[FM23] Another Island Life - Green Lion Pride - A Guernsey FC Youth Story

[Punch]

7 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Guernsey making Europe look easy 

In fairness, we have only had one opponent that was a real challenge, which was Atalanta, and we did have to come from behind to beat them.

Most of our other opponents have not been massively high quality.

The next few opponents could show where we really stand.

[shd34_216_42]

Conference League should be relatively easy for the English representative, most teams wouldn't even make it in the Premier League (or even the Championship, for that matter).

[Punch]

7 hours ago, shd34_216_42 said:

Conference League should be relatively easy for the English representative, most teams wouldn't even make it in the Premier League (or even the Championship, for that matter).

10 wins from 10 games so far. Let’s see how far we can get.

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Match Day 16 - Vs Manchester City

 

 

We welcomed the blue side of Manchester to the island, knowing we were in for a tough fight.

Both defences put on an impressive display, limiting the genuine chances that both sides could create.

Though the xG suggests we should have won, the Citizens were massive favourites, so to take a point off them, is probably still a good result for us.

 

The schedule is a bit crazy at the moment, as clubs are fitting in games around Cup and Europe commitments, but we stay in 10th place.

 

A tough road trip as we head to 3rd place Liverpool.

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Match Day 17 - At Liverpool

 

 

An exciting first half, followed by a pretty tame second half in comparison, as we go down in a tight one at Anfield.

The hosts had a two goal lead early, before we hit back, only to concede again and trail by two.

First half injury time seen us pull back within one again, but neither side could find any further goals in the second half.

 

Just a few teams on duty, but we stay 10th, with a game or two in hand over a lot of those around us.

 

We stay on the road, traveling to 16th place Boro.

[Stuniverse]

5 minutes ago, Punch said:

as we go down in a tight one at Anfield.

43 minutes ago, Punch said:

Though the xG suggests we should have won, the Citizens were massive favourites, so to take a point off them, is probably still a good result for us.

Guernsey are getting closer @Punch. Definitely competitive against the BIG clubs now.

Although are the BIG clubs still the BIG clubs in 2043?

Edited June 8 by Stuniverse

[Punch]

3 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Definitely competitive against the BIG clubs now.

We are getting there slowly.

 

3 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Although are the BIG clubs still the BIG clubs in 2043?

By Reputation, and by European coefficient, the 'Big 6' still exist, although Man U have taken a fall down both charts recently.

 

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Match Day 18 - At Middlesbrough

 

 

A really strange game as it wandered aimlessly for the first hour, before exploding into life.

An early goal for Brown seen us lead 1-0 at the break.

That seemed like it might be all the goal scoring, before some lazy passing allowed the hosts to steal a goal and level the scores.

This seemed to wake us up, and light a fire under our attack, as they went crazy slamming home 5 goals in a 16 minute stretch, including an incredible 5 minute hat-trick off the bench for Ward.

A crazy game, but we will certainly take the three points.

 

We jump a place to 9th.

 

A short turn around, a tough away match, and our 9th match of the month.

Edited June 8 by Punch

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Match Day 19 - At Chelsea

 

 

We come from behind twice to secure another away point against the Blues.

The hosts hit the lead just before the break, but we struck back almost immediately, to go to half time level.

Chelsea then hit the lead again just after the break, but we again hit back almost immediately.

With neither side able to create any further genuine chances, the match tailed out to a pretty tame draw.

 

We hang on to 9th place at our mid-point of the season.

 

Back to the island as we host 8th place Villa to start the new year.

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Romario Finnegan - Beyond 200

 

A brace against Chelsea became Finnegan's 200th, and 201st League goals for the club.

He becomes the second player to reach the 200 goal barrier for the club, after Ross Allen, who was also a Guernsey native.

Finnegan is still 81 goals behind Allen's club record 282 League goals (I thought it was 290, but he scored 8 goals in a stint at another club)

At 26, he possibly still has time to chase the record, so it will be interesting to see how he goes in the coming years.

 

Ross Allen is still a member of the Guernsey family, currently serving as a coach in our U18's set up.

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043

 

A real mixed bag this month as we survived our 9 game epic in pretty reasonable fashion.

Three wins, two draws, and a loss from six League games, we won both our remaining Conference League matches, but exited the League Cup at the Quarter Final stage.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

 

 

Defenders

 

 

Midfielders

 

 

Forwards

 

 

Finnegan's celebrated his 200th goal for the club by also securing the EPL Player of the Month award.

 

Yearly Awards

 

A big year for Alan Kennedy and Jack Brown.

 

We have a solid month on the back of our Conference League form.

