Hey everyone!
Last time you saw the mighty Patriots gearing up for their debut season in the Premier League. Just a year a go, these 18 year old’s had swarmed the town of Scunthorpe in the hope that they could save the local team from relegation. Now, with records broken in the first season and a Championship title in the bag, the youngsters are about to embark on their biggest test so far. Personally, I am fairly confident of survival in the long run. We have the strength in depth and have proven that we offer much more than both the newly promoted sides, and the weaker sides of the Premier League. Although there was a slight problem in that we faced three, top six teams in the first four games. Confidence is non-existent, but as we have nothing to loose there is always the chance of an upset! Fingers crossed then eh?
So, we started the debut against non other than Liverpool. A very strong side on their day, and one that with the likes of Gerrard, Suarez and now N’Zogbia, can tear any team apart. My stomach was filled with butterflies even though I didn’t think we had much of a chance and as the ref blew his whistle, we were off with me on the edge of my seat and Patriots Park buzzing! First call of action, Sears heading over the bar from a Dezmo corner. Something tells me that the die hard Liverpool fan won’t even be attempting to score with an effort like that ;). The away team hit back, controlling the rest of the first half as Suarez teased the back four. Dribbling around them, his two attempts to feed N’Gog were wasted as the Frenchman couldn’t steer any of his attempts goal wards. Straight after the restart though, there was action! Steven Gerrard getting sent off for two bookable offences, get in! With 10 men Liverpool struggling, the Patriots were rampant as a flurry of chances came close. All hopes of a clinical finish were fading for FMS until newly named captain Sears struck home three minutes before full time. His tap-in from a McLean short corner grabbing all the three points for the Patriots in a game they were predicted to get well-beaten. Looks like he wasn’t afraid to score after all..
With the three points in the bag, FMS were hungry for more! This time however they would have to face Fulham at Craven Cottage, a hard place to go at the best of times. Still, the momentum was with the newly promoted side and after the result against Liverpool anything is possible. First half was amazingly action packed seeing one-on-one chances being saved left, right and centre. Vaibhav must take most of the credit for some unstoppable saves against Murphy and Hangeland. On the other hand, FMS had numerous openings to carve open a goal but all their striking options were not clinical enough in the first half with Smith and Pepper both missing in-front of goal. Second half got off to a stormer though as the away side took the lead within the opening 5 minutes. A Smith through-ball finding Crosby on the left hand side. His shot was initially saved but the re-bound fell to Pepper who stuck it home from all of 5 yards. They extended their lead with a Smith tap in just after the hour mark before the home side managed to grab a one back a couple of minutes after. That proved to be a consolation goal though, meaning the Patriots dream start to the Premier League continued.
We took a break from Premier League fixtures and focused on progressing in the League Cup at the expense of 2nd round opponents Peterborough. As we were on home soil, I saw it fit to introduce some of the lads who hadn’t played as much as I would have liked over the past year. Things didn’t get off to the best of starts though and we went behind after Mackail-Smith scored a brilliant solo goal, smashing it off the post and letting the keeper parry it into his own net. Bushy pulled one back though after a 40 yard through ball from Hazza got him one-on-one with the keeper and things started to look bright for the youngsters. However, things turned sour just before half time as Posh managed to take the lead through the same scorer. I tried to install some motivation at half time but things just got worse as Mackail-Smith added his 3rd and 4th goals to cause a huge upset for the league 1 side. Hopefully this was just one of those days for the players, but I was furious all the same…
Maybe we could turn that great upset into a great triumph? Well, it would be tough as we entertained a strong Arsenal side for the final game of the month. I was less than confident, and as the whistle blew my fears were almost instantly realised as the away side managed to take the lead in the opening 6 minutes through a Chamakh goal. Arsenal were dominating possession throughout and we were lucky to draw level at half time. Crosby playing a delightful ball into the path of Pepper, who rounded Enyeama and slotted it home to give the fans something to shout about! Disaster for Vermaelen as the Belgian international was sent off for a straight red just after the restart which meant an opening for the Patriots to exploit. Could they take advantage? Um no. Robin Van Persie giving 10 men Arsenal the lead back after only 5 minutes. FMS did start pressing at this point, and they finally got their just deserts as Pepper managed to get his brace after another Crosby assist. The points looked like they were going to be shared, but deep into the game Menez broke Patriot hearts as he stuck one home inside the area. Gutted..
Early doors but that left us hovering around the Europa League places after 3 games. It was very important that we managed to grab points from somewhere in August though as to not be scared with the threat of relegation. Only 34 more points to go! :D
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story…
vaibhavc
17 июля, 2011 at 13:30
I against had an absolute shocker Peterborough, but the other games were ok. I think we can get 40 points easily.
