Great start mate, and it looks like you're adjusting nice to life in FM14! Welcome to the site!
Royal Antwerp FC - The Great Old
The tale of my first FM14 game
Thanks Pauker. I'm really enjoying FM14. It is certainly more challenging than FM10, especially keeping pleyers happy. Dealing with greedy agents on a tiny budget is also a new angle to deal with.



Poor display!

6th Round

Good effort against Pro League opposition.

Bore draw!

International Callups
Tano - Ghana U20
Soumah - Senegal U20
Nirasirike - Rwanda
Kalambay - DR Congo




Should have won this one!

http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2013/09/11/4b2c18be-1ac1-11e3-8975-e37b267b7d8a_original.jpg.h380.jpg

Petrucci jnjured!


Had chances to win this one! A really lean spell in front of goal. Looks like the honeymoon period is over. Really need to pick up a win soon!




http://www.fcoss.nl/sites/fcoss.nl/files/photos/09-2012/dordt.jpg
The poor run comes to an end with a professional performance I can build on.
! Eupen secure the first playoff spot. Antwerp miss out by one point!




Should have won this one!
! Petrucci out for a couple of weeks. We will miss his creativity!



Close game!
! Brazilian Sao Paulo loanee Allan requests a termination of his stay. I reject his request as I feel he will play over the coming weeks.




Even game and despite being at home I'm happy with the point. Despite failing to win much recently Antwerp are still second and only two points off of top spot and now unbeaten in seven games. If I can start turning some of these draws into wins I will be doing OK.
! Sandro Calabro breaks his foot during training and will be out for 5-6 months. This is a blow as I was planning to sell him in January to raise some funds for the club and get his E3k p/w off the wage bill.


MoM - De Roeck
http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/11/09/2760910/invaller-mombongo-dues-redt-de-antwerpse-meubelen-id5054433-1000x800-n.jpg
Hard fought win. Showed some real determination here. Antwerp go top of the table.




http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/12/24/2796817/kevin-tano-twee-speeldagen-geschorst-voor-slag-id5195744-1000x800-n.jpg
A big win against top of the table opponents. Antwerp are now four points clear at the top.
http://cache.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/Euros.jpg
Due to the continued deterioration of Antwerp’s finances the board reduce the wage budget. Now running at minus €6.3k p/w. The board inject €650k to help with running costs.
1-2 Vise (A)
Ceesay cuts through our defence like they weren’t there and strokes it home. Rubbish!
Ceesay bangs in a second at the near post from a cross. Oh dear!
Bostock out muscles his marker and gets a shot off from Mombongo’s cross. Better.
Bostock – Second yellow.
De Roeck – Second yellow in 93rd minute.
Bad day at the office!!!
! M’Vila back in light training
1-3 Lommel United (H)
Tano stretches to poke in Maynard’s cross at the near post.
Zinho Gano pounces as Antwerp fail to clear free kick.
Gano’s shot rebounds in off Dusenne
Nirasirike makes a hash of clearing the ball and Regales (league top scorer) pounces.
Another poor showing!
http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2014/02/02/ff40b8d6-8c14-11e3-b989-a37d728f19c1_original.jpg.h380.jpg
Romero Regales
Due to the continued deterioration of Antwerp’s finances the board reduce the wage budget. Now running at minus €6.3k p/w. The board inject €650k to help with running costs.






Bad day at the office!!!
! M’Vila back in light training





Another poor showing!
http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2014/02/02/ff40b8d6-8c14-11e3-b989-a37d728f19c1_original.jpg.h380.jpg
Romero Regales
Thanks polynike
I'm currently starting my third season (spoiler: I don't get the sack!) but getting all the reports typed up is time consuming. I'm about 50% done and will post the results in bite size portions. From now on I'm going to pause after every few games and type a report so that I don't end up with tons of 'work' to do.
Managing in Belgium is a lot of fun and by far the toughest game I have ever had with FM. The lack of resources is a massive challenge. Its also really interesting getting to know new players that I might not look at if I was managing in England, France or Germany (my usual leagues of choice). I'm really having to wheel and deal for once just to keep things ticking over, exactly what I was hoping for.
I'm currently starting my third season (spoiler: I don't get the sack!) but getting all the reports typed up is time consuming. I'm about 50% done and will post the results in bite size portions. From now on I'm going to pause after every few games and type a report so that I don't end up with tons of 'work' to do.
Managing in Belgium is a lot of fun and by far the toughest game I have ever had with FM. The lack of resources is a massive challenge. Its also really interesting getting to know new players that I might not look at if I was managing in England, France or Germany (my usual leagues of choice). I'm really having to wheel and deal for once just to keep things ticking over, exactly what I was hoping for.
HALFWAY POINT OF THE SEASON
Antwerp are currently second to Mouscron on goal difference (both 27 points). Other challengers are Eupen (26), WS Bruxelles, Lommel and Westerlo (all 25).
I’m not really sure how we’re still in contention as our form has been erratic. The finances are in a mess and I will have to offload several of the top earners in January. I’m still confident we can make it, but the team (and myself) need to improve!
2-0 Westerlo (H)
Vital games now to try and win 2nd playoff spot! I’m glad to have Petrucci back from his injury layoff. He is my creative force and a major goal scoring threat too.
Great build-up play. Petrucci crosses in and Mombongo steals in at the near post with header.
Dusenne ghosts in at the near post to poke in Petrucci’s corner kick.
MoM – Petrucci. Sengier was also excellent!
http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2013/18/14/4/20131125073236/media_xl_6284914.jpg
! Funso Ojo out injured for 4-5 weeks
! RWDM Brussels (A) postponed due to waterlogged pitch.
Lokeren concerned that Trompet isn't getting enough playing time.
Bubb’s contract is mutually terminated for a fee of €14k.
WINTER BREAK
2-0 Bayern Munich II (H) Friendly
Arranged at short notice to keep fitness levels up.
Victor Hugo volleys in Bakkenes cross.
Victor Hugo latches onto Diouck’s flick on and hits it first time.
! M’Vila back in training.
2-1 Monaco Reserves (H) Friendly
Powerful header from Bruno Cunha after good play and cross by Trompet.
Neat finish by Diouck from Bruno Cunha’s pass.
Luiz Felix (CB), Rafinha (M) and Henrique Miranda (LWB) brought in on loan from Sao Paulo. Allan’s loan is terminated after seven appearances (Av 6.60).
Despite being valued at over €280k at the start of the season and €175k now Emrulah Guvenc is allowed to leave on a free to Mersin I.Y. of Turkey.
http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/09/17/2717553/guvenc-op-de-bank-of-niet-ik-blijf-gemotiveerd-id4888969-1000x800-n.jpg
This cuts this €3.3k p/w from the wage bill. Having scored 18 last season for Helmond Sport in the Dutch Jupiter League he failed to contribute any goals or assists in his eight appearances for Antwerp. Under different circumstances he might have made the grade with us, but we just can’t afford passengers at the moment.
As one of the only players I can afford to let go Roy Bakkenes leaves for Sint-Truidense on a free. Now we are only €755 over the wage budget.
Antwerp are currently second to Mouscron on goal difference (both 27 points). Other challengers are Eupen (26), WS Bruxelles, Lommel and Westerlo (all 25).
I’m not really sure how we’re still in contention as our form has been erratic. The finances are in a mess and I will have to offload several of the top earners in January. I’m still confident we can make it, but the team (and myself) need to improve!

