Hello friends and welcome back to my FMS and the start of my fourth season in charge at Plymouth and the beginning of life in the English Premier League. On paper it seemed we had a fairly decent schedule to start things off so let’s see how The Pilgrims got on..
August 2014
Goodison Park provided the venue for our first ever game in the EPL and we got off to a dream start as 18 year old Brazilian Jaguare scored on his debut after 11 minutes with a magnificent diving header from a Lopez cross on the right flank. Almost 20 minutes later Everton were reeling as Lopez’s corner was met by the head of Marc Pelosi and it was 2-0! This however would be a game of two halves as Everton came alive right after the interval and intense pressure paid off with a goal 6 minutes in. We over committed ourselves in defence exposing a huge gap at the back which Everton exploited to fashion the equalizer but I was happy with this away point.
A capacity crowd was on hand as we put in a solid performance at home to Sunderland. We were unlucky on two counts, the first with injuries to wingers Pelosi and Lopez during the game and the second the goal. Defender William Ekong was pushed to the ground by Gyan but no free kick was given and he scored the only goal of the game late in the second half.
League Cup Round Two
Federico Rodriguez broke the deadlock in the 48th minute but we couldn’t capitalize on that lead with strike partner Geynrikh being substituted after yet another poor performance. We gave away another silly goal from a corner to allow Forest back into the game and we were struck again by a winger injury, this time Zeytulaev which reduced our attacking potency. Fortunately for us Forest were useless at penalty kicks and we scraped through to the third round outscoring them 3-1.
The injuries were beginning to mount and before our next match away to Bolton I found myself without any wingers either due to fitness or injury.
Consequently then for the final game of the month we found ourselves playing an unfamiliar 4-1-3-2 formation, attacking through the middle that Bolton had no problem shutting down at all an easily ran out 3-0 winners.
September 2014
Things were about to get a lot worse during the international break as both my right backs, Watson and Zamani sustained injuries which meant I had no first team players at all on the right flank.
I quickly arranged a friendly against Newport County to bring some of the Youth and Reserve players up to match fitness as it very much look looked they would be needed because I was unable to secure anymore loan signings to cover the injuries. A horrible performance against Newport sent the squad morale back to where it was when I first joined the club, fairly poor, poor, very poor but no abysmal…just yet.
With morale so bad we did however manage to put in a decent performance at home to Fulham and were unlucky to lose this one through a deflected shot in the 26th minute. More worryingly though was my strikers were frozen out of the game. Our trip to the Eastland’s started well as we hit the bar in the opening minutes, which to get that close to the net was quite an accomplishment based on how we’ve been playing. Once Livermore was sent off in the 16th minute City took over the game and we never saw their 18 yard box again. I was surprised in the fact that we managed to keep them from scoring less than 2 goals.
League Cup Third Round
For the second time in a row we had to place most of the match with just 10 men with the sending off of Jordan Ferri resulting in the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. This defeat was a massive disappointment to the team and the club as a whole as this should have won this one.
We finished up September with a home game to West Brom and we started brightly with striker Rodrigues going close to scoring with just a minute on the clock. Poor marking left Shane Long all alone in the 6 yard box to open the scoring for the visitors but this time our heads didn’t drop. Conor Coady who had been pushed out of the back four and into a DM role statred to command the game and was rewarded for his efforts with a goal right on the stroke of half time – a magnificent strike from 25 yards out. The second half saw us take the game to West Brom but again the final third of the field let us down and so it ended all square but at least we got a point!!
Results Summary:
Yikes, it’s bad!!!
League Table:
Look at the bottom of this picture as that’s where you will find us though we are above Stoke :)
Fixtures:
A bottom of the table clash to start things off next month and then we face some serious opposition so it’s not looking good at all.
Finances:
We are doing much better in this department as we are back in the black once more with just under £2million in the bank.
