danyates8

Absolutley steamrolling the league.

Appreciate the comment, will be a different structure to this one with a DoF making transfer decisions and hiring/firing staff. It's something I've not really delved in before so should add a new, exciting element to the save.

A Brief History of Lincoln City Lincoln City Football Club, affectionately known as "The Imps," was founded in 1884 and has been a cornerstone of English football for well over a century. The club has spent much of its existence in the lower tiers of the Football League, with notable periods of success and struggle. Sincil Bank, the club's iconic stadium, has been their home since 1895, witnessing countless highs and lows. The Imps have a proud history of punching above their weight, with memorable runs in the FA Cup and League Cup, where they often played the role of giant-killers. The club's most recent renaissance began in 2016, under the management of Danny Cowley, who led Lincoln to the National League title in 2017, securing a return to the Football League after a six-year absence. The Cowley era also saw Lincoln reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 2017, the first non-league side to do so in over a century, and win the EFL Trophy in 2018. Recent Developments and Key Figures The club's ownership has also evolved, with Clive Nates, a South African businessman and lifelong Lincoln City supporter, playing a pivotal role in the club's modernisation. Under his leadership, the club has embraced a data-driven approach to recruitment and player development, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable growth. Since his investment in 2016, Nates has overseen a transformation of the club, establishing it as a solid presence in League One. His vision is deeply rooted in sustainable growth, player development, and competitive ambition. Nates also highlighted the importance of patience and thoroughness in his decision-making process, particularly when selecting the right individuals to lead the team. His commitment to ensuring the club’s long-term success is evident in his careful consideration of both coaching appointments and player acquisitions Since the departure of Danny and Nicky Cowley in 2019, Lincoln City has experienced a period of transition. Michael Appleton took the reins and guided the club to the League One play-off final in the 2020-2021 season, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Championship. However, Appleton's tenure was also marked by inconsistency, and he departed the club in 2022. Mark Kennedy, appointed as head coach in 2022, has continued this philosophy, focusing on developing young talent and playing an attractive, possession-based style of football. Kennedy's tenure has seen the club stabilise in League One, but the ambition remains to push for promotion to the Championship and establish Lincoln City as a competitive force at that level. Club Philosophy and Vision for the Future Lincoln City’s current philosophy revolves around sustainability, youth development, and a commitment to playing attractive, attacking football. The club prides itself on identifying and nurturing young talent, with a strong emphasis on developing players who can contribute to the first team or be sold for a profit, ensuring the club's financial health. The vision for the future is clear: Lincoln City aims to become a stable Championship club within the next five years. This will require a blend of astute recruitment, effective player development, and tactical innovation on the pitch. Off the pitch, the club continues to invest in its infrastructure, with plans to improve the facilities at Sincil Bank and the training ground to ensure that the Imps can compete with the best. Backstory Early Years in Whitby: James "Jay" Marshall was born and raised in the picturesque coastal town of Whitby, North Yorkshire. Growing up in a football-loving household, his father, a former semi-professional player for Whitby Town, instilled in him a passion for the game from a young age. However, while most kids his age were busy kicking a ball around the park, Jay was more interested in understanding why teams played the way they did. He would watch matches with his father, asking endless questions about tactics, formations, and player roles. As a teenager, Jay’s love for football grew alongside his academic talents. At Whitby Community College, he was known as a bright student with a particular aptitude for mathematics and economics. These subjects appealed to his analytical mind, and he began to see football through a unique lens, often comparing it to a complex puzzle that required both strategic thinking and precise execution. Instead of pursuing a traditional route into the sport, Jay focused on his studies, recognising that his future lay not in playing football but in understanding and dissecting it. He spent his weekends volunteering as an assistant coach for local youth teams, using these opportunities to experiment with tactical ideas and formations. His ability to simplify complex tactical concepts made him a favourite among the young players, many of whom would later credit Jay