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#416662 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
With a reasonable playing squad now in place, attention focuses to the league, and I am under no illusions as to how difficult the National League South is, as we face 6 fixtures in the final 21 days of the month! It is crucial that my squad is now up to standard, as we will face each of the other 21 teams in the league twice each for a total of 42 games of the season, so all players will be required to rotate. Our crazy start sees us play Methyr Town (H), Wealdstone (A), Hemel Hempstead Town (H), Poole Town (H), Welling United (A) and Weston-Super-Mare (A). Welling are predicted to finish top of the league, so this is a challenging start, as well as a manic one that will challenge the whole squad.
In terms of bolstering the squad and improving the first team, we had no transfer budget and limited wage budget, so have brought in all players on free transfers. The squad is probably a little large, so all players will be given the opportunity to prove their worth (or not as the case may be), before players will be let go.
Here is the summary of business done so far.
Rollin Menayese [21] (DC/DM)
Grady Diangana [21] (AML/AMC/ML/AMR), Bernardo Rosa [18] (AMC), Jack Broadhead [24] (MC/DC/DM), Matthew Smith [18] (MC)
Michael Elstone [20] (STC), Dan Derbyshire [21] (STC/AMC), Francis Baptiste [19] (STC/AMC)
As you can see, all of our signings barring 24 year-old Jack Broadhead are 21 or younger, so we are building for the future as well as for now. I have signed strikers capable of playing in the poacher role, as we previously had none, in addition to an AMC, AML and Ball-Winning MC. We also got a second DC in as we were short here as well. We may bring in loan signings later in the season as and when we need them, but I need to see the squad play first.
In terms of friendlies played so far we have done okay, but I see these games more as an opportunity to build chemistry, tactical familiarity and player fitness rather than dwelling on results. We lost 3-0 to Gillingham (3 divisions above), despite slightly edging them on the stats! We drew 0-0 with Portsmouth U23's, beat lower-league Braintree 2-1 and Torquay United 1-0 (Torquay are a league higher!)
Francis Baptiste made an excellent start to his debut, powering home on his left foot after fellow debutant Bernardo Rosa's defence-splitting pass. Keeper and club-captain Dan Lincoln did not impress as much, as he allowed Lewis Smith's shot in at the near post far too easily to leave the score 1-1 at half time. Dan Darbyshire then missed a penalty late on, as we start our campaign off in a disappointing fashion.
Just 2 days after the Methyr Town game, our squad rotation was essential even at this early stage of the season. It paid dividends as Omar Koroma - on his first appearance of the season, set up Rollin Menayese, who scored his first for the club. Lincoln made his second error in two games as he missed a cross that allowed Cregan to equalise for Wealdstone with their first effort on goal. But it was Bernardo Rosa and Francis Baptiste combining again that made the difference, this time Baptiste sliding a ball through to Rosa who finished emphatically. Disappointingly Baptiste went off injured late in the game and will miss our next 4-5 games.
Matthew Smith started us off with his first ever professional goal after being released by Arsenal last season. When right-back Calvin Davies gave away a penalty, our keeper Dan Lincoln redeemed himself for the previous two games by saving the effort from Harry Crawford. A very well controlled game other than the penalty, against a side who had scored 5 in their opening two games and are predicted to finish third!
Young Michael Elstone seized his opportunity in the first team with both hands as the striker scored after 8 minutes from another through-ball by Bernardo Rosa. Fabio Saraiva equalised early in the second half from close range for Poole. We went attacking for the last 15 as we felt we could get something from the game and it paid off, as Rosa laid another ball off to Elstone, who bagged his second with a powerful shot.
Jonathan Afolabi put Welling ahead at Park View Road with a shot from the edge of the box that went in off the post. We were outplayed in the first 20 minutes, and were thrown a lifeline when an under-hit backpass was intercepted by Michael Elstone, who finished emphatically off both posts. Afolabi put them 2-1 up just before the break with another accurate finish, but Joel Kettle had the final say of the half, equalising with a header from a corner. Afolabi was a thorn in our side from start to finish, and demonstrated his class with 5 minutes left as he netted the winner - his hat-trick. He was the real difference between the sides.
A disappointing end to the month, as a goalless draw against the side bottom of the table, and they looked more like scoring!
A good start to life in the National League South, with some good results in the bag and a first XI developing (disappointed to have lost Baptiste but he is back now). Could and should have turned both of our draws into wins, but 7th in the table so far is a fair return for our positive start. Currently 7 points off top side Dartford who have 6 wins in 6, but it is early doors still.
#416601 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
The main issue I currently have is that I'm making very little progress, with my reputation hanging around 15-20% meaning that all jobs in Argentina, France and almost all of those apart from at dead basement sides in Ukraine and Slovenia are unaccessible. This leaves my options pretty limited, leaving me to Scotland (where I can't get jobs outside League Two or at a middling side in League One where I was previously) and England. Man I knew this random league selection would be my downfall. My only possible option is to now either try to find a low-ranking Slovenian or Ukrainian team I could develop, or work my way through the English leagues.
I have applied for quite a few posts, having some interviews at lower Ukrainian and Slovenian sides, as well as at National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town, and all were offered to other candidates. I then went for a job interview at Bognor Regis Town, in the National League South, and got offered the post!
Bognor Regis Town, situated in Hampshire, in the south of England. A football club with history - being founded in 1883 - The Rocks have only recently experienced football at this level, with their best ever league performance coming last year (7th in the 6th tier). They play home games at Nyewood Lane- a 3,882 capacity stadium, although an extra 300 seat expansion is taking place and will be finished next week.
My task: Consolidate progress made last year and aim for promotion to the National League, as well as building my own reputation and earning coaching badges.
In my first month in charge we will face some pre-season friendlies as well as needing to assess and update the squad ready for the new season. I will also need to assess the backroom staff and see which the best formation and player roles to use are.
From the look of it, we have an incredibly similar side in both stature and wages/player value as what I've been used to in Scotland, so this should work to my advantage. I have got a decent backroom team in with me now and can assess our players and see what needs to be brought in.
Our expectations this season are reasonable, although I hope to finish higher than the board's aim of mid-table in the league.
In terms of league performance we are predicted to finish 11th out of 22. The top side gets promoted outright, whilst the sides in 2nd-7th take part in the Playoffs
#416538 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Our final month of the season sees us play potential playoff rivals Elgin City (H) and then Albion Rovers (A) who may need a victory to secure their place in the division.
Sean McKenzie put Elgin in front in the first half with a good header. We were disappointing and the side got a roasting in the dressing room at the break. We were better second half, and Ross Davidson's shot got deflected for our equaliser.
Going into our final game of the season, we can finish anywhere between 3rd and 7th, although we currently sit 4th and a win will guarantee us a playoff spot. Evan McNeil scored the only goal of the game as he scores a direct free-kick to take us into the playoffs in 4th.
The Playoffs see us take on the 9th placed side from League One - East Fife.
Scott Robertson's deflected effort took us into a 1-0 lead following a corner. After half an hour Cameron Muirhead flicked home Greg Leyden's cross to give us a big advantage both on the night and over the tie in general. That man Muirhead then added his second just before full-time as Donald McCallum unselfishly squared past the East Fife keeper to give him a tap-in. Totally in control, but looks like we will probably have to face the old enemy in Stenhousemuir in the final as they won the first leg of their playoff against Peterhead 2-0 away from home.
The best performance I've witnessed during my time at Stair Park.
Generally marshalled them well, offering little going forward as we wanted to ensure our place in the final. Ross Mutch got one back for East Fife with 20 to play, and when Jonathan Page then headed home a corner it was squeaky bum time. However we did enough in the first leg and are in the final to face Stenhousemuir.
Harlain Mbayo got us off to a surprising start as he rifled home from a corner inside 20 minutes. Kieran Sommerville then dashed all hopes just 4 minutes later with an emphatic finish. Jamie Longworth then gave the away side the lead with a header after two of my players missed the ball. Big John McCombe then scored his first for the side as he glanced in a corner to level the scores. An even score to a surprisingly even game with both sides having equal numbers of shots and shots on target.
