sortitoutsi
Football Manager Graphics
- FM24 Graphics
- FM24 Player Faces
- FM24 Logos
- FM24 Kits
- FM24 Backgrounds
- FM24 Installation Instructions
Football Manager Guides Database
Football Manager Data Update
Football Manager Shortlists
- FM24/25 Update Guides
- FM24/25 Update Shortlists
- Best FM24/25 Update Wonderkids
- Cheap FM24/25 Update Wonderkids
- FM24/25 Update Young Players aged 21-25
- FM24/25 Update Best Free Players
- FM24/25 Update Expiring Contracts
- FM24/25 Update Bargain Players
- FM24/25 Update Injury Prone Players
- FM24/25 Update Richest Clubs
- Best FM24/25 Update Facilities
- FM24 Guides
- FM24 Shortlists
- Best FM24 Wonderkids
- Cheap FM24 Wonderkids
- FM24 Young Players aged 21-25
- FM24 Best Free Players
- FM24 Expiring Contracts
- FM24 Bargain Players
- FM24 Injury Prone Players
- FM24 Richest Clubs
- Best FM24 Facilities
This site is not endorsed by Sports Interactive or SEGA and is intended for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed on this site are the views of the individual contributors and not those of Sports Interactive or SEGA.
#236974 Rise of the clarets
SBR
A great month even if I did draw at the end against major relegation candidates Huddersfield.Had to come back against Cardiff and I was surprised we could only score 2.Martinez was in superb form in this match.Again had to come back at villa park but it was a confortable win in the end.Crushed crystal palace with keane fighting for a regular place and getting a good hat trick.Didnt enjoy the Huddersfield match at all.Just looked very bad up top and should of scored a couple more.One thing I am still concerned about is the amount of goals we concede.Just don't get enough clean sheets and even if we did have a good month with regards to points I still want more defensively.
A very solid month sees us top the table.Still very concerned about our goals against record.Conceded the same amount as Huddersfield now and that's not exactly encouraging but we are top and that is great news.It still is very tight though and a bad December could see us out of the European places very easily.
A fantastic win in Ukraine and a pretty lucky one really.They had the better chances but pashev had another great game.Now on 10 points from 4 games and surely we have to be qualifying from the group.
Disgusting performance from all areas of the pitch.We had a lot of chances but cauley woodrow and romelu lukaku were ridiculously bad.Our defence was shocking too in particular Michael keane.
1 match left that could be fantastic or horrible in regards to the champions league.Win and we will finish top for the 2nd year running.Lose and saint Etienne win at pointless shakhtar and we will be dropping into the Europa.I will be playing an attacking formation and going for the win.I just hope it doesn't come back and hurt us.
That saint Etienne result means I cant be too happy about this month.It came just 3 days after our demolition of crystal palace so I don't have a clue how the team can perform so differently in such a short space of time.
Next update - December
#236875 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Very bad start to the month at home to everton.I did everything but score in this one and somehow they hit me with a sucker punch with 2 late goals.Now lost 2 league games in a row.Then came a trip I dread.White hart lane has never been kind to me but on this occasion it was.They were all over me throughout the match but a hugo lioris own goal and great defending by Leighton baines got us 3 unlikely points.The stoke match was a thriller.I rested a few players with a trip to arsenal coming up and it told as they were 3-2 up at half time.Cue the introduction of sarabia,lukaku and Roberts and we turned the game on its head and ended up with another 3 vital points.If we had lost that game stoke were 1 of many teams who would of overtaken us.
Liverpool look a class act this term under chris hughton.Sitting pretty at the top with a 5 points gap and all the scousers in the land will be thinking its they're year.Were still looking good but its still a very tight league with only 6 points separating us in 2nd and Fulham in 13th.Man utd and arsenal have stormed up the table a bit but given the tightness of the league them too could easily drop to the bottom half with a couple of defeats.
Not sure how we won this.They dominated from start to finish but we got 2 goals through pashev and Roberts.They pulled one back late on to set up a nervy finish but we held on.Maybe it will be our year?
