Ashridge Park Royals Redux: FM 14 Anew

[Izulde]

Back in charge of the Royals. I *will* find a way to make this team work, and survive a full 3 seasons, damn it. ...Well, maybe not... but at least I can TRY.

I'm bringing in a bunch of guys with at least 10 pace/10 stamina/10 determination while a ton of K-Pop blares on my Pandora station. In fact, we sign 14 players before the first press conference to introduce signings. Go me or something.

@AFC Corinthians
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Ray Hackett/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Michael Stevenson/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

Lot of Davids and D-name players. Took us forever to find a goalie who would sign with us.

24 - There's something about too much space somewhere that I've never seen with my unique 4-4-2 I put in, but I ignore it because Burton-Jones is passing to Wallington for the literally 2 steps forward pass to Moon for the cracker shot go ahead 1-0

42 - WTF? Seriously? An own goal?! 1-1

Dean Deagle, an English trialist, replaces own goaling Dysart at the half.

64 - Nick Hancock comes on for Stevenson

No way we should have settled for a draw that game. Very frustrating. Nick Hancock gets hurt and is out 4 weeks, and one of our reserve guys is still out 2-3 months himself after a severe training injury.

Will do a deeper look at the team next post.

[Izulde]

GK
Dan Whatsize - 4.5 (22)

DL
Chay Dysart - 5/5 (28)
Dean Deagle - 1.5/5 (21)
Michael Laws - 1/1 (30)

DC
Michael Laws - 5/5 (30)
Ray Hackett - 4.5/4.5 (26)
Nick Hancock - 3.5/5 (21) - Out 4 weeks
David Burton-Jones - 1.5/1.5 (26)
Dean Deagle - 4.5 silver/5 (21)

DR
David Boafo - 5/5 (25)
Keith Wedge - 4.5/4.5 (25)
Murray Nicholls - 4/5 (24) - Out 6 weeks to 2 months
Ashley Murrell - 1.5/2 (24)
Michael Laws - 1/1.5 (30)
Ray Hackett - 0.5/0.5 (26)

DM
Nick Hancock - 4/5 (21) - Out 4 weeks

ML
Andy Jackson - 4/4 (28)
Dean Deagle - 1.5/5 (21)

MC
Andy Jackson - 4/4 (28)
Nick Hancock - 4/5 (21) - Out 4 weeks
David Burton-Jones - 2.5/2.5 (26)
Michael Stevenson - 2.5/2.5 (31)
Guy Love - 0.5/0.5 (26)

MR
David Boafo - 4.5/4.5 (25)
Murray Nicholls - 2/5 (24) - Out 6 weeks to 2 months
Ashley Murrell - 0.5/2 (24)
David Burton-Jones - 0.5/0.5 (26)

AMC
Michael Stevenson - 2/2 (31)
David Burton-Jones - 1/1 (26)

ST
David Moon - 4/4 (27)
Junior James - 4/4 (25)
Danny Wallington - 3/5 (22)

Transfer In - AMC/MCR/DM David de Oliveria (29)
Portuguese veteran midfielder who will start in our Cobra formation, and be a backup at the MR slot.

Transfer In - DM/MCR/DC Mark Drew (29)
Yet another veteran, he'll start at DM in the Cobra and at MC in our 4-4-2.

6th vs Hurst (9th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Dean Deagle/Michael Laws/Ray Hackett
DM: Mark Drew
M: Andy Jackson/Michael Stevenson/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
AM: David de Oliveria
S: Junior James

12 - Bleh 0-1

21 - They're getting very, very lucky with their shots 0-2

Yeah, the Cobra formation is stupid. It's been shit in two saves now. We lose 0-3

[b]9th @ Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (7th)/b]
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Ray Hackett/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

21 - Burton-Jones makes a great takeaway in our half to start a move that caps off with his sending it to Wallington on the wing. A dribble and cross later, Moon half-volleys in the score 1-0

38 - Moon hooks a free kick into the box, where Boafo's head buffaloes the shot in! 2-0

68 - Stevenson in for Burton-Jones; Deagle on for Jackson

69 - Half-circle free kick, and Drew slams it home! 3-0

77 - Stevenson with the long diagonal cross to Wallington for the first touch pass to Moon in the box. Shake and bake later, and bada bing, bada BANG! 4-0

81 - Lot of fuck ups by Dysart including this PK. 4-1

Every single one of our starters netted a 7 or higher. That's how dominant this performance was. I made a few tweaks to the system before the game - changing our wingers from defend duty to support, and adding Exploit Flanks, Play Higher Tempo, and Play Wider. Oh, and I think Pass Into Space and Play Out of Defense as well.

