Since all of my strikers were quick but not too strong I decided to bring in a couple of stronger strikers that could give me more options to use during the upcoming games. I was quite pleased to snap up Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani on a free transfer, he has great experience and he could be the man who will head in a few crosses next season.
Last but not least, a quite expensive loan signing: Craig Carlisle. He spent a few months on loan with us around three seasons ago but since then he developed into a really good player. Manchester City requested a hefty 3.6 million loan fee for him but I agreed to pay since I believe that he can help us a lot this season. He is very strong but also fairly quick and skillful so I think he is the type of complete forward that I was looking for.
Here’s how the squad looks like, 26 men that will try to prove their worth in Europe. I feel that we are pretty well covered in all departments with a few above average players in every area of the pitch.
Here’s how my assistant evaluates the situation but I have to say that I disagree with him on a few choices. Anyway, I guess all the players in the squad will be given a chance to shine so I don’t really have a best eleven figured out yet, at least not entirely.
The friendly games went very well, I was particularly pleased with the win over Betis, a strong Spanish side.
The media see us finishing 11th this season, not too bad considering they always predicted us to finish last until now.
The first month of the season will see us making our debut in the Europa League against Swedish side AIK Stockholm, I guess we should get through to the next round.
That’s how our summer was my friends, there will be no more transfers from us because we are over the weekly wage budget (again). The team doesn’t look too bad on paper but we will need some time before the new players will settle in and start performing like I think they can. Thanks a lot for reading, I’m looking forward to your comments about the new players.
Darren Smith
11 октября, 2010 at 20:50
Hey Johnny, you have invested really well! Lots of pace and young talent…hopefully these players will help Dorchester push on. I think you should be aiming for the top seven again. Who knows, maybe some luck will see you in the top four!!
Johnny Karp
11 октября, 2010 at 22:25
Thanks Darren. My goal is to finish at least 5th, one step higher than last season :)
Jean Paul Borg
11 октября, 2010 at 21:25
Here are my comments on the new players:
De Gea: He is one of my favourite young keepers in the world. Great deal, I can’t believe his previous team let him go, how dumb, at 19 years of age in real life he already is in the 1st team. This guy is great!
Dunne: I think he is still young, I would make him available for the reserves to see how he does, and you should attend them to see how he performs.
Bejaoui: I would honestly change his training and make it more intensive as he has room for improvement, especially in strength and jumping just to mention a couple.
Kavheci: Lot of room for improvement. I honestly can’t understand why you loaned him.
Heitinga: No complaints at all… super defender!
Nilsson: I have a feeling he’ll do quite well, at the age of 21 he is quite good, I think he is similar to Alberto Botia. Poor at set pieces though, pretty sure nothing to worry about.
McArthur: I think he’s a bargain considering his stamina, team work and Work rate, great buy Johnny.
McGugan: McArthur is cheaper and better. He is quite pricey. Not sure about this lad, but he is very physical! With that average tackling attribute, I’d say watch out for red cards mate ;)
Grinchenko: Speedy Gonzalez. Looks great @ 2.4 million!
Coelho: Use him wisely, terrific target man.
Kakuta: Great Flair and Composure. Would do great on the wing with that amount of creativity!
Varela: Surprisingly good @ 30 years of age, good natural fitness but not sure if he should play a full game, he is like Del Piero, you know what I mean?
Anderson: Bargain… He is still young and will inprove over time this season, looks good. Very determining as well.
Stuani: Should start along side Coelho. Very good, use his experience well and he’ll provide assists. Attacking mentality type of player.
Carlisle: Pricey but worth it! Can’t wait for him to do a 360 against AIK, great dribbling and technique, hahaha :)
Assistant Manager report: Do agree with the attacking pair! I’d use Heitinga on both the side and in the middle when necessary. You have a great and should do better than last season!!
Johnny Karp
11 октября, 2010 at 22:34
Thanks a lot for the detailed analysis Jean Paul! I agree with most of your considerations. I think that Dunne will have a place in the first team sooner rather than later, his place is not with the reserves in my view. Kahveci was intended to be a backup but unfortunately the two to three months that he will spend on the sidelines will probably harm his development. He has potential but we’ll probably see the best of him in the second part of the season. Bejaoui will be my first choice left back and I agree that there is room for improvement. I might not push him too hard in training though because I don’t want to risk an injury or having him tired all the time. I chose McGugan because I lacked strength in midfield, he is strong but not only that. About Varela, my wingers usually don’t play 90 minutes even if they are 19 years old, they have lots of running to do. So I don’t expect him to play for 90 minutes but he should do well when needed. Anyway, the pitch will tell us the truth about this bunch, we’ll have to wait and see…
Kevin
12 октября, 2010 at 09:24
Hello Johnny
Well, John Paul has covered everything off quite nicely though for my 10 cents worth you’ve built what seems to be a solid defence in De Gea, Heitinga and Nilsson and I like Stuani up front. McArthur should serve you well also in the middle. Not too many Romanians left now in the team :)
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 18:40
Thanks for the comment Kevin. You are right, some of the Romanians had to go, I don’t treat them differently because of their nationality :)
Lye
12 октября, 2010 at 11:10
Hi Johnny,
The young Finnish and Heitinger should serve you pretty well in defence and there is David De Gea to guard the last defence. Overall you have bought really well and i am keeping my fingers cross for a Champion League place. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 18:40
Thanks Lye, I hope that these new lads will be up to the standards.
