FM23 - The most random journeyman save I've ever attempted - You Sell My Star, I Walk... Chapter 4 - Eritrea

[KibworthBull]

Winter Break 2027

It's often a long winter..

This one has had a couple of additions, lots of immediate outs and one heartbreaking depature pencilled in for the end of the season.

We'll start with the positive news stories. The new boys.

Dmytro Vykhrystiuk was a free agent. And had been for 8 years - which is a bit odd.. Our best option in that role.

At one point Loïc Bebey was rated within the best 50 wonderkids by those Next Gen people - he hasn't really kicked on since I left him in the Cameroon but he was available for £38k and didn't want an extreme amount. It also gives me a another point to my total before I can move on.

So two in.

And plenty of outs

Artur Murza was a semi regular on the left winger but the rest were either kids who need to get some football to kick on (Rudyi and Kravchuk) or kids who are country miles away from being professional footballers. It's the best part of £1k off the weekly wage bill.

But then on the last day of the transfer window...

The moment they sniffed around, we stood no chance.

[KibworthBull]

March 2027

Football is back.

We sit 3rd after the break and stand a realistic chance of European Football next season. So similar to last season and we kind of bottled it then.

Karpaty and Georges Mbah up first. He's yet to score for his new team and in this one, he didn't and no one else did either.

It's 11 unbeaten and Loïc Bebey scores to help make it 12 against LNZ.

What's the best way to test an unbeaten run?

Home games against Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar..

Kyiv absolutely schooled us... we took the lead but then BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG - all over by half time.

A record attendance and record gate reciepts.

All of our Cameroonians have been called up for international duty so miss the toughest game of the year.

As always an early goal is our downfall.

Another record attendance though.

Lots of teams bearing down on us though.

[KibworthBull]

April 2027

This month is quite sizable.

5 games and they are all winnable.

We held the lead against Veres but they snuck back to gain a point. Definately 2 dropped.

The Rukh game will be the first game on MoTD. 2-1 down, 3-2 down, 4-3 up. Ngah and Javier both with doubles. Kyiv also do us a favour by beating 6th place Kolos.

We thanked Kyiv and we needed it as we travelled to Kolos and they turned us over. 16 year old Vladyslav Moroz (Y) made his debut, that was the only positive.

The rest of the month needs to be a must not lose. Chernihiv was mission accomplished. Results went our way too.

Bebey has settled in lovely. 4 in 6 including the winner at Metalist.

9 points clear of the chasing pack with 4 to play. We can almost renew our passports.

Youth Intake happened and 3 scholars were signed on. None are ready right now, but in a couple of years might be.

[KibworthBull]

May and June 2027

We start tonight chasing the megabucks of the European Competitions.

9 points clear with 4 games to play.

Oleksandriia first and foremost in our minds. A big 3-0 win and we sit back and await the rest of the games to see if it's enough?

In a word... Yes

Top 5 is secured with 3 to play.

Europa Conference League as a minimum.

Another big win, this time against Kryvbas take us to the brink of securing 4th. Vorskla stumble and we have 4th in the bag.

We finished May with a another convincing win, this time over Lviv. Daniel Golani has been in sublime form this month, 5 assists and a goal.

Zoria away in the final game. Nothing for us, but Zoria can still snatch 2nd.

They don't though as we get another win and another clean sheet.

I've never met a Larry, but I bet they are as happy as I am right now.

[KibworthBull]

Stop Press...

Big end of Season news..

[KibworthBull]

Pre Season 2027.

The love affair between me and Cameroonians is over.

Okay we still have some, BUT my new love is Angola.

Cláudio Cipriano and Ricardino Simões have been on the radar for a while, both from the same club, and both were released back in March 2027, as soon as we qualified for Europe they were happy to talk. Both are experienced internationals.

Also joining are:

• Matviy Ponomarenko - 21yr old from Dynamo Kyiv, a Striker, a back up option with potential
• Danylo Honcharuk - 25yr old from Shahktar, another Striker, probably our best option up top
• Eduard Kozik - 24yr old from Dnipro1, mainly a Central Defender, but he can figure at Right Back if required. We actually paid a fee for him - £21k

Confirmation of the outs:

The biggest news of the summer was that Shakhtar's legendary manager Fatih Terim has retired, meaning they might be catchable this season - that is the hope. I applied for the job and didn't even get an interview - Dan Petrescu was the succesful candidate.

The new stadium, whilst in the long run will be good for us, has knackered us short term - normally the sponsorship money gives us a little bit of a buffer before we fall into debt in the 2nd half of the season. We start the season with £34k in the bank.

We need a good European Conference League Campaign..

We have Seville in the 3rd Round.. The one side that seemingly take the minor European Competitions seriously.

[KibworthBull]

August 2027

I wanted a couple of rounds before I tried my luck against some serious European talent..

Not first time.

For the first hour it was glorious, goals from Danylo Honcharuk and Kristijan Cvetanovski gave us a 2-0 lead, we were laughing, enjoying it, and then the sucker punch and sucker punch again. A draw, at home, it feels like a defeat.

