The Ganja Trail - A Caribbbean Adventure

Good start, lots of goals from both Lake and Escalona.

Looks like Britannia are letting it slip

Brilliant start, finally have them both performing at the same time.



\o/ Nicely done.

They've also fired their gaffer it seems...

------------------

December 2017

Due to injuries, suspensions and a need to appease Markwin Rangel Lugo (least season's playoffs hero) we deviated from our 4-1-3-2 and went with 4-4-2.
Not our (or my) forte, if I'm honest - I've been accustomed to playing at least 3 in midfield, which allows man marking in central midfield without leaving us exposed.
It is still a win, but probably could be more comfortable if I went with the regular system.

Fingal then got a knock, and this allowed Rangel Lugo to play uptop:



And he revelled in his new role, with his 1st goals for the club.



First time we conceded an opener, luckily we got back level in double quick time.
Escalona then got us the winner with an Olympic Goal - fortuitous or not, they all count.



Our 3-5-2 struggling badly against a narrow midfield diamond, it looked like winning streak could be finally be coming to an end.
Not that forgotten right-winger-centreback Lionel Breinburg would have it at that - the unlikelier of freekick takers with a howitzer in the 88th minute.
Lake to the rescue again, with an (apparent) wondergoal.



Escalona with a hat-trick of assists, nuff said.
Vegas made a great run down the right to meet Escalona's punt to give us an early advantage, and Lugo using his pace well to put the game to bed.



9 wins from 9, going swimmingly,
(Though as we have seen from last season our form can go to shit at any moment.)

Round 1 in the defence of our cup title:



As they've mentioned they're previous winners as well, so it'll be a tricky tie.

January 2018 - Cup Month

Great win in the face-off of the ex-champions - Francois Escalona with another hat-trick of assists.



Perennial second-division strugglers, shouldn't be a problem.



Ha, famous last words.
Yes we scored the opener, but after Oehlers got sent off my makeshift formation backfired, eventually leading to the equaliser.
Eventually Fingal scored the winner on his return from injury (despite being rubbish all match), but playing with 10 men for over a half took a lot out of the guys.



Ach, a top division rival in the semis, not as easy as last season then.
As it turns out they've sold their top scorer from last season, so who know?



My 3-5-2 (due to suspensions, potential suspensions and fitness issues) should in theory have worked well against the 4-4-2.
But we were strangely muted, attacking manoeuvres were hard to come by, and we just didn't have enough efforts that tested the opposition stopper.

Oh well, a 1st loss of the season was inevitable anyway, now to make sure that it doesn't affect our league form.



At least we lost to the eventual winners, so we're technically 3rd! \o/
And Escalona with the highest number of assists, he'd be so much more productive if he wasn't so card-happy.

Shame you couldn't get to the final

Yeah it was, but that's life isn't it?

-----------------------------------

February 2018

Good response to the semi-final loss, Escalona scoring one and providing another.



Horrible start with a penalty conceded, but under-fire Marvin Pierre equalised with a shot from range.
It was easier from then, Lake with another MoM performance.

The next game was a rematch against Estrella, and scarcely a better occasion to take revenge:





Went back to a 3-5-2 (as if to prove a point) and won comfortably, though admittedly they still caused us a few problems - seems like my back 3 doesn't like strikers opponents running at them on the counter with no midfield cover whatsoever.

Even more good news:



That's with 6 games to spare, life is surprisingly good.



Woops, nearly spoke too soon.
We established a comfortable lead going into the interval, only to return to face attack after attack from Brazil Juniors, who could and should have at least levelled the score.
Eventually they ran out of chances to miss, and we came away with a fortunate victory.



So it's a 15-point lead, the hope is that we can maintain this so that we can make things easier for ourselves when it comes to the hellish playoffs schedule.

March 2018

An absolutely awful match, 2 shots on target from both sides all match, and we happened to score from one of them.
But we did win, and as one might say it's all that matters.



So we've gone the equivalent of a regular season without dropping points.
Will I jinx it by posting this image? You bet!



They matched our midfield numbers again (as was the case in our meeting earlier in the season) and we struggled, again.
This time we were made to pay, with Escalona conceding a penalty and them making it safe on the counter.
(Oh well, at least I'm not cheating.)

