Conquering Europe

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/157/2012fixturesaug.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9070/2012tableaug.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results




FA Trophy results



-----

We're off to a flying start this season. With almost a full season of playing together, my first team looks really comfortable out there and we're scoring goals at a terrific pace. Our 4/1/0 record is impressive, but I'm most impressed by our 12 goals scored which tops the league at this time. And our defense remains stout, having surrendered only 4 goals so far. As a result, I took home the manager of the month award. It remains to be seen if we can keep up this run of form, but we've shown the resolve to maintain a long streak of good results last season and we have even better roster depth this season to help accomplish that.

A lot of this can be attributed to a splash signing - Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson. He is a creative demon in midfield and is causing headaches to opposing defenses. We are causing a ton of pressure from all over the pitch, and he is the focal point of our attacks. To go along with this signing, we also bolstered our bench players with some more creative talent on the wings. John Melligan and Wayne Phillips are able subs who help keep defenses on their toes with their crossing abilities from out wide.

I'm sorry! can how the hell did you get Gylfi? Did you use a data editor or something cus there's no way he would sign for a blue square prem club...just no way!

Explain please.... also, in my game, im now 1 year in still with no club i keep rejecting all the clubs with silly names lol... i want a club that i can imagine in the prem..
anyway, please explain the sig signing

Gussin : I'm sorry! can how the hell did you get Gylfi? Did you use a data editor or something cus there's no way he would sign for a blue square prem club...just no way!

Explain please.... also, in my game, im now 1 year in still with no club i keep rejecting all the clubs with silly names lol... i want a club that i can imagine in the prem..
anyway, please explain the sig signing

One of my scouts had been tracking him since last season. At the time he was scouted, Gylfi showed absolutely zero interest in signing with us. I always check back with the highest rated targets that my scouts come up with, however, and this time around he was willing to sign on a free.

I don't use any editors whatsoever - hell, I don't even reload my save games. I was just as surprised as you when I approached to sign him and he was actually interested. Naturally I jumped at the opportunity and paid him what he wanted. What's more surprising to me is that Reading NEVER used him and his only appearances (22 total) came via loan moves to Shrewsbury and Crewe.

To be honest, I don't know what I found more surprising - the fact that he was willing to sign with us, or the fact that he was unsigned to begin with!

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9177/2012fixturessep.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2395/2012tablesep.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results




FA Trophy results



-----

We had another undefeated month with a 4/3/0 record, but we seem to be coming back down to earth a bit after getting out of the starting gate so quickly. It seems like early season stamina issues are sorting themselves out as usual, because we've looked a little tired at the end of games. We're still in 1st place, however, and hopefully we can continue our run of form.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4585/2012fixturesoct.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7208/2012tableoct.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS)


FA Trophy results




-----

Our undefeated run continues as we booked a 3/2/0 record in October. I'm starting to get concerned, however, because as good as we've been performing it seems like we'll need to find a higher gear if we're to compete for 1st place. We've lost pole position to recently relegated Bury, and while we managed a draw against them at home I'm reminded of how Luton caught fire last season and were uncatchable down the stretch.

We kicked off the FA Cup in good form with a 2-0 victory over BSS side Grays. Our 1st round matchup is against fellow BSS side Newport County. If you recall, Newport County holds a special place in my heart because they were the first team I played extensively back in FM09.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6187/2012fixturesnov.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4791/2012tablenov.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County(BSS) - 1st round


FA Trophy results




-----

Our run nearly game to an end against Stevenage, and it took two dramatic second half goals for us to draw level. And again, while our undefeated run continues, I almost want us to lose so we can regain our focus a bit. The team seems content to draw matches no matter how much I try to motivate them through team talks and during media events. So while we have regained 1st place and hold it by 6 points for the time being, there are a lot of high flying teams in the top 5 that will gladly pounce on every draw we end up with.

We crushed our second consecutive BSS team in Newport County in the 1st round of the FA Cup and we look forward to facing fellow top 5 BSP side Rushden in the 2nd round. I'm really hopeful of advancing past Rushden because the FA Cup is a huge money maker for us!