And given that draw and the teams left in it I am more optimistic.We are still yet to be drawn at home in 11 ties in this competition which is still frustrating but we have every chance of getting a semi final place.Stoke and everton would be our biggest threats I think but Scunthorpe just knocked out man utd on penalties so another home game against premier league opposition wont scare them.My perfect scenario would be reaching the final and playing Watford in a repeat of the 2015 FA cup final.
Another great European performance from the lads and Patrick Roberts in particular.Im not sure whats happened to shakhtar but I was wary of them but they offered very little threat.
Very happy seeing us top the group at the halfway mark.No reason we cant get a win in Donetsk and that could basically see us through providing we don't majorly slip up in the last 2 games.I will be targeting 4 more points to qualify and 6 more to top the group.That home game against Bayern right at the end could be a fight for top spot.
Very bad start to the month but a good one in the end.Optimistic about the league cup and the premier league still looks a bit too tight to call but we are in the right position.Champions league performances have been great and I think we can finish as group winners again.
Next update - November
#236819 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Had a good start and needed septemeber to be just as good if I am to keep my place.Not going to be easy.Home to Swansea and united aswell as a trip to Stamford bridge.I have included the Bayern game in this post though it was played in October.
Not how I expected the month to go really.Only just managed a draw at Swansea through a late lukaku goal before picking it up against united.Tomas Martinez again saving us.He has been amazing since signing for us.Then came a diabolical defeat at Chelsea.My biggest defeat as burnley manager and jose mourinho was very smug about it afterwards.
Still in a very good position.Liverpool again look a good team unlike last season.Man city and Chelsea also looking good.My main problem is conceding goals still.If I can sort that out a bit I think I can achieve top 3 but I have to be wary of the improved united and arsenal aren't too far off.Reading look poor but Newcastle are now off the bottom.
Good result at brighton to send us through to the next round.Pashev again showing me he can cut it in my 1st team and with lukaku and Woodrow not exactly doing well it gives me something to think about as will keane and damyan pashev have better records than them.
A more difficult trip this time around.I am not too sure if I can get through but I will be giving it my best shot and wont be resting too many players.If I want to win a cup I cant just bank on the FA cup so I see this competition just as important until I do win one of them.
A winning start to my champions league campaign is just what I needed.In fact I daren't lose this one with it being my easiest fixture on paper.Givne the chances I had I am disappointed it was only 2-0 but I am still pleased with the win and the clean sheet.
Bayern bossed this one pure and simple but we got a massive result.They had to come from behind twice with the 2nd equalizer coming in the 84th minute so I do feel hard done by but this is a great result going into the double header against shakhtar.
Very happy with how its going so far.Top on goal difference and got the Bayern trip out the way.Im not getting too ahead of myself though as all it takes is a bad couple of games against shakhtar and we could be in a much worse position.
Decent month really.Had the highs of my 1st win against united and the draw in munich and the low of a mauling at Stamford bridge but were still in a good position in the league and the champions league group so I cant complain too much.
Next update - october
#236816 On a quest to be the best. [FM15]
SBR
#236704 Rise of the clarets
SBR
#236702 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Summers never seem to be quiet for me as I am always strengthening and shipping out dead wood or my players attract attention of bigger clubs and want to move.One summer I will probably only buy a couple of regens for the future but for now I want to build a team who can challenge this season.As mentioned before I want to win something this season but I don't want to lose my grip on the top 4.My wage total is still low and others can afford much higher wage packets.One player in particular is Jonathon silva who moved to man city and is now on 150k a week.It will be sweet to finish above them again as they are spending just over 160m a year more than us on wages at 204m per annum.
Good start to the campaign.I know they aren't the hardest of fixtures but its good that the players weren't complacent in any of the games.Had to come back from behind against Southampton but once that own goal equalizer went in there was only 1 team going to win it.The Norwich game was a tough one.I lost there last term so I wasn't expecting an easy game but they deserved a point at least.Good that lukaku is off the mark for us.Newcastle have none other than zinedine zidane in charge but they didn't get a single chance to note.Tomas Martinez was incredible before going off early in the 2nd half.Zaza janashia got his first goal for us and it was a stunner.He is one of the main regens I am hoping to be a top player.
