sortitoutsi
Football Manager Graphics
- FM24 Graphics
- FM24 Player Faces
- FM24 Logos
- FM24 Kits
- FM24 Backgrounds
- FM24 Installation Instructions
Football Manager Guides Database
Football Manager Data Update
Football Manager Shortlists
- FM24/25 Update Guides
- FM24/25 Update Shortlists
- Best FM24/25 Update Wonderkids
- Cheap FM24/25 Update Wonderkids
- FM24/25 Update Young Players aged 21-25
- FM24/25 Update Best Free Players
- FM24/25 Update Expiring Contracts
- FM24/25 Update Bargain Players
- FM24/25 Update Injury Prone Players
- FM24/25 Update Richest Clubs
- Best FM24/25 Update Facilities
- FM24 Guides
- FM24 Shortlists
- Best FM24 Wonderkids
- Cheap FM24 Wonderkids
- FM24 Young Players aged 21-25
- FM24 Best Free Players
- FM24 Expiring Contracts
- FM24 Bargain Players
- FM24 Injury Prone Players
- FM24 Richest Clubs
- Best FM24 Facilities
This site is not endorsed by Sports Interactive or SEGA and is intended for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed on this site are the views of the individual contributors and not those of Sports Interactive or SEGA.
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Game Setup
The database has been downloaded from here, Classen puts together a mean bunch of added leagues, the only one from the bunch I have loaded is the Qatar pack which brings in two divisions, more on that later. I have also loaded in the following countries with all playable leagues on view only: Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. This allows me to continue scouting big players across Europe. The game will begin 'Germany time', 26th June 2015, despite the season not starting until 09th August 2015. This will give me plenty of time to get the squad and staff sorted and ready. The setup can be seen here.
The Manager
As usual the manager will be 'Dan'. I have taken the easy way out this time, he's an English born manager who has a second nationality set to Qatar. I have also set myself a past playing history to 'international footballer' and set my qualifications to the highest possible 'Continental Pro Licence'. This making it a little bit easier, sure it'll still be a challenging save though. Same as the above, the manager can be seen here.
The Club
Al-Shamal SC (Arabic: نادي الشمال الرياض) is a Qatari football club based in Madinat ash Shamal. Al-Shamal were founded in 1980. Its football team currently competes in the first tier of football, the Qatari Stars League. Founded in 1980, Al-Shamal Sports Club are a professional Qatari club currently playing in the Qatari League. Al Shamal suffered relegation from the Stars League last season and will need to adjust to life in the Q-League.
The Club play their home games at Al-Shamal Club Stadium and possess below average training facilities and basic youth facilities. The club also has fairly basic junior coaching and a fairly basic youth recruitment network.
Having enjoyed success as recently as 2014, Al-Shamal are a club with a growing history. Al Shamal won the Qatari won 2nd tier in 2002 and 2014 and finished up runners-up once.
Al-Shamal are a professional club with a national reputation and chairman who loves the club. We are valued at around £1.5million whilst being predicted to finish eighth in the league. The league is filled with reserve sides so hopefully that prediction is just randomly picked and we could surpass that. Once again, the club information can be viewed here.
TheMazzeRunner
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Staff
So first up, my staffing room isn't the biggest. Infact, we have one member of staff here and that's my right hand man, the assistant manager and I had to bring him in. I brought him in immediately to be able to get a view on the squads ratings etc. I will now use the summer to fill the vacancies in the back room to try and improve the knowledge and performances of the club from the backroom up.
The Squad
The squad here is big and a few players clearly aren't up to the job. The rules are only four foreign players outside of Asia allowed to be registered in the squad, meaning we need to be careful with signing foreigners and ensure we are getting the best ones in. I need to go on the hunt this summer for plenty of new midfielders and maybe a couple new defenders, whilst ensuring we let a couple players leave even if its on free transfers, we need to trim the squad down. Ideally I'm looking towards young talent.
The League
Onto the league and structure of it here. Two divisions known as the Qatari League, which is what we're in, the second tier of Qatar football and the Qatari Stars League, where we want to be. The Qatari League has seventeen teams in which you only play each team once. This results in the top two teams at the end of the season winning automatic promotion to the Qatari Stars League. The competitions overview, set by the board can be seen here, as you can see, the board expect a top half finish in the Qatari League and for us to reach the Second Round of the Qatari Prince Cup.
