FM2007: Peterborough Utd. - Take 3 at London Road

[Butter]

In 2004, I took a ragtag group of lads and built them up into the Champions of England and Europe for 2 years before fading into oblivion.

In 2005, London Road saw my 7 year plan unravel in Year 6, as this group of lads known as “The Posh” came up short in their 2nd year in the English Premier League, which found me fired before I could finalize my master plan.

Now, in 2007, it’s time once again for me to prove my worth. Can I manage it? Can I once and for all bring lasting success to the football ground at London Road? Is three times a charm for Peterborough United?

[Butter]

Game Universe
I am using a Large player database, including real players (with Fog of War on), updated through Version 7.0.2 of Football Manager 2007.

I am using 7 nations, with England playable down through the Conference National level. I also have included the 1st divisions of France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, and the USA (all playable just in case I get frisky a bit later on). With 2 GB of RAM on my laptop, I think I should have enough power to run the game fairly smoothly for a number of seasons.

Coach Butter O’Sixty-Nine is a 31 year old coach with dual American and English nationality. He lists the Columbus Crew as his favorite team, having started and ended his football career with the MLS side, playing 9 seasons altogether, including 3 stops in obscurity in England before retiring with multiple knee injuries.

Team information

Peterborough United has a regional reputation with a Chairman who loves the club. The team’s finances are listed as merely “OK”, with an approximate club value of $2.3 million. London Road has a 15,314 person capacity, with 9,614 seats. The club has adequate training facilites, and no youth facilities. The media predicts the club to finish 8th in English League Two during the upcoming season.

The club opens July with a cash balance in the black of $178k. The team has a wage budget of $3.78M per season, but have only $3.12M on the books to begin July, meaning I have a $650k+ surplus to work with. Also, our transfer budget is $379k, which is not bad at all for a League Two club.

Looking at the team’s staff, I notice that I have a scout with extensive knowledge of England and some minor knowledge of Scotland. I have a good knowledge of the USA, and a bit of England as well. I don’t have much staff, just an Assistant Manager, a 1st Team Coach, a plain ol’ Coach, a Keeper’s Coach, one physio, and one Scout. The Ass Man is pretty much pathetic. The coaches are a bit of an improvement, but I’ll definitely be looking to upgrade as soon as I can. But probably not right now.

[Butter]

Squad Overview
Let’s take a look person by person at the Peterborough United roster.

Goalkeepers

Shwan Jalal, age 22 (Iraq), $80k contract per season through 2009, $65k value
Attribute highlights – Reflexes 15, fitness 17, agility 15, handling 14, aerial 12

Mark Tyler, age 29, $160k thru 2009, $120k value
Att. – Reflexes 17, handling 15, agility 16, rushing out 14, determination 12

Res. Luke McShane, age 20, $30k thru 2007, $4k value
Att. – Determination 13, Decisions 13, Positioning 12, no GK attributes above 9

Summary
Jalal looks like he could be just as good if not better than Tyler. Tyler’s strength is his physicality, while Jalal is a bit more technically polished. This will be the 3rd time I have started out with the Posh with Tyler as the main keeper, and probably the 3rd time I will look to move him as soon as possible. He just isn’t technically impressive enough to justify his contract.


Defenders

DL Adam Smith, age 20, $50k thru 2010, $16k value
Main defensive attributes – Heading 7, marking 7, tackling 9
Other – Long throws 18, corners 13, determination 16, teamwork 15, bravery 12

DC Mark Arber, age 28 (S. Africa), $120k thru 2007, $55k value
Def. att. – Heading 14, Marking 11, Tackling 14
Other – Penalty taking 16, composure 14, determination 15, jumping 13, anticipation 13

DC Shane Blackett, age 25, $100k thru 2010, $240k value
Def. att. – Head 11, Mark 7, Tkl 10
Other – Determination 14, Pace 15, Fitness/accel./jump/stamina 14, bravery 10

DC Guy Branston, age 27, $120k thru 2008, $30k value
Def. att. – Head 14, Mark 12, Tkl 14
Other – Aggression 18, Bravery/determ. 17, strength 16

DC Ben Futcher, age 25, $120k thru 2009, $35k value
Def. att. – Head 11, Mark 9, Tkl 10
Other – Determ. 16, jumping 16, stamina 15, bravery/strength 13

DC Craig Morgan, age 21 (Welsh U21 team), $80k thru 2007, $95k value
Def. att. – Head 13, Mark 12, Tkl 13
Other – A number of 10-12’s

D/WB-L Jamie Day, age 20, $100k thru 2009, $30k value
Def. att. – Head 5, Mark 6, Tkl 9
Other – Fitness/pace 12, Accel./Teamwork/work rate 11

Res. D/WB-R Adam Newton, age 25 (St. Kitts & Nevis nat’l team), $160k thru 2009, $70k value
Def. att. – Head 4, Mark 6, Tkl 8
Other – Pace 15, accel./balance 14, work rate/determ. 13

Summary
We are pretty well set at the DC position. We have 5 of them, 4 of whom look like they can play at this level, while Blackett can probably fake it with his speed. However, it looks like we are woefully lacking at any sort of left or right fullback position. We have a couple of wingbacks who look like they are fairly well suited to playing a 3-5-2 type of formation, but neither are skilled enough for me to feel comfortable actually depending on in a game. Adam Smith doubles as a midfielder and looks like our set piece specialist.

