How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

[vrabbit]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

The Globetrotter CM



FC Barcelona
Més que un club

Futbol Club Barcelona has officially announced Diego Del Barco as their new manager, confirming the rumors that had taken over social media in the last few days. The Venezuelan coach who just led FC Twente to a double in Netherlands this past season is a shocking hire by this European powerhouse who were undoubtedly looking for a shake up.

Del Barco replaces Luis Enrique after a 7-year tenure by the former player that was highly successful but had been coming apart over the last few seasons and really took a nose dive this past year. After winning La Liga titles in 2018 and 2020 Barça was massively disappointing in 2021, finishing 5th in the league to miss out on qualifying to Champions League for the first time since 2003 when the club finished 6th in the league.

Following that season the club saw big changes, electing a new president (Joan Laporta) and appointing Frank Rijkaard as the club's manager. Rijkaard's coaching resume was very limited up until that point although he had had a very successful career as a player that included playing under legends such as Johan Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, and Louis van Gaal.

Barcelona now hands the managerial reigns to another manager without major accolades on his resume. Strictly as a manager Del Barco's resume is stronger, having won the 2016 Mexico Clausura with Dorados de Sinaloa, the 2019 Süper Lig with Kayserispor, and the 2021 Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup with FC Twente, besides leading both Kayserispor and Twente to the quarter finals of the Euro League as well as also leading Twente to the quarter finals of the Champions League this past season. Del Barco is considered one of the best young coaches in the game and current Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, is gambling on the Venezuelan continuing his success with this club.

Del Barco had this to say at his introductory press conference: "It is a dream come true to be named manager of the most prestigious club in the world. I've been a Barcelona fan since being a little kid and this moment feels surreal. I look forward to working harder than I've ever worked to bring the club together and put its struggles aside to get back to being Spain and Europe's best. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I hope to make the most of it."

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Oh my vrabbit, I wasn't even close!




Also I'm getting ready to put out 2 quick updates to wrap up my season (2nd update was only 2 games).

[sportsfreak96]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?







Sassuolo Season 1



Juventus vs Sassuolo

Chielinni 32’
Higuain 41’&45’
Mandzukic 90’

Pellegrini 65’(Pen)

4-1 Loss

Sassuolo vs Genoa

33’ Sensi
90’ Defrel
2-0 win


Chievo vs Sassuolo

Duncan 60’

1-0 Win

Sassuolo vs Udinese
Mattia Destro 17’
Matteo Politano 71’
Gregoire Defrel 85’

3-0 win


Note I accidentally turned on European competitions in season 1 and Sassuolo are in the Euro League. I will just be focusing on League and Domestic cups in season 1. If we make it to Europe in season 2 then I'll focus on it then.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Season 3

The Mariners

May 2019



Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Grimsby Town
IPS - Skuse 18', Hyam 90'
MOTM: Skuse

We really couldn't afford to lose this, but we are spread so thin with all of the competitions that we can't afford to give our best either. Ipswich never let off the gas from start to finish and the soundly beat us in all aspects of the game. Skuse opened the scoring by attacking his way into a gap in our back line and then letting it fly from distance off the post and in. We tried hard to get at least a point from it, but our attacking options were just lacking too much and we couldn't pull one back. In the end Hyam added a second for Ipswich with a stunning long shot after intercepting the ball and we had to just accept the loss after that.



Grimsby Town 3 - 0 Cardiff City
GRI - Chambers 5', Kelly 72', Morris 86'
MOTM: Morris

This is the type of result that we know we are capable when we have our first choice players in the lineup. Chambers scored early when Browne played him through with a great ball and he finished it low past the keeper. We added our second after the break when Taylor used a great back heel flick to play Kelly through and he finished across the goal. Morris then capped it off by blasting a shot with as much power as he could and it went off the keeper and in to officially put the game to rest.



Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Leeds United
LEE - Antonsson 32'
MOTM: Berrett

That was highly disappointing since it now ensures that we will have to play in the promotion playoffs rather than getting an automatic promotion. The last thing we needed was to add more fixtures to our schedule, and not it's beyond our control. Leeds goal came from Sacko sending a cross into the box and Antonsson was there to get on the end of it and power it into the back of the net. We couldn't buy a chance for ourselves on the other end and our Premier League dreams are growing more and more distant.



Europa League Semi-Final
Wolfsburg 1 - 1 Grimsby Town
WOL - Mitrovic 52'
GRI - Amang 70' (PEN)
MOTM: Rodriguez

This is a result that we can go home happy with. We get the second leg now in our own stadium with an away goal to our tally. This game was about as even as the score suggests. Neither side outperformed the other all of the action took place in the second half seemingly. Mitrovic opened the scoring after he drifted into space unmarked and when a cross was sent in to him he volleyed it past the keeper. We were able to answer back when Amang was barged over inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Amang stepped up and slotted it home into the left side of the goal and we tied it up going into the second leg.



