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

[Izulde]

@ West Ham (ATG)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Elvis Williams/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

14 - Grrrr 0-1

58 - Terrence Derrick in for Hughes-Mason, and Williams goes off for Bo Benjamin as we switch to our old 4-3-3 standby.

83 - Benjamin fights off the defender to center to Cochrane for the box feed to Brentton Matthew and the equalizer 1-1

Terribly unlucky not to crush them in the second half. And of course, we're now 2 points behind Young Warriors.

A handful of players are getting international caps, including their first ones, which is cool.

@ Parham FC (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

13 - Cochrane intercepts a deep in their half throw-in and passes to Kelly Matthew in the box. Three defenders encircle him, so he lays off to Bo Benjamin for the open score 1-0

70 - Benjamin runs down a ball to the touchline and passes right to Hughes-Mason. Shot's slapped, but Kelly Matthew is there to bury the rebound 2-0

74 - Abraham for Henry; George for Smith

PotM 8.3 for Connor Hughes-Mason, 8.0 for Kelly Matthew, and 7.7 for Bo Cochrane

We're now in 1st place on GD over Freemansville. What happened to Young Warriors? They suffered two shocking early season defeats.

vs Hoppers (9th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

12 - JFC 0-1

48 - Dude is sent off with a red, but we've got no less than six players sitting on yellows.

57 - 4-3-3 Wide, with Brentton Matthew the lone strike and having Terrence Derrick and Jermaine George as attacking AML/AMR wingers

We crash to 4th on that shitshow, and I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do. We should be murdering everyone.

vs Freemansville (5th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

20 - Benjamin with the corner, and Henry strides forward to hit his first Fort Road score!!! 1-0

54 - Hunte shoots a long ball over the header of the defender to Brentton Matthew. He runs into the box, and three defenders are chasing him, keeper swiveled to guard. Dumb mistake, because it's an easy lateral to Kelly Matthew translates into an open walk-in. Out are Cochrane and Smith for Williams and George because I forgot to put Simon in the subs 2-0

58 - Benjamin with the swinging free kick into the box, and Henry is in front of the pack for his second goal 3-0

88 - Eh, whatever. 3-1

Chesley Henry and Bo Benjamin were set-piece masters today, netting a PotM 9.2 and 8.0 respectively as we jump back up into 1st.

@ Villa Lions (8th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Terrence Derrick is a whiny little bitch and if he keeps complaining, I have no qualms about transfer-listing his ass to dump him this offseason. I'll gladly welcome the reduction in payroll.

13 - Robinson short laterals to Cochrane for the give to Kelly Matthew. He's being blanketed, but managers to pass left to Benjamin for the return pass into the box and score 1-0

16 - Robinson passes forward and in to Kelly Matthew for the quick box feed to Brentton Matthew. He's destroyed on the tackle and I'm expecting a penalty. None give, but Smith beats two defenders to the loose ball and drills in the diagonal anyway 2-0

47 - Damn it. Benjamin off with an injury, so Nesbitt comes in.

59 - You've GOT to fucking be kidding me!!! Now Kelly Matthew goes out with an injury Shift to a 4-3-1-2, with Cochrane as an AMC, Simon in as the CM.

76 - Lewis on for Robinson

Matching 7.7s for Gayson Smith and Anderson Derrick, the latter winning PotM. 7.5 for Calaum Abraham as we rode our defense to victory despite injuries to two of our strikers.

Bo Benjamin is out 3 months and Kelly Matthew is out 2 months. Fuck these assholes.

Great. Connor Hughes-Mason is out 2 to 3 months. Good thing we loaded up on depth, because these injuries are hitting us HARD.

Kelly Nesbitt then goes down for a month, giving us just one healthy striker.

vs Young Warriors (5th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Elvis Williams/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

4-4-1-1 is our formation for this one, thanks to all the bullshit striker injuries.

7 - Sigh 0-1

35 - FUCKING BULLSHIT FLUKE GOAL! 0-2

49 - Henry slides in to replace Abraham at DC and Lewis is the new DL Jahraldo-Martin subs in for Derrick at ML

We're just absolutely worthless with all our strikers hurt. Young Warriors may have gotten off to a slow start, but now they're right behind, and only GD is keeping us in 1st.

[Izulde]

@ Wadadli (2nd)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Elvis Williams/Victor Matthew/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

[b]Jay Simon[/b is out with suspension. I made a small tweak to try and fix our suddenly inept offense.

65 - Smith shifts inside to replace Victor Matthew at MC with George at MR. Henry shifts right to swap out Abraham, with Lewis at DL.

81 - Derrick crosses to George, but he's tackled. Brenton Matthew gets the ball, but it's stripped away, too. Ball squirts loose and Brentton Matthew is first to it to finally break our scoring drought 1-0

Ugly game with no PotM and a few guys at 7.0 as our highest. But a critical win nonetheless.

@ English Harbour (FA Cup Second Round)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew

Gayson Smith is out on yellows, to say nothing of all our injuries. This is one of the shittiest draws we could have been stuck with, and it's not out of the realm of possibility we go out here.

5 - Hunte's corner finds Abraham's head for the goal against his former team!!! 1-0

47 - Horseshit offisides call on Anderson Derrick on that free kick to rob us of the vital insurance before half.

49 Henry throws in to Brentton Matthew and gets the ball back to tap off right to Terrence Derrick. Beautiful ball into the box and George puts it away! 2-0

64 - Williams in for Simon; Jahraldo-Martin for Matthew - actually switch that for roles. Anyway, we freshen up our midfield for the final 30.

67 - That one was all Henry's fuck up and he's immediately yanked for Robinson after that screwup 2-1

For the second straight game, no PotM, though our backline all had 7.4-7.6 with the exception of Chesley Henry, and are the ones who bailed us out.

His name doesn't ring out much, but Lenny Hunte is very quietly developing into an elite player, well worth the $7.5k we're paying him as one of the club's biggest earners.

vs English Harbour (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

Anderson Derrick got hurt, but our strikers are back, so we're able to field a better suited 4-3-1-2 setup. English Harbour has been cold lately, and already have an astonishing 5 losses on the season, or 2 more than they had all of last year.

45 seconds - Kelly Matthew is getting hassled by three defenders just inside the right side of the box, so he passes it up and to the right into space for Smith's run. Cross to Terrence Derrick, and I'm thinking the shot's going to be off-target, but it finds the net! 1-0

16 - Can't stop those 1-1

22 - Fuckers are striking lucky as shit 1-2

43 - YOU'VE GOT TO FUCKING BE KIDDING ME!!! 1-3

Young Warriors is now back in 1st by 2 points with GD besides. Same shit as it ever was.

[Izulde]

@ Piggots Bullets (4th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Calaum Abraham
M: Terrence Derrick/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

30 - Benjamin, in because of food poisoning by Lenny Hunte, intercepts and plays it long down the middle of the pitch to Cochrane. Box feed to Kelly Matthew, who outmuscles a defender, dribbles, and hits the scorcher 1-0

49 - Awful defending by Abraham. Our whole backline is shit this second half. 1-1

53 - Abraham moves in to repalce Benjamin with Lewis on at DR

56 - George on for Smith

We're robbed of a penalty but didn't deserve to win anyway.

@ Liberta FC (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Calaum Abraham
M: Terrence Derrick/Victor Matthew/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

38 - Abraham throws in to Smith and gets back. High pop ball lands at Kelly Matthew's feet inside the box, and he dribbles and scores 1-0

48 - Henry is exhausted, so Abraham slips into his spot and lewis pops in at DR

52 - Nesbitt replaces Brentton Matthew, who has been horrible lately.

59 - Injured and awful is Derrick, so George goes in at ML

Although they in no way deserve it outside of George Frederick, who had the 8.2 game of his life, I tell them it was a good win.

Terrence Derrick is out for over a month and that's two of our ML dudes hurt. Fucking ridiculous.

vs West Ham (ATG) (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

12 - Cochrane taps the ball to Simon for the power wing out right to Smith. Center, and Brentton Matthew finally gets off the snide with a fierce header into the net 1-0

19 - Smith to Kelly Matthew to Cochrane in the box. Shot's pushed away, but Jahraldo-Martin gets to the ball and powers in the diagonal rebound! 2-0

24 - Out goes the most disappointing player on the team, Robinson with injury. Lewis his replacement.

28 - Cochrane hits the left wing and Jahraldo-Martin. Dribbling with lots of cushion and on the center into the box, Cochrane charges through the defense for his first ever Fort Road goal! 3-0

70 - Lewis is hurt and playing awful, so Henry moves to DL and we switch to a 3-1-3-3 DM with Victor Matthew as our Anchorman.

That was a fuck you win. All full-time starters had 7 or higher, with the 8+ guys Jay Simon (8.1) and PotM Bo Cochrane (9.0). We're now in 1st place with slim GD, 2 points ahead of a ton of teams with 18 points - 7 games left in the season.

The Injury BS
Kelly Robinson - 3 to 4 months
Terrence Lewis - 2 weeks

Parham FC fires their manager as the once undisputed kings of Antigua & Barbuda soccer are in the drop zone. Granted, it's a packed table. 20 points up top to 9 at the bottom with 7 games left attests to really how wide open the league has been this year.

[Izulde]

@ Freemansville (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Rolston Benjamin/Lenny Hunte
M: Jermaine George/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

47 - Just before half, Smith's corner connects with Abraham for the score! 1-0

59 - Victor Matthew in for Simon; Williams on for Smith

81 - FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1-1

What a shitty draw We're now behind Young Warriors on whatever the third tie-breaker is past points and GD

vs Parham FC (8th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
AM: Bo Cochrane
S: Kelly Nesbitt/Brentton Matthew

Kelly Matthew earned himself a suspension due to yellows. Swell.

60 - George for Hughes-Mason; Bo Benjamin for Brentton Matthew

More injuries. More suspensions. We're fucked out of a PK that would have won us the game yet again, and we hit the crossbar/post so many times it got mentioned in the post-game presser. GD now drops us down to 3rd. Coincides perfectly with the bullshit that happened to me in DDS MP league tonight.

[Izulde]

@ Hoppers (4th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Terrence Lewis/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

FINALLY we can move back to our preferred 4-3-3.

6 - Lewis throws in to Hughes-Mason and gets it back to uncork a highball that lands in the box where nobody but George is, resulting in an easy score 1-0

35 - SMH 1-1

Pulled at the break is Abraham for Rolston Benjamin

58 - Nesbitt in for Bo Benjamin

62 - Nesbitt recovers the ball twice on this possession, the second time kicking back to Hughes-Mason for the lateral to Cochrane. 25 yarder screamer and we go back up 2-1

91 - Nesbitt with a game-saving clearance on that corner kick

92 - Hunte blasts it down the right flank to George who runs down the touchline and crosses to Hughes-Mason for our left winger's first ever Fort Road goal seconds before the game ends!!!! 3-1

Jermaine George (PotM 9.0), Connor Hughes-Mason (9.0), and Bo Cochrane (8.7) carried the day for us by absolutely dominating the midfield in a game where our strikers and defenders were mediocre or worse.

We're still in 3rd place - Young Warriors (+10 GD), [b]English Harbour (+9 GD) and us (+9 GD) all deadlocked at 25 points, with Piggotts Bullets right behind at 23 points.

4 games left.

vs Villa Lions (10th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

38 - Dumbass Abraham gets sent off with a double yellow.

I scream at the team at half. We should be crushing this sorry team.

57 - Unfuckingbelievable 0-1

62 - Nesbitt in for Kelly Matthew and striker shuffle. Lewis on for Hunte

90 - This loss just cost us our season 0-2

We fall to 4th and now will need help from other teams if we want to have any chance at a title.

@ Young Warriors (3rd)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Anderson Derrick/Terrence Lewis
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

18 - Brentton Matthew takes the long ball and centers to Kelly Matthew in the half-circle. He dribbles into the box, shoots, and scores 1-0

38 - Bo Benjamin to Cochrane to Kelly Matthew in the box. He shoots between three defenders and it's pushed away, but Kelly Matthew is able to fight off the crowd for his second score of the game 2-0

61 - Nesbitt for Bo Benjamin; George for Smith

66 - JHFC 2-1

67 - WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS BULLSHIT?!?! 2-2

83 - Cochrane ahead to Kelly Matthew for the lay-in to the box and Hughes-Mason. He crosses, and a flying George screams in the vital substitute goal! Our left-wingers change, with CHM going off for Jahraldo-Martin to close this one out 3-2

Kelly Matthew 8.8 PotM and 7.3 off the bench by Jermaine George, but our defense - Anderson Derrick in particular - damn near cost us this game.

We finally get the damn monkey off our back and what happens? We're only up to 3rd place because English Harbour and Piggotts Bullets refuse to lose.

2 games left.

vs Wadadli (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

We won't be first this game no matter what happens - English Harbour and Piggotts Bullets play each other. An ideal outcome would be a draw there and a win for us, allowing a pickup of 2 points and some GD.

4 - Abraham with the long ground pass to Bo Benjamin, who passes into box space. Kelly Matthew beats the keeper to the punch and scores again versus his former club! Piggotts Bullets are up 1-0, by the way. 1-0

35 - About God damned time a fluke goal went our way. Thanks, Hughes-Mason! Piggots Bullets-English Harbour now 1-1. 2-0

Piggotts Bullets goes back up 2-1 on a penalty kick right before halftime.

57 - Lewis replaces Henry and we switch to a 3-4-3, swapping out Derrick in favor of Simon as a defensive MC. English Harbour has roared back to a 3-2 lead, which is the worst possible outcome for us.

68 - Cochrane hammers it out and down all the way to almost the right side touchline, where Smith picks it up and crosses slightly back to Bo Benjamin for the mid-range strike! 3-0

90 - PK and Brentton Matthew converts, but it's also 4-2 English Harbour Not good 4-0

I'll sum up by saying everyone was absolutely amazing. Bar the keeper, all full-time starters were 7.4 or higher, with the high end Bo Benjamin's 9.2 PotM. Not going to screencap because 2nd place is just 1st loser.

George Jarvis is done for the year - out 5 months with injury. Not that I care because I'm trusting George Frederick more anyway.

@ English Harbour (1st)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M:Jermaine George/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Okay. So here's the situation. We lost to them 1-3 in the first game. They have a +1 GD on us, so if we win by just a goal, they win the league based on total GD tiebreakers. Piggots Bullets really fucked us over. We not only need to win, we need to win by two goals.

9 - Tell your team to do everything to stop their leading scorer - Always Mark, Always Close Down, Hard Tackling, Weaker Foot. He still scores 0-1

28 - OH LOOK! THE REF FUCKS US OVER WITH A SHITTY OFFSIDES CALL! HOW NOT SURPRISED I AM!

32 - George to Bo Benjamin to Kelly Matthew in the box. Shot's pushed away, but Smith sinks the rebound 1-1

50 - Henry throws in to Cochrane for the pass down the left flank to Bo Benjamin. Short cross to Kelly Matthew and we're ahead!!!! The game tells me we're in 1st place and I don't know why, but we'll take it!!! 2-1

57 - Lewis is in for Henry and Nesbitt replaces Brentton Matthew with a striker shuffle

8.0s by Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew and an underrated performance by George Frederick pulled us ahead. Now let's see what happens....

...WE'VE WON THE LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! OMG!!!!! OMG!!!!! FIRST TOP DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP OF MY FM CAREER!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!!

[Izulde]

@ Hoppers (FA Cup Semi Final)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

5 - Derrick charges to intercept and plays it long to Kelly Matthew, who dribbles into the box and splits two defenders with a shot that singes the net! 1-0

There's some serious home cooking going on with the referee - 4 yellow cards slapped on us in the first half alone.

56 - When you have to play hesitantly because half your squad is on a yellow, stuff like this happens 1-1

58 - On the possession immediately after their score, Benjamin runs down the longball at the touchline. His attempted cross is blocked, but Hughes-Mason is lurking behind to fire the loose ball to the opposite side where Brentton Matthew finally overcomes his drought and sinks one 2-1

59 - Lewis for Henry and we switch to our 3-4-3, Abraham sitting in favor of Simon as the second MC

68 - Hunte, who Trinidadian teams keep trying to poach for free, rushes in to steal the ball and the end sequence is Smith centering to Simon for the fierce cross to Hughes-Mason just outside the box. Dribble in, and the midrange shot powers in for the insurance! 3-1

69 - Following kickoff, Lewis heads away a pass to Hughes-Mason, who dribbles down the left flank before tapping to Benjamin. Pass is returned to our left winger, who launches a high cross right to Brentton Matthew for an absolute fakeout of the keeper! 4-1



So we meet the board's expectations after all, which I thought were honestly unreasonable.

Transfer In - ST Eugene Joseph (17) - From Liberta FC - $60 P/A
The best-fitting DLF we've had, though he's by no means perfect there. My staff also thinks he's our second-best striker next to Brentton Matthew. Solid all around player who scored 9 goals in 20 appearances down in the First Division after his club got relegated last season. 14 Free Kicks, 10 Anticipation, 10 Flair, 11 Off the Ball and Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 11 Pace and Strength, 12 Stamina. Wish he would have signed a committed deal, but I'm thrilled to have him nonetheless.

Transfer In - AMC/MC Walter Jeremy (17) - From Hoppers - $4k/year
I initially signed him back when we were running an AMC. 12 First Touch, 16 Passing!, 15 Flair!, 10 Vision and Pace. I'll have him train up at MC and possibly at MR as well, since his Crossing of 6 isn't bad at all for this level.

Transfer In - DLC Randolph Edwards (22) - From Potter's Tigers - $5k/year
Solid all around skillset, and my staff thinks he has 4* potential. Like Jeremy, he needs work on what may well be his primary position of DC. 13 Marking, 11 Decisions, Jumping Reach, and Positioning, 14 Teamwork. He'll get a start at DC right away with Anderson Derrick out due to yellow cards.

