ri916's FM15 Youth Academy Challenge

[MaestroIsco]

FC United

My profile

Facilities

Squad

Gary Turner

Edit: Forgot to check the U squads.

[Bartrcm]

Damned, my Aris save crashed.

Had to update 1 more season. Made it till the 1th knock ut round in the CL. Such a shame that this save is gone.

Started again in Sweden. Allready in season 2. Will finish this at least tomorrow and update both seasons after that.

[smp20]

I'm thinking of starting this challenge after doing it with Bury Town last year.....will be going with England but not the same team.

[Bartrcm]

Good luck smp20. Last year was very impressive of you.

[Bartrcm]

Assi of Sweden appionted me as the new manager. My youngest daughter has chosen this team because she founded it a funny name.

[Bartrcm]

Assi - Swedish second division North - season 2015

Predicted: 13th (2000-1)

Actual finish: 4th

First time ever to play in Sweden for me, and I actually like it. Very short season and, I think only 1 or 2 mid-week games. So no problems with exhausted players.

The season started incredible well. With 6 victories and 2 draws in our first 8 games, we were almost certain of survival, our main goal off the season. We stayed in 1th position until game 11, but with only 2 wins in 11 games after our impressive start, our moral was very low. The strange thing was that evven after such a bad run we still had a change of promotion. With only 4 points between place 1 and 7 it was a very tight race. Before the last game we were in 7th position but only 3 points behind leaders Boden, and still had a very small change of winning the league. We need a win with at least a 7-goal difference and Boden has to lose. We also need better results than the 5 other teams. Almost impossible.

We won our last game, but only with 4-1 and Boden draw. We finished the season in an icredible 4th place, but with a little bit more luck we could have been champions.

Games

Cup: Didn't enter the cup. Don't know in wih division you have to play to enter this cup competition.

Youth intake: Incredible youth intake, but I thnk this is because our main squad hasn't that much potential. Already 3 players has played the last 5 games of the season. I needed to change our tactics, but they actually played good at that young age.

Tranfers: 1 player came in before my arrival of 15/12. Luckily it was a DC because I have only 2 off them.

Finance: Not good

Goals next season:

Promotion

at least 5 young players in the starting 11.

[Bartrcm]

Aris - Swedish second division North - season 2016

Predicted: 11th

Actual finish: 1th and champions!!!!!

We did it! Our start wasn't that impressive as last season we didn't had a mid-season slump like last year. 4 games before the end off the season we were 6 points in front, but I think our players had a big nerve problem. We only gained 1 point in the next 3 games, and our lead was reduced to only 3 points. Luckily for us we had to play our last game at home. We only suffered 1 defeat at home this year, we won all the other games. We won the game very easy with 4-1 and were deservely crowned as champions.

An incredible feeling, but I don't have an idea how tough it will be next season. The champion of last season only gain 17 points this season and were relegated.

Games:

Cup; Again, didn't enter the cup

Youth intake: again a very good one, but the best players are labelled as leading/good second division north players. I hope they can keep us up next season, because a couple of them will get some playing time.

This was the best player of the intake, and is allready 1 of the best players of the first team. I have high hope with this lad.

Transfers: none

Finance: a lot better but only because the board put in 200k. With only an average of 110 spectators in a 500 stadium I can't expect it will change a lot next year.

Goals last season

Promotion: ACHIEVED

At least 5 young players in the starting 11: FAILURE. Only 4 players were starters, and a couple other players did get some game-time, but aren't regular players. This is an overview of the team that won the league. Only my midfield were starting youngsters, but they did there job remarkebly well.

Goals next season:

Survive

More youngters in the starting 11.

[smp20]

Congratulations on your promotion with Assi bartrcm. I'm sat at work at the moment, but I started this on the bus this morning. I have taken over at Dulwich Hamlet. The facilities aren't anything special but good for this level and I have a large squad to start with and some decent 19/20/21 year olds in it. I have used a saved game file (no. 16) from Dafuge's challenge rather than holiday myself. I will post up the starting screens and a mini update later on tonight.

[Bartrcm]

Thanks smp20. Good luck with Dulwich. It will be a long adventure in England.

