How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

**Keano16** · 11-11-2014, 01:11 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by indiblue

It's been a while since we've had a debate out here, so I thought I'd get the ball rolling with a topic that's been on my mind ever since I finished up March with West Brom. Keep in mind that at no point am I taking potshots at anyone.

Ever since I stopped making transfers based on the player's overall and started looking at individual stats, I've found that I rarely go wrong in terms of a purchase or loan. It's a more time-consuming effort that requires use of the GTN scouting system, but I find it more enjoyable and rewarding. The bonus here is that you can often build your team with players who aren't household names. Rather than Kompany and Suarez, you go after the likes of Roman Eremenko and Jetro Willems. Winning trophies with players you've picked up from obscure leagues and smaller teams is a rush that can only be beat – except by winning with a team packed with academy graduates.

This scouting and transfer method also throws up some hidden gems and tactical twists. For example, I've been scouting a left back who I thought could be a good addition to the defence. When I got the most recent report on him, I had a closer look at his stats. Not only has he got the right traits to play as a wide defender, but this guy is crying out to be played in central midfield. In fact, he seems wasted that far from the action given his shooting and passing stats, so I'm now assessing whether I can convert him into a central player, similar to how I turned Nathan Redmond into a Bergkamp-like second striker.

It just feels amazing to do well with a team full of unknowns and discards, while the likes of Danny Welbeck and Mario Balotelli can't even finish in the top four. Especially in FIFA 15, where players don't start dropping stats like mad when they turn 29 or 30, it's wonderful to grab someone with experience and see him go on for a few seasons. It feels great to find a young midfielder from a lower division who displaces a league-winning international from the starting eleven, an unknown African forward who goes on to score 45 goals in three seasons, or a past-his-prime Spanish world champion who can still bag 10 goals and 10 assists at the age of 35.

What are your thoughts?

Originally posted by Simppu12

Once again I agree but not completely. What if you become a huge team and need to buy those stars? For example the progress I have made at Hertha is pretty big. In the real squad there are a lot of mid-70 ovr players but now, three seasons later, there is no one who is worse than 81 in the starting XI. I just can't build a treble-winning team with 'no-ones'. Like you know, I have been recruiting a lot of stars and not so many smaller players. It's all about the budget and improvement. I have no idea what I'm trying to aay anymore. My point was that sometimes you can't survive without stars at the top. Unless you are a good player of FIFA or you have the same mentality and playing style as Atletico.

I agree with both, For lower leagues and lower BPL I feel indi's way is better, you haven't the money to spend in big stars. Simppu's right too, its hard to win everything with 70's players so ya need to sign big players to do so.

**Minnesota1859** · 11-11-2014, 05:34 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by Minnesota1859

Sup guys I haven't posted in a while but I am really enjoying the careers. Please vote for a career idea and it may come to a thread near you sometime soon.

http://strawpoll.me/2968425.

I have tried to start all 3 careers so far and have found no connection to Malaga. So I am officially dropping Malaga from consideration which is ok because it was in last place. Sorry to anyone who voted for Malaga its not because I disrespect your opinion. Some additional info on the other 2 in consideration; for Newcastle I am considering closing the first transfer window and using the squad as it stands until January. Also I will wait until the poll has around 20 votes, thanks for your time!

**vrabbit** · 11-11-2014, 05:38 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by Keano16

I agree with both, For lower leagues and lower BPL I feel indi's way is better, you haven't the money to spend in big stars. Simppu's right too, its hard to win everything with 70's players so ya need to sign big players to do so.

all of this

**_ChicoBass** · 11-11-2014, 05:41 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Interesting debate. I shall partake!

My personal preference is signing no names as Indi said. In my Wimbledon career, I signed Jacob Murphy in my first season (League 2) at 56 overall. A couple game time months ago (now in Season 6), he became my first player to break into the 80s. The feeling of achievement having a player grow with you like that is incomparable, unless it is with a youth academy player. Despite his 80+ overall, he is not my best player on the field. In fact, if I had to rank my starting 11 he'd be on the bottom half of that list. My star player, as many of you already know, is Terry Gornell who has surpassed his 65 potential and is currently 75 or 76 overall. He's the current top goal scorer in the BPL barely ahead of Cavani and Mandzukic. I see him and Murphy as a prime example of how misleading overall stats can be. I too, like Indi, focus more on individual stats when I am looking for transfer targets rather than looking at overall. It definitely takes more time, which is why it takes me a long time to advance through the transfer window months, but it is well worth it in the end. Indeed I have not won the treble with my no-name, youth academy, and only-UK players, but when I do, I will feel more accomplished knowing I created this squad from scratch and each of those players are identified with this club.

Both points of views in this debate are good and true. This is only my personal preference.

**vrabbit** · 11-11-2014, 05:56 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by Keano16

Nice going there in the league! Just a quick question, how did yea get the pictures from the game? (If anyone else knows feel free to answer.)

I believe you can upload pics from the game to ea.com then just get them from there.

**vrabbit** · 11-11-2014, 06:10 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by Keano16

Wycombe Wanderers
FIFA 14
Season 1

Spoiler

First of all props on the design of your posts, they're very easy on the eyes. As you may know I'm a big fan of League 2 CM's so I'm digging yours for sure. It's nice to see you're already at the top of the standings so good luck trying to keep that spot the rest of the season. Is Morgan still one of your strikers? If so it doesn't seem like he's scoring much for you. I know he was frustrating for me because of his lack of progression but Luis Valencia from Colombia could be a nice addition for a very minimal price. GOOD LUCK!

Originally posted by jamiec47

Sent To Coventry
Season 3
FIFA 15

Spoiler

Nice bounce back from your earlier update where I believe you didn't get a single win. Keep it up, the season is still young. Oh, and for the record I didn't disapprove of your choice to roll with a financial takeover. I did it at Alcorcon too along the lines of how you've done it and it didn't really damage my CM.

Originally posted by Cruzerr

Phil against The World
Season 2
Milton Keynes Dons

Spoiler

I meant to comment on your CM earlier but I just haven't been able to spend much time on here. LOVE your CM for a lot of reasons, chief among them that chico hates your team but also the detail that you put on your updates (which I can only DREAM of doing). I see you are already at the top of the standings and I would be shocked if you're not in the Championship next season. Would love to see your players' overall rating on your updates, I've actually been thinking of posting my Starting XI's also on my updates (with the spoiler tag).

**indiblue** · 11-11-2014, 06:15 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Glad to see my post on scouting/transfers being discussed. I think Chico got my point best. You can indeed win things with a team full of 70-rated players as long as the stats for their roles are high. Podolski is rated 78 overall but has attacking and passing stats all in the mid-80s or higher, and he's my top scorer with 22 goals in all competitions, having played roughly 70% of all my games.

In other news, I just finished my third season with West Bromwich Albion. Let's just say that it was better and worse than I expected. I've started typing up the update, but it's HUGE and the time here is 3.45 am, so I think I'll finish up tomorrow.

**vrabbit** · 11-11-2014, 06:38 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by indiblue

Incredible update, incredible results. And imagine, even with this stunning form of yours, you're still 12 points off the top of the table. That must be one competitive league! Also enjoy seeing that you are scoring goals for fun, always good to see that. No wonder, when you have players in form the way you do. Collins seems like just the type of guy I'd take a punt on if he were in my save, and I love seeing a strike partner rack up assists like Nimely has. I love how your youth academy has guys from across the world. Greece, Ghana, Sweden, Argentina, Italy... it's like you're a factory for future World Cup stars! I hope a lot of the boys make the jump. I'll be moving to start on my YA with West Brom at the end of my current (third) season, any tips for scouting would be appreciated. Keep up the good run!

Thanks indi. If you really get into scouting there are a lot of things to consider ... having a small budget will make you realize this. If you have a minimal budget don't be afraid to scout Japan and South Korea, they've given me some gems in both CM's. Australia would be another place I'd reach out to, not sure about New Zealand, China, or Saudi Arabia. Scouting for no particular type of player will mostly get you midfielders. For defenders I usually look for the physically strong type, and for strikers I look for attackers (though that also can land you a lot of midfielders). Your best bet for speed is to look for wingers which can get you both LW/RW as well as wingbacks/fullbacks. Don't even get excited about goalkeepers since they don't seem to progress. I've had a couple high-potential keepers who are just wasting away because they don't progress one bit.

Hope that helps.

**Simppu12** · 11-12-2014, 03:03 AM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by indiblue

Glad to see my post on scouting/transfers being discussed. I think Chico got my point best. You can indeed win things with a team full of 70-rated players as long as the stats for their roles are high. Podolski is rated 78 overall but has attacking and passing stats all in the mid-80s or higher, and he's my top scorer with 22 goals in all competitions, having played roughly 70% of all my games.

In other news, I just finished my third season with West Bromwich Albion. Let's just say that it was better and worse than I expected. I've started typing up the update, but it's HUGE and the time here is 3.45 am, so I think I'll finish up tomorrow.

The things you and Chico said are true, for example I still prefer my 82 ovr Lacazette instead of Suarez who's 90. Like Chico said it always feels great to win big games with a 'starless' squad but sometimes you need to buy those big players just to have more quality.

By the way, have you seen The Devil's Advocate, Chico? If you haven't go watch it now! It's a great Pacino movie.

**indiblue** · 11-12-2014, 05:57 AM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

FIFA 15 | PS3
Season 3 | 2016-17
Top-four finish | R32 domestic cup | R16 Europe

Warning: very long post ahead.

Spoiler

March

PL: West Brom 0-0 Fulham

West Bromwich Albion will be looking to bounce back from yet another draw with a better display of results in the months to come. Tottenham and Chelsea continue to close the gap with every dropped point, and West Brom can't afford to keep gifting other teams with such golden opportunities to possibly secure a lead for the first time since November.

CL: Bayern Munich 3-3 West Brom

4 Redmond

16 Podolski

26 Lewandowski

45+1 Berahino

53 Gonzalez (og)

71 Lahm

West Bromwich Albion have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 6-5 aggregate win over European stalwarts Bayern Munich. Entering the match in a precarious position, one goal ahead and the opponents with a pair of away goals, the Baggies made an immediate impact as Nathan Redmond dribbled past two Bayern defenders before slotting past the world's best goalkeeper. Despite adding two more goals before halftime, a foolish decision from Indi Blue to switch to an unfamiliar 5-4-1 system meant that West Brom had to endure a tense second half. The English side will now face Istanbul-based Galatasaray, a club with a reputation for being tricky, in the quarter-finals.

