When They Kick At Your Front Door: A Brixton FC Story (FM18)

[BrixtonFC]

February 2019

I get knocked down but I get up again

I really don’t understand the training module of FM18. I can’t believe we continue to have bad training performances for players who are absolutely rocking it on the field. I did a little research and the only thing I can figure out is that players below the age of 23 get burnt out quickly. Maybe I need to have heavy match-to-match rotation and have only 5 or 7 players on the bench. We’ll give that a try.

At least Kemar is slaying it!



Financial Matters
We are doing quite well, thank you very much. Last month we made £169.5k bringing our season-to-date total to almost £335k. February should be good too with an appearance in the FA Cup at home.

Board Confidence
My untouchableness is now up to 88%. I’m getting pretty good at this.

Dynamics
With Pearson’s departure we are down to 7 Influential Players.



Player Development
I had great anticipation for this day. I knew it was coming and I’m very excited. My AssMan thinks Kemar Kirkpatrick “Is very well-suited to Premier League football.” That’s a Brixton product, people!

On the transfer front, Shamrock Rovers of Ireland’s Premier Division offer a contract to Declan McNulty. We’ll see if he decides to stay. He doesn’t have an option I can activate so we might could lose him. A team above us in the pyramid is leaking to the press they want Collopy, a DC in our U18s. However, “they are not expected to stand any chance whatsoever of being able to pull off such an audacious swoop.” My staff must have him pegged all wrong as teams keep talking about getting him. “Audacious” is a bit of a misnomer: He’s currently valued at a whopping £75.


As I mentioned at the beginning of this update, I’m going to go to 7 subs named, 3 used, unless there’s an injury after the third substitution. Now let’s see if our David-selves can take down a mini-Goliath. Considering there was no pre-match press conference I’m thinking that the match engine is not going to tip off that we’re going to win, as was my take on the Millwall match. Ergo, we lose this match. Also, an email on 1 February said that a good crowd of 4,700 fans were expected but in the pre-match screen I see that 5,239 have paid to attend.

FA Cup Fourth Round
vs. Bolton, 2 February 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Al-Ziod, Barlow, Smith, Hodgson, Nixon, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Parker, Pilcher, Harding, Cullen, Jones, Macey

But wait! There’s a tunnel interview! A question about the team selection offering no surprises. “Of course not,” I retort, Calmly, “These are the best players I have and we’re quite capable, thank you very much.”

After 33’ of nothing-doing, I switch us up to Attacking, change Kemar to a Target Man-Attack, and have the wingers try early crosses. Bolton immediately get the chance with their right winger on a breakaway, one-on-one. Chicken Legg stonewalls him though and the ball is cleared.

At the break I tell the lads I’m not pleased with their performance. So of course that means we pick up two yellows in quick succession and by 58’ Hodgson has a bruised shin. Right after that Bolton get a corner and a long shot finds itself in the back of our net. Dammit. Four minutes later Bolton’s leftback picks up his second yellow and we have an excellent spot for a free-kick but we don’t even get an action sequence to see what happens.

Two minutes later Slim Shadi wants to show us what he learned earning his caps, sending in a low cross to the near post where a Nixon, streaking across the front of the goal 7 yards out, sends the tying score in with his left foot. I keep the pedal to the metal and make some swaps.

Just after the turning of 73’ Smith lobs a ball way into the right corner of the pitch from the middle of the field. Macey is able to out run everyone, pick up the ball, and start heading toward goal. Three yards out he tries an impossible angle shot that somehow makes it past the charging goalie but the ball bounces off the post. He recovers his own shot and puts it in.

Of course I switch back to Control and setup some instructions to see things out. In the fifth minute of six minutes of injury time Kemar (Mr. 6.5) gets a one-on-one and manages to miss the wide open goal. Phuq.

POM: Bolton’s Matthew Mitchell (1 goal, 2 key passes, 2 chances created)



We really had no business slaying that giant but our sling stones were true, mostly. I’d be happier if Kemar, a Premier League talent, would stop being super-streaky. His scout report says he’s Fairly Consistent. Damn FM. Turns out Hodgson’s bruised shin will keep him out for 3 days, max.

In even better news, we made £223.6k from the match, £173k of that from prize money. Almost 1,400 of those fans were from Bolton. Anybody’s money is good in Brixton.

There was a post-match presser and I blamed myself for the slow start. Three players, Macey, McAdam, and Legg, were pleased by my comments. The lads love me!

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Val Water has signed with Limerick F.C., Irish Premier Division, and will join them the day after his contract with us expires.

In player development news, Mitchell Nightingale isn’t growing and is still only 181cm. Also, his speed isn’t going up. I don’t like my DCs to be slow. I don’t mind if my Regista is slow though. So I start training him as a DMC. Let us see how it goes.

Also, remember Bill Taylor from last month’s update? Hard working midfielder? On 4 February I get a training update email on him. “Squad’s general character has had a positive effect lately.” What does that mean? His Determination went up again, to 15, and his Personality has changed from Fairly Professional to Resolute. Hot damn!

This is ridiculous. The FA Cup Fifth Round draw happens the next day. Our options are Brighton, Burnley, Man City, Charlton, Everton, Man United, Reading, Southampton, Tottenham, Cardiff, Chelsea, Barnsley, Ipswich, Liverpool, Norwich, Arsenal, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Swansea, Sunderland, or Wolverhampton. Any one of those should slaughter us. Or only hope is Charlton, and realistically we shouldn’t get a win even then. The draw is in and we travel to Everton, who these days are in the Championship. We better not win. Unregardless™ we are going to make a lot of money.

