Pentagon [FM14]

Yeah, here you go: https://www.mediafire.com/?84wos99gupcjqez

The team is infuriatingly inconsistent though, I hope you can deal with it better than I have.

Oh and bear in mind that I'm playing in Singapore Dollars, so the figures will be significantly smaller when you start going GBP.

Thing is, I've never known how to spend on transfers - I've not spent in this FM career, my last Pentagon only had a $16k Gambian winger, and the biggest transfer I'd made in FM was bringing Peter Crouch to Arsenal for 15 million. (Needless to say I was sacked, with the team fighting relegation.)

Which is why I've spunked all my cash in the facilities this time round.

An atrocious end to an ultimately disappointing season:


We actually managed to win against Al Mokawloon and close the gap with the top 4, but losing to Masr El Makasa undid all our hard work.
Couple of wins later we found ourselves with the chance to jump to 2nd, if we secured a win against Damanhour.
As you can see we bottled it, only 1 point in our last 3.


Of the top 4, we managed wins against Masry, Zamalek and Al Mokawloon, and kept Al-Ahly to draws.
Thanks to points dropped against the likes of Damanhour (2 draws!) and Telephonat we find ourselves in 6th.
Which may seem like an achievement considering our pre-season odds, but isn't the case since we've got title-winning pedigree here.
Zamalek also won the title at a canter, sealing it with 3 games to spare - further highlighting the missed opportunity there.

Now the cup:


Unconvincing win, but at least we didn't lose.


1 man up, cross comes in from the left, LB caught ball-watching and doesn't notice the opposing right winger on the far post, said winger left all alone for an equaliser.
I've transfer listed him, as I've done twice previously, only to become soft-hearted and do a u-turn.

Players of the season:


league-high 53 key passes all season, and a 3rd best 17 assists, he's made for big things.
If only he could stop wasting chances with his shooting.

And I was kidding, he's the only star player this time round - I'd have included Mabrouk if he didn't decide to become a shadow of what he can do in the 2nd half of the season and choking in the cup game; or anyone else in the team if they weren't so inconsistent.

A seasonal postscript while the players are on holiday:


'Satisfactory'. I'd imagine it was borderline satisfaction, because the league position papered over some horrendous results.
No signings as well, so I can't be judged on that.


Looks good, until 1. We weren't filling the stadium at all anyway, and 2. we have to groundshare with 3 other Alexandria teams, so this benefits them as well.


As good as an influx of cash is, it inevitably comes with the raised expectations of the players regarding their wages.
Of course when your wage budget has increased tenfold doubling your wage bill is oh-so inconspicuous.
It will almost certainly double again next season, as the likes of Mabrouk and Adel will expect to have their wages to hit around 5 figures, from the $3-4k they currently have.

The future looks a lot brighter with that money, even if you don't spend it on transfers, you'll might have enough to prevent people leaving because you cannot pay them enough salary. And the facilities of course.
Will be interesting to see how you plan the next season.

Yeah, at least I now have another source of persuasion.

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

On the eve of the opening match (against Zamalek), here's the preseason roundup:


No clean sheets is a particular worry, considering we played mostly against lower-league sides.

Further bad news:

The club captain will be out for the start of the campaign, and without proper cover I had to make a foray into the transfer market:


1st permanent signing in 2 years, but still no cash transfers (well if you don't count the $98k agent's fee), coming in as a free agent.
I don't see this ending too well for Adel, his attributes were already inferior to Abbas', and he'll almost certainly have to make do with a reduced role at the club - not to mention his deal ending this season.

Couple of other signings as well:


Almost certainly screwed up on this one, he won't arrive for 2 season due to age restrictions, hopefully he'll know better than breaking both his legs at home.
Potentially excellent mental attributes though, fingers crossed it won't be too late for him.


Another Brazilian, he covers a useful range of positions, and allows me more flexibility in the event that strikers are preferred.

Now for some upstairs matters:


We'd have actually made about a $500k loss if they didn't come in and save our arses.


The rare sight of a rich Glaswegian is well worth the entry fee.


Excellent news, and we've also had our scouting restrictions completely removed.


That's real fast, less than 6 months after arriving.