FA: West Brom 3-2 Everton

24 Redmond

37 Garbutt

58 Berahino

63 Redmond

69 Mitroglou

In this FA Cup quarter-final match between two of the Premier League's contrasting fortunes, league leaders West Bromwich Albion defeated relegation battlers Everton 3-2 at The Hawthorns. Nathan Redmond's brace and Saido Berahino's header were punctuated by goals from Luke Garbutt and Kosta Mitroglou, who signed for Everton in the January window. The Baggies now square off against Tottenham in the first semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

PL: Tottenham 5-2 West Brom

20 Holtby

45 Lansbury (pen)

59 Paulinho

62 Adebayor

74 Yedlin

80 Berahino

90+2 Capoue

Collapsing to their second league loss of the season, West Bromwich Albion were outclassed by Tottenham in what could be a sign of things to come in the FA Cup. The Londoners ran riot, scoring five and bossing a visibly fatigued team devoid of creativity.

CL: West Brom 4-1 Galatasaray

28 Kurtulus

33 Podolski

45+1 Podolski

47 Sessegnon

56 Sessegnon

Yekta Kurtulus drew first blood for Galatasaray in this quarter-final match in England, but West Bromwich Albion responded with braces from Lukas Podolski and Stephane Sessegnon. The Beninese midfielder returned to the side after a spell on the periphery of the team, precipitated primarily by the change of formation and Nathan Redmond's scintillating form, and bossed the Turks in a fine display that evoked memories of last season.

April

PL: West Brom 1-0 Everton

82 Reid

West Bromwich Albion displayed their early-season confidence with a tight win over Everton. New Zealand captain Winston Reid scored the only goal of the match late in the second half, rising highest on a corner to guide the ball past Joel Robles. With the loss, Everton are just two points clear of relegation and could be looking at an historic drop to the second division.

Turkish cauldron awaits Baggies in Istanbul

They may have a three-goal cushion, but West Bromwich Albion have little clue what awaits them in the football capital of Turkey. In Istanbul, at Galatasaray's Turk Telekom Arena where the two teams will play out the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the atmosphere will be incredibly hostile towards the visitors, who have a task ahead of them. Greater teams have faltered in the face of intimidating displays of choreographed visuals, banshee-like whistles and enough flares to bring light to a black hole. Known for their rabid support, the enthusiastic supporters of Galatasaray will be willing their side on to victory. Indi Blue would be wise to trust in his experienced players and play for a comfortable result, rather than be adventurous and seek out goal after goal as he's done all season.

CL: Galatasaray 1-1 West Brom

30 Podolski

90+2 Çolak

Lukas Podolski's header came on the 30-minute mark to ease West Bromwich Albion's worries, and while Galatasaray struggled to respond immediately after, they came out all guns blazing in the second half. Semih Kaya was impenetrable, while Selcuk Inan ran the midfield to create chance after chance, only for the strike force to prove wasteful. Emre Çolak took advantage of late laxity to grab a consolation, but it was too little too late. West Brom are through to the semi-finals, where they will face Italian behemoths Juventus.

PL: Norwich 0-2 West Brom

15 Cole

54 Sessegnon

The league leaders dispatched bottom-of-the-table Norwich City with little fuss. Devante Cole was awarded a rare start and rewarded his manager's faith with a sublime chip over John Ruddy. Stephane Sessegnon scored a free kick early in the second half to secure the points against a toothless Norwich side completely devoid of confidence and skill.

PL: West Brom 1-1 Man. City

40 Aguero

46 Fofana

Manchester City sought to avenge the humiliating 2-0 loss from earlier in the season, and they also needed to win to have any hope of finishing in the top four. The visitors only managed a draw, with Sergio Aguero's goal late in the first half cancelled out by Gueida Fofana's strike early on in the second. With the loss, Manchester City are now mathematically ruled out of Champions League football for next season.

FA: Tottenham 1-2 West Brom

30 Redmond

41 Adebayor

87 Sako

A packed Wembley Stadium was host to the second of two FA Cup semi-final matches. Nathan Redmond got the scoring underway, but Emmanuel Adebayor brought the scores level before halftime with a thumping header. With the match headed for extra time, Bakary Sako tricked Vlad Chiriches with a dummy before rifling a ferocious shot into the net, causing the blue half of Wembley to erupt in rapturous scenes. West Bromwich Albion now await the result of the other semi-final between Manchester City and Hull City.

Cup final beckons for West Brom after win over Spurs

It was confirmed today that this year's FA Cup final, due to be held on May 14, will be contested between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City. The northwest side defeated Hull 2-0 in their semi-final match to set up a grudge match against the team that ensured they would not be playing in next year's Champions League. The match is set to be full of energy and passion, with both sides looking for silverware for different reasons. While there is a long way to go, West Brom are still on course to complete an historic treble, and they will need the FA Cup title to do so. Manchester City will want to ensure that their season is not a total failure, and reward the fans who've stuck with them through ups and downs.

CL: Juventus 1-3 West Brom

35 Sako

44 Delph

70 Berahino

75 Marchisio

West Bromwich Albion flew to Turin not knowing what to expect. After all, it's not every day that the West Midlands side comes up against Italy's most successful club. Things turned on their heads when Bakary Sako and Fabian Delph put the visitors 2-0 up before the break. Saido Berahino came on to score a third with his first touch of the ball, and poor defending allowed Juventus captain Claudio Marchisio to score a consolation goal for the Old Lady.

PL: Swansea 1-2 West Brom

28 Redmond

32 Dyer

83 Podolski (pen)

Nathan Redmond and Nathan Dyer scored within minutes of each other, as Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion went into the break level. Tempers flared in the second half, and the match descended into chaos. Chris Foy was forced to issue no less than nine yellow cards, including one that resulted in a penalty which Lukas Podolski duly scored.

Baggies bring back healthy lead from Turin

With the Italian job halfway done, West Bromwich Albion will be thanking themselves for taking advantage of their scoring opportunities in Turin. Juventus found themselves unable to stop Nathan Redmond and James Milner from creating chance after chance, with their 3-5-2 formation once again costing them dearly on the European stage. However, the Baggies would do well not to write off a team that boasts the talents of Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba. A draw, with or without score, will benefit West Brom so long as Juventus are kept to no more than two goals. Still, Indi will be looking to minimise the damage and exertion, and a 1-0 Juventus win or 1-1 draw seems the likeliest outcome for the second leg.

CL: West Brom 1-1 Juventus

57 Tevez (pen)

74 Lansbury

As predicted, it was a 1-1 draw that ended Juventus' European dream and catapulted West Bromwich Albion into the final of the Champions League! Carlos Tevez scored from the spot after Fernando Llorente was fouled in the box, while Henri Lansbury exhibited serious skill to beat two men in the box and place the ball past Salvatore Sirigu. West Brom have now matched Atletico de Madrid's achievement from a few years ago, reaching the Champions League final on the back of excellent team ethic and strict adherence to a system that makes use of the available players. Real Madrid will be their opponents for the match set to take place at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. Interestingly, should Xabi Alonso play in the match, he will be watched by fans of his current club as well as those of two former ones.

PL: West Brom 4-1 Liverpool

12 Pocognoli

21 Berahino

64 Griezmann

86 Ideye

89 Sessegnon

Liverpool simply couldn't contain a rampant West Bromwich Albion, whose spirits have been given a massive boost since making the Champions League final during their very first season in the competition. And after 35 rounds of the Barclays Premier League, West Brom now hold a distinct advantage. They are on 80 points, five more than second-placed Chelsea, but they also have a game in hand due to their progression in the FA Cup. In third and fourth, Manchester United and Tottenham both have 73 points, but the former's impeccable scoring record puts them one spot higher thanks to a superior goal differential. As it stands, West Brom need five points from their next four games to secure the title.

May

PL: Burnley 0-2 West Brom

28 Sako

59 Fofana

Burnley were relegated nearly three weeks ago, and they showed why with a pathetic display at home. West Bromwich Albion were allowed free reign, bossing the game in first gear itself. Following on from Chelsea's draw at Newcastle, West Brom need just one more point to secure the title. A win or draw at Old Trafford guarantees that the Baggies will be named this season's English champions. Xabi Alonso is in line to start the match, with his passing and organisation absolutely vital against a top team like Manchester United. It will also ensure that the veteran Spaniard has enough recovery time prior to the FA Cup final.

Premier League: Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion

Welcome to the live coverage of the Barclays Premier League. Today, Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. Let's head to the kickoff, where Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are set to begin proceedings.

KICKOFF Here we go, lads and ladies! Manchester United start off by getting the ball to Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini in midfield, and the pair enjoy early possession between themselves and Angel Di Maria.

11' MISS! Oh, what is that? Wayne Rooney gets the ball on the right wing before cutting in with his left foot. His path obstructed, he lays it off to the onrushing Daley Blind, whose shot flies way up into the sky. That's going to be costly!

23' SUBSTITUTION Manchester United have an early injury problem as Marouane Fellaini is ruled out of further action with some sort of injury to his ankle. It's Anderson who comes on to replace the Belgian. Will he be able to do the job?

28' SAVE! Ben Foster is proving his worth today. The former United goalkeeper is called into action against Robin van Persie and doesn't disappoint. The Dutchman is looking sharp.

33' BOOKING Not ten minutes after coming on, Anderson finds himself in Andre Marriner's book for a clumsy challenge on Bakary Sako. The Mali international receives treatment and is quickly cleared to return to the field.

41' DISALLOWED GOAL! What a blunder that is! Wayne Rooney plays Robin van Perie onside with a fine through ball, but the Dutchman's return pass is just a fraction too late, ruling the captain's smashing shot as having come from offside.

HALFTIME It's the end of the first 45 minutes here at Old Trafford, where the hosts look the better team. They're in the ascendancy and will look to keep the momentum going when play resumes. West Brom might need to wait a few more days to win the league.

45' SUBSTITUTION Indi Blue has seen enough. He sends on midfield maestro Xabi Alonso to exert his influence on the match. Gueida Fofana is the man making way for the Spaniard.

51' GOAL! Oh, what a blow! West Brom have looked lively since Xabi's introduction, but it's Wayne Rooney who scores against the run of play. Anders Lindegaard's parry is booted up-field by Angel Di Maria. Rooney takes one touch before beating Winston Reid for pace, and he makes no mistake with the finish. First blood to the hosts!