[smp20]

New Manager at Dulwich Hamlet

Game Setup ~ Manager Profile ~ Club Overview

So here I am, manager of Dulwich Hamlet. After having a brief skim through the thread it seems they have been chosen a couple of times before. I chose them because I like the colours, relatively good support and their reputation for being good at helping players move onto their professional career. George Elokobi and Simeon Jackson are two of their biggest success stories, while Erhan Oztumer and Daniel Carr are the most recent. Obviously my aim will be to bring through players good enough to play in the Football League, but of course keep them! Below are some of the best players at the club, all of which are young and have a lot of time to flourish:

Simon Locke - former Reading academy graduate who at 23 is a great keeper for this level and looks as though he candevelop into a decent League keeper. Here's hoping.

Bismark Amofah - with full-backs integral to my preferred tactic, Amofah is going to be a key player now and in the future. Another former Reading academy graduate.

Jack Jeffery - Yet another Reading academy graduate, this lad has a lot of promise and will be one of the youngest members of the squad at just 19.

Danny Stenning - A player I have signed before in the lower leagues and he's normally a consistent performer *fingers crossed*. Danny came through the ranks at Chelsea but is now going into his 3rd season at the Hamlet.

Luis Morrison-Derbyshire - After not making the grade at Stevenage, LMD has got Scandinavian experience after playing in the Swedish and Finnish lower leagues. He could become a decent centre back given the chance.

Xavier Vidal - Xav is one of the few players to have came right through the youth ranks at Dulwich Hamlet. He's a technical midfielder with a lot of potential, hoping I can tutor him.

Marcel Henry Francis - he isn't necessarily the highest rated by the coaching staff, but he is my favourite. reckon the former Birmingham and QPR man could be a goal machine.

With the development of the above players in mind and wanting to surround myself in the best environment, I brought in a new bunch of backroom staff. I am going to be going with an attractive, attacking style of football that uses 3 strikers and plays through the middle. I've started well, mini mid-season update to follow.

[smp20]

Arrgghhh that time when your PC decides to restart and you realise you haven't had your automatic saves on!!!

[smp20]

Dulwich Hamlet 2015/16 Season - Conference South

League Table ~ FA Cup ~ FA Trophy ~ Transfers ~ Facilities ~ Best 11

An excellent first season for us where we completed a domestic double; the Conference South and the FA Trophy. After an average start, we really got into our stride and made 1st place our own apart from a dip of form at the end where we lost our 1st spot to Ebbsfleet for 1 game. Fortunately, we won our last game of the season to reclaim it. It took a lot of late goals and two extra time periods but we won the FA Trophy and the finances gained from it have been ploughed into improving the youth facilities. As well as this, I managed to gain two upgrades to our youth coaching system bringing Junior Coaching to average and our terracing is being increased to allow a maximum 4,000 capacity. Things are looking up!

Youth Intake ~ Tony Wood 16A ~ Dean Moss 16B ~ Buster Wordsworth 16C ~ Patrick Nyarko 16D ~ Nick Carr 16E

I'm very happy with my first intake - they are normally a lot worse than this. Tony Wood looks like he will be a great addition to our forward line and has already had his fair share of first team football. He's rated as decent league 1 potential to boot! Dean Moss is also a great prospect, however he will need to be re-trained to a striker to fit my formation so it will be a while until he is in the first. Both Wordworth and Nyarko look set to provide competition in the full back positions and Nick Carr could develop into an ok centre back if I work on his pace.

Key Performers / Developers

Danny Stenning - somewhat of a set-piece specialist, Danny secured himself a key position in the team and he has developed nicely.

Bismark Amofah - fan's player of the year and no wonder with the average rating of 7.58 and 24 assists from full back.

Marcel Henry-Francis - I said he could be a good goalscorer and by equalling Adam Birchall's 34 goal Conference South record he proved me right. His top form and tutoring from Wayne Gray I'm sure has helped him develop too.

Gareth Gwillim - he may not have any pace but he was still a great performer. I hope he can still perform like this in the conference.

Billy Bricknell - scoring 26 in 52, Bricknell was a key contributor to our seasons success.

Xavier Vidal - he had a reasonable season performance wise, but his increase in determination and all round development is worth a mention.

