I chose to keep all my three strikers, Pekhart, Szalai and Sburlea, but we needed one more striker. I tried to get Alibec, he played very well for us last season when he was on loan from Inter. Well, Inter agreed to sell him but the lad chose another offer, for some reason he chose to go to play in… Turkey. Maybe it was for more money, I don’t know. I had to find another striker and after very long negotiations with Dinamo Kiev I snapped up Brazilian rising star Guilherme. He will be our star striker, I expect a lot of goals from him.
Those were the main signings of the summer but I will present two more players. First, the most experienced player in my team, Eric Abidal. He is quite old now but he still has the quality to play well at this level for at least another season. He was available for free, so I didn’t think twice, I offered him a good contract and he agreed to sign it.
Last but not least, the best prospect that I managed to bring to Notts County this summer. He is a Brazilian left winger, Agnaldo, a very promising youngster that could shine on the Premier League stage right away. You can find all the player profiles and career stats in the squad pages, I will update them shortly.
I couldn’t bring a new assistant manager though, but I’m still trying. Here’s how he sees the situation:
The friendly games produced mixed results, we lost to Arsenal and Bordeaux but I don’t care too much about the friendly results.
The bookmakers think that we have almost no chance of winning the title… Well, I agree with them :) The media prediction is that we will finish 16th.
We will have only three games in August, but all three of them are as tough as they can be. First we’ll have the Nottingham Derby, Forest got promoted too after the play-off. Then we’ll have Liverpool coming at Meadow Lane and an away game at Chelsea…
That’s about it folks, over to you now! What do you think about my transfers? I would also like you to make predictions about our final position in the Premier League, how high do you think we can go?
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Laxeyman
10 января, 2010 at 18:34
Great post, Johnny! Some good signings there, you’ve got two solid DC’s in Djourou and Caeceres, and Biglia can create chances for Guilherme who is a quality striker! Agnaldo looks like he can develop in a good player, he has all the technical and pyshical attributes already! I think you can finish in mid table- at the very worst you will be just above the relegation zone. Good Luck!
dinthead
10 января, 2010 at 19:04
Some very nice transfers there mate you should be able to finish atleast mid-table but that will just be if you play half decent. If you play well maybe a cup win.
Also could you be able to put this forum on your links page as we are trying to get lots of users and stuff ya’ know.
Thanx
http://myfmforums.ephpbb.com/forum.htm
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 19:19
Thanks for commenting folks, some quick answers now:
@Laxeyman
I expect a lot from the players you mentioned, if they will perform well I guess we could hope for a mid table finish.
@Radu
The first team didn’t change entirely, the right flank is the same as last season, with Varga and Hinshelwood, Pekhart is still there and Tinga continue to run the show in midfield. I agree that we might have some problems until the squad will have enough time to gel, that’s always a risk.
@dinthead
I will add your forum, good luck in developing it!
Calum
10 января, 2010 at 19:37
Good transfers Johhny. I think that you shall finish around 10th in the table, if not a little higher or lower. By the way, there is a new post on my blog if any of you want to see it. Also, can you vote on who I should be :) Here is the link;
http://afootballmanagerstory.blogspot.com/
Hope you do well in Premier League :)
Martin
10 января, 2010 at 19:38
Well Done Johnny!
Good Signings And You Will Get A Respectable Position I’m Sure.:)
Shame About Alibec But Guilherme’s Better In My Opinion
Biglia Was A Bargain And The Two Centre Backs Are Quality Players
I’ve Gotta Say Well Done To Bordeaux For Beating You Though :P
And Well Done To You For Sticking It Out And Not Being Tempted By The Likes Of Fulham, Tottenham And Man Utd.
Then Again, You Did Say Before That You Always Like To Play As One Team Throughout Your Career.
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 19:53
@Calum and Martin
Thanks folks, I’d be happy with a position around the 10th place. I’ll stick to the Magpies Martin, they can’t lure me out of Meadow Lane!
James
10 января, 2010 at 20:25
Hi! ive been looking forward to this! 1st of all did you look at Zezinho? and when i looked at what your assistant manager had to say it said darren gibbo is available on a free transfer….Get Him!! and i predict you will finish 13th-8th =)
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 20:31
Hello James! Zezinho is at Olympiakos now and they don’t want to sell him :( I’m taking a look at Gibson right now…
Kevin Mayo
10 января, 2010 at 21:06
Hey Johnny
2000-1 odds to win the title.I’d be prepared to bet $50.00 based on your past experience!
Guilherme looks to be a fantastic signing for you and I’m amazed at the big changes within the club. Nice to get 33M UKP to spend. I already have Gasmi as you know so I think I’ll hold onto him if his value goes up that much:)
Anyway, Romero is a great piece of business, I think it’s important to build from the back and to start with a top notch goalkeeper which you have done. All the best for your Premier League campaign.
