Hey folks, we’re back in the North East today for my Newcastle story. I will be returning to the Ultimate European Challenge very soon but need more time to complete the season. Its been a little while since my last post on the Magpies progress so lets recap the season to date. The new owners gave me more than £40 million to spend during the summer, which was used to bring in some really promising young talent. We also started the season well on the pitch, my side were top of the league and still in all competitions. We even won the Charity shield and Euro Super Cup. Today’s post will feature the clubs progress from December through to the end of February. Lets start with some more promising news about the new owners and my winter transfer activity.
With a little bit of money available for transfers, I was desperate to invest even further into the clubs future. The board had offered me £6 million for transfers after their evaluation of our expectations. I didn’t even need to adjust them from the pre-season expectations of a ‘title challenge’. However this money would prove tough to spend without any wage budget allowance. I requested more money for wages during a meeting with the board and below is their reaction…do you think Mike Ashley would have said this? :)
As a result I managed to sign two very good wonderkids. I also have a lot left over to bargain with for free transfers come the end of the season. The first youngster through the door was Pereyra, the left back was signed from Argentina and at the age of 17 has a bright future.
The second regen is a centre back I have been tracking for a year now. He played for Leeds Utd and is just 16 years old. His fee of £4 million is peanuts considering this guys attributes. My only concern is his pace, however I could turn a blind eye to that and hope he would get faster with training.
Club World Championship
I went into this competition with the hope of offering some experience to my youngsters. This was possible during the semi-final and they produced the goods with a 3-0 victory over DC United. However, the final was against a very capable opponent in Corinthians so I decided to use a far stronger starting XI. The decision paid off as we incurred no injuries and left the tie with a 3-1 victory.
The final wasn’t without its nervous moments though. Marcelo put the Brazilian side ahead before my side finally picked up the pace to win 3-1. Dudu’s strike was the perfect way to win our third trophy of the season.
The fans seemed far more impressed with this triumph than the board, but I was very happy to see my wonderkid Hernandez claim ‘best player’.
After an unbeaten start to my 2013/14 season, I was determined to keep up the record. Paloschi took care of the scoring while my back four and Goalkeeper managed 11 clean sheets. We won all 14 of our Premier League fixtures and I really couldn’t have asked for much more.
In fact, Enyeama has been so brilliant he was rewarded with European Goalkeeper of the Year. Asenjo and Julio Cesar came second and third but my main man was the star. Must admit I was proud as punch, remember I only paid £250K for the Nigerian during my first transfer window.
Top notch performance — Manchester Utd 4-5 Newcastle
I think you all knew which game would be selected here. This match was a real battle, Man Utd fought back twice but the second time saw them one goal short of the draw. United are probably my biggest competition for the title, so to win away was extremely impressive.
After an incredible run of form Newcastle are top by a comfortable margin. Second placed Manchester City are 17 points off the pace and I still have a game in hand. I think its safe to say the Premier League is all wrapped up and I can now concentrate on other competitions.
After a mixed draw so far in the Carling Cup, my side had Man Utd to pass in the quarter-final. I used a fairly young squad mixed with a few key players and the blend worked well as United had a weak side out. After brushing them a side 1-0, I was happy to avoid Manchester City in the semi-final. Wolves proved an easy opponent as we won 7-3 on aggregate. My first game in March will be the League Cup final against Manchester City. A tough tie but I am hopeful of winning the competition for the third time in a row.
During my last post you saw Newcastle qualify from our Champions League group with absolute ease. Our First Knockout round opponents are Roma. We just managed a 3-2 away win during the first leg. This was thanks to a late goal from Rodwell. Hopefully this will set us up nicely for the second leg.
Roma kept coming back, but my boys showed some real metal to pull through. The 4-4-2 was used here and Sanogo played well while Paloschi managed 3 assists.
Well this is where it all went wrong for me, and in the last game of February too. We beat both Hull and Luton with ease to qualify for the fifth round. Then I underestimated Sheffield United, we used the wrong tactic and a very weak side, this saw the Championship side win 2-0. I was very disappointed and we now have one less competition to go for.
