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The SAF Challenge
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Looks like you are destined for the title good read as well bro
Season 6
Stadium Expansion
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Transfer Outs
Gerard Deulofeu - 15 million
He fell behind Sisto and Grealish and just lost game time. Was happy to get 15 million for him.
Brendan Galloway - 8 million
He never really found a place in my team, and that is my fault, as i kinda curbed his development, so i just let him go and allowed him to find greener pastures elsewhere.
Eric Gooch - 7.5 million
He came in as a free transfer as backup for Barkley and Goretzka, then he got mad because he was not first team, so i decided to move him on.
Seamus Coleman - 6.5 million
He has been a stalwart for us, and i did not want to sell him, but he fell behind Peruzzi, and i found out my Head of Youth Development signed two wonderkid RB's so i decided it was time to move him on.
I did face some fan and board backlash after he left though.
Sven Bender - 5 million
He has not played for two years and has been on the transfer list for that long, so i was surprised and happy to get 5 million for him, since we signed him for 3.9 million 4 years ago.
Stadium Expansion
Transfer Outs
Gerard Deulofeu - 15 million
He fell behind Sisto and Grealish and just lost game time. Was happy to get 15 million for him.
Brendan Galloway - 8 million
He never really found a place in my team, and that is my fault, as i kinda curbed his development, so i just let him go and allowed him to find greener pastures elsewhere.
Eric Gooch - 7.5 million
He came in as a free transfer as backup for Barkley and Goretzka, then he got mad because he was not first team, so i decided to move him on.
Seamus Coleman - 6.5 million
He has been a stalwart for us, and i did not want to sell him, but he fell behind Peruzzi, and i found out my Head of Youth Development signed two wonderkid RB's so i decided it was time to move him on.
I did face some fan and board backlash after he left though.
Sven Bender - 5 million
He has not played for two years and has been on the transfer list for that long, so i was surprised and happy to get 5 million for him, since we signed him for 3.9 million 4 years ago.
Transfer Ins
Return of Ludwig Augustinsson - 6 million
He was my replacement for Baines a couple years ago, but then decided he wanted to leave us for Arsenal. So when Baines announced his retirement and I saw Arsenal placed Ludwig on the transfer list, i thought why not. He cost us 2.3 million initially, sold him for 19 million and bought him back for 6 million. I think we came out as winners in this one.
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Oguzhan Alkan - 9.75 million
We needed a young backup LB, who could eventually be first team after Galloway left. And since the Dutch league has been good to us with youngsters before, i thought why not go there again. And my scouts found this youngster who initially had 4.5 star potential.
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Nuno Santos - 15 million
We needed another left winger, since we only had Vaclav, and he was placed on the transfer list by Leverkusen after a really good season, so i decided to buy him and he was fairly cheap and is still only 25.
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Andre Dozell - 7.75 million
After we lost Gooch i needed a youngster who would not mind being backup for Barkley and Goretzka, then my scouts found this guy at Ipswich in League 1 and maybe he just might be the next Dele Alli. His attributes looked so amazing.
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Head of Youth Development does at it again
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He signed them for 2 million and 2.5 million respectively, and both look like good prospects, especially Hansen.
Return of Ludwig Augustinsson - 6 million
He was my replacement for Baines a couple years ago, but then decided he wanted to leave us for Arsenal. So when Baines announced his retirement and I saw Arsenal placed Ludwig on the transfer list, i thought why not. He cost us 2.3 million initially, sold him for 19 million and bought him back for 6 million. I think we came out as winners in this one.
Oguzhan Alkan - 9.75 million
We needed a young backup LB, who could eventually be first team after Galloway left. And since the Dutch league has been good to us with youngsters before, i thought why not go there again. And my scouts found this youngster who initially had 4.5 star potential.
Nuno Santos - 15 million
We needed another left winger, since we only had Vaclav, and he was placed on the transfer list by Leverkusen after a really good season, so i decided to buy him and he was fairly cheap and is still only 25.
Andre Dozell - 7.75 million
After we lost Gooch i needed a youngster who would not mind being backup for Barkley and Goretzka, then my scouts found this guy at Ipswich in League 1 and maybe he just might be the next Dele Alli. His attributes looked so amazing.
Head of Youth Development does at it again
He signed them for 2 million and 2.5 million respectively, and both look like good prospects, especially Hansen.
Pre-season Friendlies
These friendlies showed me the strength of the signings that the head of youth development had made. This is what made me sell some of the older players we had. We were really good in these matches, we scored goals and conceded only a few, although some of the teams were weaker than us, i was happy with our performances.
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Community Shield
Man U scored early, and dominated most of the first half, then we came out second and tried to find a way through but just could not. Then Man U scored late on and that was that.
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UEFA Super Cup
We were outplayed until like the 60th minute going 3-0 down. Then we scored 1 and we dominated from there and even looked like we will score more goals, we hit the bar twice and had 2 one on ones saved, but we just could not score.
