I won’t have a backup left back but I will employ centre backs if Rossini won’t be available. The main man for that job would be Wayne Knight, an 18-year-old English prospect coming from Manchester United. I also have Ryan Carolan who probably won’t make it into the first eleven anymore but he could provide backup for the left back position.
Another young centre back joined us from Italian side Fiorentina, his name is Francesco Tosto and he’s 19 years old. He already has decent abilities and the kid is showing some potential, I hope he’ll work hard and develop into a good player.
And now my first choice centre backs… First Ryan Shotton, a strong and experienced defender that joined us from Stoke City. He is a tall and strong lad with decent pace too, I surely hope that he will keep our defensive line in shape.
The leader of our defence will be Argentinian player Fabricio Coloccini, a very experienced centre back that joined us from Newcastle United. He has 32 caps for his nation and loads of experience in various divisions, he should be a role model for the youngsters and an essential player for the club this season. I will also have Stefan O’Brien as a backup in defence, I really hope that he will finally show signs of progress otherwise I will have to let him go.
I also brought in two new wingers to improve our quality in midfield. First there is Graeme Owens from Middlesbrough, a hard working player that could provide great backup on both flanks.
I finally have my own Brazilian in the team, and quite a well know one too: ladies and gentlemen, here’s Mancini! He just turned 33 on the 1st of August but he surely has loads of talent left. I guess he won’t play more that 45 minutes per game but he could well make the difference now and then. There will be fierce competition for the two winger roles in the starting eleven as I already brought in Irish youngster Packie Doolin and decided to keep Tiberiu Paduraru, Matt Richards and Jacob Lensky.
I have made quite a few new signings for the middle of the pitch, two new midfielders joined us on the 1st of July: Jonathan Dos Santos and Javier Vila. I also brought in a Romanian player that I knew pretty well from real life football, Laurentiu Iorga, he joined us from Hertha BSC Berlin. He should make a reliable central midfielder that could also bang in a few shots from distance too. Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Kevin Mayo
30 августа, 2010 at 18:04
Hello Johnny
That was a very active off-season for you and some really decent finds that you have drawn in from around Europe. Coloccini is still pretty fit and should do you well whilst snapping up Mancini will be terrific as a back up. I’m gald your goalkeeper decided to stay as he’s really good.
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2010 at 19:59
Thanks Kevin, we’ll see how all of these new faces will blend on the pitch.
Darren Smith
30 августа, 2010 at 18:23
Hey Johnny, some good signings there. Coloccini is a fantastic centre back and hasn’t lost his legs yet. The rest will do a good job in the Championship and you dont seem too short on numbers. I reckon you’ll be in with an outside chance of the play-offs. Goodluck for the new season mate
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2010 at 20:00
Thanks for the confident prediction Darren, I can only hope that you will be proven right yet again :)
hils
30 августа, 2010 at 18:31
Fantastic signings Johnny,Your squad Fits to your Way of play brilliantly. Watch out For Relegated teams from the premiership,otherwise their are not many teams that could be a threat to your play off push (or promotion push)!!!!!
Johnny Karp
30 августа, 2010 at 20:01
Thanks for your optimism Hils. There are quite a few strong teams, not only those who got relegated last season but also some of those who got relegated two or three seasons before.
Laxeyman
30 августа, 2010 at 20:12
Hi Johnny, some good signings again, you have a lot of youth and some of them are quite exciting prospects. Mancini should be good too. With odds of 80-1 I would certainly put a cheeky £1 on your team. Good luck for the season, I think you’ll make the play offs at least.
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 08:04
Thanks Laxeyman, I hope you’ll make 80 pounds :)
Sears
30 августа, 2010 at 21:07
Hi Johnny,
I think you signed some exciting youngsters there, as well as some talented experienced players. I think you’ll finish in a play off spot, although I think you have a good chance for a automatic spot. Goodluck!
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 08:04
Thanks Sears, you’re quite optimistic!
Lye
31 августа, 2010 at 01:40
Hi mate, some promising youngster there. The experienced players may be able to guide them through. Hopefully you can have a good season. If you have a good start, i think you will achieve a play-off spot at least. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 08:05
Thanks Lye. It will be difficult to have a good start with 16 new players in the squad but I hope they’ll settle in quickly.
hils
31 августа, 2010 at 08:03
Johnny i started a game with Hereford and we are 24th in the league after a 5-0 loss to Morecambe and lost to crystal palace 1-8 in the league cup. Should i stick with them?
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 08:32
It’s entirely up to you but I would stick with them if I was you. How did you concede all those goals?
hils
31 августа, 2010 at 09:19
Dont Know,are goalkeeper is the only player who performs well in matches.
hils
31 августа, 2010 at 13:10
im really proud of hereford,we won a competitive match,the score…… 4-0 against cheltenham!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 17:05
Great, well done!
mariano
31 августа, 2010 at 14:43
Good signings!
Coloccini used to play in my team in real life(San Lorenzo), he is going to do great in Championship.
Mancini was my favourite right winger when playing FM 2003:)
Good luck!
Johnny Karp
31 августа, 2010 at 17:04
Thanks Mariano, I think that every team must have at least an Argentinian and a Brazilian :)
Jean Paul Borg
31 августа, 2010 at 18:19
Hey Johnny, you have made a lot of young signings as well as experienced ones. I think you should be able to manage a top half finish like you told to board you will ;)
I have got to say Ouch! for the wage budget. I would tell the younger players to learn from experienced one if you haven’t done that already.
Johnny Karp
1 сентября, 2010 at 08:00
Thanks for the suggestions Jean Paul. I will have to see which of the youngsters are worth keeping and then assign any tutors for them.
Cal
1 сентября, 2010 at 17:27
Some great signings you have done well even with a lack of money
Johnny Karp
1 сентября, 2010 at 17:46
Thanks Cal.