[Bartrcm]

Congratz with the promotion smp20

[Bartrcm]

Assi - Swedish first division north - season 2017

Predicted: 14th

Actual finish: 8th

A very good season all around. After losing the first 2 games I got a bit worried that the step up would be to big, but after the shaking start everything went really well. The last couple off games I gave a couple of youngsters some playing time.

Games

Cup: finally got some cup-games: Been kicked out in the second round by Premier Division team Kalmar with 1-2. Kalmar did finish 5th in the Premier Division this season and just missed European football. All in all a very good run for us.

Youth intake: 3 players with 5* ability, but are only pretend to be good second division north players. Not good enough I'm afraid.

Finance: not good. The board didn't invest anything this season. No change of upgrading anything, and that is very disappointing.

Goals next season:

Survive: SUCCES

More youngters in the starting 11.: 6youngsters started on a regular base, so a SUCCES

Goals next season:

Top 5 finish

Group stage in the cup (I hope to gain some money with a cup run)

[ManUtd1]

Been struggling to enjoy FM this iteration. Can't get into my usual saves and need a new challenge. So, I'm currently holidaying in Sweden save, having set up a Spanish one for reloading purposes. Any suggestions between the two? Words of warning (aside from the obvious)? Recommendations?

I've played since the early CM days, complete dafuge years ago, etc. I just need to rekindle my enjoyment of the game in a save where the challenge lasts beyond the first few seasons, and this seems the way to do it!

[Bartrcm]

Been struggling to enjoy FM this iteration. Can't get into my usual saves and need a new challenge. So, I'm currently holidaying in Sweden save, having set up a Spanish one for reloading purposes. Any suggestions between the two? Words of warning (aside from the obvious)? Recommendations?

I've played since the early CM days, complete dafuge years ago, etc. I just need to rekindle my enjoyment of the game in a save where the challenge lasts beyond the first few seasons, and this seems the way to do it!

Sweden are short and funny seasons. Spain is hard to get out off the lowest league. For the big money you have to be in Spain.

[smp20]

Good season Bartrcm - is it just the top 2 teams that get promoted?

I reckon Spain would be a good challenge. The lower leagues are brutal financially and tough to get out of while if you did make it to the top league, you need to outclass barca and real.

I'm into January for the 2016/17 season, I expect I will have time to complete it over the next few days

[ManUtd1]

Still debating. I've never managed in Sweden, so that would be new. IFK Malmo is enticing, although I fear the stadium would be an albatross until money and reputation increase substantially (i.e., through progression in Europe).

I definitely like the idea of building up a club, but having an easier time on the domestic front than Spain would bring, in the long-term (I've done numerous Bilbao saves over the years, so know how hard it can be in Spain to crack the league with significant squad limitations).

Decisions, decisions...

[Bartrcm]

Good season Bartrcm - is it just the top 2 teams that get promoted?

I reckon Spain would be a good challenge. The lower leagues are brutal financially and tough to get out of while if you did make it to the top league, you need to outclass barca and real.

I'm into January for the 2016/17 season, I expect I will have time to complete it over the next few days

Champion promote directly and the team in second place has to play a play-off game against a team from a division higher.

[Bartrcm]

Assi - Swedish first division North - season 2018

Predicted: 14th

Actual finish: 1th and CHAMIONS!!!!!

We did it. Champions!!! But we did it the hard way, and needed a lot of luck. Before the last game we were in second place with equal points as Brage. Brage's last game was against the team in 3th place Assyrianska, a team that relegated last season. Brage had a +2 better goal difference as us. So we needed a win with a very hugh score, or Assyrianska has to win. In that case a draw would be enough. We only drew our last game, and played very poor, but Assyrianska helped us by winning against Brage. We were champions again.

Next season will be very hard for us I think. We were crowned champions, but never has a champion gained such a ow amount of points. The champions of the south division gained 10 points more than us.

So, everything better than relegation next season will be a hugh succes.

Games:

Cup: we are through to the 3th round, but strangely this part of the cup will be played next season. Don't understand it, but that seems to be the case in Sweden. This is the group we've got in the next round.

Youth intake: 4 players with 5* ability. Anton Holm (YP4b) has allready played this season, and will be a starter next season.

This is the team that did the job this season. You can see, that we have 9 youngsters in the starting 11.

Tranfers: None

Finance: not good. The board invested another 100k, and that kept us in black. Unfortunally I can't upgrade anything.

