[FM23] Chapter Two: Schalke04, Rebuilding in Royal Blue with a budget of $5 dollars a day

[13th Man]

Wow, two season ending injuries in one month!  It looks like Lindsay's Austin injury bug has spread to Lancashire...and mutated into something even worse.

Still midtable though, so that's a success.

[Hootieleece]

1 hour ago, 13th Man said:

Wow, two season ending injuries in one month!  It looks like Lindsay's Austin injury bug has spread to Lancashire...and mutated into something even worse.

Still midtable though, so that's a success.

I even upgraded the Physio and Sports Science Departments. I think my new version of "Heavy Metal" (Band: Saxon) Football is very tough on the legs.

[Hootieleece]

December 2023: Mid-Season Report

Manager's Thoughts

The Team is playing well and is secure in the mid-table if the level of play continues. Jester thinks it is time to show the team in more depth and hopefully give some insight into why this overachievement is happening. Originally Jester wanted to play a 5-2-1-2 in Vertical Tiki-Taka manner but after some problems with that approach in the preseason. He started lessening the TI's and the gegenpress mashup that is influenced by Nesselquist Ball was born. The approach attacks the flanks and makes the PF-A the main scorer. The Two independent roles of the Trequarista and the RPM are to help create overload on the flanks to help the Wingbacks serve balls into the box. The RPM is also to serve the box as well with through balls. The Trequarista is a combination of Playmaker and Scorer that is designed to help pull the defense out of the box to create space.  Defensively The team plays a Midblock that presses opposing players and tries to force them to the outside. The one problem that the strategy has is that the Defense plays a High Line and is vulnerable to pacy attackers.

The Team

Starting XI

Goalkeeper

Freddie Woodman-SK-S

CenterBacks

Jordan Storey- RCB

Sam Maclelland- MCB2- CD-X

Liam Lindsay-MCB-BPD-X

Andrew Hughes LCB-WCB-D

Wingbacks

Brad Potts- RWB-WB-S

Robbie Brady LWB-WB-A

Defensive Midfielders

Ben Whiteman DMCL- RPM-S

Alan Browne DMCL- DM-D

Attackers

Mikey O'Neill Trequarista

Ben Woodman STCR-DLF-S

Emil Riis STCL-PF-A

The Tactics 

This is the main system and the LWB is the main playmaker and the PF-A is the main goal threat but is supplemented by the Trequarista. Onomah is the main Trequarista and I forgot to screenshot him for this update. Emil Riis the team's leading scorer is leaving due to Bureaucratic mix-ups.

This has been trained but Jester has never felt comfortable with DM's controlling the Center of the Pitch thus he is reluctant to use it.

This is a copy of Tuchel's Chelsea it works, but is not used as often it is almost a mirror if the 5-2-1-2 Main System. It makes the RWB the primary playmaker and the Shadow Striker and F9 as primary goal scorers/

The Analysis

The team has been overperforming in the League.

In general one can see we are scoring more than expected and conceding less than expected. Conceding less than expected is almost all on the Superb Goalkeeping of Freddie Woodman.

Analysis of the Attacking shows we are fouled more than many teams but more but otherwise we are below average or average for a Championship team.

Defensive Analysis shows that We defend our box really well with more blocks and clearances than average.

But this graph shows that it is the Goal Keeping that is making the difference!

Comparison Graphs

As anyone can see this is NOT a team of World Beaters, being below average as a team in so many areas. The team is slow, but decent at defensive positioning and finishing. The only thing we stand out in is our ability to head the ball.

Your probably asking how is this happening? Jester thinks the answer is in the all the Community Outreach and Team Bonding Sessions that are scheduled. As well as regular meetings with the Physio's for recovery.

This allows the team to be in the best possible morale and physical state for each match especially since Jester is also rotating players often. 

 

to be continued:

 

 

[karanhsingh]

Interesting that your LWB is the playmaker but i can see why. Also i actually quite like that Tuchel shape. 

[Hootieleece]

14 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Interesting that your LWB is the playmaker but i can see why. Also i actually quite like that Tuchel shape. 

The LWB becoming the primary playmaker just sort of happened organically. I thought the RPM or the Treq would have been.  The LWB had 10-11 assists by December.  I have played the rest of the season (couldn't resist) and tried different players in different roles but in general play stayed the same until final month.

[Hootieleece]

 

 

January 2024: Regular Season

Manager's Thoughts

The New Year came and saw us say goodbye to Riis. Woodburn ultimately replaced him as PF-A and has did a wonderful job. The team is solidly mid-table and should unless we get a teribble run of form (knock on wood) we should be safely out of the relegation battle. The team's form is variable sometimes we look magnificent in defeat against bigger teams and barely save a draw or win against our equals or lower table teams. Jester thinks this is because his players actually are over achieving when compared to other teams. This is shown in th comparison charts and XG table. It is all down to the fact that Jester encourages comradery and a team culture that allows for a trust between players that will not let each other down. A true fellowship is building here.

Schedule

Highlights

The New Year would start less than 48hours after the last match.....

West Bromich Albion would come calling to Deep Dale. The Lilywhites were considered favorites and hopefully the home cooking would help them achieve victory.

 

 

 

After spending the last 24 hours in Match previews and reviews and with the Sports Scientists, the team sent the fans home happy to celebrate the New Year!

 

The passing map showed that the team was playing up the pitch. Emil Riis playing his last match for Preston played as DLF-S and was closer to the goal than the Poacher Cannon.

Tom Cannon also played his last match for the team because Sean Dyche didn't think Jester was playing him as a Poacher. (I used personalized instructions for the player as a Poacher in the tactic and that wasn't good enough to satisfy the requirements of the Loan)

The team said their goodbyes to Riis and hopefully the team would be able to assuage the fans anger....the $4.4M was desperately needed to keep the team running.

The next match would see the team head to Reading in a Six-Pointer.

The match would be a tightly contested affair and the Lilywhites would lose 1-0!

The biggest change for this match was Mikey O'Neill moving from Backup Trequarista to PF-A!

After the dissappointment against Reading the team had to prepare for a trip to Anfield!

This was an almost impossible task for the Preston NE Club! We would try the sit deep and Counter tactic that worked on the Spurs....

Our new star Striker would head back to his home in Liverpool, would there be good feelings?

The match would be another big payday for Preston at least. 

David Moyes is who I would have used if he wasn't already West Ham Manager. He got fired/sacked and ended up with Bristol City in the Championship.

We sat back and took it like men. The Highlight of the match was our Goalkeeper denying James Milner on a penalty shot!

It was a bad day for our young Center Back McClelland and most of our team!

As you can tell Liverpool ended up scoring on Set Pieces against us because we "Parked the Bus"

Our Goalkeeper was Magnificent making 12 saves!

and Jester made sure to wax poetic about it in the Press conference!

Over $1Million in gate receipts! Thank You Liverpool.

After the match against Liverpool the team returned to Preston to await Luton Town. Preston were considered favorites even though Jester was unsure due to the teams form.

After the match the fans were excited about the win. Jester was more impressed that the team was only about 7 points form safety more or less.

Ben Woodburn has taken over where Riis left off.....

The move from DLF-S on right to PF-A on left is working as hoped, but it is only one match.

Jester isn't looking at the table until the end of the season....he had to make sure his changes to the team worked match to match!