Bristol City 1 - 1 Grimsby Town
BRI - Swift 87'
GRI - Kelly 12'
MOTM: Taylor

The result didn't matter much since we are going to be fighting for promotion via playoffs either way, but it was frustrating how this ended up as a draw. We struck first with Sinclair intercepting a throw in and playing to Taylor who laid it off for Kelly to turn and fire from way out and his strike settled perfectly in the top left corner. We controlled the game after that and managed their chances on our goal, but with just a few minutes left they had a shot deflected be our defender but our keeper still had dived to save it and the ball fell right to another one of their players and he just had to shoot it into the open net for the equalizer.



Europa League Semi-Final
Grimsby Town 2 (3) - (3) 2 Wolfsburg
GRI - Amang 72', Kelly 99'
WOL - Mitrovic 5', Simon 93'
MOTM: Browne

The rules are beyond stupid in that we lose on basis of away goals when it took them to extra time to get that additional one. Mitrovic erased the away goal we had earned in the first leg just 5 minutes in when he fired from the edge of the box and it went off the post and in. We fought back the whole way though to earn it back and it paid off in the second half with Browne playing Amang through on the left and he slotted it back across the goal and into the bottom right corner. We really should have won it though and we missed two point blank chances before time expired and we went to extra time. Right at the beginning of extra time Simon scored the goal that put the nail in the coffin for us when he shot from a few yards inside the box and placed it perfectly into the bottom left corner. We didn't want to give up though and Kelly found the equalizer for us with a great shot low around the keeper. But with the way the rules were set up, it wasn't enough.



Promotion Playoff Semi-Final Leg 1
Nottingham Forest 1 - 1 Grimsby Town
NOT - Assombalonga 6'
GRI - Chambers 8'
MOTM: Chambers

All of the scoring action was over by the 8th minute with both sides having scored one in the opening minutes. Assombalonga started it off with a strong header down into the ground and into the back of the net to put us on our heels. Chambers answered the call almost immediately though with Kelly playing him through on the right and he turned to fire it low past the keeper for the equalizer. We honestly had the chance to add at least 3 or 4 more after that, but or finishing completely let us down and we failed to convert any of those golden chances gifted to us. We got the away goal though and now we just have to take care of business at home.



Promotion Playoff Semi-Final Leg 2
Grimsby Town 3 (4) - (1) 0 Nottingham Forest
GRI - Browne 55', Boyce 60', Daniel 80'
MOTM: Taylor

Now that is the statement we wanted to make. It took us until the second half to get started, but once we did they couldn't stop us. Browne and Taylor played a beautiful 1-2 and Brown was able to finish it from in front of goal for the lead. Just 5 minutes later it was our captain, Boyce, who rose up on a corner and fired his header to the far post to double the lead. The next came from Daniel who got the ball from Taylor on his favored left foot and he fired it from the edge of the box off the far post and in. We finished the rest of the match out comfortably and now we have to prepare for our final push to the Premier League.

League Table



Youth Academy



Board Objectives

Youth
-Within 2 seasons, have at least 1 player from the Youth Academy signed in the first team play at least 50% of the games in the next season. (Remaining seasons: 2)

Brand Exposure
-Within 3 seasons, increase season ticket holders with at least 10% of the stadiums capacity. (Remaining seasons: 1) 100% Complete

Financial
-Finish the season with £2,550,000 unspent allocated funds (transfer budget and wage budget)

Domestic Success
-EFL Championship: Avoid Relegation.
-The Emirates FA Cup: Reach the Round of 32 Stage.
-Within 2 seasons in EFL Championship: Finish Mid Table (Remaining seasons :2)

Continental Success
-Euro League: Reach the Group Stage.

[southernmetalhead]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Like Keano, I've been reading, just behind on comments. Will get those in sometime today.

Also, accidentally saved over my Anzhi career, so I'm going with newly promoted FC Orenburg who is playing their first ever season of top flight football.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Season 3

The Mariners

June 2019



F.A. Cup Final
Grimsby Town 0 - 2 Arsenal FC
ARS - Xhaka 82', Ramsey 90'
MOTM: Ozil

We played our hearts out, and it crushes me that we came up short. For 81 minutes there was nothing separating us from the giant that is Arsenal. We went blow for blow with them for almost the entirety of this, but their class was just too much to hold back for a full 90. In the 82nd minute Ozil hit a first time cross perfectly floating over our defender and it fell to Xhaka in the box for the quick finish to put them ahead. They didn't stop there though and they kept up an assault on our goal. In the 90th minute with us trying to get out quick on the counter we gave the ball away in a bad spot and they sent it straight ahead to Ramsey and he fired it from outside of the box and it went just past our keeper's reach and into the left side of the goal to seal our fate after fighting so hard.



Promotion Playoff Final
Grimsby Town 1 - 0 Aston Villa
GRI - Chambers 105'
MOTM: Otayn

We did it! We are going to the Premier League! It took every ounce of effort and concentration we had, but we were able to dispatch Villa in exta time to punch our ticket up. We had several chances to seal it in regulation as well, but this one was meant to go down to the wire with as much drama as we could muster. It was right at the end of the first extra time period when Otayn played the ball to Chambers out on the right and he turned around his defender to get a look at goal and he placed it all the way across to the far post for the only and deciding goal. We held strong after that to smother out any chances they tried to make in the second extra time period and once the referee blew his whistle the celebrations began.