After the pre-season results i really thought we could win the curtain raiser trophies, but it just was not to be, although i am looking forward to the season ahead, as we looked dangerous in pre-season and i am hoping to score some goals this season.
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These friendlies showed me the strength of the signings that the head of youth development had made. This is what made me sell some of the older players we had. We were really good in these matches, we scored goals and conceded only a few, although some of the teams were weaker than us, i was happy with our performances.
Community Shield
Man U scored early, and dominated most of the first half, then we came out second and tried to find a way through but just could not. Then Man U scored late on and that was that.
UEFA Super Cup
We were outplayed until like the 60th minute going 3-0 down. Then we scored 1 and we dominated from there and even looked like we will score more goals, we hit the bar twice and had 2 one on ones saved, but we just could not score.
After the pre-season results i really thought we could win the curtain raiser trophies, but it just was not to be, although i am looking forward to the season ahead, as we looked dangerous in pre-season and i am hoping to score some goals this season.
Some amazing signings mate! Unlucky with the two cups!
End of Winter Transfer window
Promises
Ok, so we have not had any outs, but i had to promise Goretzka, Amartey, and Riedewald that we would win the Champions League this year, as Barcelona and Real Madrid came a knocking for them and they wanted to leave. It was the only thing i could do to keep them happy, and since they are all key players for me, it had to be done, but they might be off in the summer if we do not win it.
January Ins
So i do not usually use the January transfer window, but i realized that it was an AFCON year and we lost both Amartey and Toure for a month, leaving us with only 1 CB at the club. So i needed to bring someone in. Then i found this 23 year old CB from Arsenal sitting on the transfer list.
Jesus Vallejo
He looks like a good CB who could still grow at the age of 23.
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Promises
Ok, so we have not had any outs, but i had to promise Goretzka, Amartey, and Riedewald that we would win the Champions League this year, as Barcelona and Real Madrid came a knocking for them and they wanted to leave. It was the only thing i could do to keep them happy, and since they are all key players for me, it had to be done, but they might be off in the summer if we do not win it.
January Ins
So i do not usually use the January transfer window, but i realized that it was an AFCON year and we lost both Amartey and Toure for a month, leaving us with only 1 CB at the club. So i needed to bring someone in. Then i found this 23 year old CB from Arsenal sitting on the transfer list.
Jesus Vallejo
He looks like a good CB who could still grow at the age of 23.
Our Amazing league form
League form has been superb. We have scored goals for fun, from all over the pitch and i think only 5 players in my entire squad has not scored a goal this season, two of them are goalkeepers.
Doing ok in big games
15 out of 27
We beat Arsenal first day of the season, and i was happy after our two cup losses. Then got a draw away at United, where our defense looked solid. Then against Chelsea we were behind 2-1 till the 81st minute and scored three goals to win 4-2, this showed my teams character. Against City we were unlucky to lose, then went to Tottenham and stole a late win, and we should have beaten Liverpool after dominating the match at home. Then against Arsenal away we were thumped, and never looked like winning. At home to United we had 15 shots, but just could not score, and away at Chelsea we scored really early and just managed to hang on for the win.
Thumping the smaller teams
What has definitely been the defining factor in this season is the fact that we rarely slip up against the smaller teams. There were a couple of draws against Watford and Sunderland, but overall we have been brilliant against the smaller teams. In a lot of the games we will find ourselves 2, 3, 4, or even 5 to 0 up at halftime, and just see the game out in the second half. This is what has giving us the lead we have at the top as the other big teams often slip up against the smaller teams.
The Fixtures
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The League Table
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League form has been superb. We have scored goals for fun, from all over the pitch and i think only 5 players in my entire squad has not scored a goal this season, two of them are goalkeepers.
Doing ok in big games
15 out of 27
We beat Arsenal first day of the season, and i was happy after our two cup losses. Then got a draw away at United, where our defense looked solid. Then against Chelsea we were behind 2-1 till the 81st minute and scored three goals to win 4-2, this showed my teams character. Against City we were unlucky to lose, then went to Tottenham and stole a late win, and we should have beaten Liverpool after dominating the match at home. Then against Arsenal away we were thumped, and never looked like winning. At home to United we had 15 shots, but just could not score, and away at Chelsea we scored really early and just managed to hang on for the win.
Thumping the smaller teams
What has definitely been the defining factor in this season is the fact that we rarely slip up against the smaller teams. There were a couple of draws against Watford and Sunderland, but overall we have been brilliant against the smaller teams. In a lot of the games we will find ourselves 2, 3, 4, or even 5 to 0 up at halftime, and just see the game out in the second half. This is what has giving us the lead we have at the top as the other big teams often slip up against the smaller teams.
