A Fairy Tale of French Roses: FM16

[Izulde]

January 4th Post-Christmas Transfer Presents
Transfer In - DC Francois-Xavier Nguidjel (20) (Cameroonian)
13 Marking, 12 Tackling, 13 Bravery, 12 Decisions, 15 Determination, 13 Positioning, 14 Jumping Reach, and every physical attribute is 9 or higher, with just one below 10. 8 U20 caps. Will only ever play DC, and has never really gotten a chance to show what he can do. Funny thing is - he could challenge Gjoko Zajkov for the starting spot right now.

Transfer In - DLC/ML Alsney Camara (32) (Guinean) (From UA Cognac)
20 caps for Guinea, though he's past his prime and looked overmatched at the CFA 2 level. Very good all-around mentally and physically, but he's largely here to provide positional flexibility off the bench for the second half of the season. He'll get released in the offseason.

Transfer In - ST/MR Robin L'Excellent (23) (From USON Mondeville)
I'm going to be totally honest. I literally signed him because his name is AWESOME! Literally that's one of the best names I've ever seen in FM. Very good player at this level, and reasonable at CFA 2 level. 13 Dribbling, 11 Finishing, 11 Long Shots, 10 Concentration, 12 Decisions, 13 Flair, 16 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, and while his jumping, stamina, and strength are all suspect, he's beautiful physically outside of those three areas - as in all 12s and 13s. This kid's versatility to play two spots will get him some sub time for sure.

Transfer In - DL Steven Da Veiga (23) (Cape Verdean)
This kid is lighting fast for a DL - 13 Pace, 12 Acceleration - in fact, only his Jumping and Fitness are below 10 in terms of physical attributes. 12 Long Throws, 12 Tackling, and of his mental attributes, only Flair, Vision, and Concentration are below 10, and even the last is 9. I'm really, really excited about this young man with a lone senior cap. He's a good CFA 2 player now and has a world of potential. Obviously the new starting fullback on the left side, and we suddenly turn that into a strength.

Transfer In - ST/AML Issam Zerhouni (18) (Moroccan)
11 Corners, 14 Finishing, 13 Free Kicks, 11 Pace. A wealth of upside, but he has a long, long way to go before he can reach it. Right now, he's the single worst striker on the team, so I'll let him season himself on the Reserves. If we manage to promote and turn semipro, he'll get a contract and loaned out. 8 caps for the U20 team, and I do love his set pieces skills a whole lot.

[b]Transfer In - AMC/MC/AMR Sebastien Salles-Lamonge (22)
I'm just gonna leave this here:


Yes, he has his flaws, but he's the most technically gifted player we've ever had at the club. CFA 2 level now, and he can become even better. Really exciting dude.

An avalanche of changes erupts across the squad, including shifting from our 3-1-3-2 DM traditional formation to a 3-4-1-2. We've gone from a roster that was missing a lot of depth to suddenly being able to field a powerhouse team even if we have to dip into the backups. I thought it was going to be a comparatively quiet year for signings, but as the results have shown, we needed to infuse both the lineup and the subs with fresh new talent.

vs Le Poire-sur-Vie VF Reserves (12th)
G: Maxime Pattier
D:Steven Da Veiga/Gjoko Zajkov/Oscar Olou
M: Andrew Sanogo/Najib Gandi/Mathieu Coquin/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Malhory Noc/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

New year, new team, new formation. It was a tough decision, but I felt like L'Excellent deserved his shot to prove he's superior to Thibault Rambaud. Still holding on to his spot because it's evidently damn hard for me to find left wingers is Andrew Sanogo. Oh, BTW, Madigoundo Diakite got over being angry at me and is willing to come back, because no one else will sign him. Too bad, dude. You caused problems and a tanking of morale, so you'll never play here again.

4 - L'Excellent was injured in the first two minutes, but it's playable. Here, Olou gets an interception of a clearance, and a straight line series of passes ensues - Olou to Salles-Lamonge to Coquin to Ndongo, and the last pass into the box finds Noc, who muscles past the defender to slam in a fiery mid-range shot for the debut goal!!! 1-0

16 - Coquin to Noc for the first touch lateral to Ndongo. Absolutely stunning leading pass in to the box, where Noc powers it behind the keeper! I can see why he has the highest average rating in the whole damn league, and if this keeps up, he'll run up the scoring charts, too. 2-0

Quick: Name the last time we got this good a production out of both our strikers for even a half. I'll have to check myself whenever I post this update and provide you that information later - safe to say, it's been quite a long while.

Kola replaces L'Excellent at half due to energy reasons.

63 - Coquin shifts to the left side of the central midfield, Salles-Lamonge drops to the right side of the CMs, and Mayala pops in from off the bench to be AMC

74 - JFC, Olou! Why the lazy shit on that backpass?! 2-1

We should have won by way more, but we'll take it. Malhory Noc is PotM in his debut with an 8.8, and Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo, who has yet to score in 3D, puts up a 7.9. They singlehandedly carried us, as everyone else was meh.

BTW, Saint-Nazaire AF just crushed their opponents 6-0. They're very much looking like the class of the league, and probably deserve to win.

Once again, Andrew Sanogo will miss a game due to yellows. He's also decreased in ability, so I'd really like to sign someone immediately to replace him.

Transfer Out - MLR/AMLR Luigi Bellanger (22) - To ES Nouaille-Maupertius
Remember when he was a hotshot star for us our first season? Well, he's finally off, heading to a DHR squad where he'll get playing time. I wish him all the best of luck.

Transfer Out - MC/AMC/DC Mathieu Coquin (21) (Guadeloupean) - To FC Bressuire
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He leaves for a God damned team on this same level! Sure, they're leading the league, but... but...

Transfer In - ML/AML Jason Gibon (25) - From Pacy Menilles
Stopgap. 11 Crossing, 11 First Touch, 10 Passing, 12 Technique, 13 Work Rate and Flair, 12 Acceleration, 11 Pace. I like him better than my scouts. Happiness is gone.

So we have to replace Mathieu Coquin as captain. Gjoko Zajkov is promoted from Vice-Captain to Captain, and Malhory Noc is appointed vice-captain. Zajkov feels pressured even though at 23, he's old enough to be a captain IMO. Most of the players on the roster are happy with the Macedonian international getting the nod, and Noc is absolutely thrilled. He also loves our style of play, by the way.

Transfer In - DM/MC Sessi D'Almedia (23) (Beninese) - From AS Mulsanne-Teloche
This salvages some of the hurt in losing Mathieu Coquin. 11 First Touch and Technique, 15 Bravery, 16 Determination, 11 Positioning, 17 Teamwork!, and only Jumping Reach is below 10 in physical attributes. 4 caps for Benin, and I think he can grow into a great player.

TV money bails us out in turning a slender $2.75k profit for the month. Despite our disappointments in the Coupe Atlantique and losing the league lead, I'm still Very Secure in my position.

@ Vendee Herbiers Reserves (10th)
G: Maxime Pattier
D:Steven Da Veiga/Gjoko Zajkov/Oscar Olou
DM: Sessi D'Almedia
M: Jason Gibon/Najib Gandi/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Malhory Noc/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

These guys just got their asses handed to them 0-6 by Saint-Nazaire AF, so they're spoiling for a rebound. We're back to our familiar 3-1-3-2 DM formation after Coquin's defection and D'Almedia's arrival. Still feels like I've been punched in the dick repeatedly with a sledgehammer.

29 - Ndongo runs down a long ball and dribbles into the box and just before the touchline, he stops and crosses, where charging Gibon drills in the debut goal!!! Nobody, least of all me, expected *that* to happen! Holy shit! 1-0

30 - Fucking D'Almedia had a late hit and drew a red card. FML.

57 - Mayembo goes on for tired Zajkov and Gboho replaces bad Noc

64 - L'Excellent makes a well, excellent, header down to Salles-Lamonge for the play up to Ndongo. Flare out right and L'Excellent runs it down, dribbling down the right flank until the booming cross sees Gboho beat the fuck out of the ball into the net for the short-range first ever Roses goal!!! 2-0

68 - L'Excellent laterals to Ndongo for the first touch continued horizontal pass to Gboho. Dude runs into the box, jukes the shit out of *two* defenders, and bangs in the mid-range goal!!! Ho.Lee.Shit!! 3-0

73 - Ndongo outlets right to L'Excellent for the run and long ground center back to Ndongo, and I *finally* get to see him score in 3D!!! 4-0

87 - Da Veiga played like shit the first 60 minutes, but has turned it on. Here, he cuts in to the middle of the pitch, dribbling. Beautiful pick set by Gandi, who then fetches the leading pass from the guy he just set up. Short dribble, and a 25 yarder goes in for his own first Roses goal!! PICK N ROLL SOCCER, MOTHERFUCKERS!!!! 5-0



Not pictured: Ambroise Gboho's epic 9.0 performance off the bench.

By the way, let's check out that pick and roll goal again.



Such beauty! It's all the more impressive when you consider that A) We were down a man, and B) With the exception of Maxime Pattier, Gjoko Zajkov, and Oscar Olou, no one who stepped on the pitch for us tonight has more than 8 appearances for us this season.

Saint-Nazaire AF gut-checks their way to a 1-0 road win, so with 9 matches to go, we're still 2 points behind. But also 4 points up on third place. So even though it's only been two games, we've bought ourselves some breathing room.

[Izulde]

So we open this segment with the following slap in the face:



...FML! And on top of it, I just lost a button to one of my favorite coats. And other things, one of which you can read about on Facebook if you're friends with me there. Folks, this has not been a good start to December 12th, 2017 real-life.

Granted, this is probably karma for the strikers I've stolen in the same situation. And I do have coverage thanks to gorging on signings/transfers when the window opened. But that's our second team captain in a short time to get sniped for nothing, and the Macedonian betrays us by joining the very team we're chasing.

Transfer Out - ML Sebastien Le Neun (31) - To FC Deolois
Jumps to another team on the same level. He was supposed to be a stopgap upgrade at one point, I think, but never played a game.

Transfer In - ML/AML Mathis Clement (22) - From TA Rennes
10 Crossing, 10 Dribbling, 12 First Touch, 10 Technique, great Mental attributes except for 1 Bravery, Physical attributes all 11 or higher with the exception of Strength (4) and Jumping Reach (6). Impressive 17 Natural Fitness! I haven't been happy with Andrew Sanogo lately, and this kid we stole from Ligue de Bretagne is not only better right now, but has a considerable amount of upside. We *finally* upgraded our winger spot on Transfer Deadline Day.

Transfer Out - ST Ibrahima Kouyate (24) (Guinean) - To La Fleche
Part-time guy for us the last two seasons. Maddeningly inconsistent, and I eventually lost faith in him. Fans are happy to see him go, as they were also unhappy with his frustrating inability to put it together on a regular basis.

Transfer In - MR/AMR Steve Shamal (22) (Algerian) - From UA Cognac
12 Crossing, 12 Dribbling, 13 First Touch, 13 Flair, 13 Technique, 14 Acceleration and 15 Pace!!! This kid is UH-MAZING technically and physically. Mental game needs a lot of work yet, but he's so much more gifted than Thibault Rambaud now and in terms of potential, it's ridiculous. Oh, BTW, he played for TVEC Les-Sables d'Olonne a couple years ago. So they've managed to acquire a ton of talent, but have big problems keeping it. Speaking of...

Transfer In - MR/WBR/DR Benoit Debato (26) (From TVEC Les-Sables d'Olonne
I actually did this just to be a dick and continue trolling the club we've raided the most often. He's appeared in all 13 league games for them, 7 as a starter. Nothing particularly exciting, though he might be able to challenge Thibault Rambaud for the backup MR spot.

Transfer Out - GK Maxime Pattier (22) - To Dinan Lehon FC - $17.5k
While we have a nearly as talented backup in Romain Cognan, this hurts. Pattier was the rock of our team and getting better and better all the time - he also had much higher upside. Can't fault him for taking the money, though, or for the leap up to CFA 2. Lost him with 45 fucking minutes to go. So close to keeping and locking him down.

Oft-injured Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo is appointed the new team captain, with Malhory Noc retaining the vice captain role. This pissed off Lamine Fall, who rightfully had a stronger claim to it, but I don't give backups captaincies. Plus, I thought it was pretty cool to have both my starting strikers as the team leaders. Predictably, Ndongo feels pressured by it, but he has the support of a lot of the team.

***End Transfer Deadline****

Transfer In - DR/WBR Kevin Van Den Kerhof (22) - From Pontivy Stade
We spend our Joker transfer on a very interesting kid, delaying a prospect I really like for a week so we could ink him instead. An eye-popping 18 Teamwork and 16 Strength makes him I think the strongest player to put on a Roses uniform in my tenure. Oh, and he's got NBA-level hops with 18 Jumping. 13 Marking, 12 Passing, 14 Tackling, 12 Technique. 14 Decisions, 12 Flair. Only problem is, he's pretty slow. I'm not sure how he'll work in our system, but I really, really like him and he'll start immediately.

@ ES Segre (9th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
M: Andrew Sanogo/Najib Gandi/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Malhory Noc/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

3 - Pattier would have stopped that shot 0-1

12 - Salles-Lamonge passes to Noc, who side steps and then threads a pass through two defenders to Ndongo in the box. Gorgeous shot goes in. 1-1

16 - Da Veiga throws in to Noc, who has two defenders breathing on him. Our vice captain laughs, centers to L'Excellent, who hits an excellent long range strike in the giant gap between two other defenders for his first ever Roses score!!! 2-1

32 - The hits just keep coming. Noc goes off with injury, and Gboho jogs on

55 - Wadja to Salles-Lamonge to Ndongo straight line, and then there's the beautiful leading pass into the box. Gboho dribbles right at the keeper and converts the insurance goal with ease. Super sub scoring magic continues! 3-1

63 - Ndongo passes to Wadja in the box, gets it back, and fires off a shot. It's pushed off to the right, where no one but a racing Sanogo is, and he nails the empty netter. It's been a good game for Salles-Lamonge, but he's tired and so he sits for Mayala to round out our subs unless another injury happens 4-1

Solid performance all across with the board, with our three stars PotM Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo (9.0), Robin L'Excellent (8.3), and Andrew Sanogo (7.6).

Shit. Malhory Noc is out 2-3 months. The prospect we have coming in summer won PotM in his debut for his current club, though. Also, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo is now CFA 2 playable, whereas Tsihorana Rabetsimialona drops in ability.

Sebastien Salles-Lamonge is out 2-3 months after injured in a reserves friendly, and the prospect we signed goes down for a month. Fuck.my.life.

vs TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne (4th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Oscar Olou
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Ambroise Gboho/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

These guys hate us so very, very much, and really want to kick our asses.

18 - Olou has a playable injury. Anyway, Gandi kicks it down to Wadja for the go ahead pass to Mayala. Further pass to Gboho just outside the box, and he dribbles in to fire the first score. 1-0

46 - Fucking fluke goal just after half 1-1

48 - That shit was on Cagnon, who continues to embarrass himself 1-2

58 - Cagnon is pulled for Foucher, Olou moves up into a DM spot, and Mayembo becomes a second DC as we go with a 2-5-1-2 DM setup. Da Veiga's trash ass sits

And yeah. That pretty much ends any hope we had at winning the title, as we're now 5 points behind Saint-Nazaire AF, who refuse to lose.

Bleh. THIS SUCKS! Hope I don't get fired for not meeting the board's expectation for winning the league.

[Izulde]

Youth Pulls
Trash as per usual. Really don't feel like investing in youth recruitment to improve them, either. Our focus needs to be on training facilities, once we have the money. Oh, by the way, we've been getting more TV cash I haven't reported, which keeps turning us profits every month.

Transfer Out - DC Hugo Delmaire (27) - To Avoine OCC
Was our starting DC for about half a season before getting overrun by much better talent. Weirdly, he goes to another team on the same level.

@ Plouzane AC (5th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Sessi D'Almedia
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Mabidi Mayala
S: Ambroise Gboho/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

34 - Ndongo's corner kick bounces off a defender and to Clement, whose shot bangs off another defender and into the net for his first ever Roses goal!! 1-0

49 - Sigh. 1-1

52 - Mayembo goes in at DR and Rabetsimialona takes over for Gboho

72 - Man, I miss Pettier in the worst way 1-2

73 - UTTER TRASH!!!! 1-3

90 - Cagnon is done 1-4

Frustrating thing is, we played well enough to win overall. No way we should have been blown out by three goals. And of course, Saint-Nazaire AF just keeps right on winning.

While we're not in any danger of relegating, we could very well crash down the table if our poor run continues, and I might end up out of a job.

vs Saint-Nazaire AF (1st)
G: Hugo Foucher
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Sessi D'Almedia
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Steve Shamal
AMC: Zian Maki
S: Ambroise Gboho/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

38 - Doesn't really matter who we put in goal, does it? 0-1

50 - Nope. 0-2

80 - Not at all. 0-3

We crash to fifth place. Losing Maxime Pettier pretty much destroyed our season. And honestly, it feels about right that we're not contending for the title anymore. We've had way too many defections and are having to essentially play a brand new team very late into the season.

International games happen. I don't even care anymore.

Kevin Van Den Kerhof is out 5-6 weeks, and he gets hurt two days before our next game. I mean, not that it matters.

vs USJA Carquefou Reserves (11th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Oscar Olou
DM: Sessi D'Almedia
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Steve Shamal
AMC: Zian Maki
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Elias Uzamukunda

[b]12[/g] - Given how ass we've been, I'll take an own goal gift 1-0

33 - Gandi cracks a rainbow down the left flank to Clement, who crosses to Uzamukunda for the muscled in header off the upright. I probably should have been starting him ever since Noc went down 2-0

36 - Throw in to Gandi for the cross to Uzamukunda, and very neat trick by our Rwandan striker. Two defenders in his face, so he knocks a header back to Shamal for his first ever Roses goal! 3-0

44 - Charge by Da Veiga, who I adjusted to a Limited Fullback role before the game, leads to a boom shot down the left flank to Clement. He heads it ahead of himself, the defense gets it, and Clement just bullys the ball off the defender, shooting it into the net. This is exactly the kind of tonic we needed - a relegation candidate team that has no confidence in themselves 4-0



Right now, I'm just hoping we can finish out the season with a Top 3 showing. 4 games left.

Regardless of our disappointments on the pitch, this season has been amazing financially. We currently have over $440k in the bank, and we're listed as Secure for the first time.

I decide now is the time to talk to the board, which leads to this:



We currently have Poor training facilities, which is the very lowest as per passion4fm.com:

The training facility levels are as follows from worst to best:

Poor
Basic
Below Average
Adequate
Average
Good
Impressive
Great
Excellent
State of the Art

We're spending around $325,000 for improvements, with the work expected to be complete by October. It eats most of our cash, but it's well worth it, thanks to all the guys we've brought in with great potential, but who have a ways to go to develop into it.

@ SC Beaucoze (7th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Franklin Wadja
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Rabetsimialona/Malhory Noc

5 - And of course, our star player Gandi goes out with injury. Wadja moves up to MC and Kola comes in

27 - Bullshit 30 yard strikes piss me off. 0-1

39 - Wadja to Shamal for the lateral to Noc. Perfectly placed box feed to Rabetsimialona, and we equalize. 1-1

47 - Da Veiga throws long to Rabetsimialona, and he short crosses into the box for Clement's run. Surprising pop ball goes over the keeper's head and into the net just before half! 2-1

51 - Awful defensive coverage all around on that one. Mayembo goes in for Da Veiga, who is inconsistent as shit. 2-2

70 - Mayembo throws in to Kola for the play up to Salles-Lamonge. Threaded pass into the box has Noc knocking in his first goal in his first game back 3-2

79 - Rabetsimialona has three defenders on him outside the box, but somehow he manages to thread the needle between them out to Clement. The double team rushes over to cover our left wing, but he simply drops the return pass into the box, and Rabetsimialona drills in the insurance!!! 4-2

Very important win for position. Everyone on the field at the end of the game except for Romain Cagnon and Fernand Mayembo had 7.1 or higher. We were keyed by the boys up front: PotM Tsihorana Simialona (9.0), Malhory Noc (8.7), Sebastien Salles-Lamonge (9.0), and Mathis Clement (8.7). The victory jumps us to third place

Najib Gandi is out for almost two months, which effectively means his season is over.

Three games left. Saint-Nazaire AF has all but mathematically clinched the title and promotion to CFA 2 next year. The rest of the table is a real dog fight. There's a very interesting distribution of bands in the league that I'll talk about at season's end.

[Izulde]

vs Reze FC (8th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Lamine Fall/Francois-Xavier Nguidjel/Oscar Olou
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Rabetsimialona/Malhory Noc

8 - Olou sends it up and in to Wadja for the boom to Shamal. He runs down the right side before crossing to unmarked Rabetsimialona and in it goes 1-0

22 - Two quick succession yellows by D'Almedia. Great.

25 - JFC. Own goal by Nguidjel. FML 1-1

28 - Olou throws into Noc and gets the ball back. High cross, and there's Clement charging to crush the short-range score 2-1

48 - Fucking Fall. Off he goes for Mayembo, who I may just start there because suddenly we can't get anything out of our DL 2-2

56 - Gboho for Noc and striker switch

63 - Shamal runs down the right flank, but his cross to Gboho is headed away. No problem, as [b]Rabetsimialona/b] is right there to scorch in the mid-range goal! 3-2

70 - Ugh ugh ugh ugh. 3-3

76 - YOU'RE GOD DAMNED RIGHT THAT'S A PENALTY AND A RED CARD MOTHERFUCKER!!!! I haven't set my PK takers in a while, so it's Shamal drawing the lot and he makes it look easy 4-3

81 - @$%$@%$!^%!^%!^%!%$!%! 4-4


[b]83[ehajsldfjaworiethaiogiweugti9glauibtuifgohaweruigbalkhsfgsdguifasdigawe89irgawe8oier 4-5

We'll now be fucking lucky to be Top 5. FUCKING HORSESHIT!!!!!

FC Chapelle-les-Marais hands Saint-Nazaire AF one of their few losses of the year in winning the Coupe Atlantique 3-1.

vs AC Chapelain Foot (6th)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Fernand Mayembo/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Juvrel Loumingou/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Rabetsimialona/Malhory Noc

2 - FUCK YOU REF!!! THAT WAS NOT A GOD DAMNED MOTHER FUCKING RED CARD WORTHY OFFENSE ON MAYEMBO!!!!!!!!! Loumingou doesn't get a chance, as he's swapped out in favor of Fall at DC. F.M.L.

39 - Seriously, this game can eat my fucking ass. Shamal is hurt, too, and will have to be subbed in the second half 0-1

44 - ksdjflsfhsofhas 0-2

51 - Kola at MR

59 - I just want this bullshit season over with 0-3

69 - 0-4

71 - 1-4 - Rabetsimialona

79 - 2-4 - Noc

Paris Saint Germain wins both the French Cup and the French Champions Trophy.

@ FC La Chapelle-des-Marais (3rd)
G: Romain Cagnon
D:Steven Da Veiga/Lamine Fall/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Sessi D'Almedia
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Rabetsimialona/Malhory Noc

33 - Phenomenal long ball by D'Almedia down the left flank hits Rabetsimialona and he keeps on dribbling before cutting into the box, still running, until he fires the emphatic goal in. 1-0

39 - Fucking Van Den Kerhof 1-1

89 - Saw that coming a mile away, literally 1-2

90 - L'Excellent scores a late equalizer. I don't care. This team is shit, FM is shit, my life is shit. 2-2

It gets even better



Long story short, if we don't improve next season, the board is going to fire me. One season of bad results isn't going to do me in, but two will.

[Izulde]

I'm amazed Mabidi Mayala ran away with the award as much as he did. Didn't see that coming at all.



No question this was our weakest area of the team after Maxime Pattier and Gjoko Zajkov left. It's something we're going to hit heavily in the offseason to try and get some better talent in here. Oscar Olou continues defying age.



How about that Robin L'Excellent, though? Way out performing everyone and showing he deserves to have the starting spot at MR. I'm really happy with our midfield overall, and don't see any reason to make changes at the moment. I think that's one of the big mistakes I made this season - rather than stick to the guys I already had who were playing well, I went into to massive upgrade mode.



We're perfectly fine here - I like all of these guys, especially since Tsihorana Rabetsimialona finally started putting it all together in the second half of the season.



Like I said, definite layers - Saint-Nazaire AF on their own plane, then 2nd - 6th all bundled close together, 7th and 8th in their own little community, and then 9th - 12th was a complete and total shitshow, there to beat up on each other and serve as fodder to the rest of the league.



Oh, nice!!! The bill came in at $25k cheaper than expected (hope that doesn't mean somebody cut costs). Better still, the money's applied immediately, which means we're actually going to show a loss this year and not have to pay taxes. A rare bright spot in a dismal season.

We lost almost $297k for the season due to the upgrading of training facilities. Slight bump in sponsorship from $12.18k to $12.25k. On the other hand, we made just over $300k in revenue, so we're a legitimate low level club now.

Increased ability for Franklin Wadja, which is nice to see.



I mean, no pressure or anything, right? Oh, there's a couple neat little surprises coming up for those of you who have been following along.

We're also now the 4th most prestigious club in the Ligue Atlantique, behind three reserve teams that probably benefit from their senior squads. The board had me Stable as the end of the season, but now I'm upgraded to Secure because I rejected a job speculation from a team in financial hell.

Transfer In - AMC/MC Tiago Escorza (21) - From AS Mulsanne-Teloche
I thought he was going to be more raw than what he came in as, which is our second best AMC. 12 First Touch, 10 Passing, 14 Technique, 13 Flair, 11 Vision, 13 Acceleration, 11 Pace. He's been a solid player at this level for different teams, as he's bounced around a bit.

Transfer In - DM/MC Aissa Laidouni (22) (Tunisian) - From Limoges FC
Yep, we got my favorite DM back. He'll slot right back in to his old starting position, and fight to get back into the All-Time starting 11. Right now, he's on the subs there. So very, very excited to return him. He did okay with the CFA 2 team the last couple of years.

Transfer in - DC Antoine Goblet (24) - From FC La Chapelle-des-Marais
In-league steal, and he was listed as one of their two key players in the season preview. Oops. 12 Marking, 11 Tackling, and stellar all around mental and physical attributes. He'll get the starting nod, because I really, really like his game.

Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo stays in his role as team captain, but Mathis Clement gets the vice-captain nod.

Favored Club - RC Doue-la-Fontaine - Player
Mabidi Mayala

Izulde Jestor - Favored Personnel
Cyrille Allard

Favored Personnel - RC Doue-la-Fontaine
Thibault Rambaud
Mabidi Mayala
Francois Rio
Emilien Fransquet
Izulde Jestor (Manager)

Guadeloupe is in the Gold Cup, with a tough draw of the US, Haiti, and Canada. They beat Haiti 1-0 and Malhory Noc comes on as a sub with a 6.8 rating. Top 2 teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals. Notably absent from the team: Mathieu Coquin.

The board expects us to win the league, and they want a repeat performance of the 64e de Finale showing in the French Cup. Hilariously, they don't care at all about the Coupe Atlantique.

I've been lazy with friendlies before, so we've only had 2 or 3 each season - the offered ones. This year, we're playing 9 friendlies in total to get everyone up to match speed before the season starts.

Expected 0-3 loss to the US, Malhory Noc getting a 6.5 as a reserve. He gets the start against Canada the next game, and posts a 6.6 in an 0-4 beatdown. Incidentally, we've had a lot of other players getting international callups and caps - I just haven't been reporting on them because they've been friendlies, and I only care about major competitions.

Season Ticket Sales: 45 (Unchanged)
Bank Balance: $156,551 (-$91,621)
Estimated Value: $180k (-$95k)
Average Ticket Price: $8 (Unchanged)
Average Season Ticket Price: $65 (Unchanged)
Reputation: Oscure
All basic or poor stuff
Stadium capacity: 500
Average attendance: 174 (+22, and just 8 away from our Season 2 record)
Media Prediction: 1st
My Reputation: 15% (Unchanged)

The hit in valuation is tied directly to our bank balance. I expected to see that go up once our facilities are complete.

Exauce Ndongo Ngassaki gets a goal and 7.8 rating in the Third Round of African U23 Nations Qualifying, as Congo upsets Egypt 3-2 and qualify for the African U23 Nations Cup. Very, very cool. Which of course means someone will probably steal him.

I'm chuckling that Steven Da Veiga and Kevin Van Den Kerhof are listed as our key players in the season preview, and that we're allegedly short of quality at striker. Not by my lights, bro.

Transfer In - MC Durel Avonou (21) (Congolese)
We signed him sight unseen off the Congo U23 squad. The fans absolutely rave over the kid's potential, but he's going to have a lot of competition to fight to get to that top MC spot, which has been taken over by Franklin Wadja after Najib Gandi's slight decline. I could maybe see him as our third MC, but we'll see.

If our friendly season is anything to go by, there's going to be goals on both sides throughout this campaign. Romain Cagnon is definitely a problem in the net, but so far we haven't been able to find anyone who is a clear upgrade.

Transfer Out - GK Romain Cagnon (22) - To Dinan Lehon FC ($16.25k)
You have *got* to be shitting me. Granted, our fans are happy about this, and I sort of am, too, but fuck me running, I can't believe someone paid his ass. Hugo Foucher isn't any better, but he's who we're stuck with until I finish turning over every damn rock.

[Izulde]

@ Orvault Sports Football
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Yep, our mortal enemy is back down at this level. They've been a rising power in Ligue Atlantique, going from 4th to 3rd to 1st, but they finished in last in CFA 2 and were demoted right back down.

4 - Sanogo is dribbling down the left flank and a defender challenges. He passes ahead to Ndongo, who hits the center cross. Running between two defenders is Noc to knock in the short-range header. 1-0

9 - L'Excellent runs down a ball and crosses, but a defender leaps up to head it away. The ball rolls all across the pitch, no one getting it, and L'Excellent is able to power it away 2-0

11 - Wadja and Sanogo pass and back forth between them, until Sanogo dribbles and sends it to Noc. Defender crushes our striker and the ball rolls, but Salles-Lamonge turns on the jets to power the ball in for his first Roses goal!!! 3-0

38 - L'Excellent races to the touchline and centers to Ndongo, as the onslaught continues. 4-0

56 - Da Veiga with the short pass to Sanogo for the screaming laser cross pitch diagonal, whereupon L'Excellent fires it with such force, the keeper can't hang on to it. 5-0

66 - L'Excellent gets hurt, so Kola comes on. Shit.

71 - Noc taps it to Kola inside the box, and the cross connects with Sanogo's head for the score. 6-0



Putting in those friendlies and having Team Cohesion be the focus paid off beautifully here. We lose Robin L'Excellent for about a month, but we have coverage for that.

Transfer Out - DLCR Alex Petro (28) - To FC Chartres
Was a decent three position backup for us for a couple of years, but he just isn't good enough anymore to reach the standard of what we have here. Yet another one of our guys who manages to stay on this level.