 

Slightly less hectic, but only just, as we face 7 matches, including our FA Cup campaign kicking off.

[Punch]

 

DEC 2043 - Youth Intake Preview

 

 

After a couple of years of disappointing intakes, this one actually surprises me by giving a tease of some possibly excellent prospects.

Wingers, Strikers, Goalkeepers, and Defenders, all looking promising.

With only one or two players looking the goods in the last few years, to have the possibility of multiple players, and multiple positions looking good, leaves me very excited for what may come in May.

[Stuniverse]

2 hours ago, Punch said:

After a couple of years of disappointing intakes, this one actually surprises me by giving a tease of some possibly excellent prospects.

Those green As and Bs are good to see 

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Match Day 20 - Vs Aston Villa

 

 

We were slight favourites at home, and we just got the job done, in what was a pretty tight affair.

We created the better of the chances, but were unable to find a way through the visitors defence, as we went to the break all square.

The second half went in much the same manner, with Chambers coming closest to scoring as he put a shot against the bar.

Just when it looked like we were headed for a point each, Frankie Nix was brought down in the box, giving Finnegan a chance to take all the points from the spot.

Our Captain made no mistake, burying his shot to secure the win.

 

We certainly made a mark on the game.

 

We jumped over Villa to 8th.

 

A tough match up as we travel to the red side of Manchester, although they have been struggling of late.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Match Day 21 - At Manchester United

 

 

We went into the match as slight underdogs at the Theatre of Dreams, but we put in a massive performance, coming from behind twice to take a share of the points.

We fell behind in the first half, but hit back quickly to go to the break all square.

The second half followed the same pattern, as the hosts took the lead, before we hit back 10 minutes later.

We were probably lucky to get away with a point though as the hosts put two against the woodwork.

 

Not all good news though as we lose Tayler for two months.

 

Just a few teams in action today, but we drop to 9th place.

 

Our FA Cup campaign kicks off as we host Crewe in the 3rd Round.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2043 - FA Cup 3rd Round - Vs Crewe Alexandra

 

 

We were strong favourites at home, and despite putting out a heavily rotated squad, the youngsters put on a massive show to blow the Railwaymen off the park.

Young Sam Marshall continues to show why he is so highly rated, smashing home four goals, while another youngster, in Pat George scored a brace.

A thumping win to kick off our campaign as we march on to the 4th Round.

 

More winning, more money.

 

We travel to Bristol on the 4th Round, who we have a pretty poor record against.

 

We return to League action as we host Southampton, who have been in pretty good form lately.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Match Day 22 - Vs Southampton

 

 

A real mixed bag in this one as we lead, fell behind, and required a late goal to rescue a draw.

Chambers gave us the early lead before the Saints hit back to be all square at the break.

We pushed hard for a winner in the second half, but ended up getting caught out as the visitors punished us for putting too many forward, and they scored late.

Not giving up, we quickly hit back, but were not able to find a winner, so we shared the points.

 

Five unbeaten, and the draw takes us ahead of Villa for 8th place.

 

A tough match up as we travel to West Ham.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Match Day 23 - At West Ham United

 

 

The Hammers were massive favourites on their home ground, and they proved to be too strong in the end.

We stayed with them through the first half, going to the break one all, but it was all one way traffic from there.

The hosts ran over the top of us in the second half, continuing our terrible record against them as they took all the points.

 

We fall to 10th place with the loss.

 

We host the struggling Chelsea next.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Records were made to be broken

 

We have a new all time appearances leader for League matches, as our Captain, Romario Finnegan replaces our former Captain, Joe Docherty, at the top of the leader board.

At 26, he still has plenty of time to add to that record.

 

It's interesting that the two record holders that have come out of our Academy, neither of them are Goalkeepers, both being Strikers.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - Match Day 24 - Vs Chelsea

 

 

We started favourites as we welcomed the struggling Blues to the island.

A solid all round performance as we suffocated the visitors out of the game.

Two first half goals set us up nicely, while a late sealer confirmed the three points, and killed off any thoughts of a Chelsea comeback.

 

Just a few catch up games today as we jump back to 8th place.

 

We switch back to FA Cup mode as we travel to Bristol for the 4th Round.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044 - FA Cup 4th Round - At Bristol City

 

 

We started favourites at Ashton Gate, despite our historical poor record against the Robins.

The hosts made us work hard for it too in what was a pretty tight affair.

Sam Marshall continued his rise, putting us ahead at the break, before Kennedy sealed it after the break.

 

We keep the bank balance rolling along.

 

We host Leeds in the 5th Round, and it will be an interesting match, as neither side seems to like winning against each other.

