Hello, hello, hello! I’m back after a long and refreshing break in Rhodes. I loved the holiday, but despite leaving sunny weather, beautiful beeches and tranquil surroundings I’m glad to be back. I honestly missed you guys, blogging and playing FM a lot. Anyway enough of the small talk, we have a lot of catching up to do so lets return to Saint James Park for my FM 2011 Newcastle story. P.S. It may be worth noting this post was ready to publish before my holiday and therefore contains no such new tactics as I’ve been talking about in the social network…They’ll be coming soon :)
During the last post Newcastle were top of the league, still in all competitions and had beaten Chelsea in the League Cup final. Despite all of this, I wrote of my concerns in the way we were performing and Danny Wilson’s departure. Today we’ll discover if my concerns were unfounded or very much warranted, its time to keep your fingers and toes crossed as I bring Newcastle’s end of season report.
Premier League results: March-May
With the EPL title almost secure, the last few months could be used to build up form or try out younger players. Staying in form was my number one priority during March, with some tough opponents and big cup matches approaching I couldn’t let the morale slip. All was fine and my plans were going great as Newcastle beat Spurs, Man City, Everton and Bolton.
Then came April and a change in strategy as I noticed some far weaker opponents. This was a great opportunity to keep my fringe players happy and to develop the Y2G system. All went well against QPR as Gilson scored and Padin played brilliantly from central midfield to help the toon army win 2-0. Then disaster struck as my young guns couldn’t break through the Wolves defence, a boring 0-0 draw did damage morale slightly, but not too badly. The last four games were straight forward as we beat Blackpool 4-1, Sheffield Utd 3-1, West Ham 2-0 and Birmingham 4-0. Hernandez finished the season on fine form with those two goals against West Ham.
Premier League table
No drum roll required, I think we all know how the league table looks. Newcastle finished top on 103 points, a whopping 20 points clear of Manchester Utd in second. We even managed to set a new record for goals scored with 107.
Champions League results
My last post finished with a 5-1 drumming of Marseille during the First Knockout round away leg. Well, we carried this into the second leg and thrashed the French giants 3-1 at Saint James Park. Marcelo Santos took over from Sanogo and scored two very nice goals. My celebrations soon ended though as the quarter-final draw was revealed. Out of all the possibilities, Manchester Utd are the one side I hate playing so it was appropriate to see their name matched up against Newcastle.
The quarter-final first leg was incredible. Full of action, skill and late goals that ultimately ended in ecstasy as the toon army fought back twice to win 3-2. After watching such a spirited performance I expected a draw at Old Trafford, what I received was far from that. Man Utd scored an all important first half goal and my defence took all the blame. Despite my boys struggling to find a way back we pulled the score level with 10 minutes to go. Fantastic, through to the semi’s and a great victory…or so I thought, with just minutes left United scored the winner and therefore dumping me out of the Champions League on away goals, oouuuch! :( Both my left back Pereyra and centre back Kalu were to blame for the last goal, but my sides attacking efforts were shambolic also and probably the main reason for our early exit!
FA Cup results
My last hope of doing the treble, after such a disappointing performance in the Champions League I started to crave more silverware. It really has become an addiction and knowing a quadruple is out of the question just spurred me on. I used the sixth round tie against Blackburn to field one or two youngsters and Diop really impressed from the right wing as Newcastle progressed 3-2. However, the semi-final saw my finest XI and this proved vital as we beat Manchester City 2-0. Through to the final, but who were my opponents…dammit, Manchester United! Have you ever had an annoying little fly that won’t go away? No matter how many times you try to swat it, you always miss, well this is what Manchester Utd are to me.
This FA Cup final will be huge and probably the most evenly contested for many years. Therefore, I decided to record the final from start to finish including my own commentary. You can hear my thoughts, tactical decisions and in parts passion for the full 12 minutes. Please click the link below to watch the full match, it was a weird game and I think you’ll enjoy it.