Transfer Out - AMC/MC Anton Farrell (19) - To Willikes - $7k/year
Gets a fat, fat check from his new employers. Our former youth pull just wasn't good enough to cut it anymore, and he had no intention of re-signing with us anyway.

vs Five Islands (FA Cup Final)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Calaum Abraham/Randolph Edwards/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Take Five Islands lightly at your own peril - they've played on the biggest stage here before, and are currently in promotion playoffs fight.

15 - Like I said... 0-1

35 - We're awarded an admittedly generous PK and Brentton Matthew converts with ease 1-1

63 - Lewis replaces Henry; Edwards goes off as we switch to a 3-4-3 with Jeremy getting his debut at MC

66 - Cochrane dribbles in the middle of the pitch, then passes to Joseph for the just-barely-in box feed to Kelly Matthew. First touch shot goes in! 2-1

Eugene Joseph had a couple of easy shots to add the insurance, but blew them both, making the last few minutes tense, but we carry it off!!!!! Kelly Matthew is PotM with an 8.3, Connor Hughes-Mason adding a 7.6 as we...



The biggest thing though? That $45k in sweet, sweet cash money for winning the Cup! Financially, that trophy matters way more than the league title, which has prize money of uh... $0. Granted, $10k of that cup money was paid out in squad bonuses (which we also have to pay for the league title, though it's much less thankfully) - but that's still a $35k net profit.

Loan Out - MRC Elvis Williams (21) - To Hoppers
They offered to pay his salary and we're loaded at his spots, so this was an easy decision.

Contract Extension - DR Lenny Hunte (19) - $8k/year - $725 agent fee - Through 2024
Did I want to make him that kind of money, now one of four players making $8,000 a year? No. But when the dude constantly gets mentioned as one of our fastest developing players and he's currently 4*/4*, you pay the kid what he's worth to lock him down for multiple seasons. He has also 4 caps for the national side.

Extensions
GK George Frederick - $3k - 2023 - $0.5k paycut
MLR Jermaine George - $70 PPA, which is a HUGE savings
DLR Terrence Lewis - $55 PPA, which again is a paycut
ST Brentton Matthew - $3k - 2023 - $0.5k payraise

Terrence Lewis, Bo Cochrane, and Gayson Smith make it into the All-Time Best 11, which looks like this after our double title season:



Player of the Year Voting
Kelly Matthew - 44%
Bo Cochrane - 29%
Gayson Smith - 17%

I'm a little shocked Bo Cochrane didn't win it, but it's hard to argue with our leading goal scorer.



George Frederick really shone this year after I decided I didn't trust George Jarvis late in the season. He used to be awful for Parham FC, but I took a chance on him and the now 20 year old has been terrific the last two years.

You can see why I offered Lenny Hunte the big money. Anderson Derrick wants a PPA deal, but negotiations have been tense - probably because he initially didn't want to come back at all. Kelly Robinson absolutely tanked this year, finally proving that his struggles are here to stay. His contract likely won't be renewed next season - I just don't trust him.



What a find Connor Hughes-Mason was! Brentton Matthew came down to earth and Kelly Matthew continues to way outperform his ratings.

And the sweetest thing of all:



We qualify for the Caribbean Club Championship next season, which we somehow have to get out of if we want to qualify for the North American Champions League.

But we're a long way from dreaming of that because...

Caribbean Club Championship Winners
2015 - Arnett Gardens (Jamaica) - Professional
2016 - Central FC (Trinidad) - Professional
2017 - Harbour View FC (Jamaica) - Professional
2018 - Portmore United (Jamaica) - Professional
2019 - W Connection (Trinidad) - Professional
2020 - W Connection (Trinidad) - Professional

Yeah. Rough row to hoe for our little semi-pro club.

On the bright side, we turned a profit of $24.3k this year, the first season that we're in the black. Thanks, FA Cup prize money!

We also extend all of our staff to same money or slight raises except our Head of Youth Development, who has been a $3.5k waste of money.

I negotiate a one year contract extension that pays me $40k. I was already the most highly-paid manager in the league - the next-highest is only making like $18k. Greedy pig is me.

Stunning decision: Desmond Burton, the 35 year old who ranks as the #1 Hall of Fame manager in Antigua & Barbuda history in this universe, with 3 Premier Division titles and an FA Cup trophy, announces his resignation after the team's 4th place finish.

We almost double our old secondary jersey sponsorship, going from $12.78k a year to $23k a year. That's going to be very nice to have in the coffers.

Desmond Kirwan is hired as the new Young Warriors manager. It's the 33 year old's first top job and he's paid $31.5k - still significantly below me, thankfully.

We're now the #2 most prestigious club in Antigua & Barbuda. First is still Young Warriors, with English Harbour #3, Wadadli #4, and Freemansville rounding out the Top 5.

By the way, my reputation is at a personal FM history high 20%! I'm also 4th in the joke Hall of Fame national standings.

Bad news bears. Lenny Hunte is getting interest from bigger leagues, and he's pissed I won't let him join North East Stars in the Trinidadian top tier league. Soo now he wants to leave But no one will pay me any money for him, which is bullshit. What's the point of even developing players if I can't make money from their sale?

[Izulde]

Leaving the club are the Head of Youth Development, Kelly Nesbitt, and Bo Luke, none of whom are up the standards of the club.

I transfer list Lenny Hunte at his request, but put a $16k pricetag on him.

Transfer In - DR Gayson Edwards (23) - From Potter's Tigers
Didn't play that well for the First Division Champs last season, but he has solid all-around ratings highlighted by 12 Teamwork. In the event Lenny Hunte does leave, he's first option to take over. $5k/year.

Transfer In - DLC Audwin Blackwood (23) - From English Harbour
Making $8k/year but worth the money to steal him from a rival. Also has 11 Heading, 10 Aggression, 13 Decisions, 16 Leadership, 17 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 10 Jumping Reach, and 11 Strength. Star player by any measure, who was exceptional for our division foes the last two years before we pried him away. Immediate DC starter.

Transfer Out - MRC Elvis Williams (22) - To Urlings - $4.3k/year
Good deal for both sides. We clear $3.3k off our books for a player who never was going to be relevant again, and he gets a raise and more PT.

Gayson Smith signs through 2024 for a $0.5k/year pay increase. Money well spent.

Bo Cochrane retains his captaincy, though the vice-captain spot is now handed over to Gayson Smith, fresh off his deal.

Slight bump in season ticket sales - 83 compared to last year's 77. Eugene Joseph is out the early part of the season 6-7 weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

We're 4-6 favorites to win the league; Young Warriors even odds, English Harbour 5-4. Then it crashes to Piggotts Bullets at 16-1. Seems fair.

@ Freemansville
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

7 - Cochrane plays a beautiful longball to Brentton Matthew in the right side of the box, and on the center, Kelly Matthew shows why he was upgraded to Icon status this offseason by heading it in 1-0

8 - Cochrane pops it high and long to Brentton Matthew on the right flank again, and this time it's Benjamin as beneficiary of the cross 2-0

74 - Blackwood wants off so Rolston Benjamin comes in

77 - Tired Henry is out for Robinson

91 - Meh 2-1

Solid game all-around. Brentton Matthew is 8.7 PotM, followed by Gayson Smith's 7.5.

Terrence Derrick is a dick who is causing problems. The team meeting mostly smooths things over, but Chelsey Henry and Audwin Blackwood aren't pleased. Oh fucking well.

vs Wadadli (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

They were skunked 0-4 by Piggotts Bullets in their opener, and this is normally a proud team.

5 - Beautiful interception by Hunte, who is understanding about our *cough* inability to move him. Benjamin races down the pitch at end stage, then crosses to undefended Brentton Matthew for the laughably simple score 1-0

8 - Smith takes the flareout and puts into the box. Defender kicks it away, but Brenton Matthew laughs in rebound and drills it 2-0

14 - Cochrane out to Hughes-Mason, box delivery to Kelly Matthew, and the goal gut continues 3-0

39 - Benjamin recovers the corner clearance and is getting hemmed in, pushed back by the defense. Finally he says fuck it and hauls it right, where Smith wins the jumpball and nods it to Brentton Matthew in the box. Handoff left to Kelly Matthew, and we're matching Piggotts Bullets goal for goal 4-0

54 - Henry and Cochrane trade passes until the former rips the ball all the way down the pitch to Benjamin in the box. Defender beats him though and heads it to uh... I have no idea who, but Kelly Matthew picks it up and slots it in for the hat trick!!!! 5-0



Total annihilation. Weirdest thing about the first two games of the year? English Harbour has drawn both and Young Warriors have lost both. I mean, they'll both be back up here fighting for the title at season's end, but it's still a fascinating thing to see.

[Greyfriars Bobby]

Congratulations on the double! Good luck in the Caribbean Club Championships, too. It looks like that could be a challenge.

I don't think I've ever managed in a nation's top flight in FM, because I usually start with a lower level club in England or Scotland. I ought to think about giving a real minnow nation a try sometime.

Keep up the good work!

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Greyfriars Bobby

Congratulations on the double! Good luck in the Caribbean Club Championships, too. It looks like that could be a challenge.

I don't think I've ever managed in a nation's top flight in FM, because I usually start with a lower level club in England or Scotland. I ought to think about giving a real minnow nation a try sometime.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks

I've been researching a bit and turning pro requires sustained success and the right chairperson. Obviously Young Warriors didn't achieve that, finishing 3rd, 2nd, and 4th in Caribbean Club group stage (only the winners advance to the knockout rounds).

Playing in these tiny nations where the top flight is all semi-pro is really interesting. You're limited in what you can do as a part-time side, and even still small nations that do have pro clubs in the top flight (Jamaica and T&T in the Caribbean) will eat your lunch.

I'm half-tempted to jump to one of the professional teams, but for now would rather see if I can gradually build up Fort Road into a pro team, which would be a major accomplishment in and of itself.

@ Villa Lions (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

32 - Hunte's amazing slide tackle is beautiful to watch. On the other end, Brenton Matthew is pressured, so he cracks an aerial to Benjamin in the box. Shot's forceful and though it's deflected, the keeper staggers back into the net, allowing Kelly Matthew to win the stampede to the ball and score 1-0

37 - Son of a bitch 1-1

55 - Kelly Matthew runs down the pitch after the field-length pass from Derrick. Tap off to Brentton Matthew on the right, and the power diagonal scorches the net. Lewis in for Hunte; George for Gayson after we go up 2-1

86 - Cochrane to Brenton Matthew tapped ahead to Kelly Matthew for the pass to Benjamin in the box, and after several failures by our side to convert, Bo puts this one in to put the game away 3-1

87 - Hughes-Mason goes for the long shot from way out on the left wing. Keeper pushes it away and Brentton Matthew is right there to sink the rebound 4-1

All full-time starters except the keeper had 7 or better, with the 8+ guys Bo Cochrane (8.2), Bo Benjamin (8.3), and matching 9.0s for our two striker Matthews, Brentton Matthew getting the PotM nod.

vs English Harbour (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Frustrating start to the season for English Harbour. The perennial title contenders have gone 0-0, 1-1, 1-1 for three straight draws. I smell a trap game here.

14 - Kelly Matthew crosses right to Gayson Smith, and on the box feed, Brentton Matthew does just enough to stay onside in beating the line and scoring 1-0

47 - Lewis in for Henry

72 - Switch to a 3-4-3, with Derrick's bad day ending and Simon in as second MC

Very ugly win we didn't deserve. Bo Cochrane's 7.4 was PotM - that's how lackluster it was.

We're the leading producers of national team players by far with 8.

@ Potter's Tigers (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Randolph Edwards/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Chesley Henry is out on yellows, so Randolph Edwards gets to play against his old team.

28 - Rowan Jahlraldo-Martin has been learning to play ST and of course our former ML scores on us 0-1

Out is Hunte at half for Lewis

57 - Joseph comes in for Kelly Matthew and we rearrange our strikers

63 - Draw a PK and of course Brentton Matthew has it stopped But the keeper can't control it, and BM runs up to the ball first and puts it away anyway 1-1

We definitely deserved to lose that one.

My name comes up in discussion for the Defence Force FC job in Trinidad & Tobago. They're the only Trinidadian club to ever win the North American Champions League, having accomplished that feat twice! In 1978 and 1985, as well as being runners-up twice in 1987 and 1988. So a historically successful club, which doesn't interest me. Nor am I enthused by the fact they're in financial hell.

Nope.

vs Hoppers (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

10 - I'm gritting my teeth when Cochrane puts the ball right out in to space, but Brentton Matthew wins the race, continuing to dribble right until he blasts a screamer into the box's left side, hitting flying Cochrane who makes the tricky shot 1-0

23 - Hughes-Mason throws to Henry and gets it back on a fierce header. Center and there's Brentton Matthew smashing the header in with authority 2-0

58 - Switch to a 3-4-3, Derrick out for Simon as per use

76 - Lewis for Henry

8.1s for Bo Cochrane and Brentton Matthew, the latter winning PotM. Third star is Connor Hughes-Mason with 7.7.

A third of the way through the season and Piggotts Bullets is still hot on our heels, just 2 points behind. After that, we have a *huge* dropoff with Freemansville 6 points below Piggotts Bullets. Definitely a two team league so far this season.

[Izulde]

@ SAP FC (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Trap game. They haven't won at home yet.

16 seconds - Benjamin to Brentton Matthew in the box. Defender closes in and exposes space for the tap and score to Kelly Matthew. Might be a record. 1-0

21 - Flawlessly executed counter, capping in Kelly Matthew dribbling down the middle of the pitch and passing into box space. Keeper comes out and Brentton Matthew punishes him for it 2-0

22 - Cochrane steals the ball, igniting yet another counter. Kelly Matthew flies down the left flank and crosses to where Brentton Matthew and Smith are in tandem. It's BM who takes the ball, dribbles, and slams in the mid-range. 3-0

30 - Cochrane steals he ball on the throw-in, passes to Kelly Matthew in the box, and on the cross, Brentton Matthew high-kicks it into the top of the net for his half-hour hat trick and 10th goal of the year!!!!! 4-0

60 - Cochrane launches the free kick high and left to Hughes-Mason. Cross, and Brentton Matthew again pierces the top of the net! 5-0

75 - You just don't stop those 5-1

90 - Pure laziness on our part 5-2

Our backline tanked the last 15 minutes of the game, but our other guys held strong - 7.8 or higher for the midfield and strikers except Bo Benjamin, with a near-perfect 9.9 by Brentton Matthew, 9.2 from Kelly Matthew, and 8.0 by Bo Cochrane as the three standouts.

Kelly Matthew did indeed break not only the team record, but the league record as well with that score. We've also set a team high 12 games unbeaten. Lenny Hunte will miss the next game due to yellows.

vs Piggotts Bullets (2nd)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Gayson Edwards
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

These dudes, tho. 2 points behind us and the 3rd place team is 7 points behind - meaning even if we dropped the next 3 games and they won the next 3, they'd tie us on points for 2nd and we'd be just past the halfway mark of the season.

17 - Exactly what I was afraid of 0-1

25 - Cochrane to Hughes-Mason in the half-circle. There's a trio of defenders swarming all over him, but he finds the gap to put it in the left side of the box for a streaking Benjamin. Cross, and Brentton Matthew drills it behind the keeper, who has had an amazing game so far 1-1

35 - Jesus fucking CHRIST! We should be up like 4-1 by now, but nope fucking BEHIND! 1-2

37 - Such bullshit 1-3

59 - Blackwood charges to intercept and flares it to Brentton Matthew in the right side of the box. Cross and Benjamin nails the midrange to put us in striking distance of salvaging a draw 2-3

62 - Lewis in for Edwards; 3-4-3 formation with Blackwood sitting and Simon as MC. On second thought we say fuck it and pull Kelly Matthew for Joseph too, rearranging strikers.

82 - And that's all she wrote. 2-4

90 - Absolute embarrassment. 2-5

A journalist keeps me hammering me with the same fucking question about a Bullets player, so I tell him to go fuck himself in numerous impossible positions and storm out.

Bo Benjamin whines and complains that he's not getting enough and is offended at my new contract offer. By the end of our conversation, he wants out, so off he goes into free agency.

Randolph Edwards is caught talking shit on social media, so I warn him. He cries about that so I transfer-list him. Season is going to shit in a hurry.

@ Young Warriors (6th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

14 - Hunte centers to Cochrane for the pass to Brentton Matthew. Short pass to Smith just inside the box, but he's hammered and the ball rolls left... right in to the path of Kelly Matthew for the score! 1-0

15 - I knew I should have paid that guy what he wanted to come here 1-1

41 - WTF IS THIS TEAM SUDDENLY SHIT?!?! It's called back for offsides, but still. 1-1

Lewis is in for Henry at half. Screaming ensues.

57 - Simon for Cochrane; George for Hughes-Mason

61 - Derrick storms forward to send it into the box and Joseph beats the keeper to the punch for his first Fort Road goal!!! 2-1

68 - Kelly Matthew passes right into box space as an outlet from pressure. Joseph gets there and centers back to Kelly Matthew for the insurance goal 3-1

8.8 and PotM for Kelly Matthew, 7.6 for Eugene Joseph.

Halfway through the season, we're a point and -3 GD behind Piggotts Bullets, who have literally been unbeatable.

[Izulde]

@ English Harbour (FA Cup Second Round)
G: George Frederick
D: Kenny Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jermaine George
S: Bo Benjamin/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew



That's two straight years we've drawn English Harbour away in our first FA Cup match. I smell a fix. We'll probably lose.

46 - At the start of the second half, Derrick makes a phenomenal clearance on the free kick and on the other end, Brentton Matthew gathers the long ball, dribbles in, and shoots. Knocked away by Lloyd George, the All-Time Best 11 keeper here. But Brentton Matthew grabs the rebound and crosses, where George can't back in time to stop Hughes-Mason from putting his first goal of the season into the net 1-0

58 - We go with a flat 4-4-2, injured Kelly Matthew coming off for Jay Simon and Lewis replacing Robinson, who keeps risking a double yellow.

Not a great win, but Connor Hughes-Mason's PotM-winning 7.8 gets us through.