Our season yet again comes down to one game - a winner takes all game. After a dull first half, Ross Davidson's chipped through ball found Cameron Muirhead who volleyed home. Muirhead has now scored in successive years in playoff final second legs, although this time for me and not against me! Despite having few shots and having to defend for large parts of the match, we held on to our lead and got promoted via the playoffs for a second successive season!!
With promotion to Ladbrokes League One once again secured for the second season running, despite not winning the title, I am choosing to leave my role as Stranraer manager to look for new challenges away from Scottish football. Cameron Muirhead proved to be an inspired signing, netting 10 times in 15 matches after I brought him in at the end of January, leading us to promotion.
#416505 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
#416465 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
I promised the league title when I took this job, and I have some personal business to settle having missed out by a point last season. Currently 10 points adrift with 10 to play, every game becomes critical, but with a new formation and positive dynamic, things are going our way. This month is crucial to leave with a minimum of 10/12 possible points, as we face lowly Albion Rovers (H) and Annan Athletic (H), before facing struggling Cowdenbeath (A) and finally mid-table Edinburgh City (H)
We need to ideally be within 6-7 points heading into April and our final 6 games, especially since we play Stirling, so we need other teams to be kind to us as well as doing as much as we can.
Chris McGowan was the difference in a first half that was low on quality as he finished a corner routine off to score his first career goal. We were the better side in the second half but didn't add to our lead. Stirling also drew so the gap is down to 8.
Cameron Muirhead got us off to a flyer with his first for the club in the first 10 minutes. Muirhead then completed his brace 10 minutes from time from a long Robbie Bruce through-ball. On another note we restricted them to 0 shots on target. Stirling also lost a thriller 6-7 to Stenhousemuir, which now puts them top, and I am 7 points behind them.
A woeful start to the match saw us go down inside half an hour as Billy Naismith's header from the edge of the box, relatively central and low down, manages to beat our keeper. We switched from playing on the counter, to an attacking strategy with 15 minutes to go, as we'd so far forced good saves from Martin in the Cowdenbeath goal but hadn't found a breakthrough, and it paid dividends, as Cameron Muirhead bagged against his former employers with 3 to play. We continued in the same fashion, which was our downfall as Naismith grabbed his second at the death to drop us another point off the pace.
Scott Robertson - back from a 6 month cruciate injury - lashed home the opener inside 4 minutes. We were probably the second best side throughout but managed to hold out for the 3 points.
We won 9 out of the 10 points I wanted in March, although it almost certainly won't be enough now that we are 7 behind Stenhousemuir and 8 behind Stirling with just 5 to play. I can take 3 points off each of them, but I would require them to drop an extra 4-5 points each respectively, and that's presuming I'll both beat them, and win all of my remaining games! I feel that my time at Stranraer will be a short one indeed.
#416424 Tongey's Gap Year [FM18]
jameo_94
#416423 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
With the squad now as full as it's going to be - disappointingly no more loans available and couldn't quite get the money to sign Przemyslaw Dachnowicz - we will have to deal with what we've got. 14 games over 4 months to cover a 7 point deficit to the current league leaders Stenhousemuir. This month sees us face lowly Huntly (A), before challenges against title contenders Stirling Albion (H) and Peterhead (H), before finishing the month against Elgin City (A).
Young loanee Michael Kelly chipped a ball in which Robbie Bruce headed home 20 minutes in. A route one ball from the edge of Huntly's box then caught out my entire defence as Paul Napier equalised. With the game almost done, Smart Osadolar floated a cross to the far post that substitute Lewis Allan headed home for our winner.
In the second half Robbie Davidson got brought down in the box, but Tommy Caffrey failed to score his first goal for us, seeing his spot-kick saved (interestingly he wasn't our penalty taker?). We dominated possession and chances but were heartbroken when Cameron netted with the last kick of the game despite being offside.
It's early in the season to use the phrase must-win, but considering how the previous game went I can't think of anything more appropriate. Decided to change to a 5-3-2 with Wingbacks since our previous game ended goalless and we really need to go for it to stand a chance of catching those above us and probably need to win 8-9 of our final 12 games. We also have 3 strong CM's, and lack strength out wide. It started about as badly as possible when Rory McAllister responded quickly to a second-ball from a free-kick after 2 minutes. However we quickly came back into the game and deservedly equalised when McCallum crossed to strike partner Tommy Caffrey who scored his first for us with a stooping header on the brink of half-time. Donald McCallum then flicked in an inspired winner himself midway through the second half. C'mon The Blues!
A game we should have won, but Tommy Caffrey and Donald McCallum both missed big chances as well as McCallum hitting the post. Must do better as we can't afford to drop points.
Considering we are 10 points behind Stirling with 10 to play, in order to win the title we will probably need to win 8-9 of our 10 remaining games or hope that both they and Stenhousemuir seriously slip up. The other slightly concerning news is that although we are due to play each side once again, we play Stirling, Cowdenbeath, Peterhead and Stenhousemuir away.
#416396 FM18 Megapack 279 Updates by claassen (Final pack)
jameo_94
#416285 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Back to the job centre I go - without having won any silverware in my first 18 months of football management. There are 24 current positions available, but 12 of them are in England, and of those that aren't, only 3 are achievable, and two of them are for basement sides with little/no prospects. I'm going to have to wait for a while until the right job becomes available.
So, having waited a while - there are 3 jobs which I have applied for and have been interviewed for - all back in Scotland. The jobs are Second Tier Dumbarton, Third Tier Livingston and Fourth Tier Stranraer.
Dumbarton - currently bottom of the table after 13 games without a win, perhaps a strange choice, but this job would guarantee a reputation increase which would help me in the future. Additionally I didn't apply for this job, they approached me.
Livingston - having been predicted to win the title this year, they currently sit 8th, 15 points off the pace and in financial turmoil, but have the squad and the 'name' to attract bigger players to the club and within a season should be back in the Championship.
Stranraer - currently sat 5th in League Two, taking this job would be a step backwards in terms of moving down the leagues, but a side who are only 5 points off the top and have the squad to make an immediate return to League One, this is probably my best chance to get my first Silverware and actually win the League Two title this time around.
Stair Park - a 4,178 capacity stadium, home to The Blues - Stranraer F.C. (founded in 1870) - the scene for the next stage of my managerial career.
My task: Automatic Promotion and the Ladbrokes League Two title.
Currently we are in 5th in the table - 5 points off top spot with 15 games to play, although the squad looks thin and plenty of players want to move to bigger clubs. I need to do the most business I can in the last 10 days of the transfer window to boost our chances.
As far as January goes fixture-wise, we have two games - one on the day of my arrival against Cowdenbeath (H) and the following week against Stenhousemuir (H), both of whom we can overtake in the table with victory.
Ross Davidson got my stint at Stranraer off to an excellent start as he tapped in after Greg Leyden's piledriver was saved. Lewis Allan then doubled our advantage before the half hour mark. Tom Johnstone pulled one back with Cowdenbeath's first effort on target, but an excellent first half saw us through as 2-1 winners.
My first piece of transfer business was to pick up Smart Osadolar from my old employers for £500, the club don't rate him, but he scored 17 goals at this level last season and already has 9 in League One this term!
I hate playing Stenhousemuir, and Jamie Longworth continued to torment me as he scored a long-range effort to open the scoring. Smart Osadolar then made an immediate impact as he stood a cross up to the far post which Robbie Bruce powered home to level the scores. Thomas Halleran however gave Stenhousemuir the win as he headed home from a corner, meaning we fall 7 points behind Stenhousemuir.
Not a bad start to life with Stranraer, as I have brought in my old assistant manager Pete Bachelor, as well as my old scouting team from Clyde, as well as robbing my former employers of Smart Osadolar. A win and a loss to two of my title rivals could have been better but I can't complain. We are 5 points off the nearest side in 4th, but only 2 points separate the top 4 ahead of us.
In additional transfer news, to bolster our weak squad depth we have brought in ex-Cowdenbeath striker Cameron Muirhead (14 goals last season and only 20), veteran pro centre-back John McCombe and new first-team right-back Ewan McNeil.