But this month shouldn't be remembered as such, because we've got something else to look forward to:



They're... erm... it seems that they were last year's Antiguan champions.
But their current season's just finished, with them ending 2nd, so they're probably a force to be reckoned with.
But how much of a force? I've never heard of them, so going by the national team rankings they're higher than Aruba, so by association it should be the same here.



The fans agree with my assumption, which isn't good news...



Brilliant win, we didn't dominate possession throughout the game and had to endure a nervous start, but we eventually got our pressing game together and caught them out on multiple occasions.
Escalona sought redemption for his mistake against River Plate, and finished with a goal and an assist.

2nd leg will be in March, stay tuned!

April 2018

(I'll be going chronological on this if you don't mind)



Second leg, another 3 goals scored but we could've been more focused throughout the match.
But it's not like they were ever going to dig themselves out of this rut anyway.



Good news, particularly because there's no prize money in these parts.



Moule were last season's Guadelopian league runners-up, while W(illiams) Connection was their Trinidadian equivalent, though they have regained the league title this time round.
Robinhood also finished 2nd in their league last season, so this is basically the Group of Bridesmaids!

But it's going to be very tough - having looked at the former two's squads we'll be in a very tough couple of games.
Doesn't help that only the group winner and the best 2 2nd- placed finishers (of 6) qualify for the quarter finals:



Oh and we play only 3 games.
It helps that the draw has been kind to us, granting 2 home games, but let's not kid ourselves, this will be hard.



Rested the entire starting XI, stuffed them into a 3-5-2, couldn't handle Atlantico's own 3-5-2, and we paid for it.
Do I care? Not much really - bigger fish to fry.



And what a big fish! Escalona with yet another goal and assist.



Another complete reshuffle, except this time into our main 4-1-3-2 system, and it worked well.
Dakota are our closest rivals now, and it was imperative that we put some (more) distance between them when given the opportunity.



WE ARE GOING ALL THE WAY! It seems
Escalona with yet another goal-assist combo, unfortunately he got another yellow that would rule him out of the final group game.



Pole position, all we need is a draw to advance.
Interestingly we've not drawn a competitive game yet this season....



Same here, the gap going into the playoffs will be at least 11 points, a very useful lead.

May 2018

A bumper month with 7 games, and we begin with the final group game - could we qualify?



Yes, and then some - 3 wins from 3.
Lake and Fingal combined well to great effect.



Finishing top of such a difficult group was a brilliant achievement from the players, uncharted territory from here on in.



Martinquais champions for the past 4 seasons (all comfortably), our task is harder than ever.
But before that, the last game of the regular season had to be played:



Such an awful game from both sides, it already had an end-of-season feel to it (even though it technically wasn't).
We blinked first, and our defence was caught out.

Back to continental commitments now, a double header:




Yeah, safe to say we were brutally outclassed here.
I could've played it safer but, well I don't - all 3 systems we employ are geared towards gaining control of the game.



That money though, a whole lot of cash when you consider there're still only 4 players on the club's payroll.



Pays for our travel costs, not half bad.

And so we divert our attentions back to the league:



Yes, yes, cash.



We'll have a stretch of 1 game every other day for 7 games.- it's not 2 games in 24 hours, but it's not exactly a walk in the park either.



We open with a rude awakening - 1st time this season we've been down 2 goals in the league.
Gave them a good rollicking during the interval and boy did they respond.



A routine win, Fingal with a goal and an assist.



2 days later RCA had a chance at revenge, and as you can see they didn't manage it.
Lugo and Rolston had a gret time up front together, the former setting up the latter's 1st goal.
But Rolston was in a class of his own really, lashing home 2 great goals.



My staff tells me that I only need 4 more points to guarantee the title - I haven't done the math, but if he says so then it must be so, right?

A bit of awards gossip:



Simple, Escalona for PoTY and Lake for YPoTY - except it isn't that easy, of course.
Robert has scored a couple for us in his rampaging left wingback role, while de Waard is an extremely prolific scorer, becoming the top marksman this season - for Brazil Juniors.



Escalon'a only trump card is his underdog status, but with us already out of the competition it's a longer shot than before.

June 2018

A terrible game, I'd used 2 subs before half time, and were only rescued by Guerrero's fluke cross-shot.