Kelly Matthew is out two weeks, meaning a flat 4-4-2 for now.

vs Freemansville (6th)
G: George Frederick
D: KellyRobinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Brentton Matthew

15 seconds - And there's the record broken again, as Smith plays it down the line for Matthew, who stops by the touchline. Cross, and Joseph surges from the crowd of defenders to kick it high, up, and in 1-0

8 - We're doing a great job of defending, but awful job of clearing, until Hunte is able to knick the ball and start a counter that concludes in Matthew's cross was intended for Joseph, but rolls into Hughes-Mason's purview instead. He dribbles, then blasts it to Matthew in the box for the score 2-0

17 - Smith laughs in the face of a defender and drills the ball to Matthew in the box. Fingertip save by the keeper, but he's sprawled out on the ground, allowing Joseph to pocket the rebound with ease 3-0

Tired Simon ends his day at halftime, with Victor Matthews his replacement

58 - Cochrane to Joseph to Brentton Matthew in the box after Joseph stole the ball from the defender. BM likewise gives his man the slip and fires away the bomb 4-0

All full-time starters were 7.2 or better, with our 8+ stars Connor Hughes-Mason at 8.5, Eugene Joseph at 9.4, and PotM Brentton Matthew at 9.5.

Piggots Bulllets suffered a stunning 1-4 home shocker loss to Wadadli, putting us back up in 1st by 2 points.

Brentton Matthew breaks his own Premier League scoring record with 14 goals in 10 games, a record he first set with 12 in his first year with us after we promoted up.

@ Wadadli (3rd)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Brentton Matthew

It'd be a mistake to take these guys lightly. Yes, we have a ridiculous 10 point edge on them, but they're on a high after taking Piggotts Bullets to the woodshed. They also have former Fort Road left winger Luke Simon, who has reinvented himself as a striker and is tied for 2nd in goals scored with 8. Bo Luke is also their backup keeper.

16 - Nobody even tried to stop that 0-1

29 - OH FUCK YOU! JOSEPH WAS ONSIDES!

52 - Lewis for Hunte; Victor Matthew for Simon

62 - And that stupid fucking penalty given away by Cochrane seals it 0-2

Fortunately, Piggotts Bullets only managed a draw against an inferior Villa Lions team, so we're still in 1st.

I lose my long-time assman, Terrence Beckles, who Grenades taps as their manager. Funny thing is, the board opened up their wallets earlier this season to raise the cap on an assman salary. Guess I can go get one now.

[Izulde]

We pay Parham FC $1.5k in compensation to lure their 33 year old assman, Ivor Parker, to fill the same role with us. After assignments, every single training category is 2* or 2.5*.

@ Sea View Farm (FA Cup Quarterfinal)
G: George Frederick
D: KellyRobinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

The bane of my existence are these guys right here.

9 - Robinson throws back to Hunte and on the dribble and box highball, Joseph beats out the defense to put it away 1-0

12 - We go around the horn on the backline after Hunte retrieves a clearance that goes deep into our half. Back on the other side, Joseph feeds Kelly Matthew in the box. He holds up play, and just as three defenders are about to gang tackle him, he shoots the ball into in a small window of the net 2-0

13 - Joseph to Kelly Matthew for the box pass to Brentton Matthew. He dribbles forward, keeper comes out, and BM pays the goalie for that mistake 3-0

24 - Hughes-Mason dribbles into the box and he's flying. Cross to Smith, and the shot is one hand pushed away. It's sitting on the line and Smith beats them to the ball to slide tackle nudge it over 4-0

63 - Can't stop those 4-1

74 - Robinson and Smith keep trading passes on the right side after a throw-in until the latter delivers to Hughes-Mason on the right side of the box. The header bounces off the upper bar, but when it falls on the left side, Joseph is there to snipe it in. 3-4-3 formation, Simon second MC with Derrick sitting. Lewis replaces Hunte, who has slacked off in the second half. 5-1



Unfortunately, we're screwed in the Semi-Final draw again and aren't the home team. So irritating to have to defend our cup title all with games on the road.

vs Villa Lions (9th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

9 - Smith to Brentton Matthew, who dribbles into the box. Shot's shoved aside, but Hughes-Mason hurries in to nail the rebound 1-0

50 - Hunte goes off for Lewis; Kelly Matthew is pulled as we switch to a 4-4-2 flat, with Simon in as second MC

It's a win, but one we didn't deserve. When Connor Hughes-Mason's 7.2 wins PotM, you know it was an ugly day.

Piggots Bulllets, meanwhile, keeps blowing people out.

Bo Cochrane is out next game with yellows.

@ English Harbour (8th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

32 - Smith to Brentton Matthew to Kelly Matthew in the box. The keeper comes out and stops the shot, but drops the ball. It rolls off left, and Joseph wins the foot race, kicking in the rebound 1-0

58 - Simon to Joseph, who passes in a giant gap between two defenders to Kelly Matthew in the half-circle. Dribble in to the box, and there's the desperately needed insurance goal 2-0

59 - Victor Matthew in for Simon; Terrence Derrick for Hughes-Mason

Kelly Matthew is PotM with 8.2, Eugene Joseph his support with 7.6.

Piggotts Bullets wins 4-0, but that's not enough to put them up in 1st place - they're still a point behind. I must have missed a draw or something somewhere. Not complaining, though!

5 matches left. And a very interesting table:



Young Warriors' continued slide is easy to explain. Desmond Kirwan has ruined what Desmond Burton made so successful.

But English Harbour, like us, has kept faithful to their core formation (4-4-1-1) and players, notably Hazeley Simon, who in my opinion is the best MR in the league except for maybe Gayson Smith. I think it's because in their case, people have managed to solve them and long-time manager Ranjae Smith stubbornly refuses to change what worked for so long.

[Izulde]

vs Potter's Tigers (10th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Terrence Lewis/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

23 - Blackwood sent off with a double yellow. Great.

59 - Smith on the left side with a free kick, and he hits the long, high perfect shot to Brentton Matthew's head for the knock-in over the keeper 1-0

61 - We'll definitely take that fluke goal by Terrence Derrick for sure! 2-0

62 - Lewis for Robinson; George for Smith

66 - Their keeper must be the worst, because now Joseph snags a fluke goal! 3-0

Our defense was exceptional - bar banned Blackwood, every defender and our keeper had a 7.4 or higher, including Terrence Lewis. Also, all full-time starters except Kelly Matthew netted a 7.2 or better. Standouts: PotM Eugene Joseph (8.6) and Terrence Derrick (8.0).

@ Hoppers (5th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Chesley Henry/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

16 seconds - Smith dribbles and sends it to Joseph in the box. The 18 year old sidesteps two defenders and cracks the goal in! 1-0

59 - Benjamin in for Henry

66 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES, YOU FUCKING BLIND SHITLORD REF!!! Lewis on for Robinson. Ugh so pissed right now. 1-1

81 - Brentton Matthew passes left to Smith, who hits an exquisite diagonal pass to Joseph in the box. He's clear through and converts the 1v1 with ease 2-1

9.0 PotM performance by Gayson Smith, 8.8 by Eugene Joseph, and 7.5 by Bo Cochrane.

Piggotts Bullets continues to smash right through the opposition. But there is one small silver lining in it all - we've guaranteed that we can finish no worse than 2nd with 3 games to go.

vs SAP FC (4th)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Benjamin replaces Hunte at half because I accidentally left Lewis out of the subs. We're playing like shit.

61 - Untold shot after shot has also clanged off the post, so when we get a set piece free kick just outside the box, Joseph delivers a true and hard strike that's right in the middle of the net 1-0

68 - We switch to a 3-4-3, with Kelly Matthew injured and poorly playing off in favor of Simon as second MC. But just before that happens, we're awarded an own goal insurance by the same guy who gave up the yellow card and free kick! 2-0

89 - Joseph runs into a wall of defenders in the half-circle, so he passes out right into space for Smith. The cross comes in and Brentton Matthew slots it away 3-0

All full-time starters except the keeper were 7.2 or better as we snap back after a shitty first half. 8+ stars are: Anderson Derrick (8.0), Gayson Smith (8.3), Eugene Joseph (8.7), and PotM Brentton Matthew (9.0).

With two games left, Brentton Matthew adds to his glowing records, now cracking 11 assists which is a new team and Premier Division record. Piggotts Bullets has smashed the old Premier Division team goals scored mark with 46.

It's February 1st and we've officially dipped into the red for the season. Not surprising because we haven't had the benefit of home games in the FA Cup.

@ Piggotts Bullets (2nd)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

We're without Eugene Joseph, who has such a nasty case of the flu, he's out 2-3 weeks. Absolutely devastating to miss one of our most valuable players in the most important game of the year. If we can pull off a miracle in beating these guys, we'll have locked up the title. Draw and it goes to the final game. Lose and it's pretty much over.

16 - Hunte throws in to Kelly Matthew and gets it back. Box delivery, and we get an own goal gift!!! 1-0

51 - Brentton Matthew dribbles through the defenders into the box and he taps off to Kelly Matthew. Defender slide tackles the ball away and the goalie stumbles trying to get to it. Hughes-Mason storms in and pops the clearance into the empty net, avenging on his old team! 2-0

66 - Henry in for Blackwood; Victor Matthew for Simon

82 - George for Hughes-Mason at the latter's request

7.7 PotM performance by Bo Cochrane and 7.5 by Connor Hughes-Mason. Two very costly mistakes by their defense, who was used to coasting through on their powerhouse attack, sealed our second straight Premier Division title!!!!!!!

vs Young Warriors (7th)
G: George Jarvis
D: Chesley Henry/Rolston Benjamin/Randolph Edwards/Terrence Lewis
M: Terrence Derrick/Walter Jeremy/Victor Matthew/Jermaine George
S: Brentton Matthew/Kelly Matthew

Desmond Kirwan and I get into it before the match because I'm laughing at everyone who is praising him for getting the club clear of relegation. I'm like um no, he's done a shit job of the dynasty and rightfully deserves to be under pressure, if not outright fired at the end of the year.

He says I'm jealous. What a joke. If I didn't want to keep my stars healthy for the FA Cup and the Caribbean Club Championship, I'd turn on the heat. As is, I'm making this a relaxing game for Fan Day, giving our backups some time to shine. The 600 fans we're expecting are no doubt upset it's the backups, but at least they get to see the star Matthew strikers up front (No relation).

3 - Yeah 0-1

50 - Smith and Jahraldo-Martin go in at the winger spots to try and salvage at least a tie here.

63 - What a joke this game is 0-2

@ Freemansville (FA cup Semi-final)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Gayson Edwards
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

37 - We're pushed back and Simon has a defender all over him. But he uses his backside to block the defender and pass the ball to Cochrane, who sends it into the box. Kelly Matthew is first to the loose ball and he puts it away. 1-0

65 - Blackwood moves out to DL; Benjamin comes in at DC, Simon goes off for Victor Matthew

92 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES, YOU FUCKERS!!!!!!!!!! OMG SECONDS BEFORE THE GAME ENDS SUCH BULLSHIT!!!! 1-1

95 - George is on for an exhausted Smith

117 - Edwards plays it down the right line for George and he grabs and dribbles. Center, and Brentton Matthew beats the defense and the keeper!!! 2-1

8.4 and PotM for Bo Cochrane, who was magnificent all game. Anderson Derrick saved us in extra time with power clearance and played to a 7.5.

Transfer Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham (27) - English Harbour - $7k/year contract
Was a starter during our run last season, but made way too much money and got lost in the shuffle this year. He's thrilled to go back to his old club and help them fight to stay up in a battle against teams that include Terrence Beckles' Grenades club, incidentally.

Loan Out - DCR Gayson Edwards (23) - Potter's Tigers - 100% Salary Paid
No brainer for a guy who couldn't establish himself. Like Abraham, he's going back to his old team.

Youth Signing - ST Tamorley Benjamin (16)
13 Dribbling, 11 Composure, 10 Decisions, 13 Work Rate, and almost all 11s in Physical Attributes. 4* Potential. Exciting player and just the pull we needed, as Kelly Matthew is giving off strong signals of wanting to play somewhere else next season.

@ West Ham (ATG) - FA Cup Final
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

Yep. Every.single.game. in our FA Cup defense we've been the road team. The bullshit is unbelievable, but it is what it is.

3 - Joseph's free kick is blocked by a wall leap, but he gets his rebound and single-handedly fights two defenders in a 1v2 matchup. He hangs on to the ball and blasts it into a narrow gap for the lead! 1-0

20 - Thanks for that double yellow, constantly going after Smith, dude!

26 - Cochrane to Hughes-Mason in the box. He's being hassled by two defenders, as these guys have gone after our wingers all game long. Lateral to Kelly Matthew, and here's the insurance. 2-0

33 - Hunte throws in to Cochrane, whose high ball into the box sees Joseph win the jump ball and head it in! 3-0

69 - Bleh. 3-1

70 - Immediate answer as Smith crosses to Hughes-Mason. Shot bounces off the bar, but the defender does a poor job of passing back to the keeper, allowing Hughes-Mason to nip in and put away the rebound 4-1

71 - 3-4-3 switch with Victor Matthew replacing Blackwood, who is playing injured. Lewis on for Hunte



Our second straight double. With the FA Cup money we'll once again be in the black for the year. Last season, after taxes, etc. were paid, we finished ~$15.5k in profit.

Audwin Blackwood will be back in time for our first Caribbean Club Championship match. Bo Cochrane probably won't, which is a tough ask - we're facing against a team who has been to the North American Champions League in this universe, and is making their third straight appearance in the Caribbean Club Championship.

But more on that, and our other foes, next time.

[Izulde]

Yes, that's their actual nickname - The Brave and the Strong

In This Universe
North American Champions League Appearances: 1 (2020/21)
Jamaican Premier League Titles: 3 (2019/20 the most recent one)
Caribbean Club Championship Appearances: 5

They're managed by the legendary Linval Dixon, part of Jamaica's 1998 World Cup team, the only Jamaican side to ever qualify.

Top 3 Player Salaries: $155,000; $155,000; $85,000

Each of their top 3 players makes almost as much or more than our entire payroll

Looking over their team, only Lenny Hunte and maybe Gayson Smith would even sniff their roster.

vs Portmore United (Caribbean Championship Group 3)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew/Brentton Matthew

3 - Just to make absolute certain we have no hope, they injure Brentton Matthew and force us in to a 4-4-2 with Jay Simon as our second MC

11 - What will undoubtedly be the first of many goals they score 0-1

Benjamin replaces Hunte at half.

77 - And there's the second 0-2

Devastating to lose Brentton Matthew for 2 months. He's our most valuable striker.

Loan Out - DCR Randolph Edwards (23) - Potter's Tigers
So many teams going and getting their old players back. As long as they're footing the salary bill (they are), I don't mind one whit.

@ America (HAI) (2nd) (Caribbean Club Championship Group 3)
G: George Frederick
D: Kelly Robinson/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Walter Jeremy/Bo Cochrane/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew

This *should* be a winnable match. There's no one of note on this team.

We promptly shank like 4 easy and open goals. It's ridiculous.

58 - Lewis for Hunte; Simon for Cochrane; Tamorley Benjamin for Kelly Matthew and striker switch

77 - Double yellow for their guy!

...And we can't get it done. We were snakebit on hard luck shots that should have gone in. We didn't play horribly at all, really.

Kelly Robinson signs a contract extension for $3k a year. After analysis, though he's inconsistent, the national team keeps calling him up, and I'd hate to have to face him.

@ Gauloise (4th) (Caribbean Club Championship Group Play)
G: George Frederick
D: Chesley Henry/Audwin Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Lenny Hunte
M: Connor Hughes-Mason/Walter Jeremy/Jay Simon/Gayson Smith
S: Eugene Joseph/Kelly Matthew

We should be able to crush these guys to secure a 3rd place finish, maybe even take 2nd.

11 - Hunte throws in to Matthew, gets it back, and highball crosses. Hughes-Mason heads it to Joseph's head for the header score. 1-0

30 - Hunte and Smith play 1-2 a bunch after the throw-in until the latter taps off to Simon. High cross and Joseph rises about three defenders to knock it down to Smith, who waits, dribbles, shoots, and scores 2-0

50 - George for injured Smith

59 - Henry centers to Kelly Matthew. Shot is pushed away, but George storms through the wall of defenders to sink the rebound for his first goal of the year!!! 3-0

74 - Jeremy charges and highballs it out left to all alone Joseph. Cross and Kelly Matthew smashes the header in 4-0



Beautiful way to end the season.

Some more extensions happen.

Okay, here's my thinking - I can stay at Fort Road and we'll keep doing what we've did this season - shoot for doubles, get participation trophies by finishing 2nd in Caribbean Championship group play or lower depending on the draw.

Or we can turn professional and start luring talent from outside the islands.

The board denies my request to turn professional. Welp, that just about seals it.

Connor Hughes-Mason, Chesley Henry, and Lenny Hunte are inducted into the All-Time Best 11 - all as starters.

Brentton Matthew wins PotY voting with 48%, Kelly Matthew with 22%, and Bo Cochrane with 18%.

The board seals my impending departure by refusing to let me go on the Continental Pro coaching course.

Jorrin Smith is hired by Swetes FC as their manager, poaching another coach of ours.

Off the field events have turned Gayson Smith into Eeyore, which isn't cool.

W Connection FC's manager retires and I'm listed as the favorite to take over a club that has made it to the North American Champions League Quarterfinals the last two years in a row, and won the Trinidadian Pro League the last six years in a row.

Not that i have an interest in that job - there's nothing to build there beyond winning the North American Champions League. It's only continuing the success that's already there.







Brentton Matthew also led the league in assists.

We claim the top reputation spot in Antigua & Barbuda, as is to be expected.

Victor Matthew and Jay Simon are allowed to walk free.

Some absolutely AMAZING offers come in for Lenny Hunte and I accept one.

I apply for an interesting job, and then am mentioned as a favorite for another one. Both look like very interesting situations.

