Motlhen Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 (edited) History Season 1, Club 1 Season 2, Club 2 Ongoing Edited May 15 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 (edited) Aug 2024 After the opening day loss to Manchester United, we bounced back with a great turnaround win against Newcastle, with Bardghji grabbing his first goal and Ferguson getting a brace. It was a fantastic performance and we deserved to win after battling hard the whole game. Then I sent out a rotated squad against Bristol City in the Carabao Cup - which we comfortably won - with Bardghji coming off the bench to grab his 2nd goal! Transfer Out I sold Gross for £10M. He was a great player for Brighton, but his physical decline cannot be ignored and we needed to generate the funds to bring in a right back. Transfer In Emre Can comes in with experience and versatility. He cost us £9M which in our circumstance, I think was a very good deal. I'll be getting the scouts to search for a long-term replacement, but we'll still get a good few years out of Can first. Edited May 15 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Sep 2024 Arsenal humbled us - but apart from that result we have been in great form. The only clean sheet this season was on Restes' debut in the Carabao Cup - defensively we need to be stronger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 15 Author Share Posted May 15 Oct 2024 Another humbling defeat at the start of the month. Only managing to score once in each game is a minor worry - hopefully we can find our shooting boots again. Transfer In To help improve at the back, I've brought in Koulibaly on a free transfer. Improvements The board have agreed to do a clean sweep of improvements: 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 20 Author Share Posted May 20 Nov 2024 In a month where I thought we could win every game, we've come away with only one win where we scraped past bottom-of-the-table Ipswich. We've only scored an average of 1 goal per game for the last 8 games and when we concede as many as we do it's not enough. We've slipped into the bottom half of the table and the pre-season aim of finishing in a European spot seems very far off now. The board have given me £15m more to spend in January as well as set up an affiliate in Northern Ireland. Youth Intake Preview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 20 Author Share Posted May 20 Dec 2024 An amazing turnaround. The team remembered how to score and, apart from a bad loss to Liverpool, we've done brilliantly to pull ourselves back into European contention. We're also through to the Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton. Winning this competition would get us into Europe too so I am delighted to be facing a Championship side over two legs for a place at Wembley versus either Newcastle or Arsenal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 21 Author Share Posted May 21 (edited) Jan 2025 Transfers In There were a couple of transfers that I cancelled at the last minute again this window. £7m for Calvert-Lewin, £15m for Salisu and a loan for Kimpembe with an optional £11m fee. All of these players are good, but I realised that they are on-par with the players we already have and I want to make sure we are improving the quality of the squad with every purchase. £27m for Thiago Almada was the biggest cancellation. He would have improved the calibre at the squad, but I've opted for another, cheaper, younger AMC. £7.5m for 18yo Pafundi (a saving of £20m) and I think that he will be a better player in 5 years than Almada is at 23. Transfers Out £10m+ for a 30yo backup. With Koulibaly coming in on a free, on less wages, this made sense to generate revenue for a player who would at most end up on the fringes of the squad. I will be keeping a close eye on the Portuguese Premier League as Lamptey will be sold for near £20m if Porto win it! He's fast, but he's not a good footballer. We have plenty of options in his position so I figured this transfer was worth the risk. Fixtures Another decent month. We're through to the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, who beat us at the start of the month. We play the final at the end of Feb and will be looking for revenge and to get our place in Europe for next season! We're also advancing through the FA Cup with some favourable draws and have Derby in the 5th round. In the league, we're in touching distance of Tottenham & Arsenal and only 7 points off of 4th (although looking that high up might be overly optimistic). Edited May 21 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 21 Author Share Posted May 21 We've achieved our goal for the season! Our first trophy at Brighton makes it 5 out of 5 competition wins so far for me personally (including the quadruple at PSG). The game was decided by Enciso, a great individual display by the sub made the difference. We had to hang on at the end after Bardghji's injury reduced us to 10-men for the final 6 minutes plus nine minutes of stoppage time but we did it and I am delighted! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 (edited) Feb 2025 We had a great month, only dropping points to Man City. Our run of games wasn't the toughest but the winning run will have helped us overcome Newcastle to win the club's first Carabao Cup. Bardghji continues to prove an incredible signing with his 2nd Young Player of the Month in a row in 2025. We're in 9th and now closing the gap between us and the teams above us. Edited May 23 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 Mar 2025 We've crashed out of the FA Cup after a slightly rotated squad didn't give enough against Bournemouth. This marks the first competition I've not won as a manager (although it would be unrealistic to think we'll get close to the league title this season). In the league, it has become remarkably close. 4 points below us are Arsenal, who have two game in hand on us. 4 points above us is 3rd!? We have 7 games to go and I would love to push our Conference League spot up to a Europa League spot for next season. Bardghji is denied a 3rd YPotM award by Ferguson - with Barco rounding off a Brighton top 3! NxGN Our 2 signings and also Hinselwood have made it into the top 50. I will pay Hinselwood more attention when he returns from his loan from Clermont and try to get him some playing time next season to see how he develops. Youth Intake Not a great intake, as expected. I'm hoping some European money will fund some more facility improvements next season and the quality of our youth intakes should improve soon after. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 (edited) Apr 2025 The run in! Buonanotte grabs a 97th minute winner to muster a huge 3 points for us. We've won our hardest game in April and will have to keep this run going this month because May's fixtures are not a kind way to end the season. That result takes us to the dizzying heights of 5th. All of a sudden both we have an advantage over Arsenal and Aston Villa despite their games in hand. Can we make 5th our own? Edited May 22 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 We're up to 4th with a convincing win over Burnley. Man Utd can catch us and the teams 7th and below have a game advantage too but they have a gap to catch back up to us. I'm hoping for 2 more wins next, then a draw and then probably 2 losses (so 2 free hits!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 Another commanding win! We're above Chelsea too now! 3rd never seemed possible, but everyone around us has been dropping points (or not playing as many games) and we have stormed up the table. ... Then Chelsea lost their game in hand, crowning Liverpool Champions as they won 7-0 at home, and meaning only Man Utd can are within touching distance of us when they play their game in hand. Man Utd are also still involved in the UCL - in what is an absolutely outrageous semi-final line up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 Apr 2025 April ends with 4 wins from 4 and my first Manager of the Month award in the Premier League. (I forgot to take a league screenshot here, sorry) Whilst we push for Champions League football I have been toying with the idea of signing Lewis Miley. I am not over the moon with the fee or the contract clauses - but he is one hell of a youngster. I've delayed my decision as we need to know what competition we'll be playing in next season before making a decision I reckon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 May 2025 A massively disappointing draw. I was hoping we would battle for a point - but we were 3-0 up at half time and cruising. Losing in this manner feels like 2 points dropped and I hope we don't live to rue this. Chelsea (who we play on the last day of the season) and Man Utd (still in the current season's UCL) are hot on our tails. I don't know when our aim became top 4, but it is now! Next, we have the minor task of playing Liverpool, who have only lost to Villa this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted May 22 Author Share Posted May 22 We've beaten Liverpool! And with it qualified for the UCL!!! We were 9th for most of the season and have flown up to 3rd and I can't quite believe that we'll be playing in the Champions League next season. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 6 Author Share Posted June 6 May 2025 What a way to end the season. After we clinched a Conference League spot for next year through the Carabao Cup, I thought we could maybe upgrade to a Europa league spot, but never thought Champions league would be possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 6 Author Share Posted June 6 I've immediately asked the board to use the Champions League money for improvements. And we managed to get an affiliate in France. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 10 Author Share Posted June 10 Transfers Out Transfers In We've got 2x new right backs who will fight for a first team spot. And we've added Theate as a first choice at centre-back with Dunk not getting any younger. I chose not to sign DCL for around £9m in January and I am glad I didn't, as he joined us on a free! He's a great alternative option up front as our pressing forward. Ilenikhena is another great signing, but we will look to loan him out this season for regular first team football. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 Start of 2025/26 Season Last season we didn't have continental football to contend with. This season we will be jumping straight into the Champions League with a mean list of fixtures. Because of the fixture congestion and our over-performance last season, I am glad that the board only want a top-half finish in the league. I would like us to at least get Europa league football for next season. Squad This is my favoured 1st and 2nd Xi for the coming season. Rotation will be key! Backups We have a solid list of backups. Bounanotte & Ilenikhena will hopefully be loaned out before the transfer window closes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 Aug 2025 We managed to be comfortable against Brentford on the opening day, until a late goal. Then we strolled into Bournemouth and got caught lacking. They played us off the park and I blasted the team for a terrible performance - and they reacted heroically by smashing 7 past West Brom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 Saudi clubs have come sniffing, but I'm not giving in! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 13 Author Share Posted June 13 Sep 2025 AN incredible month, with a huge win against Inter Milan to kick off our European campaign. We're riding near the top of the premier league, although Man Utd have gone 6 from 6 so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Oct 2025 Going into our game against Man Utd, we were level on points at the top! So I guess a draw might have been expected. But Liverpool, who just knocked us out of our defence of the Carabao Cup, have also leapfrogged us both into pole position. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 (edited) Nov 2025 A tough month. And how it can all change so quickly. From top-spot to out of the European places. Props to West Brom for making me feel better. We're still top of the UCL group though! Youth Intake Preview Edited June 14 by Motlhen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Dec 2025 A mixed bag to finish the year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Jan 2026 A couple of poor results against Bournemouth & Brentford, but a huge win against Juventus sees us finish 6th in the UCL group and jump straight to the Round of 16. In the Premier league, we're only 5 points off of 3rd, where we finished last season, and only 9 points off of top - but with so many teams jostling for position, there's no guarantee and we need to get back to form. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 14 Author Share Posted June 14 Feb 2026 A really disappointing month. Both the Villa and Leicester games, we couldn't hold onto the 2-1 lead and conceded in the 90-plus minutes. Then going out of the FA Cup against Leeds with pretty full squad, was unacceptable. We have drawn against Juventus in the UCL R16. We beat them 4-0 already this campaign, but we need to show up! Knockout Playoff Round My old club PSG being knocked out was the biggest shock & Villa were unlucky to lost to Real Madrid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 We've managed to get past Juventus! It was a lot tougher than our 4-0 win against them in the Group Stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 Youth Intake Hunt looks like he could be very good, I'll be keeping an eye on him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 Mar 2025 A massive month. Through in the Champions League and beating 2nd and 5th in the league to close the gap to the teams above us. First place is seemingly impossible now - but after last years late surge, I am looking at that 5-point gap to 2nd place and wondering if we could get close. A huge tie against Liverpool is on the horizon - we'll be playing them 3 times in 11 days. I've managed to pick up a brilliant free signing of Asensio, who was a star in my PSG squad. ...and I also forgot to mention that I bought Garner in January as a decent home-grown backup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 Apr 2025 We let a 2-goal lead against Liverpool slip THREE TIMES. Including a 91st minute equaliser in the 2nd leg which forced extra time before they took the lead against us for the first time and pushed on to win. A rough way to exit the UCL. Wins against Spurs and Birmingham keep us in the hunt for UCL football again next season. Asensio's been on good form since joining and his 92nd minute equaliser steals what could be an important point against the league leaders. Will have to keep an eye out for this player in the next few seasons. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 West Brom got relegated and then capitulated against Newcastle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 May 2025 Another incredible end to the season! We were heading for 5ht spot and the Europa league until Asensio popped up with a 93rd minute winner against Newcastle! 4th is one spot (and six points) lower than last season, but I think this is huge progress considering we were not competing in Europe at all last season and this season we got as far as the UCL Quarter Finals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 I've already started building for next season with a couple of big names joining us in July. But another focus this summer will be on the World Cup. I am hoping to end up as an International manager after the World Cup - with my sights set on the Euros in 2 years. England would be my first choice of the teams who haven't won the Euros, but Belgium and possibly Switzerland would be good options too. World Cup Groups There are some pretty big omissions from the World Cup, including Croatia and Switzerland! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 Man City won the league but suffered in every final they got to: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 World Cup 2026 Panama making it to the knockouts ahead of Japan was probably the only real upset in the Group Stages. Belgium have won their first world title! Turkey were the surprise package making it to the semis The England job still remains Jose Mourinho's after he has guided them to 3rd place. Although it is not certain it will remain that way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 Transfers A big window, with a few massive deals on deadline day. Out Mitoma ended up being a fringe squad player so I wasn't going to turn down £50M. Igor was also in the same position and £30M for him I was happy with. Two players I was not expecting to leave were Verbruggen £37.5M and last season's big signing Theate £49M. Both were unhappy after I initially rejected bids, so I then lined up replacements and all of the deals went through just in time. In 4 freebies. Mosconi is one for the future and Delap is a decent home-grown backup. Milinkovic-Savic is a huge signing for us and if Kessie gets a work permit in 90 days, they will be a formidable duo in central midfield. If he doesn't, we'll sell him in January. The deadline day deals were Home-Grown-at-Club Sanchez as well as van de Ven! Looking at the comparison between each, I am very happy with the switches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 In Out Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 Aug 2026 We've had a perfect start. Ferguson has been on fire and we haven't conceded yet! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 In the summer we agreed another facility improvement, which will take us to maximum in all four categories once complete. But it has meant that other clubs have started poaching our youth players - a 2nd player has left, this time to Chelsea. UCL Our fixtures look decent. Two huge games against Real Madrid & Man United. I fancy our chances against the rest. The squad looks strong! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 17 Author Share Posted June 17 5 games in to the league season and Ferguson has matched his tally from last season! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Sep 2026 A huge win at Arsenal in a month only marred by dropping points at home to Chelsea. We've started so strong! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Oct 2026 How quickly things can turn around. We've had Arsenal, Chelsea, both Manchester clubs, Real Madrid and league-leaders Newcastle in just over a month. I'm happy we snatched a point off Madrid, but 3 losses in the league means we've been swiped off of top spot and fallen to 5th. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Nov 2026 We're back to winning ways, only dropping points to Spurs. Two big 5-0 games in a row I am excited about our form and trying to close the gap at the top of the Premier league! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Youth Intake Preview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 28 Author Share Posted June 28 Dec 2026 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 28 Author Share Posted June 28 Jan 2027 Transfers In Fixtures Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motlhen Posted June 28 Author Share Posted June 28 We've drawn against surprise package Monaco who are down in 12th in Ligue 1 but have knocked out Real Madrid! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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