[The create-a-club challenge]

Dominiho season two review

A trophyless season, but it could have been so much worse.

Not the season I envisaged, but shows not to take anything for granted. A building block and hopefully just a dip.

Transfers/Loans

Sent Boadu on loan to Valencia for a second season, as he wasn't part of my plans and didn't fit into my 3-4-2-1 formation so another year would do him good, Thlio Kehrer, Bellingham and Tonali also embarked on loan spells.

My main signings this summer bar Darmian, who I had no plans to play, were Coretin Tolisso on loan, who proved excellent in the midfield, before deciding Zebre was where he wanted to be, Isco on loan (a total waste of wages), Eden Hazard who showed flashes of brilliance, when he wasn't injured, and having sold all my RBs in Justins and Aarons, I needed a back up so took Veltmans from Brighton in January. Darmian proved to be super handy to have as a switch back to my trusted 4-2-3-1 meant he became one of my most consistent performers. With a need to try and push the leaders, I "recalled" Alexsander Isak from Sociedad - I'd agreed to a two-year loan back deal following a £61m deal for him - he came in and provided Mbappe some much needed rest.

I dipped into the market in March in a bid to get all my transfers for season three finalised early. CR7, Carvahaj and Valverde all agreeing to join Hrimpursars.

League

I honestly thought we were well prepped to build on last year's new miss, but how I was wrong. A shoddy start saw me 10 points behind Zebre after only seven or eight games, and there was no catching them. They eventually finished a full 20 points clear of me, as I managed to secure third. A shift in formation mid-season certainly helped, but the need to bridge that now massive gap for season three is a must.

Italian Cup

The team reached the final but came up against the Zebre freight train, who had also beat me on penalties in the SupperCoppa, to hot to handle as we succumbed to defeat.

European Champions Cup

We struggled in the UCL this year, but did managed to qualify for the second round where we faced Liverpool. A 3-2 victory in the first leg having been 2-0 entering the 85th minute, set up an interesting tie at Anfield. Bentaucer decided to get sent off five minutes in the second leg and a 1-0 defeat meant we went out on away goals.

Season conclusion

A disappointing season all in all - but a top three finish still isn't terrible. Hopefully my new signings can help lead me to some sort of glory in season three.

Points total

Top 4 finish - 25 points
Top scorer - 10 points

Overall Total = 205 points

Photos to be added :)

[The create-a-club challenge]

"This game infuriates me"

Dominiho season one review

I should be happy at the outcome of this season as I steamed ahead with 170 points, but the last day of the season has me seething.

I entered the season wanting a bit of solidarity, to feel my way into the league with a new squad and new team. A storming start followed by a slight drop off, before an unbeaten run I could not have imagined ultimately left me feeling empty, despite taking home the Italian Cup.

Transfers/Loans

Sent Boadu on loan at the start of the season to Valencia, where he has performed very well. My reserve squad was extremely thin, so signed around seven or eight free agents over 30 (including Daniel Sturridge) to steady the ship and give much needed experience to those younger players. January rolled around and I a change of formation meant a rethink and entry into the transfer market - out went Jonathan Tah and Kehrer (on loan) and in came Leon Bailey, who made an instant impact. 

League

A mixed bag to start. A stunning 5-1 on the first day against Zebre followed with steady results, but by Christmas found myself 10 points behind the leaders. A switch in formation from a 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1 made a massive difference. I had struggled to find room for Felix and Asensio, but this changed that and they played pretty constantly from then on. Rotation was needed in the middle and Sander Berge put in some great performances as Saul dropped in and out through injury and tiredness. Good progress made by both Fati and Bellingham this year too. 

A 26 game unbeaten run followed, meaning I went top with two games remaining. A draw with Sampdoria meant I lead the pack on the last day, going into a game against third place Lazio. 2-0 up at H/T and a disallowed a goal just before half-time for offside which would have made it 3-0, meant a nervous wait. As has happened so often in this game, two kick fire goals from the opposition and a third meant I succumbed to my first defeat in 26 games thus losing out on the Serie A title. Fuming after that, and that is now twice across two saves where on the final day, a title has been ripped away.