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:12
Hopefully we can mate!
Darren Smith
17 июля, 2011 at 13:31
Some good results for our first season Jake, beating Liverpool was amazing and the Fulham match was important too. Just a shame about the shock result against Peterborough and that late winner at Arsenal.
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:13
Just glad to get some points on the board tbh. We will pick ourselves up from that I’m sure :)
Laxeyman
17 июля, 2011 at 13:39
Good start Excessive, and I’m sure FMS will avoid relegation, I’m predicting mid table at least. Good luck!
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:13
Thanks bud, I hope so :)
Nicholas Phipps
17 июля, 2011 at 13:42
Some good results there (obviously apart from the Peterborough game) Looks like illl be joining up with half of the patriots team in the Englan Under 19s! Have i made any appearences at Swansea yet?
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:15
Haha yeah you will! Yeah 3 apps so far with the Swans, rating of 6.45.
nielsneutron
17 июля, 2011 at 13:56
It is looking good.
Too bad about my injury but I see that I did have a good game against the Liverpool reserves.
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:16
You did mate! Hopefully we can have some more performances like those…
Srujun Gupta
17 июля, 2011 at 14:11
Nice result against Liverpool, but that one against Arsenal must’ve been heartbreaking. Just a small request, Manager. If I’m not out on loan the next time we face them, can I play that match? I would like to see how I turn out against my favourite team. :)
So 6th place at the end of the first month. Cool! Surely we can expect ourselves mid-table by the end of the season… Good luck for the season Excessive!
Also, funny thing that I get loaned out to the team I’m currently managing on my FM save. :D
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:17
Yeah of course, I’ll see if I can fit you into the squad…
Thanks buddy :). Haha that’s weird. An Omen maybe?
martinm
17 июля, 2011 at 16:00
Good start to the season Excessive :) Six points out of nine which included beating Liverpool and being unlucky at the end against Arsenal. I think we will be safely avoiding relegation this year :)
A shock result in the cup but I think we all consider that the least important comapared to the FA cup and the league.
Keep up the good work :)
ps do you know when the player profiles will be updated?
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:19
Cheers Martin, hope we can avoid it!! :)
No idea when the player profiles will be done, Johnny is in charge of that!
Johnny Karp
17 июля, 2011 at 16:49
Doing well boss, apart from that crash against Peterborough. The squad is good enough for a top half finish, at least!
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:19
I hope so Johnny :)
Sears
17 июля, 2011 at 22:34
Were doing very well thus far, good wwork bud! Yay, two international goals :-D Btw, am I wanted by anyone?
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:20
Nope, no-one wants you Sears! Except us ;)
CsAtlantis
18 июля, 2011 at 04:13
Top half table position in the league after some tough games, things should get smoother after the Man Utd game
Did Sears take some time to think before scoring against Liverpool? :P
Wonder how Brentford are doing……………
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:22
Hopefully, we need to get some more points on the board ;)
Haha, he might just have done.. That goal to an age to go in!
Brentford are sitting 12th in League 1.. And you have 4 apps with a 6.92 rating :)
joelance
18 июля, 2011 at 13:04
Very good start to the season. I’m sure the team can finish in the top half.
BTW,how am I doing at liverpool? Hope i’ve been promoted to the first team.
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:23
Hopefully mate :)
You have been loaned out to Terek remember? 30apps, 2 goals!
brazza
18 июля, 2011 at 14:46
Just got my internet back after a small fire, nice to see I’ve made a few apperances, even scored a goal! But a bit annoyed I’m linked with Arsenal and not Swansea :@ :L
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:24
Hope everything is alright Brazza!
Haha, your doing really well, except your outburst last month ;)
Wilfred Von Karma
20 июля, 2011 at 09:40
Get me out of the physio room… 3 injuries in a season? I know the physio better than Coton! I think I need some time out somewhere else to develop first. I want to get loaned out if I’m not in the first team this season once I get back from injury which I think I have recovered from by now…
Btw, is the injury recurring? As in the same injury again and again? Darn injuries. Every time I’m back from injury, I look at te post and I see Von karma bolded but after looking, it actually injured not scored goals…
Good start anyways and first team guys keep it coming. Love your goal scoring Darren! Absolutely fantastic. I wonder what you’d be like done the road, maybe 50 goals a season?
Excessive
20 июля, 2011 at 13:29
Haha, your getting really unlucky with it all mate. Ill see what I can do about the loan situation for you :)
Nope, all the injuries are different. Groin, arm and Back.