[FM21] Return of the Phoe Nix - Rise of the Raven. FC Isle of Man Youth Save.

[Jtomsett11]

I think you may go up this season quite comfortably, your players improved by so much last year and having most of the ones you've sold back on loan is a great help to get promotion. 

[Punch]

56 minutes ago, Jtomsett11 said:

I think you may go up this season quite comfortably, your players improved by so much last year and having most of the ones you've sold back on loan is a great help to get promotion. 

It's been interesting through our history, that our first year in a division has usually been a bit shaky in defence, but the second season, the defence improves out of sight, and teams really struggle to score against us.

The kids improving and settling into the role probably has a lot to do with it, but this season has been a crazy improved start, only allowing one goal in 5 League games is a managers dream.

Here's hoping it continues, and give this division a good shake this season. There is a lot of good teams in this League though.

[Punch]

SEP 2031 - Match Day 6 - Vs Millwall

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Millwall provided us our biggest challenge, and while we were not as dominant as we have been in previous games, we were lethal with our chances.

We created only 5 shots on goal, and scored three of them, while the defence was brilliant shutting down Millwall very effectively.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

 

With our match against AFC Wimbledon postponed due to international call ups, we are now a game behind, and in that time Charlton lost and drew their two games, giving us a break at the top of the table.

There are still a few undefeated teams, but we are the only ones left perfect.

 

 

Up next...We travel to Wimbledon for our postponed match up.

[Punch]

SEP 2031 - Match Day 7 - At AFC Wimbledon

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We give up our first points of the year as the Wimbledon defence was able to keep our prolific forward line under check.

However, we also kept a clean sheet as our defence done enough to force a stalemate.

 

Two of the young kids made their first team debuts today, as I needed to do some rotating after two games on two days rest, and a few still recovering from International Duty.

They gave a good account of themselves, and will be better for the experience.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Even though we gave up our perfect start, we are still undefeated, and now have a game lead over Charlton.

 

 

Up next...We head to Stoke to take on the relegated Potters, who have been struggling somewhat this season.

[Punch]

SEP 2031 - Match Day 8 - At Stoke City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Not sure what to make of this one, as Stoke came from behind twice to share the points at Bet365 Stadium.

Possession stats indicate we had the better of the game, but xG suggests they should have won, so maybe a draw is a fair result in the end.

 

 

Spoiler

We still hold onto 1st, but Charlton have closed the gap after their win.

 

 

Up next...we stay on the road to take on the other half on Nottingham, in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round

[Punch]

SEP 2031 - Carababo Cup - 3rd Round - At Nottingham Forest

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A massive upset as we knock over Forest in their own back yard.

We got off to a flying start Wes Heys getting on us on the board in the 1st minute of the game, which rattled Forest.

Forest hit back in the 19th minute, and we gave them a good run for their money, but it stayed level at half time.

Brian McCarthy headed us into the lead just after half time, and we managed to hold them off to book our place in the next round.

 

 

4th round Draw

Spoiler

Round 4 sends us to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea for the first time.

 

 

Up next...still on the road we travel to Shrewsbury for a return to League One action.

 

Edited January 25, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

SEP 2031 - Match Day 9 - At Shrewsbury Town

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We got into a bit of a shootout with Shrewsbury before finally outlasting them to get the win on the road.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Still holding 1st spot by a point.

 

 

Up next...back home in a tough match up against Huddersfield.

[Punch]

SEP 2031

We put together a solid month as we stayed undefeated, but we have conceded a few more goals towards the end of the month.

 

The analyst is still pretty happy with how we're performing.

 

We're holding 1st place by a point, and we meet the other undefeated team in our next match.

 

Internationals

We had as many as 15 players on international duty this month.

 

Martin Jensen becomes our 32nd Youth International.

 

A lot of away games this month don't help the finances.

 

A busy month including the 2nd Pizza Cup match, and a League Cup 4th Round match against Chelsea.

[Sonic Youth]

Good start to the season, and with a cup game against Chelsea to boot! That’ll help your finances 

[Sonic Youth]

You’ve got so many youth international players. Do other clubs at your level also need to reschedule games due to international call-ups?

[Punch]

55 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Good start to the season, and with a cup game against Chelsea to boot! That’ll help your finances 

After the player sales we will be good financially for the time being, even with the cost of the youth set up.

 

55 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

You’ve got so many youth international players. Do other clubs at your level also need to reschedule games due to international call-ups?

Ironically it wasn’t us that postponed the AFC Wimbledon game, it was them.

Yes we’ve had other games need to be rescheduled by other clubs occasionally.

[Blarney]

Some excellent wins.  Good to see the youth stepping up as well. 

