First thing i’d like to say is apologies for the lack of updates. Been busy with this and that recently, and it doesn’t help that I had to reside to the reliably slow PC downstairs that is barely able to function while playing FM. Still, I am investing in a new’un and have got the BOIS round to September. So lets see how we faired…
So lets start you off with the results of the league so far:
Pretty good if you ask me. In all fairness, we aren’t doing as well as in previous seasons but i’m more than happy with the amount of wins we seem to be wracking up. Little bit of complacency shown as we drew the last two games of August, however we have been overloaded with fixtures lately so i’m not surprised the results have dropped a little.
Still, we are unbeaten and that is the main thing! 148 games now :)
And then onto the results of the cup run:
Happy days! Our youngesters have performed well so far, bagging 4 against both of the lower league sides we have faced in the competition so far. Quarter finals are up in a couple of days and the tie would be against a strong Assyriska side that I have trouble defeating on the odd occasion.
Lastly, we have the results of the Champions League qualifiers. As you know, we have to go through two sets of these before we can reach the group stages. First side to face, FK Ventspils of Latvia.
Not a bad side in all fairness, but one we should beat comfortably nonetheless:
We did just that.. A hat-trick from the ever improving French 19 year old, Adam Lecomte pretty much sealed the leg before William Olsson got sent off for a couple of yellow cards. Could we pull off the same in the away leg?
No doubts! A great 8-0 aggregate away win, sailed us into a playoff qualifier against Molde FK from Norway.
Managed by city legend Uwe Rösler, they were bound to be a very strong unit indeed so I had to make sure we we’re at our best. First leg was away from home so lets see how we got on:
1-0 will do us! On top through most of the game really, Kaká with the only goal of the game to make sure we had an advantage going into the home leg. So did we make it into the Champions league group stages?
Ooff, only just! Too close to call this one, and they came out all guns blazing to be fair. Luckily our defense managed to stay firm and fire us into the group stages of the Champions League for the 8th season running :)
Seeded second for the draw again, i was confident I would get more or less the same draw as last time:
Barcelona
Varbergs BOIS
PSV
F.C. København
Haha.. Barcelona again! Luck prevailed last year, and I hope that it will again this. Will be tough to get top spot but I think my lads can at least take comfort in that they have a very strong chance of making it to the knockout stages again. Fingers crossed! :)
Lastly for this page, i’d just like to re-introduce you to Adriano. Our new Brazilian center midfielder.
Adriano — Aged 16
Adriano — Aged 18
Botafogo really did a good job of upping his attributes! Hopefully I can carry that on so he becomes a regular starter in the squad :)
Go to the next page for the news and an update from Uruguay…
CsAtlantis
11 мая, 2011 at 10:13
Signing some good regens there Jake, Vitor could get a massive hike in value with your facilities, looking good there for qualification for the World Cup with Uruguay too
How many games can you remain unbeaten I wonder :P, good luck with the Champions League group!
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 12:28
Thanks CS :)
I hope so, you’ll always make some money from a free transfer, and especially seeing as he is only 17, he can make a few quid! Absolutely, right on target!
Haha, Darren challenged me to get 500 unbeaten. Bit steep but you never know ;)
Johnny Karp
11 мая, 2011 at 12:03
Well done Jake, another successful update both in terms of results and transfers. It’s also nice to see that you are on track of the World Cup with Uruguay, that will be a massive event.
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 12:31
Cheers Johnny, on track with both Varberg and Uruguay so fingers crossed that we can keep the momentum up. Absolutely, never managed an international side up until now, never mind a world cup :D
Darren Smith
11 мая, 2011 at 12:04
Well done Alex, you have enjoyed another successful start to the season. Not as good as previous years but amazing all the same. Liking your version of the Y2G, I created that system as a base for everyone to pick from. Its just a concept and its you guys that make it a real system, adding your own style and opinion. I have changed the system only 6 months after starting because I was too restricted. But the general idea works a gem, it makes you be aware of finances and ridiculous wages. Looking forward to your next post anyway, really hope you make it to the knockouts…ow and great regens there!
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 12:37
Another one that owes me a pint! I’m looking at you Johnny ;). Although, my middle name is Alex, so I’ll let you slide with a shandy ;)
Oh I know you did mate, just using your general ideas like you said. Working out well so far I guess so we should see some positive movement in the financial graph over the next couple of years :).
Fingers crossed!