Although I can concentrate on the Champions League now, I was disappointed to see my 48 game unbeaten run come to an end. We still have the 24 game winning streak in the Premier League to carry forward though.
After managing such an impressive run you would expect my players to be showing up with good rating. My back four of Musacchio, Taylor, Richards and Enrique have been simply brilliant. Afellay has already managed 21 assists from 26 games and should top 30 by the seasons end. Paloschi has scored 21 goals and Sanogo is close behind with 20. Everyone else has chipped in with smaller quantities, but Hernandez and Verratti are looking good to takeover from Afellay when he’s too old. Verratti has managed 13 assists while Hernandez has got 7.
The next post will take us all the way to my end of season. I’m still not sure how my side will react to the shock FA Cup exit, but we’ll soon find out. The League Cup final is very important, not for the silverware but to regain the momentum. Leaving two competitions so quickly would damage my sides morale badly. Lets hope it doesn’t come to that.
Well that is it for today’s post, thanks for reading guys. Please feel free to ask any questions and I look forward to your comments as always. :)
Sears
9 января, 2011 at 16:46
That’s just… unbelievable. 26 wins out of 27 games is astonishing. It’s all to easy for you in the English league now :-D You signed two exciting youngsters as well. With the league wrapped up I’m sure you can win the league cup and Champions League again. Pity you lost in the FA Cup, winning that would cap off a memorable season. Good luck!
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 21:58
Thanks Sears, we really are on an amazing run and the players have shocked me. I am hopeful of at least a double.
Laxeyman
9 января, 2011 at 18:56
Unbelievable Darren, to win that many games in a row is incredible, and you’re surely on for a record points tally in the Premier League. That will be easily won and hopefully you can go on and win everything else as well (bar the FA Cup) you are capable and I hope you do it. Good luck!
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 21:59
Thanks Laxeyman, the FA Cup was a shock to be honest be I’m ready to get back on track and hopefully win a few trophies.
warren
9 января, 2011 at 19:26
Such a shame that the Sheffield match ended what could have been an unbelievable season but you shouldn’t let it affect you too much. Your still on course to have another superb season.
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 22:00
Thanks Warren, it was a real shame but maybe we need the extra rest to win in Europe again. That will come down to luck and the draw but hopefully we’ll win at least two trophies.
stolidtito
9 января, 2011 at 20:50
Darren,How you do for Musachio to score as many goals?
Congratulations
Birdy
9 января, 2011 at 21:31
Stolidtitio He put Musacchio attacking the back post and get the Delivery to the 6 Yard Box :D
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 22:06
Very close Birdy but I set my corners for the far post. The six yard box is another one I sometimes try but have found more success with the latter.
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 22:02
Hi mate, Musacchio is set to either ‘attack the far post or ‘stand on the far post’ during corners. Then I set my corner taker to aim for the far post. All of Musacchios goals come from set pieces.
Birdy
9 января, 2011 at 21:32
Hey Darren that is awesome work. Keep going unlucky in the Fa cup but your boys will Recover.
Good Luck Make it 2 champions league wins :D
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 22:08
Thanks Birdy, I really hope the squad recover as that result must have dinted their pride. Two Champions League wins in a row is very tough but would be amazing.
Birdy
10 января, 2011 at 00:11
Which one scores more goals because i’m testing it with Unidentified Player shown in the next post. Stand on Far Post, Attack Far Post
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:38
I set Musacchio to ‘attack far post’, that seems to get the best out of him. However, I reckon a really tall centre back would do better standing on the far post.
Kevin
9 января, 2011 at 21:36
Hi Darren
I’m glad to see a new update to this story as i was beginning to miss it. what can I say — a superb run of form except for that little slip up against Sheffield. Despite that you are in for another great end to the season and those two new signings are just awesome!