I'm also going to install a Counter 4-4-2 for when we're not favored.

5th vs Cookham Dean Reserves (1st)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Ray Hackett/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

18 - Again with the free kick defense issues 0-1

23 - Wallington on the wing, passes in the box to Jackson. Two shots misfire, but on the second rebound, Boafo is there to put it away. 1-1

59 - James in for Wallington; Boafo drops to DR and de Oliveria slides in at MR.

89 - Hancock on for the injured Burton-Jones

90 - Damn it. James is forced out with injury and we have no more subs.

91 - Moon damn near scores the short-handed goal, but the post denies him.

Unlucky as hell not to win this one.

Transfer In - DM/DC Josh O'Grady (24)
The best central defender on the team, and at 24, a real value youth find. Plugging him in as a starter, and if we ever decide to put in a formation that runs a DM, we now have several options to do so.

4th vs Sandhurst Devels Reserves (3rd)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Josh O'Grady/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

18 - Drew gets the ball in the middle of the opponents' half and passes it to Wallington. The laser immediately following is perfectly placed for Moon to score his 4th goal of the year 1-0

Hancock on for O'Grady at the break.

70 - Murrell in for the knocked Wedge

7.2 for David Moon and 7.1 for Michael Laws. A narrow win, and one that will cost us Nick Hancock for the next match after he picks up a late injury. Kid is great when he plays, but oh so injury-prone.

Early days yet, but we're in 3rd, a single point out of the promotion place.

[Izulde]

I try not to get too attached to guys on amateur teams, because they'll be stolen away but somebody, but damn if David Moon isn't a straight up baller in the early going. Funny thing? He's in Support duty and keeps banging them in.

3rd @ Unity (4th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Josh O'Grady/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

46 - James in for Wallington, who is playing like ass.

51 - Laws with an amazing interception header to Dysart with the kick on to James, who torches the entire defense and hits a diagonal screamer into the net. 1-0

75 - Horrid defense by Burton-Jones there 1-1

77 - Stevenson on for Burton-Jones

Transfer In - DL Chris Kamara (29)
Team captain Chay Dysart has been okay, but I think Kamara might be slightly better. He'll get a shot, anyway.

3rd vs Woodley Reserves (8th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chris Kamara/Michael Laws/Josh O'Grady/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/Junior James

30 - James loses control of the ball deep in our half and it's a 3 on 1. Not even the greatest keeper ever could stop that 0-1

54 - Moon for Wallington; Hancock for Drew

63 - Oh how STUPID! WHATSIZE KICKED IT INTO HIS OWN FUCKING GOAL with NOBODY AROUND FOR MILES 0-2

We can't seem to get any damned consistency going.

[Izulde]

Transfer In - DCR Lew Tozer - From Thamesmead (28)
Banned for 2 matches due to being sent off, and while his 5.96 rating is unsightly, that's also with a team that's in the league just below the Skrill North/South. IOW, Level 7. The freefall should make him better, and he'll be our new starting DR player when he's able to get back on the pitch.

4th vs Barton Rovers AFC (7th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chris Kamara/Michael Laws/Josh O'Grady/Keith Wedge
M: Andy Jackson/Mark Drew/David Burton-Jones/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

11 - Great defense by Drew in getting the steal, and he sends it to Wallington for the first touch to Moon. Our lunar forward moves to the edge of the half-circle and cracks the go shot in 1-0

25 - Ugh. Fucking Whatsize can't hang on to the ball, and our defense can't recover fast enough 1-1

29 - Boafo with the interception and pass into midfield for Moon. Slight hold up and on into the penalty box for the streaking Wallington, who fakes out the defense by darting to the left, and the goalie can't recover in time to stop the fireshot. 2-1

43 - Our backline is supposed to be a strength, but they're fucking awful. 2-2

Hancock for Laws at the break.

53 - Pure horseshit. 2-3

61 - Nicholls on for Wedge

69 - Another dropped stop by Whatsize. He's gone 2-4

[b]77]/b] - Fucking stupid 2-5

The AI triggered the super halftime talk, so yeah... we had no shot. I still scream at the team for the second straight game.

