FM2016 - From Africa to Europe - ALL DONE!!!!!

[Abe Sargent]

So I have this eternal idea for a FM Dynasty. It would be really hard, but here’s the idea.


I don’t know how much you might know about the history of Spain. But many lands exchanged back and forth over the years and various holdings spread back and forth, as cities, forts, and islands passed hands.

The result of this changing swaps is that Spain currently holds two cities on the North African coast surrounded by Morocco. Both of these holdings are the remnants of former holdings in Morocco and Africa by Spain long ago, and both were never taken back. They have been in Spain’s possession for centuries, and despite the political climate and being surrounded by Morocco, they have never been retaken. It’s sort of like Gibraltar in reverse.

These two cities are Ceuta and Melilla. Melilla is a city of 78000 that’s been in Spain’s holding since 1497 while Ceuta is 82000 and they were taken by the Portuguese in 1415 and then became Spanish in 1668 after the Civil War that forced the personal union of Portugal and Spain apart and Ceuta went with Spain.

With their long histories as part of Spain, it’s no surprise that they would embrace Spanish culture completely, and that means a love of football. One of these cities, Melilla, has its own football club that plays in the Spanish Segunda Division B – Group 4. . UD Melilla.

The rules to achieve promotion to the next level are very byzantine. Now Melilla has very solid history, and they have regularly placed first, second or third in the Group 4. But they’ve been on a downturn and haven’t been promoted out, ever.

There are four Groups, and the placed teams that win the various divisions square off in playoffs, with a limited number of promotions to Segunda A. 80 teams play in Division B. It’s not easy to make it out. Just four teams get out a year, and often it’s not the winner. And then you have 22 teams in Segunda A and you have to make it through that before you improve to La Liga. And there are a lot of good, high quality teams in Division A just mucking about and causing problems.

This Dynasty has four goals in increasing levels of difficulty:

1). Get UD Melilla out of Segunda B for the first time in its history. This is hard. Even if you win the 20 team Group B, that’s hard to get promoted. Melilla has won before and still never made it out.
2). Get UD Melilla, an African team, to the top flight of a major European League by winning promotion from Segunda A to La Liga.
3). Do well enough to secure a spot in a European Competition (As an African Team).
4). Win any European Title (As an African Team).

That’s my goal. Can we do it?

[Young Drachma]

I love this idea.

[Abe Sargent]

THanks!

[Abe Sargent]

I have never won a European Title until I got a Champions Victory with a previous dynasty with a team in the Portuguese Division, Nacional da Madeira. That’s never happened before or since, but that’s eb a long term goal.

An African Team lifting a European Title? That’s just awesome.



So let’s go….Melilla!


Active Nations –

Spain, Portugal

All three levels playable in both

Start date – July 10, 2015

Meet:

Julio Fernandez Salgado

In Spanish custom, that’s the given name, father’s familly name and mother’s family name in order. Properly Julio Fernandez

Born 24 Feb, 1980

Spanish/Moroccan, speaks French and Portuguese as well

Born in Melilla

Favorite Team – Melilla

Preferred Formations – 3-5-2, 3-1-4-2, 4-3-3, and 4-4-2 Diamond

[Abe Sargent]

Born in a local hospital in Melilla, Abraham ben Sancho was born just ten days after Valentine’s Day to older couple who weren’t expecting any more children. The fifth in his family, and youngest by 11 years, Julio was in an odd position as potentially both the youngest baby and an only child as many of his siblings were out of the house. His parents were respectable Jewish merchants in the city, one of a large number of Sephardi Jews in the city. However, disaster would strike when a local fire hit the block of the city five months after he was born. Like many others, he wound up in a local orphanage, having lost his family, and his parents died, and many children were never found.

Various children were similarly disinherited from their families, and some families were denuded of their children. Adopted by a local factory worker of Basque descent and his wife, the newly christened Julio would be raised Catholic, and raised in a blue collar section of town, with his father working long hours at making and smelting metal and creating ingots from the local mines.

With the major trade that comes through the city, there are numerous businesses, and the increasingly diverse population was seeing newcomers. Melilla embraced many Spanish customs, and their love of football was one, and Julio was one of many children who played in the streets and local parks. A few Moroccan clubs and scouts were in Melilla as well, and a small youth club was in the area of the city he lived in. He joined, and was considered one of the three stars of that club.

The club was one of the lesser known ones from the city, and the local club of Melilla wasn’t seriously interested in him, despite his love of the club as a fan. But next door was a third tier team in Nador - Fath Riadi de Nador. They recruited him, and he came through the ranks and left for Morocco and played for Nador for 6 years, earning his Moroccan national badge next door. After early introduction into the youth team and then to the main squad, and he won Young Player of the Year at the age of 19, and he had been capped numerous times for the junior level, and he was traded to the major club of Maghreb Fez, (Maghreb Association Sportive de Fez), in the Botola, the top division of Morocco. He played there for 4 years, but was disappointing on the pitch and never lived up to the potential he was claimed to have.

He was left to head out on his own, and having been known in Morocco, another lesser Botolan club signed him to kick the tires. Olympic Safi signed him, and he played there for seven years, and was at first a rotation player, but proved himself a smart and savvy player for his age, and eventually became a solid first team player for the team as a center back. Strong at ordering folks around, and leading the pitch, he was vice captain of the squad. Due to the savvy experience he showed, he was even called up and played on the National Moroccan Squad and was capped 6 times during his run with Safi.

Ultimately Julio’s time at Safi would end at the age of 30, as other youth were brought onto the squad who were better and younger. Julio never won any major accolades or anything, and never finished in the top of the stats for the leagues they played in, but he was always a solid and strong contributor to the 3-5-2 scheme they ran.

Seeing the writing on the wall, and knowing that the mental game had always been his boon, Julio began to look for opportunities for coaching. Despite being in Morocco all of his natural life, that was not to be. He looked for a variety of jobs, and spoke French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Spanish as needed, but was not a major name.

He moved to open his job outlook in Portugal and Spain as well. He found a spot in Bilbao, working as a youth coach for the Bilbao squad, and using the Basque connections of his adopted father. Julio worked for Bilbao for four years as a youth coach and then a defensive one. Then Athletic Bilbao, the top Liga club brought him up. He worked at Athletic Bilbao for a few years, again getting licenses, and developing himself as the defensive and later tactical coach. After securing a Continental B license, many were tabbing him to be a Assistant Manager anytime, and with a strong potential to be a Manager later for a big name club.

And then it happened. Destiny called for Julio.

His hometown club of Melilla fired their Manager. Two days later, Julio’s adopted mother had a stroke, and was in bad condition. A dutiful son, Julio wanted to return to Melilla to take care of her and help his father help out with the expenses and care that would be needed.

So he submitted his application to become the next Manager of UD Melilla.



On July 10, 2015, Melilla announced the hiring of Julio Rodriguez Salgado. This is seen as a big hire for Melilla, a small time club in the Segunda B division with 80 teams. Lots of Managers started in smaller leagues and moved up, so Julio is taking a similar path, and he’s certainly earned this as an internal footballer for Morocco and coach for Athletic Bilbao. However, his connection to the city and the fact he is a fan of the team underline the obvious reasons for his hire, and no one would hold him going back to Melilla to help his mother against him later if it doesn’t’ t pan out.

It’s been a few years since Melilla was in the title discussion for Group 4. Can Julio get them there? Can he make them relevant again?

[Abe Sargent]

UD Melilla

12000 stadium

Predicted 12th

Stadium – Municipal Alvarez Claros

Basic Training facilities, below average youth, Central Europe region, okay finances, 1.6M value

Julio RS – Favorite teams – UD Melilla, Bilbao, Athletic Bilbao (Moroccan teams are not in the game). International Experience. Continental License. Emphasized the manager and tactical aspects of the game over tracksuits and coaching up skills. Emphasis on areas of Youth Coaching (12 highest in coaching stats), Motivating (19), Man Management (18), Discipline, Determination (16).

Speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese

Favorite tactics – 3-5-2, 4-1-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 Diamond wide

“The Melilla Board today have announced the appointment of Julio Rodriguez Salgado to the role of Manager of the team. Rodriguez Salgado enjoys a growing reputation within the soccer world and it is hoped that his appointment will take Melilla onto bigger and better things.”

“The club’s board is extremely pleased to have acquired a head coach of your caliber.” Julio is given a contact of 205,000 a year. We attend meetings and such.




Melilla is an odd blend of cultures. The Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha is a national holiday here. The first time a non-Christian religious holiday of any sort has been a holiday since the Reconquista. The nearby Moroccan city of Nador shares the same bay as Melilla. (Population around 200,000 for Nador).


The Morocco/Spain relations are weakened due to the status of Ceuta and Melilla. Despite numerous treaties setting the borders signed centuries ago, Morocco claims Melilla as an occupied territory of itself by Spain. Using the concept of integrity of borders and such that Spain signed later than those treaties, Morocco claims Spain has agreed that these two holdings are really the property of Morocco. What really busts Morocco is the identical claim that Spain makes against the crown holding of Gibraltar. Similar claims are made by Spain that Gibraltar is theirs due to treaties the UK signed later regarding territorial integrity.

[Abe Sargent]

Budget –

41488 Euros/week

Current: 40500/week

0 transfer available

Alright, so what can we do?

34800 of that is players

The rest is staff. Can I trim some staff or $$$ in order to reduce that?

We have:

2 coaches
0 physios
1 Scout

Well that’s not really trimmable. Our scout is also the Director of Football, Paco Montoya. And I’m one of the two coaches, the other is a Fitness one. No Ass man either. Most other teams have a real staff (Cadiz, Cartagena, Murcia, and such) although there are some staff light ones too like Jumilla and Sevilla Atletico) . We need a real staff

We have 8 players on the B squad, 21 players on the main, and 0 on our U19 one. None of our B squad members are younger than 24. (There are a bunch of greyed out players out there I could bring in if I need to)

[Abe Sargent]

Let’s look at the squad:

GK Dani Barrio, 350k, 2.2k/weekly, Our best player 28 years old, just joined us, key player, 1 year deal, best stats include 14 reflexes, 15 rushing out, 14 handling, 13 aerial reach, 14 jumping, He’s fine for now

GK Alvaro, 26 years old, 1.1k/weekly, 80k value, 10 Aerial, 11 reflexes, 7 jumping, ut much better mentally.

DRC Mohamed Mahanan, 31 years old, 40.5K value, 1.4k.week, for two years, Heading 9, 12 arking, 11 passing, 12 tack. 2.5 star rating

DCL Richi, 29 years old, 2.5 stars, 14 jump reach, 13 head, 10 mark, 10 tack, 8 pass, 105k, 1.5k/week

DC Fatah, on loan from Almeria, Moroccan, 18 years old, 2 stars vs 4.5 star potential, 12 mark, 11 head, 9 jump, 12 pass, 12 tack. He’s pretty good and the only major youth player on my team, but just on loan.

