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Well bah-humbug! More crappy training results. Sigh.
Hot damn! We made a smidge under £600k last month. See, I told you we could afford a scouting package.
Still Untouchable, still 88%.
No changes. Of course, I didn’t put any new youths straight into the Seniors, so that helped.
Thriller’s Determination is finally going up after being mentored by Macey for three months.
Now onto our first match of the month. I’m feeling confident we’ll maintain our winning ways and win the league soon.
vs. Billericay, 2 March 2019
Formation: Club (GK, DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Al-Ziod, Barlow, Smith, Nixon, Rae, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Maguire, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Harding, Taylor, Macey
Well, here’s a change. Our opponents are first to hit us with their rhythm stick, getting a goal in the 14th off a free kick that got headed down to the foot of a striker. Eleven minutes later the unique combo of Al-Ziod to Kirkpatrick equalizes matters. Before the half we take the lead courtesy of whom else but Rae. During the mid-term I command that they don’t get Complacent, with all but Smith and Shadi giving me the green thumbs up.
Shortly after the restart Kemar has a chance to increase our lead but the GK does a good job of denying him. At 60’ they tie us with a carpet burner from way out, about 22 yards. With Barlow and Nixon on yellow and looking ill-disciplined I have to switch to the Spade as I only have one MC on the bench. D’oh! But I don’t have enough wingers. Double d’oh! I have to move Rae to AML.
Luckily for us, their right back gets his second yellow in the 74th. Over the next few minutes Kemar and Rae put on a display of almost-good-enough but they are playing amateur hour, what a waste. In the 84th Spearing puts one in the back of the net but whomp, whomp, he’s offside.
I was fully expecting the match to end with us traveling to Billericay the following week but I am wrong, it’s extra time for us. In the 100th minute Rae, despite not being an AML, sends in a cross from the left but Harding can’t get his head on it properly and hits the crossbar. Kemar scores a minute later in the 107th; he will be England’s glory. I immediately get Defensive and start wondering if we’re cursed. We are not! Smith scores in the 117th sealing our victory.
POM: Kemar Kirkpatrick (2 goals, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)
I know, I know, I said I would only use three subs but the unexpected extra time but a temporary end to that. I couldn’t risk players getting injured with their Condition down in the 50s.
In the Southern League Cup Semi Final draw, we face Bath. Last year we lost to them in the same cup match. It was on penalties and Sam Martin, who is no longer with us, botched his attempt so badly that I refused to give him a new contract. I want revenge so bad I can taste it. Bath must go down in flames!
Another player rises up the ranks of Influence. Daniel Duckett is now a Highly Influential Player. In the same email I get notice that Ben Pope can be better than Tommy Watkins (doubtful), Adrian Lee can be much better than Gareth O’Keefe (doubtful), and Meilir Pugh can be much better than Daniel Duckett (much more believable).
A lot of our starters are still Tired from our last match so we see a lot of rotation today. As far as our standings go, if we lose out the rest of our games we’ll finish ninth in the league. I do not foresee that happening.
at Slimbridge, 5 March 2019
Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Day, Nightingale, Jefcoate, Cullen, McAdam, Hodgson, Donaldson, Duckett, Thirlwell
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Barlow, Jones, Macey
It’s a calm, wet day in Slimbridge but the damp atmosphere does not dampen our players’ skills. Case in point, Thriller thrills the crowd before 3 minutes with a hell of a free kick, going in from 30 yards out. Despite that early indication, more things don’t happen until 32 minutes later when Donaldson sends a low cross across the face of the goal that the GK didn’t even try to punch or kick, which is a bad decision because Hodgson is at the far post to put matters to rest. Spot on 44’ Slimbridge increase their slim chances with a close-in shot after a free kick way out on our right wing.
At 67’ I switch to the Diamond and bring on Harding, Jones, and Macey for McAdam, Cullen, and Hodgson. We immediately squander a corner kick when Jones’ header goes high. It turns out my fretting was misplaced as right after 70’ Maguire sends an early, long cross to Thriller, who gets his brace. He then gets his hat trick in the 92nd when we get a penalty chance in the last seconds of the match.
POM: Marcus Thirlwell (3 goals, 1 key pass, 1 chance created)
A lot of scouting reports come in on the morning of the 9th. The two players that are slightly good would cost over £10,000 and they’re seriously injured anyway. FM2018 is definitely harder than FM2014 when it comes to finding and buying hidden gems.
