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That situation where I hit "Continue" but the game doesn't advance? It seems to have gone away. I don't know what the issue was but a silver lining of having my computer crash is having things return to normal on the "Continue" front.
Ah, Spring when a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of football. Let us hope that April fixtures bring May victors. We are still in three cups and with three victories we will be in three finals next month. I'm looking forward to trophies and big paydays.
Jefcoate is on his way out anyway so I don't really care. McGregor, you're the future! Why must you do this to me? Very happy to see Mark Curran and Mickey Morris do well as they are the now and the future. Also, very happy to see Curran and Leary have two great months in a row.
We lost just over £121,000. How many months this year did we run a deficit? I know our squad size will be smaller next year so we should have a lower wage bill, but will our attendance increase enough to keep us reliably in the green?
I inched up to 91% and that is totally understandable seeing as we just won the league. And of course I won Manager of the Month again.
Same ol', same ol'.
Centreback Jason Cosgrove had a great month, like Colin Cockbill did last month. They might force their way into the Seniors as bench regulars by the end of the calendar year, I bet. Right fullback Pat Lawford also had a great month and he is already scheduled to join the Seniors this summer as my first choice. Continuing with the defensive good news, GK Adrian Lee is coming along very nicely.
I really appreciate that Kevin Jenkins has improved some, including his Pace that is now 13. His 10 Determination and Unambitious personality bug me, they are holding him back. Therefore, he's going to get the final few months of Stephen O'Shea's mentoring instead of Barnes. Hopefully we'll get some benefit and he improves enough to keep him around. The meeting goes well so I see an increase in my Optimism score. :-)
Dean Rice's Bravery is recovering, going from 9.2 to 9.4 over the course of March. This bodes well.
Those two players I mentioned last month that were to be released by their teams for not being worthy of an additional contract? Well, the scout reports came in on the right winger, Peter Smith, and centreback, Ben Evans. Unshockingly, they don't want to sign with us. For now...
We should have a good crowd today considering we are facing a team with greater reputation. I do worry we won't survive this match as Boston United have a better roster than us. Despite that, the pundits favor us at 6-4 odds. Interesting...
vs. Boston United, 3 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Ferreira, Barnes, Jefcoate, Roberts, Robinson, McGregor, Flitcroft, Marshall, McLeish
Subs: Legg, Parker K, Parker J, O'Shea, Curran, Noulas, Pope, Leary, Lemon, Macey, Rae, Harding
Exactly at 6' McLeish scores after four other players touch the ball following a Peers throw-in. I heap the Praise on them as only Marshall was inspired by my locker room speech before the match. I thought we had another one in the 28th but McGregor and Ferreira were offside. Right at 44' they get us on the counter. The most annoying part was shoddy SI programming as the ball initially came to Jefcoate but he backed away from it, letting a Bostoner boot it forward. We get another disallowed goal at 60' and I have to yank Marshall (6.2) and Barnes (6.4).
Oh boy. Something in wrong. At 64' and some change I get a message that there would be "two minutes of added time." Uhh...what?
Ten minutes later Robinson has a quasi-cross, a pass from not too far wide, and it falls to Macey who puts it away. Then Rae gets in on things after another Robinson quasi-cross pinballs around the box for about 5 seconds. At this point I go to the Cudgel and pull off my tired wingers. At 90' we get a message that there would be four minutes added, so weird... But maybe the program was predicting that we would only need two extra minutes to get our fourth goal from Rae's brace at 92:09?
POM: Andy Robinson 8.9 (2 assists, 5 key passes, 2 chances created)
That was a good bit of turnaround. Macey made the difference, lifting everyone's spirits but Rae should have been the POM from those two goals. I shouldn't be complaining, really, considering Boston is a league above and in first place there. Maybe I complain too much.
Something is amiss with my old laptop, methinks, as the graphics did a bit of sputtering and that odd message only 2/3 of the way through the match. This bears watching
In the original timeline I never offered a new contract to Andy Robinson and he walked away scot-free. The game points out that with 3 months left on his contract he hasn't been offered a new one. Should I offer one, probably around £4,000 per week, and then sell him come June? I think I'll let it ride. I know he's too costly and there's no guarantee that we'll make enough money on the sell to offset the salary.
It's Monday and all three teams play today. Sometimes when you have the U23s and the U18s play on the same day the roster management gets a bit wonky. I hope that doesn't happen.
