First I wanted a good keeper that could provide some competition to Kasper Schmeichel. But I didn’t want to spend much for a keeper, so I chose a free transfer. Ben Amos was released by Manchester United and I offered him a contract, he’s a solid youngster that could show some progress.
I also felt that I needed a new centre back and I went for a regen Argentinian youngster, Martin Martinez from River Plate. He is very talented and considering that he’s only 19 years old I guess he could become a very good player in the future. He can also play as a right back, that’s a good plus.
I sold Mitea, he was disappointing last season, so I needed a new left winger. Last season I had Pedro Botelho on loan from Arsenal and he did quite well, so I was happy that Arsene Wenger agreed to sell him. I already know the lad, he already knows most of his team mates, so he will adapt quickly.
The most expensive transfer was right winger Sam Hinshelwood, a 17 year old English regen. His team, Portsmouth, just got relegated from the Premier League so they had financial problems, otherwise they wouldn’t have agreed to sell him. He is a huge prospect and I will give him the chance to play in the first team, I really believe that he will become a big hit.
I brought quite a few central midfielders, I need good depth in that department. The best of the new lads is Richard Smallwood from Middlesbrough, although he’s very young he has some experience in Coca-Cola Championship.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Chris Harris
19 декабря, 2009 at 16:54
The Uruguay Job seems like a challenge. I think you would be up for it. If you find it to difficult mananing two teams at the same time just tell them you can’t handle it at the moment.
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 17:37
@Chris Harris
I guess I could handle it, that shouldn’t be a problem. And it is an interesting challenge, I have to admit that. What I want to know is whether you, the readers, would like to see me taking over Uruguay and going forward with Notts County as well.
Sonny
19 декабря, 2009 at 17:53
Why did you sell Zoko
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 17:57
Zoko didn’t do too well last season and I prefer keeping the younger strikers that can make some progress rather than him, he’s 27 already and not getting any better.
Calum
19 декабря, 2009 at 18:00
I don’t think you should take the job. I think it is too much to do and from experience I think it is better just to concentrate on your club/country rather than managing both. It is up to you whether you want to do it or not though.
Good Luck with Notts County.
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 18:05
Thanks for sharing your opinion Calum. And also thanks for the good luck wish :)
hARRO
19 декабря, 2009 at 18:08
take the Uruguay job…the only way to really test your credentials as a manager is through international management. go for it. you will have class players like diego forlan,cristian rodriguez,luis suarez,diego godin,martin cacares etc.
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 18:19
@hARRO
Thanks for sharing your view mate. I also think that I could increase my reputation in South America and maybe get better players from there for my Notts County squad, that could be a plus. About the current Uruguay players, Cavani seems to be the best player in their squad at the moment but I didn’t take a good enough look at all the players.
madaboutpies
19 декабря, 2009 at 19:08
If I was you and you could do both jobs! I would take it. Would you be away from Notts if both where playing at the same time? Maybe get some quality coaches to look after the team. Good luck in what ever you choose.
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 19:11
I don’t think I’ll be away from the team if the fixtures are too close, I had that experience in FM 2009 for a while, I was managing Chester and Brazil and I could be on the bench for both matches although in real life that wouldn’t be possible.
eddie eddie
19 декабря, 2009 at 19:20
Hey, if it was me I would not take it but if I was you I would take it so manage both is my veiw.
But you should really think to yourself will I do well at both clubs.
If you think you can manage it then go for it.
If you don’t then play it safe.
Hope this helps.
Martin
19 декабря, 2009 at 19:33
Good Luck In The Championship !
Im Not Really Sure If You Should Take The Uruguay Job, But I Voted No Anyway :P
Johnny Karp
19 декабря, 2009 at 19:37
@Martin
Thanks for the vote mate.
@Eddie
That’s a wise comment, thanks Eddie.
Sonny
19 декабря, 2009 at 20:08
take the job your reputation in football will grow bigger and bigger so go for it mate
Kevin
19 декабря, 2009 at 23:54
It’s your career, ultimately your decision. Personally I wouldn’t go for it as I’ve always felt that in real life Uruguay are a «dirty» team, at least historically and players like to roll around on the floor a lot after being tackled. Perhaps this doesn’t translate into FM 2010 so it’s more out of principle than anything else.