Season Review

Goalkeepers


GK, Scott Loach - 45 appearances, 15 clean sheets
GK, Archie Thomas - 29 appearances, 7 clean sheets

Defenders

RB, Ziggy Gordon - 44 appearances, 15 clean sheets
RB, Louis Fenton - 31 appearances, 3 assists, 6 clean sheets
RB, Zak Mills - 4 appearances, 2 clean sheets
LB, Brennan Dickenson - 46 appearances, 1 assist, 15 clean sheets
LB, Chris Arthur - 24 appearances, 1 goal, 3 clean sheets
LB, Tyler Bennett - 24 appearances, 1 goal, 5 clean sheets
CB, Ricardo Santos - 47 appearances, 16 clean sheets
CB, Andrew Boyce - 40 appearances, 1 goal, 12 clean sheets
CB, Dylan Robinson - 29 appearances, 6 clean sheets
CB, Jordan Willis - 26 appearances, 2 goals, 9 clean sheets

Midfielders

CDM, Yahya Otayn - 46 appearances, 2 goals, 9 assists, 15 clean sheets
CDM, Harvey Morris - 39 appearances, 7 goals, 1 assist, 10 clean sheets
CM, Emmanuel Osadebe - 50 appearances, 4 goals, 10 assists, 15 clean sheets
CM, James Berrett - 47 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists, 12 clean sheets
CM, Joss Labadie - 47 appearances, 3 goals, 7 assists, 9 clean sheets
CM, Stuart Sinclair - 30 appearances, 1 goal, 5 assists, 4 clean sheets
CM, Harvey King - 14 appearances, 2 assists, 2 clean sheets
CM, Janathan Wright - 13 appearances, 3 clean sheets
CM, Josh Venney - 5 appearances, 1 assist, 2 clean sheets
CM, Jonathan Rose - 2 appearances, 1 goal

Forwards

RM, Ashley Chambers - 55 appearances, 16 goals, 10 assists, 11 clean sheets
LM, Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi - 42 appearances, 23 goals, 10 assists, 12 clean sheets
LM, Jason Banton - 25 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists, 9 clean sheets
LM, Kyel Reid - 22 appearances, 7 goals, 1 assist, 3 clean sheets
RW, Callum Kelly - 14 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 clean sheets
ST, Omar Bogle - 42 appearances, 7 goals, 4 assists, 4 clean sheets
ST, Lyle Taylor - 42 appearances, 10 goals, 11 asists, 11 clean sheets
ST, Colin Daniel - 40 appearances, 6 goals, 5 assists, 6 clean sheets
ST, Thomas Amang - 24 appearances, 7 goals, 5 assists, 6 clean sheets
ST, Rhys Browne - 20 appearances, 2 goals, 3 assists, 2 clean sheets

Manager Comments

-Regarding the board's objectives set out, we did reasonably well in almost every category. Obviously we shattered the domestic objectives they set for us by earning our promotion to the Premier League when all they were expecting was for us to stave off a relegation battle. Our F.A. Cup final performance only continued to rack up the objectives in this category. We also completed the brand exposure goal of increasing our season ticket holders, and with our unbelievable run up the English ladder it isn't surprising that the fans are flocking in. Our continental success was also unprecedented, and getting all the way to the semi-final is far beyond what was laid out for us. The financial objective is the only one that we failed in, but if I want to improve the squad that was a ridiculous objective for me to adhere to. We could have completed it if we hadn't of bought Amang in the winter transfer window, but I would do that 10 times out of 10 to get a player of his quality into the squad.

-Squad depth was absolutely an issue down the stretch and we dropped a lot of points as a result. We could have possibly achieved an automatic promotion if it wasn't for us having to play some players that really shouldn't have been on the pitch. Injuries hit us hard adding to this. We lost Banton and Willis in back-to-back games, and then went on to lose Reid, Sinclair, and Al Kuwaykibi before it was all said and done. I had plans to bring in new players and sell on some others, but now I am reconsidering selling off too many players after seeing what happened this season.

-Next season is going to be a whole new beast of a challenge. The Premier League will put us against the best of the best week in and week out. Some changes are definitely needed if we want to hold our own, mainly the midfield is going to need to be improved. Our defense should get better with Willis returning, and the same goes for the attack with Al Kuwaykibi making his return. Still, we do want to add another option out wide, and if the funds permit a defender will be on the cards as well. The priority will goes as follows though, strengthen the midfield, add a wide attacker, and then improve the defense will be the last on the list. Our keeper situation might also be a little shaky, but we will see how that turns out before making any decisions.