Well that’s it for this less than positive update but hopefully things will improve once some players return from injury. The West Brom game saw me try out a new tactic, a 4-2-1-3 formation as my left flank approach which I’ve always used seems to have been easily shut down in the EPL.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Johnny Karp
6 января, 2012 at 10:45
Well, keep your chin up my friend because I think there wasn’t much room for better results given all those injuries. The results will surely improve once those players return but keep an eye on morale, usually the assistant will recommend a team meeting when needed ;)
Kevin
6 января, 2012 at 12:35
Hi Johnny
I tried to book a Team Meeting but the game wouldn’t allow it. I’ll try again in «October». It would be nice to have some of my wingers back and will most likely make a difference.
Johnny Karp
6 января, 2012 at 13:25
It’s good that the game didn’t allow it because the team meeting wasn’t really needed at this point. My advice is to wait for the assistant to recommend it.
TheZiggy
6 января, 2012 at 15:48
One thing I’ve found useful once in a while is having an individual talk with a player. Unless you are sure they’ll respond well, don’t even worry about talking about their form. What I do is ask them if they know of any players etc, that might be useful to strengthen the club. If they make a recommendation, it helps bring their morale up a little. Even if they don’t, it does no harm.
As Johnny said, if you ask for team meetings too often, the captain will start getting annoyed with you and say something like «we always seem to be having meetings.»
Also you can’t have a team meeting on a matchday, which might be why it wouldn’t allow it. There probably are other times when it won’t allow it either.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:43
My last team meeting was at the end of July jsu before the end of pre season.
John Martin
6 января, 2012 at 15:14
Hey kevin. Well all i have to say is keep your head up. Results will come in time i know they will.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:44
Hi John
Thanks for those encouraging words.
Archie Sellwood
6 января, 2012 at 15:20
I guess the EPL was always going to be tough kevin, but anyway, there’s a long way to go yet and once your wingers are back i could see you giving it a real go!
P.S
I have just tried to follow your footsteps and have started a FM12 with Plymouth, any recommendations of players to sign in league 2? Or are loans my best bet?
Good Luck!!
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:48
Hi Archie
Greetings from Canada and thanks for a leaving a comment. I think the return of my wingers will make a difference. As for starting with Plymouth get as many loan players as allowed focsuin onEPL teams though ASSANTE from Birmingham is a must.
TheZiggy
6 января, 2012 at 15:42
That’s a harsh welcome to the Premiership, especially with the injuries as well. The injury situation is weird, because sometimes you can go ages with hardly anything happening, with the odd dead leg etc, and then suddenly it’s a plague.
I think in the EPL, focusing the attack down one flank is pretty easy to counter. I believe the AI adapts to the tactic you like to use. I know I’ve seen teams rest an important player in the match before my Torquay side has faced them, even though it’s meant playing someone who wasn’t even properly fit.
I hope you can start to pick up the odd win, but it’s not panic time yet. I’m hoping in real life that Q.P.R. can start also pick things up, because they’ve sinking fast of late.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:52
Hi Ziggy
I wanted to give my own tactic a go but never thought it would so well on reaching the top flight. These injuries have been a real nuisance and hopefully that will change the team fortunes once players return.
vaibhavc
6 января, 2012 at 16:15
Wow, thats tough on you. There is a long way to go, so keep your head high. Once your wingers are back to full fitness, then you can do much better.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:53
Hi vaibhavc
Yep, not been very nice at all and even harder to watch / play the game
:(
chris @ chester
6 января, 2012 at 18:41
Kevin, mate that was not a very happy post at all. Its already been said above but once those injured players come back in it will be a completely different story altogether. its only the first month of the season after all,
and hey at least you arent stoke ;-)
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:55
Hi Chris
I liked how you finished up your comment,that gave me a chuckle and lifted my spirits a bit. Thanks!!
Darren Smith
6 января, 2012 at 19:13
Well that was a very difficult period Kevin. I have experienced that before and I hate to admit it but I quit after my form didn’t improve a few months later. However, you have a lot of important players to welcome back from injury and the problem is you’re not scoring which is much better than conceding too many. I just hope you can pick up a few points soon to get back on track. Good luck mate.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 09:57
Hi Darren
Very helpful to know you have been in a similar position before. I’m hoping a full strength team will change the clubs fortunes as my top flight jinx seems to have struck again
Ana Garcia
6 января, 2012 at 19:14
Yikes!
