Les Canaris - The Return

Nantes are one of the most successful clubs in French history, having won 8 Ligue 1 trophies, 3 Coupe de France trophies and one Coupe de la Ligue trophy, however are without any trophy in 14 years.

They are also famous for their youth system which has produced the likes of Marcel Desailly, Didier Deschamps, Mickael Landreau, Claude Makalele, Christian Karembeu and Jeremy Toulalan.[/center]

Kolbeinn Sigborsson - The Icelandic international has scored 5 in 4 starts and has been crucial to our league position

Lucas Deaux - The Box to Box Midfielder was meant to be there, primarily, for his defensive duties but has scored 3 in 4 starts, and also has been bossing the midfield with a 7.36 Average Rating. Was going to be a rotational player but has outshone new signing Houssine Kharja.

Julien Faubert - The unsung hero of the side. The Real Madrid 'legend' has showed his class at WBR after I signed him on a free transfer. Has 3 assists in 5 games and an average rating of 7.30

Was thinking about doing a Nantes save myself a while ago. Good luck!

Thanks! I would recommend them, great youth facilities, plenty of areas that need strengthening. They are also a bit of a fallen giant too.

Following the success of my first month in charge, I want to kick on to prove that it wasn't a fluke. With two of the harder games out of the way in Lyon and Marseille we needed to not slip up against the lesser teams. We weren't given a transfer budget and a very limited wage budget. This was a major problem as we have many places we need to improve due to the sales of Serge Gakpe and Issa Cissokho to Genoa and Vincent Bessat to Caen. We lacked strength in depth which was one of the main problems I faced when I first joined. The weakest position was right wing back. We had one player in the senior team who could play there and he was only good enough to be a backup.



INS:
Julien Faubert - The new first choice right wing back, to replace Issa Cissokho. He has all the attributes to play wing back. It was between him or Anthony Reveillere but Reveillere wanted too much money, and chose ESTAC Troyes instead. Faubert is also 4 years younger.

Houssine Kharja - A very experienced international with Morocco, he was brought in to play as the box to box midfielder. We were also short on central midfielders. Our 3rd choice was a 20 year old midfielder, who, despite having good potential, isn't good enough for Ligue 1. According to my assistant manager, he is one of the better players at the club.

Connor Gomes - A 19 year old American regen signed from Seattle Sounder's U-23 side. He was on an amateur contract so I got him for free.

*Ermir Lenjani signed in real life so I used the in-game editor to transfer him over*

OUTS:

Amine Oudrhiri - The original 3rd choice midfielder,has good potential but went on loan to get some experience. Will play next year.

Jeremy Le Sourne - A 26 year old centre back, I had central defenders as good as him in the reserves who were younger. Transfer listed him and he went on loan to USBCO with an option to purchase him for £10k

Emiliano Sala - The 23 year old Argentinian has recently joined in real life, but is a 5th choice striker and his attributes don't fit the trequartista role that the tactic uses. Therefore I deemed him surplus and transfer listed him. Went on loan to Havre.

Yacine Bammou - Another striker who we don't need. 22 and is no where near good enough for Ligue 1. He was the 6th choice striker and we have better players in the reserves. Went on loan to Nimes Olympique with an option to buy him for £100k

Alexis Yougouda - The Cameroon international was going to be a backup, shortly before moving on loan to USBCO, he made his debut. Will also be in the senior squad next year at only 19 years old.

*Oliver Veigneau has left the club in real life to Kasimpasa in Turkey*












The Months Key Performers:

Ismael Bangoura - Hasn't done much up until this point, but his performance against Monaco proved he has talent, but is just a bit inconsistent.

Papy Djilobodji - Doesn't get much credit, but has got an average rating of 7.31 and has played almost all of the games. He is still only 25 and has room to grow. Will probably go to a bigger club, but I will keep him here as long as possible.

We began our attempt to return to form as well as I expected. A close game, but a few individual performances, didn't cost us for once, but the opposite. Alejandro Bedoya opened the scoring on 7 minutes, with a goal similar to the one that won him goal of the month. However the new Comoros front man, Djamel Bakar, responded 6 minutes later, adding to the amount of crosses we have conceded from. Kolbeinn scored, after a small goal drought, on 58 minutes, and added to his tally 20 minutes later. Kevin Berigaud put them back in with a shout late on but it was to no avail.

