Hey guys and welcome back to another update from my FM 2011 Newcastle story. During the last post you probably fell asleep as the clubs transfer activity was none existent compared to latter years. I did sign a few promising youngsters and offloaded Musacchio for a healthy sum, but bar that I introduced some of my younger signings from the season before…well I want to make up for that today. You may be wondering why this post is entitled ‘have I lost my mind?’ Well some of my transfer activity could be seen as brilliant or insane, but I’ll let you decide. First off let me start the post with Newcastle’s league and cup form.
Euro Super Cup — Newcastle vs Porto
To kick the post off, lets see how the toon performed during their third consecutive Super Cup final. Playing a reasonably strong team, I gave Marcelo Santos a chance to shine. The Spanish striker had impressed last term until he was struck down by injury. With my main striker, Sanogo, just two or three years away from departing Saint James Park I needed Santos to shoulder more responsibility. Watch the highlights below to see if the 21 year could cope against a strong Porto side.
Santos seemed to struggle today, but rose to the challenge when it really mattered. Despite playing most of the match with a 6.3 rating, I kept the faith and was repaid after 55 minutes when the Brazilian showed composure and technique to finish well. Another trophy in the bag, but we need improved performances later in the season.
Premier League results — August to September
2017/18 began with one of my biggest title rivals, Manchester Utd. Marcelo Santos jumped at his first team opportunity to score a hat trick and help us win 4-1. My next opponents, Arsenal, proved too difficult away from home and held us to a 1-1 draw. Santos became the hero again as we beat Blackburn 3-0, but Mainetti pulled of some wonderful saves between the sticks against Chelsea as Newcastle triumphed 5-1. We finished September at the Hawthorns and thrashed West Brom 4-0 as Sanogo staked his claim as Newcastle’s number one forward.
Premier League results — October to November
The great form continued through October, as Newcastle beat Portsmouth 5-0, Bristol City 4-1 and Spurs 3-1. We needed this confidence as November turned up a few tough games. My boys prevailed as always though, beating Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton and finishing the month with a 5-0 thrashing of Bolton. Marcelo Santos managed an incredible four goals during that fixture after 3 weeks out with a twisted ankle.
Premier League table
Another year of domination to date, none of the so called big teams can challenge us. Not that I’m complaining like, the 7 point gap leaves me to concentrate on raising youth and winning other competitions. The lack of a title contender is probably helping my Y2G system too, as I’m more comfortable playing some youth with such a big cushion at the top.
League Cup results
I have enjoyed the League Cup with Newcastle winning six times out of my seven seasons in charge. We usually prevail against tough opponents, but I didn’t even have to do that this year. My third round was an easy passage against Chesterfield. I played my youth and reserves squad against the League Two outfit to win 3-1. Then Birmingham were drawn for the fourth round as I mixed the squad up a little. This seemed to work as youth and experience provided a 3-0 victory. My next match is against Bolton for our third home draw in a row, common sense says I expect to progress.
Champions League results and group
Not the easiest draw I’ve had in years gone by, but certainly not a tough group. We drew Atletico Madrid of which we beat 4-1 at home and drew 0-0 away. We also had Austria Wien, I fielded a mixed squad during the away fixture and won 2-0. Last of all we faced Kiev of Ukraine, while we struggled to win 1-0 away my boys prevailed at home 4-0. With one game to go we’ve racked up 4 wins and a draw.
Due to our results against Atletico Madrid, top spot is secure. Therefore my last game will feature some youngsters as I try to develop the Y2G system further.
Before we move onto the squad stats, finances and some important news. I thought it would be nice to keep you infomed on my unbeaten record that has now stretched to 91 games…I wonder how far we can stretch this.
Squad stats and finances
Another excellent start has left Sanogo and Santos fighting it out for top striker. Sanogo pips this title with 20 goals from 10 starts while Santos has hit 13 goals goals from 6 starts. Argentine winger Anconetani has been my best midfielder with 16 assists and 3 goals from 11 starts. While my left back, Costantino, has performed well with an average rating of 7.64 albeit against easier opponents.
The start of pre-season saw my bank balance looking healthy at around £165 million, well it’s certainly dropped and now balances out around £145 million. This is mainly down to big contract offers that were required to maintain the squads quality. Well, keep reading and see how I plan on rebuilding this loss.