 

We return to League action with a trip to relegation zone Fulham.

[Punch]

 

JAN 2044

 

Two wins, two draws, and a loss from our League matches, while we also managed to advance twice in the FA Cup.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

 

 

Defenders

 

 

Midfielders

 

 

Forwards

 

 

 

Transfers

 

We sent Pelosi on his way, as he was down the order and not likely to feature in the rotation.

 

Garai had become surplus and was barely featuring, so wanted to move on for more opportunities, so we send him on his way with our best wishes for a long servant.

 

 

We have nearly reached the million per week mark, but we are still so far behind the curve.

 

A good month financially.

 

We collect a future fee for Amaya.

 

A big month coming up, and we need to make the most of the chances at the start of the month, as we finish with some tough games.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044 - Match Day 25 - At Fulham

 

 

We took our time to seal it, but it was a solid performance to get the job done at Craven Cottage.

An early goal sent us on our way, but it was an hour before we would finally get the second goal.

A third goal iced the cake, before the hosts hit back with a conciliation deep into injury time.

 

We jump Everton to 7th, but they have a game in hand.

 

We host the relegation bound Norwich.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044 - Match Day 26 - Vs Norwich City

 

 

We were massive favourites, and while it looked like a comfortable scoreline, we had to work hard for it, and only ran away with it in the last 10 minutes.

We took an early lead, but the Canaries frustrated us through the remainder of the half, as we went in with just a one goal lead.

That lead disappeared soon after the break, as some sloppy goal line defending allowed the visitors to sneak home an equaliser.

It looked like it was going to be a frustrating draw, especially after we managed to hit the bar twice, and their keeper pulled of a string of great saves.

The change came in the final 10 minutes though as Norwich had a player sent off, and from the ensuing free kick, Kennedy smashed home our second goal.

From there it was all one way traffic as we ran a way with a blow out scoreline in the final few minutes.

We also seen a first League goal for young Defender Gudmundsson.

 

We stay 7th while Everton, with a game in hand, were held to a draw.

 

We stay at home, hosting 14th place Boro.

[RoguPL]

Just caught up with this! took me probably about 2 weeks lol 
What a journey it has been ! Congrats on all your success. I can see slow and steady progress in the right direction! 

How do you rotate players ? Do you try to play your best 11 most matches? 
Also do you use players in a season that are spat out from best XI from the spreadsheet? or you don't really take much attention what the spreadsheet thinks is the best team? 


 

[Punch]

1 hour ago, RoguPL said:

Just caught up with this! took me probably about 2 weeks lol 
What a journey it has been ! Congrats on all your success. I can see slow and steady progress in the right direction! 

Thank you!

Yeah, it's been a long journey, but we are gradually improving every season.

 

1 hour ago, RoguPL said:

How do you rotate players ? Do you try to play your best 11 most matches? 

I have always carried a big squad, so I generally have plenty of players to be able to rotate.

I play the best 11 I have available, while at the same time, I randomly try to get some of the younger players coming through some exposure to the first team, even if off the bench.

 

1 hour ago, RoguPL said:

Also do you use players in a season that are spat out from best XI from the spreadsheet? or you don't really take much attention what the spreadsheet thinks is the best team? 

The spreadsheet rates the players based on their average attributes weighted for their respective positions, but that doesn't necessarily make them the best players for the position.

When you hit 'Best XI' in the team selection, it picks the best player for each position based on their 'CA', or at least that's how it seems to work anyway.

The spreadsheet is more a tool to monitor how players are progressing, or regressing over time.

[Punch]

-

 

FEB 2044 - Match Day 27 - Vs Middlesbrough

 

 

An attacking masterclass as the Green Lions run riot, putting five past Boro.

A blazing first half had us three up at the break, before we finished off the game in style, with Gudmondsson's stunning volley completing the rout.

 

We jump to 6th place as Man City fall to their 3rd straight defeat, while we have won four on the bounce.

 

City will be looking to end their losing run, as they are our next opponents, when we head to Manchester.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044 - Conference League - Round of 16 Draw

 

 

The Round of 16 will see us take on Ireland's Shamrock Rovers.

We head to Dublin for the 1st Leg next month, before hosting them in St Peter Port in the return Leg a week later.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044 - Match Day 28 - At Manchester City

 

 

Beware the wounded giants...we failed to heed the warning as we went down to the blue side of Manchester, who had lost three on the bounce, while we were on a four game winning streak.

An early penalty, and a deflected shot gave the hosts a two goal advantage at the break.

The score could have been a lot worse as we struggled to contain their attack, as only some desperate defending, and some great goalkeeping kept it at two goals.

