[FM23] Out of Africa. (Spanish out of Morocco to be precise). We will start with Ceuta, but if things go badly I might end up at Melila.

[Jimbokav1971]

Dec 2025. 

Primera Federación Grupo I. The draw away to Atletico B was a good one, (and the clean sheet was great too), and I'm delighted that we're still in 2nd at almost the halfway stage of the season. We've scored 10 more goals than the next highest team in the league, but we're still conceding too many. 

Copa de Su Majestad el Rey. FC Andorra, (owned by Gerard Pique), are in the 2nd Tier, (the league above us), so it was great to turn them over so convincingly. 

Youth Intake Preview. There are lies, damn lies and statistics Youth Intake previews. 

Records. 

Goal-scoring GK's. No shots at all this month, (which is unusual), so Leandro remains on 28 career goals. 

Finances. 

(23h) Vallejo MR was our 2nd choice MR and although the main reason for introducing him here is that he has scored 2 goals this month, he is also obviously a product of our Academy, but significantly the player in front of him in the MR slot is also an Academy product (23a) Kodermac (SVN) MR. He's got 4.5 PA and looks decent but the reason these 2 are in the team is because I couldn't find an African to sign. 

(23a) Kodermac (SVN) MR is currently our 1st choice MR and I really like him. I had a +3 contract option on him so was just getting ready to trigger that when 2 different clubs came in and met his £50k minimum fee release clause. This is where I was stupid and need to understand that the strategy that served me so well in other Nations, (just keep them contracted for as long as possible on as low a wage as possible), simply won't work here because everyone has a minimum fee release clause in their contract. Rather than using a +3 option, I should have extended his contract and given him a pay rise. This would have increased his min fee release clause from £50k to something approaching £200k. That would have put potential bidders off, (and if it doesn't then we get £200k for him rather than just £50k). I need to be smarter and change the way I'm dealing with young players. He will be leaving in January. 

[Jimbokav1971]

37 minutes ago, Gundo said:

Nice run of form, @Jimbokav1971. And Awudu’s 14 ratings for finishing, dribbling, heading, technique, composure, off the ball and acceleration is the stuff of dreams!

Yep, he's pretty much a cheat player at this level. I'm able to just play him up front on his own and quite a few of the goals he's really making on his own. His minimum fee release clause is £190,000 and I'm hoping that keeps him here through January. 

£190k is the highest clause we have at the club. 

I imagine that "if" we can get promoted, things might change in that respect next season and that in turn might have a significant impact on our finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Jan 2026. 

Primera Federación Grupo I. We led Fuenlabrada 1-0 with 1 min to play but couldn't hold out and conceded a penalty after some sustained late pressure. More on goal-scorer Nwachukwu (NGA) later, but let's just say that he was subbed off, (by the Ass Man), on 78 mins after winning 18/21 headers (including 3 key). I'm sure we would have won had he stayed on. We're top of the table though and Vigo B have lost their last 2 games, Lenesa have lost 2 of their last 5 and Fuenlabrada drawn 3 of their last 5. 

Copa de Su Majestad el Rey. The team we beat in the 1st Round, (FC Andorra), were 1 league above us in the LaLiga SmartBank. Leganés are also in the LaLiga Smartbank but sit just outside the Playoffs. I know we lost, but the suggestion is that we're well capable of playing at that level. I should add that I rotated all 10 outfield players for this game. The league is our priority. 

Derby Day. Our fellow Africans Melilla were promoted last season via the Playoffs, (which I'm delighted about), but they're finding it tough at this level and it looks like they will return from whence they came. 

Records. Love it. I really hope Melilla continue to do well in this save. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 3 shots this month by Leandro with 1 shot on target resulting in 1 goal. 

 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

January Transfer window. Feb 2026. 

In. 

You've already seen the 1st 3 transfers in. 

Frimpong (GHA)

Doumbia (MLI)

Nwachukwu (NGA) is a strange one in that he was brought in and then loaned out by accident. I was searching and searching and searching for a freebie centre-half in January when I realised that we already had one who was better than anything I could find to come in. We didn't look like conceding when he was on the pitch and it seemed really strange that he was withdrawn by the Ass Man. 

Mbae (COM)(FRA) was a late, (slightly panicked), signing in the Summer. Initially brought in as cover at right back, he's actually become a starting centre-half, (until the arrival of Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2"). He's not an amazing defender, but he can play a bit which helps the way we play. 

Tassembédo (BFA) has had a good 1st half of the season, becoming 1st choice in the CM(a) role. 

Mohamed (COM)(FRA) 6'3" has rapidly become our 1st choice DM. I'm currently using BWM(d), but only because we're a little short of technical ability and I would prefer that he defends 1st and allows others to play. 

