Poll: The Rise of York City

Very good progress still and it appears as though promotion looks a strong possibility. Add to that a good run and this season will be an absolute success. One more win and a place in the first round is yours. That could welcome a fantastic draw against a L1 or 2 opponent which will generate some much-welcomed cash.

2020-06-07 11:08#273453 Zed : FA Cup in lower leagues can be a distraction, but when you draw a big team and get some good receipts/tv money it's a nice bonus. Really good month that as well!

It can be a distraction but would nice to get a league 2 team especially at home OR a local game like Leeds. Yeah need to get a points lead if I want to rest people for the cup! Thanks for reading!

2020-06-07 14:40#273470 ScottT : Very good progress still and it appears as though promotion looks a strong possibility. Add to that a good run and this season will be an absolute success. One more win and a place in the first round is yours. That could welcome a fantastic draw against a L1 or 2 opponent which will generate some much-welcomed cash.

Thanks! Yeah, a cup run would be fantastic. Just a shame they are top of the National League could have got someone else in my division or regional would have been fantastic!

Panic Stations!

The reward for getting through to the next round of the FA cup is a game against Halifax Town. They are top of the Vanarama National league. It’s a home game so it will improve our finances but realistically we are going to have to be lucky to get anything out of the game. I quickly check the calendar to see if I can rest some players to prepare. However, we have to play the 4th and 9th placed teams either side. No chance for resting players.

We are starting to pick up some injuries so rotation is becoming difficult. We will need some short term loans. I bring in 1 CM on loan but I need another CB at least for the short term. I could dip into the youth team but they aren’t quite ready yet. In a blind panic, I start looking for CB’s and try to loan them in before they are scouted. This is a bad idea but I need bodies who can play.

The league game against Altrincham comes around and we need to keep up the wins if I want to rest players for cup matches. A defensive mistake gives them the lead in the 3rd minute. They double their lead in the 5th minute. This is unknown territory for me this season. I do not like it. We make it to half time 2-0 down. I am beyond frustrated. At half time, I do my best to be aggressive and rip into them. They do not respond AT ALL. After an hour, we change to a 4-3-3 and Very Attacking. That also makes no difference. We go on to lose the game 2-0.



My only thought for such a horrendous performance is that I brought in 3 loan signings in quick succession before that game. I won’t be making that mistake again. The result also loses our unbeaten run but it was the performance that was most disappointing.

To make matters worse due to my lack of financial competency, the board say I can only have 10% of player sales. I am going to need to try harder with selling players otherwise the board are going to sell my best players.

Back to the league and we need a BIG improvement. We have got our “local derby” against Darlington. I even get a Press Conference for this game, I had forgotten they existed. I start with the same team that played so poorly against Altrincham so they can redeem themselves. I will have to make changes at half time as they are fatigued.

The game starts and we start well taking the lead in the 3rd minute, Moke brings the ball in from the wing and smashes it across the keeper. We double our lead 2 minutes later when Moke passes the ball to Simons and he scores an identical goal to Moke. We are 2-0 up in 5 minutes and THAT is the response I wanted. We get lucky when they have a goal disallowed for offside on the 20th minute. We are not out of the woods yet. They do grab a goal just before half time and that makes my half time team talk a lot easier.

At half time, I passionately tell them to not lower their performance. Their fitness levels are a worry and I will have to make changes when they get less than 70%. The second half starts and there are no highlights of any real quality. We have to make changes to a 5-4-1 which isn’t ideal but hopefully will get us over the line. We get another goal in the 85th minute when Simons gets the ball over the top and slots it home. As soon as it goes in, I change to wasting time. We win the game 3-1. A resounding win against your “fierce rivals” is as good as it can be!



A problem is that the players are now knackered and our FA cup match is around he corner. I do NOT hold much hope for this one. Now is the time to have a Team Meeting and I use it to tell the players how great they all are and how proud I am of them. They all respond positively and that’s just what we needed before this game.

It is FA CUP DAY. This is the most nervous I have felt since I started the save and realistically I should be happy to take a loss with a good performance but I cant. I need the win.

In the pre-match email, I get told I will have a double attendance. I have a few injuries and as Halifax are top of the league above. I change formation to a 5-4-1. I hope they have some injuries but they have none. NONE AT ALL.

Before the game I give the players a “passionate” speech about giving the fans their moneys worth. Not one reaction. So I calmly tell them individually that I have faith in them. 3 defenders like it. That’s it, 3. I am feeling pessimistic about this game. Here we go…

23 minutes in and I get an injury. It is annoying as I have no ready made replacement on the bench. Apart from that we are fine. We get through to HT unscathed. I passionately tell them to grab a goal and be winners. They have no reactions. Once again, I tell them individually I have faith in them. I make a second sub at half time with Moke coming on. He also scores the opener on the 69th minute with a long run and curls it past the keeper. Is it too soon to shut up shop?

Well yes as the next highlight is Halifax scoring their equaliser. Should I stick or twist? I stick and turn Defensive. They have a goal disallowed in extra time and we hold out for a 1-1 draw and that is something I would definitely have taken at the beginning of the game.