Board Objectives

Youth
-Within 2 seasons, have at least 1 player from the Youth Academy signed in the first team play at least 50% of the games in the next season. (Remaining seasons: 2)

Brand Exposure
-Within 3 seasons, increase season ticket holders with at least 10% of the stadiums capacity. (Remaining seasons: 1) 100% Complete

Financial
-Finish the season with £2,550,000 unspent allocated funds (transfer budget and wage budget) £800,000 unspend allocated funds at end of season

Domestic Success
-EFL Championship: Avoid Relegation. 4th
-The Emirates FA Cup: Reach the Round of 32 Stage. Final
-Within 2 seasons in EFL Championship: Finish Mid Table (Remaining seasons :2) 4th

Continental Success
-Euro League: Reach the Group Stage. Semi-Final

[vrabbit]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

The Globetrotter CM



FC Barcelona
Més que un club

'21-'22 July/August Update

The Roster

GK: Marc-André ter Stegen (82 OVR)
GK: Jordi Masip (71 OVR)
GK: Iñaki Serrano Molina (70 OVR)
GK: Kevin Janker (66 OVR)

RB: Martín Montoya (80 OVR)
RB: Douglas Pereira dos Santos (AKA Douglas, 76 OVR)
RB: Djordje Ninkov (71 OVR)
RB: Otegui Khalifi (64 OVR)
RB: Cristian Artabe Meca (64 OVR)
CB: Gerard Piqué (83 OVR)
CB: Marc Bartra (83 OVR)
CB: Thomas Vermaelen (81 OVR)
CB: Frank Bagnack (68 OVR)
LB: Jordi Alba (87 OVR)

CDM: Sergio Busquets (87 OVR)
CDM: Sergi Samper (80 OVR)
CDM: Wilfrid Jaures Kaptoum (69 OVR)
CM: Sergi Roberto (84 OVR)
CM: Rafael Alcântara (AKA Rafinha, 82 OVR)
CM: David Cruz Torres (76 OVR)
CM: Jimmy Porter (71 OVR)
CM: Gerard Gumbau Garriga (AKA Gerard, 70 OVR)
CM: Juan Cámara (70 OVR)
RM: Arda Turan (83 OVR)
RM: Aleix Vidal (81 OVR)
CAM: Robert Gonçalves (70 OVR)

RW: Lionel Messi (95 OVR)
RW: Cristian Tello (81 OVR)
RW: Munir El Haddadi (AKA Munir, 81 OVR)
RW: Aitor Cantalapiedra (AKA Aitor, 70 OVR)
LW: Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. (AKA Neymar, 92 OVR)
LW: Sandro Ramírez Castillo (AKA Sandro, 84 OVR)
CF: Thomas Müller (88 OVR)
ST: Breel Donald Embolo (83 OVR)
ST: Jean-Marie Dongou Tsafack (75 OVR)
ST: Dani Romera (66 OVR)
ST: Ramiro Pastor (66 OVR)

Starting XI (4-3-3)

ter Stegen (82)

Montoya (80)/Piqué (83)/Bartra (83)/Alba (87)

Roberto (84) / Busquets (87) / Turan (83)

Messi (C, 95) / Müller (88) / Neymar (92)
_________________________________

This a very exciting yet very challenging job so I needed to get to work right away. The roster below is what it looked like upon my arrival, still with a solid foundation but definitely in need of improvements to compete at the highest of levels. I was provided with $80 million in transfer budget plus $275K in wages, which honestly didn't feel like enough for the kind of money that gets thrown around here. But hey, it's the most money I've ever gotten to work with so I wasn't complaining. The board made it clear though: the expectation here is to win, and as such they expect nothing less than a treble (La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and Euro League).

Pre-season presented us with an opportunity to earn about $10 million more but I didn't want to sign us up for the tournament that paid the most money. Instead I wanted to go somewhere that could be fun so I signed us up for the Champions Trophy which was taking place in Argentina. I definitely wanted to build a good rapport with Messi/Neymar and bringing the squad to South America seemed like a good way to do that. We were drawn into a group with AS Monaco, Boca Juniors, and Millonarios.

Champions Trophy - Group Match 1
FC Barcelona - Millonarios (3-1)
Agudelo 19'
Vermaleen 27' (Tello)
Sandro 42' (pen)
Sandro 88'

I decided to start out by giving the B-squad a tryout (Serrano Molina, Ninkov, Bagnack, Vermaleen, Douglas, Vidal, Samper, Rafinha, Tello, Embolo, Sandro) and they did a good job of remaining poised after the early deficit to easily take care of the Colombian side. Sandro stood out and his late goal to seal the deal came after he stole the box near the middle of the field and ran it all the way into the small box for his shot.
______________________________________

Transfer News

• Jimmy Porter loaned on short-term to Middlesbrough.
• Mayke Rocha Oliveira (AKA Mayke, 84 OVR) acquired from Beşiktaş for $20 million + Jean-Marie Dongou Tsafack.

______________________________________

Champions Trophy - Group Match 2
AS Monaco - FC Barcelona (0-3)
Turan 54' (Müller)
Müller 73' (Messi)
Messi 90+2' (Vidal)

Definitely not a sharp first half on offense but we turned it around in the second half to pair it with an excellent defensive performance that only allowed the French club one shot (which was off target). I was very pleased with this performance.