DR, WBR – Pepe Romero, 210k, 4th most expensive player on team, 2/k for 1 more year, 22 years old, 4 stars and 4.5 potential. Best numbers 12/11 acc/pace, 12 pass, 12 tack, 13 technique, just 8/10 jump/head,

DL/WBL – Pendu, 22 years old, 675/week, 2 stars, 2 potential, 12/10 acc/pace, just 11 mark, 10 tackl, 11 technique, and no other single numbers.

DM Pedro Bolanos, 29 years, 2.1k/week, 2.5 stars current and potential, 9/10 ac/pace 13 tack, 10 pass, and just one year left on deal.

DM Brahim, 19 years old, listed for loan, DM, MC, AM R, MR – 11/11 acc/pace, 10 dribbling, 10 pass, 10 tack, 11 technique, 41.5k value, 575/week, one year left, 1.5 stars,

DM MC Nando, 21k value, 2k/week, 2.5 stars and potential, 33 years old, 12 head, 9/10 acc pace, 10 pass, 14 mark, 10 technique, 10 pass. Great mentals. One year left on deal

DM.M C, Moha, 23 years od, 71k value, 1.1k/week, 1 year left, 2 stars, 2 potential, 12/11 acc/pace, 12 mark, 12 pass, 12 tack, 12 tech, solid mentals

AM/M/DM C – David Sanchez, 32 years old, 4 stars, 4 potential, 2 years left, 3.7k/week, 10/10 acc/pace, 16 pass, 15 technique, great metnals, and also my set piece specialist too 15 free kick, 14 penalty, 12 long shot, 10 finishing

MC David Vazquez, 3.5 star rating, 3.5 stars, 14 corers, 16 free kick, 10 finishing, 12 long shots, Another set piece guy, plus 13 pass, 10/11 speed, 13 tech.

MC/MR Chupe – 29 years old, 220k, 2.1k, 15/14 accc/pace, 12 tech, 13 pass, 10 cross, 14 dribb, 3.5 stars, 2 years left on deal. 3rd most expensive player on the list.

AM/m R, Sufian 170k, 1.8k, one year, 3.5 potential and current, 12/12 speed, 18 fitness 12 cross, pass, 11 dribb, 9 tech, . Meh

AM/M C – Borja, 2 current, 3 potentia, 20 years, 1 year left, 60k, 750/week, 12 mark, 10 tack, 13 technique, 13/10 speed, solid mentals.

I like Borja as a nice rotating guy

AMC/ST C – Manolo, 28 years, 90k, 1.5k/week, 1 year left, 2.5 stars and potential, 12/11 speed, 12 jump, 12 finish, 11 head, 10 pass, 11 tech, 14 flair,

AMC/ST – Diego Cascon, 31, 230k value, 3.4/week, 1 year left, 2nd most valuable player on team, 10 finish, 12/14 speed, 14 jump, 12 head, 12 pass, 11 technique, 12 flair, 11 dribb ,good physical stats. 4 star player.

STC Nacho Aznar, 49.5k value, 2k/week, 1 eyar left, 32 years old, 2.5 abilitty, 11/13 speed 13 pass , 12 tech, 11 cross, 12 dribb, 10 finishing

STC Jose Luis Plata, 12 finish, 12 first touch, 25 years old, 135k value, 1.8k/week, 12/12 speed, 12 head, 14 penalty, 10 flair,

STC Koeman, 60k value, 1.1k/week, one year left, 11/11 speed, 1st touch 11, head 11, 14 work rate, 13 flair, 24 years old

[Abe Sargent]

Our home stadium:

Estadio Municipal Álvarez Claro







The city

[Abe Sargent]

So we have some interesting strengths on the roster. Here’s what I;m seeing:

2 great set piece specialsts in the midfield
A solid target guy for Striker
A solid DC and strong GK
And a strong fullback. Some adequate rotation.

So here’s what I’m thinking. I’m thinking a defensive tactics, emphasizing our ability to push on set pieces, and playing solid defense.

If I were to run a 4-4-2 basic tactic, I’d see

GK Barrio
DC Fatah, DR Romero, DC Mahanan, DL Richi
ML Chupe, MR Sufian , MC David Vazquez, MC David Sanchez,
ST Diego Cascon, Nacho Aznar

Rotation – MC Pedro Bolanos, Borja, ST Jose Luis Plata, MC Nando,

We are strong in the middle MC, and have some good defenders and some weaker ones. It’d be nice to have more talent in some areas, but help is clearly not on the way.


Let me take a quick look at the other main tactics in the league:

442
4142
4411
4411
41221
4411
41221
4411
4411
4411
4411
4411
442
42121
4411
4411
4231
42211

So as you can see, 4411 is about 11 of 20 teams.

Our director of football thinks a 4-3-3. 4-1-2-3 and 4-3-1-2 are the best formations we have. I think a defensive counter striking strategy is a good way to counter these, as they tend to push midfielders and others up to support their attack, rather than rely on the two forwards to score. I have a weak DL, an uncomfortable DC, and one of my wingers isn’t super hot, and I’ve got a weak ST core, despite a lot of bums there.

Key players by contract – ST Diego Cascon, GK Dani Barrio, Middie David Sanchez

First Team by contract – ST Nacho Aznar, DM/MC Nando, DC/L – Richi, AM/R Chupe, AM/R Sufian, DRO Mohamed Mahanan, MC David Vazquez, DR Pepe Romero

Rotation – DM Pedro Bolanos

Backup – Everyone else

Hot Prospect – DC Fatah, Am/M C Borja, DM.MAM RC Brahim

How many players on this squad were born in Melilla?

Brahim, Mohamed Mahanan (Also Moroccan), Manolo, Moha, Pendu, Pepe Romero, Sufian, Nacho Aznar, Borja

Fatah was born in Nador next door in Morocco,by the by.

Fatah came through the Melilla ranks, and then we sold him to Almeria, and loaned him back

Aznar had 12 goals two seasons ago and 7 last year for us, and has 146 club appearances for us. Sanchez had 13 goals last season. Mohamed came through our youth ranks, and plated with us his whole career. 287 appearances for the club. 153 appearances for Manolo, and such.

[Abe Sargent]

I make Mohamed my Captain an D Sanchez my vice

(In real life, Melilla is currently 18th of 20 this year)


Let’s take a looksee at the rules of the Group 4 in the Segunda B

38 games

Players signed on a free can be registered anytime
5 subs, 3 used
Max 2 GK, 20 outfield, and 22 players on squad. Max of 16 Over 23 players

Top 4 teams qualify for playoffs, 16 team tournament for 4 spots to make it out.

Bottom 4 relegate from each league, and 16th team is placed in relegation tournament

Melilla began in the 3rd division in 1976 after it was reformed. During that time it was 4th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd and 3rd and ultimately was promoted in 1987. Since then it has never been relegated back down. There have been hot and cold spells, but it’s been in the Segunda B for a long time. It’s time to give it a upgrade

We have 2 GK, 16 Over 23 players already, 5 under and 21 totally – room for one U23 guy.

All but 3 players on the squad are up in one year . We can recast our team as needed.

There are a few amateur and young players that I like and I’d normally approach. But we are close to the radar and I still need staff.

Can I trim any of this fat?

Salary wise, the worst player on my team making good cash is probably Nando. He’s older at 33, we’re paying him 2k/week, he’s a DM and MC, and at a place I have good players already, he has a first team contract deal, and he’s only good with mentals. Nando is my first target of slimming down.

I approach him, and after we have a talk, he agrees to leave. That frees up my roster space and salary enough to chase some young talent.

[Abe Sargent]

I like these youth:

DR/WB R 19 year old Antonio Jesus Diaz – I make him a hot prospect offer for 550/week. He has a 20 determination and I’m hoping I can build a solid DR for us.

Playing for another youth squad in the Group 2 of Segunda Division is this next hottie:

ST Oshie Paul Asu, 18 years old, Nigerian, buit he wants 2k/week and a major deal. He’s nice though. But I can’t bring him in for that cost.

Ah well, who else is there?

ST Alan Avila, Mexican, played for a bunch of clubs here in Spain, but the last one (Marino) let him go. Currently on a freee. 20 years old, offered a hot prospect deal at 525/week.

Another guy on a free after FC Barcelona let him go IS AM LR Richard Ebwelle, Cameroonian, 19 years old, also 20 determination, and I feel I could use a future winger that I can develop as well. I make him a hot prospect offer as well for 300/week

Later in the day we agree to terms with Avila

I get some season expectations and 200k transfer cash. We expect a mid-standing finish. I agree.

My salary was set to 41.5 and transfer at 200k

I’ll use some of that cash for singing on fees and making agents happy fees.

And staff

Everybody is happy with my captain choices and new players and signing deals and such. No one is upset that I let Nando free

[Abe Sargent]

Avila signs

Alan Avila – 525/week, 1 year deal, ST, 2.5 current, 4 star future rankings, 17 determination, 15 work rate, 12/12 speed, 11 finish, 12 head, 11 dribb nd 1st touch, 11 technique, 14 fitness, but 9 flair, 4 passing and such -0 needs to develop. Speaks Spanish, eligible for Spanish nationality if he wants.

Coach evals – Very well suited for this division; determined attitude, fits into loyal squad, fair speed, can only play one position, could do with being taught the aerial game, inability to leap off the game, and should be put on regime to improve passing. I put him on a passing focus.

We have him rated as a better Striker right now over Manolo and Koeman, and 4th best on our squad

I talk to Mahanan to welcome Avila, and he agrees.

Player meeting –

Morale post-meeting is around 6 players loving it and the rest improve morale here less

I feel like I could use a 3rd GK that doesn’t suck. My third is over n the B squad and he sucks.

Any youthers I want to push?

How about 18 year old and disappointment from Real Madrid Marcos Lavin? I offer him a hot prospect deal for 475/week

I get ready with some pressers and a sample game.



I meet the players

I make an offer to Finidi George for a coach spot

Miguel Baston as a GK Coach; some random as a coach

Gustavo Sanchez as a scout

I even make a physio offer

I make David Sanchez a Deep Lying Playmaker, Cascon a Target Man, my wingers into defensive ones, and Vazquez an Advanced Playmaker.

Alright scrimmage time vs the B Team. We finish 0-0. Not happy with that lads

Antonio Jesus Diaz agrees to terms with us and will play for us

19, 2 tars now, 4 later, 20 determination, 12 speed, 15 teamwork, and some other solid places. Not a bad backup guy at all, really.