Faye (SEN) has just been signed in January. We really only had 2 strikers and 1 of them was also 2nd choice ML, so I was really happy to sign someone else who could play in both positions. He was originally signed on a free for the end of the season, but when we had the chance to sign him immediately for just £5,500 I jumped at the chance. We will ease him back in but I really like the look of him. While not anywhere near as good as Awudu (GHA), @Gundomight notice the 14's for Finishing, First Touch, Acceleration & Decisions, (as well as some other decent attributes for this level). 

El Arbaoui (ESP)(MAR) has been signed for some depth just to try and ensure we get over the line and get promoted this season. With the loss of (23a) Kodermac (SVN) MR when his min fee clause was met, we were short on the right flank and this should hopefully now be less of an issue. 

Out. 

(23a) Kodermac (SVN) MR, (in hindsight), was always at higher risk of having his min fee clause met because of his Nationality. He was good enough to attract the interest of clubs at home in Slovenia and cheap enough that they could snap him up for a bargain. I need to learn from this and keep renewing contracts to increase the min fee clauses, (or try to up the initial clause). It's a real shame because I really liked him. Of course he could return, (because he's a product of our Academy), but I think it's probably unlikely. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Feb 2026. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Academy prospects. Feb 2026. 

I know this save is all about Africa and Africans, but there's still a tiny bit of room left for Youth Development. 

If I sort the squad by PA then the top are all Academy products, and 3 of them even have decent CA. (You might also notice the last column on the right). 

(23f) Francisco SC is a bit of a strange one in that I identified him as a SC despite the fact that he can't finish. His sheer athletic ability make him a threat and he might just be our secret weapon in a couple of years time. The idea of loaning him out to the 4th Tier was done in preference to him spending time on our bench or playing for the B Team here. I think playing in the 4th tier in Spain is a better option. 

(23b) Escalona (VEN) is our 1st choice DL and is developing well with the 1st team exposure. The fact that he's only 3.0 CA of 5.0 PA suggests that there is a fair bit of development still to come. 

(23h) Vallejo MR has been elevated to starting right winger after the recent January window. He's not amazing but there's the bones of a player in there and with a lot of 1st team exposure he should continue to develop. 

(23k) Álvarez is still very raw, but his physical ability at least gives him a fighting chance of making an impact at some point. He's at a struggling club in the 4th Tier though and their Training Facilities are really poor and they don't even have any youth intake at all so I really don't want him at this particular club so I have just recalled him. 

(23c) Víctor 6'0" looks a little bit short of the required level if I'm honest, but there is still time for him to develop. 

[Sir_Liam]

I've enjoyed this thread so far, especially as I managed Melilla on FM a few years ago.  From memory Melilla used to mostly get Spanish regens too, although I think they would sometimes have Moroccan names with no Moroccan 2nd nationality.

Whilst I can't remember what the financial situation was like when I managed Melilla (The Spanish structure was different then too), I do often lose money easily when managing in the lowest playable league in a country.  On FM2022 I've managed in Turkey and I lost a few hundred thousand in my first season in the third tier and lost a few hundred thousand more after failing to get promoted in the first year.  Thankfully I was promoted in the 2nd season and the TV money in the 2nd tier sorted us out.  Basically I tend to see losing money as one of those things that happens in a lot of lower leagues where there's little or no TV money.  It's not helped by wage bills/budgets often seeming out of sync with the revenue that's coming into the clubs (probably an accurate reflection of real life in some cases).  What you've experienced on this save does seem at the extreme end of financial losses though.

You're doing a good job developing those regens too despite being at a low level.  I found it really hard to develop youth players early on in my save game on FM2022 when we had bad facilities.

[Jimbokav1971]

17 minutes ago, Sir_Liam said:

I've enjoyed this thread so far, especially as I managed Melilla on FM a few years ago.  From memory Melilla used to mostly get Spanish regens too, although I think they would sometimes have Moroccan names with no Moroccan 2nd nationality.

Whilst I can't remember what the financial situation was like when I managed Melilla (The Spanish structure was different then too), I do often lose money easily when managing in the lowest playable league in a country.  On FM2022 I've managed in Turkey and I lost a few hundred thousand in my first season in the third tier and lost a few hundred thousand more after failing to get promoted in the first year.  Thankfully I was promoted in the 2nd season and the TV money in the 2nd tier sorted us out.  Basically I tend to see losing money as one of those things that happens in a lot of lower leagues where there's little or no TV money.  It's not helped by wage bills/budgets often seeming out of sync with the revenue that's coming into the clubs (probably an accurate reflection of real life in some cases).  What you've experienced on this save does seem at the extreme end of financial losses though.

