Los Granadinos - Fulfilling potential.

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Jinky67

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A few months ago I started what has become the best save I've ever played in any football manager game in the last 7 years. I chose Granada as I seen the potential the club had with players such as Murillo and El Arabi. I joined this forum to share with you how I have got on so far. Unfortunately the save has went on so long I have forgot about a lot of what has happened throughout the years so until then will do yearly updates.
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Tactics

I used 1 tactic all season. I formulated it myself and it's rather unorthodox, but it most certaintly worked. It focused more on not conceding rather than trying to thrash opponents. The tactic restricts expression in our play apart from the front 2. The shadow striker was vital in our success.

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The tactic allows wing backs to push forward and supply crosses for the striker, while the 3 centre backs hold their positions along with the sweeper, whose role is to intercept passes between the centre and wing backs. The false 9's job is to come deep to get the ball while the shadow striker makes runs beyond the defence to get through on goal (or at least that's the idea behind it)

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These instructions were used to implement a fast, direct style of play. The idea behind this was that many of our players had low composure and would dilly-dally while on the ball and this could have been fatal in a match. Playing balls into the F9's feet for him to hold the ball up and bring others into play was also at the front of my mind while coming up with this. I wanted the wing-backs to stay wide as possible and exploit the flanks in order to get as many crosses from deep positions into the box as possible. It was important that all players stuck close to the opposition to prevent free headers and players running into the box unmarked.

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Transfers

I was given around 2.4 million euros to spend in the first season. Many areas needed strengthening. I raided the Barcelona 'B' side for a few of their young starlets at a low cost. The players had the mental stats needed to compete at La Liga level and unlike Barcelona I was willing to give the players a chance. I signed

Javier Espinosa - 400,000 euros. A young attacking minded midfielder with outstanding technique and composure for such a young player. Versatile being able to play in any midfield position and could fill in at right-wing back when needed. H
opefully can sell him on for a good profit in the future.

Carles Planas - 375,000 euros. A fantastic full back both when defending and going forward. Can put in a great tackle as well as a great cross. Has great mental stats too. Hopefully can sell him on for a good profit in the future also.

Sergi Gomez -875,000 euros. Will play sweeper throughout the season and will be vitally important to the team. Has fantastic anticipation as well as composure and is very comfortable on the ball, He like Planas can fill any position within the defence.

Burgui - 350,000 euros. I signed this player from Castilla, Real Madrid's 'B' side. A bright, quick and energetic attacking midfielder with a great eye for goal as well as seeing a pass. He may not be in the my plans straight away but some good performances for the 'B' side may bring him into consideration.

Craig Moore - 180,000 euros. Brought in by the director of football from Motherwell, don't really plan on playing him but will give him a chance if he does the business for the 'B' side in a much lower division. A striker with a good eye for goal and a good turn of pace.

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No players left the club at all during either transfer window.

Next update, I'll seperate my performance in La Liga and in the Copa Del Rey throughout the season. I'll also highlight key players from the campaign.

Hope you guys enjoyed my first post. This is the first story I have done so any criticism/ideas for the story would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Will look forward to following this! The layout is fine as well, maybe change the font? But you can keep it the same if you are happy with it.
 
Great start Jinky and nice layout, I like bright colour Skin but does my eyes no good haha! Will enjoy following your story and what you have achieved.
 
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Started the season poorly as the squad got to grips with the new shape and style of play. Performances were decent yet the results failed to come. A couple of excellent matches though as we beat Bilbao and Atlético at Home. El Arabi and Brahimi proved to have a great partnership already, Ighalo also chipped in with 3 goals in his first 7 games.

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We then hit a magnificent bit of form over the next 3 months as we only lost 1 in 14 league games, which was against Barcelona in the Camp Nou. We played some fantastic football and El Arabi had 11 goals and 11 assists in 25 games while Ighalo had 13 goals to his name in 15 games. After a brief spell out injured. Brahimi's form had dipped dramatically and was often found on the bench. Highlights were a lucky 3-2 win away at Real Madrid thanks to an Ighalo double and penalty from Sergi Gomez. And a 2-1 win away at Valencia.


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A terrific way to end off a fabulous first season as we won 9 of our remaining 12 fixtures. We played some fantastic football throughout the whole season. Many of our matches were won by sheer hard work with little quality on display. But hard fought victories are the ones to savor.

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A season to remember as I led Granada to their highest ever finish in La Liga with little investment. Champions League football will be a real learning curve next season although I doubt any progression will be made.

 
Great start Jinky and nice layout, I like bright colour Skin but does my eyes no good haha! Will enjoy following your story and what you have achieved.

I've been looking for a new skin for ages but can't seem to find 1 i like.
 
How is the Premier League going on your save? Good update mate.

I'm actually in 2018 in the save haha. Man city beat Chelsea to the title by 4 points first season. Giroud top scorer with 20, Palace West ham and Sunderland relegated.
 
You can give me some future tips about players haha :) your tactic looks immense, is it consistent?
 
Will be following, had a granada story on here last year, seem to remember half my starting 11 was on loan from Udinese
 
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I had high hopes for my side in this year's Copa Del Rey. I wanted to get to the quarters at least or maybe with a lucky draw even the Semi's. With the team fairing well in La Liga I was sure I could reach these ambitions.

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I was drawn against Lugo, a side from the Second Division. The first game I trounced them 4-0 away. The second was an uneasy tie but proved to be far too strong for them.

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Next up were Sporting from the Division below. I was apprehensive about the tie as they had players who could easily have done some damage. We won the first game through some luck as we were awarded 2 penalties which El Arabi tucked away. They scored twice in succession to bring it level before Brahimi scored a fluke cross from the left hand side which eluded the goalkeeper. We were outplayed in the second leg at home and the result flattered us considering they had 60% of the ball. Away goals helped us go into the quarters

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We would have to rely on away goals again to defeat fallen giants Valencia over the two legs. We played well at the Mestalla but again our home form in the cup was poor. We had reached our goal of the quarter final, could we go all the way?

