[FM 17] If You’re Not First, You’re Last Redux – Redemption For The “Nearly Men” Of Europe

[ManUtd1]

8 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

How good are Romania? They always seem to produce great regens on my saves.

A little overdue on this...they were ranked in the top 10 very recently, but have fallen off the table again.  I'm pretty sure the year they reached the quarterfinals was the year Colombia became eligible.

  

[ManUtd1]

Have you ever crossed the road, and looked the wrong way? A car's nearly on you? So what do you do?

      

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

2052/53 Season Review

All told, an incredible start to life in Turkey.  The opposition could not have been more...accommodating.  Only 1 loss in the league, and a top 2 finish (thanks to a draw against Galatasaray in the final match) on goal difference.  I'll take it.

We have some work to do, and I need to get some Scots in the door -- on loan or a permanent move.  That is my top priority, along with shifting off some of the dead weight.

Beyond the pitch, I'm finding that Turkey agrees with me in my ... older age.  Less stress.  Tremendous food.  And, when Emma comes to visit, we can keep it a bit quiet.  Less paparazzi.  Although I think Ludwig may have figured it out.

Goals for 2053/54: Qualify for the World Cup with Scotland.  Reach the Champions League Group Stage.  Challenge for the league title.

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

Süper Lig Fixtures|Europa League Fixtures|Türkiye Kupası Fixtures

Champions League Review

Four potentially eligible teams reach the quarterfinals.  None reach the semifinals.  That's pretty much the run-down for this year's Champions League.  United defeat a strong Frankfurt side in the final, capturing their 6th Champions League title, the last having come in 2044/45.

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

I'll tell you one thing, @Fer Fuchs Ake - Romania would be better off if this kid had chosen to play for Romania (who he is eligible for) instead of Zee Germans.

 

[ManUtd1]

My board did something not utterly annoying or useless.  Much appreciated, to make those financials (above) look a little better.

 

[ManUtd1]

35 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Probably a better idea to downvote me for having no bloody idea who the hell Jon Hamm is.

Seems quite the character, though!

Good actor.  Plays the lead in Mad Men, and completely off-beat characters in others.  He was hilarious playing himself in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

That's the Hamm-er coming down!

[BoxToBox]

Just now, ManUtd1 said:

Good actor.  Plays the lead in Mad Men, and completely off-beat characters in others.  He was hilarious playing himself in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

That's the Hamm-er coming down!

Ahhh, I've only seen the one episode of Mad Men, and to be honest don't remember a great deal about it.

[ManUtd1]

Have you ever crossed the road, and looked the wrong way? A car's nearly on you? So what do you do?

      

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

June 2053 Mini-Update

A trip to Romania ... Emma along, incognito.  Bucharest is lovely this time of year.  A solid 3-nil win means we move to joint top of the group ... with the Irish, who beat Slovenia 3-nil in Dublin, and are ahead of us on goal difference.

It was a tough match, but the Irish keeper was no match for Hamish's mighty right peg, which unleashed a cannon blast in the 82nd to win it.  Good on the Irish, though.  They'll prove tough meat for the Romanians.

 

[ManUtd1]

In July 2023, I took a hatchet the Fiorentina squad.  I dumped more than 20 players.  To replace them, I promoted youth and brought in 6 players.  

For a few months, I thought I was going to get fired.  We were awful.  No fluidity.  No coherence.  And then it all came together.

30 years on, I've gone and done it again.  

 

Old?  High wages?  Unless you're a 1st team, big contributor, you're gone.  Late 20s and not a starter?  Gone.  Foreign and not a starter?  Gone.  Contract running down next year, and not a starter?  Gone.

To backfill, I've promoted youth and -- as you can tell -- brought in a few good Scotsmen to  continue their development.  2 on full transfers,  7 on loan from Monaco.  I'm shocked they're letting McCabe go out on loan again (he spent last season at Caen), but am not complaining.

A full squad review is still in the works.  I've spent much of the evening just getting this far in the summer, and am still trying to line up Scottish youth to arrive next summer to backfill the currently-loaned players.

To the extent I can sign any of the players I've loaned in, I'll try.

This will either be Hakan's next big managerial triumph, or an utter and complete disaster.  Fortunately, the Süper Lig is an easier nut to crack than Serie A.