Transfer In - GK Theo Guerin (22)
Remember when he was part of our rotation at the DHR/DSR level? Well, he's back as the best of a lot of really shitty backup options. I eventually want to get someone way better in here, but at least it's a stopgap option in the event that Hugo Foucher gets hurt and bombs.

Transfer Out - DC/DM Nicolas (28) - To US Glonnieres
One of our original Roses finally packs his bags and goes down to the DSR level. I wish him the best of luck there, where he'll finally get some PT. I've always liked him - great producer for his talent.

Transfer Out - DL/WBL Lamine Fall (25) - To FC Challans - $15k
Raise your hand if you expected this guy to get money. ...Yeah, me either. This *does* leave us incredibly short-handed at DL, with only Erwin Abdellaoui officially listed as backup, and we don't ever want that to happen again. This is v.v. disappointing.

And of course, you know EXACTLY what happens. Steven Da Veiga is out 2-3 weeks with a heel injury and we have a shit ton of games all back to back. Fuck.My.Life.

vs FC La Chapelle-des-Marais (8th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Fernand Mayembo/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Simialona/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

This is not going to be pretty, but hwaetever.

59 - Gboho replaces Ndongo, and Kola steps in for Shamal

72 - They've been hammering us all game long, and it was only a matter of time before they broke through 0-1

88 - Kola draws a PK in the box, and Wadja converts the late equalizer!!! 1-1

The fans were devastated by the draw, but we're still in first, our opponents moving up to third. We were honestly damned lucky to get away with the tie, and should have lost the game. We just could not get anything going offensively all night long.

And of course, we have a match in three days.

[Izulde]

vs US Thouareenne (8th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Fernand Mayembo/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Simialona/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

These guys promoted up, but their facilities blow everyone else in the league away (more on that when we see what our new training facilities look like). Despite that, this theoretically should be a rout for us.

2 - Wadja sends it up to Rabetsimialona in the box. The defender misses the interception and tackle attempt, allowing a dump off to Ndongo for the quick score 1-0

6 - Incredible sliding tackle by Shamal rolls the ball to Salles-Lamonge for the ground pass to Simialona and the easy score. 2-0

19 - Shamal's cross is far too long for Clement to get a shot in, and he has to chase it down, trap it, and control it. All good though, as he centers it for Salles-Lamonge's kick in. 3-0

46 - Shit keeping by Foucher. He just sat there. 3-1

47 - Salles-Lamonge runs right across the middle of the pitch, drawing a defender with him, then suddenly kicks it into the left space in the box. Ndongo rushes over, and his cross shot back right goes in with post help. 4-1

65 - Wadja drops to DM, Maki gets MC time, and Kola slots in at DR

Solid all around game - our 8+ highlights are PotM Sebastien Salles-Lamonge (9.0), Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo (8.8), and Mathis Clement (8.7). Unfortunately, we drop to 2nd on a goal differential of 1. Three teams are all with 2-0-1 records - us, FC La Chapelle-des-Marais, and AC Chapelain Foot.

Lovely. Theo Guerin screws up his Achilles and is out 5-6 months. I think Hugo Foucher has some voodoo shit going on.

@ Reze FC (6th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Fernand Mayembo/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

5 - Noc gets the ball stripped away by a defensive double team, but Salles-Lamonge is right behind them to pick it up and deliver to Ndongo, who feeds it into the box for recovered Noc. The power strike sends the ball stinging off the keeper's hands and into the net. 1-0

13 - Exceptional strip by Mayembo, which Clement snags immediately. Later on, Ndongo ropes it out to Clement on the left wing for his run and center into the box and Noc. He shoots the wide open gap between two defenders, and we roll on. 2-0

27 - That was one of the worst free kick defenses I've ever seen 2-1

52 - Rabetsimialona in for Ndongo; Kola for Shamal

57 - Laidouni drills the everloving shit out of the ball all the way down the right side of the pitch, which Kola gets to just before the touchline. His far, high cross connects with Rabetsimialona's head for the vital insurance goal 3-1

82 - Ugh. If we piss this away.... 3-2

8.8 for Malhory Noc as obvious PotM, and 7.7 for Sebastien Salles-Lamogne. We did okay, but Fernand Mayembo was fucking terrible, and nearly cost us the win.

We sign an emergency backup keeper, but he won't be here until January.

vs Le Poire-sur-Vie VF Reserves (9th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

9 - This is what happens when your keeper is ass 0-1

11 - Salles-Lamonge passes out to Clement, and upon the return pass, he drives into the box, firing a shot between two defenders into the upper corner of the net. 1-1

22 - Wadja shorts the corner and Goblet drifts right to power in the header for his first official Roses goal!!!! 2-1

51 - Rabetsimialona for Noc and striker switch, Kola for Kerhof

81 - The score SHOULD be like 4-1 right now, but nohsgoasfhoashdgioahuiohruiogruiotgaeruiotgaeruiotgioraiortgiarutgawuitgaiwr 2-2

We're now 2 points behind BECAUSE SOME MOTEHRFUCKAWERJASHASOGHASOGHASODGHASODGHASOGHIOASUGHIOUASGFUIOSGFUISDGFUIAGFIASUGUIASGUIWEGTUIOAWGIUAWEGRIWEGFI9A BULLSHTIHT HSFOHSOFHASOFHSOGHOASFHOASFGAOSDHFIOASGHFIOASGHOASDHGO9SDGHAO9SDG

FUCK HTIS!

[Izulde]

Jocelyn Kola gets hurt in a reserve game and is out a month and a half to two months. Devastating blow to our sub situation.

@ TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne (4th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Tsihorana Rabetsimialona/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

13 - Salles-Lamonge pops the ball out to L'Excellent. Three defenders are harrassing him, so he hoofs the high ball into the box, where Ndongo's head is just enough above the rest to force the ball in 1-0

62 - We switch to a 3-4-1-2 setup, with Salles-Lamonge dropping down to MC, sitting Laidouni, and Maki coming in as AMC. Olou replaces L'Excellent

Not a pretty win. Sebasatien Salles-Lamonge is PotM with 8.4, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo is second best with 7.8, and Antoine Goblet rounds out the field with 7.4. But it's a victory that keeps us in third place, 2 points and GD behind the teams we're chasing.

@ Intrepide Angers F (Coupe Atlantique 32e de Finale)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

13 - We've been playing down to their level, which is irritating. A couple sliding tackles, including one by Wadja to send the ball to the sideline, keeps this drive alive. L'Excellent gets the ball just before it goes out, sends it back to Wadja, and watches the straight line to Salles-Lamonge and Noc, the last's distance shot getting help from the bar to go in. 1-0

22 - Wadja long balls it to Ndongo for the dribble into the box and mid-range strike. 2-0

23 - Wadja passes around two defenders, and Ndongo drills the defender as the ball arrives. It rolls forward, and Noc runs for the pick up and score. 3-0

26 - Da Veiga sends it down the left flank into space. Clement has no problems being first to the ball, and the ensuing center sees Noc rise up for the header hat trick!!!! 4-0

38 - Salles-Lamonge drills it up to Clement, and he dribbles into the box before centering to a drifting Noc to bang in his 4th goal in under a half. 5-0

43 - Clement picks up the takeaway, and on the reset, Wadja kicks back to Laidouni for the wing out to Clement. Center to Noc, and there's goal number 5 for him!! 6-0

51 - Salles-Lamonge sprays right to L'Excellent for the first touch counter cross, and Clement sinks it with ease. 7-0

65 - Wadja drops to DM, Maki in at MC, and Olou takes the reins at MR. No sense in risking injuries due to tiredness.



I do believe that's the first perfect 10 I've ever seen one of my players get in FM! Wow!

To put that in perspective, those 5 goals in one game are more than Malhory Noc had for us all last season. The victory smashes our biggest win total, and Emilien Fransquet's 4 goals in a single game record falls as well.

Aissa Laidouni is out next game with yellows, but that's fine.

vs EAS Orval (French Cup Sixth Round)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Franklin Wadja
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

6 - Da Veiga has been great with making interceptions in the first few minutes, and he executes one here. Noc blasts it all the way down the pitch, the ball crossing to the left side. Ndongo waves off Clement as both chase, and our left winger runs into the box. The high ball goes to Noc from Ndongo, however, resulting in a header. 1-0

15 - Da Veiga with the short lateral to Wadja and pass on to Salles-Lamonge. Perfect box feed, and Noc smashes in his 10th goal of the season. 2-0

43 - Lots of dribbling by Gandi until he finds the right spot to pass to Ndongo in the box. His shot is pushed away, but Clement has a step on the defender to sink the rebound on the other side. 3-0

55 - Clement has a defender in his face, but he shoots a long cross to the other side of the pitch, and Noc drills in his second hat trick in as many games!!! 4-0

88 - Ndongo's shot is blocked by the double team, but Clement races his ass off to get the rebound and send it back into the box. Noc happily receives the pop ball and drills in his 4th goal - 9th in the last two games. 5-0



Honestly, we were expected to pulverize our last two opponents, and we've duly delivered. But it's going to be the league that really matters. So, not only did we pull in $13.8k from the win, but the 242 people who showed up paid big money to watch, netting us almost $4k in gate receipts, trouncing the $3k we earned in the Seventh Round of the French Cup two seasons ago.

And of course, we get a bad draw for our next round.

vs Vendee Herbiers Reserves (8th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

18 - They're doing an excellent job of taking the ball away from us in the box, but we keep getting it back. Salles-Lamonge is about to score when a defender drills him. That's not only a PK, it's a red card! Wadja makes the score look easy. 1-0

27 - What the actual fuck was that shit?! 1-1

38 - Wadja to Ndongo for the tapper to Noc. Return pass goes into the box, and for once the defender lays off. Ndongo makes them pay with the go ahead score. 2-1

42 - They again strip the ball away in the box, but Da Veiga catches the rebound, kicking back to Clement for the high cross and Noc to head it in. 3-1

56 - Injury to Wadja, and Maki jogs on.

59 - JFC! L'Excellent is next to get injured, and Olou replaces him

66 - Noc picks up a corner clearance and dumps off to Da Veiga. Our fullback wings out to Salles-Lamonge for the box pass to Noc, and our Guadeloupean international striker's hot run continues, scoring his second goal. 4-1

92 - Salles-Lamonge crosses to Noc, but he doesn't like his shot, so he passes off to Olou. That shot's deflected, but Noc runs down the rebound and gets a last second score for his third straight hat trick in as many games!!! 5-1



We're now behind on goal differential to AC Chapelain Foot and still behind on 2 points and GD to FC La Chapelle-des-Marais. No question that we make up the top three teams in the league, however, and that no one else comes close.

Robin L'Excellent is out a month and a half to two months; Franklin Wadja only a week, week and a half. We've good coverage in both areas, so I'm not too worried.

I thought the facilities would be completed by Halloween, but there's been a delay, and it won't be until the end of January. Boo.

$23.7k profit, and I've been upgraded to my old standby of Very Secure. We're back up to over $200k in the bank, and I predict by next season, we'll be ready to invest in another upgrade for the club - either training again or Youth Recruitment.

[Izulde]

@ US Marignane (French Cup Seventh Round)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Najib Gandi/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Like I said, brutal draw, getting a CFA 2 team on their own turf this early. This might be our quickest exit yet in the French Cup

26 - We've had a couple of easy chances that our strikers have blown, and a double team on their left winger left us open for this score 0-1

53 - Ugh. 0-2

58 - Mayembo for Da Veiga; Olou for Shamal

71 - Salles-Lamonge, who is playing injured, drills one down the pitch for Noc, and Ndongo out-jumps two defenders on the cross to bang it in and get us back in this match 1-2

Had several chances towards the end, but just couldn't convert. Unlucky draw, unlucky loss. $10.08k in prize money, which is whatever at the kind of cash we've been printing.

Mathis Clement is out next game because of yellows.

@ US Bauzoges (12th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

25 - Da Veiga throws in, and Kerhof runs back to get the ball for the kickback to Shamal. Aerial cross, and Sanogo is one step ahead of the defense to put it away 1-0

28 - Shamal gives up a penalty and is damn lucky not to draw a second yellow. Foucher is a fucking hero for stopping the PK.

36 - What the fuck? Da Veiga leaves his man to double-team, and that leaves them wide open to equalize 1-1

52 - Gboho replaces Ndongo, and Mayembo come s on for Da Veiga

87 - Gboho is hurt, but they can play so we press on. Shamal plays it long to Noc, who dribbles down the right flank before crossing, and injury aside, Gboho puts in the short range goal to finally send us back ahead. 2-1

Herculean game by Foucher with a 7.9 and stopping that PK, but it's Noc who wins PotM with an 8.4, the third best at 7.8 in Sebastien Salles-Lamonge. 7.1 for Ambroise Gboho off the bench on that game-winner.

This is a victory we really needed, because FC Chapelle-des-Marais got their asses handed to them 1-3, and Orvault Sports upset AC Chapelain Foot 1-2 on their own turf, putting us in 1st by a single point!!!!

We lose Ambroise Gboho for a little over a month, but that's why Tsihorana Rabetsimialona is still around. Actually, I forgot to put our Madagascar international back in the subs. Worked out okay in this case.

They're *still* talking about that US Gravelines French Cup win all the way back in 2015.

I schedule a couple friendlies during the two week break before our next match to keep our guys in shape and help our tactical familiarity.

1-0 win over Burundi for Benin that saw Oscar Olou and Sessi d'Almedia both start and post 7.1s. Tsihorana Rabetsimialona's Madagascar side gets whomped 1-4 by Egypt and he has a 6.7. We were supposed to play AC Chapelain Foot this week, but I didn't like losing those guys and Malhory Noc, and it turned out to be the wise move, considering Ambroise Gboho was hurt. We would have to put Elias Uzamukunda in the starting lineup, with Cyrille Allard as our backup striker.

Sessi D'Almeida posts a 6.7 as a sub in Benin's 3-2 win over Burundi to advance to the third round and group qualifying for the World Cup. They have DR Congo, Ghana, and South Africa in their group. My guess is they finish last in the group. Madagascar is out, after a repeat 0-4 Egypt drubbing, and 6.7 for Tsihorana Rabetsimialona

Geneston AS Sud Loire (Coupe Atlantique 16e de Finale)
G: Guillaume Noel
D: Erwin Abdellaoui/Jordane Orain/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Ibrahime Sylla
M: Jason Gibon/Durel Avonou/Thibault Rambaud
AMC: Mabidi Mayala
S: Cyrille Allard/Issam Zerhouni

Let's see.. PH team miraculous makes it this far + critical league match in three days? Yeah, we're running out a third/fourth/fifth string lineup.

I evidently forgot to include Samuel Samoussi's transfer - 22 year old Beninese DR we picked up last year. 3 caps and he's a physical monster - Only 8 Jumping Reach is less than 11 (Balance), and everything else is 12 or higher. Largely an unremarkable player at this point, but he allegedly has upside.

21 - Mayala passes to Zerhouni. Defense strips the ball away, but the Moroccan gets it back and gives to Allard just inside the box. The strike goes in, and it's nice to see the teenagers play together up front. 1-0

58 - Touzet comes in for tired Orain, and prospect Escorza replaces tiring, badly performing Mayala

81 - Should have given up a goal on that corner kick.

Jordane Orain finished with a 7.7 and PotM, and our next highest is a 7.1. This was an ugly game to have to sit through, but we got it done and move to the next stage in a cup not even the board cares about.

Lots of unhappy people, and I'm just like okay, go on then. I really could not care less.

And of course we get the worst possible matchup for the next round, drawing defending champion and absolute nightmare opponent in league FC La Chapelle des-Marais

@ AC Chapelain Foot (5th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Steve Shamal
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Tiago Escorza has done well enough to move up to the senior squad, replacing Zian Maki as our AMC/MC off the bench. Although I said he was our second best when we brought him in, it was close enough that I liked Maki, who was proven, better.

Don't let that 5th place fool you. This is making up a game in hand (we're in second presently). Absolutely vital for us to win this match.

11 - Salles-Lamonge cracks the free kick into the box, and Goblet gets *just* the right angle on the header to knock it in from mid-range. 1-0

16 - Are you shitting me?! Noc was totally onsides! Between this callback and two bullshit yellows, the home cooking is real.

34 - Again with the bullshit offsides call on Noc to negate a goal?! What.the.fuck?!?!

46 - On the opening kickoff for the second half, Shamal plays it long to Noc, and this time there's no denying the mid-range score. Fuck you in the ass, ref, with your bullshit. 2-0

59 - Sanogo goes on for Clement, who has been bad, and Kola replaces tiring Laidouni

9.0 and PotM for Sebastien Salles-Lamonge, 8.7 for Antoine Goblet, and 7.4 for Malhory Noc as our three stars in a solid victory to ensure we stay on top. It should have been much bigger, but fucking zebras gonna zebra.

That win means we're six points ahead of 3 teams fighting for third place, whilst we're still just one point up on FC La Chapelle-des-Marais.



I've been telling dude he's free to leave at any time. Don't get salty at me because you're a whiny bitch who sucked ass when given a shot at the DR job.

$15.34k profit last month, and I suspect that's the largest we'll turn the rest of the season, now that we're out of the French Cup. Very Secure in my job despite the cup loss, and I just have to make sure I don't get stupid when the transfer window opens up next month like I did last year.

[Izulde]

vs SC Beaucoze (7th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

These guys have the ability to surprise people, so I'm a little nervous going into this one.

5 - Long range strike that should have been stopped, either by Kerhof or Foucher. Pure laziness. 0-1

28 - Laidouni sends it long to Ndongo, whose pass to Noc just inside the box evades three defenders, and we counter with our own long shot. 1-1

52 - Kola comes in at DR, and Sanogo steps in for sucking Clement

66 - Da Veiga throws in to Wadja, gets it back, and a booming long cross is right to completely unmarked L'Excellent for the go-ahead score. Beaut of a goal after that long injury layoff! 2-1

8.2 and PotM for Malhory Noc, 7.5 for Steven Da Veiga, and then a whole bunch of 7.1s. Not a pretty win at all, but a victory is a victory is a victory.

I have to schedule a couple of in-team friendlies during the two weeks off, because our stadium's not big enough to pay a larger reputation team to come here.

The Reserves nearly beat the Senior team, but our best side wins 4-3 despite Cyrille Allard's two goals. Slight upgrade in ability for Mathis Clement. The U-18s are crushed, our senior team winning 5-1, but it costs us Fernand Mayembo for a little over a month. That's the breaks sometimes.

Transfer In - GK Clement Tristan (24) (From FC La Chapelle-des-Marais
11 Aerial Reach, Handling, and Reflexes, 10 Throwing, 11 Decisions, 10 Agility. Yes, we just stole our rival's best keeper. Is he good enough to beat Hugo Foucher? It's close, but the answer is no. But we're not done engaging in thievery. More on that at the transfer window open in a couple weeks. This was about weakening the team chasing us ASAP - hence why we made him our Joker transfer.

vs Vendee Lucon Reserves (11th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Antoine Goblet/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

7 - Early shower for one of their dudes, drawing an automatic red on a nasty tackle of Salles-Lamonge

13 - Noc sends it out to L'Excellent for the dribble and cross. Zero chance of anyone stopping Clement's thunderous short-range shot that nearly rips the upper net. 1-0

51 - Noc passes it to Ndongo, who rather than charge, fakes the defense out by kicking back to Salles-Lamonge for the return box feed, blowing past everyone and banking the insurance goal in. He cartwheels his happiness! 2-0

52 - Ndongo beautifully sprays it out and right for Noc, who outruns his shadow in dribbling down the right flank. Center, and Ndongo beats out two defenders for the jump and head in. 3-0

69 - Kola comes in at DM, Sanogo at ML, as we drop our two yellow card guys and prevent anything stupid from happening.



This *could* have been a 6-0 game, but Malhory Noc got lazy on three separate shot attempts in the second half after we went up by three goals. Whatever. We still have a point and now GD on FC La Chapelle-des-Marais

So that's the 1-2 setup halfway through the season. In third is TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne, which has been a scoring machine of a team, and sits six points back of us with 34. We have a 9 point lead on 4th/5th of AC Chapelain Foot and Orvault Sports, so that's a two game cushion for us to stay in the Top 3.

Slight upgrade for Franklin Wadja. Cool.

Transfer In - DC Joris Gnagon (22) (Ivorian)
Look, here's the thing. I really like Antoine Goblet. Great name, and he's having a career year for us. But he's also pretty closed to maxed out his potential, and that's not next level stuff. Enter Gnagon, who my scouts see as a 3.5-4* potential kid. 10 Heading, 11 Marking, Passing, and Tackling, 15 Aggression, 13 Bravery, 10 Determination, 10 Positioning, and a fine physical player in his own right - only Pace and Stamina are below 10, and just barely at that. 13 Strength. Two U20 caps for Ivory Coast. He'll also have two friendlies to get him up to match and fit speed.

Hugo Foucher allowed an own goal that caused a rare draw in a friendly match. Sheesh.

Shit. I left Samuel Samoussi and Durel Avonou off the registration list, and they're PISSED! Fortunately another window will open up soon and I can put them on.

The transfer window opens, and a bunch of guys stampede in.

Transfer In - GK Ahmed Sellimi (20) (Tunisian)
Not worth mentioning. Signed him back when my keepers were being raided.

Transfer In - GK Anthony Dauvergne (30) - From Orvault Sports
Our third string keeper at the moment. Also not worth mentioning, because he's just here to weaken our Original Rivals.

Transfer In - ST Jerome Tenaud (28) - From FC La Chapelle-des-Marais
Our 6th best striker, so also not going to be discussed. Really, this is about stealing people from the team we're fending off.

Transfer In - DR/WBR Roman Laspalles (23) - From US Change
15 Acceleration, 12 Pace, 15 Teamwork. He's mainly here to become our #2 DR once Oscar Olou falls off.

Transfer In - GK Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon (20) - From TVES Les-Sables d'Olonne
Yeah. The third keeper we've stolen from other teams in the league, but the difference here is, the kid is already better than Hugo Foucher and has some upside to boot. 11 Command of Area and Handling, 10 One on Ones, 12 Reflexes, 13 Decisions, 11 Positioning, 10 Agility. While he's no Maxime Pattier, you could set a watch by his 6.9x average rating the last two and a half seasons at this level, and he looked good in spot starts at CFA 2 level. This one was actually legit.

Transfer In - MRC/AMC Thibault Candia (23) - From US Alencon
So my Chief Scout swears this returnee will be amazing. My assman is like eh. I'm like WTF am I doing when he wasn't very good for us last time?!

Transfer In - DLCR/DM/MLCR Vittorio Zenobi (19) - From O.F.C. Ruelle
Pulled him from a DHR team to see if he can maybe turn into a Jocelyn Kola replacement at some point. Probably not.

So basically, two starters and a whole shitload of mostly trash depth designed to fuck over the other Ligue Atlantique contenders.

vs FC La Chapelle-des Marais (Coupe Atlantique Eight Finale)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Sebastien Salles-Lamonge
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Do I care about this game? No. Am I going to try to win to fuck over the team that's won two trophies in this universe, and are our biggest rivals this season? Yes.

11 - Wadja with the corner, and it's headed away. But L'Excellent is in position to head it back in the box, where Noc fires it in. 1-0

18 - Yep. 1-1

22 - This team just gives us fits. 1-2

29 - Fucking crossbar.

37 - Salles-Lamonge jacks it out to the right flank, and[ b]L'Excellent[/b] runs into the ball before crossing to Ndongo for the equalizer. I'm expecting it to be called back, but flag stays down. 2-2

47 - Laidouni hands off to Wadja for the straight line short pass sequence to Salles-Lamonge and Noc. The latter mails it to the box, where L'Excellent drills in the diagonal go-ahead goal after I ripped the team at halftime. 3-2

54 - Kola goes in at DL, even though he stinks at it, Laidouni down to DC, Wadja to DM, Salles-Lamonge to MC, and Escorza gets the call at AMC.

70 - Clement is injured, but it's playable. Salles-Lamonge runs down a clearance, sends it back into the box to Escorza, but the ball instead rolls to Ndongo, and there's the insurance score. 4-2

78 - Kerhof throws in to Noc and gets it back. Center to Salles-Lamonge, but the ensuing pass is kicked away. No problem, as Escorza cooly pounces on it to drill the mid-range shot and score his first Roses goal!!! Clement runs over to hug him in congratulations, gimpy and all. 5-2

85 - Ndongo gets the throw-in, passes it right to Clement, and on the highball cross, the defender misjudges the header, freeing L'Excellent to instead get the jump and head it in. 6-2



Fuck.Yeah! How did we do it? Well, part of it was me yelling at the team at halftime that sparked a second half surge. But perhaps the most important key was that I figured out in order to combat that deadly 4-3-3, I needed to set my defensive line as far back as it would go. That pretty much shut them down. And of course, taking their best keeper and one of their better strikers helps, too. We also injured another one of their best attackers up front.

Mathis Clement is out a month, meaning continued starts and growing legacy for Andrew Sanogo. Their striker, Laso Swaray, who consistently ranks in the top of the league goal scoring chart, will miss their next game.

Transfer Out - AMCR/MC Sebastien Salles-Lamonge - To Vendee Lucon - $60k
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I mean, I can't blame him for taking that cash and going up to French National - the third highest league in the country - but damn. Damn damn damn!!! He's been the most vital player in our lineup, the guy who brings the whole thing together. Shit shit shit!!!

vs Orvault Sports Football (5th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Tiago Escorza
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

I'll be honest. I talked a *LOT* of shit in the run-up to this one. Because it's fucking Orvault Sports. They've built their overachieving roster on veteran talent - no one is younger than 24, and I'd love a repeat of the 6-0 beatdown we gave them to open the year.

Unbelievable. They're missing their best striker, and they're outplaying us. Wadja gets knocked late in the first half, and we should be losing.

55 - Wadja to Escorza for the box feed to L'Excellent. Shot's pushed away and the net is wide open for Ndongo to kick it in. They're screaming offsides, which is fucking stupid, and the ref rightly tells them to STFU. 1-0

62 - Candia replaces Wadja, and Rabetsimialona comes in for Noc and striker switch.

79 - Kerhof's long ball was intended for Ndongo, but the ball skips past him and well, pretty much everyone, to land at Sanogo's feet. Power shot is shoved off, but Sanogo races forward to put away his rebound! 2-0

Andrew Sanogo is PotM with 7.7 and his game-winner. 7.0 for Thibault Candia off the bench, too. This was a grit your teeth and bear it win.

Transfer Out - MC Juvrel Loumingou (24) (Congolese) - To USJA Carquefou - $15k
I liked him, and he got a good stretch of games for us last season, but he was also third on the depth chart behind Franklin Wadja and Najib Gandi, and we have a wealth of roughly equal depth behind him. Not a huge loss by any means.

Transfer Out - MR/AMR Steve Shamal (23) - To Elan de Gorges
I'll admit, I'm kind of surprised he left. He was getting PT here as a MR, even though Robin L'Excellent so thoroughly outplayed him, he was second man up. Looking at it, it makes sense, though. His new team is 1st in their DSR division, he gets a Key Player contract, and his signing will likely clinch their promotion back up to this level next season.

Training Facility Complete - Upgraded one level to Basic!

League Comparisons
* TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne - Basic training facilities
* US Bauzoges - Poor youth facilities, Average junior coaching, Average youth recruitment (Poor and basic are flipped for youth facilities)
* US Thouareenne - Below Average Youth Facilities, Average junior coaching, Average youth recruitment
* AC Chapelain Foot - Basic training facilities, Basic junior coaching, Basic youth recruitment

So, essentially what's happening is US Thouareenne is building their team through their youth intakes. AC Chapelain Foot is splitting the difference between the two, and US Bauzoges is also building through youth intakes - their oldest player is 20.

How this works it:

Junior Coaching
Higher current ability for the youth pulls when they come in

Youth Recruitment
The higher the level, the wider the reach, and the better the pulls.

Youth Facilities
Training facilities for the U18 and Reserve teams. Don't ask me why it's opposite everything else in terms of Basic/Poor.

So, long-term, those two clubs are going to be very interesting to watch. Both are staying up so far - US Thouareenne just promoted up after being a top-tier DSR team the first four seasons, and US Bauzoges promoted up with us last year even though they were third place. What that means is the 1st and 2nd place teams were reserve squads for Ligue Atlantique teams who didn't go up, so it fell to the third place team instead.

Transfer Out - DLCR Fernand Mayembo (24) - To FC Bressuirais - Non-Contract
The fans were thrilled to see him leave. They hated him. I admit, he was kind of terrible, but we're once again in a jam at backup DL.

Okay, so like, I know I *swore* I wouldn't leave RC Doue-La-Fontaine unless fired or Grasse job came up, but there's another club I've wanted to manage for a very long time and just never pulled the trigger on. Their manager comes under pressure after a couple really bad results, and I declare my interest.

Shit! Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon is out 2 weeks after getting hurt in a friendly. And considering who we play next...

Transfer In - DLCR Roger Obama (25) - From Reze FC
This is where JoninMiddleGA sadly shakes his head, lights a cigarette, and ponders quitting reading this dynasty. Seriously, though, the guy's always played well against us, and he's improved with every season. Good replacement for Fernand Mayembo

So this happens:



Go me!!! First time I can recall see myself being expressly mentioned as the reason for someone getting canned.

Roger Obama is a rotation player, but they actually hold a fucking press conference for his signing. That *never* happens for a backup signing I've done.

I'm even more amused when the ensuing headline is "Jestor has great respect for Obama"

So I'm creating a separate save point here, because I'm not actually going to apply for the job. I'll wait to see if they approach me, or if I need to apply.

@ FC Chapelle-des-Marais (2nd)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Tiago Escorza
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

This is the one that matters. Defensive line will drop back of course, and we'll run the Counter scheme. ...Oh wait. They're running a flat 4-4-2. Hmm. Interesting. Still going to go with my original plan.

7 - Ndongo kicks back to Escorza for the flare out right to L'Excellent, but he gets it *just* before it goes off the touch line. Cross, and Sanogo bangs it in. 1-0

Snow is falling. I'm enchanted. Obama comes on at half, because Gnagon is frigging wiped for some reason.

54 - Kola comes on for Laidouni. I guess I shouldn't have scheduled two friendlies in the two week interim, because guys are getting gassed.

92 - WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SHIT [b]KERHOF[b]?!?!?! HOW THE *FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK* DO YOU GIVE A GOD DAMNED FUCKING PENALTY WITH SECONDS TO GO?!?! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! 1-1





Eat shit, fuckers. I just stole all three of your damn best strikers. Let's see you overcome that. To be honest, they're not that good. Jawad Boukabos is 4th striker on our roster, and Laso Swaray [b]is way, way down the depth chart.

Transfer Out - DRC Ronan Touzet (22) - To AGL Drapeau Fougeres - Non-Contract
I liked him fine, but it was just too crowded a team for him to really get much PT.