Only us and super spenders man city have a 100% record.I don't read too much into the table at this stage but its very encouraging seeing us where we are.Man utd don't look like a team full of confidence and find themselves in 14th.Newcastle are rock bottom with 0 points and only 1 goal.
5th year in charge of burnley and still waiting for my 1st home tie in the league cup.Got another trip away this time to brighton.
Great 1st leg result against galatasaray and rested a lot of my main men.This tie looks dead and buried already.
2nd leg was decent also.alex tells was someone I was looking at before I brought baines in and he was impressive with 2 goals but pashev and Roberts secured our passage into the group stage.
You might think im mad but im happy with this group.Bayern are a very good team and most probably will end up top.Shakhtar are nobodies fools and will be tough opposition while saint-etienne are stronger than last seasons whipping boys metalist.We kick off the group at home to saint-etienne so we definitely need a winning start.
A very good start to the season.September is a tougher month but I am pleased with performances and results so far.Looking forward to the champions league and I think we should progress in the league cup.
Next update - September
#236659 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Massive changes up front this summer.2 big name strikers and 2 great full backs aswell as a couple of others.Hopefully they will contribute to what I hope will be an even better season than last.
After seeing a few everton players be touted about but their agents I decided to have a look at them a bit and saw they were insecure in the finances so I decided raid them a bit to to leave Roberto Martinez with a mid table team at best.I have broke my own wage barrier but only by a few thousand.Lukaku,woodrow and keane are a very decent choice for up front with pashev as back up.Got 2 new full backs that will be 1st choice.Oliver came in on a free after his contract ended.Fantastic deal for us.
There's the transfers on a whole.Kiearan trippier conceds at least 2 penalties per season and though he was good the vast majority of the time I knew I had seamus coleman coming in and let him go to villa.Sigurdsson had been a decent player but I wanted to give my young regens a go this season so I offered him about and schalke came in with 17m.Couldnt turn that down.With danny ings and Adrian cubas they were either good or very poor so I got very good deals from them.Cubas I actually wanted for at least another season as he could play in a few positions but 19m is a lot of cash.
Pre season was great for us.Jamie Paterson was great and after coming back from injury lukaku ended superbly.Really looking forward to kick off now.
Very good odds now.I still think we are a bit short particularly at the back to challenge seriously for the title.My 2 aims are to finish top 4 and to get one of the cups.
A rematch of last seasons 1st knockout round and if its anything like last time I have nothing to fear.
Not got the hardest of starts so if I start well I could be in a decent position by the time I meet Chelsea and united at the end of next month.I think I have a squad more capable of competing with them now.Lets hope for a good season.
Next update - August
#236623 Dans Journey Around The World [FM15]
SBR
#236621 On a quest to be the best. [FM15]
SBR
#236616 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Quick round up of news and stats so not going to be a long post.More pictures really.
Another licence to study for.Only 1 more after this and it will be a relief when I finally get that just so it is 1 last thing I need to do.
With the training facilities maxed out its now time to focus solely on the youth side.Very happy all is going along nicely and again getting better this summer.
More money coming in through sponsors but to where I am expected to be I don't think it is nowhere near enough.I know it is completely out of my control and the only thing I can do is continue to be successful but sooner or later I have to go above the 75k a week I set myself on offering wages.I have lost out on a few players as I refuse to see us go in debt.
After 19 assists and 12 goals this season I am not surprised Martinez got the fan player of the year.He is probably my best signing alongside Patrick Roberts.9m for him seems like a bargain now.
Next update - Summer transfers and pre season
#236474 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Not the best way to end the season.Should of got the win against Liverpool but they gained a point.The match against Chelsea was a poor one.Never looked at the races and lost 3-0.Still got 4th spot at least.
Very happy with the season overall.Got to the quarters in the league cup and the semis in the FA cup and secured 4th spot domestically.Also showed we could cut it in Europe too with a good journey to the quarters before coming undone against Chelsea.No shame in this season and we again have something to build on.
Tomas Martinez got the PFA young player of the year and he thoroughly deserved it.Had a great season on the whole.