Vital games now to try and win 2nd playoff spot! I’m glad to have Petrucci back from his injury layoff. He is my creative force and a major goal scoring threat too.


MoM – Petrucci. Sengier was also excellent!
http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2013/18/14/4/20131125073236/media_xl_6284914.jpg
! Funso Ojo out injured for 4-5 weeks
! RWDM Brussels (A) postponed due to waterlogged pitch.
Lokeren concerned that Trompet isn't getting enough playing time.
Bubb’s contract is mutually terminated for a fee of €14k.
WINTER BREAK

Arranged at short notice to keep fitness levels up.


! M’Vila back in training.
2-1 Monaco Reserves (H) Friendly


Luiz Felix (CB), Rafinha (M) and Henrique Miranda (LWB) brought in on loan from Sao Paulo. Allan’s loan is terminated after seven appearances (Av 6.60).
Despite being valued at over €280k at the start of the season and €175k now Emrulah Guvenc is allowed to leave on a free to Mersin I.Y. of Turkey.
http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/09/17/2717553/guvenc-op-de-bank-of-niet-ik-blijf-gemotiveerd-id4888969-1000x800-n.jpg
This cuts this €3.3k p/w from the wage bill. Having scored 18 last season for Helmond Sport in the Dutch Jupiter League he failed to contribute any goals or assists in his eight appearances for Antwerp. Under different circumstances he might have made the grade with us, but we just can’t afford passengers at the moment.
As one of the only players I can afford to let go Roy Bakkenes leaves for Sint-Truidense on a free. Now we are only €755 over the wage budget.

Sengier saved our bacon but we were unlucky throughout.
RWDM Brussels (A)
Postponed again due to the pitch still being waterlogged.
! Mouscron secure the second playoff spot
http://www.rafc.be/upload/photo_album_photo/co_04_royal_antwerp_fc___kas_eupen/img_9_171.jpg






MoM – Bostock
Spirited display!
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/08/article-2493660-194BB41800000578-6_634x459.jpg
Major tactical change. Now playing with three at the back (3-4-1-2) and more direct on the poor quality pitches.




The new system worked well…against Geel.




MoM – Mombongo
Good win. Mouscron lose 2-1 to White Star Bruxelles. Antwerp now three points behind Mouscron with two games in hand.




Disappointing after all the wait!






http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2013/11/19/2768404/de-roeck-minstens-vier-weken-out-id5083862-1000x800-n.jpg



Great reaction to losing the captain and the lead.







We played some really good football here! Now on equal points (48) with Mouscron who lose 2-1 to Virton.
http://www.gva.be/ahimgpath/assets_img_gva/2014/02/09/2832408/antwerp-vermijdt-nipt-blammage-tegen-wezet-id5330830-1000x800-n.jpg
! Henrique Miranda request’s his loan deal be terminated due to lack of playing time in the new system.




Petrucci and Mombongo given a well-deserved rest at half time. No point risking them when the result looks certain.

http://i1.r7.com/data/files/2C95/948F/34B6/4896/0134/BDCA/2F61/7427/rafinha%20sp.jpg
Dominant display, especially in the first half. Top of the league by three points! We now have a long rest period before the next match.
! M’Vila gets DR Congo call-up and Tano brought into the Holland U21 squad (not Ghanaian after all?).




! Koffi’s goal is disallowed for offside.

http://1.nieuwsbladcdn.be/Assets/Images_Upload/2013/09/04/326e1442-15a5-11e3-b237-290d986ffd7b_original.jpg.h380.jpg
Played well. We’re hitting form at a good time.
! M’Vila wins his first cap for DR Congo.
http://www.footballzz.com/img/jogadores/00/32200_m_vila.jpg







Vintage display!
During this period of the campaign Antwerp have really got into a good rhythm of winning games. Automatic promotion is looking more of a possibility. We have to go up or the financial situation will just get worse!
! Funso Ojo convinced to drop his agent who is making contract extension negotiations extremely difficult!
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