Hey guys, welcome back to the north east and another installment from my FM 2011 Newcastle story. Last season rose above all expectations as Newcastle won the Premier League, Europa League and League cup. Securing a treble winning season after 2 years in charge was something I’d never even dreamed of. Now, with the excitement of last year behind us, I needed to find a way of maintaining this brilliant form. I started the 2012/13 season with some very sticky meetings. Afellay, Steven Taylor, Verratti and Jonas were all threatening to leave Saint James Park for a new challenge. My guess is that the increased interest in all four players contributed significantly to their opinions. I sat down with all four individually for a private chat, one wrong comment would see them never back down and force my hand into transfer listing them. Thankfully I managed to use the right persuasive techniques and each player conceded to staying with my club. I found the ‘you are a massive part of my squad’ and ‘I want the club to grow and match your ambitions’ very handy. Keeping these four players happy was vital, but I still had a lot of work to do in pre-season.
My nerves were on a knifes edge during June, as the board were growing close to a takeover. The new owners had already stated that Darren Smith (ME!!) would be replaced as manager. Can you believe that, I’ve never heard of a manager winning the treble and then getting the sack. Alan Curbishley was their preferred choice, so all I could do was wait and hope. Thankfully nagotiations came to a stand still, Mike Ashley decided to keep the club but did warn me Myers might be investing in Newcastle. Money is always welcome but I hope he doesn’t buy the club, all my hard work would go down the pan! Not only did I turn down a great offer from Manchester City, but I am one of the fans favoured personnel.
When the season expectations and transfer budget came out I was a little disappointed. After such a successful season I thought we’d be offered around £20 million plus. To only get £15 million was a shame. However, I can always adjust the budget through wages and offer monthly installments to bumper it up a little.
Transfers
Lets start with my sales for the season. The few players I wanted to sell weren’t attracting any bids, so we just released a few players on a free. Joey Barton was the biggest name to leave Saint James Park, age isn’t on his side. Plus the midfielders wage demands of £90K a week were ridiculous.
My signings were much more productive and helped increase a small squad. Last season was successful, but Johnny was right about there been too few players. Two centre backs came in to cover for an aging Coloccini and under par Mike Williamson. While Joey Barton was replaced by Gokhan Inler, he may be 28 years old but the Swiss knows how to hit a ball. I also noticed a lack on the wings and brought in Jack Wilshere. The 20 year old can play anywhere across midfield and is one of England’s most promising prospects. A wage budget adjustment and three of the transfers been paid via 24 month installments warranted me enough cash to push these deals through.
Jack Wilshere— One of England’s most exciting wonderkids. Wilshere will be played on the left wing, central midfield and occasionally in central midfield.
Mateo Musacchio— Not too young to start first team football, but I can still expect a good 10 years from Mateo. He will probably replace Coloccini at centre back.
Gokhan Inler — The 28 year was a bargain at just under £5 million, he will slot straight into Barton’s old position of central midfield.
Martin Caceres — Not the greatest centre back, but not too bad as a free back up. I will use him as I did Williamson last season, if Martin performs well, he may be used as a first team regular.
My new signings will bring together a strong and well staffed squad. Last seasons number of just 21 players may have been too short for this season. A tough champions league campaign will require more players and strength in depth, I think we now have this.
Charity Shield — Newcastle vs Manchester United
A stand out performance from my boys offered up a real surprise. Gaitan scored twice, Dudu and Jonas also added to an outstanding result. I was missing some influential players like Paloschi, Araujo, Musacchio and Wilshere.
We start the season with two very tough fixtures, Tottenham and Chelsea are my opponents within the first five games. We will need to do well in the first three months, but this won’t be easy. Hopefully the easier fixtures will not spring any surprises and I can gain some much needed points against the bigger clubs.
Well that is it for today, I hope you all enjoyed the read and will be back soon. I have recently promised a post on my tactics with Newcastle, this will be up next. Sorry for the wait but things are a little hectic and I wanted to get this pre-season post done first. Please feel free to ask any questions and I look forward to your comments. Thanks for reading.
kevin
12 декабря, 2010 at 10:37
Hi Darren
Nice signings, especially Wilshire! A well taken goal by Dudu in the Charity Shield and i think you have the makings of another strong season!
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:31
Thanks Kevin, Wilshere was a real wildcard for me and I had to offer too much money wage wise but he WILL turn into the best all round midfielder Im sure of it.
fm fanatic
12 декабря, 2010 at 10:38
Nice signings, Wilshere is a great player. I believe that you can win once again the EPL and maybe make a surpise at the CL.
Good Luck!
http://fmfanatic.blogspot.com/
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:32
Thanks FM Fanatic, I am hoping to win the league again, but not expecting anything in Europe. Just seen my group and its tough.