Why Hibs, of all clubs? We're actually higher-valued then them.
Also, come to think of it all this does start to look like a con - rich Scot comes in, pours a truckload of cash for us to improve every aspect of the club, withdraw support, then allow Hibs to tap into the African market with our connections, and turning us into the premier Egyptian footballing farm.


I'm not really in a position to complain, though, especially the above figures were increased when we discussed our season's targets.
Seriously, almost $40 million in transfers just to finish in the top half.


In fairness that's what everyone else thinks we'll finish.

Regarding Pavaolinho - it turns out that he's already signed (and played) for 2 clubs in the calendar year already, so even though he cold be signed and had been registered, he can't play for a third club.

Which is an obvious plus-point on my CV.

It's the 2nd of January 2025, and this is not-quite-the-midterm report:



Season started off well enough as the initial vibes of raised bonuses help us to 4 straight wins, including a comeback win against Zamalek in the season's opener.
Then things started to hit a snag as we drew against Suez FC, and our sense of invincibility was gone.
What followed was an infuriating run of inconsistency, as we went from highs of beating Al Mokawloon, to the ignominy of gifting Koroum their first point this season.
The defence was a joke, while the attack kept hitting shots past the post over and over...
We ended with an unbeaten run, but none of the games had us playing like a side worthy of a top-four finish - even the Telefounat match required conceding a goal for us to do something useful for a change.

Of the players:- Mabrouk got yet another medium-term injury (3 months), while last season's (albeit inconsistent) top scorer Mohamed El Sayed looks a pathetic shadow of what he once was - Mansoura's $925k offer on deadline day is now so much more of a missed opportunity.
At least Mahmoud Ibrahim has now shown the form that his potential threatened to deliver - top scorer this season, hero against Zamalek, and alleviating El Sayed's current ineptitude. Could do with a bit more consistency and better attitude though.


So despite beating both Al Mokawloon and Ismaily, as well as getting 4 points from Zamalek, we find ourselves 15 points off the lead, and 7 points off 4th.
And thanks to the scheduling we've only got 13 games left to salvage this season, while January sees no league games. Like at all.

Draw for the Cup's 2nd round's also been made:


If last season was anything to go by there's seriously no point in caring about the cup, considering we'll never get past the 3rd round.

As mentioned, no league games in January, so here are some transfers:


Highest-profile signing, he's come home (well, to Egypt anyway) from Catania for a 6-month vacation on the beaches of Alexandria.
He's brought in for the sole purpose of allowing us to play with strikers, because Mahmoud Ibrahim was never going to be fit/on form through the season.
We can also afford half his wages, so why not? It's not like we were the paupers of a year ago.

There's something quite worrying though:


In his career he had a goals-to-games ratio of less than 20% at Catania, less than 1 in 3 at Fulham, and couldn't even break the 50% mark in the Netherlands and Portugal.
In fact the only time he's averaged more than a goal every 2 games was at Al Ahly, where he also had his best seasonal goals return, only to be promptly shipped off to the Eredivisie, as if the club knew that his scoring touch wouldn't last.

Fingers crossed he's learnt a trick or 2 while in Europe.


We had/are having a defensive issue regarding injuries, and Kamel was available, so an old favourite returns.
Of course with a genius agent by his side he promptly got $4k in wages while the agent pocketed $32k - all for a 6-month deal, the slimy prick.

Still, I do like him and would've kept him if we could afford to do so at the time, so I'll take the opportunity to ask him to sack the agent


As you would know El Sayed is still hilariously out of form, and I couldn't trust a young Ahmed Emam too much, so he comes in as cover.
He's essentially an older Emam - both are left wingers with the tactical nous and energy to play in Mabrouk's Box-to-Box role.

Now for a departure:


One of the many 'Casuals' that has come through the youth system, he was lucky to have been mentored to possess a Balanced personality, but with a determination of 8 he wasn't going to go places.
So in come Damanhour, who have splashed the cash again in a bid to go up, and stay up.

Not that I care about that, all I know is they've covered the agent's fees! \o/

I'm liking this career, good read.

