[FM14] Doing It Down Under! v2.0

Happy to have you back, glad it didn't last long.

Good to see you are writing again. Looking forward to the next installments.

Good to see my partner in crime back!

squirmy I'm glad as well

Duckworthh Cheers mate

Griffo We be the partners in crime

Welcome back Feliks, can't wait

http://i60.tinypic.com/ejhjj6.png

---

The Mariners ended the Jet's dream run in 2014

---

As the title suggests, the A-League premiership race was just too quick and we unfortunately lost our chance to win the premier's plate. However, the big prize is still on as our 8 points in March secured a spot in the finals and a shot at winning the ultimate Australian domestic title, to be the A-League champions. Here's a look at the month in greater detail. As I lost some vital images, I will use a different layout to previous months. This is just a one-off.

---

Starting XI- Birighitti, Gallaway, Regan, Chapman, Zadkovich, Kantarovski, Brown, Brillante, Henshall, Hoole, Heskey

---

NUJ 1-0 WSW
James Brown 5'
James Brown

---

We travelled to Sydney looking to continue our unbeaten streak, and a very quick goal from James Brown secured our 9th game without losing. The instant impact ultimately made the difference, and although defending a lead for 85 minutes is a little unnerving, a win is a win.

---

Starting XI- Birighitti, Gallaway, Regan, Chapman, Brillante, Jaliens, Brown, Pepper, Henshall, Hoole, Heskey

---

NUJ 0-0 MHT
Jacob Pepper

---

A bit more of a challenge against a talented Heart side, we had a typically defensive effort but this time the goal wasn't there and we played out a bore draw. Pepper won PoM with a rating of just 6.9 as it wasn't a game for anybody to thrive. However, on a bright note, that is now 10 games unbeaten.

---

Starting XI- Birighitt, Gallaway, Regan, Chapman, Zadkovich, Brillante, Brown, Pepper, Henshall, Hoole, Heskey

---

NUJ 0-2 CCM
Duke 66'
Sterjovski 75'
Mile Sterjovski

---

A loss that really brought me to my senses. The great run was over, and it was now time to have a look at the team and address some issues. One issue was attack; defence had worked for us for a long time but against the Mariners it wasn't enough. We played valiantly for an hour but the Mitchell Duke goal was inevitable and right winger turned right back Mile Sterjovski doubled the advantage. Time to regroup and hopefully rebound.

---

Starting XI- Birighitti, Carney, Regan, Chapman, Zadkovich, Brillante, Brown, Pepper, Henshall, Hoole, Heskey

---

NUJ 2-1 WPH
Andrew Hoole 2'
Stein Huseygems 7'
Emile Heskey 66'
Andrew Hoole

---

This was not the best opportunity to rebound after the last game's loss; up against the league leaders Wellington Phoenix. The NZ-based team had surprised all season and the deadly duo of Huseygems and Hernandez looked quite scary. However, we had a very quick answer to them as Andrew Hoole slammed home a very early goal to give us the advantage. A sloppy tackle in the box just 5 minutes later meant that the Phoenix equalised, but luckily Hoole wasn't done and his 66th minute cross found da beast's head. Heskey's winner gave us 3 vital points in our chase for the top 2.

---

Starting XI- Birighitti, Carney, Regan, Chapman, Brillante, Kantarovski, Brown, Zadkovich, Henshall, Hoole, Heskey

---

NUJ 1-1 PER
Emile Heskey 47'
Darvyrdas Sernas 90+2'
Emile Heskey

---

A must win in our quest to secure a top 2 spot, we looked to be on track as we defended well (as per usual) and just after half time Emile Heskey struck. But, in true FM fashion, in the dying seconds, Perth's Sernas kicked an unlikely equaliser and ended our month on a low note. The one that got away.

---

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/fzemdegs/media/Untitled_zps2045d316.png.html

---

3rd place is currently very achievable, and if we win both games and hope Sydney FC stuff up, we may just sneak into 2nd and get the 1st week of finals off. Nevertheless, we are in the finals this season which is a MASSIVE turnaround from earlier in the season.

---

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/fzemdegs/media/Untitled_zps3d204c94.png.html

---

This month we had very little standout players, but the player who had his moments and also had the highest average rating for the month was central midfielder James Brown. At the beginning of the year, he had to consign himself to a cameo role off the bench. But ever since our rise up the table, he has become our number 1 central midfielder as Josh Brillante and Ruben Zadkovich have moved to different positions.

---

---

We have just 2 games remaining for the regular season. Despite our premiership aspirations over, we still need to fight and try and climb as high as possible by the season's end. Join me next time for the April review!

Quality, once again, keep it up. Loving the read.

Still looking like your in the finals, just don't get complacent!

Walter #1 Thanks Walt, it feels good to be back

Ducksworthh Thanks!

Walter #2 I'm making sure not to, gonna push these boys hard in April.

woops, tripped

100 REPLIES

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/fzemdegs/media/Untitled_zps9ceded16.png.html

---

Bruce Djite single-handedly tore our season to shreds

---

Oh what could have been. After a rollercoaster season, our end position lay in the hands of our final 2 games. And in true Jets fashion, we promptly won one and lost disappointingly and in the end, the 2nd place spot we were so close to getting was just 2 points away and we finished in 5th. Here's the month that could have been great, but wasn't.

---

---

As much as I complain about a lack of attack on our part, there is really nothing wrong with our current approach. For the umpteenth time this season, we defended like dogs and one goal was the difference between 1 and 3 points. Absolutely nothing happened for 65 minutes, and then, a hasty Taylor Regan long ball landed in the lap of Adam Taggart, and finally, FINALLY, he scored, after 22 games of absolute torture for both him and myself.
Positives As I said, Taggart FINALLY SCORED!
Negatives Nothing really, we've put ourselves in a prime condition to potentially move up into 2nd, and it was another great win.

---

---

We hosted Adelaide United, who were at that point just below us in 4th. This was a very important match for us. Win, and if Sydney FC drew or lost, we would rise into 2nd and get the first week of finals off. Lose, and we may fall to as low as 6th. In the 34th minute, I literally jumped out of my chair in excitement as speedy loanster Alex Henshall screamed into the box and tapped it in. At half time, I sured up the defence and tried to hold on to this narrow lead. I need the win to make 2nd. But just 10 minutes after my passionate team talk, Fabio Ferreira headed one past Birighitti and I saw my season flash before my eyes. In the 66th minute, powerful striker Bruce Djite made it 2-1 and it took all of my resolve not to rage quit as I saw Djite score again. We fell in our most important match all season. It was the first time we'd conceded 3 goals all season, a bitter kick in the teeth for us.

---

http://s40.photobucket.com/user/fzemdegs/media/LeagueTable_zpscf8ab267.png.html

---

So after a disappointing end to the season, we fell to 5th but at least we still have finals. The Phoenix had an amazing season to win the premiership, whilst my favourite club Melbourne Victory had a shocker of a year.

---

Player of the Month to be announced after finals

---

---

As the fifth placed team, we were drawn against the Melbourne Heart who finished 4th. The Heart are formidable opponents, and not one to be taken lightly. It is now our job to make up for this final position and hopefully win and set up a clash against the Phoenix and Sydney FC!
OK, so the finals are finally here. This will mean 2 things. A, a lot more specific updates, and B, a hell of a lot of analysis. Join me next for the Regular Season review!

Walter Thanks Walter, it feels great to rack up some milestones

Great update. Looking forward to the finals, I'm sure it will be full of surprises.

NOOOOOOOO