I’ve ditched my Stade Malherbe Caen game! I’m sorry for those of you who had really gotten into it but I felt I wanted to prove myself in the toughest of leagues and with the most focus on just English lower league teams I fancied that opportunity. Having said that I couldn’t just pick any team. I had to choose a team from at least the Blue Square South or North. Seeing as I wanted a similiar challenge to that of Johnny Karp.
I Opted between two teams really… Basingstoke and Staines. Staines would be funny just for the Ali G references (West Staines Massive) but I felt that Basingstoke was a team I actually had good chances with despite being ranked to finish in 18th position. Just for places above Dorchester. In real life Basingstoke finished this season in 16th, 1 point above Dorchester at 18th.
Their Stadium is The Camrose (What a lovely name!) and it boast a capacitiy of 600 (651 seated).
Their home support isn’t.. well let’s just say that they’re not famous/infamous for their supporterculture. But their home-end looks pretty nice with grandfathers and their grandchildren.
Onto the team then. They were rubbish! At least in my opinion if we had any hopes for promotion. So I took the Johnny Karp-approach and free transferred the ones i could and ofered the valued players to other clubs for 0 €. (I’ll change that to pounds later on, I had just forgotten, but the first few pics will contain the Euro valuation.) But instead of having uploaded all Romanian players I chose Scandinavians. I didn’t do a good choice there… as most of the Scandinavians are under contract with their clubs. It’s how we do it, at least in the third divisions. After those we tend to not give out any contracts, maybe just part-time ones to certain players. But I forgot that, so I had to look for my superteam in what was offered on the free transfer-market.
After hours of searching I ended up with a pretty decent team. Although I’m 1,000 € above my 17,000 € wage budget. But theres just some players that I can’t get rid of, and they must be compensated if a free transfer them. I’ll have to live with that and hope our overall good budget helps us at least for this season.
I chose to instantly have a rather large squad as fatigue is a big problem in the lower leagues. There are however a few key players that will be central points in my setup. Their ages also reflect that as there are about 6—7 players that holds wages just above 1,000€ a month. I’ll show you the gems I lured to Basingstoke Town.
Definitely the best signing i made this window. No one else seemed to find this guy on the market as I had no competition for him. Great aerial ability but also better on the feet than most Defenders I’ve seen in the Blue Square Premier! He’s the new Captain aswell. He’ll be playing in every game I’m sure, as long as he stays fit.
A central defender-companion for American Chris Rodd. Forrest is a good and steady player that will help build a solid pairing at the back.
Another vital signing is Alexis Nikolas. I heard that Johnny Karp failed in his attempt to sign this guy and that was a pity. He’ll be a perfect holding midfielder for my team. Boasts the highest contract in my team with 1,800€.
More of a attack minded midfielder which is much needed. Standing will hold one of the MC positions in my diamond midfield.
A good passer. Holds some good attributes to add to a ,what is turning out to be, steady midfield.
I have rather high hopes for this New Zeeland-player. Just got his first cap for the national team aswell. Will play just behind the strikers.
The real problem I have is with Wingbacks and Strikers. Our keepers our Okay but could cost us in some games, but the strikers could be anything from great to awful. Lets just hope that at least one of the strikers turn out to help propell the club forward.
I have chosen to play much like Ana Garcia. I’ve customized the players instructions to match their qualities but I really do believe that a shocking tactic can take the team a long way in these lower regions. Hopefully the players can fit into my ideals.
Cheers,
Majk
Laxeyman
11 мая, 2010 at 18:28
Hi Majk, I was suprised to see you finish your Stade Malherbe Caen game, but Basingstoke will be a big challenge! You’ve made some good signings, hopefully you can get at least a play off spot. Good luck!
Mícheál
11 мая, 2010 at 18:30
well done Majik
You made some really good signings there. Alexis Nikolis looks really good. GOOD LUCK
warren
11 мая, 2010 at 18:49
Hi Majk
A shame that you have decided to end your SMC story mid season but I guess thats your choice. I am looking forward in seeing how you fair managing Basingstoke.
good luck
warren
Lye
11 мая, 2010 at 19:19
Hi Majk, welcome to the lower league challenge. Its a pity to ditch that Caen game as you are doing really well there but i guess the propect of leading a lower league club to premier league really excites you. Good luck for your new team and you had signed some good players who hopefully can push you to a play-off spot or automatic promotion. Good luck.
Majk
11 мая, 2010 at 19:26
@warren — I hear you. I’m working on a final Caen post as I’ve finished the last season a few days ago. I just got a bit eager in posting about my new story after a short chat with Johnny.
The challenge with Caen was all about the Champions League, which I had already won once, although a bit lucky. But I got sick of seeing the same opposition over and over again.
@laxeyman — thanks, yes, I was happy with most of the signings. There are a few ore i similar quality but I chose to shine the light on a few of the players this early on, but I’m sure that more faces will make their mark on this first season.
@Micheal — Thanks mate! He sure does!
@Lye — It is a pity. I had a great team with Caen. You’re spot on, the prospect and challenge of playing in the lowest english division was too much in the end.
Johnny Karp
11 мая, 2010 at 20:20
Good luck Majk, you started really well. I compared your signings with mine and I can tell you that these players that you got are much better than my new lads, much better. And a quick tip: you can always make offers of 0 euro for players under contract in lower leagues, I signed quite a few of the Romanians this way.
Ana Garcia
11 мая, 2010 at 21:00
Play like me, im flattered!!
Was going to suggest you change the player instuctions, am guessing you dont have many Xavi’s or Iniesta’s in your team! :)
Best of luck, lower leagues is always enjoyable to read and follow!
Majk
11 мая, 2010 at 21:47
@Johnny — I find great pleasure in driving through lengths and lengths of playerlists. Maybe that’s why i ended up with rather good options? Yes of course, the 0 euro offer was something I didn’t even think about. But on the other hand most of the scandinavian players would require a bigger salary than your romanian players. They’re just a bit spoiled with nice paychecks. But then again my best player, according to journalists, is one of the players I didn’t sell, and who really is playing far above is own abilities. It’s Stephen Laidler.
@Ana Garcia — Thanks for not being upset about the tactic-swipe. :)
Well, as I said to Johnny, my Laidler in the AMC role could easily be mistaken for Iniesta. He blossoms in that position, but I believe it thanks to the tactic. But I’ve set down some creativity on a few players and limitng the defenders a bit, and the strikers get certain intructions. I was looking for a pacey player to take the poachers role and instead making him an advanded striker that moves into channels. Great for a counter attacking deployment of the tactic.
Sears
11 мая, 2010 at 22:04
Majk,sorry to hear about you ending your SMc story,but this new syoty will be very eciting.
Deano
11 мая, 2010 at 22:17
Hey mate, I think it’s great that you have opted to manage Basingstoke, as I have a lot of friends who live there! I wish you the best of luck and am looking forward to following your story! Also signing Michael Standing was a good decision, I rate him from my Oxford United Story, he was great.
Kevin
12 мая, 2010 at 01:11
Hello Majk
Looking forward to this new story from you and an intersting choice of team as well. Some decent signings in the transfer market and good luck with the new season.