Reports – Driven, fits into squad, good team player, can play multiple positions, well suited to 3rd division soccer (not 2nd), needs aerial presence, should be put on training regime to improve strength

Baston signs as our GK coach

Finidi George rejected us

We sign that physio I was looking at

I offer a deal for Rafa Pozo as a coach as well as another bum

[Abe Sargent]

Koeman gets a thoigh injury during training that’ll keep him out for a few weeks

GK Marcos Lavin joins us

Marcos Lavin, 18 years old, 2.5 rating vs 3.5 potential, 13 refelxes and 16 teamwork, 12 work rate, but just 6 aeriel reach. I’ll be moving Marcos to my B Team, he’s better than my current GK there.

Has work to do, should be put on regime to improve positioning, well suited to our division, balanced and normal, fits in with squad and great at shot stopping.

Richard Ebwelle signs on the 14th


Ebwelle, 19 years, AM/M RL, 20 determination, 15 teamwork, 12 work rate, 16 flair, 12 speed, 12 cross, 10 pass, 12 1st touch and technique. 2 current stars, 3 future, Driven, fits into squad, speedy, versatile, but needs to improve strength, well suited more to 3rd division than us right now, needs to work in the gym, and should be put on a regime to improve stamina.

Fatah was called up for the Moroccan youth football squad

So we have a minor issue. I now have 23 players on my top squad. We can only register 22. I still have Brahim offered for loan, but nothing. HE’s definitely on the outs. I can also drop one of my strikers.


More staff join

I have a scout, but I can only scout Spain. Not next door in Morocco, just Spain.


15 July – Alan Avila now gained Spanish citizenship today after his paperwork cleared

I convince the board to increase the coaches. We can now have 5.

I was rejected when I asked to increase our scouting range though. Ah well

We will sell around 1100 season tickets


The only thing that I’m good at coach is tactics, and if left alone, and not focusing on anything else, can get you a very saucy 4 star training there. We have 3 and 2.5 stars in fitness with our expert there, 3 satrs in the GK stuff, 2 stars I Ball Control, attacking and shooting, and 3 in defensing.

Hmm


I think I have enough salary for an Ass Man. Let’s see if I can unearth a good one

I make an offer to Sergio Pellicer to be my Ass Manager

[Abe Sargent]

One of my coaches was just offered a job at another club

We are drawn vs Algeciras in the 1st Round of the Spanish Cup.

Pellicer joins us. I hand him Ball Control and it rises to 3 stars,

24 Jul – My coach signs with Getafe and we make 43k in the move. I need a new coach.

26 Jul – Our first away game arrives and we head to take on Rayo Majadahonda

We lose 4-2.

Next up is an away match vs Xerex

I massage my starters a bit. Whoa I like the look of my kits here. Plata got me two goals last game from the bench, so I moved him in to start for ST Nacho. Pepe Romero drives, crosses to our target man Cascon for a score in the 45th and we are up 1-0 at the half. Vazquez intercepts a pass, hoofs it perfectly to Chupe driving the side and Chupe crosses to Cascon for another score in the 59th. 2-0 us. Vazqeuz and Plata play a one two one two driving with the ball, Plata then slips it to Cascon for his hat trick and a 3-0 score for us in the 64th. Ebwelle scores in the 84th off a rebound after Brahim’s shot off a dfk was blocked. We win 4-0. Much better

A few days later, DM Pedro Bolanos is injured for a couple of weeks with a training injury.

Koeman is back from his injury

Aug 5 – Next friendly, the first one at home. A Vanquez corner connects with Sufian for a score. 1-0 at the 16 mark. Then Sufian crosses to Cascon who heads it in delightfully for a 2-0 score at the 24 mark. We even get an OG from them in the 62nd, they have a goal called offsides, they penalize us for a nice cross by Ebwelle in the 87th and Plata scores a PK. 4-0 final score. We defeated AC Cesena, a Serie B team in Italy.

[Abe Sargent]

We are given 50-1 odds at winning the 4th Division

15 August – We have a Testimonial Game!

Today we host Perugia, and the game is in honor of Mohamed Mahanan, our captain, and the guy who’s played his whole career for us and has 287 league appearances in that time. Ex-Melilla player Guille Roldan will be making an appearance at the game. Perugia is a Serie B team from Italy as well.


0-0. Lots of momentum changes. We were hounded early on, ADND AT THE HALF THEY HAD 9 SHOTS AND 6 ON TARGET AND US 3-0 (sorry, all caps) Then we split And headed and dominated and brought it to 13-5 for us and 12-7 for them. It was a rough scoreless night.


Here our captain, Mahanan, permanent Melilla guy, and guest of honor:

[Abe Sargent]

Aug 18 – Bolanos is back from injury

I move a bunch of players to my B squad (Koeman, Brahim, Pendu) and I am looking for a good DC. I’m currently about 2k under budget after massaging it for coaches and other staff. Are there are folks out there for me? I’d rather develop my own guy than someone else’s including the DC we have on loan.

I make an offer to Uxio, a 22 year old Spanish DC. Whoa, he wants key player. He’s better than Fatah. So I can negotiate him down. But not that much. Hmm. One year deal, see how he does. Nah they are forcing my hand for two years. Alright fine. 2 years, first team, 1.6k/week

He joins us. I register him and that puts us at 22 players.

Uxio, 22 years old, Spanish, DC/DMC, 13 head, 12 jump, 12/12 speed, 13 mark, 12 tack, 12 technique, 16 teamwork, 13 position, 12 work rate, 15 aggression, now just 10 pass, and str, and such. But not bad for this level – comes with 3.5 stars current and 4.5 potential. My folks have him at pros – leading player for most Segunda folks, balanced and normal, good in the air, versatile – bad – not really loyal like my other guys, needs to improve str

In the Second Division Team to Watch comments on 25 Aug we are listed as a team that could surprise pundits and are a dark horse to do well after my acquisitions


Our final friendly arrives, and we have arrived in Mallorca to face their B team. Penalty given after they tackle Cascon in the box from a cross. Sanchez sinks it easily. Nacho Aznar hits Cascon for a sore and its 2-0 before 10 minutes have hit the clock. Half. They score back in the 85th. 2-1 final, and we win away.

That was our final friendly, and we’ve done well with our pre-season. We’re ready for the year.

[Abe Sargent]

August 30 – The season begins. We head to Cadiz to take them on. I move Uxio to the bench in a sub squad, Fatah’s match fit, so he starts. Let’s see what my lads have. Subs are Borja, Uxio, Ebwelle, ST Avila and ST Plata. I want to rotate the Avila spot among other youthers to give them some experience as needed. But that’s a DC/DMC, AM/M C, MRL, and STx2 in my cache. Now many of my defenders can move from one spot to another, so if I have a fullback injured, I can slide over Mohamed Mahanan into their spot and put n Uxio.

Everyone expects a tie today. But is that what will happen on the pitch? Let’s find out! They collect a booking early. Then Pepe Romero follows. No major pressure early, after a cross to Cason is headed just off target. We’re both playing about evenly. 0-0 haltime, and we are 8 shots, 1 on target, and they 6 and 2. Keep going! And then it happens. They double team and foul Sanchez. David Vazquez lines up a DFK and fires it from long range, and hits Nacho Aznar who scores in the 56th minute. There’s that set piece beauty. We play counter, we play set pieces, and we play smart football. That’s how we are going to win in this field. My first sub is to pull the yellowed Romero for Uxio. I pull Sanchez for Borja. They collect three bookings, and have four players threatened with reds on another yellow. Avilar heads in late. I have moved to defensive for the last 15 minutes or so, and………they score on a corner kick in the 91st minute and tie it. 1-1. Game. MOM is not us . We almost won that one, and we could have. I’ll take it.


After all Cadiz are 16-1 odds on and expected to be 3rd in the season, so we started in their place and almost won. That’s okay.

End fo August –

Good training? Fatah in tactics

Upcoming schedule:

Sept 2 – Home vs Algcrs in the 1st Round of the Spanish Cup
Sept 6 – Home vs UCAM
Sept 9 – 2nd Round Game of the Spanish Cup, in case we win
Sept 13 – Home vs Betis B
Sept 19 – Away vs REC
Sept 23 – Home vs San Ro
Sept 27 – Away vs Jumill

We’ll have a good sense of ourselves pretty soon

[Abe Sargent]

The Cup Match arrives. I start Uxio. We are favored. Algecieras is jut promoted to the Segunda B league. Quiet first half. 0-0. Get that one goal!!! Vazquez heads to the bench first for Borja. Borja starts a counter in the 64th minute, hits Chupe who drives the side, slides the ball to Cascon who the keeper comes out to push, and Cascon finds Nacho Aznar attacking just off angle and slips it in. Nice counter-score. Next sub is Diaz who subs in for Uxio right after Uxio gest a yellow. Final sub is Ebwelle for Chupe. We win 1-0. MOM is Romero.

We’ll take a Cup win all day long.

Next up is UD Longrones, a fellow Segunda B league team fro another group.

Bolanos is back from injury


Match vs UCAM – We are expected to win by a bit. This time I rotate in Pedro Bolanos into the spot that Diaz was in on the sub-bench. Here we go . Beautiful shot by Cascon is barely turned aside. 0-0 half. Not a lot of shots – 4-1 on target by them, 4-2 by us. You can still win! I sub out a quiet Aznar for Plata. On a counter, Pepe Romero is driving down the Side, crosses to Cascon who drops the ball to the ground and then kicks it in. Next sub is Bolans in for David Sanchez. They get their own counter to sink in the 78th and bring back level with us. And that’s game. Disappointing.

[Abe Sargent]

Round Two of the Spanish Cup – I swap Bolanos for Diaz. Show me what you can do! At 25 minutes, they are 5 shots, 1 on target, and us? None. They score off a corner kick, header on target, knocked away by a defender, and then pounced on the rebound and put it away. Half time. COME ON! Cross to Cason who slides it to Nacho Aznar for a goal in the 64th to tie it up baby. Romero is dinged, and I sub in Diaz for him. I sub in Plata for a tired Cascon next. They score off a counter in the 87th minute. Borja heads in. Game. We lose.


Game 3 of the season is here vs the B Squad of Real Betis. I sub out a tired Chupe for Ebwelle. Sufian drives, finds Cascon for a score in the 20th. They collect two yellows quickly. We are just all over Real BB but no more scores (13 shots, 6 on target vs 5 and 2 for them). KEEP IT UP! I pull Richi for Diaz. 3rd yellow for them. 2nd sub is Borja for Vazquez. Then Sanchez for Manolo. We keep this lead and win. In all three league games we were ahead 1-0 and in lost a goal late until this one and we get the victory and emerge with 5 points in the first three games. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

Game 4 – vs Recreativo – who are favorites by the by. Chupe is back in the starting lineup. Show the world what you can do! We have a Goal called offsides in the 21st. 0-0 at the half. . We can still win! At the half, each team has precisely two shots, and none on target. I sub in Fatah for a poor-playing Mahanan before bad stuff happens. ST Avila heads in for a quiet Nacho Aznar. All quiet, quick draw. MOM is FB Richi. Unlucky! But a point is fine here.