#416152 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
December will either be my final month with Clyde, or the start of our title challenge proper. Currently with 7 consecutive draws, almost always being in charge but lacking the cutting edge to make the difference. 13 games into the season and we've only lost twice, but equally we've only won twice. This month sees us play Brechin City (A), Montrose (H), Raith Rovers (H), Livingston (A) and Airdrieonians(H). We ideally need 11 points out of 15 if we are to close the gap at the top but will probably need more. However to start the month we will play second tier Dumbarton (A) in the Scottish Cup Third Round, which we need to win to match expectations. They are in a higher division, but we beat them 3-1 in a pre-season friendly.
A thrashing, no other name for it as David Hopkirk and Kevin Nesbet combine for 5 goals which we can only answer with Amadou Kassarate and Regan Hendry goals. Annihilation.
Blair Currie kept us in the game as a far superior Brechin side won 1-0.
This game showed me that we have no chance of winning the league, and for the sake of my career/challenge, I will leave The Bully Wee with a heavy heart.
#416133 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
November is critical for two reasons - 1) It is now that our form must turn round if we want to end up challenging for the title at the end of the season as we are already 11 points off the pace. 2) If we don't start turning it round, then November is the first time that clubs start sacking under-performing managers so I may have the opportunity to jump ship and look for my first silverware. Another light month in terms of fixtures, with this month seeing us play Queen's Park (H), Arbroath (H) and East Fife (A). The reverse fixtures saw us pick up 7 points of a possible 9, and I would like to replicate the same this month.
Smart Osadolar got us off to a good start, following in after Scott Ferguson's effort was saved. The turning point was 5 minutes before half-time, when Barry Cuddihy accidentally deflected a long shot past his own keeper, levelling the scores. Jack Leitch then hit a blockbuster to put a previously quiet Queen's Park 2-1 up before the break. Ally Love netted a penalty after the restart to level the scores with his first for Clyde, but despite dominating the game apart from a 5 minute spell, we come out with another draw.
Just before the game we get the news that influential midfielder Przemyslaw Dachnowicz is out until the new year, just to darken the mood of the squad that little bit more! 6 shots on target compared to 0 for Arbroath, but no goals to show for it. The draw machine continues.
In a game so unimaginably low on quality, it took until the 68th minute for either side to have a shot on target. East Fife had their first shot on target after 80 minutes - the second across the whole game. 7 straight draws, without a win in 9.
Having drawn every game for two and a half months, and without a win in three, we aren't doing badly in the league position-wise but we are now 14 points off the top of the table at this early stage. We will have to be within 10 points at Christmas (roughly halfway) of the leaders or I will have to bid Clyde a fond farewell as I don't think that I can take the team any further.
#416086 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
October was when I played some squad building friendlies during the reduced fixture list last season which kick-started our amazing promotion bid, so after 4 games without a win I am going to do the same again. In terms of league fixtures this month is simple, as we play Livingston (H) and Forfar Athletic (A). These sides currently occupy the bottom two spots in the league so 4 points minimum is essential here.
Smart Osadolar - my only reliable striker - got us underway after clinically slotting home after 10 minutes. Dylan Mackin equalised for Livingston with a superb shot into the top corner. An even game ends level.
We then played two friendlies against weaker sides, picking up a dominant 5-0 win, before a disappointing 1-1 draw, despite battering the opposition.
Paul McLean gave away a penalty in the first minute which Millar converted for Forfar. Smart Osadolar equalised to continue his good goalscoring form, but it was a dull game aside from that, stretching our winless run to 6 games - 4 draws on the spin.
A 7-1 friendly win and important morale-boosting team-talk mean that hopefully November will start positively and we can get playing as a team finally. I am still looking for jobs as it doesn't look like silverware is on the cards here this season, more like mid-table mediocrity.
#415971 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
September is another month full of fixtures, as we now start to play some of the Giants in the league such as Raith Rovers, Airdrieonians and Brechin City as well as potentially playing two fixtures in the IRN-BRU Cup, so squad rotation will be critical to avoid any major injuries.
Having never picked up a point in September, we shall attempt to this time with games against Montrose (A), Brechin City (H), Raith Rovers (A) and Aidrieonians (A). Three away games and tough teams mean I'm not guaranteed any points at all here and it should be a test to see how well we play with the big boys. This alongside a 3rd round IRN-BRU Cup tie against bogey-team Stenhousemuir makes September a tense month.
We had gotten off to a better start to League One life than Montrose but I'm sure they saw their home game against us as an opportunity to kick-start their campaign. After Barry Cuddihy was fouled in the area, Ryan Wallace scored the resulting penalty to put us 1-0 up. After half-time the game entirely changed and Montrose looked threatening going forward and we had no answer to them as McDonald, Macrae and Jordan Stewart's deflected own goal but them 3-1 up with 20 to play. I then decided to go all-out attack as defending and control was no use. McDonald then increased their advantage after 75 minutes, before Ryan Connolly immediately pulled one back. Steven Bell continued his good goal-scoring form to pull another back to put the pressure on with two minutes remaining. Ryan Wallace had an excellent chance to equalise, but it wasn't to be as we gave Montrose their first victory of the season.
Smart Osadolar - in at STC for the injured Ryan Connolly made his claim for first-team football with a brace in the first half, converting from long balls. Jamie Longworth replied with his own brace to level the scores up with half an hour to play. The game ended this way and went to extra-time. For some reason my defenders decided not to mark the only Stenhousemuir player in the box from a cross and Mark McGuigan was left with a simple tap in just before half-time in extra-time. I hate Stenhousemuir. Disappointingly out of yet another cup - this one was winnable.
A good first half against 2nd placed Brechin saw us go in behind as Isaac Layne scores with their only shot on target despite us having the ball cleared off the line and plenty more chances. Jordan Allan doubled the advantage after poor goalkeeping from Cameron Belford. Scott Ferguson pulled one back for us with 5 minutes to go, and Smart Osadolar equalised from Ferguson's assist to give us a
deserved pointafter having both twice as many shots and shots on target. But no, Cameron Belford in goal - in the side as he had complained about lack of football - conceded a ridiculous injury time goal to Allan again, showing him the whole goal and letting the ball slip through his hands. Frustrated and furious.On paper, one of the hardest fixtures of the season and on the back of three defeats having never picked up a point in September, the omens were against us. However, David Gormley got us off to an excellent start, following in after Smart Osadolar's shot was saved. Dundee Utd loanee Declan Glass soon levelled for Raith however. Smart Osadolar got one of his own after half-time, tapping in Ryan Wallace's inviting cross. It was not meant to be as yet again we concede a stupid last minute equaliser. This is my first point in September at the 7th time of asking however
Shane Sutherland got high-flying Airdrie off to a good start to end a counter-attacking move. James Carvell equalised with a deflected free-kick shortly after. Logan Chalmers then put them ahead from a long through ball. Sutherland then got his second as he intercepted a back-pass that Belford was far too slow to get onto. Smart Osadolar then came on for the underwhelming Amadou Kassarate and got us back in the contest on 65 minutes. Przemyslaw Dachnowicz finally got our deserved equaliser with a blockbuster 9 minutes from time. The difference in the game was the two goalkeepers, with Jim Hamilton making some excellent saves for Airdrie, and Belford making only one save that made the highlights reel.
More goals scored than last month, but so many avoidable goals conceded (including 2 in added time which lost us 3 points) mean Cameron Belford's time under me is now done. My first points in September mean that we are currently 4th in the league, but could easily slip down to 9th after the next result. Without a win in 4, so next month is critical.
#415440 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Makes a change from travelling crowds of 20!
August is a month that doesn't bring happy memories as far as league performance goes, having only picked up 1 point last season, so I will be hoping that we can do better this time around, especially now that I have formed some opinions on some of my new signings.
In terms of fixtures this month we play Stenhousemuir away in the BetFred Cup, with a win here possibly securing us second spot, but only if Hearts fail to pick up points elsewhere.
If not a victory would guarantee us third which would be more than deserved. We then start our campaign with four league games, against Forfar Athletic (H), Queen's Park (A), East Fife (H) and Arbroath (A). A packed month also sees us take on a IRN-BRU Cup 2nd round tie in August as well.