Transfer Out - ML/AML Mathis Clement (23) - To Elan de Gorges
Seriously, man? Why in the ever-loving fuck would you do that? You had a starting spot on a team that's winning the fucking league, about to go up to CFA 2 and get a contract if we turn semi-pro, and you diss us like this?! What the hell?! I hope they don't promote now. But they will. 7 points up and a game in hand, plus their shiny new wingers are guys who were legit for us.

So that job I was tempted by? Turns out I had to formally apply. They wouldn't come and interview me for it. By the time I realized that, they wouldn't consider me. Oh well - something for the next dynasty, I suppose. TBH, I really don't want to leave what I'm building here anyway.

@ US Thouareenne (8th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Tiago Escorza
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

12 - Ndongo to Sanogo and it's a wide open shot, but he kicks it right at the keeper. Fortunately, Noc is there to put away the rebound, but FML we've been lazy in our finishing. 1-0

30 - Holy shit! L'Excellent just absolutely blasted right by the defender who was challenging him, running to the touchline and crossing for Sanogo's easy score. I haven't seen someone get posterized that bad since the NBA! Oh, and I'm also chortling because FC La Chapelle-des-Marais is down 0-1 due to an own goal 2-0

36 - Wadja to Escorza for the perfect pass into box space. Ndongo has a 1 v 1 with the keeper, and it's blocked. But he grabs his own rebound and bends the goalie's hand back on the fierce second shot. I missed pointing out his 10th goal of the year a while back, so I'll note this is his 13th score. 3-0

45 - We just kept giving them chances for multiple shots and never cleared properly 3-1

50 - Obama goes in for tired Gnagon

51 - D'Almeida is forced off with injury, and Kola comes on

52 - Kerhof is getting benched next game. He's fucked us out of a lot of points with his bullshit 3-2

53 - FUCK YOU, HOME BIASED REF! NDONGO WAS ONSIDES!!!!

54 - Escorza jacks one down the left flank to Sanogo, and he runs in the box for a distance diagonal that punches the corner of the net. 4-2

71 - God damned fucking right he was offsides.

84 - Escorza passes to Noc on the box boundary, and the defense is laser focused on our strikers. Our Gaudeloupean international chuckles, taps off to L'Excellent and the dribble/score salts this one away. FC La Chapelle-des-Marais just scored a late goal, by the way 5-2



8 games left, and we expand our lead to 3 points. We're 7 ahead of TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne, who played in CFA back in 2007-08, so they've been down here two levels below for a while and are itching to start getting back up. They've been a quality club here all four and a little over half seasons, but just can't break through. We're here to make sure they don't this year, either.

[Izulde]

Sessi D'Almeida will be out roughly a month.

Transfer In - AMC/MC Yassine Benrahou (21) - From UA Cognac
I'd have to look, but I think both of us have stolen players from each other. They're 103 miles away from us, so depending on driving speed, traffic, etc. about an hour a half, two hours. Anyway, the comparison chart between him and Tiago Escorza is very interesting:



I think I like Benrahou slightly more - particularly since my staff thinks he has higher upside.

@ FC Becon Saint Augustin (Coupe Atlantique Quarterfinal)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

How a PH team got this far, I'll never know. But we're going to show zero chill or mercy, because I want to go crush somebody.

2 - A minute and 30 seconds in, and L'Excellent is forced out with injury. Ugh. Kola on

15 - Want to know how this is a shit team? Laidouni and Sanogo exchange passes on a free kick before our left winger launches the high cross, and Kola of all people slams in the score. 1-0

32 - We're dragging ass out there, and they manage to equalize because of how fucking lazy we are 1-1

52 - Ndongo is pulled for Rabetsimialona

I *really* want to rip them another asshole at the end of regulation, but that would probably backfire, so I'm encouraging instead. I mean, we'd be out of here already if Rabetsimialona hadn't blown two sitters.

93 - Laidouni's shot *just* cracks off the frame, and [b]Rabetsimialona/b] of course blows the easy rebound.

104 - Heroic rundown by Laidouni to get back a terrible pass, and he wings out to Kola. The long ball drops in to all alone Rabetsimialona in the box, giving the space and time he needs to set up his shot. *Finally* the fucker converts. 2-1

120 - So, Rabetsimialona gets injured but can play on. Benrahou hits the free kick in goal. Keeper stops it but is crumpled on the ground, and Kola surges in to drop the open net ball. 3-1

By the end of the game, everyone still on the pitch has a 7.0 or better, with our 8+ guys as follows: Joris Gnagon (8.3), Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon (8.2), Andrew Sanogo (8.1), Yassine Benrahou with an 8.7 debut, and an absolutely magical 9.3 PotM sub showing by Jocelyn Kola.

Robin L'Excellent and Tsihorana Rabetsimialona will both miss a week and a half. That's fine. It'll mean missing our next game, but it is what it is.

Youth Pulls
Seriously. No one cares.

vs Reze FC (4th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Thibault Rambaud
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

So the Overachievers Brothers are back together for a one night special on the wings. Well, Andrew Sanogo has taken it over completely since Mathis Clement turned traitor, but you know.

19 - Brilliant interception of the clearance by Rambaud, who kicks it back to Kerhof for the loft ball to Benrahou. Pass to Noc, side tap to Ndongo, and the box feed to Sanogo allows the shot to *just* curl back into the net. 1-0

56 - Was a very quiet first half. Escorza goes in for Benrahou and Kola takes over for Laidouni

Ugly win, but Andrew Sanogo keyed us with an 8.9 PotM outing and Steven Da Veiga, appointed vice-captain after Mathis Clement's treachery, pulls in a 7.5. Better yet - FC La Chapelle-des-Marais only manages a 0-0 draw against one of the league's worst teams, so we expand our lead to 5 points.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKK!!! Yorgan Edem Abgblemagnon is out almost 2 months with a training injury. That's going to make our quest so much more difficult.

@ Le Pore-sur-Vie VF Reserves (12th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne knocked off FC La Chapelle-des-Marais 4-2, separating just one point between 2nd and 3rd. They're really on the downswing since I raided all their strikers.

21 - We were caught napping on that counter 0-1

41 - Post robbed us. WTF.

50 - Foucher comes out to take a long ball and throws it to Da Veiga. Dribble ensues prior to long shot to Ndongo, who says fuck it and fires a 40 yard screamer that pounds the net. 1-1

51 - WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF LAZY SHITLARD DEFENSE WAS THAT?! 1-2

57 - Obama in at DR, Laidouni and Wadja drop down to DC and DM respectively, and Escorza comes in at MC.

That was us absolutely pissing away a huge opportunity to more or less put us in the driver's seat. Now every fucking match counts and we have almost no more room for error. Steven Da Veiga will miss the next, critical match to boot.

vs TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne (3rd)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Roger Obama/Joris Gnagon/Oscar Olou
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

These dudes *hate* us because of all the thievery we've done of their roster. And now they've put themselves in prime position to make a late season surge and steal the crown that's rightfully ours. Kevin Van Den Kerhof has been too inconsistent and just got downgraded in ability, so Oscar Olou is getting the call tonight. I mean, we're fucked away because Roger Obama is starting at DL, so whatever.

Too bad, because this is an absolute must win.

13 - FUCKING PLAY DEFENSE YOU ASSWIPESS!!!!!!! 0-1

20 - Benrahou wings out to L'Excellent for the dribble and cross, and Ndongo has everyone beat 1-1

59 -hlfafhawdiorhaoweghawriotgri9rauiwetiawerfgiweugfi8rfg9etg89wertfi9fa9wfgaw 1-2

61 - Wholesale changes and I'm so pissed fuck detailing them

79 - Benrahou plays up to Sanogo for our left winger's angry run into the box and cross to L'Excellent for the equalizer 2-2

The fucked part of it all is that we played well enough to win after I switched to a 3-4-1-2 with 3 DCs and put Kola in at MC, Laidouni down to DM, and Goblet at the other DC

vs Elan de Gorges (Coupe Atlantique Semifinal)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Roger Obama/Joris Gnagon/Oscar Olou
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Andrew Sanogo/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

FC La Chapelle-des-Marais finally got off the snide and won 1-0, cutting our league lead to just 3 points with 5 games to go. My eyes are literally crackling with anger right now. I've got enough going wrong in my life right now - no job, my mom's cancer, my dad's dementia, cute blonde girl finally getting back to me and saying she can't meet before the holidays. I really don't need FM to fucking backstab me, too.

But Mathis Clement and Steve Shamal are playing against us, and Steven da Veiga is off on international duty, so of course we're going to lose. I mean, I honestly don't care because this is such a bullshity dinky little cup, but still.

21 - Shit defending on the corner kick 0-1

32 - Wadja drives right through the defender and lays off to L'Excellent in the box for the cross to Sanogo. Easy score is easy. 1-1

51 - Ndongo paints a rainbow to Noc, but the defense catches up and he outlets to Sanogo on the left wing. Dribble, cross, and Benrahou kicks it in for his first ever Roses goal!!!! Off come Olou and Gnagon for Kola and Goblet respectively. 2-1

60 - Oh fuck you. Ndongo goes off with injury after having a healthy campaign, and Boukabous jogs in

70 - Fuck you x 2. Boukabous with a playable injury right after he gets in.

72 - Wadja lays off to Benrahou, and he threads the needle to L'Excellent in the box. Mid-range diagonal comes with upraised middle fingers. 3-1

89 - ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! BENRAHOU'S OUT NOW, TOO?!?!

9.0 and PotM for Yassime Benrahou before he's knocked out. 8.1 for Andrew Sanogo and 8.2 for Robin L'Excellent. On the other side, Mathis Clement had a 7.4, Steve Shamal a 7.0, so they played well, but our boys smoked them.

The announcer is shocked we won. I am, too, but fuck you guys anyway.

The Injury Toll
Exauce Ngassaski Ndongo - 2 months
Yassime Benrahou - 1 month
Jawad Boukabous - 2 weeks

Fucked, fucked, and more fucked.

Board's pissy about that 2-2 draw with TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne. Get off my fucking ass about it already.

More Injuries - Friendly
Andrew Sanogo - 3-4 months
Tsihorana Rabetsimialona - 1 month

FUCK.THIS.GAME.

[Izulde]

@ Vendee Herbiers Reserves (11th)
G: Hugo Foucher
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Jason Gibon/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Tiago Escorza
S: Jawad Boukabous/Malhory Noc

We're a walking MASH unit at this point, and I fully expect us to once again go in a late season swoon.

15 - Gibon is playing fiercely today, taking the ball deep in our half and getting to Escorza. Rainbow connection with Boukabous beating out the defense and spearing the distance strike for his first Roses goal!! 1-0

28 - Aaaaaand of course Escorza goes off with injury. WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?! Candia comes on.

38 - Snow is falling. I'm murmuring the end paragraph of Joyce's "The Dead". FC La Chapelle-des-Marais is down 0-2, TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne is up 2-0. Foucher hammers the goal kick down to Noc and he lays out to L'Excellent on the right flank for his usual stellar run and cross. Gibon out-jumps the defender and twists to deliver a gorgeous mid-range header. 2-0

40 - Laidouni passes to Candia for the precision pass to Noc just outside the box. Our Guadeloupean international has been silent for a long time now, but he nails the distance strike for his 20th goal of the year!!! 3-0

53 - Post robbery.

60 - Kola goes in for Laidouni

74 - Defender misses the header on Kola's fire clearance, and Candia takes it, safety valving out to L'Excellent when a defender gets in his face. Dribble and center, and Boukabous buries his second goal. 4-0

77 - We really didn't need that own goal gift on the corner, but thanks anyway 5-0



That was exactly the kind of victory we needed right now. TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne wins 2-0, but FC La Chapelle-des-Marais comes up just short in their comeback bid, falling 2-3.

4 games left. 6 point cushion. We've bought ourselves some desperately needed breathing room.

Tiago Escorza continues the hit parade, going out for 2 months. That was 10+ hours Malhory Noc went without scoring before hitting his 20th, by the way.

We get screwed when our next match is moved a day earlier for TV money. That throws off my friendly scheduling spacing *after* I've already committed to the games.

vs US Bazouges (11th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Jason Gibon/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Jawad Boukabous/Malhory Noc

Mickael Bernardo and Damien Boisvilliers have both skipped training in recent weeks and been warned. Man, am I glad to get our starting keeper and AMC back. We've also signed yet another player from TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne and shortly after we do, he's out for 5 weeks. Good for our title hopes, anyway. There's a couple other guys we've got coming in for the summer.

3 - What happens when you put five defenders on Noc? He taps back to Benrahou for the box feed to Boukabous, who scores amidst screams of offsides. I've literally never seen that kind of gang up on a player before, so I'm uploading the video. 1-0



14 - Kerhof throws in to L'Excellent, who dribbles and passes to Noc, then takes the return pass and delivers it into the box, where Boukabous hits the mid-range header. Although I poached him as a weakening move, I'm quickly turning into a believer of the 25 year old Moroccan striker 2-0

42 - Wadja to Benrahou to Boukabous straight line, and he dribbles into the half-circle for the hat-trick distance strike!!!! That's his 5th goal already in his short time with us! Wow!!! 3-0

56 - Goblet gallops on for Gnagon and Kola subs in for exhausted Gibon

Strong all around performances. Obviously, Jawad Boukabous is PotM with 9.5, but let's give a shout out to Yassine Benrahou's 9.0 and Robin L'Excellent's 8.2 as our other two stars of the evening.

FC La Chapelle-des-Marais and TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne both had to come back to get draws, so now with 3 games left, we're 8 points ahead and firmly in the driver's seat.

Orvault Sports mathematically eliminates themselves from going back up with a 1-1 draw, clinching a Top 3 finish for us and an improvement on last season no matter what happens.

@ SC Beaucoze (7th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Jason Gibon/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Jawad Boukabous/Malhory Noc

Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo *could* start in this one, but I'd rather make him a sub instead, then work him back in the next couple friendlies. These guys always give us fits, and just secured staying up with a 2-2 draw vs FC Chapelle-des-Marais. Their strikers are tough to guard against.

...Only neither of those guys are playing. So I'm going to use the same gameplan I did against Elan de Gorges - hammer the shit out of their wingers, because I know those guys can produce. One of the players we signed is starting today - a prospect I'm quite intrigued by.

4 - Laidouni tore like a bat out of hell to take the ball back when they were ahead and threatening to score. On the counter, Boukabous flares out left to Gibon for the grab *just* before the sideline. The center drops perfectly in between two defenders, and Benrahou buries it. 1-0

20 - Wadja intercepts the clearance by the guy we signed and launches it out right to L'Excellent. The ensuing cross sees Boukabous bang in the header off the upper bar, continuing his hot streak. 2-0

21 - Benrahou with the short give to L'Excellent for Robin's right flank race, and on the cross, Boukabous beats everyone to knock in his second goal. 3-0

28 - Awful free kick defending 3-1

40 - Wadja strips the ball away from our signee after he steals it from Boukabous. Pass to Benrahou, and it goes right back in the box for Boukabous's mid-range first half hat trick score!!! 4-1

59 - Goblet for Gnagon; Kola for Gibon

All the full-time starters were 7.0 or better, with our 8+ stars Jawad Boukabous with a 9.4 and PotM, matching 9.0s by Robin L'Excellent and Yassine Benrahou, and 8.5 by Frankly Wadja.

In other news, TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne blew a 2-0 lead, fell behind 2-3, and needed a last second score to salvage a 3-3 draw, and FC La Chapelle-des-Marais falls 0-2 to AC Chapelain Foot.

You know what that means...

WE'VE OFFICIALLY CLINCHED THE LIGUE ATLANTIQUE TITLE WITH TWO GAMES TO GO!!!!!!



The man of the hour, who literally saved our season all by himself. I initially felt guilty about stealing all of FC La Chapelle-des-Marais's strikers, but considering the result, I don't anymore. Without him, we probably don't win the title after Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo's injury, and it'd be another year ending in heartbreak.

I have tears in my eyes right now. I've never worked so hard for a title in FM, ever.

Now the question is: Do I keep playing him in his role, riding the hot hand, or do I go back to my old setup? It's a really tough decision for the upcoming Coupe Atlantique match. Then again, Malhory Noc has gone ice cold in the second half of the season, so maybe he's due to finally break out. Or I may just keep rolling with what I have - there's no time for a friendly in between this and the title match.

Decisions, decisions.

How incredible has he been?



Yeah. I've literally never had a player average 2 goals a game over 4 appearances so far. Maybe Mickael Bernardo the first season, but that was the trash league against what I bet were a bunch of grey guys. This is legit.

[Izulde]

vs Olympique Lire Drain (Coupe Atlantique Final)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Kevin Van Den Kerhof
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Jason Gibon/Franklin Wadja/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Jawad Boukabous/Malhory Noc

Decided to go with hot hand + who was match fit. Our opponents are a DHR team, but they won their league long ago and are presently 20 points up on their nearest competitors.

Season 1 - Relegated to regional divisions
Season 2 - Won promotion back to PH
Season 3 - 2nd in league
Season 4 - Won promotion to DHR

So they're a team that's on the fast rise, and they knocked out tricky SC Beaucoze on their way here. It's also our first sellout game in two years. Everyone's hyped for this.

6 - We're forced back a few times during this sequence, but end with Wadja to Benrahou to Noc in the box. The kick is fierce, and while they have justification for demanding it's offsides, their complaints go unheard 1-0

59 - Kola on for tired Gibon; Ndongo swaps on for suddenly stink Boukabous

66 - Wadja's corner kick is headed away by the defense, but it doesn't get very far, and some lucky bounces on Kola's rebound shot just manage to get the insurance goal in the net 2-0

Solid, but not fantastic performance. Yassine Benrahou takes PotM honors with 9.0, followed by Malhory Noc at 7.9, and Joris Gnagnon at 7.6. Props to Jocelyn Kola for 7.3 off the bench, too.

The fans are overjoyed, and the $5.42k is an okay bit of pocket change. Board didn't care about the trophy, but nonetheless secretly expected us to win what I hope will be our final campaign here.

@ Vendee Lucon Reserves (9th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Roman Laspalles/Joris Gnagon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Steven Da Veiga/Durel Avounou/Thibault Rambaud
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Tishorana Rabetsimialona/Cyrille Allard

This is about letting the guys who have potential to go get their game time in these last two matches, since there's nothing else to play for.

19 - Great corner by Benrahou to Rambaud's head, but the shot clangs off the post. Da Veiga pounces on the rebound for his first ever Roses goal!!! 1-0

24 - Booming interception and clearance of a corner by Allard to Rabetsimialona. We draw a yellow card and free kick, which Allard taps to D'Almeida for the wing out to Da Veiga. Pass goes into the box, where Benrahou has broken away to sink in the insurance 2-0

31 - Avonou is first to a loose ball after we lose possession on a tackle. Flare out to Rambaud for a run, cross, and Rabetsimialona short smash header 3-0

36 - Perfect placement on the goal kick by Agblemagnon to Da Veiga. He dribbles a while before crossing to Allard for the exquisite pass into the box for Benrahou. The 1 on 1 is no problem at all. 4-0

48 - So.many.headers. Allard passes up and right to Rambaud, and on the cross, the defender veers off Da Veiga to try and get to the ground ball. Big mistake, because there's his second goal! 5-0

71 - D'Almeida intercepts and first touches to Rabetsimialona in the box. Cross finds Rambaud to drop in his first goal of the year for us 6-0



We gave them that there business today, let me tell you! Our 61 goals scored this season also sets a new Ligue Atlantique record, and we still have one more game to play!

OGC Nice stuns defending champions Paris Saint-Germain FC 2-1 in the French Cup final.

vs AC Chapelain Foot (5th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Roman Laspalles/Joris Gnagon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Steven Da Veiga/Durel Avounou/Thibault Rambaud
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Tishorana Rabetsimialona/Cyrille Allard

30 - We're playing like shit 0-1

49 - Kola for Laspalles; Ndongo for Rabetsimialona

61 - Benrahou is being jammed up by five defenders, but he's able to pass right to Ndongo. Our Congolese captain kicks it just ahead of himself to evade another defender and slots in the equalizer 1-1

71 - Avonou with the corner. Rambaud out-jumps two defenders suffocating him, but it's to knock it back to Kola, who sinks the distance shot!! Wow!!! 2-1

72 - Benrahou has the ball at midfield. There's one defender on him and another coming, so he longs it all the way down field to Ndongo in the box. Nobody else is around, and you know the keeper will lose that battle every damn time. 3-1

82 - That double yellow for one of their dudes clinches it.

Yassine Benrahou stellar again with a 9.0 PotM, and Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo (8.6), and Jocelyn Kola (7.5), really played hero ball off the bench for us.



The previous goals scored record was 59, by the way, so we beat that pretty comfortably.



Biggest reason for our turnaround? Way improved backline play as Steven Da Veiga and Kevin Van Den Kerhof settled into their roles. We also got two guys in who helped us recover from losing Gjoko Zajkov to Saint-Nazaire AF last season. Keeper is still a big problem, but we'll just have to keep looking.

The Republicans on the board who read this will be so smirky about Roger Obama's 6.66, I'm sure.



Yassine Benrahou continues our tradition of stellar AMCs started by Mabidi Mayala and continued with Sebastien Salles-Lamonge. Mayala is hanging it up this summer, and I'm hoping I can bring him on staff. Easily one of my favorite players on this team. Robin L'Excellent showed last season wasn't a fluke, and I'd love to get him committed to a contract. We really, really need a ML upgrade. ...Oh wait, we already signed one who's coming this summer. Love our MC depth, by the way.



I like all our strikers, though a truly elite one I simply wouldn't be able to pass up.

We got $16.07k for winning the league. Steven Da Veiga and Sessi D'Almeida will miss our season opener next year due to yellows. That's alarming for our DL scenario, so we may have to use our 3 DCs formation for that game.

Reze FC breaks their own league attendance record with 343 people. Sebastien Salles-Lamonge's half-season 8.36 rating crushes the old 7.89 league average rating set by a TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne dude.



No problems with any of this.

Nice retrospective on the 2015 team pops up in my feed. Some of these names I'd already forgotten about. Luidgi Hoareau, Robin Lemonnier, Erwin Abdellaoui, and Mickael Bernardo are still hanging around the club.

Victor Francoz retired and is doing something else now. Jean Friedmann and Nicolas de Fuisseaux are both employed Heads of Youth Development, and Mickael Nicolo is managing SA Merignac, piloting them to a 5th place finish this season in Ligue d'Aquitaine after finishing 3rd and 4th the last two years.

Everyone else is still playing somewhere.

The Five Year All-Time Best 11:



Nice group of players there for sure.

We officially turn semi-pro!!!! And the board is willing to expand my staff hirings!!!

$160k profit for the season, which gives me a baseline for salaries.

What's their offer financially to keep me? $24k, which is a lowball offer, and would make me the lowest paid manager in CFA 2. The average low amount is $29k, which is their counter-offer after my response. But they agree to pay me $35k, which is in the low-mid tier of manager salaries.

And of course, we can't offer anything but non-contracts, which I refuse to do.

I do, however, lock up my staff:

Staff Salaries
Me: $35k - 1 year
Assman Phillipe Allard (no relation to Cyrille): $18.75k - 2 years
Coach Denis Denis: $11k - 2 years
Coach Julien Carment - $11k - 2 years
Head Physio Romain Guinot - $9k - 2 years
Chief Scout Christophe Martin - $7.5k - 2 years

All these guys have been with me since the beginning (well, Julien Carment after he retired), so it's nice to finally lock them down as long-term staff.

We have a payroll budget of $313k, which sounds like a lot, until you realize our top guys are demanding non-contracts that would cost $50k a year. Yeah. You start to see how Orvault Sports crashed so rapidly. We're spending $92.25k on staff salaries, by the way.

Our jersey sponsorship money jumped from $12.18k to $23.5k

Our reputation has gone from Obscure to Local, and we're rated 11th out of 14 teams in CFA 2 Group G.

CFA 2 Group G Teams Only Able To Offer Non-Contracts
AS Mulsanne-Teloche
Doue-la-Fontaine
Olympique Saumur (Remember when their Reserves were deadly to us?)
RC Flechois

So we're not the only ones.

$21.42k comes our way for CFA 2 TV rights. All this money is burning a hole in the pockets of the board, which wants to spend it. I think that's an incredibly stupid idea to splash more cash, but if they want to, our training facilities could use a second upgrade. That gets turned down, and they're pretty salty that I wouldn't let them pour that money into expanding our scouting department.

Nine friendly games go on the schedule, one each week of preseason.

We add a 10th friendly when it's offered to us.

Four players come in when the transfer window opens, including our first non-contract guy we'll actually pay money to when he plays.

But that's all coming next time.

[Izulde]

This will probably be the last post before the dynasty goes on holiday break (I'm guessing it'd be waaaay too slow on my tablet with a Level 23 English and Level 9 French setup loaded in).

Transfer In - ST Didier Bounaga (24) - From TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne
Some day I'll stop poaching them. Today is not that day. 11 Dribbling, 10 First Touch, 11 Finishing, 11 Heading, 12 Anticipation, 10 Determination, 11 Off the Ball and Work Rate, and strong physical attributes. He'll start off as our third string striker, with every chance of moving into the starting lineup.

Transfer In - DM/DRC/MC Loreintz Rosier (21) - From SC Beaucoze
Our new replacement of multiple-positions for Jocelyn Kola. Good all-around technical and mental skills. Needs to improve his Concentration, and though he's 4* potential, his physical attributes leave something to be desired. Played several years at this level as part of SC Caen's Reserves team, and performance was mixed.

Transfer In - ML/AML Mathis Clement (23) - From Elan de Gorges
He realized his fuckup in leaving us, so he comes back to restore our winger power. Hopefully he'll stick around this time.

Transfer In - MLC/AMLC Mickael Hamlin (21) - From Ploermel FC - $375 per appearance
Our first cash money signing, he's roughly equal to Clement right now, but I'm having him come off the bench. 4* potential as well by my staff, he's got 13/13/14 Acceleration/Pace/Flair, 16 Agility, 11 Composure, and is a future team captain potential with 15 Leadership. Fairly weak technically right now, however. Still a big pickup, considering Andrew Sanogo's decline, and between him and Rosier, we've got a lot of coverage in two subs. He's played a few years at this level before dropping down to Ligue play last season. Did okay.

Despite the board's salt over my refusal to spend money, I'm still Very Secure. $18.35k profit last month, and everyone is raving about the amazing increase in team stature since I took over. We've gone from a totally obscure 9th level team to a Local CFA 2 team in my five seasons, with improved training facilities.

Slight change-up in captains - Malhory Noc takes over the captain's role, with Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo dropping down to vice-captain. Noc feels pressured by it, and Steven Da Veiga is pissed he was passed over. Most folks are happy to have our two strikers running things, however.

Transfer Out - MC Najib Gandi (26) (Algerian) - To Dinan Lehon FC - $15k
Remember when I thought this guy was going to be our next big sensation? Well, he ended up declining and Franklin Wadja improved, so that was that. We've a lot of MC options who aren't that much worse, and the fans were surprisingly happy to see him walk.

In spite of the presence of better training facilities, we're still getting hit with ability decreases. Frustrating, but we just have to keep on rolling with the punches.

Transfer Out - GK Anthony Pallares (29) - To En Avante Charant Est
Never had a shot at breaking in here long-term, so it's no skin off my nose to see him drop a level.

Transfer Out - DC Francois-Xavier Nguidjel (22) (Cameroonian) - To SR Colmar - $65k
That someone snapped him up doesn't surprise me. What *does* shock me is that a French National League team snapped him up for big bucks. Way more money than he's worth, particularly since he's second/third string on our squad.

Competition Expectations
Finish in the top half of the CFA 2
Reach the 64e de Finale of the French Cup

I feel like that's a bit much for the league expectation. Anyway, 14 teams, so 26 games. 13th and 14th relegate back down to Ligue level, 12th goes in the relegation playoffs pot. Only one that promotes is the champion. Good news is there's hella cash to be made for a Top 3 finish - ranging from almost $22k for 1st to $18.5k for 3rd.

$317k payroll budget. I'm sure we'll eat into that as the year goes on, but I intend to spend as little as possible until we can finally sign guys to actual contracts.

Season Ticket Sales: 58 (+13)
Bank Balance: $311,547 (+154,996)
Estimated Value: $350k (+170k)
Average Ticket Price: $9 (+$1)
Average Season Ticket Price: $90 (+$25)
Reputation: Local (Improved from Obscure)
Training Facilities: Basic (Improved from Poor)
Stadium capacity: 500
Average attendance: 206 (+33, and if this keeps climbing, we may need to think about expanding the stadium in a few years)
Media Prediction: 4th
My Reputation: 20% (+5%)

Nice to see the bumps for season ticket sales - both price and numbers. Means that we'll have at least 10% of our stadium filled every game.

I've never messed with coaching courses myself, but finally decide to try one. The board agrees, and they pay the $900 for me to take the National C license class. Maybe the badges will help me get more money or take a international job.

Transfer Out - DR Kevin Van Den Kerhof (24) - To FC Chambly - $95k
We have a couple of DR prospects to grow and develop, and he was inconsistent anyway, but this really hurts. We continue to get raided by National teams who are willing to dole out huge amounts of cash to steal our starters.

I spend some more cash to bring on two more coaches, raising our total to four. We can have six altogether, but I want to keep a couple slots open if guys stick around with us. $5.5k a year for a Goalkeeping coach, and $11k a year for a coach who will focus just on fitness - both signed for two seasons.

After Hiring New Coaches and Reassignment
3* - Strength and Aerobics, Defending, Attacking
2.5* - Everything else

Transfer Out - Umpteen Positions Ibrahime Sylla (28) (Guinean) - To EB Saint-Cyr-Sur-Loire
He's played four years for us, and though his role disappeared as we got more talent in, for a while there it looked like he and Jocelyn Kola were going to have a real fight to determine who would be our supersub. Now he's down to DHR level, where he can be an excellent player.

More declines, but Joris Gnagon increases to a leading DC for this level.

Transfer In - DC Karamoko Kouko (16) (Ivorian) - From ES Ploemel - $130 per appearance
What an absolute steal! We swiped this kid from several levels below, but he had a ton of suitors. 14 Heading, Marking, and Tackling, 12 Aggression, 10 Bravery and Concentration, 17 Determination, 12 Positioning, and 13 Strength. Kid is just 16 and he already has 2 U20 caps. 4* potential, and I'm gladly going to pay $130 a game to watch him out there. The first teen prospect we've landed that I'm over the moon about (sorry, Cyrille Allard).

The season preview hypes us up as title challengers, with accolades particularly given to Steven Da Veiga and Franklin Wadja. Sure, guys, just keep piling on that pressure.

We lose $10.91k in July due to having pay out $8.68k in staff salaries. That, and friendlies don't exactly attract a lot of attendees.