A new record attendance.

In Spain we weren't really in the game, we got a late goal back up it was always beyond us. We do however get £500k out of our "run"

We kicked off the league campaign at Veres and new boy Honcharuk had a good day.

I never think it's fair when we play Kyiv. One day we will win - today is not that day.

One less Cameroonian at the club. Fodjo goes to Coton Sports - he never quite made the grade and we need the cash.

[KibworthBull]

September 2027

Transfer window slammed shut just prior to the Zoria game, no further additions were made. 

A nice convincing 4-1 victory starts of the month.

Plain sailing in the league games as we didn't face either of the scary two.

We rotated in the cup and lost. In typical Premier League mentality, we only realised AFTER the game that the Cup could be a good distraction from the league and a chance to win something.

Remember that plain sailing?

Yeah Metalist put paid to that.

We are exactly where the board expect us to be

[KibworthBull]

October 2027

*Checks calendar...see's Shakhtar this month... inwardly swears...

After the 2 defeats at the end of last month, it's important we bounce back with a win, and that's what we did against Dnipro1

Kristian Bako becomes the first player to represent Ukraine whilst employed by us as he gets 8 minutes against Senegal.

Vorskla (2nd), then Shakhtar (1st) - that win against Dnipro was extremely important. Daniel Golani comes back from the International break crocked so misses both.

Vorskla are still our senior affiliate, but they were deffo second fiddle when we smashed 5 past them - Danylo Honcharuk with a treble.

We were 3rd when we beat Vorskla but defeat to the Invincibles 3 days later saw us in 8th. In the end it was a good recovery to ensure we only dropped points in one game

Title already looking fairly stable..

Confirmation that Francisco Javier moves on in January - back to Spain and Cadiz - for all his ability, he's just not consistent enough and on a decent wage. 20 in 61 games. Compared to others it wasn't enough to be first choice.

[KibworthBull]

November 2027

My first Cameroonian Love versus My Second.

Away at Karpaty..

Neither did anything.

But we secured our 4th straight 2-0 win.

Kremin play in the same ground as us (for this season at least) - our local rivals. They sit 16th without a win so far.

Cláudio Cipriano the toast of the town with a hat-trick.

The monthly horror show - this time in Kyiv at Dynamo. And for 80 minutes it was glorious, then they turned it on and dragged themselves back into a draw.

When we got back from Kyiv there were 3 teams to play us - or that's how it felt. 3 games in a week, or 4 in 9 days.

Thankfully that was it until March so plenty of recovery time for the boys.

Late goals were our downfall but another good month.

As good a month as it was, no gloves are being laid on Shakhtar

Not sure what my Assistant is smoking but I want some..

[KibworthBull]

January Transfer Window - 2027/28

Trying to strengthen the squad when your finances look like this is tricky

Bear in mind that this is AFTER we have culled a number of players from the squad.

Leaving are (deep breath)

• Roman Konov (Y) - youth intake DM has dropped a level for £1k
• Blendi Belančić - Croatian teen winger, has not developed quite enough, gone back home for £2.2k
• Victor Zykov (Y) - 3rd choice keeper, gone down two levels, £3.5k
• Francisco Javier - Spanish striker who never quite scored consistently enough - Cadiz offered £475k
• Denys Barchenko and Artem Benediuk were both regulars last season but had dropped down the pecking order and were out of contract in the summer, both have moved on free transfers to 1st Division clubs.

In all it's transfer fee's of around £500k and a reduction off the wage bill of nearly £3k per week.

This has allowed us to sign TWO players..

Yehor Rudenko can play anywhere on the left hand side and has been a bit part player for Dynamo Kyiv since coming through the academy there. We've paid £10k for him, but it's a no money straight away and then £10k over 6 easy installments.

Ivan Donets has come in on loan for the rest of the season (completely free) from a first division reserve side... I actually quite like the look of him. I don't have many options in the DMC roll and this guy has good potential and does what he does well - if he doesn't do something then he's terrible but Marking, Tackling, Passing are all good, Decent Mentals and some Physicals too.

[KibworthBull]

March 2028

Much love from the man who keeps animals safe

It would be nice if his side can roll over and not stuff us?

Unbelieveable!!! We don't concede early, we don't flounder and we secure a point, Our best result ever against them lot...

In typical FM fashion, we follow an unbelievable result with a defeat, Zoria nick the only goal of the game.

We very nearly made it back to back defeats but had Cláudio Cipriano's 93rd minute equalisier to thank to get something out of Metalist.

The international break came and went before we travelled to Dnipro-1 - a side having a good season and sit in 3rd at kick off.

Too good for us on the day - we peaked in the first game. Not how I saw it panning out.

Well placed for Champions League has turned into either Europa or Conference League.

8 games left, we should get something but need a good month to get into Champions League (Top 2)

 

[KibworthBull]

April 2028

April Fools Day.

Karpaty at home.

