January
We made two transfers during this month, Mickels and Vukovic, both who were performing quite well, left. To replace them I brought in Aboubacar Obih and Sami Allagui. Obih actually played for me at Evian so he is a known quantity. Oh, I should take a moment to explain Germany’s rules. There are 2 windows, summer and January, while France had 3 (summer, January, and joke, which was in between summer and Jan., during which you could make 1 transfer from a French team). In terms of squad make-up, again you have to register every player you might even think of fielding because unregistered players, no matter how young, cannot play. Unlike France, however, you can have an unlimited number of non-EU players. I also realize in my writings I haven’t really spoken about my players too much. I was, but the website went down earlier today and I lost what I was working on so I’ve been going for speed over quality. I promise my future posts will be more complete.
Germany’s winter break is almost all of January, while France’s is the second half of December and the first half of January. Bayern got their revenge against us, but we went out kicking and screaming. The friendlies were mostly for money and I decided to schedule an easy one to cap them off so that the team wouldn’t suffer too many defeats in a row. Still, Kaiserlautern got the better of us in another display that could have gone either way. There have been almost no defeats this season that we couldn’t have won as well.
February
The game against HSV was pretty lacklustre at both ends of the pitch and HSV were lucky to get the points. Sadly, that means HSV have beaten us in both games. We rebounded with 2 dominating performances but out momentum was spoiled by a resurgent Leverkusen who are now on an 8 game winning streak.
March
What a phenomenal month. The games were won pretty easily except at Wolfsburg where we were lucky enough to get a penalty that we converted. They controlled most of the game but gave away that vital goal. Hoffenheim was end to end but neither team could convert their chances. It was an extremely exciting game and I am happy we got a share of the spoils.
April
Well, this month was unfortunate. We gave Hertha an own goal and the win and we lost back-to-back derbies again. So we’ve lost all four derbies, and now Dortmund are at the top of the league. We have also slipped out from the top by a bit and now our Champions League hopes are pretty much over. We could still get a Europa League spot.
May
Ouch, Bayern gave us quite a drubbing. I was shocked to see my team playing so poorly. With this loss the last Europa League spot is out of our grasp. We still did well, better than what the media said and we received almost £17mil for our position in the league.
We were only one point away from Europa League qualification. Next season I really think we can qualify for the Champions League with a little strengthening here and there.
We’re fine financially; doubled our balance.
Lastly:
10 players broke 7, with Bamba leading the way. Reus and Herrmann finished as joint top-scorers and Reus was our leading goal creator.
I hope everyone enjoyed this post. I hope the next time I speak to all of you I’ll have some silverware to show off :D Happy New Year! And as always, I look forward to your comments.
Rod
30 декабря, 2011 at 05:40
Hi mate, i really enjoyed reading you! Monchenglabdach is a nice option after leaving Evian. You brought a lot new faces and most of them are youngsters, this is the first year, so i’m sure that next season, with a few ins and outs the team can be a serious challenge for those top teams that were struggling until the end, only 2 points difference between 1st and 5th. By the way, i’m argentinian and i’m very surprised with the 2 full backs Vélez produced. Pay attention every 1st of April for the regens in that country.
Looking forward to the next post! Good luck!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:37
Thanks for the advice, Rod. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind. Now that I’m in Germany, I will definitely pay more attention to all of South America.
CsAtlantis
30 декабря, 2011 at 06:35
You were so close to taking the 6th and final europa league spot from the league, but anyway you have done well in improving your finances, perhaps you can add some more quality to the squad next season? (A lot of your players seem to be attracting attention, hopefully you can hold on to the important players like Reus and Dante)
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:52
Thanks man. At this point, no one is absolutely indispensable. If the right offers come by, I might have to take it. I think I should get a decent transfer budget and most people will be able to be replaced by someone talented.
vaibhavc
30 декабря, 2011 at 08:51
That was close getting into the Europa League, but that will have to wait for next season. Your finances have really improved. You don’t have much luck in the derbies! And it was surprising to see Dortmund win the league title, over Bayern.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks Vaibhav! It was annoying having all my derbies back-to-back. I would have liked some breathing room, and it was annoying seeing in my inbox that the fans were devastated over and over again.
Bayern had started their campaign in bad form they were actually behind us all the way into January!