We need to get some DR and DL’s in, stat. I hate running gimmicky formations like a flatback 3. Yuk. I cannot see just having no decent fullbacks to open the season.


Midfielders
Previously listed: DL/MLC Adam Smith, D/WB/M-L Jamie Day, Res. D/WB/AM-R Adam Newton

MLC Peter Gain, age 29 (Ireland), $160k thru 2008, $45k value (begins season out for a month with a hernia)
Attributes – Dribbling 8, Passing 13, Composure 12, Technique 14, 1st Touch 13, Work rate 13

MC Richard Butcher, age 25, $80k thru 2007, $45k value
Att. – Determ. 14, Off ball/pace/accel. 13, Fitness 12, Technique/finish/passing/creativity 11

MC Darren Ferguson, age 34 (Scotland), $200k thru 2009, $16k value
Att. – Determ. 19, Passing 16, Aggression 15, Free kicks/anticipation 14, corners/long shots/creativity 13

MC Micah Hyde, age 31 (Jamaica nat’l team), $250k thru 2009, $350k value
Att. – 10+ in every attribute EXCEPT finishing/long shots/long throws/anticip./concentration/jumping, 18 in balance, 16 in stamina

MC Gavin Strachan, age 27 (Scotland), $60k thru 2007, $45k value
Att. – Stamina 15, fitness/work rate/PK’s 14, free kicks/influence/teamwork/agility 12

AM-R Josh Low, age 27 (Wales), $200k thru 2009, $180k value
Att. – Pace 15, Dribbling/Flair/work rate/balance/fitness 14, Strength/accel. 13

AM-R/L Craig Mackail-Smith, age 22, $150k thru 2010, $240k value
Att. – Work rate 17, Pace/Accel./determ. 16, Stamina 15, Dribbling/agility 14

AM-R Aaron McLean, age 23, $120k thru 2010, $275k value
Att. – Jumping 17, Determ./Accel./Pace 16, Work Rate 15

AM-L George Boyd, age 20, $200k thru 2009, $95k value
Att. – Pace 15, Dribbling/Flair/accel. 14, Determ./fitness 13

Res. MC Adam Fry, age 21, $60k thru 2007, $28k value
Att. – Fitness/Bravery 16, Aggress./determ. 15, Strength 14

Res. MC Shane Huke, age 20 (Australia), $40k thru 2007, $24k value
Att. – Stamina 14, Tackling/determ. 13

Res. AM-R/L Trevor Benjamin, age 27 (Jamaica), $220k thru 2008, $70k value
Att. – Determ. 15, Bravery/work rate/Jumping/Fitness/strength 14, Heading/pace/accel./stamina 12

Res. AM-R Jimmy Ghaichem, age 22, $30k thru Sept. 2006 (part-time)
Att. – Dribbling/determ./flair 12, none others above 10

Summary
We have a solid core of central midfielders, and some wing guys with speed. Unfortunately, all the wing guys with speed play an attacking midfield position. Fortunately, most of them also double as forwards or strikers. I should be able to be fairly flexible to run a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 or something like that, maybe using a tight midfield 3 to keep the ball and feed it forward to the fast wingers/forwards. This looks like a highly offensive team I have inherited here. The best guys are the oldest though, so hopefully we’ll be able to stay fairly injury free.


Forwards/strikers
Already listed: AM-R/L, F Craig Mackail-Smith, AM-R, ST Aaron McLean, AM-L, ST George Boyd, Res. AM-R/L, ST Trevor Benjamin

ST Danny Crow, age 20, $200k thru 2008, $75k value
Att. – Finishing 14, Dribbling 13, off ball 15, Flair/accel. 14, Pace 12

ST Justin Richards, age 25, $70k thru 2008, $45k value
Att. – Finishing 11, First Touch 12, Determ. 15, Pace 14, Accel. 13


Summary
We have a lot of speed to burn at the AM/F/ST positions. We lack a bit in true strikers, so it may end up being Danny Crow playing a lone role up front in a 4-5-1 with 2 attacking wingers. Crow is only 5’10”, so we won’t be playing many long balls through the air, but I can see us trying a bunch of long balls on the ground to try and set out speedy strike force free against unsuspecting League Two defenses.

Tactics
I decide to open up with a 4-5-1 with 2 wingers playing an AM role, running forward often, with the MC’s putting through a number of balls to the wingers and the lone forward. We are going with a slightly attacking formation… and will do our best to find some DL and DR candidates to fill that role in our back 4. In the meantime, our deep DC crew will have to do their best.

[Butter]

July 2006

July 6 - Friendly #1, @ Cambridge (CON)
Craig MacKail-Smith gets us on the board in the 30th minute with a nifty takeaway, a long run, and a nice bending ball from a sharp angle that nestles home. Danny Crow breaks free up front twice in the final 5 minutes of the first half, but misses both chances by a wide margin. The tactic appears to be working well. We get a number of chances in the 2nd half, but Mark Tyler manages to blow our lead in the 92nd minute, as he gives up a rebound on a tight in shot late, and it’s put home. Not a bad opener, considering we were playing on the road against a team only 1 level down.
Draw, 1-1

July 11 – Friendly #2 v. Barnsley (CH)
Neither team looks real interested in this game, but we hang tough with the Championship side despite fielding mostly a 2nd XI type squad. Jalal with some really nice saves in the 2nd half, and Darren Ferguson has a shot saved off the line in the 78th for the last chance of the match. It ends scoreless.
Draw, 0-0

AMR/ST Aaron McLean, an important squad player, suffers a torn calf muscle in this match and will miss 3-5 months of action.