[ManUtd1]

I absolutely love this.

 

[ManUtd1]

  

 

[ManUtd1]

And that's an interesting draw.  Not like the Greeks and Turks have any history of disputes or disagreements...

 

 

[kidthekid]

38 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

I absolutely love this.

 

I don't understand any of that, but since it's apparently good news, I'll say "awesome"

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

11 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

I'll tell you one thing, @Fer Fuchs Ake - Romania would be better off if this kid had chosen to play for Romania (who he is eligible for) instead of Zee Germans.

 

You couldn't hope for a more well-rounded striker! Looks world class.

[noikeee]

2nd place in the league? Not good enough. A stain on Hakan's career. You had plenty of time since February. I'd just give up right there.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, kidthekid said:

I don't understand any of that, but since it's apparently good news, I'll say "awesome"

In terms of news, I'd just say it's cool. Not necessarily good or bad. I just love that there is a direct financial incentive to use/develop Turkish players, and the payout is based on how you do compared to the other teams. 

Play Turkish players? Get paid. Place players in the national team? Grey paid.

2 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

You couldn't hope for a more well-rounded striker! Looks world class.

Indeed. Top forward. 

2 hours ago, noikeee said:

2nd place in the league? Not good enough. A stain on Hakan's career. You had plenty of time since February. I'd just give up right there.

Poor Hakan 

Nothing was ever good enough for Apples, either.

Edited June 17, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Randomly noticed this, as I saw the England job was open.

 

The only trophy they've won in-game is the 2027 Nations League.  Hosting the 2054 World Cup should prove interesting...1966 redux?

Edited June 17, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Whoa...couldn't figure out why Berezin had moved to Nantes...until I realized that PSG were relegated last year.

 

France has gone insane.  Saint-Etienne relegated in 2051/52, PSG in 2052/53.  And Ligue 1 just reclaimed the top of the competition reputation charts.

 

Edited June 17, 2017 by ManUtd1

[BoxToBox]

6 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Whoa...couldn't figure out why Berezin had moved to Nantes...until I realized that PSG were relegated last year.

 

France has gone insane.  Saint-Etienne relegated in 2051/52, PSG in 2052/53.  And Ligue 1 just reclaimed the top of the competition reputation charts.

 

[ManUtd1]

Few were unhappy with this development, I assure you.

Edited June 17, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Have you ever crossed the road, and looked the wrong way? A car's nearly on you? So what do you do?

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

August 2053 Mini-Update

We faced a determined Olympiakos in Istanbul, and did enough to win.  Which forced them to chase the game in Athens...I've made a career out of tearing apart teams on the counter.  We took care of business, so I'm quite pleased.

180 minutes away from the Group Stage, with Partizan on the docket.  An excellent draw considering the alternatives...

 

[ManUtd1]

In a bid to become relevant again, Chelsea have finally moved from Stamford Bridge...to the 80k-seat Terry Arena.

 

Somewhere, Wayne Bridge is having a sad.

[BoxToBox]

"Ladies half price"

By any chance is it indoor, or retractable roof?

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, BoxToBox said:

"Ladies half price"

By any chance is it indoor, or retractable roof?

No roof, but there is "undersoil heating."

 

[BoxToBox]

1 minute ago, ManUtd1 said:

No roof, but there is "undersoil heating."

 

Right, cheers! It's just in most of my saves in FM 16, they quickly moved into a "Zola Arena" with a retractable roof, so I was wondering could the arena stand for that rather than stadium like most clubs.

[ManUtd1]

Perfectly fair -- I've usually seen Zola as the moniker, too.

[ManUtd1]

Have you ever crossed the road, and looked the wrong way? A car's nearly on you? So what do you do?

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

August 2053 Mini-Update, Redux

At this rate, an intense rivalry with Partizan must be brewing.  Two incredible ties in a 6-month period.

This time around, we were dire in Belgrade.  Giving up stupid goals, all but handing them the tie.  The away goal was our only saving grace.  In Istanbul, Partizan set out in a defensive 3-4-2-1, with only the one forward again...an early goal gave us a chance, but the stupid red card truly turned the tie.

