Hey guys and welcome to my season finale with Newcastle. During the last post I explained how we’re unbeaten all season in all competitions and I brought you my first official video diary. You saw me manage Newcastle to victory in the League Cup against Manchester Utd. These videos may be a more prominent feature on special occasions or as the mood strikes me, so prepare yourself. :) We have a lot to get through today as I take you through the seasons finale and reveal how the toon finished 2016/17. There will be more than one video today, so I’ll try and skimp on the writing a little so I don’t bore you. Grab yourselves a drink, snack and get comfy…done that? OK then lets get this show started.
Premier League results
We start today’s post in the Premier League as Newcastle hope to maintain an unbeaten season. It all starts well, but a draw at home to QPR puts doubt in the players minds. Thankfully I had Hernandez as midfield general to keep the engine ticking while Sanogo was lethal upfront. We may have scraped by a few matches, but the lads completed their EPL season unbeaten winning 10 games and drawing one from the last three months.
Premier League final table
Probably my best season to date, Newcastle won the league by a staggering 22 points. Winning 35 and drawing three games summed the year up. We only conceded 15 goals and the nearest contenders would have struggled to win the league any year looking at their points total of 86. This is my 6th consecutive Premier League title and there doesn’t seem to be a challenge coming any season soon either.
FA Cup results
After getting past the big teams during some tough early rounds, I found myself an easy draw. The sixth round against Middlesbrough featured a fringe team as my youngsters waltzed to the semi’s 3-1. Then Championship side Hull couldn’t handle a similar line up as we thrashed the Tigers 2-0. Kakuta was the most senior player and continued his classy performances from earlier in the season. We had reached the FA Cup final again, and our opponents were…Manchester City!! I have recorded this final and will share it later on in the post. Same as in the League Cup, I want to show you how I manage and when I make big decisions etc.
Champions League results
Last time you checked in, Newcastle thrashed Rangers at Ibrox in the First Knockout round 4-0. The return leg wasn’t much different as my fringe players went on a rout to make it 7-0 on aggregate. Spanish side, Atletico Madrid were drawn for the quarter-final. This is the third year in a row we have drawn them at this stage. We beat them the past two seasons and this was no different, Sanogo was a master class in the first leg and Dardouri the second to help the toon win 6-2 on aggregate. Last season we beat AC Milan in the final and we drew them for the semi-final this year. Both legs were by far the toughest of the year, but we prevailed 3-1 on aggregate despite a few scares. In the other semi-final a classic was played as Manchester City knocked out Barcelona to make it an all English final.
Now we have something a little bit different, I’d usually do a written match report on my finals but today it’ll all be visual and verbal. I am presenting both the FA Cup and Champions League finals too you by video diary. I’ll take you from my pre-match decisions, through the match itself till the final outcome. If you don’t want to watch both finals that’s OK, you can choose one of them. I’ll present the FA Cup first then the Champions League….I hope you enjoy. If it helps make up your mind on which final to watch, the FA Cup is 18 minutes long while the Champions League is shorter at 15 minutes.
FA Cup final vs Manchester City (click here to watch full match)
Well it was a close shave but the match facts prove Newcastle were the best on chances. We managed 33 shots to City’s 10 and 12 sots on target to City’s 4. Extra time decided the winner and I just hope we don’t have to rely on that in the Champions League final.
We lifted the FA Cup and with one trophy left to complete another quadruple I was optimistic. To see if we did it, just watch the video below. We may be facing the same opponents but its a completely different match. ;)
Champions League final vs Manchester City (click here to watch match video
Fantastic, another quadruple in the bag and probably my best ever season. We won the final convincingly in part thanks to some fatigue and injuries in the Man City camp, but a wins a win. Newcastle dominated almost every statistic bar possession which I always expect to be even due to my tactics.
2016/17 was my most dominant year yet, proven by the record below. We were unbeaten in all competitions and have racked up 70 games without tasting defeat!
Squad stats and finances
During my finest season, how many of my players were key? The answer is a lot. Whether it be Fernando scoring 18 goals and assisting 8 as my backup of the backup striker, or Anconetani as my main winger scoring 9 and assisting 27. The star was Yaya Sanogo with 42 goals from 28 starts, but Danny Wilson was solid in defence scoring 13 goals from set pieces. I have a truly special squad and I hope to keep them together for another few years, who knows maybe I’ll find the opportunity to strengthen further.
At the end of February my bank balance read £130 million, so where were we come the seasons end. Not as much as expected but I finished the season on £155 million. This was mainly due to contract renewals and the shareholders payout. We have no major departures planned, so next season could see this figure remain around the same level.