Preston had the "Magic Number" of 500 passes in the match!

First Dyche now Klopp are unhappy with our playing loan players......

The last match of the month would see the team head to London to take on Fulham.

Both teams were in bad form, but Jester would be happy with a point.

Now this could get interesting.....

A Local boy that will have a chance to develop in the U-21's decent technicals and physicals. Mentals definitely need work.

This was an even matchup that we probably should have lost except for  our Goalkeeper.

Not a good passing map but that was because we were under pressure most of the match even though we tried to play positively!

The end of the month saw the Transfer Window close and not much activity from Preston mostly because we couldn't find a Striker we like and could afford to replace Riis.

Even with that small a payroll we are losing money! It also shows how much we are overachieving currently.

The Big Boys got raided for their top players especially Fulham!

League Table

Player of the Month

Ben Woodburn- PF-A

Monthly Analysis Report

all those green numbers are making the performance analysts nightmares!

 

 

Management Report

The team chemistry is still good even though Riis is missing.

Financial Report

The sale of Riis helped but more than likely we will be in the red at the end of the season.

to be continued:

 

 

[warlock]

Time to start looking up, not down. It would take something dramatic to pull you back into a relegation fight, but a playoff spot might not be out of the question 

[Hootieleece]

February 2024: Regular Season

Manager's Thoughts

The team was in a good place coming into the month of February in fact the team's over achievement had them flirting with a Playoff Promotion Place.  That notion was quickly dispelled by playing leading teams during the month. Both Nottingham Forrest and Ipswich were significantly better than the Lilywhites. So Jester stated making plans for the next season by looking for young players to help the team especially up front. The team was too dependent on Ben Woodburn.

 

Schedule

Highlights

The first match of the month would be held at Deepdale and the team was home favorites

Making good on that would need more from the retraining Ben Woodburn.

We started slow since Huddersfield "Parked the Bus" against us. After a Halftime "Hair Dryer" Ben Woodburn stepped up and won us the points.

Woodburn deserved the POM for his second half display.

Jester was unhappy after the win because we didn't play well as a team, and it took individual effort to win which is against Jester ethos.

 

 

 

The pass map isn't terrible, but forward player need to be farther forward to really break down the Bus!

Team Favorites think we are playing well before our match with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

The match was total domination by Preston! Woodburn scored early and that sent us on our way.

Close to the impossible dream of the Championship Playoffs!

Even the media agree with our Dominant win!

Our LWB who has turned out to be a prolific playmaker had a great game!

The top Highlight on Sky Sports!

and Jester made sure to publicly compliment Brady on his performance.

The passing wasn't bad but a little to compact.

The next match would see us tested if we truly had a chance for the playoffs against former Premier League Team Nottingham Forest visiting Preston.

Former Favorite talks up Woodburn!

and as we ready ourselves for the match rumors persist.....

It was an even affair in the first half even though we were under significant pressure, the team tried to play on the front foot, during the second half the dam finally broke and we had no answer to their just better players.

But the most significant thing was the loss for the rest of the season of Andrew Hughes with a Broken leg.

 

 

the team started scouting and planning for next season

The former Man United player would definitely be given a chance to become Woodburn's Partner

 

After the loss to Nottingham The team prepared to pile the misery on Table propper Rotherham!

It was a difficult match due to the fact Rotherham  sat deep but Woodburn found a way to score near the end!

Eddie Howe was fired from Newcastle and is now fighting relegation in the Championship with Derby.

Jester played the backups to help fulfill the give youth a chance promise and it slightly backfired.

The last match of the month would see the team host league leading Ipswich Town!

We tried to play a little more cautiously and Jester thinks it cost the team. The team also didn't have much of the ball which didn't help.

League Table

Player of the Month

Ethan Galbraith AMC-Trequarista

Monthly Analysis Report

Management Report

 

Financial Report

The team is still losing money.....

 

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

[karanhsingh]

I hope you can make a late run at the playoff spots!

[Hootieleece]

41 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

I hope you can make a late run at the playoff spots!

I hope so too in February.....

I have played till end of season.......not so much.....

[Hootieleece]

March 2024: Regular Season

Manager Thoughts

March came in like a lion and we were able to hold our place midtable and retain our place in the Championship. Unfortunately, any thoughts of a playoff place run are beginning to disappear. Mostly due to the loss of our leading goal scorer Ben Woodburn for a month. 

The bright spot of the month was the play of our U-18 team. Which means we have a great future ahead of us in five years!

Schedule

Highlights

The new month saw us having to travel to Wolverhampton to take on another League leading team.

Wolves were in good form and ours was shaky. Jester was unsure about the fixture expecting a loss.

The team played well and kept them at bay until Conor Coady gave them the lead early in the second half. Ben Woodburn scored to tie the match, but the turning point was when Boubacar Traore went off for a bad tackle on Woodburn. The Hero turned out to be the young DLF-S Westendorf who scored in extra time to give the Lilywhites the win!

Ali McCann's injury will hurt midfield depth.

but not as much as Woodburn's loss because of the red card tackle.

The opposing manager was furious at the loss.

The match made headlines on Sky Sports!

This is a dilemma. Woodburn was our Talisman and Star......none of those listed is really ready to take up his mantle.

So we will not be taken over.

The Carabao Cup ended, and we were named the biggest Overachievers!

The team started to think about next season and found a possible replacement for Ched Evans, but will probably start in the U-21's.

He will be trained as a PF-A most likely in the U-21's.

The Lilywhites traveled to Middlesborough for their next match.

It was an relatively even match by the stats but we were just outplayed especially in the first half. The second half we played better after a "Hair Dryer" and Mikey O'Neill scored but that was all. We missed Woodburn already.

After the match Jester went public with his anger.....

The next match was to see the team host local rivals Blackpool in the West Lancashire Derby!

Preston had slightly better form....but our M.A.S.H Unit had player that could make a difference.

The Favorites were calling for a win....

The game was a draw Blackpool sat back and counter-attacked, we had the ball but couldn't penetrate their box. Our Goal was lucky off a Set-Piece recycle and rebound.

The pass map was good, but we still lacked penetration. The reason for this is lack of off the ball movement and anticipation in the squad.

Stoke was coming to town.....and we were home dogs by the bookies. Often Home dogs win if everything is equal.....will the dog have its day?

They were bigger and faster than us and pinned us in our own end and it was Set-Piece that beat us!

They played Dyche Ball against us!

But the result meant that the team was safe from relegation. Should Preston try for the Promotion Playoffs even though that would be ahead of plan?

The pass map wasn't bad and the backups played well even though we lost.

We then had to head to Wales for a match against Swansea.

It was another winnable match even if the Bookies and media didn't think so.

The Starting XI showed what they could do against a lackluster Swansea Squad. Josh Onomah the Treq was the Star!

Our victory was so complete that the other manager blamed the Ref!

This was the Trequarista at his best!

The pass map reflects our dominance, and we got the magic number of passes as well with 502!

The Board was excited to check an objective off their list.

Since Garang Kuol came up in the Press Conference in my save and in several other threads Jester took a look.

 

He looks like a better version of Ben Woodburn! Unfortunately, there is no way for us to afford him even on loan.

#33 Wonderkid

Youth Development

Great win for the U-18's

Some of the better players

Craig Laycock

Charlie Goldsmith

Jim Martin

As you can tell we have some decent attacking talent but it is a few years away from the first team. In previous FM's Laycock became a great CF for some of my Liverpool teams in the late 2020's.

