Eric Portapotty - Comments

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#169493 The Armoury
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
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#169472 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
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Premium
Is it the new administration purging anything Rossell? That's really the only reason I can think of, though there's Neymar.
#169281 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/zccrpwbVGtp7ab8f1SCMhx95Bhwv6eh8jvT2vOhN.png

Put it this way - when it rains, it fucking pours.

Good news is you guys might get an earlier update.
#168997 Testimonials
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
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Ah, it seems that (for Egypt anyway) being over 30 is the minimum required to be eligible.

Are there any other criteria?
#168846 Testimonials
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
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I've read on the SI forums that in England the criteria for a player's eligibility for a testimonial is 10 seasons at the club, does the criteria differ from country to country? Because in my Egypt save I've a couple of players who have been at the club for over 10 years now.

Or do some nations not have testimonials at all?
#168737 Testimonials in relation to Budapest escorts
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Speaking of testimonials, are the criteria for players' eligibilities different from country to country? Because I've heard that you only need to play in a club for 10 years, but in my Egypt save I've had a couple who've already hit that mark.
#168649 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Preseason complete, but first up, a couple of non-football issues:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bdcR8656DRXrlwNwyYE64zOvu2Eb6mEh5gIDyKRb.jpg

As it turns out we're now one of the most reputable clubs in Egypt.
It also shows that we're the 2nd biggest team in Egypt, which is almost certainly wrong considering we've been regulars of 4th.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MR21uh4wm40TfdNS1zy7jR4bEjrhDKI7DuHzWDbw.png

Helped by our Confed Cup win, no less.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/JeovzF3IhiYcQDMfIQNHM6kGg27G159oQ86Ywzuj.png

Should have been Abdellaoui, IMO.
Still, a similarly breakthrough season for Ibrahim (1st NT caps and goals) and the local lad factor probably got him over the line.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vvmeWeRmV6ZR4pSUTuAsXAMMHGKY45M9C81f9ETg.png

We may have the money (at the moment), but we have none of the big clubs' marketing power and matchday income to plug those losses despite our consistent increase in attendance - case in point, Al Ahly broke their (the country's, for that matter) attendance record with 62,884.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tq3Dly3Yg775F4rKdvNwfXYgAJ2Oexc1GdF3EXBa.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/NYro1xqVR61Wx7pwzww4poCV7Y6u7wUOKHSd5sNC.png
I can't even come up with a suitable analogy, but you know what I mean.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/TeyPFU8iRkOdL0VoXUnzki4oSa3gIXRcCwJtWopa.png
It's the 1st sight of TV money in like what, 8 seasons? Madness.

Now for preseason proper:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HZwVYhJvqYorP9lC0pCTbOqulUOFPSIkWbWHOlc1.png

Terrible, having Confed Cup clashes in between meant shuffling the squad (a really unfit squad at that), and that would never end well.
Only positive of any sort was the opening win, unfortunately the fitness level went to shit in subsequent matches.

Now the Confed Cup matches - and I'm probably making excuses, but:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/JbhT2dbzKGKKzPCxBrfQWlxyF6AHR3roYJeWDUaX.png

1st choice GK Abdel Fatah managed to get injured before both clashes, ruling him out for the 1st leg and playing half-fit for the 2nd.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/INUwS81Ri761GOIH15TuIn2UcQVLnfrHBqjaQfww.png
Without the regular presence, the defence was decimated, leaving us with a virtually insurmountable deficit.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/1ynyuVbRHgBFlLHxe1ikPSSLO3sPPyOpCjNsWcCF.png
We dominated proceedings against a team who really only needed to not fuck up big time, and only came away with a single goal for our troubles.

So the defending champions are out, and that meant Cristian (the loanee) was sent packing back to Brazil.

Now for transfers:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jScR8OmRrCCwPI6W2w4e0I6kU53AL7imQusNZ0sw.png

Of our out-of-contract guys only the Ragabs left, while Galal was a fringe left winger who has shown decent improvement at Qanah (not that he'll come back and start though).