59' GOAL! That one was completely on the cards. Wayne Rooney once more proves his worth, getting on the end of Rafael's cross to hit a scissor kick into the corner. That's top drawer from the skipper there, leading by example. What a player.

63' SUBSTITUTION Robin van Persie makes way for young gun James Wilson, who has been in good form lately. The Dutchman is unlucky not to have got on the score sheet tonight. His work rate has been every bit as good as Wayne Rooney's.

69' GOAL! Hello, superstar! Nathan Redmond has been looking like a world-class player all season, and he does it yet again. Manchester United's corner is cleared up to the Englishman, who turns on the pace to go clear on goal. Lindegaard had no chance against a shot of that pace and power.

71' GOAL! What on earth is happening to Manchester United? Nathan Redmond is at the double, beating five defenders before curling an exquisite shot past a helpless goalkeeper. The away end is absolutely buzzing. They really believe they've won the league! West Brom need to hold on here, and it's Omar Gonzalez who comes on for Fabian Delph to help.

87' MISS! Yowza! Nathan Redmond almost gets a hat-trick, lifting his free kick over the wall and towards the top corner. The ball curves just a bit too much, and it's off the post and into play. Anderson clears it into safety.

89' MISS! Down the other end, United screw up their own chance to win it. James Wilson has Wayne Rooney wide open and onside, but he elects to shoot instead. He's getting an earful from his captain now, and rightly so. That was absolutely selfish.

STOPPAGE TIME The fourth official has announced a massive six minutes of added time here, but nobody can figure out why. West Brom have got to get men behind the ball and defend. This could be the day they become heroes.

90+4' SAVE! Could that be the one that does it? Sebastien Pocognoli launches a long ball that finds Lukas Podolski. The German is precise with his cross, but Anders Lindegaard is there to claim the ball. Not much time left now.

FULL TIME West Bromwich Albion have been crowned champions of England, winning the 2016-17 Barclays Premier League with two matches left to play! The Baggies' scintillating draw at Old Trafford featured rising superstar Nathan Redmond at the heart of a late comeback. The 23-year-old's brace secured West Brom's first silverware in decades, allowing his manager and teammates the luxury of being able to prepare for two cup finals at ease. The title win completes the first part of a potential treble. West Brom must now beat Manchester City and Real Madrid to complete the rare achievement. Stick around for reactions from both managers and some players.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "This was an excellent display of football. I have to congratulate West Brom, because they have been the best team in this league all year. They fully deserve the title. We played very well today. There were many chances to win it, but both sides missed a few opportunities. It is a good day for West Brom. Their fans will enjoy this for a long time."

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney: "Obviously, we're not happy. We wanted to win. We want to win every match we play. I think we were quite good, and we've always had great games against West Brom over the last two or three seasons. Congrats to them and their fans, but we'll be back to take the title next season."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "Wow, I mean what do I say right now? It's a massive credit to the players. They've been so, so good all year. This level of consistency is so rare to have, so it's great that we have something to show for it. The fans have been incredible, and they fully deserve this. We know the treble is possible now, and we'll be giving 100% to win it. I also have to mention Manchester United, who gave us two of the best games of our season. They were magnificent today."

West Bromwich Albion captain Joleon Lescott: "Incredible, mate. It feels amazing. We played our hearts out and came away with the title. I've been here before, but this feels special. What we did here today is something rare. I'm proud to be part of this club and part of games of this level."

PL: West Brom 2-1 Southampton

36 Sessegnon

63 Wanyama

68 Sessegnon

The Hawthorns was absolutely rocking as the league champions came home to roost. The home fans sang manager Indi Blue's name for large part of the first half as Stephane Sessegnon scored a brace in his final match at the stadium. It was announced after the title-winning result at Old Trafford that the Benin international will be leaving West Bromwich Albion this summer by mutual consent, after it was decided that he would not be offered a new contract. The home fans gave their team a standing ovation at the final whistle, and the players stayed out on the pitch long after the end of the match, soaking up the adulation and signing autographs.

Special affection was reserved for departing hero Sessegnon. "It's been an incredible four seasons here," he said after the match. "I've had some great games here. The fans have been behind me since day one, and I'll miss playing for them more than anything. I'll always treasure these memories. Winning the league feels amazing, and I hope we cap it with two more trophies. It won't be easy, but we'll give it 100%!"

FA Cup: Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Welcome to the live coverage of the FA Cup final. Today, Manchester City take on West Bromwich Albion at Wembley Stadium in London. Let's head to the middle of the park, where Manchester City are about to get the ball rolling at a packed stadium.

KICKOFF And it's Edinson Cavani who gets us underway, passing the ball to David Silva before making a darting run towards West Brom's goal. The through ball is cut out by Winston Reid, who clears the ball by sending it into touch.

5' POST! West Brom make the first threatening move of the afternoon. Nathan Redmond combines with Cristian Gamboa down the right flank, and the Englishman lets loose a blazing shot that thunders off the post and out of play.

15' BOOKING James Milner is the first name in Phil Dowd's book. He's given a yellow card for his late tackle on Oscar, quite fortunately as that would have been red in a regular fixture.

26' SAVE! Asmir Begovic is called into action for City. Lukas Podolski plays a one-two with Bakary Sako before attempting to curl a shot past the Bosnian, who is alert and ready.

37' BOOKING Fernandinho sees yellow for a barge. The Brazilian ploughs into the back of Guieda Fofana, who is up and on his feet in seconds, ready to play the advantage.

HALFTIME The match remains scoreless, but it's anything but dour. With almost ten shots at either end, both keepers have been called upon time and time again. There don't seem to be too many goals in this one, but the second half should be as entertaining as the first.

52' SAVE! He's on fire, he is! Asmir Begovic rescues City once more, sticking out a leg to block Fabian Delph's low cross before smothering the rebound.

55' SUBSTITUTION West Brom make the first change of the match, as Saido Berahino comes on for Bakary Sako.

66' MISS! And what a miss this is! Lukas Podolski drives into the box, holding three City defenders at bay with an impressive show of strength. The German lures Asmir Begovic just wide of centre before teeing up Saido Berahino, who scuffs his shot wide. How costly will that turn out to be?

72' SUBSTITUTION City go for a double change. It's Oscar and David Silva who come off, with Eden Hazard and Sergio Aguero coming on in their places.

77' SAVE! With virtually his first touch of the day, Sergio Aguero lifts the ball past Joleon Lescott, only to find Ben Foster ready to pounce. Aguero's tame shot is easily smothered by the West Brom veteran.

81' GOAL! It's Eden Hazard who gets the breakthrough, the £40 million man making good on his January transfer. David Silva chips a ball over the West Brom defence, and the former Chelsea winger rifles it into the top corner past Ben Foster. Cool as a cucumber!

83' SUBSTITUTION West Brom send on Brown Ideye for James Milner, with Nathan Redmond dropping back into central midfield.

88' MISS! Lukas Podolski exhibits a rare case of poor form in front of goal. Saido Berahino does well to control Ben Foster's goal kick, flicking the ball on to Podolski. The former Arsenal man is wasteful, shooting directly ahead, well wide of the goal.

STOPPAGE TIME We've got two minutes of injury time here at Wembley. West Brom have been in all-out attack mode for the last ten minutes or so, hunting an equaliser that doesn't seem to be coming. Can they pull off another last-minute result?

FULL TIME Manchester City are FA Cup champions, with Eden Hazard's driven shot resulting in the only goal of the match. West Brom are distraught; some of the players are inconsolable. The dream of the treble is no more, and despite having won the league title, they have lost yet another cup final.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It was a very tight game. I thought maybe West Brom would score in the first half. We were very surprised to go into halftime without conceding, and that's when we thought maybe we can win. Eden scored a very good goal, we are happy that we were able to bring him to the club."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "Extremely disappointing. We were wasteful in front of goal and have nobody to blame but ourselves. The match was there for the taking, and we should have been two or three up by the time they scored. It's painful, but we can't do anything about it now. We should have been more clinical out on the pitch."

PL: Hull 1-2 West Brom

9 Sessegnon

81 Sessegnon

88 Sagbo

Yet another brace from Stephane Sessegnon allowed West Bromwich Albion to somewhat ease the pain of losing the FA Cup final, and with it the treble, by breaking the 90-point mark. The Benin international joined his teammates after the final whistle to spend almost 45 minutes with the travelling support, posing for photos and signing dozens of autographs.

Champions League: West Bromwich Albion vs. Real Madrid

Welcome to the live coverage of the Champions League final. West Bromwich Albion, who have knocked out the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus, square off against Real Madrid, who come off the back of a 7-3 aggregate win over Chelsea in their semi-final. Allianz Arena in Munich is our venue. Let's head out to the ground, where the boys from England are set to get us underway.

KICKOFF West Brom start the proceedings, hoofing the ball back to Ben Foster as usual. The Baggies play out of the back, with Xabi Alonso at the heart of everything in the opening minutes. The Spaniard, starting his fifth Champions League final, is one of only two players alongside Clarence Seedorf to have won this competition with three different clubs. He will be hoping to become the first to do so with four clubs.

11' MISS! Iker Casillas will not have an easy time tonight! Lukas Podolski launches a stunning counter-attack after Fabian Delph retrieves the ball. Nathan Remond gets on the end of a cross, but his shot is well wide of the target.

15' GOLAZO! It's that man Xabi with an absolute belter of a shot! Lukas Podolski drags Sergio Ramos out to the right flank before playing the Spaniard through. Xabi doesn't even take a touch, instead sending the ball past Iker Casillas at scorching pace and into the side netting. West Brom are in the lead!

32' SAVE! Iker Casillas needs to dive almost all the way across his goal to palm away James Milner's shot, and he does well to claim the ball from the resulting corner. West Brom have been in the ascendancy for a while. The Baggies are really pressing Madrid high and in numbers, but there looks to be space to exploit if Madrid's midfield can get the ball to the forwards quickly.

37' GOAL! It was coming, wasn't it? Cristiano Ronaldo receives the ball on the left. He exchanges passes with Toni Kross before cutting in, and with a blast of pace, he drops Winston Reid like a hot potato before finishing like a champion. We're level again!

40' BOOKING Gareth Bale is the first name in Benoit Taillade's book for a menacing yank on Sebastien Pocognoli's shoulder.

44' GOAL! Lukas Podolski puts West Brom ahead once again with a lovely header. Cristian Gamboa drives his way past Marcelo before unleashing a pinpoint cross, and Podolski leaps highest to guide the ball home.