Although on paper this was this easiest game of the group, my previous record against Stenhousemuir was less than convincing, having conceded at least 2 goals in every game against them, and only winning one, and losing three out of five. Ryan Wallace was the difference in a tepid first half as he managed to score a cross? Substitute Scott Ferguson doubled our advantage with a close range header after the break. He then added a third just before time following an excellent Jordan Stewart cross. A real redemption for last season.
A very pleasing campaign as we finish 3rd on the same number of points as Premier League side Hearts! Queen of the South were the quality outfit, even beating Hearts 2-0, making our 4-0 result seem less awful.
Now our attentions focuses on the league - it takes on the exact same format as last season, with each side playing the other 9 teams home and away twice each. The bottom side gets relegated, 9th plays in the relegation playoff, 2nd-4th play in the promotion playoffs, with 1st going up automatically.
Due to our strengthening in the off-season, the bookies have us predicted to finish in 5th position!, considering we were favourites for the drop at the end of last season, that is really impressive. Our first run of four games sees us take on sides "predicted", to finish lower than us so will be a good opportunity to see how we stack up in this division.
A bore draw to start this season, just like the last. We dominated and restricted them to a single shot on target but couldn't score. Hopefully this won't be the same as last season however, otherwise we're going to lose the next seven on the spin!
Ryan Connolly put us 1-0 up on the stroke of halftime following a nice cross from Ally Love. However, Lewis McLear equalised for Queen's Park with 20 minutes to play. It almost went from bad to worse when we conceded a penalty, but Blair Currie saved the spotkick. Two draws - more points than this time last season but hardly convincing.
An even first half was separated by a moment of sheer brilliance, as Przemyslaw Dachnowicz spears a dipping volley from 20 yards into the top corner of the East Fife goal. This was the only goal of the game and a goal worthy of winning any game. East Fife were controlled well and only managed 2 shots on target.
Our first game in the IRN-BRU Cup is against recently-relegated League Two side Albion Rovers, and although we are away, we go into the game as favourites which is good as we are expected to reach the next round (R3) by the board. An excellent diagonal ball from centre-back Jason Krones provided Amadou Kassarate the chance to open up his Clyde account after 20 minutes. Albion Rovers started to push for an equaliser late on, but Captain Steven Bell punished them by doubling our advantage 5 minutes from time.
Our third round opponents?- Stenhousemuir at home for a place in the last 16.
19 year old centre-back Jason Krones got us off to a superb start, crashing home a header from a corner after 41 seconds! It got better, as a minute later, James Carvell slid a through-ball behind the defence for Amadou Kassarate to score his second in two games. Arbroath started to play after half-time and Gavin Swankie pulled one back. Arbroath peppered us with shots, but all were from long range and largely harmless as we achieved a 2-1 victory.
So we finish our first month after 4 league games with as many points as we managed to take in our first 12 league games last season! I can't complain with the start whatsoever, especially with only conceding 2 goals in 6 games. Things are going to step up again next month due to fixture congestion again though.
#415406 The Flourishing Thistle
jameo_94
#415389 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Now that my squad for the season is settled with a good mixture of old and new, youth and experience, it is time to prepare for the league season by playing some pre-season friendlies and in the BetFred Cup. Considering I lost every single game in this pre-season competition last year, it can't get any worse!
We play fixtures against minnows St.Andrews United, Carnoustie and Hurlford away from home which should all be easy victories as well as one against second tier side Dumbarton, before starting our BetFred Cup campaign with matches against Alloa Athletic (H), Queen of the South (A), Heart of Midlothian (H) and Stenhousemuir (A)
I know we have to play friendlies first, but I will quickly explain how the BetFred Cup Group Stage work. The top side in each group of five as well as half of the sides in second place with the most points qualify for the second round.
We have Premier League side Heart of Midlothian who will probably win the group, second tier sides Alloa Athletic and Queen of the South (although both are predicted to finish towards the foot of the table) and fourth tier Stenhousemuir - my bogey side. This is a difficult group with two Championship sides, Hearts and my least favourite League Two side, but I think we have a chance of getting second!
However, since we are only predicted to be competitive, anything extra will be a bonus!
To summarise the friendly performances - looks promising, beat all of the smaller sides as expected, and beat second-tier Dumbarton 3-1! Przemyslaw Dachnowicz starred and I have deliberately turned down the chance to sign a 4 star AMC, so that he can grow into the role as he has shown so much potential, and he hasn't let me down yet! Disappointingly, he's picked up a 6 week injury in the Dumbarton game which is a bit of a downer.
So we start this season in exactly the same way that we started last season - against Alloa. Last time out we lost 3-2, but both sides have gone up a division since then and none of the five goalscorers remain at the same club! Four debutants as well as a full bench of potential debutees started the game, but it was the old guard who got us off to a flyer as Matt Flynn headed down to Smart Osadolar who lashed in a volley which hit both posts after 51 seconds. The lead didn't last long as Iain Flannigan equalised from the edge of the box after 7 minutes. Debutant Ryan Wallace then restored our lead after just 10 minutes, heading home Osadolar's cross. Kevin Cawley then equalised with another shot from the edge of the box that Blair Currie should've dealt with better. After the break, substitute Cameron Thomson restored our lead from a corner on his debut. Ryan Connolly added a fourth from yet another Matt Flynn assist, his third, to become the third man to score on his debut. A 4-2 victory against the odds and a second tier side - redemption for last season.
My second game of this season is exactly the same as last season as well, this time we are looking to avenge a 1-0 loss to Queen of the South 12 months ago. 7 changes made for the start of this one as a lot of players are suffering from fatigue. We got absolutely battered in the first half and you can tell that these players had never played together. We were fortunate to hold out until half an hour thanks to Cameron Belford, but then Lyndon Dykes and Andy Stirling scored a quick-fire double to put us 2-0 down. Stephen Dobbie picked up where they left off after the break, as my team-talk went in our ear and out the other. Captain Steven Bell then had a header disallowed as we improved, but Bobby Barr had the last say as Queen of the South scored their fourth on the counter. 4-0 was harsh on us, but Queen of the South definitely deserved at least a 2-0/3-1 win.
Ally Roy got Hearts off to a good start before Ryan Wallace equalised on the half hour mark. We were absolutely battered and deserved to lose by 4-5, but Cameron Belford and the whole defence put in an excellent display to take the game to penalties. Here the winners would claim 2 points, and the losers 1. Less said about it the better as all three of our takers missed, Smart Osadolar hit the post, Kieran Duffie saw his penalty saved and Barry Cuddihy hit the bar to see us lose 3-0 on penalties. Still an excellent result!
A decent start to the month and excellent results against Heart of Midlothian and Alloa Athletic, although the performance against Queen of the South was disappointing and means that a second place finish is now near enough impossible, although we should finish third. It is clear to see the progress we have made since last year however.
#415369 Dominating The World [FM18]
jameo_94
#415367 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
I had a look at the other jobs available to me, and decided that I will continue to build my reputation in charge of Clyde and maybe go on a cup run, but equally, if another opportunity comes around, I will be more than happy to take it. I might come back and do another career where this has left off, as I think Clyde have the potential to reach the top and challenge local Celtic and Rangers. However, for now I will focus on building a League One squad, and coping with losing David Goodwilie after he chose not to renew his contract.
As soon as I've written that, about 10 jobs become available, the feasible ones are : Forfar Athletic, East Fife and Queens Park - all of whom play in the division I've just been promoted to. Queen's Park are a team of amateurs, and the other two sides have wage bills of 2-3k, whereas mine at Clyde is 10k, so I think I'd be better staying where I am than taking one of those.
The other three that have potential are NK Roltek Dob and ND Nafta 1903 Lendava, both in the Slovenian Second Division and both were predicted to finish in the top 6 out of 16 last season and fell short, so are pushing for the title and could help me get my first silverware.
The other is Obolon-Brewer Kyiv, who finished sixth in the Ukrainian second tier and still parted with their manager so should be able to push for the title.
I have applied for jobs at both Slovenian sides and the Ukrainian one.
I didn't get offered an interview at Nafta, but did at Obolon-Brewer Kyiv, and I think I did a good job during the interview, despite getting asked questions about my poor dressing room atmosphere, when it has been excellent since January? Turns out I didn't get any of the jobs, so will need to plough on as manager of Clyde!