Win much needed.

It took us a long time to get into our stride. 2-2 after 85 minutes but we get the win we needed.

Much better against Kolos, although we let them back into it from 3-0, we hung on for another 3 points. Marjan Ristevski hasn't had nearly as a good a season as last year but his double moves him to 8 in 16.

Chornomorets Odesa are fighting like beavers at the bottom of the table, we didn't give them any wood to build that damn. 

Victory over Vorskla completes a perfect month and secures a European spot for next season. What competition is still to be decided.

Ristevski hits 6 in the month.

3rd as it stands, which would be Europa League Group Stage - depending on who wins the Cup.

Youth Intake, and we got a DM for the future.

[KibworthBull]

May and June 2028

Cherif Gnahe is a wanted man, by most of Europe - he has a 1.4m release clause and sooner or later someone is going to trigger it.

2,213 watched us beat Kryvbas, at least 50% of the crowd were scouts watching Gnahe.

Injuries meant that Alexey Petrov (Y) made his debut between the sticks against Kremin - our local rivals have already been relegated and we compounded the misery.

Metalist 1925 are the 3rd side this month that are in the relegation zone when we play them. Marjan Ristevski bags a treble and we are guaranteed at least 3rd.

Our win put us into 2nd and Zoria lost to Kyiv so it's really ours to throw away. At Rukh.

And we throw it away.

Defeat means 3rd

Not the best news

Neither is this...

 

[KibworthBull]

Season 2028/29 Preview.

Breaking News...

Dan Petrescu has moved onto to be the Serbia manager AND if you can't beat them... join them..

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2028

And I don't even get chance to take my coat off before the first game. A Super Cup against Dynamo Kyiv

A quick recap on what we need to do to get out of Ukraine.

We need 100 points to move on. We are currently on 29

• 25 points for gaining promotion out of the 2nd tier
• 2 points for moving a staff member to a new club - Jon Obi Mikel joined me at Hirnyk-Sport and has followed to Shakhtar
• Another 1 point quickly followed as Vadim Nazarov came across as U19 fitness coach
• 1 point for moving a player to join me at the new club - Loic Bebey came from Fauve Azur to Hirnyk-Sport

A succesful season means we can move to Venezuela.

Start as you mean to go on boys..

25 more points in the bag - everytime we win the Cup.

This puts us onto 54 points.

The only area of the Shahktar squad that looks weak(ish) was up top, so I have splashed the cash and bought in Victor Kilama from Barcelona for £9.7m

 

[KibworthBull]

August 2028

We continue to be busy in the transfer market. Kristijan was a superb Right Back from me and was happy to be convinced to travel along. Another point for the challenge.

I've also bought in Francis Akoli a midfielder from Congo - another who was out of my price range at Hirnyk.

Opening fixture of the league season... it had to be..

This Shakhtar team has Mykhaylo Mudryk, which is rather pleasant. He scores and we get the 3 points. I get pelters from the away fans.

He gets a couple more against Oleksandriia and also newboy Kilama scores. 100% record after 2. It's what the fans expect.

 

[KibworthBull]

September 2028

Full Disclosure - I have no idea how the Champions League works. In real life I have very little interest in it. My team will never play in it.

But FM is different.

In this month we travel to Real Madrid and host Juventus.

But before we make that start, we travelled to Veres looking to keep a 100% record going, Petar Enev, our deadline day signing from PSG, made his debut between the sticks. He's Bulgaria's No.1 but he'll be a rotational option for us.

Our 4-1 defeat to the Real version of Madrid pails into comparison when you see that Barcelona put 10 (ten) past Celtic.

A terrible result against Dnipro-1 - a goalless draw. We missed a penalty too.

Back on it against Rukh, Victor Kilama with a double, although we did concede our first goal of the season.

At Hirynk we had an Israel winger, Shakhtar have one too. This one is a bit better. He scored (Manor Solomon) the winner against Juve - our road to Champions League glory has started.

Early stages

[KibworthBull]

October 2028

More chance of Champions League glory this month.

A lot of league games first.

Bottom side Epicenter make their way over to us on the 1st, a professional performance puts 4 past them.

After an international break, two tough home games, Zoria (3rd) and Kolos (5th) before a trip to Germany in the Champions League.

Zoria are an extremely strong side and would probably claim to be the 2nd best in the country, so to win is a very pleasing result, Mykola Matvienko, veteran Full Back with the only goal.

No such nerves against Kolos, 5 star showing before boarding the plane to Hoffenheim.

Only 1 goal in Hoffenheim, it was a poor match and a poor showing, we are 0 from 2 outside of Ukraine. We sit 26th with the top 24 progressing.

Back on it against lowly Obolon. Another 5. Although it was only 2-0 after 82 minutes.

Bukovyna Chernivtsi are not in the league, but they are in the Ukrainian Cup, hence our meeting. I've got a poor record in the cup, but Shakhtar don't. We miss a lorry load of chances, but progress 4-1. 