HALFTIME West Brom lead Real Madrid 2-1 midway through this match, but the Spanish side don't look like they've even got out of first gear. The Baggies are playing at the very peak of their powers, and it doesn't seem like they can sustain the charge for the full 90 minutes. Carlo Ancelotti will want to take full advantage of that.

45' SUBSTITUTION As the second half begins, it's Saido Berahino who comes on for Bakary Sako. The Malian heads off for an early shower and to treat his bruised calf.

52' MISS! Wow. Sergio Ramos gifts the ball to Saido Berahino, and with one of his first touches since coming on, the diminutive Englishman shoots so far wide that the ball rolls out into touch. Wasteful finishing, that.

64' BOOKING Gareth Bale is now on the receiving end, as Winston Reid body-checks the Welshman as he surged in on goal. That's a fair call.

71' SUBSTITUTION Luka Modric comes on in place of Asier Illarramendi, who pulls up with an injury to his knee. Real Madrid will be hoping it's not too serious.

82' GOAL! Are we looking at extra time here? Cristiano Ronaldo once again pairs up with Toni Kroos, who plays a defence-splitting pass. The Portuguese superstar latches onto the through ball and makes no mistake with his finish.

88' BLOCK! Surely that would have been the winner? Toni Kroos latches onto Karim Benzema's pass, taking one touch before unleashing a ferocious shot that Joleon Lescott dives into, sending the ball way up and out for a corner.

FULL TIME With 90 minutes played and the score at 2-2, there's not much to separate these two teams. We're going to need another 30 minutes at least, with penalties looking like a distinct possibility. Will there be more goals? Can this final beat its 1960 counterpart, which holds the record for the highest-scoring European Cup final with ten goals scored? Let's find out.

90' SUBSTITUTION Xabi Alonso's tired legs make way for Henri Lansbury. The Spaniard has put in a tremendous shift and receives a standing ovation from the entire stadium. As well as his goal, Xabi has completed 52 of his 57 pass attempts. No matter the result, he looks a shoe-in for man of the match.

92' BOOKING Cristiano Ronaldo is tripped by Henri Lansbury, who seems slightly out of his depth at this level.

94' GOLAZO! Nathan Redmond announces his arrival to Europe with an audacious, delicious screamer from 40 yards out! After receiving the ball from Fabian Delph, he beats Gareth Bale down the wing to cut in and shoot from some distance. Iker Casillas can't react quickly enough, and the ball flies perfectly into the top corner of the net. West Brom lead once more!

101' GOAL! Gareth Bale gets on the end of a cross from James Rodriguez, poking home from point blank with his left foot. West Brom will be furious with that goal. The Welshman wasn't being marked by anyone!

112' GOAL! James Rodriguez scores a lovely, looping header after Gareth Bale returns the earlier favour. West Brom's defence has fallen apart. The players are fatigued, and they seem to have lost all morale with this one. Surely this one is Madrid's now?

119' GOAL! And it's Madrid with what looks to be a twelfth European title! Gareth Bale picks up his second with a free kick. The ball lifts over the wall and dips down slowly, but Ben Foster misjudges the speed of the delivery and dives too early. There can't be any way back now!

END OF EXTRA TIME Real Madrid are champions of Europe! Cristiano Ronaldo is going absolutely mental, he's hugging everyone in sight! Tears are streaming down Gareth Bale's face, and Marcelo is on his knees in prayer. West Brom have collapsed. The players can't believe that after coming so close, it's all over with nothing to show for the pain and effort. We'll be describing this season of theirs as a massive achievement for years to come, but these players might disagree on the European part of that.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: "I think it was our best game of the season. The passing was not very good, but we still managed to score. I think West Brom showed us how good they are by beating Bayern and Juventus, and we have to respect that. They have done something special by making the final, and there would be no shame if we had lost today."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "It's like a sword in the throat. None of the lads can speak, let alone wrap their heads around it. The tears show you how much it meant to them, to all of us. To come so close to the treble and see it disappear is excruciating, but we learn from this. We'll be back next year with more goals and better defending."

Season Recap

League Table
1. West Bromwich Albion 90
2. Chelsea 84
3. Manchester United 80
4. Tottenham 73
5. Arsenal 72
6. Liverpool 68
7. Manchester City 67
8. Newcastle United 60
9. Aston Villa 59
10. Southampton 49
11. Hull City 46
12. West Ham United 44
13. Swansea City 41
14. Queens Park Rangers 37
15. Sunderland 34
16. Everton 33
17. Stoke City 31
18. Fulham 31
19. Norwich City 20
20. Burnley 20

Team of the Year
GK Simon Mignolet (LIV)
RB Rafael (MUN)
CB Vincent Kompany (MCI)
CB Per Mertesacker (ARS)
LB Sebastien Pocognoli (WBA)
RM Willian (CHE)
CM Daley Blind (MUN)
CM Mesut Ozil (ARS)
LM Nacer Chadli (TOT)
RS Diego Costa (CHE)
LS Wayne Rooney (MUN)

Goals
25 Wayne Rooney (MUN)
24 Diego Costa (CHE)
21 Danny Welbeck (ARS)

Assists
16 Danny Welbeck (ARS)
14 Nathan Redmond (WBA)
11 James Milner (WBA)

Clean Sheets
14 Simon Mignolet (LIV)
13 Petr Cech (CHE)
11 Ben Foster (WBA)

Player of the Year
Danny Welbeck (ARS)

Manager of the Year
Indi Blue (WBA)

Champions of Europe
Capital One Cup: Chelsea
FA Cup: Manchester City
English PL: West Bromwich Albion
Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich
Serie A: Juventus
Eredivisie: Ajax
Liga Portuguesa: Sporting CP
Russian PL: Dinamo Moskva
Scottish Premiership: Celtic
La Liga: Real Madrid
Super Lig: Besiktas
Europa League: Internazionale
Champions League: Real Madrid

Lescott, Xabi Alonso going nowhere

Fans of West Bromwich Albion will be buzzing today, after the club's board announced the Joleon Lescott and Xabi Alonso have both agreed one-year extensions to their existing contracts. The duo signed their respective agreements days before the close of the January transfer window, but the board intentionally withheld the news at Indi Blue's request, as the manager did not want to risk his team's title charge in any way whatsoever. The risk paid off, as West Brom were crowned champions of England, and despite losing out on what would have been an historic treble, the fans will be upbeat with their achievements this season.

Farewell to African player of the year

West Bromwich Albion held a farewell testimonial for Beninese forward Stephane Sessegnon, whose contract with the club is set to expire at the end of this month. Both club and player agreed earlier this year that it would be best for him to move on in the summer, and to show their appreciation, West Brom hosted Sessegnon's former club Sunderland in a testimonial match that was dedicated to the 2016 BBC African Player of the Year.

"Stephane has given this club everything," said Indi Blue, managing a West Brom team of current and former players chosen by the former Benin international, who also announced his retirement from international football aged 33. "He's maintained a fantastic level of play, which is rare at his age for a forward. I hope he enjoys himself today and in the future."

Sessegnon was visibly emotional at halftime as he received handshakes and hugs from players on both teams, just before swapping his West Brom shirt for a Sunderland one to switch sides for the second period. But the biggest display of affection was reserved for the final whistle, when West Brom fans unveiled a massive banner honouring the Allahe native.

"I can't stress enough how much I'll miss this place. Being here every week, playing for such amazing fans, it's been a wonderful blessing. I've enjoyed my time here just as I enjoyed my time with Sunderland. Hopefully, I can end my career at a club with supporters half as amazing as these guys. That would be a fine conclusion," Sessegnon said after the match.

Mattia Destro agress to West Brom move

More good news continues to trickle out of The Hawthorns, as West Bromwich Albion announced their latest signing, Italy international and Serie A top-scorer Mattia Destro. The striker, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this past season, has agreed to join West Bromwich Albion from his current AS Roma when his contract expires next week. A formal unveiling will take place at the club's Walsall training facility sometime next month.

The gamut of emotions at The Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion have concluded their historic season with their first Barclays Premier League title, only their second English championship. The club is riding a wave of goodwill from supporters, who are absolutely thrilled with the achievement and have no issue with the minor rise in ticket prices that will fund an 10,000-seat extension to The Hawthorns.

Said to be most ecstatic is Joleon Lescott, and the fact that their club captain has been retained for another season will please Baggies supporters to a great extent. Winston Reid, during international duty with New Zealand at the Confederations Cup, also expressed his excitement and eagerness to kick on from here. Many other West Brom players have gone public with their intent to stay, including crucial names such as Lukas Podolski and Cristian Gamboa. The Costa Rican was rewarded for a fine season last week, signing a four-year deal that will double his wages and stave off interest from suitors across Europe.

As it always is with successful teams, there are a few players at West Brom who don't seem too keen on staying despite the upward trajectory of the club. First on the list is Stefanos Kapino, the Greek goalkeeper who joined from FSV Mainz at the start of the 2015-16 season. Despite signing a new contract, Kapino has found himself firmly as second choice behind Ben Foster, whose impressive form made him impossible to drop. The Athens native has reportedly made a formal transfer request, asking to be sold this summer. It is not yet known how Indi Blue plans to handle this, but sources claim that he is desperate to keep a potentially world-class player he sees as absolutely vital to the club's long-term future.

Leonardo Bonucci is another name on the list, though a surprise inclusion given the fact that he joined the club only this past January. The Italian is said to feel unsettled in England, and has allegedly been unable to strike up any sort of rapport with his teammates. It is thought that Indi is keen to give Bonucci a run of games in pre-season and the early days of the Premier League, though he is open to offloading the defender should he still feel out of place before the end of the transfer window. A sale is thought to be preferred to a loan, as Bonucci's value is still high. Furthermore, he won't be cup-tied for the Champions League.

Brown Ideye has fallen out of favour as a first team striker. With the arrival of Mattia Destro, it is Podolski who will partner the Italian up front, with Saido Berahino serving as one of two deputies. If that fourth spot is not to Bakary Sako's liking, then the Mali international could find himself the target of lucrative offers from several big clubs. Sako is widely considered as the front-runner to be named this year's BBC African Player of the Year for his contributions to West Brom's title-winning campaign. The Malian would fetch a price upwards of £10 million, and West Brom may cash in rather than keep an unsatisfied player.