Belgium wins the 2022 World Cup on penalties after a dull 0-0 tie with Brazil.

Transfer Out - DR Lenny Hunte (20) - To Rivoli United - $15k transfer fee plus 50% of future sale
Everybody wins in this situation - Lenny finally gets to go play for a pro team in the Caribbean, making $20k in Jamaica. We make bank (he was only worth $750) and can get more cash coming in if/when he gets sold off in the future.

I accept an offer from a club that gives me a lot more to build towards. Just how much I don't realize until I take the job.

It's going to be very interesting times indeed.

[Izulde]

CSD Suchitepequez is a Guatemalan professional football club with the awesome logo and nickname of los Venados (Deer). They have a rich history, including beating Atletico Madrid 1-0 in a friendly match in 1981. 4th place in the CONCACAF Cup in 1993. The Deer have also won some domestic cups and won the top division in 1983. In real life, they won again in 2015-16. after some swoon years in the second division in the 2000s In the FM universe... they've won the second division in 2020/21 but didn't promote up?! I'm confused. So very, very confused. And there's things called Opening Stages and Closing Stages and... yeah. This is gonna be odd to figure out.

While the Deer have $10k in the bank, they lost ~$88k last year, and have bled $22.8k so far this year. $24k in payroll space but there's a few 30 year olds making hella bank who need to go out of here, even if they're the best players on the club.

2 interesting rules for the Guatemalan Second Division:

1. A max of 27 players over the age of 23
2. A max of 3 foreign players

Guatemalan citizenship isn't found online anywhere, but by looking at other clubs in the game, it takes 5 years accumulatively. Okay, cool. Plenty of space to bring in some hot young foreign talent and turn them into citizens.

No foreign players on Los Venados right now, so I'm free to go shopping as I like there.

I'm not going to mess with the staff, given the amount of bleeding that's going on here.

Our prize young DC also wants to leave for a bigger club. Okay dude, if that's what you really want. Our prize young GK? He wants out, too. Wow.

Transfer Out - MC/AMC/ST William Morales (30) - To Liberia ($72k)
We suckered them into paying more than value (it immediately dropped in half) for a guy who's only going to be a backup on this Costa Rican team. Suckers!

Transfer Out - MC/AMC Freddy Lopez (30) - To USAC - $57k fee
We cleared off his salary *and* netted some sweet cash money.

Transfer In - ML/AML Joaquin Fernandez (19) - Uruguayan
Castoff from Petapa and I'm not sure why - 10 Crossing, Determination, Stamina, and Pace, 16 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration and just balanced all around in physical attributes. I really like this kid, and my staff does too - 4* potential. 699 days served already, so I'm looking forward to getting him nationality.

So I just ripped off two teams, cut our wage bill by a ton, and generated some huge cash. Excellent! I wouldn't say we're suddenly solvent or anything - the club spent $724k last season, so this just puts us in a much healthier immediate cash position.

Our transfer budget started at $0 and after those big money deals - the two largest in universe club history outside of $101k back in 2016/17 - it's leaped up to $38.7k.

We work on restoring the damage by appointing 23 year old Luis Molina as Captain. He was Vice-Captain last year. Jose Hernandez, the star keeper who wants out, is the new Vice-Captain for now.

@ Halcones FC
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Alvaro Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

32 - Dumbass Rodriguez, who is pissed about the sale of Morales, gives up a PK. Fortunately Hernandez stops it.

56 - [b]Mario Lopez[/b in for Molina; Luis Lopez Castellanos in for Fernandez

57 - Sliding tackle by Estrada, who is our #2 MR, stops a clearance. Carlos Lopez picks up the loose ball and taps to Martinez for the easy score! 1-0

75 - Juan Carlos Castillo hits the corner (haven't set my set piece takers yet) hits the corner and Estrada heads the insurance goal in!!! 2-0

83 - Carlos Lopez wrecks the attacker and Lopez Castellanos picks it up. Dribble and cross, and Juan Castillo nails it for his first ever Deer goal!!! 3-0

88 - Disgusting 3-1

Juan Estrada wins PotM with an 8.8, matched by Juan Carlos Castillo, and Jose Hernandez has a godly 8.4 in goal as we secure an upset in our first game of the year! God, I love my 4-3-3 in this universe, even if this is a slightly different tweak.

Migraine and I still have some stuff to figure out on this squad. Plus we have a short rest turnaround.

Still an exciting debut, even if my opponent says I was lucky. Eat my ass. We whipped your butts in the second half.

[Izulde]

vs Barcena (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Alvaro Cabrera/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

54 - Jose Rodriguez in for Monterroso; Lopez Castellanos in for Fernandez

Very unlucky not to win this game - things just didn't break the right way. 1,500 people showed up to this Fan Day and they thought it was a thrilling draw, which it was as much an an 0-0 game can be.

Transfer Out - DLC Alvaro Cabrera (19) - To Chiantla - $2k + 50% future sale money
I wasn't going to get rid of him but that money was too much to pass for a cash-strapped club. He was solid for us as the starting DL the first two games, but there was no upside there.

@ Iztapa (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Luis Molina/Mario Lopez/Francisco Ortiz/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Lopez/Jorge Castillo

20 - Rodriguez is sent off with a red card. Great. 3 at the back now, with Mario Molina in at DR and Mario Lopez out - he's tired anyway.

25 - FUCKING BAR BULLSHIT 0-1

36 - The Hernandez magic is gone 0-2

53 - Lopez Castellanos for Rodriguez

58 - It's like we're not even trying 0-3

66 - Our star young DC is hurt of course, and of course a bullshit disallowed goal. Yep, not even trying as we allow a goal on the other end 0-4

77 - Fuck this game. I should have stayed in Antigua & Barbuda 0-5

2 weeks without Francisco Ortiz - the star young DC.

Transfer In - MLCR/AMLCR Carlos Gramajo (19) - Free agent signing
$5k per year and he offers us a *lot* of flexibility off the bench. Technically he still has miles to go, but 10 Work Rate, 17 Flair, 14 Acceleration, 13 Pace, plus a bunch of other double-digit physical attributes... he's going to surprise, I think.

Transfer In - ST Carlos Chavez (23) - Free agent signing
Pricey at $9k per year and my staff is meh on him, but I fell in love with his ratings - 11 Corners, 11 Dribbling, 14 Finishing, 11 First Touch, 13 Flair, 11 Acceleration, 11 Pace. He only got one game in all his years with Carcha, but I think he's going to be a star for us.

Transfer In - DL Gustavo Morales (22) - Free agent signing
Another expensive pickup at $8.5k a year, but I also dig his ratings - 10 Concentration, 18 Teamwork!, 14 Work Rate, 11 Acceleration, 11 Decisions, 10 Stamina. Played a lot for Puerto San Jose to poor results, but I think we can get a lot out of him.

Transfer In - DLR Jorge Gonzalez (19) - Free agent signing
16 Teamwork, 10 Work Rate, and 13 Stamina. Long way to go, but high upside (3.5*). Another Carcha castoff.

vs San Pedro (6th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterreso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

55 - Melvin Martinez in for Carlos Lopez. I forgot to put Jorge Gonzalez in the subs somehow. Hector Monzon for Fernandez

56 - Estrada recovers the corner kick and wings out right to Chavez. On the cross, we secure an own goal 1-0

87 - 1-1

Fuck that asshole for saying they were the better team. They weren't. It was a bullshit lucky goal.


@ Huehueteco (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo/Juan Estrada
S: Carlos Lopez/Melvin Martinez/Jorge Castillo

Short rest, so wonky formation.

8 - Christian Rodriguez to Estrada for the tap left to Castillo. Box feed to Martinez and we *finally* break our scoring drought 1-0

17 - Castillo intercepts a free kick and a swarm of pale yellow shirts around him, blasts it all the way downfield into space for Lopez to pick up, run, and drive into the box. Keeper runs out and in goes the score! 2-0

47 - Horrendous defending 2-1

50 - Carlos Lopez for Molina; Gramajo moves to MR; Carlos Castillo comes in at MC

59 - Jose Rodriguez to Castillo on the right flank. Pass into space down the line for Gramajo who catches it and crosses so that Carlos Lopez can sink the insurance goal! 3-1

62 - Gramajo sails the free kick into the box, and Carlos Lopez beats everyone for his hat trick goal!!!! 4-1

79 - Carlos Castillo plays it right to Gramajo who puts in the box for Jorge Castillo and the score!!! Have we found a new star right winger? 5-1



Have I unlocked the best formation for this club?

The rout rises us up from 8th all the way to 3rd place. That's how close the table is in the early going.

vs Nueva Concepcion (5th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Luis Molina/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

8 - That was a terrible goal kick by Hernandez. Shocking 0-1

41 - One of the J Castillo guys on the corner. Martinez's header is blocked, but the ball bounces off Molina's head and he has the follow-through to walk the rebound in 1-1

57 - Jorge Gonzalez in for Jose Rodriguez; Estrada in for Chavez and striker shuffle

Unlucky not to win that one. Missed opportunity to consolidate our hold on 3rd place, but I'll take the draw. I'm still figuring this team out and where I can bring in fresh talent upgrades without spending too much money. Besides, I kinda like the $125k salary that it's at right now.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - GK Zefanias Joao (20) (Mozambican) - From Academia Mario Esteves Coluna - Free Transfer
$4.8k a year for two years on a hot prospect deal. High upside keeper (3-4*, depending on which staff member you ask) who will use one of our foreign player slots and immediately steps in as the #2 netminder behind star and likely soon to depart Jose Hernandez. 10 caps for Mozambique's senior team already. 15 Aerial Reach, 12 Handling, 11 One on Ones and Reflexes, 12 Agility, and not a single physical attribute under 8. Speaks Portuguese.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Eurico Cassama (19) (Guinea-Bissau) - From Os Balantas - $160
$3.3k a year for two years on a youngster deal. My staff's not high on him, but fuck them. I love his Mental attributes - 11 Decisions, 14 Flair, 11 Teamwork and Vision, 14 Work Rate. Has some work to do technically and physically, but he'll get there. Will be at least a part-time starter. Also speaks Portuguese.

@ Barillas FC (9th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Francisco Ortiz/Jose Rodriguez
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Christian Rodriguez/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

20 - Jorge Castillo kicks back to Christian Rodriguez for the pass to Martinez, and boom shaka-laka there's the 25 yard blast into the net! 1-0

45 - WHY THE FUCK IS CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ TAKING CORNERS?! UGH!!!! 1-1

56 - Gonzalez for Morales

59 - Christian Rodriguez to Martinez for the perfect box play to Chavez, and there's his first ever Deer goal!!! 2-1

66 - Estrada in for Jorge Castillo and striker shuffle

81 - White-knuckle moments where after every single set piece that we're doing, we fuck it up and they launch a counter that should have scored but somehow miss. Christian Rodriguez short passes right to Gramajo for the box pass to Chavez and we get the achingly needed insurance goal!!! 3-1

Matching 9.0s for alliterative Carlos Chavez and Melvin Martinez, the former PotG. Shoutout also to Carlos Gramajo's 8.4 and Cristian Rodriguez's 8.6.

Loan Out - DR Jorge Rodriguez (32) - To Malacateco - 100% Salary Paid
Dump $10k in salary *and* ditch an old malcontent? Sounds like a winning scenario to me! Especially since our youth setup is costing us over $200k a year - more than we have budgeted for salary.

vs Aurora FC (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Gustavo Morales/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

We're ahead of these guys on a tertiary tiebreaker, so getting the win here would be really nice. Cool thing - 5 of our starting 11 are guys that I've personally brought into the club, so I'm really putting my stamp on this team in a short time.

56 - Monzon for Fernandez; Carlos Castillo for Cassama

57 - Morales is completely punked 0-1

83 - SON OF A BITCH! 0-2

92 - Embarrassing 0-3

Gustavo Morales conveniently hurts himself in training and will be shelved for over a month.

[Izulde]

@ Juventud Escuintleca (10th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

40 - Cassama to Martinez for the lateral to Chavez. Defender misses the interception and on the box feed to Castillo, the crowd of defenders is too late in catching up to prevent the ball piercing the net 1-0

59 - Estrada in for Martinez

66 - Molina makes a goal-saving interception and Chavez tracks down the loose ball. Booming kick down the left-center of the pitch lets Estrada use his fresh legs to outrun the defense and torch the keeper on the 1v1! Molina has been amazing, but he's also winded, so Ortiz comes in for him

77 - Cassama to Estrada for the first time lateral to Chavez. Pass into box space, and Castillo nails it to shut out any discussion of their coming back 3-0

78 - Bleh 3-1

90 - Horrible defending 3-2

3 assists gives Carlos Chavez and a 9.0 PotM. Also standout were Jorge Castillo (8.8), Eurico Cassama (7.6), and Juan Estrada (7.1 off the bench). Oh, and Luis Molina with an 8.2 before being subbed out as well.

We nearly blew that one as Zefanias Joao was nervy all match in his debut.

Mynor Monterroso is out over a month with injury.

So, there's 36 matches - split into what looks like an 18 game opening stage and an 18 game closing stage. I do some more digging and come across this:

Apertura and Clausura - Wikipedia

...Interesting. So there's essentially two seasons in one calendar year, and presumably a four or eight team playoff to determine who is the champion for that mini-season and gets the promotion spot I'm guessing 4 from Group A and 4 from Group B. Which would explain why los Veranos didn't go up the year they finished 1st in the league.

I'll play around with it and see. Anyway, we're halfway through the Apertura, and we're in 5th, one point out of a playoff spot, but well ahead of the 6th place team.

vs Halcones FC (6th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

12 - Beautiful charge by Cassama to snipe a clearance. He kicks the ball off the face of a defender and Martinez pounces on the rebound to pierce the upper net 1-0

31 - Gonzalez fucked that up. 1-1

51 - After yet another blown shot, Castillo is yanked for Estrada and we do our shuffle of strikers

61 - FUCK 1-2

62 - THIS 1-3

64 - Martinez scores but I won't give a shit unless we come back 2-3

76 - 3$%@#$^@^@%^#%^@%^@ 2-4

Jose Hernandez's value is tanking and I can't get rid of him fast enough. Ugh.

@ Barcena (4th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Joaquin Fernandez is out with injury over a month.

14 - THAT WAS OFFSIDES!!! 0-1

17 - CAN WE GET A FUCKING CALL, REF?! 0-2

19 - An answer as Chavez wings out to Gramajo for the back cross to Martinez and header in 1-2

43 - Gramajo is being hemmed by two defenders, but he lofts the ball over the heads and into the box for streaking Martinez to equalize 2-2

49 - Mario Molina for shitty ass DR Luis Molina

66 - Lopez Castellanos for Monzon at ML

71 - Cassama picks up a clearance and passes to Rodriguez. Box pass into space and Castillo drills in the diagonal go-ahead goal!!! 3-2

92 - Very last play of the game, they get a corner, and one of their dudes on a yellow gets whistled for a foul and a double yellow just as time expires!!! Holy shit!!!!

8.8 for Melvin Martinez, 8.5 for Jorge Castillo, 7.7 for Cristian Rodriguez and we don't have PotM.

Which is totally fine because we're in a playoff spot at 4th!

The board cries that we're losing money and need to sell players. MAYBE IF YOU DIDN'T SPEND OVER $230,000 A YEAR ON A YOUTH SETUP THAT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM!

JHRC.

[Izulde]

So this fucker... He ruins the Young Warriors dynasty, then he somehow cons the board into taking my job. What does he do his first transfer window? Jettisons George Frederick, Chesley Henry, and Audwin Blackwood for nothing. Henry is at least somewhat defensible - Kelly Robinson and all. But Fort Road's best keeper and second best DC? Man... GTFO. And of course, they've already lost 0-2 to English Harbour.

So the board agrees to cut the junior coaching budget, but they refuse to cut back youth recruitment. I am not okay with this. Especially not when they decrease transfer revenue retaining to 10% because of their own irresponsibility.

vs Iztapa (2nd)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - One of their players handles the ball outside the box, and Martinez blasts in the free kick 1-0

55 - Carlos Castillo for Rodriguez; Estrada for Chavez and striker shuffle

82 - We go right to left with a series of passes, the last Estrada winging left to Monzon. He centers, and Carlos Castillo puts away the insurance! 2-0

Lots of 7.0s and 7.1s, with the stars 8.3 PotM by Melvin Martinez, 7.5 for Hector Monzon and 7.2 for Jose Carlos Castillo off the bench.

The victory also vaults us into 2nd place!

Because of our successes, the board pours in $150k in cash to keep us in the black for the season.

@ San Pedro (9th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Jorge Gonzalez/Mario Lopez/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Jose Carlos Castillo/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

13 - WE WERE ROBBED OF A GOAL KICK!! ASSHOLE REFS!! HE WAS CLEARLY OVER THE FUCKING LINE WITH THE BALL!!! 0-1

21 - OFFSIDES! MOTHERFUCKING OFFSIDES!!!! 0-2

41 - Why is this team so fucking shit?! 0-3

88 - Because why the fuck not? 0-4

Transfer In - DL Robin Cabrera (21) - From Marquenese - $14k
I paid the full value sticker price for him - his team wanted more, and spent extra money to lock him into a 3 year deal rather than the 2 year he wanted. $4.8k is still a good price for a guy who immediately upgrades our weakest backline link. He was a 6.82 star for us as a loanee a couple years ago before I got here. 10 Tackling and Positioning, 14 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, and only Jumping Reach and Balance are below 11 of Physical Attributes at 7, and he has 16 Stamina! Great find.