Goals next season:

Top 5 finish: SUCCES

Group stage in the cup (I hope to gain some money with a cup run) : SUCCES

Goals next season:

SURVIVE!!!!

[smp20]

Great season Bartrcm. I've got a bit carried away and I'm now into January 2018 - I will do a double season update once i've completed this season.

[smp20]

Still debating. I've never managed in Sweden, so that would be new. IFK Malmo is enticing, although I fear the stadium would be an albatross until money and reputation increase substantially (i.e., through progression in Europe).

I definitely like the idea of building up a club, but having an easier time on the domestic front than Spain would bring, in the long-term (I've done numerous Bilbao saves over the years, so know how hard it can be in Spain to crack the league with significant squad limitations).

Decisions, decisions...

At least you wouldn't have to worry about being in a piddly little stadium with nowhere to move to - IFK Malmo sounds like an interesting save.

[ManUtd1]

IFK Malmö

Pre-Season 2014-15

1961. The bright lights of Europe beckon, reflected in the eyes of the huddled masses still intoxicated with the sights of Argentina, Germany and England christening the newly-laid pitch at Malmö Stadion in the 1958 World Cup. Of Pele gliding across the very same pitch in 1960.

IFK Helsingfors and CDNA Sofia have been put to the sword. IFK Malmö has reached the quarterfinals of the European Cup. Where men are made immortal. But Fate is a cruel and fickle mistress, who serves no man. And she had other plans.

1962. The unthinkable happens. Di gule – founded in 1899, and a founding member of the Allsvenskan – are relegated. After thirteen total years of top-flight football, mere months removed from the tantalizing heights of European glory… it is over. To be consigned to the memories of aging men, women and children who cannot but question where it went wrong. IFK Malmö have been relegated, seemingly never to return as decades of disappointment follow, each winter more bitter than the last.

But then, when those memories have all but faded, a reason to dream again. Between 1994 and 2000, the ghosts of days long past glide across the pitch. IFK Malmö is promoted twice to the Superettan as champions of Division 2 (Södra Götaland), and seem on the cusp of a long-awaited return to the Allsvenskan. A chance to reclaim their place in history.

But it was not to be. Instead, it proved to be a false dawn. A fading echo of the distant past. After 3 consecutive years in the Superettan, relegation to the third tier followed in 2003.

And still Fate was not finished. Three consecutive relegations followed in 2008, 2009 and 2010, leaving IFK Malmö buried in the sixth tier (Division 4, Skåne Sydvästra). In those dark days, one could be forgiven for losing hope. After all, back-to-back 8th place finishes in the sixth tier are not the stuff from which legends are made.

But some clung to the past, and dreamed of a simpler, sepia-tinged era when di gule walked tall among the greatest clubs in Europe.

Without warning, a spark. Promotion in 2013 (as champions) was followed by promotion in 2014 (through the playoffs), leading di gule back to the dizzying heights of Division 2, the fourth tier of Swedish football, where stars are born and the Gods look on in awe.

As the long, dark winter settled in, the fever dreams of the Board grew. They knew more was required to reclaim their place amongst the elite. With eyes firmly fixed on the promise of a bright and glorious future – and copious amounts of alcohol flowing in their veins – the Board decided an adjustment was needed.

Which is where our tale begins.

With a fallen giant, playing not for riches of the modern era, but for the promise of a new day and to honor the past. With the appointment of an unknown American manager—a former collegiate-level footballer, with a bum ankle, a stylish cane and no coaching qualifications to his name whatsoever.

With a simple request from the Board, that some would call a demand: Bring us glory.

With one small caveat: There will be no money for transfers. Ever.

Madness, some would say. Others, however, will tell you there is a fine line between insanity and genius. Between clever and stupid. Only time will tell.

--------------------

Malmö?! I though you said Monaco...

Umm, so yeah. After much deliberation…a Swedish adventure it shall be.

Manager Profile

Club Information

Facilities

I have yet to decide if Malmö Stadion is a blessing or a curse. Sure, the 27,500 capacity is nice…but when you’re playing to average crowds (per Wikipedia) of 100-150 people…talk about empty.

Squad

I had to laugh at seeing Anes Mravac…I’m pretty sure I signed him on FM 2007 (or so)…as a wonderkid.