Transfer In - MC Chay Liddle (21)
Our second best central midfielder, and someone who is going to start from the jump to try and shore up our weakness in that part of the pitch.

Transfer In - WBR/MCR Marc Thompson (31)
Could start at center or right midfielder, either one. He's got that kind of versatility and skillset. He's banned for one match due to a sending off, but I think I'm going to plug him in at center midfield and move Mark Drew back to the DC spot.

Transfer In - MC/AMC Chris Rhodes (26)
Actually, Thompson will shift to the right side with the reeling in of Rhodes, who is our best central midfielder by far. Or maybe it'll be Drew and Rhodes in the middle of the pitch - the assman keeps changing his mind over who is better as a BBM between Liddle and Mark Drew.

Transfers In - DM/MC Nick Thompson (21)
Actually, I think this kid will end up starting at MC along with Rhodes, shifting the other Thompson to MR, moving Boafo down to DR and Drew to DC along with take your pick of O'Grady and Tozer.

Welp, there goes Chris Kamara out for 5-6 months with a hip injury. He was sucking anyway. That means Chay Dysart goes back in the lineup.

7th @ Westwood United (6th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Mark Drew/Keith Wedge
M: Dean Deagle/Nick Thompson/Chris Rhodes/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

27 - We're given a controversial penalty, and in beautiful name irony, Laws converts. 1-0

55 - Liddle in for Thompson; James for Moon

80 - Boafo is knocked, forcing Drew to MR and Hancock in to DC.

7.1 by Michael Laws won the game, as our reconstituted defense did just enough to get the win. Although Andy Jackson is the highest rated ML, Dean Deagle's trialist status, along with Jackson's poor showing, means Deagle will get an extended look there.

We lose David Boafo for our next game, as he's out 5-6 weeks.

[Izulde]

Evidently there's considerable bugs with the English Level 24 and Scottish Full Pyramid mods in FM15, so we'll keep rolling with this for now.

Transfer In - ST/AML/MLC David Pounder (33)
We finally solve the hole in the ML spot by bringing in this veteran, who is so far ahead of everyone else at that spot, it's ridiculous. Also probably our single best striker, but both our guys are doing great there, so I'm not going to mess that up.

6th vs AFC Corinthians (1st)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Chay Dysart/Michael Laws/Mark Drew/Lew Tozar
M: David Pounder/Nick Thompson/Chris Rhodes/Marc Thompson
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

1 - Really? 0-1

12 - Heh. 0-2

33 - Interception by Laws and pass to Pounder, who, well, pounds it high and into the box for Wallington to trap and shoot in 1-2

43 - There's the obligatory pre-half goal given up 1-3

53 - Chysart is knocked. In comes Deagle

Our blackline continues to be awful, and I don't know why. We have good players according to my scouts.

Chay Dysart is out 4 weeks. Yay.

Putting in a third tactic, a pressure attacking plug and play tactic I found on teh internetz.

Transfer In - Everythingguy Kieran Fitzharris (24)
He needs no introduction.

5th @ Hurst (6th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Dean Deagle/Josh O'Grady/Mark Drew/Lew Tozar
M: Marc Thompson/Chris Rhodes
AM: David Pounder/Kieran Fitzharris
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

2 - Oh look, another early goal given up. This time on a corner. 0-1

Hancock replaces the forever shit O'Grady at the half.

46 - Red card for Thompson.

47 - Heh. Tozer passes it right to the opposition like he got paid off 0-2

74 - Whatever. 0-3

88 - My boy Fitzharris sets up Wallington on a meaningless core 1-3

So, Marc Thompson gets a 4 match ban due to the red card, and he gets pissy about his warning. I think I'm done with his ass.

7th vs Royal Electrical & Mechanical Arborfield (10th)
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Dean Deagle/Michael Laws/Mark Drew/Lew Tozar
M: Nick Thompson/Chris Rhodes
AM: David Pounder/David de Oliveira
S: Junior James/David Moon

32 - Laws is forced out with injury, so Hancock comes on.

Wedge is on for Tozar at the half.

58 - Yeah this is kind of bullshit. Off goes Hancock with injury, forcing Fitzharris in at DC.

60 - Pounder pounds the defender, and starts a set of moving passes that sees Wedge pass it to de Oliveria in the box. Dribble past, center, and Moon's head craters it in. 1-0

63 - Really bad knock for de Oliveria but we're subless.