 

We fall to 7th place, in what is a pretty tight table with only three wins separating 5th from 12th.

 

The task doesn't get any easier as we host 3rd place Liverpool.

[Stuniverse]

I was away for the weekend. @Punch and have just caught up.

Things still going pretty well for Guernsey and you're on course for what, I think, would be your highest ever league finish.

Good luck...

[Punch]

16 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

I was away for the weekend. @Punch and have just caught up.

Things still going pretty well for Guernsey and you're on course for what, I think, would be your highest ever league finish.

Good luck...

We finished 8th last year, 4 points behind the Europa League places, so if we can keep up the way we are playing, we might be able to challenge for that same area of the table again.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044 - Match Day 29 - Vs Liverpool

 

 

We strangely started slight favourites in this one, but our 11 match unbeaten run at home is over, as we go down in a tight one against the Reds.

Chances were at a minimum for both sides as defence played a big part, while the game got stuck in midfield a lot.

One goal, just after the break was all it took for the visitors to take all three points, as we were not able to find a way to strike back.

 

Back to back losses and we drop to 9th place.

 

It's been a while since the Group Stage, but we return to Conference League action, traveling to Dublin to take on Shamrock Rovers in the Round of 16 1st Leg.

[Punch]

 

FEB 2044

 

A great start to the month, winning three, which was part of four in a row back to last month, before we lost back to back matches to end the month.

 

Gudmundsson has been in great form, and was rewarded with the Young Player of the Month award.

 

What a way to score your first ever goal, a curling effort from way outside the area, and it was awarded the Goal of the Month.

He followed this up with his second goal in the next match as well.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

 

 

Defenders

 

 

Midfielders

 

 

Forwards

 

 

 

We make a bit of a loss this month.

 

A busy month a the Conference League kicks off again, and we also face three League games around the FA Cup.

We will also see the arrival of the class of 44, which the preview made some big promises.

[Punch]

 

Our Big 6 Problem

 

I was taking a closer look at our records against the 'Big 6', as I knew it was poor...I didn't realise just how horrific it actually was:

 

We've only beaten Chelsea once

 

We have managed two wins over Liverpool, but have lost 11 of 14 matches.

 

We have never beaten City

 

Only one win against the red side of Manchester.

 

We have never beaten Spurs

 

Two wins, but 10 losses against West Ham.

 

In total against the Big 6, we have managed only 6 wins, in 76 matches, which is completely abysmal.

We at least know where we need to improve if we want to start challenging for higher places on the table.

[Stuniverse]

17 minutes ago, Punch said:

In total against the Big 6, we have managed only 6 wins, in 76 matches, which is completely abysmal.

We at least know where we need to improve if we want to start challenging for higher places on the table.

Ouch!

So what's your conclusion, @Punch...

... do you need better players?

... or a change of tactics?

... or both?

... or more money?

[Punch]

16 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Ouch!

So what's your conclusion, @Punch...

... do you need better players?

... or a change of tactics?

... or both?

... or more money?

I probably should have put a caveat, that some of those meetings were Cup matches as we were making our way up through the Leagues still, they are not all EPL meetings, but still, not pretty reading.

 

I think it's time and experience. We are getting a lot closer, and some of our recent losses have been really tight matches, and sometimes the luck just didn't go our way.

We are not far off, so I think a few little improvements, and the current players getting better with experience, and I think we are going to start really pushing these bigger clubs.

 

It just made for an interesting, if not a little terrifying, read

[shd34_216_42]

I'm looking forward to all the island-related affiliates in the future.

That type of record is actually rather normal against the big clubs (Arsenal feels left out though), which is why winning the Conference League is the best path to Europe for this year for the extra games.

[Punch]

3 hours ago, shd34_216_42 said:

I'm looking forward to all the island-related affiliates in the future.

That type of record is actually rather normal against the big clubs (Arsenal feels left out though), which is why winning the Conference League is the best path to Europe for this year for the extra games.

I probably could have shown Newcastle and a few others as well, it would not have made prettier reading 

We are back in conference action shortly.

[shd34_216_42]

I mentioned Arsenal because they are part of the traditional big 6 (and West Ham isn't).

[Punch]

5 hours ago, shd34_216_42 said:

I mentioned Arsenal because they are part of the traditional big 6 (and West Ham isn't).

Yeah, I figured I would probably miss one, but West Ham have been one of the best teams in the last few seasons, so I picked them, and missed the Gunners.

 

 

There you go, we have never beaten them either, so I guess that makes it 6 wins from 87 games, against the 'Big 7'

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Conference League Round of 16 - 1st Leg - At Shamrock Rovers

 

 

We managed to get the job done, though it took longer than expected.