We clearly do not have the personnel to play my preferred possession-based, pressing 4-3-3…this should be interesting indeed. Much work to be done. More to follow.

[smp20]

Nice introduction, it will be great to develop them into the best side in Malmo - a rivalry like that is bound to keep it interesting. My updates are to follow, but I will be keeping it brief for now.

[smp20]

Dulwich Hamlet 2016/17 Season

League Table ~ FA Cup ~ FA Trophy ~ Best 11 ~ Transfers ~ Youth Intake

This season saw us visit Wembley twice; the FA Trophy Final for the second time in a row and also the Play-off Final. We were unable to retain the FA Trophy after a disappointing display against Hereford, however we were able to overcome Bristol Rovers in the Play-off Final to secure a place in the Football League. It's happened a lot sooner than I thought. I've got one more season to update so I will post more player/club screenshots then, however I would like to mention that it was a fantastic season for Tony Wood 16A where he become the League Top Scorer while Bismark Amofah was once again our Fan's Player of the Year. I am very pleased with our youth intake:

Kevin Davess 17A - A good young centre back who has come in at the right time because Terrell Forbes is retiring. He will be jumping straight into first team League football so I hope he can cope.

Samuel Addai 17B - He comes highly rated but there are alarm bells ringing for me. Concentration and Determination of 4 are not ideal for a full-back! Lets hope he can develop well.

Jason Jones 17C - A technically gifted midfielder who reminds me a lot of Xavier Vidal. Needs work on the physical side of his game.

Allan Burton 17D - Another centre back who will provide back-up to Davess and Morrison-Derbyshire.

Ike Emuejeraye 17E - Interesting attributes for a central midfielder - a wave of energy. He really needs work on the technical side of his game.

[Bartrcm]

Congrats again smp20 with the promotion.

Good luck with the challenge in Sweden ManUtd1. I'm so jalous at your stadium. My team Assi plays in a tiny 500 spectators stadium. And we don't own it so I'm not able to build extra space (if I had the money ).

[smp20]

Dulwich Hamlet 2017/18 Season

League Table ~ Domestic Cups ~ Facilities ~ Transfers ~ Youth Intake ~ Best 11

We may have been very disappointing in the cups but I feel it was a blessing in disguise. We were able to fully focus on the league and for the last 30 games of the season we never dropped out of the play-offs. A good run of form at the end of the season along with a Shrewsbury demise saw us climb up the table and we managed to grab second place and a suprise automatic promotion to League 1. On paper we should struggle in League 1, however I said the same about League 2. We've managed to upgrade our youth facilities two seasons in a row and we are about to start on our training facilities - thanks to the League 2 solidarity money. We are also developing a 5,000 capacity stadium. Another decent youth intake sees Abdullah Oseini YP18A come in to bolster our midfield straight away with Championship potential. Joseph Carpenter YP18B is yet another decent right back and I reckon he could get his first team opportunities soon. Sulieman Junior 18C is going to be our number 2 to Simon Locke, it's just a shame he's a bit too short.

First 11

Moss 16B ~ Henry-Francis ~ Woods 16A

Vidal ~ Jones 17C

Stenning

Nyarko 16D ~ Davess 17A ~ Morrison-Derbyshire ~ Amofah

Locke

This is my likely starting 11 for next season. We've got lots of pace up front, but lacking it at the back so I expect another season of conceding a lot! Despite doing very well in the league the last two seasons we were amongst the leakiest defences in the divisions. However, we are doing well putting it in the oppositions net and I'm not going to change a successful way of playing even if we are conceding too many. Our philosophy - attack, attack & attack!

[ManUtd1]

Thanks, Bartrcm. We'll see how the cost of maintaining the structure goes, with my match day attendances in the low, low three figures!

Congrats on the promotion, smp20!

[smp20]

Thanks bartrcm & ManUtd1 - League 1 is getting off to a struggling start!

ManU - if you can get some reasonably quick promotions with IFK Malmo and with it better attendances you should be able to cope with the stadium. It may become a burdon if you are stuck in the 100s for a long time.

[ManUtd1]

Exactly my thinking, mate. I'm praying to the regen God's abd planning token sacrifices to help.

[smp20]

Your facilities and youth setup looks like it could give you a chance.