Champions Trophy - Group Match 3
FC Barcelona - Boca Juniors (1-0)
Busquets 45+2' (Müller)

This was definitely a highlight on a personal level, getting to manage a prestigious club I've always been a fan of against another prestigious club I've always been a fan of. Quite honestly probably my two favorite clubs in the world. Boca put up a good fight but luckily Busquets was able to score just before half time to give us the three points and wrap up a perfect group stage for us.
______________________________________

Transfer News

• Frank Bagnack sold to UD Las Palmas for $1.25 million.
• Wilfrid Jaures Kaptoum sold to UD Las Palmas for $1.3 million.

______________________________________

Champions Trophy - Semi Final
FC Barcelona - Tigres (2-0)
Sandro 8' (pen)
Tello 66' (Munir)

This was also fun, playing against one of my old opponents in the Mexican League. I gave the B-squad another run and they didn't disappoint, although the early lead certainly didn't hurt. We were clearly the better squad (which we should be), firing off 12 shots (8 on target).

Champions Trophy - Final
Inter - FC Barcelona (2-1)
Medel 7'
Müller 32' (Neymar)
Brozović 67'

It was disappointing that this was the first time all tournament we felt seriously challenged and weren't able to figure things out. Just a really strong game by Inter (coincidentally my favorite Italian club) to offset what I thought was a good game from us. Still I felt this was an excellent experience to get a feel for the squad as I definitely learned a lot about different players.

Despite losing in the final, Müller was named Player of the Tournament and I was not surprised because he was the most outstanding player every time he was on the pitch.
______________________________________

Transfer News

• Breel Donald Embolo sold to Everton for $52.5 million.
• Victor Alonso (CB, 86 OVR) acquired from Bor. M'gladbach for $65 million.

______________________________________

Supercopa, 1st Leg
Real Madrid - FC Barcelona (1-3)
Piqué 19'
Torró 48'
Müller 72' (Neymar)
Alba 87' (Rafinfa)

Barça was at least able to win the Copa Del Rey last season so we got to start this season with a couple of El Clásico's. We put together a dominant first half that only gave us Piqué's goal to show for, and I must admit Real was the better side in the second half but curiously enough we were the ones to score twice to take a strong lead into the second leg (and buy me lots of love from the fan base).
______________________________________

Transfer News

• Emre Karaer (CB, 72 OVR) acquired from Kayserispor for $2.8 million.
• Jordi Masip sold to Real Zaragoza for $1.7 million.
• Robert Gonçalves sold to UD Almería for $1.9 million.

______________________________________

Supercopa, 2nd Leg
FC Barcelona - Real Madrid (4-3, 7-5 agg)
Neymar 6' (Turan)
Ronaldo 36'
Müller 44' (Roberto)
Müller 59' (Messi)
Turan 68' (Roberto)
Ronaldo 87'
de Tomás 90+2'

Not necessarily thrilled with the last five minutes of the game but we once again were the better team against our rivals to bring home our first trophy of my era here. Müller has remained on fire since pre-season and scored a brace in the middle of this game to pretty much finish the deal. Great start to the season for us.


______________________________________

Transfer News

• Ramiro Pastor sold to Elche CF for $1.3 million.
• Kevin Janker sold to Albacete Balompié for $1.4 million.
• Gerard sold to Real Zaragoza for $1.7 million.
• Marc-André ter Stegen sold to Crytal Palace for 55 million.
• Vasco Granero (CM, 59 OVR) acquired from FC Twente for $500K.

______________________________________

League Match 1
Levante UD - FC Barcelona (1-1)
Lestienne 18'
Messi 90+3' (pen)

Surprisingly tough road season opener for us as Levante didn't really let us have much open play which surprised us. Lestienne's goal was superb and Serrano Molina, who drew the start by default, definitely did not have any fault in it and turned in a solid game. I had sold ter Stegen with a replacement in mind but was not able to get a deal done before this game.
______________________________________

Transfer News

• Bernd Leno (GK, 88 OVR) acquired from VfL Wolfsburg for $65 million.
• Ricardo Farías da Silva (ST, 70 OVR acquired from Manchester Utd. on short-term loan.
• Nahuel Vada (CDM, 66 OVR) acquired from 1. FC Köln on short-term loan.

______________________________________

Review: Without question my first summer in Catalonia kept me busy, from the pre-season in Argentina to the Supercopa to the season opener to all the transfers. I mean there were A LOT of transfers. Of the players no longer on the roster I can truly say only Embolo and ter Stegen would had been players that would had been in my short and long term plans. I felt those were both calmly calculated decisions on my end. With Embolo the decision to let him go was a combination of wanting the extra funds and deciding to roll the dice on Munir as our backup striker. As you know I'm big on academy players and have always been curious about Munir's potential. Playing only one striker in the 4-3-3 I feel like I can get away with Munir as the backup to Müller. With ter Stegen, I wasn't even thinking about selling him but offers started to come in for him which made me consider the options I would have to replace him. Once it became clear Wolfsburg would be willing to sell Leno for the right price I pulled the trigger on both deals. The only other player not currently on the roster who remains in my long-term plans is Porter, who is actually an academy graduate from Dorados during my time there and who has great potential. I'm also giddy about Serrano Molina who is a local academy product and an exciting prospect.