Transfer Out - MC/DM Franklin Wadja (25) (Cameroonian) - To RC Strasbourg Alsace - $75k
Whilst this is just CFA level (the next up), it just goes to show deep we're in it - these teams who have cash to burn are throwing money at our dudes. I'm bitterly disappointed at this event. But still, you can't compete with a club that's so rich, they can spend $75,000 on a damn backup. This devastates our lineup, as he's the guy who really ran the middle for us.

Transfer Out - GK Hugo Foucher (30) - To Coventry - $65k
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ....AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I mean... sure... go head Sky Bet League 1 team. Pay far too much money for a guy who is trash. You do you.

vs Sable FC
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Roman Laspalles/Karamoko Kouko/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Durel Avonou/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

I imagine we'll be here a few years. Our opponents have been in this place all five seasons (though switched to Group G last season after the first four years in Group A). They've consistently been a lower-middle class team.

12 - A crossing double team threatens to crush Avonou, but the Congolese midfielder, who got his first senior cap last year, laterals to Benrahou just in time. Gorgeous ball into box space makes it easy for Noc to rush in and tap the short-range kick for the score. 1-0

13 - They're really bunching up on those double and triple teams, and L'Excellent takes advantage by sending to Benrahou. Pass goes in to Noc for the mid-range strike! 2-0

33 - L'Excellent drills the long free kick into the box, where Clement forces the shot in for a goal in his first game back! 3-0

39 - Clement has a defender in his face, so he side steps for the delivery to Benrahou. A triple team is running to crowd him, so he drops off to Ndongo in the box just as they arrive. 1 on 1 = winfest. Funniest part about all this? Their goalie was hyped up in the pregame talk 4-0

57 - Rosier gets the call to sub in for Laidouni

78 - Yellow and tired means L'Excellent leaves the field in favor of Rambaud



Statement season opening win! I'm totally fanboying over Karamoko Kouko, by the way. 7.7 as a 16 year old debuting in his first game at a much higher level? That's just brilliant!

Good moment to pause on. Happy holidays, readers, and I'll see you all in this dynasty sometime next year most likely!

[Izulde]

We're back!

@ Olympique Saumur FC (7th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Our star 16 year old DC is off on international duty, boo.

24 - Ndongo plays it to L'Excellent in the box, and on the return cross, Ndongo leaps up out of nowhere to smash a short-range header in. 1-0

40 - Terrible defense by Samoussi there 1-1

47 - And just before halftime, L'Excellent is carted off with injury. We switch to a narrow formation, with D'Almeida moving up, Rosier coming on at DM, and Hamelin replacing Clement

61 - I go ahead and burn our last sub, putting Laspalles in for Samoussi

Very unlucky not to win here. Laspalles has earned himself a shot at starting next game at DR. Noc really let us down in this one, too, but I'm not going to pull him just yet. We drop from 1st to 3rd on the draw.

Transfer deadline passes without making any moves. We lose $11.81k for the month, and the expectation is that we'll continue to bleed cash.

@ La Fleche (5th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Roman Laspalles/Karamoko Kouko/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Loreintz Rosier
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

Lots of international callups, so it's a lineup shuffle.

33 - Ugh. 0-1

51 - Hamelin for Clement; Rambaud for L'Excellent. Interestingly enough, Ibrahima Kouyate is on the other side.

66 - Amazing interception of a throw-in by Benrahou, who plays a perfect pass to Ndongo in the box. He evades two defenders, and I think he's going to cross, but nope! It's a shot that goes in. 1-1

Another frustrating draw, as a late header by Bouanga is denied by the post. That's twice now we should have won and had to settle for ties.

vs La Roche VF (8th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

22 - Crackerjack longball left side by Da Veiga ahead of Clement in the box. Rundown and cross, but it's too long for L'Excellent to shoot. Instead, he taps it left to Noc for the precision score. 1-0

53 - Bouanga replaces Ndongo; Rosier for D'Almeida

64 - Their keeper just pushes away a shot, and L'Excellent has it. But he's forced back towards the right sideline. Then, all of a sudden, he sends a diagonal back pass into the box, whereupon Benrahou drills the insurance goal from dead center!!! 2-0

All full-time starters except the goalie had 7.1 or higher, with Mathis Clement taking PotM honors with an 8.0. Loreintz Rosier netted a 7.0 off the bench as we finally break through with a win, going back up to 2nd on GD and a point behind the leaders. It's a very tight league this year in the early going - the top 7 teams are all within 2 points of each other.

[Izulde]

It occurred to me this afternoon that we should really look for a parent club now we're semipro.

The board will agree to a feeder club (accidentally selected that option first), but they're refusing to look for a parent club. Even when I threaten to leave, they're like, bye Felicia.

...Ugh. Fine. I'll stay.

A bit of bright news: Steven Da Veiga increases in ability, and is now a good CFA DL.

Transfer Out - ML Jeremie Jeanne (34) - To AS Monts
Goes down several levels finally, and he frankly needed to. Was a good player for us the first couple years.

@ AS Melsanne-Teloche (7th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

First time this year we've fielded our complete best lineup.

26 - They make clearance after clearance here, but on the last one, Da Veiga first touch rocket shots it back into the box, where Noc scores with authority. 1-0

54 - Bougana for Noc, who was banged up, and Rosier for tired Laidouni

75 - Agblemagnon makes another incredible stop like he's done all game, and jackhammers it down to L'Excellent. Two defenders on our right winger, and he fakes them out prior to pristine pass to Bouanga in the box. Only the keeper to beat, and he does, scoring his first Roses goal against his old club!!! 2-0

91 - It's the subs' show as Rosier takes the ball, evades two defenders, and plays a gorgeous ball into box space. Benrahou is there first, torching the keeper to add salt to the wounds. 3-0

Everyone but Ndongo had a 7.0 or higher on the night if they were on the pitch, and the 8+ standouts were: Karamoko Kouko (8.1), Steven Da Veiga (8.0), Yassine Benrahou (8.2) and PotM Robin L'Excellent (8.9). It really took until the last 15 minutes of the game before we finally turned it on, however.



No question here - FC Nueillaubiers is the best option. They're in DSR and have Basic training facilities. The agreement is quickly struck, so come the next transfer window, I'll be sending some of our high upside reserve players down there to play.

vs Vendee Fontenay Football (7th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

55 - Rosier replaces D'Almeida, and Hamelin jogs on for Laidouni. We've had so many fucking shots crack off the woodwork this game, it's stupid.

62 - Rosier is on the left wing, and he laterals to Hamelin for the gorgeous high ball into the box. Noc traps and controls, barely onsides as we *finally* break through. I love our depth. 1-0

64 - How fucking stupid. 1-1

81 - Roselin makes an interception of a short clearance and gives to Hamelin. Pass to Noc in the box is stripped away, but Hamelin picks it up and gives to L'Excellent. Our dead leg right winger finds enough to push past the defense and slot in the late go-ahead goal!!! We celebrate, and Rambaud runs on to prevent the injury from being more serious. 2-1

Karamoko Kouko literally carried the team on his back with an 8.5 PotM rating, and Mickael Hamlin netted a 7.3 off the bench. The Ivorian teenager has definitely lived up to all my expectations in the early going.

Thouars Foot 79 is still a point ahead of us, and goal differential has us on top of Olympique Saumur FC. After that, it's 3 points back, so we're starting to get some separation now after these last two games.

@ La Berrichone Reserves (13th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Thibault Rambaud
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

So, funny thing - a few weeks ago, some jackhole manager said we should be a relegation team. We've put pad to that assclown's remarks so far, and I fully expect us to trounce this actual relegation-level squad.

4 - Lot of bouncing possession, but Clement finally intercepts it for good, hammering it all the way down the pitch ahead of Ndongo. Nobody is around him, and he drives into the box and scores with ease. 1-0

6 - It's weird seeing such a huge stadium so empty. Anyway, Clement runs down a long ball, but his cross is intercepted. Ndongo is there to pull it in, and he laughs in the face of *three* defenders as he fires a shot past everyone! 2-0

28 - Benrahou lines up for the free kick outside the box, but he surprises everyone by laying off to Laidouni in the half-circle. Our Tunisian feeds it to Ndongo, who no one has marked for some reason, and there's his hat trick in under 30 minutes!!! Holy shit!!!! 3-0

Hamelin jogs on for injured Laidouni at the break.

78 - Hamelin threads the needle between two defenders to Clement in the box. Our left winger is facing his own double team, so he taps off to isolated Ndongo for the mid-range strike in the middle of the box. 4-0

89 - Benrahou passes it over to Hamelin, whose ensuing forward pass is blocked. No problem, as Benrahou drifts right, intercepts, and delivers it to Ndongo for his 5th goal on the mid-range!!! 5-0

90 - Hamelin forwards it to Benrahou from deep within our half after a throw in, and the moonshot hits Ndongo just outside the box. Dribble in, and there's a 6th score!!!! OMFG!!! 6-0



Thouars Foot 79 suffered an upset loss, and Olympique Saumur managed a draw against another contender, so we're back alone in 1st place by 2 points!!!

The bad news: Aissa Laidouni is out 3-4 weeks.

The cool news: We ink a guy for the January transfer window.

[Izulde]

vs AJ Auxurre B (14th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Loreintz Rosier
M: Mathis Clement/Mickael Hamlin/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Ambroise Gboho/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Between international callups and injury to Didier Bouanga, we've had to field a depth lineup this game. Fortunately, it's against one of the worst teams in the league.

7 - Laspalles sends it to L'Excellent in the box, and on the cross, Gboho is all alone to pot in the sitter. 1-0

35 - Ndongo's pass is blocked, but he gets it back and pops the ball overhead to L'Excellent. His cross hits Clement for the short-range score. We should actually be winning by 500. 2-0

37 - Benrahou's own pass is blocked, but just like the previous sequence, he gets it back and lofts it. This time it's left to Clement, and on the cross, Ndongo bangs in a header off the underside of the bar. 3-0

49 - Ndongo gives to L'Excellent is the box. His cross is tackled away, but by this time, Ndongo has run up for the shot. He fires. Deflected. But he sinks his own rebound for his 11th goal of the year. 4-0

71 - L'Excellent laterals to Hamlin for the diagonal to Gboho, and the counter pass into the box and Ndongo is tackled away. The ball rolls across the open mouth, and Clement runs up to slam it in. 5-0

77 - L'Excellent's corner is cleared away, but Hamelin comes down with it, and after the trap, strikes his first ever Roses goal!!! I know it sucks paying him $375 a game, but every time he's gone in as a reserve this year, he's produced big. Staking his claim for a regular spot indeed. 6-0

Of course, this was to be expected. Why?



Yep. A ton of grey guys. Free win for every team in the league.

Yassine Benrahou wants a new contract. His agent demands $500 p/a initially, and won't budge from $400 p/a. Considering we have depth, and the guy coming is $300 p/a, I'm not inclined to meet those demands.

Roman Laspalles has really made the DR spot his own, and is upgraded to leading DR for CFA 2 level. He'll likely be demanding a new deal soon, and I'd be willing to pay him if his demands are reasonable.

Round 2 of contract negotiations with Yassine Benrahou, and his agent again won't budge from $400 p/a, though I'm willing to go as high as $350 p/a. Whatever. He can walk as far as I'm concerned.

@ Limoges FC (10th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Mickael Hamelin/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

30 - Horrible miscommunication between Laspalles and Agblemagnon there 0-1

47 - JFC. 0-2

50 - Goblet glomps on for Gnagon, and Bouanga swaps in for Noc

That shitstain of a performance against smirky Emilien Fransquet's team tightened up the table again.

[Izulde]

vs FC Bressiure (6th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Mickael Hamelin/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

42 - Fucking shit. 0-1

47 - D'Almeida to Hamelin to Benrahou straight line, and the ensuing pass into box space sees Ndongo fire in his 50th league goal with authority. 1-1

51 - Bouanga goes in for Noc, who will be benched for a while because he's been awful the last several games.

64 - Ndongo sends a screaming ground rope left to Clement, and with the cross, Benrahou barrels a shot through three defenders. Rosier comes in for D'Almeida as we try to lock this one down. 2-1

72 - Clement goes off with injury, forcing us into inelegant Da Veiga at ML, Laspalles to DL, and Gnagon at DR.

Reading them the riot act at halftime worked, and we survive some scary moments in the closing minutes. Yassine Benrahou takes PotM with an 8.9 and Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo nets a 7.8 as we win ugly to stay in 1st.

@RC Bordeaux Metropole (French Cup Seventh Round)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mickael Hamelin/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bounaga

I don't care if this is a PDH team. We need every dollar we can get from French Cup money, because we're bleeding money.

6 - Da Veiga throws in to Ndongo and they exchange passes until the latter sends the ball into the air to the opposite side of the box. L'Excellent is a step ahead of the defense to put it away. 1-0

46 - We've had a lot of passes blocked this sequence, but Laidouni succeeds in laying off to Benrahou. Pass into the box is blocked, but Benrahou gets his own rebound and sends it back in, where Bouanga drills in the mid-range just before half. 2-0

58 - How embarrassing. Own goal for Laspalles 2-1

65 - You've *got* to be fucking kidding me! Kouko is yanked for Gnagon, and Rosier replaces Laidouni. Ugh. 2-2

88 - Benrahou dumps off to Rosier for the ground feed to Ndongo, and the audacious 30 yard strike somehow finds its way home!!! 3-2

Joris Gnagnon and Loreintz Rosier saved us with 7.0 sub performances. PotM goes to Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo with an 8.7, followed by Didier Bouanga with a 7.6. We got away with one here, and I rip the team after the game.

Ugly win, but that's a much-needed $22.4k in the bank to push us to $366 profit on the year. Sessi D'Almeida is out next game due to yellows.

$12.44k profit, and I'm up to Untouchable for the first time in a long time.

@ Tours FC 2 (5th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Loreintz Rosier
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

Don't let their placement fool you - they've been snakebit by a series of draws similar to what we experienced early this season, so this is a very dangerous squad.

7 - Bouanga faces a triple team, so he kicks back to L'Excellent. High ball forward and the defense wins against Ndongo, but he immediately tackles to squirt the ball loose. Charging Benrahou is there to put it away. I'm thinking maybe I *should* give him the money he wants, if he'll still talk to us. 1-0

34 - Sigh. 1-1

Hamelin replaces injured Clement at half.

49 - Bouanga taps off to Ndongo and he delivers the ball into the box. Benrahou makes like he's going to go forward for the shot, but backs off as L'Excellent rampages in and just *barely* hits the far corner of the net for the go-ahead goal. 2-1

61 - Laidouni lays off to Hamelin, who uses his fresh legs to burn past the defense and into the box. The short pass to Ndongo, and fiery authority adds the insurance! Gnagon hops on at DR for Laspalles, who is tiring and hasn't played well. 3-1

67 - Putrid defending on a corner 3-2

87 - Absolutely awful work leaving a guy open for a rebound sitter. Bouanga is benched for Noc, as we'll try and work some last minute heroics 3-3

88 - YOU'VE GOT TO FUCKING BE KIDDING ME! NOC IS INJURED WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE OF GAME TIME!

We drop to 2nd on this super unfair draw. We also lose Malhory Noc for 2 months. Bitter pill to swallow.

@ A.S. Ingwiller (French Cup Eighth Round)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

Another road game against a Promotion level squad. Hope we play better this go round.

5 - With how narrow we've been lately, I'll take that own goal gift. 1-0

12 - I have no fucking idea who D'Almeida was trying to pass to there, but he stops the counter attack before midfield, and a series of passes later, Benrahou feeds to Ndongo for the box run and score. 2-0

44 - Pro tip: When slide tackling, don't send it back into the box. Bounaga thanks you for his contribution to his score tally, however. 3-0

Everyone except the keeper and Mathis Clement had a 7.2 or higher after a boring second half. 8+ stars were Yassine Benrahou with a PotM 9.0, Joris Gnagnon with an 8.3, and matching 8.2s for Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo and Aissa Laidouni.

That's another $28k to put us back in the black with $22.4k for the year. Guess I can afford Yassine Benrahou's demands now. And lo and behold, he's willing to accept a Backup spot at $300 p/a, dropping his First Team and $400 p/a demands from earlier.

We just can't catch a break in the French Cup this year. Third straight away game, and against a league foe is up for the next round.

vs Thouars Foot 79 (1st)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Loreintz Rosier
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

Biggest match of the year by far. Rosier is starting because he's been bitching about wanting more opportunities. He has more upside than Sessi D'Almeida, and they're about equal in talent, so I'll give him the time he wants.

49 seconds - Well, shit. Awful defense on the free kick. 0-1

4 - Bouanga runs down a long ball and crosses to the near post. Ndongo drifts right to get there and socks it away 1-1

At the half, Laidouni is out for Hamelin, and there's a striker switch, with Gboho comes on for Bouanga.

68 - Let's gamble with a 3-1-1-5 DM Wide, pushing up the wingers to AML/R. Benrahou goes out to AML, Hamelin and Rosier each move up a spot, and D'Almeida comes in at DM, burning our third sub.

81 - Da Veiga blocks a cross and the ball bounces free. Benrahou gets there and absolutely boots the ball down the right flank. Gboho tears away, running right to go fetch it, and the center to Ndongo nets a score!!! 2-1

91 - Ndongo misses the jump on our goal kick, but Gbhoho traps the bounce and taps it back to our star striker. Flare up to L'Excellent, and his cross is headed somewhere else, but Hamelin boldly butts in to break open the game with an insurance goal!!! 3-1

Yassine Benrahou had a fairly poor game, and one sub netted a 6.9. Everyone else was 7 or higher, with Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo carrying the team with a PotM 8.8, supported by Robin L'Excellent's 8.1.

Massive win to take back first place, and I'm chuffed as fuck that my innate unorthodox formation paid off in spades. Karamoko Kouko is out the next match with yellows, but it's cool. We're 2 points and GD ahead again!

[Izulde]

Aissa Laidouni gets hurt in training and is out 3-4 weeks. I'm thinking we should probably look at upgrading the MC spot anyway.

Sessi D'Almeida is now a leading CFA 2 DM, and I think he tops out at that, whereas I see Loreintz Rosier as an eventual CFA DM.

Mathieu Coquin is tentatively interested in coming back, but wants way too much money.

@ AS Mulsanne-Teloche (French Cup Ninth Round)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Loreintz Rosier/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

25 - Ndongo muscles the ball off a defender and plays up to Benrahou for the ray out left to Clement. He crosses, and L'Excellent is simply too quick and too fast for his man to keep up with him. 1-0

55 - If you're going to come out of the net, make sure you can get the fucking ball! 1-1

57 - Hamelin swaps in for Benrahou, and striker switch as Gboho replaces Bouanga, though both guys up front have played like shit this game.

89 - Hamelin races down the pitch untouched and then boots it high and left to Clement for the run and cross. Amidst screams of offsides, Ndongo finally shakes off the snide and jams in the short-range go ahead goal!!! 2-1

90 - Agblemagnon makes the easy stop and kicks it all the way down the pitch to I forget who. Pass out wide to L'Excellent and he dribbles before short post crossing to Ndongo. Our Congolese striker doesn't like his shot, so he laterals to Gboho for the insurance! 3-1

We snapped out of our funk late in the game, so that almost everyone has 7.0 or better, including Ambroise Gboho's 7.1 sub showing. After nearly getting yanked, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo roars back for a team-high 8.9, with Sessi D'Almeida (7.9), and Joris Gnagnon (7.8) the key supports. The PotM was their wily 33 year old AMC, whose best days are past him, but still produces.

That's another $33.6k in the bank, which *might* be enough for us to turn a profit at season's end.

ANOTHER FUCKING AWAY MATCH! GRRR! This is such bullshit. At least it's a team on our level.

@ Angouleme CFC (12th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Loreintz Rosier/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Didier Bouanga

18 - Bouanga kicked the clearance right at an opponent. FML. 0-1

52 - Out goes Bouanga and in for Gboho and striker switch. Rosier slides down to DM and Hamelin comes in at MC.

53 - JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!!! 0-2

Only a surprising draw by Thouars Foot 79 keeps us in the lead by a single point. No excuse for that shit.

Transfer In - MRC/AMR Amine Belahmur (22) - Algerian - From Saint-Nazaire AF - $400 P/A
12 Crossing, 10 Dribbling, 11 First Touch, 12 Passing, 11 Technique, 12 Flair, 10 Off The Ball, 10 Acceleration, 11 Pace, 11 Stamina, and an eye-popping 15 Natural Fitness. As much as I love Robin L'Excellent, he is what he is, whereas this kid, who was a star for Saint-Nazaire AF the last couple years, and quality for AS Mulsanne-Teloche a couple seasons before that, is close to him now and has much higher upside. Speaking of which, our one-time rivals are a distant third in the league, tied with TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne, and behind a team that promoted up and a team that relegated down. The one that went down is leading on goal differential.

Joris Gnagon and Loreintz Rosier come to complain because a lot of players are bitching about wanting to leave due to lack of PT. I placate Rosier, but Gnagnon is furious and wants to leave now. FML.

@ USSA Vertou (French Cup 64e de Finale)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Steven Da Veiga/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Loreintz Rosier/Amine Belahmur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Ambroise Gboho/Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We're massive underdogs, as is to be expected.

8 - It's about the time Ndongo draws a PK that I realize I forgot to set my kickers. Belahmur is selected to take it, and it's stopped. Ugh. Crushing debut moment for the kid. But that's exactly who I would have picked anyway.

10 - HE WAS OFFSIDES!!!! 0-1

31 - Rosier passes forward to Benrahou, who dribbles and plays a beautiful box space ball. Ndongo is there and puts it away to the raptures of our small traveling fans. 1-1

51 - Hamelin goes in for Clement, Bouanga for Gboho

54 - They keep getting possession back with ease, and we're frankly damn lucky not to be down by like 4. 1-2

62 - Rosier plays it to Benrahou for a short touch and cross to Bouanga in the box. First touch shot hits the equalizer!!! 2-2

70 - Hamelin catches a pass and dribbles to the touchline before centering to Bouanga. A defender is sliding at him, so he passes far right, where Belahmur is sitting. Tap to Ndongo, and the diagonal goes in!!! The kid has been ass in his debut, but my gut said to keep him in there, and here it's rewarded. 3-2

73 - Belahmur's corner is cleared, but Hamelin pounces on the rebound and laterals to Rosier. Hopeful shot that needs some help from the bar, but there's his first Roses score and the insurance!!!! 4-2

78 - The fans left early, and of course they score. 4-3

83 - What the HELL is this?! 4-4

On to extra time we go.

97 - I burn my last sub, sending Gnagnon in for Kouko

102 - Fuck. 4-5

106 - This. 4-6

$19.04k in the loss, where our offense was brilliant, our defense and keeping complete trash. Agblemagnon adds injury to insult, picking up a finger knock that makes him questionable for our next game.

Oh, and Sessi D'Almeida is again out on yellows. Rough two game stretch here for sure.

[Izulde]

@ Olympique Saumur FC (5th)
G: Anthony Dauvergne
D: Jocelyn Kola/Antoine Goblet/Joris Gnangon
DM: Karl Sorin
M: Mathis Clement/Mickael Hamelin/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Thibault Candia
S: Ambroise Gboho/Didier Bouanga

It's a greatest hits of one-time stars due to injuries, exhaustion, and suspensions. We'll probably get our asses kicked in this one.

6 - Sorin plays right to Gnagnon for the forward pass to L'Excellent. On the cross, the keeper dives and misses, so Clement is able to hoof it in. 1-0

49 - Kouko goes in for Goblet; Belahmeur for Hamelin

58 - DON'T FUCKING COME OUT UNLESS YOU MAKE THE STOP! 1-1

72 - Dickfucking shitass fuckingnasdoghaoghoafhgagha 1-2

92 - Clement to Candia to Gboho. He draws the double team, so dumps it into the wide open middle, and Candia charges to convert the stunning late equalizer! 2-2

I'm not going to fuck with an inspired team after that moment, so I'm nice about it - especially considering we were fielding a poor lineup. Thouars Foot 79 got hammered 0-3, so Tours FC 2 moves up to a point behind us, Foot 2 points back. Very tight top 3.

Transfer In - DL Belgacem Louhichi (23) - Tunisian - $350 P/A
11 First Touch, 10 Marking, 12 Tackling, 11 Positioning, 12 Work Rate, 13 Acceleration, 12 Pace, 10 Stamina. He's been a mediocre player for Angers SCO's Reserves team a level up. No chance of supplanting Steven Da Veiga here, nor will he be on the subs list. Merely insurance. 4* Potential, though.

Holiday break follows, which will be good for letting guys rest up before heading into the second half of the season.

Transfer In - GK Aubry Cabioch (21) - $450 P/A
12 Command of Area, 11 Handling, 12 Reflexes, 12 Decisions, 16 Agility. I'll be honest - although my staff rates him and Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon equally, I like Cabioch quite a bit more, so will pay him the money to be our starter, even though he was pretty poor as a CFA 1 starter for FC Nantes' reserve team.

Yassine Benrahou goes out 2 to 3 months during training. Swell.

Transfer Out - DL Steven Da Veiga (25) - Cape Verdean - To La-Poire-sur-Vie VF - $34k
... Good thing I signed the DL. I mean, I can't blame him - they're first in their CFA group, and that's a tidy sum, but... FML. Super salty right now, especially since he was arguably our best player not named Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo.

So the board offers to revise my expectations for the season with a corresponding payroll increase. We're spending $61k right now. ...Sure, let's go with around the top of the league.

Transfer In - ML/AML Mathieu Claverie (21) - From AS Mulsanne-Teloche - $220 P/A
A cheaper backup to Mathis Clement. 11 Crossing, 10 First Touch, 10 Work Rate, 15 Acceleration, 14 Pace. His flair sucks ass like Ross Gload, but we'll work around in. 4* upside.

Transfer In - AMC/MC/AMR Didine Mohamed-Djouhary (21) - Reunionese - $300 PA
Key pickup with the injury to Yassine Benrahou. 14 First Touch and Passing, 12 Technique, 13 Decisions, 15 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 11 Vision and Work Rate, and exceptional all-around Physical attributes. The latest in our long line and proud tradition of star AMCs. He'll keep the starting role even when Benrahou returns.

..Aaaaannd he promptly gets hurt and will miss our next match.

I signed another kid, an MC I thought who could do something. I was wrong, so I'm not going to profile him.

Great. Evidently our feeder team doesn't allow sending down. I don't fucking know why, but it's pissing me off.

vs La Fleche (5th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Durel Avonou/Sessi D'Almeida/Amine Belahmeur
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

Fan Day today, and we've got roughly 300 on hand for this match.

15 - D'Almeida passes to Noc for the fabulous feed to Belahmeur. Dribble and cross, and Ndongo burns them all for the score. 1-0

18 - Dafuq? First free kick goal we've given up in a long time. 1-1

25 - Fucking long range shots. 1-2

41 - Currently on my shitlist: Cabioch. He should have stopped both. Long range on the goal kick goes to Noc, who answers with a fire long bomb that goes in! Happy birthday, Malhory!!! 2-2

At half, Rosier replaces tired Laidouni, Laspalles flips to DL, and Gnagnon comes in at DR.

51 - Our season continues to go down in flames, and Kouyate fucks us. 2-3

We fall to 2nd, and Joris Gnagon continues to fight with me.

@ La Roche VF (12th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Sessi D'Almeida/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

They've been on a horrible run of form lately, too, so if we can get a win here that'll go a long way to restoring crashing morale.

14 - ?!?! Clement literally just passed the ball back to the opponents!!!! 0-1

45 - Noc kicks back to [b]Mohamed-Djouhary-/b] for the wing out to Belahmeur. Cross, and Ndongo continues to bail us out 1-1

52 - Flat 3-4-1-2 with Rosier replacing our tired debut AMC. Allard comes in for Noc, having successfully petitioned to come off the bench due to poor play from every striker not named Ndongo
asiodfhasdiogoasdgoahioaduioghaodfgasduoosdghoasgafgafgagfasdfgasfg

sdfasdpjfasdjpfghasfhgasdhighioashiodfasghodrt9034u8htiowth935htgohegoiadfh9gohafo0igho9ago9afasf 1-2


WE CRASH TO 4TH ON THAT AFUCKINASGOASODGHASOGHASOHGASHGOASHGASHFGOAGA

[Izulde]

Karamoko Kouko and Mathis Clement get ability upgrades, but Malhory Noc declines, and I'm pondering switching to a single striker formation.

vs AS Mulsanne-Teloche (8th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Sessi D'Almeida/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

27 - Mohamed-Djouhary dribbles along the box perimeter before cutting in and lateraling to Ndongo for the midrange score. We're actually underdogs in this one. 1-0

55 - Goblet in for Kouko; Rosier for Laidouni

84 - Noc gets into a battle with a defender, but finally wins out and slips it ahead to Mohamed-Djouhary for the box feed to Ndongo. The shot thunders off the woodwork, but he's there to put away his own rebound. 2-0

Good solid win keyed by Didine Mohamed-Djouhary's PotM 9.0, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo' 8.8, and a raft of 7.2-7.3, including much maligned keeper Aubry Cabioch. We climb back into 2nd with 9 games to go.

With those two scores, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo has 19 CFA2 goals, breaking the league record. The 23 year old Congolese superstar is also now a French citizen

@ Vendee Fontenay Football (7th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

52 - Laspalles throws in to Noc for the lateral to Clement. His shot is blocked, but drifting left is Mohamed-Djouhary to score his first Roses goal!!! Allard jogs in for Ndongo; Rosier for D'Ameida because neither one is playing well. 1-0

79 - Noc shoots it up to Clement in the box, and the pass to Allard results in the long-time Rose's first goal of the year!!! 2-0

83 - Clement gathers a long ball, dribbles, and cracks a power cross that Noc sinks as we prove we score without our star after all. 3-0

Yelling at them at halftime did work, as all full-time players but the keeper and our DL had 7.1 or better. Mathis Clement's 9.1 carried the day, with an 8.5 by Didine Mohamed-Djouhary and a 7.1 for Cyrille Allard off the bench. Nobody gave us a shot in this one, but we pulled off the alleged upset. 2 points separating 1st and 3rd - that's how tight the top of the table is.

[Izulde]

So we're pretty much a lock to lose money this season and face a tighter payroll next year. Not having that TV cash coming in is killing us. Why the league below gets that cash and we don't, I've no idea.

Karamoko Kouko is out a little over a month with injury, but the good news is, Joris Gnagon got over his snit and is happy again.

vs La Berrichone Reserves (14th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We're officially unveiling our new 3-1-5-1 DM formation today.

8 - Longball changes of possession everywhere, until D'Almeida gets it and settles things down, passing to Mohamed-Djouhary. He taps off to Laidouni for the slight forward to Benrahou. Pass to Clement in the box, and our left winger drives past two defenders to drill in the diagonal. 1-0

58 - Goblet goes in for Gnagon; Allard for Ndongo

80 - Mohamed-Djouhary has two defenders on him, so he flares out to Clement. Dribble into the box, and defender gives him too much room. Ball, meet net. 2-0

All full-time players had 7.0 or better, with Mathis Clement's PotM 9.2 and Didine Mohamed-Djouhary's 9.0 carrying the day. Yassine Benrahou was our third star at 7.7.