Transfers scheduled for January
OK, sit down before reading this and please read the whole thing as I try to explain some bizarre moves in the transfer market. I’ll structure my transfer activity in terms of who is leaving and their replacements. Also note these transfers are scheduled to go through in the winter transfer window.
Waving farewell to my best defender and captain
You guessed it, Danny Wilson is leaving Saint James Park. Top teams around Europe have been chasing Wilson since I signed him three years ago for £26 million. When Barcelona offered me £42 million I couldn’t refuse, why? Because a younger and potentially better player was available. Ascoli’s Alessandro Varriale will be a direct replacement and joins the club for £20 million, just look at his attributes below.
Selling my top young prospects upfront?
Well not quite, don’t worry Marcelo Santos and Sanogo keep their place but Diego Sanchez will leave for Benfica in a £9.5 million deal. The 19 year old was signed for £2 million and didn’t improve in the areas I anticipated. If that was a revelation, the next departure was even bigger. My hot prospect, Fernando, is highly regarded and enjoys bags of potential. However, he isn’t the exact type of striker I use. When Valencia offered me £22 million I couldn’t refuse. The 19 year old joined Newcastle a few years ago for £2.3 million.
So with two of my most talented strikers departing, what did I do to counter this? I signed one of England’s best prospects in Jordan Tierney. The 19 year old will sign from West Ham for £13.5 million and looks perfect for my poacher role.
No more sales, just signings
That is all for players departing in January, but we still have two more additions to my squad. James Andrews is another great English prospect and plays central midfield. The 19 year old will enter Saint James Park from West Ham for £5.5 million and is apart of my grand plan to introduce more home grown players even if their not from my own academy.
The last signing will enter from Fluminense of Brazil, Fernando is 17 years old and will join for £1.3 million. He may lack pace, but I’m hoping this wonderkid can improve on that to suit my poacher role. This kid will join during the summer of 2018, maybe his pace will develop between now and then.
OK, so to summarise I will be spending £40.5 million come January, but the players leaving will rack up £73.5 million. This means my winter transfers will help the club make a £33 million profit. Losing my best defender is a huge risk, but I feel it is the right time to sell as I’ll never find such a talented replacement at the right age and price. Below is a summary of my future transfers.
With transfers out of the way, I’ll leave you to examine my fixtures from December to February. The start of January looks tough but if the new signings settle, we should pass through unscathed.
Well that is all for today, thanks for reading and please let me know what you think to the transfers. My next update will take us right through winter and I just hope the winter transfers don’t effect our great form. Please feel free to comment below and I look forward to your responses.
vaibhavc
23 июня, 2011 at 10:01
Hey Darren
I would not say that you have lost too much of your mind. Your replacements will hopefully blend into the team easily and you can continue your form. In competitions, you are doing amazing. Good luck!
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 12:02
Thanks Vaibhavc, I don’t think the effects of Wilson’s departure will become clear till the seasons end. But I’m glad our form hasn’t been dinted too badly.
Rich Wiltshire
23 июня, 2011 at 10:49
Hi Darren,
I think there are some very shrewd moves in the transfer market there. Nice to see some youngsters coming through from West Ham too! I’ve been trying to make West Ham the richest club in the world in my game and I have to say the quality of young regens that are coming through the club are excellent. I’m nowhere near your success but after 6 seasons I’ve cleared the clubs debts and am challenging for a Champions League spot with the youngest squad in the league. I always like to have a read of your Newcastle posts to give me a bit of inspiration so keep up the good work.
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 12:01
Thanks Rich, I hope you can make West Ham the richest club and sure you will with time. Once you pull together one incredible squad, it will all fall into place from there…at least thats what I’ve found.
Lye
23 июня, 2011 at 11:03
Hi Darren,
You sold away a lot of great players but you replace them with potential youngster. I don’t think you are too much affected by the sales of those players. West Ham is losing their young stars and they will surely be regretting on that. Strong results still this season. Can some team offer you a challenge? I am beginning to feel bored. Lol.
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 12:00
Thanks Lye, losing Wilson was a big move and despite the good form I’m still a little cautious and awaiting the backlash. I’m not so sure I can be challenged domesticaly but certainly can in Europe, its just luck of the draw really.