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sHUTc4XxzoMXVOrSqXMklhHS3upnzm5UOg539mlv.png

Yes, Ligue 1 Bordeaux coming in for one of our DMs, and planning to start him, if the teamsheets are to be believed.
He's gone because they've got far better facilities than what we have here, so fingers crossed he'll come back far better (and far more sellable).

To replace Akoto I attempted to repeat my method of retraining players, so I got 3 DMs on trial, all playing some part of preseason (in defence, which goes some way to explaining the results).
I ended up signing none of them, instead going for even more unheard of in this career:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/0WHs8zHxfQtQasmBt2ZNOr0cB36AJxdixoMINhV0.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/yZ1EUxrj9iqeX6avDKpWLwptkUS3B7k2nmRRAR90.png

A 1st moneyed transfer, and how!
I genuinely have no idea if he'll be able to solve any of our defensive issues (he arrived after preseason), but he's definitely an improvement over all our previous centrebacks.

Also, Salah Amin continued his stuttering career by abruptly coming back on loan (seems like the deal expired) so I've offered him out again, with the likes of... well just take a look:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/PO8nXVBbLBTCxsgpJ5vQDyCYC0ROG51tYLo1v1RS.png
Obviously Al Ahly and Al Moqaoloun were rejected because they're scum, and most of the rest were not considered as well due to not being in a playable league (so I couldn't scout them).
Recreativo and Cordoba were in La Liga while Getafe was a step down, but their facilities were not ideal and none of them would have started Amin.
So 2 were left, Al Ahli (with an I) and LA Galaxy, both with great facilities and a proper starting berth promised, so he'll have a choice to make.

Finally, some stuff for the season proper:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/aBJl3kCtsUcPhFhjZcGHjNnEeeydIHzh8uSBOu1I.png
Really worrying, this was the minimum aim and a step up from previous seasons, despite us losing significant parts of the defence.
Coupled with my continental exit, I can see this being my last season, and maybe not on my own terms.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bwzYY2BJgp2D4w1cKOITDMuzLOkqbJjnb505kcMa.png
The media doing wonders trying to dampen expectations.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/C3mF3JSDn7c5SSM4b8Kr3or8cQekKaNnCv1eQy4A.png
4th favourites, which is just right judging by previous campaigns.
IT does also make me wonder how the AI defines a 'title challenge', looking at this 4th might just be enough.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fGHrgWgX2bBOVHH5RfNL7YDSb3BMsHgmUQQgpJ66.png

WE NEED THIS SHIT
#168636 Picking A Business Name
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
I'm not one to think of a name, but:

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ef/ec/c3/efecc3948941f01adb018c2cd73ef42c.jpg

Come on, this is almost certainly 'Tit' at first glance.
#168414 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
That's horrible. Are you much over budget, then?

Nah, with the tycoon money it'd be virtually impossible to do so.

Something about that just puts me off though, probably the wage hierarchy thing - doesn't really matter tbh, just bothers me I guess.
#168391 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
I think Pochettino will do well at Spurs (worryingly), he actually has both an ability to win over the players and be tactically sound, which neither of AVB or Sherwood really had.
#168338 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
As it turns out there's a bug in the game which changed my currency on the fly, so instead of 2.5k we're now paying Abdellaoui 4.8k, so technically I'm the one who was ripped off.
It goes further - 20-year-old goalkeeper Abdel Fatah is now paid 12k p/w, and who knows how far that discrepancy went, perhaps into last season's renewals? I don't know.

Preseason review up next (as well as the Confed Cup games) but in short I'm in big trouble.
#168269 The Italian Football Thread
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Rumours that Sedoorf will be sacked, with Inzaghi to replace him.

Proper bonkers.
#168000 Career Thread Of The Month - May
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Eric's Pentagon, a laugh a minute (it only took me a minute to read the whole thing, mind)

A minute?