66 - Bullshit PK is bullshit. 1-1

78 - Now Rhodes with a knock. Fucking dicks.

79 - Bout fucking time that double yellow happened.

89 - Penalty for us, and Moon converts 2-1

Not a pretty win by any means, but a win nonetheless. Nick Hancock is out 4 to 5 months and Michael Laws is out 5 to 6 months.

Transfer In - GK Jamie Crook (20)
A better GK than our current dude IMO, so we'll have ourselves a new starter because Dan Whatsize has not been great. At all.

Transfer In - DC Matthew McEntegart (30)
Australian-born veteran central defender who will automatically step in as a starter in place of our injured guys, then perhaps might supplant Mark Drew.

5th @ Sandhurst Devels Reserves (9th)
G: Jamie Crook
D: Dean Deagle/Matthew McEntegart/Mark Drew/Lew Tozar
M: Nick Thompson/Chris Rhodes
AM: David Pounder/David de Oliveiria
S: Junior James/David Moon

3 - Good one, McEntegart. A red 3 minutes into your debut.

7 - Rhodes keeps tackling away until he's able to pass to Moon, who dribbles in the box before laying off to James for the quick shorthanded score. 1-0

17 - Another corner kick goal given up 1-1

45 - Stop me if you've heard this fucking bullshit before. ANOTHER GOD DAMNED GOAL GIVEN UP JUST BEFORE HALF 1-2

55 - YOU FUCKING ASSCLOWN, CROOKS! IF YOU'RE GOING TO FUCKING COME OUT, GET THE FUCKING BALL!!! 1-3

74 - It's like we've stopped trying 1-4

77 - Rhodes to James. I don't care. 2-4

82 - Fitzharris in for Deagle

Meh. They win 2-5. Our defense still sucks ass.

[Izulde]

I've been quietly having the team work on a flat 4-5-1, so we're going to unveil that in our next game. Clearly the plug and play pressure tactic isn't working, so with a narrow in and two blowouts.

7th @Cookham Dean Reserves (2nd)
G: Jamie Crook
D: Keith Wedge/Josh O'Grady/Mark Drew/Lew Tozar
M: David Pounder/Nick Thompson/Chay Liddle/Chris Rhodes/Kieran Fitzharris
S: David Moon

18 - I love it. Fitzharris on the indirect free kick, swings it in to the box, where Wedge jumps forward to literally walk the goal in. 1-0

19 - Of course they imemdiately answer 1-1

60 - Wallington in for Moon

69 - Sigh. 1-2

We shouldn't have lost that game.

Transfer In - DR Jamie O'Grady (24)
It's safe to say that Lew Tozer has been a complete bust at DR, and O'Grady looks like he should be better, so he'll get his shot to play for us.

Transfer In - DCR Joe Jefford (27)
Uh scratch what I said about O'Grady. Jefford is balla as shit, and our best player IMO. Immediate DR starter.

Youth Pulls Signed
ST Juan Miguel Graves (16)
ST Dave Long (16)
MC/ST Daren Kirkwood (16)
DLC/DM Doni Grandison (15)
AML/ST Lucas Palmer (16)

For some mysterious, unknown reason, we pulled a lot of great strikers this year.

9th vs Unity (3rd)
G: Jamie Crook
D: Keith Wedge/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jeffords
DM: Josh O'Grady
M: Nick Thompson/David Pounder/Chris Rhodes
AM: Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

Yep, switching to a 4-1-3-1-1 now that the Portuguese guy left town. 3 central midfielders.

38 - And this is why I love Fitzharris. Bounce free kick shot into the net. 1-0

50 - Great getback by Rhodes and then it's middle triangle time to Pounder, Thompson, Fitzharris, and then the beaut ball to Graves for the insurance 2-0

56 - I'm fucking sick of all these fucking corner goals conceded. Kirkwood and Burton-Jones on at MC, leaving Rhodes the only original. 2-1

75 - Out goes a player with double yellow. Yay.

78 - Jefford jacks one to Fitzharris, who slips it to Burton-Jones in the box. Layoff to Graves, and we're looking safe now. 3-1

8.8 and 8.3 for Juan Miguel Graves and Kieran Fitzharris. Props also to Doni Gradison for a 7.3. Have we finally found the thing we needed?

Because a reserves team is #2 in the table, #3 would promote... and we're just 2 points out of that. So we've still a shot at going up.

