Constantine Posted March 8, 2019 Share Posted March 8, 2019 Welcome to my third (i think) and (hopefully) last thread in this part of forum for this year's edition. As you can see, i will be managing Enfield Town FC as part of dafuge challenge. I've been reloading for quite a while, hoping to get them. Almost gave up, when they finally appeared. Or else this would be a thread about Leatherhead. So why them? For no reason other than that beautiful and aesthetically pleasing badge. Kits aren't bad too either (bar third one, way too Barcelona-esque) And they're basically an empty slate. Perfect club for building up. If i'm not wrong, they're first fan owned club in England. That's cool too. Few of those players that i like won't sign new contracts. They're all like "we're too good for this level". So why did you play for us last year, you League 1 quality dumba**es?! In the black right now but i have a cheeky feeling that it won't last for long. And for the end, league table. Bloody Billericay should walk this league. They're just too good. Havant is decent side too. Bath and Maidenhead should be near the top. As for us, it all depend on our transfer window. I can see us be clear of relegation fight but we have to resign some of these arrogant a******s. That's it as of this moment. Nothing else to add. And now, my climb begins. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 That's surprising... A bit. I mean, we're not terrible. It's, just, IMO, we're not this good either. Took me a good chunk of the night, to scout and pick the best available options. To be honest, i wasn't exactly over the moon when our window closed since we've missed some truly great players for this level. And that damned message annoyed me to hell. "X club would like Y player to play with higher quality players". And most of those guys went on loan to non playable division. I mean, f*** off! Those players we got on loan, they were emergency transfers, since we were hit really high with injury crisis. Didn't have anyone available who could play left back. Anyhow, to get a better picture how Enfield's strongest team looks like, here's our starting eleven. Wright :: Walker, Williams, Duggan, Wilder :: Mullings, Grocott, Awadh, Jellis, Sayud :: Adams That's for now, just a quick update. Let's see can those guys keep these performance levels or this was just a honeymoon period. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 7 hours ago, Constantine said: i wasn't exactly over the moon when our window closed Um, surely there is no window in the Vanorama leagues? I usually try to have a conveyor belt of trialists coming in. Wages can be a problem, but if you have players on non-contract terms you can simply bin them when you find someone better. Anyway, that's a good start. Will be following your progress with interest - I've never succeeded at the Dafuge Challenge, although I did take Darlington from the VNN to L2 this year! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share Posted March 9, 2019 8 minutes ago, warlock said: Um, surely there is no window in the Vanorama leagues? It was a figure of speech. When i complete my squad, two players per position, i'm done with signing new players unless something force my hand (long term injury, some other teams picking my players, etc...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 16 minutes ago, Constantine said: It was a figure of speech. Okay then . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Pulled a bit of a all nighter last night. I just couldn't stop, since we maintained our good form going into November. And December. Dipped a bit in January and that was a signal for me. Man need some sleep. There's some good games i'd like to catch today on TV. Still chasing Billericay. Manchester City of this league. If anyone had offered me second place going into season, i'd take it with both hands. Boys has proven me wrong. I thought some place in mid table would be their limit. So hopefully, they'll continue with this state of mind It will be tough to win it, especially since BCay turned on god mode in the last two months but we can try. Whatever way this season end now, it'll be a success in my book. These lads are amazing. And now, i beg your pardon, i'm gonna catch some shuteye for an hour or two. Maybe three. Wouldn't mind even four. Cheers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 We've had it all in our hands and then suffered stupid defeat against objectively weaker side at home. So champion will now be decided in the last round. All three of us are going away, we're playing Concord, Dulwich v Chelmsford while Billercay is having it toughest, Wealdstone. Bring it on!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Bottled it. Battered by a team that fought against relegation month or two ago. Oh FM, don't you ever change... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Ok... Hold up. This is a chance of a lifetime. Bromley in the final is definitively a lot less scary than Billercay. But it's far from easy, since they've beaten us this year. Nerve-racking day ahead... Cmon boys. Let's finish this!