Game 5 - Away vs San Roque. Boring 0-0 half. WIN this thang. Mahanan with a yellow card. I sub him out for Fatah. On a counter, Aznar gets the ball, feeds it string down the middle to Cascon who rushes in and scores in the 70th minute. 1-0. I sub in Diaz for Richi . Final sub is Borja for Vazquez. We win 1-0. MOM is Cascon. That was a bit of a let off, assert yourself more in the future.

Now the good news is that we have 9 point sin 5 games and are tied with UCAM and Cadiz at 4-6. But we’ve barely done it. We have 4-2 goals in those games, we have thee ties, and two 1-0 squeakers. Our offense isn’t breaking anything open.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 6 – We are expected to win today’s away game vs Jumilla. Keep the run going! Romero finds Cascon for a score in the 3rd minute to open things out nicely. Jumilla pushes hard back for a while. Lots of shots, corners, and such, but we weather the storm without breaking. They finally keep pushing and score in the 30th, but its offsides. Whew. 1-0 half. Don’t get complacent! More assaults and sieges of Castle Barrio. I sub in Moha for Vazquez and then swap him and Sanchez’s spots We score in the 74t, but it’s also waived off. I sub in Borja for Sanchez. Aznar feeds Cascon another ball on a break, and Cascon rushes with it for around 20 yards, dribbles between two folks, and scores in the 81st. Final sub is Ebwelle for Chupe. Game, we win 2-0. MOM is Cascon obviously.

I’m very happy and now we’re in 3rd.

End of September:

Vazquez good training


Important Dates for October:

Oct 4 – Home vs Alme B
Oct 11 – Home s VIllan
Oct 18 – Away vs Lahoya
Oct 25 – Away vs Jaen


As I mentioned, we’ll know a lot at the end of September. We were feisty.Mahanan has not played well in this stretch and just hs 6.52 rating in an 8 game start that includes one loss, 4 wins and three draws. That’s troubling. I move him to squad rotation status, and bump Farah to his spot and moe him to a main sub.


Game 7 vs America B – We are expected to win this as well. SO the Aznar to Cascon score in the 9th minute is no surprise I guess. Richi intercepted the ball and began a counter. A foul puts Vazquez iin a powerful DFK territory and he sinks it in the 27th. Chupe hits Cascon for the third goal of the game, waived off. Then Vazquez off a long FK from just over the halfway line launches a FK at Cascon who sinks it. 3-0 at the half. On another FK, Vazquez hits Cascon again for a score, and it’s 4-0 at the 47th minute. I sub in Moha for Vazquez. They score a goal off a counter in the 62nd. Plata heads in for Mister Man. Borja heads in for the final sub. They score off a corner in the 88th. We win 4-2. MOM is Cascon. Good jorb everyone

Cascon was injured and he’ll be out for 7-10 days with a facial injury.

We are in 1st place right now.

Game 8 – I start ST Plata instead fo Cascon. We are expected to win of course. Pick it up! We are home today vs Villanovense. They begin with the momentum and are working hard to turn them away. 0-0 half after we come back . Each team has 8 shots, we have 3 on target, they have 4. The result will come! We set up a nie drive down the right flank and Aznar shoots hard but it’ turned off, corner. Then Vazquez lifts the corner, and Uxio heads it in, his first goal for us. 1st sub is Moha for Sanchez. Then Manolo for Vazquez. Finally Mahanan for Fatah. I go defensive, I don’t want to give up a late score like before. Our foes have been really good. We hold off and win 1-0. MOM is Romero. They had 18 shots, and 8 on target, we have 14 and 5. We should wouldn’t fall. I’d look at our GK on a day like today. Also another “Set Piece” victory today as well. We played counter/defensive all day and still won.

We are rocking this thing right now.

[Abe Sargent]

After putting in serious work off the pitch, Pepe Romero is now capable of switching the ball to the other flank.



Game 9 – Cascon is back. . We are favored away vs LaHoya. They are last in the division with 2 points in 8 games. I sub in Avila for Aznar I want him to get a start, and Diaz for Richi. Avila scores in the 20th after Sufian crosses dangerously to him. They fire a long shot that rattles down from the crossbar and hits goal. Nothing you could do and it’s tied up at the 32nd minute. Avila is injured in the 39th and I send in Plata. Half. Go Play! Next sub is Ebwelle for Chube. Plata feeds Cascon a goal in the 79th after we flow right up the middle off Sanchez. Borja heads in. We win 2-1. I’ll take it. We injured one of their players for a few months with a broken collarbone.

Avila is out for 3 weeks with a damaged foot.

Game 10 – Away vs the #3 team Jaen. I swap Mahanan with Fatah again. Pull off the upset! Mahanan gest a yellow in the 13th. They have one too. Sufian gest a yellow later. They get a lovely move in the 37th and score. Aznar is injured and I sub in Plata. Half. Unlucky Boys! We’ve had one shot, zero on target. I send in Fatah for Mahanan to pull a yellow off the field. They score again in the 73rd off a lovely cross. Chupe hits the bench for Ebwelle. Game. We lose 2-0. Can’t fault your effort

That’s our first loss of the season for the division. Aznar is out for 7-10 days with a thigh injury. I speak with Bolanos who is concerned over the lack of soccer, so I agree to give him some time later, and move him to my bench squad for a bit. I move Ebwelle to start for Chupe for a bit.

Brahim is injured for 7-8 months with knee tendonitis injury over on B.

End of October:

Good training? Uxio, Fatah and Sanchez

[Abe Sargent]

November:

Nov 1 – Home vs Cartagena
Nov 8 – Away vs Murcia
Nov 15th – Home vs Seville Ath.
Nov 22 – Away vs Linens
Nov 29 – Home vs Merida

Going into November, we fell to 3rd.


Game 11 – Home vs Catagena – They are 16th, we are expected to win this game. Here we go. Ebwelle crosses to Cascon for a score at the 0:26 mark, which is a very fast goal by any account. Ebwelle crosses dangerously to Cascon again, he shoos, the ball is stopped by the GK, falls to Plata who heads it to Sufian who scores.. 15th minute, two hits. Ebwelle has been lethal. Another dangerous pass to Cascon is just off target by the target man. Half. Keep focused!!! Mahanan with a yellow card. Fatah heads in. Sub 2 – Bolanos for Sanchez. Cartagena score in the 82nd. Borja for Vazquez. Cartagena has had 16 shots, and a very aggressive game. We had just 9. But we still win. 2-1. . Well done lads

Oh, that goal by Cascon? Fastest goal in a game in Melilla history and the fastest in the division’s history as well!

I’m keeping Ebwelle in for now.

ST Avila retruns from injury

Salah, on the B squad, wants to move on, and I agree if someone comes in with a reasonable bid. He was born here, has been with squads here (B and us) his career. I get it. I get two more requests the next day from B squaddies. I do the same and transfer list them all.


Game 12 – I’m tired of Mr. Yellow Card Mahana, so I put Fatah back. I give Bolanos a start and rest Sanchez. We head to Murcia. They finally break us open for a score in the 33rd. Corner sinks and another score in the 40th. Half. Show me something else! Long shot sinks in the 57t.h. Manola heads in. We lsoe badly. This was relentless. Murcia had 25 shots, 11 on target.

I move Mahanan and Aznar back. Fatah is traveling to international matches I slide Sanchez back in as well.

[Abe Sargent]

Game 13 – Much better performance! We host the Sevilla Atletico cub. Ebwelle crosses to Cascon but it’s cut off by a header from the defense and Richi springs on it and scores. Good job fullback! Aznar crosses to Cascon after a lovely pass deep down the side arrives from Ebwelle. Half. Keep it up – don’t get complacent! Borja on. Then Bolanos. They counter themselves in the 72nd. Corner kick in the 84th by Sufian results in a penalty! I send in Avila. Aznar steps up and sinks the PK. They have a questionably offsides sores in the 88th. Then Sufian crosses to Aznar in the 90th on a counter and we score. We win 4-2. Wild late. MOM is Aznar. Godo win!

We are back in 1st

I promise ST Platea he’ll get more football if he does really well in training

After having a conversation with Bolanos two games ago, and then giving him a start and a sub in those two games, now he’s complaing that he wants first team soccer. Nope. Knock it off. I make him the same offer, show me on the training pitch, and you are in.


Game 14 – We head out to Linense. We are favored. Pick up where you left off! Mahanan gest a yellow and gives way a penalty in the 29th minute. They score. Half. You need to improve! Aznar finds Cascon for a score in the 58th to tie things up. I send in Fatah, and then Borja. That’s game. We tie 1-1, and that would have been a 1-0 win. I call him out in the locker room.

Mahanan notched enough yellows for a match ban and got a PK. You can’t do that.

The board offers me a new deal. I ask for new buildings but they turn me down, ditto more scouting range.

Game 15 – Our final game of November is hosting Merida. I move Chupe back to the starting lineup. Go win this! We have a lot of shots, but none are hitting the target. Boring half. Keep fighting! No yellow cards, no major issues, they had one shot, off target, so not a lot to recommend that half. Yellow for Chupe in the 58th. Ebwelle heads in. Fatah gives them an OG in the 70th. I yank him. We lose 1-0. That was downright unacceptable.


End of November –

Good training includes Diaz and Ebwelle.

[Abe Sargent]

December –

Dec 6 – Home vs Linare
Dec 13 – Away vs Algeceiras
Dec 19 – Away vs Granada

Time to do some contract stuff.

Who do I want to keep and extend moving forward?


I offer two more years to ST Avila’s hot prospect deal. 2 more for Diaz and Ebwelle and 1 more year for Borja.

I have no desire to extend Bolanos, Manolo, Alvaro, or Moha.

Maybe ST Plata. He’s not interested in any more, sorry.

What about rotation folks RIchi and Mahanan? Nah. FB Richi is one of my worst starters, as is Chupe, and Mahanan has been not-good.

Who else then? Pepe Romero has been solid. The rest of the plaeyrs who’s term end this year include:

GK Barrio, ST Cascon, ST Aznar, MR Sufian, MC Vazquez, DR Romero,

I make an offer to Cascon to extend his deal by one year and GK Barrio wants two years.

3 Dec – Borja can now lob GKs.


Game 16 – Starters include Ebwelle on the left. We host Linares, and are expected to win well. They collect a pair of yellows, and a bit of game commences, but it’s all knotted at the half. I’m not happy with that. I send in Plata. Then Borja. Nothing. Bore game

MAM was Cascon

Everyone I made an offer to signs

[Abe Sargent]

Game 17 – Next up is Algeciras. I make no changes to my starting roster. We are favorites here as well. Boring half, one card for them. Knock it off!!!! Vasquez on a long range FK hits Cascon for a score in the 49th. Bolanos in. Avila next. Then he gets a yellow. Borja IN. We win 1-0. MOM is Vazquez. Well done.