As for signings, there is no shortage of material to discuss. A team winning the title is just as likely to sign top players as it is to sell them. Indi is reportedly so impressed by his loan pair of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Devante Cole that he is weighing up offers to be sent to Chelsea and Manchester City. Also at the top of the manager's wish list is Arsenal midfield general Jack Wilshere, who ended the season poorly and has been the target of several #WilshereOut movements on Twitter. The Englishman is said to be stung by what he sees as him being blamed for the team's collective collapse, perceiving it as a betrayal by the fans he so loyally pledged himself to. Disillusioned with the club and keen to leave, Wilshere has reportedly asked Arsene Wenger to sanction a transfer to another Premier League side.

Two-time Premier League left back of the year Sebastien Pocognoli might be out of a job as a starter in a few months' time. Everton wide man Leighton Baines is said to be on Indi's shortlist, with the Liverpudlian surely disappointed with his club's constant battles against relegation despite their plethora of attacking talent. And if Bonucci decides he wants out, West Brom have lined up none other than Lewis Dunk. Indi worked extensively with the Brighton & Hove Albion defender during his time as a coach with the Seagulls, and Dunk has developed to a point where he has outgrown both Brighton and the lower leagues.

**Keano16** · 11-12-2014, 07:44 AM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by vrabbit

I believe you can upload pics from the game to ea.com then just get them from there.

Unfortunately no internet connection for me. But thanks anyway.

Originally posted by vrabbit

First of all props on the design of your posts, they're very easy on the eyes. As you may know I'm a big fan of League 2 CM's so I'm digging yours for sure. It's nice to see you're already at the top of the standings so good luck trying to keep that spot the rest of the season. Is Morgan still one of your strikers? If so it doesn't seem like he's scoring much for you. I know he was frustrating for me because of his lack of progression but Luis Valencia from Colombia could be a nice addition for a very minimal price. GOOD LUCK!

Spoiler

Thanks, glad to see it's going down well! I'm joint top at the moment with Chesterfield and it's very tight in the top 5, we'll see where I am come the end of the season. I've actually benched and transfer listed Morgan. Craig, Morias and Pittman are doing quite well at the moment. I'll have a look at Valencia, thanks for the tip! I've brought in a couple strikers on loan now, They'll be revealed in my January update.

**AdamJones113** · 11-12-2014, 08:31 AM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Results2.jpg

1st game in league play.

**Keano16** · 11-12-2014, 12:39 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by indiblue

FIFA 15 | PS3
Season 3 | 2016-17
Top-four finish | R32 domestic cup | R16 Europe

Warning: very long post ahead.

Spoiler

March

PL: West Brom 0-0 Fulham

West Bromwich Albion will be looking to bounce back from yet another draw with a better display of results in the months to come. Tottenham and Chelsea continue to close the gap with every dropped point, and West Brom can't afford to keep gifting other teams with such golden opportunities to possibly secure a lead for the first time since November.

CL: Bayern Munich 3-3 West Brom

4 Redmond

16 Podolski

26 Lewandowski

45+1 Berahino

53 Gonzalez (og)

71 Lahm

West Bromwich Albion have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 6-5 aggregate win over European stalwarts Bayern Munich. Entering the match in a precarious position, one goal ahead and the opponents with a pair of away goals, the Baggies made an immediate impact as Nathan Redmond dribbled past two Bayern defenders before slotting past the world's best goalkeeper. Despite adding two more goals before halftime, a foolish decision from Indi Blue to switch to an unfamiliar 5-4-1 system meant that West Brom had to endure a tense second half. The English side will now face Istanbul-based Galatasaray, a club with a reputation for being tricky, in the quarter-finals.

FA: West Brom 3-2 Everton

24 Redmond

37 Garbutt

58 Berahino

63 Redmond

69 Mitroglou

In this FA Cup quarter-final match between two of the Premier League's contrasting fortunes, league leaders West Bromwich Albion defeated relegation battlers Everton 3-2 at The Hawthorns. Nathan Redmond's brace and Saido Berahino's header were punctuated by goals from Luke Garbutt and Kosta Mitroglou, who signed for Everton in the January window. The Baggies now square off against Tottenham in the first semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

PL: Tottenham 5-2 West Brom

20 Holtby

45 Lansbury (pen)

59 Paulinho

62 Adebayor

74 Yedlin

80 Berahino

90+2 Capoue

Collapsing to their second league loss of the season, West Bromwich Albion were outclassed by Tottenham in what could be a sign of things to come in the FA Cup. The Londoners ran riot, scoring five and bossing a visibly fatigued team devoid of creativity.

CL: West Brom 4-1 Galatasaray

28 Kurtulus

33 Podolski

45+1 Podolski

47 Sessegnon

56 Sessegnon

Yekta Kurtulus drew first blood for Galatasaray in this quarter-final match in England, but West Bromwich Albion responded with braces from Lukas Podolski and Stephane Sessegnon. The Beninese midfielder returned to the side after a spell on the periphery of the team, precipitated primarily by the change of formation and Nathan Redmond's scintillating form, and bossed the Turks in a fine display that evoked memories of last season.

April

PL: West Brom 1-0 Everton

82 Reid

West Bromwich Albion displayed their early-season confidence with a tight win over Everton. New Zealand captain Winston Reid scored the only goal of the match late in the second half, rising highest on a corner to guide the ball past Joel Robles. With the loss, Everton are just two points clear of relegation and could be looking at an historic drop to the second division.

Turkish cauldron awaits Baggies in Istanbul

They may have a three-goal cushion, but West Bromwich Albion have little clue what awaits them in the football capital of Turkey. In Istanbul, at Galatasaray's Turk Telekom Arena where the two teams will play out the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the atmosphere will be incredibly hostile towards the visitors, who have a task ahead of them. Greater teams have faltered in the face of intimidating displays of choreographed visuals, banshee-like whistles and enough flares to bring light to a black hole. Known for their rabid support, the enthusiastic supporters of Galatasaray will be willing their side on to victory. Indi Blue would be wise to trust in his experienced players and play for a comfortable result, rather than be adventurous and seek out goal after goal as he's done all season.

CL: Galatasaray 1-1 West Brom

30 Podolski

90+2 Çolak

Lukas Podolski's header came on the 30-minute mark to ease West Bromwich Albion's worries, and while Galatasaray struggled to respond immediately after, they came out all guns blazing in the second half. Semih Kaya was impenetrable, while Selcuk Inan ran the midfield to create chance after chance, only for the strike force to prove wasteful. Emre Çolak took advantage of late laxity to grab a consolation, but it was too little too late. West Brom are through to the semi-finals, where they will face Italian behemoths Juventus.

PL: Norwich 0-2 West Brom

15 Cole

54 Sessegnon

The league leaders dispatched bottom-of-the-table Norwich City with little fuss. Devante Cole was awarded a rare start and rewarded his manager's faith with a sublime chip over John Ruddy. Stephane Sessegnon scored a free kick early in the second half to secure the points against a toothless Norwich side completely devoid of confidence and skill.

PL: West Brom 1-1 Man. City

40 Aguero

46 Fofana

Manchester City sought to avenge the humiliating 2-0 loss from earlier in the season, and they also needed to win to have any hope of finishing in the top four. The visitors only managed a draw, with Sergio Aguero's goal late in the first half cancelled out by Gueida Fofana's strike early on in the second. With the loss, Manchester City are now mathematically ruled out of Champions League football for next season.

FA: Tottenham 1-2 West Brom

30 Redmond

41 Adebayor

87 Sako

A packed Wembley Stadium was host to the second of two FA Cup semi-final matches. Nathan Redmond got the scoring underway, but Emmanuel Adebayor brought the scores level before halftime with a thumping header. With the match headed for extra time, Bakary Sako tricked Vlad Chiriches with a dummy before rifling a ferocious shot into the net, causing the blue half of Wembley to erupt in rapturous scenes. West Bromwich Albion now await the result of the other semi-final between Manchester City and Hull City.

Cup final beckons for West Brom after win over Spurs

It was confirmed today that this year's FA Cup final, due to be held on May 14, will be contested between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City. The northwest side defeated Hull 2-0 in their semi-final match to set up a grudge match against the team that ensured they would not be playing in next year's Champions League. The match is set to be full of energy and passion, with both sides looking for silverware for different reasons. While there is a long way to go, West Brom are still on course to complete an historic treble, and they will need the FA Cup title to do so. Manchester City will want to ensure that their season is not a total failure, and reward the fans who've stuck with them through ups and downs.

CL: Juventus 1-3 West Brom

35 Sako

44 Delph

70 Berahino

75 Marchisio

West Bromwich Albion flew to Turin not knowing what to expect. After all, it's not every day that the West Midlands side comes up against Italy's most successful club. Things turned on their heads when Bakary Sako and Fabian Delph put the visitors 2-0 up before the break. Saido Berahino came on to score a third with his first touch of the ball, and poor defending allowed Juventus captain Claudio Marchisio to score a consolation goal for the Old Lady.

PL: Swansea 1-2 West Brom

28 Redmond

32 Dyer

83 Podolski (pen)

Nathan Redmond and Nathan Dyer scored within minutes of each other, as Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion went into the break level. Tempers flared in the second half, and the match descended into chaos. Chris Foy was forced to issue no less than nine yellow cards, including one that resulted in a penalty which Lukas Podolski duly scored.

Baggies bring back healthy lead from Turin

With the Italian job halfway done, West Bromwich Albion will be thanking themselves for taking advantage of their scoring opportunities in Turin. Juventus found themselves unable to stop Nathan Redmond and James Milner from creating chance after chance, with their 3-5-2 formation once again costing them dearly on the European stage. However, the Baggies would do well not to write off a team that boasts the talents of Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba. A draw, with or without score, will benefit West Brom so long as Juventus are kept to no more than two goals. Still, Indi will be looking to minimise the damage and exertion, and a 1-0 Juventus win or 1-1 draw seems the likeliest outcome for the second leg.

CL: West Brom 1-1 Juventus

57 Tevez (pen)

74 Lansbury

As predicted, it was a 1-1 draw that ended Juventus' European dream and catapulted West Bromwich Albion into the final of the Champions League! Carlos Tevez scored from the spot after Fernando Llorente was fouled in the box, while Henri Lansbury exhibited serious skill to beat two men in the box and place the ball past Salvatore Sirigu. West Brom have now matched Atletico de Madrid's achievement from a few years ago, reaching the Champions League final on the back of excellent team ethic and strict adherence to a system that makes use of the available players. Real Madrid will be their opponents for the match set to take place at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. Interestingly, should Xabi Alonso play in the match, he will be watched by fans of his current club as well as those of two former ones.