I think that's a very good summary of the situation. It happens everywhere but I think the levels in this league at this stage are too extreme. 

That being said, I have decided that if you can't beat them, join them, so am spending my way out of this hell-hole. 

[Jimbokav1971]

19 minutes ago, Sir_Liam said:

You're doing a good job developing those regens too despite being at a low level.  I found it really hard to develop youth players early on in my save game on FM2022 when we had bad facilities.

Yeah, it is hard at lower levels and with poor facilities. What I would say though is that everything is relative so if you have poor facilities at that level then the chances are the teams you are competing with will too, (and if they don't they will soon be promoted). I don't really look at opposition teams as a way to gauge development. I look at our previous seasons and see if I can make some tiny improvements in a few different areas and see where that takes us. The biggest thing with Youth Development is simply picking the kids in the 1st Team and playing them and unfortunately that seems like a barrier that many just don't overcome, (not you by the way). I regularly play players who aren't good enough to play right now, but who might be good enough in the future.

When I get it right I get to boast about it in my thread and life is great, and when I get it wrong I release the player, you never hear of them again and life is great! 

Thanks for posting. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Feb 2026. 

Primera Federación Grupo I. We're level on points with Atletico B but we do have a game in hand. I assume that they can be promoted to the 2nd Tier because Real Madrid B and Barca B are already there. You might notice that Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2" scored in the 1st 3 games of the month, (but more about him later, for the 2nd successive month). 

Goal-scoring GK's. 6 shots this month from Leandro 4 of them on target resulting in 2 goals to bring him to 31 career goals. It's weird though. He has quite a laboured action. I thought it might have just been the change from FM22 to FM23, but I've looked at @Makoto NakamuraGk goals and his GK seems to have a much more fluid action. I will show some of his free-kicks at the bottom and you can compare his GK's action to that of Leandro. 

 

 

Finances. 

 

Edited November 2, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

I forgot to mention Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2". Mar 2026. 

I mentioned last month that I had been searching and searching for a decent free agent centre-half, or a loan or something, only to find when I unticked "hide all unavailable players", that we actually had quite a good looking centre-half already at the club that I had somehow loaned out shortly after his arrival. So I immediately recalled him and he immediately scored on his debut.

Well it would seem that he wasn't finished there.....

He might not be great at passing, but I think it's fair to say that he's very good in the air. 

He scored on his debut, and each of the his next 3 games for us, and hit the woodwork twice in the 5th game. (I was starting to think the game was broken by now). He won 106 of 116 headers in these 5 games. If he can keep this up we will romp the league never mind about win it!

[Jimbokav1971]

Mar 2026.

Primera Federación Grupo I. Now that's what I call decent form.  We're now 8 points clear at the top, despite the fact that Leonesa are unbeaten in their last 11 games.

Records. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 3 shots taken by Leandro with 1 shot on target resulting in 1 goal. 

 

Finances. 

There is no stopping Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2". I've never seen anything like it. He's only played 10 games and has scored 8 goals.  

I wish my Ass Man would stop bloomin taking him off though. 

Edited November 2, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Sonic Youth]

Looking good for promotion, with a free scoring DC leading the charge  

[Jimbokav1971]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Looking good for promotion, with a free scoring DC leading the charge  

He's unbelievable and to think that I had him out on loan and I was completely unaware! 😂

I must admit that I' not a huge fan of gaming set pieces, but because I was looking at attacking free-kicks last season, (with a view to trying to get my lurker to work properly so we didn't concede from attacking positions), I basically looked at all the attacking set-pieces and did what I have always done and this is the result. 

We haven't conceded many from set pieces, but I think this is the fact that I've got 2 decent DC's and also 2 rotating DM's who are also big lumps and heading balls away is their strength. I am losing my best centre-half on a free at the end of the season though, (but fingers crossed it won't matter if we get promoted and a better standard of player becomes available). 

Really enjoying the save at the moment and on a temporary basis at least, all the financial problems have been put to the back of my mind. It will be interesting to see how things change in the league above, (if and when we get there).

[Edit]

I should add that I was playing with 1 BPD and 1 normal centre-half, but despite them not being suited at all I have reverted to 2 BPD's. Sometimes what's good for the tactic is better than what's good for the player and in this case it's quite extremely not suitable to the players, but still works better than changing to suit the players. 

Edited November 2, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Youth Intake Day. 

I'm not going to comment. I am however going to add this info to my bug thread. 

How it started. 

How it's going. 

Youth Intake preview. 

Summary. 

Talents. 

Squad by PA. 

While the above 3 players are rated with the best PA, the players I probably like the look of most are these 2.