But it does mean that we're three-quarters of the way to retaining the title:



And we weren't going to delay the inevitable.
We took some time to get the opener, but after that we were never in too much trouble.



Boom.
With 5 games to go too.

A quick run through of the remaining fixtures:



Basically:
- Complacency really hindered us in this stretch
-The Dakota draw was particularly annoying, our 1st draw of the season, and actually conceding an equaliser.
-De Lecca was as awesome as his 2 goals suggested in that match, despite being a leftback he found himself in the penalty area twice to finish well.



If I'm honest, with our previous status I've been able to keep around 40 players around on amateur deals, so I've been able to rotate the entire XI for those hellish post-season runs.
The other teams don't quite have that luxury, which meant that half the time we were able to steamroller through by virtue of simply possessing the fitter lineup.



One paid for the other, while the club pockets another 9k.
It's also around $200 per head, which is a small for the amateur guys.



Our title win probably nudged the pair over the line.



4 more than Lake, he's really good.



No awards for us here though I'm afraid.



Has anyone figured out how the points system works?



Second time's the charm for me it seems, the Pentagon career(s) and now this.

Now have a look at the squad (at least those that played anyway):



Brison is the 1st name on the bench due to his sheer versatility, but he's not complaining.
Guerrero had 10 assists, but that fluke of a winner was his only goal.
Also, the top 4 willing runners were all fullbacks - highlights their importance in the system, and how being completely rubbish doesn't matter if you've got pace and a boneheaded determination.

PoTY was most probably Francois Escalona - only double-double in the team, while 17 assists further emphasises hie value of his set-piece prowess.
Markwin Rangel Lugo was also good as well - from being on the brink of ushered out of the club to being in with a shout of starting games, quite a decent comeback.
Lake was again instrumental to our successes this term, looks like we've got a good core to last us for the next couple of years at least.

Now for the youth intake:



I agree with Mr. Odor here on his fave, but not because he's the best (and through assumption a good player), but that he's the least shite.



I suppose he's good enough to start a couple of games and might fit in a counter-attacking plan, but it's one more player to mull over.

Preseason next, fingers crossed I won't have to organise another stretch of intra-squad friendlies.

YES YES YES NO MORE OF THAT 3 MONTH PRESEASON BULLSHIT

A well earned holiday, to say the least. What's your plans for the future? Explore other countries in the Caribbbbian?

Shit, I hadn't actually considered that...

Might have another crack at the regional championship, or at least have by rep up sufficiently, I think.

Preseason

Not a single sending-off this time round, it's already an improvement.



Fuck the authorities, pocketing over a quarter of our profits.



I think $12k's probably the maximum that sponsors here will pay, so other sources of revenue will have to be sought.



How are Britannia still being tipped for the title?
Nacional have really paid the price for their horrific showing last season, losing their star striker amongst other things.

What about us? I'm just glad we aren't taken seriously again, don't think we need the pressure to succeed just yet.

Freindlies - not quite the same without that stretch of games against the reserves:



We've also not arranged many kickabouts this time round, due to the collective incompetence of me and my assman.
Oh well, we end with a 100%, so it's still good.

great work with the league. Hopefully you can make it back to back and maybe even a double or treble.

Aye, we'll need to do that if we're to establish ourselves as the top club around these parts.

----------------------------------

October - November 2018

Before I begin I've got to make a few things clear - due to what is probably an FM bug the Aruban FA has kidnapped 3 of my first choice back 4:



and Lake's picked up a knock as well:



(Yeah you know it's bad if I start a post with these)

---------------------------



We started well enough, Lugo and Rolston again combining well up front.



Which followed an uneventful draw against newly promoted Caiquetio, both defences cancelling each other out.



A 1st defeat this early in the season, to Britannia no less.
Our (backup) central defence's lack of pace was exploited again and again, and our attacks couldn't make up for this shortfall.



Another promoted side, another draw - things could be better.



The wolves are out to hunt, while we're looking increasingly like the prey.
We've already dropped 7 points this season, compared to 9 last time round.

December 2018

We struggled to assert our dominance on proceedings, but should have pushed on when we did get an equaliser.
Well we didn't.



Estralla didn't even manage a shot, but we still had to wait for a goal - well De Windt managed an (apparently) great goal, and Fingal secured the points.