I'm debating trying to rock up on a FM14 career along a similar vein. Was debating taking three leagues from each continent, a weak league, a medium strength league and one of the stronger leagues, was thinking of something like;

Americas;
Brazil down to 3rd div
MLS with maybe NASL
A league like Guatemala, Honduras or Jamaica

Europe:
Dutch divisions down to like the fifth or sixth tier
Not sure on a medium league, maybe add some extra tiers to somewhere like Croatia
Maybe somewhere like Andorra or even Gibraltar

Africa:
Egyptian league for sure
Maybe somewhere like Angola or Cameroon
Some real backwater like South Sudan or some shite

Asia:
South Korea
Australia with some lower leagues or maybe an Oceanic league
Mongolia

Tbh the most fun I have with new FM games nowadays is debating which leagues to pick.

Jumping from a shithole from Mongolia to (even lower-league) Australia and South Korea does seem unlikely though.

But hey it's FM - if I can get Leicester to offer me a job for managing in Egypt then anything can happen.

I reckon I could jump around the basement leagues (Mongolia, lower Africa, lower Caribbean) and slowly work my way up though. Wouldn't just use Mongolia as a route to bigger things in Asia, I'd use them as a route to slightly bigger things amongst the banana trees.

Now here's one to think about:




A truly tantalising prospect, one of Europe's biggest clubs (at one point anyway) and on their way back to the big time.

I'd take that job or at leas the interview. Nice little rebuilding project to be done there. Good challenge.

They made you an offer you can't refuse?

Nah, rejected, I need another out of this team, another title even, before I can leave satisfied.

And knowing me I'll choke Lazio into the lower half :s

Customary short update, with yet another youth intake:


10 points from 15, top half form, but probably not enough to challenge for the top 4.
The worst performance would inevitably be the Wadi Degla match - but what a shameful performance it was - we were lucky to take the lead, built on it, only to throw it away in the 2nd half.
Thrashing Al Mokawloon is quite the hallmark though, considering the woeful record we had against them not too long ago.

Hassan does have 5 goals (and 2 assists) in 5 starts, but as you can see 4 of those came in his debut against recently-promoted strugglers.
He showed what he is capable of in that win, but all too often he's looked slightly awkward - can't deny his quality though.


13 off top, but only 5 off 4th, so there is still hope.
Next up, Al Ahly.

Now another youth batch, let's see how my (the club's (my)) investments are coming along:


No 5-star potential players which is a blow, but at least no great DM prospects - far too many of them coming through.


He's lucky he has pace and I'm looking into re-integrate strikers this season, because he'd be rotting in the reserves had it been any other year. (Which does say a lot about my management skills...)

Also, this'll probably spell the end of Abubakari Yakubu, who despite bringing in 4 outstanding talents, followed that up with unmotivated defensive midfielders and a simply mediocre batch.
I overlooked his lack of determination, man management and motivational skills (not to mention average abilities while working with youngsters) in the hope that he could bring in some Ghanian talent to the youth setup - can't say I was completely right to do that.

It's the end of another league campaign (I've lost count really); is revival on our sights?


It turns out that the Al Ahly game was probably the toughest of our remaining games, and we (surprisingly) put them to bed in empathic fashion.
We then went towards becoming the form team in the league, finishing it with an unbeaten run (but with a rather disappointing draw against Police Union).

Credit must go to El Sayed, who despite having been utter gash this season, produced 2 match-winning performances to get us out of potentially sticky situations.


So despite beating Masry, Al Ahly and Ismaily, going unbeaten against Zamalek and doing the double over Al Mokawloon, we finished 4th, 8 points off Al Ahly.
So depending on your perspective it's an impressive recovery since we were 15 off at one point, or that it's even more damning that we got into such a rut in the first place, considering our winning streak at the start of the season.

Worryingly 4th doesn't guarantee us a continental slot - it depends on the winner of the Egyptian Cup. If anything Zamalek need to be eliminated as soon as possible, because with their status and big-game mentality they'll probably win it.


I suppose they deserved it, on the basis of their performances in the 2nd half of the season.

Players of the Season:

Mahmoud Ibrahim

This season's undisputed MVP, he is the first to provide a convincing argument for playing with strikers in my time here, though he spent the majority of the season on the flanks - 1st to accommodate the 4-6-0, then to fit Hassan into the starting XI.