League Table

Player of the Month

Hubert Gracyck SK-S

Monthly Analysis

Management Report

Financial Report

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

[warlock]

Huge blow to lose Woodburn. Not over yet but probably a step too far this season. Let's see where  you are at Christmas 

[Hootieleece]

1 hour ago, warlock said:

Huge blow to lose Woodburn. Not over yet but probably a step too far this season. Let's see where  you are at Christmas 

Next Season is expected to be more of the same according to the plan. Years 1-3 finding cheap U-23 talent and making Cup Runs. Year 4 Promotion Playoffs. Year 5 Promoted as Champions!

I have too many older players with big contracts that no one wants and I can't afford to buy them out.

Also I am thinking of changing to the 5-2-2-1 for next season.

 

[13th Man]

That injury bug still coming at you hard.  Still - midtable was the goal and you're still right there with an outside chance of sneaking into the playoffs.  Probably a bridge to far for this season, though.

Funny about that loan getting cancelled!  Sad to lose Emil (sp?), but the money was good so it was worth it.

Annoying little turn of events, but you seem to be right on track.

[Hootieleece]

3 hours ago, 13th Man said:

That injury bug still coming at you hard.  Still - midtable was the goal and you're still right there with an outside chance of sneaking into the playoffs.  Probably a bridge to far for this season, though.

Funny about that loan getting cancelled!  Sad to lose Emil (sp?), but the money was good so it was worth it.

Annoying little turn of events, but you seem to be right on track.

Yeah, the old injury bug, this is the worst it has been for me in a while.  I think that the loan getting cancelled is possibly a bug in the PI mechanic, but I am not sure. Going Forward I am not going to use loans to fill out my squad.

[karanhsingh]

Some decent form there. I think you can look at a playoff push next season itself. 

Also, go for Kuol!!

[Hootieleece]

1 hour ago, karanhsingh said:

Some decent form there. I think you can look at a playoff push next season itself. 

Also, go for Kuol!!

We'll see about Kuol but I am reluctant about Loans.

I am not sure about next season.......some important players may leave in the offseason and the core is OLD!   This might turn into a Logan's run before long with how the U-18's are doing.

[Hootieleece]

April-May 2024: Regular Season Ends

Manager's Thoughts

Since the team had been assured of relegation it seem like our play got worse and we lost the fire needed to make a run for the playoffs. The schedule setup for it with us playing several matches against relegation threatened teams. Those teams had famous managers who got their teams to fight for the badge, Only Jesse Marsch would see his team relegated due to Preston NE on the last day of the season.

Schedule

Highlights

April would start off with Relegation threatened Cardiff visiting Deepdale....

Jester thought this was a chance to start a run for the Promotion Playoffs since many of the remaining teams were lower on the table including Cardiff.

We were still missing Ben Woodburn and his understudy Tyler Roberts (a Jamaican International) just wasn't cutting it. Also, it seems that all of the Championship relegation sides this season have famous managers. Cardiff is now managed by Steven Gerrard!

Gerrard was satisfied and Jester was fuming after the match.

As you can see the team was pressed hard by Cardiff and Tyler Roberts was isolated in his attempts to get behind their defense.

After that loss Jester needed some Good news.....it came in the form of the Academy graduates.

Dean Stafford

Hadyn Halfacre

Tom John

Sean Stewart

The following player were set to be released by the big clubs and hopefully some of them would end up in Preston.

He could join the U-21's and become a PF-A with some work.

He could join the First Team and become a backup almost immediately. Jester would sign him early.

Possible RWB of the future.....

A future RPM.....

All of these players are on Preston's radar and probably will be asked to join the U-21's as they are 17.

The next match was versus Bristol City and their new Manager Preston Icon David Moyes!

Both teams have dreadful form of late....

We didn't play well at all.....

The pass map was better but even the return of Woodburn couldn't help us . We lacked penetration yet again and Bristol City scored on a Worldly! If we hadn't played as poorly as

we did I would say we were FM'd!

After those two games the team headed to Watford for a match......

We got a lucky win in a match in which neither team played well......we scored on a penalty.

Our goalie Woodman saved us yet again with 8 saves!

Jester decide he had to have Coby Small from the Youngster list.....

The matches kept coming.....up next was QPR! 

Preston due to bad form would be Home underdogs against a prospective Playoff Team.

We we pushed around and forced to  "Park the Bus" and hope that Woodman would save us. It didn't happen. One mistake led to the only goal.

The Analysts tried to cheer Jester and the Team up with How well they were doing on the XG Table going into the penultimate match.

All green numbers and large too, Preston IS the overachieving team of the season!

We went to Birmingham with a chance of sealing their fate of returning to League One.

We were favorites played on the Front foot but couldn't buy a goal. It seemed like the players were trying out for American Football!

The Pass map was good just the finishing was missing.

Even though the team lost we had achieved another objective:

We were mathematically assured a Top-Half Finish!

and the U-21's continued to show that the future was bright in Lancashire!

The Final match at Deepdale was a bit of Dead Rubber for us but Coventry was in the relegation zone with their New Manager Jesse Marsch.

Jester wanted to win just to end the bad results and give the fans something to remember during the offseason!

A small war of words or non-words as the case maybe before the match.

It was a turgid affair, but we scored early and just played keep away. They shot every time they crossed the halfway line!

Pass map looks really good if we could have scored a few more goals!

Wolverhampton would be promoted as Champions on the final day.

Preston finished in 11thplace which put us in the top half of the table. We overachieved and it will be tough to replicate but Jester will try.

The Xg table said we would have been well out of the relegation fight if we had played to our XG. So we are a Mid-Table Team. Overall a decent season and one to build on for the future.

We lost a bunch of Social Media Followers, I'm guessing they were checking in from Denmark for Riis.

The Budgets didn't change so there will have to be some shrewd moves in the Transfer Market. Jester will probably look to strengthen the U-21's with those Arsenal 17 Year olds!

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[13th Man]

Massive progress after near relegation last season…but that doesn’t make those tough losses and draws any easier. Seems you have a really good keeper, though, and that’s massive.

[Hootieleece]

6 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Massive progress after near relegation last season…but that doesn’t make those tough losses and draws any easier. Seems you have a really good keeper, though, and that’s massive.

Unfortunately, we are not able to keep him. I wanted to sign him long-term but the club pay structure wouldn't allow it. He was already near the top, but he wanted double the money and Tottenham came around for him.

I think this year is going to be a struggle not to get relegated with the departures of several players.

Also, I almost and may still ship out several of the older/leadership players because they complained about me not playing young players even though we played them more than the previous season!  (Worst part was the promise was green until the last two weeks of the season!)

 

[Hootieleece]

May 2024: Offseason

Highlights

At the actual end of the season the financial report and Management Report looked like this:

$3.1M in the red but that was before the Championship Payment and any board adjustments, but also $6.75M for the season!

The Board and supporters were relatively happy with Jester's performance. Maybe the Academic will get it right....

Three of our players were called up for the Pre Euro-Cup Championship Camps.

The U-21's find the sting of defeat on the Final day.

We will not be paying the Tax man next season!

Commercially our success on the Pitch led to better sales!

The new scouting budget and scouting range fit the vision for now. We are looking for players that don't need Work Permits after the Emil Riis Fiasco.