for their early development in the game. University and Early Career: After excelling in his A-levels, Jay enrolled at the University of Leeds, choosing to study Sports Science with a specialisation in Performance Analysis. His time at university was transformative. Jay immersed himself in the world of football analytics, learning how to use data to gain insights into player performance, team dynamics, and tactical trends. He spent countless hours in the university’s sports labs, analysing footage of matches, breaking down every aspect of the game, and honing his analytical skills. His dissertation, titled "The Evolution of Tactics in the Premier League: A Data-Driven Analysis," caught the attention of several local clubs. In it, Jay argued that the future of football would be dominated by managers who could blend traditional coaching methods with modern data analytics—a philosophy that would come to define his career. Upon graduating with first-class honours, Jay secured his first role in football as a performance analyst at Harrogate Town. Although the club was operating in the lower leagues, Jay saw it as the perfect place to test his ideas. At Harrogate, he developed a reputation for his meticulous preparation and innovative use of data, helping the club gain a competitive edge. His work was instrumental in their promotion to the National League, and soon after, he was headhunted by Huddersfield Town, who were looking to bolster their analytical department. Huddersfield Town and the FA: At Huddersfield, Jay joined a club on the rise. As part of a forward-thinking backroom team, he contributed to the club’s historic promotion to the Premier League in 2017. His role involved analysing opponents, providing detailed reports for the coaching staff, and working closely with players to improve their individual performance. His analytical reports became a crucial part of Huddersfield’s tactical preparations, and his ability to identify and exploit the weaknesses of opponents earned him high praise within the club. Despite his success, Jay felt a growing desire to move beyond analysis and into coaching. Recognising this, he took the bold step of enrolling in UEFA coaching courses. Over the next few years, he balanced his role at Huddersfield with his coaching education, earning his badges and gaining hands-on experience with the club’s youth teams. In 2018, Jay’s career took a significant turn when he was offered a technical advisory role at the English Football Association (FA). This position allowed him to work with the national youth teams, where he applied his analytical skills to help shape the tactical approach of England’s next generation. Jay was part of the backroom team that supported the U-17 and U-20 England squads during their successful World Cup campaigns in 2017. His work with the FA further deepened his understanding of player development and youth coaching. Transition to Management: Jay’s experience at the FA solidified his ambition to become a head coach. With his coaching badges in hand and a wealth of experience in performance analysis, Jay was ready to step into management. His first opportunity came in 2019 when he was appointed head coach of Matlock Town in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football. Taking charge of Matlock Town was a daunting task. The club had been struggling in the lower half of the table for several seasons, and resources were limited. However, Jay relished the challenge. He quickly set about implementing his philosophy, focusing on possession-based football, high pressing, and tactical flexibility. Jay’s analytical background proved invaluable; he used data to identify undervalued players, often bringing in young talents from higher divisions who had been overlooked. In his first season, Matlock Town finished in the top half of the table, a significant improvement from previous years. The following season, Jay led the team to the play-offs, narrowly missing out on promotion. His success at Matlock earned him widespread recognition, and it wasn’t long before he was approached by clubs in higher divisions. The Lincoln City Challenge: Now, at the age of 41, Jay Marshall has taken on his most significant challenge yet: managing Lincoln City in League One. His journey from a performance analyst in non-league football to a head coach in the Football League is a testament to his dedication, intelligence, and innovative approach to the game. Jay’s vision for Lincoln City is clear. He aims to build a team that plays attractive, possession-based football, with a strong emphasis on youth development. His tactical flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations make him a formidable opponent, and his commitment to using data to inform his decisions ensures that Lincoln City will be at the cutting edge of modern football. As Jay embarks on this new chapter with the Imps, he brings with him a unique blend of analytical insight, coaching experience, and a deep passion for the game. The future looks bright for Lincoln City under his leadership, as Jay Marshall sets out to guide the club to new heights in the footballing world.

