My Swindon Ups and Downs

mstambach01

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I have just compelted my first season on the updated FM (Courtest of Chriss22) and finished 5th. Got to the play off final against Norwich but suffered heartache in the 93rd minute courtesy of Jamie Cureton.

When i took over i was given a budget of 50K and wages of 31,000 per week based on an expectation of mid table finish. As previously i had not much experiance with the lower leagues i opted to keep the expectation this low so as not to dissappoint and with Swindon expected to finish 15th i thought be safe than sorry.

The Swindon team wasn't as bad as i thought. I managed to move on some of the dead wood (Sturrock, Peacock, Paynter, McNamee just to name a few) and bring in a few players to supplement the remaining players.

After a request, Blackburn were made my parent club and from which i was sent Mark Bunn (GK) on a season long loan. He was considerably better than Brezovan or Smith so was a welcome addition.

I also brought in Lilian Laslandes STK (£0), Liam Bridcutt DM,CM (loan from Chelsea), Jean-Eudes Maurice STK (loan from PSG), Peter Gilbert LB (£0), Frits Paap MR (£30k) John-Paul Kissock (£0), Jack Lester (35k) Michael Mifsud (£0) Johann Truchett (12k). I constantly worked my budget's in order to bring in players.

Using the Brian Clough Tactics my strongest team lined up as follows:

GK M Bunn
RB J Truchett
LB P Gilbert
CB S Cuthbert
CB G Greer
RM F Paap
LM A O'Brien
CM J Douglas
CM L Bridcutt
STK L Laslandes
STK J-E Maurice.

I also followed some advice i got from here and got Laslandes and Cuthbert challenging the keeper as they were 18 and 16 at heading respectively, with corners sent into the 6 yard box.

The first half of the season we started on fire, we were top ofter 8 games having won 7 and drawn once.

At Christmas we were 2nd only to Norwich who still had a good championship squad. No new signings in January as i wanted to keep the flow of the squad although a few reserve players moved on either sold or out on loan.

The 2nd half of the season however we seemed to struggle. We started to conceade a lot more goals and end up being dominated on possession. Despite this we were still picking up some of those all important wins but too many draws saw automatic promotion slowly drift away. I managed to reach the 5th round of the FA Cup and after taking Bolton to a replay, were unfortunatly knocked out 1-0. The cup run helped our bank balance which is looking particularly healthy. That coupled with the JPT Southern Final appearance and 3rd round of the League Cup.

I reached the play off's mathmatically only on the final day of the season and lined up against Charlton Athletic in the semis. After a dissappointing 1-1 draw at home i was pessimistic about my chances of advancing to the final. Deciding to release the players of the pressure with my pre-match team talk. The Robins romped to a 2nd leg victory 3-0 away at the Valley, courtesy of goals from Laslandes and Kissock(2), to book our place at the Wembley Final.

In the final we went a goal down early although Maurice scrored a fine individual effort to bring us back on level terms. However in the 3rd minute of stoppage time and through ball by Russell and a finish from Cureton saw Swindon hearts sink. We were defeated and succumbed to another season in League 1.

Outstanding players from the season were:

Mark Bunn - At times it was save after save after save, keeping us in games.

Scott Cuthbert - Young captain who managed an average of 7.27 and even popped up with 11 goals from the centre of defence.

Frits Paap - Finished the season with 23 assists to his name as well as an average rating of 7.14

John Paul Kissock - Very much a bit part player and mainly used as a substitute he had a very productive season managing 14 assists and 6 goals (2 of which were against Charlton in the semi final of the play-offs)

Lilian Laslandes - Now aged 37 still knows where the back of the net is as he showed, finding it on 26 occasions during the season

Jean-Eudes Maurice - Loan players from PSG popped up with 19 goals and 16 assists. If only this boy had more than 10 at finishing he could have trebled his total!! I am trying to get him to sign up for next season as his contract is about to run out. Keeping my fingers crossed for that one.

I will post an update of how the summer evolves and advise you all of players in and out. Hopefully i will be able to push on and achieve that elusive promotion.

Thank for reading.

Matt

Comments Welcome :)
 
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