Hey guys and welcome to a festival of football, cup final bonanza and video fun feast. My last post concluded the EPL campaign as Newcastle ran out comfortable winners and also retained the League Cup. With those in the bag, I now have the Champions League final and FA Cup final to look forward too. Today’s post is about those two matches and those two alone.
I have two full match videos to demonstrate how ‘The Manchelona’ (my new tactic) copes in such high pressure situations. And they don’t come any harder than Barcelona in Europe’s elite after a tough tie against Manchester United in the FA Cup final. So grab a coke, tea, coffee or maybe something a little stronger and enjoy as I try to resolve those match day withdrawal symptoms. Watch both finals and I’m sure you won’t regret it. :)
FA Cup final — Manchester United vs Newcastle
Venue: Wembley
Attendance: 90,000
My first big match of two and the perfect chance for revenge after United knocked me out of Europe in the quarter-final last year. With my new tactic in full flow and the boys looking unstoppable, I had to be confident but those niggling memories from last season were still fresh. After a disaster display in defence, I feel like my key man today will be centre back Varriale.
I won’t be presenting this final in the written word, instead I’ll be relying on modern day technology and a full match video. Click the link below to hear my reactions and thoughts throughout the match.
Click here to watch full match and commentary from the FA Cup final vs Man United
What an incredible display and the nightmares of last season are officially behind me. :) Sanogo proved me wrong yet again and after a meeting I officially apologised to the lad…in my head of course. I’m starting to think Sibo was right and that Sanogo is the only exception to my Y2G system. He won’t stay until retirement but could have bought himself a few more years at Saint James Park yet.
Match stats:
Champions League final — Barcelona vs Newcastle
Venue: Vincente Calderon, Madrid
Attendance: 54,851
The match I’ve anticipated for so long, a Champions League final against Barcelona. We actually beat the Spanish giants during a Champions League final in 2013, but that victory was pure luck and I’m hoping for more than that this time around. With a full strength squad, I still maintain this match will be won and lost in attacking movement and the taking of chances. Therefore I see my right winger Anconetani as the key star to win this game.
I based my new tactics around Barcelona’s style of play and would love to prove them effective on the biggest stage. Below is the full match, including my commentary and in parts passion. I seriously recommend watching the match, lets just say it may surprise you a little. :)
Click here to watch the full Champions League final — Barcelona vs Newcastle
If the FA Cup final result was great than this was sensational. We didn’t dominate possession, but every other aspect belonged to my boys. It was a shame to see Barcelona self destruct like they did, but I don’t think they’d have beaten us today even at their best. Anconetani played his part but my central midfield three were magnificent.
Match stats:
Newcastle completed the 2018/19 season unbeaten in all competitions, in fact, if I remember rightly we won all our games bar 3 which is an incredible record. Financially we have done reasonably well also, before the FA Cup final I had £224 million in the bank and after the Champions League final the balance read almost £257 million. Not too shabby considering my shareholders took all the sponsorship money which equates to around £35 million…this is where I type a rude word, but you get the idea. :)
Well this was my best season by far, not only did we walk it to the EPL title, but we won all three cup finals by four or more goals. For those of you who watched both finals, well done and I hope you enjoyed them. My next post will take us through pre-season, but until then please feel free to ask any questions below and I look forward to reading your comments. Thanks for reading and see you soon. :)
P.S. To fulfil Jay’s screenshot request, my biography is below.
Jay
19 июля, 2011 at 21:44
Amazing stuff man , great game against Barca, destroyed them. Cheers for the bit at the end :), after reading it it looks like to me that you’ve created a new dominace in English football
Liverpool 80’s
Man United 90’s-00’s
Newcastle United 10’s-…
if u have any spare time u should slowly write a profile of your managers carear, be really good read similar to the newspaper thing you did
like always Darren another great season, anything in particular to aim for next season?
sorry for the riduclasly long post btw
Darren Smith
19 июля, 2011 at 21:51
Thanks Jay, the Barca match was great but they did help me a little. I actually believe we are creating an era of dominance, but we’re not quite to the level I want. I’d love to win the most Champions League trophies and reach top spot in the richest clubs list. I might save that profile for the sad day this story ends. :)
Jay
19 июля, 2011 at 22:16
ooo going for more then 9 Madrid Trophies, thts gna be good to see. by the way do u know a way were i could show you my biography, be nice to have a little comparison and not just me talkin without any proof? :)
Darren Smith
19 июля, 2011 at 22:20
It’ll be a challenge for sure mate.