The Chairman wiped out our debts of $6.5M

In Premier League News, Man City won again beating Liverpool on Goal difference!

La Liga

Bundesliga

@Carambau and @Jogo Bonito Stuttgart needs your talents!

In news from our loanees:

Harry Nevin won an award playing Wales. He doesn't have the technical skills for the team Preston want to become so will probably be sold this season.

As preview before these are the best young academy players!

The FA Cup was won by Tottenham. Preston's effort was a defeat to Liverpool in the 3rd Round!

Ledson even though he had just signed a deal that would start at the end of the season. Jester decided to Sell him due to his grumbling about the "lack of Youth players" due to a preseason promise!

Financial Report

This is the balance after the Chairman investment and the team received the Championship Solidarity Payment ($5.5M)

Management Report

Everything is looking good except that many of the older and leadership players are upset about the Young players promise. The team played them more than last season and made more money than last season, but it wasn't enough.

To be continued:

 

 

 

[Carambau]

Well done! Great progress compared to last season! I predict promotion in 1 or 2 season latest   And having no debts finally surely will help that!

P.S. did Stuttgart get relegated in the end? From the table screenshot I can only tell they were in the playoffs...

Edited May 13, 2023 by Carambau

[Hootieleece]

May 2024: Awards Night

All of these players were useful during the campaign especially McClelland a future Captain!

Only a few departures, Two of them were already in place when Jester took over. Emil Riis was missed during the second half of the season.

11th place was a good showing all things considered.

The FA Cup was a bit of disappointment going out to Liverpool.

The Carabao Cup was different we were the story of the Cup! Eventually losing to Man United in the Quarterfinals.

The Match to remember will be talked about forever beating Tottenham at New White Hart Lane!

It was a good year for the finances, but not good enough if you followed the monthly reports.

This was our best lineup no outstanding performances but no bad ones either.

Ben Woodburn became the man once Riis left and that is reflected in the awards.

This shows the highlights of the last season.

to be continued:

 

[karanhsingh]

Another solid season under the belt!

[Hootieleece]

June 2024: Offseason "Farewell to the Fellowship"

Manager's Thoughts

All eras have to come to an end and like a school year and graduation the team that fought for the 11th place in the Championship after near relegation started going its separate ways. Some to fields a new for gold, others into retirement. A promise Jester made at the beginning of the season to play youth players came back to haunt him with his leadership cadre and older players most affected. This was a lie because according to the Championship we played more u-21's than the average team.  Jester hadn't really had any thought on rebuilding the team, but it was obvious with player moves over the next two months it would be an almost complete rebuild. The biggest shock was the transfer of Onomah to Ipswich. Also, the team was still looking for better defenders and many would say that we have too many now.

Highlights

The offseason saw the team rewarded financially to start:

The rewarded the team.

The team received its share of the Championship money. All teams in the Championship receive the same amount. No incentive to do better.

Jester decided to bring back a loan player on a permanent basis even though he hadn't starred.

He will probably be retrained as a BPD.

The reason he wanted to return to Preston (desperately) is he got a chance to play.

We resigned the Young Player of the Year in Wales in hopes of Selling him for a Profit Moneyball style.

Bennett was a young technically proficient player that was a little slow and would probably never break into the First team. We Transfer listed him at the end of the season and Derby took the bait.

June 9th came the opening of the Transfer Window. Jester had a good laugh with the idea of adding David Luiz to the team!

At the beginning of the window, Jester definitely didn't want to go on a spending spree, but the market changes and I had to make a record transfer!

Team's are already after Laycock! who is still in the U-18's!

Why was I looking for reinforcements for AMC you ask?

Onomah who was key player for us as Trequarista is moving to Ipswich to play in the Premier League with the newly promoted team.

Another Key player for us our Goalie started making noises about leaving. Jester said he would accept a decent offer for him if it came.

Jester was pleased to bring in Coby Small BPD

Room to grow at only 17!

Onomah and Riis together brought in $11million!

Even though it doesn't affect Preston yet, European Tournaments are taking a different form.

The Stolid BPD came looking for a pay raise and Jester obliged.

We welcome back our rivals Blackburn to add to Blackpool!

Crystal Palace offered an interview, but Jester told them to sod off!

That also led to an extension. Jester took a pay cut to get an extra year and bonuses for winning Competitions and Cups.

It was a Cinderella ride for Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest was a disappointment.

Sam McClelland future Preston Captain was a signing of the season and a Free!

He is already the 4rth CB in our Rotation and gets plenty of minutes due to injuries. 

He made the step up to the Championship from League 2 Barrow.

A bunch of my leading players are complaining about how I didn't play youth. This says otherwise.

The board reminded Jester of expectations soon after he signed his new contract.

All expectations are do able, Mid standing finish in Championship will be hardest if we lose our goalie.

Ledson was one of the grumblers and was put on the transfer list. Jester decided the DM strata was clogged and he didn't want the Drama in the team.

Jester signed this CB....looking for younger replacements for his starting three.

The pace is what really attracted Jester.

Mc Clelland's place in the team is assured for some time to come.

Lindsay will be around awhile as well.

The Carabao match came out a tough one at least it is at home!

These players left the team without contracts. Ched Evans is retiring after a broken leg.

The fans weren't thrilled with the new signings.....

There are some names many will know in that list. Jester would go after Ruben Loftus-Cheek if team could afford to.

Management Report

The Board and supporters are behind the manager. The players not so much, but Jester is reestablishing control of the locker room slowly and surely.

Financial Report

The team is in a good place financially but that might change....

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hootieleece]

Just now, karanhsingh said:

Another solid season under the belt!

Thanks!

Just loaded the offseason and am basically caught up to where I am playing. (Preseason)

[SixPointer]

Decent transfer window. Would you be happy to make playoff? Or do you still think you need another year of building?

[Hootieleece]

3 hours ago, SixPointer said:

Decent transfer window. Would you be happy to make playoff? Or do you still think you need another year of building?

I would be happy to make the playoff, but I think I need another year of rebuilding. I had a terrible preseason and was still moving players and changing formation (5-2-2-1 Tuchel) and roles. 

I am preseason preview 20th, and the board wants midtable. If we catch lightning in a bottle, I wouldn't mind making the playoffs while "blooding" some youngsters before I ship out all of the older players. 

Preston has a Club Vision of one-year contracts for any player over 33!

 

[Hootieleece]

July-August 2024: Preseason

Manager's Thoughts

The 2024 Preseason challenged my organizational and man management skills to the utmost. I had to replace a GK on the Fly and ship out the grumblers and while all this was going on many players were complaining about playing time and wanting to leave. Also, the team was being set up in a new primary formation to hopefully help penetrate "Parked Buses".

Our Training Camp in Scotland was mixed up do to double booking an arena. That meant we spent the first day playing a friendly against Celtic. Biggest Problem is that our Star Man Tore his Hamstring in the First Friendly and will not be back till October. Fortunately, we found a player to take his place in our U-21's. I call that "Hobbit" the English Messi. Even so the upcoming season will be tough to match last season's results. This is because we are considered relegation candidates

 

Hobbit is used for any player shorter than the manager, who is 5'10" (175cm)

Schedule

Highlights

The Preseason started as badly as could be expected in that we had a friendly on the First Day and lost our Star man Woodburn to a terrible injury.