[Punch]

@Sonic Youth, another month, another re-arranged game. This one is because of us.

 

 

Ten players called up results in another postponed game.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Match Day 10 - Vs Huddersfield Town

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A dominant performances as Huddersfield were crushed out of the match to be handed their first loss of the season, in front of a full house at The Bowl.

Petrosino and Paterson got the goal, but it was Jordan Williams who was constantly the thorn in the side of the Huddersfield defence in a player of the match performance.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

With the teams below us failing to win we have opened a three point gap at the top.

 

 

Up next...the kids will be out to play as we travel to Stoke for the second group game of the Pizza Cup.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Papa Johns Trophy Group Stage Game 2 - At Stoke City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The kids played well and created a lot of chances, but couldn't get the job done against a stronger Stoke team.

One of our own, former defender 26a Lloyd Craggs scored against us.

 

Two more academy products made their debuts in this match.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Stoke are now through to the next round while we will need a result against Wolves U23s, after they beat Grimsby.

 

 

Up next...Southend travel to The Bowl for League One action.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Match Day 11 - Vs Southend United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Southend had the early running but our defence held strong before the attack took over and run over the top of them.

A brilliant 2nd half hat-trick to Petrosino helped a thumping final result.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We maintain the three point break at the top of the table.

 

 

Up next...League One action continues as we travel to Wycombe to take on the 20th placed Wanderers.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Match Day 12 - At Wycombe Wanderers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Wycombe gave us a good run for our money be we done enough to to get the points.

It was good to see that even not playing our best, we found a way to win.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Our 4th straight win keeps our three point win at the top of the Table.

 

 

Up next...a tough match up away to Gillingham.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Match Day 13 - At Gillingham FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A hard fought match against Gillingham as we ended up sharing the points.

Young striker McBurnie rescued the point with a well taken goal.

 

 

Spoiler

Charlton also drew, so we maintain the three point gap at the top.

 

 

 

Up next...Rotherham travel to The Bowl.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Match Day 14 - Vs Rotherham United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A good turn around as we come from behind to beat Rotherham at home.

They scored an early penalty, and it took an injury time winner to get us home, despite creating numerous chances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Another draw for Charlton send us 5 points clear at the top.

 

 

 

Up next...we make our first trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup 4th Round.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - FA Cup 1st Round Draw

The 1st Round sees us drawn away to Maidstone.

 

We have a decent record against them, but it's been a few years since we met.

[Punch]

OCT 2031 - Carabao Cup 4th Round - At Chelsea

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Chelsea were always pretty comfortable but we did give them a push all the way and to be fair, we probably could have made a lot more of our chances, but then again, so could they.

 

Injury time, became a bit too literal, as we lose Halliwell for a month after a bad tackled in the dying moments of the match.

 

A better outcome was the slightly over 900k we received for our share of the gate.

 

 

Up next...back to League One action with a tough match up away to 3rd place Luton.

[Punch]

OCT 2031

In a month where we lost both our Cup games, we remained undefeated in the League, dropping points only against Gillingham.

 

The analyst is still happy, with the defence on the low left, and the attack on the high right side of the graphs where you want them.

 

We still hold first place, but we now also have a game in hand as most teams played a League match while we were up against Chelsea in the League Cup.

 

Marco Petrosino took out the Young Player of the Month.

 

While our League form lead me to another Manager of the Month award.

 

Internationals

We had plenty of players on International Duty again this month.

 

A big boost from our Chelsea trip gave us a huge month financially.

 

A busy month coming up, including our FA Cup kicking off, and the third group match for the Pizza Cup.

[Sonic Youth]

Another good month, and no with one less distraction (good effort against Chelsea). Win that game in hand a you’re starting to build a lead.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 15 - At Luton Town

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We knew this would be a tough match against Luton Town who have been playing really well, and it ended up being an unlucky deflected own goal.

So our unbeaten run is over, now we need to get our heads down and start over, but we are starting to run into fatigue issues.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Our first loss drops us out of 1st, but still with that game in hand.

 

 

Up next...we travel to the struggling Bradford City.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 16 - At Bradford City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We created a lot of chances, and suffocated Bradford out of the game, but left our run late to score three goals in the last 20 minutes.

We monstered the possession stats, and finally made the weight of chances work for us.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

After Charlton were beaten they have been jumped by both us and Luton as we take back 1st spot.

 

 

Up next...our FA Cup campaign kicks off away to Maidstone.

[Punch]

International call ups

Another month and our kids are at it again with an incredible 18 players called up.

 

This has resulted in another postponed match, our monster game against Charlton has been shuffled into December.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - FA Cup 1st Round - At Maidstone United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

It was a pretty bland game, but we done enough to take the win.

