Gavin Williams
2 years ago
7 months ago
2

I just want to stop by and say thank you.

 

I bought FM17 4-5 years ago now, and I’m sad to say that I was too overwhelmed to really pick it up and play (Outside of a few 1-2 season saves that I gave up on).

 

This thread has inspired me to pick FM17 back up and to relax and have some fun on it.

 

Just started a save in the 10th tier of English football with Newcastle University, and I’m having a lot of fun!

 

Thank you for this thread, for your humor, and your superior story telling. Keep it up!

Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
By Gavin Williams 13 October 2022 - 17:56 PM UTC

I just want to stop by and say thank you.

 

I bought FM17 4-5 years ago now, and I’m sad to say that I was too overwhelmed to really pick it up and play (Outside of a few 1-2 season saves that I gave up on).

 

This thread has inspired me to pick FM17 back up and to relax and have some fun on it.

 

Just started a save in the 10th tier of English football with Newcastle University, and I’m having a lot of fun!

 

Thank you for this thread, for your humor, and your superior story telling. Keep it up!


Haha, I'm honoured that I've made an impact in your FM enjoyment.

And to be honest, the way FM can be played nowadays you can really go years without buying a new one - hopefully your save also goes just as long!

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

Preseason 2046

Transfers


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Pr9jHTEUMcHXH1xSuw7JsmP7VhUe0v0GwSoRsYsv.png

Welp, that's yet another dismantling of an already settled 1st team.
Let's see...
-Richardson-Guishard and Cleo Francis were 2 of 3 left wingers at the entire club, and both were proper speedsters - instead we now only have Matthew Connor as our only LM.
-Kelsick was a very good GK himself and started most matches last season, but Hughes-Hamm's emergence means he'll find himself an almost certain 2nd choice this season. Not overly fussed about losing him, as it turns out replacing GKs is much easier than other positions.
-Smith-Scipio was the jewel in the crown of my system as a poacher playing RM, so him leaving put a massive spanner in the works - changing formations mid-preseason, all the works.
-Markman was one of 2 targetmen around, and well he sure was a marked man eh, leaving as well.
-Cordell Francis was a starting left back, still annoyed to lose another starter but with Low Determination I suppose there might be an improvement out there.
-Edwards-Thompson was a so-so midfielder who could've found a niche as our all-playing centreback (good jumper, strong, a playmaker's Preferred Moves) buuuut yeah even he left.

So yes, a few signings had to be made, that goes without saying:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/L3wvC4g5pUhZ9LGHW5uNxfCH3tVZXUKkoBqgUom8.png

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/h5zNo9K0ypz6rYpHLJZrJfiHCEjsR1ab6ENe7WJu.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9PnJJ1bVlJoqyj3H3RR5xzW89cAWDcnKMZFNjz3a.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZZwShKcF146lmmuEc1u502Ry8CE6hgLuaiKw3ALc.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MNZlRWEMvezsq6xZP0MEbHaoN9P7JSb0Q7Tf2R6Y.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/K2usfSJZ0broYzwEOWi5kk1HhFLuM7geegbOzcRI.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/aNJGCG41YJSIHCk3AcV8YqBIRStm9g3qBuJ8XWKf.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/mB7silWOtRxRn0DSJ7dRAiOAQPiM41tIcnVsLOuO.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/zdLQRtErJSze0ekLstiYQo27QKl2LY1HBLRI2xuB.png