Stromson
23 июня, 2011 at 12:38
My prediction: The winning streak will continue in sensational form until nearly the end of the season where a complacent Newcastle squad will be handed a shocking defeat by already-relegated Portsmouth (my favorite club). ;-)
Great results to start the season, and I can’t imagine any threat to your title run. You’ve made some riskier moves with your signings (and sellings) this year, and hopefully losing Wilson won’t come back to sting you. Good luck!
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:37
lol, lets hope that prediction isn’t right, not the losing part because that will happen eventually but losing to Pompey would be bad. :)
Hopefully Wilson’s departure won’t come back to bite me, but I have a sneeky feeling he’ll be missed on way or the other.
Martin
23 июня, 2011 at 16:10
Hey Darren! Great post as per.
Great form in the league once again. Santos started a little slow but has turned out to be a revevaltion. I cant see anyone challenging you in the League or domestic cups, even with losing Wilson i’m sure the team will gel and I believe your run could got on for another 90+ games lol.
As for the transfers….nah you havent lost your mind. The Wilson deal was far too good to turn down. Finally you’ve signed some English talent…this is what I feel this story had been missing. It would be great to eventually see you dominating England and the World with a side that is mainly built around english players or maybe even fully.
Again great update and i’m already looking forward to the next :)
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:35
Thanks Martin, the league form is simply unstoppable and despite early worried about Santos, he’s grown into a beast.
I agree with everyone in that the transfers were great business and certainly good for the future, but I do worry about our form in the big matches. Losing your captain halfway through the season has to have some sort of an effect…guess I didn’t have much of a choice though. Would be nice to dominate England with English players, but I’ll never turn a blind eye towards foreign talent over a home grown player, thats just my opinion. Lets just hope England can start producing better players like the last two.
Laxeyman
23 июня, 2011 at 16:10
To answer Darren: No, you haven’t lost your mind :) I reckon you’ve got a player who is just as good as Wilson at less than half the price, so in my eyes you’ve got a good deal. The youngsters you’ve brought in look like great prospects too, and the offers for Fernando and Sanchez were too good too refuse. Brilliant in the league as ever, and I’m sure that’ll continue, good luck!
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:27
Thanks Laxeyman, my transfers were perfect for the long term plan…but it remains to be seen if my current season is hindered. The league will be fine but its the knockout comps I’m worried about. Lets hope not anyway.
Nick
23 июня, 2011 at 17:26
Varriale looks scarily good and has incredible potential for a 20 year old. He looks almost as good as Wilson already! As for the great unbeaten run, try and get it to 200 hundred games without losing, a feat that would make you one of the best football managers of all time. It looks like you should easily retain your Premier League title as well.
btw, are you a legend at Newcastle yet? I remember you being an icon sometime ago and wondering whether you have moved up? Thanks :-D
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:26
Yeh Varriale is brilliant but we’ll see how he adapts to English football. I can’t see us reaching 200 matches unbeaten, would be great but I’m including too many youngsters and fringe players for experience to keep it up that long. I am not a legend at Newcastle yet, although I have moved up to the most popular ‘icon’, so very close to legend status whoch would be a dream :)
Johnny Karp
23 июня, 2011 at 18:13
Wise choices there, Varriale could become even better than Wilson. The unbeaten streak is amazing, good luck on taking it to more than 100 games!
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 19:22
Thanks Johnny, I agree Varriale could improve to be above Wilsons standard…but I am a little worried about the big matches that will come up this year. He hasn’t played Champions League football yet and that can always take time to adjust too. I sincerely hope you haven’t just jinxed my unbeaten record lol ;)
Kevin
23 июня, 2011 at 20:38
Hi Darren
Well you are making lots of money so you haven’t lost your mind :) Maybe you’ll become one of the Dragons on Dragons Den with all that wheeling and dealing . Do you get Dragons Den in the UK?
