moment, but I want to loan him out today, the last day of the window, to give him some first team development.


Meanwhile, what about Allan Luiz? I don’t normally like to sign players who won’t come to my team for a while. I spent 4.5 mill to secure him 2 years down the road, and no one is sure what he’ll look like then. It could be a great deal, a poor one, or a normal one. But with the extra transfer cash and no obvious targets that fit my usual parabola of interest it just made sense to me.

I still have MC Velez to figure out.


I have a three hour window left for transfers after that game. This is my last chance to bring in some talent now. I have money. After those pickups, I have 9 mill and some change. I have the money. Normally I’d use cash like that to target one major up and coming star, but my team doesn’t really need it. I have Mance and Dong-Hyuk, Jae-Hwan and Cook, Ouattara, Mputu, Althof, Cecchi and to lesser degrees Ibrahim and perhaps Mwasika. Now load in top young guys like Diallo along with older developed stars such as Lanzini and Oliver and a few old stars such as Osmar, Nagatomo or Burki. That’s a load of talent. And we get that.

But I can afford it.

How about a wonderkid on the side? Maybe ML? Nah I want to keep building up Ibrahim, he’s taken major strides ever since his arrival. He’s not a wonderkid, but he’s good.

Osmar is playing so well, and he fits in so well, I offer him a one year extension. He was the gy who came to me and pushed us up in January a while ago.

No one wants to loan Althof.

I make an offer to 18 year old Spanish Javier Garcia. I agree to 3.1 mill and they loan him back for the rest of the season. This is a strong Spanish rising star in defense. I don’t need to worry about him ow, and he can be my rotational guy later, much like Ouattara was for us

He deson’t like his club that much and withdraws from an option since he doesn’t want to get loaned back. I withdraw and make a new offer to Nastic. Our new offer is 2.3 mill


Javier Garcia joins us



18 years old, Javier Garcia, singed four 4 years, 8.75k/week hot prospect deal, 1.7 mill value. D RLC and Sweeper too. The best way to describe him is to look at the report – determined, fits in, brae, versatile, resolute, team player,very well suited to liga, and counts as a Spain trained youth for continetnial play. I would sum him as very good mentally, some technical growth needed, adequate physical

Physical – 12/13 speed, 15 str, 14 balance, jump, 13 stam, 12 agility, 9 fitness

Mental – 18 brave, 17 work rate, 15 position, teamwork, 15 determ, antip, 14 concentration, 13 decisions, composure, 12 aggrssk 10 leader

Tech – 15 tackling, 14 passing, 13 head, mark, technique, 9 cross, 8 dribb, 9 first touch

So he’s fine in many places. But he needs to grow too.

Welcome to the club Javier Garcia. I’m going to slide him in as a Nwakali spot, since Nwakali hasn’t been that great for me.

I cancel the transfer of Velez


End of January -

Good training? Osmar, Cecchi, and Ibrahim

[Abe Sargent]

February

Feb 2 – Away vs At. Madrid
Feb 5 – Home vs Athletic Bilbao, Semi Final Spanish Cup
Feb 9 – Home vs Granada
Feb 12 - Away vs A. Bilbao, Sems SC
Feb 16 0 Away vs Levente
Feb 23 – Away vs A. Bilbao

We are 3rd in the Liga right now

Current Table of note:

1. At. Madrid, 49 points
2. R. Madrid, 48 points
3. Melilla 48 points
4. Barcelona, 47 points
5. Valencia, 37 points
6. Real Sociedad 36 points
7. Malaga, 31 points


A. Bilbao is sitting at 13th right now. We are looking good in the top four. Oh and Valencia, Malaga and R Sociedad have an extra game, so their points are inflated. We are tight right now.



Game 22 vs At. Madrid – I go defensive here, obviously. This is a team with a lot of class. Pick up where you left off! I have Ibrahim, Cook in the middle starting. Oliver is a little tired, and I wanted to give Ibrahim a harder game. They score in the 34th minute in the snowstorm. Half. Unlucky! They fire a shot just outside of the box on target in the 58th. Then another a few minutes later. I send in Van Persie, and then Nwakali. Another goal. Ndi heads in. We lose 4-0. We were never in this game. I’m trying to build the team we just played. Im not happy with that!


We were just crushed.

Osmar signs the new one year deal.

Cecchi has learned how to knock the ball past his opponent


Cup Semis vs A. Bilbao –We are home for today’s first leg. Jae-Hwan is back from injury Oliver on the MR. Relax play your natural game, and the result will come. We have early momentum, but shots off target or later tackles, are preventing stuff. It ebbs. So I move is to control to face it. Yellow to Cecchi. Half. The result will come! Lanzini finds Mputu on a IFK or a score in the 51st. Mputu’s first score for us! I send in Javier Garcia for Cecchi. Mputu a yellow. Our foes are slowing down and easing back. I have Osmar replace Mputu and Cook for Mputu. Lanzini is very tired so Ibrahim heads in. We win 1-0. We should have won more we had like 18 shots to their 7.. Hopefully we can do solid work on the far leg. MOM is Jae-Hwan


We are at home. Granada have never beaten me, in the last six outings, they are in 19th place. So, all things considered, we are expected to win today’s match. Granada haven’t won in 10 games. I sub in Garcia for Cecchi. Ibrahim for Oliver. Today is Diallo’s 125th league appearance for us. Pick up where you left off! We are in control early on, and I slide to control to exacerbate it. Dong-Hyuk sets up Morales in the 33rd. He finds Morales again four minutes later. Half Don’t get complacent! Morles fires a shot to Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 50th. Our foes have a bunch of cards, so I ove to tackle easier. I send in ST Mwasika. I want to see what he can do. Diallo with a yellow. They fire a long shot and it sinks in the 70th. Nwakali for DialloJae-Hwan finds Mwasika for a score in the 81st - Morales finds Ibrahim for a score in the 87th. We win 5-1. MOM is Morales. Very happy with that!

The 15 assists Dong-Hyuk has thus far is a new Melilla seasonal record!

Ibrahim, Morales, and Dong-Hyuk in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Semi-Finals 2nd Round vs A Bilbao. Nagatomo is back from injury and he starts a t DL for me today. Oliver is back in too. It’s just half time, go out there and win! We start counter here in Bilbao, the capital and cultural seat of the Basque region. On an IFK from near the corner flag, Morales steps up, kicks, the ball is knocked back to him, and then he grabs it, hits to Jae-Hwan, who scores in the 32nd. Looks like that counts as an OG with him just assisting. Not sure what happened there, but okay. Goal anyway Half. Keep your focus! Morales a yellow. Ortega in for Morales. Oliver crosses to Dong-Hyuk who puts it away in the 67th. Nwakali for a tired Diallo. Cook for Osmar. We win 2-0, MOM is Jae-Hwan, and we are through on a 3-0 aggregate.

Real Madrid bombed At. Madrid 4-1 on aggregate, setting up a Spanish Cup Final vs Real Madrid

Here’s something interesting for y’all. I’ve played Real Madrid with Melilla three times, we’ve tied twice, and won once. Never lost though. So RM will likely just eviscerate us in the Finals.


Ndi is upset because he’s not getting enough play time, I offer to sell him, but he declines.



Levante match arrives. They are 13th, we are favored. Carry on from last match! In the 32nd, Dong-Hyuk finds Morales for a score. Yay! Then our foes score again. Booking for Oliver and Jae-Hwan. Half. You can still win this one! In the 65th, Jae-Hwan feeds Morales and he scores. I put in Ibrahim for Oliver, and Gara for Ouattara. Diallo with a yellow. I send in COok for him. In the 87th minute, our foes get a counter and score! Oh noes! Then in extra time, Ibrahim does the same, as LAnzini crosses over to him and he scores. And we win 3-2, Morales is MOM> Good win boys!


Now we have some time to breath…..


17 Feb – Our training facilties were again upgraded


Morales named in Team of Week

Dong-Hyuk is now capable of lobbing GKs.

Cecchi is out for 3 weeks with a gashed lower leg




Away vs A. Bilbao We start Ibrahim and Garcia. Pick up from last match! We are countering. We get the initial surge for roughly ten minutes or so and then Osmar finds Ibrahim who fires a long shot, on target, 12th minute. They fire right back in the 13th . Then another sinks. In the 25th, Dong-Hyuk get’s a nice pass from Morales and scores. Off a corner, the ball bounces around, Dong-Hyuk falls and sores. 36th minute. Half. 3-2 us. No Complacent, Si? I send in Mwasika for Morales. Cook for Mputu. Junca for Nagatomo. We win 3-2 . MOM is Jae-Hwan.


It’s time.


The last 4-6 games we’ve had low number of shots on target, but still goals. Our clean sheet,s like the two Bilbao matchs in the Semis, were holding them 1 and 3 shots on goal. Today they had just 3, and we let two in. He’s on a bit of a cold streak….

Time to send in the big gun

Our next game is home, vs Barcelona. There is no bigger test out there. It’s time to sink or swim

The Yoons are in Team of Week

I agree to transfer Nwakali so he can get first team football. He didn’t play well for us in the 20 games he had.

End of Feb – Training of value includes Ortega, Ouattara and Ibrahim.

[Abe Sargent]

March –


Mar 1 – Home vs Barcelona, #1
Mar 4 – Home vs Cadiz
Mar 9 – Away vs Real Betis
Mar 15 – Home vs Villarreal
Mar 22 – Home vs Getafe

We are 4th in the Liga


Game vs Barcelona – They have won 10 games in a row. Today we end that, welcome to North Africa! No subs, all my first team, and Lukas Althof too. Vengeance!!! We keep them back from scoring early. We turn aside Neymar. Then in the 32nd minute, Dong-Hyuk finds Jae-Hwan for a score on a counterattack. They injure Dong-Hyuk and Ortega heads in. Half. Keep it up! We’re up 1-0. We hold on for a while defensively. Oliver drives, crosses over the attackers to Lanzini who shoots and….it’s in! Cook heads in. Garcia heads in. MOM is Oliver, and we just blanked Barca!


Dong-Hyuk out for 10 days

We have used 26 players so far this season, the most by far of any Liga squad



Home vs Cadiz – Ortega starts. Garcia and Ibrahim as well. Pick up from where you left off! They are 16th right now, so when we thump them, they could drop down hard core. No goals early, so I move to control as the half winds down but to no avail. Half. Keep it up, we can win this! Garcia finds Morales on a run and he scores in the 49th. Mwasika in for Ortega Junca for Nagatomo. Cook for Ibrahim. MO is Garcia, and we win 1-0. Good job!


Wow, we just moved to the top spot with that win!

After another game, Mputu will see his pay rise to 10k a week


Real Betis is here. Ortega starts again. Back in – Ouattara, Lanzini, U start countering and keep up the run! They score in the 14th minute to start things out, error by Diallo led to it but they calm down. Give and take until Oliver finds Jae-Hwan on an run and hits him for a score. Then we cross, shot blocked but a OG just before th half. Heep it up! We survive some early pressure, and then begin to instill our own. Ortega is given a pass, drives into the goal, slides it to Jae-Hwan, who scores in the 59th. I send Junca after LAnzini gest a card. Then Cook and Nwakali follow. We win 3-1, and Jae Hwan is MOM

Ouattara named in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Youth facilities upgraded

Lewis Cook can now switch the ball to the opposite flank

Osmar is injured with a strained stomach muscle for 5-6 weeks and Cook will start in his place

Ndi wants to be transferred to get more first team soccer. I agree. I list him


Game vs Villarreal, who are #8 Cecchi and Dong-Hyuk are back for this match, and I am resting Diallo and going with Garcia and Mputu. Cook is in too. I give Nagatomo a rest for Cecchi. Vengeance! They score in the 20th minute, and then Cecchi grabs a yellow. We try various things to no avail. Half. Where’s your passion? Well, Yoon JaeHwan has passion! He finds Morales for a score in the 51st to bring us level. I sub in Mwasika and Nwakalii but to no avail. Even Ibrahim heads in, but nothing….tie game 1-1. Not good enough! Jae-Hwan is MOM




Mar 16 arrives, and with it, another batch of youthers.. Only two were strong. The first was Josa Antonio who’s okay and the other is Ortega.

Nah not really


MAnce is back from injury!

Match vs Getafe – Back is Diallo and Mance. Getafe are 7th right now – keep up your run! They give up a penalty, and MAnce scores, and then Lanzini finds him for another score in the 37th. Dong-Hyuk a booking. We are all over this half. No getting complacent. Don’t let up! Mwasika heads in for a tired Mance. Lanzini crosses to him for a scorein the 68th. We three times as many goals as they have shots on taret, ,we are 14/8 to their 6/1. Mwasika finds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 75th. Garcia for Ouattara, David Vazquez for Jae-Hwan. We win 4-0. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Very happy!


With ten, Jae-Hwan sets a Meillla record for most MOM ina season


Any great major youth in Spain that just came through youth programs hat I’m interested in? Wow according to our scouts, Rael Sociedad just got two wonderkid-esque players. They broke Spanish Football! Fernando Agirrre, a MC , ST and Xabier Garcia a DC> Those are the only two wonderkids that people are talking about right now.


Jae-Hwan can now get forward when possible


End of March – Training of the Good – Mane, Mwaskia, Althof

[Abe Sargent]

April -

April 5 - Away vs Sevilla
April 12 – Away vs Elche
April 17 – Home vs Mallorca
April 22 – Home vs Valencia
April 26 – Away vs Espanyol

We are 1st in the Liga

1. Melilla, 70 points
2. Real Madrid, 68 pts
3. Barcelona, 68
4. At. Madrid, 66
5. R. Socieded, 51
6. Valencia, 51
7. Getafe, 46
8. Villarreal, 41

You can see a major drop off from 4 to 5. This is with 30 games under our collective past. IDoubt we fall to 5. But it’s tight up top. We have a 22-4-4 record


Garcia out with a training injury for a month or so


Game vs Sevilla. If we win today, we guarantee continental competition. Our foe is 17th. Pick up where you left off, in the rain. Lanzini given a deadly deep ball drives, finds Oliver for a score in the 6th minute of play. Yoon Jae Hwan finds Yoon Dong Hyuk for a score in the 32nd. They force and blast a goal in the 33rd. They have more shots on target then we have shots, but we were deadlier in front of goal and its half. Keep it up! We move forward hard. Like 6-7 shots in four-five minutes but no results on the scoreboard. Mwasika for Mance. Just before he heads out, he scores, Jae-Hwan found him. Nwakali for Diallo. On a IFK, Lanzini finds Mwasika for a score in the 73rd. We are still drvining hard at goal. I send in Ibrahim. That was a real tale of two halves, and we win 4-1. MOM is Lanzini.


Cecchi, Oliver, Lanzini in Team of Week


Jae-Hwan tells me that since I kept my promise to qualify, he no longer wants to leave


Mance has learned Spanish fully


Ibrahim can now knock the ball past his opponent

According to the press, rumors of the best young players awards are Dong-Hyuk, Jae-Hwan, DMance and Ibrahim…….hmmmm..


Game 32 vs Elche, in 12th – Osmar is back from injury but I don’t wan tto rush him back into the roster. Cook starts again today. A win today secures a Champion’s League spot. The only changes I made is tossing Ibrahim to spell Lanzini. Pick up where you left off, countering! Oliver does just that, hitting Mance on a counter in the 24th minute, but a quiet half otherwise. Keep it up! They get 3 bookins, and Olvier one. I dispatch Nagatomo for Ibrahim, Nwakali for Ouattara. Mwasika follows. We push hard late too and keep the ball on their side of the pitch in the last 8 minutes or so mostly, and we win 1-0. Good jorb!

