Hey guys and welcome back to the North East for another episode of my FM 2011 Newcastle story. I dropped a bombshell during my last post with the departure of Sanogo and many more players. All in all we raised £95 million and I already have replacements prepared, all of which were promoted from within Saint James Park. Today we will see what sort of damage I have brought upon the Toon with the sale of our legend (Sanogo.) All the results in all competitions shall be revealed up until the end of December, so sit back, relax and lets focus on Newcastle’s first half of the 2020/21 season starting with my Euro Super Cup tie against Barcelona.
Euro Super Cup vs Barcelona
I know this match is played after a few EPL fixtures, but thought we’d be best starting here. After winning the Champions League last season I earned the right to fight for another novelty in the Super Cup. My opponents are Barcelona, believe it or not they won the Europa League last year, which is crazy because their team looks incredible, just how the Spanish giants wound up in that competition is beyond me. Either way I have the match highlights below so please feel free to see how the Toon performed.
An excellent performance and very nice strike from Anconetani guaranteed victory. While some of you may worry about Sanogo’s departure, I am very optimistic for many reasons. First of all I have three very capable strikers and one of which is the best around. But more importantly, my ‘Manchelona’ tactic was created to be fluid and despite using a 4-5-1 can quickly change to 4-3-3 meaning the two wingers join my lone striker without me changing their literal position and Anconetani is pure brilliance from the right, if he can keep scoring I’ll have no issues. Just look at Newcastle’s domination over Barcelona, the match stats below say it all.
Premier League results — August to October 2020
The 2020/21 season opener was against Chelsea. Due to the Olympics I was without 8 first team stars and fielded a weak XI but still destroyed the London club 3-0. Then my stars came back to really impress against Hull as we won 7-0. I watched on as the clean sheets kept coming, in fact during our first three months Newcastle conceded just one goal which came against Portsmouth. We won all 10 fixtures with relative ease and any hangovers from Sanogo’s departure weren’t apparent.
Premier League results — November to December
The ridiculous run continued into November as Manchester City were slaughtered 5-0. After that my side struggled a little for goals but an iron clad defence kept our run going. From November to December we conceded just one goal and won all 10 matches yet again. This run included the 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal, 5-0 thumping of Manchester United and 4-1 mauling of Chelsea.
Premier League table
After the first 20 games I find myself comfortable in top spot with a 14 point gap to Spur’s in second and we still have one game in hand. We only conceded two goals and won every single match not to mention an average goals per game tally of three. Sanogo…Sanogo who??
League Cup results
OK so we waltzed the league, but cup competitions are far tougher aren’t they? Well the League Cup certainly isn’t and this was demonstrated early on as QPR were thrashed 4-0 by my second string XI. West Brom were drawn in the fourth round and put up a good fight but lost 2-0 thanks to Anconetani and Hernandez before Chelsea were destroyed in the quarter-final 5-0. My semi-final opponents could offer some resistance though, Manchester Utd have a good team and I’ll be forced to rest some stars.
Champions League results and table
No one seems to be offering a challenge domestically, but Europe is always a different story and as the Champions League develops I’m sure Newcastle will be tested. The group draw provided some tough opposition on paper, Juventus are the third best in Italy, Marseille are the best in France and Fenerbahce are the top team in Turkey. However, in reality all these sides couldn’t stop my boys in full flow. We won all six group matches including a 7-0 thrashing of Marseille in France and 3-0 mauling of Juventus both at home and away.
Like in the Premier League, we only conceded two goals and these came while using a complete second string XI. The winning streak continues and should do in the first knockout round as I don’t envisage Benfica offering much of a threat.
Club World Championship results
This competition has become batting practise for my youngsters and this season was no different. ES Tunis helped me kick the competition off 4-0 as youngster Fernando bagged a brace alongside Da Silva. The final pitted us against last seasons opponents, Velez, the Argentine’s enjoyed a solid first half but fell apart in the second losing 3-0. Another trophy and lets hope the second of many this year.
Well my unbeaten run is still going and now stretches to 171 games, we’re so close to 200. Having said that I feel like we have managed more impressive records already like conceding just 4 goals from 32 matches and winning 32 matches on the bounce since the start of this season.
Squad stats and finances
After the start we’ve enjoyed you would expect some large average ratings, well 7 squad members have managed higher than 7.5 and just two players came in with lower than 7. That is impressive, but my best player by far is Anconetani who scored 16 goals and assisted 18. I’ll let you examine the rest as there’s so much to see, my team is simply brilliant and the fact they all grew up together from the ages of 15-19 years old is rewarding. Very much like Sir Alex Fergusan’s 1999 Champions League winning team, who were raised through the United ranks together.
