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This should be a pretty normal month. We do have some congestion and will have a week in which we have three games, so that will kind of suck on the fitness front. At least some youngsters and hot prospects will get to show their wares.
Oh heck ya! Back to not having underperforming malcontents. The only thing I can grouse about is that I wish it was Flitcroft's Stamina that went up. It's only 7 and that will hinder his ability to become a regular starter.
Well look at that! We made a profit last month without selling a player, to the tune of £51,500. Our major source of income is gate receipts, £116,000, and our major source of outgo is wages, £79,630.
Still Untouchable but some how I've dropped to 81%. Seems that draw against Welling pinged us a little but for some reason we took a big ding for our match tactics. Dafuq? The fans love the Diamond so maybe they were irked by the use of Spade for a couple of games.
No changes for the Seniors but for the U18s, right winger Gary Walker is now the Team Leader.
Lots of good reports and trainings including Mark Marshall, Mark Flitcroft, and Mickey Morris. Morris' improvements included a two-point jump in his Work Rate, from 13 to 15, which means his Media Description is now "Enthusiastic striker." Hot damn!
Dennis Hammond, an AMC in the U18s, turned 18 on 26 October so I moved him up to the U23s and made him available for loan. Eleven hours later Lincoln United, two levels down the English pyramid, want him until the end of the season. His assessed future potential is Conference South so he has no future with us, and with his contract up at the end of this season (we do have an option) I'll add a purchase clause. The next day Evesham, another club two levels down, make an offer too.
Right winger Ibrahim Agu, also having just turned 18, is moved up and offered out on loan. He gets two callers on 2 November from only one level below, Stafford and Chippenham. He too is not in our long-term plans so I add a future option clause.
Guess who's the Conference Head Coach of the Month?! You're right! Me!
Dean Rice, on a meager £200 per week asks for a new contact. He's in my plans but I really need to look at my Roster Management page to see what Sam Sterling's arrival, and Tom Johnstone's departure to a lesser extent, has done to the future of my leftbacks.
So off I go down the rabbit hole. One thing I realize is that three of the current leftbacks on the team are rated 3.0 stars in future potential and Dean Rice is 3.5, which I believe means League One potential. Right now the margins are razor thin. Mark Curran will join us in late January and he's 4.5 stars. Maybe I'll extend Dean Rice and let James Jefcoate got in January, or just not renew him at the end of the year. Sterling can cover until Curran is well integrated.
Another results of this reexamination is that Sean Peers will be considered a DR. Luckily I've already been training him there.
I end up offering Rice an extension. It'll cost us £700 per week but we'll have him until the end of the 2023/2024 season if he accepts.
In Team of the Week news, only Connor Smith (DC r) and Derek McLeish (ST r) make it in this go-round.
Now onto the first league match of the month. Bath are mediocre but we have lost them, in Southern League Cup Semi-Final way back on 7 April 2018. Next year in the same cup, same stage, we beat them handily, 5-0. Because of who is healthiest up front I have Flitcroft on the right even though he's left-footed only. Flitter can't play Target Man while McLeish can.
vs. Bath, 3 November 2020
Formation: Diamond (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC, MR, ML, AMC, ST r, ST l)
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Smith, Parker J, Jefcoate, Roberts, Robinson, Leary, Lemon, Flitcroft, McLeish
Subs: Barnes, Parker K, Harding, McGregor, Macey
We almost get on the scoreboard at 23 seconds but Leary's shot is just wide right. Seven minutes later it's Advance Forward Mark Flitcroft passing out of a crowd for an open Robinson and he scores from 9 yards out. The lead doesn't last long as Smith has another error fielding the ball and Jose Parker can't stop a low cross. Bath get quite upset that McLeish got a goal claiming him offside but I switch to the Classic 2D view and the ref got it right. Derek was a bit more onside for his second goal; I wonder if Bath are trying to play the offside trap? He's a man possessed as he then sends a cross for Flitcroft smack dab in front of the goal but their left centreback gets the own goal. He does get the hat trick not that long after the second half begins; a hammering shot into the top of the net. (I had switched to Counter and it worked magically.) I went to the Cudgel at 60' to get Eddie Macey and Kevin Parker, on his Senior return, maximum match fitness time.