Game 18 – We head to Granada B. I am favored, and again, no major changes to the roster. They are on a rol and about to smash hammer us. You know what to do! They score in the 8th. In the 29th, Ebwelle finds Aznar who finds goal and its tied. Nope, offside. Half. Need to see a much better showing next half! They had 11 shots to our 3. I doo my normal tactics moves. I swap the Davids in the middl,e, and I might swap my wings. They score again the 48th. Richi gest books. Then Vazquez. I send in Mahanan for Richi. Diaz spots Fatah. Diaz with a booking. We lose 2-0.


Even with that lose, we are now 6th in the league. A strong place to be

24 Dec – Avila adapts his gsme to a central dribbling role. Bolanos has a cold

30 Dec – Time to slow down and see if I can sign next year’s peoples.

I want to really push myself. I make a one year offer to older ST Younis Mahmoud, of Iran, for a key player, 3.5k/ deal with some nice clauses


Mahmoud signs. He’ll be joining us soon.

End of December:

Good training includes Fatah, Pepe Romero, and Cascon.

World Golden Ball goes to Messi, Ozil, and Eden Hazard

[Abe Sargent]

January:

Jan 3 – Home vs Marbella
Jan 10 – Away vs UCAM
Jan 17 – Home vs Cadiz
Jan 24 – Away vs Real Betis B
Jan 31 – Home vs Recreativo

These teams are 16th, 1st, 4th, 17th, and 12th


I’ll be starting Avila tonight vs Marbella. I want to give him a start prior to my new guy joining tomorrow and driving him down the depth chart. Other than that, no major changes. In the 20th, Ebwelle fires a long shot and it sinks for a goal. Avila injures one of their defenders. Cascon scores on a counter from a lovely deep ball from Romero. Half. Keep it up! Borja heads in. Then Plata. They claw one back in the 86th minute. I send in Diaz. Plata hooks up Cascon on a drive and he scores in the 89th. We win 3-1. We had 19 shots and 9 on target on the day. We owned them. Very Happy! MOM is Cascon obviously

Transfer window opens again

I change my expectations to top half finish and get some more cash

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s my new signing, I want to push hard for a playoff spot. We were very lackluster in Nov/Dec.

32 year old Iraqi International with 93 caps, 36 goals, ST Younis Mahmoud (wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Younis_Mahmoud) – 5 stars in ability and potential. He’s speedy with a 12/12, 14 finishing and drib and first touch and heading, and 14 jump, and 13 long shots, and technique, and 15 flair, and 17 leadership and 14 strength. This guy is on fire. We signed him through the end of next season, 2017, even if I get a major promotion, He’ll be good. He gets 3.5k/week and a key player deal.

My major issue with Cascon is that I’m playing him a bit out of his element with an attacking role. Neither Cascon nor Aznar are true attackers, but more like support folks. Mahmoud though? He;s an attacking machine. He’ll come in and break defenses. His contract ended 1/1/16, and he joined us. One con – counts against our 22 person cap. Pros – Would be a good player for the Liga, is a current international with a ton of playing experience, fits into our loyal squad, balanced and normal, good in the air, and versatile

He speaks Kurdish and Arabic, and since a few of our folks speak Arabic, including our captain and me too, that should be okay. Playing for a head coach who was a Moroccan international, and right next to Morocco should be a solid fit for a guy who has played a lot in Iraq, Qatar, and UAE and Saudi Arabia. Mahmoud has been in the Arabic world his whole life until now.

There’s no reason not to sign this guy all day long.

I am pulling Manolo’s registration and giving it to Mahmoud. I’m also transfer listing him as well .

I want to keep my four ST as Mahmoud, Cascon, Aznar, and Avila, with Plata as an emergency 5th option. Plata has 0 goals and 2 assists in 3 starts and 10 subs. He’s just not playing that well.

Cascon moves to support Target Man role, and Mahmoud will be a Complete Forward, attacking. I just want to unfurl this guy on everyone.

Now, I still could use an update at DC and DL. Mahmoud is the real deal I hope. Financially, I’m currently at 46k salary, and 45.5k under the budget. I head to Koeman and then head back to Manolo. We agree to mutuals in both cases and they are heading home. I invested around 30k in trimming them both.

As of today, here are the fiscal values of my most valuable folks:

GK Barrio – 350k
ST Mahmoud – 325k
DC Uxio – 275k
ST Cascon – 185k
MR Chupe – 165k
MLR Ebwelle – 160k
ST Avila – 120k
DR Romero – 105k

Those are my 100K plus folks.


The captain of the Iraqi International Squad:

[Abe Sargent]

Alright, now can I unearth a solid defender to join and push my ranks next?

I’m looking at a few unsigned upgrades at the DR – Sergio Diaz, Miguel Angel Riau,

I make an offer to Diaz. He’s not amazing, but he counts as an improvement all day long

I offer him a key player, 3k deal

We’ll see what to see.

I head to the board and they agree to arrange a trial day for us

No major interest and the day was cancelled. Ah well

Diaz can now knock the ball past the opponent.

Sergio Diaz has agreed to join us. Valued at 450k, Makes 3k/week on key player deal, for two years, 24 years old, 4 current, 4.5 potential, can play D, WB, M and AM all on the left side. E’s very fast with a 14/14 speed, fitness and stamina as well, 13/12 pass/cross, 12 tack, tech, drib, solid work rate, aggression, brave, antic. Now he’s a little weak in things like marking (8), Head/Jump, and flair (5). But he’s a good improvement over Richi. Cons 0 Very one footed, poor in air, can’t leap off ground well, pros – Decent player for most 1st division sides (which is the one above us) ,versatile, balanced and normal, loyal like our squad, and speedy.

Moha is the one who loses. Moha is not needed, so Diaz heads in for him. I trim Moha.


Game Away vs UCAM - We are playing away against a major threat. Mahmoud I s starting, and Sergio Diaz is active as a potential sub. Here we go. Slow but steady eary on, and then Vazquez grabs a yellow card in the 23rd. Romero takes a throw in and throws the ball to Cascon dangerously deep and just off the penalty line. Cascon slides the ball to Sufian who sinks int and we score in the 33rd. Half. Keep it up! After a defender clears the ball from a deep Sufian cross, Vazquez heads the ball to Mahmoud who sinks it in the 54th. They bring the kitchen sink forward and score in the 56th. I send in Biorja to pull the yellow carded Vazquez. Sufian collects a yellow. Sergio Diaz heads in for Richi. They are just bringing the heat right now. I send in fres legs for defense, and Mahanan heads in for Fatah. But they cannot break our defense, despite 17 shots, and 9 on target, we just concede the one goal, and we win 2-1 away vs the no-longer #1 team in the league. MOM is Sufian. Well done!

(This is a major art follows real life thing. In real life, Sergio Diaz also signs with Melilla this year - Sergio Díaz - U.D. Melilla :: Fútbol de Andalucía ::)

[Abe Sargent]

Home game vs #3 Cadiz. We barely tied them last time we fought against them. I am moving Sergio Diaz to the starting DL spot now. Ignore the media praise, and play your natural game! They grab a goal in the 13th on a corner kick. Boring half. 1-0 down. You can do this! Cadiz collects another goal in the 49th. I make some subs, I try new tactics, but nothing. We were never in this game, and we lose 2-0. I’m not pleased with that

I offer Romero a two year and an increase in his salary to 2.1k/week from 2k.he signs it. Mahan is out for a few days with a cold . Get better today!


Next is our vs the B Team of Real Betis. They grab a goal in the 28th minute, but Mahmoud is crossed to by Sufian in the 35th to tie things up and it’s 1-1 at the half. Pretty quiet half – just 7 shots on both sides, and each team had just one goal on target, both happened to sink. Keep working hard! In the 48th, Ebwelle is driving on a counter, crosses to Cascon, and he sinks it. Fatah collects a yellow card. They have made all of their subs by the 59th minute to try and spark something. I push them around and tell my lads to mark and tackle and increase the pressure. I send in Richi for Fatah, and then Bolanos for Sanchez. Mahmoud grabs the ball from Vazquez, drives, slides it to Cascon, and he scores in the 81st. Borja heads in. And that’s game. MOM is Cascon. We’re very happy with that!

Chupe is unhappy with the lack of 1st team soccer he’s been getting ;lately, and I can’t talk him down.

At 17 goals, Cascon has broken the league record for Melilla folks.

Ebwelle is now capable of placing his shots.

Transfer deadline passes with no major news. There’s a solid razilian on my radar ho was just let go, without a home, and I offer him a trial so I can do a better job of sussuing him out (he was next door in Portugal, and I can’t scout there).

Home match vs Recreativo – I move Mohanan into the starting role. Carry on from the last match! My foes get a couple of yellows, and that’s it early on. We’re missing a lot of shots. So I massage our group a bit here and there. Sanchez gives them an OG before the half. We get plenty of action, but again, no deal. Post half I am struggling. I send in Chupe, who gets a yellow, and then Aznar. Finally in the 91st minute, off a corer kick, the ball falls to Mahanan who slides it to Ebwelle for a score. 1-1 tie. Good come back! MOM is Ebwelle

End of January

Good training? Fatah and Ebwelle

Oth Pepe Romero and Ebwelle have improved this year. Sanchez has declined a bit.

[Abe Sargent]

February:

Feb 7 – Home vs Jumill
Feb 14 – Away vs San Ro
Feb 21 – Away vs Almeria B
Feb 28 – Home vs LaHoya

Here’s a new one. After not doing well in the training pitch, Bolanos has dropped is first team request. Plata soon after

Richi is injured for 2 months with a damaged knee.

Our Brazilian agreed to a trial. Say hello to Bruno Souto. Has no cons and 5 pros )versatile, well suited to level 1 football, good personality, fits in with loyal squad, fast). 19 years old, and he’s a MC and AMLC We give him a 4 current ad 4 potential rating. That’s pretty fine. He’s better than Bolanos. I do like him.

Can we sign him?

Yes, but I’m lying, I sign him to be a first team (he won’t take anything less) and I can slide him to a lower place later. (like hot prospect)

We do:

19, Bruno Souto, AM CL, MC – he’ll come in next transfer window.

Since we’re letting go of so many backups, that just makes sense.

