Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 Hello and welcome to the latest in a long line of Northernpilgrim career saves. The Manager I'm playing as myself, and here I am Starting Point As the thread title suggests, I'm going to be starting as the manager of The Silkmen The Challenge I am going to take Macclesfield Town as far as I can, before moving on and trying to do the same for another club (and my career). If the preseason odds are anything to go by, just remaining a League Two club will be a big challenge in itself and this is the squad I've inherited. There are a few decent players, but many of them are anything but 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 Preseason results offered room for cautious optimism Which was quickly tempered by takeover speculation Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 We actually got off to a really good start ending the first month in the League Two playoff spots The takeover happened but didn't lead to a bonanza for me to improve the squad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 September was pretty good too and unbelievably, with almost a quarter of the season gone, we're second, behind Forest Green Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 We had a wobble in October, but only lost one league game which kept us second, but already Forest Green look well set Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 November was really good and saw us consolidate second place and I've already been offered, and signed, a contract extension. Looks like I'll be at Macclesfield next season whatever happens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 December wasn't bad either and we remain second and Brexit is off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 There was a real wobble in January and we're down to third, but there is a big gap between us and Bradford, and a big one between them and Forest Green too and with no money for new arrivals, there was just one departure in January Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 I forgot to do a February update at the time, so there won't be a league table this month, but these are the results we got, and they weren't too bad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 March, on the other hand, was awful and saw us slip out of the top three for the first time since August Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 April's results were even worse, as our squad just ran out of gas which saw us finish the season in what at the start of it would have been a miraculous fourth place, but actually feels like a bit of a disappointment Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 May brought the playoffs, and a tough semi final against our Cheshire rivals, Crewe Alexandra. It was all over after the first leg at Gresty Road Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 I'll begin the round-up with Macc Town's club awards night winners and our season stats The review of the season shows how we were denied promotion by a late season collapse but there were some bright points for individual players, Gnahoua setting a new club goals record and Connor Kirby doing likewise for assists Gnahoua also set a record for Macclesfield for Man of the Match awards and Jonathan Mitchell was in record breaking form in goal too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Preseason results were very nearly perfect, despite a few games against some tricky opponents Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 I did manage to make some signings over the summer, spending a whopping £24,000 on six players Parish is a goalkeeper, who replaces Jonathan Mitchell, our keeper from last season, who was on loan. I tried to get him back, but they were not interested in a loan deal, and I couldn't afford a permanent transfer Sam Keefe is a central midfielder as is Sam Bowen and Matty Wolfe Phoenix Patterson is a left winger and Ryan Brobbel is a right winger I've also brought through four players from the youth team, and they will be used from the bench this season to give them League experience. First up is centre back Rocco Fregapane Next is right winger Femi Johnson. As I play 4-1-2-2-1, I need to retrain him as an AMR The third graduate is central midfielder Sean Holland and finally, right winger Tyler James. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 And with the season about to kick off, the squad now looks like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CityAndColour Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Bookmarked for when you inevitably manage Plymouth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 6 hours ago, CityAndColour said: Bookmarked for when you inevitably manage Plymouth. I wouldn't say inevitably. I'm hoping that by the time I whip Macclesfield Town into a decent League 1 outfit, Argyle will be too big for me. I want this save to be about building clubs into much better than they are / should be. A bit like if Brian Clough had stuck around at the likes of Hartlepool and Brighton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Before August was out, I decided to ask to start my Pro Licence, and the board agreed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Nice work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 We got off to a solid start again but we had three players red carded in August. The first came against Dover, and didn't cost us, except for losing a player for the next match The next one came against Grimsby. We were 3-0 up when Ben Stephens was dismissed on 69 minutes, and ended up clinging on for a narrow win and the third player to go saw red against Mansfield after just 12 minutes. This one proved very costly indeed but we end the month top of the table Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 7 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: Nice work Thanks Deisler26. I'm enjoying the challenge of managing a club that's basically overachieving by just staying in the Football League. I'll stay until we go up, and probably 1 season beyond that, but there isn't much scope to take them any higher (tiny ground, minimal fanbase, and no chance of an Arab Sheikh rocking up in East Cheshire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unforced error Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 Top of the league! They will give the freedom of the town if/when you are promoted 😀 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 I made two more signings in August before the window slammed shut Andy Butler is a 36 year old centre back. Not a long term option, but quality for this level, so will play a key role in giving us the depth to maintain a promotion challenge and Brad Walker is a central midfielder, and a good addition to the squad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Unforced error said: Top of the league! They will give the freedom of the town if/when you are promoted 😀 I'm not getting over excited yet, we started last season really well too, but it's a nice place to be after 7 games. I'd bite your hand off for the guarantee of even a playoff spot at the end of the season though, as the media prediction is that we will be relegated. It's the same as it was last season (23rd), but this time there are two relegation places. First priority is to get past the 50 point mark as soon as possible, and then see where it takes us. As for freedom of Macclesfield, it's only ever been granted once, to one of my predecessors in the Moss Rose hotseat https://www.macclesfield-live.co.uk/news/town-legend-john-askey-receives-15004982 Edited May 7, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 The board have offered me a new contract. Signed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 September was not good, with three defeats in five league games and we're off the top, and out of the top three Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 October was only slightly better but that was enough to keep us in a playoff spot (for now) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 November was a little better, as we lost just once, but there were only two league games, both ending in draws so we end the month still in the playoffs, but only just Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 A horrible December which sees us drop into the bottom half for the first time in my reign but I've got an interview for a team in the same division Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 I had to apply for this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Not this time Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Another interview before the end of January Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Appalling in January and, but for a fantastic first three months of the season, we would now be at major risk of relegation. We need to start picking up some points soon to put relegation off the agenda Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Peterborough said no Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhh!!!! I only hope 40 points will be enough to stay up, we won't get any more than that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 March wasn't good, but we finally won a game! and we are mathematically safe now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 April was better, and we ended the season with a four game unbeaten run which, rather than my gloomy 40 point prediction from February, saw us hit 50 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 It's blatantly obvious that a leaky defence is the biggest problem we have had this season, so I'll be looking to make personnel and tactical alterations in this area over the summer, but first I need to do the end of season roundup, beginning with the club awards night winners and the season stats The season review shows we were in playoff contention until halfway through the season, before a massive collapse in form plunged us into relegation trouble. A late improvement in form meant we stayed clear of the drop Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 Shortly after the season ended, I applied for a job, and got an interview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 11, 2020 Author Share Posted May 11, 2020 They said no, so the rebuild job at Macclesfield is back on Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 An up and down preseason, and defeat in our opening league game Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I managed to sign six players, but didn't manage to sell any of the ones I wanted out as I made Sam Keefe's loan permanent brought Matty Wolfe back for a second loan spell Right back Brooking joined on a free and he'll fight for the right back slot with Burton Zemura comes in as left back and Eisa at left wing and that leaves our squad like this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 I got my pro licence in August Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 A decent start to the season, apart from getting battered after a red card against Man Utd and it would have been even better if we hadn't blown a 2-0 lead at home to Luton which leaves us just outside the playoffs, 3 points off the top 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 September wasn't bad either, and no complaints about the Bolton game, they were too good for us but we should have won at Grimsby and a solid couple of months sees us climb into the top three Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 Before the end of the month, an invite to an interview I didn't apply for. They're 24th in League 1, but it'd be a step up in club size Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 It was a no from Oxford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 Wycombe offered an interview in October, despite me not applying. I declined the interview offer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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