karanhsingh Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 (edited) History awaits. It's OGC Nice in the final. Here are the line-ups. We are at full strength except for the miss of Amdouni up front. Edited June 7, 2023 by karanhsingh 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 (edited) This time, sadly we concede the early goal. It comes from a poor clearance from the GK - unpardonable in a final. The only good thing is that we have enough time to bounce back. We are slowly growing into the game when this happens. On this occasion, it comes from our striker Itten losing the ball. Two goals conceded from turnovers inside our own half. A glimmer of hope before half-time! Or is it?! The goal is chalked off by VAR unfortunately. The stats will show we don't deserve to be losing at HT, let alone losing by 2 goals. But in finals, it all comes down to the finer details and not making mistakes. Unfortunately, we have not held our nerve so far. We are switching to a 4-4-2 and going all out in the second half. Edited June 7, 2023 by karanhsingh 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 We start the second half in the ascendancy and then Nice get a throw in deep in our half. The ball is lifted to the back post, and Laborde powers in a thumping header. It's all over, there is no way back now. Three really poor goals to concede in any game, let alone a final. That goal absolutely knocked the stuffing out of us. The game ends with both the sides fairly even on stats and xG. But the winning margin for Nice is a whopping 3 goals. Nice were clinical, while the Young Boys were actually too "nice". It's been a learning experience. The pressure of playing in a major final is something else altogether. And so, the Young Boys finish as UEFA Conference League finalists of 2025. This time, it was not to be. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixPointer Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 Tough one to take especially after such a fantastic result in the semi! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 7, 2023 Author Share Posted June 7, 2023 So I just saw that Basel were seconds away from making the conference league final IRL this season, and that Amdouni scored in both legs of the semis vs Fiorentina Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 7, 2023 Share Posted June 7, 2023 Disappointing to lose the Final, but a fantastic effort to get that far. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 The Swiss Super League of course was won at a canter. Sadly, we could not go invincible as we lost a couple of stupid games at the end, when everything was already decided. But we did hit the 100 point mark which is pretty special! Also the Swiss Cup was secured in a rather eventful final against Servette: And so we managed to complete the domestic double, even if the big European title just evaded us. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 Moe Bumbercatch has also officially entered the Swiss hall of fame after this season, but of course there is still a long way to go! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 The squad stats are littered with exceptional performances across the board. Zeki Amdouni finishes as top scorer with 26 goals despite his season ending injury in March. It's a story of what might have been in the UEFA Conference final had he stayed fit. Kastriot Imeri was our assist machine with a whopping 32 from the left wing. Fabian Rieder though is certainly the best player on this team, and duly delivered with 20 goals + 20 assists from midfield. He surely cannot stay in Switzerland for too long. At the back Mohammed Camara was an absolute beast and even popped up with 18 goals himself. Cheikh Niasse was a very dependable performer in the DM role and has quietly helped himself to 10 goals + 10 assists for the season too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 Here for a good time, not a long time With that, it seems the right time to sign off from the Young Boys after a fantastic season. Moe would gladly stay if they could have another shot at the UEFA Conference League, but that would mean finishing 3rd in the league! An interesting opportunity has popped up at the end of the season: Brighton are mid-table in the Premier league, and just lost their manager Lionel Scaloni to Arsenal who have been struggling badly as well. Could this be the right time to make the jump to a team in the biggest & most popular league in the world? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carambau Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Congratulations on the double! Great performance in switzerland there. Now it looks like its time to move indeed 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 15 minutes ago, Carambau said: Congratulations on the double! Great performance in switzerland there. Now it looks like its time to move indeed Thanks! Although winning the double with this team was the minimum expectation. And yes it might be time to move. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 8, 2023 Share Posted June 8, 2023 Good luck on your next challenge. I see you really have lost time to play FM because of the baby 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 19 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: Good luck on your next challenge. I see you really have lost time to play FM because of the baby I think I'll have to start doing more frequent updates here about the save looking at my current pace of playing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 10, 2023 Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 Moe has made the move to Brighton & Hove Albion. Welcome to the Premier League! Brighton in game have not been faring as well as real life, actually getting relegated before bouncing back and then finishing mid-table under Scaloni who left for Arsenal. Brighton of course is a very well run club which is admired a lot in real life, and it will be nice to manage them in the game. Definitely intend on staying here for more than a season. The objectives for Moe at Brighton are very simple. He was surprised to find out the club has never won any silverware in their entire history. - qualify for a European competition for the first time in the club's history - win something, anything! Bring home Brighton's first ever trophy. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swaban Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 nice! any plans to try and use a somewhat moneyball approach like Brighton do? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 10, 2023 Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 2 hours ago, Swaban said: nice! any plans to try and use a somewhat moneyball approach like Brighton do? Cheers - well I can tell you we already have a positive net spend from the first transfer window. But yes I'd like to follow a similar recruitment strategy as they have in real life at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 Good luck in Brighton. For sure a great club and stadium, great philosophies, and a lovely place to live! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 10, 2023 Author Share Posted June 10, 2023 27 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said: Good luck in Brighton. For sure a great club and stadium, great philosophies, and a lovely place to live! Absolutely! Have you lived there? I went on a holiday ages ago with my first girlfriend so have some nice memories Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 10 hours ago, karanhsingh said: Absolutely! Have you lived there? I went on a holiday ages ago with my first girlfriend so have some nice memories I haven't actually lived there, but have visited and almost got a job there some years back. People I know that have lived there always speak highly about it. Very expensive living there though, so make sure you negotiate good contracts! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
13th Man Posted June 10, 2023 Share Posted June 10, 2023 Weirdly missed all this action here! Congrats on the league title, and the Brighton job. Heartbreak in Europe. As you’ll see, I had an eerily similar result against Nice in Europe, though in a much less massive match. Looking forward to new adventures on the south coast! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 6 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: I haven't actually lived there, but have visited and almost got a job there some years back. People I know that have lived there always speak highly about it. Very expensive living there though, so make sure you negotiate good contracts! Ha! Thanks for the tip 5 hours ago, 13th Man said: Weirdly missed all this action here! Congrats on the league title, and the Brighton job. Heartbreak in Europe. As you’ll see, I had an eerily similar result against Nice in Europe, though in a much less massive match. Looking forward to new adventures on the south coast! Thank you! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixPointer Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Wonderful work in Switzerland! A feel like Brighton is a great move, feels real as well. Surely you’ll be looking to take at least Rieder with you to the south coast. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 29 minutes ago, SixPointer said: Wonderful work in Switzerland! A feel like Brighton is a great move, feels real as well. Surely you’ll be looking to take at least Rieder with you to the south coast. Spoiler alert - you guessed absolutely right! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixPointer Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 2 hours ago, karanhsingh said: Spoiler alert - you guessed absolutely right! Has to be done, even more realism 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 11, 2023 Author Share Posted June 11, 2023 Brighton - summer of 2025 The Brighton squad looked very different from the original at the time of Moe Bumbercatch's arrival. Alexis MacAllister, Moises Caicedo, Kaoru Mitoma, Pervis Estupinan, Solly March, Evan Ferguson are all gone. But that being said, the squad remains in very strong shape with quality personnel like Julio Enciso (who has emerged as a top quality attacking talent), the reliable CB partnership of Dunk & Webster, Pobega, Moder & Kozlowski in midfield, and also Maxi Gomez up front who actually finished as 2nd top scorer in the EPL the previous season. As a result, wholesale changes were definitely not required over the summer. In fact, the squad was trimmed quite a bit, with for example the club having 4 very solid options on left flank. Without further ado, here are the transfers. Of course, being back in England means that the transfers for a particular summer get divided across two pages - you'd think after literally 5+ seasons of the same bug SI would have some sort of solution for it. Here are the OUTS: Piatek was 3rd choice striker so had to go. Doku - a good talent but now likely beyond the point of realizing it. 3rd choice option for LW at best. Then come the two "controversial" transfers. Lamptey - the fans did not like that one. He seems a fantastic RWB in a back 5, however I couldn't wrap my head around a right back in a back 4 with a 2(!!) for jumping, 8 for marking and 7 for heading. 40m seemed a good fee for him, even if it was quite strange it came from Donetsk. Finally - Billy Gilmour. We did not really look to sell him. However the West Ham bid came in and he wanted to leave. Again, a young talent probably past the point of fulfilling his true potential. And as you will see, we did bring in some midfield reinforcements. And so, the INS: Yes, Moe went back to his old stomping ground for no less than 3 players. Fabien Rieder of course was the first name on the list, being easily the best player probably in the entire Swiss league and definitely ready for a move to the big leagues. Jordan Lotomba signed after a search did not yield any better players for the RB role - he would compete with on-loan Rico Lewis from Man City (there is an 8.7m option to buy for him). Cheikh Niasse was signed on deadline day after allowing the Gilmour move - a very different type of player but as Moe knew him to be a very dependable defensive midfielder / anchorman. Calvin Bassey came back home to England in a 15m+ move from Hoffenheim to provide an option at both LB & CB. Finally, Ben Beechey is an exciting young 17 year old signed from Lincoln and sent back there on loan for the season. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted June 11, 2023 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Rico Lewis is a good bit of business if you can get him permanently. AI Man City often lets its young talent leave on Free Transfers. I have Nico O'Reilly at Preston. (He started some matches for Pep THIS season at 17) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 It's time for the half-season review from the Amex: Must be said that's it's been a good start to life in England for Moe. The same 4-3-3 formation which was used with the Young Boys over in Switzerland has been solid in the Premier League as well. Taking a look at the table, one can easily see why the EPL is considered the best and most competitive league in the world It's incredibly tight at the top, with Brighton finding themselves in 3rd spot (was actually top spot at the turn of the year) but only 3 points separating the first 6 places. It's all to play for in the second half of the season. The first cup - the Carabao - saw an early exit at Anfield in what was an unlucky result for the sea-gulls Liverpool are already emerging as something of a Bogey side for Bumbercatch's men with 3 defeats from 3 games so far. Really cannot wait to get one over them! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 And here is how the squad has been performing so far: The highlights include - Maxi Gomez, who is top scorer with 12 goals - Fabian Rieder has taken to EPL football like a fish to water with 3 goals and 9 assists - Webster has been a rock at the back and somehow popped up with 7 goals as well - Pobega is an excellent BBM midfielder and drawing interest from all the big Italian clubs Moe would however like to see some more goals and assists from his wide players despite the fact that both Enciso and Strefezza have racked up some pretty good ratings 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 In my Preston save we played Brighton and Enciso played as a F9. With Sarmiento as AMR. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
13th Man Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Good business and great first half. Sorry if you already answered, but where did Brighton finish the previous season? Do you think you can keep up a title challenge? Seems like you’re comfortably beating all but the top teams… 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 12, 2023 Author Share Posted June 12, 2023 53 minutes ago, 13th Man said: Good business and great first half. Sorry if you already answered, but where did Brighton finish the previous season? Do you think you can keep up a title challenge? Seems like you’re comfortably beating all but the top teams… Thanks! They finished 10th last season so mid table. Title challenge feels unlikely, that will probably fade away, but we should be looking good to meet our objective of qualifying for Europe. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteinkelssonFM Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 Just picked up from the move to Brighton, there were a more than a few outgoing transfers during that first window. However, bringing in some of those familiar faces will help to provide a little continuity for you playing the save, enabling you to build on their narrative. Have a big soft spot for Brighton, Tony Bloom has worked wonders at the club...I think you could be the man to build on the existing foundations. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 7 hours ago, MattyLewis11 said: Just picked up from the move to Brighton, there were a more than a few outgoing transfers during that first window. However, bringing in some of those familiar faces will help to provide a little continuity for you playing the save, enabling you to build on their narrative. Have a big soft spot for Brighton, Tony Bloom has worked wonders at the club...I think you could be the man to build on the existing foundations. Thanks! And yes me too - such a fantastically well run club IRL. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidBeckham Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) Fantastic start at Brighton mate! Maxi Gomez has been an absolute goal machine! The league is so tight and I may put in a cheeky bet on you winning it Edited June 13, 2023 by DavidBeckham 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 1 hour ago, DavidBeckham said: Fantastic start at Brighton mate! Maxi Gomez has been an absolute goal machine! The league is so tight and I may put in a cheeky bet on you winning it Ha! Hope you're a better better than Ivan Toney 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 The January transfer window ended up being busier than anticipated: Two major departures. van Hecke threw a major fuss about leaving the club which was really strange given we were involved in a title race. He wanted to go to Lazio but they did not offer enough money. Ultimately, it did not make sense keeping him as the situation was beginning to affect the squad. So off he goes from a title battle to a relegation fight idiot... Ola Solbakken was moved on for a high fee on deadline day as he was not really threatening to break into the first team. We will be looking out for a new right winger for sure come the summer, someone who can really add quality to the side. Anyway, these are the boys who joined us in January. The South American scouts have surely been put to work! Obviously Jadon Sancho is the high profile signing, even though its a short term move as he wanted some first team football with the WC coming up. Hopefully, he can make an impact for us. And now for the South American wizkids! This guy looks absolutely brilliant, and goes straight into the side as a replacement for the departing van Hecke. His Argentina caps came after joining us, btw. The Colombian Salgado also looks like a very solid DM, although he has been shipped out to Frankfurt on loan for the remainder of the season as we already have 5 first team midfielders in the squad. Martin Cohen is an interesting Argentinian/ Israeli CB - probably would not have been signed had we found Pablo Ruiz before him. But he also seems to have good potential and joins the U21s for now. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 Jan and Feb were interesting months - an embarrassing defeat at Huddersfield meant our FA cup "journey" ended early - really disappointing as I desperately want to win a cup for Brighton. But in the league we have been excellent, with some huge wins the biggest one being against Man Utd who find themselves mid-table. City have dropped some stupid points, which means we somehow find ourselves at the top of the table. We are about to play City at home so we will see how serious our title aspirations really are... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 Ouch...! We are not nearly as bad as the scoreline suggests, but make no mistake, this was a footballing lesson. I have no idea how Man City are not comfortably winning the league. Their side is littered with world class talent all over the pitch and spearheaded by Haaland averaging over a goal a game. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
13th Man Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Great stuff overall. Some hilarious transfer business - £50m for two so-so players? Great finds for close to nothing for a hugely profitable window. Brutal v City though. They can be so clinical. The key seems to be disrupting build up play so they can’t create good chances. If you sit too deep they’ll rip you apart and if you push up they’ll get in behind. There’s a bit of picking your poison though, unless you can meet them in terms of talent (which is not often). 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KlaaZ Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 That Argentinian is going to be world class, jealous! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jogo Bonito Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Having a great season. A shame you didn't get to start with the original squad and see what you could do with them. But in the times you are in, still a great club to manage and going very well for you despite the Man City game. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 12 hours ago, 13th Man said: Great stuff overall. Some hilarious transfer business - £50m for two so-so players? Great finds for close to nothing for a hugely profitable window. Brutal v City though. They can be so clinical. The key seems to be disrupting build up play so they can’t create good chances. If you sit too deep they’ll rip you apart and if you push up they’ll get in behind. There’s a bit of picking your poison though, unless you can meet them in terms of talent (which is not often). I really don't know what to do with all this money! The board keeps refusing a new stadium as well. Yes regarding City. Totally at a loss of how to stop them. In fact Haaland never crossed 20 goals somehow till we came to the EPL and now this year he has almost 40 10 hours ago, KlaaZ said: That Argentinian is going to be world class, jealous! Cheers! He has a minimum fee release clause, need to try and get rid of it. 4 hours ago, Jogo Bonito said: Having a great season. A shame you didn't get to start with the original squad and see what you could do with them. But in the times you are in, still a great club to manage and going very well for you despite the Man City game. Thank you! Yes really enjoying my time in the south of England so far. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 We followed up that defeat to Man City with another stinker in the South as we went down 1-3 to the Saints. However, Man City drew Newcastle and then lost at Bournemouth to give us some hope. We beat mid-table Chelsea to go back on top of the league, before we were unlucky to lose a very tough and evenly fought game at Spurs, which once again meant City pipped us at the top. However at the end of April, a good home win over Leeds combined with the red side of Manchester winning their derby meant we would somehow go into the final month at the top of the table. This was indeed turning into quite the title race, and even Spurs could not be totally counted out yet. Brighton just 3 games away from glory, but the fixtures read Aston Villa (a), Crystal Palace (h) and Arsenal (a). This meant that Man City were still heavy favourites. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Villa absolutely imploded with 2 red cards - the game was fairly even until they went down to 10 men. Not that any of us were complaining - 1 down and 2 to go! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Man City drew 0-0 at Watford somehow right before our game against "rivals" Palace, which means a home win would take us 3 points clear into GW38 and just needing a point at Arsenal. Surely we would do the job at home. A real sucker punch to go a goal up and then still draw. Bassey made a stupid mistake for their goal by giving the ball away in our own half, but we still should have mounted more of an effort in the second half. Bitterly disappointing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Man City play Forest at home and will surely thrash them, so now we need to win at Arsenal to win the league. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Spoiler alert - what follows is scarcely believable, in the world of FM or real life football. Let's begin. Here are the team sheets for the massive game. We are at full-strength, except for missing Rico Lewis at RB due to injury. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Arsenal are pretty dominant in the first half, so it's no surprise when they take the lead through a corner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted June 14, 2023 Author Share Posted June 14, 2023 Saka scores a fantastic goal right at the top of the 2nd half and City are winning 3-0, the league title is all but decided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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