Better still, Thours Foot 79 suffered a major upset 0-1 home loss, putting us in in front of the league by 2 points!

Our youth pulls are the usual trash, and no one is getting signed, obviously.

@ AJ Auxurre B (13th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Loreintz Rosier
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Sessi D'Almeida is off on international duty - not that it'll matter, because they're still not fielding even close to a full strength squad.

10 - Belahmeur centers it, and after some confusion, Laidouni takes it outside the box, tapping it to Rosier for the perfect box feed to Mohamed-Djouhary. No one touches him on the dribble and score. 1-0

25 - Belahmeur has the ball stripped away, but he gets it back for the ground cross. Benrahou is rekt on the way, so Clement falls on it and rifles a shot between three defenders. 2-0

54 - Goblet for Gnagnon; Allard for Ndongo

59 - Double yellow for Rosier. What a dumbass.

Everyone from box to wire but the keeper had 7.1 or better. Yassine Benrahou is PotM with a 9.0, Mathis Clement his second at 7.9. The one bad thing about this formation is that it takes the striker completely out of the equation, so I may need to tweak a bit.

We're now 5 points up on 3rd place, but still just 2 ahead of 2nd. Six games to go.

The board wants to lock me up with a new contract. I hope a raise is forthcoming.

vs Limoges FC (8th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

9 - Beautiful blast by Benrahou on the free kick shot!!!! This is a dangerous team despite their placement - they beat us last game. 1-0

28 - Mohamed-Djouhary kicks back to D'Almeida for the first touch forward to Benrahou. Box feed sees Clement with a step on the defense, and he continues his hot run under our new setup. 2-0

41 - Clement on the corner and Louhichi rises above them all to smash in the header, his first Roses score!!!! 3-0

43 - Very unlucky for them not to score there.

88 - Laspalles lays off to Laidouni for the short to Benrahou and on to Mohamed-Djouhary. Box pass to Ndongo, and his cold streak is finally snapped! 4-0

89 - Immediate answers, but meh. 4-1



Been a long time since we've had a game like that. It's officially a two team race now with 5 games left - We're still 2 points up on 2nd, but 8 up on 3rd.

The bad news is we lose Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo for a month after he twists his knee in a friendly. On the upside, with two weeks spaced out between league matches, he'll be back before the end of the season.

@ FC Bressuire (10th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Malhory Noc

27 - Beautiful interception by D'Almeida there, and he passes to Laidouni for the short to Clement. Fake out of the defender, and the lateral to injured but still playing [b]Mohamed-Djouhary-/b] results in a gorgeous box feed to Benrahou, who converts it easily. 1-0

42 - Terrible corner kick defense 1-1

We go back to our 3-1-3-1-2 DM at half, with Allard coming in for injured Mohamed-Djouhary

58 - Injured and playing badly is Noc, who's yanked for L'Excellent

74 - Stellar takeaway by Benrahou deep in our half, and he blasts it all the way down the pitch to L'Excellent. He immediately draws the PK and is selected to take the shot. He converts with no problem to put us back up 2-1

We get away with one here on the back of Yassine Benrahou's 8.0 PotM performance, Didine Mohamed-Djouhary's 7.8 in the first half, and Robin L'Excellent's clutch 7.0 GWG.

Better still, Thouars Foot 79 only manages a 1-1 home draw versus an inferior team, so we're now 4 points ahead with 4 games to play.

Didine Mohamed-Djouhary is out 3-4 weeks, and Malhory Noc is going to sit a week and a half. Karamoko Kouko is also going to sit out the next one with yellow cards accumulated.

Transfer In - DL Evan Jean-Lambert (22) - From US Montagnarde - $525 P/A
It took a little back and forth, and an overesteemed Key Player contract, but we landed this FC Nantes product as an upgrade over Belgacem Louhichi, who was only ever meant to be a backup until he developed. 10 Marking, 14 Tackling, 11 Positioning, 16 Teamwork, 12 Acceleration, and 14 Stamina.

Contract negotiations are in, and they're offering me the same pay, with a 15% promotion increase, 35% relegation decrease. The increase would put me close to $40k, but I really want a base raise. Finally we settle on a small raise - $39k base, and if the promotion raise kicks in, I'll be one of the lower paid CFA coaches, though a fair step higher than the lowest tier, which is $36.5k.

We're officially in the red for the season - $452 in the hole. That will continue, but at least it took until the start of May for that to happen. I'm Untouchable now.

vs Tours FC 2 (3rd)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Malhory Noc/Cyrille Allard

A win here, and we officially knock these guys out of title contention.

43 - It's a dull first half until Jean-Lambert intercepts and gives to Laidouni. On to Benrahou for the box pass to Noc. Three defenders crowding up, so he passes right, where completely unmarked Allard free shorts the goal. 1-0

59 - L'Excellent subs in for Belahmeur; Hamelin for Benrahou as we get our poor performers off the pitch.

66 - Off goes Noc with injury again, our last sub burnt on Bouanga

80 - Jean-Lambert laterals to Hamelin and it's the perfect setup into the box for Bouanga, but his shot's pushed away. On the rebound, he sees that it's better to short pass right, where charging Allard puts away his second goal of the game!!! I'm so glad he asked me to give him a shot at subbing off the bench. 2-0

7.0 or better for all box to wire guys but the keeper. Cyrille Allard takes home PotM with an 8.8, Joris Gnagnon continuing the proud Ivorian DC tradition we've had this year at DC with a 7.9.

3 matches left. Thouars Foot 79 had it all to do with rescuing a late away draw, but still fall 6 points behind us. We've also officially clinched 2nd place in the league, no matter what happens from here on out.

Malhory Noc is out for at least 2 months, and I think that means our team captain's done for the year.

@ Thouars Foot 79 (2nd)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

This is the match that will decide our season. They haven't done themselves any favors recently, and will be chomping at the bit to engineer a 3 point swing to cut our lead in half, making the last two games critical nailbiters. Should they lose here, we lock up the title.

50 - The first half was a nothing hamburger, and I swap out Laspalles and Belahmeur for Gnagnon and L'Excellent respectively, sitting our two guys with yellows.

74 - Kouko gives up the PK, but Agblemagnon stops it easily!!!! Laidouni is yanked for Rosier

90 - Ugh. No excuse for not scoring there.

Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon saved our bacons as we escape with a draw in a match we frankly could have and probably should have lost. Roman Laspelles is going to sit the next game due to yellows. He's been arguably the biggest surprise of the season.

The pressure is still all on them. Because we have a +12 GD advantage over them, they basically need us to lose out and to win out themselves.

Karamoko Kouko is hurt in training and will miss our next match, so the backline is going to be really shaky.

Angers SCO stomps AJ Auxerre 3-1 in the French Cup final. Talk about a stellar run by the losers, though. A completely broke Ligue 2 team (remember, their B side plays here with a bunch of grey guys) making it all the way there is astounding.

A bump for Sessi D'Almeida, a decline for Robin L'Excellent.

Really weird bug: Promotion Odds pop up again right before our next match, and we're heavy favorites to win the league. ...Um, no shit? I'm asked about it in the tunnel, too.

vs Angouleme CFC (11th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Antoine Goblet/Joris Gnagnon
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

If there was ever an opponent to go in wounded against, it's these guys by rankings. But in actuality, don't sleep on them - they drew Thouars Foot 79 on our competitors' home turf. They also beat us in the first match.

32 - Goblet steals the ball and absolutely blasts it downfield, where Ndongo gets it just inside the box. The keeper comes out to block the shot, which he does, but he's still so far out, the long-range rebound for our Congolese star is easy!!! 1-0

40 - Mohamed-Djouhary plays it to Ndongo in the box, and I'm thinking it's going to be a layoff. Nope! He shoots and gets *just* the right angle to double our lead! 2-0

42 - D'Almeida with the tapper to Laidouni, and he passes it on to Ndongo in the half-circle. This time, he draws the defense to him, then lays it into the box for Clement to put it away. Funny thing is, we've actually played poorly this first half until the last 10 minutes. 3-0

46 - Gnagnon hauls ass from deep in our territory to beat them on a clearance, which shocked the hell out of me. Though the ensuing shot from Ndongo runs wide, Benrahou runs it down and kicks it back to D'Almeida. On to Laidouni, who feeds Ndongo in a gap of defenders wall... and there's the first half hat trick!!!! His 50th Roses score!!!! 4-0

50 - Goblet got beat on that one, and the shot was unstoppable 4-1

52 - The lateral to Jean-Lambert, who flares out left to Belahmeur?!?! What's he doing over there?! Centering, and a phenomenal sliding tackle by Mohamed-Djouhary results in an immediate answer!!! 5-1

64 - Goblet gives up the PK and Cabioch is just short on his stop attempt. 5-2

79 - Bad Cabioch is showing up today. Goblet is yanked and we go with two DMs, Rosier subbing in. 5-3

81 - ...You have *got* to be shitting me! 5-4

What a complete clusterfuck of a second half. I ripped into the team for that collapse, as our backline dicked around. Only Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo's 9.5 PotM and Didine Mohamed-Djouhary's 9.0 prevented the total embarrassment.

Too little, too late for Thouars Foot 79, because we promote again, heading to CFA proper!!!!!

And the accolades come rushing in:







And then comes the biggest stunner of them all:



For the very first time in my amateur FM career, I'm actually going to have a transfer budget!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Izulde]

No one wants to take a part-time contract yet, so we'll wait for the rollover to next season.

@ Sable FC (4th)
G: Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Antoine Goblet/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Laureintz Rosier
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

We're paying Evan Jean-Lambert, but everyone else here is free, as we've literally nothing to play for. Title? Won. Breaking the single season scoring record, both individual and team? Done

31 - Clement to Rosier to just ahead of injured Ndongo. He scores his 29th goal of the year with ease, and he'll need to score again before halftime if he wants to get 30 on the season. 1-0

Bouanga comes for Ndongo at the break.

77 - Boukabous makes it an all Bou ST pairing by subbing in for Allard

It wasn't pretty, but Laureintz Rosier's surprise PotM 9.1 rating at AMC, a position he's not comfortable with, a 7.8 by Antoine Goblet, and a 7.5 from Aissa Laidouni cap off our year with a victory.

The $21.42k prize purse for winning the league puts us back in the black by about $5.6k for the season.



I'm a little in awe we pulled out the title in our first season. We beat out bigger, richer clubs to promote up. Remember, I said I figured we'd be here for a few years, but our fairy tale ascension continues.



Arguably the best season ever out of our backline. No weak players there. Our GK situation is the best it's been, too - two quality keepers who will fight it out. We've a battle on our hands for the starting DL spot. I'd like a DR upgrade if I can find one that's young enough. We initially had a deal for a 29 year old, but I canceled it at the last minute. There's danger ahead at DC - Karamoko Kouko's ambitions have outgrown the club, and he's not interested in committing himself long-term. I suspect we'll see him stolen away in the summer.



What a dream pairing Yassine Benrahou and Didine Mohamed-Djouhary are up at AMC. That also likely won't last - Benrahou is pissed at broken promises and wants out. Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo had the best season by a Rose striker since Mickael Bernardo the first year, and has surpassed Elias Uzamukunda as the greatest attacker ever to don the blue and white. Unfortunately, his non-contract demands are too high for us to keep him, so he could get poached as well.



Six players were inducted this year, including a few starters. This lineup in its prime would be a great group for sure. It'll be interesting to see how these continue to change as the seasons go by.



No arguments with any of this, though I'm stunned the Player of the Year vote wasn't closer, and that Ndongo didn't win it. Benrahou is definitely deserving, however.

Icons
Izulde Jestor - Manager
Thibault Rambaud - Player

Favored
Mabidi Mayala (Ret.)
Yassine Benrahou
Francois Rio
Malhory Noc
Cyrille Allard (!)
Emilien Fransquet

Man, what does Ndongo have to do to feel the love?

Favored Club - Doue-la-Fontaine
Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo
Malhory Noc
Yassine Benrahou

Favored Personnel - Izulde Jestor
Cyrille Allard
Karamoko Kouko
Roman Laspalles

Nice to see a couple more guys showing me the love.

Our jersey sponsorship skyrockets from $23.65k to $37k, a just under $14k jump! Unfortunately, that means we're going to have to pay that $14k in taxes on our profits. Boo.

Yassine Benrahou set a CFA 2 single season record with his 7.85 average rating.

When the season rolls over, the board informs me they'll pay out part-time contracts to First Team and Key Players dudes. Phenomenal! ...Only everyone's looking for a big money payday just about, who fits that category, and we're nowhere near close enough for that.

Re-signing - GK Aubry Cabioch (22) - 2 years, $10k/year - $1.5k loyalty bonus
4.5* upside, and though he had a few hiccups, he got better as the season wore on. His value is $27k after signing, so he could be spun for a tidy profit - especially if he develops into his rumored upside. It also ends the question of who our starting keeper is next year.

Re-signing - AMR/MR/MC Amine Belahmeur (23) - Algerian - 2 years, $20k/year - $1.5k loyalty bonus
4* upside and we probably paid too much to keep him, but he does have a shiny new $49.5k valuation. If we sell him off at some point, Robin L'Excellent can step in if we opt to ink him. My assman actually has gone back to rating the later higher, but can't ignore the kid's upside

We get $53.57k in TV money, which is lower than I expected.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Adel Zainek (22) - 2 years - $125.k/year - $1.5k loyalty bonus
Average CFA player right now, but bristling with 4.5* upside. Only Balance (3) is below 11 in Physical attributes, and he has 13 First Touch, 11 Passing, 13 Technique, 12 Decisions, 16 Teamwork besides. Has some work to do before he'll be a true fit for the DLP role in our 3-1-3-1 DM formation, but he'll be great as a CM in our 3-1-5-1 DM setup. We've been hunting a long time for a major MC upgrade, and he's it. Also tops our valuation chart at $53k. Although a free, the board deducted $525 from our transfer budget after the signing.

We averaged 262 people last year, smashing our old record of 206. Hopefully that continues.



Um, wot? Okay, here's the real story - we're projected to finish 10th among the 16 teams. The bottom two teams relegate, and only the winner goes up to the National level. We're definitely in big time now, however. There's Ligue 1 reserve teams at this level, and everyone takes home prize money, even those who drop.

Oh, and we paid out $22k in squad bonuses last year for winning the league.

It's the start of the transfer window again, and we're going to take a break here. We've got 3 players locked down to guaranteed contracts for the next two seasons, but our overall talent is quite mediocre. Then again, that's not surprising - even with a big jump in stature after our surprise CFA 2 win, we were in the lower-middle tier of reputation.

But I'm ecstatic that I *finally* got an amateur side all the way up to where we can offer some players money and lock them in. It's the greatest FM success I've ever had.

[Izulde]

Perspective
Just two teams are also capped out at the $30k for Key Player, $25k for First Team. They're picked to finish 14th and 15th. Hell, there's even a single player making $1.1 million by himself. We're definitely in deep waters here, and it's going to be a long, slow building process.

The board still refuses to look for a parent club, and are fine with letting me walk. I didn't get my promotion raise yet, either.

I purge everyone who isn't rated at least 2* potential - something I probably should have done years ago. That includes such stalwart names as Elias Uzamukunda and Jocelyn Kola.

Mathis Clement is appointed Captain, with Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo retaining his Vice Captain spot. Clement is delighted, and most of the squad is happy.

Contract negotiations continue to go on without success for our top guys. They want to sign, and I want to sign them, but it's just not feasible with how the club is handcuffing me.

Transfer Out - GK Yorgan Edem Agblemagnon (21) - To US Saint-Malo - $90k
...Yeah. When you look at that, the $10k per year we're doling out to Aubry Cabioch looks like a damn steal. Is YEA better? Probably. Is he 9x better? Absolutely fucking not.

A bunch of decreased ability hits aren't cool. Honestly, we're going to be lucky just to stay up. We haven't been able to find anyone in scouting, and defections will continue.

...The 64e de Finale in the French Cup is fine, but a mid-table finish?! Really?!

Season Ticket Sales: 76 (+18)
Bank Balance: $311,294 (-$253)
Estimated Value: $400k (+50k)
Average Ticket Price: $11 (+2)
Average Season Ticket Price: $126 (+$36)
Reputation: Local 
Training Facilities: Basic 
Stadium capacity: 500
Average attendance: 262 (+56)
Media Prediction: 10th
My Reputation: 25% (+5%)

And I'm also now officially a Legend!!!!

Transfer In - AMC/MC/DM Malo Verbeke (23) - From Saint-Nazaire AF - $325 P/A
11 Finishing, 12 First Touch, 11 Long Shots and Passing, 12 Technique, 11 Composure, 14 Decisions, 15 Flair, 10 Teamwork, 12 Vision. I like him better than my staff, despite the fact that his physicals aren't too impressive. He's injury cover right now, and will need to develop before seeing a long-term role.

We also sign a P/A striker who sucks, so nevermind his writeup.

Amine Belahmeur declines, which pisses me off.

If I see one more "No interest in joining", I may well scream.



At least our one new starting addition is being hyped up as a critical player. Malo Verbeke gets injured in a friendly, so he's out 3-4 weeks.

vs Olympique Noisy-le-sec
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Karamoko Kouko/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

If we can't beat these guys, it's going to be a long, long season.

42 seconds - Zainek knocks an interception header down to Mohamed-Djouhary. Flare out and up to Belahmeur for a short dribble and cross, where Ndongo high leg kicks it in! 1-0

56 - We switch to our 3-1-3-1-2 DM, Mohamed-Djouhary's tired ass taking a seat and Allard going in

59 - Clement draws a PK in the box after a layoff by Allard, and Belahmeur converts the penalty, driving it right through the keeper, for his first ever Roses goal! 2-0

66 - Laidouni goes in for tiring Zainek

74 - Jean-Lambert takes the return pass after a throw-in and ropes it down the flank to Clement. Three defenders hone in on our left winger in the box, and he centers to Allard for the easy score 3-0

Everyone except Aissa Laidouni who played today had a 7.0 or better. We turned it on in the second half, and our 8+ guys were Karamoko Kouko (8.5) and Mathis Clement (9.0 and PotM).

But Angers SCO is already sniffing around Karamoko Kouko, and the French Cup titleholders will doubtlessly offer him a contract after his exceptional performance today.

[Izulde]

Transfer Out - DC Karamoko Kouko (17) - Ivorian - To RC Lens - $34k
Talk about a massive kick to the balls. He signs for way cheaper than I expected, and he's playing for their Reserves team, who is in our fucking league. I'm so pissed at this betrayal. It also means Didine Mohamed-Djouhary is no longer interested in signing long-term with us. Oh, and the kid signs the very day we have a match. FML.

@ SM Caen Reserves (6th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

2 - Ndongo plays up to Clement for the dribble *just* inside the box, and the cross sees Belahmeur blast the mid-range shot in 1-0

6 - No excuse for Cabioch letting that one in 1-1

28 - Yeah, long season ahead 1-2

47 - Laspalles delivers to Belahmeur, who dribbles before hitting a booming diagonal cross. Clement has the defense beat, and we draw level 2-2

49 - That was a mighty generous PK call for Ndongo, and Belahmeur fakes out the goalie to put us up!!! 3-2

51 - Zainek chases down a clearance and gives to D'Almeida. Pass to Mohamed-Djouhary, and there's a beautiful leading pass into the box. Their keeper races Ndongo, but our Congolese striker is there first, and laughingly puts it away. Shit game by Gnagnon, so he goes for Goblet, as shoring up our defense will be key 4-2

63 - A lot of holding up of the ball deep in our half until Laspalles hoofs it over the midfield to Belahmeur, and he absolutely TORCHES a defender en route to the cross and streaking Clement sniping in a score 5-2

74 - We fiddle-faddle, passing the ball around until Zainek shorts to Mohamed-Djouhary, who sneaks the ball into the box as three defenders converge on him. Ndongo's to the ball first, and the second half hammering continues 6-2



We're one of three unbeaten teams left. Pretty damned impressive, even though it's literally only been two games. The combined 9 goals also sets a league record.

vs IC Croix (15th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Loreintz Rosier/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Should be a winnable game.

20 - Benrahou to Ndongo, and the shot clangs off the post and sits there. Mohamed-Djouhary and the defender race, the latter slide tackling the ball right into the net for an own goal. LOL. They're using a lot of double teams, by the way. 1-0

34 - Belahmeur gives it to Mohamed-Djouhary for a right flank run and center to Ndongo. Our Congolese star has had two denials by the frame, but this one firmly stays down and in to double our lead. 2-0

44 - Jean-Lambert throws in to Ndongo deep in their half. Short pass to Clement preludes a center, and Mohamed-Djouhary's head bangs in the shot! 3-0

65 - Goblet goes on for Rosier, Hamelin for tired Mohamed-Djouhary

Solid all-around performance, despite a quiet second half. Didine Mohamed-Djouhary takes home PotM honors with 9.0, the other two stars Mathis Clement (8.3), and Sessi D'Almeida (8.1).

If you would have told me we'd be in 1st place after 3 games and the only unbeaten team left in the league, I'd have said you were full of shit. But here we are.

[Izulde]

Transfer Out - ML/AML/MC/AMC Mickael Hamelin (22) - To Limoges FC - $11.5k
This one surprised me a little bit. Yes, it's a First Team deal to go down a level, and it's guaranteed cash money, but I really thought he was going to stick around and continue being a key reserve. This puts our ML situation in the danger zone for sure, and of course it happens right at the deadline. Well, we do have Mathieu Claviere who can step in, so nevermind. Not as critical as I thought.

We signed a guy my scout liked, but my assman hates, so nevermind about him. Olympique Saumur is very upset to lose him, however.

@ Paris Saint-Germain FC 2 (2nd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Malo Verbeke
S: Cyrille Allard

This is where we get exposed as the frauds we are, especially with energy and international travel nerfing our lineup. How badly are we likely to get our asses kicked? I present to you the following:



Yes, there's a grey guy keeper, but there's also literal millionaires

31 - Great job of holding them off that long 0-1

42 - Verbeke to Benrahou to Clement in the box diagonal. Shot's pushed away, but charging Belahmeur sinks the rebound!!! 1-1

51 - We switch to the 3-1-3-1-2 DM, with Bouanga coming in and Verbeke sitting. Rosier replaces Laidouni, who is also tired, and just picked up a yellow.

68 - Oh well. 1-2

75 - And that settles it. Our fullbacks were completely abused today 1-3

79 - Salt, meet wound. 1-4

Amine Belahmeur is going to miss our next match with injury, but at least it's not more serious than that.

@ ESTAC Troyes Reserves (15th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We're playing some really tired guys today because fucknuts assman scheduled a Reserves and U18 game both right before this match. Idiot.

Also an idiot: Olympique Noisy-Sec's manager talking shit before the game, saying we're sure to drop. Fuck you. We kicked your asses in the opener, and we're still balling way ahead of y'all.

6 - Literal LOL moment. Their defender beats tired ass L'Excellent to a longball, then hoofs it back to the keeper... right over the goalie's head. Ball rolls into the net. Own goal and I think that's the funniest shit I've seen all day 1-0

33 - Sigh. 1-1

Goblet goes on for Gnagnon at half, and we go with a goofy ass 3-2-4-1 w/2 DM Aysmmetrical by having Laidouni come in as a second DM for L'Excellent

It's a silent second half in a cavernous, empty stadium. I'll take the away draw, thanks.

vs AS Marck (12th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Loreintz Rosier/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

20 - Ndongo lays it up to Benrahou in the box. The shot is blocked, but he drifts back and narrowly beats three defenders to the ball in slotting away the rebound! 1-0

27 - A series of headers - Gnagnon intercepting header to D'Almeida on to Benrahou and then to Mohamed-Djouhary's feet. Perfect box feed, and the keeper needs to learn you never challenge Ndongo. It will end badly. 2-0

42 - Charging Jean-Lambert intercepts a clearance and gives to Mathis for the long cross to Belahmeur. He dribbles and cuts into the box, and I'm thinking it's a dumpoff, but nope! He shoots. The keeper goes out and the ball clangs against the net, bouncing back in. Belahmeur shrugs off the defender for the empty netter, and he's really earning his salary so far this season! 3-0

50 - Benrahou drills the corner near post, and nobody thought to cover Gnagnon as he steps forward for the high kick first ever Roses goal!!! 4-0

69 - Goblet for Gnagnon and we switch to the 3-1-3-1-2 DM, Allard replacing Mohamed-Djouhary. Both instances of tiredness.



Suck on that, trash talker. We're proving we belong in this league. More crazy? It's a rule that Paris Saint-Germain's Reserves team can't promote, so right now, we're in 2nd place and would go up again if the season were to end today!

Even if we don't promote up, as I think we won't when all is said and done, the very fact we're in this position a fifth of the way through the season, having lost our best defender to defection, proves this dynasty's title has been more apt than I ever anticipated.

[Izulde]

@ USL Dunkerque (9th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

So, sometimes in the copy/pasting I forget to change names, like last game. Sorry about that, folks. You can tell from the game writeups my error sometimes, though.

31 - Belahmeur picks up a loose ball after Mohamed-Djouhary is hammered. Lateral to Zainek despite the ref getting in the way. On to Benrahou for a pop ball into the box that Clement gets and sears a shot in. 1-0

32 - Fucking instant replies 1-1

34 - Benarhou hangs a free kick into the box that Gnagnon nods long. Belahmeur runs it down and centers to Ndongo, and I guess goal trading is a thing we're doing now. 2-1

At the half, Gnagnon moves over to DR for injured Laspalles and Goblet takes over at DC

61 - Fantastic goal-saving interception and counter attack long ball launch by Goblet. On the other end, Zainek wings out to Belahmeur for the box delivery to Mohamed-Djouhary. As the defender's closing in to wipe him out like he's been hit so many times this game, he gets revenge for the physical play by hammering in the insurance goal! 3-1

67 - Laidouni subs in for tired Zainek

Everyone except the injured Laspalles had 7.0 or better, but there were just 3 standouts: PotM Didine Mohamed-Djouhary with a 9.0, Amine Belahmeur with an 8.9, and Mathis Clement with an 8.2. Nobody else had higher than a 7.1.

We'll be without Roman Laspalles for 3 weeks, so Samuel Samoussi is going to get the call. Oh, and Malo Verbeke got injured a short while ago, too, and with how often he's been injured, I'm definitely leaning towards not offering him a guaranteed deal anytime soon.

vs US Senart-Moissy (5th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

3 - Bad corner kick, but Ndongo gets it and kicks back to Jean-Lambert, who goes even further back to Samoussi, who is hanging around the left side of the midfield. Screaming pass connects with Belahmeur on the right side of the box, and a dribble-cross later, Clement burns three defenders en route to the quick score. 1-0

10 - Benrahou flares out to Clement for the dribble and center. Ndongo puts it away for the double. 2-0

51 - Samoussi throws in to Ndongo for the kick back to Mohamed-Djouhary. The defense is caught napping as no one expects the booming forward cross, or Clement to blow up the keeper with a fierce shot 3-0

62 - Lot of dangerous passes until Benrahou goes wide to Clement for the fierce cross to Zainek. He backheel passes to unmarked Mohamed-Djouhary, who scorches the net 4-0

64 - He looked offsides to me 4-1

79 - Goblet for Gnangon; Rosier for Mohamed-Djouhary as we sit our tired guys



Not a fan of the reactions, but this was a massive victory for us, putting us a full 5 points clear of third place. It's insane that I'm even talking about this squad as a promotion contender, but I'm thrilled that it's happening.

@ RC Lens Reserves (7th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

I really, really want to beat these guys and show Karamoko Kouko he effed up by leaving us rather than committing to a contract. I would have adjusted the transfer budget to keep him here. Our old formation this go-round, due to injury and international callups.

15 - Clement to Benrahou to Allard on the edge of the box, facing a double team that includes Karamoko. He lays off to Belahmeur for the drive and slow roll shot that softly hits the net. Kouko complains that it's offsides, but everyone ignores him. 1-0

51 - Blame that one on Samoussi, who I pull a few minutes later for Goblet at DC, Gnagnon moving to DR 1-1

62 - Rosier runs on for D'Almeida

76 - Benrahou is being smothered by a defender, so he outlets to Clement, and the blasting first touch cross ends up with a streaking Belahmeur with no one on him, and we get the late score!!! Ndongo switches to the Target Man role and L'Excellent takes over at Advanced Forward, as tired Allard catches a breather 2-1

89 - Our passing has been horribly sloppy, creating tense moments. But our defense has been balla AF, and here Belahmeur laterals to Benrahou for the great space ball that Ndongo *just* beats Kouko on. Lay-in to the box, and fresh-legged L'Excellent clinches the victory!!!! 3-1



Shout out to Robin L'Excellent and Antoine Goblet for their 7.2 and 7.1 bench showings. Karaomoko Kouko had a 6.8 rating after his dominance of Ndongo in the first half went away in the second. 7 points ahead of third now, and the dream season continues. We'll still be in second and promoting no matter what happens in our next game, which marks the culmination of the first third of the season.

[Izulde]

Robin L'Excellent is injured in training, and will be out a few weeks. Definitely a lot of injuries this season.

vs Lille OSC Reserves (13th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

I smell a trap game. They've yet to win an away game this year.

23 - Clement uses his speed to get past the defender and hits a cross to Ndongo. The shot should go in, but the post denies. Defender's slow getting to the rebound, and Ndongo drifts left to sink the short shot. It's his 50th Roses league goal!!! 1-0

28 - Two defenders and our keeper, and the header still goes in. Stupid. 1-1

32 - Absolute shit defense on the free kick 1-2

43 - Belahmeur pops the ball ahead to Mohamed-Djouhary, and the cross connects with Clement, who *finally* hits an accurate shot this game 2-2

45 - There's a group of three defenders clustered and ready to break stuff up, but Zainek plays off to Benrahou for the swing to Clement, and nobody's around when Mohamed-Djouhary drills in the center to put us up just before half 3-2

61 - Gnagnon moves to DR and Goblet hops on at DC. Rosier takes over for Benrahou

Pedestrian win, Didine Mohamed-Djouhary taking the PotM honors with 9.0, and supported by Mathis Clement's 8.3. We're now 9 points head of third a third of the way through the season.



That's what our 3-1-5-1 DM setup looks like. Difference between that and the 3-1-3-1-2 DM? Target Man striker is replaced with an Attacking Midfielder, our CM goes from a Deep-Lying Playmaker to regular CM, and it's Counter to start, rather than Standard. Otherwise it's the same.

What's really funny is, on pure talent, we have no business being the clear-cut #2. But we've kept the same staff for years, and try to keep our guys in roles they're comfortable with. Nor is either formation a downloaded tactic - it's all purely my own homebrew.