Karpaty are the last side to feel our wrath, although we again waste SOOOO many chances. One day we will destroy a side.

Perfect league month, Cup progression, just a shame about the Champions League

[KibworthBull]

November 2028

Big month.

Kyiv and the old employers both to be played and we need some positive Champions League stories.

Holland, Amsterdam, Ajax first.

Whatever the magic formula is for Europe, we don't have it. Ajax teach us a footballing lesson.

We are much safer on home soil, although Kyiv are unbeaten. Correction - were. A real humdinger of a game, but we came through it nicely.

When I left Hirnyk they were about to move into a new stadium - that move has completed and that's where we rocked up after the international break. I don't get the red carpet..

We hit 7 - it should have been more.. I leave the ground in dark sunglasses and a wig.

There is no time to recover before we face Oleksandriia. Lots of rotation and an early goal and we can relax. Made even better that top of the table (because they have played 3 games more, Vorskla, lost for the first time this season)

AC Milan come to town. 5 to go and we are 3-1 up and cruising. How we only end up with a point - well I know how, we conceded twice, but you know the saying. Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to be brilliant.

Regulation and Routine, Dnipro-1 are beaten.

Plenty of games in hand domestically.

A new one on me..

So i am meeting expectations AND not wasting cash? How dare I!!!

I'm now going to go off and spend lots of cash..

[KibworthBull]

December 2028

I've toured the Nou Camp. 

It was lovely. A really warm day in August 2010.

Not sure what it's like in December, but I don't fancy our chances in our only game this month.

As long as we get off to a good start..

Balls..

"Some" great wins... We've only won 1 game.

 

[KibworthBull]

January 2029

The first day of the month is an incredibly busy day.

7 new arrivals

Cipriano is an additional point (so we have 56 now).

Ladji Zadi was someone I was sweet on before he went to Vorskla, and it weakens them a little bit.

The best of the bunch is Nikolov

In the out column. I've reduced the number of foreigners - none of them were regulars.

But onto the football.

Two matches.

Both at home in the Champions League and both winnable.

Besiktas first. 5 debutants in the squad, but it's the old guard that see us through.

Home games are easy.

Then in -5 degrees and snow, we saw off Celtic with a first goal for Ladji Zadi

The reward?

Red Bull Salzberg

Edited February 8, 2023 by KibworthBull

[KibworthBull]

February 2029

We get home advantage and batter Salzberg scoring 6 times..

They sadly scored 3 of their 4 chances. I'd feel happier with a 3-0 win.

Manor Solomon with a hattrick.

From massively exciting, to dull and boring. But effective

A 1-0 defeat in Austria means we progress.

AC Milan - we drew 3-3 in the group stage, we led 3-1 though. A tough but a winnable home leg.

A complete shambles.

Whilst we are not out, the phrase "A good one to win from here" seems valid.

[KibworthBull]

March 2029

We are entering the last few months of Chapter 2 (we hope...)

We started the month at home to Veres, it took us a hell of a long time to take control, only confirming the win thanks to two late penalties from Danylo Sikan - who says the big clubs get the decisions..

Giving AC Milan a two goal head start is not the ideal preparation but we went to the San Siro and tried but once they scored it became impossible. We travelled back with £8.25m, which isn't bad for an evenings work.

My replacement at Hirnyk lasted 221 days

Back to league action and we travelled to lowly Nyva, Cláudio Cipriano showed his worth with 4 goals as we get "6 of the best"

The cup is a priority for me as it's 25 points, so a strong side went to Metalist and we managed to scrape through.

A few days later, they came to us in the league and met Danylo Sikan in some from - a hattrick and the news got better that Vorskla dropped 2 points so we moved to the top of the table.

30 players went off to play some international football and when they returned we went to Zorya who are third in our little mini league at the top.

But that game is in April...

Plenty of games in hand

[KibworthBull]

April 2029

Games come thick and fast now. 8 league games in 27 days. 

Zoria (3rd) - a big game. It wasn't pretty but the old guard did the job - Sikan and Mudryk

Away to Kryvbas 3 days later - Zoria and Vorskla go head to head as well. Mudryk gets 3 and Zoria lose to put them out of the race.

Rukh next, again 3 days later, lots of rotation happening. Staggeringly we still haven't played any of our games in hand, but we do extend our lead - Vorskla are held to a draw by Dynamo Kyiv and we win.

3 days... you get the picture.

Away to Vorskla. HUGE.

Victory gives us the advantage. 

A cagey affair, but that boy Mudryk is on fire and we force our way past them.

It feels like we played Kryvbas about a week ago (we did), but it was several games ago now, anyway, the return league fixture is played out to the same result as the first.

Rukh again. This time cup. Only 1 goal, but it's ours and we have a final on our hands.

It's against Dynamo Kyiv so i'm sure we'll lose.

The Champions League is secured thanks to another couple of Mudryk goals against Kolos. That's 21 for the season, and 11 assists to boot.

We finally hit a game in hand, lowly Nyva, we get all 5 of the goals.