The only thing I will comment on is who is getting a contract and why. Basically it's a case of looking for a reason NOT to offer a contract, while at the same time being aware that lots of what we're looking at is probably complete and utter boll.... rubbish. 

Working from the bottom up.....

(26p) Gascón. won't be offered a contract because of the Low Det + Unamb combo. 
(26j) Caparrós. won't be offered a contract because of the Low Det + Unamb combo.
(26i) Medrano has just sneaked through, but he was lucky because workrate of 5 almost had him out the door. 
Lastly we have the moment @Thebakerhas been waiting for...... 
(26b) Siles (POL)(ESP) has the Low Det + Unamb combo, and if that isn't bad enough he ALSO has workrate of 5. Every fibre of my being wants me to discard him but..... he's 2nd on the list ranked by PA and I just can't do it. (I'm a sell-out!) 

[Jimbokav1971]

If we don't sign them, what happened to them? Apr 2026. 

Let's have a look at players from previous intakes who are no longer at the club. 

(23a) Kodermac (SVN) MR was signed  by us and then moved away when Slovenian side MND Tabor Sežana met his £50k min fee release clause & is now playing for them in the Slovenian 2nd Tier. 
(23d) de la Hoz DR was signed by us and then moved away when Racing Santander met his £59k min fee release clause and is now on loan at their B Team in Tier 4. 
(23g) Alemany wasn't offered a contract and was picked up by a Spanish 4th Tier side, (who were then promptly relegated).
(23m) Carlos wasn't offered a contract and has retired.
(23p) Escobar wasn't offered a contract and was picked up by a Spanish 4th Tier side, (who were then promptly relegated).

(24e) Gracia. wasn't offered a contract by us and then joined an U19 side who don't seem to have a senior side. 
Manuel Bermudez has retired. 
Daniel Gabriel has retired. 
Juan Jose Recio has retired.

(25h) David. wasn't offered a contract by us and then joined an U19 side who are an affiliate of Racing Santander. 
(25j) Juanlu. 6'3" wasn't offered a contract by us and then joined an U19 side who don't seem to have a senior side. 
Andres has retired. 
Migeul has retired. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Apr 2026. 

Primera Federación Grupo I. After dropping 2 points away to Badajoz in the last game of the month we're 8 points clear with 5 games still to play. Surely the title is ours? 

Goal-scoring GK's. Just 2 shots from Leandro this month, both of them on target and 1 resulting in his 33rd career goal. 

 

Finances. 

[Jimbokav1971]

May 2026. 

Primera Federación Grupo I. We limped over the line in the end, with just 2 wins from our 5 games this month, but we're still unbeaten in 29 games and were comfortably clear of the chasing pack by a whopping 9 points. 

Goal-scoring GK's. 3 shots from Leandro, all 3 on target and resulting in 1 goal so he finishes the season in double figures for goals for the 2nd time. 

 

Finances. 

Our old budget was £128,570 per month so this is a significant (approx 30% rise in our budget). I'm not sure it will help us attract better players than we could already attract, because players of the standard we already have will now want a higher wage from us because we're playing at a higher level. 

The good news, (and tell me am I alone in doing this), but I don't have a single player at the club who has either a yearly & pay rise or a % pay rise after promotion. Not a single 1. 

I do have 3 players who get +years on their contract after promotion though, (and I don't mind that at all). 

We get the ability to sign more staff, but I'm just a little reluctant to spend too much on staff rather than players while our finances are so tight.

Records. 

Scouting. Before promotion was confirmed I had 1,387 African players on my shortlist. It will be interesting to see what that's like once we move up.

[Rikulec]

Onwards and upwards!

[Jimbokav1971]

Just now, Rikulec said:

Onwards and upwards!

Yep. It was good to get that one out of the way after missing out on the Playoffs in Season 3. 

I would like to think that we will comfortably stay up next season, but we won't really know until we start playing matches next season. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Leandro 6'1" retires. 

It's often hard to get going with a Goal-scoring GK at the start of the save, but I just dive in with whoever would have been 1st choice anyway. I commented to @Makoto Nakamurathat Leandro looked really awkward to my GK's in previous issues of the game and also to his GK Nathan, but this could be down to height, preferred foot or any number of reasons. Leandro got us up and running though and 34 goals (+ 16 assists), in 4 seasons is better than decent for this phase of the save in my opinion. 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

GK Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

Leandro is retiring so I will certainly be on the lookout for a new GK, but if I'm completely honest I'm more than a little bit interested in seeing what (25c) Rafa 6'4" can do from corners. If I find a better GK then great, but if not then we will just go with (25c) Rafa 6'4".