The excellent thing is that we have got a lot of money to offer out, as well as transfer fees when I adapt the budget. The negative thing is that no-one wants to join us! Not even League Two players! So I have hit the free transfer market. I spent about an hour scrolling through all of the players who had been released and have managed to find some suitable players to join The Bully Wee.
Here is the summary of business done so far.
Jordan Lowdon (DL), Ryan Lemetti (DL/DC), Kyle Bradley (Loan ended, DC), Callum Home (DR/DC), Jack Harrison (DR/DC), Kevin Nicoll (DC,DM,MC Captain), Martin McNiff (DL/DC), Andy Munro (DC, Loan terminated earlier in season), PJ Morrison (GK, Loan terminated earlier in season)
Mark Lamont (MR/AMR - Loan ended), Mark Burbidge (AMR/AML), Darren Miller (DM/MC), Max Wright (AMR/AMC/AML)
Tommy Caffrey (Loan ended - AML/STC), David Goodwillie (for all intents and purposes, although he will stay at the club without signing a contract whilst he recovers)(STC/AMC/AMR/AML)
Sam Morrison (DC), Daniel Church (DL - on loan from Celtic), Garry Kenneth (DC), Steven Bell (DC/DM/MC), Paul McLean (DR/DC/DL), Cameron Belford (GK), Jason Krones (DC).
Mark Lamont (AMR/AML (Different player to last season)), Ally Love (AML), Cameron Thomson (MC), Ursene Mouanda (DM,MC).
Ryan Wallace (STC/AMR/AML), Ryan Connolly from Cowdenbeath (STC), Amadou Kassarate (STC)
So in summary - 15 players out, 14 players in, a total overhaul of the squad, updating it to a League One side, but whilst keeping faith with the players who performed for me and had the correct attitude in League Two last season. I have signed a lot of Centre backs, but after letting players go I only had Adam Watts (who I brought in) and 16 year-old Sean Johnston able to play there. I am going to use pre-season and the BetFred Cup to evaluate my players to decide on my league starting XI and build some chemistry, as that has been lost (although the positive atmosphere from last season has remained).
Although I have signed 14 players, Sam Morrison will be trained to partner Sean Johnston as both are 18 or under and can form a lasting partnership for the future, so may not be used in the first team. Cameron Thomson, Ryan Connolly, Ursene Mouanda and Daniel Church are also all Under 18, so may be used sparingly as they get used to how we play football.
On to pre-season!
#415310 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
#415303 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
So we enter the Playoffs in good form, but slightly dampened spirits as we so narrowly missed out on the title. The format for the Playoffs is that the team in 9th in League One play the 4th placed side in League Two, and the 2nd and 3rd placed sides in League Two play each other over two legs, with the winners of both ties playing in a two legged final.
We will be facing Edinburgh City in our ties, which will take place only 3 days apart! The advantage I get for finishing higher is playing at home second in the deciding leg.
Just to add - I won Manager of the Month for May and Adam Watts won Player of The Month with David Goodwillie coming second.
We also had TEN players in the Team of the Week following our 6-0 thrashing of Berwick Rangers
A relatively quiet game, both sides had chances to win, we probably had more, but nothing that left me tearing my hair out. Advantage to us, knowing a win at home will see us through to the final.
Przemyslaw Dachnowicz got us off the mark with the young winger bagging his first for the club in his third appearance after an excellent cross from Jordan Stewart 7 minutes in. And that was all in terms of goal-mouth action, we had a couple of chances to extend our lead, and they could've equalised, but in truth we were in control.
As you can see, fate would dictate that the League Two Playoff Final is between us and Cowdenbeath - the side I turned down the opportunity to manage!
The big news going into this double header is that Cowdenbeath's best player - striker Rory Connolly - would be out injured for both legs. Joe McGovern however produced a Man of the Match performance in his absence, with the Cowdenbeath goalkeeper denying Smart Osadolar, David Goodwillie and Mark Burbidge twice each with excellent saves as well as an excellent last minute save to deny Jack Breslin. Przemyslaw Dachnowicz dominated the game, which was won by substitute Matt Flynn when he slotted delicately from 15 yards after good work from Barry Cuddihy. I am not overexaggerating when I say it should have ended about 4-0.
Przemyslaw Dachnowicz hit the post after 25 minutes and that was about all of the action in the first half. The second half started with David Goodwillie having to go off injured, which wasn't ideal, and became less ideal when Cameron Muirhead equalised on aggregate after 58 minutes.....with a cross. -.- Although this did spark a response as Dachnowicz equalised on the night, making it 2-1 on aggregate just 5 minutes later after good work from Osadolar. We then went defensive to try and hold out for the final 25 minutes, and Jordan Stewart saved us by clearing off the line from a corner with 12 minutes to play. We held on until the 96th minute, and we had done it! Promoted at the first time of asking.
As the stats show there - James Carvell was an inspired signing and proved to be the Player of the Season - my only player making it into the League 2 Team of The Year. The pivotal game in our campaign was the first win back in October after 7 losses on the spin against Peterhead following the friendlies which boosted the dressing room and team cohesion. This shows just how important dynamics is this year! We didn't look back after then, narrowly missing out on the title.
David Goodwillie finished as top goalscorer, and was linking with Premier League moves to Kilmarnock and St.Mirren, but then broke his leg in the final game, meaning that he was then willing to stay with us, but with him out until Christmas I'm unsure as to what I will do with him at this stage.
Now time for the off-season and time to prepare for survival in League One!
#415270 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Very little needs to be said at this point. 4 points behind Montrose with 4 to play, at the other end, we are only 5 points away from falling out of the Playoffs altogether. If the next 4 games turn out the same as the previous 4 then I will win the title on goal difference, but realistically we need to take 10/12 points to stand a chance.
The critical games that we end our season with are Cowdenbeath (A), Stirling Albion (H), Edinburgh City (A) and Berwick Rangers (H), I think if we still have a chance and have taken 4+
points from the first two then we should win our last two, but I guarantee that rivals Cowdenbeath will end all hope for us.
Smart Osadolar won March's Player of The Month for his 5 goals in 5 games.
I like this new feature!
I probably have the hardest run-in apart from outsiders Elgin City, whereas Cowdenbeath and Montrose have relatively easy final fixtures - but we can only impact our own destiny!
A tense game with plenty at chances at both ends saw David Goodwillie give us the lead with 20 minutes to go with a strike from outside the area, before Rory Connolly equalised for Cowdenbeath ending a well-worked team move. We pushed for the winner and the Cowdenbeath keeper made a point-blank save to deny Scott Ferguson in the 95th minute as once again we went on overload. Montrose also drew meaning the gap is 4 points from 3 games.
Stirling helped me out in the previous game by snatching an equaliser at Montrose, but I now need them to help me by losing! A routine victory for us here, David Goodwillie netting yet again to open up with a volley, then Adam Watts headed home from a corner after the break. Montrose went 3-0 up to Berwick, but got pulled back to 3-2, and as much as I dreamed, Berwick couldn't get the equaliser.
Montrose only need 3 points from 6 to clinch the title, so attention focuses on the Playoffs. Edinburgh City are only a point below us, so we need to at least hold them to consolidate 2nd position. We got off to a good start when Scott Ferguson tapped in a delightful cross. On 31 minutes Smart Osadolar headed home, but Montrose also took the lead, meaning that anything we did here wouldn't be enough. To make matters worse, Morrison pulled one back for Edinburgh City from a poorly cleared corner. David Goodwillie added gloss to an undeserved scoreline in the second half, as we came out winners 3-1, but in truth were the 2nd best side and sat back and protected our lead. However, the story wasn't done, as Montrose not only lost their lead on 63 minutes, but then lost the game on 77 minutes, meaning we were a point behind them going into the final game of the season!
It's come down to this, the final game of the season, and not to survive as I initially thought it might be, but this game will decide if we win the title or not! We play already confirmed bottom side Berwick Rangers at home, and expect all three points. But this won't be good enough if Montrose win at home to Elgin City - who themselves need to win to have a chance at finishing in the playoffs. We will take the title if we win and Montrose don't, or if we draw and Montrose lose given our superior goal difference.