Poole Town? Didn’t we just face you? Oh wait, that was Bath. What's the difference? About 48 miles. Hahahaha I slay me.
at Poole Town, 5 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: Legg, Parker K, Smith, Nightingale, Curran, Noulas, Pope, Leary, Davies, Marshall, Morris
Subs: Parker J, Rice, Harding, McGregor, Macey
Well, wow! Davies gets a corner kick, sends it straight to Pope about 30 yards from the goal, he sends it to Marshall on the box line and in it goes! But then I sigh. On the restart we stymy an attack and Smith sends the ball way up field and Morris is all alone. And he sends it right to the goalie. It takes 30 seconds to get the ball back and again a defender springs Morris for a 1v1 and this time he skies it from 20 yards out. Dammit! A third free and clear shot from Morris and it goes right to the goalie, weakly. Luckily for us Marshall is back, getting his brace in the 41st.
BUT THEN... Poole have the gall to try to get into our end. Legg ain't having any of it, boots a long one just past midfield to Marshall and he sends it to Davies a few yards on and he lobs one to Morris. The orb lands about 3 yards to the right of the spot and Mickey blasts it in off the hop. Much heat! The game passes on from that point with a minimum of action sequences. I'm very relieved.
POM: Mark Marshall 9.1 (2 goals, 2 key passes, 1 chance created)
Wowza! Accurate on 11 of 13 shots. That's insane! Also insane? Nightingale's agent in my office with a new contract pre-written, all he needs is my signature. He'll get my boot if he doesn't get out!
Dulwich Hamlet have secured a playoff spot. I do not like Dulwich Ham, I do not like Dulwich, Mad-I-Am. I do not like them tying us, I do not like how they are sus. I do not want them going up, I do not want them to win a cup.
Yes, the U23 and U18 rosters got wonky. I gotta remember to not schedule U23 friendlies on the same days as the U18 fixtures.
The U18s won their league by beating Colchester U18s 4-0. Two of the goals came from new kid Richard Phillips and two came from old hat Kevin Carolan. Cool.
The Team of the Week includes only Connor Smith (DC r) and Mark Marshall (ST l). Bummer.
My AssMan again thinks that Chick Legg is rated as a Conference National goalkeeper in Current Ability. He thought so a year ago but over the summer he soured on him. This only adds to my decision to play him the rest of the season to trigger that extension.
Bognor Regis do not have a fast striker or right winger but their left winger has a 16 Pace so that does worry me a little. Make Ferreira the DR for the match?
In this timeline Macey isn't linked with winning the Conference South Player of the Season award. Two players from Dulwich Hamlet are though. I told you I didn't like the Hamlets.
vs. Bognor Regis, 10 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: Legg, Ferreira, Peers, Barnes, Curran, Noulas, Robinson, McGregor, Davies, Marshall, Morris
Subs: Parker K, Smith, Ferguson, Leary, Macey
The first 30 minutes sees only two free kicks for us and both made it to a Brixton head but Peers was off target and Noulas sent it right to the goalie. But at 30:17 a Robinson corner goes to a uncovered Morris about 8 yards out and he one-shots it in with force. Robinson gets his second assist 13 minutes later when his free kick finds a leaping McGregor, who redirects the ball with his head. Then things go stale. Nothing doing. I have to pull Peers and Curran for being Complacent and/or Uninterested. I also pulled Morris to keep him fresh. I keep the attack on and it finally pays off in the 86th when Marshall nutmegs the goalie from a McGregor feed.
POM: Stephen McGregor 9.2 (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 key passes, 2 chances created)
It's easy to win a match when you hold your opponent to 2 shots and neither are on target. Also, I had to fend off Legg's agent this time. :-\
The Team of the Week includes Barnes at left fullback of all things, and both of our wingers at the locations you'd expect them to be. (I've decided against taking screen shots of these emails. Once we get to the Premier then I will.)
On Tuesday, 13 April my scouting meeting starts with a chap named Daryl Sharpe who is a left-footed central defender. Problem is he's only 180cm but is fast so could be trained as a left fullback. His contract is up this year but Coventry have an option. Dare I force their hand? (I end up not forcing their hand. He wasn't as good as I thought upon further review.)