The Finances
Finally onto the finances and as you can see, they are in control and don't look too bad for a second tier side. We have just over one million pounds in the bank and the board have given us two hundred thousand pounds of that for transfers and a further forty three thousand pounds spare on the wage bill.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Transfers
Two players ended up leaving the club, one goes on a free transfer whilst another moves out on a season long loan to a non league side to pick up some vital game time. However just one player joins the club, as seen below Brazilian striker Renan joins. He's thirty one years old so adds a bit of experience to the club and should hopefully be the leading man of my strikeforce.
New Staff Room
As you can remember my staffing room was almost pointless having when I took over, only having the Chairman, Director and myself on board before I brought in the new assistant manager. Since then I've filled all the vacancies bar the Director Of Football, which I am continuing my search for. I've made sure to maximise my staffing room to the boards maximum allowance and I shall continue to do so as it expands. Eventually trying to get the best in the business over the Qatar.
Friendly Round Up
I made sure it was a busy pre season for Al-Shamal as I tried to get my tactics across to the team and the way we are going to play attacking football over the time I spend here. It ended up being a very successful performance over the summer for us, with thirteen friendlies, picking up eleven wins, one draw and one defeat along the way. We also bagged thirty five goals in the thirteen games, conceding six goals as we kept eight clean sheets.
Sankalan
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 1
We got the league season off on winning ways as we traveled to Al-Shahaniya in my first competitive game in charge here at Al-Shamal in Qatar. Despite being a strong pre season I thought it could be a long season when we went one nil down in just seven minutes. However want away striker whos been subject to multiple bids this summer, Dagano struck an equaliser on the twenty eighth minute and a winner in the fifty fourth minute to secure three points in this comfortable two one victory.
Q-League Matchday 2
My first game infront our home fans kicked off with a goalfest which we came out the other side of as winners in this eight goal thriller. Fartoos gave us the lead twelve minutes in before Shekhan doubled our advantage. The traveling side, Al-Arabi ll pulled one back but immediately after we went down the other end and extended the lead to three one through Haddad. Al-Arabi ll had a second before the break with the score three two at the interval. The twenty one minutes after the breaks didn't let up in goals either as we saw three more. Two more for Haddad to complete his hatrick either side of Dutra' second for the away side. We prevailed come the end five three.
Q-League Standings
The league table may be pointless at this stage but I thought I'd throw it in anyway and make the most of each update to show what is going on. As you can see four teams have made the perfect start, picking up two wins from two whilst eight teams remain unbeaten at this early stage of the season. You will notice the two promotion spots have moved to second and sixth place, simply because the 'll' sides can't win promotion, making my job a lot easier.
Next Update: Al-Shamal - October Roundup
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 3
We extend our run to three wins from three games in this narrow victory against then, the league leaders Umm-Salal ll. We almost blew our luck this game, a fairly even game stats wise which we prevailed three two. We raced into a three goal lead with Haddad, Dagano and Kather all netting inside the opening twenty four minutes. This woke the league leaders up however with Sagbo netting either side of the break for the host to make it three two. Luckily we held on against a late run of play.
Q-League Matchday 4
Our unbeaten run is at an end as 'quality of shots proved to be more important than quantity' following Qatar SC ll' smash and grab one nil victory with their goal coming in the seventy sixth minute. We battered their goal with twenty one shots, hitting the target with just ten. Whilst the away side had just four shots and scoring one of the two they had on target.
Q-League Matchday 5
Back to winning ways here as we returned home to welcome Al-Khor ll. Again we weren't too clinical infront of goal as we fired in twenty eight shots, hitting the target with just ten. But we made them pay with a narrow one nil victory. The only goal of the game coming for Dagano twelve minutes after the interval.
Q-League Matchday 6
And so we end October with back to back wins as we traveled to Al-Jaish ll and claimed a four two victory in this goalfest with all four of our goals coming in the second half. We trailed six minutes before the interval and once again I thought we were facing a defeat. Dagano bailed us out though, his strike in the sixty eighth minute leveled things before netting again three minutes later to give us a two one lead. Haddad then made it three one before the host struck a second to make a nervy final ten minutes. We prevailed though, Haddad with a second in the final moments of the game.
Q-League Standings
As you can see the months are short here and those four games conclude October with three wins and a draw. This is enough to see us rise to the top of the table and sit clear by a single point of second place Al-Markhiya who remain unbeaten six league games into the season. The table is beginning to clear up, the top three sides are all able to win promotion to the top tier so the pressure is beginning to be placed on us. There are still four teams at the bottom of the table without a win come the end of October.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 7
It was first vs last here and we made that show as we dominated away from home against Al-Kharitiyath ll and picked up a superb five nil win. Four different scorers as Al-Siani, Dagano and Boutaher all netted in the first half. There was a second for Boutaher in the second half along with a fine strike from Al-Saad.