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 21:30
Hey Kevin! I would advise against betting on Notts County to win the title, I never did that in the first season after getting promoted and I think that won’t happen this season either :) I agree that you have to build from the back, that’s why I invested a lot into the centre backs too. About the keeper, Romero’s price tag was quite low considering his abilities, I’m very happy about that deal.
Chris Harris
10 января, 2010 at 22:27
You always exceed your own expectations so I will not be surprised to see you right up there at the end
James
10 января, 2010 at 22:38
GUTTED!! the 1st time i heard of zezinho i signed him for 44.5m in the 6th season from juventus =). i really hope you do well in your prem season i think you will. that goalkeeper you signed was agreat signing! Good Luck!
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 22:41
@James
Thanks mate.
@Chris
I really don’t think we can challenge for the title, that would be more than a miracle. But I don’t think that we’ll struggle to avoid relegation either, we’ll see…
Martin
10 января, 2010 at 23:10
4-4 In The Africa Cup Of Nations! Crazy!
Johnny Karp
10 января, 2010 at 23:32
Indeed Martin, that was an unbelievable comeback!
Martin
11 января, 2010 at 02:07
New Post : http://fm10charlton.blogspot.com/
How Can I Change My Blogs Url Because It Says Charlton And I Wanna Change It
Lye
11 января, 2010 at 02:38
Hey mate, you have made a strong foundation at the back, i believe its the key to success. Relegation should not be a problem to you, i think you will be able to finish in the top half position probably 7th. But you always surprise us, i will not be surprise if you got a champions league place. All the best on the new season ahead..
Johnny Karp
11 января, 2010 at 07:51
Thanks Lye, you’re quite optimistic! I’d be very pleased to finish 7th, that would probably mean getting an Europa League place and that would be quite an achievement for a newly promoted team.
Lye
11 января, 2010 at 04:53
@martin
You can go to your blogger settings page, change the url under publishing.
If this can’t work, you can create a new blog under blogger and shift all your content there, then delete the old blog.
hARRO
11 января, 2010 at 16:05
well done johnny. good transfers. all t5he best in the ppremiership it is an unforgiving league. i often feel like throwing my laptop out the window when my teams concede late goals.:L check out my west ham blog. eagerly awaiting your next post
http://wroo10-footballmanager2010.blogspot.com/
Johnny Karp
11 января, 2010 at 16:17
Thanks hARRO and please, do not throw out your laptop! :)
Martin
11 января, 2010 at 16:26
Im Gonna Delete My Blog And Just Start A New Game Without The ‘Pressure’ Of Blogging On It Aswell
I’m Not Very Good When Playing As Any Team Other Than Chelsea
Maybe Its Because Im Familiar With Them, I Dont Know
Didnt Really Need That Long Comment :P
Johnny Karp
11 января, 2010 at 19:46
That’s alright Martin, you should play it in a way you’re comfortable with and enjoy playing it, that’s the most important thing.
Martin
11 января, 2010 at 20:06
Thanks Johnny!:)
Martin
11 января, 2010 at 22:52
Yes I Was, Didnt Go Too Well Either…I Mustnt Really Have Much Patience, But Now, If I’m Chelsea, I Will Stick It Out As They Are The Team That I Support :)
eddie eddie
14 января, 2010 at 22:11
G ood luck with your preperation.
mariano
2 августа, 2010 at 02:04
Hi Johnny,
I know i´m late for this thread, but i´ve been using your Notts game as a referencial source for my Crewe game, and learning a lot.
I´m on my way to win the the chanpionship in 2013 and check this post and learn several things, like i notice you already got all your signings by mid July, i always keep looking for players till the end of the transfer deadline……..too bad!, now i know:), maybe that was the problem with my tactic, not the defenders speed…..
i´m surprise of how you kept players from league two and one like Peckhart, or Sburlea till Premiership.
Jusy that, really good source for learning this post!
Thanks
Ps: during the last days i started thinking about creating a blog similar to yours in spanish
mariano
2 августа, 2010 at 02:10
And one more question:
Do you always agree with your assistant on the first eleven team?
Johnny Karp
2 августа, 2010 at 04:23
Mariano, I always try to bring in the new players as soon as possible in order to give them the opportunity to play in many friendly games with their new teammates and gel. I don’t always agree with the assistant on the best eleven, I didn’t keep a record but I guess I disagreed more times than I agreed :)
A blog in Spanish sounds like a good idea, I won’t be able to read it but I’m sure there are many Spanish speaking FM fans.