We created a massive amount of chances, and our defence kept them quiet, but we could only muster 1 goal.

 

We also picked up about 40k from our share of the Gate.

 

 

Round 2 Draw

Spoiler

Round 2 sends Bolton to The Bowl, for an exciting match that we need to win to meet the Board expectations.

 

We do have a good record against them, losing just once, while we have already beaten them this season in the Carabao Cup.

 

 

Up next...the kids will be out to play looking to qualify for the second round of the Pizza Cup, as we take on Wolves U23s in our final group match.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Papa Johns Trophy Group Stage Game 3 - Vs Wolves U23s

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Needing a win to guarantee us a spot in the 2nd Round, the kids did not let us down as they battered Wolves U23's.

 

We move on to the 2nd Round again.

 

Several youngsters got their first games due to needing to rotate as plenty of the kids played in an U18s game two days prior.

 

Every little helps, although the tiny crowd will have done nought for the finances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Stoke belted Grimsby in the other match, as expected, so we go through in second place.

 

 

 

2nd Round Draw

Spoiler

We will meet Division rival Fleetwood Town in the 2nd Round

 

We met one prior in a friendly, and then this year in the League for two big wins.

 

 

Up next...Doncaster travel to The Bowl in a return to League One action.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 17 - Vs Doncaster Rovers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We had to do some patch working with our team today as we still had 8 players on international duty, and a further 10 who only just returned, many of which were not fit enough to be considered for this match.

We dominated Doncaster out of the match, John Hodgson playing brilliantly to keep a clean sheet, while Jordan Williams finally broke his goal drought by scoring a double.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

The table is all over the place now with teams having played different numbers of games, but we still hold first place.

 

 

Up next...Crewe travel to The Bowl for more League One action.

Edited January 27, 2022 by Punch

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 18 - Vs Crewe Alexandra

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A really tough hit out against a determined Crewe side but we managed to do enough to get the win.

A strange game as some players put in good performances, and some others put in some bang average performances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We're holding a 5 point lead at the top, with games in hand over some of those lower than us. Charlton still the big danger.

 

 

Up next...we travel to 11th placed Burton.

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 19 - At Burton Albion

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We created chances but struggled to hit the target as we could only muster one goal, but we also gave up a clumsy one and could only muster a draw.

 

 

Spoiler

Plymouth jumped to 2nd as Charlton were beaten, and are another threat.

We hold on to 1st with a 5 point gap despite only managing a draw.

 

 

Up next...Exeter travel to The Bowl

[Punch]

NOV 2031 - Match Day 20 - Vs Exeter City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Another tough tight match where our defence ground them out of the game, we crated plenty of chances, but couldn't turn them into anything.

Charlie Henry grabbed the goal that got us the win.

It's good to see that even not playing our best, we are still managing to collect points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

With only three games being played today we managed to extend our lead at the top of the table.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Oxford.

[Punch]

NOV 2031

A busy month and we came out of it in a good position, dropping one game and drawing another, but picking up 4 League wins and 2 Cup wins along the way.

 

The Analyst is pretty happy with out performance this month, the defence has been good, but the attack could be better.

 

Holding on to 1st place.

 

Internationals

We had up to 18 players on International Duty this month, plenty of good performances as well.

 

We've now had 38 Youth Internationals, and Marco Petrosino has changed allegiances from Italy to England.

 

A good month in the gate receipts, but we lost money overall again.

 

This is going to hurt. We already have players struggling with fatigue and this is going to be a monster month.

[Sonic Youth]

The Ravens are starting to pull away. It’s funny you say the offense could score more even though you’re the top scorers in the league 

What, no love for Petrosino and his 4 goals/10 score, and Henry for his 1goal 3 assist/9 rating in their internationals? Two players performing wherever they play 

December looks a month of attrition. Good luck!

Edited January 29, 2022 by Sonic Youth
Dec

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

The Ravens are starting to pull away. It’s funny you say the offense could score more even though you’re the top scorers in the league 

What, no love for Petrosino and his 4 goals/10 score, and Henry for his 1goal 3 assist/9 rating in their internationals? Two players performing wherever they play 

December looks a month of attrition. Good luck!

The frightening part is we’ve at times struggled to score as many as we should have…

They play well at any level, that’s why they both wanted to go to higher level clubs.

December looks scary 

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 21 - At Oxford United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Dangerous December started of with a match we completely dominated, where we scored all three goals, but it took an injury time winner from Marco Petrosino to secure the three points.

Young midfielder Jimmy Reilly got us on the board in the first minute, before John Hodgson was desperately unlucky after making a fine save against a cracking drive, he pushed it against the post and the rebound took a deflection off his back and into the goal.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We've taken a big lead at the top but teams below us have games in hand.