The Fixtures
The League Table
Capital One Cup
I was not worried about this cup, but then i realized it is the only domestic trophy missing from our cabinet, so i decided to go for it. We got lucky with draw along the way, but almost lost to Sheff. Wed. in the Semis. After a 2-1 loss away, it was 0-0 in the second leg, until a superb Sisto 83rd minute free-kick, after he came off the bench, two minutes earlier. Then in extra time we scored 2 goals first half, and saw the game out. Now we have a final against arch rivals Liverpool, who just narrowly beat Aston Villa after extra time, and who we have only beaten once in last 4 outings.
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I was not worried about this cup, but then i realized it is the only domestic trophy missing from our cabinet, so i decided to go for it. We got lucky with draw along the way, but almost lost to Sheff. Wed. in the Semis. After a 2-1 loss away, it was 0-0 in the second leg, until a superb Sisto 83rd minute free-kick, after he came off the bench, two minutes earlier. Then in extra time we scored 2 goals first half, and saw the game out. Now we have a final against arch rivals Liverpool, who just narrowly beat Aston Villa after extra time, and who we have only beaten once in last 4 outings.
Champions League
Started with a comfortable 3-0 win away at Kobenhavn, then thumped Goteborg, which was expected. The we played like crap at home to Dortmund and loss 2-0. After that we went to Dortmund and went down to 10 men after 12 minutes, when Riedewald got two yellow cards. I fined him after the game and he was pissed, and still is. We then took the lead in the 68th minute and held on till the 88th, after which all our hard work earlier on went up in flames. they scored twice to win 2-1. After this i knew we would finish 2nd and knew we most probably would have a hard fixture in the first knockout round, but we comfortably beat Kobenhavn 1-0 at home and thumped pure Goteborg again 6-0.
The Fixtures
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The Group
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First Knockout Round
As expected, we have a hard tie against 2017 and 18 winners Real Madrid.
Started with a comfortable 3-0 win away at Kobenhavn, then thumped Goteborg, which was expected. The we played like crap at home to Dortmund and loss 2-0. After that we went to Dortmund and went down to 10 men after 12 minutes, when Riedewald got two yellow cards. I fined him after the game and he was pissed, and still is. We then took the lead in the 68th minute and held on till the 88th, after which all our hard work earlier on went up in flames. they scored twice to win 2-1. After this i knew we would finish 2nd and knew we most probably would have a hard fixture in the first knockout round, but we comfortably beat Kobenhavn 1-0 at home and thumped pure Goteborg again 6-0.
The Fixtures
The Group
First Knockout Round
As expected, we have a hard tie against 2017 and 18 winners Real Madrid.
Another reall good season in the making mate, and i'd be quietly confident of beating Real...i dont know why i just would 
mgriffin: Yeah this has been really good this far. And i kinda am, especially if we can have a good home performance in the first leg.
I am going to be doing updates of the big Knockout games we have coming up, and then at the end of the season i will just recap the league.
So starting off with.
Champions League - First Knockout Round - Leg 1
Coming in i wanted a Clean sheet victory, as we were at home and that meant any away goal at Madrid, basically counted for 2. We started off strong and after 30 minutes we took Real Madrid by storm and raced to a 3-0 lead by halftime. Then second half they stormed back and we were at 3-3 by the 70th minute. Pissed off, i went all out attack and we scored two more before the end. Our attacking prowess in this game was superb, but our defense did collapse for that 25 minute spell and i was not to happy about it.
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So starting off with.
Champions League - First Knockout Round - Leg 1
Coming in i wanted a Clean sheet victory, as we were at home and that meant any away goal at Madrid, basically counted for 2. We started off strong and after 30 minutes we took Real Madrid by storm and raced to a 3-0 lead by halftime. Then second half they stormed back and we were at 3-3 by the 70th minute. Pissed off, i went all out attack and we scored two more before the end. Our attacking prowess in this game was superb, but our defense did collapse for that 25 minute spell and i was not to happy about it.
FA Cup 5th Round - Chelsea(H)
Had all the chances first half, and did not look like we would score, then Chelsea took the lead in the 2nd half, and we eventually stole victory in the last ten minutes to win 2-1. I do not what it is about Chelsea, but they just inspire my team to get come from behind late victories.
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We have drawn Arsenal(H) for the 6th round
Had all the chances first half, and did not look like we would score, then Chelsea took the lead in the 2nd half, and we eventually stole victory in the last ten minutes to win 2-1. I do not what it is about Chelsea, but they just inspire my team to get come from behind late victories.
We have drawn Arsenal(H) for the 6th round
Capital One Cup Final - Liverpool at Wembley
We were in complete control of this final from start to finish. Scored an early goal, but could not find a second, but looked dangerous and in control, then we scored a second in the 2nd half and we just saw the final out from there. Really did want to win it as it means we now have won every domestic trophy, and now we only need the UCL to complete our cabinet.
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We were in complete control of this final from start to finish. Scored an early goal, but could not find a second, but looked dangerous and in control, then we scored a second in the 2nd half and we just saw the final out from there. Really did want to win it as it means we now have won every domestic trophy, and now we only need the UCL to complete our cabinet.
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