1st Team. (25c) Rafa 6'4"
B Team. (23o) Roca 5'11"'s contract is up and he wants to be considered an Important player. He might be leaving. 
U19's. (24h) Avilés 6'0" & (26h) Redondo 6'2".
Sell.
Loan.
Released. Leandro 

Playing (25c) Rafa 6'4" in the 2nd Tier in Spain might be a little bit of a risk. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

DL. We've got 12 months left on Josema so I'm not going to sign another DL unless there is a really good one available on a free. 

1st Team. (23b) Escalona (VEN) & Josema.
B Team. (25a) Romero & (23j) Ruiz 5'11" DL
U19's. (26k) Camacho &  (25l) Moukoko (CMR)
Sell.
Loan. (23j) Ruiz 5'11" DL
Release. 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

DR. The backup last season was Mbae (COM)(FRA) and he's not really a right back so I will hopefully find one we can sign who will improve us. We also need someone to come into the B Team.  

1st Team. Ramazani (BDI)(BEL)
B Team.
U19's. (25l) Moukoko (CMR) & (26n) Gabieiro.
Sell.
Loan. 
Release. (24g) Rivero (ESP)(ARG)

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

DC. I'm sorry to be losing Erimuya (NGA) 6'3" because he did really well for us, but I won't be sorry to get his big wage off the books. I need to extend the contract of (23c) Víctor 6'0" which is proving tough work. 

I'm actually already done deals to bring in 2 young centre-backs. Sibacha (ECQ)(ESP) * will start if I can't find anyone better but Mohamed (MAR)(ESP) 6'0" is more of a project. 

1st Team. Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2" & Sibacha (ECQ)(ESP) *.  Mbae (COM)(FRA). 
B Team. Mohamed (MAR)(ESP) 6'0" (23c) Víctor 6'0" & (26c) Arkhipov (ESP)(RUS) 6'5".
U19's. (24l) Núñez (ESP)(BAS) 5'10", (25g) Álex 6'0", (24k) González 6'5", (24f) Sánchez (PAR)(ESP) 6'0" & (26g) Durán Durán 6'1".
Sell.
Loan.
Release. Erimuya (NGA) 6'3", Ali Abdul Rahman (GHA) 6'0"

[Edit]

Actually I don't have to offer (23c) Víctor 6'0" a new contract because he has a +2 clause after promotion. I must admit thought that I'm a little concerned that someone will come in and sign him on a free before the promotion triggers, (it hasn't triggered yet), and we will lose him on a free and the clause will never trigger. 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

 

[Jimbokav1971]

Supporters Profile. Jun 2026. 

This is interesting. 

In a season where we won the league by 9 points and went twenty-something games unbeaten to the end of the season we seem to have lost followers on social media, (fickle bunch), but also some of our core supporters have become less ardent supporters and are now only deemed fair weather fans. That seems wrong to me. 

I received this message advising me that not only have we lost social media followers, (who cares?), but we have also had a group of fans who have become less serious in their support for the club. These things in and of themselves don't seem too ridiculous and it's probably right that they go together. What doesn't seem correct is that we lose followers and fan loyalty at a time when we've just won the league and gone 29 games unbeaten. That's just wrong. 

This is the Supporters Info from 23rd May 2026. 

This is the supporter info from 7th Jun 2026. 

I know it's only 1%, but it's wrong. This is a typical example of SI introducing a new feature and bigging it up as significant because it's "fluid" and will impact on other areas, but it's complete bull because once again it doesn't work and is simply cosmetic. What happens with the actual team hasn't influenced this change. It's at best random. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

DM. This is actually quite a key position for us and while I see the role in this slot evolving as the save progresses, it has very much been that of a destroyer in recent season and with that in mind I have 2 big lumps playing there. That actually doesn't mean that I don't want them to play. They need to play. But at 6'3" and 6'4" they will also be able to provide a screen in front of our centre-backs. 

1st Team. Mohamed (COM)(FRA) 6'3" & Doumbia (MLI) 6'4".
B Team. (25b) Ochoa (ESP)(MLI)
U19's. (26m) Jorge, (26l) Manuel
Sell.
Loan. (23l) Soler HG
Release. Lillo (ESP)(ETH) 6'1"

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

MC. We had a good central midfield with plenty of depth last season and I really don't feel the need to sign anyone new despite the promotion. Don't get me wrong, I will still be on the lookout for anyone who makes us better, but I really am relaxed about the middle of the pitch. It looks like we've got loads of bodies here, but lots of them are youth players so it's not a contract. Many of them also aren't central midfielders. 