Winchester is a mid-table team and we barely beat them in the first match back in early October. It took a subbed-on Nightingale to score in the 90th minute to lead us to victory. We best not have a repeat of that.
vs. Winchester, 9 March 2019
Formation: Spade
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Al-Ziod, Nixon, Smith, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Barlow, Thirlwell, Macey
Another wet, calm, 13° C day, and just like in Slimbridge, we draw first blood. Tenth minute and a Kirkpatrick feed sees Taylor on a breakaway but he’s caught by two defenders who put the squeeze on him in the box. Nixon does not miss the resultant penalty shot. Kemar’s second attempt to help Taylor score a goal works in the 18th and spirits are high. Taylor’s second goal comes from a ludicrous Maguire cross from deep but comes at a cost of a bruised ankle for Taylor. He somehow was able to out leap Winchester’s right central defender who is massive, 204 cm, or in ‘merican parlance, 6’ 8”. That’s more ludicrous!
And so the match goes with us sloppy but them sloppier. I did have to bring Taylor off at the midway point so no hat trick for him. We have yet another game where the opposition loses a man due to a second yellow. And then another man goes off for a second yellow. A nice, normal day in South London.
POM: Paul Taylor (2 goals, 1 key pass)
I’m pleased that we did not have a repeat of the previous Winchester match.
Alas, the morning of the 13th sees more scouting reports of very good players who want nothing to do with us. Nobody like us, everybody hates us, I think we’ll go eat worms.
Our good streak must continue, I demand nothing else. I’m using the Club today to get some rotation and rest the wingers.
vs. Bitton, 13 March 2019
Formation: Club (GK, DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, Barlow, Cullen, Macey, Rae
Subs: Webb, Maguire, Nightingale, Smith, Jones, Duckett, Thirlwell
My concerns rear their ugly head when Harding gets an early yellow but then they vanish when he sends in a lovely cross for Alex “All He Wants To Do is Score” Rae. 1-0. It doesn’t take long for Rae’s brace; I knew it was coming when Harding did a back-heel pass to Parker around midfield. Another Harding cross at 22:30 sees an early Rae triple. After that the game goes boring, fine by me, allowing me to switch to the Diamond at the two-thirds point and see out the game peacefully. We did pick up five yellow cards, not fine by me.
POM: Alex Rae (3 goals, 3 key passes)
I’d like to point out the Noah Harding had 2 assists, 5 key passes, and 5 chances created. These two have been great signings.
I believe it’s time to secure Rae’s services for a bit longer. His contract has an option year we can activate but I think he deserves better. I offer £600/week plus some good appearance, goal, and substitute bonuses, plus some wage gains for promotion and yearly reasons. He made an odd request that he gets a bonus year if he makes ten appearances and we gain promotion in the final year. FM2018 sure has some neat clauses. In the last 20 games his lowest rating is 6.4 and there was a 6.9 but everything else is 7.1 or higher, with 15 goals and 9 assists. A rich vein of form indeed.
Thirlwell’s mentoring is coming along nicely. His Determination is up to 7 and his personality is Spirited now.
I like this long streak of only league matches. We are getting nearer securing our promotion.
at Norwich United, 16 March 2019
Formation: Club
Starting XI: Webb, Pilcher, Day, Nightingale, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, McAdam, Cullen, Taylor, Thirlwell
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Al-Ziod, Donaldson, Jones, Macey, Rae
The scoring starts with an unexpected contributor, Pilcher from open play, not a corner. He slotted one in from about 20 yards out but within the 18-yard box just after two minutes. In a very similar way Cullen gives us more clearance just before 7’. Taylor makes it 3-0 at 16, also from within the area. Having drastically slowed things down and changed up instructions to be less aggressive, we do not score anymore and give up a goal early in the second. Not worried.
POM: Teddy Cullen (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 key passes, 1 chance created)
Another international call-up for The Jordanian Prince. He’ll miss five matches. I hope he gets his first international goal. Not to be outdone, though in the U19s, Kemar (England), McAdam (Northern Ireland), Nixon (Ireland), and surprisingly, Noah Harding (Wales) answer the call-up.
Salford are about the same as us as far as Starting XI go, so this could be a challenge. Hopefully we’ll do well.
at Salford, 19 March 2019
Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Al-Ziod, Barlow, Smith, Hodgson, Nixon, Duckett, Kirkpatrick
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Harding, Cullen, Jones, Macey
We start out strong and almost get a Nixon goal after 24 seconds. Just before 3’ though Maguire picks up a yellow and then sends in a cross into our own goal. He hangs his head in shame. I begin to believe that the fix is in when we start picking up yellows in quick succession with Nixon, Al-Ziod, and Smith getting their names taken. To make matters worse, Hodgson gets a gashed head.