Italian Cup

I did however take home the Italian Cup, after a 1-0 against Roma in the final. So some silverware at least, and a platform to continue on next season.

European Champions Cup

Qualification from the group consisting of BVB, Ludogrets and Zenit was simple enough, but again, two quickfire goals this time in the 86th and 87th minute against United in the last 16 meant my two away goals (I was 2-0 up at this point) counted for nothing and we went into the second leg at 2-2. A 1-0 lose at home meant our journey was ended there.

Season conclusion

From a points perspective we're in a really strong position - I feel I have a settled formation now and have plenty to build on. Still fuming at that league lose, and determined to put it right next year. Mbappe won every award under the sun, including World Player of the Year, Top Scorer (League and Europe) and Player of the Season. I netted the Manager of the Year award which was a slight bit of gloss. 

Points total

Top 4 finish - 25 points
Domestic Cup - 25 points
Manager of the Year - 50 points
World Player - 25 points
Top scorer - 10 points
Player of the year- 10 points

European top scorer - 25 points

Total = 170 points

[The create-a-club challenge]

Dominiho's team

So here is my team information and squad details

Club Name: Futebol Club Hrimpursars

Club Nickname: Frost Giants

Stadium Name: Stadio de Jötunheimr (75,923)

City: Pesaro

Home Kit: White and ice blue, with a cross design

Away Kit: Red and black check

Third Kit: Black, white and pink stripe

Rival Club: Vis Pesaro, Zebre, Ascoli, Fiorentina, Boca, Liverpool

Favourite People: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Diego Forlan, Chicharito, Luiz Ronaldo

Disliked People: Steven Gerrard, Sergio Ramos and Jose Mourinho

Key Affiliations: Vis Pesaro and Independiente

Club comments

Founded in 2020, Futebol Club Hrimpursars are situated in the quaint town of Pesaro. Current club manager Dominiho has history in the town taking lowly Vis Pesaro to Serie B from Serie C1 back on Championship Manager in 2001/02 - so he is a bit of a cult legend in the area. This new club, fronted by Dominiho and long-time assistant Marco Landucci, have high hopes in wrestling the Serie A title from the grips of Zebre's hands. Whilst the club have no history, some legendary players such as Diego Forlan (also an alumi of that famed 01/02 Vis Pesaro team) are still adored for the loyal fan base. Named after the Frost Giants of norse myth, FC Hrimpursars, plan to be ice cold in front of goal and want to make history in Italy and across Europe.

Staff

Director of Football: Tim Howard

Assistant Manager: Mario Landucci

Head of Youth Development: 

Chief Scout: Bojan Krcic - yes, the Barca striker's Dad!

Physio: 

Staff Comments

Still just finalising my staff so will fully update this when they have been hired. Brought Landucci with me, from previous roles within past games. A trusted advisor along side and one that buys into my footballing philosphy.

 

Goalkeepers

1. Gianluigi Donnarumma
2. Tim Howard

Goalkeeper Comments

Donnarumma is destined to be a future great of goalkeeping so who better to sign and keep in his native Italy. Tim Howard was just a cheap back up, and oddly the game has made him my Director of Football as well. He'll be gone after a season, so suspect, I'll be looking for someone else in that role.

 

Defenders 

1. Dayot Upamencano
2. Mattias De Ligt
3. Jonathan Tah
4. Thilo Kehrer
5. Max Aarons
6. James Justins
7. David Alaba
8. Nikola Milenkovic

 

Defender comments

I've aimed to go for two players per position, but utlising the abilities of my picked players to play in multiple positions. De Ligt is out for a while, so Upamencano will be my no.1 CB for the time being. Feel I have a good spread of youthfulness, yet experienced here. They'll only grow stronger as a unit. De Ligt has also been handed the captain's armband.