Transfer Out - MC Byron Monterroso - To Jocotan FC - $4.8k with potential escalation
Staggered deal that will pay out almost $5k and could go more with incentives, plus 30% of future sale price. I normally would have haggled, but it was right up against the deadline and it was great value for a player who was only worth $425, so I took it.

vs Huehueteco (3rd)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Hector Monzon/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

11 - We were robbed of a PK earlier. Here, Martinez escapes the wall by belting out right to Gramajo, who has no one around him. On the center, Castillo knocks the header in 1-0

32 - GRAH!!! 1-1

46 - @#%$# 1-2

54 - FUCK THIS SHITLORD TEAM 1-3

@ Nueva Concepion (9th)
G: Zefanias Joao
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - Cassama plays it right to Gramajo for the box feed to Castillo and while he scores, we've seen this movie before 1-0

15 - Cassama to Gramajo. Cross to Martinez, but the defender heads it away. Too bad Castillo leaps up to sink the counter header into the net. I'm really liking the way my two signings have bonded well. 2-0

22 - Remember when I had good goalies who actually performed to their ratings? Fort Road and Pepperidge Farm remember 2-1

30 - Cassama plays right to Castillo. Box pass to Chavez, and amidst bullshit cries of offsides, he strides forward and scores 3-1

32 - Fernandez recovers a clearance and sends it right back into the box, to Chavez, and my ratings wonder strokes his second goal of the game 4-1

66 - Cassama laterals to Rodriguez for the go-ahead ball to Castillo. Pop ball into the box, and Chavez slams his hat-trick!!!! 5-1

77 - Can't stop those, but off go Ortiz and Molina for Mario Lopez and Gonzalez respectively anyway 5-2

86 - Gramajo to Castillo, who runs over the defender en route to Rodriguez in the box, who somehow scores his first goal of the year 6-2

88 - ..... 6-3

89 - ......... ...... 6-4

9.5 PotM - Carlos Chavez
9.4 - Jorge Castillo
8.0 - Joaquin Fernandez; Cristian Rodriguez

We damn near fucking blew this one.

And of course Zefanias Joao gets a fucking sports hernia and is out almost 2 months. Meaning we have to rely on our OTHER disappointing as shit keeper for the final 3 games to try and stay alive in 4th place or even move up.

[Izulde]

vs Barillas FC (5th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

3 - Chavez retreats from a defender and passes out right to alone Gramajo for the surge forward and cross to Martinez. Score is easy 1-0

5 - Of course 1-1

6 - Cabrera throws in to Cassama, who dribbles right along the box until he cuts in and shoots. Keeper stops it, but can't hang on to the ball, and Chavez charges in to pop in the immediate answer rebound 2-1

25 - There's a whole lot of triangulated passing on the left side after a throw-in until Cassama boots it right to Gramajo for the run and cross to Martinez. BAM! Goal #10 on the season for the 17 year old 3-1

39 - Rodriguez holds up play, then dribbles down the middle of the pitch with a cushion. Pass forward to Chavez, wing out right to Gramajo, return cross, and Chavez knocks in another goal 4-1

62 - Fernandez takes the outlet pass and sends it to Martinez in the box. Defender wipes out our young striker, but the ball rolls on to Chavez for his hat trick!!!!! 5-1

63 - Estrada for Castillo and striker shuffle; Monzon for Fernandez

67 - Cassama taps back to Rodriguez for the long ground pass to Chavez in the box. Defender tackles him from behind, but that just sends the ball into the path of Martinez for his hat trick!!! 6-1

82 - Can't stop that Chinese-Guatemelan guy from scoring 6-2

86 - Rodriguez with the short pass to Chavez in the box. Outlet right to Gramajo and cross to Martinez for yet another goal! 7-2



The one slight tweak I made was to put Cristian Rodriguez on a DLP (D) duty to try and stop the bleeding of goals. Seems to have helped.

Melvin Martinez sets records with his 4 goals, and I forgot to mention, but the 10 goal fest of a couple games ago also broke team and league records.

My staff continues to hate on Eurico Cassama and Carlos Chavez, but they're #5 and #3 in average rating, and Cassama tops out Pass Completion % at 85 and is tied for 1st in shot % with 50 with Francisco Ortiz.

@ Aurora FC (1st)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

2 - Fernandez picks up a clearance and plays a gorgeous longball into space for Chavez. Run into the box, cross right to Castillo, and there's the score 1-0

8 - Castillo's got heavy pressure, so he shoots it out right to Gramajo, who teams stubbornly refuse to hone in on. By the time the defender gets there, the ball's already on its way back into the box, where Fernandez, our Uruguayan left winger who got criticized early on and lost his starting job, hits his first ever Venados goal!!!!! 2-0

50 - And this is where we start imploding I'm sure 2-1

52 - Cassama sneaks the ball past the defender to Fernandez for a stunning ball into the box that flying Castillo puts in for an immediate answer! 3-1

57 - Horrible corner kick defense 3-2

58 - Cassama to Gramajo for the short pass left in the box to Castillo. Center to Chavez and I guess it's going to be that kind of game 4-2

59 - Molina moves in to DC, with Gonzalez the new DR

71 - fuck you Molina 4-3

72 - GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!!!!!! 4-4

Thanks to our fucking TERRIBLE SHIT GO DIE IN A FUCKING FIRE DEFENSE AND KEEPER, we now have to win our next game to guarantee going to the playoffs.

vs Juventud Escuintleca (10th)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Juan Estrada/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Francisco Ortiz is off on international duty and Melvin Martinez gets food poisoning the day of the game.

39 - l%#$^@#%^@^@ 0-1

40 - Cassama pops it up to Estrada for the cross and score to Castillo but we need to fucking win this match 1-1

51 - Estrada takes the longball and slams the high cross to Castillo for the go-ahead goal! 2-1

56 - Carlos Castillo in at MR; Tired Cassama out and Lopez Castellanos in with an MC switch.

9.0 for Juan Estrada, 8.8 for Jorge Castillo, 7.7 for Luis Molina, and a well-deserved 9.1 PotM for Jose Hernandez, the much-maligned keeper.

We finish 3rd in Group A in the Opening Stage and are going up against Achuapa, who finished 2nd in Group B.

Note: I don't know how promotions work at all. It looks like the Opening Stage doesn't matter in terms of promotion, because Aurora FC won the tournament last year and didn't promote up.

It looks like there's one team that's guaranteed promotion to the top league, with possible 2nd depending on playoffs. I imagine that only applies to the Closing Stage? Not sure. Really getting annoyed with this setup, especially since it clutters the history page with Opening Stage and Closing Stage standing finishes.

So I may bail on this team after a year or half-year.

[Izulde]

Jose Carlos Castillo is mentoring Eurico Cassama.

vs Achuapa (Quarter Final First Leg)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Luis Molina/Mynor Monterroso
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Juan Estrada/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

55 - Estrada to Fernandez for the sliver window box pass to Chavez. Dribble and score! 1-0

59 - Hernandez should have stopped that 1-1

62 - Gonzalez for Cabrera; Molina out to DR with Lopez in at DC

69 - Well, forget advancing 1-2

92 - PATHETHEIHOAHSGOAWHRFGOAWEHTAWHTO3W4HT34OGO9ADFYAE9FGY6R9Y34963Y49TY 1-3

@ Achuapa (Quarter Final Second Leg)
G: Jose Hernandez
D: Robin Cabrera/Francisco Ortiz/Luis Molina
M: Joaquin Fernandez/Eurico Cassama/Christian Rodriguez/Carlos Gramajo
S: Melvin Martinez/Carlos Chavez/Jorge Castillo

Long story short, we draw 1-1. I quit the next day and go on a long vacation until June 20th.

When I come back, there's no job openings that interest me, so I wait some more until one comes up that intrigues. And then I take it.

I took a job but their previous success bothered me, so I jumped ship. I did, however, vastly improve their staff situation before leaving.

Come to think of it, I really should have stayed in Antigua & Barbuda. Much to my amusement, Desmond Kirwan quickly found himself sacked - 2 days after I quit los Veranos, but I was already on vacation. After a long search, they promoted Ivor Parker, the assman I'd hired, to permanent manager.

But then I find myself back where I belong... in Antigua & Barbuda.


Old Road (ATG

A happy surprise here - Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew are already part of the team, and so is the meh Calaum Abraham. Good - you already know we're installing my old 4-3-3. Oh, Randolph Edwards is here, too.

There's two games left, and Old Road (ATG) is already on their way down. Ivor Parker won the Premier Division title with Fort Road.

@ Parham FC (7th)
G: Rolston Jeremy
D: Randolph Edwards/Kieran Chiddick/Anton Luke/Calaum Abraham
M: Rolston Williams/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Kamali Abraham/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

13 - Fucking free kicks 0-1

15 - Our defense needs a LOT of work 0-2

40 - Muhammed runs down a ball to the touchline and crosses to Williams for the kick back center, and Benjamin nails it 1-2

43 - I can not wait until we start upgrading this shitty as fuck backline 1-3

46 - But it won't be today 1-4

64 - Edwards plays down the left flank into space for Williams, who hits Muhammed on the cross for the score 2-4

82 - Chiddick on the free kick plays it right to Muhammed for the longball down the flank to Benjamin. Cross, and Kamali Abraham pops it in with ease 3-4

vs Freemansville (6th)
G: Rolston Jeremy
D: Randolph Edwards/Grey Guy/Anton Luke/Grey Guy
M: Rolston Williams/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Kamali Abraham/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Because yellows.

7 - I hate shitty keepers 0-1

12 - I mean, sure.. we'll take that goal by a grey guy on Williams' corner 1-1

32 - Next season will be better. Next season will be better. 1-2

45 - Williams run and cross to Benjamin. Shot blocked. Shot blocked. Poke forward and Matthew finally fights his way in to kick the ball in 2-2

57 - Zaine Roberts in for Benjamin, who has stunk today

58 - Williams blasts it down the pitch to Abraham who dribbles in for the 1v1 and scores! 3-4-3 switch as Molvin Hughes-Mason (not the guy you're thinking of) comes in as a second MC and grey guy goes off. 3-2

60 - Hughes-Mason plays out right to Muhammed and box delivery to Roberts results in a score and the kid's first goal of the year! 4-2

PotM and 9.0 for Junior Muhammed, 8.7 for Rolston Williams, 8.3 for Kamali Abraham, 7.1 for Zaine Roberts off the bench.

And now come in a couple of transfers to start fixing this backline mess.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DC Anderson Derrick (22) - From Fort Road
Okay, so $12.5k a year seems like a ton and is more than I ever doled out to any Fort Road player. But salaries have been creeping up in this little island country, and we've locked him down on a 4 year deal! Initially, my boy didn't want to come here, but I sold him on being an Icon.

Initial Ratings: 13 Marking, 12 Tackling, 16 Aggression, 17 Bravery, 11 Decisions, 16 Teamwork, 15 Work Rate, 13 Jumping Reach

Current Ratings: 12 Decisions, 15 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 14 Jumping Reach, 15 Strength - everything else the same. Okay, so he improved on Decisions, Jumping Reach, and become an absolute workhorse in Strength.

Transfer In - DLR Terrence Lewis (24) - From Fort Road
$7k a season is more than I wanted to pay, but he's played far too well in my system to not bring him in. Plus, he starred last season with a 6.8 rating, so is ready to be a full-time DL starter.

Everyone else we try to get is either playing in Trinidad & Tobago: (George Frederick, Connor Hughes-Mason) or refuses to move down a level.

Going forward, I want a DR and a third striker - preferably one who can play DLF. Another keeper would help, too.

Youth Signings
GK Reece Christian (16)
A 6'8, 198 lbs behemoth with 11 Aerial Reach, 10 Handling, 14 Reflexes, he has a long way to go on Agility, which is what I'll train him up in. Rolston Jeremy is probably better overall right now, but he's been awful, so Christian gets the nod as the starter for next season. 4* potential, too.

ST Victor Chiddick (16)
Not the DLF I'm looking for, but 14 Finishing, 13 Flair, 10 Acceleration and 4* Potential mean he's worth a crack, even if he might not play immediately.

MC Terrence Harriette (16)
10 First Touch and Passing, 10 Decisions, 17 Determination!, 12 Teamwork and Vision = say hello to our new MC.

Transfer Out - DC Anton Luke (27) - To Piggotts Bullets
Never liked him and he was always going to be buried in our suddenly strengthened backline. Nice to move his salary off our books.

Loan Out - ST Kelly Matthew - To Parham FC - 100% Salary Paid
More than pleased to see his high salary get paid for the rest of the season.

Loan Out - DLC Randolph Edwards - To West Ham (ATG) - 100% Salary Paid
Keep offering to cover my expensive guys for the rest of the season!

Transfer Out - GK Rolston Jeremy (24) - To SAP FC
He came up as a youth pull for us, then went to SAP FC, where he became a fan favorite. Back here where he actually played great outside of the two games I saw him, but we offload his shitty salary, and he takes a paycut to $6k to be back with a club he loves. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Bo Benjamin is appointed the new Captain, Terrence Lewis the Vice-Captain.

Loan Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham - To Potter's Tigers - 100% Salary Paid
Keep on lowering our payroll, guys!

Transfer In - DRC James Smith (18) - From Bassa SC - $40 P/A
I'm quietly intrigued by his 14 Acceleration, 9 Pace, and 12 Bravery. Has a long way to go, but could be a hidden gem.

Rolston Williams joins the parade of loanees who are getting paid by other teams.

Transfer In ST/AMLR Junior Edwards (18) - From Celtic (ATG)
$3.3k a year for 2 years. Not the most exciting player, but does have 12 Teamwork and 11 Stamina, and should slot in as our DLF. 3*/4* by a lot of my staff, so he's a very cheap signing who could produce.

Transfer In - MR/AMR Kelly Murtagh (17) - From English Harbour - $65 P/A
Yes, there's a lot to hate about his game. But he's good physically, including 12 Acceleration and 10 Pace, and 13 Bravery and Flair. He'll immediately link up with Junior Muhammed to try and improve his game. The signing gets bashed but they can go fuck themselves.

Transfer In - ML Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin (22) - From Fort Road
Okay, so this screwup is on me. I somehow missed that he was willing to take a committed contract, so I'm paying him $35 P/A plus $11.5k a year. But it's absolutely worth it to bring in yet another guy who was a star in my setup.

The end of season team meeting bombs spectacularly. Lots of the guys I just signed will be looking for transfers, including Anderson Derrick. I'll need to prove them wrong is all.

I extend my staff to two year deals for same or slight increases, then talk the board into letting me hire another coach. By the time we're done, all training areas are 2*, with the exception of GK Handling, which is 2.5*.

Slight bump in jersey sponsorship from $9.37k to $14.25k per year despite our relegation. That's what happens when you have a 30% reputation manager who is bringing in his old players to restore luster to a fallen team.

We crash to the 13th best reputation club in Antigua & Barbuda. Fort Road reclaims the top spot. Old Road once upon top finished 3rd and 2nd in the Premier Division, and they've won the FA Cup a couple teams, the last in 2012-13, so this is about me reviving a team who was once a power in the country... and hopefully becoming the first Legend.

Transfer In - DLR Lloyd Simon (24)
Another former Fort Road player, he was decent as a First Division player for us, and we're so weak at the DR spot, he'll get the nod as a starter for $3.3k a year for two seasons.

Transfer Out - DLC Randolph Edwards (25) - To Villa Lions
I hated this dude at Fort Road and I hated him here. More than happy to wipe out his $6k/year contract off our books, and he signs for $5.5k/year with his new squad.

Loan In - DLCR Lawson Simon (17) - From Piggotts Bullets
We may be looking at more transfers out on our backline, and this raw kid with 12 Teamwork and 14 Aggression deserves a look to see if he's a good fit for us.

Transfer Out - DLCR Calaum Abraham (29) - To Villa Lions
Clear out his $6.5k/year salary (like Randolph Edwards he accepted a drop to $5.5k)? Sounds good to me! I don't know why the Lions want our busts so bad, but in both cases, the fans were happy to see these guys leave.

People keep trying to get Kelly Matthew on loan or transfer. I keep telling them to fuck off. He's my boy, damn it!

Transfer In - DL/WBL/ML/AML Hazeley Blackwood (21) - From Parham FC
I'm quietly intrigued by this 14 Teamwork, 11 Pace, solid all-around physical attributes kid - enough to pay him $4.3k a year and beat out Swetes FC and All Saints United FC.

Loan Out - ML/AML Trevor Edwards (18) - To Grenades
They fired my main assman guy and I love a lot of this kid's ratings, but right now he's super raw, and will be behind a few of the other dudes at the ML spot.

Promotion Odds
Old Road (ATG): Even
Willikies: Even
SAP FC: 6-4
Hoppers: 8-1
Liberta FC: 33-1
Five Islands: 33-1

Writes a journalist:

That Old Road team looks a lot like the Fort Road team Izulde Jestor turned into the most powerful club in Antigua & Barbuda. 6 of the starting 11 players have suited up for him before, most notably Anderson Derrick and Ranjae Jahlraldo-Martin. While Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew have disappointed so far in their time here, being restored to Jestor's old scheme will again see the goals accumulate, and only a lack of quality in goal could prevent an automatic promotion

vs Willikies
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Rolston Williams/Terrence Harriette/Kelly Murtagh
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Kamali Abraham

Between preseason games and international call-ups, to say nothing of injuries to Bo Benjamin and Kelly Matthew, we're fucked in terms of our opening game lineup. I fully expect a loss here.

14 - Former Fort Roader Chesley Willett is going to crush us today 0-1

17 - Fuck you. Injury to Abraham

27 - FUCK. YOU! INJURY TO EDWARDS

56 - Walsh's day off ends as he goes to MC. Smith is in at DR

63 - Willett is sent off with a double yellow.

But we're too tired, too injured to take advantage.

@ SAP FC (8th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/James Smith/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Bo Benjamin/Victor Chiddick

We're still exhausted and have just two healthy strikers because the game likes to fuck with me on striker injuries.

Another loss is likely.

37 - Muhammed runs back to get a bad pass and delivers into the box, where Benjamin, despite starting at 86% and VC at 76% (this is how bullshit it is), manages to beat the defense and put it away 1-0

58 - Blackwood is in for Walsh and Kieran Chiddick's day of rest ends, with Simon getting benched

61 - Of course they score. OF FUCKING COURSE 1-1

71 - Derrick is on for Smith, who gave up that equalizer

81 - THAT WAS FUSCKSOGHAOHA OLFFSIDESDS!#$%!@#%$%!@# 1-2

89 - Now that was just funny. Defense runs back and gets the ball, and the defender tries to clear from the penalty box. Benjamin blocks the clearance with his body and the ball bounces into the net. Hey, we'll take it anyway we can 2-2

And of course THERE'S ANOTHER FUCKING INJURY! This time it's Lloyd Simon out for a month.