A huge comeback.  And we're off to the Group Stage.  We're a 3rd seed, which is no good.  But we're still alive, and that's what counts.  For now.

For ****'s sake.  Back to Valencia.

But first, we start league play away to Adana.  Then, we're off to Slovenia and Estonia with the Scots.

Big year ahead.  Let's get to it.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

The Midget Beast has taken the next logical step in his career.  He's taken the reins at Cruz Azul.  As one does.

 

[kidthekid]

Did you already do a squad review or is that coming at the end of the season? No pressure

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

8 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

The Midget Beast has taken the next logical step in his career.  He's taken the reins at Cruz Azul.  As one does.

 

I don't know whose storyline in stranger: CR7's with his cult or Messi with his ... career if you could call it that at this point. What country at Cruz Azul even in?

[kidthekid]

7 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

I don't know whose storyline in stranger: CR7's with his cult or Messi with his ... career if you could call it that at this point. What country at Cruz Azul even in?

Mexico.

[BoxToBox]

To be honest, I didn't expect the midget beast to end up at a club as good as Cruz Azul, after recent events,  but I guess they could be any kind of team now.

[ManUtd1]

2 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Did you already do a squad review or is that coming at the end of the season? No pressure

Still coming, hoping to get through the transfer window without losing a few players and then needing to backfill.

1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

I don't know whose storyline in stranger: CR7's with his cult or Messi with his ... career if you could call it that at this point. What country at Cruz Azul even in?

It has been a real kick in the gut...from Argentina to getting sacked at the likes of Gefle.

1 hour ago, kidthekid said:

Mexico.

The DF!

22 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

To be honest, I didn't expect the midget beast to end up at a club as good as Cruz Azul, after recent events,  but I guess they could be any kind of team now.

It's an inactive league, so there really isn't much to be said. The very definition of a dead end job in my save.

[ManUtd1]

I can't afford a vacation, so I'm just going to drink until I don't know where I am.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

September 2053 - Fenerbahçe Squad Review

Fener supporters would have every reason to be frustrated with Telleus.  My moves in the transfer market this summer were largely focused on bringing in Scottish youth, most of which arrived on a one-year loan.  This was not a year where long-term club strategy was emphasized.  With an $11M-12M transfer budget to start, I couldn't afford the transfer fees for the Scottish players I truly wanted.  This was the next best thing.  That being said, the players I brought in all have the potential to feature for Scotland, which is no mean feat in the current day and age.  The issue is simply that I didn't focus on the long-term needs of the club.

Now I'm just repeating myself.  So, let's dive in.  I've got a 26-man squad, with 2 full XIs and 4 backups.

 

First & Second XIs

 

This is a very straightforward position.  Somoza is my clear No. 1, and had clubs sniffing around him all summer.  If I could have landed Gordon McLaren, I would have let him go.  But, Monaco wouldn't see him for less than $40M (which we can't afford) or let him go out on loan...even though he's in the reserves.  He needs match experience to develop -- I'm getting concerned that he'll stagnate.

My coaching staff seem to think that Arif has some potential.  I don't see him as being anything more than a backup.

Defenders

 

Libero.  A critical role in my tactics for both club and country.  The dearth of players who are naturals in the role presents a straightforward development issue -- one I thought I'd solved by bringing McCabe and, later, Lee to Monaco.  Best laid plans...

McCabe is getting close to taking over at libero for the national team (he's second choice behind Gary Cadden right now...).  This next year should leave him a natural in the position, and give him a ton of match experience to develop.  All told, he's the signing I'm most pleased with (and certainly one I didn't expect to be able to make).  Signing him meant I could also offload my prior sweeper -- a 29 year-old Italian who wanted to leave, but I couldn't let go without an adequate replacement.

Lee is a long-term sweeper prospect, likely only a backup for the national team, but I'd like another natural in the position.

   

Fullbacks are another area where we're a work in progress.  Silhavy and Barrowman are my starters.  Silhavy isn't good enough. Barrowman is a winger who had passable defensive attributes, that I'm trying to retrain.  They're supported by Mert Erkin (a 16 year-old academy graduate with tons of potential), another Scottish winger whom I'm trying to retrain as a fullback.