We’ll move the other Diaz to start for Romero, and now both Diazes are starting at FB today vs Jumilla. Take these folks out! We are after all, heavily favored. Sanchez gets a score after Vazquez finds him on a corner kick in the 40th. We were assaulting the goal but not getting shots on target before then. Half. You can do even better! I send in Aznar and then Chupe. My last sub is Fatah in for Uxio to help give the defense a breather. I was intending to send out the youther Diaz who’s a hot prospect, but not great, but he’s playing very well at 7.1 right now. It’s like Romero is on the field. We wasted a lot of shots this game, we finished with 20 shots, 5 on target. They had 5 shots, none on target. We win 1-0. That was a bit of a let off, we cant do that against better teams! Vazquez is MOM

Three of my coaches are now working on better licenses.

Our next game away vs San Roque Lepe is here and we are expected to win. We are currently in 4th. DR Romero is back in the starting lineup after a week break. We can do this! We are favored a bit. Not massively or anything, but a bit. Wow, 25 minutes just flew off the board with no highlights. Now just some quiet ball exchanges ensue. Offsides score by us. Ah well. Half. Keep working hard! Sanchez feeds Mahmoud, and the defender goes for a tackle and misses. Mahmoud pushes the ball, feeds Cascon, and that’s a score in the 60th. I Send in Borja, and then swap him and Sanchez’s spot on the field. Sufian crosses an amazing goal opportunity, and Mahmoud sinks it. 67th minute. Chupe heads in. Avila heads in. We win 2-0. MOM is Cascon. Good jorb!

[Abe Sargent]

I get a message that Romero has increased his heading and jumping and Avila his passing

We have a big match today. How big? We’re #3 in the league, and we are heading to #4 Almeria B. No changes to the starting roster - I need my big guns today. Prove it! Lots of dry spells and turnovers by both squads early on. Sufian feeds Cascon the ball down the center after driving in, and Cascon scores in the 25th minute. Sloppy match in the first half. We have 5 shots, one on target, and then have 3 and 0. Then just before the half, Vazquez is injured and I send in Borja in injury time of the 1st. Half – 1-0 us. Don’t get complacent! We worked hard for that goal, and we can’t assume that more will follow or that Almeria B won’t push back hard. EBwelle injures one fo theirs. They get a little angry and one, two cards follow. Let’s push that. I have my people tackle hard. 1 3rd follows. I sub in Aznar for a tired Cascon. Borja feeds Aznar, and Aznar scores in the 80th. Avila heads in. I order folks to stop tackling hard and to take a breather and such. We win 2-0. Almeria B was up for the second half, they finished wit h11 shots, but just 1 on target, they were pressured and spraying balls ll over. We had 12 and 6. Sufian is MOM. Defeating the #4 team on the road? Good job!

Well not good injury news. Vazquez is out 5-6 weeks with damaged knee. That sucks. Borja will start for him. I tell him his place is secure just to worry on the injury and he;s glad

Sufian collects a cold. But he should be fine by gameday


I’m having more pushback from Bolanos, and I ask Mahana to intervene and talk to him and he agrees. I basically tell Bolanos that he’s under contract, and he needs to knock it off. We are in the playoffs right now, so shut up and sit down.

We are favorites for the La Hoya match today. Chupe starts for Sufian who is very very tired. Pick up from where you left off! Chupe gset a yellow in the 23rd. Then quiet. 0-0 at the half . We can still win this! They get two yellows to open the half . Fatah heads in for Uxio. I slide in FB Diaz for Chupe, and then move a bunch of folks around to manage (Ebwell to the MR, and then Diaz and Diaz in the left side of the pitch). Mahanan gets a yellow. Bolanos for Borja, and I swap him and Sanchez. Bolanos with a yellow. Bore 0-0 tie. That was unfortunate. Not good enough. Romero is MOM


End of February:

Good training from Avilea and Ebswelle.

[Abe Sargent]

March:

Mar 6 – Away s Villan
Mar 13 – Away vs Cartagena
Mar 20 – Home vs Jaen
Mar 27 – Home vs Murcia


Table at the end of Feb – everyone has 27 games:

1st – Jaen – 57 points
2nd – Cadiz – 57 points
3rd Melilla – 52 points
4th – Murcia – 50 points
5th – Almeria B – 48 points
6th UCAM – 46 points

Those are those that are near us. We needed 3 points against La Hoya, who’s 19th in the league right now. But that was not to be. Still, we’re not in aa bad place right now.

A media note mades its way to the press about Bolanos not being happy, but how no one in the locker room supports him. At the press conference that ensures, I isolate Bolanos a bunch for going to the media. This is an isolated incident, and the rest of the squad is fine. And they gain are fine. No issues at all. Bolanos is just getting ornery.

He goes back to the media again. This time I cut him off in the presser. “I’m paid to win soccer matches, not pander to Pedro. “

Sufian is back starting in the match vs VIllanovenses today. The result will come! It’s very rainy here in Spain today. Sanchez finds Mahmoud for a score in the 6th. I’s not until the 26th that Villa even have a shot, and it’s so far off target than it looks like a artful description of a “shot”. Cascon sinks one after Sergio Diaz crosses it to his head. 2-0 half. Don’t let your performance drop and subject yourselves for complacency. Sufian gets a rebound after a tackle on Cascon, slides it to Mahmoud who scores in the 56th. We have more shots on target than Villas has shots right now. . I sub in Avila and Fatah for BBorja, and then I swap Borja for Uxio (he can play DMC if you’ll recall) and then swap Uxio and Sanchez They get a yellow. Young Diaz heads in for Romero. Very happy – MOM is Mahmoud

We haven’t given up a goal in 5 games. Good stuff!


Our away match at Cartagena is here, and we are favored a bit. I make no changes to my starters, we have Borja still out there after all. Keep the run going! Mahanan injures one of their forwards in the 17th. Lots of close calls that are stopped by late tackles, shutting down counters. No team seems to have momentum early, on, and then they pop out a score on the 26th minute. No clean sheet bonus this game. We have only twice come back from losing the first goal and winning. Can this be #3? Once we won 4-1. They foul us in the box, and Sanchez steps up and…misses the pk – the goalie stops it. That sucks. The shot was good, the goalie was better. Let’s move to hard tackling and tighter marking. Sanchez gets a yellow card. I expect much better in the 2nd half! I pull Sanchez for Fatah with the same rules as before. Borja gets a yellow. Ebwelle another. Thy get a cross and score in the 70th. Chupe in for Ebwelle. Sergio Diaz is driving, crosses to Cascon, and he scores in the 71st. Whoa now. Then they score again in the 78th. Ah well. Diaz a yellow, and Avial heads on. Game, we lose 3-1. Yuck. Worst loss of the season for us.

Borja’s potential has dropped and we are saddened with that, according to one coach

[Abe Sargent]

Mar 15 – We get a new influx of talented players. One is particularly heralded MC Jose Antonio, 16 years old, 14/12 speed, 16 balance, 11 agility, 12 deter, 11 work rate, 9 pass and technique, 10 first touch, they like him a lot. Here’s what our staff say – We have a loyal group of players, and Antonio is a shining light when it comes to loyal, could improve a lot in the future, consistent, speedy, acceleration underpins speedy versatile. Needs more marking, tackling, very one footed, needs to improve long shots, and such.

I head to the youth match to watch. We sign 16 of the folks. Richi is back from his injury

I massage my finances and remove most of my remaining transfer money to accommodate the youth deals.

We host the #1 team in Jaen, and I make no major changes. Get a win to prove yourselves! Mahmoud collects a booking early, and one of theirs follows. Then Mahan follows ,all in the first 9 minutes. Then Mahmoud scores in the 10th. Sanchez found Cascon for a lovely ball, and Cascon;s shot rifled off the crossbar and Mahmoud finished. Another yellow given to them, four in the 1st 20 minutes. I tell my folks to back off the tackling. Another booking for Jaen late I nthe half. They push forward hard in the last 8 minutes of the half. Half. Give the fans something to cheer for! We are pushing with multiple good counters, that end up with no finish. Right now we are 12 shots, 3 on target when our foes are 8 and 5. Ebwelle picks up a knock and I send in Chupe for him. I send in Fatah for Borja and make the expected swaps. Whenever I do that I move Uxio to the Ball Winning DM role, rather than deep lying playmaker of Sanchez. They get an amazing cross and score in the 82nd. I send in Richi for Mahanan. We wasted too many shots – 15/3 a the end. We were good everywhere else. We tie 1-1. Unlucky!

Ebwelle wil be out for 7-10 days with a thigh injury. CHupe starts. Vazquez is back from injury and will start again. I make a professional offer to MC Jose Antonio. Born in Melilla, and with a love of the club, he is happy to sign his first professional deal to a hot prospect deal. The other good one is DRC Jose Miguel, who’s alright. I make him a hot prospect offer as well. He accepts too.


Mahmoud is heading to international play, so Aznar is starting again today. I offer Vazquez a two-year extension. Now let’s host Murcia today. And beat them! Go punch some people in th mouth! Lots of rain too. Well that’s bad. We give away a penalty. And…..they miss it entirely. Whew. We injure on of their players later. Boring half, very quick. We head out. Avenge yourselves! I send in Borja, Avila, and Diaz. Cascon came out after he got a yellow card. It’s not until the 84th minute that they deflect a cross from Chupe into their OG and give us the ball. Then they just bring the heat. HARD. I mean like mega hard. Even their GK moves forward in set pieces. And despite the fact that they outplayed us wiyh 56% of the possession and 15 shots to our 8, and 6 to our 5, and we are facing a tough, tough battle, even into extra time, and then it happen. They focus so much on bring the heat that a counter by us at the 92:25 mark sees Chupe loft the ball to Avila, so scores. We win 2-0. All because they missed a PK early, and then allowed an OG. I’m pleased. MOM is Mahanan.

That was a strong and lucky win. We had games this season we should have won and lost, so it’s ice to see the opposite happen today vs Murcia.

I am offered a new deal. We extend our deal by two years.

End of March –

I double check my expiring players to see if there are any folks I want to retain. The only major player up is Sufian. He’s been fine, but I’d be okay pursuing a better MR as well if I needed to. His average rating is 7.23 and he has 7 assists and 2 goals a 2 MOM. Which seems fine. Do I extend him by a year? He’s not the best player ever – he’s 29, he lacks passing, his speed is okay at 12/12, and he’s not versatile, he can only play on the right wing and that’s it. I’ll hold off for now.

Vazquez inks the new deal I proffered

[Abe Sargent]

April –

April 3 – Home vs Linens
April 10 – Away vs Seville Atletico
April 13 – Away vs Merida
April 17 – Home vs Algeciras
April 24 – Away v Linare

Right now at the end of March we are in 3rd with 31 games under out belt.