 

Midfielders 

1. Saul
2. Jade Bellingham
3. Rodrigo Bentaceur
4. Sandro Tonali
5. Dejan Kuluseveski
6. Sander Berge
7. Marcos Asensio

 

Midfielder comments

A little on the light side in midfield, as I only use a three and injuries permitting, I have more than enough of those that can step in. Bellingham was super cheap for the player he is likely to become, likewise with Tonali. I'm happy for Bellingham to go out on loan but no one seems interested at the moment. Saul and Bentaceur likely to be my main starters, whilst Kulusevski will be used higher up the pitch. A strong set of midfielders and again all soon to be entering their prime.

 

Forwards

1. Ansu Fati
2. Kylian Mbappe
3. Joao Felix
4. Memphis Depay
5. Myron Boadu (already sent him out on loan)

 

Forward Comments

So like Alvin, I took went with Fati and Mbappe. I'm expecting big things of Felix too, it is just finding where to fit him in. Mbappe should bag plenty in the league this season and fully expect him to finish top scorer. An exciting time to be a Frost Giant

 

Overall Squad Comments

Very happy with my squad to start, but nigh-on certain I'll need additions to beef my squad out somewhat. Loans will be the pick of the day, with Kingsley Coman rumoured to be joining. It's a strong, young squad that can stay together for a long time to come. Just need to look at a succession plan for my youth squad.

Points Target

The aim of the game is to win. That's what I plan to do. I've taken teams with lesser squads to big trophies and fully expect to do the same again. I'd be happy to double my points tally from the last challenge, so 800-900 points is certainly achievable. Let's see how we go. Up the Hrimpursars!

Images to follow...

[The create-a-club challenge]

Following on from our Everton 6 year challenge, that you can see by clicking here - 

Alvin14 and I have decided to embark on a create-a-club challenge. We're off to Italy this time and we are replacing Inter in Serie A.

We're building our squads from scratch, we're keeping the reputations the same and stadium sizes, but giving creative freedom on backroom staff, whether to start from scratch or keep what you have, club and player relationships etc etc.

The winner of this challenge will get a £20 voucher of their choice.

Spread across six seasons again, our points system that worked so well in the first is below

Champions League win: 100 points
Top division win: 75 points
Europa League win: 50 points
Domestic Cup win: 25 points
Top four finish: 25 points
Super Cup win (European): 15 points
Club World Cup win: 15 points
League Cup win: 15 points
Euro Cup II win: 15 points

Manager of the season: 50 points
Manager of the Month: 20 points

Player of the season: 10 points
Top scorer (League only): 10 points
World player of the year: 25 points
European Top scorer: 25 points

We will post seasonal updates again, and will post our picked squads before the first season starts.

Happy for others to get involved and see how you do (minus getting a voucher for winning mind), but good to hear how others perform.

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

Dominiho's Season six review

A galatico (A Toffeeo?) arrived at the club, but we the team fell flat on their promise of a title and instead Europa League qualification was the only 'achievement'. 

Not many points to add, but I was far and away winning this anyways, so not to disappointed and looking forward to a Bodeans this summer now .

So following a successful season of a Europa League win, my final tilt at the title was next and we started strongly. My two major signings were Neymar on a free and Jamal Muisala and also signed a regen from Barca B on a free, who proved to be very good for me. You'll see I signed Zak Doherty, but he was on loan at Leeds in the Championship and he smashed it.

Neymar started excellently and ended up finishing second top scorer for me and also in the Prem... you can guess who won it? DCL again. What I find funny is that he is never included by the bookies in the 'favourite' to win it haha. Muisala, didn't score all season, until the very last game of the season, however he provided plenty of assists.

At one point I was in contention for the top, won another manager of the month, and then it all went downhill. A terrible November saw me drop points all over the shop and at one stage I was 8th. 12 wins in 14 though pulled me back in to European contention, missing out on UCL by three points. It was never on the cards anyways.

Another penalty defeat to Fulham curtailed my Carabao Cup charge at the quarters, whilst my FA Cup journey didn't even start with a loss to Huddersfield! Champs League I just about qualified from the group, but went out in the last 16. All in all a disappointing season in my eyes, but successful in the boards eyes.