At this stage of the season with our promotion sealed I'm basically picking the squad based on who hasn't played lately or has low Match Fitness. St. Albans are 18th in the league so I do not worry this might bite me in the butt. I also bring up Pat Lawford again. Their stadium is northwest of London, just outside the M25 Ring Road, near Watford. It is a mere 23 miles away.
at St. Albans, 13 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: Legg, Lawford, Parker, O'Shea, Rice, Ferguson, Pope, Leary, Harding, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Jefcoate, Smith, Roberts, Lemon, Flitcroft
It's a wet and dreary day and so is our play. That is until 14:54 when Pope crosses to the far post for McLeish who then crosses to Macey and Eddie comes through with a goal. The theme of a ridiculous amount of free kicks continues but this time it's from the left. Harding is precise with the feed and Jose Parker is precise with his head, doubling our lead; it was his first career league goal. And so it goes. We continuously counter-attack and make the Saints wish for a dry, warm locker room. They find some comfort by getting a goal off a corner in the 76th.
POM: Derek McLeish 9.3 (2 goals, 1 assist, 1 key pass, 1 chance created)
A very pleasing performance by the back-ups.
I just noticed we only have two more league matches! Both are on Saturday and the final one is hosting Billericay. Then the next Saturday we face Billericay again, this time at Wembley for the Conference League Cup Final.
I get an email from my AssMan about Jason Cosgrove's development. He's continuing on his awesome streak. He is not quite ready for prime time but get back to me in July.
The scouting report for our next opponent leaves me drooling. Much like Ahnold's competition, they are puny and weak. I'm going to attack from the get go.
It's time for me to vote for the Conference National League South Player of the Season award. I cannot vote for my own players so I vote for Trustin Zammit of Billericay because it's a funny name and reminds me of Kaa from The Jungle Book.
I do not fear this Team. I bet they can't stand the force of our will for long.
vs. Team Northumbria, 17 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Ferreira, Barnes, Jefcoate, Roberts, Robinson, McGregor, Lemon, Marshall, Morris
Subs: Legg, Parker K, Smith, O'Shea, Rice, Harding, Pope, Leary, Davies, Rae, Flitcroft, Nightingale
Just what we needed: A thorough ass kicking. We had oodles of opportunities and goals. The best one was the first one, a screamer by Morris from 19 yards out.
POM: Mark Marshall 9.5 (2 goals, 2 assists, 2 key passes, 2 chances created)
It was good to see that match. A return to our old form.
Another good thing about that match was Peers finally going Natural at DR. I really have no idea how long it took him as this was his first season with us after 3 at Leeds, and because of laptop collapse.
In the FA Vase Final we take on Congleton, the team that I mentioned back in November that has a lot of money in the bank and a boatload of awesome foreign players on non-contracts. They have 104 points in their league and have secured their promotion. They've not lost since late February and only have four losses for the whole season, plus two draws. This should be interesting.
Yay! More players in the Team of the Week. Jose Parker (DC l), Marshall (ST r ), and Macey (ST l). Excellent, gents!
Alright, here we go! If we win we get into another Wembley-held match. Mo money, mo money! Heroes of Brixton, I have faith in you.
at FC Halifax, 20 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: O'Keeffe, Peers, Ferreira, Barnes, Curran, Noulas, Robinson, McGregor, Davies, Marshall, Morris
Subs: Legg, Parker K, Nightingale, Smith, Jefcoate, Roberts, Pope, Leary, Harding, Macey, Rae, Lemon
The first 45 are mostly garbage with Halifax out-shooting and out-possessing us. But 15 seconds into injury time Morris beats the goalie on a one-v-one after Davies sends in a long pass from our end. But the second 45 is even worse with us repeatedly losing possession and allowing Halifax to pepper Gareth, finally getting one in at 81st. I'm livid but then we get yet another free kick and Noulas is battered by someone and Marshall sinks the penalty kick. We escape by the slightest of margins.
POM: Mickey Morris 7.9 (1 goal, 3 key passes, 1 chance created)
I lay into the team in the locker room and somehow nobody gets Stressed but they do get Motivated or Fire-up.
I get an email from my AssMan telling me about Kevin Jenkins' improvements over the last three months. His Determination went up again, to 11, but he's still Unambitious. Someday, that will change. Hopefully soon.