Current table:

1st Jaen – 64
2nd Cadiz – 64
3rd Melilla – 59
4th UCAM – 58
5th Almeria B – 55
6th Seville Atletico – 52
7th Murcia – 50

That’s everyone with 50 or more . We have games against 12, 6, 8, 20, and 18, so this is a fairly winnable streth of the schedule, before we finish in May with Marbella and Granada B which are 17 and 10. We made it through the tough part of the schedule, and now we just need to hold serve. From the final 7 games, we need to do well enough to finish 4th or better. That gives us a chance to head up.


Good training included Borja and Sergio Diaz.


This is doable.

Mahmoud is back in for the match today vs Linense. Ebwelle is back from injury. Carry straight on from last match! We have two major surges turned aside. Mamoud crosses to Cascon from deep and gets a score in the 32nd off a counter. We have just hammered them, and at break its 12 shots, 5 on for us and 2-0 for them. Don’t get complacent! A 1-0 win is not unsurmountable. By the 64th, my foe has made all of their subs so I press forward. Sanchez is tired so I send in Borja for him. Aznar next in for a tired Cascon. I send Richi in for Uxio to give us some new legs in the back. Good win

Backup GK Danilo is injured in training and out for a few weeks.

I want to be a little bit better with rest in today’s match vs Seville Ath. We have another game three days out. Alright here we go. Keep it going here away from home in North Africa! Mahmoud finds Cascon for a score in the 12th minute to open things up. Nice pass between two defenders. Mahmoud with an odd score in the 24th. Let me set you up. Sufian and Mahmoud and Cascon have closed and are firing, and the ball bounces back, and such. Then Mahmoud fires a shot and the GK falls on it, but the ball has just enough momentum to break the plane and that’s a goal. They get angry and trip Mahmoud a few minutes alter and gets a yellow. Calm down, you have this. Be professional in the second half. We have just five shots, all on target, then have 1 and 0. I send in Borja for Vazquez and Aznar for Cascon. Fatah for Sanchez. Mahmoud gets a heavily contested header from a cross by Romero in traffic of two defenders and the GK to sink in the 81st. We win 3-0. Zang! MOM is Mahmoud. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

Mahmoud is back in for the match today vs Linense. Ebwelle is back from injury. Carry straight on from last match! We have two major surges turned aside. Mamoud crosses to Cascon from deep and gets a score in the 32nd off a counter. We have just hammered them, and at break its 12 shots, 5 on for us and 2-0 for them. Don’t get complacent! A 1-0 win is not unsurmountable. By the 64th, my foe has made all of their subs so I press forward. Sanchez is tired so I send in Borja for him. Aznar next in for a tired Cascon. I send Richi in for Uxio to give us some new legs in the back. Good win

Backup GK Danilo is injured in training and out for a few weeks.

I want to be a little bit better with rest in today’s match vs Seville Ath. We have another game three days out. Alright here we go. Keep it going here away from home in North Africa! Mahmoud finds Cascon for a score in the 12th minute to open things up. Nice pass between two defenders. Mahmoud with an odd score in the 24th. Let me set you up. Sufian and Mahmoud and Cascon have closed and are firing, and the ball bounces back, and such. Then Mahmoud fires a shot and the GK falls on it, but the ball has just enough momentum to break the plane and that’s a goal. They get angry and trip Mahmoud a few minutes alter and gets a yellow. Calm down, you have this. Be professional in the second half. We have just five shots, all on target, then have 1 and 0. I send in Borja for Vazquez and Aznar for Cascon. Fatah for Sanchez. Mahmoud gets a heavily contested header from a cross by Romero in traffic of two defenders and the GK to sink in the 81st. We win 3-0. Zang! MOM is Mahmoud. Well done!

[Abe Sargent]

The Merida game got here quickly. Chupe is starting for a winded Ebwelle and Fatah for Uxio. We owe these guys! Chupe crosses a dangerously deep ball for Cascon beautifully for a goal in the 36th to cap a very slooooooooow half. They answer in extra time and it’s 1-1 at the half. Mahanan lifts a ball downfield and beautifully dangerous to Romero who crosses to Mahmoud a few seconds later for a score in the 53rd. Chupe collects a yellow and I bench him for Ebwelle. A gold card follows for Merida Then another. Hmm. We’re both playing about evenly, this match is still momentum-less. Borja heads in next. We have a chance and an opening. We are currently 1st after this match if results hold, based on current updates. Sufian kicks the ball down the flank well and Cascon gets underneath it, he crosses to a lone Mahmoud over two defenders, and Mahmoud sinks it in the 75th minute of the game to put us to 3-1 . Richi heads in for Sergio Diaz. They launch a cross that’s one of those poorly hit ones that manages to wind up in goal and you can’t defend against in the 87th. Score holds and we win 3-2. Close. Mom is Mahmoud. Well done!

And things held and we moved up to 1st.

With 11 points separating us and 5th place and with five games to go, it’s highly unlikely we’ll be caught and drop from the playoffs . If we win next game, we are ensured. I head in defensive/ Vazquez collects a booking early, and two major thrusts of ours are pushed aside. They have a quick pair of long shots that are off target, and one on turned aside. 0-0 Half. Hmmm… not bad. Away at the #5 team and we are scoreless. We can win this! Just keep on keeping on! I send out Antonio Deiaz due to a banged up Romero, and then Osmar gives the ball to Suarez, on a corner kick(I have Osmar at DC while Diallo is out) and Sanchez fires a long shot, on target, top right corner, and scores. Nicely done. I toss in Anaba on the right side. Then they Bring some heat, and they score in the85th minute and equalize. Yellow card for Sergio Diaz, and we finish 1-1 . That’s a good result.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Good concept born from the quirky backstory.

[Abe Sargent]

Glad you like it!

[Abe Sargent]

Today we play against Algeciras. We host the #20 team in the league. What do you think will happen? We are favored, in case you needed me to tell you that. I put Ebwele and Uxio back in starting spots. I move Avila in for Cascon. Let’s get a win here and seal this thing. Mahanan with an early yellow. Feh. Two of our attacks were turned back, and one of theirs. Vazquez is a bit inured in the 41st and I bench him for Borja. Half. Win this for the fans! They injured Borja. Hmmm… Fatah heads in for him, and we swap folks on the pitch around. They try to injure Sufian badly in the 62nd and get a red card. I do my normal red card swaps. Speed up tempo, attack, go wide, close down and tackle hard, etc..Richi in for Mahanan. We get a corner kick in the 85th and Sufian kicks and this Uxio for a score. Uxio lofts a deep ball to Ebwelle who crosses to Sufian and scores in the 90th. We win 2-0. Good win, well done, and we are secured the playoffs. Sufian is MOM

Borja is out for a week with a stubbed toe. Melilla are among the lowest in the league for fouls and cards. We relegated Algeciras.

Three games left…

Jaen, Cadiz, and us are all in the playoffs. They are right on our heels with one point fewer than us

[Abe Sargent]

We head to Linares. Cascon is back in the lineup . Keep it going! Mahmoud gets an interception but his pass to Cascon is just offsides. Ah well. They clamp down on a Cascon attack and then collect a booking. Cascon is up. He just singlehanded drove at the defense juked two defenders, and was barely turned aside by the GK. Half time . We are having some offensive plays but they aren’t getting goals, not yet at least. Keep it going and you can still win! Ebwelle finds Mahmoud for a score in the 51st after a nice deep ball by Vazquez opened him up. They get a corner kick score in the 65th to tie it up. Avila heads in. Chupe and RIchi as well. 1-1 tie. We should have had that one. That was the sort of match we should be winning. Ebwele is MOM.


UCAM are in the playoffs too. Only Cadiz was expected to be here and was. The other three teams in contention were all expected to have mid table results.

With two games left:

1st Cadiz – 74
2nd Melilla – 72
3rd Jaen – 71
4th UCAM – 69

It’s still pretty close.

Backup GK Alvaro is back from his training injury. .

End fo April –

Uxio has improved in training and is not rated more highly.

Good training is held by Fatah, Ebwelle and Uxio

[Izulde]

Mahmoud has just been ridiculous for you guys.

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Mahmoud has just been ridiculous for you guys.

I know! Dude has been sick!

[Abe Sargent]

May

May 1 – Away vs Marabella
May 8 – Home vs Granada B

And then playoffs follow



Here we go. I make no changes to today’s game. Keep our run going! In the first three minute we have three shots on target, but things ease back. They collect a yellow card. Sergio Diaz picks up a knock and I sub him out for the other Diaz. Then they score in the 19th minute off a counter. Then Sufian hits Mahmoud for the same in the 21st. It’s 1-1 already. Cascon finds Mahmoud for another score in the 24th. Crazy scores today! They trip Mahmoud and get another yellow. Sanchez just misses the DFK. Whew that was a busy half. Keep it going, don’t let up! They get a 3rd yellow. Then they score I the 53rd off a decent cross. Chupe heads in next. Fatah subs in for Mahanan. They get a luck long shot to sink in the 86th. We lose 3-2. That was a crazy game. We should have won that match!

We’re still in 2nd, but we can’t get 1st. Cadiz win, and they won last year too. No surprises there.

La Hoya and Linares is relegated

Here’s the last game of the regular season vs Granada B. Are you ready? Here we go! DO this for the fans! Pretty quiet early on. Just exchanges of possession without anything major happening. No major pressure. Pretty quick 0-0 draw. Head out there and finish this thing! I Send in kid Diaz for Uxio. On a throw in, Romero finds Cascon who passes to Vazquez who fires a long shot into goal in the 71st. Chupe for Ebwelle. I sub in Anzar for Cascon. We win 1-0 and Vazquez is MOM.

We secure 2nd place!

We finish 2nd with 75 points.

[Abe Sargent]

Now we play a lower ranked team from the Group 3 Segunda Division – RCD Espanyol B

Cadiz set a record for most points by a team this season in Group 4’s history

Our physio has announced he will retire




Playoffs Round One VS RCD Espanyol B


Here we go! I make no changes to my starting squad. Go out there and take this win. We’ve had a few long range opportunities or rush jobs early in the first 15, but nothing from it. They retake momentum. We bang up one of their players – Martinez. They get a yellow afterwards for a reciprocal foul. I order my guys to muscle folks more, let’s push them around before the hald. In extra time, Sergio Diaz is yellowed. Half time. This is not bad ,keep it up. Uxio gets a red card in the 56th minute. I move my guys around. I have a stable set of red card strategies I employ, I sub in Fatah fro Cascon and move hum to DC and then drop Sanchez to DMC, I shift Mahmoud to a different role as my sole striker, and such. I put in Richi for the yellowed Diaz and then Aznar for a tired and exhausted Mahmoud late. One onslaught fails. Then another. Then another. Then extra times hits and we keep them from scoring. 0-0 draw. All things considered, that’s a win in my book.

I send a warning to Uxio to not do that again.