We proved that the two losses were just blips as we beat Bordeaux 1-0, although we deserved more from the game. Johan Audel got his first goal of the season in the 34th minute. However, both our strikers picked up knocks during the game.

Our 3rd win on the spin against a pretty weak Angers side. Right wing back, Julien Faubert scored a free kick and get his first goal for the club after 22 minutes. Adama Niane also got his first goal for the club, from the penalty spot. However, our centre back, Papy Djilibodji got sent off for two yellow cards just before half time. Angers grew into the game but Alejandro Bedoya added a third on the 76th minute.

Our first game in the Coupe de la Ligue didn't go as planned. I played some of the youngsters, one of which making his senior debut for the club. Najib Gandi, a 20 year old french midfielder, came off the bench. However, although we dominated, we couldn't turn chances into goals, and ended up losing the game on the lottery that is a penalty shoot-out. One of the youngsters, Adrien Thomasson missed the decisive penalty and saw us fall at the first hurdle of the Coupe de la Ligue.

During this month, I have signed 2 players and got rid of one. The first one is a 16 year old Brazilian right back, called Tulio Filho, at 6'3" will probably end up being a ball playing defender. Next one is another American amateur from Seattle however this time its their academy. Aaron Roldan is a 17 year old right midfielder, and will train him to be a central midfielder or attacking midfielder. I also terminated the contract of Jules Iloki. He is a 22 year old who along with not being anywhere near good enough, doesn't fit my system.

The Months Key Performers:

Alejandro Bedoya - The 27 year old has been good without doing anything really good. However this month, he scored two goals from 25 yards out, and has chipped in with a few assists.

Adama Niane - Although his attributes and statistics say otherwise, Niane has been bright when he has played. Only making his Ligue 1 debut last month, he got his first goal this month. Doesn't have the potential to play consistently but will probably stay around and play as a backup.

We were struggling for fitness and players in the Toulouse game, so much so, I had to give another youngster his debut. Aristote Ndongala and left wing back, a 20 year old Congolese U20 international. However it wasn't him that took the spotlight, it was Adrien Thomasson, the shadow striker who scored twice in the 2nd minute and 57th minute. Danish international, Martin Braithwaite scored in the 16th minute and Oscar Trejo scored a last minute penalty to rescue a point. However we were lucky to escape with a point.

Lille have had a pretty poor season, but that didn't stop them from getting a draw, however it was a fair result. Johan Audel plays the least out of the 4 senior strikers mostly because he is pretty inconsistent, however he scored in the 25th minute and got his second goal of the season. Eric Bautheac equalized for them just before half time. Sebastien Corchia inadvertently deflected Johan Audel's header into his own net on 56 minutes. Remy Riou scored his second own goal of the season in the 65th minute, and confirmed our second draw of the month.

Against Saint Etienne, we were just beaten by the better team. They dominated from start to finish and we didn't have any clear cut chances. Romain Hamouma had a goal disallowed early on however atoned for that on 20 minutes. He added to his goal tally after 49 minutes. Benjamin Corgnet completed a disappointing loss for us after 82 minutes.

Ismael Bangoura came back from a minor injury to get a PoM award against fierce rivals Stade Rennais. Adryan scored very early but Fallou Diagne cancelled it out 2 minutes later. Ismael Bangoura put us back into the lead around the half an hour mark. However the main point from this match is that Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, our captain, got a major injury that will sideline him for 6-7 weeks.

The League Table



A good start to the season sees us in 5th. However if we are to progress we need to turn the draws into wins. We get too many draws, and that is restricting our progression. *19th placed is SM Caen and 20th is GFC Ajaccio*

This Months Key Performers:

Adryan - Due to an injury to Lucas Deaux, our regular central midfielder, Adryan has had a run in the first team. He has been playing advanced playmaker and Houssine Kharja has dropped back to box to box. He has been very consistent proving a point as to why he should start ahead of Alejandro Bedoya.

Adrien Thomasson - Has been a backup playing once a month from the bench maximum, but the team was struggling for fitness after the extra time with Bastia, so he filled in for Bedoya, and scored twice. His first two goals for the club.

