Hey guys and welcome back to a special cup finals post in my FM 2011 Newcastle story. My last post was all about our end of season triumphs, we saw the toon lift the Premier League title and beat Chelsea to the League Cup. These brilliant achievements left me shocked and delighted, but the hard work was still to come. My sides brilliant form had lead to a further two finals, the Europa League and FA Cup. Today we will see just how successful the season could get.
Europa League final — Newcastle vs Shakhtar
Well we are finally here, a major European cup final. I say finally, but it is only my second season, so this is quite amazing. My opponents are last years champions and Ukraine’s best team Shakhtar. They have built a brilliant side of late, bolstering players like Eduardo, Neymar, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira and Chygrynskyi. The Ukrainians use a narrow 4-2-3-1 formation, very attacking and one that would be tough to stop. I opted to use my flat 4-4-2 here, using a counter strategy and hoping for the pace of both Dudu and Gaitan to launch our attacks. I was certainly putting all my eggs into this basket, using a full strength squad and resting no one for the FA Cup final. I just feel like I’ll get one chance to win this. Well the whistle is about to sound, so lets see the highlights.
My 4-4-2 formation may not have provided much attacking flair, but it certainly stopped the favourites playing. Shakhtar really struggled to break through my defence and the end result was extra time. An absolutely stunning run and strike from Dudu proved enough. I was elated to lift the Europa League trophy and very proud of a gritty performance that was capped off by a moment of Brazilian magic.
Newcastle had completed the treble and were set to challenge for the quadruple. Everyone involved with the club seemed overcome with joy. We have waited more than 40 years for a trophy like this, but the wait was definitely worth it.
FA Cup final — Newcastle vs Manchester United
After enjoying the Europa League victory just three days ago, I had to be careful while selecting my squad here. Fatigue and injuries had left my side damaged for this tie. We were without Gaitan, Jonas, Barton, Steven Taylor and Kevin Nolan. Not to mention Paloschi, Dudu, Coloccini, Enrique and Araujo were very tired. I was expecting a thrashing, but found myself very surprised as Dudu opened the scoring within 12 minutes.
The next goal was just as good from Paloschi. With a 2-0 lead going into half time, I thought the FA Cup was won. Unfortunately my players fatigue was in the red though and Sir Alex Fergusan gave his lads the hairdryer treatment. Man Utd came out a different side and smashed us for 4 second half goals. We threw away the lead and lost the FA Cup final 4-2. Strangely enough, I wasn’t too upset as my decision to use a full squad in the Europa League had lead to a third trophy this season.
Shortly after this Cup final the board made two announcements. Firstly, Mike Ashley wants to sell the club, what a fool!!! Secondly, the club will be expanding the stadium by 7613 seats. Now usually a takeover bid can be bad news for the current manager, my job should be safe after this season but I am a bit nervous. I once managed Leeds to two consecutive promotions and a league title, before a new owner sacked me on the spot. This would just be devastating so lets hope that doesn’t happen.
Lets take a quick look at the awards for this year and then my favourite performers. I won the manager of the year award for the second season in a row. This just goes to show how far the club have come. Paloschi walked his way to top goalscorer with an impressive 29 goals. Dudu also claimed goal of the season, I have prepared the clip of this goal for you below.
Here is Dudu’s wonderful effort against Stoke, it won him goal of the season. I think they are going a bit too far by offering this award and saying he took on three players, but I’ll accept what ever awards come my sides way. I’m sure it was more impressive than the camera gives off.
Now it is time for my top four performers of the season. I had a lot to choose from this year, but have selected based on difficulty of fixtures played in, as well as ratings, goals and assists. The list is in order starting with my best player.
1. Paloschi — striker
2. Steven Taylor — central defender
3. Araujo — striker
4. Gaitan — left winger
Well that is it for today’s post guys, I hope you enjoyed the read and will back to see what happens during pre-season. Please feel free to ask any questions below and I look forward to reading your comments. Thanks again.
Ricardo Ribeiro
8 декабря, 2010 at 17:37
Good work!
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 19:03
Thanks Ricardo
wafz
8 декабря, 2010 at 17:51
Great Job Darren!
You’re an amazing manager. Congratulations on winning the Europa League and being a runner-up in the FA Cup. That’s impressive Darren! You have great squad to work with and you can strengthen them even more next season. Araujo is amazing in your game although in mine, he’s still developing really well. Good Luck in the Champions League next season!
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 20:10
Thanks Wafz, the Europa League final was a real battle but I think we deserved the win. Fatigue caught up with us for the FA Cup but I’d probably have lost even with a full squad. Next season will be a hopefully be long with the Champions League.
Daniel
8 декабря, 2010 at 17:59
reading ur posts get me all excited to play football manager and i feel like i should give sharing my stories of football manager a go as i feel it would take up abit of free time i have all the time
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 20:12
Glad you like the story Daniel, its always nice to hear someone get the urge to play after reading. I started a site more than a year ago after reading posts and wantig to share my own. I knew literally nothing back then but sharing stories is very enjoyable and pushed me to make the site bigger and better. I’d recommend anybody to start writing their stories.
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 19:28
Hi Darren
Almost the best way to top off a brilliant season I guess that you had a choice on what you wanted to win more and the Europa League was the choice. You should be so proud of yourself and I am pleased that it has come with a team I support as well
good luck for next season.
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 20:14
Thanks Warren, enjoying success is made even sweeter by doing it with my fav team. You’re right about me selecting one final to go for. I knew the players would be too tired for both. I’m just glad it paid off.