Paul Taylor completes his rehabilitation from shin splints but his Condition is down to 87% and his Match Fitness is all the way down to 49%. Gonna bring him back slowly.

I have a Dynamics update to report. Chick Legg has moved up to the Highly Influential Player rung. All part of my plan…


We faced Salisbury way back on 14 August and we embarrassed them quite thoroughly. C’mon, lads! Let’s give ‘em a repeat!

Southern First Division West
vs. Salisbury, 6 February 2019



Formation: Spade
Starting XI: Webb, Parker, Day, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Harding, McAdam, Jones, Cullen, Duckett, Macey
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Pilcher, Thompson, Nixon, Thirlwell, Taylor

As simple as that, we get our lead just before 8’ with Macey sending a long pass to the right for Jones, who spies a Duckett heading to the far post and Daniel does not miss. (R.I.P. Duckett-Pearson, Pearson-Duckett. :-( ) To show the world we’re not just a wing-reliant team, Harding feeds Cullen up the middle, he sends one high up to Macey, who continues the center movement, scoring number two. Some more outstanding Vision and Passing by Cullen, trying to learn how to be an Attacking Midfielder, sees Duckett getting his brace.

At 60’ we get an easy penalty, not sure what happened, so Duckett attempts his hat trick and succeeds. I promptly move to the Diamond, move Nightingale up to Regista, put Taylor at Poacher, to get him some match fitness, and use Thompson as Shadow Striker. That sees out the match though Salisbury did threaten in the 87th until Nightingale made a great interception.

POM: Daniel Duckett (3 goals, 2 key passes, 2 chances created)



The Days Between
It is confirmed, at the end of the season Declan McNulty will join Shamrock Rovers. As I think about it though I realize I could probably just move him on now. I mean, he's really surplus to needs as I’m running a 4-5-1 for the youth team. Turns out there’s a “Sell Now” feature and when I click it, it defaults to £500. I drop it to zero and just like that he’s moving back to Ireland.

The next day Shamrock make an offer for Stephen Dunne. If he signs with them I’ll offer an early release too.


Southern First Division West
at Didcot, 9 February 2019



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Maguire, Al-Ziod, Donaldson, Smith, Thompson, Thirlwell, Rae
Subs: Webb, Parker, Day, McAdam, Cullen, Jones, Taylor

Thirlwell boffs his first chance but in the 23rd he strikes gold with his second chance. Our second goal comes from a Thirlwell assist; a corner that goes right to Carroll at the top of the box, where he uses his right foot to send in a powerful shot. Thriller gets his second assist on a long bomb to Rae, who has just been unstoppable this year. Thriller’s third assist comes in the second stanza again from a corner. He sends it directly to Donaldson 25 yards out from the goal and bends it like Beckham over all the heads and into the far right, just squeaking between the goalie’s hands and the post. Amazeballs.

It’s no surprise that after I bring out the tired kids at 63’ that nothing much at all happens for the rest of the match.

POM: David Donaldson (1 goal, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)



I don’t understand why Marcus Thirlwell with his goal, 3 assists, 3 key passes, and 2 chances created didn’t get Player Of the Match.

In the stands for the match was Sheffield United’s coach, who was scoping out Robert Carroll. Make an offer, buddy!

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Sure enough, Stephen Dunne signs with Shamrock very late Sunday and on Monday morning I offer an immediate transfer but they decline. Weird.

Lots of Dynamics changes of late! Now Peter Maguire is an Influential Player. His Determination and Leadership abilities are both 12 and his personality is Professional. Could he be the next Vice Captain?

But even better news comes in! Pilcher is “Potential Championship Talent”. This pleases me greatly.


Another league match at home. Time to add to our kitty. I’m switching Barlow and Nixon around to work on their respective new positions.

Southern First Division West
vs. North Leigh, 13 February 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Jefcoate, Nixon, Smith, Hodgson, Barlow, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Al-Ziod, McAdam, Donaldson, Jones, Macey

Ugh. Twelve minutes in Kirkpatrick gets called for a shove in the penalty area but I watched his avatar backpedal; he never laid hands on anybody. Poppycock! Legg juked to the right, the shooter shot to the left but hit the post and Jefcoate recovered the bounce. What luck! Nothing happens for us until right at 41’ Kemar recovers a stray ball way out right in Leigh’s end, his vision picks out a charging Barlow and we open the seal on this one. Over an hour in we get our second when it’s Hodgson way out right doing the crossing but Barlow again with the scoring. Naturally, I switch to Diamond and bring on fresh legs. With a one-on-one with 7 minutes to go Kemar once again sends the ball wide. Three minutes to go and a perfect cross from Macey sees Kemar getting all fancy, jumping up and kicking the ball. Right into the crossbar.

I ignore everyone else in the dressing room and admonish Kemar. He got fired up. Will that matter come next match? I doubt it.

POM: Terry Barlow (2 goals, 1 key pass)



The Days Between
Again the Shamrock Rovers come sniffing around a Brixton youth, this time offering DC Martin Duggan a contract for July. I was kind of hoping he’d stick around another year. We do have an option on him though I don’t think we’ll exercise it. If he takes his time to answer, say until Youth Intake Day, it’d make my life easier.