    

At the moment, Bayram and Romero are my pairing at the heart of the defense.  Gauld is a Scotsman actually purchased, not loaned in, who has some potential...Fox is in the same boat, but loaned in from Monaco.  Ibrahim isn't good enough, but helps me fulfill my squad/league registration requirements.

Midfielders

   

Dursun and Wilson are my starting central midfielders, with Dursun taking up the left-sided, more attacking role.  Wilson is another loanee who needs match experience.  Mustafa Tahir and Aykut are academy graduates with immense potential...if they develop, they could be the midfield pairing for years to come.

Attacking Midfielders

 

Yusuf is another player I had to struggle to keep in the transfer window, rejected bids in excess of $30M.  He fits into the deep-lying targetmen role of my front three.  Crawford recently earned his first cap for Scotland, scoring on his debut.  I view him as the long-term replacement for the aging Joe Millar.

     

Up top, Emrullah and Aguirre are my first-choice shadow strikers.  I don't expect to be able to keep Aguirre for long.  Crawford and Cagatay start in my 2nd XI, with the latter being a tremendous prospect.  Crawford simply needs to learn the role, as I think he may have a future with Scotland.  Mert Yildiz is a decent enough backup, and helps me meet quotas.  Cem Simsek is a potential beast -- academy graduate, with buckets of potential.  Big sides are sniffing around him -- I rejected Lyon's $7M offer before the transfer window closed.  If I can keep him, he'll be a major player in this side going forward.

Final Thoughts

As previously noted, there has been a lot of turnover this summer.  The only future transfer I have arranged (at this juncture)  is for this kid, Malky Nicholls:

He'll step in when Wilson heads back to Monaco next summer.  I anticipate being able to extend the loans of some of these players for a 2nd season -- McCabe being the player Monaco are least likely to allow out again.  But, I need to set up the assembly line of Scottish talent.  I have strict restrictions on foreign players in the U21s and U19s (no more than 3/match in the former, 2/match in the latter), so that means most players coming in have to be first-team caliber.  I'd prefer to not loan so many players in, but it seemed like the right thing to do this year, even if it means that Hakan's success at the club level will be somewhat stunted.

[DodgeeD]

Fenerbahçe, eh?

I am married into a die-hard Galatasaray family so I will have to follow this stage of your career on the sly, which only adds to the excitement.

And Şimşek does look a potentially thunderous forward (his name translates as 'lightning' after all )

Edited June 18, 2017 by DodgeeD

[ManUtd1]

6 minutes ago, DodgeeD said:

Fenerbahçe, eh?

I am married into a die-hard Galatasaray family so I will have to follow this stage of your career on the sly, which only adds to the excitement.

And Şimşek does look a potentially thunderous forward (his name translates as 'lightning' after all )

Didn't realize that was the translation -- I'm still trying to sort out the pronunciation, using some helpful Google-ing...

Fantastic name!

As always -- thanks for reading and commenting, man.  Right now, I've won 2 from 3 against Galatasaray, if memory serves...both in the cup, with one draw in the league.

[ManUtd1]

The only other thing to note regarding the current squad and my summer transfer business -- I cut my wage budget in half.  This is always something I find important, especially in a smaller nation.  We went from $1.6M/week (ish) to $797k/week.  I'm very pleased with that.

[ManUtd1]

I can't afford a vacation, so I'm just going to drink until I don't know where I am.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

September 2053 Mini-Update

Two big wins away from home have us on the verge of qualification.  While we could have scored more, but I'm happy.  Ireland beat Romania as well, 2-1 in Dublin, giving them an advantage heading into the final matches.

I'm still focused on 2058, but I think we could make more of a splash next summer in England than expected.

That being said, there would be something poetic in winning the World Cup on English soil.

 

Edited June 18, 2017 by ManUtd1

[noikeee]

14 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

I'm still focused on 2058, but I think we could make more of a splash next summer in England than expected.

That being said, there would be something poetic in winning the World Cup on English soil.

 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

On 2017-6-18 at 21:49, ManUtd1 said:

I can't afford a vacation, so I'm just going to drink until I don't know where I am.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

September 2053 Mini-Update

 Ireland beat Romania as well, 2-1 in Dublin, giving them an advantage heading into the final matches.

