Hi everyone!!
Welcome back to my pentagon challenge, and having had a rather disappointing season last time we achieved our goal of surviving so was very keen to build a new squad with a much more youthful look.
I lost my best player through a forced retirement and struggled to replace him, but here is my third season from start to finish.
So lets go!
Managerial C.V
— Black Aces (June 2011 – Present)
First Division : 2012
——————————-
So the season began with another new contract, well the same wages as last time but I extended my stay for another 12 months.
My board are very happy with me at the moment and they have full confidence in me.
So another parent club and another +40k every season for my club which wont sound like much to most but now we can afford to rent our stadium for free now.
Alongside Burnley from last season we now earn over £80k for our parent clubs so its like free money for us!
So the media predict we will struggle once again as we are predicted 14th out of 15.
But last year we were predicted 15th so we gained a place! Only a £130 pounds a season to watch us and seeing as we play all out attack its defiantly good value for money!
However this season I will stand on the side of caution (yes I did say caution!) as I cant concede another 75 goals but I will still play quite attacking, so dont worry. :)
Transfers In And Out
Busy, busy, busy!!
I released/got rid off most of my high earners and players over 30, McCarthy was released which didnt please our fans! He is on our favoured personal list but at 36 and big wages I had no choice but to let his contract expire.
I wont post every single player as it would take forever!
But I spent a bit of money, £30k to be exact on a new central defender but I failed in my attempts to replace Shongwe from last season so we dont really have a good center forward which is quite worrying going into the new season.
Sandile Sibande
Easily my best signing and will be play in the centre of my midfield. On big wages but I feel he is worth it as his stats are very good and and I have really high hopes for him.
Siyabuela Songwiqi
So as requested by CsAtlantis from my previous post he wanted a picture of Songwiqi my star man from last season.
He was on loan but his contract expired at the Kaizer Chiefs so I quickly signed him up and he will play AML again this season.
Club Finances
I am so happy with my finances at the moment as we are making money and thats a hard thing to do in South Africa!
We are closing in on a million pounds which would be fantastic, lets just hope my players can keep us in the division!
Results And Table — Halfway Point
Hmmm, not too bad I guess.
We are 10 points clear of Tuks, but amazingly my biggest problem is actually scoring goals!
Our defence has done really well but we lack a player who can take chances so in the January window I made that my main priority.
January Transfers
So January we saw our transfer records smashed! I bought our most expensive player and earned the most ever received in our clubs history.
Mungomeni was bought in for free so it was a fantastic piece of business he was a good player but I would have accepted half of what Sundowns payed.
Both my new players were front men and I was delighted with both of them.
Andile Kwelete
So the more eagle-eyed of you may have noticed I bought Kwelete on the first of January so his debut was against the Golden Arrows the last team we played in my first half results and yes he scored!
Infact he created the other two goals also, so for £30k he looks a real bargain.
Sibusiso Ntuli
So he was an attacking midfield player that can also play as a striker and thats where I will play him, he will partner Kwelete.
I like his speed and that he has good finshing so hopefully he can forge a good partnership and score some goals!
Milestone — 100 games!
So seeing as I managed about 1600 games last time I felt it would be nice if I posted my milestone games at every hundred.
That way you can see my stats and how well I am fairing! Win percentage over 50% is nice and as you can see I dont draw many games as I am very much an all or nothing type manager!
Note : we lost that game! :)
Final League Reasults And Table
Wow, am very pleased!
We managed to finish 6th a new record and to be honest we never looked in any danger of slipping out of the division and we comfortably survived.
I feel we are establishing ourselves but dont expect a title push just yet as the Sundowns and the Kaizer Chiefs are way to far ahead of us but if we can finish top six again next season I will be delighted.
We defended very well considering last time I conceded 75 and we only scored 8 goals less but were without a decent strikeforce over the first half so I feel if I had my two new strikers we would have easily scored more.
Performance Of The Season
So I just had to post this, not just for the excellent 7-1 victory but the fact we played most of the game with 10 men!!