It shows how strong the squad we have is, we can play all those games, heavily rotate through all of them and get a perfect month.

Whilst we haven't officially won the league, i'm checking flights to Venezuela.

[KibworthBull]

May and June 2029

The last knockings of Ukraine.

A potential double can be secured in the first two games.

Away to Obolon (15th) in the league, victory will give us a league title, and then 3 days later we face Kyiv for the Cup.

A fully rotated squad for Obolon..

I can only claim credit for one of the trophies but that's the country of Ukraine complete

And 3 days later...

We left it late but that's another trophy to my collection.

A bunch of reserves took on Karpaty, Nikita Talibov (Y) enjoyed the day, marking his debut with a hattrick. He also breaks the record for youngster player and goalscorer.

Kyiv in the league, and our equal worst result of the season. A 2-2 draw. They scored late.

The kids got another chance away at Epicenter, they've already been relegated.  Igor Savchenkov (Y) gets two as does Talibov (Y) - which shows the gulf in class.

We rolled into June - we haven't told the board yet that we are off - and faced Vorskla and got the better of them to complete an unbeaten season.

So Ukraine is complete.

181 points from the nation - 154 of them secured this season.

Manager Profile:

And the final step...

Time to start Chapter 3...

 

[KibworthBull]

 

The period of unemployment lasted 21 days

Aragua are a side struggling at the wrong end of the table.

They are however, quite a well funded club with lots of space in the wage budget and some transfer kitty.

Star Man:

Ade is undoutabedly the star of the show, but we have decent depth in most places bar the strikers.

[KibworthBull]

July 2029

Our first month see's two games in the Opening Phase and one in the Closing Phase.

It appears the new manager bounce is real...

5-0 home victory. The fans already adore me.

Kevin Castellanos, a not so great MC with a double, as well as the aforementioned Ade Oguns getting two.

Caracas spoil the party, reminding us we wont have everything our way.

The opening stage ends with us in 16th place.

We opened the closing stage with a bang. Ade Oguns again the man.

In terms of transfers as the window has just opened.

• Jhon Torrealba, a striker from opening stage champions Deportivo Táchira. He's on loan till the end of the year
• It's tradition that I have Cameroonians, so the signing of Joseph Mbom will surprise no-one. A Right Back from the top tier of the country. £40k
• Naby Nouah Fofona is my 4th and final foreign player I am allowed, a DM, who at 20 is already a regular for Guinea

I wont have to worry about keeping track of signing former players as they all don't want to know...

Even staff aren't keen..

The out door has been busy too.

As normal the AI have stored far too many players, but we have found it fairly easy to move them on, which makes a nice change.

 

[KibworthBull]

August 2029

The opening game of the month is a free hit. Away to Deportivo Tachira - the best team in the land this year. 

I have absolutely no words... our Senegalese Centre Back Mouhamadou Thiakane grabs a hattrick and we win 6-1.

Another victory follows before we have our local derby against Caraboba - 53 miles apart according to a quick google search. The board and everyone wants a win... we lose 1-0.. It's where we are right now. Capable of fantastic wins and poor defeats.

I'm hoping we can sneak into 8th and get into the Champions Play-Offs - if we can win that... 100pts and the nation is done!

Back to Back defeats may have put paid to that dream, but it means I can give the youngsters chances for next season in mind.

We had some good un's, we had some average un's, we had some bad un's

9 games left, 7 points behind the play-offs. It's still possible.

I started the course in Ukraine and finished it in Venezuela. I've gone for the pro course straight away.

[KibworthBull]

September 2029

August was games every 3 days, September is much more sedate.

Petare have had a similar season to us, Jhon Torrealba wins it late, our loanee has his 10th of the season - 8 of them for us.

The international break didn't see much happening apart from the President announcing he was stepping down - we now have a transfer embargo whilst new owners are sorted.

A draw against the side bottom of the table - two points dropped as we conceded very very, very late.

A new owner and an additional 50k in the coffers - not needed, but no complaints from here.

The new board saw us beat Zulia, but the fact they are second bottom suggests that was expectations met rather than anything else.

We only dropped two points in the whole month. 

And we sit two points behind the play-offs.

[Vakama2619]

Quick question, did the Qwert megapack **** up the European coefficients and qualification places in your game?

[KibworthBull]

8 hours ago, Vakama2619 said:

Quick question, did the Qwert megapack **** up the European coefficients and qualification places in your game?

I havent noticed if they did. It all seemed correct.

[KibworthBull]

October 2029

We have a nice ability to get ourselves within touching distance of the Play-Offs before dropping away, just when it's our moment.

Academia Puerto Cabello beat us 2-0 in the latest near miss.

Ade Oguns bags a double in the next match to actually get us INTO the play-offs with 3 games left.

UCV provided a chance for the team to impress and they duly did.

We also appear to be one of the few form sides still battling

[KibworthBull]

November 2029

180 minutes left of the regular season.