POM: Derek McLeish 9.6 (3 goals, 1 key pass)
Here's proof McLeish was onside; he's just to the front of Lemon. I don't remember exactly which year 3D views were added but this used to be the only way to play Football Manager. Some old schoolers refuse to play the modern version in 3D. I can understand the appeal, especially being a wargamer who is used to moving counters across a map.
More international call-ups! Mickey Morris for the Wales U19s and Henson Debollette for Grenada. Two days later Alan Coates gets called up for the England U19s.
On Wednesday, 4 November, our U23s had a friendly and our U18s had a Youth Cup match. The youngins played at 1500 and the older ones played at 1945. Somehow, some of the youth played in both matches. That's not supposed to happen. Some kind of sloppy programming going on.
Rice signed his new contract just hours before the Preston match.
When the scouting report came in for Preston, I experienced a whole lot of dread. We are going to get bounced out of the FA Cup early and the board will be pissed. I'm going to loose my "Untouchable" status. I'm still gonna come out attacking. YOFO!
Preston is 194 miles northwest of Brockwell Park, way up north of Liverpool, almost on the northwest coast.
at Preston, 7 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Ferreira, Nightingale, O'Shea, Rice, Coates, Robinson, McGregor, Taylor, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Legg, Peers, Barnes, Parker, Jefcoate, Ferguson, Watkins, Leary, Harding, Rae, Flitcroft, Roberts
After 10 minutes we've yet to have a shot, they have 4, and we are losing the possession war. I move to Control. It pays immediate dividends in under 3 minutes! Macey was way out West and sent in a high plains drifter where he met McLeish's head and suddenly we're up one. In hope of confusing Preston we come out of the half with a Counter mentality. After 10 minutes of that I go back to Control. At 80' I bring on new players so we can play the Cudgel. Despite an extra 5 minutes of injury time Preston are unable to muster any attacks and somehow one goal is enough to see us to the next round.
POM: Bill Taylor 8.1 (6 key passes, 2 chance created)
I really think all those switch-ups really helped keep Preston off balance plus our Captain led the day. Speaking of, look how far out he was. And the size of that leftback!
I really thought we were going to lose this match but I knew traveling to a League One team would be good for our bottom line. In fact, we made £97,365 from them having to share gate receipts. Delicious!
FA Cup draw brings us good news. We host Chelmsford, in the Conference National. Should be a lot easier than Preston.
MC Dennis Hammond, recently elevated to the U23s, is off to Evesham to hones his skills with more match time. Evesham is two levels down and he'll be the best player they have.
This week's Team of the Week includes O'Keeffe (GK), Connor Smith (DC l), Stephen Lemon (MC r), and Derek McLeish (ST r).
Agu decides an End-of-season loan spell at Chippenham is his best option and I can't agree more.
But before Agu made his decision, my AssMan decided that Jose Parker is now a "League Two talent." That's a pretty big jump as his last assessment was "very well suited for Conference South." I'll take a closer look at the beginning of December. Might he supplant Nightingale? Here is what I wrote about him in my spreadsheet on Youth Intake Day: "DC skills belie his crummy assessment. I bet he sticks around for a long while as a tutor." I think he'll be a tutor because his Determination is 14 and his Personality is Fairly Professional.