We make our first pre-season signing, as we sign 22 year old D/M-RC Shaun Cooper from Bournemouth for an initial $24k payment, plus some small monthly installments and a future sale clause. Cooper should solve our need for a right back, as he has a 12/13 in marking, tackling, and heading. He has quality mental attributes all around, rating an 11 or higher in most, and decent if not blazing pace. Should be a serviceable player for a few years, and is very versatile.

We obtain our first loaner, as 19 year old D/WB/ML Ryan Lynch joins us on a full season’s loan from Championship side Coventry. Lynch will mostly be a rotational type player, and will only cost us $30k for the entire season. His defensive attributes are decent, but not great. Marking of 12, 9 in heading and tackling. He does have good speed though, which will help him a lot.

Our big marquee signing comes one day later, as we pay over $200k to wrest the services of 19 year old AM-R/ST Owen Price away from Swedish club GIF Sundsvall. Price is English, but has some great looking technical attributes, including a 16 in technique, 15 in dribbling and 1st touch, and 18 in crossing. He is not very fast, but is very aggressive, and has a nice flair on the ball. He immediately becomes our first choice ST and possibly a good choice at AMR as well, considering his crossing skill. Price is a player from the Tottenham youth system who left last season for Sweden.

The fans are excited at the Price signing, and are “delighted” that he will be coming to London Road.

July 16, Friendly #3 @ Aberystwyth (Wales)
We dominate the first half but can’t squeeze a goal in on the Welsh. We get a goal in the 51st, as midfielder Richard Butcher slots home a 17 yarder. We don’t do much the rest of the match, but hold on to the win.
Win, 1-0

July 19, Friendly #4 @ Oxford City (non-league)
Defender Shane Blackett buries a 25 yarder in the 20th minute to put us ahead. Owen Price crosses for Josh Low, who nods it home in the 62nd to give us a 2 goal win.
Win, 2-0

July 22, Friendly #5 @ Dorchester (non-league)
Trevor Benjamin with a goal from 10 yards in the 5th minute to put us ahead. Josh Low knocks home a goal just prior to halftime to make it 2-0. Defender Ryan Lynch hits a low driving shot through traffic in the 89th minute to cap the scoring. We are looking good going into the final friendly.
Win, 3-0

July 27, Friendly #6 v. Luton (CH)
We hang with Luton until just prior to halftime, when Adam Smith yields a penalty in a bad spot… on the left edge of the box. They convert and lead 1-0 after 45’. We don’t do much in the 2nd half and drop a 1-0 decision in our final pre-season friendly.
Loss, 1-0

[Butter]

August 2006

2006-07 promotion odds
Wycombe, Swindon, Grimsby – 6:4
Peterborough, Hartlepool, Walsall – 7:4

We get a bad draw for the Carling Cup, getting Championship side Crystal Palace to come to London Road on August 23rd.

Aug. 5, Match 1 v. Wrexham Red Dragons
Opening day Starting XI:
GK: Jalal
D: Lynch, Futcher, Arber, Cooper
MC: Strachan, Ferguson, Hyde
AM: Benjamin, Low
ST: Price

In the 23rd, Gavin Strachan with a great low cross… it bounces into the path of Darren Ferguson, and he touches it past the keeper and into the back of the net! We’re not playing great, but doing enough to lead at halftime. Ferguson blows a clear chance at a brace whiffing a 10 yard sitter. We spend much of the late game in and around the Wrexham box… it pays off with about a minute left, as Josh Low runs onto a through ball from Shane Cooper, and scores a ground skimmer from 12 yards out. A fine opening day at London Road.

Win, 2-0, begin 4th
Shots/on target: Posh 14/6, Wrex 4/1
Poss: Posh, 53-47
MoM: Posh DR Shane Cooper (8 rating, 26/40 passing, 1 ast., 5 pass interceptions)

Aug. 8, Match 2 v. #19 Swindon Town Robins
The scout recommends that we use our pace to beat Swindon’s slow back line… no problem there, that’s the plan. Swindon look lively early on, though, and Jalal saves us a couple of times. It stays 0-0 until minute 44, when Price finds space down the right, then crosses to the spot… Hyde with a one-timer that rattles off the crossbar, but Ferguson is there to finish off the rebound! Ferguson already with 2 goals on the season, and we lead 1-0 at the interval. Benjamin misses a point blank header off a corner kick in the opening minute of the 2nd half. We pay for the missed chance in the 65th minute, as Swindon score off a set piece to the left of the box… a header in past Jalal makes it 1-1. We don’t get many more chances, and are lucky to keep it 1-1.

Draw, 1-1, drop to 6th
Shots: Posh 5/2, Swin 13/7
Poss: 50-50
MoM: Posh GK Shwan Jalal (8 rating, 6 saves)

Aug. 12, Match 3 @ #16 Macclesfield
Trevor Benjamin gets it started right for us, as he heads home a Josh Low corner kick in the 13th minute. Owen Price makes the Macclesfield keeper pay for a mis-touch 30 yards out in the 33rd minute, as he pokes the ball away, keeps his balance, and slides it home to put us up 2-0. I say nothing at halftime, trying to keep the performance going. It works, as Macclesfield barely sniff the goal in the 2nd half, and we win convincingly on the road.

