Vauxhall Motors - The Path To Power

Smashed the league, well done!

2013-07-30 21:25#124123 wellsy1498 : Wow well done on winning the league. It is such a great achievement. I think you know we are all still enjoying this and we cant wait for the transfers

Thanks mate, hopefully we can make a few good signings

2013-07-30 21:28#124124 Nathaniel : Fantastic! I said it! I said after the first half of the season that you would do it and you haven't disappointed! Superb half season!

Superb update on a fantastic story

Aha you did! Hopefully next season will be just as successful, if not more

2013-07-30 21:30#124125 Lucas_C : Smashed the league, well done!

Thanks pal

Season 2023/2024: Summer Transfer Window

Last season was a historic one for Vauxhall Motors, as we won the Barclays Premier League and were crowned champions of England. We also did admirably well in our debut Champions League season, reaching the knock-out stages. After an assessment of my squad, I felt that I didn't need to strengthen the senior squad, as the same players who won the league title are still young and are only getting better. So our money was spent on a few youth players, and we had a few departures too.



Nico Yennaris and Brad McKay left the club on free transfers after letting their contracts expire. Jamie Walker also terminated his contract. Simon Moore was sold to Norwich for £1.3M, a reasonable price for a player of his ability and age. These four players were no longer needed at Vauxhall, so I made sure that we didn't have any wasted wages or squad spots. Javier Esnal and Jonas were both sent to our feeder team Forest Green on a season loan, where they will be competing in the NPower League One. The other four players loaned out were only loaned out because the opportunity arose, but they will benefit from the experience anyway. We spent a total of £2.9M in compensation fees for six top youth prospects. I'm happy with how little we spent this summer, showing progress has been made over the last few seasons.

U-18s Signings

I am happy with the six youth players that I brought in and I do feel that they can become very good players in the future.

Senior + Reserve Squad

As you can see, our team is strongest in defence, center midfield and on the wings. Our weaker areas are right back, defensive midfield and up front. I wouldn't consider attacking midfield as an important position for us too much as 4-5-1 is my most used formation. In the individual reports below, I have included my reserve team so that you can see how some of my prospects are developing.

No. Name - Squad - Position - Age - CA/PA(FIFA-style ratings)