-Herbert-Battice and Burris are for the U20s and might only make a few appearances (hopefully).
-I'd signed Ricardo Hughes for his ambipedality and fullback positions, but had completely missed his tendency to Avoid the use of His Weak Foot.
That and his actual lack of ability would've counted him out of 1st team football this season, but the Hip injury really nailed that point home.
-Calan Hughes is technically adept, needs a bit of work in his mentals but will be in and around the 1st XI.
-I mentioned that replacing backup GKs is much easier than other positions here, and Hodge-Kelsick was what I was referring to - another capable deputy to our wonderkid.
-I signed Richardson to be my 1st choice(!) leftback, and he's making me not want to play fullbacks at all - a yikes on my part.
-Brooks is probably the most convoluted signing this window - transfer-listed by Ballers, joined us on trial only to have the listing rescinded, rejected our contract offer so he went back to Ballers only to agree to a termination, and from there we pounced once again.
A very capable LCB/LB, will definitely start games.
-Richardson-Guishard did well in preseason while on trial, so the call was made for him to be our last addition to the team.
Not sure about the Low Determination, but an OK work rate should do him some good for the graft up top.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/5yp1ABybe8iN0hMytgDBX02gC9nv8HlGgDqJCSuu.png

Preseason was... odd.
We had that streak of straight wins, but a loss and stalemate at the end does put a severe dampener on things.
Didn't help that I decided to push a 4-1-2-1-2 into our formation rotation - no instructions set, guys had barely any game time with it, no surprises that we fumbled for our final 2 matches.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Mi5iOgttb5he2ee1yi4kfs1rCztHIyXD6FeyNx7P.png

Will probably go with this 3-5-2, massive amounts of shoehorning needed but hey, it got us that winning run after all.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/mxKkR8UWp5uBzvjR8gznVMSOzRu7Jeiv4xKx0G7y.png

Slated to finish just above the top half, a dangerous position to be in when considering that's the minimum target set by the board and with our significant player/tactical turnover.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Midseason 2046/47


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/WbQho6BDFQTt2xv2Y3Q572OCyIrvHDJNrYKIbJXd.png

Another departure on deadline day - Theon Anthony was a backup CB filling in in midfield, and even he left.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/o3fDXXyDH9b9HxDd44tcc7444JFfSobPOeAePIXa.png

So we signed a replacement, and (spoiler alert - midseason window transfer) another off the recommendation of our scout:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dwSilZ5KSyA1yzF6k6pQyAbCuzNd43CHdS8YG2iH.png

I really should've gone for Hughes-Johnson anyway, but either by choice or circumstance he's in our midfield now.
Really dodgy 1st Touch which is exacerbated by his Composure, but he seems to have adjusted well enough.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Q2eMm0Q7OQzTATBTtwybcUOAYts6G0YzkMmeWt0g.png

You know how Anguillans automatically have dual English nationality due to the Commonwealth, and suddenly have knowledge of non-league England? Yep, explains this.
Johnson's not too bad, not nearly enough to justify paying him $35p/w, but I still think it was worth the punt.
At worst he's a good option in our midfield rotation.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/0cbH9koIBUO2aoQzgRBYy2x9OBobQ7S3S2ccLtA7.png

Quite a decent 1st half to the season, 6 wins in 8 is quite good going and Id've snapped your hand off for it.
It's how it ended though, my days:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tfayUjsaRLx6rlyFd7bkAhiBUR5HXcInMwFb9FTx.mp4

Imagine conceding this winner and not having it recorded as a goalkeeper error, so I couldn't even put him on blast.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vDR4KDdvANG6mqyUbuO9ldPRLKEkRDTOnhNCXjLc.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/U9IQx0nMWjG95mc73Fqp3qtCocknWly3QrrkQVVr.png

Then we have this - leg-breaker and not even a card, horrible stuff.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MLSR2Js2yzUtSJ2S8Wob46nxd0oMHe8p0ITk7FqZ.png

We've done enough to keep ourselves within touching distance of Attackers, but with our best striker in Brooks out (Richardsion-Guishard's form notwithstanding - he also got injured against Uprising anyway) I think our season in effectively over at this point.
Fingers crossed we can get a replacement, but my days this has just completely ruined my mood regardless.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Apologies for the extended delay, I lost access to my Twitter account and by association my Imgur (should've known better than to create an account with another social media account).
Fortunately... I have been playing in the interim, and there's a new imagehost! Hopefully cubeupload doesn't go under any time soon.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7 Years of Hell


https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023100923.png

6 seasons of pain - start well, lose to one of Kicks or Attackers, capitulate, rinse and repeat.