Win, 2-0, up to 4th
Shots: Macc 11/5, Posh 9/4
Poss: 50-50
MoM: DL Ryan Lynch (8 rating, 9/10 headers won, 8 pass interceptions)

Couldn’t ask for a much better start than this.

Aug. 19, Match 4 @ #21 Mansfield Town
The scout mentions that Mansfield has good pace at the back and likes to play balls long, so we start our fastest back 4. Mansfield dominate us in the first half, but Jalal and co. do the job. We force a lot of corners, but Mansfield is awful on set pieces, and it shows. Sadly for us, during 1st half stoppage time, a 25 yard free kick strikes the wall, and it trickles over the line to give Mansfield a 1-0 halftime lead. I sympathize with the squad at halftime for the unlucky scoreline, then we go out and score one minute into the 2nd half, as midfielder Micah Hyde powerfully heads a Owen Price corner in from 5 yards out. We completely dominate the 2nd half, and have a number of fine opportunities, but can’t quite beat the keeper again and settle for a point.
Draw, 1-1, drop to 9th
Shots: MTFC 12/2, Posh 10/7
Poss: 51-49, Posh
MoM: MFTC GK Chris Neal (8 rating, 6 saves)

I decide we need to try and net another attacking player. Our defense and midfield have been very good early, but everybody except Owen Price up front has been inept (at best). Luckily, the transfer window is still open, so I go fishing among the bigger clubs for a loaner.

Aug. 23, Carling Cup First Round v. Crystal Palace (CH)
We’re a 9:2 underdog for this one, and with good reason. I run out a number of 2nd teamers to conserve them for league play. We play a reserved first half, and look fairly comfortable against the Championship side. They had the run of play, but the squad stayed relaxed and keep it 0-0 at the break. Palace actually withdraw midway through the 2nd half, and we try to advance a bit more to avoid OT. It does go to an extra 30 minutes, though… Tyler with a splendid save in the 95th minute on a 22 yard free kick, and he knocks away the rebound as well. In the 102nd minute, Jamie Day sends a long ball out of the back, and Josh Low latches onto it… he rounds the charging keeper and slots it home. Our joy is short-lived, though, as Mark Arber scores an own goal in the 104th trying to clear a low cross. The match goes to PK’s after 120 minutes, even at 1.

A tense PK match finds both squads with 3 makes out of 4 attempts. Palace’s final kicker approaches the spot… but Tyler knocks it away! It’s up to defender Mark Arber now… he misses! No amends for the own goal. Tyler saves Palace’s 6th try with a fantastic stretching save. Then, it’s new signing Shaun Cooper to take our 6th attempt… and he buries it!!! What a win by our youngsters!
Win, 1-1, (4-3 on PK’s)

[Butter]

That Crystal Palace win will boost your confidence… especially we were playing almost completely a 2nd team squad. I’m sure they were as well, but regardless, a win over a team some 50 places up the ladder is terrific.

In addition to getting the win, we pick up $40,000 for the victory v. Palace.

We get 19 year old French striker Ismael Ehui to agree to a loan spell with us from the Fulham reserves for the entire season. Ehui will cost us only wages, which in his case is $22,000. He has very good pace, good determination and first touch, and above average finishing. He’ll get some run at the striker spot for sure.

We pick up another loaner from the big boys, as 19 year old striker Tom Craddock agrees to join us for the rest of the season from the Middlesbrough reserves. Craddock will cost his wage bill ($24k). He is a higher quality player than Ehui, but does not have the pace that the Frenchman has. Ehui may well become our main sub option to run in behind a tired defense while Craddock becomes our #1 choice. This will allow us to run Owen Price at his most effective position, right wing pushing forward, and will give us lots of flexibility in the lineup with our glut of wingers.

We finalize our striker lineup with the loan in of 17 year old Ipswich U-18 forward Liam Barratt. Barratt is well above average in several mental attributes, but seems to lack a bit of technical skill. He’ll get time to develop on the job, for sure.

The Carling Cup 2nd round is drawn, and we’ll travel to St. Mary’s to face Championship side Southampton.

Aug. 26, Match 5 v. #22 Wycombe Wanderers
In the 10th minute, a Wycombe defender tries a pass from midfield back to a center-back… but he doesn’t see Tom Craddock lurking. The pass is off by a fraction, and Craddock is there to steal the ball, dribble in on goal, and finish from a very sharp angle. 1-0 on Craddock’s debut goal! Defender Ben Futcher heads one off the upright in the 15th minute off a Darren Ferguson free kick. We don’t do much after that, but neither does Wycombe, so we’ll settle for a 1-0 win.
Win, 1-0, up to 4th place
Shots: Posh 4/2, WWFC 5/1
Poss: 51-49, WWFC
MoM: Wycombe sweeper Sam Stockley (8 rating, 8 interceptions, 7/7 headers won)

We get yet another loaner, as apparently no one wants to turn us down. I am also loathe to decline any offers of players to show up, since we’re so thin at many positions. We get another striker, this one an 18 year old Northern Irish forward named Curtis Allen. Allen lacks a bit in physical attributes, but may be the strongest technical striker we now have. He is only on a 3 month loan, however.

Barnet offer me $50k for midfielder Peter Gain… he has a $160k per season contract, and is nearly 30 years old. I jump at the chance to unload his huge salary, considering he is not on the first team. Gain quickly agrees to a deal with Barnet, and we pick up $50k for the transfer kitty and drop one of the biggest salaries on the team in the process.

