Hello friends and welcome to the penultimate episode of the Vauxhall Motors Football Manager 2011 season! After the wildest transfer window ever I was quite curios to see the new players in action and also to watch them perform in the new 4-3-3 tactic. I felt no pressure at all at the start of the season to be honest, I have already won everything with the Motormen, but I really don’t like to lose so I was hoping to make this last season a success.
Things started quite brightly as the first match of the season, the Community Shield against Tottenham, was won by a comfortable margin. The lads seemed to be enjoying the new tactic and there was one player in particular who took advantage of the new formation: World Cup hero Lucas Cuello. He bagged a hat-trick while employed as a trequartista and that gave me hope for a few more goals from him throughout the season. The only downside was that the Spurs enjoyed better possession than us, I’m not really used to that :) (click here to watch the highlights)
So, we grabbed our third consecutive Community Shield and fifth overall, I guess this trophy really has our name on it!
Carling Cup
Our League Cup campaign started with an unfortunate draw as we were pitched against Tottenham in the very first round but fortunately we put four goals past them again! Then we dispatched Northampton and Exeter by the same margin and now we can prepare for an epic battle against Man City in the semi finals.
Champions League
The Champions League group stage rarely caused us any problems and this season was not different at all. We went through the group unbeaten even though I rested most of my stars in these games. The first knock-out round will see us taking on Spanish side Sevilla, we should be able to win that tie.
Premier League Results August and September 2023
Our Premier League campaign got off to a good start, we clinched five wins in a row and conceded just two goals in the process. But then we suffered a severe setback, Man City beat us 3-0 and that defeat really hurt. It’s not only the result that was painful but the whole performance, the game was quite even and Man City made the difference through much better finishing. An even game is not what I’m used to though, we always used to dominate our opponents in the past few seasons regardless of the results…
Premier League Results October and November 2023
We failed to get back to winning ways in the next game as Arsenal held us to a draw at home but this time we had an excuse as one of our players got sent off after just 13 minutes of play. Then we bounced back and won the next four games while keeping a clean sheet throughout but then we were held to a couple of shameful draws by Ipswich and Huddersfield. It seemed that my strikers were totally out of confidence, they were missing the net from the very best possible positions…
Premier League Results December 2023
I admit that I was a bit worried at that point but the last month of the year really eased my fears. The lads turned on the style and managed to win all six games while scoring an impressive 22 goals in the process. The sweetest win was against Manchester United as the Red Devils were top of the table at the time, we scored four and they got back with two but only after the three points were already safely in our hands. (click here to watch the highlights)
So, we are top of the table at the end of the year but that is only because Man United have a game in hand. They are really putting up a good fight this season and it seems like we’re going to have a two-horse race for the title.
The new tactics seems to have benefited Lucas Cuello, now he has a place in the starting eleven alongside Zé Carlos and Parana and the Argentine striker is surely making the most of it. My top three strikers bagged 51 goals between them, that’s not so bad, but the most pleasing fact is that almost every player in the 23-man squad got on the score sheet in the first half of the season.
That’s about it for now folks, I guess the first half of the season went fairly well considering that we switched to a new tactic and that we have a few new players that have to blend in. Thanks a lot for reading, see you in the comments box ;)
P.S.: Ciaran Harper kindly asked me for the current save game so I’m putting it up here for anyone to download and enjoy ;) (the file is zipped so you will have to unpack the archive before using it).
Stromson
October 11, 2011 at 15:53
Oh thank goodness, Tottenham is finally starting to fade away! Hopefully Manchester United will be able to keep up with you, and setup an interesting fight to the finish (I’m sure you’d rather just see them fall apart, but it makes for an exciting read)! Glad to see your cash splashing hasn’t been in vain, and I look forward to the final chapter of this excellent story.
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 16:32
Actually I will love a good battle with Man United so I hope they do keep up :)
nielsneutron
October 11, 2011 at 16:11
It is amazing how you can keep being at the top. It is really impressive. Your tactic seem to be working but the possesion might be an issue against teams like Barcelona or Real Madrid (if they haven’t faded like Tottenham)
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 16:34
It’s not that amazing for me, I have the best players in the world and it’s only natural that they form a winning team. About the possession issue, this tactic has a more direct style of passing and tends to allow the players to take on quite a few shots from distance and I think that these are the reasons that lead to that problem. But as long as we score I don’t mind that too much.
paine
October 11, 2011 at 16:20
You simply have the best attack and the best defense, teams like yours usually win the league.
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 16:35
You are right and that is because I have the best forwards and the best defenders in the league ;)
Laxeyman
October 11, 2011 at 16:21
Pretty good Johnny, it seems that when you win, you absolutely steamroller opponents, and your goals total so far is spectactular! Cuello has been amazing so far, and hopefully with him, Ze Carlos and Parana up front you can win the lot in your final season :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 16:35
Thanks mate, I hope we will win everything that is up for grabs this season.
Nicholas Phipps
October 11, 2011 at 17:01
Once again your team are top and doing well in the Champions League! Good luck and I look forward to the final posts of a truly epic story :)
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:17
Thanks Nicholas.
Kevin
October 11, 2011 at 18:05
Hi Johnny
Looks like you are well on your way to another winning season. Nearly all your team are “Super Seven” ratings and you’ve even got eights…wow!
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:17
Hey Kevin, I really do have some fantastic players. I think they don’t even need a manager :)
Darren Smith
October 11, 2011 at 18:28
Well done Johnny, that was some stunning form and your strikeforce is unstoppable. I expect some silverware this season and you should improve the consistency further as your players settle in.
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:18
Thanks Darren, I hope that you are right about the consistency.
Martin - F.M.J.S
October 11, 2011 at 18:45
Well Johnny that is a great start with your new tactic. Lucas Cuello is playing really well. Good Luck with the rest of the season mate. I sure to see more silverware to finish off a great story.
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:18
Thanks Martin, Cuello did very well indeed and I think he can do even better.
George Dobson
October 11, 2011 at 19:21
brilliant Johnny well done hope its a memorable last season
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:18
Thanks buddy.
Dan
October 11, 2011 at 21:07
Hey Johnny,
Looks like the first half of the season has been pretty straightforward so far. Good to see you on top of the league with United, should be an exciting finish! Good luck with your last few months with Vauxhall!
Johnny Karp
October 11, 2011 at 21:19
Indeed Dan, it was fairly straightforward :) Thanks for the good luck wish.
malhar
October 11, 2011 at 23:54
business as usual for Vauxhall then :) hope you win everything again this year.will be a special end to a special story. Good luck! Looking forward to reading your next post.
Johnny Karp
October 12, 2011 at 06:46
Thanks mate, I hope we will win some stuff ;)
Lye
October 12, 2011 at 01:41
Hi Johnny,
The best players can play in any tactics don’t they? Good to go and you will be on your way to another trophy season. Looking forward to the second half and a fantastic end to the season. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
October 12, 2011 at 06:46
I guess you are right Lye, any tactic might work with these lads.
vaibhavc
October 12, 2011 at 16:44
Hey Johnny
Tottenham are starting to fade (finally!) Cuello seems to be really good in trequartista. And obviously you are doing well in every competition. FM12 in 9 days, you have to finish the season fast!
Johnny Karp
October 12, 2011 at 19:03
Thanks mate, I think I will finish the season by then ;)
Sears
October 13, 2011 at 14:24
Great start mate, will be unreal if you win everything again this season… Fantastic way to finish FM11 :D Good luck!
Johnny Karp
October 13, 2011 at 18:08
Thanks Sears, I hope we will win at least one of the three remaining trophies.