Johnny Karp
11 мая, 2011 at 12:53
I didn’t forget, don’t worry :)
Alex
11 мая, 2011 at 12:09
Hey Jake,
Brilliant signings and form, I hope you crush Barcelona :D. You can finish 2nd in that group and get past the 1st knockout round and we’ll see from there :).
Also Darren, he’s Jake ;)
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 12:41
I hope so too! More likely that it will turn out like last season though, which I will be chuffed about all the same :)
Luck of the draw in the knockout rounds though, just have to be a little more prepared than last time.
Lye
11 мая, 2011 at 13:15
Hi Jake,
Is Barcelona still as strong in 2025? Most of the players should be regen and you have picked several young and quality ones. Very good run of results. 148 games unbeaten, that’s an amazing record. Everything is well in place with the club and that only signals good. Looking forward to another month of strong results.
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 13:34
Hey Lye :)
Not really, considering how dominant they are currently. Madrid are currently a lot stronger as a side with the players they have at their disposal. Still, they are seeded first so are still among the top 8 in Europe.
With any luck, they can come through development and challenge for a first team spot :)
Darthbane999
11 мая, 2011 at 13:23
Kaka looks like your best signing ever! I also am loving your new young players. Is it me or is it because you won the Europa League that’s why you are attracting better talent? Anyway, great run and it’s something I would love to achieve one day… the day when Columbus rocks the most saltish league in the world… NACL!
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 13:48
You think so DB?
Well hopefully I’ll make a decent profit out of him come the transfer window :). Mine is Adam Lecomte at the moment, even if he was a little overpriced. Probably tied with Bassey.
I don’t think it’s because of that when signing the South Americans, or any youngster for that matter as they are always eager to find a new club. Bigger players though, I have to agree. More and more top quality players are getting offered to me, which I suppose can only be a good thing :).
Thanks mate, good luck with your Columbus save!
vaibhavc
11 мая, 2011 at 13:27
Hey Excessive
That was a very good start to a new campaign, you can continue it. That is an ok draw, what happened last year against Barca? Your new signings are also really good, and Vito for free is a very good deal.
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 13:56
Thanks bud!
Last year we just pipped Barca on goal difference to top the group :).
I know it’s a pain to get to grips with the story having come so far, but your more than welcome to catch up on the forum post: https://footballmanagerstory.com/forum/index.php?topic=94.0
Vito I’m sure will turn out decent, no loss either since he is on a free ;)
hils
11 мая, 2011 at 15:43
Hi Jake,great summer period there!!!!!!!!!! Barcelona again!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 17:08
Thanks Hills!!!!!!!!!!! :D
john
11 мая, 2011 at 16:36
hey great job. excessive you will defo do great thing this year. ohh ya can you post you tactic so i can download them. it seems that they are class. thanks
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 17:12
Thanks mate :).
This is the main one!
League games: http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/football-manager-2011-tactics-training/60554-4-2-2-2-il-devasto.html
Good luck with it pal.
Laxeyman
11 мая, 2011 at 20:23
That’s a great start mate, you’ve found some really good regens, and I’m sure they’ll be good for you. Your unbeaten run is amazing, hopefully you can get to Darren’s challenge of 500 :) Good luck against Barca, I hope you beat them :)
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 22:57
Thanks Laxey, I hope so too!
Will do my best against Barca, going to be tough this time out I think!
Sayam Khan
11 мая, 2011 at 21:18
Unbeaten in 148 games! Wow! what an achievment even if it is in a less known league. I’ve also noticed your training workload is ‘heavy’ does this pay off for you? Or do your players complain? Anyway good luck!
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 22:58
Thanks Sayam :D
They complain a little, but it does the trick for me and they still improve. Some of the younger ones I tend to put in harder routines so they progress further in the younger stages of development.
Ana Garcia
11 мая, 2011 at 21:28
Still going well Jake,
The league is just routine for you now!
It looks a little more tricky in the group stage with both Barca and PSV but am sure you may be able to qualify for the knockout stage.
Uruguay is looking good also and you shuld be able to qualify, fingers crossed!!
As always, good luck! :)
Excessive
11 мая, 2011 at 23:00
Thanks Ana, yeah its going to be a harder group than last year. Hopefully we can pull off the same sort of form in the group stages :)
Kevin
12 мая, 2011 at 09:27
Hey Excessive
You seem to have an abundance of great youngsters and good work in getting those facilities into top notch shape. Good luck in the Champions League as I don’t think you need it the league :)