Oriental Lisbon - One Step Closer

Always good to get those youth facilities up and create some home grown talent!!

Great update Walt! I see you love using that picture.

pompeyblue Yeah definitely, he's already investing and helping us!

Neal Yup

Josh_MU It's cos there's no other ones

Transfers 2017-18

This window was vital if we were to avoid what some fans would call 'second-season syndrome'. We needed to make the right signings to help keep us up again and maybe push on from what we achieved last season.

For this, we'd need the right blend of youth and experience. Some players for the future some for the immediate effect. Here's who we got with what we got.

Aurelio

Aurelio is a top notch defensive midfielder already and the added bonus is that he still has room to develop to become even better. His excellent first touch plus alround defensive ability is exactly what we need and he's a handy passer, too.

Jorge Romo

Romo's hitting his peak as a footballer and can provide some know-how and leadership for the rest of the boys. He's got fantastic technique and is a real dead-ball specialist, too. He's a bit slow but can still be deployed out wide or in the middle.

Rogério Tavares

Tavares is a promising left winger who I feel could really become a future star. I love his first touch and crossing, plus he's very determined. He needs work, yes, but I'm sure he can shine here, even if he is just someone who I can make a quick profit on.

Caetano

Caetano is exactly what we need. A quick all round right winger who is versatile and nimble. He's got great pace, technique and he's also a work horse. I feel this is the best signing of the window, he's an all round player.

Alex Jakubiak

One for the future. Despite his low determination I think I can get the best out of Jakubiak. He simply needs to be tutored and given some first team football, whether it be on loan or in our team. He's a natural poacher, great off the ball and can stick the ball in the back of the net.

Alano

Alano is blessed with great tackling and technique. He's a driven player but needs work on his stamina in order to really become a quality left back. I hope he develops well as I see a lot of potential in this kid.

Departures

As you can see, we splashed the cash for Jorge Romo (in our world) and the rest were free transfers. I do not know what the extra £2k was, possibly agents fees or something, but at least we kept within our budgets and remain financially stable.

Preseason

We have a long preseason, giving us plenty of opportunity to gel and get used to the tactics we've set up for the season. We're also playing weaker opposition, which may hand us a morale boost prior to the season, that is if we win of course!

Some good signings their Walt, hopefully they can make a big impact and help you to have a successful season

Very good signings mate!

pompey, AAN Thanks guys, hopefully they do well!

Preseason 2017-18

Preseason is a chance to gel into a new team and boost morale ahead of the upcoming season, a vital one as we had to be sure not to suffer from what the fans call 'second season syndrome'. So many teams had stayed up in their first season, only to come crashing back down immediately.

Preseason Results

First off, Naval. They were the only team we drew to last time around and it was the same again this time. To be fair, it was the first friendly of the season and I knew nobody was really fit at all. A draw was probably a fair result.

Another away game but against Varzim, a deceptively strong side. This time the players were much more match fit and prepared, culminating in a dominant 3-0 win. This form continued with a 2-0 home victory over Spanish outfit Recreativo.

We hosted several sides hailing from Spain this preseason and Cadiz was the next in line. We played well and despite conceding two, managed to score four of our own. Five days later, it was Portuguese semi-pro outfit Estrela Amadora who came to our ground, and we comfortably reigned supreme, by three goals to one.

Another five days later, and I could tell the team was really starting to hit first gear. We played Torreense and managed to put seven past the home team, more than I think anyone expected.

Spanish Segunda Division side Xerez came to town and we easily dispatched them three-one before beating off Sevilla Atletico by four goals to one only a matter of days later.

Finally, we hosted the closest thing to a rival that we had, and that was Atlético CP. And what a morale booster it was for us to finish preseason with a thumping 5-0 win that was sure to please the fans as well.

Preseason Verdict

After recording eight wins out of a possible nine, I have to rate this preseason highly. Despite the draw to Naval I feel we've made excellent strides this preseason and in avoiding defeat in those nine games we've already given ourselves a great confidence lift.

The Month Ahead

Whilst I don't have a screenshot of the full month ahead, I can confirm that we'll be playing our big, big brothers in our season opener. Our fans will be excited about the prospect of a 'derby' so early in the season and I hope despite the opposition's strength we can start the season well!

Author's Note: Due to me being so far behind my actual in game save I've decided to shorten season five and potentially season six because otherwise I feel this story may end prematurely due to the fact that I'm too far ahead to bother writing about it. I'm going to cram in a few months each update to speed it up.

Thanks, Walt.

That Romo looks amazing technically! Just need to bump those mental stats up a bit! Great signings along side also! Fantastic pre-season as well!

What a pre-season, good luck for the season(s) ahead!

Good luck against Benfica

Great pre-season man, hopefully you can continue this form into the new season!

Great pre-season Walt! :-)

Great preseason Walt! Smash Benfica!!

Great start to the pre-season Walt, time to push ahead to the season proper