Just to demonstrate my squads recent form, lets check this years World and European player awards. Below is the long list and every single award has one of my players names etched into the trophy for a second year running. In fact ‘Defender of the year’ was dominated by all my defenders getting 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
During the end of pre-season my bank balance read £333 million and this was after some very big transfers. Now I am at the start of January and the bank balance has dropped to £329 million, this is actually very good as I usually experience a loss of around £15 million during the first six months of a season.
Well that about does it for today guys, I hope you enjoyed the post and thanks for stopping by. Next update will reveal the end of my league campaign and reveal how far I went in all competitions. Until then please feel free to ask any questions below and I look forward to reading your comments as always.
P.S. Ana Garcia requested a look at Sanogo’s career history, so here you go. Just remember the stats below are from league matches only.
vikingmarius
8 августа, 2011 at 22:44
Another fantastic post and 171 games unbeaten is mind-blowing, i can see why you believe in Santos to fill Sanogo’s boots, worth tons at 36.5m. Bit of a shame fairclough is under 7 avg, but he is 17 so still doing quite well :)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:50
Thanks Viking, I reckon we’ll walk the league and hopefully see more yet from Santos. Fairclough is just young and while he doesn’t make an impact yet, he shows a nice touch.
Jay
8 августа, 2011 at 23:48
Wicked stuff mate — summed it up there Sanago who??
how bout some shots of the prem, fa, league and CL history of past winners, that would be prettty good if you could :)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:51
Thanks Jay, I will get those screeshots for the next post.
Kevin
8 августа, 2011 at 23:56
Hi Darren
Unstoppable and now unpenetrable too! Just 4 goals against? There’s no doubt you have elevated this club to new heights and are surely going to load up the trophy cabinet again :)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks Kevin, I was as amazed as anyone to see just 4 conceded. Hopefully we will maintain the run.
CsAtlantis
9 августа, 2011 at 01:43
Wonder if you can complete a campaign without conceding, but I’ll bet that’s a very mean feat to achieve, Anconetani won quite a bunch of awards, but your defenders all deserve their praise, hogging the European defender awards (maybe your defenders got 4th place too :P)
You know, you might overhaul barca if you sell off your 20m plus players :D
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:53
Without conceding mate, well that would be insane lol :) I think those awards speak volume for the quality of my players and they make it all easier. I think selling those players will definitely happen over the next four seasons so Barca aren’t too far away.
Lye
9 августа, 2011 at 05:51
Hi Darren,
Wow, you really thrashed all your rivals winning four to five goals. Championship form is not enough to describe how good your team is. I am just waiting to see you win the trophy one by one. Another fantastic season coming up. Well done.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:54
Thanks Lye, I do hope we continue this trophy run.
Sibo
9 августа, 2011 at 09:27
If it wasn’t for the names I swear that FM has accidentally put you in the Blue Square Premier Darren! That level of domination is utterly incredible…to do it without The Legend, but merely the second coming (which is what I shall call Santos until he scores more goals), is even more incredible. :D
Well done Darren, I hope that you can now extend that dominance to the world of finance. :D
Finally, how on earth is Anconetani still not capped for Argentina? Do they have incredible players or is this just a massively stupid mistake by their manager? :D
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:56
lol, it does seem that easy mate but I make tough decisions under the surface with regards to playing lesser players for experience which could break our run. I honestly don’t know how Anconetani isn’t in the Argentina side because their winger aint that good!
Birdy
9 августа, 2011 at 09:33
Very Nice work Darren
As always you will win the league but this year instead of Dominating your are abolishing the league. ( if that’s a word ). Every team would be demoralised before playing you guys
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:56
Thanks mate, must admit I wouldn’t like reading our team sheet as the opponents.
George Dobson
9 августа, 2011 at 09:57
well done Darren you are smashing the league and all the other cups and as you said sanogo who
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:57
Thanks George.
PaulCustus
9 августа, 2011 at 10:42
Darren love this story I read it every team its posted. Are you ever going to Leave Newcastle or Do some National Football Managment. I am thinking about starting a story on the Football Manager Stories Forum so im going to use you as like an idol.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 11:58
Thanks Paul, glad you’re enjoying the story. I can’t see me leaving the toon any time soon and only have interest fore this save so we have a few years to go yet. :) I look forward to reading your story in the forum mate.