Trujillanos away to start. Winner qualifies for the Play-Offs? It feels that way.

BOOM!!!

The perfect time for a cracking performance. Victory secures our play-off spot.

The final game of the season is meaningless. We are in 8th position whatever the result.

We gave some of the youngster a chance, as you do in that situation. It was the late show - both goals in the last 13.

There are some big point gaps in the nearly final league table

You see that side who finished 8pts better than the rest?

Yep...

Thats who we have to beat in the Quarter Finals - over two legs.

Diego Campos hasn't kicked a ball all season but had his chance as our main striker is on loan from our opponents, he scored early doors, but they came back with two cruical goals in the last 10 minutes. That, dear reader, was our chance.

In the 2nd leg, we got stuffed.

I didn't realise at the time, but if you finish in the top 4 of either of the Stages, you get into the Copa Libertadores - which is nice.

[Vakama2619]

23 hours ago, KibworthBull said:

I havent noticed if they did. It all seemed correct.

It happened to me, had Kazakhstan and Albania getting 4 teams qualifying for the CL Groups and none of the big 5 qualifying for the Groups

[RaySunshine]

Enjoyed following your journey so far. Good luck in South America!

[KibworthBull]

It's time to shake things up a little..

And by shake it up, I mean commit to staying in a country for a long time..

I've struggled a bit as this save doesn't really have an end goal, which in a way was nice, because I didn't have a far away goal to hit, so like, no pressure, but ultimately I need one...

So I'll add a layer of complexity onto this save.

The below is still valid..

I can only move on once I have achieved 100 points

Points can be gained by:

• 100 points for winning the top domestic league (think of it as the golden snitch in Quidditch)
• 25 points for winning a domestic cup
• 25 points for a promotion
• 1 point for each player that plays for me at multiple clubs
• 1 point for each member of staff that works for me at multiple clubs
• 1 point for signing an American national for my club side (excluding if/when I am managing in the US, Mexico or Canada)

HOWEVER

I also want to complete the Hexagon Challenge.

That's winning the Champions League's in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe and Oceania

HOWEVER...

I am only allowed to do it with sides from countries that have never won it before..

Which basically rules out the nations in Red..

I will still be able to manage in these nations, and the 100pts to move on is still applicable, but I cannot claim a Champions League win as part of the challenge here. Some continents appear to be easier than others - Europe has plenty of options, Africa has a few - Senegal for instance. North America has Canada. Oceania looks rather tricky to say the least, but as we are in South America that's where we will lay our hat for the considerable time being. I'll update the below every season, if new nations win their Champs Leagues.

Notes:

• Israel were ticked off by winning the Asian Champions League
• Serbia were ticked off by winning the European Champions League when they were part of Yugoslavia, but Red Star Belgrade are part of Serbia now.
• Australia won the Asian AND the Oceanic
• Solomon Islands is the only nation ticked off within the save itself.

 

 

[KibworthBull]

January 2030

It's time to welcome the new blood:

• Yohan Molleja, a goalkeeper signed from A.C.C.D. Mineros de Guayana for 12k - they got relegated last season but he looks solid enough to compete for the main starting spot.
• Maksym Bomashchuk, signed from Hirnyk Sport (1 point), he was solid for me in the Ukraine, just need the same from him again. A Central Defender.
• Josue Gutiérrez will hopefully be my main man up top, got 17 for Trujillanos Fútbol Club last year at the same level
• César Rondón, a squad player on the left hand side, useful more than anything. He was a free
• Ángel González, a dual national (he's American (1 more point), was with Atlanta United in MLS for two seasons, he did okay, another that will be a useful backup.

With the outs, Thiakane was one of our stars last season, but he wanted to leave and I'd already bought in Makysm. I've only got space for 4 FGN players.

Despite being told we had qualified for the main event, we've actually got the Copa Sudamericana.

Just the one league game this month as  Josue Gutiérrez settles in nicely.

 

[KibworthBull]

February 2030

Dominating but failing to get the victories - that's how this month gets summed up.

Monagas was a horror show, 2-0 in the 87th minute and somehow we didn't win. It was my birthday as well.

The positives is that Josue Gutierrez has settled in really well.

An unbeaten start to the season. As good as it's been, it should be better.

[KibworthBull]

March 2030

I'm not sure how the qualification works for the Copa Libertadores. In the rules it says the top 4 qualify for it, but it also says the Top 4 qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.

Looking at the sides from last season it would appear that getting to the final of the play-offs is key. So that becomes the aim.

The reality is that I'll settle for the Copa Sud next year. It's the slow build to improve things.

We missed a 1st minute penalty against Dynamo Puerto but thankfully it didn't prove costly.

No such blunders in the Guanare match, a converted penalty and numerous other goals.

Caraboba are (or maybe were) a good side in form.

One the early objectives will be to reduce the age of the starting 11 - most of our key players are approaching the twilight of their careers.

Our first foray into the Copa Sudamericana and we get a Venezuelan team. And by the looks of the draw, that's by design as all teams are playing their countrymen.