Next update - Season news and awards
#236452 Rise of the clarets
SBR
This update will be a quick one.Writing for 25 minutes then losing it twice because the internet cocked up is frustrating the life out of me.
Great league results this month.Close one against Southampton being 3 up at one point before scraping it 4-3.Stunning win against forest next.They never coped with us and 4-0 flattered them I think.Routine victory against already relegated hull secured 4th place.A good win against city rounded off the month.A statement of intent that was I think.We are better than them now and considering they spend 140m a year more on wages it shows money doesn't always talk in football.
Hull are already down and west brom look like joining them.Chelsea are looking good for the league now.
A fantastic 2nd half performance after being 2 down.Husband,gil romero and Sigurdsson with the goals to send us through to the semi finals.
Not liking our opponents though.United are the only team in the league I haven't beaten but I suppose now would be a good place to start.
Wayne rooney got the only goal of the game and they should of had about 5 but they didn't.We only had a couple of chances though and they march through to the final and we carry on hoping for another crack at the final.
Diego costa was too much for our defence but that late bakkali stunner gave us a chance in the 2nd leg.
Unfortunately the 2nd leg was exactly like the first only different scorers.I am proud to of made it this far but I think we let them have it a b it too easy.
So overall it was hit and miss.Out of 2 cups but secured 4th spot.Hopefully next season I can go a little better and get a trophy.
Next update - May
#236384 Rise of the clarets
SBR
After February we was on a bit of a high.Surely through to the quarter finals of the champions league,in the quarter final of the FA cup and going very well in the league.March was going to be an important month progression in 2 competitions and ensuring we keep a gap from 5th place in the league.
A decent month.Not really sure how we got anything from the everton game.Lost the 1st half 3-1 and went all out attack the entire 2nd half and managed a late late equaliser through Adrian cubas.Then came a very poor defeat at villa park.We had by far the better chances and bossed the game for long periods but they got the victory.1 point from a possible 6 and I was a bit more wary of man city and them maybe catching me.Then we got back to winning ways and the 4-1 scoreline flattered us big time.All I saw were chances for them which they didn't put away but we raced to a 3 goal lead before they pulled one back.Sergio Araujo scored late on to secure the win.Good win but Patrick Roberts got injured and could be out till as late as may.Not what I needed at all.Another good win against palace rounded off the month.Will keane was immense in this one.Still got a good lead over city but its getting smaller and smaller as time goes by.3rd t
Still got a good lead over city but its getting smaller and smaller as time goes by.3rd to last game of the season they visit turf moor and I am hoping by then we can still be similar points ahead of them.After that we have Liverpool at home and Chelsea away so we could do with not losing that one.I do think with arsenal 5 points ahead and with a game in hand they wont be caught by us.Hull are still looking dead and buried with only 6 games to go but above them it could be any 2 teams from 3 to join them in the championship.The battle between united and Chelsea at the top is still looking very intriguing.
Was lucky to get the draw to take Liverpool back to our place for the replay.I don't need a replay as the games are mounting up a bit but its good that were not out and have a chance to get into the semi finals.
Having won the tie in turkey I decided to rest a lot of players and we still managed a win.Will keane with the only goal of this game and send us through to the quarter finals.
Been handed a draw against Chelsea.If this tie came before this season I wouldn't of given myself a chance but over the 2 league games against them this season we win 4-1 on aggregate but of course this doesn't have anything to do with that.I am more confidant about it then I could be but I still consider us outsiders.
These are the draws for the quarter final of the champions league.I would of much sooner had schalke over any of them but I am happy we avoided real Madrid.Los merengues have won it 4 times in a row but will surely find a tie with juventus difficult.
Not as good as the last month but still a decent one.I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds.
Next update - April
#236316 Rise of the clarets
SBR
January was a good month for us.I was eager to continue our very decent run and not let those last 2 games make our heads drop.Big month coming up in February with a trip to old Trafford,a home game against Tottenham,our cup game at west ham and a trip to turkey.
