Hello everyone, we’re back for another update! Before I begin, I’d like to point out that while it’s now Monday in the UK, it’s still Sunday where I am, so I haven’t yet broken my «update tomorrow» promise. ;-) With that said, it’s been quite a hectic transfer window as we attempt to make ourselves relevant in the Second Division. We had no transfer budget and a maxed out wage cap, so if we wanted to improve it was going to require a fair bit of wheeling and dealing. I brought in an Assistant who knew his right from his left (a marked improvement over his predecessor), and we set to work strengthening the squad.
We had to make quite a few moves in order to free up the appropriate space, but we managed to bring in a fair few players. I’ll be running a 4-5-1 formation (loosely based on Darren’s Newcastle tactic), with a 4-3-3 in reserve should we stumble across a team that has our number. It hasn’t been easy bringing in the required talent, but I think we’ve done enough to at least make us competitive:
Thankfully I didn’t have to eat too many free transfer fees, and managed to find quite a few suitors in the lower league clubs. As an added bonus, every single player I gave away has a 10% sell on clause, so I’ll get to see a few pennies somewhere down the line! I had to rely on my Assistant and my own willingness to sift through the available players in order to find the folks we did. I’m already starting to see our reputation hurt us, as we lost no less than 4 players to clubs who outbid us (how can I compete with sunny Spain?). Regardless, we did manage to convince a few folks to come play in Scotland, and I’d like to introduce you to the squad:
Goalkeepers
I’m not thrilled with who I have here, and I’ve so far been unable to attract anyone better to the club. My starting keeper will be Chris McClusky, who was already with the club when I arrived. He’s spent most of his career in the Second Division, and he has decent abilities, but has already reached the upper limits of his potential. Thankfully he isn’t a total buffoon, and he should serve reasonably well until I can find someone I like a bit better. His backup will be Ally Brown, a lad who’s status with the squad is tenuous at best (and he remains only out of necessity).
Defender (R)
Another one of our weaker positions, I managed to bring in Tom Parratt to solidify our right flank. Those of you who followed my Salisbury City story will recognize his name from my brief stint at St. Albans, and he represents a marked improvement over incumbent Scott Gibb, who has since been relegated to backup duty.
Defender (L)
I have zero depth in this position, and have been desperately looking for some backup to solidify our left. For the time being, Michael Synnott is holding down the fort, and while he isn’t the most skilled of players, I’m hoping he’ll be able to keep the peace until I can find an additional player to cover for him.
Defender (C)
This was easily one of our weakest positions when I arrived, and I found a pair of centerbacks who were entirely out of their depth at this level. Thankfully they were both young and had some potential, so they’re currently serving duty in our U19 squad until they mature. In the meantime, I brought in Argentinian international Javier Almiron on a free transfer, and he immediately became one of my best players. His partner in the back will be the slightly less talented, but still viable, Phil McGuire.
Midfielders (C)
If the incumbent centerbacks were bad, I’m not entirely sure what you could call the existing midfielders. They were not at all up to the task, and I unfortunately had to part ways with them. I managed to bring in an exciting trio of Shane Williams, Paudie Quinn, and Greg Cameron. All three are talented youngsters dripping with potential, and with some luck I’ll be able to ride them all the way to the Premier League. I expect a few growing pains early, but it should all be worth it in the long run.
Attacking Midfielders (R & L)
To say this was a need when I arrived would be a massive understatement; we didn’t even have one! I had to do some scouring, but managed to pick up a pair of respectable and driven players in Aidan Downes and Stevie Murray. Aidan is still young, and has quite a bit of potential, so I’ll be expecting fairly big things from him come the regular season. On the other hand, Stevie is a bit older and has already reached the limited of his potential (which should still be good enough for this level).
Strikers
When running a 4-5-1, the lone man upfront is absolutely critical. We had a decent striker when I arrived, but he was vastly overpaid for his talent level (400 p/w!), and I quickly sent him backing. I managed to pick up two players of my own, and a third on loan. Gary O’Neill will be my starter heading into the season, and has the best current ability of any of my strikers. I also managed to pick up a very talented prospect in Michael Uwezu, and I plan to send him out on loan to gain some valuable first team experience. Rounding out my offense cadre, I’ve adopted Calum Dingwall on loan from Invemess CT.
Overall I feel as though we have a decent squad that should be capable of survival, and with a few more additions, perhaps even challenge for a playoff position. Perhaps the most remarkable feat from assembling the new squad — we’ve managed to create some wage cap space!
The board has also been extremely cooperative with my requests (wow!), and we’ve managed to find a parent club in Invemess CT, and a feeder club in Stirling University:
Whew! These squad introduction posts are doozies! We still have a full month of transfer window left, and with numerous league games between now and then, I suspect I’ll be able to get a better idea of the squads current ability and future needs. I’ll leave you with a screenshot of our rather productive run of friendlies:
Thank you for reading, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on the squad!