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I was quietly confident our away goal scored by Espinosa would send us through to the Copa Del Rey Final, but our best performance of the season in which we had 14 shots on target and 69% of possession took us through. I had exceeded my own, the players, the board's and the fan's expectations this season and with 1 more final push this could be the best season in the clubs history.


 
Will be following, had a granada story on here last year, seem to remember half my starting 11 was on loan from Udinese

yeah a few are from Udinese, Nyom was absolutely oustanding for me while Ighalo had one good season scoring 20 league goals, which you'll find out more about after my Copa Del Rey final update.
 
You can give me some future tips about players haha :) your tactic looks immense, is it consistent?

I used it for 3 seasons and as you'll find out it is indeed. I've kind of went in a total football direction now because of the quality of player at my disposal
 
The skin I use is just the FM Original Skin but in Dark, easier on the eyes. I am sure you can subscribe via Steam and it downloads.
 
You can give me some future tips about players haha :) your tactic looks immense, is it consistent?

I highly recommend you sign Murillo from Granada, may be a bit expensive, 10-20 million but is definitely worth it, you should see what happens in with him in the story :O
 
Unfortunately due to me being so far into the game(2018) it no longer allows me to access formations, goalscorers anything like that so the only screenshot I have available is the scoreline. Hope your enjoying the story so far.


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The Final

Nerves set in as the coach arrived at the Bernabeu. A sea of red and white before my eyes. They were here to see their team make history. A Champions League spot secured and now the prospect of silverware, most fans of Los Granadinos would never have dreamed of such achievements. We were up against Martino's Barcelona. With the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Neymar at their disposal. While Granada are without their main man El Arabi and only sweeper Sergi Gomez. Diego Mainz has to fill an unfamiliar position. Espinosa is still tired from the match at Sevilla on Wednesday but says he can still put in a shift, I believe him. Tonight is Brahimi's chance to regain my trust, he's in the line up behind Ighalo. He needs to find his early season form for us to have any sort of chance.


Campeones

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We did it! we beat Barcelona in normal time to become Copa Del Rey champions. 80,000 fans were there to witness history being made in the flesh while all of Spain bar Barcelona fans roared on Los Granadinos as the underdogs defied the odds. 2 goals from Ighalo, one in the first half and one in the dying minutes between Messi's superb solo run and finish. We played exceptionally well considering the difference in quality between the sides. We defended for our lives and hit them on the counter twice. I've never jumped around so much in my life as I did when Ighalo scored in the 88th minute.

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Granada fans partied through the night in the streets of the City celebrating their beloved club's achievements.

 
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Key players of the season

Every player who played in the 2013/2014 season contributed majorly to the success we had in my first season in charge. The progress made throughout the year was fantastic and some of our younger stars are developing into top class players. We finished 3rd in La Liga meaning Champions League football for the first time ever as well as a first ever Copa Del Rey in the club's history. We couldn't have done it without...

Youssef El Arabi - The striker who was played out of position in the attacking midfield role contributed greatly throughout the season and scored some very important goals, as well as racking up numerous assists.

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Odion Ighalo - The big striker was fantastic in the league and scored almost a third of the clubs goals in the league. Hope to have him back for the new campaign on a permanent basis.

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Allan Nyom - The powerful wing back was pivotal throughout the season with numerous stand out performances and assists

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Goals For Next Season


  • [*=center]Top 4 finish

    [*=center]Make a good impression of ourselves in the group stages of the Champions League

    [*=center]Further the development of the youngsters in the first team

    [*=center]Try to win Copa Del Rey
 
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2014/15 Season. A new Chapter.


Transfers

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Very content with the business done in the summer. Trigueros is amazingly talented and scored and assisted 28 goals in 42 appearances for Villarreal last season. Recio played a big part in our success last season and was delighted to get him back. Wijnaldum will replace El Arabi and is an exciting prospect. Kurt Zouma is a very powerful commanding centre half and will be excellent in beside Planas and Murillo. The returning Siqueira will play a big part this season. Alan Nyom and Odion Ighalo's loans were also extended until next season. Gaston Gil Romero should be fantastic in the midfield, he will provide great energy along with some fine technical ability. Diouf will play back-up to Ighalo but will be utilised in cup games.

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Was good to get rid of some dead wood who were taking up a lot of the wage budget. Heart broken about El Arabi leaving but his transfer fee funded many of the players who came in. Fran Rico is also a big loss but decided to move him on. I sent a few players on loan for either first team experience or for more senior players to get game time. I swapped Iturra for Recio plus cash which will be a good deal in years to come. Belkalem's wages were ridiculously high and needed to shift him to free up some cash.

Overall content with the business I've done this summer.

 
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Pre Season

This pre season was all about getting the players ready for the new season, fitness wise and helping new signings gel with the group. We played different standards of opponents which will be invaluable for the new campaign ahead. Tactics will remain the same as last season and will for every game.


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We remained unbeaten during pre-season with some fine performances. We kept 7 clean sheets throughout the friendlies also which was very pleasing. The new signings seem to have adapted to new surroundings well. It's shaping up to be a great season.


Stars of pre season

There were some very pleasing performances in the matches.

Wijnaldum performed well on a consistent basis scoring once and assisting 7 times

Ighalo
was fantastic in front of goal scoring 4 goals in 5 matches as well as getting an assist

Zouma showed signs of class throughout every match of pre season and himself and Murillo look to be a fine partnership along with Planas



 
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