Barring the united game I am very pleased with these results.The stoke game was a very good one with Patrick Roberts on form with a good hat trick and tomas Martinez getting a double.The united game I wasn't expecting much from and we were lucky it was only 2-0.I think we are still yet to pick up a point from there but I do feel the gap in quality of the teams is closing.Superb result against Fulham and what a game from our loan signing Sergio Araujo.He has had a couple of good games and I am starting to think of maybe bringing him in full time if he can score a couple more.This was a lot more even than the score suggests and even johnstone my gk got a 9.1 rating.Massive result against Tottenham and we are now 11 points clear of them.
Very happy with the league table so far.8 points clear of man city and 11 ahead of Tottenham.I go think we can achieve top 4 again and maybe get 3rd.Hull look a club already relegated.United are looking good and must be favourites for the title.
Just after the Fulham game we went to upton park and got another great result.Tomas Martinez was too hot to handle for them.Now safely through to the quarter final.
Another away game this time to Liverpool.Played them twice away in the league cup and lost both times but in the FA cup they were my semi final opponents where I beat them so I am hoping history repeats itself there.
No Martinez,will keane,patrick Roberts or Kieran trippier but a great win.Sarabia was complaining just before the match about 1st team opportunities and he repaid my faith with a great performance.I don't think they will be getting back into this tie and we can now think about the champions league quarter finals.Be interesting to see who we get there.
A fantastic month.Couldnt ask for more really.Again I am looking forward to next month and seeing what that brings.
Next update - March
#236265 Outta This and Inter Something Better
SBR
#236264 On a quest to be the best. [FM15]
SBR
#236200 Rise of the clarets
SBR
No European football for the first month of the season but still a lot of games this month.
Not going to go into too much detail in explaining the matches as I does take time I could be continuing the game and as you can tell by my posts/updates slowing down I have been busy recently so not had much game time and you can pretty much see all I say in the pictures anyway.Good win at the start of the month against west brom with ings getting a double.A great result against my closest rival right now,arsenal.Got the clean sheet which is always a bonus too.Another good win against Swansea.Will keane has been good this season and got another here.Then came 2 bad results.Newcastle and Norwich both beating us by the odd goal.Not the best ends but still a decent month.
Still got a decent gap from man city but it was at 10 points before the Newcastle game and now they have a game in hand too.Those losses basically made that great win against arsenal away pointless though.If I do lose points like that then I will be hoping those beneath us don't catch us instead of challenging arsenal for 3rd.United and Chelsea still going stong and its pretty obvious it will be either of them to win it.Liverpool have climbed out the relegation zone and look a lot safer.They have been on top form since the win against us.
Very very lucky to still be in the competition.I did actually put out a decent team but chuba akpom had them 2 up by half time.I did put on my 3 biggest guns at half time.Big risk but it paid off in the end and we scraped a 2-2 draw and a replay.
It wasn't the best of matches but we got the result we needed and are safely through to the 4th round at the 2nd time of asking.
Finally a home draw after 11 straight away draws.I know I go on about this a bit but its pretty frustrating.It does come against arsenal though so It will be tough.
Another good win against arsenal.We deserved this one and arsenal don't seem to enjoy playing us anymore.But the match did cost me.Ings got ruled out for 3 months with strained knee ligaments so I recalled damyan pashev from Watford to provide cover for him.
We got the 1 home draw so im happier now.Now back on the road with a trip to the Boleyn ground/upton park to face the hammers.They are only in mid table in the championship after relegation last season but it still wont be easy.Last year preston were rock bottom by a distance and managed to beat me.
Brought these 2 in on loan until the end of the season.Sissoko has come in to replace will hughes who decided he wanted to play for arsenal and made a big fuss about a move so I held out for as long as I can then held out for as much as I can and ended up getting 25m up front as well as 11m in addons.That was done on the last day of the window.I have always liked sissoko and think he can do a job until the end of the season.I have already secured 2 free agents this summer and they are big players.Both of which play cm primarily but you will have to wait till I bring them in until you find out.I think Sergio Araujo can also do a job and brought him in just for extra firepower.
So another very busy month at turf moor.Been a decent month except for the 2 away games at the end of the month but I am happy enough.Looking forward to seeing what next month brings.
Next update - February
#236011 Rise of the clarets
SBR
A very busy month with a stupidly bust festive period where I played 4 games in 9 days.My squad morale was very high and I wasn't crushed with too many injuries so I was hoping for the best.