Alex
2 мая, 2011 at 03:52
Hey Jon,
You’ve done a brilliant thing — strengthening the squad and reducing the wage total! Your MVP is Uwezu, already worth 45k! He will be a good sale in the future, you could make quite a bit of money from him. You look to have a decent squad, hopefully you can get promoted and after that very good pre-season I don’t see why not! Look for Liam O’Brien and Gauthier Mahoto, they are great players and O’Brien would probably be your best keeper.
Good luck for the season!
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:54
I agree, Uwezu was a huge signing! I wasn’t able to find either of the suggest in players in my game, but I’ll keep any out.
Johnny Karp
2 мая, 2011 at 06:30
Your central midfield looks quite promising now, that’s a great starting point for building a team. I don’t know the level of the other teams in the league but I reckon your side is not among the weakest ones now. Best of luck for the season!
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:55
I’m pretty excited about that midfield group, and I believe we could be classified as comfortably «middle of the pack».
Lye
2 мая, 2011 at 06:44
Hi Jon,
A great couple of signings there and i thought you did pretty well. You should be able to have a good season ahead. Hope you have a good start ahead. Good luck.
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:56
Thanks Lye, I’ll have a few surprises in the next post involving our early season success/failure!
hils
2 мая, 2011 at 07:50
Hi Jon,great signings!!!!!!!!!! You should do well!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:57
Thanks hils, glad you like them!
Kevin
2 мая, 2011 at 09:06
Hi Jon (or hello neighbor) :)
Shane Williams is a very good midfielder and it looks like you have a good right back in Tom Parratt. The Argentne DC looks quite handy as well so should hold thigs together at th back for you. Good job with the finances; that will keep the board happy.
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:58
Indeed that Argentine DC has been an absolute beast! The midfield is still making a few mistakes, but they’re young yet. Thanks!
Darren Smith
2 мая, 2011 at 09:43
Hey Jon, great post today everything was spot on :)
I think you’ve clawed together a good squad, certainly worthy of challenging in the 2nd Division. My favourite area has to be CB, those two look extremely good for the level of football.
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:58
Thanks Darren, and I agree about the CBs, I’m really quite excited about them!
daniel
2 мая, 2011 at 12:42
Hey jon some great signings there considering how much your reputation is hurting you have you had a look at this player hes usually always on a free and can be signed to low league clubs well theres three actually
Devann Yao
Omar Karoma
Jack Robinson
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 16:59
Thanks for the suggestions daniel, I’ll take a look for them!
daniel
2 мая, 2011 at 18:16
No problem any time i found them in my leyton orient save
vaibhavc
2 мая, 2011 at 13:30
Hey Jon
I guess your signings aren’t too bad, they should be doing well for you in your league. I think that your defender, Almiron, will be your best performer.
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 17:00
I agree, I expect big things from him!
CsAtlantis
2 мая, 2011 at 15:15
Hi Jon
From what I see those are some pretty decent players you have acquired, and all on frees, just wonder how bad your original squad members were, you have completed a big overhaul and saved quite a bit in the wage budget, hopefully you can stay clear of relegation and challenge for a midtable or higher position
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 17:01
They were pretty bad. =P It was the first time I’d ever seen an Assistant say «this team needs serious work», so I’m glad we’ve been able to improve as much as we have!
Laxeyman
2 мая, 2011 at 16:57
You’ve brought in some good players Jon, and to strengthen the squad whilst saving money is fantastic. I don’t have a clue how good the other teams in your league are, but I reckon you’ll have a good season, as you have a solid midfield and Almiron looks like a good defender. Good luck!
Stromson
2 мая, 2011 at 17:03
The rest of the league seems to be about on par, and I think all 10 of us are pretty much toss ups. I’ve taken to calling us the «Mediocre Division». =)
Sayam Khan
2 мая, 2011 at 20:18
Hi Stromson, good signings there. Like Darren, I like your defenders. I have also had Paudie Quinn at my Bury team, but he didn’t get much of a chance in my team tbh. Anyway, Good Luck!
Excessive
2 мая, 2011 at 20:55
Hey Stromo!
Not bad at all, you have brought in some decent players which is great to see..
Hopefully these will provide you a stepping stone for promotion.
Fingers crossed, you’ve got it in you to pull it off :D
Ana Garcia
2 мая, 2011 at 22:32
Hi!
Some really decent signings, interesting to see where abouts you will end up!
Hopefully your new signings will settle quickly, and really good luck on your season!
:)
Jeff
4 мая, 2011 at 05:10
I brought a third division league team(elgin city) to the spl and during my spell in the 1st and 2nd leagues a couple players were unreal for me.
-Michael Nardiello
-Ande Dona Ndoh
-Thomas Pechart
-Ceriel Oosthoot (can’t remember the spelling exactly)
-Dawid Jarka
Look for some of these guys, I signed them all in the second league so reputation shouldn’t be an issue.
Stromson
4 мая, 2011 at 06:19
Nice, thanks for the suggestions Jeff, I’ll be sure to search for them!