Shola - Comments

Comments
#170488 The England National Team
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Christ, absolutely moronic by Valencia.
#170433 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Pochettino is just a shit Alan Pardew, with shite long ball tactics.

And has completely ruined Osvaldo, Ramirez and Wanyama.
#170353 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Is Siem de Jong the shit one ye had on loan this/last season or was that a different one? Cos he was shite


Nah that was Nigel.

In fairness to Luuk, he was a struggling, not match sharp striker, thrown into a struggling team. He didn't look very good, but it's not a death knell for his career. Wouldn't be totally surprised if Newcastle made a late August low or loan offer, if they still need a striker.

Fairly sure Newcastle aren't after McCormack, and definitely not for £8m. Leeds seem to look pretty skint, right now.
#170331 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Siem de Jong's agent has also been in contact with Newcastle, but no concrete offer. Siem de Jong is saying nice things as well.

Has Pardew or anyone involved with Newcastle ever said the phrase 'like a new signing'?
#170314 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Hangeland and Coloccini probably has at least 1 year of a good partnership. Both completely different and awesome


I think Hangeland is probably past it now unfortunately.
#170228 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
According to the Chronicle, Colback will sign for Newcastle once he's back from holiday.


Now lets sign Borini and Alonso.
#170172 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Or for Liverpool fans: "I won't believe it until he's leaning awkwardly on something"

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BTKxu3yCQAAjFEp.jpg

http://assets.lfcimages.com/uploads/5632__3169__495215793_ap_2829_6f7170c65ccbd09534b83b2ec98918ab_513X379.jpg


Outstanding.
#170165 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
'I won't believe it until I see them holding up a shirt' - Yes that's how its always been, transfers aren't complete, until they're complete, by being skeptical of a transfer rumour, you aren't somehow piercing the veil of bullshit. You're applying a morsel of common sense and decency.

I feel so much better for getting that off my chest.
#170142 Group G - Germany, Ghana, Portugal, USA
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
I'm sensing a slight hint of bias in these Star Man selections.
#170060 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Is there anything more exhilarating then completing online strength assessment forms?

No, there is not.
#170036 2014/15 Kit Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
A considerably better kit launch, than shite hashtags

#169535 New Careers Section
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Not sure where to post this,

but when updating my career information, there's only two teams available to select from Republic of Ireland.
#169490 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Transfer update;

Finally seemed to figure it out and sign some players

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9tgVRrSSoObKAcxKyTUosQF161OLcdtaAwvGjCUU.png

John Sullivan and John Moutney are young CM's who will hopefully add extra solidity to the the midfield. Darren Meenan is a winger which is exactly what I needed as I look to transition to a 4-3-3. Jamie Carr has been brought in as extra defender, and I had high hopes for him based of the scout reports, but my coaches seem to have a different view, still only 21 however.

The other two guys are just extra depth signed on a non-contract basis. A CB and a RB.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LSwPTKtKH5Sc1gramG6GUbp2xhCVlpbYomwAlKXO.png

Needed to make some cuts, to balance the books. Brennan, Kelly and Hurley were all part of the first team squad but were allowed to leave. Sweeney, Griffiths, Moran, Meade and Cronin were all pretty bad, and I was glad to see them go. Flynn and Crowley were alright, but I allowed them to go, not really sure why Shamrock Rovers wanted them to be honest though. Glad to get Memery's wages off the books for 12 months. Noctor was snapped up on deadline day and I couldn't do anything to stop it, but he wasn't really needed either. And I was annoyed that Cunningham left, because I didn't even notice until just now. He's not that god but I would have liked to keep him on non-contract terms. Although he's on £475pw at his new club, and he's not worth half that.
#169435 Barclays Premier League 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
http://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2012/4/18/2956873/sunderland-safc-academy-players-premier-league

Sunderland top 10 Premier League era youth graduates;

10. Martyn Waghotn
9. Kevin Kyle
8. Darren Holloway
7. Ben Alnwick
6. Grant Leadbitter
5. George McCartney
4. Jack Colback
3. Michael Bridges
2. Michael Gray
1. Jordan Henderson
#169430 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
.
As for others, West Ham insiders apparently said they offered Colback more money but he's already agreed a move to Newcastle. Be nice to see official confirmation, though - this rumour mill can be fucking maddening at times.