Here's a team we've faced three times before and we beat them each time. I vaguely remember one time when they, with their McDonalds kit sponsorship, got abused by another McD just like their chicken nuggets abuse my intestines. Too much?
vs. Weston-super-Mare, 10 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: Legg, Peers, Parker, Smith, Jefcoate, Ferguson, Watkins, Leary, Davies, Rae, Flitcroft
Subs: O'Keeffe, Barnes, Ferreira, O'Shea, Rice, Noulas, Robinson, McGregor, Harding, Macey, McLeish, Roberts
Weston boss us around for the first four minutes, completely disrupting our attack and keeping us off balance. Until one small error allows Flitcroft to squeak in a shot from an impossible angle. I knew he was gonna rock it being a striker. From that point on it's the Flitcroft and Rae Show with Flitty getting his hat trick from two Rae assists. Only blip was the expected Legg lapse in concentration.
POM: Mark Flitcroft 9.4 (3 goals, 1 key pass)
There were almost 4 minutes of injury time so those three yellows for Weston didn't actually happen all within 60 seconds.
Our cup draw luck (luck of the draw?) continues as for the next FA Trophy round we get to host and we face a lesser team. Excellent...
Dover, Dover, Dover, Dover...you have no hope. Just lay down and play dead.
vs. Dover, 14 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Ferreira, Nightingale, O'Shea, Rice, Roberts, Watkins, McGregor, Taylor, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Legg, Peers, Barnes, Smith, Jefcoate, Noulas, Robinson, Leary, Harding, Rae, Flitcroft, Lemon
Dover roll over and show us their great white underbelly just 21 seconds in. Pretty simple stuff; Watkins takes it out wide, sends a blade-high cross to McLeish at the far post, and he just taps it in. McLeish gets a brace and the master of the long shot, Bill Taylor, gets one too. McLeish takes 35 minutes to get his hat trick. Macey finally gets into gear after an hour when he gets cheeky, using his knee to score.
POM: Derek McLeish 9.7 (3 goals, 4 key passes, 3 chances created)
I'd like to point out that Tommy Watkins was very close to the POM, having 3 assists, 6 key passes, and 3 chances created.
This Sunday sees two draws. For the Conference League Cup Fourth Round we host Ebbsfleet from the league above us and for the FA Vase Fifth Round we host Ashford, supposing we get past Coleshill. I can't believe our good luck getting to host matches. I'm not save-scumming!
Macey's tutoring of Morris comes to an end and it went swimmingly! Mickey's Determination is now 19 and his personality is Driven.
I know this is crying over spilled milk but Alex Rae is now highly influential. I was hoping to dump him as he's not improving and there are three kids in the youth team who are ready to make him irrelevant. Dammit.
A match against a team from a league down and are mid-table there? Sounds like a good time to run out the younger crews. Coleshill are 98 miles to the northwest of Brixton, just outside of Birmingham, up against the beltway to the east side of town.
at Coleshill, 17 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: Legg, Barnes, Ferreira, Parker J, Sterling, O'Reilly, Kingdon, Walker, Harding, Garcia, Flynn
Subs: Webb, Parker K, Smith, Collopy, Jefcoate, McAdam, Ferguson, Robinson, Noulas, Leary, Hollett, Davies
U23 midfielder Ben O'Reilly is itching to get into the senior team and his 25-yard galazzo just 100 seconds in makes a convincing argument. Later his pass to Walker in the box misses the mark but that's because the target was held back; Harding has no problems scoring from the spot. Just before 45 minutes are gone Walker and Harding combine again for our triple. I thought that was it for the first half but Alfie Barnes lobs one in to striker Andy Flynn for his first Brixton Seniors goal.
The easiness continues with another goal for Flynn and one of their midfielders being sent off. But with Legg in goal they of course score. But to do so when they are short-handed!?! I blame Collopy who didn't anticipate the long ball and then let the striker get past him. I knew I was right dropping him.
POM: Andy Flynn 9.3 (2 goals)
I got two emails after the match, one each from Nickcolson Garcia and Gary Walker, praising me for allowing them to get their first starts for the Seniors. They are now both itching to get in regularly. I've created a monster!