Thanks for the kind words its much appreciated

Only just caught wind of this thread and wow, the graphics are exceptional and the storytelling up to this point is really engaging. I'll be following this one for sure! What a start.

Marcus Leonardo actually became one of our most dangerous attackers from the left hand side, 16 goals and 10 assists in his 2nd season included a Champions League winner. I'd say he has been a success.

Can confirm this is a big issue and basically makes using Peterborough a non starter. 950k per month for a whole season basically sets you up for failure.

Thanks a lot for the kind words. I'm happy with our run this season and it does feel like the right time to start another save. I'm not 100% decided on what to do next just yet. I'm tempted to start a longer term save, maybe a journeyman of some sorts. I don't usually buy the new edition of the game when its released, I usually wait until the winter update before buying, I was going to change that when they first announced FM25 and the massive coming changes but I'm leaning towards the my usual way of doing things and committing to a long term save on FM24 alongside a blog but I feel I need to do a bit of prep first to commit to the long term.

Thanks ever so much for the praise, I'm delighted with the results. I'm tempted to start a new save/blog as the idea of this one was to use better players in bigger and better competitions and I was able to essentially achieve my goal, the itch is scratched and I've had a few ideas swirling around my head the last few days.

As we arrive in May, the team is in excellent form, unbeaten in seven matches and scoring freely. Marcus Leonardo and Benjamin Šeško have both been outstanding, leading our attacking line with impressive performances. I haven’t delved much into individual player performances this season, so now seems like a good time to highlight some standouts. Marcus Leonardo is having a stellar second season at the club, improving both his goal and assist tallies from last year. He’s quickly becoming a reliable match-winner for us. Kang-In Lee is another player who has made significant strides, increasing his goal contributions and proving his value to the team. Among our highest-rated players this season are Destiny Udogie, Benjamin Šeško, Ilias Akhomach, Yves Bissouma, and Radu Drăgușin, all consistently performing above a 7.10 rating. It’s particularly pleasing to see such a strong core of players delivering on a regular basis. On the other hand, Pedro Porro currently holds the lowest rating in the squad, but even then, he’s sitting at a respectable 6.95. We need to explore how to maximise Porro’s potential, as he’s one of our most technically gifted players. In contrast, Destiny Udogie continues to shine. Over the past two seasons, he has routinely been our most dependable and highest-rated player, solidifying his status as a truly elite left-back. MAY So we didn't kick off the month in a very good fashion, kicking off with two defeats against Newcastle and Atletico Madrid. I believe that it was my approach to the fixtures that led to the failure as I went with our more balanced approach and it most definitely backfired, two poor attacking performances where we created next to nothing. We had still done enough to progress to the Champions League final though, our destruction of Atleti at home enough to seal the deal. I had decided that our balanced approach wasn't the way forward and decided to stick to our aggressive, attacking style for the rest of the season and it certainly paid off for the rest of our League fixtures against West Ham, Southampton and Leicester with 11 goals scored in the next 3 games with only 2 conceded, granted the level of opposition wasn't the toughest but we can still be pleased with our efforts and it sets us up well for our massive cup finals in which the Leicester fixture sandwiched. We’ve done it! In a breath-taking display of football, we have lifted the FA Cup with a resounding victory over Manchester United, etching a new chapter in the club’s storied history. The atmosphere at Wembley was electric, and the team rose to the occasion, delivering a performance that will be remembered for years to come. On the day, we were simply unstoppable. From the first whistle, it was clear that we were the dominant force, creating chance after chance and eventually finding the back of the net twice. The star of the show was none other than Benjamin Šeško, who put in a match-winning performance with two clinical goals, forever inscribing his name into Spurs folklore. His first goal was a masterclass in positioning and poise, while his second was the nail in Manchester United’s coffin, sending the Spurs faithful into raptures. While Šeško rightly grabs the headlines, this victory was a true team effort. Every player in the squad played their part, but the attacking trio of Šeško, Marcus Leonardo, and Dejan Kulusevski were simply unplayable. Their fluid movement, incisive passing, and relentless pressure on the United defence left the opposition reeling. The Manchester United backline had no answer to their dynamic interplay, and they were terrorised from start to finish. It was a day where everything came together perfectly—tactics, execution, and desire. Spurs were the better side in every aspect, and as the final whistle blew, it was a moment of pure jubilation. The triumph at Wembley is not just a testament to the quality within this squad but also a sign of what’s to come as we continue our journey towards even greater success. We have done the unthinkable! At the start of the season, no one could have imagined that our first campaign in the Champions League would culminate in us lifting the most prestigious trophy in European football. Yet here we are, having sent Spurs fans into the stratosphere with our achievements. This time, it was our defence that earned the plaudits. Each player played an immense role in our hard-fought 1-0 victory. Marcus Leonardo, who scored the decisive goal, has now propelled his reputation to new heights. No matter what the future holds, he will forever be adored by the Spurs faithful. Dejan Kulusevski was once again our most dangerous player, relentlessly exploiting the space left by Bayern Munich’s wide centre-back and complete wing-back. His ability to find and create opportunities was unmatched, leaving Bayern’s defence in tatters. Marco Rose, Bayern Munich’s manager, must surely be disappointed with his side's approach. They seemed content to let us control the game, a bold and ultimately misguided strategy considering the quality we possess. Their reluctance to seize the initiative played right into our hands. I am honestly still in shock at what we have achieved this season. We’ve improved our league form, collecting more points and securing a higher position. We exacted sweet revenge in the FA Cup, beating Arsenal, who had left us heartbroken in last season’s final, and then overcoming Manchester United to end our trophy drought. But the crowning glory has to be our era-defining Champions League victory. In just two seasons, we have propelled Spurs to the pinnacle of European football. This is more than just a triumph; it’s the beginning of a new chapter in our history, one that will be remembered for generations.