2 from 2! Finally some form this season.



Nope.



7 points off the pace with almost half the season gone - going by our advantage last season we're out of the running already.

We'll be entering Cup month (January), here's our first round draw:



They're without a point thus far, easy pickings or about to prove a point? Who knows.

And a signing:



He comes in and instantly becomes our most senior player by 9 years.

January 2019

Decent enough win, nearly got into some trouble though as (Francois) Escalona conceded a spot kick.
Fortunately for us it went straight down the middle, a good stop.

Next up was former lower-division rivals (and current lower-division side) Sporting:



Croes was dismissed for a vicious foul, but we still managed to take the lead from a corner.
Poor defending lead to the leveller, and we toiled for the rest of normal time, only to come out on fire in extra time, grabbing the initiative almost instantly.

The route to the final featured another top-flight side in Caravel:



Another sufficient performance, but Cabrera - on his first start - broke his collarbone and would be out for 2 months.

The final has us up against last season's runner-up Dakota, who are also formidable this season - not going to be easy:



\o/

Fingal was the archetype poacher, a hat-trick in his first start in the cup.



Fingal top scored despite only playing 1 cup tie.



More cash



That's less than a fifth of the stadium's capacity - speaks volumes.

We finish the month with another league match:



18 shots to 3, hit the post 3 times, we really could have won my much more.



Looking at the various games in hand we're probably in the right position, but doubt we'll get the title in the regular season.

Starting to pick up wins at crucial times

I think even so it's really too late for us with regards to the title.... :/

-------------------------------

February 2019

Only 2 games this month:



2 goalscoring wingbacks, 3 decent points, and yet another misfiring strikeforce.



Absolutely shocking defeat, especially considering we had a 2 goal lead for almost a half and had countless opportunities.

Lugo actually ended his ten hour goal drought in this game, but - significantly more worriyngly - Lake hasn't yet scored this season, from 9 starts in all competition.
He's clearly got the nous, but this is also an extremely frustrating facet of his game, having suffered similar runs previously.



Bottom half is terrible, especially considering Lake isn't looking like he can contribute to our season in anyway yet.

Awful result against Caravel

Par for the course this season unfortunately.

------------------------------

March 2019

Going 2 goals down was disastrous, coming back to lead was commendable, being pegged back is typical of our season.



Played Fingal-Rolston as our strikepair (which meant no speed whatsoever) but we still managed to win.



AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA



The top 3 have qualified for the playoffs, while we still aren't exaclty safe from the other playoffs - been a truly dire time.
Incredibly we're still mathematically in with a chance of finishing top.

Oh well, at least we have something else to distract us from our league troubles:



I've met Tempete before, while at Racing in Haiti.
Largely forgotten their strength, but if our current form is anything to go by we're going to have a tough time.



And so it proved, but for once we've finished on top! 3 away goals will also be very useful in the return leg.

Hope you can finish the job off in 2nd leg

April 2019

Bingo! But not without a bit of a scare first.



We meet teams from Guadelope and Suriname for the 2nd year running, while Cuba's a first for us.
Cienfuegos and Inter were both runners-up, while Etoile (like us) were champions of our respective domestic leagues.

But before we start the group stage there's still business to handle back at home.



Guerrero provided an excellent diagonal for Oehlers to latch on on the counter and get a quick opener.
I'm surprised at the eventual scoreline, considering our difference in the standings this season.



These were Lake's and Figaroa's first goals of the season - what dire situation.
In fairness Lake went for such a long run because I did drop him, but then again I wouldn't have dropped him if he did go on said drought in the 1st place!



From top-scoring last season to this - it's hard not to feel sorry for him despite his crippling ineptitude.



It looked to be a foregone conclusion, and to only achieve it so late was a disappointment.



Another one of those frustrating results that stunts our momentum, losing an initial lead even a further bitter taste in the mouth.
Cabrera scored our equaliser only to concede the penalty - epitomised the game really.



Not the worst way to finish the regular season results-wise.
Not so in terms of personnel - Oehlers picked up an injury and would be ruled out for around a month.



Need a favour from Caiquetio here, or we lose a couple thousand in prize money.