Seems to originate from a West Ham fansite, claiming a club insider as its 'source' - So almost certainly bollocks. I get the impression that Colback is shopping himselg around and Newcastle and Sunderland were both willing to meet his demands, but now West Ham are now upping the stakes. it's possible that he's allowing Newcastle to match it, but I can't see that happening.

I'm not sure why there's so much surprise about this to be honest. Nicollin's a well-known jackass and he's been very vocal about not wanting to sell Cabella to Newcastle, he mouthed off in January if I recall correctly.


At least he's dropped his asking price from £100m. He also said he'd rather sell Cabella to Arsenal for £5m than to Newcastle for £20m so encouraging progress thus far.

Cabella is currently with the French squad I think (they have a game tomorrow), so I'd imagine the plane story is complete bollocks. Apparently Newcastle feel the deal is closer to completion than ever before.
#169403 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Gonna be honest here. I've completely forgot how to scout. At Lido I relied on players, that had already been pre-scouted before I got there. I fear my strategy of scouting random out of contract Irish players may not be the most efficient method. I've also let several staff leave, due to being too lazy to renew their deals. May not be the worst decision, aside from being too lazy to appoint any new staff, bar an assistant. (Need someone to filter unrealistic players)

And there is a fucking annoying bug in Ireland - as it is possible to sign players to amateur deals, some shite club keep offering a contract to Dan Cunningham my backup LB/LM/LW. And I have to keep offering him a new deal every time this happens. So he's already on his 4th contract of the summer. I'm tempted to actually start paying the jabroni money to stop this happening. It's annoying.
#169362 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MxPi9upMsB5wZlLC638A7alibpttIdHyXYGLH3SY.png

Involved in last day relegation drama, for the first time I can remember (since CM01/02, I think) - But survived. Dundalk, Bohemians and Waterford all also won.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/KPlZnT1gMz7QSKWLYN2yw2p54Zs9N1aSec59PZ4Y.png

And safe. Waterford were the team to go into freefall, to give me a chance. There's always one.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/8qbsWHCDGjmr8IaO2zMs5bisMOWR0qhQawNk4F8P.png

Board are however unhappy, with my attempts to play attacking football. Also turned down a contract extension, only an extra £50pw, and still the same caveats about attacking, possession football. I have still have 12 months to run, so no real point in extending my contract now.

Overall my form was mid-table if extrapolated over a season, and I've opted for a top half finish next year, to get my wage budget to £3kp/w. This was the highest available, I'm not confident of achieving this, but I reckon I can at least hold onto the job for the season...
#169121 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZikLAKhVuQ3KfF3dhsKqFcCH5COQW9DhEIhTJo4R.png
4 wins,4 draws and 4 defeats - comfortable survival form - the only issue is that the teams above are capable of taking points of each other and UCD are dross meaning it is still going to be hard work overtaking anyone. Beating Dundalk and Bohemians are a good start as teams who are normally immediately above me and UCD the team below me twice.

Overall happy enough with the results and the squad, been switching tactics quite a lot - been moving towards a 4-3-3.
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9Trrrr8gQVyumnqqLhl90v2yjjP32qskASReOJRC.png

This league is an absolute joke in regards to scheduling however, I seem to be playing games every couple of days for no reason, then having large gaps. This means Dundalk and Bohemians have acquired several games in hand, which is a worry. I could be practically relegated by the time they have caught up.
#169050 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
With my Lido contract, close to expiry I wanted to move on, was turned down by Hearts, St. Mirren, Dundee and St. Pat's Athletic, before being offered the Shelbourne job.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/Shels_logo_sml.png


An 18, month part-time deal of £550pw, with a requirement to play attacking, possession based football. Their board were obviously very impressed with my 5-4-1, that saw Lido grind out results and finish as lowest scorers in the Welsh League. Managed to negotiate them up to £600pw but unwilling to drop their stylistic preferences. I'll try to play like this, no promises though.