Come season 7:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/676Screenshot2023100923.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/acfScreenshot2023100923.png

That 6-2 loss felt like a nadir for me - we were still within touching distance of the title at the time and a win could've been that push for us to finally deliver.

But wait, it gets better:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023101122.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/3caScreenshot2023100923.png

Yeah I just about had enough of this nonsense to be honest, 7 years of Kicks and Attackers and their fucking 4-3-3, I needed out for my own (IRL) sanity.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/96bScreenshot2023100923.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/70bScreenshot2023100923.png

8 finals in 7 years (including 5 straight in the Knockout Cup), and only 1 win to show for it, miserable.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
A Montserratian Sojourn


After that nightmare stint, a fresh start was imperative, but where to? We've only got 2 other nations left in this Stage 1 - Montserrat and Turks & Caicos Islands.

Well the latter was well into its offseason (and its clubs wouldn't actually get back to my job application till nearly 2 full years later), so Montserrat it was then:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023101521.png

Projected to finish plum last, it looked like we'd be in for another tough couple of years.
Well wouldn't you know it:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/c4fScreenshot2023102921.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112100.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023102921.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/ce9Screenshot2023102921.png

Levels of shithousery hitherto unknown as we somehow win the title having not won a match by more than 2 goals and with a GD of +4.

Of course, while the whole team did their part in the title win, I'd be remiss if I didn't give my flowers to one Tomoki Amoah:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a54Screenshot2023102921.png

Our team was 10 men plus a guy who could not and did not stop running up top - hoof after hoof of the ball into the opponents' half and he'd be there to chase them down and score and/or assist.
Unfortunately he decided to leave midseason for some reason, he'dve won the fans' PoTY at a canter otherwise.
Though as far as we were concerned he'd already done the hard part for us, and all we had to do was to see the season out.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a77Screenshot2023102923.png

So with the only competition in Montserrat in the bag, it was back to looking for new pastures.
I'd go back to Anguilla, but seeing as Diamond proceeded to win both cup competitions immediately after I left and the Treble this season, I'd much rather wait a few more seasons before having to come up against another monster team.

(Oh and I was also appointed manager of the Guuadelope NT, more on that later)
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
I'd go back to Anguilla, but seeing as Diamond proceeded to win both cup competitions immediately after I left and the Treble this season, I'd much rather wait a few more seasons before having to come up against another monster team.


Yeah about that...

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023110500.png

After winning 5 straight trophies in under 18 months, it's not hard to see how my successor could've felt he achieved all he could with Diamond.
Oh but not me, oh not even close.

Diamond II: Retribution


The last time I was on Anguillan shores, I had refused on principle to play the overpowered and frankly unrealistic 4-3-3, while at the same time being pummelled year in year out by Attackers and Kicks with that exact system - well whaddaya know, first day back in and it's a squad made for the 4-3-3:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112123.png

(Well the squad was already made for this system even 5 seasons ago, and wed've probably won more but for my idealism)

To summarise what went on this season: You gave me 7 years of hell, so I'll make it rain sulfur in Anguilla:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023111303.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/9a3Screenshot2023111600.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a3Screenshot2023111817.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/7efScreenshot2023111822.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023111313.png
Knockout Cup:
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/90fScreenshot2023111822.png
President's Cup:
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/70aScreenshot2023111822.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/775Screenshot2023111822.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/818Screenshot2023111822.png


Rarely has there been revenge as sweet as this really, and all it took was for me to flee with my pants down and come back with someone else's already perfected work.
Nevertheless, all 3 titles in Anguilla in one fell swoop, and I don't have to deal with Kicks again (who somehow kept keeping up with 12 wins).