Malhar Bhadbhade
9 августа, 2011 at 11:41
hey darren. «just wow» is a beautiful summation of this story. absolutely incredible and mind-blowing. just love to read your blog and now i’m obsessed with it as much as the game itself. wish it was a daily blog :D i cannot believe you won all your opening matches of the season. just speechless. btw, i recently signed this brazilian (of course) regen striker with finishing and composure 17, heading, passing and dribbling 16, physical attributes all between 11 and 14, decent mental stats and he;s only just turned 18. still, when i did a scout report on him, one of my best scouts said he only would be a «fairly good signing». wondering why that is. i will post a screenshot of him as soon as i can. but he seems like he could turn into something special with the right training…and he’s definitely the best regen striker in my game (april 2014). is this because i already have Sanogo, Babacar, Higuain and Benzema? would greatly appreciate your opinion. waiting eagerly for your next post.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:51
Thanks mate, I wish I didn’t work and could make this a daily blog too :)
As for the scout report well its very misleading, but when your scout says ‘fairly good’ he isn’t talking about the players ability but ability in comparison to quantity and quality of players in the same position. Which looking at it that way makes ‘fairly good’ sound very good lol :) He is a gem mate but remember to offer first team football asap.
Malhar Bhadbhade
10 августа, 2011 at 01:25
http://imageshack.us/f/849/rogrioprofileattributes.png/ — That’s Rogerio, the regen striker I was talking about. worth signing isnt he?
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 12:11
He is great mate, if played from day one that kid could be the best around. I would recommend training him individually on quickness.
Malhar
10 августа, 2011 at 13:29
hey Darren,
thanks a lot…ha, now I feel even better when you say he could be the best around. Will absolutely give him a lot of game time. Am going to sell Higuain this summer anyway. And yeah, i will definitely train him on his quickness and also hope that his physical stats grow naturally as he gets older, which is usually what happens.
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 18:14
Your welcome mate, ow and a massive piece of advice…play Higuain in as many games as possible before selling him. That way his value will rise if playing well and you should offer him to clubs for more than double his valuation on the second day of the transfer window opening. When offering a player to clubs who is valued at more than £15 mill you can struggle to get double his valuation….so by playing him you’ll maximise on the valuation and by offering him out when the window opens all the clubs have a fresh budget to bid with.
Mathias
9 августа, 2011 at 11:57
Darren you are amazing!!!
— But which training do you use? :)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:31
Thanks mate, I will be doing a post on how to develop youth within the next week or so and that will include my training. Its very simply really.
Brennan
9 августа, 2011 at 22:02
yay, can’t wait for that guide!!! :D amazing results really, i bet it’s a joy to watch every game.
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 11:59
I’ll try and get it done ASAP but will take time unfortunately. Must admit it is great to watch my side pass the ball around every match.
cobham
9 августа, 2011 at 13:18
amazing!!
I only recently found this amazing site and im loving what i have seen so far and im trying to «catch up» your story. But i was wondering if you could give advice on training (might have missed it)?
ps. Sorry if my spelling is not up to par, im not English :)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:35
Thanks Cobham, I’m glad you like the site and story. I will be doing a post on developing youth and training in the next week or so and will offer advice then. Thanks for the comment.
Joe Lance
9 августа, 2011 at 16:25
This is getting emabarrasing, not taking anything away from your team, but that winning streak is unbelievable. Even without Sanogo you’re still good. Looks like Sanogo is still great, 11 goals from 11 games.He’ll definately miss his boss though. Good luck (you don’t really need it,right? ) with the rest of the season.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:37
lol :) It is getting a little embarrassing for the opponents I guess. Such runs don’t last forever though and my next challenge will come soon I’m sure.
Sears
9 августа, 2011 at 16:31
What I find astonishing is that you only beat the likes of Blackpool, Everton, Nottm Forest by a goal, then you go out and trash the likes of Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, phenomenal! :-D 171 matches unbeaten ….. You’ve just assembled possibly the greatest FM team ever! I think the next target should be to build a new stadium …. :) Good luck ;)
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:40
You’re right mate, during those so called easier matches we had more than 60% possession and more than 25 shots, but the side were complacent and missed too many opportunities. But then against the bigger sides my team seemed to score with every shot. :) Thats complacency for you though. I will look at the stadium but I’ve been rejected every time so far.
vaibhavc
9 августа, 2011 at 16:45
Hey Darren
Well done, in all competitions you have managed to win every single game. You had a couple of close games with the score 1-0, or 2-1. You are coping well without Yaya Sanogo.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:42
Thanks mate, we are doing even better without Sanogo but that may change during cup finals as he used to make the difference.
Laxeyman
9 августа, 2011 at 17:56
One word Darren: Unstoppable! Absolutely brilliant mate, and I’m sure it’ll continue, no one seems to be able to stop you. Keep it going, good luck!
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:43
Thanks Laxeyman, if we can just keep going and reach 200 games unbeaten I’ll be delighted.
