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Deleted Account #151676
#75907 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
#75906 What's the last thing you bought thread
#75903 Rick's big walk
CELEBRITY'S
#75829 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Sam
#75827 Europa League 2012/13 - Now NOT Featuring Falcao
Fuck off.
#75750 Europa League 2012/13 - Now NOT Featuring Falcao
#75746 Europa League 2012/13 - Now NOT Featuring Falcao
#75732 2013/14 Kit Thread
#75726 Rick's Career
I'm fairly pleased with how my first couple of months at the helm of the Staggies have gone, my first set of results have been decent and I've managed to bring in most of my transfer targets whilst showing the door to those who weren't happy to stick with the club following relegation.
Here's the list of traitors....
And here are the incoming faces...
I splashed £140k on Sparrow to bring him up from Crawley, he will fit nicely into the hole left by the departure of Richard Brittain.
On loan from Rangers, Chris is a great prospect for the future who could be an important player for us straight away.
Another Rangers loanee who provides good cover should we need him, but he may well be good enough to break into the starting line up.
I've long been a keen admirer of Jordan after coming up against him four or five times last season in Dumbarton Vs. Livingston games, if he performs as he did in said matches then he will be a bargain at £35k.
Snapped up for a bargain £14k from Oldham, a excellent rotation keeper.
A player I like in real life as well as FM, a great winger who should supply plenty of ammunition for our forwards, although I suppose some will see £85k as a lot for a League Two player I have faith he will be worth the money.
So on to the business of results....
My first game could of gone a little easier, having to play extra time in the very first game of the season was hardly ideal, however I managed to get my players going again in the extra period following a sluggish second half, my new winger Jordan Morton showed his class with his second goal of the game not long after the start of extra time before Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ross banished Montrose as we advanced to the next round.
More cup action followed, this time against East Stirlingshire, Fergie's real life first club, a brace from big German forward Steffan Wohlfarth and a late strike from midfielder Alex Cooper was enough to see off the division three outfit.
Finally we got under way in the league, and with a real mouthwatering personal clash with my former employees Dumbarton, this is exactly the sort of game which could prove a stumbling block, thankfully big Steff was on form again with another brace to compliment Jordan Morton's strike to set up a sweet victory.
Next up was another big game with us taking on Rangers with the Old Firm side not having lost to a side outside the SPL yet since their reformation, only Aberdeen and Celtic managed to get the better of Ally McCoist's men in last season, now we have too! albeit with a numerical advantage during extra time with Rangers having Lee McCulloch sent off and then David Templeton carried off after having used all their substitutes, that's not to detract from what was a magnificent performance from my lads in the bizzare situation of being big underdogs to a side in a lower division. with Rangers out the picture the Challenge cup suddenly looks very winnable as we marched into the last eight.
A narrow 1-0 over Livingston maintained our 100% start before a credible draw with Greenock Morton with just ten men for over an hour.
After such a good start, the bubble had to burst sometime, it turned out to be another meeting with Livingston, this time in the League cup, the game went all the way to penalty's, a marathon penalty shoot out at that with each side getting nine kicks each, unfortunately our luck was out, Mark Fothringham was the unlucky man.
I was happy to write the defeat to Livi off as bad luck, however the defeat to Dunfermline was just a diabolical showing, even the hairdryer treatment didn't snap my players out of their flunk, I made it perfectly clear that I expect MUCH better in the upcoming game with Hamilton.
I certainly hope so bud!
Thanks mate!
#75609 Please delete
Still in with a good chance of promotion too mate, good luck.
#75604 The Night Thread Mk. IX
Yeah, I don't think you need the voucher itself so I'll PM you the discount code.
#75570 Super spammer
#75566 Please delete
#75498 On the way to glory
#75435 English Premier League 2012/2013
Plus some substantial prize money for winning the cup.
#75426 English Premier League 2012/2013
I think all eyes will be on WBA vs Man United for Fergie's last ever game.
#75418 English Premier League 2012/2013
#75416 Fergie Mk. II
#75391 English Premier League 2012/2013
#75390 English Premier League 2012/2013
(as long as it's not at Villa's expense)
#75376 Rick's Career
The previous manager had already arranged several free transfers, full back Eddie Malone was on my short list anyway so kudos to him for making my transition that little bit easier! George Francomb and Shaquile Coulhirst are also Neal Coopers acquisitions.