After the match Noah Harding's agent showed up asking for a new contract for his client. I've got better options, such as little-used Senior Glyn Davies and impressive U23er Ben O'Reilly, not to mention David Doran down in the U18s. Harding's contract expires at the end of this season, he has an option, and is already making £750 per week; he's not worth £1,200 per. (It doesn't help that his Teamwork is 8 and his Work Rate is 9.) He's irked that I deny him and walks in for a talk. I tell it's just not in the cards at the moment. He seems appeased for now.
Our last league match was against Bath. Our next is against Poole. Do we face Jacuzzi after that? My bad. I'll see myself out. With a match on Tuesday, Thursday (today), and Saturday we're going to see a lot of turnover. We should be good though. I'll pretty much slow things down once we get a lead.
vs. Poole, 19 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Nightingale, O'Shea, Rice, Coates, Watkins, McGregor, Taylor, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Parker K, Smith, Roberts, Leary, Flitcroft
Whadaphuq?! Poole come out on fire! They work the ball slowly up field and if it hadn't been for O'Keeffe's two point-blank denials we would be down after 45 seconds. At 33' we've yet to have a shot on goal and Watkins has pulled a knee ligament. Fortunate for us, at 33:20 Rice gets pissed and lobs one way forward to McLeish who partners with Macey to get us on the board. At the half I feel it's prudent to Assertively command them to not get complacent and everyone focuses up. I swap Leary in for Watkins and pray we get no more injuries. They draw even because Coates can't head for shit. Almost immediately thereafter they strike again from a corner kick.
With 15 minutes to play, our other fullback takes matters into his own foots and launches one for a lonely Macey and things are tied up. A minute later it's Mark Flitcroft who is tired of this crap, he feeds Eddie and we go ahead. To put a stamp on matters, Coates atones for his earlier sin, scoring on a long-range free kick just before 90'.
POM: Eddie Macey 9.6 (3 goals, 3 key passes, 3 chances created)
That was way too trying on my nerves. I can't even remember when we gave up multiple goals in one match. I read them the riot act and everyone gains focus, including Nightingale, whose 6.2 was going to get him an official warning if the didn't react properly.
Oh fucking hell. Watkins gets his second knee injury in two months. He might be out for up to two weeks this time. Crud. How do we get through without him? Who's the lucky kid that gets to back-up Robinson? Ben Pope?
These guys are at the bottom of the league table. That does not mean I'm taking them lightly, what, with the Poole match fresh in our minds. Ben Pope does get to ride the bench today.
at Bognor Regis, 21 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Barnes, Ferreira, Smith, Jefcoate, Ferguson, Robinson, Leary, Lemon, Flitcroft, Rae
Subs: Parker K, Peers, Harding, Pope, Macey
I was beginning to worry as we didn't have any shots in the first 19' minutes but then we started flooding the box and after some deft passing between the strikers a ricochet finds Leary, who does not fail me. Not 5 minutes later another ricochet finds Leary and our lead doubles; it was a Robinson cross attempt that made its way to Leary. (Oh dang! During the instant replay I noticed that it wasn't a deflection but Robinson's cross nutmegged two Regis Philbins and Flitcroft.)
We're lucky to be ahead really. Rae and Flitcroft have not been good and BR have had multiple chances but they've been off target. I flip the strikers around to get them on their proper sides which results in puny Flitcroft, all of 165 centimeters (5'5"), jumping up over a defender to head in our third. (I had to look it up. Their right centreback is only 167 cm. Why does this game program in short DCs? Myles should get on that.) Annnnnd that's all she wrote.
POM: Gary Leary 9.0 (2 goals, 1 key pass, 1 chance created)
That was a bit tougher than I was hoping. It was the worst team in the league! Oh well.
So another weird thing happened with the Team of the Week. Barnes and Coates made it, yeah, yeah, yeah, but so did Macey. At right midfielder. Granted, he is Natural at right winger but still…. Crappy programming again.