FA Vase Seventh Round
vs. Fleet Town, 16 February 2019



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Webb, Pilcher, Day, Nightingale, Parker, Al-Ziod, Donaldson, Cullen, Thompson, Macey, Rae
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Jefcoate, McAdam, Harding, Jones, Taylor

Well, that didn’t take long! Rae, naturally, scores at 1:50 courtesy of a fast break and a Thompson assist. Wow! So our corners of late have been going to players north of the 18-yard box. This time it’s Donaldson receiving the treat but he passes it to Macey who gets a 16-yard shot and gobbles the dessert. (Can you tell I’m hungry right now?) It doesn’t take long for Rae’s brace and I’m on Cloud Nine. Then Macey’s brace. Rae’s trick. Halftime. We see out the match peacefully.

POM: Alex Rae (3 goals, 1 assist, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Duggan does not waste time signing that contract with Shamrock. If I get a left-footed DC in youth intake I’ll offer him the chance to leave early.

In the FA Vase Quarter Final we get to face Maidenhead at home. They are Conference South but I’ll still worry about the match. Despite the scores of late we really aren’t performing well up front. Well, except Rae. He’s still a beast.


York’s scouting report shows that we are going to have a tough time as they are generally as good as us. Supposing Kirkpatrick gets his act together we should win.

FA Trophy Seventh Round
vs. York, 19 February 2019



Formation: Diamond (DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC, MR, ML, AMC, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Jefcoate, Smith, Hodgson, Duckett, Nixon, Thirlwell, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Al-Ziod, Harding, Jones, Macey, Rae

At 10’ Thirlwell tries a cross, psych! He tries to get it past the goalie. It almost worked. In the 13th the counter with a Regista works to perfection when Smith spies a flying Kirkpatrick. Kemar receives the pass about half way in to York territory and launches a nice placed shot over the goalie’s left shoulder. Six minutes later Thirlwell almost scores but is just a fraction to the right of the post. I worry not; Maguire feels inspired enough to be crossing from deep on the right line and his aim is true, finding Kemar for a header. Nixon takes us to three with a powerful long shot from just inside the box. Kemar’s hat trick is confirmed at 38:28. Then Thirlwell atones for his earlier sin by heading a Hodgson cross in.

I didn’t plan on writing any more even when York outplayed us for a minute and scored but then Thriller done gone crazy. I swapped out Kirkpatrick, bringing Macey in as a Deep Lying Forward and moving Marcus to Poacher. He received a pass way out to the left and dribbled along the endline, shooting from about six yards out. He gathers his own rebound, dribbles some more and fires from point blank putting us in seventh heaven. And look at that, Kemar got his act together.

POM: Kemar Kirkpatrick (3 goals, 1 key passes, 1 chance created)



The Days Between
Now that we’re in the FA Trophy Quarter Final, we need to find out who we are playing. Survey says…? We travel to Salford, in the Conference National North. I give us good odds.

Speaking of Salford, the very next day they make an offer for Rae. They offer £0 and I’m just puzzled. What the hell?

Sadly, I’m pretty sure Scott Thompson’s career with Brixton is over. On 22 February he suffered a calf strain during training and will be out 1 to 2 months. Considering the team depth, that he’ll need to get to Match Fit, and then new youths pushing some U18s into the Seniors, I just don't see a match in his future.


So…Everton’s scouting report is…tragic for us. Every player but one is five stars in Current Ability and Potential Ability. We better not win this.

The pre-match press conference isn’t overly long and the questions aren’t new to me. I just act like the Everton manager and I are equals, and that seems to satisfy the journos. He thinks the match will be entertaining.

FA Cup Fifth Round
at Everton, 23 February 2019



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Al-Ziod, Harding, Barlow, Nixon, Macey, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Maguire, Nightingale, Smith, Cullen, Duckett, Rae

We never get a real chance. They get a cross early on but then nothing until we get a corner in the 64th. Our initial kick got cleared and as Pilcher tried to take it forward he got dispossessed and they got a breakaway. Their quality shined through and we go down a point. That’s all we have today despite winning the possession war. It’s the right results as we had no business going this deep in the FA Cup.

POM: Everton’s Paulo Fernandes (1 goal)



For our troubles of being someone’s punching bag, we made just over £430k. For the season we are getting close to £1 million in profit.

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Excellent news rolls in on the Dynamics line. Daniel Duckett is now Highly Influential. I really thought he would leave us in January but seems there’s not a market for him. That means he has a high chance of being our Vice Captain next season with his 14 Determination and Leadership.


With one less cup to worry about, I can switch our attention to league match-ups more. A lot of players with declining Match Sharpness get to start as does Paul Taylor who’s still not fully back from his shin splints.

Southern First Division West
vs. Evesham, 27 February 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Webb, Maguire, Day, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Cullen, McAdam, Jones, Donaldson, Duckett, Taylor
Subs: Legg, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Barlow, Hodgson, Rae

I somehow manage to hit the pre-match pep rally right. What a change! What a relief!