I do agree with haRRO though so maybe wait for another vacancy to come along I’m sure you can do both given your track record.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 00:03
@Sonny
Thanks for the vote mate.
@Kevin
I don’t feel that they are a dirty team, that’s just the «latin» style, we are more… theatrical. You can say the same thing about Italy, Romania, France or Argentina. On the other hand these teams always have good dribblers and a nice creative football. Anyway, thanks for sharing your view, I will wait until tomorrow night when the poll will be closed and then decide.
Kevin
20 декабря, 2009 at 11:46
Whoops, my apologies if I came across as being aggresive or offensive.Without revalng how old I am , my memory goes back a very LONG time and I’m commenting on «old stuff» that doesn’t really matter anymore.As usual my mouth or this this case my fingers is ahead of brain!
Whatever you decide you still have a fantastic career going so good luck with your decision.I hear Notts Co need a manager in real life so perhaps you should apply for that as well!
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 12:49
Kevin, don’t need to apologize, I didn’t find your comment offensive. It’s just an opinion and I agree with it partially. About the «real» Notts County job, there was a Football Manager addict a few years ago that applied for the Middlesbrough job, he was a great FM player. They turned him down though :)
Chris Harris
20 декабря, 2009 at 16:51
You know it’d be a nice little spin off of the Notts County Story. Entitled going forward with uruguay it doesnt need to be called that but it’d be interesting to see you pick an International Team. But it’s entirely your decision.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 17:00
Thanks Chris, I’ll see how the poll comes out tonight and then sleep over it until tomorrow morning. Then I’ll decide.
Lye
20 декабря, 2009 at 18:24
Hi mate, just back after away for few days, glad to see that you are in the championship now. I voted yes for you to take up the Uruguay job as i think you should be able to handle both club and country at the same time. This will increase your reputation worldwide and who knows maybe you will be the manager of your own country later on. That will be great and good luck on the new season ahead.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 18:31
Hello Lye, glad to see you back. Thanks for sharing your opinion and for the vote.
Matthew
20 декабря, 2009 at 18:45
Hi Johnny
You should definitely accept because you will qualify for the world cup and it is the best thing on football manager. I took Cameroon to the quarter finals of the world and it was really great (lost to eventual winners Spain). Also, it gives a break from Notts once in a while which I thought was quite nice when I did it. Any way it is up to you.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 19:04
Thanks for sharing your experience Matthew. I remember I got Romania to the World Cup final back in… FM 2008 :)
Kevin
20 декабря, 2009 at 20:15
Do you have your FM2008 stories available? I’m sure they are a good read too.
By the way I started my Swindon game using your latest tactic and DS Training. I’m finding all my midfield players down to 60% after 80 minutes even though they have all 12+ stamina. Any thoughts? Thanks
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 20:32
No Kevin, I don’t have any FM 2008 stories, they are just in my memory. The tactic requires a lot of running from the midfielders but 60% is a bit too low. I did notice lower energy levels during the games too since installing the new patch, I guess we should lower the training workload just a bit.
Kevin
20 декабря, 2009 at 21:15
Thanks, I’ll take a look at the training schedule. Perhaps the strength and aerobic are set too high
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 21:20
@Kevin
That could be an option. Another option would be to tweak the tactic for the players that get tired, less closing down for example.
@Radu
Thanks for sharing your «hockey thoughts» :) I’m sure I could give 100% to both teams, 200% in total :)
hARRO
20 декабря, 2009 at 21:30
alrite mate.. take a look at my blog and leave a comment with any tips you have as to how i can make it better. thanks i look forward to your next post.
all the best
hARRO
20 декабря, 2009 at 21:31
http://wroo10-footballmanager2010.blogspot.com/
ders link lol sorry
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 21:47
I agree with Radu, the header would need some work. And maybe move the «currently managing» picture to the sidebar.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 22:22
Radu, I have to pay for the hosting and domain name somehow, hARRO doesn’t…
Martin
20 декабря, 2009 at 22:54
Back To The Topic Of The Uruguay Job :P
If You Think You Can Be Bothered To Make Uruguay A Great Team Then Go For It
Well Im Only 14 You Dont Have To Listen To Me :P
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 22:57
Martin, your comments are valuable even if you’re only 14. I don’t know if I can make them a great team but I would surely do my best to achieve that, I always try to get the most out of any challenge.