We will also begin defense of the FA Trophy this coming week, and our 1st round opponent will be BSN side Blyth.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8925/2012fixturesdec.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/3285/2012tabledec.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County(BSS) - 1st round
2-1 vs Rushden (BSP) - 2nd round


FA Trophy results

3-1 vs Blyth (BSN) - 1st round


-----

With the New Year quickly approaching, my team decided to put on a fireworks display. It started innocently enough with a 3-1 victory over BSN side Blyth - something I expected. We came home to face top side Kettering, however, and proceeded to crush them 4-0. Christiano Kisuka scored a brace, Wagner pitched in a goal, and Grant Basey even rifled one in from distance for the final blow. I chalked it up to good morale, seeing as how we haven't lost in 30(!) games. Then we faced another top side in Dover and we wowed the crowd with a 5-0 performance! This is just absurd.

We edged Rushden 2-1 to advance to the third round of the FA Cup for the second season in a row. Last season we lost to Tottenham and this season it looks like the 3rd round will once again be our curtain call. We're matched up against Championship side Leyton Orient. At the rate that we've been scoring goals, I suppose an upset is a possibility against the bottom-dwelling team, but it is an upset that I don't expect to happen. We've already surpassed the board's minimum expectation of making it to the 1st round.

As mentioned earlier we took care of BSN side Blyth to advance to the 2nd round of the FA Trophy, where we will meet another lower side - Basingstoke. Assuming we take care of business, we will meet the board's minimum expectation of reaching the 3rd round of the competition. My personal expectation is that we push hard for at least the semifinal round.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2474/2013fixturesjan.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3782/2013tablejan.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County(BSS) - 1st round
2-1 vs Rushden (BSP) - 2nd round
4-2p vs Leyton Orient (CC Championship) - 3rd round
0-1 vs Charlton (CC Championship) - 4th round

FA Trophy results

3-1 vs Blyth (BSN) - 1st round
2-1 vs Basingstoke (BSS) - 2nd round


-----

The fireworks kept on coming to ring in the new year. First we had our 3rd consecutive BSP demolition, handing out a 4-1 beating to Gateshead. Then we departed from our scoring ways and parked the bus against Championship side Leyton Orient at home - and we managed a draw! We were truly playing like an invincible team at this point and we crushed Eastbourne Boro 4-1 before our replay vs Leyton Orient.

Keeper James Dormand played the game of his life and we took things first into extra time and then into penalties.
Leyton scored first.
We countered. 1-1.
Dormand blocked a Leyton shot.
We scored to take a 2-1 lead.
Leyton scored, 2-2.
We counter and retake the lead, 3-2.
Leyton misses a shot!
Elias Wagner drills home the winner and we slay a giant!

I can do no wrong! We're playing so well that we can't be stopped. We're firing on all cylinders and it's only a matter of time before we win promotion outright by finishing in 1st place in the league. And then 3 days later we lose to relegation contenders Maccalesfield. Then we lose 0-1 to Championship side Charlton and get eliminated from the FA Cup after our historic win one round prior. Then we come face off against promotion contenders in Rushden, can't muster a goal, and were lucky to draw to be honest.

All of a sudden we look like a team deflated. For all that we have accomplished so far this season, our greatest accomplishment can be regrouping after a horrendous run of games. We haven't faced adversity yet this season, and now adversity just punched us in the face. It's time to see if this team can regain momentum or if we will crumble at the midpoint of the season.

We end this season's FA Cup by pulling a monumental upset against a team three leagues above us in the 3rd round and being shown the door in the 4th round.

We continue our defense of the FA Trophy with a win vs Basingstoke. We face Eastleigh in the 3rd round, who are promotion contenders in the Blue Square South.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/8277/2013fixturesfeb.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9329/2013tablefeb.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County(BSS) - 1st round
2-1 vs Rushden (BSP) - 2nd round
4-2p vs Leyton Orient (CC Championship) - 3rd round
0-1 vs Charlton (CC Championship) - 4th round

FA Trophy results

3-1 vs Blyth (BSN) - 1st round
2-1 vs Basingstoke (BSS) - 2nd round
5-0 vs Eastleigh (BSS) - 3rd round
1-0r vs Barnet (BSP) - 4th round



-----

After a horrendous end to the month of January, I was left questioning the resolve of our team. That answer was given emphatically during all of February. 5 consecutive league wins has us running away with 1st place and we sit 12 points clear of 2nd place Barnet with 11 games to go. Our first game in March is at home against Barnet and we can further our cause greatly with a win. Even the media is starting to get behind us now, with several outlets tipping us to win the league.