PL: West Brom 4-1 Liverpool

12 Pocognoli

21 Berahino

64 Griezmann

86 Ideye

89 Sessegnon

Liverpool simply couldn't contain a rampant West Bromwich Albion, whose spirits have been given a massive boost since making the Champions League final during their very first season in the competition. And after 35 rounds of the Barclays Premier League, West Brom now hold a distinct advantage. They are on 80 points, five more than second-placed Chelsea, but they also have a game in hand due to their progression in the FA Cup. In third and fourth, Manchester United and Tottenham both have 73 points, but the former's impeccable scoring record puts them one spot higher thanks to a superior goal differential. As it stands, West Brom need five points from their next four games to secure the title.

May

PL: Burnley 0-2 West Brom

28 Sako

59 Fofana

Burnley were relegated nearly three weeks ago, and they showed why with a pathetic display at home. West Bromwich Albion were allowed free reign, bossing the game in first gear itself. Following on from Chelsea's draw at Newcastle, West Brom need just one more point to secure the title. A win or draw at Old Trafford guarantees that the Baggies will be named this season's English champions. Xabi Alonso is in line to start the match, with his passing and organisation absolutely vital against a top team like Manchester United. It will also ensure that the veteran Spaniard has enough recovery time prior to the FA Cup final.

Premier League: Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion

Welcome to the live coverage of the Barclays Premier League. Today, Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. Let's head to the kickoff, where Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are set to begin proceedings.

KICKOFF Here we go, lads and ladies! Manchester United start off by getting the ball to Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini in midfield, and the pair enjoy early possession between themselves and Angel Di Maria.

11' MISS! Oh, what is that? Wayne Rooney gets the ball on the right wing before cutting in with his left foot. His path obstructed, he lays it off to the onrushing Daley Blind, whose shot flies way up into the sky. That's going to be costly!

23' SUBSTITUTION Manchester United have an early injury problem as Marouane Fellaini is ruled out of further action with some sort of injury to his ankle. It's Anderson who comes on to replace the Belgian. Will he be able to do the job?

28' SAVE! Ben Foster is proving his worth today. The former United goalkeeper is called into action against Robin van Persie and doesn't disappoint. The Dutchman is looking sharp.

33' BOOKING Not ten minutes after coming on, Anderson finds himself in Andre Marriner's book for a clumsy challenge on Bakary Sako. The Mali international receives treatment and is quickly cleared to return to the field.

41' DISALLOWED GOAL! What a blunder that is! Wayne Rooney plays Robin van Perie onside with a fine through ball, but the Dutchman's return pass is just a fraction too late, ruling the captain's smashing shot as having come from offside.

HALFTIME It's the end of the first 45 minutes here at Old Trafford, where the hosts look the better team. They're in the ascendancy and will look to keep the momentum going when play resumes. West Brom might need to wait a few more days to win the league.

45' SUBSTITUTION Indi Blue has seen enough. He sends on midfield maestro Xabi Alonso to exert his influence on the match. Gueida Fofana is the man making way for the Spaniard.

51' GOAL! Oh, what a blow! West Brom have looked lively since Xabi's introduction, but it's Wayne Rooney who scores against the run of play. Anders Lindegaard's parry is booted up-field by Angel Di Maria. Rooney takes one touch before beating Winston Reid for pace, and he makes no mistake with the finish. First blood to the hosts!

59' GOAL! That one was completely on the cards. Wayne Rooney once more proves his worth, getting on the end of Rafael's cross to hit a scissor kick into the corner. That's top drawer from the skipper there, leading by example. What a player.

63' SUBSTITUTION Robin van Persie makes way for young gun James Wilson, who has been in good form lately. The Dutchman is unlucky not to have got on the score sheet tonight. His work rate has been every bit as good as Wayne Rooney's.

69' GOAL! Hello, superstar! Nathan Redmond has been looking like a world-class player all season, and he does it yet again. Manchester United's corner is cleared up to the Englishman, who turns on the pace to go clear on goal. Lindegaard had no chance against a shot of that pace and power.

71' GOAL! What on earth is happening to Manchester United? Nathan Redmond is at the double, beating five defenders before curling an exquisite shot past a helpless goalkeeper. The away end is absolutely buzzing. They really believe they've won the league! West Brom need to hold on here, and it's Omar Gonzalez who comes on for Fabian Delph to help.

87' MISS! Yowza! Nathan Redmond almost gets a hat-trick, lifting his free kick over the wall and towards the top corner. The ball curves just a bit too much, and it's off the post and into play. Anderson clears it into safety.

89' MISS! Down the other end, United screw up their own chance to win it. James Wilson has Wayne Rooney wide open and onside, but he elects to shoot instead. He's getting an earful from his captain now, and rightly so. That was absolutely selfish.

STOPPAGE TIME The fourth official has announced a massive six minutes of added time here, but nobody can figure out why. West Brom have got to get men behind the ball and defend. This could be the day they become heroes.

90+4' SAVE! Could that be the one that does it? Sebastien Pocognoli launches a long ball that finds Lukas Podolski. The German is precise with his cross, but Anders Lindegaard is there to claim the ball. Not much time left now.

FULL TIME West Bromwich Albion have been crowned champions of England, winning the 2016-17 Barclays Premier League with two matches left to play! The Baggies' scintillating draw at Old Trafford featured rising superstar Nathan Redmond at the heart of a late comeback. The 23-year-old's brace secured West Brom's first silverware in decades, allowing his manager and teammates the luxury of being able to prepare for two cup finals at ease. The title win completes the first part of a potential treble. West Brom must now beat Manchester City and Real Madrid to complete the rare achievement. Stick around for reactions from both managers and some players.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "This was an excellent display of football. I have to congratulate West Brom, because they have been the best team in this league all year. They fully deserve the title. We played very well today. There were many chances to win it, but both sides missed a few opportunities. It is a good day for West Brom. Their fans will enjoy this for a long time."

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney: "Obviously, we're not happy. We wanted to win. We want to win every match we play. I think we were quite good, and we've always had great games against West Brom over the last two or three seasons. Congrats to them and their fans, but we'll be back to take the title next season."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "Wow, I mean what do I say right now? It's a massive credit to the players. They've been so, so good all year. This level of consistency is so rare to have, so it's great that we have something to show for it. The fans have been incredible, and they fully deserve this. We know the treble is possible now, and we'll be giving 100% to win it. I also have to mention Manchester United, who gave us two of the best games of our season. They were magnificent today."

West Bromwich Albion captain Joleon Lescott: "Incredible, mate. It feels amazing. We played our hearts out and came away with the title. I've been here before, but this feels special. What we did here today is something rare. I'm proud to be part of this club and part of games of this level."

PL: West Brom 2-1 Southampton

36 Sessegnon

63 Wanyama

68 Sessegnon

The Hawthorns was absolutely rocking as the league champions came home to roost. The home fans sang manager Indi Blue's name for large part of the first half as Stephane Sessegnon scored a brace in his final match at the stadium. It was announced after the title-winning result at Old Trafford that the Benin international will be leaving West Bromwich Albion this summer by mutual consent, after it was decided that he would not be offered a new contract. The home fans gave their team a standing ovation at the final whistle, and the players stayed out on the pitch long after the end of the match, soaking up the adulation and signing autographs.

Special affection was reserved for departing hero Sessegnon. "It's been an incredible four seasons here," he said after the match. "I've had some great games here. The fans have been behind me since day one, and I'll miss playing for them more than anything. I'll always treasure these memories. Winning the league feels amazing, and I hope we cap it with two more trophies. It won't be easy, but we'll give it 100%!"

FA Cup: Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Welcome to the live coverage of the FA Cup final. Today, Manchester City take on West Bromwich Albion at Wembley Stadium in London. Let's head to the middle of the park, where Manchester City are about to get the ball rolling at a packed stadium.

KICKOFF And it's Edinson Cavani who gets us underway, passing the ball to David Silva before making a darting run towards West Brom's goal. The through ball is cut out by Winston Reid, who clears the ball by sending it into touch.

5' POST! West Brom make the first threatening move of the afternoon. Nathan Redmond combines with Cristian Gamboa down the right flank, and the Englishman lets loose a blazing shot that thunders off the post and out of play.

15' BOOKING James Milner is the first name in Phil Dowd's book. He's given a yellow card for his late tackle on Oscar, quite fortunately as that would have been red in a regular fixture.

26' SAVE! Asmir Begovic is called into action for City. Lukas Podolski plays a one-two with Bakary Sako before attempting to curl a shot past the Bosnian, who is alert and ready.

37' BOOKING Fernandinho sees yellow for a barge. The Brazilian ploughs into the back of Guieda Fofana, who is up and on his feet in seconds, ready to play the advantage.

HALFTIME The match remains scoreless, but it's anything but dour. With almost ten shots at either end, both keepers have been called upon time and time again. There don't seem to be too many goals in this one, but the second half should be as entertaining as the first.

52' SAVE! He's on fire, he is! Asmir Begovic rescues City once more, sticking out a leg to block Fabian Delph's low cross before smothering the rebound.

55' SUBSTITUTION West Brom make the first change of the match, as Saido Berahino comes on for Bakary Sako.

66' MISS! And what a miss this is! Lukas Podolski drives into the box, holding three City defenders at bay with an impressive show of strength. The German lures Asmir Begovic just wide of centre before teeing up Saido Berahino, who scuffs his shot wide. How costly will that turn out to be?

72' SUBSTITUTION City go for a double change. It's Oscar and David Silva who come off, with Eden Hazard and Sergio Aguero coming on in their places.

77' SAVE! With virtually his first touch of the day, Sergio Aguero lifts the ball past Joleon Lescott, only to find Ben Foster ready to pounce. Aguero's tame shot is easily smothered by the West Brom veteran.

81' GOAL! It's Eden Hazard who gets the breakthrough, the £40 million man making good on his January transfer. David Silva chips a ball over the West Brom defence, and the former Chelsea winger rifles it into the top corner past Ben Foster. Cool as a cucumber!

83' SUBSTITUTION West Brom send on Brown Ideye for James Milner, with Nathan Redmond dropping back into central midfield.

88' MISS! Lukas Podolski exhibits a rare case of poor form in front of goal. Saido Berahino does well to control Ben Foster's goal kick, flicking the ball on to Podolski. The former Arsenal man is wasteful, shooting directly ahead, well wide of the goal.