This match's subplot is seeing how Ben Pope does with the rest of the Starting XI. There are already three clubs sniffing around Tommy Watkins and he may end up packing his bags come January. I need to know if we are good behind Andy Robinson. We smashed them in their house back in September in a cup match so I predict another easy day.
at Torquay, 24 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Nightingale, O'Shea, Rice, Coates, Pope, Leary, Taylor, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Parker K, Barnes, Smith, Lemon, McGregor
Another match in which our opponent is out-shooting us and our strikers are wearing their "can't shoot boots." That is until the 35th minute when a McLeish cross finds Macey's head somehow; Eddie was marked by both centrebacks and both are a half-foot taller than him. Torquay have a corner 3 minutes later but we get a counter and McLeish gets his second assist after sending a long ball up to Bill Taylor who is somehow on a one-on-one. His goal was pretty funny, it hits the far post down low then slowly rolls to the near post where it finally fully crosses the line.
Torquay manage to defy the odds and get one through our wall on a free kick. Nightingale then fouls during a cross and the game is tied. I have to remove three defenders (Nightingale, Peers, and O'Shea) and set things to Overload. We are saved by Connor Smith and Eddie Macey courtesy of a gift corner with two minutes left. Ben Pope does add another late one from far out but I'm still not happy.
POM: Eddie Macey 9.1 (2 goals, 2 key passes, 2 chances created)
Nightingale ends with a 5.9 rating and a wallet that is a little bit lighter. He accepts his fine and acknowledges he played poorly.
Now here is a new contract I can get behind! McLeish's agent comes in demanding a new one and with McLeish being so key to our successes, and on a measley £200 per week, I'm down with it. He is regarded as a League Two potential but I imagine that he's really close to League One. I offer £1,000 per week and the usual bonuses and clauses. I take the extraordinary measure of offering a £10,000 bonus if he leads the league in goals. Currently, he has 12 and the best in the league has 17. (Macey has 16.)
A good crowd show up in the drizzle to watch this match. Hopefully Albans doesn't have any divine intervention.
vs. St. Albans, 28 November 2020
Formation: Diamond
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Ferreira, Nightingale, O'Shea, Rice, Noulas, Robinson, McGregor, Davies, Macey, Rae
Subs: Parker K, Parker J, Harding, Leary, Flitcroft
They might have divine intervention but we have referee intervention, which is more better, as Macey sinks a penalty shot at 2:43. One-hundred and twenty seconds later McGregor receives a Nightingale pass from a Davies corner and he sinks it. And so it goes, goals coming left and right, and we end the match on target with 9 of our 11 shots.
POM: Stephen McGregor 9.5 (2 goals, 4 key passes, 2 chances created)
Nightingale has a great bounce back, I'm happy for him. I'm not happy that his agent thinks that means he deserves a new contract. Usually when I deny a new contract the player gets pissed and wants to talk at me. This time Nightingale didn't utter a word. That's a nice change!
A couple of times over the last three months my scouts have been reporting on foreign players who are in a club in one of the leagues below us. The players are on non-contracts, are phenomenal, and want outrageous wages. On top of that the club, Congleton, wants unrealistic fees. The club is semi-professional and has over £1.1 million in the bank. I have no idea how the database created this situation or if the coding is to blame. So very odd. The players could be in League Two and League One clubs yet languish down there.
Derek McLeish signs his new contract on 29 November. There is no truth to the rumor that he immediately then went to Mickey D's to gorge himself on Big Macs.
So if I was right in last month's The Fourteen assessment then this month' s assessment of Cockbill means his 3.5 stars makes him a League One potential player. Right? I knew he was going to amount to something. Good to see Lemon is finally settled in and he's matching what his scouted ability indicated.
So we struggled somewhat, a couple of close shaves if you will, not that we lost but we are showing signs of complacency and not defending well. I did want things to be close but it still frays the nerves! :-D
I feel like I haven't updated my website in ages so instead spending more time researching and writing, I'll leave you with this stupid joke. (I don't like the modern Dad Joke term as my dad's jokes were almost always vulgar. Hahahaha)
Can this player play striker?
Khinda.