We have guaranteed qualification for the Champions Cup.

[Abe Sargent]

Home vs Mallorca, at 19 – Oliver is banned, Osmar is back. Obviously, we are expected to win. Pick up where you all left off! First half summed in one line – 12 shots 6 on target for us, 1 and 0 for them. 0-0 score. Do better? I send in Nagatomo, Cook – nothing. Have you ever had one of those games where it should be 3-0 by now? Nope! Then we have a FK in the 81st and….Ibrahim lines up and fires it in. Nwakali in. We win 1-0, Jae-Hwan is MOM. Bit of a let off.


In training, Lanzini is injured for a month with a pulled hammy

Home vs Valencia, 5th in Liga – Nagatomo starts for Cecchi. I have Oliver and Ibrahim in the wings. . Pick up where you left off. They drive at us first. I slide to counter. By the 20th minute, no shots by us, 6 and 3 on target by them. They score in the 36th minute. We injure one of their midfielders. Half. Show me something different! They fire a long shot in the 47th minute minute. Diallo with his typical booking. I send in Morales. I send in Junca for Diallo. Cook for a tired Osmar. We lose 2-0. Not happy with that

That was Junca’s 125 show for us

I offer Ibrahim a new deal

Away vs Espanyol. Garcia returns from injury and I have him as a backup. Espanyol have offered Younis Mahmoud a job as head coach of them. They are 18th. Pick up where you left off! Mance finds Jae-Hwan for a score in the 4th minute. They come forward, but we push off, and have two attacks repulsed. Half. Don’t get complacent! Oliver finds Ibrahim on a long FK, who finds Jae-Hwan on a run and heads it in for goal in the 47th. We have been the better team in front of all day long. At the 55 mark we are 16 and 9 on target, they 7 and 4. Garcia for Mputu, Cook for Oliver. Dong-Hyuk finds Jae-Hwan in the 77th. He has a hat trick! I send in Cecchi. Osmar feeds Jae-Hawn who finds Mance for a score in the 85th. That was a counter, retain possession day, we won 4-0, and MOM is obviously JaeHwan.

ZANG!

Ibrahim signs a 5 year deal, rotation, 15.75k/week,

Unfortuantely, Nwakali felt that he got little from Osmar’s tutelage.


End of April – Training of the good – Ortega, Jae-Hwan Dong-Hyuk

[Abe Sargent]

May –

May 2 – Home vs Malaga
May 9 – Home vs Real Madrid
May 17 – Away vs Real Sociedad END OF THE LIGA SEASON

May 23 – Spanish CUP FINAL vs R. Madrid

1. UD Melilla, 82 points
2. FC Barcelona, 81 points
3. At. Madrid, 79 points
4. R. Madrid, 74 points
5. Valencia, 66 points
6. R. Sociedad, 55 points

You can see that RM is basically out of the 1st place running barring an epic fail by us. We finish with the 11th, 4th, and 6th teams, and that’s some possibility for falling



Home vs Malaga. Garcia starts for Mputu, Keep up our form! Vengeance! They are one of only a handful of teams to beat us this year. On a corner, Oliver kicks and….Garcias shot is on target, and bounced away barely by the GK and Diallo taps it in. His first for us of the season. Diallo booked. They come forward, hard, but we push them aside twice. Half. 13 shots by them 7 by us. Don’t get complacent! Junca heads in for Oliver, who’s underperforming. Junca crosses to Mance who scores. Junca knows how to play the ML spot. Nwakali for Diallo. Mwasika next. They had 23 shots, 11 on target, didn’t score at all, and we win 2-0. MOM is Jae-Hwan.

Diallo named in Team of the Week

Younis is hired for Espanyol.


Oliver wants a new deal. I tell him to hold off until the end of the season, he agrees.

Ouattara can now stay back at all times.

Home vs Real Madrid. Mputu back in, we hold tight early on. Then a few waves arrive, and one cracks us in the 34th, but no more. Jae-Hwan grabs a card. Half. Show me something else! In the 62nd,Yoon Jae-Hwan is driving, Finds Omsar up the middle, He passes between two defneiders to connect witj Dong-Hyuk, who scores. Morales for Mance. Cecchi for Ouattara. Junca for Oliver. We are both doing a lot of stuff late, looking for that goal to break this stalemate and in extra time…..nothing happens. 1-1 tie. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Good comeback!

We drop to second

One Liga game left

[Abe Sargent]

One of my favorite players from a previous dynasty, ST Mario Rondon just retried. I make an offer to bring him here as a coach

Garcia got a wage hike for getting 10 league games.

Rondon arrives

Jae-Hwan and Osmar in Team of Week

Lanzini is back from injury

I hold a team meeting – ehre’s no pressure, no one expected that we’d win going into today, just play your normal game. Only Van Persie disagrees.

Awards given to:

Spanish Player of the Year – Marco Asensio, R M, Koke, At, Mad, and Isco RM.

Spanish Young Player of the Year - YOON JAE-HWAN!!!! 2nd place is Yoon Dong-Hyuk and third is Mladen Mance.



Away vs R Sociedad. Like always I put a few people on the squad, like Van Persie and Vasquez and junca that are leaving, retiring, etc. It’s time. Relax ,play your natural game. I begin defensively. Nagatomo with an early yellow. He injured one of their folks though. Half. You can still win this! It was a quiet half, each side had 4 shots, 3 on goal. 50/50 posssession,e tc. Mputu a card. My first sub is Junca. Next is Van Persie. Our foes score off a corner kick in the 78th. Vazquez for Osmar. They were lethal in front of goal 12 shots, 10 on target, to our 10 and 5. We lose 1-0. Disappointed!

#1, we finish 2nd instead of first
#2 Barca lost, so we would have would with a won, or tied them with a tie on points, not sure who would have gotten it
#3 I want to focus on the Cup Final before I do anything else league related.


Spanish League Player of the Year:

1: Yoon Jae-Hwan
2: Neymar
3: Danilo

Messi, Ronaldo, 1, 2, 3, in Top GOalscorer

Julio came in 2nd as Manager of the Year

Jae-Hwan named in Team of the Season, and Osmar and Dong-Hyuk in subs

Getafe is Most Improved Club

We get 8 mill from EURO Tv revenue

Gelsekkirchen won over Tottenham in the EURO

Burki is upset by the lack of soccer,I offer to move him, and he says no thanks. (but we will))

[Abe Sargent]

The 2020 Spanish Cup!!!



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6c/Copa_del_Rey_logo_since_2012.png



Our starting XI

GK Roman Burki, DC Diallo, Ouattara, DR Nagatomo, DL Cecchi, DMC OSmar, MC Jae-Hwan, ST Mance, Dong-Hyuk, MR Oliver, ML Lanzini.


C Ronaldo is out to too many yellow cards (So is Mputu on our side). I want Burki is an the experienced, battle tested 29 year old GK.

I start countering. No attacks in the first ten minutes, but they have their first shot at the 11th minute, Burki holds. Mere exchanges of possession follow. We’re giving them too much space, so I order us to tighter marking. Then Cecchi gives away a PK in the 25th, and they score. He also grabbed a card. Nagatomo gets a yellow card in the 38th minute. They score minutes later. Here come our foes. Hard. And then they score again in injury stoppage time. They have 10 shots and 7 on target, we have 6 and 4 at the half And we are down 3-0. Show me something else! They almost score in the 50th off a counter. Shot rebounds off the crossbar and over. Then we strike back. Lanzini finds Diallo off a corner in the 66th. We have another attack turned aside. Junca for Cecchi. In matches with potential extra time, like this one, I don’t like to use my subs too early, so I hold on until later. Then it happens baby! In the 7nd minute, Oliver slides the ball to Dong-Hyuk who hits him back for a score, and its’ 3-2. Are we going to see a Spanish Cup Miracle? Are we going to come back from three down at the half to actually win this thing? Jae-Hwan drives hard, gest a shot off and…..held by their GK. We have come on fire in the second half, at the 76th minute, we have 16 shots and 9 on target to Madrid’s 13 and 7. I send in youther Garcia for a horribly performing Nagatomo (6.1 rating). Shot by Mance, held by the GK. I need some energy, and I send in Van Persie for a tired Mance. I move to Control. Get this goal. I will it. I stare at the screen….Je-Hwan gest a yellow card….Three minutes of injury time. And that’s it. We lose 3-2. Gave it your Best! If we hadn’t given away that PK we’d be in extra time right now 2-2.

[Abe Sargent]

Season Stats:


Liga first:


With 9, Diallo was tied for 13th most yellows

At 10, Jae-Hwan won most MOM and Sayed was 7, traded in January, and still was 3rd

Jae-Hwan 2nd in raw distance covered, tied for 2nd for average mper game.

Jae-Hwan was 2nd in Liga for rating at 8.06 behind Danilo of R madrid. Those were the only two with a average rating of 8.0 or more. Osmar was 12th with 7.57



The most goals in the ligas was 27 by Messi, and Dong-Hyuk was 15 and 9th

Mance was 2nd best with 58% of his shots on target

With 14, Dong-Hyuk was 2nd in assists, and Jae-Hwans 11 was tied for 4th.

Jae-Hwan was 4th in key passes

Diallo led the league in key headers with 145, the next highers was 121.

Diallo was 3rd most in interceptios at 463

Mputu was 3rd in headers won ratio, at 86%

Keeping:

Burki – 25 games ,28 goals, 11 shut outs
Althof – 13 games, 7 goals, 7 shutouts

Althof was clearly the better GK


Team Stats:

Burki also had a 6.9 rating vs Althof’s 6.88. I don’t know if that mattes a lot.

Nagatomo, 27 games, 1 ass, 6.92 rating
Cecchi – 25 app, 7.05 rating
Diallo – 3 games, 1 goal 2 assists, 7.11 rating
Ouattara – 29 games, 2 asssts, 7.18 rating
Mputu – 18 games, 7.01 rating
Garcia – 10 apps, 2 assists, 7.16 rating

Osmar – 33 apps, 3 goals, 4 assits, 7.57 rating
Cook – 30 apps, 1 assists, 7.10 rating
Oliver – 24 apps, 3 goals, 4 assists, 2 MOM, 7.23 rating
Jae-Hwan – 36 games, 9 goals, 11 assists, 10 MOM, 8.06 rating
Ibrahim – 26 apps, 5 goals, 2 assists, 7.47 rating
Lanzini – 22 games, 5 goals, 5 assists, 7.43 rating


Mance, 27 games, 12 goals, 4 assists, 7.28 rating
Morales – 17 games, 9 goals, 3 assists
Dong-Hyuk – 36 games, 15 goals, 14 assists, 7.33 rating

Ortega – 14 apps, 2 goals, 2 asssits, 6.88
Mwasika – 8 subs, 3 goals, 1 asssit, 7.04 rating
Nwakali – 19 games, 6.81 rating


And there you have it.

[Abe Sargent]

Who is leaving in a bit:

Junca
Ndi
Morales

I extended Osmar by a year. Morales has been fine, biut not great. I feel like letting him go is an opportunity to bring in another ST who can push us

Coming in at the end fo the year is:


idfielder Anwar El Ghazi


Youther Joe Heath
R. South African ST Felix Kadodia


Despite winning the Cup, Real Madrd just fired their manager

Melilla End fo Season Awards:

Fans Player of the Season – Jae-Hwan, Osmar, Ibrahim

Goal of the Season – Sayed vs Young Boys

Signing of the Season – Mance

Young Player of the Season – Jae-Hwan

Season team meeting – GO back home, get rested, when you get back, we are going to qualify for the Champions League again!

I offer Van Persie a player/coach deal.

Mance can now attempt first time shots

Van Persie signs a two year deal with us

I make Oliver an offer to stay with us and extend his time with the club

Man City win the Champions League over Chelsea.

We tie down Oliver for 5 years, 55k/year, first team. He makes the most and doesn’t always start, but the guy is good, plays a lot of different places on the pitch, and you can rely on him anywhere

I also make an offer to extend Ouattara

Louis Mputu is capped by Belgium

Now that we are in the Champions Cup, have an elevated prestige, and got 2nd in the Liga, we are able to bring in a lot more people. In fact, when I search up “Realistic” transfers, there are some strong, solid, results out there. Players like super stud Christian Eriksen fo Totenham or John Stones of Everton. Even Marco Asensio of Real Madrid will return our phone calls.

Wow, some of our former players are in widely different places now. Remembers my former youth defense that was all poached by big name clubs? Paul Jordan, my DL, is now 21, starts fir Crystal Palace in the EPL on loan this year from Chelsea, had 26 starts, and 7.41 rating. Worth 29 mill. Dang. We picked up Juan Lope and ran him at DR. He was purchased by Real Madrid, on loan to other teams, worth 3 mill, started 29 games for R Valladoloid on lean this year, one division lower, and had a 7.03 rating. He’s not been on fire. How about Mosiuda? We ran him at DC paired with Diallo. Paris SG picked him up. He’s worth5 mill, played in Belgium on loan, got just a 6.86 rating despite 32 starts. He had better ratings that that starting for us in a lower league, two years ago back in the 217/18 season. He’s just been a youth guy, whereas he would have been a liga starter, making more money and having more exposure with me. This guy was a little better than Ouattara. Give me two years of starts, he’d have continued developing for me all day long.

After moving Bamford, he had 34 starts, 9 goals, 2 assits, 1 MOM, 6.73 rating, and looked okay for Florentina. He did better in our system. Ragazzi, sad to say, is a first team for Man City, just gott capped by the Italian national squad, and had a good end of campaign for them. Sigh.

Sayed for Man Utd? 7 apps, 6.49 rating, 1 assist, and doesn’t look good at all for them thus far. Seuong-Gyu is 28 games, 27 goals, 9 clean sheets, 6.70 for Fenerbahce. For Getafe, who did very well this season, Ingason was 33 starts, 6.98 rating in the liga.

Milic was not gret, with 27 games for OM, 6.51 rating

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s the table for the 2019-2020 Season –

1. Barcelona, 87 points
2. Melilla, 86 points
3. At. Madrid, 85
4. R. Madrd, 81
5. Valenca, 72
6. R. Socieded, 59
7. Villarreal, 58
8. Getafe, 55
9. Elche, 47
10. Levate, 47
11. Malaga, 46
12. Desportivo, 45
13. At. Bilbao, 41
14. Celta, 40
15. Real Betis, 38
16. Cadiz, 34
17. Mallorca, 33
18. Espanyol, 32
19. Granada, 32
20. Sevilla, 21

So heading down is Granada, Espanyol, and Sevilla. Cadiz survives another campaign, and is again the yellow submarine. We were 27-5-6. 6 losses all season long is great. We often dropped games to the top three, we lost to Barcelona, R. Sociedad, Villarreal, At Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga. All good teams. We tied with Granada, Villarreal, R Madrid, R Madrid, and At. Madrid. So R Madrid never was able to get points over us, we beat Barcelona in our place and then defeated us in theirs, so that as split, and just At Madrid was able to really force us with just one point coming our way from that matchup this year. Our big three was often dropping points elsewhere. That helped. And we could have won, win the final game against Malaga, when Barca ost, and we win. Tie and we are into tiebreakers. (We split, so it’s probably GD next, and we had +37 and they +48, so we’d likely lose that)


Our offense worked. Dong-Hyuk and Mance were both solid, and they never had dry spells, and were always doing good work, and Morales picked up for Mance when he went down.