STOPPAGE TIME We've got two minutes of injury time here at Wembley. West Brom have been in all-out attack mode for the last ten minutes or so, hunting an equaliser that doesn't seem to be coming. Can they pull off another last-minute result?

FULL TIME Manchester City are FA Cup champions, with Eden Hazard's driven shot resulting in the only goal of the match. West Brom are distraught; some of the players are inconsolable. The dream of the treble is no more, and despite having won the league title, they have lost yet another cup final.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "It was a very tight game. I thought maybe West Brom would score in the first half. We were very surprised to go into halftime without conceding, and that's when we thought maybe we can win. Eden scored a very good goal, we are happy that we were able to bring him to the club."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "Extremely disappointing. We were wasteful in front of goal and have nobody to blame but ourselves. The match was there for the taking, and we should have been two or three up by the time they scored. It's painful, but we can't do anything about it now. We should have been more clinical out on the pitch."

PL: Hull 1-2 West Brom

9 Sessegnon

81 Sessegnon

88 Sagbo

Yet another brace from Stephane Sessegnon allowed West Bromwich Albion to somewhat ease the pain of losing the FA Cup final, and with it the treble, by breaking the 90-point mark. The Benin international joined his teammates after the final whistle to spend almost 45 minutes with the travelling support, posing for photos and signing dozens of autographs.

Champions League: West Bromwich Albion vs. Real Madrid

Welcome to the live coverage of the Champions League final. West Bromwich Albion, who have knocked out the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus, square off against Real Madrid, who come off the back of a 7-3 aggregate win over Chelsea in their semi-final. Allianz Arena in Munich is our venue. Let's head out to the ground, where the boys from England are set to get us underway.

KICKOFF West Brom start the proceedings, hoofing the ball back to Ben Foster as usual. The Baggies play out of the back, with Xabi Alonso at the heart of everything in the opening minutes. The Spaniard, starting his fifth Champions League final, is one of only two players alongside Clarence Seedorf to have won this competition with three different clubs. He will be hoping to become the first to do so with four clubs.

11' MISS! Iker Casillas will not have an easy time tonight! Lukas Podolski launches a stunning counter-attack after Fabian Delph retrieves the ball. Nathan Remond gets on the end of a cross, but his shot is well wide of the target.

15' GOLAZO! It's that man Xabi with an absolute belter of a shot! Lukas Podolski drags Sergio Ramos out to the right flank before playing the Spaniard through. Xabi doesn't even take a touch, instead sending the ball past Iker Casillas at scorching pace and into the side netting. West Brom are in the lead!

32' SAVE! Iker Casillas needs to dive almost all the way across his goal to palm away James Milner's shot, and he does well to claim the ball from the resulting corner. West Brom have been in the ascendancy for a while. The Baggies are really pressing Madrid high and in numbers, but there looks to be space to exploit if Madrid's midfield can get the ball to the forwards quickly.

37' GOAL! It was coming, wasn't it? Cristiano Ronaldo receives the ball on the left. He exchanges passes with Toni Kross before cutting in, and with a blast of pace, he drops Winston Reid like a hot potato before finishing like a champion. We're level again!

40' BOOKING Gareth Bale is the first name in Benoit Taillade's book for a menacing yank on Sebastien Pocognoli's shoulder.

44' GOAL! Lukas Podolski puts West Brom ahead once again with a lovely header. Cristian Gamboa drives his way past Marcelo before unleashing a pinpoint cross, and Podolski leaps highest to guide the ball home.

HALFTIME West Brom lead Real Madrid 2-1 midway through this match, but the Spanish side don't look like they've even got out of first gear. The Baggies are playing at the very peak of their powers, and it doesn't seem like they can sustain the charge for the full 90 minutes. Carlo Ancelotti will want to take full advantage of that.

45' SUBSTITUTION As the second half begins, it's Saido Berahino who comes on for Bakary Sako. The Malian heads off for an early shower and to treat his bruised calf.

52' MISS! Wow. Sergio Ramos gifts the ball to Saido Berahino, and with one of his first touches since coming on, the diminutive Englishman shoots so far wide that the ball rolls out into touch. Wasteful finishing, that.

64' BOOKING Gareth Bale is now on the receiving end, as Winston Reid body-checks the Welshman as he surged in on goal. That's a fair call.

71' SUBSTITUTION Luka Modric comes on in place of Asier Illarramendi, who pulls up with an injury to his knee. Real Madrid will be hoping it's not too serious.

82' GOAL! Are we looking at extra time here? Cristiano Ronaldo once again pairs up with Toni Kroos, who plays a defence-splitting pass. The Portuguese superstar latches onto the through ball and makes no mistake with his finish.

88' BLOCK! Surely that would have been the winner? Toni Kroos latches onto Karim Benzema's pass, taking one touch before unleashing a ferocious shot that Joleon Lescott dives into, sending the ball way up and out for a corner.

FULL TIME With 90 minutes played and the score at 2-2, there's not much to separate these two teams. We're going to need another 30 minutes at least, with penalties looking like a distinct possibility. Will there be more goals? Can this final beat its 1960 counterpart, which holds the record for the highest-scoring European Cup final with ten goals scored? Let's find out.

90' SUBSTITUTION Xabi Alonso's tired legs make way for Henri Lansbury. The Spaniard has put in a tremendous shift and receives a standing ovation from the entire stadium. As well as his goal, Xabi has completed 52 of his 57 pass attempts. No matter the result, he looks a shoe-in for man of the match.

92' BOOKING Cristiano Ronaldo is tripped by Henri Lansbury, who seems slightly out of his depth at this level.

94' GOLAZO! Nathan Redmond announces his arrival to Europe with an audacious, delicious screamer from 40 yards out! After receiving the ball from Fabian Delph, he beats Gareth Bale down the wing to cut in and shoot from some distance. Iker Casillas can't react quickly enough, and the ball flies perfectly into the top corner of the net. West Brom lead once more!

101' GOAL! Gareth Bale gets on the end of a cross from James Rodriguez, poking home from point blank with his left foot. West Brom will be furious with that goal. The Welshman wasn't being marked by anyone!

112' GOAL! James Rodriguez scores a lovely, looping header after Gareth Bale returns the earlier favour. West Brom's defence has fallen apart. The players are fatigued, and they seem to have lost all morale with this one. Surely this one is Madrid's now?

119' GOAL! And it's Madrid with what looks to be a twelfth European title! Gareth Bale picks up his second with a free kick. The ball lifts over the wall and dips down slowly, but Ben Foster misjudges the speed of the delivery and dives too early. There can't be any way back now!

END OF EXTRA TIME Real Madrid are champions of Europe! Cristiano Ronaldo is going absolutely mental, he's hugging everyone in sight! Tears are streaming down Gareth Bale's face, and Marcelo is on his knees in prayer. West Brom have collapsed. The players can't believe that after coming so close, it's all over with nothing to show for the pain and effort. We'll be describing this season of theirs as a massive achievement for years to come, but these players might disagree on the European part of that.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti: "I think it was our best game of the season. The passing was not very good, but we still managed to score. I think West Brom showed us how good they are by beating Bayern and Juventus, and we have to respect that. They have done something special by making the final, and there would be no shame if we had lost today."

West Bromwich Albion manager Indi Blue: "It's like a sword in the throat. None of the lads can speak, let alone wrap their heads around it. The tears show you how much it meant to them, to all of us. To come so close to the treble and see it disappear is excruciating, but we learn from this. We'll be back next year with more goals and better defending."

Season Recap

League Table
1. West Bromwich Albion 90
2. Chelsea 84
3. Manchester United 80
4. Tottenham 73
5. Arsenal 72
6. Liverpool 68
7. Manchester City 67
8. Newcastle United 60
9. Aston Villa 59
10. Southampton 49
11. Hull City 46
12. West Ham United 44
13. Swansea City 41
14. Queens Park Rangers 37
15. Sunderland 34
16. Everton 33
17. Stoke City 31
18. Fulham 31
19. Norwich City 20
20. Burnley 20

Team of the Year
GK Simon Mignolet (LIV)
RB Rafael (MUN)
CB Vincent Kompany (MCI)
CB Per Mertesacker (ARS)
LB Sebastien Pocognoli (WBA)
RM Willian (CHE)
CM Daley Blind (MUN)
CM Mesut Ozil (ARS)
LM Nacer Chadli (TOT)
RS Diego Costa (CHE)
LS Wayne Rooney (MUN)

Goals
25 Wayne Rooney (MUN)
24 Diego Costa (CHE)
21 Danny Welbeck (ARS)

Assists
16 Danny Welbeck (ARS)
14 Nathan Redmond (WBA)
11 James Milner (WBA)

Clean Sheets
14 Simon Mignolet (LIV)
13 Petr Cech (CHE)
11 Ben Foster (WBA)

Player of the Year
Danny Welbeck (ARS)

Manager of the Year
Indi Blue (WBA)

Champions of Europe
Capital One Cup: Chelsea
FA Cup: Manchester City
English PL: West Bromwich Albion
Ligue 1: Olympique Marseille
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich
Serie A: Juventus
Eredivisie: Ajax
Liga Portuguesa: Sporting CP
Russian PL: Dinamo Moskva
Scottish Premiership: Celtic
La Liga: Real Madrid
Super Lig: Besiktas
Europa League: Internazionale
Champions League: Real Madrid

Lescott, Xabi Alonso going nowhere

Fans of West Bromwich Albion will be buzzing today, after the club's board announced the Joleon Lescott and Xabi Alonso have both agreed one-year extensions to their existing contracts. The duo signed their respective agreements days before the close of the January transfer window, but the board intentionally withheld the news at Indi Blue's request, as the manager did not want to risk his team's title charge in any way whatsoever. The risk paid off, as West Brom were crowned champions of England, and despite losing out on what would have been an historic treble, the fans will be upbeat with their achievements this season.

Farewell to African player of the year

West Bromwich Albion held a farewell testimonial for Beninese forward Stephane Sessegnon, whose contract with the club is set to expire at the end of this month. Both club and player agreed earlier this year that it would be best for him to move on in the summer, and to show their appreciation, West Brom hosted Sessegnon's former club Sunderland in a testimonial match that was dedicated to the 2016 BBC African Player of the Year.

"Stephane has given this club everything," said Indi Blue, managing a West Brom team of current and former players chosen by the former Benin international, who also announced his retirement from international football aged 33. "He's maintained a fantastic level of play, which is rare at his age for a forward. I hope he enjoys himself today and in the future."