An absolute thumping of Berwick Rangers showed just how far we have come this season. David Goodwillie started the season awfully but scored yet again here, with a thumping effort from 15 yards. He then put pressure on a cross that forced Notman to head into his own net for 2-0. 16 year old Sean Johnston then scored his first professional goal, heading in from a corner and becoming both Clyde and League Two's youngest ever goalscorer by around a year! Adam Watts continued to prey on Berwick's inability to defend corners, when he closed down a Berwick defender's clearance and blocked the ball in to make it 4-0 at half-time. Meanwhile Montrose were 1-0 up at the break. Sub Tommy Caffrey added a 5th, and Watts almost added a 6th, but his effort was cleared off the line into a Berwick defender with the ball ending up in the net. 89 minutes in and I saw a goal update from the Montrose-Elgin game with "Allan" scoring. I didn't know who he played for so was optimistic, but it was Montrose going 2-0 up to clinch the title and crush my faint optimism. 6-0 winners, but only good enough for the Playoffs. We also managed to hold out for another clean sheet so I am happy that we have worked on our frailties from earlier in the campaign
A crazy season almost finished with a cherry to top the cake, but it wasn't to be! The frustrating thing is if we'd managed to pick up a total of 2 points from our first 8 games then we'd have won the league! We need to put this heartache behind us and move onto the Playoffs, where we will face Edinburgh City!
#415252 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
We start March in the Playoffs after our excellent victory over Stirling Albion. As far as the league title goes, it looks too far away this year as going into the final set of games [play each team once more each] we start 11 points adrift with 9 to play, so would require them to slip up massively, but nothings impossible. A more realistic aim would to be to finish as high up in the Playoff positions as possible. We are on a run of 2 defeats in 19, following our start of 7 defeats in 8 so have momentum behind us, but will need to keep this going.
In the penultimate month of the season we have a bumper load of fixtures as we play Elgin City (H), Stenhousemuir (A), Annan Athletic (A), Montrose (H) and Peterhead (A), Depending how successful the first 3 games of the month are, I'm hoping the game with Montrose may have more riding on it, but we shall see!
David Goodwillie got the game underway by scoring from the spot after an Elgin player handballed following James Carvell's free-kick. That was our first penalty since we first played Elgin in the third game of the season back in August! Smart Osadolar then added a brace after the break, both set up by the excellent Goodwillie. Our first victory over Elgin! Montrose also threw away a lead to lose to lowly Annan!
A crazy start to the game saw each of the first three shots on target go in! Two from Kieran Sommerville and one from David Goodwillie to reply. Martin Scott then scored at the near post from as corner as Goodwillie missed his clearance. Osadolar pulled one back late on after good work from Scott Ferguson but our bogey team beat us yet again. Montrose only drew however and 16 year old Sean Johnston made his debut and put in a good performance looking at positives. He also became Clyde's youngest ever player at 16 years and 50 days.
With Adam Watts and Matt Flynn back in the side, we travelled to Galabank fully expecting to blow away strugglers Annan Athletic. It certainly didn't turn out that way, and Annan were on top until Kyle Bradley flicked home his second ever professional goal. Matt Flynn on his return then emphatically doubled the misfortune, before David Goodwillie notched number 20 for the season from Blair Currie's route one ball. Aidan Smith then pulled two back for Annan after the break after slack defending, so changes had to be made. Sub Tommy Caffrey scored his first since early December after an excellent flowing team move to restore the two goal cushion at 4-2.
As Montrose won their previous game the current gap is 9 points, which would be closed to 6 points with 5 to play if we win this one, so if the title is our goal we have to win here, although could fall out of Playoff contention with a loss. We had never lead against Montrose but have fought back to claim draws twice. However this game got off to an excellent start with Smart Osadolar sweeping home from close range twice in the first ten minutes after excellent work from David Gormley. David Goodwillie then added a third on 30 minutes to leave me in disbelief, so we switched to a more defensive tactic. Terry Masson then got sent off just before half-time for Montrose to take us into dreamland. Jamie Redman did pull one back for the 10 men on the stroke of half time so it was 3-1. We pushed and were fully dominant in the second half, hitting the woodwork 3 times, before Goodwillie added his second and the team's fourth in the dying minutes and Lewis Morrison pulled one back with the last kick of the game for Montrose.
A poor game all around, few chances for both sides. Knowing that I'd need to win in order to keep up with Montrose, and thinking that I'd rather go for it at this stage, we went 2 up front and changed to a 4-2-2-2 on overload, so more like a 2-2-4-2 for the final 15 minutes looking for a winner. Peterhead had a couple of chances to score, but the usually prolific Rory McAllister was off form. I thought it would all be in vain until in added time, right-back Kieran Duffie pops up on the edge of the area and floats one into the top left corner of the Peterhead goal for his first goal for the club and first since 2014! I audibly screamed and annoyed my housemate, and felt like doing a Paulo DiCanio down the touchline. Unbelievable scenes.
Unbelievable scenes at Broadwood Stadium as a couple of crazy games to end the month see us rise up to second place in the league, FOUR points behind leaders Montrose with only four to play. I have no idea how this season is going to end, but we are guaranteed a top 7 and all but guaranteed a top 6 finish which is crazy to think about considering where we were at the end of September-rooted to the foot of the table with a single point after 8 games.
#415205 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
We start February in the top half for the first time this season, and are performing well going forward in games. We are however leaky at the back towards the end of games so will need to look at a different tactics to use if we're winning going into the final 15 minutes. We should get James Carvell (arguably player of the season), back from injury at the end of the month as well and he has been sorely missed.
This month we play Edinburgh City (H), Berwick Rangers (A), Cowdenbeath (H) and Stirling Albion (A), so we play both sides on the same number of points as us at home, as well as bottom side Berwick Rangers away. If we can pick up 7 points going into the months final game at Stirling it should be a successful month.
David Goodwillie won January's Player of The Month!
A first professional goal for young centre-back Kyle Bradley [on loan from Rangers] was the difference here, as we actually managed to see out a game for a change!
A good result at bottom side Berwick Rangers, although a shoutout to home goalkeeper Robbie McCrorie, who kept the game respectable in the first half. Scott Ferguson finally broke the deadlock before half time with a floated finish. Meldrum turned a free-kick into his own net shortly after the break before Goodwillie increased his league tally to 15 from David Gormley's cross. Another clean sheet and no goals conceded in February so far!
We go into the game with my rivals level with them on points and goal difference, we are only ahead on goals scored., so this is a real 6-pointer for the playoffs. We ended our 12 match unbeaten run by losing this one disgustingly. Defensively frail-conceded every shot on target, and toothless upfront. I feel like 9+ changes need to be made for the next game.
Started poorly, conceding to Liam Caddis' simple tap in early on. As Stirling had beaten us by narrow margins in our previous meetings this season, I could see this game going the same way, even when David Goodwillie equalised after a good cross from Smart Osadolar. Osadolar himself then sealed the victory for us after the break with a stooping header. After this, we shut the game down completely and dominated possession taking few risks to hold out 2-1 winners.
Our best month defensively, only conceding one in 3 games aside from the Cowdenbeath disaster. Came into the month hoping for 7-8 points, and came out with 9! Total contrast to January where we couldn't get a win to save our life! Currently sitting just inside the top 4, but have starting AMC Matt Flynn and DC Adam Watts both out injured for most of March. 3/4 into the season though and I'm thrilled at where we are considering our start!
#415121 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
For the first time we start a month not bottom, but actually 6th, only one point off the top half and three away from the playoffs! Looking the other way, we are only 4 points above 9th place as well, so we can go one of two ways, but are in really good form, winning our last 4. The major downside is that we lost the influential James Carvell [December's Player of The Month] in CM for 2 months with broken ribs, so I'm unsure as to how that will affect our performance moving into the second half of the season.
This month we play Annan Athletic (H), Elgin City (A), Stenhousemuir (H), Montrose (A) and Peterhead (H), so teams all over the league, but lots of games where we've previously had high scores.
Just a quick note - I won December's Manager of The Month award!