Anyway, Shelbourne are an Irish, semi-professional club, with a value of £725k - and a media prediction of 8th/12. They used to be good, but aren't any more spending some time in the Irish second tier, but are a historically successful club. The glory days of regularly playing Harchester United in European competition seems a long way away now...

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/wnPxxwGTuqwZ0a6y6gtrzaOR7EFGklHQ5zctgo11.png

18 games to attempt to secure survival, would like to think Cork in 5th and 8 points clear, are still in the relegation mix, and one team at least from this pack will go into freefall. Alternatively I may need to rely on the relegation playoff
#168980 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Yeah I'd like to see Abeid given a chance next year as well, seems to have done very well in Greece.


Anyway, Grenier seems to be angling for a move.
#168841 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
WPL is easy if you're the right team (I'm TNS, with the intention of trying to improve the WPL's rep), but I did start with Prestatyn and it was horrible.


Wouldn't mind coming back to the Welsh League as TNS, to get a few trophies. But I feel I could win/dominate the Welsh League with Lido, but it would take considerable time, I don't want to spend. I'm enjoying your TNS story and it's the main reason I started in Wales tbh. Although Simon Davies and Bellamy feel world away.

You not a fan of FM14 or just prefer FM13?

Good first season though, managing in Wales is bleak.


Never got around to buying it /o\ - first time ever. Welsh League isn't too bad imo, 22 games and into the split, so it feels quick. Cup competitions are relatively short as well. Certainly a bit funner than League 2 where I normally start journeyman careers.
#168751 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Is our youth team really that bad? Aside from teams like Southampton who are brilliant, and the big clubs who have the ability to sign loads of youth, Newcastle don't seem to be any worse than average.

Can't help put feel a lot of the fanbase are obsessed with its failings. Yeah in truth I wouldn't be surprised to see Vuckic, Tavernier, Abeid or Ferguson go over the summer, but they also seem to have a good chance of making it in the Championship or League 1 rather than at Gateshead or Blyth Spartans. And at the very least Newcastle can make around £500k each - which will hopefully be spent on more youth players.

I can't see them losing faith in Adam Campbell just yet - Seemed to be very highly rated.
#168707 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/gpBbOUimUn018rgvKqLBftYavz6mmym6x5EcsqOI.png

A solid enough end of the season in the Championship split, feel that Lido win the title of best of the rest, comfortably worse than the top 3 of Bangor, Aberyswyth and TNS. However delighted to win the League Cup, a first trophy in the first season is a great start and will hopefully give some sort of rep boost. Unfortunately knocked out in the Semis of the Welsh Cup. Was hoping this would be the first trophy in Afan Lido history, but no they've won this competition twice before.

But wait there's more!
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/M5vK8xFwkrD4J7WQ0cvhvBj8mZmzIuKmSXdvl5ts.png

Apparently in Wales there is a Euro playoff for teams that finish 4th-8th. And managed to get past Airbus UK (who beat Carmarthen in the QF) and Prestatyn to get Afan Lido into European qualification next season. But in truth I can't be arsed to wait around a couple of months to get hammered by some crack Eastern European outfit 13-0.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/lDkY75dEI2EfixwAYVFSV9vUa70dYOyki3UranIm.png

A very successful debut season - Achieving untouchable status within 12 months, manager of the year and a first trophy.
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tgsuP2lmbGOQtbGxTYg8U8JO3zMmAAIOvfGIKCrZ.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/66xGXpowumSxgA4N2Lc6arbKzMgFCxAt5pcNxLyF.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3pAg2h6Mw61c4ex2W7ffeSyJUoqdWtNhUddsNqs2.png
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ij5f1FRARx4L4sVZO8gSn2ntJxEHfV26IeAERv0r.png
#168699 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/NaErcTk5pXaUkHt0EZmjwNiRv2Jc70a9ZYmZ0v6v.png

A better return of 18 points from 11 games, ensures that Afan Lido are in the Championship group, ie the top half of the split, ensuring a top 6 finish and avoiding relegation has already been achieved.

3 defeats, one to Port Talbot (our rivals), and one to Newtown and a draw with Connah's Quay, these are pretty much the worst teams in the division. This basically means that we're capable of beating anyone in the division, but hardly guaranteed victory against teams ever worse than Lido. My tactics probably aren't helping in this regard, c'est la vie.