Been preparing for this game against PSG for a while. We went to the game at Parc des Princes heavy underdogs, but after 34 minutes Ismael Bangoura gave us a shock lead, however Angel Di Maria leveled the scoring 10 minutes later. They dominated up until Kolbeinn scored in the 58th minute. However, Angel Di Maria equalized for the second time in the game in the 69th minute. 2-2 against one of the best teams in the world, even if they did deserve to win..

Against Bastia, we were out to get revenge. We had to play a slightly weaker side after the PSG game. Ismael Bangoura, for the second time in a row, opened the scoring on 40 minutes. Houssine Kharja got his first goal for the club on the stroke of half time, getting him the PoM award.

We followed that win with a very disappointing draw to bottom of the league GFC Ajaccio. We lead twice but couldn't hold the lead. Johan Audel opened the scoring on 14 minutes and I expected to kick on, but one of my transfer targets, Kevin Mayi equalized with a long shot 3 minutes later. The chances dried up until Adryan scored after 68 minutes. However Alexandre Coeff scored in the 89th minute, to rescue them a point.

After Adryan's goal in the last game, I decided to give him a start ahead of Alejandro Bedoya. He repaid my faith in the 31st minute. Ismael Bangoura continued his good form by adding to the scoreline on the 66th minute.

The Months Key Performers:

Houssine Kharja - Houssine Kharja has been in the team ever since we have signed him. Has been consistent but he got his first goal against Bastia and showed his experience.

Ismael Bangoura - Scored 3 goals this month and was one of the main reasons we got a draw against PSG with a goal and an assist.

Souleymane Sangare - Only made his debut this season, but with and injury to Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, he was became 3rd choice. After Koffi Djidji lacked fitness after the PSG game, Sangare started against Bastia and played well. He started the next game and was one of the best players on the pitch, despite not being, attributes-wise, good enough...

The first half of the season has gone pretty well. Wins against teams including Monaco and Lyon, very impressive draws against PSG and Marseille, however draws and complacency against the teams lower down the league that have cost us. The transfer window has now started and there are places we need to improve but the club doesn't have the funds for them currently. So yet again, I am forced to look into free agents or loans.



The first game of the month was a random friendly 3 days before a very important game against Lyon. I let my assistant take charge and of course he played a full strength side. Ismael Bangoura grabbed our first hat trick of the season, with Johan Audel and Adryan also getting on the score sheet to add to the convincing 5-0 victory against Dutch side Cambuur.

The game against Lyon was a complete disaster from start to finish. I'm not blaming the friendly, but it certainly played a part in our biggest defeat of the season. None of our players turned up. We were forced to play a slightly weakened side, with goalkeeper Remy Riou out injured, Maxime Dupe came in for only his 5th start for the club. He had a nightmare with him being at fault for both Alexandre Lacazette and Rachid Ghezzal's goals. Samuel Umtiti and Clement Grenier also added to the score, with all the goals coming in the first half.

A game we completely dominated but the morale from the last game cost us. The match stats prove our dominance. The first half it looked like we were going to bounce back from the thumping the best way possible but after Clement Chantome's long shot went straight through Maxime Dupe's legs, I knew I needed a new backup keeper. After an unfortunate own goal by our best player Papy Djilobodji, it became clear that it just want going to be our day. We did get a consolation goal through their keeper, Cedric Carrasso, who also scored an own goal 2 minutes after ours. The defeat saw us crash out of another cup at the first hurdle.

If we didn't beat 17th placed SM Caen, I would have to change something. But thanks to our new loanee goalkeeper, Sam Johnstone keeping a clean sheet on his debut, we managed a 2-0 win. Top scorer Ismael Bangoura, opened the scoring on the half hour mark, getting his 10th goal of the season. He added to his goal tally after 53 minutes. The only negative was that Adryan got a minor knock in the 88th minute.

Another humiliating defeat against a revitalized Marseille side under Marcelo Bielsa. Florian Thauvin scored after 7 minutes, new signing Wissam Ben Yedder scored after 12, and before we could do anything about it, pacey winger Romain Alessandrini scored two, after 16 and 23 minutes. We were 4-0 down, and completely deserved to be. The goals finally stopped until wonderkid Lucas Ocampos nodded in a cross to make it five. Ismael Bangoura gave us our consolation goal after 65 minutes, but it proved we still have a long way to go to compete with the big teams in the league.