We are extremely effective on the counter and we showed such a clinical edge that despite losing Gumede after 18 minutes we manages to score five times!!
Considering that Supersport only finished two points behind us I thought it was a terrific victory. :)
Final Player Ratings
So my new front two settled very quickly scoring thirteen times in twenty four games between them.
Kwenene was outstanding at the heart of my defense and despite his injury he thankfully decided not to retire. :)
Sibande was also fantastic in my midfield and Rakhule was a fantastic surprise as I bought him as a back-up player, but he forced his way into my first eleven and now he is almost a first pick!
Star Player Of The Season — Awonke Eddie Kwenene
Seeing as Kwenene played the whole season I gave him my player of the season with Sibande very close.
But I dont give too much credit to defenders as am very attack minded but he was fantastic alongside Gumede who is also a young and talented defender so am very pleased with them both.
Save Game Status And Finances
So with the January sales I broke the million pound mark!
Despite spending over a £100k on new players, we had a massive turnover of almost £2.6 million and a whopping £750k profit!
So the clubs finances are looking very healthy and remember we receive no TV rights money.
Round-Up And First Job Link!!
Made me smile!
For those who dont know I am a very passionate Barcelona fan so the idea of joining anything affiliated with Real Madrid, well lets just say I declined. :)
So in the end we had a really terrific season and even surprised me on just how well we did.
To finish sixth was a great achievement and I sort of had a four year plan of promotion, survival, an easier survival and then establishing ourselves as a top six side.
So you could say we have achieved that a year earlier than I imagined but we wont be title contenders so dont expect that!
I am just so happy with our finances and with our team, its a young side but its seems to work as we have good pace and some very good players.
So once again thanks for reading, and any requests for pictures of anything just let me know and I will post them.
Next up will be season four and am confident of surviving again with my aim of being top six once again.
Alex
21 ноября, 2011 at 20:53
A simply fantastic season, and you were only 1 point away from 4th! I think that even if you don’t strengthen in the close season you’ll finish in the top four but with new signings perhaps 3rd could be realistic. The finances are looking extremely strong, you should get a nice transfer budget. I hope the next season is fruitful :)
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:32
Thanks Alex!
I never even noticed! Plus we were only one point behind Orlando Pirates and they are worth over £10 million! :)
Am defiantly looking top six again and we should be able to attract a good standard of player to our club, hopefully.
Am so pleased with our finances! I had a nightmare last time trying to balance the budget and running into debt but were defiantly not struggling so far.
Stromson
21 ноября, 2011 at 21:11
Wow, that’s a fantastic season! I have to admit, you have me curious enough to *maybe* try South Africa one day. ;-) Regardless, you seem to be having a great time managing there, which is reflected in your story. Keep up the good work, cant’ wait for the next update!
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:35
Ha! You should try it, you may even like it! :)
I really like it and I love the fact I can only buy South African players but every other team in the league seems to be able to buy who ever they like!
Infact its annoying me a bit, I just dont understand why I am not allowed.
But I digress! :)
Darren Smith
21 ноября, 2011 at 21:53
Well done Ana, that was a fantastic season and you seem to have steadied a very ropey ship so well done. I think that next season could be the break through season so look forward to that.
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Darren,
We played well first half of the season just couldnt convert chances.
Was delighted when I signed our two new strikers and that was definalty the turning point for our good end of season run.
George Dobson
21 ноября, 2011 at 22:09
great season Ana good luck for next season and your finances are looking very healthy :D
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks George! :)
Kevin
22 ноября, 2011 at 00:08
Hola Ana
That was a much better season for you with good signs of improvemen. With healthier finaces and an improving stature of the club you could make a real push for the title next season. Well done !!
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:39
Hola!
Am not sure about the title, financially we cant compete with the top teams!!
Some of there players are on £4-5k a week my top earner is on £950 pounds. :)
Lye
22 ноября, 2011 at 00:59
Hi Ana,
This is a big improvement and you are slowly establishing your team into a top side. With the money in the bank, lets hope you get a bigger transfer budget and break your team into top four next season.
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:42
Hi Lye and thanks. :)
Top four is a good target but I feel top six again will be my aim.