We also did bits in the Caribbean Championship:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/de7Screenshot2023111822.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/c76Screenshot2023111822.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/2c4Screenshot2023111822.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/643Screenshot2023111822.png

Dispatched of both group phases with ease (even if it did mean nearly tanking the President's Cup for it).

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/c4fScreenshot2023111822.png

Semifinals time, and genuinely surprised we'd beat a Don Bosco with full Haitian internationals, not to mention in such a dominant manner.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/46fScreenshot2023111822.png

Alas the final was a bridge too far - Harbour View are one of Jamaica's (and indeed the Caribbean's) top sides and their superior clinical ability shone through.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Guadelope - Another Side Hustle in the Caribbean


So yes, I did get sacked by Tuvalu after we bombed out of the Pacific Mini Games in 2049, which meant 3 seasons to focus on (and fail with) Diamonds.
Though with Montserrat's really short season of 3ish months, it seemed like a good opportunity to get back into the international game and fill in the gaps where Ideal didn't have any games:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/16bScreenshot2023102923.png

First on the agenda was the Caribbean Cup, which unlike conventional international cup competitions takes place across the span of some 11 months and 3 group stages before a final knockout phase.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112615.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/660Screenshot2023112615.png

Within the first 2 games of the tournament it became apparent who our talisman was going to be; Yannick Thuram-Ulien was an absolute menace drifting into the 6-yard box from wide on the right flank.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/14fScreenshot2023112615.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/75dScreenshot2023112615.png
Thuram-Ulien with another hat-trick could've added more to his 7 goals in 3 matches, had he not picked up a knock against Grenada.
No matter, Puerto Rico was dealt with regardless.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/133Screenshot2023112615.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/df5Screenshot2023112615.png
Now the real big guns came into play, and unfortunately we weren't quite able to match up to their standards.
Bahamas was always going to be easy to deal with, but it was Haiti that would be the litmus test when it came to our ambitions here.

Fortunately, finishing 2nd still gave us a few more games in the 5th placed playoff:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/f44Screenshot2023112615.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/f35Screenshot2023112615.png

Incidentally, the NTs of countries I've managed in - we were always going to be too good for them, what with a significant proportion of our squad based in France and the only international player of note from Anguilla and the Caymans was a centreback playing for Domagnano.

But wait, there's more! Apparently finishing fifth in the competition hands us a playoff match for the (actually continental i.e. CONCACAF) Gold Cup:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/996Screenshot2023112615.png

Welp, not too much more as it turned out - I might've eked out a draw with cannier tactics, but alas it wasn't to be.

Player of the Tournament

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112616.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/954Screenshot2023111822.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/502Screenshot2023111822.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/7c5Screenshot2023111822.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023111822.png


Of course he's inflated his stats a wee bit by virtue of having played semipro Caribbbeans in the earlier rounds of the tournament, but scoring in 6 out of 7 matches played and 11 goals in total is a phenomenal achievement no matter how one squares it.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
A Goodbye to Anguilla


Yes, so with the Treble secured, it was time to bid farewell to this accursed land, but not before I try my damnedest at a last hurrah.
Finishing runners-up in the CFU Club Championship meant we qualified for the CONCACAF League - not the CONCACAF CL mind (it's just an equivalent of the Europa League), but a bloody good achievement nonetheless:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112617.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/fd2Screenshot2023112617.png

Sonsonate finished a surprising 3rd in the Salvadoran top flight and qualified from that, but are otherwise barely in the top 10 clubs in EL Salvador.
Still, they're still significantly better than us and had the upper hand in both legs as expected, only to somehow lose out due to some proper smash-and-grab stuff from the players.
Coming back from 2 goals down in the 1st leg and scoring a last minute penalty in the return game, going on to win on penalties? We might not have deserved it but we sure as hell earned it.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/27Screenshot2023112617.png
Saprissa were CONCACAF CL Champions and played in the Club World Cup - nuff said.
They weren't about to be as generous as Sonsonate, even if they did let us in with the lead early doors, and with the glut of yellow cards we were also about to be down a few key players for the return leg.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/995Screenshot2023112617.png
And it showed - the gulf in quality was even starker here, and they even seemed to prefer toying with us for the 80 minutes after scoring before sticking the knife in a final time in stoppage time.

