End Of Season Review
Liga Adelante: Finished in a pretty pleasing 12th place
Spanish Cup: Knocked out in 3rd round by Gimnastic
I write this on the day that Argentina have dished out revenge over fierce rivals Brazil. A 3-1 win in the Copa America Final will go some way to avenging Brazils victory over them in the World Cup Final last season. In an unusually cold Leon (freezing conditions at the Reino del Leon continued well into April) La Cultu have finished a pretty unspectacular season in 12th. There are no major signings to report and although we briefly flirted with promotion, mid table obscurity (and safety from relegation) was always my main aim. This summer i hope to secure the funds to restructure the squad and push for the big time of Liga BBVA within 2 seasons.
Rocamora once again has relished his free roaming Trequarista role from midfield and put many a defence to the sword, finishing with 21 goals and 15 assists. Only Federico Macheda managed to better the La Cultu favourite, 22 goals was a great return from the loan signing from Man Utd. An intereseting stat, and one which will surely see Rocamora go down in history as one of the greatest players to wear the jersey of Los Culturalistas, is that hes now scored an incredible 52 goals from just 92 appearances for this little club from Leon. He was deservedly the fans player of the year for the second season running.
Morientes came 3rd in the clubs goalscoring charts, an injury ravaged season saw him score 8 goals from 18 starts. Other team memebers popped up with goals here and there, but nothing of note. The lemon, once again failed to impress....
I am very excited by hot prospect Ruben Jimenez, I held him back for most of the season, but a hat-trick on his league debut for the club may mean hes a long term threat to Rocamoras crown as the fans favourite
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I stuck to my tatcics all season, although Matic's horrendous stamina and Seyfo Soleys regular international call-ups for the Gambia meant my central midfield pairing was never settled all season. Morientes didnt really fit into the system due to his lack of pace, although his aerial ability was welcome. I'm now very grateful that i secured Macheda on loan, without him i fear we may have gone close to the drop.
Betis, Las Palmas and Levante ran away with it, Betis ended up topping the table after Las Palmas' challenge faltered at the last. Xerez, Malaga and Rayo were the only other teams to put any pressure on the leading pack. Whipping boys Poli Ejido were all but down by Christmas, they were followed back to the depths of Spanish 2B by Castilla, Castellon and Cordoba.
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The transfer window has opened, but once again the next season hasnt begun and i dont have my new budget, im not expecting a great deal as club finances are looking pretty tight thanks to excessive wages on elderly stars like Morientes and Contra. I have however secured the signature of Spanish international full back Mariano Pernia (a hero from my FM09 story) on a free. Hes a top left back who will no doubt chip in with plenty of goals thanks to his wonderful technical stats. Dodo looks unlikely to become a permenant signing but i will try. Saviola is still a long shot but hopefully the lack of European football at Benfica this season may persuade him that Leon is his spiritual home. Left winger Rodrigo Achubi made his loan move from River a permenant one thanks to a pre contract agreement.
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I intend to study the market long and hard this summer, perhaps securing a handful of wonderkids to go with Ruben Jimenez who can aid my push for the top flight. As its now the 3rd season there will no doubt be plenty of free agents kicking about, if i can secure a deep lying midfield maestro to sit next to my ballwinner Soley then i'll be happy. Ricardo retired to the coaching staff and Cavallero opted to leave the club so ive got youngster Oscar Martinez and Dudek to battle it out for the number 1 spot. Dudek is free to leave if any club approaches though, thanks to a non-promotion release clause in his contract
so I need a goalie as cover/replacement for Dudek.
I also applied for the USA job after thier shock exit in the group stage of the North American Gold Cup. Its probably not going to be a long term appointment, I intend to use this job to gain knowledge on potential signings on the other side of the pond. Perhaps a tournament win will bost my repuatation and therefore my chance of signing some bigger names. At the very least Gale Agbossomounde will get regular international experience.....
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Hopefully this season i can push on an challenge for promotion. Pre Season update will be posted soon.
Viva La Cultu!