The training report comes in and I’m happy to see three players have Impressive Performances and especially pleased that Ben O’Donnell is one of them. I think he is the key to our long-term success.
Financial Matters
We lost almost £122,000 in September, a slight improvement over August. Oddly, the board insisted on meeting to discuss the transfer budget. It’s my first time being called into the principal’s officer so I’m a little worried that I’ve been losing too much money. Nope! They increase the transfer budget up to £5.8m. It had dropped to £837,280. What the hell am I going to do with an extra five million?!
Not-So-Friendlies
Also on 1 October we had a Friendly against Rayners Lane U18s. I only played my second stringers to get some more Match Fitness and integrate the three new players. We won easily five-nil. I used the Spade and Stephen Dunne got POM. The other new kids on the block did well with Duggan getting an 8.9 and Dixon getting an 8.1. Dixon was subbed out at 71’ a testament to his low Stamina.
Player Development
On 3 October I get an email on player development, this time for Terry Barlow and Steve Pearson. Barlow has the potential to be “League Two talent” according to my AssMan. More exciting, Steve Pearson has the potential to be a “League One Talent.” Hallelujah! I’ll offer them Professional contracts when they turn 17.
Remember back in the pre-pre-season when I brought on Alex Rae and Macey thought I was trying to force him out? Well on 4 October I get an email from my Player Liaison Officer that he now no longer feels that way. It only took him starting 14 matches (not including pre-season) and scoring 25 goals to get over that. Ingrate.
Now onto the October matches!
Our next match is against Whitstable who are second in the league with 5 wins and 1 draw. This could be a tough match.
Southern Counties East
vs. Whitstable, 4 October 2017
Formation: 4-4-2 Standard (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MR, MC r, MC l, ML, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Day, Carroll, Jefcoate, Pearson,
Barlow,
Smith, Duckett,
Macey,
O'Donnell
Subs: Webb, Johnstone, Clark, Spearing, Parker, Jones,
Thompson,
McAdam, Martin,
Taylor,
Rae
Four minutes in O’Donnell gets an assist and Macey gets a goal, though his first shot was right at the goalie and the rebound came right back to him. Whitstable likes to do a lot of slide tackles but it backfires on them. On a Macey breakaway from a long pass from our side of the circle their leftback slides in and sends the ball right to O’Donnell for an easy goal. Then five minutes later O’Donnell gets his brace from a penalty; Macey was shoved during a long free kick from Duckett.
Nineteen seconds into the second half and Benny gets his hat trick. He’ll be coming out at 55’ for sure. Three minutes later Macey gets his brace. Duckett is racking up assists like a man possessed. After some more slide tackling karma Carroll sends a great lob right to Rae and he makes them pay. (Hey, that rhymes.) And again 2 minutes later. And with two minutes to go, Chicken Leg rolls the ball to Day and it’s a repeat of the Beckenham game and they draw one back. I have Legg set to distribute via short kicks so of course SI programming makes this shit happens. Fuck you, Myles!
POM: Ben O’Donnell (3 goals, 4 key passes, 3 chances created)
In the post-game email dump I get a notice that Maguire is now a Natural at DR. I looked at his history and see that it only took him 22 starts and 7 sub appearances to do that. This happened much quicker than in FM14. Thank you, Myles!