I have a very deep roster and I rotate players regularly. I think that’s a key to winning these congested times when you have Cup matches, continental ones, and Liga onse, and then international call ups, redcards, injuries, and more. We were able to deal with our injuries. We had a bunch this year, Lanzini, Mance, Osmar, Cecchi, Ouattara Garcia, and more. But we are fine. I push a strong, deep squad. I have balanced, happily, a squad of around 15/16 first team or key players, without any major issues at all.

I do need to do better in European play next year. I couldn’t even make it out of the EURO Group.

[Abe Sargent]

Alright, squad building time. I transfer listed GK Roman Burki It’s clear moving forward that he’s not our guy. He’s good. But he’s not Althof shut down good. He was a little miffed that I listed him, but the lack of starts with Althof later in the season shows that he ins’t in my plans moving forward, and he’s too good of a GK to leave on the sidelines. He needs to play ball. He agreed. I have a few teams interested, obviously. My personal belief is that Burki is probably the 20th or 25th best GK in the world, whereas Seug-Guy was 45 or 50. And Althof is Top 10 material later. And if I want to play top flight football, and I want to compete with the big guys, I need to be willing to commit to an Althof over a Burki. Yes, it’s a bit mercantile, but it’s okay.

And I suspect that my days of rotational GK are over

I began with one of the best GK in the Segunda Divison with Barrior, who had just joined us. He did well, and then we were promoted and he wwas okay. I spent more money than Melilla ever have before to chase ad sign Ivan Villar, and young, high potential guy. My bet was that we would take two more years to get out of the Adelante, and to the Liga, and after two year of startiga dn growing, Villar would be ready for primetime. But we got out in one year, and….that didn’t happen. We needed a player there badly. So I brought in Seung-Gyu, who was fine. About the 5th or 6th best one. You can build a campaign off that moving forward, no questions . But Burki was free after Dortmund melt them go t oconcetrate on the Polish GK they have, so I signed Burki, who had started for Dortmud for four yaers, and was better, and solid S-G. And he was even better than Kim had been. Good stuff! And then I got a ton of cash from the Sayed deal, and where should I spend it? On Althof, one of the great future GKs from…Dortmund. Funny. And we got a chance to develop him and he about the me as Burki now (better aerially, and worse mentally). I move him in, and he’s even better on the pitch than Burki.

So my GK has gone Barrio, Villar, Seung-Gyu, Burki, Althof. 5 Gks in five years. But Althof should be where it stops. I hope 

The media call Althof the next Manuel Neuer.


Who do I want/need to keep? Jae-Hwan, Dong-Hyuk, Mance, Althof, Mputu, maybe Cecchi, Ouattara, Garcia, and Ibrahim. I’m not really interested in moving those folks. Those are all youth, strong, up and coming players. I have others laid overtop of them like Diallo, Oliver, Osmar, Cook, Nagatomo, Lanzini and my new addition as well. But those are my core youth. If someone snags Lanzini, I’m not losing sleep.

Who are wanted? Burki, Nagatomo, Diallo, Ouattara ,Lanzini, Dong-Hyuk, Nwakali, Ndi, Ortega

I cut his price and then offer Nwakali. Two clubs want my 800k offer and we agree.

Ouattara signs the new contract ,making 24k..week, four year deal

Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina,, and Serbia have now joined the EU.

Nwakali accepts the deal, and is heading to R. Valladolid

We make 800k

Where there it is folks. A 44 mill offer for Jae-wan by AS Monaco. I’m not selling.


Newcastle makes an offer for Burki and we agree to a 2.4 mill deal

Lanzini comes to talk to me about potentially joining Juventus Dude is Italian, heads back home, I get that. That I’ll do. If they make an offer, and if it’s serious, I’ll look at moving Lanzini.


I told you there were 6 wonderkid GKs we knew of and that’s it. One just sold for 40 mill to Man City. It was the Italian who was interested in coming here – Simone Scuffet.

I reject an offer for Mance.

Now that I’m capable of bringing in another class of player, is there anyone out there who intrigues me? Someone coming on a free that wasn’t interested in me before?

A coupe:

24 year old English middle Jack Grealish, of Aston Villa, English international. Very, very strong stats. If I moved Lanzini, he would be an instant sub and starter.

I confirm the Burki deal to Newcastle

We make an epic ton of cash last year.

I make an offer to Grealish, so I have coverage

Grealish signs.

I offer Lanzini, now that I have coverage. He;s Italian/Argentinian, wants to head out. That’s fine. I offer him for 14 mill, what he’s worth. I get five offers back, Valenica, Juve, R. Madrid and Liverpool all offer the full 14 and are accepted. Choose away my friend! Choose away!

[Abe Sargent]

Staff time

I will be letting go one of my Italian scouts, I’m also letting Mohamed Mahanan from Director fo Football, I need to upgrade it and not give it to someone based, in part, on loyalty to their career for the club.

I agree to give Mance a longer deal.

I am given a chance to interview with Lille and I do.

Say goodbye to Mahanan, Antonio Jesus Diaz, Ndi, Junca, and Morales. Well, actually I don’t let Morales go technically, I let him stay on a month-to-month deal.


I have some open spots fo coaches/scouts

I make on offer to Irish Glenn Whelan, 36 years old, recently, retired, 74 caps, good reputation and stats, to be my new Director of Football.

I offer Siyaboga Nomvethe, a RSA scout, ex-international, to come and scout for me

Big news, after beign prmoted, Julio Rodriguez, Salgado is anow a 5 star trainer of shooting. That’s the first five star training we now have. I let go a coach who was given 4 stars specialist before


Italian Coach Cristian Stellini is the target, a tactical specialst

My previoous attacking specialist, Maneual Tello, is worse than Van PErsie now. I fire him. Van Persie is 4.5 stars. I make an offer to Per Nillson, Swedish player. Ex-Czech Republic Jan Polak is offered a U19 coach spot.

End of June

[Abe Sargent]

July –

We aer bringing in a youth folks, and then Middies El Gazi and Grealish


Jack Grealish, AM RLC, M RL, 24 years old, English international with 17 caps and 2 goals, basically developed, 50k/week, 3 years deal, 22.5 mill value, We’ll start with his best stuff:

Tech – 16 cross, pass, dribb, corners, 15 technique, 14 long shots, first touch, 12 finishing

Physical – 15/14 speed, 17 fitness, 14 balance, stamina, 11 str

Mentals – 15 determ, flair, vision, composure, 14 off the ball, team work, work rate, 13 decisions, 12 anticipation

Fits in, versatile, good player for the ligsa, athelthic, determined, agile, all good stuff.


Anwar El Ghazi, 25 years old, Dutch international, 14 caps, 1 goal, 56k/week, four years, worth 29 mill, plays every midfield spot, and ST, and a bit of DMC too in there, we’ll work on improving that. He can play 6 spots on the pitch that we have, which is very versatile.

Technical - every stat, other than mark at 8 and tack at 9, it atleast 13. 13 Long Throws,corners, head, long shots, penalties; 14 finish, pass, 15 cross, free kick taking, 16 dribb, first touch, tech

Phys – 14/15 speed, 16 balance, jump, 14 stamina, 13 agility, 15 str, fitness

Mentals – Only position at 8, and leader at 9 are less than 11. 11 –aggress, teamwork, 12 composure, concentration, determ, work rate, 13 vision, brave, decisions, 14 off the ball, 15 flair, anticipation,


Versatile, leading player for most LIGA sides, skillful, ambitious, fits in.


That is an addition. He’s like an Oliver plus. He’s solid at every set piece, even throw ins, good on the edge with a solid cross/pass and dribb/first touch, and speed is fine, you can play him as an advanced Sayed/Vazquez in the middle all day long. He’s also Moroccan, so coming to Melilla is sort of like coming home for him.


That is the sort of player you go to the mattresses to acquire


Who’s next?

18 year old ST Felix Kadodia, South Africa, 1.8k/week hot prospect, 3 years, worth 500k, there are a few reasons I signed Felix. 1). Amazing metnals for a young kid – 18 work rate, 17 flair and deetermainion, 16 off the ball, 15 leadership, tons of 14-12s. Only vision at 11 is lower. All great. He also is decently fast 15/16, and jumps, with a 15/15 jump/head. I like adding that aerial component to my squad. And 14 1st touch, 15 finish, and technique, and 12 dribb are fine. But we need to develop him.

Mentals, fast, and jump.head. I see a ton of scout reports, but he stuck out. I think he’s very developable. We like his high work rate, fits in, resolute, good team player, and very well suited to this division. One footed and not versatile though. We give him a 4.5 future prospect stars. We paid 800k to bring him in



El Ghazi -

Anwar El Ghazi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwar_El_Ghazi)

http://cde.3.depor.pe/ima/0/0/2/5/5/255472.jpg


Grealish -


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Grealish


http://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/sport/20151125/photo/bkn-20151125231111811-1125_00882_001_01b.jpg?20151125231116

[Abe Sargent]

Glenn Whalen joins us.

I fire my Head of Youth Development. There’s a stud out there I want to bring in.

You’ll recognize him

We have:

Good training facilities
Superb youth facilties
Established youth recruitment
Adequate Junior coaching

Trainign facilties of other Liga team

Superb, Average, IMproesive, impressive, good, , average, good, excellent, superb, impressive, impressive, superb, state of the art, state of the art, good, good, average, impressive, superb

So who had just good? Us, Cadiz, Malaga, Real Betis, does that seem like a list you want to be in?

I wish I could make a real case to the board for better facilties.

They say nope. I plead and beg. And then I do something I have never done before. I leak to the press that my request to better the training facilties was declined. The press ask me about it,and I admit that I am disappointed since I thought the board and me shared the same vision for the club.

An hour later they announce that they will expanding the training facilties.


That is awesome FM!

It should be finished end fo December.

Wow

I sign that South African guy and he tells me of a young GK prospect in the South African leagues, and he’s very good potential, and no European teams are sniffing him down. Wow. I make an offer

[Abe Sargent]

I look over my youthers that returned from loan.


Per Nilsson arrives and brings with him a 4.5 star defending drill

Wow the latest offer for Jae-Hwan is 69 mill by Monaco

After that reject, Jae-Hwan and his agent are finally ready to get this guy anew deal. I’ve been offering a new contract for months now, to no avail yay! I offer him a sterling, sexy, new deal.

I have a ton of money, 15 mill transfer, 800+ cash, we are expecting sweet, sweet Champions Cash.

I sign my new Head of Youth development, heavily capped, and very good, German Miroslav Klose.

I offer Gk Mlungisi Banda a hot prospect deal and see if he takes it. He’s strong

Miroslav Klose has arrived!

We spend about 1.4 mill total in bringing in GK Banda

He’s fine. Best stats are 15 reflexes, 13 aerial, 14 jump, 13 handling, one on ones, 17 determinaton, 1 teamwork, work rate, 13 positioning. But he has a lot of work to do. He’s not ready for prime time, he’s a long term protject. 18 years old, hot prospect hdeal, 5 teyars, 3k/week, 900k value. Determined resolute and good shot stopping, well suited to the next level down, one footed, and has difficultly dealing with through balls. 1 star now, 4 star future.

Lanzini sings for Real Madrid, despite wanting to go to Juventus initially. Hey, as long as I’m getting the cash, I’m good to go. 14 cool million.

Coach Stellini arrives with a 4.5 tactical training regimen for my peops

GK Banda is the 3rd South African player on my roster, in addition to Ntsume and ST Kadodia. That should help.

Here’s how diverise my main squad is right now. I have players from:

Spainx8, Algeria, Australiax2, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, DR Congo, Ivory Coastx2,Croatia, Ecuador, Englandx3, Francex3, Germany, Italyx2, Japan, South Koreax2, Mali, Netherlandscx2, Nigeriax2, Portugal, South Africax3

[Abe Sargent]

How are my loanees looking? St Martenz and ST Mesa? Ow Martine. You’ve really grown up in some major places. Australian 23 years old, and we’ve seen this guy grow.. Our current evaluation is that he’s bee a leading player for most Adelante sides, the next league down. He’s grown quite good. Scout evals are pretty good too, and still think he could grow, but he just didn’t do it fast enough, you know?

ST Jorge Mesa, of Bolivia? He just keeps creeping up and up. I offer the 19 year old another hot prospect deal. I Want to extend the Bolivian’s run with us. Mesa has 7 good things, and just 2 cons. He has the potential to be a leading liga Striker in the future.

I loan him to Elbar. I want to keep him here. As a youth player, he doesn’t have to be in Spain too long to get this nationally. He has 541 days of 730, and just needs another 189, that’s a very attainable goal, and then he won’t count as a non-Eu member of my squad

Anotehr ST I’ve often talked about is French Armand Combes. Where is here at? He’s gotten a little better here and there, nothing major though. He’s good for Adelante soccer. So I offer him for a lon and hope to get precisely that

I offer a deal for Ortega after I rejected yet another deal from a major club. I offer him a 5 year hot prospect deal

Who’s next on my loanee watch?

What about ST Marc Zeze? Not a whole lot of development here. I send him out for loans. Ditto Algerian ST Said MEddour

GK Villar got a little better with 41 starts for Almeria the next level down. I offer him for a loan again.

DC Dotte is back and fine, I loan him out again and offer him a 3 year deal at hot prospect to continue his run with us

DL Matthew Adelson improved a bit. Loan him out again

DC Ntsume gained virtually nothing. I try again. He disappointed



My current roster:

GK Althof, Nava, and perhaps VIllar or Banda under pressure
DC Louis Mputu, Javier Garcia, Ibrahim Diallo, Guy Ouattara
DR Nagatomo (lost a step or two)
DL Cecchi
DMC Osmar, Cook
MC Jae-Hwan, Oliver, El Ghazi
M RL Ibrahim, Grealish
ST Mance, Dong-Hyuk, Ortega, Mwasika?

With some serious overlap in there. El Ghazi can play ST, all middies, and often DMC. Cook can play MC and ML. Osmar can slide to DC. Garcia and Ouattara can play out wide at fullback and Nagatomo to DL if needed. Jae-Hwan can break out to the sides. Oliver too.

Number of folks that need to be registered - 2 GK (Banda is free due to age), DC is 2 (Garcia, Mputu too young) , I register Villar, Fullback 2, DMC 2, Other middies 5, ST 3, Mwasika and Kadodia don’t need any. And even if I leave in Vazquez and Morales, that’s just 20 registered.

We have plenty of room.

[Abe Sargent]

I would like to consider a solid, older experienced hand at DR/L as a rotation person, and perhaps move Nagatomo to the bench.

My wonderkids for sure – Althof, Mance, Jae-Hwan, Dong-Hyuk, Mptutu, Garcia, Cecchi. Possibly Ibrahim, Ouattara. Layer over great players and such.

I have 27 and some change in the bank after selling Lanzini. I have the cash to splash on a major upgrade.

Is there one or two players out there that just blast the windows off the house?

Say hello to Ricardo. Can I get him? This Brazilian is a midfielder. He is condered by some to be one of the best players in his generation. At 20, he;s basically at the levelof a Yoon Jae-Hwan already. He;s extremely well developed already, and would demand a place in my side. He still plays in Brazil. He’s unhappy, and wants to move to a bigger club. I make Gremio an offer

If I bring in Ricardo, he is the type of person that I would consider changing my tactics for.

I start with an offer of 14 mill, they guy is at 8 mill value. They counter-offer…22 mill. Whew. That means we can brign him in under my current cash load. I drop it to 18.5 mill total.