[ManUtd1]

It's the hope that kills you...

[smp20]

Haha, that is true! It's always better to be pleasantly surprised than expectant.

[ManUtd1]

A 2015 update will follow in due course, but I had to appreciate (and share) the following news item after our 1st home match of the season:

Season ticket sales are soaring! Soaring, I tell you!

The stadium looks impressive...and very empty. The default stewards may have outnumbered the sparse crowd. Nevertheless, I'll take a 2-0 home debut any day of the week.

[ManUtd1]

Empty stadium...

[smp20]

Oh wow! Just think, one day you are gonna fill it

[smp20]

Dulwich Hamlet 2018/19 Season

League Table ~ Play-Offs ~ Domestic Cups ~ Transfers ~ Facilities ~ Youth Intake ~ Best 11 ~ Are you big in Japan

I was expecting mid-table obscurity, however instead we had a remarkable campaign! Once we had settled into the season we were always in and around the play-offs. We had a chance for automatic promotion but it was not to be. In the play-offs we dispatched fellow Londoners Leyton Orient on the way to a victory against Walsall at Wembley. This young squad has managed to get us into the Championship, overachieving seems to be in their blood. Further adding to their over-achievements was our glorious FA Cup run where we made it all the way to the Quarter-Final. In doing so, we got the better of both Merseyside clubs including a famous victory at Anfield. Liverpool would go on to break Man City 5 season title streak to win their first Premier League title. We had another decent intake, although it's going to be a case of re-training players. Fresnel Ngoyi 19A adds to the attacking midfield talent we have brought through, although I am going to develop him into a creative forward as we are severely lacking in that area. I will be working on his pace. Jon Lewis 19B - comes in as a promising centre back, but I will be developing him into a half-back because we are lacking depth there and he is also relatively short for a centre back. Dennis Horlock 19C and Daryl Skinner 19D are the other prospects of note. My aim for next season? Championship Survival.

[ManUtd1]

Congrats, smp20! Excellent work.

I hope to have an update out this evening, and am enjoying the save more than I have any in ages.

[smp20]

Congrats, smp20! Excellent work.

I hope to have an update out this evening, and am enjoying the save more than I have any in ages.

Thanks. Excellent, I find these academy challenges add extra motivation for me. My favourite part of the game is seeing youngsters develop. Are my SS loading for people by the way?

[ManUtd1]

They're loading for me, just fine. I'm just trying not to have regen envy...I'm still waiting for my first batch, and my 11 players are wearing down during the run in.

(In my head if not in the game...)

[smp20]

Good news, just me then. Fingers crossed for your first batch, I've been very lucky so far!

[The_Gato_In_Goal]

Wow smp20! Championship already is very impressive indeed!

On a unrelated note, after maybe 20 days of not having much chance to play fm my Real SC save is finally past the 1st season. Hopefully I can update tomorrow.

[smp20]

Dulwich Hamlet 2019/2020 Season

League Table ~ Past Positions ~ Play-offs ~ Transfers ~ Youth Intake

Gary Smith20A ~ Jordan Adair 20B ~ Alan Walsh 20C

I've just got to the end of the most exciting season of FM I have ever played. First I will start with our debut season in the Championship. The first 3/4s of the season saw us sit around mid-table for the majority of the time. We were picking up enough points to keep away from a relegation scrap which was my main concern. Every now and then we had a good little run of form which put us a few points from the play-offs but then we lost a couple and went back to our mid-table obscurity. However, in the last part of the season we really hit form and climbed up the table and after the 44th game we were sat in 6th place, the final play-off spot. We lost to Sunderland dropping us back out of the play-offs meaning that our last game of the season vs Scunthorpe was crucial. They occupied 6th place and if we won we would snatch a play-off space ahead of them. We made home advantage count with a 3-2 win and preceded to the play-offs. First we met West Brom, taking an excellent 3-1 advantage at home which helped us through despite losing 4-3 at The Hawthorns. We were now faced with the opportunity to gain straight promotions to the Premier League from Isthmian level, just one team stood in our way. As you will see below, Brighton had a point to prove against us already and they were able to overcome us. Elation turned into pondering what could have been - a play-off defeat. I guess the silver lining is that this team is so young and not ready for Premier League football, I'd hate to get relegated and nearly all of my prospects have relegation release clauses. Compared to previous seasons we had a poor youth intake, but I certainly can't complain about he standard we've had through so far in this save.