The Southampton result was very lucky as they were all over us and looked like getting a win but we got it with a late late will keane goal.If we had lost it I don't think the rest of the month would of gone anything like it had.Next came a trip to selhurst park to face crystal palace and again we left it late.This time gaston gil romero and will hughes bailed us out but we certainly deserved this win.Forest had been performing well above expectations but had slackened off a fair bit just before we played them but I still wasn't expecting a 4-1 win.Will keane grabbed a brace and I have been very impressed with him recently.Domen crnigoj scored a nice goal after a mazy run and a late Jamie Paterson penalty completed the scoring.I was always expecting to beat hull.Patrick Roberts was amazing in this one and got a hat trick with goals from will keane and danny ings getting one each.I am always nervous when I go to the ettihad but to be honest despite the late equaliser I think we did enough to get all 3 points.Sergio aguero always seems to do well against us and scored 2 but a Jamie Paterson penalty and a late will keane tap in got us the draw.Our first win against jose mourinhos Chelsea came next and this was probably the best time I could of played them.They had a few injuries and most of them needed a rest so I played a very attacking 4-2-3-1 and I came off.A danny ings double and Michael keane goal got us this win.Last game of the year and it was going so well when crnigoj scored just passed the hour mark but a poor last 12 minutes saw us go from 1-0 up to 3-1 down.The only bad thing about this month.I am not happy with that result but I cant complain too much as everything else went so well.
After that great month we are now sitting pretty in our 4th place finishing spot from last season.Chelsea had a bad month and have given up top spot to man utd but both should be wary of arsenal.I have Tottenham hot on my heels and have a game in hand on us.After a poor December Nottingham forest have slid down the table.At the other end Liverpool aren't bottom anymore thanks to they're victory against us.
The FA cup draw was made and lo and behold its another away game for us.Our 11th in a row now.It will be interesting to see how long this unwanted run can go on for as it is now coming up to 3 years.
The league cup quarter final was played and I am gutted about the result.We did get battered for most of the match but after taking man utd to extra time we ended up losing it.Iam proud of the lads though and we pushed them very hard but it just wasn't to be.
Played metalist and needed a win to secure top spot and we did it.This was never in doubt though as metalist didn't really trouble us and I can see how they finished rock bottom.Great to finish top and I now can hope for a slightly easier first knockout round opponent.
And the draw was favourable to us.Galatasaray will prove tricky opponents I am sure but we could of had the likes of barca,bayern or Dortmund.
Youth facilities are again being made better.
So a very good end to the year.If next year is as good as this year I will be very happy.Going to a good task regaining top 4 again and I am looking forward to our European adventure continuing.I am hoping for an FA cup run but a home tie would be nice sometime.
Next update - January
#236009 On a quest to be the best. [FM15]
SBR
#235957 Rise of the clarets
SBR
As mentioned above my league form is very hit and miss.It seems I am drawing too many and not winning enough.Europe is going very well and I gave myself a good chance of qualifying after the metalist and porto wins.The return fixtures against porto and psg are coming up and if I don't lose in both of them then maybe I can still do it.
A much better month for us.2 very decent wins against everton and villa before a draw against QPR.Was nervy against everton especially when lukaku pulled one back.They did threaten the equaliser but couldn't get one and we gained 3 vital points after being without a league win since the end of September.Another good win against villa and a clean sheet.Only my 2nd in 12 league games.Was a disappointing draw against QPR after being 2 up but it was another point.They probably should of gone on to win it though.
A tight league I think.We are only 3 points off 4th spot but there is a 5 point gap between 9th and 10th.Liverpool are still bottom and it seems they might face a tough challenge just to rise a few places.Chelsea are still head and shoulders above the rest.
A massive massive win if I am to qualify.Started very badly going behind after 2 minutes but an immediate reply was needed and we got it through Jamie Paterson.They did go back in front but then it was all me.3 more goals went in all by us and we are now on the brink of something very good.All I need is to avoid defeat in 1 of our last 2 matches.