After 33 minutes I feel the tide begin to turn when we get some good build-up culminating in a short cross from Nixon’s head to Kemar’s foot. Things get better when Salford’s right-back trips Duckett but Barlow can’t make use of the free kick. We proceed to get plenty of good but not great chances. After the break I give Hodgson five minutes to rectify his act but he doesn’t, so on comes Jones. We pull ahead in the 54th as Duckett stays wide after a corner on the left side, eventually getting a feed and crossing to Kemar’s head.
In the 59th Jones gets easily dispossessed and Salford’s left-back sends in a long-range pass allowing their striker to out-pace and out-class Spearing and Carroll, and uncharacteristically Chick Legg. I implore the lads to punch them back. Jones redeems himself some when again he loses possession but wins it back immediately and embarrasses that troublesome left-back. In the ensuing corner, Smith heads down Duckett’s kick to Carroll who puts us ahead for good. The next 35 minutes are generally uneventful except Al-Shadi pulls up lame with a pulled hamstring. We managed to play 10 minutes with him struggling to do much of anything. He’ll miss some international opportunities.
POM: Daniel Duckett (1 assist, 4 key passes, 4 chances created)
Hodgson’s gashed head will keep him on the bench for 7 to 12 days while Al-Shadi’s hamstring will sideline him for 8 days to 2 weeks. At least we’ve gotten away from the Lower Leg Injury Plague of 2018/2019.
FA Trophy Semi Final draw day! Our choices are AFC Fylde, Welling, or Whitehawk. I’m hoping for Whitehawk cuz it’s a cool name for a town and because in theory they are the weakest of the three. We get to face…Whitehawk as the visitors. Would really have preferred a home match, we’re not making much money this month.
We’re actually favored versus Maidenhead but just 4-5 odds.
vs. Maidenhead, 23 March 2019
Formation: Club (GK, DC r, DC c, DC l, WBR, WBL, MC r, MC c, MC l, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: Legg, Pilcher, Nightingale, Carroll, Parker, Jefcoate, Harding, Cullen, Donaldson, Macey, Rae
Subs: Webb, Day, Maguire, McAdam, Nixon, Jones, Thirlwell
After 12 minutes and 3 headers that have gone over the crossbar, I ask the lads politely to Concentrate. It takes another 10 minutes but finally Harding is able to sky one to a pacey Eddie and the Captain scores from up close. El Capitan gets an assist a few minutes later, doing a nice back-heel pass to Rae, who we all know by now knows how to score like a bawss. It doesn’t take long for Rae to get his brace in the second half after Jefcoate finally gets his fifth crossing attempt right. The good news come to a screeching halt in the 58th when Cullen pulls his groin (stop giggling!) and I’m forced to send McAdam in. At 68’ I replace Carroll and Harding with Nixon and Day; this necessitates moving Donaldson over to be the right Mezzala. And this is how we saw out this match peacefully.
POM: Alex Rae (2 goals, 3 key passes, 2 chances created)
Cullen’s injury news isn’t the worst with him expected to be out 5 to 10 days. I’m more concerned that after a relatively healthy 2018 we are experiencing a bad run of luck in 2019. Please, please, please, football gods, don’t kill my players.
The Sunderland boss was in the stands to watch Carroll. I’m sure his 7.4 rating piqued Sunderland’s interest even more.
I went back to the update
No update would be complete without cup draw news. In the FA Vase Semi Final draw our choices are two Conference South teams, Billericay and Hungerford, and Totton, from our own league. We’ve beaten each team this season though the Billericay match was a bum-squeaker.
On Sunday, 24 March, Thompson resumes training, having missed only 5 weeks or so. Looks like he’ll get some more Brixton matches in before his contract ends.
On the 25th my scouts find me a player who seemingly will sign but he’s not a DR, a DL, or a Striker. He is however a DMC that can be successfully retrained as a DC. I think he’ll fit nicely at DR. It’ll be a test just to see how long it takes to get him Natural there; can I do it in under a year? I offer him one-year contract with an option for us so I can keep him if I don’t get any DRs in next year’s Youth Intake.
