Re: ***The Official Football Manager Thread***
First full season at St. Albans is in the books. After managing an escape last season, it was time to restructure the squad. Ownership was expecting a top half finish. They aren't asking for much. They actually gave me a transfer budget of $26k, but like I'm going to use any of that. Free transfers and loans here.
We got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, winning four of our first six games and getting as high as 3rd in the table. A five-game losing streak in November and December dropped us to 15th and people questioning my choice of tactics.
It was about this time that I brought in right winger Jay Wilson in on a loan from MK Dons. His first start was a little shaky. But then in his second start, he collected two assists in a 5-1 victory, then scored 4 goals in our next two matches. An injury to Jay would see us going on another five game losing streak, dropping us to 13th.
Once Jay came back, our attack clicked. The goals became plentiful. In our final 12 games, we scored 3+ goals 8 times. We had a prolific attack all season, only getting shut out one time the entire season. We started climbing up the table. We closed out the season on a 12 match unbeaten streak, including winning our final five matches to....
In the first round of the promotion playoffs, we got Dover. They knocked us out of the FA Cup in the third qualifying round earlier in the year. We split the season series with them. Two goals by Ronaldo Brown paced us to a 5-2 victory. Then it was on to Dartford. We drew both matches against them. Dartford jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but by halftime we had clawed back to within one. However, we couldn't put one across in the second half and our promotions dreams went up in smoke.
Still, a very successful season.
Fans Players of the Season
ST Reece Miller (46 app, 32 goals, 13 assists, 7 POMs, 7.45 rating) - brought in on a loan from our parent club Watford. Really came on down the stretch, scoring 16 of his 32 goals in his final 20 appearances. Was named to the Player of the Week squad five times.
DC/CM Solomon Sambou (48 app, 7 goals, 12 assists, 6 POMs, 7.30 rating) - The captain improved on his 2017-18 numbers all across the board, despite splitting time nearly equally between defense and midfield (25 midfield, 23 center back). Is more at home in midfield, but the defense was thin at times due to injury. Was named to the Player of the Week squad seven times and was named the Player of the Month for the month of April.
AML Ronaldo Brown (41 app, 19 goals, 7 assists, 3 POMs, 7.23 rating) - Initially brought in last season after he was released by Oldham, Ronaldo had a breakout season this year. Really picked up towards the end of the season, as did most of the team. Was named to the Player of the Week squad four times.
Signing of the Season
GK George Willis (49 app, 8 sho, 1.49 g/90, 6.98 rating) - Signed from Boston United on a free transfer. George was their backup keeper, making 14 appearances last season. Started every game but two for us. Was named vice-captain after Solomon Sambou was promoted to captain following the departure of captain Paul Green. Was named to the Player of the Week squad an impressive 11 times.
Young Player of the Season
AMR Jay Wilson (26 app, 15 goals, 15 assists, 5 POM, 7.77 rating) - Brought in on a loan from MK Dons. Jay proved to be the signing that jump started this team and seriously improved the attack of this team. Both Miller and Brown began excelling more when Wilson came onto the scene. Named to the Player of the Week squad five times in just half a season.
I signed a contract extension giving me a $5k raise. The board also increased the budget to $450k and a transfer budget of $67k. I'm actually turning profits at this club, despite being at such a small club.
First full season at St. Albans is in the books. After managing an escape last season, it was time to restructure the squad. Ownership was expecting a top half finish. They aren't asking for much. They actually gave me a transfer budget of $26k, but like I'm going to use any of that. Free transfers and loans here.
We got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season, winning four of our first six games and getting as high as 3rd in the table. A five-game losing streak in November and December dropped us to 15th and people questioning my choice of tactics.
It was about this time that I brought in right winger Jay Wilson in on a loan from MK Dons. His first start was a little shaky. But then in his second start, he collected two assists in a 5-1 victory, then scored 4 goals in our next two matches. An injury to Jay would see us going on another five game losing streak, dropping us to 13th.
Once Jay came back, our attack clicked. The goals became plentiful. In our final 12 games, we scored 3+ goals 8 times. We had a prolific attack all season, only getting shut out one time the entire season. We started climbing up the table. We closed out the season on a 12 match unbeaten streak, including winning our final five matches to....
Spoiler
In the first round of the promotion playoffs, we got Dover. They knocked us out of the FA Cup in the third qualifying round earlier in the year. We split the season series with them. Two goals by Ronaldo Brown paced us to a 5-2 victory. Then it was on to Dartford. We drew both matches against them. Dartford jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but by halftime we had clawed back to within one. However, we couldn't put one across in the second half and our promotions dreams went up in smoke.
Still, a very successful season.
Fans Players of the Season
ST Reece Miller (46 app, 32 goals, 13 assists, 7 POMs, 7.45 rating) - brought in on a loan from our parent club Watford. Really came on down the stretch, scoring 16 of his 32 goals in his final 20 appearances. Was named to the Player of the Week squad five times.
DC/CM Solomon Sambou (48 app, 7 goals, 12 assists, 6 POMs, 7.30 rating) - The captain improved on his 2017-18 numbers all across the board, despite splitting time nearly equally between defense and midfield (25 midfield, 23 center back). Is more at home in midfield, but the defense was thin at times due to injury. Was named to the Player of the Week squad seven times and was named the Player of the Month for the month of April.
AML Ronaldo Brown (41 app, 19 goals, 7 assists, 3 POMs, 7.23 rating) - Initially brought in last season after he was released by Oldham, Ronaldo had a breakout season this year. Really picked up towards the end of the season, as did most of the team. Was named to the Player of the Week squad four times.
Signing of the Season
GK George Willis (49 app, 8 sho, 1.49 g/90, 6.98 rating) - Signed from Boston United on a free transfer. George was their backup keeper, making 14 appearances last season. Started every game but two for us. Was named vice-captain after Solomon Sambou was promoted to captain following the departure of captain Paul Green. Was named to the Player of the Week squad an impressive 11 times.
Young Player of the Season
AMR Jay Wilson (26 app, 15 goals, 15 assists, 5 POM, 7.77 rating) - Brought in on a loan from MK Dons. Jay proved to be the signing that jump started this team and seriously improved the attack of this team. Both Miller and Brown began excelling more when Wilson came onto the scene. Named to the Player of the Week squad five times in just half a season.
I signed a contract extension giving me a $5k raise. The board also increased the budget to $450k and a transfer budget of $67k. I'm actually turning profits at this club, despite being at such a small club.
I got a hat trick from my other forward this time, young Argentinian Benjamin Rollheiser.
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