Q-League Matchday 8
Again we've been punished for not taking our chances. We created plenty, dominated possession, had twenty nine shots and hit the target with just eleven of those whilst scoring just once. Al-Wakrah ll came to us and stole a two one win. Their goals coming in the forty first and sixty first minute from Saez whilst a late Haddad goal proved to be a consolation and that was all.
Q-League Matchday 9
A dull game and dull result, once again we didn't take our chances and at home it resulted in a goalless draw against Lekhwiya ll,
Q-League Matchday 10
It was first place vs second place once again, although this time we went into the clash in second behind Al-Markhiya, a side who will be challenging us not only for the topspot but one of those two promotion spots on offer. We flew out the blocks with Dagano netting after just five minutes. There were no more goals in the first half despite both team threatening. Second half Dagano secured his hatrick with two more goals and Boutahar netted five minutes from time, securing a big four nil win.
Q-League Standings
Three months down and ten games played, we've only got seven league games left to play and currently occupy second place. League leaders Al-Markhiya, despite losing to us four nil at the end of November still lead the way over us by a single point. We then sit a further two points clear of third place Muaither, another side who are fighting for promotion. We currently have the best goal difference in the division. December is a short month, with just the one league game, as is January.
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 11
We needed to make sure we won this game, our only match of December so all the pressure was on this one and we did, despite an early set back. We trailed to Al-Rayyan ll after just twenty five minutes. Second half we came out firing though after some motivational words. Al-Khater leveled for us. We left it late to seal the win though. Al-Ali netted eight minutes from time, firing us into the lead before Al-Yahri netted third to put it beyond any doubt two minutes into injury time.
Q-League Standings
Not much has changed over the one game we've played, unfortunately for us league leaders Al-Markhiya also won to remain a single point ahead of us and third place Muaither won as well meaning they remain two points behind us. Its sure to be a close run in with just six league games remaining (I believe) and plenty still to play for among us top three sides especially. One game in January.
Winter Friendlies
I booked in a few friendlies over the winter break, we ended up with a forty two day (I think) break in between fixtures so set them up over the end of December and start of January. Just two to report back at the moment and that's a win and a draw. We beat non league side ASPIRE four one at home before drawing two all with fellow Q-League side Al-Arabi away from home.
Other News
To finish off just a little bit of news on myself, I've signed a new two year extension deal on my current contract here at Al-Shamal and will now be at the club until at least 2017 as long as all goes well. The board are happy with where the club are heading this year and we've also changed our pre season objective to finish near the top which slightly extended the wage budget of the club.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Winter Friendlies
The form didn't continue as we went into the New Year, 2016 and it looked poor on the pitch, luckily this was only friendlies, keeping the players fresh over the winter break. We lost three of the friendlies we faced in January and won our last one, winning five one. Hopefully this wouldn't affect the teams morale nor our title challenging season which was looking good to date.
Q-League Matchday 12
Thankfully it seems those three defeats on the bounce in the winter didn't affect our form as we returned to Q-League action with a home win against Al-Gharrafa ll. We battered them, winning five one. Haddad had two before the break along with goals from Al-Siani and Boutahar who was subject to multiple bids over the winter break, luckily we've kept hold of him for now. Second half we conceded one however a late goal from Al-Ali made it five one and secured the full points.
Q-League Standings
Again, just the one match in January meaning the table may be pointless sharing however on this occasion it isn't. We've jumped the league leaders to go top and move a point clear ourselves as they could only draw on their return to competitive football. Now we have five league games remaining and need to continue the good form into February where we face one game again.
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 13
And so onto our thirteenth match of the season out of the seventeen we are set to face this year. We travelled to Al-Mesaimeer ll and beat them two one, coming back from a goal down after just twelve minutes. Haddad levelled from the spot kick and Fartoos made it two one to us before the interval. We could of had plenty more, but the two one win will do for now.
Q-League Standings
Another step towards promotion and the league title. We're top of the pile and three points clear now of second place Al-Markhiya whos title hopes are slipping come the end of the season. Muaither are a further three points behind so its our title to lose as we head in to the final four league games this season. Two to be played in March, two to be played in April.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 14
Our fourteenth game of the league season and another big win for us, we even picked up a clean sheet at home as we welcomed Al-Sad ll to our home ground. We battled away well and deserved to win by the convincing four nil scoreline. Dagano netted a brace, a goal coming in either half whilst Fartoos and Kather also found the back of the Al-Sadd ll net to ensure a comfortable showing.