But speaking of academy graduates at Dorados, some of you may recognize the Alonso name. He's the same elite prospect I brought up during my time in Mexico then brought with me to Turkey after my first few months there. He has, uh, gotten better quickly:



I didn't bring Alonso to Twente because I didn't really want to weaken Kayserispor roster plus his value at that point was already over my regular budget in the Netherlands. But even if I tried to let Kayserispor keep their best players other clubs around Europe didn't really care and M'gladbach bought him for about $55 million this past winter (money Kayserispor did nothing with). One of my first conclusions after evaluating Barça's roster is that we needed to get better at CB and Alonso does just that, stepping in as a starter on the left and becoming the player we'll build around on defense. I also felt Montoya wasn't going to cut it as the starter at RB and was able work out a deal with Beşiktaş for Mayke that included Dongou Tsafack (before I got around to the idea of selling Embolo). Those moves are enough to help us contend now but we still need to set ourselves up for the future, which is where Karaer's acquisition comes in. He's a prospect with great potential that I know well from my academy in Turkey. Instead of raiding my ex-employer's roster even more I really wanted to go after an academy graduate that had already been acquired from them, Selim Özçal, but Chelsea were unwilling to work with me on a two-year loan deal with a purchase option. After that I decided to make my only acquisition from Twente in Granero anticipating the new regime there wouldn't develop him well enough. He has great potential, enough to be a starter here in the future, and if not can definitely become good for our depth at the position. He's also in my plans for the future of Venezuela so it can't hurt to develop him in the best club in the world. Farías da Silva and Vada are academy products from their respective clubs that help provide depth for the B-squad. I don't anticipate either turning into a permanent acquisition.

Anyways, while there are still probably more moves I'd like to make I definitely feel this summer window was very productive for us and that we have improved the roster enough to where achieving what's expected of us is possible. In the UEL we have gotten a very favorable draw, joined in Group B by PAOK, Standard Liège, and AIK. I'm inclined to think the B-squad will get a lot of playing time in the group stage of the UEL, which should allow us to start off very competitive in La Liga.

As you would expect I'm also very eager to getting to work in La Masia (Barça's academy) and have already hired two youth scouts (both Spanish): Zacarías Abeledo is an all-around 5-star scout who has been sent to my homeland (Venezuela), while Esteban Navarro is a 4-star scout asked to do his work locally. They have both received 6-month assignments and Abeledo has already gotten us some players:

La Masia
(listed by ranking)

CM - Fran Martinez (57 OVR, 71-94)*: 17-year old from Venezuela standing at 5'7", 150lbs and described as technically gifted. Martinez displays natural movement (80 agility, 75 balance) to go with very good ball control (74).

CAM - Daniel Lugano (53 OVR, 64-84)*: Also a 17-year old Venezuelan described as technically gifted, who is also very agile (78). Since I'm able to make better evaluations of Venezuelan prospects I know Lugano, who is 5'11" and 154lbs, can also play as either a CF or CM so we're excited about his versatility on the pitch.
______________________________

September Schedule
9/3: vs Paraguay (WC Qualifying)
9/7: at Colombia (WC Qualifying)
9/13: vs UD Almería
9/16: vs Standard Liège (Euro League)
9/18: at Valencia CF
9/21: at Málaga CF
9/25: vs Sevilla FC
9/30: at AIK (Euro League)

It'll be a packed September for me as I travel to South America to help my home nation clinch a spot in the upcoming World Cup before I return to Spain to take on four La Liga games and two UEL games. I'll admit I'm both excited and nervous.

Let me know what you think of my arrival to my new club and the moves I made. Thanks for reading!

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Season 4

The Mariners

Summer Transfer Window

Transfers Out

CM, Jonathan Wright, 19 years old, England, 56 OVR - Loaned to Port Vale
RM, Tom Bolarinwa, 28 years old, England, 49 OVR - Loaned to Blackpool
GK, Scott Loach, 31 years old, England, 64 OVR - £350,000 to Patrick Thistle
CAM, Jonathan Rose, 19 years, England, 52 OVR - Loaned to Carlisle United
CM, Josh Venney, 22 years old, England, 53 OVR - Loaned to Cheltenham Town
ST, Colin Daniel, 31 years old, England, 61 OVR - £180,000 to Crewe Alexandra
ST, Lyle Taylor, 29 years old, Montserrat, 67 OVR - £725,000 to Frosinone

Transfers In

RW, Hadi Sacko, 25 years old, France, 73 OVR - £1,500,000 from Leeds United
ST, Devante Cole, 24 years old, England, 70 OVR - £1,400,000 from Fleetwood Town
CM, Ronaldo Vieira, 21 years old, Guinea Bissau, 70 OVR - £1,200,000 from Leeds United
CM, Conor Hourihane, 28 years old, Ireland, 71 OVR - £1,400,000 from Barnsley
GK, Fabio Coltori, 38 years old, Switzerland, 64 OVR - £200,000 from RB Leipzig

Squad and Depth Chart

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Season 4

The Mariners

August 2019



Grimsby Town 5 - 0 Watford FC
GRI - Amang 5', Sacko 45', 54', 68', Morris 82'
MOTM: Sacko

What an unbelievable start to our new life in the Premier League. We came in and we did more than anyone would have given us credit for. Amang started if off just minutes into the game when Vieira played him through down the middle and he used his left foot to place it around the keeper. After that it was Sacko's show from then on as he scored not one, not two, but three goals in his competitive debut for our club. The best of which was him controlling a pass in the box and then turning to hit it on the half volley past the keeper. Late in the game Morris put the icing on the cake after coming on as a substitute and he raced away on a counter and easily beat the keeper one on one.