As you can see there are a flock of vultures circling above many of my better players following our relegation, I'm not sure if I should look to cash in and have money in order to build a squad of my own making, with the high expectations on me this season it may be better to try and hold on to the tried and tested. We have already lost the club captain Richard Brittain to St.Johnstone and Scott Boyd to Hearts on free which is most disappointing as they are both players who give the squad a lift.
Here's an overview of the clubs financial stuation;
A wee bit different to what I had to work with at Dumbarton where my squads average wage was £110
My balance could increase significantly should I initiate a fire sale, with several of the players who are wanted by SPL clubs valued over £250k each.
An finally here's a basic overview of the club itself;
Falkirk are the side predicted to come top if your wondering.
Queen of the South are the first divisions other new boys after they won division two, Cowdenbeth managed to retain their place in the league after winning the relegation play-off's.
The fixtures for 2013/14 have been released and you'll never guess who we have to travel to first...
Should be interesting!
#75362 Rick's Career
Yes, my mind is made up, after receiving offers from both Ross County and Falkirk I have decided that the Staggies offer the best opportunity to achieve my goal of winning the First division crown after being relegated from the SPL last season.
Club profile
Name: Ross County Football Club
Nickname: The Staggies
Founded: 1929
Stadium: Victoria Park (a.k.a Global Energy Stadium)
Capacity: 6,300
Last Season: 12th in Scottish Premier League (Relegated)
Ross County Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Ross-shire. They play all of their home matches at The Global Energy Stadium, also known as Victoria Park in Dingwall. The club currently play in the Scottish First Division after suffering relegation from the Scotottish Premier League in the 2012/13 season. Prior to the 1994–95 season they played in the Highland Football League, a competition they won three times. They have also won the Scottish First Division, Second Division, Third Division (once each) and Challenge Cup twice. In 2010, they reached the Scottish Cup Final. Nicknamed The Staggies, County's home colours are dark blue and white.
#75345 Fergie Mk. II
#75333 2013/14 Kit Thread
#75328 Rick's Career
I bowed out as Dumbarton manager by guiding the club to their highest league finish in 25 years, winding up fifth in division one after beating champions Partick Thistle in my final game before tendering my resignation to the board.
Our four game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end with a dismal showing against Falkirk, who hadn't given up their title ambitions, a point against Airdrie wasn't good enough for either side really, we should have beaten them, and had it not been for Alex Robinson's red card midway through the second half we probably would have, in the end Airdrie gained nothing other than having their relegation confirmed from the result.
I continue to be in awe of Dunfermline's young winger Joe Cardle who once again was a constant thorn in our side in their 2-0 win over us, Cardle remains one of my key transfer targets should my next club be willing to splash some cash.
Victory over Cowdenbeath condemned the Blue Brazil to participation in the play-off's, our winner was an absolute pearl from midfielder Chris Turner who scooped the ball over the opposition keeper from all of forty yards with five minutes left to play.
We played the part of supporting actor for the final game of the season against Partick Thistle, who knew they just needed a point to secure the title and return to the SPL, having not lost in eleven games the odds were firmly in the Jag's favour, a defeat however would open the door to Falkirk who were at home to Dunfermline.
When Partick took the lead after just two minutes our supports must have thought they were in for a rough afternoon as the champions elect strutted their stuff as news of Falkirk slipping behind to Dunfermline broke nine minutes later.
However my lads were determined to finish on a high and battled back to level terms, Jamie Longworth firing home on the quarter hour mark, followed by a goal for Falkirk in the East which had the Jag's sitting less comfortably, They were positively sweating midway through the half when big Jim nodded us into the led from a well worked corner, throwing the door wide open for Falkirk, the Bairnes however were not having an easy time of it against Dunfermline and had slipped behind again, this time to my man crush Joe Cardle, however they pulled level right on the stroke of half time to set up two very nervy second halves.
Jamie Longworth fired us into a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to go, much to Partick's dismay, The Jags were awarded an 80th minute penalty after Steven McDougall brought down Chris Doolan in the area, Aaron Muirhead's effort was however saved heroically by keeper Jamie Ewings to all but ensure we finished with the win but Partick were sweating on the result from Falkirk to know if they would manage to limp over the finish line, finally the news trickled through that Dunfermline's Andrew Barrowman had snatched a late winner, sending Partick's supporters into relived jubilation. the result also saw us jump two places to fifth, so celebrations all round on the final day!
What a great way to bow out! I've enjoyed myself here at Dumbarton and I can't wait until I can return with whomever my next employer may be, currently there are two jobs open that are eligible, Falkirk who clearly don't feel second place is good enough after sacking Mike Rigg, and Ross County who were relegated from the SPL after a disastrous season. I'm interested in both, which would you guys pick?