Q-League Matchday 15
This was a poor step back, drawing nil nil away at Al-Sailiya ll, neither side really deserved to win this game, especially us so we'll take a point, however it'll close things at the top should the side sat in second place pick up a win.
Q-League Standings
And so this is what the league table looks like going into the final two games of the season, both to be played throughout April. We remain top of the table but by just a single point as Al-Markhiya take advantage of our slip up and put plenty of pressure on us going into our final two games. Muaither haven't given up yet either, they sit just three points behind second place and four off us at the top. It's all to play for in April.
Other News
The annual youth intake has taken place here in Qatar and its not been too successful for my Qatar club, Al-Shamal here. We've not really got any talent come in nor any future talent yet. I signed all recommended, just to begin to build up the youth academy here. I obviously need to begin to invest money in the training and youth facilities, youth recruitment over the next few years.
bmg033
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Q-League Matchday 16
A big game here as we welcomed Muaither at home, we knew a win would secure promotion and that's what we got come the end in a very even ninety minutes. Dagano originally missed a penalty nine minutes after the restart which seemed things weren't going to go our way. However seven minutes later a golden chance fell to the strikers feet and he made up for it, netting to secure us promotion.
Q-League Matchday 17
The final league game of a very short season, competitive match seventeen in charge for me and a win would secure the league title, that we got in convincing fashion. We welcomed Al-Ahli ll and beat them three one. Boutahar netted after just nine minutes with Dagano making it two nil fourteen minutes before the break. Second half we were set for nervy finish, conceding one. However an own goal two minutes from time saw us secure the win and the league title!
Q-League Final Standings
And so season one is done in the league and we've secured the league title by just three points in the end over Al-Markhiya who pushed us all the way to the end and they only lost once this season as we lost twice. The relegation zone seemed to move for some unknown reason and will see Al-Mesaimeer ll go down along with Umm-Salal ll. Time to start preparing for the new season then.
Prince Cup First Round
As soon as the league season finished, the Prince Cup started and we were drawn in the First Round on the road against Al-Markhiya. And after beating them to the top spot in the league we've knocked them out the first round of the cup. First half goals from Kather and Shekhan saw us lead two nil at the break. Second half Boutahar netted four minutes from time and despite a late consolation for the host, we were into Round Two.
Prince Cup Second Round
Second Round we were drawn on the road again, this time to Qatari Stars League side Al-Ahli who knocked us out four one, despite us leading one nil at one point. Dagano netted the opener thirteen minutes before the break. However at half time the scores were level. Second half saw the bigger side come out firing with three more goals, knocking us out the cup four one.
Other News
I have noticed our bank balance rising over the season which is superb news for the club and so I've decided to go to the board asking for more investment to the facilities we have. Thankfully, after a little bit of convincing the board agreed to upgrade both the training and youth facilities here at the club. They'll be completed in September and October which should help the talent come into the club and grow. This is just the first two upgrades of many I wish to get going here at Al-Shamal.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Qatar Club Reputations
So following promotion to the Qatari Stars League, after winning the second tier I was expecting to our reputation grow over the last twelve months. However it appears our reputation has taken a slight dent and gone down. Annoyingly, however we just may need to take a step back to move a couple steps forward over the next couple years, its early days.
Financial Budgets
Show me some money! Its great the board have the money, we made over five million over the last twelve months if I remember correctly and they've rewarded us for a good season last year by giving us just short of four and a half million pounds to spend on transfers, as well as a wage budget of one hundred and thirty five thousand pounds, definitely room in the squad for improvements for that money.
Season Expectations
Onto the season expectations and the board clearly aren't expecting miracles, nor are they expecting any silverware. This year we'll face three competitions, the Qatari Stars league, which is the top league here in Qatar, more on the league shortly, the board want us to avoid relegation here. The Qatari Prince Cup, which we played in last year, they want us to reach the Second Round, same expectations as last year. And this year we'll go into the Qatari Stars Cup and all we need to be is competitive.
Qatari Stars League
The top league here in Qatar, the Qatari Stars League consists of fourteen teams who will play each other twice giving us a twenty six game league season, a small jump from the seventeen league games we played last season. The league winners qualifies for the Asian Champions League group stage, second place will qualify for the Asian Champions League Preliminary round depending on Prince Cup winners. Bottom two sides are relegated. Maximum of four foreign players in squad registration. We've not been tipped for relegation, although are third favorite for the drop as seen here.