 

In before a 75 year old Henry who declares for Estonia due to a convoluted family tree handballs it in our crucial qualifying match.

[LPQR]

On 2017-6-17 at 00:30, ManUtd1 said:

I'll tell you one thing, @Fer Fuchs Ake - Romania would be better off if this kid had chosen to play for Romania (who he is eligible for) instead of Zee Germans.

 

I'm disappointed you decided not to involve me in this conversation XD

seriously though, I wouldn't field the man if Germany ever play Romania

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

In before a 75 year old Henry who declares for Estonia due to a convoluted family tree handballs it in our crucial qualifying match.

He'd probably still start for Estonia... 

31 minutes ago, LPQR said:

I'm disappointed you decided not to involve me in this conversation XD

seriously though, I wouldn't field the man if Germany ever play Romania

Hahaha I'd forgotten you! Consider me suitably chastened.

Kidding aside, I have to give you some credit for the decades of libero-inspired insanity in here. I'm still patiently waiting for you to employ a very fluid / overload system 

[LPQR]

10 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

He'd probably still start for Estonia... 

Hahaha I'd forgotten you! Consider me suitably chastened.

Kidding aside, I have to give you some credit for the decades of libero-inspired insanity in here. I'm still patiently waiting for you to employ a very fluid / overload system 

oh god, my tactical hipsterism might have gone a tad over board. not going to happen! 

[ManUtd1]

5 minutes ago, LPQR said:

oh god, my tactical hipsterism might have gone a tad over board. not going to happen!

Don't let your fears control you...

You know you want to... 

[ManUtd1]

My stomach is in knots as we land in Valencia.  The closer the chartered coach comes to the Nuevo Mestalla, the more insistent my migraine becomes.

We're in the tunnel.  The noise is deafening.  The crowd are baying for blood, like a frenzied animal in the moments before an earthquake -- aware of the imminent danger, even if it does not understand what is happening.

On edge. Visceral.

As I emerge on to the pitch, aided by the stylish cane from Emma.  I see him, with the home contingent.

Locking eyes with me.  

The fury of a thousands suns behind his steely gaze.

Pique.  His beard as ridiculous as ever.

He holds my gaze.  

He knows.

It was him.

Even though he moves to the owner's box, I can feel his eyes on me throughout the match.  Ignoring the players, the crowd, the spectacle.  As if the world were comprised solely of the two of us.

And I cannot tear my gaze away.  We lock eyes.  For 90 minutes.

At the final whistle, he is back, standing by the tunnel.  Waiting.  

Watching me.

The extra security we've hired for the night after the events of February 2052 are relaxed.  I dare not tell them that, after a night of nerves and worry, the real danger is only now apparent.

I begin to walk in his direction.  He tilts his head, like a bird, watching me approach.  A wry grin splayed across his face.  His eyes never leaving mine.

Oh, yes. He knows.

I ready myself to strike him with the cane, to wipe that ****-eating grin right off of his face.  

My palms are slicked with sweat.  How do you strike down the Devil?  What if you miss?

He extends his hand in the semblance of a greeting, and leans in close.  

That look in his eye.  He knows.

I dare not reciprocate.  But something compels me.

I lean in, feigning an ease, a calmness that is beyond reach.  I can barely breath.

"Buena suerte against Reims, mate," he whispers.  "Shakky always loved your libero, and we'd much rather you go through to the next round, vale?"    With a wink, he shuffles slowly off to visit with the lingering home support, the tennis balls on the feet of his walker leaving wandering trails on the pitch, like the footsteps of four drunken sailors  on a pristine beach at sunrise...

...perhaps I've misjudged the situation.

Edited June 21, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

With 4 matches to play, Malmo are 1 point clear at the top of the Allsvenskan.

 

Looking for their first title since 2037.

[kidthekid]

sounds like a slam poetry. "He knows" by Mr. H Tellus

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

7 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

My stomach is in knots as we land in Valencia.  The closer the chartered coach comes to the Nuevo Mestalla, the more insistent my migraine becomes.

We're in the tunnel.  The noise is deafening.  The crowd are baying for blood, like a frenzied animal in the moments before an earthquake -- aware of the imminent danger, even if it does not understand what is happening.

