***The Official Football Manager Thread***

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Man, tough season. Missed the playoffs by one point on the final day. Board isn't very happy. Not sure if I'll get sacked yet or not. I'm listed as Very Insecure. But nothing has been done yet. Nervous. However, oddly I'm getting lots of job interviews from Spain second and third division teams.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I've always had a crush on Ajax (how can you not?!) but after playing through more than half a season with them now, I'm absolutely in love.

It is ****ing gut wrenching to watch clubs come in and constantly bid on my young talented players. Leave them alone! Stop unsettling them! I'm trying to build something here!

[ImTellinTim]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

It is ****ing gut wrenching to watch clubs come in and constantly bid on my young talented players. Leave them alone! Stop unsettling them! I'm trying to build something here!

When the game is too real.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

When the game is too real.

I've only ever played as a "big" club before, so this is a whole new perspective I've never had. I know I can hang onto some of them if I qualify for the CL, at least.

[Velocityy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Guys...things are going well...too well (look at that morale!!)



(Of course, the game after this picture we lose 4-3 after storming back to take 3-2 lead in 2nd half, lol...just to beat 1st place Cheltenham on the road 2-1 in the game after)

Things are going so well I was just offered a 2 year contract extension in November. I've had 1 year deals every year so far (3 full seasons), and they haven't offered a new contract until at least the last month of the season.

[Zac]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Whats that, you want a new contract? And you are asking to be the highest paid player at the club? Wait, that would be the highest in the league actually. Lets see what you do in the next match first.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/60WLlkLstD0" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Nah, I'm gonna have to pass on that fella.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

my july? pretty booked, why?

[Velocityy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

What an end to the regular season. After the great winning streak (and morale from above), we were solidly in the top 5 of Vanarama National, 10 or so points clear of 6th, so I was at least feeling good about the playoffs, if not making a late push for the title.

My form stayed solid until about game 30. That's when the draws started...then the losses against bad teams. Morale sucked. We had gone 9 straight games without a win, including 5 straight losses. So I make 1 small tactical change...from structured to flexible...and the wins started again!

But, because of my fall in form the gap from 5th to 6th was now just 5 points...and of course on the last day of the season I'm facing 1st place Cheltenham, while the team behind (Lincoln) is playing already relegated York City. I've read a lot here about being FM'd, and it felt like it was happening.

In my game, went up 1-0 while Lincoln fell down 2-0 so I was feeling pretty safe. I need to at least draw and have Lincoln draw or lose...Then I blow the 1-0 lead to quickly go back up 2-1....but then we give up a late equalizer while Lincoln storms back to tie it 2-2....and that's where it stopped.

I finished 5th, 2 points ahead of Lincoln...and will go into the Vanarama National Semis against AFC Fylde. Wish me luck!

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Released
Max Clayton - Had a solid first season with us coming over from Bolton on a free, making 37 appearances, scoring four goals and notching seven assists with an average rating of 6.83. Seemed to be building on that, scoring two goals and two assists in seven appearances last season, but an ACL tear derailed his year (and potentially his career as the injury destroyed his ratings).

Also released Serge Atakayi, David Bates, Ross McCrorie, Max Ashmore, and Carlo Pignatiello. Youth players who had talent, but just never could break into the first team.

Sold
Matt Crooks ($79k to Hibernian) - a fringe player who was versatile, but wasn't really good at anything.

Jak Alnwick ($94k to West Brom) - the emergence of Robbie McCrorie caused him to become our #2 keeper, something he wasn't too keen on. Performed well when called upon though.

Kieran Wright ($20.5k to Dundee United) - our #3 keeper, who was never going to really challenge. Wasn't actively looking to sell him, was surprised somebody offered cash.

Andy Halliday ($66k to Dundee) - playing time steadily decreased as the seasons wore on. Was solid when called upon, but he was wanting an increase in first team playing time...something I just couldn't offer.

Grant Gillespie ($155k to Aberdeen) - a signing that just didn't quite work out. Bought him from Hamilton for $275k, but the bright lights of Ibrox were too much I guess. A small net loss, but it happens.

Robbie McCrorie ($5.5M to Stoke City) - Now I'm wishing I hadn't sold all my keepers. Southampton unsettled Robbie, who decided he wanted to play in a bigger league. I want players who want to play here, but I'm going to try to get a deal that's good for the club first. Southampton offered $2.3 million. Not enough for me to part with him as Robbie was still under contract. Stoke City met my asking price, and I hope Robbie doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Had 18 shutouts in 47 appearances for me in his second season, dropping his all/90 average from 1.10 in his rookie season to 0.96 last season. Future is bright for the 21-year-old, who earned his first four caps for Scotland.