We agree to a deal….


He joins:

Ricardo, plays M/AM R/C and a bit of M/AM L too. 60k/week, for 4 years, 18.5 mill value, key player. Just get ready:

Technical – 12 head, 14 corners,finish, 15 1st touch, dribb, technique, 16 cross, long shots, free kicks, 17 pass.

Physical – 16/17 speed, 17 stamina, 16 agility, 15 str, agility, jump, fitness, 14 balance

Mental – 17 flair, 16 decisions, anticipation, vision, 15 determnation, work rate, 13 concentration, composure, brave, 12 everything else.

Our report- professional, fits in, versatile, fast, very well suited to lia play, but counts as a non EU player (our 3rd). I just won the transfer lottery

We think he’s got a 5 star potential

[Abe Sargent]

I have a ton of middies and questionable fullback. What if I did a 3-5-2, but with one MC pulled to a DMC, so a 3-1-4-2? That gives me something like this:

GK Althof
MC Mptutu
MC Garcia or Ouattara
MC Diallo
DMC Osmar (or Cook)
MC Advanced Playmaker Jae-Hwan
MR Ricardo
ML Grealish
MC Oliver or El Ghazi
ST Mance
ST Dong-Hyuk

That seems like a tactic that suits my team quite well I’ve been teaching Cecchi DC ,but he’s just unconvicing right now. I could sub in him or Nagatomo as my backups there. This tactic emphasizes my strong DC and midfield talent.

I could also run a sort of 352 diamond, with an AMC and DMC. A 3-1-3-1-2. That strikes me as pretty un-wide though. We’ll stick with the 3-1-4-2 for now.

I have my central DC on a Stopper role, and the two on the sides on Covers. I hae played this tactic tons, it was my first major one, and I haven’t touched it in yous, but I have a group that it works on, so yay. You need fast, great mental and great jump/head defenders. We do. The DMC role will retain it’s Deep-Lying Playmaker, but with a defend, not support role. Osmar won’t get moving up as much for shooting and support. The wides are given automatic roles. Mance gets Advanced forward, and Dong-Hyuk complete on support. Jae-Hwan gest Advanced Playmaker on attack, and a Box-to-box for El Ghazi. Alright, that’s goig to be us moving forward.


At. Bilbao make an offer to one of my 16 year old youhters – Hernan Gil. Huh. Okay. I sel him

I loan VIllar to Alermia aagain.

Jae-Hwan signs! 75k, 5 years, 44.5 mill value still

We get a ton of that sweet sweet liga cash.

My season expecations – Reach Champ Group Stage, get Qualified again, and reach the semi final of the Cup

They inject us with a little more cash-ola. I set up friendlies – 6

Open with Cadiz
Then host River
Bologna
Away to Arsenal
Away to Chelsea
Finish at home with Wydad Casablanca


Ortegas sings his new deal

6.5k per week, 5 year deal

I sell Gil. He appears to have had a Basque nationality as wella s his normal Spanish one. At. Bilbao sent us 200k now and 40% of any future fees

[Abe Sargent]

England wins the euro.

Spain did poorly, and the Spanish Head Coach is fired. Rumors in the media ist me as one of five potential suitors. I apply

Whoa. One of our players was named in the European Championship Dream Team – Jack Grealish.

Oddly, Almeria made an offer to loan GK Banda, despite VIllar heading there. He;s not on my loan list, I tell them nope

Irony of ironies, I am loaning Ntsume to South African side. Get some hometown fun!

Mance signs that new deal – 57k/week key player, 4 year deal, 9.5 mill current value

19 July, 2020 – Spain have offered Julio Rodriguez Salgado the job of Spain Head Coach

[Abe Sargent]

The problems with Spain:

1). For the most part, the top talent on the squad is pretty old. 10 players are 30 or older. 6 of those are starters. Players like DC Gerard Pique, DMC/MC Sergio Busquets, AMC Juan Mata and ST Diego Costa

2). There has been a fidelity to older talent that’s savvy over good quality younger talent. I need to idenfity and push our squad into the younger generation

Spain’s next major thing is the European International League Division A – we are in a group with Poland and Serbia, and we play all 6 matches this year.

Wow there’s a lot of solid talent that needs to be in the discussion. I add a bunch of players to the pool. Players like 24 year old Unai Lopez, or Oliver on my Melilla squad. Iker Munian and Robert. It should prove an easier fix than many I’ve seen, we have tons of younger talented players to cap and give some experience too. Finding the right mix is the most important key

Here’s the best example – 22 year old Dani Olmo, over at Tottenham. He is one of the most developed players Spain has, and he’s not sitting on the squad.


I’ll come back to Spain laters

[Abe Sargent]

Friendly vs Cadiz. 0-0 final score

I have my first Spain presser. Lots of fun

Althof is now comfortable using his weaker foot


Our field has been relaid

I have one too many young strikers, so I offer Mwasika for a loan.


Friendly vs River. We lose 2-1. I had around 6-7 players out due to internationals. Mance is MOM.

I link up El Ghazi and Ortega


Huh, I get another offer for one of my youth teams – Oscar Orbegozo. We think he has solid potential, and this is an offer from one of the teams that were promoted to the lig – Rayo. The others were R. Valladolid, and Cordoba. And we sent down Sevilla, Granada, and such. So this is a team with some money, and they are giving me weird offers just to get to 50k/ I decide to give them an odd deal. Free ,but 50% of next transfer. Enjoy.

I offer a trial to Karim Bellarbi



End of July –

Good Training – Dong-Hyuk, Adelson, and Vazqeuz. I don’t. make that up :) - Bad Nagatomo.


Bellarbi arrives

Orbegoo heads out.

I go with a narrower pitch –



Our match vs Bologna is here, and I start Bellarbi to see what he;s got. Ihave a ton fo players out on international duty. MOM is Grealish, we win 1-0.

[Abe Sargent]

I was considering making on offer to Karim Bellarabi, a 30 year old German middie , and after bringing him in, I’m not sure I see it. 12/13 cross/pass? He’s fast, 17/18 speed, but uneven mentals, and not that hot technical, I just don’t feel him. My coaches love him, save for fitting into my professional squad, but I don’t see it. Sorry, we’ll let the trial end without an offer

That is just hilarious.

I was scouting South Korea . There is a youther DMC that’s pretty good, young, and named Yoon too! Could I have three Yoons starting for me? That’s just hilarious. Obviously, Ricardo’s arrival and Cook’s presence at the spot prevent me from making a serious Yoon move.


I offer a trial to Koo Ja-Cheol, a South Korean international, with 98 caps, and he’s German too, so he counts as EU. I’d be willing to bring him in and see.

I sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a coach

There’s a youther South Korean that’s on my radar too, Kim Myung-Ho. I make an offer. Offer agreed to,

Koo Ja-Cheol arrives on trial

Cecchi and Nagatomo had a wonderful link up and he learned a lot from the experience

Arsenal friendly. We are here in Eng-er-land. We lose 1-0. GK Nava was back there as my others were out on international play, and he stopped a ton of shots on target, and had a 7.1 rating day. I can’t complain too much. You gave that your best


We sign Kim Myung-Ho, the midfielder. He’ll join us in January after he turns 18. After fees, we ended up paying a bit over a mill. He’s got good potential, and as a youth-er, he should be able to get Spanish nationality easy, like ST Jorge Mesa of Bolivia is, and we can loan him out in Spain, get him some playing time and days, and then he swaps to Spaain, and we can see where he is then.

Do I want to sign and retain either Karim Bellarabi or Koo Ja-Cheol?

Chelsea – We lose 2-1


I get some loan offers for Nagatomo. He was good at what I needed – a short term, rotation/backup/mentor to my fullbacks He can play DC, hes not great it at and he can play ML/MR, and would be fine there, so there’s a space for him on my team, certainly, as a backup. None of the loan offers are for 100%. A few are for nothing and others 30% salary or so. I’m considering taking them. He’s now 33, he’s not getting younger, and we removed the two spots as the reason why I brought him on and he just completed a mentoring. He’d likely be 6th on my chart at DC and 5th or 6th at wide mids. I’m not sure he’s see much play outside of injures or mass call ups.

I agree to let him go on loan.

Is there someone else out there who mmight be a better DC backup? A mentor tutor like person for some of my youth?

Wow, I found him.

Kevin Gameiro, French, was capped a long time ago, Guy’s cheap, older middie, wants a player/U19 coach role, good as a mentor with great mental stats, and looks sharp. Cheap too. I make Kevin an offer. I really see him as a mentor to my young middies

I choose Osmar and Ouattara as my captain and vice

Karim Bellarbi has signed with At. Madrid.

Final friendly arrives. Good luck all! It’s 5-1 at the half with scores by GRealish, Grealish, oliver, Ricardo, and Mance. I pull back and that’s the final score too. You all look ready to hit the ground running!

[Abe Sargent]

Jae-Hwan is now capable of dictating the tempo of the game

Cook can now put in long range passes

Daniel Ndi signs with Granada, where he’ll be good

I offer Cecchi a new deal, he’s grown, he’s solid, and I like where he’s at right now.


The Olympics are going on right now, so a few of my players are on Olympic teams – GK Althof, Ricardo was but Brazil lost, and DC Mputu with Belgium

In the Olympic Semis – Belgium beats Portugal, and Germany is about to face Holland.

Until Althof returns, I’ll be running GK Giacomo Navva, my backup. Luckily our first Liga game is againt Mallorca, not a team like At. Madrird or Valencia

Nagatomo heads out

Gameiro joins us


33 year old, Kevin Gameiro, played for Sevilla for a bunch of years, French, already has national c license for coaching, and he mostly fits into our squad, versatile – plays ST and a bunch fo midfield spots, professional, and intelligent. 9k/week, backup, 1.7 mill value. He’s a mental force of nature. Physical has atrophied with age, and technical has 14 pass, 11 cross, 14 finish, 16 1st touch, 15 technique, 11 head, 13 dribb, and 12 long shots. He’s amazing a penalties, but not anything else set piece related. He’s a good coach too, with strong stats there as well (my fav is his 19 working with youngsters).


Kevin’s a good addition. He knows the league well, he started the last 7 years in the liga, with a ton fo appearances for Sevilla, and average ratings like 7.08 last season with 34, 7.29 in 2015-16, and7.18 the year before. Kevin is a solid, smart, addition, who was capped mildly for France.

Smart and savvy works.


Holland defeats Germany 2-1 in extra time and moves to a final with Belgium for the Olympic Crown.


The oddsmakers are tipping UD Melilla to win this season with R. Madrid as cofavs.


Gameiro -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A9vin_Gameiro


http://b.smimg.net/15/19/640x480/sevilla-kevin-gameiro.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I like Wilson Morales. He’s been my guy. I found him. I brought him to relevance, and he helped to bring me to the liga. I like him. We’re becoming a crutch for each other. He’s out of contract, sticking around, not getting any major offers, we are looking at him as a nice nackup for an emergency that doesn’t cost us anything, but he won’t play. At all. I want to give him some game, and to remove the crutch we are both using. I release him.



I sign Koo Ja-Cheol, for a rotational contract, for two years, he has played at the in the top German division for most of his career, and has been pretty good there. He comes in with a nice 11.5 mill value, he’s 31, and has several things going for him:

1). Depth and quality.
2). Set pieces if I need him to step up and use it
3). He’s technically proficient (17 pass, 14 cross, stuff like that)
4). He’s slow, cheap, and willing to do a rotational role rather than something more

He’s free too. He plays every non-DC position on my club, from ST to DMC to MR, MC, and ML, and AMCs too. He’s versatile, solid, and a good addition to Melilla, and joins our growing cast of South Korean folks I suppose as well. We’ve now had four (5 if you count Osmar, 6 if you count the guy I purchased but didn’t pick up). 21k/week, 2 year deal



Ja-Cheol -

Koo Ja-cheol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koo_Ja-cheol)


http://38.media.tumblr.com/59938398c6bbeca122c82dae29b0d578/tumblr_inline_nigcqlFEx61qcm67v.jpg

http://static.goal.com/412900/412951_heroa.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

We are going to win the liga this season. Here’s why:

1 - Take the #2 team last season
2 – Remove Lanzini, Morales, and Nagatomo
3 – Add in the better players of El Ghazi, Ricardo, and Grealish
4 – Add in the additional growth that occurred in many places with my various wonderkids. (Cecchi, is one of many examples)
5 – Give you Althof for the whole starter at GK

Team instructions –

Pass the Ball out of defense- With no fullback support, you don;t want your DCs hoofing the ball downfield and then having folks break on you down the lanes, or counter. Your hoofing the ball is unlikely to push an attack at this level, and much more likely to lose possession. In lower levels, where I have DCs with low passing stats, I have to just hoof and pray sometimes, but not here.


Control – we will default to control. I will change as appropriate against the upper echeleon.

Slightly Higher Defensive Line And Offsisde Trap I have the speed for my DCs to use a higheredfensive line, to keep folks a little away from my goal and to pressure them, Offisde Trap is just another trick to

Use Tighter Marking –I want my plaeyrs to tightly mark the whole time. I can ebb off if I need too, but having middiles, wides, and DMC DCs that stick closely is very important

Retain Possession

I normally would want a disciplined, rigid shape, but I have a lot of players with a lot of vision and flair. So I am trying something out that’s new for me – Be more expressive

I am making one more change Ihave never tried before. I am giving Althof a Sweeper Keeper role. I’ve been training him on passing, so that should help.

We have another boost Wow. Signing Koo Ja-Cheol has resulted in a sharp increase in revenue from a lot fo jersey sales and fans. We are selling a ton of jerseys out in South Korea too

Holland wins the Olympics.

Althof was named in the Olympics Dream Team

Cecchi signs his new deal – 5 years, 42.5k/week, first team – he’s worth 4.4 mill right now

I honestly think that Ricardo could wind up as the best player in his generation. The Lionel Messi of the Next-i. We’ll see.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 1 home vs Mallorca – We are starting GK Giacamo Nava, Diallo, Garcia, and Ouattara, Osmar, Mance and Dong-Hyuk, Jae-Hwan and Olvier, Grealish and Ricardo. Ready? Good luck! In the 18th minute, after dominating the game thus far, Oliver’s pass is intercepted by Mallorca, and then Grealish tackles the ball in the Penalty Box runs up and just smashes a goal home. HOLY COW! That was an amazing move. Oliver feeds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 25th. Then Grealish finds Ricardo for a score in the 29th. In the first 30 minutes we have 11 shots, 8 on target, to their 2 and 0. Half. Wow. Keep it up? Mance heads out for Ortega. Cecchi for Garcia. They fire a shot in in the 76th. Ibrahim for Ricardo. Ibrahim crosses to Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 84th. Its like Ibrahim was saying, I can do that too! Um we win, 4-1, and MOM is Grealish. Very happy with that start to our campaign!


Wow!

Everybody looked up for that match. That was special

I want to teach Cecchi the ML role next, after he finishes with the DC one. Now that he’s playing it, he’s learning faster than last year, when he was a DL exclusively.

Jack Grealish, Ricardo both look like amazing additions to this squad.


Ricard, Oliver, and Grealish in Team of Week

Giacomo Nava is injured for a few weeks with a groin strain. That’s not good timing!