@ CS Louhans-Cuiseaux (4th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

46 - It's been a chippy first half. 4 yellows, 3 of them on our opponents. Ndongo had a shot denied by the post about 25 minutes ago, and here he's facing a wall. Mohamed-Djouhary receives the lateral, and the wall is still there, so he goes shot right to Belahmeur, who steps around the edge of the wall, just inside the box, and fires in a beautiful shot to put us up just before halftime! 1-0

53 - Ndongo draws a generous PK, and Belahmeur tricks the goalie into thinking he's going right, when he switches left 2-0

56 - Zainek moves up to replace tired Mohamed-Djouhary, with Rosier the new MC. Allard takes over for poorly performing Ndongo, and we tweak the AF role to a TM one.

77 - No one got back after a poor corner kick, and they burn us on the counter. Goblet swaps out for Gnagnon because we have to keep fresh back there now 2-1

8.8 and PotM for Amine Belahmeur, with a 7.8 for Didine Mohamed-Djouhary. We barely escaped with that win and played awfully in the second half.

So, they're still talking about our 2017 upset loss in the French Cup, but the hype chatter has been changed. No longer talking about our big upset win in the French Cup, they're referencing our stunning promotion last season.

Soo... Antoine Goblet has been getting subbed in just about every game, and he's complaining about not getting enough PT as a fucking backup. Ugh. At least he calms down after I point out how Joris Gnagnon has that Ivorian DC tradition of greatness locked down.

vs ES Wasquehal (9th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

53 - Tired of watching shitty performances, I yank Ndongo for Allard, and Clement sits for Maki

We played well enough to win, but couldn't do it. My captain and vice-captain both got an earful from me for their awful play.

@ Calais RUFC (3rd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

16 - We're underdogs here, and their keeper made an amazing stop at 20 seconds in. This go round, Belahmeur slips a pass past the double team to Mohamed-Djouhary, who evades his own double team to feed unmarked Ndongo in the box. Pro tip: If you're going to use the DT, don't leave open the guys who can wreck your face. 1-0

52 - Critical interception by Gnagnon on a free kick to save us, and on the other end, D'Almeida nabs a clearance and gives to Benrahou. Short left to Clement who burns the defender and draws a double team deeper in the box. They still haven't learned their lesson, because the center to open Ndongo again punishes them. Gnangon goes to DR and Goblet takes over at DC, because Laspalles has been ass today 2-0

59 - Maki goes in for Benrahou, getting his shot these last couple games as I experiment with coverage options.

86 - Blown coverage by Goblet and they've got a lifeline 2-1

Didine Mohamed-Djouhary wins PotM with a 9.0, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo right behind him with an 8.8, as we had a solid overall win here that no one really expected (including me).

Paris Saint-Germain Reserves suffered a stunning upset loss to Olympique Noisy-Secs and we're now tied on points, though their GD is far superior. 10 points up on 3rd place as we head into the French Cup our next match.

[Izulde]

We had discussions with a couple DR upgrade transfers, but they wanted far too much money, so we stayed pat.

Devastating blow to our depth as Loreintz Rosier is out 5 months with a broken foot suffered in training.

@ Semeac Olympique (French Cup Eighth Round)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Antoine Goblet/Roman Laspalles
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Jonathan N'Sonde/Durel Avonou/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Zian Maki
S: Malhory Noc/Cyrille Allard

Yep. *Another* fucking road game in the French Cup. I literally can't remember the last time we hosted one. Two years ago, I think, as I know we didn't have any last season.

Anyway, it's a mostly B list squad trotted out for this game, because it's a shitty opponent and we have a league game in a few days. It's also Roman Laspalles' last chance to hang on to his starting spot, because he's stunk lately.

56 - I scream at them in the locker room, and finally, after dinking around with passes, Avonou blasts one right flank to L'Excellent, his cross seeking a surging Noc to go ahead 1-0

59 - Gnagnon slots in at DR, and Benrahou, who got an ability decrease, slides in at AMC

78 - L'Excellent pops it left to Benrahou, who laughs at the triple team by centering to Noc just outside the half-circle. The defense is playing him soft, so he drifts right and absolutely torches the ball, sending it screaming into the net 2-0

By the end of the night, most people are 7 or better. Yassine Benrahou secured an 8.0 off the bench and Aubry Cabioch played hero ball to keep us in this one at 8.2. But it was Malhory Noc showing off his old from with a PotM winning 8.8.

Desperately needed $28k falls into the bank, and we *finally* get a home game. And of course it's against someone from our own fucking league. Can't win for losing in these trophy draws.

vs Olympique Saint-Quentin (3rd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Malo Verbeke
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

I admire these guys. Like us, they're capped on what they can offer guys, but they're playing way above their heads. I still want to beat them, however. Rough stretch as we're doing this on short rest, and have another short rest game upcoming.

8 - On a reset after a corner kick, Zainek shorts it to Verbeke for a tapper left to Ndongo. Big crowd around him, but our Congolese star striker lofts the ball into the box, and the defenders aren't watching Clement. Surge, shoot, score! 1-0

27 - Verbeke's stupid ass picks up a double yellow not even 28 minutes into the match. Fucknozzle.

32 - Sensational run for the interception by Samoussi and he delivers to Belahmeur for the give to Benrahou just outside the box. Feed to Ndongo, who has been collapsed on all game long. Here, he has an opening, and he takes advantage to rival the short-handed insurance in! 2-0

39 - That was just beautifully done on their part 2-1

Benrahou is hurt right before half, so at the break, Maki subs in for him

61 - He's been phenomenal, but he's sitting on a yellow and tiring, so Gnagnon catches a breather and Goblet hops on

76 - Shitty defending 2-2

85 - Even worse work 2-3

Our lead is sliced to 7 points after that complete collapse. Evan Jean-Lambert and Zian Maki take the blame for their absolute ass showings. It was a blown opportunity to really set ourselves up with a commanding lead going into the second half of the season after our next game.

It's our first loss in 9 league games.

@ Dijon FCO Reserves (14th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

Hope this is the tonic that revives us. We're dreadfully thin at AMC due to injuries and suspensions.

17 - Allard is jammed up by a double team, but somehow is able to outlet right to Belahmeur for the dribble and heaven-high cross left. It lands at Clement's feet, and he has the space to pick his shot and fire it in 1-0

42 - Ndongo pops the ball to Clement, who is unmarked, and even when a double team gets on him, he's too quick for them in the box. Cross and charging Belahmeur shoots. Pushed away, but our right winger sinks his own rebound to secure goal #10 on the year 2-0

43 - Belahmeur lays off to Mohamed-Djouhary. He dribbles, double team incoming. The cross sails low, but over the heads of the defenders, to Clement, and the power shot stings off the keeper's hands and in, the goalie just a half-step too slow. 3-0

58 - Allard plays it into box space, and Belahmeur retrieves it for the cross to Clement, and there's the hat trick!!! We're gassed AF, but playing with fire. 4-0

62 - Belahmeur had a lazy I'm so tired cross a minute ago, so he's out for L'Excellent, and N'Sonde of all people gets in at striker for Allard

71 - D'Almeida plays it long to N'Sonde, who has all the space and time in the world in the box to dribble. When the defender finally catches up, he crosses to jogging right Ndongo, who nails the fadeaway 5-0

86 - Zainek to Mohamed-Djouhary to N'Sonde for the first touch box feed to Ndongo, and the score is easy. 6-0

91 - L'Excellent is injured with seconds to go and has to leave. So for lulz, I put Laidouni on at MR, because WTF not



We came pissed off after our last game, and took it out on an inferior opponent. That gives us a 9 point cushion heading into the second half of the year. Jonathan N'Sonde had a 7.3 off the bench, and he's the guy I stole from Olympique Saumur:

We signed a guy my scout liked, but my assman hates, so nevermind about him. Olympique Saumur is very upset to lose him, however.

Maybe I'll write up about him. Maybe not.

But I'm tired, and this is a good break point.

Speaking of which, Robin L'Excellent is out almost 2 months with a grossly sprained ankle. More wounded depth.

Still, it's a happy time in Doue-la-Fontaine right now. This season is even more dreamlike than last year so far.

[Izulde]

vs US Senart-Moissy (French Cup Ninth Round)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

With a three game cushion, we can afford to field our best lineup for the French Cup and gamble with the short rest after this. It's officially my 200th game as manager, and it's a nice feather for my longest-running career with one team, maybe even overall.

11 - Mohamed-Djouhary passes to Allard, and before the triple team cocoon can close in, he gets it to Belahmeur in the box. Dribble and cross, and it's a walk-in for Ndongo, yay! 1-0

14 - Set focus to defending set pieces like my scout recommended. Get burnt anyway 1-1

24 - They pack the box on a throw-in, so we're forced back. D'Almeida, who will miss the next game because of yellows, passes to Zainek and on to Belahmeur. The box feed is a miss, but the defense doesn't clear properly and Allard's slow roller just manages to cross the line 2-1

43 - Who the fuck was Louhichi trying to tackle?! A random wind elemental?! 2-2

46 - After halftime, Gnagnon nods a header to Zainek, and our CM just barely outjumps his foe to send it on to Ndongo. Pass to Allard in the half-circle and the fire strike goes home! 3-2

50 - Laspalles and Laidouni jog on at DL and DC respectively, replacing an awful player and a tired one

60 - Can't do anything about those long range strikes 3-3

85 - FUCKING PATHETIC!!!!! 3-4

88 - D'Almeida plays it to Zainek and he cracks a 35 yarder that somehow curls into find the net!!! What a hell of a way to get your first ever Roses goal!!! 4-4

After some consideration, I put Verbeke in at AMC and burn our last sub heading into extra time.

We head to PKs, and it's because Aubry Cabioch and Samuel Samoussi were both pure shitlords tonight (6.5 and 6.3 respectively).

Cabioch actually stops the first shot! 0-0

Verbeke has his own shot stopped. FML. 0-0

They score 0-1

Belahmeur is used to this by now, and converts with ease 1-1

Cabioch with another stop!!! Where was this during the game?! 1-1

Tired as fuck, Allard nonetheless manages to hop back and forth to misdirect the keeper and put it away!!! 2-1

I think Cabioch would have stopped it anyway, but the dude shanks it off the post 2-1

Our hero, our star, our life Ndongo can carry us to the next round, and ... he scores!!!! We advance!!!! 3-1



Very weird statlines. There's zero reason for them to have forced us to PKs based on this, but hwaetever. Win is win is win. $33.6k purse puts us $20.3k in the black for the year. Finally getting a home French Cup game translates into a $5.06k gate receipts showing, topping the $3.96k we got two years ago in the Sixth Round of the French Cup.

Welp, we'll be missing Sessi D'Almeida for longer than one game after he twists his ankle in training and is out 5 weeks. Thibault Rambaud, aka Weirdest Icon Ever, also gets ruled out - albeit for 3 weeks.

Transfer In - DC Yacin Barka (22) - $11k First Team Contract
Signed him sight unseen from Italy where he was former Serie A prospect with Sampadoria. 11 Heading, 12 Marking, Tackling, and Bravery; 11 Decisions, 10 Determination, 12 Positioning. My assman hates him, but he's signed to guaranteed money, so he'll get his starts.

vs SM Caen Reserves (10th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Yacin Barka/Roman Laspalles
DM: Malo Verbeke
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Malhory Noc

It's another three games on short turnarounds special. Feh. With all the DM injuries and tiredness we have, Verbeke is being pressed into duty. Not ideal, but at least this club has been bad compared to what they started the year as.

8 - Fucking Jean-Lambert own goaling. My kingdom for a good DL 0-1

12 - Fuck 0-2

21 - This 0-3

51 - BRB throwing keyboard against the wall 0-4

88 - Hwaetever goal by Allard who subbed in for Ndongo. Fuck I hate this team right now 1-4

Lead cut to 6 points.

Transfer In - WBR/DM/DC/MC/MR Abdelmadjid Rouabah (17) - Algerian - $85 P/A
My scout was okay on him, the fans love him, and my assman thinks he's interesting. A multi-position player who I see as being a key reserve because versatility. 11 Tackling, 20 Aggression(!), 11 Anticipation, 18 Determination(!), 19 Flair (!), 11 Positioning, 14 Work Rate, 14 Acceleration, 12 Stamina. I'm really intrigued by this kid who probably isn't ready for this level admittedly, but those mental stats tho

@ IC Croix (14th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Belgacem Louhichi/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Aissa Laidouni/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine BenrahouDidine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Hopefully we can snap back here against one of the league's worst teams.

36 - FUCK YOU!!!! NDONGO WAS ONSIDES!!!!

41 - Mouhamed-Djouhary runs down a long ball and takes into the box, and on the cross Clement does just enough to get it in. 1-0

47 - DON'T FUCKING KICK THE GOAL KICK RIGHT AT THE OPPONENTS CABIOCH YOU FUCKNOZZLE 1-1

57 - Maki for Benrahou; Allard for Ndongo.

Very unlucky to only scrape a draw. But our strikers were total shit.

vs CS Avion (French Cup 64e de Finale)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Malo Verbeke
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Zian Maki/Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We're putting in the best possible lineup because although it's our fifth short rest game next, it's also against That Team and a guaranteed loss that will tumble us to a 3 point lead probs.

46 - Jean-Lambert throws into Verbeke for the tap to Maki. On to Benrahou for the box feed to Ndongo. They're screaming offsides, but the assref tells them to STFU. Good way to open the half after a lackluster first 45. 1-0

58 - Barka for Gnagnon, Rouabah for Verbeke as we'll gamble on our newest signings in this pressure situation.

We didn't play very well, Yassine Benrahou's 7.7 PotM run the only one 7.2 or better, but considering our recent struggles and the fatmouth announcer saying we'd lose this game, I'll take it.

$39.2k for that victory, and everyone is surprised we're making our deepest run ever. Yep, we've never made it to the 32e de Finale.

vs Paris Saint-Germain FC Reserves (1st)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

Originally I was going to just throw the game, but then a sellout happened, and it's like welp, might as well actually try.

12 - Zainek sends the free kick to Mohamed-Djouhary and on to Ndongo. The pass into the box sees Allard charge, shoot, and score, and we're actually leading!!! 1-0

16 - Benrahou's corner is cleared but Clement gets it and sends back into the box for Mohamed-Djouhary. It's tackled away, but Clement cracks it from the half-circle and I'm like whoa what is even happening right now?!?! 2-0

Rouabah subs in for tired Laidouni at the break and I'm just like OMG wow that we're actually leading by two goals. Of course, I expect that to completely collapse into defeat but still amazing.

53 - Rouabah drops down to DC because Gnagnon is gassed, and we're forced into Verbeke at DM. Having D'Almeida and Rosier out with injuries is killing us.

81 - Zainek slides up to AMC and N'Sonde jogs in at MC, gambling that they won't score two goals in the next 10 minutes.

88 - Rekt on that corner kick we were. Let's hang on!!! 2-1

92 - Jean-Lambert with the heroic interception and he passes to N'Sonde to start the counter. The ball gradually works its way out to the right wing where Belahmeur blasts the ball down the pitch to Ndongo. The defender tries to two foot tackle our star from behind, but he misses and there's no call. Our Congolese everything strides just inside the box and slams the shot in!!!!!!! The stands erupt into absolute pandemonium!!!!!!!!! 3-1



Without question, the biggest win of my career to date. We'll be at least 7 points ahead of 3rd, depending on what happens with the makeup game.

Team captain Mathis Clement rightfully wants a Key Player deal, but I'm able to put him off until the end of the season. Hopefully the board will open up the purse strings a little more then.

[Izulde]

So I save scummed to see what would happen if I cut my transfer budget to $0, since I had no indication whatsoever would happen to the max wages. As it turns out, very little. $30k to $34k on Key Player, no movement on First Team. Makes no sense to lower the transfer budget, then.

Mathis Clement wants out because we can't afford to sign him to the contract he wants. It'll suck to see him go, but it is what it is. I told him to wait for the end of the season, and he said that was okay, but then complained again a few days later. The very next day, he gets the flu, and will likely miss out next game.

vs ESTAC Troyes Reserves (13th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathieu Claverie/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

42 - We should be up by like 5, but our finishing has been hideous. Benrahou heads away a corner kick, runs to get the ball, and races untouched all the way down the right flank to the box. Then he pops a high ball cross that Claverie has no problem getting to and controlling. Dribble and cross back. The defense is focused on our attackers in the middle, leaving Belahmeur free to break away and score easily. 1-0

53 - Verbeke in for Mohamed-Djouhary

60 - Rouabah replaces Laidouni

70 - I'm going to gamble and send N'Sonde in for Zainek

82 - N'Sonde is driving to the box and loses the ball, but he backtracks for the retrieval and short nudge to Verbeke. The first touch pass is pristinely placed through a seam, and Benrahou steps up to make the huge insurance score. Side note: Ndongo has missed three wide open chances he normally makes no problem. 2-0

Decent, but not spectacular win. Amine Belahmeur is PotM with an 8.4, our second and third place guys Yassine Benrahou (7.9) and Joris Gnagnon (7.6).

Transfer In - MC Najib Gandi (27) - Algerian - From Dinan Lehon FC - $8k transfer fee - $15k per year for 2 years - $1.5k signing bonus
He's a little better physically, a little worse technically from the last time he was here and I thought he was going to be a god for us. Got passed up by Franklin Wadja last time before leaving. The fans here didn't like him much, and neither did Dinan Lehon's. I have no idea why. He was a quality player for us and I'm happy to have him back.

Lots of interesting discussion at the press conference announcing the signing. The consensus seems to be we got him back a steal price (he was worth $15k and we got him for $8k), and upon signing the new contract, his value shoots up to $23.5k.

I transfer list Yacin Barka, because there's just no way he's ever going to be a long-term fixture here, and his contract runs out at the end of the season. Nobody's interested, so after a conversation, he reluctantly agrees to help facilitate his move out.

@ FC Bastelicaccia (French Cup 32e de Finale)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Very winnable game against a CFA 2 side, who has no business being this far.

4- - D'Almeida to Mohamed-Djouhary and on to Zainek. They've been playing us tight, with no personal space, but Ndongo is too fast for them on the feeder pass, shaking the defense for the score. 1-0

21 - Risky save by Cabioch coming out of the box, but he makes it. Blast crossing kick down the pitch finds Clement. He runs and crosses to Mouhamed-Djouhary, but too much sauce forces our best AMC to dribble and outlet from the triple team back to Clement. Low-hanging cross is enough for Ndongo to leap above everyone else and nod in the header 2-0

23 - Jean-Lambert with the throw in to Clement, but it's cut out. No problem, as he gets his own clearance and crosses to Ndongo. Leaping header, and the keeper goes to block the shot... only it's not a shot! It's a header down to the other side of the penalty box, and charging Clement crushes the net, leaving the faked out goalie chagrined. 3-0

55 - Rouabah jogs on for tired D'Almeida, and Samoussi swaps out laconic Laspalles

Strong performance all around. Our 8+ stars: PotM Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo with a 9.2, Mathis Clement with an 8.7, and Adel Zainek with an 8.3.

$44.8k in the bank.

Our next game is just 3 days later. Against the defending French Cup champions.

Ulp.

[Izulde]

Suddenly, a bunch of teams are interested in Yacin Barka as a loan. One franchise comes to offer paying his entire salary. I'm good with that.

vs Angers SCO (French Cup 16e de Finale)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

We have no chance of an upset here, so I'm just going to see how we stack up against Ligue 1 talent.

19 - We actually had a couple chances to go ahead, but they showed their superiority on this corner kick 0-1

50 - Laspalles takes over for Samoussi

56 - N'Sonde for Allard, who has been nauseatingly awful

81 - Mohamed-Djouhary in at AMC to get fresher legs and maybe find a miracle

To only lose 0-1 is a great result, and we played pretty damn well overall. $31.36k in the bank, putting us at a little over $117k profit for the season. We'll still probably end up losing money on the year, but considering our miraculous runs, I don't think the board will be too unhappy.

We also had a sellout crowd, and the $9.39k gate receipts smashed our old record by more than double.

Coach Denis Denis, Head Physio Romain Guinot, and Chief Scout Christophe Martin sign contract extensions with $1k raises. We're likely to see a staff shakeup starting next season, however - the other guys aren't content with those minor raises, and aren't good enough to earn huge amounts of cash.

Two more clubs make offers to loan Yacin Barka. One can't afford to pay, so gets rejected. The other, also offering 100% payment, is accepted. And a third team offers 100%. Hey dude, the sooner you agree to leave, the better. And a fourth.

I've now earned all the National level badges, but the board says they need me for training, and won't let me go on a Continental coaching course. Disappointing, but understanding.

@ AS Marck (12th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We lost a friendly, so I'm nervous about this one.

8 - ...Yeah. 0-1

13 - WTF is this?! 0-2

51 - We switch to a 3-4-1-1 DM, with Gandi coming on for Benrahou, who has been shit

62 - D'Almeida comes off for Rouabah

Pure and utter bullshit. Ndongo kept missing open shots, and the ref fucked us out of a goal to boot.

Two-thirds of the way through, and our lead has dropped to just 3 points. Aubry Cabioch thinks he played well, but he was shit. So that didn't go so well.

Yacin Barka moves to Sable FC on a loan. They're paying his $210 a week, so that'll help save some money.

vs USL Dunkerque (8th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMCidine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Trying out a new formation to see how it goes. I'm feeling like people have started to solve our 3-1-5-1 DM formation, and I want to get use out of Gandi, considering he's the second highest paid player on the team at $15k. Amine Belahmeur got an ability upgrade, by the way, and is now 3*/4*, which I'm happy to see.

51 - L'Excellent goes in for Belahmeur

66 - Claverie steps on, with Clement out. Ndongo continues to struggle

We played well enough to win, but just couldn't break through. Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo agreed after the game that he's been shit lately, and vows to improve it.

Joris Gnagnon is out the next game due to yellows.

Transfer Out - MC Durel Avonou (24) (Congolese) - To Bourges 18 - $12.5k
Could never impressive me enough to earn a starting spot, and wasn't versatile enough to come off the bench. Not a bad player - just not quite good enough.

Belgacem Louhichi is given a free transfer. He just can't beat out Evan Jean-Lambert, unfortunately.

@ US Senart-Moissy (6th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Abdelmadjid Rouabah/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Our lead got extended to 4 points, because Calais got the expected beatdown from Paris Saint-Germain Reserves, but fourth place is just 6 points back of us, so we're in for a tight race the last third of the season unless we can finally get off the snide.

Thanks to Joris Gnagnon's suspension and Antoine Goblet's injury, Abdelmadjid Rouabah is getting his first ever start at DC.

51 - Belahmeur cracks the long free kick into the box. Rouabah traps, controls, brings it down, and fires in the short kick for his first ever Roses goal!!!! 1-0

56 - Claverie steps in for Clement, who has also been playing poorly lately

71 - Allard substitutes in, Ndongo benched

Nail-biting win keyed by Didine Mohamed-Djouhary's 9.0 PotM and Abdelmadjid Rouabah's stellar 8.4. That gives him 8 PotM awards this season, breaking Mickael Bernardo's record of 7 set all the way back in the first season.

8 games left, and we're still clinging to a 4 point advantage over Calais RUFC.

vs RC Lens Reserves (13th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMCidine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Cyrille Allard

I'm thinking Ndongo could use more help up front, as I think he's being constantly harassed, so we're going back to our old formation for home games. This will be especially important against Karamoko Kouko, who I'm still angry left our team.

62 - Rouabah for Gnagnon; Noc for Ndongo. Calais RUFC is crushing their opponents, so we need to get the win here.

67 - Welp, there goes the season 0-1

Our lead shrinks to a single point, and we were lucky not to get our asses beat even worse. 7 games left, and we're on tenterhooks with our suddenly poor form.

On the bright side, Adel Zainek is slowly emerging as a star player for us. He hasn't gotten the marquee plaudits like a lot of other guys have, but he's consistently great running the central midfield.

Jawad Boukabous and Tsiharana Rabetsimialona are given their walking papers after the complaints start affecting the locker room.

@ Lille OSC Reserves (16th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

If we can't beat the worst team in the league, we don't deserve to promote up. Simple as that. Honestly, I could see us free-falling to mid-table. When Ndongo gets shut out, we have a hard time winning unless either Clement or Belahmeur gets hot.

I'm going to try playing wider and see if that opens things up.

56 - Rouabah for Gnagnon; Noc for Ndongo

58 - Samoussi throws in to Noc, then has to run to get the return pass. High cross to Clement. Shot pushed away, but he sinks his own rebound! 1-0

Narrow win, but we were actually underdogs heading into this one. Didine Mohamed-Djouhary takes PotM again with a 9.0, Mathis Clement his sidekick at 7.7.

Our lead expands to 3 points, as Calais RUFC only managed a 2-2 draw at home.

vs CS Louhans-Cuiseaux (4th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Yassine Benrahou/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMCidine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Going back to the new formation, as I noticed Yassine Benrahou has stunk up the joint lately and is equal in talent to Najib Gandi, so why not throw the tactical surprise out there?

This is a very dangerous team, 10 points behind before the game notwithstanding. The day before kickoff, the board tells me they want to discuss a new contract, which I'm perfectly fine with. Naturally I'm expecting another raise. And this time, they better pay me over $40k, since I didn't get my promotion raise I was supposed to.

And of course I made an error in not fixing my lineup after the friendly

4 - Ndongo takes the high pass in and squeezes the ball between the triple team into the box. Two of our guys are racing for it, but Mohamed-Djouhary is there first and puts it away 1-0

32 - Rouabah receives the outlet back and passes to Benrahou. He shakes off the defender and gives to Mohamed-Djouhary, and on to Ndongo in the box. One step dribble and the angled shot goes in, finally snapping his drought!!! 2-0

42 - Mohamed-Djouhary safety valves out of the double team by winging right and up to Samoussi. With space and time, he moves slightly forward and centers to Ndongo for the thunderous header in, his 20th of the year!!! 3-0

69 - Our defense got caught sleeping there. D'Almeida goes in for Rouabah, and we switch to the 3-1-3-1-2 DM, with Gandi taking a breather and Noc coming in. 3-1

Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo takes home PotM with a 9.0, but it could have gone to matching Didine Mohamed-Djouhary. Samuel Samoussi put in a great 7.7 performance as well.

Those fuckers hurt Mohamed-Djouhary and Amine Belahmeur towards the end of the game, the latter revenge for being denied a penalty.

But we get the hugely critical win that pushes them on the verge of being knocked out of promotion consideration with 5 games left. We've also already clinched at worst, a Top 5 finish that will have the board thrilled, considering their mid-table expectations, and the preseason predictions of 10th place.

Assholes!!!! Didine Mohamed-Djouhary is out 5 weeks, while Amine Belahmeur is going to be iffy for our next game. I'm so fucking pissed right now!

Huge news, though: Calais RUFC suffers an 0-1 loss to SM Caens Reserves that expands our lead back to 6 points. That's a critically important two game cushion if we maintain our GD advantage. Basically, to clinch promotion, if they win out, we have to go 3-2 in our last 5 games and keep goal differential advantage.

Normally I'd stop here, but I want to finish playing this season out. I'm busy the rest of the week (friend coming to town and I'm joining him for a trip to Death Valley, plus commitments from writing clients that are due), so won't get back to this until Thursday or Friday.

@ ES Wasquehal (8th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

52 - Rouabah subs in at MR, because Belahmeur has been bad, and Laspalles pops on at DR for the injured and disappointing Samoussi. It was a nothing first half, by the way.

68 - Rouabah kicks it short back to Benrahou for the tapper to Gandi. Crowd around him, so he delivers to lightly defended Clement in the half-circle, and the power strike sings home!!! 1-0

72 - Shitty corner defending 1-1

[bfadhgfahigto9ar9taraer90tgrawrtga83[/b] 83 fuckfudsdhfiosdfhoasdhgoasdghawdofiadhfas 1-2

We were fucking SHITASS defending set pieces, getting cocksmacked on the corner and on a free kick. Roman Laspalles and Aubry Cabioch fucked us over in particular. Lead is cut to 3 points.

It sucks, because we played brilliantly outside of deadball situations and those two dumbshits.

Samuel Samoussi is out 3-4 weeks. Horrible.

vs Calais RUFC (3rd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Abdelmadjid Rouabah
DM: Sessi D'Almeida
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

This is the most vital game of the entire season. If we can get a win, we'll be 6 points up with 3 games to go, and they have the pressure to win out. Draw, or worse yet, lose, and it's anybody's chance to finish second and promote out of our two teams and *maybe* Louhans-Cuiseaux, but they'd need a lot of help to do so.

Weirdly enough, there's no press conference for this match. I'm stunned.

3 - Good save by Cabioch, and he throws it long to Belahmeur. With no one around him, he jogs down the right flank before passing to Benrahou. He cuts in, dribbling horizontally until he gets to the half-circle, tapping it to Ndongo on the other side. And the long range strike sizzles in!!!! 1-0

32 - Ndongo has two guys on him, so he plays it into box space, where Belahmeur picks it up and crosses to forgotten by the defense Clement, and there's the doubling!!! 2-0

57 - Rouabah slides over to DC, Laspalles getting the chance to redeem himself at DR, as Gnagnon is gassed.

79 - Noc subs in for tired Ndongo

90 - Fucking Laspalles fucked it up again 2-1

But we barely manage to hang on for the crucial victory, Yassine Benrahou picking up a 9.0 PoTM, with a 7.8 for Amine Belahmeur and 7.5 for Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo as our 3 stars.

3 games left. Top 3 finish clinched, and we're now back in the driver's seat with a 6 point lead and +7 goal differential edge.

Sessi D'Almeida is gone the next game with yellow cards, but that's okay. We've plenty of DM coverage.

The fuckers!!! They want me to take a paycut of $11.5k!!! Fuck.that. The board says we're not in a financial position to offer a raise, so I reluctantly agree to stay at $39k. This will make the lowest paid manager in the National division by far ($55k is the lowest currently) if we promote. But if they're not showing me huge financial love next season, I'll leave. I gotta be honest - I almost stormed out, I was so insulted. If we weren't in the middle of a title chase, I would have cancelled negotiations and seriously thought about moving elsewhere. I probably should have held out for a better deal, but too late now.

Theo Guerin is out 5 to 6 months after an Achilles heel injury, leaving us with just one healthy keeper. I try to rush in an emergency signing, and get it, bringing back 22 year old Tunisian goalie Ahmed Sellimi, who isn't a good starter, but a better backup than Guerin ever was, or will be. He's done okay at the Ligue Atlantique level this season.

Sessi D'Almeida continues his proud tradition of getting hurt right after missing a game for yellows, and he's out 5 weeks.