The amount of bullshit is fucking unreal.

[Izulde]

vs Otto's Rangers (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Bo Benjamin/Victor Chiddick

34 - We're backed up after a failed corner and Simon has it on the right wing. He dribbles forward a bit, holds up, then cracks a longball cross to the left side, where Jahraldo-Martin sinks his first Old Road goal! 1-0

60 - Murtagh in at MR; Blackwood for Walsh

65 - Benjamin draws the PK in the box, and Victor Chiddick hammers it to score his first Old Road goal! 2-0

90 - Figures 2-1

We finally won, but we played like ass and were very lucky to get the 3 points to jump us up from 10th to 5th.

@ Urlings (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We *finally* get to use our preferred formation.

13 - Matthew taps it left to Jahraldo-Martin, who initially went forward too far and had to go back. Cross to Harriette and the header bangs off the upper bar, but he gets his own rebound on the drop and walks it in for his first Old Road goal!!!! 1-0

29 - Harriette passes up to Benjamin for the quick give to Matthew. He immediately passes it left in the box to Edwards, and the first Old Road goals continue! 2-0

41 - Harriette crosses right to Muhammed for the dribble into the box and cross. Edwards rushes in and knocks in his second score 3-0

44 - Our set piece defending is ass 3-1

62 - Blackwood on for Jahraldo-Martin

Matching 8.0s for Junior Muhammed and Terrence Harriette, but it was always going to be Junior Edwards' 8.8 that was PotM.

vs Hoppers (10th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lawson Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

2 - Lewis takes the safety valve pass from Jahraldo-Martin, who was so fast on the counter, Muhammed couldn't catch up on the cross and so we had to backtrack. Center to Harriette for the box feed to Benjamin, and just as the defender gets there, our striker buries the mid-range shot 1-0

21 - Benjamin is tackled from behind in the box, drawing a PK, and he converts his own try. He already has 4 goals this season, which I believe equals the amount he had all of last year. Artemis bless the 4-3-3. 2-0

54 - Victor Chiddick subs in for Matthew

57 - And of course Victor Chiddick is injured immediately after stepping on the field.

63 - Murtagh for Muhammed

74 - Smith for Derrick, who just missed a double yellow here.

75 - Eyeroll 2-1

We win, but we really were ass in the second half, despite my warnings not to get complacent. Victor Chiddick will miss a couple weeks with a toe injury, and of course our other backup striker, Kamali Abraham, goes out over a month a few days later. I hate this game because of how frequently it likes to injure my strikers.

@ Liberta FC (9th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kieran Chiddick/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

4 of our guys are still out on U-20 internationals duty, so we're having a less than ideal lineup for this game. It stinks because we finally have propelled our way up to 2nd and auto-promotion.

9 - Awful 0-1

12 - Benjamin has heavy pressure so he crosses left to Jahraldo-Martin. Our right winger dribbles towards the interior of the pitch, drawing the defense, then suddenly passes right to Edwards just inside the box. The beautiful power stroke goes home 1-1

15 - We're just getting eaten alive out there 2-1

20 - Chiddick to Muhammed, but the attempted pass in to Benjamin is kicked away. Ball sprawls left and Jahraldo-Martin drills in the distance shot from outside the box! 2-2

33 - JFC 2-3

35 - Jahraldo-Martin's cross is cleared, but Muhammed beats them to the ball and hammers his own long-range shot from outside the box. It's just really that kind of game 3-3

49 - Smith subs in for Lawson Simon and Lewis is yanked for Blackwood

56 - Edwards passes right to Matthew for the box entry pass to Benjamin. He fires in a gap between two defenders and we *finally* take the lead for the first time today 4-3

64 - HE WAS FUCKING OFFSIDES!!!!!! 4-4

70 - Benjamin charges to recover a tackled loose ball and passes to Chiddick for the first touch pass to Matthew in the box. Midrange shot goes home, and we continue in this mad goalfest 5-4

76 - Simon throws in to Benjamin, gets it back, and slams a screaming cross into the box that hits Edwards for the walk-in insurance goal!!!! 6-4

88 - FML we can not stop that one asshole no matter what we do. 4 goals he's scored, despite going in everything on him 6-5



Just to give you an indication of how lopsided the game was re: defense vs offense. James Smith had a 6.6 off the bench; Hazeley Blackwood an abysmal 6.2.

This win was vital because it gave us temporary possession of 1st place and ensured that we'll at least stay in the playoff spots despite having to do the same bullshit next game. That's what happens when your best MCs and your only good keeper keep getting called up to the U20s.

Edit: The game damn near ended in a tie, too. They got clear shots in stoppage time and frankly should have converted.

[Izulde]

@ Villa Lions (6th
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/James Smith
M: Hazeley Blackwood/Kieran Chiddick/Kelly Murtagh
S: Junior Edwards/Mervyn Challenger/Bo Benjamin

There's an FA Cup game in a few days, so we'll fiddle with the lineup some.

3 - Benjamin kicks back to Chiddick for the pass to Edwards in the half-circle. In the ball goes to Challenger just inside the box, who is our only healthy backup striker, and he scores! I don't even know in his ratings - I just put him in to save Matthew for the Cup game. 1-0

4 - Derrick with the interception on the ensuing kickoff and he blasts it middle of the pitch to Benjamin. Taking the short give is Challenger for the long, loping rope out to the left sideline. Edwards gets there before Blackwood, dribbles, and hits the fierce cross. Defender misses the interception and Benjamin hits the short-range score 2-0

At the half, Blackwood shifts inside to MC and Williams comes on at ML, because Chiddick has made a ton of mistakes and we can preserve him for the trophy game.

69 - Lloyd Simon's day off ends as he comes on at DR

8.3 PotM award for Mervyn Challenger, even though we were mediocre outside of him.

@ SAP FC (FA Cup First Round)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Victor Chiddick

Due to energy issues, we're fielding our 3-4-3 today that you'll recognize from Fort Road's closing out of games. First time it's been a go from the onset, I think.

18 - Muhammed outmuscles the defender on Christian's goal kick and passes down to Victor Chiddick. He has his own fight past a defender and delivers to Harriette in the box. Center to Matthew and the keeper blocks the shot, but Harriette nicely sinks the rebound. 1-0

47 - Walsh with the short pass left to Jahraldo-Martin. He dribbles towards the interior of the pitch, and just as two defenders are about to gang-tackle him, his booming cross hits Victor Chiddick in the box for the insurance score! 2-0

61 - Too hard a deflection by Christian leads to a rebound goal. Edwards is off for Benjamin; Jahraldo-Martin moves inside to replace Walsh, and Williams is on at ML 2-1

74 - Lawson Simon for exhausted Kieran Chiddick. Not playing due to yellows suspension is Anderson Derrick

92 - After withstanding two should've scored counters by them, Harriette laterals right to Benjamin for the long ground pass to Matthew in the box. They've hammered my boy all game and he *finally* breaks free with a mid-range shot seconds before the whistle to clinch the win 3-1

PotM 8.8 for Kelly Matthew and 8.1 for Terrence Harriette.

You know I always get screwed over in FA Cup draws, right? Happened again for our next round.

vs Swetes FC (2nd)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We were supposed to play another team a few days before this but that match got cancelled due to shitty pitch conditions. Works out fine for me, as I'd rather play our closest challengers first.

2 - How the fuck did Chiddick let that own goal happen?! 0-1

46 - Harriette blasts the ball down the right flank to Benjamin's run. He gets there, and despite two defenders, manages to cross to Matthew for the equalizer just before half 1-1

55 - Lawson Simon replaces Lloyd Simon and we switch to a 3-4-3, with Blackwood as the second MC

74 - Victor Chiddick is on for Matthew

We didn't deserve to draw. We played like shit, and the fact that we would have won if not for that own goal is insane to me.

@ Celtic ATG (8th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

We've fallen to 2nd thanks to a 2 week layoff, but have 2 games in hand. We also have 2 games on short rest, and our best keeper is off on international duty yet again. Terrence Harriette got his first cap for Antigua & Barbuda's senior team in just his first year of playing, which is awesome.

3 - Edwards to Matthew in the half-circle, and he taps back to Benjamin. Dribbling to join his striker-mate in the half-circle is Benjamin and his long shot goes in. This version of Bo has been far superior to the Fort Road one, who was plagued by inconsistency 1-0

13 - Lewis intercepts a clearance and plays it down the left flank to Jahraldo-Martin. Cross, and streaking Benjamin bangs in his 50th career league goal!!! 2-0

14 - Edwards to Benjamin for the wing out left to Jahraldo-Martin. Another cross, and this time it's Muhammed who knocks it in. 3-0

25 - Benjamin lines up the free kick outside the box and nails it for his first half hat trick!!!! 4-0

54 - Out because of a yellow is Jahraldo-Martin. In is Blackwood

63 - Can't stop those 4-1

85 - Simon throws in to unmarked Muhammed and he kicks it into the box, where Edwards rips through the tired defense to add another goal. The keeper throws a temper tantrum, which is hilarious to watch 5-1



Great win to not only put us back in 1st, but also on top of the GD charts.

[Izulde]

@ Bassa SC (11th)
G: Mervyn Frederick
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lawson Simon/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kieran Chiddick/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

Don't let the 11th place fool you - they've several games in hand on the teams above them. Plus, you know, shitty keeper and MC depth issues.

He's already wiped at half, so Chiddick is out for Harriette, who himself isn't exactly daisy fresh, but a damn sight better, at half. Then again I'm telling them off for dragging ass out there after last game's goal party.

55 - Bullshit 35 yard strike 0-1

57 - Derrick can sit and think about how much a disappointment he is while we switch to the 3-4-3 with Blackwood as second MC

74 - Challenger for Matthew

92 - FUCK YOU!!!! THE BALL CROSSED THE SIDELINE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUR FUCKING THROW-IN!!!! 0-2

@ Wilikies (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

10 - Blackwood, who along with Chiddick already has a yellow, passes right to Harriette for the triangle to Jahraldo-Martin. Pass to Edwards straddling the box line and the screaming shot curls into the corner of the net 1-0

47 - Derrick with the interception and pass to Harriette. Booming high ball out to the right flank for Muhammed who dribbles and crosses to Matthew for the usual punishing of the team I first stole him from 2-0

53 - Derrick with a shin injury because of fucking course. Smith his replacement

69 - Harriette with the longball down the pitch to Benjamin in the box. He keeps dribbling and opts to take the shot himself rather than pass off. Greed is good, because he scores 3-0

77 - Walsh in for phenomenal but tired Harriette

89 - Blackwood, you knob! Earns himself a double yellow. No worries - 3 man backline with Lloyd Simon at DL, Chiddick at DC, and Smith at DR

Every starter except Lloyd Simon had 7.1 or higher, including Blackwood. The 8+ stars were Junior Muhammed (8.6), PotM Terrence Harriette (8.9), Bo Benjamin (8.1), and Junior Edwards (8.3).

But there's bad news bears ahead. Not only is Hazeley Blackwood going to sit, so is Kieran Chiddick. BTW, in scoring his 10th goal, Bo Benjamin breaks Vernan Joseph's team record.

We keep ping-ponging the league lead with Swetes. Also lurking in potential takeover of the top spot is SAP FC, who have been equally dominant.

[Izulde]

@ Wadadli (FA Cup Second Round)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

3-4-3 because of suspensions and whatnot. Really shitty draw here, on the road at a Premier team.

5 - Oh look, a bullshit 30 yard strike 0-1

44 - We've had so many fucking shots that should have gone in but they haven't. Meanwhile, these assholes keep striking lucky 0-2

64 - Victor Chiddick for Matthew. Lawson Simon went in for Derrick at halftime.

71 - 0-3

vs Five Islands (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

25 - We are absolute ASS at defending set pieces 0-1

26 - Edwards plays it out right to Mohammed on the ensuing kickoff, and Matthew nails the center header for the immediate answer 1-1

46 - #$@#%^@#$%#$%^@ 1-2

48 - After that bullshit just before half goal, 3-4-3 with both our DCs yanked for Lawson Simon and Hazeley Blackwood

66 - Chiddick for Benjamin

69 - Chiddick with the little pop ball to Jahraldo-Martin for the smash header to Edwards in the box. He waits, finds his spot, and sinks the equalizer 2-2

I get on Anderson Derrick's ass after that game. We should have won despite the meltdowns. We're now in 3rd, although we do have a game in hand on leader SAP FC and a staggering 3 games in hand on 2nd place Villa Lions, both of whom we're 3 points behind.

vs Urlings (12th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

4 - Unfuckingbelievable 0-1

39 - Chiddick's corner is cleared, but Edwards gets it and puts it back in the box. A defender kicks it towards his teammate, but the pass is off, and Derrick sinks his first Old Road goal 1-1

45 - JHRC! A BULLSHIT PK. and of course they convert 1-2

50 - Chiddick is yanked for Lawson Simon

54 - Off goes Matthew for Victor Chiddick

69 - Lewis charges to intercept and blast it to Benjamin in the box. Shot's rejected, but Benjamin is there first to cross and finally Edwards equalizes 2-2

84 - Double yellow for Derrick. FFS. Blackwood on for Jahraldo-Martin

We drop to 4th place.

Bo Benjamin and Junior Muhammed get a one year contract extension and a slight payraise. The board isn't too happy with me right now - if this constant fuckery keeps up, I could be gone by the end of the year.

My name comes up in a post for a Trinidad and Tobago top league club. Not interested, but thanks.

@ Otto's Rangers (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

6 - Harriette to Matthew with a short pass to Edwards in the box, and for the first time in forever, we start strong 1-0

8 - Harriette intercepts a clearance, wings out left to Jahraldo-Martin, and the angry cross has the keeper completely confused en route to a Benjamin bang-in. 2-0

33 - FUCK YOU!!!! BENJAMIN WAS ONSIDES!!!!

74 - Blackwood for Jahraldo-Martin

79 - Injury to Benjamin because of course this game *has* to fuck me any time I snap out of a funk. Victor Chiddick in

7.9 for Kelly Matthew and 8.0 for PotM Junior Edwards as we finally staunch the bleeding.

But it's only good for a move up to 3rd.

[Izulde]

@ Swetes FC (2nd)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Anderson Derrick/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Victor Chiddick

62 - Blackwood for Harriette; Challenger for Matthew

72 - Murtagh in for Muhammed

A nothing burger game.

Anderson Derrick breaks his leg in training and is out 7-8 months - you know, the guy eating up most of our payroll with $12.5k a year.

@ Hoppers (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Hazeley Blackwood/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

They fired Terrence Beckles, which I'm sad about.

2 - Chiddick on the corner to Harriette. It's headed away, but Matthew has the distance shot on the rebound. Defender blocks it, and Benjamin barges in to convert the third chance 1-0

14 - Harriette clears a corner to Matthew, who has to win a fight with the defender for the ball. Rocket into space for Benjamin, who dribbles into the box. Doesn't like his shot, so he crosses where no one is. Here comes Blackwood finally, and on the center, Matthew nods the header in 2-0

22 - Benjamin's corner connects with Lawson Simon's head for his first ever Old Road goal! The loanee still hasn't convinced me to bring him on long-term, but he'll get his chance to prove it with Derrick lost for the season. 3-0

39 - Lloyd Simon charges to beat them to a clearance and passes to Muhammed. Ball swings into box space, and Matthew drifts right to dart the ball between two defenders and into the net. That's his 50th league goal!!! 4-0

58 - Merg. 4-1

62 - Smith for Chiddick; Victor Chiddick on for Edwards and switch with Benjamin

All full-time starters except the keeper were 7.0 or better, the 8+ stars Terrence Harriette with 8.2, Bo Benjamin with 8.3, and PotM Kelly Matthew with a 9.2.

vs Liberta FC (5th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Terrence Harriette/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

46 - JFC 0-1

51 - Smith for Chiddick; Chiddick for Matthew

71 - It's like we're not even trying 0-2

And back down to 3rd we go.

vs Villa Lions (4th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

A two month injury to Terrence Harriette pretty much deep-sixes are hopes for auto-promotion.

7 - Sigh 0-1

46 - Muhammed with the cross to Edwards and of course it bounces off the bar. Edwards does sink his own rebound tho 1-1

50 - Victor Chiddick for Benjamin; Smith for Lawson Simon

57 - Jahraldo-Martin is dribbling down the left flank when he cracks a cross that fresh Victor Chiddick rises up and smashes the header in on 2-1

It was a gnarly, choppy game, with Christopher Walsh's 7.5 PotM and Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin's 7.4 were our best showings.

vs Celtic (ATG) (11th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Terrence Lewis
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Christopher Walsh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Kelly Matthew/Bo Benjamin

6 - Walsh forward to Edwards at the touchline, and on the cross, it's a Benjamin bang-in. 1-0

8 - Jahraldo-Martin at the touchline, and center to Matthew. Shot staggers keeper, sliding tackle rebound makes him fall, and finally the third attempt by Matthew goes in 2-0

20 - Blackwood throws in to Edwards for the kickback to Jahraldo-Martin. Cross and Benjamin buries it 3-0

30 - A fucking stupid own goal by Christian. JHRC 3-1

30 - Edwards with the booming flare to the right flank. Muhammed shorts it to Matthew, who needs time to trap and control before dribbling and firing the immediate answer 4-1

79 - We now have ZERO healthy true MCs, as Walsh is out with injury. Blackwood moves up and in, Lewis switches to DL and Smith comes in at DR. Like I said, every time I start doing well, this game fucks me in the ass.

Sure enough, Christopher Walsh is out 5-6 months.



We clinched playoff play at least.