Goalkeepers

1. Edward D'auria - Snr - GK - 22 - 89/93

32. Iain Rae - Snr - GK - 22 - 75/83

34. Bert De Nooijer - Rsv - GK - 19 - 72/84

XX. Rayan Naïmi - Loaned Out - GK - 19 - 70/81

Defenders

2. Niels Andersen - Snr - DR - 22 - 78/82

28. Massimiliano Manzella - Snr - DR - 18 - 76/87

41. Ole Hilstrup - Rsv - DR - 19 - 68/80


4. Emiliano Cervantes - Snr - DC - 21 - 88/92

23. Pejo Susnic - Snr - DC - 21 - 86/88

26. George Gilhaney - Snr - DC - 22 - 84/87

30. Jefferson Luiz - Snr - DC - 19 - 77/95

40. Gorka López - Rsv - DC - 19 - 76/83


3. Dominic Karim - Snr - DL - 26 - 82/84

31. Luke Shaw - Snr - DL - 28 - 79/79

37. Stewart Wallace - Rsv - DL - 19 - 73/82

Midfielders

21. Alfredo Peña - Snr - DM - 19 - 80/86

22. Gonçalo Rocha - Snr - DM - 18 - 77/88

33. Akif Özdemir - Rsv - DM - 16 - 71/93


16. Andrew Casey - Snr - MC - 21 - 84/88

14. Tony Garbutt - Snr - MC - 25 - 83/85

8. Gary Gardner - Snr - MC - 31 - 79/79


7. Callum Walker - Snr - AMR - 24 - 85/87

42. Mauricio González - Snr - AMR - 18 - 68/80


10. Sander Kaljuste - Snr - AMC -22 - 80/84

38. Édgar Gómez - Rsv - AMC - 19 - 70/82

XX. Jonas de Lima - Loaned Out - AMC - 18 - 69/79


15. Raheem Sterling - Snr - AML - 28 - 84/84

11. Tom Ince - Snr - AML - 31 - 81/81

44. Gerard McManus - Rsv - AML - 18 - 73/82

43. Mikel Blasco - Rsv - AML - 19 - 71/79

Strikers

18. Abdelmoumene Medaci - Snr - ST - 19 - 79/92

39. Martin Gibson - Snr - ST - 18 - 77/86

XX. Javier Esnal - Loaned Out - ST - 19 - 76/86

9. Euan Smith (C) - Snr - ST - 29 - 73/73

46. Gabrio Pasqui - Rsv - ST - 18 - 72/84

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The squad is so much stronger than it was last season. We didn't sign any players to strengthen our first team, but our current players have improved drastically with experience and regular football. That is the advantage of having a young squad, it will improve every year. Emiliano Cervantes, Callum Walker and especially Edward D'Auria have all developed a lot over the last season and I can see them being our three key players this season. I would very much consider Cervantes and D'Auria to be part of the world's elite players. They are very much in the Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, etc, category of 2023. I would rate Cervantes as the third best center back in the world, while Edward D'Auria is the second best goalkeeper in the world. Our (senior) squad is the youngest in the Premier League, with an average age of 22,78. I believe that we can challenge for the title again this season. Our defence is, as usual, our strongest point. If the other team can't score, they can't win. We have by far the best defence in the league. Although Niels Andersen is very much a Europa League standard right back in terms of qualities, he is so consistent and he proves that hard work can get you anywhere. I do believe that in five seasons time, we will have the "next Barcelona". We have a golden set of young players developing now and when they hit their peak, they will be compared to some of football's greatest ever players.

Some very talented players, nice update

Captain Euan Smith to play 4th/5th choice striker in a 1 striker system? LOL

@Lucas, thanks mate I'm hoping Real Madrid and Bayern Munich (the two super powers of 2023) decide to keep their interest off my players

@Neal, it's Smith's fault, in all honesty. He still thinks he's the top man at Vauxhall and he doesn't put the work in. I have younger, more talented, hungry strikers who have proved that they can step up on the big stage and score vital goals. Perhaps Smith might be playing his last season at Vauxhall?

Season 2023/2024: August-December Update

Hey guys, here is the first half update of the 2023/2024 season. Last season we claimed the league title by storm and reached the knock out stages of the Champions League. This season we were looking to challenge for the league title and progress even further in the Champions League than we did last season. It would be very difficult for us this season as while we did not bring in any players for our senior team what so ever, our league rivals spent big on mega signings.

Barclays Premier League

We started the season with a fantastic run of six wins in a row, with a 4-1 win away to West Ham being the highlight. We then hit a dip in form as we drew against both Arsenal and Newcastle before losing badly to Man Utd at Old Trafford. We then bounced back to go on a four game winning streak, including a 4-1 win away to Reading. Chelsea then held us to a 0-0 draw away from home before our best ever result in history occurred. We were hosting a Stoke City side with a lot of injury problems and a huge loss in confidence, while we were looking to challenge for the title. We played our best ever football and smashed them in a record breaking 10-0 victory! After that came wins against Southampton, Spurs and Man City, before finishing 2023 with a point away to Sunderland. Although this season has not been as good as last season's was, we still played some fantastic football and I am pleased with our record of 14-4-1. We scored a total of 43 goals, and conceded just 12.


We are currently second on 46 points with a Goal Difference of +31, while Man Utd are first on 48 points with a +40 Goal Difference. Why are they leading us in the league? The estimated cost of Man Utd's squad is £600M, while the estimated cost of Vauxhall's squad is £100M. I think you can tell that there is a slight difference. Man City are our closest contestants, 7 points behind Vauxhall in 3rd place. The title chase will be between us and Man Utd, hopefully we can emerge victorious.