Also continued my 100% win record in the cups and through to the final of the League Cup and QF of the Welsh Cup

These are the tactics I've deployed in the vast majority of the games this season;

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/OdRQlGBB8f0CgLXJ0FUhroJPAJOAa1dUEr0I831j.png

At least they're unique. I'm only playing them as I noticed Huish, my best signing can play as a sweeper, so why not? I don't have any left sided midfielders, so I've repurposed a striker. And I only have one right sided midfielder.
#168692 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3sknGDBnX3lJuQf9jvoMyLzioDg8mZIBUIUXwFpL.png

Brought in 4 new first team players, Huish, Davies & Berry are all defenders and Thomas is a 39 year old striker. The rest are all youth on £5pw deals. Figured it might be wise to attempt to use them as very cheap backup players. Also released a few jabronis, who offered little.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/RZpvKMEu6EVtPVzjRsLmOSqLSawyoMQ1ERYSVv2K.png

A decent enough start to the season 14 points from 11 games, pushed Afan Lido towards the middle of the pack. 3 defeats, although TNS and Bangor seem to be the best teams in the division.

Progressed in the Cups as well which is a complete change of style for me. Normally I tend to focus completely on the League, until I have the resource to comfortable compete in both. However I'm attempting to manage differently on this game. Realistically 7th and a cup is better than 4th and no cup run, so I will be going for cups to put myself in the shop window. Anyway Afan Lido enter in the final 16 of the League Cup and the final 32 of the Welsh Cup, so they're both achievable.

You're possibly wondering what's with the complete lack of goals. Well I'm playing 1-4-3-1-1. A sweeper, flat back four, 2CM's, a RM, a LW and a solo striker. All about attempting to stay solid, and sneak a goal late on.

Applied for the Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers jobs, and was offered the Sligo job with a big wage increase, however I don't think it would be very realistic jumping ship after 12 games. Plus the Summer Irish League had just finished and I really cba to sort out their overexpenditure problems. So staying with the Lido until the end of the season at least.
#168638 Shola's Career
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Decided to attempt a journeyman career, loaded up a few leagues (Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Holland & Portugal), on FM13. Anyway, I'm going to try and bounce about a bit, ie if I get a higher wage offer, I'll probably take it, unless I have a reason not to. As a side note, I have no idea where I want to end up, so I would like recommendations on leagues to load.

Started unemployed and took the Afan Lido job. Afan Lido are predicted to finish 12/12 in the Welsh Premier League. TNS are the only professional side in the division, with the rest being semi-professional.

Afan Lido have an estimated worth of £210k, £1k pw wage budget. I've signed a part-time, one year contract worth £160pw. And have the expectation of fighting against relegation.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9W7e0YGwKg0PC1RJbSu0OiDPQhdXRBfUBujRij2E.png
#168525 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
-----------------Woodman------------------
Tavernier---Good--Satka---Dummett
-----------Bigirimana-Abeid---------------
Vuckic-------Armstrong------Sameobi
------------------Campbell-------------------

Alnwick, Streete, Mbabu, Ferguson, Kemen, Aarons, Ayoze

Hopefully, see some youth players brought through this year/ establish themselves in the team.
#168426 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
tbf I imagine all players have enough ego, that they don't think they'll be on the bench. I'm sure even Scott Sinclair though he would be able to force his way after a couple of months at Manchester City.


Anyway, Pardew is now insisting that Remy was injured. Such a strange, pointless episode.
#168380 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Southampton could really struggle next year. If they lose Shaw/Lallana/Rodriguez/Lovren or they get unsettled. I think they'll do still do well, but they could have a tough 6 months.


Also apparently they're getting rid of Jose Fonte? Anyone know why, I thought he was meant to be solid and formed a good partnership with Lovren. Seems a lot better than Hooiveld/Yashida.
#168357 Newcastle Thread
Shola
18 years ago
7 years ago
2,708
Seems to be a fairly common rumour, (Express and Standard running it). My point was more that Remy is confident of getting a better club.