After the draw, I am hoping to have a week for the replay so I can rest my key players and try and win the game. BUT NO! I have to play them 3 days later. On the plus side, if we win, we get an away match to Torquay. God I wish it was at home.

To try and get as many “fit” players onto the pitch, I change to a 4-5-1 formation and have a few player changes. Moke starts after his goal in the last game. I make sure that I have attacking options on the bench in case I need to change to a 4-3-2-1. My team talk is passionate and that they need to impress! Not one of them is moved. They best start well.

On the 28th minute they take the lead. They double their lead 8 minutes later but it is chalked off for offside. At half time, I change the team to what we know, 442, positive! Nothing changes for 25 minutes, so I change to a 3-4-3. Within the minute, we are level when Burrow volleys in from a corner. Annoyingly, I have made all my subs so I have to stick with this formation or put several players in the wrong positions.

3-4-3 is way too attacking for this but I am out of options. The inevitable happens in the 87th minute when they take the lead after a long ball over the top. They go on to win 2-1. If I am honest, it is a fair result. Although it is annoying to be out of the FA cup.



Being knocked out of th FA cup is also financially disappointing but we can now focus on the league and FA trophy. The FA trophy will be interesting as York have also won it in 2017 and 2012, could 2020 be the third time in under a decade?

Despite being knocked out of the FA Cup by a team also in Non-league. What team is your best "giant-killing" victory? In 2005 I knocked out Birmingham (then in the Prem) with Rushden and Diamonds (Conference). Interested to know what others are?

A good effort against Halifax but it just wasn't to be unfortunately.

Very tough game against Altrincham, especially that shot-ratio must've been worrisome. Luckily you immediately got back to it with a win, avoiding a possible bad run of form.

2020-06-11 01:21#273797 ScottT : A good effort against Halifax but it just wasn't to be unfortunately.

Yeah was very disappointing to not get the win but the performance against the team top of the league above me was quite good! The cash for the FA cup would have been very handy!

2020-06-11 11:04#273834 Zed : Very tough game against Altrincham, especially that shot-ratio must've been worrisome. Luckily you immediately got back to it with a win, avoiding a possible bad run of form.

Yeah, I knew I wouldn't go the whole season unbeaten but lessons have been learned about bringing in lots of loanees in a short time!

good luck

A New Focus

The games keep coming thick and fast, we have a game against Kidderminster next. They are second and a win here would increase our cushion at the top of the league. We get off to a good start, taking the lead in the 6th minute, Burrow runs on to a through ball from Simons and smashes it through the keeper. Just what we needed. We are playing well and are all over them. We double our lead in the 42nd minute when Bond scores a penalty.

We start the second half well and this is a very comfortable game. At the hour mark, I make changes to rest some players and play an asymmetric 4-4-2. We go on to win the game and we are now 11 points ahead with a game in hand. This was the perfect result and performance after getting knocked out of the FA cup!



I have also gained a coaching qualificaation but am still WAY behind all the other coaches. I will probably have to go on many more to catch up!

We need to crack on while we can and get the wins on the board! Our next game is against Curzon Ashton. I rotate the team so players are happy to get the minutes and everyone gets a rest except Simons and Burrow.

We have a horrendous start and go a goal down after 17 seconds. Thankfully, we draw level on the 20th minute. Burrow picks the ball up on the edge of the box and smashes it into the top corner. A great goal. We get to half time, drawing 1-1.

I tell the players that I have faith in them and bring on the well-known David Vaughan at half time. After 66 minutes, I change to a 4-2-1-3 in order to sneak a win. In the 78th minute, they get a penalty and take the lead. I change to all out attack and in the 92nd minute, we draw level. Vaughan crosses in for York to head home to save the day!

This result is not ideal but it was with a massively changed starting eleven. And at least it was not a loss!



I have decided to take control of the finances and see who I can sell in order to save some money. I only have 1 home game this month and that will affect money. The problem is that I still need to rotate. I decide to offer out all my Under 18s on loan. That way their wages will be covered and that should ease the burden. It is also time to see if I can sell Langstaff. He is a decent player but I have 3 players who can play on the right of midfield and he is my third option. I will let you know how I get on with these!

Back to the league and we have a game against Gateshead. We are back to full strength and they are 19th and in bad form. We shall see how this goes! The first highlight of the game is our opening goal. Green crosses in for Simons to deftly head the ball past the keeper. We continue positively and have 2 quality chances before half time but don't increase our lead. At half time, I tell them to be wary of complacency. After half time we make another great chance on the 49th. It feels like the sucker punch is waiting for us. It comes in the 81st minute when they draw level BUT luckily for us it is disallowed for offside. As soon as the highlight ends, I make sweeping defensive changes. We go on to win the game 1-0. A very boring victory but 3 points is 3 points!



Looking at the fixture list, I now have 14 days until my next game. This is great news as my whole squad can rest and I can have a friendly against Bury to get some money in the bank. However, there is bad news.