Borja can now kick killer through balls


The next leg at home is here. I have Fatah starting for Uxio. Vazquez slips a ball down to Cascon who scores in the 3rd to get things started off nicely. Diaz gets a yellow. Romero is a bit knocked, and I chose to pull him for the other Diaz in the 26th. They foul Vazquez hard, and on the ensuing IFK he kicks at Sufian in their box, and then foul him. Penalty! Sanchez sinks it! Half time. Keep it focused. You can do it! They get a nice move that is just pushed aside by our GK Barrio. Fearing a double yellow, I pull Sergio Diaz for Richi in the 66th. Borja spells a tired Ebwelle late. We have a flowing move and then another stopped. They get a yellow as frustration mounts. Then another. We get another attack stopped. Vazquez feeds Cascon down the misled and he scores in the 89th. We win 3-0. They folded late with the pressure. MOM is Cascon. We’re very pleased!

Now there are just 8 teams vying for the final 2 spots ,not 16

Who’s left?

Our next leg is against Villarreal B.

The others are Barcelona B, UD Longrones, Cadiz, Guijuelo, UCAM, and Toledo. We had 3 of 4 win in the first leg.

It’s a battle of 2nd place finishers, as Villareal B was 2nd in Group 3.

Romero is now ready for long range passes.

[Abe Sargent]

Playoffs Round Two, vs Villarreal B


The first leg arrives. Here we go! Uxio is back in the lineup. As before, we begin on the road. Pick up where you left off! We have a bit of an early surge by Villarreal but it ends after 10 minutes or so, and things quickly speed by. Vázquez hits Ebwelle deep on the line, and he crosses backwards to Cason, who scores in the 33rd. Sufian grabs a yellow shortly thereafter. I move to defensive. Half. We are up 1-0. Up until then, we had no shots, and none on target, and that was the first. Now we are 3 and 1. They have had more pressure and possession. We can do this. Keep it up! Sergio Diaz picks up a yellow. I sub in Chupe in the 62nd for Sufian and his yellow card. We’ve had some pushes too. Vazquez lofts a ball, onsides, behind the defense to Mahmoud who puts it away in the 74th. Richi for Diaz, So ar, Villarreal have wasted shots – 11 shots, 1 on target. We are 6 and 3. I send in Borja in the 85th. That was a strong win. MOM is Ebwelle. We did well.

It’s been a long time since GK Barrio allowed a goal



End of May –

Good training was Ebwelle and Sanchez


Our next game is on the 5th

You can see why the labyrinthine playoff stuff is problematic.


I make no changes to my roster. Here we go! We are winning this tie but its effectively halftime. Don’t let up!!! Great shot by Mahmoud averted in the 4th. Hey have a pair fo dangerous crosses we force back out, and the counter is on but Mahmoud can’t finish. Mahmoud grabs the ball from Romero, rushes a bit, fires it to Cascon who scores in the 18th minute. I really like this Cascon/Mahmoud duo. We are piling on more pressure, and ultimately a Sanchez to Uxio corner kick gets another score in the 28th. We fire a long shot but it rattles off the crossbar by Vazquez. We are winning headers, possession. We have more shots on target – 5, then they do shots at all, 3 , and so forth. 2-0 at the half. Keep it up! I sub in Richi for Sergio Diaz. They get a cross and goal in the 71st. They push more pressure as well. Borja is on next. Chupe last. Game. We win 2-1, and 4-1 in aggregate.

We have made it to the final round of the playoffs.

Time for the draw. Teams still in are Cadiz, Melilla, Toledo, and UD Logrones. We are facing….Cadiz. That’s irony.

Last year Melilla was 7th, and was thought to drop to 12, but rose to 2. But now we’ve got another barrier. Cadiz.

So here’s how the labyrinth works in detail:

1. Take the four winners - Cadiz, Toledo, Reus and Ferrol. Put them up against each other in a tournament
2. In that round, Cadiz and Toledo lost to Reus and Ferrol. Now have a game for Reus and Ferrol for bragging rights
3. Reus wins. They are technically the winners of the Segunda Divison this year
4. Both Reus and Ferrol are promoted
5. The two losing winners, Celta and Toledo, are added to the other 12 teams for the last two spots
6. Make a massive 14 team tournament with 3 rounds for those folks
7. If you are in that 14, win three rounds of playoffs to be one of the last two standing



We’re in that other 14.

This is why, despite the fact that Melilla has won the division, and gotten playoffs before, it’s never gone higher. You’ve seen the common B teams running around, pretty good with strong resources.


Now there’s just four teams left. Win this playoff, and you get promoted. Only Cadiz, a team with a winning record against us, stands in our way. The other teams are Toledo (1st) and Logrones (2nd), so all of the teams left made it to 2nd or higher.

[Abe Sargent]

Playoffs Round Three v Cadiz


Can we continue where we left off?

Well, let’s find out today! We are the underdogs and we host Cadiz today. No changes to my starting 11. I hold a team meeting earlier today to help out. Get revenge against Cadiz!!! Quiet exchanges of balls early on lead to nothing in the first 25. Nerves? Two teams figuring each other out? No offense to speak of By the 35th minute each side has two shots, none on target, all from outside the box. Then Diaz is rushing off a counter started by Vazquez, and he finds Cascon for a score in the 36th minute. Mahoud is doubled, and he finds Cascon for a shot in the 42nd and a goal. Half. Don’t. get. complacent. They collect a yellow card. We have two shots on target, and two goals. Aznar heads in for Mahmoud. I want more energy up top, and I’m not pulling Cascon since he’s hot. Nice pushes by Cadiz, but they are spraying balls at the end, not connecting. But that changes in the 75th as they hit a nice cross and score. That could be a crucial away goal for them, if we tie on aggregate. I send in Borja, and then Fatah. We win 2-1. This is the first time I’ve beaten Cadiz at all . MOMis Cascon. I;mn proud of y’all – well done.



Alright, let’s talk about why I’m upset at the game that’s about to arrive.

Sometimes when I have years when I’m really successful like this, I’m sure an obvious question rises. Am I cheating? Am I save-scumming? Wat’s going on?

These are obvious questions. I thought the honest parabola for this dynasty would be to get 6thor 5th this year, then playoffs next year, and finally out three years down the line. Or maybe, finish in playoffs three or four times before you see how hard it can be to get out.

And now I got 2nd, and I blew through the first two rounds, and now I’m up 2-1 on Cadiz. What happened? I think there were a few thigns that got us here:

1). We finished 7th last year, and while folks expected us to do worse, oing from 7th to playoffs (at 4) isn’t a big move on the charts
2). We added a great GK this year. Prior to my arrival, two major additions were brought in – Cascon and GK Barrio.
3). I was never afraid to keep pushing my team. Here are the players on my starting 11 going into today’s game that I signed – DC Uxio, DL Sergio Diaz, ML Richard Ebwelle, ST Younis Mahmoud. We also had new players Cascon and Barrio added, and Aznar helped us get here from the chart. We had one loanee in Fatah. So I built around he best players on the roster that was 7th place last year – Sufian, Mahanan, Pepe Romero, Sanchez, and Vazquez
4). I created a simple, boring 4-4-2 tactic that works for my guys, counters the most common tactic here, and emphasized where I was strong. I always play a more defensive, counter attack, slower team. That’s who we be. It plays to our strengths and attacks the weaknesses of the area.


Don’t forget that I have invested in a lot of backups and hot prospects as well. That made my team. Some of these are better than starters on the old squad. ST Avila is one example of many.

The result is a team that is very different from last year’s 7th place team.

And now, can we win today vs Cadiz and get out of this thing in the first year? I don’t want to. It would feel anti-climatic. Like I didn’t earn it. But here I am anyway, one game away from knocking out my first goal relatively easily.

So let’s see what happens, even if its not the good story I was hoping for.

I make no changes to my roster. Don’t let the lead slip! Maybe Ill lose 6-1 or something. Probably not though. Ebwelle finds Mahmoud for a score in the 8th minute. Cadiz push forward, and we knock them back a few times. They get a booking Then they push away our attack. A questionably onsides call leads to a goal by our foe at the 24 mark. Sanchez finds Sufian on a driving attack and he puts it away in the 40th. We have another attack before half, and they push it away a few times Then Mahmoud on a nasty incisive break away finds Cascon and scores. One of those beautiful counter attack scores. 3-1 half. Keep it up. We totally could have come here today, lost 1-0 on the road, tie aggregate, and lose on away goals. And here Sugfian is hitting another goal in the 49th. Ebwelle crossed it to him from the other side, when the two strikers were being marked, but Sufian was unmarked.I send in Fatah for Mahanan. Then Aznar and We have 16 shots and 11 on target this game. They have 10 and 4, Game. We win 4-1 and 6-2 aggregate!

That was special lads!! MOM was Sufian



We have been promoted!

We are going to be at 72k and 66k transfer next year, tentatively.

We pay out some bonsues


Alright, now we need to stop. No more hitting Continue for a while

[Abe Sargent]

Stats:

Goals? Cascon’s 24 led the league by 8. Mahmoud, despite just being here half the year had 13, and was tied for 5th. Sufian was tied for 5th with 9 assists. Most MOM was a guy with 9. Cascon was tied at 3rd with 7. Sufian was 2nd most with miles covered.

We didn’t have a lot of top stats though. For example, we didn’t have anyone in the top 20 for overall rating.

Team Stats:

GK Barrio, 44 apps, 6.85 rating, 36 goals allowed, 20 clean sheets

Romero – 43 apps, 7.24 rating, 5 assists, 2 goals, 2 MOM

Mahanan, 36, 1 asst, 1 MOM, 6.89 ratig

Uxio- 42 games, 3 goals, 1 assis, 6.99 rating

Sergio Diaz – 25 games, 3 assis, 7.09 rating

Sufian – 43, 5 goals, 10 asist, 4 MOM, 7.34 rating

Sanchez – 43 apps, 2 goals, 3 asists, 7.12

Vazquez – 40 apps, 2 goals, 8 assist, 3 MOM, 7.23

Ebwelle – 37, 2 goals, 7 assist, 3 OM, 7.13 rating

Cascon – 42, 31 goals, 5 ass, 9 MOM, 7.35

Mahmoud – 24, 15 goals, 6 assist 3 MOM, 7.44

And then my current backups

Fatah – 32 apps, 6.65 rating
Chupe – 24 apps, 3 assists, 6.87
Richi – 29 apps, 1 goal, 1 MOM, 6.76
Borja – 31 apps, 1 ass, 6.84 rating,
Aznar – 26 apps, 4 goals, 5 assist, 1 MOM, 6.93 erating

Other backups of note:

Avila – 13, 2 goals, 1 ass, 6.87 rating
Antonino Jesus Diaz – 14 app, 6.80 rating


That was a good campaign. But not a lot of mega years by folks

[Young Drachma]

Yeah was gonna say that the Iraqi signing was huge. Glad this one is moving along nicely.