We drop $30k on Conf. Nat’l side Halifax to sign 26 year old DR/MC Steve Haslam. Haslam will earn an $85k salary through the end of next season. He is an exceptionally good marking defender, but lacks a bit in fitness.

We spend $40k more on another DRC, this time 20 year old Nathan D’Laryea from the Man City reserves. He still needs some polish, but provides some depth on the right side, and is a very smart player.

So, we finish the month of August after solidifying a number of key positions, and not suffering a single defeat yet.

Finish August W3-D2-L0 in league, one win in Carling Cup

[Butter]

September 2006

Sept. 2, Match 6 @ #13 MK Dons
The Dons dominate the first half, but we manage to escape to halftime at 0-0. The first half improves for us, but in the end it’s a pretty dull match. But hey, we still haven’t lost!
Draw, 0-0, drop to 6th place
Shots: Dons 6/0, Posh 6/1
Poss: 54-46, Dons
MoM: Posh DL Ryan Lynch (8 rating, 7/8 tackles won)

Sept. 9, Match 7 v. #7 Barnet
An important early season 6-pointer for us. Josh Low with a cross in the 8th minute… a Barnet defender gets a head to it, but right into the path of striker Curtis Allen, who knocks it home from 8 yards out. We dominate the first half, and cap it in the 39th minute… Darren Ferguson with a 20 yard free kick that he plays square to Gavin Strachan… Strachan hits a shot from distance, and it deflects off of former Posh and now Barnet newboy Peter Gain, and in past the keeper to put us up 2-0. Barnet show some life early in the 2nd half, but we wear Barnet down and eventually net a 3rd, as Liam Barratt scores an impressive 18 yarder in the 85th minute. The Bees pick up a consolation goal in the 87th minute, but we take another 3 points.
Win, 3-1, up to 4th place
Shots: Posh 8/3, Bees 11/4
Poss: 50-50
MoM: Posh MC Micah Hyde (9 rating, 1 assist, 23/30 passing)

We are now one of 4 teams with 15 points, but have the worst goal difference/goals scored among the 4, so sit in 4th place. We have yielded just 3 goals in 7 matches, an impressive defensive start.

Sept. 12, Match 8 @ #2 Walsall
We get a bit of luck in the 19th, as Walsall have a header goal disallowed for a push in the box. Walsall continue to dominate the first half, and finally pick up a goal, scoring a 20 yarder past Jalal. At halftime, I implore the team to perform better. We show more speed in the 2nd half, and Tom Craddock is taken down in the box in the 54th minute to earn us a penalty kick. Darren Ferguson steps up confidently and buries his 3rd goal of the season to level the match. Both teams completely squander point blank chances towards the end of the match, and we extend our unbeaten streak to 8.
Draw, 1-1, remain 4th
Shots: WALS 12/7, Posh 7/5
Poss: 53-47, Walsall
MoM: Walsall GK Clayton Ince (8 rating, 4 saves)

[flere-imsaho]

I'm so happy this dynasty is back. I learned so much from your last one, though I still don't loan in as many players as you do.

[Butter]

I guess the reason I loan so many players is... low financial risk, high short-term reward if they play well. If I were to buy some of these players I loan in, not only would I have to spend more time scouting them (and allowing other teams to beat me to the punch), but I would also be on the hook for a lot of money if they turn out to be a stiff. This way, if they suck, I can cut them loose at any time, while if they turn out to be very good, I have a half decent chance of signing them.

[flere-imsaho]

Yeah, I definitely need to try that more.

[flere-imsaho]

By the way, how do you find loan players? Do you surf the rosters of particular teams, or use the relevant search filters?

Edit: I know, mechanically, how to find loan players, I guess my question is what's the process you use that you find works best?

[bertogarce]

Great dynasty! I'll definetely be reading.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

By the way, how do you find loan players? Do you surf the rosters of particular teams, or use the relevant search filters?

Edit: I know, mechanically, how to find loan players, I guess my question is what's the process you use that you find works best?

It depends... in this dynasty, the first time around I just filtered on the position I want to look at among all players... then I pinpointed the best looking players who might be willing to join my club. Normally, I sort on one of the key attributes, and look at the other attributes of those players... the ones who look the best all-around, I try to offer to if they're not too expensive. I also surfed every Championship club's reserve rosters and offered to players who looked like they could help me (mainly strikers when this came around).

If you try to loan players that are out of your league, normally the loaning club will drag their feet answering you. In League Two, Championship clubs seem lots more willing to loan to you than Premier League sides are.

[Butter]

Prior to this next match, the media ask me about Bury’s chances in it. I reply that we are on a roll and will be tough to beat. The only person on the team this seems to affect is MC Darren Ferguson, who is now “eagerly awaiting” the Bury match.