Now we can move on to the subcontinent:



Comfortably outclassed (and for their 2nd goal, outpaced) - we don't quite have the surprise factor of last season this time round.

Next up was the Surinamese, who put out a a narrow 4-4-2 - which gave me an opportunity to properly debut our even more dour 5-4-1:



Look at that - "You want to stuff the midfield? Here, let me help you".

Did it work? Not really, Marvin Pierre in the AM role was able to use his pace well on the break, but his finishing was as good as a cow's and was hence unfortunately useless.
But I digress:



It was frustrating to concede the opener from a set-piece, but we replied with a Robert effort from long range.
Captain Marvel Francois Escalona the got his annual dismissal, and it looked to end in a draw, only for Jaython Escalona to pop up with a late, late winner.
About as scrappy as the midfield, but the winner nonetheless.



We're still in with a chance (just about), but we'll need to beat Etoile by a couple of goals.
They managed to beat the Cubans, and we don't have Captain Setpieces, so.....

May 2019

Oh no yeah, playing with 10 men for half an hour then with 9 for the whole remaining hour, no biggie.

We'd actually coped defensively (which was useless if we didn't show any attacking play, which we didn't) but after the 1st goal it was a foregone conclusion.



From having an outside chance of qualification to finishing bottom - we didn't so much shoot ourselves in the foot as nuked it.

Fuck it, the playoffs:



Fuck this, atrocious defending to relinquish an early lead, doing well to come back only for the defence to do a brainfart to concede the winner.
Oh an for good measure Guerrero was dismissed, a third hacking down in 2 matches.



What's the point of beating the league leaders if you can't beat anyone else?



Oh look another win.
Captain Violence with the team's FIFTH (and his 2nd) dismissal in as many games.



We actually did quite well here, in the absence of Escalona.



FUCK THIS SHIT, GUYS CAN'T BE ARSED TO TAKE REVENGE, FUCK THE DEEENCE, FUCK THE ATTACK, ALL MORONS.



We reap what we sow, should've sacked Lake when he was playing like shit, now the whole team's doing it.

Oh and none of our players were nominated for the PoTY awards, to no one's surprise.

June 2019

Having taken the lead with a great free kick:

"Oops the strikers still can't score for shit"
"Oops the keeper dropped the ball"

Well fucking done lads.



Derek Croes once again showing what could have been if the strikeforce wasn't such a bloody inconsistent bag of nerves.

Our next match would have seen us play RCA in a title decider - however:



Dakota dropped points and instead of denying them an opportunity to secure the title we'll have to give them a guard of honour.



I'm not sure who's more gutted, all I know is we missed an opportunity to prove a point.



Lake scored! He actually scored!



And then a truly dire spectacle to finish the season off - apt really.



The only saving grace is that RCA weren't even close to our record points haul.



For some reason I'm Manager of the Year again, seems like so long we're considered underdogs this award is in the bag.

Players of the season:

Pretty hard to pick for this season, it wasn't quite the vintage that last season proved to be.



Captain Violent Set-pieces gets the nod despite another 2 dismissals - says it all about our team, really.



Fingal's best moment must have been the cup final, where he netted 3 goals.
Other than that he hasn't added too much to our attack, with his relative lack of pace (and absolute lack of aerial ability) meaning that he only started 11 league games.



He topped the league's clean-sheet charts, but still managed to conceded an average of a goal a game.
It was mostly down to the defence's ability to capitulate in spectacular fashion, so he gets the nod.

Finally, this year's youth intake:



I don't disagree with Mr. Odor in his choice pick, but the thing is we've got more than enough strikers already:



See he's not bad at all, but it's nothing extraordinary.



Much more interested about him, he could play a part if I do

June 2019

Having taken the lead with a great free kick:

"Oops the strikers still can't score for shit"
"Oops the keeper dropped the ball"

Well fucking done lads.



Derek Croes once again showing what could have been if the strikeforce wasn't such a bloody inconsistent bag of nerves.

Our next match would have seen us play RCA in a title decider - however:



Dakota dropped points and instead of denying them an opportunity to secure the title we'll have to give them a guard of honour.



I'm not sure who's more gutted, all I know is we missed an opportunity to prove a point.



Lake scored! He actually scored!



And then a truly dire spectacle to finish the season off - apt really.