Anyway, brilliant form as usual in all competitions and you should think about a stadium expansion to house all the silverware you have by now :)
Darren Smith
23 июня, 2011 at 21:16
Thanks Kevin and yes we do have Dragons Den over here. Although my inclusion wouldn’t see many ‘and thats why I’m out’. Mr enthusiastic is my nickname at work lol :) Stadium expansion would be wonderful but there isn’t even an option to request that. Just build a new one which I don’t want as yet…still trying to build my rep in foreign countries to help merchandising. :) cough*thanks Johnny*cough
Sears
23 июня, 2011 at 22:09
Love that you’ve just raided West Ham for arguably to of their finest youngsters, I see their still producing good young talent.
Your doing excellent in the league, which has now just become a walk in the park, along with the domestic cups. As always you’ve made some astute moves in the transfer market, and is it just me, or is your new Italian CB just freakingly amazing?!?
Well done buddy ;-)
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 11:56
Thanks Sears, West Ham seem to produce great regens and both the new signings should improve to my standard.
Btw, its not just you mate, that Varriale is a freak of FM nature.
liam101
24 июня, 2011 at 05:02
Some more amazing results darren. tour two strikers seem to be on unbeatable form. they could come first and seconf in golden boot!
The new players coming in look amazing and 42 million is a hell of a lot of money. good moves in the market i thought
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 11:54
Cheers Liam, the two strikers are simply incredible and by far the best around. It’ll be a sad day when I wave bye to them but Santos is a long way off that.
Sibo
24 июня, 2011 at 11:15
Well done Darren,
Is there any point in me talking about the results? Oh, alright then, they were incredible, as usual! :D
Talking of incredible, you have snapped up some great players on the market Darren and it will be great for the Y2G system and for Newcastle with all these great lads in the ranks!
Well done and good luck! :D
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks Sibo, its been a wonderful start yet again and we’ll see how the newbies settle in.
CsAtlantis
24 июня, 2011 at 12:16
Wow some major transfers in your squad, very interesting players, Alessandro Varriale is someone i dream of having in my team :P
Good results, but those are expected :D
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 18:36
Thanks mate, the transfer market is buzzing at the moment as I try to make the right moves. Hopefully they won’t bite me in the ass. :)
vikingmarius
24 июня, 2011 at 16:17
Wow you let go of some good players especially Fernando, but you did have some fantastic replacement especially the defender he is fantastic. I was wondering what kind off future money you are getting from fernando what I like to do when I offer up youngster is ask for 50% of future sale so one you are almost guarenteed to get money or buy him back for half price :P
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 18:34
Thanks Viking, we did let some brilliant players go but I think I made the right moves. I generally find myself offering players out to clubs and always find that not asking for a percentage of the next sale is more beneficial. The amount extra I get in straight up cash out weighs the amount I MIGHT get should the player be sold. I’m not a fan of if, buts and maybes to be honest. :)
Ana Garcia
24 июня, 2011 at 20:29
91 games unbeaten…!!
Well done, I didnt think it was that many so good luck in trying to get to a 100. (I hope I just didnt jinx you!)
Varriale is just amazing a great find, and the money for Wilson was fantastic so all round it looks like a great piece of business.
12 league wins out of 13 shows how good your form is and the goal return from Sanogo so far has been brilliant.
Good luck!!
Darren Smith
24 июня, 2011 at 21:09
Thanks Ana, lets just hope you haven’t jinxed my unbeaten run lol :) Varriale does look like a good investment and I do believe it was the right move for the future, I just hope it doesn’t damage my season in any way.
Aaron
25 июня, 2011 at 15:11
Darren I need some advice re: Y2G. I’m thinking about selling my talisman striker Aguero now while he is worth 40/50 million but I’m not sure if I could get another season from him first. Would you be able to take a look at a screenshot or anthing for me please?
Darren Smith
25 июня, 2011 at 15:23
Sure Aaron, I’m happy to take a look and offer my opinion. I’ve just sent you an email so reply to that with the screenshot and I’ll let you know. I assume the email address you use for these comments is real?
George Dobson
25 июня, 2011 at 15:55
great results hope the transfers go well :D
Darren Smith
25 июня, 2011 at 16:08
Thanks George
Timmy
25 июня, 2011 at 16:09
Heading 20 Marking 20 Tackling 17 Influence 18 Jumping 19 Strengh 17
WHAT A DEFENDER,and he is just 20!
im sure this is almost a great move Mr Darren(i think you can get 60 mill from Wilson)
good luck on second half :)