As for the biography, f you take a screenshot and then go to imageshack.com you can upload the image, then get the link to share it and paste that in a comment. Then we can all click on it and see the image. Hope that makes sense.
Jay
19 июля, 2011 at 22:27
okay ill give it a go — wish me luck lol
Jay
19 июля, 2011 at 22:31
http://imageshack.us/f/12/biographyhb.jpg/
its hard to read from my dodgy sniping but if i go to 150% zoom it gets a bit easier to read
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:58
Cool, that’s one hell of a CV you’ve accumulated. Lots of trophies and proven around Europe.
Jay
20 июля, 2011 at 14:40
cheers man, im thinking what to do next after 2/3 more seasons with chelsea, considering returning to Madrid but during this pre season ive made practically a new squad and theres alot of good youth there i dont want to leave.. Mangement choices, tough stuff eh? lol
Sears
19 июля, 2011 at 22:37
Argh!!! It says the video for the CL final is private — and therefore I can’t access it… :-(
Anyhow, congrats on two incredible cup wins, all I can say is just ‘WOW’.
MRDNRA
19 июля, 2011 at 22:46
I had exactly the same problem with the CL video. I agree though, it was incredible, especially to beat Barca so convincingly.
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 07:16
As mentioned to sears, I’m not sure what the problem as all seems fine and the video is public. Could you try it again pls. Shame to miss the video. Thanks for the compliments.
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 07:14
I’m sorry you missed the video sears but I’m not sure of the problem, I just tested from a different computer and all was fine…all the settings are correct also, could you try again pls mate, I’m a little gutted some people may be missing the best final I’ve managed :(
Sears
20 июля, 2011 at 15:38
It’s OK, saw it last night around 4:00 am, just woke up now :-D Absolutely terrific, loved it!
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 18:50
Thanks Sears, wow 4am hey…remember the days when I could keep my eyes open that long lol :)
vikingmarius
19 июля, 2011 at 23:21
Fantastic work mate absolute top job, you have more than proved the y2g system and can’t wait to see Newcastle as the richest club in the world :)
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:55
Thanks Viking, lets just hope this continues along with my finances.
Lye
20 июля, 2011 at 02:20
Hi Darren,
Your team is simply brilliant, brushing off Man Utd and Barcelona easily. Being the richest club will see you managing Newcastle for a few more seasons. I would like to see you breaking the records along the way. Great job Darren.
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks Lye, it has been my best season by far and I’d like to break records also. We’ll see if its possible.
CsAtlantis
20 июля, 2011 at 02:22
Wow only 3 draws and no losses throughout a season, but there is still some room for improvement there :P
Congratulations on the thumping wins in the finals, just a matter of time before Newcastle become the richest club in the world really……
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:51
Yep you’re right, make those three draws wins :)
I hope to hit the top of that rich list but we’ll see if Barca and Real put up a fight. :)
liam101
20 июля, 2011 at 06:37
Wow. the master of this game. losing 3 winning all bar 3 games in a season and earning money all the time you must be one of the greatest football managers of all time. congrats
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:50
Thanks for the compliment Liam, I’m not sure about the best manager as I have started from the top flight. If I were Johnny and doing this after taking someone from the bottom up then maybe. :)
vaibhavc
20 июля, 2011 at 08:52
Hey Darren
Great wins man, you are doing fantastic! I saw the videos with no problem, both. Barca edged possession but you still won the game by 5 goals.