UEFA Champions League

In a group which boasted PSG, Ajax and Anji, our Champions League campaign was going to be difficult. However, we won all six of our group games. The highlight must be our 3-0 win away to PSG, where we destroyed them on their own pitch. Abdelmoumene Medaci and Raheem Sterling claimed a lot of the goals, and they have been excellent in our European campaign.


We topped the group with maximum points. Anjo finished second with 9 points, and PSG third with 7. I am delighted that we progressed so easily, as it shows that we have the potential to defeat top European teams. Hopefully we can go even further this campaign!

Capital One Cup

After comfortable wins against Everton and West Brom, we crashed out of the Capital One Cup quarter finals at the hands of Sunderland on penalties. We were unlucky and I will try not to dwell on it. I want to win this competition again, but being knocked out is not the worst thing ever. Hopefully we can perform better next season.

McDonalds Community Shield

We won the Community Shield on penalties against Arsenal, who won the FA Cup last season. I am pleased to have won the Community Shield, even if it is not so prestigious. I still see this as a chance to win silverware, and we prevailed, which I am pleased about.

Player Discussion

Goalkeepers: Edward D'Auria has become a world class goalkeeper and has shown his class with some heart-stopping saves. He has been such a valuable asset for Vauxhall and he will be our goalkeeper for years to come. Back up goalkeeper Iain Rae has done well on occasion and has proven that he has a place at the club.

Defenders: I suppose I can't not praise Emiliano Cervantes, can I? The boy has become one of the best defenders in the league, and the world too. Alongside him, Pejo Susnic and Dominic Karim have become top players too, while George Gilhaney, Luke Shaw and Niels Andersen have shown how solid they can be. Massimiliano Manzella and Jefferson Luiz both show plenty of promise for the future and they catch the eye when they play, for all the right reasons.

Midfielders: Alfredo Pena has really come in to his own. The little teenager from Spain has flourished in the senior team and is now a crucial part of our team. Around him, Andrew Casey and Tony Garbutt have been as solid as ever. On the wings, Callum Walker and Raheem Sterling have been ripping things up, as expected. Our midfield is looking very, very strong and it is still very young too. I am very happy with it.

Strikers: Abdelmoumene Medaci has been in great goalscoring form so far this season, with 17 goals in 28 appearances. He also has 8 assists to his name. He has been fantastic so far this season and is a definite contender for the European Golden Boot this season, despite being just 19 years old.

Star Player

Without a doubt, Emiliano Cervantes has been our best player. As the seasons go on, Cervantes always seems to improve. His ability to win the ball, combined with his aerial ability and his ultimate marking makes him the best center back around. He is lightning quick and very strong too, which can only help. In a season where Manchester United have matched our ability, Cervantes has been there to keep us in the title chase. He is one of the greats in football history, and still only 21! He is a legend.

Emiliano Cervantes' Stats:

Appearances: 27
Goals: 6
Assists: 3
MotM Awards: 5

Yellow Cards: 5
Red Cards: 0

Pass Completion Ratio: 85%
Tackles per Game: 3.83
Fouls Committed: 38
Fouls Against: 21

Average Rating: 7.77

Wow you are doing brilliantly, hopefully you can pip United to the title! And well done on the qualification for the knockout rounds for the UCL. Great update too

Cervantes looks phenomenal!

Fantastic start to the season, you absolutely HAMMERED Stoke Hopefully you can catch Man U and win the Prem again!

WOW, Those Champions league results are out of this world. Great job mate. I'm sure you'll catch Man U and win the league again.

God damn it Justice, 2nd place and a loss to Smelly United? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR TEAM???

@lwalter66, thanks pal, hopefully we can win the league again
@P-KIDDY, that he does
@Neal, I was rather disappointed that we didn't score more against Stoke, truth be told. But a double digit win is something to be proud of
@Jozef, hehe hopefully we do catch them
@Pauker, Man Utd have something called $$$

I didn't even notice the 10-0 win?!?!

Well done Justice on everything. One small request and that is to tell us how Obi is doing, thanks.