We are now entering the most critical part of the season, where a single bad week could turn everything upside down. Up to this point, our performances have been impressive, but that could quickly change if we falter in the upcoming fixtures. March presents massive challenges, with every match posing a serious test. We’re up against top-tier opponents, starting with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16, both home and away. There’s also a massive FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal, the very team that defeated us in last year's final. Our Premier League fixtures include tough clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal. To make matters even more challenging, we’ll be without both our first-choice and backup goalkeepers for the first few matches. I won’t deny that this leaves me seriously concerned. The pressure is on, and the margin for error is slim. MARCH Firstly ill discuss our two league fixtures of the month against Chelsea and Arsenal. We came up short away against Chelsea which was disapointing as up to this point we have always had the better of them, we beat them fairly convincingly numerous times in the league during my time in charge however since the appointment of Thomas Frank they have shown much improved form losing only once since he has arrived. We managed a massive win against Arsenal, this game came as the 2nd of a double header against Arsenal and it seemed we capitalised on their disappointment of getting knocked out of the FA cup by us to. Our FA cup quarter final against bitter rivals Arsenal was a very tense affair, with both teams creating multiple high class chances but neither able to capitalise on them and the game went into extra time, it didn't take long until one moment of quality from Tommy Doyle won us the game. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled by two Arsenal defenders and slotted the ball in the far corner. A goal of real high quality from the Englishman which saw us gain an element of revenge for last seasons final heartbreak. Now to the Champions League round of 16 fixture against Dortmund. Firstly ill get the nonsense out of the way first, we have already established our unfortunate position heading into the month, our first choice and backup goalkeepers picked up injuries at the end of last month to leave us with only one fit option, Lukas Hradecky has been reliable up until this point so I was more than comfortable in using him for these huge games against Dortmund - during squad registration one of the rules stated 'if two goalkeepers are injured, an unregistered goalkeeper can play' and for that reason I didn't register Hradecky for the Champions League and guess what... I couldn't select him and our u21 keeper had already played a fixture on the same day. A catastrophic situation which could have huge implications on our season. Samuel Archer, an u18 keeper was selected on the basis of the regular positive training reports I had received from our staff over the last few months and he didn't disappoint us delivering an excellent performance securing an in game rating of 7.5. Despite the goalkeeping issues we delivered a measure performance culminating in a 2-0 win with our defensive unit having an excellent game. The second leg of the tie resulted in one of the best individual performances of the season, Ilias Akhomach dominating the game scoring twice and assist twice too. 7-1 on aggregate sees us comfortable to the quarter finals. APRIL We came unstuck against Man City again in the first league fixture of the month, a soft penalty being the difference overall. We blitzed Ipswich 5-1 with Šeško bagging himself a hat-trick and Marcus Leonardo snatching a brace for himself. We had plenty of chances to put Leeds away but couldn't take advantage of any of them, they took the lead with 20 mins left and it looked like it wasn't going to be our day but Porro popped up with a 90th min equalise to spare our blushes. It looked like the Sheff Utd game was following a similar path to the Leeds fixture, we went behind but this time it was our subs that changed the game, Kang-In Lee changing the game scoring 2 mins after his introduction and Marcus Leonardo sealed the deal 6 mins later. There are now only 4 games left of the season and we sit on 70 points alongside Norwich and Liverpool with Man City a massive 13 points ahead. Chelsea provided the FA cup final test and its one we passed very well. We created more chances of higher quality and the performance of Lucas Bergvall was very impressive, he provided the assists for both of our goals and that was enough to see us to our second FA final in two seasons. I thought Liverpool could be one step to far for us over two legs but I couldn't of been more wrong. We came away with a 3-0 win in the away fixture, the score line was unfair to Liverpool but we cant help if they don't take their chances whilst we were very clinical, we demolished them 4-1 at home to come away with another 7-1 aggregate score line to progress to the semi-finals where we were to face Atletico Madrid. Our semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid saw us play the first leg at home which I feel is a slight disadvantage in the first leg. We gave ourselves the best opportunity for progression to the final though with our performance winning the game 4-0. We have been absolutley devastating in the Champions League so far this season, our knockout form is absolutley outstanding scoring 18 goals in 5 games up to yet only conceding twice. May is set to be one of the biggest months in the club’s history. We’ve got a massive FA Cup final against Manchester United, and after our stunning 4-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, we’re just one step away from reaching the final. But can we handle the immense pressure that comes with these monumental moments? Will the pain of last season’s final losses spur us on, or will it weigh us down? There are so many questions, and all will be answered in the next month.

Thank you for the kind words. I'm trying my very best to keep the transfers at a realistic level and fully develop the squad we have whilst trying to balance the clubs policies, we are doing well so far in both regards. We've certainly improved this season too although I still feel we can get more goals out of our forwards. I feel we are still haven't fully clicked as an attacking unit and I've not brought the best out of Pedro Porro yet either.

Amazing results massive congrats

Appreciate the kind words. The skin is called Rensie

Honestly I never thought that was a possibility, Guardiola still dominating. Cant wait to integrate him to the team, offers us a new dimension