I just hope they increase my wage budget a bit as I dont have a very big squad so I struggle when injuries/suspension build up.
And in South Africa a red is an automatic 3 match ban whether straight or two yellows!
CsAtlantis
22 ноября, 2011 at 04:14
Very nice Ana, I expected Songwiqi to be a more clinical finisher but his finishing and composure doesn’t seem to prevent him from getting some goals
Kwelete and Ntuli were inspired signings in the January window, they pushed your club up to only 1 point behind Orlando Pirates (quite a massive club in South Africa I believe)
With your improved bank balance you should be free to push on and improve next season, good luck!
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:48
Thanks!
He seems to be in the right place more times than not and with his pace he can create chances from nothing.
In all honesty I would say 90% of his goals are from rebounds but his anticipation is low also so am not sure!
I agree! I was buying both but knew I could only afford one at the time and then when we sold our defender for £400k I rushed to get Ntuli!
His contract stalled for a while but got him in the end and they were a real catalyst for our excellent second half of the season.
You are correct! Probably the richest club in South Africa alongside the Kaizer Cheifs and one of the biggest was quite happy to finish a point behind them. :)
Johnny Karp
22 ноября, 2011 at 08:27
That was a very good season Ana, finishing 6th is just great but I have to say that I’m even more impressed with your finances! You are building a solid club there and I wouldn’t be surprised to see you in the title race next season. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:52
Thanks Johnny!
I feel we massively overachieved but we do have a pretty good squad, so hopefully we can push on next season.
We still lose quite a lot of money each (about £50k-60k) month but with transfers out and season tickets we have enough to turn a profit.
Also doing well in the cup competitions which I dont usually post unless we get to the semi or the final gets us a bit extra.
Am not sure about a title race! The cubs have far more money than we have so we cant compete with the players they can afford but I will be very happy with a sixth placed finish again. :)
Laxeyman
22 ноября, 2011 at 08:44
Excellent season Ana, well done! You’re team has improved greatly from last season, and I’m backing you to get into the top 3 next season :) Good luck!
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:55
Thanks Laxeyman!
Top three would be nice. :)
vaibhavc
22 ноября, 2011 at 16:18
Wow, that was a great win against Supersport United, that was very good. 6th is very amazing, you climbed up many places. Maybe next season you can do even better.
Ana Garcia
22 ноября, 2011 at 18:56
Thanks!
I agree especially playing most of the game with ten men!
I still feel we massively overachieved to finish sixth so we will need so new signings if we want to try and finish there again! :)
Sears
23 ноября, 2011 at 16:26
Superb season Ana, very impressive! With a few new signings, you can have a great season next season. Good luck!
Ana Garcia
26 ноября, 2011 at 11:11
Thanks Sears!
I agree and with our mini-reputation boost we can attract some slightly better players! :)
Chris @ Chester
25 ноября, 2011 at 00:13
That was a fantastic season there. I think you ought to be pushing for a top 3 place next season if you get the right players in. Well done and good luck :-)
Ana Garcia
26 ноября, 2011 at 11:12
Thanks Chris!
Top three will be difficult as financially we are dwarfed by the bigger sides, I would be very happy with another top six finish. :)
Dan Ireland
28 ноября, 2011 at 07:04
An fantastic season im a big fan but do you actually watch all your matches or just go on holiday?
Ana Garcia
28 ноября, 2011 at 19:17
Thanks Dan! :)
I watch all my games but I turn highlights off etc on cup games or pre-season games that I dont really care that much about.
I tend to focus 100% on the league so I watch every game and special games like finals I tend to watch the whole match from start to finish on a medium speed to make sure I dont mess up. :)
I dont holiday unless I am unemployed and am waiting for some jobs to become available.
Dan Ireland
29 ноября, 2011 at 06:55
Oh fair enough might start a pentagon challenge myself for a laugh why not!
Ana Garcia
29 ноября, 2011 at 22:12
You should try it!
Its lots of fun and takes you out of your comfort zone, I would like to hear any progress you make also. :)