FA Cup final vs Manchester Utd (click here to watch video)
Well what a game, for those of you who didn’t watch scroll back up now before I reveal the result. As mentioned in the video I have been disappointed with some performances and the general feel of Newcastle since Danny Wilson’s departure. Its difficult to explain but despite winning most of our matches, the squad doesn’t seem to be performing in unison. Either way, Kakuta’s late winner was pure ecstasy and really turned my mood around. Beating United 2-1 was fantastic and its more about the revenge than winning the treble. :)
Squad stats and finances
Despite winning so many matches and completing the treble, this season didn’t feel as good as the last two or three. But has this shown in the squad stats? Well I’ll let you judge for yourself, but I think my squad have managed some impressive average ratings and strike rates. Sanogo scored 44 goals from 30 starts, an amazing return but Marcelo Santos wasn’t far behind with 31 goals from 19 starts. My most impressive player was probably Anconetani who scored 15 goals and assisted 40 from the right wing. Though my favourite performer was Harry Goetz who has improved drastically to challenge Kakuta on the left wing with 15 goals and 9 assists.
At the end of February my finances read £155 million, not too shabby at all. After dropping out of the Champions League early I’m bound to lose some money, but how did the finances finish for 2017/18…not bad at all to be honest. We finished the season with a bank balance of £193 million. My empire is rising and those greedy shareholders can’t stop me…the buggers grabbed almost £30 million this year!
Now for a little bit of news, nothing massive but I took some great advice from Johnny. He suggested making a few bridges to the likes of Japan and America, a brilliant idea as this has worked wonders for Man Utd in real life. So Mr Karp I thank you very much and have pleasure in showing the screenshot below. Hopefully this new feeder club can provide the extra money from merchandising that Newcastle need to challenge Barcelona for their crown as richest club. Please note the section highlighted in red, I find it very promising :)
I think that’s enough for now, so I hope you enjoyed the post and thanks for dropping by. Please feel free to ask any questions below and I look forward to reading your comments as always. My next post will feature pre-season and lots of transfer news. :) Until then, bye for now.
vaibhavc
7 июля, 2011 at 10:37
Hey Darren
Great goal from Kakuta! That was an absolute stunner. Great to see that you are a legend for Newcastle as well. Finances are doing good and are really good. I think Johnny’s idea will really help boost finances even more.
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 11:08
Thanks Vaibhavc, it was a weird old season but finished with a nice goal. Hopefully we can change things up a little next season and challenge in Europe like the last three years.
Joe Lance
7 июля, 2011 at 11:14
A season when Newcastle didn’t win the quadruple, not something so familiar. I understand what you mean about the fly. :-)I know you’ll back
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 11:52
Yeh it was a bizarre feeling. I’ve made the CL final like 4 or 5 years in a row and when the final whistle blew against United I was gob smacked by the performance of my players and the result. Although United tend to cause me an upset I wasn’t expecting that lol :)
CsAtlantis
7 июля, 2011 at 12:49
Oh dear maybe your players felt like they were having a good time in Rhodes too, conceding 4 goals over 2 games considering you only conceded 18 in 38 games in the league :P
Oh well, looks like it did not have that big of an impact though, Santos is going to be a world beater it seems, higher potential ability than Sanogo
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 13:59
Certainly felt like they’d relaxed mate, very frustrated to be honest and I don’t know if it was unavoidable, my team talk or my tactics but something was up there.
Santos is certainly going to be the best player in the world, he’s incredible.
Mike
7 июля, 2011 at 13:16
Hi Darren,
Another fantastic season, despite the dissapointment against United. What a way to get revenge though with that strike from kakuta! What a fantastic goal. I think the squad stats prove that your team have again had an outstanding year, 40 assists from Anconetani is incredible! Not to mention the strike rates from both of your front men, they really are world class strikers.
Good luck next season and congratulations on becomming a club legend!
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 13:58
Thanks Mike, you’re right it was a decent season even after the early CL exit. Kakuta’s strike was the perfect way to win revenge and the squad stats were outstanding. Hopefully the lads can maintain this next year even as I introduce some new tactics.