@ Olympique Saint-Quentin (5th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

20 - Completely blitzed by a counterattack. Only good news - Calais RUFC is down 0-2 at home to one of the worst teams in the league 0-1

25 - Mohamed-Djouhary charges the defender after a pass from the keeper and steals the ball. Into the box, where he lays off to Ndongo. Shot's shoved aside, but he dribbles right to get the ball and kick in the rebound! 1-1

46 - At this point, Laspalles can't be any worse than Samoussi, so he goes in

50 - Fuck. 1-2

53 - This. Gnagnon is yanked for Rosier, and I'm so furious I could scream. 1-3

71 - These assholes have had our number all season 1-4

Calais RUFC also loses, 1-3. With two games left, we're still 6 points ahead, but our GD advantage is cut to +6. That's certainly a feasible number to beat.

Paris Saint-Germain Reserves win their third straight CFA group title.

Okay, so, we need either a win or a tie in the last two games, or a tie or loss by Calais in the same to clinch promotion. If it goes L-L for us and W-W for them, it comes down to goal differential, and if we go -1, -1, and they go +1, +1, then we narrowly advance with a +2 GD edge. So there's very little margin for error here. Goals scored, we're +3 on right now, and Games won, we'd be tied. I'm not sure what the last tiebreaker is if everything ends up knotted up. Coin toss?

vs Dijon FCO Reserves (15th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We simply aren't going to have a better chance to put all the speculation and hand-wringing away than this game. Home match against a team that is pure trash. They're hungry to avoid relegation, which *might* make it tougher, but IMO, they don't even belong on the same field as us.

53 - Claverie in for Clement, Zainek up to AMC, and Rosier on at MC. Calais RUFC is down 0-3, so we're in good shape despite our putrid play against a vastly inferior opponent

80 - Phenomenal free kick save by Cabioch, and he blasts the ball all the way down the pitch to Ndongo. Pressure, so he outlets to Claverie, who races into the box and crosses for the furiously speeding Belahmeur. Ball goes in!!!! 1-0

Solid, but unspectacular win, with Joris Gnagnon the only one exceeding 7.2 in winning PotM with a 7.9.

We officially promoted and are going to the French National division!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Honestly, I thought before the season we'd be in a relegation fight most of the year. To not only confound that, but to promote yet again with a game to go left in the season, absolutely amazes me.

[Izulde]

Huge, huge news. I'm able to drop our transfer budget to $48k and put our payroll budget over $600k. That means we can now offer Key Players $70k/year and First Team players $60k/year.

FC Schouax pulls off the upset of upset doubles, winning Ligue 2 and shocking everyone by capturing the French Cup and stunning 4th in Ligue 1 RC Lens

Olympique Marseilles sets a French Clup attendance record, drawing an incredible 66,887 fans. Wow!

Signing: ST Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo (24) - Congolese - 3 years, $60k/year, $1.5k loyalty bonus
I'm a bit surprised to see his value only $4.9k, but whatever. I'm thrilled to finally lock him down to a multi-year deal. He's in his fourth season with us and is now inked through the 2024/2025 season (current is 2021/22). That'll make seven years in a Roses uniform and buys out the first two years of his peak.

Mathis Clement is still mad and won't talk to me. Didine Mohamed-Djouhary still thinks we aren't good enough to commit to.

@ Olympique-Noisy-sec (7th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Abdelmadjid Rouabah/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Aissa Laidouni
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Joris Gnagnon went down with injury for 2 months shortly before this. It's unfortunate, but we'll carry on.

The pregame presser is abuzz with our locking down Ndongo, with the media saying it's a huge boost to the club that our best players want to stay.

3 - Horseshit callback. Ndongo was onsides.

10 - Belahmeur cracks a long free kick into the box, and this time Ndongo stays onsides as he celebrates his new contract with a beautiful goal. 1-0

55 - We go with a weird looking 4-1-3-1-1 DM WB Asymmetrical, with Laidouni moving up to injured Gandi's MC slot, Rosier in at DM, and Mohamed-Djouhary's tired ass jogging off for Samoussi to slide up to WBR and Laspalles in at DR. Oh, and Zainek moves up to AMC

74 - Pfeh. And of course, Laspalles cost us again 1-1

We get $48k for finishing second, and then another $53k for earning the promotion. All told, that's just shy of $100k profit for the season after paying out the $52k in squad bonuses.

Aubry Cabioch is installed in the All-Time Best 11 as the starting GK, and Antoine Goblet makes the squad as a reserve.



I'm stunned Ndongo only finished third and that Mohamed-Djouhary ran away with the award.



Finding better defenders is priority 1, 2, and 3 this offseason. *Love* what our midfield did in Clement/Zainek/Belahmeur, but Clement is probably gone. Zainek won't sign a contract extension because he doesn't think we're strong enough. Luckily we've got him controlled for another year.



Our other strikers who played all got moved to the Reserves, and even Cyrille Allard isn't good enough potentialwise to move up.

Our sponsorship deal jumps from $37.1k to $62k and then this news hits:



We'll be taking up temporary residence in a 17,000+ seater while we expand to 750, which will keep us as the second smallest stadium behind Vendee Lucon's 400 seater at the National level (and they're a Professional club!)

So we do a lot of scouting of prospects and hit up the Congolese National Team to try and find talent upgrades we can afford, given how stellar Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo has been for us.

Problem is, no one wants to come play for us. "Not strong enough to match my ambitions. Not strong enough to match my ambitions. Not strong enough to match my ambitions." Over and over and over.



At least I have this dream season to look back on.

Our reputation rises to a full Local 1*, rather than previous half-star. ...And we're still the lowest reputation team in CFA-A.





Our entire income last year was $572k, meaning in one single shot, we've superseded last year's income!!!!

The board wants to put more of that money into physiotherapists. I tell them we need to expand our youth recruitment. They say no. They also reject a parent club.

But we *can* now start signing everyone to contracts, regardless of their status! YES!

Extension - MC Adel Zainek (24) - 4 years, $29k/year
One of our best players last year, and arguably the best player on the entire team, we offer him a huge raise and lock him in long-term. While it would have been nice to only pay him $10k again this season, he's worth every single dollar.

Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo and Mathis Clement switch their captain/vice-captain roles from last season.

Transfer In - DCR Amar Belhani (19) - Algerian - From La Berrichone - $2.5k transfer fee, $2k signing on fee,$2.29k agent fee - $42.5k/year - 4 years
This kid would be a massive upgrade either at DC or DR, but he'll play DR. 11 Tackling, 10 Marking, 12 Anticipation, 11 Concentration, 12 Positioning and Teamwork, and only Balance (7) is less than 12 of his physical attributes. 4*/4* player who I see as being a fixture there for a long time. Isn't happy with the training we have on hand, but what can you do?

Signing - AMCL/MC Kasim Bayrak (24) - $5.73k agent fee, $3k signing on fee, $70k/year - 4 years
Our highest paid player and instantly our best one IMO. Take a look:


Not as physically gifted as some of our other guys, but Didine Mohamed-Djouhary won't sign for the $70k and he would. Still a huge, huge get.

He's also the only signing the media wants to talk about at the press conference of the two.

Extension - GK Aubry Cabioch - 4 years, $10k/year
My assman is convinced of his upside, and even if I find another, more immediately better goalie, he still is cheap enough in our new world of money that I don't mind him paying him that kind of coin.

Inking - DM/DCR/MCR Abdelmadjid Rouabah (18) - Algerian - 2 years, $4.5k/year
He showed last season that he's better than what my assman thinks of him, and I'm flying high on this kid's potential. Plus, he trained incredibly well last year. I wanted to commit him longer, but 2 years was all I could get. I'll take it. I mean, I'll look at other DMs, but I'm also perfectly fine letting him play, grow, and blossom.

Extension - MRC/AMR Amine Belahmeur (24) - Algerian - 4 years, $27.5k/year
He also gets a bump in pay, and it took some haggling to get him down to an acceptable level. Star player last season and though my assman now rates him lower due to our incoming signings, he's still going to be one of our best dudes with upside to grow into.

Season Ticket Sales: 98 (+22)
Bank Balance: $430,917 (+119.6k)
Estimated Value: $2 million (+1.6 million!!!!)
Average Ticket Price: $15 (+$4)
Average Season Ticket Price: $189 (+$63)
Reputation: Local (Improved to a full 1*)
Training Facilities: Basic 
Stadium capacity: 750 (+250, one the expansion is done in mid-January)
Average attendance: 326 (+64)
Media Prediction: 17th (Dead last)
My Reputation: 30% (+5%) (Now 1.5* - Useful)

That's right - our valuation somehow jumped $1.6 million! I wonder if that's a false positive due to the giant ass stadium we're taking up temporary residence in.

The board approves my Continental C coaching course request and will pay the piddly $1.4k.

France wins the World Cup, beating Brazil on penalties after an 0-0 finish

Transfer In - DC Patrick Francois (23) - From Stade Lavollois MFC - $11k transfer fee, $4k signing fee - $60k/year - 4 years
Pricey upgrade, but 12 Heading and Tackling, 11 Marking, 12 Decisions, 13 Positioning, and strong physical attributes, with just one at 9 - the rest 10 or higher.

$85k is coming our way for TV money, yay!

Transfer Out - DM/MC Sessi D'Almeida (26) - Beninese - To Le Poire-sur-Vie VF - $31.5k salary
I liked him, but he was way too injury-prone, and I'm high on Rouabah. Plus, he wanted far too much money - over and above what he deserved.

Inking - DM/MC/DC Aissa Laidouni (25) - Tunisian - $12.5k/year - 2 years
Outclassed at this level, but he's a good security blanket to have nonetheless, and the contract is cheap enough and short enough to have him around for that long.

Favored Players
Yassine Benrahou
Mathis Clement
Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo
Malhory Noc
Mabidi Mayala (Retired)
Cyrille Allard
Amine Belahmeur
Francois Rio

Icon
Thibault Rambaud

Legend
Me

Favored Personnel - Me
Evan Jean-Lambert
Roman Laspalles (Heh)
Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo
Loreintz Rosier
Abdelmadjid Rouabah
Adel Zainek
Aubry Cabioch
Mathis Clement

Favored Club - RC Doue-la-Fontaine
Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo
Malhory Noc
Yassine Benrahou
Mathis Clement



Ignore the blue guy. Scrub loanee from Aston Villa.

We're spending just shy of $418k in salary, and the budget is $618k a hair over, so we have roughly $200k freed up to spend. I'm going to roll with what we have unless we find an ML and/or DL to round out our starting lineup.

Oh look, another ability decrease for Amine Belahmeur. Pfeh.

We're picked for 17th of 18 teams - Bottom 4 teams relegate, Top 2 teams promote, and even the last place team picks up $58k at the end of the season. Wow!

Kasim Bayrak is hurt in a friendly and out 4-5 weeks. Fantastic. He's only our most expensive player.

Transfer In - MLR/AMLR Abdoulaye Mendy (22) - Sengalese - From Mont Saint Aignan FC - $12.5k/year - 2 years
My scout thinks he has amazing potential. My assman doesn't. Either way, he's very raw and will be moving down to our affiliate for the season. Probably not the smartest use of funds, but I can't stop spending. 14 Crossing and 10 Pace are only his noteworthy attributes.

...Only he rejects the loan.

Transfer In - DM/MC/DCR Isaac Kone (20) - Ivorian - $4.5k transfer fee, $1.1k signing bonus, $3.31k agent fee - From GSI Pontivy $24k/year - 3 years
I know, I know... way too much money. 15 Tackling, 13 Decisions, 13 Determination, 13 Positioning, and 17 Teamwork though. Realistically I see him as one of our first subs due to his versatility, and he'll get enough PT to make it worthwhile.

Inking - DL Evan Jean-Lambert - 2 years - $9.5k/year
This actually winds up being cheaper than his P/A deal, and we had to commit him to a contract - there was a team chasing him, and we would have literally no one able to play there other than the shitstain Roman Laspalles.

[Izulde]

I forgot to mention Yarcin Barka left after his contract expired.

Cuts Before Season Start
DR Damien Boisvilliers (28)
ST Didier Bouanga (26)
AMC/MC/ML Zian Maki (29)
MLC/ST Jonathan N'Sonde (26)
GK Theo Guerin (25)
ST Jean-Michel Maillard

Thibault Rambaud isn't good enough either, but he's an Icon, so I can't release him outright.

Adel Zainek and Amar Belhani are hyped as our two players to watch, and at an average of 23, we're one of the youngest teams in the division.

We lost $2.03k last month.

@ Vendee Lucon
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

5 - Zainek runs down a clearance and sends to Clement in the box. He's double-teamed, but they miss their steal attempts, and a sneak center to Ndongo just when his man lays off is deadly 1-0

46 - Our poor FB play continues 1-1

51 - Rosier at DR for disappointing Belhani, Benrahou for shitty Mohamed-Djouhary

58 - Shitty passing by Clement wtf 1-2

68 - Sigh. 1-3

80 - ...Long season ahead. 1-4

They got the halftime boost, but I'm still ripping the team for assing it away.

vs ASM Belfort (12th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

11 - Zainek drives into the box and shoots, but it clangs off the upper cross bar. The keeper tries to fall on it, but accidentally pushes the ball over the line for an own goal 1-0

38 - Mohamed-Djouhary passes to Belahmeur in the box, but the shot's pushed away. Follow-through by Mohamed-Djouhary for the rebound midrange goal! 2-0

58 - Claverie clops on for Clement; Laidouni for Gandi

90 - Ndongo draws a PK on the corner kick, but Belahmeur blows it

Much, much better. Didine Mohamed-Djouhary and Adel Zainek ruled this game with 9.0s, the latter earning PotM. Having Patrick Francois in the middle really bolstered the backline, as we netted a 7.7 debut from him.

Getting a headache, so break time.

[Izulde]

Ignoble low attendance for the National record, as just 113 people showed up last game, breaking the record by 1.

@ Hyeres FC (18th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

15 - Rouabah makes the stop and kicks it back to Cabioch for the short pass to Jean-Lambert. Blast down the left flank and the midfielder misses the header, so it goes on to Clement. Run down to the touchline, center, and Ndongo knocks it in! 1-0

19 - Awful defensive work and keeping 1-1

43 - Cabioch should have stopped that 1-2

58 - L'Excellent in for Belahmeur; Rouabah to DR; Kone in at DM

62 - Rouabah to Mohamed-Djouhary, and he plays a perfect pass into box space for Ndongo to pick up and equalize 2-2

79 - Finally a great stop by Cabioch, and he drills it down the field to Ndongo just outside the other box. Our Congolese striker kicks back to Zainek for the short give to Benrahou, and the straight line pass into the middle of the box has surging Ndongo scoring a hat trick!!!! More bitching about offsides. Whatever. 3-2

Obviously, Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo is PotM with a 9.4, but Didine Mohamed-Djouhary impressed as usual with a 9.0, and matching 7.5s by Adel Zainek and Yassine Benrahou also helped overcome shitty outings by Evan Jean-Lambert and Aubry Cabioch.

Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention because I didn't notice until just now. At this level, the usual 3 points for win, 1 for draw, 0 for loss applies. So there's still 3 teams with 0 points after 3 games. It also turns out that the Top 3 advance to Ligue 2, not Top 2. But as usual the last two seasons, I'm just looking to stabilize at this level. Anything else is a bonus.

Players are complaining about the low level of fitness coaching, so I hire a 17 Fitness guy at $13.5k/year for 2 years. Long-time assistant manager Phillipe Allard is also sacked for 38 year old Alban Kuntz, a huge improvement that requires us to pay $12k in compensation, plus $18.75k a year for the next two seasons.

After the coaching reshuffle, we're at 2.5* in Ball Control, Shooting, and the two goalkeeping categories, 3* in Tactics, Defending, and Attacking, 3.5* in Strength, and 4* in Aerobic.

Phillipe Allard was sad to leave, and still considers me one of his favorite people. But he understands the nature of the business, and I have no doubt he'll catch on somewhere after seven years of being the right hand man of one of the hottest managers in Non-League French Football.

vs SR Colmar (13th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

We're without our two Algerian U20 studs, who are off on international duty, but we *finally* get to see our highest paid player in action.

50 - Benrahou replaces Mohamed-Djouhary and Claverie goes in for Clement

73 - We were on our back heels all game, and it was only a matter of time before they broke through 0-1

86 - Fucking awful free kicking by Belahmeur and a box to wire effort on the counter, as Cabioch got too cocky on the come out 0-2

Overall we played well enough to win. But our AMCs were absolute shit, which neutralized our offense entirely.

That sucky ML we got from Aston Villa on loan is *still* whining about fitness coaching, so I terminate his loan.

Transfer In - DL/WBL Jacques Toure (18) - $4k transfer fee, $1k signing bonus, $639 agent fee - $26.5k/year - 3 years - From Le Mans FC
11 First Touch, 10 Work Rate, 12 Acceleration, 10 Pace, 12 Stamina. Raw prospect, but one I see far more likely to break out than Evan Jean-Lambert, who is 23 years old and inconsistent besides. The fans of his old team are pissed he was sold for such a low transfer fee.

@ FC Chambly-Thelle (11th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

Lot of dudes off playing international soccer, so this lineup goes.

38 - Why is Gandi taking the PK?!?! Of course he blows it. Ugh. Note to self: Set PK takers.

43 - And of course they convert the corner 0-1

52 - Laidouni for Gandi; Noc for Ndongo

81 - Samoussi sends it up to Belahmeur on the touchline, and the cross is to Clement. Shot's deflected, but he sinks his own rebound for the late equalizer!!!!! 1-1

We should have won, but I'll take the away draw.

vs Paris FC (14th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak/Yassine Benrahou
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

49 - Zero excuse for Cabioch not stopping that 0-1

56 - The double yellow for their dude will help.

65 - Kone for Rouabah; Noc for Ndongo

85 - Benrahou chases down the high ball and passes to Clement. Weird bounce of the attempted center off a defender, but Noc is there to hit the late equalizer! 1-1

Frustrating draw in another game I felt we could have won.

I'm wondering if we're at the point where we need to move on from Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo. He's been terrible recently, and it coincides with his rough form down the stretch late last season. Couple that with his incredibly high salary, and it's something to look into just to reduce our wage bill.

@ EFC Frejus Saint-Raphael (9th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak/Didine Mohamed-Djouhary
S: Cyrille Allard

Cyrille Allard has been complaining about a lack of first team opportunities. My new assman thinks he can become a good National level player, so why not?

20 - Sigh. 0-1

49 - Mohamed-Djouhary for Benrahou

64 - Ndongo for Allard

79 - Belahmeur plays a great ball to Ndongo, but the defender wins the jump. Zainek has the rebound and wings out to Clement for yet another dramatic late equalizer 1-1

We have a couple shots at winning it down the stretch, but once again we're forced to settle for a draw. We're only 2 points away from the drop zone as a result of all these damn ties.

Oh, and Abdelmadjid Rouabah is out 2-3 weeks with injury. Our backup keeper is out 2-3 months, but I haven't felt like signing anyone else.

[Izulde]

vs SO Romorantin (5th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak/Yassine Benrahou
S: Cyrille Allard

6 - Zainek plays it long and wide to Clement, and his forward cross is perfectly placed for Allard to jam in the short goal 1-0

52 - Mohamed-Djouhary for Bayrak

70 - Gandi for Zainek

Ugly, but important win. Patrick Francois ruled them all with an 8.2 PotM showing, Mathis Clement's 7.3 as second best. We vault up to 6th on that one because it's early in the season and it's a crowded mid-table.

@ US Avranches MSM (7th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Kasim Bayrak
S: Cyrille Allard

21 - Sigh. 0-1

54 - Fuck it. Jean-Lambert for Toure; Ndongo on for Allard; Gandi for Zainek

92 - Belhani throws in to I forget who and gets it back. Cross to Clement and it's headed away. But Benrahou is there to pick up the loose ball and give back to Clement. Cross to unmarked Ndongo and there's the late equalizer!!! 1-1

It feels like we're so close to breaking out and authentically being an upper echelon National team, weird as it sounds. If we can just hang on for a mid-table and gradually grow our youngsters...

[Izulde]

Rough day at the Magic: the Gathering tables, and my basketball league teams (fantasy basketball and DDS 3 league) are shit, too, so I'll cozy up to FM16 and the French team I'm fighting to keep up in the National. ...Which probably means we'll go on a giant losing streak.

Over $84k profit last month. Thanks to the TV money, we keep rolling in cash.

vs Stade Lavallois MFC (3rd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Samuel Samoussi
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Yassine Benrahou/Kasim Bayrak
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

4 - Zainek to Bayrak to Ndongo, who has to take a second to get past the defender, but then he hits the howitzer from the half-circle to put us up early! 1-0

11 - Fucking clear the ball! 1-1

55 - Claverie cuts Clement out and Rosier replaces Samoussi

73 - They got the ball back like 7 straight times this possession. It was fucking retarded 1-2

And just like that, we crash all the way down to 11th and are 2 points away from the drop zone again. Small consolation: 518 people showed up, breaking our old 500 capacity.

Ambroise Gboho gets his walking papers.

Abdelmadjid Rouabah is out 3 fucking months because he got hurt in an international game.

vs Vendee Herbiers (14th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Didine Mohamed-Djouhary/Kasim Bayrak
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo

33 - Mohamed-Djouhary really should have sat out this game, but he's here, tapping to Bayrak for the lancing liner to Clement in the box. Cross, and charging Belahmeur *finally* scores his first goal of the season. 1-0

Benrahou bounces on for Mohamed-Djouhary at half.

54 - Cabioch not only kicked it right to them, he didn't even try to stop the counter shot 1-1

56 - Jean-Lambert is yanked for Toure

84 - Laidouni for Kone

84 - ahfoahgoaghaeorutg9rrtaeougt389tg3iotgae98fgv9f97er8tga 1-2

Disappointing collapse. Disappointing collapse. FML. Down to 13th. Mathis Clement is out next game with yellows. Amar Belhani needs a rest. The squad is pissed off.

We bring in two new players, but it's a weird contract situation that I'll explain another time.

[Young Drachma]

Have you done any searches for dual national French passport dudes who might be able to help you cheaply?

[Izulde]

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

Have you done any searches for dual national French passport dudes who might be able to help you cheaply?

Nope. How would I do that? Partially French?

Transfer In - ST Babacar Gueye (27) - Sengalese, $1k signing bonus, $1.3k agent fee - $35k/year - 4 years
11 Finishing and First Touch, 14 Heading, Every Mental Attribute except Leadership and Positioning (Both 7) at 10 or 11, and strong Physical attributes. The contract is a little long, but hwaetever. He's on a $20k/year deal with bonuses until December 30th. Bounced around the National the last four years with two different teams - gradually diminishing returns each time.

Transfer In - ST Oumar Kouadio (23) - Ivorian - $18.75k year - 4 years
11 Finishing, 10 First Touch, 16 Heading, 11 Anticipation and Work Rate, 14 Decisions and Determination, 12 Composure, and only 3 Balance is below 11 in Physical Attributes. He's never really gotten a chance anywhere, getting spot reserve starts here and there in the CFA. $15k plus bonuses until December 30th.

Both these guys blow Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo totally out of the water. Not our biggest need area, but we should start seeing a lot more production up front now, and we're switching back to our 3-1-3-1-2 DM setup.

@ Red Star FC 93 (2nd)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Matheu Claverie/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

14 - Yeah I figured that one was coming back

31 - Bitchslapped on the counter 0-1

55 - Gandi for Zainek; Jean-Lambert for Toure

65 - Mohamed-Djouhary for Bayrak

Despite the loss, the board wants to discuss a contract extension. They're willing to raise my salary to $49k a year for 2 years. That still puts me way below the standard of everyone else at the level, so the talks go nowhere.

vs Le Mans FC (15th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

If ever we needed a win, it's right here.

16 - Stellar takeaway on our touchline by Toure, launching a counterattack that caps in Bayrak long-balling to Gueye and a scorcher from the half-circle for his first Roses goal! 1-0

53 - Belahmeur for L'Excellent; Laidouni lopes on for Kone, who has done nothing to show he's worthy of the money we're paying him.

64 - Fuck it. Ndongo for Kouadio, who has been trash in the second half.

85 - Toure has been making key interception after interception down the stretch, and there's two more here on two consecutive corners, the latter launching a counter that culminates in Ndongo to Bayrak to Clement down the left wing, and a box feed to Zainek, where the shot has *just* enough power to push off the keeper and in!!!! 2-0

86 - Belahmeur runs down a long ball and dribbles down the right flank. Kick center back to Zainek, and his half-circle shot has no miracles this time. But the ball sits there on the deflection, and Clement darts forward for the rebound goal!!! 3-0



Been a long time since I had a team performance worth pinning up. We jump up to 10th, and are now 5 points clear of the drop. Yay, breathing room!

On the negative side, new league attendance low at just 101. I can't wait until we move back into our home stadium.

@ Racing CFF Colombes (12th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

21 - Of course Favre scores on a free kick 0-1

35 - We didn't even try to defend that free kick 0-2

53 - Ndongo for Gueye and striker switch; Jean-Lambert continues our rotation at DL

81 - Favre again. Ugh. 0-3

We freefall to 14th on that beatdown, one place out of the drop zone. Granted, it's with a 4 point buffer, but still... two completely different performances. Need to develop some consistency.

[Izulde]

vs La Berrichonne (5th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Roman Laspalles
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Robin L'Excellent
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

Back line looking ugly due to suspension and international play, but what can you do?

59 - Benrahou for shitty Bayrak; Ndongo for Gueye and striker switch, and after some thought, Belahmeur steps on for L'Excellent

70 - Bleh 0-1

85 - We're just not good enough 0-2

Waste of an 8.7 performance by Isaac Kone

Weird icon Thibault Rambaud is cut, and no one cares.

@ SAS Epinal (10th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Roman Laspalles
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

21 - We're a joke 0-1

30 - Pathetic 0-2

52 - You're god damned right this is getting embarrassing 0-3

74 - Whatever goal by Belahmeur 1-3

84 - Kouadio blows a PK. Of course.

We're now just 3 points ahead of the drop. I have no idea what to do with this shitburger team.

[Izulde]

We get a match later in the season scheduled for national TV coverage, which means $16,000 for just one game!

vs CS Sedan Ardennes (6th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

I made a couple of small tweaks to at least try and improve defensively, and hopefully get Bayrak off his streak of horrible form. Specifically, I have him in a Support Role and Zainek in a Defend role. I'm also playing with Kouadio and Gueye both in Target Man roles - one attacking, one supporting, because neither one has played well.

43 - A surprise late PK call for Gueye translates into Kouadio *finally* getting his first score for us as he converts 1-0

At the half, Belhani moves to DL and Rosier slots in at DR

53 - Mohamed-Djouhary subs in for Bayrak

78 - Ndongo for Gueye and tactical striker adjustment

We don't get PotM, as Patrick Francois' 7.6 is our best performance of the day. But we gut out a critical win to keep us 3 points above the drop.

vs FC Liborne (French Cup Ninth Round)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kouadio/Babacar Gueye

At the half, Mohamed-Djouhary is in for Bayrak; Ndongo for Gueye

59 - Going to burn my third sub early as L'Excellent takes the place of bungling Belahmeur

63 - Nobody even tried to stop that corner 0-1

64 - DON'T FUCKING COME OUT IF YOU CAN'T STOP IT, CABIOCH! 0-2

66 - WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS BULLSHIT?! 0-3

Pathetic. We should have mopped the floor with them. At least a club low 80 people witnessed this embarrassment.

@ ASM Belfort (18th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Loreintz Rosier
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Najib Gandi/Amine Belahmeur
S: Exauce Ndongo Ngassaki/Babacar Gueye

Since we can't get our AMCs to do anything, we're trying a 3-1-4-2.

28 - Urgh. 0-1

30 - The free kick goes to Gueye, who out-jumps three defenders to nod the ball into the box, and Belahmeur scores 1-1

35 - Horseshit PK call on Rosier, and of course they convert 1-2

52 - Kone moves to DC, Mohamed-Djouhary comes in as an AMC, and Jean-Lambert hops on for Toure

58 - Pathetic. 1-3

61 - Zainek wings out to Belahmeur. Cross and Ndongo's shot is blocked, but he drifts back to snipe in his own rebound. 2-3

81 - JFC 2-4

82 - Maybe I should just quit 2-5

91 - .... 2-6

We're now just a point away from the drop. I could see myself getting the axe soon.

vs Hyeres FC (16th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Jacques Toure/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathieu Claverie/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Babacar Gueye

15 - So now we'll get embarrassed on national TV. Awesome. 0-1

53 - Jean-Lambert for Toure; L'Excellent for Belahmeur

63 - Cue Cabioch coming out and getting burnt for the trillionth time 0-2

And we're now officially in the drop zone.

@ SR Colmar (8th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Isaac Kone
M: Mathieu Claverie/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo/Babacar Gueye

35 - Bayrak plays a perfect ball into the box to Ndongo. Keeper comes out, but the shot clangs off the upper bar. Happily, Gueye surges forward and puts the rebound in, outhustling two defenders to get there 1-0

51 - Laidouni heads in for Zainek; L'Excellent for Belahmeur

7.7 and PotM for Patrick Francois, with a 7.5 support from Exauce Ngassaki Ndongo. Hat-tip to Aubry Cabioch's 7.4 and making clutch saves galore, too.

We vault into 12th and are now 2 points away from the drop.

Board wants to talk extension. They're willing to give me a raise to $55k after some talk, but insist on extending it another year. Yeah, that's not going to fly with me. I'll take the raise to $55k for the rest of the year, but they refuse to do that. So once again, talks break down. I've put in for a higher league job that would be really cool, so we'll see what comes of that. I also applied to a lower division team that would involve starting over again at the Amateur level.

Higher league club rejects me without interview, true to real life. Abdelmadjid Rouabah gets a far below value transfer offer, so I naturally reject it. He's pissed because he wants to go to a bigger club. Fine - if they come back with a better offer, I'll let you go, dude.

Lower league club is blocked by the board, but after discussion, they're willing to allow me to move on if that's what I really want.

I'm good with attempting to avoid relegation, thanks.

vs FC Chambly-Thelle (10th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Patrick Francois/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kuadio/Babacar Gueye

56 - Pfeh. Kone for Zainek 0-1

64 - SMH 0-2

We also lose Patrick Francois for our next game due to injury. Which will mean an automatic loss. And we're already down to 14th.

Two teams come in with above value offers for Abdelmadjid Rouabah, and I can't risk an unhappy player, so I accept the $21k transfer fees outright. A third team puts in an equal bid. The first team comes back with a better offer, but I still reject it because there's more cash from the other teams.

The lower division club offers me a contract, but I want to delay for a week and see.

We try to bring back Steven Da Veiga, but he refuses because of our league position. ...Yeah, I'm thinking more and more I may as well jump ship.

Malo Verbeke and Cyrille Allard sign deals because other teams were sniffing around them. I really don't care at this point.

