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#513922 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
January 2021
Forfar Athletic
Ancient right-winger Tita has some work permit concerns so is off to Elazigspor (me neither) for free. He wasn't first choice so no great shakes. I'll still jump into the free agent market for a back up RM. My 2 strikers have done wonders for me; Dale Hilson, who was here when I took over and Jamie Thomas, who I picked up at the tail end of the doomed last season have both struck well into double figures.
One thing I've found this year is that team cohesion is more important than skill, as such, I've pretty much stuck with the same team all through the year. It annoys the rest of the squad and this is mostly why I've kept a small one this year.
Next update will hopefully be a cup win!
#513609 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
And with that, it's all over. A spectacular end considering I wasn't expected to get out of the group stage.
#513577 A Turkish Delight
Joe Boy
#513565 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
Next up in the quarter final, another toughy against Hibs.
And a record broken, which is always nice...
#513477 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
Being the team relegated and with some good signings, I'm also favourite for the league which I could really do without to be honest. More pressure to get this right.
As for games so far, the Scottish League Cup is already underway and I've taken some mighty scalps from Hearts and Dundee United. Gives me a good feeling for the season. Watch this space.
#513430 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
Thanks mate. Yeah I think you could be right. Clearly the team were low when I came in and not having any pre and early season to settle them into my tactics would really have an impact. They were predicted mid table so were utterly shocking in the grand scheme of things.
#513313 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
It all turned out to be a lot harder than I expected. Losing every match bar one. The good news is, they've given me another season to get them into the playoffs.
#513134 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
Forfar Athletic
Scottish League One
#513007 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
I have taken to beat-boxing while hula-hooping on the streets of Slough in hope of making a bit of money. I will literally take any job at this point.
#512892 The Tale of a Beggar
Joe Boy
Keep an eye out for my first job opportunity.
#512877 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
Joe Boy
Fairly happy with an 11th place finish, just missing out on breaking the even on the goal difference by 4 goals. Nothing for the FA Cup, beating Bradford and Norwich but frustratingly losing to Derby, a real loss of points on that one. A great start in January, followed by 1 win in 6 in March and April is what really curtailed me.
So nowt from me except the 25 points for coming 11th.
#512718 It's Not The Winning It's The Taking Part That Counts!
Joe Boy
#511510 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
Joe Boy
As long as I can still look like Bobby Robson, I'll be happy!
#511358 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
Joe Boy
As soon as the FFP update hits on Jan 1st
#511264 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
Joe Boy
Bravo sir.
On subject, I think the board take away the transfer kitty, as I had about half of what I started with by time Jan 1st roles around.
#511185 Challenge 1 - Last At Christmas (well new years eve)
Joe Boy
Why does the manager look like Sir Bobby Robson?
#510426 FM2020 Challenge League Sign Up Thread
Joe Boy
#463665 SUSIE On Tour 2019 - Stop 3 - The Heart of Winter
Joe Boy
#460573 Susie On Tour 2019 - Stop 2 - Real Madrid Woes
Joe Boy
Completely agree. I think they lack depth all over to be honest.
#459124 Susie On Tour 2019 - Stop 2 - Real Madrid Woes
Joe Boy
La Liga:
4th - 8th - 20pts
Club World Championship:
Winners – 10pts
Spanish Cup:
Winners - 25pts
Champions League:
Winners - 25pts
Extra:
Rivalries – Beat Barcelona and Atletico Madrid - 20pts
TOTAL - 100
#458512 Susie On Tour 2019 - Stop 2 - Real Madrid Woes
Joe Boy
#456415 Susie On Tour 2019 - Stop 1 - Thanksgiving
Joe Boy
Eastern Conference:
Winners - 30pts
Supporters Shield:
Winners – 25pts
US Open Cup:
Fourth Round Exit - -10 pts
MLS Playoffs:
Runners Up - 10pts
Extra:
Rivalries – Beat New York Red Bulls, Chicago, LA Galaxy or DC United - 30pts
Awards – Manager of Year, Player of the Year, Top Goal Scorer – 15 pts
TOTAL 100
#455817 Susie On Tour 2019 - Stop 1 - Thanksgiving
Joe Boy
#455768 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
Oh FFS
#455760 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
Transfers first and there's been a few;
So let's start with the notable outs;
As I allayed to in Winter, with the pre-contract signing of Casemiro from Real Madrid, I was a CM too heavy. In terms of youth and quality, Fred was the odd one out on this occasion. Ever-helpful Spurs were happy to pony up £36m and I obliged.
After angling for a move in the second half of the season and coming into the last year of his contract, it was time for another youth product to leave the club. Don't get me wrong, he has been decent if unspectacular. £18m to West Ham was good money.
One of the more difficult players to let go was former Golden Boy Victor Lindelof. The big V has been an ever-present at the back of my defence, but with time ticking on his contract, I could either sell and upgrade or pony up for a number contract, I chose the former. PSG finally got the man that they had been chasing for over 18 months, at a snip of £40m.
Not so tough this one. Mr Jones has been at Man Utd for 10 years (game time) and has never quite hit the levels expected of him. During my tenure, he's mainly played back up, racking up around 15-20 games per season and making up my English quota. Now 29 and in the last year of his contract, I'd have much rather given a chance to a youth team player or an up and comer. Celtic obliged with 20m, which I was surprised that they could afford his salary.
Another youth product and another wrench to lose. Usually my next in line if one of my main CB's were injured, Timmy Mensah has been a great servant. Unfortunately, I think he got a little too big for his boots and wanted a better role in the team and a higher salary. I wasn't willing to meet his demands, so cut my losses to Valencia for £13m. I'll miss his versatility, but won't be held to new contract ransoms.