Reminds me of my start when I was promoted to la liga at Real Union!
Its tough as you have won promotion after promotion so you havent really had a time to stabilise and your team in struggling in the premier league. Injuries have played a major factor though so when you get them back hopefully you can respond with a few much needed wins.
I found encouraging is often a good thing, going into games saying you have nothing to lose or go out and enjoy yourselves made my team play better and increase morale a bit, even if you loose say good effort or nice try etc As that worked for me when I re-won promotion after I was relegated!
But the best of luck! I really hope you can survive this season!! :)
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:00
Hi Ana
I was thinking of you and Real Union the whole time I was writing up this post as I knew you would be able to relate to this update. Thanks for the team talk tips and a return to a fully fit team will hopefully change things for the better.
Tazpafc
6 января, 2012 at 21:37
Nice one kevin, found your start of the career a few hours ago and just sat here reading it and its very interesting plus me being an Argyle fan also very satisfying, keep up the good work mate :-)
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:02
Hi Tazpafc
Greetings from Canada and thanks for taking the time to read all the story – that’s quite and effort! Hopefully I can improve our current form and make the situation more enjoyable for you.
CsAtlantis
7 января, 2012 at 00:23
Well I suppose this is one of the things that happen when you get promoted too fast, suddenly your squad doesn’t seem as competitive as it should be, you should try to talk to some of your players, especially the ones with less than 6.5 for their last five games and tell them that their form is not good enough, should give them some motivation
You should be able to try and get some points from Stoke, Southampton and Blackburn though, especially the 6-pointer with Stoke, winning one or two games would really push your team up (Southampton have 5 points but they are 12th!)
Good luck, and could be time to work on some more players to get in in January (might be safer if you get players in on loan :P)
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:06
Hi CsAtlantis
Appreciate the player talk tips and you quite rightly point out those teams we have a decent chance against. Hopefully the Stoke game will provide our first win of the season
Malhar Bhadbhade
7 января, 2012 at 03:13
dont worry Kevin, hopefully things will improve once you get all your players back and fit again. good luck, and hopefully your season improves. staying in the league is the most important thing right now, so all the best with that. looking forward to your next post.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:08
Hey Malhar
You’re right,avoiding relegation is the only thing that matters and with a fully fit squad to chose from I think we can do that
Calin
7 января, 2012 at 08:06
Not the best of starts, Kevin, but you shouldn’t lose hope. You had so many injured players and it’s still early on and the team maybe is not gelled up completely. Personally, I would suggest trying some new tactics — maybe go a little bit more defensive — and maybe turn things around. Hopefully the next update will see you deliver some better results!
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:10
Hi Calin
I just implemented a new tactic for my last game and thanks very much for your encouraging words. Hopefully the next update won’t contain so many injuries to report!
Lye
7 января, 2012 at 09:16
Hi Kevin,
I guess that was real bad luck with those injuries mounting. Hopefully your results will improve when those players come back. I guess probably it will take some time for the morale of the players to recover. Good luck.
Kevin
7 января, 2012 at 10:12
Hello Lye
Hopefully it’s all about those injuries and with a fit team maybe morale will improve also. It’s not mch fun in Devon right now
Laxeyman
7 января, 2012 at 14:42
Tough start Kevin, you’ve had terrible luck with injuries, and basically, everything seems to have gone against you. However, when you get a few of your players back, hopefully your luck can change. Good luck!
Sears
7 января, 2012 at 21:10
Chin up Kevin, don’t be too disheartened. Things are bound to improve soon; hopefully the new tactical change will see an improve in results. Best of luck mate.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:31
Oh wow, that was quite a rough start. You’ve been really unlucky with injuries, though. I am confident, though that you know how to handle this so that you stay up. That would be a huge victory in itself. Just keep your eye on the prize money!
Martin Pickard
10 января, 2012 at 09:40
Unlucky Kevin, a very difficult start to the season but things can only get better fella….a few wins and you’ll be mid table in no time. Keep plugging away and i’m sure that you’ll get the rewards :)