Hassan

Sure, he might have only scored in half the games that he played; sure, almost half of his 9 goals came in one game; and sure, the slight inconsistency of his performances make a mockery of his $17k wages (which is almost a fifth of our current wage bill), but I cannot deny the fact that we have been crying out for a striker of his experience and quality all this while.
A vintage striker's performance in his debut, 2 goals against Al Ahly, and a couple of winners - he might have been terrible in Europe but he fits just right back home.

Ahmed Hassan Abdel Kader

Despite warming the bench for half the season when he had to make way for Hassan, he still ended it with double figures for goals and assists - not a bad return.

Mohamed Mabrouk

He has turned into more of a passer than finisher this time round, with 14 assists.
He might be grossly overpaid, but he's a club legend and still a key in the system, so it's a pleasure I can afford to indulge in.

Shoutout to Anwar Ragab as well, 5 goals and 7 assists despite being a bit-part player in what is likely to be his last season at the club.

------

Next up, the Cup.

So very far from a fluid performance, but I'll just thank my lucky stars that we haven't lost yet.

Also, something with regards to our January loan arrival:


He's been here about 4 months, he's started 4 games (2 subs), so he essentially has had more injuries than starts - impressive.

And what of Zamalek?


I'll probably buy them a coffee or 2 afterwards.


Not the easiest opponents - on a high after gaining promotion back to the top flight, and getting this far into the Cup despite being a 2nd tier side, so you could say that the momentum's with them.

Choked big time, yet fucking again. Yao was the star of the show, conspiring with the goalkeeper to provide the winner on a platter:



Now for what could potentially be the 2nd clearout in my time here:


Ragab wants a new challenge, and I've promised him that he can leave.
I'd keep Mostafa, but it wouldn't be fair for a 21-year old goalkeeper to rot on the bench.
Walid Ahmed has shown no desire to improve in his 7 years at the club, so he can fuck off.

Everyone else will probably stay, bar Yao, who after that farce in the Cup[ has made me reconsider his position.
He's been an ever-present in the central throughout our return to the top flight, and he's got his great games, but he's average too often.
I suppose his wages are the key.

Seasonal P.S.:


Basically, we qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup, which is an equivalent of the Europa League, with similarly pitiful financial perks.


Now to improve on this and go forwards, unlike the last time we qualified for continental competition, where we faltered badly after winning the title.


Again, the perks of making no attempt whatsoever to balance the books.


The board - world class negotiators.

And here's Yao's wage demands:


I really don't want to indulge him and his agent, but there is the fear that I'll not be able to find a competent replacement.

Big demands, maybe too big. You don't want to put the sword in your finances for the sake of one player, there's always other players available for cheaper.

Season 25/26 - Preseason:


A usual preseason, where we were walloped by foreign powers, before working back our fitness and cohesion by beating lower-tier sides.
This round included appeasing Mr Miles by letting his Watford team have their way over us.

Admin and money stuff:


A failure to recognise Mahmoud Ibrahim's breakout season is a real disappointment.


Top half! Easiest job ever.


High bonuses again, hopefully their motivation lasts a bit longer this time.


Meh.


I've already bled a 6th of the club's money last season, we really need success or this venture might die in a hilarious whimper.

Transfers:


Decided to do away with Yao, his propensity to fuck up meant that a wage rise couldn't justified. He then promptly went to ENPPI, for less money than he was making here. Prick.
Also kept Mostafa because I wasn't sure if there were any decent backup GKs available this window - it turns out that there was, but oh well.

Now for the Ins:


Having seen what a quality striker can do for our team last season, I decided to go for it and sign a proper talent.
Chameni was formerly of fellow PL side Tersana, but spent a year out of the club scene after they released him last season.
A starter for the Cameroon NT, he is played slightly out of position on the left.


HE'S BACK
After releasing him - and despite 'wanting a new challenge' - he was not as hot a talent as he might have though he was, and promptly signed the 1st deal he was offered - from us, since we signed him.
The club loves him, I don't mind him, and he doesn't mind us either - here's to playing long enough to be eligible for a testimonial.