Caracas who are top, with an identical record to us.

Away from home. Evenly matched game. This time, we will take a draw and next month they come to us.

UCV concluded the month, and our old problems surfaced again.

Still unbeaten, but still could be better.

[KibworthBull]

April 2030

Maksym Bomashchuk is not known for his goals. 6 in 90 for me in Ukraine, and he hadn't scored in his first 9 games in Venezuela. He then gets 2 in 14 minutes and we are off and running in April.

Previously unbeaten Caracas came to us tied at 2-2 in the Copa Sudamericana. Our best performance of the spell. 6,242 watched it, which was a record attendance.

A tough draw. Maybe take 3rd. Only the top side progresses.

A victory over Bobby Zamora's side (maybe..) put us top of the table before we faced the side we had pushed off it.

Deportivo La Guaria ended our unbeaten run

It's off the Ecuador to lick our wounds. Wilson Barrios almost won it for us, but they equalisied at the death. A point away from home is okay, but we have tougher games to come in the next few months.

Deportivo Lara are struggling but we made hard work of it

Happy with where it sits right now

To get ourselves in a position where we can compete at the top South American table, we need to max out all facilities so the group stage cash is being spent

 

[KibworthBull]

May 2030

The first game of the month, home to the Brazilian SEP - not sure how, but a fantastic 3-0 win.

The attendance doubled our previous best, which was only set last month.

Between SEP and San Lorenzo was a poor league draw. This month will destroy some players as the games come thick and fast.

Talking of destroying, that's exactly what San Lorenzo does to us. We took the lead through AMC Orlando Sanabria but then they got into the game and didn't end well.

 Josue Gutiérrez took his seasonal tally to 20 with a treble in the victory against very lowly Yaracuyanos

Back to Copa Sudamericana action and the return match with San Lorenzo, again we take the lead, and again we let them back in and allow them to take the win.

Caracas are in 2nd, whilst we are top, so a 2-2 draw is a result which works better for us than them.

It's a tired group that arrived in Brazil for a game we cannot afford to lose if we are to qualify from the group. 

It was a tired performance, but we only lost it at the death.

SEP managed to qualify with a final-day victory over San Lorenzo, we drew, which surprises no one.

Only 2 wins in the month, it felt like a better month than it turned out to be.

3 games left of the opening stage.

[KibworthBull]

June 2030

It's nearly time for the summer break.

One match before a 40-day break. I've signed a new 2-year deal which the fans have celebrated like a goal.

3 goals in 11 proved that Club Deportivo Hermanos Colmenárez were already on the beach. It means we go into the break at the top of the table.

The Star of the opening stage of the season has been Josue Gutierrez

24 goals in 24 games, he's also young enough that he can still improve.

 

[KibworthBull]

July 2030

A transfer window has opened, and possibly even a door or two.

We've strengthened

Óscar Conde joins from mid-table Metropolitanos where he's been a regular for the past 5 seasons. He's cost £225k, but a lot of that is in instalments. He's played once for the national side so shows his pedigree.

We needed something extra on the wing and Saimon Ramírez promises to be just that. He's cost £49k from 2nd tier Zulia, but he's got a lot of experience in the top tier.

Both of these signings are short-term improvements, rather than long-term.

We can potentially win the opening stage of the competition with a victory over Petare. So naturally, we lose. Conde scores on debut.

It's a 3 way for the title...

 Josue Gutiérrez got a hattrick to give us the win we needed, but all the eyes were on Deportivo, they needed a win or we would have some silverware.

They win, so we settle for 2nd.

The Closing Stage of the comp gets underway in style, 5 of the best against Metropolitanos.

More Gutiérrez magic gives us a 2nd CS win.

We are starting to open up a gap going into August, where there is a lot of football to be played

[KibworthBull]

August 2030

Last month focused on the ins, now we focus on the outs at the end of the window.

2 keepers (Parra and Castro), both had opportunities but neither excelled. Davilla and Gonzalez at one stage looked like they both had real potential but neither has progressed.

Lots of games in August, so that means rotation.

Ángel González made a rare start up front and scored the final goal in the win over Rayo Zuiliano

Deportivo Tachira is a much tougher fish. A 2-0 win and they sacked their manager on the back of it.

It's nice that the squad are stepping up and scoring goals, Wilson Barrios with the double to beat Dynamo Puerto.

Monagas are bottom, two goals just before halftime, and a professional display in the 2nd half allowed us our 7th straight win - a new record for the club.

Carabobo is our derby - the Classico del Centro, and an early own goal gave us the boost we settled it in the 2nd half, but Joseph Mbom picked up another injury, our star right back just can't get fit at the moment.

6 more days in the month, and 3 more games. We need rest.

We have Josue Gutiérrez, yet another treble, to bring up his 30th of the season saw off Portuguesa.

Only 1 goal had been conceded this month before the UCV game, so naturally, we became like a sieve and let in 2, but scored 4. Another example where our defeated opponents sack their manager right away.