Mr. Shin-Splints himself is the first hero to step up. After we defend a free kick we start moving slowly upfield when McAdam catches a glimpse of a darting Taylor up the middle. His pass is perfectly placed and Taylor drifts a little to the right with the ball and then cuts in toward goal and surprises the keeper with a shin-level blast. Shins. Though I’m not feeling real comfortable at 65’ I do the Diamond and swap some players. It almost pays off immediately but Jones hits the upright and the ball bounces right to the goalie. He also gets two consecutive headers but eventually the goalkeep punches the ball out of bounds. The victory is sealed when Jones of all people gets a header in off a Harding corner. I can relax now. Then Jones gets another goal from a Harding assist but it was Duckett at the corner who supplied Noah. Weird.

POM: Robbie Jones (2 goals, 2 key passes, 1 chance created)



The Days Between
In preparation for Youth Intake Day I send two of my scouts to scour England and one to scour Scotland for new youth talent just in case our intake is less than stellar. Find me some gems, gentlemen!

The scouting report for Billericay comes in and considering they are in the Conference South, their team ain’t half bad.


Summary
Well, we had a good run of being undefeated but we finally lost. And rightfully so. Just as a good team should, we bounced back with a thorough victory. Nothing like drubbing an opponent to get Morale back up! We also saw the departures of some periphery figures just in time to clear space for Youth Intake Day. I have a Christmas list of wants from the new crew and I hope I’m not on Santa’s Naughty List.

[BrixtonFC]

It has come to my attention that the link in my signature has been wrong all along. I apologize to anybody who went to the website and were confused by what they were seeing. I've fixed it so it should now take you to club name eff see dot com, not club name dot come. It appears that I cannot edit all the previous iterations so I must hope that people won't continue to click on it. If anybody knows how to fix links in previous post, please PM me.


EDIT: I figured out how to fix the link. Sometimes I'm a nug. D'oh!

[BrixtonFC]

YOUTH INTAKE DAY 2019

Reasons to be cheerful, part 2

It’s the most wonderful time of the year while the kids practice jelling and all the scouts saying be of good cheer, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

It looks like we have a pretty good intake. One player can for sure immediately contribute and three more possibly could. Not sure what to do with three goalies when all we need is one.



Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 2
1. Alan Coates: Though he is Natural at MC and Competent at AMC, I’m excited about training him in DMC so he can be my Andrea Pirlo in the Regista role.

2. Gareth O’Keefe: This guy is going to be an amazing goalie. Hopefully his Ambitious personality won’t see him wanting to leave us quickly.

3. Tommy Watkins and Meilir Pugh: We got two great wingers, one on each side. If Duckett leaves us it’s not too much of a drop to Pugh, who might catch up to Duckie quickly. Watkins will shortly surpass the other AMRs: Andy Hodgson, Andy Robinson, and Ashley Hibbert.

4. Central Defenders: We got one each of footedness, with Kevin Jenkins on the right and Jose Parker on the left. (Is that José or Jo-see? No telling how the English would pronounce it. He doesn’t speak Spanish and is only of English nationality so I’m kind of at a loss.)

5. Speaking of Parker, I’m thankful that I’ve figured out my scouts aren’t really that good. They aren’t impressed with his Potential Ability but his defensive skills are pretty damned good. I’m guessing he’s better than my scouts believe.

6. Only one player with single-digit Natural Fitness and all the highly-rated youths are really good there and in Determination, Teamwork, and Work Rate.

7. Only four players have bad Personalities.

8. Lots of players are starting off with Players Traits. Six players have a total of eight traits.

9. A good spread of secondary nationalities with two being born in the Caribbean and one born in Nigeria.

10. Generally, from top to bottom, a high average of Teamwork and Work Rate scores.

On the flip side, we didn’t get any good DR, DL, STs. I won’t be signing DR Kevin Peters and if I can find a better DL and ST in other teams’ intake then I won’t sign Williams or Hollett either. Luckily our youths are automatically put on 6-week Trial contracts.

One weird thing that I noticed is that some of my players already have a Favoured Team that isn’t Brixton. Ian Barnett favors Bristol City but that’s because he’s from Bristol. That brings up another point; not all the players who were born in England are from London, a pretty cool change that proves our reputation is going up. Another example is Alan Coates, from York, who is a Manchester United supporter. Ungrateful twerp. :-D

I’m gonna hold off putting any of the youths in the Seniors for now. I want them to settle in and kind of hide them, in a fictitious bout of paranoia.

Player Cards

Alan Coates, MC
Like I said earlier, this kid is going to be amazing. Not Kemar Kirkpatrick-level amazing but he’s going to take us to the Premier League, I’m sure. For his age he has pretty darned good Mental Attributes and his Vision of 11 will be key to his success as a Regista. He has the Player Preferred Moves of Dictates Tempo (yay!) and Tries First Time Shots (boo!).




Gareth O’Keefe, GK
He’s got almost everything I ever wanted in a goalie. The height, the reflexes, the hands, not too one-footed, not eccentric. The only weakness I see is that his Balance is 5. I can’t believe his Free Kick Tacking is so high!




Tommy Watkins, M/AM R, ST C
He’s going to help us forget the name Steve Pearson. I wish he was a bit taller and had higher Determination; I'll have Macey mentor him when things with Thirlwell are over. Eventually I’ll get his ST up to Natural because I can’t let that Finishing and Composure go to waste.