Two days later Tottenham made bid for our Stalwart GK that Jester wanted to keep but he knew the lure of the Premier League even as a backup was too much for many players.

Ledson one of the grumblers was let go to Portsmouth he would have been a useful player and possibly a starter but we have too many options in the midfield.

After Woodburn went down the GM (DOF) found this gem to add to the U-21's. He is actually going to be promoted and used as an Olivier Giroud like Change of Attack player as a CF-S. Since the team is changing the main role at the top to a False-9.

The team ended its week at home before heading to Scotland for Training Camp playing Viktoria Plzen from Czechia.

The team isn't really used to the 5-2-2-1 yet and it shows....Finlay Cross-Adair is the English Messi and an almost perfect F9. Unfortunately he just got promoted from the U-21's and thinks he is Messi!

Woodman signing for Tottenham created a bit of stir in the scouting offices as Jester demanded we find a comparable GK to take his place.

Our First Choice was Scherpen, but Jester wanted another choice because he was worried about Work Permit.

The two main ringleaders one of whom is the captain got over their indignation at the Manager not playing enough Youth player's last season.

Instead of Scherpen, the team in a bit of a "Panic Buy" decided on another Goalkeeper.

He had been the GK of recently relegated to League One Birmingham. Other than his price he ticks all the boxes that Jester wants in a Goalkeeper. Jester is also hoping that incumbent Backup Gracyzk provides competition.

and this was a record transfer for the club. Jester's career almost hinges on it being a success.

Team's seem to be ciricling thinking Jester is having a fire sale.......Diaby is an interesting case he is a dependable backup that could possibly be  a regular starter. Biggest problem with giving him a new contract is Work Permit. So, he may be sold in January.

Of course, when I introduced the record signing, I had to show confidence in his ability to help our team!

I also had to hire a new U-21's Head Coach. He had the best attributes and a decent personality, but doesn't know the 5-2-2-1 formation.

Another Grumbler our leading assist man Robbie Brady was offered out....

The team then headed to Scotland for a pair of Friendlies starting with Aberdeen.

It was another terrible display after taking an early lead.....the only ray of hope our new "Hobbit" Cross-Adair is thriving at F9!

The other DM was let go to give this player more of an opportunity it was easy since he is a N. Ireland International and has other teams sniffing around.

more injuries for important players now he will miss time when he could be learning the new formation and he is a playmaker!

After the trip to Scotland the team returned to the friendly confines of Deepdale and won a friendly.

Brady decided to go to Aberdeen and that creates a hole at Left Wingback, but the team had a player in U-21's that would be at least a backup at 18!

KSC came sniffing just after he signed an extension.....

Jester had seen most of the players he wanted to leave already leave so he was now looking forward to building team cohesion for the Campaign ahead.

Marketing had some decent news for the club. Season Ticket sales were up!

We also were able to tie down the "English Messi" on a Club favorable contract. When Woodburn comes back he is the #2 Striker.

After meeting with the Captain and then a meeting with Potts where Jester didn't want to give him a new contract. Potts stirred up enough of the team that Jester relented.

The last Friendly of the Preseason was a quick Trip to Northen Ireland to play Linfield.

The team really looked like they had learned the 5-2-2-1 formation after some early troubles.

Riley Owen who was just promoted from U-21's was the focus of interest of Norwich. They made multiple offers topping out at $1.5M but Jester decided he was going to keep this "Hobbit" around and hopefully like Cross-Adair would come to his senses and sign on for the long haul.

Season Preview

This is the teams new formation and the Opening Day Starting Lineup.

Teddy Sharman-Lowe SK-S

Bambo Diaby BPD-C

Liam Lindsay BPD-ST

Andrew Hughes BPD-C

Brad Potts WBR-A

Alan Browne DM-D

Alli McCann DLP-S

Jacob Slater WBL-S

Tom Dele-Bashariu SS-A

Ethan Galbraith Trequarista-A

Finlay Cross-Adair F9

The team was as ready as they were going to be let's see how the Bookies and Media saw the team:

We are seen as possible relegation fodder. Mostly due to the strength of the teams relegated from the Premier League and the recently relegated that remain.

The Goal Scorers

The Playmakers

The Young Stars.....but I think we have a dark horse candidate!

Management Report

Financial Report

The finances are in a good state a couple of decent cup runs and we may be able to upgrade some youth facilities.

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hootieleece]

August 2024: Regular Season "A Hobbit leads the team."

Manager's Thoughts

Jester was uncertain of the team he had, he knew it had potential and that the team was beginning to understand the new system. The problem was that at least in the short term he would be relying on young untested players.  They were led by Finlay Cross-Adair, who Jester dubbed the "English Messi" lived up to the billing. If the team can keep this up midtable is a certainty!

Schedule

Highlights

Transfers are basically over many of our new signings were part of the 23-24 Season but this season saw the team due some decent business so far:

The loan of Wareham is something Jester regrets as it was a panic reaction to Woodburn being hurt and not trusting Cross-Adair! Also, the Hugill transfer was a spark of genius by the Front Office (transfer team) that brought in a different style of player that can be used upfront.

The first match of the season would see the team travel to Luton town to "christen" their New Stadium

 

Luton was considered a favorite because of the home advantage.

The board reminded Jester of the season's expectations. Jester thinks PNE will be fine if they can get off to a fast start like last season.

The team got off to a fine start ruining their host's party! Thanks to a brace from Finlay Cross-Adair!

The teams record signing made a decent debut.....hopefully he will account for some clean sheets in the future!

Finlay Cross-Adair was the man of the match!

And to not put too much pressure on our new hero, Jester complimented the team!

A lot of passing triangles but not much penetration. We were able to keep control of the ball and used if effectively though.

The Marketing team is thrilled to report a 3% increase in season ticket sales!

The next match was a Carabao Cup match at Deepdale Stadium. Jester wasn't expecting much and played the backups against one of the better teams in the League.

It was a shame that this had to go to penalties since they went down to ten men after Six Minutes, but compared to the Lilywhites they were a Premier League Team with the likes of Jesse Lingard in their ranks. The little from Lancashire proved their worth with their determined comeback and holding their nerve in the penalty shootout!

The other big news was the loss of emerging SS-A Westendorf who had showed glimpes of quality last season.

The pass map is a little less bunched up and that was because they defended deep with 10 men most of the match.

As a  reward we now play old foe Stoke in the Carabao Cup.

Our next match would see us host a match against a Playoff rated side led by Michael Carrick!

Can the Home underdogs pull off the upset?

We didn't win but showed a lot of heart. We controlled the match except for a 5-minute period in the second half that allowed Josh Bowler look like a Superstar!

Dele-B was our big purchase last season and he mostly played DM-RPM. Moving him to Treq-A in new formation reaped benefits!

I appreciated the 5-minute burst of the opposing player made my defenders look like pylons on the training ground!

Again better Penetration even is the team didn't keep the ball as well.

The next match was a trip to London and Crystal Palace. We were considered big underdogs.

Cross-Adair did his thing we even built a 3-0 lead and almost threw it away in the second half!

Our young hero is carrying the team in Woodburn's absence!

Time to praise him in the media!

Another good pass map!

The next match was the second round of the Carabao Cup! Jester played the backups again.

The backups beat another 10 man team! This time Jon Jo Shelvey was sent off after 6 minutes. 