Mariano
12 октября, 2010 at 11:43
Nilsson best Finish player since Jari Litmanen!
Godd luck Johnny!
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 18:41
Thanks Mariano. Well, Litmanen was an attacking midfielder/winger/striker so it’s difficult to compare him with Nilsson but overall I think that my boy can become even more famous.
Sayam Khan
12 октября, 2010 at 18:14
Hi johnny, De Gea is definately your best transfer and Heitinga & Nilsson are right behind him. All in all a good window. Good Luck.
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 18:42
Thanks Sayam, I would have been happy to get a couple of better full backs but I’m satisfied with the transfer activity overall.
hils
12 октября, 2010 at 19:05
Good signings there Johnny!!!!!! David de Gea is a great signing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 20:21
Thanks Hils. I agree about De Gea, he should do very well.
Laxeyman
12 октября, 2010 at 20:02
Hi Johnny,
Good signings, the centre of your defence and your strikers look strong, but I think you’re right to be worried about the flanks, as your full backs and wingers don’t look great. Hopefully they can play above themselves though, as always, good luck!
Johnny Karp
12 октября, 2010 at 20:25
Thanks mate. The wingers are decent I think, they should do well. We still have some problems with the full backs but we’re better off than last year even in that department. So I hope we’ll do well but we’ll see how the matches will turn out.
Sears
12 октября, 2010 at 23:56
Hey Johnny,
long time no talk :-(
You certainly improved your squad during pre season. Your new keeper and central defence pairing are all wonderful players, so so as long as your forwards can score, you’ll have a successful season I think! Looking forward to your next post allready!
Johnny Karp
13 октября, 2010 at 03:28
Thanks Sears, good to see you back :) There might be a few days before the next post, I will hardly have any time for FM until the weekend.
Johnny Karp
13 октября, 2010 at 03:29
Hi Radu, nice to see you back. How’s the new hockey season going for your favorite team?
Kevin
13 октября, 2010 at 10:20
Hey Radu
Greetings from Toronto and welcome back to the FM scene!
Kevin
14 октября, 2010 at 00:12
No kidding! :)
Ana Garcia
13 октября, 2010 at 13:47
Wow!!
De Gea on a free transfer!! Which team released him Johnny?
He will easily be your best signing because you have got a young worldclass goalkeeper and spent not a penny! Fantastic and he is Spanish too! :)
Best of luck next season hopefully you can finish top 6 again.
Johnny Karp
13 октября, 2010 at 17:21
Thanks for the good wishes Ana. De Gea’s contract with Atletico Madrid expired, they didn’t reach an agreement to renew it so he left the club.
coolmcool
13 октября, 2010 at 20:31
im not sure if anyone has already asked but what has happend to the person doing the la galaxy game?
Johnny Karp
13 октября, 2010 at 20:52
That’s a good question Colmcool, I wish I had a better answer. I sent him an email a few weeks ago asking just about the same thing but I’m still waiting for a reply. I’ll let you know if I’ll ever get one.
rab carr
13 октября, 2010 at 21:01
great buys johnny i see your team performing veryy well in the upcomming season,, i look forward to reading the next chapter 4 dorchester and good luck in your european campaign
Jack
14 октября, 2010 at 03:34
Johnny great signings as per usual! Thanks for the facebook ad :P Get the new post up soon as you haven’t got long left to get another season in, and also I’ve gotta see these new signings in action. And remember guys vote Universitatea Craiova! Scottish league is borrrrrrring…
Johnny Karp
14 октября, 2010 at 14:20
Thanks Jack. The next post will be published during the weekend, I have no time to do it until then unfortunately :(
rab carr
14 октября, 2010 at 19:12
excuse me jack friend :-) but maybe the scottish league is boring for you but not for many others soo please respect that if the poll decides johnny manages a scottish league team then thats the way it is thanks
Kevin
14 октября, 2010 at 21:31
Rab Carr
Maybe I’ll do a Scottish story if Johnnny doesn’t. :)