But Terrence Lewis and Lawson Simon are both out next game on yellows, which, combined with our other injuries, means our backline is just as fucked as our MC spot. I totally don't know what I'm going to do now.

[Izulde]

vs Bassa SC (7th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Hazeley Blackwood/James Smith/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

Ugly lineup with no backups on the backline. It is what it is.

17 - Matthew intercepts a throw-in and passes to Victor Chiddick in the box. Shot bounces off a defender, but Edwards gets it, sets up his shot, and slots it in to put us ahead 1-0

We pick up 4 yellows in the first half alone - every single one of our defenders.

57 - Challenger in for Benjamin and striker shuffle; williams on for Jahraldo-Martin

82 - Williams gets the ball after it pops loose deep in our half. He wings out right to Victor Chiddick for the beautiful flank ball down the line to Muhammed. Dribble all the way down the right side and cross, and Edwards' header goes in for the insurance! Murtagh comes on for our exhausted MR immediately after 2-0

9.0 and PotM for Junior Edwards, 8.6 for Junior Muhammed as we played a solid, total team game to get the win.

vs SAP FC (1st)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/Lawson Simon/Kieran Chiddick/Lloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

This is a huge swing match. It's their last game of the year, so if we can beat them here, we're guaranteed to finish 2nd, as we're a point behind. If we lose, we're out of the running for 1st and will need help from Swetes FC to avoid the playoffs.

12 - Go all in on their star player, he still scores 0-1

Rolston Jeremy has played amazing revenge ball in the net for them. Fuck him.

25 - Blackwood for Lewis

63 - Double yellow for Lawson Simon and ofc they convert the free kick 0-2

66 - And of course Matthew tackles the ball right into an open and free shot for them 0-3

The inconsistency of this fucking team pisses me off to no end.

So.... 3 of our players will be out due to yellows for our final match. Are you surprised? Yeah I didn't think so either. Keep fucking us over, you bullshit piece of trash game.

@ Five Islands (4th)
G: Reece Christian
D: Terrence Lewis/James SmithLloyd Simon
M: Ranjae Jahraldo-Martin/Kelly Matthew/Kelly Murtagh/Junior Muhammed
S: Junior Edwards/Victor Chiddick/Bo Benjamin

5 - FUCK THIS GAME SO MUCH WITH ALL THE BULLSHIT SUSPENSIONS AND INJURIES AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME TO FUCK US OVER 0-1

6 - BRB smashing keyboard 0-2

8 - We score but it takes three tries 1-2

16 - FUCK YOU 1-3

We lose 2-4.

Junior Muhammed goes out with injury for the rest of the season.

Ditto Reece Christian.

I resign immediately.

[Izulde]

IFK Timra - Swedish Second Division North

There's 3 games left in the season and they're just barely above relegation playoffs, so the pressure is on me to produce quickly for this bleeding money club.

The town of just over 10,000 is located on the Indalsalven River where it meets the Gulf of Botnia on the east central coast of Sweden.

With no nickname, the team has also sold off their best player for nothing due to financial straits. Irritating, but it is what it is.

So uh, there's evidently elections for Chairman here. Interesting.

Oh, and the board expects a mid-table finish. Laugh.

vs Solleftea GIF (7th)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Tim Collden/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Axel Westman/Victor Selander/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

8 - Selander steals the ball and goes right to Mohammed. Pass into the box to Ahlin. Two defenders overshoot him, giving space for his first score of the season 1-0

11 - Everyone is screaming that was a horseshit penalty and of course they convert 1-1

22 - Not surprised 1-2

40 - SMH 1-3

91 - Olofsson, the star, crosses to Ahlin for a too late last second secore 2-3

Our backline, which is supposed to be the strength of this team, was PITIFUL. OH AND THAT PENALTY WAS INDEED BULLSHIT! WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN A DRAW OUT OF THIS!

vs Skelleftea FF (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Erik Grahm/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Mohammed Hadi/Daniel Andersson/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

15 - Beyan, who is retiring, charges to intercept a clearance and on the cross, their keeper falls down, leaving an empty net for Nordin to pop it in 1-0

53 - HE WAS OFFSIDES!!!! 1-1

We played pretty well, all things considered.

@ Soderhamns FF (9th)
G: Johan Sjoberg
D: Cevin Dotson/Erik Grahm/Fredrik Ljuslander/Ridwan Beyan
M: Phillip Olofsson (Training)/Mohammed Hadi/Daniel Andersson/Faress Mohammed
S: Robin Nordin/Jonathan Ahlin

11 - This team just has no talent 0-1

[b]25[/b- Absolutely none 0-2

81 - Too little, too late again, this time by Olofsson. Sigh 1-2

Fortunately, we manage to stay up and I can start reconstructing this club from the bottom up - starting with finding an actual Chief Scout. I also begin clearing out all the contracts on the club to start fresh. We get a 13 JPA/10 JPP Chief Scout by signing a player whom we convince to hang up his boots.

So the board's chairman is re-elected with ease because most of the fans skipped voting. Uh, okay. They also take out an $70k loan, which pisses me off.

Transfers Out
DL Cevin Dotson (31) - $3k transfer fee
DC Tim Collden (30) - $1k transfer fee
DC/DM/MC Mohammed Hadi (21) - $2.6k transfer fee*
Star Player Philip Olafsson (30something) - Don't talk to me about this

*Note: I didn't want to get rid of him, but he was asking for double his salary and was an expiring contract, so I had to offload him while I could still get a smidgen of value.

Transfers In
DCR Anton Johansson (17) - From Bergnaisets AIK - Free
Trash reserve, but only $550 P/A, plus $2 appearance fee and $2 shutout bonus. Does have 10 Decisions and 12 Work Rate

ST John Stromberg (17) - From Ullareds IK - Free
14 Determination, 16 Flair, 16 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate, 10 Acceleration, 11 Pace. My staff thinks he's trash. I think he's going to be an exciting player who makes $10 per appearance, $2 goal bonus, $2 unused substitute fee. He's an absolute steal of a signing by my lights.

MR/AMR Martin Andersson (22) - From Syrianska IF Kerburan - Free
15 Acceleration, 13 Pace, 13 Flair is all you need to know about why I signed him. $3.5k contract and he's at least equal to the scrub we're trying to offload who makes $8k - over double. Plus, the kid has upside.

ML/AML Goran Gustafsson (22) - From Boo FK - Free
Say hello to your new star player, folks:


I'm excited about this dude. Oh, and the general rule of thumb for making money:

Player salary <= Match Money

Which is... $39,179.

Right now our payroll is much higher than that at $130k - hence why we're losing so much money.

ST Andreas Klingberg (17) - From Orebro Syriasnka IF - Free
$11/$2/$2 paychecks for 11 First Touch, 16 Flair, and 13 Acceleration. He'll figure in, too. 3* upside, so this is a legitimate cheapass get.

MLC/AMLC William Walemark (17) - From Asarums IF - $1.5k
I dipped into the payroll budge to give myself a transfer fee to land this kid. Raw, but high upside - 12 Flair, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, and just $550 for the year.

Our spending is now down to $90k, but we can't manage to offload our other veterans, even for free. Still, we've done yeoman's work chopping it down this far, and while our team is probably even weaker than last year in terms of current talent, we're in the process of setting ourselves up for the future.

[Izulde]

Loans - $250 a year
DLCR Patric Broberg (17) - From Gunnillse IS
12 Aggression, 17 Bravery, 10 Decisions, 13 Teamwork, 14 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 10 Stamina. Our primary backup at all 3 backline spots, I think this is going to be a fun kid to watch.

DLCR Philip Martinsson (17) - From IFK Aspudden-Tellus
11 Teamwork and 14 Jumping Reach. Not too exciting and will be a last choice option.

MC Fredrik Nilsson (17) - From Vasteras SK
13 Passing, 10 Vision, 11 Acceleration, 10 Pace, 13 Flair. Intriguing kid who also has the makings of a great MR which I'll start training him in.

Loans - Free
Two of these guys are from GIF Sundsvall, our Swedish Premier League parent club who pays us a little over $19k a year in sponsorship money. I tried to get another parent club, but the board couldn't find one. We also have a feeder club, whom I may cut ties with (more on that later).

ML/AML Viktor Ek (18) - From GIF Sundsvall
10 Crossing, Flair, Teamwork; 12 Vision, Stamina, and Free Kicks. A capable backup to Goran Gustafsson on the left wing and a candidate to play the MC spot, which he'll train in. In fact, I really want to get his free kicks on the field, so I might run him out in a starting lineup.

DM/MC Adrian Sandstrom (17) - From GIF Sundsvall
11 Tackling, 18 Determination!, 15 Bravery, 11 Work Rate, 12 Pace and Flair. A bit of a weird duck. I'll train him as a B2B MC and see how that goes.

AMC/ST Sebastian Larsson (18) - From IFK Varnamo
11 Dribbling and Decisions, 12 Aggression and Flair, 10 Stamina. Our third striker for now.

Yet More Transfers In
DLC Filip Lidner (24) - From IFK Aspudden-Tellus - Free
$5.5k a year as a Key Player through 2027. 14 Decisions, 10 Determination, 12 Work Rate, 11 Strength, and a "Complete Role Model for Younger Players" and "Model Professional". Say hello dreamboat tutor! I'm going to have him tutor like EVERYONE I can.

DC Lukas Holuj (17) - From BKV Norrtalje - Free
$450 plus $50 signing bonus - 10 Marking, 10 Heading, 11 Bravery, Jumping Reach, and Stamina. Low Determination kid who will be a prime tutee target of Lidner. I expect to see him get a lot of playing time.

ST Simon Bjur (24) (Danish)
$6.5k as a Key Player the next two years due to his 10 Finishing and Work Rate, 11 Anticipation, Decisions, and Acceleration, and 12 Off the Ball. My staff is eh on him, but I think his attributes will make him a star here for a couple of seasons. He hasn't gotten his chance after being a First Divison South castoff.

DCR Robin Ljungberg (17) - From IS Halmia - $1k Transfer Fee
I went ahead and dipped into the funds to bring this kid in. 11 Tackling, 12 Aggression, 17 Teamwork, 15 Work Rate, 15 Jumping Reach, 10 Positioning and Stamina. $550 for the year.

GK Erik Goransson (17) - From Vasteras IK - Free Transfer
Usual $550 contract. 11 Command of Area, 12 Handling, 13 Reflexes, 14 Agility. Raw, but high upside prospect who I signed because our $12k salary keeper is 33 and on the verge of retirement. I'd like to get a better keeper in, but *shrugs*.

That's enough shopping, as our wage bill has crept up to around $105k.

Oh, and I scrapped our youth setup - $11k+ a year doesn't sound like much compared to *cough* Guatemala, but we're already in the red, so every penny we don't have to spend is worth it, even with the cheap deals the kids offer over multiple seasons.

This year is going to roll by slowly because I loaded the Level 23 English leagues for this season, with the possibility of going there - and it killed the speed of my game from its prior versions. It'll take until next season to clear it.

Lukas Holuj, who starts off as a Low Determination player, eagerly agrees to tutoring from Filip Lidner.

3 players all want #2. FFS. I give it to Lukas Holuj in hopes that helps his tutoring go better.

My staff's suggestions are for the 4-4-2 and 4-5-1, with no third formation. Er, okay. We'll go with the 4-5-1 as our primary setup.

Preseason
Friendlies go pretty well overall resultswise, I think. Two games to note:

vs Ostersunds FK
We paid them $2.5k to come here. 303 people showed up, netting us about $2.6k in gate receipts so it ends up being a complete wash and probably a waste of time.

@ GIF Sundsvall
We're paid $3.5k by our parent club to come to their place for a beatdown. Is that better than hosting them and keeping all the gate receipts? I'm not sure - it's an experiment for next year. It takes our balance from slightly in the red to back in the black, however.

Martin Andersson quickly is emerging as the star player for our side in preseason. If I can keep his wages down, he's a guy I might want to keep around long-term. He has 7 goals and 1 assist in 11 friendly appearances.

Victor Selander gets the captain's armband for his last season, with Filip Lindner the Model Professional as Vice-Captain. Look for Lindner to take over the captaincy next year. Selander and Lindner are both thrilled with their assignments, and it goes down well with the rest of the squad, too.

I laugh my assman out of the room when he suggests a formation with a DM. It's like no, bruh. No. We have no one even remotely capable of doing a good job there.

Board wants a mid-table position, which I personally think is wack. But we'll see.

@ Anundsjo IF
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Linus Ljuslinder*/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Adrian Sandstrom/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

* - denotes old fart holdover

28 - Gustafsson is facing pressure from a defender, so he outlets right to Bjur. Hold and then kick back to Gustafsson for an eye-popping cross that streaking Andersson connects with and slams in for a debut goal!!!! Wow, I guess that's why he was so dominant in preseason 1-0

39 - Bad set piece defending 1-1

57 - Larsson for Bjur; Naslund for Ljuslinder

60 - Lindner throws in to Gustafsson and a beautiful box delivery bounces the ball into the path of Nilsson for the debut goal! 2-1

85 - Holuj raises his hand to take the clearance and he does, booming it down the middle of the pitch to Larsson. Dribble and furious ball booted down the left flank for Gustafsson to grab. His cross is headed away, but he retrieves the rebound and re-centers it for Larsson to head in his own debut goal!!! 3-1

No question on PotM - Goran Gustafsson with a 9.0, racking up all 3 assists and functioning as exactly the kind of star I hoped he'd be. 8.0 for Fredrik Nilsson, 7.7 for Martin Andersson, and 7.1 off the bench for Sebastian Larsson.

We were slight underdogs coming into the open, so to pull off this massive upset is amazing. But we play again in 3 days, so it's a very quick turnaround. Good thing I stocked up on all these loanees and whatnot.

I also belatedly set up an on the pitch tutoring relationship between Johan Sjoberg and Erik Goransson, his heir apparent. The faster the kid can get up to speed, the better.

[Izulde]

Can't sleep so will get some games in.

vs Solleftea GIF (10th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Daniel Naslund*/Linus Ljuslinder*/Robin Ljungberg
M: Viktor Ek/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur

Adjusting some guys due to short rest, and I'd rather conserve our ancient keeper because it's a 26 game season.

18 - Andersson passes right to Nilsson for the pass to Bjur in the half circle. Box feed to Mohammed and the soft shot finds its way into the net. 1-0

55 - Holuj replaces Ljuslinder; Lindner shifts inside to DC, and Broberg gets his first official action at DL after preseason injury

88 - Mohammed sails the free kick to Broberg in the box. He's drilled, drawing a PK that Nilsson converts!!! 2-0

9.0 PotM for Fredrik Nilsson, 8.3 for Faress Mohammed, and 7.8 for Simon Bjur as our three stars. I'm really loving this 4-5-1 setup far more than I thought I would.

We're one of just two teams in the Swedish Second Division North to win our first two matches. Impressive, considering we were slated to finish 12th in relegation playoffs.

We sell 165 season tickets, just short of last season's 169 mark.

@ Bergnasets AIK (7th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

62 - Ljungberg moves out to DR with Naslund in at DC. Larsson replaces Bjur

64 - Andersson lofts the ball into the box over the head of a leaping defender. Gustafsson takes it and crosses to Andersson for the easy score 1-0

74 - We suck at set pieces 1-1

80 - Wow, that was a bullshit red card on Naslund. Back out to DL is Lindner, with Holuj the lone DC and Selander dropping to DM to give them some more help.

Really tough draw we didn't deserve. One mistake cost us the game.

vs Skelleftea FF ((9th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder*/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Adrian Sandstrom/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur

21 - And this is where the decline starts 0-1

49 - Bleh. Larsson for Bjur; Holuj for Ljuslinder but this game is already over 0-2

66 - Just one of those games where nothing works 0-3

80 - And I mean nothing 0-4

88 - Sure, add that own goal by Holuj. I mean why not? 0-5

"The ref blows the whistle on a woeful second half for IFK Timra" No shit.

We're bleeding money still. Oh, and I'm only Stable despite the fact we're off to a firecracker start (dud last game notwithstanding) and are sitting 4th in the standings, 5 points and GD away from the drop with 4 of 26 games played.

[Izulde]

vs Hudikvallis FF (13th)
G: Erik Goransson
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

21 - Walemark hits the free kick into the box, and the ball bounces just right to evade the keeper and allow Bjur to *finally* score his first Timra goal!!! 1-0

49 - Don't call for the fucking assignment and then blow it! Broberg for Lindner, Ljungberg yanked for Holug. Ugh. 1-1

62 - Beyan puts it down the right flank for Daniel Andersson, box delivery connecting with Bjur between two defenders, and he scores his second goal! 2-1

65 - Walemark outlets back to Selander for the pass in the half-circle to Daniel Andersson. Box feed to Martin Andersson doesn't go as intended, as our right winger slide tackles the ball away from the defender... and much to everyone's amazement, the ball rolls into the opposite corner of the net for the insurance 3-1

86 - That shit was on Broberg all the way 3-2

9.0 PotM for William Walemark, 8.2 for Daniel Andersson, and 8.8 for Simon Bjur. We were actually underdogs here, so it was nice to pull out the win and move up to 3rd.

@ Bodens BK (13th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

Ljungberg moves to DR with Holug in at DC because Beyan has been dreadful in the first half. For some reason, despite our position in the league, everyone is Eeyoreing. I don't understand it.

58 - Ugh. Sandstrom in for Selander and we're playing like shit 0-1

64 - Nilsson has the ball after two shots get blocked by various players and passes to Martin Andersson in the box. Cross to Gustafsson, who has a time trapping and controlling it, but when he finally does, he cracks it in for his first Timra score! 1-1

78 - Larsson in for Bjur

Unlucky not to win. Drop to 5th.

Imagine my shock when I'm listed as the odds-on favorite to take over League 1 side Swindon Town.