We take on Cirencester next. Our worst possible finish in the league is 3rd. All we need is two more victories to seal our promotion fate. That would in theory come from an away match at Horndean. Do I throw this match (and the next) to clinch the title at home? NEVER!
vs. Cirencester, 27 March 2019
Formation: Spade (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, MC r, MC l, AMR, AMC, AML, ST c)
Starting XI: Legg, Maguire, Spearing, Carroll, Jefcoate, Barlow, Donaldson, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Rae
Subs: Webb, Pilcher, Parker, Smith, Thompson, Thirlwell, Macey
It takes 20 minutes for any action and it’s a corner for us that goes begging off Barlow’s foot. Our second corner comes from the other side but it’s Carroll’s head that is off target. Just before the half one of their three midfielders gets his second yellow just before Rae got into the box but nothing comes of the free kick. Paul Taylor picks up a minor injury at 65’ so I bring off him, all-a-sudden-shitty Rae, and Jones for Thompson, Thirlwell, and Macey. It takes 10 minutes but a cross from Jefcoate at left-back to Thirlwell at right-wing to put us on top. I go back to Control, having changed to Attacking at the intermission, and bite my nails for the first time in my life. Just after 90’ Thompson thieves the ball that their left centreback had trouble handling, dribbles out wide a little, feeds Thirlwell, who gets his brace as a sub. We should not have had to wait so long with a man advantage to score but I suppose a win is a win.
POM: Marcus Thirlwell (2 goals)
Taylor’s injury is much ado about nothing but Barlow picked up a bruised ankle in the waning minutes; he’ll be out only 1 to 2 days. Again with the lower leg injuries!!!
Immediately after the match Duckett’s agent once again came asking for a new contract. I just know I can’t afford Duckett so I Walk Away from the negotiations. This prompts Duckett to come knocking on my office door. I explain he still has time on his current contract, which he understands and leaves the office a little disappointed but understanding. He’s the only player listed as a club Legend so of course the fans will revolt when he leaves but that’ s also the reason I know he’ll cost us too much. Meilir Pugh has a higher potential anyway and is already rated as Conference South quality so I’m sure we’ll be fine out on the left wing, come what may.
An unexpected press conference pops up the day before out match against Horndean where we can clinch promotion. It was long. I didn’t count but I’d guess between 12 and 15 questions.
It’s a nice calm day in Horndean with temperatures at 10° C (51° F) and this is the day we win the league, bringing us closer to the ultimate prize of the Premiership. Way in the future. Thompson gets a rare second start in a row as a lot of midfielders are coming back from injuries or are out on international duty. He said “duty” heh heh.
at Horndean, 30 March 2019
Formation: Spade
Starting XI: Webb, Pilcher, Spearing, Carroll, Parker, Smith, Donaldson, Jones, Taylor, Duckett, Macey
Subs: Legg, Maguire, Nightingale, Cullen, Thompson, Hodgson, Thirlwell
My moving speech falls flat as only Taylor gets motivated. I get stopped in the tunnel on the way to the pitch. I assure the journos we are up for the fight and will emerge victorious.
Just as expected, Macey leads us to an opening goal and my motivated buddy Taylor is the one who assists. It was a beautiful left-foot shot on the ground through traffic, even nutmegging one defender. Our second Macey goal was a funny one: Jones crossed from the right to Macey but Taylor cut in front, mishandling the ball but it goes right to Macey anyway, he blasts it so hard it bounces off the keeps hands and into the back of the net.
In the locker room I implore the squad to keep focus and not Complacent. The speech gets a great reaction and I add for Pilcher to be careful not to get a second yellow. Just over two minutes in Webb gets a rare goalie assist when he sends a long ball and the central defenders assume the goalie will get it and the goalie assumes the defenders will get it. That was Macey’s 100th goal for Brixton. Insane!
With 23 minutes left I switch us to the Diamond, bring off Smith, Duckett, and Donaldson for Nightingale (to practice the Regista), Hodgson, and Thirlwell. As expected, we get a great counterattack from a corner with Jones launching one way forward to Thirlwell who dribbles almost to the end of the field, crossing it to Macey for his 101st Brixton goal. Booyah!
POM: Eddie Macey (4 goals, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)
We are the champions, again! Now that the league is won my focus turns to the remaining cups. I’ll probably use my preferred XI less in league matches until the end of the season. Related, Carroll picked up a bruised jaw near the end of the match so he won’t see the field for a week or more.
A lot of our success this month was from our opponents picking up a ludicrous amount of yellows and double yellows. Unfortunately, the injury bug continues to bite us. This has to be the result of me playing youngsters relentlessly, right? I must do better in April.
What took you so long?!
Vacation. It’s all I ever wanted. I took so time off to indulge my other hobbies and just kick my feet up and enjoy the shortening days.