FA Cup Glory

Results ~ Arsenal 1-5 Hamlet ~ Hamlet 3-2 Man City ~ Hamlet 6-4 Liverpool

Wait, what the....We won the FA Cup! My biggest achievement in FM15! We had a remarkable journey through the rounds starting with a wobbly victory against League 2 outfit Exeter in the 3rd round. This was followed by a game against Arsenal that left me in disbelief. Arsenal looked as though they were going to have a routine victory but they did not expect the wrath of Tony Woods. The equaliser came and then Arsenal went gung-ho to win the game. This backfired on them as we picked them off on the counter, ruthlessly scoring 5 goals in 17 minutes for a historic victory. The 5th round saw us dispatch Man City 3-2 with all 3 goals coming from midfield - they decided to give a 17-year-old full back a go who was well and truly exploited! Derby were unable to stop us in the quarter final so we were heading to Wembley! A near-full capacity crowd in the Semi-final watched a very tight affair against Brighton. It was a big surprise where the goal came from - conference standard Brandon Stephens scored his first ever goal off the bench booking us a place in the final. Even if that's the only goal he ever scores (looks likely, he's played 20+ without scoring) he will remembered with fondness. The FA Cup final must go down as the most exciting in history - 10 goals and an underdog victory! Liverpool clearly hadn't done their homework and fielded 3 centre backs - we always seem to do well in this situation. Dean Moss' pace and movement was no match for his centre-back counter-part managing to score 4 goals. After doing so and bringing us cup glory, he is now a Hamlet legend and rightly so. This gives us a place in the Europa League next season.....lets see how that goes!

New Stadium ~ Facility Upgrades ~ Youth Category Improvement

[ManUtd1]

Truly fantastic smp20!

Hopefully Europe will translate into a nice cash infusion, to assist with upgrading facilities/etc even further!

It's squeaky bum time for me, and my 1st youth intake has arrived. More details to follow later this evening...

[smp20]

I'm going to do a full academy graduate report at some point - what sort of things do you think I should include?

[smp20]

Truly fantastic smp20!

Hopefully Europe will translate into a nice cash infusion, to assist with upgrading facilities/etc even further!

It's squeaky bum time for me, and my 1st youth intake has arrived. More details to follow later this evening...

Cheers. Looking forward to your update, hope you got at least 1 or two decent youngsters.

[smp20]

Wow smp20! Championship already is very impressive indeed!

On a unrelated note, after maybe 20 days of not having much chance to play fm my Real SC save is finally past the 1st season. Hopefully I can update tomorrow.

Cheers, really enjoying the save.

[ManUtd1]

Hopefully I can update tomorrow.

Looking forward to it, Gato. My just-beginning save has very much rekindled my love for the game, which has waned over the last few years. Squeaky bum time is in full force over here...3 matches left. An update will definitely follow in a few hours.

[ManUtd1]

IFK Malmö

2015 Review

Second Division East Götaland

Thankfully, the Board agreed to my request for a philosophy of developing youth. That being said, the Board expected is a mid-table finish (media prediction: 8th). Leaving me to smile, nod and walk away slowly while maintaining eye contact.

We only have 11 players. Everyone’s contracts due to expire...and 6 of my top players won’t negotiate at all because they deem the squad incapable of playing at a level matching their ambition. Ominous, indeed.

With no natural left back and only 1 natural CM, the question of what tactics we would employ was not as straightforward as I would have liked. Nevertheless, I decided to play a low tempo 4-3-3, swapping between counter/contain mentalities to give us some defensive stability (theoretically). The idea being – let’s keep a clean sheet, maintain possession, let the front three create something, and start building towards the system I want to play.

After a brutal pre-season string of friendlies, we somehow managed to begin competitive play with 4 straight clean-sheets, kicking off an 8 match unbeaten run which propelled us to the top of the League. Madness.

The run ended away to Rosengard when, with the score tied at 0-0 at the half, I gave an ill-advised team talk, leaving everyone confused and unsettled. Perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned Abba. Pasagic gave away a quick penalty and that was that. We were lucky to keep it at 3-0. Thankfully, we bounced back with a hard-fought win over Hasselholms IF, who had overtaken us at the top of the table with our loss, and a 3-1 win over BK Olympic (after going down 1-0 against the run of play). Showing some solid character in the 1st half of the season, to be sure.