Frank
12 декабря, 2010 at 11:00
Hi Darren,
Well done on the charity shield and some nice signings. Well done on keeping those players. Good luck :)
thefootballgaffer.blogspot.com
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:33
Thanks Frank, keeping the players happy is vital, however I could do nothing about that today. Andy Carroll and Nolan have just turned into spoiled bratts so they may be leaving.
warren
12 декабря, 2010 at 11:07
Hi Darren
It sounds quite familiar that you are doing well and you are still under pressure as a manager. The signings that you have brought in are really good especially Wilshere and I cannot wait to see him in action in the black and white.
Hope that you can have just as successful, if not a better season than last years
good luck
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:35
Hey Warren, Wilshere in a black and white shirt is something special! Great result for us yesterday mate…the lads played brilliantly, maybe Ashley will sack Pardew while hes doing well ;)
warren
12 декабря, 2010 at 15:04
It certainly wouldn’t suprise me and I agree it was a brilliant win and a much needed one. I know that Pardew isn’t the obvious choice for the fans but its time to get behind the manager.
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 18:37
Yeh I agree Warren, I was gutted at first but gave myself a talking to on Saturday morning. There is no point in been annoyed with Pardew as he has done nothing wrong. Goodluck to him and I hope he can become a legend. :)
Arjuna
12 декабря, 2010 at 11:08
Wow Darren,
You’re signings are phenomanal. Wilshere is a brilliant signing, as is Musacchio. Caceres is a good player, and Inler is very strong which will help in the Premier League. I feel bad that you’re budget was so small. I got 24 million pounds, and we achieved the same success last year :). Looking forward to another exciting season.
Arjuna
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:36
Thanks Arjuna, unfortionately the chairman is as tight as in real life…I managed to work the budget and squeeze some more cash though. Hopefully the new season will se us make it all back.
Laxeyman
12 декабря, 2010 at 11:57
Good signings Darren, Wilshere will be fantastic and I like the look of Inler and the two centre halfs, they are certainly better than Coloccini and Williamson. I reckon that you can defend your Premier League crown, and hopefully you can go far in the Champions League too. Good luck!
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:38
Thanks Laxeyman, Wilshere is my fav signing although Inler will probably play the most. The Premier League is a must for me now but I’m not sure about the Champions League as we’ve drawn some difficult sides.
Sears
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:41
Tbh I thought you’d get more money to spend after last season’s success. Despite this you managed to sign some more quality players, especially Wilshere! Good luck.
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 13:50
I agree Sears, the budget was rubbish considering our achievements but thats Ashley down to a tee! Thankfully I managed to work the budget and spend more. Wilshere could make a huge difference now and in the future.
Ana Garcia
12 декабря, 2010 at 14:07
I can only really echo whats been said, some great signings and a great win in the cup final!
Martin Caceres is a good defender he just needs a chance to prove himself, he should do well for you I think. Other signings look very good too.
Good luck for the upcoming season Darren! :)
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 18:35
Thanks Ana, hopefully the new signings will settle and have as bigger an impact as last years signings.
Johnny Karp
12 декабря, 2010 at 18:18
Congrats on the Charity Shield win, all four goals were brilliant! You have brought in great players, all of them are outstanding but I would single out Wilshere and Musacchio. I think that you have enough quality and depth in the squad to dominate the Premier League, good luck!
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 18:38
Thanks Johnny, I really wanted to strengthen in depth and quality this year. I could use my youth players in the Europa Leagues early stages last year, but that won’t work in the Champions League so I need loads of class players. I am a huge fan of Wilsheres and hope he comes good.
Birdy
12 декабря, 2010 at 22:41
Hey Darren
I’ve been reading all of your posts and you have done some fantastic things with the club.
Also Ashley is a real tight arse in the game aswell. Bad decision about Houghton but Pardew could do quite well. Maybe they should call up Darren Smith for the job.
Birdy
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2010 at 23:57
Thanks Birdy, I am trying to reign in a dominating era with my club…we’re doing better than in real life thats for definate. :)
Lye
13 декабря, 2010 at 07:43
Hi Darren,
A bit late on the comments but overall good additions to the current squad. I am a fan of Wilshere in FM. Great to see him playing for you. Everything ready and set to go. My main wish is to see you lift the Champions League trophy. Good luck.
Darren Smith
13 декабря, 2010 at 10:31
Hey Lye, like you I am a big fan of Wilshere, he is so versatile. It would be nice to suceed in the Champions League but I have a tough group.
Sayam Khan
16 декабря, 2010 at 19:25
Wilshere!!! Oh i love him sooo much. lol
Can you post your first team screenshot?
Darren Smith
16 декабря, 2010 at 21:30
Thanks Sayam, Wilshere is a top notch talent! I will post a screenshot of the first team in my next post mate.