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 Missed penalty, disallowed goal... It just wasn't to be. Season review incoming later on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Ah, man. It's a cruel game. I hate the playoffs Overall, that's got to count as a successful season. I'm sure you'll make the breakthrough next time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Yourselves and Billericay both bottled it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 Pretty much, yeah. But one could argue they bottled it more They have resources any club in this league dream of and yet can't escape this level. I'm happy with how we did. It would've be amazing have we got promoted but never expected us to be in this situation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 13, 2019 Author Share Posted March 13, 2019 Enfield Town FC Season Review - 2019./20. Vanarama National League South Expectations: Fight bravely against relegation Reality: Lost in Play Offs final Had a chance for a surprise promotion right off the bat but we slipped at the last step. Shame, really, but hopefully, with few improvements, we'll be up and running again come next season. The Emirates FA Cup Expectations: Reach Third Qualifying Round Reality: Knocked out in Fourth Qualifying Round by Havant & Waterlooville Bad day at the office saw to our early cup exit. I pride myself in being good in cup competitions. This didn't do me any favors. Buildbase FA Trophy Expectations: Reach Third Qualifying Round Reality: Knocked out in Second Round by Eastleigh Eastleigh won it at the end so... Squad - Probably i won't change much, bar replacing loanees and one or two players whose contracts expire in a month. Should get backup goalkeeper as well. Transfers - Everything we've done this year. Finances - Not terrible... For now. Key players:Bilal Sayoud - Top of the assist chart and second in scoring one. MVP for sure. Jamie Jellis - Truly superb midfielder. Sadly, Stevenage won't loan him back to us again. Brandon Adams - Top scorer but went missing when we needed him most. Plans for next season Strengthen the side a bit and challenge for promotion. We've shown we can... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 14, 2019 Author Share Posted March 14, 2019 Well, for my standards, that was pretty uneventful window. New dmc, that'll play as central defender. New central defender, who'll play as new bwm. A little bit of a competition for Adams. Replacement for Jamie Jellis. Not as good but he'll have to do. Highly rated youngster. Can easily fit into starting XI. A familiar face. Signed on Bosman from Dartford after his loan expired. Finally got that second goalie. Had to get him, since Barcelos got injured just as preseason was over. Can be used for cover in midfield too, so that's nice. Great in preseason, undefeated. Even thought it was mostly warm up games. But we avoided defeat against Championship side, which was shocking tbh. Our good form continued as the league started. Great start, as we went unbeaten and already faced two huge opponents. More of this, please. Too early to tell, but this might be our year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 Very good start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Brexit news... I think i had this one before. It wasn't that hard, if i remember correctly, most of the players i've sought got work permits easily. Definitely easier than that salary one, we might get some decent youngsters in CH, perhaps even in L1... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 15, 2019 Author Share Posted March 15, 2019 Goddammit, this would've been perfect, had we got an away game... It was a good run. Halifax is a League 2 club. Barnet is now in Vanarama National. We've punched way above our weight. Doing fine in the league too. Some mental matches played... It's tight at the top. Really tight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 16, 2019 Author Share Posted March 16, 2019 Got that PL away match anyway... They played second string, dominated over us for a good chunk of match yet failed to put us to sword. I'm so happy. $$$ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 We're going to bottle it again, aren't we?? Tough month ahead of us. Quite a few tricky opposition teams to play against... It's gonna be playoffs again dammit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share Posted March 17, 2019 Well... I was wrong. Me of little faith. We're going up!! It was a terrible match, eyesore to watch but we accomplished what we wanted. Really turned up when it was important. Few great wins, couple slip ups from our opponents and we're this season's first passengers for VNL. Going into that last game absolutely relaxed... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted March 17, 2019 Share Posted March 17, 2019 Well played, mate. Beating Billericay to it just makes it sweeter! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 I'd loved it to see them in Vanarama National since we developed kind of a rivalry. But dumba***s lost to Kingstonian in Playoffs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 Enfield Town FC Season Review - 2020./21. Vanarama National League South Expectations: Avoid relegation Reality: Champions We've started off furiously. Played really well, defended really well and sometimes after New Year's Eve, our form just fell apart. There were still few wins here and there but too many goals conceded in the last 10 minutes of the match cost us points and i went into full blown panic mode come last month of the league. Luckily, my players stepped up and got us that well deserved promotion. The Emirates FA Cup Expectations: Reach Fourth Qualifying Round Reality: Knocked out in Third Round by Crystal Palace Fantastic. More of this, please. Buildbase FA Trophy Expectations: Reach First Round Reality: Knocked out in Second Round by Billericay Town This match was just three days after Palace rematch. Excuses, excuses, i know... Squad - Well done to all of you guys. Most of them will be here come next season but we'll have to strengthen a bit. Transfers - Everything was done in the summer Finances - Looking good