Aaron
9 августа, 2011 at 19:16
Quite literally perfect. Good work Darren! Would you be able to give me a little Y2G advice? I’m starting to use the Y2G system with Chelsea, I’ve bought some young players but I was wondering if you draw a line at any point? For example I want to buy Sanogo and Rodwell but I have McEachran, Thiago Alcantara and Levan Kenia in centre mid and Sturridge, Lakaku and Munian upfront as prospects. Would those two purchases be too much?
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 19:48
Thanks Aaron, as for the Y2G system…well its not about how many you buy its about getting the quality. Only problem is if you can’t give them game time they won’t improve or increase their value. I keep been asked how my youth got so good and were sold for such a massive profit and yet the people asking aren’t playing these youngsters and when they want to sell leave them out of the team completely…if you do that the Y2G system won’t work. So as long as you can play each player at least 15 times a season and then at least 25 times after the age of 21 then you’re fine. Otherwise they must go on loan to a club offering first team football.
Aaron
11 августа, 2011 at 15:01
Thanks Darren. I’ve decided to loan out the newest arrivals and keep a few younger players for first team action. Do you play younger players in the league or just in cup games?
Darren Smith
11 августа, 2011 at 18:47
OK Aaron, you should stop thinking of youngsters and which competition to play them in, base it on the strength of your opponent and not the competition. Also think of how important the match, that’s what I do and it leads to youngsters playing in all sorts of matches.
MRDNRA
9 августа, 2011 at 20:28
Incredible. The question is, can you win every game? It’d be great if you could, and right now it seems anything is possible for your team.
Darren Smith
9 августа, 2011 at 21:06
Thanks mate, I’m very doubtful of winning every game but its worth a go. :)
Nicholas Phipps
9 августа, 2011 at 23:29
This is getting completely ridiculous, I almost feel sorry for the other teams in the Premier League! Just incredible results and you’re literally just sweeping everybody aside :). Your teamseems to operate more as a unit as before you had a kind of star player in Sanogo ;). Just out of interest, do you make your own training schedules or do you download them? Sorry if this question has already been asked!
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 12:01
Thanks Nick, we seem to get goals from every position and all goals are part of a team move, only difference every time in the last person to kick the ball. That’s the sort of football I like and its great to make that on FM. I downloaded my training schedules ages ago and tweaked them to my own taste, I’ll be showing these at some point soon though.
Mikey
10 августа, 2011 at 10:25
Darren that’s amazing…but is it still fun? :)
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 12:02
It is still fin for me mate, there are many more challenges in this game than winning matches. I am still trying to maintain our style of play, make money every year and raise my youth.
FM Blogger
10 августа, 2011 at 15:59
Hi Darren,
Well there isn’t much to say, once again you destroyed every single team that got in your way. And the departure of Sanogo obviously did not hurt your team at all!
Should I say «good luck» or «show mercy» to your opponents?
Darren Smith
10 августа, 2011 at 18:16
Thanks mate, we did well and I am still a little cautious of Sanogo’s absence. Remember this is the striker who made all the difference in so many finals. I just hope we don’t miss him when it counts. :)
Dan
11 августа, 2011 at 11:54
Hi Darren,
Your post title summed everything up and I’m not sure I can add anything to it…You’ve created the best team that the world has ever seen and almost gone 200 games unbeaten! Do you get the ‘unbeatable Newcastle enter the record books’ after every match? If you do you must be getting sick of seeing that message ;)
I would say good luck but don’t think you need any!
Darren Smith
11 августа, 2011 at 12:00
Thanks Dan, I do get the unbeaten message every game and what is annoying is taking a screenshot everytime just to keep the records straight for when I lose and have to tell you guys lol :) That is annoying.
Sears
11 августа, 2011 at 23:55
You don’t need to take a screenshot all the time, just save the message in your notebook :-D
Malhar Bhadbhade
11 августа, 2011 at 21:38
hey darren.
just wondering when the next post is :D you usually do one after 3 days from what i’ve seen but i guess u’ll do it friday? hope it includes the champions league final (which i assume u reached) :D
Darren Smith
11 августа, 2011 at 21:47
Hey mate, I’ll have an update ready by the Saturday or maybe even tomorrow. I spent the whole weekend updating our scouting network and therefore lost all FM and writing time over those two days.
Malhar
12 августа, 2011 at 11:54
brilliant…cant wait!
Johnny Karp
15 августа, 2011 at 13:36
Catching up now… That list of awards is highly impressive, you have the best players in the world there!
Darren Smith
15 августа, 2011 at 13:40
And he’s back! Hope you had a nice holiday mate and thanks for the kind words.
Johnny Karp
15 августа, 2011 at 14:08
Yes, I’m very happy to be back! :) I missed the website a lot to be honest, although the holiday was very nice :)