Good Afternoon (or evening for most of you) folks, and welcome back to Gigg Lane and our humble little FC United side. After a weekend of pizza and saving Tamriel (again), I’m back up an update to our story! This time we’ll go from October (since I forgot the screenshot last time) through the end of December as our plucky side attempt to make some noise in the Blue Square North. Let’s take a peak at how we did, shall we?
October:
Just the two league fixtures this month, and they were both scrappy one goal wins. We’re hardly an impressive side to watch at the moment, and we’re winning fixtures on pure grit and determination versus any kind of inherent skill. At this juncture, you could easily call us serious overachievers.
November:
Our busiest month yet, and I think we handled it fairly well. We began with a disappointingly dull draw against bottom-feeders Hednesford, before bouncing back with four straight wins. This was easily our most impressive stretch of the year, and I was especially proud of the lads for their resolute display against fellow promotion-contenders FC Halifax. We wrapped up the month with an expected loss to league leaders Stalybridge. I can’t even complain about this one, and we were outclassed in every way imaginable.
December:
Ugh! The most frustrating month of all time. We blew this month in every way imaginable. We gave up leads (Northwich, Nuneaton), we came back from behind (Mansfield), and we just plain didn’t show up to play (Workington). If anything positive can be gleaned from this, it’s the squad hates losing. Several times we looked completely beaten before either tying the game or going out ahead (only to later give it up). Ah well, four points is better than none, so I’ll suppose we’ll take it.
League Table, January 1st:
Despite our best efforts, we’ve somehow managed to stay in playoff contention. We’ve certainly had some help though, and most of the teams around us have been nearly as content to give up points as we have. Coincidentally, this is the most vulnerable Staylbridge has looked all season, and I’m beginning to wonder if they’re already out of gas. Be sure to keep an eye on Mansfield as well; they’re a team that has the potential to make a lot of noise come spring.
Player Ratings:
Go figure, my best player is hurt for the next 5 months. As you can tell, we’re a distinctly average side and we really have no business being where we are on the table. The closest thing we have to a stand out player is Sam Kamara, and if you’ll take a look at his stats, you’ll see that’s a rather depressing realization:
There’s absolutely nothing special about him to speak of, and my own staff only give him a star and a half. Still, who am I to argue with performance, and I have every intention of giving him his job back should he return by the end of the season.
Miscellaneous:
We have a few other things going on that I’d like to share that don’t fall neatly into any particular category. Firstly, we’re still receiving these notices every 2-5 weeks:
They seem to be ranging from between £25-70k each time, and while I’m not complaining about the free money, I still don’t understand it. Thanks to the constant infusion of cash, we’re now approaching £500k in the bank. Sure, we’re sitting on £2.7 million (more or less) of loan debt, but we’ve been easily meeting our £18,500 per month payments, and we regularly turn a profit even without the board’s money. I’m going to have to chalk this up to being some kind of bug, where the game remains convinced we’re in a poor financial state despite us actually doing really well (I suspect it’s an algorithm that compares your club’s estimated value against its total liabilities). By comparison, I never saw a single injection (that I can remember) at Afan Lido, despite the fact that we spent large portions of my tenure deep in the red. Go figure…
Elsewhere, in preparation for our FC Halifax match (that we won), I was doing a little advanced scouting of their team. Somehow, someway, the managed to convince this guy to play for them:
Now that’s just straight up not fair. I can’t even convince an average League 2 player to join me on loan, but they’ve somehow managed to land Lee Novak from Premier League side Huddersfield (that’s right, the Terriers are a Premiership club this year). Mercifully (and stupidly), they didn’t play him against me, but it’s still wrong.
Lastly, there’s this:
While it may not seem like a huge deal on paper (it’s just one player), this is the third long term injury in a row. I suppose we’re due, as we’ve stayed relatively healthy all year, but it’s definitely starting to catch up to us in a big way. *sad face*
Bear Talk:
Before we close the post, it’s time for another episode of Bear Talk. In this edition, we’re going to talk about expectations. Given our relative success and our continued presence in the upper third of the table, thoughts of promotion might have begun dancing in heads. Well the Bear is here to kill those dancers. Promotion, frankly, isn’t going to happen. We’re a team that were expected to finish 18th out of 22, and just barely keep our heads above water. By some small miracle (likely having to do with a large fury predator inhabiting the locker room), the squad has gone out and overachieved the hell out of themselves.
Seriously though, you’ve seen the ratings. You’ve seen the stats of my «star» player, and some of the other signings I managed to bring in. This team is terrible! Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled we’re doing as well as we have, but any accomplishment beyond simply finishing in the playoffs is a sad delusion. Even so, a top 6 finish would be a monumental achievement for these players. It would give us an excellent foundation on which to build for next season, and might even coax some more money out of the board (you know, for wages…).
I will, however, sabotage any attempted promotion. We’re simply not ready (We were absolutely wrecked in our FA Trophy match against last place BSP side Tamworth) for the next level, and we desperately need another season in the BSN to continue to build and prepare for the future. So with that, I bid you all a delightfully wonderful evening.