1st Team. Julio Iglesias & Tassembédo (BFA). Frimpong (GHA) & Diallo (ESP)(GUI).
B Team. Jota & (23e) Manuel, (24b) Soler, (23n) Muiños
U19's. (26d) Álvarez DLP, (25e) Tchamba (ESP)(CMR), (25b) Ochoa (ESP)(MLI), (24c) Monge, (25m) Suárez, (25n) Abreu
Sell.
Loan. (23e) Manuel
Release. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026. 

ML & MR. These are probably the 2 weakest areas of the squad, (especially the right flank), and with that in mind I've already arranged for 2 MR's to arrive on a free, Yvan (EQG)(ESP) & Sylla (GUI)(FRA). I would love to make a big marquee signing out wide. 

ML.

1st Team. Faye (SEN) & David Alfonso.
B Team. (23k) Álvarez & (25f) Morillo ML, (24n) Igbokwe (ESP)(NGA) ML, (24d) Iglesias ML, (24p) Benítez ML.
U19's. (26b) Siles (POL)(ESP) ML, (26a) Wurster (POR)(GER), (25d) Candela, (24a) Orta ML, (26f) Rajković (CYP)(SRB), (25o) Ordóñez
Sell.
Loan.
Release.

MR. 

1st Team. (23h) Vallejo MR & Yvan (EQG)(ESP).
B Team. (23i) Raúl MR & Sylla (GUI)(FRA).
U19's. (24i) Nicolás, (26i) Medrano
Sell.
Loan.
Release.
Injured. El Arbaoui (ESP)(MAR) is going to miss the whole season.

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad Depth. Jun 2026.

SC. This has been an area of strength so far in this save, but although Awudu (GHA) scored 39 goals last season and I'm sure will do well in the league above this season, we don't have the depth that we have had in previous seasons. Soga (CMR) was a decent backup, but he's getting paid £10k per month so I'm happy to see him leave and will have to replace him. (23f) Francisco SC is very raw and couldn't hit a cows bum with a banjo, but he has ridiculous physical ability and good PA so I'm just thinking he might be a good option from the bench. I think I would prefer to sign a new striker and drop (23f) Francisco SC to the B Team or loan him out. 

1st Team. Awudu (GHA) & (23f) Francisco SC.
B Team.
U19's. (26e) Ramis SC, (26o) Daniel & (25i) Cheikh (ESP)(MAR).
Sell.
Loan.
Release. Soga (CMR)

[Sonic Youth]

Congrats on winning promotion 

[Sonic Youth]

5 hours ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

This is the supporter info from 7th Jun 2026. 

What’s with your supporters wanting attacking and defensive football, with direct play? 

[Jimbokav1971]

5 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

Congrats on winning promotion 

Thanks. Was an absolute nailed on certainty after I brought Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2" back from being loaned out. We re-called him on 15th Jan and then never lost again for the rest of the season.

Will be interesting to see how we get on in the league above, because having just gone through the squad, apart from a GK, ML & SC, I don't think I actually want to sign anyone. Obviously if someone really good is available on a free then I might sign them anyway, but I'm also really trying to restrict myself to younger players too. 

Still no loans on the horizon though. Maybe that will happen closer to the window closing? 

[Jimbokav1971]

6 hours ago, Sonic Youth said:

What’s with your supporters wanting attacking and defensive football, with direct play? 

That's a really good spot. I hadn't noticed that at all. It does seem to be somewhat contradictory. 

[Edit]

I've added it to my bug post. 

Attacking & defensive don't go together. 
Entertaining & direct don't go together. 

All of them together is just a muddle. 

To be completely fair though, I completely ignore how they want us to play and that's why I didn't even notice it. WHat generally happens is that they like what is successful to us, (set-pieces entertaining & high tempo), but then they also add in what they would actually like, (irrespective of whether it fits with what is already working). 

Set-pieces entertaining & high tempo is what's working, (so they want to keep that), but what they actually want to see is defensive & direct). If a new manager came in I would expect them to lean more towards the latter, but with an existing manager who has been playing this way for 4 seasons now, they should just be letting me get on with it. That being said, the bottom 2 are only preferred and favoured. 

Like I said though, it's none of their damn business anyway.  When we're rubbish they can have an opinion. Until then shut up! 

Edited November 4, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Sonic Youth]

28 minutes ago, Jimbokav1971 said:

I don't think I actually want to sign anyone.

Usually when I feel like this I look for either a good creative player that can give something extra without taking away from what is already there, even if I feel that position already has enough players. Kind of like that x-factor player.

[Jimbokav1971]

3 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Usually when I feel like this I look for either a good creative player that can give something extra without taking away from what is already there, even if I feel that position already has enough players. Kind of like that x-factor player.

Yeah, I will always be in the market for someone special, and if I can sign someone on a free for decent wages, who is better than what we have at the club already, (or younger), then it's a no-brainer. 