The only saving grace is that RCA weren't even close to our record points haul.



For some reason I'm Manager of the Year again, seems like so long we're considered underdogs this award is in the bag.

Players of the season:

Pretty hard to pick for this season, it wasn't quite the vintage that last season proved to be.



Captain Violent Set-pieces gets the nod despite another 2 dismissals - says it all about our team, really.



Fingal's best moment must have been the cup final, where he netted 3 goals.
Other than that he hasn't added too much to our attack, with his relative lack of pace (and absolute lack of aerial ability) meaning that he only started 11 league games.



He topped the league's clean-sheet charts, but still managed to conceded an average of a goal a game.
It was mostly down to the defence's ability to capitulate in spectacular fashion, so he gets the nod.

Finally, this year's youth intake:



I don't disagree with Mr. Odor in his choice pick, but the thing is we've got more than enough strikers already:



See he's not bad at all, but it's nothing extraordinary.



Much more interested about him, he could play a part if I do

June 2019

Having taken the lead with a great free kick:

"Oops the strikers still can't score for shit"
"Oops the keeper dropped the ball"

Well fucking done lads.



Derek Croes once again showing what could have been if the strikeforce wasn't such a bloody inconsistent bag of nerves.

Our next match would have seen us play RCA in a title decider - however:



Dakota dropped points and instead of denying them an opportunity to secure the title we'll have to give them a guard of honour.



I'm not sure who's more gutted, all I know is we missed an opportunity to prove a point.



Lake scored! He actually scored!



And then a truly dire spectacle to finish the season off - apt really.



The only saving grace is that RCA weren't even close to our record points haul.



For some reason I'm Manager of the Year again, seems like so long we're considered underdogs this award is in the bag.

Players of the season:

Pretty hard to pick for this season, it wasn't quite the vintage that last season proved to be.



Captain Violent Set-pieces gets the nod despite another 2 dismissals - says it all about our team, really.



Fingal's best moment must have been the cup final, where he netted 3 goals.
Other than that he hasn't added too much to our attack, with his relative lack of pace (and absolute lack of aerial ability) meaning that he only started 11 league games.



He topped the league's clean-sheet charts, but still managed to conceded an average of a goal a game.
It was mostly down to the defence's ability to capitulate in spectacular fashion, so he gets the nod.

Finally, this year's youth intake:



I don't disagree with Mr. Odor in his choice pick, but the thing is we've got more than enough strikers already:



See he's not bad at all, but it's nothing extraordinary.



Much more interested about him, he could play a part if I do

June 2019

Having taken the lead with a great free kick:

"Oops the strikers still can't score for shit"
"Oops the keeper dropped the ball"

Well fucking done lads.



Derek Croes once again showing what could have been if the strikeforce wasn't such a bloody inconsistent bag of nerves.

Our next match would have seen us play RCA in a title decider - however:



Dakota dropped points and instead of denying them an opportunity to secure the title we'll have to give them a guard of honour.



I'm not sure who's more gutted, all I know is we missed an opportunity to prove a point.



Lake scored! He actually scored!



And then a truly dire spectacle to finish the season off - apt really.



The only saving grace is that RCA weren't even close to our record points haul.



For some reason I'm Manager of the Year again, seems like so long we're considered underdogs this award is in the bag.

Players of the season:

Pretty hard to pick for this season, it wasn't quite the vintage that last season proved to be.



Captain Violent Set-pieces gets the nod despite another 2 dismissals - says it all about our team, really.



Fingal's best moment must have been the cup final, where he netted 3 goals.
Other than that he hasn't added too much to our attack, with his relative lack of pace (and absolute lack of aerial ability) meaning that he only started 11 league games.



He topped the league's clean-sheet charts, but still managed to conceded an average of a goal a game.
It was mostly down to the defence's ability to capitulate in spectacular fashion, so he gets the nod.

Finally, this year's youth intake:



I don't disagree with Mr. Odor in his choice pick, but the thing is we've got more than enough strikers already:



See he's not bad at all, but it's nothing extraordinary.



Much more interested about him, he could play a part if I do revert to the 4-6-0 last seen in the Smouha team.

Tough season. And we had to endure that last month four times...
Ezra looks quite interesting. Adding some flamboyance to Aruba.