Oh yes. The revenge game. Dulwich Hamlet must die. They are second in the league but Billericay are still within reach.
at Dulwich Hamlet, 24 April 2021
Formation: Diamond Attack (GK, DR, DC r, DC l, DL, DMC (DLP-S), MR, ML, AMC (AM), ST r (DLF-A), ST l (AF))
Starting XI: Legg, Parker K, Parker J, Nightingale, Rice, Roberts, Pope, Leary, Lemon, Macey, McLeish
Subs: Ferreira, Smith, Harding, McGregor, Rae
The scoring almost starts in the 6th when an inaccurate Leary cross floats all the way to the crossbar in some kind of weird anomaly. Then in the aftermath the ball takes a circuitous route to be right on the six-yard line after McLeish heads a Pope cross down to Macey and Eddie just stares out it. A Hamlet boots it upfield only for it meet Roberts' foot and he boots it left to a lonesome Leary who has a wide open goal at his disposal. Football Manager is drunk again! Our second goal is another FM Special: Roberts overshoots McLeish, the Hammy right back chases the ball, stops it on the endline but continues to run towards the stands. McLeish catches up, crosses it to the near post, where a forgotten Macey simply redirects it into goal. Roberts later finds his accuracy, sending in a Lemon corner from 15 yards out.
After that, it just keeps getting worse for Dulwich despite getting my Control on after our third. And going to the Cudgel at 60'. But in a situation eerily similar to the last match, we give a way an easy one in the 85th.
POM: Liam Roberts 9.2 (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 key passes, 1 chance created)
So glad we got our revenge. I really didn't think we were gonna dominate. Next week is Billericay, the third best team in the league. Hopefully being at home will see us have a strong match again.
Another case of the demanding agent plays out after the match. It's Lemon's agent and he has over a year left so I refuse to talk to his agent. This naturally upsets Lemon so I tell him that he won't be receiving a new one. I do not mention that he rated 6.8 in a resounding victory. Kids these days...
Our next opponent is Billericay and I'm pretty sure they have a Sugar Daddy because their roster is way too good for this league. Plus, I think I remember reading somewhere in real life that they had backing. Not Deadpool-level backing but backing nonetheless.
Our U23s have their final match of the season on Monday, 26 April. They are behind Queens Park Rangers by two points, who they face. I don't know what happens if we win the league though. Well, we won the match so we won the U23 Division 4 South-East. The craziest thing is that 4,957 fans attended. And that managed to deliver just over £40,000 into our bank. Crazy. Senior striker Mark Flitcroft started, scored two goals, was the Player of the Match, and is now Natural at striker. Awesome. Seems we were only playing for pride, there are no further U23 fixtures.
Some how only Laim Roberts makes the Team of the Week, at right midfielder.
West Ham are going to the FA Final, having beat Leeds, 2-0, with one goal coming from Kemar Kirkpatrick.
Before our final match we have a press conference. The last question is about Macey's chances of win Player of the Year. I state emphatically that he deserves to win.
Well, Andy Robinson didn't put in a good month of training, seeing several Abilities drop by a point, which is reflected in his star ratings. Ho hum, he won't be here next season anyway. It's no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy and that Marshall improved, as after his 6.2 performance on 3 April he scored 6 goals and had an average rating of 8.5 over four matches. Flitcroft's "decline" worries me not as I'm sure the game is just adjusting for Morris being destined for awesomehood.
Not pictured here is that Dean Rice is my second-choice left fullback but that kid Steve Pike that I picked up back in July 2019 as a U18 body might be a better option. They are pretty similar with Rice being faster and Pike having better Determination and Work Rate. Pike is two years younger so I have some time to make up my mind on this.
Well that was an easy month, scoring 25 goals while conceding only 4 but we did have that one close call. The theme of free kicks from March continued but not to such a heavy degree and we didn't get FMed too much from it. Having the flexibility of already having won the league allowed for a much calmer me and getting more players regular game time. I am pleased.
In the second edition of TWTTIN, the July 2019 update, I gave a run down of the original 16 players. Here's a minor update. Daniel Duckett agreed to move on to Swindon in June 2019 for £10,000. Since joining them he has started 105 matches and scored 14 goals, while assisting on 29 more. Swindon almost got relegated. I wonder if he would have forced his way out if he had.
Has the Consistency score for either Gary Ferguson and Lee Beirne changed? Let me take a look… Ferguson's is still 8 but he only played in one game in April. I should have given him more matches. Beirne's is still 11. He had four appearances and rated 8.0, 7.8, 6.6, and 8.1, which is almost consistent. I think the larger lesson is I just need more data.