Meilir Pugh, M/AM L
I do think he might surpass Duckett eventually though I wish his Determination was higher. In some ways he’s the opposite of Tommy Watkins: He’s tall, can’t hit the broadside of a barn. His name is unique, it’s Welsh and means “head ruler.” So, like a king?




Kevin Jenkins, D LC, DM
I’m highlighting this guy not because he’s freakin’ awesome but because he’s an anomaly, as I mentioned earlier. He has a poor Personality and Determination but his defensive skills for a central defender are pretty damn good for our level. Add to that our scouts aren’t impressed with him. If I can find him a good mentor to improve his weaknesses I could see him being with us a long time. Eventually I’ll get his DMC up to Natural so I can use him as a Half Back in a Defensive formation.




Youth Candidate Match
Future superstar Alan Coates, playing as the right midfielder in the Box-To-Box Midfield role pushes down his opposite during a cross in the box and Bill Taylor, the U18s Regista, shows just how cool, calm, and collected he is. Candidate Tommy Watkins shows how it’s done as a Poacher, heading down a clearance and running half the field before sinking his shot. This was all in the first 15’. Despite not being real quality players, the Candidates’ defense does a fine job, keeping the U18s from having an easy time retaining possession, until 80’ when McLeish gets a near-duplicate of Watkins’ goal, including distance covered and juking the GK out of his jock.

Scouting
As mentioned earlier, I needed some better options as DR, DL, and ST so I went to the Transfers > Youth Intake screen and eyeballed some players from some teams in the lower levels of the English pyramid. I found two for each position plus an unexpected AMC and added them to the Scouting Assignments list. I also scouted some local teams, notably the ones from last year (AFC Croydon, Bromley, Croydon, and Dulwich Hamlet) plus FCD Galicia, Rayners Lane, Farleigh, Worcester Park, Margate, and, just for kicks, Metropolitan Police, London’s finest.

I haven’t been using a Scouting Package for several months but to aid finding some gems for the needed positions I bought the England Youth Package for £9,000 a month. We can afford it now but I’ll probably turn it off in a couple of months.

When the scouting reports coming in for the lads mentioned two paragraphs up page, the news is not good. They are all mediocre at best and don’t want to come to Brixton. I’m just going to have to wait for the scouts to find their own gems.

Sundry Items
I decided that it’s ridiculous that we keep getting great youth so I took the drastic step of opening the editor and reducing our Junior Coaching and Youth Recruitment. If our next YID again is phenomenal I’ll drop the values even more (below 10). I also promise myself that I won’t approach the board about upgrading until we are confirmed to be gaining promotion to Conference National. If they do it on their own…then so be it.


What took you so long?!

I usually can knock out a monthly update about once a week in real life. Some factors can extend that. For the YID update I have to spend time getting the players card down to a reasonable size. This time around though there was another factor: I found a way to get those horrible player head-shots out of here. Midjourney, an AI image generator. Look at Gareth O’Keefe? What’s better, Before or After?

Before



After



I hope you like the change!

[BrixtonFC]

March 2019

I’m winning, and I don’t intend on losing again

Well bah-humbug! More crappy training results. Sigh.




Financial Matters
Hot damn! We made a smidge under £600k last month. See, I told you we could afford a scouting package.

Board Confidence
Still Untouchable, still 88%.

Dynamics
No changes. Of course, I didn’t put any new youths straight into the Seniors, so that helped.



Player Development
Thriller’s Determination is finally going up after being mentored by Macey for three months.


Now onto our first match of the month. I’m feeling confident we’ll maintain our winning ways and win the league soon.

Southern League Cup Quarter Final



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Al-Ziod, Barlow, Smith, Nixon, Rae, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Maguire, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Harding, Taylor, Macey

Well, here’s a change. Our opponents are first to hit us with their rhythm stick, getting a goal in the 14th off a free kick that got headed down to the foot of a striker. Eleven minutes later the unique combo of Al-Ziod to Kirkpatrick equalizes matters. Before the half we take the lead courtesy of whom else but Rae. During the mid-term I command that they don’t get Complacent, with all but Smith and Shadi giving me the green thumbs up.

Shortly after the restart Kemar has a chance to increase our lead but the GK does a good job of denying him. At 60’ they tie us with a carpet burner from way out, about 22 yards. With Barlow and Nixon on yellow and looking ill-disciplined I have to switch to the Spade as I only have one MC on the bench. D’oh! But I don’t have enough wingers. Double d’oh! I have to move Rae to AML.

Luckily for us, their right back gets his second yellow in the 74th. Over the next few minutes Kemar and Rae put on a display of almost-good-enough but they are playing amateur hour, what a waste. In the 84th Spearing puts one in the back of the net but whomp, whomp, he’s offside.

I was fully expecting the match to end with us traveling to Billericay the following week but I am wrong, it’s extra time for us. In the 100th minute Rae, despite not being an AML, sends in a cross from the left but Harding can’t get his head on it properly and hits the crossbar. Kemar scores a minute later in the 107th; he will be England’s glory. I immediately get Defensive and start wondering if we’re cursed. We are not! Smith scores in the 117th sealing our victory.

POM: Kemar Kirkpatrick (2 goals, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)



I know, I know, I said I would only use three subs but the unexpected extra time but a temporary end to that. I couldn’t risk players getting injured with their Condition down in the 50s.