7th @ Woodley Reserves
G: Jamie Crook
D: Chris Kamara/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jeffords
DM: Josh O'Grady
M: Nick Thompson/David Pounder/Chris Rhodes
AM: Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

Just when Marc Thompson was ready to come back, he gets hurt and is out 5-6 weeks. Keith Wedge also got the nastiest virus of all time and is out 2-3 weeks.

39 - A clean and simple Crook boom kick to Fitzharris's head nodding on to Graves. The defense is dusted, the shot true. 1-0

58 - Fitzharris and Rhodes go back and forth, my Irish hero then feeding Graves for insurance! 2-0

78 - Burton-Jones jumps in at AM for the tired Fitzharris, but not before the latter draws the double yellow on the opponent.

7.6 for Joe Jefford, 7.1 for Doni Grandison, a shocking 7.5 for Chris Kamara, who had a 5.9 in his only other shot, 7.2 for Chris Rhodes, 7.3 for Kieran Fitzharris, and 8.8 for Juan Miguel Graves, who has been the greatest youth pull ever.

2 games left and still 2 points back.

4th @ Barton Rovers AFC (7th)
G: Jamie Crook
D: Keith Wedge/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jeffords
DM: Josh O'Grady
M: Nick Thompson/David Pounder/Chris Rhodes
AM: Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

3 - Thompson short passes to Wedge, who flares it down the right wing to Fitzharris in the box. A cross later, there's a beautiful, arching header by Graves that hits the net. 1-0

Burton-Jones and Kirkwood on for tired Fitzharris and Pounder at the half.

91 - Thompson and Graves exchanges passes on the left side of the box, and the former loses the ball, but gets it back and hoofs it into the inner part of the box, where Rhodes shows off his own acrobatics in heading it in! 2-0

Chris Rhodes got the 7.9, and Keith Wedge got the other 7.5, as we filled up the stat sheet with 7+ ratings that I'm not going to list here. We're tied for 3rd now after the team ahead of us drew. Unfortunately, Unity holds the tiebreaker, so we need to win our last game and for them to fall on their faces.

Marc Thompson will be at full health for our next game, so it's going to be an interesting dilemma. But you know what? Dance with the one who brought you. By the way, I'm learning to completely ignore a lot of what my assman and coach tell me in the backroom. Their advice is useless more than half the time.

Oh wait, Nick Thompson stubs his toe during practice, and so Marc will start after all.

4th vs Westwood United (7th)
G: Jamie Crook
D: Keith Wedge/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jeffords
DM: Josh O'Grady
M: Marc Thompson/David Pounder/Chris Rhodes
AM: Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

Definitely don't want to underestimate these guys. They netted a draw against Unity last game out. Unity, by the way, gets an easy as shit home game against Woodley Reserves, which pisses me off.

29 - The own goal is nice, but Unity has a 2-0 lead already. 1-0

38 - Pounder is forced off with injury and Kirkwood goes in.

54 - Not like it mattered. Long on for Graves. 1-1

Unity won 3-2, so we would have ended up 4th anyway. Hell of a stretch run, but our midseason swoon cost us.

[Izulde]

5 goals in 4 games. Wow. Just wow. Naturally, Juan Miguel Graves and the rest of our talent is going to get poached this summer.

$80k profit on the year, improved youth setup from 4 to 3 as before. Stadium planning blocked again.

Transfer In - GK Michael Yates (24)
Huge, huge, huge upgrade over even Jamie Crook. I'm thrilled to get him, and he'll be in the nets all of next season, presuming the usual short year.

Losses
Junior James - $4.2k
Dan Whatsize - $5.25k
Andy Jackson - Non-contract
Danny Wallington - $5.5k
Keith Wedge - $5k
David Boafo - $12k
Dean Deagle - $6.25k
Michael Stevenson - Non-Contract
Mark Drew - $11k
Josh O'Grady - Non-contract
Nick Hancock - $7k
Michael Laws - $3.6k
Chris Kamara - Non-Contract

I decline to enter the U21s next season, and the board asks me if I want to scrap the youth setup. Uhh... no? We're making tons of money, guys. It's all good.

Keith Wedge, who played out of position at DL (he's Unconvincing, but is training there), is voted Fans Player of the Year. Odd decision is odd.

Top 11
G: Dan Whatsize
D: Dean Deagle/Mark Drew/Michael Laws/Keith Wedge
M: David Pounder/David Burton-Jones/Chris Rhodes/David Boafo
S: Danny Wallington/David Moon

Germany wins the World Cup.