now. Thanks, Palace. Key players:Brandon Adams - Went on a rampage this season. I really don't know how he did it but lad just kept scoring. Aaron Greene - Topped the assists chart. Great year all round for him. Brad Maslen-Jones - I'm not sure there's a game this year where he was rated lower than 7. Superbly held our midfield together. Plans for next season Expecting easy survival, hoping for mid table, dreaming for a bit more than that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Very well done Constantine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 Well, that's something... I was in a lengthy negotiations with Ipswich, with offers flying back and forth. Started with 400k + 50%, ended with 100 because my stupid board accepted offer on my behalf. I really thought i could've got more. But then Bolton came, offered same 100k, 40 upfront and million small clauses. Board accepted that too. Never wanted to kill bunch of imaginary people so much. If he had gone there, we would have got peanuts, since some clauses were ridiculous. Day or two after, Millwall offered 105k. I've negotiated that to 100k + 50% of profit hoping that he would chose Ipswich or The Lions over Wanderers. Increased odds and all that. Luckily, he chose well. I'm happy with the deal. He had only one year left, didn't want to sign new contract and we cashed in. He got his move, we've got some nice money and hopefully he develops well while there, those 50% might come in handy in the future. Thank you, Paul. All the best to you, lad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 It's been a while fellas... Nice weather outside, so not as much FM has been played. But, new season, ours first in Vanarama National League so let's catch you up. An eventful window, as we went on strengthening side for challenges that awaits us. I'm pleased with what i brought in but... There's always a but. Truth is, we missed on some fantastic prospects. Most of them went to the clubs in same division we're in, for a lot less money than we offered. Few of them chose VNL South/North sides over us. Which really pissed me off but i do understand that's situation we're in. Our rep is still quite low. Still, it's annoying and unrealistic in my eyes but i understand. But it's stupid. And i won't complain anymore. Starting now. One for the future. Planned to use him in rotation but we've got much better player in and have Maslen-Jones to compete with him. He was on loan last year, Braintree got relegated and he jumped ships. Really like the look of him. Defensively sound but kinda useless going forward. Cover rb. Southampton academy graduate and our new starting CD Fantastic looking BWM. Overspent a bit to get him but he's brilliant. Hoey's partner in starting XI. Booty's replacement. Not as young but at the approximately at the same level. And best i could find on such short notice. Cover for right wing. We were really light in central midfield area so... Once again, best we could sign. My #1 pick went to Halifax, #2 to Blyth. This guy was... #5 or 6, i think. Same as above. Needed a backup goalie. And as for results... They're decent enough. Few hiccups here and there, late goals conceded, et cetera... But we're exactly where i wanted us to be at this point of season. Really should've get the job done in that first match v Welling. And in replay. Missed SO many chances. Jesus f***!! But we're through and playing against Wealdstone. Which we should be winning comfortably. But same could've been said for Welling... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 We fell apart hard in the league for some reason while still doing great in the FA Cup. Got lucky too, avoiding L2 or L1 sides. As for the next round... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosse Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Great cup draw! Good luck against the rich London boys Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 28, 2019 Author Share Posted March 28, 2019 Two months has passed and we're in a much better position than we were back then. First, FA Cup. Our dream run has ended. It was great while it lasted and i couldn't ask for more than this. Decent showing and a goal scored at Emirates. Out of FA Trophy too. And to be frank, i don't really care. Fixture congestion forced me to play my second string in these games and they did reasonably well. We're financially secure now, after Arsenal, so there were no rush, no pressure to succeed here. In the league, our form improved massively and we're, once again, in the promotion hunt. Since switching to 4141, our defense has improved. It's still shambles at times but hey, now it is a bit less s***. This is as basic as it can get but it serves us well. Really tight at the back. We still concede because of the individual f*** ups but... I really like how we look on the pitch. Compact unit. Tough to break apart. Set pieces are a worry, as we mostly concede goals after corners or IFK's but i'm rethinking some things. Also, i'm having some monitor troubles at the moment so i hope you can see these pictures clearly. For me it look a bit blue-ish and muddy but it should be alright for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Bit of a mixed period but at the moment, we're still play offs bound. Coming into last six games, our form picked up. Four wins in a row are confidence booster for sure. Some tough games ahead but 10 points cushion should be enough... Also, this. Not the first job offer i've got but definitely most prestigious one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 So that's done... Three more games to play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Great month overall. Two loses but... I have excuses ready. We were already in play offs so i experimented with lineups and tactics. Doesn't matter, still ended up in #4 spot. And now, real fun begins... I'm up for that good, old fashioned revenge for that 0-4 defeat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 We don't need no possession!! Brilliant start, two rapid fire goals then defending and countering till the end. Fantastic performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Boreham Wood awaits in Semi Final Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Don't give in to the hype. Already lost one final. There's still 90 minutes to play. Don't get hyped up. Don't get hyped up dammit!