NONE of my Under 18s are wanted on loan and Langstaff hasn't got any takers either. I tell them to make the move happen but he is happy to sit out and pick up a wage. FRUSTRATION IS RUNNING HIGH.

The match against Bury comes and goes, we lose 3-1 but it was more about giving some youth players some minutes and giving Maguire some time on his return to injury. He has been out for 4 months and is rated as 4.5 stars. I hope he can be of use to the team when he's up to full fitness.

In other news, the draw for the FA trophy is being made and we have got Farsley in the final qualifying round. Surely I can't get knocked out of 2 cups in the space of a month. Hopefully not!

Dan Maguire is an exceptional striker and if you can get the very best out of him, he will be unstoppable.

Finances in lower leagues can be a struggle, I just tend to schedule some home games against PL teams in pre-season or in winter to get some money in, although it's not the most realistic thing to do

2020-06-16 01:24#274293 ScottT : Dan Maguire is an exceptional striker and if you can get the very best out of him, he will be unstoppable.

I really like Maguire but he will always be third choice behind Burrow and Simons as they work so well together! He always gets minutes though, alas probably not enough for him to fulfill his potential! Thanks for reading!

2020-06-17 10:55#274362 Zed : Finances in lower leagues can be a struggle, I just tend to schedule some home games against PL teams in pre-season or in winter to get some money in, although it's not the most realistic thing to do

Agreed. I should be setting up friendlies when I have gaps for my back up players and being out of the FA cup now should give me time to do it, it's just remembering to actually do so!
Thanks for reading!

]The Farsley Games

We have been drawn against Farsley in the FA Trophy qualifier. However, we have a league game first. It is against...Farsley. These sort of fixtures always crop up every couple of seasons and it is a good chance for me to scout them out before we meet in the cup.

We have been drawn against Farsley in the FA Trophy qualifier. However, we have a league game first. It is against...Farsley. These sort of fixtures always crop up every couple of seasons and it is a good chance for me to scout them out before we meet in the cup.

We start the game OK but there is only 1 highlight and it is of a fairly poor shot on their goal by Maguire. At half time, I tell the players I am not happy with what I have seen and send them back on their way! On the 47th minute, we take the lead in the most comical fashion I have EVER seen on FM. Our RB, Dyer crosses the ball in to nobody and their defender (under no pressure) and with nobody within 10 yards of him controls the ball into his own net. It is by far the most I have ever laughed at a goal. It was BRILLIANT. Disappointly, the second half has no more highlights and we scrape the 1-0 win. Although in the end I really don't mind as the win came from the best OG that will be probably scored on this save!



We have a whole week until the FA Trophy game. That means everyone gets a rest. We need to win this as the board expect us to get to the third round, they were annoyed we got kicked out of the FA cup early so we need to meet this target!

The game comes round and we are disappointing. It gets even worse when Maguire's first goal of the season is ruled out for offside. At half time, I tell them how disappointed I am. Some of them react positively, it gets even worse on the 47th minute when Farsley break from our corner and counter attack and take the lead as our keeper is beaten at his front post.

I make changes immediately and change to a 4-3-3 bringing Bond and Simons on. We are all over them but can't make it count. On the 80th minute, I change to a 3-4-3 and on the 89th minute we draw level. Farsley over play the ball in their defence and Burrow sneaks in to grab the ball and plays it through to Simons who slots it home from outside the box. We get the replay! Thank goodness!



The replay takes place 3 days later. I manage to rotate some good players in and most noteably McLaughlin and Simons both start. Once again the first half is disappointing and this has been a tight game. However, we take the lead in the 46th minute just before half time. Simons has a shot deflected into the net.

At half time, I tell them all individually that I have faith in them. 7 of them respond in green. A good sight to see. A well worked build up results in us doubling our lead in the 48th minute. Moke gets on the end of a McLaughlin cross. We add a third on the 81st when McLaughlin crosses in for Tait to head home. We win the game 3-0 and are in the FA trophy proper.



The draw for the next round is made, we have got a home game against Blyth. Once again it will be more money in the bank!

Back to the league and it is nice to play a team that aren't Farsley. We have a game against Brackley. It is only 3 days after the FA trophy games so we will need to rotate. We are currently 16 points ahead of 2nd place and we have a week until the game after this so I will start my strongest team.

A drab match with only 2 highlights in the first half until they take the lead in the 40th minute. They work it really well and then smash it past our keeper from 30 yards. Hard to deny it wasn't a quality goal. At half time, I rip into the team and give an aggrssive team talk. I make a double change and move to 4-3-3 with Lolos up top. At the hour mark, Lolos misses a ridiculously easy chance. At the 80th minute, I make my final change and move to 3-3-1-3. in the 87th we draw level, Lolos finishes a MUCH MUCH harder chance. We draw 1-1 which is not too bad considering we had a midweek game!



It has been odd to play the same team 3 times in 11 days but we are through to the FA trophy proper rounds and that will help finances and a lead at the top of the league should help us prepare for the cup games. It's all about keeping everyone fit!