Sept. 16, Match 9 @ #12 Bury
In the 6th minute, left back Ryan Lynch with a steal at 40 yards… he sends an early cross onto the diagonal run of right winger Josh Low, who controls the ball well, then powers a good 13 yard shot past the Bury keeper for a quick 1-0 lead. Poor defense in the 30th, as we give up an easy counter-attack off our own corner kick… they score on a breakaway and level the match. It looks like this is not going to be our day… in the 50th, Jalal with a poor clearance right to a Bury attacker, who scores against a retreating Jalal from 25 yards out. Bury scores again in the 58th minute, as Lynch misses a tackle outside the box, and the Bury attacker unleashes a very well-placed 25 yard shot that beats Jalal to the top left corner. 3-1, and it is unraveling quickly. I decide to switch tactics, and go to an aggressive 3-5-2, bringing on a 2nd striker. It pays off quickly, as Ange Lorougnon gets free down the right in the 61st… his cross deflects perfectly into the path of Owen Price, who makes no mistake from 5 yards out. 3-2. Bury put the game away in the 81st minute, scoring a 4th against our 3 man backline. Price and Lorougnon hook up again in stoppage time, with Lorougnon this time the recipient of the cross… he makes it 4-3 with only seconds to play… and that’s how it ends.
Loss, 4-3, drop to 7th
Shots/on target: Bury 9/6, Posh 10/5
Poss: 51-49, Bury
MoM: Bury ST Marc Pugh (8 rating, 2 goals)

Sept. 20, Carling Cup Round 2 @ Southampton (#10 in Championship)
We come out with a switched up formation today, playing a defensive 3-4-1-2 today. We have been warned about Southampton’s skill in midfield, but their strikers are less than inspiring… so we load up in midfield and will try to play direct balls to the strikers… Price and Lorougnon again as we try to capture some of the magic they brought to the Bury game. Mark Tyler does well early to make a couple of nice saves… then in the 20th minute, Liam Barratt with the corner… Jamie Day whiffs on the volley, but the ball falls to the feet of defender Craig Morgan, who powers it home! We lead 1-0 after 20 minutes! Sadly, the Saints strike back in the 25th, as Tyler tips aside a header in the box, but right to the feet of attacker Inigo Idiakez. Southampton score again in the 36th… but Grzegorz Rasiak is flagged for offsides. In the 41st minute, Josh Low with an early ball into the box… the defender and the goal keeper look at each other… and Owen Price nips in to steal the ball and slot it home! 2-1, Posh just short of halftime. Andrew Surman appeals for offside for the Saints, but the referee waves him away. Tyler with some nice play in the middle of the 2nd half to keep us ahead. In the 76th, we switch to a more standard 4-5-1 to try to clog the midfield and hold off the Saints. It works, as the Saints barely sniff our end late, and we take a huge road win!
Win, 2-1, advance to Carling Cup Third Round
Shots: Saints 12/5, Posh 8/3
Poss: 52-48, Saints
MoM: Posh DC Shane Blackett (8 rating, 10 interceptions)

We get a favorable draw for the 3rd round of the League Cup, drawing a home game against League 1 Carlisle. We and Darlington are the only League 2 sides remaining in the competition, as Round 3 is the round in which the Premiership sides join the competition.

Sept. 23, Match 10 v. #3 Hartlepool
I wonder how long I can ride telling my team “no pressure” before huge matches before their performance suffers? We’ll find out. The first half is a dull affair that finds us scoreless. Literally in the final seconds, Hartlepool get a cross and volley in goal to send us to our 2nd consecutive league defeat.
Loss, 1-0, drop to 8th
Shots: Posh 5/1, ‘Pool 2/1
Poss: 50-50
MoM: ‘Pool ST Joel Porter (7 rating, 1 goal)

[Butter]

Sept. 26, Match 11 @ #17 Hereford
We try to halt a 3 game winless streak on the road against League Two newboys Hereford. We look completely uninspired, and yield a 40th minute goal off a direct free kick to a spritely looking Hereford club. I tell the team to relax at halftime, and we come out looking much better… we even put in an equalizer in the 61st minute… except Lorougnon is flagged for offside on the goal, so it remains 1-0 through 70. I switch up tactics, going to an aggressive 3-5-2. It doesn’t work, and we drop a 3rd straight. Not a good run we’re having here.
Loss, 1-0, drop to 9th

We now lie 8 points out of 1st and 3 points behind 7th place Notts Co. 4th through 7th place gain playoff spots, while 1st through 3rd get automatic promotion to League One.

Sept. 30, Match 12 v. #24 Torquay
The media approach me prior to the game, and I tell them that given our recent run of form, we can’t take anything for granted against Torquay. We fail to take advantage of 2 chances in the 3rd minute… but in the 13th, Ferguson swings a ball over the defense and to the right… Owen Price latches onto it, and is through on goal… he makes a good move, then slides it in between the keeper and the post to put us ahead. Price misses on a similar opportunity just before halftime, but we are dominating the last place side. We switch to a 3-1-4-2 defending formation late, and it works, as we bother Torquay’s midfield into a number of mistakes, and almost net a 2nd goal. In the end, it’s good enough to get back on the winning side.
Win, 1-0, remain 9th

Everyone directly ahead of us wins, so we stay 3 points out of 7th.

We finish up a disappointing September by getting back on track.

Sept.: 2-2-3 in league
One win in Carling Cup (advance to 3rd round)

[Butter]

October 2006

Oct. 7, Match 13 @ #19 Darlington
You may have noticed that Mark Tyler has insinuated himself back into the #1 keeper spot. It’s because his morale has been fairly steady while Jalal has yo-yo’d all over the place. Josh Low picks up an early knock on the right… but I leave him in, as we have adequate cover at that position. We blow a chance in the 12th, and nearly yield a counter-attack goal, but Tyler with a nice save on a low Quakers’ shot. In the 19th minute, Ferguson with a nice through ball to Micah Hyde on the right side of the 18… Hyde’s shot is blocked, but it falls perfectly to Ferguson, who finishes the move he started with his 4th goal of the season. The Quakers equalize in the 43rd minute, as a long range shot deflects of Shane Blackett and in past Tyler. The 2nd half doesn’t get any luckier for us, as Ryan Lynch is credited with an own goal in the 53rd trying to clear a trickler off the line… a ball that Tyler probably could have smothered. We switch to an aggressive 3-5-2 late, and start to create some chances at last. Darlington hit us on the counter-attack in the 84th to put an end to the proceedings.
Loss, 3-1, drop to 11th

Our early season form is gone, and mediocrity is reigning at London Road. We are quickly losing touch with the top 3, and remain 3 points adrift of 7th place.