The goalie shined because we couldn't really breakdown their Bus.

A clogged Pass Map and shows how they tried to press us even though they were down to 10 men!

We will travel to Lincoln hoping for a win and an away match against a Premier League Team!

The last match of the month saw the team travel to Derby. Again we were underdogs to a team in Shaky form. Could We get the win?

Only a Draw but Jester was happy to end the month undefeated!

We are now gegenpressing with Tuchel Style Possession!

A good pass map showing Penetration of the opponent half.

League Table

Monthly Analysis

Player of the Month

Here is our Frodo!

Management Report

Everyone loves you when things are going well.

Financial Report

The finances are in good shape, but a couple of cup runs would help.

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[karanhsingh]

Some big departures in that off season - a very good start all things considered. 

[SixPointer]

Good start! Seems the team have gotten to grips with the system now. All without your star player. 

[13th Man]

Wow, some massive injuries, big departures, yet you’ve started the season very strong! If you can keep it going, things could get even better.

[Hootieleece]

7 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

Some big departures in that off season - a very good start all things considered. 

All the departures were sort of planned except for the Goalkeeper Woodman that one sort of came out of the blue. One day no one wanted him. Next day rumor had it Tottenham wanted him and he came about wanting to weigh his options at the end of his contract. I tried to extend he agreed to talks but demands were unreasonable. So after that had another discussion and agreed if someone came for him I would agree to let him leave. Tottenham bid and I negotiated as good an offer within reason as I could.

5 hours ago, SixPointer said:

Good start! Seems the team have gotten to grips with the system now. All without your star player. 

The team had been training this as the third system last season. So I was surprised with the results early on. Lucky for us the Finlay "Frodo Messi" Cross-Adair was ready to step up and already in the team. (just promoted from U-21's)

3 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Wow, some massive injuries, big departures, yet you’ve started the season very strong! If you can keep it going, things could get even better.

I think that things will balance out and we will have a similar season to last year, but if we could somehow sneak into the playoff I would be pleased.

[Hootieleece]

September 2024: Regular Season "Reality Checks"

Manager's Thoughts

The team had two weeks to prepare new Set-Piece Routines because of a quirk in the schedule because of an International Break. The fixtures were a mixture of teams. PNE would definitely face tests from Nottingham Forest and Watford. The team played well even though it lost to Forest. The biggest thing that Jester is noticing is how much lack of penetration of teams defending deep. He had hoped the F9 would draw out the Central defense and open up space. It wasn't quite working as planned. To be fair this was a complaint about Chelsea under Tuchel in real life as well. How is a Tolkien Scholar with limited Football knowledge fix this? He can't just have the Eagles rescue the hobbits from Mount Doom...

Schedule

Highlights

The month of September would begin with Transfer Deadline day and an International Break which would last two weeks!

Jester was not considering any moves at this time because the team didn't have the wage budget or Transfer funds to make a move that would make real impact.

The Scouts came up with someone if they had about a month earlier would have saved the club $3.4M

Jester almost pulled the trigger because of the personality alone!

This is how the transfer window ended. Mellor looks like he is going to be a flop already.......He can't break into the starting 18!

To say that anything better than 20th place would be overachieving would be an understatement based on Payroll.  If the team had a median payroll of $27.5M. Jester thinks he would be promotion contender!

Crystal Palace was hit hardest by the Relegation and did the most to settle into life in the Championship. Jester is glad he didn't take them up on their offer.

After two weeks on the training grounds the team was ready for the match with Swansea....

The bookies and media made us favorites and we worked on Set-Pieces after changing them up a bit. Hopefully that would help ensure victory on Saturday!

The media were concerned about PNE because we didn't have many players on International Duty. Jester said the time on the training ground was well spent.

Jester had played the Backups in the match and was rewarded with a win. He did so knowing that the next opponents would be much tougher: Watford and Nottingham Forest.

The game winner was scored by Cross-Adair!

Robbie Brady was injured on loan at Aberdeen and it was serious enough for him to come back for treatment. Jester sent him to the Team Doctor.

Pass map is very congested even though the team tries to bring the ball down the flanks!

Analysis shows a worrying tendency to allow shots in our box and and final third through the middle (mostly ball over the top of our press) during our undefeated run.

Watford a top team in the Championship was coming to visit and were favored to win. Could PNE as Home underdogs win?

Mikey O'Neill another of the youngsters opened the scoring. The match was in the balance and they had success along the flanks, but it was a Set-Piece that beat the goalie just before halftime. The second half saw Watford sit back after RB NGAKIA was sent off injured and PNE could penetrate their lines.

The media noticed our good fortune....

and inevitably one of the media members asked the famous Question:

about the rise of Jester-ball!

As one can see PNE was lucky to draw!

During training another serious injury.....at least it wasn't a Broken Leg! Knock on wood.....

The next match against Nottingham Forest was expected to be a loss even with the Home Advantage and Jesse Lingard ruined our day once again.

That was the first loss of the season for PNE we played them tough and if we had been a little more clinical, we could have based on XG!

The pass map was good, and we kept possession just couldn't finish against the best team in the league!

The next match would see the team travel to Lincoln for the Carabao Cup. Jester played the Backups expecting to beat the League One Club.

Unfortunately the hangover from the last game was still in effect.

The young "hobbit" whose head was turned by Norwich finally saw sense....and would start in the Cup!

The match was a disaster PNE couldn't breakdown their "Bus" and we were beat on penalties!

The fans took to social media after them match to express their anger!

We did everthing right except score.....

The final match of the month saw the team head to Wales for a showdown with Cardiff.

PNE would be looking for better performances......

The "Prodigal" Hobbit signed up for more time with the Lillywhites.

It was a back and forth affair and after they took lead they seemed happy to sit deep and protect their lead. Jester brought out his Secret Weapon Hugill and the Center Forward was the recipient of an Early Cross as Jester changed tactics to breakdown the bus. Unfortunately, he was injured soon afterwards, but a winner was scored by playmaker Whiteman in extra time!

The Social Media Trolls were out in force, but a win is a win....

Injured after scoring a goal.....

 

Whiteman had a good game as Playmaker capping his performance with a goal.

Jester was well pleased with the comeback showing the team had fight in it!

The Thrilling Comeback Victory made the Headlines on Sky Sports!

Whiteman was Player of the Week

The analysts were happier with our pass map

League Table

Monthly Analysis

According to the Analysts we are doing well because of our Clinical shooting! We are accurate just don't take enough shots!

Player of the Month

Management Report

The team is in a good place, Jester has the confidence of the Triad: The Board, the Supporters, and the Team.

Financial Report

The finances are secure but we will need a good FA CUP run to maybe leave enough money to upgrade the Youth Facilities. That is the plan for this season since our Youngsters are looking good and winning trophies at their level (last season) and a good Academy Pipeline would help the team head to the Premier League.

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[warlock]

38 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

We are accurate just don't take enough shots!

There's always something isn't there 

Pretty good start - Top 10 is okay at this stage of the season.

[Hootieleece]

6 minutes ago, warlock said:

There's always something isn't there 

Pretty good start - Top 10 is okay at this stage of the season.

You are right a top 10 place is good for this stage of the season.

My first goal this season is to get to 50 points. After that enough points for top half. If we get lucky (very) a promotion playoff place.