And the biggest loss of the window, was that of Julian Brandt to Real Madrid, who had been scouting him all season, turning his head during the close season. If he wanted to go, than I wouldn't hold him back, but if they wanted the man that has given me the most assists over the two season, they'll need to pony up good. They gladly did, £89m and beating my sold transfer record.
And to finish my outs with a whimper, Scott McTominay to the geordies for £5.75m. In all honesty, I wasn't going to mention this one as I don't think he played a game for me.
So let's talk about this gains;
Our first notable in, and our first major regen signing, Christian Gies was picked up from Bayern for a release fee £5.5m after the scouting team majorly rated him. The coaching team believe him good enough for a backup slot and so he did, taking over from Phil Jones. Let's keep an eye on this one!
And what about the replacement for Big V Lindelof? In steps Alessio Romagnoli for a cool £58m. This seems a steep price, but a snip for a ready made world class CB. There's not too much to say, other than he will be slipping straight into the first team alongside de Ligt.
The last in, and probably the biggest signing of the season had to replace the massive hole that Julian Brandt left. In comes Ousmane Dembele from Barca. He left with the hump after Barca just weren't playing him. Considering his age, potential resell value and she talent, £92m seems decent business for what I think is an upgrade.
Another window in a roll with an £87m profit, keeping the clubs books in order. This is especially important now I've seen what's happened to Arsenal!
A few notable callups form the u23s and who will be stepping into feel some of the gaps. Axel Tuanazebe has finally been called up to replace TFM as a backup centre back after spending 3 seasons in the Championship on loan at Villa, Cardiff and Swansea. A new contract was given to tie him down for the next three years, either leading to a cemented place in the squad or moving on.
Apart from that another u23 alumni who has been on loan for a few years and some attacking versatility to cover for the departing Pereira. Angel Gomes has been at Norwich and Boro in the Championship, but more importantly, last season in the BPL with Burnley playing 33 games and clocking up 8 goals and 6 assists.
No Community shield this year, so next update will be in Winter.
#455322 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
Yeah they really went on an immense run, as you can see from the graph, I pretty much spent the whole season in 2nd place. I can't help but think I could've run them closer if I hadn't gone through that early-season malaise.
Have you ever seen this happen with the Champions League? I've never seen this before. I assume it's FFP?
#455273 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
#455272 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
So a decent season for smaller cups, but fell short in all the big competitions, so not the best. Getting beaten so badly by Arsenal in the league has really bothered me..
The Premier League was lost in the first few games of the season where we really dropped the ball. Arsenal opened up an immense lead that I just couldn't catch up with. They blew the completion away, manage by Pep Guardiola no less. Look at that points total!
A few awards, Mbappe for top scorer, De Ligt for Best Young Player and best goalkeeper for Dave.
And some European Awards
So let's talk about the team. Who was good, who was poor, who is potentially leaving.
David De Gea was David De Gea. A clean sweep on all goalkeeping award, and I have no intention of replacing him in the next few years.
Vagnoman is definitely on his way out to Internazionale after playing the required games. David Alaba who was brought in as an upgrade has had a solid 6 months with 4 assists and I look forward to a full season. An unexpected success was Nacho, who came in on a free and ponied up 10 assists to the team, attracting PSG in the process. De Ligt and Lindelof continue to form the rock hard base of the team, but I really want an upgrade for Lindelof, who is down to the last 12 months of his contract. My next issue is Jones and Timmy Fosu-Mensah who both are good backups but need new contracts. I'm considering moving Jones on and promoting Tuanazebe after a good year on loan at Cardiff. Not sure yet.
The middle of the park saw Frenkie de Jong step into the breech left by the departed Matic and becoming Pogba's full-time partner. Fred has done well on rotation, but with Casemiro coming in, it might be time to go. I have been really happy however with James Garner. There is nothing better than a local lad making it in the team and coming in with 30 games has done his progression a wonder.
At the top of the midfield, Asensio continues to be the main man which has caused Barca to come knocking. I think we may struggle to keep him. Pereira has been at Backup and probably isn't good enough for the team any more and will be moved on. Maybe time to call in Angel Gomes for a run in the team and see how he ends up? Onto James...UNDERWHELMING. I'm pretty happy I didn't pay for him and if anyone comes in for him I would certainly consider a sale.
On the wings, Sancho and Brandt have once again nailed their spots, with Martial and Sanchez not being able to shift them. Maybe because this isn't their natural positions? Another note for midfield has been having Tahith Chong. As he's so young, he's not complain gin about playing every game, but as he's so versatile, he can play pretty much anywhere except defence. Very handy and another season in the first team for sure.
Finally our star man, Monsieur Mbappe. He played pretty much every game and stayed injury free, right up until the Champions League final (more on that in a minute). He cost an arm and a leg, but 41 goals in 58 games was definitely worth it.
We al know Casemiro is en route, but I've also offered a cheeky contract to someone else. A pure vanity player, but hey, watch this space.
Other competitions;
I've spoken about most of these already, but I just wanted to touch on the Champions league final and a disappointing final loss to Chelsea.A repeat of the Moscow final finished 2-2 and went to penalties, which saw me lose. Gutted. As I mentioned, Mbappe twisted his knee in training leading into the game so had to lead with Martial up top...
#454930 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
Cheers man. Yeah, a smattering of world class players mixed with wonder kids and kids from the youth system. Gives me a nice balance and keeps up with the tradition of always having youth products in the team.
@Dan Cheating slightly with the minor trophies. This may be it for the year though, you'll see at the end of the season.
@KEZ_7 Yeah, unfortunately the only time we'll see us at the top for some time....
#454695 The Greatest / Club Legend
Joe Boy
And one step closer to Greatness