3rd foreigner in the roster, his concentration should (fingers crossed) mean that he'll be more reliable than our other centrebacks (and probably Yao).
On less wages than Yao too, which is nice.

During this time there was also a very intriguing development:


Foronce I actually agreed to an interview (they agreed to improve youth facilities!), only for me to back out in the end after the board decided to offer me some carrots to stay.
I simply chickened out, didn't even request anything to the board in exchange for my loyalty.

Either way, that has passed us, and the start of another league campaign awaits:



I believe that our stock has risen from the signing of Chameni, I hope that the defence holds up without Yao though.

Opening with Zamalek, as with last season.

Why the fuck do I even bother?

Ah unlucky mate; gotta congratulate you for the persistence and willingness to not leave the club; I'm sure you'll turn it round again.
As you know, I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to bad streaks! Light at the end of the tunnel..!

This.

Was just wondering what editor files you used to get the Egyptian/extra leagues? Cheers.

http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php/370821-Leagues-updates-Africa-South-America-North-America-small-European-countries

Damn it, it seems that he's added quite a few since I last visited the thread.

(First off a shoutout to the Bergkamp14 skin, never used a background-enabled skin before, I've been missing out it seems)

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

11 seasons in, have we learnt from the lessons of seasons past?


Clearly not - another opening day win against Zamalek was immediately made pointless by losing aganst ENPPI.
Another series of inconsistent results was followed by a 4-win streak, including pounding Ismaily and Al-Ahly, then - as you know already - throwing it all away with 2 losses against minnows.
Then a perfect example of inconsistency - dominant thrashing, followed by a limp showing, rinse and repeat.\

An aggressive showing in team talks has been a mainstay this season, and Chameni and Mahmoud Ibrahim have both voiced their disapproval - fuck them.
Also banished both Abdel Fatah (the GK) and Ahmed Emam (the winger) to the Under-18s for making noises about a new contract - fuck them as well.

Transfer listed Chameni and both fullbacks as well - since this team doesn't want to win the title, what is can do is to give them a push in that direction.


Same old, same old - beat the giants, and flopping around uselessly against the minnows.
Got a month's break now, I think I'll have a think about changing my approach.

Transfers:


Great with both feet, a good finisher, surprised he was cut loose by Raja Casablanca.
Lined up a couple of friendlies in January, a chance for him to earn a foreign slot in the team.

Mid-March, just after yet another youth intake:


We resumed a 3-week break with a limp performance (and defeat) away to Zamalek.
We made amends against ENPPI, then a substandard defensive showing gifted a point to cellar-dwellers Al-Rebat We Al Anwar.
If it was earlier in the season I'd have shouted my lungs out and the players will go apeshit abut my motivational methods.
But since we weren't really in the running for top honours any more I took it more easily and kept the (admittedly overworked) hairdryer.
Being rewarded with 5 wins on the bounce is a bonus.


We might look to be in the running, but we do still have to play Al Ahly and Al Mokawloon, so there's still a long way to go.


Though this doesn't help.

The Cups now, first the domestic one:


Honestly if we could manage to capitulate as we did against Damanhour last season then there's no guarantee we can beat Aluminium.
Still, opening against lower-league opposition for once.

Now the Confederation Cup:


We were matched up against a Seychellois (Google'd) side with a splendid name.
Not that their greyed-out player could live up to it though, was we romped quickly to ensure that the 2nd leg will be nothing more than an obligation.


And we had to make sure that there was nothing to play for here, as an injury crisis meant that players were fielded out of position.
A youth DM with 2 goals from corners, all in a day's work.


Won last year's Congolese Cup and currently sitting in 4th in the Congolese top flight (the one with TP Mazembe), so it'll definitely not be a walk in the park.

Transfers - taking advantage of the lack of foreign restrictions in continental competition:


A very vertical player, and dirt cheap too.


Significantly costlier than Vallejo but you can see what he offers - a 1st attacking full back I've acquired, and he fits into a diamond 4-4-2.

Now the youth intake:


The relief is that the facilities here are at least up to scratch, because the initial signs don't exactly scream world class.
Abbas will find it tough, as a rather simple striker trying to fit in a 1st XI containing only 1 forward is not the best outlook for him.

Play him in the hole, he will love it!