Sonny
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:04
i need some advice i am in my 1st season with notts (ive had to start again because my computer mucked up) francois zoko is unsettled and i have already allowed him leave earlier on in the season but what should i do ?
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:12
Sonny, just give him the chance to play and score goals, that’s one of the ways to make him forget his problems. Or you could try offering him a new contract. Another option could be signing one of his friends, ask him to recommend somebody and see if you can do that.
Sonny
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:25
thanks and when the next blog
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:29
Probably tomorrow evening, I have to decide about the Uruguay job first and that will be tomorrow morning.
Kevin
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:34
This place is getting busy. Everyones comments are intelligent and to the point, not like other sites that seem inevitablly turn into an arguements. Well done Mr Karp for your responses and positive attitude.Love it!
I guess I should get back to Swindon career :)
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:37
Hey Kevin, don’t call me mister, just Johnny, I’m not that old :P
Kevin
20 декабря, 2009 at 23:44
Will do. Just out of respect for what your accomplishing here. By the way I am OLD but still a kid at heart. LOL!
Martin
21 декабря, 2009 at 00:02
Thanks!
I’m Sure You Could Make Them Something In The World Of International Football :P
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2009 at 10:58
Big thanks to everybody for voting and expressing your opinions, I am very grateful for your enthusiasm. As you can see the majority thinks that I should take the Uruguay job but many people said that I shouldn’t. It’s a tough decision to make but I finally did, with you help. I will take over Uruguay and manage them along with Notts County, I bet it will be an interesting experience. The story will go on as usual but there will be some additional new posts dedicated to the Uruguay career from time to time :) Thanks again, now let me play some Football Manager 2010! :)
Martin
21 декабря, 2009 at 11:27
Looking Forward To Seeing How You Do With Uruguay :D
Good Luck
eddie eddie
21 декабря, 2009 at 12:05
Good luck to you I am sure you can manage it.
Kevin
21 декабря, 2009 at 12:38
Good luck. Will be watching this space to see how you do.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2009 at 13:15
@Kevin, Eddie and Martin
Thanks for your support folks, I hope it will be an interesting addition to the Magpies story.
hARRO
21 декабря, 2009 at 13:25
best of luck with uruaguay johhny.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2009 at 14:42
Thanks hARRO :)
Sonny
21 декабря, 2009 at 15:11
good luck you’ll be able to handle it no problem
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2009 at 17:00
Thanks Sonny, I hope you’re right :)
Rooneye
21 декабря, 2009 at 18:15
Definitely should take the Uruguay in IMO! I dont think I seen this mentioned yet, but you might find that one of the Uruguay plays very well for you or you become one of his favourite personnel, you never know you might be able to attract some quality Uruguay players to Notts Co. Good luck with whatever you do anyways!
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2009 at 19:44
Thanks for the comment Liam and welcome back, I’ve missed your opinions :) I agree and that was one of the reasons that made me take the job, increasing my reputation in that area of the world and eventually bring better players to Notts County. Btw, are you planning to update your blog again?
Karl
23 декабря, 2009 at 16:49
Hey, I wouldnt accept Uruaguay because you can get BETTER job offers. I am also Notts County, in the championship after 2 seasons and so far i’ve been offered Sunderland, Blackburn and….. MAN UTD! I took over Man Utd, but chose ‘save as..’ so i keep both games. i couldnt refuse it lol
Johnny Karp
23 декабря, 2009 at 16:57
Karl, I won’t leave Notts County unless I get sacked, I won’t go to another club. I’m going to manage both Uruguay and Notts County, you can do that in Football Manager and even in real life sometimes, I remember a few such cases.