Ana Garcia
8 декабря, 2010 at 20:54
Fantastic Darren!
You could easily start to dominate English football with the way you are going!
Am not a massive follower of the premier league but I am guessing you are not happy with what is going on at Newcastle in real life?
Maybe they should bring you in! ;)
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 21:36
Thanks Ana, I’m not sure if we can dominate yet, but it won’t be far off. You’re right about my feelings on Newcastle. The owner is a joke and has brought in 5 managers in 3 years. Stupid thing is the manager that was there (Sam Allardyce) and the owner sacked was better than any of the managers he has brought in. Absolute rubbish and its such a shame as we really could star moving forward. All jokes a side I could do better than the guy we will probably be getting, Pardew has an awful record!! Ow well at least I have my fantasy world in FM :) ;)
Daniel
8 декабря, 2010 at 20:54
do u think i could maybe post for ur blog some time
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 21:32
Yeh I dont see why not mate, I have just sent you an email. Email me back to confirm all is OK.
Johnny Karp
8 декабря, 2010 at 21:37
Fantastic Job Darren! I think that Mike Ashley might have sacked in after that FA Cup defeat :) It’s great that he’s a better chairman in the game than in real life though.
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:15
Cheers Johnny, I wouldnt joke too much about me getting sacked as it almost happened for some bizarre reason. Ill explain in my next post. I don’t think Mike Ashley could be much worse than in real life but he’s definitely better in game. :)
kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:42
Hi Darren
Unlucky in the FA Cup but that brilliant goal by Dudu secured a European trophy for you so congratulations once again.
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:16
Thanks Kevin, Man Utd were the deserved winners there but I was loving Dudu’s goal to crown us Europa League champs!
Lye Kuek Hin
9 декабря, 2010 at 04:27
Hi Darren,
Great job on the European triumph but too bad on the FA cup. I am actually glad to see Mike Ashley go in real life. I am not a Toon fan but what he did was funny sacking a popular manager after seeing his team lying in 11th place.
A great finish to the season and the challenge is even bigger now. I will be looking forward to see what players you will be bringing in to challenge for the Champions League.
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:19
Thanks Lye, it really was a great season. Too bad my team aren’t going so strong in real life. Mike Ashley can be described in one word, ‘poison’. Anyway, you’re right about next season, we will find it tough not been the underdogs anymore.
Arjuna
9 декабря, 2010 at 07:58
Hey Darren,
You’ve done really well only the second season of your career. Taking a team with a very limitied budget to the treble is no small achievement. I am looking forward to your challenge next year. You have done better the Chris Hughton!
Arjuna
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:20
Thanks Arjuna, we have enjoyed some great success but next season could be tough. I just hope we can retain the league title.
Laxeyman
9 декабря, 2010 at 11:29
Well done Darren, a fantastic season for you, although a shame about the cup defeat to Man Utd, a win would have made it an incredible season, but there’s always next time. Hopefullly you can do even better next season, I’m looking forward to seeing how you get on and who you sign :)
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2010 at 18:21
Cheers Laxeyman, the cup defeat was inevitable considering my sides fatigue though. Next season will be difficult but we’ll need to strengthen in the summer.
Sears
9 декабря, 2010 at 19:40
That’s a terrific achievement Darren to win the Europa league, it really did cap off a all round tremendous season. You’ll surly need to strengthen during the summer but hopefully the board can give you some money to spend on new faces. Good luck!
Darren Smith
10 декабря, 2010 at 18:31
Thanks Sears, the Europa League just summed up our season. You’re right about next season though, I certainly need some cash to strengthen.
GS Fan
10 декабря, 2010 at 21:19
Nice! Wicked! Awesome! Europa Leauge Champions! Treble!
I hope FM is right and Ashley does step aside sooner than later, Until then, he should be tied to the goal post and used as a target during penalty practice!
Darren Smith
10 декабря, 2010 at 22:03
Thanks GS Fan the treble was a huge surprise. I agree with you about Ashley, although lets replace the balls with bullets.
Frank
11 декабря, 2010 at 14:18
Hi Darren,
Well done on that successful season and im sure you would rather win the Europa League than the FA Cup as it is a European trophy. Good luck with next season as well. And in real life I think Mike Ashley is a joke. Newcastle were getting a great side together and Chris Hughton was starting to become a good manager then got sacked. It is all money to Mike Ashley and he will be saving money with Pardrew coming in.
thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Darren Smith
11 декабря, 2010 at 14:59
Thanks Frank, I was really aiming for the Europa League victory and not too bothered with the FA Cup, would have been nice to win both though. I agree with you on Houghton, considering we’re trying to avoid relegation he did everything right. I guess Ashley just didn’t like him as a manager…maybe he’s allergic to success lol. Im going to try and keep an open mind towards Pardew as I have been disappointed so far. Its not his fault Houghton was sacked and I’ll reserve my judgement for about 10-15 games.
Frank
11 декабря, 2010 at 15:04
That does seem fair and hopefully for you Pardrew will prove us wrong. Even though i’m a Chelsea fan i wouldn’t like to see Newcastle go down as they are a great team :)
Sayam Khan
16 декабря, 2010 at 19:21
uf! soo close for the quadruple there darren.
Very suprising to see your team concede four goals vs man Utd.
Darren Smith
16 декабря, 2010 at 21:27
Hey Sayam, it was a real shame to miss out on the quadruple but thats football for you.