As Alvin has done above a little insight into my tactics across the six seasons. So I use a 4-2-3-1 formation gegenpress, however, one season I went with a 4-1-2-2-1 or in other words a 4-3-3DM. In terms of team instructions, I like to try and play on the front foot, with a positive mentality. In possession, I play out from the back and focus the play down the flanks (I switched from playing through the middle as noticed my CMs were not performing). Using DCL's proweness in the hair, we hit early crosses, though I keep these mixed - but I feel the reason we score so many is that I encourage the team to shoot on sight. Whilst I ask the team to be more expressive, I don't expect them to work it into the box, I know we concede a few, so scoring as many as possible is important - call me Kevin Keegan. Counter-press is the name of the game when we are in transition and we aim to counter once we win possession back. i expect my keeper to distribute quickly and to me CBs. When out of possession we prevent the opposition keeper distrubuting short and stay on feet when tackling. These tactics have worked well for Everton, but will be interesting how it works at other clubs, if I choose to do it.

So on to the final points

Manager of the month - 20 points

Top scorer - 10 points

So my overall total is 465.

 

Final score

Alvin14 = -380points

Dominiho = 465points.

I'll post a picture of my Bodeans in here at a later date.

 

We now move on to our next challenge - the create a club challenge. I've begun a new thread which you can find here - 

 

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

Name on the trophy! 

Dominiho's Season five review

A trophy at Goodison Park!

A great season for the Toffees ended with a victory in the Europa League!

Having missed out on the Champions League, Everton flew back this season and secured top four with five games remaining (meaning the four lost in a row, didn't cost us UCL!), but also securing their first piece of silverware since Paul Rideout scored at Wembley against my beloved United in 1995!

Some shrewd transfers and a change of system all helped propel the team to glory.

The season can be looked at with sheer consistency. I was in the top three pretty much all season, it was only the last month, that we fell to fourth. 

To start the season I bought in Alexandr Golovin. Caglar Soyuncu and Giovanni Reyna. Golovin and Soyuncu were vital to my success, with Reyna no more than a bit part player. He is now on loan in the MLS. 

I had a mass clear out, with James Rodriguez, Eduoard, Allen, Kenny, Kean, Blanco and Holgate all out the door.

Playing with a holding midfielder made a difference as we conceded less goals. Rice was there for the majority of the season, before I signed Lucas Torreria in the January transfer window. I also managed to get Lewandowski for £1.7m as a back up striker. He is yet to score for me, but did bag a penalty in the final shootout. I sold Buendia for £88m in the Jan transfer window to PSG, but added a loan back for the rest of the season, which paid dividends for me. 

DCL managed to bag 40 in total, with 14 in the Europa League run. He still won golden boot for the league and also golden boot for the Europa.

So looking at my points from this season and now entering my last of the challenge.

 

So I stated the season on 305 points

Manager of the Month x2 - 40 points

Europa League win - 50 points

Top four finish - 25 points

Win a Merseyside derby - 5 points

Top scorer (league only) - 10 points

My current total is - 435 points

 

Moving into my last season a Brazilian superstar has just arrived at Goodison Park and also a highly-sought after young German star.

 

On a sadder note, we will be leaving Goodison Park, as it was announced by the board our new stadium is to be built.

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

Dominiho's Season four review

Progress made? Maybe a transition season? A muddle of a season.

A season with mixed results, but a excellent finish brought us to the cusp of Champions league football for a third successive season, alas it was not enough.

A drop off from the previous two seasons saw Everton stumble through the league season, languishing around 8th for the majority. We made the Carabao Cup semi-finals only to be beaten on pens by Fulham. A Merseyside derby for the FA Cup final results in yet another Liverpool win, whilst a last-16 loss to Napoli, saw us achieve the expectation the board had of us.  