This was the most satisfying win I have had for a long time.We did actually have a few good chances before the sending off and domen crnigoj got the winner and I was expecting something from PSG but it never came.We have now qualified and more so if we can get a win in Ukraine we qualify as winners.
On the whole this has been a great month.It can all be undone in the next month though with tough fixtures in the league,A trip to old Trafford in the league cup and a massive game against metalist.
Next update - December
#235933 Johno's Career
SBR
#235932 Dans Journey Around The World [FM15]
SBR
#235718 Rise of the clarets
SBR
Was very happy with the Monaco games.We matched them all the way and showed why we deserve European football.
September was a good month and one of recovery but October was going to be another tricky one with man utd and tottenham coming up.Hardly ever get a result against Tottenham and still waiting for a win against united.Also had a trip to Fulham in the league and Hartlepool in the league cup.In Europe I had 2 home games against metalist and porto.Needed wins against them to make sure I wasn't rooted at them bottom of the group going into the reverse fixtures.
Not a good month with only 2 points from a possible 9.Was happy to come back with a draw against united but we could of scored a couple more to get the win but couldn't manage it.Our search for a first win against them continues.The Fulham result was frustrating to watch.Martinez was on fire but it seemed every 50/50 went they're way and every defensive header fell to a Fulham man.Cauley Woodrow had a good game and I might look to bring him in in January after getting quoted only 7m for him.Ings hasn't done enough for me this season and last season when he was fit he wasn't exactly on form until the last couple of games.Tottenham were lucky I think.We had more of the chances and the better chances but ings was poor and our gk didn't cover himself in glory with 2 poor gk errors I think.
I need to start getting a couple of clean sheets badly.Our defensive record is poor in my opinion and we are only in a decent position as ali coote and tomas Martinez have 9 between them.Ings only has 2 in8 and will keane has been injured.If we have a good November we can climb the table though so all is not lost.Forest are still doing very well and Liverpool are still doing poorly.Chelsea are beginning to dominate.
You could say we were lucky to get the win given we came from behind and only won through a 93rd minute bakkali goal.You could say we were unlucky not to have won more comfortably given we had 37 shots to their 6.I am just happy we are through.Not a match to look back on with any pride but at least we have got through.
Another away day in a domestic cup.Our away domestic cup draws in a row now goes into double figures and a very tough trip to old Trafford.Not giving us much hope now.Lost every time we go there and this is going to be tough.
Despite our struggles domestically we are doing well in Europe.Metalist offered vry little in that game and the scoreline flattered them and I have no worry about them getting 3rd.Ings got me a double and james husband got a rare goal to give us a 3-1 win.Porto weren't as tough as I was expecting and I was surprised it took us so long to get the winner.It came very late on and with us down to 10 and we overtake them into 2nd place in the group.If we avoid defeat in Portugal I think we have a a good chance of getting through.
Another hit and miss month really.We really need to pick up more points in the league and we are facing united away in the quarter finals of the league cup but Europe couldn't be going much better.I am already thinking of the January transfer window as some players need to be moved on and I have identified a couple of players to strengthen the team.2 more months till I can do anything about it though so I will have to make do with the lads I have and try to do better.
Next update - November
#235713 Johno's Career
SBR
#235637 Johno's Career
SBR
#235506 From The Bottom To The Top
SBR
#235497 Rise of the clarets
SBR
I was looking to improve my league position and had been handed some decent games to do that.I didn't have any big teams this month apart from the PSG game and after a poor start to the season it was important I didn't carry on the trend of drawing too many otherwise I could be a fair few points adrift at a very early stage and I didn't fancy playing catch up.
A much better month with these 3 wins.After a team meeting just before the Swansea game morale went up and it showed.The Swansea game was a good one for me.Went 2 down early on through the lethal Javier Hernandez but completely turned it around.Ali coote has had a great start to the season after going out on loan for 2 years.He got 2 as did will keane.Adrian rodriguez scored another late one to give us our first win of the season.I played Norwich at a good time.They weren't doing well and we had a couple of players coming back to full fitness.Paterson helped himself to 2 penalties while domen crnigoj and ali coote scored the others.Ended the month with a trip to Swansea and despite going behind twice we ended up coming away with 3 points.Another great win.