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:47
Thanks Vaibhav, Barcelona did edge possession but I was dumb founded as to how. We dominated the full match within the match engine screen but the scoreline represented that.
Johnny Karp
20 июля, 2011 at 09:13
It’s getting embarrassing for the other teams now, your team is like a bulldozer! :)
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:45
lol, that description is very apt. Like a bulldozer, I like that.
Kevin
20 июля, 2011 at 09:20
Hi Darren
Brilliant tactical development, stunning perfomances, one fantastic season!
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 11:44
Thanks Kevin, all planned out perfectly and it was executed much better than I’d imagined. This season will be savoured as it won’t be repeated :)
Laxeyman
20 июля, 2011 at 16:27
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant and brilliant is about all I can say Darren! Well done mate, the new tactic is fantastic, and you’ve built by far the best side in the world now :) Congratulations!
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 18:49
Thanks Laxeyman, we had an awesome season but I need to try and make some changes to the youth as one or two aren’t progressing well. Don’t worry, you probably haven’t even seen them as they are my third or fourth choice players in each position until the older generation leave and then they’d move up…but I’m worried they may not be ready for that day ever.
Nicholas Phipps
20 июля, 2011 at 20:08
Incredible results again, you are edging closer and closer to the perfect season (wininng every game you play!) Your Y2G system is working incredibly and you are establihing an era of dominance with Newcastle! Btw, is it possible for you to upload the ‘Manchelona’ tactic on the website? I would love to see it and try it out! Thanks :-D
Darren Smith
20 июля, 2011 at 20:51
Thanks Nick, the season went well and we can hopefully maintain something close next season. As for the tactic, I’ve already written up a massive post on it and provided the download on the second page https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/07/football-manager-2011-understanding-tactics-and-%E2%80%98the-manchelona%E2%80%99/
Sibo
21 июля, 2011 at 09:19
Absolutely astonishing Darren, those finals were utterly incredible and to beat those two teams so completely and convincingly is a great achievement. Newcastle are on the verge of becoming the greatest football club in the world with you at the helm, guiding the finances and the on-pitch success. Well done mate! :D
P.S. Cheers for the wee mention in your post!
Darren Smith
21 июля, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks Sibo, thats the dream to break records and go down as the best footballing side of the last century.
Aaron
21 июля, 2011 at 18:57
I enjoyed the videos, two fantastic games! Shame about the shareholders preventing even better financial results. I was just wondering if you could maybe put a feature in your next post showing the prices you paid for your current best 11 and how much they cost now? It would be interesting to see how much it cost you to put together such a great side
Darren Smith
21 июля, 2011 at 19:52
No problem mate, I’ll showcase my best XI with those fields next post, thanks for the compliments.
Aaron
22 июля, 2011 at 01:12
Cheers :)
paul
21 июля, 2011 at 19:33
all i can say is u truely are a legend a fm hats of to ya plz could you post were u are in the hall of fame im guessing u near the top :)
Darren Smith
21 июля, 2011 at 19:57
Thanks Paul, this has been an exceptional save for me and the first one in which I’ve used proper research into tactics, opponents and players as opposed to just drifting through the game. In fact I even did massive research into my finances and finding the Y2G system I created. All a lot of work I’d never usually do, but its all worth it.
P.S. Of course I’ll post the hall of fame, that’ll be at the end of my next post.
Stromson
22 июля, 2011 at 18:14
TL,DR: «Europe cowers before the might of my Toon Army.» Congrats on a treble mate!
Darren Smith
22 июля, 2011 at 18:48
;) Thanks Stromson.
Rod
2 августа, 2011 at 12:04
Well, i have not made any comments but i have followed this story, and what can i say, this is amazing. How many years do you think you will keep winning titles with Newcastle before you get bored?
Good luck!
Darren Smith
2 августа, 2011 at 19:25
Thanks Rod, I would love to carry on until I’ve won every competition more times than the previous record holders but that may take too long. Realistically there’s still another 3-4 seasons left before I get bored and that may even be the minimum :)