Time to draw Group Stages for the Champions Cup –

We make 12 mill for getting here

Cecchi is called up for the main Italia squad

That is not a good Group -

Arsenal
Juventus
Ajax
Melilla

Hmpf


Miroslav Klose now has the highest coaching qualifications possible

Ricardo was called up to the main Brazil squad

[Abe Sargent]

Game 2 – Away vs Elche – Althof is back. I hae El Ghazi in the MC spot, and Cook at DMC to see what they can give me. Mputu is jaded from Olympics, and I’m resting him now. Pick up where you left off! Grealish finds Jae-Hwan for a score in the 35th. Jae-Hwan finds Mance in the 40th. Mance broke through four defenders for that score. Half. Keep it going! Cecchi for Garcia. Ortega in for Dong-Hyuk. Our foes score off a DFK in the 75th. They score off an offsides goal (it’s clearly off sides on the replay). Ibrahim for Ricardo. El Ghazi intercepts, finds Mance on an attack, and scores in the 84th. MOM is Jae-Hwan, we win 3-2. Close!



We get some cash from Antonio Milic’s deal after he collected 30 games for OM

We are only 1 of three teams to win both of their first matches.


I get some late offers on the last day for some of my players, like Ouattara, and Dong-Hyuk.

I have a great loan offer for GK Banda from a team in the next league down and I accept

I reject an offer from Real Madrid for Dong Hyuk, and he wants to reopen a new deal, and I’m very happy to do that and tie him down.

One of my youthersm, Lorenzo Castillo, is getting offers from Espanyol and Mallorca, but I reject both

Hercules make a bid for another of my youthers, that I do’t like that muc, Juan Luis Rebollo, and I Agree.


Jae-Hwan and Mance in Team of Week

End fo August –

Train – Good by Cecchi, Althof, and Adelson

[Abe Sargent]

September -

Sept 12 – Home s R. Sociedad
Sept 15 – Home vs Juventus, Champ Group Stage
Sept 20 – Home vs Deportivo
Seot 23 – Away vs Celta
Sept 26 Away vs Malaga
Sept 30 – Away vs Ajax, CGS


Time to select a Spain squad…

[Abe Sargent]

Time to Select a Spain Squad

The hardest part about being the Spanish National Manager is that there is a ton of strong talent. In virtually every other nations that I’ve run, that’s not been the case. I’ve had the USA twice, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Ukraine, France once for six months before they fired me even though I met their expectations, the Brazilian U23 squad for Olympics once, Tanzania, and one or two I’m sure to be missing here or there.

So what I need to do is to find out where we are strongest, and then build around that As I mentioned before, we need youth badly. We fell to 12th in the world, in the rankings, and that should never happen. We. Are. Spain. We have the talent, but my predecessor was overly loyal to some older people.


Who are going to be my rocks? Let’s start easy:

GK David De Gea –One of the top 5 GKs in the world. Backup GK Sergio Rico is #2. The Previous #3 was Kiki Casilla. But he’s not really that. I remove him from the squad, and replace him with Roger Reig, a 20 year old for Barca. He’s one of the best young GK Spain has, and I want to give Reig some time to work with the squad

We currently run a 3-5-2, due to a lot of 442s out there. If that reflects Spain’s strength, I’ll retain it. Let’s go easy again:

ST Alvaro Morata, the best ST in Spain who’s not n another team (Neymar, Messi, and Suarez are Spanish but play for other nations). Then there’s a great African who doesn’t play for us, and anther Brazilian, before I hit the next level of talent.

The other three currently on my squad are 31 year old Diego Costa, Ayoze Perez, and Juanmi. I think Juanmi is the weakest, and I pull him first. His replacement -

I really think 22 year old Dani Olmo needs to be on this squad. He has great talent, very good already, and can play ST or various midfielder spots. He’s better than Juanmi as well. He needs to be here.

What about the others? I think Perez is very consistent and solid, and he’s a solid contributor out there, with a lot of well rounded stats and abilities. I leave him here. What about Costa though? Now this guy has 47 caps, 25 goals, and has been a regular starter for Spain. But 31 is when you start to look for others at the front. I leave Costa on the squad for now. I want to see where I am elsewhere

DC Gerard Pique, a reat player for us, 33 years old, is injured, and I pull him from the squad. DC Marc Bartra is suspended due to too many yellows and I remove him as well. I’m not sure he’s my guy moving forward, even our scouts give him a “”useful at best” condition, I don’t like his stats, and yes, he had 30 caps, but so what?

There is a stud DC for France, who has Spanish nationality as well, and has not been capped by France at the senior level. I’d love to bring him in. I can’t figure out how though.

DC Jesus Vallejo – 23 years old, already on the squad, awesome player, He’s in.


I’m moving Martin Montoya from the squad and sending in Oliver. Yes, that Oliver.

I would pull 34 year old DC Sergio Ramos, but we’re weak in the DC right now with inury and suspension, he makes the cut

I call up DC Inigo Martinez, a 29 eyar old with just 2 caps, who’s pretty ood. He plays for R. Sociedad.

I also like DC/DMC Sergio Busquets, 32 eyars old, but strong, savvy, and has 115 caps, and 3 goals. He stays.

I also call up uncapped DC Ruben Duate, 24 eyars old, solid, from Leverkusen.

At DC we’ll start Vallejo, Martinez, and….Ramos.

Now for the middies, where our best talent lies (other than GK De Gea, the best player for Spain)

Isco – Stud, awesome player, plays a ton of positions, we’re using him at MR.

Marco Asensio, middie, younger at 24, the bring light of Spain, great with left foot, so we’re playing him on the ML spot

Koke – Captain, 28, veteran with 56 caps, great guy, Koke is given the Deep Lying Playmaker role at MC .

Juan Mata – 32, veteran, very talented technically, tons fo caps, will be on the squad. But plays best in AM roles, we don’t have any right now.

Thiago is on my team, 29, lots of caps, very talented tecnially I keep him for now, starting at MC with an We’re using him as MC with an Advanced Playmaker role.


I pull DMC/MC Victor Camarasa from the squad. He’s not good enough . Valencia have a 31 year old uncapped guy who’s better, Dani Parejo, I’m calling up

[Abe Sargent]

So I have as my starters:

ST Costa – Advanced Forward
ST Morata – Complete forward, support
GK De Gea
DC Vallejo – Stopper
DC Martinez – Cover
DC Ramos – Cover
MC Koke – Deep Lying Playmaker
MC Thiago – Advanced Playmaker
MC Mata – Central Middie, auto
ML Asenio – Wide M, Auto
MR Isco – Wide M, Auto


That’s my first few games, to see what we have.



Guess who got their first cap today? Cecchi for Italy, alongside Ragazzi on the team

Dong-Hyuk signs his new deal for us! 32k/week, 5 years, first team role

I meet with my Spain team pre-Polish match

ST Felix Kadodia was capped for South Africa. Louis Mputu gathered his first goal for Belgium.

GK Rico is injured for Spain and I call up Pau Lopez for him.


Spain vs Poland – Game 1 of the Group

Good luck! We in Poland, so I go with countering set up. Lots of minor momentum, but nothing major. Poland a pair of early bookings here in their place. Then in the 18th minute, ST Morata finds Asensio o n the left side. He spins, two defenders on him, crosses to Diego Costa, on the far side of the goal and over attackers and defenders alike, and he scores. Morata puts one away ten minutes later. Koke finds Costa in front of the box, and slides it around a defender to Morata breaking, and Morata scores. Now Poland are no slouch. They have one of the best strikers in the world, so I’m being careful here. They sink a long shot in the 33rd. And they score again just before half. It’s like De Gea just watched that ball sail past him. What is he doing out there? Playing Parchesi? After Poland’s many yellows, DC Martinez gets one for us. I sub in DC Busquest for Martinez. They injure Thiago and he;s off, I send in Oliver for him. I pull DC Ramos for another DC. Tie game, 2-2. Frustrating after that start. Unlucky?


Thiago is out 3-4 weeks with a damaged knee cap

[Abe Sargent]

Koo Ja-CHeol is out for a week with an international injury

We make 1.6 mill from the 5th cap of Ragazzi post-sale

Game 3 vs Real Sociedad – I start Cecchi, Cook at DMC. Vengeance! Off an FK Ricardo finds Mance for a score in the 5th minute. Jae-Hwan booked later. Inigo Martinez booked for R, and if that name is familiar, it ws the guy I called up and started at DC> Diallo booked later, as always. Then Ricardo. I tell my guys to tackle nicer. Half. Stay focused on the goal. Mputu for Diallo. ST Felix Kadodia for Dong-Hyuk. Mance scores in the 77th off another FK ,this time from way back and kicked by Ricardo again. Ibrahim for Ricardo. We win 2-0. MOM is Mance.


Nobody else has won their first three games

Ouattara and Ricardo are named in Team of the Week

GK Nava back from injury, and Ja-Cheol as well


Home gave vs Juventus. If we want to get out of this Group Stage, we need to take points from Arsenal and Juventus. The best chance to do that is today. If we can beat Juventus here, then we start out with great momentum for the group. Today is when we’ll see what we have and who we are. For the fans! Grealish booked. Yoon Dong-Hyuk flies the ball down for Mance deep, and he finishes, score in the 28th. That was incredible. Yellow to Jae_Hwan,and then score in the 44th. 1-1 at the half. Not bad, but keep it up! On a corner, Grealish finds Diallo for a score in the 48th. Diallo with a yellow. We get some pressure turned aside. The Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, a name that should be familiar to those who read my Nacional dynasty, fires a deep shot on a counter and they score back in the 57th. Mputu for Cecchi. Dong-Hyuk intercepts a pass and fires and scores in the 67th. Oliver for Jae-Hwan. Koo Ja-Cheol for Grealish. OG from Mputu. That is so disheartening. 3-3 tie. Sigh. I’m not happy with that


I feel like we may be giving up too many scores. I slide Althof to normal GK again. Maybe that’ll help.


4th game vs Deportivo – 20th in the liga. I start Osmar, Oliver. Keep up the run! They get a booking early and then we get one, two, three, four, five attacks turned aside, but we are dominating the match at the half. You can do this! I feel like my team need more pmpf, so I tell them to be totally fluid and creative. In the 49th, Jae-Hwan finds Dong-Hyuk for a score. Dong-Hyuk juked through two defenders to get it. Diallo with a booking. Then Jae-Hwan gets one too. Ricardo finds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 51st. Jae-Hwan scores in the 58th off an Cecchi assist. Yes, that Cecchi, driving up and in the far corner like an ML, crossing deeply and passionately. We injure one of their players. I send in Mputu for Diallo. Ortega for Mance. They score back off a FK in the 69th. I tell my guys to stop roaming from positions. Cook for a tired Osmar. We win 3-1. Take it. MOM is Ricardo



I make an offer to Indian U19 coach Santosh Fanai. He signs the next day


Ricardo is out for 7-10 days with bruised ribs. My coaches keep advising me to use a fluid shape. I decide to make that change too.

Ricardo, Dong-Hyuk in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

5th game, Away vs Celta We start David Ibrahim for Ricardo today. Celta have been bad so far and lie in 17th. Jae-Hwan is winded and I put in El Ghazi in his place. Pick up where you left off! Dong-Hyuk finds Mance for a score in the 18th. Fired that assist through the middle of two defenders that went for the interception, not the man marking. They injure Mance, and I send in Ortega for him. We follow by injuring one of theirs. Grealish fires a shot to Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 34th. Then again in the 38th, same pair link up. They score back in the 44th. 3-1 half. You all know what to do to finish this. At the half, for example, Celta are 10 shots, 7 on target, and we are 14 and 9. So it’s offensively anyone’s game right now. Cook in for Oliver. Grealish is getting tired, so I pull him for Ja-Cheol. I want to save him if possible for the next game. They score off a IFK in the 84th. They have 4 bookings, and Diallo just picked up our first. We win 3-2, MOM is Dong-Hyuk. Bt of a let off there

Mance is out for 3 weeks. We’ll start Kadodia for him.


We made 1.6 mill as Ragazzi collected his 10th game for Man City


6th game away vs Malaga in 13th. We start Ibrahim, Mputu, Garcia, and Jae-Hwan back, plus Kadodia at ST. Ricardo is back from injury, but I’m holding him for the next game. Pick up from where you left off! Malaga are up for this game. I’m mot. Until…..randomly….Osmar finds Jae-Hwan for a score in the 39th, our first shot on target. Malaga have been the better side, but we are up 1-0 at the half. Don’t get complacent out there! Kadodia seems a bit overwhelmed so I send in El Ghazi there. Ja-Cheol for Grealish. El Ghazi drives hard, fires, and then shot is blocked and Jae-Hwan finishes in the 70th. Cook for Oliver. We win 2-0 and MOM is Jae-Hwan. Good job!


Althof and Jae-Hwan in Team of Week


Away vs Ajax - Cook will start in the middle for Oliver, Ricardo in for Ibrahim. Diallo and Ouattara back. I am playing El Ghazi in the ST spot. Pick up where you left off! There’s a solid chance of us doing well in the group stage, since Ajax and Arsenal also tied. So we win today, and the other match would be a win and give you two leaders with 4 points and the others with 1. And then we score. 5th minute. Ricardo is driving, finds El Ghazi, who drives into the box, Fires a shot into the upper left corner from the right corner of the box, and that’s goal. El Ghazi just scored against his old club, Ajax a team he played for four years until they sold him to Lazio. We injure of their players in the 17th and they have to sub him off. Dong-Hyuk to Jae-Hwan for a score in the 30th. Diallo with a yellow. Half. Stay focused! Mputu for Diallo, and Oliver for Grealish. Out foes are getting tons of cards. Kadodia for Dong-Hyuk. We win 2-0. MOM is Ricardo. Good Win!


Juventus won, and the two of us are 4 points and Arsenal and Ajax 1 each.



End of September –

Good Training – Cecchi, Dong-Hyuk, Mputu

[Northwood_DK]

So close.

Winning in Spain is so difficult. Real and Barcelona got such a big advantage both player and money wise when you start the game that its almost impossible to catch up. And you are always fighting a two front battle as one of them is always doing great.

Good luck with the new season. Will be interesting to see what Jae-Hwan and Ricardo can accomplice together.

[Abe Sargent]

Thanks!


They are both heavies now. And the rest of the team is developing. I might grab one or two major players here or there, but that's it.

[Abe Sargent]

October –

Oct 3 – Home vs Real Madrid
Oct 17 – Hone vs Barcelona
Oct 21 – Away vs Arsenal
Oct 25 – Home vs Levente
Oct 28 – Away vs At. Madrid
Oct 31 – Home vs Villarreal


We are in 1st. But we had an easy first 6 games. None of the teams we played are higher than 10th on the table right now. But here is the big three in one month, and Villarreal, at 8, for you too. IF we are still in front after October, then we’ll start believing in the Melilla Juggernaut



SPAIN –

I pull out injured Thaigo. I also pulled Cesar Azpilicueta. I pull up 23 year old uncapped DC Jorge Mere at Paris St Germain and playing with 7.74 rating right now in Ligue 1, and even better in continental play. I also recall 35 year Santi Cazoria, who’s got the technical prowess of a demon. Mental great, just a little slow. But as a backup middle, I trust him.


Game 7 vs Real Madrid. Alright, let’s see what you have! VENGEANCE RARARAR!!!!!!! Well that was a dish best served quiet. Nothing happened, virtually no shots, nothing. 0-0 half. Hmpf. Keep it up! Still quiet until Jae-Hwan finds El Ghazi in the 62nd minute for a score. Garcia in. Ibrahim for Grealish. Dong-Hyuk slightly injured and Ortega heads in for ‘im. Diallo yellow. R. Madrid draw level in the 83rd. Stupid Isco scored . 1-1 draw. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Unlucky!