Ok fair enough, considering it's tl;dr Win, win, fuck up, rinse and repeat through the seasons.

#167967 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Seasonal postscript, couple of transfers:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3zG69zWoc7bPdgMdz7THLrOZvH8cblOmwuKSwPrK.png
He'd actually improved over the past season, but he's never settled properly into his LFB role, and doesn't offer too much in attack as well.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/z1upkp9gQjbqCCnxfbVldETs58C6tKIjLnTP01NF.png
Salah Amin can go fuck himself.
Seriously though, I'm not at all comfortable with him in my 1st choice defence until I see him play consistently on a regular basis, and that was always going to be a catch-22 if he's in this club, so letting him go to a new environment where his performances can be properly observed can only be a good thing.

Now the Cup - will we be favoured in the greater scheme of things?

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/VgPKD76FNTb10cF4wqOSExOl4p5VuT9a5SMFLTq7.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Tsr8mpdYy49OsmWbDOiuAz4JuYbq0gQnxT1QrnGo.png
Yay, I guess - another season at the 2nd-tier competition.



https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/DEvf4bnHnBdFUSnXtj6gctpQMKPGN6Lzgh6vrmX1.png
Mahrous played almost exclusively in the Confed Cup, where the opposition quality is nowhere near our league rivals.
He did start 1 game, against Al Moqaoloun where he looked hapless.

Now for a long-awaited contract offer:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/K07C12LPsYTXNs3np9XkWQ1Gn9hPkiNHyAfe5uT3.png
Does he take pride in getting ripped off?
#167957 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
No, haven't even filled my timesheets when working at this branch

Suppose I'll do them tomorrow if I can be arsed to.
#167926 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/K4oyxchq8Qr1CvLgntTntDR3s4jbsIZuleQr4a6I.png
Could (and should) have held on, but making all 3 subs before Abdellaoui exited through injury, which meant disaster if we conceded an equaliser, which true to form we did.

Might leave this season (might), I'll need to see if we qualify for Africa(?).
#167916 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Yes, the Egypt Cup - you know the drill, due to us finishing 4th (for the 3rd year running) we will need one of the top 4 to win the whole thing for us to qualify for continental competition; that's us, Zamalek, Al Ahly and Al Moqaoloun.

So, 1st round against potential banana skin El Gouna:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/2DyeBQvR0DJzoEit5c6nx9q2PGDLglV8CauKsJUe.png
Got a very early 1st goal, and never looked back.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jM2wjNLGyLHTp0j4n8QPjDzfMyqQXcGIsG3CpE5p.png
Terrible news, drew them far too early.
Considering intentionally losing so that they'll advance, because they've got what it takes to go all the way (twice in fact) unlike us, who so long have Salah Amin anywhere near a starting spot in defence will inevitably choke spectacularly.
#167898 Career Thread Of The Month - May
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Had been following Johno's thread, so my vote goes to him.
#167895 Pentagon [FM14]
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
End-of-(league)-season update:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/HW8c3W3SS3iJJFKA57fv70HXSj3F8riFHRO8CIax.png
We continued our solid run to the latter part of the season, and claimed a scalp as we (temporarily) halted Al-Ahly's title charge.
3 games later and we'd lose 2 in a row and the initiative of 4th place to Ismaily.
Yet again (they had been saving our arses many, many times through the years, really) Al Moqaoloun beat them on the final day to allow us to relclaim 4th spot.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/1w9dJ4AY0ubvhpHApKYhW7BKER7dXKB1foR8LGn6.png
So 4th, 3 years straight now.
During that run we also managed a club-record unbeaten run of 16 games in all competitions, if only we could maintain those levels of performances through a season... (Once again anyway)

PoTYs now:

The front 3 topped the ratings charts this season:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZBxgoLfPv0NI5Hqs5nHmvRgO48QXME6jYlHwrx1P.jpg
1st up is Mounir Abdellaoui - as mentioned in the previous post this has been a breakout season for him, and it has also revived my faith in strikers, with the 4-6-0 being used less frequently than ever.
Still won't sign a new deal though, so I'll leave him be, stuck at $210 p/w

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/79AiEz4qkMyH0QWBCaQNwqI7XpubFbkmBGyEvnBN.jpg
Next up is Noe Chameni, who was involved in 26 goals in just 24 league starts - I might have been a bit too harsh on him...
There's no denying that he does go missing in some games though, that's an area he still needs work on.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Rx1zJlnEy3Muu8pheXAzszpRJAaiA5hbK3aE8BdL.jpg

Last but not least is the local boy in this trio, Mahmoud Ibrahim.
Scorer of important goals (Confederation Cup final, last league game) he definitely deserves to be here.

Now for everyone else:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/7gCNs5ybbRUH4LETAReNlsPkWsh45GvMdxqRBXNo.jpg

Mohamed Mabrouk might be past his peak, but he's definitely still contributing - 14 assists attests to that.
He's also the club's highest-paid player, which goes to show the level he's at in the club's hierarchy (having lead us to promotion and our 1st title).

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LEHu0NUIXm505htiTuw4oqiTSfuUkPxX52431X4Q.jpg

Magnima Akoto was never a proper defender - what he was was a monumental physical presence.
Speed, height and strength allows me to play a high line because he'll get the 1st ball, failing which he has the legs to recover.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/P3kuKabUmTFwe5ZgP7JCB0NyzgjreIkpkwesV6Kp.png

Too bad he wanted more than double his wages for a new deal, and I was never going to give him that.
So he leaves, and the search for a new pacy, strong and tall player starts again.

Now the continent, and our defence of a 2nd-tier title.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vDdsGVIBAwQND7luq2OrswY8XVrnRidWKeFFQzJp.png
Much easier than I expected.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bME37mLgoh2hVR8VUiZ4StkL3dRC29URmwbE3Ogb.png
Much, much easier than I expected.

Next up were a bunch of Angolans:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/WYKC9W1MAa9bTrKLukqUkG1hUiXJObINe7cAopVk.png
Never in too much trouble.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/uNpKRNGQfC0BECgdSlty617SzAyFYB28etCgvL8r.png
Slightly nervier here, but over 2 legs t was never really in doubt.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sQmKibS5I5c89D9ybJXwcSSImrYhnJgtxwcWRUjC.png
Ah, now here's a problem.
Wydad are probably Morocco's biggest club (Raja might offer a rebuttal) and not for nothing, so to meet them already before the group stages is a big worry.

The domestic cups to follow.
#167882 Champions League 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Holy shit, utter rubbish the whole match and this happens.
#167875 Champions League 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Bale's choked this properly badly.
#167873 Champions League 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
100 million for 3 shots off target and a handball.
#167872 Champions League 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Real will concede another before they score, imo.
#167865 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Got laid off Boss needed to lay off a part-timer and picked me because I was the slowest worker - which is fair enough if you've seen me at work.

Fucking finally, mind - 12 hour shifts tidying bookshelves that kids keep fucking messing up while the Frozen soundtrack plays in the background, good riddance.
#167863 Champions League 2013/14
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Casillas done fucked up there.
#167563 The Future Of The Past - FM 2005!
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Will 3rd get you into the CL?
#167243 The Future Of The Past - FM 2005!
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Definitely miss the arrows the most.

Good luck! iirc Mackie as a speedster and Diamond was a talent, is that the case here?
#167200 FM 2005 help
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
All I remember about 05 was that it was extremely annoying, especially when compared to 06.

06 was boss.
#167174 FM 2005 help
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Hugo Almeida, fucking steal every time.
#167156 If you are able to't fi
Eric Portapotty
17 years ago
6 months ago
3,327
Premium
Fuck Ralph Lauren, fucking ripoffs.