At one point Everton looked destined for no European football, but a stunning nine wins in 10 games saw us just miss out on UCL football. Had we beat MUFC in the penultimate game we'd have got it, but in the end we finished 6th, by goal difference, to both United and Soton. We all finished on 68 points. Disappointment, but a chance to win the Euro Cup next season. 

Brahim Diaz joined for £6m in January, but didn't really break into the team. Cusiance and Rice were pretty much ever present. Brice Bertrand also joined in January and played back up to Aarons. I expect to see him play more this year now Kenny has left.

In review I've decided to make a big clear out of the squad for the next season and a slight change of shape will hopefully have me challenging again.

 

Not many points to add on this year, however DCL did again, win both Prem top scorer and European Top scorer. 

League top scorer - DCL - 10 points

European Top scorer - DCL - 25 points

So just an additional 35 this season, but now on 305 points, moving into season five.

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

On 18/04/2021 at 12:07, gcoard said:

I've actually been inspired by this thread.  As an Everton supporter, I always try to play as them... and have had no success with them.  This time, however, I tried on FMT and have been really enjoying it.  So I started my own save.
Transfers In:

Buendia, Edouard, Nuno Mendes.  Buendia was a stud!  Mendes will be solid if we lose Digne.
Transfers Out:

Bernard, King, Gomes, Besic.  Wasn't going to play any of them.

Season Results:

After City collapsed down the stretch, we somehow finished... Second??!?!?

May went really well for us - we even beat Liverpool!

James won Player of the Season and I won Manager of the Season!

Like I said, it's been a lot of fun!  (I think that would be worth 90 points!)  Anyway, fun thread and a nice competition between you two!

PS - Dom, take screenshots lol

Edit: A few days later and I won Manager of the Month for May!

Ha that's class. Glad we could inspire someone to give it a go... and you're already doing better than old Alvin14 and after only one season haha.

My season accolades screenshots below  

I haven't played for a few days so will be back navigating season four tonight!

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

So another season down and just to start I realised you get 20 points for Manager of the Month not 10 - so my score going into this season should have been 120.

Dominiho's Season three review

Trust in the process... still no silverware, but progress made.

Another good season for the Toffees, with plenty of progress made, February again proving to be the sticking point, but a third place finish, mere points away from a title, and strong UCL run.

Started with a bang and DCL absolutely smashing the the goals in. He had seven goals from the first two league games! I don't think we were out the top three all season, and following 11 games won on the bounce I entered January joint points with Liverpool at the top of the league. I won my UCL group that included PSG, Roma and Besiktas before knocking Atleti out in the last 16. A thumping by City followed as I bowed out in the quarter-finals. Carabao Cup and FA Cups were both disappointments and ones I need to try and win in my next season.

Aarons, Antony and Boadu all proved vital to my success this past season. Aarons bagged 18 assists, however Jarrad Branthwaite won the young player of the year award. Oddly Alex Meret, my back-up keeper won signing of the season.

DCL finished prem top scorer with 40 goals! yes 40 goals and in doing so won the European Golden Boot.

I secured two Manager of the Month awards and for the second year running was named Manager of the Year.

So to add to my already impressive 120 points

 

Manager of the Month x 2- 40 points

Manager of the Year - 50 points

League top scorer - DCL - 10 points

European Top scorer - DCL - 25 points

Top four finish - 25 points

So my current total is 270 points.

 

On to season four... Real have signed Boadu for £100million, but I managed to get him back on loan for a year, Godfrey has gone to Arsenal. My signings include Declan Rice, Mikael Cuissance and Tanguy Nianzou.

[Balance of goals scored the exact minute after seems unrealistic]

Having had the game now for just over a month and playing a few different saves, I must say the balance of goals scored the exact minute after another seems largely unrealistic. Looking through a majority of my games, most goals occur in the space of 4-5 minutes in a match and then that is it. A lot of the time you don't see it happen, it just appears in the score line. Most notably was a game against Newcastle I played earlier this week, 83rd minute in the game, all of a sudden Wilson's name appears twice, having scored twice, and no mention of it in the game commentary.