Johnny Karp
7 июля, 2011 at 16:55
What a goal from Kakuta, magic! Congrats on your new «legend» status, well-deserved I might add ;)
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 16:59
Thanks Johnny, it was great to finally hit legend status and funny how it happened during my worst season in the last 4 years. :) Kakuta’s goal was brilliant and offered that amazing feeling we all search for while playing FM. Having said all that, changes are in process and we will be seeing big adjustments at Saint James Park.
Laxeyman
7 июля, 2011 at 17:13
Despite not winning the CL, that was still a fantastic season, and it’s a sign of how good your team is that you’re disappointed with a treble ;) Hopefully you can regain that Champions League crown next season, and looking forward to your pre season :)
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 19:02
Thanks Laxeyman, the squad is excellent and I do expect a lot from them :) Didn’t really think about this until you mentioned it but I expect a good performance every single game no matter who the opponent is…guess that does say a lot. :)
Nick
7 июля, 2011 at 17:43
Good to see a new update! Looks like you were simply very unlucky in Europe and that on another day you could have gone through. However, you’re still dominating in England and you won the Premier League easily once again!
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 19:04
Thanks Nick, it feels good to be back and I’ll be firing out some more updates on Saturday and Monday I reckon. Same as with Laxeyman’s comment, yours made me think differently about the squad and United result. I guess we were unlucky and I think the bad performance was what made a close defeat feel worse.
vikingmarius
7 июля, 2011 at 17:54
Great to see you back Darren, and despite the european fiasco :P you haqve had a very good season and 107 goals in 38 games is pretty good for such a young team
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 19:06
Thanks Viking, its really good to be back I’ve missed you guys and writing quite a lot. Hopefully with each player gain a seasons experience we’ll learn from the mistakes and get back to quadruple winning ways. :)
Ana Garcia
7 июля, 2011 at 19:45
Fantastic domestic season setting the most goals scored total and finishing 20 points clear of second place.
Unlucky in the champions league, defeats will happen though and as they say you cant win them all!
At least you gained revenge in some respects in the FA cup final, but financially you are doing very well. Shame about your greedy shareholders cashing in on your success!!
£30 million! The cheek of it!
Anyways good luck on catching Barca in the rich list, adding extra revenue in Asia was a clever idea.
Good luck!! :)
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 21:07
Thanks Ana, it was a good season on reflection and as you say we all get losses at some point. The FA Cup really made for the perfect end though :) My shareholders seem to be taking more and more money every year so I fear my plans to catch Barcelona could be hindered by that but we’ll see…if the greedy money grabbers make it impossible for me to make up good ground in the richest clubs list I’ll start splashing the cash for an even more incredible side. :)
Sears
7 июля, 2011 at 20:51
Hey hey, your back!!
Glad you enjoyed the holiday, nice to put your feet up once in a while and just chillax :-)
Now regrading your story…. Screw United, screw United and screw United!! I…. Hate… Them…. So… (*Censored*)… Much!!!
Anyhow, congrats on a treble, and nice video btw, good luck :-)
Darren Smith
7 июля, 2011 at 21:09
Hey Sears, good to hear from you and hope all is well. The holiday was great but I’m glad to be back, as for the story I think its going well but United put a small clog in the works. Hopefully we’ll knock em’ off that perch next season :)
P.S. I just sent you an email.
liam101
8 июля, 2011 at 00:49
Yay your your back Darren. hope your holiday was great.
Hard luck about the champions league but you cant really complain about another 3 trophies
Finaces are looking great
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 09:23
My holiday was great thanks Liam but its nice to be back. I think you’re right about the trophies, I just got to a point where it felt like trophies were guaranteed then that loss really hit me hard. :)
Aaron
8 июля, 2011 at 00:53
Well done on the treble! Who won the CL? And I’m sure you’ll be glad to miss out on the club world cup trips next season!