The matches against the teams that sit deep is showing the flaws in the system, but I think it is more a problem of quality of player than the System itself.

Last Season we were near the top of the charts on shots attempted!

 

[karanhsingh]

I prefer to be clinical rather than firing blanks all over the place! 

Decent start that. Hope you can keep it going. 

[13th Man]

Frustrating month, but still in a decent place.  Do you you have an idea how you're going to get the side over the hump towards the top?  Seems like the cash isn't there for a quick build, so looks like it's got to come from recruitment?

Still. So. Many. Injuries.  Bad ones too.  There's always the 1-2 week injuries all the time, but seems like every one is 3-4 weeks or worse!

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, karanhsingh said:

I prefer to be clinical rather than firing blanks all over the place! 

Decent start that. Hope you can keep it going. 

Have to agree with this. Nothing worse than having 15 shots on goal only hitting the target 4 times and getting beat 1-0 from a team with one big chance. 

[Hootieleece]

6 hours ago, karanhsingh said:

I prefer to be clinical rather than firing blanks all over the place! 

Decent start that. Hope you can keep it going. 

I agree but I haven't really changed players and we still seem to be trying out to be NFL Kickers.

4 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Frustrating month, but still in a decent place.  Do you you have an idea how you're going to get the side over the hump towards the top?  Seems like the cash isn't there for a quick build, so looks like it's got to come from recruitment?

Still. So. Many. Injuries.  Bad ones too.  There's always the 1-2 week injuries all the time, but seems like every one is 3-4 weeks or worse!

I am going to have to go the youth route I have already started with Mikey O'Neill and Finlay Cross-Adair. I also am going to move the "Old Guard" next summer for the most part several have taken shocking dips in form and physicals.

The injuries I think are due to my team NOT being the biggest and strongest. (This team has more "hobbits" than my usual teams.) I prefer to play bully ball with bigger, faster, stronger players to make up the difference in technical ability, Unfortunately at present I can't bring in all the players I want and, in many cases, especially the top teams in this league ARE bigger, faster, and stronger than we are.

4 hours ago, SixPointer said:

Have to agree with this. Nothing worse than having 15 shots on goal only hitting the target 4 times and getting beat 1-0 from a team with one big chance. 

I agree with this in principle, but a lot of shots sometimes balances out results. My team is scoring on roughly 20% of our shots. If we take 10 shots that means, we should get 2 goals. If we take 15 shots, 3 goals. So sometimes more is better. Also if I am shooting, I am pressuring the opposition and they can't hurt my defense and goalie.

[Hootieleece]

October 2024: Regular Season

Manager's Thoughts

October was a struggle the team was still having problems with the new formation and tactics, and it didn't help that the best XI have only played one match together. This season we are seeing both parked buses and We are being pressed as well. The lack of pace of some of our defenders has been exploited by the opposition. We are good at finishing but we are having a hard time taking enough shots to make up for our defensive lapses. Our form is lackluster at best and Jester needs to rethink or at least tinker with the tactics to get better outcomes. The matches to end the month were both losses that were hard to swallow each in a different way. Bristol City losing to a parked bus that went down to ten men after scoring, West Brom pressed hard and made us susceptible to quick direct counter attacks beyond our press.

Schedule

Highlights

The month began with PNE hosting Oxford at Deepdale.

PNE was favored and this was one of the newly promoted teams.

This match saw the return of Ben Woodburn to the Lineup. He scored but was largely ineffective due to his missing 3 months of training and games and wasn't familiar with his new role or tactic.  Unfortunately, Oxford found a way to get past our defense and score. 

Media are talking about how were in the top 10 not in the relegation battle....Jester doesn't want to get ahead of himself....He saw too much wrong in the match against Oxford and much to work on if the team was to keep its place in the table.

Another pass map that shows a lack of penetration against a deep sitting team.

This match was also the first that the preferred starting XI played together this season!

During the International Break in October our match was rescheduled so the league had only one match that week....

for the bottom of the table.

As Jester had seen troubling things with the new tactics and to give Woodburn some more time to get comfortable as an F9 he scheduled a friendly against Fylde.

The team won 4-0 but it wasn't a comfortable win!

After the break the team was somehow sitting in the Playoff places and Hull City came to town. Preston was favored.

Day before the match our Trequarista goes down.....

It was another less than inspiring Draw for the team.

Lots of sideways passing but very little progressive.

The next match saw the team head to Sunderland for a tough match against the Playoff contenders.

We were dominated in the first half and some Instruction changes Early Crosses and short kicks allowed Mikey O'Neill to clinch a draw late in the stoppage time.

 

Pass map shows the team compressed to its half.

The next match was against Relegation Threatened Bristol City and their PNE Favorite Manager David Moyes!

After reading that Jester expected a tough match but thought that PNE would come through with a win.

Even though Bristol City was favored.....

Bristol City Scored first early and then had a player sent off  in the second half. They sat deep after they scored and dared us to shoot. Shoot we did but there was a force field around the goal!

The pass map show more progressive passes but it is goals that win games not the number of passes!

The last match of the month was a trip to West Bromwich Albion. They are a team in good form and tough to beat considering our less than stellar play of late.

Jester had no idea what this guy was talking about, since he thought the team was in bad form.

And the bad form continued it was the Daryl Dike show as he made Liam Lindsay look like a fool while he was marking him.

The fan favorite before the match thought we were in "Good Form"?

Dike streaking past our defense on over-the-top balls and through balls was all over Sky Sports that night.

Jester was upset at the performance and tried to make a point to the team....his assistant captain felt called out!

West Brom pressed us, and we had a hard time getting prepared defensively because they disrupted our possession so well. Which led to the devastating passes to their Striker Dike.

League Table

Monthly Analysis

Still overachieving! in 12th place when XG says we should be in 17th!

We have the best conversion rate in the league problem we take 9 shots a match on average!

Player of the Month

Management Report

Still have the support of the board, supporters and team, but a few more losses and that could change.

Financial Report

Still in a decent place, but Jester will need a good FA Cup Run to balance the books.

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[13th Man]

Hard to play bully ball when you’re smaller. Think the youth route seems wise, especially as you can sell the ones if the value is right.

Looks like hard, grinding work until then though. As long as Jester can keep them mid-table, though, a run can be made at playoff spots and promotion. Then the finances will no longer be a worry!

[Hootieleece]

6 hours ago, 13th Man said:

Hard to play bully ball when you’re smaller. Think the youth route seems wise, especially as you can sell the ones if the value is right.

Looks like hard, grinding work until then though. As long as Jester can keep them mid-table, though, a run can be made at playoff spots and promotion. Then the finances will no longer be a worry!

The finances will be a problem until we get into the Premier League. The Championship has a Solidarity Payment ($5.55M) instead of Prize Money and TV Money is only $(3.33M).

I am looking for more technical players and pacier ones and will probably try to play wider to find more space. (More tweaking and tinkering) to negate the other teams' physical advantages.

[13th Man]

16 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

The finances will be a problem until we get into the Premier League.

Sorry yeah, that’s what I meant. Just need to get to that promise land…

[Hootieleece]

November 2024

Manager's Thoughts

After the disastrous October Jester and the team needed a reboot. The team started the month versus Fulham and Jester made a tactical change of Formation that propelled the team to Victory. The change was reverted but it instilled in the team the confidence that they could win matches again. Another thing was that after the International Break the Team's starting XI finally played together. This is another reason for the good month. Mikey O'Neill decided that he didn't want Cross-Adair to win all the accolades and put together a month to remember leading the line from the SS-A position.