We will face an uphill battle for several weeks, however, as we just lost Christiano Kisuka for 2-3 weeks due to injury. He will miss that pivotal game vs Barnet and it looks like he will miss both legs of our semifinal match in the FA Trophy also. King Kisuka, as the media calls him, will be sorely missed but the show must go on.


We are inching closer to a seat at the finals of the FA Trophy, with our semifinal match set against midtable BSP foe Fleetwood. Without Kisuka on the pitch, we will have our work cut out for us. With Kisuka, we would have been heavy favorites to make the finals.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9195/2013fixturesmar.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/3995/2013tablemar.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County (BSS) - 1st round
2-1 vs Rushden (BSP) - 2nd round
4-2p vs Leyton Orient (CC Championship) - 3rd round
0-1 vs Charlton (CC Championship) - 4th round

FA Trophy results

3-1 vs Blyth (BSN) - 1st round
2-1 vs Basingstoke (BSS) - 2nd round
5-0 vs Eastleigh (BSS) - 3rd round
1-0r vs Barnet (BSP) - 4th round
6-1 aggregate vs Fleetwood (BSP) - Semifinals



-----

Guys, what can I say right now? Another unstoppable string of games has gone by and we are simply the class of the BSP this season. While we had two draws during league play, we have been unstoppable the rest of the month. An emphatic 3-0 win over 2nd place Barnet sums things up and we are only a few games away from mathematically clinching 1st place.

We are set to defend the FA Trophy in the finals and we are looking like the odds-on favorites. On our return engagement to Wembley we will face off against Newport County whom we throttled in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Not only will they have to overcome a talent advantage but I'm sure they will have to deal with the pressure of playing in a huge game as well. And while we will be feeling pressure to bring home a second consecutive FA Trophy, our players should feel far more comfortable on the big stage.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1839/2013fixturesapr.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5053/2013tableapr.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results

2-0 vs Grays (BSS) - 4th round qualifying
3-0 vs Newport County (BSS) - 1st round
2-1 vs Rushden (BSP) - 2nd round
4-2p vs Leyton Orient (CC Championship) - 3rd round
0-1 vs Charlton (CC Championship) - 4th round

FA Trophy results

3-1 vs Blyth (BSN) - 1st round
2-1 vs Basingstoke (BSS) - 2nd round
5-0 vs Eastleigh (BSS) - 3rd round
1-0r vs Barnet (BSP) - 4th round
6-1 aggregate vs Fleetwood (BSP) - Semifinals



-----

After beating Chelmsford 2-0 at home, we officially clinched promotion into League 2 next season. The fans were ecstatic. The board was impressed. I feel accomplished. We set out to do one thing this season and that was to win our way toward greater heights. Winning the league title is half that equation.

Successful defense of the FA Trophy in one week would net us a double on the season and that's about as much as we can accomplish at our level. Let's face facts - the FA Cup is a pipe dream beyond the 3rd round for minnows like ourselves. If we win the FA Trophy as expected, I will be extremely irritated if the board doesn't make moves that will let us be more competitive.

I'm trying to upload the game replay of my FA Trophy victory but am having no luck. The highlight of the game wasn't so much that we won consecutive FA Trophies, but that Newport County were clearly more motivated than we were.

For 90 minutes in regulation we created scoring opportunities but kept getting turned away. Going into extra time, this trend continued and it wasn't until almost 110 minutes into the game that the first and only goal was scored. Nonetheless, we walked away from the game victorious and Newport County walked away proving that they were certainly not pushovers.

Here is my starting 11 at the end of the season:

[imgw]http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/4168/2013tacticsfinal.jpg[/imgw]

I proudly present to you the class of the BSP in their final season of that league. As mentioned, this starting eleven and five man bench won not only the league title but also the FA Trophy. Many of these players were also on hand for last season's FA Trophy win as well.

---

Here is the final league standings at the end of the season:

[imgw]http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/1928/2013tablefinal.jpg[/imgw]

We were the class of the league from start to finish, only dropping one game all season long. Our 94 goals scored was tops in the league, our 33 goals allowed was second best. Our +61 goal differential was also tops in the league. We continued the trend of the top team in the league walking away with the trophy. We won the league by a 17 point margin; Luton won it last season by 10 points; Cambridge won it two seasons ago by 7 points; and Mansfield won it three seasons ago by 16 points.