We created a mass of chances, but only lead 1-0 at the break, as we kept smashing the woodwork.

We doubled our lead straight after the break, before scoring two more goals to round out a solid win, and hold a four goal lead heading into the Second Leg next week.

 

A return to League action as we travel to relegation zone Leicester.

 

 

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Match Day 30 - At Leicester City

 

 

We started heavy favourites against the relegation zone Foxes.

The first half was a pretty tight affair, as we went to the break with a one goal lead.

The flood gates opened in the second half though, as we put on an attacking masterclass, and ran away with a comfortable victory.

 

We leap frog the beaten Everton into 8th place.

 

We head back to the island for the second leg of our Round of 16 Conference League clash with Shamrock Rovers, where we hold a 4-0 lead.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Conference League Round of 16 - 2nd Leg - Vs Shamrock Rovers

 

 

With a four goal lead from the 1st Leg, we were in the box seat, but we still had to make sure we done the job.

It was a tough first half, but we did get a goal about half hour in to settle the nerves, putting us up 5-0, and making it basically impossible for the Rovers to come back.

The flood gates opened in the second half though, as the boys ran riot racking up a half dozen, to give us a blowout win over the two legs.

 

The money for our European adventure continues to roll in.

 

Our first time in Europe and we have broken the goal scoring record, and we still have at least two games remaining.

 

We don't find out our opponents for the Quarter Finals for another week or so yet.

 

Back to League action as we face a tough challenge against similarly placed Everton.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Match Day 31 - Vs Everton

 

 

A cracking game on the island, although we didn't get the win.

The hosts scored first holding onto the lead through to half time.

We hit back immediately just after the break, and continued to push for a winner.

We did get the second goal, but were not able to hang on as we gave up a late goal, and had to settle for a share of the points.

 

We also lost one of our main defenders for a month.

 

We continue to hold down 8th place, with 7 games remaining.

 

We switch to FA Cup action, where we host Leeds in the 5th Round.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - FA Cup 5th Round - Vs Leeds United

 

 

An epic battle on the island as we just scraped home against the Whites.

We created chances, but couldn't land the killer blow.

Just when it looked like we were headed to extra time, Chamberlain stepped up to bury our last chance, and send us through to the next round.

 

More winning means more money.

 

We travel to London to take on West Ham in the Quarter Final, and we have a terrible record against them.

 

Changes to the schedule mean the West Ham match is now our next match.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Conference League Quarter Final Draw

 

We are off to Germany for the 1st Leg of the Quarter Final, as we are drawn against Wolfsburg.

The return Leg will be played in Guernsey a week later.

 

Not the longest road trip we have had in this campaign, but a decent trip tied around our League commitments.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - Conference League Quarter Final Draw

 

We are off to Germany for the 1st Leg of the Quarter Final, as we are drawn against Wolfsburg.

The return Leg will be played in Guernsey a week later.

 

Not the longest road trip we have had in this campaign, but a decent trip tied around our League commitments.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044 - FA Cup Quarter Final - At West Ham United

 

 

Not our day in London as we fall to West Ham.

The hosts scored early, and pushed hard for a second, but we managed to hold them out to keep the gap at one goal at the break.

The Hammers doubled their lead just after the break, and while we hit back straight away, we were not able to find an equaliser.

The hosts then scored a third late, to seal the result, and send us out at the Quarter Final stage.

 

Not much money for losing.

 

We have an International Break, before we return to League action against the 12th placed Leeds, who wee recently knocked out of the FA Cup.

[Punch]

 

MAR 2044

 

A massive Conference League win, a win and a draw in the League, while we advanced to the Quarter Finals in the FA Cup, before crashing out against West Ham.

 

While we were on FA Cup duty, a few teams played League matches, though the results have not affected our position.

 

An awesome month for O'Connor sees him take out the Player of the Month.

 

Our kids took out all three places in the Young Player of the Month.

 

Internationals

 

We at one point had 45 players on International Duty to end the month, with plenty being called up for Senior Duty.

We have two more players in the England set up, with Eddie Brown and Romario Finnegan making their debuts.

Paddy O'Connell also debuted for Ireland.

 

We have our first ever NXGN winner, with young defender Gudmundsson taking out the award.

We had two players in the top 4, and three in the top 12.

 

Our FA Cup 5th Round match broke our Gate Receipts record.

 

We make a loss this month.

 

Another busy month coming up as we face 5 League matches, and we also have the Conference League Quarter Final.

[Punch]

 

APR 2044 - Milestone match

 

1,200 games up, and what will be our 12th attempt at winning a milestone match.

So far we have lost them all.