Well that is how 2016/17 finished. An excellent season and I hope you enjoyed the ride. This season saw the introduction of video diary’s, they’re still new and if any of you aren’t too keen please let me know. Just leave a comment in the box below and I look forward to reading your responses.
P.S. Mark requested my training overview so here it is. Hope this is what you wanted. I’m still improving the quality but what I have is more than good enough to do the job.
Matt Clark
14 июня, 2011 at 12:31
Hi Darren brilliant season
when you do the videos could you change the camera angle to tv its a bit difficult to really get into the match otherwise
good luck with the future not that you need it
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:28
Thanks Matt, I’ll take a look at TV angle next time as I can’t remember which angle is set up.
Stromson
14 июня, 2011 at 14:26
*coughCopycatcough* ;-) Glad to see you doing well still (as if there was any doubt), and that was an impressive double over Man City in the FA and CL finals. Finances are looking excellent, and with your global domination, I’m not sure I see that changing anytime soon. :-p
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:27
To be honest Stromson, I have had video game diary’s planned for a long time but never gathered the courage to trust paying for software and the readers to want them. But since your success I decided to finally give it a go, so I have you to thank for the push and inspiration. They certainly aren’t as funny as yours :)
I hope to continue the domination but as said in an earlier comment, there will come a time when I make mistakes or sell the wrong player…that is when things will get heated again.
Stromson
15 июня, 2011 at 14:44
I just had to pick on you a *little* bit!
Johnny Karp
14 июня, 2011 at 14:43
Go on Sanogo, go on! :) I guess a season can’t get much better than that, brilliant stuff!
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:24
Thanks Johnny, reading ‘Go on Sanogo, go on!’ all I can hear is my Yorkshire accent lol :)
Johnny Karp
14 июня, 2011 at 18:33
I like the accent, sounds nice :)
vaibhavc
14 июня, 2011 at 15:43
Hey Darren
Very great season, it surely must be boring since you have won everything! Undefeated through the whole season, right? Sanogo is just doing amazing for you.
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:23
Thanks Vaibhavc, tbh I find this the opposite of boring. Its not like I keep the tactics exactly the same and the team the same then press play. I still have to pick the right players and tactics as without that I wouldn’t be unbeaten. There will come a season soon when I make a mistake and it gets interesting I’m sure.
MRDNRA
14 июня, 2011 at 17:48
Incredible Darren. What’s your next target, another season unbeaten?!
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:21
Thanks MRDNRA, my main target is to keep competing in all competitions. But I might have a reshuffle with the squad come January and sell some players for the big bucks and bring in more talent.
Laxeyman
14 июня, 2011 at 17:52
Brilliant Darren, your side is truly amazing, in particular Sanogo :) I don’t know how you can top that season to be honest.
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:20
Thanks Laxeyman, Sanogo is a real beast and probably my best ever signing on FM.
Sayam Khan
14 июня, 2011 at 18:02
Excellent Season Darren! Rich, Trophies, Quality Players, Excellent Manager! Only if Arsenal were like that in real life! Are you going to carry on as manager?
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:19
Thanks Sayam, it has been an exceptional few years. Part of me thinks you guys will get bored of the story soon, but the other part says this is the best save you’ve ever done so carry on. For now I’ll carry on as I’d like to see how close I can get to Real Madrid and Barce in the richest clubs list.
Sears
14 июня, 2011 at 18:27
I’m not getting bored, I’d prefer if you carried on this story! I don’t see why you should stop it now.
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:58
Thanks Sears, this save has been my best yet and I would hate to stop playing but would if there was demand for a new story…its all about the readers at the end of the day but until that happens in overwhelming numbers I will continue this story. :)
Sears
14 июня, 2011 at 18:26
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Another quadruple, £150 million in the bank, the greatest youth team ever assembled, what a story! Well done Darren, and I’m really enjoying the video’s.
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 18:59
Thanks Sears, it has been an incredible ride so far. Glad you like the videos too, I need feedback from people to be honest and glad you offered it.
wemblry
14 июня, 2011 at 19:10
God damn 70 games unbeaten only a manager of your calibre could do this. The video diary was fantastic. brill season cant wait till ur next post!
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 19:20
Thanks Wemblry, glad you liked it and especially the video diary…will keep doing these so long as you guys enjoy em’.