I might have said that I wasn't looking to sign anyone/many players, but..... plans change. 

[Jimbokav1971]

LaLiga 2 rules. JUl 2026. 

I think the main difference from last season is that we now have 2 more slots for over 19 outfield players. 

It's also interesting to note that while our total playing wage budget is £184,000 per month, there appears to be a squad salary cap, (for registered players) of only £166,000 per month. If that's true then it astonishing news because it should make us competitive at the top of the league immediately. I really wasn't expecting this at all. If this is actually a rule in the game, (I have never played in a league that had a squad salary cap before), then I think we could get promoted this season! 

Let's just hold our horses before we get too carried away though. 

[Jimbokav1971]

The Land of Milk and Honey. Jul 2026. 

I knew we would get more money at this level, but I wasn't expecting it to be anything like this. I was expecting £250k-£500k or something like that. 

[Edit]

Edited November 4, 2022 by Jimbokav1971

[Jimbokav1971]

Season Preview. Jul 2026. 

Ok, hang on a minute. Maybe I have misunderstood how this salary cap works. 

It can't work as I think it does if they have us at 250/1 for promotion. 

[Sonic Youth]

Isn’t there a screen to see everyone’s wage spend in this league?

[Jimbokav1971]

8 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Isn’t there a screen to see everyone’s wage spend in this league?

Not until the 1st game is played. It makes sense actually. If I haven't registered my squad, why would anyone else have?

[Thebaker]

I told you that the money was good for this league, congrats on promotion.

The salary cap is worked out on your income so it is different for every club

I think you are overlooking Silas good attributes for his position, pace, technique, ball control, dribbling are all good for a winger at that age

Edited November 4, 2022 by Thebaker

[Jimbokav1971]

39 minutes ago, Thebaker said:

The salary cap is worked out on your income so it is different for every club

Ahhhh. Now it makes sense.  (We're screwed aren't we?) 

[Jimbokav1971]

40 minutes ago, Thebaker said:

I told you that the money was good for this league, congrats on promotion.

Absolutely. I remember someone telling me it was good, but couldn't find the comment when I went back through the thread. 

[Jimbokav1971]

40 minutes ago, Thebaker said:

I think you are overlooking Silas good attributes for his position, pace, technique, ball control, dribbling are all good for a winger at that age

Let's have a look as Silas.....

This bloke?

He looks ok, and I think his PA is better than it was when he came through the intake, (yeah, it was 3.5 and it's now 4.5), but as I mentioned at the time I look at his Det value of 4, his (Unamb) personality and his Workrate 5 and it really puts me off him. 

Don't get me wrong, he's on a youth contract now and has already signed a Pro contract that will kick in later, (so he's here to stay), but I just don't think he's going to develop at anywhere near the rate that our right winger (23h) Vallejo MR has, or the Slovenian/Slovakian kid we had before him. Don't get me wrong, he's got a head-start over other players in the U19's because he's already got a little bit of ability about him now, but he will need to develop a bit to get a chance in the B Team and then he will have to develop a lot to move form the B team to the 1st Team. Looking at him, I'm not sure that's a reasonable expectation, (but let's keep our fingers crossed). The other thing to mention of course is that if I can get him developed just toa  reasonable level, then the bigger Polish clubs, (Polish structure isn't loaded), will be chasing him and I can get a few quid out of him. So he's certainly not going to be discarded. 

[Jimbokav1971]

Squad selection. Jul 2026. 

The 1st thing I want to do is work out who is registered, who I want to register, and who can't be registered. 

Actually, let's look at all the rules for this level 1st. I don't want to miss anything. 

2 auto Promotion spots + 4 Playoffs spots. 

4 auto Relegation spots. 

 B Teams can't be promoted, but can be relegated. 

25 man squad, 2 of which need to be GK's. 

This makes it harder to play fringe youth players. I have to consider carefully whether it's better to offer them an increased contract so that I can use them occasionally, or keep them on the old contract and loan them out. 

We have a 6,500 capacity all-seater stadium so no issues here, (but there will be if and when we get promoted). 

I think that just leaves the Middle East and Asia doesn't it? 

So now let's look at what our squad looks like when I register everyone and who misses out and why. 

GK. I don't have to register any GK's because they are all EU U19 players. I think I probably need to look for a GK.  

DL. (23b) Escalona (VEN) & Josema registered. 

DR. Ramazani (BDI)(BEL) registered & looking for 1 more player. 

DC. Nwachukwu (NGA) 6'2" & Sibacha (ECQ)(ESP) *. Mbae (COM)(FRA) 5'11"

DM. Mohamed (COM)(FRA) 6'3" & Doumbia (MLI) 6'4". 