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 09:22
Thanks Aaron, surprisingly Man Utd lost in the semi’s to Bayern who went onto beat Arsenal on penalties in the final. It will be nice to miss those extra competitions, although I use them for my youth alone anyway :)
Kevin
8 июля, 2011 at 01:38
Hi Darren
Glad to here you had a great time in the Greek Islands. Congrats on another successful season even though the ECL was disappointing for you. Hoepfully that canny link up in Japan will make up for it :)
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 09:15
Thanks Kevin, it was a great holiday! The season was fine on a whole and hopefully Japan can provide some more cash, but if not my pre-season certainly will ;)
Lye
8 июля, 2011 at 02:28
Hi Darren,
Welcome back. Next post will include some of your holiday pictures? :)
You are simply unstoppable in the league but too bad on the Champions League. Man Utd really spoil the big stage on you but that’s good revenge on them winning the FA cup.
The link with club with Asia is great. My Teflord story can emulate when it reaches your status.
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 09:14
Hey Lye, I’ll see about those pics but they may not be in the next post. I’m waiting for my wife to finish work and then sort through them all. :)
We had a good season all in all and because of those three unstoppable years I kind of lost sight of what a realistic season is….so while most would see the United loss as acceptable I was shocked. :) Hopefully links abroad prove the way forward money wise but I’m struggling to make more so we’ll see.
Vineeth
8 июля, 2011 at 05:58
Hi! I have been reading your posts these last few days. Your Y2G system sounds really good. And the progress you made with Newcastle is simply unbelievable!!! :D
I was just wondering how you managed to sell your unwanted players for a profit. Whenever I feel a player is surplus to my requirements, it seems no one wants to buy that player!! So how do you do it?
(I have tried offering them and terminating contracts causes all your players to hate you!!! :( )
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 09:11
Thanks Vineeth, I found that making a strict plan and sticking by it works far better than playing the game as you go.
The key to me selling any ‘unwanted’ players is not to buy crap basically. Every player I buy is with a view to include them in the first team at some point down the line. The only time I have to sell them is if they don’t reach potential or I find someone even better. But they always have enough talent to warrant a bid from elsewhere. As for the players I sell that are older, they play first team football until I offload them to make a big profit and therefore are at the peak of their game attracting good deals. Its all about the timing of your sale, I always offer them out to clubs at the fee I’d like to receive plus 20%. I may not always get the price I’d like but I am rarely left with a player. That only happened with the likes of Araujo who hadn’t played in like a year and he ended up on loan before a bid came in. I also had the same problem with a few midfielders that didn’t grow to my standards, but I held patient and managed to sell them in the end.
I would suggest been careful on player wages also, part of the reason for me struggling to sell Araujo despite his quality was that he hadn’t played in ages and was on £50K a week. Remember the new club will have to match these wages and may see no point in making an offer if the players over paid. My best tip is to sell at the right time and if your player isn’t very good then sometimes its very tough to offload them. When I sold Paloschi for £50 million, I knew all season I wanted to cash in so played him as much as possible in order to attract interest and keep his value high, then I offered him out come pre-season and the clubs came flocking in. Offering players out during a transfer window is bets because they’ll have just received their transfer budgets.
Vineeth
8 июля, 2011 at 09:31
Not playing the player often enough seems to have been my problem. I usually move my unwanted players to the reserves and arrange a lot of friendlies to keep them in top fitness. I guess I will try your way.
Thanks for your advice Darren. :)
Stromson
8 июля, 2011 at 18:09
Just a minor setback! I’d say it’s okay that you lost out in the CL this year, it helps to keep things fresh and you on your toes. Thankfully you managed to clean up domestically, and I’d fully expect to see a solid bounce back next season. I’m digging the videos too. :)
Darren Smith
8 июля, 2011 at 19:49
Thanks Jon, hopefully we’ll come firing back next season. :) Glad you’re liking the videos :)
Sayam Khan
9 июля, 2011 at 12:49
Excellent end of season, even if you didn’t win the quadruple this season! The treble is still great! Well done.
Darren Smith
9 июля, 2011 at 13:34
Thanks Sayam, the treble was great, guess I started to expect everything every year but that isn’t realistic. :)