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between

In the Southern League Cup Semi Final draw, we face Bath. Last year we lost to them in the same cup match. It was on penalties and Sam Martin, who is no longer with us, botched his attempt so badly that I refused to give him a new contract. I want revenge so bad I can taste it. Bath must go down in flames!

Another player rises up the ranks of Influence. Daniel Duckett is now a Highly Influential Player. In the same email I get notice that Ben Pope can be better than Tommy Watkins (doubtful), Adrian Lee can be much better than Gareth O’Keefe (doubtful), and Meilir Pugh can be much better than Daniel Duckett (much more believable).


A lot of our starters are still Tired from our last match so we see a lot of rotation today. As far as our standings go, if we lose out the rest of our games we’ll finish ninth in the league. I do not foresee that happening.

Southern First Division West
at Slimbridge, 5 March 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Day, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Cullen, McAdam, Hodgson, Donaldson, Duckett, Thirlwell
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Barlow, Jones, Macey

It’s a calm, wet day in Slimbridge but the damp atmosphere does not dampen our players’ skills. Case in point, Thriller thrills the crowd before 3 minutes with a hell of a free kick, going in from 30 yards out. Despite that early indication, more things don’t happen until 32 minutes later when Donaldson sends a low cross across the face of the goal that the GK didn’t even try to punch or kick, which is a bad decision because Hodgson is at the far post to put matters to rest. Spot on 44’ Slimbridge increase their slim chances with a close-in shot after a free kick way out on our right wing.

At 67’ I switch to the Diamond and bring on Harding, Jones, and Macey for McAdam, Cullen, and Hodgson. We immediately squander a corner kick when Jones’ header goes high. It turns out my fretting was misplaced as right after 70’ Maguire sends an early, long cross to Thriller, who gets his brace. He then gets his hat trick in the 92nd when we get a penalty chance in the last seconds of the match.

POM: Marcus Thirlwell (3 goals, 1 key pass, 1 chance created)




The Days Between
A lot of scouting reports come in on the morning of the 9th. The two players that are slightly good would cost over £10,000 and they’re seriously injured anyway. FM2018 is definitely harder than FM2014 when it comes to finding and buying hidden gems.


Winchester is a mid-table team and we barely beat them in the first match back in early October. It took a subbed-on Nightingale to score in the 90th minute to lead us to victory. We best not have a repeat of that.

Southern First Division West
vs. Winchester, 9 March 2019



Formation: Spade
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Al-Ziod, Nixon, Smith, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Barlow, Thirlwell, Macey

Another wet, calm, 13° C day, and just like in Slimbridge, we draw first blood. Tenth minute and a Kirkpatrick feed sees Taylor on a breakaway but he’s caught by two defenders who put the squeeze on him in the box. Nixon does not miss the resultant penalty shot. Kemar’s second attempt to help Taylor score a goal works in the 18th and spirits are high. Taylor’s second goal comes from a ludicrous Maguire cross from deep but comes at a cost of a bruised ankle for Taylor. He somehow was able to out leap Winchester’s right central defender who is massive, 204 cm, or in ‘merican parlance, 6’ 8”. That’s more ludicrous!

And so the match goes with us sloppy but them sloppier. I did have to bring Taylor off at the midway point so no hat trick for him. We have yet another game where the opposition loses a man due to a second yellow. And then another man goes off for a second yellow. A nice, normal day in South London.

POM: Paul Taylor (2 goals, 1 key pass)



I’m pleased that we did not have a repeat of the previous Winchester match.

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Alas, the morning of the 13th sees more scouting reports of very good players who want nothing to do with us. Nobody like us, everybody hates us, I think we’ll go eat worms.


Our good streak must continue, I demand nothing else. I’m using the Club today to get some rotation and rest the wingers.

Southern First Division West
vs. Bitton, 13 March 2019



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, Barlow, Cullen, Macey, Rae
Subs: Webb, Maguire, Nightingale, Smith, Jones, Duckett, Thirlwell

My concerns rear their ugly head when Harding gets an early yellow but then they vanish when he sends in a lovely cross for Alex “All He Wants To Do is Score” Rae. 1-0. It doesn’t take long for Rae’s brace; I knew it was coming when Harding did a back-heel pass to Parker around midfield. Another Harding cross at 22:30 sees an early Rae triple. After that the game goes boring, fine by me, allowing me to switch to the Diamond at the two-thirds point and see out the game peacefully. We did pick up five yellow cards, not fine by me.

POM: Alex Rae (3 goals, 3 key passes)



I’d like to point out the Noah Harding had 2 assists, 5 key passes, and 5 chances created. These two have been great signings.


The Days Between
I believe it’s time to secure Rae’s services for a bit longer. His contract has an option year we can activate but I think he deserves better. I offer £600/week plus some good appearance, goal, and substitute bonuses, plus some wage gains for promotion and yearly reasons. He made an odd request that he gets a bonus year if he makes ten appearances and we gain promotion in the final year. FM2018 sure has some neat clauses. In the last 20 games his lowest rating is 6.4 and there was a 6.9 but everything else is 7.1 or higher, with 15 goals and 9 assists. A rich vein of form indeed.

Thirlwell’s mentoring is coming along nicely. His Determination is up to 7 and his personality is Spirited now.


I like this long streak of only league matches. We are getting nearer securing our promotion.