Players of (the past 9) Season(s)


https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112618.png
Steven Lake came through the youth ranks the last season of my 1st stint, and acquitted himself well enough despite our meme campaign.
In my year away though, he managed 16(!!!) assists in only 15 games, and while I didn't give him as much freedom this season he still dominated the midfield with his all round physical ability.
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/e08Screenshot2023112618.png
Signed from Ballers in Stint 1, Year 3, Keivois Anthony-Richardson terrorised my defence for many a season with his sheer pace and finishing ability, so when Ballers crashed to the bottom of the league I finally had the chance to snatch him up.
It turns out that while he obviously had outrageous talent, it really only showed itself in spurts, which wasn't helped by his lack of Determination or Work Rate, which isn't a good thing to have in your talisman - the icing on the cake rather than someone who drags a team to success, basically.
We ended up beefing a lot, and by the time I left we didn't really have eyes for each other to say the least.

Everything changed in the 2nd stint though - with a 4-3-3 he had more than enough strike partners to pick up the slack when he wasn't firing, and an industrious midfield meant he could focus on the final third.
And he did, finishing with 15 goals in 15 league games and 25 from 28 in all competitions.
We still weren't on close terms by the end, but hey winning is all that matters isn't it.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/f29Screenshot2023112618.png
Jaden Scipio is a weird one - can't finish, can't dribble, doesn't really have the necessary Work Rate, not supposed to be much good.
Somehow we made it work - helps that he had great pace and a left foot, and leaving him to press only in the final third meant he picked defenders' pockets on more than a few occasions, while his pace got him into the 6-yard box to finish off chances even he wouldn't miss.


https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a28Screenshot2023112618.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/ce8Screenshot2023112618.png
Gracen Hawley-Edwards and Kion Richardson-Guishard - having double-barrelled surnames wasn't the only similarity they had, as they both were part of the banterous early Diamond years and won in Montserrat also.
Kion didn't have any significant technique to speak of, but my god he worked hard - he'd misplace passes all game only to pop up in the box to score. Meanwhile Gracen wasn't a great defender, but had a great combination of aerial presence, strength and speed that covered for his defensive deficiencies.

Neither were under contract by the time I went to Ideal, so they were persuaded to take a shot in another country - didn't quite expect them to win at the first time of asking though!

(I could've named a fair few others, but they had either retired or didn't win the treble, so meh)

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/747Screenshot2023112619.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112619.png

So with Anguilla having been finally dealt with, there really is only 1 country left in Stage 1.....
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/16eScreenshot2023112800.png

Clubs in the Turks and Caicos Islands must either be really loyal to their managers, really reluctant to sack them or really take their time with new hires, such was the 9 months spent waiting for a job offer from there.
No matter, in that time we also got on with the business of a full-time national team manager:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112921.png
(Note the win against Trinidad & Tobago - they did go down to 10 men within 11 minutes, we did get dominated anyway and only won through a late penalty, but that's a scalp if I've ever claiming one)

Back to the business at hand though:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a54Screenshot2023112800.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/4ccScreenshot2023112800.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/408Screenshot2023112800.png

One of the most successful clubs in the Isles, they're currently in a bit of a financial pickle after going professional 15 years ago - I wasn't quite prepared for quite how big of a pickle it was though:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112800.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/9c5Screenshot2023112823.png

Oh boy.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/33fScreenshot2023112823.png