Gee, you think we had a lot of D name guys, and a ton of Davids? :P I think they chose Wedge because he had 14 appearances last year, the most of anyone on the team.

6 teams in the Peterborough and District Football League Division One next year. So yeah, just like last save.

Transfer In - DM/DC/MC Levi Kennedy (31)
Losing Josh O'Grady killed our 4-1-3-1-1 formation, so we bring in the veteran DM to at least allow us to play it. He's banned for two matches, so we'll have to go with our old 4-4-2 to open the year.

As you might expect, we're massive 1-10 favorites to promote based on our form last season.

Transfer In - DLC Roy Gregg (17)
With Keith Wedge swiped away from us, Gregg will get his shot to start at DL, even though he can't tackle worth a damn. It's part of an experiment we're trying. Or maybe he'll be a depth guy. We'll just have to see.

Transfer In - DL Brandon Mundy (20)
Did I sign this guy before? Yeah, I kind of think I did. Anyway, he'll be our new starting DL for sure, just like last time.

Good Trains
The Thompsons
Jamie O'Grady

Bad Trains
David Pounder
Chay Dysart

vs Alcester Town
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
M: David Pounder/Nick Thompson/Marc Thompson/Chris Rhodes/Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

Upon further review, I'm going with the 4-5-1 we only tried once last year, over the 4-4-2. I think it's better for the players that we have available to us.

We can't get any offense going in the first half, but Yates is making stop after stop after stop that none of our other two keepers from last season would have managed.

56 - Kirkwood on for Graves, who just isn't getting it done today.

87 - We're given a controversial penalty, and my boy Fitzharris nails it. 1-0

It's the kind of game where Brandon Mundy's 7.1 is good enough to win PotM. Solid all around showing by our guys, though. More importantly, we grab a key 3 points to start the year. Oh, and we beat Andy Jackson, too.

Transfer In - DC George Pauley (20)
Just shy of being a starter, but on the other hand, he'll be a vital reserve for us. He's awkward as hell at DL/DR, but capable of them nonetheless. And of course he's out 5-6 weeks immediately after signing.

Chay Dysart signs a non-contract elsewhere, as does David Moon.

Joe Jefford and Chris Rhodes are appointed captain and vice-captain for the season.

Bad news as Brandon Mundy breaks his wrist and is out 2 months.

3rd @ Barton Rovers AFC (6th)
G: Michael Yates
D: Roy Gregg/Doni Grandison/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
M: David Pounder/Nick Thompson/Marc Thompson/Chris Rhodes/Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

48 - Ugh. 0-1

58 - Palmer on for Graves

64 - O'Grady replaces Jefford, who played poorly all game.

74 - Terrible. F. 0-2

78 - Marc Thompson is injured, so in comes Kirkwood.

I think I'm going to dump the 4-5-1 completely. It hasn't done shit for us whenever we've used it, and we really struggle to score with it. Marc Thompson is out 5-6 weeks.

Lew Tozer, who was a bust despite his exceptional talent, signs a non-contract. Bad joss as Nick Thompson signs a record $13.75k contract. The central midfielders continue to get plucked as Chay Liddle signs a non-contract. Ray Hackett leaves for nothing, too. Even more hits to our central midfield, Chris Rhodes taking a $4.1k deal.

5th vs Westwood United (1st)
G: Michael Yates
D: Jamie O'Grady/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
DM: Doni Grandison
M: David Pounder/Levi Kennedy/Daren Kirkwood
AM: Kieran Fitzharris
S: Juan Miguel Graves

3 - Horseshit! Graves was onsides, you limp-dicked fucking zebra!

6 - 0-1

56 - Gregg for O'Grady; Palmer for Graves

62 - I'm just wondering when I'll get fired 0-2

86 - Whatever 0-3

Transfer In - DM/MC Mitchell Palmer (19)
Our midfield got absolutely torn to shreds, so here's a young kid who will become an immediate starter for us.

David Pounder signs a $12.25k deal, further ruining our midfield. At this point, I'm ready to quit and start over with the lowest league semi-pro team. Marc Thompson gets healthy and collects a $5.25k paycheck. The players available all stink, too, or else they won't sign with me.