Looks like it’s time to switch up our tactics a bit or something.

Oct. 14, Match 14 v. #10 Stockport
I put the pressure on a bit by staying with our 4-5-1 tactics for this home match and telling the players I expect a win. Stockport outplay us for much of the first half… then Josh Low hits a 3 yard volley straight into the keeper’s chest in the 36th minute. We take advantage of a free kick in the 42nd, however, as Mark Arber heads in a Darren Ferguson free kick to put us ahead. Stockport come out fired up in the 2nd half, scoring in the 47th on a quick turn inside 10 yards. We control most of the 2nd half after that, but appear to be on our way to a draw. Until the 2nd minute of stoppage time… George Boyd is upended just inches outside the penalty area, giving Darren Ferguson a free kick about 19 yards from goal. He runs up to the ball and strikes it with his left foot… and it squeaks inside the left post and in for a 2-1 Peterborough win! Darren Ferguson wins man of the match for his 5th goal of the season… he is quite the danger man on set pieces.
Win, 2-1, up to 8th place

We move up to 8th with 22 points, but continue to remain 3 points behind 7th place Wrexham, who sit on 25 points.

The draw for the League One and Two cup competition called the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (formerly the Vans Trophy) is held… we are drawn in the South portion of the competition along with 15 other teams. We get a bad draw, having to make our 2nd trip of the season to the South Coast, this time visiting League One Brighton.

Oct. 21, Match 15 @ #19 Chester
We deploy a defensive minded 3-5-2 today, playing one withdrawn attacker behind our 2 strikers in order to try to keep pressure up on the opposing defense while still being able to keep control of the ball in midfield. We repeatedly put Chester to the test early on, but mostly just end up taking target practice at the Chester crowd, putting 8 first half shots off target while controlling the run of play. It’s 0-0 at the half, and I try to sympathize with the team, knowing we should be ahead at least 1-0 if not more. Chester look good early in the 2nd half, but we strike first, as Josh Low’s wonderful cross finds Ismael Ehui’s head, and he drives it past the Chester keeper for his first Posh goal which gives us a 1-0 lead. We switch to a 5-4-1 diamond-y type look late, as Chester begin to pressure us more… new entry into the game Adam Smith nearly gives 2 points away, as he chunks a 40 yard backpass to Mark Tyler, setting free a Chester striker onto our goal… but luckily for us his eyes get a bit too large seeing the 1-v-1 chance, and he drives a hard shot about 20 yards over the bar. Sadly for us, we give away the equalizer in the 89th as Craig Morgan loses track of his man… we appeal for offside on the play, but our protests are waved away, as are 2 points.
Draw, 1-1, drop to 9th

After the game, the news even notes the controversial nature of Chester’s tying goal… but there’s nothing to be done about it now. I reply with “I’m obviously disappointed but can take it on the chin.”

We draw to within 2 points of 7th place, as Wrexham lose on the day.

Oct. 25, Carling Cup Third Round v. Carlisle United (#11 in League One)
Jalal has the match of the season in the first half turning aside several Carlisle shots to keep it 0-0 through the first 45’. The 2nd half gets crazier and crazier… Benjamin is sent clean through onside, but misses a 15 yarder. In the 75th, George Boyd has the clear opportunity this time, but ends up dawdling a bit too much, allowing a defender to get back and clear his sharp angled shot off the line. It looks like we’re heading for extra time… until Guy Branston loses his man on an 86th minute cross, and it’s controlled and smashed home to give Carlisle a 1-0 lead. We try to go super-aggressive, but we’re no match for Carlisle, and finally let go of our improbable Carling Cup run.
Loss, 0-1, out of Carling Cup

The other League Two side remaining, Darlington, fall 3-0 at Championship side Derby County.

Oct. 28, Match 16 v. #6 Notts Co.
Perhaps the dullest first half I can remember ends 0-0. I show the team some anger at halftime, and it doesn’t seem to help, as we’re dominated in the 2nd half early. But in the 56th, Josh Low is brought down in the box, and Mark Arber converts the penalty kick to give us an undeserved lead. Again, we blow a late lead, giving up an 86th minute goal this time, as our defense parts and allows an easy attack on Tyler which he can’t stop.
We are blowing a lot of late leads lately.
Draw, 1-1, remain 9th

We stay 2 points out of 7th, as Shrewsbury now moves into 7th over a failing Wrexham team.

The FA Cup First Round draw is made, and we’ll play host to non-league club Leek Town on November 11th.

We say goodbye to another mediocre month, and hope to improve as we join 2 more cup competitions in November.

1-2-1 in league for October
Lost in Carling Cup Third Round

[flere-imsaho]

Yay! It's back!