Dong-Hyuk out for 7-10 days with a bruised head.


Diallo and Jae-Hwan in Team of Week



Spain – We host Serbia. I move 25 year old Jose Goya to the ML, Marco Asensio to the MR and Isco in to the MC spot vacated by our injured Thiago. I also move Dani Parejo to MC instead of Juan Mata, who had an uneven game for us last time. We injure one of their players and they have to go off in the 13th minute. One of their bright young stars, Andrija Zivkovic. Very quiet. We finally get momentum in the last few minutes of the half. 0-0. Get a win! Ramos with a card and Vallejo too. Asensio crosses and hits ST Morata for a score in the 60th minute. Serbia give us their defensive formations and move forward now. I sub in old guy Santi Cazoria for Parejo. Serbia are coming hard. I ease to counter to see what’s what. Ruben Duarte for Sergio Ramos and his card. Olmo in for Costa at ST. We win 1-0, a win that I will take. Bit of a let off.


Ricardo was capped for Brazil today. He also got a goal as well.

We have a friendly vs Nigeria coming up soon. Vallejo is banned for the next match with too many yellows.








Mance is back from injury

[Abe Sargent]

Bids for the 2028 Olympics have arrived, and the clubs that submitted are Berlin, Germany, Soweto, South Africa, Rabat, Morocco, Marseille, Franc, and Lisboa Portugal

If you’ll recall, the 2022 World Cup was moved from Qatar to Morocco due to complaints, and seeing Morocco also host the 2028 Olympics would take this dynasty into an odd place. Morocco makes sense for a lot of reasons, calmer temperature, still an Arabic desert state, bigger, has a lot of potential venues and cities, more modern, no issues with workers and migrants, and so it seems like a better choice all around.

(In fact, I created this concept, and intended to take over the Moroccan national side, but it’s never been vacant!)



Spain – Nigeria – I make a few subs. I want to get a feel for this team and how it plays. One , I move an MC to AMC, I run Ramos, Mere, and Martinez at DC, Juan Mata at the AMC spot, Asensio is tired and I send Isco to the MR, and sub in Oliver. I retain my ST team. Alright, let’s do this! Early on, Isco finds Costa for a score. Half, quiet. Things are going okay, but you can do even better! Busquests for MC Parejo, AMC Dani Olmo for AMC Juan Mata. DC Duarte for DC Ramos. ML Jordi Alba for ML Jose Gaya. MC Santi Cazoria for MC Oliver . In the 79th an OG by DC Mere gives Nigeria life. Send in ST Perez for ST Costa. Game MOM is Ico. We should be winning these games.


Spain’s main issue for me thus far is a lack of shots sinking. In all three matches for me this far, we’ve had the shots, but not the final result. Today, for example, we had 32 shots, 11 on target.

I need shots sinking, and goals following

I set up a friendly with Ukraine, ranked 11th in the world to our 15th

I make an offer to tie down David Ibrahim.


Home vs Barcelona – Mance is back in the lineup, Mputu is in, Cook at DMC for Osmar, El Ghazi at the MC. For the Fans! Did you know that Barca have been on a down streak, and we are catching them ranked 8th right now? Did you know the DC/DMC Busquets for my Spain International club starts out today’s game for Barca with a yellow card? They score first in the 33rd. Then Diallo a yellow card and Mance finds Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 44th. Half. At the half we are 5 shots, 1 on target, and they 3 and 2. Very quiet. We come forward hard for about 10 minutes after the half. Nothing comes from it though. Then Barca hit us on a counter in the 63rd. I send in Cecchi for the carded Diallo, and he gets a card a few minutes later. Ibrahim heads in, and then Grealish is running, and Dong-Hyuk finds him for a score in the 77th. I send in Osmar at the DC spots. We wind up tying, 2-2, and MOM is GRealish.


We should have won. We finished with 18 shots, to their 7. We won tackles, header, everything but possession. Stupid Barcelona!

[Abe Sargent]

We should have won. We finished with 18 shots, to their 7. We won tackles, header, everything but possession. Stupid Barcelona!

Diallo will be banned for the next liga match

I make an offer to extend GK Althof

Dong-Hyuk won Goal of the Week for Spain


Away vs Arsenal – I start Cecchi, and that’s it, no other changes. Good luck! Arsenal is our main rival to get out of the Group Stage. They have just one tie and one loss, so 1 point. Juventus beat them and Ajax tied them. We have 4 points as does Juventus. We beat Ajax once already, and tied Juve, so if we can get out of today’s away match with a win, then we will be in an amazingly strong place moving forward. We would have 7 points to their 1, and three games to go. Even if we just tie and keep Arsenal at 2 points and us at 5, that’s fine. That’s a strong place moving forward. But if they win today, then all bets are off, and it comes down to the final three games. We played here in a friendly vs Arsenal, missing many of my people to call ups, and were still okay. It’s an embarrassing game. We let one of my favorite players of all time, Alexis Sanchez, dominate us and get a hat trick. It’s 3-0 until El Ghazi drives in the 70th, finds Mace, who finds Ricard for a score. I sent in Osmar and Ja-Cheol already due to cards to Cook and Grealish. We lose 3-1. That sucked. We fought hard though. Juve thrumped Ajaxi 4-1, and we lose our lead. Half way through its Juve 7, Arsenal and us with 4, and Ajax with 1.


Althof signs – 32k/week, 5 years, first team deal. He’s worth 1.4 mill


Game vs Levante. I bring in some players to spell them. Oliver, Mputut, Kadodia, Ja-Cheol, Garcia will all start for me. Tired folks like Ouattara, Grealish, and El Ghazi are on the bench. You’ve got this! They score early and then we get some momentum. But the game quickly ebbs, and it’s half. Where’s your passion I the 56, Jae-Hwan finds Kadodia for a score. I send in Kevin Gameiron, Ibrahim, and Cook. Then in the 85th, they score again, and its 2-1. Uh ohs! Jae-Hwan and Cecchi collect late flags. Then in extra time, Oliver finds Dong-Hyuk for a score. And we pull back to a 2-2 tie. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Game. I had a lot of great players that sucked that game (Ricardo, Cecchi, Oliver). That wasn’t acceptable. Not good enough!


Jae-Hwan named in Team of the Week

[law90026]

Crazy that you can draw with your Big 2 but lose to Arsenal!

[Abe Sargent]

Crazy that you can draw with your Big 2 but lose to Arsenal!

Stupid Arsenal!

[Abe Sargent]

Awa vs At. Madrid. Obviously, the whole A Team is here today. El Ghazi in the middle with Jae-Hwan, Ricardo and Grealish on the edges, Dong-Hyuk and Mance, Osmar, and Diallo, Ouattara, Mputu. I slide to counter. Vengeance! One attacks by At, then another. They push hard We get a nice shoton goal, but it’s offside. A shot by At. Madrid is lethal, but it’s the crossbar and flies over. Half, 0-0. They have 13 shots to our 4. Keep it up! They grab two bookings early. Ricardo booked. Oliver for Ricardo. Our foes score in the 69th. Then Osmar is sent off for a double-footed foul. I Send in Cook to help out. Garcia in later. Diallo another yellow. We set up a fortress, and they don’t crack until penalty time, and we lose 2-0. I’m not happy with that.


I go after both Diallo and Osmar hard in the presser for too many cards and such, and then I hand Osmar a fine.



Home vs Villarreal – Cook is in today. Good luck! In the 9th minute, Grealish crosses and finds Jae-Hwan on an attacking run down the middle for a score. Nice start. We have two more thrusts turned aside, but nothing. Then in the 31st, we hit them again with Jae-Hwan finding Mance and they hit the goal. Villarreal has just one shot at the half, totally us. Stay focus, don’t get complacent! We move forward. I send in Garcia, Ja-Cheol, and Ibrahim. Then in the 83rd, Grealish finds Ricardo for a score. We win 3-0, no cards for either team. MOM is jAe-Hwan. Mojo back?


That win moves us back to 2nd.

End of Oct – Train – Diallo, Ouattara, Ibrahim

[Abe Sargent]

November -

Nov 3 Home vs Arsenal
Nov 7 – Away vs At. Bilbao
Nov 22 – Home vs Cadiz
Nov 25 – Away vs Juventus
Nov 28 – Away vs Cordoba


We are 2nd in liga


Home vs Arsenal - Now if we are going to get out of this group, today’s home game vs Arsenal is basically a must-win. I make no major changes to my squad. Vengeance! At first it’s slow. Then we pick up steam. Then Arsenal this home in the 23rd off a counter. Then our steam backs uff, and we are under an Arsenal assault, I pull back to counter. Half. You need to to better! In the 47th, El Ghazi slips the ball to Dong-Hyuk for a score. Card by Ricardo. Then in the 49th, Ricardo finds Dong-Hyuk again for a score and we are suddenly up 2-1. Now we are the scrappy team. Right now we have 4 shots, 3 on goal to their 11 and 2. I stay with counter. We injure an Arsenal player. Cecchi for an underperforming Ouattara. Dong-Hyuk finds Jae-Hwan on an amazing break, gifts him the perfect assist and Jae-Hwan dose not disappoint. Score in the 66th. Grealish a card. I pull him for Ibrahim. Ibrahim with the cross of the century and finds Mance for a score in the 81st. Ortega for Mance. Arsenal aren’t sitting back and they get a score in the 89th. But we still win 4-2, after being down 1-0 at the half, and I’ll take that. MOM is Dong-Hyuk. Juve beat Ajax.


With two games left:


Juve – 10 points
Meilla – 7 points
Arsenal – 4 Points
Ajax – 1 Point

We have games vs Ajax and Juve left. The only team to get any points from Juve was us, in a tie to open the group, we get Juve away and Ajax at home. If we get three points from that, then Arsenal has to win their final two matchups, and get enough points to tie us.

[Abe Sargent]

SPAIN

We are at the halfway point of the group stage. We have two games against Poland and then Serbria here in NOV to finish it. We’re winning right now, nut not by a lot.


I remove Dani Varvajal from the squad. I call up Thiago, back from injury, DC Gerard Pique.


I split Koke wide to the left wing, retain Isco on the right, and then bring Thiago to the middle again. I keep Juan Mata at the AMC, and ST Costa and Morata, and I have DC Martinez, Ramos, and Duarte. Our squad is as ready as we can be.



Game vs At. Bilbao – Garcia in for a tired Diallo, otherwise, no major change. Pick up where you left off! We injure Inaki Williams, one of their middies, early on and they are forced to make a sub. Sorry about that. We get a shot to land early, Garcia finds EL Ghazi for a score, after he jukes past some defenders. But that’s it. We outperformed them in the half, but have little. Keep it up! We continue the shots and such, but no sinking. Then I send in Oliver for Jae-Hwan, and Kadodia for Mance. Then in the 84th, Dong-Hyuk is injured and has to come off. I send in Ja-Cheol. We finish 1-0, 23 shots, and 8 on target, but just the one goal, and no cards for either team, but it certainly counts as a win, so I’ll take it. MOM is DC Javier Garcia – good job young one!

Dong-Hyuk’s spine is injured and he’ll be out for a couple of months.


SPAIN –

Today we host Poland. For SPAIN! Well that’s a boring half. Just 4 shots fo us, 6 for Poland, and just tackling and possession changes with nothing to show. Half. You need to pick this thing up! In the 58th, we get a IFK from Mata. He lofts the ball, finds DC Duarte, and scores. That’s Duarte’s first international goal for Spain! Everybody who gave me a hard time about bringing him onto my team can suck it. Ramos misses an interception and that leads to a counter by Poland in the 66th I send in DC Mere for him, the younger, faster, but as skilled guy. Card for Duarte. ST Costa has been horrible. Like 6.2 horrible. I yank him for ST Perez. Final sub – AMC Dani Olmo heads in for Juan Mata. That was an annoying tie. I Added an AMC and have gotten worse in offense. I only scored due to a set piece.


Althof got his first cap for Germany today.



Changes for match vs Serbia –

1. Pulling ST Diego Costa from the rotation. He’s been weak. Sending in ST Ayoze Perez. I am making Perez a Trequarista and moving ST Morata to a support complete forward.
2. Juan Mata has not impressed in the AMC role that should be his. I’m giving it to hot, 22 year old Dani Olmo.
3. I’m moving around a lot of my midfield. I want to start the older, but proficient, Sergio Busquets at Deep Lying Playmaker MC< and then I am moving Asensio back to the right flank and Isco inside. I am benching Thiago.


Away vs Serbia. Let’s see what we can do. We are first in the Group and have 5 points to Serbia’s 4. This is the final game. Tie or win, and we win the Group. Lose and Serbia is out. Serbia is good. They are ranked 14th in the world. Don’t take this team for granted. But they have a 4-4-2 formation, and 3-5-2 is strong against that. I start countering. Good luck! Asensio finds Isco for a score in the 23rd. Amazing assist by the guy. Asensio is one of the bright new Spanish lights, and I am developing Dani Olmo to be another. We hold on against two Serbian lances, but our shield holds. Half. 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent! I like what I’m seeing from Dani Olmo out here, he’s up for anything and all over their pitch. Serbia move forward, and we hold. They stop out break in the 60th. I pull DC Duarte for older, wiser, and very skilled DC Gerard Pique. He’s a 33 year old grizzled veteran who knows how to close. Winning is for closers. Finally, on a corner, Serbia break our dam in the 70th minute. I move Olmo to ST Perez, change to help Morata and move him to an attack role, put Isco to the AMC spot, and then sub in Thaigo. I send in Jordi Alba for Koke on the wing. Isco is injured in the 88th but we have no more subs. We tie 1-1, MOM is Marco Asensio. We are out, oddly, and qualify for the Semis

Isco out for 5-6 weeks with strained knee ligaments. Sorry Real Madrid 

The other Semi finalists are Holland in a group over Germany and Turkey, England in a group over France and Switzerland, and Italy in a tough group over Belgium and Portugal.

Spain, Italy, Holland and England.

Spain drop to 17th

[Abe Sargent]

Home vs Cadiz. In place of Dong-Hyuk, I move El Ghazi to ST, and then Oliver to his spot in the MC line. Diallo back in the lineup for Garcia. I leave in Mptutu and Ouattara. Pick up where you left off! They do. Score in the 8th by Mance after they tackle Ricardo hard in the goal and Mance grabs the ball and fires. They get two bookings in the first ten minutes. Then two more follow. I tell my lads to stay on their feet. Cadi have four cards. I don’t want to get booked out of existence. Then they tackle Mputu with the ball, collect a second yellow and they have someone sent off in the 29th minute. We get some momentum, but no more shots before half. 1-0 Don’t get complacent! Another card for Cadiz. I send in Ja-Cheol for Oliver, and then another card for Cadiz. I send in Gameiro for El Ghazi. Another card for Cadiz. Another follows. Wow Cadiz, you need to back off. Gameiro finds Jae-wan for a score in the 79th. My final sub is Osmar for Ouattara. Jae-Hwan, MOM we win 2-0. No joke, Cadiz got 10 cards.


Jae-Hwan in Team of Week.