Two early goals from the in-form David Goodwillie were enough to see us win here, as we managed to keep a clean sheet for only the second time this season.
Expect a high-scoring game at Borough Briggs as the two most goal-friendly sides meet, and our last game here ended 5-4. Of course this means that I've jinxed the game and it ends 0-0. We had far more chances, but couldn't get enough efforts on target. When you're disappointed that you can't win away at 2nd in the league it can't be too bad!
Good news ahead of this one is that Jamie Longworth (scorer of 5 out of 9 Stenny goals against methis season) is out injured! We went 2-0 up thanks to a quick brace from David Goodwillie, but yet again could not hold on for the lead as McGuigan pulled one back and then Martin Scott scored a contender for goal of the season, a half-volley from 25 yards to equalise.
Same result as the previous game, but in totally different circumstances away to the runaway leaders. We dominated the first half getting 8 shots on target, but Jordan Millar in the Montrose goal had an excellent game, denying Goodwillie with an incredible double save amongst others. Daryl Nicol scored a brace early in the second half for a much improved Montrose, but after subs were made we came back into the game with goals from Goodwillie and Matt Flynn, although both were follow-ups from yet more Millar saves.
Once again, went ahead through Osadolar's first since the start of Decemeber, but couldn't hold out late in the game, conceding a basic goal when we should've already been 2 or 3 nil up.
Unbeaten in 11 games now, stretching all the way back to mid-November when we played Stirling Albion. However having drawn our past 4, we are without a win in a while, and our lack of ability to see games out and turn draws into wins has cost us 4 points this month, which would see us in the playoffs and only a point off 3rd!
#414968 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
The main aim of December is to clamber out of bottom position by Christmas and ideally start pushing for a top half finish. I also need to finalise my first XI and sort out shipping out some dead wood in the January transfer window to free up some finances.
We have league games against Montrose (H), Peterhead (A), personal rivals Cowdenbeath (A), Berwick Rangers (H) and Edinburgh City (A). This sees us take on the current top three in the league so will be a real test of how we have developed as a unit.
We travel to Links Park and league leaders Montrose first of all in December, and they blew us away in the first half, barely giving us a sniff and scoring through Daryl Nicol and a deflected goal. I gave the side a roasting at half time, as we only managed one shot altogether in the first half. I also had to make some personnel changes, which clearly made a difference and we were a different side after an hour. Smart Osadolar pulled one back with our first shot on target and equalised with 6 to play. We then went to sleep when Terry Masson restored a late lead for Montrose, but we fought and James Carvell's first goal for the club earnt us a point away to the league leaders. If only we could play for 90 minutes!
Going into this game we have 12 points from 14 games, which is exactly how Clyde have done in real life! Although they are eighth and had their manager sacked.....
Tommy Caffrey once again inspires another victory for The Bully Wee, bagging himself a brace in addition to Matt Flynn's excellent strike. Disappointing to not keep a clean sheet as Owen Gallagher scored a consolation for Peterhead, meaning we haven't kept a clean sheet since opening day. This is partly down to Blair Currie's awful form.
I always relish the games against Cowdenbeath, as I turned down their job offer to take the Clyde position instead. They're high-flying in the table and don't concede, so I was surprised to find us 2-0 up after 10 minutes through Osadolar's cross which was turned in by a Cowdenbeath defender, and Scott Ferguson's first goal of the season after a long injury lay-off. Ferguson added a second and third for a fantastic hat-trick. Centre-back Adam Watts added a fifth to take us beyond total control of the tie. Disappointingly, we did concede two needless goals at the end, both of which were Blair Currie's fault in goal.
For the first time this season, we went into a game as favourites, and struggled with the pressure as Aaron Murrell got Berwick Rangers off to a good start. Eventually our class shone through, and as the nerves started to settle Adam Watts headed home for his second in as many games, before substitutes Darren Ramsay and David Goodwillie combined twice, setting each other up to see the game off.
We went into this one unbeaten in 5 league games, whereas Edinburgh City had lost 4 on the spin. David Goodwillie, who has underwhelmed all season, started up top for the injured Tommy Caffrey, and repaid my faith by scoring the perfect hat-trick. Started with a simple left footed finish, continued with a right-footed blockbuster after Matt Flynn had put us 2-0 up from the edge of the area. He then completed the set after half time with a deft header, and almost scored a fourth when his lob came back off the bar. We couldn't keep a clean sheet again though as the last 15 minutes Edinburgh City looked much more threatening and pulled two back through Sterling and Garcia Tena.
My best month in charge of Clyde by a mile! We can now actually play nice, attacking football and always be confident that we can outscore any opponent. I'd like to improve our defensive concentration in the new year, and as well as getting rid of some deadwood, possibly bring in some other defensive options. But as far as December goes, we haven't lost, have played the best sides of the league, and AREN'T BOTTOM!!
#414901 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Whilst October was good, we are by no means out of the woods and another bad run of fixtures will see my head roll very quickly. The key will be keeping the positive dynamic with the new attacking football.
This month we have league games against struggling Stenhousemuir (A) as well as Stirling Albion (H) and Annan Athletic (A), all of which are winnable. We finish the month by playing Stenhousemuir away again in the Scottish Cup R3
We lead three times against Stenhousemuir through Goodwillie, the returning Mark Burbidge and top-scorer Osadolar, despite being pegged back by goals from McGuigan and Longworth. Smart Osadolar however made the difference as he bagged a second with an excellent assist from sub Mark Lamont making it 4-2, so that McGuigan's second was only a consolation.
Our four-game unbeaten competitive streak ended in the dullest of fashions. The game only had 3 shots on target , 2 for us and 1 for them, but they scored theirs through Andy Little, and despite pressing, we couldn't score an equaliser.
John Cunningham got Annan off to a good start, heading in a long throw after Currie came out and missed the ball. Smart Osadolar proved to be having a tough day in front of goal, and three changes were made at the break as we'd failed to have a shot on target (they'd had 2). Osadolar got moved out to the wing, and young Tommy Caffrey came on upfront. He managed to score two and set up Matt Flynn as we dominated the second half and managed 8 shots on target to their zero. On march The Bully Wee!
Our meeting earlier in the month ended 4-3, and this game followed in the same fashion. Jamie Longworth put Stenhousemuir 2-0 up with a free-kick and slotted finish. We weren't at all in the game but Tommy Caffrey continued his goalscoring form and pulled one back undeservedly on the stroke of half time. Matt Flynn equalised with a nice half-volley, but Longworth completed his hat-trick with a header as Stenhousemuir deservedly won due to Longworth alone. We fought back well in the second half and Caffrey almost forced extra-time when he hit the post in the 92nd minute, but it wasn't to be!
Disappointing to be out of the cup, but can now fully focus on the league. Need to finalise who my best XI are and how to rotate the squad properly as we are now building relationships and actually looking like a team! Only a point behind Stenhousemuir and 8 away from our season's target after our recent upturn in form! Still under pressure going into December, but at the start of October I didn't think I'd make it this far!
#414692 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
This is the make or break month of my time at Clyde, already 7 points adrift at the bottom and with no other distractions we have to start performing in the league. If we do, then morale will go up and I can see us going on a run. Another month like August and I will be unemployed once again!
We have three crucial friendlies to play when most people are on an international break against minnows Heriot-Watt Uni., Broxburn Athletic and Yoker Athletic all at home. These should be walkovers with clean sheets and a chance to improve morale and the ever-important 'dynamics'
We also have two league games to end the month, against Peterhead (H) and Elgin City (H), both of which are crucial. We also have a Scottish cup R2 tie against my personal rivals-Cowdenbeath at home. 6 home games on the spin to turn my season around or I'm for the chop!
Friendlies Summary
A 4-1 win over Heriot-Watt, a 2-0 win over Broxburn and a 3-0 win against Yoker all went to plan, progressively started playing good passing football as the three games developed - something I hadn't tried all season given the low ability of the players. Morale is up, chemistry is up, although players have no confidence in me - but after 7 straight losses who blames them?
Media have touted the game against Peterhead as a must-win or I'm for the chop, let's see what affect these friendlies and increased morale have!