@ Paris FC (16th)
G: Aubry Cabioch
D: Evan Jean-Lambert/Joris Gnagnon/Amar Belhani
DM: Abdelmadjid Rouabah
M: Mathis Clement/Adel Zainek/Amine Belahmeur
AMC: Kasim Bayrak
S: Oumar Kuadio/Babacar Gueye

16 - Zainek flares the ball out wide right to Belahmeur, who dribbles, stops, and crosses. Gueye uses his head to knock in the score 1-0

31 - Way to miss that header, Gnagnon 1-1

36 - Yep. 1-2

37 - So done with this team 1-3

45 - It's like everyone has given up 1-4

59 - Subs and stuff, but way too little, way too late, Belahmeur. Heh. 2-4

We're officially back in the drop zone, and I don't see us ever getting out. Nor do I feel like fighting the board anymore about stuff.

Transfer Out - DM/MC/MR/DR Abdelmadjid Rouabah (19) - Algerian - $21.5k transfer fee - To AJ Auxurre - $15k/year full-time contract
It was the right move for him, and we honestly are playing such horseshit soccer, I don't blame him for wanting out.

And so, on January 15th, 2023, I officially cross the English Channel. My French adventures were fun, but at this stage, I'm burnt out and done with the Roses.

Now to see if I can work the same magic in the English gutter. I've gotten further than I ever have in any FM career with RC Doue-la-Fontaine. But it's a lot harder to replicate that success with English clubs, who run into financial difficulties immediately after turning semi-pro.

[Izulde]

Cowfold FC Blues

Great name, sharper logo colors. And unlike RC Doue-la-fontaine, where I guessed at the Roses nickname, the Blues are authentically Cowfold's nickname. They're an Amateur club of course. Started the universe in the Southern Combination Football League Division Two. They got demoted the first season, then won the Hampshire Premier League Division One to promote back up to Level 11 in the Hampshire Premier League Senior Division. Since then, they've been largely a mid-tier squad, which is where I'm expected to finish.

As for Cowfold itself, it's a small town of just over 1,900 people in West Sussex, 987 of whom are "economically active". One pub after the 2014 closure of one, and a handful of shops. The village is located between the larger areas of Billingshurst (8.2k population) and Haywards Heath (33.8k). Folks, this really is a cow town.

The B squad competes in West Sussex Division Three South, the C squad in West Sussex Division Three North.

First thing I do obviously is completely clean house of staff. Jon Roberts, a 54 year old 11/11 Scout, is first to join.

:o Good thing I left!



They cut their capacity in half by moving to an all-seater setup! The stadium's max capacity is now at 5,000 however, so they've got the groundwork in place to really grow that stadium.

I unintentionally asked the board for more coaches. They agreed, meaning I can hire two guys. Perfect. After bringing people in, we're at 1.5* minimum in all areas.

vs Selsey (7th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Roger Barnes/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Chris Assombalonga

The strength of the team is at ST and AMR - otherwise there's a lot of room for improvements to be made. We're 10th in the league right now, and the board expects a mid-table finish, if I forgot to mention that. Oh, and irony of ironies, the club I almost left the Roses for earlier is in this league.

31 - Wright recovers a corner and is chased by defenders until he's able to lateral to Clough, who taps it to Hanratty for the give to Assombalonga in the half-circle. Fire strike scores home! 1-0

36 - Smeeton takes the 20 yard free kick from the half-circle and scores! 2-0

42 - Griffin gathers a long ball and sends to Assombalonga in the box. The shot rattles badly off the crossbar, but Griffin outraces everyone to pocket it in! 3-0

44 - Aaaand that's why we need a new keeper 3-1

51 - Smeeton makes the interception and gives it to Clough in open space. He dribbles, then passes to Griffin for the box give to Assombalonga. Dribble and mid-range sears the nets 4-1

55 - Yick. 4-2

59 - Hunter, who I love because of BG&HC allusion, is subbed for by Mark Parrott

Chris Assombalonga takes the PotM with a 9.1, but Lewis Griffin had a 9.0. Jake Smeeton (8.2) and Lee Clough (8.0) rounded out the 8+ guys on a stunning opening victory.

Loan In - AML Dale Berquez (18) - From Swaffham
Nothing especially exciting about this kid - he's just a depth pick up.

@ Ringwood (4th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Roger Barnes/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Chris Assombalonga

29 - Stevenson throws in to Clough and there's a whole lot of passing back and forth around the right side of the pitch. finally, Griffin is able to get in the box to Assombalonga, the 29 year old muscling past a defender and watching the double team literally trip over themselves trying to get him. Center to 22 year old Griffin, and the double team is way too late to corral him 1-0

37 - Total corner kick defense collapse 1-1

52 - Berquez for injured and bad Barnes; Parrott for Wright

Unlucky not to get a win, but we were heavy dogs going into this one.

@ Downton (5th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Dale Berquez/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Chris Assombalonga

Cue the Downton Abbey theme music. This is the club I almost decided to take over, and missed my opportunity on earlier. If it opens up again, I'm definitely applying.

3 - Terrible. F. 0-1

38 - Smeeton has a hella long throw-in to Assombalonga, and the 29 year old delivers the power shot to equalize 1-1

48 - Griffin sees his shot rejected, but Clough just manages to get the ball and send it out on the wing to all alone Berquez. Cross and Assombalonga again puts it away. Hudson replaces Stevenson 2-1

71 - Clough plays it up to Assombalonga, who shrugs off the defender and passes to Griffin. 25 yarder sings home! Break for Hunter as Parrott flies in 3-1

9.1 and PotM again for Chris Assombalonga, Lewis Griffin with the 8.2. Lee Clough had himself a 7.6 night, and Dean Hudson netted a 7.0 off the bench.

Fuck the Roses. They hire a 52 year old Portuguese guy for $65k, or $10k more than what they were willing to offer me. I'm pleased to see they're in 16th place right now.

Transfer In - ST Nathan Chambers (25) - French - From Farnborough
*Finally* we get someone to sign with us! 10 First Touch, 13 Heading, 10 Aggression, 11 Anticipation and Decisions, 16 Teamwork, 13 Work Rate, 15 Jumping Reach, 14 Strength. As great as Chris Assombalonga has been, breaking the Blues' single season scoring record with 9 goals, he's also 29, and Chambers is just objectively a better player. Glad to know my French connections have meant something.

[Izulde]

vs Laverstock & Ford (18th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Dale Berquez/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

5 - Griffin intercepts a pass out of the defense and steps forward to strike a 20 yarder! He and Mensah are two guys teams have really been after. 1-0

20 - Terrific interception by Stevenson, who jacks it to midfield and Chambers. Pressure, so the outlet pass back to Hanratty. Longball returns to Chambers, and our Frenchman with the English name drives into the box, pauses, and crosses to Griffin for the header. Nice debut assist. 2-0

34 - Deen cracks a kick all the way down the pitch to Mensah. It's on to Chambers just outside the half circle, and he passes to Griffin in the box for his hat trick!!!! 3-0

52 - BS callback of a goal, and because Chambers is tired and lost possession twice on this series, he takes a breather, Assombalonga coming in

57 - Parrott in for Hunter

64 - Stevenson with the midfield interception. He passes to Assombalonga just outside the half-circle. Defender closes in, so he quickly passes into the box, where Berquez has his man beat, and there's our loanee's first ever Blues goal!!! 4-0

74 - Backline got sloppy there 4-1

75 - Clough to Griffin to Assombalonga during the ensuing kickoff, and the 29 year old strikes a 38 yarder that thunders in for the immediate answer!!! 5-1

Everyone had a 7.0 or better, with a lot of 7.6s. Our 8+ guys were all strikers: PotM Lewis Griffin (9.7), [b]Nathan Chambers with a 8.2 debut, and Chris Assombalonga with an 8.1 off the bench.

Transfer In - DLCR Gregory Harte (19) - Barbadian - From Hampton & Richmond
He could be a starter right now at either DL or DC, but I think it's going to be DL to take advantage of his 15 Teamwork and 11 Strength. Plus, Jake Smeeton is 34 years old, so it'd be nice to get some young blood in here. Harte is dual-citizenship, and I'm excited to have him at this lower level than he's played before. Might shift to DC, as we've feelers out on some other DL guys. He's also 6'3, 180, and Nathan Chambers is 6'2, 169. We're trying to build a tall team here for sure.

@ Bosham (12th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Dale Berquez/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

I changed my mind after seeing that Smeeton is our primary set pieces guy, and we really need him on the field for that.

54 - Hudson for Stevenson; Assombalonga for Chambers

Frankly unlucky not to win this one, I think. But at least teams are continuing to have issues beating our 4-2-4 setup, despite my struggles to bring in better talent to such a low reputation team.

vs Montpelier Villa (5th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Josh Stevenson
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Roger Barnes/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

16 - Smeeton throws in to Barnes, gets it back, and hammers it down the left flank to Griffin. He kicks it back and center to Barnes, who beautifully crosses to charging Chambers, and our Frenchman has his first Roses goal at last!!! 1-0

49 - Assombalonga replaces tired Chambers, and sucky Mensah is pulled for Hudson

59 - I forgot fluke goals are a thing. FML. 1-1

With five games left, we're mathematically assured of staying up. That may not seem like a huge deal, but when the previous manager got fired, they were sitting 12th (currently 6th). The Blues' high position this season has been 4th, which is still reachable, but would need some help.

Youth Pulls
We're still a low enough level team that youth pulls actually matter. So much so that we sign almost the whole package other than two guys because of how many are 4* potential.

@ Liphook United (9th)
G: Louis Deen
D: Jake Smeeton/Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Josh Stevenson
MC: Nana Mensah/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Roger Barnes/Dean Hudson
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

Lee Clough is out with injury, which will be a pretty damn big miss.

5 - No shit not the start we had planned 0-1

11 - Thanks for the own goal gift! 1-1

17 - Sigh. 1-2

Assombalonga goes in for exhausted Chambers at half.

58 - Hunter replaces Wright

76 - Teams have finally figured out our scheme 1-3

First loss of my tenure, and the Blues' first loss in nine games (they were on a three game unbeaten streak when I arrived). We collapse to 8th.

In anticipation of all the youth signings, I go through and purge everyone who isn't 4* potential or higher on the B and C teams.

Transfer In - AMLC/MLC Lee Walsh (18) - Irish - From Metrogas
11 Flair, 15 Acceleration, 12 Pace. The ginger-hair is hella raw, with the worst Work Ethic and Teamwork combination I've ever seen. But his quickness and speed intrigue me enough that I'm going to give him a shot at starting. 6'2, 167.

Transfer In - DR Michael Francis (22) - Grenadian - From Desborough
15 Flair, 12 Work Rate, 10 Stamina. Easily our best defender and with room to grow besides. He also has 6 youth caps for the Grenadian national team, though like the other guys we've signed not named Nathan Chambers, he's dual citizenship.

Josh Stevenson and Mark Parrott join the purge, and as soon as I find upgrades, Jake Smeeton and Josh Hanratty will join them - Smeeton's set piece specialty be damned.

We sign a 14/14 Scouting upgrade to start scouring our scouting range, and ink a Turkish-English Head of Youth Development with 17 Working with Youngsters, 12 JPA/10 JPP. He favors the 4-4-2 Longball, so we'll see how he does. First time I can recall actually signing one of these guys.

Lee Clough is appointed team captain, with Chris Assombalonga taking the vice band.

Josh Hanratty earns a stay by virtue of tutoring Roger Barnes.

vs Billingshurst (2nd)
G: Chris Cadmore (Youth pull)
D: Jake Smeeton/Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Michael Francis
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Lee Walsh/Nana Mensah
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

8 - Francis picks up a cleared corner and wings out to Mensah. Cross, and Griffin gallops past the defender to head it in 1-0

24 - Horrible corner clearance 1-1

Assombalonga for Chambers at the break

56 - Wright for Harte

60 - We're ass on set pieces 1-2

82 - Un.fucking.believable. 1-3

Aaand now we're down to 11th.

See, here's the problem: Any other configuration we put together just involves shuffling players around because we can't bring in the type of talent necessary to make other formations work.

Loan In - AML/ST Nathan Sheppard (21)
So he's only here for 3 games. His Physical attributes are on point - Only Stamina (6) is less than 10. He's thinking of leaving Bedford FC when his contract is up, but I doubt we'll be able to get him. And that turns out our only deadline move.

@ AFC Roffey Club (12th)
G: Chris Cadmore (Youth pull)
D: Jake Smeeton/Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Michael Francis
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Nathan Sheppard/Dean Hudson
ST: Lewis Griffin/Nathan Chambers

Nana Mensah is pretty much done for the season. Might come back for our last game, but that's about it.

11 - Bleh 0-1

50 - After blowing a wide open shot, Chambers is off for Assombalonga; Munslow, an original, replaces Hanratty

61 - Sheppard runs down a loose ball and cracks a power cross that Assombalonga heads in to equalize 1-1

We didn't play great, but we were expected to lose, so whatever.

Board isn't thrilled, but I'm not in danger, either. Hard to make improvements this late in the season, especially when it's tough to get signings. I'm not sure if I'll stick around or not.

[Izulde]

Lewis Griffin's season is done after getting hurt in a friendly we lose. So we'll have to adjust anyway.

@ Stockbridge (12th)
G: Chris Cadmore (Youth pull)
D: Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Michael Francis
DM: James Munslow
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Nathan Sheppard/Dean Hudson
ST: Nathan Chambers

At the half, it's Assombalonga at ST, Smeeton at DL

68 - Off goes Assombalonga with injury. Sheppard to ST, Walsh in at AML

Should have won, but alas we slip to 12th. Chris Assombalonga is out 6-7 months. Lovely.

vs Upham (11th)
G: Chris Cadmore (Youth pull)
D: Gregory Harte/Nick Hunter/Luke Wright/Michael Francis
DM: James Munslow
MC: Lee Clough/Josh Hanratty
AMLR: Nathan Sheppard/Dean Hudson
ST: Nathan Chambers

Last game of the year. If we can get a win to salvage some dignity, that'd be good. I'm getting annoyed by the daily report spam from our scout who is searching for upgrades.

56 - Joyce at DM, Sheppard to ST, Walsh at AML

And so we finish an uninspired 12th. I'm already scanning the job listings to cash my checks and I'm gone. Our C team gets promoted to a higher level than our B team. Awkward.

We don't care about the end season stuff, because it's not my players in here.

Time passes. With two games left, RC Doue-la-Fontaine is 3 points clear of relegation. Still in a flat 4-4-2. Loreintz Rosier left the club shortly after I did. They secure staying up the last game of the season and are expanding the stadium by 475 seats. It'll cost $900k but they're also getting a $675k grant to cover most of the costs.

Meanwhile, I take on a new job. Then I quit, because it's not who I thought they were.

Then I find another one.


Battersea Ironsides Iron FC
I wasn't going to take a club that owns its own 1,500 capacity stadium (Awesome name of Burntwood Lane BTW), but that logo is just too damn awesome to resist. Seriously one of the coolest I've seen of the FM16 teams. The Iron started this universe as one of the top teams in the Surrey Intermediate Elite League, but after failing to promote twice, they grew gradually worse until they relegated to the Surrey South Eastern Combination Intermediate Division 1 - or Level 12. There, the Iron have stagnated as a mid-table side the last three seasons.

They're a London area club, located in the suburb of Earlsfield. Bonus points if I stick with this team and ever get back to London IRL. Being back in civilization should make it easier to attract better talent, too.

I want to build a team of Iron Giants, so I immediately cut everyone who isn't at least 4* potential and/or isn't at least 6' tall. By the time we get through with that wholesale bloodbath, we have 19 total players across all three teams.

We've also put in to scout every dude who is 6'8 or taller, and all the dual citizenship dudes whose primary is another country and 6'5 or taller. And I'll also only scout recommended staff players who are least 6'.

Our preview is first, and there's chatter of us being a mid-table team. We don't have a single player who isn't English, because I cut the Portuguese and Nigerian guys we had on our squad. Eventually, everyone is going to get axed if they don't meet a certain height standard.

Transfer In - AMCR/ST Kostas Chatziros (18) - Cypriot - From Stansfield O&B
This 6'5, 182 pound teenager comes with 15 Determination, 11 Balance, 13 Natural Fitness, and 10 Pace (I'm ignoring JR unless it's 16 or higher). Really excited to see how this kid goes. Spirited player, too. 4* potential and he'll slot in as an AMC.

Transfer In - MC/AMC/ST Moses Solomon (18)
11 Determination, 11 Flair, 14 Teamwork, 12 Stamina, clocking in at 6'7, 200 lbs. He'll start off life as an MC.

Transfer In - DC/DM/MC Sidney Howes (22) - From Predators
15 Aggression and Bravery, 18 Teamwork!, 12 Natural Fitness. Slow as shit dude, but 6'6, 198 and has 4.5* potential according to my assman. Natural Ball-Winning Midfielder out of the MC spot.

Transfer In - DCR/DM/MCR Simon Hart (17)
6'6, 194 lbs depth signing who can play a lot of different spots. 17 Teamwork is a highlight.

I slowly continue cutting players. This will be a gimmicky as shit 6'5 or taller team all around, damn it. No matter how terrible we are. And we're playing two friendlies a week to very mixed results.

We cut our field to the minimum 98 x 60. We're playing a narrow fucking field, boys, and y'all won't have room to deal with my giants.

Transfer In - GK Callum Fry (23)
At 6'8, 218, he's no small fry (teehee!). 11 Aerial Reach and 12 Decisions, with 5* potential and he's legitimately worthy of starting right now - unlike the rest of the guys I've been low-key cramming into the starting lineup.

Transfer In - GK Nathan Thompson (22)
11 Aerial Reach, 13 Handling, 13 Reflexes and also 5* potential. 6'8, 213. I think I like him *slightly* more than Fry, and so does my assman, so he'll become the starter.

Promotion Odds:
Andover Lions: 4-6
NPL FC: Even
Westminster Casuals: Even
Warlingham: 5-4
Battersea Ironsides: 6-4

Um, wot? Oh btw, RC Doue-La-Fontaine have sold off Adel Zainek and Bayrak, getting a combined $75k or something like that between the two after re-signing some of my guys to stupid deals. Both went to SAS Espinal.

Transfer In - DC/DM/MC Ellis Blizzard (22) - From Stedham United
13 Determination and 10 Balance of relevant stats, but I'm going to shoehorn his 6'8, 207 lbs self into the Anchorman role.

Transfer In - DC Darren Prosser (23) - From Jarvis Brook
Let's celebrate because this is the first guy I've signed my assman likes right now. 15 Aggression, Teamwork, and Strength, he's a 6'8, 207 lb bully in the middle who provides a legitimate upgrade. 3.5/5*, though how much of is it due to his talent and how much to all the cutting we've been doing, who knows?

Transfer In - DC Josh Knight (20) - From East Grinstead
12 Aggression, 13 Determination, 13 Teamwork, 10 Natural Fitness. 6'8, 202.

Nathan Thompson and Callum Fry are appointed Captain and Vice-Captain.

Transfer In - ST/MR Gareth Wiltshire (24) - From Alresford
Do I give a shit about his limited skill and 15 Strength the only eye-popper? Hell to the no. I'm just ecstatic we *finally* signed a 6'8, 200 lbs striker after constantly whiffing on others.

Expectations:
League: Mid-table
League Cup: Quarterfinals
Surrey County Intermediate Cup: Second Round

Transfer In: DLCR Kadell Johnson (22) - From Corsham
15 Strength is about it, and my assman doesn't like his upside like my Chief Scout did. Oh well, he's a 6'8, 200 lb body

Transfer In: AMLC/ST Louis Baker-Timms (20) - From Otterbourne
11 First Touch, 14 Flair, 13 Natural Fitness. I actually like him a lot better than everyone else on my staff, and he'll get a shot at AMC, maybe becoming a ST. 6'8, 200.

Cash: $26,864
Season Ticket Sales: 9
Average Ticket Price: $8
Average Season Ticket Price: $74
Franchise Value: $60k
Attendance: 70
My Reputation: 35% (+5% - 1 3/4 stars - Useful)

Gareth Wiltshire sets up a tutoring relationship with Kostas Chatziaros for on the pitch.

Transfer In - ST Ricardo Yarde (18)
10 Finishing and Determination, 17 Teamwork, 12 Work Rate, 12 Strength. Won't push Gareth Wiltshire out of a starting job, but maybe we can start thinking about a 2 striker formation.

It's after this that I finally go ahead and just dismiss everyone who isn't one of my signings. I'll sink or swim with my team, damn it.

Transfer In - DLCR Robert Proctor (24) - From Shepton Mallett
His 19 Teamwork, 11 Balance, and 10 Stamina make him a star player no matter where he suits up on the line. That's going to depend on the other guys we bring in, because we're hitting the backline hard in scouting.

Loan In - DR Graham Blake (21) - From Netley Central Sports
10 Strength and some solid all-around attributes for this level. He'll take over the DR spot for the year, and we'll see if he's good enough for us to maybe entice him to come here if his contract expires.

Transfer In - DLC Sean Jones (16)
11 Decisions, 12 Balance, 14 Natural Fitness. Can't wait to see this kid blossom into something special.

Robert Proctor goes out for 5-6 weeks as our friendlies wind down. Thankfully we've really built up the defense, because Sean Jones can slide over to DL. We've had a couple other guys go down, too, so we change one of our formations to a 4-4-2 Diamond Narrow. It will be our attacking formation, whilst a 4-1-2-3 DM Narrow is our counter formation.

Transfer In - DC/DM/MC Michael Turner (22) - From Newbury Forest
12 Stamina, 15 Strength, 17 Aggression, and an immediate upgrade at DM or MC.

We're looking hard for MC and AMC improvements because they're the missing weak link to making this thing work. And we've only got a couple weeks left before the start of the season.

Transfer In - DM/MC Kevin Storey (19)
Comparative paydirt! 13 Decisions, 13 Determination, 15 Teamwork, 11 Work Rate, and he's headed straight for an MC starting role.

[b]Transfer In - AMCR/ST Callum Parker (16) - From AFC Portchester[b]
Yes, he's hella lazy. But he's immediately our best player, with well-rounded attributes, including 10 Acceleration, 11 Agility, and 10 Pace. And he has experience at higher levels. Happily, he signs just a few days before the season begins.

vs West Elwell Athletic
GK: Nathan Thompson
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Kadell Johnson/Graham Blake
M: Michael Turner/Kevin Storey/Ellis Blizzard
ST: Ricardo Yarde/Callum Parker/Gareth Wiltshire

So my assman tells me to go with this formation - the 4-3-3 Narrow. Um, okay sure, why not?

This crazy bunch of behemoths (ranging from the 6'4 Graham Blake who somehow escaped my notice that he's an inch too short, to the 6'8 Thompson, Prosser, Johnson, Blizzard, Wiltshire and Yarde, is actually favored.

17 - Stupid Prosser gets hit with a PK and they convert 0-1

43 - Yarde lumbers forward to steal the ball and pass to Parker, for the beautiful box lay-in to Wiltshire. Stride, and there's the score! 1-1

45 - Johnson bangs an intercepting header to Blizzard, who knocks it ahead of three defenders in the box! Parker laughs as his fire shot singes the nets! 2-1

Prosser's dumb ass is pulled for Knight at the break, but we don't lose a 6'8 player in doing so.

62 - Storey is exhausted, so 6'6 Howes hops in, going to the BWM MC role, whilst Turner changes to the attacking MC one.

87 - Johnson moves to DR, Turner down to DC, and Solomon is the new attacking MC, because Blake's 5.9 rating is alarming.

8.0 and PotM for Callum Parker, 7.7 for Gareth Wiltshire, and 7.6 for Ellis Blizzard as the Iron Giants secure a season-opening victory!!!

It's so great seeing this team of tall ass trees lumbering about the pitch. Funniest thing I've ever seen in FM.

[Izulde]

@ AC Malden (5th)
GK: Nathan Thompson
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Kadell Johnson/Graham Blake
M: Michael Turner/Kevin Storey/Ellis Blizzard
ST: Ricardo Yarde/Callum Parker/Gareth Wiltshire

2 - Turner with a clutch interception and long ball to Wiltshire. Layoff to Parker just outside the half-circle, and the 25 yarder punches the net! 1-0

22 - Blake throws it in to Blizzard, gets it back, and delivers to Wiltshire in the box. He dribbles, then taps off to Parker, who no one is paying attention to. They're crying offsides, but the goal is good! 2-0

37 - Yarde heads down the goal kick and sends it back to Storey. The long ball is intended for Parker in the box, but the defense is there first. The pass back to the keeper is slow and lazy, and Parker zooms forward to intercept and get his hat trick!!! 3-0

43 - We just got caught out there 3-1

Howes at BWM, Turner at attacking MC at half, because Storey broke his nose. Knight for tired and badly playing Prosser, too.

57 - Johnson, you nincompoop! You don't head it right to the striker so he can score a rebound!!! 3-2

68 - Solomon in for Turner, who has given away possession a shit ton.

74 - Solomon makes me look smart by intercepting a short goalie kick and passes to Wiltshire. Lot of space as he roams around before giving to Parker in the half-circle. Soft box pass to Yarde and the mid-range insurance shot is good for his first Iron goal!!! 4-2

82 - Solomon to Parker outside the half-circle and into Yarde for the box. They're calling the shot a bizarre one, but it doesn't look like it to me!!! 5-2

All original starters still on the pitch were 7 or better, with PotM Callum Parker (9.7), Ricardo Yarde (8.9), and Ellis Blizzard (7.5) the three stars on the night.

If you'd told me before the season we would start off the year 2-0-0, have a +4 GD, and be all alone in first place, I'd have said you were full of shit. But here we are, with Callum Parker living up to expectations already (as I said, our best player) with 2 PotM awards in as many games, and Ellis Blizzard putting up two shockingly great performances.

Normally I'd do more, but I'm just going to sit and savor the loveliness of this experiment's early returns.

[Izulde]

vs Westside (6th)
GK: Nathan Thompson
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Josh Knight/Graham Blake
M: Sidney Howes/Kevin Storey/Michael Turner
ST: Ricardo Yarde/Moses Solomon/Gareth Wiltshire

Short turnaround here - shorter still for the guys who played in the Reserves game after our last match.

20 - Jones picks up a clearance and high balls it to Yarde in the box. Header to Solomon, and I think the shot is going to be high, but it hits the net for his first Iron goal!!! 1-0

Johnson in for exhausted Jones at the half.

52 - Hart gets his debut, replacing Storey

56 - Prosser is badly dinged, but he'll have to play on. Baker-Timms has his debut as well, subbing in for Wiltshire

58 - Yarde intercepts a bad throw-in and passes to Baker-Timms, taking the longball return and racing down the right flank. He cuts into the box and rather than shoot, crosses back to Turner, who puts the ball past the fooled keeper for his own first Iron goal!!! 2-0

Michael Turner is PotM with a 7.9 and Darren Prosser has his first great game with a 7.5. Bit of an ugly win, but we'll take it - especially since we were without our main dude.

vs Horsley (Surrey County Intermediate Cup First Round)
GK: Nathan Thompson
D: Sean Jones/Kadell Johnson/Simon Hart/Robert Proctor
M: Michael Turner/Kevin Storey/Ellis Blizzard
ST: Moses Solomon/Callum Parker/Gareth Wiltshire

Meant to start Callum Fry in goal today, but forgot.

7 - And I'm going to pay for that error 0-1

8 - Perfect corner kick placement by Proctor to Johnson, who fiercely kicks it in as two defenders close on him. The immediate answer is his first Iron goal! 1-1

23 - Yep, big mistake. 1-2

44 - Unbelievable 1-3

Proctor moves in to DC at half, letting shitty Hart sit. Blake is in at DR.

53 - Howes replaces Turner; Solomon moves to attacking MC, replacing Storey, and Chatziaros makes his first appearance, at ST.

Absolutely pathetic loss. But I'm slowly figuring out who to trust and who not.

vs Chessington KC
GK: Nathan Thompson
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Robert Proctor/Graham Blake
M: Sidney Howes/Moses Solomon/Ellis Blizzard
ST: Ricardo Yarde/Callum Parker/Gareth Wiltshire

Experimenting with hot hands here. Michael Turner keeps giving away possession with bad passes, so he's on the bubble to be dropped completely. Simon Hart has been just bad all around.

40 - Howes picks up a clearance and passes to Blake in the box, right side. There's a lot of space, so he ground crosses to Yarde, who spears the perfect diagonal in. 1-0

Johnson takes over for Proctor; Chatziaros for Yarde at half, because these fuckers hurt both of them in the first half.

54 - Piss-poor handling by Thompson there 1-1

61 - Baker-Timms goes in for Parker

91 - MOTHERFUCKING DAMN IT!!!!!!! 1-2

Robert Proctor is out a month and half, Ricardo Yarde a month. You can bet I lit holy hell into the team for collapsing like that.

On the bright side, 112 people showed up, nipping the record of 109 set way back in 2016.

[b]Transfer In - ST Ian Kirby (18) - From

@ NPL FC (10th)
GK: Callum Fry
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Kadell Johnson/Graham Blake
M: Sidney Howes/Kevin Storey/Ellis Blizzard
ST: Moses Solomon/Callum Parker/Gareth Wiltshire

7 - At this point you have to ask yourself - was it all just a flash in the pan? 0-1

28 - Yep. 0-2

43 - Parker to Wiltshire just in the box, and receives it back. Dribble, shot, and there's the birthday goal 1-2

53 - Chatzarios for Solomon; Knight for Prosser; Johnson out to DL and Turner in at DC

64 - FUCK.YOU. WILTSHIRE WAS TOTALLY ONSIDES!!!!

92 - We draw a PK and Parker pots it in for the late equalizer 2-2

So the staff can eat my ass with their stupid suggestions. I'm going to go with what I wanted to this whole time, and if they don't like it, they can fuck right off.

vs NPL FC (Surrey Southeast Combination Intermediate Cup Second Round)
GK: Callum Fry
D: Sean Jones/Dean Prosser/Kadell Johnson/Graham Blake
DM: Michael Turner
M: Kevin Storey/Sidney Howes
AM: Callum Parker
ST: Moses Solomon/Kostos Chatziaros

4-4-2 Narrow Diamond. Let's do this shit on the rematch.

32 - They're constantly forcing us back into a reset with Fry kicks. Finally, Blake nudges past a defender and passes into box space, with Chatziaros slipping forward and getting his first Iron goal!!! 1-0

51 - Knight for Prosser and Baker-Timms for Solomon

60 - JFC 1-1

86 - Time for me to quit this dynasty 1-2

92 - Or maybe not! Blake with the clutch 30 yard free kick to send this into extra time! 2-2

108 - Johnson runs down a long clearance and sends it sailing down the middle of the pitch to Parker just outside the box. Smooth pass to Chatziaros inside, and there's the go-ahead goal!!! 3-2

117 - And there goes Chatziaros off with injury. We've had incredibly shitty injury luck so far. Wiltshire comes in.

9.0 and PotM for Graham Blake, 8.6 for Callum Parker, and 8.8 for Kostas Chatziaros before getting knocked out. Josh Knight damn near cost us this game.