Ohhhhhh boy - admittedly I definitely didn't do my due diligence in looking up the club beforehand, but the decision to make developing youth players a priority is already haunting me.
But hey, we're one of the favourites for the league title still, and maybe I can pull off another Ideal and go Wham Bam Thank you Mam before the new year is out:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023112823.png

Not with this squad though.
Best described as a very talented Frankenstein monster of a squad, we have only 2 centrebacks (with Makenson Aristide out for the season with a broken leg), 2 right-footed left wingers (in fact there'er only 2 left-footers in the squad, a centre mid and the only left back who's not fast and has Low Self Belief to boot), and the highest paid player (an RB) is listed for transfer (probably because he's the top earner and needs to be shipped pronto).

Oh and the season starts in 12 days, without any preseason games played:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/373Screenshot2023112921.png

It's somehow an even quicker league season than in Montserrat, where the 7 teams play each other only once and the league splits into Championship Playoff (Top 4) and Playout (Bottom 3) groups.
Beaches crashed into the Playout last season, and judging by our squad and lack of preparation I'll be delighted with scraping through in 4th then seeing how it goes from there.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Midseason 2056


https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/1eaScreenshot2023112923.png

Well it's been an interesting couple of months, what with the receivership, the repeated player complaints over the financial situation (which 1. I have no control over and 2. it's your fulltime wages that caused this mess in the first place) and the reduction in transfer revenue ((lol thinking we could generate any transfer revenue to begin with).

I did end up releasing a few of the high earners and/or troublemakers:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/61aScreenshot2023120223.png

And this made way for wage space for a few signings:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120223.png

A familiar name stands out immediately:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/e5aScreenshot2023120223.png

Word on the street was he fell out quickly with my replacement at Diamonds, and I couldn't not at least chance my arm at bringing him to Beaches.
My task was made much easier by our ability to offer fulltime contracts (receivers couldn't/didn't take control or had any veto of incomings for some reason), which will be a common theme for the following also:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/870Screenshot2023120223.png
Smith comes in as the starting LB, physically imposing and not complete turd at defending.
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/aaaScreenshot2023120223.png
Amilcar was loaned with a view to shipping out Whittaker - unfortunately that hasn't happened yet, but with his speed and all he looks to be a better option regardless.
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/52dScreenshot2023120223.png
Scipio's backup in that left striker role in the 4-3-3 and an already capable centre mid as is, Anthony actually had 2 goals and an assist in that Attackers 6-3 game that resulted in my resignation.
But hey, bygones and all that.
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/672Screenshot2023120223.png
Richardson-Smith is normally a terrible defender, but with our centreback cover as it is he was the best available on cheap wages and short notice.
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/5a4Screenshot2023120223.png
It's actually stunning the quality of player available to you once you're a professional outfit - Mosala was a replacement for the whingeing Suckrajh and is arguably a like for like on cheaper wages. Proper leader too.

What would all that upheaval off the pitch and with the playing personnel do to our league form though?

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/573Screenshot2023120223.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120222.png

We saw the receivers and told them to crawl back up where they came from, evidently.
The 4-3-3 is a truly awesome beast, overwhelming opposition defences from minute one, and on most occasions the match was over by the half-hour mark.
All 3 forwards have over a goal a game - Scipio has 7 goals and assists each, while Forbes goes one better with his 8 strikes.

Next comes the Champions Playoff: another 6-match shootout before the top 2 fight it out in a Final.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
End of Season 2056


We start with some good news:
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120300.png

Well, after pissing off and releasing about half my squad and releasing all the instigators (including starting GK Raymons Rene), we finally find ourselves out of the hands of the receivers.
About that 'sound financial footing' though:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120800.png

Peak can kicking down the road, sure we'd managed to achieve some miraculous refinancing of our debts, but that's 8k per month, every month for the next 15 years, at a club which (as it turned out) doesn't have any competitive football for 7 months out of the year and still pays their fulltime players at least 275 a week every week.
I don't even understand why we needed to go pro, Small World pays their best guy 475 a week on a part time deal while keeping their squad players to non-contracts, while were out here paying every last squad filler the league-mandated minimum.