The question being, could we keep it up?

Financially, we’re running on tight margins, at best. In early June, a 91.23k bank loan was taken out to keep things afloat, and I was offered a 1-year extension to my contract. Go me.

4 out injured for our trip to Ljungby…we rshed out to an early 2-0 lead but collapsed inexplicably, giving up four straight unanswered goals. That left us 4 points off the pace at the halfway point.

Fortunately, our mixed run of form was matched by others at the top of the table and we (somehow) found ourselves top leading into the last 6 rounds. My youth intake appeared right on time to give us a more fleshed-out squad, although how good they truly are will only tell with time. A true left back, a solid CB with huge potential, some midfielders and overall depth are nothing to complain about. Karl Lindmark (15h) and Fredrik Johansson (15a) went straight into the XI, and Nenad Eminovic (15e) grabbed a match-winning goal away to 10-man Hasselholms IF, who were only 1 point off the pace at kickoff. Definitely no complaints.

Our next match saw us hosting third-place Rosengard, who was only 5 points off the pace. Is there where the season would unravel? Kadhum gives up a lame 8th minute penalty…after we’d begun the match with serious attacking intent. Not good. But what the Football Gods giveth, they taketh away. Penalty to Di Gule in the 31st minute, after Kadhum played a long diagonal ball over the top to Ramadan. Ramadan, our captain and top goalscorer (who still won’t sign a new contract…) buries it. Straight down the middle. In the balance again. All to play for. But, that would involve playing, which neither side seems interested in doing, despite my cajoling, pleading and screaming from the sidelines.

A draw. Hasselholms IF has come from behind to win away to Kristianstad, brining our lead back to a narrow 2 points with only 3 matches to play.

First, home to Ljungby…our final home match of the season. Hajdari and Ramadan put two away early, in the 8th and 14th minutes, respectively, and we cruised to a 2-0 win, even after a straight red to Lindmark (15h) in the 78th minute. Hasselholms IF wins away to 6th place Karlskrona…keeping things tight at the top.

Away to 11th place BK Olympic, with Hasselholms IF home to 12th place Torns IF. Surely this will go down to the final weekend. With Lindmark (15h) suspended, I’ve been forced to recall Sudic who had stood in a LB for most of the season. Experienced, yes, but he’s been readily displaced by a 16 year-old kid. And he fouls an opponent 10 seconds in, earning a stern talking to (but thankfully no card). Pantelidis buries one in the 28th, and we’re looking good value for our lead. Pantelidis’ second is waived off in the 49th minute for offsides, though we still seem to be on track…but the match degenerates into a dull, tedious affair akin to what one might expect at this level. 1-0. A quick check of the score from Österås IP…and Hasselholms IF have drawn 0-0.

Against all odds, we’re champions with one match left. Promoted.

As the champagne flows, and Queen’s We are the Champions rings in our ears…one can only ask…what have we gotten ourselves into? One thing is for sure, we won't rest until we've knocked Malmö FF right off their f'ing perch. And you can print that.

We use the final match of the season to blood our promising youth, the result a mere afterthought.

Goals for next season: Consolidate our position in the 3rd tier, and hopefully find some money from a rich uncle to put towards our youth facilities. Somehow find a way to convince the remaining contract holdouts to re-sign.

Squad | Table | League Overview | Fixtures | Transfers | Youth Intake

Frederik Johansson (15a) | Kalle Helman (15b) | Erik Hagsell (15c) | Göran Andersson (15d)

Nenad Eminovic (15e) | Dennis Johansson (15f) | Patrick Gustafsson (15g) | Karl Lindmark (15h)

Ervis Kaçi (15i) | Jimmie Ekstrand (15j)

[Bartrcm]

Congrats on the promotions smp20 and ManUtd1. Very impressive

Good luck in Europe smp20.

The step up to the 3th division is not so hard ManUtd1. Normally you won't ave any problems. The next step up, to 2nd division is much harder. I hope to finish today or tomorrow my season and do an update. I just got my youth intake, and it was my best intake in Sweden ever!