Josh Windass ($26k to Partick Thistle) - Pretty sure he complained about playing time the entire time he was here. A youngster who just couldn't seem to realize his potential.

Brought in
Garry Wilson ($145k from Livingston) - 17-year-old center back that my scouts fell in love with. Already has a 15 strength as a 17 yeard old. Could be a force in a few years.

Deco (free from Malaga) - Media considered this a coup for me. Deco never could break into the first team at Malaga, playing for Malaga B and spending last season on loan in Belgium. Best plays as a defensive midfielder with a deep-lying playmaker role, which is perfect for my system. Allows me to possibly move Jordan Rossiter further up the pitch.

Kees Heemskerk ($71k from PEC Zwolle) - purchased Kees after I sold my #2 and #3 keepers. Decent keeper....decent backup.

Mark Birighitti (625k from Swansea) - decided that Robbie needed somebody to push him. Then the Robbie saga happened as I was negotiating with Mark. Suddenly, it looks like Mark will be my starter. Never made a league appearance for Swansea after leaving Austrailia on a free.

Graeme Shinnie ($3M from Aberdeen) - Lee Wallace isn't getting any younger, and Shinnie has been a thorn in my side my entire Rangers career. Fans are cautious about him because he's from Aberdeen. At least he's not from Celtic.

Scott Bain ($1.1M from Dundee) - Didn't feel comfortable going with a keeper who hasn't played first team football in over three years. Scott Bain, on the other hand, is one of the best keepers in Scotland. Had 20 shutouts last season and an all/90 of 0.89. Has also been a thorn in my side. I may not be able to push Celtic as far as money goes, but I can push around the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee to keep them behind me.

Ravel Morrison (free from Lazio) - Another "coup" according to the media. Former Manchester United prospect hasn't played much football the last two seasons on loan with Burnley and with Lazio, but I felt my midfield needed some attacking flair, and I got it with Morrison. I think he can thrive in my possession system.

Youssef Ait Bennasser ($2.7M from Monaco) - Trying to buy players that I can use to push Celtic and potentially sell them later for a profit. Youssef didn't play in the Monaco first team all last season, and with his addition, I have a very stacked midfield. I'm hoping to avoid the depth issues that plagued me last season.

Also brought in AMR Sam Spendlove (regen from Manchester United), AML Rafael Leao (Sporting), ST Pete Dewhirst (regen from Watford) and MF Romario Baro (Porto) all on loan.

I feel like this team is stacked. Athletically, it's my most gifted squad. Celtic won't be able to run circles around me like they have in years past. Preseason odds have me set at 4-1, compared to Celtic's 9-4. Second is what the board is wanting, as Scotland has gained a second Champion's League spot. I feel this is the year I can really push Celtic.

Europa
Defeated Sant Julia 14-0 in First Qualifying Round
Defeated Celje 3-0 in Second Qualifying Round
Defeated HJK 4-1 in Third Qualifying Round
Defeated Zalgiris 6-0 in Playoff

A pretty straightforward run through the qualifying rounds. Group Stage draw sees us matched with....

Sporting
Spartak Moscow
Hajduk

A fairly tough group...well for us, they are all tough.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I'm just going to leave this here for now....

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

Had a blast with my first season at Ajax. Won the league (twelve points clear of PSV), did the double over Feyenord, reached the finals of the KNVB Cup, and the second knockout round of the Europea League.

The under 19s also won their cup, and reached the final of the UEFA Youth League. The future is bright!

Only downsides were losing to Feyenord in the cup final and not defeating PSV.

Now for a Summer of fending off clubs from trying to steal my young talent and preparing for a Champions League campaign. Having a blast in the Eredivisie using a Dutch expansion—definitely going to do a future save with a smaller team in Holland.

[jasontoddwhitt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

So Scotland left the UK, and now I need to apply for work permits for my English players....this could be an interesting offseason.

[Velocityy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

I wound up losing to AFC Fylde in the Playoff Semi's. Held them to 0-0 in my home leg, but lost 3-1 on the road. Maybe year 3 can be the year I go up to League 2?

Wasn't really expecting to win promotion but it still stings nonetheless.

[Kobalt]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***

So I got this youth intake



After 1 transfer window, Toccaceli is going to Chelsea, Gobbi to United and Censoni to City :/ The bad thing is that they decided to go to the teams that just offered them a contract instead of the ones I negotiated with where I get more money + higher % of profit from next sale.

[gopher_guy]

Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***



"But Gaffer, I've had the #5 for three years, why are you giving it to this new guy?"
"I'm sorry son, but I really have no choice."