But I digress, back to the football:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/19eScreenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120523.png

Not quite as dominant as we were in the regular season, but still managed to secure qualification to the final before putting our foot well off the gas in the last 2 matches.
Quite annoying that we lost out unbeaten streak to Sharks, but I'm certain the players will use it as fuel for the Final clash:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/7b3Screenshot2023120521.png

ahahahahahahahaha
Dominated the shot count, majority of the chances, couldn't get shit in.
5 months (well 2 if we're being honest) of exhilarating football only to end in the dampest of squibs.

Well at least we still have the President's Cup to look forward to:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120521.png

hahaha NO
I like to think we wilted a bit under the expectations of a blowout, though again we sorely needed that clinical finished we had earlier in the season.

Season Review

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/b3Screenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/567Screenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/8aScreenshot2023120521.png

Players of the Season

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/c2cScreenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/55dScreenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/5aScreenshot2023120521.png
I think this trio deserves to be mentioned together such was their exploits at times.
Fred Forbes was the standout, with his physical ability clearly proving too much at times for opposition backlines, coupled with great work ethic and a good header of the ball, he was nigh on unstoppable.
Scipio we knew well from Anguilla already, and he just continued his form here. In a 4-3-3 the it's imperative that the left forward has a left foot (duh) and he's basically the best exponent of this role out there.
Jeff Jerome also chipped in with a fair few goals, though he's probably the most expendable of the 3, and I'll be looking to move him on for a more clinical/determined/faster third man next season.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/62Screenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/88cScreenshot2023120521.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023120522.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/c8eScreenshot2023120521.png
Seriously, imaging dominating the league to this extent only to have absolutely nothing to show for it, what a massive pity.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/996Screenshot2023120521.png
Special mention to Ras Fenelus, who I did not see performing at the level he did at all.
Man makes forward runs, covers plenty of ground, chips in with more than a few assists and finished the season with an 8.00 rating.

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

Next for Beaches is well, off to the beaches, before returning to preseason in September, in which we also welcome what has to be the most pointless transfer window out there: no competitive matches, no Bosman arrivals since contracts expire in the end of December, and no incomings since we'll have to pay even more players 3 months' of salaries for what, playing in friendlies? Give me a break.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Offseason 2056


Right, so after that depressing 5 months or so it was back to the to the relatively happier hunting ground of Guadelope:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/393Screenshot2023121512.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/8a5Screenshot2023121512.png

Round 1 of the Caribbean Cup came and went, with us doing the barest of minimums to with both matches and put on a bit of a show for the fans.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/47fScreenshot2023121512.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/f9cScreenshot2023121512.png

Likewise for Round 2, and without any soiled sheets to top it off.

Round 3 saw us up against Haiti once again, with another opportunity to prove our credentials, not to mention avenging our loss from 2 years ago:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/b68Screenshot2023121512.png

HEROICS
Tons of fight from all involved - we might not have been at our best at the back, but we certainly matched them blow for blow on the shot count and eventually made sure that they came worse off in the end - this despite having Barcelona's starting GK at the back.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/3c7Screenshot2023121512.png

And a professional job for our 2nd match in the group against Aruba.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/b34Screenshot2023121513.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023121513.png

With qualification to the semis we also guaranteed ourselves a spot in next year's Gold Cup, but we first have to contend with the regional powerhouse that is Jamaica.

Back in Beaches, the players have just returned for preseason, and with the opening of the transfer window we also welcomed a new arrival:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023121512.png
Stupid story time: During the Administration crisis last season our starting GK (Raymons Rene) kicked up a fuss about the finances and was subsequently booted out through the back door. That left us with only 1 GK (Kelly Fenelus) for the remainder of the season.
Well guess who thought free agents could join at any point of the season, and attempted to sign a replacement who wouldn't actually join for another 7 months.