MC. Julio Iglesias & Tassembédo (BFA). Frimpong (GHA) & Diallo (ESP)(GUI). 

ML. Faye (SEN), David Alfonso & Coulibaly (MLI)(ESP) ML. 

MR. I have 3 players I want to play here, but I can't register any of (23h) Vallejo MR, Yvan (EQG)(ESP) or Sylla (GUI)(FRA) without offering them new contracts. 

SC. Awudu (GHA) (I have wide players who can play up front, (+ (23f) Francisco SC if I sign him), so I'm not actually looking to bring in a SC at this stage. 

 

DL. (23j) Ruiz 5'11" DL not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £400 pm and is contracted for 1 more season. 

DC. Mohamed (MAR)(ESP) 6'0" not registered, (and can't be because he's only getting paid £2,000 pm and is a recent signing, contracted for 3 seasons). 

DC. (23c) Víctor 6'0" not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £525 pm and is contracted for 2 more seasons. He's a 5.0 PA player though. Do I give him a new contract and play him or do I loan him out? 

MC. (23l) Soler HG not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £5,250 pm and is contracted for 3 more seasons). I did have him earmarked to be loaned out though. 

MC. (23e) Manuel not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £1,100 pm and is contracted for 1 more season). I don't want to register him. 

MC. (23n) Muiños not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £240 pm and is contracted for 1 more season). I don't want to register him. 

MR. Sylla (GUI)(FRA) not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £ 2,000 pm and is a recent signing, contracted for 3 more seasons).

MR. El Arbaoui (ESP)(MAR) is out with a serious injury, (4 - 7 months), so I haven't registered him. 

MR. (23h) Vallejo MR not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £3,500 pm and is contracted for 2 more seasons). He's my 1st choice MR. I have to register him so I need to offer him a new contract. 

MR. (23i) Raúl MR not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £1,300 pm and is contracted for 1 more season). I have him earmarked for the B Team so that's fine. 

MR. Yvan (EQG)(ESP) not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £4,000 pm and is a recent signing, contracted for 4 more seasons). I have to register him so I need to offer him a new contract and I've only just signed him so not sure he will allow it. 

SC. (23f) Francisco SC not registered, (and can't be registered because he's only getting paid £2,100 pm and is contracted for 2 more seasons. 

That's everyone registered that I can register. 

I have 5 more outfield slots to fill, plus either 1 or 2 GK slots. 

I do have 5 players that I want to register, but some of them are recent signings and all of them are young, (18 or 19). If I'm going to be paying someone £5,568 per month, aren't I better going out and signing someone who is better, (but older), while these players develop in the B Team or out on loan? 

The 3 in bold are definitely going to be offered a new contract, but I think I might go and sign some more experienced players rather than paying the youngsters more. 

Boy this is a headache! 

[Thebaker]

I found loaning out the younger players to be the best bet rather than paying them more as they likely will not get many games and you can play u19's if you really have to.

I found the S American market to be the best as they get spanish nationaliy in 2 years so don't take up the non-eu slot for long. Not sure there are many S American/African nationality players though

[Sir_Liam]

And I thought Turkey's squad registration rules were complicated! 

Congratulations on the promotion though and if you can survive this season you'll be in a much stronger financial position in a year's time with the TV money and an increased salary cap (if I've understood that correctly).

Edited November 4, 2022 by Sir_Liam

[Jimbokav1971]

18 minutes ago, Thebaker said:

I found loaning out the younger players to be the best bet rather than paying them more as they likely will not get many games and you can play u19's if you really have to.

I found the S American market to be the best as they get spanish nationaliy in 2 years so don't take up the non-eu slot for long. Not sure there are many S American/African nationality players though

Yeah, makes sense. The only problem with that is that I have made promises to unhappy players about playing youth players in order to develop squad depth. 

4 players have just been promised that we will play Youth Players. 

Julio has been specifically promised that we will play Youth Players in goal, (so I think I'm going to stick with that). 

That means that the GK gets a new contract, but I also want to give the 3 players mentioned above in bold a better contract because they are actually going to feature so it will benefit their development more than sending them out on loan. 

(23h) Vallejo MR is a 19 year old right winger who I had planned on being 1st choice. He's also unhappy because he wouldn't sign a new contract without me promising to improve the Training Facilities, (so I did), but we obviously haven't been able to do that so I'm in trouble now. 

Yvan (EQG)(ESP) is a 24 year old right winger and I had planned on him being 2nd choice. 

Sylla (GUI)(FRA) is a 19 year old right winger. 

I think the reality is that I'm going to have to go out and sign experienced players in place of these 3 to get us through the 1st season at this level. 

Every day's a school day as they say.