So close to a flawless month. Zamora actually led until late where we nicked a point.

We've secured a play-off place overall and have a good lead at the top of the Closing Stage

A personal milestone as I become fully qualified

[KibworthBull]

September 2030

A 3 games month, a big crunch match in the middle of two games we should win.

Away at Deportivo Lara, 0-2 playing against 10 men and they miss a penalty - we got out with a draw so feels like a win.

A defeat always feels like a defeat, especially when you the better side, but Deportivo La Guaria knick the only goal of the game.

Our lead is slipping away

A draw in the final game of the month means our lead is just 2 points

Estudiantes de Mérida were the ones that held us at the end.

Whatever happens, we will be in the Play-Off mix but I would like to win a stage

We had youth intake and it was rather good, led by the impressive AMC Gerardo Terán (Y) who has some extremely nice basics to work from.  True, he's got work to do but don't we all.

[KibworthBull]

October 2030

I've finally been able to convince the board to spend some money on the training ground. It's half our of money, but if we are to compete at the highest level, we need to max out everything. They've said no for months.

Yaracuyanos are almost relegated, so we HAVE to win.

And we do. Caracas drop a point so we have gained twice.

We play Caracas in a winner probably takes the Closing Stage situation.

Just rewards for our 40-goal man.. although he didn't feature.

Onto Caracas.. 

Our International, not picked, man of mystery saves our bacon with a late leveller. It's a result that is better for us than them.

We were always in control in the last game of the month

2 games left in the Closing Stage

Briefly mentioned last month, but it's a very promising intake all round

[KibworthBull]

November 2030

Last 2 games.

Petare at home, they are 16th. 

We play on Sunday so know exactly what we need - a win.

We are at full strength. And it shows with a dominant display which secures 1st place in the overall league - not that appears to matter.

APC are Academia Puerto Cabello, and also our opponents in the final game. We must avoid a 6-0 defeat.

 

A pretty and sweet 2-2 does the business.

I'm claiming this as a 25pt win for me in the challenge.

If we win the playoffs that will give us the League Title.

Estudiantes de Mérida, over two legs.

Cagey, Low Key, Dull. 1-1 in the away leg, Wilson Barrios with the equaliser, his 10th of the campaign.

At one point in the return leg we were 1 down.. but whilst we have Josue Gutiérrez we have goals, and he scored goals 47, 48 and 49 of the season to secure safe passage.

Maksym Bomashchuk wasn't scored for his goalscoring prowess, but thankfully he wore his shooting boots (they were both headers) in the 1st Leg of the Semi-Final. A 94th-minute winner gives us a slight advantage for the 2nd leg.

[KibworthBull]

December 2030

Let's hope there are more than 1 game to talk about this month.

Pedro Álvarez playing with half a knee scores the only goal of the game and we are into the final. A big deep breath.

We get 3 days before the 1st leg

Alvarez with a penalty gives us the advantage but they peg us back in the 2nd half.

Orlando Sanabria will miss the 2nd leg with suspension.

We didn't need Orlando...

A simply sensational victory

It's easy to see who was the star man

 

 

[KibworthBull]

January 2031

Welcome to 2031...

Transfers:

José Di Maio fits the model perfectly - a young player who can still improve and is also quite good. Molleja did alright last year but Di Maio is just better in every way. He cost £750k so it is our record signing under my watch, from Deportivo La Guaira who came 2nd last year. He's the 2nd choice for the National Side and has 3 caps to his name. I couldn't get a better Venezuelan keeper.

I really needed greater depth in the DM area - we play with 2 and have done since Cameroun if it ain't broken... 

Luis León was snapped up from relegated Yaracuyanos thanks to a generous release clause - we paid £52k. He's got 5* potential and will get opportunities, our issue last season was that we had 3 options and at times with injuries and suspensions, we were trying to fit square pegs into round holes.  Luis is good enough to be given chances. Guilmer Giro was released by Portuguesa Fútbol Club who got a play-off place and he was a key member of that squad, he'll do a job for me for this season and probably next but I need to find someone really good to come in - possibly from abroad. I have a vacant foreign space now so the scouts are out there.

The out tray has been busier but it's still not been hectic. 3 kids who were never good enough and have joined lower graded sides, and Angel Gonzalez who has gone to one of the midtable sides. Angel was our American dual national, he did a decent backup option, and had told me he was leaving at the end of his deal - end of the season - so offered him out and snapped up the cash.

Our squad is good enough to win this league and that's my expectation. I am heavily scouting the national players as there is a lot of decent talent out of the country, and maybe I can convince one of them to come back. As mentioned, I am also looking to fill that vacant FGN spot - either a DM or AM.

This season will be all about seeing how far we can go in the Copa Libertadores.

We've gone straight into the group stages and we nearly know the group.

We kicked off our season with one game this month.

Josue Gutiérrez carried on where he left off with a double and Giro got a debut goal.

We are top after 1...

I won't put the table in... I'm sure you will understand.