West Ham United 3 - 4 Grimsby Town
WHU - Valencia 37', Lanzini 75', 85'
GRI - Amang 9', 14', Sacko 66', Osadebe 90'
MOTM: Amang

What a stunning finish to this game after an out pour of scoring from both sides. Amang opened the scoring for the second straight game by staying persistent in going after the ball and he was able to get it away to get a shot off and then head home the rebound. He got a second with a more traditional right footed finish across the keeper to double our lead. Valencia then scored a tap in off of a rebound off the crossbar to pull one back and keep West Ham in this one. Sacko then extended that lead back to 2 after Osadebe back heeled a ball to him and he turned to the right and fired across the goal to the far post. West Ham came roaring back then with Lanzini bagging back to back goals in the span of 10 minutes to equalize it at 3 all. We still had one more moment of magic left though and Otayn laid the ball off for Osadebe running in and he launched a first time shot from the edge of the box across the goal and into the top left corner.



EFL Cup
Southampton 2 - 0 Grimsby Town
SOU - Marlos 10', 41'
MOTM: Reed

Well, we certainly got shown up today. Southampton went straight for the throat and never let go. Marlos opened it with the simplest of tap ins after he lost his marker and got on the end of a cross. Before the half was over he added a second using a great first touch to roll the ball back to his left foot and then fire across the goal to the top corner. Any chance we had to get one back was smothered by Forster and he wasn't going to let anything past him tonight.



Grimsby Town 1 - 0 Tottenham
GRI - Cole 82'
MOTM: Amang

Honestly, the only thing that kept this from being a rout was Lloris in goal for Tottenham. He snuffed out chance after chance for us that would have usually been in on most occasions. Between him and Thomas in goal for us both sides played each other to a stand still for most of the game. Then with just 8 minutes left we got a breakaway after we cleared one of their corners away and Amang was able to get out ahead of the defense with Banton and Cole running with him. He played the ball to Banton who drew Lloris out and then laid it off to Cole for the easy finish into the open goal. It wasn't all celebrations though, we lost Sacko for 3 months and Hourihane for a month in the process.

League Table



Youth Academy



Board Objectives

Youth
-Within 2 seasons, have at least 1 player from the Youth Academy signed in the first team play at least 50% of the games in the next season. (Remaining seasons: 2)

Brand Exposure
-Gain £5,100,000 earnings from shirt sales within a season

Financial
-Keep player salary growth under 20%

Domestic Success
-Premier League: Avoid Relegation.
-The Emirates FA Cup: Reach the Round of 32 Stage.
-Within 2 seasons in Premier League: Finish Mid Table (Remaining seasons :2)

Continental Success
-Euro League: Reach the Group Stage.

[poulka]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Notts County April 2017 update. The end of the season saw the anarchy in the ranks quelled as well some mayor battles on the pitch.

In league we were stumbling to the finish. We ended finishing second in the league, behind 5 points to league two champion Plymouth Argyle. Not bad but we had first locked until the last five matches.

In FA Cup action we made it all the way to FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. That brought a huge matchup against Arsenal. We were totally out classed in 3-1 defeat.

In summer transfer news, we had Plikerton a 42 year goalkeeper to retire. We also lost Jordan Richards and Vidaine Oliver in transfers. We were able to bring in John Akinde, Krystaine Peace, Dan Cowel and RW Sheppard.

August 2017 update coming later.

Nice career write ups guys.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Notts County April 2017 update. The end of the season saw the anarchy in the ranks quelled as well some mayor battles on the pitch.

In league we were stumbling to the finish. We ended finishing second in the league, behind 5 points to league two champion Plymouth Argyle. Not bad but we had first locked until the last five matches.

In FA Cup action we made it all the way to FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. That brought a huge matchup against Arsenal. We were totally out classed in 3-1 defeat.

In summer transfer news, we had Plikerton a 42 year goalkeeper to retire. We also lost Jordan Richards and Vidaine Oliver in transfers. We were able to bring in John Akinde, Krystaine Peace, Dan Cowel and RW Sheppard.

August 2017 update coming later.

Nice career write ups guys.

Akinde! I hope he tears it up for you man! Should be a beast of a target forward, with still more than enough pace to run past people as well.