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 This might be THE best final of any competition i've played on this FM so far. Holy Jesus F***. Kinda reminiscent of Istanbul night few years ago. S***, i'm still shaking... We're in the Football League boys!!!!!!!! Season review incoming later on. Gotta eat something first. And calm down a little. Jesus, what a day.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Very well done Constantine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Thank you, sir Nobby. Finally i have some time off, so i might start transfer window tonight. Excited for L2 debut. And season review. Have to do season review. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Great stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 Enfield Town FC Season Review - 2021./22. Vanarama National League Expectations: Fight bravely against relegation Reality: 4th and Promoted Pretty much a dream season for us. It was tough. Nerve-racking at the moments, especially during that bad period in October/November but... It was worth it. We're now playing with the big boys. Football league. And we're the only semi-pro side in here (I know clubs usually go pro when promoted from VNL but that didn't happen this time) It's gonna be fun, boys and girls. The Emirates FA Cup Expectations: Reach First Round Reality: Knocked out in Third Round by Arsenal Had some luck with the draw this time around. Easy opponents early on and then Emirates, wet dream for all LLM players. Buildbase FA Trophy Expectations: Reach Second Round Reality: Knocked out in Second Round by Stockport County Yeah... Didn't really care for this... Squad - There's a good spine here. Hopefully, few additions will be enough to keep us up. Transfers - Business as usual. Lots of traffic. Pretty much signature of mine. Finances - Noice Key players:Ben Panesar-Grainger - I was unfair on this lad. Tried to force Barcelos and Adams in front of him but they never kept their consinstency up as Ben did. First choice next season, for sure. Ross Stearn - One and done for Ross. Great year for him but now he's asking for money i can't pay. Single-handedly won us that final with 3 assists but... He got greedy. Aaron Greene - Silent hero. Plans for next season Survive, stabilize and turn pro somehow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 Jesus, this board... Need to fight them tooth and nail to get anything done. But here it is, first important upgrade. Of many more coming, i hope. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sysiphus Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Great going, well done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 6, 2019 Author Share Posted April 6, 2019 Yet another truck full of players arrived. And we earned money, once again. It's a small sum but still... Our new right back. Whether he'll start or not, i'm not sure yet... He can cover a lot of positions. And looks like all around player, decent set of attributes. Ben's backup. Young and raw. Couldn't get anyone else on that money. As of right now, he'll be our right winger. We're so lacking at that position and i can't find anyone decent enough who want to join. Chelsea reject and our starting CD... ... and his partner in crime. As most of the loanees, he'll serve as a rotational option. Looks good enough for backup. But those mentals... And Personality... Just dire. He's good enough to start for us but... It'll force Smith out of team. Can't do that right now. Poor Aaron need rest sometimes... Preseason went well. We mostly focused on fitness hence lower opposition. Defeated on debut but not disheartened. We looked really well. Solid. Conceded from corner and a wonder goal from 30 meters. Our best XI: Smith :: Clackstone, Smith, O'Connor, Harmon :: Furness :: Smith, Ramshaw, Easom, Greene :: Panesar-Grainger //Linking doesn't work for me at the moment, i'll try it later\\ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 8, 2019 Author Share Posted April 8, 2019 Breaking records left and right... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 Nice to see a Dafuge Challenge. It might inspire me to restart mine with Stalybridge! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 The chant "**** ground no fans" comes to mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantine Posted April 10, 2019 Author Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 08/04/2019 at 11:01, Hootieleece said: Nice to see a Dafuge Challenge. It might inspire me to restart mine with Stalybridge! It's a nice challenge, sure. Tough at times but extremely rewarding once you get into upper echelons of English football. On 08/04/2019 at 23:18, Nobby_McDonald said: The chant "**** ground no fans" comes to mind. Friends and family event only. They will come. All those glory hunters... Just a matter of time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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