Ibrahim adapts his game to moving forward when possible


Our away match vs Juventus is here. If we get points, it’ll make it very tough for Arsenal to catch up. But this is still the least likely game to get a result in. It could be woodshed time here in Italy. I told my guys to focus on attacking set pieces during the week. Grealish is suspended and Ibrahim starts. We’re rested and fine. Gametime. Pick up where you left off! Again, we are the only team in this group to get points from Juventus thus far. Ricardo gest an early yellow and then…in the 7th minute? On a FK from downtown, Oliver finds and hits Ibrahim, who is free on the left flank, crosses to El Ghazi for the score. Ibrahim is injured in the 15th, and I send in Ja-Cheol. Jae-Hwan with a card. Half. Keep it up! We ly have 2 shots, 1 on target, we’re playing more defense than offense, so I slide from counter to actual defensive. We hold off early vs Juve, and a strong counter is turned aside. I send in Osmar for Jae-Hwan, and then pull Cook and him. They fire and score on us in the 74th. El Ghazi has been banged up with a knock. I sub in Felix Kadodia. Can we hold on to this tie for 10 minutes? Yes we can . Good job! Meanwhile Ajax beat Arsenal!

We are out of the Group!

Ibrahim is out for a month with a damaged knee.
El Ghazi – Out for a week or more with a gashed lower leg

We qualified with a game in hand, but we have a lot of injuries on my squad right now.

I make an offer to improve Mputu’s cash and value

My goal this year has been to hammer down deals of my stars moving forward.

Osmar is beginning to miss a few steps, and I drop him to rotation status.


For today’s match vs Cordoba, I have Kadodia, Grealish, Garcia, and Cecchi in the lineup for us. Keep our run going! Cook has taken over the DMC role nicely and will retain for the foreseeable future, with Osmar subbing at DC and DMC as needed. Cordoba are panicking too much and taking bad long shots. 7 shots, none on target thus far. We are 9 and 6 t the half, but nothing. Keep it up! Oliver finds Mance in the 55th.. Ortega for Kadodia. Ouattara for Garcia. Ja-Cheol for Oliver. We should have had more goals – 22 shots, 11 on target. A win is a win, but still MOM is Ricardo.


Mputu signs – 31k/week, rotation, 5 year deal, he’s worth 4.6 mill right now

Cecchi and Ricardo in Team of Week

End of November –

Training of the good – Ortega, Althof, Garcia

[Abe Sargent]

December –

Dec 1 – Home vs Ajax
Dec 5 – Away vs Getafe
Dec 9 – Away vs Real Union, Spanish Cup
Dec 13 Away vs Rayo
Dec 16 – Home vs Real Union, SC
Dec 20 – Home vs Real Betis

We are still 2nd in the liga

Spain draws England in their Semis


For today’s Ajax game, my only change is to move Ouattara back into the DC lineup. Pick up where you left off! Ricardo finds Grealish on the other side on an attacking run for a score early in the 16th. Then Ajax tackles us hard, and gets a yellow, but out DFk misses. We have some simple possession changes until Mance feeds Grealish for another score too. Half. Don’t lose your focus! We have been all over Ajax though, 15 shots to their 6, and they only had 1 on target, to our 7. I send in Ortega for Kadodia, and then Koo Ja-Cheol for Oliver. They force a shot through with sheer force of will in the 76th. Mputu for Garcia. MOM is Grealish and we win 2-1.

Well done. We finish the group with 11 points and 2nd place, Juventus had 14. Arsenal was in 4th.


After just a few months there, Manuel Lanzini was transfer listed by Real Madrid. Idiots. They don’t know how to use him. He wanted to move, and I’m not bringing him back with Grealish just owning his spot

Let’s interrupt this dynasty for another look at the Genie saves. I want to see where folks are now. I have some suspicions about some players. Going in, I think Cecchi has really turned it on, Kadodia is a major player, and Ibrahim is really improved. Let’s get a look see at my major folks:



By current ability:

Ricardo, 174/200
Jae-Hwan – 174/187
Cecchi – 165/179
Althof – 163/192
Mputu - 159/182
Mance – 158/191
Ouattara – 157/168
Grealish – 156/170
Oliver – 156/159
Cook – 155/159
El-Ghazi – 153/155
Dong-Hyuk – 150/179
Ibrahim – 150/170
Diallo – 150/159
Ja-Cheol – 140/149
Garcia – 138/186
Kadodia – 138/170
Gameiro – 134/156
Ortega – 134/158
Osmar – 125/130

I’ll skip looking at all of my other talent and such

But our major additions this year were Grealish, Ricardo, and El Ghazi, and then growth from my major players. You can see that all day here. As I thought Kadodia, with great stuff in the future, looks like a potential guy, and Ortega hasn’t advanced like I thought he would with his starts and subs last year. We may be moving on from him soon-ish. Anyways, I also used this year to secure deals with a lot of these folks moving forward.

You can see our investment paying off hard core. Let’s look more closely.

Let’s search by players in the liga


The ten best players right now are Neymar, Messi, GK Ter Stegan for Barca, Isco, Kroos, Passlack, De Bruyen for R, Madrid, Jae-Hwan and Ricardo for is, and the Brandt for R Madrid. Notice who’s missing, despite leading the charts, is At. Madrid. When you look at the potential for my players, Ricardo could be my Messi/Neymar. All of my key players are mostly on the rise – Mance, Althof, and such. Shoot, lets say two years down the road I have the same squad (mostly) and I have Mance at 180, Cecch at 175, Althof at 180, Ricardo at 193, Garcia at 170, Mputu at 175, and so forth. We are a class act that no one can touch.

So there you have it






Our match vs Getafe is here. They fired and are searching for a new head coach, so that;s nice. They are rocking the 20 spot right mow. We are favored. Jae-Hwan finds KAdodia in the 8th to begin our day. Garcia is booked. Half. Stay focused! Mputu for Garcia. Ja-Cheol for Oliver. Gameiro for Grealish. In extra time, a tired Ricardo drives, crosses to Gameiro for a score. We win 2-0, with 26 shots and 12 on target. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Good win


That was Kevin Gameiros first goal for us

For the first time in a long time, At Madrid tied a game, away at R Sociedad, which gives us a chance to play catch up on the board

Jae-Hwan is Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

S Cup round 2 – Garcia and Cecchi in, Osmar and Ja-Cheol as well. Grealish to Ricardo for a score in the 13th. Corner kick, Mputu puts it in in the 38th, his first of the season. Assist by Ja-Cheol. Half. Keep it up lads! In heads Gameiro, Kadodia, and I’ll save the last for needs. El Ghazi. We win 2-0, 3-0 aggregate, MOM is Jae-Hwan.

Our next opponent in the 5th round of the Cup is At. Billbao, a club we took out in the Semis last year.


Home vs Real betis – Our final match before the break. For our last match I start El Ghazi, Cook, Ouattara, Diallo. Ibrahim is back from injury in a bit, and I don’t rush him, Pick up where you left off! (I was bored and concentrated on other stuff, sorrys.) They get four cards to our zero, we get 1 goal to their 0 and another game we could/should have opened up, Jae-Hwan is MOM and Mputu found Ouattara on a backpass after getting the ball on a corner for the score. You lucked into that one.


After everyone finishes, here’s the top of the table, at the end of December, with everyone having 17 games:


1. At Madrid, 43
2. Melilla, 42
3. R. Madrid, 37
4. Valencia, 36
5. Barca, 30
6. R. Sociedad, 28
7. Malaga, 28
8. At. Bilbao, 26
9. Villarreal, 26


As you can see, we’re in a strong place. We have one more loss, they have one more draw. We are in a good place to push forward. Our next game in the liga is vs Valencia.

[Abe Sargent]

Two of my players are wanted right now, MAnce and Ouattara, oh and Jae-Hwan too, sorry, three. Someone always comes sniffing around the Jan window.

Is there anyone coming off a contract that I think would prove a good addition to our club?

Nah

Training Facilities finish upgrades

Ndi is already transfer listed from Granada, Sayed is not doing well for oMan Utd and has only played 4 games this season. He’s on a backup role for them. DC Ragazzi is on the first team at Man City, and has 7.85 rating in 11 appearances in the EPL for them. ST Patrick Bamford is getting 9 league goals in 15 games, for Fiorentina. Our former Gk Seung-Gyu is doing fine for Torino in Italy, after they bought him from Fenerbache for 3.3 mill. DC Ingasson is fine for Getafe still. Milic still a quiet rotation guy for OM. For Chelsea, ex DL Paul Jordan had 3 subs so far this year, not looking good in any. DC Mosiuda at Paris SG is 6 starts, not great for them either. DR Juan Lopez is on loan at R. SOciedad from R. Madrid, and has 5 Liga starts for them and a 7.44 rating.

No one signed Ricard Ebwelle after he left our place, and he retired at the age of 24. Remember the Mexican striker Alan Avila I kept wanting to be a great future? Also retired as the age of 25.

Other players retired, or free, from that era include GK Barrio, ST Diego Cascon, and Borja. Sufian retired at 31.


Who of ours is up this year:

Osmar
GK Giacomo Nava
Yuto Nagatomo

Youthers and backups all over.

My team is ascending, we don’t need to let a lot of folks go

Anyone coming free next year that tweaks my fancy? My radar? We brought in Cook, El Ghazi, and Grealish all on frees, and all have been good quality additions.

There are some great players coming free that would be willing to come to North Africa. Claudio Marchisio, a DM.MC for Juventus, 34 years old, is probably the biggest name. 103 caps for Italy and 9 goals. Lucas Evangelista?

But the one that makes me blink:

Mid – Morgan Bonnot, key player for FC Nantes, 21 eyars old, French, and looks like a real threat. Unhappy by the promises broken by their manager, good ratings, and ew folks interested. Get this, he’d be willing to do a cheap, rotation deal , and we like him a lot. I mean, like, a borderline wonderkid lot. I make him an offer.

Don’t let good talent like that leave.

One thing I’d like is an older, savvy Gk who could be my Nava replacementas a backup and serve as a mentor for my younger guys. Juventus has two older backu p GKS coming free. I make an offer to Spanish GK Roberto, over in Greece, to come back home for that backup role.


End fo December and 2020 –

Good training by Vazquez, Ouattara, and Jae-Hwan

[Abe Sargent]

January –

Jan 3 – Home vs Valencia
Jan 6 – Away vs At. Bilbao, SC
Jan 10 – Away vs Valladolid
Jan 13 – Home vs AB, SC
Jan 17 – Away vs Mallorca
Jan 20 – SC Quarters
Jan 24 – Home vs Elche
Jan 27 – SC Quarters
Jan 31 -Away vs R. Sociedad

We are 2nd in liga still


World Ball and World Player are Juan Mata at Man Utd.


Youngster Jae-Hwan was named as….European Golden Boy!

Asian Footballer of the Year:

1st – Yoon Jae-Hwan
2nd – Yoon Dong-Hyuk
3rd – Shinji Kagawa, Dortmund

Jae-Hwan also collected the Asian Young Footballer of the Year as well

Both Yoons named in Asian All Star XI

My board offer to increase my transfer budget. I agree.

Now I get my first offer. 10 mill for Ouattara from Bayern Munich. I reject it

I didn’t even get pushback from Ouattara or his agent afterwards. It’s nice to have signed my major acquisitions to major, key deals for us moving forward


I sign Morgan Bonnot for us next year, 18k/week


The Valencia match arrives. Last year, they come to our place and beat us. Ibrahim is back on the bench as a game-day sub, and I have no major changes to my lineup. For the fans! We injure an Valencian player named Pavon. Oops. They are not in the match early. We really aren’t that much, but they are collecting yellow cards, and we aren.’t. Half. Vengeance! In the 55th minute, Ricardo drives, finds Jae-Hwan on a cross, and he scores. Then I send in Ibrahim, Ja-Cheol and Cecchi. Valancia just aren’t hitting their shots, and mis all but one. We win 1-0. MOM is Jae-Hwan


It’s been along time since we conceded a goal.

1-0 to Valencia, 1-0 to Betis, 2-0 to R Unio, 1-0 to Rayo, 1-0 to R Union, 2-0 to Getafe, 1-0 to Ajax, 1-0 to Cordoba. That’s a new Melilla record.


GK Roberto signs with us and will join us at the end of the year. He’s like 34, but he’s good mentally and should provide us that depth and mentoring.

ST Ortega is buried in my depth chart due to the rise of Kadodia and how good El Ghazi si up front as well I offer him for a loan. As of right now, I have 28 players on loan!

Our transfer window opens up, and the one youther we signed arrives:

Kim Myung-Ho, South Korean. He’s obviously one too many non-EU folks, so I will get him a Spanish heritage, for two years of loans and such, and then he should be good to go.

Middle Kim Myung Ho, 18, 3.7k/week for 2 and a half years, hot prospect, 2.1 mill value, he plays everything on the left side from full back to AML, and he’s already playable for me, frankly. He developed more than I anticipated when I signed him – a good problem to have. We think he is the next Korean youth star after the Yoons, and so I want to give him a bit to acclimate here, we have the other three Koreans and Osmar, the team captain who knows the language. I show his stuff later after he’s ready, but he has numerous plusses – fast, loyal, professional, fits into our quad, and unfortunately well suited to the next level down right now. High potential.

I can play him this month in our four cup matches, as they don’t have EU requirements, and then loan him out.

I accept all of the first team offers from fellow liga folk for Ortega

No offers foro Adelson so I move him to Lierse.

Jae-Hwan and El Ghazi in Team of Week

Jae-Hawn’s goal vs Valencia is the Goal of the Week

I bring up my various folks leaving at the end of the year. Any youth/backups I want to retain for sure?

I like Bruno Souto, we loaned him to Elche three times in a row now, my guess is they will be interested in keeping him, but he never fully developed to where I was hoping. I’m fine letting him go

I’m letting Middie French Joris Mallet head home

I’ll let ST Ruben Martinez go, he’s always been more about hope than development

Ntsume was one of my major misses. He’s never done anything. But he is 20. I could make him an offer to extend his deal, but I don’t see him doing much for anyone right now. I’m not currently included to do so, and I am aware of the cognitive bias that wants me to retain him since I paid a good 300k for him a few years ago ,but that’s a sunk cost fallacy.

I make an offer to train a few youtehrs, like Lorenzo Castillo.

Cup match vs At. Bilbao – I activate Kim Myung-Ho for our gameday squad. Cecchi starts for a winded Guy, Ja-Cheol starts in the middle, Ibrahim for Grealish and Osmar for Cook. Pick up where you left off! We don’t early. Osmar with a booking, and we aren’t finishing our shots. At. Bilbao don’t have a shot until the 33rd minute. Half. You can still win this! I sub in Kim Myung-Ho for Ja-Cheol early, and then swap him to the wing and move Ricardo in. Next sub is Garcia for Osmar. Then in the 74th, Myung-Ho finds Mance for a goal. Kadodia for Dong-Hyuk. Then Ricardo finds Myung-Hou for a score in te 83rd, scored on his debut. We win 2-0. Another shut out for my defender, and MOM is Ricardo.

This wasn’t some scrub team that Myung-Ho did well against after coming in on the 54th minute. We were in their stadium, and they are 7th in the liga right now. So we did well.

You can see how interesting Myung-Ho is.

I get a loan offer for key player first team play from Levante in the liga. I have a week to give them an answer. That’s what I want – first team play here, to develop him while he gets Spanish nationality. I have until the 14th to decide, so I’ll wait until pos-next Cup match

[Abe Sargent]

Osmar is injured in practice – out for 5-6 weeks with a sports hernia


Game 19 vs R. Valladolid. They are 10th right now. This game is the halfway mark of the season. I send Ortega to loan here today, and we’ll see if they play him. Ot takes a while for either side to do anything, but then Ricardo finds Grealish, who scores past our former player, Nwakali. Half. Ibrahim for El Ghazi, and then switch Ricardo inside. In the future, this is the move I’ll make. Oliver for Cook. Garcia for Diallo. We win 1-0, MOM is Grealish. Another shut down. 10 liga matches in a row we’ve won.