@ Pitea IF (8th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg/Ridwan Beyan*
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur

25 - I don't know why my defenses are so terrible in this universe 0-1

51 - Sucking at set pieces has a lot do with it 0-2

53 - It's one of those games. Beyan off, Ljungberg at DR; Holuj in. Off goes Bjur for Larsson although it doesn't matter 0-3

72 - Larsson scores, but it's meaingless 1-3

80 - Martin Andersson floats in the free kick and Ljuslinder scores his first goal. Too little, too late. 2-3

Time to make some adjustments to the starting lineup. Or maybe implementing a 4-4-2? Not sure.

@ IFK Ostersund (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

46 - Daniel Andersson passes right to Nilsson, who sees an opening on the left side and pops the ball softly left. Gustafsson reads the game well, gets it, and fires in the score! 1-0

54 - Holuj is in for Ljuslinder, whilst Sandstrom subs in for Selander

59 - We reset on the throw-in by passing back to Sjoberg. Booming kick finds Larsson for the wingout left to Gustafsson. Defense is on him like flies on computer screen, but he centers into the box, and Larsson adds the insurance! 2-0

67 - That looked offsides to me but WTF do I know? 2-1

Massive upset of a superior team, geared by Goran Gustafsson's 9.0 PotM and an 8.0 by Fredrik Nilsson, who has been the surprise of the season.

Back up to 5th in what is a very tightly packed upper table. The top team has 16 points, we have 14 points, and two teams behind us have 13 points - That's 3 points separating 1st and 7th, with another 3 points then separating 8th and 9th with 10 points.

[Izulde]

vs Harnosands FF (3rd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Sebastian Larsson

Martin Andersson is out a month and half to two months with a sports hernia. Fredrik Nilsson is out with a strained wrist.

7 - We suck at set pieces 0-1

Mohammed is hurt shortly before half. Walemark moves out to MR, Selander slides to the MC support role, and Sandstrom comes in as the BWM.

54 - Holuj for Ljuslinder

We were absolute trash on offense today. No highlights there.

vs Sandvikens IF (11th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/William Walemark
S: Sebastian Larsson

Yeah we're having to start the guy I'm training to be a MR because we've been that hard hit by injuries.

30 - That was an easily stoppable goal. 0-1

58 - Beyan for Ljungberg; Sandstrom for Selander

75 - Nilsson goes off with injury, leaving us with a 5-3-2 and Holuj as the fifth backline member

87 - First Broberg fails to get the ball. Then he gives away a PK to seal the game 0-2

I take one last look over the English clubs that are available before I decide to stay here. I have a chance to remake this team into a fiscally responsible one next season. Everyone else would involve more lengthy courses.

@ Selangers FK (11th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/William Walemark
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

I'm going to be totally honest. I hate the way the 4-5-1 plays and I think it's caused our strikers to be utter shit out there. So we're switching to the 4-4-2.

5 - Andersson to Selander, who recovered two lost possessions on this sequence. Pass to Larsson in the box, only it's tackled away. Loose ball rolls to Bjur and the open net is his. Score one for the 4-4-2. 1-0

63 - You know what I also hate? The bright yellow, unreadable text of our second uniforms. Anyway, Ek in for Gustafsson; Holuj for Ljuslinder

A solid, if unremarkable win to break the drought. Victor Selander is PotM with a 7.7.

Multiple teams in the division approach our Chief Scout. I'm *pissed*. I'm the one who found this guy and convinced him to quit playing and become a scout. Buzz off, assholes!

It doesn't work. He leaves for a bigger payday, and we get $3.1k in compensation. We'll operate without a Chief Scout the rest of the way, as I don't plan to dig into the transfer market.

vs Friska Viljor FC (6th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

21 seconds - Gustafsson dribbles out to the left wing, then kicks ahead to Broberg, who is an attacking position. Center to Larsson, and the shot's shoved aside, but Bjur is there to sink the open net rebound 1-0

2 - Bitchass immediate answer 1-1

5 - Ljungberg atones for his earlier screwup by dribbling down the right flank and cracking a searing cross that Gustafsson runs down and walks in. 2-1

23 - Bjur heads a corner clearance back down to Larsson in the box. He scores and does a Happy Feet dance with fist pump 3-1

55 - I just shouted "That was offsides!" and the assistant ref lifted his flag up. FUCK YEAH AND FUCK YOU!

57 - Holuj for Ljuslinder; Ljungberg shifts inside to DC, and Beyan comes in. I just realized why our FBs were overlapping on those attacks - they're set to Automatic duty. Oops.



Our first dominant win.

This is how swingy the table has been. We dropped to 8th after our two losses, and now the two wins after our victory, we're up in 4th and just 2 points behind the league leaders.

@ Anundsjo IF (1st)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed*
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

This game marks the halfway point of the season. If we lose, we could fall as far as 9th. Win, and we might even take the top spot. It's been an insane, wide-open first half in the Second Division North.

52 - Shit! Just before I can get the sub in to pull Broberg, they score on his fuckup 0-1

61 - Ek for Gustafsson

We were honestly pretty unlucky out there. Should have pulled at least a draw. But we lost, and plummet to 8th we go.

@ Soderhamns FF (8th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Viktor Ek/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Faress Mohammed
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

Shaking things up a bit.

57 - Walemark for Mohammed; Beyan for Ljungberg

83 - FUCK YOU ON THAT FLUKE GOAL BULLSHIT!!!!! 0-1

Such a fucking bullshit ripoff that was.

@ Solleftea GIF (12th
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

30 - Christ on a crutch we're shit at set piece defending 0-1

53 - Ljuslinder for Lindner; Bjur is off for Ahlin and some striker adjustments up front

So god damned fucking frustrating.

Daniel Andersson is out on yellows next game.

@ Skelleftea FF (6th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

30 seconds - ....... 0-1

50 - Can't wait for this season to be over 0-2

60 - I make subs that won't matter

75 - Andersson with a beautiful rocket to Larsson. He dribbles, then fires a shot just outside the box that goes in and gives us a lifeline 1-2

92 - Ahin you fucknozzle IF YOU STAYED ONSIDES WE'D BE WALKING OUT OF HERE WITH A POINT!

The fans want me to change to a different formation, even though our losses have been INCREDIBLY NARROW

We're in 9th and hold a team meeting to up morale, which we do.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by Izulde

55 - I just shouted "That was offsides!" and the assistant ref lifted his flag up. FUCK YEAH AND FUCK YOU! … 83 - FUCK YOU ON THAT FLUKE GOAL BULLSHIT!!!!! 0-1 Such a fucking bullshit ripoff that was. … So god damned fucking frustrating. … 92 - Ahin you fucknozzle IF YOU STAYED ONSIDES WE'D BE WALKING OUT OF HERE WITH A POINT!

Disappointing showing on the pitch. The lack of variety in profane outbursts is even worse. The F-word isn't the only swearword. Get some creativity :P

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Disappointing showing on the pitch. The lack of variety in profane outbursts is even worse. The F-word isn't the only swearword. Get some creativity :P

I will strive to improve my swearing game. :P

vs Bergnasets AIK (7th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
M: Goran Gustafsson/Fredrik Nilsson/Victor Selander*/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

7 - Nilsson brilliantly takes the ball back after a strip and passes to Bjur for a 1v1 in the box. Shoots it right at the keeper and the ball bounces loose. Gustasfsson moves in and puts away the rebound 1-0

8 - Shitstain immediate answer. Such horseshit, esp. since we're defensive 1-1

38 - WHERE THE HELL IS THE GOD DAMN SET PIECE DEFENSE?! 1-2

51 - Bjur is off with injury. Ahlin on, and Beyan for Ljungberg

89 - Another fucking set piece disaster 1-3

93 - I mean, he's been ass poor anyways, but Ahlin ankle twist

Simon Bjur wrecked his spine and is probably done for the year. Jonathan Ahlin is out a month and a half.

vs Bodkens BK (14th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Santstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Goran Gustafsson/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

So I finally gave to my staff and go with the 4-2-3-1 DM Wide. I mean, what have we got to lose at this point? We've crashed to 4th and have lost five straight games.

11 - Everyone on defense just stood there 0-1

56 - Stromberg for Klingburg; Ek for Goransson

58 - Larsson kicks back to Broberg and takes the return pass just outside the box. Pass to Ek and we *finally* have a ball go in after like three shots cracking off the post or bar. 1-1

80 - Ljuslinder for Selander

My name comes up with a relegation-threatened Swedish Premier vacancy.

Patrick Broberg is out next game with yellows.

@ Hudiksvalis FF (12th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Filip Lindner/Robin Ljungberg/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Sandstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Viktor Ek/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

35 - Gee, another shitty set piece goal given up 0-1

51 - This team sucks 0-2

62 - Martin Andersson dribbles past the defender and crosses to Ek for the score 1-2

End Result - Mentoring - Lindner and Holuj
Holuj said he was a little disappointed, but he went from a low Determination individual to 10 Determination and switched to being a Professional personality.

@ Harnosands FF (2nd)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Adrian Sandstrom/Victor Selander*
AM: Viktor Ek/Sebastian Larsson/Martin Andersson
S: Andreas Klingburg

28 - We're awarded a PK and Lindner converts for his first Timra goal. Did I even establish my set piece takers? Dunno. 1-0

48 - Now Andersson gives up a PK, but Sjoberg actually stops it!!!

56 - Gustafsson for Ek; Ljungberg for Holuj

Finally the streak is broken, and we move up to 9th. More critically, with 6 games left, we've bought ourselves a 4 point cushion on relegation playoffs.

...So my staff, who has been bitching at me for WEEKS to use the current formation now says "Oh, that's not suitable at all. You should play the 4-5-1."



Eat whale dick, shitbrains.

[Izulde]

vs Pitea IF (8th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

41 - Holuj with the gorgeous, booming free kick left to Gustafsson in the box. He dribbles to the touchline, then crosses for Larsson to slam it in 1-0

52 - Gustafsson hammers the counter down the middle of the pitch to Nilsson. Shot deflection is so hard, Gustafsson rushes in and puts away the long rebound! 2-0

59 - Sandstrom in for Selander

72 - Ljungberg for Beyan after the dude just sat there and didn't go for a clearance

9.0 PotM goes to Fredrik Nilsson, who I'd love to lock-in long-term after his loan. 9.0 for Goran Gustafsson, too, with 7.7 Daniel Andersson rounding out the third star.

7 point cushion on relegation playoffs with 5 to play.

vs IFK Ostersund (1st)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

54 - Ljungberg for Beyan

60 - Oh look. A SET PIECE GOAL GIVEN UP! GEE WHILLIKERS! 0-1

73 - Walemark for Daniel Andersson

That was a tough, hard loss to bad luck. Even the media said so.

We lock up Martin Andersson on another year the same $3.5k a year rate. Probably could have convinced him to take a paycut, but I'm not a dick, and he's been one of our best players.

@ Sandvikens IF (10th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/William Walemark/Victor Selander*/Daniel Andersson*/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

Out with injury is Fredrik Nilsson. Great, but brittle player.

8 - Horseshit PK call but Sjoberg stops it.

46 - MOTHERFSJDFSJFWFSJAFDKLS ANOTHER BUTT-RAPING SET PIECE GOAL GIVEN UP JUST BEFORE HALF 0-1

65 - Sandstrom for Selander; Stromberg for Larsson

Two bitter losses have put us just 3 points ahead of the relegation playoffs.

Erik Goransson signs a year extension that pays him $1.2k. Double his previous wage, but he's worth it.

vs Selangers FK (13th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

2 - So.damned.frustrating. 0-1

Sandstrom on for tired Nilsson at half and midfield shuffling.

67 - Ljuslinder for Holuj

@ Friska Viljor FC (4th)
G: Johan Sjoberg*
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Linus Ljuslinder/Ridwan Beyan*
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Victor Selander*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Sebastian Larsson

41 - Raise your hand if you expect a set piece goal given up. 0-1

56 - And now we're playing in relegation playoffs 0-2

vs Soderhamns FF (7th)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Faress Mohammed
S: Johan Stromberg/Sebastian Larsson

It all comes down to this.

70 - Ljungberg shifts in, replacing Lindner, and Beyan comes on at DR. Bjur replaces Stromberg

Everyone agrees we should have won. We COMPLETELY outplayed them. But no soap.

We're going to the playoffs and I have no idea how this is going to work. Our group is two Third Division teams.

I'm under serious pressure from a board that allegedly gives managers a long leash.

vs IFK Olme (Playoffs Group 1 Game 1)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

26 - Broberg blasts it down the left flank to Bjur, and the cross finds Larsson for the score 1-0

28 - Martin Andersson has a lot of defenders to try and move around, which he does, and on the cross, Gustafsson hits the angry score 2-0

54 - Sandstrom on for Daniel Andersson. Out is Lindner for Ljungberg shift, and Beyan bounces on

7.9 PotM for Goran Gustafsson, 7.6 for Fredrik Nilsson and 7.5 by Sebastian Larsson

@ Sparvagens FF (Relegation Playoffs Group 1)
G: Eric Goransson
D: Patric Broberg/Filip Lindner/Lukas Holuj/Robin Ljungberg
DM: Goran Gustafsson/Daniel Andersson*/Fredrik Nilsson/Martin Andersson
S: Simon Bjur/Sebastian Larsson

Despite the win, a bad result here and I'm out.

11 - Nilsson to Larsson in the half circle. Box feed to Martin Andersson and we're up 1-0

26 - Broberg to Nilsson for the blast left. Bjur signals he'll take it and he does, centering. Larsson rises up to outjump two defenders and knock in the insurance goal 2-0

36 - Martin Andersson throws in to Larsson, then runs to get the return backheel pass. Cross and Gustafsson heads it in. 3-0

48 - Martin Andersson kicks back to Ljungberg for the beautiful bouncing ball into the box. Larsson runs it down and slots the score 4-0

89 - Larsson has five defenders on him, so he outlets to Martin Andersson for the rainbow box delivery right at Bjur's feet, and the rout is complete 5-0



We had our best game ever when it counted most.

Player of the Year Voting
Fredrik Nilsson - 36%
Goran Gustafsson - 32%
Daniel Andersson - 22%







I sign a one year contract extension at the same price. Martin Andersson is thrilled I'm staying on.

Loan Extensions
Fredrik Nilsson - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Sebastian Larsson - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Patric Broberg - 100% of wages - $450 for the year
Adrian Sandstrom - $0
Viktor Ek - $0

We go our usual route of convincing a player to hang up his boots in landing a 10 JPA/9 JPP Chief Scout. He inks for two years at $3k/season.

An $18k tax bill on profits but we pick up a $21k sponsorship worth roughly the old rate of $20.79k and we bounce from $17k in the red to $8.2k in the black.

Our gate receipts last season were a paltry $28.8k, so it's going to be a very tight budget - the board's willingness of $300k notwithstanding.

Goran Gustafsson wants half that budget on a new deal. I'm like um, no, and promptly offer him out to other clubs.

Transfer In - DM/MC Roger Jonasson (17) - From Skoftebyns IF - $1.5k transfer fee
10 First Touch, Tackling, and Technique, 14 Aggression, 11 Composure, 10 Decisions, 13 Leadership, and an eye-popping 14 Acceleration/12 Pace combo. We've got him locked down for 3 years at $3k per year, which I think is a huge steal. He'll pair with Fredrik Nilsson in the central midfield most likely.

Transfer In - DC David Linder (17) - From Skiljebo SK - Free transfer
12 Heading, 10 Tackling, 12 Aggression, 11 Decisions, 10 Jumping Reach. He has a long, long way to go but he's locked up for 3 years at $550 per/year. There will be ample opportunities for him to grow into what he's capable of.

We're at $31.5k in salaries after we clear everyone out of the club. If we were at ~$40k in gate receipts, I'd give Goran Gustafsson the five figures he's asking for, but we're not. I also rejected two lowball transfer offers for him.

Oh and my shitty staff actually wanted payraises to stay. LOL GTFO.

[Brian Swartz]

Might it have actually been better to have that kind of great showing before the playoffs so you could have, you know, not been stuck in them to begin with? Still, good job staying up and all that. Have fun with the financial crunch.

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Might it have actually been better to have that kind of great showing before the playoffs so you could have, you know, not been stuck in them to begin with? Still, good job staying up and all that. Have fun with the financial crunch.

Financial crunch is right, buuuuut..... well, you'll see.

[Izulde]

So I bring in a ton of loans, am all set to go for next season, when I suddenly can't land a single assistant manager. I put an ad out. 3 months later, still no responses. It's preseason - we have no friendlies, no preparation, no coaching staff, and the board has me at Insecure.

So I say screw it and jump ship:


Liga Athletic FC Reds

Are those oranges? Are they cherries? Who knows? In any case, I've leapt to Malta First Division last place team Liga Athletic. I have exactly 5 matches to make up an 8 point deficit and stay up, or it's down to the Second Division.

Gate receipts here are a little over $1k, and of course everyone's on a PPA deal making too much money. A reaping will occur this offseason, oh yes. And it's already started by firing my shitty assman for a great one, and canning the usual crappy Head of Youth Development. We'll be scrapping the youth system, too.

I'll just quickly summarize what happens the last six games.

Match 1: 1-0 home win over the #6 team in the league, snapping a drought of 17 games without a win
Match 2: Massive 1-0 road upset of the #2 team in the league to tie us on points with 13th place, also a drop spot
Match 3: 0-1 road loss to 11th team with our starting goalie out on yellows. Also we missed our second as of many PKs since I've started

We're officially relegated and I don't want to deal with the hassle of PPAs, so I resign and hang out on the beaches, growing out my beard and listening to '90s and '00s pop music.

Fort Road opens up and I go and interview about possibly coming back. The chairman is kind of an asshole, however. Then they lowball me on their offer, so I say fuck it and walk away. You can't really go home again, anyway.

IFK Timra ruins my careful financial planning by adding $35k+ in salary and they're 13th in the league anyway, fighting to avoid relegation. LOL.

...Aaaand they get relegated. I'm laughing my ass off.

I interview for Finn Harps but they refuse to set up a link with a parent club, so I'm out.

Then I join an Estonian team but the registration is bugged and won't work.

So I'm closing up this dynasty because that *really* pisses me off. Time to start fresh with something else.