Matt "David De Gea" Macey
In my second season with Vale we got off to a fantastic start, what I have managed to do was create two tactics a 4-2-4 (more of a 4-4-2 to be honest) and a 4-3-3 and it has been working wonders. I do believe this edition more than any of the past years requires you to play two formations in order to get a decent run of results and it prevents a massive mid or end of season slump.
Our season ended up finishing in a 2nd place finish, we were top for about 2 months after an up and down start then an incredible run from eventual champions Yeovil where they went on an unbeaten run led by Paul Dickov which saw them win 12/14 including a 2-0 away victory against us. Although winning the league for a period of time was in our grasp, it was unfortunate that we led it slip (No Stevie G references please...). I'm really happy that we got an automatic promotion and we are set up nicely to build on this success to get us ready for a run in the SkyBet League 1 next year. Matt Macey...(the new Mr. Port Vale) our new keeper was immense for us all season: saved a few pens, did not have many (if any at all) of the infamous FM howlers GKS are becoming famous for. This form earned him a spot in the League 2 team of the year...he also now has a few championship teams that currently want him, but unless stupid offers come in...he is not a replaceable player for me not in the Football League one anyway.
Winning promotion has slightly helped my manager reputation but at this point applying for jobs at other league one teams will most likely hurt my chances of a promotion into the championship. So agreeing a next contract with Vale is what I decided to do. I know the team, I hired the entire coaching staff, brought in players to specifically suit my tactics, I'm sure starting another job I would have to do the same renovations...which would take too much time!
Off-Season into 2019/2020 Season
First order of business was to re sign on loan the League 2 leading goalscorer Marcus Sheldon, Chelsea accepted right away, I'm sure they are happy that his progression is going up the leagues too as he is far too good for League 2 and even at this point in his young career for League 1 also so he should have another successful season. Chelsea has Morata and Belotti so he wont be getting into their line up for many years to come.
As mentioned in previous post League 2 players are all on one or two year contracts so its easy to get rid of a lot of the remaining deadwood and re-sign any players who we think are ready for the challenge of League 1.
*Side notes*
Jevani Brown- Another football manager first for me...this poor fella got a devastating cruciate ligament injury and on his recovery he decided to retire at the end of the season due to injuries at the young age of 24! He had a lot of previous injuries and struggled to get in the line up before his injury a flop of a transfer sadly.
Bury...they are on their second manager since I left...got relegated...we don't get to play them as we move to League 1 while they drop to League 2! Would love to have beaten them! No offense to real life Bury fans I have nothing against your club, only in the fictional world of FM.
Signings:
I'm going to roll the dice on a lot of the players I used last year, I also am going to rely on loan players even more this upcoming season as we have no money for the most part and the type of players we want are not willing to come for a transfer but are interested in loan. Plus I know I'm not going to be at the club for the long haul so buying players for the future is not going to help me!
Herbie Kane- Another Liverpool Academy player who had his contract run out so I was more than happy to pick him up! He will be a starting player for me
Callum Harriott: Flying winger I've brought in for 97k will go straight into the starting line up as our right wing position. Harriott is the only player we bought everyone else is on loan.
Greg Olley: A young yet experienced midfielder, will add depth to our center midfield alongside Kane and Virtue.
Joe Riley: Left back and center back can play both loaned him from Man Utd Academy to give us depth at a few defensive positions
Tolaji Bola: A commanding center back that can also play outside back to similar to Joe Riley signed for coverage but looks like he is going to be a starting player in the NEAR future
Joel Asoro: My favorite player of the bunch acceleration is 18 pace is 17 he is going to be a massive player for us as a winger and as an advanced forward...I had to fend off interest from clubs abroad from him but he chose us and I'm over the moon...on a season long loan from Sunderland