[Butter]

Nov. 1, Johnstone’s Paint Trophy South region, 2nd round - @ Brighton
Brighton dominates the first half, but we manage to go into the locker rooms scoreless. We play a bit better early in the second half, and manage a bit of danger… Ange Lorougnon is sent onside… and is upended just inside the box for a PK in the 69th minute! Gavin Strachan buries the spot kick in the upper 90 to give us a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes to play. Guy Branston’s last ditch tackle on a breakaway in the 79th minute earns him a 2nd yellow card, which takes us down to 10 men with 10 minutes to go. We back into a 5-3-1 and are able to hold on for a nice road win.
Win, 1-0, advance to South Quarterfinals

We will host MK Dons in the Quarters on Nov. 28th.

Nov. 4, Match 17 @ #22 Grimsby Town
We come out in a defensive 3-4-1-2 today, trying to take advantage of Grimsby’s aggressiveness. It pays off in minute 7, as Shane Blackett heads home a Ferguson corner in the 7th minute of play. In the 23rd, Ferguson strikes again, this time with a perfectly timed through ball to Ismael Ehui, who buries his 2nd goal of the season past the Grimsby keeper. Ferguson with another corner in the 40th, and Benjamin’s powerful header is cleared off the line to keep it 2-0 at halftime. Grimsby come out hot in the 2nd half, but Tyler is there repeatedly, knocking away shot after shot. Benjamin picks up his 2nd yellow of the match in the 65th, and we back into a 5-3-1. Grimsby ring a header off the post in the 90th minute, and that’s their last good chance.
Win, 2-1, up to 8th

We’re now just 1 point out of 7th… and 6th. We lie 7 points from an automatic promotion spot in 3rd, which is currently occupied by MK Dons.

Nov. 11, FA Cup First Round v. Leek Town (non-league)
We are 1:14 favorites in this match. In the 25th, Leek Town with a weak clearance from their keeper, falling straight to Ferguson, who strikes home a great shot from over 25 yards out. Midfielder Richard Butcher with a seeing eye shot in the 49th that trickles off a Leek Town leg, then off the post and barely in for a 2-0 lead. Butcher scores again on a well controlled bring-down of a cross and a quick turn, making it 3-0 with 20 minutes to go. Nearly everyone picks up an 8 in this dominant performance.
Win, 3-0, advance to FA Cup Second Round

We get an absolutely magical draw for the FA Cup 2nd round, as we’ll host another non-league team, this time it’s Team Bath coming to London Road in a few weeks’ time.

[waynegomez]

Just wanted to let you know that I'm an avid reader. FM is one of my favorite games and you do a wonderful job of summarizing the action.

Congrats on a sweet FA Cup 2nd round draw.

[Butter]

Thanks, I appreciate the nice comment!

[Butter]

Nov. 18, Match 18 v. #5 Bristol Rovers
An important mid-season promotion 6-pointer for us today. Rovers are all over our goal early on, but we are able to weather the storm. In the 40th, Darren Ferguson with a free kick to the right of the penalty area… he swings it out toward the spot, where midfielder Shaun Cooper connects with a header and knocks home his first Posh goal to put us ahead 1-0, which is how it goes to halftime. We do a good job in the 2nd half of keeping Bristol out of the danger area early on. We back into a 5-3-2 with 15 minutes to play and try to salt the game away. It works magically, and we control the ball until the final whistle and take a huge 3 points to jump back into the promotion race.
Win, 1-0, up to 7th place

We jump back into the playoffs with the win, and creep to within 5 points of 3rd place MK Dons in the process. It seems we have regained the form we had at the beginning of the season… now the trick is to parlay it into a safer place further up the table.

Bad news for us as Darren Ferguson is ruled out for 2-4 weeks with a strained hip. He has been the playmaker from midfield for us, leading the team in both goals and assists in the early going.

Nov. 25, Match 19 @ #2 Accrington
We look good early on, but as is usually the case, the team that looks the best early is the one who falls behind… we allow an uncontested cross from the right to 2 unmarked players at the back post, and they have little problem finishing the play off to go ahead 1-0 after 21 minutes. I tell the team to play better in the 2nd half (an inspiring speaker, I am). It works like a charm as Accrington bury a goal past Tyler in the 55th on an impressive string of passes, and we’ve lost this one. Accrington find a 3rd goal in the 73rd minute to solidify the game’s rout status. We undo all the hard work of the past few weeks with a clinker today.
Loss, 3-0, drop to 9th

Again we find ourselves on the outside looking in.

Nov. 28, Johnstone’s Paint Trophy South Quarterfinal v. MK Dons
A drab match until the 86th, when Craig Mackail-Smith swings a corner out to Micah Hyde at 6 yards, and his tight volley whips past the keeper and in for the 1-0 victory.
Win, 1-0, advance to South Semifinals

The draw for the semis is made, and it’s as good as it gets for us… we’ll host League One Bournemouth in the Johnstone’s Paint semifinals. We’re the only League Two team left in the South part of the draw.

November: 2-0-1 in league
2 wins in Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
Win in FA Cup First Round

December 2006

Dec. 2, FA Cup Second Round v. Team Bath
We are 1:33 favorites to win this match… and I state our confidence in winning prior to the match. Bath hang tough early on, but in the 42nd minute, we net the breakthrough, as Liam Barratt finishes a nice move from Richard Butcher to put us up at the break. Gavin Strachan with a great free kick goal from 25 yards out to give us a 2 goal cushion with a half hour to play. Not a convincing win, but comfortable enough to put us through to round 3.
Win, 2-0, advance to FA Cup Third Round

We get a favorable Third Round draw as well, drawing a road game… but avoiding the big boys, as we’ll take on the winner of a replay between League One Doncaster and League Two Notts Co.