Cup Match #2 – Ouattara is tired, Garcia starts. Kadoadia for Mance I have Myung-Ho on the outside, and Ibrahim on the other. Mputu for Diallo. Pick up where you left off! Mputu booked in the 3rd minute, and then we injure one of their defenders. We get an early shot as Jae-Hwan finds Kadodia for a score. Then thigs even out. No major advantages. Half. Keep it up! Kadodia is injured and El Gazi replaces him. I send in Oliveras well, and then Jae-Hwan gets a score. We win 2-0, Jae-Hwan is MOM and we collect another shut out

Tomorrow I accept the loan offer for Myung-ho

Kadodia out for a month with a pulled hammy

Real Betis is next



SPAIN – World Cup Quals Stages are drawn. We get a group with Scotland, Greece, Estonia ,and Hungary.


Game 20 vs Mallorca – Mallorca are 13th in the liga right now. Diallo and Ouattara are in African Cup of Nations right now. Oliver starts today in the MC. We don’t get a lot of shots to sink early on.Mputu booked. They get two though. Half. Very quiet. We have 2 shots on goal, they have none. I want to see better from y’all! I Send in backup youther Adelson for Mputu, and then Ja-CHeol ffor Cook and Ricardo for Ibrahim. Nothing. Then in the 84th, Cecchi finds Ibrahim driving and hits a goal. Awesome. In penalty time, Dong-Hyuk hits Jae-Hwan and we win 2-0 in the last two minutes. I’ll take that. MOM is Jae-Hwan. Another shut out, our 10th in a row

Dong-Hyuk was banged around late and will be out for 5-6 days with a dead leg – we’ll start El Ghazi up top and Oliver in MC while he’s out.

ST Jorge Mesa applied for, and was granted, Spanish citizenship

[Abe Sargent]

Is there anyone I want to bring into the club? I have some cash. My squad is also getting a little thin with injuries and call ups. I could bring back Nagatomo, or some youthers from loans. I could loan someone. Or I could just sign some talent.

There’s someone out there I like, older, wiser, could be a great mentor for my younger DCs. 550k brings him in. He;s transfer listed and I make him an offer. DC for Morocco Mehdi Benatia over at Bayern.

He signs

DC Medhi Benatia, Moroccan, – 33, DC and some other nearby stuff, slow, good mentally and technically. Great at mark/tack – 18/17 and 14/14 jump/head. 25k/week, backup role


I ask Benatia to mentor Mputu,

Jae-Hwan named in Team fo Week



Quarter Finals of SC vs Real Betis, Leg 1 – I am starting Ja-Cheol and Ibrahim and Benatia – he’s match fit and ready to go. Pick up where you left off! At the 26th minute, no shots by anyone. Then they score on us, and push hard. We are down 1-0 at the half. Show me something else! I Send in Gameiro, and then Mance finds El Ghazi for a score in the 67th. In heads Ricardo, to help me get that next goal in. In the 79th, David Ibrahim crosses to El Ghazi for another score. Bookings by Ibrahim and Oliver. Cecchi fro Garcia. We win 2-1, end the streak of clean sheets. So yay – good comeback

We haven’t lost in 18 games. Although that’ll come to end soon enough




Game 21 – Home vs Elche. Dong-Hyuk back from injury. I bring back most of my A team, like Dong-Hyuk and Ricardo and Grealish. Keep our run going! It’s raining today here in North Africa. They injure Mance early and I send in Ja-Cheol. Mputu hits Jae-Hwan and he jaukes past some defenders and scores. 1-0 at the half. Then we pop out, and I send in Cecchi and Ibrahim. We hold on, but don’t hit goal again. 1-0 win, MOM is Jae-Hwan. We got away with that one

Mance is out fo r7-10 days. El Ghazi will start until his return




Benatia -

Medhi Benatia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medhi_Benatia)


http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/benatia-508692.jpg



http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1976991.1409070797!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg

[Abe Sargent]

I’m thinking about trying out a 3-4-2-1

Let’s give it a whirl for a game or two.

3 DCs, 4 Middiles, 2 AMCs, and 1 ST up front. With Mance out, that ST is Dong-Hyuk. Complete Forwar,d attack role. AMC is Ricardo and Jae-Hwan. Cook at MC with Deep Lying Playmaker role, my three DCs like normal, no major changes there, we have Mance out, so let’s see what we can do while he;s out on injury with just the one ST.


Let’s see how this goes, I want to use Ricardo right. I was gifted by the football gods, and this seems like an interesting way to use him

Mputu named in Team of Week


Cup Match vs Real Betis, #2 – I have Cecchi starting for Garcia and Ja-Cheol in the middle. Go get this tie! Ja-Cheol with an early yellow. Mputu booked. We have a corner kick where Ja-Cheol hits Cecchi for a score in the 33rd. Half. Nothing. Very, very slow day/ Not a lot of shots, not a lot of movement. It’s a 1-0 day, and Cecchi wins


We advance to the Semi Finals 3-1 aggregate

That tactic did not work.

We get Barcelona in the Semi Finals


Game 22 vs R. Sociedad. Away today, this is a major test. They come forward hard and early, and I pull back from counter to defense. We stop three surges, and they collect two bookings, half. We only have 4 shots, 0 on target. Keep it up! In the 61st, our foes collect a second yellow for a player, and I move into my Control/Up-tempo/etc moves to get us back into this game. I send in Ja-Cheol and a fresh-from-injury but not quite ready to start Mance. Then in the 78t, El Ghazi finds Ricardo for a goal. Garcia in fro Benatia to help give fresh legs in the defense…and…we hold and win 1-0, and Ricardo is MOM.


Porto make an offer for Diallo of almost 10 mill.That’s a lot of money. Hes worth 10.5 mill, so I reject it

I make a new offer for Diallo

I have major news. Although they still haven’t lost a game all season long, At. Madrid are not behind us after getting a draw in the last game. We are now #1.


End of January - Good Training – Dong-Hyuk, Mputu, and Ibrahim

[Abe Sargent]

February –

Feb 3 – Away vs Barcelona, SC Semis
Feb 7 – Home vs Celta
Feb 10 – Home vs Man Utd, Champion
Feb 13 – Away vsvDeportivo
Feb 20 – Away vs R. Madrid
Feb 24 – Home vs Barcelona, SC Semis
Feb 27 – Home vs Levante

We are 1st in the liga

We have a lot of tough games this month. Barcax2, Man Utd, and R Madrid. I think our unbeaten streak is about to get beaten.

I have some bad news sports fans. We have a min buyout clause on Ouattara of 35 mill. After rejecting their little dances and such, Bayern finally make an offer fo 35 mill for Ouattara. That sucks for a lot of reasons, not only the fact that I built him.

I begin to scout the globe. Is there someone out there with a similar parabola to Ouattara?

What about 20 year old Cesar Mejia? I start scouting

We’re probably fine with Diallo/Garcia/Cecchi/Mputu, and Benatia at the spot. Plus when Osmar comes back from his injury that adds another. But I want to start scouting folks now. My board gave me some cash, and I have the 30 mill minus my club’s fee so I have the transfer kitty needed. He made 75 appearances for me and was a strong mover. I also lost my vice captain.

Of all of the DCs out there, the one I’d like the most, if there was no cost attached, is Dani Perez, On loan at R. Sociedad from R Madrid, and one of the bright stars At 20, he’s almost good enough to get capped. He’s great. He’s better than Ouattara, frankly. And he’s happy to move to us, but R. Madrid may not be easy to dislodge him. I make an offer of 19 mill.


I make Dong-Hyuk my vice

R. Madrid reject my early offers

I agree to 15 mill with Boca for 20 year old Cesar Mejia, a decent backup, but nothing like what Dani Perez would offer.

Barca Away Game Leg 1. Mance is back. Kadodia is back as well, but I don’t want to rush him into the lineup just yet. I begin defensively. Quiet half, booking by Grealish and two by Barca. Rain in the day, and it’s a boggy mess. Half. You can win this! As the half opens up, Neymar scores in the 53rd. Uh oh! They bang up Mance and I send in EL Ghazi for him, the Ibrahim fro the carded Grealish. In the 81st, El Ghazi intercepts the ball, and shoots and scores. Awesome! Ja-Cheol in. We tie 1-1. I’m happy with that

We had 10 shots to their 19, and 51% of possession. A 1-1 tie on the road puts us into a good place at home.

Real Madrid accept an offer of 25 mill for Dani Perez

We agree to a deal with Dani

DC Cesar Mejia is agreed to, and I do have just enough cash for both him and Perez. But there isn’t an immediate need for two. If I went back to a 4 D with 2 fullbacks II’d be more concerned. I delay the deal out of the Mejia deal.

ST Kadodia is back.

DC Diallo’s new deal is done 30k/week, 4 years, first team, still worth 10.5 mill

We finalize the deal with Perez. He’ll come at the end of the season

[Abe Sargent]

Game 23 vs Celta – We head back to the liga. Celta are in a slump and are 13th. Quiet early, just a booking for them. Very few shots on goal. Half. You need to show me something different. I move from control to full on attack. In the 57th, Jack Grealish gets a goal driving to him by Ricardo I sub in Kadodia for Mance A few minutes later Dong-Hyuk drives, finds Jae-Hwan, who fires, GK finds it and it drops to the ground nearby the GK, as Kadodia scrambles onto the ball, a panicked DC gets there first but puts it into the goal. OG. Jae-Hwan finds Dong-Hyuk next for a goal in the 77th. In heads Garcia and El Ghazi. We give away a penalty in the 87th which sees “harsh”. They sink it. Dong-Hyk finds Kadodia for a score at the 90:19 mark. We win 4-1. MOM is Jae-Hwan.

This ends a drought fo Dong-Hyuk. TO be fair, I have him on support, and he;s gotten assists, but no goals in a while


The 15 MOM that Jae-Hwan has is te most in a Melillan season, set by him last year for 14

Ricardo, Dong-Hyuk and Jae-Hwan all named in Team of the Week



ARE YOU READY FOR THE WOODSHED?!?!??




Time to host Manchester United. Welcome to North Africa!

Osmar is back from injury, but we’ll hold him out of this match, I want to give him some development time. Diallo is back from Mali’s senior squad

This will be a real test of where we are at as a team. I have the whole A team out there. EL Ghazi, Mance, Dong-Hyuk, Ricardo, Grealish, Cook, Diallo, Cecchi, Mputu, Althof, and of course, Jae-Hwan. It’s game day, you ready? We are actually favored by a bit. That’s crazy. Man Utd have three major injuries – Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Riechadly Bazoer. I ease back to Standard, from my normal control. Pick up where you left off!!! They sink a DFK in the 14th minute. Cards to Mputu and Diallo, and another for them. Then a shot hits GK De Gea (from the Spanish national squad) and then Mance pounces on the rebound and we tie at the 41st minute. Just before the half, in injury time, Jae-Hwan finds Dong-Hyuk for a score. 2-1 at the half, us Don’t. Get . Complacent! Dong-Hyuk scores in the 55th. Cook found him on a deep attack run. Garcia for the card-ed Diallo. Ibrahim for Grealish. Another booking for Man Utd. We win 3-1, and that;s a very respectable game. MOM is Cook with two assists on the day. Very happy with that!


Diallo is banned for the next Man Utd match


Kadodia pens a new deal. 30k/week, hot prospect, and 1.2 mill.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 24 vs Deportivo, 20th in Liga. I few mods to this game – we’re starting Ja-Cheol, Osmar in the DMC< Garcia in for Mputu, Dong-Hyuk finds Mance in the 23rd for a score. Ja-Cheol hits Dong-Hyuk for a score in the 44th. Half. Keep it up! I Send in Ibrahim and Benatia. Garcia to Mance for a score in the 70th. Oliver in. We win 3-1. MOM is Mance Good jorb!

Mance is in Team of the Week

Game 25 away vs Real Madrid – Time for another major game. Thus far we haven’t lost, not against Barca or Man Utd or anyone. But away here? This is a tough ask. I have my A Team including Cook, Mputu and Oliver. We’ll start defensive. Pick up where you left off! We hold up a castle for othe first 35 minutes. 14 shots my Real Madrid, no score. But in the 38th, we get a counter attack pushed aside for a corner, and Grealish finds Cecchi for a score off it. Half. Keep it up! El Ghazi for Mance. The are coming forward hard. Hard. Hard. I send in Osmar to be a ball winning playmaker for Oliver. Ibrahim for Ricardo late. And we hold! We win 1-0 on the road. Great job!

Wow

Cecchi and Althof named in Team of Week

[Abe Sargent]

Semi Final, Spanish Cup 2nd Leg, at home, and vs Barcelona. We tied them 1-1 in their place. We have a shot at this thang. This is winnable. Pick up where you left off! Mega quiet early on, just changes in possession. They fend off two of our attacks. Then we one of theirs. No cards. Half time. Keep it up! I send in EL Ghazi for Oliver, Garcia for Mputu. We hold up….and then they score in the 88th. They win 1-0, 2-1 aggregate. Close. But we’re out of the Spanish Cup


That was out first loss in a long time.



Game 26 home vs Levante – I start Garcia, DC Benatia, Ricardo finds Mance for a score. Half. Don’t get complacent! Osmar for Cook. Ibrahim for Grealish. Jae-wan scores in the 80th, assist by Ibrahim. Kadodia in for Dong-Hyuk. We win 2-0, MOM is Ricardo. Well done!


Melilla’s 16 liga games won in a row is a new liga record.

Yay! It happened!

Traveling to At. Bilbao, At. Madrid, who have not lost all season long, lose 2-1.

End of February – Mance, Mputu, Kadodia all great

[Abe Sargent]

March –


Mar 2 – Away vs Man Utd, Champions Group Knockout Rnd 1 Leg 2
Mar 7 – Home vs At. Madrid
Mar 10 – Home vs Malaga
Mar 13 – Away vs Barcelona
Mar 16 – Away vs Villarreal
Mar 20 – Home vs At. Bilbao


We are 1st right now in the liga, but with games vs At. Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal and At. Bilbao, this won’t be an easy stretch


Ricardo in Team of week


We arrive here in Manchester. We won 3-1 in our place. Diallo is suspended so I have Cecchi, Mputu and Garcia in. I retain everyone else from the last match. We’re winning this tie, but it’s only halftime, don’t get complacent! We begin defensive. We are expected to win today as well. Huh. They score two early, then we hold off. Half. Show me something else! Ricardo with a yellow, and then Jae-Hwan finds Dong-Hyk attacking in the 64th. I send in Osmar, Benatia and Ibrahim ,and in the 85th they score again for a 3-1 shot, equal sore, so it’s extra time. Get that last goal! Half in extra half. Card to Benatia. Done.

PK Shootout

I move my best to last – Osmar.

Here we go:

Their first guy heads out and…Althof saves!!!!

Our first guy is Mance. Good!

Juan Mata steps up for Man Utd, guy on my Spanish squad. He just slips it past Althof, he read it right, but was just a inch or two to slow. Here comes Ricardo for us. His shot is blocked by GK De Gea. That ties us, 1-1.


They fire and make is


Here comes Jae-Hwan

That was a HORRIBLE shot down the middle, slow, De Gea did nothing. We are down 1-2

They fire and make it

Here comes Cecchi. We have to sink this to keep going

This the crossbar and rifles back

Man Utd are through on pks

Oliver picks up a training injury for 4 weeks