I know they say you are most vulnerable after you score, but this takes it to the maximum limit in that it happens in almost every game. I've never seen it to this level in past games. The game is still great, don't get me wrong, but it feel it just needs tuning slightly. It feels like some of the realism of real football has been taken away.

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

Dominiho's season two review 

So going into Season two on 10 points, the need to progress was evident.

Firstly a few summer signings to help sure up my defence and a new CM to replace Aaron Ramsey who I had on loan. I brought in Milenkovic from Fiorentina, Guido Pizarro from Tigres and, as a back-up to Buendia, Marcus Edwards from Vit Guimaraes. My loan signings included a Ross Barkley return. I also made sure to 'buy for the future' so deals were made for both Ajax's Antony and AZ Alkmaar's Myron Boadu and as part of the deal I loaned them back to their respective clubs for the season. Out of the door went Michael Keane, Gbamin and Bernard as they all left the club.  Harry Winks joined me in January, whilst Cenk Tosun and Seamus Coleman departed.

A good season all in all, as I mounted a title challenge and was top until the end of January, before being brought back down to earth and lost seven games on the bounce included five Premier League games, and a shocking 7-0 whopping by Liverpool. February was not a month of love. During this hideous run, my Carabao Cup dreams were dashed in the final, again by my Merseyside neighbours. Recovery ensued and I managed to steady the ship and stay firmly in the top four. So a fourth place finish and Champions League qualification, and despite a treacherous February, the board are delighted with me. DCL finished top scorer for the league again and I claimed the Manager of the Year award. 

Some massive points gained on the leaderboard, as I now sit on 110 thanks to this season's performance.

Merseyside derby win - 5 points

Manager of the Month March - 10 points

Manager of the Year - 50 points

League top scorer - DCL - 10 points

Top four finish - 25 points

 

So moving in season three, I've got Antony and Boadu joining the club, alongside new signings Max Aaron and Manuel Locatelli. 

 

Points update

Dominiho  110 points

Alvin14  -200 points

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

So on that bombshell

Points as they stand

 

Dominiho    10 points

Alvin14       -200 points

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

My season 1 review

Unlike my rival Aaron, I did survive the season, and took Everton into the Euro Cup. We mounted a title challenge briefly, following a nine-game winning streak, including a 6-2 thumping of City, but inconsistency crept in from February. Transfer business done in January included signing Edouard from Celtic, and Guido Pizzaro who is due to join on a free in the summer. Disappointed with my cup performances, so something to build on for next season. 

DCL smashed the scoring charts getting 31 in the Premier League meaning he finished as top scorer gaining me +10 points. Buendia amassed over 15 assists so was easily my best summer signing.

Squad still needs some fine tuning moving into next season and have a bigger budget to work with. No doubt teams will come in for Calvert-Lewin so persuading him to stay could be difficult, a big contract and fee release clause might be the way to go.

 

As things stand

Dominiho is on 10 points

Alvin14 is on -100 points 

 

I can smell that Bodeans already haha

[Everton FC 6 Year Challenge]

Enjoying this challenge so far. Just entered December and currently sitting 4th on a five-game winning run and DCL is top goalscorer. Managed to sell off some off the players I didn't want (Besic, Siguardsson and King) and brought in Buendia, Ramsey (loan) and Dack (loan). Missed out on Silas Wamangituka due to fund issues, but going to go back in for him in January, as in desperate need of a back up. Shame I can't recall Moise Kean, but we roll on.

 

4-2-3-1 worked well for me so far, using the gegenpress. Early crosses into the box have proved fruitful, DCL loving life at the moment. Andre Gomes unhappy Ramsey starts ahead of him, but he's yet to perform whereas Ramsey's been very good for me. Allan also proving his worth. Buendia currently my highest rated performances, so the £33m over three years I've shelled out looking like a steal at the moment. Still some concerns at the back, but Keane just returned from injury so hopefully he'll be a good addition back in. 

 

Aaron on the other hand, is not doing so well...