3 wins from 3 and we are roughly where I expect us to finish.Conceding is a problem with only 1 league clean sheet and the strikers need to score more.Danny ings is still yet to score a league goal and most are coming from wingers and midfielders.Liverpool are still having a poor season and find themselves rock bottom while Nottingham forest are defying the odds with a very impressive start to the campaign.Chelsea look very good as do man utd.
This month we have shown a lot of fighting spirit after going behind.We were 2 down at Swansea and ended up winning and were behind twice at stoke before getting a win there and the cup was no different.In fact I was most please with this one.We didn't look good at all in the 1st half and found ourselves 2-0 down but I changed tactic and went overload and the response was just what I was after.Ings got himself a goal as did will keane and ali coote.Fantastic comeback.
I give up on hoping for a home draw now but at least its been favourable to us with a trip to league 2 Hartlepool.I am positive we can get a win here but I wont be risking it too much by playing too many fringe or youth players.
Our first champions league adventure and the bookies have us in at 18-1.They seem to think we have a better chance of a champions league win than a premier league win.I will be doing just as that says and treating it as a learning experience though.Qualification to the next round is the aim though.If I do drop to Europa I would still be happy.I just don't want to finish 4th.
Ok we lost but its the hardest game of the group out the way and we did do well.Martinez put us ahead but then it became the Edison cavani show and he got a hat trick to win it for the Parisians.Porto won the other game in Ukraine against my next opponents metalist 4-1.
A very decent month I think.Showed a lot of promise against PSG and did very well domestically.A lot to be optimistic about and it looks like we have turned a corner following the poor start.
Next update - October
#235489 Dans Journey Around The World [FM15]
SBR
#235488 On a quest to be the best. [FM15]
SBR
#235383 Rise of the clarets
SBR
First 2 games of the season I play the same opposition as I ended last season with.Arsenal and west brom.I could do with getting off to a good start then see if I can push on and see if I can get as high as last season.
I was hoping for at least 5 points but only got 2.Not a good start at all.Didnt deserve anything from the arsenal game but domen crnigoj got us a point.They battered us from start to finish and should of had 3 at least.Disappointed with the trip to west brom too.To be leading by 2 then fall asleep how we did in the 2nd half and give up the lead isn't good enough but just like the arsenal game we were lucky to come away with a point.The Newcastle game was exactly the opposite.We dominated the match and should of won.I think I may have to change formation really after these 3 matches.Tomas Martinez has been wasting a lot.Sure he has 2 goals in the 2 league games he has played but just in the Newcastle match he had 10 of those 19.
With only 2 points from a possible 9 I am lucky to be where I am and also it is so tight so if I get a win in my next match I can go up the table a few places should results go my way.Chelsea already leading the way but just look at Liverpool.
I was hoping for my first home domestic cup draw in 8 but nope.8 away draws in a row now and its either some messed up bug or just plain bad luck.Leicester are currently 8th in the championship and I should really beat them but I have lost against lower placed teams than them and I haven't exactly started well.
I was hoping to get a goal in my home leg but it wasn't too be.I did do well though on my European debut.Kondogbia got himself sent off with 20 minutes to go and we could of got 1 in that time but we didn't.A very nervy 2nd leg now.Also noticed that ross barkley is at Monaco.Turns out they bought him a couple of years ago.
We did it.On away goals sure but we got through.One of my old targets scored for them and I thought we were going to stuggle and we did for a short while with dybala and moratta causing us all sorts of problems.Will hughes got the equaliser with 20 minutes to go after me going pretty much all out attack for the entirety of the 2nd half.I didn't change formation or anything and we were the ones asking the questions and possibly could of got another but it ended 1-1 and we made it to the group stage.
A decent draw from what I could of had.I fancy us to at least get 2nd or 3rd depending on if we can pick ourselves up and win this season.First game is away to PSG so it will be good to get that out the way.Porto would be our biggest rivals for 2nd place.
A mixed feeling about he month so far.Getting through to the group stage is fantastic and I am pleased with the group but domestically we have been poor.Much work in the next month or so to try to get premier league points on the board and to try to get out of this group.
Next update - September