Thanks!
#75309 Transfer Rumours 2013/14
#75283 Rick's Career
Yet another turn around in form has seen us all but safe in Division one this season and the Sons can now begin to plan for next season, although that will in all likelihood be without me at the helm I can't see my career progressing much beyond an annual relegation battle with Dumbarton so I will probably be stepping down after the final game of the season with Partick Thistle, I wish Dumbarton the best of luck, I've enjoyed my time with them, but I want to crack on with the challenge and establish myself at a bigger club.
March was certainly a better month than February as we achieved the seven point target I set for the squad last month which takes us to just five points from guaranteed safety, although in reality we have probably already achieved that as I can't see Cowdenbeath winning all of their remaining games.
My forwards finally seem to have found a vein of form at just the right time, both Jamie Longworth and Brian Prunty netted against Livingston despite abysmal goals to games ratios each, Prunty's coming in the 89th minute to give us a well deserved win in a game where we played very well, switching back to 4-4-2 seemed to provide a lot more chances than the 4-5-1 I have been employing throughout the majority of the season so I think I shall stick with it for the remaining games.
Even 'big' Jim Lister was in amongst the goals against Hamilton, I must admit when Hamilton went 2-1 up in the 27th minute after coming from behind I thought we were going to throw it away, however my players responded in a dogged manner and took on fifth placed Acadmical, they were rewarded by Jim's second half brace, he now has ten league goals to his name this season despite a goal drought lasting from October until the end of January.
We welcomed title chasing Greenock Morton knowing that a win would lift us above Hamilton should they fail to win at Livingston, Big Jim scored in consecutive games for the first time since early September to fire us into an unlikely lead against second place Morton, the goal came completely against the run of play as Morton besieged our box, however, for all their possession they had failed to convert a chance, until our left back James Craney was dismissed in the 77th minute after picking up a second yellow card, that provided Morton just the break they needed to go on and snatch a 83rd minute equaliser. in the end we were lucky to hold on and take a point from this fixture, all but costing Morton their hopes of SPL football next season.
All in all I'm very happen with our form this month, hopefully we can carry it over into next month and try to finish higher up the table to increase our prize money.
In other news we have inducted our next generation into the youth side;
There are some promising looking youngsters there indeed, the future looks bright for the Sons of the rock!
#75265 The Lower League Thread
He only played six games for us so I think claiming Colin Lee was the one who drove him into management may be a little bit of an exaggeration
#75262 Easiest formation to counter
#75260 Rick's Career
February proved a cruel dark and cold month as always as our fortunes took a turn for the worse again, two losses in key games really hurt us, causing us to be drawn within four points of ninth placed Cowedenbeath and the dreaded relegation play-off place as the season nears it's conclusion.
Going into the game as favourites against struggling Cowdenbeath on the back of two victories you may have expected us to grind out a result, however the Blue Brazil had other plans, my forwards were once again to blame as they couldn't hit a barn door from three yards at the moment, squandering chance after chance, the visitors were not so forgiving in front of goal as they put away both of their shots on target for a shock win.
I don't think anybody expected us to get anything against Partick Thistle and the defeat came as no surprise, although I was hoping for a bit more of a fight against the Jags, an own goal from full back Andy Graham early on didn't exactly set the tone for an underdogs victory as Partick continued their march towards a return to the SPL.
Our third and final game this month saw us travel to Kirkcaldy to take on Raith Rovers who earn the distinction of finishing the season as the only club my Dumbarton side has failed to defeat at least once, with two Raith wins and two draws between us, it looked as if all that was going to change, until bloody stoppage time...AGAIN!!!! Stuart Anderson's 93rd minute strike snatched two vital points from our grasp after midfielder Ryan Metcalfe had twice put us into the lead, there was some strong language aimed at my defenders back in the dressing room.
There is just three games again next month, Livingston, Hamilton and Greenock Morton, Livi has become a must win game, lose and our four point advantage will be cut to just one and we will come under real threat, Morton and Hamilton are beatable depending on whether my team turns up on the day, I'm aiming for seven points from the three games, I think that would set us up nicely going into the crucial month of April.
Off the field, money is becoming a big concern for the club,
Despite me not having spent any money on transfers and being well under budget wage-wise, the prize money in this division isn't too bad, finishing fourth would all but wipe out this debt, it's a big ask but I think it's better to have a lofty target rather than simply trying to scrape by and survive.