On edge. Visceral.

As I emerge on to the pitch, aided by the stylish cane from Emma.  I see him, with the home contingent.

Locking eyes with me.  

The fury of a thousands suns behind his steely gaze.

Pique.  His beard as ridiculous as ever.

He holds my gaze.  

He knows.

It was him.

Even though he moves to the owner's box, I can feel his eyes on me throughout the match.  Ignoring the players, the crowd, the spectacle.  As if the world were comprised solely of the two of us.

And I cannot tear my gaze away.  We lock eyes.  For 90 minutes.

At the final whistle, he is back, standing by the tunnel.  Waiting.  

Watching me.

The extra security we've hired for the night after the events of February 2052 are relaxed.  I dare not tell them that, after a night of nerves and worry, the real danger is only now apparent.

I begin to walk in his direction.  He tilts his head, like a bird, watching me approach.  A wry grin splayed across his face.  His eyes never leaving mine.

Oh, yes. He knows.

I ready myself to strike him with the cane, to wipe that ****-eating grin right off of his face.  

My palms are slicked with sweat.  How do you strike down the Devil?  What if you miss?

He extends his hand in the semblance of a greeting, and leans in close.  

That look in his eye.  He knows.

I dare not reciprocate.  But something compels me.

I lean in, feigning an ease, a calmness that is beyond reach.  I can barely breath.

"Buena suerte against Reims, mate," he whispers.  "Shakky always loved your libero, and we'd much rather you go through to the next round, vale?"    With a wink, he shuffles slowly off to visit with the lingering home support, the tennis balls on the feet of his walker leaving wandering trails on the pitch, like the footsteps of four drunken sailors  on a pristine beach at sunrise...

...perhaps I've misjudged the situation.

It's like “Who shot Mr. Burns?” all over again.

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, kidthekid said:

sounds like a slam poetry. "He knows" by Mr. H Tellus

I've clearly been spending too much time with Ludwig...

3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

It's like “Who shot Mr. Burns?” all over again.

 

[ManUtd1]

I can't afford a vacation, so I'm just going to drink until I don't know where I am.

Fenerbahçe / Scotland

October 2053 Mini-Update

I warned the chairman that, with all the upheaval this summer, things might be a bit rough as everyone settles in.  Now, sitting in 10th, it sure feels rough even if we've only lost one match.  Bottom line, we're quite capable and just need to start finishing teams off.  We're controlling, but not scoring.  Yet.  It's a process.

A solid draw away at Stade de Reims, followed by a 1-nil loss in Valencia (against the run of play) prove the point.  We should have won the latter match, and were the better team on the night.  Such is football.

My goal is to finish 3rd and reach the Europa League knockout rounds.  Anything better would be a dream.  Less?  A nightmare.  Regardless, we need to get our domestic campaign back on the rails.

The Scots come together nicely for a solid friendly win over Egypt at Hampden.  A match we should win 10 times out of 10.  I

I give McLaren the nod in goal, and remain frustrated that he's playing reserve football at Monaco.  He's got bags of potential and is clearly Scotland's second-best keeper.  But all of that could go to waste if he doesn't get more match experience.  He's not ready to take over for Caldwell yet, but with Caldwell no longer first choice for United...and 37...change is coming.   The World Cup will almost certainly be the end of Caldwell's Scotland career, so I need to start thinking about (and preparing for) the future.

The big match was at Hampden against Romania.  Win, and we're all but assured of qualification.  Romania know it.  They come to play in a narrow 41311.  We set out attack the flanks, and are rewarded with a 10th minute goal from Celtic's Scott McBride.  McBride hits his second only 3 minutes later, and we're in complete control.  McBride completes his hat trick in the 81st with a sublime volley.

The demolition of Romania leaves us 3 points clear with 2 matches to play, at home against Estonia and then away to Ireland.  The Irish beat both Estonia and Slovenia in October, so they're 3 points clear of Romania with a match in hand...with a match in Bucharest up next.  They'll need to win that to qualify as a second-place side.

 

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Malmo are blowing it.  They've drawn 2 matches in a row (away to Elfsborg, home against Norkopping), ceding the advantage to Djurgardens.

 

Brutal.