Aaron
14 июня, 2011 at 19:13
I like the video posts Darren. I’m suprised you don’t freak out more whilst watching, I do that a lot lol. What happened with your CB Kalu? Has he been given a new deal? Maybe your next challenge should be to see if you can blow europe away with very attacking football? You have all the right options available and you’ve done very thing else :)
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 19:24
Thanks Aaron, glad you like the videos mate. Kalu has been offered a new deal as I couldn’t hold him off…thankfully kept the deal down to £40K a week and he’s on that till 2022 :)
I will certainly consider the attacking approach, my only worry is having does this before it tends to lose me matches and provide poor ratings. I’ll have a think about it. maybe not for next season but the one after.
liam101
14 июня, 2011 at 20:58
Another grea tseason darren. your whole team justs seem to click together
Darren Smith
14 июня, 2011 at 21:24
Thanks Liam, you pretty much summed my squad up. The harmony and understanding is excellent. I think thats what makes us unstoppable. I just need to pluck up the courage to offload players when the right offers come as I’ve already rejected a few big transfer fees I shouldn’t of.
Kevin
15 июня, 2011 at 00:22
Hi Darren
Fantastic season though I feel sorry for Man City coming up against such a superior team. Sorry I didn;t watch all of the video’s…limited time but what I did view I really enjoyed again. Well done and a great update too!
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:52
Thanks Kevin, must admit if the roles were reversed and I were Man City I wouldn’t have much hair left. :) Don’t worry about not seeing the full videos mate, just hope you liked what you did see.
joelance
15 июня, 2011 at 00:30
What can I say? It’s all been said really. Unbeaten in all competitions? Just incredible. And Sanogo is great, and you’re lucky he’s not been injured, he’s currently out for 4 months in my save. Keep on doing this story, as soon as i’m bored, won’t hesitate to tell you.
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:51
Thanks Joe, Sanogo hasn’t even had a knock that I recall on my game. My next best thing (Marcelo Santos who is incredible) has spent at least 1-2 months out two seasons in a row though. :( Appreciate your honesty Joe, besides I don’t think a good writing can make any story boring no matter how easy it may seem. We make our own challenges and should that be required to spice things up I’ll do it like adding the video diarys.
vikingmarius
15 июня, 2011 at 01:13
Another great destructive season and I love the fact that City had to come second to you in 3 competitions while they obviously have a good squad, Your are obviously doing great financially as well and next season will just bring on more success p.s. I am back with a new post :)
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:49
Thanks mate, must admit I love the fact we always make a profit in the transfer market, whereas City spend 100’s of millions and we still thrash em’. I’m heading over to your site in a minute.
Lye
15 июня, 2011 at 01:27
Hi Darren,
Jose Mourinho must be hating you. You deny him the two cup wins and league title. With you around, it’s difficult for him to get another title in England. Well done mate, another brilliant season.
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:48
lol, he certainly should. We’re doing so well, but believe me when I say there is a small shake up due very soon. (not pre-season but certainly January and it involves some biggish sales.)
CsAtlantis
15 июня, 2011 at 02:03
33 shots against Man City and only 1 goal? Wow that doesn’t happen all the time, looks like the only team you have to contend with is the moneybags Man City
Great unbeaten season in the league and cup competitions, Sanogo seems to be always on form (in my game he was the subject of a 23 million pound bid by Arsenal, though they withdrew after I attempted to sneak in a 10% of next sell clause :P, after all judging from your Sanogo’s value I think I could get more in 1 year………….)
You know, with all that bank balance you have, you should employ a few more coaches to max out your training capabilities :D
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:46
Thanks mate, Man City are the best team in England but Barcelona and Real Madrid are still top in the world (IMO anyway.) Great thing is, my tactics work perfectly against City’s so I’m sorted as long as they keep the same manager. :)
Believe me mate, you should hold out for more on Sanogo! I just turned down a bid from someone in Spain for around £55 mill as I want more.
Sibo
15 июня, 2011 at 09:54
Great work Darren, simple brilliant and I am sure the toon can be proud of your achievements, keep up the good work, I am sure by FM 2012 you won’t just be richer than Real, you will also have more CL trophies than them!
P.S. Looking forward to seeing the videos this weekend when I get home, they seem to have gotten good reviews so far though! :D
Darren Smith
15 июня, 2011 at 12:43
Thanks Sibo, I too reckon we’ll be able to break every record around if given enough time. Hope you enjoy the vids mate.
ryan lynch
17 июня, 2011 at 20:52
good man darren .. you jus seem to be getting better and better.. jus seems so easy for you :L
Darren Smith
18 июня, 2011 at 08:14
Its all down to the squad Ryan, I’ve finally pieced the players together that suit my tactic.
Gabriel
18 июня, 2011 at 10:51
Truly amazing, well done Darren! Hey guys check out my blog on FIFA 11, it is a blog were I publish everything that happens during my manager mode on FIFA 11! Check it out, http://www.thefifamanager.com/