Qatari Stars Cup Group Stage
This competition is in progress along with the league so it isn't a pre season competition. However the draw has been done nice and early before pre season is even underway. Their are three groups, two groups of five, one group of four with the top team qualifying from each group after the teams have played each other once. Then the second best team will also qualify for the semi Finals. Our group has been drawn.
Andrew♣
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Transfers
We needed to have a busy pre season in order to have the squad ready for the new league season, the step up in quality will be a big hit for us so getting the squad reaedy early is important. I'd rather have too many on the books than not enough quality. That has seen us bring in no fewer than ten new faces to the squad to date with the window still open. We have also seen thirteen players leave the club. We spent a total of two point one six million this summer and here are the faces we've brought in. Said, Al-Nuaimi, Al-Bloushi, Al-Qahthani, Shea, Diaby, Haroun, Radeba, Al-Anabe, Ali.
Finances
Despite spending just over two million pounds on new players this summer and upgrading both the training and youth facilities as well as boosting our youth recruitment funding, we've still seen a nice rise in our bank balance. Our finances, which can be seen here show us sitting on a balance of just under five and a half million pounds, with two million spare in transfers still.
Friendly Round Up
We had to ensure it was a busy summer on the pitch as well as off of it, the squad with so many new faces in the squad we had to make sure everyone was ready for the new season tactically wise and fitness wise. Despite a rocky start, we performed very well over the eleven games we played with one defeat and then five wins, five draws. Hoping this was enough action to get the team ready and prepared for what will be a tough season on the pitch.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Qatari Stars League Matchday 1
So we've kicked off my first season in the top tier of Qatar with a narrow three two victory, coming from two one down to win. We initially took the lead at home against Al-Jaish through summer signing Said, however that lead lasted just three minutes and then come half time we were two one down. However two strikers I had here last year, secured the win for us as Dagano scored first and Renan, who came on for injured summer signing Diaby, secure the three two victory.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 2
Away from home we traveled to Al-Sailiya for the second game of the season and struggled. We took the lead through Dagano after nine minutes. However the host equalised in the same minute, taking kick off and going straight up the other end to level things up. They led two one after twelve minutes and put the game beyond doubt with their third just eleven minutes from time. Back to reality.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 3
A real definition of a smash and grab victory here as we secured our second home win of the season with a ninety third minute penalty, converted by Boutaher against Al-Wakrah. We didn't deserve to win admittedly with just thirty nine percent possession in the game, however we'll take a late win.
Qatari Stars League Standings
Maybe a little pointless to show this at this stage of the season, but three league games down and we're sitting up in sixth place, a superb start for us but we were lucky to win the last game of the month. However good news for us, the bottom three teams are still winless, giving us an early six point gap over the relegation candidates. We just need to continue winning a couple games a month and ensuring survival this year.
Shedender
Dan
_________________________________________________________________________________
Qatari Stars League Matchday 4
A trip to basement side Al-Ahli saw us run riot, winning four nil in this dominant performance. Whilst we didn't dominate possession we certainly made the most of our eight shots, hitting the target with five, scoring four of them. Haroun gave us a twenty two minute lead, quickly doubled by Dagano. He had a second before the break to send us three nil up. A second half own goal was the icing on the to secure the four nil win.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 5
At home we welcomed Al-Arabi and lost for the first time at home this season following their early goal. Just nine minutes in Paulinho gave the traveling side the lead and that was enough to secure the win.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 6
Our third match in seven days saw us pick up our second win in those three games as we traveled to Al-Khor and struck a well earned two nil win. Dagano once again on the scoresheet, netting inside the first minute of the game. Second half Said added another to his tally this season with just over twenty minutes remaining which killed off the host.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 7
Back to back wins came as we finished the seventh game of the season with a stunning two nil victory at home against Qatar SC. It was a tightly contested, attacking display from both sides but in the end it was us who came out on top thanks to a twenty fifth minute Fartoos goal and then an injury time Renan goal.
Qatari Stars League Matchday 8
The final game of a five match month saw us travel to Al-Rayyan and got demolished. We trailed one nil after twenty six minutes however still fought back to level before the break thanks to Boutahar. Second half is where we crumbled as three goals were conceded and we had just thirty nine percent possession, we definitely need to improve this possession game over the rest of the season thats for sure.
Qatari Stars League Standings
Well I didn't expect to see us sitting up in sixth come the end of September. We've done very well in our opening eight league games, despite not dominating possession enough we're still plugging away, picking up points. We're currently on fifteen points this season. Last year the two teams that went down finished on twenty and twenty three points if I remember correctly. We know what we need to do. I'm targeting thirty points this year.