Also Sheppard is another guy that I always put on my list of targets, but I usually can't afford him since I spend my money in other priorities first but I've always wanted to use him since his stats look really good for a player of his rating

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

So before this season I upped the difficulty to Legendary to try to really make the Premier League a challenge. So far I haven't really noticed a difference though, but I will probably give it until January to make my decision. If I feel like it's still not as tough as I would like it, or even if I think it's too tough, then I think I will start to implement some sliders (I use default currently).


I'm really excited about how the team is coming together now. I am getting some real quality players in, and I am starting to plan out future transfers to really improve positions of need.

[sportsfreak96]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?



I'm lost for words with the team I inherited at PSG. I poached a few players from my old squad Crystal Palace to improve the depth of the squad. They had bought Neymar in the summer for 200 million and he's on 950k a week wages then they gave me 500 million to spend in January and I'm sitting there like DEAR GOD. I ended up spending 300 million of that money on some players.

[texasbum06]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Season 4

The Mariners

September 2019



Southampton FC 1 - 4 Grimsby Town
SOU - Romeu 45'
GRI - Al Kuwaykibi 24', 80', Cole 83', Kelly 89'
MOTM: Al Kuwaykibi

After losing to them in the EFL Cup, we showed them just exactly how dangerous we really are with our first choice XI. We kicked it off with Morris playing Al Kuwaykibi down the middle and he used his pace to split the defenders and go through on goal and slot it just past the keeper. Right before the half Romeu found the equalizer for Southampton though after we failed to clear the ball it ended up at his feet and all he had to do was knock it in from in front of goal. We retook the lead late though with Amang chesting down a ball played over the top and racing through on goal to draw the keeper out and then laid it off to Al Kuwaykibi to finish into the open goal. We then brought on our subs to finish it out and they connected right away with Kelly playing Cole through and he beat the keeper to extend the lead. Then just minutes later the roles reversed with Cole setting up Kelly this time and all he had to do was poke it home to cap off the night.



Europa League Group Stage
Grimsby Town 0 - 1 Girondins
GIR - Crivelli 15'
MOTM: Arambarri

We really deserved to win this one, or at the very least to get a draw. We dominated almost the entire game, but it came down to just one lucky goal from them that ended up deciding it. A complete defensive breakdown allowed Crivelli to sit in a gap between our defenders and he got the ball with only the keeper to beat and he was never going to miss that. Afterwards we just threw shot after shot at their goal, but nothing could crack the wall that their keeper had built. Truly disappointing, but it's only the first game with plenty of time to recover.



Grimsby Town 3 - 0 Swansea City
GRI - Kelly 4', Cole 28' (PEN), Bogle 90'
MOTM: Morris

Our debut season in the Premier League continues to shock everyone with another convincing win. Our first goal came off a corner with Morris sending the ball in and finding Kelly for the strong header back across the goal to the far post. After that it only got worse for Swansea as the referee pointed to the spot to award us a penalty and Cole tucked it away to double the lead. As if that wasn't enough we added our third and final goal in the 90th when Bennett had his shot blocked and it fell to Bogle who finished into the open net.



Grimsby Town 3 - 2 Manchester United
GRI - Amang 30' (PEN), Banton 45', 82'
MUN - Janssen 12', Martial 52'
MOTM: Amang

United probably deserved the win, or at least the draw, but we didn't lie down and fought for a hard earned win. It looked like we were in for a long day early when Janssen got the ball off of a giveaway by us and he slotted it home easily for the lead. But in the 29th minute Fosu-Mensah slid through our man in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Amang stepped up and converted to tie it up. Then just before the half Banton and Amang played a fantastic 1-2 that ended with Amang playing Banton through and he finished it low across the goal for the lead. It didn't take long after the restart though for Martial to cut right through our defense to unleash a shot from the edge of the area that beat our keeper to tie it up once again. But in the end it was a great through ball from Vieira that allowed Banton to go in on goal and slide it around the keeper for the unlikely win.

League Table



Youth Academy



Board Objectives

Youth
-Within 2 seasons, have at least 1 player from the Youth Academy signed in the first team play at least 50% of the games in the next season. (Remaining seasons: 2)

Brand Exposure
-Gain £5,100,000 earnings from shirt sales within a season

Financial
-Keep player salary growth under 20%

Domestic Success
-Premier League: Avoid Relegation.
-The Emirates FA Cup: Reach the Round of 32 Stage.
-Within 2 seasons in Premier League: Finish Mid Table (Remaining seasons :2)

Continental Success
-Euro League: Reach the Group Stage.

[poulka]

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Good write ups Texasbum06 and Sportsfreak.

John Akinde has been special. He has put tremendous pressure on goalkeepers.

The August update saw us get started in league play with two wins. Then it kind of balanced out with a couple of draws.

In EFL Cup we started with Northampton who gave us a slight challenge. The second match in EFL Cup in August saw us up against Arsenal of all people at the Staduim Of The Emirates. But we won 3-1 to get some small revenge back on them from that FA Cup semi-final lost.

On the transfer front I lost one of my rotating strikers that had been a long term player on the team. But I am pretty happy with my team as of right now. The September update will be coming with some more EFL Cup action.