5th @ Hurst (6th)
G: Michael Yates
D: Jamie O'Grady/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Kieran Fitzharris/Daren Kirkwood/Mitchell Palmer
AM: David Burton-Jones
S: Juan Miguel Graves

33 - McEntegart snatches a corner kick rebound and puts it away, the first ever goal for our Australian CB. 1-0

63 - Great set pieces awareness today, as Palmer pounces on a free kick rebound to slot in a debut goal. 2-0

74 - Kennedy goes on for Fitzharris

Hell of a debut for Mitchell Palmer with an 8.0. 7.4 for Matthew McEntegart and 7.1 for Joe Jefford.

Transfer In - AMCLR/MC Dave Murphy (18)
An upgrade over David Burton-Jones at AMC, as we slowly try and restore our shattered talent base. He's not world class or anything, but he's a kid with maybe some upside.

4th vs Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Arborfield (1st)
G: Michael Yates
D: Jamie O'Grady/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Kieran Fitzharris/Daren Kirkwood/Mitchell Palmer
AM: David Burton-Jones
S: Juan Miguel Graves

9 - Sigh. 0-1

32 - Injured O'Grady means Gregg on.

80 - We've never been int hsi game anyway 0-2

90 - Double yellow for Jefford

Halfway through the season, we're 6 points back of promotion and looking totally lost. How soon will the firing be, I wonder?

[Izulde]

Transfer In - MC/AMC Matty Kay (26)
This kid may save our season. He's the best AMC we've had since I've been here, and will really elevate our play up front, where we've struggled.

4th @ Alcester Town (5th)
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Jamie O'Grady
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Kieran Fitzharris/Daren Kirkwood/Mitchell Palmer
AM: Matty Kay
S: Juan Miguel Graves

This is where we need to start turning our season around, or I won't make it to Year 3.

62 - Palmer in for Graves

85 - Kennedy on for Fitzharris

Our offense continues to struggle, but we scrape out a draw.

4th vs Barton Rovers AFC (4th)
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Kieran Fitzharris/Daren Kirkwood/Mitchell Palmer
AM: Matty Kay
S: Lucas Palmer

10 - Nothing works. 0-1

26 - Fucking own goals. 0-2

Kennedy for Pauley at half.

Completely punchless. We need to get two strikers up front. Say hello to a 4-2-2-2 we've been working on.

Kieran Fitzharris leaves for $3.9k; David Burton-Jones for $5.5k.

5th vs Hurst (6th)
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Joe Jefford
DM: Doni Grandison/Levi Kennedy
M: Matty Kay/Mitchell Palmer
S: Juan Miguel Graves/Lucas Palmer

64 - WTFE 0-1

Changing to a 4-1-3-2 with switching player roles around. Yes, I know it's probably suicide, but it's just adapting a 4-3-1-2 I've had going in the background for quite some time.

Jamie O'Grady goes off for $3.9k. Jamie Crook for $5.5k. Devastatingly, Joe Jefford for $10.5k.

Transfer In - DM/MC Mbiyeye Medine (27)
This Congolese player is a huge uplift to our central midfield, and he'll plant in as a starter somewhere; I'm just not sure exactly where.

Transfer In - DLR Phil Hopkinson (26)
He'll slot in at DR, replacing Jefford.

5th @Westwood United (2nd)
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Phil Hopkinson
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Matty Kay/Mbiyeye Medine/Mitchell Palmer
S: Juan Miguel Graves/Daren Kirkwood

38 - Dickfucker long goals 0-1

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

85 - Graves finally ends the droughts but it doesn't matter 1-2

93 - Kirkwood with the interception and drop ball to Graves, who dribbles into the box and fires home the last second equalizer!!! 2-2

And yeah, that drops us to last place for the final game. I'm probably going to get fired.

Time to go on holiday until our next match. I don't think the youth pulls are going to matter.

While I was gone, we lost Juan Miguel Graves ($7k), our assman, and all of our youth pulls. Oops.

6th @ Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Arborfield
G: Michael Yates
D: Brandon Mundy/George Pauley/Matthew McEntegart/Phil Hopkinson
DM: Doni Grandison
M: Matty Kay/Mbiyeye Medine/Mitchell Palmer
S: Lucas Palmer/Daren Kirkwood

36 - One of their players is sent off on a red!

...And we can't get the win. 0-0 draw, despite a fair number of chances. That's a new six game losing streak low.

$220k profit on the year, so this team is rolling in the dough.

Nobody's happy after the season we had, but it appears I'm going to survive another year... by the skin of my teeth.