Darren Smith
9 января, 2011 at 22:09
Thanks Kevin, always nice to hear someone craves a story lol :) The regens look like top class players and hopefully my side can recover from an embarrasing defeat. They should and need to as we have the League Cup final next!
Arjuna
9 января, 2011 at 22:30
Wow Darren, you are absoloutely dominating in every competition. The FA Cup was unlucky, but you should rebound strongly from that. You should win the other competitions you are still in.
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Arjuna, hopefully the FA Cup exit will not damage our momentum too badly.
Lye
10 января, 2011 at 01:51
Hi Darren,
The good form continues but i think your reserve players disappoint a bit against Sheffield Utd. I agree the title is more or less wrap up as i can’t see any teams capable to overtake you. It should be another fruitful season and i am waiting for that. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:39
Your right Lye, the reserve players were very disappointing and I was amazed to lose as well. Hopefully the season will still be successful and the players won’t let that bad result effect them.
Wazz
10 января, 2011 at 06:47
UNBELIEVABLE run Darren! Your team is doing really great but it’s a shame that you lost against Sheffield United. 17 points with a game in hand, pure awesomeness Darren! ;) Good Luck and looking forward for both your Newcastle’s and HSV’s update.
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:40
Thanks Wazz, my side are really strong and leave me confident going into most fixtures. Losing my unbeaten run and the FA Cup was a disaster, but I only have myself to blame. HSV update coming tomorrow I think mate.
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2011 at 10:33
Excellent, you are dominating the football world! Too bad about that FA Cup exit, it would have been a perfect season.
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:41
Thanks Johnny, I got very lucky with some of the players and my squad has developed faster than I’d anticipated.
Daniel
10 января, 2011 at 17:23
although i havent repeated it on any game since FM i went on a 220 unbeaten streak on FM 07 but its all gotten harder since then hopefully you will do it aswell
Darren Smith
10 января, 2011 at 18:43
Wow Daniel, that unbeaten run is incredible. Unfortionately my time unbeaten run in all comps has finished following that FA Cup loss, but we’re still unbeaten in the league all season so it would be nice to maintain that.
Daniel
10 января, 2011 at 22:44
You can do it and it took tht was the only saved game i had and i had managed to get to my 30th season on fm07
Ana Garcia
11 января, 2011 at 20:43
Well done Darren!
Really amazing team you are building 24 unbeaten is something to be proud of but 24 straight wins is something else!!
You corner routine is exactly the same as mine so I know how good it is! Perhaps you/me should post it at the forum as we have both tried and tested it in two different leagues to equal success.
A bit of a surprise in the FA cup but that can happen it may spoil a perfect season! Good luck in the champions league I would wish you luck in the league but it looks like you have won it already!!!
:)
Darren Smith
11 января, 2011 at 21:48
Hey Ana, I am really proud of my team. Individually their not the best in the world but combined their just unstoppable at times. I seem to have stumbled across the perfect mix really.
At some point we should put our corner set piece into the forum. It is tried and tested like you say and I’m positive it will work in any country. It could help a lot of people. Thanks Ana.
Sayam Khan
14 января, 2011 at 18:06
Your dominating the world! Well done. 24 games won in a row is something really special. Good luck
Darren Smith
14 января, 2011 at 18:43
Thanks Sayam, my side have found a really good stride and I just hope the FA Cup defeat doesn’t ruin that. Hopefully we’ll be back on our feet soon. :)
Matthew Cousins
16 мая, 2011 at 17:07
Hiya,
Just wondering, can you do this in the 10-11 season or does it have to be further on in the game? Also what tactic did you use?
Matthew Cousins
Darren Smith
16 мая, 2011 at 18:54
Hey Matthew, I’m not sure I understand your question. Can I do what in the 10-11 season? Not sure what this is reference too, sorry. I’d be happy to answer if you can elaborate though. As for tactics here is how I set out my team against every club in the Prem https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2010/12/fm-2011-tactics-guide-how-i-beat-every-club-in-the-premier-league/ Within this post is the link to my tactics themselves too.