Sessegnon was visibly emotional at halftime as he received handshakes and hugs from players on both teams, just before swapping his West Brom shirt for a Sunderland one to switch sides for the second period. But the biggest display of affection was reserved for the final whistle, when West Brom fans unveiled a massive banner honouring the Allahe native.

"I can't stress enough how much I'll miss this place. Being here every week, playing for such amazing fans, it's been a wonderful blessing. I've enjoyed my time here just as I enjoyed my time with Sunderland. Hopefully, I can end my career at a club with supporters half as amazing as these guys. That would be a fine conclusion," Sessegnon said after the match.

Mattia Destro agress to West Brom move

More good news continues to trickle out of The Hawthorns, as West Bromwich Albion announced their latest signing, Italy international and Serie A top-scorer Mattia Destro. The striker, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this past season, has agreed to join West Bromwich Albion from his current AS Roma when his contract expires next week. A formal unveiling will take place at the club's Walsall training facility sometime next month.

The gamut of emotions at The Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion have concluded their historic season with their first Barclays Premier League title, only their second English championship. The club is riding a wave of goodwill from supporters, who are absolutely thrilled with the achievement and have no issue with the minor rise in ticket prices that will fund an 10,000-seat extension to The Hawthorns.

Said to be most ecstatic is Joleon Lescott, and the fact that their club captain has been retained for another season will please Baggies supporters to a great extent. Winston Reid, during international duty with New Zealand at the Confederations Cup, also expressed his excitement and eagerness to kick on from here. Many other West Brom players have gone public with their intent to stay, including crucial names such as Lukas Podolski and Cristian Gamboa. The Costa Rican was rewarded for a fine season last week, signing a four-year deal that will double his wages and stave off interest from suitors across Europe.

As it always is with successful teams, there are a few players at West Brom who don't seem too keen on staying despite the upward trajectory of the club. First on the list is Stefanos Kapino, the Greek goalkeeper who joined from FSV Mainz at the start of the 2015-16 season. Despite signing a new contract, Kapino has found himself firmly as second choice behind Ben Foster, whose impressive form made him impossible to drop. The Athens native has reportedly made a formal transfer request, asking to be sold this summer. It is not yet known how Indi Blue plans to handle this, but sources claim that he is desperate to keep a potentially world-class player he sees as absolutely vital to the club's long-term future.

Leonardo Bonucci is another name on the list, though a surprise inclusion given the fact that he joined the club only this past January. The Italian is said to feel unsettled in England, and has allegedly been unable to strike up any sort of rapport with his teammates. It is thought that Indi is keen to give Bonucci a run of games in pre-season and the early days of the Premier League, though he is open to offloading the defender should he still feel out of place before the end of the transfer window. A sale is thought to be preferred to a loan, as Bonucci's value is still high. Furthermore, he won't be cup-tied for the Champions League.

Brown Ideye has fallen out of favour as a first team striker. With the arrival of Mattia Destro, it is Podolski who will partner the Italian up front, with Saido Berahino serving as one of two deputies. If that fourth spot is not to Bakary Sako's liking, then the Mali international could find himself the target of lucrative offers from several big clubs. Sako is widely considered as the front-runner to be named this year's BBC African Player of the Year for his contributions to West Brom's title-winning campaign. The Malian would fetch a price upwards of £10 million, and West Brom may cash in rather than keep an unsatisfied player.

As for signings, there is no shortage of material to discuss. A team winning the title is just as likely to sign top players as it is to sell them. Indi is reportedly so impressed by his loan pair of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Devante Cole that he is weighing up offers to be sent to Chelsea and Manchester City. Also at the top of the manager's wish list is Arsenal midfield general Jack Wilshere, who ended the season poorly and has been the target of several #WilshereOut movements on Twitter. The Englishman is said to be stung by what he sees as him being blamed for the team's collective collapse, perceiving it as a betrayal by the fans he so loyally pledged himself to. Disillusioned with the club and keen to leave, Wilshere has reportedly asked Arsene Wenger to sanction a transfer to another Premier League side.

Two-time Premier League left back of the year Sebastien Pocognoli might be out of a job as a starter in a few months' time. Everton wide man Leighton Baines is said to be on Indi's shortlist, with the Liverpudlian surely disappointed with his club's constant battles against relegation despite their plethora of attacking talent. And if Bonucci decides he wants out, West Brom have lined up none other than Lewis Dunk. Indi worked extensively with the Brighton & Hove Albion defender during his time as a coach with the Seagulls, and Dunk has developed to a point where he has outgrown both Brighton and the lower leagues.

Very detailed and long alright! Nonetheless I enjoyed it, Nice comeback against Man U! Unlucky with the treble, next year! Keep posting I look forward to your updates!

**Keano16** · 11-12-2014, 12:40 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Originally posted by AdamJones113

[ATTACH]86446[/ATTACH]

1st game in league play.

Very nice presentation there!

**Simppu12** · 11-12-2014, 12:50 PM

Re: How's Your FIFA Career Mode Going?

Ha Ho He

Transfers In

Junior Malanda

81 Ovr, Defensive Midfielder, 23 Years Old, Belgium

€9,000,000

This season Hertha BSC didn't go on a big spending spree and they bought the young Junior Malanda instead of a super star for just under ten million euros to replace Victor Wanyama who had a huge dip in form in the last four months of the season. The fee paid for him was low because he had only a year left on his cotract. The Belgian Malanda who is a strong and a physical player will take his place in the starting eleven.

Alen Halilovic

80 Ovr, Central Midfielder, 21 Years Old, Croatia

€16,000,000

This signing was made on deadline day as Hertha suddenly made bids for a couple young central midfielders. The reason behind this is the old age of substitute Per Skjelbred and the manager Ganchev decided to bring youth to the bench. FC Barcelona's Alen Halilovic is perfect for this. He is a really talented player who has been compared a lot to Luka Modric. Halilovic has broken a few records, including the youngest player in the Champions League one.

Salvatore Sirigu

84 Ovr, Goalkeeper, 30 Years Old, Italy

€20,000,000

In this transfer window the highest fee payed by Hertha BSC was only twenty million euros. The money was invested in the Italian keeper Salvatore Sirigu who joined from Paris Saint-Germain. Sirigu is a really good keeper who has good positioning and good reflexes. In the national team he has been overshadowed by Gianluigi Buffon. Sirigu will replace Thomas Kraft who joined Bayern München.

Transfers Out

Sasha Burchert, €500,000
Genki Haraguchi, €3,900,000
Thomas Kraft, €29,000,000

August 2017

1899 Hoffenheim 1 - 3 Hertha BSC
Modeste 17'
Götze 28', Sanchez 69', Hummels 77'

Hertha BSC 4 - 0 VfB Stuttgart
Suarez 9', Reus 33', 78', Sanchez 60'

SC Freiburg 0 - 2 Hertha BSC
Kroos 10', Sanchez 45'

UEFA Supercup
Hertha BSC (4) 1 - 1 (5) Sevilla FC, After Penalties
Reus 75'
Bacca 73'

Hertha BSC failed to win their first piece of silverware of the season in the UEFA Supercup against last year's Europa League winners Sevilla. The Berliners didn't look confident at all and the game was controlled by Sevilla. The first half was a poor performance of both sides and so was the second half until the 70th minute. Carlos Bacca scored for Sevilla after a really good through pass split Hertha's defence. The equaliser came only two minutes later when Mario Götze was taken down 27 yards away from the goal. Marco Reus stepped behind the ball and put the free kick in the top right corner. The game then went to extra time in which nothing happened and it was decided on penalties. Hertha missed their first penalty and Sevilla scored all of theirs to win the trophy.

Hertha BSC 2 - 0 Hannover 96
Sanchez 30', Suarez 54'

League Table

1. Hertha BSC, 12 pts
2. Bayern München, 10 pts
3. Borussia Dortmund, 10 pts
4. FC Schalke 04, 10 pts
5. Hannover 96, 9 pts
6. Bayer Leverkusen, 9 pts
---------------------------------------------
16. Werder Bremen, 1 pt
17. FC Augsburg, 0 pts
18. VfL Bochum, 0 pts

Player of the Month

Alexis Sanchez

The first Hertha BSC player of the month award of the season went to Alexis Sanchez. The winger had some adaptation troubles last season but in the last games he was really good. In August he continued his great performances and he scored in every league game of the month, getting at the top of the scoring chart. Hertha Berlin's supporters are hoping that the Chilean will continue to perform so well.

Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Sirigu 84
De Sciglio 85 - Schär 82 - Hummels 86 - Gaya 81
Malanda 81 - Kroos 85
Sanchez 86 - Götze 89 - Reus 88
Suarez 90

Press Conference

You continued your amazing league form picking four wins and conceding just once. What is your opinion on your start?

I think our start to the league campaign has been really good. We are leading by two points already and the difference will keep growing. The guys are playing amazing football and they're enjoying it. I think we will win the league again. There is no team in Germany that can stop us.

Your performance against Sevilla was really poor. Why weren't you able to beat them?

I don't know at all. I have no idea what happened to our players in that game. Maybe they weren't motivated enough or they just didn't want to play that game. Whatever happened it's a real shame that we didn't do any better than that.

A lot of fans criticized selling Thomas Kraft. Why did you let him go?

Because of money. That's the reason almost every time we sell an important player. Bayern came in with an offer of thirty million which is a lot more than Thomas is valued at in our books. The supporters should think about that we couldn't have been able to bring in Halilovic if we didn't sell Thomas. He also wasn't that good last season. Salvatore (Sirigu) is a wonderful keeper and he is a great replacement.

You weren't that active in the transfer window this time. What lead to you bringing in just three players?

We just didn't need anyone else. The team is great as it is and it would have been dumb to and weird to change it drastically. We improved the parts of the team that needed improvement.

So you bought Halilovic and Malanda to improve the team?

Yes. That's what I just said. We needed a better holding midfielder and that's what we got. We needed a young and talented attacking minded midfielder and that's what we got. Sirigu was the only exception. He was bought because Kraft needed to be replaced.

You have been getting praise for the amount of youth academy graduates in the team. Will you give them chances?

It's nice to see that people appreciate what we do with our youngsters. We have at the moment six players from the academy in our squad and we are looking to recruit more. Sadly they will not get a lot of game time, simply because they aren't good enough. They will maybe get to play in some cup games and in league games against bad teams, that's the best we can do.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope you have enjoyed it! Any feedback or suggestions will be appreciated!

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