GMFCRyan - Comments

SAVING THE POOL

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OBJECTIVES

So, in this post I will outline my personal goals for this season, and also the board's. There are numerous objectives I want to be completed this year, whether they regard on field performances or stuff going on behind the scenes, if I can manage to complete all of these objectives I should be in for a good season.

PERSONAL OBJECTIVES

Increase world scouting knowledge to at least 40%. - Currently our world scouting knowledge is at a measly 3%, so I'm hoping to improve this which would mean I can find gems from abroad in places such as Scandinavia etc,

Finish at least 17th in the SkyBet Championship - Looking at our squad, we have a few very good players, and there is no reason why we can't finish comfortably in mid-table in my opinion, as long as we make the right signings in the right places. BOARD EXPECTATION - Avoid Relegation

Reach the 4th round of the FA Cup - The 4th round of the FA Cup is were all the big boys come in, and ideally I'm wanting to reach that round then potentially face a big tie away to a team like United or Chelsea, which would certainly help boost the club's coffers. BOARD EXPECTATION - Reach the 3rd round

Reach the 2nd round of the Capital One Cup - Couldn't care less about this competition, just avoid a shock defeat to a League 2 team or something and I will be happy. BOARD EXPECTATION - Reach the 2nd round

SAVING THE POOL

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Before this save, I had never really paid attention to the background stuff going on at the club in FM, it was simple really, play the games, create tactics, sign players and see how I get on. But after reading Fola's Torquay United save, it inspired me to try something similar, where I would, as well as playing the games and managing the team, develop youth, increase scouting knowledge, improve youth facilities, and ultimately turn the team into one of the best in the world.

The team I have chosen for this is Blackpool, despite being predicted to finish 23rd I fully believe that with a few key signings, I can turn them into a team challenging for the Championship title within a few years, here is their team as I start the game.




Looking at the squad, my initial reaction was that it was simply too many mediocre players who didn't have any future at the club, I will try to move most of these players on, whilst trying to strengthen the areas I feel need strengthened the most, such as the ST position and the CB position.

I will next update just before our first competitive game, where hopefully I will hopefully this club will have a whole new look to it, fresh for the start of the season.

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JourneyRyan - November 2014



As you can tell by looking at the results above, this month was much, MUCH better.

We started off with a tricky away game at Lincoln where we came away with a point, in the end they're the kind of games we should be looking to win if we want to progress up the league but in the end it's a point picked up away from home so I can't really complain. Next up was cup action, where we faced Gateshead in a thriller of a game that finished 5-4. It was to be heartbreak for us though as they fired in the winner with the last kick of the ball to dump us out the cup. Next up was an away tie at Barnet, who were sitting 3rd in the league at the time, and what a win this was for us as we picked up a 2-0 victory with Jack Marriott finally picking up his first goal of the season. Next up we had a chance to get our revenge on Gateshead for knocking us out the cup, and we done exactly that, picking up a 2-0 victory with Marriott building on the confidence of getting his first goal of the season by firing a double and leading us to victory. We faced another hard game at home to play-off contenders Welling next, and we picked up a solid 1-0 victory, Marriott firing in the winner again, and we finished off the month with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Dover, leaving us undefeated in the league for the month of November, which left the table looking like this:



The undefeated run has left us in a much better position compared to the end of October, we now sit 5 points clear of the relegation zone, and we'll be looking to build on that soon. Also, I've started working towards my National C license, with the course being paid by the club, which I'm ever grateful for.

JourneyRyan - October 2014

So, my first month in charge of Woking has been completed, how did it go?



Meh, could have been better, could have been worse.

We started off with a very tough game away to Bristol Rovers, we somehow took the lead when centre back Dean Morgan fired in a header from a corner after just 2 minutes but that was as good as it got, for the rest of the game they completely dominated and deservedly came away with the 3 points. Next up we faced fellow strugglers Southport and came away with the most undeserved 3 points ever, they had 6 times the amount of shots we did, but luckily they couldn't convert any of them and substitute Keiran Murtagh fired us into the lead with our only shot on target the whole game, and we walked away from Haig Avenue with the 3 points. Next up we had our first home game, as we welcomed Alfreton Town to the Kingfield Stadium, and my first home game couldn't have gone any worse, we were completely outclassed in all areas of the pitch and the visitors ran out comfortable 2-0 victors, which prompted a change in tactics, I changed from a 4-2-3-1 to a flat 4-4-2 and the formation's first test would be a FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round game, which if we won would put us in the FA Cup proper. We faced Bristol Rovers away from home again, and this time it went much better. We took the lead early on through a Joey Jones header before Lee Brown pegged us back but there was positives to be seen for sure and we brought the tie back to Kingfield for a replay, and what a replay it was. We went down 1-0 after squandering a number of great chances, but 3 minutes after the visitors took the lead Chris Arthur placed a shot past the helpless keeper to bring the scores level, but straight from kick-off a mis-communication from the defence and the goalie saw the Rovers striker left with a tap in to restore the lead. Once again though we pulled back the defecit with Scott Randall's first goal in over 12 hours, and the tie was on to penalties, both teams scored the first 3, before Rovers smashed their 4th onto the crossbar, if we scored the next penalty, we were through, simple.



We had done it, we were through to the FA Cup first round proper were we would face fellow Conference side Gateshead, QUE SERA SERA



Although we had actually managed to slip down a place in the table, but I am certain results will start improving now I've found a formation I'm happy with.

JourneyRyan

So, after a few months of hopelessly applying for jobs and being rejected time after time after time, finally I was offered something, and 2 came along at once.




Albeit England was the place I probably wanted to start in the least, it was something. Would I be successful and finally find a job?




So, both teams wanted me as their new manager, which one would I take?



The Cardinals were superior in every single aspect, they could easily challenge for promotion and I was left wondering why their manager was even sacked in the first place.




Then I saw their results so far, a horrible start which has left them lying in a horrible 21st place, but I firmly believe I can guide the team out of the relegation places and possibly into a play-off spot. Onwards and upwards!

JourneyRyan
This is my attempt at conquering the challenge of winning every available trophy in Europe, as has been attempted, and is currently being attempted by Dan and Shedender on this forum, the leagues I'm loading up to start off are:




Hopefully there are enough leagues there to land me with a decent-ish job to kick-start this career.

And the manager profile:

As you can tell, the stats really aren't the best, but hopefully they will improve as I gain my coaching badges, I'll be back with the next update once I've found a job!