Regardless, Aliev is a pretty capable goalkeeper, with good handling and shot stopping abilities.
His horrible decision making and positioning is quite a worry, but otherwise he should be able to well, stop shots really.

Of a slightly bigger concern is my contract situation - obviously I did choke in both competitions last season, and with the existing financial issues the board has thus far rejected any talk of a new deal.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Preseason 2057


(That there's a continuation to this, well it means I did get a new contract haha)

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/776Screenshot2023121616.png
Ah a final reminder of the wretched waste of time that was last season.

Nevertheless, we have been busy in anticipation for this campaign:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/9e2Screenshot2023122719.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/d20Screenshot2023122719.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/e7aScreenshot2023122719.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/455Screenshot2023122719.png

Even more fulltime fringe players out, replaced with a mix of foreign and local (loan) talents:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/464Screenshot2023122719.png
Ripol isn't the very best from the crop of centrebacks that offered their wares, but with acceleration of more than 5 and decent concentration he'll suffice.
There are much better defenders out there with far superior aerial ability, but they're definitely far too slow for my liking.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/3f4Screenshot2023122719.png
Likewise, there are better rightbacks than Sall out there, but his ability to cover at centreback was a plus.
Frighteningly dodgy in his 1st preseason outing, but hopefully it's just a matter of acclimatising to our high-risk hiigh-line system.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/a6dScreenshot2023122719.png
High time I leveraged my position as Guadelope manager - Levesque represents a willing runner and decent finisher at a pittance, a niftybackup/competition option for our front 3.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/5a5Screenshot2023122719.png
Joliceour had been shortlisted since last year, and when the contract with his parent club was renewed we went in with a loan deal immediately.
Putting aside the subpar technical skills, a good mentality is what I'm looking for in a backup centremid.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/4f7Screenshot2023122719.png
Leveaux is admittedly a very limited centreback, but what matters is he can do what he can quite well; good in the air (jumping anyway), good on the tackle, better positioning and concentration than most, I'm surprised I was allowed to have him on loan.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/192Screenshot2023122719.png
Durand brings experience on relatively low wages, and I really don't believe he's as bad as our fans think he is.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023122721.png
Just as well that we signed him, as due to the brutal fitness regime I meted out during early preseason, Namphy-Dalembert is probably missing half the regular season while Heath is already pretty much ruled out for the season with a damaged Achilles.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/fb6Screenshot2023121616.png
You'll have noticed that we barely have a squad and a half, and you'd be right - running the ship so tightly, that we don't even have a team entered for the U20s league this season.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/338Screenshot2023122711.pnghttps://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023122711.png
Preseason wasn't nearly as comfortable as I'd hoped, as we failed to beat Sharks in both friendlies and Scipio only finding the net once.
A mitigating factor could've been the upheaval in squads with all the trialists, so with a bit more stability in the season we should find our feet.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023121617.png

Bookies think so too, putting us favourites for the league once again, pfft.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Midseason 2057


https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/7d3Screenshot2023122821.png

Same story as last year as we storm out the gates with a 6-0, and finish the regular season with 6(wins) also.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/4cdScreenshot2023122821.png

With the apparent dominance we have over the rest of the country finishing top is but a pre-requisite at this point - what matters is winning the damn games that actually matter, like both the cup and the championship final.

We apparently also qualified for the CFU Club Championship despite the bottlejob last year:

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/4b0Screenshot2023122821.png
https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023122821.png

All dealt with swiftly, even the Rebels of nearly 20 seasons ago with Venton Cain long retired and no longer haunting my dreams.

https://u.cubeupload.com/H860SvlNYOCYD4Jc7elr/Screenshot2023122900.png

Ah now this presents a significantly greater challenge - if we don't beat W Connection on Matchday 1 I'll basically throw the whole tourney to keep ourselves fresh for the league playoffs.

You'll need to Login to comment