---

Here is the transfer table at the end of the season:

[imgw]http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7136/2013transferfinal.jpg[/imgw]

Even with a transfer budget last season, I still refused to spend money on transfers.

Preparing for the Coca Cola League 2, Season 1

Coaching staff - Finally! Going professional means I can now have a total of 8 coaches instead of only 2. I quickly added to my coaching staff so we can have a proper training regimen in place!

Current training star ratings are as follows (previous season in parenthesis):

Strength - 3.5 (2.5)
Aerobic - 4.5 (2.5)
Goalkeeping - 3.5 (1)
Tactics - 3.5 (2)
Ball Control - 2.5 (2)
Defending - 3.5 (2)
Attacking - 3.5 (2.5)
Shooting - 3.5 (1.5)
Set Pieces - 2.5 (2)

Starting Eleven

GK - James Dormand, 2.5 stars

DR - Darren Cole, 3 stars

DL - Grant Basey, 3.5 stars

DC - Sean Porter, 3.5 stars

DC - Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, 3.5 stars

DMC - Jean-Paul Kalala, 1.5 stars (need to find replacement)

MC - Nicholas Barrett, 3 stars

MC - Gylfi Sigurdsson, 3.5 stars

AMR - Elias Wagner, 2.5 stars

AML - Tom Brighton, 2.5 stars

ST - Christiano Kisuka, 3.5 stars

Goals, expectations, and budgets

The jump to League 2 convinced the board to turn the club professional. Now I can realistically start to develop a youth system because I can employ more than 2 coaches during training. We didn't make nearly as much of a profit this season as we did last, but we did turn a profit of 200k. We grossed nearly the same amount (~1.9m) but our wage bill was significantly higher. Overall our bank balance is sitting at ~1m. Maybe I can talk the board into an upgrade this season.

For our inaugural season in League 2, I told the board that we would absolutely avoid relegation. Skybet has us tipped (17) as outside promotion candidates. I think this is graciously optimistic. We played at an amazing level last season, but we are stepping up to a higher level of competition. The media, meanwhile, predicts a 24th place finish and relegation back down to the BSP. How pessimistic of them. I plan on finishing somewhere around 18th and being comfortably out of the drop zone.

I have been allotted a 375k transfer budget and a wage budget of 15.25k p/w. Wow! That's a small amount compared to what most of you are used to dealing with, but I feel like a kid in a candy store with all this money available. As per my standard practice I have reallocated all of my transfer budget into my wage budget for the time being. That gives me a wage budget of 22.5k p/w, of which we are currently spending ~14k p/w before we jettison some unneeded players.

We also got a surprising series of windfall payments. With the promotions of Hull, Newcastle, Portsmouth, and Wigan to the Premier League we got payments of 49.49k. I've never noticed this in the game before.

Recent Fixtures
[imgw]http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1228/2013fixturesaug.jpg[/imgw]

League Table
[imgw]http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5053/2013tableapr.jpg[/imgw]

FA Cup results




League Cup results

2-3 vs Colchester (Championship) - 1st round

Johnstone's Paint Trophy results




-----

My first month in League 2 was much more successful that I initially hoped for. We managed some spirited draws during league play, including one vs Wycombe who are the early league leaders. We also managed a win over a midtable team in Port Value and an upper half team in Gillingham.

Our only defeat in the early going was in the 1st round of the League Cup. We faced off against Colchester and while the scoreboard says we only lost by one goal, we were clearly outclassed all match long.

We will open the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this week against Cambridge who are currently 3rd in the league. Nobody's expecting us to do anything during cup play, but I think we can give Cambridge a nice fight since we're at home.

We suffered a couple of unfortunate injuries this month, and along with our relative success, I have decided to bring on some players on season long loans. With my starting left winger out for a month with a twisted knee, we brought on Will James from Leeds. He is a dynamic wing player with a 16 crossing rating, but his 5 in natural fitness will make him more of a sub than a starter. When we lost dynamic midfielder Nicholas Barrett for a month to a fractured jaw, we scrambled and brought in Scott Ford from Blackburn. Ford and Sigurdsson should form a potent duo at midfield, with both of them being nice playmakers. I'm also looking to bring in one more potential winger since Will James isn't fit enough to play long stretches.