Southern First Division West
at Norwich United, 16 March 2019



Formation: Club
Starting XI: Webb, Pilcher, Day, Nightingale, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, McAdam, Cullen, Taylor, Thirlwell
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Al-Ziod, Donaldson, Jones, Macey, Rae

The scoring starts with an unexpected contributor, Pilcher from open play, not a corner. He slotted one in from about 20 yards out but within the 18-yard box just after two minutes. In a very similar way Cullen gives us more clearance just before 7’. Taylor makes it 3-0 at 16, also from within the area. Having drastically slowed things down and changed up instructions to be less aggressive, we do not score anymore and give up a goal early in the second. Not worried.

POM: Teddy Cullen (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 key passes, 1 chance created)

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
Another international call-up for The Jordanian Prince. He’ll miss five matches. I hope he gets his first international goal. Not to be outdone, though in the U19s, Kemar (England), McAdam (Northern Ireland), Nixon (Ireland), and surprisingly, Noah Harding (Wales) answer the call-up.


Salford are about the same as us as far as Starting XI go, so this could be a challenge. Hopefully we’ll do well.

FA Trophy Quarter Final
at Salford, 19 March 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Al-Ziod, Barlow, Smith, Hodgson, Nixon, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Cullen, Jones, Macey

We start out strong and almost get a Nixon goal after 24 seconds. Just before 3’ though Maguire picks up a yellow and then sends in a cross into our own goal. He hangs his head in shame. I begin to believe that the fix is in when we start picking up yellows in quick succession with Nixon, Al-Ziod, and Smith getting their names taken. To make matters worse, Hodgson gets a gashed head.

After 33 minutes I feel the tide begin to turn when we get some good build-up culminating in a short cross from Nixon’s head to Kemar’s foot. Things get better when Salford’s right-back trips Duckett but Barlow can’t make use of the free kick. We proceed to get plenty of good but not great chances. After the break I give Hodgson five minutes to rectify his act but he doesn’t, so on comes Jones. We pull ahead in the 54th as Duckett stays wide after a corner on the left side, eventually getting a feed and crossing to Kemar’s head.

In the 59th Jones gets easily dispossessed and Salford’s left-back sends in a long-range pass allowing their striker to out-pace and out-class Spearing and Carroll, and uncharacteristically Chick Legg. I implore the lads to punch them back. Jones redeems himself some when again he loses possession but wins it back immediately and embarrasses that troublesome left-back. In the ensuing corner, Smith heads down Duckett’s kick to Carroll who puts us ahead for good. The next 35 minutes are generally uneventful except Al-Shadi pulls up lame with a pulled hamstring. We managed to play 10 minutes with him struggling to do much of anything. He’ll miss some international opportunities.

POM: Daniel Duckett (1 assist, 4 key passes, 4 chances created)



Hodgson’s gashed head will keep him on the bench for 7 to 12 days while Al-Shadi’s hamstring will sideline him for 8 days to 2 weeks. At least we’ve gotten away from the Lower Leg Injury Plague of 2018/2019.


The Days Between
FA Trophy Semi Final draw day! Our choices are AFC Fylde, Welling, or Whitehawk. I’m hoping for Whitehawk cuz it’s a cool name for a town and because in theory they are the weakest of the three. We get to face…Whitehawk as the visitors. Would really have preferred a home match, we’re not making much money this month.


We’re actually favored versus Maidenhead but just 4-5 odds.

FA Vase Quarter Final
vs. Maidenhead, 23 March 2019



Formation: Club (DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Nightingale, Carroll, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, Cullen, Donaldson, Macey, Rae
Subs: Webb, Day, Maguire, McAdam, Nixon, Jones, Thirlwell

After 12 minutes and 3 headers that have gone over the crossbar, I ask the lads politely to Concentrate. It takes another 10 minutes but finally Harding is able to sky one to a pacey Eddie and the Captain scores from up close. El Capitan gets an assist a few minutes later, doing a nice back-heel pass to Rae, who we all know by now knows how to score like a bawss. It doesn’t take long for Rae to get his brace in the second half after Jefcoate finally gets his fifth crossing attempt right. The good news come to a screeching halt in the 58th when Cullen pulls his groin (stop giggling!) and I’m forced to send McAdam in. At 68’ I replace Carroll and Harding with Nixon and Day; this necessitates moving Donaldson over to be the right Mezzala. And this is how we saw out this match peacefully.

POM: Alex Rae (2 goals, 3 key passes, 2 chances created)



Cullen’s injury news isn’t the worst with him expected to be out 5 to 10 days. I’m more concerned that after a relatively healthy 2018 we are experiencing a bad run of luck in 2019. Please, please, please, football gods, don’t kill my players.

The Sunderland boss was in the stands to watch Carroll. I’m sure his 7.4 rating piqued Sunderland’s interest even more.

I went back to the update when I signed Rae to take a look what I said about him at the time. Was he just filler or someone I thought would be so freakin’ awesome? Turns out I was worried about his Bravery and Strength but despite that, I thought he’d make a fine Target Man. His Bravery of 3 has not improved but his 5 Strength is now up to 9. I think adding the Trait “Knocks Ball Past Opponent” has really polished his game. He’s scored in the last 7 matches he’s started, scoring 12 goals and notching 9 assists. In short, I am a brilliant football manager.