 

 

Up next...a tough match up away to 6th place Walsall.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 22 - At Walsall FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We knew this would be a tough match and it took two goals in two minutes to get us home.

It's only the second game of the month and we are already having to rotate nearly everywhere to put 11 fit players on the park.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We maintain a strong lead, although Charlton have won one of the catch up games and jumped back to 2nd.

 

 

Up next...a monster match at The Bowl against Plymouth.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 23 - Vs Plymouth Argyle FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A cracker of a match at The Bowl and we thought we had it won, but a late late goal in injury time equaliser means we share the points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Still holding first although Charlton have now cut our lead back to 7 points.

 

 

Up next...22nd place Tranmere travel to The Bowl.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 24 - Vs Tranmere Rovers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We played really well in this match suffocating Tranmere out of it totally, not a sinlge shot on target.

 

Young Hodgson scored his 2nd penalty of the season with this bullet.

 

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A draw for Charlton extends our lead at the top of the table.

 

 

Up next...two matches in three days against Fleetwood. First up, the kids will be set loos in the Pizza Cup 2nd Round, before we face them again in the League.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Youth Intake Preview

 

Looks like plenty of defenders and midfielders coming through.

Hopefully we get something similar to this actually turn up.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Papa Johns Trophy 2nd Round - At Fleetwood Town

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tough match where we got the first goal before giving away two in two minutes.

We then hit back with two quick goals of our own, to hang on for the win and send the kids to the 3rd Round.

 

 

 

Round 3 Draw

Spoiler

Norwich U23s travel to The Bowl for the 3rd Round.

 

 

Up next...we play Fleetwood again in a return to League One action.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 25 - At Fleetwood Town

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We put in a good shift to keep Fleetwood scoreless as we beat them for the second time in three days.

After not getting many penalties lately, Hodgson has now scored two this month.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Holding 1st place by 9 points.

 

 

Up next...Accrington travel to The Bowl.

[Sonic Youth]

Going well so far in December.

9 to 2nd place? It’s 17 to third 

[Punch]

12 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Going well so far in December.

9 to 2nd place? It’s 17 to third 

And we have a game in hand over them

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 26 - Vs Accrington Stanley FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A strange game that started with a flurry and was 1-1 after 3 minutes, and thats how it stayed.

We had three goals ruled out, and they had a player sent of at the end to make for a hectic finish, but niether side could grab a winner, so the points were shared.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We lost no ground with a draw as the two teams behind us also drew.

 

 

Up next...a monster clash as we travel to The Valley to take on 2nd place Charlton.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 27 - At Charlton Athletic

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tough match for the top of the table clash, which was short on entertainment, and even shorter on chances.

Neither side was able to take any of the few chances that were created so we share the points.

We came the closest with Pat Millington crashing a shot against the bar, but it wasn't to be.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A draw with 2nd place keeps the 9 point gap.

 

 

 

Up next...AFC Wimbledon travel to The Bowl for a Boxing Day blockbuster.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 28 - Vs AFC Wimbledon

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Brutal!

Our defence shut Wimbledon down, allowing them only 1 shot on target, while our attack didn't really run riot, they just took most of their chances.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A big win and Charlton's third draw in a row opens up our lead at the top of the table passed double figures.

 

 

 

Up next...one day rest before we travel to Scunthorpe. Will be interesting to see what kind of team we can put together. We are playing well but all thes games back to back are starting to take their toll on the players fatigue.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - Match Day 29 - At Scunthorpe United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Plenty of rotation this match as this month continues to take it's toll, but the 'next man up' rotation policy is working, and these kids keep stepping up to perform brilliantly when they are required.

18 year old Alan McBurnie scored a great double, while Kaine Tomlin grabbed the other.

Our defence was incredible again keeping Scunthorpe to just three shots, only one on target.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Charlton also had a win keeping our lead at 11 points, while we have now opened up a 20 point gap from 3rd.

 

 

Up next...FA Cup action returns to The Bowl as Bolton make the trek to The Isle for the 2nd Round.

[Punch]

A look at how much our defence has improved this season, that only half way through, John Hodgson is with in two clean sheets away from breaking Jordan Jack's record for clean sheets in a season.

[Punch]

DEC 2031 - FA Cup 2nd Round - Vs Bolton Wanderers FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A brilliant all round performance sees our defence shutdown Bolton and the attack put three past them to send us through to the 3rd Round.

 

 

 

3rd Round Draw

Spoiler

Round 3 brings Lincoln City to The Bowl.

 

We have a brilliant record against them, winning all four League Two matches over two seasons.

 

 

Up next...back to League One action as we travel to The Den to take on 14th place Millwall.

Edited January 30, 2022 by Punch