We started well and were in control, until Rory McAllister scored from an indirect free-kick after 15 minutes. We stuck with the formation and were in control when Tommy Caffrey - on loan from Celtic, scored an excellent solo goal. We held Peterhead to just the one shot on target all game despite coming in as massive underdogs, and duly got our winner when the excellent Caffrey scored the winner 4 minutes from time. OUR FIRST LEAGUE WIN AT THE NINTH TIME OF ASKING.
Apparantly pressure is still on - a fan's poll says that 58% of them want me sacked, lets get them a nice cup run! Could have been an easier tie, since all other league 2 sides drew non-league opposition.
Expectations are that we should win through this round and then anything extra is a bonus.
Our level of control seemed to carry over into the cup, with MOTM - Partick Thistle loanee Mark Lamont - opening the scoring from outside the area before Smart Osadolar's shot bounced off the post and onto a Cowdenbeath defender to put us 2-0 up at half-time. Osadolar bagged his 10th of the season after the break, before Rory Connolly gave us a nervy last 10 with a consolation strike. Expectations met and onto Round 3 where we will meet Stenhousemuir from our division away from home.
Going into the game against the most free-scoring side in the league as the side with the worst defensive record and our only previous encounter ending 5-4 I thought this would be goals galore. However, the points were shared as David Goodwillie gave us the lead from a route one attack assisted by our keeper. Bruce Anderson - on loan from Aberdeen - equalised for Elgin with 20 to go and we couldn't find the winner despite having 20 shots to their 7.
An unbeaten month, morale and team chemistry boosted, October was an overall success, although we are still bottom of the league by 5 points, and around 9 points away from our pre-season ambitions.
#414109 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
I feel considerably less optimistic starting September, but I think I have all of the pieces of a successful side, they just need time to gel.
The first business in October is the IRN-BRU Cup R3, already having exceeded expectations and playing well we face St.Johnstone U20's at home who needed penalties to sneak past Peterhead from my division in the previous round, so are beatable.
We also have four league games, against Stirling Albion (A), Edinburgh City (H), Cowdenbeath (H) and Montrose (A). Stirling and Edinburgh are just above me in the table so is an opportunity to get my league season kick-started, whilst Cowdenbeath is my personal rivalry as I turned down their job offer to join Clyde!
Daniel Jardine got St.Johnstone U20's off to a good start, before David Goodwillie equalised after an excellent Max Wright through ball. Goodwillie also missed a penalty in added time which was a sign of things to come. Extra time ended goalless and St. Johnstone U20's won 4-2 on penalties after Martin McNiff and Max Wright missed, although Currie did save one.
I have exceeded expectations in the cup though, getting one round further than expected, however I feel I could have gone further. No League 2 side made it further than this stage, so we were the joint best performers from our league. But at least all of our attention can return to our dismal league form now.
Trialled a 4-3-3 this game, essentially bringing a AM back to a DM, but this did not work well as Steven Noble opened the scoring for Stirling. At half time I reverted to a flat 4-4-2, thinking this may provide more support for my full-backs. It paid off with Kevin Nicoll bagging his first for the club from a corner. David Goodwillie increased my positivity 13 minutes from time, tapping in following good work from Smart Osadolar. Sadly the same old defensive frailties showed as Andy Black equalised and Blair Currie made a rare mistake to gift the winner to Callumn Morrison. Total defensive reshuffle for the next game.
Another embarrassing result has left me resorting back to a 4-2-3-1 after my 4-4-2 experiment failed. We were controlled throughout the game, and were unsurprisingly behind after Shepherd's goal. The only positive was Osadolar and Goodwillie combining well for the equaliser, but then we lapsed in concentration and Walker scored an easy winner. Still no league wins in 6.
Another loss, meaning that our only point of the campaign so far was the opening day goalless draw. We didn't deserve to lose this one, Cowdenbeath had two shots on target to our 6, and yet Smart Osadolar's consolation goal was all that we could get out of the game after the two Cowdenbeath strikers each scored.
Same story, passing tactic worked well in play, David Goodwillie is atrocious at finishing and failed to score 4 clear cut chances. Montrose score from a corner but rarely threaten. Really nice football from my boys, but result is a 7th consecutive defeat and some major jeopardy surrounding my position.
Booking some friendlies in for the start of October to smash some little teams for six and boost morale and team chemistry, as on FM18 it seems when morale is low, performances suffer, so results suffer in a vicious cycle.
Far fewer goals scored but also less conceded than last month, hopefully our friendlies will boost confidence, morale and chemistry, kick-starting my season for real (or so I hope!)
#413915 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
That's at least one way I'm doing better than real life at least! I was expecting big things from Goodwillie and was hoping that he would destroy the competition, but a consolidation goal and a penalty wasn't quite the return I was expecting after 10 games!
#413914 [FM18]Gotta Win 'Em All
jameo_94
Into the month of August I go, and immediately we have yet another competition, this time the IRN-BRU cup, the cup for the lower divisions and Premier League's U20 sides.
We also have four league games, against Berwick Rangers (A), Annan Athletic (H), Elgin City (A) and Stenhousemuir (H) who are predicted to finish around me in 7th, 9th, 5th and 6th respectively, so this will be a good indicator of where my squad is actually at.
I feel like this is a good time to formally share my expectations for the campaign
This looks fine at first glance, but then when you see our league prediction
it seems that little bit harder.
I am essentially having to stick with the squad that I have inherited as well for this season due to only having £200 in the wage budget available, with no transfer budget and no room to take on loanees according to league rules. The one thing I have got in my favour is that trialists are allowed to play in 3 league matches, so I can at least try any new signings before committing.
First up is the must-win game in the IRN-BRU Cup against Kilmarnock U20's. I have no idea how this is going to go, as my experience playing U20 sides is varied, but we need to win to generate much-needed revenue and to meet expectations this year, despite the odds being stacked against us.
So despite being massive underdogs, we took a 1-0 lead through Mark Burbidge's neat volley from the recalled Goodwillie's cross. before Innes Cameron equalised 10 seconds later from the kickoff as we had gone to sleep making it 1-1. Our counter-attacking tactic proved to work though with Smart Osadolar netting just before the break. The goals stopped there as we held out to be deserved winners. New signings Lewis Doherty and James Carvell ran the show from central midfield and made a clear difference.
My reward for winning this tie? A home game against Rangers U20's, who scraped past Cowdenbeath on penalties - another winnable game.
Anyway, my attention is now solely on the start of the league campaign. The league will run for 36 games, and with only 10 teams it means we will play each other FOUR times, home and away twice each, so expect to see some familiar names.
A fair result, chances few and far between, Berwick probably had the better of the game but David Goodwillie had the two best chances to win it.
Our first league game of the season saw a shocking loss to Annan Athletic. We went behind early to an Aiden Smith header, before equalising through Smart Osadolar's intelligent finish. He should have ended up with at least a hattrick and saw a shot roll along the line after hitting the inside of the post before Smith notched his second. After 75 minutes I made changes and pushed for the win, which backfired as Smith completed his hattrick and Cameron Salkeld compounded our misery. The biggest positive was a return for Jordan Lowdon - our best player on the day.
This game was made for the saying "A game of two halves". We were two down thanks to goals from a 30 yard screamer from Aidan Wilson and Cameron Palmer after 62' despite having the better of the game. My front three were ineffective, including Goodwillie yet again, so got subbed on 63'. On came Smart Osadolar and Darren Ramsay, who combined for 3 goals and totally changed the outcome of a dire game. Ramsay also missed a penalty which took the game to extra time, so the players are incredibly tired and Ramsay is out for 4 weeks.
My reward in Round 3? St.Johnstone U20's! I love playing U20's
What an incredible game of football - too much to talk about. Positives:Goodwillie finally scored, I love Osadolar, Currie is a good keeper Negatives: The entire defence.
Kieran Sommerville just destroyed us - we had the better of the game and still somehow only scraped a consolation goal due to inept defending and toothless finishing. We dominated in every single stat, but the players are just not clicking as a team.
Overall September performance
Not a good league start, going to need to change formation in order to stop the rot and build some sort of cohesion between my players before we can move back to my preferred 4-2-3-1
Good cup performance though!