P.S. —
The Skin: http://sortitoutsi.net/forum/topic/54624-fahrenheit/
The Club Logos: http://www.footballmanagerfanboys.net/discussion/topic/750-cts-carbon-logos/
George Dobson
21 ноября, 2011 at 22:22
good so far I hope you can carry on its good that your not losing many games as well :D
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:29
Absolutely, I’ll take draws over losses any day. :)
Bigbaz
21 ноября, 2011 at 23:25
Well done so far! Understand regards having another season in BSN, safe bet.
Btw my team Hednesford town wont be bottom feeders for much longer!! In real life we are doing pretty well :D
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:31
No worries, your club returned the favor in the second fixture, beating us 2-1. :(
Kevin
22 ноября, 2011 at 00:18
Evening Stromson 7:15 EST :)
1. 4 draw games in a row? That sucks to say the least
2.Lee Novak to Haliax? That doesn’t make any sense
3. Take as much money as you can even if it is a bug :)
4. I think you will surprise yourself and get promoted
5. You are doing really great with a squad like that…Well done!
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:33
It was afternoon when I started writing… ;-)
1) It was a smidge frustrating, chea.
2) No, no it doesn’t. I was completely and utterly floored when I saw that. I mean, Halifax are a feeder for Huddersfield and all, but who sends a player of that caliber to the BSN (and what kind of player accepts it too)!?
3) Amen, brother.
4) It would be a pleasant surprise, I’m just not sure I see it happening.
5) Thanks! Appreciate the support. :)
CsAtlantis
22 ноября, 2011 at 04:19
I’ve seen some bizarre loans happening this version of FM (In fact, someone had Nedum Onuoha on loan to League 1 Plymouth one season and Cameron Jerome the season before from their parent club Stoke)
The cash injections are small but maybe the board just likes to have some bank balance for a rainy day? :P
You’re doing just fine Stromson, just give your players some bear hugs (don’t crush them) and let them play and see what happens later on in the season
This new font seems familiar somehow……….
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:43
It really is the most bizarre loan I’ve seen so far, but those also seem fairly silly. I’m not going to complain about the free money either, just seems odd. ;-)
Font is an open sourced derivative of Baskerville. :)
Wesley
22 ноября, 2011 at 08:17
Hey nice post. I also want to manage them as i am not a big Man U fan. I started a new game and cannot find them. Did you start a new game with them or did you coach another team before this one. Do they still need to be promoted to the Blue Square Prem.
Please help with this.
Thanks
Wesley
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:44
I managed in Wales for two and a half years prior to ending up as the FC United manager (they hired me after sacking their previous manager). As far as I know, the only way to start with them would be to edit the database prior to starting your save game or finding some league expansion that takes England down another tier.
Johnny Karp
22 ноября, 2011 at 08:30
I think you should push for promotion, I understand why you think the team is not prepared but you will have to change most of the squad anyway so why not do it at a higher level? Good luck!
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:46
That’s a pretty good point. I won’t be sabotaging any promotion chances, I just don’t think we’re good enough yet.
Laxeyman
22 ноября, 2011 at 08:50
Great form Stromson, and I think you should try and push for promotion, because if you do get promoted then you can completely change your squad for the BSP, that’s what I do every time I get promoted. Anyway, you’re in a win — win situation, because if you don’t get promoted it won’t be the end of the world :) Good luck!
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:47
Promotion would certainly have its advantages, and like I told Johnny, I won’t be sabotaging anything, I just don’t expect it to happen. Thanks for the support. :)
Birky
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:00
The reason that you get the cash injection is that because the club is owned by the fans it means that for every club member that joins you get the cash.
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:47
I’m not sure that’s what is happening here, since the notifications indicate it’s a result of our financial status.
TheZiggy
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:33
I can feel the frustration of those draws, especially if you give a lead away. Just as frustrating was a run of 3 matches where I didn’t score, with two of those matches where we didn’t even look like scoring, and the 3rd, where the opposition goal seemed to have some magical protection force on it. Those 3 matches came after a run of 29 in which we’d scored, so anything seems possible.
Can understand the concern about promotion, but I don’t think you should worry about it. You need a lot of better players to progress either way.
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 13:48
Ugh, those are the worst. Three or four games where you can’t do anything offensively, and the very next game your team explodes for 5 goals. I guess that’s just the LLM way. :-P
Darren Smith
22 ноября, 2011 at 14:27
Well United had best look out as we seem to have some new noisy neighbours in town :) Great season so far mate and what I would find doubly pleasing is the finances. Usually to perform well in lower league you turn a loss and try to make the money up come the seasons end so its great to see the finances in such great shape. Fingers crossed for promotion.
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 19:46
Thanks Darren! Obviously you’ve already the promotion bit by now, but I completely agree on the financial side of things. It’s a great feeling to know we don’t really have to worry about money at this juncture, and I’m still not sure why the game is convinced our finances are «insecure» when we now have over 700k in the bank. *boggle*
vaibhavc
22 ноября, 2011 at 16:20
Great season so far, except for December. But trying to sabotage promotion means that December was a great month. I hope you change your mind on things though.
Stromson
22 ноября, 2011 at 19:46
It wasn’t conscious sabotage, I promise. :-D