I shuffled the pack a little bit for the game against Lorient. Adryan came back from his knock to win a PoM award with a goal and an assist proving his best position is shadow striker, not advanced playmaker. Substitute Johan Audel came on for Kolbeinn, who is going through a goal drought, scored 58 minutes in, Gregoire Defrel scored to equalize 9 minutes later, and looked to of saved a point but Adryan saved the game for us ending our bad spell, in the 84th minute.

The Months Key Performer:

Ismael Bangoura - Only one player could win this, 6 goals in 5 games, was the only player to do half decent throughout the month. Is our top scorer and is getting on a bit so I might have to find a long term replacement or start playing Fernando Aristguieta a bit more.

During this month, we got new youth candidates, the transfer window ended and the season is coming to a close.





Ramzy El Hadjari - The 15 year old looked the most promising out of all the youth candidates. Is French but is also eligible for Algeria.

Gael Lacroix - Not as good as El Hadjari, but still decent. Apparently a similar type of player to Houssine Kharja.

Mansourou Yarangoye - Could probably become a backup in the future. Is also eligible for Mali.

These aren't the only players to be brought in, we signed a few players.


INS:

Sam Johnstone - With Remy Riou out injured, and Maxime Dupe not up to Ligue 1 yet, I needed a keeper. Sam Johnstone is almost as good as Riou. I brought him in on loan, and when Riou returns, I'll terminate his loan.

Soumbeyla Diakite - The Malian international was brought in before Sam Johnstone, but he was at the African cup of nations, and came back at around the same time as Remy Riou, thanks to Mali reaching the quarter finals. Played in Mali for his whole career for one team. Will be a backup to allow Maxime Dupe to get some experience out on loan.

Stefan Marinkovic - The former Ajax trainee came in on a free. Is a good utility player for defence. Will play next season, but for now he is in the reserves.

Aviles Hurtado - The Colombian was available on a free and a signed him fr next season to replace Adryan at attacking midfield as he is only on loan. Is perfect for the shadow striker role.

OUTS:

Anthony Walongwa - Barely played, so sent him out on loan to get some experience. Probably won't play a lot when he gets back though.

Aristote Ndongala - Also barely played but is one of the most promising youngsters at the club so will be a backup when he returns.

Abdoulaye Toure - Played quite a lot due to injuries, and did well. But at 20, he needs experience, as he will probably become the long term replacement for Remi Gomis.

Maxime Dupe - At the start of the season I thought he would be an okay backup but after he had to play, I realised he really wasn't ready yet. So I sent the 22 year old to Stade Lavallois to get some experience

Adrien Thomasson - Didn't intend on loaning him out but he was going to be a key player at Vendee Lucon, so I accepted.



We have also got a reassuring e-mail from the board telling us our position was very secure, despite us being 3rd favourite for the sack race occasionally.



We completed a double over Monaco, with a 2-1 win. I expected a loss after two losses against Lyon and Marseille. Ismael Bangoura opened the scoring yet again in the 32nd minute. They were controlling the game, and soon capitalised on the superiority through Stephan El Shaarawy. But substitute Fernando Aristeguieta scored a 90th minute winner.

A poor quality game which should of ended a draw but yet again we slip to a poor side. Bryan Perea, on loan from Lazio, opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Veteran midfielder Benjamin Nivet, scored at a tight angle in the 55th minute. Backup striker Johan Audel got an injury and had to come off, and 8 minutes later, Julien Faubert also went off injured. A 2-0 defeat to a very poor Troyes side in a game where a draw would of been fair.

We bounced back with an away victory against Guingamp. Papy Djilobodji got his first goal of the season from a corner. From kick off, we intercepted the ball and Adryan went through and scored 1 minute later. Ismael Bangoura extended his goal tally for the season from the penalty spot on 49 minutes. A solid 3-0 victory to bounce back.

However yet again, we fall to a defeat to a side around us in the table, this time a 1-0 defeat to Montpelier, who, earlier in the season, we probably would of beaten. Lucas Deaux got an early injury that will sideline him for a couple of weeks. Kevin Berigaud scored in the 17th minute, and that's how it finished.


A good position but considering our start to the season, it could be better and that's down to defeats to clubs around our position in the league.

The Months Key Performers:

Najib Gandi - There was no key performers this month that stood out. But Gandi has come off the bench due to injuries and done an okay job. Has played when Thomasson would of done.

Percy Prado - The Peru U20 international has come off the bench to play DM. Doesn't look great but did okay also.