[BrixtonFC]

The Days Between
No update would be complete without cup draw news. In the FA Vase Semi Final draw our choices are two Conference South teams, Billericay and Hungerford, and Totton, from our own league. We’ve beaten each team this season though the Billericay match was a bum-squeaker. We travel to Billericay, damn it.

On Sunday, 24 March, Thompson resumes training, having missed only 5 weeks or so. Looks like he’ll get some more Brixton matches in before his contract ends.

On the 25th my scouts find me a player who seemingly will sign but he’s not a DR, a DL, or a Striker. He is however a DMC that can be successfully retrained as a DC. I think he’ll fit nicely at DR. It’ll be a test just to see how long it takes to get him Natural there; can I do it in under a year? I offer him one-year contract with an option for us so I can keep him if I don’t get any DRs in next year’s Youth Intake.


We take on Cirencester next. Our worst possible finish in the league is 3rd. All we need is two more victories to seal our promotion fate. That would in theory come from an away match at Horndean. Do I throw this match (and the next) to clinch the title at home? NEVER!

Southern First Division West
vs. Cirencester, 27 March 2019



Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Jefcoate, Barlow, Donaldson, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Rae
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Smith, Thompson, Thirlwell, Macey

It takes 20 minutes for any action and it’s a corner for us that goes begging off Barlow’s foot. Our second corner comes from the other side but it’s Carroll’s head that is off target. Just before the half one of their three midfielders gets his second yellow just before Rae got into the box but nothing comes of the free kick. Paul Taylor picks up a minor injury at 65’ so I bring off him, all-a-sudden-shitty Rae, and Jones for Thompson, Thirlwell, and Macey. It takes 10 minutes but a cross from Jefcoate at left-back to Thirlwell at right-wing to put us on top. I go back to Control, having changed to Attacking at the intermission, and bite my nails for the first time in my life. Just after 90’ Thompson thieves the ball that their left centreback had trouble handling, dribbles out wide a little, feeds Thirlwell, who gets his brace as a sub. We should not have had to wait so long with a man advantage to score but I suppose a win is a win.

POM: Marcus Thirlwell (2 goals)



Taylor’s injury is much ado about nothing but Barlow picked up a bruised ankle in the waning minutes; he’ll be out only 1 to 2 days. Again with the lower leg injuries!!!

Immediately after the match Duckett’s agent once again came asking for a new contract. I just know I can’t afford Duckett so I Walk Away from the negotiations. This prompts Duckett to come knocking on my office door. I explain he still has time on his current contract, which he understands and leaves the office a little disappointed but understanding. He’s the only player listed as a club Legend so of course the fans will revolt when he leaves but that’ s also the reason I know he’ll cost us too much. Meilir Pugh has a higher potential anyway and is already rated as Conference South quality so I’m sure we’ll be fine out on the left wing, come what may.


The Days Between
An unexpected press conference pops up the day before out match against Horndean where we can clinch promotion. It was long. I didn’t count but I’d guess between 12 and 15 questions.


It’s a nice calm day in Horndean with temperatures at 10° C (51° F) and this is the day we win the league, bringing us closer to the ultimate prize of the Premiership. Way in the future. Thompson gets a rare second start in a row as a lot of midfielders are coming back from injuries or are out on international duty. He said “duty” heh heh.

Southern First Division West
at Horndean, 30 March 2019



Formation: Spade
Starting XI: Webb, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Smith, Donaldson, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Macey
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Nightingale, Cullen, Thompson, Hodgson, Thirlwell

My moving speech falls flat as only Taylor gets motivated. I get stopped in the tunnel on the way to the pitch. I assure the journos we are up for the fight and will emerge victorious.

Just as expected, Macey leads us to an opening goal and my motivated buddy Taylor is the one who assists. It was a beautiful left-foot shot on the ground through traffic, even nutmegging one defender. Our second Macey goal was a funny one: Jones crossed from the right to Macey but Taylor cut in front, mishandling the ball but it goes right to Macey anyway, he blasts it so hard it bounces off the keeps hands and into the back of the net.
In the locker room I implore the squad to keep focus and not Complacent. The speech gets a great reaction and I add for Pilcher to be careful not to get a second yellow. Just over two minutes in Webb gets a rare goalie assist when he sends a long ball and the central defenders assume the goalie will get it and the goalie assumes the defenders will get it. That was Macey’s 100th goal for Brixton. Insane!

With 23 minutes left I switch us to the Diamond, bring off Smith, Duckett, and Donaldson for Nightingale (to practice the Regista), Hodgson, and Thirlwell. As expected, we get a great counterattack from a corner with Jones launching one way forward to Thirlwell who dribbles almost to the end of the field, crossing it to Macey for his 101st Brixton goal. Booyah!

POM: Eddie Macey (4 goals, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)




In Summary
We are the champions, again! Now that the league is won my focus turns to the remaining cups. I’ll probably use my preferred XI less in league matches until the end of the season. Related, Carroll picked up a bruised jaw near the end of the match so he won’t see the field for a week or more.

A lot of our success this month was from our opponents picking up a ludicrous amount of yellows and double yellows. Unfortunately, the injury bug continues to bite us. This has to be the result of me playing youngsters relentlessly, right? I must do better in April.


What took you so long?!
Vacation. It’s all I ever wanted. I took so time off to indulge my other hobbies and just kick my feet up and enjoy the shortening days.