Schedule

Highlights

The month would begin with a visit from Fulham to Deepdale. After last month's bad form Jester decided to change formations.

Fulham were definite favorites.

Jester was trying to instill confidence in the team and supporters!

The change back to the 5-2-1-2WB that mirrored their formation worked! With our young stars Cross-Adair and O'Neill providing the goals.

Thanking the supporters for their support!

The match made Sky Sports!

The Pass Map is better and since we had more than the magic number of 500 passes, we won the match because we controlled the match.

Cross-Adair has been putting in good performances in the first team and has earned his raise.

The next match would see Reading Visit Preston.

Preston was favored because of Home Advantage!

Jester also reverted to the 5-2-2-1WB for this match.

this was an ugly match between to equal teams neither of whom really wanted to win.

The International Break began and some interesting news came out in the Top 20 Players in the World: 

10 of the top 20 Players in the World: Are on Man City! How do they ever lose?

Injuries are becoming a frequent again and Lindsay got a long term injury day after Jester told him he was looking to move him in January!

After the Break the team headed to Bolton for a match....

Bolton was on winning streak could PNE overcome their Home advantage?

Diaby had been the 4rth CB but the loss of Lindsay and Hughes decline opened up a Spot in the Starting Lineup, and he was extended for less money than either of the other two CBs.

We went out to a lead but made some mistakes late that let them back into the match.

The Pass Map shows penetration by several players. Which was important to our gameplan.

We were getting ready to take on Local Rivals Blackpool next after Huddersfield and the Match Congestion came up....

Jester just loves how as he is planning on rotating the backups get hurt forcing more wear and tear on the starting XI!

The Huddersfield match was played by mostly Backup players and the match turned out to be a bore draw.

Jesse Marsch was trying to put "Lipstick on a Pig" of a match.

The match was like watching paint dry.....neither team could penetrate the others midfield press.

The team would have its new Starting XI in place for the first time!

Preston was favored and this angered the Blackpool fans! Blackpool traveled by bus for the match and had eggs thrown at their bus by Preston fans....

 Fan Favorites hyping the match.

More Hype before the Big Match!

Utter Domination by Preston!

The SS-A led the line!

It was a good month for the team!

The After Match Reports were a sight to behold!

The Possession Stats show the Team really controlled the match!

Great Pass Map and 600 Passes!

League Table

Player of the Month

Coach of the Month

Somehow the team needs to win all it matches in a month not just be undefeated!

Monthly Analysis

Management Report

A good month on the pitch means everyone is happy with Jester!

Financial Report

Team finances are still secure because of the transfer money, but Jester will look to offload some players in the future.

 

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[karanhsingh]

Solid progress, within touching distance of the play-offs. I hope you can keep up that conversion rate though.

[Hootieleece]

29 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Solid progress, within touching distance of the play-offs. I hope you can keep up that conversion rate though.

Me too, but the injury bug hits in December (spoiler)  

That update should be up later today my time (EST)

[Hootieleece]

December 2024

Manager's Thoughts

December is always a busy month for football manager's and Jester was one. He had two worries coming into the month keeping enough players fit to play because of lots of niggling injuries that happened during training were keeping scheduled rotations from happening further wearing down other players. The other concern was the lack of scoring while using the 5-2-2-1WB system. It did a great job of keeping possesion of the ball and was mostly solid defensively if for no other reason than your opponent can't score without the ball. Unfortunately the team take only about 10 shots a match and even though they score the most efficiently in the league it is leading to more draws than wins. This was also a talking point and reason why Tuchel was fired from Chelsea. (Other than Chelsea just enjoys the manager merry go round)

Schedule

Highlights

With Injuries hitting hard of late Jester wanted know why his players seemed to get run down and injured more than many teams.

This is a fairly typical training routine for two weeks with 3 matches. The Starting XI will play the Saturday matches and a Rotated Squad will play on Tuesday.

The First match of the month was a trip to Stoke and it would be a tough match all trips to Stoke are tough!

PNE was able to keep the ball but couldn't breakdown Stoke FC.

Six unbeaten is nothing to sneeze at, but Jester would like a few less draws.

As you can tell from the Pass map Woodburn was isolated from the rest of the team as he tried to penetrate the Stoke defense.

The next match was versus table proppers Sheffield Wednesday! A rotated squad would look to pile misery on them.

Jester was unsure of his rotated squad and the toothless attacking he had been seeing.

The FA Cup Draw happened before the match and PNE would be hosting Burton from League One.

The match with Sheffield Wednesday went ahead and Jester's misgivings were justified.

another bore draw, PNE just can't seem to score when we play good defense....lol. We played keep away again against a Low block. XG says we should have scored!

The media tried to put the blame on Cross-Adair and Jester did his best NOT to throw his young star under the bus....

Leigh the Trequarista was the isolated player this time around....

This is how the team was setup with almost all backups or bench players.

This is a closer look at the Match report. two shots on target, two ccc's, 2 Half chances, and 5 misses and most importantly no GOALS!

The next match would be against Playoff team Norwich.

David Wagner started the mind games...

Jester tried to show confidence in his side.

PNE fell to an extra time score after tying the match in extra time!

7 match undefeated helps make us a midtable team.....Jester won't take the foot off the gas until 50 points are achieved!

The starting XI put in a good shift against a tough defense.

In other news another "Star" Manager gets fired in the Championship and a former teacher keeps his job.....

QPR was the next match on the schedule and their visit to Deepdale would be a tough match.

Preston put on a show for the home fans! Especially Mikey O'Neill the new Teen Idol!

As the match report shows it was dominant performance against an equal.

Player of the Match and Week as a Shadow Striker!

Good triangles and spacing on the Pass Map.

Our Captain and Set Piece Specialist goes down......

The next match would be against Local Rivals Blackburn who were recently relegated from the Premier League. They are currently in the Playoff places.

The Hype train was working .....

Blackburn is in good form and we play badly against good teams.

It was an even match until Blackburn changed tactics and went Route one to a Targetman and scored before Jester could make his defensive adjustments.

Mark Hughes gloated after the win.....

Jester made it about the players and their determination.....

The pass map isn't bad we kept the ball well just didn't pass progressively.

The match was rather even if one could accuse PNE of playing defense by playing Keep the Ball Away from Blackburn!

The next match would be against Sheffield Wednesday again.....

Jester was planning on resting Woodburn and other starters again.

Sheffield Wednesday went down to ten men and defended valiantly. JJ McKiernan missed a penalty that would have won it for us. Points thrown away!

We couldn't do anything with the ball and had trouble breaking down another Bus!

The pass map has good triangles and spacing.....Jester doesn't know what is wrong with his team scoring wise.

One of our Starters is being rumored to leave during the Window.

Monthly Analysis

Jester's only answer to our woes in front of goal are we aren't shooting enough! The opposite of last season. 

League Table

Player of the Month

Management Report

Financial Report

to be continued:

 

 

 

 

[13th Man]

Definitely the definition of midtable form right now! Rough October, great November, decent December…all averaging out to midtable. Which is good but can also be so frustrating.

You planning on sticking with the 5–2-2-1 for the most part? It’s tough to go away from defensive solidity!