Nik
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:00
I am so glad you decided to play in Germany, cause it’s one of the leagues I usually play. The reasons are, as you said, that it has no restrictions in foreigners, at the end of every season you get a lot of prize money (the last place gets 13m euros and from the ninth place and above you get over 20m euros), and everybody can win everyone. People think it’s only Bayern, Dortmund or maybe Schalke, but in FM there are great teams.
Take care of Reus, ter Stegen, Dante and Zimmerman. They are very good players. Oh and be careful of Podolski… ;)
I am very excited. Take care man and good luck! By the way, is your cold better?
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:08
Thanks Nik! I think I will really enjoy my time in Germany. It’s a very even league. And thank you, I feel 100% again.
MVB
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:08
Love this story and have been reading with interest! shed a tear when Evian story ended but good to see the adventure continues with Monchengladbach. I’ve just switched my leagues around to include France, Germany and MLS so will be paying close attention as your story continues :)
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:16
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was sad to part from Evian but I will keep an eye on how they’re doing and who is to say that I don’t end up there again?
Kevin
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:44
Hey Bhargav
BMG, there’s a team from the past. If I remember correctly they were quite a force to be reckoned with when I was growing up in the 1970’s. Really enjoyed reading this post and thanks for the tips at the start, I wrote some of them down and a couple of your players as well so I hope you don’t mind. Good start to your BMG career and you’ve established a nice foundation to build on.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:21
Thank you, Kevin! You have no idea what it means to me that someone of your high skill level is using my tips!
And I was for the most part completely unaware of Gladbach’s great history. I hope I can bring back those glory years.
Kevin
30 декабря, 2011 at 19:47
LOL!!!
Skill level? It’s all pure luck mate and watching Mr Johnny Karp for two years :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:07
I think your crazy promotion record with Plymouth is pretty indicative of your skill at the game!
Johnny Karp
30 декабря, 2011 at 10:16
You were unlucky to miss out on an Europa League this season, you did a great job! Gladbach is a club with a great history and I think you’re the man that can restore their former glory. Good luck!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:22
Wow, thanks so much, Johnny. Coming from you, that means a lot to me.
Darren Smith
30 декабря, 2011 at 11:06
Well I think that can be seen as a good start to life in Germany and you’re not too far away from boasting a threatening side. A little more strength in defense and one more clinical striker could see you challenge for honors quickly. Well done.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:24
Thanks so much, Darren! Do you think I should bring in a more experienced midfield man to marshal the troops around?
Laxeyman
30 декабря, 2011 at 12:41
Good season Bhargav, Monchengladbach looks like a really interesting challenge and you’ve started well :) Hopefully with a couple more additions you can keep improving and get a European spot next season. Good luck!
Happy New Year!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:25
Thank you, sir! I am aiming to topple the teams at the top and after such a solid season, I think Europa League qualification is the minimum for next season!
Ana Garcia
30 декабря, 2011 at 22:57
Good season!!
So close to 6th place and some European football but with a few new additions you should be able to push a little higher and maybe even get into the champions league!
Good luck!! :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 02:37
Thanks Ana!
I’m hoping to be quite a threat this coming season!
NKatsarov
31 декабря, 2011 at 08:45
Well Done, mate. Gladbach is very nice team. In real life, last season they were so close to relegation in B2, but managed to survive and this season are rockin’ on.
I really think that you produced good season. Even though you didn’t get a palce in Europe for next season. Doubling the finances is also remarkable. I just think for myself that you need some more goals from your strikers, and to make more draws, than loses. Think it, If just half of the games you lost, were drawn, now you would be SECOND with a place in CL. ;)
And again, very good work, mate! I wish you luck for the upcoming season and I really think you can even be on top fo the league next may..! :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:23
Thanks dude! I hope a strengthened squad can do it! One of the things I love about the Bundesliga is the overall evenness of the league so anyone can be at the top at any season.
TheZiggy
31 декабря, 2011 at 13:40
You had a good season.
Missing out on a European place by a single point is tough. I’m sure you’ll strengthen for the next season and push into one of those places.
Best of luck
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:25
Thank you Ziggy! I’m hoping to restore Gladbach to their former glory!
Sears
2 января, 2012 at 17:58
Great season pal, best of luck next season!
Bhargav
4 февраля, 2012 at 12:00
Another late response, but thanks for the luck! As you can tell, it worked ;)