New Year New Life: The Story of a Journeyman

[LutterworthFox]

2021/22 Pre-Season - Palencia (Spain La Liga 2)
It's been an incredibly busy pre-season as expected so let's not hang about and get straight into the signings:
Lionel Zouma - Central Defender - Free Transfer

Gonzalo Melero - Central Midfielder - Free Transfer

Papito Merencia - Left Back - Free Transfer from RVVH (Holland)

Joel Coch - Central Midfielder - £135k from Europa

Filipe Marques - Defensive Midfielder - Free Transfer from Praviano

Liam Brock - Goalkeeper - £22.5k from Colchester

Roger Riera - Central Defender - Free Transfer from Olimpic Xativa

Some really solid signings in my eyes, we needed to strengthen the defensive areas and I've certainly done that with a new LB and 2 new CBs, I've also bolstered the DM and CM areas as the players I had just weren't good enough.
Now the squad is certainly improving although we are still a long way behind matching up to most teams in this division.

Pre-Season Results

As always I planned a few easier games and then some tougher money making games, it went OK, it could've certainly been better but I expected a little drop in some results as the players bedded in.
Odds and Expectations

Same crappy expectations, I don't expect to come bottom, another season of consolidation and hopefully a push for mid-table would be nice but we need to stay away from the inconsistent results of last season to do that.

 

[NathanITFC]

Some good signings made, particularly like the look of Zouma, Melero and Coch. Did you sell/release many and what transfer kitty did you originally have to spend?

 

[NathanITFC]

Just seen that you had £325,000, my bad!

 

[dani3w]

Good work with this, superb to see you finally throw over Lincoln in Gibraltar before winning promotion here. Hopefully on to big things in the future.

 

[LutterworthFox]

Some good signings made, particularly like the look of Zouma, Melero and Coch. Did you sell/release many and what transfer kitty did you originally have to spend?

I had just short of 1m in budget but switched most over to wages as knew I wouldn't need to spend much. I did release a few players but no first teamers

 

[LutterworthFox]

Good work with this, superb to see you finally throw over Lincoln in Gibraltar before winning promotion here. Hopefully on to big things in the future.

Thanks mate. Hoping a decent season this yer if I can just sort the defence out. Then hopefully my rep increases and can get a laliga job

 

[LutterworthFox]

August/September 2021

If I could swear on these forum I would be going absolutely mental right now! This is terrible, shocking, bleeding atrocious! FM Rage in full effect! We just cannot defend to save our lives!

Get me the **** outta here! Ha ha ha

 

[LutterworthFox]

Ooooooo some interesting news incoming!

 

[LutterworthFox]

Oh dear, what a pity, never mind!

On a side note, I have changed tactics, gone is the narrow diamond and back in is the trusted 4141 with 2 WMs, it seems to be working!

 

[LutterworthFox]

October/November 2021

Although still not that good it's definitely looking better. 9 games 12 points, more than a point a game and I'm happy!

 

[LutterworthFox]

December 2021/Janaury 2022

Much better, the change in tactics to a normal 4141 and we look a lot more solid. 8 games - 12 points and some very pleasing performances.

Mid-table but it's still very tight, we can't afford a major run of bad results or we will be dragged into the relegation scrap
New Signings

Alvaro Rosa - Winger - Free Transfer from Almazan

Clesio - Winger - Free Transfer

 

[LutterworthFox]

February/March 2022

As expected a few bad results and we are right back down in the mire. Absolutely shocking to be honest and now we are bang in trouble.

Youth Intake

Not bad, here are the 3 best players, they actually don't look too bad!

 

[LutterworthFox]

April - June 2022 & End of Season Review
3 months in 1 mainly because there was only 1 game in June!

A bad end but overall it was OK, some very good wins there. But was it enough to keep us up?

JUST! We survived with 2 games to spare which is 1 better than last season and also we improved by 1 point. So overall a good season, results slightly better, no absolute kick-ins this season, we ended 1st in the amount of goals scored which was nice and surprising.
Lets take a look at the squad:

And here's the 2 best players in my eyes:

And finally the end of seas review screenshots:

So another decent season but I really can't spend too much more time languishing in the lower level of Spain. My rep isn't increasing massively (still 2*) but I am now learning my Continental B Licence which should help me get a better job. I have applied for a few this season, mainly lower La Liga teams and haven't got an interview. Let's hope with 1 more good season my rep increases then I think it's time to move on.

I forgot to mention earlier that the takeover of the club did end up happening and the new board pumped an extra £3m into the bank balance which now sits at £5.6m. The budgets for next season are pretty stable, Just short of £1m in transfer budget and £60k p/week wages, we currently spend £54k so not much movement there. I don't really need to bring many people in, 1 or 2 wide players would be helpful and maybe once again strengthen in defence. But then again a new job might come up!! Who knows!

 

[LutterworthFox]

2022/23 Pre-season - Palencia (Spain)

Outs

Nothing really exciting, no one important left as I didn't wanna change the squad too much. Striker Nedgredo the only fee we got in but he wasn't required.
In's

Only 2! Not like me!!!

CHRIS PHILLIPS - Central Defender/Defensive Midfielder - Free Transfer

IVAN HRUSKA - Right Winger - £659k from Celta Vigo

A club record fee but my god he looks good!
Here is the squad:

Pre-Season Results

As always I play some easy away games and some money-spinning home games, overall not bad!
Odds/Expectations

Still 1000-1!! I'm sure we can do better than that, then again I say that every year! No real change in expectations and to be honest I didn't expect any
Other News

Still no job interviews, Real Sociedad sacked their manager, I applied but no interview

Morale is rock bottom mainly due to a squad mutiny as GK Liam Brook wanted to leave, the big from Getafe was £150k, no chance he is leaving for that so the squad can like it or lump it. Hopefully a good start will lift morale but I'm not confident! Come on Barca you know you want me!!!!

 

[LutterworthFox]

August/September 2022

Well after a shocking start we have turned it around and have had some incredibly good results! I think this is the best run of results I've has since we gained promotion. Can we keep it up? Not sure!!

 

[LutterworthFox]

October/November 2022

 

[LutterworthFox]

December 2022/January 2023

Safe to say this season is going a **** sight better! Let's hope we can keep it up!

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[bashuijsmans]

Great story, hopefully you can reach the play offs!!

 

[LutterworthFox]

Great story, hopefully you can reach the play offs!!

Thanks mate, hopefully we can keep this good run up!

 

[LutterworthFox]

February/March 2023

OK form, nothing amazing but it's good enough to keep us in the play off hunt.

Even though we are 8th we are still in the play off spots, this is because Real Madrid and Barcelona B can't be promoted (not allowed in same division as the A team).